First United Methodist Church

Late Saturday, August 28, 19 youth, including church members and guests, met at FUMC for a sleepless night of fun, service, food, and prayer. Activities included a midnight swim, games, rearranging the youth Sunday school rooms, and eating LOTS of bananas, chips, and cereal. Activities concluded with our very sleepy participants lined up in the front two rows for Sunday morning worship. We hope to see all of our members and guests back soon for more activities.

Reminder: youth group meets at the regular time, 4-6 pm, on Sunday.

Youth grades 6-12 participated in Service Camp last week, August 4-7. Here’s a numerical run-down of Service Camp participants, events, themes, and projects:
-11 youth
-6 adult volunteers, plus one church employee
-2 hours working with 9 children at Head Start
-3 hours installing 1 big yellow slide and cleaning the playground at Oubache Trails Park
-12 helpers organizing and acting as guides at Disciples Mart, a local project to help needy children acquire school supplies
-4 worship services
-2 cabins
-1 flashlight hike
-9 shaving cream pies
-10 cans of silly string
-lots of mud
-1 night-time swimming party
-20 bags of dog food and 10 bags of cat litter delivered to the Pet Port along with countless hugs and kisses for the abandoned pets there
-30 jars of nut butter for the children of Haiti
-20 backpacks for Disciples Mart
-Faith, Hope, Love, and Thanks
-1 very sleepy youth director.

Blessings and Thanks to All,

Diane

The VBS Bulletin Board, located near the Whitman Center Canopy Entrance, contains many new VBS photos for the enjoyment of the congregation. Thanks to all of the youth, adults, and children who made this year’s VBS a sucess. Look for new photos from VBS and Service Camp coming soon!

Blessings,
Diane

Hero Headquarters VBS started Sunday, July 25, and runs through Thursday, July 29. Hosted by Free Methodist Church from 6-8:30 each evening, this year’s VBS examines the ordinary people who have served as heroes for Jesus. All youth are encouraged to help with VBS. Please report to Diane for an assignment each night that you attend.

Youth will shop for Disciples Mart items on Friday morning (July 30). Watch your phone messages for details.

Next week, August 4-7, First United Methodist Youth will participate in Service Camp, a 3-night, 4-day event that includes worship, service projects, food, and fun. Youth must register to attend. Please sign up on the bulletin board next to the Whitman Center canopy entrance.

Worship in your own way, serve God by helping others in our community, eat, play, and enjoy the company of your friends at First United Methodist Church Service Camp, August 4-7.

Campers will spend two nights in cabins at Oubache Trails Park and one night at Diane’s for a night time swim party. Days will be spent in service, worship, and play. Expect fun surprises and hard work!

Grades 6-12 invited. See Whitman Center Bulletin Board for details.

On Sunday, July 11, youth and children met at Diane’s for a swimming party. The attendees included 14 youth and children, two lifeguards, and three little kittens. The kittens, born to a stray cat in our churchyard about ten weeks ago, may not have been the usual star attractions at a pool party, but they certainly pleased this crowd. One went to its new home with a member of our youth group after the party.

We thank God for the beautiful day we enjoyed during the party and for the opportunity for fun and fellowship. We pray that the kitten and his new owner may have many wonderful years together and share the blessings of love with one another as they both grow.

Blessings, Thanks, and Prayers,

Diane

Sunday night, Judy Ritterskamp made a wonderful presentation about the development of her prayer life and the nature of prayer. Following her program, youth spent time proceeding through prayer stations set up to help them pray for the problems facing young people and children around the world while rejoicing in the many gifts God has given them.

A wonderful dish of homemade macaroni and a water balloon fight rounded out the evening.

Reminder: No youth or children’s events next Sunday, July Fourth.

Thanks to all youth and children who helped with our two Father’s Day projects. The men of the church appreciated the gift of a cool soda as a recognition of their contributions to parenting our church.

In addition, the youth Father’s Day Picnic Lunch Sale earned the youth missions fund over $100.

Early Monday morning, youth department adventures really took off, as Diane Stepro, Leah Abendroth, and four junior high youth bound for church camp met with misadventure and many new friends. Just past Pike Central, one of the church van’s radial belted tire flew apart, damaging a radiator hose. The party suddenly found itself stranded.

Fortunately, God provided many of his people as rescuers. Immediately, a woman who lived along the road invited us to stand in the shade of her tree. Soon after that, Pike County Deputy J. Britton responded to our call for help. Britton, a United Methodist from Petersburg, saw to it that our group remained safe and arranged to have the van towed. Meanwhile, Pastor John and Sue located “alternative transportation” in the form of a ride in the Shiloh United Methodist van, driven by Shiloh church employee Jennifer.
Finally, Music Director Dan Miller stretch the boundaries of his job by providing Diane and Leah a ride back to Vincennes. His voice was really music to our ears!

What a day, and how blessed the group members were to find so many friends in their moment of hardship!

Please pray for our campers as they journey through their week and back home again, and for the camp staff and all those involved in church camp.

Next week’s youth activity: Prayer Workshop featuring special speakers.

Youth and children met yesterday for an active Bible study, making posters to show how God views us v. how the world views us.

Youth and children also made surprises for the men of our church and for youth guests’ fathers.

Reminder: Don’t forget to place your order for a Father’s Day picnic dinner from the youth!