First United Methodist Church
72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, Fl
www.firstumc.org
WORSHIP
Sunday, February 28
Second Sunday of Lent
8:15am Service on the Lawn
Bring a chair or blanket to the front lawn for worship
Masks required and Social Distancing observed
Andy Whitaker Smith will lead the service
9:30 and 11am Live Stream and FaceBook
The Kingdom of God is like: The Wealthy Landowner
Matthew 20:1-16
Rev. David McEntire

Prepare for worship by watching this video with Pastor Melissa Stump
Church ReOpen:
We have been tracking the numbers for Covid in Polk County and after pausing our in-house worship after January 3, the numbers are finally low enough to resume worship indoors by reservation. We will continue with the lawn worship at 8:15 as well. The 9:30 service will be limited to 125 with safety protocols in place. The 11:00 service will be limited to 150 with safety protocols in place. 
Safety protocols include (but not limited to) the following:
1. Wearing masks
2. No congregational singing
3. Social Distancing
4. No physical contact

Click here to make a reservation
Birth
Jasper Clark Woodsby, February 8
Son of Clark and Emily Tavrides Woodsby

Hospitalized (as of February 24)
Carol Histed
Olivia Rodriguez
Ann Snuggs
Deaths
Warren Carr, February 9
Virginia Cox, February 11
David Motes, February 16
Gil Walton, February 17
Paul Alley, February 23
February 22, 2021 • Presidential Actions
 
As of this week during the dark winter of the COVID-19 pandemic, more than 500,000 Americans have now died
from the virus. That is more Americans who have died in a single year of this pandemic than in World War I, World War II, and the Vietnam War combined. On this solemn occasion, we reflect on their loss and on their loved ones left behind. We, as a Nation, must remember them so we can begin to heal, to unite, and find purpose as one Nation to defeat this pandemic.
 
In their memory, the First Lady and I will be joined by the Vice President and the Second Gentleman for a moment of silence at the White House this evening. I ask all Americans to join us as we remember the more than 500,000 of our fellow Americans lost to COVID-19 and to observe a moment of silence at sunset. I also hereby order, by the authority vested in me by the Constitution and laws of the United States, that the flag of the United States shall be flown at half-staff at the White House and on all public buildings and grounds, at all military posts and naval stations, and on all naval vessels of the Federal Government in the District of Columbia and throughout the United States and its Territories and possessions until sunset February 26, 2021. I also direct that the flag shall be flown at half-staff for the same period at all United States embassies, legations, consular offices, and other facilities abroad, including all military facilities and naval vessels and stations.
 
IN WITNESS WHEREOF, I have hereunto set my hand this twenty-second day of February, in the year of our Lord two thousand twenty-one, and of the Independence of the United States of America the two hundred and forty-fifth.

JOSEPH R. BIDEN JR.
INVITE
Lenten Prayer Videos
Wednesdays, 10am on the First United Methodist Church Facebook page, you can enjoy some time in reflection with pictures, music and prayers. The videos will remain on the Facebook page for you to access at your leisure.
Upper Room Devotionals
Upper Rooms will be available for purchase Sunday, February 28 from 2-4pm in the drive through of the Welcome Center. You may also purchase them in Our Giving Tree Bookstore and Gift Shop: By appointment, Mondays, Tuesdays and Fridays between 10am and 1pm and Wednesdays between 5 and 6:30 p.m. For an appointment (2 shoppers at a time, masks required), email here or call (863) 686-3163 and press *248 when the receptionist begins speaking. The message you leave on the phone will go directly to the bookstore managers at home. All proceeds go to Missions!

Pastors Monthly Bible Study - Tuesday, March 2
6:30pm via Zoom
Women with Pastor Melissa Stump (contact for info)
Men with Pastor David McEntire (contact for info)

Study the Parables Online
Our Lenten theme is “The Kingdom of God is Like. . .” In our sermons and in community groups, we will be exploring various parables in the Gospels of Matthew and Luke. We have two online options for this study – a Zoom group on Wednesdays at 6:30pm and a self-paced online course you can participate in on your schedule. Visit here or email Warren for more info on these options.
 
Lenten Faith Formation Resources
We have compiled resources to help you and your family observe a Holy Lent . You will find devotionals, courses, and studies to make this a meaningful season of reflection, repentance, and reconciliation.

The Daniel Plan study begins Tuesday March 2 at 6:30pm.
Rev. Carol Marsh is leading this Zoom-based class. If you want to get healthier, the Daniel Plan can help you get there through Faith, Food, Fitness, Focus, and Friends. Learn more and register or email Carol.
 
