Living Water. From the Pastor. Inside this issue: De Soto United Methodist Church

Transcription

1 March 2017 De Soto United Methodist Church Volume 24, Issue 3 Living Water Inside this issue: Pastor 1 Lenten Sermon Series 2 JOHN, a Bible Study 3 Fear of the Other Study 3 Children & Family 4 Youth 5 March Activities 6 UMM, UMW 7 Service opportunities 7 About Us 8 From the Pastor The six weeks of Lent is a time for cultivating a deeper Christian discipleship. It s a season for reflection and growth, often through prayer, study, worship and self-reflection. Often time there is a call to give up something following Fat Tuesday (for some it is chocolate, others social media). Ash Wednesday is a moment where we confront the reality of our mortality and our need for grace. The attitude is one of solemnity that perhaps can be overwhelming but is a reminder of the finitude of our existence. Yet for so many of us we may find ourselves bogged down by the busy-ness of our lives to really fully embrace the journey Lent offers. We re excited by the promise of Easter but may be a little leery of having to add something to our already hectic lives during the six weeks preceding the resurrection. I know that in the midst of my own sometimes frantic pace the call to pause during this time is exactly what is necessary for me to grow in my own faith. In that holy pause is an invitation to take on something for spiritual growth. For instance we are offering small group studies Sunday and Monday morning and Wednesday evening designed to nurture our faith lives through a bible and topical study. If you ve been drifting away from worship for whatever reason Lent can be a time to reconnect with the faith community as we embark on a sermon series focused on the Gospel of John. In your daily lives take a few moments each morning or evening to be engaged in prayer. Please take a few moments and consider how, through God s grace, you can actively participate in the faith community during Lent. Your participation in these and any other activities Lent offers provides space for inward and ongoing growth. In the midst of community your activity can help others grow in their faith lives as well. This is a journey that has endured over the centuries. This journey of faith where we draw closer to the love of Christ continues to transform all who embrace and embark. It begins with the sign of the cross made from ashes and continues with Christ s victory over death with the empty tomb. Peace, Pastor Jeff

2 In this season of Lent we ll explore the life of Jesus in the Gospel of John. Join us as we piece together the mystery of Christ and His redeeming love for us all. 10:00 AM Lenten Sermon Series: Jesus in John: Building the Mystery March 5: John 1:1-5 In The Beginning March 12: Alex Rossow Guest Preacher March 19: John 2:13-25 Driven March 26: John 11 In or Out April 2: John 6:35; I Am April 9: John 12:12-19, 13:2-5; Invitation (Palm Sunday) April 16: John 20:11-18 Recognition (Easter Sunday)

3 SMALL GROUP STUDIES FOR LENT

4 9 am Sunday GROUPS for ALL God s People 9:00 am GROUPS for all ages meet every Sunday, with a GROUP for YOU: adults, youth, elementary, prek, & nursery. PLUS, GROUPS includes KiDS Choir. KiDS Choir is part of Sunday morning GROUPS. For children PreK-5th grade, GROUPS begin at 9:00 am with a Bible activity and lesson, transitions to KiDS 9:30 am, concludes with a 9:45 am, and ends at 9:55 am so parents may connect with their children for worship. On dates that KiDS Choir does not rehearse, GROUPS WILL meet 9:00-9:55 am, unless otherwise noted, with extended Bible activities and lessons, including a snack. Middle school & High school students are invited to participate in GROUPS through the Confirmation class or serving as an assistant with the elementary children. Adults of all ages and stages are invited to John, a DVD & discussion Bible study: Nursery care is available for birth to PreK children. It is our deepest desire that you will join us every Sunday for the entirety of GROUPS as we learn to live as disciples of Jesus. Come try-out a GROUP this Sunday. :-) GROUPS are for ALL of God s people: children & adults of all ages & stages. Bible Explorers: March 5 March 5 5:30-7:00 pm Bible Explorers is for 3rd, 4th, & 5th graders and meets the first Sunday of the month, October through May for a light meal followed by fun, explorative ways to learn about the Bible and what it teaches us as we grow as disciples of Jesus. Our remaining meeting dates: March 5, April 2, May 7. Adults of our congregation - would you be happy to provide a meal for Bible Explorers? Contact Sabrina (youthfamily@desotoumc.org or ) to sign-up for one of our remaining dates. KiDS Choir Singing Dates: March 5, April 9*, and May 7. KiDs Choir sings in Worship on these dates PLUS*, on April 9, we ll meet at 11:30 am at Hillside Village to share our songs with the residents. Mark your calendar for these Sundays when our children lift their voices in song and praise to the Children & Family Ministry Team Meets March 7, 7 pm This team is open to all interested in learning more and/or helping plan weekly and annual activities/events for kids and families. Contact Sabrina to Looking Ahead: Easter Egg Hunt April 16 Easter Egg Hunt, 9:15 am. Hey Kids Bring your Easter basket Easter morning for an egg hunt on the church lawn. Hunting zones for different ages. Surprises in every egg. Friends welcome!

5 March 5 Youth Ministry Institute (YMI) On-Site March 5 Youth Ministry Institute On-Site Ministry Needs Evaluation: Last Fall, our congregation entered a partnership with Youth Ministry Institute Midwest ( In addition to providing training and coaching for Sabrina, YMI staff will conduct an on-site ministry needs evaluation and consultation March 5. The participation of parents, adult volunteers, and youth students is highly encouraged as the information gathered will be used to build a strategic plan and coaching guide for our DUMC youth ministry. Here is the schedule for the evening: 6:00 pm, Snack supper provided for parents & adults. Parents/Adults may eat during their focus group. Students may eat before Youth Group. 6:00-7:00 pm Parent/Adult focus group with YMI. 7:00-8:30 pm Youth Group, concluding with YMI student focus group. Parents/adults/youth who are unable to attend or do not feel comfortable sharing in the group setting, are invited to share their responses in the following survey: Adults of DUMC: Do you have a heart for Youth ministry? Sign-up to be an Adult Helper at a Sunday Youth Group meetings, 7:00-8:30 pm. Details and signup here: Questions? Contact Sabrina: youthfamily@desotoumc.org or On-site March 5 Youth Group WILL meet March 5 & 26. No Youth Group March 12 & 19. Friends ALWAYS welcome Youth Mission Trip This year's mission experience will be, June 25-July 1 to Kokomo, IN where we will serve with Kokomo Urban Outreach. Learn more by contacting Sabrina Wellman (youthfamily@desotoumc.org, ) or taking an orange info sheet from the bulletin board. To secure your spot a $50 deposit is due March 5. Possible work details will include: painting; light maintenance, construction work; working in the food & service center; sorting, moving, & organizing food; cooking, serving, & clean up for noon meals; MISSION landscaping & neighborhood beautification; providing special events for children; and more. Looking Ahead to April April 9 Stuffing Easter 7:00 pm YG. April 16 8:00 am Youth Lead Early Easter Service, 7:30 am arrival time. Rehearsal date TBD. April 30 Confirmation Sunday. Applications will be received through April 15 for a $300 Youth Academic Scholarship. De Soto UMC Youth Group seniors may get an application from the church office or by ing Sabrina: youthfamily@desotoumc.org. A committee will review the applications and the recipient will be announced on May 21, Graduation Sunday.

6 Sunday Schedule Each Week MARCH ACTIVITIES 8:50am Confirmation Class continues; 9:00am Groups for All Ages; 10:00am Worship with Sunday School 5:30-7:00pm; Bible Explorers First Sunday of the Month(5 th ); 7:00-8:30pm Youth Group 1 Wed Ash Wednesday 6:00pm Choir practice 6:30pm Ash Wednesday Service 7:15pm Agape Circle 2 Thu 6:00pm Holy Happy Hour 6:30pm UMW District Walk-thru 3 Fri 7:00am Rotary 5:00-6:30pm Pioneer 4H practice 4 Sat Youth Confirmation Rally Bishop Saenz 2:00pm-4:00pm Mefford Birthday (FH) 5 SUN Groups and Worship 8:30am UMW Exec Board 9:00am JOHN Bible Study 6 Mon 10:00am JOHN Bible Study 7 Tue 6:30pm D.A.R. 7:00pm Children & Family Ministry Team 8 Wed 1:30pm Hillside Village service 6:00pm Choir practice 7:00pm Fear of the Other Study 9 Thu 7:00pm Cub Scout Parents 10 Fri 7:00am Rotary 11 Sat Penner Auction Concessions 12 SUN Groups and Worship 9:00am JOHN Bible Study 4:00pm Daisy Troop Mon 10:00am JOHN Bible Study 1:00pm Silver Circle 15 Wed 6:00pm Choir practice 7:00pm Fear of the Other Study 16 Thu 1:00pm Pleasant Hour 17 Fri 7:00am Rotary 18 Sat 7:00am United Methodist Men 19 SUN Groups and Worship 9:00am JOHN Bible Study 20 Mon 10:00am JOHN Bible Study 7:00pm Finance 21 Tue 12:00pm Reading Circle 7:00pm Cub Scout Pack Wed 6:00pm Choir practice 7:00pm Fear of the Other Study 24 Fri 7:00am Rotary 25 Sat 8:30 Noon UMW District Meeting here 26 SUN Groups and Worship 9:00am JOHN Bible Study 4:00pm Daisy Troop Mon 10:00am JOHN Bible Study 6:30pm Pioneer 4H 29 Wed 6:00pm Choir practice 7:00pm Fear of the Other Study 31 Fri 7:00am Rotary CELEBRATE MARCH BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES Happy Birthday 2 Grace Mefford 3 Annie Schmucker 5 Darlene Bedford 10 Shirley Thomas 15 Julie Rains 17 Don McMillen 18 Jay Rains 9 Sally Bedford 24 Jim Walker 25 Brianna Hooper 30 Mitchell Mikinski 31 Don Neal Happy Anniversary 30 Mitch & Kristi Lindsey Ash Wednesday Service: Wednesday, March 1 6:30 PM in the Sanctuary..

