Welcome to the Family!

WELCOME to First Church!  We hope that you will want to be a part of all that we have planned for kids and families and that you will invite your friends to come with you.  We are excited about our schedule of activities and events, from Sunday School and weekday programs to special events throughout the year. A great bunch of volunteers have signed on to make things fun for all. 

CHILDREN'S SUNDAY SCHOOL PROGRAM

8:15 AM
  Nursery care for Infants through 4 year olds in Room 155

9:30 AM
Nursery care and Sunday School for children through 5th grade

11:00 AM
Nursery care for babies, toddlers, and 2 year olds in Room 155. Children 3 years old (as of Dec. 1, 2007)  through 3rd grade begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment.  3s, 4s, and Kindergartners are grouped together and 1st-3rd graders are grouped together.  4th and 5th graders meet in the Children's Center for God's Kids Youth Group

5:00 PM
Nursery for Infants through Two year olds in Room 155
3 and 4 year olds (by Dec. 1, 2006) through 3rd graders begin in worship, then go to classes following the children's moment. 
 

A taste of God
FaithWeavers Lesson for February 24

People who lived in Jesus’ time traveled to wells to get water for drinking, cooking, and washing. They brought jars to the well, filled them with water, and carried them home balanced on their heads.   One day Jesus was sitting beside a well.  A woman of Samaria came to fill her water jar.  Jesus asked her for a drink of water and started to talk with her.  The woman was surprised for two reasons.  First, because she was a woman and wasn’t used to having anyone notice her. Most of the time men treated women as servants and ignored them.  Second, she was a Samaritan and people from Judea didn’t like people from Samaria.  But Jesus spoke kindly to her.  The woman was amazed to learn that Jesus knew all about her life.  He told her about having a relationship with God and how much better life is when you know and worship God.  He said that having a relationship with God is like “living water.” The Samaritan woman was so excited, she told everyone what Jesus had said.  Think about all the good things water brings to our bodies -- and it will give you an idea of what Jesus says God brings to our spirits. What would you say about Jesus to someone?

3rd Week of Lent

Lent is a special time when Christians get ready to celebrate Easter.  Lent begins on Ash Wednesday and lasts 40 days plus 6 Sundays.  It is a time to think about Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection; a time to study Jesus’ teachings, and a time think of ways to be more like Jesus.  Each week we will tell you about some of the ways people use Lent to become closer to Jesus. 

Compassion
Compassion is caring and being concerned about others.  It means looking outside of ourselves, feeling sad when someone is hurting or hungry or afraid.  During his life on earth Jesus showed compassion for people, and wanted his followers to feel compassion, too.  But he wants us to do more than feel compassion for people.  He wants us to DO something for those who suffer.  Living a Christian life means sharing our gifts with others.  It means caring for all of God’s creation.  We can show compassion by making friends with someone who is lonely, writing a note to someone in the hospital, helping at a soup kitchen or even supporting an animal shelter.  Living simply and giving money to charity instead of buying something for ourselves is a way to show compassion.  Praying for people in countries where there is war or for people in prison is a way of showing we care for others, too.  Can you think of others?

 SIGN UP TODAY FOR THE FAMILY WORK CAMP

Families of all ages are invited to be a part of the  Family Work Camp experience the week after Easter.  Join the Ralstons, Stones, Nelsons, Hamels, Uleps, Gerwolls, Wahls, Mary Feldmaier, Jan Mistele, and Susan Ives at Camp Lael, where Choir Camp takes place during the summer.  A variety of projects and activities will give each member of the family meaningful work to do.  Cost is $250 per family, which includes meals and lodging for the five days.  Deadline for signing up is February 25. Flyers are available outside the Children’s Ministry office For information call 248.646.6407 ext. 3124.

The Lenten Dinner is on Thursday, February 28

Everyone is invited to have dinner and enjoy a great storytelling experience!  Dinner will be served at 6:30 -- sign up with one of the hostesses--Jan Mistele, Laura Dickerson, and Susan Ives extend a special invitation to families with elementary children to join them for dinner in the Children’s Center. The program will begin at 7:30 and will feature Ray Buckley, a nationally known Native American writer and master storyteller.  Nursery care is available for babies and toddlers, and children in preschool through 5th grade who do not attend the program are invited to sign up for children’s activities, featuring crafts and an interpretation of some of Jesus’ parables by Rev. Jeff Nelson.

PANCAKE BREAKFAST KICK-OFF FOR HABITAT FOR HUMANITY

Plan to have breakfast at church on Sunday, March 2 at the Habitat Pancake Breakfast.  Covered Wagon Catering will be serving from  8:30 am to 11:30 am.  It’s “all you can eat” so plan to eat lots of pancakes, sausages and applesauce.  Cost is $8 for adults, $5 for children 3-12 years old, or $20 for the whole family. 

              First United Methodist Church
 PRESCHOOL AND ENRICHMENT PROGRAM
 A great place to learn!
Our church’s Preschool and Enrichment Program is taking registrations for next September.   Since 1959 our program has provided a great first school experience in a Christian setting.  If you know of parents who are looking for preschools for their little ones, please tell them about our program.