March 2021 - Visit our web-site at: www.monticellofumc.org - First United Methodist Church Monticello
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March 2021 Contact us at: FUMCMonticello@embarqmail.com Visit our web-site at: www.monticellofumc.org
Much can be said about the season of Lent. The forty days
leading up to Easter Sunday are some of the most celebrated
and cherished in the life of the church. Yet, to truly embrace
the significance and meaning of Lent, requires us to be more
than bystanders or cheerleaders on the sidelines. Lent re-
quires our active participation. Lent is not passive. Christ cru-
cified is not for our pleasure, rather it is our destiny.
“I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but
Christ lives in me. The life I now live in the body, I live by
faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for
me” (Galatians 2:20).
The Apostle Paul’s goal was to mimic Christ to the fullest extent--Suffering. Death. And ulti-
mately resurrection. How awesome is it that Paul saw little differentiation between the Chris-
tian life and the life of Christ? Paul as swimming in the deep end of the pool and relished every
opportunity to go a bit deeper! Yet, we know that Paul was often alone in this journey.
The challenging part about Lent is that we have to make a choice—go for a deep dive or con-
tinue in shallow spirituality. We have to die to ourselves before we can experience the fullness
of being resurrected with Christ. In Old English, Lent meant “spring season.” What happens
before spring? We experience the cold winter months and everything dies. Green turns to
brown. Animals go into hibernation. Freezing cold dominates. The days are shorter.
Then we enter into spring and life begins to blossom. Spring points to newness and an end to
death. Lent involves a self-imposed death but ultimately culminates in Easter resurrection.
Lent begins with the symbolic Ash Wednesday which represents fragility and death, but con-
cludes with ever lasting hope on Easter!
I pray this Lent will be meaningful and that we will take time to draw close to Christ and dis-
cover the new life that awaits us all in the resurrection. We are people of the resurrected kind
and find our ultimate hope in the resurrected King.
Blessings,
Pastor Jon
We have a wonderful opportunity through Samaritan’s Purse to bless chil-
dren ages 2-14 in three different countries in Africa. Our plan is to prepare
100 Operation Christmas Child shoeboxes to be delivered in November.
These boxes may be the only personal gift these children have ever re-
ceived. From its inception in 1993, Samaritan’s Purse has provided 178
million boxes in over 150 countries. We will be collecting toys, school
supplies and hygiene items throughout 2021. After collecting, we will
pack boxes and send them to a distribution center. In addition to the shoe-
boxes, we will be providing a 12 lesson follow-up disciple program where
the children will learn to follow Christ and share Him with others. You
will have the opportunity to either purchase items from a special list or provide funds to purchase these items.
Mark you check “Shoebox Ministry”. Thank you in advance and look forward to more information in the
months to come.You’re Invited To Join
Our Community Easter Egg Hunt on Sunday,
March 28th, beginning at 5:00 pm.
Jefferson County Recreation Park
1380 Mamie Scott Drive
Register online at monticellofumc.org
For a chance to win a ONE POUND Easter Egg!!
For additional information, please contact Liz Hawkins
Little Angels Preschool News
February was so much fun. For many of us, it was our very first Val-
entine’s Day Party. We thought it was wonderful to have a day all
about candy and the cutest little cards to exchange with all of our
friends. We made our teachers read every single card to us and tell
us what each conversation candy heart said before we ate them!
We had cookies, cupcakes and punch! It was a delightful day!
We also learned about the letter “L” and that it begins the word love. We learned how much God loves us
and wonder how anyone could love us more that our Mommies and Daddies. We made lanterns and talked
about Jesus being the lamp unto our feet and the light unto our path. That means Jesus will show us the way
if we just choose to follow him.
We studied the letter “W”. We talked about weather. We learned that the weather changes very quickly in
Florida. One day we can play outside on our playground in no jackets and the next our teachers bundle us up
so that we can barely move. We like outside time very much. The teachers like outside play time just as
much as we do. They keep saying we need to get our wiggles out and leave them on the playground. Some
days we have more wiggles than others.
We also learned about the letter “X”. Our teachers made that a really fun letter to learn. It’s not even hard
for us to write. We had a treasure hunt where X marks the spot. “Yo Ho Ho and a bottle of Juice!” We found
our buried treasure filled with lollipops! We couldn’t believe our eyes!
