 | |  | | You are invited to join us each Sunday morning for worship at 9 AM. In February, we will present a new sermon series: “Season of Rest”
“Season of Rest” Overview
In this four-week series, we explore the profound importance of rest in our lives. We start with Elijah's experience of divine rest, learn how to find a healthy balance of rest, work, and play, understand the rhythm of rest modeled by God, and affirm that God has given everyone the gift of rest to be embraced.
Sunday, February 2 “Release into Rest” 1 Kings 19:1-9 —- How might God help us release into rest, rather than stretching us to do more?
Sunday, February 9 “A Rhythm of Rest” Ecclesiastes 3:1-13 —- How do we cultivate a healthy rhythm of rest, work, and play, recognizing that balance is essential for our well-being and spiritual growth?
Sunday, February 16 “What Kind of Rest: The Science Behind Rest’ Genesis 2:1-3 —- There is a natural ebb and flow for our minds, bodies and spirits, modeled for us by God.
Sunday, February 23 “The Gift of Rest” Leviticus 25:1-19 —- Embracing the gift of rest allows us to be people of restoration, renewal, and wholeness. The Year of Jubilee teaches us about balance, equity, and kinship, celebrating that rest is a gift for all of God’s creation.
Be a Blessing, Pastor Scott |
| | Worship Services on YouTube
We record our worship services and post the videos on YouTube. Each Sunday, the recording of the 9 AM worship service will be available soon after the completion of the service.
You may use the below link to view the worship service videos on YouTube. Once on the DeBows UMC YouTube channel, please subscribe, so you will receive future notifications when new live events or other videos are posted on the channel. |
| | | | Sunday, February 2 Communion 9 AM Worship Service
Tuesday, February 4 Bible Study - 10 AM
Wednesday, February 5 Band Practice - 6:30 PM
Sunday, February 9 9 AM Worship Service Fellowship Time After Service
Monday, February 10 Food Pantry Open - 6 PM --- By Appointment Only --- Call 848-373-8844
Tuesday, February 11 Bible Study - 10 AM
Wednesday, February 12 Band Practice - 6:30 PM Next Newsletter Published
Thursday, February 14 Valentine’s Day
Sunday, February 16 9 AM Worship Service
NOTE: Please check the church website and calendar frequently for the most up-to-date scheduling and activity information. |
| | Coastal Plains Regional Day of Learning |
| Saturday, February 22
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior! The time is finally here. We've been waiting for it. Our region, The Coastal Plains Region, has created a space for us to gather together and learn together.
Click the link below for the information and learning workshop descriptions. Register for the one in each session you would like to attend. If you have questions or would like to see a print out of the document, I will have it available after worship on Sunday. I look forward to speaking with you.
If it's been a while since you've been to training, now's the time. If you are new to a committee, I highly recommend this opportunity. You will have the opportunity to listen, learn, ask questions, and talk with other United Methodists. Even if you do not currently serve on a committee, this is an excellent opportunity to learn something new. I hope and pray for a wonderful day of learning for all. |
| | |  | WHEN: Every Tuesday at 10 AM in Fellowship Hall
CURRENT STUDY: Book of 1 John Please bring your own bible
For more information, contact: Anita at 848-373-9304 or Christine at 609-847-6421. Everyone is welcome to attend. We look forward to seeing you as we gather for study & fellowship. |
| | | Next Fellowship Time Sunday, February 9
On the second Sunday of each month, we have Fellowship Time immediately after the 9 AM Worship Service. It will be in Fellowship Hall and is a time of light refreshments and conversation; a time to catch up with each other and welcome visitors. Please join us!
Fellowship Time is volunteer driven. There is a sign-up sheet outside of Fellowship Hall. Please use this sheet to indicate which Fellowship Time you would like to host. "Thank You" to those who have already volunteered. The next date that needs a volunteer host is April 13. |
| | | We are thankful for your faithful support. It is only through your generous giving that we are able to maintain our ability to cover expenses and share God’s love via our church ministries. You may continue giving in-person during the Sunday morning worship service, by sending your offering check directly to the church, or by using the church online giving feature found in the footer of the church website. If so inspired, you may make an online donation now by clicking HERE. |
| | | Please keep the following people in your prayers ...
Veronica Rose McGee (granddaughter of Jim & Joanne Rearick) – she is 20 months old and developed heart failure. She has had 2 open-heart surgeries and is now back in the hospital with an inability to retain weight. May God’s grace be with the entire family as they cope with this difficult situation and pray for the doctors treating her in the hospital. Michael – (Deb Wankel’s son) – PTL! – he has accepted a job offer and is excited to be back to work. Jimmy Roland (Guy’s friend) – he has an aggressive form of liver cancer and is starting a new type of medication. All those impacted by the California wildfires. Melissa and Ella (Ella is Scott Junior‘s girlfriend) – both are home recovering after being involved in a car accident. Carthen (Pastor Scott’s brother-in-law) - he is in the hospital having difficulties with his kidneys and is not doing well. James Scott (Mark’s son’s father-in-law) – diagnosed with stage 4 esophageal cancer and has started chemo treatment. Virginia Swagger ( Christine’s cousin) – in hospital with heart issues. Prayers for Anna May & Bessie Stout (Rose Mary’s sister & aunt) Continued prayer for home-bound church members: Jean Iannacone; Dottie Weeks, Donna Ridge
|
| Please note: Please let Pastor Scott know of any additions, removals, or status updates to this prayer list. Please place a completed prayer request card in the offering collection box if you wish for the prayer request to appear in this list. Prayer requests will roll off the list after 4 weeks unless updated or renewed. |
| *** Prayer Shawl Ministry
Prayer Shawls are made by members & friends of our congregation. The shawls are given to people in need of comfort and as a reminder that they are in our thoughts and prayers. The person receiving a shawl does not have to be a member of our church. We share our shawls just as we share our prayers.
