1. religion and spirituality
2. christianity

First News First
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
APRIL 2015
First United Methodist Church of Mechanicsburg
From the Pastor
Dates to Remember
Apr 1 .......... Passion Play
Apr 2 .......... Maundy Thursday
Apr 3 .......... Good Friday
Apr 5 .......... Easter
Apr 12 ........ Meet & Greet
Apr 15 ........ Grocery Bagging
Apr 19 ........ New Member
Class
Apr 21 ........ Senior Fellowship
Apr 25 ........ World Malaria
Day
Apr 26 ........ New Member
Class
Rejoicing Spirits
Bell Concert
Inside this issue:
Stewardship
Finance
2
Missions
3
Fellowship
3
Worship
4
Access Ministry
5
Adult Ministry
8
Health & Wellness
8
UMW
9
Library
9
3
Facilities
10
News & Notes
10
Staff
12
The Barna Group is a research company that specializes in surveys, studies,
examination and analysis of Christian churches and Christian groups. Here is a
statement made by one of their staff researchers as he reflects on the results of some
of their work:
In virtually every study we conduct, representing thousands of interviews every year, …
Christians fail to display much attitudinal or behavioral evidence of transformed lives. For instance,
based on a study released in 2007, we found that most of the lifestyle activities of …Christians were
statistically equivalent to those of nonChristians. When asked to identify their activities over the last
thirty days, …believers were just as likely to bet or gamble, to visit a pornographic website, to take
something that did not belong to them, to consult a medium or psychic, to physically fight or abuse
someone, to have consumed enough alcohol to be considered legally drunk, to have used an illegal,
nonprescription drug, to have said something to someone that was not true, to have gotten back at
someone for something he or she did, and to have said mean things behind another person’s back.
No difference.
Later on, he remarks:
Being Christian is hard work. Putting the needs of others above your own, loving your
neighbor, doing good to those who would do evil to you, exercising humility, suffering with those less
fortunate, and doing it all with a pure heart is nearly impossible. But it is Jesus’ model and call.
We are right in the middle of a Lent and Easter series called “SoulShift” where
we look at some of the transformation that Jesus the Christ works in us when we
are determined to follow and serve and love him: we move from “being consumers
to being stewards,” from “focusing on me to focusing on we,” from “asking
to listening,” and so forth. It’s an important study for us because we have the
opportunity to focus on what Christian discipleship really means.
I am blessed to be part of this congregation of Christian disciples who already
know these things in large measure. You know that being a disciple of Jesus involves
more than just saying a prayer, consenting to a particular set of beliefs and adopting a
particular posture in worship. You know that discipleship is more wrapped up, as
Jesus himself said, in being salt and light in a world where there is abundant apathy
and darkness. You know and understand the importance and urgency of untangling
our faith from Western cultural values that are at odds with Christianity…things like
consumerism, materialism, racism and hatred. For me, First Church is like an oasis in
the middle of a dark, arid desert.
But there is still much for us to do, great things for us to accomplish. Our best
days are yet before us.
Pastor Mike
PAGE 2
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Stewardship
GROUNDED IN FAITH -- GROWING TO SERVE
Over the last few years, the Finance committee has prayerfully reviewed and considered the actual
annual giving, attendance trends, and the results of the budget pledge process to set the subsequent
years’ total budget. These annual budget decisions were made based mostly on these Facts. But, despite our best intentions, FUMC has only reached our budgeted giving once in the last 5 years. Balancing the budget in those years came from cost cutting, reductions in missions and ministry programs,
and reducing debt payments.
With so many opportunities and needs
for various ministry and mission programs in 2015, the Finance committee and the Administrative Board
reached beyond their historical
comfort zone and set the
FUMC 2015 budget based
mostly on Faith. In fact,
we have stretched the
budget about 5% beyond
what facts would suggest that we would normally receive.
We
need your help to
bridge that gap.
The
Finance
Committee
of
FUMC is pleased
to announce the
initiation of the
2015
Unified
Budget
special
stewardship campaign
called
Grounded
in
Faith – Growing
to Serve. The
campaign will begin on April 12
and will showcase
the various ministries of FUMC supported by the 2015
unified budget on a
weekly
basis
throughout the year.