“Z” is another letter we learned about in February. Zippers, zippers, oh how difficult they can be for our little
fingers. Once we get them started, we can zip up our jackets. Sometimes, we even have a hard time getting
our jackets on the right way. Our hoods end up at our feet. Our teachers just smile and help us put them on
correctly.
Preschool is such a fun place! We’re looking forward to next month. We heard spring is coming.Thank You Notes
Dear Church Family,
Thank you for all your prayers, cards and concerns during these
last months. Jackie’s death left a hole in our hearts, but we are so
happy she is in the arms of her Savior and is not suffering any-
more. I was overwhelmed by the love I felt from my church family
when Juanice (Hughes) brought the delicious food to take care of All ladies are invited to gather on Tuesday, March 9, in
my large family’s hunger needs. It was such a blessing! FUMC the Family Ministry Center for a time of fellowship and
funeral sisters represents such a wonderful ministry and example of inspiration. We will be watching the movie Overcomer,
God’s love and compassion. Again, thank you - I love my church!
the story of a basketball coach who has to take over
Becky Stoutamire coaching the track team and how that changes his life and
the lives of others. “Filled with a powerful mix of faith,
Dear Church Family, humor and heart, this inspirational story will have you on
I want to thank you for all of your thoughts and prayers during my the edge of your seat.” We’ll meet at 6:00; come and
hip replacement surgery. I am getting along fine and will be com- bring a friend!
pletely recovered soon. I especially want to thank Diane Freeman
and the Nurture Team for the wonderful fruit basket. Thanks
again and may God bless.
Jack Bulloch
Dear Methodist Church Family,
Thank you sincerely for the delicious meal you provided for after
Charles Richard “Dick” Revell’s funeral service in early January.
The meal provided such comfort as we welcomed family from near
and far. Please know that this ministry is very much appreciated
during such a vulnerable time such as the death of a loved one. “Spring forward” on Sunday, March 14 as
And please thank the men who helped install the wheelchair ramp
for Dick and Eleanor. Daylight Savings Time begins. Set your
Sincerely, clocks one hour ahead on Saturday, March 13
The Dick Revell Family
before going to bed, OR you will be LATE for
Church!!
SAN JUAN de los YEARS
Please pray for our sister Church, Iglesia Methodista de
San Juan de los Years this month, and specifically for
these church members in March: Dianelis Rodrigues
Abreu, Aray Leon Rivero, Hortensia Garcia Angel,
Amparo Hernandez Gavilla, Nelida Perez Diaz, Juan
Rodriguez Quevedo, Idolidia Diaz Padilla, Ernestina Diaz
Gil, Pedro Gil Beremudez and Alicia de la C. Molina
Reyes
HIDE AND SEEK CONTEST:
Our winner from February was Earlene Knight. Congratulations Ear-
lene! This month is not a word find but a picture find! Call the Church
Office when you have the number of times you see a cross. The prize
is a free meal ticket to our Wednesday night dinners. Each month we
will have something to locate. Please don’t leave a message on the an-
swering machine—it won’t count! Good Luck!!WEDNESDAY FELLOWSIP DINNERS MARCH 10th AND 24TH
Our 6:00 p.m. Wednesday hybrid drive-through and dine-in fellowship dinners continue on the second and fourth
Wednesdays of each month. We have social-distancing indoor seating opportunities in the Family Ministry Center for
up to 50 people for those who would like to dine in and be served. There is no limit on drive-through pick up.
**** Early pick-up/dine-in at 5:40 p.m. (after Pastor Jon’s Bible study!) is available for choir members and others who
need or prefer it. Just let us know when you call in your reservation.
**** Additional takeout meals will be available as our gift for anyone who would like to deliver one to a shut-in or
friend. Just add them to your meal count to help us plan numbers.
On the menu this month:
March 10 – John and Friends Cook Team – Meatloaf, Mashed Potatoes, Green Beans, Yeast Roll, Strawberry
Shortcake
March 24 - TO BE ANNOUNCED
Call the church office (997-5545) before each meal and let us know if you would like to pick-up or dine-in, and how
many meals you would like with the type of meat desired!
COOK TEAMS STARTING UP AGAIN! If your cook team is willing to re-activate for one of the 2nd or 4th Wednesday
Fellowship Dinners, or if you would be interested in serving on or starting a cook team, please let John Hicks (850-321-
0126) or the church office know.
