Maundy Thursday

("The Last Supper" by Sadao Watanabe)


Collect of the Day: Maundy Thursday : Almighty Father, whose dear Son, on the night before He suffered, instituted the Sacrament of His Body and Blood: Mercifully grant that we may receive it thankfully in remembrance of Jesus Christ our Lord, who in these holy mysteries gives us a pledge of eternal life; and who now lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.

Wednesday of Holy Week

++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++

["The Betrayal of Judas" - fresco from the Scrovegni Chapel - Padua, Italy]

Read John 13:21-35

Collect for the Wednesday in Holy Week: Lord God, whose blessed Son our Savior gave His body to be whipped and His face to be spit upon: Give us grace to accept joyfully the sufferings of the present time, confident of the glory that shall be revealed; through Jesus Christ your Son our Lord, who lives and... reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [from the Book of Common Prayer]

Tuesday in Iraan

We had a nice morning in Iraan. Belinda attended the Tuesday morning Bible study at the First Baptist Church and had a wonderful time meeting the ladies who gather there each week. We went to have lunch at Isabella's Kitchen and met some of the great Iraan residents!

Tuesday of Holy Week

"The Elect Being Called to Paradise" The Chapel of San Brizio, The Duomo - Orvieto, Italy


Read John 12:20-26

Tuesday of Holy Week: Almighty and everlasting God, who, of Thy tender loves towards mankind, hast sent Thy Son, our Saviour Jesus Christ, to take upon Him our flesh, and to suffer death upon the cross, that all mankind should follow the example of His great humility: Mercifully grant, that we may both follow the example of His patience, and also be made partakers of His resurrection; through the same Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen. [from the Book of Common Prayer]

Monday of Holy Week

Read Matthew 21:18-22

Monday in Holy Week: Almighty God, whose most dear Son went not up to joy but first He suffered pain, and entered not into glory before He was crucified: Mercifully grant that we, walking in the way of the cross, may find it none other than the way of life and peace; through Jesus Christ Your Son our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. [from the Book of Common Prayer]

Palm Sunday

There was a real celebration this morning at the First United Methodist Church in Iraan, Texas! The church family enjoyed a delicious brunch. We always have a great time when we get together! This idea of having a brunch-potluck on the last Sunday of the month is turning out to be one great idea. The worship service was one of praise, prayer and thanksgiving. Praise be to God for all the blessings of this day!!!

Prayer for Palm Sunday

It is right to praise you, Almighty God, for the acts of love by which you have redeemed us through your Son Jesus Christ our Lord. On this day he entered the holy city of Jerusalem in triumph, and was proclaimed as King of kings by those who spread their garments and branches of palm along his way. Let these branches be for us signs of his victory, and grant that we who bear them in his name may ever hail him as our King, and follow him in the way that leads to eternal life; who lives and reigns in glory with you and the Holy Spirit, now and for ever. Amen.

(The Book of Common Prayer)

Breakfast Potluck on Palm Sunday

The monthly breakfast potluck at the First UMC in Iraan is this coming Sunday, March 28th - Palm Sunday! Won't you please bring a friend with you as we share in the breaking of bread and the beginning of Holy Week? You'll be glad you did and so will your friends!

Report from District Meeting

The monthly Pastors and Professionals meeting (San Angelo District) was held today at the Trinity United Methodist Church in San Angelo. It was great to be in the company of such devoted servants of our Lord. We enjoyed worship, program information and fellowship.

Greeting Card Ministry

The church has a greeting card ministry underway. The box in the back pew of the church is available to folks, so they can take a card and send it to someone with their prayers and good wishes.

Praise be to God for people who take the time to let others know they care!!!

Our Sunday in Iraan

The first Sunday of spring arrived with a definite chill in the air but that didn't stop the faithful from gathering for fellowship and worship! We enjoy the fellowship time, gathering in the kitchen for coffee and conversation.

During the worship service, Pastor Charles shared with the congregation the plaque designating the First UMC in Iraan as an Official Welcoming Congregation. This is a significant accomplishment as there are not many churches of our size to be recognized in this manner.

