The Beacon
Blue Mound UMC December 2024
What’s Next?
Over the past ten years I have here this phrase from various sources. Because of the
changes in my life, I have asked myself this question on several occasions. Maybe you
have asked this question too. What’s Next?
With illness, natural disasters, wars, rising costs, job issues, deaths of family and friends
and the world’s political conditions, However, in the face of all these “issues” believing
can become hard. How can we judge what will truly come next?
– “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord, “plans to prosper you and not to
harm you, plans to give you hope and a future.” Jerimiah 29:11
Is this a promise one we can claim for today. As one of God’s children. You bet it is!
When the baby Jesus was born, he gave all people hope for the future.
For unto us a child is born, to us a son is given, and the government will be on his shoulders.
And he will be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Of the Greatness of His Government and Peace There Will Be No End. Isaiah 9: 6-7
Every generation, every century, every decade has faced: What more can happen?”
What’s Next? We must trust in God during our moments in time. God has a plan.
The child, Jesus, grew up and gave us access to God the Father and all His promises.
-Linda
I’ve been asked a couple of times recently about apportionments. The
main way we support the ministries of the global United Methodist Church is through our
apportioned funds. Together, through our connected congregations, we accomplish what
no single church, district or annual conference ever could hope to do alone. In this way,
each individual, each family, each congregation gives a fair share for the church's work.
We combine our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness to make a significant
difference in the lives of God's people.
The general funds include The World Service Fund, The Ministerial Education
Fund, The Episcopal Fund, The Black College Fund, The Interdenominational
Cooperation Fund, The Africa University Fund, and The General Administration Fund. In
November we learned more about The World Service Fund. This month we’ll learn more
about The Black College Fund.
One of the most significant ways The United Methodist Church helps make quality
education accessible to all is through The Black College Fund. In 1972, The UMC
established The Black College Fund to provide a constant, reliable approach to support
United Methodist historically Black colleges and universities (HBCUs) related to the
church. The fund supports eleven HBCUs – the largest number of Black colleges and
universities receiving funding from any church body in the United States. One of the
ways United Methodist churches support The Black College Fund through
apportionments.
These eleven institutions play an essential role in shaping diverse young leaders for
the church and the world. UM-related HBCUs offer a chance to everyone with a dream
and a commitment to excel – regardless of race, class, gender or ethnic heritage.
The UM-related HBCUs are responsible for educating some of the world’s most
effective and recognized leaders. That impressive cadre includes preachers, district
superintendents, bishops, college professors and presidents, general agency staff,
legislators and community leaders.
Pastor’s Corner – Apportionments Page 2 of 3
Among the well-known graduates of the eleven United Methodist HBCUs are Dr.
Joycelyn Elders, a 1952 graduate of Philander Smith College and the first African
American and the second woman to serve as the U.S. surgeon general, and James L.
Farmer Jr., a 1938 Wiley College graduate and civil rights leader who helped found the
Congress of Racial Equality (CORE).
These schools and their graduates have a rich legacy of service and are a source of
great pride in their communities.
Colleges supported by The Black College Fund are able to keep tuition relatively
low so students with modest incomes may attend. The fund gives the participating
colleges and universities the finances they need to support college staff and faculty who
can serve as strong intellectual, cultural and spiritual mentors. The fund also supports
intern programs to enrich communication skills. Through The Black College Fund, we’re
working together to ensure that the institutions that have equipped our nation’s finest
leaders continue for years to come.
On average, United Methodist congregations provide between 87 and 89 percent of
the funds apportioned for The Black College Fund. This is achieved through the UMC’s
special giving structure, which ensures your generosity blesses as many people as
possible in sustainable, strategic ways. More than 95 percent of all proceeds of the fund
flow directly to HBCU campuses, where they help to strengthen programs, provide vital
infrastructure and keep tuition costs low. These colleges are and always have been open
to all.
