First United Methodist Church of St. Cloud

August 2022 Newsletter

From the Desk of Pastor Cathy

Dear friends!

Happy August! This month Rusty and I will travel to South Dakota with our daughter, Sara, and her family. They live in Virginia and the kids don’t go back to school until after Labor Day, so we often travel with them in August. We look forward to seeing Mt. Rushmore, the Badlands, the Mammoth Site and Museum in Hot Springs, South Dakota, and the Black Hills. What a beautiful country we live in! Such variety and diversity! We are truly blessed!

It’s hard to believe that summer is almost over. School starts August 11^th (just around the corner) and it will be fall before we know it! We had an exciting Vacation Bible School called Food Truck Party. We were blessed to have 54 children, 17 Youth volunteers and 21 Adult volunteers! Thanks to Rijean Smith, our Children’s Ministry Director, and all our volunteers, for an outstanding job!

Our Preschool held four summer camps and we have 41 registered for our Preschool this fall, too! An excellent job by our Preschool Director, Denise Dunn.

Our new August sermon series will be “They Walked with God” based on the book by Max Lucado. This is an exciting study and sermon series so I hope you will plan to be in worship (online or in person) and attend our virtual weekly Bible study as we dig deeper. We meet on Tuesday nights at 7:00PM. Please invite a friend! I am so excited about this series! Pastor Jim Kledis is working on some skits for worship for this series. If you love acting, please contact him at (816) 582-6826.

Most of all, God gives us rest and renewal for our souls. The Psalmist writes, “He restores my soul.” Psalm 23:3a (NIV) I pray that you will find some time to be with God and find rest for your soul.

Here are a couple of pictures from a previous visit with our grandchildren.

It is a joy to be your Pastor!

I am blessed to be your Pastor!

Pastor Cathy Thacker

Retirement Celebration for Bob Nye

Bob Nye has served our church for over 30 years as our amazing “Sound Guy” and has maintained our campus as our

“Jack of All Trades” since 2008. He has served the church in many positions, for so long! Bob will be greatly missed as a church staff member. A retirement celebration was held to honor him on

Sunday, July 10, 2022, at 11 AM in the Family Life Center.

Lunch and refreshments were served and everyone had a great time.

Introducing

Carolyn Lee

Carolyn is a talented musician who has been attending FUMCSC for about 12 years. She has been involved in music at the church performing in the handbell choir and singing in the Chancel Choir for many years. She recently rejoined the Choir at the request of Lou Murray.

Carolyn and her husband, Richard moved to St. Cloud from St. Louis Park, Minnesota fourteen years ago. They now live in his parents’ home. Her mother-in-law, Mary Lee was a long-time member of FUMC St. Cloud. Sadly, she passed away in January. After moving to Florida, they visited several local churches. Eventually, a friend invited her to play in the handbell choir at St. Cloud United Methodist. She has been at the church ever since. She has been a member of our Sunday School class for several years.

Music has always been a part of Carolyn’s life. She was a music teacher in several states; Minnesota, Iowa, and Illinois. While teaching in Illinois she met her husband and they have been married for 40 years. Carolyn continues to teach the violin and the cello locally at Mr. Jeff’s Music Academy in St. Cloud. She also holds her student’s recitals at the church and occasionally plays her cello during the worship services. Playing her cello keeps her very busy especially as a member in several orchestras in the area; the St. Cloud Community Orchestra, Baroque Chamber Orchestra in Maitland and a Symphony Orchestra also in Maitland. The St. Cloud Community Orchestra holds concerts at the St. Cloud Community Center several times a year.

Carolyn and Richard’s daughter Jessica and their son Chris both live in the Minneapolis area. Carolyn’s mother and her siblings also live in Minnesota so they travel to Minnesota several times a year.

Carolyn’s other interests are reading, Sudoku puzzles, games, and working on family ancestry. Her brother and her have been following their family history and recording their findings.

Serving Others with

Our Mercy Ministries

Bags of Love

The number of people who come on Tueday and Thursday mornings for Bags of Love is increasing. FUMCSC is always in need of food to fill the bags! You may help supply the need of the Bags of Love lunches by bringing any of these items to the FUMC office; Vienna sausages, canned tuna or chicken, Beanie-Weanies, bags of chips, cookies, peanut butter or cheese crackers, fruit cups, pudding snacks, applesauce, bottled waters.

Gently used clothing are also distributed on Tuesday and Thursday when those less-fortunate come for Bags of Love.

