Hello Friends!

Our new sermon series is “Be Blessed” and it’s based on the Beatitudes. The Beatitudes are found in Matthew Chapter 5 at the beginning of the Sermon on the Mount. What is a “beatitude” anyway? It is from the Latin word which means “blessedness”. It is an inner state of happiness and well-being. We will hear what Jesus says about how God blesses us even during poverty, pain, and persecution.

This month on February 8^th, after our Wednesday night dinner we will paint a picture for Valentine’s Day. Our painting classes have been a tremendous hit for our after-dinner activities. Please join us for a delicious dinner and paint a lovely picture!

The Costa Rica mission team will have their First Annual Winter Gala Fundraiser event to raise funds to support the 2023 Costa Rica Mission Team on February 18^th at 6:00 PM. Come and enjoy a delicious dinner, dessert dash, special music by Scott Weyrauch, silent auction and hear about our upcoming 2023 Costa Rica mission trip!

Ash Wednesday is February 22^nd. We will begin our season of Lent as we prepare our hearts for Easter and the celebration of the resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Lent literally means “Spring” and it’s the time when we do some “spring cleaning” in our souls. I don’t know about you, but the older I get and the more I learn about Jesus, the more I need to clean out the bad attitude, the pride, the jealousy and the negativity in my soul and be more like Him! Joel 2:12-13 says, “Return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping and with mourning; Rend your hearts and not your clothing.” Joel 2:12-13(NRSV) This is what Lent is all about.

Our Lenten series will be “The Chosen” based on the live streaming series by Dallas Jenkins about the life of Jesus. We will hear messages, see video clips and have Bible study based on Season 1 of the series. I hope you will plan to join us and participate in our Lenten series.

I am thrilled to say that we will be presenting a Living Last Supper this year on Maundy Thursday, April 6^th at 7:30 PM in the Family Life Center. If you would like to be a part of this production, please contact Jim Stamberger at (816) 564-8180 or email him at themouse1957@icloud.com.

I am blessed to be your Pastor!

January Fun with Sadie, Caleb, & Sara in VA

Rusty, Ben, Opal at

Ben’s Pop Up at Bruno’s

OPEN HOUSE TOUR

Report by Ruth Nye, Church Hiusorian

On January 21, our church participated in an Open House beginning at 12:00 pm until 4:30. This was in response to St. Cloud Woman’s Club, who host guided bus tours to draw attention to historic nature of our city. An “Open House” sign was placed outside in front of the church, so those who wished to, could return to visit our church.

Dennis Tripp welcomed our guests with a presentation about the physical aspects and architecture of our Sanctuary. Some decided to also tour the balcony.

Our History room was open to view items from our past and ask questions of the volunteers. Each visitor was given a fact sheet telling the story of our church's past along with our hopes for the future. There were 21 visitors who signed our Church guest book. Current activities were also displayed in our Church History Room.

Volunteers who participated in representing our church were, Rev. and Mrs. Jim Kledis, Vickie Mauro, Judith Schmidt, Jennifer Rojas, Myrna Lee, Yvonne Allen, Martha Gorman and Ruth Nye, Church Historian. Youth present were Lucy Knowles and Bailey Rojas.

All volunteers agreed we were blessed by our participating, meeting and guiding the visitors. As a result of the open house several visitors attended church services the following day.

On Sunday, January 22, 2023 we received several new members. Please welcome Ruth, Gloria, Althea, and Georgina into our church.

Ruth Mosher

Gloria Taylor

Althea Lee

Georgina Rodriguez

Our Nursery is Ready!

Serving Others with

Our Mercy Ministries

We have a large number of people in need who come on Tueday and Thursday mornings for Bags of Love. FUMCSC always accepts food to fill the bags! You may help supply the need of the Bags of Love lunches by bringing any of these items to the FUMC office; Vienna sausages, canned tuna or chicken, Beanie-Weanies, bags of chips, cookies, peanut butter or cheese crackers, fruit cups, pudding snacks, applesauce, bottled waters. 

Gently used clothing are also distributed on Tuesday and Thursday when those less-fortunate come for Bags of Love.

As our numbers continue to go up we thank you for helping us serve the community! Volunteers are always needed to prepare a hot meal, fill and distribute bags, and sort clothing. There are many opportunities for those who wish to help out. Please contact the church office if you are interested.

