Bring People to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!

Hi there! Wasn’t the Devotion great today?! HAPPY MARCH 2020! Thanks for living as an exceptional Christ-follower! Thanks for all you do to help us focus all our resolve and resources on “Bringing People to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!” through all our people, programs and property! Thanks for helping us push aside every “lesser thing” so we can bring the full-force of Indian River City to his GREATER THING! I hope you

have an extra great experience with Jesus today!

Being able to live out our new VISION 20/20 requires developing habits that keep us physically, mentally, emotional-ly, and spiritually fresh and refocused daily! Loving God and others is the first thing we need to work towards! The Bible says real love “always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres. Love never fails!” (1

Corinthians 13:7-8) We can’t love people that way without God’s help! And we don’t have that kind of power when we’re running on empty spiritually! This is why we gather in THE UPPER ROOM every day!

We need to watch for signs that we may be headed for spiritual burnout! Making bad choices is one of those signs! This isn’t unique to us; many of the great Bible heroes, like David, Moses, and Abraham, made lots of bad choices when they were in burnout stages! We maintain spiritual fitness in the same way we stay physically fit: by being in-tentional and disciplined. The Bible says, “Physical training is good, but training for godliness is much better, promising benefits in this life and in the life to come!” (1 Timothy 4:8) No discipline is more important in devel-

oping spiritual fitness than spending regular, daily time with God! This is why we encourage all of us to gather in THE UPPER ROOM every morning! It’s where we meet together with God!

Nothing will help our lives more than time spent alone with God, where we let him talk to us through the Bible and we talk to him in prayer! The Bible says that even if outwardly our body suffers wear and tear, inwardly we can be spirit-ually renewed by spending time alone with God! (2 Corinthians 4:16) This can take just 10 minutes in our living room chair before our day starts! We need that time alone with God because the quality of our relationship with God de-

termines the quality of every other relationship we have in life!

Human love will always eventually wear out! BBBBBBBUUUUUTTTTTT...to love more like Jesus, we need to make some personal time with him the number one priority in our day! When we do, our relationships will be transformed by the power of God’s love through us! When we need to be physically recharged, our body gives us various signs! If our stomach growls, it’s time to eat! If our eyelids get heavy, it’s time to sleep! We tend to notice those signs, but we often overlook the other signs that say we need emotional recharging, such as a sense of being overwhelmed, a

short fuse, an impatient outburst, or avoiding people! We also have no desire to love people when our emotional tank is running low! To keep on loving well and doing all the things God’s calls you and me to do, we need to keep

our spiritual, mental emotional and spiritual tank full! SSSSSSOOOOOOO...How do we actually do that?!

First...set aside some personal time with God! Even Jesus withdrew from crowds when he needed to recharge him-self! The Bible says, “Then Jesus suggested, ‘Let’s get away from the crowds for a while and rest.’ For so

many people were coming and going that they scarcely had time to eat!” (Mark 6:31) People who are available to others all the time aren’t really fully available unless they set aside time to rest! We need to figure out what activi-ties recreate energy in our lives and recharge us! Each one of us has different things that recharge us because we’re

all made differently! It may be hobbies, a sport, a craft, or games! Jesus was the most intensive, purpose-driven person who ever lived! BBBBUUUTTTT...the Bible says, “The Son of Man came, enjoying life!” (Matthew 11:19) We were made to be more like Jesus! And the Bible says, “Being cheerful keeps you healthy!” (Proverbs 17:22)

Laughter is good for our health AAAAAANNNNNDDDDDDDDD...it also helps us love others well!

For us to become more like Jesus we must “resolve to know nothing except Jesus Christ while we’re here!” (1 Corinthians 2:2) If we keep focusing ourselves on that one thing we can more easily identify all the “lesser things” that are stealing our time, talent, treasure and things from God’s GREATER THINGS! Let’s give all we are and all

we have to “Bring People to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!” Now that’s...RADICAL!

