June/July Growing Together

GrowingTogether JUNE - JULY 2013

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SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG

ADULT DISCIPLESHIP AT FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

REACHING HIGHER ER “Grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.” (2 Peter 3:18)

GROWING DEEPER

“Reconnect with the broad sweep of the biblical story.”

Staying Sharp in Summer

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As we are preparing this issue of Growing Together, I have just completed our most recent Bible reading plan, The Essential 100.

Wow! What a great experience to reconnect with the broad sweep of the biblical story over 100 days.

The Essential 100 took us through 50 basic Old Testament and 50 New Testament passages that create a broad outline of Scripture and its story of God’s grace. This was a wonderful way to spend the season just before and after Easter this year.

As you may know, the Adult Discipleship Leadership Team (ADLT) publishes a daily Bible reading plan every other month. The reading schedule is available in each issue of Growing Together, on a companion bookmark (available in the church lobby) and on the church website. If you do not have a regular plan for reading the Bible daily, take a look and consider reading along with hundreds of others in the church family. In June and July, we’ll be reading through the Old Testament Book of Exodus.

Next, be on the lookout for information related to the 20132014 season of Disciple Bible Study. We have just completed a year of study, with 148 folks finishing Disciple courses. These are 30- to 34-week group Bible study classes that combine daily reading and reflection with a weekly class meeting to discuss the lessons.

Registration will open around August 1, so become informed about these studies by visiting the adult discipleship area of the church website, sharingtheheart.org/adults.

If you’d like a taste of Disciple on a short-term basis this summer, connect with the eight-week Invitation to the New Testament class. The model is the same as the long-term Disciple courses. Details are on page 5.

Finally, a word to our men who teach adult Bible studies: see page 4 for an invitation from me about a small group designed to fellowship and to strengthen our leadership ministries. This summer, let’s gather and let “iron sharpen iron.”

Please call on us if we can help you connect at First United Methodist Church!

John Harman Adult Discipleship Pastor

Join the Journey

Adult Discipleship Goes Easter Join us on Resurrection Sunday for a Special Event

New to First UMC? Join the Journey!

A Class Where You Can Connect and Grow

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f you are new to First United Methodist Church, you’ll Faith and Practice (Abingdon Press, 2010) as a supplement find the Join the Journey experience to be an opportunity for discussion. We hope that every person in the church to make a meaningful connection. It is especially designed to family has a regular place of connection where you can learn answer your questions about the Christian and grow in community. We believe that Join faith, the Methodist Church, and life in the the Journey will help you find a pathway to Every Sunday church family. As you explore some basic that connection that is right for you. topics in Christianity, Methodism, worship, 10:05 am The class meets in rolling 10-week sessions, Bible study, and service and discipleship, you so it is an ongoing group that you can join Room C210 will get to connect with other newcomers and anytime in the cycle. You will find us every begin a journey of learning and spiritual Sunday at 10:05 am in Room C210. Pick up a growth together in this family of faith. brochure in the main church lobby or visit The weekly sessions are designed to inform and equip you to sharingtheheart.org/connect to learn more. Connect with understand and respond to the biblical call to a life of us, and join the journey! Contact Rev. Liz Greenwell for discipleship. Sessions will also use United Methodist Bishop more information: lgreenwell@sharingtheheart.org.

William Willimon’s This We Believe: The Core of Wesleyan

Here are the individual upcoming sessions and currently scheduled leaders . . .

June 2

The Church Grows Pastor John Harman

July 14

What is United Methodism?

Dr. Don Renshaw

June 9

Sunday School Roundup Mr. Tom Washburn & Pastor John Harman

July 21

Who Is God? Dr. Ron Bentley

June 16

Called to Grow: Intentional Discipleship Pastors Liz Greenwell & John Harman

July 28

How is God at Work?

Pastor Patty Froehlich

June 23

Visitor Information Class (incl. Facilities Tour) Aug 4 Pastor Liz Greenwell

The Church Worships Pastor John Harman

June 30

Welcome to the Table!

Pastors Liz Greenwell & John Harman

The Church Grows Pastor John Harman

July 7

You Are On the Journey Pastor Liz Greenwell

Aug 11

Our host for this quarter: Mr. Dick Whitlock

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Discipleship at FUMC Men Who Lead: An Invitation from Pastor Harman

Disciple Bible Study

Ready? Summer’s Coming.

We’re Already Looking Ahead!

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his summer, we’re reaching higher in adult discipleship. we’d like to invite men who teach adult Sunday school, Bible studies, and other discipleship classes to come along. I’m facilitating a small group called Men Who Lead.

The purpose is to explore the challenges of teaching the Bible well and to hone our skills by letting “iron sharpen iron” (Proverbs 27:17). We will study, exchange ideas, and lead together. We will also pray regularly for one another as men who lead, and we’ll strive for teaching ministries that are truly Spirit-driven.

Bible teaching is hard work. If it isn’t, then something is off.

We’ll tackle the challenges of how we can understand the Bible better ourselves, what we believe great Bible teaching is, and how we can develop our own skills in doing it. We’ll do some helpful reading. We will even practice our skills by leading each other, taking a few risks, and keeping it real. It will be an adventure to stretch, grow, and get better, and it will happen in a place where you can trust your teammates and they can trust you.

Men Who Lead can take up to eight guys this summer. I will host you in my home and provide the reading materials. The group will meet seven times, and you are asked to commit to read and attend every week you are in town: Tuesday evenings starting June 11, 6:30 to 8:30 pm. We need you—in person—so that we all get better.

Are you ready? Email me and we’ll hold your place.

John Harman, Adult Discipleship Pastor

jharman@sharingtheheart.org

Summer With the Celebration Class Sunday Morning Bible Study at 9:00 am

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he Celebration Class will begin a new series during the summer, focusing study and discussion on both Old and New Testament books using an adult Bible study curriculum that is new for this class.

This will be a great way to explore books of the Bible together on Sunday mornings, and to experience the community of sharing and fellowship that this discussion class brings to our life together.

The Celebration Class meets at 9:00 am on Sundays in Room B105.

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he 2012-2013 season of our year-long Disciple Bible study program has concluded, with 148 folks finishing Disciple courses. These are outstanding classes that combine a daily Bible reading and reflection time with a weekly group meeting for study and discussion. The daily commitment is about 30-45 minutes, and the weekly gathering is about two hours.

An information kiosk will be in the main corridor at church all morning on June 2.

Stop by and find out more about this great experience of study and growth. General registration for next year will begin around August 1.

Your Next Step: Connect sharingtheheart.org/connect

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f you spend any time at all around First UMC, you quickly learn how important we believe it is to find a place of connection. Because the church is large, our connections to groups that study, fellowship, or serve together are our primary places of care, growth, and ministry. In short, you need to connect somewhere in order to participate fully in the life of a church family like this one.

How do you get started? Starting is simple.

Scan the QR code above or go directly to sharingtheheart.org/connect. There you will find a few links that will guide you toward connection, beginning with Join the Journey (see p. 3) and an intro to serving at FUMC. In addition to worship, find a connection to learn, grow, serve, care, and be cared for. And let us help where and when you need.

www.sharingtheheart.org/connect 4

Register Now for Summer Invitation to the New Testament Experience Disciple Bible Study this Summer!

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isciple Bible study offers one of the best opportunities available to experience structured Bible study in community and individually. This summer, the short-term Disciple study Invitation to the New Testament will give you the chance to engage this model and to sample the Disciple experience.

In this eight-week introductory class, you will step into the New Testament to explore the Bible, connect with others, and learn to develop Bible reading and study skills that you can continue to use. The Gospel of Matthew forms the framework of the study as you encounter the coming of Jesus, his life, his mission, and his call to community and discipleship. You will read widely from the New Testament and have the opportunity to reflect on your reading throughout the week and with the other members of your group in the weekly class.

This study follows the format of Disciple Bible Study, in which the combination of daily readings and the weekly group time are a great strength. Darren Cooper will lead this summer study on Tuesday evenings in Room C210, beginning on June 4 for an orientation session and concluding on July 30. Visit sharingtheheart.org/adults, and click on Short-term studies for more information and to register. Make Bible study with the church family part of your summer as we all keep growing together!

Prayer: Does It Make Any Difference?

A Summer Study Based on Philip Yancey’s Prayer

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illiam James wrote, “The reason why we pray is that we cannot help praying.” In this six-week group study, Philip Yancey probes the key questions that we ask about this sacred place where humans and God meet, including: What is prayer? How does it work? And does it make a real difference?

If you have struggled with your understanding or your approach to prayer, or if you are new to the idea and want to explore some Christian foundations that will help shape your prayer life, join us this summer for six sessions dedicated to this central topic. The journey will touch on many points with fresh eyes.

Have you ever wondered . . .  Is God listening?  Why should God care about me?  If God knows everything, what’s the point of prayer?  Why do answers to prayer seem so inconsistent?  Why does God sometimes seem close and sometimes seem far away?  How can I make prayer more satisfying?

Take a meaningful journey into prayer this summer with the church family. Crystal Hume will facilitate this study on Sunday evenings at 6:30 pm in Room C210 for six weeks beginning June 9. Find out more and sign up online under Short-term studies at sharingtheheart.org/adults.

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Personal Bible Reading Reading the Bible for Growth and Strength in 2013

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he Book of Exodus is the focus of our reading plan in June and July. This Old Testament book begins with the story of Moses, shows us how God faithfully rescues and delivers an enslaved people called the Hebrews, and teaches us that a relationship with God is truly possible by means of God’s grace. We learn that God intends for God’s family to be different from the rest of the world, and that this difference is a means by which God desires to draw all people into a relationship with their Creator. Join us as the summer gets going!

You can get a copy of this reading schedule printed on a bookmark in the main church lobby. Let’s read and grow together!

June 2013 1 Exodus 1:1-22

14 Exodus 8:20-32

27 Exodus 16:1-20

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Exodus 22:1-15

20 Exodus 31:1-18

2 Exodus 2:1-10

15 Exodus 9:1-7

28 Exodus 16:21-36

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Exodus 22:16-31

21 Exodus 32:1–33:6

3 Exodus 2:11-25

16 Exodus 9:8-12

29 Exodus 17:1-7

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Exodus 23:1-9

22 Exodus 33:7-23

4 Exodus 3:1-12

17 Exodus 9:13-35

30 Exodus 17:8-16

10 Exodus 23:10-19

23 Exodus 34:1-35

5 Exodus 3:13-22

18 Exodus 10:1-20

11 Exodus 23:20-33

24 Exodus 35:1-29

6 Exodus 4:1-17

19 Exodus 10:21-29

12 Exodus 24:1-18

25 Exodus 35:30–36:38

13 Exodus 25:1-9

26 Exodus 37:1-29

July 2013

7 Exodus 4:18-31

20 Exodus 11:1-10

8 Exodus 5:1-21

21 Exodus 12:1-13

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Exodus 18:1-27

14 Exodus 25:10-40

27 Exodus 38:1-31

9 Exodus 5:22–6:12

22 Exodus 12:14-30

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Exodus 19:1-25

15 Exodus 26:1-37

28 Exodus 39:1-31

10 Exodus 6:13-27

23 Exodus 12:31-51

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Exodus 20:1-17

16 Exodus 27:1-21

29 Exodus 39:32-43

11 Exodus 6:28–7:13

24 Exodus 13:1-16

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Exodus 20:18-26

17 Exodus 28:1-43

30 Exodus 40:1-38

12 Exodus 7:14-24

25 Exodus 13:17–14:31

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Exodus 21:1-11

18 Exodus 29:1-46

31 Psalm 106

13 Exodus 8:1-19

26 Exodus 15:1-27

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Exodus 21:12-36

19 Exodus 30:1-38

“And God said, ‘I will be with you.’”

Exodus 3:12

Welcome to GrowingTogether!

GrowingTogether is the bimonthly newsletter of the Adult Discipleship Leadership Team (ADLT). Its purpose is to highlight upcoming opportunities to connect and grow in the First United Methodist Church family, and to encourage you on your journey of faith. We believe that a journey of faith is a journey of growth and that connecting with God through Bible study and with one another in Christian community are essential to our growth. If the ADLT can provide information or guidance for you along the discipleship pathway, please let us know: discipleship@sharingtheheart.org.

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This Calendar features the opportunities to connect and grow contained in this edition of GrowingTogether. For a comprehensive list of church-wide ministries and events, visit the calendar at sharingtheheart.org.

June FUMC Calendar Sunday

Monday 2

Every Sunday Morning: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:00 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 10:05 am Adult Sunday School Join the Journey Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship 11:10 Adult Sunday School Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

Tuesday

Wednesday 5

4

3

Thursday

Friday 6

Saturday 7

8

14

15

21

22

28

29

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study 10:00 am Prayer Ministry

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm Small Group

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Inv. to New Testament

Small Groups Women’s Bible Study

Join the Journey

9

10

11

12

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

10:00 am Prayer Ministry

10:05 am, Room C210

6:30 pm Evening Worship

6:30 pm

6:30 pm

Men Who Lead

Prayer Study 7:00 pm Women’s Bible Study

Small Group

Inv. to New Testament

17

16

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Small Groups

Join the Journey

13

19

18

20

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

10:05 am, Room C210

6:30 pm

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Prayer Study

23

7:00 pm

Inv. to New Testament

Small Groups

Join the Journey

6:30 pm Evening Worship

Men Who Lead

6:30 pm

24

Small Group

25

26

27 7:00 am 10:00 am

10:05 am, Room C210

Men’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:05 am Visitor Information Class 6:30 pm Men Who Lead 6:30 pm 7:00 pm

Prayer Study

Small Groups

Join the Journey

7:00 pm Inv. to New Testament

6:30 pm Evening Worship 7:00 pm Small Group

30

10:05 am, Room C210

6:30 pm Prayer Study

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This Calendar features the opportunities to connect and grow contained in this edition of Growing Together. For a comprehensive list of church-wide ministries and events, visit the calendar at sharingtheheart.org.

July FUMC Calendar Sunday

Monday

Tuesday 1

Every Sunday Morning: 8:00 am Traditional Worship 9:00 am Adult Sunday School Traditional Worship 10:05 am Adult Sunday School Join the Journey Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship 11:10 Adult Sunday School Wellspring Worship Traditional Worship

Wednesday

Thursday

3

2

Friday 4

Saturday 5

6

12

13

19

20

26

27

7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

6:30 pm Evening Worship

6:30 pm Men Who Lead 7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Small Groups

7

Join the Journey

Inv. to New Testament

8

9

10

11 7:00 am 10:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:05 am, Room C210 6:30 pm Men Who Lead

6:30 pm Prayer Study

6:30 pm

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Evening Worship 7:00 pm

Inv. to New Testament

Small Groups

Small Group

Join the Journey

15

14

17

16

18 7:00 am 10:00 am

Men’s Bible Study

Prayer Ministry

10:05 am, Room C210

6:30 pm 6:30 pm

Men Who Lead

Prayer Study

7:00 pm Small Groups

Join the Journey

21

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Inv. to New Testament

22

Small Group

23

24

25 7:00 am Men’s Bible Study

10:05 am, Room C210 10:00 am Prayer Ministry 6:30 pm Men Who Lead

6:30 pm 7:00 pm

Prayer Study

Small Groups

Join the the Journey Journey Join

28

6:30 pm Evening Worship

7:00 pm

7:00 pm

Inv. to New Testament

29

Small Group

30

31

10:05 am, Room C210 6:30 pm Prayer Study

7:00 pm Small Groups

7:00 pm Inv. to New Testament

6:30 pm Evening Worship

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 315 N. CHURCH ST. MCKINNEY, TX 75069 SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG

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972.562.8556

DISCIPLESHIP@SHARINGTHEHEART.ORG