1. family and parenting
2. children

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Volume 37, Issue 3
M arc h 201 5
From Sara’s Heart
By Rev. Sara McKinley
Inside this issue:
Welcome, Krista! In an act of faith, First
From Sara’s Heart continued
Preschool Director Hired
2
UMC has hired a full time Director of
Children's Ministries, Krista Cunningham,
effective March 1, 2015. This is an act of faith
because there are currently only an average
of 2 children who attend Sunday School
weekly, and about 6-10 who attend Children's
Church which follows the Children's Chat at
the 10:55 service. Our Wednesday evening
children's choir program is being moved to
Sundays during the 10:55 worship service to
coincide with Children's Church twice a
month, for lack of participation in the Choir
and Bible Club programming Wednesday
afternoons. But we have decided to act as if
the promise is true that God intends to bless
Krista Cunningham
the work of this church as it reaches out to the
Director of Children’s Ministry
Duckpond Community, especially to reach
At First UMC, Gainesville
children and their families. The church
committed to hiring a full time Children's Director back in December 2014, when
setting its budget for 2015, by asking the congregation to increase their pledges
for this year from $575,000 in 2014 to $610,000 in 2015. You, the faithful
members of this church, accepted the challenge to fund our Children's Ministries
and to increase our support of the New Creation Contemporary Worship Service,
having made financial pledges in excess of our $610,000 goal! Thank you for your
faithful support that makes this decision possible.
Thoughts from David
3
Young at Heart Fellowship
New Creation Worship
4
United Methodist Women
5
Spring Arts Festival
6
Holy Week Schedule
7
FUMPers
8
La Mosa Trip
9
We are so delighted to have Krista join our church staff. Krista is a single mother
with two small children, Clayton, aged 5, and Tatum who is 3. They have already
found a home at the New Creation service, the Children's Sunday School Kid's City
(Continued on page 2)
1
Family Promise
Youth Fundraiser
Music Notes
10
Christian Education
Lenten Lunch & Program
11
Renovation Boutique
12
Calendar and Special Events
13
Celebrations
14
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
class and our Tiny Town nursery,
respectively. Krista comes to us
from Trinity UMC, having gone
through the children's ministries
there and having sung in their
Sonlight youth choir. She has
been holding down several jobs
as the After School Coordinator at
Boulware Springs Charter School,
a VPK Teacher and Front Desk
Receptionist at O2B Kids, and a
Customer Service/Cashier at
Publix, while going to school in
Krista , Clayton (5) and the evenings for her Bachelor of
Tatum (3) Cunningham
Science degree in Elementary
Education at St. Leo University which she will complete
in December of this year. She has her associate’s
degree from Santa Fe College in 2008, and graduated
from Buchholz High School in 2006. Krista also has
experience as a VPK teacher, an after school counselor
at Little Rainbows Learning Center in Lake Butler, and as
preschool teacher here in Gainesville. She has been a
Summer Time Fun teacher and a Children’s Ministries
Intern at Trinity UMC during her high school years. Her
volunteer experience is impressive. Please join me in
welcoming Krista to this challenging position of growing
our children's ministries here at First Church. Help
spread the word on Facebook and among your friends
and family that we have a new Children's Director and
that exciting things are about to happen here! We are
incredibly grateful to Amy Watson who held this
position for two and half years, while also juggling her
responsibilities as the Director of our half day FUMPers
Preschool program. Also tremendous thanks go to
Lyvonne Johnson who has been filling in as our interim
Children's Director since the middle of January. Lyvonne
had applied for the Children's Director position, so it is
a real testimony to her moral character that Lyvonne
has offered to assist Krista as she becomes acquainted
with her new responsibilities. I am also sure that Amy
will offer her expertise and wealth of knowledge from
her experience as Children's Director. It is my hope that
each of you will take the time to introduce yourself to
Krista and offer your assistance as we seek to grow
these important ministries to children and their families
here at First Church. Welcome aboard, Krista! We are
so glad to have you, Clayton and Tatum as part of our
First Church family!
