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From the Pastor’s Desk….

Dear Friends,

As I am sure you can attest God truly blessed us with a wonderful Advent and Christmas season. And now that we have moved into the New Year, we move quickly toward Lent and Easter, which leads to several items I want to share with you:

We have begun the New Year with The Family Portrait, a sermon series based on the Imago Dei (Image of God). Our approach in sermon preparation has been to keep in mind the fact that no family is perfect, but every family, and every family member, can be redeemed. As of this writing, there is one Sunday left in this series. So, on February 8, we will conclude with a look at My Imperfect Family.

On another note, I think you would agree that music is one of the key components to experiencing wor-ship in a spirit-filled and meaningful way. It is for that reason that we are going to highlight the many talented musicians of Carrollton First United Methodist Church on Sunday, February 15! We will be celebrating the rich musical tradition of our church at both worship services, with all of our choirs, praise teams, and instru-mentalists offering their talents to praise the Lord in song. And, we will need you to come lend your voice in praise to God, by singing hymns and praise music. It will be a great day to express our appreciation for those who give of time and talent on Sunday mornings.

There are two other items which are included in other announcements within this edition of the church’s newsletter, so I won’t take up space with those details. But, please take note of the Lenten schedule from Ash Wednesday through Easter Sunday. Also, please take note of the announcement of the Leadership Retreat to be held on Saturday, February 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., especially if you hold a leadership position in the church.

Finally, as I write, I am recovering from a nearly week-long bout with either some unknown viral infection or one of the flu bugs that seems to be making the rounds this winter. Whichever the case, it has been a most unpleasant experience! My reasons for mentioning this are three-fold. First, I want to thank you for your prayers and kindnesses. I also need to say how blessed I am to have the Staff that works alongside me in min-istry. They all do such a good job. But, I especially need to express gratitude for our Associate Pastor Kimber-ly Arbaugh, and our Administrative Assistant / Secretary Cindy Carrothers. Both have stepped in to cover sev-eral day-to-day responsibilities for me. Finally, I want to encourage each of you to be aware of the ways you can take precautions to guard against contracting the flu. And be especially sensitive to helping protect both the very young and those who are advancing in years. Common sense things like good habits in hand-washing will go a long way toward that. And, be extremely careful in visiting in hospitals, nursing care and rehabilita-tion centers, and in general, be careful when you are visiting or attending events where there are infants and/or any who are elderly. If for any reason you are not feeling well, please consider delaying your visit or your attendance.

Blessings,

Rev. Dan Loomis

LENT 2015

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It is hard to believe how far we have come in such a short period of time- God is truly AMAZING. As many of you have heard we have secured a location for our satellite campus (the bridge) by leasing the Rosebud Mining Building at the Carroll County Fairgrounds. We are so appreciative to the Carroll County Fair Board for working with us to make this happen.

We held our first preview service on January 24 at our new location with much success. Thanks to the praise band from Carrollton First! The music was phenomenal and all of our volunteers really stepped up to make it a great worship experience. I am not going to try to name everyone as I know I would forget somebody but please know everyone’s help is much appreciated. Upcoming events for the bridge include:

Valentine Dinner on Feb. 14 @ 6 p.m. Preview Worship Experience – Feb. 22 @ 10 a.m.

Line/Square Dance – March 7 @ 7 p.m. Preview Worship Experience – March 22 @ 10 a.m.

Good Friday Service- April 3 @ 7 p.m. Easter Sunrise Service – April 5 @ 6 a.m.

Please note that each of these events is open to everyone so please invite, invite, invite! We are completely informal and totally casual, so come as you are. If you have questions concerning what is happening at the bridge please don’t hesitate to ask. All your help and support is greatly appreciated.

Pastor Kimberly

“His name shall endure forever; His name shall continue as long as the sun. And men shall be blessed in Him.” Ps 72:17

Youth News

It is with Great Excitement that we announce the Carrollton First UMC Youth Group now has an official name – BASIC (Becoming A Soldier In Christ). The Youth have been busy with church activities as well as their many school responsibilities. The overnighter on Jan. 17 was a huge hit with 27 kids and they worked hard to serve a nice breakfast for our congregation the next day. BASIC meets each Sunday from 6-8 p.m. @ the church unless a special event is taking place. Please note the calendar below. All youth in grades 7-12 are invited to attend.

February 8 – Youth @ First UMC 6 p.m.

