March 2011 Newsletter

See you in wor-

ship where we celebrate

hope and the love of a

Savior, all year long.

In Christ’s Love, Ted

A quick thought

about the season of Lent

and hope. As we are

about to start the season

of Lent in preparing to

focus on the sacrifice of

Christ’s life for ours we

do so with hope. (Lent is

a traditional 40 day time

period where disciples of

Christ would identify

with the last days of Je-

sus. Lent ends with the

focus of disciples on

“Holy Week,” which be-

gins on April 17.)

We are a people

of hope because we know

that Good Friday did not

define the life of Jesus.

It was a very hopeless

day, a dark day, a grim

day.

We have hope

because we know that

amidst the darkest of

times God did something

amazing and unexpected

on the third day.

So, we reflect, we

renew, we refocus our

faith in the season of

Lent. We desire to enter

into intentional suffering

to prepare our soul for

the great gift of new life.

Pastor’s Perspective

March Worship

We will celebrate Communion on March 6 as we prepare our hearts for the season of Lent. Ash Wednesday begins on March 9 at 6:30p.m. We have a special presentation by Micah Cohen, from Jews for Jesus, on Sunday, March 27. It is entitled “Christ in the Passover.” A love offering will be taken. March 6 “GPI: Ends of the Earth” Acts 18:1 – 11, Communion, March 9 Ash Wed at 6:30p.m. March 13 “Fasting in the Season of Lent” Luke 9:18 - 27 March 20 “Feasting in the Season of Lent” Luke 15:1 - 10 March 27 “Christ in the Passover” Jews for Jesus - Micha Cohen

Online Edition

March 2011

The Bell Newsletter

The Monthly

Newsletter of

Auburn

First United

Methodist

Church

Inside this issue:

Church Camp 2

Lenten Text

Devotionals

2

March Calendar 4

Men’s Lenten

Breakfast

5

Dinner and A Movie 7

Preschool News 8,9

March Birthdays 12

The Bell Newsletter

We have many opportunities again this summer for you and your fami-ly to attend church camp! Below, you will find the sug-gested dates and instructions for getting regis-tered. Please keep

in mind that the Early Bird Deadline is Sunday, March 20th. After this date, the cost increases and your chances of getting into the camp you want decreases. Be sure to pick up a registration form and get signed up today! Camp Lakewood: [green form] [Grades K-2] Mini Camp: L1071 // July 24-26 Express Camp: L1031 // June 26-29

[Grades 3-5] Express Camp: L3041 // July 5-8 Impact Camp: L3011 // June 12-17 [Pastor Jansen co-directing] Camp Adventure: [green form] [Grades 6-8] Impact Camp: A4041 // July 3-8 Epworth Forest: [orange form] [Grades 9-13] That Thing: E5041 // July 3-8 [Cost: $110; $130 after March 20] Family Camp: [blue form] Camp Lakewood: L6071 // July 29-31 How to Sign Up: 1) Pick up appropriate camp form

from the Gathering Area or

church office.

2) Fill out camp form.

3) Return camp form with $75 non-

refundable fee per person to

church office by March 20th

[checks made payable to Impact

2818]. After March 20th, cost

increases to $95. [Exception:

That Thing campers payment is

$110 ($130 after March 20th).]

4) Attend and enjoy camp!

Questions??

Contact People: Karen Muckenfuss

(camp coordinator), Pat Kobiela, or

Allison Yankey

Church Office: 260.925.0885

Email:

[email protected]

Thanks to the generosity of the members and attendees of First

Church we have been able to reduce the parking lot debt to approximately $46,000!

If you would like to make a special

gift towards reducing this loan, please mark “Parking Lot” on your

envelope.

Your continued sup-port is appreciated!

