FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FIRST CONNECTION MARCH, 2012

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1 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH FIRST CONNECTION MARCH, 2012 First United Methodist Church 729 Central Avenue PO Box 262 Connersville, IN Church Phone ( ) Pastor Dave Galbraith Parsonage Phone ( ) Web Address: connersvillefirst.org 1

2 Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, May God bless you as you move forward in this Lenten season with Jesus. As He approached the cross, let us remember that we are the ones who should be walking that path. It is our sin that placed our Lord on the cross and our payment is what is required. But God saw that we were a people who could not pay our own debt and because He loved us before we loved Him, and He wants to have a relationship with Him, and He knew that we were not worthy of His love or grace, HE paid the price for us. And as He walked that lonely walk up the Hill of Mt. Calvary, Jesus was praying for you. As we pray and sacrifice this Lenten season, let us remember that Jesus love us. If you have never attended the Lenten services, please consider giving your heart a time of reflection and peace as we move toward the cross with Jesus. Each Sunday during Lent we will worship with our United Methodist Sisters and Brothers as gather together on Sunday evenings at 7:00PM. There will be fellowship after the service with snacks. Mar. 4 First UMC Rev. Dillworth Please bring items for Bonnie s Closet Mar. 11 East UMC Rev. Galbraith Please bring items for Animal Shelter Mar. 18 Grand UMC Rev. Powell Please bring items for Clothes Mart Mar. 25 Alquina UMC Rev. VanWinkle Please bring items for Operation Classroom Apr. 1 Orange UMC Rev. Greene Please bring items for Hope Pregnancy Center Let us gather together to worship our Lord and Savior together as One Church. God loves you and so do I, Pastor Dave 2 An e-pistle from Bishop Mike The Road to Jerusalem I have been to Israel several times, and each trip I have visited Jerusalem more than once. So I have traveled several roads to Jerusalem, and I look forward to leading another Holy Land trip next year (February of 2013). But the most important road to Jerusalem is the journey that we all are invited to travel through this season of Lent. February 22nd is Ash Wednesday, and it begins the 40 days of Lent. Those who count carefully may notice that those 40 days do not include the actual Sundays of Lent. Why not? Because the early church leaders who developed the season of Lent did not want any Sunday to be considered a time of penitence and preparation because every Sunday is a little Easter and Sundays should always be a time of joy, not a sad or reflective time. However one looks at the 40 days, it is clear that the early church leaders wanted us to follow Jesus on his journey to Jerusalem as a way of learning about our own faithfulness and discipleship. The road to Jerusalem was not an easy road for Jesus. He faced tests, temptations, challenges, and dangers on the way. His own disciples urged him to avoid Jerusalem because they feared the dangers. But Jesus was resolute that he must be obedient to God s plan, even if his road to Jerusalem ended at the Cross. How about us? Our road to Jerusalem and the Easter celebration can be trivialized into giving up dessert, or avoiding some small temptations, or even worse it can be just a travel through our usual schedules without paying much attention to reliving the journey of Jesus. For most of us, this season of Lent will not confront us with danger and fear. In fact, the biggest danger we face is complacency or taking God for granted. Lent invites us to get moving, to travel with Jesus, and to grow in our discipleship. Lent provides us with opportunities to learn, to worship, to pray, and to reflect upon the Gospel. Like any journey, the journey to Jerusalem during Lent requires that we get off the couch, pack a small bag of valuables, and leave behind those things which hinder us. One more thing: the road to Jerusalem is uphill literally. Jerusalem sits on Mount Zion, and any trip to Jerusalem is uphill. That geographic fact reminds us of the spiritual truth that following Jesus is always an upward journey, a challenge, and yet also an opportunity for growth. Ash Wednesday reminds me that it is time to get started on the trip. Let s take the road to Jerusalem.