In our Student Ministry we are blown away by what The Lord is doing! This
past month we were able to host our annual party to watch the ‘Big Game’. This
was the first chance we had to host an event since the pandemic began. We had
students, parents, and families gathered together for a great time of fellowship.
We were able to host the event safely with the ability to social distance in place.
It was incredibly encouraging to see children, students, and families all fellow-
shipping together. Our students are diving further and further in their faith, and
they continue to ask great questions, and develop habits that will grow their re-
lationships with Christ for years to come. We seek to create and environment in
our ministry where students from all walks of life can ‘MERGE’ together and
experience the love of Jesus. No matter where you come from, you are welcome
here, and will be shown the love of our Heavenly Father. We can’t do this without our incredible team of vol-
unteers, and the rockstar parents that commit to having their students in our ministry as often as possible. We
are so thankful for where we are, and what God is going to do in the lives of our students. Thank you so much
for being such a faithful and supportive church, that cares about the next generation!
In Kids’ Ministry, we just wrapped up a series all about the ministry of Je-
sus and we learned about it through sports! Great sports moments tend to
involve people who accepted a big challenge, one that required courage
and an ability to keep going. Last month, kids had fun using sports to learn
about the many ways they can say yes to challenges bravely. Jesus accept-
ed many challenges. Through the stories we know about Him, we learn a
bunch of things that help kids walk through whatever they are facing. Let’s
cheer on every kid to be able to say, Jesus takes care of me, Jesus shows
me the truth, Jesus helps me when I'm tempted, and Jesus understands
my challenges.
This month we are diving into a new series called Blueprints! We will be learning all about God’s plans
through Jesus! Blueprints are a kind of plan that helps engineers, architects, and drafters to know how a project
should go. Plans are everywhere. Kids find plans at school, in their lego sets, and even in their video games.
But the best kind of plans are the ones that help us grow. Through the life of Jesus, we're going to find out
that God's plans are perfect, love is the foundation of God's plans, that Jesus said yes to God's plans, and
most of all that we are included in God's plans.MARCH BIRTHDAYS, ANNIVERSARIES AND SPECIAL GROUPS
BIRTHDAYS ANNIVERSARIES WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE!
1 Ava Corley 10 Keith & Stephanie Cook Our traditional worship services are availa-
4 K. C. Cooksey 14 Franklin & Ann Hatcher ble live to everyone through the internet by
5 Davis Revell 15 Bobby & Hilda Smith logging onto First United Methodist
6 Meagan Finlayson 23 Les & Pat Powell Church Monticello Florida-
Buddy Westbrook
24 Danny & Lisa Jackson home/facebook. The ser vice can be
Roger Champion
29 Ed & Sylvia Russell viewed live at 11:00 a.m. every Sunday,
Oswell Maxwell
7 Hines Boyd
and it is then posted to the church website
9 Buck Bird (monticellofumc.org) so that it can be
Grady Richards viewed later during the week. We invite
10 Kathy Joyner you to join us to hear God’s message wher-
11 Jenny Jackson ever you may be.
12 Betty Messer
John Hrynciw The Jefferson County Ministerial Association will
13 Eleanor Hawkins
14 Jim Hammers host the Holy Week Services. They will begin on
17 Nan Baughman Monday, March 29 and continue through Good
18 Henry Cooksey Friday, April 2. The services will start at Noon
19 Jay Walton
20 Micah Slack
each day in the Family Ministry Center. A Grab-
Peyton Slack N-Go lunch will be available after the services,
21 Pam Mueller except on Good Friday. Please note the change of
22 John White venue and change in the lunch from previous years. Lunch proceeds
24 Judson Freeman
Rudy Powell will benefit the Jefferson County Ministerial Association.
