The Messenger
Axe Memorial UMC News 27 April 2016
About Axe Memorial UMC
Sunday Activities
English Congregation Service: 9:30 AM
Hispanic Congregation Service: 11:30 AM
Sunday School: 10:45 AM
Youth Activities: 5:00 PM
Email: axe@axeumc.org
Website: www.axeumc.org
Location: 1700 W Kingsley Rd, Garland, TX, United States
Phone: (972) 278-2175
Facebook: facebook.com/AxeMemorialUMC
Twitter: @Axe_MemorialUMC
Garage Sale Saturday April 30th 9-4!!!
By: Judy Woods
Axe is having a gigantic garage sale on Saturday, April 29th from 9 AM-4 PM in the McGee Hall Gym. Our garage sales have always been amazingly successful fundraisers for our church.Come and join us to support Axe by:
*volunteering for setup on Thursday, April 28th and Friday, April 29th
*running the sale on Saturday, April 30th
*shopping at the sale on Saturday, April 30th
Hearts & Hands Food Pantry Asks You...
Hearts & Hands Food Pantry is asking for Saltine crackers to be donated. Please contact Pat Arrington or Celeta Edwards with any questions about donations.
Hand Wall Ceremony
Axe Youth joined together March 13, 2016 for our annual hand wall ceremony. We welcomed our newest youth members by adding their hands to our famous hand wall in the youth café. As we reflected on an amazing story of Jesus’ statue remaining through the bombings and violence of World War II, with only the hands damaged. The stone mason after weeks trying to reconstruct the hands of the statue revealed the statue just as it had been before, with no hands. The stone mason admitted that after weeks of trying he could not make the perfect hands of Jesus. The statue remained unchanged except for the inscription at the base that now reads “WE ARE THE HANDS OF CHRIST.” As a youth member when we add our hands to the wall we are committing to live life like Christ. Each Sunday evening when we meet the wall reminds us that our hands are the hands of Christ.
Movie & Game Night Moved to Fellowship Hall!
Game & movie night will be in Fellowship Hall on Friday, April 29th from 6 PM-10 PM. We will be watching Evan Almighty. Come join us for fun & fellowship!
*The next game & movie night on May 27th at 6 PM will be back in the McGee Hall Gym
Friday, Apr 29, 2016, 06:00 PM
Fellowship Hall
Let's Get CONNECTED
By: Cathy Arrington
Report from the Metro Laity Day with the Bishop
As your Lay Leader, I attended a Metro-District event called Metro Laity Day with the Bishop. I got some up-close time with Bishop McKee to hear what our district was doing as our part of the United Methodist Church. One thought I had as I was there is what we are as a church are missing out on by not being more connected to the bigger United Methodist Church. Our conference has a lot to offer and is purposely looking to be relevant today in reaching out to tell others about the Gospel.
Our United Methodist Women set a wonderful example for us of being “connected” to the larger conference and its resources. I would challenge us to begin thinking beyond the doors of Axe Memorial United Methodist Church and remember who we are and start educating ourselves on what our conference is doing and becoming a part of the mission of the greater United Methodist Church. As your Lay Leader, I plan sharing more of the conference opportunities with you in the upcoming year.
Summary of the Meeting:
A case worker from the Conference has an office at First Methodist Rowlett to help any of the tornado victims from Garland and Rowlett. This is a use of our apportionment dollars coming back to our community and the connectedness of United Methodist.
Two gentlemen shared their story of becoming dear friends. They met in Orange, Texas while working side by side, responding to the tornado damage. This friendship led them to create a group called Labor for Neighbors. This group does mission-type projects, not only for the purpose of the project, but also building personal relationships. We, as members of the Metro District, can participate in their mission trips. There are two coming up this fall that I would encourage us to participate. This is a wonderful way to begin being more connected to our conference.
The Bishop also wants us to know about a new internet site called connectedness. It’s all about sharing the stories of the churches in the Metro District. It encourages the laity to tell their story. He suggested that we learn to tell our story in the 20-floor elevator fashion; in other words, short and sweet. I plan on sharing Axe’s story of ministry on this website so that others in our conference are aware of what we are doing.
