MARCH 19, 2024

MESSAGE FROM JIMMY

Here are your three things for this week…

1. The brew abides. At the Christmas open house event on the brick streets, Debbie bought me a bag of Camper Van Coffee beans from Diana and Jon Cornette. As you know, I love good coffee, and their coffee is amazing! Clinton has a lot of great local roasters, but theirs is my favorite. You can pick up a bag on their website (campervancoffee.com) or at The Boxcar Produce store on Springridge Road.

2. Build a fire. This time of year is perfect for sitting around a fire for quiet time or family bonding. Watching the flame dance around the logs as embers brighten with every shade of red and orange is one of the most relaxing things I can think of doing. Take some time this week to grab a little tiny speaker and some chocolate and marshmallows as you build a fire in the backyard. Let its light and heat warm your soul! I’ll be doing the same while camping later this weekend.

3. Try Visio Divina. “Visio divina invites the viewer into ‘divine seeing.’ Visio divina invites one to encounter the divine through images. A prayerful consideration of and interaction with a photograph in the magazine, icon, piece of art, or other visual representation allows the viewer to experience the divine in a unique and powerful way” (Upper Room, Visio Divina). I appreciate learning about new spiritual disciplines during Lent. This is a new practice that I will be exploring for Holy Week. I encourage you to find some images that portray Jesus’ passion, death, and resurrection (such as the Last Supper, crucifixion, stations of the cross, etc.) and give visio divina a try. Here is a link that explains this spiritual discipline.

This week in worship…

Palm Sunday

Message: “Here Comes the King…Wait, Not Yet!”

Text: Mark 11:1-11

Jesus has fans, followers, and haters. We may even have a part of all three in us.

Join us prior to worship Sunday for hospitality and fellowship. We will have great coffee from Seven Brew and tasty treats. We will gather before Traditions in front of the Sanctuary starting at 8:30 a.m. and before Connections in front of the Worship Center starting at 10:30 a.m. Look for the crowd under the white tents! It is going to be a great start to Holy Week as we relive the final week of Jesus’ earthly life. Can’t wait to see you Sunday!

Jimmy

TOP 3 AT FIRST UMC

DONATIONS NEEDED FOR EASTER

The Easter egg hunt is only one month away! We need your help with donations of stuffed plastic eggs. The eggs can be stuffed with candy or trinkets. Please drop off in the church office or in one of the bins located throughout the church.

FAMILY MINISTRY EASTER EVENT

Join us on Easter morning in the family life building at 10 am for a time of donuts, coffee and all the fellowship.

We will have a Easter themed photo opportunity as well, so make sure to stop by to get your family picture!

At 10: 20 am, we will have our kids' ministry Easter egg hunt. It is sure to be a fun time!

ALTAR FLOWER OPENINGS

We still have a few openings for altar flowers. It's not too late! Contact Dianne Alford in the church office to reserve your flower openings today!

2 - openings April 7th

2 - openings April 14th

2 - openings April 28th

1 - opening May 12th

2 - openings May 26th

2 - openings June 9th

2 - openings June 23rd

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SUPPER

MENU:

JOIN US FOR FELLOWSHIP DINNER!

The serving line opens at 5:15 pm and closes at 5:45 pm. Reservations must be in by NOON on Monday prior to the Wednesday night dinner.

Adult Meal - $8.00
Salad Bar - $8.00
Potato Bar - $5.00
Kid Meal - $5.00
Pizza (when offered) - $2.00 per slice
Family Maximum - $40

MENUS:

NOTE: ALL MEALS ARE SERVED WITH A DESSERT

March 20th

Hamburgers, fries, baked beans, dessert; kids meal: hotdog (no pizza)

March 27th

No meal/activities - Holy Week!

CONGREGATIONAL CARE

SUBMIT YOUR REQUEST

SHARE YOUR REQUEST

If you have a prayer request or if you or someone you know has a need, complete a short request form (click on button). These requests will be reviewed by our Pastoral team.

Please review the prayer list download. If you would like to add to the prayer list, please continue to use our digital form for submission which can be accessed by clicking on the link in this email or on our website.

Prayer Request Update: If you have requested a loved one or friend to be placed on the church wide prayer list and they no longer are needing prayers, please call the church office or email [email protected] for removal. The people who are on the Church Prayer Request are added by the request of church members.

Pastoral Care Line 601-460-0570

Download Prayer List