First United Methodist Church
Pastor Mark Dicken
2637 McCool Road, Portage, IN 46368
(219) 762-3846
______________________________________________________________________
The Witness
Issue V May 2017
FROM THE PASTOR
I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for us as we move into summer. If you were unable to be in worship with us on the Sunday after Easter, I announced that we were going to engage in a Summer Experiment from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You may view the video of my sermon online via Facebook or if you wish to read a printed hard copy you will find them on the Welcome Center.
Beginning Sunday, June 4, our Sunday morning schedule will be:
9:00 AM Worship
10:10 – 10:50 Christian education
11:00 AM Worship
Our worship services will have some experimentation with what is called convergence or ancient-modern worship. Convergence worship brings together liturgical and contemporary forms of worship into a unified whole. It is both ancient and modern, old and new, respecting tradition while also incorporating worship styles of the current age.
There will not be a sharp separation between what many consider “traditional” and “contemporary” worship, but I anticipate that the first worship service will lean a little more toward the “traditional” and the second will lean a little more toward the “contemporary.” We will not encourage children to leave the later service for a “children’s church” time, but we will have a time for the pastor to engage children with a special lesson and make our worship even more welcoming to children and youth.
Our Christian education time will be experimental also. Our children will gather for large group activity in Fellowship Hall and then move to broadly graded additional learning and activity in classrooms. We will offer 3 spiritual growth opportunities for adults including ones led by Pastor Tara and me.
Like most experiments, while I excitedly anticipate positive results, we won’t know until we try. Please pray for me and all of the “laboratory leaders.” And join us in the experiment.
As God spoke through his prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11-13:
11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.
See you in church!
In Christ and in hope,
Pastor Mark
May 14th is Mother’s Day. Celebrate and join us for breakfast served between 9:30 and 11:30 in the fellowship hall.
Happy May Birthday to…
01 Don Morgenroth 15 Steve Massow 24 Richard Pinarski
02 Chuck Fowler 15 Ryan Kegley 24 Annette Wray
02 Nicholas Romanov 16 Sally Nohr 24 Ethan Davenport
04 Jaden Colby 17 Bev Fitzgerald 25 Shellie DePerio
06 Bruce Wilson 19 Andrew Karsten 26 Robin Halberstadt
06 Jim Crisman 20 Messiah Pinarski 27 Grant Monahan
07 Rob Blakely 21 Heather Burns 28 Connie Ingram
08 Riley Miller 22 Margi Hamstrom 28 Scott Holtzman
09 Lois Lippert 22 Chris Adkins 28 Zac Ryan
13 Linda Mills 23 Jennifer Long 30 Andrew English
13 Morgan Salaam 24 Isabella Paglicci 31 Donna Lenburg
15 Jim Helmecy 24 Juliet Medina 31 Linda Byers
Happy May Anniversary to…
05 Rich & Patti Coates 23 Glenn & Martha Yerby
10 Joe & Sally Reynolds 26 Bennie & Vicky Wright
21 Gary & Sarah Stein 29 Patrick & Amanda Highlands
Have you checked out the church web site??
The address is: http://www.portageumc.org
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
Weekly Calendar
Sundays @ 10:00am Sunday School
Wednesdays @ 11:30am Brown Bag Bible Study
Thursdays @ 6:15am Breakfast at Schoops
Thank you to all who sent cards, well wishes and visited me.
Thank you so much!
With love, Kathy Tatlock
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
New Creations Men's Center - what is it?
James Drader, Executive Director of New Creations
will be here to tell us about their programs and services.
ALL women of ALL ages are invited to join us for
fellowship, breakfast snacks and our speaker.
Child Care will be provided, as needed. Please call
the church office (762-3846) by Wednesday, May 3rd.
First Friday Fellowship will meet Friday, May 5th at 5pm at Industrial Revolution Eatery & Grille 1084 Linwood Ave. Valparaiso. Come and experience one of Valpo’s best kept dining secrets. R.S.V.P. to Sandra Robinson, 764-8433.
WORSHIP THEMES FOR MAY
May 7 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
WHY IS THERE EVIL & SUFFERING?
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
May 14 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
CAN I BELIEVE IN SCIENCE AND A CREATOR?
Mother’s Day
May 21 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
HOW CAN I BELIEVE IN AN UNSEEN GOD?
May 28 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
ISN’T THE OLD TESTAMENT OLD NEWS?
Memorial Day weekend
MPK & Youth Group
May 7 12:30-2pm
May 21 12:30-2pm
Summer of Service Youth Mission Trip
June 29-July 2
Summer of Service is a collaborative effort between area churches and community partnerships to impact Michiana with the love of Jesus through various kindness activities. PFUMC Missions team has pledged money to offset the costs for students; the total cost will be $25. Registration & payment due to the office by May 5. See Kate for more information or to get a registration packet.
Summer Sunday School Teachers needed!
K-5 and Middle/High School
During the summer we usually like to give our regular Sunday School teachers a break after all their hard work during the school year. This summer we’ll be trying a new format for Children’s Sunday School with grades K-5 combined into one room and we need some volunteers willing to help. We’ll do all the preparation for you, you just need to be willing to show up on your scheduled week and show God’s love to our kids. Even if you’re only able to come once a month, you don’t have to be available every single week just let us know what weeks you’re available and we’ll put you on the schedule. Please see Kate Blakely with any questions or to volunteer.
We are also in need of teachers for our Middle School & High School classes. During the summer both groups meet together. The curriculum is already planned out. There’s a video to show and the discussion questions after.
Please see Kate Blakely with any questions or to volunteer.
CHILD CARE DIRECTOR NEEDED
Gary and Sarah Stein and family will be leaving the area for new employment soon, so we are seeking one or more persons who are willing and able to care for God’s littlest children in the nursery on Sunday mornings. This is a paid position. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Pastor Mark.
Pastor Mark Dicken
2637 McCool Road, Portage, IN 46368
(219) 762-3846
______________________________________________________________________
The Witness
Issue V May 2017
FROM THE PASTOR
I am excited about the possibilities that lie ahead for us as we move into summer. If you were unable to be in worship with us on the Sunday after Easter, I announced that we were going to engage in a Summer Experiment from Memorial Day through Labor Day. You may view the video of my sermon online via Facebook or if you wish to read a printed hard copy you will find them on the Welcome Center.
Beginning Sunday, June 4, our Sunday morning schedule will be:
9:00 AM Worship
10:10 – 10:50 Christian education
11:00 AM Worship
Our worship services will have some experimentation with what is called convergence or ancient-modern worship. Convergence worship brings together liturgical and contemporary forms of worship into a unified whole. It is both ancient and modern, old and new, respecting tradition while also incorporating worship styles of the current age.
There will not be a sharp separation between what many consider “traditional” and “contemporary” worship, but I anticipate that the first worship service will lean a little more toward the “traditional” and the second will lean a little more toward the “contemporary.” We will not encourage children to leave the later service for a “children’s church” time, but we will have a time for the pastor to engage children with a special lesson and make our worship even more welcoming to children and youth.
Our Christian education time will be experimental also. Our children will gather for large group activity in Fellowship Hall and then move to broadly graded additional learning and activity in classrooms. We will offer 3 spiritual growth opportunities for adults including ones led by Pastor Tara and me.
Like most experiments, while I excitedly anticipate positive results, we won’t know until we try. Please pray for me and all of the “laboratory leaders.” And join us in the experiment.
As God spoke through his prophet Jeremiah in Jeremiah 29:11-13:
11 I know the plans I have in mind for you, declares the Lord; they are plans for peace, not disaster, to give you a future filled with hope. 12 When you call me and come and pray to me, I will listen to you. 13 When you search for me, yes, search for me with all your heart, you will find me.
See you in church!
In Christ and in hope,
Pastor Mark
May 14th is Mother’s Day. Celebrate and join us for breakfast served between 9:30 and 11:30 in the fellowship hall.
