FUMC of St. Cloud - May Newsletter

FAITH ALIVE

May 2021 ~ First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud Newsletter

From the Desk of Pastor Cathy

Dear friends:

We welcome the month of May! May means Mother’s Day, birthdays, graduations, anniversaries, Confirmation, Pentecost and the beach for Memorial Day weekend!

Our sermon series is “Words of Life” on the Ten Commandments based on the book by Rev. Adam Hamilton.

May 2 -“Do Not Misuse God’s Name”

May 9 - “Remember the Sabbath”

May 16 - “Honor Your Parents”

May 23 - “Do Not Kill”

May 30 - “Do Not Commit Adultery”

June 6 - “Do Not Steal”

June 13 - “Do Not Bear False Witness”

June 20 - “Do Not Covet”

Once again, we will have Bible study classes online on Tuesday nights at 7:00 PM. You may join us on Zoom at https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464 with passcode 623978. I look forward to seeing you as we go deeper into God’s Word!

May is also when our Confirmation Retreat will be held for our 7 Confirmands: Bailey Holmes Rojas; Olivia Siegal; Jessica Clement; Samuel Watson; Logan Smith; Jakeema King; and Wyatt Scarlett. They have been meeting on Sunday’s learning about God, Jesus and the Holy Spirit, the United Methodist Church, John and Charles Wesley, and what it means to be a follower of Jesus Christ! Their retreat will be held on Saturday, May 1^st when they will go to Wekiwa Springs for canoeing and a cook out! They will join the church on Sunday, May 2^nd during the 10:00 AM service. You are invited to join us after the service in the Family Life Center for refreshments! Please keep our Confirmation Class in your prayers!

Happy Mother’s Day to all our Mothers! On Mother’s Day, May 9^th, we will celebrate our mothers and have a special picture frame for you to take pictures with Mom! My mom taught me a lot and took good care of us. I was blessed to have such a wonderful, loving mom. I am thankful for her life and influence in mine. The Bible says, “Her children rise up and call her happy; her husband too, and he praises her; Many woman have done excellently, but you surpass them all. Charm is deceitful and beauty is vain, but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised.” - Proverbs 31:28-30 (NRSV). Thank you, moms, for all your hard work, wonderful examples in our lives and for your unconditional love!

On Sunday, May 23^rd we celebrate Pentecost, the birthday of the church! It’s the day the Holy Spirit was given to the believers in Jerusalem. Acts 2:2-4 says “And suddenly from heaven there came a sound like the rush of a violent wind, and it filled the entire house where they were sitting. Divided tongues, as of fire, appeared among them, and a tongue rested on each of them.All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in other languages, as the Spirit gave them ability.” - Acts 2:2-4 (NRSV). What a wonderful gift we have been given: the Holy Spirit to guide us in our lives! Please wear red on Sunday, May 23^rd. We will have red balloons, Red Velvet Cupcakes, and punch!

We are so thrilled with all the Lord is doing in our midst! We welcome Scott Weyrauch, our Worship Leader for the Blended service. Scott is married to Aimee. They have two dogs named Scout and Polly and a cat named Weezie. Scott is the Choral Director at Denn John Middle School. He has served as the Music Director at First United Methodist Church in Kissimmee as well as the Director of the Community Choir and Osceola Center for the Arts Choir. Welcome Scott!

It is my greatest joy to be your Pastor!

Cathy

My sister (Karen Gray), Ashling & me!

Me, My Mom (Ginny Merideth), Opal & Sadie (2017)

Sadie, Sara, Rusty’s mom (Edna Thacker), Caleb, Mark Reiter (2017)

Introducing: Ruth Nye

Ruth is one of our longtime members at First Church St. Cloud. She has been a member of the church since 1983. She has held many responsibilities at the church over the years. Currently she is a Representative to the Conference, our Church Historian, sings in the chorus and is involved the ministries of our church including the Power Hour Prayer Group. She also has a heart for women’s ministries and has attend the United Methodist Women’s Retreat in Leesburg for many years. She says that she has received many blessings from all of the women of this church. She has a special love for all people and tries to bring a smile to everyone’s face by showing Christ’s love.

Ruth has been married to her husband, Bob for 34 years. Bob is also very involved in our church as a Lay Leader and has been our Sound Engineer since 1989. They are blessed by their children, grandchildren and great-grandchildren.

As a nurse Ruth has served the community at St. Cloud Hospital and with Osceola County Mental Health for 31 years. She retired two years ago. Since retiring Ruth enjoys nature and God’s beauty on daily walks with Bob.

History of Our Church

In December 1909, two city lots were donated by the Seminole Land and Investment Company to the Methodist denomination, and the present building stands on these lots. The next step was to gather together a membership for organizing a church in order to take title to the lots.

On January 1, 1910, a letter was received from the superintendent of the Jacksonville district, St. John’s River Conference, Rev. Mr. Porter. The Rev. Mr. Porter stating that he would preach in St. Cloud on January 6. Rev. Mr. Porter came and preached an excellent sermon and brought good tidings explaining how, through the Charles O. Livingston Fund, we could secure money for the building of our new church. This fund was established for the purpose of aiding and building new Methodist churches and the St. Cloud Church would be the first to use it.

The Reverend John D. Wescott, of Mt. Dora, was appointed as the first pastor of the Methodist Episcopal Church in St. Cloud and arrived on January 22. He preached his first sermon on January 23 in the Baptist tent at 7 o’clock pm to a large audience.

In October of 1910, a great tropical storm destroyed the large tent which had been the meeting place and the congregation moved to the GAR hall located near the corner of 11^th and Massachusetts Avenue.

On January 8, 1911, one year later, the cornerstone was laid for the new church building.

The parsonage was completed in May of 1911.

More historical information can be found on our webpage at https://www.firstchurchstcloud.org/about/history or in the history cabinet in the sanctuary.

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

May 1 - Youth Confirmation Retreat - Wekiwa Springs

May 2 - Confirmation Sunday - 10:00 AM Worship Service

May 3 - Church Staff - 7:00 PM

May 6 - Trustees - 7:00 PM

May 9 - Mother's Day

May 13 - Finance - 7:00 PM

May 16 - Staff Parish Relations Committee - 11:15 AM

May 17 - Church Staff - 7:00 PM

May 20 - Church Council

May 23 - Pentecost Sunday - Wear Red

May 31 - Memorial Day - Church Office Closed

June 11-12 - Florida Annual Conference

June 14-19 - Youth Week @ Warren Willis Camp, Leesburg

Regular Meetings

Sunday

Traditional Worship Service - 8:30 AM
Serendipity Sunday School Class - 9:00 AM
Blended Worship Service -10:00 AM
Elmer's Kitchen - 2:00 - 3:00 PM

Monday

Power Hour Prayer Group - 8:30 AM
Seasonal Souls Bible Study - 1st & 3rd Monday, 10:00 AM
Smooth Stones Bible Study - 2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 AM
Boy Scouts - 7:00 PM

Tuesday

Bags of Love - 9 to 11 AM (Hot Breakfast to Go)
Online Bible Study with Pastor Cathy - 7:00 PM; Please join using your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464 with passcode 623978
Cub Scouts - 7:00 PM

Wednesday

Children's Choir Rehearsal - 6:30 PM
Adult Choir Rehearsal - 7:00 PM

Thursday:

Bags of Love - 9 to 11 AM (Hot Burritos to Go)
Venture Crew (Scouts) - 7:00 PM

Please Note: Our Church Services can be viewed on

FACEBOOK LIVE on our FB page or later on our YouTube

Channel. Click on the links at the bottom of this newsletter to

find these videos.

PRESCHOOL NEWS

Our students celebrated Christ’s Resurrection with a special Easter Chapel. All the classes gathered out on the playground to hear the finale of the Resurrection story; Jesus is Alive! Each child was then given a special box to open. Each box contained a Painted Lady butterfly that was released. Much like the caterpillar seals himself in a chrysalis and then emerges as a butterfly, Jesus was placed in a tomb but then he emerged gloriously. The excitement of 65 butterflies emerging all at once was an amazing and memorable experience for all of them. To view the event, visit our Facebook page at www.facebook.com/firstumcpreschoolstcloud. The event is pinned to the top of the page. You do not need to have a Facebook account to view the video.

Enrollment is now open for the 2021-2022 school year. We offer a Preschool class for children who are age 3 by September 1^st and completely potty-trained. Our VPK Pre-K class is offered for children who are age 4 by September 1^st and is free with the Certificate of Eligibility. Additional information regarding our programs can be found on our website at www.firstumcpreschoolstcloud.com.

Smiles,

Ms. Denise

Music Ministries

Children's Choir Starts

by Lou Murray, Music Director

We're thrilled to announce our newly-formed Children's Choir, which will introduce the Children's Moment at the 10:00 service each week.

The kids are enthusiastically preparing several songs, and began presenting at the April 25 service. As of now, we have a few more spots open and can welcome a couple more children to the group. Please see me if your child would like to participate.

Welcoming Scott Weyrauch

Preparing music for two Sunday services instead of one is a challenge, but we are blessed to have Scott Weyrauch to help with vocal music. He will be coordinating and leading the 10:00 blended worship music. We look forward to Scott's participation and leadership. He is an experienced choir director and will be a great asset to our music.

Our mission: to praise the Lord with joyous music every Sunday.

Omega Handbell Choir

Scott Weyrauch

Children's Choir

(Brylee and Lucy)

Chancel Choir

Praise Team - 10:00 Blended Worship Service

Excited

About

Celebrating

Him

The children voted on a name for our Children's program. We will be the B.E.A.C.H. Club (Be Excited About Celebrating Him.) We would love to repaint the upstairs to give it a beach look. The children are very excited.

Children's News

The week of June 14th -19th as been reserved as the week the children from First Church St. Cloud will attend Warren Willis Summer Camp in Leesburg. Our church would like to offer scholarships to our children. Anyone interested in sponsoring one of the children should contact Rijean Smith or call the church office.

Our children's department recently received an anonymous donation of a new colorful rug for the children to sit upon while they listen to the Children's Moment message with Children's Ministry Director, Rijean Smith during the 10:00 worship service.

Youth News

Please continue to pray for our seven confirmands as they prepare to join the church. On Saturday, May 1st they will be going to Wekiwa Springs for their Confirmation Retreat where Bailey Rojas and Jessica Clement will be baptized. Confirmation Sunday will be held on May 2nd. Please join us for a reception in the Family Life Center following the 10:00 AM service.

Your safety is our No. 1 concern!

We will continue to monitor the latest guidance from the CDC and new COVID cases. We will re-evaluate in-person worship should anything change. For now, we ask that you continue to practice these essential guidelines:

Please maintain at least six feet of social distance. Family units may sit together.
Masks or cloth face coverings are required at all times.
Monitor your symptoms - Stay home if you feel sick.
Temperature Checks will be taken at the door.
Every other pew will be closed.
No congregational singing.
No passing of the offering.
There will be no meet and greet.
Ushers will seat and dismiss you.
Deposit your attendance sheet and offering in the basket by the door when you leave.
Please dispose of your bulletin as you leave or take it with you to reference upcoming events.
The Sanctuary is sanitized after every worship service.