WORSHIP
SERVICE INFORMATION
The Happiness Lie Our current sermon series examines the difference between what the world tells us will bring us happiness verses what Jesus tells us.
The Basics: Rediscovering Our Core Mission (begins September 1) As we stand on the threshold of a new season, both in nature and in our spiritual journey, it’s time to refocus and reconnect with the heart of our faith. The past few years have been a whirlwind of change, challenging us in ways we never expected. From the global upheaval of the pandemic to the shifts within our own United Methodist Church, we’ve navigated stormy waters together. Now, as we look ahead to 2025 (yes, it sounds futuristic!), it’s time to ground ourselves once again in the bedrock of our beliefs and purpose. Our first sermon series, “The Basics,” aims to do just that by focusing on the fundamental mission of the church: to love God, love people, and make disciples of Jesus Christ. “The Basics” isn’t just about knowledge—it’s about action. We’ll explore practical ways to live out these core principles in our daily lives, reigniting our faith’s fire and our impact on the world around us.
SPECIAL SUNDAYS COMING UP
- Aug 18 Backpack Blessings
- Sep 8 Gospel Service (11:00)
- Sep 15 GAP Blessing
- Oct 6 UWF Sunday
- Nov 3 All Saints Sunday
- Dec 1 First Sunday of Advent
MUSIC
The choir and handbell programs will begin rehearsing and participating in worship every week starting on the following dates in August.
- Sanctuary Choir – Wednesday, August 21, 7-8 p.m. in the choir room or sanctuary
- Sonrise and Sanctuary Choir- Sunday, August 25th at 8:30 and 11 a.m. services.
- United Bells – Tuesday. September 3rd, 5-5:55 p.m. in room 213.
- First Bells – Tuesday, September 3rd, 6-6:55 p.m. in room 213.
Please contact Michael Kahl for more information or if you are possibly interested in participating in one of these ensembles. It is going to be fun! Anyone over the age of 12, is encouraged to participate.
Music Calendar of Events:
September 8th-Gospel and Bluegrass Sunday at 11 a.m. service
October 9th-Cantata rehearsals start, 7-7:45 p.m. and will take place every Wednesday until the Cantata in December.
GROW
ADULT MINISTRIES
CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT Start planning to attend our first (in a long time) church-wide retreat. The dates are Saturday and Sunday, April 5 and 6 at Highland Lakes Conference Center. We have arranged hotel-style accommodations and are planning fun activities ranging from table games, to a silent disco, to high ropes, to hiking in the beautiful hill country, to corn hole. There will be worship and break out sessions for adults, kids, and youth. And a campfire in the evening. Early registration cost is $75 for adults and $50 for children 3 – 18 yrs. It’s going to be great fun and a special weekend for developing community as we move along our Discipleship journeys. You can let us know if you are interested in attending by signing up on the adult bulletin board. Contact Karen for more information.
OVERNIGHT TRIP TO GLEN ROSE We are planning a brief trip to Glen Rose (southwest of Ft Worth) for September 27 – 29 to see the outdoor musical, The Promise. This passion play has been produced and performed for many years and is a lovely re-telling of the life of Christ. We will explore picturesque Granbury and perhaps visit Dinosaur Valley State park. Details available soon; contact Karen if you are interested.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE Wednesday evenings are going to be wonderful this fall. There will be something for everyone – kids, youth, and adults! Plan to join us this fall beginning September 4. We’ll have dinner every week along with opportunities for prayer and worship, studies, fellowship and games, and activities for kids and youth. Dinner will begin at 5:30 each week with the opportunities for fellowship before and after we eat. Activities and studies will wrap up at 7:00.