The Black College Fund supports:
Bennett College
Greensboro, NC
www.bennett.edu
Bethune-Cookman University
Daytona Beach, FL
www.bethune.cookman.edu
Pastor’s Corner – Apportionments Page 3 of 3
Claflin University
Orangeburg, SC
www.claflin.edu
Clark Atlanta University
Atlanta, GA
www.cau.edu
Dillard University
New Orleans, LA
www.dillard.edu
Huston-Tillotson University
Austin, TX
www.htu.edu
Meharry Medical College
Nashville, TN
www.mmc.edu
Paine College
Augusta, GA
www.paine.edu
Philander Smith College
Little Rock, AR
www.philander.edu
Rust College
Holly Springs, MS
www.rustcollege.edu
Wiley College
Marshall, TX
www.wileyc.edu
I hope this helps you better understand where some of our apportionment dollars
go. Next month we’ll try to understand a little more about how our apportionments bless
the Church and the world in other ways!
Peace be with you, Buster
Wonderful Celebrations
Happy Birthday Jesus!
Birthday
12 Jim Bridges
18 Vivienne Haisler
25 Gayla Ziegel
30 Alyse Hokamp
Gabriella Hardin-Satter
Anniversary
16 Gayland and Beth Fleming
14 Harley and Stephanie Hutson
Blue Mound’s Version of a Post Office
Look for the Christmas Mail Sacks
Christmas Mail “boxes” (sacks) for each family of our church will be set up in the Fellowship Hall.
A list of names for these sacks will be available so you can make out your cards ahead of time.
These sacks are for letters only – not gifts. They can be for Christmas Cards and Thank You
Notes. Join the fun and joy of sharing Christmas, the best part is No Stamp is necessary.
For Kids of All Ages
Solved the Word Scramble for a Great Message
SJUES _____________
OVLSE _________
UYO _____________
A Christmas Prayer
God,
We’re so grateful for the gift of Jesus. We humbly ask that You
will fill our hearts with His love, our lives with His joy, and our
Christmas season with His peace.
We celebrate Your Son and Thank You again for all You have
done.
AMEN
December special events Calendar
Advent Sundays for 2024: December 1, 8, 15, & 22
The season of Advent, which comes from the Latin word adventus meaning "coming" or "visit”.
Advent is the beginning of the church year for Christians. During Advent, we prepare for and
anticipate the coming of Christ. We remember the longing of Jews for a Messiah and our own
longing for and need of forgiveness, salvation and a new beginning. Even as we look back and
celebrate the birth of Jesus in a humble stable in Bethlehem, we also look forward anticipating the
second coming of Christ as the fulfillment of all that was promised by his first coming. Special
Advent readings and lighting of the advent candles during worship are done each of the 4 Sundays
before Christmas.
Holy Communion December 1st
Christmas Cheer Boxes & 2 nd Second Sunday Lunch, December 8
Each year we transform shoe boxes into colorfully wrapped and filled Christmas Cheer Boxes for
our shut-ins, home bound or nursing home people. These special folks and families may be in need
of some extra cheer during this Holiday season. This year the Cheer Boxes will be filled and
delivered on Sunday, December 8 th . This is Second Sunday Lunch, so come to Church, have lunch
and help with spreading some Christmas Joy.
Keep in touch for more details on how you can help with items to fill the boxes.
Christmas Eve Service Tuesday, December 24, 4 p.m. by Pastor Buster Noah
Family Fellowship Night, Dec 28 at 6:00 pm Fun, Games, and Food
New Year’s Eve Celebration: Fellowship, Food & Games- Tuesday Dec 31 st 6-9 p.m.
BLUE MOUND UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
8421 N. Interstate 35, Denton, TX 76207-1537 (940) 382-0825
Midway between Denton and Sanger at Exit 473
Sunday School: 9:30 am, Sunday Worship: 10:45 am
Website: www.bluemoundumc.org
Linda Boyer, Newsletter Editor
Need to contact Pastor Buster Noah?
Email: pastor@bluemoundumc.org
