1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - April 29, 2022 |
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 11 AM
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Message: "Give Me Doctrine, Or Give Me Death"
Pastor Mike Loomis
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Bargain Boutique - Summer Schedule |
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The Bargain Boutique will begin our Summer Schedule starting in May. We will be open 3 days a week, Monday-Wednesday-Friday 10AM-2PM.
Thanks to all of you who bless us with your donations, we are moved by your compassion to help us as we help others in our community.
When you see, Mary Jacobs, Judy Ewing , Jane Prevost, Ely Weaver. Barbara Cobb, Ruth Shaffer, Sandy Anderson, Bette Hanlon, Susie Krause, Trish Rusca, Arlene Waters, Pat Williams, Lynne Britton, give them a 'shout out'..."well done good and faithful servants."
A page from our Diary written by two of our volunteers...Sandy and Ruth:
We were working this past Wednesday when a gentleman came in looking for something for his wife. Ruth talking with him learned that his wife has dementia and is in a memory care unit. He said she liked colorful, bright things and with out hesitation Ruth gave him a lap mat (fidget) that we had on display and was given to us by those Crafty Ladies in Room 9. It was perfect for his wife, she could touch many things on it (buttons, zippers, pockets with keys in them etc. He was so pleased he had something his wife could actually use. He was so thankful. He continued shopping looking for other small things for his wife. Reaching out and touching others in different ways is as we say a 'God thing'. He is at work all around us. We just have to look. Putting two missions together the Bargain Boutique and those Crafty Ladies in Room 9 God does His math for us. And all of that happened on our Church Campus!
In Joy,
The Volunteers
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Losing 2 brothers to suicide has inspired Laurie to spread the importance of deep listening, fearless transparency and non-judgmental acceptance.
Laurie is the bestselling author of Leading with GRIT Inspiring Action and Accountability with Generosity, Respect, Integrity, and Truth, endorsed by Don Miguel Ruiz (The Four Agreements) and Ken Blanchard (The One Minute Manager).
Laurie developed the formula G.R.I.T. to bring more to the grit equation – Generosity, Respect, Integrity, Truth.
Laurie has over two decades of executive coaching, leadership training and most importantly, real-life business and personal experience. Laurie is on a mission to improve lives through leadership, and she contends that anyone can stand and be a leader.
Books will be available for sale and autographed at the event. Visit LaurieSudbrink.com to learn more about Laurie. |
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We Need Sunday School Teachers! |
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Our Children's Ministry is in need of elementary Sunday School teachers. If you are willing to serve, please contact Becca: becca@whatis1st.com
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Children's Ministry - Volunteer Training |
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Volunteer Training will take place Sunday, May 15 immediately following the 9:15 service. |
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If you’ve walked into the church library recently, you might have noticed a few changes . Three new church library volunteers have been working on shifting books, reorganizing and getting acquainted with our library collection. As we work with our church collection, we are thankful for the library volunteers who came before us. A special Thank You to Gail LaGro... we appreciate you.
Our goal is to serve the congregation in our Church library by maintaining our core collection. We will do this by organizing, weeding, and adding to the collection. If there is a particular title you think might be current, classic or worthy of our library, please consider dropping off a note for our volunteers and place it in the church library return basket and/ or donate such book to our library.
Please stop in to find a book to borrow that will encourage your Christian faith journey.
We hope to have a church library open house sometime after Easter.
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Help Stock the Salvation Army Shelves |
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“A Mother’s Prayer of Hope”
Today a mother reaches into a cupboard and opens two cans of food. How can she feed her family? Rising prices of food, a lost job or low pay, children looking at her expectantly. She stops. She prays for a miracle. Deep inside, she trusts God to supply her needs.
A church prays “How can we help those less fortunate?” And God leads us- one can of food at a time. Or one bag of food. A box of food. We will stock the shelves of the Salvation Army food pantry. We can be an answer to prayer!
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How can our church help?
- Shop each week and bring items to collection boxes at church (April 18-May 8)
- Pray for the items as you place them in the boxes
- Give a cash donation. We’ll be glad to shop for you! Earmark donation “A Mother’s Prayer of Hope”
- Pray for the families that we will help.
- Volunteer to help collect boxes of food and move to storage area
- Call Chris Wilkens to volunteer! 941-276-4416
Sunday, May 8th, Mothers’ Day! This is the day that the Lord has made! We will rejoice and be glad in it! Everyone brings food for the collection boxes!
Monday, May 9: Deliver to the Salvation Army!
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Vacation Bible School, June 6-10 |
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Registration is now open for this summer's Vacation Bible School!
VBS is a wonderful way to introduce children to Jesus, and share 1st Church with new families in our area. Please share!
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If you are interested in serving on a VBS volunteer team, please email Becca: becca@whatis1st.com. |
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Crafter's Group - Come Join Us! |
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WE NEED: Anyone who can sew on a button, crochet, knit, draw, design, or has ANY creative talent! We work together while enjoying each other's company.
We have made the following items:
*Baby blankets for Careline Pregnancy Center
*Crocheted octopus for preemie babies
*Greeting cards for our own Care Ministry team
*Walker bags for the veteran's home
*Activity mats for those suffering with Dementia and Alzheimer's donated to nursing homes locally
We meet in Room 9 every Wednesday from 1-3:30 pm.
Contact:
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Camping with Church Friends
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For several years campers from our church have gathered each spring to meet new friends with common interest in camping. This year our group will meet at Hardee Lakes County Park which is about 50 miles from our church. Anyone who likes to camp in a tent, RV, or trailer is encouraged to join us. We will meet on the Monday afternoon after Easter, April 18 and return home on Friday. For more information call Peter Gillen, 941-661-8367, or Tom Little, 941-769-0002. |
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Volunteers needed for Crossroad Academy |
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Every 3rd Saturday of each month volunteers from 1st Church cook food and take it to Crossroads Hope Academy to bless the young men who are residents there. We desperately need more volunteers to either cook food and/or help deliver the meal to Crossroads. We meet in the Church parking lot every month at 11:30 and load the food and go together to Crossroads. This ministry truly is a blessing to those we serve. If interested, please call Gail LaGro at 941-613-1745. |
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Receive Texts from 1st Church |
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1st Church Family... We are trying to improve our communication within the congregation and also looking for a way to keep everyone seeking devotionals each day. If you would like to receive daily devotionals from 1st Church or receive important communications, please sign up by calling the church office 941-639-3842. This will allow us to text you these messages and make it easy for you to receive them. |
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Greetings 1st Church friends,
Can you believe May is a couple of days away? Our winter friends are starting to head back North and the rest of us are settling in for the long hot summer. It made me think how things are usually in a state of change of some type; weather from drought to rainy season, life situations which bring changes both good and times of turmoil or loss. One thing that I have realized is a constant, no matter the season, is my need for prayer. As you know, my prayers are typically about health and medical issues. But the more I've worked on this prayer journey, I've discovered that God has led me to devote more prayer time to others. How does this happen? I've learned to listen to the voice of our Father. How do I know that I'm hearing the voice of God? First, God's message always is aligned with scripture, and for me, often comes during times of prayer. If I come up with a new brilliant idea, I'm pretty sure it's a message from our Father! Or other times, God will put someone on my heart while I'm praying. And when I call that person I learn they needed a call right then. If I'm not sure or not really listening, the urging from God becomes stronger or more insistent. I have read testimonies of situations where the voice of God saves someone from imminent danger. I am still learning to listen. When I am struggling with an issue, sometimes just opening my Bible and see the perfect scripture, with a perfect message or Godwink!
Please pray for our very important meeting and vote on Sunday, May 1 at 4pm in the Life Center. Plan to arrive between 3:15 and 4pm to register. We will have several tables set up for you to register. You'll need to show your photo ID - so don't forget it!
Keep on praying! Remember, we are taller and stronger when we are on our knees!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
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The Eighth Note – Music Ministry in a Minute! |
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Greetings Everyone,
Are you musical? Consider joining one of our groups. This is a great way to serve the church, learn about music and get to know folks.
The Handbell Choir rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30PM in the Life Center and plays on Sundays at the 11:00AM Service. Ability to ready music is necessary.
The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 6:30PM in the Historic Sanctuary and sings Sundays at the 11:00AM Service.
Please contact David Bellows for more information or questions.
Soli Deo Gloria!
David Bellows
Director of Music Ministries
This Sunday's Music - May 1, 2022 - 11:00 AM Service
Prelude: Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’ – R. Vaughan Williams
Opening Hymn: 90 Ye Watchers And Ye Holy Ones
Offertory Anthem: With A Voice Of Singing – M. Shaw
Closing Hymn: 571 Go, Make Of All Disciples
Postlude: Trumpet Minuet – A. Hollins
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
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A gathering of men who seek a more complete Christian understanding of the teaching of Jesus. Men of Faith meet in Lenox Hall on Thursdays from 9-10:30am under the leadership of Pastor Bill Grant. The group uses the daily study guide, My Utmost for His Highest by Oswald Chambers, as a start for each weeks' discussion. The daily study guide is available free at the gathering. Many of the group come from other churches, so invite your friends. |
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2022 Bible Reading Schedules |
We want to encourage you to join us as we once again read through the Bible. Start your new year off right by committing to read God's Word!
Download the 2022 reading guide HERE.
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Worship Service Information |
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If you are planning on attending our services please remember the following:
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Masks are now optional for those that are fully vaccinated.
- Social distancing is still encouraged. Families may sit together, but please leave three seats between you and others not in your family.
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If you are feverish or not feeling well, we ask that you stay home and join us online on our Facebook and YouTube channels.
At this time, you may only enter the Life Center through the main entrance facing the Fellowship Hall courtyard. All other exterior doors will be locked. We'll see you Sunday!
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Join us this Sunday at 8 am for Praise in the Park! Open to everyone, this is your opportunity to join us for "in-person" worship as we enjoy God's scenery from the lawn of the beautiful Gilchrist Park Pavilion, weather permitting of course. If it is or has been raining (or is too cold), Praise in the Park will relocate to our historic Sanctuary. Time may not always be sufficient to get the word out, so in case of inclement weather, please proceed to the Sanctuary.
Please plan to bring your lawn chairs and/or blankets, and, yes, we will be asking you to practice social distancing. Don't forget to join our "Praise in the Park" group on our Church App! As a reminder, our outside services are always subject to change due to the weather. Please make sure you are connected with us through the app, our email list, or social media to receive our updates concerning schedule changes. See you Sunday for Praise in the Park!
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 11 AM
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm
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