New Member Sunday
This coming Sunday, March 19th, we will be honoring a crop of new members joining our church. They will be introduced at the end of the 10:30 AM service, and celebrated afterwards with a special lunch. It is our traditional potato bake (something we usually do around St. Patrick’s Day). We will also be honoring everyone who has been helping out at the church. Everyone is invited, so come and meet our new members and celebrate the Irish in style.
UMCOR Sunday, March 19th
As the humanitarian relief and development arm of The United Methodist Church, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) assists United Methodists and churches to become involved globally in direct ministry to persons in need. UMCOR comes alongside those who suffer from natural or human-caused disasters (famine, hurricanes, war, floods, fire, etc.) to alleviate suffering and to serve as a source of help and hope for the vulnerable. UMCOR provides relief, response, and long-term recovery grants when events overwhelm a community’s ability to recover on their own. UMCOR also provides technical support and training for partners to address emerging and ongoing issues related to disaster relief, recovery, and long-term health and development.
On Sunday, March 19th, United Methodists everywhere will be participating in UMCOR Sunday. We are asking that RUMC worshippers give an extra amount that Sunday to the cause of our worldwide mission’s effort.
Years ago, generous patrons of Riverview First United Methodist Church established a special trust at the Florida United Methodist Foundation for the purpose of making annual contributions to UMCOR. Every year 5% of that trust is sent to our church so that we can make a generous contribution to UMCOR missions. In early March 2023, we received $1,936.00 for that purpose. We currently have about $2,500 in a special dedicated fund for UMCOR. A special subcommittee, headed up by Joyce Schuetz, has been tasked with the responsibility to allocate these funds to the various UMCOR projects (known as “advances”).
Our Easter Events
The trustees have planned a pre-Easter work day for Saturday, April 1st. The primary purpose of the work day is to prepare the lawn behind the parsonage for use during our Easter by the River worship service.
On Palm Sunday (April 2nd), our chancel choir will be performing a brand-new Easter Cantata at our 10:30 AM Service.
On Easter Sunday (April 9th), we will once again have our Easter by the River worship outside down along the Alafia River on the lawn behind the parsonage. This is usually a beautiful and inspiring service, and the entire Riverview community is invited to attend.
Between services, the Care Committee will be serving an Easter brunch inside the Fellowship Hall. They will be serving ham, turkey breast, deviled eggs, biscuits and gravy, scalloped potatoes, muffins, sweet rolls, fruit, coffee, tea, and juice. This is a great alternative to waiting in line at a local restaurant on an Easter morning.
We will have a traditional Easter service at 10:30 AM in the sanctuary. There will be worship and breakfast for everyone at RUMC on Easter.
Easter Lilies Can Still Be Ordered
Easter Lilies can be ordered until March 24th. Each Lily comes in a 6-inch pot and can be purchased for $12.00. Please include the order form found with your church bulletin and your payment in cash or check (made payable to RUMC). Orders can be placed in the offering plate, or they can be brought to the church office during business hours.
Family News in the Bell
Kim Floyd has assumed the role of the Family News editor for our monthly newsletter, The Bell. Years ago, The Bell was the inspiration of her mother when her mom was the church secretary. Kim asks that we submit praises about our families—not only birthdays, anniversaries, and graduations, but also health concerns, trips that you are planning, visitors you are entertaining and the like—to either herself or the church office. That way, The Bell can not only be a source not only of church news, but of people news as well.