Each year we look forward to the annual Homecoming Day at Isle of Hope United Methodist Church. That day is here, this Sunday May 3.  The first Sunday in May is a time to gather with friends and family and  celebrate the rich history and heritage of the IOHUMC family.
 
We will have two services of Worship: 8:45 AM and 11:15 AM. Sunday School for all ages will be held at 10:00 AM. Lunch will be served at 12:30 PM "Under the Oaks". The church will supply fried chicken, drinks, and paper products. You are asked to bring several dishes of food (other meats, vegetables, salads, and desserts)...enough for your family and a little extra for our guests. You will want to bring lawns chairs, blankets, and other items to make the meal and a time of fellowship more comfortable. The HOPE BAND will furnish music following the meal.
 
We need your help with parking. We expect a larger than usual  attendance for the day. Park at the Isle of Hope Elementary School and ride the trolley, leaving the nearby  parking  spaces for our guests and visitors. The trolley will run continuously throughout the morning and until 1:45 PM
 
Our speaker for this Homecoming will be one of our former pastors, Rev. George W. Herndon. George and Cora and their children were the Isle of Hope  parsonage family 1960-1964. Prior to coming to Isle of Hope, they were the  parsonage family of the Midland Charge of the Methodist Church, where I grew up at the Pierce Chapel Methodist Church, one of three churches on that charge. While I was in high school, George Herndon became my mentor, encouraging me to hear the message which God was  speaking in my heart, a call to full-time Christian ministry. We welcome George and Cora as our special guests today.
 
Isle of Hope UMC is 158 years old this year. Our membership  now totals more than 2,800, and continues to grow. We welcome many guest and visitors each week to our times of worship, study, and fellowship. Our church continues also to move toward being a 50/50 Church, in giving as much to others as we spend on ourselves. We are now at 37/63, moving  a bit closer each year.  God is blessing us as we seek to reach out to others.
 
Our Homecoming chairperson this year is Mimi Jones. We are thankful for her work and that of many other persons who help to plan and carryout the activities of the Homecoming celebration.
 
Make your plans to be present. Invite others to come with you. Pray for the activities of the day and give thanks to God for what He has done and is doing through the Isle of Hope United Methodist  Church. It is a joy to share God's work with you!
 

                                                                 Dick Reese