First United Methodist Church 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL, www.firstumc.org

WORSHIP

Sunday, October 25, 2020 Worship is of prime importance and our foundation. Even though we are practicing social distancing we can worship together. Words to the Affirmation of Faith, Call to Worship and songs will be projected on the screen so you can participate wherever you are. Watch a video and prepare for worship with Rev. Melissa Stump

8:15AM WORSHIP ON THE LAWN Bring a chair and join us for worship Masks required All social distancing observed Rev. Melissa Stump will preach

9:30 and 11am WORSHIP ONLINE We will continue our series "One Life, One Legacy." All words to songs and readings will be on the screen. Join us One Life, One Legacy: Living a Courageous Life Jonah 1:9 Rev David McEntire will preach

INVITE

Sunday, October 25, 5-7pm Drive-through and see our different decorated cars, trunk, and tents. Our theme is 'Noah's Ark' and Maria's Farm is bringing a number of live animals. Located in the east parking lot behind the F building. Social distancing will be observed. See ya there!

If you have been attending First United Methodist Church either in person or on-line and would like to join our membership, we encourage you to attend 'Coffee with the Pastors.' We will meet Sunday, November 1, 5-6:30pm on the front patio near the fountain. This casual and informative session will give you information regarding membership and more about our church. The meeting will also be available through Zoom. Registration

PEACE Drive-In CAR RALLY Community Problems Assembly Tuesday, October. 27, 6:30pm Hurst Chapel AME, 875 Ave O NE, Winter Haven Join First United Methodist and 20 Polk churches working together to seek affordable housing for homeless kids and civil citations for adults. Sign-in will be from 6:15-6:45 PM. The assembly will begin at 6:45 and close at 7:45pm. You will remain in your car and hear the speakers through your FM radio. Be safe and follow God's call to do justice. Contact Angie Pattison for more information or call 813-451-5394

GROW

For information or questions please contact Cristi Thursday Art Night at 6:30pm Join us for an art night! You don’t need to be an artist. Just bring a piece of paper, a pencil and something to color with and create your own masterpiece. For more information or Zoom link, contact Cristi Children’s Ministries Zoom Costume Party, October 29 at 6:30pm Dress up or wear your costume and join us for a short lesson and some Halloween fun! For more information or Zoom link, contact Cristi Moore at cmoore@firstumc.org. Family Advent Take Home Kit Join together as a family and complete these simple activities to engage you and your family in faith conversations during the Advent season. (Kits are limited, advanced registration is requested). Kits will be available for pickup at the church, Sunday, November 15 from 9-11am and 3-5pm; November 22 from 9-11am. Preschool Pals every Tuesday at 11am Great new opportunity for our preschool friends! Join us Tuesday mornings via Zoom at 11am for a short Bible lesson and some fun activities. For more information or Zoom link, contact Cristi Virtual Sunday School Rooms Join us for Sunday School.  You can attend Sunday School at a time that is convenient for you. There are rooms for each age level that include Bible stories, activities, games, devotions and much more.  Driveway Visits We miss seeing you and would like to visit! Sign up for a driveway visit from us. We will practice safe social distancing and wear masks so that we can see you in person. To set up a convenient time, click here.   Faith Formation To continue our discipleship and learning during this time when we cannot meet face to face, please check our Faith Formation page for available resources for you and your family.

For meeting information and registrations, contact: Dave Jans: djans@firstumc.org Stephanie Keen: skeen@firstumc.org

Sunday Nights Join us on Zoom, 7pm for Youth Worship. *No Youth programming Sunday, October 25. We are serving at Trunk or Treat. Wednesday Upcoming Events for Youth: October 28: Youth Game Night, 7pm, ZOOM November 4: Parenting Now: Creating Scared Moments November 11: Youth Thanksgiving Game Night

Neighborhood Ministries is once again collecting food to distribute to families during the holiday season. Find the grocery list here. These items will most help our families prepare a holiday meal. All donations can be dropped off Sunday, November 1 from 9am-1pm at the sliding doors of the F-Building.

