Friday Night @ The Wright Place
Friday, February 24th from 6:30 to 9:00 p.m.
Join us for the next Friday Night Corners on February 24th from 6:30 – 9:00 p.m. in The Wright Place.  It will be an evening of great music, fun activities and delicious food.  Admission is only $5 (to help cover the cost of food).  We look forward to seeing you there.  Call the church office for more information.

Inspirit 2012: Rekindle, Relax and Renew
April 12-14 at Blue Lake United Methodist Assembly
A ministry event designed for adults age 50 plus
(Sponsored by Alabama West Florida Conference / Older Adult Task Force)

Festival of Wisdom and Grace: From Transition to Transformation
July 30 – August 2 at Lake Junaluska Conference and Retreat Center in Lake Junaluska, NC
(Sponsored by Southeastern Jurisdictional Association for Older Adults)

On February 14th “The Art of Eleuthera” will go on display in The Wright Place as the next exhibit in our Artist of the Month program.  “The Art of Eleuthera” is a collection of digital photographs taken during First Church’s mission trips to the Bahamas in 2010–2012. The photographs are divided into three thematic sections.  “The People” will feature black and white portraits of the people of Eleuthera. “The Beauty” will include breathtaking landscape photographs highlighting the natural beauty of the island and a photojournalistic display called “The Purpose” will highlight the stories and work projects of these mission trips through photographs.  “The Art of Eleuthera” is on display through March 19th and will serve to help build awareness of the great work that our church is doing in missions on the island of Eleuthera. Our youth will be traveling to Eleuthera in March to work during spring break and future mission trips (open to the whole church) are being planned for the coming year.

Throughout the year, First United Methodist Church features an Artist of the Month.  Featured art from the Artist of the Month can be viewed in The Wright Place on Sunday mornings, Wednesday evenings or during the week by special appointment.  Most artwork is also available for purchase at the end of the show.  To learn more about the Artist of the Month program, or to inquire about being a featured artist, please contact Jeb Hunt.

In Appreciation:
We would like to extend a special thanks to Gordon Levi for his thoughtful leadership of The Artist of the Month program during the past few years. Under his leadership the program has featured a wide array of beautiful art exhibits, promoting art in both our church and in the community.  Thank you Gordon for your contribution to the arts!

February 21st, 5:00 – 6:30 PM
The Wright Place

Come and enjoy great food and fellowship in The Wright Place as we celebrate together and prepare for the beginning of Lent at this event for the whole family.  Choose from plain, blueberry and chocolate chip pancakes and then add a variety of yummy toppings.  You will not want to miss this delicious event!

Here’s how you can help:
1. Pray. Ask God to bless our students as they overcome hunger.
2. Participate. Come join us during our Famine Weekend.
3. Give. Just $30 can help feed and care for a child for a month.
Donate here or by bringing a check made payable to World Vision to the front office. All donations are tax-deductible!

Thank you for your support!

Join us this Lent for the Wednesday Night Lenten services and Holy Week services beginning on February 22nd with the Ash Wednesday Service. Each service takes place in the Main Sanctuary and will feature a special guest speaker.

February 22, 6:00 PM — Ash Wednesday
Speaker: Dr. Jeremy Pridgeon,
Pensacola District Superintendent
Come and make a commitment to observe a holy Lent on Ash Wednesday, and receive the impositions of ashes on your forehead.  This is symbol that causes us to remember our mortality and need for repentance.

February 29th, 6:00 PM
Rev. Tonya Elmore,
Mobile, Alabama District Superintendent

March 7th, 6:00 PM
Dr. Jeff Wilson,
Senior Minister, Dauphin Way UMC

March 14th, 6:00 PM
Dr. Rob Couch,
Senior Minister, Prattville, Alabama FUMC

March 21st, 6:00 PM
Rev. Michael Precht,
Pastor, Brantley, Alabama UMC
Pastor, Brunson’s Chapel

March 28th, 6:00 PM
Dr. Darren McClellan,
Senior Minister, Perdido Bay, Florida UMC

April 5th, 7:00 PM — Holy Thursday
Holy Thursday, or Maundy Thursday, commemorates the last supper of Jesus with his disciples and his later betrayal.  After Geoffrey’s sermon, we will celebrate Holy Communion and conclude the service with the dramatic stripping of the chancel and altar.