Prayer for the Fifth Sunday in Lent

From Book of Common Prayer:
Collect of the Day: Fifth Sunday in Lent

Almighty God, You alone can bring into order the unruly wills and affections of sinners: Grant Your people grace to love what You command and desire what You promise; that, among the swift and varied changes of the world, our hearts may surely there be fixed where true joys are to be found; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and for ever. Amen.

A poem for the first day of spring

A Prayer in Spring

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;
And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.

Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.

And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.

For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

-by Robert Frost

Happy St. Patrick's Day

(Window from St. Patrick's Cathedral, Armagh, Ireland)


Saint Patrick's Breastplate Prayer

I bind unto myself today the strong Name of the Trinity, by invocation of the same, the Three in One and One in Three.

I bind this day to me for ever. By power of faith, Christ's incarnation; His baptism in the Jordan river; His death on the Cross for my salvation; His bursting from the spicèd tomb; His riding up the heavenly way; His coming at the day of doom;* I bind unto myself today.

I bind unto myself the power of the great love of the cherubim; The sweet 'well done' in judgment hour, the service of the seraphim, Confessors' faith, Apostles' word, the Patriarchs' prayers, the Prophets' scrolls, all good deeds done unto the Lord, and purity of virgin souls.

I bind unto myself today the virtues of the starlit heaven, the glorious sun's life-giving ray, the whiteness of the moon at even, the flashing of the lightning free, the whirling wind's tempestuous shocks, the stable earth, the deep salt sea, around the old eternal rocks.

I bind unto myself today the power of God to hold and lead, His eye to watch, His might to stay, His ear to hearken to my need. The wisdom of my God to teach, His hand to guide, His shield to ward, the word of God to give me speech, His heavenly host to be my guard.

Against the demon snares of sin, the vice that gives temptation force, the natural lusts that war within, the hostile men that mar my course; Or few or many, far or nigh, in every place and in all hours, against their fierce hostility, I bind to me these holy powers.

Against all Satan's spells and wiles, against false words of heresy, against the knowledge that defiles, against the heart's idolatry, against the wizard's evil craft, against the death wound and the burning, the choking wave and the poisoned shaft, protect me, Christ, till Thy returning.

Christ be with me, Christ within me, Christ behind me, Christ before me, Christ beside me, Christ to win me, Christ to comfort and restore me. Christ beneath me, Christ above me, Christ in quiet, Christ in danger, Christ in hearts of all that love me, Christ in mouth of friend and stranger.

I bind unto myself the Name, the strong Name of the Trinity; By invocation of the same. The Three in One, and One in Three, of Whom all nature hath creation, Eternal Father, Spirit, Word: Praise to the Lord of my salvation, salvation is of Christ the Lord.
_____________________________________
* Note: "day of doom" is an Old English term meaning "Day of Judgment."

We're a "Welcoming Congregation"

March 15, 2010

First United Methodist Church
Rev. Dr. Charles Alkula
401 S. Harte Street
Iraan, TX 79744

Dear Rev. Alkula and church members:

United Methodist Communications is pleased to award First United Methodist Church in Iraan initial certification as an official Welcoming Congregation in 2010. Because The United Methodist Church places a high value on radical hospitality as a vital ministry, we know you will want to celebrate this important achievement in your congregation by continuing to embrace newcomers and provide opportunities for discipleship through your welcoming lifestyle.

Your welcoming plaque and original copy of certification letter will be sent via UPS to the church address. In addition to the plaque, your church is recognized as a certified Welcoming Congregation on the denomination’s Find-A-Church.org website. Your church’s profile displays this designation. We encourage you to visit Find-A-Church.org to update your church information with pictures, worship times, ministry listing and a word of welcome!

We hope you will continue to participate in annual renewal of the welcoming certification program so every member of your congregation can embrace welcoming as a lifestyle, and your church can maintain a dynamic welcoming ministry for all people. Details concerning the annual renewal process will be sent to you after April 1, 2010.

To help you strengthen and maintain a dynamic welcoming ministry in your congregation and to help you extend your welcome into the community and the world, we invite you to visit RethinkChurch.org and review the information and resources available. In addition, we have added your church email address to our database so you can begin receiving email updates about Welcoming Certification and welcoming ministry training and resources.