3 Thank You To My Church Family, Well my Dear Precious Angel Mom, LeVaughn Larmore is now in Heaven. I was so Very Proud and Honored to be her son! I am thankful as a caregiver, I kept Mom out of the nursing home for years. We traveled to many Special places and we had the best of times. Also want to say thank you for your prayers, the cards and all the flowers etc. that were sent. All was appreciated very much. I want to thank the Urban-Winkler Funeral Home, Leonard, Wade and all the staff for helping me in this difficult time. Everything for Mom was done Perfect. Also want to thank Jim Wicker, Mr. and Mrs. Richard Hushour and all the ladies who fixed the wonderful meal at church. Also want to thank Pastor Dave Galbraith for the Perfect church service that he gave for my Dear Mom. Also for his support when Mom passed away. I WILL LOVE MOM FOREVER! I was always there to help Mom. Yes, it is the truth for the past 58 years, I had an Angel as a Mom but now she is an Angel in Heaven. I WILL LOVE MY DAD AND MOM, MR. AND MRS. JOSEPH HAROLD LARMORE FOREVER AND BOTH WILL BE IN MY HEART FOR ETERNITY. THANK YOU AND GOD BLESS ALL OF YOU. Ken Larmore and Family ****************************************** It always brings Maurie and me so much happiness to know so many of the congregation are remembering us in thoughts, prayers and calls, or when we receive any type of mail. Thank you and much love to you all. Marian and Maurie Connell ************************************************ Dear Friends of First United Methodist Church, On January 16, 2012, I fell again and they rushed me to St. Francis hospital and later transferred me to Rosegate Medical Facility for therapy. I am now out of rehab and back in my garden home and am so thankful for all your prayers and kind notes. I have really enjoyed hearing from all my friends at First Church. It has meant a great deal to hear from everyone. Thanks again to everyone and hopefully I ll see you all at the Tasty Luncheon in November. Kate Starr Dear Church Family, I can t thank you all enough for the new door to my office. For those of you who have not seen it, please come check it out. My husband is responsible for the request of the door because a lot of the time I m in the church alone. I m not afraid of being alone, but he was, for me. But now that I have the door, I am so thankful. Before the new door, I would sometimes have 5 or 6 people requesting food vouchers or hygiene products in my office at a time and in the small space, it would be a little overwhelming. Thank you all for your thoughtfulness, and I m sure whoever replaces me in the future will appreciate it as much as I do. Thank you again. Blessings, Bonnie Schultz ********************************************* UNITED METHODIST WOMEN PRAYER & SELF-DENIAL COMING IN MARCH. The theme for this year Time for Change : Technology. Saturday, March 10 th, at 10:00am in the Chapel. In 2012 the offering will enable national institutions and overseas institutions historically related to the United Methodist Women to help the marginalized and the poor, the physically challenged and others, especially women, children and youth, who don t have access to information technology that will improve their quality of life. Projects such as computer literacy, information technology training, English as a second language class, and career enhancement and job-seeking skills will be supported. Your prayer for Prayer & Self Denial Dear Loving Creator, we thank you for the benefits that you have given us through the gift of technology. Through it we have been able to worship you in new ways, learn new things and connect to those near and far. We recognize Lord, that some who would benefit from this gift currently do not. Merciful God, help us create avenues of entry to technology for those who are our sisters and brothers. In your son Jesus the Christ s name we pray. Amen. Please be in prayer as to what your part of Prayer and Self- Denial will be. Eve Circle: Thursday, March 15 &:00PM in the Church Lounge Susanna Circle: Tuesday, March 20 1:30PM in the Church Lounge Hostess: Ann Ekstrom & Marjorie Bastian Devotion/Program: Ann Ekstrom 3

