COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

COMMUNITY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH Community’s LINK – JANUARY , 2021

Sundays

8:30 a.m. – Traditional Worship in the Chapel 10:30 a.m. – Blended Worship in the Sanctuary 10:30 a.m. – Live at www.facebook.com/CUMCFP

8:30 and 10:30 – 88.5 FM in the Parking Areas

Pastor Daniel Baker

“

HEALING PEOPLE

”

The key to talking through your grief is finding people who will let you talk and help you heal. I call these healing people. H.E.A.L stands for Here, Empathetic, Accepting, and Listening.

Healing people are:

* Here for you when you need them. They're willing to be with you and made time for you. They know that their presence is one of the greatest gifts they can give.

* Empathetic. No one else can truly understand what you're feeling. But people with empathy will do their best to understand and to let some of your pain touch them.

* Accepting. They don't judge you, try to change you, or tell you what you should do or how you should think or feel.

* Listening. They really focus on what you have to say. They let you share your feelings and know how important it is for you to tell your story again and again.

Where can you find healing people? They may be among your close friends, though often they're not. More likely they're people who also lost a loved one in recent years. You may find healing people among those who sent meaningful cards or letters after your loved one died. Grief support groups are usually full of healing people.

Some healing people will seek you out, but most of the time you'll have to look for them. One man told me, "I'd read people's face. I'd check their eyes when we made eye contact. I'd look at their body language. I'd listen to how they said, ‘How are you?’ I was often able to tell which people really wanted to know how I was."

The most I can do for my friend is simply be his friend.

You can sometimes help a friend become a healing person. And listen. Let me cry. Give me a hug. A woman told me about a friend who wanted to help but kept interrupting her with cheerful cliches. Finally, the woman told her friend, "Here's what I need from you. Let me be upset without trying to cheer me up or fix things. Let me talk - while you mostly remain quiet and listen. Let me cry. Give me a hug. You don't have to say or do a whole lot. Mostly just be here and care." Her friend got the point and became a healing person from then on. The grieving woman offered a wonderful gift to her friend - the opportunity to care in a most helpful way, a gift the friend returned many times over.

Some friends play at friendship - but a true friendship sticks - closer than one's nearest kin.

Healing people connect us to God's love in a powerful way. The place we see Jesus face-to-face on earth today is in each other. When people are here for us, empathetic, accepting, and

listening, God works through them to bring us the healing we need. WE experience both the love and acceptance of the other person - and Jesus' love and acceptance through them.

You need to talk, and you need healing people to talk to. Keep a close lookout for them. Seek them out. Tell your friends how they can care. When you find healing people, talk and talk - and then talk some more. They will help you to heal and to feel more human. Through them you will experience the healing power of God's love. Pastor Dan

POINSETTIAS

We decorated the Chapel and Sanctuary with 20 poinsettias. BEAUTIFUL!

Did you take your flower? You might find it planted somewhere on the church grounds. Thanks for remembering that plants are $8 each.

POINSETTIAS GIVEN IN MEMORY OF

Karen Costopoulos in memory of her mother Dot Costopoulos Karen Costopoulos in memory of her father Lou Costopoulos Gail Gerntrup in memory of Frank Gerntrup, husband and father

Gail Gerntrup in memory of Leona McDowell, mother and grandmother

Patty and Rick Surface in memory of Father Ernesto Rios, Alexis’ father and friends Dennis Bowman, Almeda Bridge, Dorothy and Lou Costopoulos, Lamar Free, James Harrison, Marilyn Hodge, Olivi Hodges, Jack Krch, Adele (Del) and Thomas Myer, Juanita Prentice, Rev. Morrell Robinson, Jeremy Shortridge, and Paul Wright

POINSETTIAS GIVEN IN HONOR OF

Patty and Rick Surface in honor of Peg Welker’s 100th _Birthday

The Verdadero Family in honor of Kayla's Aunt Linda White

Did you check the CHRISTMAS CARD BOX in the Narthex.

You might have mail.

CHRISTMAS EVE WORSHIP

EPIPHANY, January 6, is commonly known as Three Kings’ Day in the United States. It celebrates the Three Wise Men’s visit to Baby Jesus and also remembers his Baptism, according to Christian Bible events. It marks an end of traditional Christmas celebrations and the time to remove Christmas decorations.

We will Un-Decorate the Sanctuary and Chapel on Sunday, January 3 after Worship and a quick lunch. This will be around 1 pm. Thanks for coming to assist. See Jean Hall for more information.

HANDS FOR THE LORD

Joy to the World the Lord has come!

Is it really January 2021? For the last two months, the puppet team has been connecting

on Zoom. It’s so good to communicate and see each other on Zoom, however we are

looking forward to the time we can be together and practice together. So far we have been able to hear Bible stories, watch videos, play Bible Bingo, have Bible scavenger hunts, play Bible charades, learn sign language, color Bible coloring pages, practice lip sync with a puppet and just talk and share with each other.