Happy May Birthday to…
01 Don Morgenroth 15 Steve Massow 24 Richard Pinarski
02 Chuck Fowler 15 Ryan Kegley 24 Annette Wray
02 Nicholas Romanov 16 Sally Nohr 24 Ethan Davenport
04 Jaden Colby 17 Bev Fitzgerald 25 Shellie DePerio
06 Bruce Wilson 19 Andrew Karsten 26 Robin Halberstadt
06 Jim Crisman 20 Messiah Pinarski 27 Grant Monahan
07 Rob Blakely 21 Heather Burns 28 Connie Ingram
08 Riley Miller 22 Margi Hamstrom 28 Scott Holtzman
09 Lois Lippert 22 Chris Adkins 28 Zac Ryan
13 Linda Mills 23 Jennifer Long 30 Andrew English
13 Morgan Salaam 24 Isabella Paglicci 31 Donna Lenburg
15 Jim Helmecy 24 Juliet Medina 31 Linda Byers
Happy May Anniversary to…
05 Rich & Patti Coates 23 Glenn & Martha Yerby
10 Joe & Sally Reynolds 26 Bennie & Vicky Wright
21 Gary & Sarah Stein 29 Patrick & Amanda Highlands
Have you checked out the church web site??
The address is: http://www.portageumc.org
† † † † † † † † † † † † † † † † †
Weekly Calendar
Sundays @ 10:00am Sunday School
Wednesdays @ 11:30am Brown Bag Bible Study
Thursdays @ 6:15am Breakfast at Schoops
Thank you to all who sent cards, well wishes and visited me.
Thank you so much!
With love, Kathy Tatlock
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
New Creations Men's Center - what is it?
James Drader, Executive Director of New Creations
will be here to tell us about their programs and services.
ALL women of ALL ages are invited to join us for
fellowship, breakfast snacks and our speaker.
Child Care will be provided, as needed. Please call
the church office (762-3846) by Wednesday, May 3rd.
First Friday Fellowship will meet Friday, May 5th at 5pm at Industrial Revolution Eatery & Grille 1084 Linwood Ave. Valparaiso. Come and experience one of Valpo’s best kept dining secrets. R.S.V.P. to Sandra Robinson, 764-8433.
WORSHIP THEMES FOR MAY
May 7 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
WHY IS THERE EVIL & SUFFERING?
Celebration of the Lord’s Supper
May 14 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
CAN I BELIEVE IN SCIENCE AND A CREATOR?
Mother’s Day
May 21 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
HOW CAN I BELIEVE IN AN UNSEEN GOD?
May 28 Ask: Faith Questions for Skeptics
ISN’T THE OLD TESTAMENT OLD NEWS?
Memorial Day weekend
MPK & Youth Group
May 7 12:30-2pm
May 21 12:30-2pm
Summer of Service Youth Mission Trip
June 29-July 2
Summer of Service is a collaborative effort between area churches and community partnerships to impact Michiana with the love of Jesus through various kindness activities. PFUMC Missions team has pledged money to offset the costs for students; the total cost will be $25. Registration & payment due to the office by May 5. See Kate for more information or to get a registration packet.
Summer Sunday School Teachers needed!
K-5 and Middle/High School
During the summer we usually like to give our regular Sunday School teachers a break after all their hard work during the school year. This summer we’ll be trying a new format for Children’s Sunday School with grades K-5 combined into one room and we need some volunteers willing to help. We’ll do all the preparation for you, you just need to be willing to show up on your scheduled week and show God’s love to our kids. Even if you’re only able to come once a month, you don’t have to be available every single week just let us know what weeks you’re available and we’ll put you on the schedule. Please see Kate Blakely with any questions or to volunteer.
We are also in need of teachers for our Middle School & High School classes. During the summer both groups meet together. The curriculum is already planned out. There’s a video to show and the discussion questions after.
Please see Kate Blakely with any questions or to volunteer.
CHILD CARE DIRECTOR NEEDED
Gary and Sarah Stein and family will be leaving the area for new employment soon, so we are seeking one or more persons who are willing and able to care for God’s littlest children in the nursery on Sunday mornings. This is a paid position. If you or someone you know is interested, please contact Pastor Mark.
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