February 2, 2012 IMPRESSIONS
The Weekly Newsletter of Lake
Travis United Methodist Church
Pastor's Perspective
Three years ago, even before I arrived as the new Pastor-in-Charge for Lake Travis UMC, I learned that the church was preparing to take on a substantial amount of debt in order to construct a new Ministry Activities Center. I learned that our lender, the Texas Methodist Foundation would only lend the amount of money we needed for the project on the condition that we would promise a second Capital Campaign to take place at the beginning of 2012.
Based on my experience with church debt, I knew immediately that the success of this second campaign would be absolutely essential to the future health and growth of this church. After sitting down a few minutes with Tim Myers (director of the first campaign) to study his information, I told him that based on my experience with balancing budgets and working debt down to affordable levels, we would need to set a goal of reducing the debt by another $2 million by raising that much or more in this second campaign.
Without the success of this campaign, I said I believed the church would have trouble affording basic essentials in its future budget that would support the very ministries that we would want to fill our buildings and support our larger mission.
With all that I have learned since then, I still believe those first assessments were on target. We must be collectively committed to reducing the debt and thus empowering the whole ministry of the church.
So this second campaign is not just about paying for the buildings we have already committed to pay for. This campaign is about getting the church out from behind the financial 8 Ball of debt, so that more of our annual giving can actually empower the vital ministry and outreach of our church at all age levels and in many directions of service and care.
The more we raise with this second capital campaign, the more we will free-up the annual budgets of the future to address ministry and mission beyond bricks and mortar. Without this campaign, by the year 2015, we would feel the full sticker shock of the debt in hundreds of thousands of dollars annually that could force us to cut out basic ministry, staffing, and maintenance, functions we now consider basic and essential.
So the focus of this campaign is about achieving a kind of stewardship break-through for this congregation that will provide the key turning point in the greater stewardship, health, and growth of the whole future ministry of the church. It’s that big and that important.
You will be hearing more about that campaign in weeks and months ahead, with a major emphasis to bring it home during the month of April. Jim Miles will be chairing this campaign, supported by various team leaders that include Jenni Oaks, Tim Myers, Cary Boddeker, Michael Alexander, Patty Rosemurgy and Jason Cagle.
As we move together into the season of new commitment ahead, please join us in prayer for our total response and for the spiritual renewal and growth of our whole congregation.
Grace and peace,
Ray Kiser
Pastor
2012 Worship Flowers & Food Basekts: Sign-Up Now!
Please look for the large sign-up charts available in the Sanctuary Foyer if you would like to donate worship flowers or food baskets in 2012. For more information or to reserve a date, you may call the church office (266-9877).
Worship Flowers Dates Available:
April 29; May 27; June 3, 17
Food Basket Dates Available:
February 26; March 4;
April 1, 8; May 20, 27; June 10
Ruth Circle to Meet February 8
The Ruth Circle will meet at the home of Patti Ruth, 205 Timpanagos, at 10 a.m. on Wednesday, February 8. Cindy Davenport will present the program, “Focus on Mission,” and Leonor Lange will give the devotional. For directions or questions, email pjruth1@gmail.com. Please join us for this time of new friendships and study. (Return to top of page)
Wednesday Night Live
You are invited for dinner and to participate in our mid-week offerings of study, music, faith and fellowship for children, students and adults. Explore and discover the Wednesday Night Live activities that are just right for you, your family and friends.
WNL Dinner, 5:30 - 6:30 p.m., Ministry Activities Center
Make dinner reservations by calling the office, 266-9877, or signing the Sunday bulletin insert, Connections. Thank you! Dinner Menu: February 8: Adult Meal: Jambalaya, Smoked Turkey Gumbo, Rice; Kids’ Meal: Fish Sticks, Fries; Desserts: Chocolate Bread Pudding, Bananas Foster/Banana Pudding
For Kids:
BibleZone Live, Children’s Choirs and Chimes, 6:05-7:15 pm
For Students: Hangout, Handbells, Devo Time, Puppet Team
WNL for Adults:
Parent Place: Coach Dan Daniel, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Bible Alive: Clay Speer, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Computer Tricks: Megan Cooper, 6:15 – 7:15 p.m.