God is good -- All the time!

God Bless you and Best Wishes for each of you in the New Year of 2021!

LADIES ON A MISSION

Ho! Ho! Ho! Christmas time is almost over! Time sure does fly even if we’re not always having fun! We continue to work on our own, in hopes that the new year will bring us back together. Some of our plastic mats have been spotted around town so we know that they are being used. It’s always nice to see that our projects are helping others. As 2020 comes to an end, we look forward to a brighter, healthier 2021. We hope all of our church family had a blessed Christmas and wish you a Very Happy New Year. Praying that everyone stays well and that we can all get back to some sense of normalcy soon.

As always, we are grateful for your donations and your prayers. Thank You and God Bless!

THANK YOU ANGELS !

Thank You to all who took the name of a child or youth to shop for. I am sure they were blessed by your gift. We had requests for toiletries, clothes, shoes, crafts, school supplies, games, gift cards and other items. I saw 3 boy “angels” in a Facebook picture in their matching pajamas on Christmas Morning. So cute. We also had an angel family donate Amazon gift cards for our children and youth. Many thanks for their gift.

On a personal note, it isn’t possible to thank everyone who is doing so much for Community UMC, to keep us financially solvent and everything in working order. But I’d like to mention Robert Rosbury for his endless hours as Trustee Chair and Bob Young as Treasurer for securing the “Paycheck Protection Program”

Forgiveness Loan that allowed our church and Preschool staff to continue without hesitation. These men are working tirelessly for us and God. Thank you!! Patty

Book Buddy Ministry - A Ministry of Help

“Reading gives us some place to go when we have to stay where we are.” - Mason Cooley

In December a phone order was made to Christianbook for 65 copies entitled The Very

First Christmas: The Beginner’s Bible for the total amount of $96.85 (no shipping charges

…tax free) and was paid out of the Book Buddy checking account. This is a SPECIAL

Christmas gift for each preschooler from their Book Buddy Ministry friends. On Thursday, December 10, 2020 sixty books were left in the preschool office for Carol Hilson to distribute to the preschool children. The five extra books were given to some of our little angels. At this time it is tentatively planned for letters to be handed out on the first Sunday of February.

Helpers Needed

Helpers are ALWAYS needed for the Book Buddy Ministry which is an outreach program to provide the preschool children of our church with books for their classrooms and

homes…books that instill Godly values and nourish children spiritually. Helpers are

responsible for providing four books during the school year. For more information, please contact me at (772) 971-8483.

God Bless!!! Respectively, Carole Ratliff, Book Buddy Coordinator

Be Safe!! Have a Healthy and Happy New Year!!

January

Youth

Calendar

7- Youth Meet, 6:30 pm 14- Youth Meet, 6:30 pm 21- Youth Meet, 6:30 pm 28- Youth Meet, 6:30 pm

Foster Families Say

“

Thank You

”

.

Thank you for supporting the drive through Christmas Party for local foster families! Your donations of popcorn, prayers, and volunteers helped to make the season bright!

The youth helped with sorting donations, set up, and cleanup. Our young people brought smiles to the children as they joined with other community partners in delivering the donated gifts. The foster families of St. Lucie, Martin, Indian River, and Okeechobee

counties say, “Thank You”!

Worship at 88.5 FM is available in the parking areas of

Community UMC each Sunday morning at 8:30 and 10:30.

Come and tune in for a new way to worship.

GOSPEL GARDENER

God Plants. God Provides.

YES - 2021 has arrived and we all need to STOP and take a deep breath, put a smile on our masked face and just jump right in to an adventurous New Year. Maybe we still can’t

visit - for many reasons. Maybe we are afraid of the coronavirus but we can call others on the phone, tell others we all are important and we care for you! You all are on each

other’s minds, but sight is unseen.

Now on to another important subject on my heart. The Children’s Garden, Our Garden,

God’s Garden. In the garden I know that God Plants, and as I work at weeding, I say “God,

so many weeds, not too much strength or energy.” And He says to me… “Jean, look at the flowers, colors, the secrets I share with you. You keep busy. The thoughts and prayers you send upwards. It is such a special time, so beautiful. Just look around and see the

‘Glory of the Garden.’”

I constantly remember the Gospel Gardeners who have spent hours of work in the garden and I tell them that it is time for them to walk through the garden path and enjoy your reward. We are now having some cool weather. Getting to do some major trimmings. I say I remember having a dream one night that I came to the Garden and a bulldozer had knocked down all the flowers! This dream has given me more energy and determination to bring this beauty to those who walk through it. I notice new discoveries on every visit. Notice the bees and butterflies, little lizards and little frogs and toads, mourning doves. I appreciate those PEOPLE who creep in to do secret work in the garden.

God Bless all of you Children of God,

Jean Harvey

Points to Ponder “Friendship is a sheltering tree.” Samuel Taylor Coleridge.

