Lent Continues
This Sunday, you are invited to continue our Lenten journey as we hear an invitation to rebirth in the Gospel of John. It includes one of the most widely quoted scriptures out there, John 3:16. Just as with last week's worship, we are invited to believe that God can change everything, including us.
Worship 10am
John 3:1-17
In person or online at the links below (Facebook or YouTube)
Special Lent Opportunities
This week, we begin a special season in the life of the church known as Lent, from the Latin for 40. For forty days, we prepare for the coming of Holy Week, especially Easter. Join us for these upcoming opportunities:
Pulpit Swap – This Sunday
This Sunday, we will be conducting a pulpit exchange as a part of our Lenten celebration with our cluster. Rev. David Price from First UMC Glen Ellyn and Faith UMC Lombard will be joining us. [Last week, we mistakenly reported that Rev. Singh would join us. Pastor Michael is going to Rev. Singh's church but Pastor Dave will be joining us.] Welcome Pastor Dave!
Daily Devotionals
Men’s Fellowship and United Methodist Men have made available a daily Lenten devotional by the Society of St. Andrew. Please pick up a copy in the back of the sanctuary. The study is entitled
Blessed Are The Meek. You can also pick up a donation box for the Society of St. Andrew and put a coin inside as a part of your Lenten discipline.
Lenten Studies
we will be using An Unlikely Lent by Rachel Billups that focuses on the lesser known persons in the Holy Week story. Join us as we explore Holy Week together and see it through the eyes of those who might have experienced it firsthand.
Two options:
Wednesday nights at 7:00 (discussion group).
Sunday mornings at 8:30am (video & discussion).
Service Opportunity
3/21 Feed My Starving Children
Join us on Saturday, March 21st from noon to 2pm at FMSC Schaumburg email office@firstumclombard.org or use this link sign up. This is a gathering by the Salt Creek Cluster of United Methodist Churches.
March 29th Palm Sunday
April 2nd Maundy Thursday 7pm
April 3rd Good Friday 7pm
April 5th Easter Sunday – 6:30am and 10am
Thank Offering - March 15th
On Sunday, March 15th, the United Women in Faith (UWIF) will be holding their annual Thank Offering Sunday. This Sunday features the voice of our UWIF during worship as well as a guest speaker. This year's speaker will be Rev. Sherrie Lowly. Join us as we celebrate together!
Women's Choir Rehearsals after church
As a part of our Thank Offering Service, a Women's Choir will rehearse after church on March 1st and March 8th immediately following worship. Please reach out to Brianna (brianna@firstumclombard.org) if you plan to attend.
Have You Checked Out the Card Rack Lately?
There are loads of new Birthday cards, with more cards coming for the upcoming holidays – Easter, St Patrick’s Day, and Valentines if you missed that!
The Rack is in the back of the sanctuary. They are $2.00 per card or $3.00 for two cards with all proceeds going to the Kids Above All program. The Card Ministry has been supporting Kids Above All for over 5 years.
For 2026, Card Ministry meets on Saturdays from 9:00AM to 12noon on March 21, 2026, April 11, 2026, May 2, 2026, and June 20, 2026. We will be in the card room in the Calvary church building until further notice. Come for an hour or the whole time, drop-ins are welcome!
For those unfamiliar with the Card Ministry, we get together once a month to make handmade cards for the card rack. We try to keep different types of cards in the rack – birthday, get well, anniversary, thinking of you, baby, and holidays. When you hear an announcement in church about someone you want to contact, you can stop and pick up a card on your way out. If you have a special request such as a graduation with specific school colors or a special anniversary or birthday, we can design or make these, with advance notice.
For the card ministry, all supplies are provided. We have paper, stamps, inks, dies, embossing folders, etc. You can follow our design suggestions or make your own. Be as creative as you would like. If you fall in love with your card, or one that someone else made, you can take them home for the regular price, just as if they were in the card rack.
Church Camp June 22nd-26th
Each year, we offer a summer camp experience that joins together Downers Grove UMC, Evanston First, and other churches for a camp experience like no other.