With the love of Christ,
Pastor Sara
New Pre sc hool Dire c tor Hir e d
By Sara McKinley
We are very pleased to announce that Sabrina
Campbell Peoples has been hired as our new full time
FUMpers Preschool Director effective March 16, 2015.
Sabrina has worked as a preschool, middle school and
high school teacher and has held a variety of positions
in child welfare. She has worked at Kids R' Kids Daycare
in Alpharetta, GA as a 3 year old and 4 year old teacher
having experience with infants, toddlers and after
school programs. She has most recently been working
as a Contract Review Specialist with the Department of
Children and Families (DCF). Sabrina has experience as
an ESE Teacher at a Juvenile Detention Center; was a
teacher at Westwood Middle School, Howard Bishop
Middle School and Eastside High School; a Recruitment,
Retention and Licensing Coordinator at Kids Central,
Inc; and an Adoptions Supervisor, Dependency
Supervisor, Court Liaison, Lead Family Care Manager,
and Family Services Counselor for the Children's Home
Society and DCF. She has certifications in Professional
Education ESE-K12, Child Protection Professional
Employee and MAPP Leadership. Sabrina has her
Bachelor of Science degree in Business Economics from
Florida A&M University and is a long standing member
of Mount Pleasant United Methodist Church.
Sabrina will be available for a meet and greet with the
Preschool parents on Monday, March 16 from 8am
onwards for coffee and donuts, and there will be an
open house luncheon on Wednesday, March 18, at 12
noon in the Preschool for all parents, family members
and teachers hosted by our church staff.
Initially, we have planned a two week overlap for a
transition period between Amy Watson and Sabrina
Peoples, but we will assess this on a weekly basis to see
if any additional overlap time is needed to ensure a
smooth transition of responsibilities. We will also be
planning to celebrate Amy's 12-year ministry with the
preschool once the exact transition time has been
determined. I am sure you will want to join the church
staff, preschool staff and parents and families of our
(Continued on page 3)
2
THE MESSENGER
preschoolers as we celebrate Amy's ministry. Please
watch for details in the worship bulletins, the weekly
Constant Contact emails and our website.
ever-loving teachers are all planning to be back for next
school year along with some new teachers who will staff
the afternoon program.
This is an exciting time at our preschool as we transition
from a half day only program to also offering a full day
7:30 - 5:30 pm option. Please spread the word that
enrollment is open and our well qualified, long standing,
Please join me in welcoming Sabrina to our staff team!
With the love of Christ,
Pastor Sara
T houg hts from Dav id
By Pastor David Averill
very spiritual about walking, and looking for God's
presence in a particular area. Additionally, we can let our
neighbors in the Duck Pond neighborhood know who we
are as a church through walking. If you would like to
participate, please give me a call or email me.
Dear First Church,
I don't know about you, but I look forward to Lent. Often,
the thought of fasting and self-examination can take on a
somber tone in the church. I prefer to think of Lent as
more of a spiritual "Spring-cleaning". A chance to
readjust priorities, and to renew our relationship with
God and each other. I think it is helpful to balance the
ideas of repentance and renewal when approaching Lent.
You may have heard me speak recently about the "Fresh
Expressions" movement, and its focus on bringing the
church into the
community. This
is one place
where I believe
that God is calling
First Church
towards in this season of preparation called Lent. A
couple of events are planned that will help us prepare for
renewal and rediscovery as a church.
The second event
is the Easter Egg
Hunt on Saturday,
April 4th in Roper
Park, 9 - 11 am.
You may have
heard about this
event. Many have
signed up to volunteer, but we still need more
volunteers. I have a list of specific roles that need to be
filled. They include the following:











The first one is a prayer walk through the Duck Pond
neighborhood on Saturday, March 28, 9 - 11 am. The
purpose of a prayer walk is to pray for an area of town,
and to get to
know, as a
church, a
particular
part of town
better. Think
about how
much walking
Jesus did in his ministry. Then, think about how many
people he encountered in his walks. There is something
Publicity
Door hangers
Easter Bunny
Photographers
Setting up
Hiding Eggs
Game Stations
Making Breakfast
Registration
Packing up
Follow-up with families
Please consider volunteering for one of these roles.
