First United Methodist Church
Pastors Mark Dicken & Tara Keehn
2637 McCool Road, Portage, IN 46368
(219) 762-3846
______________________________________________________________________
The Witness
Issue I January 2018
WORSHIP THEMES FOR JANUARY
January 7 "The Three Kings" Pastor Tara
Matthew 2:1-12
January 14 SELECTIVE HEARING Pastor Mark
1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19
January 21 Gear Guide for Christians Pastor Mark
This series will focus on the practices/habits/disciplines needed as we journey toward deeper discipleship. It will move beyond the ought-to’s to the practical how-to’s
DON’T FORGET TO PACK PRAYER
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Luke 11:2-4
Ephesians 6:18
January 28 Gear Guide for Christians
DON’T FORGET TO PACK YOUR BIBLE Pastor Mark
Psalm 19:7-11
2 Timothy 3:15-16
Matthew 22:23-29
Youth Group & Mission Portage Kids
Sunday January 14 - 12:30-2
Sunday January 28 12:30-2
Save the Date!
Annual Spaghetti Dinner Saturday February 17
MPK St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, Sunday March 11
Happy January Birthday to…
06 Jamieson Colby 14 Avaya Massow 30 Clara Harbart
09 Randy Wilkening 22 Victoria Pollacheck 30 Dawn Harbart
11 Nora Brown 24 Bridget Nadolski 31 Randy Wilkening Jr.
11 Marilyn Martus 25 Kathy Matthew
14 Dan McCoy 26 Sarah Nadolski
Happy January Anniversary to…
16 Nick & Sue Andryuk 21 Bill & Sue Miller
16 Chuck & Patti Coppess 22 Rob & Kate Blakely
Have you checked out the church web site??
The address is: http://portageumc.org
Weekly Calendar
Sundays @ 10:00am Sunday School
Wednesdays @ 11:30am Brown Bag Bible Study
Thursdays @ 6:00am Breakfast at Schoops
Remember your church in your will.
1st Friday Fellowship will meet January 5th at 5:00 p.m. at Great Wall Chinese Restaurant U.S. Hwy 6, in Portage. Please RSVP to Sandra Robinson, 764-8433 no later than January 4th.
Directory
A new 2018 Church directory will be coming out very soon. I need any changes to address, phone number, email or family members you have a.s.a.p. This is not to be confused with a pictorial directory. You can submit changes on the Welcome Sheets during service, via email to pfumc2000@yahoo.com or call the church office. Thank you.
Here is a convenient way to tithe! Try PushPay with your mobile device or online!
Have you ever come to worship and realized you left your offering envelope at home or learned of a worthwhile mission you want to support only to realize you did not bring your checkbook? Wouldn’t it be a blessing to be able to give back to God in a matter of seconds using your smartphone or tablet, laptop or desktop?
We have partnered with a company named Pushpay to help us move into the 21st Century with our financial stewardship. Fewer and fewer people write checks much less use cash, especially younger adults.
Pushpay will allow us to give one-time gifts, recurring gifts or special gifts using debit or credit cards or ACH transactions from our bank accounts.
It is quite easy to get started. Simply text ‘pfumc’ to 77977 and follow the instructions on your screen. As part of the process you will be able to download the Pushpay app for either iPhone or Android.
We will soon have a giving link through Pushpay on our new website www.portageumc.org and the company is working to create a custom app. The app will have many potential uses for information and communication. We might even be able to put the worship bulletins on there and save some trees.
More information will be available soon, but for now why not try Pushpay once?
From Pastor Tara
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is having a great start to 2018! The "unhanging of the greens" will be on Sunday January 7th, after the 2nd service. Please join us for some pizza and help us to remove the Christmas decorations. Many hands make light work!
SAVE THE DATE! Have you heard of Congregational Care Ministry? We have had people volunteering for the past several years that help to care for our congregation in different aspects. Some of these teams are hospital visitation, communion to shut-ins, prayer and card ministry, follow-up after the loss of a loved one, and now we will be adding a 5th area of following up with absentee members. We will be offering training as a refresher for our CCM's as well as any who would like to become involved in any of these areas on two Saturdays (different training each Saturday) Saturday February 10th from 9 am- 12 noon, and Saturday February 24th from 9 am-12 noon. Hope to see you there! For more information, contact Pastor Tara! 219-608-6150, call or text.
LEARNING (AND RE-LEARNING) LEADERSHIP CLASS BEGINS
Pastor Mark will lead a class for those who wish to develop or improve their leadership skills and abilities at home, at work and in the church during the Christian Education time (10:15-11:00 AM) beginning Sunday, January 14.
This class will use a video curriculum from Bill Hybels titled Leading From Here to There. Each video segment is approximately 25 minutes in length followed by time for reflection and discussion. The 5 sessions will be:
January 14 The Power of Vision
January 21 The Toughest Person You Will Lead
January 28 Mastering 360-Degree Leadership
February 4 Building a Fantastic Culture
February 11 Pursue Your Unique Calling
A study guide is available on smile.amazon.com for $10.97 in paperback or $5.99 for the Kindle version. Participants are encouraged to purchase their own copy of the study guide. Be sure to designate First United Methodist Church of Portage as the charity to receive credit for your purchase.
We encourage all people in current leadership positions in the church and those who are willing and interested in becoming leaders to participate.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership.” John Maxwell
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Friday, January 5, 2018 @ 9:30 am
Start the New Year 2018
with fellowship, breakfast snacks & our speaker from
Senior Services & Story point Senior Living Community
in Chesterton.
ALL women of ALL ages are welcome!
If you will need child care during our meeting, please call
the church office (762-3846) by Wednesday, January 3rd.
Start the New Year with UMW!!
A mission moment:
Always wondered what to do with the miscellaneous stuff you collect around your house? Most everyone has a drawer or cabinet filled with stuff you think you might use in the future. Well, the missions committee would like to begin collecting items for “Operation Christmas Child”. It is a program supported by Samaritan Purse. Originally started in 1970 by Billy Graham, this ministry sends shoe boxes filled with basic necessities and some fun stuff to children, ages 2 to 14, who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Beginning in 2018 you will be given an opportunity to de-clutter throughout the year by donating items listed below into the box labeled Operation Christmas Child found in the narthex.
Shoe or boot boxes (we can recycle them into care boxes for the children)
Pencils Paper (at least 5x7) crayons (can be loose but not used)
Erasers pencil sharpeners colored pencils
Coloring books glue sticks construction paper
Wash cloths tooth brushes bars of soap (not liquid)
Beads or necklaces craft kits stickers
Hair ribbons small flashlights small tools (hammer, screwdriver)
Match box cars small stuffed animals brush and comb
Dolls travel size Kleenex story books
Alcohol wipes band aids buttons, needle & thread, material
Stick deodorant fishing line, hooks & bobbers Q-tips
Clear empty bill bottles (to make fishing, sewing and emergency kits)
Reading books or small hardback books the size of a shoe/boot box.
Children can also use underwear and socks and clothing like sun dresses, shorts & t-shirts (clothing does not have to be new but must be in good condition and clean).
At the end of October, we will have a “stuff the box” event at the church. You can come and help assemble a box, write an encouraging note and even include a picture of you and/or family or you can adopt one of the boxes for $9 shipping and we can track the box to see where it ends up at. If you have any questions, please Connie Ellefson who will be overseeing this mission opportunity.
Special Thanks
The Bob Warne family extends a very special and heartfelt thank you to Heather and all the Christmas Cantata Family for their tribute to Bob. There are just no words to tell you how much this meant to us. We’re sure he was right there with you singing his heart out in this awesome Cantata presentation. Thank you all again for the unforgettable Tribute. You are loved! Merry Christmas dear friends.
