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First UMC Mini News! First United Methodist Church 974 6th Street, Windom MN
507-831-3284 [email protected]
When You’ve Just HAD It!
If you’re like me, you’ve just about had it with living like a hermit, unable to live your ‘normal’ life, and hearing constant, contradictory “facts” from various news sources about what the latest is with COVID-19! You’ve just HAD it! You’re DONE!
Only you’re NOT done, I’m not done—because we have to keep getting up every morning and figure out how we’re going to live today. How will you make the adjustments so that you can work, take care of your kids, keep in touch with fellow workers, family members and friends—all while under quarantine / lockdown / shelter-in-place—whatever you want to call it?
Oh, then there’s church, right? (Hopefully, you haven’t forgotten about church…) We’ve been pretty much declared “non-essential” by the powers-that-be in their orders that we can’t meet in large groups (unless we figure out how to meet/worship at Wal-Mart, Hy-Vee or a similar large retail type store).
Okay, that slipped out—sorry. I know, I know; we’re being safe and responsible; we’re trusting in our authorities (careful, careful; I know what some of you are thinking!). Again, lots of varying opinions about how we ought to be doing all this…
We may be getting closer to opening things back up – SLOWLY – I guess so that we can trick the virus into thinking we’re still really locked down? (Forgive me, folks, I can’t help myself – and I’m just having a little fun venting and ranting…). But this week it was announced that some Minnesota businesses can reopen, and in June, restaurants can reopen.
Churches will be reopening, too. And we will observe the governments recommendations; we will be reopening gradually, carefully, safely. But what does that look like? And when? (Sorry, we don’t have a date for that yet.)
Here are a few things you can expect as we resume public worship: • Gathering size will be limited. Probably to 50 persons per gathering; but we don’t know for sure yet
(e.g., will it be based on size/seating capacity of our sanctuary?); • We will be offering two worship services in order to accommodate everyone; • Services will be shorter than an hour (so that we have time to safely move a group of people in and out
of the sanctuary without crowding in hallways, etc.); • Singing may be limited (again, we don’t know all the guidelines yet); • There will be no offering plates passed; we will “receive the offering” as you are leaving the service
(with giving stations at each door). And don’t forget, you can give by direct deposit or electronically, either through our website or through the Give+Plus app you can install on your phone;
• We will continue to offer online messages and other worship elements for those who aren’t comfortable being back in public worship yet.
These are just a few of the changes we will all experience as we move back to public worship. We are planning to do a survey of our church family to find out what concerns, preferences and questions you have as we return to worship. That survey will be sent out sometime in the next week or two, please watch for it.
I look forward to being back with you all—face to face—soon! May God continue to guide our leaders, our medical personnel, and all of us as we navigate these days! —Pastor Mike
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The wine of the Spirit
“No one puts new wine into old wineskins,” said Jesus (Luke 5:37). Drawing on this statement, a preacher in sixth-century Africa proclaimed in a Pentecost homily: “It was with good reason, then, that some people, when they heard the apostles speaking in every tongue, said, ‘They are filled with the new wine.’ For they had become fresh wineskins, they had been renewed by the grace of holiness, so that when they were filled with the new wine, that is, with the Holy Spirit, they spoke with fervor in every tongue. … "Celebrate, then, this day as members of the one body of Christ. Your celebration will not be in vain if you are what you celebrate, if you hold fast to the church which the Lord filled with his Holy Spirit.” Fifteen centuries later, may that call still resonate with us. May we be so renewed by God’s grace as to be worthy vessels of the new wine of the Holy Spirit — and to share it with the world.
Sunday May 31
Dale Elston went home to be with the Lord on May 7th after a battle with lung cancer. A private service is being held with only his family. Anyone who would like to drive to the cemetery is welcome; meet in the church parking lot Saturday, May 16th at 2:00pm (people must stay in their vehicles). Dale will be missed by Barb, his wife of 51 years; their children Randy Elston, Robin Snyder and Rhonda Elston and their families; his brother Dave and sister Kathy Glidden; their extended families, and all who knew Dale.
May Church Office Hours
Tuesday—Friday 9:00am—Noon &
1:00—4:00pm Closed Mondays in May
Monday May 18— Ruby’s Pantry (Sherburn)
Thursday May 21—Ascension Day
Thursday & Friday May 21—22—Plants on the Patio
Monday May 25— Memorial Day
Tuesday May 26—The Dinner Table is served
Saturday May 30—Walking For Water, Together Alone
Sunday May 31—Pentecost
Thank you for providing support to our church with your prayers and your financial support during this difficult time. Our church staff is working on staying connected with you, and planning for the future when we can again gather in person. You are such a blessing!
Congratulations Grads!
We recognize our 2020 high school graduates and pray for their success! They are Giorgia Asti, Joshua Hedman, and Andrew Steen.
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As you can see, it takes many people to provide this ministry service. Our church
provides the volunteers in April and August each year, as other churches and
organizations serve the other months. Thank you all!
Thank you to our April Coordinator
Shirley Lyons, and to all volunteers who served Meals on Wheels
for the month of April:
Madison Berhow
Rick Brown Marlys Christensen
Linda Dawson Jan Dehmlow
Jody Derickson
Rachel Derickson
John & Jan Duscher Pat Elston
Lynn Elston Mary Franz
Jim & Kathy Glidden
Margaret Grunig
Dan & Terri Jones Kaleb LaCanne
Kathy Jo McInnis
Shannon LaCanne
Jerry Moon Eldon & Deanna Moon
Lindsey O’Brien Judi Ray
Bruce & Judy Rhoda
Vay & Arleen Rodman Peggy Roll
Jody Vanderwerf
Happy 1st
Anniversary Dinner Table!
Yes, that’s right, The Dinner Table turned “one” in April. We want to take this opportunity as we celebrate our first year to thank all of you for your support. Whether you donated your time to work, prepared a hot dish or dessert, donated monetarily, or if you prayed for us, we want to say “Thank You!”
From our humble beginnings in April 2019 of serving 74 people, to our current serving in the hundreds, we’re so excited to see what God has for The Dinner Table in the future. In these unbelievable times, we are still seeking to be the hands and feet of Jesus as we serve others. So…keep praying for us, and know that we are serving the fourth Tuesday of every month from 5:30-7:00 pm. at the Presbyterian Church. It may look different every month as we follow safety guidelines!
Just an update…in March, we handed out 256 coupons for a free meal at Hardee’s and in April we handed out sub sandwiches, cookies, and chips and when we ran out of food, we gave out Hardee’s coupons. We served a total of 364 meals in April! And we couldn’t have done it without YOU!
Thank you and God bless you for your support. Warmly in Christ, Kathy Jo McInnis Volunteer Coordinator
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A BIG Thank You goes out to Tammy Crowell, who has faithfully run our church nursery for a long time! She provided wonderful care for the young children during services and church activities. We appreciate Tammy’s caring service.
Our congregation is in need of a Nursery Coordinator, and our Staff Parish Team has provided the following information… Pay: $12.35 per hour, approximately 3 hours a week. Job Description
• Contact and schedule nursery workers. Enter the scheduled workers' names on the volunteer schedule in the signup center. Determine the nursery schedule.
• Supervise the nursery when in use
• Maintain the items in the nursery
• Keep toys, bedding, and changing surfaces clean
• Keep necessary items stocked
• Keep any needed records current
• Keep vouchers available for workers and help fill them out if needed
• Notify custodians when extra maintenance is needed The nursery needs to be staffed on Sunday Mornings (Sunday school included when in session), but there may be other occasions where the nursery will be needed, which will be scheduled in advance. To apply, please contact the church office for an application; it can be sent to you by email or postal mail. You can reach us at 831-3284 or [email protected]. Please return your completed application to First UMC, 974 6th Street, Attn: SPRC by June 1, 2020, or drop it off at the church.
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If you would like a prayer request sent by email for yourself or a family member to the Prayer Partners of our congregation, please contact the church office at 831-3284 or [email protected].
If you would like Pastor Mike to pray with you, you can reach him at [email protected] or call him at 402-651-5425. Our Daily Bread large print and regular size
devotionals are available—contact the church office if you would like one mailed to you. We also have a few Upper Rooms. We’re happy to send them to you on request!
Ruby’s Pantry, America’s Rural Foodbank, will have a distribution in May, but it will again be handled differently, with a different location than usual. They are expecting a large turnout for this distribution. If you know if anyone who is in need of food during this difficult time, please let them know about this event.