Here is the schedule:
5:30 – 6:00 Dinner served by our Fellowship Team. Menus to be announced in advance
6:00 – 7:00 Optional activities
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- Worship / Communion in the Sanctuary
- Fellowship and Games in WH
- “42” Dominoes in Rm 118
- Pastor Don’s Bible study in Rm 219
- “The Lord’s Prayer” study by Hamilton, with Kyle Forlano in Rm 217
- Activities for children and youth
Nature/Gardening Group will be meeting on the 4th Tuesday of the month at 2 PM in room 118. Programs to be announced. Everyone is welcome. Our meeting for Aug 27th will be on Succulents as well as a plant swap. Betty Keese, a Comal Master Gardener will be leading the session. Please plan to bring a new cutting from one of your favorite plants (or if you have an extra potted one, feel free to bring it instead).
Evening Game Group meets Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to about 7:00 in Room 118.
Coffee Connection FUMC men gather on Tuesday mornings at 7:30 at Casa Garcia for breakfast and conversation. Hosted by Pastor Don.
Pickleball We are continuing pickleball all summer, Tuesdays at 6 p.m. in Wesley Hall. Some weeks we meet off campus to make room for FUMC ministries that need the gym. When we go off campus we meet at 7pm. Contact Lori Oden for details.
New Women’s Emmaus Group will meet every Monday in Room 217 at the church at 1:00. Request to join this group.
Other Emmaus Reunion groups also meet on campus. Join the Emmaus Group for information.
Kenya Mission Trip We are still accepting applications for the mission trip. The Kenya trip is scheduled for February 6-20, 2025. Stay informed by joining the Church Center group.
Italy Trip Fall 2025 FUMC members and their friends and families are invited to join Karen Andrews and Michael Kahl on a trip to Italy next fall. Contact Karen or Michael, or join the Church Center Group, to get more information and express your interest in traveling to Italy.
LUNCH BUNCH meets monthly on the last Tuesday from 11:30 a.m.-1 p.m. The August 27 lunch will be at Noli’s Vite Italian Kitchen.
ALASKA CRUISE FUMC CRUISERS are planning a May 18-31, 2025 Alaska trip with our travel agent Kay Sanderford.
Find more information here: PRINCESS ALASKA Group Brochure
If you missed the informational session, join the Cruiser Group on the Church Center App.
FAMILY MINISTRIES
We’re going on a CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT! See details in the adult section above.
September: Calling all moms! Need a break? Join us for a fun and thrilling Moms’ Night Out at the escape room on September 20th at 6 PM. Challenge your mind, bond with fellow moms, and enjoy a night of laughter and adventure. Don’t miss this chance to unwind and have a blast! Come Join us!
October: Ready to get crafty? Join us for a relaxing and creative Moms’ Night Out making polymer clay earrings on October 18th at 6 PM. No experience needed—just bring your creativity and enjoy a fun evening of designing unique, beautiful earrings. Connect with other moms, unwind, and take home your gorgeous creations! We can’t wait to hang out!
Our Moms’ Sunday School This class is open to moms of all ages and stages and can be jumped into at any time. Come join us! We meet in room 217 during the 11 AM service on Sundays.
STUDENT MINISTRIES
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- Sunday, August 18th, we will be having a parent meetingfor all parents of students in our student ministry to attend (parents of 6th graders – 12th graders) at 4:00 p.m. at the church to talk about the fall plans for the student ministry. This will also be where the Student Ministry fall calendar will be unveiled.
- The Friday after school starts (August 23rd), the church will be hosting its first ever Pizza Olympics for all families of kids and students at our church to participate in. It will be in the evening and consist of games, a worship ceremony, and pizza from the various delivery spots around town.
Upcoming Events:- Wed, Aug. 14th> Student Ministry Council Meeting, 6:30 in room 202/204.
- Sun, Aug. 18th> Parent meeting with Pastor Andrew about the fall semester, 4:00-5:00 at the church.
- Fri, Aug. 23rd> Pizza Olympics, churchwide back-to-school party in the evening, 6:00-8:00 at the church.
- Wed, Sep 4>Wednesday Night Live begins (midweek activities for youth).
Future Dates:- September event> Top Golf, details coming soon.
- October event> Lock-in, details coming soon.
- We’re going on a CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT! See details in the adult section above.