Our Bicycle Ministry provides refurbished bicycles to those in need so they are able to have much needed transportation. If you know someone who has a bike they are not using please contact the church office.

David Daniel acquires and refurbishes the bikes.

Click on the image above to go to the Bags of Love Store page directly.

Youth Leaders: Amber Smith and Monica Scarlett

Cold Night

FUMC of St Cloud housed 15 individuals on Saturday, January 14. The community is also very involved with this effort. The Osceola County Emergency Management group donated blankets for the Cold Night program.

Join us for "coffee hour" between church services from 9:15 to 10:15 AM located in the Annex off the Sanctuary. Rhys Bibeau and Larry Dykes are your hosts each week. This is a special time to meet your church family for coffee, donuts, cookies, and other treats. Donations and volunteers are welcome! Please call (407) 908-4418 if you are interested in helping.

Monthly Church-Wide Wednesday Night Dinner

Each month on the second Wednesday of the month we hold a Church-Wide Wednesday night dinner with physical distancing followed by an activiity starting at 5:15 PM. It is a great time to get to know your church family.

The next Wednesday Night Dinner will be held on February 8^th. Please join us for a delicious dinner and plan to stay afterwards to learn to paint and create a Valentine's Day masterpiece.

Fellowship Circle

The Fellowship Circle (formerly Seasoned Souls) serves God and our church by doing tasks and chores as needed or requested. They strive to get to know each other better and thus enrich their lives, support each other and have fun. They meet twice a month on the first and third Mondays of the month through May 15 taking a break during the summer months. Please contact Myrna Lee at myrocket@juno.com to learn more about the Fellowship Circle.

Circle of Light

Another group of women who meet at the church is the Circle of Light led by Renda Collins. They meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month. Their primary goal is to mail out cards to the homebound (shut-ins) of our congregation. They are looking for other ways to serve our church. You may contact Renda at

 rccollins10618@gmail.com to learn more about this group. 

Renda Collins

About the Event



On February 18, 2023

The First United Methodist Church of

St. Cloud Mission Team will be hosting its

First Annual Winter Charity Gala at

First United Methodist Church

1000 Ohio Avenue, Kissimmee, FL 34769

*Dinner

*Dessert Dash

*Silent Auction

Doors open- 6:00 p.m.

Silent Auction 6-8pm

Dinner- 7:00 p.m.

Ticket cost: $25/person &

$45/couple

Proceeds will benefit the 2023 Costa Rica Mission Trip

and Local Missions

Special Music: Scott Weyrauch & Guest

Speaker: Pastor Cathy Thacker

Business Sponsorships Available

Platinum Sponsor $400/up

Includes: Table Sign along with a table,

Six (6) tickets to event &

recognition as “Platinum Sponsor”

throughout event

Gold Sponsor $300

Includes: Four (4) tickets to event &

recognition as “Gold Sponsor”

throughout event

Silver Sponsor $150

Includes: Two (2) tickets to event &

recognition as “Silver Sponsor”

throughout event

Bronze Sponsor-Any amount and/ or auction donation

Includes: recognition at event

Come celebrate our First Winter Gala!

The Winter Gala is a semi-formal event.

Tickets are available on a first to reserve basis.



For more information please contact Althea Lee at

407-729-9888 or email: alee0192@gmail.com

Here at First Church St. Cloud there are several opportunities to study God's word.

Smooth Stone Bible Study is studying the book of Hebrews. They are so pleased to have some new members and are looking forward to learning more from the Bible and from each other. Smooth Stones Bible Study meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Vivian Kravitz leads this group and can be reached by email at vkravitz@aol.com.

Every Tuesday evening Pastor Cathy leads an in-depth study of the Sermon series which will be preached on the following Sunday. This study involves much discussion about the topic at hand. Please join her and others from your computer, tablet or smartphone at 7:00 PM.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464

Passcode 623978

On Sunday mornings the Serendipity Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 AM in the classroom attached to the Sanctuary as a hybred format; some in person and others over the phone led by Kevin Knox.  For more information contact the church office.

The Genesis Sunday School Classs also meets on Sunday morning at 9:15 AM in the FLC. They will soon be finishing their study of the book, More Parables from the Backside by J. Ellsworth Kalas. Starting on Sunday, February 26, they will be doing a Lent study of Amy-Jill Levine's book, Witness at the Cross: A Beginner's Guide to Holy Friday.  Larry Finch leads this study and can be reached by email at  Lfinch4945@aol.com.

The Power Hour Prayer Group meets each Monday morning at 8:30 AM for prayer and to lift up the prayer requests from the congregation. You are invited to join this lively group of prayer warriors each week. If you are interested you may contact the church office.

Lou Murray is leading a Healing Prayers time during the Power Hour Prayer time on Mondays 8:30-10:00 for those who are interested in prayers, anointing, and healing. 

The Sanctuary was un-decorated after the Advent Season. This could not have happened without the help of some amazing volunteers. Thank you for taking the time to help at your church.

Kevin Sanders

Dave Daniel

Ellen Daniel

Vicki Mauro

Dianne Schoolfield

Yvonne Allen

Barbara Watson

Myrna Lee

The Living Last Supper  

On Maundy Thursday, April 6, 2023, the Drama Ministry Team will be presenting The Living Last Supper in the Family Life Center.

We are looking for 6 men to play disciples. This will include learning lines and interacting with the performer playing Jesus. we will need another 6 men who are willing to be in costume learn some basic stage movement and react to what is going on around them. Further we need 3 women, 1 to learn a few lines and 2 women who will be doing basic movement.

We also will need help with construction, gathering props, lights, sound, painting and doing costume alterations. Of course, we need prayers for this project and an audience. This would be a great outreach opportunity to invite your neighbors and friends.

If you know anyone outside the church who would be willing to help us with our production, please invite them. We will have a planning session on Sunday, March 12^th from 2 to 4 PM. Please join us for fun, fellowship, some script reading and play some simple improv games.



Please contact Jim Stamberger at 816-564-8180 or Jim Kledis 407-791-1946 if you are willing to help or for further information.

Rehearsal Schedule for The Living Last Supper

 Sunday, March 12 ~ 2p-4p – Planning Session

Rehearsals:

Saturday March 25 ~ 2p-5p

Sun March 26 ~ 3p-6p

Monday March 27 ~ 7p-9p

Sunday April 2 ~ 3p-6p

Monday April 3 ~ 7p-9p

Tuesday April 4 ~ 7p-9p

*Thursday April 6 performance

Call at 6:30p

Performance at 7:30p

by Lou Murray, Music Director

“Sing unto him a new song” Psalm 33:3

As we seek to expand the choir, it is my pleasure to welcome David Cloud to the group. David is an experienced singer who will add power to our vocal mix. By the way, it's not necessary to be a regular in order to perform with the choir. I'll be delighted to hear from anyone who would like to be an occasional guest singer or instrumentalist.

For those of you who listen online, we've had problems of late with the sound mix that is uploaded to the Internet. Although our inperson sound is good, the keyboard and other instruments have not been coming through the mixer. Please be assured we are working on the problem, and hope to have you hearing our full sound in future. We constantly try to improve our musical output, so feel free to email me with any comments or suggestions. musicalou@inbox.com

Thanks for listening!

Chancel Choir - 8:15 AM Traditional Worship Service

Worship Team - 10:15 AM Blended Worship Service

Handbell Choir

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

February 8 - Church-Wide Wednesday Night Dinner ~ 5:15 PM

February 11 - Network Seminar, Part 1 ~ 9:00 AM - Noon

February 14 - Valentine's Day

February 18 - Network Seminar, Part 2 ~ 9:00 AM - Noon

February 18 - First Annual Winter Gala Fundraiser ~ 6:00 PM

February 20 - President's Day

February 22 - Ash Wednesday Drive-Thru-Ashes ~ Noon

(Located in the parking lot at 10^th Street & Ohio)

February 22 - Ash Wednesday Service ~ 7:00 PM

Regular Meetings

Sunday

• Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:15 - 9:15 AM
• Hybred Serendipity Sunday School Class ~ 9:00 - 10:00 AM
• Genesis Sunday School Class ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM (FLC)
• Coffee Hour (Annex off the Sanctuary) ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
• Blended Worship Service ~ 10:15 - 11:15 AM
• Newcomer's Luncheon ~ 3rd Sunday Quarterly, 11:30 AM
• Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 - 3:00 PM (FUMCSC - 5th Sunday)
• Children's program ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM
• Youth Group ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Monday

• Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
• Fellowship Circle (Formerly Seasoned Souls) ~ 1st & 3rd Monday, 10:00 AM (Resumes October 17)
• Smooth Stones Bible Study ~ 2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 AM 
• Boy Scouts ~ 7:00 PM)

Tuesday

• Bags of Love ~ 9 - 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 use passcode: 623978
• Cub Scouts ~ 7:00 PM

Wednesday

• Circle of Light - Women's Group - 2nd Wedesday of each month 10:00 AM
• Wednesday Night Church-Wide Dinner - 2nd Wednesday ~ starting at 5:15 PM
• Adult Choir Rehearsal ~ 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday 

• Bags of Love ~ 9:00 - 11:00 AM
• Handbell Rehearsal ~ 6:00 - 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.

February 2023 CHURCH NEWSLETTER

Wow! The school year is flying by! Just 3 more months until graduation! Last month, the children had a blast learning about the season of Winter and Polar animals. The cooler weather helped reinforce what winter feels like and gave the children the opportunity to wear their wintry weather clothing. Each child had the opportunity to “hibernate” in a cave just like the bears do for the winter. We heard lots of snoring around the campus! February will bring our Letter P Pajama Day, Wild Florida, and our special Ash Wednesday service. Many thanks to all who attended our Christmas program and Basket Bingo. We raised $1,215 for our classrooms!

Open enrollment for the 2023-2024 school year has begun. We have already received registrations. More information can be found on our website at www.firstumcpreschoolstcloud.com.



Follow us on Facebook to see day to day activities and happenings around the school. Www.facebook.com/firstumcpreschoolstcloud.

Smiles,

Ms. Denise

The children of First Church meet on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 AM Blended Worship Service after the Children's Moment and also on Sunday evenings from 6 to 7 PM.

BeExcitedAboutCelebratingHim

The Children's Ministries led by Rijean Smith meet on Sunday evenings. The Children's Sunday evening program is called the B.E.A.C.H. Club (Be Excited About Celebrating Him.) Each week from 6:00 until 7:00 PM they enjoy learning about Jesus, making crafts, learning about each other, playing games, and having a delicious snack. If you know of a child who would enjoy our children's program, please contact Rijean Smith at rijeansmith@yahoo.com.

Our Youth Group meets each week on Sunday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. 

The youth at our church, led by Amber Smith (assisted by Monica Scarlett) are very active with many of the events that we host. They also are involved with the Children's Ministry and help out where needed. About once a month they have fun activities outside of the regular meeting. If you know of a teen who would like to get involved in our church's youth program, please contact Amber Smith at amber.10golf@gmail.com.

Important Dates for the Youth

February 12 - Items for Valentine Bags due

February 13 - Deliver Valentine Bags to nursing homes ~ 3:00 PM

February 22 - Ash Wednesday Service



Feb. 21 – Tim and Kathy Blades

Feb. 26 – Larry and Celia Finch

Note: We are working hard to keep our information accurate and regret if we have missed your birthday or anniversary. If you know of someone whom we have missed in this birthday or anniversary list please notify the Church Office.



The Word of Our Lord

Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It does not dishonor others, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres.

1 Corinthians 13:4-7

Staff Members & Email Addresses



Pastor: Cathy C. Thacker - cathycthacker@gmail.com

Assistant Pastor: Jim Kledis -  revjameskledis@gmail.com

Office: Joyce Perkins - treasurer@firstchurchstcloud.org

Admin. Asst.: James Wise - admin@firstchurchstcloud.org

Accountant: Chuck McLendon - clmclendon@aol.com

Youth Leader: Amber Smith - amber.10golf@gmail.com

Children's Ministry Director: Rijean Smith - rijeansmith@yahoo.com

Preschool Director: Denise Dunn - director.firstumcpreschool@gmail.com

Sound Technician: Emma Mavell

Music Director: Lou Murray - musicalou@inbox.com

Blended Serv. Worship Leader: Scott Weyrauch - sweyrauch@mac.com

Mercy Ministries Coordinator: Donna Regn - turtleregn@gmail.com

Custodian: Al Rivera - alburs1960@gmail.com

Security: Juan Santiago - lovehohos@aol.com