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The Weekly Courier
February 8, 2024
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"We seek to connect people to God, each other, and the wider community and to welcome and affirm all people" | |
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Worship on Sunday, February 11, will be
in-person at 10am, as well as live-streamed
at this YouTube Link.
This week we will conclude our Epiphany worship series "Known and Called" where we reflect on Jesus's identity and our own call as his followers. Our pastors will share another conversation, Mark will lead our music, and the Common Ground Choir will bless us with an offertory.
Due to some recently reported COVID-19 cases in our congregation, First Olympia is currently in a "YELLOW" COVID protocol for our mask policy. This means that we strongly suggest masking, but will still respect everyone's individual choice.
Be sure to complete a digital Connect Card each Sunday you attend online worship. You may also give online, using our online giving platform.
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Prepare Your Heart...
Before you hear Mark lead our song team in singing "Days of Elijah" by Robin Mark, check out this exciting performance from the original artist.
Click on the picture -->
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This Week's Calls to Action!
- Bid on the Youth Group's silent auction fundraiser
- Sign up to bring a meal to Affinity Nights this month
- Consider volunteering with Interfaith Works
- Let us know if you're interested in the Rainiers game this Summer
For more information about all of these events and opportunities, read on below...
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Happenings At & Around First Olympia | |
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Kids Night Out THIS Saturday
We have 50 kids signed up for our Kids Night Out Valentines Day Party!
Kids 6 months-5th grade are invited to join us for Kids Night Out on Saturday, February 10th from 5-7:00pm. We will feed them dinner, make valentines and go home with a sweet Valentine’s Day treat!
We're at capacity for RSVPs, but if you're someone who might want to help make this incredible community event run smoothly, contact our Interim Children's Minister, Brittney ([email protected]). She'll get you connected ASAP.
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Lunch with the Pastor
Are you interested in learning more about the church? Do you want to find out about church membership? Do you want to ask Pastor Heather a question?
You are invited to Lunch with the Pastor this Sunday, February 11 after church. We will have a simple meal and conversation. All are welcome!
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Affinity Night Meal Sign-ups
Affinity Nights at First Olympia are about to start up again for the Lenten season! Starting February 21st and running through March 27th, we will be offering community potluck meals at 6pm, and activities for all ages at 7pm.
Please consider signing up to contribute to the community potluck! If you'd like to contribute but can not be present on Wednesdays, you can coordinate with Savannah at [email protected] to drop off your contribution earlier in the week.
Sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/20F0D4EA8A82EAA8-47273583-affinity.
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Jan-Feb Upper Rooms
New January-February issues of the Upper Room are ready for pick-up for $1.00!
You may get yours on a Sunday morning, before or after worship. Or swing by the church Monday-Thursday, 10am-2pm.
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Come Join a Choir
Our Common Ground Choir meets on Thursdays @6:45pm in the Gathering Place.
The Jeffords Memorial Handbell Choir meets on Wednesdays @5:15 in the Choir Room. Please come join us!
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Interfaith Works Wants YOUR Help
We're looking for rad community members to offer their time and presence for our houseless neighbors during hazardous weather events.
Every second Saturday of each month, from 10am-1pm, we're offering Hazardous Weather Volunteer training at the IW Admin office (110 11th Ave, Olympia, WA 98501) which is located under United Churches of Olympia. Walk-ins are encouraged!
For more information, check out our website: https://www.iwshelter.org/volunteer.
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Youth Group Silent Auction
Pastors Kellen and Alexa, as overseers of youth ministry this year, are so excited for our youth to connect with other young people across the Greater Northwest Area, and the wise leaders of the Yakama nation through a SLAM Mission Trip this summer! As we prepare for this experience, we need to do some fundraising and practice for the types of work we'll be doing on the trip. So, we are auctioning off 6 work shifts over three days this Spring.
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The slots will be 2.5 hours and we'll do two slots each day. The auction will be in the form of a silent auction between our Co-op churches across a number of weeks between the end of January and end of February.
Get to thinking about some spring cleaning projects you'd like to bid for and start bidding competitively on Sunday!
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General Conference FAQs
The last time General Conference met in regular session was nearly eight years ago.
The upcoming legislative assembly is scheduled for April 23-May 3 in Charlotte, North Carolina Learn everything you need to know about the upcoming General Conference in this Beginner's Guide! Click this link to read more.
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FOWIA Valentine Card Sale
It's the last week to buy a beautiful, handmade Valentine!
All funds raised from the sale of Valentines will go to Church World Service for the purchase of emergency blankets that are sent throughout the U.S. and the world. Find us at the table in the Narthex after worship on 2/11. Valentines are $5 each or 5 for $20. Sale valentines for $3 are also available.
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Do You Like Baseball?
In order to guarantee that we block approximately the right amount of seats for Co-op attendees at the Tacoma Rainiers game on July 21, please let us know if you are interested in going!
Call or email the church office with your name, the approximate number of tickets you'd need, and how many (if any) of those seats need to be accessible seats. This is not a firm nor financial commitment on anyone's part at this time—just an expression of interest!
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Life of the Church
On Sunday, we were so glad to have Wally back at church with us for his 102nd birthday! We happily enjoyed some delicious cake from our hospitality team to celebrate Wally's big day.
And check out all our wonderful Seasons folding volunteers hard at work this morning getting the latest Seasons mailing ready to send out to the congregation.
Look for your copy in the mail soon!
You can find more photos from these event (and many more) on our Facebook page:
https://www.facebook.com/FUMCOLY.
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We Remember...
Rev. Paul Beeman, a former pastor appointed here at First Olympia, who passed away on January 26, 2024.
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Our Welcoming Statement
First United Methodist Church of Olympia welcomes people of all ages, all abilities,
all sexual orientations and gender identities, all nationalities and ethnicities,
the poor and the rich, single people and the many forms of family.
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Contact us ...
by phone: 360-943-2661 by email: [email protected]
OFFICE HOURS: Sunday 9am-noon | Monday-Thursday 10am-2pm
The Weekly Courier editor: Lauren Fontanilla
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