1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - January 14, 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: January 16, 2022 |
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Message: "Who Do You Say I Am?"
Pastor Mike Loomis
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The service for Bill Roemler originally scheduled for this Saturday, January 15 has been postponed until a later date. We will notify everyone soon when we know the rescheduled date. |
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Mark your calendars and plan to donate blood before or after worship this Sunday, January 16, 8:30am - 1:30pm.
All donors will receive a $10 eGift Card, a OneBlood long sleeve t-shirt and a Chick-fil-A gift card! Plus a wellness checkup including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening!
Appointments are encouraged - make your appointment HERE. (sponsor code #10245) Thank you!
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Join us this Sunday, January 16 at 2pm - 3:30pm in the Sanctuary. Pastor Mike will give a short presentation followed by a discussion regarding the future of the United Methodist Church. |
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Please note: The Church Office will be closed on Monday, January 17th
in observance of Martin Luther King Jr. Day.
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Please join us as we celebrate the 100th birthday of a very special lady...
Rosalie Wilford!
Rosalie will be in the church parking lot on Friday, January 21st from 4:00 to 6:00pm for a birthday card drive thru. Please stop by and wish her a very Happy Birthday!
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A Leap of Faith, Canceled |
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Due to the Covid increase, the Leap of Faith meeting is canceled for Saturday, January 22 at 9:30. |
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Dear 1st Church Members and Friends,
We want to thank you for your generous gifts that we received this Christmas!
We are grateful for your expressions of love and thoughtfulness.
And, we look forward to serving and loving Jesus alongside you in 2022.
Yours in Christ,
Your 1st Church Staff
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With the rise of Covid cases, the United Christian Women is cancelling our January meeting which would have been held on January 24th. Our next meeting will be February 28th at 11 AM in Lenox Hall. |
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We are one of 10 churches working with Habitat for Humanity to build a home in Port Charlotte for Josh & Courtney Fontenot and their 4 children. They are very excited to be moving from their 2 bedroom home with their growing family.
Our commitment is to provide volunteers and to raise $5,000 to help with costs. On January 16th and 23rd please stop between services at our table by Lenox Hall and write a blessing on 2x4s which will be used for the interior walls. 1st Church volunteers will be working on the home Saturday, January 29th. Donations are welcome. Please indicate ‘Apostles Build’ on your offering. For more information, call Wayne Sharp at 612-867-3017 or sharpww@me.com.
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I was ringing the bell for Salvation Army at Publix on Airport Rd., the Thursday before Christmas. A man approached and stuffed some money into the kettle. I wished him a Merry Christmas and he went on into the store. Awhile later he came out of the store with a full cart of bagged groceries. He came up to me with tears in his eyes and said that he had just had the most wonderful experience. He said that the person in front of him in the check-out line had paid for his groceries - $313.00! Then he asked me, “do you think that happened because I put money in the kettle”? I said that I didn’t know the answer to that but that I do know that God loves a cheerful giver.
The next day one of my devotional readings was Luke 6:38, " Give, and you will receive. Your gift will return to you in full—pressed down, shaken together to make room for more, running over, and poured into your lap."
Kathy Kresge
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Medicines for Cuba Needed |
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Pastor Jose from the Sancti Spiritus Cuba Church will come on a special trip just to visit our Church on Sunday January 23. He is planning to take back to Cuba luggage suitcases filled with badly needed medicines. In his town of 108,000 there is not so much as an aspirin. He has provided us with a list of vitally needed medicines and copies of that list is on the suitcase under the Mission Board in Lenox Hall. If you want to give to our Cuban Christian friends to help them in this time of trouble, bring some medicine to Lenox by Thursday January 20 and put them in the suitcase. No liquids. No medicines with expiration dates before February 2023. What an impact your gift will have. Questions can be directed to Tom Little, 941-769-0002, kalani@comcast.net
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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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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 friends--
I have been praying for the health and safety of everyone. As we all know, Covid has been on the rise in recent weeks, necessitating some changes in our safety/health protocols on campus. In an effort to keep you and those around you safe, we are asking you to social distance, wear a mask inside when in large groups, and of course practice careful hand washing. If you have any symptoms causing you to feel unwell, we ask that you remain at home and participate in online worship services. Several events on campus have canceled or been postponed, so please check with your groups and/or Bible studies regarding possible schedule changes. We thank you for your understanding during this time.
