The Vine - News Blog

Renewing Our Vows: Prayers, Presence, Gifts, Service, Witness

By Ben Disney
 
“With you we renew our vows to uphold it by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.”
 
It’s the promise we make and renew every time someone joins the congregation. It’s a vow unique to the United Methodist Church as we stand with those who join with us in our mission and ministry. In that moment we also remember the promise and vow we made when we first joined the church. It’s a powerful statement about who we are: our commitment to one another, our dedication to serve others, and our promise to God. The world is held together by the promises we make, the commitments we keep, and the vows we hold sacred.
 

Every great moment is an opportunity for renewal and rededication. We have been blessed beyond words. Because of what God has done, we will again renew our vows and commitment to be the people and church God is calling and creating us to be. You will be receiving commitment cards in the coming weeks. We ask only that you be faithful to the promise you’ve already made, to uphold the church through your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and your witness; nothing more, nothing less.
   
The journey continues Oct. 2 and Oct. 9, with the Celebration and Commitment Service on Sunday, Oct. 16.
   
God has honored us with new facilities, new people who continue to join us, a new spirit of hope and anticipation, a new sense of purpose and possibilities.
   
Thank you for honoring the promise you’ve made.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Building a House and People of Prayer

Join us Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. for a special orientation as we launch a new Prayer Ministry for the people of Arborlawn and become a House and People of Prayer.
   
Prayer is the essential ingredient in the life of a faithful individual or congregation. Prayer is life giving, transformational, powerful, and redemptive; yet it remains an elusive mystery to so many.
 

Why is prayer so important? How can we learn to pray in a way that deepens our connection to God and enables us to speak to the needs of others? How can we discern God’s will for our lives and for our church?
   
New Prayer Ministry teams are being formed, and opportunities are being offered to help us strengthen our individual prayer life as we seek to become a praying congregation. Kathy Wilcox and Bonny Jenista will lead the orientation. Learn how you can be a part of a ministry prayer team or sign up for one of the upcoming series on ways to develop and nurture a deeper prayer life.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Students sponsoring missions fundraising meal this Sunday

We welcome you to join us for our first student ministries summer missions luncheon this school year on Sunday, Oct. 2. We’re finally moving our base of operations to the Main Building! The luncheon will be in the Gathering Area (by old Sanctuary), and to-go meals will be available in both the Main Building Kitchen (upstairs by the Worship Center) and Room 170 (the Groom’s Room; just off the Lower Commons).
 

 
These luncheons allow us to keep our student mission trip prices affordable to our students, often covering the cost of van rental and gas to and from our various locations. They also allow us to fellowship and share a meal together as a congregation. We hope to see you there!
 
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ArborlawnStudents.com

A Word from the Pastor: Silhouettes of grace-filled moments

By Ben Disney
 
Samuel took a large stone and placed it between the towns of Mizpah and Jeshanah. He named it Ebenezer — “the stone of help” — for he said, “Up to this point the Lord has helped us!”
1 Samuel 7:12, NLT
 
Here I raise mine Ebenezer;
hither by thy help I’m come;
and I hope, by thy good pleasure,
safely to arrive at home.
Jesus sought me when a stranger,
wandering from the fold of God;
He, to rescue me from danger,
interposed his precious blood.
[From the hymn “Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing”]
 
This of course answers the age old question: “What’s an Ebenezer?” And, “Why do I need to raise it?” Okay, admittedly the vast majority of people aren’t really asking questions like that, but it’s an important word nonetheless. An Ebenezer is a “stone of help,” a marker or monument that serves as a constant reminder of what God has done for someone in a particular moment and in a particular place.
 
As far as Ebenezer’s go, it doesn’t have to be a statue or anything quite so ornate or elaborate. In fact any rock will do if that’s all you have. It’s something you feel compelled to do in response to what God has done for you. It’s a way of saying thanks and a gentle nudge to never forget what you felt and experienced, especially when the going gets tough again, which it always seems to do. That way when you look back over the landscape of your life it will be dotted by the silhouettes of grace-filled moments when you knew beyond a shadow of doubt that God was with you.
   
So, if you you’re daring enough, try to work in the word “Ebenezer” in a conversation with your friends this week. Chances are they won’t be familiar with the word. But if you explain what it means to them, I’m guessing they’ll nod their heads in agreement to let you know they get it. And just for a moment they’ll quietly remember their own very real experiences with God.
   
