1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - March 11, 2022 |
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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This Sunday: March 13, 2022 |
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Message: "Break Our Hearts"
Pastor Mike Loomis
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Crafters Group Display - March 13 |
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On Sunday, March 13 after the 9:15 service and after the 11:00 service, the Crafters Group will have a display in Lenox Hall of some of the projects we've been working on. Come by and check it out!
Our group meets every Wednesday afternoon from 1:00 - 3:30. All supplies are provided by donations. If you are interested in joining us, just bring yourself. You could just come and socialize with this lovely group of people, you don't have to have any particular talent.
See you Sunday!
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Lenten Service this Wednesday |
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Wednesday, March 16, 2022
12pm in the Sanctuary
Rev. Jay Mumper
View our complete Lenten Worship Schedule HERE
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Playground Mulch - Help Needed
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Our playground will be getting fresh layer of mulch, and volunteers are needed to help spread it!! The date has not yet been determined for the mulch delivery, but if you are willing and able to help, please contact Joey DePetro: joey.depetro@whatis1st.com, 941-639-3842. Thank you in advance! |
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The Endowment Team will accept grant requests during the month of March from individuals or groups. The grants are intended to be a one time supplemental funding for "extras" beyond the regular budget. The original donors (two families in the 1990's) set up an Endowment Fund with a covenant that allows funds to be granted to specific areas of the First United Methodist Church programs. The grants are funded by a portion of the profits earned each year. The core is always maintained to have the fund be perpetually sound. In addition, 10% of it's profits are applied to the core each year. The Endowment Fund tithes too!
Please include a brief description of your program idea/ activity/ or materials you would like the Endowment Team to fund. Include goals, costs, and anticipated impact your plan will make on the participants, our church, and community. Requests must be received in the church office by March 31, 2022.
It will be necessary for you to be present at the Endowment team meeting in April to explain your proposal to the team and answer any questions regarding your request. Contact Phil Huddleston (941-258-4540) philhuddleston@embarqmail.com for details and procedures before you apply.
Recent grants: New Choir Robes, Youth Mission trips supplement, Children's Ministry special activities, UV and air filtration system to protect us from viruses throughout the campus.
What about your legacy to the church and community? Including the Endowment Fund in your estate planning will insure your gift will live on and touch lives for Christ.
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Gregg F. Martin, PhD, Major General, US Army (Retired), served on active duty for 36 years, until May 2015. He is a combat veteran, Bipolar Survivor, Airborne-Ranger-Engineer qualified soldier, and Army Strategist. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal (twice), the Bronze Star Medal, and the Combat Action Badge.
He holds a PhD and two masters degrees from MIT, masters degrees in national security strategy from both the Army and Naval war colleges, and a bachelors degree from West Point. He commanded an engineer company, battalion, the 130th Engineer Brigade in combat during the first year of the Iraq War in 2003-04, including the attack from Kuwait, up the Euphrates River Valley, to Baghdad and beyond.
He served multiple overseas tours, and, as a general officer, commanded the Corps of Engineers Northwest Division, was Commandant of the Army Engineer School, commanded Fort Leonard Wood, was Deputy Commanding General of Third Army/US Army Central, Commandant of the Army War College, President of National Defense University, and Special Assistant to the Chief of Engineers. He is married with three sons, two of whom are Army combat veterans, and one an artist. His daughter-in-law is also an Army combat veteran. His wife is an "Army brat" and heroine for persevering through their Army career and surviving and overcoming their bipolar ordeal, which has been the toughest fight of their lives. They live in Cocoa Beach, FL, where he is writing, speaking, and sharing his story of "battling bipolar disorder" to help save lives and stop the stigma.
We hope you will join us on March 19 at 4pm for this special Today Matters event!
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Church Council Meeting - March 20 |
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We will have a Church Council meeting next Sunday, March 20 immediately following the 11:00 service in Lenox Hall. Everyone is welcome. |
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Give the gift of life on Sunday, March 20. OneBlood will be on the 1st Church campus from 8:30am - 1:30pm.
All donors will receive:
- $20 eGift card
- OneBlood T-shirt
- Chick-fil-A coupon
- Wellness Checkup including blood pressure, pulse, temperature, iron count, and cholesterol screening
Online appointments are encouraged! Click on the button below to schedule your appointment for March 20, 2022.
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Men's Fellowship & Dessert - March 22 |
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The United Methodist Men will be meeting on Tuesday, March 22nd at 7:00 pm in Lenox Hall. Phil Wilson will be our speaker. Phil is the owner of Wilson Realty in Port Charlotte. He will be sharing how Christ has worked in his life and how and why we should discuss the good news with our friends. Dessert and beverages will be provided. The cost is $5. Please make reservations by Sunday, March 20th by responding to an email invitation, or contact Wayne Sharp at sharpww@me.com or 612-867-3017. |
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Scholarship Recipient - Jennifer Peters |
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Operation Christmas Child - March Collection |
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Operation Christmas Child will be collecting small toys during the month of March: Jump ropes, Yo Yo’s, bouncing balls (no greater than 3” in diameter), harmonicas (metal or plastic), Play-doh (small containers), noise makers, finger puppets; or any small toy item that you would like to donate! Items can be left in the Operation Christmas Child Collection Box located in Lenox Hall. Thank you for helping with this important outreach ministry for the world’s children! |
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Did you know that the Church has a wonderful library that is maintained by volunteers? We are in need of some volunteers to help organize and sort books. If interested, please call Gail LaGro at 941-613-1745.
Also, we have several wonderful Christian books and have no space for them. This Sunday we will have a cart near the Life Center doors full of books. If you love to read, please look at them and take whatever books you would like.
