FUMC Chanute Newsletter

HEY! I KNOW YOU!

Greetings in the Name of our Lord Jesus Christ!

I’ve seen many people wanting & longing to draw nearer to and also have a desire to be in a deeper fellowship and communion with God these days. As you know, the people of every age were created to have a spiritual fellowship and communion with God, the Creator of the Universe from the beginning. That’s the reason why the desire for God in the human heart continues to search for God. When people make up their minds to come closer to God, He never rejects or refuses people to draw nearer to God. God never ceases to draw humanity to himself. I deeply believe our desire for God doesn’t start with us it starts with God’s desire for us! God’s grace always initiates among the lives of people. As we have a spiritual yearning God initiates in our hearts, that yearning for God is how we grow spiritually and how we truly experience God’s grace in our Christian journey.

Over the coming weeks of Lent, I strongly encourage and invite each one of you to reflect with me on Jesus who is the ultimate anchor of our faith and practice. I as your spiritual leader strongly recommend each one of you to enthrall your mind with Jesus who is the founder and perfecter of our faith. I ask you all intentionally to meditate on the Scripture, on the reflection and focus on a daily prayer when you walk in the Lenten journey. These spiritual practices can surely help you draw nearer to the presence of God, grow in the grace of God, and help you feel your longing for God.

My hope for each one of you is that you will go deeper and deeper into your faith and experience God’s grace to draw closer to God so that you may find a richer expression of your faith this Lent. I pray for all of you to experience God of love, goodness, and mercy as you walk humbly in this spiritual season. May you turn away from sin and seek to repent

and return to His unconditional love. May God give you the strength to be honest about your own shortcoming and sins. May humility truly guide each one of you and May God continue to help you live in His abundant grace.

[Micah 7:18] Who is a God like you, who pardons sin and forgives the transgression of the remnant of his inheritance? You do not stay angry forever but delight to show mercy. You will again have compassion on us; you will tread our sins underfoot and hurl all our iniquities into the depths of the sea.

[Psalm 103:8] The LORD is compassionate and gracious, slow to anger, abounding in love.

[Lamentations 3:22-23] The steadfast love of the Lord never ceases; his mercies never come to an end; they are new every morning; great is your faithfulness.

Grace to you, Rev. Michael Park

“Sharing the Love & Hope of God”

Rev. Michael Park

Prayer Concerns:

Kenzli Underwood

Bob Myers

Sharon Carpenter

Jim Schoenberger

Emily Elliott

Howard Bailey

Doug McReynolds

Gary Taylor

Karen Vallier

Sean Kernick Levi (grandson of Sherilyn Clarke)

Kathy Martin

Katy Rodriguez

Nancy Drybread

Mike Sutcliffe

Susan Cathers

Kathy Bercaw Sympathies

Lonnie Riley

Serving in the Military: Nathan Ruggles

Josh Underwood

Registration for Summer Camp is Now Open!

If you have or know a kid who could benefit from a Christian based camping experience, look no further! Camp Chippewa is a 660 acre United Methodist Camp and Retreat Center outside of Ottawa, KS nestled in the beautiful Chippewa Hills. Scholarships are available through the Barb Keller Estate fund! And, an "Early Bird" discount is being offered for those who register before May 1.

www.campchippewa.org/summercamps/

4 Ways to Observe Lent

Lent is a season of focus and preparation. It aligns our hearts with God’s heart as we approach Easter. The following are just a few ways to focus and prepare.

GIVE IT UP

· Consider giving up something that distracts form your important relationship like too much time on Facebook or Candy Crush.

· Maybe cut out screen usage for several hours a day.

· Take a day of true rest. Let go of toil for 24 hours.

PLUG IN

· Consider adding in something that helps you connect to God.

· Read a book of the Bible, a devotional, or practice Lectio Divina on a daily basis.

SERVE

· Start a new routine of service.

· Volunteer regularly as an academic mentor, step up to volunteer in a local church, or visit a nursing home.

SHARE IT

· Make it a communal event.

· Share your Lent practices with others via a small group and/or attending worship.

OUR CHURCH

Mission Pennies

Mission Pennies & Noisy Offering for March will be given to the Cherry Street Youth Center.

