Pathway with Purpose

Sunday, April 20, 2008

Commitment Card

Music Ministry at FUMCR (4/13 bulletin insert)

Children's Ministries at FUMCR (4/6 bulletin insert)

Outreach at FUMCR (3/30 bulletin insert)

Video Presentations

Pathway with Purpose brochure

Stories from our Pathway

Questions and Answers

Campaign Leaders

Commitment Sunday, April 20, 2008

Letter from the Pastor

“Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not rely on your own insight. In all your ways acknowledge him and he will make straight your paths.” Proverbs 3:5-6

Dear Church Family,

What an exciting time it is to be a part of First United Methodist Church Richardson! For the last 122 years our church has been on an exciting pathway, one which has taken us to four locations and numerous building phases.Along this pathway thousands of lives have been touched with the good news of God’s love for all.The ministry of our church has not only been a blessing to its members, but also to countless others in the community and around the world who have been blessed by our mission outreach.

Since moving into our Central Expressway campus in 2006, so many people have taken the pathway that leads into our wonderful new facilities. These facilities are now being pushed to their limits. Now is the time to take further steps along the pathway to do two things: 1) pay down our mortgage for greater financial health as a church, and 2) build needed education and music space to continue to expand our ministries.Will this complete the build out of our campus and be our last building campaign? No, but it is a vitally important step along the pathway toward fulfilling this dream.

What pleases me so much is that our church understands the purpose behind taking these steps along the pathway.We believe these steps will help us carry out our purpose as a church – to make disciples of Jesus Christ. Our mission statement expresses this so well: with open hearts and open minds, we welcome people for Christ, grow people in Christ,and serve people with Christ.Our commitment to making disciples for Jesus Christ will never change.That is our legacy….and that provides our pathway with purpose.

Please take time over the coming weeks to pray for our church. Go through the campaign materials you will receive and plan to be in worship each week as we share more information. Pray for the leaders of the campaign and pray about your own involvement and God’s will for you and your family. On April 20, we will all join together in one great hour of worship to make our commitments before God.We will step out together in faith down this pathway with purpose.

In Christ,
Clayton Oliphint, Senior Pastor