What’s happening in the
life of our church
April 3, 2024
Dear Beloved in Christ,
He is risen! Hallelujah!
There is no more welcome refrain in all the universe than this – that the dark side of humanity did not, will never, can never prevail in silencing the love that is God on earth. “He is risen” is the same as saying “Love wins.” It’s the same as saying “Love conquers all.” It is saying that God loves you more than you could ever imagine, enough to walk the road to death and then to break that final door down that you and I might have life eternal. Hallelujah!
For all of you who worked so hard to bring the solemn awareness of Lent and Holy Week to our congregation, and then to prepare for the joyful refrains of Easter Resurrection, I thank you from the bottom of my heart. You have shown your love and commitment to God and to one another in all the time and talent you bring. I will share the results of your generous giving through the Easter offerings and the Easter Memorials as soon as I have those numbers.
All is well, dear friends of God. Christ is Risen! Hallelujah!
In Christian love and joy,
Rev. Alice Ford
Please note
Please note that the Office Assistant will be on vacation beginning the week of April 8 and through Monday, April 15, returning on Tuesday April 16. The desk will be staffed by wonderful volunteers who will be here to answer phone calls and assist in the office, but email may not be checked regularly. Please make sure to contact Rev. Alice if you need immediate assistance. She can be reached by dialing the church phone and extension 406 which goes directly to her cell phone. Thank you for your patience and support.
Sincerely,
Pam
Impact Moments
Book Talk
Thank you from Dr. Christy Mesaros-Winckles for all who attended her book talk at the First Presbyterian Church on March 26. It was a great turnout and there were Presbyterians, Methodists, and even some Free Methodist guests who traveled down from the Jackson area. It was engaging and sparked some great discussion and questions. Christy was accompanied by two of her biggest fans, Andrew and Harvey. It was fun to watch Harvey sit in the front row contemplating grabbing that mic and asking a question or maybe he was just thinking about grabbing the mic. Dr. Paul Patton, retired Communication Professor from Spring Arbor University, and one of Christy’s undergrad professors, expressed his pride for both Christy and Andrew as representation of very successful Spring Arbor graduates.
It was a wonderful presentation, Christy. Congratulations and thank you for sharing the journey of those who have gone before us. It was truly enlightening!
Shorts for Boys
The Little Dresses Sewing Group is still collecting tee shirts for Shorts for Boys. Bring your COLORFUL TEE SHIRTS MEN SIZES MEDIUM OR LARGER and drop them off in the box outside of Fellowship Hall. Need clean shirts without holes or paint splatters or new shirts. Also needed are packages of 3/4 inch elastic for the waist bands. Thank you for helping in this project!
Note that The Little Dresses Sewing Group meets on the 2nd and 4th Thursdays of the month and this group is open to all to participate.
Thank you to…
Thank you to all of you who made the Holy Week services and events so meaningful. From those who planned services, decorated, stuffed eggs, organized and staffed Eggstravaganza, shared your acting chops, cut and organized flowers, musicians, chime and rainbow bell leader and kiddos, adult bell choir, Wesley Chorale, organist and pianist, liturgists, bulletin folders and those leading the Lenten studies. Thank you for taking time to be the church. You are an extremely talented, grace filled and loving church.
WOW (Wednesdays of Wonder) Schedule
Open to ALL in the community! Join us for one or all events!
5:30 pm: WOW Dinner
Dinners are $5 each or $20 per family
Apr 10
Egg roll soup
Dinners are $5 each or $20 max per family and always include salad, veggies and dessert. Anyone is free to come at no cost. Bring your coupon or share it with a friend or stranger in need.
RSVP by calling or emailing the office or on your connection card for planning purposes. Feel free to drop by last minute for one or all events.
Apr 13: Special Coffee Hour Recognizing Sherry Stone
Please join us on April 14 during coffee hour at 10:45 am as we express our gratitude and love for Sherry as she embarks on her next journey.
Opportunities to be Present
Wesley Chorale
Practices at 8:15 am Sunday mornings
Sunday Discovery
Adult Seekers Study
Every Sunday @ 10:45 am in the Lounge
Adult Bible Study
Every Sunday @ 10:45 am in Room 5
Engage
Meets 2nd, 3rd and 4th Sundays after Story for All
Ages and is a Sunday Discovery Program for children and youth
Youth Group
1st & 3rd Sundays from 6-8 pm
Handicrafters
6:30 pm, 2nd and 4th Mondays
Quilters
Tuesdays from 10 am-2 pm in the Lounge
Men’s Breakfast
7:00 am, first Wednesday of month at Family Kitchen
W.O.W. (Wednesdays of Wonder)
4:30-7:30 pm weekly
Prayer Gathering
10:00 am, first Thursdays in Room 3
Little Dresses
2nd & 4th Thursdays from 1-3 pm
Pub Theology
5:30pm, 3rd Thursday of the month at Aubree’s
Please check the online calendar for all information & current updates.
