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THE VINE NEWSLETTER OF BELLAIRE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD OCTOBER 2016 VOLUME 52 ISSUE 12
MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR THE TRANSFORMATION OF THE WORLD
MY COMMANDMENT TO YOU IS THIS: LOVE OTHERS AS I HAVE LOVED YOU. THERE IS NO GREATER WAY TO LOVE THAN TO GIVE YOUR LIFE FOR YOUR FRIENDS. YOU CELEBRATE OUR FRIENDSHIP IF YOU OBEY THIS COMMAND. I DON’T CALL YOU SERVANTS ANY LONGER; SERVANTS DON’T KNOW WHAT THE MASTER IS DOING, BUT I HAVE TOLD YOU EVERYTHING THE FATHER HAS SAID TO ME. I CHOSE YOU, AND I ORCHESTRATED ALL OF THIS SO THAT YOU WOULD BE SENT OUT AND BEAR GREAT AND PERPETUAL FRUIT. AS YOU DO THIS, ANYTHING YOU ASK THE FATHER IN MY NAME WILL BE DONE. THIS IS MY COMMAND TO YOU: LOVE ONE ANOTHER. JOHN 15:12-17 (THE VOICE)
Dear Friends, Beginning October 9th, we will engage in a special church-wide emphasis that we are calling A Disciple’s Heart. Over the course of four weeks, stories from the gospel of John will guide us as we explore the heart of our mission to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformaJon of the world. Each week's sermon will explore discipleship and one of the ways that we think disciples are made here at Bellaire UMC—connecJng people to God, connecJng people to people, and connecJng people to service. Part of my hope for this series is that we all think deeply about what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and for each of us to consider the state of our own personal discipleship. Pastor Jim Harnish, a mentor of mine while I was in seminary, craRed a definiJon of disciple that has been parJcularly helpful for me. He writes that “a disciple is a follower of Jesus (one who trusts Jesus for personal salvaJon and for bringing healing and wholeness to the world) whose life is centering (one who conJnues to grow spiritually throughout life) on loving God and loving others (one who loves God and obeys Jesus’ command to love one another).” As we work through this series, I invite you to think about your life as a follower of Jesus and how you are, even now, growing in your love for God and others. A Disciple’s Heart coincides with our annual stewardship campaign, and throughout these next four weeks, you will have opportuniJes to consider both how you will grow as a disciple in the year ahead and how you will support the ministries of this congregaJon. Our series will conclude with a special Commitment Sunday celebraJon on Sunday, October 30. I am excited to begin this journey with you, and I can’t wait to see what God will do among us. Yours in Christ, Pastor Seann A personal note: It is good to be back in the office after four weeks away for paternity leave following the birth of our daughter, Sara. It wasn’t exactly a restful time, but it was a beautiful opportunity to bond as a family of four and to enjoy the wonder that a new child has brought into our lives. Once again, thank you for all your kind words and deeds in this first month home with Sara. In Christ, Pastor Seann
IN WORSHIP OCTOBER 9 John 13:31-35 By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another. Our Mission: Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformaJon of the world.
OCTOBER 16 John 15:1-11 The branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. Our Strategy: ConnecJng People to God.
OCTOBER 23 John 15:12-17 I have called you friends, because I have made known to you everything I have heard from my Father. Our Strategy: ConnecJng People to People. 3rd Grade Bible Sunday + Children’s Choir in Worship
OCTOBER 30 John 13:1-17 For I have set you an example, that you also should do as I have done to you. Our Strategy: ConnecJng People to Service.
Gospel of John Reading Guide
October 3 — John 1:1-18 October 4 — John 1:19-51 October 5 — John 2:1-25 October 6 — John 3:1-36 October 7 — John 4:1-42 October 8 — John 4:43-5:18 October 9 — John 5:19-47 October 10 — John 6:1-21 October 11 — John 6:22-71 October 12 — John 7:1-53 October 13 — John 8:1-59 October 14 — John 9:1-41 October 15 — John 10:1-42 October 16 — John 11:1-57 October 17 — John 12:1-50 October 18 — John 13:1-38 October 19 — John 14:1-31 October 20 — John 15:1-17 October 21 — John 15:18-16:15 October 22 — John 16:16-33 October 23 — John 17:1-26 October 24 — John 18:1-27 October 25 — John 18:28-38 October 26 — John 18:39-19:16 October 27 — John 19:17-42 October 28 — John 20:1-31 October 29 — John 21:1-25
Stewardship Commitment Sunday
Make plans to acend worship each Sunday during our Disciple’s Heart series, and join us in reading through the gospel of John together during the month of October.
