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Find out what's happening this week in the life of First Church!

FEATURED ANNOUNCEMENTS

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Church Office Closed - Easter Monday Monday, April 20 The church office will be closed for the Easter holiday. Email info@fumcpensacola.com with any questions.

Midweek at First Church:Spring Session

Wednesdays, April 23 – May 14 | 5:00 - 7:00pm

Join us for a midweek breather each Wednesday through May 14. We’ll start by sharing

in a delicious meal made by our own Ruth’s Kitchen. Then we have activities for every

age. Kids and Students will spend time in the Activities Center and in their ministry areas.

Adults have their choice of two studies this session or Sanctuary Choir rehearsal. And

a nursery is available to those attending any activities. Come find your community on

Wednesday nights.


Fellowship Dinner

5:00 - 6:00pm | The Wright Place

From 5:00 to 6:00pm we’ll gather around the table with each other. The table is a place where strangers can become friends and friends can become family. This week’s menu is Sloppy Joes, Tater Tots, Salad, & Dessert. Afterwards everyone is invited to participate in our age-level activities.


First Kids: Mid-Week (for Preschool–5th Grade)

5:50–7:00pm | Activities Center (Gym) & Education Building

This Wednesday evening program is a great time of fellowship and faith building for Preschoolers and Elementary kids. Each age group will have a devotion/story and play time while parents enjoy a class and fellowship with others


First Students: Mid-Week (6th–12th Grade)

6:00–7:00pm | Youth Building

All students, 6th to 12th Grade, are invited to the Youth Building following dinner for a time of fellowship, games, learning, and worship on Wednesday evenings.


Adult Studies (all ages)

This Spring Session, adults are invited to choose from our two studies below.


1) Pastor’s Lectionary Study

Led by Pastor Geoffrey & Pastor Emily

Wednesdays, through May 14 | The Wright Place, Great Hall

Developing a scriptural imagination is one of the marks of Christian maturity. Join Pastor Emily and Preacher G for a four-week study as we study Easter themes from the lectionary scripture passages for each week. All you need to bring is your Bible and an open mind and heart! The focus texts each week will be:

April 23: Isaiah 25:6-9, Psalm 114, 1 Corinthians 5:6b-8, Luke 24:13-49

April 30: Acts 5:27-32, Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4-8, John 20:19-31

May 7: Acts 9:1-6, (7-20), Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11-14, John 21:1-19

May 14: Acts 9:36-43, Psalm 23, Revelation 7:9-17, John 10:22-30


2) What Does it Mean to Be Chosen? An Interactive Bible Study based on The Chosen TV Series

Facilitated by Hank Thompson

Wednesdays, through May 14 | Wright Place, 2nd Floor, Room 233

The Chosen is a multi-season series about the life and ministry of Jesus of Nazareth. Primarily set in Judaea and Galilee in the 1st century, the series centers on Jesus and the people who met and followed him. Many who watch the series have seen the scriptures come alive and identified with Biblical characters in new ways. Participants will watch an episode of The Chosen each week (either on their own or at a designated time at church) and then together on Wednesdays study and discuss the scriptures portrayed on the screen. Come experience the Bible in a whole new way!

*Participant books are available in the church office for $10 each or purchase online here.


Adult Sanctuary Choir Rehearsal

Wednesdays | 6:00 - 7:30pm | Choir Room

Weekly rehearsals take place on Wednesday nights from 6:00 to 7:30pm. No experience is needed. The Adult Sanctuary Choir is open to all adults and sings on Sunday mornings alternating between the 8:30 and 11:00am Main Sanctuary worship services each week.


Nursery

5:30 - 7:00pm | Education Building

Nursery is available for infants up to 2 years old for parents attending class and choir practice. No registration required.

VBS - Save the Date June 2 - 6, 2025 Get ready for an unforgettable week of faith, fun, and friendship! Come grow in faith, make new friends, and experience the BEST week of summer! All kids (completed PreK – 5th) are invited to join the party from 9:00am – Noon each day for great lessons, games, crafts, worship, and missions. This year’s theme is African Safari! Registration opens Wednesday, April 23 at FUMCPensacola.com/VBS.