Lenten Text Devotionals Be sure to get signed up for our Lenten series of text message de-votionals! If you participated in the Advent devotionals, you will automatically receive the Lenten devo-tionals, unless you specify otherwise. To get signed up, please simply indicate as such on the Connections Form, click this link, or con-tact Pastor Allison at 925.0885 or [email protected]. We look forward to a fantastic Lenten season! You won’t want to miss out on this opportunity!

mailto:[email protected]

http://trunc.us/1EFiWt


March 2011

To the Youth Group, A sincere “Thank You” for the gift basket I received as a gift from your youth group. The many gifts in this basket are so welcome. So many different items! Thank you for each item. Ayden Bowers and his grandmoth-er brought it to me the other night. They are so special. Sincerely, Luella Bowers To the First United Methodist Church, I want to thank you for the pretty blue basket filled with goodies and a big thanks to Jamie and her mom for delivering it and for visiting with me. Sincerely, Phyllis Blough Thanks you so much for the baskets you delivered to our home. The soup was delicious and we loved the Cracker Jack! It was a very worthwhile project you took on. Thanks again, Mary Helen and Cotton Bowmar Don & Vi Smolinske say “Thank You” for the wide variety of “goodies” the were delivered to their home. Thanks for the card from Kate. Vi really enjoyed going through the bag and admiring each item. It brought her much happiness. The office also received a phone call from Betty Till thanking the church for her lovely basket of goodies. The family of Carole Carmer stopped by the office to say thanks for Carole’s basket and the church’s thoughtful-ness. Virginia Yates would like to express her appreciation for the lovely gift basket of goodies from the church, it was a very pleasant surprise. Thanks to the confirmands for all their work in putting the baskets together and delivering them. She especially appreciated Madison Wehr who delivered the basket and took the time to talk with her, may God bless all the Confirmands for their work and service.

Mark that date!

Micha Cohen, from Jews for Jesus, will be at First Church on Sunday, March 27 to share the

“Christ in the Passover” presentation with us. He was here four years ago and taught us from the Jew-

ish background all about the Passover and how Jesus transformed it into the meaning of the Lord’s

Supper (Communion) for Christians today. He will be at both services that Sunday.

Tuesday March 1 7am Youth Breakfast at Richards

9am UMW Executive Board

12pm – 6pm Red Cross Bloodmobile

6:30pm Administrative Council

6:30pm Girl Scout Leader Meeting

7pm Praise Team Practice

Wednesday March 2 8am Men’s Breakfast at Richards

12pm Retired Teachers Luncheon

2pm Senior adult Council

5:15pm Children’s Choirs

5:30pm New Bell Group

5:30pm GLOW meal

6pm Middle School Youth Group

6:15pm Men’s Bible Study

6:15pm Rhythm Ringers Handbells

7:15pm Chancel Choir Practice

7:30pm Sr Hi Youth Group

Thursday March 3 6:30pm Financial Peace University

6:30pm Missions Committee

Friday March 4 11am AA meeting

Saturday March 5 No activities scheduled

Sunday March 6 8:30am & 10:45 am Worship

9:40am Sunday School

Monday March 7 8am Monday Prayer Group

6pm Heaven Bound

6pm Girl Scouts


8am UMW Committee Meeting

9am Nellie Weaver Circle

6pm UMW Spring Meeting

6:30pm Trustees



8am Quilt Guild


5:30pm GLOW meal

6:30pm Ash Wednesday Service


Thursday March 10 12pm OWLS Fellowship

6:30pm Financial Peace University

Friday March 11 6:30am Men’s Lenten Breakfast

11am AA meeting

Saturday March 12 10am – 4pm Bishop’s Confirmation

Rally in Noblesville

4pm Kiwanis Visitation Dinner



9:40am Newcomer Fellowship

12pm Confirmation Teaching


6pm Heaven Bound

6pm & 6:30pm Girl Scouts


5:30pm Lay Leadership

6pm Boy Scout Banquet

6:30pm Strategy Council


7:30pm Staff Parish Relations




5:30pm GLOW meal



6:30pm Finance Committee



Thursday March 17 6:30pmFinancial Peace University

Friday March 18 6:30am Men’s Lenten Breakfast

11am AA meeting



9:30am Newcomers


Monday March 21 DeKalb Spring Break

8am Monday Prayer Group

6pm Heaven Bound

Tuesday March 22 DeKalb Spring Break


Wednesday March 23 DeKalb Spring Break

8am Men’s Breakfast at Richards



6:30pm UMW Meeting

Thursday March 24 DeKalb Spring Break

Friday March 25 DeKalb Spring Break

6:30am Men’s Lenten Breakfast

11am AA meeting




12pm Dinner & a Movie


6pm Heaven Bound

6pm & 6:30pm Girl Scouts






5:30pm GLOW meal


6:15pm “Christianity and Islam”