OUR MISSION: MAKING DISCIPLES OF JESUS CHRIST FOR T H E T R A N S F O R M AT I O N O F T H E W O R L D In 1996, The United Methodist Church officially defined its purpose, or mission, as making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transforma:on of the world. Bellaire UMC adopted that same mission statement for our congregaJon just a few years ago as part of the Vibrant Church IniJaJve. Let’s take a closer look at our mission.
Making disciples of Jesus Christ… This first part is about you, the individual. You are a disciple, and disciples believe in God, love God, believe that Jesus is Lord and Savior, and seek to follow Jesus’ example by living like Jesus lived.
For the transformaMon of the world. This second part—well, it’s not about you. We believe that disciples—people who love God and try to follow Jesus—don’t come into the church as an escape from the world but rather go out into the world and partner with God to transform it into a more beauJful, more loving, more faithful, more just world.
Here’s why The United Methodist Church has adopted this as its mission: The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformaJon of the world by proclaiming the good news of God's grace and by exemplifying Jesus' command to love God and neighbor, thus seeking the fulfillment of God's reign and realm in the world. The fulfillment of God's reign and realm in the world is the vision Scripture holds before us. The United Methodist Church affirms that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, the Savior of the world, and the Lord of all. As we make disciples, we respect persons of all religious faiths and we defend religious freedom for all persons. Jesus' words in Machew provide the Church with our mission: "Go therefore and make disciples of all naJons, bapJzing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (28:19-20), and "You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart, and with all your soul, and with all your mind. . . . And you shall love your neighbor as yourself" (22:37, 39). This mission is our grace-filled response to the Reign of God in the world announced by Jesus. God's grace is acJve everywhere, at all Jmes, carrying out this purpose as revealed in the Bible. It is expressed in God's covenant with Abraham and Sarah, in the Exodus of Israel from Egypt, and in the ministry of the prophets. It is fully embodied in the life, death, and resurrecJon of Jesus Christ. It is experienced in the ongoing creaJon of a new people by the Holy Spirit. John Wesley, Phillip Ocerbein, Jacob Albright, and our other spiritual forebears understood this mission in this way. Whenever United Methodism has had a clear sense of mission, God has used our Church to save persons, heal relaJonships, transform social structures, and spread scriptural holiness, thereby changing the world. In order to be truly alive, we embrace Jesus' mandate to love God and to love our neighbor and to make disciples of all peoples. From The United Methodist Book of Discipline, paragraph 121.
O U R S T R AT E G Y: CONNECTING PEOPLE TO GOD CONNECTING PEOPLE TO PEOPLE CONNECTING PEOPLE TO SERVICE Jesus tells his disciples in John 15, “I am the vine, you are the branches. Those who abide in me and I in them bear much fruit, because apart from me you can do nothing.” Living as disciples of Jesus requires that we stay connected to God. Weekly worship, along with daily prayer and scripture study, are the primary ways we can do that. At Bellaire UMC, we strive to provide meaningful worship services and devoJonal resources that connect people to God. Faith-forming friendships are a necessary and vital part of the ChrisJan life. Through these relaJonships we learn to pracJce and receive love, paJence, and forgiveness. And it is in relaJonship with others that we are best able to share our faith. There are numerous ways that you can build these relaJonships at Bellaire UMC—Sunday school classes or small groups, fellowship events, seasonal studies, service projects, and many more. In Machew 25, Jesus praises those who have given food to the hungry, water to the thirsty, and clothing to the naked. Likewise, he praises those who have welcomed the stranger, cared for the sick, and visited those in prison. For in serving others, they were serving Christ himself. When we serve others, we are serving Christ himself. There are opportuniJes to serve through the ministries of Bellaire UMC all throughout the year.
