Church Family,
April has arrived! Warmer weather, signs of new life, and Easter. We begin our month still in Lent as we will find ways to "Rest, Relax, and Reflect and Reconnect to an Unhurried God". Have you found a prayer chair at home? I am finding myself going to mine just to take a deeper breath and are thankful for the restoration that I am finding from that time. Reading, Bible journaling, and swimming are also giving me space to just be with God. How are you spending your time? Where are you finding joy and connection to God? Don’t forget that South Lyon First UMC has amazing opportunities beyond Sunday worship:

· Yoga (free!) is offered on Monday nights, with free babysitting
· Knitting happens in the lobby on Tuesday afternoons
· Bible Journaling occurs on Tuesday nights
· Men’s Bible study also occurs Tuesday nights
· Women’s Bible study ensures Wednesday mornings
· Pub Theology on Wednesday nights
· Choirs and bells on Wednesday nights
· Quilting and sewing Thursday afternoons
· The Upper Room devotionals issue a monthly edition that you can pick up in the lobby
· The sanctuary cross light is on & the prayer chair is available during office hours
Maybe you read this list last month and wanted to make an effort to find some extra time to be with God, but life got in the way. Try again. Never stop finding ways to draw closer to God! John 11:25-26 says: "I am the resurrection and the life. Whoever believes in me, even though they may die, will live, and everyone who lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?"
Do we believe? Do we live a life that reflects belief in Jesus’ resurrection? When we believe, we recognize new life and hope for tomorrow. Easter Sunday allows us to rise up, remember, and celebrate the new life that is offered. It is a Sunday that demands we raise our heads and look and listen more intently. It is joyful day, no matter how tough life is going at the time. There is joy to be found on Easter Sunday! We celebrate and remember that not even death could hold down our Savior. That victory is Jesus and love always wins. On this Easter Sunday, whether you are worshipping at South Lyon First United Methodist Church or with family somewhere else, close your eyes for a moment, pause, give thanks for new life in the resurrection of Jesus and find joy in the celebration. Know that you are God’s beloved child and together we have been called to important ministry and mission here in South Lyon.
Peace, Rev. Mary
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Rest, Relax, Reconnect with an Unhurried God
Lenten Worship Series
Come to me all you who are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
I will give you rest. - Matthew 11:28
April 7
"A Time for Every Matter" Ecclesiastes 3:1-13
For many of us in this modern, industrial, tech-savvy world, we have lost touch with the seasonality of life. We want what we want, when we want it. We come to believe that no time is off limits and the lines between busy and rest, work and play, have become increasingly blurred. How far are we from the rhythms and "pleasure of our toil?" What cost to ourselves, to our relationships, and to our planet is this frantic pace? How has our denial of the passage of time and seasons of our lives created an anti-aging sentiment as well as the worship of everything “fast” and the sense that immediate gratification is “normal?”
April 14
Palm Sunday
"Give it a Rest" Mark 2:21-28
The commandment to keep the sabbath is one that might not seem as important as the one about not murdering. But what, and who, suffers in our society when we value economic security over well-being? As we give witness yet again to the story of Jesus' entrance into Jerusalem, proclaiming justice for the oppressed, we must also proclaim justice and peace... and rest... for the weary of this world. This Sunday is also Confirmation Sunday, where our eighth graders have the opportunity to claim the name of Christianity for themselves.
April 18 Holy Thursday Service
7:00 pm Fellowship Hall
We have the opportunity to move through this week alongside Jesus. We will gather around his table, break bread, and drink from the cup together. We will sit, imagine, and remember his final meal with his disciples.
April 18-19 Prayer Vigil
8:00 pm until 3:00 pm on Good Friday. Individuals are invited to sign up to pray at certain times.
April 19 Good Friday
Prayer Stations
12:00 pm – 1:00 pm
There will be prayer stations set up for you to come to the church and walk through at your own pace. Praying and walking alongside of Jesus.
April 19 Good Friday Community Service
7:00 pm
We will gather with other clergy friends and their congregations on Good Friday as we remember and honor Jesus' final breath. His human life was set aside for the forgiveness of our sins. We will hear the scriptures read, prayer together, enjoy a joint choir anthem, and sings hymns as we recognize Jesus’ sacrifices for us all.
April 21 Easter Sunday
"Terror to Amazement" Luke 24:1-18
This Easter Sunday we turn our hearts with hope to meet the risen Christ with us, within us, and within the love between us; within the unexpected that inspires us. We acknowledge that God is with us in our birthing, our living, our dying, and our rising again. Come and celebrate our risen Lord!
6:30 am
SonRise Service - We will gather at the outdoor worship area & fire pit in the darkness and celebrate the discovery of the empty tomb.
8:15 am
Daybreak Traditional Worship
10:45 am
Ignite Contemporary Worship
11:00 am
Cornerstone Traditional Worship
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The Church Has Left the Building
On May 5, 2019 the church will not hold worship inside the church, but will perform acts of God’s love outside the building around the community. There will be projects and services available for all ages and abilities beginning at 9:30 am. If you have project ideas or are willing to be a project leader, please contact Lori Carey at
careylori@hotmail.com
or (248) 446-3061 or Jessica Mytty at
SLFUMCMissionTeam@gmail.com
or 517-294-1777.
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Mission of the Month: UMCOR
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After flood waters have receded, wounds have been tended, basic needs met, and the world's attention has faded, The United Methodist Church continues to be present by providing ongoing assistance.

UMCOR provides survivors not only temporary relief, but also long-term education, training, and support. While UMCOR cooperates with other aid organizations, the most important partners in the work of recovery are those being served.
Click
here
to read more...
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Upcoming Opportunities for Men
•
“First Saturday Breakfast” April 6
th
: We will begin with breakfast for all men from 7:30 – 8:30 in the Friendship Room. Our program, open to the entire congregation this month, will be 8:30 – 9:30 in the sanctuary. Please see the announcement elsewhere in this newsletter for details.
•
“First Saturday Breakfast” May 4
th
: Patti Yerke will share about the wonderful work being done at the Gretta Moffatt School in Liberia and future needs there.
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• Every Tuesday morning devotion, prayer and breakfast 6:30 am in the Parlor
•
The Tuesday night weekly Bible study group meets 7:30 – 8:30 pm in the Parlor. We are currently studying “Life Lessons from Acts” by Max Lucado. Each weekly session stands on its own. Drop in and check it out!
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“Extending Christ’s Love Beyond Borders”
with Marge Lewis and Judith Gunnett
8:30 – 9:30 am on Saturday, April 6
th
This invitation is for our entire church family. We have a special opportunity to hear from two remarkable women who recently completed six weeks of service at a refugee camp in Lesbos, Greece. Marge and Judith are sisters and lifelong friends of Dave Smith. They are committed Christians who have spent their lives serving others.
Marge is an RN who served in the Navy off the coast of Viet Nam. Later she and her husband would serve over 25 years in Yemen providing health care and education in a hospital setting and in rural villages. Judith worked many years in a corporate industrial setting, before becoming a hospital chaplain seven years ago.
Join us in the sanctuary on April 6
th
to learn about their experiences on the island of Lesbos as volunteers with Beyond Borders. See and hear stories of how education services are provided to displaced and marginalized children. You won’t want to miss this eye-opening and touching story of how God’s love is being shared with these refugee families. The program content is suitable for all ages.
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Fundraiser for Capernaum Health Clinic at The Whitney
Join us for a very special brunch in support of Capernaum on Saturday, May 18 at 10:00 am at The Whitney restaurant in Detroit. Capernaum is a unique ministry of several South Lyon churches which offers free medical and dental care to the uninsured and under-insured in our area three times a year. This fundraiser will be used to support Capernaum’s ministry to those who might not otherwise have access to medical and dental care. The Whitney is a historic location, and this event promises to be a meaningful time of fellowship as people from all over our community gather together to break bread in support of Capernaum.
