Dear friends and family of FUMC St. Cloud!

Our sermon series, The Chosen concludes on Easter Sunday with The Resurrection Story! We will hear special music at all three services!

Our next sermon series will be “Moses Reluctant Prophet” based on the book by Pastor Adam Hamilton. This is the story of Moses, his life and the deliverance of the Israelite slaves from bondage in Egypt. For Christians, Moses’ life serves as the backdrop for much that is found in the Gospels. Pastor Hamilton explores the sites of Moses’ life from the Nile River to the Red Sea, from Mt. Sinai to the wilderness.  

We have special services and activities planned for our Holy Week. First, our children will gather for their annual Easter Egg Hunt from 9:00-12:00 on Saturday, April 1^st with a delicious pancake breakfast and then an amazing egg hunt!   

On Palm Sunday, April 2^nd, our children will participate in the drama about Palm Sunday.

On Thursday, April 6^th our Living Last Supper will be presented in the Family Life Center at 7:30 PM. The disciples will share their stories from that last meal with Jesus and offer Holy Communion to all participants. This will be a wonderful drama presentation you won’t want to miss!

On Friday, April 7^th, we will have our Good Friday service where we will see Jesus carry His cross around our church property. We will see participants on that journey like the Roman soldier and Simon of Cyrene as Jesus moves through the crowd! This will be a Good Friday service like you’ve never seen before! We are so blessed to have Jim Stamberger, our Drama Director to put together and direct these wonderful presentations. You will be blessed!

Easter Sunday, April 9^th, we will have three services. The sunrise service will be at 6:30 AM at the pavilion on Lakeshore Blvd. and Ohio Avenue. Please bring your chairs and blankets. We will worship the Risen Lord and see the sun come up! We will have our 8:15 AM Traditional Service and 10:15 AM Blended Service with special music at each.

Please bring your flowers to decorate our cross in front of the Sanctuary building. We will also provide flowers if you forget. We will “see” the physical transformation of the cross, just like Jesus brings us new life and transformation to our lives.

“Early on the first day of the week, while it was still dark, Mary Magdalene went to the tomb and saw that the stone had been removed from the entrance…Now Mary stood outside the tomb crying. As she wept, she bent over to look into the tomb and saw two angels in white, seated where Jesus’ body had been, one at the head and the other at the foot. They asked her, ‘Woman, why are you crying?’ ‘They have taken my Lord away, she said, ‘and I don’t know where they have put him.’ At this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there, but she did not recognize that it was Jesus.’

He asked her, “Woman, why are you crying? Who is it you are looking for?” Thinking he was the gardener, she said, ‘Sir, if you have carried him away, tell me where you have put him, and I will get him.’ Jesus said to her, “Mary.” She turned toward him and cried out in Aramaic, “Rabboni!” (which means teacher) Jesus said, “Do not hold on to me, for I have not yet ascended to the Father. Go instead to my brothers and tell them, ‘I am ascending to my Father and your Father, to my God and your God.”

Mary went to the disciples with the news, “I have seen the Lord!” And she told them that he had said these things to her. John 20:1, 11-18 (NIV)

As we celebrate the risen Lord, please invite your friends to come and see the dramas and hear the news, “Jesus is risen!” People are out there who are just waiting for your invitation!

After Easter, we will go to Virginia to spend some time with our daughter, Sara, and her family. God bless you!



I am blessed to be your Pastor!

Sunrise Service - Easter 2022

Easter 2022 - Cross of Flowers

This year we have two confirmands who will be learning about becoming a Christian and a member of the United Methodist Church. Please pray for Mason Ash and Veranna Mosher.

Mason Ash

Veranna Mosher

These students are taking confirmation classes with Pastor Cathy, Amanda Smith, and Pastor Jim now through May 7 when they are Confirmed.

Pastor Cathy, Veranna and her mom, Ruth went to St. Simons Island on March 17 through 19 for the traditional confirmation retreat.

Meet Althea Lee

Althea Lee has been very involved in First Church of St. Cloud since she started attending about three years ago. She is currently the chairperson for our mission team. She has been involved in missions for many years and has been to many locations outside of the US and within the states. The farthest mission trip she went on was to Japan, where the team worked on a compound in farming. The mission team at FUMC St. Cloud is planning their trip to Costa Rico in July under the leadership of Althea. There are 15 people signed up to go on this trip. They will be working light construction on a church and parsonage as well as having fellowship with the people of that congregation and community.