February 15- Ohio Valley District Winter Beach Party at Millsop Community Center in Weirton, WV 5-9 p.m. Cost $5 per person

Worship, Swimming, Racquetball, Games, Food, Dodgeball; RSVP by Feb. 11 February 22 – Winter Jam –Cleveland RSVP to Pastor Kimberly by Feb. 15

Parents needed for drivers and chaperones. Questions? Contact Pastor Kimberly at 330-627-7671 or pastorkimberly@yellowbrickchurch.org

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Progress Report: 2015 Goals Carrollton First UMC has set two congregational goals for the coming year:

Goal #1: Build Upon Discipleship Pathway Program

To begin meeting this goal Rev. Loomis and Pastor Kimberly announce:

A LEADERSHIP RETREAT

Saturday, February 28

Multi-Purpose Room

For ALL Administrative Council Members

Light Refreshments @ 9:00 AM

Lunch Provided

Dismiss By 3:00 PM

Goal #2: Plan for 2016 Bicentennial Celebration

At the Administrative Council meeting on February 3, Karen Beck was appointed as overall chair of the Bicentennial Celebration Committee with Kathy Stoneman and Molly Winters of the Administra-tive Council also serving as members. Congregational help will be needed, as there will likely be several sub-committees. If you would like to become part of the effort, please speak with Rev. Loomis, Pastor Kimberly or Bob McCort, Council Chair. Once sub-committees are organized, there will be lots of room for volunteers. If you don’t volunteer, your services may well be enlisted over the next year-plus!

“Let not those who wait for You, O Lord GOD of hosts, be ashamed because of me;

Let not those who seek You be confounded because of me, O God.” Ps 69:6

New Treasurer

We welcome Mary Lipinsky as Carrollton First UMC’s new treasurer. Mary graduated from Carrollton High School and Buckeye Career Center. She earned her Associate degree in Accounting from the University of Phoenix and has been employed with Advantage Tax Group in Carrollton since 2004. Mary and her husband, Stan, reside in Mineral City with their three boys. Please stop in on Wednesday mornings and welcome Mary.

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Lent and Easter 2015

For Lent this year, Rev. Loomis and Pastor Kimberly will be preaching a series entitled By My Hand, For My Sake. Each week will feature a sermon along with a monologue by a Biblical personality. Marcia Schaffer and members of our new Drama Team will be sharing these monologues. The schedule will be as follows:

Ash Wednesday February 18 Adam or Eve -Worship Service, including the Imposition of Ashes, will be held at 7:30 p.m. First Sunday in Lent February 22 Nicodemus -Sacrament of Holy Communion will be served. Second Sunday in Lent March 1 Judas Third Sunday in Lent March 8 Barabbas Fourth Sunday in Lent March 15 Pilate Fifth Sunday in Lent March 22 Thief’s Father Palm / Passion Sunday March 29 Service of Music and Scripture Maundy Thursday April 2 Peter Easter Sunday April 5 Mary Magdalene

Lenten Soup and Bread Beginning on Thursday, February 26, and con-tinuing on Thursdays throughout Lent, you are invited to participate in a day of prayer and fasting. And then at 6:00 p.m. each week, we will break our fast by sharing in a simple meal of Soup and Bread. Following the meal (at around 6:30) we will share in a brief time of study. The study this Lenten season will be learning more about the person who will be sharing the following Sunday’s monologue (see schedule above). And then, each week we will end our time by sharing in the Sacrament of Holy Communion.

“But as for me, my prayer is to You, O Lord, in the acceptable time; O God, in the multitude of Your mercy, Hear me in the truth of Your salvation.” Ps 69:13

Lenten Mission Project For this year’s project, we will be raising mon-ey for Youth with a Purpose. These young men will be visiting our church on February 15th when they will speak and sing for the children at Yellow Brick Kids. Please be on the lookout for the jugs and drop in some change to help support this great cause.

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Community Lenten Services and Good Friday

Each Tuesday during Lent, a series of ecumenical services will be held in various churches in our community.

Each of these services begins at 7:00 p.m., and a schedule will be shared in upcoming Sunday bulletins. As

part of this series of services, the bridge will host the Good Friday Service (see details elsewhere in this news-

letter).

“Hear me, O Lord, for Your lovingkindness is good;

Turn to me according to the multitude of Your tender mercies.” Ps 69:16

Valentine Dinner

All are welcome and encouraged to attend the Valentine Dinner sponsored by the bridge at the Carroll

County Fairgrounds on Saturday, February 14 beginning with dinner at 6 p.m. The event is open to couples

and singles from the entire Carrollton area. Tickets are $15 per person and need to be purchased by Sunday,

Feb. 8 from either Pastor Kimberly or the church office. The evening includes dinner (pulled pork, brisket,

potatoes, green beans, dessert and beverage) with live entertainment by Christian band “Redemption”

along with a few other great surprises. Please plan to come and bring your friends.

Wild Wednesday With all the school snow days, we are thankful to be able to have Wild Wednesdays with the children, where we’re “Wild about Jesus”. These evenings have been a good time of worship with 50-70 people in attendance. Our mission project this year is to donate money to Camp Aldersgate to help buy chairs for the dining hall. The last Wild Wednesday will be

March 25 with a family dinner and fun night.

Scouts Annual Ham Dinner

Support the Boy Scouts at their annual ham dinner Monday, Feb. 16 from 4:30-7:00pm in the CHS cafeteria.

Yellow Brick Kids

Our new children's program - Yellow Brick Kids is now well under way. This program has taken the place of Jr. Church and is being held downstairs in the 5th/6th grade Sunday School room. It is open to children preschool age through 6th grade. This worship time includes singing, praying, an age appropriate version of the adult sermon, snack time and a craft or game. We are in need of leaders and helpers for this pro-gram. Please contact Amy Adam for more information or sign up on the sheet outside the sanctuary.

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Easter Sunday Schedule

6:00 a.m. Sunrise Service at the bridge! (watch for details in Sunday bulletins)

7:00 a.m. Easter Breakfast also at the bridge!

8:15 a.m. Joyous Easter Worship

9:40 a.m. Sunday School

10:45 a.m. Joyous Easter Worship

Maundy Thursday On April 2, we will share our Soup and Bread at 6:00 p.m., and then gather in the sanctuary for a Maundy Thursday worship service at 7:00 p.m. If you cannot make it in time for the meal, be sure to come for wor-ship!

“And do not hide Your face from Your servant, For I am in trouble; Hear me speedily., Draw near to my soul, and redeem it;

Deliver me because of my enemies.

You know my reproach, my shame, and my dishonor; My adversaries are all before You.

Reproach has broken my heart, And I am full of heaviness.” Ps 69:17-20

Hospitality Time

In an effort to make the church even more welcoming, the Education and Evangelism Committees would like

to offer a hospitality time during the Sunday School hour. Very simply, this would be a place where people

could visit, have coffee and maybe a pastry. We are currently in the planning stages, but will need volunteers

to start the coffee and welcome guests.

More information and a sign up sheet will be coming soon!

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College Student Keep in Touch

From now through March 15, items will be collected to send care packages to our college students. Items you can contribute include greeting cards, gift cards to fast food or other restaurants, gas cards, store gift cards (Walmart, drug stores, dollar stores), baked goods, school supplies, cash or any other items that

can fit into the boxes for each student in the hallway. Let’s fill the boxes so our college students know that we are thinking of them and miss them.

There will also be cards to sign for our post-graduate students.

Youth Group @ Urban Mission

Our Youth Group will be planning the worship service for Mission Rejoice @ the Urban Mission on Saturday, March 14. Along with the worship service they are also cooking and serving the meal that evening for rough-ly 70-75 people. So we need your help! If you are willing to donate something towards the supplies or help cook, drive, serve, etc. that day please sign up on the sheet located outside the sanctuary. Questions, see Pastor Kimberly.

Supply List Hamburger 20#

6 Tall Cans of Manwich (or store brand) 100 buns

3 large bags of baby carrots 2 large Ranch Dressing

7 Large bags of Potato Chips (Plain) 12 dozen cookies or brownies 7 large jars applesauce (48 oz.)

Child Protection Trainings

Child Protection Trainings will be held on March 8, March 15, and March 22 during the Sunday School hour in the 5th/6th grade classroom. If you have not had the child protection training, please plan to attend one of these sessions. This training is for anyone who is working with children in any of our ministry and outreach areas—Wild Wednesday, VBS, One Way, Sunday School. Please contact the church office with any questions.

Family Bowling Party

All are invited to our free Family Bowling Party at Carroll Lanes on Sunday, March 22 following second service. Lunch and beverages will be provided.

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Help Us Serve the Youth of Carroll County

What We Do

One Way Youth Center seeks to serve the youth of Carroll County to its fullest potential. We consist-ently serve 50-80 students every day of the school week. Our center is open Monday – Friday from 2-4:30 p.m. During this time we provide our students with a free meal, a safe environment and seek to build strong relationships with our students through various programs.

