Disciple Bible Studies Begin

DISCIPLE I and III

Both Disciple I and Disciple III  will be offered this fall.
Starting Monday night September 8th at 6 :00 PM.  Martha & Josh Morriss will facilitate Disciple III and  Rev. Tommy Earl Burton, pastor of Reeves Chapel will lead Disciple I.   Disciple I is a in-depth study of the Old and New Testament. Disciple III  studies  Paul and the Prophets.  If you are interested in studying God’s word and applying His word to your life, sign up for one of these studies. Sign-Up Sheets are in the Welcome Center.

Third Grade Bibles

At the 8:15 & both 10:30 worship services on Sunday, September 14th, all third grade children will receive the NRSV Children’s Bible.  Presentation of Bibles to third graders is a tradition at Williams Memorial. For 29 years the Gleaners class has donates the money for the Bibles. The third graders will use their Bibles on Sunday mornings and Sunday nights.

Listed below are the 3rd grade students who are in the church database:
Landon Bartholomew, Blaire Bledsoe, Maggie Cobb, Caroline Cooper, Blake Crocker, Hunter Druhan, Yates Floyd, Joseph Gordon, Courtney Lourens, Sophie Lower , Anna Morgan, Jordan Roy, Cole Slade, Christopher Sparks, Sarah Stark, Jordan Steed, Ryan Townsend, and Ashley Wyrick

If you know a third grade child who attends Williams but is not listed, please e-mail suecamp@cableone.net

Stuff the Bus Recap

Dear Church,

God is good!  I give him the glory for the most successful year so far with our mission project to Stuff the Bus with School Supplies.  There are so many people to thank for their time, and donations.  Six local stores allowed us to use them for drop off places: Albertson – Richmond Rd, Both Wal-mart stores, Kmart, Office depot and Super I Foods.  For over two years we have partnered with United Way and this year three Rotary Clubs also partnered with us.  The Rotary Clubs have volunteered to do all the shopping and make the deliveries to all four School Districts: TASD, TISD, L-E, Pleasant Grove.  We are buying supplies for K – High School students.  Last year we bought supplies for 600 students for K – Middle Schools. Our goal is to have supplies for 1,250 students.  As more money trickles in we will be able to help even more students.  I thank God that I belong to such a loving outreach church.  I am truly grateful for all you do to support the Mission Committee.

Director of Missions,

Margy Chaufty

Who Are the Methodist Men?

In December of last year, a group of about 13 men met to discuss the possibility of starting, or should we say, re-starting a Methodist Men’s group at Williams.  In years past, there had been an active Methodist Men’s group at Williams but, it had been at least 30 years since it was active.

The first order of business was to have an organizational meeting, inviting as many men as possible, and see if the interest was present to go ahead with chartering an organization at Williams.  Well, the meeting was very successful; Ron Rekopf, Bob Westbrook and Gary Gildon skillfully prepared charcoal grilled steaks, baked potatoes and trimmings for the whole crowd.  Upon discussion, it seemed that the interest was there to proceed ahead with preparing a request for charter.  This charter was received in April and we were a viable group of the Williams United Methodist Men.

We continue to grow, under Gary Gildon as president, and now have about 65 men listed on our membership list.  We know there are growing pains ahead but we are confident that a church as vibrant as Williams needs the presence of a men’s group.

So far, and it has only been six months since our initial kick off meeting, the men have helped with cooking for the confirmation class, have removed the old carpet to allow the new tile to be placed in the parlor and atrium, are cooking for the “Big House” group in June, will cook and serve the District Superintendent picnic dinner and most important have initiated our support for the Boy Scouts at Williams.  It is our intention to play an active part in the Scout program and we look forward to a close relationship with the Troop.

One of the “Big Ideas” we have is to fund and construct an outdoor pavilion, to be used for cooking and meetings, on the north side of the church.  This is a grand project but, we hope it can be the keystone of our first founding years.

This group meets on the 2nd Thursday of each month at 6:00 p.m. in Wesley Hall for Food, Fellowship,  a program and to plan various mission projects. You can visit our website @ welcometowilliams.com

Stephen Ministry-One-to-one Christian care for those facing life challenges

Most people are much more open to giving care than to receiving it. Giving care places a person in a position of strength, stability and authority. To receive care we must acknowledge our own vulnerability.

As a result, countless people who could benefit from a Christian friend who would listen to them decide instead to tough it out on their own. They remain strong and silent, wearing a smile to hold back a flood of tears. To ask for help, they believe, would be admitting weakness.

But God did not create us to be independent. The message is clear, all the way back to Genesis: “It is not good for the man to be alone.” (Genesis 2:18) The New Testament underscores this theme with more than 50 verses that contain the words “one another.” These verses contain admonitions to “love one another,” “encourage one another,” “build each other up,” and “pray for one another.”

The phrase “one another” tells us that we are not only to give love and encouragement, but that we are also to accept it from others.
It is most difficult for people to ask for help. Many would rather suffer alone than acknowledge their need for help.

But suffering alone is not God’s intent for us. Jesus promises, “Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:288). We can receive this promised rest when we turn to one another for comfort and help.

Our Stephen Ministers know all about giving and receiving care. They know how difficult it is to ask for help, but they also know the great personal and spiritual growth and healing that follows. They know how to respond in a loving, caring and nonjudgmental manner. They understand the importance of confidentiality. They are equipped, ready and waiting to provide the comfort and care God very much desires each of us to have.

