the beacon port st. lucie, fl 34983that younger generations in the u.s., especially under 45 and...
TRANSCRIPT
Church Webpage
www.pslfumc.com Office Hours
Monday - Thursday 8:30a–4:30p
Friday 8:30a-12p
Sunday Morning Worship 8:00a Traditional Worship 9:30a Contemporary Worship
11:00a Traditional Worship
11:30a Spanish Worship
Our Vision & Mission “Shining the Light
of God’s Love” Through:
Inspiring Worship Personal Growth
Intentional Outreach
Senior Pastor
Rev. Brian Carr
Assistant Pastor Dir. of Discipleship Ministries
Dr. Rad Orlandi
Assist. Pastor/Hispanic Ministry
Nena Bonilla
Church Administrator
Gladys Dolan
Administrative Assistant
Stephanie Welch [email protected]
Director of Student Ministries
Pam Szymczyk
Children’s Directors
Erin Keelor
Holley Lane
Music Ministry
Debbie Mock
Gino Cerulli
Josué Martínez
260 SW Prima Vista Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
(772) 878-1155
My Dear Sisters and Brothers,
Welcome to our March Beacon. Time just continues “marching” on, doesn’t it? Get it?
Marching on… Sorry. I digress. I can hardly believe we are already entering March. What
happened to February?
What happened to the Super Bowl? Congratulations to all you New England fans. I con-
gratulate you publicly. My condolences to all you Rams fans. I am sincerely sorry for
your loss. I mean, sincerely sorry.
What happened to the Academy Awards? Did any of you stay up for the entire program?
It is kind of sad and proves my age when the only movie I actually saw to win an Acade-
my Award this year was for the short movie “Bao” which was shown with the animated
classic, “The Incredibles 2,” which I did see.
What happened to the special session of the General Conference of the United Methodist
Church? That has probably dominated most of our time and energy recently and it came
and went this very week. We have included an article by our Bishop which summarizes
the conference and encourages us to keep on keeping on. Bishop Carter will host a
webcast this Friday morning at 11:00 a.m. for all and you can find out more information
on it in his letter.
What happened to the winter weather? Did we have any winter weather? I do remember a
few cooler days and even some rainy days which I thoroughly enjoyed except that one of
those rainy days occurred on a Sunday… I guess the winter weather has ended for another
year.
In spite of the whirlwind of the culture and society around us; in spite of all going on in
our world geographically and metaphorically speaking which worries us and frightens us
and causes our chests to tighten and causes us to wake up in the middle of the night; we
are still here. More importantly and as John Wesley said on his deathbed: “Best of all,
GOD is with us!” GOD is still with us. GOD is still all-knowing, all-powerful, all-
everywhere, sovereign and unimaginably gracious.
I was reminded of that in the blur of February when thinking about our mission team to
Haiti which encountered unexpected, violent demonstrations in Cap Haitien upon arrival.
In the midst of anger, desperation and chaos GOD miraculously protected them and
brought them all safely home where they continue to be stirred to live out the Gospel on
behalf of the last, the least, the lost where-ever they may be found.
I was reminded of that when looking back over our worship attendance in February. Feb-
ruary has been a difficult, challenging, draining month for many but we averaged 712 in
worship each Sunday this month! Worship is always so much more exciting and inspiring
when there are more of us here together to encounter the Living GOD! Thank you for
demonstrating your faithfulness to GOD by your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your
service and your witness. Your presence this past month was an incredible blessing to me.
Thank you!
May GOD richly bless you as you richly bless all around you by living, loving and
leading like Jesus.
Pastor Brian
The Beacon A light of information & inspiration
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Volume 60 No. 3
March 2019
Church Staff
March Birthdays
13th Anna Scala 23rd Kevin Proske 31st Dylan Katner
February was a fun filled month for the Youth Ministry.
The High School girls enjoyed a small group study called Chick Flicks and we ended it with a date night with
Jesus. They experienced God’s love on a new level. Many said they have always known God’s love but they
really felt it on this night.
The ladies came dressed up. We provided roses to signify that they are loved, candlelight for setting the mood,
a glass that said Jesus loves them, candy for the sweetness of God’s love, a teddy bear to remind them when the
flower dies God loves never dies, and a personal letter reminding them how important they are to HIM. They
had a three course meal served as they searched the scriptures on how important they are to God, and what he
has done for them. I am very proud of all my young ladies and they truly enjoyed the night. Our next study is
called the 3rd Way.
We enjoyed a night of ice skating and having fun. They have been
asking and asking and we finally went. Two hours of skating in cold.
As you can see some were not dressed warmly, but they never came
off the ice. Please pray for a young man named John, he fell the last 3
minutes on the ice and broke his leg right above the ankle. He will
have to have surgery. He was having a great time till then.
Haiti Mission Trip Update
February 7, 2019 was a day to be excited about. Our team from FUMC
boarded the DC-3 at Missionary Flights International at Fort Pierce
International Airport to wing their way to Cap-Haïtien and travel via
van to Limonade, Haiti where their ministry to the Christian Alliance
School children and medical mission was to take place.
February 7, 2019, also marked the second anniversary of the Haitian
President Moise's tenure. Unknown to the team prior to leaving the
USA spontaneous riots and protesters were responding to Haiti's
Supreme Court's recent report accusing officials of possible
misappropriation of funds and mentioning a company with a
government contract that was linked to Haiti’s President Moïse. Also,
the fact that the Haitian government had considered a plan to increase
the price of gasoline by 38 percent, diesel by 47 percent and kerosene
by 51 percent.
Haiti has endured over 500 years of severe repression, slavery, despotism, colonization, reparations,
embargoes, sanctions, deep poverty, starvation, unrepayable debt, overwhelming human suffering, and
destructive natural disasters. Public anger in the country has continued since last summer over intolerable
conditions, deep corruption, and repressive rule. Instead of improving, things keep deteriorating. Life
expectancy is 57 years - compared to the Latin and Central American average of 69 years. Most Haitians are
illiterate. Only about one-fifth of secondary-age children attend school. One-fourth or less of the population
has access to safe water. Millions of Haitians are food insecure. According to the World Food Program's State
of Food Insecurity in the World report, over half of Haitians are malnourished, many severely. It's the key
contributing factor to low life expectancy, along with untreated or poorly treated illnesses and diseases. What
is heard daily in Haiti are people saying "I am hungry.”