Some of you may have heard that my New Year day began with several hours spent in the emergency room. Ugh! After. my initial pity party of "why??" - I'd like to think it was the pain talking, but as always, once I started praying, I began to see things more clearly. And, as I later realized, the word had gone out and prayers were surrounding me wit love and healing; delivered by 2 amazing nurses and a kind young physician who prescribed just the right tests, followed by the appropriate medication. Another reminder that we are never alone, even during the dark moments. At these moments, I am reminded to pray with boldness and not give up. In talking to someone new about this experience, I thought about it prayer I learned when I wanted to give up: Father, help me be relentless in prayer. I don't want to give up. I want to ask and keep asking. I want to seek and keep seeking. I want to knock and keep knocking. I don't want to lose hope. Help me to pray through to an answer. Holy Spirit, keep me strong. Amen
A reminder: don't forget on Saturday 1/15/22 @ 4pm TODAY MATTERS. Please come to hear our amazing speaker, Andrea Wilson Woods, who will share a story of Courage, Perseverance and Resolve to help others.
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,
The beginning of the 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: January 16, 2022 - 11:00AM Service
Prelude: Prelude on the Introit of Epiphany – M. Duruflé
Opening Hymn: 156 I Love To Tell The Story
Offertory Anthem: Songs Of Thankfulness And Praise – D. Jackson
Closing Hymn: 172 My Jesus, I Love Thee
Postlude: Brightest And Best Of The Stars – W. Wold
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
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Shatter the Strongholds - Begins January 24 |
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Change Your Perspective About The Strongholds In Your Life
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Control (Get clear on what the difference is between control and surrender)
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Insecurity (How the assurance of our identity in Jesus combats feelings of insecurity)
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Comparison (Learn what Jesus really says about comparing ourselves to each other)
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Jealousy (Understand which kind of jealousy you are experiencing)
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Abandonment (How to lean in on His promises)
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People-Pleasing (What it really means to choose fearing God over fearing man)
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Self-Condemnation (What to do about misplaced guilt and shame)
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Rebellion (Reframe your life with this compelling perspective)
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Fear (How to stop letting circumstances steal your peace)
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Bitterness (Learn how to address anger and unforgiveness to avoid bitterness)
Jesus cares about the broken, the lost, the misunderstood, and those who are hurting. This Jesus has run after us both when we ourselves have sinned and "missed the mark." Whether you realize it yet or not, he is running after you too.
Everyone has strongholds in their lives. We don’t know why for some, they seem to face a lifelong battle with their stronghold, and in the end, it takes them down. For others, their struggle is just a season, and they come out of their battle having triumphantly overcome.
Our prayer is that, more than anything, you discover these three things:
Scripture is clear that in Christ, there is no condemnation. He is not shocked by your struggles and shortcomings. He wants nothing more than to be with you while you shatter the strongholds in your life. When we understand these truths, victory is found.
Join us as we share our hearts about the Jesus we know. Lock arms with us as we enter the arena, alongside our greatest advocate and warrior. He is ready to empower us to fight our battles.
If you would like to participate in this wonderful journey, please join us on Monday, January 24th in Room 13 from 1:00 to 2:00 each Monday for 10 weeks. The cost of the book is $20. Please contact Kathy Butgereit at kathy@whatis1st.com or 941-639-3842 to register.
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The Discovery Bible Study will begin a new study, "The Truth Project" on January 17, 2022. Discovery Bible Study meets on Mondays from 10-11:30 am in Room 13.
"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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Save The Date... ALPHA is coming in February! |
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ALPHA will be starting a new class on February 9th that will meet each Wednesday evening from 6 pm to 8 pm in Lenox Hall. This class will run until April 20th. There will be dinner, a video and discussion each week. Watch for more details to follow and we hope you will plan to join us. For more information, please contact Myrt Creigh at fumcpgmc@gmail.com. |
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Help for ALPHA is needed!
Alpha is in dire need of volunteers. We are holding Alpha Feb. 9th through March 30th and need table hosts and kitchen help. Without these volunteers we’ll not be able to proceed with Alpha, an important outreach program to nominal Christians and unbelievers. Please contact Myrt Creigh at 941-661-8059 or email fumcpgmc@gmail.com now.
Joyfully His, Myrt
I can do all things through Christ who gives me the strength. Phil. 4:13
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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, 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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