Andover UMC To create and nurture a passionate faith community through open doorways to Christ. April 2020

Sunday Worship: ONLINE ONLY CURRENTLY - Visit our website. Website: www.andoverfirstumc.org / Follow us on Facebook: andoverfirstumc

Email: receptionist@andoverfirstumc.org Phone: (440) 293-6290

andoverfirstumc

WORSHIP WITH US ONLINE!

Palm Sunday - April 5th

Easter Sunday - April 12th

PATHWAYS WORSHIP SERIES starts April 19th

19th - The Path of Prayer - James 4:8, Matthew 6:6-8 26th - The Path of Scripture - James 4:8, Proverbs 2:1-5

Let Us Worship Together

Andover UMC

Worship

8:30am Word & Table

9:30am with Children’s

Church

11am Traditional

Cherry Valley UMC

Rev. John M. Germaine

Worship

11am

Sunday School

10am

Dorset UMC

Worship

10:00am

Leon UMC

Worship

10am

Sunday School

10:30am

Richmond UMC

Worship

11am

Williamsfield UMC

Pastor Pat Seger

Worship

10am

Sunday School

9am

“Wow, I didn’t see that coming?” Was this the conversation of two guys walking past stores closed due to the coronavirus? Maybe. We have never experienced anything like this before. Things like sudden onset homeschooling, buying more toilet paper than you normally use in a year, or not being able to find toilet paper at all! There are a few experiences that touch a bit of this situation. I do remember a time when all the stores were closed and there was nothing to do but rest, it was called Sunday. I also remember no cars on the road for weeks and you didn’t leave the house for much of anything. I think it was the winter of ’67 and we had four feet of snow on the ground in Michigan. I wasn’t thinking about social distancing or the order to stay at home and close everything non-essential, though. The scenario I am speaking of is the one involving the disciples after the death of Christ. I’m referring to the possible conversation between Cleopas and his fellow disciple on the road to Emmaus for the 2nd time. The Bible records their first trip home, Jesus catches up with them and explains how all the events had to happen and then he reveals Himself in breaking the bread in their home. They run back to Jerusalem with great excitement and rejoin the other disciples to share stories. You understand, the Bible doesn’t record the 2nd trip home. It just happens in my mind. But they had to have said to each other, “Man, I didn’t see that coming!” I think we may have some insight gained from our current situation that will help us put ourselves into that moment in history, when the disciples were asking themselves, “What do we do next? We gave up our jobs to follow this teacher. We thought we understood where all this was going. How long will this last?” The followers of Jesus huddled together in fear that the Romans might come for them next. They started their own homeschool and shared and talked about Jesus’ teachings, trying to piece them into their current events. The Bible doesn’t tell us what any of their conclusions were, but at some point, someone suggested they pray. And they did, long and hard like someone in the desperate throes of grief. They prayed to understand what Jesus had taught. They prayed for wisdom. They prayed for direction. They prayed prayers of praise. And then… Reports began to roll in, Jesus sightings. This often happens when people have lost someone they love. But then Jesus himself showed up. He appeared to the women at the tomb, the disciples on the road to Emmaus, and the disciples themselves. He met them in the homes they gathered in and on the beach. For 40 days Jesus appeared to those who followed Him. The Bible tells us that He appeared to more than 500 of them. Amazing! God has given us some time to think. Follow the example of the disciples. Take some time to study. Take some time to pray. This will be a Lent you will not soon forget. Use it wisely. Be an encourager to those who need encouraged. Serve your family, neighbors and strangers in a new way. Ministry doors have opened, when many physical doors have closed. (continued on next page)

Prayers and Concerns: Kim Anderson strength and healing - cancer Carol Baumgardner health concerns - healing Bill Benetin peace and comfort Carla Broughton health concerns Gary Graves health concerns Doug Hummer stroke recovery Kyle Isenberg health concerns Bob Hall healing & strength Mike Lower healing of broken leg Sarah Warsing strength and healing Norm/Sheila Woodard strength with cancer treatments Children & Youth: Cassidy Chapman Logan Howard

Grief of Families and Friends: Carl Dick Doris Jones Janet Svenson Service Men, Women and families:

Zak Hazen Jake Hilliard

John Johnson Andrew Kirby Kevin Kovach

Trenton Krueger Austin Limestoll

Andre McCoy Gavin Meeker

Ron Slater Leah Snell

Jennifer White

April 2020 Prayer List When we join the United Methodist Church, we take a vow that we will be, loyal to the United Methodist Church

and uphold it by Our Prayers, Our Presence, Our Gifts, Our Service and by Our Witness. Scriptures call us to celebrate with those who celebrate and to grieve with those who grieve. We grow in connection with one another as we know

the praises and concerns of the individual churches and respond in a manner of praise and/or prayer. Please feel free to share your news that we may share especially the prayer concerns to the faith community.

PRAYER REQUESTS Please submit prayer requests

by calling the church office

(440) 293-6290 or visit our website:

www.andoverfirstumc.org (Contact tab)

You can also email:

receptionist@andoverfirstumc.org

Please provide first name, last name

and reason for prayer.

If confidential, let us know & it will be

given to prayer team only on Tuesdays.

Please update us every 2 weeks.

If you would like a “We Prayed for You” card

sent, please provide their address.

I intend to celebrate 2 Easters this year. The first will be April 12th. We will not be gathering in the sanctuary to worship together this year, but we can meet together “virtually” online. The second celebration will be that day when the danger has passed and we unite in praise of our risen Lord. We will leave the safety of our shelters and come into the light. We will join hands with our brothers and sisters. Our voices will once again be raised in praise as one voice with beautiful harmonies. I do not know when that we be. We may not celebrate with lilies and tulips. It may be with fireworks or decorated trees. I do not know. But this I know! From the inspiring words of a preacher, “It’s Friday…But Sunday’s a Coming!” Watch for His coming. He’ll be there. Jesus is coming. Halleluiah! He is Risen!

Right Now Media has something for the whole family!

FREE - FOR KIDS OF ALL AGES!

USE THE LINK ON THE NEXT PAGE TO SIGN UP!

Here is a link to our church’s RightNow Media page with free access to

video resources for the whole family to use at home.

https://accounts.rightnowmedia.org/Account/Invite/AndoverMethodistChurch

There are so many good videos and bible studies to choose from,

especially while so many are staying home these days!

People have asked what is the best way to continue to share my offerings and donations to the

church. Here are some of the best ways to do that:

Online Bill Pay from your Bank

- set up a one time or recurring gift through

your bank’s bill pay service

Church Website - "Giving" tab

- you can make a one time or recurring offering/donation

once you set up an account.

Postal Mail:

Andover UMC

P.O. Box 207

Andover, OH 44003

Drop Off:

During normal office hours, 9-4pm Monday - Friday

181 S. Main St.

Andover, OH 44003

Download the Deep Blue App today!

It’s free!

Youth, Tweens & Kids!

Here is a website from our friends at Deep Blue

with lots of great free resources!

Have fun!

https://www.deepbluekids.com/free-stuff

We asked what the kids have been doing during this time of social distancing.

As you can see by the pictures, some are enjoying pudding paint & play-dough.

Please send Megan more pictures on Facebook

or email them to receptionist@andoverfirstumc.org.

Let us know what you’re doing as a family!

Pudding Paint Play-Dough

Spring Unit 2: Celebrating Resurrection

in Community

April 5th Palm Sunday Mark 11:1-11

Bible Verse:

Those in front of him and

those following were shouting, “Hosanna! Blessings on the one who comes in the name

of the Lord!”

Mark 11:9

April 12th Easter

Luke 24:1-12

April 19th Emmaus

Luke 24:13-35

April 26th

Thomas Believes John 20:24-31

Join us as we continue on our Deep Blue Adventure!

Children’s Church & Nursery

Check out deepbluekids.com and follow us on

social media (@deepbluekids)

to connect with other leaders,

download additional content,

and stay up to date on all the Deep Blue news.

e with God

ove God and neighbor

nderstand yourself

as a child of God

xplore faith and the Bible

Was it a leprechaun or an early Easter bunny (we know who’s responsible!)

that treated some of our church family with these refreshing signs of Spring joy?!! Another couple treated a member to some delicious candies.

And...another is making phone calls to members to chat and assess needs.

What are you doing during this time of sheltering in place and social distancing?

We encourage you to find a way to brighten the day for someone!

You will be blessed !

Our United Methodist Men & Friends joined H20 Missions

in building a ramp for a family in Jefferson.

Dawson is 3 years old and has a lot of medical issues.

You’ll see a couple of photos where he’s trying out the ramp for the 1st time.

Thanks to all who helped put a smile on Dawson’s face!

UMM & Friends of Andover UMC join together with H20 Missions

DAWSON’S

RAMP

OUTDOOR FOOD PANTRY

@ ANDOVER UMC

FRIDAY, APRIL 10TH

10AM-NOON

OPEN TO ANY RESIDENT OF

THE PV SCHOOL DISTRICT

WHO QUALIFIES.

Clients will be instructed on where to park on the lot behind the church.

Instead of choosing food, it will be pre-bagged according to the number of people in the family.

Folks will be asked to stay in cars while given a number. When you’re called you’ll drive to the pick up area.

The volunteers or you will place bags in your trunk so please have your trunk available to receive food.

We will provide all bags as they will be new and unused. Watch for and follow signage.

We are making the distributions as safe and healthy as we can.

OUTDOOR

CLEVELAND FOOD BANK

@ ANDOVER UMC

FRIDAY, APRIL 24TH

10AM-NOON

OPEN TO ANY RESIDENT OF

ASHTABULA COUNTY

WHO QUALIFIES.

Andover UMC’s first outdoor food bank

was held on March 27th. Clients waited

patiently in their cars and drove up

when called by number to pick up their

food. Thank you to the many volunteers

who made this happen during a

challenging time in our lives.

Andover United Methodist Church

181 South Main St

P.O. Box 207

Andover, OH 44003

Sent with a prayer to:

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Outdoor Food Pantry April 10th, 10am-Noon

@ Andover UMC Open to all of those in need

in the PV School District

Outdoor Cleveland Foodbank

April 24th, 10am-Noon @ Andover UMC

Open to all of those in need in Ashtabula County

Free Dinner Friday will resume once the

Coronavirus Pandemic clears

Fighting

hunger.

Delivering

hope.

Community Center activities will resume once the Coronavirus Pandemic clears

Andover UMC Fellowship Hall

Invite a friend & enjoy a delicious meal!