Ocala First Connection

Our theme this Advent season is "Come Home" - We hope you will accept the invitation:  Come home to the God who has made a home among us! (John 1:14) This past Sunday we looked at Psalm 122 as we began our Advent journey. Psalm 122 was sung with joy by pilgrims going up to Jerusalem to worship -  " I rejoiced with those who said to me, “Let’s go to the Lord’s house!”   They were returning to the place which represented the most intimate encounter between God and God’s people. But they were not merely looking back to what God had done for them in the past. In returning to their spiritual homes they were renewing their expectations for the hopeful and hoped-for future promised by God.  We pray this Advent that you will return to place of your most intimate encounters with God. We pray that you will remember the home from which you came with joy and thanksgiving. We pray that through our worship together you will get a glimpse of the home for which we all ...

We are so excited about the upcoming Christmas concert by our Praise Band on December 11 at 6:30 pm.  The concert is a great way to celebrate the season and to connect with those who may not have a church home.  We need your help to get the word out to the community! First ,  we hope YOU are making plans to attend with your family.  Second , we encourage you  to invite your FRIENDS and NEIGHBORS to join you.   Third , if you are a FACEBOOK user, we have created a  Concert Page of Facebook .   Click the link to get to the concert page. On the concert page , click the button to indicated that you are "going." Then click the "Share" button and invite your Facebook contacts in the Ocala.  Our goal is to get 1000 people invited to the concert through Facebook (267 invited so far).  You can also download the event flyer below and share it with friends via email or text. 

Rwth and I pray that you all have a safe and happy Thanksgiving!  We are so grateful for our first (almost) four months here at Ocala First.  We have been humbled by the countless ways church members have welcomed us and made us feel right at home. More importantly, you all have been so good to Michael in helping him adjust to a new school, new city and new church, which means more to us than words can express.  We thank God for the blessings of serving this wonderful church and working with the best church staff anywhere.  As we take Thursday off to give thanks, we are pray you too will count your blessings! We will see you on Sunday as we being the Season of Advent!

Back in October we had the opportunity to contribute to this meaningful project - a huge part of Ocala First UMC's outreach and connection with Wyomina Park Elementary School!  We are so grateful to Cindy Gude and SIS for leading the way! Cindy Mason Gude  with  Tim Gude . 47 mins  ·  25 Turkey's going to Wyomina Park Elementary School for Thanksgiving meals for those in need. SIS (Sisters In Service) of FUMC helping our community! Thank you church members and Sonny's BBQ. Blessings to everyone during this season of gratitude. And watch for our Giving Tree this Advent as we help Wyomina Park Elementary School parents provide a full and happy Christmas for their families.

We hope you will join us at 9:00 or 11:00 am for worship.   Invite a friend or neighbor to join you. We look forward to seeing you then! LOOKING AHEAD . . .  Advent Family Event: Our Advent Family Event will be held on November 27th in the Family Life Center from 5:30 p.m. until 7:00 p.m. The entire church, preschool and community are invited to make an Advent Cedar Log Candle Holder to take home. Cost is $10.00 at the door for the entire family and one family project. We will have dessert and beverages for everyone. Giving Tree: Look for our Giving Trees on November 27th in the Narthex, Family Life Center and Preschool Sign-In Room. Plan on taking a number from the tree and an information sheet to provide a child with a full Christmas. These children are living right in our neighborhoods and attending Wyomina Park Elementary. Let’s come together to spread Joy and Hope to these children! Christmas Concert: Save the Date! Our very own Praise Band wi...

The  Youth Cake Auction  is happening Sunday, Nov 13 from 6 pm - 8 pm!   We need your help!      First:  Buy your tickets now!  They will be on sale on Sunday morning.       Second:   They also are in need of cake donations to be auctioned!   All proceeds from the ticket sales and cakes go to support our wonderful youth program! 

Lots of important things happening this weekend at Ocala First!   1 - Saturday morning our very own BSA Troup 100 will be having their Pancake Breakfast (8:00 am - 11:00 am) and Yard Sale (8:00 am - 1:00 pm).  Come on out and support our Scouting program! 2 - Sunday we will celebrate All Saints' Sunday remembering those in our church family who have passed away in the last year.  You can see the names in the bulletin posted below. Please make a special effort to be at worship at 9:00 am or 11:00 am to surround these families with our love. 3 - On Sunday at 10:00 am we will have Coffee Connect .  Come by the FLC and have some wonderful treats and get to know others in our church family!  Special inter-generational activities for kids and adults (aka "Messy Church") will also being happening in the FLC during that time.   4 - The Youth Cake Auction is happening soon (Nov 13, 6 pm - 8 pm).  Buy your tickets this Sunday!  They also are in n...