Each month (from
April through December), we will feature a
different portion (Root)
of our budget and explain where and how that
money is spent to help
grow and bear fruit for our
Church (Tree).
We will
watch our tree grow every week
as pastors, staff, committee
members, and congregational leaders
discuss and explain the wonderful
ministry/mission opportunities during a special
“Stewardship Seconds” portion of each worship service.
During April’s “Stewardship Seconds”, we will concentrate on the portion of our annual budget
that goes to the conference as “Shares of Ministry”. From local missions (such as the Children’s’
Home, Neighborhood Center, and the Camping Program) to Global missions (such as UMCOR and
Africa University), our shares of ministry combined with other United Methodist Churches help fund
many valuable missions. Our Shares of Ministry also help fund the conference and global connectional
ministries such as Discovery Place Resource Center, training and counseling programs for pastors and
church staff, Stewardship Foundation, as well as all of the costs required to manage the local, national,
and international leadership of the United Methodist Church. Starting in mid-April, be sure to listen
and watch as we water and nourish the “Shares of Ministry Root”.
If we have roots “Grounded in
Faith”, we will be able to “Grow to Serve”.
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
PAGE 3
Finance
Through February 28, 2015
General Fund
2015 budget
Expected income
Actual income
Deficit
$ 875,000
$ 148,750
$ 129,638
$ -19,112
Actual expenses
$ 116,788
Building Fund
$
1,418
Legacy Campaign
$
515
Income so far this year has been very low.
Some of that may be weather related (a good
reason to sign up for electronic giving.) The
ministries we offer to Mechanicsburg and the
(15% of budget) world require more resources than we are
currently able to provide.
Missions
Grocery Bagging for Bethesda Mission
On the third Wednesday evening of every month members of First United Methodist Church
gather at Mission Central to bag groceries for Bethesda Mission. All are invited to join and be a part
of this mission opportunity. Join us at Mission Central on April 15 at 6 pm. Contact Eric King at 6970933 or [email protected] for more information.
Penny Report
Help supported the Sierra Leone Well Drilling Project by
dropping your pennies, or any loose change, into the Penny Bucket
in the narthex. One hundred percent (100%) of your donations
are used to provide training and dig wells that supply safe
drinking water for schools and communities in Sierra Leone.
There were 350 pennies contributed this past month for a total to
date of $12,508.09.
Thank you for your continued prayers and financial support of
the Sierra Leone Well Drilling Project!
Fellowship
Senior Fellowship
April 21, 1-3 p.m.
All senior members are invited to come for a casual time of fellowship
and light refreshments in the Guyer class space just beyond the church
library.
Contact Janice Bowen at 766-4611 x112 or [email protected]
for more information.
PAGE 4
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Church History
Pastor Portraits
Be certain to see the work of the History Committee (especially John Behel and Carvel Markley)
for the wall of pictures of our pastors located outside the Music Room in Fellowship Hall. Not all
pastors are represented but we are still searching. If anyone has a photo of Rev. Bower please share
that with us. Thank you.
Bells
Bell Choir Concert
Come listen to the wonderful sounds of First Church’s Bell Choirs as they present Ringing
Through the Year April 26 at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary at First Church.
Communications
Check out our redesigned website! Go to www.fumchurch.com to see
the new design, plus catch up on the latest news, events or sermons you
may have missed. Problems, questions or comments? Use the “Contact
Us” message board on the “Contact” page of the website.
Worship
Sunday Morning
Worship Services
8:15 am &
10:45 am
Sunday Evening
Anchor Worship
will resume in the summer
Sunday School
9:30 am
The 4th Sunday at 4:00...
an interactive and inclusive
ministry for those with developmental disAbilities, their families, friends and care givers.
Holy Communion
Maundy Thursday
Easter, both services
Bimonthly Communion
Bimonthly Communion
World Communion
First Sunday in Advent
Christmas Eve, 8:00 and 11:00
4/2/15
4/5/15
6/7/15
8/2/15
10/4/15
11/29/15
12/24/15
Pew Service with Motzo and Grape Juice
Pew Service
Pew Service
Pew Service
Loaves and Chalices
Pew Service
Loaves and Chalices
Note: Gluten-free bread available in the center of the bread plates for those who prefer to
commune without gluten!