7 United Methodist Men meet in Fellowship Hall on the third Saturday of every month at 7:00am for breakfast and fellowship, March 18 th this month. If you would like to find out more about joining UMM, please contact Jim Walker, (913) United Methodist Women See us on Facebook: De Soto United Methodist Women All are welcome to any Circle, any event. Please contact Kendee Seymour if you would like further information. (913) Saturday, March 25th, De Soto UMW is hosting the Kansas City District meeting here at our church. Please contact Kendee Seymour or Linda Rumsey if you would like to help Agape Circle will meet Thursday, March 1 st at 7:15pm. Silver Circle will meet Monday, March 13 th, 1:00pm in the Clubhouse at Valley Springs, West 83rd Circle, De Soto, KS. We are studying Women of the Bible. This month our study of Huldah is led by Sally Bedford. Rita Bolay is our Hostess. Reading Circle Third Tuesday, March 21 st Noon, Church Parlor. This month s selection, Slowing Time, Seeing the Sacred Outside Your Kitchen Door, by Barbara Mahany, comes under the Nurturing for Community category. Fellowship lunch at Lucky Garden before meeting. For information call Nancy McMillen (913) Our future list if you d like to read ahead: * Snake Oil by Richard Heinberg (April); Wherever the River Runs by Kelly Minter (May), * Soul Repair by Brock & Lettini (June). If the library has few or no copies of the books, we will be ordering books. Everyone is encouraged to read the books and to join us if you are able. *Available at Johnson County Library. MARCH SERVICE WORKERS Sunday Liturgist Greeters Snacks Counters 3/05/2017 Jim Walker Karen Haake, Ron Hooper Sherry Bowlin Doug & Audrey 3/12/2017 Wes Rains Boots Linden, Bill Whim Ron Hooper Tiedeman 3/19/2017 Gayle Moriarity Speed Family Tammy Holwick All March 3/26/2017 Tucker Family Amy Hileman DE SOTO FOOD PANTRY Tuesdays 10am - 12pm Thursdays 4pm - 6pm Saturdays 9am - 11am Staples such as canned foods, tomato products, spaghetti sauces, fruits, vegetables, meats, soups. Dried pastas, beans, breakfast cereals, Hamburger Helper, macaroni and cheese, peanut butter and jelly, pancake mix and syrup. Non-perishable paper items. You re invited to support our upcoming Easter Egg Hunt by donating store bought, individually wrapped candy. Look for the collection container by the fire place.

8 De Soto United Methodist Church Sundays 9:00am 10:00am Phone: Web: Groups for All Ages Worship Pastor: Reverend Jeff Prothro Phone: Coordinator for Children, Youth and Family: Sabrina Wellman Phone: Secretary: Linda Patton Church Looking Ahead: Easter Sunday, April 16 8:00 am Early Easter Worship 9:15 am Easter Egg Hunt (Receiving candy donations beginning March 12.) 10:00 am Easter Worship De Soto United Methodist Church 8760 Kill Creek Road P O Box 400 De Soto, KS 66018