Thursday March 31 6:30pm Financial Peace University

March 2011

COMMUNITY-WIDE MEN’S BREAKFASTS BEGIN MARCH 11

The annual community-wide Men’s Lenten Breakfast Series will begin Friday, March 11, 2011, at

the Auburn First United Methodist Church, 1203 East Seventh Street, Auburn, Indiana, beginning at

6:30 a.m. Over 150 men and youth representing more than 30 Christian churches traditionally attend

the series.

The Series continues for seven weeks through Good Friday and features breakfast, music and a

message from area clergy. Meatless dishes are available for those whose religious practices dictate.

This year’s speakers are:

March 11 Pastor Rick Hawks

The Chapel

March 18 Pastor Dan White

Auburn Nazarene Church

March 25 Pastor Steve Eyers

Grace Baptist Church

April 1 Heaven Bound

Auburn First United Methodist

April 8 Pastor Stuart Kruse

County Line Church of God

April 15 Pastor Clare Jewell

Lakewood Park Baptist Church

April 22 Pastor Ted Jansen

Good Friday Auburn First United Methodist Church

Each Friday a full hot breakfast is served and a freewill offering is collected. The event is open to

all men and boys and dismisses promptly at 7:30 a.m. It is sponsored by the United Methodist Men and

youth of First Church.

– IHS –

A thank you is in order to everyone that showed up for the cleaning of our church's kitchen. There were 16 people that showed up on Thursday, Jan. 27th and 5 people on Friday, Jan. 28th. These people left eve-rything shining and very much in order in our kitchen. It was a great couple of days of fellowship, lots of

elbow grease, and we are sure, many tired bodies the days after. We should be proud and very thankful for the great kitchen we have to accommodate our many dinners and many other activities our church provides.

We all know, that with the help every-one provides by help-ing in our kitchen, helps FUMC monetar-ily support many mis-sions within our church, throughout our community, and throughout the world. THANKS AGAIN AND GOD BLESS!!

From Your Kitchen Coordinator, Dottie Alday

track. Last year our team members and congregation helped raise $3,000 !!!! Why do I (Cathy Vadney) relay? My sister and I are survivors as are several friends, but my family lost our mother to cancer as did my co-captain, Debbie In-gold. We want to help in-crease the number of survi-vors and eliminate cancer. The atmosphere at the re-

We are in need of people from this church to be a part of our “Methodist Marchers” Relay For Life team!!! This event is spon-sored by the American Cancer Society. Relay For Life is a fund raising event to get closer to curing can-cer all together!!! This year the event will take place on Sat/Sun May 21st and 22nd at Dekalb High School

lay is so awesome. There is a sense of family among those who participate in this. The celebration of life in honor of the survivors starts off the event. The beautifully done luminary ceremony lifts in memory our loved ones who lost the battle. The track looks so neat all lit up and across the track you see the words “HOPE” illuminating a reminder that there is

March 2011

First Church

Following

Christ

QUESTION: What has 40 feet and sings? ANSWER: The church choir.

hope along with faith and actions of people working together for such a great goal….NO MORE CAN-CER !!!! You can make a difference, call Debbie Ingold @ 927-9823 or [email protected] or Cathy Vadney @ 925-0065 or email [email protected] to join our team by March 14th. Registration fee is $10.00 per person.

Men’s Banquet Coming! Put the date of Thursday, May 5th down on your calendars now.

This will be a great evening of fellowship and learning. John

Clayton will be coming to share about his faith in Christ and

challenge us to deepen our faith. A great meal will be provided.

More info and tickets will be coming soon. For more info con-

tact Matt Fetter.



