Mission Statement To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. THE PASTOR S PAGE

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1 March 2017 First United Methodist Church of Wabash, Indiana F I R S T E D I T I O N Mission Statement To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our Covenant Together: Love. Lead. Teach. Transform. THE PASTOR S PAGE 110 N. Cass Street, Wabash, IN The first day of March is the first day of Lent this year. Lent is an important time of the Christian year. We focus ourselves on the grace of God. If we are intentional, we position ourselves for spiritual growth. We do this through pledging ourselves to spiritual disciplines. This year there are two options I invite you to. There are a plethora of other options, there are just two we are doing as a congregation. First, please join me in reading through the gospel of Matthew. I just found NT Wright s Lent for Everyone book as a reading plan on the YouVersion Bible app. Or, you can buy the book on Amazon or Alibris.com. Or you can just follow along reading the Bible passages listed in the bulletin and on Facebook every week. Doing this together as a congregation will give you the opportunity to mature in your understanding of the Story God is telling while helping you make connections with others in the congregation. There will also be a group conversation offered at the 9 a.m. hour for anyone who wants to attend. I pray you take the opportunity. You will be blessed if you do. Another option is the 40 bags in 40 days Elizabeth mentions in her article. Reducing clutter-without replacing it-can be a holy experience. We renounce the American proclivity to the worship of stuff. We confess our need for simplicity. We declare dependence on God-- and not our goods-- to get us through. I pray whatever you engage the Spirit and the path of Christ whatever you choose to do. Shalom, Rev. Kurt Senior Pastor Rev. Kurt Freeman Pastor of Visitation Rev. John Cook office.wabfirstumc@cinergymetro.net Phone: (260) FAX: (260)

2 Fish and Tenderloin Fundraiser Kids First Children s Ministry and Wesley Academy Preschool are hosting an All You Can Eat Dan s Fish Fry and Tenderloin dinner on Friday, March 17 from 4:30-7:30 in the MAC. Tickets may be purchased following the Sunday morning services, and also during the week from Kids First and Wesley Academy staff members. Ticket prices are: Adult $9 presale, $9.50 at the door Children (6-12) $5 presale, $5.50 at the door Children 5 and under eat free We are anticipating a large attendance and will need workers to help with the ticket and serving lines, kitchen help, and cleanup. We will also need donations of food items that will be served as sides during the dinner. Please check the signup sheets outside the Kids First and Wesley Academy areas for ways that you can help to support these outreach ministries of our church, and help us show hospitality to all who will be in our building that evening. Kids First Ministry and Wesley Academy Preschool

3 NOTES OF APPRECIATION A sincere thank you for your concern during my recent surgery. It made me aware of how important our church family is in our lives. God Bless you for the never to be forgotten calls, visits, cards, and prayers. Doug Konkle Bashor Children s Home sent a thank you for the check donation raised thru the efforts of the UMW. Wes & Norma Wingert appreciated being remembered at Christmas. Lamoine and Sally Scott said the goodie bag helped to make their 65th anniversary very special. Ann Hunter said You not only gave me thoughtful gifts but some that I could share with friends. The church does so much for the elderly and shut-ins. I still use the prayer shawl daily. Melissa Ford says thank you for the valentine cookies and it was a nice surprise. It made her day AND her roommates! She also said I want to thank you for keeping all of us college students in mind. It s so nice and makes me miss home! Erika Ford sent a note thanking the church for the Subway card and package. It s always exciting to receive mail and she appreciates the constant love and support. CONFIRMATION NEWS We will meet Sunday, March 9 a.m. to wind up our classes. April s schedule will be forthcoming. Pastor Kurt YOUTH NEWS In February we ve continued to have more teens participating in youth group for the first time. It s a BIG praise to God that they ve found a place where they feel safe, welcome, and the Lord s presence! Here are our meeting times for the month of March: March 5 - Wabash 1st UMC 5:30-7:30 March 12 - LaFontaine UMC 5:30-7:30 March 19 - Wabash 1st UMC 5:30-7:30 March 26 - Community Mission 5:30-7:30 To see this month s calendar graphic visit the links below. Interested in learning how you can be involved with youth? Contact Nick Jacobson for more info. Nick Jacobson najacobson83@gmail.com A MESSAGE FROM THE TRUSTEES Volunteers are being recruited to help demolish and dispose of the old playground equipment. Please contact Chad Maple, or any member of the Trustees Committee if you are able to assist. A date has not yet been chosen. Thank you.

