Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World |
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PASTOR'S PEN
Marcus Zillman
Happy Ash Wednesday! So what is Ash Wednesday? Here is the answer from umc.org:
“Ash Wednesday begins the season of Lent, a time when many Christians prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline. Although Ash Wednesday has ancient roots, it does not appear in the rituals of The United Methodist Church or our predecessor denominations until the 20th century.
Ash Wednesday emphasizes two themes: our sinfulness before God and our human mortality. The service focuses on both themes, helping us realize that both have been triumphed through the death and resurrection of Jesus Christ.
Ashes are an ancient symbol. In Genesis, we read that God formed human beings out of the dust of the earth (Genesis 2:7). After expulsion from the Garden of Eden, the first human beings are told by God, “you are dust, and to dust you shall return” (Genesis 3:19 NRSV). The Hebrew word translated dust, is occasionally translated ashes elsewhere. Throughout scripture, ashes are part of rituals when people seek forgiveness and mourn their sin (see Numbers 19:9, 17; Hebrews 9:13; Jonah 3:6; Matthew 11:21, and Luke 10:13, among others).
The imposition of ashes on the heads of Christians to mark the beginning of Lent can be traced at least to the 10th century. Marking the forehead with the sign of the cross is a more recent adaptation.
In earlier centuries, ashes were used to mark those who had been separated from the church because of serious sins and were seeking to be re-admitted to the fellowship of the church. In effect, they were redoing the process of final preparation for church membership along with those doing it for the first time. They were sprinkled with ashes and given rough garments to wear as a sign of sorrow for their sins and their commitment to seek renewal in Christian life through this season.”
Our upcoming Lenten sermon series will be focusing on the Wesley covenant prayer. Join us online or in-person each week as we explore the covenant prayer.
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Tuesdays
Wednesdays
Thursdays
Sundays
*Come enjoy this socially distanced, outside, in-person worship service!
Coming Up...
February 20
February 21
1st Sunday in Lent
February 28
March 4
March 28
Palm Sunday
April 4
Easter Sunday
Save the Dates...
June 19 & 26
July 15-17
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#FUMCLOVES
During the 40 days of Lent, Christians are encouraged to add something to their life. We're asking people to find ways they can be intentional with helping someone each day, whether it is an individual or with an organization. A couple of examples are assisting at Boca Helping Hands, reaching out to a neighbor or helping a friend, Please post a picture online of you "showing love" using the hashtag #FUMCLOVES so we can flood the Internet with the love of Christ!
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YOU ARE INVITED!
The United Methodist Women will meet online on Saturday, February 20 at 2:00pm for the special program of "Prayer and Self-Denial." The theme this year is: “She Leads: Empowering Women to Make a Difference. To highlight United Methodist Women programs and encourage women to give thoughtfully in order to make a difference in the lives of women , children and youth around the world.” Please join us! Email Debbie Woolsey to confirm. Click here for the link information to the Zoom meeting on February 20.
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FUMC BOCA HAS A GIFT FOR YOU
As Pastor Marcus mentioned here a few weeks ago, FUMC Boca is providing access to online resources from Right Now Media—the world’s largest library of video-driven Bible study resources. You will receive free unlimited access to discover fun shows for kids, studies on books of the Bible, training videos on leadership, and much more. Getting started is easy—just CLICK HERE to create your account. We are very excited to offer this to our congregation as one way that we can use to focus on growing daily in Christ's love. Check out this video to see the great ways you can use this resource.
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EMAILS CLAIMING TO BE FROM OUR PASTORS ARE GOING OUT AGAIN!
Please do not respond to these. Our pastors will never send you an email asking for gift cards or from a @gmail.com account. All official church emails end in @fumcbocaraton.org. If you are ever not sure about the legitimacy with an email, please call the church office at 561-395-1244.
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PRAYER REQUESTS
If you have prayer requests that you want to share only with the pastors, please contact the church office. I f you would like your request to go out on the Amazing Grace Prayer Group email (80 people), contact Min Pusey by email or at 610-715-1075. She will then share your request with the group.
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Online Worship Service: February 14, 2021 |
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THANK YOU FOR BEING A MINISTRY PARTNER FOR 2021
In a normal year we would have a Commitment Sunday where the congregation could bring forward their commitments of prayers, presence, gifts, and service as an act of worship. Since we did not have this opportunity, we would like to thank publicly those who have committed to be ministry partners in 2021 by supporting FUMC with prayers, presence, gifts, and service. Any additional commitments will be acknowledged over the next few weeks in our weekly email. Thank you to George Elmore, Shirley Ritchie, and Steve & Kathy Staggs for your support and partnership in 2021.
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PARENT'S MORNING OUT RE-LAUNCHES on FEBRUARY 23
Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday 9:00am-12:00pm
Parent's Morning Out provides safe and loving childcare for children 6 months old through 3 years old in our nursery rooms so parents and guardians may run errands, get work done or simply rest! Our caregivers are background checked and trained in Child and Youth Protection Policies on a regular basis. We are currently following all CDC guidelines regarding COVID-19 mitigation including extensive cleaning, mask wearing for all adults and children 2 years of age and older as well as thorough and frequent hand washing. You will be asked to download, read, and sign all documents regarding our policies, procedures and expectations of parents/guardians during the sign-up process.
We are currently open Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9:00am-12:00pm. The cost per day is $20 and is due no later than drop-off time each morning. We accept checks made payable to First United Methodist Church of Boca Raton and cash.
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YOUTH GROUP
NEW TIME - First three Sundays of the Month 4:00pm-6:00pm
- Middle School and High School Youth are invited to join us!
- We will either meet on the East Campus or at a local park to play disc golf, soccer or some other fun activity and enjoy some pizza, burgers or other easy dinner.
- On the fourth Sunday of every month, youth are invited to serve at our Drive-thru Dinner Church on the campus of Coral Sunset Elementary School and receive volunteer hours.
- We will schedule a fun activity on fifth Sundays when they happen.
- For updates on meetings and other activities we will be using GroupMe so please text Pastor Madeline at 772-349-0715 and ask to be added to the group (parents may be added also).
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WARREN WILLIS UNITED METHODIST
SUMMER CAMP - *Meeting Date Change!*
Warren Willis Camp in Leesburg FL has announced that they are moving forward with plans for overnight camp during the summer of 2021. They have assured us they will be following CDC and America Camp Association guidelines regarding COVID-19 in order to provide a safe week for the campers and a safe summer for the staff. At this point, refunds will also be available if they are unable to safely host camp this summer.
We will be attending the week of July 26-31, 2021. Transportation will be provided. Students entering 4th grade in the fall through high school seniors graduating in 2021 are eligible to attend.
The cost per camper is $430 for the week and includes lodging, meals and all activities. Camp Scholarships are available and we will be fundraising to further reduce the cost.
If you think your student might be interested please plan on attending a Zoom information session with your student(s) on Thursday, March 4* at 7:00pm. Here is the Zoom information:
Meeting ID: 960 3999 1446
Passcode: 734203
** We will of course be monitoring the pandemic situation and will cancel or adjust our trip to camp if needed.
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WAYS TO GIVE TO FUMC BOCA |
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Mail your check to:
First United Methodist Church, 625 NE Mizner Blvd., Boca Raton, FL 33432
Give Online:
Give through Texting:
text "FUMCGive" to 73256
From our Facebook page:
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FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF BOCA RATON
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