First United Methodist Church of Warren Congregational Connections January 28, 2021 - First United Methodist Church of ...
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First United Methodist Church of
Warren
Congregational Connections
January 28, 2021
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Connect people to God's love ~ Grow
disciples of
Jesus Christ ~ Serve God by serving others.
Visit us at: warrenfirstumc.org
Pastor's Pen
Dear Church Family,
I would like to take a moment to share with you some of what is going on in the
building this week. Over the past several months, we have shared with you that
the leadership team decided to move ahead with the installation of technology
in the building as we prepare to come back together sometime (hopefully
soon.) This week, the contractors started installing that technology in the
building. I know that at first it may seem a bit strange, but we also believe that it
will help us continue to offer a meaningful worship experience even after we are
able to come back together again.
That is not all that is happening in our building. Food continues to come in and
go back out to feed hungry families. We thank those who have volunteered to
help us move that food to other pantries in the area. At this time, we have
teamed up with Woodside Bible Church to support their pantry. We are also
feeding the guests of MCREST this week. Several members of the congregation
are gathering together (safely) to prepare 60+ meals for those in the MCREST
program. Right now, they are housing somewhere around 220 people. We will
have more information about what is going on at MCREST next week.
Also, Lent starts in just a few weeks. Once again, to help make our Lenten
Journey a little more interactive, we are putting together Lent Bags that will show
up on your door step sometime the second week of February. If you would like
help with this, we would love to have you.
Finally, I shared last week that we get it. I simply want to stress that I do
understand that some of us are anxious to get back together. This week, I
talked with several members of the congregation and I get it. I know that we are
tired of all of this. We encourage you to get vaccinated as soon as it is possible.
The sooner this happens, the sooner we will be able to come back together
again. Know that you are loved and you are missed.
Blessings,
Rev. Melissa J. Claxton
CHURCH OFFICE HOURS
9 A.M. TO 3:30 P.M.
MONDAY THRU THURSDAY
In This Week's Congregational
Connections!
Worship ~
This week's service at a glance
Directions to join worship by phone
~ Important Announcements ~
Technology Update
Save the Date - Greater Detroit Dist. UMC Annnual Prayer Breakfast
Thank you
Doris Crowell Obituary
~ Opportunities to Connect ~
Small Groups in the Making
~ Opportunites to Grow ~
Do you need a devotional?
Monday Evening Study
Wednesday Noon Study
Funday School for Kids - Day and Time Change
Zoom Information
~ Opportunity to Serve ~
Lent box assembly and delivery
In Need of Nature Videos
Cans and Bottles
Prayer Warriors Needed
`~Covid 19 Update ~
{Any items we are collecting such as food, masks and other
donations, can be dropped off at the churches north entrance. The
outside doors remain open at this time.}
Make sure to look at the new picture at the bottom of the page!
Worship This Week
Praise Hymn: They Will Know We are Christians by Our Love
Scripture: Corinthians 13:1-13
Message: Stop Being Nice! Be Loving Instead
~ Rev. Melissa Claxton
Closing Hymn: Together We Serve
Lay Reader: Robert Knakal
Music: Cheryl Dugan, Julie Lily,
Mary Ellen Renaud and Gary Voshol
Directions to Join Worship by Zoom
You can now join us for worship by logging into zoom or calling in using your
phone.
For those calling in, please follow the prompts. We will be starting the zoom 15
minutes prior to service if you would like to engage in conversation with one
another. You can also stay after for a few minutes and continue the
conversation.
ZOOM Instructions:
Phone number (929) 205 6099
Meeting ID: 820 6135 4083
Press: 0#
Password: 123
Or connect using the link below.
Sunday Worship Zoom Link
IMPORTANT ANNOUNCEMENTS!
Church Technology Update!
We are preparing for the day when we can
come back together for in-person worship.
When that day comes, we know we will face
a few challenges as we strive to maintain a
safe space for us to gather. Technology will
help us overcome these challenges
The first stage of the technology upgrades included two cameras in
teh sanctuary as well as supporting equipment. In the weeks to
come, the rest of the equipment will be installed. This equipment
includes:
Monitors installed at the front of the sanctuary as well as near
the rear. These monitors will allow us to project the hymns and
scriptures as well as allow us to bring other forms of media.to
our worship service.
Upgrades to our sound system that will allow us to plug in more
microphones and utilize the system better.
Lighting for the front of the church that will help illuminate the
Chancel area.
