TROUPE BECOMES NEW PASTOR

In a unanimous vote during a Special Church Conference on Wednesday March 21^st, David Troupe was elected to become pastor on-call of University EMC.

According to the EMC Discipline, once a church selects a new pastor, he is on call for a period of one year. After this first year, the church will vote whether to keep the pastor on-call or to search for someone else.

During this Conference, the new pastor’s salary and benefits were set. Other final details will be worked out with pastor Troupe in person at a future Administrative Board meeting.

The selection of brother Troupe came about through months of praying after former pastor Charles Mulholland announced his retirement effective March 25^th.

On Sunday, March 25^th, the church presented pastor Mulholland with a plaque, honoring his 10 years of service as pastor of the church. Deaconess Carol Ferris gave the speech and presented the plaque during Sunday morning announcement time.

Mulholland came to University EMC in 1991 after former pastor Charles Rodolico’s resignation. as a guest speaker. Immediately, several members felt it was God’s will for Mulholland to become the new pastor.

Mulholland was not credentialed with the EMC at the time. But with the supervision of the District Superintendent, pastor Charlie was allowed to speak indefinitely as a preacher on “honorarium” (being paid for each sermon given, rather than by salary).

In his 10 years as pastor, Mulholland brought a renewed Biblical focus to the church. The church did not grow as expected—Some nights it was only he and Dorothy sitting near the prayer rail. But the church grew spiritually as prayer and Bible study became the mission of the church.

Most recently, pastor Charlie hosted “The Pastor’s Study,” a weekly Bible teaching radio broadcast. University EMC was recognized by 94.9 The Word FM (now 100.7 FM) as “Church of the Week” the second week of last December. The sanctuary was packed in honor of this special award.

Sunday afternoon, the church honored the Mulhollands with a dinner at El Matador, a local Mexican cuisine restaurant. After the evening service, the congregation gathered in the Fellowship Hall for cake and ice cream.

Mulholland cited many family and personal reasons for his retirement.

He said he and wife Dorothy plan to do some traveling after they leave Denton, and perhaps do some temporary serving with a church they became acquainted with in Ireland. g

UEMC Spotlight:

David Troupe

Years with the EMC: 33.

Brought to Christ by San Diego EMC on September 15, 1968

Wife: Brenda (Doss) Troupe, his high school sweetheart

Children:

-David James Troupe, supervisor Velspar Corp., in Indiana

-Deborah McNeely medical transcriptionist, in Georgia

-Deana Bowe, a Nazarene pastor's wife in Florida

-Brenda Lee Reynolds, substitute teacher in Copperas Cove

Education, Awards, etc.

B. A. Pastoral Ministries & Bible at Vennard College. U. S. Navy chaplain. Many Trophies and awards in Baseball, Softball, and Volleyball and officiated at several world tournaments

Favorite Bible Book: Phillipians

Favorite Hymn: And Can It Be?

Favorite TV Show: Various Sports Broadcasts and “The Price is Right”

Favorite Food: Chinese, especially fried rice!

If you could be president of the United States for one day, what would you try to accomplish?

“I would return prayer back to the schools and give out school vouchers freely. Also, would reverse Roe vs. Wade immediately.

Comments:

My dreams are for the church to come alive and reach the

un-churched in our community. Evangelism is the "KEY WORD" for me. g

Church News.

Radio Show Service

As mentioned in the headline story, former pastor Charles Mulholland and the congregation of University EMC were recognized by 94.9 The Word FM with the designation of “Church of the Week, December 3-9^th, 2000.” In honor of the event, former members of the church, members of area EMC churches, and friends of Charlie’s came to recognize “The Pastor’s Study” radio outreach effort. The sanctuary was filled to capacity to the sheer delight of our small church. Station Manager Pete Thompson himself came to present pastor Charlie with the award and plaque.

Radio Show Cancelled

Sadly enough, despite the rolling success of “The Pastor’s Study” series II program and recognition from the host station, 100.7 The Word FM, Former pastor Charlie Mulholland decided that the show must end. Technically, the show is his intellectual property; therefore as he retires, the show retires as well. He claims the show received very little feedback and did the church little to no good, and no souls were reported saved. The broadcast time was Sunday morning at 10:30am, before Prestonwood Baptist Church’s popular morning broadcast.

Sparks Resign

After years of service to University EMC, Donnie and Charlotte Sparks stepped down from their positions. Donnie served on the Administrative Board several years before he became chairman for the last 4. Charlotte served as church secretary off and on during those same years. They intend to visit every now and again, and were present for pastor Mulholland’s final sermon. Their outgoingness and faithful service, as well as their granddaughters Sattin and Christa, will be dearly missed.

Jesus Fest 2001

In cooperation with several area churches, University EMC will help to sponsor JesusFest, a celebration of our Lord and Savior and a day of fun and fellowship of the Denton Christian community. Ironically, the only time the organizers could find to rent the Denton County Fairgrounds was for the same time as the Fry St. Fair— Saturday April 14^th. Admission is free. There will be a host of speakers and events. Music will be led by a notable praise and worship minister Dennis Jernnigan.

Maple Street Building Update

According to the pastor of New Creation Church (the former inhabitants of our former church building on Maple and Welch near UNT, and a church helping to spearhead JesusFest), the property was annexed by the University of North Texas. The University’s plans for the building (or the site thereof) are unclear at this point. However, it is reported that a significant amount of money was paid to New Creation church to compensate for the property and the facility. New Creation was then able to purchase a large building off of Bonnie Brae Street to expand ACTS (Accelerated Christian Teaching School). New Creation now meets in their ACTS facility, and the building on Maple sits abandoned and in bad repair. For a complete history of the building, see issue 5 of the Newsletter or visit an online edition at the church website.

Johnsons’ Thursday Night Bible Study

Keeping in the tradition of early Methodism, which thrived through small group Bible study and prayer, David and Diana Johnson host a Bible Study at their house on Congress Street each Thursday night at 7pm. All are welcome, and refreshments are provided. For more information, contact David or Diana at 387-0939 or at dndjuk@flash.net g

No News— Or so it would seem

Andrew Hogue, Editor at-large

I really apologize for the lateness of this issue. I try to get one out each quarter. It seemed for a while that there was nothing to say about University EMC. I was wrong. As the old cliché goes, “everything was quiet-- a bit too quiet.”

All of the sudden, things began to change. Donnie and Charlotte Sparks resigned. I never thought I’d see that day. The church received the Church of the Week award from 100.7 The Word FM, and we packed the house (didn’t think I’d see that day, either). And to make things all the more interesting, pastor Charlie decided to retire.

All of this when I thought nothing was going on. I suppose God had other plans.

Now that I feel enough has happened to fill a good-sized newsletter, I’m sad to say that there’s not even more to discuss. There are so many opportunities to share the gospel in this community, there should be no time for any of us to be bored!

You should see what a believer has to deal with at work and at college. Even Christians (in name only, perhaps) regularly discuss “gettin’ with” each other (a casual reference to casual sex outside of marriage). On a daily basis, I see around me rampant sin in all forms-- alcohol addiction, drug abuse, gambling habits, rape victimization, threats of suicide, and even witchcraft.

Occasionally, one of my indulgent classmates will contract liver damage from all the binge drinking. Some even die from it.

It is projected those infected with sexually-transmitted diseases make up over 50% of the student population. Meanwhile, the feminists and homosexuals make a futile attempt to end sexual assault with publicity stunts such as “The Vagina Monlogues” (I’m not kidding).

We’re doing a lot to thwart their efforts on our campus and making some serious progress, so please don’t be discouraged. But there’s such a long road ahead.

Only God knows if what we’re doing has any effect. I must keep in mind His Word when He said,

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.” --Isaiah 55:11

All of my efforts could feel a DAILY newsletter! The Lord knows I could—If I had the time! [smiles.] But it is all in vain if I do not profess the word of God.

Despite success or failure, the overflow of sin should give our church enough to do. Are there not enough people heading toward eternal destruction even as we speak?

This Newsletter is about church news—what we do together to spread the gospel and reflect the glory of God. I ask you the reader, what have we done as a church body to stop this epidemic of sin? Sure we pray, and boy do we pray!. But we must also act. Are we so caught up in “professional religion” that we have no time or money to invest in the Great Commission Christ has set before us (Mark 16:15)? Surely if we can afford to pay a pastor and to keep the electric bill paid, we can at least invest some time, work, and money into the promotion of the gospel.

From what I have heard, pastor David Troupe is one who is not afraid to reach out and offer Christ to the lost. I’m sure he has some big plans for this church, and I pray that we will have the courage and the vision to jump behind him and support his evangelistic efforts. Will we have the patience and the love to accept sin-sick people as they walk through the doors of our sanctuary? What would Jesus do? (More importantly, what IS Jesus doing?)

