Insight May 2012
Volume 5 Issue 5
A monthly publication highlighting the mission of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Welcome to Williams Welcome Welcome to Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. Our church campus is located at 4000 Moores Lane on the north side of Texarkana. Moores Lane is north of I-30 between Summerhill and Richmond roads.
Worshipping We invite you to worship with us. Our services are Christ-centered, Biblically grounded, and culturally relevant. The words, music, and means of grace are all designed to empower you to grow in your relationship with God and in ministry to the world. Sunday services are in the Sanctuary at 8:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m., and the Xperience Service is in Wesley Hall at 10:30 a.m.
Learning Sunday school classes for all ages meet at 9:15 a.m. On Sunday evenings at 5:00 p.m. there are programs for your children and youth.
Believing We enter into the family of Christ through baptism. We recognize God’s action in baptisms in other faith communities; you do not have to be re-baptized to belong to Williams. If you have not been baptized, we will be honored to baptize you.
Growing Our goal is to be like Jesus Christ in this world. We are constantly growing in grace; we have not arrived. We grow through worship, prayer, and study of God’s Word. Through large meetings, small groups, and discipleship, we are changed from our old selves to our new selves.
Belonging We hope you will consider belonging to the Williams faith community. You can talk with us after church or come by during the week. We would be honored to assist you in belonging at Williams.
Find Out More...
Visit our visitors page at welcometowilliams.com/ visiting or scan the code to the right with a smartphone QR Code reader
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May Insight
You Say Your Goodbye, Shining LightsI Say Hello Submitting an Article We are always looking for great stories about how God is moving in and through the lives of our people and ministries. If you have such a story we ask that you send it to us. Email your article of around 400600 words to williamsenews@gmail. com. If you have one or more high quality photos, please send them. Include your contact information so we can get in touch with you if we have questions or need more information. Articles must be submitted the first Friday of the previous month. So for the June Insight, the deadline is the first Friday in May. Submissions may be edited for space or used in other locations such as website or e-news.
Our time here at Williams is drawing to a close. Even though you say goodbye, Laura and I will be saying hello to a new adventure that God has in store for us at First United Methodist Troup and Walnut Grove United Methodist. Texarkana has become home for us, and leaving will be sad, but we are also excited about our new appointment. We know that God is going to bless us with even more friends than we have now, and provide us with new opportunities to serve the Lord. I am so grateful for all of the wonderful ministries that I have been involved with here at Williams Memorial; preaching, teaching Sunday school, church camp, mission trips, district youth rallies, chapel with Williams School, children’s messages in the sanctuary, ministering to the youth, Bible studies with the youth, volunteering at the Randy Sams’ Outreach Center, building wheelchair ramps with the Texas Ramp Project, serving on the board of the United Way of Greater Texarkana, serving on the board of Harvest Texarkana Regional Food Bank, Inc., and Community Cafe. In Matthew 5:16 we read; “In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and give glory to your Father in heaven.” I want to encourage you to continue to shine your light with the many wonderful ministries you have here, and that you would be in prayer concerning that new ministry that God may be calling you to undertake. It has been an honor and a privilege to serve as your associate pastor. God bless! In Christian love; Tommy Earl Burton
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Inside this Issue: 2 Welcome to Williams 3
Goodbye and Hello
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Confirmation Class
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Good Treasures
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Williams School
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A Time to Pray
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What Should We Do?
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Youth Ministry
12 College and Young Adults 13
Adult Ministries
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Our Baptisms
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Williams Staff
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Abide in Him
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Children’s Ministry
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VBS Save the Date
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VBS Volunteer Card
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Congratulations Confirmation Class of 2012
Thank you On April 22nd we confirmed 18 youth into the church. These youth spent the past year learning the confirmation material including scripture, Methodist beliefs and what it means to be part of Williams Memorial United Methodist Church. They participated in weekly classes, field trips, and a confirmation retreat. The 2012 Confirmation class would like to thank Allen Riley for framing their certificates and Suzi Mercy for making their stoles. We will enjoy having both of these mementos for many years. We appreciate all the mentors who help us become closer to God and the Fellowship Sunday school class for help with the dinner. Roger and Susan Waldrep, thank you for all of your time teaching us. We have enjoyed the love and support that each of you have expressed to us during this time of Christian growth.