We have Bible study and faith formation resources for all ages available on our website at here. For more information on these opportunities, email Warren.
Altar Flowers
On Sunday, February 28,we will begin placing flowers on the Sanctuary and Fellowship Center altars. If you are interested in placing flowers in memory or honor of a loved one, please contact Lea Ellen Dewitt, call the church office: (863)686-3163*211 and leave a voice mail, or complete this form. Cost of flowers is $45 and will be delivered to persons who are home bound or a part of our Congregational Care Ministry.

We need the CURRENT address of the following members. If you should know any please send it to Maggie: Hollye Bailey, Kathy Baker, Mary Baker, Stuart Baldick, Crystal Baldwin, Julie and Kirk Balliette, Lindsey and Sunny Ballette, John Balmond, Mitchell Barnes, Tyler Barnes, Sabrina Barone, Jennfer, Judene, Rebecca and Rick Barry, Kelly Barton, Stanley Barton, Hayden Bass, Jessica Bassett, Jennifer and Robert Batson, Scott and Shannon Bays
GROW
Sunday School for Adults
Many of our Sunday School classes are meeting online. Check the start times as some have shifted to accommodate in-person worship times. Visitors are welcome to participate in any of these classes. For more information on connecting with a particular class, email Warren.


  • BYKOTA (Be Ye Kind One To Another) welcomes Rev. Dr. Larry Rankin to teach in February on “Paul, the Founder of Christianity.” The lesson for February 28 is “Paul’s Theology.” Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1152 or online (email Warren for link). NOTE MEETING TIME: Class starts at 9am Sundays.
 
  • Genesis is exploring The Rock, the Road, and the Rabbi by Kathie Lee Gifford and Rabbi Jason Sobel. They meet outdoors at the church, socially-distanced, in the fountain courtyard. Bring your own chair and hand sanitizer. Masks are required. NOTE MEETING TIME AND LOCATION: Class starts at 9:15am Sundays in the fountain courtyard.
 
  • Homebuilders is our longest-running Sunday school class, having started in the 1940s. Rev. Brian Tiffany teaches from the Standard Lesson Series Bible study. February’s theme is “The Call of Women” exploring biblical examples of women responding to God’s call. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1141 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
 
  • Koinonia class welcomes all who desire to grow in their love of God and neighbor. The class does Bible study based on the Lectionary scripture readings and church calendar. Rev. Terry Heck teaches. Meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for Zoom link and more information. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
 
  • Searchers is being led by Dr. Tom Reuschling. In February is a study of current events and the Christian life. Meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for Zoom link and more information. NOTE MEETING TIME- Class starts at 9:15am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:05am.
 
  • Sendero is in a Lenten study of Easter Earthquake by Jim Harnish, facilitated by John Naser. The Gospel of Matthew records two earthquakes, one on Good Friday as Jesus died, and the other on Easter when Jesus was resurrected. In Easter Earthquake, Jim Harnish invites us to place the resurrection at the center of our Lenten journey as we explore how Christ's resurrection shakes some of our most basic assumptions about ourselves and God. The class meets via Zoom. Contact Warren for login information. Class starts at 9:30am Sundays.
 
  • Vanguard class uses the Adult Bible Studies series. February’s theme is “The Hypocrites and the Holy” and explores the theme our relationship with God, self, and each other. Rev. Charles Polstra is teaching. Study passages come from James, Isaiah, and Matthew. Supplemental videos for the lessons are available on Amplify Media. Meets via Conference Call to (863) 250-1038 or online (email Warren for link). Class starts at 9:30am Sundays, call is open starting at 9:20am.
2nd/3rd Grade Onsite Gathering -
Sunday, February 28 at 4:30-5:30pm
Join us on the front lawn for the first 2nd/3rd Grade Gathering of 2021. No reservations are required. Sign in will be on the front lawn. Bring your own chair and water bottle. Masks will be required and social distancing protocols will be in place. For more information, contact Cristi

Preschool Pals every Tuesday at 11am
Preschool friends age 2 and up – this is for you! Join us Tuesday mornings via Zoom at 11am for a short Bible lesson and some fun activities. For more information or Zoom link, contact Cristi

Virtual Sunday School Rooms
Don’t miss out on Sunday School! You can access this any time during the week at here.  There are rooms for each age level that include Bible stories, activities, games, devotions and much more. For more information, contact Cristi
Should you have any questions please contact Pastor Melissa, or Stephanie

Bring a friend! Youth do NOT have to be members to attend. 4:30 - 5:30pm in the Fountain Courtyard. Pre-packaged snacks will be provided but please bring your own water bottle (beverages will NOT be provided) Temperature checks upon arrival, Masks required Social distancing, Each person should bring their own chair.

