Invitation cards to our Open House on April 19 are availalbe at the information table in the narthex of the church. These brightly colored invitations can be handed out to your friends, neighbors, and co-workers as a means of inviting.
This Open House will only be a success if you take part. |
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New Classes
Rev. Steve will begin a new Wednesday class during "Come to the WELL." At 6:30 beginning April 22, in room 112 Rev. Steve will present "8 Life-Enriching Practices of United Methodists. John Wesley frequently linked our happiness with our being holy. By 'holy' he did not mean the kind of holier-than-thou piety that turns off so many people. At its heart, holiness for Wesley was simply love - loving God and our neighbor as God has loved us.
This is a summary study of the eight life-enriching practices--prayer, Bible study, evangelism, community, worship and the sacraments, outreach, justice and others.
New Classes
Rev Karen will present a new 4-week session of "Serving From the Heart" The next session will begin on Wednesday, April 22, at 6:30pm. We will meet for two hours for four weeks and conclude on May 13. Discover your unique gifts and talents for service, the inspiration to serve, and a way to connect with service in our church community. |
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Lenten Offering "For you have been a refuge to the poor, a refuge to the needy in their distress, a shelter from the rainstorm and a shade from the heat." Isaiah 25:4 NRSV
Lent offers us all a very special opportunity to grow in our relationship with God and to deepen our commitment to a way of life, rooted in our baptism. In our busy world, Lent provides us with an opportunity to reflect upon our patterns, to pray more deeply, experience sorrow for what we've done and failed to do, and to be generous to those in need.
During Lent we are receiving a special offering to benefit Hillcrest Transitional Housing. This offering will support the ministry of Hillcrest and go to support the apartment we sponsor. Offering envelopes are available in the narthex. Bring your offering anytime during Holy Week. |
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OFFERING ENVELOPES
There are 199 packets of envelopes that have not been picked up yet. If you have been receiving offering envelopes in the mail, your next set of envelopes is available to pick up in the narthex. You may use the envelopes either weekly or monthly, as best meets your needs. When you get to your last, or second to last, envelope, you MUST call the office and request more. Your help picking up your envelopes will help the church save money. |
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SPONSOR THE HOSPITALITY TABLE
Celebrate your anniversary, the birth of a child, any significant happening in your life, or just say thanks by sponsoring the Sunday morning hospitality table refreshments. For a small donation of $70 you will cover the cost of our donuts. Donations given by others that morning will go to support various church ministries. Your sponsorship will be recognized by a sign on the hospitality table. Call the office, 229-8108, for more information or to get the remaining spots.
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GOLF LEAGUE
The First Methodist Golf League will start its sixth season on Tuesday, April 14. We tee off at 9:00am at Pleasant Hill Golf Course at 1600 Country Club Drive, 1/2 mile east of 7 Highway. We welcome men and women of all skill levels. We play 9 holes. That reduces the time each week to approximately four hours including fun, fellowship, and travel time. For more information contact: Bob Cravens at 228-4298. |
BELL CHOIR OPENINGS
There are openings in the Glory Ringers and Spirit Ringers bell choirs that practice at 5:30 and 6:30pm on Wednesdays under the direction of Kathy Ford, and the Rhapsody Ringers bell choir that practices at 7:30pm on Wednesdays under the direction of Janie Wilson. Bell choirs play in worship once a month. Bell ringing is good mental and physical exercise. Older people are learning to ring to keep their minds active and because it is a sociable hobby that allows them to make new friends. Knowledge of bell ringing is preferable but not necessary - we will be happy to teach you. Just come along to a practice on Wednesday nights and you are welcome to watch us ringing. |
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Greetings!