Pastors Mark Dicken & Tara Keehn
2637 McCool Road, Portage, IN 46368
(219) 762-3846
______________________________________________________________________
The Witness
Issue I January 2018
WORSHIP THEMES FOR JANUARY
January 7 "The Three Kings" Pastor Tara
Matthew 2:1-12
January 14 SELECTIVE HEARING Pastor Mark
1 Samuel 3:1-10, 19
January 21 Gear Guide for Christians Pastor Mark
This series will focus on the practices/habits/disciplines needed as we journey toward deeper discipleship. It will move beyond the ought-to’s to the practical how-to’s
DON’T FORGET TO PACK PRAYER
Jeremiah 29:11-13
Luke 11:2-4
Ephesians 6:18
January 28 Gear Guide for Christians
DON’T FORGET TO PACK YOUR BIBLE Pastor Mark
Psalm 19:7-11
2 Timothy 3:15-16
Matthew 22:23-29
Youth Group & Mission Portage Kids
Sunday January 14 - 12:30-2
Sunday January 28 12:30-2
Save the Date!
Annual Spaghetti Dinner Saturday February 17
MPK St. Patrick's Day Luncheon, Sunday March 11
Happy January Birthday to…
06 Jamieson Colby 14 Avaya Massow 30 Clara Harbart
09 Randy Wilkening 22 Victoria Pollacheck 30 Dawn Harbart
11 Nora Brown 24 Bridget Nadolski 31 Randy Wilkening Jr.
11 Marilyn Martus 25 Kathy Matthew
14 Dan McCoy 26 Sarah Nadolski
Happy January Anniversary to…
16 Nick & Sue Andryuk 21 Bill & Sue Miller
16 Chuck & Patti Coppess 22 Rob & Kate Blakely
Have you checked out the church web site??
The address is: http://portageumc.org
Weekly Calendar
Sundays @ 10:00am Sunday School
Wednesdays @ 11:30am Brown Bag Bible Study
Thursdays @ 6:00am Breakfast at Schoops
Remember your church in your will.
1st Friday Fellowship will meet January 5th at 5:00 p.m. at Great Wall Chinese Restaurant U.S. Hwy 6, in Portage. Please RSVP to Sandra Robinson, 764-8433 no later than January 4th.
Directory
A new 2018 Church directory will be coming out very soon. I need any changes to address, phone number, email or family members you have a.s.a.p. This is not to be confused with a pictorial directory. You can submit changes on the Welcome Sheets during service, via email to pfumc2000@yahoo.com or call the church office. Thank you.
Here is a convenient way to tithe! Try PushPay with your mobile device or online!
Have you ever come to worship and realized you left your offering envelope at home or learned of a worthwhile mission you want to support only to realize you did not bring your checkbook? Wouldn’t it be a blessing to be able to give back to God in a matter of seconds using your smartphone or tablet, laptop or desktop?
We have partnered with a company named Pushpay to help us move into the 21st Century with our financial stewardship. Fewer and fewer people write checks much less use cash, especially younger adults.
Pushpay will allow us to give one-time gifts, recurring gifts or special gifts using debit or credit cards or ACH transactions from our bank accounts.
It is quite easy to get started. Simply text ‘pfumc’ to 77977 and follow the instructions on your screen. As part of the process you will be able to download the Pushpay app for either iPhone or Android.
We will soon have a giving link through Pushpay on our new website www.portageumc.org and the company is working to create a custom app. The app will have many potential uses for information and communication. We might even be able to put the worship bulletins on there and save some trees.
More information will be available soon, but for now why not try Pushpay once?
From Pastor Tara
I hope everyone had a great Christmas and is having a great start to 2018! The "unhanging of the greens" will be on Sunday January 7th, after the 2nd service. Please join us for some pizza and help us to remove the Christmas decorations. Many hands make light work!
SAVE THE DATE! Have you heard of Congregational Care Ministry? We have had people volunteering for the past several years that help to care for our congregation in different aspects. Some of these teams are hospital visitation, communion to shut-ins, prayer and card ministry, follow-up after the loss of a loved one, and now we will be adding a 5th area of following up with absentee members. We will be offering training as a refresher for our CCM's as well as any who would like to become involved in any of these areas on two Saturdays (different training each Saturday) Saturday February 10th from 9 am- 12 noon, and Saturday February 24th from 9 am-12 noon. Hope to see you there! For more information, contact Pastor Tara! 219-608-6150, call or text.
LEARNING (AND RE-LEARNING) LEADERSHIP CLASS BEGINS
Pastor Mark will lead a class for those who wish to develop or improve their leadership skills and abilities at home, at work and in the church during the Christian Education time (10:15-11:00 AM) beginning Sunday, January 14.
This class will use a video curriculum from Bill Hybels titled Leading From Here to There. Each video segment is approximately 25 minutes in length followed by time for reflection and discussion. The 5 sessions will be:
January 14 The Power of Vision
January 21 The Toughest Person You Will Lead
January 28 Mastering 360-Degree Leadership
February 4 Building a Fantastic Culture
February 11 Pursue Your Unique Calling
A study guide is available on smile.amazon.com for $10.97 in paperback or $5.99 for the Kindle version. Participants are encouraged to purchase their own copy of the study guide. Be sure to designate First United Methodist Church of Portage as the charity to receive credit for your purchase.
We encourage all people in current leadership positions in the church and those who are willing and interested in becoming leaders to participate.
“Everything rises and falls on leadership.” John Maxwell
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
Friday, January 5, 2018 @ 9:30 am
Start the New Year 2018
with fellowship, breakfast snacks & our speaker from
Senior Services & Story point Senior Living Community
in Chesterton.
ALL women of ALL ages are welcome!
If you will need child care during our meeting, please call
the church office (762-3846) by Wednesday, January 3rd.
Start the New Year with UMW!!
A mission moment:
Always wondered what to do with the miscellaneous stuff you collect around your house? Most everyone has a drawer or cabinet filled with stuff you think you might use in the future. Well, the missions committee would like to begin collecting items for “Operation Christmas Child”. It is a program supported by Samaritan Purse. Originally started in 1970 by Billy Graham, this ministry sends shoe boxes filled with basic necessities and some fun stuff to children, ages 2 to 14, who are victims of war, poverty, natural disasters, disease and famine with the purpose of sharing God’s love through His Son, Jesus Christ. Beginning in 2018 you will be given an opportunity to de-clutter throughout the year by donating items listed below into the box labeled Operation Christmas Child found in the narthex.
Shoe or boot boxes (we can recycle them into care boxes for the children)
Pencils Paper (at least 5x7) crayons (can be loose but not used)
Erasers pencil sharpeners colored pencils
Coloring books glue sticks construction paper
Wash cloths tooth brushes bars of soap (not liquid)
Beads or necklaces craft kits stickers
Hair ribbons small flashlights small tools (hammer, screwdriver)
Match box cars small stuffed animals brush and comb
Dolls travel size Kleenex story books
Alcohol wipes band aids buttons, needle & thread, material
Stick deodorant fishing line, hooks & bobbers Q-tips
Clear empty bill bottles (to make fishing, sewing and emergency kits)
Reading books or small hardback books the size of a shoe/boot box.
Children can also use underwear and socks and clothing like sun dresses, shorts & t-shirts (clothing does not have to be new but must be in good condition and clean).
At the end of October, we will have a “stuff the box” event at the church. You can come and help assemble a box, write an encouraging note and even include a picture of you and/or family or you can adopt one of the boxes for $9 shipping and we can track the box to see where it ends up at. If you have any questions, please Connie Ellefson who will be overseeing this mission opportunity.
Special Thanks
The Bob Warne family extends a very special and heartfelt thank you to Heather and all the Christmas Cantata Family for their tribute to Bob. There are just no words to tell you how much this meant to us. We’re sure he was right there with you singing his heart out in this awesome Cantata presentation. Thank you all again for the unforgettable Tribute. You are loved! Merry Christmas dear friends.
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