Since the first of the year, many laity who are leaders of the congregation and members of the program staff have been focusing on our Inviting Ministries with a new emphasis. In many ways this effort is already showing good results. One of those is clearly the increased number of volunteers who are stepping forward to be part of this new effort. Those volunteer opportunities will continue to be publicized.
            In the book, Race To Reach Out, which many of you have read, Doug Anderson points out there are four ways persons come to make their first visit to a congregation. These are through advertising, word of mouth, service evangelism, and personal invitation. I will say more about personal invitation momentarily. Those first three means are all clearly a matter of how well we are known in the community. Our aim is clearly to make sure every person in our community knows there is a First United Methodist Church, where it is located, and that we want them to be part of our congregation. It begins with being known in the community. In keeping with that reality, we are increasing our efforts in advertising. We will continue our efforts to be present in the local papers with appropriate news items. We have an excellent web site, which is getting better all the time. One of the ways you can help increase awareness of our church in the community is simply word of mouth. Speak freely of your affiliation with First Church. Tell your friends about things going on here. Take a yard sign from time to time and display it in your yard for a few days. Last fall a couple who were new in town visited a few times and then became members. When I visited them in their home, they told me that a neighbor had a First UMC yard sign displayed! I believe we can understand the foundation of our future growth as beginning with the effort to be sure the whole community is aware of our presence!
            As we approach the "Bring a Friend Weekend" on April 18 and 19 and the Open House on April 19, we will make some special efforts in our local advertising. Also, on Palm Sunday weekend we will have door hangers available, which list Easter worship times and invite persons to the Open House on the 19th. Enough of the door hangers will be printed and available for you to take some and hang them in your neighborhood.
             All of those efforts are useful and important. However, the greatest majority of first-time visitors come as a result of a personal invitation. Several weeks ago Rev. Karen asked us to begin thinking and praying about who we might invite for "Bring a Friend" and "Open House." We are printing an invitation you can place in the hands of a person you invite. All the preparations are underway. It will be a great day. Who will you invite and introduce to your church that day? Your act of inviting a friend, neighbor, co-worker, or family member may make all the difference in this day, and, more importantly, in their life.
            Some of you may feel you don't know anyone who does not already have a church. I encourage you to invite a friend anyway. Just tell them how hard we have worked and how happy we are about this new addition and to please come see it with you. Then, when their church has some special event in the future, attend with your friends. What does this accomplish? Well, you remember "word of mouth" mentioned above. We want everyone in the community to know there is a First United Methodist Church, where it is located, and that we want them to come here! Besides, your friends may know someone else who wants to find a United Methodist Church home.
            The weekend of April 18 and 19 is the week after Easter. It is sometimes just called "Low Sunday" for obvious reasons. But for us it is going to be a great day of worship, hospitality, fellowship, and celebration. This day just has to be on your calendar!
            This weekend in worship the theme is Service.  As we continue to focus on our membership vows, we expand our discipleship and enter into a Lenten renewal. All four of our services are unique. But they have in common the presence of the living Christ and the call to Christian discipleship. I hope to greet you in worship this weekend.
 
            Grace and Peace,
 
            Steve Campbell