Finding Peace in the Solitude

2/4/2021

This Sunday we take a deeper look at something we've all become experts in: SOLITUDE. As his first formal act of ministry, Jesus went alone into the desert and was tempted by Evil (Luke 4:1-15). It's only in facing our fears, that we find lasting strength from God. We will celebrate Holy Communion during worship - in the sanctuary or online. So stop by the church office to pick up your pre-blessed Communion set, ask your Angel for a delivery visit, or BYOB (bring your own bread and juice). It will be glorious!

Click the grey circle or red symbol here to join us:
Sunday, February 7th
10:30AM Worship
Warm-up (for kids) begins at 10:15AM

Click HERE to give online

Upcoming Events

Please click here to see the new and improved Church Calendar (with Zoom links for each open meeting and small group)

Still chugging along
We continue to welcome record small numbers (12-18) to in-person worship each week. Vaccines are NOT required, but face coverings and social distance are. We'll be here when you are ready.

An Invitation:

"I wanted to be the first to invite you back to church. We are able to return to the Sanctuary for Worship, with distancing and mask wearing requirement, but it is a return to in person worship. Thank you to those of you that have been watching and worshiping with us online, but as a rather traditional church and denomination it just doesn’t feel the same, does it?

What I miss by worshiping at home is the fellowship of our members – you! And the mixing of our voices as we raise them together as we sing and praise God. I know that He hears us as a chorus no matter where we are, but there is something special about joining our voices as one in our Sanctuary.

I also long to feel the Holy Spirit as He mingles among and through us as we gather 0together with a common purpose of worship. I know it is convenient to watch the Service from the comfort of our homes, but I challenge you to make the effort to get out of your PJs, comb your hair, and join us this Sunday morning at 10:30AM. If you are hesitant to attend yet due to the pandemic, I understand your concern, and would never ask you to discount your safety. I just miss you and felt like it was time for me to extend this invitation. I continue to pray for our church and its congregation, each and every one of you.

God bless. Christ is counting on us!"
Perry Cogburn (Leadership Council Chairman)

Dive in this Month
The Thursday night Women's Bible study and the Sunday School class are both starting a six-week Lenten study by Rev. Adam Hamilton. Get your own book, and join us! Please email Pat Ferrell, Women's Bible study leader, or join her Thursdays at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall with Covid-precautions. Zoom available on request. Please contact Bruce Hyink, Sunday School leader, or join him Sunday mornings from 9-10AM. Click here for their Zoom link.

Need a warm soup?
The Missions Team is pre-selling packaged, homemade Beef Chili (gluten-free) and Chicken Orzo (pasta) Soup for $10/quart on Sunday, February 21st to raise money for the Habitat for Humanity Faith Build and other projects. Click this link to pre-order by Feb. 12th.

United Methodist Women need YOU! Zoom meetings (click here) are the 2nd and 4th Wednesday each month at 1:30PM. We'd love craft donations to offer a show in the fall. Please bring in all prayer shawls for a blessing this Sunday. Thanks! Paula Allard (UMW President)

Notable Christmas Thank you
"Thank you, thank you! for a Christmas Eve that our group of 9 will not soon forget. The lights on the sidewalks, the bells proclaiming Jesus's birth - God bless you all for sharing a real truth. It was a blessing to hear. As the time passes, do not tire of towing the true line, run the race, and continue to push for those who don't know the love of God. Christmas Eve was such a blessing to many souls; we so appreciate your time and talents. Thank you for sharing this special night with us all! Galatians 6:9 'And let us not grow weary of doing good' and Proverbs 21:21 'He who prusues righteousness and loving devotion finds life sad honor.' Please host again - what a blessed event!" from Cheryl Armstrong, LaPorte

Prayer Requests
continued healing of our Nation; Covid-related stress, illness, death; Tony Park; Chris DeBey; Melinda Stephan; Betty & Larry Schleiger; Aiden; Kat Sheffield; Marilyn's family; Vera Chipman; Mary Mumby; Donna's FIL Earl Pierce; the Cooks; Sgt. Lizzie Pryzgoda; shut-ins Bob K, Bud H, Judy C, Eileen F, Ann G, Don T, Nancy S and all isolated.

Birthdays and Anniversaries
Happy Birthday to Ann Guy, Brenda lliff and Trin Chapin (2/6), Paige Freitag (2/7), and Darla Altemose (2/9)!
We don't have any February anniversaries - are we missing yours? Please send us your dates

The Mountain Sky Conference (MSC) is offering many ZOOM educational opportunities in the coming weeks. All are invited to attend:

Finding Peace in an Anxious World

Join this spiritual study offered by the United Methodist Women, based on the Serenity Prayer and Proverbs. Four sessions via Zoom (Feb. 7-28) begin this Sundays from 2-4 PM. Register online here.

February is Black History Month

The global United Methodist Women offer these resources for ongoing education. The General Commission on Race and Religion invites us to read or watch this conversation with the authors of the new book "I'm Black, I'm Christian. I'm Methodist." Or join local Lay and Clergy leaders in "This is my Story, This is my Song" a conversation held Saturdays from 9:30-10:45 beginning Feb. 27th based on the hymn "Blessed Assurance" in order to amplify the often unheard voices of our Black, Indigenous and People of Color (BIPOC) siblings. The goal is deep listening, learning and co-creating Beloved Community together. Register here to join.

2021 Just Love Lenten Series

Click here to register for Sundays 5:30-6:45PM, beginning Feb. 21st, to explore justice issues like Japanese internment, generational trauma, human trafficking, restorative justice and more.

"Leading Worship" Advanced Class

Click here for a registration form for the Lay Servant Ministry Advanced Class, on Zoom Tuesdays from 6-8PM, Feb. 9, 16, 23, and March 2, 9. Order your book, Worshipping With United Methodists (REVISED), by Hoyt Hickman, or call Gene Thornton (719-761-5450) with questions.