NOTE: This is the Last Sunday to Purchase Easter Flowers!

Memorial Service for Dr. Ed Lancaster

The memorial service for Dr. Ed will be this Saturday, March 27, at 3:00 PM in the Sanctuary of the Downtown Campus. A reception will follow in the Family Life Center. More about Dr. Ed from the Star-Telegram...

Fill The Hole!

As you know, this Lent we've been taking on hundreds of projects to help fill the hole in our gospel and fulfill Jesus' invitation to us to serve the poor and the "least of these." This Sunday will be the last Sunday that the "Fill the Hole" crosses will be displayed in the foyer. There are still tags to be taken and needs to be filled! We will not be placing new tags on the cross this week in hopes that the remaining items will be taken. However, here are a couple of new needs that have come up in the past week. For more information about either of these, contact Kathy Reece at kathypreece@gmail.com. 

• Provide $25 to buy shoes, uniforms and basic necessities for orphans in the Methodist Orphanage in Meru, Kenya.

• Provide $100 to buy seeds for a vegetable garden and seed grain to help feed the orphans in the Methodist Orphanage in Meru, Kenya.

Please note that when you take an item off of the cross, you are responsible for following through with it by contacting the person indicated on the tag. Questions about the Fill the Hole project? Contact Bev Campisi at beverlyc@fumcg.org or 817-797-4936. As Lent comes to an end, we will also have on-going needs that you can fill any time. We will post these regularly online, in the bulletin and in E-News.

"The Seven Last Words of Christ"

The choir will be performing Theodore Dubois' work, "The Seven Last Words of Christ," this Sunday, March 28, at the 10:10 and 11:15 AM services at the Downtown Campus. "The Seven Last Words of Christ" is a unique musical telling of the Passion story that dates back to the late 1700's. "The Seven Last Words of Christ" is presented in eight movements and will feature soloists Jennifer Chung (soprano), Scott Boiles (baritone) and Caleb Hailey (tenor). Please note that the choir performance will replace the traditional order of worship and message in the services in which "The Seven Last Words of Christ" is presented.  Dr. Cindy Ryan will deliver the sermon in the 8:50 and 9:00 AM services on Sunday, March 28.

Children's Easter Party

Kids, come celebrate Easter with us at the Children's Easter Party this Sunday, March 28, from 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM. We've extended the RSVP deadline to make sure all of you have the opportunity to participate! We'll enjoy lunch, egg hunts, plus a carnival on the front lawn with a bounce house, carnival games and bunny pictures! Lunch will be BBQ with all the trimmings, served from 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM. The cost is $3 per person, with a family maximum of $15. The carnival will run from 11:30 AM to 2:00 PM. There will be age level egg hunts held on the playground starting at 1:00 PM. There will be a Scavenger Hunt for 3rd-5th graders. Please RSVP for both the lunch and for the egg hunt by age to Linda McClure (817-481-2559 or lindam@fumcg.org) by 5:00 PM this Thursday, March 24.

Heritage Work Day

It's Spring and Easter is just a week away! Please join us this Saturday, March 27, for a work day at the Heritage Campus. We will begin our day at 8:00 AM and clean-up around the church grounds and plantings. In case of inclement weather on March 27, we will reschedule the work day to April 3. If the weather is questionable and you are unsure, call the Heritage Campus (817-517-1111) on Saturday morning and listen to the recorded message. Questions? Contact Audrey in the Heritage office at audreyz@fumcg.org. 

Church Conference

There will be a special Church Conference on Sunday, March 28, at 4:00 PM in Leach Hall. The main order of business is to approve one of our church members, Sela Finau, for ordained ministry. 

Church Conferences are open to all church members and anyone who is interested is invited to attend. Questions? Contact Ken (kend@fumcg.org).

Easter Flowers

Help us decorate the Sanctuaries and Founders Chapel for Easter by providing flowers in honor or memory of a loved one. Two types of flowers are available this year: Lilies ($15) and Hydrangeas ($20). Place your order through the Check-In insert in your bulletin starting this Sunday morning or in the church office. The deadline for orders is 5:00 PM on Monday, March 29. Please print legibly and include ONE DEDICATION per flower ordered. The dedications will be included in a bulletin insert on Easter Sunday morning. If you would like to take your flower home with you, you may pick it up after the 11:15 AM worship service on Easter Sunday, April 4.

Communion in April

Because our regular Communion Sunday falls on Easter Sunday, we will not serve communion during the 9:00, 10:10 and 11:15 AM services on the first Sunday in April. If you would like to take communion in the month of April, you have several options:

The Maundy Thursday communion services on Thursday, April 1, at 7:00 PM in Founders Chapel or at Heritage.

During the 8:50 AM worship service any Sunday of the month (including Easter Sunday).

During the 10:30 AM service at Heritage on Easter Sunday.

Holy Week & Easter

Holy Week starts next week!  Make plans now to start your days early with daily devotions and come together for worship experiences during the week. Here are some details:

Palm Sunday, March 28 
Children’s Easter Party - 11:30 AM to 2:30 PM - Lawn, Playground, Family Life Center 
"The Seven Last Words of Christ" - The choir will perform during the 10:10 and 11:15 AM worship services at the Downtown Campus. Dr. Cindy Ryan will speak at 8:50 and 9:00 AM. 

Daily Devotions, March 29-April 3 
An informal time of lay-lead devotions and reflection each day of Holy Week - March 29-April 3 (Monday-Saturday) at 6:30 AM in the Heritage Sanctuary. 

We still have openings for lay leaders to lead the devotions on Wednesday, Thursday and Saturday mornings. If you would like to lead a half hour devotional time, we would love to have you! This opportunity is open to all church members from both campuses. Please contact Randy (817-517-1111 or randys@fumcg.org) if you have questions and/or would like to volunteer for one of these open spots!

Maundy Thursday, April 1 
Worship/Communion Services: 7:00 PM in Founders Chapel | 7:00 PM in the Heritage Sanctuary 

Good Friday, April 2 
Bilingual Service of Darkness: 7:00 PM in Founders Chapel

Easter Sunday, April 4 
Sunrise Services: 7:00 AM in the Grapevine Botanical Gardens | 7:00 AM on the lawn of the Heritage Campus 
Regular Worship Services: 8:50 AM in Founders Chapel | 9:00 AM in the Sanctuary | 10:10 AM in the Sanctuary | 10:30 AM in the Heritage Sanctuary | 11:15 AM in the Sanctuary
Childcare is provided for all worship services except for Sunrise Services. No Sunday School Easter Sunday.

Easter Doorhangers

Combine Witness and Fitness by walking your neighborhood and distributing Easter doorhangers between now and Easter Sunday, April 4! Pick up a packet of Easter invitation doorhangers in the Founders Chapel Atrium and the Sanctuary Foyers of both campuses this Sunday. You may also pick up doorhangers during the week in the Downtown Campus church office. This is a good activity for families too! Questions? Contact Joan O'Brien at jobrien2000@msn.com or Cindy Ryan at cindyr@fumcg.org.  

Easter Volunteers

Would you like to help make our church a welcoming place on Easter Sunday? We'll need lots of extra smiling faces at all of the services that morning. For Maundy Thursday, we still need 4 Communion Team servers, 4 Ushers and 2 Greeters. For Good Friday, we need 1 additional greeter and 4 ushers. We also still need volunteers in ALL AREAS for Easter Sunday! See Check-In online or in this Sunday's bulletin to sign up to help!

Easter Offering

This year's Easter Offering will go to the Kenyan Guest House project and to the Metropolitan Board of Missions:

Kenyan Guest House:  Over the past few years, we have developed a close relationship with the Kaaga Synod of the Methodist Church in Kenya. One of the projects that they have found to be successful is the use of guest houses for generating income. Individuals and groups pay to stay at the guest house, and the funds are used by the church to help the church and community to become more self-sufficient. We have committed to assist  Bishop William's Synod in the completion of their guest house.

Metropolitan Board of Missions: The Metro Board of Missions is the local mission arm of the Fort Worth and Mid-Cities Districts of The United Methodist Church. This group distributes funds to 41 local charities who are helping people right here in our neighborhood. These groups fall into six categories: Advocacy/Special Services, Children/Youth/Young Adult, Emergency Assistance, English-As-A Second Language, Homelessness, and Rehabilitation/Re-Entry/Offender Services, Women’s Service. Many of the charities you may recognize - like Habitat for Humanity and UTA Wesley Foundation. Others - like Community Storehouse and Hugworks - may be new to you. For a complete listing of the ministries who benefit from the Metro Board of Missions, visit http://www.metroboardofmissions.com/ministries.html. 

For information about all of our Missions Ministries, visit our website.