Happy Spring cleaning!
Grace and Peace,
David
3
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
Young at Hear t Fe llow ship
By Diane Loyless
There are still rooms available for the Camp Weed
Retreat October 2-4 2015. Single rooms are $260.00
and double rooms are $ 160.00. That price includes
meals and study materials. See
Next Meeting
Mary Broske to make reservations.
The Birthday greetings were for
March
8,
2015
5:30
pm
You can pay in full or make partial
Joan VanWinkle and Buddy Wise.
Bethany Room
payments at this time. Full
Our concerns were for Barbara
The
Hostesses
payment must be made by
Cooper, Carl Bogar, Dr. Harold
Robert Cooper & Barbara Bundshuk
September.
Henderson, and Shirley Vogt.
Devotion
Joyce Knox
Mary Singley led a devotion on
Ole Nelson returned to do his
Program
lonliness from the book Devotion
power point program that he was
Robert Cooper
for any Occasion. The story was on
unable to do last month due to a
The
Mission
Project
the different types of loneliness we
malfunction of the bulb in the
Helping Hands Women’s Clinic
can face in our lifetime and how we
projector. It was on our 2014 Camp
can overcome it for ourselves and
Weed Retreat. He did a narrative
Come
join
us
for
a
good
time.
how to reach out to others that
along with the pictures he was
might be lonely also.
showing. It was fun to go back
down memory lane and see what a good time we all
$55.00 was collected for the Boy Scouts.
had.
Shirley Vogt welcomed 16 people to the dinner and
thanked Trudy Harris and Diane Loyless for being the
hostesses.
New Creation Wor ship Continue s to Grow
By Lenora Rousseau
New life is springing up at New
Creation Worship
well as Gabrielle Rousseau and Patrick Howard. Each
week, several of youth share their gifts and passion for
music by singing or playing with praise team, and we
are thankful that Patrick has also been learning how to
assist in running in the media.
Great things are happening in
the New Creation Worship
service. In addition to the many
new faces that have joined us for
worship over the past several
weeks, we are excited to
welcome Bradley Miller to the
Lenora Rousseau
worship praise team. Bradley is
one of our newest staff
members, and joins the First UMC team as an
instrumentalist for the New Creation Worship service.
Bradley is a gifted electric guitarist who has been using
his talent to help enhance our New Creation Worship
experience. We are thrilled that over the past couple
months several of the youth have sung the offering
song as a solo or duet, including Leeann Howard, as
During Lent, we are focusing on a new series
called Unshackled – Finding Freedom in Exodus. The
series just started this past week and will continue
throughout Lent as we journey with the Israelites into
the wilderness to discover what it means to more fully
become the people God created us to be. Everyone is
welcome in this service! So come, join us for an
interactive experience that is rooted in Scripture as we
seek to discover how our stories intersect with the
Biblical witness, and what that means for us as the
people of God today. Coffee and donuts are waiting for
you, so consider joining us Sundays at 9:45 am in the
Chapel, and bring a friend!
4
THE MESSENGER
Unite d Method ist Wome n
By Margaret Steptoe
Our Purpose
United Methodist Women shall be a community of women whose
PURPOSE is to know God and to experience freedom as whole persons
through Jesus Christ; to develop a creative, supportive fellowship and
to expand concepts of mission through participation in the global
ministries of the church.
March 3
Daytime Circle
No meeting, plan to attend the Study
Circle 5
7:00 pm Joyce Knox, 1326 NE 7th Street
March 10
Circle 6
5:45 pm Conference Room
THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
A Mission Study sponsored by United Methodist Women
Open to our Church Family
This study is to build awareness in the church regarding issues around disability, to call the church to provide full
accessibility to services and opportunities, and promote advocacy for justice for people with disabilities
DO YOU NEED
DO YOU HAVE A
DO YOU USE A
DOES OUR CHURCH MAKE IT EASY FOR YOU TO SEE THE BULLETIN, THE
ANNOUNCEMENTS, AND THE HYMNS?
