Post on 05-Aug-2020
F i r s t U n i t e d M e t h o d i s t C h u r ch
The Observer
February & March 2017
Wildcat Store Letter 1 & 2
Pathfinders’ Study 2
Esther Circle Love
Plates 3
Valentine Grams 3
Valentines for
Nursing Homes 3
Lenten/Easter Events 4
Christine Haraburda 4
Back to Basics
Workshop 5
Sing for Cantata 5
Shew grandbaby 6
Valentine’s Day
Dinner 6
Cluster Lock-In 6
Pre-New Years Eve
Party 7
14 & Chestnut
Birthday Party 7
BackPack Grant 7
Story Keepers
Resumes for Youth 8
Austin Batchelor
Baptism 8
Church Christmas
Party 8
Calendar 9
Prayer Concerns 9
Contact Info Cover
Coming Events Cover
Regular Events Cover
“I Feel Like Santa Claus” This was a statement used by one of
the students during the Wildcat Store event, but it was
a common feeling among many of the young people who
shopped the Store. Cluster #83 Vermillion County
Methodist Churches plus many other community
volunteers set up a store that served 98 students on
December 16 and 19. We gave away eight bicycles, two
yearbooks (one SVMS and one SVHS), an RCA Cambio
tablet with detachable keyboard and seventeen gift
cards! Anyone entering the Store had an opportunity to
sign up for a chance to win. The Store gave away
hygiene products, pillows, full-sized blankets and throws,
as well as hats, gloves, shoes, boots, coats, an array of
clothing, many formals and party dresses and a whole
section of gifts for the entire family. Volunteers were
busy gift-wrapping items intended for family members.
Almost all students used the maximum amount of
time allowed to shop for themselves and their families.
Everyone enjoyed the experience of shopping, looking,
gathering ideas for gifts, finding something that fit just
WILDCAT STORE, 2016 Letter to Volunteers
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right as well as things that were perfect for family. Our volunteers enjoyed
the time with each individual, helping them in the selection process. Some
Wildcat Store volunteers made runs to Wal-Mart for more
hygiene products, tennis shoes, jeans and tops that were part of the Wish
List items.
The first day was devoted to high school students to keep away from
finals on the last week of school before break. All students who attended
the Store stayed, shopped and signed up for the prizes. Two students were
overheard commenting that their families were going to have a good
Christmas!
The second day of the Store brought the middle school students (in a
bus) and lots of anticipation!! Mrs. Harris told the students that they were
going to go to the North Pole. After a short moment of disappointment, they
got into the spirit of shopping in earnest!
After the second day of operation, the high school basketball team
helped haul tables back to the Family Living Center, take trash to the
dumpster, pack remaining boxes of Store items and haul these boxes to
waiting trucks to be distributed to the Helping Hands Ministry in West Terre
Haute. A few ball players even rode the bicycles to the middle school for
the happy winners to take home! Many thanks go to this fine group of young
men. They did a super job and never complained once about the task(s).
Pathfinder Class Studies
“Old Testament Characters”
The Pathfinder’s Sunday school class has finished their study of
Christmas hymns. The class is now returning to the LifeGuide
Bible Studies, with “Old Testament Characters.” This Bible study
introduces you to twelve remarkable lives described in the Old
Testament. The stories of these people from the ancient past can
help you learn to live well, even today. You are welcome to join
this class for a fun, friendly and learning environment each week.
This guide has twelve interesting and important people of the Old
Testament. Brian Hutchinson
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Each year Esther Circle
members prepare cookies and
other goodies, and then
assemble them during its
meeting in February. This year
the meeting is on Tuesday,
February 21 and will be in the
Fellowship Hall at 7:00 pm.
Like to help? Even if you aren’t a
Circle member, you can help! You can
participate by baking cookies, donating
fruit or individually
wrapped snacks, such as
small boxes of raisins and/
or candies.
Members are compiling
a list of recipients. If you
know of someone who
could benefit from a love plate, please let
Karen Hartman or any of the Esther
Circle members know.
Love Plates for Loved Ones!
Esther Circle Requests Names
of Recipients
Next meeting:
Tues. February 21
7:00 pm @ church
Valentine Grams
Place your order by February 5 and they will
be delivered at church on February 12. The
Valentine Grams will be $1.00 apiece and all
the money will go to the Back Pack Program.
Please see Ashley Downs to order or sign up
in the back.
Valentine Cards for Nursing Homes
We will once again be making
valentine cards for the local nursing
homes. If you would like to make
some, please do so. Then give them
to Ashley Downs or put them in the
church mailbox by February 5, so we
can label them and distribute.
Mark your calendars for the following dates!
Lenten Breakfasts You are encouraged to attend as many breakfasts as possible.
The services are always inspiring, the fellowship is great,
and the food is delish. Details will follow.
Breakfasts are at 7:30 am
Saturday, March 4, 11, 18 and 25
Saturday, April 1 and 8
Palm Sunday--April 9
Maundy Thursday--April 13
Good Friday--April 14
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Lenten and Easter Plans Are in the Works!
