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Pastor’s Paragraph
I have a confession. I’m struggling with living in the bubble. No, not the “Boerne Bubble” but
the “Christian Bubble.” By ‘bubble’ I mean the subculture Christians create that allows us to
conduct our entire life having minimal to no contact with anything “secular.” Bubble
inhabitants choose their activities based on where they can be with other Christians – from
dinner parties to birthday parties. The “world’ becomes viewed as something to be avoided.
The bubble is comfortable. There are unwritten rules there about how to be nice to each other, what you can say and
what you can’t, and the correct answers to life’s difficult questions.
From inside the bubble we can look at “those other people” from a distance. In the bubble, your faith is seldom truly
tested. As long as you know how to “look Christian,” no one is going to push you too hard. To be honest, the bubble is
an environment that allows people to be Christians without being tested to see if they can find their identity in Christ
alone.
Yet we are called to “let our light shine” and be “the salt of the earth.” Light illuminates and brings guidance for life
that people outside the bubble need. Salt flavors both the culture and conversations with Christian principles that sow
seeds outside the bubble. The percent of our nation claiming Christianity as their faith is rapidly dropping each year.
One reason is the bubble. We must learn how to step out of the bubble to form new relationships, invite them to
church, pray in public, and share our relationship with Jesus. I am a bubble addict so please know I’m preaching to me
more than anyone else. I’m praying for spiritual eyesight to see how the bubble keeps me from doing the work of
building the kingdom. Will you join me? Living outside the bubble is a day-by-day endeavor. It is a spiritual discipline. It
is a step to answer Jesus’ call to make disciples for Him. Let’s be “bubble busters!”
Dr. Ricky L. Burk, Sr. Pastor
The church office will observe summer hours through Labor Day. We are open 8-5 Monday-Thursday
and will be closed on Fridays.
Deadline for the September newsletter will be August 15.
Troop 102’s Annual Boy Scout Spaghetti Dinner and Silent Auction were a big success. Thank you for your support!
Your new printed Church Directory is here and can be picked up in the church office. If you had your picture made, your directory
is free. If you did not, you may purchase one for $5. Your Lifetouch Mobile Directory is accessible to you
and contains contact information for all of the families of First UMC, and is an easy-to-use tool to help you
stay connected, and to help you connect names and faces! To access the mobile directory, you will need to
type in this link. (It is also available on the church webpage for you to click): https://
mobiledirectory.lifetouch.com/174280/first-united-methodist-church For security purposes, there is an access code that you will
need to obtain from the church office. Once you are logged in, you will have full access to the directory, with easy search functions,
and ways to call, email, or map. There is an onscreen guided tour to help you. If any of your contact information needs to be updat-
ed or corrected, please contact Rev. Russell Miller at the church office (830- 249-2565) or rmiller@fumc-boerne.org.
LOVE YOUR CHURCH! 3 Year Restoration of Facilities Plan From the Trustees: Thanks again for your generous support
in reaching our goal. Restoration plans continue! Look for these things: Cover to be installed for the two church buses, as well as a
cover for the portion of the playground where the preschoolers play ; Improvements to the Scout Hut; Security cameras for the Main
Building, as was done for the FLC and CEB; New porch for the parsonage to replace the existing structure, which has deteriorated
with age; Additional projects are in the preparation phase and will be added as bids are received and construction begins.
Thank You, The FUMC Board of Trustees
ENCOUNTER
New Sermon Series We want to thank those of you who submitted suggestions for topics that you would like to hear more
about from your church. The Vision Team, (Ricky, Russell, Lori, Karen and John Paul) took everything we received to an all-day
planning retreat where we mapped out the sermon schedule through May 2020! We included as many of your ideas as we could,
and the ones we can’t get to this year went on a list to consider in the future. By far, the number one request we received was to
hear more about the nature of the Trinity. So..... Sunday, May 26 we began a new Worship series entitled “Three at Once: The
Trinity.” When was the last time you heard a sermon about the Trinity? Have you ever heard a sermon about the Trinity? In this
series we will address the question of whether we worship one God or three. We do talk about God the Father, God the Son, and
God the Holy Spirit! If three, then why do we say there is only one God? But, if only one, then how do we understand and explain
the three different names of God? And, does understanding the Trinity have any application for our lives today? We’ll address
these questions and more as we explore the forgotten Trinity. May 26-I Believe in God; June 2- I Believe in Jesus Christ; June 9- I
Believe in the Holy Spirit- Pentecost Sunday, June 16- The Trinity (Also coming this Summer- a series on Micah, and then a look at
some of the greater and lesser known figures in the Bible- stay tuned!)
