Weekly Highlights

Pastor Matt Bailey's
July 21, 2019 sermon,
"Origin Stories,"
 in its entirety on Facebook!

Click Here!

 

 

 

New LOOK for First United Methodist Church, Ennis?
No, SORRY, this is the set
"Mars and Beyond"
for Vacation Bible School
that starts
Wednesday, July 24th! 

Click Here for more info and Registration online!

Christen Vick, Minister to Students,
 reminds everyone of the opportunities
still out there this month and next!
See/click the Calendar for more info!

Janey Fallen brings the children
a version of the day's sermon topic
-- The Beginning!

 

Beautiful Prayer Quilts were dedicated today
made for three wonderful people,
by the Quilting Team.
L to R: Kristi Copeland, Quilan Bryan,
Juanita McBee, Carolyn Sanders,
Jill Collins, and Lou Bonett!

After the dedication, the entire congregation was invited to come forward to tie prayer knots and
to say a prayer for each of these individuals.

Click Here
to see Alex Campbell and Janet Roth,
as the congregation responds.
Ellen Earles is in the hospital in Ft. Worth
so she was unable to attend! 

 

Sunday, July 14, 2019

Southern Gospel
Music Sunday

Southern Gospel Music Sunday
began with James Montgomery,
Organist/Music Associate,
 setting the purpose by playing
"When in Our Music God is Glorified!"

 

Christen Vick, Minister to Students,
presented the Announcements
before she sent us out
to Meet & Greet each other! 
Announcements can be found
in Sunday's Bulletin, too!
Click Here to view!

All ages interact with each other
during the regular Meet & Greet!

 

A Hymn Medley got things started.
Our song team consists of
Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship;
Mark Renfro, vocalist; Steve Sainato, banjo;
and James Montgomery, keyboard & organ.

You will be able to hear mostly clips
of the requested music,
but the clips are adequate!
You should get the feeling of each one!

First up (above): "Just a Little Talk"

 

 

"I Saw the Light"

 

"I'll Fly Away"

 

 

"I'll Fly Away" - Solos & more

Davin shared the Scripture:
Psalm 100:1-5

 

"Tis So Sweet to Trust in Jesus"

 

 

"Leaning on the Everlasting Arm"

 

Christen brought the Children's Sermon to the kiddos!
Her trick of the coin-flipping giving them the option of
Heads she wins; Tails they lose
brought the point that
we always win with Christ!

 

"Church in the Wildwood"

 

"Lily of the Valley"

 

 

Offertory time brought us Mark Renfro singing
"Precious Memories"
 

"Precious Memories" continued

"Swing Low, Sweet Chariot"

 

"Power in the Blood"

Christen Vick brought the message
"Live Up to His Calling"
basing her words on the scripture
Galatians 6:9

"Love people right where they are and as they are!"

We want to be known as the church that helps people! 
That is what we do and do day after day!
We do what our calling tells us to do!

 

The LAST hymn of the day:

"Are You Washed in the Blood"

 

James Montgomery sent us away with a reprise of
"I'll Fly Away."

 

Sunday, July 7, 2019

First Sunday at First United Methodist Church, Ennis,
for Pastor Matt Bailey who joyously introduced
his family to the congregation.
L - R: Emma Bailey, his daughter; 
Jennifer Bailey, his wife; 
and James Bailey, his son!

Click here for the "Happening"
Matt Bailey Family's Meet & Greet

 

"Flowers" in front of the Communion Table
were placed there
in honor of the Bailey Family!
The Prayer Plant is a great inclusion in this arrangement!

 

James Montgomery, Organist/Music Associate,
gives the organ his powerful touch
in the Prelude, "I Am."
It is a casual time, but thoughtful time
in preparing for Worship!

 

Hymn of Praise "O Praise the Name"
led by Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship,
was a wonderful lead in to Worship.

 

 

Christen Vick, Minister to Students,
updated everyone on the announcements of the day,
including 2019 Vacation Bible School registration,
Click Here to register your children today!
Details are on the form!

Before Worship and the regular Meet & Greet time
brings us surprises often.
On this day, Signa Satterfield Johnson and her daughter,
from Hondo, Texas came to worship with us.
Signa was high school classmates with KayLyn Venable Smith,
Peggy Collins, Jerry Smith, and Kay Weathers (among others)!
 

Hymn of Confession, "Lord I Need You"
-- just deeply felt by all.

 

Pastor Matt Bailey brought his first Children's Sermon
for us all actually!

The Handbell Ensemble played their hearts out in
 "Here I Am, Lord." 
Here is a snippet of that praiseworthy music!

The Chancel Choir got their chance
to show their stuff by singing
"Be Still, My Soul."
Pay particular attention to the music speed and key change
about half way through this video portion!
WOW!

Pastor Matt Bailey began his message,
"The Endurance of Saints,"
with the showing of a stack of greeting cards
he and his family had received
from Ennis 1st UMC members!
He expressed so much recognition
of our strong welcoming spirit!
He indicated that spirit is what we need
to do what God wants of us!
He focused on expectations,
hopefulness, and endurance
of all levels of members of this church.

Romans 15:4-7

Pastor Matt says we need to be ready
to follow God's plans for this church!

God responds when He sees a church that will say YES!

Pastor Matt asks us to enter in the promises
that God is making for this church!

Be one to say YES to whatever God wants us to do!

Bear the HOPE of the Gospel!
Place HOPE in Jesus Christ!

Being the first Sunday of the month,
Pastor Matt prepared us for Holy Communion! 