A disciple is a follower of Jesus whose life is centering on loving God and loving others. — Jim Harnish
FUNDING MINISTRY During the month of October, we will embark on our annual fundraising campaign. The financial giRs that you make to Bellaire UMC empower the work of ministry in and through this congregaJon. Every giR macers, and throughout the course of our Disciple's Heart series, we will share stories of the difference that your giving makes in the lives of others. Sunday, October 30 will be our Commitment Sunday. During worship, we will ask every member of Bellaire UMC to make a financial commitment that will help fund the ministries of this church in the year ahead. These commitments will help us make a fiscally responsible ministry plan and budget for 2017. On these pages, you will find some informaJon about the ChrisJan discipline of giving that we hope will help as you consider how you will support the ministry of Bellaire UMC.
stewardship — Stewardship is not the annual fundraising effort to
underwrite the local church budget. In the case of the church, stewardship means the management of resources that belong to God—including money, faciliMes, and personnel.
If God owns it all, why should I give? (1) Your giving expresses your love for God. (2) Your giving is a sign of your gra1tude to God for all you have received. (3) Your giving makes you a partner with God to fulfill God’s mission in the world. (4) Your giving honors God as your source and provider. (5) Your giving results in your spiritual growth. (6) Your giving changes your heart. (7) Your giving pleases God.
But me—who am I, and who are these my people, that we should presume to be giving something to you? Everything comes from you; all we are doing is giving back what we have been given from your generous hand. 1 Chronicles 29:14 — The Message
IN 2017 Generosity is a core value of the ChrisMan faith. Finding ways to grow deeper in our faith requires opening our hearts to prayer and a willingness to personally evaluate and challenge exisJng habits. One way to do this is to return a porJon of our financial blessings to God through the Jthe and other offerings. Our giving recognizes God as the source of our blessings. Our giRs help to create and implement ministries that change lives, transform communiJes, and spread the good news of Christ.
the Mthe — In the Bible, a Jthe is 10% of one’s total income. This was the porJon of one’s resources that belonged to God and is the biblical standard for giving among God’s people. In the church, we give proporJonally, meaning that we give a pre-determined percentage of our total income to support the ministry of the local church.
How much should I give? Giving comes from the heart, and prayer is essenJal for determining what to give. Your decision to be faithful in giving originates out of your love for God. Evaluate your current giving. Does it reflect your blessings? Is it generous? Is it Jme for you to increase your giving to God and the work of the church? In these quesJons, you will find your answer.
ProporMonal Giving As ChrisJans, God invites us to give at least 10% of our total income to the church as an offering to the Lord and to support the work of ministry. Many members of this congregaJon have learned the discipline of Jthing and give 10% or more. If you aren’t currently giving proporJonally (that is, a predetermined percentage of income), perhaps that might be a next-step in your giving. Whatever your giving level, consider how you might grow in your giving in the year ahead. See the chart below for an illustraJon of proporJonal giving.
Which characteris9cs describe your giving? Prayerful Spontaneous—an oumlow of my loving heart Reflects my life prioriJes to allow giving, regardless of temporary circumstances Represents my first blessings and resources, not what is “leR over” ProporJonate to my means Given cheerfully and joyfully
70TH ANNIVERSARY As we celebrate the 70th anniversary of Bellaire UMC over the next several months, we will be digging into the archives to highlight some significant moments from our past. Below are the second and third in a series of arBcles wriCen by Pam Young for the Archives CommiCee.
GROWTH & COMMUNITY
In spite of being land-locked by the City of Houston, Bellaire con;nued to grow and develop in the 1950’s and 60’s. HISD opened the pres;gious Bellaire High School in 1955, and the City opened Evergreen pool in 1957. Fourth of July parades became big events; the area became doMed with increasing numbers of businesses in strip centers; and the number of City parks increased. Good schools, green space and community ac;vi;es aMracted families to the City of Bellaire and to a vibrant, young church on the corner of Bellaire and Newcastle.