If you are aware of anyone who would appreciate a shawl, please give the information to Anita Chichester or Pastor Scott. Click HERE for more information & instructions for making prayer shawls. |
| | | Next distribution is February 10
The DeBows Food Pantry is open on the 2nd & 4th Monday each month, 6-8pm. DeBows uses an "Appointment Only" system to distribute the food. To make an appointment, call 848-373-8844.
Please note: participants need to call for an appointment by 5pm on the Saturday prior to the scheduled food pantry day. This gives the Food Pantry volunteers time to prepare the food for distribution. "Thank You" for your cooperation.
Please note: The Food Pantry Ministry serves about 50 families every two weeks. We are extremely appreciative of the volunteers that make our Food Pantry possible and we welcome anyone interested in getting involved. Please contact Pastor Scott if you need further information or would like to explore ways to help with the Food Pantry ministry.
|
| | |  | Every Sunday, you have the opportunity to purchase grocery store shopping cards for either ShopRite or Stop & Shop. This is a convenient way to pay for the food you buy at the grocery store and at the same time support the ministries of DeBows UMC. The church makes 5% of all shopping cards sold. You may see Sue Hayward to purchase the shopping cards. |
| | | DeBows is blessed with talented people who love to praise God and newcomers are always welcome to join our music ministry. Please contact Grayce by email at music@debowsumc.org for any questions or to discuss opportunities to participate in our music ministry.
Chime Choir —— Rehearses Sunday morning 8:30 to 8:45 AM and rings the introit to worship on Sunday morning, except on Revival Sunday. New members are always welcome. Ability to sight read music and prior experience not necessary. Ability to be present and have fun very important!
Praise Band —— Rehearses Tuesday nights at 6:30 PM and plays a five-song set once a month for Revival Sunday, usually the last Sunday of the month. All instruments welcome. |
| Please note: More information about the DeBows music ministry can be viewed HERE. Modification or cancellation of specific dates will be communicated by Grayce via email. Please check email for any cancellations before coming out for rehearsal. |
| | | Let us not become weary of doing good. ~ Galatians 6:9
DeBows is committed to sharing God’s love beyond our own sanctuary to meet the needs of our neighbors. This is why we are here, as we WORSHIP, GROW, and ultimately, SERVE.
While our flagship mission, the Food Pantry, happens twice a month, other outreach activities happen at various times during the year. Below is a list of mission activities being considered for 2025. Future newsletters will contain more detailed information about each activity as we get closer to their respective dates.
*** January & February We will focus on support of our Food Pantry ministry. We will do this in two ways: We will be distributing Ball mason jars that you can take home and fill with spare change. Jars will be available in the sanctuary. We ask that the jars be returned by the first Sunday in March. Note, if you would like this donation to be recorded in your annual giving statement, please put your name on the jar label. Many of the food items distributed are obtained through our affiliation with the Fulfill Food Bank program. However, some items we could use from other sources include peanut butter, pasta, beans (not green beans), and brownie & cake mixes. If you would like to donate any of these items, please bring them to the church and place them on the table outside of Fellowship Hall. Please check the expiration dates on anything you donate, as we cannot distribute expired food items.
*** March We will collect for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR).
*** April We will acknowledge our shawl makers that support our Prayer Shawl Ministry.
*** May The Maker’s Place in Trenton is a faith-based nonprofit organization. They are sponsored by United Methodists of Greater New Jersey, and are members of the National Diaper Bank Network.
*** June & July Hurricane season will be starting and we will collect items needed to build Hygiene Kits for UMCOR.
*** August Back-to-School —- In preparation for the start of school in September, we will collect school supplies to share with children in our area.
*** September We will once again collect specific items to support our Food Pantry Ministry. See January-February description for more information.
*** October & November Going into the holiday season, we will organize support for 3 ministries: Operation Christmas Child Shoe Boxes – due mid-November Collect food for Special Thanksgiving Food Pantry Distribution Children's Home Society of NJ Holiday Gift Drive – gifts due the first week of December
*** December Deliver collected gifts to the Children's Home Society Focus on the Season of Advent & Christmastide
|
| As always, your faithful support of our church ministries is greatly appreciated. —- THANK YOU |
| | | For the most up-to-date information concerning church activities, event schedules, general church information, or to view recent newsletters, you may visit the church website anytime at www.debowsumc.org.
If you are reading this newsletter from the church website, and would like to receive it directly in your email, we encourage you to subscribe now. Just use the subscription form in the bottom right-hand corner of the website homepage.
Along with receiving the normal newsletter, special emails will be sent out once in a while for prayer requests, special events, weather related cancellations, or other time-sensitive news. All church communication emails are based on the newsletter subscription list.
As always, your feed back to our newsletter is welcome and appreciated. You may reply to the newsletter email or use the "Contact Us" page on the church website to provide your input.
The next newsletter will be published on
Wednesday, February 12 |
| | | If you need to speak to Pastor Scott, please contact him directly using the above information. You may connect with DeBows UMC online using the following links. |
| |
|
|
|
|
