Annual Conference, Day 1

We began the work of the Annual Conference today with clergy and lay sessions in the afternoon. Belinda went to the clergy spouse's reception at the First UMC (Corpus Christi) and met with a lot of really nice people!

Following the afternoon sessions, we had supper with Gini Christian (District ministries coordinator) and Jill Preston (District Lay Leader). Then it was back to the American Bank Center for the memorial service. At this service each year the Conference pauses to remember those clergy and spouses who have passed away since the previous Annual Conference gathering.

An Ascension Sunday blessing

We were blessed this morning with a joyfilled fellowship and worship! Lee & Dottie Mann brought some cinnamon rolls which were well received by the assembled UM's.

Joys from this morning:

Bradley W. leaves Iraq on the 18th

Brian, Jess, Aiden and Logan are back with us today.

Great visit for Burton of a friend from Australia.

Great visits with visiting daughters of Lee & Dottie and for Jo & Burton.

Deanna's son & grandson visited last week.

Edd & Wanda's youngest son and daughter-in-law are moving to Bandera soon.

Good health reports: Burton L., Wanda M. and Sheila H. (Belinda's mom).

Concerns: Prayers are asked for this week's Southwest Texas Annual Conference session.

Traveling prayers are asked for those absent from us.

Ascension Sunday Collect

O Almighty God, whose blessed Son our Savior Jesus Christ ascended far above all heavens that He might fill all things: Mercifully give us faith to perceive that, according to His promise, He abides with His Church on earth, even to the end of the ages; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with You and the Holy Spirit, one God, in glory everlasting. Amen.

The Anglican Book of Divine Worship

Vacation Bible School in Iraan

The First Baptist Church in Iraan invites the community to Vacation Bible School, June 13 - 17. Each evening at 6:00 p.m. the First Baptist Church and the First United Methodist Church will come alive with the sounds of children (and adults!) getting excited about God!!!

Joys and concerns from Sunday, May 29th

Joys: Last week's rain; Edd & Wanda Carpenter's grand-daighter's visit; The Lanehart and Mann family pews; Burton Lanehart's visit of a friend of his from Australia; Good news from the Gufstason family; Kirke is going to visit his grandchildren soon; the landscaping at the church; the Barbados cook-off fun; Sheffield's Memorial Day observance; the recent graduates and their families; gratitude for the people who died in defense of our country.

Concerns: We need more rain; Bradley Ward's on-going deployment; folks going through life transitions; traveling mercies for those absent from us this week.

Memorial Day weekend

We are blessed to be able to come together for fellowship and worship and on this weekend, even more so.

Today's Scripture Lesson

(The Aeropagus, Athens)

Our scripture lesson this morning finds Paul offering the Epicurean and Stoic philosophers in Athens the rational for the belief in Jesus.