JUL 3

VISIT: southlyonfirstumc.org

for more information

Dear Church Family,

Am I the only one that is shocked that we are in the first week of July? This week, I give thanks for all the blessings that come with the random gift of being born in this country. I give thanks for those who sacrificed so that this country could be free and be known as the land of the free. I pray for those who continue to work towards care and equality for all the people who call this land their home. May we as a country take great steps towards caring deeply for one another. 

While I was on my spiritual renewal I found myself walking around for an entire day looking at doors. Thinking about how old the doors were, who had walked through them, who missed an opportunity because they did not walk through a door, or who walked through the wrong door? For the rest of the summer we will think about the doors of our past, look for doors around us, and bravely open our eyes to see doors of the future. 

I look forward to seeing you in worship soon. Here are the topics and scripture that we will be focusing on each week:

July 7 Doors to Possibilities  Mark 6:1-13

July 14 Doors to Courage 1 Samuel 17: 1, 4-11, 19-23, 32-49

July 21 Doors to Reenter  2 Samuel 7: 1-14a 

No Doesn’t Mean Never  - Rev. Tom Hart, Preaching

July 28 Doors to Service John 6:1-21

August 4 Doors to Relationships  John 6:4-35

Patches Dad  - Rev. Tom Hart, Preaching

August 11 Doors to Life John 6:35, 41-51

August 18 Doors to Spirit-filled lives Ephesians 5:1-20

August 25 Doors to the Outside Psalm 84 

September 1  Doors to Music Hymn Sing

Love and Peace in Christ, Rev. Mary

VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2024

Register for a Summer Camp Adventure with God!

Use the QR Code to register or to volunteer!

BREAKING THE CHAINS, BUILDING FUTURES

Kingdom Home is dedicated to ending child sex slavery through prevention. By providing a safe home and access to everyday resources, we can dramatically reduce the likelihood that they would ever enter or re-enter the sex trade or exploitative labor. It is our hope and goal to see them become influencers within their community, breaking the chain of abuse in Uganda.

Join us for a FREE community event hosted in partnership with South Lyon First UMC and Walled Lake UMC as we focus on building the future for the children of Kingdom Home. Enjoy food (catered by Alekos and Treat Dreams), trivia, and a silent auction to benefit Kingdom Home! Visit https://kingdomhome.org/events to RSVP.

WE ARE HIRING

Friends - it is an exciting time at SLFUMC, and we will be hiring two new staff people. Networking will lead to our best successes in obtaining candidates.

Please share these job descriptions with those you know and encourage friends to apply. Thank you! - SLFUMC SPRT.

Band Leader, part-time (15-18 hours per week, currently, with possibility of additional hours in future) to lead the band during worship services and events with a modern style of Christian music. Position responsibilities include selecting appropriate music, coordinating volunteer musicians and conducting rehearsals, and collaborating and assisting with worship planning. Resumes should be sent to staffparishslfumc@att.net. For further information contact Cathy Altenberger.

Director of Faith Formation, part-time (30 hours per week, with possibility of growth to a full-time position) Seeking a Director of Faith Formation for 570-member mission driven church in family-oriented community. This staff member would cultivate faith formation for all ages: Sunday School, Vacation Bible School, youth group, youth mission trips, and adult ministries. We are looking for a dynamic person of faith and creativity who can inspire children, youth and engage/manage adult volunteers while serving as a mentor and role model. Must be able to teach and model beliefs consistent with the United Methodist Church. Willingness to engage in community relations, enact excellent communication skills, and effectively use social media are requirements.  Salary commensurate with experience. Theological training is preferred. See our church website at SouthLyonFirstUMC.org. Please send your resume and salary requirements by June 3, 2024 to staffparishslfumc@att.net.

JULY MISSION OF THE MONTH

In 1983, seven United Methodist churches in the UP came together as God’s Country Cooperative Parish. Today these communities combine resources and “work to bring self-esteem, hope, and faith to all God’s children throughout their vast parish.” At the heart of the parish is the Dunlap Center in Newberry, MI. It houses a free store called The Church Mouse. Your donation to the July Mission of the Month goes directly to God’s Country Community Ministry to enable their various ministries.

