Sunday Services
Thank you for being part of
First United Methodist Church.
We could not do it without you!
Our Sunday Services are as follows:
8:15 Church Service in the Sanctuary
9:00 Chilidrens Choir at the piano in the Sanctuary
9:30 Adult WOW Sunday School meets in the Library
9:30 Childrens Sunday School meets up on the third floor right off the elevator
10:45 Church Service in the Sanctuary.
This Week's Scripture: John 17 Sermon:
"The Great Prayer of Jesus" |
Prayers Needed
Please keep the following people in your prayers: Shirley Aigner, Randy Delco, Phyllis Foreman, Patricia Nowak Gardner, Allison Haynes, Alice Helmken, Ed Helmken, Dennis Hippensteel, Cliff Jenks, Fred Simbro, Ray Warren, and Roxanne Yagelski Please pray for the family of Richard Barkow, Bill Barkow's brother, his wife Carroll and daughter Beth. Richard lost his battle with cancer on March 25, 2011. Please keep them all in your prayers. Please keep Patricia Nowak Gardner in your prayers as she will be having surgery April 6, 2011. If you have someone on the prayer list, please update the office on how they are doing. Also, the hospitals do not notify the church if you or a loved one are admitted therefore, please call the office and let them know. |
Port-A-Pit Chicken
The youth is holding a fundraiser! Tickets will be sold starting this Sunday between services and the chicken will be ready for pick up on April 9 in the parking lot at the Jewel. Tickets may also be purchased in the church office during normal office hours.
Are you part of another organization? Can you take some Port-A-Pit tickets there or maybe to work and sell them for us??
If you can sell 10 tickets or more, please see Angie and she will give you some!
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Scholarships
Applications are now available in the Narthex for the following scholarships:
Gardner Scholarship: for those in the Medical Field
Mabel Rhoades Scholarship: for those studying Nursing
Jean Kruse Scholarship: for those with Education Majors
Delco Scholarship: for anyone attending college
Church Member Scholarship: for our members who are seeking a college education
Richard Presser Scholarship: This scholarship is open to the community for anyone who may be attending college.
Applications are due by May 2, 2011. Scholarships will be awarded on June 12 at the 8:15 service.
You and your friends may sponsor a scholarship for $100. If you wish your name will be placed on the scholarship.
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Candy Needed
Please bring your Easter Candy donation to the basket in the Narthex. We request small wrapped candies that would fit into plastic eggs. These will be used for the children's egg hunt in April. |
First United
Methodist Church
121 E 7th St.
Michigan City IN 46360
219-872-7200
www.mcfirstmc.com
mcfirstmc@sbcglobal.net
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Greetings!
In last week's newsletter and sermon we learned that the USA, like other countries, is on the road to religious extinction and that the "utility" of not being religiously affiliated is greater than the "utility" of being religiously affiliated. So let me personalize that statement and put it more bluntly. It means that we, our church and our members, are no longer useful, helpful, or of value to the community in which we live.
That really hurts, doesn't it! Just look at all we do. The FUMC soup kitchen serves thousands a year. The FUMC gives many dollars to support local initiatives like the Open Door Clinic and Clothesline Ministries. The FUMC does many great things within and for the community, however, so do many other organizations such as the Salvation Army, the Rotary, Lions and Exchange. What differentiates us from these community minded service organizations? Frankly, not a lot! Could this be the reason why the "utility" of non-affiliation is becoming a reality? We do look very similar to other "secular" community organizations. So, what can we do as a church to change this? We can begin a process of self-examination as a congregation. What are our strengths and our weaknesses? What divides us and what brings us together? What can we do to improve on our strengths while minimizing the effects of our weaknesses? How can we overcome the things that divide us and keep us from our common goals? How do we set a common vision for FUMC given our diverse opinions?
Interestingly, last week I was asked if I had a vision for our church as I have been pushing for a meeting on this topic. I hadn't put my vision into words and that forced me to consider the question more closely. I do have a vision for FUMC. I want our church to be the spiritual trailblazer, the center of hope to the unchurched, in our community. You might ask me "what do you mean by that, John?" To which I would respond, "why not join us at our "Vision 2011" meeting on April 5th at 7PM in the Narthex to begin discussing these topics.