Corinne Stephens
Bobby Smith
25 Tanner Powell GRADUATES! We are fast approaching your
26 Walt Moehle graduation season and we want to honor you.
Martin Thigpen Please let the Church Office know you are graduat-
27 Ren Gebhard
Jack “Walker” Bulloch
ing, from where you are graduating (College, Trade
BT Williams School or High School) and your future plans. Par-
28 Joseph Taylor ents, Grandparents - if you want to call the
29 Austin Malloy Church Office and let us know, that is OK!!
31 Becky Stoutamire
We are replacing the old, old windows in the
Parsonage. The new windows will be energy ef-
ficient and safer for the Brewster family. If you
would like to contribute to the windows, please
notate your check “Windows”. Thank You.March 2021
S M T W T F S
1 2 3 4 5 6
10:00 - Women’s 8:30 am - Pray,
Bible Study in the Walk, Love Prayer
Family Ministry Walk
Center
4:30 - Lent Bible Study with
Josh Hawkins - Family Minis- 6:00 - Women’s
try Center
Bible Study in the
Family Ministry
Center
7 8 9 10 11 12 13
6:00 - Frances 4:30 - Lent Bible Study with SET YOUR CLOCKS
8:30 - Praise & Worship Josh Hawkins - Family Minis-
Fellowship/Family try Center AHEAD ONE HOUR
9:00 - Pillow Pals in BEFORE GOING TO
9:45 - Children & Youth Ministry Center
Sunday School Family Ministry BED TONIGHT OR
Center YOU WILL BE LATE
9:45 - Lent Sunday School 6:00 - Wednesday Night FOR CHURCH! IT”S
11:00 - Traditional Worship. 7:00 - Technology Meal - RESERVATIONS TIME TO “SPRING
Committee in the ARE REQUIRED FOR DINE FORWARD”
6:00 - Merge Students Youth Room IN OR TAKE OUT
14 15 16 17 18 19 20
SPRING FORWARD - SET 10:00 - Women’s
YOUR CLOCK AHEAD ONE Bible Study in the
HOUR Family Ministry
Center
8:30 - Praise & Worship
4:30 - Lent Bible Study with
9:45 - Children & Youth Josh Hawkins - Family Minis-
Sunday School 6:00 - Community try Center 6:00 - Women’s
Zoom Prayer Bible Study in the
9:45 - Lent Sunday School
Family Ministry
11:00 - Traditional Worship 7:00 - Finance Center
7:00 - Trustees
6:00 - Merge Students Committee
21 22 23 24 25 26 27
4:30 - Lent Bible Study with
Josh Hawkins - Family Minis-
8:30 - Praise & Worship 10:00 - Worship try Center
9:45 - Children & Youth Committee Meeting Florida Children’s
Sunday School Home Virtual Day On
Campus
9:45 - Lent Sunday School 6:00 - Wednesday Night
11:00 - Traditional Worship Meal - RESERVATIONS
ARE REQUIRED FOR DINE
6:00 - Merge Students IN OR TAKE OUT
28 29 30 31 April 1 April 2 April 3
PALM SUNDAY Noon - Holy Noon - Holy Week Noon - Holy Week Service in 10:00 & 6:00 - GOOD FRIDAY
Week Service in Service in Family Family Ministry Center Women’s Bible
Noon - Holy
8:30 - Praise & Worship Family Ministry Ministry Center Study
Grab-N-Go lunch to follow Week Service in
Center
9:45 - Children & Youth 4:30 - Lent Bible Study with Noon - Holy Week Family Ministry
Sunday School Service in Family Center
Grab-N-Go lunch to Josh Hawkins - Family Minis-
try Center - LAST CLASS Ministry Center
11:00 - Traditional Worship Grab-N-Go lunch follow NO MEAL TODAY
to follow Grab-N-Go lunch to
5:00 - Easter Egg Hunt follow
NO YOUTH TONIGHT HOLY WEEKCHURCH STAFF
Pastor Jon Brewster CEC Director Connie Swiggard
Administrative Assistant Debra Roderick Preschool Teachers Sue Ellen Beat
Praise & Worship Leader Becky Stoutamire Juanita Jones
Adult Choir Director Dante Webb Jackie Beat
Youth Leader Joshua Hawkins Custodian Jannie Green
Children’s Coordinator Liz Hawkins
Organist Linda Benedict
Pianist Laura Powell
Nursery Attendants Tata Ingram CEC Phone 850-997-6400
Sally Pumphrey
Addie Bowen Church Phone 850-997-5545
Eva Mills Church Fax 850-997-6768
Sextons Tom Roderick
Bobby Ingram
First United Methodist Church Non-Profit Organization
325 West Walnut Street U.S. Postage Paid
Monticello, FL 32344 Permit No. 3
Founded ca. 1828
Rev. Jonathan F. Brewster
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