Like I said, any rock will do. Because it’s not what the rock does that’s so important. It’s what it says. And sometimes even the stones cry out.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Re-Organize: A Spiritual Retreat for Young Adults

Young adults, you are invited to join us for a weekend away from the city. We're going to Bridgeport Camp and Conference Center Oct. 21-23 for Re-Organize.
 

 
We have so many things pulling at us from all directions, so many distractions in our lives, so many things that seem important at the time that it’s often hard to step back and figure out what really matters. This retreat will help.
 
The cost is only $35 per person for the whole weekend - including meals and lodging. Here's the link to read more and register.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Around Arborlawn - 9/30/11

MOMS GROUP: REBECCA CARRELL OCT. 4
MOMS group will meet Tuesday, Oct. 4 in Room 224 from 6-8 p.m. They will be having a guest speaker, Rebecca Carrell. Carrell will talk about “Christianity in the Digital Age: What to Make of Facebook?” Read more at ArborlawnUMC.org/moms.
 
PRAYERS OF CELEBRATION
We congratulate Dave and Lindsey Brower on the birth of their daughter, Ellison Grace Brower.
 
PRAYERS OF SYMPATHY
We lift up our condolences to Bill and Kathy Blood in the death of Bill’s mother, Ruby Blood, and Melissa and Dennis Hedger in the loss of Melissa’s grandfather, Neil Hupe.
 
MERRYMAKERS: MONTHLY
Merrymakers (Arborlawn’s Seniors Group) meets on the fourth Wednesday of each month in the SAM Building at Noon for a potluck meal. The next gathering is Wednesday, Oct. 26. First time visitors don’t need to bring a dish. At 1 p.m. some stay for games. Contact Marilyn Anderson.
 
WMAA BOOK CLUB
The next meeting of the WMAA Book Club is Wednesday, Oct. 5 at 11:30 a.m. in Room 220, Main Building. We will be discussing Half-Broke Horses: A True Life Novel by Jeannette Walls.
 
PEWS NOW AVAILABLE
The 50 old pews are now available for an organization that needs them. The pews measure 19-feet and are in great shape. The price is negotiable. If you know of interested parties, ask them to call us at 817-731-0701.
 
AL-ANON GROUP
Arborlawn is now hosting a weekly Al-Anon meeting. Al-Anon is for the families and friends of people with drinking issues. The group meets on Monday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in Room 214. For details, contact Johnny Johnson.
 
WHAT DO STEPHEN MINISTERS DO?
From Judy Williamson: Stephen Ministers can visit you in the hospital, sign your cast, be a cheerleader in your therapy exercises, wave good by when you leave treatment, and open the doors to Arborlawn for you every single day.
 
MERRYMAKERS: GRAPEVINE SEA LIFE AQUARIUM
Merrymakers (Arborlawn’s Seniors Group) is going to Grapevine Sea Life Aquarium on Thursday, Nov. 3. The group will leave the church at 9:30 a.m. The cost is $19. Lunch is at the Rainforest Cafe. Gas cost is $5 per person. Contact Janet Roberson for more details.
 
NICA FOR OCTOBER: THANKSGIVING FOOD
The Northside Inter-Community Agency is asking for Thanksgiving food for the month of October. Bring donations to the NICA baskets in Room 230 (adjacent to the kitchen) or to the SAM Building.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Steel cross with meaningful story adorns class wall

Arborlawn’s Bible Study class is displaying a steel cross on one of its walls. The class meets at 9:45 a.m. on Sundays in Room 270, Balcony Level. The cross was crafted in stainless steel by a New Mexico artisan named Bubba Long. Long has always been a creative person and has worked in various metal forms for many years.
 


A number of years ago, his work took a specific direction towards soaring eagles and crosses, based on a personal spiritual experience. He had battled alcohol addiction for many years and had been in and out of recovery programs many times. Long was having a particularly difficult time in accepting and believing in a loving God. One morning he was on a lake, near his home in New Mexico, and was wrestling with his thoughts about God. Suddenly, a huge bald eagle soared majestically overhead. At the time he was observing the eagle, a great sense of peace, serenity, and the presence of God came over him. At that moment, he realized there is a living God, and he turned his life over to Him.
   
He has not had a drink since then, and to this day, he maintains a strong spiritual connection that grants him love and peace on a daily basis. In the majority of his artwork, he creates both eagles and crosses to celebrate what God has done in his life.
   
The cross was purchased from the Adobe Gallery in Ruidoso, NM, and was presented on Sept. 4, to the Bible Study Sunday School Class by Sheila and Milton Barley.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Divorce Recovery group starts October 3

Separation and divorce can be a painful and stressful experience. It’s a confusing time when you feel isolated and have lots of questions about issues you’ve never faced before.
 
We're here to help; to walk with you on this path. Be a part of our Divorce Recovery group on Monday nights, Oct. 3 through Nov. 7, 6:30-8 p.m. in Room 212. Register here.
 
Divorce Recovery is a support group for adults in the process of separation and/or divorce. Over the course of six weeks, we will meet and explore aspects of the divorce experience in a supportive and spiritual environment that will help guide you through the healing process.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

KidCheck: security system coming for kids

At Arborlawn, nothing is more important to us than the safety and security of your children. That’s why we have chosen KidCheck to bring you the best experience at check-in and to provide you, as parents, the ability to act as a team with us to keep the kids in safe hands. We are in the early stages of getting KidCheck up and running.
 

Eventually, you will find four computers in the children’s area on the Sanctuary Level. Each Sunday as you arrive at church, a parent will come to the children’s area with their child and get them checked in to Sunday School or the nursery. Each child will have a printed name tag to wear, and each parent will get a receipt. The name tag and receipt will have a codes that match. Then, when Sunday School is over, the child will need to be picked up by the parent with the receipt and have the codes matched to be released. There will be no more kids being checked into Sunday School or checked out of Sunday School without a parent. This is for the safety of all children.
    
Everyone will create their KidCheck account in the comfort of their own homes. Next week, you will learn how you can create an account. If you would like to look at how KidCheck works, check it out.
 
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FaithWalk Rotation: God's Word
 
Our FaithWalk rotation for Kids’ Sunday School for Sept. 25 through Oct. 23 is God’s Word. Our Bible is the living word of God. It is God’s own story, and it is true forever. God inspired many people to write down teachings and stories in the Bible, and He inspires us to read and study it today so we can learn how to live faithfully. For this rotation, we’ll be in HolyWord Theater, Circuit Riders, Joseph’s Workshop, Wondrous Acts, and Discovery.
 
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Pumpkin Patch needs candy
 
We will be collecting candy for our upcoming Children’s Ministries Pumpkin Patch Celebration. You can bring your candy to the collection box located in the Gathering Area or in the children’s hallway. Thank you for your support of the kids.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Grief group forming next week

We all experience loss of loved ones, and everyone knows how hard it is. Now you can come express your feelings and thoughts in a comfortable environment with others going through similar circumstances.
 
Our Grief Recovery group begins Wednesday, Oct. 5 from 6-8 p.m. in Room 212. The group will meet through Nov. 9. Register here.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

UMM meeting October 11

Arborlawn’s United Methodist Men group meets Tuesday, Oct. 11 at 6:30 p.m. in Room 225. Please eat dinner before you come.
 
After a business meeting, the group will hear from Brent Somers about Boy Scouts Troop 50.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

UMW: October 4 meeting about Haiti

The next General Meeting of Arborlawn’s United Methodist Women group is Tuesday, Oct. 4 at 10 a.m. in the Gathering Area. The topic for October is Haiti Mission Study presented by Lila Foree, one of the organizers of the first medical mission to Haiti. She has been an active part of the Haiti Medical Mission for the past 37 years.
 
The mission emphasis is UMCOR. We are raising money to buy a pregnant goat through Global Health Action's goat program. The program improves the physical and financial wellness of communities, offering rural subsistence farmers intensive training in goat care. Pregnant goats are valuable because farmers (58 percent of whom are women) who receive them can eventually develop a small herd of animals. Good, healthy herds of goats provide revenue for children's education, money for crop seeds and food for families, and even metal roofs for family homes. Please mark payments to this mission with "UMW UMCOR." An article about this mission opportunity is in the July/Aug. 2011 issue of Response.
 
Breakfast finger foods will be served for $3. All women of Arborlawn are invited to attend.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Bible Study Class gets own new sound system

By Anton Jacobs
 
We are continuing to have good attendance in the class – averaging 48-50. Last Sunday, we had 50 members, including a new member  – Barbara Lancaster.
    
