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January 20, 2012
Weekly Blurb
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Welcome to
First United Methodist Church
of Michigan City
Greetings!
As United Methodists, we are bound to following two books: the Holy Bible and the United Methodist Church Book of Doctrine. Although we all have a bible, not many own or have read the Book of Discipline. The Book of Discipline constitutes the law and doctrine of the United Methodist Church and contains almost 800 pages. However, the official website of The United Methodist Church (www.umc.org) simplifies some important doctrine as follows:
· Why does the church exist? According to Matthew's Gospel, the risen Christ made it clear: "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you" (Matthew 28:19-20).
· Based on this "Great Commission," our United Methodist Church has stated its purpose: "The mission of the Church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Local churches provide the most significant arena through which disciple-making occurs" (From "The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church-2008", p. 87.
· So the mission of our congregation is to make disciples. This is a four-fold task....We could abbreviate our mission as one of welcoming-worshiping-nurturing-sending. (See The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist Church-2008, p. 88, and Guidelines for Leading Your Congregation, 2005-2008.
There can be only one conclusion. The Purpose/Mission of First United Methodist Church of Michigan City, IN, is to make disciples of Jesus Christ via welcoming-worshiping-nurturing-sending.
It is very easy to identify our strong points and good progress in efforts to fulfill the given mission. But, it may not be easy or comfortable to assess how we could do better, both as individuals and as a church. This self-evaluation is what we must do if we are to improve. I would really like to hear your thoughts on the above. So, if you'd like to share them, please give me a phone call or send me an email.
May God Bless You All,
Lance Domke
ljdomke@comcast.net
879-1599
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Children's Sunday School needs YOU!!
"Train a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not turn from it." Proverbs 22:6
1st UMC has always had a tradition of training our children to be disciples for Jesus Christ and my children have been greatly blessed in this training. However, 1st UMC is currently finding it difficult to find "trainers" for our Kindergarten through 5th grade class.
If you are willing to be a "trainer" for our children in this class, just ONE Sunday per month, please contact Tricia at 879-9466 or see her between the services. |
North District 2012 Winter
Leadership Resourcing Event
Join us on Sunday, January 28, 2012 in Valparaiso for the North Districts 2012 Winter Leadership Event. This annual training event is designed to equip our church leadership to be effective in their roles. Our leaders will gain tools to take back to share with our congregation to impact our church and our community.
Click here for all the details and to view the flyer. Please see the sign up sheet on the Welcome Center if you will be joining us.
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| New Adult Sunday School Class
On Sunday, February 5 please join JC Sells in the Church Library at 9:30 a.m. for a new Adult Sunday School Class. We will be studying the book of Mark. All you need to bring is your Bible and a desire to delve further into God's Word.
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Homebound Ministries
Several of our homebound members have birthdays coming up soon. They would love to get a card from you letting them know they are remembered and loved.
January 26, Dottie Brauer, Sterling House, 1400 E. Coolspring Ave. Michigan City IN 46360
January 30, Phyllis Lute, 2352 N US 20, Michigan City IN 46360 |
| Prayer Corner
Please continue to pray for the following people:
Shirley Aigner, Michelle Brown, Brigitte Coan, Carol Gilbert, Ed Helmken, Dennis Hippensteel, Lisa Johns, Mike Kallahan Jr., Becky Kammeyer, Bill Staples.
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Chocolate Covered Valentine Hearts
New This Year! Chocolate Covered Valentine Hearts For 1 week only, we are offering our delicious hand-made chocolate covered hearts with the proceeds to benefit the restoration of our beautiful stained glass windows. You can pre-order and pre-pay for the chocolate covered hearts with your choice of 5 fillings. They will be ready for you to pick up on Sunday, February 12th just in time for Valentine's Day! Please note: We are only making what is ordered on or before Sunday, February 5th. After that, we will be in Easter Egg production. Give your orders and payment to either Katie Gielow, Meredith Gulstrom , Angie Davis or Marlene/Ted Woodfield by Sunday, February 5th. Checks should be made out to First United Methodist Church. The cost of each heart will be $3.00. Note: Do not order Easter Eggs on this form. The Egg form will come out in the February Crossbeams. _____Chocolate _____ Butter Crème _____Peanut Butter _____Coconut _____ Maple/Pecan Ordered by: _______________________________________ Amount enclosed:____________ |
| Hospital Calls
If you need to inform the church of someone that should be called on in the hospital, please call the church office at (219) 872-7200. You may also call Pastor Larry directly at (734) 652-1471. Appointments for Pastoral Care should be directed to Pastor Larry.
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Chili's Give Back Day
Please join us on January 24 at CHILI'S!
Come anytime between 11 a.m. and close on this date with a coupon that will be in the bulletin as we get closer to the date! Feel free to make copies and pass them out to friends and family. Let's make this the BEST give back day ever!
Coupons are in the bulletin this week, you can also print one right from this email. Just go under the "quick links" section of this email and click on "Chili's Coupon". Then print it out. Feel free to print several coupons and pass them out to friends and neighbors!
Scrip will not be accepted as a form of payment this night.
Questions? Please contact Tricia at 879-9466.
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| Name Tags
Name Tags are a "YES" to visitors and guests that God sends our way to minister too. We wear name tags because the church of the Christ is not about its members, but about those who have not yet become members.
Please remember to wear YOUR NAME TAG each week! If you do not have one, please contact the office or drop a note in the offering plate. Please spell your name the way you would like it printed!
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| North District Lay Speaking Academy
Spring Classes for 2012 will be offered Feb. 4 through March 3. Class information and sign-up forms are available on the Welcome Center in the Narthex.
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Sunday Services:
8:15 Contemporary Worship Service 9:00 Children's Choir 9:30 Children's & Adult Sunday School 10:45 Worship Service 6:00 p.m. on the 2nd & 3rd Sunday's of the Month is the Come As You Are Cafe Service |
Strategic Planning Meeting
The entire congregation is invited to join the STRATEGIC PLANNING TEAM!! We meet every Monday at 6 p.m. in the church!! Please email Lance Domke at ljdomke@comcast.net for more information.
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Weekly Calendar
Sunday, January 22
8:15 a.m. Worship Service 9:00 a.m. Children's Choir around the piano in the sanctuary 9:30 a.m. Children's and Adult Sunday School 10:45 a.m. Worship Service 5:30 p.m. Youth Group at Hacienda Monday, January 23 11:30 a.m.- 1:00 p.m. Soup Kitchen 6:00 p.m. Strategic Planning Meeting in the Narthex 7:00 p.m. Gambler's Anonymous in the Library Tuesday, January 24 11 A.M. TILL CLOSE CHILI'S GIVE BACK DAY (Don't forget your coupon) 6:00 p..m. Memorial Handbell Practice 7:00 p.m. Trustees Meeting in the Library Wednesday, January 25 9:30 a.m. World Day of Prayer Meeting 10:00 a.m. Overeaters Anonymous in the Chapel 6:00 p.m. Contemporary Choir 7:00 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:00 p.m. AA in the Middle High Room Thursday, January 26 11:30 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Soup Kitchen Friday, January 27 Saturday, January 28 |
Offering Envelopes
Please pick up your offering envelopes as soon as possible. If you are unable to pick them up, please contact the church office at 872-7200.
If you know someone who is getting an envelope and you are able to drop it off to them, please pick it up and bring it to them. What a GREAT way to go visit some of our shut-ins and share in some fellowship with them. |
ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICES
February 22, 2012 6:oo p.m. All church potluck meal 7:15 p.m. Service of Ashes |
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