Dear Friends,

Next Month we will celebrate our 45^th anniversary with a Mission’s Rally on the weekend of March 24-25^th, and probably the whole week prior.  Former pastor H. W. Parker will be the keynote speaker.  Historically, this church has been a leader in missions, and God is calling us back to a missional and outreach mindset.  We are the church who is about making fully devoted disciples of Jesus Christ.   With much anticipation, we look forward to this event.

YES!!  Apportionments 100%Together we made a tremendous Kingdom impact by fulfilling our call to connectional giving.  We helped missionaries all around the world.  We helped Africa University in Zimbabwe.  We helped start new churches, and revitalized old ones.  We helped our Bishop lead and teach this conference and United Methodism, and we helped our district to reach out in love and support to our churches.  Hope was regained by many people, churches, and organizations.  I am so proud of you and the church for this wonderful accomplishment.  From here on out, let’s never regress in our commitment.  We are a 100% church. 

Speaking of outreach, we are blessed to host the new Winter Haven YMCA basketball leagues for youth.  During March and April the YMCA, guided by the YMCA staff, will have practice on Monday evenings starting March 5th, and games on Saturday morning from 8 until noon starting on March 17^th.  We look forward to partnering with the YMCA to reach the young people of our community for Jesus Christ. 

More outreach opportunities for the church are volunteering for an upcoming missions trip to Mississippi in April, and/or Costa Rica in June.  Contact Judy Cloninger about Mississippi and Al Miner about Costa Rica.  I encourage you to step out in faith if you’ve never been on a mission trip, and go to one of these.  Mission outreach is funded primarily through our mission team.  And the majority of the dollars come from sales from our thrift store.  There is room for you to help in the thrift store on Wednesdays, Fridays, and Saturdays.  Just stop by the “Wearhouse” and let them know you would like to help.  They will schedule you for a time or grab you right there!  It’s a great way to get involved in missional work.

Congregational care ministry is refreshing their support list.  This ministry provides meals to families during difficult times.  i.e. a meal before or after a funeral/memorial service, or some other type of hardship.  You can help by providing a dish or making a few sandwiches (depending on what’s needed).  Call Kitty Walker or Nancy Hettick and let them know that you want to be added to their call list. 

Together reaching out to reach people for Jesus,

Kent

Pastor Kent Crow