Unexpected rioting on their travel route caused the two vans filled with our missioners and luggage to be
attacked. Vehicles are viewed as symbols of wealth in Haiti and the frustration of the protestors has been
expressed in attacking cars, trucks and vans. This happened to our team in the vehicles. God’s hand of
protection facilitated them to be able to escape with damage to the vans, some losses of personal luggage and
minor physical injuries caused from the vans being damaged while trying to drive to the hotel. After reaching
the hotel prayerful discourse took place – evaluating if the mission could move forward as planned – safely –
or not. It was determined that for the safety of the team, and the possibility of continued unrest, that the team
would not stay. They returned late afternoon on February 8th. All were shaken by this experience. In 10 years
of mission travel to Haiti, this was the first experience of this kind. Also experienced was disappointment in
not completing their mission, the disappointment of the school-children at Christian Alliance School and the
disappointment of over 1,000 people usually seen in the medical mission portion of the trip. But all was not
lost. Mission and medical supplies had been preshipped and received by Pastor Bazile prior to the teams
arrival. They will await the next mission trip that our group organizes. The mission will go forward in the
future guided by Gary and Dawn Stannis. Be assured that the safety of all our volunteers to Haiti and
elsewhere is a priority and we will be monitoring the situation in Haiti to determine when it will be safe to
return.
Please continue to pray for our team, for peace beyond understanding - pray for our ministry to Haiti, that it
will go forward into the future with God’s grace and pray for Haiti, it’s people and government, that in spite of
the many challenges they face - that God will bless them.
FUMC Haiti Missions Group at
Missionary Flights International
Bishop Carter comments on the Special Session
Dear Florida Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
Some are grateful for the results of the Special Session. And others sought a different outcome. All of this will take
some time to process. Human sexuality is a topic on which our people have differing views. As evidenced by the vote of
the special session, we are a global church with very different contexts. We were not able to achieve contextual differenti-
ation as envisioned by the Commission on a Way Forward. By a majority vote, we passed the Traditional Plan, with some
parts ruled unconstitutional. It now goes to the Judicial Council for review at their next meeting but our existing Disci-
pline language is maintained.
We are a global church. This is a great gift in that God blesses us with diversity and the gospel is lived and shared across
cultures. This is a great challenge in that we have different understandings of the LGBTQ community and, indeed, the
LGBTQ persons in our own churches.
By a majority, the U.S. church seems to favor the One Church Plan that would have more openly welcomed pastors from
the LGBTQ community and allowed for same-sex marriage. And, an overwhelming majority of the Council of Bishops
endorsed the One Church Plan.
I am a person of evangelical and orthodox faith and respect those who see this primarily as a matter of scriptural interpre-
tation. I will continue to live my promises of consecration as a bishop by abiding by the Book of Discipline as a resource
for oversight and supervision in support of the church’s mission (BOD ¶403).
Some believe the arc of history is moving towards more acceptance of LGBTQ people, not less. Pew Research teaches us
that younger generations in the U.S., especially under 45 and more so under 30, will not participate in a church that re-
jects the LGBTQ community. A letter from United Methodists under the age of 35 was shared at the Special Session, with
over 15,500 signatories. A greater number of LGBTQ voices were heard on the floor of the Special Session than ever be-
fore. Many of these were younger voices.
I offer the following words to the LGBTQ community:
Please know that you are of sacred worth. You are not the problem. You are not "out there." You are present in our
churches. You bless us with your faith and your gifts strengthen the church. And my calling, for you and all people, is to
remove the obstacles to your experience of the grace of God, and especially in the life of The United Methodist Church.
I also offer these words to the evangelical community:
Please know that your faith is a great gift to God and to your local churches. Too often, your stances have been misun-
derstood as driven by hatred, as opposed to being of deeply held faith. Your lives have been changed by the good news of
Jesus, and you have a deep desire that others know this grace. Our denomination is blessed by you and needs your gifts
in our calling to share God’s love across the world. Our conference includes at every level of leadership evangelicals who
are of the utmost integrity.
We remain a denomination that is open to people of all nations, ethnic groups, ages, and sexual orientations. We hope to
find better ways to embrace our diversity and be on mission together. Our POV process continues to be a resource availa-
ble to you.
Despite our differences, we will continue to work together to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the
world and to share God’s love with all people.
The peace of the Lord,
Ken Carter
Bishop, Florida Conference
Note: To hear more reflection please join Bishop Carter for a webinar with Delegation leaders on Friday March 1st at 11
AM (https://attendee.gotowebinar.com/register/3792781150045777675)
March 6th ~ 7:00 pm ~ Sanctuary
We are collecting Boxtops for
Education for the school. These small
labels can be found on various
item- cereal boxes, Kleenex boxes,
soup can labels, granola bar boxes.
Please clip and save them for the
school to use. You can leave them on
Rad’s desk or give them to Pat.
Available dates::
April 14th & May 5th
Cost $30.00
We are now giving tote bags
to our first time visitors. If
you’d like to purchase one,
stop by the church office.
(Cost $2.00)
Women’s Prayer Group
Conference Room
Thursdays, 8:30 am
Won’t you join us?
The United Methodist Men
meet on the first Saturday of
each month at 8 am in Room
101of the BLC.
Please join us!!
Our next meeting is
March 2nd!
We have just gotten 6 feature length DVD’s. They are Moses,
Samson & Delilah, David, Joseph, Jacob and Abraham. Also,
there are a few new adult fiction selections. You can find
them all on the table. Please remember that the loan period is
one month. — Carole Williams, Church Librarian
Widows and Widowers and
anyone who has lost a loved
one are invited to meet on the
first Monday of the month at
noon to share a potluck
luncheon in Room 101 of the
BLC. For more information,
please call Karol Johnson at
(772) 595-6315.
Lighthouse Quilters We have formed an evening quilting
group to work on community projects.
All are welcome, regardless of your skill
level—WE WILL TEACH YOU!!
