Circuit Writer FEBRUARY 2015 Vol. 35 Issue 2 Website- www.menafirst.org Email - [email protected] Thomas Frase, Pastor FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 50l Ninth St. Mena, AR 71953 479-394-3051 “Did you know Spring is close at hand?” That is to say, “Did you know Lent begins on February 18th?” Allow me to clear some of the confusion by quoting the United Methodist Book of Worship: “Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means “spring.” The season is a preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time for penance by all Christians.” (I don’t know about you, but I learned something today!) And Lent begins with Ash Wednesday, which emphasizes two things: we are mortal and we are sinners. On Ash Wednesday, we own both these facts; and it sets our hearts right for the victory over sin and death that we celebrate on Easter morning. Or, as the Apostle Paul may put it: For sin is the sting that results in death, and the law gives sin its power. But thank God! He gives us victory over sin and death through our Lord Jesus Christ.” (1 Corinthians 15: 56-57) Soon, we’ll see new life popping up everywhere around us. Perhaps it will be a good time to refresh your life and your faith walk. Sharing your faith in corporate worship each Sunday is still the best and most fundamental way to grow your faith. Do you know why Sundays are not included in the days of Lent? It’s because Sundays are considered “Little Easters.” Every Sunday is a celebration of our victory over sin and death through Jesus Christ. Sunday Worship is never the same without you! Tom *********************************************************************************************** Let us pray for…our Armed Forces, Charlotte Almand, Ira Berg, Robbie Blair, Very Cary, Helen Dellinger and fami- ly in the loss of Gene Eddleman, Sue/Jim Derris, Clayton Eddleman, Lanette Emry, Walt Gray, Steve Green, William Harrison, Nadia Hassan, Audrey Hollington, Karlene Hooker, Bill Hughes, Brenda Johnson, Sharon Johnson, Ginger Jones, Joe Mannon, Pam/Derol Mayo, J. McClanahan, Raegan McCourtney, Cheryl Myers, Richard Olmstead and family in the passing of Jim Olmstead, Don Osburn, Sharon/Ernie Overcast in the passing of Stacy Overcast, Marissa Pate, Debbie McCall Pegues, Randy Peters, Bill Plunkett, Gabriel Rhodes, Fran Riddle, Bill Scheidt, Darlene Shockey, Jim/Dale Shook, Frances Smith, Jerry Speer, Ty Thacker, Charles Venable, Gene Wenzel, Sandy Wiggins and family in the passing of Rex Baker, Sue Wilson and family in the passing of Bob Wilson, Cora Sue Wilson, Bill L. Wood RICH MOUNTAIN MANOR: Joyce Beam, Ava Nell Mannon, Jo Simpson PEACHTREE: Dee Black, Helen Jones, Shirley Ogden OUT OF TOWN: Charles Bedell, Ethel Elliott, Mike Fenwick, Anne Gibson, Sharma Hightower, Madge Johnson FEBRUARY ANNIVERSARIES 01 14 Stanley and Laurie Craig, Rex and Carol Burns KIDZ "To live in hearts we leave behind is not to die." - Thomas Campbell Cindy and Jim Henderson, Emily and Joe Chapman FUMC THE OAKS: Leslie Lancaster Our Love and Sympathy to the Families of Rex Baker Gene Eddleman Jim Olmstead Stacy Overcast Bob Wilson Jim Hooten Michael Carver MARK THESE DATES: SUNDAY, MARCH 29 - PALM SUNDAY - KIDZ WILL SING IN MORNING WORSHIP SUNDAY, MAY 10 - MOTHER’S DAY - LAST SINGING PERFORMANCE, MORNING WORSHIP DON’T MISS THESE SPECIAL DAYS TO HEAR OUR CHILDREN SING! ************************************************************************* STAFF PARISH RELATIONS COMMITTEE - MEETS SUNDAY, FEBRUARY 1, FOLLOWING THE MORNING WORSHIP SERVICE. COMMITTEE MEMBERS ARE: GINGER STERNER, CHR; JUDY KAUFFMAN, DEMERIOUS COLLINS, RONNIE COOK, RANDY LINDSEY, KAY BOWEN , KAMERON POSEY, LINDA COLLINS, NITA BISHOP ******************************************************************************************** TRUSTEES COMMITTEE - MEETS WEDNESDAY, FEBRUARY 4, AT 7:00 P.M. MEMBERS ARE BILL MCCHRISTIAN, CHAIR; WINGO JOHNSON, KARLENE HOOKER, ANDY POSEY, ANN GARRETT, CHRIS MORGAN, JOE CHAPMAN, BILL WOOD, ROBBIE BLAIR. IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT YOU ATTEND THIS MEETING. THANKS! Thank you so much to everyone for the flowers, prayers and food given when my dad passed away. It was very thoughtful and generous, and my family and I appreciate it very much. Sandy Wiggins and Family ********************************* The family of Bob Wilson would like to thank their church family for all their compassionate care, prayers, well wishes, and assistance during Bob’s health issues and passing. He loved this church and was always happy when he was in church. We would, also, like to give a heartfelt thank you for the wonderful food at the time of the service. God bless you for all your love and care. Love, Sue, LeAnn and Amy ******************************************************************************************************* WHEELCHAIR RAMP TO GIVE AWAY: Sue Wilson has a wheelchair ramp that will be given to whomever can use it. You would need to be able to come and get the ramp and take it away. Sue’s phone number is 394-1484. The picture is “clipart “ and does not represent the ramp available at the Wilson’s. Thank you! ******************************************************************************************************** Ash Wednesday Service February 18 WATCH FOR MORE INFORMATION ABOUT THIS MISSION PROJECT ! PRAYER...FASTING...WORKS OF LOVE...40 DAYS...LENT 5:00 p.m. <><><><><><><><><><> TANYA AND CHRIS MORGAN Polk County Family Mission January Report 2015 Greetings from the staff of PCFM. Number Families Assisted this month = 26 (86 persons- 43 adults- 43 children) Number families un-churched = 10 Number of military families: = 3 Needs: water, electric, propane. heating/cooking gas Assistance paid to providers of service = $ 3399.09 Average assistance per family = $ 130.73 ************************* PUPPETEERS FOR CHRIST will perform “Valentine’s Day of Love” This time of year we usually see an increase in needed assistance for Propane. Unfortunately, the Propane market has not appreciably followed the recent drop in gasoline prices. With propane companies requiring a minimum of 100 gal for delivery, the cost always exceeds our maximum guideline which challenges us to work with the clients and help them find additional help. Mena economy, lack of job opportunities, unexpected expenses (death, family break-up, illness, grown children moving back to live with parents, etc) all continue to influence assistance needed by so many of our neighbors. When donated food was available, it was distributed. Without the pledges from generous organizations and individual, we could not have met the needs. Our clients were all very thankful realizing that people really do care. Thank you all for making it possible for PCFM to help our neighbors in need. God has blessed PCFM. May God richly bless you all for your gifts, service, and prayers! On Sunday, February 22. **************************** Congratulations to Michael Gray, son of Paul and Carol Gray, (and the late Billie Gray) on being named Class 3A Football Coach of the Year ! Michael led the Mt. View High School football team to a 10 and 2 year - & the first time in history for the school to win a state playoff. We are so proud of you and your team, Michael! CURRENT RESIDENT OR Mena, AR 71953 Permit No. 42 MENA, AR 71953 U.S. Postage Paid 501 NINTH STREET Non-Profit Organization FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH