Dear Family Member,

We are going to take another step in the direction of the “Purpose Driven Life.”  We want to step into being a “Purpose Driven Church.”   We want to “Discover how we are better together!”  So as January 2010 begins, for the first six Sundays of our 160th year, we will be taking a journey called “40 Days of Community.”  It will be a church wide spiritual growth campaign that contains all the elements of the purpose driven life as lived out in the purpose driven church. We will be answering the question, “What on Earth are WE here for?”

You’ll be asked to bring a tangible expression of your faith to the altar of God during one of our weekend worship services with a commitment of your prayers, presence, gifts and service.  It will be an important weekend and I hope you’ll look forward to receiving your “40 Days of Community” commitment card by the end of January. It will be a growing experience. It’s all about following God’s plan of growth and development in several important areas.

Generosity of the spirit is something that the gospel of Jesus Christ calls us to be, do, and to act.  As we consider the gospel, we know that everything we have belongs to HIM; that everything that is given to us is a gift. Growing in “Generosity” of the spirit is more than just giving our offering each week.  It involves prayer, our presence, our gifts (both financial and spiritual) and sacrifice. It is truly putting God first, others second; “I’m third.” When we begin to practice generosity, we grow spiritually. A transformational way of living ... a transformational way of learning and living the gospel of Jesus Christ!  “I will not offer to the Lord my God sacrifices that have cost me nothing.”  2 Samuel 24:24

Sacrifice   What does it mean to give?  Let’s consider the word "sacrifice."  It’s not a word we hear much these days, nor is it one that we’re too comfortable with … and for good cause. Sacrifice demands that we give up what is dear to us, that which we love.  Sacrifice means that we find ourselves so invested in and dedicated to a cause that we are willing to give up something of ourselves for its benefit.  It means that we hold our lives to be secondary, to be something bigger, something better. It is our hope that you find your passion and are moved to sacrifice for the church and the God we love!

Prayer  Giving ourselves to God must be the hallmark of our lives of faith. For through it, we come to know God’s will for our lives. As followers of Jesus Christ, we must constantly stretch ourselves, searching ourselves, and find our role in God’s kingdom. The only way to enter into such an endeavor is to pray:   Therefore, let us covenant with each other to speak this prayer:

O God, we ask that we be consumed.  Make our lives a testament not of who we are, but of who You want us to be. Make our hearts a home, not of my/our own desires, but of Your holy Grace. Make our minds a haven, not of our own vain wishes, but of Your unquenchable Love.  O God, in the days to come, change, me ...  consume me, grow me. Amen.

Presence   What does it mean to be present or in the presence of God? What God wants from us is our everything. God wants to be everywhere we are … in our hearts, our souls, our minds. The mere fact that we are present in a place should mean that we take the image of God with us … that God goes with us. This is also true of the church: in fact, corporate worship is what fuels our ability to be in and to live out God’s presence. What we must realize and own is that God is ever-present in our daily lives … in our homes … in our offices …  in our schools. What does it mean to be present with God everyday? Worship is responding to God’s spirit. It is our time to remember God’s mighty acts in our lives.

Gifts  God-given strengths are given to us for a reason. They are endowed to us by our Maker to be used for His glory and for the expansion of His kingdom on earth. Just like physical strength, if we fail to use them, our spiritual strengths fade; they become useless. God has created each of us as individuals … each for a specific purpose and cause … what is yours?  Explore your strengths in C.L.A.S.S. 101.  Finding your strengths is one way to know where to apply them.

Service   Why are we here?  Why were we created?  Simply put:  we are here to serve.  We were designed to be in relationship with our Creator and with our neighbors throughout the world!   These relationships, though, are to be marked by love and compassion. It is only when we are willing to love God by serving others that we fulfill our purpose. How can you get involved with the life of our church and community to serve others, to serve God, and to change the world?

We’re excited about the adventure 2010 offers and I invite you to join us on an adventure of a lifetime

In Christ,

Stephen Ramsdell, Senior Pastor

W01 Adult Choir - Help lead worship with the choir during 8:15 and/or 10:50 worship.

