First United Methodist Church Pastorgram
January 7, 2010
In This Issue
MEN'S BREAKFAST
AMAZING GRACE
Winter Classes
Moms First
Women's Game Night
Harvester's Food Drive
Full Schedules, Barren Souls
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
Bags
Hearts and Hands
Costa Rica Auction
Children's Music
Quick Links
Bell Choirs
The choirs meet at 5:30, 6:30, or 7:30pm each Wednesday and play monthly in our worship services.  If you are interested in joining  one of the choirs, please stop by a rehearsal.  Anyone is welcome to attend and join.  If you have any questions call Kathy Ford, 228-7596, about the 5:30 or 6:30 bell choir or Janie Wilson, 228-0828, about the 7:30 bell choir.
Greetings!  
 
 
            We cancelled Wednesday evening activities yesterday. It was a wise decision. One advantage of being on the PastorGram list is you received the information directly. This morning our contractor arrived and plowed the drive and the parking lots. They do an excellent job for us. And, with no additional snow in the forecast we should be on schedule for all the weekend events to go forward. It will just be very cold between now and then. I understand that Sunday the temperature may be as high as the low 20's. It will be balmy. So, I hope you have plans to be here. Be careful coming and going.
 
            The movie Amazing Grace, which we were going to see yesterday will be shown this coming Wednesday, January 13, at 6:30 in the Sanctuary. I hope you will be able to see it. Rev. Karen and I will both be attending the Missouri Area Minister's School next Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. This is an annual continuing education event sponsored by the Annual Conference.
 
            Beginning on Wednesday January 20 Rev. Karen will be offering another session of Serving from the Heart. This is the Spiritual Gifts discovery class. If you have not done this previously, I encourage you to be part of the class. The early church believed that the Holy Spirit would create, empower, and direct the Body of Christ through the giving of Spiritual Gifts.
 
            On that same Wednesday evening I will begin leading a 10 week course on the Psalms. This is part of the Disciple Bible Study program entitled "Invitation to Psalms". The evening of January 20 we will be doing an orientation and distributing materials. I hope you will choose to be part of this class.
 
            Grace and Peace to You,
            Steve Campbell
GYM FLOOR TO BE SEALED
Please check with the church office to determine if the gym floor is ready for use.  Work is going on now, so please be patient and felxible while this in in process.
METHODIST MEN'S BREAKFAST 
All men of the church are invited to gather for breakfast and fellowship on Saturday, January 9, at 8:00am in room 112.
AMAZING GRACE-Rescheduled
"Amazing Grace," directed by Michael Apted, tells the story of antislavery pioneer William Wilberforce, who, as a member of the British parliament, navigated the world of 18th-century backroom politics to end the slave trade in the British Empire. The film follows Wilberforce's career through his 20s and 30s, when he and his fellow humanitarians made the issue of slavery a talking point, not only in political circles, but also throughout the country. They waged the first modern political campaign, using petitions, boycotts, mass meetings, and even badges with slogans to take their message to the country at large.
 
Strongly influenced by John Newton--who composed the hymn "Amazing Grace"--Wilberforce steered the antislavery cause through the corridors of power and ultimately opened the way for the abolition of slavery throughout the British Empire. His success came after decades of fighting, when parliament finally passed the first anti-slavery bill in 1807.
 
JOIN US:
Wednesday, January 13, 6:30pm in the sanctuary for a free screening of the movie "Amazing Grace."
Winter Classes on Wednesday Night
Begin January 20
 
Rev. Karen will begin a "Gifts Discovery" class at 6:30pm in room 112.  In four two-hour sessions participants will work through the exercises in "Serving from the Heart."
 
Rev. Steve will begin a disciple class on "Invitation to Psalms."  You can make a deeper connection to the world of the Psalms so that these well known scriptures can help you give voice to all aspects of our human experience---joy, faith, uncertainty and sorrow.  This class will be held in room 117 at 6:30pm.
MOMS FIRST
The next meeting of Moms first will be on Sunday, January 10, at noon in room 117.  You are requested to prepare and bring to share your favorite (easy) dish along with the recipe for that dish.  Also, bring containers so leftovers can be divided and shared.
Moms First is a new group created for the purpose of support and inspiration of moms with children at home.  Contact Ronda Brewer or the church office for more information.
  
WOMEN'S GAME NIGHT
Back by popular demand-a women's game night.  The event will be held Friday, January 22, in room 117, 6:30pm until 9:30pm.
Harvesters Souper Bowl Weekend of Caring
 
Our youth and adult volunteers will be working on Saturday, February 6, from 2:00-4:00pm to help sort and repackage food. Volunteers are asked to bring a minimum of 10 canned goods (or $10) per person.
 
