Amazing Easter, SC, Youth Sunday Notes

For the Chimes Newsletter
By Pastor Gary Lewis

I am still in the “Easter Sunday” zone, so I can’t sit still enough to write a column this month. So, instead of a column, I decided to share with you some interesting facts, figures and projects God has put into my path.

We had an amazing Easter Sunday. I want to express many thanks to those “behind the scenes” folks who do so much each and every week to make things happen! I’m talking about the sound-TV-video-ushers-greeters-hospitality table people (depending on which worship service you attend.) When you have 254 at the Sanctuary service and 166 at The Gathering – you really appreciate all those unsung heroes who make things happen.

I want to say a special word of appreciation to all of our musicians who did an incredible job on Sunday (and every week). The song selection was excellent and fit our theme for the day “Faith for Tough Times.”
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Did you make it to the Good Friday service? “Messages from the Cross” was our first attempt among the five “downtown” pastors to do a combined worship service.

From all accounts, the service was well-received. It was an honor to serve together with colleagues in ministry.

The 6:15 p.m. service at the First Church of the Nazarene attracted 148 people. Thanks so much to those of you from FUMC who attended. I got to have the final word at the service … it was pure joy.

Churches represented at the event included:
First United Methodist Church, First Christian Church, Wabash Avenue Presbyterian, Christ Lutheran Church and First Church of the Nazarene.
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We have 26-30 people tentatively scheduled for the 24th annual mission trip to the Sea Islands of South Carolina. The group leaves June 10 and returns June 19.
This year, the group will be “sharing the load” with a shared leadership structure.

Transportation team leader is Mark McBee; kitchen team leaders are Peg Rose and Bev Bannon; mentor leader Ed Stuffle; devotion team leader is Monte Thompson; hotel team leaders are Sue Ann Ford and Karen Thada; t-shirt leader is Deb Zurawski; affirmation leader is Peg Rose; prayer leader is Jenny Lewis; thank you note leader is Carol Myhre; first aid kit team leader is Tiffany Issacs; corrugated procurement leader is Bev Bannon; coordinating leader is Cynda Mellish; construction leader is Bruce Whitehead.

So far, there may be 10 high school students making the trip this year. Three “first-timers” may also be on the team.
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Three new members joined the church Easter Sunday at The Gathering. Sean and Chrissy Smith and Wilbert Falconer joined the First United Methodist Church family by confession of faith!
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Do dogs go to heaven? Check it out on Youth Sunday, May 8, (Mother’s Day). The skit “Stairway to heaven” is featured with a dog, snake, hyena, vulture, squirrel, lion and lamb. The skit was created and written by the Middle School class. Each adult woman attending that day will receive a special gift. It should be a fun and memorable day with the youth.
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Rainbows & Rhymes is completing its 18th year of ministry on May 13. There are 95 students enrolled. Age ranges include one year to age 4. Summer parents day out begins June 2. The pre-school is going bowling at C’ville Lanes in early May.