Bill

MARCH 2020

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

For more information about anything in Children’s Ministries, please contact Linda at 321-213-1013 or lbenson@ircumc.com

The Lord your God is with you, He is mighty to save! Zephaniah 3:17 CONNECTIONS! CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES FEBRUARY 2020 ADVENTURES!

Our First “Love and Light” Parents’ Night Out! Partnerships with Journey to Jacob’s Ladder! Supporting our MOPS Moms, Day and Night, with fabulous care for their kiddos! A visit to Andrew Jackson Middle School to represent Children’s Ministries at Career Day! Assignments for Space Coast CityFest! Childcare for Celebrate Recovery! School Advisory Committee Meetings at Imperial Estates’ Elementary School! A Field Trip to Melbourne to support The Children’s Hunger Project! Our

Inaugural VBS Volunteer Meeting for our Rocky Railway! Our “Trustworthy” Bible Study! A new Sunday School Class offered for sweet friends with exceptional needs! Kid-Friendly Welcome Bags in the Sanctuary! Sensory-Sensitive Totes for our special friends attending services with their parents! Zip Saturday! Zip

Wednesday! Sunday Kids! Valentines’ Day Cards for Royal Oak Nursing Home! New Plantings of beautiful Flowers framing our Nursery! Birthday Cards throughout

the year for all our kids! February has been filled with Fun, Friends and Faith in Children’s Ministries!

LOOKING AHEAD! SPRING IS COMING!

March 1st — Vacation Bible School 2020 Registration Opens In Person and Online! Rocky Railway! Jesus’ Power Pulls Us Through! June 15-19, 2020! March 1st — Summer Blast 2020 Registration Opens in Person and Online! Summer Blast Olympic Training Camp! 30th Anniversary Edition! July 13-17, 2020! March 5th — “I Can Only Imagine!” Movie Screening! 10AM. in the Sanctuary! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and light refreshments served! ALL are welcome! March 26th — “Fireproof” Movie Screening! 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. and light refreshments served! ALL are welcome! March 28th & 29th — Space Coast CityFest! Kid Zone Tent Adventures! April 2nd — “Jesus: The God Who Knows Your Name by Max Lucado Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study! 4/2-5/7, 9:30-11:30, Room 212-213 April 3rd — Veggie Tales Easter Movie Screening! — “An Easter Carol!” 10:00 a.m. in the Sanctuary! Doors open at 9:30 a.m. for Silly Songs with Larry and light

refreshments served! ALL are welcome to this Family-Friendly Event! April 4th — Easter Egg Hunt! Open to the Entire Community! The Hunt of all Hunts! Picture Spots! Lunch! Inflatables! Face-Painting! Crafts! Fun for all! 11AM! April 19th — Vacation Bible School 2020 Volunteer Workshop Luncheon! “Rocky Railway!” Come one, Come all! You are invited! Great Company, Awe-

some Planning, Yummy Lunch! RSVP to Linda at 321-213-1013! June 15th-19th — Vacation Bible School 2020! “Rocky Railway”! An Extraordinary Experience! Open to EVERYONE! 9-12:30! Vacation Bible School 2020

(Registration opens online to Campers on March 1st!) July 13th-17th — Summer Blast 2020! Summer Blast Olympic Training Camp! God’s Great Big Glorious Community! Our Creative Arts, Sports and Enrich-

ment Camp! EVERYONE is invited! 8:45-2! (Summer Blast 2020 Registration opens online to Campers on March 1st!)

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL VOLUNTEERS 2020! Please consider making a Forever and Ever Difference in the life of a child by volunteering for Vacation Bible School 2020! The children of our church and community are counting on us to share our Love for Jesus with each and every one of them! YOUR Commitment, Caring and Connection will make a difference to these children

and their families! We would love to have you on our 2020 team! Serve by yourself, serve with a friend! Contact Linda at 321-213-1013 or lbenson@ircumc.com.