4 FUMC CARES For prayer needs during the w eek, please call Janet Leeka ( ) to start the prayer chain. If you or a family member is hospitalized or having a medical procedure performed, please let the church office know. Homebound: Kate Mitting Autumn Ridge: Bill Kramer Heritage Pointe (Warren Home) Health Care: Maxine Haist & Arthur Haist Millers Merry Manor East Martha Langstaff, Catherine Dawald, David Deepe (Room 118) Peabody s Retirement Community: Independent Living: Wes & Norma Wingert The Inn Apartment: Lamoine & Sally Scott (Room 224) Smock Memory Unit: Connie Squires, Jayne Pepple Health Care: Dorotha Harvey, Mary Keppel, Terry Cusack Timbercrest Retirement Community: Health Care: Ann Hunter Wellbrooke: Dr. John Gilpin (Room 112), Pat Mouser (Room 103) OTHERS: Sue Burton (home, prayers appreciated) Military Members: Jonathan Ridenour, Army SSGT (Hawaii); Kristin Valentine, US Coast Guard (Florida); Tyler Conner, Sargent, Fort Hood, TX (Janet Leeka s Great Grandson); Brandon Terry (Ft. Benning), Jesus Ratuita (Kuwait), Jonathan Wiemer, Marines (Okinawa), Joe Lee, Air Force (Florida) Prayer Bowls: If you are expecting, and will be raising your child in this congregation, FUMC wants to honor this special occasion by placing a rose bowl on the altar. If you would like a rose bowl, please notify the church office or Elizabeth Freeman. The Prayer bowl on the altar is in honor of expecting parents, Jonathan & Lisa Engle.

5 LENTEN STUDY WITH PASTOR KURT A Daily Devotional Lent For Everyone : Matthew, Year A Class Dates: Sunday, March 12 through Sunday, April 9 Time: 9 a.m. Lent for Everyone: Matthew, Year A provides readers w ith an inspirational guide through the Lenten season, from Ash Wednesday through the week after Easter. Popular biblical scholar and author N. T. Wright provides his own Scripture translation, brief reflection and a prayer for each day of the season, helping readers ponder how the text is relevant to their own lives. By the end of the book, readers will have been through the entirety of Matthew, along with Psalm readings for each Sunday. A sign-up sheet is at the Welcome Center. All attendees are responsible for buying their own book. The book is available through Alibris.com for $6.75. For e-readers, Amazon has it available for $9.00. Nurture leaders: Andrea Schuler & Cathy Cook WORSHIP PARTICIPANTS FOR MARCH DOOR OPENER: Cal Eichenauer USHERS OF ST. LUKE: Nick Hentgen, Leader GREETERS: 3/5-Deardorff family 3/12-George family 3/19-Atwood family 3/26-Carol McVicker & Ida Gerber COFFEE HOSTS: 3/5-Larry & Marge Young 3/12-Halderman family 3/19-Chuck & Sharon Bair 3/26-Orion & Mary Jane Toepfer ACOLYTES: 3/5-Leeah Palmer & Lacy Jones 3/12-Elley Justice & Brandon McKillip 3/19-Laney Maple & Violet George 3/26-Josiah Freeman & Sylvia Bakehorn We are seeking additional volunteers to assist with being Greeters and/or Coffee Hosts. Please contact the office if you wish to participate. BOOK emarks 2017 Below is the remaining schedule for our Book Club for this year. March 21: Boys in the Boat by Daniel James Brown April 18: The Shoemaker s Wife by Adriana Trigiani May 16: Mr. Penumbra s 24 Hour Bookstore by Robin Sloan Sept. 19: Morton Oct. 17: The Secret Keeper by Kate Me Before You by Jojo Moyes Nov. 28: I Am Malala by Malala Yousafzai & Christiana Lamb A new restaurant location has not yet been decided. Anyone with suggestions may contact Sondra (260)

