APR 17

VISIT: southlyonfirstumc.org

for more information

April 21st

“Claiming Our Identity”

Matthew 6:19-34 

Rev. Dr. Sherry Parker-Lewis preaching

Senior Director of Church Relations

United Methodist Foundation of Michigan

Happy Wednesday South Lyon First United Methodist Church Family!

Guess what's on the horizon from April 23 to May 3? You got it—the United Methodist General Conference is coming up in Charlotte, North Carolina,

and it's going to be a pretty big deal.

Our delegates at this conference hold the reins for our entire international denomination. And let me tell you, things look a lot different now compared to eight years ago at our last regular session.

It's like we're embarking on a whole new journey together!

At SLFUMC we celebrate that all persons are created in God’s image and we aspire to be a place where all people, through the transforming power of God in Jesus Christ and the Holy Spirit, come together - to care, to pray, and to love God and each other unconditionally.

As we gear up for this conference, let's lift up our prayers for God’s love and grace to guide our delegates in making the best decisions. May they lead with compassion, wisdom, and a steadfast commitment to unity and love.

Want to learn more? Check out:

https://www.umnews.org/en/news/general-conference-recap-how-did-we-get-here

Yours in Christ,

Andrea Hungerford, SLFUMC Lay Leader

MISSION OF THE MONTH – COVENANT PARTNERS

The Mission of the Month for April will support the Annual Conference chosen covenant partners. The three partners are Haitian Assets for Peace International, Bishop Judith Craig Children's Village in Liberia, and Water for Life in Liberia.  The first two partners will receive 45% each and Water for Life will receive 10%. These organizations provide so many services for those in need including healthcare, education, meals, and water.

SONGS OF SUMMER PLAYLIST

Listen to SLFUMC’s Favorite Songs of Summer then vote for YOUR favorites!

Spotify playlist link: https://open.spotify.com/playlist/1HJD4EYYu9PNpvlhsr7sZx?si=8f2ac79985904a1c



Apple Music playlist link: https://music.apple.com/us/playlist/favorite-songs-of-summer/pl.u-MDAWebGIERVEv.u-MDAWebGIERVEv

SPRING CLEAN UP - Saturday, May 4th at 9 am

Your church Trustee team needs you! Can you spare a little time on Saturday, May 4th? 

We will be washing the church windows, doing a little yard clean-up, and putting up the tent. The yard work will be minimal as we did an extra good job in the fall! The church windows really could use some TLC, however!

Any amount of time you can spare to help us will be greatly welcomed!

If you'd like to have some lunch at 11:30 that day, please rsvp just so we know how much food to have ready. Please sign-up online or on the kiosk.

Rain date will be Saturday, May 11.

Thanks so much, Doreen Hannon, Trustee Co-chair

GOD'S COUNTRY MISSION TRIP GOLF OUTING

Register and pay (using the QR Code) for our 6th Annual Golf Outing on June 9th to benefit the South Lyon First United Methodist Church's mission trip to God's Country.

Please see Holly Schlusler for more information. 

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2024

Register for a Summer Camp Adventure with God!

Use the QR Code to register or to volunteer!

SUMMER YOUTH MISSIONS

It’s time to sign up for our 2024 Summer Youth Missions:

Follow this link for more information and to sign up for the Senior High Mission Trip,

July 21-27. Open to completed 9^th graders through completed 12^th graders.

Follow this link for more information and to sign up for the Middle School Mission Experience, July 27-29. Open to all completed 6^th graders through completed 9^th graders.



To volunteer to help chaperone either trip, or for more information, please contact Kendi

COURAGEOUS COLLABORATIVE CONGREGATIONS

Last Fall, our church was invited to participate in a discernment process called “C3”,

which stands for “Courageous, Collaborative Congregations”, facilitated by the Texas and

Michigan Foundations of the United Methodist Church. (https://umfmichigan.org) These

educational meetings addressed the questions, “Who are we [the church] in the post-Covid

world? How can we adapt to the new world when people are seeking meaning and purpose

outside the church? What is the difference God is calling us to make in this season?”

The process consisted of 10 evening meetings that ended in April, assisted by three

wonderful facilitators, Martie Soper, a retired pastor from Dallas, Texas; Jess Bielman from

Portland, Oregon, a minister who is self-employed now working with religious organizations

in leadership and innovation; and Rev. Gary Step, the Sr. Director of Leadership

Development from the Michigan Foundation of the UMC.

In addition to Rev. Mary, Rebecca Lundy, Robin Fanning, Stuart Baker, and Nora

Baker participated from our church. Members of other churches participated as well. The

meetings included times of devotion, presentations, and rich discussions in small groups.

There was also “homework” for the teams to do in between sessions.

In the meetings, we discussed five “muscles” for the church:

1) Grieving well

2) Discerning Purpose

3) Walking Alongside

4) Distributing Power

5) Expanding Imagination

Over the next few weeks, we are going to explain what each of these muscles are about

and share the key points that we learned from these discussions. We would like you to join

us in these conversations as we continue to discern what God is doing in our church and

community and how South Lyon First UMC can be in step

with the Holy Spirit in these endeavors. Nora Baker

WE ARE HIRING

SLFUMC continues to seek a Band Leader, part-time, to lead the band during worship services and events. SPRT's efforts to obtain qualified candidates include postings on job sites, on the United Methodist Conference and Heritage Districts sites, at local universities, and through contacts with other church clergy and band leaders. If you are aware of someone who may be interested in this wonderful opportunity to help lead us in joyful worship, please let Cathy Altenberger or another member of the Staff Parish Relations Team know. Thank you!

Giving Options

·       Use WebGive at our website by clicking here or by using the our QR code :            

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Use Text-To-Give on your phone, send #oper or #mom to 844-418-2873

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.