Midweek Message

The scripture lesson for this coming Sunday, April 3, is a very familiar one, Psalm 23. Please join us for fellowship at 9:00 a.m., worship (with communion) at 9:30 a.m., and Sunday School at 10:30 a.m.

March 27th @ FUMC - Iraan

While many in our congregation were out of town this weekend, one might suspect that there wouldn't be that much energy at church this morning. However, nothing could be further from the truth!

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Our monthly potluck was shared by a very appreciative gathering, and our worship was Spirit-fed and Spirit-filled!

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What a blessing it is to come together to worship God each week, and what a blessing we have to share with our community in the coming week!

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Our joys this week included: (1) the earth reponding to nature's announcement of spring, (2) the Mann's reported bluebonnets in their yard and (3) the fact that Pastor Charles & Belinda didn't hit the buck they saw on their way to church this morning.

Our concerns included: (1) prayers for healing for Wanda M. and Ed C., (2) the continued need for rain and (3) prayers for the people of Japan.

Ad Board Meeting

The FUMC - Iraan Ad Board met tonight with seven in attendance. There are improvements being made to the parsonage; thanks to our trustees for making this happen!

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The fourth Sunday breakfast potluck in April will be on Easter Sunday, April 24. This will be after the sunrise service at the cross on the hill.

Mid-week message for March 23

The scripture lesson for March 27 comes from Psalm 95 - join us for our monthly breakfast potluck at 8:30 a.m. - worship at 9:30 a.m. as Pastor Charles continues our Lenten sermon series on the Psalms. Bible study begins at 10:30 a.m.

Prayers for Wanda M.

Update for the FUMC - Iraan family: Wanda M. had surgery this afternoon in Midland and according to the doctor came through in fine fashion. She will be in Midland for a couple of weeks, including time in the hospital and then with her daughter who lives there. Your prayers for her speedy recovery and safe return to Iraan are welcomed.

Spring comes to FUMC - Iraan

Our first Sunday in spring was wonderful! During our fellowship time, homemade cookies, scones, and nut bread were on hand - and it wasn't even our potluck Sunday!

We were blessed to have two guests during our worship service which always adds so much to our time together!

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JOYS
Healing Mercies for Alfred T., Diana S. and Al A. are doing better and for Wanda M. who is going in for surgery this week.

Other joys included: Spring is springing! Teachers and school administration returning to school this week. Laughter in church. Visiting family. Joy of two visitors in worship today: Diana S. and Dorothy M. Gift of Facebook connecting people around the world in turbulent times. Praise God that the car hitting two deers in six weeks resulted in minimum damage to the Schneider's car. The Jordan’s daughter-in-law’s birthday. The beautiful full moon last night. Sound of more folks coming into church just after worship begins.

CONCERNS
Japan’s people recovering from earthquakes and following tsunami. Continued prayers for Billie M., Lois Ann M., and Wanda M. (none related to the others!)
Need for rain.
Travelling mercies.

A Prayer in 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 the 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 we fulfill.

- Robert Frost (1874 - 1963)

[Today, March 20, is the first day of spring]

An Irish Prayer

An Irish Prayer

May God give you...

For every storm, a rainbow,

For every tear, a smile,

For every care, a promise,

And a blessing in each trial.

For every problem life sends,

A faithful friend to share,

For every sigh, a sweet song,

And an answer for each prayer.

A letter from the Council of Bishops

Dear sisters and brothers,

As you know, a series of tragic events has unfolded over the past few days in Japan. The massive 9.0-magnitude earthquake that struck Japan on March 11 and the accompanying tsunami resulted in the death of at least 2,800 people and possibly more than 10,000. Damage to the country's nuclear power plants jeopardizes the safety of hundreds of thousands more. Japanese Prime Minister Naoto Kan called the disaster the worst crisis Japan has faced in 65 years.

In times of immense loss and grief, we are reminded once again that God's grace is sufficient. While it does not offer us immunity from tragedy, it sustains us with healing and hope. At such times, the church is called to be a healing presence among those facing heartbreaking circumstances. I am confident that the people of The United Methodist Church will respond to the call with prayers and generous support for the victims of this catastrophe.

I ask that you join with me in prayer for the deceased and their families; the injured; the search and rescue workers; the survivors who are without water, food or heat; those who have been evacuated from their homes as the nuclear threat worsens; and all who have been affected.

