First United Methodist Church, Decatur IL

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Happy 48th Anniversary Bruce and Hadi

Happy 12th Anniversary Stuart and Barbara

Happy 46th Anniversary Roger and Brook

Blessings on your 68th Wedding Anniversary, Jack and Diana

Miracle Sunday
Hallelujah, church!

This Sunday, we reach the final week of our global journey of Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously. For six weeks, we have joined more than 30,000 United Methodist congregations in worship, learning, and prayer. Together, we have listened to stories from leaders serving in places where hope is fragile, resources are scarce, and faith is strong.

This Sunday, we celebrate boldly, giving thanks for the movement of the Holy Spirit across Africa, Europe, the Philippines, and right here in our own congregation. God is raising up leaders whose ministries are transforming lives in extraordinary ways.

Come celebrate Miracle Sunday, a day when United Methodists around the world join in sacrificial giving to permanently endow theological education for pastors outside the United States. Through this offering, we help prepare 500 students each year for ministry, strengthening the church for generations to come.

Thank you for being part of this global movement of faith. May God continue to shape us into people who love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

Sunday, May 10, 2026 – Week 5
Blessings, church!

This Sunday, we continue our six-week journey of Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously, joining thousands of United Methodist congregations around the world who are walking this path with us.

Over the past several weeks, we have heard powerful stories from leaders serving in Zimbabwe, Liberia, Romania, and Nigeria. Their witness reminds us that courageous leadership often grows in places where challenges are great, but God’s faithfulness is greater.

As we continue this journey, I invite you to reflect and pray:
• Where is God calling me to lead with courage?
• How can my life point others toward Christ’s love?
• What step of faith is God inviting me to take this week?

Next Sunday, May 17, we will join thousands of congregations for Miracle Sunday, a day of sacrificial giving to permanently endow theological education for pastors around the world. Let us keep walking together with open hearts, trusting that God is forming us into people who love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

We are seeking applicants for our Director of Family Ministries position. The Director of Family Ministries will lead, coordinate, and oversee all church initiatives that engage families including their children and youth (birth through 12th grade). This role fosters meaningful opportunities for spiritual growth, supports families within the congregation, and builds intentional connections with families throughout the broader community. Through creative programming and relational outreach, the Director will cultivate a welcoming environment where faith can be explored, nurtured, and lived out together.

Qualifications:
Strong Christian faith and commitment to the mission of the church
Knowledgeable in the theology and practices of The United Methodist Church
Experience working with children, youth, and families
Demonstrated leadership, organizational, and communication skills
Ability to recruit, train, and support volunteers
Background in education, ministry, or a related field preferred
Education requirement – bachelor’s degree or equivalent

Send your resume to [email protected]

Sunday, May 3, 2026 – Week 4
Hello, church!

We are now more than halfway through our global journey of Love Boldly, Serve Joyfully, and Lead Courageously, and God is moving among us.

Across Africa, Europe, and the Philippines, pastors are serving in places where hope is fragile and resources are limited. Yet their faith is strong, their commitment deep, and their impact profound.
Through this initiative, we are helping ensure that more of these leaders receive the theological education they need to serve with wisdom and strength.

This Sunday, we will hear another story of Philip Micah Dopah from Nigeria whose ministry is touching lives in powerful ways.

As we listen, let us remember:
• Our prayers matter
• Our participation matters
• Our generosity matters

In two weeks, on May 17, we will join thousands of congregations for Miracle Sunday, a day of sacrificial giving to permanently endow theological education for pastors around the world.
Let us continue to open our hearts as God shapes us to love boldly, serve joyfully, and lead courageously.

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