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The Spire
The Newsletter of the Mequon United Methodist Church
February 2024
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Connecting people to Jesus Christ and to one another. | |
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Sermon Spotlight
Feb 4: Pastor Carly Kuntz
Feb 11: Allison Tinsley-Fuller
Feb 14: Ash Wednesday 7 pm
Mark 1:14-15 "Repent, and believe the gospel"
Feb 18: Matthew 6:5-8
Don't do this when you pray
Feb 25: Children's Sabbath
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Music Spotlight
February 4: Chancel Choir
February 11: John Peshut
February 18: Praise Ensemble
February 25: Chancel Choir
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Calendar Highlights
Feb 1 - Men's Prayer B'fast 7 am
Feb 2 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 4 - Choir Warm Up 8:30 am
Feb 4 - Chancel Choir R'sal 11 am
Feb 5 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 5-9 - FamPromise Dinners
Feb 6 - Lunch Bunch 11 am
Feb 7 - Women's Prayer B'fast Cancelled
Feb 7 - Confirmation Class 5:45 pm
Feb 9 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 11 - Chancel Choir R'sal 11 am
Feb 12 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 13 - Lunch Bunch 11 am
Feb 14 - Ash Wednesday 7 pm
Feb 16 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 18 - Chancel Choir R'sal 11 am
Feb 19 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 20 - Lunch Bunch 11 am
Feb 20 - Lenten Bible Study 11 am
Feb 21 - Confirmation Class 5:45 pm
Feb 21 - Reflections 6 pm
Feb 22 - Lenten Bible Study 7 pm
Feb 23 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 25 - Children's Sabbath 9:30 am
Feb 25 - Lenten Bible Study 10:45 am
Feb 25 - Kids' Picnic 11 am
Feb 26 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Feb 26 - Church Council Mtg 7 pm
Feb 27 - Lunch Bunch 11 am
Feb 27 - Lenten Bible Study 11 am
Feb 27 - Fiber Arts Ministry 6 pm
Feb 28 - Confirmation Class 5:45 pm
Feb 29 - LEAP YEAR
Feb 29 - Lenten Bible Study 7 pm
Mar 1 - Tai Chi 12:30 pm
Mar 3 - Lenten Bible Study 10:45 am
View MUMC Online Calendar
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Ash Wednesday
Join us for Ash Wednesday Service. Let's start the Lenten Season together. Time to repent and believe the gospel.
February 14th, 7:00PM
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Lenten Bible Study
Everyone is invited to join the Lenten Bible Study - Help is Here. This five-week study is offered three times a week to fit into busy schedules. More info below!
Starting February 20th, 22nd or 25th
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Palm Sunday
It's time to celebrate the arrival of Jesus to Jerusalem! Join us for Palm Sunday Service!
March 24th, 9:30 AM
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Maundy Thursday Service
Join us as we commemorate the Last Supper and the Washing of the Feet.
March 28th, 7:00 PM
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Good Friday Service
We remember the Crucifixion and that Jesus died for our sins. "Father, forgive them, for they know not what they do."
March 29th, 7:00 PM
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Easter Sunday Service
He is Risen! Celebrate Jesus' resurrection with us on Easter Sunday.
March 31st, 9:30 AM
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Lenten Bible Study
Pick the times that work for you!
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Lenten Bible Study
HELP IS HERE BY MAX LUCADO
When you feel powerless to calm life’s chaos, remember: Help is Here. This is a 5-week study lasting 1 hour and will be offered 3 times each week for everyone’s convenience:
Per Max Lucado: “The Bible makes more than a hundred references to the Holy Spirit and Jesus says more about the Spirit than he does about the church, marriage, finances, and the future. But do we really know the Spirit? Help is Here reminds us that our Good Shepherd doesn’t just feed us; he leads us. He does more than correct us; he directs us. God keeps us on track—and best of all; he’s commissioned the Holy Spirit to guide us down the winding roads of life, wherever they may lead us.”