DOES OUR CHURCH HAVE A GOOD SOUND SYSTEM OR ENHANCED HEARING
AIDS FOR YOUR USE?
OR A
IS OUR CHURCH EASILY
ACCESSIBLE TO YOU?
IS THERE ROOM FOR YOUR
WALKER OR WHEELCHAIR?
OR A
COME AND LEARN ABOUT
THE CHURCH AND PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES
March 7, 9:30 am – 1:30 pm, Bethany Room
5
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
S pring Ar ts Fe stival 2 01 5
By Lynda Knight
volunteer to help with one of the First Church stations
or if you would be willing to be a host
In Epworth Hall, the Sanctuary or
Fellowship to show people around and
share our church's rich history, please
contact Lynda Knight (317-5755
or [email protected]), and she
will be glad to sign you up!
SAVE THE DATES...
Saturday, April 11 and Sunday, April 12
Let's take First Church outside for all to see and know
about!
Whether you are working at
one of the First Church
stations, just perusing the
festival or attending Sunday
worship, we want all
members to wear your
RED First Church shirts
throughout the weekend.
Dress casual on Sunday!
Wear your jeans and First
Church shirt as we show our
hospitality and presence to
all the festival goers.
If you don't have a RED polo/t-shirt, you may purchase
one from the office during the
week or at the table outside
after Church. Special thanks to
Trisha Eccles for coordinating
the ordering and selling of the
shirts! The shirts are $10 each
and are available in men's,
women's, youth and children's
sizes.
Please don't stay away on Sunday because of the
parking and traffic. Let's pack our Sanctuary and show
people what a wonderful place we have to worship in
downtown Gainesville. Parking is available in our back
parking lot for the Sunday worship services as well as in
the surrounding neighborhood. After church, support
our youth by having lunch with them in Fellowship Hall
before enjoying the festival or helping at one of our First
Church stations.
There will be lots happening on our campus this year,
with a variety of fun and delicious foods, a bounce
house for the kids and
numerous musical
presentations on both
Saturday and Sunday.
Among other things, Boy
Scouts will be selling funnel
cakes and popcorn; Cub
Scouts will be selling coupon
discount cards; Girl Scouts
will be selling their famous
cookies; our FUMC youth
will be operating their Cafe
inside of Fellowship Hall
while cooking their burgers
and hot dogs on the front
lawn; Missions will be
showing hospitality by
providing free water,
gatorade and a shady spot
to take a rest; and FUMPers
will have their Sweet Shop
of bake goods and craft
activities for the children.
First Street will be closed
between NW 8th Avenue and
NW 2nd Street. On Saturday and
Sunday afternoon, the parking
lot behind Bell and Epworth Halls
will be available for a $5
donation with funds benefitting
the music program.
Check the April newsletter for a
full schedule of First Church
activities for the festival weekend. In the meantime, get
your shirt and signup to help with one of the First
Church activities.
If you would like to
6
THE MESSENGER
First United Methodist Church
419 NE First Street  Gainesville, Florida
(352) 372-8523  www.fumgnv.org
March 29 through April 5, 2105
Maundy
Thursday
Thursday, April 2
Palm Sunday
Sunday, March 29
8:25, 9:45 and 10:55 am Worship
5:30 pm - Fellowship Hall
The Lord’s Supper….
Join us for a Christian Seder.
Good
Friday
Requiem
Neighborhood
Easter Egg Hunt
By John Rutter
Presented by
The Chancel Choir, Soloists
and Orchestra
And breakfast in the park
Saturday, April 4
9:00 am - Roper Park
Friday, April 3
6:30 pm - Sanctuary
Easter Sunday
Sunday, April 5
8:25, 9:45 &
10:55 am Worship
Children’s Egg Hut during
Sunday School hour.
