WORSHIP
Maundy Thursday, April 1

Maundy Thursday Worship - 7pm on the Front Lawn
Join us for a service with Holy Communion as we observe the day when Jesus celebrated his final Passover with His disciples.
Good Friday - April 2

Stations of the Cross, 12pm meet in the Sanctuary
We will walk around outside as we commemorate Jesus Christ's last day on Earth as a man. At each station, an individual recalls a specific event from that day.

Tenebrae Service, 7pm in the Sanctuary (by reservation)
This service is also livestreamed
Readings and music of the trial, sentencing, execution, death, and burial of Jesus. After each segment of the story is read, a candle is extinguished. The final story of the burial is read in near darkness. Worshipers leave in silence to ponder the impact of Christ's death and await the celebration of the coming Resurrection.
Easter Sunday, April 4

6:30am Sunrise Service on the lawn
Rev. Melissa Stump
8:15am Worship On the Lawn
Andy Whitaker Smith

Bring a chair to the Front Lawn for worship
Social distancing will be observed
Contemporary Worship
9:30am and 11am, Fellowship Center (by reservation)
9:30am: Rev. David McEntire
11am: Rev. Andy Whitaker Smith
These services will be Livestreamed and on Facebook.

Traditional Worship
9:30am and 11am, Sanctuary (by reservation)
9:30am: Rev. Melissa Stump
11am: Rev. David McEntire
These services will be Livestreamed and on Facebook.

Reservations must be made to attend these services.
Prepare for worship and watch a video by Andy Whitaker Smith


All Covid restrictions will be observed:
Masks must be worn inside
no congregational singing
no physical contact
Social distancing
Dear Members and Friends of First UMC,
 
Over a year of pandemic is behind us now, and a brighter future is beginning to shine on our church. The various measures of recovery are trending in our favor, and a recent survey of Sunday School class members shows that nearly 80 percent have received at least one dose of vaccine. It was with such good news in mind that your Executive Committee met this on Tuesday, March 23rd. From that meeting we can report that more of our inside activities can resume. Masks and social distancing will remain our normal for now, but the joy of in-person meeting will be ours again in the coming weeks.
 
Our youth will resume meeting in F-1 and the gym. Church office staff who are vaccinated will come back on Tuesday, April 6th, after Easter. Twelve of the fourteen ministry areas will be present to meet you on-site by appointment.
 
Masks will become optional for Worship on the Lawn. Seating capacity for inside worship, with masks and social distancing, will increase from 125 to 150 for the Fellowship Center, and from 150 to 225 for the Sanctuary. Make your reservations to attend an Easter service now. As conditions continue to improve, seating capacity will increase more.
 
First Steps Preschool has operated in an exemplary manner. Our children have been safe. None have had COVID. Tuesday, we approved adding a second room for infants to meet increasing demand.
 
Planning for a special concert night of worship was approved and will feature several food trucks. Look for this date to be set soon. We also expect to review a coming request to resume food service from our kitchen, in the next few months.
 
Sixty percent of our Sunday School class members are ready to meet in person again. About forty percent prefer the virtual meetings they are currently attending. The Executive Committee has approved purchasing equipment to enhance the audio-visual capabilities in many of our classrooms to allow a hybrid Sunday School with both in-person and virtual attendance. The target date to begin Sunday School inside is mid-May for most classes.
 
We also approved requests from A Capella Praise and the Florida Conference Disaster Response Team for outside meetings, and a request from Tuesday Tigers to be allowed to resume certain inside projects.
 
First Church is moving ahead in all areas. Thanks to every one of you for your cooperation in making such progress happen. Beyond events, we are also looking forward to new staff in the next few months: a new Youth Director, Facilities Director, and a new Associate Pastor will be announced when we are told where Melissa’s next appointment will be.
 
Thank you. Thank God. Times are changing for the better.
 
