MESSAGE FROM RICKY
Dear Friends,
Jesus Christ is Risen!
While I know Easter was perhaps like none we've ever experienced before, the Good News is still true: Jesus has defeated death, and opened the way for us to walk to life eternal. I pray that you know this joy in your heart and that you made your home a sanctuary of hope!
As we continue to "shelter-in-place" for the next few weeks, I wanted to give you a few updates.
First, our church facilities will remain closed until further notice and all in-person gatherings continue to be suspended. Your church staff is still working, but may not be as quick to respond to emails or phone messages. A lot of our staff are balancing their full-time work with taking care of children, home-schooling, and caring for aging parents. Keep them in your prayers!
Second, while the "shelter-in-place" order remains in effect we'll be offering a single Sunday worship experience built of a variety of segments. Some of these will be "best of moments" from worship in the past, and prayers and sermons recorded from home offices or backyards. After the "shelter-in-place" order is lifted we look forward to resuming our full worship services online.
Third, I'm excited to share the news that Sarah Kate Griffin, our Kid's Minister, has agreed to extend her time with us on staff. She initially had decided to leave the staff in April after Confirmation to attend grad school full-time. In this time of uncertainty, she'll continue with us to provide continuity to our kids and confirmands. I'm grateful for her willingness to serve in this extraordinary time and I promise we'll still throw her a "thank-you" party when this is over!
Finally, this coming Sunday, I'll begin a new sermon series called, "Wisdom from the Wilderness." This time of global pandemic feels in many ways like we're lost, unsure where we're going or what tomorrow may bring. Over the next three weeks we'll look at several different stories from the Bible of people who found themselves in the wilderness. We'll see what brought them strength and hope, and we'll be reminded at how God brought them through. "See you" Sunday!
Grace and Peace,
Ricky
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As we continue in this unprecedented time of a global pandemic, we feel as if we are lost in a wilderness, unsure of what will happen next. Yet as we look to scripture, the wilderness has often been a place where the people of God learn profound truths. Over the next three weeks, we’ll look at three different moments of wilderness: a near defeat at the Red Sea, a prophet who skips-town during a famine, and finally a temptation to take the easy way out. In each moment we’ll seek to draw wisdom from the wilderness.
April 19 @ 10am Online
Exodus 14:19-31 (Crossing the Red Sea)
Theme: God’s people have escaped Egypt, but now stand on the verge of a vast unknown. With the enemy hot on their heels and an impassible Sea in front of them, some have even begun to doubt God’s goodness (or Moses’s hearing), with the question, “Have you brought us into this wilderness to die?
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SHARE YOUR REQUEST
Our church continues to serve our congregation and community during this season. If you have a prayer request or if you, or someone you know, has a need complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.
Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570
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EASTER AT HOME
New Kind of Celebration
What a wonderful celebration of Easter we had last Sunday morning! It was definitely a little weird, though. That may be the first time in my life that I wasn't actually in God's house on Easter Sunday morning. But what a joy it was to see so many of your faces on the service that was available online through Facebook and our website.
I was moved to tears at the children and families all sharing happy Easter wishes and saying "He is risen!" If we get nothing else out of this time of safe seclusion, may we all come to understand the vital importance of gathering together with God's people!
What a glorious day that will be when we can meet together again! But until then, God's work goes on, with all of us ministering in some new and different ways. You can share a word of encouragement to a friend through a phone call or text, or you can pray for those who are in need both spiritually and physically. Let's continue to be His church to those around us, even if it's in cyberspace!
Have a wonderful week and I'll see you all on Sunday as once again we lift the name of Jesus up on the internet!
In His Service,
Tommy Steadman
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How did you CELEBRATE THE RESURRECTION at home?
Share Your Experience with US!
Post a few pictures of your Easter At Home gathering and tag the First Methodist Facebook page
Or Email your pictures to
debb@firstmethodistclinton.org
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Women's Thursday Zoom Check-In
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Sharonda will be hosting a check-in for women on Thursday, April 16th at 12noon via ZOOM. Gather virtually with other First United Methodist women of all ages and stages this Thursday for conversation and encouragement. To receive a meeting code and password to attend, please email
debb@firstmethodistclinton.org
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For those who would like to send donations, you can mail them to the addresses below:
The Mississippi UM Conference
320-A Briarwood Dr.
Jackson, MS 39206
or
First United Methodist 100 Mt. Salus Drive
Clinton, MS 39056
*Please write "Disaster Response" in the memo line on the check.
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Stay connected and subscribe to disaster response updates for future details and opportunities.
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MESSAGE FROM
THE MISSISSIPPI CONFERENCE
Our prayers are with all those impacted by the Easter Sunday storms. The Mississippi Disaster Response Team is working alongside local churches and agencies in the affected areas to plan our response to the Easter severe weather events of April 12.
The COVID-19 restrictions add an additional layer of complexity as we seek to safely serve these communities. It is common after disasters that volunteers arrive from adjoining states and areas who have not been affected. Due to COVID-19, safely housing these volunteers while maintaining social distancing is not possible at this time. We will need local church volunteers to step in. Volunteers will need to be driving distance from work sites so that housing is not needed, and they can continue to follow social distancing guidelines.
We are asking all Mississippi Methodists to consider ways in which you can volunteer. We are still assessing needs but tasks will include things like tarping roofs, debris removal, assisting homeowners in salvaging their belongings and chainsaw work.
If you are in the high-risk category for contracting COVID-19 (over 60, underlying health concerns, etc.) you are encouraged to find alternative ways of supporting those who will be on the work sites
. These could include things like sewing masks for deployed volunteers, providing lunches, bottled water, large garbage bags, storage totes, etc.
Our goal is to effectively manage resources– information, supplies, volunteers and financial assistance—available to our churches before, during and after disaster. Please stay alert for additional information and prepare to step forward and volunteer during this time of need.
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MINISTRY HIGHLIGHT / Weekday Ministry
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MESSAGE FROM JAMIE STEADMAN
Weekday Director
I hope that each of you had a fabulous Easter! I know it was different, but I hope it was special for you.
I am going to take some time to take you on a walk each week through some of the special times we have had in our weekday ministries program over the past few months. Enjoy!
Our four year olds learn to skate each winter. They practice each week in the gym with their teacher and parent volunteers and then wrap it up with a “skating graduation”. Skating is great exercise and exercise boosts the cognitive function of the brain which trains the brain to carry out simple and complex tasks! The kids of course love the social aspect of skating and their confidence increased tenfold through the weeks.
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The Voice
is our weekly update for the latest announcements, ministry activities and event information at First United Methodist Church.
Want to know more about us? Head on over to our website, Facebook page or follow us on Instagram. If you missed last week's sermon, you can catch up by visiting our sermon archives. See You on Sunday!
We are so glad that you are interested in the ministry of First Methodist Clinton!
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Missed this one? You can catch up online!
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EASTER SUNDAY SERVICE
Rev. Dr. Ricky James
Special Greetings & Musical Highlights
Scripture:
Luke 24:1-12
Title:
"One Sentence"
The Resurrection of Jesus
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PASTORAL CARE INFORMATION
If you have an emergency need or need to speak with a pastor outside of church
office hours, please feel free to call 601-460-0570.
The number will reach one of our pastors who will be able to respond to you immediately.
Pastoral Care Number: 601-460-0570
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Submitting information for The Voice:
All content submitted is subject to approval and editing. Thank you for your cooperation!
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