7
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
FUMPer s
By Amy C. Watson
FUMPers
CELEBRATED CHINESE NEW YEAR
ON FEB 20TH
Our Big Dogs Class had a parade with costumes and noise makers to celebrate the year of
the ram honoring our FUMPers families from Asia.
GET READY!
SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL IS JUST AROUND THE CORNER
OUR BIG FUNDRAISING EVENT – WE NEED YOUR HELP!!!
FUMPers will be hosting our annual baked goods booth during the Spring Arts Festival on April 11th and 12h.
Please consider one or both of the following ways in which you may lend your support during our fundraiser:
 Bake a batch of your favorite baked goods for us to sell
 Come and make purchases at the booth during the festival
For the past few years we had tremendous response from the church family during this event – I have great hope
for yet another repeat performance!
Baked goods can be brought to my office in Bell Hall at your convenience the week before the sale or directly to
the booth on the days of the sale.
Thank you so much for your time and baking skills,
Amy C. Watson
Director, First United Methodist Preschool
8
THE MESSENGER
La Moza Mission Tr ip
By Gilberto Gonzalez and Sarah Kelly
Sarah and I had the opportunity to
visit our sister church of La Moza in
Cuba this past January. After a
short flight from Tampa, we arrived
in Santa Clara Cuba where we were
received by pastors Tanya and
Tania, Isaide, Sarah, Gilberto,
Superintendent Marcio
and his wife and child
Isaide. The drive to la Moza was
relatively short, maybe only 40
minutes form the Santa Clara
airport. As we entered the little
town of La Moza, we could smell
the fresh air of the rural
countryside accompanied by the
sound of laughter and common talk
from the town folks.
During our first day in La Moza, we
got to experience the culture and
La Moza Church Leaders Council
activities our sister church provides
to the community of La Moza. The
church provides prayer
intercessions and contemporary
services throughout the day, which
allow members to take part in
church activities at a time that is
convenient to them. The services at
La Moza church are delivered in a
contemporary worship style.
Through music, dancing, and even
dramatizations, our brothers and
sisters from La Moza use their
unique and collective talents to
praise God and thank him for all
blessing.
Everyone in La Moza was so
welcoming and thankful for our
arrival that at the end of the visit,
it became really hard to want to
return home. We spent an entire
week getting to know the members
Teen, Youth, and
Young Adults Ministries
of the church. We learned their
stories; we heard their testimonies
of faith. We go to learn how much
the church in La Moza had changed
their lives and it was truly a worldchanging experience.
If I had to pick one thing that
impacted us from this trip, then the
unconditional faith our brothers
and sisters share with the
community and each other is first
on the list. Their faith is
immeasurable; they are truly an
example of what is true love and
caring. The members of the church
give and help the community with
everything and anything they can
9
and have. It does not matter how
little they own, but if it will help
someone in need they are willing to
give it all out of love and the
goodness in their heart.
Maintaining the relationship
between FUMC and our sister
Methodist Men Ministry
church of La Moza is of the highest
importance. Our visit allowed us to
witness first hand, how our sister
church operates and goes through
its daily routines and activities. We
learned of their needs and how
potentially we could take the next
step in improving the relationship
between our churches. I believe
that we accomplished part of our
goal, which was to strengthen that
relationship. Now, the time has
come to work on making the other
half of that goal a reality, it is time
to work on making that relationship
grow and flourish.
La Moza Children's Ministry
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
Family Promise
By Kim Hasko
The highly acclaimed a cappella
Concordia Choir from Moorhead,
Minnesota, will present a free concert
at the First Presbyterian Church, 300
SW Second Avenue, in Gainesville, on
Tuesday, March, 3, 2015, at 7:30 pm. A
concert offering will be taken, all of
which will benefit Family Promise of
Gainesville. The concert will include folk songs,
spirituals and hymns along with other selections.
plan for continuing revenue, and a budget has been
prepared for the year. The Board is beginning the
search for an Executive Director with hopes to hire
within 30-45 days. Depending on how plans continue to
develop, the doors could open to intake families
sometime in the spring or early summer. Please
continue to pray for the renewal of this interfaith
program to help homeless families with children in our
community to regain independence in a permanent
home of their own.
