My name is Joyce Ann Herzog. I am privileged to be the pastor here at Manor United Church. I feel very honored to be appointed at this church. For those of you who may not know, Manor UMC is my home church. My family and I lived across the street from the church. I could walk over anytime I wanted and go into the church to just sit down. Those were the days when the church doors didn’t have to be locked.
 
One of those times when I went into the church, I brought my doggy named Rusty and my sheep named Sugar Lump. We all set on the step area of the altar and I pretended to tell them stories. I can’t tell you the reason why I did this, I just felt safe there. I was happy in the sanctuary. It was a place where I was drawn to without fully understanding why. As an adult l can now comprehend the reason; I felt the presence of God there.
 
It is awesome now to realize that what I did as a young child, spend time with Jesus, I can still do today. In the past, I told stories to my dearest furry friends, and today I sit in the same place and get the privilege to tell children about Jesus! God was preparing me even as a young child to spread his love and I am grateful to be able to continue doing so.
 
I consider myself unique in many ways. I was born in Manor, TX and have never left. I plan on staying around here until Jesus calls me to my eternal home in heaven. I am one of three children born to Carl and Helen Torn. I am the youngest and the only girl. Growing up in Manor gave me such a strong foundation of family. Relationships were important and I believe relationships are gifts from God. I was baptized at Manor UMC and went to Sunday School here. As I got older, I participated in the adult Bible Studies. I was married at the church too and both of our children were baptized here also. My life has deep roots in this church.
 
Just like many of us, I strayed from the church for a period of time. I remember that a pastor who was appointed here reached out to me when our first child was born. That act of love brought me back to the church. I want to do the same for others.
 
I knew I wanted to be a pastor very early in my adulthood, but I didn’t take any action to move forward until 2019. I went through Licensing School in UMC and was appointed to my first church in 2020. In July of 2023, I took some time off from the ministry, but God had other plans in store for me. I was asked to preach one Sunday a month at Manor UMC beginning in September 2023. Then in March 2024, I was asked to preach two Sundays. Then it happened. I was appointed to be the pastor at Manor UMC by the district in July 2024.  
 
I can’t tell you how blessed I feel in being chosen to be the pastor at Manor UMC. I take this calling seriously and pray for the strength, wisdom, and compassion daily to be a Good Shepherd. If someone would have told me years ago this would have happened, I would have told them it wasn’t possible. But in scripture, I find a different answer, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are possible.” (Matthew 19:26)
 
I know I’m not perfect, nor are we ever asked by God to be perfect. God asks us to spend time with him to learn who he is and who we are. What I know is that God has placed me in ministry to tell others about the love of Jesus. Being a shepherd to lead people to Christ is a job I take seriously and it begins with loving people where they are. That’s what Jesus does for me each day and this is what I hope to live my life telling others he will do the same for them.
 
If you want to join a group of imperfect people who are trying their best to do God’s work, then come join us here at Manor UMC. We always have room for one more.
 
You are loved,
Pastor Joyce Ann
 

​Pastor's Corner From Our Newsletter

Family and friends of Manor United Methodist Church,
Hello, December is a very special month. Dec. 1st begins our Advent Season, the season to anticipate the birth of Jesus Christ, his arrival into our world! Each week we will be discussing the four themes of Advent: Hope, Peace, Joy, and Love. Focusing on these themes help us to remember the reason for the season – Jesus. And, I don’t know anyone that can’t benefit from more hope, peace, joy, and love in their lives, including myself.
 
There are many extra special things we are going to be doing this month. They are:
 
Advent Bible Study – The first class began on 11-24-24, but you are welcome to join us for the remaining 3 classes being held on Dec. 1, 8, 15 at 9 a.m. in the fellowship hall. The classes are also being offered on Thursdays at noon on Dec. 5, 12, and 19. If you want to participate, just reach out to me, Thom, or Chuck to join us.  
We had a very busy group come to the church on Nov. 30th to prepare the sanctuary for Christmas. During the service on Dec. 1, we will decorate the tree as a family of believers. Please come to join us in this event.  
Then on Dec. 11th, we will have our Meals with Manor. This, of course, is the last one for the year. Please consider coming up and being a part of this outreach. Let our neighbors know we care for them through your presence and your service. The meal starts at 6 p.m., but stop by before to give a hand in preparing it, and then stay to enjoy it, the food and the fellowship.   
Dec. 14th is the day for the CHRISTmas Shoppe. It’s intentional in how its spelled. It’s not just Christmas shopping, it’s CHRISTmas shopping. Through much effort and many volunteers, we are able to provide parents with the opportunity to pick presents for their children, and at the same time, allow the children to choose presents for their parents. This is a wonderful example of how we are being the hands and feet of Christ. Again, you can join us. We are always looking for more people to help this event be a success. You can donate things and you can come on the 14th to help assist the families with shopping, help with organizing or help with the clean-up. Either way, your spirit will be filled with, hope, peace, joy, and love, and so will the people who come. I guarantee it! Reach out to Nancy for all the other details and opportunities to be of service.  
We are starting something new this Advent Season. On Dec. 15th, we are having a HAPPY BIRTHDAY JESUS PARTY. What in the world is this, you might ask? We are going to get together inviting our Christian neighbors to join us in a Christmas Carol singing. We will read the story of Jesus’ birth and worship together. The party starts at 5 p.m. We ask everyone who comes to bring something sweet to share. After the party, we’ll go into the fellowship hall and eat goodies! Oh, I hope you’ll come and join in for this fun!  
And finally, we will have a Christmas Eve-Eve Service on Dec. 23 at 6 p.m. It will be a candlelight service, a time to reflect on the awesomeness of the Baby Jesus. Please bring your family and your friends to this service to help prepare your spirits for the Christmas morn.  
Here are the Scripture passages for the 1st three Sundays in December. They are:
Dec. 1 – Jeremiah 33:14-16, Psalm 25:1-10, 1 Thessalonians 3:9-13, and Luke 21:25-36 Dec. 8 – Malachi 3:1-4, Philippians 1:3-11, and Luke 1:68-79, 3:1-6 Dec. 15 – Isaiah 12:2-6, Zephaniah 3:14-20, Philippians 4:4-7, and Luke 3:7-18  
Keep in mind these are ALL the verses per week and I challenge you to read them all. Reading scripture helps you learn more about the Word of God and makes your soul content. I will still post the verses I choose for the Sunday Service on each Saturday through Facebook, and by email if you have requested it. If you don’t use Facebook, I am welcome to email the verses to you, all you need to do is let me know.
 
The birthday persons for December are:
Jessica Layssard – Dec. 16
Cade Baccus – Dec. 19
Mary Ann Parker – Dec. 23
 
Please make sure to share birthday greetings with all of them when you see them.
 
December is here for us to celebrate the Baby Jesus, the one who brings hope, peace, joy, and love into our hearts. Let’s make time during this Advent season to make time for Jesus. There are as many ways to do this as there are persons. I invite you to take some to time to think about how you can include Jesus into your life a little bit more. That might mean you joining the Advent Bible Study. It might mean you come and be a part of the special events happening at our church during December. It might mean that you read the Christmas Story in the Bible again and again. You can find the story in Luke beginning 1:26-38, and 2:1-20. Or you can read what Matthew has to say about it in 1:1-24. And don’t forget Isaiah 9:6 or Jeremiah 33:14-16 which foretells of Jesus’ birth. Jesus is the reason for the season. May our actions match what Christmas means.
 
With gratitude,
Pastor Joyce Ann