Our new sound system – purchased by the class – is working great!
   
In September, the Bridge Group met at the Tuomey’s and the 42 Group was at the Jacobs’. For October, the Bridge Group is meeting two weeks later an usual – on the 22nd – at the Jacobs’. The 42 Group will also meet two weeks later than usual – on the 29th – at the Jackson’s.
   
Mark your calendar for the class Christmas party on Thursday, Dec. 15 – lunch and program – at the Rose Garden Tea Room on Benbrook Circle.
   
Class members – wear your name tags so the newer members can get to know you. Be sure to sign in each week.
   
For the next three weeks, Ben Disney – our teacher – will be teaching another class – Introduction to Arborlawn. Substitute teachers are being lined up. When Ben returns, he will continue teaching on the Book of Acts.
   
Join us at 9:45 Sunday morning for fellowship, singing, prayer, an excellent lesson, and maybe a goodie or two.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Faith Bible Class serves others at various local missions; celebrates

By Linda Houston
 
We are currently finishing our in-depth Bible Study of Isaiah in the Old Testament. Our next book to be studied will be the New Testament book of Romans in the next couple of weeks. The new study books will be distributed very soon. They are purchased and were donated by a class member.
    
We have completed recent ministries involving Samaritan House and Presbyterian Night Shelter. In August we provided dinner for approximately 40 people living with AIDS. On September 18 we assembled about 250 “take-out” breakfasts for people staying at Presbyterian Night Shelter. PNS has no kitchen in which to prepare breakfast for the homeless. Without this new ministry, currently facilitated by the Arborlawn UMC Missions Committee, the homeless would leave the shelter each morning without a planned meal until at least that night. We also help support a missionary for Campus Crusade for Christ.
   
Class members also support each other with an emailed prayer list and friendship.
   
The Faith Bible Class ladies meet monthly to celebrate birthdays. On Sept. 18 we met at The Tavern on Hulen. We plan a field trip via rail to Dallas in November. Last spring we also met in the evening for “brown bag” dinners to continue our lively Sunday School discussions.
   
Please join us for prayers, pick up a study book, and help us schedule this month’s events. We meet in Room 220 in the original church building after early service.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

A Word from the Pastor: Renewing Our Vows

By Ben Disney
 
“With you we renew our vows to uphold it by our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service, and our witness.”

It’s the promise we make and renew every time someone joins the congregation. It’s a vow unique to the United Methodist Church. It’s a powerful statement about who we are: our commitment to one another, our dedication to serve others, and our promise to God.
 
We will be focusing on the renewal of our vows as a congregation during the month of October. God has honored us with new facilities, new people who continue to join us, a new spirit of hope and anticipation, a new sense of purpose and possibilities. Because God has done so much for us in this place called Arborlawn, it’s time we honor God through the renewal of our vows and the commitment to be the church God called and created us to be.
 

The world is held together by the promises we make, the commitments we keep, and the vows we hold sacred. I look forward to the journey as we honor the One who has honored us.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Fort Worth Symphony in concert this Sunday evening in the Sanctuary

Concerts at Arborlawn presents the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra in a free concert this Sunday evening, Sept. 25 at 7 p.m. in the Sanctuary.
 
The concert program includes two canzons and a sonata by Gabrieli, Oboist Jennifer Corning Lucio in Marcello’s Concerto in D Minor for Oboe and String Orchestra, and three movements of the Brahms Symphony No. 4 in E minor, Op. 98.
 

 
Fort Worth Symphony Music Director Miguel Harth-Bedoya will conduct the concert, which is open to the public without admission charge. Child care and valet parking will be provided, also without charge.
 
Arborlawn will again host the Fort Worth Symphony on Feb. 16 for a Symphony Series sacred concert as a part of the Concerts at Arborlawn Community Series. This will be a ticketed event through the Symphony offices. We will also partner with the Symphony during the spring in hosting a day of Kinder Concerts for Fort Worth school children, as well as the Fort Worth Symphony Young Artists Competition, also in the spring. We are most excited to partner with one of our community’s outstanding arts organization, the Fort Worth Symphony Orchestra.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Kindergarten Class: Isaac is born

By Roy Topham
 
Ms. Laurie read the story of Isaac’s miracle birth, and all the kindergartners brought out their best laughter at 90-year-old Sarah having a baby. Everyone made a laughing face to be reminded the Isaac means laughter.
 
