News from First United Methodist Church of Michigan City

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.

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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First United
Methodist Church
121 E 7th St.
Michigan City IN 46360
219-872-7200
www.mcfirstmc.com
mcfirstmc@sbcglobal.net

Greetings!

I've been thinking a lot about the youth of our church lately, particularly those who are away at college. I've been thinking about them because I miss the day-to-day relationship I have with my own daughter.

In reviewing my thoughts I have come to realize how blessed we are to have these youth in our church as some are involved in sharing God's love with others in the world. Did you know that one of our students, Amy K is doing an internship at Disney? Amy has started attending Discovery Church in Orlando and I recently received a letter from her. Amy is raising money to go on a missions trip to South Africa with Discovery Church.

Well, then just this week I received an email from Katherine S. Katie is attending IU and is part of Campus Crusade for Christ. She is also going on a mission trip! Katie is raising funds to go to the African country of Ghana.

I also know that 3 years ago, Victoria K. went on a mission trip to Nicaragua and she loved it so very much, that she wants to go back again. Hopefully she will be able to attend with Valparaiso University in the near future.

That's 3 people that I know that are making a difference not just in their community, but in the WORLD! They are traveling around the world bringing not only God's word, but His love to those who may not know it. I'm sure there are many more "kids" in our congregation who are doing good everywhere they go. For example our youth here at "home", I know that they are working on some dates for Habitat for Humanity, and some other "backyard" community service. However, did you know that sometimes showing God's love is as simple as making a phone call to someone who is sick, or just going through a difficult time. Who will you call this week??

You can read the letters from Amy and Katie below. Please keep them both in your prayers! These young people are taking God's love to all the world! I feel very blessed for knowing all the young people in our church!

Tricia K

Church Directory

We have begun 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.

Photography times start at 2 p.m. Monday through Friday and 9:30 on Saturday mornings. Please check your calendar and have 2 or 3 times/dates picked out for your pictures! Also, if you'd like to have multi-generation pictures taken please get with ALL members of your family/group and we will make sure to schedule your times accordingly. Again, have a few dates/times ready when you come to the table.

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.

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!

Noisy Offering

Bring all your change to church this Sunday, April 17 for the Noisy Offering! This special offering is for the Stained Glass Window Restoration Fund! Please make sure that the people around you know what the "beach bucket" is for.

Port-A-Pit Chicken

The youth made $1,000.00 through our Port-A-Pit Chicken Sales!

THANK YOU for supporting us!

Contemporary Choir

Does music "Save your Soul"? Have you ever had a song just reach up a grab you, shake you around and bring you "back to life"? If so, come share your love of music with us! Contemporary

Choir starts this MONDAY, April 18! Please join Bev in the Music Room at 6:00 p.m.!

Chocolate Covered Easter Eggs

We are at the conclusion of making the beautiful (and YUMMY) Chocolate Easter Eggs for 2011! This Sunday, April 17 is the last day for the eggs till next Spring! Why not get some extra's and put them in the freezer??

Vision Team

We are in the process of forming a "VISION TEAM" here at 1st UMC!

Our next meeting will be May 10 at 7 p.m. in the church Narthex.

Please talk to everyone at church, current members, past members and even non-members! EVERYONE is welcome!

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.

Easter Buffet

There will be an Easter Buffet on April 24 from 9 till 10:30. A free will donation will be accepted.

Please talk to a member of the WOW Sunday School Class for more information.

This Week At-A-Glance
SUNDAY:

Worship Service 8:15 a.m.

Children's Choir Practice 9:00 a.m.

Church Directory Sign-up in the Narthex 8:45 a.m. till 10:45 a.m.

Blood Pressure Clinic in the Office 9:00 a.m. till 10:30 a.m.

Children, Youth & Adult Sunday School 9:30 a.m.

Worship Service 10:45 a.m.

Youth Bells Practice 5:00 p.m.