Christine Haraburda Recovering Christine Haraburda’s life changed in an
instant. One moment, she was on her way to
work and the next, she was covered in dust
and debris from a bridge that had been struck
by the truck beside her. Christine’s life was
spared, but her right arm was severely
injured, and yes, she is right-handed. According to her mother, Kathy Davis,
“she is healing but faces a long recovery.” She
is presently staying with her sister, Beverly,
who is helping her with activities of daily
living and transportation to doctors and
rehab.
Two Ways to Help--Cards would be
appreciated, and may be sent to her,
c/o Beverly Murray, 2038 Talisker Ct., Avon,
IN 46123.
Christine hopes to return to her
apartment in a few weeks, and Kathy says
that Christine “thinks one-handed food prep and cooking will be her biggest challenge.”
Therefore, another way that we, as a church
family, can help is to provide single serving,
low carb meals for her freezer. Also, food
from the Fifth Sunday dinner will be sent to
Christine. Please contact Kathy to help.
March 1, Ash Wednesday,
7:00 pm service at Clinton First
Easter Sunday--April 16
Back to Basics West District
Back to Basics Conferencing is an event unique to the district in which
it is held. The all day Saturday event include a keynote speaker and
breakout sessions that help answer the question: What is the next step
to be a church that connects people to Jesus? This conference will
focus on faith development for all ages. Any size church will benefit.
Cost: $10.00 per person (includes lunch)
>Training for Pastors and All Laity
>Multiple Workshop Offerings
>All- Age-Level Ministry Offered Contact Lisa Timmerman
Indiana Conference of the United Methodist Church
317-924-1321 or lisa.timmerman@inumc.org
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Sign Up & Sing Out for Easter Cantata!
Rediscover Discipleship
Fundamentals
Feb. 4, 2017 8:30am-4:30pm
Mt. Pleasant UMC
3050 E. Davis Dr., Terre Haute
Clinton First has an Easter Cantata that our music team would like to do this
year, but there are not enough voices to make it work. The Cluster discussed it
at a recent meeting; and it was decided that, besides mentioning it at church on
Sunday, that it would be a good idea to send it out to everybody and try to
generate some interest for all the churches. If each church could come up with five folks
who would be willing to practice at least once a week, we could have a wonderful cantata
and a great impact on our community. If you know of singers from other churches in the
cluster, please encourage them to lend their voices!
Karen Hartman is willing to co-coordinate but wants someone else to take it to the next
level (i.e. be the conductor). Please consider volunteering for this event, and contact Karen
Hartman at 765-832-6930. Since practice for the cantata needs to begin by Weds. Feb. 22,
please contact Karen before that date.
Singers Needed Before February 22
Children, Grades, K-6, of the Cluster Churches will be
treated to a Lock-In at Newport UMC on Feb. 10-11
from 7pm-8am. No one will go hungry because there will be snacks and pizza served during
the night and a big pancake breakfast in the morning. The youth will play games, watch
movies, and make valentines for the nursing homes.
Please do not bring electronic devices to this event.
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A Blessing for the Shews!
Name: Charles Edward Shew
Born: January 3, 2017
Weight: 6lbs.-8 oz.
Length: 20”
Parents: John and Heather Shew
Cluster News--LOCK-IN!--
Valentine’s Day Dinner at Tuscany’s
Grab friends, relatives or your sweetheart
to celebrate Valentine’s Day!
Where: Tuscany’s Steak & Pasta House,
1218 North Main, Paris, IL
When: Sunday, Feb. 12 at 6:00 pm (Clinton Time)
Carpool from Walmart at 5:15 pm
Please sign up at church on the round table
or email: carlsons1966@gmail.com The deadline is Thursday, Feb. 9.
Eat Pizza, Make Valentines, Movies, Play games. Please! No electronics. Breakfast served on Saturday.
Fri/Sat. February 10-11
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BackPack Program Receives Grant
December 30 was the Cluster pre-New Year’s Eve party for
K-6th grade children. They gathered at Paradise Bowl at 6:00 pm
for bowling and pizza. For those wishing to do so, they
continued the evening at Wayside for more games, a story by
Dorothy Myers, snacks and fun decorating cookies. At the close
of the evening it was a loud time ringing in the New Year.
Those attending were Loren and Angela Crouch, Chris, Gabe,
and Jacob Bridgewater, Aaden Giordano, Tori Crouch and
Audrey Lientz. Also attending were Dianna Devlin and Colin,
Tom and Kathy Davis, Tim Davis and a friend, Mark and Jeff Davis, Mitch and Shelby Marsolf
and Scout. Audrey Lientz
Youth Enjoy Cluster Pre-New Year’s Eve Party
Each month at 14th & Chestnut Community Center in
Terre Haute, a birthday party is given for the children
having birthdays that month. January 18, our church
gave the party for the children celebrating January
birthdays. Pastor Tom Barnett, Audrey Lientz, and
Angela Crouch provided games for the children and
served cupcakes and punch. Lori Barnett, Becky
Poindexter, and Audrey Lientz made the cupcakes and
Margie Lapworth and Sandee Frey furnished the drinks.
