From the Pastor… (Page 2)
Fellowship
First Church Family: I’m writing this just after I’ve had the opportunity to spend a few minutes with our Fabric Friends quilting group who meet at our church for a couple of hours each week. The fellowship those ladies enjoy, while they are busy cutting and quilting fabric, sewing, and/or doing other kinds of needlework, is amazing! I walk down the hall with a cup of coffee in my hand almost every week to see the beautiful artwork they are creating,…
Palm Sunday Event
First Church Family: What a wonderful Sunday we enjoyed this past weekend! God’s powerful presence is stirring in our midst. So often church pastors and staff members dread the holy season of Lent and Easter but not for reasons you might imagine. It’s because we feel unworthy of representing the LORD of all life in the magnificent ways that He deserves. Please pray for us during Holy Week, which is ushered in this Sunday with our one Palm Sunday service (which includes our…
Quilters’ Sunday
First Church Family: I woke up with a start this morning, realizing that we are only ten days away from our special Palm Sunday Disciples’ service and just over two weeks from Easter! Where have the days of Lent gone? But first things first! This Sunday we will worship around the theme of Jesus’ very last words: “Father, into Your hands I commit My spirit.” (Luke 23:46 RSV) And this Sunday is Quilting Sunday at First Church. Our Fabric Friends quilting ladies…
A Wonderful Month of March
Dear FUMC Family, Spring has not sprung, but you can’t tell it around here! Things are warming and greening up! And our church is having a wonderful month of March! This Sunday, March 10, after the 11:00AM service our Kay Lanier is preparing a fellowship luncheon for all. Reservations are not required. Just plan to be in the CLC a moment after noon for Kay’s famous chicken pie and butter beans! And visit with others in our church. Financial donations…
A Great Day
Dear FUMC Family, It’s only Wednesday but it feels like a Friday afternoon after a long week’s work at one of our local factories because of the way the large number of volunteers from our congregation served our guests yesterday in our third annual Pancake Day for Missions (this year to support our local Helping Hands Clinic.) There were well over 60 people from our congregation and scout troops who worked like trojans Monday afternoon setting up, and Tuesday morning, afternoon, and evening serving our…
Lenten Pancake Day
Dear FUMC Family, I pray that you are doing well and experiencing a blessed season of Lent. The word from which our word “Lent” comes is the Old English word: “lencten” which means spring (or the time when daylight hours lengthen.) How fitting for us, as we begin to come out of winter! I must say that I have “spring fever,” in that I can’t wait to get outdoors and in my gardens. There are notable dates for us coming up in Lent. I will…
The Beginning of Lent
Dear FUMC Family, I pray that you are ready to move into the sacred season of Lent, which begins tomorrow – Ash Wednesday. Lent is the solemn Christian observance commemorating the 40 days Jesusspent fasting in the desert, according to the Gospels of Matthew, Mark, and Luke. During those days He was tempted by Satan. We will observe the sacred holy day tomorrow with a brief worship serviceat 6:00PM. During the service, attendees will receive ashes on their foreheads…
Helping the Community
Dear FUMC Family, I pray that you are staying warm and healthy. The winter has been long, dark, wet, and cold. And many persons have stayed in and grown discouraged. At our church, we are going to try to bring our community out and together for one day – Tuesday, February 27, in our third annual Pancake Day. This year all proceeds will go to our local Helping Hands Clinic, which serves the poor. We will serve, as our guests, more…
February Events
Dear FUMC Family, As I write this email, Ground Hog’s Day is only two days away and there is no rain in our immediate future. Oh goodness, another six weeks of winter! This Sunday in worship, we will receive the Sacrament of Holy Communion as we normally do on the first Sunday of each month. And then following our 11:00AM service, all will be invited to join the family of Victory Harshaw for the dedication of her new Habitat for Humanity house, the dwelling…
Reaching the Community
First Church Family, I pray that you are weathering the winter cold this week. From Friday night through most of the day Sunday, the temperature in our area will not move above freezing. We pray for the poor and homeless among us. We made a large financial donation to Yokefellow Thursday, helping our ministry partner serve the poor. FUMC was richly blessed in 2023. Your stewardship enabled us to fund all of our church’s ministries and finish in the black for the…
Welcome 2024
First Church Family, Happy New Year – 2024! I’m at my desk wondering how many times I’ll still write ’23 on January checks and documents. What a whirlwind the past weeks have been… and how wonderful they were! I’m not sure I’ve ever enjoyed as meaningful an Advent or Christmas! Thank you to all of those who made that possible, both volunteers and staff! It takes an incredible number of persons to fulfill our desire to offer both powerful ministries and worship services.…
Christmas Season
First Church Family, What a beautiful season of Advent we’re experiencing! I pray that we remember the words of Isaiah’s prophecy, specifically that God comes to those who wait and are prepared for Him. Please take a moment to internalize the following worship announcements: Please remember this schedule and remind each other of upcoming dates and times as the weeks progress. It is an honor to walk with you through the days of Advent and Christmas.Pastor Dave * * * *…