We finish up the series, “Change or….” this week with the message, “It takes courage.” Courage isn’t the absence of fear but rather is the facing of our fears and choosing to act despite them. Come and join us this week as we see how God’s antidote to our fears gives us courage. If you want to read ahead, check out Numbers 13:25-33 and Joshua 1:2-9.

One of my passions is college ministry. Theses are places for young men and women to deepen their faith during a very formative time in their life. It is one of the things I love about the United Methodist Church. We have an active college ministry program on most major college campuses. They are called “Wesley Foundations.” Since I have been here, we have supported the University of Central Florida Wesley and GatorWesley. I am excited that we have a Wesley Foundation from Tallahassee coming to First United!!! It’s not who you think.

Florida A&M Wesley Foundation will be here March 22, to lead in worship both at the 8:45 and the 11:15 services on Sunday. Rev. Latricia Scrivens will preach, and the band will lead us in music. They are awesome! Make plans to be here for this event. One of the things I will need help with is housing. They are coming down Saturday, March 21, and will need some places to stay. Rev. Scrivens said to plan on 10 college students plus herself. If you have space for them, please let me know. 

I am really looking forward to our Ash Wednesday Service with Stewart Memorial 317 N, Doctor M.L.K. Blvd, Daytona Beach, FL 32114. The service will start at 6 pm. I am preaching, and the Bethune Cookman University Chorale is leading in music. You don’t want to miss this.

Are you signed up for a class starting next week? I hope you will. This is a great way to deepen faith and to connect with God and others. It is the reason we are changing the worship services March 1, 8:45 and 11:15 so that we can have the space to hold classes. See below for a list and sign up!

Peace out,

Scott

Fridays with Friends - Inviting all that are single and 55+ to join us for a night of fun on Friday, February 21 at 6:30 pm at the home of Judy Barefield. Bring your favorite dish! Please RSVP. Info: Judy Barefield, [email protected]

Ash Wednesday  - Ash Wednesday is coming up! Join us on February 26 - we’ll have three ways to celebrate.

Growth Groups  - We have several groups and classes that will begin on Sunday, March 1, including:

Sign up with the link below! Want to be a group leader? Email Terri lynch at [email protected].

New Member Class - Ready to take the next step? Our new member class starts Sunday, March 1. We'll meet for 5 weeks from 10:15 am - 11:15 am. Come meet new friends and learn what makes First United a place and a space to connect with God and each other! Sign up with the link above or at the Guest Services desk.

Caring Cards - The group will meet Thursday, March 5 at 1 pm to write cards to shut ins and others.  Info: Pam Wilson, [email protected]

Beacon Center  - Our Mission Giving offering is dedicated to the Beacon Center, an organization which provides services for survivors of domestic violence. Our goal is to collect $40,000 to assist them with construction of a new and permanent playground for the children in the shelter. There are plenty of ways to contribute: You can place offerings in our mission giving box in the lobby, give online at firstunited.org, or text “$amount beacon” to 386-643-0155.

Stephen Ministry - Are you or someone you know going through a life crisis or loss? A Stephen Minister can help. There is no charge for this service, all info is confidential, and it is not limited to just our congregation. Info:  Marian Gamin, [email protected]

Warren Willis Camp - 3rd-12th graders are invited to join us this summer for an over-the-top sleepover camp, June 22-27. (Week 3) Registration is open and fills up quickly - sign up now! For questions and scholarship requests, please Caitlin Booth at [email protected] or Micah Keech at [email protected]. While you're at it, go ahead and mark these upcoming events into your calendar:

Church Directory Photos - As part of a promotion with our directory photos, Shutterfly is giving the church 8% back from any order made from our link between now and June 30, 2023! Info: Janet Willis, [email protected]

New Worship Times

We want to make more places and spaces to discover hope and deepen faith. Starting Sunday, March 1, our new service times will be 8:45 am for Contemporary worship, and 11:15 am for Traditional worship. Starting Thursday, March 5, Early Weekend Worship will start at 6 pm. This sets aside time for growth groups to meet between services. Get connected in a between-services growth group – sign up online or at Guest Services! WAVE will meet at 8:45 am and 10 am, as well as Rooted Student Ministry at 10 am. For kids 5 and under, we will have childcare available at the 11:15 am service.

Deepen Faith with a Growth Group



The Seekers Sunday School Class - Meets September through June. Click Here

Sunday Fellowship Group  - Meets throughout the year. Click Here

Men’s Wednesday Morning Prayer and Bible Study Ministry - Click Here

Boy Scouts of America

“On my honor, I will do my best to do

my duty to God and my country . . .”

  

Boy Scout Troop 468, sponsored by First United since 1958, meets Tuesday nights at 7:00 pm in Youth Room. Boys ages 11-18 are welcome to visit or contact Bob Reid at  [email protected] for more information.

Need to get your church info out there?

We are happy to help get announcements publicized to our congregation. Simply go to our website, click on Communications Request under the Forms tab, and fill out the information .



Please have all communications requests in at least two weeks prior to the publication dates you want. Please also mention if you'd like your event promoted on our social media.

Note that we will only put your email address (for more info/responses) in the bulletin and on social media. For your safety, we don't want to have personal phone numbers in those publications and forums.