First Friday Adults of all ages, join us this summer for First Friday! Held the first Friday of each month, a great
group of 40-80 folks meet in the Family Life Center at First United Methodist Church in Boerne for a brief
devotional, a wonderful program about all different topics, beautiful music & a delicious home-cooked lunch for
a small suggested donation of $3! The best part is great fellowship together! June 7-Program: Inishfree Irish
Dancers of San Antonio, July 12 (NOTE DATE CHANGE) - Program: First Friday favorite Clifton Fifer presents an amazing selection of
patriotic music, and August 2-Program: TBA We ask you to please RSVP for lunch for each gathering by calling the church office at
830-249-2565 by Thursday noon before the meeting. Please make reservations which will be June 6, July 11, and August 1.
There will be no Wednesday night congregational meals for the summer. We’ll take a break & let you know plans for the fall.
Fifth Sunday Don’t miss the next church family event with the Fifth Sunday Potluck Lunch after the 11:00 service
on June 30! Bring a dish to share and enjoy fellowship with church folks you might not see often because they attend
a different service than you, or meet new friends!
Centering Prayer meets in the Chapel each Wednesday from 6:00-7:00 pm, led by Chaplain Jenny Russell.
Grief Group Have you experienced the heart-breaking loss of someone special in your life--spouse, child, sibling,
friend? The Grief Group invites you to join them as a new group is forming on Monday morning 9:30-11:30 am in the Scout Hut.
The curriculum will help you understand and navigate through the grief process and feel like you’re not alone.
Are you a regular FUMC attender? Have you thought about joining our church and becoming an FUMC member but
weren’t sure how to do so, or why? We invite you to give one of the pastors a call at 830-249-2565, or write a note on your tear-
off registration slip in the bulletin for them to contact you.
Summer Music While our Chancel Choir and Handbells are taking a break this summer, you still have the opportunity to hear
some wonderful music.
MOVE: Faith and Fine Arts Our children (Kinder through 5th grade) will have their amazing worship arts camp July 8-12 and
will be part of worship on July 14! Visit the website to register your kids for this camp!
Cactus Pear Music Festival This renowned event is coming back to FUMC on July 14th at 3:00 pm and July 21st at
7:00 pm. Come hear incredible, world class musicians play in our beautiful Sanctuary. Tickets will be available at the
door, and are often available in advance in the main office. Feel free to call closer to time to see if we have them
available here at the church.
The Nguyen Family This remarkable family of musicians will grace us with their music once again. Three generations of the
same gifted family will perform a FREE concert, open to the public, in our Sanctuary on July 28 at 1:30pm.
Chancel Choir The choir will resume rehearsals on July 31st. If you have ever considered singing but had a few questions or
reservations, please contact Karen @ kandrews@fumc-boerne.org to ask! We would love to have you join us!
Passion Play of Oberammergau There are still a few spaces available on the July 2020 trip to
beautiful Germany and the to see the famous Passion Play of Oberammergau! It’s more than a play…it’s an
incredible story of faith and a covenant made with God almost 400 years ago. It's a story of a people who
honor the vows made by their ancestors and unite as a village to put forth an incredible display of love of
Our Lord. In 1633, the Black Plague was rampaging through Europe, killing thousands. The surviving villagers
of the small Bavarian community of Oberammergau made a vow: if God spared them from further deaths, they would perform a
Passion Play every 10 years. According to the story, no one else in the village died. So to fulfill their pledge, the townspeople
performed their play for the first time in 1634. Amazingly, Oberammergau has kept that promise to this day with performances
once every 10 years, this is an opportunity you don't want to miss! I hope you too will join in this fabulous tradition to see the
Passion Play. Watching the last days of Jesus unfold before you will leave you with renewed faith and an affirmation of the
importance of His Life and Resurrection. Contact Janet O’Day in the church office if you are interested in this “once-in-a-lifetime”
trip!
GROW FAMILY MINISTRY
Children’s Ministry
Kids Connect: Come take a LOOK at Kids Connect - our new Sunday Morning Experience from
10-11 am. Meet upstairs in the CEB for upcoming preschool-5th grade.
