Weekly Highlights

 

December 9, 2018

Officially joining our church family Sunday
was Kay Gibbons Haymond!
Welcome to the family, Kay!

The Lindsay Family lighted the candles
of the Advent Wreath this Sunday
adding the LOVE candle!
Two of their little precious children
were right behind the candle stand during the lighting
while the baby was held, of course.
 So here is a picture of their exit!

The Children's Sermon by Stephanie Reese
is always too good to miss!

 

Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music
& Worship, directed the Chancel Choir
in our preparation for prayer with
"Emmanuel, Emmanuel." 

 

Dr. Larry Jinks brought the message
"Christmas 2018: Have you room for Jesus?"
The scripture: Luke 2:6-15

 

Dr. Jinks asked us to rethink that old saying:
is it better to give than receive?
We must realize that
the true gift of Christmas is Jesus Christ. 

 

December 2, 2018

Selecting Angels from the Angel Trees
in the main foyer of the church was the place
to be before the Worship Service!
Anyone is invited to come choose an Angel
to buy for this Christmas!
The Angel Trees are available Monday
through Thursday
during usual office hours.

 

 Before the service Pastor Steve and Ina Dubberly (right)
meet and speak with first time visitor, Jenny Haynes!

 

Pastor Steve invites the congregation to
come forward to choose a Chrismon
to put on the Sanctuary Christmas Tree. 

 

See more of the Hanging of the Chrismons
by clicking HERE!

 

It is a first Sunday of Advent.
Lighting of the candle for HOPE
is the Ganske Family!

It is also a first Sunday of a month -
Communion happens! Hallejulah

 

Janey Fallen makes some really good points
for the children
about Christmas not being Santamas.
We have to make sure to put Christ
back in Christmas as we go about the
busyness of preparing for Christmas!
(Adults need that lesson, too!)

 

The Choir dropped some hints showing
the quality of the music they will do in their
Classic Christmas Concert on Sunday, December 23rd.
Just listen to "Is Your Heart Prepared for a King."

(It takes your breath away if you listen intently!)

 

Scripture for this day's sermon:
Luke 1:26-38

 

Who wants to be Mary?
Mary had a tall order to fulfill and
she did do it against all odds and criticism!
Would we have been able to do that?

 

 

At the end of the service Pastor Steve Holston
announced that the last Sunday in December
would be his last Sunday here at
Ennis First United Methodist Church.
He has a new assignment starting January 1st!
Rev. Steve Holston has been pastor
of this church for the past 5 1/2 years.

 

Pastor Steve also announced the Interim Pastor
to be Rev. Steve Ramsdell who will be coming
to Ennis First United Methodist in January 2019.
Rev. Ramsdell was most recently pastor of
First United Methodist of Waco
until his retirement in 2017.

 

 

November 25, 2018

The stained glass "rose" window
in the Sanctuary
depicts Christ the King,
which was the focus of the day --

Christ the King Sunday!

 

What is a King? Stephanie Reese prepares
the children for this special day in the church!

 

 

Many hymns to choose from,
but on this day this hymn
is especially for Christ the King --

Scripture for this Sunday's sermon topic:

Phillipians 2:6-11

 

Christ the King Sunday
is always the Sunday
before the first Sunday in Advent!

It is also the last Sunday of the Christian year!

Did you KNOW that you can see
the NEXT Sunday's bulletin online? 

It can be found under the tab - Bulletins! 

Click here to see the Bulletins!
 

 

Thursday, November 22, 2018

 

 

Thanksgiving Day Feast was served to 458 people
(including to-go meals).
Serving and preparing the huge meal were
Foundation of Life Church
and
St.Thomas Episcopal Church
and
First United Methodist Church of Ennis.
Great work teams!

Click here to see more pictures of this event!

 

Monday, November 19, 2018

 

The FREE Community Thanksgiving Feast preparations
are underway right now!
It takes days to get this ready for this.

Thanksgiving Day Feast serving
takes place from 11 a.m. until 1 p.m.
on Thanksgiving Day!

Also helping and being a part
of this ministry this year are: 

Foundation of Life Church
&
St. Thomas Episcopal Church

 

(In picture above: L-R: Linda Vineyard, Iris Ball,
Cindy Lovelace, Tommy Copeland, and Kristi Copeland.)

(L-R: Kristi Copeland, Iris Ball, and Linda Vineyard.)

 

 

(In picture above: L-R: Linda Vineyard, Cindy Lovelace, Kristi Copeland, Iris Ball, and Tommy Copeland.)

 

 

(In picture above: L-R: Linda Vineyard, Cindy Lovelace, and Iris Ball)

 

 

November 18, 2018

 

Trisha Hodges gives the children 
her version of the real Prince
for us to seek thus finding
our happily ever after!

 

 

 

The Handbell Ensemble opened the service
with the most beautiful and calming
"Give Thanks."

 

 

Christen Vick, Minister to Students,  
gave the Welcome and Announcements
with her usual flare and wit!
We are always ready for the week
after Christen's announcements.

 

 

Davin Hutchinson, Minister of Music & Worship,
led us in singing the Hymn of Thanksgiving
"Come Ye Thankful People"
-- that set the thankful mood even more!

Pastor Steve encouraged us to Be the ONE this week.
Be the one who remembers to THANK THE LORD!

Look around to see things to be grateful for!
 

Pastor Steve suggested once again for us to write down
two or three things we are thankful for each week
in a Gratitude Journal.
He says writing them down helps
make us more aware.

He also pointed out that
those who are thankful are happier
in so many ways!

Let's do this!!!

Pastor Steve asked us to sing with him
this old familiar song
as we begin Thanksgiving week!

 

Count Your Blessings

When upon life's billows you are tempest tossed,
When you are discouraged, thinking all is lost,
Count your many blessings, name them one by one,
And it will surprise you what the Lord hath done.

Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your blessings, see what God hath done;
Count your blessings, name them one by one;
Count your many blessings, see what God hath done.

Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?
Count your many blessings, ev'ry doubt will fly,
And you will be singing as the days go by.

When you look at others with their lands and gold,
Think that Christ has promised you His wealth untold;
Count your many blessings, money cannot buy
Your reward in heaven, nor your home on high.

So, amid the conflict, whether great or small,
Do not be discouraged, God is over all;
Count your many blessings, angels will attend,
Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

 

In the meantime, in Children's Sunday School
earlier in the day,
lessons were learned and reinacted!
Click HERE to see more!

 

 

November 11, 2018

 

Stephanie Reese told the children about the Methodist Church circuit riders in the early days of the church in the USA.

Visitors spotted early in the service
-- Dallas Holston, with his fiancée Katelyn Munoz on his right
and his mother, Jeanie Holston on his left!
Congratulations Dallas on Katelyn saying YES!

Chancel Choir does their ALL once again!

 

 

Jessie Lindsay and her new baby son Steele
enjoyed the service with her husband 
Scott and daughters, Luci and June!
Congrats!