FIRST KIDS
August
Backpack Blessing – It’s back to school time! If you are a student from pre-k to college, we will be giving out blessings and backpack tags at all 3 services on Sunday August 18th. We hope to see you there!
Pizza Olympics– We are trying something new this year! Instead of a back-to-school bash after church we will be hosting our very first Pizza Olympics on Friday, August 23rd from 6-8pm. This is an event for the whole family and anybody in school from pre-k to college. There will be games, activities, worship and of course PIZZA!
We’re going on a CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT! See details in the adult section above.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT LIVE returns in September! See details in the Adult section above.
1st Kids Worship (9:45)
Drop off kids with our volunteer in the sanctuary where they will participate in the first part of worship. Then, they will be taken to room 208 or the playground for a lesson and games. Kids are also more than welcome to sit with their family and then head out when it’s time.
1st Kids Connect (11:00)
We offer an 11:00 Sunday School for kids called 1st Kids Connect! Kids are welcome to attend both 9:45 and 11:00 where they will participate in a Bible lesson, activities, and games. Drop off for 1st Kids Connect will be in room 208.
Volunteers
If you would like to volunteer to help out with the children’s ministry, please let Amber or Mallorie know. We’d love to connect with you!
IMPACT
The Impact Team is collecting school supplies for Community In School’s Pack the Bus campaign. Shop for these school supplies and bring them to church. You’ll find bins located in the hallway for your donations:
- WIDE RULED COMPOSITION BOOKS
- PRIMARY COMPOSITION BOOKS
- PLASTIC FOLDERS W/BRADS & POCKETS
- NEW REUSABLE WATER BOTTLES
- 1″, 1.5″ & 2″ BINDERS
- LARGE BACKPACKS – 17″- 20″
- CLEAR BACKPACKS
- EARBUDS
- HEADPHONES
- STYLUS
- LOW-ODOR DRY ERASE MARKERS
- HIGHLIGHTERS
- DIVIDER TABS
- WASHABLE MARKERS
- METAL SCISSORS – BLUNT AND POINTED
- COLORED (MAP) PENCILS
- PENCIL BAGS & BOXES
September Donations The Impact team will be collecting GAP Pack donations (food ministry for school children) in September. Watch the weekly news for the shopping list and more information.
DRUM ROLL…Let’s celebrate!
The official total from the Rummage Sale is $8000 !!!
Thank you to everyone that worked in any way, shopped, and/or made donations of items and/or money! We will let you know of our recipients when the decisions are made.
Leftover items were given to the following recipients:
- Southside/Sunrise Village – misc items appropriate for residents
- Petals to Go – vases (they provide flowers at no charge to Kirkwood residents for birthdays!)
- Wesley Nurse – misc items for her projects
- Day School – misc items for kiddos
- Habitat Re-store – furniture and misc items
- Hospice Thrift Store – clothes, shoes, & draperies
- Communities in Schools Thrift Store – clothes and misc items including children’s toys
Thank you to our church for your help!
You can view photos of the rummage sale here.
UPCOMING UWF EVENTS:
- SEP 3 September General Meeting at 9:30 a.m. Our Secretary of Program Resources Karen Akkerman will present a program on the reading program.
- OCT 1 October General Meeting at 9:30 a.m. Come to Room 118 and then join UWF for a meaningful Prayer Walk in our Sanctuary.
- OCT 6 UWF Sunday at all three services.
Rev. Eliad Dias dos Santos, a United Methodist Missionary in Italy visited our area and spoke at our General Meeting in July.
New video shared: This video shows some of the Missionary work of Eliad Dias dos Santos. The video is in Italian with English subtitles.
Impact Sunday During Communion, the first Sunday of each month, attendees can contribute food and laundry supplies to baskets that will be available in the sanctuary, as well as to the Pastor’s Discretionary Fund through offerings on the Communion rail. These donations will support our ongoing community impact ministries, such as our SOS Canned Food collection, our GAP Pack ministry, our Loads of Love ministry, our new community pantry, and more to help those in need in the community.
