MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR
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Wednesday, December 19, 2024
Dear Church Family,
“For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.”
– Matthew 6:21
Dear Church Family,
As I reflect on this past year, I am filled with gratitude for the ways God has been at work through the ministries of our church. We have accomplished much in Jesus’ name, advancing our mission to “transform lives and communities by putting God’s love into action.” Your generosity and faithful financial support have made it all possible.
As we approach the end of 2024, we face a significant challenge. To fully fund our ministry and mission and to meet all of our financial commitments, we need to raise $784,314 by December 31. Meeting this goal is vital to sustaining and expanding the work God has called us to do.
Will you prayerfully consider how you might contribute to help us reach our financial goal? It will take gifts of every size to help us cross the finish line.
Here’s how you can help:
– Give online: https://onrealm.org/fmhouston/-/form/give/now.
– Mail a check: First Methodist Houston; Attn: Finance Office; 1320 Main Street; Houston, TX 77002.
– Drop a gift in the offering plate on Sunday morning.
Your generous giving is an investment in the lives we are transforming and the hope we are bringing to our community and to our world. Thank you for your partnership in this vital work. Together we can close the gap and enter 2025 ready to continue the great ministry we are doing together.
If you have any questions about your giving statement, or if you would like to give a gift of stock, please contact Seann Pearce at [email protected].
Yours In Christ,
Pastor Lance
Rev. Lance Richards
Senior Pastor
[email protected]
2024 End Of The Year Financial Update
General Ministries
Total # of Pledges: 200
Pledge Income Anticipated: $2,200,000
Pledge Income Received (YTD): $1,973,756
Pledge Income Needed by 12/31: $226,244
Non-Pledge Income Anticipated: $1,200,000
Non-Pledge Income Received (YTD): $641,930
Non-Pledge Income Needed by 12/31: $558,070
Total Income Needed For General Ministries by 12/31: $784,314
You can give today here.
2025 Stewardship Campaign
# of Pledges to Date: 140
Pledged Income to Date: $1,449,268
Goal for # of pledges: 200
# of Pledges to Reach Goal: 60
Financial Goal: $2,000,000
Needed to Reach Goal: $550,732
Stretch Goal: $2,400,000
(this will allow us to fund all current ministries due to inflationary expenses on fixed costs)
You can make a pledge online today at fmhouston.com/abundantly-more.
Here’s Some Of What Else Is Happening At First Methodist!
Chrismon Game
Calling are kids! Join the Chrismon Game at First Methodist Houston by finding all the symbols on the chrismon tree in the downtown campus sanctuary or the west campus chapel! Win a prize when you find the symbols on the tree that are on the game!
Lessons and Carols
On the Sunday before Christmas, join us for Lessons and Carols, a beloved tradition in our Advent season! Sunday, December 22nd, we will host a special service on both campuses – on our West Campus at 9 AM and Downtown Campus at 11 AM. It’s a sacred service of joyful music and holy readings, moving us reverently towards […]
NIA Children’s Christmas Celebration
Join us for the NIA Children’s Christmas Party on December 18th from 6-8PM. Volunteers are needed for setup beginning at 3PM and clean-up until 8:30PM.
Christmas Eve Downtown Campus
Join First Methodist Houston for Christmas Eve at our downtown campus. We will have two Christmas Eve traditional worship services at the times of 7 PM & 11 PM at the downtown campus. We will also have Christmas Eve traditional worship services at the west campus at 3 PM and 5 PM.
Christmas Eve West Campus
Join First Methodist Houston for Christmas Eve at our west campus. We will have two Christmas Eve traditional worship services at the times of 3 PM & 5 PM We will also have two Christmas Eve traditional worship services at the downtown campus at 7 PM & 11 PM.
Christmas Eve West Campus
Join First Methodist Houston for Christmas Eve at our west campus. We will have two Christmas Eve traditional worship services at the times of 3 PM & 5 PM.
Quillian Holiday Care
Never too late to think about holiday care while the kids are out of school. Quillian Center has you covered! We offer holiday care for children ages 5 – 14 during Thanksgiving and Christmas holiday. Holiday Care begins at 8 AM and ends at 6:30 PM except for November 27, Christmas Eve & New Year’s Eve, care will end at 3:00 PM on these days.
Walk To Emmaus
The Walk to Emmaus is an experience of Christian spiritual renewal and formation that begins with a 3-day short course in Christianity. It’s an opportunity to meet Jesus Christ in a new way, as God’s grace and love are revealed to you through other believers.The objective of Emmaus is to inspire, challenge, and equip local […]
Quillian Volunteers Needed
Quillian Center offers several programs for our children and youth. We are currently in need of volunteers. Let us know how you you would like to help!
Turkey & Greece Trip
A biblical & cultural journey is a 13 day trip to Turkey & Greece. Join us to experience these beautiful & inspiring places that will stay with you for years to come.
Lifeline Needs Volunteers
Currently, Lifeline serves 100 sack lunches each week. While we serve both men and women, about 95% of our clients are men. Clients are welcome to visit on Monday or Wednesday mornings. We are looking for Volunteers to help in our efforts on serving the community. We need volunteers on Monday or Wednesdays between 8:45 […]
Stephen Ministry Can Help
Are You Going Through A Difficult time? A Stephen Minister can help. Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who listen, care, and spiritual support to people going through a crisis or a difficult time.
Kidz Night Out at Quillian Center
Kidz Night Out is hosted several Friday nights per month, and it’s just for kids. Children between the ages of 5 to 14 will engage in a fun, energetic and safe environment focused on keeping the children active. They will have the opportunity to hang out with friends, interact with a professional and fun loving […]
Discipleship Interest Survey
What Are You Looking For? Our new pastor of discipleship, Steven Newcomb, has put together a survey to find out what our congregation is looking for in regards to classes, Sunday schools, and mid-week Bible studies. We’d very much like to know what you want. The link to take the discipleship survey is here. Let […]
Pastor Steven Sunday Study
Looking for a Sunday Morning Study, but not connected with a Sunday School Class. For a few weeks, we’ll be holding an all-downtown study during the Sunday School hour in the Fellowship Hall. The study will be based on Sandra Richter’s book, Epic of Eden: A Christian Approach to the Old Testament, and it will […]
Lifeline Donations
Lifeline is in need of some specific donations as we get into the summer months. As the weather gets hot, Lifeline has found itself short of a number of items our homeless community is in need of. If you are able, please purchase or donate any of these items and drop them off in the […]
NIA Weekly Volunteer Ministries
Neighbors in Action is looking for volunteers for our weekly volunteer ministries. Please contact Kathrin Meier for more information: [email protected]
Volunteers Needed
Get Involved! If you’re interested in being a part of the ministry of First Methodist Houston, but aren’t sure where you might fit, scan the QR code and find out! Take our volunteer accelerator quiz, or scroll through the opportunities available and see what feels right to you.