We are trying to make this process as seamless as possible so that
when we are back together, we can worship safely. If you have any
questions, you can contact any member of our Leadership Team or
the Pastor.
United Methodist Women Prayer
Breakfast
SAVE THE DATE!!!!
United Methodist Women
Greater Detroit District
Annual Prayer Breakfast
February 13, 2021
Speaker: Rev.Ava Euper, Pastor atTrinity United Methodist Church of Roseville
This will be a Zoom event – details will follow in January 2021. Hope to “see” you
there!
Thank you for your support of the
Outreach Coordinator Position.
We thank all of you who have faithfully given to the Outreach
Coordinator position. That grant has come to an end and the position
no longer exists. We do see great value in having someone to help
guide us in the work of connecting with the greater community and
hope that we will be able to hire someone again in the future. When
that day comes, we will be paying that position out of the General
Fund as we do all other salaries.
There are several members of the congregation who have
faithfully given to the Outreach Coordinator position. Again,
we say thank you for your generosity. We will be closing out
that special account and ask if you would be willing to
redirect those funds to the General Fund.
THANK YOU CORNER
Thank you to Becky and Wally McFall for delivering the extra
food from our pantry to Woodside Bible Church whose food
pantry, along with a laundrymat and thrift closet, serve a
great number of people in need in Warren and surrounding
areas.
TOGETHER, WE ARE MAKING A DIFFERENCE! THANK
YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT.
Virginia Doris Crowell, age 95, of Warren, MI passed
away on Friday, January 22, 2021 Ascension
Macomb-Oakland Hospital.
Virginia was born on April 6, 1925 in Graves
County, KY to the late Erbice and Mary Olive Reid
Hathcock. She worked in the special education
department as a teachers aide for the Macomb
Intermediate School District. She was a member of
the Eastern Star and was of the Methodist Faith.
Virginia is survived by her sister, Susie Smith
(Delmer) of Symsonia, KY; two brothers, Jerry
Hathcock (Cheryl) of Benton, KY, and Donald
Hathcock (Sandra) of Symsonia, KY; three
nephews, Randy Smith, Rodney Smith, and
Vincent Hathcock; and three nieces, Diane Green,
Leslie Heath, and Amanda Hibbs.
She was preceded in death by her husband,
Charles L. Crowell; her son, Ricky Crowell; her
sister, Faye Hathcock; one brother, Jim Hathcock;
and her nephew, Steve Hathcock.
Graveside services will be held Friday, January 29,
2021 at Symsonia Cemetery at 1:00 PM with Bro.
Jeff Collins and Bro. Jim Boyd officiating.
Opportunities to Connect
Small Groups Have Moved On-Line!
Please contact the church office and let them know you are
looking to connect with a small group.
Small Groups that we currently have in place:
Connect Groups:
United Methodist Women's Circles
United Methodist Men
Grow Groups:
Monday Evening Study - Traveling Light by Max Ludaco
Monday Evening: Engage - Conversations Around Faith
Wednesday Noon Study - If Grace is True by Philip Gulley
Serve Groups:
Although there isn't a specific group, there are plenty of opportunities
to connect with others through service. Please check below under
Opportunities to Serve.
Worship Groups:
One worship group has formed and there is room for others. If you
are interested in gathering for virtual worship with a small group of
people, please let us know.
Opportunities to Grow
Monday Study -Traveling Light
We will be meeting at the Reanult home at
29620
Van Laan Dr, Warren 48092 Monday
evenings at
7 p.m. to study "Traveling Light" by Max
Lucado starting October 5.
Cost per book: $8.00
Zoom Code: 843 0630 7903
Wednesday Noon Study ~ Words
of Life
we will be exploring Adam Hamilton's book Words
of Life. The cost of the book is $15. The study will
begin on Wednesday, January 6th.
If you are interested in joining us, please let us
know so we can have a book for you. We will be
meeting on zoom for a little bit longer. The link is
below.
Noon to 1:30
Now On Zoom
Zoom Link
Engage
Engage is a relatively new group that has been
meeting together to Engage in meaningful
conversation with one another about faith,
doctrine, and what the Bible really says about
these things. Anyone who would like to worship
with others through engaging conversation is
welcome to join us. Current topic is: Is Worship
Necessary?
We meet on Monday nights at 7 p.m. on
Zoom. Contact the office if you would like
to particpate in this conversational worship
experience.
Engage Link
Children's Funday School
We are still on Zoom, but we will no longer be
meeting on Wednesday evenings. Through
conversation with our parents, we have moved
Funday School to Sunday afternoons. If you have a
child who would like to be part of Funday school,
please let the office know so we can get them the
supplies needed for the craft.