News to Change the World

Spring Into Missions - April 24, 2010
Join us for our Local Missions Day, "Spring into Missions" on Saturday, April 24! United Methodist churches all over the country will be doing similar projects that day as a part of the Change the World event. We are planning to have 15 to 25 projects that we will do on this great day. We need lots of volunteers (both youth and adults) who have a willing spirit and can pull weeds, trim a hedge or paint, putty or hammer with supervision. We also need people who can lead a team. This is a great family-friendly opportunity to “fill the hole” for people in our Ministry Mile! Sign up on Check-In online or in this Sunday's bulletin. Questions? Contact Eric Erwin at eerwin@zayo.com or 817-798-4665.

Lunch with Florence Murugu
Mark your calendar for Sunday, April 25! Florence Murugu, the social worker who works with our AIDS Orphans in Kenya, will be here that Sunday. We will share together in a Pot Luck lunch that Sunday after worship. Watch for more details to come! Click here for more information about our AIDS Orphan project.

Save the Date - 8th Annual Gala & Auction!
Get ready to continue "filling the hole" by supporting our 8th Annual Gala & Auction, Night in New Orleans! Already? Mah yeah!  Night in New Orleans will be held one week earlier than previous years - save the date for the evening of Saturday, November 6, at the Marriott Solana. The proceeds from each year's auction go directly to "fill the hole" in some amazing ways. Traditionally raising around $40,000, the largest hole we fill each year is by giving to The World Service Fund. As the Compass Team reveals "What's Next" for our outreach efforts, we will be adding additional outreach ministries which will receive a portion of the proceeds. We want you to be involved in new and exciting ways! See our website for more details about the World Service Fund, the Gala & Auction itself, and how you can help!

God Can for GRACE
We collected 151 God Can items this week!! Bring your non-perishable food items for the GRACE pantry to the designated bins in the Sanctuary Foyer, Founders Chapel Atrium and outside the church office. GRACE's needs right now are: Cooking oil, canned meats, dry rice, pasta, toiletries.

Weekend Food Needs
Weekend Food needs are individual packs of: easy mac, ravioli, ramen noodles, applesauce, fruit cups, pudding cups, breakfast bars, instant oatmeal. Please bring your donations to Room 1006 in the Family Life Center. Questions? Contact Debbie Price at depdjp@aol.com or 817-821-3858. More info on Weekend Food.

For information about all Adult Ministries, visit our website.

News for Adults

Iron Men Breakfast
Our monthly Iron Men breakfast at the church is tomorrow morning (Thursday, March 25) at 6:30 AM in the Family Life Center. Please join us! More info about Iron Men is available on our website.

Women in Transition - Conversations
Beginning in April, the Women In Transition Program will have a continuing monthly event - called "Conversations" - on the first Monday of each month. The first program will be "Soul Tending for Women" presented by Dr. Cindy Ryan on Monday, April 5, from 6:30 to 8:00 PM in Room 2008 of the Family Life Center. This group is for women who have completed the Women in Transition program at either First United Methodist Church Grapevine or at Whites Chapel United Methodist Church. Any women interested in attending the Women in Transition program in the future may attend while waiting for the next WIT 12-week structured program. Affiliation with either church is NOT required. "WIT Conversations" is facilitated by Douglas Anderson, a formally trained Life and Executive Coach. Questions? Contact Douglas at 817-456-6125.

New Adult Studies Starting
Several short-term studies are beginning after Easter. These in-depth Bible studies are modeled after the basic design of DISCIPLE Bible Study. Weekly group meetings last 90 minutes and include video segments to guide each session with interpretive presentations from biblical scholars; contextual presentations and roundtable discussions; and opportunities for reflection, contemplation, or inspiration on some aspect of the Scripture studied. Visit our website for more details about each of these studies and sign up on Check-In online or in this Sunday's bulletin. We are offering the following studies:  

Invitation To The New Testament (8 weeks)
Sunday Evenings 5:00-6:30 PM at the Downtown Campus. Starts on: Sunday, April 18

Invitation to Psalms (10 weeks)
Sunday Evenings 5:00-6:30 PM at the Downtown Campus. Starts on: Sunday, April 18

Invitation To John (11 weeks)
Thursday Evenings 7:30-9:00 PM at the Heritage Campus. Starts on: Thursday, April 15

Invitation To Romans (8 weeks)
Sunday Evenings 6:30-8:00 PM at the leader's home. Starts on: Sunday, April 18

Career Transition Ministry
Many of us, especially in this time of economic turmoil, are looking for employment or interested in improving on a current career path. The Career Transition Ministry is here to support anyone looking to improve their current employment situation. We will have a networking and fellowship gathering on Wednesday, April 28, from 6:30 to 8:30 PM in Room 2011 of the Family Life Center. Our topic will be networking and résumés. Bring your résumé! Childcare will be provided that evening in Room 205 of the Education Building. Questions? Contact Katherine Hunter at katherineh@fumcg.org or 817-481-2559 x130. Visit our website at www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/career for more information about Career Transition Ministry, resources, events and leads to additional job transition groups.