SWITCH is going to be a surprise! Planned for upcoming 6th graders following VBX /June 13/until 930 pm. Sign up at
https://www.fumc-boerne.org/ $30.00 registration fee.
MOVE: Faith and Fine Arts Day Camp July 8th -July 12th -- Our Theme is “Just-Us League for All” Become a Super
Hero like Micah! Visit the church website to register today! Cost is $60 per camper.
Upcoming 6th-12th graders! SQUAD WARS!!!!
Squad Wars are every Monday and Friday during the month of June from 6-7 pm. Contact the Family Ministry Team
for questions or follow us on Instagram.
Monday Munch Days Every Monday starting at 12. Check Instagram for locations each week, and meet us at the
restaurant.
FUN FOR ALL! Family Ministry POOL PARTY for everyone will be July 11 th and August 8th at the Boerne City Pool from
4-6 pm. Admission is $2-3 per person.
Glen Lake Camps: Please be in prayer for all the kids and students as they attend preteen, middle school and high
school camps at Glen Lake.
Student Ministry
Here are links and details on upcoming student/youth department events:
June
GLEN Lake Summer Camps Pre-registration required Preteen Camp is open for all children
that have completed the 3rd grade-5th grade as of May 2019. Camp is June 16th-21th and cost is
$375. Pumpkin Patch funds and Scholarships are available upon request. Contact Hollie Garza to sign up today.
Middle School Camp is open to all students that have completed the 5th grade-8th grade as of May 2019. Camp is
June 23th-28th and cost is $375. Pumpkin Patch funds and Scholarships are available upon request. Contact Hollie
Garza to sign up today.
High School Camp is open to all students that have completed the 8th grade-12th grade as of May 2019. Camp is June
30th-July 5th and cost is $375 Pumpkin Patch funds and Scholarships are available upon request. Contact Hollie Garza
to sign up today. Here is the link for the printable registration. Copies are available in the family ministry office.
https://docs.wixstatic.com/ugd/683e17_eb2af495da424fdfa7c5bdc754de85d4.pdf
July
MOVE Faith and Fine Arts Camp
July 8th-12th for kids entering 1st-entering 5th grades. Spend a week exploring the fine arts and growing
together in faith as we express scripture and stories in the Bible through singing, movement, theatre, art, and playing
hand chimes. On Friday July 12th at 7 pm we will showcase some of the things we learned. Register using the link
below by July 1st. Late registrations will be placed on a waiting list and enrolled as space becomes available. If your
child is entering 7th grade or higher, they can be a student helper. Please contact Hollie Garza at 830-249-2565/210
with any questions. The fee is $60 per person and is due by July 1st or on the first day of camp. Scholarships are
available upon request. https://fumc-boerne.churchcenter.com/registrations/events/223410
August Plans are in the works! Visit the website!
SERVE
Blood Drive June 9, 2019. Summer is a time of high demand. Give if you are able. FLC from 9:00-12:30 pm
What is ASP? Volunteers needed for the fall semester! The After School Program is a homework and
mentoring program at FUMC which serves at-risk elementary school children. Over 60 volunteers make this
program happen each week, doing a variety of jobs from helping with homework, serving snacks, driving or
chaperoning the bus, sharing a skill or talent, or leading chapel. Last school year, we served 24 children but with
more volunteers, we could reach even more children this school year! Contact the church office for more information.