Rally for Respite

Thursday, April 24 | 10:00am – 2:00pm | Wesley Abbey

RSVP HERE

First Church Respite Ministry is dedicated to fostering a compassionate community for individuals living with dementia and providing vital support for their caregivers. This Thursday, April 24, our Respite Ministry will be hosting its largest and most exciting day of Respite yet! All are encouraged to join us for a day of games, music, and special guests, all themed around our beautiful city. This will be a celebration of all things Pensacola, featuring music from the Blue Anchor Belles and a meal from the iconic Dog House Deli. Join us for a fun-filled day to learn more about how to get involved with this exciting ministry

Confirmation Sunday

Sunday, April 27 | 8:30am | Main Sanctuary

The Sunday after Easter is the day we traditionally welcome our confirmation students into the life of the church. They have been studying and preparing during the season of Lent, and on April 27 they will take their membership vows and become full members of our congregation. This is always an exciting Sunday. Come support our confirmands on Sunday, April 27 at the 8:30am Worship Service!

Pastor Brandon’s Farewell Reception and

Combined 11:00am Worship in Wesley Abbey

Next Sunday, April 27

We announced last month that the Rev. Brandon Bures, after nine years faithfully serving our congregation as an Associate and Executive Pastor, would be moving on to become the Senior Pastor at Cokesbury United Methodist Church here in town. Well next Sunday, April 27 will be Pastor Brandon’s last Sunday with us. We will always be thankful for his preaching, teaching, offering pastoral care to countless families, leading our ICON worship service, and guiding the congregation through a significant transition in clergy leadership. We are deeply grateful for his dedication to the ministry of First Church.

Please join us in celebrating Rev. Bures next Sunday. There will be a farewell reception in The Wright Place at 9:45am. And at 11:00am our services will combine in Wesley Abbey for Brandon’s final sermon at First Church as the ICON Pastor.

Church Council Meeting

Monday, April 28 | 6:00pm | Wesley Abbey

The next meeting of the Church Council will be on Monday, April 28 at 6:00pm in Wesley Abbey. As always council members are expected to attend, but the meeting is open to the entire congregation.

Coffee with the Pastors

Sunday, May 4 | 9:45am | Consulate Café

All visitors interested in joining or knowing more about the church are invited to attend Coffee with the Pastors in two weeks at 9:45am in the Consulate Café! This small gathering is a great time to get to know one another, ask questions of the clergy, and find out more about the missions & ministries of First Church. Hope to see you there!

Easter Lily List

The beautiful Easter lilies throughout the Main Sanctuary and Wesley Abbey on Easter Sunday were lovingly placed in memory, honor or celebration of persons or events. Click HERE to view this year's complete list.

The Great 50 Day Challenge

First Church is answering the call and taking the challenge again this year! We are asking all of our members to invite people to church during the Easter season and to help welcome fifty new people into the life of our church. We will have people joining starting on Easter Sunday, through Pentecost, on May 19. Contact Lacey Adair (LAdair@FUMCPensacola.com), Director of Membership with any questions and visit the church's website (FUMCPensacola.com/Membership) or the Church Office to fill out a membership form.

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

If you would like to add an announcement or purchase flowers, please contact: Ginger Raines at GRaines@FUMCPensacola.com


FLOWERS

You may place flowers in the Sanctuary in honor, celebration, or memory of someone. The arrangements are $65.00 each. Contact Ginger Raines to schedule.


April 20: The flowers were given to the glory of God and in loving memory of Virginia Williams by Jennifer Fleming.

SUNDAYS AT FIRST CHURCH

Three Weekly Worship Services

8:30 & 11:00am Traditional Services | Main Sanctuary

11:00am ICON Service (Contemporary) | Wesley Abbey


Online Worship

8:30, 11:00am, and ICON at 11:00am

Facebook FUMCPensacola.com


Nursery

8:30am – Noon | 1st Floor, Education Building

Available for Infant - 4 years old. Click HERE for more info.


Adult Sunday School

9:45 – 10:45am | Click HERE for more info.



