Church Announcements

The Administrative Council met on Tuesday, January 31st, for the first time this year. In an effort to keep communications open, we will post the minutes on the Church website and there will be a hard copy on the bulletin board by Pastor Steve's office. Also in an effort to keep communication with everyone open, it has been determined that the Administrative Council will meet on a monthly basis. All committee chairmen are encouraged to attend or have a representative give a report.

We also want to make it known who the committee chairmen are so that if anyone in the congregation has any questions, you'll know who to contact:

Staff Parish Relations: Jim Hurley
Trustee President: Bob Thomas
Finance Chair: Dave Mitchell
Treasurer: Mary Rodgers
Lay Leader: Jay Read
Worship Committee: Harriett Blackman
Evangelism/Outreach: Margaret Taylor
Missions: Mike Mitchell, Patty Reaves
Sunday School Department: Nina Crain
UMW: Susan Miller
Vacation Bible School: Courtney Ayres
Scouts: Jeff Hines
Food: Delores Breslin
Our History: Bob Corson
Jack and Jill Pre School: Keith Walters
Shine Program: Keith Walters

Our Mission:
We are a fellowship of disciples of Jesus Christ, who experience and share our relationship with God as a family of faith who nurture God's love to each other and our community by giving our prayer, time, gifts, and service.

Please feel free to contact me with any questions or concerns.

Respectfully submitted:
Vicki Marshall
Chair of Administrative Council

Our entire Sunday School Department is playing cupid and has been busy creating Valentines. The weekends of February 4 & 5 also February 11 & 12, our Sunday School students will have a table outside of Reeves Hall displaying their original Valentines you can choose for a donation.

All donations will go towards sending a Sunday School student to Delanco Camp this summer.

Come pick out the perfect Valentine to show your love!

Are you interested in getting away and being spiritually enriched? Come and join us at Harvey Cedars Bible Conference at Long Beach Island, NJ to be held on March 23 - 25, 2012.

The cost is $150.00 per person and a deposit of $75.00 is due by February 26, 2012.
Balance is due on March 16, 2012 (Friday) Make checks payable to First UMC (Write "Adult Retreat" in Memo Area)

For more information and to get a registration form pick up a brochure when you leave worship.

This is a informative session for all churches in our district held by the conference. If you are a member of a committee or a member of the church and would like to know more, please make every effort to attend this session. For more information pick up a brochure when you leave worship.

DATE: March 3, 2012 (Saturday) TIME: 8:30 am to 3:00 pm
PLACE: Pitman UMC 758 N. Broadway Pitman NJ 08071

COST: $10.00 if you register before 2/24,
$15.00 if you register after 2/24

THIRD ANNUAL BLOOD DRIVE
FOR SHERRY REIF
FEBRUARY 20, 2012 - 2PM TO 8 PM
First United Methodist Church

Sherry is a member of First Church and receives blood and blood products throughout the month to help strengthen her body and sustain her life. Donating your time and your blood to this worthy cause, will not only help Sherry, but thousands of others who have the same need.

To make an appointment please contact Robert Riggins at 856-825-3358 or sign up after service in a couple of weeks. Appointments are needed prior to the date.
Remember giving just an hour of your time can save a life!!

It is once again time for the Confirmation Class to begin. If you have a child who is in the 7th grade or older and would like to be a part of this process please contact Pastor Melissa at pastormelissa@firstumcmillville.org.

Please be thinking about who you would like to have a as a mentor from the congregation. A mentor is a member of the church who is willing to walk through this journey with a student as they explore what it means to walk in faith and be a member of God's Church. When you contact Pastor Melissa, if you have a mentor in mind please let her know, if not she will help you find one.

Our first meeting with mentors, parents and students will be Sunday February 26 at 2:30 p.m. and Confirmation Sunday will be May 27.

To be held February 12th 4:00 - 5:30 pm (Sunday)
Come to this class to learn more about the United Methodist Church and First Church specifically. This class will answer your questions and give you insight.

If you are on a committee it would be prudent to come as it will empower you to be more effective. This class is being taught by: Alvina Baum, Jay Reed, Pastor John and Pastor Melissa.

PLEASE NOTICE THE DATE HAS BEEN CHANGED FOR THIS VERY IMPORTANT MEETING!
THE NEW DATE IS: TUESDAY FEBRUARY 7TH - 7:30 PM.

Please take notice that you are requested to attend a meeting to review and sign off on the new building access and security policy. This is a very important meeting, please make every effort to attend.

~The Board of Trustees

Every Wednesday evening until Wednesday February 15. Bring a covered dish to share with the group at 6:00 pm. After the meal we will break into Bible Study groups for ages kindergarten through adulthood.

A nursery will be provided. Please come and join us as we have a time of fellowship and a weekly Second Helping from God's Word! Please Sign-Up each week if you will be attending the dinner, the sheets are located at the entrance to each service.

THIS IS SOUPER BOWL WEEKEND! Our youth will be holding soup pots for dontions at the conculsion of the service. Every dollar donated goes to Help and Hope Ministries. Thank you

Thank you to all who gave to the Christmas Giving Tree. After the fees for the Christmas gifts and the food baskets were paid off we were able to take the remaining blessing which was $1,088.78 and donate it to the Help and Hope Ministry in Pastor Bill Thielking's memory. Courtney and I cannot express enough our gratitude to all who adopted families, gave donations, delivered gifts, and prayed. Special thanks to Wanda for keeping everything organized! We are so blessed to part of this loving church family who cares so deeply for their community.
God Bless! Tina Benishek and Courtney Ayres

To My Friends At First United Methodist Church,
Thank you for your kind generosity at Christmas time and for your thoughts and prayers during my time of health issues.
Pastor John Mitchell

A huge thanks goes out to the overwhelming response from the congregation at First United Methodist for their continuous support and love of the youth that participate in SHINE Ministries:
Approximately 60 gift cards were received and issued to our very thankful youth over the Christmas holiday. A special thank you to all that participated and gave generously.
Six SHINE families were recipients of the Christmas Basket thanks to the First Church Christmas Basket Program, thanks to all that participated.

In addition to our First Church Family; we would like to thank:
AMCOR Industries and HR Manager Pam Shapiro, the company sponsored two SHINE families with Trees, Dinner and gifts for the entire family.

Delsea Diner for sponsoring two SHINE families for a complete Christmas Diner and gifts for the children.

The Green Flag Committee at the New Jersey Motorsports Park for sponsoring SHINE and the center City Neighborhood park to participate in the Meischke Winter Wonderland at the racetrack.
SHINE Ministries is blessed to have the support of our faithful congregation as we played an integral role in being the place for children to experience the Advent Season and to Glorify God by Sharing the the Reason for the Season: CHRIST.
Thanks be to God, Mr. Keith

SECOND HELPING BIBLE STUDY will begin on Wednesday January 18 and every Wednesday evening until Wednesday February 15. Bring a covered dish to share with the group at 6:00 pm. After the meal we will break into Bible Study groups for ages kindergarten through adulthood. A nursery will be provided. Please come and join us as we have a time of fellowship and a weekly Second Helping from God's Word!

Please Sign-Up each week if you will be attending the dinner, the sheets are located at the entrance to each service.

TRINITY CLOTHES CLOSET needs children's shoes, sneakers, and boots. Put them in the stair alcove near Reeves Hall.

The 2012 OFFERING ENVELOPES are located in the foyer outside of Reeves Hall.Remember: You MUST be using 2012 envelopes NOW.

PLEASE DESTROY ALL 2011 ENVELOPES (the envelope numbers change every year so the 2011 envelopes are not valid). Also, please write the amount on the envelope since records are in envelope number order (your name is not needed). Your assistance is greatly appreciated and needed to keep our records accurate.

The 2012 Altar Flower Chart is posted on the bulletin board near Pastor Steve's office. Sign your name next to the date and also write the information to be printed in the bulletin (in Memory or Honor of), the cost for 2012 is $30.00.

DATES AVAILABLE IN 2012 ARE:
Jan. 15&22
Feb. 5,19,26
April 15&22
May 13&20
July 1,8,22,29
Aug 5
Sept 23&30
Oct 14&28
Nov 4 &11
Dec 16

The SingSational Servants Choir is doing a fundraiser at the Texas Roadhouse.  Come and enjoy dinner at the Roadhouse on Monday, January 9 from 3:30-10:00 pm. The choir will receive 10% back if you register in, so look for Sandy Hopper & the choir members that evening to register in.  Proceeds from the fundraiser will be used to purchase tickets for the choir to attend "Jonah" at Sight and Sound Theater in Lancaster, PA.