Sunday Schedule: 8:15am - Blended worship

9:15-10:30am - Gathering with coffee/doughnuts

9:30am - Sunday School for all ages

10:45am - Traditional worship

April Preaching Schedule

SERIES:

Stories of the Kingdom

APRIL 5 - Palm/Passion Sunday preaching:

Demond Johnson Matthew 27:32-44

Surely, He Was the Son of God!

APRIL 9 - Maundy Thursday Matthew 26:17-30

The Appointed Time is Near

APRIL 12 - Resurrection Sunday Matthew 28:1-10 Do Not Be Afraid

SERIES:

A Path Toward Freedom

APRIL 19 John 5:1-15; Philippians 3:12-14

The Starting Line

APRIL 26 preaching:

Marty Burchfield Romans 12:3-8

Empath

Phone: 419/238-0631 FAX: 419/238-3608

email: firstchurch@wcoil.com website: vanwertfirst.net

Embracing, equipping and empowering persons to evangelize

Mission Moment:

This month, we highlight a couple of the missionaries that we support. First, an update on what Joel Penton is doing with Stand For Truth. Joel's speaking/outreach ministry continues to high schools and middle schools throughout the country. Recently, Joel

has partnered with our local Cross Over the Hill release time bible program and has rebranded Cross Over the Hill to be called LifeWise Academy. The goal of LifeWise Academy is to use the local model as a start-ing point to build a “Plug ‘n Play” model for Released Time Religious Instruction to be available at schools anywhere. Three LifeWise Academy locations are live and seven communities have begun raising funds as part of the LifeWise launch process.

If you have interest in learning more about LifeWise Academy email Jeremy Laukhuf at jeremy@lifewiseacademy.com

Further afield, your Mission Outreach budget also supports the work of Ntambos who run Wings of the Morning, an aviation ministry of The United Methodist Church in North Katanga in the Democratic Republic of the Congo. Wings of the Morning flies medical supplies to remote villages, transports critically ill patients, etc. in an area with little infrastructure.

The income from the Agnes Gardner Trust which is administered by the Trustees is used to support missionaries.

Special Offering ...for April

Easter Preschool Salaries,

Food Pantry & Agape

Living God, we boldly ask, remove the blinders from the eyes of those

who do not know your Son, Jesus Christ. Help us embrace creative ways to share

with others the hope of the Gospel. Equip us to connect with others.

Empower us to bear witness to the message of the Cross

and the power of resurrecting faith in Christ Jesus. Amen

ACTS 1:14a They all joined

together in prayer.

0631 breakthrough

prayer

IN THE CHURCH FAMILY

Death: Melvin Berkebile

March 17, 2020 Birth:

Kennedy Rae Thompson February 28, 2020

Parents: Michael & Lauren Thompson Grandparents: Dave & Jana Thompson

Eden Daniel Farmer March 7, 2020

Mother: Kelsey Farmer Grandparents: Chris & Melinda Farmer

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 1-3pm Food Pantry

2

3 10am-Noon

Food Pantry

6pm Bread N Bowl

4

5 NO WORSHIP

IN SANCTUARY

Join us on Facebook Live: Van Wert First

United Methodist Church

PALM SUNDAY

6 1-3pm Food Pantry

7

8 1-3pm Food Pantry

9

MAUNDY THURSDAY

Facebook Live

10 10am-Noon

Food Pantry

6pm Bread N Bowl

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE

Facebook Live

11

12

Easter NO WORSHIP

IN SANCTUARY

13 1-3pm Food Pantry

6:00pm Cub Scouts

6:30pm Soul Friends

7:00pm Boy Scouts

14 8:30am Staff Mtg.

10:30am Prayer Group

Noon Lydia Circle

15 8:00am Men’s Bible Study

9:00am Cross Over the Hill

- Synergy

1-3pm Food Pantry

See Wednesday schedule

16 8:00am Clay Pots

6:30pm

Praise Band

17 10am-Noon

Food Pantry

6pm Bread N Bowl

18

19

3:30-5:30pm DC Choir Rehearsal

20 1-3pm Food Pantry

6:00pm Cub Scouts

6:30pm Soul Friends

7:00pm Boy Scouts

7:00pm M & M Group

21 8:30am Staff Mtg.

10:30am Prayer Group

6:00pm Guys Missing

Wives @ Hickory Sticks

22 8:00am Men’s Bible Study

9:00am Cross Over the Hill

- Synergy

10:00am On Our Own

1-3pm Food Pantry

See Wednesday schedule

23 8:00am Clay Pots

6:30pm

Praise Band

24 10am-Noon

Food Pantry

6pm Bread N Bowl

25

26

3:30-5:30pm DC Choir Rehearsal

5:00-7:00pm MS & HS Youth

27 1-3pm Food Pantry

6:00pm Cub Scouts

6:30pm Soul Friends

7:00pm Boy Scouts

28 8:30am Staff Mtg.