 As I write you on Thursday afternoon, we are getting close to time for Maundy Thursday worship. For me, this is one of the most meaningful worship services in the year. I think of Jesus on that night and I am filled with awe. He knew the time was short. He knew the terrible ordeal which lay ahead of him. Yet, in spite of that reality, he is thinking of the disciples, and of us. He says the most important things to them in these last hours. And, he promises to be present with them as they continue to celebrate the holy meal in his memory. The word 'sacrament' comes from Roman jurisprudence. The Latin word is sacramentum. It referred to a promise or a pledge. In the case of the Lord's Supper, and all the sacraments, the pledge is that Christ will be present with us in this act. And, in these common elements of bread and wine, he will give us grace. He was thinking of us. He was acting in a way to provide for ourneeds. It profoundly impacts our view of our own lives. It reminds us how small many of our concerns are. It sheds light on just how absorbed we are with our own wants and desires. He was thinking of us. He was acting to provide for our needs. This night we truly encounter the depth of God's love.
Friday evening we will observe the Service of Tenebrae. This service reads through the Passion narrative compiled from the four Gospels. The worship is moving in its simplicity. The extinguishing of the candles is a powerful visual reminder of the darkness of the world and the light of Christ. Saturday evening in the Easter Vigil, the whole history of salvation is celebrated! The story of God's faithfulness is recounted, the sacraments are celebrated, the Easter hope affirmed!
Of course Easter Sunday is the aim of all these worship events. We will greet each other on that morning with the hopeful words, "Christ is Risen," and we will reply, "Christ is Risen indeed!" It is not simply that we are remembering the ideas which lie at the coreof our faith. The reality is that the Risen Christ encounters us in these times of worship. There is new life for us in Christ, and that life is nurtured in worship! I look forward to all of these times together.
I am focusing on Holy Week and Easter in my words to you. That is what I should do. However, there is so much happening in the life of our congregation! The church is alive with the positive energy of God's love. Read the rest of this PastorGram to be up to date on all the news and upcoming events!
Grace and Peace to You,
Steve Campbell |
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HOLY WEEK SCHEDULE
April 9, Maundy Thursday, Service and Holy Communion-7:00pm
April 10, The Way of the Cross-Noon to 6:00pm, sanctuary
April 10, Good Friday, Tenebrae Service-7:00pm
April 11, Holy Saturday, Easter Vigil Service-5:30pm
April 12, Easter Sunday, Easter Celebration Service-
8:00, 9:30 and 11:00am
(Please note the change in service times for Easter Sunday) |
Easter Breakfast
If you are pressed for time on Easter morning, let breakfast be one less thing you have to worry about. The Youth Mission Trips teams will be serving Easter Breakfast again this year. This year's buffet includes two breakfast casseroles, the ever-popular breakfast burrito, French toast, bacon, and lots of fresh fruit. The coffeecake and cinnamon rolls are homemade. Everything is made from scratch, using fresh ingredients, so we know you will enjoy the buffet.
We will serve from 8:00 until 11:00am in the lobby area of the Education Wing. Dining rooms will be set up in Rooms 111 and 112. The buffet is $6 for adults and $3 for children 8 and under. All proceeds benefit the 2009 Youth Mission Trips. Please join us for a great meal and support the Youth Mission Trips Ministry at the same time. |
Family Life Center Cleanup Day
The Building Committee appreciates everyone who has come out to sweep, paint, pick up trash, and clean up the Family Life Center throughout the construction process! Thank you so much for all your help - we could not have completed this project as quickly without you!
In preparation for the Open House on April 19, the Building Committee will be having one more cleanup day on Saturday, April 18, in the Family Life Center to make the new addition shine. If you are available, please join us at 9:00am and bring glass and surface cleaners, rags, brooms, dustpans, mop buckets, paper towels, and anything else that might help clean the bathroom fixtures and floors. If you have questions, please contact Stephanie Marker at 220-9094. |
TRAINING FOR OPEN HOUSE HOSPITALITY
Here's your chance to learn the ins and outs of the hospitality trade. Wednesday, April 15, at 6:30 and Saturday, April 18, at 4:30. Pastor Karen and Pastor Steve will help you understand what we are planning for the Open House. |
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Open House - April 19
Open House
Sunday, April 19, Noon to 3:00pm
Celebrate our expanding ministries
with the opening of our new
Family Life Center
Volunteers are needed to make finger food for our Open House on April 19. This would include small sandwiches, canapés, small desserts (cookies, bars, petit fours). Also, help is needed at the food table on the day of the Open House. Please call Sheila Solon at 229-0218 to let her know if you can help and/or what you can bring.