Bellaire Methodist members broke ground for a new Sanctuary on November 18, 1956 and held their first service in the current Sanctuary on October 6, 1957. Total cost for the project—$250,000. Not only did families new to Bellaire find a welcoming congrega;on at Bellaire Methodist, but the church had become a permanent and vital par;cipant in the Bellaire Community. The Youth Choir alone aMracted 150-plus teenagers every week to rehearsal and Sunday worship, and their families came with them. Church members invited the community to the first church fes;val, “The Country Carnival,” a tradi;on that con;nues today as the Fall Fun Fes;val. (1952-1969)
The growing church also required yet more facili;es. By the end of the 1950’s, Bellaire Methodist had purchased another parsonage for the Senior Pastor on Braeburn (first parsonage was on Park Court) and constructed the current Children’s Building. By 1960 membership reached 3,707 with 1,263 enrolled in Sunday school classes. Growth con;nued throughout the 1960’s with the purchase of a third parsonage for the Senior Pastor on Ferris St. in Meyerland, the crea;on of a church library, the installa;on of the Moeller pipe organ in the Sanctuary and another building program for the current Chapel, Fellowship Hall and office spaces. In 1968 the merger of the Methodist Church with the United Brethren Church necessitated a name change from Bellaire Methodist to Bellaire United Methodist Church at the corner of Bellaire and Newcastle in the community of Bellaire.
Sunday, November 13 Mark your calendars for Bellaire UMC’s 70th Anniversary Celebra<on. 9:00am Contemporary Worship 10:00am Anniversary CelebraMon in Fellowship Hall 11:11am TradiMonal & InternaMonal Worship
Invite friends and family to come home for this special service!
C E L E B R AT I O N By 1971, church members oRen dined together at Kip’s Big Boy on Bellaire Boulevard while the teenagers enjoyed hanging out at Rumpleheimer’s Ice Cream Parlor in Westbury Square. The children enjoyed their ten-cent hamburgers at Griff’s Burger Bar, Bellaire’s first real fast food establishment. Bellaire UMC’s youth and children’s programs conJnued to grow. In 1976, the 150 member Youth Choir traveled to Portland, Oregon to lead music worship at the Methodist General Conference, while back in Bellaire the youth conJnued to present a musical for the community each summer. In 1981, many of the youth acended the first Miner Retreat. Children’s sermons became popular when Associate Pastor Mike McGraw spoke to the children through his puppet “Arlo.”
A M AT U R E CHURCH (1970-1992)
The adult membership began to enjoy new opportuniJes including the first Disciple Bible Study program and neighborhood gatherings for members to become becer acquainted. New Sunday school classes began for young singles and for those who were single again. Throughout these years Bellaire UMC conJnued to play a vital role in the community. Members supported Prospect House, a home for substance abusers, iniJated the Friday Night Dance, conJnued hosJng the Xtra Years of Zest (XYZ) Club for Senior Adults, provided a home for the new Circuit Rider Band, and in 1976 held a special Bicentennial worship service followed by parJcipaJon in the City of Bellaire celebraJon that aRernoon. The church has conJnued to parJcipate in the City’s July 4th parade and Holiday in the Park in December. In 1988, Bellaire UMC acquired the Weems property east of the Sanctuary, now home to the Family Life Center, the Prayer Garden and the children’s playground. By 1990, the church was debt free.
W H AT ’ S A H E A D Men’s Day of Service Saturday, November 5 — 7:30am-Noon Men of Bellaire: Put your faith into acJon on Saturday, November 5! We will begin the morning with breakfast and prayer in the BUMC Fellowship Hall and then disperse in teams throughout the church and neighborhood to work on projects that will range from cleaning and landscaping to light repairs and carpentry. All skill levels are welcome, so please make plans to acend. And make sure to invite a friend or neighbor who might enjoy geung to know others and geung their hands dirty! For informaMon on this or other opportuniMes to connect with men’s ministry at Bellaire UMC, please contact Kenneth Scoc Peters at kspeters@bellaireumc.org or (713) 666-2167.