RUMMAGE SALE

Donation drop-offs will begin on Aug 12 through Aug 15  9AM-NOON & 3:30PM-7PM. Please talk to Jeanette Russell or sign up using the link below if you are willing to volunteer. The Rummage Sale starts on Aug 16 (9AM - 3PM) and continues Aug 17 (9 AM -1 PM). All proceeds will be split between Trustee and Christian Outreach projects.

  POPSICLES AND PRAYERS

Over the next few months, we will be actively spreading the message of who we are and what we are about at South Lyon First United Methodist Church by sharing popsicles and prayers at different locations in the community.

We embrace everyone wherever they are in their life journey by offering a safe place that celebrates diversity and fosters connections.

We unite hearts through shared experiences and connections across generations.

We actively learn and grow in our faith together in joyful ways.

We channel love in action through service and advocacy with heartfelt compassion.

Please stop by for worship:

• If you are looking for a safe faith community to be welcomed and love as you
• If you want to grow more in love with God and walk as a disciple of Jesus Christ
• If you want to be part of local and global mission work that is impacting communities in powerful ways

If you are willing to donate popsicles or if you are willing to help organize this outreach at the upcoming Depot Days on September 7th, please let Rev. Mary know.

COOLING STATION VOLUNTEERS

On summer days with extreme and dangerous heat, it would be nice to share the church AC, water, and wi-fi with those in the community who are in need. Would you be willing to volunteer during a shift as a cooling station host between 10am and 5pm in Rm 119 during times of extreme heat? If interested, please email Jen Denny. Thank you to all who have signed up to help! We could still use a few more volunteers.

GOD'S GARDEN VOLUNTEERS & MEMORIAL GARDEN

Thank you to our God's Garden Volunteers for keeping the church grounds and Memorial Garden so tidy and beautiful.

New plants have been added and it looks so welcoming and pretty.

A special thank you to Todd & Carol Goyt for some big projects recently. After the new concrete was put in, it was discovered that the new drainage tile was not properly angled. Todd re-did the drainage pipe and he and Carol removed the deteriorating section of bushes in that area (to the right of the front entrance). The area is now looking really pretty thanks to Jeanette and Carol's plantings there! Another big project that Todd repaired was a leaking main line of the sprinkler system under the bushes by Fellowship Hall entrance. MUCH appreciation to Todd for all of the labor during 95-degree weather!

Last, but not least, many thanks to the following donors for the new hanging baskets in the Memorial Garden:

Linda Dowsett in memory of Mary & Ralph Baker

Randy & Amy Field in memory of Zander T. Field

Andrea Hungerford in memory of Tom Peters

Stacey Klett in memory of Sharron Olinger

Jason Plaunt & Jeanne Campbell in memory of Ruby, Rufus, and Otis

Bob & Lynn Prohaska in memory of Cindy Prohaska

Giving Options

·       Use WebGive at our website by clicking here or by using the our QR code :            

·       Use our giving app on your phone, VancoMobile

·       Dropoff a check in our drop -box at door #4 at the church

·       Mail a check to SLFUMC, 640 S. Lafayette, South Lyon, MI 48178

·       Explore other options on the Giving page of our website by clicking here here

Please be aware that we will never ask for your financial, account, or payment information by email. If there is a question, you will be contacted by phone or in person by a staff member.

Staff members will never ask for gift cards or financial help by email.

IRA GIVING

Are you required to take the Required Minimum Distribution from you IRA? Did you know that there might be a tax advantage to giving the money directly to the church? If you think that this might be beneficial to you, we suggest that you consult with your financial advisor. Then, if you would like information as to how to direct your giving to the church, please contact Lindy Juergens, Administrator of Generosity, at the church office.

Please consult our website https://www.southlyonfirstumc.org/ in the Giving Options tab for more information on giving from other forms of investments such as stocks and mutual funds. Questions on those other options can also be directed to Lindy Juergens.

BUILDING USE REQUEST

Yes! The church has space available for your group or event! Spaces fill up quickly and there is an approval process, so please allow as much time as possible between your request and the date of your meeting or event to ensure that we can

accommodate your needs.

Office Hours

• Mon, Tues, Thurs 10am - 1pm
• Wed 10am - 3pm
• Fri closed

Check out our website or our live calendar

for more information about our church or any of these programs!

Do you prefer a printed copy of our Midweek Messenger? Hard copies are available in the tote outside the main doors to the church and on the kiosk.