Althea has traveled quite a bit and enjoys visiting family in many places. She was born in Antiqua and moved to St. Thomas when she was in high school. When she was twenty, she moved to New York. Althea came to Kissimmee about 35 years ago.

Althea has two daughters; Maria who is 44 years old and Rashida who is 34 years old. Rashida attended First United Methodist School in Kissimmee for elementary school (and was one of this reporter’s students.) She is now a Registered Nurse living in Longwood.

Althea has been employed by the South Florida Water Management District (State Agency) as a Permit Technician for 33 years. She is planning on officially retiring in another two years.

She enjoys volunteering wherever she can. She has helped out at Give Kids the World, worked with marathons, and actually has done a few 5K run/walks. In the past she participated in the Crop Walk in Kissimmee. She also has volunteered at our church with the Thanksgiving community meal, Christmas community meal, and with Elmer’s Kitchen. Althea is a member of the Genesis Sunday School class and the Drama Team. She enjoys being a part of our church. 

Pastor Cathy is privileged to teach the Advanced Lay Servant Ministry class on Spiritual Disciplines in the Wesleyan Practice.

A quilt which was lovingly made in 1978 by Earleen Danford Shorey and her sisters, Betty Lockfeld and Carolyn Posch, for their parents, Mr. and Mrs. Earl M. Danford was recently given back to the family. The quilt was a gift for Earleen's parents for their 50^th Wedding Anniversary. Years later, possibly in the late 1990s the quilt was mistakenly put in a garage sale. The quilt found its way to Mildred Trover. Mildred couldn't understand how such a beautiful quilt could be discarded that way and kept it safely but always wondered about it's history. When Mildred's daughter, Joy Borgman received it, she too wondered about who made this beautiful historical quilt and began a search. That brings us to today, when Joy and her veteran husband, Dr. Gary Borgman finally found the origianal owner of the quilt. It belonged to the Danford/Shorey family. It has now been returned to Cynthia Roberson, Earleen's daughter. You can read more about the quilt and it's history in two letters which are posted on the Church's Facebook Page.

https://www.facebook.com/firstchurchstcloud

Joy and Dr. Gary Borgman displaying the Quilt when giving it to Lisa, Cynthia's neice.

Mr. Danford Looking at the Quilt at his 50^th Anniversary Reception

The Quilt when Given in 1978

Mr. and Mrs. Earl M. Danford at their 50^th Wedding Anniversary

The new flooring turned out great!

Serving Others with

Our Mercy Ministries

We have a large number of people in need who come on Tueday and Thursday mornings for Bags of Love. FUMCSC always accepts 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, and sort clothing. There are many opportunities for those who wish to help out. Please contact the church office if you are interested.

Bill Corcoran and his mother, Mary preparing meals for Bags of Love

Bags of Love Donations sorted by Donna Regn, Ricky, Larry Dykes, Cherile Fahie

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.

David Daniel acquires and refurbishes the bikes.

Seeds of Hope is an organized group of churches and non-profit organizations in the St. Cloud community. First Church is a part of this group which works together providing services in the area.

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

Cold Night

FUMC of St Cloud houses the cold night shelter program. This is a community effort assisted by serveral local agencies. We are thankful for Flo Shrum our Cold Night Shelter Coordinator.

The Bentons donated blankets for Bags of Love or Cold Night Ministries.

Join us for "coffee hour" between church services from 9:15 to 10 AM located in the Welcome Center. Our Welcome Center is located in the Annex at the front of the sanctuary to the left of the alter. Beverages and baked goods are served. It is a good time to get know your church family. It has become a very popular place to gather as more people participate. This is also where new visitors can get information about First Church St. Cloud and receive a first time gift. Rhys Bibeau and Larry Dykes are your hosts each week. Donations and volunteers are welcome! Please call (407) 908-4418 if you are interested in helping.

Carolyn Lee and Bailey Rojas

Monthly Church-Wide Wednesday Night Dinner

Each month on the second Wednesday of the month we hold a Church-Wide Wednesday night dinner with physical distancing followed by an activiity starting at 5:15 PM. It is a great time to get to know your church family. On March 8^th we enjoyed a delicious meal. After the meal an episode of "The Chosen" was shown in the Family Life Center for everyone to view. The room was decorated for St. Patrick's Day.



