TUESDAY TIDINGS for September 3, 2024

TUESDAY TIDINGS

Pastor’s Corner

Dear First United Methodist Church,
 
I hope this message finds you well! This is Pastor David, writing you from McAllen, Texas. As some of you may know, I travel quite a bit around the Rio Grande Valley, visiting Soldiers stationed in various cities such as Mission, Pharr, San Juan, Rio Grande City, and even as far as Brownsville. 
 
Just this past week, I had the opportunity to visit Laredo, connecting with different soldiers and engaging with the community.
 
Today, I want to talk about the theme of “Grow.” This concept reflects the beautiful growth that God brings into our lives. It aligns with one of our primary goals in the Vision 2030 plan: to grow the faith of future generations. Growing the faith of future generations means we are planting seeds for trees that we may never sit under the shade of ourselves. We are building a church that we may never worship in, but it will be there for years and decades to come.
 
Our calling is deeply rooted in the promise God made to Abraham, who was destined to be the father of many nations, with descendants as numerous as the stars in the sky—descendants in the faith. Jesus also commissioned us to share this faith in the Great Commission: “Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit, and know that I will be with you always until the very end of the age.”
 
As we reflect on Abraham’s covenant and Jesus’ Great Commission, we are reminded that we are called to partner with God in the growth of the Kingdom. In many ways, God calls us to plant the seeds; water; and harvest. Nonetheless, it is ultimately God who brings the growth. Our contributions to God’s Kingdom can be simple, yet impactful: inviting someone to share in our faith, reaching out to a co-worker or friend, or encouraging a neighboring family to join us for Bible studies and activities like our summer Vacation Bible School or Wednesday night events.
 
I hope you have a blessed week ahead, and know I am counting down the days when I can rejoin you in this kingdom work.
 
Since “Grow” also happens to be our first goal in our Vision 2030 strategic plan, I hope you will take a moment to read an update on our work of implementing the Vision 2030 strategic plan.
 
Grace and Peace,
 
Pastor David

Vision 2030 Update

We are excited to announce that the Vision 2030 strategies are in full swing!  The purpose of Vision 2030 is to establish a forward-thinking plan to incorporate the Mission, Values and Goals of our church into a viable plan to ensure the future success of the First United Methodist Church of Mount Dora.

Our first strategy is to hold focus groups for the youth and parents to discern community needs and tailor programs accordingly. Focus groups for both youth and parents will be held during Wonderful Wednesday on September 25. We are encouraging parents, grandparents, and guardians to attend the in-person session.  If you are unable to attend, please look for a survey that will be provided in the bulletin and Tuesday Tidings in the coming weeks. Your input is incredibly valuable for the future of the FUMC youth programs.

Our second strategy is to create a clear brand that reflects the church’s unique identity by developing a new logo. Our volunteers are in the process of finalizing a new design for the main church.  Additionally, we want to thank the students in the Barefoot Youth group who also submitted designs for a new logo for their program. We look forward to sharing the new logos with you in the coming weeks.

For our third strategy, volunteers will be visiting other congregations in Central Florida to develop the necessary congregational ethos and priorities to attract Gen Zs and Millennials. This strategy will kick off in September.

Additional strategies will be starting in October and beyond. If you are interested in volunteering for any of our upcoming strategies, please contact Bob Simmons (Simmons613@aol.com) or Andy Reitmeyer (andrew.w.reitmeyer@gmail.com).  

We will send out regular updates to keep you apprised of our progress. Thank you for your continued support of Vision 2030!

Wonderful Wednesdays for Footprints and Barefoot students meet from 6:00 to 8:00 pm each week.  

Join a Bible Study!
  • Sundays at 9:30 am in the Chapel
  • Sundays at 9:30 am in the CEC Classroom
  • Sundays at 9:30 am in the Choir Room
  • Sundays at 11:00 am in Friendship Hall
  • Wednesdays at 9:30 am in the Chapel – Sitting at the feet of Rabbi Jesus 
  • Wednesdays at 6:30 PM in the Chapel – Books of Ezra, Nehemiah, and Esther (and on Zoom) 

Interested in a Bible study on Romans or Hebrews? Reading the writings of C.S. Lewis together? If so, contact the office to add your name to the interest list for a new Tuesday afternoon or night class.

Join Zoom Meeting
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85811699705?pwd=nslHFFADzOJfOadxb1SpJIxKJRjXCJ.1

Meeting ID: 858 1169 9705
Passcode: 831923

First UMC is looking for an adult to serve as our paid childcare supervisor.  This person provides care for and supervises children during approved church activities while leading group play and educational activities.  The individual works with a childcare assistant.  The weekly hours are Sundays from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm. Seasonal evening hours are available. CPR and first aid training will be provided.  References and a background check must be completed prior to hiring.

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Do you want to be the face of our congregation?  We need volunteers to serve as greeters from 9:00 to 9:30 am and 10:30 to 11:00 am on Sunday mornings.
 

The Book club will meet Wednesday, September 11 at 3:00 pm in the chapel.  They will discuss The Land of Silence by Tessa Afshar.  New readers are always welcome!  

The prayer group meets on Wednesdays at 3:00 pm.  Contact the church office for the off-campus location.

Exercise class meets on Mondays, Wednesdays, and Fridays at 9:00 am in Friendship Hall.  The class does not include any floorwork. 

Download September Calendar Here
Click Here for September Birthday/Anniversary Calendar
Click to Watch Past Worship Services
East Central District August Newsletter 2024
Click to Give Online
CHILDREN ON SUNDAY MORNINGS

  • Childcare – Available from 9:15 am to 12:15 pm
  • Kids’ Church – Children begin in worship at 9:30 and then depart for Kids’ Church
  • Bible Fun – Available during the 11:00 traditional service

Need ink?  Call the church office today for information on free ink for a Cannon 225/226 printer!

First United Methodist
Church of Mount Dora

Loving God. Loving Others.

Est. 1880

Contact us

352-383-2005

440 E Sixth Ave. (mailing)

Mount Dora, FL 32757

Office Hours

Monday–Thursday

8:30am-3:30pm