1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - October 15, 2021 |
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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Today Matters, October 16 |
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Today Matter’s Mental Health Ministries will welcome Jennifer Tracy on October 16 at 4pm.
Jennifer battled suicidal thoughts…
– a tragic family car crash that buried her husband and daughter… forgave the man who killed them…
– a life-threatening brain malformation…
FIND OUT WHAT KEPT HER GOING.
Learn more about Jennifer HERE. |
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Methodist Men's Dinner, October 19 |
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There will be a Men’s dinner on Tuesday, October 19th at 5:00pm in the Life Center. We are honored to have Pastor Mike Loomis as our guest speaker. He will discuss the future of our Church. Each man may invite one guest (male or female). We will seat four to a table. Cost for the dinner is $12.00 per person. To make a reservation: Please call Peter Gillen at 941-661-8367 or email him at gooddecision@msn.com by October 15, 2021.
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1st Church Family-
David Bellows, our Director of Music Ministries, and his wife Xu Wei are expecting their first child in November! We are celebrating their new arrival with a card shower. We ask that the congregation mail a card to the church office and we will collect them and give them to David and Xu on Sunday, October 24th. If you would like to include a gift card or some other small token of thoughtfulness, we know they would appreciate it. Please send all cards to the church office no later than Thursday, October 21st.
Thank you for helping us celebrate with them for this joyous occasion!
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United Christian Women, October 25 |
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United Christian Women will be meeting on Monday, October 25th at 11:00 AM in Lenox Hall. Kathy Kresge will be joining us to talk about Today Matters, the Cookie Ministry, and how we can get involved. We will also be finalizing plans for our November Ladies Gathering and December Cookie Exchange/Christmas Party. We welcome all ladies of the church to come and hear about the new direction of the UCW. Bring your own brown bag lunch if you like! |
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Operation Christmas Child |
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Don't forget to pick up your Operation Christmas Child Shoebox! This year the Boy/Girl label is already on the box. To pay your $9 donation, please go online to: Operation Christmas Child – Ways To Give (samaritanspurse.org) or pick up a "How to Pack a Shoebox" brochure which has a pre-addressed, stamped envelope attached to it. The "How to Pack a Shoebox" brochures are available in the Life Center lobby or Lennox Hall near the shoebox display. Please do not put any money or checks inside the shoeboxes. Thank you!
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The Endowment Team will accept grant requests during the month of October 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 October 31, 2021. It will be necessary for you to be present at the Endowment team meeting in November to explain your proposal to the team and answer any questions regarding your request. Contact Phil Huddleston (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, upgrades to the video system, etc.
What about your legacy to the church and community? Including the Endowment Fund in your estate planning will insure your gifts will live on and touch lives for Christ.
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Surviving the Holidays 2021 |
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Have you or someone you know experienced the death of a loved one? No matter how long it's been, grief can make the holidays a painful time, but there is hope. Our GriefShare program is once again offering an encouraging seminar to help those dealing with grief survive the holidays and discover new reasons to enjoy them again. We want to encourage you to sign up for this 2 hour seminar today, and join us for the morning or evening session on Wednesday, November 17th at 10 am or 6:30 pm. Seating is limited, so reservations are required. For reservations or information, please call or text Melodie Austin at 941.661.0842 or or you may email her at melharryaustin@yahoo.com. Reservations must be made before Wednesday, November 10th.
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A part-time Nursery Attendant position is available during the hours of
8:30am - 12:30pm every Sunday. View the complete job description HERE.
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The 2021 Halloween event in the city of Punta Gorda officially begins on Sunday October 31st at 6pm and will continue until 9pm that evening.
City Road Closures
Please be aware that all the side streets between Marion and W. Retta Esplanade will be closed to all vehicle traffic beginning at 5pm and last until 10pm on Halloween. This includes both lanes of Marion Ave. and the Westbound lane of Retta Esplanade heading into the Isles. McGregor Street from Olympia Ave. to the Peace River will also be closed. If you will be arriving to the church after 5pm you must use Olympia Ave. as your only entrance onto our campus.
