Prepare for some big changes

As we head into the last month of the summer I am excited about all that God is doing in this place.

Exciting News in our Children's Ministry
First, on Aug. 28, we are launching a new Sunday School program for children and youth. Sunday School will be 9:05–9:55 am and will be divided into three classes: PreK-2nd grade, 3rd–5th grades, and Youth who are 6th and above. Joanna Kruzel, our newly-hired Children/Youth Ministry Coordinator, will lead our youth and coordinate teachers and helpers to lead our children’s classes. Joanna joined us in this new role June 1, and has selected curriculum, recruited teachers for both classes and is planning a fantastic Ice Cream Sundae Sunday to kick off our new direction for our kids. I hope everyone will join us Sunday, Aug. 14, just after our 10 am service to celebrate this new ministry and learn how you can support our children and youth.

New Adult Bible Study
But there's more! That same Sunday (Aug. 28), we will launch a new adult Sunday School class starting with a book by Adam Hamilton called Half Truths: God Helps Those Who Help Themselves and Other Things the Bible Doesn't Say. Rumor has it that there will be doughnuts, coffee (or tea), and great discussion. If you are bringing your kids to our new Sunday School, this would be a great time to build relationships with others and with God. Of course, you don’t have to have kids to join in, just a desire to be part of this new group.

Church Remodel
Third, it is time to start talking seriously about the remodel of our sanctuary building. We have been working with a company called Church Interiors and they will be ready to deliver a proposal to a meeting of our Remodel Committee on Tuesday, Aug. 2. Things should start moving more quickly after we consider that proposal and everyone will start seeing our plans as they relate to the remodel. We have already approached several financial institutions, and as of now it looks like our local Citizen’s State Bank will be providing the funding for the project. I am very excited to start hearing hammers and saws and seeing dust, but you will have much more information before we get that far.

In preparation for the sanctuary remodel, the Trustees, Church Council and Finance Committee approved a contract with Remedy Roofing to re-roof the entire sanctuary building. We are making final selections on the color for the pitched roof over the sanctuary and then they will begin as soon as possible.

​Upcoming Sermons
Finally, (I am a little embarrassed that this is the last thing) I wanted to let you know where I am headed with sermons going forward. This Sunday I will finish our series, “When God Speaks Judgment” with a reading from Hosea 11:1-11. Starting Aug. 7, I will start a three week series called “What Faithful Living Looks Like” from the book of Hebrews. The first two weeks are from Hebrews 11 and the third week is on Hebrews 12. After that I will be preaching on the same bible story that the children will be hearing in Sunday School. Aug. 28 will be on Luke 14:7-17 and Sept. 4 will be based on Philemon 1:1-21. Philemon is the shortest book in the bible and is actually one of my favorites so I recommend that you read the whole book in one sitting to get ready for this important message. I will let you know the text for future sermons a month at a time so if you want to read ahead you will have them.

​Wow, I don’t know about you, but I think that is a lot of stuff that God is up to in our church. Come and be a part of as much as you can of what God is doing in our midst.

Grace and peace, Pastor Curtis

First UMC Sealy's New Children's Ministry Launch from Leslie Ellis on Vimeo.