Good news! The Family Promise Board and teams are
Many Blessings!
moving forward in meeting the goals to be met to
Sally Cravens, Key Coordinator, (352) 378-7827 & Jim &
reestablish the program in Gainesvillle. The Fund
Kim Hasko, Co-Coordinators, (352) 281-2496
Development team has raised the basic $50,000, have a
Youth Fundraiser
By Sarah Kelly
On Sunday, February 22, the
youth sponsored a ‘Breakfast in
a Cup’ fundraiser for Imagine
No Malaria. Our goal was 25
nets. We actually raised
$390.00 which will provide the
funds for 39 families to receive
their mosquito nets. It doesn’t
sound like much, but
considering that an average of
4-5 people sleep under one net,
we are, in all practical purposes, saving 175 individuals
from the totally preventable disease of malaria. Thank
you to everyone who participated either by purchasing a
‘breakfast in a cup’ or by making a one time donation.
Your efforts are greatly appreciated.
If you missed the opportunity to donate, this mission
project is ongoing, so you can make your donation
anytime throughout the year. For more info, please visit
the website http//www.imaginenomalaria.com.
Music Notes
By Robert Jackson
In 2014, a sizable gift was received from the estate of Gene Oliver
Caldwell from his daughter, Kathy Caldwell, for the Music Ministry
here at First UMC in memory of her father and to honor her mother’s
(Flo) current involvement in the music ministry here. Kathy stated
that her dad was an avid musician, playing his clarinet in many
venues and types of ensembles. His favorite place to play, however,
was in his UM Church’s music ministry, whether it be youth or elderly
outreach or as part of the Sunday morning worship services. With
the approval of the memorial committee and guidance from Dick Hord,
member and resident percussionist, we are happy to present the latest
addition to our music ministry instruments - three brand new Yamaha
Tympani. You can be assured these fine instruments will be used often and
will greatly add to our Sunday morning and seasonal worship experiences.
Thank you to the Caldwell family for this generous and humbling gift.
10
THE MESSENGER
Christian Educ ation O ppor tunitie s S pr ing 2 01 5
By Pastor David Averill
The offerings for the Weekday Study Groups are listed below. Courses began on January 7th,
unless otherwise noted. The Fellowship Supper will be at 5:30 pm and the group sessions will begin
immediately after (approx. 6:15 pm). Classes are open to all even if you did not pre-register.
You will have the opportunity to purchase course materials at the class. The cost for course materials will
vary. Please note that we will also offer studies on Tuesday and Thursday nights in the Spring.
1. Encountering Jesus: Gospel of Mark (ongoing), Bell Hall, RM #B106, Wednesdays, 6:15 pm
Leader: Rev. Sara McKinley
2. Disciple Fast Track: New Testament, pt. 2 (continuing)
Bell Hall, RM #B112, Wednesdays, 6:15 pm
Leaders: Dan and Kay Greathouse, $30 per book
3. Wired Word: Bible’s Take on Current Events (ongoing)
TUESDAYS, Bell Hall, RM # B112, 4 pm
Leader: Rev. Bill Yeager
4. Christianity and Islam (continues through March 12)
Location, Day & Time: Day: Epworth Hall, Conference RM #E107, Wednesdays, 6:15 pm
Leaders: Rev. David Averill and Dr. Jim Knight, $3 per book
5. Those Seven References: A Study of 7 References to Homosexuality in the Bible
(continues through March 19)
Location, Day & Time: Bethany Room, Thursdays, 5:30 - 6:45 pm,
Leaders: Pastor Sara, Tim Leslie, and others,
$17 per book or Kindle versions are available for $4.99
Le nte n Lunc h and Progr am
By Pastor David Averill
As part of our Lenten observance this year we will be offering a Lenten Luncheon
(instead of the early breakfasts) with a brief program on Tuesday’s from 12:00 - 1:00 pm in
the Fellowship Hall. There is no cost to the luncheon, but donations will be accepted to
help defray the food cost. Luncheon preparers and servers are also needed. Please contact
Robert Jackson to volunteer.