We will be meeting on the 1st and 3rd
Tuesdays from 6:30 - 8:30 pm in Room
101 of the BLC. If you have any
questions, feel free to call Cheryl
Patterson at (720) 480-3461 or Hope
Murphy at (719) 510-6486.
HAPPY QUILTING!
The Visitation Team visits church members and/or
family members who are being cared for either at
home or in a care center. We offer companionship
through visitation. Members visit based on their
own schedules and availability. This is a very small
commitment for a very important ministry.
We who are strong ought to bear with the failings of the weak and not to please ourselves. Each of us should please our neighbors for their good,
to build them up. — Romans 15:1-2 NIV
Missio Dei – God’s Work “Shining the Light of God’s Love” through Inspiring Worship-Personal Growth-Intentional Outreach
FUMC first began its Cuba Mission work in the early 1990’s. We prayerfully and financially help
support two ministries in Cuba. The first is New Dawn Ministry in Manzanillo, Cuba. New Dawn
was established by Pastor Gilberto Prieto in 1990. Pastor Gilberto died several years ago. Pastora
Néridas Rodés Concepcion continues to lead the ministry at New Dawn.
This ministry focuses on those with any form of disability - the blind, the deaf and the lame. It’s amazing to share in their
Worship Service and experience their God given musical talents. FUMC missions outreach has helped in getting physical
equipment for the disabled as well as providing financial assistance to provide a summer camp for the children.
Our partnership with our sister church - Jesús Oasis de Salvación in Cabezo, Cuba began
in 2009. Pastors Blanca and Raceil Quintana are still serving there today. When the
church was established, services were held outdoors on cinderblocks and boards. No
floor, no roof, no structure of any kind – no protection from the elements. Fast forward
10 years! Through difficult times and many prayers, the Cabezo parishioners with the
help of FUMC built and completed a cinderblock church – and its’ beautiful!
FUMC helped purchase much needed transportation so those who walked miles to wor-
ship could now ride. It’s no limo...its’ a big, old 1950’s open bed truck. All climb
aboard, packed in tight and hanging on through awful terrain to be able to get to church
and hear God’s perfect Word. Hallelujah!
We hope this gives you a better idea of what our Cuba Mission outreach is about. The needs are many. We try to meet
them thru fund-raisers, donations and prayer. We ask you to join us as we continue to pray for our Church families
in Cuba. ~ Sandra McClure - Missions Team - Cuba Coordinator
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED - CUBA MISSIONS 2019
FUMC Missions team is expanding and assembling a team for Cuba Missions. This involves brainstorming,
praying, creative fund-raising, and creating a team for eventual travel to Cuba. The purpose of this mission is to
more closely partner in relationship with our sister church Jesús Oasis de Salvación in Cabezo, Cuba and New
Dawn Ministry in Manzanillo, Cuba. Come see what we are all about. To be a Spanish language speaker is not a
requirement. Life skills welcomed! We do good stuff, and we have fun doing it! All you need to bring is a smile
and a heart for Christ. Contact: Sandra McClure - Missions Team-Cuba Coordinator - (772) 336-0307
Pastors Quintana in front of Jesús Oasis de Salvación
2019 Walk for LIFE
Join our team on
March 30th ~ 9 am
Jensen Beach High School
Register at WalkFor LifeTC.com
Walk for Life to RESCUE a Life!!!
For more information, contact
Deborah Galtere or Debora Velasquez
Men’s Prayer Group
Wednesday mornings
6:45 am
Conference Room
Please join us!
Online/Mobile Giving - You can make your
donations online. Go to our website at
www.pslfumc.com and click on the easyTithe
link or go to the app store and download the easyTithe app.
If you would like to receive the monthly
newsletter “The Beacon” in your email box
or receive our daily e-prayers and daily
devotions, just send an email to [email protected] and
we’ll add you to the list!
ATTENTION AMAZON SHOPPERS Use this link while shopping at Amazon and
they will donate .05% of eligible sales to our church!!
https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-0954425
Thank you so much for your participation.
March 20th ~ 12 am - 2 pm
This month we will
be watching a movie! Come on out and join the fun!!!
Bring your favorite dish for a potluck lunch
For more information contact Sandra McClure @ (772) 336-0307
or Jenette Robarge @ (772) 879-4805
NEW MEMBER CLASS March 13th, 20th & 27th
6:00 pm ~ Room 106, BLC
WE HOPE YOU WILL JOIN US!! Sign up on the Attendance Form or call the church office!
If you are aware of an illness, hospitalization,
or death in the family of one of our members
please notify the church office. This will help
us better serve you. We would rather receive
several phone calls than none at all. So please do not as-
sume that we already know.
Follow us!
fumcofpsl
Read Through the Bible
in a Year A Year’s Bible Reading Program
March
1 - Deuteronomy 1-2
2 - Deuteronomy 3-4
3 - Deuteronomy 5-7
4 - Deuteronomy 8-10
5 - Deuteronomy 11-13
6 - Deuteronomy 14-16
7 - Deuteronomy 17-20
8 - Deuteronomy 21-23
9 - Deuteronomy 24-27
10 - Deuteronomy 28
11 - Deuteronomy 29-31
12 - Deuteronomy 32-34
13 - Joshua 1-3
14 - Joshua 4-6
15 - Joshua 7-8
16 - Joshua 9-10
17 - Joshua 11-13
18 - Joshua 14-16
19 - Joshua 17-19
20 - Joshua 20-21
21 - Joshua 22-24
22 - Judges 1-2
23 - Judges 3-5
24 - Judges 6-7
25 - Judges 8-9
26 - Judges 10-11
27 - Judges 12-14
28 - Judges 15 - 17
29 - Judges 18-19
30 - Judges 20-21
31 - Ruth 1-4
In memory of: Mary Ellen Barnes by Chris Tanke
Bill Snedden by Barb Nagle
Brock Sharp by Barb Nagle
Bill Bogley by the Visitation Team, Marilyn Lawless and
Carl & Betty Carter
May 3-5, 2019 - Save the Date
On Mission Together Weekend
The Missions Team wants to invite our whole church to put an exciting experi-
ence on your to-do calendar. Would you consider setting aside the first weekend
in May to give your time and service to God’s mission?
