Check out the page for the Worship Blog - there is a new post for January 2017 written by David Foster!
News from the Pews
Quizzing Nationals Update
Today was the day to find out which tournament brackets our teams will be competing in. Both teams fought hard, but in the end they will both be competing Thursday in their respective consolation brackets. The coaches could not be prouder of the kids' performances today. Both teams were breaking new ground in their competition abilities.
Tonight was also the night for our service project. We partnered with Bread of Life Mission in Seattle to assemble and distribute care bags to the homeless. Our teams decided they wanted to be part of the distribution teams so we took dozens of bright orange backpacks filled with bottled water, socks, soaps, toothbrushes, etc. and followed a guide into the streets of downtown Seattle to distribute the bags to any homeless we could find.
We walked many blocks up the water front, past fish markets, and between high rises. When the guide offered to let any of the groups who wanted to leave a chance to get on the bus and go after an hour or so, our group was one of the two who stayed behind to try to give away the rest of the bags.
We are so glad we did. We finally reached a square with many people who were willing to receive our gifts with glad hearts and we quickly ran out of care bags. We got to talk with people and hear some of their stories. Many people asked us to pray with them right there.
We are so proud of our kids and their willing hearts of servitude. This trip across the country has been definitely worth it even if just for the experiences they received tonight.
On a side note I do want to ask for prayer for Russ. He was an elderly man I encountered who wanted prayer for himself and for his two sons of 28 and 31 who he hasn't been able to see in years. I told him he would be lifted up in prayer by name tonight.
Thank you so much for supporting our team and particularly our teens in this ministry of Bible Quizzing.
-David J. Blaize, coach
Quizzing Nationals Update
We've had a good day of free time before formal quizzing begins. As a group of thirteen we took on a challenge of puzzles to release us from a locked room, ate some local foods, and tried (with varying degrees of success and embarrassment) to navigate the ways of public transportation.
Then we got together with all the other quizzers for an evening of instruction, worship, and fellowship with one another.
Tomorrow begins the first rounds of quizzing! Hopefully we will be able to post some photos soon, so keep checking back. Thank you so much for your prayers and support!
-David J. Blaize, coach
VBS Registration
Haven't had a chance to register for VBS yet this year? No problem! You can actually register your child here on our website! Fill out the form on the registration page and it will be submitted as an email to the church. Once the secretary has a chance to process your registration you will receive a confirmation email to the address you provide!
Summer Evening Worship Services
Due to all the extra activities we have going on during the summer, there will be no Sunday Evening Worship Services until July 10.
Faith Builders Finished for '15-'16
The final Faith Builders program for 2015-2016 school year was last Wednesday night. The program will take the summer break and return following the beginning of the 2016-2017 school year this fall.
Check back with us, however, as we prepare for VBS!
Good Friday Service
It was just announced this morning at the Men's Lenten Breakfast: the Community Good Friday Service will be at the First Baptist Church at 7:00 PM.
Easter Weekend
Come and join us on Easter Sunday for a Sunrise Service, breakfast, and then an Easter program involving music, readings, and more.
At this point I do not have confirmation of a Community Good Friday Service - however if one does get scheduled, I will let you know.
Wild Game Dinner
Sorry for the short notice, but the Annual Wild Game Dinner will be NEXT SATURDAY, March 26, at 6:00 PM.
New Membership Class
Hello everyone,
First off, I want everyone to understand and know that they are loved and valued even if they are not formal members of the church. We consider many people "members" who are not officially members. They walk in unity and serve along side us. They are members of the Body of Christ (The Church) even if they aren't formal members of a local church. But, I think it is valuable and meaningful to enter into a covenant of membership with the church and people you worship with.
It is my intent to start the membership information class on March 13. We will meet in my office during the Sunday School hour. You do not have to become a member if you attend the class, but it gives you the basic ideas of what it means to be a church member in general and a member in The Free Methodist Church specifically. I am not sure how long the class will take. I try not to drag it out, but I want everyone to feel as though they know what membership means.
After the class or sometime between the start and finish of the class, I will talk to each person individually. I hope you will consider being part of this class. It is a good way to meet with other newer people also.
I [am linking] a list of core values that we are working on as a church. Beyond that, I will be using excerpts from our Book of Discipline (basically a book about how the church interprets certain Scriptures and how we are organized to accomplish the work of Christ).
Don't worry if you don't agree 100% with everything taught. Quite frankly no one really does, but we agree to walk in unity and submission to one another out of love. For the most part we simply need to agree in principle and covenant together not to promote anything that is contrary to the essential doctrines of the church. But the bottom line is that the Bible alone is our final source of authority and it takes priority over all other materials or man made doctrines.
Thanks again for being such great people to work with.
Peace and joy in the Lord,
Mark Schlechty
P.S. - I would also invite those who are already members to join the class. It is a great refresher.