6 Lent is upon us. No, this is not a time to clean out the dryer vent that is lint. Although, if you haven t cleaned it out recently it would be a good idea to do so! Lent is a time we set aside each year as we prepare for Easter. This is the 40 days before Easter, not counting Sundays. We usually take this time to sacrifice something, or give something up, in order to grow closer to the Lord. I challenge you to do something more than give up chocolate, or soda, or something else that you are going to just go back to doing again after Easter. Take this time seriously. Find something significant you can do. The idea of Lent is giving up something we are so used to doing, or having, that we think we need it, even though we really do not need it at all. One year, very early in our marriage, Kurt and I were having this discussion and I came up with the brilliant idea that electricity was one of those things. We really do not need it to live. So we decided that any electricity, outside that needed to do our jobs, we would give up. It was a very interesting time. We did decide that we needed to turn the lights back on for the Bible study we were hosting at the time. This year, we are doing the 40 bags in 40 days challenge. Our daily goal is to fill at least a grocery bag with stuff we no longer need. Some of this may end up at Lighthouse, or Jackin-the Box, or even Solid Waste or recycling. I m not going to clean out the entire garage in a day, just one shelf, or one cabinet. It is small steps that can make a big change. If you do not have a significant Lent sacrifice planned, why not join us in this? During your challenge, if you find yourself struggling, pray this prayer, Lord, let my hunger for you be greater than my hunger for (Fill in the blank with whatever it is you are giving up). One Lent, a lady we know gave up smoking using this very prayer. Choose to sacrifice, take small steps, grow closer to God. Make Lent significant this year! Elizabeth Freeman, Director Children s Ministry SUNDAY WORSHIP SCHEDULE & UPCOMING EASTER-RELATED SERVICES 8:00 a.m. in the Chapel 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary 9:00 a.m. Adult Classes & Preschool through 12th Grade Communion on the first Sunday of each 8:00 a.m. & 10:00 a.m. March 1-Ash Wednesday-7pm in the Chapel April 9-Palm Sunday April 13-Maundy Thursday-7pm in the Chapel April 14-Good Friday & Cantata-7pm in the Sanctuary April 16-EASTER

7 EASTER FLOWERS This Easter, we will once again be transforming our Sanctuary in to a lovely, colorful, plant filled garden and invite you to help us bring it to life. If you are interested in purchasing one of the plants listed below for Easter Sunday, please complete the form below, along with your payment, and leave it with the Church Office. The deadline for ordering is Monday, April 3rd. Thank you. Prices are as follows: Hyacinths $13.00 Tulips $13.00 Easter Lilies $13.00 Chrysanthemums $15.00 Azaleas $30.00 Hydrangeas $35.00 These may be given in memory or in honor of someone, or to the Glory of God. You may take your plant home with you immediately following the 10:00 a.m. Easter Service. PERSON ORDERING TYPE OF PLANT IN MEMORY OF IN HONOR OF TO THE GLORY OF GOD AMOUNT DUE: $ PAID ON DISPLAY YOUR FLOWERS AT WHICH SERVICE? 8AM 10AM