W02 Handbells - Participate in our adult handbell program.

W03 Pianist - Share your skills as a pianist for various programs.

W04 Instrumentalist - Share your talent of playing a musical instrument.

W05+ Usher 8:15 Service - Be an usher for the 8:15 worship service, serving for a one-month period, alternating every third month.

W06+ Usher 9:30 Service - Be an usher, rotating basis, for the 9:30 Celebration Praise and Worship service.

W07+ Usher 10:50 Service - Be an usher for the 10:50 worship service, serving one month period, alternating every third month.

W08+ Greeter 8:15 Service - Be a greeter at the 8:15 worship service.

W09+ Greeter 9:30 Service - Be a greeter at the 9:30 worship service.

W10+ Greeter 10:50 Service - Be a greeter at the 10:50 worship service.

W11 Scripture Reader 8:15 - Lead scripture reading in 8:15 worship.

W12 Scripture Reader 10:50 - Lead scripture reading in 10:50 worship.

W13 Saturday Night Worship Greeter - Welcome visitors.

W14 Communion Preparer - Assist in preparing communion elements prior to service.

W15 Communion Server 8:15 - Assist pastors in serving communion on designated Sundays.

W16 Communion Server 9:30 - Assist pastors in serving communion on designated Sundays.

W17 Communion Server 10:50 - Assist pastors in serving communion on designated Sundays.

W18 Sanctuary Care/Main Floor Area - Straighten and replenish pew pockets on the main floor.

W19 Sanctuary Care/Balcony - Straighten and replenish pews in balcony area.

W20 Multimedia Ministry - Assist with media presentations for worship.

W21 Technical Support Sound 8:15 - Assist with sound for worship, rotating basis.

W22 Technical Support Sound 9:30 - Assist with sound for worship, rotating basis.

W23 Technical Support Sound 10:50 - Assist with sound for worship, rotating basis.

W24 Technical Support Light - Help with lighting for special programs.

W25 Technical/Media Support Saturday

D01 - Children's Saturday Worship Volunteer

D02 - Children's Sunday Worship Volunteer

D03 Nursery Worker Volunteer

D04 Preschool Sunday School Teacher - Teach a class for ages 2 years to Kinder.

D05 Elementary Sunday School Teacher - Teach a rotation class for 1st - 4th grades.

D06 5th & 6th Grade Sunday School Teacher - Teach a class of 5th and 6th graders.

D07 Preschool Sunday School Shepherd - Shepherd one class ages 2 years to Kinder.

D08 Elementary Sunday School Shepherd - Shepherd one class 1-4 grades.

D09 Children's Substitute Sunday School Teacher - Serve as needed.

D10 Children’s Music Volunteer

D11 Children’s Midweek Volunteer - Assist with children’s Midweek activities.

D12+ Vacation Bible School Volunteer

D13 Children's Summer Sports Ministry - Assist with summer sports opportunities.

D14 Children's Crafts/Supplies - Assist with organizing/preparing craft supplies.

D15 Student Ministry Sunday Table Leader

D16 Student Ministry Team - Plan and lead ministry for students.

D17 Chaperone Youth Events

D18 Drama Volunteer - Help in drama and skits for adults and/or children's ministries.

D19 Student Ministry Small Group Leader

D20 College Ministry Team - Team of people who minister to college students.

D21 College Internship - College Leadership opportunities for college-age students.

D22+ Adopt a College Student Program - Provide a "home away from home" for a college student.

D23 Small Group/Bible Study - Interested in attending a small group/Bible study.

D24 United Methodist Women - Mission focus, Bible study, small group format.

D25 United Methodist Men - Mission focus.

D26 Walk to Emmaus - Have attended or interested in attending a Walk to Emmaus Spiritual Retreat.

F01 Substitute Receptionist - Answer the phone when the regular receptionist is unavailable, morning or afternoon.

F02 Attendance Registration - Transfer names from Sunday worship attendance sheet to computer printout, 1x/month

F03 Attendance Posting - Post Sunday School and worship attendance into the computer, one Tuesday per month.

F04 New Member Welcome 8:15 - Greet and photograph new members after 8:15 service when they join.