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
PAGE 5
Access Ministry
DAY OF PAMPERING ~ "You Saved My Life!"
by Lisa Wickenheiser
Each year 91 women who serve as primary caregivers are registered for Day of Pampering. In most
cases, this means that someone else has stepped into their shoes for that day in order to provide care
for loved ones. Additionally 50 local professionals give their time, talent, supplies and hearts to provide
services for these women. Some of the spa/salon owners close their businesses in order to participate;
others use vacation or personal time to do so. FUMC staff picks up on some of the added responsibilities needed to prepare for, support and clean up from the event. And countless FUMc members
and friends work together to transform the church, to show Christ-like hospitality and love to all of
our guests (women and service providers alike), and to make a difference in the lives of others.
I've often said that Day of Pampering can be "life-changing." I say that because, when I first
visited this type of event in Lancaster eight years ago, I was there to assess whether this was a ministry
that we could bring to Mechanicsburg. Although I attended from a ministry standpoint, I couldn't
separate out the fact that I, too, was a primary caregiver raising a young son with disAbilities. The
event was extraordinary in every way. While there, I had just a fraction of a conversation with another
mom before the worship service began. We were separated after the service and I never saw her
again. But, she had shared a website with me that I searched upon my return home. From that
website came inspiration and direction, followed by research and training, followed by the implementation of an alternative neurodevelopmental approach which ultimately changed my son's life....changed
our family's life! So, Day of Pampering can, indeed, be life-changing.
This year, we discovered that Day of Pampering can be life-saving! You see, caregiving is like a
cloud, if you will, kind of heavy, gray, and sometimes rather ominous; and within that cloud the loneliness and isolation are very real. Yet also within that cloud exists an expansive, radiant and beautiful
silver lining where caregivers know that they have purpose, know that they are never alone, and feel
that they are overcomers, more than conquerors. The beauty of that silver lining can only be
recognized and appreciated if caregivers are receiving the support they need to stay healthy and to
prevent burnout. One of the women whose name was on this year's waiting list has not been receiving
this type of support. But, she did receive a last-minute invitation to Day of Pampering after a cancellation was confirmed. That last-minute invitation saved her as she was prepared to end her life. She attended the
following day and, after experiencing the love of Christ, was prepared to work toward picking up some
of the pieces of her life and moving forward. This is God moving in and through us, His vessels!
The hours required to host Day of Pampering well are many. The energy required is great. The
coordination, as well as, the implementation of this multi-faceted outreach is complex. Try as we
might, we haven't reached perfection yet when it comes to all of the logistics. At times, things are
moved before or after they should be moved....or not moved at all. At times, we are unintentionally
underfoot. At times, we may need to engage in a last-minute hunt for something(s) required. And, at
times, we ask a lot of our facility. But, each year after hosting this very special day in God's house, this
is the type of feedback we receive from the caregivers: "Your church members were so warm and
welcoming and friendly." ".....such a God-given gift of uplifting." ".....handled with loving Christian
words and care." ".....went away feeling much better about my situation." "Keep doing Good
Works!" "You have no idea how much the Day of Pampering meant to me." "I was able to be cared
for more than I can express." And this year, "You saved my life!" Through these, and many other
expressions of deep and genuine gratitude, it is very clear to see the one thing in which
we are excelling......being the hands and face of Christ! And that's as close to Perfection as we need to
(Continued on page 6)
PAGE 6
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Access Ministry
(Continued from page 5)
be. Christ, and Christ alone, is the reason we do this! Those hours and energy required to host Day of
Pampering well? The relatively few oversights in preparation and implementation? It all pales in
comparison to the life-changing, life-saving good that stems from this event and the honor that is ours to
be used for such a purpose. Thank you so much to all who pray for and work hard to support this
outreach and the caregivers in our community. Most of all, thanks be to God!
Special note: A list of this year's service providers is included here. If you are looking for any of
the services mentioned, please consider using one of these providers. And, while you're at it, please
thank them for their support of Day of Pampering!