As our numbers continue to go up we thank you for helping us serve the community! Volunteers are always needed to prepare a hot meal, fill and distribute bags of love, and sort clothing. There are many opportunities for those who wish to help out. Please contact the church office if you are interested.

Volunteers from Moss Church recently helped out during our Bags of Love day.

Juan Santiago

Janice Morgan

James Wise and Frank Salas

Our Bicycle Ministry provides refurbished bicycles to those in need so they are able to have much needed transportation. If you know someone who has a bike they are not using please contact the church office.

Click on the image above to go to the Bags of Love Store page directly.

Elmer's Kitchen

FUMC of St Cloud serves as the host site of Elmer’s Meal Kitchen, partnering with the St. Cloud Ministerial Association. Each Sunday at 2:00 pm in the Family Life Center, a free nutritious meal is served to the unemployed or underemployed by a different church or local group.

First Sunday of month: First Presbyterian Church of St. Cloud

Second Sunday of month:

Boy Scouts & St. Thomas Aquainas Catholic Church

Third Sunday of month: Soul City Church

Fourth Sunday of month: Christ the Savior Church

Fifth Sunday of month: FUMC of St. Cloud

Volunteer and Donation Opportunities

There are many opportuities to volunteer at First Church St. Cloud. Donna Regn with the Mercy Ministries is always looking for help. Elmer's Kitchen can also use assistance. We are looking for someone to take over or assist with the monthly newsletter.

School Supplies Needed

FUMCSC will be donating school supplies to Michigan Avenue Elementary School for this school year. The deadline to bring your contribution for the School Supply Drive is August 7^th. If you wish to help out please bring any school supplies to the church office before the deadline or you may also donate funds earmarked for this project.

Coffee Hour on Sunday Mornings

Join us for "coffee hour" between church services from 9:15 to 10:00 AM is now located in the Annex off the Sanctuary. Rhys Bibeau and Larry Dykes are your hosts each week. This is a special time to meet your church family for coffee, donuts, cookies, and other treats. Donations and volunteers are welcome! Please call (407) 908-4418 if you are interested in helping.

New Members Join the Church

Rhys Bibeau

Enjoys: Camping, fishing, playing games and cards

Rhys sets up and serves at the Sunday morning coffee hour.

Cheryl Serrant

Enjoys: Baking, cooking and decorating

Cherile Fahie is Cheryl's daughter. She helped with our VBS this summer.

Kay Smith and Lori Sweet

Kay is in the septic business but has been a cab driver and a coal miner.

Lori enjoys fishing, boating, and camping.

Tom and Annette Ritter

Tom enjoys fishing, outdoor activities and sports

Constance Ruprecht

Volunteers at Bag of Love and Elmer's Kitchen

Jane Cherry

Enjoys volunteering and is a retired school teacher.

by Lou Murray, Music Director

August means the beginning of a new school year and the end of summer vacations, with many of our absent musicians returning. Toward the end of the month, Scott and I will start planning numbers for our second annual Christmas concert. There will be many opportunities for vocal and instrumental soloists, so anyone out there who would like to participate should talk with me or Scott. Last year's concert was well attended by a large and enthusiastic audience. If you'd like to sing with the choir, don't be bashful. We welcome all singers and musicians. We practice Wednesday evenings at 7. I'm always open to comments or suggestions about the music.

Thanks for listening!

Chancel Choir at the Traditional Service

Praise Team at the Blended Service

Soloist Amber Smith at the Blended Service

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

July 30 - Missions Work Day ~ 7:30 - 10:30 AM, @ Judy Schmidt's

Contact Larry Finch for details - [email protected]

August 4 & 5 - Willow Creek Leadership Summit

August 7 - Deadline to bring in Back to School Supplies for

Michigan Avenue Elementary School

August 8 - Staff meeting (virtual) ~ 7:00 PM

August 10 - School Starts for Students

August 12 - Mission Team Meeting (virtual) ~ 7:00 PM

August 14 - Children presented Bibles at 10 AM Service

August 15 - FUMC Preschool Starts

August 14 - Back To School Bash ~ 11:00 AM - 1:00 PM

September 7 - Acolyte Training ~ 6:00 PM

Regular Meetings

Sunday

Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:30 AM
Hybred Sunday School Class ~ 9:00 AM
Coffee Hour (Annex off the Sanctuary) ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
Blended Worship Service ~ 10:00 AM
Newcomer's Luncheon ~ 3rd Sunday Quarterly, 11:00 AM
Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 - 3:00 PM (FUMCSC - 5th Sunday)