We want to connect with each other, our community and the mission that we
share to make disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world. This will
take place here in Port Saint Lucie in our neighborhood and possibly around
town!
Friday, May 3 - Kick off the weekend with a time of connection at our church
campus.
Saturday, May 4 - A time for missional engagement, where participants will
serve together in the community. Then take some time to rest and reflect in the
afternoon and gather together for a possible bring and share dinner and intention-
al, courageous conversations.
Sunday, May 5 - Normal Sunday services with a focus on grace, lay testimony,
and an invitation to follow Jesus.
The event is still very much in its early planning stages and the Missions Team
welcomes input from our church family on ideas for the weekend…and people to
help plan and participate. So this Save the Date is a way to get you excited and
ask you to save the weekend. The Missions Team will let you know more in the
weeks ahead.
Will you consider participating on that weekend? Contact: Deborah Galtere/Missions Team Leader [email protected] or (561) 267-3350.
STEPPING OUT IN FAITH
Mathew Bonk is going to be a missionary! His commitment to missions is not going to a foreign land but staying here in Port Saint Lucie, FL and using the gifts and skills he developed as an aircraft mechanic to work/minister as a maintenance specialist with (MFI) Missionary Flights International (based out of Fort Pierce, FL). He will help keep the turbine-powered DC-3’s flying to meet the needs of over 400 missions to the Bahamas, Haiti, the Dominican Republic and wherever the Lord directs. About 250 tons of cargo and 4,000 Christian workers are transported every year by this vibrant ministry. Being a missionary is not an individual calling
if you are married – as commitment to missions ministry truly involves the support of the whole family. So here is:
Getting to Know the Bonk Family! Matt grew up with his parents and older brother in the suburbs of Chicago, Illinois. Kari was born in Illinois but grew up in various parts of Florida. They met when Kari went to college at Lewis University in Romeoville, Illinois. After Kari finished her bachelor’s degree in broadcast communications, they were married in May of 1998 and had their first son, Patrick, that same year after moving to Florida. Matt went to college at Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University in Daytona Beach, Florida and earned an Associate’s Degree in Aviation Maintenance Technology with is FAA Airframe and Powerplant license. He then went to work at several different commuter airlines. The first was in Milwaukee, Wisconsin where Kari and Matt received their second son, Marck, from the Lord. Then they moved back to Illinois and added their third blessing from God to the family, Luke. Shortly after Luke was born, Kari went back to school and obtained an Associate’s Degree in Patisserie and Baking at the Le Cordon Bleu Cooking and Hospitality Institute of Chicago. After this, they packed up the family and moved to Jacksonville, Florida to pursue careers. After about 10 years of marriage, 30-year-old Matt finally committed his life to Christ. Kari accepted Jesus in her life at the age of 35 after dealing with being laid off at two different jobs and having to go through several Christian therapeutic retreats to deal with past issues. At that time, both wholeheartedly started following the Lord and strengthening their faith which soon would be tested. In June of 2009, while on vacation, their oldest son Patrick was in a tragic accident. Had it not been for the miraculous power of God, he would not have survived, let alone made a near full recovery. He spent months in the hospital and years in therapy but surpassed all the doctor’s expectations and predictions. He is currently in college attending Liberty University in Lynchburg, Virginia pursuing a degree in financial services. Even though Kari had achieved working in both fields that she has degrees in, her sons’ needs and lack of a current job prior to Patrick’s accident made it difficult to pursue her career. At that time, she felt that God called her to start homeschooling their boys. Currently, she is utilizing her time to help her younger two boys get into different schools to maximize their potential while taking on a role of private baking lessons to anyone interested in her services. She is excited to see where God will lead her and her family in life as they make the transition into mission life. Matt volunteers at their youngest son’s Boy Scout Troop and at their middle son’s Trail Life Troop. He is also helping as an adult leader in the youth group at FUMC. God has called Matt to missions with MFI after he went on several youth mission trips and Walk to Emmaus weekend. Mathew, Kari, and their family are in the support-raising portion of their ministry at MFI. Mathew is working full-time as an aircraft mechanic while raising support and will be serving at MFI as a maintenance specialist. Mathew needs your prayers and financial support as his ministry is what is called a tent-making ministry - he raises the funds to fund his salary at MFI. For more information about Missionary Flights International go to www.missionaryflights.org – to support Mathew in his ministry go to the staff section on that website or contact the FUMC Mission Team.
Mathew Bonk & Pastor Brian Carr at Missionary Flights International
Easter Lilies
Please Print
Given By:_________________________________________
Phone #________________________
I would like ______ plant(s) Cost $8.50 each Please limit dedication to the name of the person.
(Please circle one) In Honor or Memory of:_______________________________________________________
In Honor or Memory of:_______________________________________________________
In Honor or Memory of:_______________________________________________________
Please reserve early. Deadline: April 15th. Plants can be picked up after the 11:00 service or Monday, April 22nd.
Third Annual FUMC Golf Tournament
Mission takes place all over the world – including the USA. But mission takes people, energy and funding for the
work of God to take place. One of our yearly fundraisers is the Golf Tournament. This October, FUMC will be
holding its third Annual Golf Tournament. The funds raised from this event provide assistance to Homeless
Schoolchildren of Saint Lucie County, our local and overseas missions, outreach projects and a tithe back to the
church. The Mission Team is needing a Missions Team-Golf Tournament Coordinator (and interested folks to
make up the team) to lead this event. If you have a heart for mission, good organizational skills, a willingness to go
out into the community to promote this event and find sponsors – we need your help.
Please contact: Deborah Galtere - Missions Team Leader – (561) 267-3350.
Tercer torneo anual de golf FUMC La misión se lleva a cabo en todo el mundo, incluidos los Estados Unidos. Pero la misión requiere personas,
energía y fondos para que se lleve a cabo la obra de Dios. Uno de nuestros eventos anuales para recaudar fondos
es el Torneo de Golf. Este mes de octubre, FUMC celebrará su tercer torneo anual de golf. Los fondos recaudados
de este evento brindan asistencia a los alumnos sin hogar del condado de Saint Lucie, nuestras misiones locales y
en el extranjero y proyectos de extensión y un diezmo para la iglesia. El Equipo de la Misión necesita un
Coordinador del Torneo de Golf del Equipo de Misiones (y gente interesada para formar el equipo) para dirigir
este evento. Si tiene un corazón para la misión, buenas habilidades de organización, voluntad de salir a la
comunidad para promover este evento y encontrar patrocinadores, necesitamos su ayuda.
Por favor, póngase en contacto con: Deborah Galtere- Líder del equipo de misiones at (561) 267-3350.
Do you know why we are called United Methodists?
There have been many nicknames for the band of believers who followed the lead of John and Charles
Wesley in their early ministry in England: Enthusiasts, Sacramentarians, Bible Moths, Methodists. Their
methods, values, and tradition laid the groundwork for what would become The United Methodist Church,
240 years after John and Charles Wesley began their Holy Club at college.
On April 23, 1968, Bishop Reuben H. Mueller, of The
Evangelical United Brethren Church, and Bishop Lloyd C.
Wicke, of The Methodist Church, joined hands at the General
Conference in Dallas, Texas. They declared "Lord of the
Church, we are united in Thee, in Thy Church and now in The
United Methodist Church."
A new denomination was born and a new logo was created to
represent this coming together. A traditional symbol—the
cross—was linked with a single flame with dual tongues of fire.
This ties The United Methodist Church to God through Christ
(cross) and the Holy Spirit (flame). Most church members know that the symbol is a sign that “this is a place
where United Methodists gather.” But not everyone recognizes how, and why, it is important to use the
denomination’s full name.
The moniker is a merger of the names of the mostly German Evangelical United Brethren Church and the
Methodist Church. Not using the denomination’s full name can feel hurtful to some members.
The Rev. Alfred T. Day, head of the Archives and History agency, notes: “If your lineage to become a United
Methodist today has been through the Methodist Episcopal strain, you’re in the majority because the United
Brethren and the Evangelical Associations by numbers are much smaller groups. So it’s easy for you in the
majority to think of yourself as Methodist and claim that heritage. But if you’re from the minority--and then
that small heritage is combined into the larger heritage--and the only way that you get to claim your name is
the word ‘United’ and somebody drops that name off, that kind of leaves you without a name, that kind of
forgets your history.”
Another meaning of united in the name speaks to the fuller inclusion of black churches. Even though the
Methodist Episcopal Church had re-united in 1939 after being divided on the issue of slavery, African
American congregations were still segregated into a separate Central Jurisdiction. In 1968, that segregation
ended. Day explains, “The United name also represents a coming together of black Methodists and white
Methodists in the same conference, with the same preachers, with the same bishops, as opposed to segregated
conferences as well. So if you leave the name ‘United’ off you’re leaving off both a significant piece and
powerful part of the naming of who we are.”
That newly formed United Methodist Church became one of the largest Protestant churches in the world with
12.4 million members today. And the cross and flame logo created in 1968 still represents that body, a body
united in the goal to make disciples of Christ for the transformation of the world.
“Have you ever typed ‘untied’ Methodist Church?” asks Day. “There isn’t that much difference on the
keyboard between ‘untied’ and ‘United’ Methodist Church, but boy, oh boy, are there miles of difference in
the story of how we get from one to the other.”
Happy Birthday to The United Methodist Church.
*Fran Coode Walsh is Director, Member Communications at United Methodist Communications. Contact
her at 615-742-5458. This story was first published on April 21, 2017
Evangelical United
Brethren Church Bishop
Reuben H. Mueller (left)
and Methodist Bishop
Lloyd C. Wicke join
hands on April 23,
1968. Photo courtesy of
the United Methodist
Commission on Ar-
chives and History.
Please pray for our
Service Personnel:
Douglas T. Gifford, Lawrence Bach, Riley
Marshall, Steve Dorris, Torey Griffith, Kaitlyn
Neeley, Anthony Hope, Christian Portinga, Ezra
Gordon, Sean H. Simpson, Anthony LoPrinzi,
Johnna Moody, Judi Moody, Carole Moody,
Charles Ensminger, Kevin Dugan, Michael
Dugan, Thomas Kitson, “Wit” Darvill.
Please call the church office if someone you know
should be added to the Service Personnel list or is
no longer on active duty.
UNITED METHODIST WOMEN
ANNUAL
March 9th ~ 8 am-1 pm
SOMETHING FOR EVERYONE!
We will be holding our Annual Rummage
Sale in the Beacon Life Center. Please bring
your unwanted, unneeded treasures on
Friday, March 8th between 8am and 4pm.
We would also love to have your help in
setting up on Friday. The proceeds will be
used for the United Methodist Women’s
Missions.
For more information or to help, call
Yvette Fermier @ (772) 249-5179
The Music Note
The First United Methodist Choir was the second largest choir
in attendance at the Joseph Martin weekend at Trinity Methodist
the weekend of February 10th. We had a total of 22 choir members
enjoy the stylings and conducting of Mr. Martin. What a
wonderful experience. Thank you to our church members who
attended the final concert in a packed sanctuary.
Our monthly visit to PSL Health and Restorative Center will be
held on Saturday, March 2nd at 2:00pm. We look forward to our
time with the residents and each other. I am now receiving calls
from the residents saying how much they appreciate us singing the
beloved hymns. Please come and experience the joy!
I’m hearing talk of members who are interested in joining the
choir BUT there’s NO ROOM!? YES! I will find room for
anyone who would like to be a part of the choir, just let me know!
I just made up 2 new choir folders today for folks coming for their
first choir rehearsal this week! We’d love to have YOU!
March holds 5 Sundays, you know what that means? The hymn
sing will be on the last Sunday of the month. I have only received
1 hymn request as of now. Please send me your favorites and I’ll
work them into the service. The Hymn of the month:
‘’AND CAN IT BE THAT I SHOULD GAIN?’’ Charles Wesley was born just before Christmas 1707. He was
premature and neither cried nor opened his eyes. His mother, kept
him tightly wrapped in wool until his actual due date, whereupon
he opened his eyes and cried. At age eight, he was taken to
London to attend Westminster school. At thirteen, he became a
King’s Scholar at Westminster, and upon graduation, Charles
enrolled at Oxford. He was nineteen and full of life. During his
second year at Oxford, he grew serious about spiritual things.
