This Sunday, we wave our palm branches and join the ancient chorus of “Blessed is the king who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Luke 19:38). It’s Palm Sunday, the beginning of Holy Week. Therefore, we remember Jesus’ humble procession into Jerusalem. The King of Kings arrives not with a display of worldly power but riding on a colt, signaling a kingdom built on love, sacrifice, and surrender.
As we conclude our Lenten sermon series based on Bishop Tom Berlin’s book, “Six Decisions That Will Change Your Life”, we focus on the sixth and final decision: “The Decision to Surrender”. This is perhaps the most difficult decision, yet the most life-changing.
Surrender is not about defeat or giving up. It’s about yielding our will to God’s will. Jesus made that decision long before the cross, and we see it playing out in Luke 19:28–40. He knew what was waiting for Him in Jerusalem. He knew the crowd’s praise would soon turn into rejection. But He still moved forward with obedience, love, and surrender for God and God’s creatures and creation.
Palm Sunday reminds us that true strength is found not in control but in trust. In a world that celebrates self-reliance and personal power, Jesus calls us to something radically different. He calls us to lay down our egos, our fears, and our agendas and take up the cross.
Bishop Berlin writes that the decision to surrender is not a one-time moment, but a daily practice, a rhythm of saying, “Not my will, but Yours be done.” This week, as we journey with Jesus to the upper room, the garden of Gethsemane, the cross, and ultimately to the empty tomb, we may walk with open hands and hearts.
What might change if you fully surrendered to God’s love and leadership? What freedom might you find?
Let’s make that decision together.
Grace and peace, Pastor David
THIS SATURDAY!
Get Ready for an Inspiring Community Service Day!
April 12 | 9:00 AM – 1:00 PM
Join us for a day of service, fellowship, and fun as we come together to make a difference in our community! Choose from these exciting projects:
Prayer Walk & Holy Week Invitations: Prayer Walk and hanging Holy Week invitations on doors in our neighborhood
Ice Cream Social & Sing-Along: Brighten the day of senior citizens and individuals with disabilities with sweet treats and joyful songs.
Cookie Baking & Delivery: Bake delicious cookies at the church and spread kindness by delivering them to downtown merchants.
Landscaping at a Local School: Beautify a local school with landscaping projects.
Cooking Lunch: Help prepare a delicious lunch for all participants!
Schedule:
· 9:00 AM: Meet in Friendship Hall to receive your worksite assignment.
· 9:30 AM – 12:00 PM: Serve at your chosen project.
· 12:00 PM: Gather for a shared lunch in Friendship Hall.
Every participant will receive a FREE T-SHIRT as a token of appreciation! Can’t join us? You can still make an impact by contributing financially—please write “Missions” on the memo line.
Let’s make this day unforgettable by sharing our time, talents, and love with the community. See you there! Click below for registration form.
We give glory to God for the service provided by First United Methodist Church (FUMC) Mount Dora and the AARP Tax-Aide team. These efforts were a testament to Christ’s love, assisting 1,222 households with tax filings—an average of 48 families daily.
FUMC Mount Dora embodied the spirit of hospitality, and the AARP team used their gifts to bring peace of mind to our community. Together, they demonstrated the Gospel in action, reminding us of Christ’s call to serve others. This work reflects the teachings of Matthew 25:40: “Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers and sisters of mine, you did for me.”
ITALY
Embark on an unforgettable 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.
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THIS SUNDAY!
Embark on an Adventure of a Lifetime – EGYPT 2026!
Join us Sunday
Discover the wonders of Egypt and the unforgettable experiences awaiting you. Join us for an inspiring presentation on this 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.
Get ready to fuel your week with excitement and inspiration at BAREFOOT! Join us every Wednesday from 6-8 PM for an unforgettable experience designed just for sixth to twelfth graders. Dive into heart-moving worship, uplifting singing, thrilling games that’ll keep you on your feet, and epic Bible adventures that challenge your mind and spark your curiosity. Bring your adventurous spirit—because the fun never stops, and the mid-week boost you need is waiting!
Join our Children’s & Family Ministries for Christ-centered fun! From Wonderful Wednesdays to Children’s Worship on Sundays and the exciting Vacation Bible School (VBS), there’s something for everyone in every family.
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!
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Take advantage of these amazing opportunities!