F05 New Member Welcome 9:30 - Greet and photograph new members after 9:30 service when they join.

F06 New Member Welcome 10:50 - Greet and photograph new members after 10:50 service when they join.

F07+ Welcome Center - Assist visitors with information about Sunday School and other ministries of the First Family.

F08 Volunteer Office Assistant - Help with special projects, bulk mailings, inserting bulletins, etc.

F09 Sunday School Roster Delivery - Deliver Sunday School rosters and mail to classrooms.

F10+ Caring for Others - Visit homebound members.

F11 Midweek Meal Preparation - Assist on a regular basis on Wednesday afternoons preparing food for Midweek meal.(Sept-Nov & Jan-Mar)

F12 Midweek Meal Server - Help serve food on Wednesday nights on a regular basis. (Sept-Nov & Jan-Mar)

F13 Holiday Decorations Team - Help decorate the church during Advent.

F14 Women's Ministry Committee - Help plan events for women.

F15 Men's Ministry Committee - Help plan events for the men of the First Family.

F16 Single Adult Ministry Committee - Help plan events & activities for the for the Single Adults.

F17 Senior Adult Ministry Committee - Help plan events & activities for the Primetimers.

F18 Fellowship Commission Member - Help plan and coordinate fellowship activities for the First Family.

M01 Stephen Ministry - Train as a lay person to provide effective Christian care to those needing the support of a Christian friend.

M02 Prayer Chain (E-mail) - Receive prayer concerns via e-mail only.

M03 Prayer First Team - Pray for staff and congregational prayer requests Mondays at 12 p.m. in the Prayer Room.

M04 Prayer Prep Squad - Pray Sundays at 7:50 a.m. for and with Pastors.

M05 Prayer Girders - Undergird each worship service by praying 1x a month during worship services.

M06 Prayer Ministry - Help plan Prayer Ministry opportunities.

M07 Meals on Wheels Cook - Help prepare meals on either Monday, Wednesday or Friday once a month.

M08 Meals on Wheels Substitute Cook - Substitute for as needed.

M09 Meals on Wheels Desserts - Provide store-bought desserts for the meals.

M10 Meals on Wheels Driver - Deliver meals on Monday, Wednesday or Friday once a week.

M11 Meals on Wheels Substitute Driver - Substitute for a driver as needed.

M12 Blood Donor - Let the church know if you are a regular blood donor or wish to be one.

M13 Angel Tree Project - Assist with this Christmas season project as a part of Prison Ministries.

M14 Barnabas Baskets - Visit a grieving church family.

M15 Friends for Life - Be a volunteer with this local agency that helps elderly and disabled persons live independently.

M16 Habitat for Humanity - Be a volunteer to help this organization which builds homes for needy people. Variety of duties available besides construction.

M17 Salvation Army Bell Ringer - man the kettle location sponsored by FUMC at Christmas.

M18 Ministry Commission Member - Help plan and coordinate opportunities for evangelism, membership and assimilation.

E02 Visitor Telephone Team - Phone and welcome first-time visitors to our fellowship, 1x/mo.

E03 Visitor Information Team - Sunday mornings gather first-time visitor information for home visitation, 1x/month.

E04 Visitor Correspondence Team - Write welcome cards to first-time visitors, 1x/month.

E05 Visitor Baked Goods Team - Provide a small amount of home baked goods (bread, cookies, etc.) 1x a month on Sundays for first time visitors.

E06 Community Outreach Events - Coordinating events to reach people in this community for Christ.

E07 Children's Special Events Team - Help plan special programs and events for children.

E08 Student Ministry Special Events Team - Help plan programs and activities for students.

E9 Student Ministry Recreation Team - Plan Wednesday programs and activities for students.

E10 Men for Missions - Assist with Sunday noon luncheons sponsored by Men for Missions.

E11 Foreign Mission Team - Participate in a short term mission to a foreign country. (1-2 Weeks)

E12 Evangelism Commission Member - Help plan and coordinate church efforts to meet needs and heal hurts of people.

+ Service areas marked with + are Steve's high priority ministry opportunities.