We want to welcome you into the fellowship of Christian believers known as First United Methodist Church in Iraan, Texas. We are a community of persons who are seeking a deeper relationship with God, through the example of Jesus Christ, and the guidance of the Holy Spirit. May you experience God's grace while you are a part of the ministry here at First United Methodist Church.

Saturday, October 30, 2010


Sunday (October 31st) is Reformation Day in many Protestant churches. This marks the momentus event at Wittenburg's All Saints' Church, more commonly known as the Schlosskirche (Castle Church), where Martin Luther famously nailed his 95 Theses in 1517.


A Prayer for Reformation Sunday
(
from UMCGiving.org)

God of the faithful, we give thanks for Your abundant blessings. Thank You for our fathers and mothers in the faith who, sometimes with significant risk, stood up for their beliefs. Give us the courage to speak out and speak up, that we might share Your merciful love and grow in grace. In Your holy name, we pray. Amen.

Sunday, October 24, 2010

October 24th in Iraan




With good food, fellowship and worship on tap, the faithful gathered at the First UMC in Iraan today. It was nice to have several guests with us today. The blessings keep coming!

Today's messeage


(St. Joseph Catholic Church - Springfield, IL)


Today's sermon is based on Luke 18:9-14, the parable of the Pharisee and the tax collector.

Saturday, October 23, 2010

Breakfast tomorrow!

We're serving up the best breakfast in Iraan tomorrow! Join us for our monthly breakfast potluck (always on the fourth Sunday) at 8:30 a.m. and then stay for worship, you'll be filled - body & soul!

Friday, October 22, 2010

Iraan goes to the game






There was a great turn-out for tonight's Iraan-McCamey football game in McCamey. The Braves won, 58-8 (securing a playoff spot in the process) which made the drive back to Iraan that much more enjoyable! There were several First UMC members in the crowd this evening including Lee & Dottie Mann, Kirke & Lois Ann McKenzie and Evans Turpin - what wonderful Iraan spirit we have!

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Midweek Message for October 20th

Praise is due to You, O God in Zion;
and to You shall vows be performed,
O You who answer prayer!
To You all flesh shall come.
When deeds of iniquity overwhelm us,
You forgive our transgressions.
Happy are those whom You choose and bring near to live in Your courts.
We shall be satisfied with the goodness of Your house, Your holy temple.
- Psalm 65:1-4 (NRSV)

Sunday, October 17, 2010

Today in Iraan







Our fellowship time today was certainly a lively affair, with good conversation to go with the tasty breakfast casserole made by Kirke McKenzie. We are blessed to have a community of faith that enjoys coming together each week!

Today's message


Today's sermon comes from Luke 18:1-8, the parable of the unjust judge. May God bless those who read and respond to the Living Word.

Saturday, October 16, 2010



Pastor Charles was in Odessa this morning for the Class A session of the UIL Region Six band show. It was nice seeing the Iraan-Sheffield effort, they looked really nice today!

Wednesday, October 13, 2010

Tonight's Ad Board Meeting



It was a lively group which gathered in the fellowship hall for the monthly Ad Board meeting.
________________
Among the items that were brought before the group was the 2011 budget and the Lay Leadership report (Nominations) for the church conference. Wanda Carpenter, James Jordan and Wanda Morrow stayed afterwards to go over the church membership audit, also in anticipation of the church conference.
_____________________
There will be a change in worship time for the church conference, November 7th. For that Sunday only, the schedule will be: Church school at 9:30 - fellowship at 10:30 - and church conference/worship at 11:00. ________________
Attending tonight were: Pastor Charles, Cathy Allen, Wanda Carpenter, Dr. Edwin & Chris Franks, Deanna & James Jordan, Kirke McKenzie and Wanda Morrow.

Tuesday, October 12, 2010

Praise God: Chilean Miner Rescued!!!


PRAISE BE TO GOD!!! The first of the 33 men trapped in a Chilean mine since August 5 has arrived at the surface in a rescue capsule!

Ad Board this week


The Ad Board will meet tomorrow evening, October 13th, at 6:00pm. We'll be preparing for the up-coming church conference (November 7th) and your input is needed for the reports.