Save the date!
Join the fun!
Invite a friend!
Invite another friend!
See you there!
Check out the blue card in worship for ways you can help. Hospitality training sessions are scheduled for April 16 at 6:30pm and April 18 at 4:30pm. There's plenty of opportunities for everyone. |
Another opportunity to make a friend, have some fun, enjoy some fellowship, and at the same time, raise money to support the ministries of First UMC
What is Fan the Flame?
Out of our skills, talents, abilities, and abundance, we offer a service to a fellow member. Someone who is interested in buying your service pays the church for the value of the service and you make arrangements to deliver.
There will be a special display on the weekends of April 18/19, April 25/26, and May 2/3 for you to see the things that have been offered.
If you want to volunteer to bake a pie, host a swim party, mow a yard, detail a car, rent your condo.... The possibilities are limited only by your imagination.
For information on how to get involved by donating your skill, talent, ability, or anything else contact:
Joan Petty (Chair), 229-0258
Darlene Barnes, 224-0224
Janice Bauch, 796-3852
Bonnie Lass-Schmuhl, 350-2222
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YOUTH MISSION TRIPS GARAGE SALE
The annual Youth Mission Trips Garage Sale will be Saturday, April 25, in the new Family Life Center. The Garage Sale is a major fundraiser for the mission trips. Once again the youth would appreciate your support with your donations and coming by to shop. Who knows, you might find something you can use. Books, games, toys, adult clothes, kids' clothes and a variety of housewares will be available.
Fitness equipment, Christmas decorations, guns, computers and large furniture and appliances cannot be accepted. Donations can be brought to the Family Life Center Friday afternoon, April 24. If you have questions about donations, call Jack Marker, 229-9510. |
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Join "Connections"
 If you would like to explore a deeper connection with God within a small group community, Connections invites you to join us on Sundays at 10:40am in Room 100. Connections is a group for adults who are interested in developing meaningful relationships with God and each other. If you would like more information, please contact Stephanie Marker at 220-9094 or
stephaniecmarker@yahoo.com.
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MOTHER'S DAY BRUNCH The United Methodist Men are hosting their annual Mother's Day Brunch on Saturday, May 2, at 9:00am in the church narthex. The cost of the catered brunch is $8 per person. Men are encouraged to invite their wives, mothers, daughters, and significant others to this catered brunch. Also, any female who would like to attend is welcome. We are fortunate to have Mary Potter as our guest speaker. Mary served on the Blue Springs City Council for a number of years, is currently the chairperson of the Blue Springs Historical Society, and will give a presentation on Landscape Gardening. In order to provide enough food, please contact Gary Meinershagen by phone at 228-5908 or e-mail (shagen7577@sbcglobal.net) no later than April 22 to reserve your spot. Sounds like an interesting time and hope to see you there.
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BRIDGES
BRIDGES will meet Wednesday, May 6, at the home of Norma Jean Sigler, 2108 SW Smith Street, Blue Springs.
Virginia Kernes and Norma Jean will present a program on two pianos of "Nostalgic Music" at noon. A box lunch will be served with choice of ham or turkey-price $6. The house is on the corner of 22nd and Smith Street and faces north.
Reservations and payment are due by April 26. Call Dee Meek at 373-2580. Seating is limited to 30.
Carpooling from the church is encouraged.
The goal of BRIDGES is to be an intergenerational group working together for the betterment of the church and the support of each other. Anyone is welcome to attend BRIDGES functions. |
BLESSING OF THE BIKES!
Saturday evening, April 25, will be the Second Annual Blessing of The Bikes. Come see the bikes, share the food, and enjoy the fun! There will be more details to come! Put it on your calendar! | |
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