2020 EASTER EXPERIENCES FOR CHILDREN! We would love to partner with special and caring volunteers to help celebrate Easter with the children of our church! We are excitedly seeking assistance at our April 4th Easter Egg Hunt and our April 3rd Veggie Tales Easter Movie Screening! Donations of Candy, Toy or Sticker Stuffed Eggs are gratefully accepted in services the last two weeks of March! Willing to paint sweet faces at our Hunt? Interested in serving as a greeter at our events? We sure would love to have you! Please contact

Linda at 321-213-1013 or lbenson@ircumc.com with your interest!

BRAND-NEW! CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL SMALL GROUP BEGINS! Is your child seeking a quiet and safe space to grow in the Love of Jesus? Are certain kind of classroom and worship opportunities overwhelming? Are you interested

in partnering with like-minded families in providing a special time of connection for your child to get together in a classroom of other kids seeking a quiet, nurturing classroom? We have just the place! Led by our very special Kathy Meredith, our Children’s Ministries Sunday School Small Group meets each Sunday at 11:00 a.m.

in Room 124 of the Wesley Fellowship Hall. Parent connection is key! Please contact Linda at lbenson@ircumc.com.

SHARE YOUR TALENT’ 2020! “TALENT IN TECH!” Children’s Ministries would LOVE to partner with your “Talent in Tech”! We are seeking volunteer partners to help us with Summer Camp Simple Tech Needs! May

we train you on how to make great slideshows? Interested in running movies and videos during our Summer Events? Please contact Linda at 321-213-1013

RESOURCES FOR PARENTS AND FAMILIES! Seeking a new family devotional book? Does your child need a children’s Bible? Looking for a monthly resource of family-friendly information and news? Please

contact us to explore some of our children’s resources or to pick up a copy of our monthly newsletter! Want to stay connected and be kept “in the know?” Follow us on Facebook and Instagram at irckids! Our Facebook Page is updated multiple times a week! Featured Volunteers, Experiences and peeks behind the scenes!

We would love for you to “like” our Page!

Children’s Ministry News! Bringing Children to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

STUDENT MINISTRIES! Bringing Students to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!

For more information on all things Youth, please contact Domenick Mucci, Student Ministry Leader, 321-222-0966 or studentministryrefuge@gmail.com

REMINDER: CONFIRMATION RETREAT! CONFIRMATION STUDENTS ONLY! COST $90 EACH TIME: MARCH 6 @ 4:45PM MEET AT CHURCH OFFICE - MARCH 8 @ 2:00PM RETURN TO CHURCH PURPOSE: GROW DEEPER IN WALK WITH JESUS @ WAREEN WILLIS CAMP/LEESBURG, FLORIDA CLASSES: FEB 16-MAY 17 @ 9:30-10:30AM MIDDLE SCHOOL RM 218 @ INDIAN RIVER CTY

MAN HUNT 8PM-10PM PURPOSE: HOST TEENS FROM JACKSONVILLE ISLE OF UMC CHURCH PIZZA WILL BE PROVIDED LOCATION: WESLEY HALL BRING A FRIEND!

GAMING TOURNAMENT 7TH

-12TH

GRADE 1:30PM-4:30PM LOCATION: WESLEY HALL RM 215/216, 219 PURPOSE: 4 TEAM HALO COMPETITION AND WINNERS RECEIVE PRIZES! PIZZA PROVIDED CONFIRM YOU’RE COMING BY TXT OR FACEBOOK EVENT ON REFUGE PAGE.

SPACE COAST CITY FEST 4PM-10PM LOCATION: SPACE COAST DAILY PARK @ MELBORNE

SIGN-UP FOR CLEAN UP CREW DEADLINE: MARCH 5 HEALTH FORM REQUIRED! PROVIDED – T-SHIRT, WATER, SNACK, VOLUNTEER HOURS, AND PIZZA. BRING: SUN SCREEN! MEET AT CHURCH @ 3:30PM AND RETURN @ 10:30PM. NEED RIDE? SIGN-UP @ YOUTH WEBSITE!