Heart for Homebound is looking for volunteers to help us on Wednesday afternoons as we visit our members who are no longer able to make it to church.
We meet at 1:30 in the Welcome Center and are usually finished with our visits by 3:30. Contact Martha Harrison for more information.
Hanna Salazar, our Wesley Nurse, shares this information:
Parent/Child Wellness Group (at the Habermann House)
Parents and caregivers of tweens and teens, we have a FREE Wellness Group series for you and your child coming up in September!
Thursdays – Sept. 5, 12, 19, & 26
5:30-7pm
543 W. Mill St.
Register – https://forms.office.com/r/UePs6RGMVd
In partnership with Methodist Healthcare Ministries of South Texas, Inc.‘s Wesley Nurse, Hanna, and First United Methodist Church New Braunfels, counselors Miranda and Tamara will be leading a 4-week Wellness Group for parents and kids ages 9-12 and parents and teens ages 13-16.
Light meals and drinks will be provided, and participants will receive family engagement baskets after completing the series.
AWARD-WINNING ALZHEIMER’S SYMPOSIUM
Join Eden Hill on August 22, 2024, from 9 AM to 2 PM, at the McKenna Events Center for our award-winning Alzheimer’s Symposium!
This symposium offers a unique opportunity to connect with speakers and local experts in aging services. Gain valuable insights and resources to support individuals and their loved ones living with Alzheimer’s and other dementing illnesses. Details and reservations at Eden Hill’s website.
Master of Memory You are invited to learn ways to improve memory function. September 4, 11, 18 from 4-5 p.m at FUMC in room 219.
Protect Yourself Against Scams Join this one-night info session, September 25 from 4-5 p.m. at FUMC in room 219
Aging Well symposium presented by Nurse Hanna at the Comal County Senior Citizens Foundation, 710 Landa St, September 5 from 1 to 2 p.m.
Tuesday Walk and Talks Nurse Hanna will be facilitating Walking Sessions on October 8, 15, 22, and 29 from 8 to 9 am.
Common Grounds Community Garden has been getting ready for our first garden workday on Friday August 16, 2024, from 8:30am-10:30am. Over the past month we have gathered mulch & yard clippings, compost, planted 200(+) seedlings and had lots of conversations about the greenhouse. It’s been very exciting as we imagine how this resource will be used for our community. If you are available & interested in being a part of the fun, we could use a few extra hands to help us get all these things in the right places. We anticipate soil delivery at 9:30am. Bring your gloves, water bottle, positive energy, a shovel and open hearts.
NEWS
Fellowship Opportunities coming up!
- See the Pizza Olympics information in the First Kids section above. This event is not just for kids! The whole church is invited to worship, and stay for fun and pizza!
We’re going on a CHURCH-WIDE RETREAT! See details in the adult section above.
Tech Team If you’d like to join the Tech Team and help with future Sunday worship services, join here.
PODCAST Mallorie Sarvis has published several new episodes in our Unveiled Podcast. The latest include Faith Stories and a Parenting podcast Check them out here.
Additionally, Mallorie is looking for members willing to share their faith stories. To clarify, she is looking for stories of how people found a relationship with Christ. She would prefer to sit down and interview folks on video, but if you are only comfortable writing yours, she’d love to share it. Contact Mallorie if you are able to contribute to this digital ministry project!
Have you downloaded our church app, yet?
You’ll have access to your the calendar and your ministry and fellowship teams right on your phone. If you’ve already downloaded the app and created an account, don’t forget to add your user picture! Find the apps here.
RECENT PHOTO COLLECTIONS:
You can view photos of the rummage sale here.
Pictures of the ice cream social coming soon!
The Fall Newsletter Deadline has passed, but you can still get your ministry information distributed through our weekly news, Sunday morning slides, and Facebook. Click the link below to make a weekly news or newsletter request. Please note deadlines for submission. Inclusion in FUMCNB publications is limited to space availability and information may be edited to fit in the space available.
Let us know
The next newsletter deadline will be October 15, if you have ministry information to share for November, December, and January.