Spaghetti Sauce – In Cans or Jars Large Package of Pasta Cans of Vegetables Large Package of Yellow Rice Large Package or Box of Instant Mashed Potatoes Large Cans of Hearty Soup or Chili Fruit in Cans or Jars Jello or Instant Pudding Bag of Sugar

Cans of Tuna and/or Chicken Tea /Kool-Aid/Lemonade Mixes Cookie or Brownie Mix or Cake Mix with Frosting Cereal or Oatmeal or Instant Oatmeal Packets Bisquick or Pancake Mix Syrup Jar of Peanut Butter Jar of Jelly Salt & Pepper

Please include a gift card ($20-25) from a local grocery store to cover the purchase of perishable food items such as meat, produce or dairy items. If you are unable to drop off at this time or have any questions please contact Stephanie Keen in the Neighborhood Ministries office.

We have Bible study and faith formation resources for all ages available on our website. For more information on these opportunities, email Warren.

New Book Study: The Color of Compromise Join the Justice League on Sunday evenings at 6pm in a study of The Color of Compromise: The Truth about the American Church’s Complicity in Racism by Jemar Tisby. The six week study begins November 1. This book provides an in-depth diagnosis for a racially divided American church and suggests ways to foster a more equitable and inclusive environment among God’s people. Contact Angie Pattison for the Zoom link to the class.

Parenting Now: Creating Sacred Moments at Home  Be sure to mark your calendars for or Next Parenting Now on Wednesday, November 4 at 7:30pm. We will have a Zoom workshop with author Rev. Traci Smith about Creating Sacred Moments at Home for Thanksgiving, Advent and Christmas. Her book Faithful Families for Advent and Christmas is out now. It is a holiday companion to her excellent and very practical book Faithful Families: Creating Sacred Moments at Home. The holidays are going to look different this year, and what we do in the home will become that much more important as we celebrate the season and seek to grow in our love of God and neighbor. This event will take place via Zoom, and we are intentionally designing it to be interactive. You’ll have the opportunity to interact with one another in breakout conversations and in Q&A with Traci. You can register now here.

Bishop Carter’s Wednesday Evening Bible Study, 6pm on Zoom Continue your spiritual growth with an online Bible Study hosted by Bishop Ken Carter and sponsored by Fill the Table! Join Bishop Carter each Wednesday at 6pm through November 25. You’ll hear from faith leaders and biblical scholars, share your prayer requests and learn with fellow Methodists from across the Conference. Each Wednesday at 6pm, we will gather on Zoom to experience the Livestream video presentation together. We’ll then spend some time in conversation and prayer around what we’ve heard. Learn more and find the Zoom link here.

Sunday School for Adults The following Sunday School classes meet via UberConference or Zoom. Visitors are welcome to join any of these classes. For more information on connecting with a particular class, email Warren.   BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind One To Another): In October, Rev. Dr. Larry Rankin will teach on the Parables of Jesus. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1152 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am. Genesis is currently watching and discussing the television series The Chosen about Jesus his followers. You can watch the first season via a free app. Class meets via Zoom. Contact Diana or Warren for Zoom info. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am. Homebuilders is our longest-running Sunday school class, having started in the 1940s. Rev. Brian Tiffany teaches from the Standard Lesson Series Bible study. October’s theme is “Inclusive Love” with texts from 1 Samuel, Luke and 1 Corinthians. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1141 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am. Koinonia welcomes all who desire to grow in their love of God and neighbor. You are invited to join them for life application Bible study using the lectionary scripture texts. Rev. Terry Heck leads. Meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for Zoom link and more information. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am. Searchers Is studying Adam Hamilton’s book Why?: Making Sense of God’s Will. Led by Rev. Betty Batey, this study explores the age old questions of suffering and the will of God. Meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for Zoom link and more information. NOTE MEETING TIME- Class starts at 9:15am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:05am. Sendero is an inter-generational adult class studying the gospel of Matthew, using the Genesis to Revelation series. The study is led by John Curtis and meets via Conference Call to (863) 243-6668. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am. Vanguard Class uses the Adult Bible Studies series. October’s theme is “Remember Who You Are” with lessons taught by Robert Thorn. Study texts come from Exodus, Joshua, Nehemiah, and Luke. Supplemental videos for the lessons are available on Amplify Media. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1038 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.

