1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - March 25, 2022 |
|
|
FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
|
|
This Sunday: March 27, 2022 |
|
|
Message: "You're Welcome!"
Pastor Mike Loomis
|
|
|
Lenten Service this Wednesday |
|
|
Wednesday, March 30, 2022
12pm in the Sanctuary
Rev. Tom Moore
View our complete Lenten Worship Schedule HERE
|
|
|
“Loving All on the Journey to Holiness”
|
|
April 2, 4:00pm at Port Charlotte UMC with Rev. Dr. David deSilva, Trustees Distinguished Professor of New Testament and Greek at Ashland Theological Seminary
The debate concerning the church's response to the LGBTQ+ community is often framed in terms of choosing either to love and be inclusive or to maintain the church's historic position concerning the witness of scripture. This is a false dichotomy. Join us for a presentation by the Rev. Dr. David deSilva as he explores the scriptural vision for loving all people (and "all" does indeed mean "all") in our common pursuit of the goal that God has both set before us and empowered us to attain together -- holiness.
|
|
The 1st United Methodist Church 2021 Annual Report is now available: Download HERE
Thank you for your continued support!
If you have any questions, please contact the Finance Committee.
|
|
|
Camping with Church Friends
|
|
For several years campers from our church have gathered each spring to meet new friends with common interest in camping. This year our group will meet at Hardee Lakes County Park which is about 50 miles from our church. Anyone who likes to camp in a tent, RV, or trailer is encouraged to join us. We will meet on the Monday afternoon after Easter, April 18 and return home on Friday. For more information call Peter Gillen, 941-661-8367, or Tom Little, 941-769-0002. |
|
The Endowment Team will accept grant requests during the month of March from individuals or groups. The grants are intended to be a one time supplemental funding for "extras" beyond the regular budget. The original donors (two families in the 1990's) set up an Endowment Fund with a covenant that allows funds to be granted to specific areas of the First United Methodist Church programs. The grants are funded by a portion of the profits earned each year. The core is always maintained to have the fund be perpetually sound. In addition, 10% of it's profits are applied to the core each year. The Endowment Fund tithes too!
Please include a brief description of your program idea/ activity/ or materials you would like the Endowment Team to fund. Include goals, costs, and anticipated impact your plan will make on the participants, our church, and community. Requests must be received in the church office by March 31, 2022.
It will be necessary for you to be present at the Endowment team meeting in April to explain your proposal to the team and answer any questions regarding your request. Contact Phil Huddleston (941-258-4540) philhuddleston@embarqmail.com for details and procedures before you apply.
Recent grants: New Choir Robes, Youth Mission trips supplement, Children's Ministry special activities, UV and air filtration system to protect us from viruses throughout the campus.
What about your legacy to the church and community? Including the Endowment Fund in your estate planning will insure your gift will live on and touch lives for Christ.
|
|
Operation Christmas Child - March Collection |
|
Operation Christmas Child will be collecting small toys during the month of March: Jump ropes, Yo Yo’s, bouncing balls (no greater than 3” in diameter), harmonicas (metal or plastic), Play-doh (small containers), noise makers, finger puppets; or any small toy item that you would like to donate! Items can be left in the Operation Christmas Child Collection Box located in Lenox Hall. Thank you for helping with this important outreach ministry for the world’s children! |
|
Playground Mulch - Help Needed
|
|
Our playground will be getting fresh layer of mulch, and volunteers are needed to help spread it!! The date has not yet been determined for the mulch delivery, but if you are willing and able to help, please contact Joey DePetro: joey.depetro@whatis1st.com, 941-639-3842. Thank you in advance! |
|
Scholarship Recipient - Jennifer Peters |
|
Did you know that the Church has a wonderful library that is maintained by volunteers? We are in need of some volunteers to help organize and sort books. If interested, please call Gail LaGro at 941-613-1745.
Also, we have several wonderful Christian books and have no space for them. This Sunday we will have a cart near the Life Center doors full of books. If you love to read, please look at them and take whatever books you would like.
|
|
Volunteers needed for Crossroad Academy |
|
Every 3rd Saturday of each month volunteers from 1st Church cook food and take it to Crossroads Hope Academy to bless the young men who are residents there. We desperately need more volunteers to either cook food and/or help deliver the meal to Crossroads. We meet in the Church parking lot every month at 11:30 and load the food and go together to Crossroads. This ministry truly is a blessing to those we serve. If interested, please call Gail LaGro at 941-613-1745. |
|
Youth Yard Sale is here!! |
|
Sale dates are Friday, April 1st, 6pm - 8pm, and Saturday, April 2nd, 9am - 2pm
Donations can only be accepted this week Monday - Wednesday from 10am -1pm in the main room of the Life Center.
