1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - February 4, 2022 |
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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This Sunday: February 6, 2022 |
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Message: "Acts of God"
Pastor Mike Loomis
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Town Hall Meeting - this Sunday |
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Mark your calendar for the Town Hall meeting opportunity - Sunday, February 6th from 2pm - 3:30pm in the Sanctuary. Join Pastor Mike and Craig Holcomb for a short presentation and discussion on the future of the United Methodist Church. |
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Due to only a couple of individuals signing up for the ALPHA program we are canceling the event which was scheduled for February 9th. |
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United Way of Charlotte County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be providing FREE income tax assistance to individuals and families with a household income of $66,000 or less at 1st United Methodist Church beginning February 3rd.
Tax preparation services will be held at the church every Thursday from 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm through April 7. Interested individuals and families can call 941-421-7100 to be added to the appointment list.
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2021 Contribution Statements |
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2021 Contribution Statements have been mailed to your email on file with the Church Office.
If you need a printed copy, please call the Church Office and ask for Denise, Ext. 226, OR email me at Denise@whatis1st.com with your request.
Thanks for all your contributions!!
Finance Office
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Today Matters - February 19 |
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Join us on Saturday, February 19 at 4pm to hear from our friend Rosie Young. Rosie will speak and give her testimony, "Life isn't always Rosie," sharing the trials that she has gone through and how God has been there for her always.
We know you will be blessed!
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Feed the Harbor - February 27 |
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Save the Date!! Feed the Harbor will be Sunday, February 27 from 8:30am - 3:30pm.
Our church will be serving at the Punta Gorda Crossing Publix location. (Airport Road)
Feed the Harbor is co-sponsored by several local churches in partnership with Publix Supermarkets. Charlotte County churches working together to fill Charlotte County food pantries!
20-25 volunteers are needed to make our participation a success. We will have a morning shift, and an afternoon shift. Volunteers hand out shopping flyers with the items needed, collect the food being donated, sort it into categories, then move the food to the pallets. Dress casually & wear sneakers! The local food panties come and pick up their food at the end of the day by 3pm. You can sign up to help with Feed the Harbor HERE.
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Receive Texts from 1st Church |
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1st Church Family... We are trying to improve our communication within the congregation and also looking for a way to keep everyone seeking devotionals each day. If you would like to receive daily devotionals from 1st Church or receive important communications, please sign up by calling the church office 941-639-3842. This will allow us to text you these messages and make it easy for you to receive them. |
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Greetings 1st Church--
Brrrr-- winter really spent a few days in Florida. Personally I like the short time we have cool, refreshing weather, but I admit, that cold weather makes my bones hurt. It can't be my age. Of course! Seriously, I hope everyone stayed warm and safe during the frosty nights.
This past Sunday we were blessed to welcome several new members to our church family. This is a wonderful event, and a chance to remind us to greet someone who we don't know. It's a good way to put those name tags to good use. If you need one, let us know, or use one of the disposable ones that are at each door. Before the pandemic, we had the opportunity to meet, and share hugs with new members after they were introduced. So if you see someone you don't know, say hi; it's one of the things that makes this church family great. Of course, the main reason we attend are the amazing messages we get from our pastors. As you know, Pastor Mike has been sharing how important it is to be a strong church of prayer. As we Re planning for Lent, in preparation for Easter, ( can you even believe that?), we have been planning a special time of prayer as a congregation. Complete information will be coming soon, but it has brought my focus back to prayer,and it's importance in my life. My initial encouragement in "how to " pray, came from a loving pastor, years ago who told me I could simply talk to God. Before that, prayer was reading something in a book. I learned it didn't have to be complicated or eloquent. Over the next years I learned that if I included scripture into prayers, my mind didn't wander as much. Of course, when I'd be in distress and my mind was frantic, I'd return to The Lord's Prayer, which has been called the model prayer. Prayer becomes very personal and natural with time. Nothing is too small to bring to God. He loves to hear our voices. Phil.4:6 encourages us, "Let your requests be made to God ". My prayer life changed greatly in the past 2 years when my husband and I began praying out loud together on a daily basis. I praise God for this beautiful blessing! A prayer warrior shared with me recently that a Physician Assistant (PA) had questioned her about a difficult recovery period that she and her husband had been through and how they had done it. She replied that they pray together regularly. The PA smiled and said " when I have couples come in together facing tough challenges, I encourage them to do that!" I love that! Prayer with a partner is a powerful thing!