SERVE

Engaging Persons Living with Dementia with Activity Boxes

Dementia is one of the most important issues we face today as the population ages. As dementia progresses, the person living with dementia becomes less able to enter our world, so we must create opportunities to join their world. One of the tools used to engage people living with dementia are activity boxes. These boxes foster engagement in meaningful life tasks and create a sense of purpose and belonging. Successful activity boxes are ones designed to a specific individual and their capabilities. They are also useful for decreasing unwanted behaviors and anxiety. Shoeboxes are ideal and plastic shoeboxes with lids are available at dollar discount store. They are perfect and can be stacked for storage. You, grandchildren, and friends can enjoy the boxes together. Sit with the person to get them started looking through the box and remain and engage, or tell them “I’ll be right back” and step away to see if they can continue independently. Come back and join them as you promised. Below are some suggestions for “theme” boxes. Flower arranging: artificial flowers cut into single stem (leaves and flowers), a vase, scents to add to the flowers Sanding blocks for the wood worker: several 2”x4” blocks with one side covered with sandpaper, pieces of wood (different shapes) that can be sanded, a cloth to wipe down the sanded pieces Office worker: papers to fold and place in envelops, colored paper (sort colors or shapes) pencil sharpener and pencils, file folders, index cards, rubber bands Knitting box: yarn to roll into balls, needles with yarn started (muscle memory can often kick in and the person who has prior interest and skills will start to knit!) Coupon clipping: scissors, coupons and envelopes. Shoeshine box: cloths, wax (avoid the dyes) shoe strings, brush Coin sorting box: large number of coins (avoid for those who may put them in their mouth), plastic coin holder paper rolls. Gardening: gloves, cap, seeds packages, soil (great for outdoors and a wonderful sensory activity)  Tap in on their hobbies/interest when designing the box. They are great fun to make and a perfect way to create joyful experiences! If you, a friend or family member living with memory loss would be interested in learning more about our Memory Ministry or our Connections Zoom group, please contact Vicky

Email Forrest White, Director of Missions, for additional information. Shoes for Children and Youth Needed There is an urgent need for shoes for children and youth served by our migrant ministry partners. We will be collecting new or very gently used shoes on Sunday, November 8, from 1-4 PM at the Mission Depot. Bring shoes as you drop off food donations for these ministries! Mobile Food Pantries Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) Polk Mega Pantry – On Mondays, we will help with this distribution at the Lakes Church (1010 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801). Arrival time is 3:05pm and we should be done by 6pm. Minimum age is 13. Masks required. Enter Lakes Church off Memorial. Go left. Continue toward the back of the church. You'll see FTB trucks as the road curves right and volunteer parking is straight ahead. FTB feeds about 900 families each week through this distribution. Register here Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM) – Second and last Tuesday of each month, from 10:30 am-2:30 pm. Next opportunity to serve: October 27.  Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) – Second and fourth Wednesday of each month from 4-6:30 pm at 4441 Academy Drive, Mulberry, 33860. Next opportunity to serve: October 28. Salvation Army Lakeland – First and third Thursday, from 8:30 am-12:30 pm. Next opportunity to serve: November 5.  Fall Gleaning Season is Here! We will join the Society of St. Andrew for gleaning throughout the Fall and beyond! SoSA partners with farmers around the state to gather produce for feeding ministries. Sign up here. After initial registration, you'll enter your email address and name on subsequent visits and go straight to the Florida gleaning calendar to sign up. SoSA requires all volunteers to sign up through this system. Keep an eye on the gleaning calendar. Events are added frequently. Please let Forrest White, Director of Missions, know whenever you sign up to glean in case there is a last-minute change in plans. Food Collection Our next collection day for our migrant ministry partners - Mulberry UMC Food Pantry and Called to Serve Farmworkers -will be Sunday, November 8, from 1-4 pm at the Mission Depot on the Vistabula Street side of the church. Please provide only requested items and NO glass jars:

Rice Beans (pinto and black) Maseca flour Spaghetti sauce Peanut Butter

Canned tuna and chicken Vienna Sausage Canned vegetables Jiffy Cornbread mix  Breakfast cereal

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