10:30am Prayer Group

6:30pm Stephen Ministry

29 30

Wednesday Schedule:

8:00am Men’s Bible Study 5:30pm Seekers

1:00pm Food Pantry 6:30pm Handbells

4:00pm Women in the Word 7:30pm Choir

SAVE THE DATE!

Our next Project 216 pack will be

October 3, 2020!

Join us any Sunday on Facebook Live at:

Van Wert First United Methodist Church

Dear Brother and sisters,

Colossians 3:16 says, Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly, teach-ing and admonishing one another in all wisdom, singing psalms and hymns and spiritual songs, with thankfulness in your hearts to God.

My friends, these words have never rang truer in our society than they do now. The world is in a strange place, a place that most of us have never seen or experienced before. Yet as followers of Christ we knew that times such as these are to come and that they too soon shall pass. We are also experiencing a unique opportunity to spend unexpected time with friends and family. I would like to encourage you and your family to take this opportunity to explore the free resources provided by First Church through RightNowMedia.com. During this time, they will be sending weekly emails to all users with content recommendations for Bible studies, personal care, and kids’ shows. Again, this is a free resource provided through First Church. So, take this time to explore and connect with family or pick a self-study to explore Gods word.

If you would like to sign up, please contact Jana, Teresa, Sherri, or Demond at First Church!!!

“The Netflix of Christian Bible Study”

ALL EVENTS ARE SUBJECT TO CHANGE! Contact your small group leader or Jana for the most up-to-date information.

Information can also be found at WBCL, WLIO , WPTA and WERT.

April 2020

NURSING HOME RESIDENTS

Van Crest, Van Wert 10357 Van Wert Decatur Road, Van Wert, OH 45891

Steve Coyle, Wilfred Davis, Karen Elston, Dennis Warnecke

Van Crest, Delphos Assisted Living: 310 Elida Road, Delphos, OH 45833 Nursing Home: 1425 E 5th Street, Delphos OH 45833

Marilyn McCracken, Assisted Living

Hearth and Home 1118 Westwood Drive, Van Wert, OH 45891

Ana Arnold, Ed Bates, Linda Jeknavorian, Ruth Poe, June Taylor

Van Wert Manor 160 Fox Road, Van Wert, OH 45891

Betty Foust, Janet Hiegel, Jan Osborn, Bob Sowers, Betty Vogt, Carl Wollenhaupt, Dale Wollenhaupt, Dave Zeigler

Shut-ins living away from VW Decatur: Janet Purk Columbus: Bonnie Wallace, Frank Van Horn

South Carolina: Betty Medaugh

Shut-Ins Laverna Faszler, Frank & Pauline McGannon, Jay Simson, Jack Spry, Betty Tribolet, Bill Wermer

Nursing home addresses have been added if you would like to send a card to a resident.

First Church Prayer Requests

HEALTH CONCERNS: Sandra Anderson, Parkinsons

Jim Davis, Cancer

Aiden Ellerbrock, rehab Paula Goins, Multiple-sclerosis

Lois Haller, Cancer

Bella Hurless, rehab

Linda Jeknovorian, health

Matt Krites, treatment

Joy McCleery, vertigo

Angie Myers, cancer

Harrison Oechsle, eye injury Bob Say, stiff person disease

Mona Scheidt, health

RoseAnne Spieles, health

Karen Smith, health

Jack Spry, health

Rebecca Strickler, health

MILITARY: Gerald Christo-Baker, Michael Hellman, Caleb Kreischer, Bryan Zinsmaster

Airman Ethan Glass HSC-2 524 A Street Norfolk, VA 23511-4010

Conner Gordon 2891 I Street Petaluma, CA 94952

Nick Gutierrez 300 N. 10th St., PO Box 4084 Kileen, TX 76544

Gregory Henry 94508 Woodcrest Lane Fort Drum, NY 13603

Cpl Benjamin Scheidt GCE/H&S MT, 26MEU DET A, Unit 80124, Box 003, FPO AE 09508-2400

Noah Sease 6515 Montclair Avenue Lakewood, WA 98499

Kyle Spray MCCES 1738 8th St., PO Box 88253 Twentynine Palms, CA 92278

Austin Sudduth 386 ELRS/LGRA/PAX Unit 61409, APO, AE 09855-1409

Evan Wells 109 Remington Drive Enterprise, AL 36330

IF YOU HAVE ADDITIONAL MILITARY INFO YOU WOULD LIKE LISTED, PLEASE CONTACT JANA, OFFICE MGR.

MISSIONARIES - April Focus: Gaston & Jeanne Ntambo, Wings of the Morning. Mission: Youth Mentoring Program.

GLOBAL CONCERNS - April Focus: Homeless & Poor and those workers serving them.

UNITED METHODIST CHURCH - April Focus: First Church Mission in Van Wert & Church Staff / Volunteers: Children’s Ministry.