4 MISSIONS Thanks to everyone who assisted the mission committee during January & February with our special love offering. Please know that every penny of your giving went where it was directed, was used appropriately, and was very much appreciated by the receiving family. It is gratifying to know that whenever there is a special need, the FUMC family steps up to help. Because of privacy issues, we cannot always disclose how and whence the mission funds are spent. However, please know that the mission committee always attempts to spend your money wisely and discretely. A couple of weeks ago Pastor Dave talked about the heart, mind and spirit of the true servant. Hopefully, FUMC will always exemplify the traits of the true servant in all we do. Mission Committee ********************************************* Thank you for supporting Sgt. Scott and his work to secure a new K9 officer. Rena has served the community and its members well however, it is time for her to retire and enjoy the finer things in life. Your donation has ensured that Sgt. Scott will attend training and introduce a new K9 officer to Connersville. It is amazing what people can do when they come together for a worthy cause! Again, thanks for your donation. ********************************************* 2 ND SUNDAY GIVING MARCH, 2012 Please bring your donation of BABY GOODS to the mission table in the back of the Sanctuary for THE HOPE PREGNANCY CENTER. ***************************************** SALVATION ARMY HELPING HANDS The third Sunday of each month is Serving the Lord s Table from 5:00PM till 6:00pm. Sunday, March 19, 2012 is the date for this month. There are still slots open on the 3 rd Sunday dates for the second half of the year. Thank you, for this is a much needed mission. Fayette County Foundation Dear Members of the First united Methodist Church, Throughout 2011, the Fayette County Foundation celebrated its 25 th anniversary. One part of the celebration was honoring people who have volunteered in the community for twenty-five plus years. Spirit of Giving recipients were interviewed and a $25. Donation was made in their honor to an endowment in the Foundation of their choice. Mabel Brockley, 2011 spirit of Giving recipient, was nominated for her faithful commitment to the First United Methodist Church. Mabel has served on many church committees and is very active in the United Methodist Women on the local, district, and conference levels. Mabel also collects soda cans and donates the money to local charities, has donated 11 gallons of blood through the years, and performs many caring acts throughout the community. We have made a donation in honor of Mabel to the Elizabeth Handley First United Methodist Church Endowment. Marla and David Simpkins, 2011 Spirit of Giving recipients were nominated for their combined forty-four years as 4-H leaders of the Fairview Happy Hustlers. Marla and Dave help with judging and the 4-H auction. Marla and David also attend the First United Methodist Church. Marla and David directed their gift to support the 4-H Scholarship Endowment. Pass Along Philanthropy, Anna Dungan Executive Director ********************************************* Community Missions Walk The Community Missions Walk will be held on Saturday, April 28 th, with registration beginning at 7:30am. The opening ceremony at 8:00am and the 4.2 mile walk will begin at FUMC (rain or shine). The walk is open to the entire community and funds raised will help support the local missions of the First United Methodist Church; Heath Clinic, Grand Avenue UMC; Mission Mart, and Grace UMC; Food Pantry. The event is being sponsored by local Methodist Churches. For flyers and further information contact Rita King, or

5 Mar 06 Mar 13 Mar 17 Mar 19 Mar 23 Mar 29 Mar 31 March Merlin & Betty Kluger Dave & Jan Stanley Tom & Kathy Gossett Jim & Peggy Hancock Bob & Marsha Baltzell Ron & Ann Hockersmith Melvin & Bev Higbie ***************************************** Mar 02 Mar 05 Mar 08 Mar 10 Mar 11 Mar 12 Mar 12 Mar 14 Mar 15 Mar 18 Mar 18 Mar 20 Mar 21 Mar 23 Mar 24 Mar 24 Mar 27 Birthday Greetings March Betty Kluger Dick Guttman Gayle O Neal Joyce Peak Mark Klopfenstein Kate Starr Bob Baltzell John Foster Jared Harvey Nicholas Bottles Charles Heck Chris Halberstadt Kenneth Larmore Russell Burks Janie O Brien Phyllis Hinners Matt Corder CHARLES HECK AXEL & GINNY PEARSON MILDRED ARMSTRONG HELEN KELLUM S SISTER FRAN MCLAUGHLIN CHARLES LOCKE KENNY SWEET MELANIE MANN PAUL & FRANCES McCOMBS LIANA McKENZIE DON HOTTMAN MADISON FISHER PHYLLIS EICHACKER KAREN LUNSFORD CATHY SLIGER ESTELLA COPPLE (Please call the office DON PEAK if any name needs to DAVE HIDAY be taken off or added BILL COLLYER to this list) DONNA BECKER CRAIG LAWSON DAVID CALDWELL ROGER McCLELLAN JACKIE MEAL TOM WERTMAN BETTY STEPHENS PATRICIA FLOWERS STEPHANIE FREE JEANNA HUSHOUR CHUCK HELMS JOE HORNING VICKERS FAMILY RUSSELL MASTERT JACOBY PETRY SUE HARRIS FAMILY ************************************************** IN THE SPIRIT OF GIVING 2011 AVARAGE WEEKLY BUDGET FOR EXPENSES IS $ GENERAL MISC DATE FUND GIVING ATTEND Feb 05 $ $ Feb 12 $ $ Feb 19 $ $ Feb 26 $ $ $ $