BUMS (Bellaire United Methodist Seniors) Friday, October 28— 9:00am-Noon The next BUMS ouJng is Friday, October 28th, and we will head to the Houston Museum of Natural Science. The IMAX theater is showing a 3D movie called Wild Africa, starring elephants. The museum is a very BUMS-friendly place—no steps, no stairs, and a ramp with handicapped door. The cost is $10 and you can sign up now. We will board the bus at 9:00am and will depart at 9:15am. Lunch will be on your own at Brisket Bar-B-Que. Interested in joining up with the Bellaire United Methodist Seniors (BUMS)? Contact Tom & Sandra Williams at tandswms@ac.net or (713) 703-1153.
Jingle Bell Express December 5-10 This December, Bellaire UMC will again be the host site for ChrisJan Community Service Center’s Jingle Bell Express program, and it is a great way to put your faith in acJon and make a difference in our community. Jingle Bell Express began as one of the first outreach programs of the ChrisJan Community Service Center. In 1980, volunteers got together to act as “Santa’s Helpers,” making dreams of Christmas a reality for 40 needy families. Due to the resounding support of many wonderful Houstonians, this program has blossomed. In December 2015, holiday joy reached 830 families and their 2,537 children through Jingle Bell Express. Jingle Bell Express involves hundreds of volunteers. Help is needed in every phase of the program from registering clients, organizing toys, seung up the ‘store’, and even helping parents select toys. Many churches, local companies and individuals donate goods and in-kind services for this tremendous undertaking, and CCSC can always use more contributors. For more informaMon, or to sign up to help, please contact Debbie Jameson at d_j_jameson@hotmail.com.
FALL FESTIVAL Saturday, October 29
9:00am – 1:00pm (Garage Sale opens at 8:00am)
Garage Sale — 8:00am-1:00pm The Family Life Center will be overflowing with treasures! Artwork, toys, kids’ clothes, electronics, sports equipment, home decor, spor;ng goods, furniture and more. Tell your friends and neighbors!
Children’s Carnival — 9:00am-1:00pm AcJviJes for kids of all ages! Inflatable toys, games and prizes, face painJng, balloon arJst and costumed characters. Free popcorn, hot dogs and lemonade too!
Also at the Fall FesBval… Coffeehouse
Silent AucBon
InternaBonal Cafe
8:00am-1:00pm
9:00am-1:00pm
Opens at 10:00am
Stop by early and grab a treat and a cup of coffee. Cakes, pies, cookies, and more will be waiJng for you. The perfect treat for someone sweet!
Treat yourself or find the perfect giR for someone special. From themed giR baskets to gourmet chocolates, there’s something for everyone!
Get to this booth early, or you’ll miss out! They sell out every year! The InternaJonal Cafe offers delicious, world-class cuisine. Come and have a plate… or two!
Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for a day of food and fun, games and goodies! All proceeds are donated to local ministries and organizaMons that aid the elderly, the homeless, the hungry, the sick and children in need. Good fun for a great cause!
Financial Update Income through September 30: $860,618 Expenses through September 30: $866,789 Difference: —$ 6,171 Thank you for your faithfulness in your financial support of Bellaire UMC. Each giR makes a difference, and it is because you give that we are able to do the work of ministry in this place. We are current on all of our commitments, including our connecJonal apporJonments. As we head into the fall, we are in a good financial posiJon, but we will need sustained strong giving through the final quarter of the year in order to finish 2016 well. If you have quesJons, please feel free to contact Elizabeth Lloyd, the BUMC Business Administrator, or Pastor Seann Duffin at (713) 666-2167. Have you considered giving online? You can make a one-;me gic or set up recurring dona;ons. Learn more at www.bellaireumc.org/give.
4417 Bellaire Blvd, Bellaire, Texas 77401 www.bellaireumc.org 713-666-2167 Bellaire United Methodist Church
THE BELLAIRE UNITED METHODIST NEWSLETTER USPS 048-820 is published semi-monthly by Bellaire United Methodist Church. Periodical postage paid at Bellaire, Texas. POSTMASTER: Send address change to, The Bellaire United Methodist Newsletter, 4417 Bellaire Blvd., Bellaire, TX 77401, 713-666-2167; FAX 713-663-6397. Second Class Postage Paid at Bellaire, TX 77401