Sunday Worship: 8:00am - 11:00am - 6:00pm www.pcumc.info 941-625-4356 ph / 941-625-0144 fax

A Truly Great Church? A couple of weeks ago I was speaking to someone who was new to the fellowship at PCUMC and new to the faith as well. He made the comment to me, “I love being a part of a great church!” His comment was obviously pleasing to hear, but it pushed me to ask him some questions about what made this church great. He mentioned some of our people, some of our ministries, and some of the events that had blessed him. All those things again were good to hear, but I still found myself asking that deeper question of myself, “What makes a truly great church?” As I think about that question, I know how some people might assess greatness. For some, a great church might be one with a large attendance, or one that has multiple locations; some might say a great church is one that has something for everyone, a place where there is no shortage of ministries; others might say a great church has the best music, or relevant teaching. There is no question, a great church may have some of those things I’ve mentioned, but is that what makes a church truly great? In 1 Thessalonians Paul shares with his readers about a church that defined greatness by a compelling standard. The Thessalonian Church was committed to the right things and Paul declared that they were a church that was truly making a difference for the glory of God. KNOW – Gospel is what we know. “Because our Gospel came to you not only in word, but also in power and in the Holy Spirit and with full conviction.” (1 Thess. 1:5). At the heart of the Thessalonian Church was their exposure to and receptivity of the Word of God! The Thessalonians received the Gospel, were changed by it and then spread it everywhere they could! A mark of a truly great church is one that has reckless abandon to the Gospel that has changed their life! If a church is not gripped by the Gospel and compelled to do something with it, then that church is not a great church. GROW – Gospel is what we do. “And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia.” (1 Thess.1:7). The Thessaloni-ans did not live a conflicting Christian life. They were “in” the world, but they were definitely not “of” the world. There was a difference about their life! They had been radically changed from the inside out and their walk matched their talk. GO – Gospel is what we share. “We remember before our God and Father your work produced by faith, your labor prompted by love, and your endurance inspired by hope in our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Thess. 1:3). Their love for the gospel sent them out to live and share the gospel. The Thessalonians knew that the Lord was coming back and they lived like it could happen at any moment. A great church will live, plan and act like that as well. Great churches do not operate as though they have all the time in the world to get things done! Great churches function with great urgency, knowing that the Lord could return in the blink of an eye. At PCUMC we will not be great because our pastor is great, or our staff is great, or our members are great, or our programs are great. We will be great because our God and the Good News of His gospel are great. It is what we know, how we grow and what we share as we grow. Keep going and never quit! Grace, Pastor Brian

KNOW GROW GO

March 2011

THE MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF

PORT CHARLOTTE UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

VOLUME 42 - ISSUE 3

March 5 Pancake Breakfast March 9 Ash Wednesday Service Noon and 6:30pm March 13 Blood Drive

Port Charlotte United Methodist Church 2 March 2011

Sunshine Ministry

“A time to gain and a time to lose…” Eccl. 3:6

Pastor Brian’s sermon series, “The Biggest Loser” has brought to mind how many hours a month we LOSE by just frittering away time. God has asked us to give of our time as well as our money. Calling on or even telephoning a shut-in or two is a most fulfilling way to spend some “Frittered Time.” Join us on March 9th (we meet every 2nd Wednesday) at 9:00 in the Conference/Prayer Room and we will help you put to good use LOST TIME. You will indeed be rewarded.

Dear PCUMC, Our family is moving to Indiana after living in Port Charlotte for 6 years. For the past 3 years, our daughter Marley McIntyre has been a regular on Wednesday nights, G.E.M.S., and some wonderful church plays. These have been wonderful and inspi-rational experiences for her and we (her parents) are so very thankful. We cannot express our gratitude enough. Barb Hald introduced Marley to a wonderful youth program that PCUMC offers, and everyone else along the way has touched her life. We are so pleased that she has been started on a path that will continue for her lifetime—and her family’s lifetime. She’s excited to learn more and more about Jesus, and to share everything she learns. We will miss PCUMC, especially for Marley, but we will always remind our daughter of the wonderful church family that welcomed her, taught her so much and inspired her to continue learning about and sharing the love of Jesus. Thank you for being such a wonderful church family! The McIntyre Family

Letters

Rupert Notice 02/01/2011 Marty White 02/01/2011 Nettie Wint 02/09/2011

Extravagant Generosity

Year to Date Income (thru 1/31/11): $79,617.73

Year to Date Expenses (thru 1/31/11): $67,864.96

Community Outreach: Utility assistance—5 Rent—1

Daylight Savings Time begins March 13!