Our goal as a church is for each of us to continue to grow spiritually. To that end, we offer 2 all-church studies every year to stop and reflect on the fact that the God of the universe came to be near you in all seasons of your life.
If you would like to purchase the book you can do so on Amazon or Ebay.
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MUMC Outreach
To be the bridge to community connection and collaboration ...
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Mission Outreach Dinner and
Auction Results
During our Mission Outreach Dinner and Auction on Saturday, January 27th you, the MUMC congregation followed our mission statement…
Connecting people to Jesus Christ and to one another
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honored scripture and theme of our 2024 Mission Outreach Dinner and Auction…
Pour out your heart like water before the presence of the Lord! (Lamentations 2:19)
The Mission Outreach Committee thanks you for your amazing generosity! Through your attendance, donations, raffle contributions, and silent auction purchases,
$18,300 was raised and more donations continue to come in!
Your continued monetary donations to the Mission Outreach Auction are welcomed. Your ongoing support allows MUMC to provide donations to organizations
who support people in need in our community.
THANK YOU and GOD BLESS YOU!
Click here to check out photos from the event!
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Join the Family Promise Meals Team!
Helping People Out of the Cold
2023 Homeless Shelter Statistics
Provided over 3,400 nights of shelter
Took in 43 homeless households; 46 adults and 24 children
Served over 2,100 evening meals prepared by volunteers
For families in the Family Promise Portlight Shelter, the evening meals MUMC volunteers provide not only supply food in their bellies - they also represent the sharing of God's love ... something we all need and can share without limits.
You can join the MUMC Family Promise Meals Team! It's easy - cook or bake part of a meal once every 8 or 9 weeks. Or, volunteer to deliver the meals to the Porflight Shelter, just 15 minutes away. Contact Pam Layton (262-290-1448, p.layton90@gmail.com) or Connie Pukaite (262-242-2778, pukaite@sbcglobal.net) to join the team!
2024 Evening Meal Weeks for MUMC
February 5-9 April 8-12 June 10-14
Sept 30-Oct 4 December 2-6
If meal prep and delivery aren't your forte, you can support Family Promise by donating cleaning supplies - particularly Lysol Multi-Surface Cleaner for floors, Dishwasher Pods and Laundry Detergent.Find these items and more on the Amazon List link: https://a.co/74ONt19.
Click here to read more, including a recent Family Promise story!
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Family Sharing Food Pantry
Third Tuesdays, 2 - 4 pm
Another way MUMC is being the bridge to community connection and collaboration is MUMC's Outreach with Family Sharing of Ozaukee County! The Family Sharing Food Pantry provides food to residents in need, free of charge, with dignity and compassion. In addition to our Thanksgiving food drive, MUMC members and friends are encouraged to volunteer on the third Tuesday of the month at the Family Sharing Food Pantry to sort incoming food items.
Sign-up sheets are in the Narthex!
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Connecting with Jesus Christ and One Another
Come ~ Connect ~ Grow Community
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MUMC Family,
The words we have heard most this last month have been " there are no words". Well, there are no words for our great loss but there are also no words for the outpouring of love, comfort, gifts, and support we have received from all of you over these past weeks. We are so grateful for our church family and all of the prayers. We ask for continued prayers not only for the Debbink family, but for all whose hearts are breaking. Alex was a very special young man, and we will try to live our lives going forward a little more like Al!
Thank you again.
May God Bless.
Mike and Chris Debbink
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February Reflections
Wednesday February 21 6:00 pm
The Reflections book group will meet on Wednesday, February 21 at 6 pm at the home of Susan Caldwell (1926 W Hidden Reserve Ct). Please note this is one week later than our usual meeting date. Our discussion book will be The Book of Lost Names, by Kristin Harmel.
Click here for a summary of the book! RSVP to Susan at susancaldwell@outlook.com if you can join us!
Reflections is a women's book group who meet monthly for fellowship and discussion. Contact Barb Henneck at bhenneck@gmail.com for more info! New women are always welcome!!