Monday, May 18 from 4:00—7:30pm Sherburn High School Parking Lot, Sherburn MN
Bring: $20 CASH only Do not bring containers
Directions : Go to 1st Street and head west 2 blocks to North Prairie. Take a right toward the football field and get in line. Please do not block cross streets or driveways. They will have the people open their trunks at the beginning and then drive through to each pallet and the worker will place the food in the trunk. They are asking that no one gets out of their vehicle along the line. There will be a worker at the beginning of the line to collect the $20 for their share. There will be no other registration at this time.
www.facebook.com/FirstUMCWindom
Pastor Mike creates a video message for us and posts a link to it on Facebook on Sunday mornings. And check for a children’s message too!
You can also look for these messages on www.youtube.com —search for Michael McInnis. There is more than one Michael McInnis, but the list is not long, and ours is easy to find. Look for this image; click on it, and our church videos will appear.
First UMC Online Messages!
Plants on the Patio Keith Schroeder is graciously offering starter plants to our church family. Most of them will be geraniums. They will be available on our church patio Thursday & Friday May 21-22, while they last. Thank you, Keith!
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The church office has monthly scripture writing pages for all 12 months, and they are available for you on request.
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Memorial Day Monday May 25
We remember, O Lord, all those people throughout the years who have made the supreme sacrifice for our country, for liberty, for us. Whenever we breathe the air of freedom or claim the right to justice or enjoy the privilege of worship, fill us with gratitude for those who selflessly gave the last full measure of devotion — their very lives — for our benefit. May these brave men and women now know the joy of eternity and your presence. And may the families of the fallen receive comfort and peace amid their grief. Help us as we minister to their needs. Through Jesus Christ our Lord. Amen.
Thank you for listening to Pastor Mike’s radio broadcasts, which are newly recorded each week, and can be heard on KDOM Radio Sundays at 11:30 am. If you are interested in sponsoring a broadcast, just let us know. As of today, upcoming sponsorship openings are June 7, 14, 21 and 28. To ask about other open dates, please call the church office. And thank you to all of you who have sponsored this vital ministry outreach to our community!
Adopted by God
Anecdotes abound of couples who become pregnant soon after finalizing a long-awaited adoption. A Reader’s Digest contributor recounts how one such mother later handled well-meaning inquiries about which child was “hers” (biologically). She replied: “I’ve forgotten.” That mindset, perhaps, is why John Piper calls adoption “a picture of the Gospel.” God, through his Son Jesus, makes us his very own eternally beloved children. Max Lucado writes: “If anybody understands God’s ardor for his children, it’s someone who has rescued an orphan from despair, for that is what God has done for us. God has adopted you. God sought you, found you, signed the papers and took you home.”
Being a host family is as rewarding for you as it is for the international
student you bring into your home. You learn about another culture,
you provide a once-in-a-lifetime experience for a teenager from across
the globe, and you form a relationship that will stay with you and your family forever. Trust EF High School Exchange Year to ensure that your exchange experience is the best it can be. We offer:
• A local coordinator who helps you select the right student, and works with your school.
• Great support throughout the exchange.
• Students who have been carefully screened for language, attitude and grades.
• Students who bring their own spending money and insurance.
To learn more about hosting contact:
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1-800-447-4273 | efexchangeyear.org
Rachel Hawn507.822.4234
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Download Zoom AP on your IPad, phone or computerIf you are unable to access Zoom (online chat) there will also be call-inoption available. A code for meeting entry will be given to those that RSVP prior to theevent. If you would like coloring pages emailed or mailed to you, please requestat time of RSVP.
For more information or to RSVP call 507-532-2221 ext.101 call orby email at [email protected]
Virtual Adult Coloring Club
May 18, 2020 4:30 P.M. - 5:30 P.M.
Funding for Independent Living Services is provided by MN DEED-VRS from the State’sGeneral Fund and the U.S. Departmentof Health and Human Services
109 South 5th Street, Suite 700 * Marshall, MN 56258 * Phone 507.532.2221 * 800.422.1485 * 711MN Relay * [email protected] * www.swcil.com * www.facebook.com/SWCILMarshallMN
Join us for a night of coloring and chatting with friends andpeers on-line or by phone during this time of social distancing!