The Children's and Youth Departments of 1st Church would like to thank you for your generous donation of blankets for this Halloween event. We have received enough quilts and blankets to create an inviting seating area around the 10 food trucks that will be on campus that night.
If you have a trunk (Car, truck SUV, almost anything really) we need several more vehicles to add to the TRUNK or TREAT portion of this Halloween event. Contact Tim Buck at the church for details on this important role you might help fill.
We also want to thank everyone who had donated candy so far. We have collected about 43,000 pieces of our 80,000 piece goal!! We are still in need of an additional 37,000 pieces of candy, so if you are still able to donate, there are bins in Lenox Hall for all your candy.
If you have volunteered to help at the event, please note the above-mentioned road closures and plan your route accordingly. If you are able to park and walk, the Baptist Church on Virginia Street has opened their lot for us to use as well. If you have volunteered and are simply not able to attend that night, please contact the church office so we can adjust our volunteer list accordingly.
Thanks again for your support of this city-wide event and for helping the families of our community feel welcome on our church campus.
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Our new prayer challenge is up and running, and there is still time to sign up! We need 40 people to sign up for one hour of prayer weekly to achieve our goal of 40 hours. Of course, additional hours are welcome! Here is the weekly schedule: Mon-Wed-Fri: 8am -- 4pm; Tue-Thur: 1pm -- 9pm
As you see, no overnight stints are required!
We believe God is urging us to pray. The Lord wants us to keep our prayer momentum going with strong efforts for our church, our community, and our country..
Sign up by clicking the button below to reserve your time and be part of this important prayer revolution!
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The Bargain Boutique is OPEN! |
Donations are welcomed during operating hours, which are currently Monday, Wednesday, Thursday and Friday from 10 am until 2 pm. For more information on donations or volunteering at the Boutique, please call 239-264-6533. |
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Greetings 1st Church friends;
As of this writing, I am awaiting surgery on Wednesday 10/13. Hopefully when you're reading this I am home and recovering. I am asking for prayers for a speedy and complete recovery. Hope to see you in a week or so.
I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
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The Eighth Note – Music Ministry in a Minute! |
Greetings Everyone,
Fall is a great time to join one of our music ensembles!
The Chancel Choir has resumed rehearsals on Thursdays at 6:30PM in the Sanctuary. This group will be voluntarily masking and socially distanced as we return to choral activities. Please contact David Bellows if you are interested in joining the choir.
The Chancel Ringers are learning new music and there are still extra bells available to ring. The group rehearses on Wednesdays at 6:30PM in the Life Center. Ability to read music is necessary. Please contact David Bellows to learn more about joining this group.
Soli Deo Gloria!
David Bellows
Director of Music Ministries
This Sunday’s Music: October 17, 2021 - 11:00AM Service
Prelude: Prelude on ‘Rhosymedre’ – R. Vaughan Williams
Opening Hymn: 617 I Come With Joy
Offertory: O Lord, I Pray To Thee – C. Franck; Debbie Loomis, Soloist
Closing Hymn: 572 Pass It On
Postlude: ‘The Jig’ Fugue in C Major, BuxWV 174 – D. Buxtehude
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
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Wednesday Night Bible Study |
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Larry’s Bible Study on Angels
When... Where... Time?
December 1st...Room 13... 6:30pm. (always a Wednesday evening)
We will be using Dr. David Jeremiah’s Study Guide on Angels.
Who They Are and How They Help…
What the Bible Reveals.
Angels are mentioned throughout the Bible and are very intriguing and serve many functions. The first book I read on Angels was by Billy Graham and I learned how important they are to God. I was told that Angels are mentioned over 300 times in the Bible; they said this, and they did that, some have names. There are good angels and bad angels, they are creatures created, but when? Do we have a guardian angel? Do they protect us, guide us, encourage us, deliver us, enlighten us, or empower us? Why they must never be worshiped.
