Christmas in July?

Dear Friends,

     Someone at church recently asked me, “Are we going to celebrate ‘Christmas in July’ again this year?  I hope so because it was a lot of fun!”  I explained that this was a one-time deal but that we might consider it again whenever July 25 falls on a Sunday.

     We did have a lot of fun celebrating Christmas last summer, didn’t we?  Around this time last year, we were making plans for our Santa’s sleigh float for the July 4^th parade to invite people to attend our “Christmas in July” Sunday.  And it worked!  Our worship attendance on Sunday, July 25 was higher for that time of year.  We also received a Christmas in July special offering totaling $10,000 to go toward our district and conference apportionments.

      Even though we won’t be celebrating a summer yuletide this July, it’s still a great time for us to invite friends and neighbors to worship with us at FUMC.  There are many people in our community who have no church affiliation and they’re just waiting for a personal invitation.  If they have children, tell them about our Vacation Bible School which will be held at our Crossroads facility July 11-15, 6:00 P.M. to 8:30 P.M.

     Every personal invitation has the potential to help someone grow in their faith and connect with a church family.

     Thank you for reaching out.  Have a happy summer!

Pastor Robert
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Pastor's Letter - May/June Circuit Rider Newsletter

First Lap of New Crossroads Fund Drive Begins Sunday, May 15!

      Imagine this:  five years from now, in the spring of 2016, our church will be crossing the finish line of paying off our Crossroads facility mortgage.  What a great time of celebration that will be!  And this race to victory all begins on Sunday, May 15 on Commitment Sunday!

     On May 15, we will be offering our completed “Faith Forward to the Finish Line” financial commitments for the first lap of our five-year fund drive.  The first lap is from June, 2011 to May, 2012.  For each of our five laps (years), we will be invited to make a new financial commitment to move us on to victory.

     Since early March, several videos have been shown during our worship services to help us see how our Crossroads facility is a valuable resource in our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of our community and world.  To view these videos online, go to my web blog at www.pastorrobert-nikos.blogspot.com and on the left hand side, click on “Crossroads Campaign.”

     The videos highlight some of our many Crossroads events which include bible studies, worship, Second Saturday outreach, Creative Ministries, Wednesday Fellowship Dinners, emergency shelter for displaced families, Vacation Bible School, community organization and United Methodist district and conference events, funerals, wedding receptions, concerts, Easter egg hunt and activities, speakers, recreation, weekly youth ministry, and partnering with Grace Church.

     As we consider what our financial commitments will be for the first lap of our final five-year fund drive, I invite us to pray this simple prayer each day:  “Lord, what would You do through me to accomplish Your will in my church?”

     Start your engines!

Pastor Robert

Key Dates

Ø  Week of May 9 – Congregational Mailing of Commitment Cards

Ø  Sunday, May 15 – Commitment Sunday (Offering Our Commitment Cards)

Ø  Sunday, May 22 – Celebration Sunday (Sharing of Commitment Results)