First Students: Sunday School (6th to 12th grade)

9:45 – 10:45am | Youth Building


First Kids: Sunday School (Preschool to 5th Grade)

9:45 – 10:45am | Education Building


The Consulate Café

9:00 – 11:00am | The Consulate

WEDNESDAYS AT FIRST CHURCH

Spring Session: April 23 - May 14

Visit FUMCPensacola.com/WednesdayNights for more info.


KidConnect & Choir (for K-3rd Grade)

3:00 - 5:15pm | Start in Wesley Abbey

Register Online


Chilltime (for 4th & 5th Grade)

3:00 - 5:15pm | Start in Wesley Abbey

Register Online


Mid-Week Fellowship Dinner

5:00 - 7:00pm | The Wright Place


MENUS

April 23: Sloppy Joes, Tater Tots, Salad, & Dessert


First Kids: Mid-Week (for Preschool–5th Grade)

Wednesdays | 5:50 – 7:00pm | Gym, Education Building (Drop-Off In Gym)


First Students: Mid-Week (for 6th - 12th Grade)

Wednesdays | 6:00 – 7:00pm | Youth Building


Nursery

5:30 - 7:00pm | Education Building


Adult Choir Rehearsal

6:00 – 7:30pm | Choir Room


Pastor’s Lectionary Study

Led by Pastor Geoffrey & Pastor Emily

Wednesdays, April 23 – May 14 | 6:00 - 7:00pm

The Wright Place, Great Hall


What Does it Mean to Be Chosen? An Interactive Bible Study based on The Chosen TV Series

Facilitated by Hank Thompson

Wednesdays, April 23 – May 14 | 6:00 - 7:00pm

Wright Place, 2nd Floor, Room 233

*Participant books are available in the church office for $10 each or purchase online here.

DAILY READINGS

Commit this season to reading scripture each day. It's good practice. If you don’t already have a daily devotion, the scriptures below are designed to expand the range of biblical reading in worship and personal devotion. You can find them in the bulletin each week. The Daily Readings are taken from “The Daily Office Lectionary” in The Book of Common Prayer. Read the Bible each week. It will be a blessing.

Easter Week: April 21 - 26

Monday: Psalm 66; Jonah 2:1-9; Acts 2:14, 22-32*; John 14:1-14

Tuesday: Psalm 111, 114; Isa. 30:18-21; Acts 2:36-41(42-47)*; John 14:15-31  

Wednesday: Psalm 115; Micah 7:7-15; Acts 3:1-10*; John 15:1-11

Thursday: Psalm 148, 149; Ezek. 37:1-14; Acts 3:11-26*; John 15:12-27  

Friday: Psalm 118; Dan. 12:1-4, 13; Acts 4:1-12*; John 16:1-15  

Saturday: Psalm 104; Isa. 25:1-9; Acts 4:13-21(22-31)*; John 16:16-33 Next Sunday's Scriptures (April 27): Psalm 118:14-29; Acts 5:27-32; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31

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UPCOMING EVENTS

Joyful, Joyful Campaign Update

The completion of the Joyful, Joyful Building Project is funded by the Joyful, Joyful Generosity Campaign. And none of it happens without your help.


We've had a great response to the Joyful, Joyful Generosity Campaign! Our most recent updated stated that we've had 181 households make a commitment to the campaign with $1.425 million pledged. This is surely something to celebrate and give thanks to God for, but we're not quite to our goal yet. If you can still help us meet our goal of $1.5 million (or even help us push beyond it) we would love to hear from you. There's a 'Make a Commitment' button below. Every gift matters regardless of the size. It's not about the quantity but the quality of the gift. Our goal is not equal gifts but equal sacrifice. It's important to remember that these gifts are to be given over the next three years (4 tax years). And that these commitments are meant to go above and beyond your regular giving to the church. If you would like more info on the Generosity Campaign, how to plan your gift, or the Building Project, visit FUMCPensacola.com/Joyful.

CAMPAIGN BOOKLET
MAKE A COMMITMENT

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FUMCPensacola.com

850-432-1434 | 6 East Wright Street, Pensacola, FL 32501

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9:00am - 4:00pm