C O N F I R M A T I O N S U N D A Y A T F U M C J U N E 3,

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1 C O N F I R M A T I O N S U N D A Y A T F U M C J U N E 3, F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H N E W S L E T T E R J U N E / J U L Y

2 NOTE FROM THE PASTOR Spring Cleaning Greetings Friends, As I am sitting in my office composing this article, it s getting a little warm, so I am turning on my air conditioner for the first time since last June. Hopefully, our days in the cold and pouring rain won t return anytime soon. As we progress through Spring, we are looking forward to summer, vacation, grilling hamburgers and hot dogs, working out in the garden, sending children and grandchildren off to camp, going to the beach, weekend visits to the lake, friends and loved ones visiting, picnics in the park or sitting in our screened porch watching the beautiful sunset. Some of us will be attending high school and college graduations and others will have children on summer break. Yes, there will be changes to our routine as the weather gets warmer. Perhaps, you will finally clean out your garage, unearth that lawn mower or grill from its dusty location. As you do some spring cleaning in your garage or home, are you discovering things that need to be thrown out, polished, or replaced? Looking at my garage, I see a lot of clutter that should either be sold or tossed in the garbage. I am reminded of the definition for clutter. Webster s Dictionary states: to fill or cover with scattered or disordered things that impede movement or reduce effectiveness. Words of disorder, cover, scattered or impede movement don t sound very tranquil to me. In fact, one of the synonyms for clutter is confusion. Do we approach our spiritual lives with the same type of confusion or clutter? Do we have the same concern with spring cleaning our home as we do with spring cleaning our spiritual wellbeing? Do the nagging questions about our relationship with God or our ability to remain faithful in our discipleship get placed with the other pile of thoughts in our garage? I recently read an online article that might help you do some spiritual spring cleaning. The article suggested the following exercise: Take a sheet of paper and draw a line down the middle from top to bottom. Put the heading God on the right side and Me on the left. List those things that you are doing or thinking during this time. Place Christ-like or Godly thoughts or activities on the right and those things that relate to self on the left. Of course, some thoughts of self may be Christ-like or Godly. But, if your thoughts have nothing to do with serving the Lord, then you might want to put them in the Me column. This can be done on a daily or weekly basis. Upon completing your list, note whether your list is lopsided in favor of the Me side. If it is, consider some actions that might help to balance your lists, or hopefully, make it more lopsided in favor of God. You may discover like I did that you will do a lot of deep thinking and possibly agonize over the lopsidedness of your list on the Me side. At the end of your contemplation, I am sure that you will be ready to clean house and organize your spiritual wellbeing. As you continue your spring cleaning, remember that God gives us the breath of life every day. Our life does not belong to us, it belongs to God. When that truth finally sinks in, our need for spring cleaning will be minimal and we can spend more of our time giving God all the praise for the joy that fills our hearts. All of us wonder what we must do to clean house. Micah 6:8 provides the answer to that challenging question: And what does the Lord require of you but to do justice, and to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God. This is such a simple solution, yet so difficult to begin. I pray for God to give us the strength and patience to wait on the Lord and to prepare our hearts to receive guidance from the Holy Spirit so that we may walk humbly with our God and do some much-needed spring cleaning in our spiritual lives. Enjoy the Summer! In Christ, Pastor Scott A LOOK AHEAD! FIRST UMC FAMILY HAPPENINGS! COUNCIL ON MINISTRIES Please be aware the next Council on Ministries meeting will take place on Monday June 18 at 7:15 PM FATHER S DAY CELEBRATION! Honoring Fathers at the church services on Sunday, June 17th. All are invited! A luncheon will be held the following Sunday, June 24th at noon here at the church. All are invited! Homemade Desserts! Please RSVP by Wednesday, June 20 to the church office. AMERICAN RED CROSS BLOOD DRIVE Help save a life! The American Red Cross will hold a Blood Drive here at First Church on Friday, August 31st, from 2 PM to 7 PM. Make an appointment today! Visit the Red Cross website: enter sponsor code: Perkasie, or call the First Church office. UNDER THE STARS CAR SHOW The Under the Stars Car Show will take place in Perkasie on August 18th. This is a yearly outreach effort that First Church has long been involved in for several years. Keep an eye out for info on how to get involved in this outreach. See more First UMC Family Happenings on Page 7 of this Newsletter!! 2

