Church News
Dinner Bell Menu for January 7, 2026
January 2, 2026 – WEEK OF: January 7, 2026
COMMUNITY PARTNER: John & Mary Heilman, JHH Investments
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
On January 7, 2026, the Dinner Bell Feeding Ministry is beginning its Fifteenth Year of providing meals to those who are unable to adequately provide for themselves at mealtime. John & Mary Heilman, of JHH Investments, repeat (several times yearly) as the first Community Partner for 2026.
John moved to Sulphur Springs in 1973 after serving in the Marines in Viet Nam. He joined the police department and served until 1978. In his spare time he engaged in remodeling projects and Heilman Properties was established. Realiz ing the need for upgrading downtown properties, he started the Downtown Renovation Project in 2011. The Chamber of Commerce presented John with the Renewal Project Award for his efforts. The other businesses of which John is a partner are Bar H Concrete, M&W Feed and Village Pawn Shop.
Aware of the needs of children and families, John and Mary support not only the Dinner Bell, but the Hospital Gala, the Rotary Club and Blue Santa.
This first meal of 2026 is comprised of food items that are associated with “good luck”.
MENU:
Ham (Progress / Prosperity) – pigs root forward when feeding
Fried Cabbage (Dollars) – the more the merrier
Black-eyed Peas (Pennies) – to jingle in our pockets
Creamy Grape Salad—12 eaten at midnight – good luck fo reach month of the year!
Cornbread Squares – (Gold) – a precious metal that enriches
Peach Cobbler Crisp (SWEET) – “poetic license” for a sweet year
HAPPY 2026!!!!
The Dinner Bell Ministry
First United Methodist Church
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices We would encourage you to wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
*We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Dinner Bell Menu for December 24 & 31, 2025
December 11, 2025 – WEEK OF: December 24 & 31, 2025
COMMUNITY PARTNER: N/A
The Angel of the Lord told the Shepherds living in the fields, “I am bringing you news of great joy for all the people. Un to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. From Luke 2: 10-11.
This Christmas message has been repeated for over two thousand years. May it bring joy, peace, and comfort to you and your families.
Merry Christmas from The Dinner Bell at the First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas. There will be no meal service on December 24 nor December 31, 2025.
See you on January 7, 2026!
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
MENU:
N/A
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices. We recommend you wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Dinner Bell Menu for December 24 & 31, 2025
December 11, 2025 – WEEK OF: December 24 & 31, 2025
COMMUNITY PARTNER: N/A
The Angel of the Lord told the Shepherds living in the fields, “I am bringing you news of great joy for all the people. Un to you is born this day in the City of David a Savior, who is the Messiah, the Lord. From Luke 2: 10-11.
This Christmas message has been repeated for over two thousand years. May it bring joy, peace, and comfort to you and your families.
Merry Christmas from The Dinner Bell at the First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas. There will be no meal service on December 24 nor December 31, 2025.
We wish everyone a MERRY CHRISTMAS and a very HAPPY NEW YEAR!
Come join us for our Christmas Eve Service, starting at 6 p.m. in the Sanctuary. And, of course, you are always welcome on Sunday at our 9 or 11 a.m. worship service.
MENU:
N/A
See you on January 7, 2026 for our next fellowship meal gathering in the Dinner Bell!
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christmas and New Years Day.
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices. We recommend you wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Blue Christmas Service at First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs Scheduled December 14th
December 11, 2025 – A Blue Christmas Service will be held on Sunday, December 14, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at First United Methodist Church, 301 Church Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Grieve and remember at a Blue Christmas service in the Sanctuary of FUMC of Sulphur Springs. They provide a safe space and a service to support you and your loved ones during grief, loneliness and pain in order to nurture healing. Joining with others to remember and mourn can bring support that is essential in moving forward on a journey to recapture the love, joy, hope and peace of Advent and Christmas.
Dinner Bell Menu for December 17, 2025
December 11, 2025 – WEEK OF: Dec. 17, 2025
COMMUNITY PARTNER: Christus Health Systems
Christus Health was founded on January 28, 1999, with the merger of Houston’s Sisters of Charity Health Care System and San Antonio’s Incarnate Word Health System; however, its story extends back to 1866, with the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas by the Sisters of Charity.
In 2016 Christus merged with Trinity Mother Frances Hospital and Clinics (itself a product of a merger of two Catholic based systems) giving it a major presence in East Texas.
Facing a deadly cholera epidemic in 1866 the Catholic Bishop of Texas wrote to contacts in France for help. Three wom en of the new Congregation of the Sisters of Charity of Incarnate Word sailed for Galveston and established Charity In firmary (renamed St. Mary’s Infirmary).
In 1869 Cholera ravaged San Antonio and three sisters from Galveston came to that town to establish Santa Rosa Hospi tal. In 1937, 16 sisters of the Holy Family of Nazareth order of Chicago arrived in Tyler to establish Mother Frances Hos pital, opening its doors early to aid the victims of the New London tragedy that occurred on March 18 in nearby Rusk County.
In July, 2016, the Hopkins County Hospital District and Christus Health formed an alliance in which Christus became the leasing entity of the hospital building, its employees, and the medical services of the hospital.
At Christus Health helping improve the health and well being of the communities it serves with the underlying core val ues of Compassion, Excellence, Dignity, Integrity, and Stewardship. Under its umbrella are 63 hospitals in the U.S., Mex ico, Columbia and Chile, employing 45,000 associates.
Christus Mother Frances is a partner with Dinner Bell many times during the year. The relationship to feed those need ing a meal in Sulphur Springs and its vicinity dates back to 2017.
