Hello First Methodist,

We are living a new life...a life by the Spirit. Join us for worship this Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00 in the Sanctuary and 8:30 and 9:45 in The Rise.

HIGHLIGHTS THIS WEEK:

• Baby Shower for Pastor Sarah - Sunday 2-4pm
• The Rise Adult Sunday School Class will NOT meet this week 4/14
• Kids & Youth Sunday Nights - BACK THIS WEEKEND!
• Golf Fellowship postponed until May due to club being closed

Resurrected Life!

During the season of Easter, we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus: Jesus came, Jesus died, and Jesus rose again - all for us - that we might have abundant and eternal life now and forever! Join us as we explore Romans 8 and see the power of the resurrection in our lives today.

Missions Month and Missions Marketplace April 28th

During the month of April we are sharing Missions Moments on Sunday mornings. This week Melissa Dess spotlighted Habitat for Humanity Volunteer Lunches. FMC provides lunches for the Habitat volunteers on the 3rd Thursday of the month. If you are interested in serving on this team, register on the FMC app or website. On April 28th, we will be hosting a Missions Marketplace where you can engage in opportunities to serve in various missions. The Missions Marketplace will be set up in the Loft after the 8:30 service and will continue throughout the morning and after the 11:00 service. Waylon will be serving a shop and browse breakfast.

Baby Shower for Pastor Sarah

Sunday, April 14th

Please join us for a Baby Shower honoring Pastor Sarah on this Sunday, April 14th in the Atrium at First Methodist. Drop in between 2:00-4:00pm. Pastor Sarah is registered at www.babylist.com.

Brunch in the Loft

April 21st from 9:45-11:45am

Gather in the Loft for brunch and enjoy fellowship with one another. We are expanding the hours to include Traditional and Rise worshippers. This is a great opportunity to invite a friend or neighbor.

Red Cross Blood Drive

Monday, April 22nd from 9-3

Join us for the Red Cross Blood Drive in the Fellowship Hall on Monday, April 22nd from 9:00am - 3:00pm. If you are not able to donate, you can support the blood drive by baking snacks for our canteen table. Drop this off on Sunday afternoon or Monday morning. Contact Pat Bell if you have any questions.

Connections Class

Sunday, May 5th

Connecting to a community of faith can help us become more like Jesus and live a more abundant life. Connections is a one time class on Sunday, May 5th from 3:00-4:30 that will help you learn all about First Methodist as well as discover ways to connect through small groups, volunteer opportunities, and worship. You will get to explore the mission and belief of First Methodist as well as the structure of our administrative council. Come and meet our leadership team, explore our communication tools, and take a tour of our campus. Discover where you can connect at First Methodist to make an impact on our community and around the world. 

Service of One

Sunday, May 19th @ 10:30am

West Carteret High School Auditorium

One Lord. One Faith. One Church. Join us for a Service of One combining our 8:30, 9:45, and 11:00am worship services. Free box lunches will be served in the cafeteria following the service. Register online or at the church office for a simple headcount for lunches. 

Costa Rica Mission Trip

Please be in prayer for our CRMP mission trip this summer. We are taking a team to work with Will Bailey and build relationships for the greater mission of God's kingdom. This year our team will be partnering with Joseph Franklin's church. Joseph is a former Associate Pastor at First Morehead.

Click the link below and secure your spot with a deposit of $300. Deposit is due by March 24th. The total cost of the trip is $800 and is due by June 1st. This is a trip of a lifetime! Check out the video from last year...

Operation Christmas Child

During the month of April we are collecting Small Stuffed Animals for Operation Christmas Child. Items are being collected in baskets located in the Atrium and the Rise Lobby. Near the end of the year we will be having a packing party to put together shoeboxes to share the love of Jesus around the world.

Baptism of Elizabeth Christine Tanner

On Sunday we celebrated the baptism of Elizabeth Christine as she was given new birth through water and the Spirit. She is the daughter of Townsend and Christine, sister of Ella Cate, and granddaughter of Donnie and Karan Jones. Her cousins watched over her and she was surrounded by family and a congregation that entered into a covenant to give her love and care, increase her faith, confirm her hope, and perfect her in love.

The Rise Adult Sunday School class has been meeting in The Loft at 9:00am on Sunday mornings led by Cameron and Caleb Thornton. This is a brand new small group inviting new members to join. They will not be meeting on Sunday, April 14th, but start back with them on April 21st.

SUNDAY NIGHTS

WE ARE BACK APRIL 14TH!