Neither he nor his brother, John had yet received Christ as Savior,
but they began seeking to live the Christian life so methodically
they were dubbed “Methodists” by fellow students.
Their studies complete, the brothers volunteered to go to
Georgia, a new colony in America for those in Britain’s debtors’
prisons. But as a missionary, Charles was an utter failure. He was
demanding and autocratic, and insisted on baptizing infants, not by
sprinkling, but by immersing them three times in succession. One
angry woman fired a gun at him. Charles left America ill and
depressed. Some time later, John also returned in low spirits.
Finding themselves in a spiritual crisis, the brothers began
attending meetings led by the Moravian Christian, Peter Boehler.
Finally in 1738, Charles, age 31, wrote, “I have found myself at
peace with God, and rejoice in hope of loving Christ. I saw that by
faith I stood.” John came to Christ about the same time saying, “I
felt my heart strangely warmed.” On Tuesday, May 23, Charles
wrote in his journal, “I began a hymn upon my conversion.” We
aren’t certain which hymn he meant, but many historians think it
was “And Can It Be,” because of the vivid testimony of verse 4:
Long my imprisoned spirit lay, Fast bound in sin and nature’s night;
Thine eye diffused a quickening ray – I woke, the dungeon flames with light;
My chains fell off, my heart was free, I rose, went forth, and followed Thee.
In Christ,
Debbie Mock
♥Carol & Jerry Dust, Joe Goebels, Wayne
Habermehl, Maureen Flood, Sherry Barton, Mary
LaLa, Carole Bowen, Cherie Portinga, Tom
Morando, Cheryl & Fred Patterson, Randy Presley,
Paul Watkins, Karen Pine, Susan Taylor and David
Stiles for staffing the food pantry on Tuesday
mornings.
♥Carol Dust for managing the food pantry.
♥Our many church family volunteers who keep the
landscape weed free & beautiful.
♥Shirley Reeder, Anna & Fred Maddox for
preparing the pews each week.
♥Counters for your weekly assistance.
♥All of our committee members, Praise Teams,
Tech Team, Visitation Team, Choir, Communion
Prep Team, Greeters & Ushers who work hard all
year long.
♥Kim Nelson, Marlis Spear, Jenette Robarge,
Marilyn Lawless, Marilyn Benda and Shirley Miller
who help in the office on a weekly basis.
♥The Feeding Ministry kitchen team, food
transporters and servers: Deanna Bell, Stephan
Lambert, Dawn Danko, Sheila Simpson, Karol
Sharpe.
♥The Men’s Prayer Group (Carl Hensley, Dana
Heath, Jim Silletto, Bruce Kitson, Dionisio Aponte,
David Lopez, Junior Velasquez, Ed Rishko) and the
Women’s Prayer Group (Gladys Fuentes, Helen
Davis, Mavilia Franois, & Audrey Tuthill) who pray
for everyone for whom prayers were requested and
prepare and mail out the prayer cards.
♥Carole Williams and Dixie Bradley for taking care
of the church library.
♥Rita Etherington for sending greeting cards for
special occasions to those being cared for in Care
Centers or at home.
Budget
Financial Update - In February, we received $73,731.82
towards our monthly need of $79,495. Your financial
dedication is appreciated.
Record of Our Faithful Attendance
Have you moved?
Have you changed your email address or telephone number?
Do you use only your cell phone now?
Does your church know? Please call the church office at
878-1155 to update your records
or email - [email protected]
March 6th
5 pm ~ Room 100
Beacon Life Center
Bring your favorite covered dish!
Bring a friend! Bring a neighbor!
Attendance 02/03 02/10 02/17 02/24
8:00 am 188 185 172 176
OASIS 216 251 197 216
11:00 am 252 211 241 254
El Aposento Alto 57 66 67 71
Sunday School
Youth Worship
126
0
114
12
125
0
112
15
The Men's Bible study
meets every Sunday at
8:15 in Rm 105 of the
Beacon Life Center. March 10th
$152,736.
$140,000.00
$145,000.00
$150,000.00
$155,000.00
Year to DateNeeded
Year to DateReceived
$147,167.30
$152,736.
Upcoming Events Circle Meetings:
Centennial 2nd Monday ~ 12:30 pm
Room 101, BLC
Lydia 4th Tuesday ~ 7 pm
Room 101, BLC
Marta 2nd Monday ~ 5 pm
Room 103, BLC
Priscilla/Mary 2nd Thursday ~ 1 pm
Room 103, BLC
Executive Board March 6th, 10 am
Room 103, BLC
Rummage Sale March 9th 8am
Beacon Life Center
Our Love & Prayers Go Out To
Our Friends Residing at Care Centers
The Gardens of Port St. Lucie, 1699 SE Lyngate Dr, PSL, 34952
Doris Stull Room 266 Jessie Bergstrom Room 216
Martin Nursing and Restoration Care, 6011 SE Tower Dr, Stuart, 34997
Ebba Forgue Room 107 B
The Lynmoore at Lawnwood, 1550 N Lawnwood Circle, Fort Pierce, 34950
Helen Yolman (mail to Debbie Lane, 681 SE Degan Dr. PSL 34983)
Palm Garden, 1751 SE Hillmoor, PSL, 34952
Allena Hughes Room 145
The Manor at Hobe Sound, 9555 SE Federal Hwy,
Hobe Sound, 33455
Eloise Kinahan
Touch Of Class (Private Home), 537 SW Whitmore Dr,
PSL, 34984
Rita Cole
Watercrest, SLW, 279 NW California Blvd, PSL, 34986
Gwendlynn Brehon Room 120 Ruth Cooke Room 201
Paradise Cove, 2277 SE Lennard Rd., PSL 34952
Sandi Johannessen Room 36
The Palms of St. Lucie West, 501 NW Cashmere Blvd, PSL, 34986
Thomas H Meredith Room 122
Our Friends Residing at Home
Clara Abrahamson Erma Jean Caulkett Fred Knechtel
5 Lake Vista Trail #106 2386 SE Master Ave 186 NW Avens St.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Port St. Lucie, FL 34952 Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
Evelyn Reis Lillian Schubel
The Pointe Apt 306 Opis Island Lake Center
2750 SE Ocean Blvd. 155 Landover Place Room 207
Stuart, FL 34996 Longwood FL 32750
If you are aware of an illness,
hospitalization, or death in the
family of one of our members
please notify the church office. This
will help us better serve you. We would
rather receive several phone calls than
none at all. Please do not assume that
we already know.