KNOW Christ. GROW to love Christ. GO to serve Christ. 3 March 2011

Children’s Ministry Youth News I would like to thank all the crafters at the Craft Fair. And, a special thanks to Florence Nevins and Judy Western who donated a large portion of the proceeds to the children. What a blessing this is to the Children’s Ministry. Easter is fast approaching. It’s not until April this year, but since it is my favorite time of the year, I want to share that with the children and hopefully make it their favorite also. So, keep your eyes open for sign-ups and ways you can help with our Easter Celebration. The Children’s Ministry is still in need of help on Wednesday nights and Sunday mornings for Children’s Church. Please contact Barbara Hald and share an hour a month with the children. In His Love, Barbara

This past week we have had parent/teacher conferences with all of our VPK families. I was encouraged to hear from a family that does not attend a church regularly that their son had started sleeping in his own bed. He felt he could do so now because... “the night light in my room helps Jesus find me and watch over me while I sleep!” Children's Weekday Ministries will be holding registration for the 2011/2012 school year the week of February 28th for current students. Any church members not already part of the program can register during the following week. Read, Read, Read… March 2nd is Dr. Seuss' Birthday and it's also the kick-off to our Buggy for Books program. We are looking for some volunteer readers. It's an easy and fun way for you to meet and get to know some of our kids! We have lots of spots to fill so please don't be shy...call Ericka @ 625-4356 for more details and to sign up! Praising God, Ericka Love � Play � Learn

Children’s Ministry

DISTRICT WIDE YOUTH

March 18 - 20, 2011 @ Englewood UMC

Cost: $20 (plus a Snack to Share) Check-in: Friday @ 7pm

Check-out: Sunday @ 11 am See Paul Kisner to Register for this event

Save the Date - Saturday, March 26

Youth and Family Ministry Canoe Trip

More details to come - stay tuned!

Port Charlotte United Methodist Church 4 March 2011

Blood Drive - March 13 There will be a blood drive on March 13, 2011. “Get on the bus” so that we can give the gift of life to others! Sign up at the Welcome Center, or just drop in!

Angel Food Ministries at PCUMC

We are pleased to announce that we are now officially a distribution site for Angel Food Ministries, which will replace the SHARE program we had previously participated in. Orders for March 2011 will be taken after February 27. The menu can be viewed on the Angel Food website: www.angelfoodministries.com.

March Birthdays

01 Elbert Chinn 02 Mary Louise Young 02 Gerald Shaw 03 Marian Mays 03 Lynne Miller 04 Gaye Shields 04 Barbara Wilder 05 Judy Laws 05 Tom Brown 06 Donald Steiff 06 Kayela Royer 07 Fred Belter 07 Emily Love 08 Thora Hope 08 Ken Osborn 08 Nancy Kaufman 09 Gail Swanson 10 Rachel Weishuhn 11 Gerald Brown 11 Mildred Rochester 11 Betty Hansen 13 Floyd Gantzer 14 Dorothy Calhoun-Dadoly 14 Harriet Weaver 14 Joan Couch 15 Clay Conway 16 Fred Hall 18 Larry Littlefield 18 Lisa Ayers