Brunch & Worship

"Brunch & Worship" will be offered Sundays at 11am in the Fellowship Hall. This will be a casual style of worship with a message, conversations, fellowship and FOOD! If you like to sleep in on Sunday but still want to get your praise on, this is the service for you! All are welcome!

Gifts/Prizes Needed

The Church & Society committee continues to need items for the monthly birthday/bingo party held every 3rd Tuesday at the Murray Hill Apartments. A tub to collect these items is located downstairs in front of the elevator.

AGAPE A Greek word for self-giving love.

The Agape Fund is a ministry that allows the participant to give $5.00 or more, four times per year. This money is used to help a specific area person or a family in need. If you would like to be added to our participants list, please contact the church office @ 4314240 and talk to Ronda. Participants are kept secret and confidential.

Blessing Box

Our church now has a “Blessing Box” located at the edge of the church

parking lot. If you have food pantry type items you wish to donate, you may add them into the box so that they can be a blessing to someone in need. Items can range from cans or boxes of food, to hygiene items, to cleaning supplies. If you have any questions, you may contact Amy Hendrickson or the church office.

Another Tuesday Evening meal

Our church’s turn to host the “Another Tuesday Evening Meal” at Otterbein will be on March 7th . Anyone willing to volunteer their time or culinary talents should contact Charlene Riley either by email: charleneriley657@gmail.com or phone:

431-4560 (office)

431-4023 (home)

433-0909 (cell)

Sunday School Classes for ALL

Have you joined one of our Sunday School Classes yet? Well, stick around after church! Classes for children & youth meet upstairs. See below for more information on our adult classes.

Read Thru the Bible: Meets in Room 107 (Library).

Facilitator: Charlie VanHouden

Builders: Meets in the small office in the hallway going into Fellowship Hall. (South side.) This

class will begin a new study in January titled: “The Jesus You May Not Know” by Dr. David Jeremiah. Facilitator: Francene Johnson Young at Heart: Meets in Room 103. This class will be listening to the Adam Hamilton video, “Christianity and World Religion”, Hinduism, Buddhism, Islam, Judaism and Christianity over the next 6 weeks. We welcome new members or visitors any time.

Facilitator: Alicia Fickel Come All Ye Faithful: Meets in Room 112. This class will be working on a study by Andy Stanley titled, “Better Decisions, Fewer Regrets". Good questions lead to better decisions! Facilitator: Patty Dighero

Electronic Giving

Download “Vanco Mobile” free from the App Store. Search for “Chanute” First United Methodist Church. Vanco Mobile provides secure and convenient giving using your debit/credit card or checking/savings account where you might choose to toggle to “cover processing fees” to reduce the charge for the church. If you prefer to have money automatically taken from your checking account, contact Sidney Haslett or the church for an authorization form. Questions? Contact Linda Jones

Dear Barb Keller Scholarship Committee, Thank you for your generous scholarship that has allowed me to finish my doctoral program at USM. This is my final semester. Yay!! You helped make this possible.

Thank you so much, Brenda Krumm

Thank you all so much for all the prayers, phone calls, messages, visits, cards, flowers, the wonderful lunch and beautiful service. Moh and I feel very loved and appreciate all the support during this time.

God Bless You Charlene

First United Methodist Church Family, Thank you so much for the scholarship money to help me further my education at Pittsburg State University. I feel so grateful to be a part of such an amazing church tha is so supportive of their college students. I look forward to attending church and seeing some of you soon! Thanks again!

Sincerely,

Brecca Peter

(Continued on page 5)

March

“Just Another Tuesday”

Church Host Schedule

March 7

First United Methodist

March 14

St. Patrick’s

March 21

Westview

March 28

First Christian

Drive thru meal distribution at Otterbein UMC (631 W 7th) begins each Tuesday at 5pm.

Fitness Opportunities at Chanute

FUMC

WALKERCIZE

Mondays & Wednesdays 11:00 am

Fellowship Hall

TAI CHI

Monday Friday 8:30am

Fellowship Hall

Palm Sunday Egg Hunt

This year’s Palm Sunday Egg Hunt will be taking place on Sunday, April 2. Donations of candy are needed!!! Candies should be individually wrapped and small enough to fit inside of a plastic egg.

The Today’s Concerns group will be meeting for lunch at “The Hangout”, located at 1202 S Steuben,

ACCL Holy Week Services

This year’s ACCL Holy Week Services will be hosted by the First Christian Church, 102 N Grant. This ecumenical church event takes place for 4 consecutive evening beginning Palm Sunday, April 2 and continuing through Wednesday, April 5 at 7pm each evening. A full schedule will be provided in the next newsletter.