April 6th, 7:00 PM — Good Friday Tenebrae Service
Tenebrae is a service of darkness, commemoration the crucifixion, that consists of readings from the passion narrative as we extinguish candles until we end in complete darkness.

Theologian Mortimer Arias poses a challenging question to Christians. He asks, “Where did we ever get the idea that there is a problem between word and deed in evangelization?” Indeed, Arias challenges the notion that evangelism and mission are fundamentally proclamation-oriented. Although proclamation is an integral part of sharing our faith, Arias reminds each of us that these words mean little if they are unaccompanied by action.

This is an idea embodied by Jesus. He tells us that when we feed the hungry, clothe the naked, visit the sick and imprisoned, and give drink to the thirsty, we are actually doing all of this to Him as well. In many ways, our actions are the loudest testimony we can give to God’s kingdom, and God’s work in our lives.

I am so excited each of us will have the opportunity to serve in the Great Day of Service on February 25. It is a time in which we can gather together as a church, and then go into the community to serve ministries and agencies that impact so many lives in Escambia County. It is a wonderful chance for each of us to embody the service component of mission and evangelism. So please sign up and join us for a wonderful day of worship and service!

Blessings,

WELCOME NEW MEMBER

Beth Barr lives at 3530 Dunfries Road (03), telephone 449-5255.   She has two children, Luke, who is seven years of age, and Ava, who is eighteen months of age.  Beth is the owner of Barracuda Swim Works.

Ken and Candy Morris live at 10031 Bristol Park Road (33), telephone 479-3304.  They are retired. 

Mike and Stacy Tylavsky live at 2721 Semoran Drive (03), telephone 434-0272.  They have two children, Aiden who is eight years of age, and Aubrey, who is five years of age.  Mike is a Financial Advisor and Stacy is a Client Associate, both at Wells Fargo Advisors.

CONGRATULATIONS

Corinne Ebner on being the overall winner of the middle-school competition of the annual Sandy Sansing spelling bee for 2012.

Blake and Kelly Schaeffer on the birth of their daughter, Clara Patricia Schaeffer, born January 29, 2012.

Jacob Reosti on making the All-County Middle School Honor Band; Haley Krostag, Wilson Trawick, and Nick Krostag on making the All-County High School Honor Band; and to Mark Hibyan, Haley Krostag, and Chad Ratliff on making the All-County Honor Orchestra.

IN APPRECIATION

Ken Rohde and family would like to thank the members of FUMC for all of their expressions of love, and prayers over my period of medical testing and procedures.  I’m happy to report that my health has improved and my procedures were successful.

Thank you FUMC from Mitzi Miller,
Some of the nicest people have the warmest hearts – like you!  Thank you for all your prayers, thoughts, cards, calls, flowers, gifts, visits, and delicious food!  Your sincere love and concern can never be touched!  Thank you again for all your thoughtfulness.
In faith, hope, and love,
Mitzi Miller

Charlotte Cone on the death of her sister, Helen Davis.  Helen died February 5, 2012 in Cottondale, FL.

Learning Enrichment Program (LEP):
LEP is our half day program with hours from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., with days roughly based on the public school calendar.
Director – Lynda Rabon, 438-6761

Noah’s Ark Learning Center:  
Noah’s Ark is our full day program with hours from 7:00 a.m. to 5:50 p.m., with eleven holiday closures.
Director- Cathy Potter, 438-3508

Detective Chris Wilkinson from the Pensacola Police Department will be leading this forum on Internet Safety, Cyber Molestation and how to protect yourself and your family.  You do not want to miss this.  Even if you think you already know everything there is to know about internet safety.