Monday

Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
Seasoned Souls ~ 1st & 3rd Monday, 10:00 AM (On beak until fall)
Smooth Stones Bible Study ~ 2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 AM (On beak until fall)
Boy Scouts ~ 7:00 PM)

Tuesday

Bags of Love ~ 9 - 11 AM (Hot Breakfast to Go)
Online Bible Study with Pastor Cathy - 7:00 PM; Please join using your computer, tablet or smartphone. https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464 use passcode: 62397
Cub Scouts ~ 7:00 PM

Wednesday

Circle of Light - Women's Group - 2nd Wedesday of each month 10:00 AM
Youth Group ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM
Children's program ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM - Resumes Sept 14^th
Adult Choir Rehearsal ~ 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday

Bags of Love ~ 9:00 - 11:00 AM

Please Note: Our Church Services can be viewed on

FACEBOOK LIVE on our FB page or later on our YouTube

Channel. Click on the links at the bottom of this newsletter to

find these videos.

New to our Website!

Office Administrator, James Wise has been working hard to update the church website https://www.firstchurchstcloud.org. Past newsletters are available by clicking on the Resources tab and new this month is our Monthly Overview Calendar which is continually updated by James. The calendar can be found by clicking the About tab and then the Weekly Schedule line or by clicking this link.

https://www.firstchurchstcloud.org/about/weekly-schedule

August 2022 CHURCH NEWSLETTER

July was another month of Summer camps. The children served up some delicious recipes in the “Cooking Up Fun” camp. They learned how to use a food chopper, apple peeler and other kitchen tools. “Winter in July” camp brought chilly fun with ice skating, snowman building and super cool crafts. Check out our Facebook page to see pictures and live stream videos of the exciting happenings at our school. www.facebook.com/firstumcpreschoolstcloud

It’s time for Back to School! Classes begin on August 15.

We offer a Preschool class for children who are age 3 by September 1st (currently has a Wait List) and completely potty trained. Our VPK Pre-K class is offered for children who are age 4 by September 1st and is free with the Certificate of Eligibility. Additional information regarding our programs can be found on our website at www.firstumcpreschoolstcloud.com.

Smiles,

Ms. Denise

The children of First Church meet on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 AM Blended Service after the Children's Moment.

Children going into the third grade and any child who has not received a Bible from the church will receive their own Bible on August 14^th at the 10 AM Blended Worship Service.

On Wednesday, September 7th there will be acolyte training for interested children and youth.

On September 14^th the Wednesday night "B.E.A.C.H. Club" program will resume after summer break. They will meet from 6 to 7 PM.

Our Youth Group also meets each week on Wednesday evenings

from 6:00 to 7:00 PM.

The youth at our church are very active with many of the events that we host. They also are involved with the Children's Ministry and help out where needed. If you know of a teen who would like to get involved in our church's youth program please contact Amber Smith.

On July 13-17 eight of our youth and children went to summer camp at the Warren Willis Youth Camp in Leesburg. They learned about God, swam, played games, ate delicious food and had a great time bonding with the other campers.

Youth Week

Our youth have been very active this summer. Not only did they go off to youth camp but they also had a Youth Week on July 18^th through 22^nd participating in fun activities.

Monday: The Bureau Escape Room
Tuesday: Bowling
Wednesday: Roller Skating
Thursday: Island H₂O Water Park
Firday: Messy Game Night at the Smith's Home

Day 1: Youth at an Escape Room

Day 2: Youth Bowling

Day 3: Roller Skating

Day 4: Island H₂O Water Park

Day 5: Messy Game Night

August Birthdays

August 1 - Reece Allison

August 7 - Sawyer McConnell

August 8 - Olivia Siegel

August 18 - Russell E. Dorn

August 19 - Jaynee Yocum

August 19 - Rose Todd

August 21 - Jackson Sherman

August 21 - Logan Smith

August 24 - Hudson McConnell

August 25 - Diane Sutton

August 26 - Vivien Kravitz

August 29 - Pat Rudd

August Anniversaries

August 7 - Rose Todd & Mike S.

August 10 - Denise & Eddie Davis

Note: We are working hard to keep our information accurate and regret if we have missed our birthday or anniversary. If you know of someone whom we have missed in this birthday or anniversary list please notify the Church Office.