Congratulations Confirmands: Conner Anderson, Landon Bartholomew, Blaire Bledsoe, Caroline Cooper, Hunter Druhan, Yates Floyd, Joseph Gordon, Sophie Lower, Anna Morgan, Will Norton, Cole Slade, Logan Snell, Sarah Stark, Jordan Steed, Ryan Townsend, and Ashley Wyrick. Not shown Ryan Hatridge, Daniel Nichols
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May Insight
Retreat Photos Confirmation Retreats
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Present this Coupon at the Good Treasures Bookstore for
25% off
Embellish Your Story in the Month of May
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May Insight
Williams School
FROM THE DIRECTOR: “The flowers are springing up and the time of the singing of birds has come. Yes, spring is here. Song of Solomon 2:12 TLB Easter and spring are a time of new beginnings. It is one of my favorite times of year because of the beauty that God has created all around us. Williams School will begin the summer with a new director. Lorie Son will continue to lead the school in the right direction. She is very excited about beginning her new job. I know that the children, staff and parents will be a great support to her just as you have been to me. I will miss everyone here so much but plan to come back and volunteer to read to the children. The many hugs I get each day make me smile and are truly a blessing. You all have been wonderful to me and your smiles and hugs have meant so much to me. They have shown me how much you really care. I wish you peace and happiness and many, many blessings. Ms. Paula
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Prayer Ministries
Prayer Ministries Have you ever needed prayer? Have you been in a crisis situation and needed to know that someone is praying for you? Have you sat at a bedside and needed to know that you are not alone in prayers for someone you love? Our church has opportunities for you to know you are not alone. You can fill in a prayer request on the corner of your bulletin and put it in the offering plate or give to one of the pastors. You can call the church office. You can go online to “welcometowilliams.org“ and list your prayer request. There is a list for every week. There is a prayer group that meets Mondays at 10 a.m. to actively pray for our prayer needs. The staff of our church spends 30 minutes to an hour of each staff meeting in prayer for the needs of our church. Choirs, bells, chimes, and liturgical dancers spend part of each rehearsal in prayer. Our Sunday school classes pray, as well. As a church, we believe in active heartfelt prayer for the needs of God’s people. We have Stephen Ministers who walk with people in life crisis. Patsy Morriss is who you contact if a partner could help you through a time of trouble. They are not there to solve problems, but to listen and to pray.
The prayer room is located by the entrance to the welcome center. This room is available to all persons 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. It has kneeling rails, and chairs, as well as a restroom. It is dedicated specifically as a place of prayer. There are photographs on this page that show this wonderful place. I encourage you to experience time in this special place. One of our core anchor groups in prayer ministry meets in this room at 10 a.m. Monday mornings. They spend an hour or so in prayer. These are the people we contact when there is a crisis. Margy Chaufty, Ann Duskey, and Dorothy Dillard are faithful in this ministry. There are occasions when one is ill or out of town. They are asking for reinforcements. All Christians are charged to be intercessors. “I exhort you therefore, that, first of all, supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks, be made for all men.” 1 Timothy 2:1. Can you join them?
part of our prayer ministry. As God touches your heart, please respond. Will you join us in prayer? Let me know. Sherri Waters 903-278-0499 Prayer requests are listed in our bulletin, website and on our facebook prayer page.
There can be other groups, and other times, but we need more people who are committed to spending time in prayer for our church and our people. Are you willing to be a member of this group or start another group? Are you willing to follow the directions of scripture? If you have read this far, God is probably calling you to be
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May Insight
What Should We Do?
In Luke 3:11 CEV we read; “John old them, ‘If you have two coats, give one to someone who doesn't have any. If you have food, share it with someone else.’" Sergio and Maria Rodriguez, owners of Amigo Juan, are wonderful people who truly live out their faith. Late this last year, one of our staff approached me, and told me they had talked with Maria about our youth group’s ministry with the homeless at the Randy Sams’ Outreach Center. She said they indicated they might be interested in providing one of the meals. After a meeting with me and one of our youth’s parents, Sergio and Maria decided to provide the meal for Randy Sams’ in January. After we served that meal on Wednesday
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January 18th, Maria told me they wanted to provide all of our meals for the rest of the year! Wow! I couldn’t believe it! Really? All our meals? Since then they have not only provided all our meals for Randy Sams’, but they have also provided a meal for Community Cafe on Monday March 26th. As of the writing of this article, they have provided, free of charge, over 300 meals! By the end of the year it will be approximately 1000 meals! Praise God! This community of faith, from its very beginning, has answered God’s call to preach the good news of Jesus Christ. As a result of your extravagant generosity this congregation has a food pantry that provides families
an opportunity to shop for groceries once a month, Community Cafe, that provides a free meal every week, and a ministry to preach the good news of Jesus Christ and feed the hungry that has captured the attention of our local community. What should we do? First; we need to be in prayer for those in our community who are hungry. Second; we need to realize that everything we have is a blessing from God, and we need to give to others out of a theology of abundance! Finally; we need to continue to preach the good news of Jesus Christ through both word and deed! In Christian love; Tommy Earl Burton
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Youth Ministry
Hurry Up! How many days left until school is out? My bet is if I asked any one of you that question you could answer down to the day, hour and minute. You can’t wait to take that last test, go to that last class or hear the final bell ring! It is great to have something to look forward to, to anticipate, but it is a shame to spend all of our time looking for tomorrow, for what’s next, without enjoying and embracing today. In Psalm 118:24 the psalmist claims “This is the day the Lord has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.” If we spend all of our time looking to what is coming next, we don’t take time to enjoy what is going on now. We will miss all the experiences, conversations and opportunites God has planned for us. So take some advice from the Psalm. Rejoice, celebrate and experience all this day has to offer to you. Be glad, be present, be still and know God. Don’t spend so much time looking to tomorrow that you do not see today. Countdown to Summer Over the next several weeks, we are going to take the opportunities to spend time together doing some awesome events. Each one is designed for you to bring a friend, have a blast and spend some time together. April 29 - Bowling - This will be your last chance to take Tommy down on the bowling lanes. Bring $12 for bowling, shoes, pizza and drink. We will meet at Holiday Bowl from 5-7 p.m. May 6 - Photo Scavenger Hunt/ Welcome Confirmands - On May 6th we will give a warm welcome to all of our upcoming 7th graders. We will meet at the church and eat, then split up in groups and head all over town taking photos for a photo scavenger hunt. May 12 - Ranger’s Game - Join us on Saturday May 12th as we watch the Texas Rangers take on the Angels at the Ballpark in Arlington. Tickets will be $15 a person plus you will need money for food at the ballpark. We will leave the church at 8:00 a.m. and return around 7:00 p.m. May 20 - Going Away Party for Tommy @Texarkana Fun Country - This will be the last chance as a youth group that we’ll all be together before Summer begins. Join us for unlimited putt-putt, go-carts, batting cages and rock climbing at Texarkana Fun Country from 5-7 p.m. Cost $10. Bring a friend!
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May Insight
Youth Ministry
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
College and Young Adults Upcoming Events Tue May 1, 2012 7:00 p.m. Young Professionals Fellowship Thu May 3, 2012 8pm The Mix at A&M Bringle Lake - Eagle Hall Summer’s Almost Here!