TIME: 6:30-8:00PM MEET IN WESLEY HALL GYM LESSON: WK 4 CHOOSE YOUR OWN ADVENTURE: YOU CAN CHANGE THE WORLD TODAY! WILL HAVE PIZZA, GAMES, ANNOUCEMENTS, LESSON, SMALL GROUP!

TIME: 6:30-8:00PM NEET IN WESLEY HALL GYM LESSON: WK 1 DOUBT IT – YOU’RE NOT ALONE IN YOUR QUESTIONS! WILL HAVE PIZZA, GAMES, ANNOUCEMENTS, LESSON, SMALL GROUP!

COMMUNITY NIGHT! TIME: 6:30-8:00PM : MEET AT CRUISERS! BRING $ FOR GOODIES! NEED HELP? ASK! LESSON: WK 2 DOUBT IT – GOD DOESN’T SHAME US FOR OUR QUESTIONS!

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

“THE JOURNEY” Looking, Learning & Living, Leading on Life’s Journey

Adult Ministries News! Bringing Adults to Jesus to Know Him and Make Him Known!

Reflection for the Journey: “HOPE in Me (Jesus), and you will be protected from depression and self-pity. HOPE is like a golden cord connecting you to Heaven. The more you cling to this cord, the more I bear the weight of your burdens; thus, you are lightened. Heaviness is not of My Kingdom. Cling to HOPE, and My rays of Light will reach you through the darkness.” Excerpt from the Daily Devotional: Jesus Calling

Groups in Action & Serving Our Community:

Small Groups provide opportunities to grow in our faith and friendships but are also a great way to serve together and bring Jesus to our community. Two of our groups recently reached out to local organiza-tions providing much needed equipment. Bob & Janice Pound lead the WinGS (Walking in God’s Spirit) home group and shared their group’s service project: “Recently we provided 2 industrial hand dollies and a warehouse ladder to the Prison Book Ministry to use in their local warehouse. They work year round shipping Bibles and Christian materials to jails and prisons in the U.S. and many countries. The couple that started Prison Book Ministry in the ‘90s receive no salary and use volunteers from the community to ship over 260,000 books annually. All books are given free from pub-lishers. A new member of our group shared her passion for helping PBM as a volunteer, even though her per-sonal life was in turmoil. We have ministered to her with love, acceptance and support. We are grateful and blessed to help get God’s Word spread to a hurting world. The ministry is always appreciative of financial do-nations and volunteers and especially our prayers.” Bob and Janice may be contacted at jpound@att.net. Darcia Bair, MOPS Coordinator, recently shared on the MOPS (Mothers of Preschoolers) Facebook page:

“Our MOPS group has bought four infant manikins for our local Fire Department. When I met John (the employee who teaches CPR) last year I asked him how our group could support their efforts to continue to teach CPR in our community. He replied that they needed more infant CPR manikins. The Leadership Team discussed the need and decided that MOPS would purchase the manikins as a gift to the Fire Depart-ment. Words can’t describe how incredibly grateful John is for the gifts of these manikins. He can now start teaching Infant CPR at every class! I wanted to share with you ladies that this is just one example of how MOPS gives back to our community. Those $2.00 meeting dues and fundraisers help make gifts like this possible. Better moms make a better world!” Darcia may be contacted at darcia9581@hotmail.com

For more information about Adult Ministries please contact Dawn Schissler at 267-7922 x 20 or dschissler@ircumc.com

God’s Word for our 2020 Journey is HOPE! May God, the source of HOPE, fill you with joy and peace through your faith in Him. Then you will overflow with HOPE by the power of the Holy Spirit!

Romans 15:13

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

United Method-

The United Methodist Wom-en would like to thank eve-ryone who donated items for the Annual Rummage Sale or baked for the Bake Sale or just attended the

OUTREACH AND MISSION! Saturday March 28 and Sunday March 29 @ 4 pm at Space Coast Daily Park in Viera — FREE! Invite friends and family to hear nationally acclaimed Christian musicians: Newsboys United, LeCrae, Mandissa, Danny Gokey, Adam Agee and comedian Michael Jr. and enjoy the family fun zones with BMX + FMX demos along with the gos-pel message provided by Andrew Palau.