In Christ,
John R. Curtis, Chairperson                          David McEntire
Executive Committee                                   Senior Pastor
Birth
Maren Swan Schichtel, March 21
Daughter of Matt and Katherine Schichtel

Hospitalized (as of March 29)
Lori Dettmer, John Greenleaf, Charleigh McMullen, Eligio Sanchez
Jerry Shumate, Dick Skrovanek, William Stephens Jr., Tom Thonebe
Sandra Yoakam

Death
Ron Rulon, March 25
INVITE
Our Giving Tree Bookstore and Gift Shop
Our Giving Tree has many handmade and unique gifts along with numerous books. Come browse and purchase your gifts this morning between 9am - 12pm. Physical distancing and mask protocol in place. All proceeds go to Missions.
GROW

 
Sunday School for Adults
Many of our Sunday School classes are meeting online. Check the start times as some have shifted to accommodate in-person worship times. Visitors are welcome to participate in any of these classes. For more information on connecting with a particular class, email Warren.

  • BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind One To Another) The lesson for April 4 is Mary Magdalene from Matthew 28:1-10, taught by Doug Hallman. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1152 or online (email Warren for link). NOTE MEETING TIME: Class starts at 9am Sundays.
  • Genesis is studying He Chose the Nails by Max Lucado. Videos for the lessons are available on Amplify Media. The class is meeting in person, with the option to join via Zoom. Masks are required. NOTE MEETING TIME AND LOCATION: Class starts at 9:15am Sundays in the E2, the choir room. Email Warren for the Zoom link.
  • Homebuilders is our longest-running Sunday school class, having started in the 1940s. Rev. Brian Tiffany teaches from the Standard Lesson Series Bible study. April’s theme is “Prophets of Restoration” with the April 4 lesson on The Suffering Servant in Isaiah 53:4-11a. 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 class welcomes all who desire to grow in their love of God and neighbor. The class does Bible study based on the Lectionary scripture readings and church calendar. Rev. Terry Heck teaches. 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 Five Marks of a Methodist by Steve Harper, led by Gwen Pipkin. Based on John Wesley’s pamphlet “The Character of a Methodist”, the study explores five clear practices for anyone who identifies as a Christian. 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 Lenten study is Easter Earthquake by Jim Harnish, facilitated by John Naser. The Gospel of Matthew records two earthquakes, one on Good Friday as Jesus died, and the other on Easter when Jesus was resurrected. In Easter Earthquake, Jim Harnish invites us to place the resurrection at the center of our Lenten journey as we explore how Christ's resurrection shakes some of our most basic assumptions about ourselves and God. The class meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for login information. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays.
  • Vanguard class uses the Adult Bible Studies series. April’s theme is “New in Christ” and explores the new life available to all in the resurrected Christ. Bishop Bob Fannin is teaching with the Easter text being the encounter on the road to Emmaus in Luke 24:13-35. Supplemental videos for the lessons are available on Amplify Media. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1038 or online (email Warren for link and for access to Amplify Media). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.

Virtual Sunday School Rooms
Don’t miss out on Sunday School! You can access this any time during the week here.  There are rooms for each age level that include Bible stories, activities, games, devotions and much more. For more information, contact Cristi

Thursday Art Night – April 8 at 6:30pm on Zoom
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 Moore at cmoore@firstumc.org.

Preschool Pals every Tuesday at 11am
Preschool friends age 2 and up – this is for you! 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 Moore at cmoore@firstumc.org.
Youth Group Sunday 4:30-5:30pm – Fountain Courtyard
Youth are meeting Sunday evenings in the Fountain Courtyard. The pastors are leading as we discuss scripture, play games, and have small group breakouts and music. All middle and high school students are welcome and encouraged to attend. Snacks will be provided and safety protocols are in place. Temperature checks, masks are required and all meetings are outside. Contact Melissa Stump for questions.
NO MEETING APRIL 4 - ENJOY EASTER WITH YOUR FAMILY
SERVE
Benefits of Yoga for Senior’s
 