Mon May 7, 2012
Can you believe that it’s already May? The end of the school year and the beginning of summer! Can’t get much sweeter than that! This May will be full of celebration. Finals are here and some are finished. Let the graduations and beginning of summer celebration ensue!
End of Year Party for Bible Study 6:30 p.m. Good Treasure’s Bookstore Tue May 15, 2012 7:00 p.m. Young Professionals Study at McMichael’s Fri May 18, 2012 6:00 p.m. Mix End of Year party at FBC Volleyball Pit Sun May 20, 2012 Senior Sunday Sun May 20, 2012 Sat May 26, 2012 College UM Army Pollard UMC - Tyler, TX Tue May 29, 2012 7:00 p.m. Young Professionals Fellowship
I might sound a little over excited but probably not for most of you. When I was in college it was a huge relief to me every time I finished a semester. When I am about to finish something that I have worked hard for and have had bumps in the road I always think of 2 Timothy 4:7 “I have fought the good fight, I have finished the race, I have kept the faith.”
is 20/20. Reflecting on the past and seeing how God has been there for you can make a big difference in how you see God working in your life in the present and in the future. Take a deep breath, savor the the peaceful moment in between the craziness of Spring and Summer and remember God’s blessings in your life. If you are going to be home in Texarkana this summer please join us for Worship and Fellowship activities. Check the next insight and visit us at www.facebook.com/WMCYA for a full summer schedule.
That might seem a little dramatic for the situation but when you live life semester by semester like college students do it is sometimes the case that you have had the semester from hell. A lot of pain and suffering can go on in those 4 months. Today I want you to reflect on the school year that you’ve had. Think about the good, the bad, and the ugly and remember the blessings that God has put in your path. Remember the hard lessons you’ve learned and the good times had with friends and loved ones. God has walked with you through all of it. Sometimes it is hard to see God in the midst of stress but hindsight
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May Insight
Adult Ministries Good Treasures Bridge Club We meet every Wednesday night at 6:00 p.m. in the Good Treasures Bookstore. We have some players with years of experience and some who are brand new to the game. We would love to have you join us. So if you would like to play with a fun, relaxed group of people, contact John Mercy at (903)832-3852. United Methodist Women’s Groups eXtra Years of Zest
W2LEO
Come and join this group of Seniors as they meet to play games, share lunch, and joy in fellowship with each other. “XYZ” meets every second and fourth Thursday at 9:30 a.m. in the Williams Youth Center. Call Billy Roberts at 903-838-7639 if you would like to join this group.
Fine dining and great friends! Widows and Widowers, Let’s Eat Out goes out to enjoy dinner at local restaurants every second and fourth Tuesday. These widows and widowers (and married couples as well) love having food and fellowship together. If you would like to find out where they’re headed out to eat this month, call Larry Walker at 903-832-5129 and get your name added to the mailing list.
Williams Book Club For its May meeting, the Williams Book Club will read “True Women” by Janice Woods Windle, a story of sisters surviving on the Texas plains through Native American uprisings and Civil War. The Book club will meet on Monday, May 14th at 12:00 p.m. in room 103 to discuss this sweeping historical drama. If you’re looking for a great group of readers to share your thoughts with, join us on the second Monday of every month. Keep an eye on the Insight to find out what book we’re reading next.
Girls’ Night Out Members of the United Methodist Women in their 20s, 30s and 40s are meeting for Girls’ Night Out on the second Wednesday of every month. Come and join this group of friendly, creative women and find fun and Christian fellowship. In May, Girls’ Night Out is going out for dinner! Contact Sue Camp at (903)8328663 for information on joining this youthful group of women.