Be a Festival Friend and have the opportunity to have an incredible impact on the life of someone who has just made a decision to follow Jesus. Training is online please check with Jennifer. Thank you for making a difference in this practical and powerful way.

Volunteer to help Linda Benson at a Hairspray station in the Kidzone 4—7 pm either/both days.

Advertise—Take and display a Yard Sign, Hand out invitations, add a sticker to your car.

Know anyone who you want to know Jesus and live life that is filled with peace and internal joy that positively impacts their life and those around them??!! 1st Pray for them - and ask others to pray, that’s what the prayer cards for the Space Coast City Fest event plus our church’s weekly prayer letter will bring: more people praying for them to know God. Trust God to hear and answer in His timing, don’t ever give up! 2nd Keep building your relationship with them - remember the golden rule. 3rd Read the book, Wounded in the Church by Ray Beeson - Seek to understand others, then you can be understood as you live your life and share how being a Christian with your actions and stories.

Community Outreach School Volunteers’ Celebration April 18th - (“Jesus with Skin on” servants who “GO” into the world to share Jesus.) There will be a celebration on to recognize this past school year’s volunteer members who have given their gifts of time, talent and treasure into our local schools. All who have served in our local schools are welcome to attend. Please sign up in the bulletin when it’s listed or email me with your name and school of service. Come for a time to gather, share and cele-brate what you’ve experienced Jesus has been doing while you’ve been his ambassador!

Missions Greetings from our Cuban Sister Church: Beloved friends With great pleasure I write to you first to greet and bless you in the Lord Jesus Christ and then to give you infinite Thanks for all the support you have given us and that we are looking for-ward to God multiplying you more than ever. The church in Cuba is very grateful. Thank you once again for the support you sent us and that is very helpful and blessing. To all donors. THANKS. Pastor Orlando Gerez

Membership The next New Member Orientation is on Sunday, March 8, 2020 at 12:30 in Wesley Hall, Studio 153 with a light lunch of salad and rotisserie chicken and simple dessert. Please mark your bulletin for us to send you more information.

For more information about Missions, Outreach or Hospitality please contact Jennifer Taylor at 267-7922 x17 or jtaylor@ircumc.com

Mission, Outreach and Hospitality News! Bringing People to Jesus by Bringing Jesus to People!

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

Indian River City United Methodist has a wonderful ministry for widows called Wom-

en Alone! Once a month, Sharon McClelland and her team of dedicated volunteers,

provide relevant programs with speakers, dinner, fun and fellowship for the widowed

women of our church and community. In March the Fire Department will be speaking

and in April the speaker will be Dr. Tronetti, Titusville's leading Geriatric physician.

Over the past 7 years, this ministry has grown from 24 to 70 women. It is so exciting

to see how God has blessed the Women Alone as well as the volunteers! As with

any growth, there are new growing pains that accompany it! So, we are in need of

small groups to help by adopting one Sunday a year to buy, prepare, serve and

clean up the meal for these wonderful ladies. Women Alone only meets eight Sun-

day’s a year, and already in 2020, two of these months are covered. God makes it

very clear in the New and Old testaments that he wants us to care for the widows in

our lives and community. This is a great way to serve with your small group or team

and bless so many in the process!

The March 22, 2020 meeting will be from 4:00-6:00pm in Wesley Hall.

For more information or if your small group is interested in providing the meal for one of these meetings, please contact:

Sharon McClelland at 321-383-8868 or sharonmc001@cfl.rr.com.

For more information on The Care Ministry, please contact Lisa Baggett at 267-7922 x24, lbaggettt@ircumc.com

Care Ministry News! Bringing People to Jesus by Bringing Jesus to People!

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

THE KIDS’ PLACE! Toddle Inn, Pre-School and Before & After School Care!