19 Joan Nash 19 Albert Hassell 19 Joanne Salk 19 Fredrick Meyer 20 Donna Lageveen 21 Eleanor Gibbens 21 Pat Simpson 21 Miklos Vincze 22 Trudy Jeffers 22 Flora Bunger 22 Dorrette Cowan 22 Jacob Griner 23 Marge Davis 24 Mabel Bole 24 Sylvia Mallay 24 Doris Hixson 25 Jonathan Carlsen 26 Don Bunger 26 Durvent Lyons 27 Ann Marshall 28 Naomi Gantner 28 Barry Diefenbach 28 Nancy McCormick 28 Dorothy Golding 28 Glen Tschetter 28 Juliet Cox 29 Hannah James 31 Henry Rankin 31 Rita Anglin

March Anniversaries

Jack and Sylvia Mallay 03/02/1957 Bill and Dee Bishop 03/03/1962 David & Barbara Pennington 03/03/1972 Robert and Nancy Kaufman 03/03/2010 Barry and Rita Anglin 03/04/1965 James and Mary Etta Stedge 03/09/1958 Pierre and Carol Fisher 03/16/1951 Martin and Dorothy Bayuk 03/18/1951 Russell & Barbara McManamy 03/20/1955 David Jr. and Corry Cox 03/21/1998 Hugh and Jan Brotherton 03/22/1996 Paul and Marjorie Ward 03/26/1945 Scott and Samantha Fisher 03/29/2008 Matthew & Suzanne Dowling 03/31/2007

KNOW Christ. GROW to love Christ. GO to serve Christ. 5 March 2011

Port Charlotte United Methodist Church 6 March 2011

What a place to behold,

Was Fellowship Hall.

Once again time to answer

Valentine’s call.

For the men and their ladies,

All dressed to the nines,

As they asked one more time,

Please be their valentines.

Every lady was given a rose,

As ever a token of love,

Heaven knows.

The clothes that I wore,

Bordered formal you see,

But time and inaction

Caused the fit quite abnormally.

But, in life one must learn

To so sacrifice.

Discomfort abolished, when

She says you look nice!

Well — back to the moment.

The tables were set

With color, with taste.

Belying the fact

They were done

In great haste!

With hurry and scurry,

They warrant our cheers,

For the people so casually

Called Volunteers.

So — to eat, we hoped,

With a smile on our face,

But not until good

Pastor Brian said grace.

The action began

With a wonderful salad,

At mealtime a routine,

Considered quite valid.

The pace of all those

Who answered the call,

Was something to see

There in Fellowship Hall.

Whether you ordered beef,

Or you had the chicken,

They both were delicious,

Yup, both finger lickin’.

Finally dessert time

And did they ever,

Tantalize palate,

From bakers so clever.

In the meantime,

Through all this,

Came time to entertain.

Singers sang the old favorites,

From start to refrain.

They too sang some country

And of course rock and roll.

You tapped out the beat

That best livened your soul.

Finally the time came

To give gifts away.

Each had numbered tickets

At last — time to pray!

One of the numbers

Missed me by a digit.

But I was too full,

Satisfied to not fidget.

Well — they did it again,

All those Methodist Men!

Once more there was nothing,

For which one could ask.

As surely, they rose

Again each to the task!

We thank all of you,

Doing all that you do.

A night to remember,

A night to recall.

All happening there

In Fellowship Hall.

A Valentine Epic By Art (one of the lively—sometimes) 2/13/11

KNOW Christ. GROW to love Christ. GO to serve Christ. 7 March 2011

We have been blessed with a wonderful start to our new circle. In the past month, we have: ♦ Learned about "The Untouchable Woman" in

Matthew 9:20-22, Mark 5:25-34, Luke 8:43-48 (with Jill's great teaching we were all moved by her story and could identify with her in many ways);

♦ Began crocheting Lap Blankets and Prayer Shawls (under "D"s guidance, not to mention patience... and some of us have learned a new craft. Let’s not forget her donations of yarn & patterns)

♦ Top Chef was not only fun, but we had the unexpected blessing of being able to feed all the adults (about 20 or so) who happened to be in the church that day!!;

♦ The lunches that were made for the Homeless Coalition (thanks to Marie B. for all her help in getting everything done!) will not only feed at least 150 adults and children, we also have put our church information in each bag...kind of a "Hi Ya" from PCUMC and introduced (or re-introduced) them to the Lord and let them know how much HE is there for them. I would also like to thank all of the children who attend PCUMC (on Sundays, Children's Weekday and Children's Ministry and the mommies who work there) for helping us decorate the "lunch sacks". Those lunches have brought so much joy in so many ways....Thank You!!