Sundays at 12:00 p.m. on Facebook/Zoom
Please contact the office for a zoom link.
Do you need a devotional booklet?
The Upper Rooms and Daily Breads are available in
the church office. If this is a normal part of your
devotion life (or you would like it to be) please
contact the Pastor by either leaving a message at
the church or sending her a email. We will mail you
one.
We cannot promise you will get the version you
like. It will be first come, first serve. Let us know
your preference. Either way, we will get one in the
mail for you. Also, if you know someone who is not
connected to the internet and is not getting this
message but usually gets a copy, please let us
know.
Opportunities to Serve
Lent Box Assemblers and Delivery People
Needed
Beginnng next week, we need volunteers to help
assemble Lent boxes for delivery the week of
February 8th. We also need volunteers to help
deliver the boxes. If you are interested and
available to help with either (or both!) of these
tasks, please contact Pastor Melissa or the church
office.
Calling all videographers out there: We are looking
for short nature videos you have taken to use for
the recorded online service. Videos should be of
30 second to 3 minute length. Keep in mind your
video will be subject to editing and, if used in the
service, will remain online indefinitely (as the
services do). Thank you in advance for your help.
Please send the videos to Twylia Voshol or the
church office.
Cans and Bottles collected here!
If you don't want to return your cans and bottles,
drop them off at church. We will do the work for
you and the funds will be used for MCREST.
In Search of Prayer Warriors
With all the challenges ahead of us, we are in search of prayer warriors to help
us prepare for ministry in 2021. We are looking for people who would be willing
to come and walk around the building and pray for the minsitry of the church,
the church leaders, the church members and the many minstries. There are 14
prayer stations throughout the building to help guide you in prayer. Please let
us know if you are interested in being part of this ministry. If you can't come to
the church, you can pray from home.
COVID-19 UPDATES
Keeping You Informed
Due to the rising numbers, the church
office hours have been temporarily
changed to 10:00 am-12:00 pm.
With the number of Covid cases increasing drastically in
Michigan, we are being proactive in our response. Effective
11/1, the following changes were made:
All small groups are meeting virtually. With the exception
of our support groups (N.A., A.A., and S-anon) there are no
small groups meeting in the church building at this time. We also
ask that all church related groups meet virtually until it is safe to
meet in person once again.
Non-essential ministry groups are not meeting. We have
started up a few ministry groups such as a sewing group. They
are not meeting in person until futher notice. We do encourage
people to sew at home and if you need supplies at are located at
the church, arrangements can be made to pick them up.
Help by becoming a Servant Minister: Everyone can be a
Servant Minister. Servant Ministers are volunteers who serve God by
serving others. As we move towards quarentine once again, we are in
need of servant ministers to help us stay connected, as well as offer
opportunities for growth and service.
Servant Ministers making phone calls: We need all of you
actively making phone calls to members of the church. We
would like to set up small groups of 5 or so people who will
continue to be in contact with one another. If you are interested
in being in charge of one of these small groups, please let the
office know.
Servant Ministers sending notes and cards: Please stop
and look through the directory. Send out a note or card to
someone you may not know very well or talk to often. Let them
know you are thinking of them. Take time to pray for that person
or family.
Servant Ministers helping in the office from time to
time: With ministry being virtual, there are is more behind the
scenes prep work that needs to be done. We need servant
ministers to schedule times when they can come to the church
and help put together things like our Funday school kits.
Supporting the Church
Thank you for your continued support of
the ministry here at First UMC of Warren.
Throughout this pandemic, you have
faithfully shared with the community of
Warren that the church is more than a
building or a worship service. These past
seven months, we have remained an active
presence in our community.
Ways to give:
You can give on-line through egiving (found on our website)
You can mail in your tithe
You can place your tithe in the prayer box at outdoor worship
Prayer Ministry
Prayer Concerns
We have been sending out prayer concerns via
email and the phone prayer chain. If you have any
specific concerns, please contact the pastor.
Please keep your brothers and sisters in Christ in your prayers
through this most difficult time. Prayer chain emails are going on as
prayer requests come in. If you are not receiving those emails and
would like to, please email the pastor at
pastormelissa@warrenfirstumc.org.
Picture of the Week:
Servant Ministers at work.
First UMC of Warren
5005 Chicago Rd
Warren, MI 48092
(586) 264-4701
contact@warrenfirstumc.org
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