LAKEWOOD FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH News & Views

Transcription

1 LAKEWOOD FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH News & Views Volume 12, Issue 2 February By Pastor Olu Harding Greetings to the Lakewood First Church Family, in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. What I like best about the early months of the New Year is the opportunity for a new beginning, the incentives it brings to make our resolutions a reality. This is the time of year when we hear conversations about working harder, joining a fitness club, going on a diet, among other things. We are only a month into the New Year and we are already making preparations for Lent in March. This year, February offers ample planning time for one of the busiest seasons of the church year. I look forward with great expectation to all that Lent and Easter have to offer, as we plan towards these celebrations. Are you planning to give up anything this Lent? Often people talk of giving something up for Lent an act of self-denial, fitting for the Lenten journey. We can also use the season of Lent to take on new things intentional practice of the spiritual disciplines, including: more contemplative prayer times; more involvement in Worship, Sunday School, Bible Study, and outreach activities. How about inviting others to share in this time of reflection and realization of God s love for us: For God so loved the world, that God gave his only begotten Son that whosoever believes in him will not perish but have eternal life. ( John 3: 16). Our ministries involve outreach opportunities to invite friends and family to come and see what we do here at Lakewood First. We can model the call and response of the early disciples who, when they met Jesus, immediately followed him. The call of the early disciples is described by all four Gospel writers. According to the Gospel of John, Andrew was the first of two disciples to follow Jesus. (John 1: 35-42). We know relatively little about Andrew, but we do know that he was the one who invited his brother Simon to Jesus. Andrew s invitation to his brother Simon was simple, but profound: We have seen the Messiah! (John 1:41). It was at this meeting that Jesus named Simon: Cephas or Peter, which means, the rock. Andrew can be tagged an early hero of evangelism because he was never tired of inviting and bringing people to Christ. On one occasion, Andrew brought forward and introduced the lad with five loaves and two fish to Jesus. Jesus prayed and used the little boy s lunch to feed 5000 plus people with 12 baskets-full left over. (John 6: 8-9). The Scriptures also tell us that Phillip (another disciple of Jesus) introduced two Greek visitors to Andrew. This was in Jerusalem, following the triumphal entry. Andrew and Phillip proceeded to introduce the two men to Jesus. (John 12: 20-23). That s when Jesus affirmed: The hour has come for the Son of Man to be glorified. I believe our greatest strength at Lakewood First is our hospitality and love for neighbor. The church offers ministries and programs that are rewarding and fulfilling to church members and the wider community. In addition, the Church contributes to the missions of the United Methodist Church, making it an integral part of the global ministries of the denomination. May Christ continue to dwell in our hearts through faith, and may we be able to comprehend the breadth and length and height and depth of God s love. (Ephesians 3: 17-19). Andrew, in his actions, demonstrates to us that a simple invitation can go a long way. Every church can use a few more Andrews. May we, like Andrew, continue to invite others to come and see! Grace and peace, Pastor Olu

2 1 Peter 4:10 Each of you should use whatever gift you have received to serve others, as faithful stewards of God's grace in various forms. NIV Blessings to everyone. Elsie Daffron and Barbara Walker must be dancing in Heaven as they look down and see their vision and dream of a remodeled kitchen taking place. Thank you for the donations toward the Kitchen Refurbishment project. They are appreciated. I have been asked to put in the newsletter the list of appliances you may wish to honor someone or as a memorial to a special loved one. Here's the list: 2 wall mount $2, each; 1 Counter Top $ ; 2 Gas $1, each; 2 Convection $ each; 2 $ each ( I dishwasher has been donated); and 2 Undermount Double $ And of course no donation is to small. Again Thank You! They Dreamed It! They Left Money For it! Let's Finish It! LET'S DO IT! A dedication service will follow the completion of the kitchen. Thank you to our Youth Group for hosting January's dine-out at Fuddruckers! February's dine-out will be held at Marie Callender's, hosted by the Worship Team. We hope you will be able to join us. Our dine-outs are a lot of fun and great fellowship. Our 2nd Coffee House will be held February 25th, Saturday evening, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. This event is open to the public.. Church members invite your friends and neighbors! Come and join us for a fun evening. God is good! All the time! Amen! Happy Valentine's Day everyone! Love you!! Sharon Smith Church Council Chair