If you find yourself now or in the future facing difficulties in life, don’t succumb to society’s norm of remaining strong and suffering alone. Take the courageous step of seeking help. Open your heart to receiving God’s love and grace through another person.

Stephen Ministry offers the opportunity for a confidential relationship with someone who will listen to you and provide care and encouragement, while Christ works inside you to bring rest to your weary, burdened heart.

For more information on Stephen Ministry, contact one of the pastors, or one of the following Stephen Leaders:

Gin Allen:  903-832-5776
Don Keasler:  903-838-5990
Carolyn Megason:  903-838-9847
Patsy Morriss:  903-793-2769

Blessing of the Backpacks Coming August 24

To prepare for the new school year, all our children are invited to “Blessing of the Backpacks”, which will take place during each of the services on Sunday, August 24.  The beginning of the new school year is an exciting time for students, teachers and parents, a time filled with opportunity and promise.  What better way to prepare than to pray God’s presence and receive a gift symbolizing the prayers of the community?  This year’s gift will be a special one the kids will treasure all year (or at least the rest of the day!)
Teachers, Moms and Dads, don’t feel left out!  We can include briefcases, purses,  and bookbags, too!
See you August 24.

Stuff the Bus

Summer is a busy time for the Missions Team at Williams Memorial United Methodist Church.  We have Stuff the Bus on July 26, where we collect money and school supplies for area kids – both sides of the state line! – who might otherwise not have what they need to begin the school year.
It is hard enough to be a kid in school, and especially the kids from poorer families are often mocked and made to feel out of place.  These kids can have a lift to their spirits and a boost in their education with new school supplies, new backpacks, and a fresh start for a school year.  We will have locations at Super 1, Wal Mart, Sam’s Club and Kmart.  You can participate by buying and donating school supplies or by donating money to Stuff the Bus.  This is an annual gift to the community.

Mentoring Program – Expansion of a Miracle

For the past several years, we have been collecting money and buying gifts for selected families as part of our Miracle on 15th Street program from the Society of St. Stephen.  As many of you know, this year we are expanding the program to include mentoring of elementary school children throughout the school year.
Selected children from Theron Jones Early Literacy Center, formerly 15th St. Elementary, will be chosen to be part of this pilot program to give the gift of our lives throughout the year.  Trained mentors will go to the school during the week to read to the children, hear them read, watch them be part of school programs…give the gift of time.  We’ll have at least two people or families for each child, so the child can be visited each week.  We’ll still have the celebration at Christmas, but it will be part of the work we are doing, not all of it.
If you are interested in being part of this wonderful opportunity, call Frank Coats at 903-293-6002.  This is a genuine opportunity to share the love of Christ by investing ourselves.  It is a life-changing opportunity – and the transformed life may be yours.

Williams School News for July

Summer time is fun time at Williams School! As you can see from the pictures, we had great fun at our end of school parties. The fun continued as we began our summer school session on June 16th. This year 90 children are participating in our summer Mother’s Day Out and preschool programs.
By the time you receive this publication, we have celebrated our nation’s independence with making crafts, reading books and marching in our own indoor parade. In July, we will learn about dinosaurs, explore the customs and attractions of different countries, learn and meet some community helpers, participate in Vacation Bible School, and learn about different farm animals.
In August, we will learn about our solar system, and host our annual summer silly circus staring our students. Before we know it, summer school will conclude August 15th. After a week’s break for cleaning and preparation, our traditional school year kicks off August 25th.
Have a wonderful and safe summer.
Florence Pace

Calendar
July 4th – School Closed
July 9th – Water Play Day
July 16th – Take a (pretend) Vacation Day
Aug. 6th – Cloud Gazing Day
Aug 8th – School Closed – Teacher Prep Day
Aug 9th – Texarkana Child Care Conference
Aug. 13th – Williams Silly Circus
Aug. 15th – Last Day Summer School
Aug. 18 -22nd School closed
Aug. 21st – Teacher Inservice
Aug. 24th – Meet the Teacher, 4 – 6 p.m.
Aug. 25th – First Day of School

Pray For A Cure For Cancer

In 1998, the Lord put a mission on Kerri Crocker’s heart to tell others to pray for a cure for cancer. Knowing this message needed to reach beyond her immediate influence, Kerri and her husband Randy prayed about how they could spread this awesome request. They needed a tool that could reach a multitude of people in a matter of minutes… A road-side billboard!!  What a perfect solution to display this prayer request where people they would never meet would see it and pray. For ten years this dream grew in the Crocker’s heart and it finally came to fruition in April of 2008, when the first billboard was erected outside of Texarkana, AR on Interstate-30. Now together with a dedicated board of directors, RanKerr Ministries, Inc. is working hard to ensure that in another 10 years you will see this message nationwide, with one in every state and by every major cancer treatment facility.
Wouldn’t it be amazing to have millions praying for a cure?

Please partner with us and support this plea for prayer. Not only will it remind people to pray for a cure, the people afflicted by it and the researchers working so hard to find a cure, but it will also be a witness for our Lord… the One that heals us.

How can you help? First of all pray. Pray for those who are dealing with the effects of cancer either on themselves or a loved one. Pray for this ministry that the word will spread, that billboards will go up and that this ministry will grow as it strives to support those who have cancer and their loving families and friends. You can also support by going to the website, www.prayforacureforcancer.org and share your story, or learn about ways to give financially to the ministry.