Assisting Pastor Matt with Holy Communion
this Sunday was
Christen Vick, Jared Rudd, and Joyce Slade.

After the Hymn of Invitation,
the Benediction brought the conclusion
to a beautiful worship service 
with a new family in our midst!

The complete bulletin that includes the
entire order of worship
is always available on this website.
Click here for this day's bulletin!

 

 

Sunday, June 30, 2019

James Montgomery, Organist and Music Associate, 
was playing a complicated medley titled
"Star-Spangled Grace," 
when it changed to be
THE Star Spangled Banner!
All present began to stand to honor
the U.S. Flag and Independence Day!

So, James, going along with the Sermon title
"Surprise Me?"

 

Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship, 
and the Praise Team led us in
"All Creatures of Our God and King."

Davin Hutchinson, as Minister of Worship,
leads us in Confessions and readings
most Sundays! Here is the last part
of his statements to us
on this particular Sunday!

Stephanie Reese brought the
Children's Sermon
to the children this Sunday!

Dr. Larry Jinks prayed a heartfelt Pastoral Prayer
and led us in "The Lord's Prayer."

Jared Rudd, Lay Leader, brought the Scripture reading
Genesis 12:1-5

 

The Chancel Choir got their turn to share
their talent with us in presenting
"For God So Loved."

 

Dr. Larry Jinks, physican, former Pastor of
Bardwell United Methodist Church and 
Trinity United Methodist Church,
and Epworth Sunday School Class teacher
stated that he LIKED being the between pastors preacher!
Pastor Matt Bailey will be bringing the message
next Sunday, July 7th
and last Sunday was Pastor Stephen Ramsdell's
last Sunday with us as Interim Pastor.

 

 

Dr. Jinks' message, "Surprise Me!"
compared the call of the church
with the call of Abram. 
Genesis 12:1-5

Components included
(highlights only - to get every detail, you just had to be here!):

...being called to Move

The call to MOVE is a powerful call
Abram had a reluctance to move....

possibly fear of failure keeps some from moving
to MOVE ininiates the whole process

perhaps it is time to move in the way we do things

failing to recognize the need to move 
could undermine the whole process

...being called to Greatness

Each of us is called to be great at what we can do--we are not already great, we are called to be GREAT!

We cannot be satisfied with the way things are.

...being called to Blessings

Press on toward the goal to win the prize
that Christ called us to do

...being called to Bless

all people can be blessed through us;
we have the opportunity to be a blessing to other people

 

The service ended with the "Spirit Song." 
It was a Blessing to get to sing that song!

 

 

Some members were caught in flag related attire! 

 

 

Sunday, June 23, 2019

Hymn of Praise -- "Joyful, Joyful, We Adore Thee"

 

    Praise Team today:
Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship;
James Montgomery, Organist/Music Associate;
Tara Washburn;
Sarah Jurik;
Vincent Harris, percussionist! 

Christen Vick, Minister to Students, updated everyone
about the Youth's Mission Trip [Successful!!]
and moved into a tribute of appreciation
to Pastor Stephen Ramsdell who is being honored today
for his work with us for the past six months.
Below is the video of the church's tribute to Pastor Steve!

 

Praise Team returns after the Meet and Greet
time to the very spiritual
"What a Beautiful Name."

Pastor Ramsdell brought Susie, the St. Bernard,
to Children's Sermon time!
Since it was Pastor Steve's last Sunday here,
we thought you might like to hear it!

The Chancel Choir call to prayer this day
was the old song that means a great deal to many
-- Just As I Am!
Pastor Ramsdell moves into the Pastoral Prayer
and the Lord's Prayer
with this church on his mind
and in his prayer!

The Offertory gave us the gift of "A Mighty Fortress"
performed by our Praise Team! BEAUTIFUL!!!

 

Jared Rudd presented the very appropriate
Scripture of the morning -
Philippians 1:9-10

After the Chancel Choir's heartfelt rendition of
"Great is Thy Faithfulness,"
Pastor Ramsdell dove right into the sermon
that has been on his heart
for some time now, most likely.

What Matters the Most -- "The Church"

Pastor Ramsdell was reminded by Danny Miller
that his work with us this past six months
has been that of the old time
Circuit Riders of the church!
(Circuit Riders rode from town to town
taking the gospel on horseback!)
 It seems Pastor Stephen has actually
been a circuit rider to us and to others!

 

What is the church to do?

...to discover together God's vision for this church and community

We are to be servants of Christ which can change our lives!
We have love for each other that will grow more and more!
We must THRIVE!
Acts 16:5

...we and Matt Bailey are on a mission from God

Philippians 1:3-5
We are partners with Christ!

...God never gives up and neither should we!

Always take the offensive!
24 hours a day, the church is on mission!
Whatever God wants, he finishes!

...God is with us

And God is always available!
John 7:38

...with God look up, look within and move out

God answers prayers!
What is next for us?
 

Pastor Ramsdell did not get to just walk
out the door after the church service! 
The church family treated him to
his own Farewell Potluck Lunch
in the Family Life Center! 

Check out the "Happening" -
Pastor Ramsdell's Farewell Sunday -
Click Here!

 

 

Youth leave for Pasadena for
CTCYM Mission 2019 work!
Sunday, June 16, 2019

L-R: Parker Reese, Christen Vick, Samantha Webster,
Emma Bailey, Abigail Collins, Connor Washburn,
Chase Montgomery, Ronnie Washburn
and Tara Washburn. 

FYI:
CTCYM =
Central Texas Conference Youth in Mission

To get a glimpse at what all they are DOING there, check out their Happening!
Click HERE!