Weekly Highlights

Songs of Praise this day included
"Come Thou Fount, Come Thou King"
and
"Come Behold the Wondrous Mystery."

 

Second Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 17, 2019

The Sunday Bulletin said the Hymn of Praise was to be
"How Firm a Foundation"
--- this was a WOW version of that hymn!
Great job ALL!

 

 

We trust you noticed the unusual display in front of the lecturn!
The full explanation of this one of many Lenten Tables
is explained on the front "page" of our website.
Click HERE to see last year's tables and their descriptions.

 

St. Patrick's Day was also Stephen Ramsdell's birthday.
Christen Vick presented him with the reading
of a humorous poem that she had written
along with some heartfelt, meaningful gifts
-- many Starbuck's Coffee gift cards and
a donation to his God is BIG Enough endeavor!

We think he thought something might happen,
but was probably not all that prepared
for so much coffee!

(You know what? He did not mention that it was
ALSO his identical twin brother Mike's birthday, too!) 

Susie, the St. Bernard,
Pastor Steve's favorite Children's Sermon helper,
lets the children know that she is so happy
that they are the light of our world!

 

From the Lenten/Easter series
"Encounters with Christ -- Indescribable,"
this Sunday's sermon is the second one --
"Jesus and a Blind Man." 

Luke 18:40-42

As people met Christ on the road,
they were never the same again!

Ask in courage and know that prayers
will be answered in some way!

Are your prayers specific?
Do you put your faith up front?
Do you go public?

We have faith in a BIG God!

As Pastor Steve Ramsdell began to close the service,
he called Jeremy Webb up front to be introduced
to the congregation.
Pastor Steve suggested that if we had not talked
with Jeremy that day that we might wish
to just ask him about Methodist Children's Home in Waco.

Read on to find out why Jeremy Webb was here today!
 

 

The Epworth Class invited Jeremy Webb
from Methodist Children's Home in Waco
to speak to the class this Sunday morning
during the Sunday School hour.
All other adult Sunday School classes
were invited to attend.

 

Jeremy Webb, Benefactor Relations Officer at Methodist Children's Home, presented background and updates about the amazing things being done for children at MCH in Waco and beyond. He brought the opportunity for questions and explanations of so much that matters. Ennis First United Methodist has supported Methodist Children's Home through many of its members and small groups, as well as always giving the opportunity for the church membership to be a part of it all through donations!

See their website for more info!

https://www.mch.org/

 

First Sunday of Lent

Sunday, March 10, 2019

 

An OLD RUGGED CROSS stood towering over the sanctuary
this Sunday morning!
This 9 foot tall cross will stand there
for the next six weeks in anticipation of Easter.
On Easter Sunday, all are invited and requested
to bring real flowers to the service
so that they may be attached to this cross
in the foyer by a team; then the cross will be
carried back into the sanctuary
 and placed in its position
and in its new light!

Christen Vick, Minister to Students, presented
many opportunities
for service, fellowship and study.
Major need right now is for one or two people
to be the Coordinators for Vacation Bible School in July!
For additional opportunites, do check the calender!
Click Here!

 

Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship, led the church
in songs and Confession, as well sharing of personal words
showing his profound love of God.

See this Sunday Bulletin for the full program of events!

Click HERE!

 

The Offertory offered more than the opportunity to give!
 
This Sunday the Ushers passed TWO PLATES to everyone.
One included the offer to give;
the other was something to receive -

a CROSS - a pocket cross
to carry for the next six weeks.

 
We are to carry this cross to remind us of who we are
and Whose we are!

Jared Rudd, Church Lay Leader,
led the congregation in the reading of the scripture for the day
 - Mark 4:39-41.

Pastor Ramsdell first sermon of
"Encounters with Christ -- Indescribable"
series: 

"Who is this Man?" 
He is the Image of God!

If you have seen Jesus, you have seen God!

Jesus Christ is the focal point of Easter!

The Cross matters!

The Cross is a great turn around point in people's lives
-- repentance --
this is God's Grace --
filled with a life changing turnaround point. 

You need to discover where Jesus is
and bring Him into your heart!

God won't let you down!

Jesus brings us the Way!

Carry your Cross!

Come be with us any and every Sunday!

All are so very welcome!

 

Friday, March 8-9, 2019

Youth began Spring Break with a Lock-In.
The Family Life Center became a place
of many activities -
probably everything except real sleep.
Fun and foolishness and comaraderie
was paramount!
Great bunch of kids participated. 

For more pictures of this memorable Happening,
CLICK HERE

Ash Wednesday, March 6, 2019

Lent Begins

 

The YOUTH pack food and activity items for kids around town
who might be hungry during Spring Break!

