Included in this issue:

• January Mission of the Month: CSSH Code Blue - Give | Volunteer
• Suicide Prevention Awareness Training, Sat., Jan. 27, 9 - 11 am
• Youth Sunday, Sunday, January 28 (no Fusion)
• Book Group meets Sunday, January 28 at 3:00 pm
• Wrapping Presence to wrap up card collection Friday, February 2
• DSP Taco Tuesday fundraiser, Tuesday, February 6, 5:00 - 7:00 pm
• 12 hours of prayer reminder - Wed., February 7, 6:45 am - 7:00 pm (15 minute DUMC call to prayer from 6:45 - 7:00 am on ZOOM)
• Youth Hoagie Fundraiser, Sunday, February 11
• Kids Club to run every Wednesday during Lent - see details below
• Soup Suppers return ASH Wednesday, February 14, 6:00 - 7:00 pm
• Covered Dish Luncheon, Sunday, February 18, 12:00 - 2:00 pm
• Youth Spaghetti Dinner Fundraiser, Sun., February 25, 5:00 - 7:30 pm
• Financial Report
• Stewardship letter - Video added
• Check out our musical opportunities
• MLK Day of Service recap (includes article from local news source)
• Joined the Church Triumphant - Barbara Carlson

9:00 am

Contemporary Worship*

Anchor

No Fusion

Nursery

Sunday School

Wesley Class

  10:10 am

Liturgical Worship*

Nursery

11:11 am

Word & Worship*

Nursery

Kids' Word

*Live broadcast

For links:

DoylestownUMC.com

Wrapping Presence

Wrapping Presence is collecting holiday cards to use for tags on gifts the residents select. When you are cleaning up from the holidays, please consider donating the front of your used cards. Place them in the collection box in the lobby at DUMC through Friday, February 2.

Thank you,

Cindy

2024 Lenten Soup Suppers

Back by popular demand! Dig out those recipes and get ready to simmer. We are asking for donations of bread, cornbread, fresh cut fruit, or canned fruit, in addition to soups (no sweets/desserts out of respect for Christ's sacrifice). The first supper will be on Ash Wednesday, February 14, 2024. Sign-up sheets will be available in the lobby starting Sunday, January 28.

COVERED DISH LUNCHEON

(Bring a dish to share)

Sunday, February 18

12:00 – 2:00 pm

Overholt Hall

Come celebrate our visiting Missionaries

– Doug & Shelly

*Click image below to watch the video!

MLK Day of Service

Check out the article a local online news source did on our event!

SUMMARY: We are grateful for the generosity of the members in helping DUMC fulfill God’s mission and achieve a surplus for the month of December! We are also grateful for our leadership team who reduced our expenses for the year. However, we still have much work to do to achieve a balanced budget for 2024. Please pray for guidance from our Lord and Savior. Our church can only survive this through the generosity of our members through God’s guidance and mercy. THANK YOU!

Giving: Income for December was $100K – thank you for your generosity!

Annual income was $745K, which was $122K short of our budget; we have much work to do to balance our budget for next year.

Expenses: YTD our expenses were $44K less than budget due to careful

planning and some divine intervention with no snow removal expense last

winter. 

Net Deficit: We experienced a net deficit of nearly

($200K) for the year…meaning our expenses are more than our income.

Operating Cash: Operating cash balance as of 12/31/23 is

$210K. 2024 presents a challenge as we are projecting a ($290K) deficit ….

Thus, our income is projected to be less than our expenses AND more than the

cash that we have on hand currently.

We’ve proposed several strategies to partially close the cash deficit gap, but this is a matter that requires everyone’s prayers and assistance to achieve positive outcomes. The Church’s financial challenges can only be solved by all of us together.

“Your word is a lamp to my feet and a light for my path.” Psalm 119:105

Come enjoy supper and support

Discovery Service Projects' mission trip to West Virginia

Tuesday, February 6

5:00 - 7:00 pm

at DUMC

 $10 per individual / $25 per family

Sign up in the lobby, RSVP to Karen Lyon -or- pay at the door

Volunteers needed: Setting up/ Serving/ Clean-up between 4:00 - 8:00 pm

Text Karen Lyon at (215) 470-7698

Next Caring for Friends meal assembly:

Wednesday, February 21 at 12:30 pm

in the DUMC kitchen. CLICK image for more details.

Coalition to Shelter & Support the Homeless (CSSH)

Become a Code Blue Shelter volunteer this winter. Help transport and shelter adults in Central Bucks on cold winter nights. TRAINING IS REQUIRED and available online, sign up here. Additional Information can be found on the flyer (also located in the lobby).

Questions? Email Rhelda Richards

United Methodist Scholarships are available: Apply by

Wednesday, March 13

Are you aware that the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry has low-interest loans and scholarships to help students further their education? There are more than 70 scholarships available that cover undergraduate and graduate-level studies. Applications are open now through Wednesday, March 13.

Beginning Wednesday, February 14 (Ash Wednesday), Kid's club will be meeting weekly during the Lenten Services. Families can start the evening enjoying the soup supper together. Afterwards, parents can attend the service, while Kid's club meets in Overholt Hall. More information to come!

*Click image below for more information

Praying for our Congregation,

Community, and World

Praise/Thankfulness: Noah Krause (newborn), Larry Glass is 95!, Testimony at 11:11

Health & Healing: Jack, Bria, Laurie, Earl, Linda, Kristin, Paul, Shirley, Maddie, Josh, Angela, Patty, Anne, Ted, Rachel, Joey, Iris, Helen, Karla, Johnny, Bethany S, Kathy & Elizabeth, Jane, my son, Andre, Beth, Stacey, Karen, a friend, Jean

Guidance: Melissa, for DUMC to be grace dispensers, family, Neal, FT work, Luis, Kyle, Ale, Julie, Carolyn, peace among those who disagree, homeless, Bill, Christopher, marriage renewal, those serving abroad

Hospice: Leigh, Mona Sweiringa

Grief: Family & friends of Barbara Carlson, Judy Weir Finch, Jack, Keith William House (Kristi Bryan's Dad)

"May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit." Romans 15:13

~Laurie Lewis and the Congregational Care Team

Our Next 12 Hours of Prayer:

Wednesday, February 7

7:00 am to 7:00 pm

(15 minute DUMC call to prayer from 6:45 - 7:00 am on ZOOM)

Take a few minutes from the hectic pace of life to slow down...breathe...and be part of our next 12 Hours of Prayer event. Join with your DUMC sisters and brothers to form a continuous 12-hour chain of prayer. Take an intentional 15 minutes to praise and thank our amazing God...and bring the needs of our community, our church, and yourself before God's throne.

Watch for a signup link in next week's Connections.

With gratitude, we remember

Barbara Ellen Carlson (Zook)

November 5, 1921 - January 21, 2024

Please remember Barbara's family and friends in your prayers as they grieve her loss.

Celebration of life:

TBD

NOURISH

1st Saturdays (tentatively),

4:30 - 6:30 pm

Worship & Youth Center

(February 17)

"Join us as we discuss Jesus’ Beatitudes and how we can live "the good life!"

Sign up to bring a dish of your choice.

Everyone is welcome (childcare provided)!

Email Pastor Paul for more information.

All-Church Study

Beginning on Sunday, January 7, our church will be participating in a 5-week study called, “Vanishing Grace: Whatever Happened to the Good News?” by Philip Yancey. Each Sunday, one of the pastors will preach on the chapter/topic for that week. Then, during the week following, small groups/Bible studies will have the opportunity to focus on the same chapter/topic using a video-based curriculum. Even though sermons and group studies will be focusing on the same topic each week, the pastors will make sure that the material is not repetitive.

The video sessions will be provided to all small group leaders. There are study guide books available for group members, but these are optional. If small group members wish to purchase the study guide.

Beginning in early December, we will have sign-up sheets in the lobby. We hope that you will prayerfully consider joining a small group and being a part of this exciting, 5-week series.

Click video for more information on this study. If you have any questions, or if you wish to join a group, feel free to email Pastor Paul.

Before you venture out when the weather is bad, please:

Check our church website at DoylestownUMC.com

or

Call the Worship Service Hotline

(267-245-7870)

*Opt in for text updates

We will have the closings or service changes on both. A determination will be made by 6:00 pm on Saturday evening for Sunday morning services.

During weekdays, we will generally follow the lead of Central Bucks School District regarding cancellations. Any additional evening closures will be decided by 4:00 pm.