Williams Memorial has a very active United Methodist Women’s group. Come and join us for our monthly general meeting and luncheon, at 10:00 a.m. on the first Tuesday of every month, and meet some of these wonderful women. You can also get involved in one of the smaller UMW groups that meets at other times during the month. Here are some examples! Sowers and Doers: A mission-based subgroup of the UMW that meets at 10:00 a.m. on the third Tuesday of every month. Betty Kelly Friendship Circle: meets the second Wednesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. in room 108. Spiritual Life Group: meets the second Tuesday of each month at 10:00 a.m. Summer Bible Study Come join us for a Summer Bible Study as we study James: Mercy Triumphs by Beth Moore. It will start Wednesday, June 6th from 10:00 a.m. until noon, and will continue for 8 weeks. Sign up in the Welcome Center or Contact Mel Luebbert 903-223-3733
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Baptisms Here are some of our little ones who have been baptized in the past year. If you have one who has been baptized in the past year, or would just like to update your family photo in our directory, stop by the courtyard on the second Sunday of the month, 10:15 a.m. and 10:30 a.m. and have your photo taken.
Lorie, Scotty, Addie, Laney and Piper Son
Stephanie Spanhel, Walter Casey, Zaddock Spanhel Casey, Zamira Spanhel Casey
Jackie, Brandon, Carson and Carter Nix
Meagan, Russell and Eli Martin
Regan Lee Ramage
Blaire, John and Aleese Haile
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May Insight
Williams Staff Listing Pastoral Staff Danny Wayman- Senior Pastor danwayman@gmail.com - 903.701-2946 (Cell) Tommy Earl Burton- Associate Pastor to Families with Youth tommyearlburton@gmail.com - 903-701-7407 (Cell) Sherri Waters - Music and Fine Arts sherriwaters7@gmail.com - 903-278-0499 (Cell) Dale Vickers- Associate Pastor Velad303@aol.com - 903-244-6213 Ron Drye - Evangelism rondrye@msn.com - 903-701-1310 (Cell) Fred Smith- Associate Pastor 903-908-0891 (cell) Ministry Staff Vickie Al-Dubais- Church Organist vickiea@txkisd.net - 903-276-7207 (cell) Sue Camp-Children and Adult Ministries suecamp32@gmail.com - 903-277-6504 (cell) Jolena Hays-Business Administrator jolenahays@gmail.com - 903-293-8726 (cell) Paula Hawkins- Williams School hawks@cableone.net Jacci Johnson- Director of Housekeeping 903-832-8663 Amy Kirk- Children’s Music and Evangelism amykirkmusic@gmail.com - 903-276-8576 (cell) Chris Loveall- Xperience Worship 903-832-8663 Russell Martin- Xperience Worship and Communications rgmmusic@gmail.com - 903-701-7181 (cell) Kaitlin McMichael- College and Young Adults Ministry, kaitlin.mcmichael@gmail.com - 903-276-7857 (cell) Stacey Pool - College and Young Adults Assistant stace07ag@gmail.com Brenda Reed- Nursery Coordinator and Bookstore Manager brendareed@valornet.com - 903-748-0386 Jimmy Sparks - Xperience Worship 903-832-8663 Mindy Zwirn - Admin. Assistant mindymoon@gmail.com - 310-871-8678 (cell)
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Abide in Him May Sermons and Scriptures 5.6.12
“God is Love” Acts 8:26-40 Psalm 22:25-31 1 John 4:7-21 John 15:1-8 5.13.12
“Friends, No Longer Slaves” Acts 10:44-48 Psalm 98 1 John 5:1-6 John 15:9-17 5.20.12
“Not For You To Know” Acts 1:1-11 Psalm 47 Ephesians 1:15-23 Luke 24:44-53 5.27.12
“Holy Spirit Fills the Church”
Abide in me as I abide in you. Just as the branch cannot bear fruit by itself unless it abides in the vine, neither can you unless you abide in me. (John 15:4 NRSV) Jesus tells us to “abide” in him. How do we abide in Jesus? It takes time. Spending time with a person can be an expense or an investment. An expense costs without any return. An investment also costs, but the benefits are much greater than the cost. Time can be invested with God. Spending time with God always pays off. By ourselves we are not enough. With God we are unstoppable.