3 The Family ConNEXTion Families come in all shapes and sizes. Families need care, support and encouragement as they navigate the joys and perils of everyday living. The ongoing goals of Family Ministry are to provide events and resources that assist in the faith formation of the entire family; children, youth and adults. Our Fat Tuesday Pancake meal and celebration will be held Tuesday, February 28 th at 6:00pm. Join us for food, fun, and fellowship. We are in our early planning stages for summer Vacation Bible School set the first week of August. Let us continue to celebrate the joys and overcome the struggles as we journey together as faithful families of our risen Lord. Paul Kaho Director of Family and Youth Ministries The deadline for submitting newsletter articles is Monday, February No later than 2pm (the deadline is ALWAYS the 2 nd Monday of the month.) Remember the articles should be written to reflect events that happened in February will happen in March Please submit your articles via an attachment to: office@lakewoodfirstumchurch.com Contact the office if you d like to receive the News & Views via . Office@lakewoodfirstumchurch.com Adult Children's 9:00am in the Library During Worship Discovery Room Preschool thru 2nd Grade Adventure Room 3rd Grade thru 5th Grade Youth Room 6th grade thru High School

4 The Children's Church kids and youth did a great job telling the wonderful story of the birth of Jesus, our Savior, via costume, word, song, and action at our Christmas Eve Family Service. Mary, Joseph, angels, and shepherds invited the congregation to "Come to Bethlehem and See", to worship Him, and to share the good news with others. Here are some pictures that capture our kids and youth in action. Ms. Margie and Ms. Tina

5 Tuesday February 28 Baker Hall 6:00pm See Paul Kaho for details. Saturday, February 4 Saturday, February 11 Tuesday, February 21 Saturday, February 25 Tuesday, February 28 Wednesday, March 1 Wednesday, March 8 Sunday, March 12 Sunday, April 9 Thursday, April 13 Friday, April 14 West District How to Workshops Spiritual Gifts Workshop Dine Out at Marie Callendar s Coffee House Fat Tuesday Pancake Dinner Ash Wednesday Service Lenten Bible Study Begins (5 weeks) Spring Forward (Daylights Savings Time Begins) Palm Sunday Worship Service Maundy Thursday Worship Service Good Friday Worship Service Sanctuary Sunday, April 16 Easter Brunch Baker Hall Have you seen the barrels on the courtyard for recycling? Wednesday March 1 7:00pm See Pastor Olu for details The Finance Committee continues to sponsor bottle and can recycling drive.. Please REMOVE the lids from the bottles. Last year we collected $ which went back into the General Fund. For details see Vicky Lowes (562)

6 Spiritual Gifts Inventory books are available from Paul Kaho or Sharon Smith. Mark your calendar now to attend the Spiritual Gifts Workshop on Saturday, February 11 2:00pm, Library 2017 has been moving quickly as we move into 2017 has been moving quickly as we move into February.. Our youth have begun to raise funds to replace the upstairs youth room Air Conditioner unit. We will have a bake sale on Sunday February 12 th. Please consider donating to help us with the $1000 cost. We have been learning how to have the Best Year Ever using advice from the Bible as Jesus shows us the way to be better in our relationships with other people and God. We are excited to share that the youth of Lakewood First would like to host a pancake breakfast for our Food Pantry clients in March or April. Please keep all of our youth and their families in your prayers as we continue to learn to follow Jesus. Paul Kaho Director of Youth and Family Ministries Sunday, January 8

7 Adult Bible Study - Sunday 9:00am Library See Pastor Olu for details Wednesdays 6pm Detour Room See Paul Kaho for details All Ages Welcome Wednesdays, 6:30pm Library See Pastor Olu for details Tuesday, February 28 7:30pm Library If you are reading the Upper Room Devotional, join a discussion group in the Library On Thursday mornings at 10am. LAKEWOOD FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 4300 BELLFLOWER BLVD. LAKEWOOD, CA (562) Office (562) Fax Adult Sunday School 9:00 AM Worship 10:30 A.M. Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors