Rear, Ella Peppler, Brenna Meyer, Amaya Hedrick. Front Andy Fudge, Matthew Peppler.
May is packed full of Celebration Sundays! Who will you invite?
May 4th – Ministry Celebration Sunday. God calls All into ministry with Him. Join us as we celebrate two very special people who answered the call in different ways.
May 11th – Confirmation Sunday. You are invited to celebrate with our youth as they publicly claim their faith and choose their church.
May 18th – Celebrate our first opportunity for passionate outreach together. Join us for an info/planning meeting after church to plan once a month Sunday service at Oak Pointe.
May 25th – Memorial Day
PRAYER CHAIN
Praying for others is not a choice; it is a privilege. And when we allow others to pray for us in our time of need, they are blessed as they serve through intercessory prayer.
God hears when we pray for others, and He answers. The answer may not come quickly, nor may the reply be what we expected. Or, because God is gracious, we receive much more than we asked. Either way, God answers our prayers when we pray for others. Our prayers are powerful, and our loving God delights in the asking as we show a confidence that he hears our prayers.
1 John 5:14-15, This is the confidence we have in approaching God: that if we ask anything according to his will, he hears us. And if we know that he hears us-whatever we ask-we know that we have what we asked of him.
If you are not on the prayer chain, please call the office to be added. If you could use the prayers of those waiting to pray, please call the office with your request. It is that simple.
Let us be a blessing to one another.
SAVE THE DATE
How can we be intentional about inviting neighbors to CCUMC? Reach out during community events. The ELC and CCUMC have secured a 10 x 10 spot downtown during the First Friday events this summer. The ELC will occupy the space during May and June. How can we, as a church, reach out July through October? Activities? Give aways? What is God putting on your heart for the community? Contact Tammy Taylor with your ideas.
THANK YOU
Thank you to everyone who gave of their time and resources for Game Night and Spring Work Day.
Many hands make light work! Volunteers were not deterred by the cloudy weather Saturday morning. Trimming, weeding, and general clean-up enhanced the warm welcome at CCUMC. Topped off with fellowship and lunch, the day was a success.
Game Night brought out some lively competition at multiple tables with cards, board games, and dominos. Additionally, children were excited to play floor games including connect four, bowling, and giant puzzles. We can’t wait for YOU to join us at the next Game Night!
ELC UPDATE
After 18 years with the Child Care and Pre-school programs here at CCUMC, Vicki Jones is retiring. Children, parents, and colleagues know Vicki for the love and compassion she has for children. Some see it as a labor of love, others a ministry, but we know Mrs. Jones has been the hands and feet of Jesus for countless people in our community. Thank you, Vicki, for your service and dedication to the children and families in our community!
The ELC is looking for two full-time teachers. Anyone interested in a child-centered career, helping children learn about Jesus and the world around them every day, should contact Randy Polston at 260-244-7671 or email randy.polston@columbiacityumc.org.
DID YOU HEAR? JESUS IS ALIVE!
HE IS RISEN! HE IS RISEN INDEED
Easter Sunday was a wonderful celebration. Thank you to everyone who invited family, friends, and neighbors to experience the excitement. The celebration of Easter is not over yet. Join us each Sunday in May for celebrations. Each one promises to be invitation worthy!
LETTER FROM THE PASTOR
Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, who according to His great mercy has caused us to be born again to a living hope through the resurrection of Jesus Christ from the dead 1 Peter 1:3, CEB
Here we are, still early in the 50-day season of Easter. My guess is your Easter decorations, baskets, and plastic eggs are already put away. And with those outward signs out of sight, it would be easy to just move on. After all, we are busy, life is busy. And this time of year, life can seem like it’s coming at us at breakneck speed. And yet, this 50-day season invites us to slow down, linger a little, and celebrate the abundant life and living hope Jesus offers us through his resurrection. To watch for signs of hope and life that are all around us, if we just slow down long enough to notice. That’s what our celebration sightings in worship are all about. And that’s what these next few weeks in worship are about as well. Opportunities to celebrate life and hope in the lives of little ones in worship, young people leading worship, laughter around a game table, and the celebration of work well done.
I can’t stop looking at these pictures from Easter Sunday – they remind me (and I hope you too) that there is always room for joy and celebration, no matter what else is clamoring for our attention. So, welcome to a month of celebrations. Celebrating accomplishments, milestones, and the simple joy of life and hope in Jesus, our Savior.
Let’s not miss a minute!
Pastor Christi
BIRTHDAYS & ANNIVERSARIES
May Birthdays
1st Cynthia Russell
John Marty
4th April Snyder
8th Evan Fudge
11th Richard Kyler
14th Leslie Gamble
17th Stephanie Lambert
18th Mark Waterfall
20th Marcia Clupper
21st Arlene Crosby
27th Gloria Phegley
31st Evelyn Fisher
Anniversaries
5th Denny & Judy Boggs
15th Carolyn & William Haisley
16th William & Carol Schaefer
HOMEBOUND & CARE HOMES
Oak Pointe:
Francis, Dee, Harrison, Natalie, Nancy, Barbara
The Oaks:
Bette, Elaine
Byron Health Center:
April
Peabody Retirement Community:
Julia, Marilyn, Phil
Registration for camps in Indiana are now open. If you are interested in going, or for more information, go to https://impact2818.org/summer-camps/.
The church does have funds designated for church camp for those who need help. Contact Pastor Christi for more information about how to get this help.
CHURCH COUNCIL
Council Summary
April 8, 2025
Church Mission & Vision in Action
Support for grieving families
Members stepping-up to help with church service
New visitors attending
Members taking communion to homebound
ELC
Director, Randy Polston, provided an update on the ELC.
ELC provides services for 55 families
Meeting with other pre-schools and community members
Able to secure 6-child stroller, 2-childstroller, and 4 high chairs from the Launch Pad representative we work with. The strollers enable quicker exit from building during fire drills and allows for outdoor walks during the day.
He has written two grants for improved playgrounds for 1-3-year-olds
Additional grant for upgraded fire alarm system
Donation for staff shirts and summer activities
May and June will have booth at First Fridays downtown
Council discussed moving to an ELC Board rather than Advisory Team. Work will start toward this system in June.
Finance Report
Net operating revenue +$5,665(excluding investment gain/loss)
ELC net operating +$4,242
Beginning in May, church financial information will be included in monthly newsletter
Trustee Report
Spring clean-up scheduled for April 26, 2025
Pastors Report
Outreach Activities
First Fridays – July – October
Lead Oak Pointe church service every 4th Sunday beginning in June
Easter Service invitations sent out
Family Game Night, April 25, 6 – 8 pm
Other
Coffee with the Council Feedback
More information on church financials
Suggestions of several outreach ideas
(260) 244-7671 • www.columbiacityumc.org
605 Forest Parkway Columbia City, IN 46725
Christi Murray, Pastor — christi.murray@columbiacityumc.org
Tammy Taylor, Director of Administration and Discipleship — tammy.taylor@columbiacityumc.org