This week we prayed for 2 people who have gone to be with the Lord. Norma Stroud, mother of Carla Clark was honored with a gathering of friends and members with a get-together in Fellowship Hall. A formal Celebration of Life will be held at a later date in Colorado.
(Dolores), Dolly Smith had a Celebration of Life on 2/2/22 in our sanctuary. We will think of her each time we hear the piano!
Stay warm. I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
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The Eighth Note – Music Ministry in a Minute! |
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Greetings Everyone,
We have been experiencing issues with the phones in the music office. My apologies to anyone whose call I may have missed. The phone tech has been out and fixed the problem with the system. Thank you for your understanding.
The beginning of the Chinese New Year is a great time to consider joining the Handbell Choir and Chancel Choir. We are always looking for new talent.
The Chancel Ringers rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30PM in the Life Center. The ability to read music is necessary.
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 6:30PM in the Historic Sanctuary.
Please contact David Bellows for more information.
Soli Deo Gloria!
David Bellows
Director of Music Ministries
This Sunday’s Music: February 6, 2022 - 11:00AM Service
Prelude: Let Us Break Bread Together – D. Wood
Opening Hymn: 98 To God Be The Glory
Offertory Anthem: Let Us Break Bread Together – A. Clarke
Closing Hymn: 578 God Of Love And God Of Power
Postlude: Toccata in G Major – T. Dubois
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
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Discovery Bible Study - Now on Zoom |
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The Discovery Bible Study began a new study, "The Truth Project" on January 17, 2022. Discovery Bible Study meets on Mondays from 10-11:30 am on Zoom.
"The Truth Project is a ground-breaking small group curriculum on the Biblical worldview. This video-based Bible study is the starting point for looking at life from a biblical perspective. Join Dr. Del Tackett, as he takes you through 13 engaging video lessons on the relevance and importance of living the Biblical worldview in daily life, featuring insights from biblical experts like R.C. Sproul, Os Guinness and Gordon Pennington."
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A gathering of men who seek a more complete Christian understanding of the teaching of Jesus. Men of Faith meet in Lenox Hall on Thursdays from 9-10:30am under the leadership of Pastor Bill Grant. The group uses the daily study guide, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, as a start for each weeks' discussion. The daily study guide is available free at the gathering. Many of the group come from other churches, so invite your friends. |
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2022 Bible Reading Schedules |
We want to encourage you to join us as we once again read through the Bible. Start your new year off right by committing to read God's Word!
Download the 2022 reading guide HERE.
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Worship Service Information |
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If you are planning on attending our services please remember the following:
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Masks are now optional for those that are fully vaccinated.
- Social distancing is still encouraged. Families may sit together, but please leave three seats between you and others not in your family.
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If you are feverish or not feeling well, we ask that you stay home and join us online on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
At this time, you may only enter the Life Center through the main entrance facing the Fellowship Hall courtyard. All other exterior doors will be locked. We'll see you Sunday!
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Join us this Sunday at 8 am for Praise in the Park! Open to everyone, this is your opportunity to join us for "in-person" worship as we enjoy God's scenery from the lawn of the beautiful Gilchrist Park Pavilion, weather permitting of course. If it is or has been raining (or is too cold), Praise in the Park will relocate to our historic Sanctuary. Time may not always be sufficient to get the word out, so in case of inclement weather, please proceed to the Sanctuary.
Please plan to bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets, and, yes, we will be asking you to practice social distancing. Don't forget to join our "Praise in the Park" group on our Church App! As a reminder, our outside services are always subject to change due to the weather. Please make sure you are connected with us through the app, our email list, or social media to receive our updates concerning schedule changes. See you Sunday for Praise in the Park!
Praise in the Park is currently scheduled to continue meeting at Gilchrist Park through Easter 2022.
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm
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