Thanks for donating your items to this yard sale to benefit our teen mission team who will be serving for 8 days in Tennessee this summer.
|
|
The major fund raiser for Young Life in Charlotte County is the annual GALA which will be this year on Monday April 4. The teens from WyldLife in our middle schools and Young Life from our high schools will tell how accepting Jesus has changed their lives. About 100 teens have come to Jesus this school year mostly through the efforts of their friends. It will be a good evening sharing a table with church friends, enjoying a good meal, and hearing good joyful music led by a professional musician. Young Life needs your prays, energy and financial assistance to support the Lord work among Charlotte Harbor teens. In order to attend, contact Walt Howell, 843-816-7970, walthowl@aol.com, or Tom Little, 941-769-0002, kalani@comcast.net. |
|
The Children's Ministry Easter plans are underway and we need your help!
Needed the Monday before Easter (4/11):
Egg Stuffers and Bag Stuffers.
Needed Easter Sunday at Gilchrist Park:
Arts & Crafts leaders, Game leaders, Raffle Table help, People to Pass out Flyers & Engage with Parents.
|
|
|
Receive Texts from 1st Church |
|
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. |
|
Greetings 1st Church family --
Happy spring! We are racing toward Easter, with plans being made for special services. Be sure to watch for info on worship events, with special times and locations, as well as opportunities to serve. I still need help with greeters and ushers for Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday and the Sunrise, 8:00 and 9:15 services on Easter. Don't forget about prayer efforts that are underway. We are preparing the Prayer Room for the Holy Week 24-7 Prayer challenge!. Meanwhile, we have our daily noon challenge for everyone to pause and pray The Lord's Prayer. I think we all know that our push is to be a praying church and congregation! There are so many reasons for prayer; our world is in a chaotic situation, the Methodist denomination is in much stress, and most of our daily lives are faced with challenges of some kind. It is always a good idea to hand problems over to God. We are told in Philippians 4:6,: "Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with Thanksgiving, present your requests to God." God doesn't say the problem has to be really big, but says in every situation. If something makes you anxious , you can give it to God. Ask Him what He thinks, and study His word to find situations similar to yours. I usually discover that my problem is nothing new. Situations such as family problems, bad temperaments, financial issues etc. are easily found in scripture. Somehow He has a way of putting things in perspective. No matter what situation I find myself in, I've learned that giving thanks is the best way to let go of anxiety. The truth is, there is no area of our lives that God can't rule over. When we read that He calmed the waves, we know He can calm any storm inside us. I am so thankful to know that even when new and threatening health crises challenge, I have only to turn my fears over to my Lord and Savior. I am thankful. And I am grateful for a church family that surrounds me with prayer each time I'm in need.
I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
|
|
The Eighth Note – Music Ministry in a Minute! |
|
Greetings Everyone,
Consider joining our Chancel Choir for Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. This is a great way to serve the church, learn about music and get to know folks.
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 6:30PM in the Historic Sanctuary and sings Sundays at the 11:00AM Service.
Please contact David Bellows for more information or questions.
Soli Deo Gloria!
David Bellows
Director of Music Ministries
This Sunday's Music - March 27, 2022 - 11:00 AM Service
Prelude: Great Is Thy Faithfulness – C. Dobrinski
Chancel Ringers and David Bellows, Director
Opening Hymn: 339 Come, Sinners, To The Gospel Feast
Offertory Anthem: Standin’ In The Need Of Prayer – D. Cherwien
Closing Hymn: 156 I Love To Tell The Story
Postlude: Festival Voluntary – F. Peeters
|
|
Discipleship Opportunities |
|
View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
|
|
|
Sunday Lenten Bible Study |
|
Beginning Sunday, March 20, The Harmony Class will begin a 4-session study, “Why Easter Matters” by Andy Stanley. In this Easter study Andy Stanley looks at some of the people whose lives intersected with Jesus in the weeks leading to his crucifixion. Each of them had an agenda that put them at odds with God and Jesus. As you’ll see, there’s a little bit of them in all of us. Everyone is welcome to attend. The Harmony Class will meet at 10:30 am in Room 9 on March 20 and in Lenox Hall the following three weeks. |
|
Wednesday Lenten Bible Study |
|
Join Pastor Earl Smith on Wednesdays from 10-11:30am for "Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley. Books are $8 and will be available for purchase during the meeting time. All are invited to attend the Wednesday Lenten worship services that begin at noon after the Bible study. There will be no lunch served following worship as there has been in years past so the class members suggested that we could all bring a bag lunch to eat before we enter worship.
|
|
Wednesday Revelation Study |
|
Join Larry Keller in Room 13 on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm (and on Zoom). They will begin a new study on the book of Revelation March 16 using Revelation Unveiled by Tim Lahaye, Answers Bible Study from Answers in Genesis, and mostly The Bible.
|
|
New Study - Just for Moms! |
|
Want to be set free from the pressures of being "MOM?" Join us for the Mom Set Free Bible Study! The study will begin April 13th and meet for 8 weeks in Room 13, 12:30 - 2pm.
The cost of the book is $15. If you are in need of child care, please register your children, with their ages HERE! |
|
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. |
|
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.
|
|
Worship Service Information |
|
View our Lenten Worship Schedule HERE
|
|
|
If you are planning on attending our services please remember the following:
-
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.
-
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
|
|
Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm
|
|
|
|
|
|
|