Please come join us, along with personnel from Christus Mother Frances Hospital who will be serving, to share a meal.
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
The Fellowship Hall at First UMC will open at 11:00 a.m. and close at 12:45 p.m. each Wednesday. Parking is available at the church parking lots.
MENU:
Stuffed Pork Loin
Mashed Potatoes
Arkansas Green Beans
Mandarin Orange Spinach Salad
Hot Rolls
Gooey Pecan Surprise
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices. We would encourage everyone to wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
A Blessing and Ribbon Cutting for the new CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Medical Specialty Building in Sulphur Springs, Texas, was Held December 4th
December 7, 2025 – A Grand Opening ceremony consisting of a Blessing and a Ribbon Cutting for the new CHRISTUS Trinity Clinic-Medical Specialty Building in Sulphur Springs, Texas, was held Thursday, December 4th, 2025. Speakers and attendees included Vice President of Mission Integration of CHRISTUS Mother Frances, Andy Navarro, Father Justin Wylie with CHRISTUS Mother Frances, President of CHRISTUS Mother Frances Hospital, Paul Harvey, and much more. Below is KSST/Cable Channel 18’s coverage of this Ribbon Cutting event. The video includes a brief tour of the facilities.
Dinner Bell Menu for December 10, 2025
December 2, 2025 – COMMUNITY PARTNER: City National Bank, Sulphur Springs
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
Today, Linda Christian is being honored for over thirteen years of service to Dinner Bell. Helping in the kitchen, grocery shopping and organizing the delivery system as well as delivering meals where just some of her areas of service. Linda, a retired middle school teacher, has served the Hopkins County area for many years. The Girl Scouts of America, the Miss Texas Pageant, Meal A Day, Prison Ministry, United Way, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church, and the Salvation Army’s Red Kettle bell ringing are some of the organizations to which she has fully devoted her time and energy in the past and presently.
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The Dinner Bell Feeding Ministry has been blessed with a Partnership with City National Bank since June 8, 2016. The bank not only supplies financial support on a quarterly basis, they also provide personnel to serve the meal.
The City National Bank, the oldest bank in continual service in Sulphur Springs, was chartered in 1889 and has locations in Hopkins, Wood, Rains, Van Zant, Gregg, Upshur, Cass, Morris, Camp and surrounding counties. It has close to 250 employees at 18 locations. It is the 75th largest bank in the State of Texas.
The original lot on the corner of the Sulphur Springs Square and Connally Street was purchased for $3,350. The two story building, the bank’s home until 1968, was built at a cost of $5,390 in the 1890’s. The original vault door is still in use today and is in perfect working order.
We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
MENU:
Parmesan Chicken Breasts
Buttered Noodles
Brown Sugar Tarragon Carrots
Yeast Rolls
Chocolate Cherry Cake
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices. We would encourage you to wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Two Announcements for St. Philip’s Episcopal Church
December 2, 2025 – In local announcements, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas, will hold their “Parent’s Night Out” event December 9th, 2025, from 6:00pm to 9:00pm. Enjoy an evening out while your kids have fun at St. Philip’s Episcopal Church’s free Parents’ Night Out event! Children will enjoy a movie night, snacks, and activities while parents Christmas shop or just enjoy a night out.
If you plan to attend, please RSVP at [email protected] and let them know the number and ages of your children. (Recommended age range: ages 3–12)
Also worth note, St. Philip’s Episcopal Church will host a Christmas Eve Service with a candle sing-a-long beginning at 7:15pm, December 24th, 2025. A service will follow at 8:00pm.
Everyone is welcome to attend.
The Church is located at 1206 College Street, Sulphur Springs, Texas.
Dinner Bell Menu for December 3, 2025
December 1, 2025 – COMMUNITY PARTNER: Christus Health
The doors to Fellowship Hall at First United Methodist Church will open at 11:00 a.m. Meal service begins at 11:30 a.m. and doors will close at 12:45 p.m. Please come join us to share fellowship and a meal.
In July 2016 the Hopkins County Hospital District and Christus Health formed an alliance in which Christus became the leasing entity of the hospital building, its employes, and the medical services of the hospital.
Christus Health can trace its history to 1866 with the founding of St. Mary’s Hospital in Galveston, Texas, by the sisters of Charity. In 2016 Christus merged with Trinity Mother Frances hospital and Clinics (itself a product of a merger of two Catholic-based systems) in Tyler, Texas.
Christus Mother Frances is a partner with Dinner Bell many times yearly. The relationship to feed those needing a meal in Sulphur Springs and its vicinity dates back to 2017. Thank you Christus Health!
Our friends and employees of the Sulphur Springs News Telegram will be serving the meal. They are so eager to help in the distribution of the menu when called upon. Dinner Bell so appreciates their willingness to serve when asked. We plan to continue inside dining every Wednesday with the exception of the Wednesday before Thanksgiving, Christ mas and New Years Day.
MENU:
Hearty Meat Stew
Garden Salad
Buttered French Bread for dipping into the stew gravy
Lou’s Pineapple Cake
Take care of YOURSELF by following safe health practices We would encourage you to wear masks where required! Wash your hands often! Get inoculated and boosted
DINNER BELL CARES ABOUT YOUR HEALTH !!!
Advent and Christmas at First United Methodist Church in Sulphur Springs Texas
November 20, 2025 – November 30th, 2025, marks the beginning of Advent and Christmas activities at First United Methodist Church of Sulphur Springs, Texas, with blessing of the Christmas tree at 9:00am and again at 11:00am. See the full calendar of events below.
