Prize-winning Pecan Pie Recipe!

Thanks to our very own Ronnie Ward and Jerry C. Celey, we can now share with you, dear blog readers, his famous prize-winning recipe for pecan pie!

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3/4 cup sugar

2 tablespoons flour

1/2 stick butter

1/4 teaspoon salt

3 chicken eggs

1 tablespoon Mexican vanilla

1/2 cup dark Karo syrup

1/2 cup light Karo syrup

1 1/2 cups pecans (parts & pieces)

Melt butter. Add sugar and flour. Mix.

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Beat eggs, one at a time.... and add to above mixture.

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Add salt, vanilla, syrup and pecans. Stir to mix. Place in 9" deep pie shell.

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Optional: Add pecan halves to top to make it "purdy!"

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Pre-heat oven to 325 degrees. Place pie on cookie sheet or pie rack. Bake at 325 degrees for 60 minutes.

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ENJOY!!!

Advent begins at FUMC - Iraan

Our Advent began this morning in Iraan with a potluck breakfast and some energetic fellowship! The fellowship hall was nicely done with pretty table decorations, a banner quilt and a small crismon tree. Thanks to everyone who shared in this time with us!

Advent Devotional for the First Sunday of Advent

Sunday, November 28th - the First Sunday of Advent

Each day during Advent the entries from the parish Advent devotional will be placed on the blog. These devotionals were prepared by members and friends of the First UMC in Iraan and the First UMC in McCamey. The entries will continue through the Twelve Days of Christmas (Dec. 25 - Jan. 5) and finish on Epiphany Day (January 6th).

First Corinthians 13 (Christmas version)

If I decorate my house perfectly with plaid bows, stands of twinkling lights and shiny balls, but do not show love to my family, I'm just another decorator.

If I slave away in the kitchen, baking dozens of Christmas cookies, preparing gourmet meals and arranging a beautifully adorned table at mealtime, but do not show love to me family, I'm just another cook.

If I work at a soup kitchen, carol in a nursing home, and give all that I have to charity, but do not show love to my family, it profits me nothing.

If I trim the spruce with shimmering angels and crocheted snowflakes, attend a myriad of holiday parties and sing in the choir's cantata, but do not focus on Christ, I have missed the point.

Love stops the cooking to hug the child. Love sets aside the decorating to kiss the spouse. Love is kind, though harried and tired. Love doe not envy another's home that has coordinated Christmas china and table linens. Love does not yell at the kids to get out of the way, but is thankful that they are there to be in the way. Love does not give only to those who are able to give in return, but rejoices in giving to those who cannot.

Love bears all things, believes all things, hopes all things and endures all things. Love never fails. Video games will break, pearl necklaces will be lost, golf clubs will rust; but giving the gift of love will endure.

(Author: Sharon Jaynes - Celebrating a Christ-centered Christmas)

Wanda Carpenter, First UMC - Iraan

With Grateful Heart

With Grateful Heart

With grateful heart my thanks I bring,

Before the great Thy praise I sing,

I worship in Thy holy place

And praise Thee for Thy truth and grace;

For truth and grace together shine,

In Thy most holy Word divine,

In Thy most holy Word divine.

I cried to Thee and Thou didst save,

Thy Word of grace new courage gave;

The kings of earth shall thank Thee, Lord,

For they have heard Thy wondrous Word;

Yea, they shall come with songs of praise,

For great and glorious are Thy ways,

For great and glorious are Thy ways.

O Lord, enthroned in glory bright,

Thou reignest in the heavenly height;

The proud in vain Thy favor seek,

But Thou hast mercy for the meek;

Through trouble though my pathway be,

Thou wilt retrieve and strengthen me,

Thou wilt retrieve and strengthen me.

Thou wilt stretch forth Thy mighty arm

To save me when my foes alarm;

The work Thou hast for me begun

Shall by Thy grace be fully done;

Forever mercy dwells with Thee;

O Lord, my Maker, think on me,

O Lord, my Maker, think on me.

Happy birthday in Iraan!

Today was a birthday-type of day in Iraan! Burton Lanehart (today) and Wanda Morrow (Wednesday) are celebrating birthdays this week. After lunch Wanda gave Pastor Charles two lovely "happy anniversary" balloons from her bouquet (Pastor Charles' anniversary is also this week).

Christ the King Sunday @ FUMC - Iraan

Our fellowship this morning was a lively affair. What a joy it is to be with a community that enjoys each other's company! We have so much fun!!! Marie Richardson brought some freshly-made "Mormon bread" this morning to share during our fellowship time. What a treat it is to have such generous and talented people willing to share their gifts with the community!

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At the conclusion of the worship service Pastor Charles distributed the Advent devotional booklets to each family present (the devotionals had been blessed during the offering). Devotionals will be mailed to our resident members not in worship this morning and to those members who live out of town.

Prayer for Christ the King Sunday

(Main altar, Christ the King Cathedral - Mullingar, County Westmeath, Ireland)

Today is Christ the King Sunday, the last Sunday in the liturgical year. Next week is the beginning of Advent and the cycle of the church year begins anew. Before we launch into the holidays however, let us offer to our king the homage that is due to Him alone:

Collect for Christ the King Sunday:
Almighty and eternal God, You have made of one blood all the nations of the earth and will that they live together in peace and harmony; so order the course of this world so all peoples may be brought together under Christ's most gentle rule; through Jesus Christ our Lord who is alive with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.
(from the New Zealand Prayer Book, p. 637b)