Drop off will be at the gate that leads to the fountain courtyard (by the entrance to the C-building into the Giving Tree Bookstore) Pick up, following youth group will be at the main entrance to F (youth) building.

Volunteers Needed at Youth on Sundays!
Each Sunday, we need a minimum of 3 Adult Volunteers to serve alongside our pastors as we lead the youth through teachings, games, activities and small group sessions. If you are interested in working with our youth and making a difference as our students grow in their faith, contact Stephanie
SERVE
Lakeland BuddyBall Needs Our Help
BuddyBall provides a baseball experience to people with disabilities of all ages and ability levels. It turns away no players and strives to minimize the use of parents so they can sit in the stands and enjoy the experience. There is a critical need for assistant managers as the spring season begins. No experience is necessary. Training is provided. The program needs people who will commit to help on Wednesdays from 5:30-6:30pm and Saturday from 8:30-10am during the spring baseball season. If you're willing to help please contact Daryl Johnson
Glean with SoSA
We will have lots of chances to glean with Society of St. Andrew through spring.  Register here. After you are registered, you'll enter your email address and name on subsequent visits and go straight to the Florida gleaning calendar. SoSA requires all volunteers to sign up through this system. Keep an eye on the gleaning calendar. Events are added frequently. Please let Forrest know whenever you sign up to glean in case there is a last-minute change in plans. Gleaning is a great way to serve for people of all ages. Children are welcome to serve with their parents!

Mobile Food Pantries
  • Feeding Tampa Bay (FTB) Polk Mega Pantry – On Monday afternoons, we help with this distribution at the Lakes Church (1010 E Memorial Blvd, Lakeland, FL 33801). Arrival time is 3:05 pm. Should be done by 6 pm. Minimum age is 13. Masks required. Enter Lakes Church off Memorial. Go left. Continue toward the back of the church. You'll see FTB trucks as the road curves right and volunteer parking is straight ahead. Link to sign up: Feeding Tampa Bay
  • Lakeland Volunteers in Medicine (LVIM) – Second and last Tuesday, from 10:30 am-2:30 pm. 600 W Peachtree St, Lakeland, 33815.
  • Redlands Christian Migrant Association (RCMA) – Second and fourth Wednesday from 4-6:30 pm at 4441 Academy Drive, Mulberry, 3386

***Contact Forrest White with questions or concerns***
From Room to Zoom!
It has been almost a year since “Connections” met inside the church. In-person gatherings presents a risk for increasing the spread of COVID-19, so to keep our participants, volunteers and staff safe during this pandemic, “Connections” has been gathering virtually.

Comments such as “It’s just not the same” or “I miss everyone” are not uncommon as we continue to struggle with a need to be together in the church building. “Connections” has meet outside once for a Drum Circle with plans to offer this again soon. The facilitators did home visits during the winter to deliver a holiday gift to the participants, but remained outside and quietly drove off in the night to not get caught and to assure the secret mission was successful. So until we can reconvene in-person for “Connections” let’s take a moment and really look at why we began to gather in the first place and decide, have we been successful transitioning from a “Room” in the church building, to a “Zoom” virtual platform.

The Art of Gathering, a book written by Priya Parker, explains “how we met, and why that matters.” The book explores the paradox of gathering. Why were we really gathering in the first place? Was “Connections” created because we needed one another? To have lunch together? Or did we begin gathering to show strength and share joyful moments?

In order to assess our success with our transition to a virtual setting, we must ask ourselves; what was/is the purpose of our gatherings? Until we fully understand why we began gathering in the first place, we can let faulty assumptions dictate the form of our gathering and miss the real purpose of why we developed “Connections.”
Ms. Parker suggests that when seeking the answer to why we gather for any occasion, such as a book club or family event, we often answer with what we are supposed to do at the gathering. To read a book or to celebrate Uncle Joe’s birthday seems reasonable. But until we examine the real reason why we gather, we may forgo the opportunity of creating and experiencing memorable events.
So why does “Connections” gather? Is it to exercise, create art, or talk about “What’s New?” Do we gather to do things, or is it really the deeper reason to continue our Memory Ministry’s mission of connecting family, friends and faith. If that is why we gather, then our transition from “Room” to “Zoom” is successful.

Each week, our activities are designed for participants, volunteers and staff to feel the connection with each other, share music, prayer, poetry, and wonderful adventures while embracing a community of faith.

So thanks to all our family members, volunteers, special guests, and participants that join “Connections” on Monday mornings. Our gatherings are at the heart of why we are all still connected.

Connections, the respite program in our memory ministry supports individuals
and their families living with memory challenges provide opportunities for
self-expression and connecting friends, family and faith. If you, a friend or family member living with memory loss would be interested in learning more about Connections Zoom group, please contact Vicky