AMPLIFY BIBLE STUDY VIDEOS
Your church has provided you with this service to get access to recommended Bible studies, and more for the first 100 households in the church.! There are Bible study videos for ALL ages!
Click on image for login information.
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THEOLOGYU – SUNDAYS WITH PASTOR DAVID
Class Leader: Pastor David Averill Meeting Time: Sundays, 7 – 8 PM Meeting Place via Zoom: https://bit.ly/mdfumcmeetings Join TheologyU! Deepen your faith with videos, influential writings, and discussions led by Pastor David. No books needed—just bring your curiosity. Each session stands alone, so join anytime!
Experience ACTS of Worship at Our Early Traditional Service
Through April 13
Our 8am service will feature ACTS worship with:
Holy Communion: Weekly intinction with grape juice and Biblical wine.
Rite of Anointing: Weekly anointing with oil to encourage prayer.
Anointing during Lent through April 13th is every Sunday at 8am only. Anointing in May will be Sunday, May 4th at 11am only. Anointing in June will be Sunday, June 1st at 9:30 am only.
Ginny and Hank Glaspey, our Zoe Empowers ambassadors, as they visit the Umuhuza “Mediator” group in Mukindo, Rwanda this June. They’ll bring back inspiring stories, photos, and videos showcasing our group’s achievements. Support their mission by writing “Missions” on your check memo line or donating online to “missions.”
Our Book Club meets on Tuesday, April 15 at 2:00 pm in Sanctuary Hall. April’s book is The Rose Code by Kate Quinn. New readers are always welcome!
Lake Cares has a mobile distribution site on Friday, April 18 at the King Center, 803 Florida Avenue. Volunteers of all ages are needed from 7:30 to 10:30 am.
Heads up, Thrift Shoppe shoppers! The Thrift Shoppe will be closed on Good Friday, April 18. Don’t worry—they’ll be open for you on Thursday, April 17 and Saturday, April 19. Mark your calendars, spread the word, and plan your visit!
The Widowed support group will meet Thursday, April 24 at 9:30 am in the Chapel.
Join us for Light Into Darkness: A Service of Holy Communion with the Ritual of Handwashing on Thursday, April 17, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. This meaningful and contemplative experience offers an opportunity for reflection, renewal, and spiritual connection. We warmly invite you to be a part of this sacred gathering.
Discover “Who Is Jesus?”—a captivating musical worship journey that follows Jesus’ final path—on Friday, April 18, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. This heartfelt experience showcases the talents of the Celebration Choir of FUMC, the Barron String Quartet from Stetson University, and liturgical dancer Alecia Devereaux from Merritt Island. Childcare will be provided for your convenience. We warmly invite you to join us for this inspiring evening of reflection and worship.
Celebrate the joy of Easter Sundaywith us on April 20. Begin this special day with a sunrise service on the front lawn at 6:30 am. Services will be held at 8:00 am, 9:30 am, and 11:00 am in the sanctuary. Worshipers are also invited to bring fresh flowers to adorn the resurrection cross on the lawn before the services. Let us come together to honor the miracle of resurrection and embrace the promise of new life. We look forward to celebrating with you!
———————————————————————-Footprints will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt on Easter Sunday, April 20th following the 9:30am service! This will allow families who attend the 9:30am service and the 11am service to be involved. The excitement will take place between 10:30 and 11am with a special visit from the Easter Bunny himself. Get your camera ready and bring family and friends to Easter Service.
Thank you for your generous support of our Easter Lilies! Stay tuned for the upcoming Easter Lily Love and Remembrance bulletin, where we’ll honor the dedications that have brought these beautiful flowers to life.
New signs have been installed throughout our church campus! Please reference the updated building numbers to familiarize yourself with the changes. Additionally, the calendars have been updated to align with the new signage, ensuring easier navigation across the campus.
We extend our heartfelt gratitude to everyone who contributed to this project—those who designed, printed, and most importantly, installed these signs.
Come to one of the two training sessions listed above.
Pastor Amanda Green
FUMC MT DORA EXERCISE
HAPPY BIRTHDAY, SANDY!
Make sure to stop by Wednesday, April 9 (tomorrow), and wish Sandy a very Happy Birthday!
Thank you for all you do, Sandy, to keep everyone moving and on the road to strength, endurance, balance, and fun!
Come, get moving with us! 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!