The next Wednesday Night Dinner will be held on April 12^th. Please join us for a delicious dinner and plan to stay afterwards for a fun activity.

McKenzie and Sophie

Andy, Rijean, Amber, Adelynn and Brylee

March Dinner

Joyce, Donna, Pastor Jim, Caleb, and Al

Jennifer, Pat, Myrna, Terry and Mark

Fellowship Circle

The Fellowship Circle (formerly Seasoned Souls) serves God and our church by doing tasks and chores as needed or requested. They strive to get to know each other better and thus enrich their lives, support each other and have fun. They meet twice a month on the first and third Mondays of the month through May 15, taking a break during the summer months. Please contact Myrna Lee at myrocket@juno.com to learn more about the Fellowship Circle.

Circle of Light

Another group of women who meet at the church is the Circle of Light led by Renda Collins. They meet on the 2^nd Wednesday of the month. Their primary goal is to mail out cards to the homebound (shut-ins) of our congregation. They are looking for other ways to serve our church. You may contact Renda at

 rccollins10618@gmail.com to learn more about this group. 

Here at First Church St. Cloud there are several opportunities to study God's word.

Smooth Stone Bible Study is studying the book of Hebrews. They are so pleased to have some new members and are looking forward to learning more from the Bible and from each other. Smooth Stones Bible Study meets on the second and fourth Mondays of the month. Vivian Kravitz leads this group and can be reached by email at vkravitz@aol.com.

Every Tuesday evening Pastor Cathy leads an in-depth study of the Sermon series which will be preached on the following Sunday. This study involves much discussion about the topic at hand. Please join her and others from your computer, tablet or smartphone at 7:00 PM.

https://us04web.zoom.us/j/4346020464

Passcode 623978

On Sunday mornings the Serendipity Sunday School Class meets at 9:00 AM in the classroom attached to the Sanctuary as a hybred format; some in person and others over the phone. This class is led by Kevin Knox.  For more information contact the church office.

The Genesis Sunday School Classs also meets on Sunday morning at 9:15 AM in the FLC. During Lent and through Easter they are studying from Amy-Jill Levine's book titled Witness at the Cross. Larry Finch leads this study and can be reached by email at  Lfinch4945@aol.com.

The Power Hour Prayer Group meets each Monday morning at 8:30 AM for prayer and to lift up the prayer requests from the congregation. You are invited to join this lively group of prayer warriors each week. If you are interested you may contact the church office.

Each Sunday FUMC of St. Cloud has two Worship Services. The Traditional Worship Service begins at 8:15 AM and the Blended Worship Service starts at 10:15 AM.

Lila, one of our youth, was recently the worship leader during the Blended Worship Service.

The Living Last Supper  



The Drama Ministry Team presents the Living Last Supper on Maundy Thursday, April 6, 2023, at 7:30 pm. We invite you to witness the struggles of Jesus’ Disciples as they gather for their Passover Celebration with Jesus. Tension is in the air. Roman Soldiers patrol the streets. Jesus enters and transforms on old custom into a living and breathing experience that the Disciples will never forget. You become a part of this experience as The Disciples serve you Holy Communion. Live the intensity as Jesus moves towards the cross. This Holy Service is a great opportunity for you to invite others to our Church. 

Jesus - Dylan Banes

Matthew - Bobby Hall

Philip - Scott Giggard

Peter - Rob Winner

We have been working hard on building the set, getting lighting just right, making the Cross boxes, and more.

Working on the Lighting

Jim Stamberger Testing the Cross Boxes

Rehearsal Schedule for The Living Last Supper

Sunday, April 2 ~ 3-6 PM

Monday, April 3 ~ 7-9 PM

Tuesday, April 4 ~ 7-9 PM

*Thursday April 6 - Performance call at 6:30 PM

& Performance at 7:30 PM

Our rehearsals are going well. We are looking forward to an amazing performance.

by Lou Murray, Music Director

As we come into the Easter season, we have the opportunity to add special songs to the worship services. The choir will be singing some of that beautiful Easter music everyone loves.

During March we were blessed with an amazing guest performance by Chuck McLendon. You can be sure we'll invite him back soon.

