A Message from Pastor Jim
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When I was only 26 years old, I moved to Honduras with my beautiful wife, Loida. Being the mid-eighties, we still did not have cell phones back then and as a young newly graduated couple from college we did not have any money either. So, for a little over two years I did not leave Honduras, nor was I able to even physically talk with my family or parents on the phone (except I was able to use a friend’s home phone to call home on the day our daughter, Christina Joy was born).
Overall this was an exciting and adventure filled time within my life, but there were also times during this two-year period that I got very depressed and felt like I had been sent into exile into some foreign land. As I read through the Old Testament in those days I could really identify with the nation of Israel while in exile!!! Like the Israelites I could say, “Beside the rivers of Babylon, we sat and wept as we thought of Jerusalem." (Psalm 137:1) Our first Christmas really sticks out for me as I sat on Christmas eve in our dark living room and wept with longing to be home for our Divine family Christmas time.
This week I met with a friend for lunch and we talked about this time we are living feeling like a time of exile. For many of us it feels like God has swept us away into some foreign land where we don’t speak the language and we don’t know the customs. As I started thinking about it, I realized that this may be a time of exile, but if it is, then the question has to be how do I find Christ and how do I grow while in exile? When you study Israel you find that many grew despondent and just gave up while in exile, but others used the time to go closer to God and prepare for the days when they would again return to Jerusalem.
My challenge to myself in this time, as well as my challenge to you, is that no matter how we are feeling, let us seek Christ during these days of “exile” and let us grow in His vision for our future. Then when the day comes that we will return (and it will come) we will be stronger for the mission that God has for us in our new world!
Blessings,
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We believe that meeting the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of our church and neighbors is what showing the love of Christ is all about. We have volunteers devoted to the care of persons, including ministries of prayer, meals, and member connection. If you are facing a challenge, have a prayer request, or want to serve as a volunteer, please let us know. In case of a death of a loved one or a hospitalization, let us know so a Care Minister can support you through this time.
For Prayer and Care Ministries needs, please email
Denise Herzberg
by clicking
here
.
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Prayer Concerns:
Dan Ruiter, Linda Stubits' sister Teresa White, Ken Tarbox,
Gloria Cole, Lori Burgess, Charles Sellick
Our sympathy, love and prayers go to:
Sue Latham’s friends and family.
Sue went to be with went to be with the Lord on May 31
st
.
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You can make a request for a prayer quilt on our website by clicking
here
.
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Prayer Quilt
We invite you to stop by the church lobby this week and tie a knot or say a prayer at home and virtually tie a knot. We have many people who are physically tying the extra "virtual" knots in the quilts.
This Prayer Quilt is for:
Judy Joray
Prayers for peace and comfort
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Prayer Service
Take 15 minutes of your time to pray. This is a 15 minute video for self-guided prayer. Click to this link and learn with Rev. Kris Schonewolf how to connect with God in prayer.
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Couch Talk
Each week the pastors and sometimes staff members record a segment called couch talk. Couch talk is full of useful announcements for the coming weeks. We hope you take a moment each week to watch.
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Discipleship & Connecting
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Visit our
website
for more information on this class.
Coming in September - Grow Fall Semester
We will be offering a combination of In-Person, Zoom and Online Classes. Watch for more information coming soon.
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Membership Questions?
Were you a member of New Covenant United Methodist Church, Lake Deaton Campus before the launch and haven't transferred you membership yet? If the answer is yes, all you need to do is call the church office and ask to speak to Phyllis. She can help you transfer your membership in just a few minutes.
If you are a member of another congregation and wish to join Lake Deaton UMC please visit our
website
and sign up for one of our upcoming Coffee with the Pastors classes.
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Help Update our Database!
If you did not get a chance to fill out a Data Transfer Form before July 1, that is okay. However, we still need to populate our database with your information. Please help us to be able to care for you and stay connected with you by filling out our Congregant Information Card. Again, if you already filled out a Data Transfer Form you do not need to fill out this card. But if you did not fill out the Transfer Form please take a few minutes to fill out the card and send it to us or drop it off at the church office.
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We Miss Seeing You!
Our golf cart visits continue! We can hardly wait to see more of our church friends! This
Wednesday, August 5
, plan on seeing us drive by starting at
9:30am
!
This time we will be visiting the
Village of Fernandina
!
If you live in that village plan to be outside starting at
9:30am
, you never know when we are going to swing on by.
If you don't live in that village and want to be part of the parade plan on joining us at the church in your golf cart at
9:15am
to line up. Decorated signs saying "We Miss You" or "Lake Deaton UMC Loves You" are greatly appreciated!
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Worship
In-Person Worship Update
This weekend we will continue offering hybrid worship. We encourage you to worship in the way that best meets your own personal needs. For most people this means that you will worship at home. You can tune into our LIVE services on Facebook, YouTube or on our website.
Click
here
to discover where to watch our LIVE services on our website
.
If your preference is to attend in-person worship, please make sure you read our phase one document. After reading and agreeing to the entire document you should register for weekend services.
Registration opens each week on Monday and remains open until the service is full.
To register please click the website button below.
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Worship Attendance
Each week we calculate our online attendance from three sources: YouTube, Facebook and our Website. We also make a physical count at our in-person services.
Sat, July 25, 5pm - Online 54, In-person 30
Sun, July 26, 9am - Online 203, In-Person 48
Sun, July 26, 10:30am - Online 83, In-Person 34
Weekend Totals - Online 340, In-Person 112, In All Total 452
We also appreciate your cooperation in "signing" the online "connection pad" at
www.lakedeatonumc.com/here
. "Signing" the "connection pad" on the weekend is helpful because it helps us to better connect and care for you. It is also helping us to update our database. It is even easier to "sign-in" if you use our app. To download the app you can visit our
website
and click either the Apple App Store or Google Play Store OR you can just search in the app store for
Church by MinistryOne
. The app is a white cross on a purple field. After downloading search in the MinistryOne App for Lake Deaton UMC. If you have issues call the church office for assistance.
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Golf Gals
Join us for a morning of fun on an executive course on each Monday of the each month except on the fifth Monday of the month. Visit the
website
for more information.
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Men's Prayer Breakfast
Currently we are meeting virtually, every Wednesday at 8am, BYOB (Bring Your Own Breakfast)! Join us on ZOOM! Call the church office to get the Meeting ID and password.
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Volunteers Needed
Front Office
We are still in need of volunteers for the reception area on Mondays! Volunteers answer the phone, forward calls, greet guest to the church and do light office tasks.
We have two openings: Monday Morning from 10-1 (is is an April to Aug commitment, as we have a seasonal volunteer who already does Sept to Mar)
OR
Monday Afternoon from 1-4
Please call the church office if you have questions or to volunteer.
Ushers and Greeters
Remember how you were greeted and welcomed when you first came to Lake Deaton? Now, we need YOUR help! Ushers and Greeters are needed at our Saturday 5pm service and our Sunday 10:30 service.
Some of the ushers and greeters primary duties include welcoming people as they enter the worship space and directing people to seats. Volunteers usually arrive 30 minutes prior to their assigned service. If you are interested in volunteering or want to know more contact
Stan Hoover.
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Connect with Us
Mailing Address:
6500 Wesleyan Way, Wildwood, FL 34785
Lake Deaton Office Hours:
Monday to Thursday 9:00am to 4:30pm
Friday 9:00am to 1:00pm
Office: Call 352-571-4665
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