Greetings Church Family,

Welcome to the April 2025 edition of The Spirit, now delivered directly via text message!

We're introducing text message delivery to ensure important news reaches you more reliably and promptly. We know emails can get lost or be hard to find later. Since texts are often checked more regularly than emails, we hope this helps everyone stay connected more easily.

'Instant Registration' - Responding Made Simple: This format allows for instant responses! You might see simple links to join groups, RSVP, or request info. A quick tap makes it convenient to participate and helps us coordinate smoothly, even outside of Sunday mornings or church office hours.

When you tap a signup link it will open your texting app with your info pre-filled, and all you'll have to do is press send. Since we know who you are by your phone number, you won't need to enter your name or contact information - you'll be instantly registered!

Support for Email and Print Options: We know different formats work for different people.

Dark Mode Tip: If your screen has a dark background with white text, please disable "Dark Mode" in your device settings for the standard light view.

We hope you enjoy receiving The Spirit this way! Our goal is to offer it in multiple formats (text, email, and print) so you can always choose the one that works best for you.

Table of Contents:

  1. Here's "The Gap" - What do we do about it?

  2. Introducing "Messy Church" - Intergenerational Time Between Services

  3. Growing Out of The Gap by Growing the Love of Christ!

  4. Knit A Prayer's Anniversary!

  5. Upcoming Rummage Sale at Preschool

  6. Blood Drive Success!

  7. Methodist Women's Retreat 2025

  8. Dinner for Eight - New Signups Open!

  9. Senior Get-A-Way Invitation!

  10. Congregational Care & Easter Flowers

  11. Birthdays & Anniversaries

  12. Church Calendar

Here's "The Gap" - What do we do about it?

Many of us have felt the weight of “The Gap” Pastor spoke about last Sunday—but what is it really, and why does it keep returning? In this article, you’ll see how our church’s finances have shifted over the last five years—how bold giving and lean staffing helped close the gap once, and how rising facility costs and membership losses are opening it back up.

While growing our church family remains our most important long-term goal, this article focuses on the second path forward: rethinking how we manage our property and budget. It’s not just about numbers—it’s about stewardship, sustainability, and faithfully preparing for the future God is calling us into.

Tap Here To Read Pastor Jason's
Article on "The Gap"

Introducing "Messy Church" - A New Time Between Services

Get ready for an exciting new way our entire church family can connect and worship together! We're launching a creative, hands-on worship experience designed for all generations, taking place between our Traditional and RENEW Sunday services. 

Inspired by the "Messy Church" concept, this vibrant addition involves an updated Sunday morning schedule planned to enrich our community life.

Click below for Pastor Jason's full announcement on all the details of this unique format, see the new timings affecting our services, and find out how you can help choose its official name!

Tap To Read Pastor Jason's
Introduction to "Messy Church"

Growing Out of The Gap by Growing the Love of Christ!

It’s easy to feel overwhelmed by the idea of church growth — but what if it’s not about doing more, but doing what we already do well… just a little differently?

In this follow-up to Sunday’s sermon, Pastor Jason breaks down what it really means to “grow by bringing people to Jesus through First Church” — and how each of us can play a part. From small, everyday conversations to sharing your gifts and passions, this article offers practical, encouraging steps to help us build genuine connections and expand Christ’s love in our community. If you’ve ever wondered what you can personally do to help First Church thrive, this is a great place to start.

Tap Here To Read Pastor Jason's
"Growing Out Of The Gap By The Love of Christ"

Knit a Prayer Celebrates 18th Anniversary

The Prayer Shawl Ministry (Knit a Prayer) at FUMC will celebrate it’s 18th Anniversary on Sunday, May 4th. A display in the Narthex will feature shawls, lap robes and baby blankets. You are invited to select a special gift or remembrance for a family member or friend. Celebrate the joy of motherhood, remember a special friend who is ill or commemorate a special occasion with a prayer shawl, lap robe or baby blanket.

Knit a Prayer began in May, 2007 with 25 women joining hearts and hands plus creative talents to knit or crochet the items. To date 3,800 shawls, lap robes and baby blankets have been completed and shared with recipients thru out the United States as well as world wide. Each is unique in color, texture and style and begins with a prayer for the unknown recipient. The first shawl was given to Rosebud Hench in June, 2007.

Thru the years many treasured saints and friends have participated in this ministry. We enjoy a special fellowship and prayer time together. God continues to open new doors for us to share this ministry as we have the joy of creating with hands and hearts.

All are welcome to join in this creative fellowship and ministry. We gather regularly on the second and fourth Monday of each month at 1PM. We have yarn, needles and hooks available to share. Anyone who enjoys knitting/crocheting is welcome to join the fellowship.

Upcoming Preschool Rummage Sale!

Mark your calendars for our upcoming Preschool Rummage Sale on Saturday, April 26th, from 8:00am to 12:00pm! This is a wonderful opportunity to support our preschool program while finding great deals or clearing out gently used items.

For Sellers: If you’d like to sell your items, simply bring them the day of the sale. We kindly suggest a donation of 25% of your sales to support our cause. It’s a fun way to declutter while contributing to a meaningful initiative!

For Donors: If you’d prefer to donate items, we’re collecting them now in Room 21-22. Please reach out to Sam at the preschool, and we’ll happily arrange a drop-off time that works for you.

All proceeds will benefit the expansion of our preschool program, allowing us to provide services for younger children and grow our ministry to families in our community.

Spread the word, and we hope to see you there! For questions or to arrange donations, contact us at the preschool. Thank you for your support and generosity!

Houchin Blood Drive Success!

We’re excited to share that 23 units of blood were collected — surpassing our Houchin's goal! Huge thanks to everyone who donated, and a special shoutout to those who showed up ready to give but had to sit this one out due to illness.

Methodist Women's Retreat 2025

Connection and Transformation
July 26, 2025

Something special happens when women physically gather away from daily responsibilities and distractions for the sole purpose of reconnecting with their faith, meeting new and old friends and having an opportunity for spiritual growth.   It can be a time of true refreshment and renewal.

That was the vision of Sharon Wainwright as she approached Pastor Jason and received approval to move forward for a women’s retreat in 2025.  

Today a planning committee is actively working to create a retreat that is important, memorable, fun and glorifies God.   Imagine our beautiful church filled with women of all ages on a summer day in July laughing, singing, learning, and, yes, eating together.  And ladies, don’t we all need that?   We are encouraged in scripture to recognize and celebrate the gifts, talents and purpose that women have within God’s plan. 

If you are a woman of any age, our hope is that you will watch as the excitement builds as the day of the retreat nears and that you will plan to join us.

We are blessed to have Rev. Dr. Mary Maaga as our speaker.  Her incredible background and deep faith in the Lord give her a unique ability to teach, preach and build Christian communities.   Her message is Landscapes of Christian Faithand will explore the common human experiences of longing, connection with God and transformation.

Watch for more information and plan to join us on July 26, 2025!

Dinner for Eight - New Signups Open!

Dinner for Eight is a great way to get to know other people within our church family. 

We create a master list of all those that would like to participate and then divide into groups of approximately eight people. 

It may be four couples or a mix of couples, a larger family with children, or singles; all are welcome to join in on the fun! 

Your group sets a time and place to meet and what to do.  But no matter what the group chooses, you will be eating!!!  You can opt to have the group do a potluck in your home where the host prepares the main dish/meat, and everyone else brings a side dish or dessert.  You can plan a picnic somewhere outdoors.  Or you can plan breakfast, lunch, or dinner at a local restaurant.  The options are endless. 

The goal is to have each couple/family/single plan a meal/outing over about a 5–6-month time frame (which equates to an outing about once a month based on the group’s convenience).  When you receive your grouping, the first couple/family/person on the list will contact the others on the list to schedule the first meeting.  Then, at the first get together, the next person on the list will schedule the next get together, and so on. 

New groups are assigned approximately every 6 months.  If you are already in a group, you will automatically be assigned to a new group.  I have been updating all current participants’ information. 

If I have not already contacted or spoken to you, and you know that you have had a change in phone number or address please let me know.  I have also had requests to add e-mail addresses for ease of planning. 

To join in on the fun, or if you have any questions, please contact Morgan Jacobson at 661-549-4220 or [email protected]. 

Senior Get-A-Way Invitation!

We’re having a blast every Wednesday at 10:00 AM with great food, warm fellowship, and top-notch entertainment—and you’re invited! Bring a friend and come enjoy the lineup:

• April 2 – Jim Robinson, guitarist and singer

• April 9 – Cowboy Day with Steve Woods

• April 16 – No meeting (Easter Week)

• April 23 – Mike Peters, singer and guitarist

• April 30 – Jim Robinson returns

• May 7 – Bingo!

Our final Getaway of the season will be May 21, so don’t miss out!

Then, get ready for Summer Games starting June 11, from 9:30 AM to Noon. No lunch served, but plenty of fun awaits!

Want to join in on the fun?
Tap here to text SENIORS to RSVP

Note: There will not be a confirmation reply, but we will know you singed up!

Congregational Care & Easter Flowers

Our congregational care team will be delivering Easter flowers during Holy Week to seniors aged 90 and over, as well as to members residing in care facilities—a small gesture to share love and joy this season.

Also, if you or someone you know would like to receive Communion, it is being made available to anyone in need. Please contact Marti Ingalls at 661-431-4321 to make arrangements.

April Birthdays

4/3 – Odel Santos

4/4 – Steven Bailey

4/5 – Dusty Ramey

4/6 – Jerry Lewis

4/8 – Shirley Werling

4/8 – Easter Smothers

4/8 – Noah Gregorio

4/10 – Timothy Findley

4/11 – Rod Stratton

4/14 – Kirsten Diehl

4/19 – Kathy Metcalf

4/19 – Melissa Metcalf

4/22 – Dottie Stratton

4/23 – Beverly Nichols

4/27 – Kathryn Paddock

4/27 – Doug Myers

4/28 – Lucas Metcalf

4/28 – Barbara Mark

April Anniversaries

4/5 – Dusty & Jan Ramey

4/9 – Ramon & Selma Carbonell Jr

4/10 – David & Henrietta Luna

4/14 – Greg & Sheryl Gallion

4/14 – Jake & Desiree Sams

4/15 – Matt & Shannon Brady

4/16 – Frank & Priscilla Bacus

4/21 – Ray & Bonnie Bowles

4/22 – Robert & Melinda Mejia

*Married 50 years or more. Congratulations!

Church Calendar - April 2025

Tap Here To View
Our Church Calendar

New Team Signups and Share You Ideas!

As a final reminder, today is the Vision and Planning Saturday at First Church. After sharing his ideas, Pastor Jason will ask everyone to text 'Saturday' to the church phone number to join any new teams, share ideas on Messy Church's name, or let us know about skills and experience you'd like to volunteer at First Church!

If you would like to do this now, or anytime after today, please tap the link below. After you send 'Saturday', a form will appear asking you to share!

Tap Here To Text 'Saturday'
And Signup For Any New Group
Or Share Your Ideas or Skills!

We hope to see you today at the Saturday Vision and Planning event - 11AM in Adams Fellowship Hall!