Happy New Year – 2025 Edition! January calendars included!
TUESDAY TIDINGS
Dear Church Family,
As we step into a new year, we are given the gift of a fresh start—a chance to reflect on the blessings and challenges of the past year and look ahead with hope and anticipation for what God has in store for us.
This Sunday, we have a special opportunity to begin 2025 with purpose and intentionality. During our worship service, we will participate in the Wesleyan Covenant Renewal Service, a time-honored tradition that invites us to recommit our lives to God. This sacred moment allows us to renew our covenant with the Lord, aligning our hearts and lives with His will.
John Wesley, the founder of Methodism, designed this service as a way to help believers focus their faith and consecrate themselves wholly to God. It is a powerful reminder that our relationship with God is not passive—it is an active, living commitment to love, serve, and follow Him.
As we prepare for this service, I encourage you to reflect on these questions:
Where have you seen God’s faithfulness in the past year?
What areas of your life is He calling you to surrender or strengthen?
How can you more fully live out your faith in the coming year?
The start of a new year is the perfect time to renew our covenant, as individuals and as a church. Let us begin 2025 with hearts open to God’s leading and a shared commitment to His mission for our church and community.
I look forward to worshiping with you this Sunday as we begin the year in the presence of our loving and faithful God. May His grace and peace abound in your life and home in this new year.
Blessings, Pastor David
The rite of anointing with oil will be offered at the 11:00 AM service this Sunday, January 5th – Epiphany Sunday.
THIS SUNDAY – ROLL UP YOUR SLEEVES!
We’re currently at 71 cards, just a bit behind last year’s pace. If you haven’t submitted your commitment card yet, there’s still time! Let’s kick off the New Year by achieving our goals together for His Kingdom.
Barefoot Youth meet in the Barefoot Youth Room Basement on Wednesdays at 6 PM! Middle and high school students are welcome. Enjoy games, snacks, worship music, Bible study, and group discussions. We’d love to see you there!
Start Fresh This New Year: Clean and Donate!
Welcome the New Year by refreshing your home! Declutter your space by sorting through closets, drawers, and storage and consider donating your gently used items to our THRIFT SHOPPE. Your contributions help impact our community and world and will help make room for new joys in your life.
Happy New Year from 5th Avenue Thrift Shoppe!
NEW BIBLE STUDIES COMING IN 2025!
Join Pastor David Averill for an enriching 8-week Bible study on Paul’s Epistle to the Romans. Discover the profound truths of God’s grace, faith, and salvation as we journey through one of the most theologically rich books of the New Testament.
📅 When: Wednesdays, 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. Starting January 8th 📍 Where: In the Chapel and via Zoom at https://bit.ly/mdfumcmeetings
Whether you’re new to studying Scripture or looking to deepen your understanding, this study offers insights and practical applications for your faith journey. Don’t miss this opportunity to grow in your walk with Christ as we explore Paul’s message of hope and transformation.
All are welcome!
The Letter to the Hebrews explores Jesus’ connections to the Hebrew sacrificial system. N.T. Wright’s book, Hebrews for Everyone, is the focus of the Wednesday morning Bible study beginning January 8 from 9:30 to 11:30 am. The $15 book is available in the church office.
Hey everyone!
Get ready for an awesome Confirmation Class orientation on January 12th at 11 AM in the youth basement! Join us for all the exciting details from Josh Collins and Pastor David. Don’t miss out – it’s going to be a blast!
We’ll see you there!
P.S. Click the red heart above to check out the official letter for more info!
First UMC of Mt. Dora is partnering with the Florida United Methodist Foundation to offer a Legacy Planning luncheon on January 12, 2025, at 12 pm in Friendship Hall. FUMF President and CEO, Rev. Ed New will lead this interactive seminar. Lunch and workshop materials are provided at no cost to those who will attend.
We believe in preparing for God’s promise of everlasting life. Many Christians, however, may not adequately plan for their transition from earthly life with community to eternal life with Him. One crucial consideration of each person is: What will be my legacy for Christ on earth? This extends to how we responsibly return God’s gifts of time and treasure when called to our eternal home.
This legacy planning seminar will address this question practically and spiritually. Legacy Planning Seminar participants gain insights into estate planning, financial stewardship, funeral and burial planning, and the impactful role of charitable planned gifts in serving God and the future of our Church.
Please RSVP by contacting the church office at 352-383-2005 or emailing
Dress a Girl in the World meets on Tuesday, January 14 at 10:00 AM in room 103 on the Children’s Wing.
Lake Cares has a mobile distribution site on Friday, January 17 at the King Center, 803 Florida Avenue. Volunteers of all ages are needed from 7:30 to 9:30 AM.
We are collecting over the counter medications for our sister church in Calixto, Cuba. Here is what is needed:
Multivitamins for children and adults Pre-Natal Vitamins Adult Decongestants – Mucinex/Generic Diaper Rash – Butt paste /Desitin Permethrin cream tubes for Scabies Antibiotic cream – Lotrimin/generic Calamine or Caladryl Lotion Tylenol Infant drops Tylenol for children and adults Advil / Ibuprofen Antihistamines – Claritin, Benadryl Hemorrhoid Cream Imodium Aspirin 81 mg Unisom Medications for stomach pain (Pepto Bismol). Antacids. Children’s multi-vitamins Vitamin E Vitamin D3 with calcium Vitamin v12 1000 Ibuprofen Omega 3 Anti-diarrheal Decongestants and cough medicine Triple antibiotic ointment Band-Aids, gauze, and bandages Thermometers
Want to get involved? Our SHAPE profile helps you understand your spiritual gifts, your heart, your abilities, your personality, and your experience. Together, these five factors help you find the place where God wants you to serve. Join us on Tuesday, January 21 at 7:00 pm in the chapel as we explore our SHAPE profiles.
The Widowed support group will meet a week later on Thursday, January 30 at 9:30 am in the chapel.
Flower Calendar 2025
We invite you to celebrate someone or something special by donating flowers that will adorn the sanctuary on the Sunday that you choose. Simply sign your name next to your chosen date on the calendar located at the back of the sanctuary, near the ushers’ table. You order the flowers, and our office will reach out to you for the bulletin announcement details.
