'Easter' Tagged Posts

'Easter' Tagged Posts

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…

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…

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…

Looking Back on Easter

First Church Family, What wonderful Holy Week and Easter observance we enjoyed! Our Palm Sunday program of scripture and music was outstanding; the “Passion of the Christ” with holy communion was experienced by a near capacity crowd; the Good Friday Procession of the Cross was carried out despite heavy rains (and supported by representatives from a dozen churches/Christian non-profits); and Resurrection Sunday worship, complete with a professionally constructed and decorated walking bridge, reminding us that Jesus is the “Bridge to Eternity” for those who receive Him made…

Easter Letter From Pastor Dave

First Church Family:      After worship on Palm Sunday, I sat in my office processing the experience of our Passion Play in worship. I was moved by the dramatic reading of the Gospel account of Jesus’ last days, and the music that accompanied the service.      At the close of our time together, we observed and long uncomfortable silence, reflecting on how Jesus suffered and died on the Cross.      This coming week, we will have the opportunity to experience…

Holy Week

First Church Family:     The holiest week of the year is upon us. And our church is providing you and your guests with wonderful opportunities to experience it fully. Saturday April 1 – 10:00am: Join us as we meet our Habitat for Humanity family at the construction site – 2614 Friendswood Road, Lenoir. We will hear from Habitat’s executive director, our own Pete Kidder, and dedicate the construction site. DATE CHANGE: Saturday, April 15 @ 10:00am Sunday April 2 – 10:00am: Join us in the…

April News

First Church Family:  Happy Spring! (Yes, spring has finally “sprung,” even though we had some of winter’s coldest weather right before its “springing”.) Though I can come and go as I please, regardless of the season, I must admit that there is something about the winter that is confining. I’ve looked forward to being “released” from the bondage of winter, with the new freedom to be outside, in the community, garden, and yard. Really, Easter is all about being freed…

Spring Ahead

First Church Family:     It is my prayer that this email newsletter finds you in good health and spirits. I am doing well, even though I’m dreading “losing” an hour on the weekend because of springing forward – ugh!     The construction work related our church’s dream of building a house for a deserving family in our community is close to getting underway. The dedication of the site will be held on Saturday April 1. I’ll get you the details as we draw…

March News

First Church Family:               Spring hasn’t sprung, but with the beginning of Lent on this past Ash Wednesday, it feels like it’s not far off! Personally, I would still love to have a “good” snow before winter is over, but it’s looking increasingly like that is not going to happen this year!               March will be filled with significant moments for us at FUMC. Confirmation is well underway. We are using a resource called: “The Absolute Basics of the Christian…

Beatitudes

First Church Family,     I pray that you are doing well. We are a month and a half past Christmas and well into the New Year. While that is hard to believe, I am remembering the areas of growth and challenge we experienced in 2022 as we followed Jesus.     And I must say that I’m tremendously excited about the places God is going to lead us in 2023.     Over the past weeks in worship, we have been exploring Jesus’ Beatitudes. The word “beatitude”…