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United Way of Charlotte County’s Volunteer Income Tax Assistance (VITA) program will be providing FREE income tax assistance to individuals and families with a household income of $66,000 or less at 1st United Methodist Church beginning February 3rd.
Tax preparation services will be held at the church every Thursday from 1:30 pm - 6:30 pm through April 7. Interested individuals and families can call 941-421-7100 to be added to the appointment list.
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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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Youth Yard Sale is coming back! |
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Mark your calendars now for our Huge Youth Yard Sale held primarily to support our summer mission trip. The sale will be open first to you (our 1stChurch Family) on Friday night April 1st from 6 - 8pm.
The sale will continue on Saturday, April 2nd from 9am – 2 pm when we will welcome the general public to scoop up some great deals and find some awesome treasures. At noon Saturday, all unsold items will be reduced to ½ price at checkout.
Please tell your neighbors and friends to attend this giant sale on that Saturday morning to help our kids earn the money they need to attend and serve on our annual mission trip. (This year our teens will serve for 8 days in Tennessee)
Your donations of items for our sale can be dropped off in the Life Center room #7 (As you enter the Life Center foyer room 7 is the first door on the right and also known the game room).
Donations can only be accepted on the following days and times:
March 22-24th, 8am - 1pm
and March 28-30th, 10am - 1pm
We can accept almost anything that has value for our sale but we ask that clothing be donated to our Bargain Boutique. Please note that we cannot take the following items: Mattresses and most furniture, any broken or non-working items.
Thanks in advance for your support of our Youth Yard Sale!
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Easter plans are underway and we need your help!
Needed the Monday before Easter (4/11): Egg Stuffers and Bag Stuffers.
Needed Easter Sunday at Gilchrist Park (4/17): Arts & Crafts leaders, Game leaders, Raffle Table help, People to Pass out Flyers & Engage with Parents.
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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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2021 Contribution Statements |
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2021 Contribution Statements have been mailed to your email on file with the Church Office. If you need a printed copy, please call the Church Office and ask for Denise, Ext. 226, OR email me at Denise@whatis1st.com with your request.
Thanks for all your contributions!!
Finance Office
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Greetings 1st Church friends--
I want to begin today by asking for help! Don't worry-- it's nothing too difficult. I'm not sure if you've heard about my newest challenge for all of us, but I am asking everyone to take a moment each day at noon to pause what ever you're doing, and say the Lord's Prayer. Set your watch alarm, or whatever reminder you can use, to pray. Lent is a special time of prayer focus, and this year especially, with a war raging in Ukraine, we have an urgent need to join together in spirit and pray. Tell your family and friends to join us as well, and let's experience the power of prayer.
I'm also asking for your help for our special services on Maundy Thursday; 4/14/22 @ 7pm, and Easter Sunday worship services. Duties could include welcoming (greeting) folks as they arrive; collection of the offering; or distribution of communion as people arrive. None of these responsibilities are difficult, and the blessings are big. Please let me know if you can help at one or more of the upcoming services.
Remember that we are again offering purchase of altar flowers in memory or to honor your loved ones. Contact me at the email address below with any questions or to sign up.
I have mentioned several areas asking for help, but I believe God gives us an opportunity for purpose each day. There are days where life seems upbeat and others where we feel defeated. But I've found that each type of day teaches a lesson, and allows us to grow closer to our heavenly Father. No matter if it's a great day or a day of heartbreak, I try to examine what God is trying to teach me. It's up to me to choose to learn or choose to remain ignorant of that lesson. For me, that involves prayer and reading God's word. I'm learning to enjoy appreciation during times of rest, and bravery when having days of pain or hardship. Somehow He always supplies a lesson, and my prayer is to recognize that purpose. Our God is an awesome God! If you are interested, I still have some of my weekly devotional books available.
I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
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The Eighth Note – Music Ministry in a Minute! |
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Greetings Everyone,
Do you like men and women in uniform? Consider joining our Chancel Choir for Palm Sunday to Easter Sunday. This is a great way to serve the church, learn about music and get to know folks.
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
Music for the Second Sunday In Lent: March 13, 2022 - 11:00 AM Service
Prelude: Adagio, KV 622 – W. A. Mozart
Chancel Ringers and David Bellows, Director
Opening Hymn: 139 Praise To The Lord, The Almighty
Offertory Anthem: On Eagle’s Wings – D. Wagner
Closing Hymn: 593 Here I Am, Lord
Postlude: Choral Song and Fugue – S. S. Wesley
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
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Join Pastor Earl Smith on Wednesdays from 10-11:30am for "Why Easter Matters by Andy Stanley. Books are $8 and will be available for purchase during the meeting time. All are invited to attend the Wednesday Lenten worship services that begin at noon after the Bible study. There will be no lunch served following worship as there has been in years past so the class members suggested that we could all bring a bag lunch to eat before we enter worship.
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Revelation Study - Begins March 16 |
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Join Larry Keller in Room 13 on Wednesdays from 6:30-8pm (and on Zoom). They will begin a new study on the book of Revelation March 16 using Revelation Unveiled by Tim Lahaye, Answers Bible Study from Answers in Genesis, and mostly The Bible.
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New Study - Just for Moms! |
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Want to be set free from the pressures of being "MOM?" Join us for the Mom Set Free Bible Study! The study will begin April 13th and meet for 8 weeks in Room 13, 12:30 - 2pm.
The cost of the book is $15. If you are in need of child care, please register your children, with their ages 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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View our Lenten Worship Schedule HERE
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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!
Praise in the Park is currently scheduled to continue meeting at Gilchrist Park through Easter 2022.
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm
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