With all that has happened, it kind of takes your breath away...we praise the Lord for all his Glory and for mak-ing it all possible. Please keep us all in your prayers for the future events. Love and God's Blessings, Leslie

March 3rd: Christianity 10am - Noon, Conference Room Teacher: Jill Mandrick (661-3489) Subject: Bad Girls of the Bible (part 2), How God uses them for good March 10th: Crafts 10am - Noon, Conference Room Teacher: Leslie (764-0322) Subject: We are making prizes for the UMW April Luncheon. A list of supplies needed (if you would like to donate any) will be posted on UMW bulletin board) March 17th: Cooking 10am - Noon, Clemons Fruit & Vegetable Market 7753 Toledo Blade, Port Charlotte (take 776...towards Englewood, one street past Sam's Club, turn left, 1st building) **Please note we will be meeting at Clemons… not at PCUMC** Teacher: Jason (Market # 764-0110) Subject: He will be giving us great information on fresh fruits and veggies, what is grown locally, how they get it to us and what to "watch for" in supermarkets (dies, wax etc.) He will also allow us to walk freely around the market and taste fresh yummies!! **if you need child care, drop-off at PCUMC will be available 30 minutes early as well as late pick-up. Please call Leslie at 764-0322 if you have any questions.** March 24th: Community Service 10am - Noon, Habitat for Humanity, (location will be posted on UMW Bulletin Board and PCUMC Sunday Bulletin) Teacher: Habitat for Humanity Site Coordinator Subject: We will be able to help "build" the home (if able) and work as "Hospitality Angels" (serving cold beverages, lunch or snacks) **if you need child care, drop-off at PCUMC will be available 30 minutes early as well as late pick-up. Please call Leslie at 764-0322 if you have any questions.** March 31st: Please check the UMW Bulletin Board for this week, as it is an "Extra"!!!

Naomi Circle

Special Lenten Offering

The Worship Committee has proposed, and the Church Council has approved, our church family doing a sacrificial Lenten Offering this year. Just prior to the beginning of Lent on Wednesday, March 9th (Ash Wednesday) each family will be asked to take a special offering folder to be filled daily during Lent and returned on Easter Sunday. This offering will be used to benefit needy children, possibly the Children’s Home. We as a committee pray that each family in our church will prayerfully take this opportunity to make a sacrifice to honor Christ’s ultimate sacrifice. Your sister in Christ, “D” Fletcher Chair, Passionate Worship

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Port Charlotte United Methodist Church 8 March 2011

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CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

CHURCH STAFF Brian James, Senior Pastor

Ruthann Allen Accompanist

Katherine Arthington Communications Coordinator

Nancy Bosserdet Finance Secretary

Ericka Brown Director of Children’s Weekday Ministries

Ellen Even Church Secretary

Barbara Hald Director of Children’s Ministry

Carol Hansen Church Administrator

Paul Kisner Youth Director

Mick Vincze Church Sexton

Eileen West Music Director & Organist

The Newsletter is published monthly.

Articles and submissions are due by the 15th of the prior month. Submissions are preferred via email. All articles are subject to editing for space and/or content.

Port Charlotte United Methodist Church 21075 Quesada Avenue Port Charlotte, FL 33952-2546 Phone: 941-625-4356 Fax: 941-625-0144 E-mail: info@pcumc.info Website: www.pcumc.info

McGuire Park Outreach Feb. 13, 2011

Church@6 wrapped up their first sermon series, “Crazy Love” on February 13th at McGuire Park in Port Charlotte. A free community dinner was served along with entertainment by PCUMC’s youth with flags and puppets. Our evening concluded with praise and worship led by Paul Kisner.