Tying Up Life’s Loose Ends Seminar
Are you concerned about leaving a legacy of blessings for your family? Please join us for the "Tying Up Life's Loose Ends" seminar during the Sunday School hour at the Heritage Campus on Sunday, April 11, 9:30-10:30 AM. We will gather in the Heritage Sanctuary for this presentation, which focuses on two important documents that will be everlasting gifts to your family: the Letter of Instructions and the Letter of Love (ethical will). The information is presented by Douglas Pauley (MBA, CFP®, AIF®) and is based on his own experience at his father’s passing. Learn how these two documents can create an enduring legacy and provide your family much needed peace during a very emotional period. There is no cost to attend and no RSVP is required. Please join us! More information...

College Sunday School Class
We are getting ready to start a new Sunday School class for college-age adults (18-24). Our goal is to strengthen our connection with God through relevant studies. If you are interested in more information about this class or would like to share your input, please contact Barbara Howe at 817-320-1912 or fumcgrapevine.college@gmail.com. 

Questions about Youth Ministries? Contact Jenny Davidson at jennyd@fumcg.org or 817-705-2264 (cell).

RevolutionX News for Youth www.revolutionXonline.com

Wednesday Bible Study Locations - March 24
5:30-7:00 PM - Middle School - The HUB. NOTE: Middle School Bible Study will now be meeting in the HUB (Downtown Campus, Family Life Center Room 2013) due to transportation conveniences.
7:00-8:30 PM - High School - at the Jackson's

Sunday Night Youth
This Sunday, March 28, youth will meet from 5:00 to 7:00 PM in the Family Life Center.

Mission Trip Registration Begins
Registration has begun for 2010 High School and Middle School Mission trips! Register online at www.ctcym.org. 
2010 High School Mission Trip: June 13-19 to Ponca City, Oklahoma with FUMC Watauga. Participants include current 8th through 12th graders. Sponsors must be at least 20 years old and have completed Safe Sanctuary Training. Early bird registration has ended. The cost is now $235 cost/$100 deposit due April 8 - price for late registrations is $250.
2010 Middle School Mission Trip: July 18-23 to Menard, Texas. Churches at the Menard Living Center will include: Bedford-Martin UMC, Comanche FUMC, Grapevine FUMC, Hico UMC, N. Richland Hills-Richland Hills UMC. Participants include current 6th-7th graders. Sponsors must have been out of high school for at least a year and completed Safe Sanctuary Training. Cost: $200 Early Bird cost/$100 deposit due April 8 - price goes up afterwards.

Looking for a Way to Help the Youth?
We are still in need of people/groups/Sunday School classes to provide a meal for Sunday Night Youth on the following dates: April 11, July 11, July 18, August 1 and August 8. If you are interested, please email Sue Schultz at seg1024@yahoo.com. 

Buy a Light Help the Youth
Visit http://www.bogolight.com/?Click=8372 to purchase a solar-powered flashlight and support the youth! Click here for more info.

Questions about children's ministries? Rev. Nathan Firmin at nathanf@fumcg.org or 817-481-2559 x129.

KidsTown News for Children & Families www.firstmethodistgrapevine.org/children 

Children's Easter Party!
This Sunday, March 28! See info above... 

Heritage Children's Sunday School Assembly
This Sunday, March 28, is the Children's Sunday School Assembly at the Heritage Campus! Meet during the Sunday School hour at 9:30 AM in the Sanctuary of the Heritage Campus. We'll have an Easter Puppet Show and celebrate April birthdays!

Heritage Easter Egg Hunt
Calling all children to the annual Easter Egg Hunt at the Heritage Campus! Although we're having our Easter Party this Sunday, your kids will have the chance to participate in another Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 4, at the Heritage Campus! Meet in the Heritage Sanctuary at 9:30 AM. Don't forget to bring a basket or container to hold the eggs you find! 
All children are welcome... we hope to see you there!