Tickets for the brunch cost $50 person. Or if you prefer, you can become a Friend of Capernuam for $75 per person which includes a ticket to the Whitney, special clinic communications throughout the year, and an invitation to our annual meeting and luncheon. Tickets can be purchased through the church or online using PayPal at
www.capernaumhealthclinic.org
. Please contact Rev. Katy Doyle-Hohf, Capernaum Exectuive Director, at
k.doylehohf@gmail.com
or (248) 535 6776 if you have any questions.
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Bishop Bard Letter Following General Conference
The Special General Conference in St. Louis has now come to an end. What comes next? Read Bishop David Bard's letter to our Michigan congregations to find out more.
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Spring Fling Help Wanted
April 13th
1:00-3:00 pm
Remember the excitement of searching for brightly colored eggs? The Event Planning Team needs your help bringing memories like these to the children and families in our community. We are planning a HUGE event for the entire community and with many helping hands we know this event will be lots of fun!
We will have activities including an Easter egg hunt, crafts, face painting, balloon animals, & food!
Please visit the kiosk and sign up to help, or to donate an item. Please contact Alison McKenna at
alijmck@gmail.com
or Jen Denny at
jendenny@att.net
with questions.
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Babysitting Night
Youth Missions Fundraiser
Parents! Enjoy a night out and drop your child(ren) at the church for some fun games, movies and MORE! This is the same night as the South Lyon Mom Prom, so Dads can drop off the kids and catch up with friends. If you know someone who would like bring their children to our babysitting night, they are welcome too! Plan your date night and leave the babysitting up to us.
DATE:
April 13th
TIME:
6:30pm - 9:30pm
WHERE:
Check in at the Fellowship Hall starts at 6:00pm
Suggested Donation: $15 for 1st child, $10 for each additional child
Includes Snack
All proceeds will support the Youth Mission Teams this summer.
To register your child click here
https://bit.ly/2VWruIe
or sign up on the kiosk or Ignite bulletin board after services.
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Save the Date!
2
nd
Annual Golf Outing
to Benefit God’s Country Mission Trip
Sunday afternoon, June 23
Riverbank Golf Course
Registration details next month!
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Church News
New Church Members -
Please welcome our newest members!
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Michele Slessor
Michele Slessor is retiring in March from her job as a commercial service representative and she is looking for volunteer opportunities in our community. Michele enjoys reading, watching old movies, and fair-weather walking. Her fellowship friend is Linda Williams. Michele lives at 11162 Cedarbrook Ct. in South Lyon.
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Marilyn Bone
Marilyn Bone is joining the South Lyon First membership from St. Matthews UMC in Livonia. She enjoys spending time with family, solving puzzles, and sewing. She and her two daughters, Ruth and Sue, moved to South Lyon last year and now live at 517 North Reese Street. Supporting Marilyn is her fellowship friend, Peg Berry.
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Ruth Bone
Ruth Bone is joining our membership from St. Matthews UMC. Ruth loves to spend her time with family solving puzzles and walking. Ruth moved to South Lyon last year with her mother, Marilyn, and her sister, Sue, and lives at 517 North Reese Street. Her fellowship friend, Diane Thompson, will be helping her connect here at South Lyon First UMC.
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Eagle Scout Project Thank You!
The little library was successfully installed in December at Kensington Place Trailer Park. Over 1,200 books were collected for the project. I want to say thank you to all those who gave books, cash or returnable donations to help fund and supply the library. I truly appreciate the support and enthusiasm that was shown by the church community.
The library will be maintained by the ladies of the church and will continue to provide books to the children of Kensington Place for hopefully many years to come.
As of March, I earned my Eagle Scout, and I could not have done it without the help of the members of SLFUMC. Thank you for making an impact both on my life as well as the lives of the children of Kensington Place.
Jakob Klemens
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Click the link below to see
this month's birthdays!

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Worship Schedule
8:15 am Daybreak in Sanctuary
9:30 am Sunday School
10:45 am Ignite in Fellowship Hall
11:00 am Cornerstone in Sanctuary
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for more information about our church or any of these programs!
Do you prefer a printed copy of our newsletter? Hard copies are available on the kiosk in the lobby!
Newsletter is edited by Lori Penndorf
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