Angels Must Be Recognized for Who They Really Are
Dr. Jeremiah gets all his information from the Bible.
Study books are available online at:
Angels, Who They Are and How They Help
Study Guide on Angels $10.00
Make sure it is the Study Guide and not just the book.
Let me know if you will be attending or have any questions. There are 10 lessons and I plan to accompany the lessons with some audio from Dr. Jeremiah. I think we will be lucky to do a lesson a week. I stop the study promptly at 8:00pm. Always bring your Bibles, God’s Word!
I will be Zooming also for those that can’t come but will need your email address for the Zoom.
Larry Keller
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Harmony Bible Study Class |
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The Harmony Bible Study Class meets on Sundays at 10:30 am in Lenox Hall. Our current study is "Don't Give the Enemy a Seat at Your Table: It's Time to Win the Battle of Your Mind" by Louie Giglio. We've all been in circumstances that cause our minds to spin with thoughts that are unproductive, destructive, and harmful. It's easy to feel overwhelmed and wonder why we keep falling into the same thought patterns. We need to recognize these thoughts are not from God, but from an enemy lurking who wants to seize every opportunity to lie his way into our minds. All are welcome to attend. For more information, call Debbie Harrington 941-380-0213. |
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Discovery Bible Class - Now on ZOOM |
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We welcome all who would like to participate in the study “Is Genesis History?” We meet on Mondays from 10-11:00 am on ZOOM. At the end of the study, it is hopeful that you will better understand what the first few chapters of the Bible have to do with God’s plan for salvation. The study book can be purchased thru Amazon for $10. You will only need the book, no DVD. Please Contact Cathy Smith at cmsmith8@msn.com so that we have your email you to send you the ZOOM meeting link. If you are new to ZOOM, we can help!
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2021 Bible Reading Schedules |
We want to encourage you to join us as we once again read through the Bible. Reading calendars are available for download and printing on our website, whatis1st.com/bible2021, and hard copies are available in the Life Center. Start your new year off right by committing to read God's Word!
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Worship Service Information |
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This Sunday: October 17, 2021 |
Message: "Cookies, Cupcakes and Christ"
Pastor Mike Loomis
8:00 am Praise in the Park | 9:15 am Contemporary | 11:00 am Traditional
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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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Just a reminder of what 1st Church is doing to help you stay safe during the pandemic:
- State of the art air purification systems have been installed in our buildings.
- We strongly encourage social distancing with the rise of cases. This does not include members of your own household.
- Hand sanitizer stations can be found at the entrance to the Life Center.
- Masks are not mandatory, however we strongly encourage you to wear a mask if you feel more comfortable in doing so. Masks are available on the table at the entrance to the Life Center.
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If you are not feeling well, please stay home and watch our services from the comfort of your home.
- We are still offering the 8:00 Praise in the Park outdoor service (weather permitting) if you are more comfortable in an outdoor setting.
- The 9:15 and 11:00 services are available each Sunday on Facebook and YouTube for your convenience and safety during this pandemic.
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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. The rainy season is here! If it is or has been raining, 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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Show & Share How Much You Care! |
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The Children’s Ministry team was inspired by Pastor Mike’s sermon, as always! The team would like to ask, “Will you show us how much you care about helping to bring children to the knowledge and acceptance of Christ as their Lord and Savior by becoming a volunteer for children’s ministry?”
The ministry team is looking for six (6) volunteers to teach elementary age Sunday school. The volunteers would only need to commit to teach one Sunday a month on a regular basis. The Orange curriculum is used which includes prepared lesson plans and online video Bible stories to go with the lesson.
Caring adult volunteers are also needed to teach Sunday school to our preschool age children on a consistent and committed basis.
To find out how you can volunteer with the Children’s Ministry team, please contact our preschool volunteer, A.J. Rilat (281-910-8594) or our elementary volunteer, Bonnie Fowler (863-604-4074).
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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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