Creative Crafters: All Hands-On Creations, Pat Ehrhart, 6:15-7:15 p.m.
Music: Handbells, Choir, Praise Band, Patty Highland/Brynden O’Grady
Divorce Recovery Workshop Continues
Beyond Divorce Recovery Workshop meets 6:30 - 8:00 p.m., in the Chesnutt Building, Classroom 10. This workshop continues weekly through February 22. The leader is Julie Nebrat Dickerson, a Graduate Intern at My Healing Place, Candidate for MA in Counseling, May 2012, from Texas State University. She is currently a J.D.-Attorney and Mediator with 18 years’ experience. (Return to top of page)
Wesley Nurse News
Plan to join us for a program offered by our Wesley Nurse, Terry Bernhard. Parenting Teens in Today’s Culture, Wednesday, February 15, Psychologist – Dr. Suzanne Carroll, 6:15 - 7:15 p.m. Please call Terry at 512-529-6652 or email her at tbernhard@mhm.org with any questions. (Return to top of page)
Megan Cooper to Teach Computer Tricks: "Fabulous, Fun and Free"
Yes, Megan Cooper will be in town and will be teaching a class on computer tricks called “Fabulous, Fun and Free” on Wednesday, February 8, 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. Save yourself time and aggravation with these timely tips. Questions call the church office (266-9877) or email pjruth1@gmail.com to register for the class. (Return to top of page)
Balancing Your Child's Life with Sports
Don't miss Coach Dan Daniel, former NFL coach, as he talks to parents about achieving balance in your child's life with sports, Wednesday, February 8, 6:15 – 7:15 p.m. This talk is open to anyone wishing to attend, so invite your friends and neighbors. Reservations are not required. Coach Daniel was a coach for numerous colleges including Purdue and the U.S. Naval Academy, as well as for the Kansas City Chiefs. He currently is a consultant coach at St. Michael’s and St. Stephen’s private schools. (Return to top of page)
Dealing with Aging: Our Parents, Spouses, Family & Self
Join us for a Brown Bag Luncheon Series beginning Thursday, February 9, 11 a.m. – 1 p.m. Gerontologist expert Nancy Lamb will lead this informative series. The other dates in the series are as follows: February 23, March 8, and April 22. For reservations, call the church office (266-9877) or email pjruth1@gmail.com(Return to top of page)
Cooking Light in the New Year
Tasting and recipes will be offered, so plan on eating when Cooking Light in the New Year is presented on Thursday, February 9, 6:30 – 8:00 p.m. in the MAC Kitchen. Cost is $5. For reservations or questions, call the church office (266-9877), or email pjruth1@gmail.com. Shelley McCannon and Barbara Sampson, chief chef at Central Market, will teach the class. Menu: Oven-Baked Chicken Fried Steak/Chicken; Cube Fries; Caesar Chicken Wraps; Turkey Sliders; the best Broccoli; Apples w/Cinnamon; Fruit Smoothies.
UMMen's Meeting February 11th - All Are Welcome!
The Austin District United Methodist Men’s quarterly breakfast meeting will be held at Lake Travis UMC on Saturday, February 11th, at 8:00 a.m. in the MAC Hall. The guest speaker will be Don Inbody, who will talk about his experiences in Egypt during the Arab Spring and also discuss the Coptic Christians in Egypt. Please plan to join us on the 11th and bring someone with you! (Return to top of page)
A Call to 4th and 5th Graders
On Sunday, February 5, during the Sunday School hour, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m., the 4th and 5th graders will offer a very fun presentation of the story, Stone Soup. It will be complete with costumes, props and set. Bobbye Meek will be directing. We just need our cast! The rehearsal will be on Sunday, January 29, at 9:45 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Acting experience is not necessary, there are no lines to memorize; just come and help us build a story to tell to the Sunday School classes. Please call Bobbye Meek if you have any questions (261-9241). (Return to top of page)
Souper Bowl of Caring
The number of Americans living in poverty is the highest it has been in 52 years. One in seven households in our nation is food insecure, which affects more than 16 million children. The goal of the Souper Bowl of Caring program, Sunday, February 5, is to ‘tackle’ hunger.