When disaster strikes, we are especially grateful for the valuable ministry that the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) provides with the help and support of United Methodists and others. I hope that all United Methodist churches will consider taking a special offering designated for Pacific Emergency, UMCOR Advance #3021317, to provide financial resources to respond to the needs resulting from the disaster.

Working with its partners, the United Church of Christ in Japan, the Korean Christian Church, Church World Service, Global Medic, the National Christian Council, and the Asian Rural Institute, UMCOR is currently focused on working to assess the damage to determine how best to provide assistance and will then respond accordingly.

May we join together in opening our hearts to those suffering in the midst of devastation.

Yours in Christ,

Bishop Larry M. Goodpaster,

President, The Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church

Spiritual gifts assessment

"We each have gifts according to the grace given to us." (Romans 12:6)

Do you know your spiritual type? Find out today with UMC.org's online assessment.

Lent begins in Iraan

The first Sunday in Lent came to Iraan this morning with beautiful weather outdoors and a warm fellowship inside.

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The sermon this morning, "Are you happy?" was the first in the sermon series based on the Psalms. Today's reading was Psalm 32.

Time Change Tonight

Daylight Savings Time begins on March 13th - "Spring forward" your clocks so you don't miss worshipping with us tomorrow!

UMCOR help for Japan

Prayers for Japan

"In reponse to the earthquake on March 10, 2011 in Japan, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be working with local communities to rebuild. UMCOR is now better able to when earthquakes, tsunamis or other disasters hit the area. UMCOR works in shelter and infrastructure reconstruction, water and sanitation, income generation, health and nutrition, education and community development."

Visit this link to donate to this effort.

To read more, please visit this link.

The Lenten Journey Begins

("Lent," Charleswood United Church

Winnepeg, Manitoba)

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Today marks the beginning of the church's Lenten journey toward Easter. The significance of this time in the church's life is stated clearly and well in "Inivtation to the Observance of Lenten Discipline" in the Ash Wednesday liturgy (The United Methodist Book of Worship, #322).

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"Dear brothers and sisters in Christ: The early Christians observed with great devotion the days of our Lord's passion and resurrection, and it became the custom of the Church that before the Easter celebration there should be a forty-day season of spiritual preparation.

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During this season converts to the faith were prepared for Holy Baptism. It was also a time when persons who had committed serious sins and had separated themselves from the community of faith were reconciled by penitence and forgiveness, and restored to participation in the life of the Church.

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In this way the whole congregation was reminded of the mercy and forgiveness proclaimed in the gospel of Jesus Christ and the need we all have to renew our faith.

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I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a holy Lent:

by self-examination and repentance;

by prayer, fasting, and self-denial;

and by reading and meditating on God Holy Word."

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[This text is in the public domain and comes from the Book of Common Prayer.]

Joys and concerns from Sunday, March 6th

Prayer joys from Sunday:

*Burton M. is doing better.

*Marie R. is with us today.
*Birthdays: Deana J.’s mother and her grand-daughter.
*Leadership of the church.
*Krispie Kreme donuts during fellowship time this morning!
*The joy of purple nail polish.

Prayer concerns from Sunday:
Need for rain.
Healing Mercies: Wanda M., Evans T. and Al Alexander.
Family of Lewis Blackburn.
Those absent from us.
Folks struggling in N. Africa/Middle East, in Libya.

March 6th @ FUMC - Iraan

It was Transfiguration Sunday today at the First UMC in Iraan and we were blessed by some wonderful fellowship and worship. Thanks to Marie Richardson, we had some fresh donuts to enjoy during our fellowship time. It is sometimes a challenge to get folks into the sanctuary, we just enjoy each other's company so much!

At the McCamey Convalescent Center this afternoon we shared communion with the residents and were able to use the large-print hymnals for the first time. The residents were thrilled to see their names on the dedication plates - thanks to the generous people of the Iraan & McCamey UMC's for making this outreach possible.

Transfiguration Sunday is tomorrow

(Church of the Transfiguration, Mt. Tabor - Israel)

Transfiguration Sunday - the sermon text is 2 Peter 1:16-21. Please join us for our fellowship time at 9:00 a.m., worship at 9:30 a.m., and study at 10:30 a.m.