Stephen & I would like to thank all of you for your prayers and con-
cerns regarding his recent hospital stay at Tradition Hospital. His pneumonia caused numerous life-threatening complications, due to his fragile chronic health: kidney dialysis, congestive heart failure, A Fib, and a very high fever. But, because of the prompt response of the hospital staff, and your contin-ued prayers, all, under the guid-ance of "our great physician", he overcame these obstacles. He was released yesterday and is doing amazingly well. We would like to thank Pastor Brian for his person-al prayers and visits, as well as repeated visits from several church members. May the Lord Bless each and every one of you. Thank you, Stephen & Sondra Burke
April 20th 10 am - 1 pm Sportsman’s Park
The witness team is busy planning EGGSTRAVAGANZA 2019. Please start bringing your donations of hard & soft candy
(individually wrapped – no chocolate), plastic eggs, soda & water. Items can be dropped off at the church office.
WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please also plan to join us on Wednesdays starting March 13th,
10:00 am – Noon AND 6:00 – 8:00 pm in Room 101 for our
EGG STUFFING PARTIES We hope you will be able to join us!!
ALL AROUND THE CHURCH:
The Lord’s Supper – Communion is available each Sunday morning between 7:30 am – 12:30 pm. Bread
and juice, as well as guide sheets to lead you through your time communing with God, are available in the
Prayer Room at the back of the Sanctuary building.
Food Pantry – Each 3rd Sunday of the month is designated as Food Pantry Sunday. Please bring your
donations of non-perishable food and supplies. Our pantry serves many less fortunate families from our
congregation and our community. Tuesdays 10:00 am - 1:00 pm.
Sarah’s Kitchen - provides free hot meals to the community every Monday, 5:00 - 6:30 pm– in Room 100
of the Beacon Life Center.
Feeding Ministry – Every 1st & 3rd Thursday, we provide a meal on Avenue D in Fort Pierce. We meet in
the Beacon Life Center kitchen at 2:00 pm for preparing and cooking the meals.
Good Grief Group – Anyone who has lost a loved one is invited to meet on the first Monday of the month
at 12:00 pm to share a potluck luncheon in Room 101 of the BLC. Call Karol Johnson at (772) 595-6315
for more information.
WHY - We Help You - The WHY volunteers are available to provide in-home meals during difficult
times, such as illness, recovering from a hospitalization or nursing home stay, following the loss of a family
member, or while experiencing a family crisis. If you, or someone you know, could use this help, please
call Dawn Ginter at (772) 485-3244.
Perkins Family Restaurant and Bakery - We receive 10% of the (pre-tax) bill whenever our members
dine at Perkins Restaurant. Simply present the printed coupon to the cashier at the Perkins Restaurant and
Bakery at 9202 S. Federal Highway, Port St. Lucie, FL 34952. Coupons can be found at the church office,
in the Narthex or the Lobby of the Beacon Life Center. Please feel free to pass them out to your friends,
family and neighbors.
AmazonSmile — Use this link while shopping at Amazon and they will donate .05% of eligible sales to our
church!! https://smile.amazon.com/ch/59-0954425. Thank you so much for your participation.
Worship in Sign - Our friends from the Treasure Coast Deaf Church worship with us at the 9:30 am service
on Sunday mornings in the Beacon Life Center. The service is interpreted for the deaf. If you know of
anyone that would enjoy this service, please invite them to come!
Need a ride to church? - We have a limited bus ministry to pick up people on Sunday morning for the
11:00 am worship service and return them home afterwards. Please call Frank at (772) 521-4672 or the
church office.
Paper Drive – After reading your daily newspaper, please remember that we have a large recycling bin for
them. You can now bring old magazines, phone books, paperback books and old mail too!
Boxtops for Education—We are collecting Boxtops for Northport K-8. These small labels can be found on
various items - cereal boxes, Kleenex boxes, soup can labels, granola bar boxes, etc. Please clip and bring
them to the church office.
Paper Towel Tubes—Audrey Tuthill is collecting paper towel tubes for Save the Chimps Sanctuary in Fort
Pierce. You can bring them to the church office. (please no toilet paper tubes).
Priscilla/Mary Circle is collecting plastic bottle caps and lids for a recycling project for Buddy Benches,
sponsored by the city of Port St Lucie. There is a collection box in the church office.
Pop Can Tabs—Judith Beckman is collecting can tabs for Molly’s House. Please bring them to the church
office.
Grocery Coupons are being collected for the Food Pantry. Please bring to the church office.
Baby Ministry - We are eager to reach individuals from our congregation who are pregnant or have
recently had a baby, to provide them with a gift for both mother and baby. Please contact the
church office.
Next Beacon Newsletter deadline is March 15th!
4th
Annual
Celebration of Faith The entire FUMC family is invited to come and join
us for our annual celebration of faith on the shore at
Jensen Beach on Saturday, April 13th ! We will
gather at 10:00 am at Jensen Beach Public Beach
(use the south side parking), enjoy a potluck lunch,
then we will celebrate first-time baptisms and
reaffirmations of baptism! The celebration will
close with communion for all. If you are
considering baptism, we invite you to contact our
pastoral staff and come join this festive vent. Please
contact Pam Szymczyk if you would like to
contribute to the potluck lunch.
BE A PART OF THIS JOYFUL OCCASION!
Psalm 67 God Speaks Today (DHH)
May the Lord have compassion and
bless us, may he look at us with good
eyes, so that all the nations of the
earth may know his will and salvation.
Oh God, may the peoples praise you; May all the peoples
praise you!