Maybe in the upcoming years, this newsletter will have to come out twice per month to contain all of the news and happenings of our church. In the meantime, there is still much to do.

“The harvest is plenteous, but few workers there be.” --Jesus,

Matthew 9:37

Let’s get out there and fill the blanks for our next newsletter! g

Does “going to church”

save your soul?

Jesus Christ never said meeting with other Christians would redeem your soul. Nor does he say that listening to a sermon will save you, or excuse you in the day of final judgment. And he never said being born into a Christian family means you are saved.

It has been said that going to church doesn’t make you a Christian anymore than walking into a garage makes you a car! The Bible gives only one method in which we can be saved:

“When the disciples heard it, they were exceedingly amazed, saying,

‘Who then can be saved?’ But Jesus beheld them and said unto them,

‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.”

--Jesus, Mathew 19:26

Therefore, it is not man who can save, but God alone who has the power to grant entrance into eternal life in His presence.

So then, how do we grant His permission to be saved? We cannot do anything of our own strength to convince Him. He lovingly gave us his GRACE and forgiveness in which we may trust for our salvation.

“He that hears my word, and believes on him [God] who sent me,

has everlasting life, and shall not come into condemnation, but is passed from death unto life.”

--Jesus, John 5:24

Church is indeed important. This is where we pray for and encourage each other, and also praise the Lord and study His Word as a group. If you are not in a church that does this, then get out and find another one quickly! We are told by Paul not to ignore the assembling of fellow believers in Christ (Hebrews 10:25). Make sure you are with other true believers.

How about you? Are you a believer? Has there been a definite moment in your life when you believed in the Lord Jesus Christ as your Savior and let him into your heart? If not, then please ask for Him to enter you and save you from sin and death today.

All it takes is a one prayer.

If you have any questions or just want to talk, please call us at 1(940)382-4824. We will gladly pray with you.

THE MIDDLE OF

THE BIBLE

Did you know that:

1.)Psalm 118 is the middle chapter of the entire Bible?
2.) Psalm 117, before Psalm 118, is the shortest chapter in the Bible?
3.)Psalm 119, after Psalm 118 is the longest chapter in the Bible?
4.)The Bible has 594 chapters before Psalm 118 & 594 chapters after
Psalm 118?
5.)Add up all the chapters except Psalm 118, you get a total of 1188
chapters.
6.)1188 or Psalm 118 verse 8 is the middle verse of the entire Bible?

Shouldn't the central verse have an important message? Take a look sometime.

`Sanctified…`

“In justification there is life:

In sanctification there is life more abundant.

In justification there is love:

In sanctification there is perfect love which casteth out fear.

In justification the ‘old man’ is repressed:

In sanctification the ‘old man’ is destroyed.

In justification there is ‘peace with God:

In sanctification there is ‘the peace of God.’

Justification destroys the ‘shoots’ of sin:

Sanctification destroys the ‘roots’ of sin.

Justification gives us the right to heaven:

Sanctification gives us the fitness for heaven…”

--CW Ruth, “Foundations of Doctrine,” by Harry Jessop

Don’t put off God’s amazing grace by waiting for “the right time” to grow spiritually—Be filled with the Holy Ghost today! (Ephesians 5:18, I Thessalonians 5:19)

Schedule of Services

Sunday:

10am, Sunday School

11am, Sunday School

6pm, Evening Service

Wednesday:

7pm, Bible Study/Prayer

Monthly:

1^st Sunday- The Lord’s Supper

3^rd Sunday- Administrative Board meeting

4^th Sunday- “The Vintage” retirement home outreach

(at The Vintage on Bonnie Brae Street)

At Random: Coverdish Lunch

Next Issue:

l The Denton Connection

How Methodist preacher John B. Denton, the man whom Denton is named, left behind a Christian legacy

l The First Few Months

An update on pastor Dave Troupe’s “administration,” and a look into how things may be changing for your church.

l And more Biblical, absolutist, conservative, evangelical, fundamentalist stuff

a publication of

University Evangelical

Methodist Church

Meeting at 2216 North Bolivar

In beautiful Denton, Texas

e-mail us at universityemc@hotmail.com

This issue dedicated to

Dr. Charles Mulholland and his wife Dorothy.

Though we did not grow much in numbers, God’s promises remain true for all in His Church. Like Moses who helped to lead the Israelites to the Promised Land but could not go in, you led us to a closer walk with the Lord and have left us on the verge of spiritual awakening. As we peer over the mountain to see the plans God has in store for us, we thank you for seeing us along the way.