Graduating High School is a major achievement in life. The church wants to be a part of celebrating this important milestone.

 Sunday, May 20, 2012 will be Senior Recognition Sunday. You are invited to help celebrate this major achievement of their lives in worship at 11:00 a.m.

Following the 11:00 a.m. worship service the Seniors and their families will be the guest of honor at a church wide luncheon in the Fellowship Hall.

The church will cater the meat, bread, tea, coffee and water. We are asking that you bring your favorite dessert, salad or vegetable to complete a wonderful meal.

Graduating Seniors we are honoring include:

Hope to see you there.

Pastor Paul

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight.

In all your ways acknowledge him,

and he will make straight your paths.”

 Proverbs 3:5-6

Click here to Register Online

Vacation Bible School 2012

July 29 – August 1

6:00 p.m. – 8:30 p.m.

Operation Overboard

Dive in and discover God’s underwater universe! Explore the depths of God’s Word at VBS 2012 with Cokesbury’s Operation Overboard – Dare To Go Deep With God!

In this action-packed adventure, your kids will swim with humpback whales and seahorses, scuba through a vibrant coral reef, and take a personal submarine to the ocean floor, where eels and octopi play. Through interactive lessons that are easy for kids to apply to their lives today, they will “go deep” into God’s Word, exploring Bible stories of people who revealed deep faith by knowing how to:

▪                Depend on God

▪                Dare to care

▪                Claim Jesus

▪                Choose to follow

▪                Change the world

Bible Stories and Scripture for the Week

 Noah Depends on God (Genesis 6:9-13, 6:22-7:17, 8:1, 8:13-9:17) Faith Connection- Noah showed deep faith by obeying no matter how difficult the task.

 A Servant Girl Dares to Care (II Kings 5) Faith Connection- A girl showed deep faith by helping Naaman find God’s healing.

John Proclaims Jesus (Matthew 3:1-17, Mark 1:1-11, Luke 3:1-22) Faith Connection- John had deep faith when he proclaimed Jesus as the Messiah, and that faith deepened more when he baptized Jesus.

The Disciples Choose to Follow Jesus (Luke 5:1-11, John 21:4-24)Faith Connection- The disciples showed deep faith by leaving their nets and following, and that faith deepened with the second “miracle of the fish” after Jesus’ resurrection.

Paul Delivers Good News- (Acts 27)Faith Connection- Paul showed deep faith by trusting God’s promise in a dangerous situation, and by helping others to do the same.

Jane Owens, new member of FUMC, Fairfield, has completed 80 pillowcase dresses for girls in Haiti. These dresses along with others made by members of the United Methodist Women and the Freestone County Quilt Guild will be distributed to girls in Haiti by Partners In Mission work teams of the Texas Conference later this year.

Thanks be to God for faithful disciples who hear of a need and put their talents and resources to work.

Survey Tracks Technology Use Among United Methodists

Nashville, Tenn.: While most younger people in the church are immersed in new technology, many older members are also jumping on the bandwagon.  That’s according to a new study conducted by United Methodist Communications that tracks how United Methodists are adopting and using new technology.

The purpose of the United Methodist Emerging Technology Survey was to help determine the need to broaden the use of certain new technologies in order to reach members and seekers. The survey found younger members are busy texting, watching videos and socializing online, and older members are making progress in technology use, though they still have some catching up to do before the same digital tools are integrated into their daily lives.

According to the Rev. Larry Hollon, chief executive of United Methodist Communications, the survey reveals a different conversation going on between younger digital natives and older digital immigrants. “We inhabit different worlds depending on when we came to the digital terrain,” Hollon said. “Digital immigrants are people like me who were born before the Internet, while digital natives are younger persons who have experienced broadband access and cell phone use as a part of their everyday life from birth.”

Findings from the survey include:

• The old and young are fans of Facebook.  In the last two years, Facebook use among United Methodist members went from 43 to 63 percent among older members. Among 25-34 year-olds, its usage increased from 83 to 95 percent, and 84 percent of 35-44 year-olds, up from 65 percent.
• Older adults are discovering that texting is a pretty handy means of communications.  Usage of texting by adults 35 and older increased from 49 percent in 2009 to 63 percent. Other than the use of apps, which was just beginning at the time of the earlier study, texting and Facebook are the only new technologies garnering increased usage by older adults.
• Younger adults in the church are still way ahead on technologies like mobile apps, Twitter, Yammer, blogging and YouTube.  Responses from adults over 35 show little or no growth in the use of Twitter, blogging and YouTube.
• Owning smartphones also seem to be a function of age. Among adults 25-34, 82 percent own a smartphone compared to the 66 percent of those 35-44 and 44 percent of older United Methodists.