Youth Group Movies during Day

Cafe Service 6:00 p.m.

MONDAY:

Soup Kitchen 11:30-1:00

Contemporary Choir Practice 6:00 p.m.

Chancel Choir Practice 7:00 p.m.

Gambler's Anonymous 7:00 p.m.

TUESDAY:

Memorial Handbell Practice 6:00 p.m.

Michiana Clowns 6:30 p.m. in the Community Room

WEDNESDAY:

AA at 8:00 in the Middle High Room

THURSDAY:

Soup Kitchen 11:30-1:00

Worship Service with Communion 7 p.m.

FRIDAY:

Office Closed

SATURDAY:

Next Sunday, April 24, 2010:
EASTER

From Amy K...

Dear Family,

February 3, 2011

I am currently a junior at Purdne University North Central working on my Liberal Arts degree with a focus in Communications. During this semester of my collegiate career, I decided to take advantage of a unique internship opportunity. Rather than looking for me in a classroom on my college's campus, today you can find me working on SWlset Boulevard in Disney's Hollywood Studios as one of the newest Disney College Program participants. These past two and a half years have brought me to a place I would have never dreamed I would be, but I'm at peace with this because I can feel Christ leading me.

Five months prior to my arrival in Orlando, my older sister Sarah moved down here to accept a job as a second grade teacher. I was inspired by her courage in making such a change in her life. She continually stated that the only way she would be able to complete the transition was if she could immerse herself in a strong church. A close friend recommended Discovery Church, and Sarah's been going there ever since.

I had been searching for a way to reach others and do the work of Christ. I was not sure what God was specifically calling me to do, but I knew that He was working on my heart to go out into the world. It had been almost two years since I felt God put this mission on my heart, but I just could not find the right way to move forward in pursuing His will. I continued to pray and search with an open heart. Just after accepting my offer to be a part of the Disney College Program for the spring term of 20 11, my sister shared with me about a special presentation she had seen at Discovery Church. The missions portion of Discovery, called Love Works, was arranging a two week trip to South Africa from May 21" until June 4th. My internship with Disney was scheduled to end on the 13'h of May. Talk about perfect timing' I knew that God's hand was nudging me towards this trip, and the opportunity to do His work had fmally appeared. Maybe the reason I was brought to Orlando was not to work at Disney, but to fmd DiscovelY Church and be a part of the missions team for the nip to South Africa. All I know is that there is no other explanation for the alignment of all of these events other than the will of Christ.

I take for granted the fact that I was raised in a home where the love of God was taught and celebrated. Going to Sunday School, church choir practices, and Vacation Bible School was a regular part of my upbringing. I have always loved and believed in Jesus Christ, but it was only as I began to grow and mature that I created a personal relationship with Him. Although my parents are the ones who brought Christ into my life, I was the one who made the decision to accept Christ into my life. Knowing that I will have the opportunity to share my faith with others in a poverty-stricken country while also having the chance to grow in my own relationship with Christ excites me.

My mission trip will be centered on the works of the Christian Life Centre located in Durban, South Africa. The Christian Life Centre is a growing church in South Africa that prides itself on being a place where a mix of people can come together and celebrate their love of Jesus Christ. This church has initiated a project focused on the village ofWelbedacht, specifically the rapidly growing number of orphans in the area and the spread ofHIV/AIDS. The Christian Life Centre has rescued most of these children from either abusive homes or from being cast out to the streets due to their parents' terminal medical condition. The designated area used to house these orphans has been named Phumula Children's Care Village. I will be spending a majority of my time dming this mission trip with these children. My hope is to reach out and help them by offering emotional support and encouragement, while providing education and guidance to the leaders of this effort as a means to improve its overall operation.

Praying for guidance is what is preparing all of us for this trip. The theme verse chosen for this trip and the core of our mission during this journey is James 1 :27:

"Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to keep oneself from being polluted by the world."