Opportunities to Give
Little Free Pantry
Drop off in the red box outside of the nursery/preschool rooms or in the office. Take what you need and add as you are able.
A note from Liliane Haddad from St. Mary’s Food Pantry
Dear friends,
Hope you had a blessed Easter with your loved ones. We can always use healthy snacks and fresh produce for families who can’t afford to get them. Cake kits are always welcome to celebrate birthdays together.
March was quiet at St Mary’s Food Pantry. We were closed for 2 days. We served 96 families, 266 individuals, among them 101 children. 2394 meals were provided to last them for 3 days. Clients can come once a month and go to other pantries to get more food.
Dire Needs office helps with utilities with a shut off notice. We assisted 9 families in March, consisting of 17 adults and 7 children. I am so thankful for my volunteers who spend countless hours to make a difference.
Thank you, Gracias, Merci and Choukran
Liliane
Current Needs: Peanut butter, pasta sauce, fresh produce, eggs and cake kits for families to celebrate birthdays together.
Opportunities to Serve
A Message from Neighbors of Hope
Greetings Friends,
I want to let you know that our calendar for our April Meal Train is up and available. We are so appreciative of those of you who have provided meals for the men at our Men’s Ministry Center. Our guests not only enjoy the great food, but are genuinely touched by your willingness to show them the compassion of Christ. So let me thank you for bringing hope to our guests and please consider signing up for a date or two this month.
Blessings,
Pastor Steven Palmer
Executive Director
If you or your family would personally like to contribute a meal to Neighbors of Hope, here is the link to the April Meal Train.
Community Activities
Apr 17: Lunch & Learn – Let’s get Ready for Spring! @ 12:15-1:00 pm
Mike Walters, Adrian Dominican Sisters Permaculture Specialist, shares gardening tips on preparing the soil, when to start planting, and secrets to having a good harvest.
Bring your lunch (drinks and dessert are provided) or purchase lunch from Weber Center for $7 (your choice of egg salad, turkey salad, or chicken salad croissant sandwich with chips) by registering at least two days in advance of the event.
If not purchasing lunch, no registration is necessary. Free and open to all.
Apr 18: Prose, Poetry & Potpourri @ 1:30-2:30 pm
This event is at Weber Center in person or via live stream. Once again John MacNaughton will regal us as he continues sharing the story of his career as Creative Director at the Croswell Open House, graphic artist, actor and more. Enjoy prose, poetry, music and song from a variety of presenters and bring your own creations! Cost is free and open to all. Registration not required.
Now-April 21: INAI Gallery at Weber Center
INAI Gallery at Weber Center has the works of Carlos Tobar on exhibit now until April 21. You don’t want to miss this hidden gem. INAI is located by the Weber Center entrance and is a great place to hide and contemplate. The gallery is open daily from 9 am-6 pm.
Carlos Tobar has explored and experimented with a variety of painting styles and media including stone, recycled porcelain, and pen and ink. Using exaggeration, color, and emotion, the inspiration behind his work often comes from observation of daily life or from his reaction to current events, the simple, the ordinary, the endeavor to capture a unique moment in time.
A resident of Adrian, Michigan, since 1985, Carlos is a retired graphic artist and commercial offset printer. Essentially self-taught, he studied briefly with Martha Casereido of Chile at the University of Toronto, and under Russian-born Nicolas Svistoonoff at the Central University of Quito, in his native Ecuador.
For your information
Laity see ‘resurrection energy’
In this third article of the series in the MIConnect dated March 27, 2024 MIUMC 13, leading laity point to signs of rebirth within The United Methodist Church in Michigan. To read the full article, click this link Laity article.
To subscribe to the weekly MIConnect, a publication from the Michigan Conference of the United Methodist Church, click here or call the office.
For your information
Prayer Requests
Please contact the church office with your prayer requests by phone, email or note on your connection card. Prayer requests will be shared with the congregation through the bulletins and Tidings. If the prayer request is private, please note at the time of request.
Please know that prayer is our foundation and everything we do is surrounded in prayer.
Next bi-weekly Tidings will be published on April 17. Please send articles to the office by 4pm on April 16. Contact the church office assistant Pam Myers at (517) 265-5689 x402 or email at adrianfumc@adrianfumc.org.
On-Line Church Calendar is on the website.
Sign Ups are available at the Welcome Center or contact the office.