Mr. Roy suggested we reenact Sarah and Abraham finding out that they were going to have a baby. Foster and Keneddy volunteered to be God. Ethan A., Adrian, and Ethan R. were the three strangers. Abraham was played by Nathan, and Sarah was played by Kate. The audience was Ben, Sierra, and Isaac.
 
When the three strangers came in the door, God told them to go tell Sarah and Abraham that they were going to have a baby. The audience laughed when they heard God say that. 
 
As the three strangers approached Abraham’s tent, Abraham told Sarah to cook some food for the strangers. The audience called out that they wanted some food, too. The three strangers wanted to talk to Sarah, so she came out of the kitchen and they told her in one year she would have a baby. Everybody in the room laughed, with Kate getting an academy award for her laughter. One year later Isaac (played by Sierra) was born and everyone was excited.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Two TCU professors to speak at Arborlawn on health and wellness topics

Two professors from TCU are scheduled to speak in the coming weeks at Arborlawn as part of the Faith Community Nurse Ministry's ongoing effort to educate the congregation on health and wellness issues.
 
Dr. Debbie Rhea will speak on Thursday, Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. in Room 225, Balcony Level, Main Building, offering ways to have stress-free holidays. Her presentation is titled Keys to Stress: Unlocking your Potential. (Rhea was one of the presenters for the recent FCN Ministry-sponsored Exercising Your Demons: Core Strengthening at Home” held last May. She received  a  5 on her evaluation - with 5 being the highest value. One person even gave her a 6!) She is a professor at TCU and holds a doctorate degree in sport/exercise psychology. Since coming to TCU in 1999, she has prepared physical education teachers, consulted with all ages of athletes and non-athletes to enhance their mental skills related to performance and physical activity, and recently became the Associate Dean of Health Sciences and Research in the Harris College of Nursing and Health Sciences at TCU. Rhea is a frequent speaker on behavioral change, motivation, and eating disorders.
 
Dr. Anne Van Beber will speak on on Thursday, Nov. 10 at 7 p.m. in Room 271, Balcony Level, Main Building. Her topic is Healthy Eating for the Holidays with a “choose this not that” theme. Van Beber is Professor and Chair , Director, Coordinated Program in Dietetics at TCU. A nutrition educator since 1983, she has been a faculty member of the Department of Nutritional Sciences at TCU since 1982. Van Beber is a sought-after nutrition expert who has been quoted in various popular consumer publications. In Dec. 2009, Van Beber was honored by TCU with the Dean’s Teaching Award for significant and meritorious achievement in teaching.
 
For more details about either session, contact Pam Perrine. Child care is available during both of these presentations by contacting Nell Cantwell (or 817-731-0701).
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

Place to Belong begins Dunnam study Oct. 13

Place to Belong, a Bible study for single women or women worshipping alone, begins a new study on Thursday, Oct. 13 at 7 p.m. in Room 222. The group will be studying Going on to Salvation - A Study of Wesleyan Beliefs (Revised Edition) by Maxie Dunnam. This is a 10-week guide "for the Christian pilgrimage of 'faith working through love,' as envisioned by John Wesley and practiced by the people called Methodist."
 


This is an excellent opportunity to learn more about the biblical and Wesleyan doctrine of salvation. The study will be enriched by supplemental online sermons by John Wesley. In addition, Ben Disney, Beth Evers, Bryan Bellamy, and Judy Williamson will join us for some of the sessions to expound upon the United Methodist theology we'll be discussing.
 
Books may be purchased at Cokesbury or online for approximately $9. The study will culminate on Dec. 22 with a Christmas celebration. Contact Bette Smith for more details or to sign up. You may also register by visiting ArborlawnUMC.org/dunnam. Child care is available by contacting Nell Cantwell (or 817-731-0701).
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org

UMW Sunday this weekend

This Sunday, Sept. 25, is United Methodist Women Sunday. Join us in worship as we honor and celebrate the contributions UMW members make to missions on a local, national, and worldwide scale. The ladies of Arborlawn's UMW will be presenting Bibles to our 3rd Graders on this special day.
 
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ArborlawnUMC.org