Why are older United Methodists less involved or engaged in technology?  This appears related to attitudes towards technology. Younger adults are much more likely to describe themselves as interested in learning new technology or as early adopters. They also are more likely to show signs of “addiction” to technology, needing to check for email frequently during meetings or feeling lost without their smartphone.

Although findings indicate there is indeed a divide between younger and older church members when it comes to technology usage, older members polled say they are accepting of new technology, but are more likely to “wait and see” how new products evolve. On the other hand, younger persons tend to jump right in when new technologies and products are introduced to the market.

What do all these percentages and predictions have to tell us about the way churches and church leaders are using technology?

It’s pretty obvious that electronic tools like websites, e-newsletters, and now Facebook are becoming common marketing and evangelism avenues; however local churches may still be missing some significant opportunities to keep in touch with younger adults through apps and texting. While those 45 or older spend about 11 hours a week communicating electronically (answering email, on Internet sites and using Facebook), younger adults have them beat. Adults 25 to 34 spend twice that (22 hours), and those 34 to 44 spend an average of 18 hours a week.

When it comes to learning more about digital communications, church leaders and pastors want to know more about setting up websites (37 percent) and e-newsletters (37 percent), but are less interested in being trained to create podcasts and various other tools.

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As the church grew and reached further into the gentile world many noted that church celebrations coincided with old pagan celebrations. Easter was originally a pagan celebration of spring. Christians took the term “Easter,” and redefined it by associating it with the new life of Christ Resurrection.

Some have called this compromising of the faith. But can you imagine the lives that were changed when pagan men and women showed up for a pagan “Easter Sunrise Service,” and heard the Gospel instead? What must it have been like for those pagans who lived according to the cycles of nature to hear the message that God breaks the cycles of sin and death by the power of the resurrection? IT WAS LIFE CHANGING.

The Gospel message redefined the lives pagan men and women just as it redefines our lives. Our God does that for us because we cannot do it for ourselves. God’s desire to break the power of sin and death in our lives through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus is what we will be celebrating on April 8, 2012. Call it the “Great Lord’s Day,” or call it “Easter,” we celebrate the resurrected Lord Jesus Christ!

SPECIAL OPPORTUNITIES FOR WORSHIP

April 1, 2012 is Palm / Passion Sunday

Children meet in Welcome Center at 10:45 a.m. for Palm Procession. FUMC Sanctuary at 11:00 a.m.

April 5, 2012 is Maundy Thursday FUMC, Sanctuary at 6:00 p.m.

Worship will begin Holy Communion and transition to a time of prayer in the manner of Taize.

April 6, 2012 is Good Friday St. Bernard’s Catholic Church at 5:30 p.m.

Stations of the Cross This outdoor gathering will include representatives from several local churches with different individuals leading times of reflection and prayer.

April 8, 2012 is The Great Lord’s Day or Easter Sunday

Sunrise Service at 7:00 a.m. Memorial Park (next to the church parking lot.) The Gospel will be presented in song and drama by youth. United Methodist Men will prepare breakfast in Fellowship Hall for all to enjoy.

Worship at 11:00 a.m. – The Great Lord’s Day FUMC Sanctuary

Worship was enhanced by the leadership of our Youth. Lucas, Zach, Will, Katie and Ashley formed a praise team which led the music. Jared, Jennifer and Colby led the call to worship and read scripture. Other Youth in attendance led congregational singing from the choir loft. Thank you all for your commitment and leadership.

Following worship the Covered Dish Luncheon was wonderful. Thanks to all the cooks and a special thanks to the lean up crew.

]]> http://www.fumcfairfield.org/2011/08/18/catch-the-spirit-sunday/feed/ 0 http://www.fumcfairfield.org/2011/07/21/vbs2011/ http://www.fumcfairfield.org/2011/07/21/vbs2011/#comments Thu, 21 Jul 2011 16:34:14 +0000 admin http://www.fumcfairfield.org/?p=1288 Island Odyssey Vacation Bible School

The 5th, 6th and 7th grade class took the photos and video as part of their VBS experience. Pastor Paul edited the final video. We hope you enjoy the video and get an idea of what VBS was like at FUMC, Fairfield.

Thanks to all the volunteers who worked so hard to make VBS 2011 a great experience.

Ashley, Katie, Savannah and Taylor participated in the liturgical dance.