“What one loves in childhood stays in the heart forever.” Mary Jo Putney

“Let us be grateful to people who make us happy,

they are the charming gardeners who make our souls blossom.” Marcel Proust

Thank you for remembering The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home. You can donate through Community, designating your gift

“Children’s Home”. To learn more about the home in Enterprise, and Madison Youth Ranch in Pinetta, go to www.fumch.org.

End of the Year STATEMENTS were mailed out the end of December. If you do not receive yours by the 15th _{of January, please call the church}

office. (772) 461-2499

You Blessed 4 Fairlawn Elementary School Families Again!

Thank you for donating to purchase Christmas gifts for children in 4 families at Fairlawn Elementary School. The 3 girls each received jeans, a casual shirt, 2 school shirts, and a board game. The boy got jeans, shirt, pajamas, and board game.

Each also received food items. Cereal, peanut butter/jelly/crackers, popcorn, ravioli, ramen noodles, canned meat, applesauce and jello cups, and other items. The “treat”

was M&Ms and Skittles. Parents received $20 to shop for fresh items.

I received this note from Fairlawn. “Community United Methodist Family, Thank you so much for your donations to our students. You’re appreciated more than you know with your kindness! With love, Fairlawn Students and Staff. Merry Christmas.”

Thank you for sharing your Christmas with others. And thanks to Sue Hall and Rick for shopping and delivering. Patty

JANUARY BIRTHDAYS

1/2 Jack Baker 1/4 Robert Becker 1/4 Kathy Harrell 1/5 Taylor Vanover 1/6 Donna Ard

1/7 Julianna Andrade 1/9 Linda Bucci

1/10 Janet Jones

1/11 (John) Tim Chandler 1/11 Terry Milam

1/12 Fran Dickinson 1/13 Peg Welker

1/14 Linda Libersky 1/14 Christopher Young 1/14 Michelle Zatko 1/15 Gail Gerntrup 1/16 Noah Verdadero 1/17 Isabelle Barry 1/18 Ruth Hanes 1/21 Judythe Eaton 1/23 Brycen Hester

1/24 Robert Rosbury 1/26 Barbara Baker 1/26 Jeff Mattfeld 1/27 Jeannie Stark 1/28 Pam Caimi

1/29 Phillip O’Brien

1/30 Sumner Bowman

1/1 Orin & Mavis Keys

1/6 Christopher & Amber Smith 1/14 Eric & Kara Odom

1/20 William & Belinda Moore

PEG WELKER is going to be

To send a card or contact Peg, she is doing great at her daughter’s home. Nancy Therrien, P O Box 105

Grafton, MA 01519-0105 dntherrien@verizon.net (508) 839-2981

Have a Happy, Happy Birthday Peg!

Community United Methodist Church 3114 Okeechobee Road

Fort Pierce, Florida 34947

Phone (772) 461-2499; FAX (772) 461-2865 Church e-mail: cumc_ch@bellsouth.net Church Website: www.communityumfp.com

Pastor’s Office Email:

bannerdan01@comcast.net

Pastor’s Cell: (772) 882-8134

JANUARY FLOWER MINISTERS

When altar flowers are donated for Sunday Worship, you are invited to deliver them to someone special.

N

ancy Calkin

RECYCLING: The Church continues to collect aluminum CANS – NO PANS. Nancy Calkin, with Rob Robinson assisting, deliver the aluminum to the recycling facility, on Tuesdays if there is a sufficient amount. Thank you. Nancy

COMMUNITY’s NEWSLETTER

Thanks for submitting items for the LINK by

Wednesday, January 20th _{by emailing them to}

surfacep@msn.com. Our folding date is

Wednesday the 27th_{. Call Patty (772)}

464-8526.

55+ Memorial Meeting Wednesday, January 13 at 11 a.m.

Community’s Chapel

We will remember our friends who passed in 2020.

In December we took toiletry items to GraceWay Village.

They were very appreciative. PRAISE TEAM PRACTICE

See Robert Rosbury.

Administrative Council Meeting business will be by phone, online, and text for now. Call Rick for more information. 464-8526

Please remember the GOLDEN HEART FUND. This allows Pastor Dan to help others in cases of emergency.

Staff Parish Relations

Committee Meeting

There will be a SPRC Meeting on Sunday, January 10th _{at 1 pm. All committee}

members please plan to attend. Pastor Dan

C

hild/Youth

P

rotection Policy

TRAINING -

10:30 AM or 6:30 PM on Zoom

for Staff and Volunteers who work with or around children/youth, and all others

required by the policy.

Register at www.flumc.org/ac-district-newsletter-december-2020

C

CC HHH UUU RRR CCC HHH NNN UUU RRR SSS EEE RRR YYY is coming again soon.

Preschool

Director: Mrs. Carol Hilson Weekdays 7:30 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

Phone: (772) 465-3414 cumcpreschool@bellsouth.net

Church Office Hours: Monday through Thursday

9:00 a.m. – 1:00 p.m.

Please call the CHURCH OFFICE at

461-2499 if you would like to donate flowers in honor or memory of a special