FIRST UNITED METHODI ST CHURCH Presort Std
Non-Profit Org
205 EAST JAMES STREET U.S. Postage
BOERNE, TEXAS 78006 PAID
Permit No. 26
(830) 249-2565 FAX (830) 249-8553 Boerne, Texas 78006
WWW.FUMC-BOERNE.ORG
SUMMER 2019 DATED MATERIAL
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Church Family
Prayers: Elaine Pope, Barbara Green, Bille Busby, Patsy Braune, Brad Piper, Johnny Taylor, Sharon Blake, Noma
Freeman, Georgia Toepperwein, Susie Butler, Adele Burnham, Fran Morris, Bill Nichols, Maddie Barber, Richard Gray,
Cecile Richard, Mary Orman, Gwen Brewer, Rosemary Iles-Joann Marinelli's sister, Ralph Lawless, Hilda Reissig,
Gordon Norris, Michael Gill, Rachel Peckne's sister, Matt Johnson, Lahonda Sharp, Cindi Rodriguez's mom, Tracey Arnott's dad, JD
Allen, Sarah Dees, daughter of Sally Griffis, Silsbee Collins, Larry and Veronica Verley, Jerry & Barbara Edrington’s grandson Boone
We celebrate: new grandbabies for Scott & Dee Ann Wilson, Bruce & Laura Bray, Donna & Arthur Jones, and Loralee & Rex
Sprunger; a new great grandbaby for Charles and Norma Smith; baptisms of confirmand Evangeline Lee Laurentz, Hayes Laurence
Brennan, Isaiah and Jackson Latimer, Liam Nicholas Beschoner, Grace Stribling; The confirmation of 22 young people into the
church on Mother’s Day, May 12, 2019: Emma Brogan, Gabriel Decker, Wesley Decker, Jocelyn Decker, Hunter Garza, Garner
Graves, Sophia Harper, Robert Horner, Wyatt Jedlicka, Grace Johnson, Evie Laurentz, Leah Lira, Amelia Luper, Mia Mabry, Drew
Matney, Hannah Palmer, Brinley and Addelyn Robinson, Ava Rocchio, Owen Schulze, Ceci Theriot, and Finley Villareal
The seniors of the Class of 2019 from local high schools honored on May 19:
Jared Blake Matthew Garrett Deven McDonald Graham Whidbee
Anna Coulter Kendall Kaiser Margaret (Annie) Wallace Valerie Wosnig
We express our sympathy to: Patti Behrendt and family on the death of her grandparents; Elaine Pope and family on the death
of her husband, Joe; Janice Donner and family on the death of her mother; Monette O’Day and family on the death of her sister
Connie; Keith Kaiser and family on the death of his father; Matt Miller and family on the death of his father
Members/Friends related to our congregation who are in military service (Please help us update this list. Notify the church if any of
these postings have changed Ryan Smith (Norma and Charles Smith’s grandson), Rachel & Roland Peckne’s grandson – Seth Schoolcraft,
Maggie Worley’s nephew - Ryan Wittnauer, S. Sgt. Michael Messmore, Joseph Losoya, Lt. Eric Bowerman, Major Jeff Drawe, Henry
Fortinberry, Christopher Brown, Evan Swinghamer, Cody Davis, Kyle York, Kelly Schultz, Boyd Brack, Brandon Varnado, Lance Mile,
Randy Northrup, Cliff Betts, Morgan Brown, James Hammill, Matthew Doyal, Dan and Chris Larson. Hayden Lumley, Amanda
Winstead, Carol Gish’s son – Garett – in Iraq, Krissy Baxter, Patti Kerlin’s grandson-Fisher Koch, Bradley Wosnig (Air Force) and
Christian Wosnig (Marine Corps), Matt & Judy Hartnett’s grandson Travis, All those who serve in the military & their families
Memorials received for Mike Kimbrough, Jim Kenyon, Oleta Kesler, Max Deel, Rev. James C. Holman, Paula Whitworth Harris
Thanks for your generous support of the 2nd Annual Palm Sunday Kairos Cupcake Fundraiser. With your help, we raised
$1,732! In addition, the Seekers Sunday School Class donated $100 and other generous friends of Kairos donated $2,000
for a grand total of $3,832 delivered to Kairos Prison Ministry International-Torres Unit! Donations have been down this
year, so the funds were greatly needed for the upcoming Kairos weekend in July. With your support, we were able to shine the light
of Christ in a very dark place!
Thank you to all 67 individuals from FUMC and our community who volunteered in the After School Program this year. Whether
you drove the bus, prepared snacks, led Chapel, helped with homework, or joined us for enrichment, you made a positive difference
in the lives of our 23 students. Thank you for choosing to share your time and yourself with ASP!
Thanks to all the faithful volunteers this year in Children’s Ministry, Student Ministry, the church office, First Friday, worship services,
potlucks, special events, and preparing meals in the kitchen!! We couldn’t do ministry without you, and WE APPRECIATE YOU SO
MUCH!
Rev. Dr. Ricky Burk, Senior Pastor; Associate Pastor Rev. Dr. Russell Miller; Rev. Lori Balensiefen, Director of
Connectional Ministry; John Paul Spurlock, Director of Family Ministries; Karen Andrews, Director of Music & Worship
Worship Services: Sunday 8:00, 9:00, & 11:00 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 & 10:00 All Ages
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