[See image gallery at www.firstchurchwarsaw.org]

The Following Photos are the interior of the Building following the Vandalism that occurred on July 14th. The clean-up is well underway and we are striving to have each area of the building cleaned to facilitate the various weekly ministries we host. We will have Vacation Bible School on July 24-28th.

Fellowship Hall Sanctuary Nursery Gym Nursery Kitchen Toddler Bathroom Kitchen Nursery Kitchen Nursery Ignite Youth Room Wesley Classroom Downstairs Men's Restroom Sanctuary Downstairs Women's Restroom Sanctuary Fellowship Hall Closets Altar Bible Fellowship Hall Closets Altar Table Wesley Classroom Sanctuary Wesley Classroom Men's Restroom Upstairs Hallway Upstairs Hallway Downstairs Hallway Downstairs Hallway Joy Classroom « ‹ of 2 › »

The Following Photos are from Thursday July 20th as the Restoration and represents the progress made toward restoration.

Sanctuary Gym Kitchen Kitchen Kitchen Ignite Youth Room Downstairs Men's Restroom Downstairs Women's Restroom Fellowship Hall Closets Fellowship Hall Closets Wesley Classroom Wesley Classroom Upstairs Hallway Downstairs Hallway Joy Classroom Nursery Toddler Bathroom Nursery Nursery Library/Coffee Room Upstairs Men's Restroom Upstairs Men's Restroom Upstairs Women's Restroom

“I will refresh the weary and satisfy the faint.”  –Jeremiah 31:25

“A generous person will prosper and whoever refreshes others will be refreshed.” –Proverbs 11:25

Phase II of the ReFresh Capital Improvements Project has been completed.  A New Floor has been laid in the Sunday School Classroom, walls have been painted and we are ready for Children’s Sunday School and VBS.  Railings in the Sanctuary have also been installed. The exterior walls of both buildings have been painted and new awnings have been installed on the Office Building.  Drainage has been addressed on the back lot and a new fiberoptic internet connection has been installed.

As funds for the project come in, we are planning Phase III which includes a total refresh of the office building.  Look here for further updates on this amazing project.  And please be generous in your gifts to support our ReFresh Capital Campaign.

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We are in the Midst of Phase II of the ReFresh Capital Improvements. Sunday School Room’s are being painted and updated, the Youth Area has been ReFreshed and The Exterior of the Office Building and Education Wing are in the Process of being painted. Friends, I want to invite you to go the extra mile and give toward the completion of these improvements as we prepare the building to receive those who are the future of the congregation.

Pastor Loren

We are ready for you. The first phase of the ReFresh project has been completed! A special thank you to all who worked to make this project a success. Now it’s time to invite others to make First Church their home. Please join us at 8:15 and 10:30 as we celebrate what God is doing through us at First Church.

Pastor Loren

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As followers of Jesus we are called to join Him in doing what we can to share the good news of His gospel with those in our community and around the world.

Our desire at First Church is to create great environments that help us serve more, express God’s love to all people, and share the hope that we have found in Christ.

Our vision is “To be a Christ-centered community of faith that connects people with the Love and Grace of God and nurtures them on their Spiritual Journey.”

Since 1850 we have been a strong presence of faith in the heart of our community.  Thanks to the generosity of so many, construction on our current sanctuary began 50 years ago this year.  And while it has served us well over the years, it’s time for a Refresh.

Our 50-Year Refresh campaign has begun!  This will be a phased in process over the next year to refresh and update our worship space and other areas of the building.  The estimated cost of $50,000 for this project will help us create environments conducive to our mission to reach many of our friends and neighbors with the Good News of Christ.

I pray that you will join with my wife Lucy and me in supporting this project with your prayers, your patience, and your financial gifts.

If you would like to support this project through second mile giving, we ask that you designate those funds by writing REFRESH on the memo line of your check or on the outside of the offering envelopes located in the pews and in the Entry Way.  If you give online, select Refresh Capital from the drop-down menu on the Give Button.  

Friends, as we move forward with this project, there will be times when we will not be able to worship in the sanctuary.  At those times, we will invite you to worship with us downstairs in the Fellowship Hall.  We ask for patience during this time of construction.  For your safety during this time, we ask that you refrain from entering the construction areas and please follow signs as they are posted.  I’m excited about this effort and look forward to utilizing g our refreshed spaces and welcoming those who will enjoy them well into the future.  Look for updates online and in the bulletin as we Celebrate the past and Refresh for the future.

Pastor Loren

Dear Church Family and Friends,

I thought I would take this time to let you know that I have been praying for you in the midst of these trying times.  I also want to let you know what steps the church is taking with regard to the COVID-19 Pandemic.

As the rate of positive COVID-19 cases has decreased considerably in our area and as vaccinations have begun, I am excited to announce that we will be returning to in-person worship beginning January 31st.

The Bishop is requiring that all United Methodists on all United Methodist property do the following minimum procedures to ensure the safety of all people.

• Masks are to be worn by everyone apart from children 2 years and younger.
• Strict physical distancing of 6 feet between family units should be observed.
• Gathering spaces are not to exceed 25% occupancy.
• The gathering space must be sanitized between services held on the same day. 

I want to remind you that if you do not feel well, or if you are uncomfortable gathering in-person, please stay at home and join us online.