Bryan's Buddies Respite - April 9
Bryan's Buddies, a part of the Dream Team Ministry, is respite care that provides a safe and fun evening out for special needs children and their siblings. This allows a much-needed time off for parents to relax and refresh. Our next event is Friday, April 9, 6:00 to 9:00 PM in the Family Life Center. We would love to bring in new families with special needs children to Bryan's Buddies. Please invite friends or neighbors to our events. Just remember, they must fill out an application form with much needed information for us to provide the best care for their children. Click here to download the registration form (pdf). If the family has a fragile child, we will need to be contacted ASAP by phone so that we may fill their needs with medical care as well (call Joyce King, Dream Team Coordinator at 817-488-9141). Visit our website for more information about Bryan's Buddies and other ministries for children with special needs and their families.

Creative Learning Center Registration
The Creative Learning Center is continuing registration for the 2010/2011 school year, and would love to have your child join us for learning and fun. We have classes for 18 month olds, two, three and four year olds, as well as a wonderful Transitional Kindergarten class for five year olds. Our mission is to provide "Quality Education and Care for the Young Child in a Christian Environment." The CLC preschool has been an important outreach ministry of the First United Methodist Church of Grapevine since 1965! We look forward to welcoming you to the CLC. Come visit us for a tour, or call for more information. (817)329-8444. For more information, visit www.clcgrapevine.org. 

Kindermusik Registration
Kindermusik is now registering for summer camps. Camps are full of new music and fun activities for children age newborn to six years. For more information contact Mary Diane Morley at 817-481-4513 x200 or visit www.kindermusikofgrapevine.com. 

Common Sense Media
Parents, I would like to share a media resource with you called, Common Sense Media. I subscribed several months ago and have followed its content and found some great articles. We will run a link to this site in the Children's Ministry section of E-News and on our website. Please check it out and share your thoughts and ideas.  ~ Nathan

Click here for this week's edition of Common Sense Media.

Updates, Recaps, Gifts, Thanks, Photos, etc.

Update on SLAB Pastor Sandlin
Please keep SLAB Pastor Alvin Sandlin and his family in your thoughts and prayers. Rev. Sandlin collapsed during worship this past Sunday from a major heart attack. As of Sunday evening, he was in a medically induced coma and not breathing on his own. Today's report is that there has not been much change. He remains in ICU, but his heart rate and blood pressure are steady.

Thanks from Africa University
We greatly appreciate your 100-percent giving to Africa University in 2009. Because of you, African men and women become global leaders who stand poised to change the continent and the world. Faithful United Methodists like you keep Africa University going during tough economic times. To read stories of how you change the lives of Africa University students and to order resources to inform your congregation about Africa University, visit www.umcgiving.org. 
In Christ,
Bishop Ernest Lyght
Chairperson of the Africa University Board Development Committee and the Advisory Development Committee

"Fill the Hole" Thanks
I want to thank you for all the wonderful donations you have sent our way here at Timberline Elementary. All the uniforms, new shoes and belts are much appreciated by our students. This is the time of year when we see students outgrow their clothes and are ready for spring shopping. Their faces light up and their self-esteem shines through. This is also the time when supplies are dwindling down. The binders come in handy for our fifth grade students. I want to extend Julie White, Sue Walker and Cindy Ryan a special thank you for doing the leg work and always checking our pulse for things our students could use. Your organization is a true blessing to our families. On behalf of Timberline Elementary and our grateful families, thank you and God bless you for reaching out to us!
~ Jessica Follis, M.S. (TES Counselor)

Tithe for Tots Update
It's been about two years since our initial push to "Tithe for Tots." At that time, we gave 10% of our tax refunds to help children in local schools with needed supplies. Those funds have lasted for a while now, and we have continued to fill needs as they have arisen! Here are a couple of thank-you notes we have received recently:

Thank you so very much for your kindness and generosity in supplying the Colleyville Middle School clinic with mints, cough drops, crackers, panties, etc. That is so thoughtful of you to reach out to the students in our district. They will be put to very good use! Thank you!
~ Cathy McConnell, RN (School Nurse, CMS)

I wanted to thank you for the clothing items and deodorant you donated to the GHS clinic. These items will be so useful, and it is something I simply don't have the budget for. Your generosity is touching, and it truly does take a village to care for the previous students. Thank you again.
~ Margaret Ball, RN (GHS Nurse) 

Sunday Night Youth
Seventy-five youth showed up last Sunday night to end their Spring Break fellowshipping together at Southlake Gymnastics Academy! We had tons of fun!