Financial Report - 2/29/2020

February Income: $43,064.28

February Expense: $51,476.22

Expense over Income: - $8,411.94

YTD Income: $102,547.28

YTD Expense: $105,230.94

Expense over Income: - $2,683.66

Sarah Circle plans to meet Tuesday, April 21st at 6:30pm.

Due to recent health considerations, Women's Ministry has rescheduled

their Good Friday Bake Sale to Friday, May 8th.

Stay connected for more information regarding upcoming activities.

Our recycling efforts continue!

Please drop off your used ink cartridges and cell phones at the office.

Thank you for your donations.

SOUL FRIENDS

Do you love to study God’s Word? Energetic, fun and

vibrant conversation? Well - Soul Friends women’s

group may be the small group for you!

Meetings are held Mondays at 6:30pm, hosted by Teresa Shaffer.

Currently using ‘Zoom’ software to conduct remote meetings.

If this sounds like the group for you,

contact Demond Johnson (419) 238-0631. ext. 306

April Birthdays

4/1 Jerri Bacino Kent Hughes Sherri Poling

4/2 Addison Breese Cassondra Clark

4/4 Meah Johnson Carol Cavanaugh Melissa Bockrath

4/5 Gloria Wendel

4/6 Michael Wise

4/7 Marylou Smith Traci Carter

4/8 Ansley Schwab Jamie Burenga Steven Mendenhall

4/9 Carly Bebout

4/10 Lois Haller Lillie Best

4/11 Dick Atwood

4/12 Kory Thatcher

4/13 Jacob Brake

4/14 Marty Burchfield Betty Bumbalough Pat Ryan Joy McCleery

4/15 Dave Thompson

4/17 Deb Pearson Ali Jackson

4/18 Larry Taylor

4/19 Ruth Ann Dowler Ryan Chen Marilyn Bair

4/20 Becky Wells

4/21 Danny Thatcher Rachael Dettrow

4/22 Deborah Kelly Michele Mendenhal Michael Smelser

4/24 Dyann Ricica Mona Scheidt Sarah Wells Langston Wright

4/25 Debbie Jones Cindy DuVall

4/27 Toby Thomas

4/28 Dale Butler

4/29 Harvey McMillen

4/30 Ryan McCracken Trina Steen Tony Wright

April Anniversaries 4/3 Ned & Cindy Compton

4/4 Mike & Sherri Arn

4/21 Luke & Debby Compton

4/27 Jim & Judi Loughrie

4/30 Dave & Kimberly Clouse Jeremy & Ella Stoller

Fridays at First have been postponed

until further notice.

February Attendance Report 8:15 - 378 10:45 - 747

—— YTD Average

8:15 - 85 10:45 - 173

YTD Average - All Services 258

LIBRARY

April books will be delayed...

A series of four books, Sensible Shoes, plus the Codebreaker books

based on the men and women

who worked in the Intelligence

Hub of the Admiralty during the

Great War will keep you absorbed.

Authors Sirls, Kirkpatrick and

Joubert add to the fiction. The

three C. S. Lewis books that disap-

peared from the library have been

replaced. Gifted to us are Chase

the Lion, Goliath Must Fall, It's

Okay Not to be

Okay and David

Jeremiah's, Is

This the End?

Enjoy reading

this month!

Romaine

Lifetouch Studio has postponed directory pictures until Aug. 18–22, 2020.

You should receive an e-mail telling you about the change.

Your appointment will carry over into the

new dates. For example, if you were scheduled for Tuesday, April 14 @ 5:00pm,

your appointment will now be Tuesday, August 18 at 5:00pm.

We realize the new date and time may not work with your schedule. If so, please go to

the website, cancel your appointment and pick a time that does work.

Indianapolis 2020 Mission Trip Update

From: YOUTHWORKS

In the last several days, we’ve watched many of you as you’ve flexed your creativity in ways you never imagined. We also know you’ve been carefully assessing what your summer ministry could look like if things continue as they have been. Our daily focus continues to be on a careful study of the CDC’s ongoing reporting, as well as the guidance from state and local health authorities in each of our communities. We are fervently doing our part to “flatten the curve” and to stay connected with many of you about the immediate impact you and your ministries are feeling at the moment. While no final decisions have been made about summer mission trips, we are actively planning for every possible scenario in order to ensure the safety of our groups, summer staff, service partners and community members.

From: Demond and Teresa

As of now all future payments for 2020 mission trip are put on hold. We will continue to monitor the situation

and send out information as soon as we receive it.

May God continue to Bless you all, Demond & Teresa

To all the Wednesday FEAST people

who donated their time, talents and

baked goods.

We couldn’t do it without you!

Food Pantry needs for April

Ravioli, Spaghettios and Saltine Crackers

Please bring these items for the food pantry. Baskets will be at each entrance.

Monetary donations are also welcome & appreciated.