We want to welcome you into the fellowship of Christian believers known as First United Methodist Church in Iraan, Texas. We are a community of persons who are seeking a deeper relationship with God, through the example of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May you experience God's grace while you are a part of the ministry here at First United Methodist Church.

Monday, May 30, 2011

Joys and concerns from Sunday, May 29th

Joys: Last week's rain; Edd & Wanda Carpenter's grand-daighter's visit; The Lanehart and Mann family pews; Burton Lanehart's visit of a friend of his from Australia; Good news from the Gufstason family; Kirke is going to visit his grandchildren soon; the landscaping at the church; the Barbados cook-off fun; Sheffield's Memorial Day observance; the recent graduates and their families; gratitude for the people who died in defense of our country.
Concerns: We need more rain; Bradley Ward's on-going deployment; folks going through life transitions; traveling mercies for those absent from us this week.

Sunday, May 29, 2011

Memorial Day weekend



We are blessed to be able to come together for fellowship and worship and on this weekend, even more so.

Today's Scripture Lesson

















(The Aeropagus, Athens)

Our scripture lesson this morning finds Paul offering the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens the rational for the belief in Jesus.

Wednesday, May 25, 2011

Ten reasons people don't go to church



Please look at this short video and then share it with someone today - they'll be glad you did!

Tuesday, May 24, 2011

Aldersgate Day 2011








Epworth, England - Home of the Wesleys - This large mural hangs behind the Front Desk in the Walker Lobby at Epworth by the Sea. Seen left to right are places found in Epworth, England: The Red Lion Hotel, John Wesley preaching from the steps of the old Market Cross, The Old Rectory, John Wesley preaching from horseback, The Parish Church of St. Andrew.)


Today is the 273rd anniversary of John Wesley's "Aldersgate experience." We would do well to search our hearts for those experiences when God fanned the flames of our spiritual passion. Each one of us can have a heart burning brightly and passionately for our God. If we would but strive after this and expect it, then the revival begun in us would spread to our churches, our community and the world!

Monday, May 23, 2011

Prayer and Concerns from May 22


JOYS:

*Continued healing for Wanda M., Helen R., Sheila H.

*Rex Mann is visiting with us today.


*Wonderful 100th birthday celebration for *Ed Carpenter's uncle last weekend.


*Soon-to-be graduates of Iraan High School.

*School & staff members.

*The taste of rain last week!

*Succesful archeological dig.

*Great potluck breakfast this morning.

*The landscaping project is really coming along.

*Good District conference yesterday.

CONCERNS:

*Prayers for healing for Alfred Lee T.

*Bradley W. is doing well in Iraq.

*Rain is still needed.

*Traveling mercies.

Sunday, May 22, 2011

Heritage Sunday in Iraan





We were blessed to come together on Heritage Sunday with the monthly breakfast potluck leading the morning's activities.
During the worship service, Pastor Charles distributed certificates and pins in recognition of members who had been on the First UMC - Iraan for ten years or more.

Heritage Sunday 2011


















The Sunday closest to May 24 (Aldersgate Day) is designated by The United Methodist Church as Heritage Sunday. Pastor Charles will be giving membership pins to those who have been members of the First UMC in Iraan for 25 years or more. Everyone will be presented with a certificate which commemorates their faithful witness.



Today's sermon, "Our Heritage, Our Promise" is based upon I Peter 2:2-10.

Saturday, May 21, 2011

San Angelo District Gathering




The San Angelo District held its annual gathering today in preparation for the upcoming annual conference session. Today's meeting was held in San Angelo at St. Luke UMC.
The information shared today may be found at www.umcswtx.org/annual-conference.html.

Thursday, May 19, 2011

The Online Sunday School is here!




The First UMC - Iraan website has an exciting new feature: The Online Sunday School! This is an interactive ministry for children, grades K - 6 and has games, scipture lessons and more. Please share this link with anyone with children or anyone who just wants to have fun in their faith life!

Monday, May 16, 2011

Monthly breakfast potluck


Remember, next Sunday, May 22 is our monthly breakfast potluck at the First UMC in Iraan. This is a great opportunity to invite someone to share in our fellowship (and the food isn't to be missed, either!).
Also, next Sunday is recognized in the United Methodist Church as Heritage Sunday. Those in our fellowship who have been members for ten years or longer will be recognized.

Sunday, May 15, 2011

Sunday in Iraan

























































We are blessed each week to gather for fellowship and worship! There was a lot of energy this morning and the blessings flowed from kitchen to fellowship hall to sanctuary!!

Joys and Concerns from Sunday, May 15:

Joys:
*Ed Carpenter's uncle is having his 100th birthday this weekend.
*The Jordan's 1-year old grandson is being baptized today in Arizona.
*The blessings of the lunch for the high school seniors.
*All those associated with the Iraan-Sheffield schools.

Concerns:
*We need rain.
*Family and friends of Wanda Coill, Bob Helzer, and Bill Buckbey.
*Healing prayers for Wanda M., Sheila H., Lois Ann M.' mother and aunt.
*Traveling mercies for those absent from us today.






Today's Scripture Lesson





"They devoted themselves to the apostles' teaching and fellowship, to the breaking of bread and the prayers. Awe came upon everyone, because many wonders and signs were being done by the apostles. All who believed were together and had all things in common; they would sell their possessions and goods and distribute the proceeds to all, as any had need. Day by day, as they spent much time together in the temple, they broke bread at home and ate their food with glad and generous hearts, praising God and having the good will of all the people. And day by day the Lord added to their number those who were being saved." - Acts 2:42-47 (NRSV)

Monday, May 9, 2011

Help Is Needed for Heritage Sunday




Heritage Sunday will take place on May 22 - member of First UMC - Iraan who have been church members for ten years or more will be recognized.