Youth Ministry

Project MHC is a mission experience that is designed to be a mission trip experience without leaving our county. We will only be working a few short miles away from the church, but for many of our youth, they will be stepping into a world entirely different from their own. This is designed to be an opportunity for youth to grow in their faith while serving as the hands and feet of Jesus.

Youth who have completed grades 5-11 (Rising 6th-12th graders)

*Former participants in 12th grade and up are welcome to apply as counselors! Registration Fee - $175 (This cost goes to support the houses that we are working on by providing materials, tools, and more as well as providing for some meals and fun activities for the youth)

Volunteers!

We are recruiting volunteers to participate in Project MHC (Many Hands for Christ) and serve our church and community. Opportunities include small group leaders during the day or evening, small group transportation drivers, shower hosts, prayer partners, and lunch delivery drivers. Project MHC will take place on Monday, June 10th through Wednesday, June 12th. Click the link to serve!

Kids Ministry

Registration for KIDS is now open! Kids are diving deep into an amazing undersea adventure where they’ll experience the ever-flowing, never-ending love of God. At Scuba VBS, kids will be immersed in the Word and discover what living water is really all about! Register your kids today!

We are looking for enthusiastic individuals who would like to dive in and make this event a success. There are a variety of positions available, including class guides for children aged 3 to 5th grade, instructors for preschool and elementary games, art and story time, and those who can help with snacks and decorations. As a volunteer, you will play an important role in helping us create a fun and engaging environment for the children. To register, please visit our website or app and fill out the volunteer registration form. By registering online, we will have your contact information and be able to communicate important information with you. Thank you in advance for your willingness to serve!

Thank you so much for all your help this year. We are so thankful for all of you!

CarolinaEast Health System Auxiliary Grant Program for High School Seniors?

The Auxiliary has established an educational merit grant program and a financial need grant program to benefit dependent children of current CarolinaEast employees and High School Seniors (from Craven, Pamlico and Jones Counties) in their quest for higher education.

• If the High School Senior has a parent employed by CarolinaEast they will fill out the attachment labeled CarolinaEast High School Employee Dependent Grant 2024.

Plus they may also fill out the attachment labeled 2024 Grant Application Financial Need.

• If the High School Senior does not have a parent employed by CarolinaEast they will fill out the 2024 High School Scholarship Application.

Plus they may also fill out the attachment labeled 2024 Grant Application Financial Need.

The criteria is outlined in the attached application packets.

Applications are due no later than Friday, April 12, 2024.

ALTAR FLOWERS

The Flowers on the Altar are in celebration of the marriage of Ruth Joy Varner and Evan Christopher Mason on April 6, 2024. They are also in loving memory of their late grandparents, Barden and Eva Carawan, Jimmy Varner, Sr., and David Mason.

MEMORIALS AND HONORARIUMS

Donations in honor or in memory of friends and church members are a thoughtful way to share with families that loved ones are special to you. First Methodist recently received gifts in memory of Andy Lloyd, Jerry Fischler, Ken Harris, Janice Clontz and Marge Lindsay.

Week of Apr 11 - 17

11 Celia Haines

11 Janice Pridgen

11 John Wade

11 Gray Williams

11 Lindsay Osteen

11 Cooper Grace Johnson

11 Hazel Petrilli

12 Buddy Baily

12 Zac Everhart

12 Tyler Chase

13 Mike Moran

13 Laura O’Brien

13 Catherine Guthrie

13 Eliza Scott Baker

14 Ted Collins

14 Elizabeth Bradley

14 Mary Beth Garrison

15 Dean McDonald

15 Clayton Webster

16 Lynne Miller

16 Ben Beck

16 Savannah Penny

17 Jean Peterson

Please let us know if we do not have your birthday in our system. We don't want to miss anyone!

Adult Sunday School Classes

We are excited to welcome new members to our Adult Sunday School Classes! Classes are open throughout the year and meet at 9:45am on the second floor of the atrium building. To find the classes, simply use the stairs or elevator and follow the hallway to the office reception area. From there, take the hallway to the left and you will find the following Sunday school classes in the order listed below:

Classroom 1 - Faith and Life: Fletcher Poulk - Book of James

Classroom 2 - Jackie Eure Class: Lynne Miller, Janet Roberts, Joyce McCollum - 1 Peter

Classroom 3 - Buck Matthews Class: Rodney Kemp - Gospel of John

Classroom 4 - Stanley Harrell Class: Stanley Harrell - Purpose Driven Life

Large Conference Room - Bible Study Class: Thor & Kay Coole - Chronological Study of the Bible

We hope you will join us for a time of learning and fellowship!