YOUR CHURCH’S NEWSLETTER * Tuesday, April 22, 2025
Dear Friends in the Faith,
What a wonderful celebration of the Resurrection we experienced on Sunday. I want to thank everyone in our worship team who made it possible from ushers and greeters to our musicians. There were many highlights during Holy Week.
The beautiful part about Easter is that every Sunday is the Lord’s Day, a celebration of resurrection and God’s redeeming love. As the Apostle Paul shares in 2 Corinthians 5:17 (NLT):
“This means that anyone who belongs to Christ has become a new person. The old life is gone; a new life has begun!”
Grace and Peace,
Pastor David
363 Easter Eggs Disappear in Just 5 Minutes!
Vision 2030 Project Update:
FUMC of Mount Dora will be celebrating our 150th Anniversary in 2030 and Project Vision 2030 has been established to support our Church’s growth and preparation for its future. The Vision 2030 Committee (Don Howard, David Averill, Rose Noakes, George Stickney, Jennifier and Matt Patterson) support the creation and execution of various strategies (short term, mid-term, & long term) around one of the following pillars:
GROW: Increase the involvement of young people & new members in our church community through faith-based learning and activities.
SHARE: Update and develop marketing & communication systems to increase awareness in the community and the congregation.
SERVE: Prioritize mission work, expressing our faith in Christ by meeting spiritual and material needs locally and globally.
BUILD: Nurture, update, and grow our ministries by modernizing our infrastructure physically (buildings on the Church campus) and digitally (IT platform, Website updates, Marketing, etc.).
A number of initiatives have been accomplished which I wanted to share with you:
Updated our FUMC Logo and ‘brand statement’, which you will start seeing on documents, literature, website, etc.
Update and installation of our new Church signage around the campus.
Purchase of updated IT platform and initiation of implementation to support the business of the church.
Robust offering of Bible Study Sessions.
Hiring of a Director of Family & Children Ministry, Amanda Green, who will support numerous initiatives supporting building out our family and youth activities & services.
Receiving quotes for improving and updating FUMC of Mount Dora Website.
Completion of our first ‘Annual Easter Egg Hunt’.
Other mid-term and longer-term initiatives are underway:
Develop an inward church community through member-to-member care to support and enhance pastoral care & services.
Conduct research focus groups with church members to visit and interview other Churches within Central Florida that have had success building out the youth programs and memberships, similar to what we wish to accomplish. This will provide us with some ideas and practices to potentially duplication for our own success.
Work to achieve full ADA compliance and enhance hearing and visual accessibility in our FUMC facilities.
Create and support ‘open to community events’ such as: Back to School Bash on July 26, Halloween ‘Trunk or Treat’ festive event.
Explore & execute on developing an ‘after school’ program for children K-5th grade.
Develop a clear & engaging discipleship pathway, integrating spiritual assessment tools, helping onboard and engage new & existing members, to include integrating discipleship messaging across all platforms.
To increase fellowship explore implementing a Fifth Sunday of the Month – providing only one 10:00 AM Service followed by ‘Potluck’ Meal in Friendship Hall.
Initiate a “Men’s Fellowship – Guest Speaker” Program to be conducted once a month on a Saturday morning. Our kickoff speaker session will be held on Saturday, June 21st…….more details will be forthcoming.
And many others……….
We are extremely excited about the progress being made and are open to having additional volunteers support these important projects. If interested, please feel free to contact Pastor David, Vision 2030 Committee members, or myself. Have a blessed week!
NEW BIBLE STUDY OPPORTUNITIES BEGIN TOMORROW, APRIL 23!
First John, one of the shortest books in the Bible, may pack one of the biggest punches as it unveils the unconventional movements of the supernatural love of God in Jesus Christ and their uncanny implications. Join this Bible study on Wednesdays from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the chapel beginning April 23. The $15 book, I John, by J.D. Walt is available in the church office.
New 6-Week Bible Study on Leviticus
Wednesdays, April 23 – May 28 | 6:30 – 7:30 PM | Chapel & on Zoom
Join Pastor David for a 6-week journey through the Book of Leviticus, one of the most misunderstood yet deeply meaningful books in Scripture. This study will unpack the ancient laws, rituals, and themes of holiness—and how they still shape our Christian walk today.
This is a hybrid study, meeting in person in the chapel and online via Zoom. Bring your Bible, your questions, and a heart open to learning and growth. All are welcome!
The Widowed support group will meet Thursday, April 24 at 9:30 am in the Chapel.
Our Teacher Appreciation breakfast at Triangle Elementary is Wednesday, May 7 at 7:15 am. If you would like to bake breakfast breads or donate cut fruit, please contact the church office.
“Strut Your Stuff and Lettuce Entertain You!”
Mark your calendars for an unforgettable afternoon of style and flavor! On May 27 at 12 noon, join us for a Thrift Store Fashion Show and Salad Luncheon. Admission is unique and meaningful—simply bring new women’s underwear or socks to donate. It’s fashion with a purpose!
For more details, feel free to reach out to the church office. Don’t miss this fabulous event that celebrates giving in style!
VBS Trainings:
Sunday Lunch: May 18th 12pm Wednesday Afternoon: May 21st 4:30pm
Come to one of the two training sessions listed above.
Pastor Amanda Green
Forest Home, Belize has been welcoming First UMC for 22 years. We are headed back October 4 to 11, 2025 to continue this relationship. The trip will include painting the Methodist elementary school, an after-school program at the school, and relationship building. The estimated cost of the trip is $2000 per person. If you are interested in going, please talk with Janet Westlake, Minister of Discipleship. A $200 deposit must be paid by May 31.
ITALY
Embark on an unforgettable and exciting journey with Pastor David on the Biblical Backgrounds in Italy pilgrimage, November 1-11, 2025! For more details about this incredible experience, email Pastor David at david@mtdorafumc.orgor call the church office.
OR
Embark on an Adventure of a Lifetime – EGYPT 2026!
Discover the wonders of Egypt and the unforgettable experiences awaiting you. Join us for an inspiring presentation on Sunday, April 13, 2025, at 4:00 PM in Friendship Hall. Dive into the details of this incredible journey and learn how you can be part of it! Don’t miss out on this amazing opportunity to explore the land of ancient mysteries and timeless treasures.
FUMC MT DORA EXERCISE
Move your body, feel the cheer, FUMC’s exercise brings health so near. Stretch and walk, dance, balance and sway, Keep the stiffness, blues and stress at bay.
Strong and fit, you’ll feel so great, Energy high, no need to wait. Heart and mind, both will thrive, With all this movement, you’ll feel alive!
Join our exercise class which meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 am in Friendship Hall. No fees, no floorwork—just FUN, and fitness! Spread the word!