As we age, the idea of embarking on a new physical fitness journey can be a little intimidating. It is a good idea to avoid high impact exercises in order to avoid injury or unnecessary stress to the body. Yoga is a great exercise option for seniors looking to improve physical health, and can be modified to various levels or individual needs. Below are some of the benefits of yoga and ways to get started.
  • Yoga offers the benefit of increased flexibility. With better range of motion comes a decreased risk of falls, decreased in pain, and improved ease with activities of daily living.
  • Yoga promotes bone and joint health through movement and postures. This is beneficial in lubricating joints and can help with pain relief as well. For someone with joint mobility restrictions, yoga offers the use of props in order to assist with poses and stay comfortable throughout the practice.
  • A mind and body connection is practiced during a yoga session. Focusing on breath awareness helps reduce stress and anxiety and often promotes a feeling rejuvenation.
  • For individuals who are unable to get on the floor on a mat, chair yoga is a modified option and tailored for this purpose. It offers all of the same benefits of a typical floor yoga class.
  • Respecting the body’s abilities and limitations are a part of the art of yoga. It should never cause pain or strain, but instead focus on promotion of empowerment and honoring of the body God has gifted each of us.
  • Before beginning a new exercise regimen always consult with your physician for safety and clearance. As well, locate a certified yoga studio or instructor who has experience and knowledge working with seniors. Namaste!
 
Connections, the respite program in our memory ministry supports individuals and their families living with memory challenges provide opportunities for self-expression and connecting friends, family and faith. Although we are not able to meet at the church, due to the health and safety concerns due to the COVID-19 pandemic, we have created a Connections Zoom group on Monday mornings and are able to share music, prayer, poetry, and wonderful adventures.
 
If you, a friend or family member living with memory loss would be interested in learning more about Connections Zoom group, please contact Vicky Pitner
**For information on Mission opportunities listed below or questions, please contact Forrest White,
Director of Mission Ministries



Monthly Food Collection
Our next collection for our migrant ministry partners - Mulberry UMC Food Pantry and Called to Serve Farmworkers - will be April 11, from 1-4 pm at the Missions Depot, where we will have volunteers waiting to take donations from your car. Shortly before the March collection, one of the migrant ministry leaders reached out to express appreciation for First United’s support and to request a *couple of changes to what we collect. Please purchase *only dried black or pinto beans (no cans) and please *limit bags of rice and beans to a maximum of 12 pounds. Also please provide only requested items listed below and *NO glass jars
Rice (maximum 12-pound bags)
Dried Beans: pinto and black,
(maximum 12-pound bags)
Maseca flour
Spaghetti sauce
Peanut butter
Canned tuna and chicken
Vienna sausage
Canned veggies, mostly corn
Jiffy Cornbread mix
Breakfast cereal
Costa Rica Missions
Please join us May 11-13 for a virtual mission trip with Costa Rica Mission Projects (CRMP) and prayerfully consider joining us for our return trip to serve alongside them, January 8-15, 2022. The virtual mission trip will be conducted via Zoom from 6-7:30pm nightly beginning that Tuesday as we join a local prayer service. Wil Bailey, CRMP founder and director, asks that we commit to being present each night of the virtual mission trip, as though we were actually on a journey to Costa Rica. Wil has led several virtual trips during the pandemic and has lots to share. There will be reading to do in advance. First United sent a team to serve with CRMP during the summer of 2019. We had two mission trips scheduled with them during 2020, both of which were cancelled because of Covid-19. To register for the virtual mission trip, email Forrest. You’ll receive the Zoom credentials in early May.

VISTE
Our friends at Volunteers in Service to the Elderly (VISTE) have some specific needs. They’re looking for volunteers to deliver groceries once each month to preassigned clients. You may choose any time between 8AM-Noon on any day during delivery week (except Sunday). Deliveries typically occur during the third week of the month. VISTE also needs more volunteers to conduct phone interviews with prospective clients. For more information on either opportunity or to sign up, please email Kristen Waters, VISTE’s volunteer coordinator.

Glean with SoSA: We will have lots of chances to glean fresh produce with Society of St. Andrew this spring. Register here. Once registered, you'll enter your email address and name on subsequent visits and go straight to the Florida gleaning calendar to sign up for specific events. SoSA requires all volunteers to sign up through this system. Keep an eye on the gleaning calendar. Children are welcome to serve with their parents!

Tracking Service Hours
If you're out serving in the community we would love to know about it! Please email Forrest when you're serving with any of our ministry partners. Please include number of hours served and a brief overview of how you're serving. We report our service annually to the Florida Annual Conference.