Our board and staff are made up of a diverse group of adults involved in various aspects of our com-munity. We seek to meet the needs and provide resources to young people of various backgrounds in our city—promoting unity and diversity. We work regularly with various sports teams, organizations, churches and our school system.

As we expand our programming over the upcoming year, we are looking for committed individuals who are passionate about the youth of our area.

How You Can Help

We are currently looking for adults to help us by serving in our after school program on a weekly ba-sis. The position is a 2.5 hour time commitment once a week. You may be serving food, signing kids in or simply interacting with our students throughout the afternoon.

Over the next semester, due to the high volume of young people in our center and the funds it takes for an individual to provide food on a given day, we will be using a food schedule with a different meal each day of the week that will be consistent throughout the semester. We are asking for monetary donations as well as food donations to help us feed our young people.

For any questions contact Justin @ 330-627-7751

Find us on Facebook @ Facebook.com/ONEWAYYOUTHCENTER

(Also we are very much in need of volunteers to give an hour per week to help clean the youth center. Please contact Pat at 330-205-8815 if you are interested.)

SNACK SCHEDULE

Monday Hot Dogs/Chips

Tuesday Nachos/Cheese/Salsa

Wednesday Toasted Cheese/Chips

Thursday Apples/Packs of Crackers

Friday PBJ Sandwiches/Chips

WHAT TO DONATE

Individual size bags of chips

Bags of nacho chips

Large cans of nacho cheese

Large containers of salsa

Large packs of pre-sliced cheese

Large bags of apples

Large jars of peanut butter

Large jars of jelly

Assorted packs of individual-size crackers

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Collections Underway at Carrollton First UMC

Cross Eyed Missions

Donations of old eyeglasses are constantly being given to Cross eyed Missions in Waynesburg for their out-reach in Honduras, Bolivia, Haiti, Peru and Guatemala. Cross Eyed Missions, a non-profit charity, is dedicated to providing quality eye care to men and women, boys and girls, who would otherwise have no opportunity to see their world come into focus. The doctors of Cross Eyed Missions has examined thousands of individu-als and been able to provide glasses free of charge. Box Tops and Campbell’s UPC Labels

Please help our local school by cutting out the Box Tops from various food or paper products and the UPC symbol from various Campbell’s products.

For every unexpired Box Top submitted, the school earns a dime, which adds up quickly!

Campbell’s UPC labels can be redeemed by the school for academic and technology supplies, gym/athletic supplies, or art supplies.

Please place the Box Tops or Campbell’s labels in the container outside the sanctuary. Once the con-tainer is full they will be delivered to the elementary school.

“Tabs for Kids”

Take a moment and remove the tab from your can of pop, (or your can of soup/fruit/veggies…even some of the dog food and cat food cans have pull tabs!).

The dialysis department at Akron Children’s Hospital cashes them in to buy games, videos, books or other things for the kids while they receive treatment. The money from these tabs may also be given to a family who needs help with gas or medicine. Every tab helps pay for things needed.

Vacation Bible School –“Avalanche Ranch”

June 8-12 from 9:00-11:30 a.m.

“I looked for someone to take pity, but there was none; And for comforters, but I found none. They also gave me gall for my food, And for my thirst they gave me vinegar to drink.” Ps 69:21

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A GROWING IN GRACE MOMENT….

Reflection

This past summer I began spending more time on something the Lord has given me a passion for, my photog-

raphy. Portrait shoots on location for excited high school seniors (my soon to be graduating daughter includ-

ed); family shoots in God’s beautiful natural surroundings capturing the varied ages and stages of family life;

a pregnancy shoot highlighting the loveliness of the expectant body of the mom-to-be. Many hours were put

into photographing and editing until digital works of art and beauty were achieved. Much of the time we

tend to dislike photos of ourselves, honing in on the flaws that distract us. So when I find myself able to pro-

vide a portrait in which those photographed are happy with the end result, I am pleased. That photo is now a

physical forever imprint of this time in their lives.

In photography the first lesson taught is that it is all about light, capturing and presenting it. Light reveals the

“fundamental aspects” of a subject. In the Bible, light was the first thing God spoke into being when He com-

manded, “Let there be light” in Genesis 1. The first five verses of the book of John speak of that same time

and of Christ’s light in us, “In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was

God. He was in the beginning with God. All things were made through Him, and without Him nothing was

made that was made. In Him was life, and the life was the light of men. And the light shines in the darkness,

and the darkness did not comprehend it.”

When we as Christ’s followers live our lives in a way that allows Christ’s light to shine through us, reflecting

Him into the darkness in our world, He is pleased. “I am the light of the world. He who follows Me shall not

walk in darkness, but have the light of life” (Jn 8:12). May we learn to live purposefully for Him, allowing Him

to reflect through us. Not simply in the work we accomplish. His light within us reveals the “fundamental

aspects” of our inner selves. May we be aware, in our attitudes, in the thoughts we allow in and in the words

and actions we allow out. For we represent our Lord, a forever imprint on all those we come into contact

with of the wonderful God we profess. —Emily J. Ulman

Habitat for Humanity Apostle Build 2015 Another Carroll County build is in the works

More details to come

Thank you to everyone who helped last year in providing labor, food and for all the prayers for this wonderful project.

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LENTEN CALENDAR 2015

Feb. 8 Boy Scout Sunday

Feb. 11 Ret. UMM Breakfast @ Airport Restaurant

Feb. 14 Valentine Dinner, 6 p.m. (Fairgrounds)

Feb. 15 “Music of the Church”

Feb. 15 Youth @ Millsop Center,

RSVP by Feb. 11 to Pastor Kimberly

Feb. 16 Scouts Annual Ham Dinner

at CHS Cafeteria

Feb. 18 Ash Wednesday Special Service, 7:30 p.m.

Feb. 22 the bridge Worship 10 a.m. (Fairgrounds)

Feb. 22 Winter Jam in Cleveland,

RSVP by Feb. 15 to Pastor Kimberly

Feb. 26 Lenten Soup & Bread,

6 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Feb. 27-Mar. 1 Solid Rock @ FFA Camp;

see Justin Garner for more info.

Feb. 28 Leadership Retreat 9:00 a.m. – 3:00 p.m.

Mar. 5 Lenten Soup & Bread,

6 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Mar. 5 Evangelism meeting, 7 p.m.

Mar. 7 Splash Event- Line/Square Dance 7 p.m.

Mar. 10 Education meeting, 7 p.m.

Mar. 12 Lenten Soup & Bread,

6 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Mar. 14 Youth @ Mission Rejoice, Urban Mission

Mar. 19 Lenten Soup & Bread,

6 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Mar. 21 Lifeline Food Packaging Event @ Malvern

Mar. 22 the bridge Worship 10 a.m. (Fairgrounds)

Mar. 22 Family Bowling Party, at Carroll Lanes,

following 2nd service

Mar. 24 Worship Committee meeting, 7 p.m.

Mar. 25 Last Day Wild Wednesday

Mar. 26 Lenten Soup & Bread,

6 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Apr. 2 Maundy Thursday, Lenten Soup & Bread,

6 p.m. Fellowship Hall

Apr. 3 Good Friday Community Service,

7 p.m. (Fairgrounds)

Apr. 5 Easter Sunday,

(see details elsewhere in the newsletter)

Apr. 12 High School Chamber Choir,

both services

Events regularly held at Carrollton First UMC

Monday

Boy Scouts, 6 p.m.

Tuesday

Sisters Bible Study 1-2:30 p.m.

Wednesday

Cherub Choir Practice 5:30-6 p.m. Wild Wednesday 6-7:30 p.m.

Chancel Choir Practice 8 p.m.

Thursday

Youth Praise Practice 5:45 p.m.

Sunday

Youth Group (Jr. & Sr. High) at the church,

6-8 p.m.

Check out the website for updates

“Blessed is the one whose transgressions are forgiven, whose sins are covered.” Psalm 32:1

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CARROLLTON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

253 S LISBON ST

PO BOX 85

CARROLLTON OH 44615

NONPROFIT ORG

US POSTAGE PD

CARROLLTON OH 44615

PERMIT NO 25

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

“Following Jesus...Sharing His Love”

REVEREND DANIEL LOOMIS—Senior Pastor

REVEREND KIMBERLY ARBAUGH– Associate Pastor

OFFICE: 330-627-7671 or office@yellowbrickchurch.org

WORSHIP SERVICES: 8:15 & 10:45 A.M. SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:35 A.M.

Nursery and Jr. Worship Provided

THE CIRCUIT NEWS THE CIRCUIT NEWS THE CIRCUIT NEWS

CARROLLTON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH