Register Today: 2024 First Church Vacation Bible School (VBS)

Our JUST Like Me: Digging in & Growing Deep VBS program is June 3-7, 2024, from 9-11:30 AM, and is open to all kids who have just completed

pre-k through fifth grade. Online registration is now open. You can also register by phone (765-743-1285) or email.

In JUST Like Me VBS, kids will celebrate their identity as God’s beloved creations just as they are! Through engaging lessons and activities, kids will practice sharing, asking questions, using their voice, building community, and speaking up for others.

If you're interested in volunteering to help with VBS, please sign up here. Contact Diane Dahlgren with any questions.

Last Day to Apply for FUMC Foundation Scholarships

Are you graduating this year? The First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Foundation offers scholarships to students in the community, reflecting our dedication to education. Scholarship applications for 2024 are open now through Friday, April 5. Click on the scholarship names below to view each application:

• D.H. Patterson Memorial Scholarship
• Robert E. Straszheim Scholarship Fund

For questions regarding scholarships, please email the FUMC Foundation.

First Sunday Brunch — April 7

The next First Sunday Brunch will be on Sunday, April 7. Join us for breakfast between services at 10:00 AM in the Activities Center.

Church members are welcome to assist with brunch through donation of food items or helping with clean up. Please use the sign up link below if you are interested in assisting. Please bring food by 9:45 AM and ensure it is nut free. Thank you to all who are assisting with the First Sunday Brunch!

Sign Up Here

Calling All Graduates!

First Church wants to celebrate our graduates on Sunday, May 5. If you or a family member is graduating this spring or has graduated in the time since last May, please let us know. We want to honor you!

Please tell us the following:

• Which school will you be graduating from?
• What degree or diploma?
• What are your next step plans?

Send an email to the church office by Monday,

April 22.

Calling All Artists! Submit Your Work for Annual Conference

The Gun Violence Response Task force of the United Methodist Churches of Indiana invites artists of all ages to participate in Shaping Peace: An Artistic Call for Change. This will be a multi-media art exhibit during Annual Conference from June 5-8.

We seek 2D and 3D entries in any medium for exhibition and/or digital projection and for a virtual online gallery. Click here to learn more and here to apply.

Task Force Addressing Christian Nationalism — April 9

A small group of FUMC members is calling together religious and secular leaders on Tuesday, April 9, at 7:00 PM to explore how best to inform the community about the perils of “Christian” nationalism. If you’d like to be part of this leadership task force, contact Diana Hoke. The United Methodist Board of Church and Society issued this report this week.

Native American Ministries Sunday — April 14

Native Americans Ministries Sunday is on April 14! Explore these resources from The United Methodist Church to learn how and why United Methodists celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday. Core resources are available in multiple languages.

First Church is encouraging our community to give generously on Sunday, April 14. Half of the gifts received will support the Committee on Native American Ministries, helping to create programs and resources, and provide seminary scholarships to United Methodist Native Americans. Donate here!

Join us for Pub Theology!

Come mingle with us every Wednesday evening (until further notice) at Walt's Pub and Grill for engaging discussions on life and spirituality. Embrace the casual atmosphere as young adults come together to explore meaningful topics. Meet new friends, enjoy beverages, food, or snacks. Drop in anytime!

Wednesdays

6:00 – 8:00 PM

Walt's Pub and Grill

1050 Kalberer Rd. West Lafayette

Contact Pastor Duane or Pastor Kory for details.

Registration Now Open — Summer 2024 Freedom School at First Church

First Church proudly serves as the host site for the Purdue CDF Freedom School program, a transformative six-week, literacy-based summer initiative catering to students in grades K-5.

The Summer 2024 Enrollment Interest form is now available! Click here.

WHERE: First United Methodist Church

WHEN: June 17 - July 26 (Closed July 4-5)

TIME: 8:00 AM - 3:00 PM

COST: No cost. Students will be provided a free breakfast, lunch, and snack during each day.

Download flier for more info.

Help is needed! To learn more about volunteer opportunities and how to sign up, email PurdueFreedomSchools@purdue.edu.

Get Your Tickets for LUM We've Got Talent — April 12

Come support Pastor Kory Pritchett as he represents First United Methodist in We've Got Talent, an evening of friendly competition between the Lafayette Urban Ministry (LUM) member churches! 

Raise money for the LUM Good Samaritan Fund. Help families struggling to pay their rent and keep the lights on. 

DATE: Friday, April 12 

TIME: Doors open - 5:30 PM, show starts - 6:30 PM

PLACE: St. Andrew United Methodist Church ∙ TICKETS: $35 per person; $280 per table (max. 8)

Enjoy a selection of heavy appetizers and desserts.

To purchase tickets or learn more, click here.

Call Out for Addresses of Active Military — A Message from Carol Smith

We all love our service men and women. We appreciate what they do, and I'd sure like to tell them so on behalf of all of us at First Church. Only they keep getting transferred and moved around and I'm pretty sure I don't have their current addresses to send them a card. So here's the deal. It's simple:

If you know of a member of your family (or someone who feels like family) who is serving in the armed forces, please email their current address to Ronda and she will forward it to me. Or, if it's easier and you see me at church Sunday morning, just give it to me directly. I will keep praying for these dear ones and I will send them a friendly card every month or so to remind them that we appreciate them and they are loved. Everyone matters! 

Thanks for your help!

Carol Smith

Care & Nurture Committee Card Maker