The Bishop also shared his vision for the church and feels that we should focus on younger generations and children. He challenges us all to have children in our lives that we love and make a difference in their lives. He is very supportive of church members becoming active volunteers in our schools. He was also clear that we should be focusing on loving others and not so concerned about what they believe, or if they were living “right”. I believe this was a way for him to respond to the hateful and judgmental view that are shown in the media. The conference’s focus is to make your community a place where people want to live & become a part of.
Initially, I was complaining because I had to use a beautiful, sunny Saturday to go to this meeting. However, after participating listening to the excitement & hope from the conference members for the future, I become hopeful too. I left wanting to be a more informed Methodist and a part of the bigger church. I have to be honest, my thoughts of being a United Methodist stopped at the doors of Axe, except for the knowledge that we pay apportionments to the overall conference. I got a glimpse of what it means to be connected and I challenge Axe to look at our future and contemplate what it means to be a United Methodist and look for opportunities to be a part of the bigger ministry of the overall United Methodist Church.
I will continue to look for opportunities for us to participate in conference events and trainings. We have a lot to offer and the conference has a lot to give.
Hearts & Hands Food Pantry Open Wednesdays 6-8 PM
Hearts & Hands Food Pantry is now open Wednesday nights from 6-8pm. We are trying to serve those who are working during the day but still need food help. We could use some more volunteers if you feel led to help.
Thanks,
Pat Arrington
Pastor's Corner- Evangilism Made Easy
Many Christians are intimidated by the idea of sharing their faith. Jesus never intended for the Great Commission to be an impossible bur- den. God meant for us to be witnesses of Jesus Christ through the natural outcome of living for him. We make it complicated. We think we must complete a 10-week course on evangelism and apologetics before getting started. God designed an easy evangelism pro- gram. He made it simple for us. Karen Wolff of Christian-Books-For- Women.com shows us practical ways to share our faith simply by being an example for Christ.
Faith for Me—Then You—In That Order
There's nothing worse than some- body trying to preach to you about something going on in your life when all you can think about is finding a way to fix it. At that moment, the last thing you want to see is somebody carrying a Bible, acting like they know exactly what you need and how you feel. And truth be told, when they ask you to read from their Bible, you're thinking you'd rather hit them over the head with it! This is the very scenario that makes the concept of sharing your faith so intimidating. Most people would like to help others, but knowing what to say and how to say it stops you in your tracks. So how do share your faith without making people run and hide from you? People can spot a phony from a mile away. The absolute worst thing you can do is say one thing and do another. If you aren't committed to applying Christian principles in your own life, you will not only be ineffective, but will be seen as insincere and phony. People aren't as interested in what you say, as they are in seeing how it's working in your life. Here are some practical things you can do without having to say much at all.
1. One of the best ways to share your faith is to demonstrate the very things you believe by staying positive and having a good attitude even in the middle of a crisis in your own life. Remember the story in the Bible about Peter walking out onto the water when Jesus called to him? He kept walking above the water as long as he stayed focused on Jesus. But once he focused on the storm, he sank. When the people around you see the peace in your life, especially when it seems like you're surrounded by storms, you can bet they'll want to know how to get what you’ve got! On the other hand, if all they see is the top of your head as you sink into the water, there's not a whole lot to ask.
2. Treat people with respect and dignity, no matter the circumstances. Whenever you have the opportunity, show how you don't change how you treat people, no matter what. Jesus treated people right, even when they mistreated Him. People around you will wonder how you're able to show this kind of respect for others. You never know, they may even ask.
3. Find ways to be a blessing to others. This not only plants amazing seeds for a harvest in your own life, it shows others that you're not a phony. It shows that you live what you believe. Saying you're a Christian is one thing, but living it in tangible ways every day is something else. The Word says, "They'll know them by their fruit."
4. Don't compromise your beliefs. Situations happen every day where compromise is not only possi- ble, but many times is expected. Show people that your Christianity means living a life of integrity. And oh yes, that means you tell the sales clerk when she undercharged you for that quart of milk!
5. The ability to forgive quickly is a very powerful way to show how Christianity really works. Become a model of forgiveness. Nothing creates division, hostility, and turmoil more than an unwillingness to forgive the people who hurt you. Of course, there will be times when you are absolutely right. But being right doesn't give you a free pass to punish, humiliate, or embarrass someone else. And it most certainly doesn't eliminate your responsibility to forgive.
The best way to share your faith is to be an example.
People will want to know how you can be peaceful in the storm, why your kids are doing so well, why your marriage is so great, and how you know for sure about your purpose in life. And when they ask, you'll have all kinds of great stuff to share.
Axe Library News
Did you know Axe has a great lending library, well we have and there are many, many wonderful books available for your reading enjoyment? Also there are many research books available for use and also children books also. Perhaps you would just like to sit down and browse through some of the Axe History Books that chronicle our rich sixty plus history. Recently we received seventy-five really good paperback novels donated by Cecile and Karen Payne that you are welcome to check out to enjoy. Thanks for sharing with us. Here is a sample of some of the novels and authors:
Bailey Flamingo Series- “Leaving, Learning, Longing, Loving” -Author Karen
Kingston
Three-In-One Collection -
Jersey Brides, Illinois Wedding, Blue Mountain Wedding, Tennessee Brides, etc.
“The Red Siren Series” Book 1 & 2 Author M.L. Tyndall
“Season of Grace #1 – The Secret & “Season of Grace #2 – The Missing” by
Beverly Lewis
“The Rose Trilogy – The Judgment” by Beverly Lewis
That is just to name a few – there is a complete list of these novels available in the library.
Some of the very good authors are: Beverly Lewis, Kathleen Fuller, Beth Wiseman, Denise Hunter, Amanda Cabot, Mindy Tarns Clark, Kelly Long, Colleen Cole, Alice Wiser, Mary Connolly and many more.
In case you don't know where the Axe Library is located – it is in the Educational Wing just inside the drive through door to the right. Check out is on the honor system in our library – so please when you have finished please return the book so someone else can enjoy reading it. Thank you.
Gaye Morrison
Historian & Librarian
Live Silent Auction on November 12th
A Live Silent Auction Fundraiser is being planned as we speak by the Finance Committee for November 12th, 2016. We will let you know the time and what part of the building it will be in as soon as we get those details.
Prayer Room
It is finally here and ready for you to come and pray. It has taken almost 4 years since God placed His desire for a Prayer Room at Axe on our hearts.
Many people have come together to keep this vision from dying over the years. Room suggestions, who and how to serve ideas, and many prayers have kept this on the front burner of our hearts.
We want to thank the youth for sharing their room with us. Pat Arrington and John Duncan painted the room almost the exact same color it was before they painted. Ed Wallick got the stored A/V equipment to their new homes. Miguel Jaimes took out tons of no longer usable stuff. Thank you all so much.
During discussion at a Member Nurture Meeting Pastor Sanchez and other members of the team made wonderful suggestions as to how the atmosphere of the room should feel. Pastor had always envisioned an Upper Room look. Very rustic and sparse. It was suggested that drapes be hung over the closet doors. This set the colors to blues and browns.
Byron Woolsey created the Kneelers and altar Table in memory of Marilyn.
He handcrafted these from solid oak for the glory of God. Thank you so very much. They are beautiful. Come try them out.
As you can see, there is only one cross on the wall. Part of the vision is to have a cross on the wall from every family and/or individual in the church.
Please pick a cross that speaks to you.
We would like to have someone in the prayer room for those requesting for someone to help them pray. We are looking for prayers to be on-call to come in quickly to the prayer room if a request is made. The days and times needed to be covered are M&W 9-12 and M-TH 12-3.
Please come in to visit the prayer room and to pray what is on your heart.