Dear Friends,
 
            Please put a big red circle around the date of April 19! It is a very special day for all of us at First UMC! And, it just won't be complete without you! So, do everything you can to be present on April 19!  The weekend of April 18 and 19 you are encouraged to "Bring a Friend."  All four of our worship services that weekend will be unique and a great opportunity to introduce a friend to your church family. After the 10:45 worship, there will a special "walk around and visit" lunch in the narthex. Some of our groups and ministries will have tables set up with information. If the Family Life Center is completed, we will throw open the doors. If it is not quite finished, we will have guided tours. We are inviting the Blue Springs community to an Open House and we will be ready to welcome them in grand fashion! And, there will be a warm invitation to them to come be part of our church and its ministries. It is going to be a fun celebration of this new facility and a chance to invite others to come be part of the mission of FUMC! This will be a joyful day! At 1:30 there will be a ceremony, hopefully held in the new Multipurpose Room. It will be brief, but there will be greetings from the City of Blue Springs and from the Heartland North District. The Building Committee will be recognized for their excellent work. Our contractors and workers will be invited. This will be a historic day for all of us. Circle it on your calendar, or write this on April 19: "Open House; Bring a Friend; Must Be There."
 
            Several of you, as individuals, families, or groups have already indicated your intention to sponsor the Hospitality Table for a Sunday. Thank you! It is a great way to say "Thank You" or recognize someone, or celebrate a special event. The sponsor for the week will be recognized with a special sign on the table. As you enjoy the doughnuts, juice, and coffee, please make your usual donation. So, when the Hospitality Table is sponsored, your entire donation will further the work of First Church. Do you have a special person to honor? An upcoming birthday or anniversary? A need to say "Thank You"?  Maybe you should sponsor the Hospitality Table for a Sunday!
 
            About 60 people attended last week's "Hospitality Workshop." I am thankful for every one present. Whether you were there or not, you can be watchful and help turn visitors into guests! Introduce yourself to others you have not met before. Don't worry about the fact they may already be members. Just ask, "How long have you been coming to this Church?"  Get their name, write it down. Pass it on to Reed, Karen, or me. If you meet a guest, introduce them to others, and make sure they receive a gift bag from the Information Table!  If they are interested in groups or programs in the Church, let us know. We will make sure the guest receives an invitation from a member of that group. Remember there is a difference between sharing information and giving an invitation. We will keep the information available, but it will be the invitation which helps guests feel at home.   
 
            This is the first weekend in Lent. During this season Rev. Karen and I are doing a series based on our Membership Vows. We all promised "Prayers, Presence, Gifts, and Service." My sermon this week will be on Prayer. The fifth weekend we will be focusing on the new addition to our membership vows, "Witness." I look forward to greeting you in one of the worship services this weekend. Pray with Karen and me as we prepare. The Spirit of God will fill the Sanctuary and the heart of each worshiper!
 
            Grace and Peace,
 
            Steve Campbell