6 A 2012 Growth Opportunity For All Our Women Congratulations to Mabel Brockley, Ann Francis, Sylvia Gibson, and Della King on completing Plan One of the 2011 United Methodist Reading Program (others?). Also, a special congratulations to Elizabeth Holmes who completed Plan Three (read 16 books!). In 2011 the requirement for Plan One was to read 4 books in 4 of the 5 reading categories (see list below) and be a regular reader of Response magazine. In 2012 the requirement is to read a book in each of the 5 categories and Response. Plan Two is 10 books, Plan Three, 15 and Plan Four, 20. The books are available to all women in our Church and many of our women read one or more in The 2012 books listed below can be found on the shelf below the library bulletin board in March (on the mantle afterwards) and books from the past 5 years, also available for reading for credit and for reading without credit, are on the mantle in the library. These books are divided into the five categories for easy selection. Read and grow. Education for Mission Stom and Ricketts, Forgotten Girls (Rejected girls find hope in God). * Leadership Development Sharp, Old Testament Prophets for Today (Lay-friendly look at prophets).* Kankawmba, The Boy Who Harnessed the Wind (African boy reads books makes windmill for his community). * Slaughter, Change the World (Readers discover Jesus message for the Church).* Essex, More Bad Girls of the Bible (Individual or group study). Spiritual Growth Staub, Hidden in the Rubble (Haitian pilgrimage to compassion and resurrection). Sparks, Laugh Your Way to Grace (Reclaiming the spiritual power of humor) * Horlacher, Seasons of Salt (Meditations weaving faith and daily living). Social Action Regan, The Death of Josseline (Immigration stories from the Arizona Borderlands). * Wallis, Rediscovering Values (Wall Street, main street, your street). * Nurturing for Community Knotts, Allow God to Wear Your Face (Spiritual care for those who are ill). Bromley, Breathe (Finding freedom after childhood sexual abuse).* Ali, I Am Jijood Age 10 and Divorced (Yemenese girls finds freedom). * Bankston, Creative Aging (Rethinking retirement and non-retirement in a changing world) (large print) *. Simon-Peter, Green Church (Reduce, reduce, recycle, rejoice) (Large print) * Skloot, The Immortal Life of Henrietta Lacks (Cells taken without her knowledge became one of the most important tools of modern medicine). * * Available in e-reader version rjswain1@yahoo.com 6

7 MARCH KIDS CORNER GREETINGS & ANNOUNCEMENTS: Craig Howell LITURGIST MARCH: Sam Harvey USHERS FOR MONTH OF MARCH: Darrell & Suzy Maines, Marla & Dave Simpkins Hello everyone! What an exciting month February has been and now we are heading into March! Our Journey with Jesus has been helping us to learn about the true love that God has for each of us - a love that is real and genuine. Challenging us allyoung and young at heart to reach out in faith to believe that God has more for us than we have ever imagined and to trust more and more in God. Remember don t settle for the substitutes in life but reach out to the Real Loving Savior Jesus Christ. Until next month GREETERS FOR MONTH OF MARCH: Melvin & Bev Higbie First two weeks Hilton & Brenda Henry Last two weeks ACOLYTES FOR MONTH OF MARCH: Mar 04 Brianna Baucom Mar 11 Evan Cobb Mar 18 Isabelle Weiler Mar 25 Amanda Cobb COMMUNION STEWARDS FOR MARCH: Jim & Sylvia Gibson Blessings Nancy 7

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9 MARCH, 2012 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat ALTRUSA 12: CLINIC 9 10 AD COUNCIL 6:30PM TRUSTEES 6:30PM CONGREGATION MANAGEMENT WORKSHOP 11: - 1: EVE CIRCLE 7:00PM CLINIC SUSANNA CIRCLE 1:30PM FINANCE MEETING 6:30PM