Salmos 67 Dios Habla Hoy (DHH)
Que el Señor tenga compasión y nos bendiga, que nos mire
con buenos ojos, para que todas las naciones de la tierra
conozcan su voluntad y salvación. Oh Dios, que te alaben
los pueblos; ¡que todos los pueblos te alaben!
Mission is God's work. He uses each one of us in a special
way to share His love to all people. Let us remember those
missionaries of history whose love of God and service in
His name helped to spread the Gospel message.
La misión es la obra de Dios. Él nos utiliza a cada uno de
nosotros de una manera especial para compartir su amor
a todas las personas. Recordemos a los misioneros de la
historia cuyo amor a Dios y servicio en su nombre
ayudaron a difundir el mensaje del Evangelio.
"When He asks for and receives our all, He gives in return
that which is above price - His own presence. The price is
not great when compared with what He gives in return; it is
our blindness and our unwillingness to yield that makes it
seem great.” Rosalind Goforth 1864-1942 Missionary to
China
“Cuando Él pide y recibe todo de nosotros, Él nos da a
cambio aquello a lo cual no se le puede poner un precio -
Su presencia. El precio no es tanto cuando se compara con
lo que Él nos ha dado a cambio; es nuestra ceguera, y
nuestra indisposición a ceder todo a Él que hace que
parezca que el precio es demasiado’’ Jr. – Mission Team
REACHING ACROSS CULTURES
With a heart for overseas missions Jr. and his wife,
Assistant Pastor/Hispanic Ministry Nena Bonilla
Velasquez will be traveling to La Guajira Tribe on
June 20-23 They will be carrying out missionary
conferences to the Wayuu tribe children, youth,
women and Pastors. Encouraging them to focus on the
over 6,000 ethnic People groups that have never heard
the Good News.
ALCANZAR LAS CULTURAS
Con un corazón por las misiones foráneas, Junior y
su esposa, pastor asistente del ministerio hispano
Nena viajarán a la tribu La Guajira del 20 al 23 de
junio. Llevarán a cabo conferencias misioneras con
los niños, jóvenes, mujeres y pastores de la tribu
wayuu. Animándolos a centrarse en los más de 6,000
grupos étnicos que nunca han escuchado las Buenas
Nuevas.
First United Methodist Church
260 SW Prima Vista Blvd.
Port St Lucie, FL 34983
772-878-1155
March 2019
Volume 15, Issue 3
Page 1 of 2
Fun Family
Faith Activites
for Spring Break!!! www.focusonthefamily.com
Researchers affirm what Christian families
have known intuitively for years: Families that
eat together, pray together and play together
are stronger. But today’s crazy schedules and
priorities make it more difficult for families to
do this. So Focus on the Family has made it
easier for you to invest a bit of time each
week to have devotions with your family. As
you raise your children in the way they should
go, find the time to enjoy the journey. To as-
sist you, we've included a few activities to help
you nurture your children's faith in fun ways:
The Question Box
It's never too early to get our kids thinking
about the big questions of their faith. I filled
a wooden box with cards that have challenging
questions, such as "How do we know God
exists?" "Is Jesus really God's Son?" and
"Are all religions equally true?" Several cards
have answers on the back, while others are
more open-ended, requiring kids to think and
discuss the topic. My 8-year-old already has a
practiced defense for many areas of her
faith. —Chandra Philip
Gratitude Detectives
YOU ARE A GRATITUDE DETECTIVE!! Here’s your mission: Take these tickets to church.
BE on the lookout, and CATCH people in the act of
doing GOOD—maybe your pastor, teacher, a friend
or the person who brings doughnuts. Then fill in the
ticket, and give it to someone in your church to let
them know they're appreciated.
—Jeremy Jones
Cristo Me Ama
Learn how to sing "Jesus Loves Me" in English
and Spanish. Listen to the children singing,
following along with these lyrics:
Cristo me ama
Cristo me ama, bien lo sé,
Su Palabra me hace ver.
Que los niños son de aquel,
Quien es nuestro amigo fiel.
Chorus: Si, Cristo me ama; Si, Cristo me ama;
Si, Cristo me ama; La Biblia dice así.
-idea by Sarah Hilgendorf
First United Methodist Church
260 SW Prima Vista Blvd.
Port St Lucie, FL 34983
772-878-1155
February 2019
Volume 15, Issue 2
Page 2 of 2
Shamrock Cupcakes
Needed:
Prepared cupcake batter
Aluminum foil
White frosting
Green food coloring
Toothpick
Green licorice (Twizzler’s rainbow twists contain green licorice)
Place paper liners in a standard muffin tin.
Fill each halfway with cupcake batter. For each
cupcake, roll three balls of foil, approximately
2/3” in diameter. Insert the three balls of foil
evenly around the perimeter between the liner
and the tin. This forms the three leaves of the
shamrock. Bake the cup-
cakes for a few minutes
less than the package
suggests (because there
is less batter), or until
toothpick comes out
clean.
Allow the cupcakes
to cool; then remove
them from the tin. Cover
each with green frosting.
Use a toothpick to draw
leaf veins and insert a
two inch long piece of
green licorice for a stem.
Come join us Wednesday, March 6th at 7 pm for a very special Ash Wednesday Service in the
Sanctuary. Children who attend Extreme Kids will walk over to get our ashes and learn about this
very special event.
Extras!
No Extreme Kids Wednesday, March 20th- Spring Break!
If your child is interested in Summer Camp and has completed the 3rd grade, please
contact Ms. Erin or Ms. Holley for details. Palm Sunday - April 14th No Sunday School Easter Sunday, April 21st Last Day Extreme Kids - May 15th
Saturday, April 20th
10 am – 1 pm Sportsman’s Park West
Egg hunts, tattoos, Bounce Houses, Food, Drinks,
Music, Crafts, Games
Egg Hunt Times 10:10 3 and under 10:50 ages 4 & 5
11:30 ages 6 & 7 12:10 ages 8 & 9
12:50—ages 10,11, 12
First United Methodist Church
260 SW Prima Vista Blvd.
Port St. Lucie, FL 34983
(772) 878-1155
We’re on the web:
www.pslfumc.com
Study Groups are forming now
Sign up on the Attendance
Form or call the church
office if you still need a
group to join!