8 REMEMBER F.I.S.H. THE FIRST SUNDAY of each month is Collection Sunday for F.I.S.H. Please bring dry and/or canned items you would like to contribute to the Friends In Service Here food pantry, to church, on March 5. All contributions w ill be delivered to F.I.S.H. during the week. Suggested Items: Canned fruit & vegetables, cereal, pasta, tuna, canned meat, peanut butter, spaghetti sauce. Your donations are greatly appreciated. SAVE THE DATE! It s time to plant the seed for VBS! Look at your calendar because the dates have been set for June This year s theme is by the Group called Maker Fun Factory, Created by God, and Built for a Purpose. This will be a great adventure for the kids. They will learn some awesome science experiments and learn how God has given us all a purpose! Ann Deardorff and Andrea Bakehorn are also looking for co-directors so we can begin training for VBS 2018 and 2019! There will be more information soon. You may contact Ann Deardorff or Andrea Bakehorn if you have any questions. Blessings, Ann and Andrea KIDS FIRST NEWS CORNER March Donation Requests March 5- Peanut Butter, Ketchup, Ranch Dressing, Maple Syrup March 12-Pretzels, Animal Crackers, Veggie Crackers, Gold Fish March 19-Cereal, Pop tarts, Vanilla Wafers, Fruit Snacks March 26-Baby Wipes, Paper Towels, 13 Gallon Trash Bags, Hand Soap Missie Edwards, Kids First Director NEWSLETTER DEADLINE FOR APRIL NEWS IS MARCH 15

9 UPDATED FRUITFUL CONGREGATION MEETING OUTLINE-2017 The FCJ groups will be continuing to work through the issues of Community Connection and Discipleship Pathway. We deeply need your prayers. We especially need your listening ears and inquisitive minds seeking to understand what we are working through. As the team continues to dig deep, the whole congregation becomes more and more vital a partner with that team. Meeting Topic Lesson 3: Worship Read Chapter 3 Shift: From Preference to Purpose Driven WHOLE GROUP GATHERING SUNDAY, JANUARY 22, 11 am In the Chapel Lesson 4: Community Connection Read Chapter 4 Shift: Attractional to Invitational Lesson 5: Intentional Faith Development Read Chapter 5 Shift: From Consumer to Servant Lesson 6: Leadership Development, Simplified Read Chapter 7 & 9 Correction Shift: From Tradition to Transformative WHOLE GROUP GATHERING SUNDAY, MARCH 19, 11 am In the Chapel Lesson 7: Strategic Ministry Planning Read Chapter 8 Shift: From Preference to Strategic Highleys-Once A Month Group Dates Sunday, January 8, 11:30 church Sunday, January 29, 11:30 church Sunday, February 19, 11:30 church Sunday, March 5, 11:30 church Joint Mtg: Sunday, March 19, 11 church chapel Sunday, March 26,11:30 church Pastor Cook- Bi-monthly Group Dates Sunday, January 8, 5:30 church & Sunday, January 15, 5:30 church NEW: Sunday, January 22, 11 church chapel & NEW: Sunday, January 29, 5pm- church NEW: Sunday, February 12, 5pm- church NEW: Sunday, February 26, 5pm- church Joint Mtg: Sunday, March 19, 11 church chapel Sunday, March 12, church Stauffer & Palmer- Weekly Group Dates Wednesday, January 4, Wednesday, January 11, Wednesday, January 18, Wednesday, January 25, Wednesday, February 1, Wednesday, February 8, Wednesday, February 15, Wednesday, February 22, Wednesday, March 1, Wednesday, March 8, Wednesday, March 15, Wednesday, March 22, Joint Mtg: Sunday, March 19, 11 church chapel Wednesday, March 29, Wednesday, April 12, Lesson 8: Staff Evaluation and Alignment Read: Chapter 10 Shift: From Volunteer to Staff Sunday, April 23, 11:30 church Sunday, March 26, church Wednesday, April 19, Wednesday, April 26,