For more info and more pics, Click HERE! 

Kids L.I.F.E kids learned about Ash Wednesday, Lent,
and taking Holy Communion on this Ash Wednesday! 

For more info and more pics, Click HERE!

Tuesday, March 5, 2019

DeCorEllis Emmaus Community Gathering
at FUMC Ennis - Decolores! 

Sunday, March 3, 2019

Pastor Ramsdell lets Susie, the St. Bernard, tell the kids
that "Jesus brings God up close for us to see!
Jesus is with us right now!"

 

 

Pastor Steve starts our morning off
with the reminder off how our day should start
-- with St. Patrick's Prayer and Ephesians 5:14.

This prayer card (laminated, too) 
is offered and given out
every Sunday lately!
It does much for  the morning attitude!

 

 

James Montgomery returns and
is up to full speed with "Majesty"!
Glad you are back and feeling better James!

Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship,
slips in a new song, "Man of Sorrows" 
with so much meaning for us all on this day!
Accompanying him on percussion
is Vincent Harris.
(He is really good with that wood block - no hesitation!)

Man of sorrows, Lamb of God
By His own betrayed
The sin of man and wrath of God
Has been on Jesus laid

Silent as He stood accused
Beaten, mocked, and scorned
Bowing to the Father's will
He took a crown of thorns

Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee

Sent of heaven God's own Son
To purchase and redeem
And reconcile the very ones
Who nailed Him to that tree

Oh that rugged cross my salvation
Where Your love poured out over me
Now my soul cries out hallelujah
Praise and honour unto Thee

Now my debt is paid
It is paid in full
By the precious blood
That my Jesus spilled
Now the curse of sin
Has no hold on me
Whom the Son sets free
Oh is free indeed

Now my debt is paid
It is…

 

Davin challenges us with another beautiful new song,
"This is Our God"!

God, our Father, full of power
Maker of the heavens, Maker of the world
Forming all things, seen and unseen
Truly the Almighty beyond all measured worth
Holy is His Name

We believe the Lord our God is One
Father, Spirit, Son; This is our God!
We believe forever He will reign
Let the church proclaim: This is our God!

Our Lord Jesus sent to save us
Born unto a virgin, lived a perfect life
Greatly suffered, dying for us
From the grave He’s risen, seated now on high
Holy is His Name

Jesus will come back again
To judge the living and the dead
Usher in the age to come
Let everyone sing “Amen”

Spirit, holy, One in glory
Speaking through the prophets
Empowering the Church
Life is given by and through Him
With the Son and Father, worshiped and adored
Holy is His Name

Our fearless Layleader, Jared Rudd,
leads us in today's Scripture
-- Matthew 6:9-10

We must let the Chancel Choir shine a little!
Here is an excerpt of their version of
"Fount of Every Blessing!"
Great job as usual -- Davin and Choir! 

 

Pastor Ramsdell's sermon "A With God Life"
included several points that truly make us rethink
our relationship with God.
He made us to be in communion with Him.
The Bible promises in several places that
"God will always be with us."
Psalm 139

God prepares us for the day.
Ephesians 4:26

Keep Jesus with you all day long! 
Can Jesus be in the car with you?

On this Holy Communion Sunday, Pastor Steve and Christen Vick, give out the elements as do the volunteers of the day, Judy and Larry Shelton. 

 

Communion tells us God is with us!

The Weekly Highlights do not include every single thing
that happens throughout the Worship service.
Our Sunday Bulletin lists every planned item
that is scheduled to take place.
These bulletins are posted by Thursday
of each week before the service itself.
CLICK HERE
to view the bulletin for this service
or many of the past services!

 

Our YOUTH were treated to a Progressive Dinner
Sunday, March 3, 2019! 
For more info and pics - CLICK HERE - to see the Happening!

February 15-17, 2019, the YOUTH
attended MidWinter at Glen Lake Camp!
For more on this adventure and learning experience
- CLICK HERE -
for that Happening!

 

Check out the YOUTH tab for more of the youth activities!

- CLICK HERE -

Sunday, February 24, 2019

Janey Fallen is right on course
asking the kiddos where God lives!
"God wants to live in our hearts."

God is BIG enough to fill the hearts of everyone in the world!
We all must reach out with love to spread the Word!

 

SPRC Chairperson Jana Chancellor
announces the new pastor coming
to First United Methodist Church, Ennis, on July 1st. 

He is Rev. Matt Bailey, currently Pastor of Lorena UMC!

Here is Pastor Matt and his family
- wife, Jennifer; daughter, Emma; and son, James!

Click here for Pastor Matt's bio!