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Blood Pressure Checks
Second Sundays
Feb 10
MUMC's parish nurses will continue their second-Sunday blood pressure checks in 2024! They will be in the parlor before and after worship!
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Join us for Lunch!
Tuesdays 11am
Lunch Bunch meets weekly on Tuesdays at 11:00 and welcomes new members at any time! We meet for an hour for Bible Study and spiritual growth, and then enjoy lunch and fellowship downstairs. Call Jean Paulus at 262-502-0512 for more info.
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Children's Sabbath
February 25
Save the date! The children will share their love of Jesus with all during the church service.
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Fiber Arts Ministry!
4th Tuesday - February 27, 6:00 pm
Join us as we work together to inspire creativity and provide warm clothes to people in need. We can provide kits or work on your own creations! New members are always welcome - and there are S-N-A-C-K-S! Contact Jenna Burns with kit ideas or questions!
Check out these great baby blankets that Ginger Ayres crocheted!
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Kids' Picnic!!
Last Sunday of the month
February 25 11 am - 1 pm
The Kids' Picnic, monthly fun, games, birthday celebrations and fellowship for all children, is moving to the last Sunday of the month! Children should pack a lunch and come prepared for adventure! We provide beverages and desserts, as well as a refrigerator to keep your lunch cold if necessary. All children are welcome - invite your friends!
Contact Gayle Meyer with questions or for more info.
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The most frequent question I receive from my fellow Christians who are serious about their faith is “What is God’s will for my life?” When they ask me that question or when I am not clear about what God wants me to do, I remind them and myself of God’s general will for all His people, for God would reveal His specific will for us as we practice HIs general will for us.
One of God’s general wills is stated in 1Thessalonians 5:16-18: “Rejoice always, pray constantly, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.” I suspect that rejoicing always is the hardest one to practice among those three. Here, Paul was not talking about being a Pollyanna Christian with a plastic smile on your face, pretending everything is okay, denying reality, and acting as if nothing is wrong. Friend, how could we be joyful in the midst of difficulties, hardships or injustice then? Paul’s joy was only possible because he put his confidence in God not anyone, anything or circumstances.
Our life in this side of eternity is like sailing in the sea. During the journey, oftentimes we steer against the wind or storm of fear, disappointment or whatever it may be. But while we sail through the storm, our joyful attitude has nothing to do with how winds blow or what kind of the wind blows against us because for Christians, joy is a daily decision to enjoy the gift of salvation given by Jesus Christ, which is being adopted as a child of God through Jesus Christ. So let’s decide to enjoy who we are in Christ in 2024 and beyond!
In Christ,
Sue
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Wisconsin Conference Devotions | |
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Jesus is Able
by Tsuker Yang
Since, therefore, the children share flesh and blood, he himself likewise shared the same things, so that through death he might destroy the one who has the power of death, that is, the devil, and free those who all their lives were held in slavery by the fear of death. For it is clear that he did not come to help angels but the descendants of Abraham. Therefore he had to become like his brothers and sisters in every respect, so that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in the service of God, to make a sacrifice of atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself was tested by what he suffered; he is able to help those who are being tested. (Hebrews 2:14-18)
A member from a church I once served recently texted me to ask about where he could find the Scripture text that spoke about “the wage of sin is death.” He said he was gathering the family for a devotion and wanted to use the text. I texted him back, “Romans 6:23.” I was startled but glad for his interest in getting his family to do devotion. The last time I saw him was in 2018. He was not a very devout Christian. I wonder, could this, or the many trials and challenges that we are facing in our own life or in the world today, point to a sign of time that people would seek God again? If it is, it would be a happy time for the church.
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Our Vision:
To be THE bridge to community connection, collaboration, and common ground through Jesus Christ
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How can YOU help MUMC achieve our vision?
Like, follow and repost MUMC Social Media -
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Forward this newsletter to:
- a friend or neighbor looking for community and connection
- a family whose children would love our awesome Children's Ministries
- a community member looking for service opportunities
- anyone who loves Jesus!
You do not have to be a MUMC member to subscribe to the Spire. Click the link below to subscribe!
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