This week-long summer camp aims to change campers from the inside out! This camp is an all-inclusive summer camp that offers a fun, enriching, spiritual, and biblically based camp experience.
This year's theme is In the Wilderness.
Camp scholarships are available. Email office@firstumclombard.org for more information on how to apply.
Join us for Prayer Group Thursdays at 9am
All are welcome to attend our prayer group dedicated to praying for our congregation, community and world needs will meet every Thursday morning at 9am in the church chapel at FUMC.
Women's Bible Study Thursdays 1pm by Zoom
Join the Women's Bible Study as they meet via zoom at 1pm every Thursday. Please email the office for zoom link at office@firstumclombard.org.
Week(s) at a Glance
Sunday, March 1st
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
11:00am Women’s Choir Rehearsal
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Sam & Abby
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
11:00am Women’s Choir Rehearsal
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Sam & Abby
Liturgist: Amy M.
Slides: Martha
Slides: Martha
Sound: Michelle
Coffee&: LG & Connie
Coffee&: LG & Connie
Ushers: Tom & Jody
Monday, March 2nd
9:00am Global Sewing Ministry
Monday, March 2nd
9:00am Global Sewing Ministry
Wednesday, March 4th
7:00pm Lenten Study @ First Church UCC
Thursday, March 5th
9:00am Prayer
6:15pm Choir Rehearsal
7:15pm Bell Choir
7:00pm Lenten Study @ First Church UCC
Thursday, March 5th
9:00am Prayer
6:15pm Choir Rehearsal
7:15pm Bell Choir
Saturday, March 7th
9:00am Crafters
9:00am Crafters
Sunday, March 8th
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
11:00am Women’s Choir Rehearsal
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Amelia & Ruthie
8:30am Adult Sunday School
10:00am Worship
11:00am Women’s Choir Rehearsal
11:00am Coffee &
Acolytes: Amelia & Ruthie
Liturgist:
Slides: Martha
Slides: Martha
Sound: Tom
Coffee&: Men’s Fellowship
Coffee&: Men’s Fellowship
Ushers: Bob & Ron
Sign Up to be a Liturgist
A liturgist stands up front and leads us all as we say our call to worship, opening prayer, and scripture. Sign up below!
Help us Serve Coffee&
Could you bring a tasty treat for us to enjoy after church? Your contribution could help us enjoy this time of connection and fellowship. Sign up below!
Coffee & Sign-up
The person usually brings items for us to enjoy after worship
Sunday, March 22nd
Sunday, March 29th
Easter Sunday, April 5th
Sunday, April 26th
Sunday, May 3rd
Sunday, May 24th
Liturgist Sign Up
Liturgist for Sunday, March 15th
Liturgist for Sunday, March 29th
Liturgist for Sunday, April 5th (Easter)
Liturgist for Sunday, April 12th
Liturgist for Sunday, April 19th
Liturgist for Sunday, April 26
Online Suggestion Box for Trustees
Is something broken? Can we fix clean an area? Send us a suggestion!
email: Trustees@firstumclombard.org
Become an Acolyte
Acolytes bring in the light of Christ each Sunday morning, reminding us that Christ's light is always with us. Children are accompanied by an adult to help them as they perform this essential part of worship. To sign up your child or loved one, click this link to email Pam Lohman.
Joy: Birth of Josephine Grace K.
Pray for those who are healing: Tessa K. (major health issues); Ray J.; Dwayne P. (chemo); Esther F. (health concerns); John & Diane; Jackie Z. (in the hospital); Bill G. (beginning palliative care);
Pray for those in mourning: The family of Jerry Scanlon. The family of Kevin Snow. The family of Carole Kinsland. The family of Rich Zurawski. The family of Gifford Smith. The family of Louise Price.
Please note that for most requests, we only use first names and last initials in our enews prayer requests in order to respect each person's privacy. Where a request is public information (such as obituaries), full names may be used.