Choir members have their own solo opportunities on a continuing basis, so you can always expect a variety of music. Anyone with a musical skill, vocal or instrumental, is welcome to join us as we practice in the sanctuary at 7:00 Wednesday evenings. We realize that not everyone can be present every Sunday or every Wednesday evening. It's still a small group, so we try to be flexible and use everyone's talent to best advantage. I'm always open to comments or suggestions regarding the music.

Thanks for listening.

Chancel Choir - 8:15 AM Traditional Worship Service

Directed by Lou Murray

Worship Team - 10:15 AM Blended Worship Service

Directed by Scott Weyrauch

Soloist Safin Karim

Leland is our new keyboardist during the Blended Worship Service.

Handbell Choir

Mark Your Calendar

Upcoming Events

Join Us for Holy Week

April 1 - Easter Eggstravaganza (Pancake Breakfast & Easter Egg Hunt) ~ 9 to 11 AM

April 2 - Palm Sunday

April 2 - April 30 - Confirmation Classes ~ Every Sunday except Easter

April 6 - Maundy Thursday - The Living Last Supper ~ 7:30 PM

April 7 - Good Friday - Stations of the Cross ~ 7:00 PM

April 9 - Easter Sunday (Three Services)

- Sunrise Service at the St. Cloud Lakefront Pavilion

(Lakeshore Blvd. and Ohio Ave.) ~ 6:30 AM

- Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:15 AM

- Blended Worship Service ~ 10:15 AM

April 12 - Church-wide Wednesday night dinner ~ 5:15 PM

April 26 - VBS Information and Training for youth ~ 6:00 PM

May 2 - VBS Information and Training for Adults ~ 6:00 PM

May 7 - Confirmation Sunday

May 21 - Youth Sunday

June 19-23 - Vacation Bible School (Volunteers are Needed!)

Regular Meetings

Sunday

• Traditional Worship Service ~ 8:15 - 9:15 AM
• Hybred Serendipity Sunday School Class ~ 9:00 - 10:00 AM
• Genesis Sunday School Class ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM (FLC)
• Coffee Hour (Annex off the Sanctuary) ~ 9:15 - 10:00 AM
• Blended Worship Service ~ 10:15 - 11:15 AM
• Newcomer's ~Luncheon ~ 3rd Sunday Quarterly, 11:30 AM
• Elmer's Kitchen ~ 2:00 - 3:00 PM (FUMCSC - 5th Sunday)
• Children's program ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM
• Youth Group ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM

Monday

• Power Hour Prayer Group ~ 8:30 AM
• Fellowship Circle (Formerly Seasoned Souls) ~ 1st & 3rd Monday, 10:00 AM (Resumes October 17)
• Smooth Stones Bible Study ~ 2nd & 4th Monday, 10:00 AM 
• 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: 623978
• Cub Scouts ~ 7:00 PM

Wednesday

• Circle of Light - Women's Group - 2nd Wedesday of each month 10:00 AM
• Wednesday Night Church-Wide Dinner - 2nd Wednesday ~ starting at 5:15 PM
• Adult Choir Rehearsal ~ 7:00 - 8:00 PM

Thursday 

• Bags of Love ~ 9:00 - 11:00 AM
• Handbell Rehearsal ~ 6:00 - 7:00 PM

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.

April 2023 CHURCH NEWSLETTER

This school year has flown by! We have only two more months left. We finished out the month of March with our 100^th Day of School Parade and our Seuss-a-bration! April will be another busy month. We will be taking Spring photos and Graduation photos of the children the first week. The children will participate in Easter Egg hunts with their individual classes. Jim and Eileen Zetwo have donated 180 eggs for our hunts. Our school has been blessed by their many gifts! Our students will celebrate Christ’s resurrection with a special Easter Chapel on April 13^th at 9:00 AM. 

Enrollment is now open for the 2023-2024 school year. We offer a Preschool class for children who are age 3 by September 1^st and completely potty trained. Our VPK Pre-K class is offered for children who are age 4 by September 1^st and is free with the Certificate of Eligibility. Additional information regarding our programs as well as a virtual tour can be found on our website at www.firstumcpreschoolstcloud.com.

Smiles,

Ms. Denise

Children's Moment with Megan Phelps

The children of First Church meet on Sunday mornings during the 10:00 AM Blended Worship Service after the Children's Moment and also on Sunday evenings from 6 to 7 PM.