Not only will we be working - we will be collecting food church-widestarting January 17!   Bring a canned good every time you come to church or youth!  Let's see how much we can collect!
Tired of the Day-to-Day Rat Race?
Weary of the Endless Appointments and Schedule?
Do You Have a Full Schedule, But an Empty Life?
Isn't it time to take a deep breath and relax?
 
Come join an inspirational workshop learning how to remove yourself from over-extension and the draining day to day fatigue.  You'll learn valuable tips on how to break the bond of the over-booked calendar.  Spend three hours discovering life-enhancing techniques to empower you to take back your life.  Uncover the Five A's that will awaken your spirit and renew your self-empowerment.  Learn how to live a life full of contentment, peace and harmony instead of stress, exhaustion and anxiety.
If you are seriously interested in living a calmer, more satisfying and fulfilling life, this is a must-attend event.  Join seasoned professional speaker and life coach, Kay Kotan, as she leads you through the step-by-step process on how to reclaim your life.  This dynamic speaker creates a safe place to challenge today's busy-ness and reconsider society's beliefs.
 
Mark Your Calendar Today
Saturday, February 13
9:00am to Noon
First United Methodist Church
Admission is Only $25
Proceeds for this invaluable event benefit the ministries of First United Methodist Church.
Purchase your tickets today at the Information Table in the church lobby or on-line at:
http://tinyurl.com/1stMethodistBlueSpgs.
 
Make the decision today to invest in yourself and your family.
Bring a friend to share in this memorable journey.
HABITAT FOR HUMANITY
TOOL TREE
 
Give a gift this Christmas season that keeps on giving.  Help Truman Heritage Habitat for Humanity in their quest to build 40 homes in 5 years in Eastern Jackson County.
 
To participate, select a paper ornament from our "Tool Tree" located in the narthex.  Remove the ornament from the tree and purchase the item or gift card listed.  Place your purchase under the tree by January 10.  Habitat tool trailers have been stolen or broken into twice in the past 3 months.  These trailers have been locked and fenced at their office, but still they have lost several $$$ worth of tools.  Let's help replace and improve the tool inventory.
 
Let's make this the best Habitat Tool Drive ever.
 
Save the Planet,
Get your Groceries,
Support FUMC Outreach

Reusable shopping bags are available for $5 each.  The bags are 12"w x 13"h x 8"d with a sturdy carrying handle.  The bags have an FUMC logo printed on both sides.  Each bag you purchase allows us to give one to our weekend visitors.
HEARTS AND HANDS CIRCLE 
Hearts and Hands January Project - Newhouse Shelter for Women and Children.  Newhouse has a continuing need for twin sheets and pillowcases. With the capacity to accommodate more than 80 women and children, there is an on-going need for sheets and pillowcases.  Perhaps you have some gently used ones or can take advantage of the January white sales and help us fill the H&H bin in the coat closet.  Thanks for your generosity.
Won't You Donate an Item (or Two) for
FUMC's Fabulous February Auction?
In February, our church is planning a BIG fund-raising auction in the Family Life Center, with live and silent auction action, to raise funds for the Costa Rica Reverse Mission Trip you've been hearing so much about. The task force is already at work and has made great progress on getting exciting donations from local businesses, including some much sought-after autographed sports memorabilia.
But we know you may have some items gathering dust in a closet or you may have connections to an area business that might be willing to help us out. If you'd like to help, let us know:
-Do you have a brand-new item of some value you would like to donate?
-Have any gift cards or gift certificates sitting around that you probably won't use?
-Do you have any collectibles you would be willing to part with?
-Does your employer have a product or service he or she would be willing to donate?
-Would you like to take a territory in or around Blue Springs and ask businesses for donations? 


Please contact Jack Marker, 229-9510, or Ken Landes, 229-5712, to volunteer or to share your ideas or donations.

Children's Music Ministry
 
Wee Singers meet each Sunday for 10:10-10:30am in room 115.  Wee Singers is a group for children ages pre-kindergarten through grade 1. The Wee Singers are under the direction of Brooke Roskop and Heather Davis.
 
Power Praise Choir practices in room 100 from 10:10-10:30am every Sunday morning for children 2nd-5th grade.  It is under the direction of Libbie Kaufman. 
 
Chime Choir practices  at 10:45am Sunday, January 17, and meets every other Sunday in the bell room.  Chime Choir is being led by Kyle Alberg. 
 
Puppets
If you like to perform but too embarrassed to get in front of anyone, then puppets is your home.  Puppets perform for Children's Christmas Eve service and work will begin soon.  Puppets meet every other Sunday (opposite of Chime Choir) at the 10:45 hour.  Next meeting will be January 10 in room 102.
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Contact Info
First United Methodist Church
301 SW Woods Chapel Rd
Blue Springs, MO 64015
www.firstumcbs.org
816-229-8108