10 2017 FINANCIAL REPORT January Approved Budget Monthly Amount Year-to- Date Percentage $431, $35, $35, % Year-to- January Date Income $92, % $92, % Expenses $51, % $51, % Difference $40, $40, GENERAL BUDGET OVERVIEW Beg Balance Income Expense Ending Balance $43, $92, $51, $84, EXPENSES Actual YTD Actual YTD Percentage Anticipated YTD Annual Budget Percentage of Budget Missions & Tithe $ 11, % $ 5, $ 70, % Staff Parish $ 16, % $ 16, $ 192, % Ministries $ 1, % $ 2, $ 31, % Trustees $ 21, % $ 11, $ 137, % TOTAL $ 51, % $ 35, $ 431, % NON-BUDGET MISSIONS INCOME Year-to- January Date UMCOR - US Disaster Relief $ $ Kids First Day Care $ $ Mel Rennaker, Treasurer

11 MARCH 2017 BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 B-Kara Bever B-Austin Deardorff B-Dalian Leach 2 3 B-Joe Halderman 4 B-Linda Gilpin B-Betty Stoops B-Jerry Hipsher B-Max Howard B-Stan Myers 5 B-Kiersten Cole B-Meredith Brown B-David Daine B-Mark Ford 6 A-Doug & Linda Konkle B-Carolyn Eichenauer B-Bev Hostetler 14 B-Corra Speicher B-Kasey Long B-Pat Cassiday 17 A-James & Betty Hostetler A-Max & Claralou Martin 18 B-Andrea VanCamp B-Elley Justice 19 B-Nelda Love 20 A-Ham & Julie Sadler 21 B-Judy Mullen A-John & Mindy Bower B-Mindy Bower 27 B-Sharon Bair B-Christa Stroup 28 B-Lamoine Scott B-Madeline Castle B-Amy Flack A-Chuck & Sharon Bair A-Larry & Cindy Hoffman

12 MARCH 2017 EVENTS & MEETING SCHEDULE Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 FUMC 7pm-Ash Wednesday-Chapel 7:15pm-Choir 8pm-Cantata 2 9am-Worship mtg 5:30pm-Trustees mtg 3 4 8am-12 noon- NIEC mtg 5 Communion 9am-Gru s Crew 9am-Confirmation mtg Remember Kids 1st & F.I.S.H. 11:30-Highley FCJ 5:30pm-7:30pm- FUMC 6 12 noon-prayer time 7pm-Boy Scouts 7 6pm-Ad Council 6:30pm-Wesley Academy mtg 8 FUMC 7:15pm-Choir 8pm-Cantata 9 12 noon-3pm- Margaret Wilson circle-conf room pm-6pm-Cub Scout set-up and pinewood derby event 12 9am-Lenten bible study 11:30-Club 345-Nerf Guns 5pm-7:30pm-Cook FCJ 5:30pm-7:30pm- LaFontaine noon-prayer time 6pm-Finance mtg 6:30pm-8:30pm- Emmaus mtg 7pm-Boy Scouts 14 6pm-Cub Scouts 15 FUMC 6:15pm-Kids 7:15pm-Choir 8pm-Cantata Happy St. Patrick s Day 4:30pm-7:30pm- Dan s Fish Fry (MAC) Eat-in or Take-out 18 6am-10:30am- Boy Scouts Free Will breakfast-mac 19 9am-Lenten bible study 11:00-Joint FCJ mtg 5:30pm-7:30pm- FUMC 20 9am-Worship mtg 12 noon-prayer time 7pm-Boy Scouts 7:30pm-Outreach mtg noon-6pm- Red Cross blood drive 12:30pm-Christian book club 22 FUMC 7:15pm-Choir 8pm-Cantata am-Lenten bible study 11:30-Highley FCJ 5pm-7:30pm-Cook FCJ 5:30pm-7:30pm- Youth Community Mission noon-prayer time 7pm-Boy Scouts 7:30pm-Staff Parish mtg 28 6pm-Cub Scouts 29 FUMC 7:15pm-Choir 8pm-Cantata 30 31