 

Pastor Stephen Ramsdell had received a letter
to the church from Rev. Bailey.
Pastor Steve read the letter aloud
to the congregation during the worship service.

 

 

Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship, 
had to make a number of modifications in the music
part of the service due to sudden morning
hospitalization of James Montgomery, Organist!

One such change was to this special music
that Davin shared with us during the Offertory,
"The Love of God."
Here is the clip of this beautiful music
performed by a very talented young man!
Think I will put the other half of this song
in the Music section of the website
because it is all good!

 

Another music selection that was changed
due to the absence of James Montgomery
resulted in "People Need the Lord." 

It worked for me!
Great job, Choir and Davin!

 

Pastor Steve continued his series
"4 From the Heart"
this week with the sermon titled
"Guard Your Heart." 

A few of his points to let fully soak in...

God loves whole hearts for Him!"
God wants to bless this church!

God wants FIRE in our hearts.
We are on the winning side in God's plan for the world!

"All that God can do, he can do it right now in this church!"

To give our best we must be able to say these things...

I will put God first every day.
I will pray to God for people.
I believe God is able.
I will love all people.
I will give God the best out of my resources.
I will confess my sin.

 

Sunday, February 17, 2019

Susie, the St. Bernard, returns this week
and delights everyone!

Jared Rudd is doing the announcements? 
No Christen?
She is at Mid-Winter with the Youth--
returning Sunday afternoon!
And Jared tries to be as funny
as Christen is--jury is out on that one!

 

Ellen Miller is leading the music and worship
usually done by Davin Hutchinson.
This is an unusual Sunday, isn't it.
But, Ellen is quite capable!

 

Ellen and James Montgomery and the Chancel Choir
share the beautiful "Be Not Afraid" with us. Here is just a clip!

 

Pastor Steve Ramsdell's sermon is "Let's Run a Few Tests"
from his "4 From the Heart" series.
Pastor Steve challenges us to practice
faithfulness and persistence.
He reminds us that the church
is amazing as to what God can do with it.

A few favorite lines of the day:

"Our job is to celebrate Him!"
"Our job is to help put Hell out of business."
"Bless those who are not here yet!"
 

The service closed with one
of the most requested pieces of music,
"He Touched Me."

Sunday, February 10, 2019

 

Pastor Steve Ramsdell brings Susie, the St. Bernard,
back to talk with the kids!
Susie told them that they should ask others
to come to Sunday School and Church, too.
They might just say, "YES!"

 

Pastor Steve also asks everyone to notice
that the front two pews have been vacated by choir! 
He suggests those seats are there now to make room
for new people we have not even met as yet!

 

 

The first Song of Praise is "By Faith."
Here are the words since this one
might be new to some people!

 

By faith we see the hand of God
In the light of creation's grand design
In the lives of those who prove His faithfulness
Who walk by faith and not by sight

By faith our fathers roamed the earth
With the power of His promise in their hearts
Of a holy city built by God's own hand
A place where peace and justice reign

We will stand as children of the promise
We will fix our eyes on Him our soul's reward
Till the race is finished and the work is done
We'll walk by faith and not by sight

By faith the prophets saw a day
When the longed-for Messiah would appear
With the power to break the chains of sin and death
And rise triumphant from the grave

By faith the church was called to go
In the power of the Spirit to the lost
To deliver captives and to preach good news
In every corner of the earth

 

"O Praise The Name " is more familiar to most,
and we love to sing this one so much!
(Remember it is just a clip of the song.)

Thank you AGAIN and AGAIN Davin Hutchinson,
Tara Washburn, Carlos Trevino, & James Montgomery!
And thank you Chancel Choir!

 

Jared Rudd, Lay Leader, leads the congregation
in reading the Scripture for the day aloud in unison
 - Ephesians 2:8-9.

Notice the "God Is BIG Enough" bracelets on the Chancel rail? 
Do you have yours as yet?

 

 

The Chancel Choir should get equal kudos for their music.
This day's selection, "Be Still My Soul,"
is just the right song to slow us down to feel God's presence!

 

Pastor Steve Ramsdell's sermon series "4 From the Heart"
begins on this Sunday with "Every Day Grace."

Pastor Steve says "Grace puts life in your living!" 
We need to thank God for God's Grace!
Grace can give us healing, deliverance, and rescue.
He reminds us that we are all sinners in need
of God's amazing Grace.
We may not deserve it, but He gives it.
If we open the gift of Grace, our lives would be different.
This week we are to try to accept God's Grace!
John 1:16

These are just a few of the statements during
the sermon (thus the word, highlights);
you really need to BE HERE to hear it all for yourselves!
You are so invited and welcomed to be here next week. 

 

 

 

 

God is BIG Enough!