The program will be based on the book He Set His Face To Jerusalem by Richard Wilke.
Topics will include the following:
Mar 3 - Face Our Choices - Mary Broske
Mar 10 - Face Our World - David Averill/Sarah Kelly
Mar 17 - Face Our Faith - Doug Kirk
Mar 24 - Face Our Lord - Sara McKinley
11
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
S pring Ar ts Re novation Booth
By Mary Kilgour
DONATE YOUR TALENT
TO THE RENOVATION BOUTIQUE
WE ARE LOOKING FOR ARTS & CRAFT PRODUCTS
TO SELL DURING THE SPRING ARTS FESTIVAL. IF
YOU HAVE A HOBBY THAT PRODUCES ITEMS THAT
MIGHT SELL AT A BOOTH INSIDE FELLOWSHIP
HALL DURING THE FESTIVAL, PLEASE CONSIDER
DONATING THEM.
WE ARE ALSO LOOKING FOR DONATIONS OF
JEWELRY, HOUSEHOLD OBJECTS D’ART AND
VOLUNTEERS TO STAFF THE BOOTH.
ALL PROCEEDS WILL GO TOWARD REDUCING THE DEBT FROM THE FELLOWSHIP
HALL RENOVATION.
CONTACT MARY KILGOUR AT [email protected] or 380-0162.
S er v ice Opp or tunitie s at Fir st UMC
By Rev. Sara McKinley
Nursery and Children's Ministry Volunteers
Do you like rocking babies and playing with toddlers?
We need you in our Tiny Town nursery! Please contact
our Head Nursery Attendant Monique Roberg.
Are you willing to stand outside the front door of
Epworth Hall on Sunday mornings between 9:30 10:00 or 10:30 -11:00 am to welcome and direct
families with children to either our Tiny Town Nursery
in Epworth Hall or our Kid's City Children's Ministries
upstairs in Bell Hall?
Are you interested and willing to join our
Children's Chat Team proving a brief 3-5 minute
message for the children in our 10:55 worship service?
Or teach our children in Children's Church when they
leave the 10:55 worship service after the children's
chat?
If you are interested in any of these service
opportunities please contact Pastor Sara at 954-8737825 or [email protected] or Muffet Emmanuel
at 352-665-1758 or [email protected].
12
THE MESSENGER
MARCH CALENDAR AND SPECIAL EVENTS
WEEKLY CALENDAR
SUNDAYS
8:25 am Service of Holy Communion
9:45 am Sunday School Classes
G.A.P (Graduates and Professionals)
New Creation Worship - Chapel
10:55 am Morning Worship Service
11:15 am Kid’s City Experience
11:00 am Youth Small Group
5:00 pm Young at Heart Fellowship (2nd Sunday)
5:00 pm Youth HQ
MONDAYS
1:30 pm Community Outreach Ministry
2:30 pm Helping Hands Clothing Closet
3:30 pm Helping Hands Meal
4:00 pm Helping Hands Communion Service
5:00 pm Helping Hands Clinic
5:30 pm Worship Committee (2nd Monday)
6:15 pm Girl Scouts (various times)
7:00 pm Boy Scouts
TUESDAYS
10:00 am UMW Meeting - Bethany Room
12:00 pm Lenten Lunch & Program
2:00 pm Staff Meeting - Bethany Room
4:00 pm Wired Word Bible Study (Bethany Room)
5:00 pm Stewardship Committee (2nd Tuesday)
Missions Outreach (4th Tuesday)
6:00 pm Trustee Committee (1st Tuesday )
Finance Committee (2nd Tuesday)
SPR Committee (3rd Tuesday)
Church Council (4th Tuesday)
7:00 pm Wired Word Bible Study (The Village)
Sun
Mon Tue Wed
Youth Praise Band
Fellowship Dinner
Instrumental Ensemble rehearsal
Christian Education Classes
Chancel Choir rehearsal
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3
4
5
8
9
10
11
12 13 14
16 17 18
22 23 24 25
19 20 21
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PALM
SUNDAY
Community Outreach Ministry
Lunch Bunch (1st & 2nd Thursdays)
Helping Hands Women’s Clinic