Once again the Department of Adult Ministries is offering Dave Ramsey’s fabulous “Financial Peace University” to constituents of First United Methodist Church AND anyone else in the community who may be interested. These classes will run beginning Thursday, March 3 and extend through Thursday, June 9. Each session will feature a video presenta-tion with Dave Ramsey and discussion following guided by Larry and Kathy Waterson. Times are 6:30 – 8:30 PM and the class will meet in the Chapel. The Enrollment fee, which includes all your materials, is $ 93.00. It’s some of the best money you will ever spend on yourself. SCHOLARSHIPS ARE AVAILABLE IF NEEDED. (See Dale Williams for more information on Scholarships.) Learn how to- manage your finances better than ever before

- relate your finances to your Christian Stewardship - GET OUT OF DEBT !!

We have nine people participating in this class as of now and more are enrolling. If you wish to be a part of this life-changing experience please call the church office today (925-0885) or sign the sheet in the gathering area. If you have questions Larry & Kathy Waterson (925-1454) or Dale Williams (925-4921).

Special note: The best procedure is to enroll immediately but you may also attend the first session on March 3 with no obligation if you wish to sample the class before committing to enrollment.

FINANCIAL PEACE

UNIVERSITY RETURNS !!

March 2011

You are cordially invited to attend Dinner and a Movie on Sunday, March 27th! The youth will be putting on this fundraiser to support their upcoming trip to Kokomo, Indiana. The meal will be served at 12:15 pm and will consist of baked chicken, green beans, salad, baked potato, and dessert. The movie Facing the Giants will then begin at 1pm. We hope that you will plan to attend! Cost is $10 for the meal and $5 for the movie, or $25 per couple, or $40 per family of 5. Tickets can be purchased from youth members, Dawn Shoe-maker, and Allison Yankey and will be on sale through March 20th. There will be limited availability for tickets the day of the event, so don’t delay and purchase your tickets today!

First United Methodist School of Early Learning

Kelly Oswalt, Executive Director 1203 E. 7th Street s Auburn, IN 46706

260-925-2570 s [email protected] Blog site: http://auburnfirstunited.com/earlylearning_blog/

Runners and walkers- mark your calendars! The First United Methodist School of Early Learning is hosting the 2nd Annual Daisy Walk/Run in honor and memory of children. The date of the event is tentatively set for Satur-day, September 17, 2011 at 8:00 a.m. This event will be open to the congregation, preschool families, and the community. Last year’s event hosted 154 participants in its first year! We hope to have even more walkers and runners this year.

The walk/run starts at Rieke Park, with the majority of the event taking place on the nature trail and finishing in a park pavilion. We hope to raise funds to offer scholarships to preschool families. For the 2010-2011 school year, enough funds were raised to assist 26 families. The amount given exceeded $5,000. Many children were giv-en experiences that would not have been possible without this help. Not interested in running or walking? You can still join in! We are looking for volunteers to help on the day of the event. Contact Kelly Oswalt to find out how you can help. We hope you can help us — not only in honoring and remembering children — but in furthering the endeavors of our preschool by participating or volunteering! Let’s show our community how much we care! Please feel free to contact Director Kelly Oswalt with any questions. New this year- violin lessons are being offered by our music teacher, Ellie Slavin. Ellie has had 17 years of violin experience. Beginning at the age of three she was taught the Suzuki method, and then added experience with a community orchestra, middle and high school or-chestra, private tutoring in college as well as many music courses to finish with a minor in mu-sic. Since her college graduation at the end of 2003, she has taught one on one lessons and currently teaches many students ages 4 through 10. The students she currently teaches have performed at recitals and programs throughout the year, and move at their own pace. Lessons are taught based on the Suzuki method, which is a very hands-on violin education. Ellie also incorporates some fiddling style, as well as holiday and student choices, using all of her experience to create a well-rounded violin education and experience. Violin lessons will be offered to beginner and intermediate students on Mondays, Tuesdays, and Thursday from 4 in the afternoon to 7. Ellie is accepting students ages 3 and up. For more information about taking lessons, please call Kelly Oswalt at 925-2570 or email [email protected]. To reach Ellie, email her at [email protected] or call the preschool (925-2570).

