1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - May 27, 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: May 29, 2022 |
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Message: "Train to Be Godly"
Pastor Mike Loomis
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The church office will be closed on Monday, May 30 in observance of Memorial Day. |
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Most of you will remember that early this year, Pastor Bob announced his retirement.
What you may not know is the latest on his relationship with us at 1st Church.
Soon after Bob announced his decision, some of us realized two things. First, it would not be easy for Bob to go from 90 mph to full STOP. Second, we have specialized needs for our congregation’s spiritual growth, especially in the area of discipleship and small groups.
It would be unreasonable to expect an incoming Assistant Pastor to be able to do what Pastor Bob has done, and to add the responsibility of discipleship and small groups. So, we began to think about how we might best staff our church for the future.
As we spoke with Bob, it became clear that he could continue to play a vital, though less-intensive role in the ministry of 1st Church.
Therefore, we are pleased to announce that, effective July 1, Pastor Bob will continue with us as our Part Time Pastor of Congregational Care. His primary focus will continue to be to provide care for those who are hospitalized or in other forms of crisis. In addition, he will work alongside our Care Ministry team, along with our congregation, to ensure visitation of those in nursing homes, long term care facilities, or homebound.
As needed, Pastor Bob will assist with funerals and memorials, weddings, and help with leading worship as well as preaching on occasion.
We are excited for what we believe will be a great benefit for our congregation, as well as for Pastor Bob.
*Anyone remember the comedy by the same name? Bill Murray played ‘Bob,’ a troubled patient who follows his therapist on vacation
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Our 8:00 am worship service, "Praise in the Park" is held at Gilchrist Park, weather permitting. If we are changing the location to the Sanctuary, we will send out an email on Saturday night. See you Sunday at the park! |
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Special Announcement from Pastor Mike |
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Dear 1st Church Family:
It is with great pleasure that we announce that we have hired an Assistant Pastor who will begin at the end of June. Her name is Angela Hinchman. She is passionate about Jesus, discipleship, and spiritual growth. Angela will begin her ministry with us at the end of June. Along with her husband, Christian, and their three children, Ella (17), Aliana (14), and Caleb (9), she will be moving from Holland, Michigan.
Angela grew up in the Reformed Church in America. She has been a short-term missionary, as well as having various ministry roles. She has a B.A. in Humanities/Religious Studies from California State University, Sacramento, and has had coursework at both Fuller Theological Seminary and Western Theological Seminary. She is the author of Come, Gather at the Table, an 8-week study on discipleship.
We want to thank all who have been praying as we have searched for the right person to fill this important role within our church.
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Dear Church Family,
As you can imagine, finding a home sight unseen can be pretty difficult. We are looking for help to find a home for Angela and her family to rent for 6 months while they look around the area for a home. If you or someone you know has a seasonal home that could be rented from the end of June to the end of December, please contact Kathy Butgereit in the church office. We would certainly like to make this transition as easy as possible for Angela and her family.
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A part-time nursery worker is needed to work every Sunday from 8:30 am to 12:00 pm. If interested, please contact Becca, becca@whatis1st.com.
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Celebrating the Future of Crossroads |
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We know it is short notice but as one of our most invaluable supporters over the years, we hope you will be able to join us at a small celebration next Tuesday, May 31 at 5:30 p.m. to dedicate the Castillo Avenue Campus of Crossroads Hope Academy! There will be light food and drinks and we will be offering tours and some insight into our plans for the building and for Crossroads.
We hope to see you there!
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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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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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Have you heard? Our Teens are planning a mission trip to Tennessee this Summer! Preparations are well underway for this 8-day work trip. Students have already started meeting for training sessions and they are currently doing some "homework" to prepare for the trip.
If you would like to help our mission team in a specific and meaningful way, we have a unique opportunity you may want to invest in. While on our mission trip, we will be sleeping on air mattresses in a church about 30 minutes north of Nashville. We will purchase these mattresses along with pillows and blankets when we reach our housing site and use them during our stay. Then we plan to continue our long-standing tradition of donating these air mattresses, pillows, and blankets to a local shelter at the end of our time of service. If you would like to help pay for a pillow, blanket, or mattress which will be donated to a shelter in the greater Nashville area, then check out the following list.
We suggest the following donation amounts:
- $10 for a pillow or blanket.
- $20 donation will buy a basic twin-sized mattress.
- $60 donation will purchase a raised twin mattress that comes with its own internal electric plug making it so much easier for the homeless shelter to keep them inflated.
Please prayerfully consider helping in this tangible way by making a donation towards the purchase of one or more of these items for our Teen Summer Missions Team. Donations can be made online under Youth Mission Trip or write that in the memo of your check.