Sunday, October 10, 2010

October 10th @ FUMC - Iraan





It is such a blessing to be able to come together as the family of God each week in Iraan!
______________
Prayer requests today included: Ronnie, who is recovering from his surgery; Cole B. who was hurt at Friday night's football game; the joy at the marriage of Lexi & Jordan Highland (Jordan is James' and Deanna's grandson); Ed Carpenter's good medical report; the Monarch butterflies.

Today's gospel lesson comes to us from Luke 17:11-19 and concerns the healing of ten lepers by Jesus.
_______________
(the oil panel, "Ten Lepers Healed" by Brian Kershisnik, 1997)

Friday, October 8, 2010

Change in date for UMM


The date for the kick-off for the United Methodist Men in McCamey has been changed to October 16th, same time,
7:00 am for cooking - 7:30 am for breakfast.
________________
The United Methodist Men:
"Helping men to know Christ so others may know Christ"

Wednesday, October 6, 2010

Wednesday in Iraan





There was good food and great fellowship at the the UMC table today at the Iraan Senior Citizen lunch. Pastor Charles always enjoys his time with the folks at these lunches, one never knows who will stop by for a bite or a laugh!

Seen today were Burton & Jo Lanehart, Evans Turpin, Lee & Dottie Mann, Wanda Morrow and Marie Richardson. Also seen in the sky above Iraan were countless Monarch butterflies. So much beauty, such an amazing God who created and shares this magnificent creature with us!

The prayers of the Iraan go out to Ronnie who is undergoing rehab in Odessa and expects to be home soon.

Midweek Message for October 6th

A Prayer for Discernment



Almighty God, in a world of change You placed eternity in our hearts and gave us power to discern good from evil.

Grant us sincerity, that we may persistently seek the things that endure, refusing those which perish, and that, amid things vanishing and deceptive, we may see the truth steadily, follow the light faithfully, and grow ever richer in that love which is the life of all people; through Jesus Christ our Savior. Amen.





(from the UM Book of Worship, #510 - by Hugh Cameron, Scotland, 20th Century)

Monday, October 4, 2010

St. Francis' Canticle of All Creatures

In honor of St. Francis' feast day, here is his Canticle of All Creatures:

Most High, all-powerful, all-good Lord, all praise is Yours, all glory, all honor and all blessings. To You alone, Most High, do they belong, and no mortal lips are worthy to pronounce Your Name.

Praised be You, my Lord with all Your creatures, especially Sir Brother Sun, who is the day through whom You give us light. And he is beautiful and radiant with great splendor, of You Most High, he bears this likeness.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Moon and stars, in the heavens You have made them bright, precious and fair.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brothers Wind and Air, and fair and stormy, all weather's moods, by which You cherish all that You have made.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Brother Fire, through whom You light the night and he is beauitful and playful and robust and strong.

Praised be You, my Lord, through our Sister, Mother Earth who sustains and governs us, producing varied fruits with colored flowers and herbs.

Praised be You, my Lord, through those who grant pardon for love of You and bear sickness and trial. Blessed are those who endure in peace, By You Most High, they will be crowned.

Praised be You, my Lord, through Sister Death, from whom no one living can escape. Woe to those who die in mortal sin! Blessed are they She finds doing Your will. No second death can do them harm.

Praise and bless my Lord and give Him thanks, and serve Him with great humility.

Sunday, October 3, 2010

World Communion Sunday

It was World Communion Sunday in Iraan and the faithful gathered to worship God and to share in the fellowship of other belivers. We had a lot of folks away this weekend but that didn't stop us in the least! Praise God from whom all blessings flow!

Our prayer joys and concerns today included: The family of Hal Sykes (he passed suddenly last week); Ronnie W. who is recovering from two surgeries; the TCA youth and their newly appointed mentors; Stephen Hansen (Kirke's nephew) who is being transfered to Bahrain as an AF firefighter; Kassi and Charles Cox who were married at our church yesterday.

Saturday, October 2, 2010

A wedding in Iraan




This evening Kassi Lynn [Wellmaker] Brady married Charles Raymond Cox in a small ceremony at the First UMC in Iraan. Kassi's great-grandfather was an early member of the Methodist Church in Iraan and though she lives now in Fort Worth she wanted to share this special place with Charles.




Kassi contacted Pastor Charles via Facebook and he was able to share the experience with Mr. & Mrs. Cox.