BeExcitedAboutCelebratingHim

The Children's Ministries led by Rijean Smith meet on Sunday evenings. The Children's Sunday evening program is called the B.E.A.C.H. Club (Be Excited About Celebrating Him.) Each week from 6:00 until 7:00 PM they enjoy learning about Jesus, making crafts, learning about each other, playing games, and having a delicious snack. If you know of a child who would enjoy our children's program, please contact Rijean Smith at rijeansmith@yahoo.com.

VBS is right around the corner and we need you! We are looking for volunteers to volunteer the week of June 19^th through the 23^rd. Please contact Rijean at 407-908-4686 to sign up or if you have any questions.

We will have a youth information and training meeting on Wednesday, April 26^th at 6:00 pm. The following week on May 2^nd we will have an adult information and training meeting at 6 PM. I look forward to seeing you there.  



Rijean Smith

Important Upcoming Dates for the Children

April 1 - Easter Eggstravaganza from 9 to 11 AM ~ Easter Egg Hunt and Pancake Breakfast

April 2 - Palm Sunday ~ our children will participate in the service

April 7 - Easter Sunday

April 26 - VBS Information and Training for Youth @ 6:00 PM

May 2 - VBS Information and Training for Adults @ 6:00 PM

June 19 - 23 - Vacation Bible School from 9 am to 12 PM (Volunteers are needed for that week. Please contact Rijean at 407-908-4686 or rijeansmith@yahoo.com.)

Our Youth Group meets each week on Sunday and Wednesday evenings from 6:00 to 7:00 PM. 

The youth at our church, led by Amber Smith (assisted by Monica Scarlett) 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. About once a month they have fun activities outside of the regular meeting. If you know of a teen who would like to get involved in our church's youth program, please contact Amber Smith at amber.10golf@gmail.com.

Important Dates for the Youth

Now - April 30 - Confirmation Classes each Sunday except Easter Sunday

April 1 - Pancake Breakfast and Easter Eggstravaganza ~ 9-11 AM

April 2 - Palm Sunday

April 2 - Youth Easter Party ~ 6:00-7:30 PM

April 6 - Easter Chalk the Sidewalks ~ 5:00-6:00 PM

April 7 - Easter Sunday

April 26 - VBS Information and Training for Youth @ 6:00 PM

April 30 - Elmer's Kitchen ~ 11:00 AM - 4:00 PM

May 2 - VBS Information and Training for Adults @ 6:00 PM

May 6 - Weikiva Retreat

May 7 - Confirmation Sunday

May 21 - Youth Sunday (Rehearsal May 20)

May 21 & May 24 - Last regular youth meetings until after summer

May 31 - End of School Party ~ 5:30-7:30 PM

June 19-23 - VBS

June 26-July 1 or July 10-15 - Warren Willis Camp

July 17-22 - Youth Week/Missions

Our Youth and Chaperones at the Solar Bear Game on March 25

April 13 - Chris and Amanda McConnell

April 23 - Joel and Darla Kelly

April 27 - Dave and Ginny Johns

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



The Word of Our Lord

I praise you because I am fearfully and wonderfully made;

    your works are wonderful,

    I know that full well.

Psalm 139:14

Staff Members & Email Addresses



Pastor: Cathy C. Thacker - cathycthacker@gmail.com

Assistant Pastor: Jim Kledis -  revjameskledis@gmail.com

Office: Joyce Perkins - treasurer@firstchurchstcloud.org

Admin. Asst.: James Wise - admin@firstchurchstcloud.org

Accountant: Chuck McLendon - clmclendon@aol.com

Youth Leader: Amber Smith - amber.10golf@gmail.com

Children's Ministry Director: Rijean Smith - rijeansmith@yahoo.com

Preschool Director: Denise Dunn - director.firstumcpreschool@gmail.com

Sound Technician: Emma Mavell

Traditional Service Music Director: Lou Murray - musicalou@inbox.com

Worship/Music Director: Scott Weyrauch - sweyrauch@mac.com

Mercy Ministries Coordinator: Donna Regn - turtleregn@gmail.com

Custodian: Al Rivera - alburs1960@gmail.com

Security: Juan Santiago - lovehohos@aol.com