~HAIR CUTS/STYLES~
Lori Aloisi
Bella Uno Salon
4401 Carlisle Pike, Camp Hill
717-761-5560
Mikee Bentz, Cosmetologist
Metromikee's Limited
915 N 3rd Street 2nd Floor,
Harrisburg; 717-329-2990
Kate Musser
Another Look
2435 North 2nd Street #1,
Harrisburg; 717-232-8889
Amanda Reynolds,
Joanie Barrett,
Megan Frick, Gina Ebersole,
Shirley Hamm
Ashley Stevens Salon
4900 Carlisle Pike,
Mechanicsburg; 717-737-4796
~NAIL CARE~
Samantha McGarvery
Ashley Stevens Salon
4900 Carlisle Pike,
Mechanicsburg; 717-737-4796
Chelsea Nolan
Makeup by Chelsea Studio and Spa
106 S Market St Mechancsburg;
717-736-1500
Brittany Yerger
Brittany Yerger Hair and Makeup
Mechanicsburg; 717-756-4131
Jocelyn Tress, LMT
Ashley Stevens Salon
4900 Carlisle Pike,
Mechanicsburg; 717-737-4796
~MASSAGE~
Patricia Weder, LMT
Dillsburg; 717-350-1181
Also: Spirit Day Spa
975 York Road, Dillsburg;
717-303-7184
Beth Alwine, LMT
Bethany Cincotta, LMT
Camille Baughman & Associates
218 York Road, Carlisle;
717-249-6233
Cathy Delp, LMT
Andrea Longenecker, LMT
Catherine & Co. Alternative
Therapies
(formerly Norene Good Assoc.)
1514 Commerce Ave., Suite 202
Carlisle; 717-245-0497
www.goodmassagetherapy.com
Rachel Benbow, LMT
3H Holistic Health & Healing
4400 Linglestown Rd.,
Harrisburg; 717-831-6936
[email protected]
www.HolisticHealthHealing.org
Monica Malpezzi,, LMT
[email protected]
Mary Rahn, LMT
Marjorie Rahn, LMT
[email protected]
Amy Yost, LMT
Studio 7
2 Pine Tree Drive,
Mechanicsburg; 717-591-3034
[email protected]
~MAKEUP~
Jolene Mira
Avon Representative
[email protected]
Nicole Courtney
Mary Kay Beauty ConsultantCamp Hill; 717-614-3459
[email protected]
Gillian Brown,
Avon Representative
[email protected]
Stacy Buxton
Scarlet Rose Salon,
209 S. Market St., Mechanicsburg
717-691-1949
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
PAGE 7
~REFLEXOLOGY~
~LYMPHLIFT~
~HEALTH SCREENINGS~
Maureen Maxwell
ARCB , RAA and PRO Certified Reflexology
Therapist
- Aviana Mindful Touch Ursi Reiki Master - Qigong. ~
My Heart N Sole Reflexology
717-919-2373; myheartnsole@gmail,com
Christina Corrin, LMT &
Certified in Manual Lymphatic Drainage
Cardin & Miller Physical Therapy
290 E. Pomfret Street, Carlisle;
717-245-0400
Also: 156 Cumberland Pkwy,
Mechanicsburg;
717-697-6600
Offered by Holy Spirit A Geisinger Affiliate
Glucose/Cholesterol
Bone Density Screening
Cardiovascular Risk Assessment
Blood Pressure Reading
Body Mass Index Assessment
Also stop by these local
businesses and express your
Joe Glogowski, M.Ed., RPP, Amy S. Nelson, M.Ed., Healing gratitude for their support of
Touch Practitioner
CYT
Day of Pampering
~RELAXATION TECHNIQUES~
~HEALING TOUCH~
717-877-2357
Yoga Classes ~ Polarity ~
Lifecycle Counseling
Just Plain Yoga
1845 Market Street, Camp Hill;
717-975-9642
717-497-1766 - weekends by
appointment
Mondays at Heel Your Sole;
717-591-2256
Assisted by Marcia Glogowski,
M.Ed.
Harrisburg Academy, Guest
Speaker
Dress for Success, Volunteer
Alpha Kappa Alpha, Inc; 717686-7755
~MUSCLE ACTIVATION~
KeriAn and Laura Cross
KeriAn Cross and Associates
1590 State Street, Camp Hill;
717-350-1429 or 717-599-8629
Carol Howe, RN, LMT,
Healing Touch Practitioner/A;
President of Heel Your Soul
The Shoppes at Rossmoyne;
4922-4924 Louise Drive,
Mechanicsburg;
717-591-2256
The Couture Cakery &
Cupcake Bar
www.couturecakery.net
Pennsylvania Bakery
1713Market Street, Camp Hill;
717-763-7755
Arbonne products
(used in luxurious foot baths)
Alece Nauck-Heisey;
[email protected]
Bev Azemar, CRNP, Healing
Touch Practitioner/A
Only practicing at the Healing
Touch Clinic at Heel Your Sole 1x
monthly; 717-591-2256
BUTTER BRAID PASTRIES ARE COMING!!
Butter Braid pastries will be delivered in time for Mother's Day! All proceeds will benefit Day of
Pampering 2016.
Look for the order form in the binder next to the Welcome Desk. Extra forms are available, if
desired. Contact Lisa for those forms. All orders must be prepaid & submitted by Sunday, April 26.
Checks should be made payable to Lisa Wickenheiser. Orders may be picked up on Saturday, May
2 (9:30 - 10:30) or will be in the freezer on Sunday, May 3.
Thank you, in advance, for your support! ~ Lisa Wickenheiser (975-0225 or 649-0993)
PAGE 8
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Adult Ministry
Meet & Greet Luncheon
Have you seen any newcomers around at First Church? Invite them to a “Meet and Greet” luncheon! The next "Meet and Greet" will be held in Fellowship Hall on Sunday, April 12 immediately following the 10:45 a.m. worship service. The purpose of this luncheon is to provide our guests with the
opportunity to meet and get to know the Pastors, make connections, ask questions, receive information
and enjoy a relaxing lunch. In addition, a tour of our building is offered for those who are interested.
Please email Tina Eaton at [email protected] or call 766-4611, ext 104 if you have
questions or would like more information.
New Member Classes
Do you know someone who may be interested in becoming a First Church member? If so, invite
them to attend new member classes, which begin on Sunday, April 19 and run for 4 consecutive weeks.
Classes are held during the Sunday School hour in Pastor Mike’s office.
Please email Tina Eaton at [email protected] or call 766-4611, ext 104 if you have
questions or would like more information.
Youth Department
Looking for information about the happenings of the youth department? Don't miss out on all that
is going on. Make sure to send an email to [email protected] to be included on our email
distribution list. Also, check the weekly bulletin announcements for the most up-to-date information.
Children’s Department
Children’s Department Newsletter- Are you receiving the Children’s Department Newsletter
by email? If not, contact Dawn Fisher or George Canonizado to provide your email so you can receive
this information packed Newsletter!
Health & Wellness
A Message from the Health & Wellness Committee
April is Live Organ Donation month and there are thousands of people waiting for a transplant.
The Health & Wellness committee invites and encourages you to attend the April 19 lecture titled:
Gift of Life/ Living Transplant Donors
Becca Brown, nurse manager of the Pinnacle Transplant Department will share information on
the Living Donor program. In recent years a great deal has changed with transplants for both the
recipients and the living donors.
We have a number of church members who know first hand about the Living Donor program.
Two of our members will also be part of the program and share their touching and very personal
stories:
Tina Eaton donated one of her kidneys to her brother-in-law, and Jane Heller’s son donated a
kidney to his father, Jane’s first husband.
Please join us for this very special and informative program. You won’t be disappointed! See you
on Sunday, April 19 at 9:30 in the All Purpose room.
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
PAGE 9
FUM Circle Meetings
DEBORAH CIRCLE
MARTHA CIRCLE
Sandy Walton*
Marley Ann Schmick*
790-9131 or
697-2233
[email protected]
New Members are always welcome!
MARY CIRCLE
Janice Bowen*
796-0809 or
[email protected]
RUTH CIRCLE
Beryl Morgan* 697-3554
*Contact Circle Leader for dates & times
Library
At the end of last month’s newsletter I said spring would be here by the arrival of the April
newsletter. Maybe by the time you read this review, spring will have arrived. But as I am writing, I am
watching the snow pile up on the deck. Guess I know how the weatherman feels during a failed
prediction. Since the beginning of time, people have tried to explain seasons. In Greek mythology
winter descended on the earth when Persephone was forced to return to her husband in Hades. When
she was allowed to return to the surface, the earth would experience spring and summer. Nice explanation, but I see it as God’s perfect plan. He knew the earth would need a time of renewal and a
change of season to keep the humans from complaining so much. After this long winter I will feel so
grateful to see the earth in bloom—but that will all too soon morph into “I am too hot” and I will be
ready for those crisp days of fall. Let’s look at an author who uses the seasons for the background of
her new romance books.
Denise Hunter’s Chapel Springs Romance series begins with Barefoot Summer. Madison
McKinley is still feeling the loss of her twin brother. To ease her grief she decides to fulfill his dream
of winning the town’s annual regatta. Too bad that she doesn’t know the first thing about sailing, nor
can she swim. She will need the help of Becket O’Reilly, the town bad boy, to learn to sail. Being a
romance story, I know that when Becket comes to Madison’s rescue love is in the air. Far be it for me
to spoil a happy ending. Read this page turner to see how two lives come together during those lazy
days of summer.
Dancing with Fireflies is based in late summer when the night lights up like magic. Jade
McKinley has returned to Chapel Springs pregnant, alone, and out of money. She had left full of
dreams, but with those dreams shattered she feels adrift. Enter Daniel Dawson, her older brother’s
friend, the man who always called her “squirt”. They feel a mutual attraction, but Jade isn’t sure he will
stand by her once her secrets are revealed. Check this one out to find out if summer is really magical.
Winter is the setting for the Wishing Season. When a Chapel Springs resident offers her home in
a contest, both PJ McKinley and Cole Evans are sure they can win the contest because of their
superior ideas. Cole, a former foster kid, wants to use the house for foster kids in transition while PJ
sees the house as a perfect place to start her restaurant. In an outlandish proposal by the philanthropist, the house will be split between Cole and PJ for a year with the foster kids upstairs and her restaurant downstairs. Find out how this plan comes together while you wait for spring and the arrival of the
fourth book, Married ‘til Monday.
If these “season romance books” aren’t for you, stop in the library to check out our many other
genres.
See you in the library,
Donna & Pam
PAGE 10
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Facilities
The long, cold winter of 2014-2015 has finally ended and we are enjoying the warmth of our early
spring days. The changing of the seasons in our area, especially the rebirth of spring, is a wonderful
testament to God’s creation. Let us rejoice and be glad in it!
Last month I detailed some major issues we had experienced with our heating system at First
Church, and expressed hope that we would make it through the rest of winter without any more heating disasters. We did it! Our heating system worked extremely well after the incoming gas line was
replaced and we had sufficient gas pressure to run our equipment. Hopefully that will carry over into
next winter when the cold temperatures strike again.
Unfortunately, we didn’t experience the same good fortune with the restoration efforts in the lower
level of the church following the rebuild of our sewage pumps and fabrication of a new sewage pit
cover. Some of the floor tiles in the pump room and storage area off the kitchen were dislodged by
the water damage, and those areas will require asbestos remediation efforts before the drywall repairs,
cove molding replacement, and painting of the affected areas can be accomplished. I am expecting
that all of those repairs will happen soon.
I am pleased to report that James Paris and I installed a base cabinet, double-bowl sink countertop
and single-lever faucets in the men’s restroom on the second floor of the Education wing. Thanks to
Bill Seig for the use of his plumbing tools for this project. We are planning similar improvements in
the women’s restroom on the second floor of the Education wing, and are praying for Bill’s return to
good health and assistance in that effort.
If you noticed the spotlight 30 feet above the chancel that was recently burnt out, hopefully now
you’ll notice it is shining brightly again. Thanks to Doug Cale and George Canonizado for their efforts
in changing out those bulbs with new LED lamps. We’re still trying to figure out how to reach the
burnt out spotlight over the choir loft, and hope to also have that one shining bright soon.
Thanks go out to those members of First Church who helped with our snow shoveling efforts this
winter. Your efforts are greatly appreciated! Also, special thanks to Eric King for his efforts in making
drywall repairs around the building so we can continue freshening walls up with a new coat of paint.
Job well done!
As always, please let me know if you see something broken or have an idea for improving our
wonderful facility. I can’t be everywhere at all times, so I need your help in identifying problems as
they occur so they can be addressed before they become major issues. Thank you.
Roger Walton, Facilities Manager
Church News and Notes
Thank you…
Thank you to our church family for prayers, cards and thoughtfulness upon the death of my brother, Robert Bahn. A
special thank you to my Covered In Love knitting friends. Most appreciated,
Pat Hutter and family
Thank you for your prayers, cards, telephone calls and all that you did for us. They meant a lot.
Glenn & Jane Heller
(Continued on page 11)
VOLUME 15, ISSUE 3
PAGE 11
Church News and Notes
(Continued from page 10)
Many thanks to our church family for prayers, delicious meals provided to us and phone calls. All were greatly appreciated while Ginnie recovered from surgery. God Bless
Ginnie & Roy Miller
My sons and I wanted to thank the First UMC family for all of your heartfelt prayers, phone calls, visits, meals and
cards during Russ’ brief illness and recent passing. As difficult as it was, we were comforted by your many thoughts and
prayers for our family
Janet Baker
Love & sympathy…
to the family upon the death of Pat Hutter’s brother, Robert Bahn, on February 14, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Truman Peters, on February 22, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Arleen Hoy, Gladys Peck and Emma Whitcomb’s sister, Ivy Hoy
Moyer, on February 23, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Pam Van Kirk’s & Patti Taylor’s aunt, Evelyn Harney, on February
27, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Russ Baker, on March 2, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Sandy Walton’s sister-in-law, Brenda Stoner, on March 3, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Jim Chilton’s mother, Virginia Chilton, on March 9, 2015.
to the family upon the death of Effie Creamer on March 14, 2015.
to the family upon the recent death of Janet Baker’s brother, Larry Shell.
Special Birthdays
Robert Meck ................. April 2
Marilyn Seig .................. April 2
Dolores Farr ................. April 3
Paul Fertenbaugh ......... April 6
Alberta Knause ............. April 15
Ron Handwerk ............. April 18
Lois Coover .................. April 21
Richard Knause ............ April 21
Charles Cramer ............. April 22
Janet Baker .................... April 25
Grace Brandt ................ April 25
Anna Mary Eberly........ April 29
Bill Etter ........................ May 2
Jean McAfee ................. May 5
Milt Dougherty ............. May 8
Walter Seeney ............... May 9
Annabel Elder .............. May 10
Jane Gunder .................. May 11
Paul Cramer .................. May 12
Grace Gensler............... May 12
Special Anniversaries
♥
♥
♥
♥
Elvin & Charlotte Hess married 55 years on April 10
Bill & June Henschke married 73 years on April 21
Dean & Marty Otto married 52 years on April 21
Don & Kay Heiges married 57 years on April 26
Addresses of these
members can be found in
the Church Directory.
PAGE 12
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Church Staff
PASTOR
Rev. Michael Minnix
ASSOCIATE PASTOR*
Rev. Dr. David Reed
YOUTH PASTOR
Lisa Aronson
ADULT MINISTRIES*
Tina Eaton
DIRECTORS OF CHILDREN’S MINISTRY*
Dawn Fisher
George Canonizado
CONGREGATIONAL CARE*
Janice Bowen
OFFICE MANAGER
Kristin Brown
FACILITIES COORDINATOR*
Roger Walton
CUSTODIANS*
George Canonizado
Matthew Miller
FIRST NEWS FIRST
Editor: Kristin Brown
The May newsletter deadline is April 15.
FINANCE DIRECTOR*
Nancy Robinson
DIRECTOR OF MUSIC/SANCTUARYCHOIR*
Jody Brinley
ORGANISTS*
Nicholas Werner
ORGANIST/YOUTH CHOIR/
SOUNDS OF WORSHIP CHOIR*
Gail Leinhos
BELL CHOIRS*
Kathie Bittenbender
Jon Snyder
INVOCATION/JUNIOR CHOIR*
Allison Ometz
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS*
Lorette Cale
*PART-TIME
All submissions should be received in the church office
on or before this date. Early submissions are always
welcome!