John VW
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| Lenten Fair
All the kids are invited on APRIL 17 for the Lenten Fair! We will meet in the Sunday School Room at 9:30 for games, stories and an Easter Egg hunt!
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Vision Team
We are in the process of forming a "VISION TEAM" here at 1st UMC!
Many of you have talked to John Vander Wagen about being part of the VISION TEAM! We are so thrilled with the number of people who are interested in GROWING OUR CHURCH!
We will meet on April 5 at 7 p.m at CHURCH! We have had about 20 people interested so we changed the meeting place to our CHURCH.
If you will be attending, please contact Tricia and let her know. If you are interested in being part of this group and cannot make it on Tuesday, please let Tricia know that also.
Let's all work together in growing our church to the very best church we can be!
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Church Directory
On APRIL 9 we will begin the sign-ups for the church directory! Please come to the table in the Narthex and pick your time!
The dates for the pictures are as follows:
May 13, 14, 16,17, 18, 19, 20 & 21.
Please ask your family members which day & time works best for them. It's been a while since we have done a directory and this one will be a little different than what we have done in the past. Please stop at the table and talk to Tricia for more information.
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Chocolate Covered Easter Eggs
In the Narthex, you will see a beautiful display of hand-made chocolate covered Easter Eggs.
There are several reasons for you to purchase these eggs.
Reason # 1 is: They make inexpensive gifts to give to
someone that has done something nice for you.
Reason # 2 is: They freeze well so you can buy some to
eat now and freeze some to eat later.
Reason # 3 is: Shopping in the Narthex is both convenient
and saves you gas.
Reason # 4 is: The First Church's Easter Eggs taste like Fannie
May but are much less expensive.
Reason # 5 is: By placing a few colorful eggs in an
Easter basket, you have a beautiful centerpiece for your
Easter meal.
We will continue to sell eggs up through Palm Sunday, April 17. Order forms are available in the Narthex. You may print out an order form by clicking HERE. |
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Contemporary Choir
We are starting a Contemporary Choir!! Please join Bev in the Music Room on Monday, April 16 from 6 till 6:45!
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Japan
As we are all aware, the people of Japan are in need of our prayers and our giving. The United Methodist Committee on Relief is having an emergency relief effort to help this nation. Please bring your special UMCOR offering to church on Sunday. Please write "advance special #302131" in the memo field of your check.
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| This Week At-A-Glance
SUNDAY:
Worship Service 8:15 a.m.
Children's Choir Practice 9:00 a.m.
Children, Youth & Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m.
Worship Service 10:45 a.m.
MONDAY:
Soup Kitchen 11:30-1:00
Chancel Choir Practice 7:00 p.m.
Gambler's Anonymous 7:00 p.m.
Elizabeth Circle at Marian Kelly's at 7:00 p.m.
TUESDAY: Egg Ladies in the Kitchen Memorial Handbell Practice 6:00 p.m. Michiana Clowns 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room Vision Team Meeting in the Narthex at 7:00 p.m. ALL are welcome! WEDNESDAY:
Hannah Circle at Vera Woodruff's at 1:00 p.m. AA at 8:00 in the Middle High Room THURSDAY: Youth Group Meeting & Lunch at Church 10:30 till 2:00 p.m. Soup Kitchen 11:30-1:00 Ruth Circle at Katie Gielow's at 7:00 p.m. FRIDAY: SATURDAY: Men's Fellowship Breakfast at Ryan's at 8:30 a.m.
Youth Group Port-A-Pit Chicken Sales in the Jewel Parking Lot 9:30 till 2:00 p.m. Advanced ticket sales MUST be picked up by 12:15 p.m.
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Scrip News
Last week we made over $32 in Scrip sales!
We could really use your participation! Please consider participating in the worth while endeavor! So far we have made over $3100 with the Scrip program!!
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Giorgetti's Give Back Night
On April 13 from 4 till 10 please join us at Girogetti's! They have agreed to give back 15% of the nights profits! WOW! Their pizza is awesome! They also offer a full menu and daily specials! Giorgetti's is located on the lake where the old MC Yacht Club was. Look for coupons soon. Don't forget to invite all your friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc. Don't forget...there is NO charge to enter the park yet!! See ya then!
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