3 FUMC Confirmation Trip to Philadelphia Historic Churches May 2,

4 FUMC Confirmation Trip to Philadelphia Historic Churches May 2,

5 FUMC Confirmation Trip to Philadelphia Historic Churches May 2,

6 GOAL! SHARE THE SANCTUARY We are excited that our beautiful Sanctuary is going to be used for all services at First Church. You can be part of growing First Church by donating to this Share the Sanctuary campaign in memory of or in honor of a loved one or a special occasion Share the Sanctuary We have provided space for our First Service worshippers to move to the main Sanctuary and we will be upgrading the Sound System and Space. Donations should be designated for Share the Sanctuary Supported by: The Memorial and Honor Fund Committee A LOOK BACK AT FUMC FAMILY HAPPENINGS SUNDAY MAY 20, 2018; 10:30 AM Sacrament of Holy Baptism Amelia Elizabeth Dorn Owen Thomas Dorn Kimberly Anne Vargo THANK YOU TO JOY CIRCLE FROM PASTOR SCOTT Many heartfelt thanks are in order to the JOY Circle ladies who procured presents for the Youth who were baptized last Sunday May 20th during the Traditional Service. The gifts were simply lovely and very much appreciated. Be blessed in the Lord always! CONGRATULATIONS TO FUMC PERKASIE S 2018 CONFIRMANDS SUNDAY JUNE 3, 2018 (See photos on first page) Amelia Elizabeth Dorn Jillian Ruth Groff Shane Anthony Groff Kacie Louise Leight Nicholas Charles Leight Jennifer Ann McCarthy Kimberly Anne Vargo VOLUNTEER/GRADUATE RECOGNITION SUNDAY Back on Sunday, June 10th, we gave thanks to the Lord for the many volunteers who selflessly give of their time and resources throughout the year here at First UMC. Additionally, graduates from the Class of 2018 were also recognized. 6

7 GRADUATE RECOGNITION First Church is pleased to list the following graduates for Below are the graduates names, along with their degrees, schools, and future plans. Maxfield (Max) Branson (Grandson of Betsy Branson) Graduated from High School at the end of May. He had a scholarship to a boarding and day school The Marvelwood School in Kent, CT. He graduated as valedictorian of his class and will attend The New School University for fashion design in NY city. Cassidy Clark (Granddaughter of Joanne Clark) Graduating on June 11th from Lehigh College (Bethlehem). Courtney Clark (Granddaughter of Joanne Clark) Graduated on May 12th from Berkeley School of Music with a Major in Music. Future plans are to compose music for musicals. She plays guitar. Dana Randall (Granddaughter of Joanne Clark) Graduated Pittsburgh High School with High School Diploma and will attend Slippery Rock University for Physical Therapy. Madison Stolarski (Granddaughter of Eileen and Frank Hilt) Graduating from Pennridge High School with High School Diploma. Madison will attend Moravian College for Nursing. Oliver Jervis (Son of Andrew and Deanna Jervis) Graduating from Pennridge High School with High School Diploma. Oliver will attend Monmouth University in Long Branch, NJ. Major in Business. Janice Rapp (Daughter of Kelly Rapp) Graduating from Pennridge High School with High School Diploma. Janice will attend Lehigh University to study English and International Relations. Hailee Stauffer (Granddaughter of Rogger and Pat Stauffer) Graduated from Bloomsburg University with Bachelor Degree in Social Work. Future plans: Salisbury Behavioral Health in the Children's family Based Mental Health Services program. Bachelor level therapist/mental health worker. Congratulations to the Class of 2018! LIVE LIFE ANEW: A PRAYER AND PRAISE EVENT We give thanks to God that last Saturday s Live Life Anew event at the Perkasie Firehouse was a success. We had good attendance from both First Church and the community, uplifting testimonies were shared, and great praise music was performed in worship of our Lord. (See photos on page 9) JAZZ & JOE CONCERT Back on Thursday May 17th, First Church hosted a jazz concert in our Sanctuary, featuring the Bruce Kaminsky & Friends Ensemble. A modest group of music-lovers enjoyed an evening of excellent jazz music and delicious refreshments. The musicians were very talented. The band had a wonderful time meeting wonderful and appreciative people. We thank everyone involved for the opportunity to share our talents and music. Keep watching bulletins and newsletters for future Jazz & Joe concerts here at First UMC. (See page 11 for photos!) A LOOK AHEAD FIRST UMC FAMILY HAPPENINGS! (Continued from page 2) HIGHLAND PARK Highland Park is celebrating their 125th Anniversary this summer! This year s Youth Camp theme is Whatever Your Will, and runs from July 29 to August 5. Brochures are available on the Narthex and SpiritLight tables. There are several Highland Park events planned this summer with the Park Ladies Auxiliary, as well as Highland Park Cottage Owners Association Concerts. See church bulletin board flyers for more info. F.I.S.H. CAMPAIGN 2018 To date, almost a thousand lbs. have been delivered to FISH! Updated Pantry List: Spaghetti Sauce, Broth & Gravy, Canned Milk, Juice (64 oz.), Canned Pasta, Canned Tomatoes (all varieties) (15 oz.), Meal Helpers, Corn, Jell-O, Canned Cream Soups. 7

8 YF NEWS / ASP TRIP Appalachia Service Project is a Christian ministry, open to all people, that inspires hope and service through volunteer home repair and replacement in Central Appalachia. Please be in prayer for the youth and leaders from First UMC who will travel to Virginia with St. Peter s Covenant Church in Hilltown. Trip is scheduled from July 7 through the 14th. Please note we are in need of new YF Leaders now that the school year has ended. We thank Lois Groff and Donna McCarthy for their years of selfless service to YF. To volunteer and learn more about being a YF leader, contact the church office. PARTY ANNOUNCEMENT (from Annie Leadem, one of Barbara and Dick Leight s daughters-in-law) Save the date! Everyone in the FUMC community is invited to a party celebrating the 80th birthdays of two dear friends, Barbara Leight and Ruthanne Porter. Hosted by their families, the luncheon reception will be on Saturday, July 21st, from 12 noon to 4 p.m., in the dining hall at Highland Park, Sellersville. WORDS OF THANKS THANKS FROM BEN BOTTI Thanks to all who held me in prayer during my recent hospitalization. I have virtually fully recovered from my stroke and I m convinced your prayers played a big part in that. THANK YOU FROM THE LEIGHT HOUSE PRESCHOOL Thank you so very much for allowing The Leight House Preschool (on Saturday, April 28th), to have our recitals in the church. Our theme was about ocean creatures and the beach. A good time was had by all. Barbara J. Leight. THANK YOU FROM THE PERKASIE HISTORICAL SOCIETY Dear JOY Circle members, the Perkasie Historical Society thanks you all for your more than three decades of excellent service at our dinner programs. From setting up to tearing down, each month you all did a great job in accommodating us year in and year out. We enjoyed the wonderful and delicious food you provided from salads and meals to the scrumptious desserts! The church hall provided a guest venue for our meetings and we will miss you. We all have great memories of those dinners, thanks to your hard work and dedication all those years. God bless you all, Perkasie Historical Society. J.O.Y. Circle has expressed regret of giving up the Historical Society dinners. However, the meetings and dinners will take place at their new location: St. Stephens Church on Arch Street, starting in September. THANK YOU FROM DORIS ZIMMERMAN To Pastor Scott and friends at FUMC. I truly believe God intervened to save my life. I thank Pastor Scott and all of you for your many prayers. I thank you for your visits, cards, and flowers. Faith and love, Doris. HAPPY MOTHER S DAY TO JOY CIRCLE To all of you Loving Ladies of JOY Circle, Happy Mother s Day!, and to those of you who are not mothers, you are angels. Enjoy your day whatever you do. enjoy the nice weather finally. God bless you and keep you all well. ~Fondly, Midge Caruso (Alanna s Mom). PS: Thoughts and prayers for all of you. MAGAZINES AND BOOKS FOR HOSPITAL PATIENTS GVH is now accepting books, paper and hardback. Please bring your donated magazines and books to the glass case outside the church office. Magazines must be no more than a year old, address labels must be removed MINISTRY OPPORTUNITIES: GREETERS AND USHERS If you like to say hello to people each Sunday, don t hurry to your seat, but stay to greet anyone coming in, especially visitors. And if you are willing to help someone to their seat or to take up the offering, we are looking for some people who would like to be called Ushers. Just contact the office to let us know that you are willing to help with these ministries. HOW TO DONATE TO FUMC ONLINE Visit Click on the Give Online button in the header. Follow the instructions. Each one must do just as he has purposed in his heart, not grudgingly or under compulsion, for God loves a cheerful giver. ~2 Corinthians 9:7 8

9 First UMC s LIVE LIFE ANEW Prayer and Praise Night Perkasie Fire Hall Saturday June 9th; 7 PM 9

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12 FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 501 Market Street Perkasie, PA Sunday Worship Schedule Church Office Hours 9:00 AM 10:30 AM Contemporary Worship Traditional Worship Tuesdays through Fridays: 9 AM to 1 PM Closed Mondays Pastor Scott Dorn Jac Filer Lay Leader Robert Creager Organist/Choir Director Melinda Krpata Worship Leader Alanna Jones Administrative Assistant Edmund Schonheiter Custodian j u n e / J u l y h i g h l i g h t s In this issue: Confirmation Sunday at First UMC Father s Day Luncheon Sunday June 24th Share the Sanctuary Campaign FUMC Confirmation Trip to Philadelphia Historic Churches; May 2, 2018 Volunteer and Class of 2018 Graduate Recognition Our mission: Embrace our community with God s love Make disciples to share in doing simple things for God s kingdom 12