MAY 1 & 8

VISIT: southlyonfirstumc.org

for more information

May 5th & 12th

“All Good News: A Little Jesus for Everyone”

Welcome to my daily prayer spot while I was in Siena. I am sitting of the steps of the Duolo di Siena. This place has a special spiritual pull for me. The design, the artwork, the transcendence, and the pink marble. Seriously, most of it is way over the top compared to the space that I am accustom to worshiping in, and I have to stop from thinking of it from a building management and Trustee perspective, but it is a holy place for me. 

Part of my Spiritual Renewal Leave was spent on a 30 day Breath Prayer Retreat. I listened to lessons, journaled, and read the book while sitting on the steps of this cathedral. What I learned will probably become a Worship Series sometime soon, so I did some work while away, I just couldn't help it. 

First 3 things I learned on my journeys:

1. I am never alone, God walks with me always.
2. God has provided me with an amazing village for this phase of my life: a husband and children that encourage and support me; a staff that I trust while I am away (they are pretty talented and amazing people); and a circle of friends that are more like family.
3. Caring for my own soul and spirit takes time and is worth the effort - worth the effort during the middle of a regular work week or on a spiritual renewal leave.



Breath in dear friends, breathe out….remember that God is with you.

Breathe in, breathe out….reflect on your village.

Breath in, breathe out….take time today to just soak in the Holy Spirit in Word, music, or nature.

I look forward to being back in the pulpit on May 5. I continue to hold you all in prayer.

Breathing and blooming through Christ, Mary

MISSION OF THE MONTH – FEEDING HUNGRY CHILDREN

During the summer months, we host and coordinate the Summer Lunch Program with the help of other churches, businesses, and organizations. We provide lunch to food insecure students and their families twice a week. This year we will also be providing weekend meal bags to families, so we are collecting canned chicken, and ravioli in the parlor. Please prayerfully consider donating to this mission of the month to support the Summer Lunch Program.

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

SIGN UP FOR BLOOD DRIVE

Date: Thursday, May 30th, 2024

Location: Fellowship Evangelical Presbyterian Church – Multi-Purpose Room

Time: 1:00pm-6:30pm

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

“Muscle” #1 – Grieving Well

In a recent Midweek Messenger, I shared with you about a discernment process called “C3” that several members of our church participated in. We learned about five “muscles” for the church. The “muscles” metaphor is used to represent agility, flexibility, strength, endurance, and adaptability to build up the body of Christ.

The first muscle is grieving well and that has to do with naming what we miss and acknowledging how grief is impacting our actions and decisions.

We normally connect grief with the loss of a loved one and many in our congregation have experienced losses in the recent years, but we may also grieve the loss of people who have left the church to attend a different church or decided to worship only online.

We also can grieve the loss of worship opportunities, such as the Ignite Service. We may grieve the ending of a ministry program that was close to our hearts, such as the Thanksgiving Dinner that we used to host in the fellowship hall. We may even be feeling grief for the entire United Methodist Church since many churches have disaffiliated.

Grieving well means naming these losses and acknowledging our feelings in a safe place, without fear of judgement or criticism. Many of the discussions that took place around our Core Values allowed people to voice some areas that they were grieving. If we want to discern what difference God is calling us to make in this season, we need to stop and recognize the changes we have been through.

Is there anything you are grieving? If so, please share with Rev. Mary, Rebecca Lundy, any members of Church Council or Team Leaders. When it comes to these C3 muscles, we would like as many voices as possible to join the conversation!  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.