Those Seven References in the Bible
Celebration Ringers rehearsal
30 31
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7
26 27 28
MAUNDY
GOOD
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
SPECIAL EVENTS
March 1
March 3
March 5
March 8
March15
March 22
THURSDAYS
9:30 pm
12:00 pm
3:00 pm
5:30 pm
6:30 pm
Fri Sat
1
WEDNESDAYS
4:30 pm
5:30 pm
6:00 pm
6:15 pm
7:00 pm
Thu
March 24
March 29
FRIDAYS
9:00 am Parents’ Morning Out
SATURDAYS
5:00 pm Parents’ Night Out (3rd Saturday)
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2nd Sunday in Lent
8:25 am - Service of Holy Communion
9:45 am - New Creation Worship
10:55 am - Service of Holy Communion
10:00 am - United Methodist Women’s Meeting
8:00 am - Senior Trip to Strawberry Festival
3rd Sunday in Lent
8:25 am - Service of Holy Communion
9:45 am - New Creation Worship
10:55 am - Worship Service
4th Sunday in Lent
8:25 am - Service of Holy Communion
9:45 am - New Creation Worship
10:55 am - Worship Service
5th Sunday in Lent
8:25 am - Service of Holy Communion
9:45 am - New Creation Worship
10:55 am - Worship Service
2:00 pm - Averill Baby Shower - Fellowship Hall
10:00 am - UMW Executive Board
6th Sunday in Lent
8:25 am - Service of Holy Communion
9:45 am - New Creation Worship
10:55 am - Worship Service
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 419 NE FIRST STREET, GAINESVILLE, FLORID A 32601
Ce lebrations
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2
3
5
Michele Gabbard
Ed Hoffmann
Nancy Tompkins
Harvey Ward
Jodie Driver
Juli Tedeschi
Kim Gauthier
Leeann Howard
H Fleming Montgomery
Jim Nation
Patty Crass
Sarah Evans
Loredona Frana
Rachael Jordan
Betty Skelton
6
7
8
9
11
12
14
15
John Todd
Valerie Walters
Sophia Miller
Susan Parrish
Ryan Thompson
Ann Warne
Billie Bob Sykes
Amy Watson
George Emmanuel
Kierman Clark
Mary Couch
Shirley Thompson
Lia Ponciano-Diaz
Kathleen Olson
Larry Shaw
March
March
March
March
March
5
10
15
25
30
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16 Dustin Adams
Paige Baker
Mala Lawrence
17 Debra Dee Lancaster
19 Annette Verschaeve
22 Jayden Kosiewska
23 Marcela Diaz Zamora
Pattie Thompson
24 Sean Eccles
Linda Gardner
24 Quinn Largay
25 Lori Thompson
26 Kirby Barrick
Lauren Tolentino
Maddie Ward
27 Ty Byron, III
Cec Morse
Peggy Van Winkle
28 Trisha Eccles
John Galm
29 Haley Humphrey
John Myers
30 Colene Cone
Christine Hall
Michael & Tammy Howard
Scott & Elizabeth Griseck
Ben & Lauren (Wise) Gorman
David & Alesia Averill
Mark & Jennifer MacEwan
Phone: 352-372-8523
Fax: 352-372-2524
E-mail: [email protected]
ALL ARTICLES FOR THE MESSENGER SHOULD BE EMAILED TO BJ @ [email protected]
NO LATER THAN THE 20TH OF EACH MONTH.
FUMC has gone green! You may view the Messenger online each month at the church website, www.fumcgnv.org instead
of receiving a printed and mailed copy. An email will be sent to you when the newsletter is ready to view. If you would
like to participate in this effort to conserve paper and postage, please contact the church office at 372-8523 or email [email protected] and provide us with your e-mail address. A limited number of copies will be printed and mailed
for those who do not have internet access. Please contact the church office to request a copy.
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