Acts 2:1-21
God spends great resources on our lives. Think on the people and organizations which make your life a reality. Think about the creation which was necessary to sustain your life. All these things, persons, and resources are God’s gift to us. Can we give some of ourselves, our time, to God?
Psalm 104:24-34, 35b
Invest wisely. Spend time with a passion. Abide in God. See you in worship.
Romans 8:22-27
Danny Wayman
John 15:26-27; 16:4 b -15 Glorify God, Inspire Others to Follow Christ, Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
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May Insight
Children’s Ministry
Alive at Five Returns in September On April 29, Alive@Five held its Endof-Year party. The party wrapped up another school year of Sunday evening activities for the youngest members of our church. Alive@Five is a program for kids from 4 years old all the way up through the 6th grade. This year’s Alive@Five group consisted of about 90 children of all ages. Sue Camp, the director of Children’s activities at Williams, says that “children are the future of the church. I’m grateful for the kids and for the volunteers that come in to help with the kids.” She believes that parent volunteers are the force that makes this children’s ministry possible. Each age group has its own way of focusing on the message of Christ’s love. The Junior Youth Fellowship, which are the 5th and 6th graders, participated in a few missionoriented activities through the course of the year. “The JYF went shopping for the food pantry,” says Sue, “which helps the Community Café.” Alive@Five kids also raised money for supplies for Randy Sams Homeless Shelter and assisted with Watersprings Ranch’s coin drive. “It builds character and helps them to grow their relationship with
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Christ,” says Brenda Reed, who works with Sue Camp in planning and implementing the children’s ministries. On April 22, eighteen members of the JYF made their Confirmation. Some of those Confirmands had been members of Williams and participating in children’s ministries with the church all their lives. Alive@Five will begin its new season on September 9, 2012, with a parent meeting on August 26th. Sue Camp says, “I’m excited to see them back next year.” Keep an eye on the Insight for news about upcoming Children’s Ministries over the summer, including Vacation Bible School, and starting up in the Fall.
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Williams Memorial United Methodist Church
Save the Date July 22-26, 2012 Glorify God, Inspire Others to Follow Christ, Make Disciples of Jesus Christ
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May Insight
Vacation Bible School Volunteers Vacation Bible School is just around the corner and will be here before you know it. Now is your opportunity to let us know where you will be helping this year We need teachers, helpers, cooks, decorators, registrars, sound operators, musicians, computer operators, photographers and more to help make this the best Vacation bible School Ever! The theme this year is “Operation Overboard.”
vibrant coral reef, and take a personal submarine to the ocean floor, where eels and octopi play. Through interactive lessons that are easy for kids to apply to their lives today, they will “go deep” into God’s Word, exploring Bible stories of people who revealed deep faith by knowing how to: Depend on God, Dare to care, Claim Jesus, Choose to follow, Change the world” -Cokesbury Website
“Our kids will dive in and discover God’s underwater universe! Explore the depths of God’s Word at VBS 2012 with Cokesbury’s Operation Overboard – Dare To Go Deep With God!
To sign up to help, please take a moment to fill out the card below, tear it out, and place it in the offering plate on Sunday Morning, or bring it by the church office during the week.
In this action-packed adventure, they will swim with humpback whales and seahorses, scuba through a
If you have any questions you can contact Sue Camp at suecamp32@ gmail.com or call the church at 903.832.8663
2012 VBS Volunteer Card
Sunday, July 22nd - Thursday July 26th 9 a.m. till Noon Name_________________________________________________ Phone________________________________________________ Email_________________________________________________
I wish to help with VBS in the following ways: Before VBS Begins: ____ Prepare props and Decorations____ Make Pre-craft Items ____ Help with Pre-Registration During Vacation Bible School: ___ Group Leader ___ Helper www.welcometowilliams.org
4000 Moores Lane Texarkana TX 75503 903.832.8663 welcometowilliams.org