1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - September 10, 2021 |
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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Please join us on Saturday, September 18 at 4pm in the Life Center to hear from our special guest, Valerie's House. The mission of Valerie's House is to help children and families work through the loss of a loved one together and go on to live fulfilling lives.
"Our vision is that no child will grieve alone."
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Church Council Meeting
September 19
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We will hold a Church Council meeting Sunday, September 19 at 12:30pm in Lenox Hall. A light lunch will be provided before the meeting. All are welcome and invited to attend!
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Donate Blood, September 19 |
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The Big Red Bus will be on our campus Sunday, September 19 from 8:30am - 1:30pm.
All donors will receive a pair of OneBlood Cancer Awareness socks, T-shirt, a $20 eGift Card & a Chick-fil-A Card for a Free Chicken Sandwich. Plus, a wellness checkup, including blood pressure, temperature, iron count, pulse and cholesterol screening.
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Charitable IRA Contributions |
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Are you 72 or older? Are you taking required minimum distributions from an IRA? Did you know that you can make contributions or special gifts to the Church through this distribution process, and you will not pay Income Tax for funds directed to the Church. If you are interested, contact your financial advisor or IRA custodian and ask about Qualified Charitable Distribution.
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Attention, all United Christian Women! On Monday, September 27, we will have a meeting in Lenox Hall at 11:00 am. The purpose of this meeting is to reflect on the past year and to discuss the future of the UCW. So, I am asking you to bring your thoughts and ideas with you.
All women are welcome to attend. You don’t need to be a church member.
Shirley Fitzcharles, UCW Coordinator
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Halloween Here at 1st Church |
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This October 31st our church campus will once again be the hub for Halloween activities in the Punta Gorda Historic District.
As many of you know, we have been planning for several months now to welcome 8,000 or more guests to our church property on Sunday evening, Oct. 31st for Halloween.
We need your help in several ways very tangible ways:
1st Pray - That the night will be safe for all of our children and families, our volunteers, and the PGPD who will be directing traffic.
2nd Candy - We need to collect in excess of 80,000+ pieces of candy to distribute to children and teens that evening.
3rd Volunteer - We need a set team up prior to the event (well before the controlled chaos begins). A team to help during the event in 2 hour shifts - for those who like the energy large crowds. And 2 teams following the event. One immediately following the Trunk or Treat and another team the following morning to help dismantle the decorations, lighting, fencing, etc, then organize and sort everything into its proper place around campus.
4th Cars & Trucks - We need volunteers to decorate their trunk, truck bed, or even their company vehicle and help pass out candy during our Trunk or Treat event.
If you want more details about volunteering (before, during, or afterwords), or to register a vehicle, please contact Tim Buck or AJ Rilat at the church. 941-639-3842 or email them: tim@whatis1st.com or aj.rilat@whatis1st.com.
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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 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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The NEW 1st Church website has been launched! We are still in the progress of updating current information, so patience while it is under construction is very much appreciated. www.whatis1st.com
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Friday Food Pantry at 1st Church |
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Bountiful Blessings of the Charlotte County Food Pantry is partnering with 1st Church each Friday from 11:00 am - 1:00 pm to distribute food in our parking lot. They currently feed about 100 families each week and they are excited to be able to use our church parking lot to reach more families. All of the food is provided by the Harry Chapin Food Bank. Please help us spread the word to those that may have a need. |
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Greetings 1st Church friends --
I am blessed and feeling beyond happy to be writing to you this week. Our Lord is good, and life is beautiful! In the past couple years my prayer focus has changed from one of wants and/or demands when it came to health issues; with some bargaining in there too. My prayer gradually changed to one of listening when asking God what it really means to be "well." As each new crisis occurs, my prayer is " how can I use this to better serve?"... It's much easier to pray through the pain when you know that God is with you. We don't always get the answers we want, but being aware of God's presence always gives us peace.
A prayer that I often pray:
Father, I want to be relentless in prayer. I don't want to give up. I want to ask and keep asking. I want to seek and keep seeking. I want to knock and keep knocking. Sometimes I lose heart. Sometimes I lose hope. But I want to be the kind of person who prays through to an answer. Holy Spirit, keep me strong. For Jesus's sake, amen.
I need to pray hardest when it's hardest to pray. Then I turn to all my prayer partners for help. More to come, but I have been blessed by you!
Some reminders:
Please wear your name tags. With increasing Covid conditions, we have an increase in masks, so help us out so we can greet you by names! Along with that, if you're not feeling well, please stay home and worship with us online. Let's try and keep everyone safe!
Don't forget to check the Bridge for announcements and upcoming events. Very soon, Ghosts and Goblins in cute little costumes will be visiting our campus! They will be looking for yummy sweets and treats, so don't forget to bring your candy donations to Lenox Fellowship Hall. Also, watch for volunteer sign-up info in the Bridge.
I'm praying for you!
Rosie Young
Worship Coordinator
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The Eighth Note – Music Ministry in a Minute! |
Greetings Everyone,
The Chancel Choir has decided to postpone meeting until the current surge of Covid 19 in the community has gone down and folks are feeling more comfortable about returning. In the meantime, there will be opportunities for solo work and small ensembles. Also, the Handbell Choir will be meeting for rehearsals (socially distanced) on Wednesdays at 6:30PM. There are spots available to ring if you are interested. Please contact me to learn more about joining the Handbell Choir.
Soli Deo Gloria!
David Bellows
Director of Music Ministries
This Sunday’s Music: September 12, 2021 - 11:00AM Service
Prelude: Toccatina on ‘O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing’ – A. Fedak
Opening Hymn: 57 O For A Thousand Tongues To Sing
Offertory: Just A Closer Walk With Thee – J. Schrader
Closing Hymn: 541 See How Great A Flame Aspires
Postlude: Grand Choeur in B Flat Major – T. Dubois
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Discipleship Opportunities |
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View a complete list of groups at 1st Church HERE
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Harmony Bible Study Class |
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The Harmony Bible Study Class will begin a new study Sunday, September 19th at 10:30 am in Lenox Hall, "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?” starting this Monday, September 13, at 10:00-11:00 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: September 12, 2021 |
Message: "When the Fire Falls"
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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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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