Our youth will be holding soup kettles at the doors to the Sanctuary and the MAC following our worship services to collect your donations. Checks can be made out to LTUMC with the notation “Souper Bowl” in the memo line. Collection boxes will also be at all of our entryways to collect cans of soup. The donations and the cans of soup will go to Lake Travis Crisis Ministries. It’s a great day to cheer for your favorite football team and also a great day to defeat hunger! (Return to top of page)
SUPER Souper Bowl
The kids are planning to celebrate Super Bowl Sunday, February 5, by hosting a Souper Bowl of Caring Open House during the Sunday School hour, 9:45 – 10:45 a.m. The Souper Bowl of Caring is a program designed to generate cans of food and money to TACKLE hunger. The children will see a special presentation of the Stone Soup story, share in a breakfast banquet and have an opportunity to bring donations of canned soup. The children’s choir will be singing at the 11:00 worship services.
This is also a great opportunity to visit any of our other Student and Adult Sunday School classes. If you have been thinking about Sunday School and wondering about how to get started, please come and see what is happening. Rev. Colleen Haley will host a Sunday School gathering for adults who would like to visit or inquire about our programs.
All of us together can make this a very SUPER, SOUPER Bowl morning! (Return to top of page)
Do You Have Interest in Gardening?
It is time to start preparing vegetable gardens for Spring planting! We are adding six new garden spaces to our LTUMC community gardens. If you are interested in getting involved by (1) having a space to plant your own garden and receive assistance from experienced gardeners, (2) if you would like to help mentor a new gardener, or (3) if you just want to help with some of the building projects associated with the garden, please call the church office and leave your name and contact information. (Return to top of page)
GIANT All-Church Garage Sale May 3-5
Start saving your household goods, children's toys, and clothing NOW for this year's all-church garage sale. Intake begins after the Capital Campaign Celebration concludes on April 29 in the MAC. UMW thanks you in advance for your generous support to the garage sale and accompanying spaghetti dinner. (Return to top of page)
Adult Sunday School Classes
Start saving your household goods, children's toys, and clothing NOW for this year's all-church garage sale. Intake begins after the Capital Campaign Celebration concludes on April 29 in the MAC. UMW thanks you in advance for your generous support to the garage sale and accompanying spaghetti dinner. (Return to top of page)
Adult Sunday School Classes
Adult Sunday School Classes
Join us at 9:45 a.m. for an exciting adult Sunday School schedule!
Our Adult Sunday School Classes encourage you to join them!
9:45 a.m.
LifeSearch 101, MAC 101
Study: “The Hole in Our Gospel: What Does God Expect of Us? The Answer That Changed My Life and Might Just Change the World,” by Richard Stearns
J.O.Y., Wesley Room
Study: “Love Wins,” by Rob Bell
New Horizons, Chesnutt Building C-11/12
Study: Hot Topic of the Week for the Class, Our Families, Our Community or Our World
Family Matters, Chesnutt Building C-10
Study: “Go Fish, Because of What’s on the Line”
Lost and Then Found, Sanctuary Building, Music Room
Study: Journey through the Bible – NT Colossians - Jude
Encounters, East Annex
Study: “Daniel: Dare to Be God’s Messenger”
Your Presence Makes a Difference
When you are present with us in Sunday School, worship, children’s and/or youth activities, you are blessed, and our church family is more complete. Please join us on Sunday!
January 8 – 453
January 15 – 346
January 22 – 366
January 29 - 388
Finance Report
DECEMBER
INCOME $ 176,236.11
EXPENSE 99,343.96
$ 76,892.15
YEAR-to-DATE
INCOME $ 1,249,516.41
EXPENSE 1,118,800.84
$ 130,715.57
Let us join together in giving thanks to God for God’s faithfulness to Lake Travis United Methodist Church! Please consider joining our Easy-to-Give Program and have your financial gifts regularly drafted from your checking account. Cards are available in the Foyer or you may contact Lisa Keathley, Church Treasurer, for more information about the program. You may also complete the form online.
Content ©2008 Lake Travis United Methodist Church