Help is needed in identifying individuals (and years of their membership). Deadline for submitting this information is May 15.



(so far, only Dr. & Mrs. Edwin Franks have supplied their information).

Sunday, May 8, 2011

Mother's Day in Iraan




We are blessed to be able to come together each week and this morning on Mother's Day we were happy to be able to share in fellowship and worship as a community.

Mother's Day 2011



"May she who gave you birth be happy." - Proverbs 23:25


"Children, obey your parents in the Lord, because this is right. Honor your father and mother which is the first commandment with a promise - that it may go well with you and that you may have a long life." - Ephesians 6:1-3

Friday, May 6, 2011

A Prayer for Understanding

The events of the past week have evoked a wide range of responses. Timothy Merrill, Executive Editor of Homiletics magazine, offered the following prayer on Midrash (an online discussion forum for preachers and teachers.):
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Almighty and Merciful God, this week a foe has fallen - and we have rejoiced. This enemy was not just our enemy, but a threat to those of his own religious faith, a menace to his countrymen and unwanted, disavowed and condemned by virtually every nation-state in the world. Thousands of men, women and children have perished, suffering horrible deaths, because of the diabolical plans of this foe. So, we celebrated.
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We hooped and hollered. We waved flags. We danced in the streets of lower Manhattan. We sang our national anthem. And we did so spontaneously - as with the joy of the thirsty drinking cool water, the joy of the hungry sated with food, the joy of the sorrowful now comforted in their mourning. In those first few hours following the news, it was as though we rose off the ash pit, anointed ourselves with the "oil of gladness" and donned "the garments of praise instead of a spirit of despair."
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And if in the dancing, the waving, and the singing there was anything unseemly, we confess our sin, for our motives are seldom pure and who can know our hearts, but You, O God?
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The death of any living soul is sobering. But we ask You not to consider us blameworthy, to remember our natural love of country, to remember our basic sense of decency, to remember our empathy with the thousands of families whose loved ones perished ten years ago, and to have mercy on us, for You "O Lord, are a compassionate and gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in steadfast love and faithfulness."
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May we - our national leaders and the community of nations - move forward from this moment to not only defend the innocent from the demons of destruction and the architect of annihilation, but to refocus our national will to protect the weak, and - in the words of the ancient prophet - to rise up against "those who make unjust laws, against those who deprive the poor of their rights and withhold justice from the oppressed, making widows their prey and robbing the fatherless."
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Make we reconsider again what it means to "act justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with our God."
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Loving God, a foe has fallen. We have rejoiced. But acknowledge that wickedness abounds and that we must stay ever vigilant. Empower us to return to our duty to "preach good news to the poor, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim freedom to the captives, to comfort those who mourn and to provide for those who grieve."
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This we ask int he name of Jesus Christ, our Risen Lord and Savior, who taught us to pray, saying: "Our Father..."
(written by Timoty Merrill, used by permission)

Wednesday, May 4, 2011

Iraan Senior's lunch, part 2











The annual lunch for the graduating seniors from Iraan High School was a big hit this afternoon at the First UMC! Thirty-one seniors, accompanied by four faculty/staff, enjoyed a delicious meal of burgers, chips, and desserts.
Thanks to Cathy Allen, Blake Andrews, Wanda Carpenter, and Deanna Jordan, Lee Mann, Kirke McKenzie, and Marie Richardson for contributing food and their time toward making this event such as success.

Tuesday, May 3, 2011

Joys and concerns from Sunday, May 1st

Joys & Concerns from May 1st:
Joys:
Bradley W. is returning to his post in Hawaii soon.
Mr. Lynn Davis, from the Gideons camp in Odessa is with us today.
Deanna's grand daughter in Tuscaloosa, Alabama is safe (from recent tornados).
All of the wonderful folks who brought treats to the morning's fellowship time.
Everyone associated with this time of graduations and changes. Blessings for the soon-to-be "empty nesters."
Concerns:
Our need for rain.
The fire fighters who protect us.
All those involved in the various search and rescue crews.
All those affected by weather extremes.
Ryan W. (from McCamey) is about to deploy soon.
Travelling mercies for those away from us this week.

Monday, May 2, 2011

National Day of Prayer on Thursday


First Baptist Church in Iraan will be hosting a National Day of Prayer event on Thursday, May 5 at 7:00 p.m. This is the 60th anniversary of the Nation Day of Prayer and the community is invited to participate in this time of prayer.
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The presidential proclamation may be read at this link.

Sunday, May 1, 2011

May Day in Iraan





Folks coming to worship this morning saw the plants that will be used to decorate the church. Dr. Franks arranged for the plants to be delivered and Ronnie Ward said they will be planted later in the week.
During our fellowship time, everyone enjoyed the tasty treats which kept coming in to be enjoyed by the congregation. Wanda Carpenter made some amazing peanut clusters, Marie Richardson provided some scones, and Kirke McKenzie brought in some fantastic kolache's (with homemade apricot jam)! Wow, and this morning wasn't even our monthly breakfast potluck!
We were blessed to have Mr. Lynn Davis from the Gideons (in Odessa) came this morning to give the message about the work that organization is doing to spread the gospel message.