Job Openings: The School of Early Learning is taking applications for the following positions: A teacher for 2 year old students An assistant in a 2s class. A CDA (child development associates degree) is preferred for the teaching position, as well as experience in a classroom. If you are interested, please send your resume to [email protected] or mail to 1203 E. 7th Street, Auburn by Friday, March 11. Preschool news continues on the next page...





Preschool news continued…

Are you interested in volunteering at the preschool? We need you! Listed below are some upcoming events. We would appreciate your time and assistance. Please call or email Kelly Oswalt at [email protected] or 925-2570. March 9, 10 and 11: Spring and graduation pictures

March 30, 31 and April 1: Help Kelly make pancake for all students April 3: Spring Carnival Open House (run a game) May 2, 3, 4, and 5: Early Learners Spring Program (be a greeter)

May 2, 3, 4 and 5: Help our graduating students with an art project May 15 at 2:00 or 4:00 p.m.: Help with preschool graduation ceremonies Sept. 17: Daisy 5K Walk/Run Anytime: Come read a book to our kids!

The School of Early Learning Spring Carnival Open House is coming soon! Mark your calendars to attend on Sunday, April 3 from 2-4 p.m. We need you! Please consider volunteering to run a game. If you are interested, call Kelly Oswalt at 925-2570 or email [email protected].

When you were a kid, do you remember how fun it was to cook? Did you like to dance? Or paint? The School of Early Learning wants to promote learning during the summer months. To do this, Summer Fun Camps have been held for the past 2 summers. This year’s camp themes are: Creative Cookers, Mozart and Movement, and Preschool Picassos. Each camp is held on a Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday from 9 a.m.-12 p.m. Depending on the chosen camp, students will have experiences with cooking, composers and liturgical dance, and many types of art. Many of the activities our students participate in are just plain fun and messy! They are the things we (as parents) know we should do, but don’t have the time or resources. Our students need your help. Can you help us further our mission? Please consider making a dona-tion to help offset the cost of the camp. Last year, 33 scholarships were given to students to keep the learn-ing going during the summer months. Let’s continue to show our community how important the education of youth is to our church. To help, it’s simple. In the Gathering Area behind the Sanctuary, please find the large display with cut-outs of children. On each child is a dollar amount. After selecting the desired contribution amount, please turn it and your donation into an office staff member. Today’s economic times are tough for families, schools, churches, and businesses. Your support and help are needed and greatly appreciated! Please see Pat Kobiela, church office manager, to make a contribu-tion. You may also contact Director Kelly Oswalt at 925-2570 or by email ([email protected]).

Upcoming Preschool events: March 9, 10, 11: Spring and graduation pictures March 21-25: Spring Break for students March 28, 29 and April 1: Eye exams for every student through the Lions Club March 30, 31, and April 1: Maple syrup demonstration by Gary Wymer

April 3: Spring Carnival Open House 2-4 p.m. April 6 and 7: Parent/Teacher conferences May 13: Last day of preschool May 15: Preschool graduation ceremonies at 2 p.m. and 4 p.m.



OLDER WISER LEADERS Thursday March 10, 2011

“Old Fashioned Potluck” 12 noon at the Church

in Fellowship Hall Bring your favorite dish

to share. Cards and games will

follow the meal. Sign up in the gathering area

March 2011

Garden Party 2011 is coming Saturday, June 18th Featured speaker will be author, speaker and life coach

Dr. Robin Chaddock. She is the author of

12 Great Choices Smart Moms Make, How to get a Smart Mouth and How to Find Your Personal Path to Success.

She holds degrees in psychology, theology and organizational management. She is an award-winning and popular college educator.

She also encourages hearts, inspires change and shares God’s deep love with others at

conferences, retreats, workshops and seminars. Watch for further information in the coming months.

