1st United Methodist Church Weekly Update - September 24, 2021 |
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FOLLOW US & JOIN US THIS SUNDAY FOR WORSHIP LIVE AT 9:15 & 11 AM
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Food Pantry Praise Report |
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The Friday food pantry served 224 families on Friday, September 10!
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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 200+ 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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Annual Charge Conference, October 10 |
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Our annual Charge Conference will be held on October 10 at 3 pm. It is a virtual event and we will meet in Lenox Hall to watch it virtually together. |
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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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2021 Scholarship Recipients |
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The members of the Higher Education Scholarship Committee would like to announce the scholarship recipients for the 2021-22 school year.
The recipients are Sydney Browne, Randy Buck, Carlye Mahler, Kylie McQueen, Catalina Mosquera, Jennifer Peters, and Trey Richards.
Congratulations to these seven college students! And, a huge thank-you to the many members of our congregation who donated to the Birthday Box. Your birthday donations helped provide each one of these worthy students with scholarship money towards their college education.
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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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We are in need of about 15 blankets to be donated for our Halloween event. They don't need to be anything pretty or nice (old blankets are great and even a few holes are fine too!) These blankets we will be used as part of our "seating area" for families in the Food Trucks area during our Huge Halloween event. (*Note: These blankets will not be returned but kept for future events and activities with our Children and Youth Ministries).
Tim Buck
Director of Youth Ministries
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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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Greetings 1st Church friends --
Happy Fall! Although I can hardly believe it, the Fall season is here! Of course we won't be ready for the sweaters or jackets for awhile, there are events to look forward to. Right around the corner is Halloween, which is a huge city event for families. We have several things planned on our campus, so keep watching The Bridge and the announcements to see how you can help. Immediate needs are donations of candy -- lots and lots of candy. So far we've collected 10,000 pieces of candy, toward our goal of 80,000! So please keep the candy coming! We don't want any of those adorable kiddos to be disappointed!. Thanks in advance for your help! 1st Church always come through!
I've been doing a lot of praying lately, which has caused me to look back over my prayer journey. When my health journey (crisis) began, back in 1992, I like many people didn't know how to pray or what to say. Things seemed to be going from bad to worse, and one long night, I found myself crying out one name: "Jesus ". That was my simple prayer and it gave me a sense of peace. I have read many books on prayer, and once read something from Corrie Ten Boom, " Is prayer your spare tire or your steering wheel?" In other words, is prayer the thing that guides you through every moment of your life, or something you turn to in an emergency only? No matter what we're facing, but if prayer seems too hard, please know one of the most powerful prayers we can pray is one word, the name of Jesus; anywhere, any time, any place, and in any situation. Prayer doesn't need to be complicated. The first Pastor who helped me develop my prayer life, told me that prayer is talking with and listening to the One who is crazy in love with us! I encourage everyone to sign up for at least one hour a week in the Prayer room. Let's reach our goal of 40 hours a week! More on my journey next week! Keep praying because 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 the Handbell Choir! The Chancel Ringers have just started back up 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. Contact David Bellows to learn more about this joining this group.
Soli Deo Gloria!
David Bellows
Director of Music Ministries
This Sunday’s Music: September 26, 2021 - 11:00AM Service
Prelude: Aria – C. Philips
Opening Hymn: 398 Jesus Calls Us
Offertory: Blessed Assurance – S. Eithun; Chancel Ringers and David Bellows, Director
Closing Hymn: 529 How Firm A Foundation
Postlude: Festival Voluntary – F. Peeters
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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 not meet on Sunday, September 26. The class will resume on October 3. |
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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: September 26, 2021 |
Message: "Four in the Fire"
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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The Children's Ministry Needs You! |
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The Children’s Ministry Team is in desperate need of volunteers to teach Sunday school during the 9:15 am worship service. The ministry team is urgently looking for eight (8) volunteers for elementary age. The volunteers would only need to commit to teaching once a month, two individuals on the first Sunday of the month, two on the second Sunday, etc., rotating through the four Sundays of each month. 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 more about volunteering 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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