Why cook when you can join us?

April 22

5:00PM in the gym

Proceeds  will benefit the Stephen ministry.

We thank you for your support of our mission program and Outreach (Stephen Ministry).

Forms will be accepted until noon Mon., March 29 in the church office.

On Easter (April 4th)there will be  a special bulletin insert.

You’ve seen the pictures.

You’ve watched the broadcasts.

You’ve already donated.

But don’t STOP there.

Before the earthquake, Haiti was a country steeped in extreme poverty.

Life expectancy was short. Diseases were widespread. Living conditions were unimaginable.

Now this…

Over 100,00 dead…(possibly 500,000 when the final total is taken)

shortage of food and water…

little or no medical care…

typhoid and tetnus spreading…

many orphaned children…

no shelter, lack of tents…

fear of mudslides…

What more can we do?????

We need to give more to UMCOR for Haiti Relief.

As we enter the season of Lent the believer traditionally makes a sacrifice to mentally and spiritually prepare for Easter. Why don’t we (who live in a nation of plenty) “give up and give forth?”Maybe in the process we can teach our children the value of sacrifice and giving.

 Here’s my idea:

Put a money jar in a central location of your home.

Each time someone forgoes a simple  pleasure, put an equivalent amount of money in the jar.

Examples:

• Mom and Dad cancel their monthly dinner and a movie date…$40.00 in the jar
• Billy decides he can do without that new CD…$12.99 in the jar
• Susie begs for an ice cream after school but you convince her to put the $2.00 in the jar so a child in Haiti can be fed.
• Instead of eating out for lunch daily, take your lunch. Then guesstimate what you would have spent and put in the jar.
• Don’t feed quarters into that drink machine! Take water from home.

At the end of Lent have the family sit down and empty the money jar. Discuss the sacrifices that were made and why.Then give that money to UMCOR.

Maybe HFUMC can make a difference. We have many times before. We can again.

A note from Bill Chafin…..

“Thanks to all who made the Groundhog Day blood drive so successful. We collected 34 good units  of blood and red cells. Our church membership contributed over half that amount. Registration and canteen duty is always handled by FUMC volunteers and I sincerely thank each of them as well as the staff who get us ready.”

Thursday night was a wonderful success as HFUMC reached out to the community to provide food and fellowship. Thank you for your participation. Maybe you baked a cake, cooked the meal, served the food, stacked the tables and chairs, contributed the paper products, donated money to pay for the event, mingled among the guests to welcome them, or helped with cleanup. It took many people to support this project and we are blessed here at First Methodist to have so many willing hearts and hands.