You won’t want to miss it.

from JoyfulNoiseletter.com Reprinted with permission

Thank you to all those who dropped off old hand towels for the church custo-dial staff. We will put them to good use in the maintenance of the church. Bill Kobiela & Steve Johnson Dear friends, I want to thank all of you many good friends for your many, many visits, cards, and calls since my accident! You are all very special, and so caring! I am doing well now and hope to be back home again when my time here is up. I just received a buckets of miscellaneous sweet treats from the children. So sweet they are! Love to all, Marilyn Minard Dear Church Family, Many thanks for all the kind gifts of food, money, gift cards, phone calls, and visits. We are blessed to be surrounded by such love and caring. We are living at the La Quinta for the time being. The staff are very kind and they even like Max the Lab. We feel safe and cared for. We ask for your continued prayer for us and we thank God for 1st Church. Irv & Carolyn Hart Thank you so much for making our Christmas a very special 1st Christmas. It helped us a lot. The clothes and everything else were so wonderful. I wish there was something more that I could say or do to thank you but the only thing I can say is Thank You Very Much! Jessica & Gabryelle A thank you is in order to Bill Kobiela for all his hard work over and above his "call of duty." Bill is always available to help when needed and is always willing to accommodate everyone the best he can. When you see Bill, let him know how much he is appreciated. Dear Church friends, Thank you so much for your support since my mom and my surgeries. My mom, Bonnie Miller, is walking better than she has in years since her hip replacement. And I have been released from wearing my air cast. Your thoughts, prayers, cards, and phone calls are greatly appreciated. I am so thankful to be back in church—missed seeing all of you so much! Love in Christ, Nora Maupin

March 2011

In Michigan, after a long, cold winter, a business put up a sign that read “Think Spring” in early March. On the first day of spring, March 20, the area was hit by a snowstorm and sub-zero weather. The busi-ness replaced the sign with another message: “Forget Spring. Think Summer.” —via Duane Zwiers North St. Paul, MN from JoyfulNoiseletter.com Reprinted with permission

Online Edition

Auburn First United Methodist Church

1203 E. Seventh Street

Auburn, Indiana

Phone: 260-925-0885

Email: [email protected]

Stay connected with First Church news!Stay connected with First Church news!

Bookmark our website:

auburnfirstunited.com

03/01 Violet Smolinske, Betsy Rodecap-Kurtz, Greg Feller, Katelyn Smith, Hanna Fetter 03/02 Laurie Carthen, John McLaughlin, Scott Moss 03/03 Curt Harriman, Teresa Wolf 03/04 Dane Curtis

03/05 John Ober, Phil Kuyvenhoven, Ryan Dunn 03/06 Austin Sibery 03/07 Marie Bowerman, Lynne Hodges, Joseph Schultis, Zachary Ingold, Samantha Hunt 03/08 Miriam Buckles, Pauline Bridge, Michael Halferty, Mattie Taylor 03/09 David Vetter, Daniel McCallister, Callie Eltzroth 03/10 Nicole Thiele, Taylor Knox 03/11 Mona Brown, Barbara Ober, Cathy Vadney, Deborah Scott, Wil Horton

03/12 Charles Bassett, Christopher McDaniel, Emma Taylor, Tyler Littlejohn 03/13 Jim Leonard 03/14 Ferne Moats, Eileen Bortner, Sharon Brill 03/15 Mark Bryant 03/16 Doneta Oswalt, Ellie Slavin, Heather Harper, Tiffany King, Grace Wallace 03/17 Charles Widner, Kevin Shoemaker, Emily Macy 03/18 Carly Reynolds, Paul Hartman 03/19 Tammy Eisenberg, Jessica Millspaugh, Sarah Fetter 03/20 Donna McDaniel 03/21 Betty Brown, Bruce Holden, Charles VanHorne 03/22 Montana Kummer, Katelynn Nelson, 03/24 Jeffrey Leiter 03/25 Vera Webb, Sue VerHage 03/26 Laura Dunn, Nicole Collins 03/27 Kristine Marsh, Max Oswalt 03/28 Spencer Johnson, Nathan Parrott 03/30 Karen Atkinson, Eileen Eberhart, Greg Shippy, Stacy Hartman, Megan Sparkman

WANTED:

Individuals who would like to practice Radical Hospitality by volunteering to be a Sun-

day morning greeter during March and April.

Look for the sign up sheet in the Gathering Area.

March 2011 Newsletter

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Transcript of March 2011 Newsletter