The Kids’ Place has 40 employees and 260 children on our campus weekly! Toddle Inn, Pre-School and Before & After School programs are all doing well. Preschool & School Age still have openings for students! JTKP has 17 staff currently participating in the TEACH Scholar-ship program. This is a State initiative to help Early Childhood Ed teachers achieve a College

education to raise quality of programs for our little ones.

The Kids’ Place REGISTRATION Begins Soon!

The Kids’ Place currently has openings in our 2019-2020 Preschool and School Age pro-grams! Let your friends know! Summer/Fall 2020-2021 Registration In House for Current Kids’ Place Families/Students or Church Families: Beginning MONDAY, MARCH 23, 2020 Summer/Fall 2020-2021Registration Opens to Public: Beginning MONDAY, APRIL 6, 2020

Register online at www.ircumc.com click on TKP link and select the age appropriate pro-gram: Toddle Inn (1-2), Preschool (3-4) and/or School Age Before & After School Care (5-12)

For additional information and/or to ask any and all questions, contact Heather at 321-267-7308 Thanks for getting the word out to our community friends and

families! We are pleased to be helping “Bring Children To Jesus!”

For more information regarding all things KIDS’ PLACE! Please contact Executive Director HEATHER QUIDORT at hquidort@ircumc.com

CAMPUS OPERATIONS! Bringing People to Jesus by Creating a Welcoming Environment!

Repair/Replace Roof over the East Courtyard Breezeway, various fascia & rain gutters!

Cleaning Campus Rain Gutters! Getting ready for our 2020 Spring Campus Clean-Up!

Campus Air Conditioners are being serviced to be ready for the coming Summer Heat!

Creating a Running List of Campus Projects to better monitor and maintain our Campus!

Seeking Volunteers: Carpentry, Painting, Pressure Washing and Landscaping Projects!

Thanks to all those who are stepping-up and helping monitor and maintain our Campus!

For more information about Campus Operations and how you can help, please contact KEN GROSSE at 321-543-6420 and/or kgrosse@ircumc.com

MARCH 2020 EXCITING INDIAN RIVER CITY CHURCH

Aaron & Judy Bass 3/2 52 Chris & Brenda Duffy 3/4 31 Randy & Laurie Carter 3/5 32 Mac & Susan Greer 3/5 32 Amy & Carl Johnson 3/5 26 Cris & Brian Roy 3/7 28 Wayne & Pat Lewis 3/8 52 Wayne & Mary Herring 3/10 6 Glen & Angela Koelling 3/15 15 Andrea & Ted Bruce 3/12 4 Joe & Inez LeBlanc 3/17 32 Lori & Al Studt 3/18 John & Barbara Sager 3/21 56 Brett & Ilea Trahan 3/21 11 Debi & Steve Stonewall 3/23 46 R.N. & Karen Ball 3/25 Gregg & Brenda Hosteller 3/30 34

WHY GIVE GENEROUSLY?

“This is how we know what love is:

Jesus Christ laid down his life for us! And we ought to lay down our lives for our

brothers and sisters! If anyone has material possessions and see a brother or sister in

need but has not pity on them, how can the love of God be in that person...Dear children, let us not love with words or speech but with actions and in truth!”

New International Version

For the month of January 2020 Indian River City received $88,898 in donations! Cumulatively, the church continues in a positive financial position carrying approximately $2,280 into the month of

February! Indian River City continues to be blessed with consistent, generous gifts from God's

people through Tithes and Offerings, and Time and Talents. Giving of your time, money, or

energy to help others doesn’t just make the world better - it also makes you better! Studies indicate that the very act of giving back to the community

boosts your happiness, health, and sense of well-being! We appreciate you!

Please be reminded there are several methods that you can use to support church ministries:

through the Sunday offering, by mail or on the in-ternet on the “Giving Link” on our website (it will

take you to this address: http://ircumc.com/giving). If you should have any questions about

giving in the church, please let me know!

Dawn Ackerman Church Accountant

dackerman@ircumc.com 321-267-7922

1 J o h n 3 : 1 6 - 1 8 9 : 7