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EVERYONE IS INVITED
Have you read The Shack? Many people have, and it has created a lot of discussion. The group from "Back Fence Bible Study" invites you to a discussion of the book on Thursday, May 14, at 9:30am in room 100. |
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High School
Senior Recognition
We would like to celebrate with you and honor your accomplishment by hosting a reception in your honor.
Sunday, May 17, 10:45am worship
followed by reception in the narthex. |
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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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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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OFFERING ENVELOPES
There are 156 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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Greetings!
It is probably not recessary to remind you that this Sunday is Mother's Day. We will celebrate and give thanks. It is a time to reflect and give thanks for all of those persons who have nurtured us in love. It is also a time to do some reflection and evaluation on how we love and care for others. The Scripture reading for the services this week are from I John 4:7-21. The message of John is pretty clearly, "God is love, and those who know God love others." It is a powerful passage teaching us that our Christian faith is not a matter of rule-keeping but a living relationship with God. And, that relationship stems from God's loving nature. I hope you will be in one of the services. We will also receive new members into the church family and celebrate Christian Baptism at the 9:15 and 10:45 worship gatherings.
In the book, Eight Life-Enriching Practices of United Methodists, Dr. Hal Knight says, "We are all made for relationship. Scripture does not depict either Israel or the church as a collection of individuals who decided to come together, but as the people of God, a community in which each person finds both relationship and identity. Community is essential to us as human beings and as Christians." (page 77) In the Methodist tradition, there is a particular expression of that community in the Methodist Class meeting. Today that same group is often referred to as a "Wesleyan Covenant Group." It is a form of community for those who want to grow in their love for God and for others. Karen and I will be offering a one-time learning event to talk about Covenant Discipleship on Wednesday evening, May 27, at 6:30pm. We will probably meet in room 112. If you would like to know more about this form of Christian community, please come. At the least, it will enrich your understanding of our Methodist heritage. It may inspire the formation of one or more new groups in our congregation.
I hope you have marked your calendar with the date for our special Church Conference. The date and time are Wednesday, June 10 at 6:30pm. The agenda will be the election of lay officials for the coming year. This is an annual event for United Methodists. We elect officers to coincide with the Annual Conference year, which is July 1 through June 30. The United Methodist Discipline prescribes term limits for many of our elected officials. First United Methodist Church has a policy regarding the maximum years of service on any one board or committee. This is a wise policy which allows for the inclusion of new members and new leadership. I do hope you will give prayerful thought to serving should the Committee on Lay Leadership call and ask you to serve.
When have you invited a friend or neighbor to worship with you at First United Methodist Church? This weekend would be a wonderful time to introduce your friends to your church family.
Sincerely,
Steve Campbell |
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HILLCREST WALK FOR THE HOMELESS
Hillcrest Walk for the Homeless is an annual spring event that raises awareness and funds to support Hillcrest in its mission to transition homeless families to self-sufficiency. Participating in the Saturday morning, May 16, Walk for the Homeless is an excellent way to show your support for Hillcrest and the families served. Getting pledges is encouraged, but if that is not your thing, your participation is still very much desired. Although we are not officially forming a team, Jane Rosendahl has volunteered to organize carpooling from the church to the walk starting location near Independence Square. Contact her at 224-5660. Go online to register at this link, click on Walk for the Homeless, then Eastern Jackson County Walk. If you have any questions about the walk itself, call Hillcrest at 461-0468.
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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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| Return to Iowa Mission Trip
- July 22-26, 2009
We will be returning to the Cedar Rapids, Iowa area to help with flood repairs. Senior high (entering 9th grade fall of 2009 or older), college age, and adults are welcome to join us! Cost will be $50.
We will have an information meeting on May 17 at 4:30 in room 103. Please call Jan Harris (224-2904) or Linda Kaufman (228-5209) with questions.
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LOOKING FOR TEACHERS
Summer session for Children's and Youth Sunday School begins May 31. Helping just a couple of times this summer goes a long way toward providing priceless teaching opportunities. All curriculum and supplies are provided' but we need you to complete the program. Please contact Michelle Mueller, 229-8108, to help with children or Diana Griffiths, 229-0340, to lead the youth. |
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VOLLEYBALL
Now that the multipurpose room is available, please join the adult volleyball opportunities.
On Tuesday evenings at 7:00pm the Independents Single Adult ministry is hosting a weekly session for singles.
On Friday evenings at 7:00pm all adults are invited to join in the fun.
We have two courts so there should be little waiting. |
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ADULT MEN NEEDED
FOR HIGH SCHOOL MISSION TRIP
The high school youth mission trip to Amarillo this summer is looking for adult men to go along as leaders. You don't even have to have a youth on the trip! You must be at least 25 years old, a member of our church, and be Safe Sanctuary trained. For more information contact Jack Marker, 229-9510. |
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FOOD COORDINATOR NEEDED FOR HIGH SCHOOL MISSION TRIP
The high school youth mission trip to Amarillo this summer is in need of a food coordinator. The food coordinator will work with Jack Marker, the Mission Trips Coordinator, to plan menus, buy the food and prepare the meals at the mission site. Contact Jack Marker, 229-9510, for more information. | |
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