Week of April 3 - 9, 2016

Prattville FUMC

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Calendar for the Week of April 3 - 9, 2016

Through Our Prayers

Church Family- Hunter Baxter, Clara Birchfield, Brasel Family, Gene Johnson, Frank Lamar, Jessica McDonald, Louise Moody, Eddie Pope, Angie Sargent, Joe & Claudia Storay, Blake Striplin, Jean Taylor, Joan Taylor, Carolyn Watkins, Wanda Sparrow

Extended Family- Eric Cates, Bridgette Coley, Pamela Cooper, Phil Easter, Oliver Joseph Harp, Robbie Holley, Beatrice Jenkins, Sid Johnson, Deanna Mann Lamb, Linda Morgan, Rob Needham, Sue Pruett, Wayne Roberts, Betty Sansom, Tommy Sargent, Dalton J. Smith (new to prayer list) Kenden Delaney, Lorenzo Duncan, David Jones, Jane Klug, Millie Laslie

Sunday, April 3rd8:30 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary9:45 am Sunday School 11:00 am Traditional Worship Sanctuary11:00 am The Well Pratt Hall4:00 pm Prayer Ministry Team Meeting WES 2124:00 pm Children's Ministry Team Meeting Library5:00 pm Screen Time Seminar for Parents Youth Room5:00 pm Children's Choirs and Activities5:00 pm Genesis Singers & Youth Activities7:00 pm Men's BasketballMonday, April 4th6:30 pm UMW General Meeting WES 1047:00 pm Men's Study Bell HouseTuesday, April 5th9:30 pm Joyce Mathison UMW Circle Parlor12:00 pm Disciple III WES 1025:30 pm Alpha Handbells Sanctuary6:00 pm GriefShare Parlor6:00 pm Serve Team Meeting Library6:35 pm SPRC Meeting WES 102Wednesday, April 6th10:00 am Fifty Forward Singers to Greensprings5:00 pm Wednesday United5:00 pm Youth HABITS Youth Room6:00 pm Children's Wednesday Evening Activities7:00 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal Music Suite7:00 pm The Well Band Rehearsal Pratt HallThursday, April 7th9:30 am Louisa Pickard UMW Circle Parlor11:00 am Fifty Forward Lunch Bunch 7:00 pm Angels' Hearts Circle Parlor

Chestnut Cafe menu for April 6, 2016- Chicken Enchiladas, Mexican Rice, Salad Bar, Dessert

The Early Learning Academy

For decades, one of the great strengths of our church has been its Weekday Ministries. This started out as our Mother’s Day Out program and eventually expanded to include our Preschool and Kindergarten. Thanks to the long and steady leadership of Mrs. Luann Williams our program became one of the best known things about our church in the community. The foundation Luann laid has made it possible for our new Director of our Mother’s Day Out program, Lynn Durrence, and our Preschool/Kindergarten Director, Linda Murray, to step in after Luann’s retirement and continue this outstanding tradition.

About a year ago, a new Weekday Ministries Board was formed to oversee the ministry following Luann’s retirement. This group of creative, hard-working, and dedicated leaders led by Mrs. Sue Riddle, has provided outstanding guidance. A few months ago the Board discussed the possibility of re-branding our “Weekday Ministries” with a new name that would encompass all of the programs. After a great deal of thought and deliberation the Board approved naming our weekday educational ministries the First United Methodist Church Early Learning Academy. The Early Learning Academy will encompass our Mother’s Day Out Program, Preschool, and Kindergarten programs along with the Early Care, Lunch Bunch, and After Care components of the ministry. The Board hopes to develop a new logo to go along with the new name that can be used in publications, signage, and advertising.

I hope you will take time to praise God for the incredible ministry that is happening every Monday-Friday in Epworth Hall. Approximately 100 children are learning and growing thanks, in part, to the tremendous work of our dedicated staff. The new name will hopefully convey what happens in our programs every day: young minds are learning and growing as they experience the grace of God in the caring and loving atmosphere of our church. Please pray for the Early Learning Academy as they continue to further our mission of making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world!

Peace,

Rob

This Sunday, April 3, 2016

Through Our Gifts2016 Operating Budget

$1,198,139.76

Total Received For 2016 as of 03/06/16:

$181,833.04Total E-Giving Received For 2016

as of 03/06/16:$6,643.92

This Week's Prayer Focus:

To commit to visit/pray for those who are suffering.

Worship. Children's Ministry

SermonReal Jesus: Bread of Life

Key Scripture:John 6:25 - 40 Announcements

Please text or call Avery Beatty (782-4992) or Molly Noble (320-7651) if you would be willing to make sausage balls, pigs in a blanket, brownies or mini muffins for the Resurrection Run on April 9th.

On April 21st, Fifty Forward members will tour the Karl Harrison Museum, which contains George Washington memorabilia. Following the visit, we'll eat lunch before returning home. Cost is $5.00 for transportation. Contact Luann McQueen at 365-1069 for information.

There will be a UMW General Meeting on April 4th at 6:30 pm in WES 104. Please join us as we welcome Dr. Rob Couch as our speaker for our annual Prayer and Self Denial meeting. This will also be our kick-off for the Spring No-Bake Sale!

Communion- On Sunday, April 10th we will be celebrating communion with our confirmands. Therefore, we will not have communion on April 3rd. We will have Children's Church this Sunday, April 3, but there will be no children's church on April 10th.

A new GriefShare group is now meeting on Tuesday nights at 6:00 pm in the parlor. This is a 13-week class for anyone who is struggling with the loss of a loved one. If you know of someone not in our church who could benefit from this, please let them know about it. Everyone is welcome.

Say CHEESE! Throughout the month of April, Nancy Taylor and her team of photographers will be taking photos to update our pictoral directory. Perhaps it's been a few years and it's time for a new family directory photo or you have new contact information that you would like to have in the directory. Meet Nancy or a member of her team in the courtyard during Fellowship Time (9:45 am).

Application forms for volunteering at the expanded Prattville Cancer Center beginning in January are in the church office. For additional information call Libby Bruce at 303-2367.

Thank you for the beautiful, beautiful Easter lily and to the wonderful couple that delivered it. Thank you also to the children who made the sweet Easter card and to all of you for thinking about me. I thank God for you all! ~Mabel Ward

SCREEN TIMEHelping parents navigate technology and social media with their kids

How young is too young for a smart phone? Are your kids on Instagram? How much screen time is too much? Should they have a computer in their room? Who is sending you pictures?On April 3rd, parents of children of all ages are invited to hear the answers to these questions…some of them.SCREEN TIME is a one-time seminar/discussion designed to help parents walk with their child through the stages of development (pre-school, elementary, middle, high school) where it concerns the use of internet, social media and technology. SCREEN TIME will take place on April 3rd from 5-6pm in the Youth Room and will be led by Justin Grifford. While the focus in on parents, adults of all ages are welcome. Invite a friend and bring your questions.

Resurrection RunApril 9, 2016Registration has begun for the annual Resurrection Run to benefit youth missions. We will once again offer a 5K and 15K course perfect for those preparing for upcoming marathons. Register online at www.active.com

This is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Youth Ministries and it’s always a lot of great fun. Proceeds from the run benefit youth mission work locally and globally. Please consider registering as a runner, walker or sleep-in runner (register, get an awesome shirt, but sleep-in that morning instead of running!).

Important Notes:• We will have Children's Church this Sunday, April 3rd• April 10th is Confirmation Sunday. There will be no Children's Church

Youth Ministry

Fifty Forward April Calendar

April 7: 11:00 am Lunch Bunch at Longhorn. Please bring a donation for AICC.

April 7-9: InSpirit Retreat at Blue Lake

April 14: 11:00 am Golden Age Luncheon. Donna Wilson on the piano.

April 21- 9:15 am Third Thursday trip to the Karl Harrison Museum. Lunch before returning home. Sign up in the church office.

April 28: 10:00 am Games Day and Luncheon

Every Wednesday: 10:00 am Fifty Forward Singers rehearse.

SummerMusicCamp

Summer Music Camp registration is open for all rising 1st - 6th graders. Camp dates are June 27th -30th from 9am to 3pm. Performance will be the evening of June 30th.

Register online at www.prattvillemethodist.org under the Events and Happenings tab. Cost is $50.00 per child which includes snacks, lunch and 4 days of fun activities. Slots are limited, so register early! Volunteers are needed. Contact Marianne Gamper at 799-6401.

Senior Recognition Sunday

High School Graduation will soon be here and now is the time for graduating students and parents to get pictures to the church office for the senior slide show. FUMC will be honoring graduating seniors on May 15th during the 11:00 am traditional service. Prior to the service, the students will gather during Fellowship Hour to be congratulated.

If your senior is interested in participating in Senior Sunday, please contact us in the office at jennifer@prattvillemethodist.org or call 334-365-5977. Pictures for the slide show can be sent to the same email address. Pictures are due by May 9th.

Family Fun Night!!Pizza! Inflatables!

Sunday, April 24th at 5pm on the Bell House lawn. Bring your blanket and lawn chairs.

Children's Spring ProgramApril 17th at 5:30 pm

April 24th- Level Up!!All rising 7th graders (current 6th graders) are invited to attend a special event in their honor. This is the day they are invited to LEVEL UP into the Harbor Youth Group. Join us at 5pm for a night of great food, fun, and fellowship. Come and hear what the youth group is all about and get to know others in the youth group. Parents come and bring your questions and let me know how I can best serve you and your kids. We look forward to seeing you.

Welcome New Youth Members!!!

VBS Spirit Night

April 11th From 5-8pm

at Chappy's Deli