Thanks again for investing in our teens and helping them fulfill the great commission. Matthew 28:19&20
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A Note from the United 4 Him Youth Group |
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In a time long long ago (Pre-pandemic) in a land not all that far away (Port Charlotte), we'd meet friends at the movie theater. We would buy our tickets and popcorn, and then engage our minds, eyes, and ears on the sights and sounds of the latest feature film showing on the BIG screen. Does anyone else remember those days?
Well, our teens enjoyed the chance to do something most haven't done in a couple of years, go to the movies! They got to laugh alongside their friends on this field trip of sorts when they went opening weekend to see the movie "Family Camp". This movie was so much fun to watch! The students talked about their favorite scenes some after the show, it was great!. Oh, the theater popcorn was yummy too!
This film was written and directed by Christian filmmakers who cast Christian comedians and lifelong friends Tommy Woodard and Eddie James as the main stars of the film. Many of our students, along with 86% of those who have already watched the movie rate this a "Must See" Film. If you are able, we recommend that you go out to see and support this Christian film as the message is excellent and the film is top-notch!
Click HERE to watch the movie trailer. |
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Heather is a multiple suicide-attempt survivor who believes
"if you wake up breathing, that's your proof to keep going."
- Suicide is the 10th leading cause of death for all ages and the 2nd leading cause of death for youth and young adults between the ages of 10-34.*
- A person dies of suicide every 11 minutes.*
- If a young person gets the help they need, they are less likely to be suicidal again.
- Asking about suicide lowers anxiety, opens up communication, and reduces the risk of impulsive acts.
*(Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) 2021)
Heather Palacios is the founder of WONDHERFUL, INC a 501c3 non-profit dedicated to saving the lives of those who are struggling thru mental crisis. She speaks at high schools, colleges, churches, businesses throughout the US to reach the nearly 1.8 million people who attempt suicide each year.
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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 from 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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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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Hey 1st Church friends and family --
Hard to believe it's time to dig out the patriotic decorations in honor of the start of summer holidays. I'm beginning to feel like I can't "keep up" like I used to. While many of our winter residents have gone back North, our campus continues to be very busy with plans for upcoming events. Be sure to watch The Bridge for information about what's happening. Here are a few headlines: the Children and Family ministry is preparing for VBS;
Preparations are underway for Pastor Bob Carlson's celebration in June; Worship ministry is making plans for a special worship service on Sunday, July 3rd! This will be a very important opportunity to celebrate not only our Country's Independence but our New Life in Christ! There will be one service only that Sunday at 10 o'clock in the Life Center, followed by a time of fellowship, food, and activities for families and children. Since this is a picnic occasion, please dress in casual attire. Be sure to check through the newsletter for specific details of these events.
Also, we continue to work on our church disaffiliation process. Pastor Mike will be scheduling a Town Hall meeting to update you concerning this situation, so stay tuned for this info also. Meanwhile, we need your help with continued prayer, in all these matters. Thank you!
I want to share a prayer situation I had this week. As you know, I've been dealing with an infection in my foot, which is greatly improved. We are now working on solutions to prevent further infection problems ( it's spelled surgery!). On Monday night, I was awakened at 1:12am with jolts of severe pain in that foot. As a result, I was up most of the night which gives a person a lot of time to pray! One thing I find myself doing when I'm in these episodes, is to think about what Jesus suffered and went through as a human; loneliness, anger, frustration, hunger, exhaustion and pain. Horrible pain and suffering. I used to wonder why God let him suffer like that. I read something by Max Lucado that talked about how Jesus understands all our weaknesses; and if Jesus understands our weaknesses, so does God. I love that concept! God says "I am with you always, to the very end of the age" Matthew28:20. Not just "I'll be with you Sundays at worship " -- but at the grocery store, at work, and especially when I'm awake and in pain! Believe me, I call out to Him plenty. At those dark, scary moments, I know that I am not alone and I am blessed by His presence and comfort.
Please join us on Thursdays at 12 noon in the sanctuary to pray for the needs of our church, our congregation, our families and your needs.
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,
The Chancel Ringers will be going on Summer vacation from June 16 to September 7.
Regular rehearsals will resume on September 7.
The Chancel Choir will continue to rehearse and sing through the Summer. The Chancel Choir rehearses on Thursdays at 6:30PM in the Choir Room 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 - Ascension Sunday, May 29, 2022 - 11:00 AM Service
Prelude: Fanfare – J. Cook
Opening Hymn: 312 Hail The Day That Sees Him Rise
Offertory Anthem: Tomorrow Shall Be My Dancing Day – R. Shepherd
Closing Hymn: 402 Lord, I Want To Be A Christian
Postlude: Prelude in D Major, BWV 532 – J.S. Bach
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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 9:15 & 11 AM
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Office Hours: Monday - Thursday, 9am - 4pm
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