We will be streaming both the 8:15 and the 10:30 Sunday services on YouTube and on our Facebook page.  You may also tune in locally to KAYQ 97.1 “The Lake” at 11:00AM to listen our service with traditional music.

I will do my best to keep you informed as the situation changes.  We will persevere in these trying times.  And again, in the words of our Bishop, “Stay faithful.  Listen to the experts.  Do your best.  We will get through this together.”  I look forward to seeing many of you for worship on Sunday morning.

In Christ, 

Pastor Loren

“Be strong and courageous.  Do not be afraid; do not be discouraged, for the LORD your God will be with you wherever you go.” –Joshua 1:9

by David Price, Director of Small Groups, FUMC

Time is Precious–Use it Wisely

Thomas Paine said in 1776 that “THESE are the times that try men’s souls.”  I suspect many of us would say that of the situation today.  We are frightened by what we are hearing on the news, confused by the different reports given, and frustrated by the disruption of our plans and personal lives.  This is a very human reaction to the current circumstance we find ourselves in, but we can rise above this.  As Christians, we have Jesus as our Lord and Savior.  His death on the Cross and subsequent defeat of death and Hades when he rose again on the third day is the source of our hope.  We must not lose sight of this hope during this troubling time – we need to keep our eyes on Him and His promise of eternal life to us.

Now, more than ever, we need to use our time wisely to further our relationship, understanding, and commitment to God.  This applies to those who are working, those who have been told to shelter at home, and those in hospital and nursing homes. This applies to all of us no matter what situation we find ourselves in, in these unsettling times.  

First and foremost, we should embrace prayer.  Prayer has a powerful effect on the one praying and helps to draw us closer to God.  It is a key part of our relationship with Him.  The list goes on and on but here are some possibilities:

• Pray your praise to and trust in God.
• Pray that he will strengthen your faith and trust in Him.
• Give thanks to Him for the blessings you have been given (taking comfort in what you have rather than stressing over what you don’t can bring peace to your own heart)
• Pray for the people directly affected (healing, comfort, medical help, God’s presence in their lives) 
• Pray for your family and your friends
• Pray for those sequestered at home.
• Pray for those that have to go out from home for work, critical supplies, or medical care.
• Pray for our first responders
• Pray for the medical community
• Pray for a cure
• Pray for our community, state and federal leaders.
• Take this opportunity to pray for those that haven’t accepted Jesus as their Savior yet – perhaps these troubling times may be the jolt they need to seek Him out and accept Him.
• Seek God’s help to stay focused on Him and listening for how to serve Him.

Stay anchored in God’s truth.  If you haven’t been in your Bible for a while, open it up and read in it.  If you regularly do that, don’t let today’s circumstances keep you from continuing to do it.  This is another way we can learn and draw closer to God.  Ask God to help you understand any difficult passages.  Perhaps you have a friend you can discuss passages with to help you both learn the lessons contained within them.  

God is not the only one we should be talking to, we need interaction with others.  This interaction can provide encouragement, help, guidance, sympathy, empathy, and opportunity to give witness of your faith in Jesus.  “Social Distancing” doesn’t mean ignoring others.  Whether you are at work, going through a drive through for something, or picking up critical supplies – offer a positive word to those you encounter.  Let them see Jesus in you and hear Him in your words.  If you are secluded, then take advantage of the time to talk with anyone you are in seclusion with.  But don’t stop there.  There are many ways to communicate in today’s world.  Social media offers many opportunities to share words, pictures, and video, but sometimes the more individual approach of an e-mail or phone call can be more meaningful.  Reach out to family and friends.  Reconnect with those you haven’t talked to for a while.  Share a cup of coffee with an old friend over the telephone.  This may be the time for reconciliation with someone you had a falling out with in the past.  In all of this, keep in mind that encouragement, help, guidance, sympathy, empathy, and opportunity to give witness of faith in Jesus goes both ways.  Actively listen to others as well.  This covers the range of opportunities from personal interactive communications, to social media postings, to listening to applicable messages such as public announcements and church services on-line, on radio, or on TV.

When we are at home, rather than binge watching TV or movies, playing games, complaining about the situation, or just sitting around there are better options for our time.  We already looked at prayer, reading God’s word, and communicating with others, but what about service to others from home.  The possibilities are many if we just look for them.

• We have money saved for that trip we just cancelled, can we find a charity that would provide effective assistance to those in need during this time of crisis.
• Perhaps one of these charities has an opportunity to work from home to address the current situation.
• Maybe we need to set up a calling tree for those sheltering at home as a safety check on them.
• How about reading a book to a child over a video or audio link?
• Perhaps find a way to make yourself available to answer questions relating to applying a specific skill you have.

Most of us have an innate need to stay busy.  The suggestions above are more mental than physical, but don’t neglect the physical. Try to find ways to stimulate physical activity as well within whatever physical limitations you have and the confines you find yourself in.  Even shifting from sitting to standing back to sitting can be a help.

God, most holy and loving Father, we praise you and give thanks to you for all that we are and have.  We ask your hand upon us in these troubling times.  We pray for help and guidance for both ourselves and others.  We ask you to help us to draw closer to you through our prayers, your word, our witness to others, and our service.  We seek your will for us and freely confess that without you we can not do it.  It is through your 

Son, Jesus that we have hope, for on our own we were lost but through Him we have been saved.   It is in that hope that we come before you with this prayer.  AMEN