Archived Pastor's Page 2017-2018

 

 

WHAT EXITEMENTS! COME TO 1st UMC AND SEE……

 “The Lord God has p


  Now the LORD is the Spirit, and where the Spirit of the LORD is, there is freedom. (2Cor. 3:17).ut his Spirit in me, because the Lord has appointed me to tell the good news to the poor. He has sent me to comfort those whose hearts are broken, to tell the captives they are free, and to tell the prisoners they are released.” (Isaiah 61:1-2 NCV).

Members and Friends of Racine 1st UM Congregation,

Greetings from the Pastor’s desk in the name of Jesus Christ. I pray that this Newsletter meet you with undeserved, yet unspeakable blessings for you and your respective family in the Mighty name of God the Father, Son and Holy Spirit.   May our God continue to enfold each of you in his arms of mercy and grace.

Let me quickly remind us of our congregation’s Vision and Mission Statements.  Our Vision:  “To provide a community for people to experience God and inspiration for daily living. “

Our Mission: “To welcome and encourage all to live faithfully through Jesus Christ in ways that impact them and others!” 

VERY IMPRESSIVE, YET CHALLENGING STAMENTS OF FAITH!!

The questions: How are we translating these very Impressive, yet challenging Ministry and Mission Guideposts so that they do not become another wonderful, but emptied sentiments? The task is ours to figure out and implement. Therefore, we continue to prayerfully discern and get involved with diverse Ministry, Mission and Outreach oriented opportunities. Those events are meant to communicate and invite members of both our immediate and global communities to the unconditional love and grace of our Lord and Salvation Jesus Christ. These are freely available to all who may come.  

In view of all of the above, it’s the time of year when our congregation gets really busy with specific outreach ministries and Mission such as the following: 

 1st. Hosted fifty six “Volunteers -In- Mission from the Dakotas Annual Conference/ United Methodis

t Church for five days- Saturday 16th –Thursday 21st June 2018. This group of Christian Youths, young adults and pastors engaged the Racine, Mt. Pleasant and Kenosha Cities with Christ’s compassionate love by providing free service at various community centers including 1.Racine: Shorelight Memory Care and cleaned or reconditioned three Racine Mutual Housing Authority (RHMA) Homes as well as worked at HALO Shelter Inc. 2. MT. Pleasant: Ridgewood Care Center. And 3.Kenosha: They cleaned, prepared and served meals at Grace Welcome and Shalom Centers respectively.  What wonderful ways of applying one’s faith to scripture!  “Show me your faith without deeds, and I will show you my faith with deed!”  For faith without deed is empty and dead!! (James 2: 18). Faith in actions that touch and transform lives!    

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

2nd. We provide “Food Booth and free bathrooms facility on July 4th for hundreds of people each year. We see this as one of the ways we connect with our community. Again, thank to Ellen Spiering for coordinating and all those who made it very successful to the glory of God! 

 

 

 

 

 

               

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

         (JULY 4TH FOOD BOOTH AND     OTHER FACILITIES )                                    

3RD. Grandparents and Child (ren) Camp – Again, this event was a huge success this year! As usual, the event was co-coordinated by Carol Feest, held at the United Methodist Camp Lucerne  with over fifty people from Sunday 8th thru 11th July 2018. Lots of fun and fellowship in Jesus’ name! 

    

    

 

 

 

 

(ARCHERY, BOATING, SANDY BEACH, ETC.)

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

4TH. We offer Christ-centered Vacation Bible School (VBS), for all children in our community. This year’s VBS Sessions began Monday 23rd- Thursday 26th, 2018. In attendance were twenty five people-ten adults, fifteen younger and older children.  Most of the children and three of adults were from the broader Racine community. Our thanks to Linda and Ron Tremeling for co-coordinating, Carol Feest, Jeanne Whiteside, Connie Boehm Esther Voker, Loretta Voker, and Liza for the administrative support.

 

(2018 VBS- HERO CENTERAL- JESUS IN MY HERO!)

THANKS FOR TOUCHING AND TRANSFORMING LIVES FOR JESUS’ SAKE!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

5th. FUN FEST- Acronym for “First United & Neighbors Fest scheduled for Saturday 15th September 2018, Noon -3:p.m. This will be our final summer outreach event for the year! As usual, the event meant to reach out and celebrate the love Jesus Christ with our neighbors and the entire community. It includes gospel music, free food, activities such as bouncing house, face painting, firefighters and K-9 Officers come to educate the children about their works in the community. Most importantly, the event is meant to share Christ’s love, and invite others to his saving grace, all of which are free to all who may come.

Indeed, the Spirit of the Lord is moving mightily amongst us here at Racine 1st UM congregation.  Everyone is welcome to be a part of what the Holy Spirit, through our congregation, is doing in our community and around the world.  As someone has said, “Without God you can NOT DO ANYTHING!  And Without you God cannot!”  God’s Spirit indwells you!  DO NOT QUENCH THE SPIRIT!!

(1Thess. 5:19). We are God’s instruments in the places we are, and to the people we encounter daily! 

Until then, enjoy the rest of your summer in Jesus’ name.

Grace and Peace,

Rev. Jakes