QPR Training Scheduled

Most people know that CPR can save a life, but have you heard about QPR? QPR or Question, Persuade, and Refer is an intervention strategy for suicide prevention that is designed to save lives just like CPR.

Mental Health is something we all have and at some point it will stare you in the face and ask you what’s up. On Thursday, March 9 beginning at 6pm our church will be hosting a QPR Training led by Shelly Kelly, QPR Certified Pathfinder Instructor with the Southeast Kansas Mental Health Center.

What will you learn?

© How to Question, Persuade and Refer someone who may be suicidal

© How to get help for yourself or learn more about preventing suicide

© The common causes of suicidal behavior

© The warning signs of suicide

© How to get help for someone in crisis

Space is limited. Call the church office @ 620.431.4240 or email office@fumcchanute.com if you might be interested in participating.

Dear Church Friends, Devon & Hunter Walker graduated from Pittsburg State on December 16th, 2022. Devon is grateful for the scholarship he received from FUMC that helped him achieve success. He is now utilizing his degree as a Safety Specialist at Orizon here in Chanute.

Hunter is now working as an Information & Computer Technician at Watco Industries at Pittsburg. He would like to study abroad to enrich his degree, but has to save enough money to achieve this goal.

Again, Thank you for supporting ALL our children to fulfill their dreams.

Blessed, Frank & Lynda Meisch Tracy, Devon, & Hunter Walker

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

202 S. LINCOLN CHANUTE, KANSAS 66720

OFFICE HOURS:

8:00AM 5:00PM

CHURCH PHONE: 620-431-4240

WEB SITE: www.fumcchanute.com

CHURCH STAFF:

Pastor: Rev. Michael Park pastor@fumcchanute.com

Cell #: (518) 813-5314

Director of Youth: Amy Hendrickson youth@fumcchanute.com

Director of Children: Nicci Wiltse kidmin@fumcchanute.com

Secretary: Ronda Phillips office@fumcchanute.com

Office Hours: M F, 8:00am 5:00pm

Treasurer: Linda Jones treasurer@fumcchanute.com

Custodian: Nora Lewi-Barnum

Organist: Terri DeGeer

Media Tech: Koralyn Barkman

Video Tech: Rick Willis

Sound Techs: Max Hendrickson & Jackson Osborn

First United Methodist Church 202 S Lincoln Chanute, Kansas 66720 PH: (620)431-4240 www.fumcchanute.com

Return Service Requested

How to become a member....

You are welcome to attend worship services, member or not. For that matter, you can attend any activity of the church and are invited to do so. Becoming a member is, in faith, saying you want a deeper commitment to the church. Our vows ask us to faithfully participate in the life of the church with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, our service and our witness.

We hope you will be a part of the ministry of the First United Methodist Church. If you would like to become a member, please give us: Name(s), address, phone number, e-mail address, anniversaries, birthdays and if you are already a member of some other church or not. If you are, we also need the name of the church and, if possible, the address. Please give this to the pastor, or leave in the church office.

UPCOMING EVENTS

Tuesday, March 7: Our church will be hosting the “Just Another Tuesday Meal” at Otterbein beginning at 5pm.

Thursday, March 9: Our church will be hosting a QPR Training (suicide prevention) in the Fellowship Hall at 5:30pm. Registrations are limited.

Sunday, March 19: Parsons District Ministry Strategy Meeting will be held from 2:30 5pm at Parsons Wesley, 500 Leawood Dr, Parsons, KS.

Tuesday, March 21: Today’s Concerns will meet for lunch at “The Hangout”, 1202 S Steuben, at 11:30am.

Sunday, April 2 Wednesday, April 5: ACCL Holy Week Services will be held at the First Christian Church, 102 N Grant, at 7pm each night.

PLEASE CONTACT THE CHURCH OFFICE WHEN SCHEDULING MEETINGS OR EVENTS IN THE CHURCH BUILDING!

(Be sure to check inside for more details on these events!)

REGULAR WORSHIP SCHEDULE

9:00 am Worship (Sanctuary)

10:00 am Sunday School

11:00 am Brunch & Worship (Fellowship Hall)