On behalf of United Methodist Communications, we thank you for ensuring newcomers know the people of The United Methodist Church have open hearts, open minds and open doors.

Sincerely,
Sheila Harrison
Certification Coordinator
United Methodist Communications

cc: District Superintendent, Rev. Larry Altman
SWTX Conference Communications, Thomas Monahan

Lovely Sunday at the Iraan FUMC!

Folks did remember to set their clocks, so they could get to church on time. We had a wonderful church family reunion this Sunday morning (as we do every Sunday morning): Praise be to God!!

One Great Hour of Sharing

"And what does the LORD require of you? To act justly and to love mercy and to walk humbly with your God." Micah 6:8 (NIV)

Today’s special offering enables the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) to do business and to send 100% of all designated funds to the selected programs. Please do your part by giving generously to One Great Hour of Sharing. Now more than ever the world needs you. Be there with UMCOR. Visit this link to learn more.

Fourth Sunday in Lent

(the Ford of the Partridge on the River Jordan)


CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER (UMC Hymnal #253):

Father in heaven, at the baptism of Jesus in the River Jordan You proclaimed Him Your beloved Son and anointed Him with the Holy Spirit. Grant that all who are baptized in His name may keep the covenant they have made, and boldly confess Him as Lord and Savior, who with You and the Holy Spirit lives and reigns, One God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

Spring Forward Tonight

See you in church tomorrow!

Beautiful Iraan

Pastor Charles really enjoyed the drive from the parsonage in McCamey to Iraan tonight. He attended the monthly administrative board meeting at the First United Methodist Church, where he found an energetic group of Christians about the Lord's work. Praise be to God for people such as these!!!

Super Sunday at Iraan FUMC!

Another super Sunday at the Iraan First United Methodist Church -- a great place to hang your hat!

Today we experienced communion.

Praise be to God!!!

A Prayer for Communion Sunday

(First UMC - Houma, LA)

Stay with me, Lord, for it is necessary to have You present so that I do not forget You. You know how easily I abandon You.

Stay with me, Lord, because I am weak, and I need Your strength that I may not fall so often.

Stay with me, Lord, for You are my light, and without You I am in darkness. Stay with me, Lord, to show me Your will.

Stay with me, Lord, so that I hear Your voice and follow You.

Stay with me, Lord, for I desire to love You very much and to be in Your company always.

Stay with me, Lord, if You wish me to be faithful to You.

Stay with me, Lord, for as poor as my soul is I want it to be a place of consolation for You, a nest of love. Amen.


Padre Pio

A Visit in Rankin

Pastor Charles and Belinda were returning home to McCamey today, after a quick trip to visit Belinda's mama in San Angelo, when they made an impromptu phone call to the Rev. Jennifer Kelly to see if she was available to meet for lunch in Rankin. Pastor Kelly serves as the pastor of the Rankin United Methodist Church. It was the first time for them to meet; and yet, it seemed like they were old friends. God's Spirit's could really be felt amongst them. Praise be to God for such wonderful fellowship!!!

The news from Mt. Wesley

The 2010 Bishop's Convocation at Mt. Wesley (near Kerrville) is over, and it was a terrific experience for Pastor Charles and Belinda. We got to meet the bishop of Southwest Texas Conference of the United Methodist Church (UMC), Bishop Jim Dorff. We heard two dynamic messages from the bishop of the Oklahoma Conference of the UMC, Bishop Robert Hayes.
We also were surprised to meet a former colleague of Pastor Charles, the Rev. William Brown, who now lives near Boerne. The last time we saw the Rev. Brown, he was Chaplain Brown. He had been deployed to Iwakuni, Japan, where Pastor Charles was assigned as Navy chaplain.
Mt. Wesley is a wonderful facility, and our conference is blessed to have this place available for use!

E-Newsletter is available

Would you like to receive the monthly E-newsletter from the First UMC in Iraan? If you would like to be able to keep up with the news from Iraan, then please send a request to: iraanumc@gmail.com.