This is a wonderful mission and Bill Felts does a great job running it. It was a joy to represent
Clinton First and spend time with great bunch of kids. Audrey Lientz
Happy Birthday!..at 14th & Chestnut Community Center
In December Dean Strohm presented Phyllis
Marsolf with a $500 check from the Vermillion
County Community Foundation. Volunteers who
pack the bags each week look on.
In the two pictures at the right, are some of the dedicated
volunteers who help pack bags each week. They have
packing down to an art! The whole process for filling 200
bags takes only about an hour. This session was on
January 19.
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Austin and his family celebrate with a beautiful cake!
The annual Christmas party was Dec. 10 at MCL
Cafeteria. As you can see, everyone was smiling
at their surprise gifts.
Church Christmas Party!
Story Keepers Returns!--March 8
Hey Kids! Once again, enter the catacombs of Clinton First and into
the underground church of A.D. 64! Follow leaders into those
catacombs to hear the stories of Jesus and stories of courage and
faith. Begins Weds., March 8 for five weeks! Time: 6:00-7:30 pm
A light meal will be served at 6:00pm
Hope to have an adult study during the same time.
More details to follow.
Austin William Batchelor Baptism
Austin ‘s baptism by Pastor Tom Barnett on Jan. 22, 2017
Chet/Freida & Larry/Karen Carlson were
treated to a surprise anniversary cake!
Thank you, Gary/Lou Ann Andis!
(The cake was also for Tom/Sandee Frey,
but they were unable to attend.)
FEBRUARY 2017
Day(s) Date Time Event
Saturday Feb. 4 8:30-4:30 Back to Basics Workshop
Sunday Feb. 5 ----------- Valentine Gram orders due (p3)
Sunday Feb. 5 ----------- Valentine Cards due for nursing homes (p3)
Fri.-Sat. Feb. 10-11 7p Fr-- 8a Sa Lock-in for Cluster Youth (p6)
Sunday Feb. 12 6:00pm ET Valentine’s Dinner at Tuscany’s in Paris, IL (p6)
Thursday Feb. 16 7:00 pm Cluster meeting at Clinton First
Tuesday Feb. 21 7:00 pm Esther Circle at church to assemble Love Plates (p3)
MARCH, 2017
Weds. March 1 7:00 pm Ash Wednesday service at Clinton First
Saturday March 4 7:30am Lenten Breakfast
Wednesday March 8 6:00-7:30pm Story Keepers Light meal at 6:00 pm (p8)
Saturday March 11 7:30am Lenten Breakfast
Wednesday March 15 6:00-7:30pm Story Keepers Light meal at 6:00 pm (p8)
Saturday March 18 7:30am Lenten Breakfast
Tuesday March 21 7:00 pm Esther Circle
Wednesday March 22 6:00-7:30pm Story Keepers Light meal at 6:00 pm (p8)
Saturday March 25 7:30am Lenten Breakfast
Wednesday March 29 6:00-7:30pm Story Keepers--Light meal at 6:00 pm (p9)
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Prayer Concerns
*Telecare Prayer Chain: If you have a prayer request or concern,
email at clintonfirst@gmail.com
Working Concession Stand at SV Basketball Games Tim Terry, athletic director at SVHS, is asking if churches in our cluster would be
willing to help out the school by working the concession stand the last five Wildcat
home games. He said that Wayside had done it and seemed to really enjoy it. All the
JV games start at 6:00 except the Paris game, which starts at 6:30. Games are--Friday
Feb. 10 vs Dugger, Saturday Feb 11 vs Turkey Run,
Friday Feb. 17th vs Riverton Parke, Saturday Feb 18 vs Covington, and Friday Feb 24th vs Paris.
If you can help, contact Tim at tterry@svcs.k12.in.us. Thanks for your help in this matter.
Charlie Jackson
THE OBSERVER February & March, 2017
Clinton First United Methodist Church
Sunday 9:15 am Worship service
Communion 1st Sunday
11:00 am Sunday school for all ages
Tues. 7:00 pm Worship at Chateau
Thurs. 2:00 pm Backpack
Thurs. 3:00 pm Prayer time w/pastor
Thurs. 6:30 pm Bible Study, Wrapped in Love
Regular Events Calendar
A Publication of the
First United Methodist Church
PO Box 186
Clinton, IN 47842-0186
Pastor Tom Barnett
Phone (765) 832-3159
http://clintonfirst.org
clintonfirst@gmail.com
Facebook:
http://www.facebook.com/clintonfirst
THE OBSERVER
Feb. & March, 2017
Upcoming: Ash Wednesday, March 1 & Lenten Breakfasts each Sat. in March Valentine’s Day Dinner at Tuscany’s in Paris, IL, Feb. 12-6:00 pm ET Cluster Lock-In for Youth--Feb. 10-11 7:00pm-8:00am Story Keepers for Youth Begins March 8--6:00-7:30pm