Two ways you can help
A. Please pray for:
1. My team and me to have safe travels, good health and the continuous ability to show Christ's love.
2. Our ability to meet the needs of the children and adults in sustainable ways.
3. Me, as I look to God to use this experience to further affirm my purpose in Him.
B. Provide financial assistance to help fund our journey:
The cost for the trip is $3500 per person (inclusive of airfare, lodging, supplies) and the bulk of it is due by March. I am thankful for your consideration, prayers and support. Most donors designate amounts in $25, $50 or $100 increments. However, I will accept and be incredibly blessed by donations of any amount. No donation is too small!
· If you wou Id like to send a check:
Make out your check to Discovery Church and in the memo line put GE-SA-Amy Kanyer 4303 Summit Creek Blvd. Apt. 4202 Orlando FL 32837
· Or if you would like to donate by credit card:
You can give directly online; go to www.discovel)'church.org, under Ministries::Compassion & Justice (LoveWork):: GlobalWorks South Africa Experience and click the word here where it says, "If you can't go, but would like to financially support this team you can give."
If you have never registered, you will need to follow the prompts for registrations. After completing registration you will then be able to select yourself as the giver, type in my name, and designate your level of giving.
I appreciate your consideration in helping to support the missions team for this trip through monetary donations and prayer. Anticipating the experiences that lie before me and my team members is invigorating. Knowing that God is setting forth the path for me to follow reinforces the fact that I am, indeed, right where I need to be at this point in my life. My hope and prayer is that you will join me in this enriching journey.
In Christ alone,

Amy Kanyer 219.873.4957
aakanyer 18@gmail.com
Please do not hesitate to call or email me with questions.

From Katherine S...

Dear Friends,

Hello! I hope this letter finds you doing well. I am currently in my sixth semester at Indiana University in Bloomington, Indiana, studying Environmental and Nonprofit Management. My college experience has been incredible and nothing short of challenging. I am learning, developing life-long friendships, and growing in my Christian faith.

Here at IU I have gotten involved with Campus Crusade for Christ, or CRU. It is an inter-denominational, international campus ministry that seeks to come alongside students and help develop and strengthen their walks with God and learning how to bring the hope of God to others. I was blessed by the guidance of this organization during my freshman year at IU and continue to grow in my faith with the organization's many opportunities. The CRU movement provides biblical teachings, gender sensitive accountability, and community to anyone interested in following Jesus Christ. I have the privilege of participating in, as well as co-leading, a women's Bible Study. Learning and understanding who God is through His Word has changed the way I perceive and live life.

This past Spring Break, I was able to spend a week in Berlin, Germany, with CRU meeting students from across the world to discuss Jesus Christ. The experience was life altering. The conversations and relationships made over the week has given me a new perspective on God's loves - how extremely big and real it is! This summer, I have been accepted to have a similar experience with a 5-week program in the African country of Ghana. A team of 40 staff and students will be spending time at universities where many of the country's doctors and teachers study. Daily interaction and discussion of the Christian faith is just one way we are asking the Lord to help plant seeds in the hearts of Ghanaians. The team will also travel to various nearby villages and assist with local needs.

This is an amazing opportunity, but I can't do it alone! I am inviting people I know and love to partner with me in this trip. The cost of this mission trip is $4,000 to cover travel, lodging, and food. Would you prayerfully consider partnering with me by giving a gift of $50, $100, $200 or some other amount? I have faith that God provides for His work. If you are able, please send your tax-deductible gift to the address provided below and make checks payable to Campus Crusade for Christ before May 10th. Also, please do not write anything on the memo line. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact me.

Thank you so much for your prayerful consideration. I have faith that the Lord has great plans for my team and me in Ghana. This trip is an amazing opportunity to fulfill my hearts desire to be involved in the Great Commission, and I'd love for you to be a part of the journey!

Thank You,

Katherine Stoll

717 South Lincoln St. Bloomington, IN 47401 ¨ 219-229-1653 ¨ katstoll@indiana.edu