Youth Cookie Sale Sunday: Our Youth will be having a fundraiser cookie sale after church this Sunday, Feb. 9, in the Fellowship Hall. The small boxes are $5 and the large boxes are $8. The proceeds will help the youth go to the Red Bird Mission on their summer mission trip. Stop by and get your cookies on your way home today. You will be glad you did!!

Upcoming Events: CHURCH WIDE PICNIC — Sunday, February 23
Lunch on the Grounds (Covered-Dish) after worship
Everyone is asked to bring a covered dish to the Fellowship Hall before the service. Place cards will be available for you to name your dish, and also your name, so that you will get all the great compliments on your good cooking!! Hamburgers, hot dogs & soft drinks will be provided! Board games, volleyball and cornhole game will be available. Don’t miss all the fun and bring your friends and family with you!

Church Council Meeting - Monday, Feb. 10, 7:00 p.m., Conference Room

United Methodist Women Meeting - Tuesday, Feb. 11, 9:30 a.m., Seekers Room. Open to all women—You are invited! Come and get acquainted—Try Us Out!
Missions to Women and Children—our major emphasis!

GAME NIGHT on Saturday, March 14 - 6:00 p.m., in the Fellowship Hall at church! Don't miss all the fun!!

Mission Team News: Sign up has begun for the RED BIRD MISSION TRIP in June.
June 7-13, 2020. Save the dates and make your plans.

PROJECT PROM is this Saturday, Feb. 15. We are in need of formal dresses/shoes/accessories and men’s suits/jackets. Drop them off at church on Sunday or at the church office this week! We also need help on Feb. 15 - contact Renee Evans for more information. Thank you!

Packing for KidsPACK on Monday, Feb. 24, at 5:00 p.m.
Project Prom is coming on Saturday, Feb. 15. Looking now for formal dresses and men’s suits/jackets.

We are now collecting for the 2020 BLESSING BASKET event, which takes place at Thanksgiving. This month, we would like to collect personal care items, toothpaste, deodorant, soap, etc.. and household items - cleaning supplies, paper towels, toilet paper, etc.. Please check the expiration date as not to expire in 2020. You may bring the items to church with you and place in the basket in the Sanctuary lobby, or bring to the church office during the week.

New Small Groups: “Community Groups” meet each Tuesday morning and evening, and each Thursday morning, afternoon and evening. Sign up on the back of your Connect Card in worship if you are interested or by calling the church office.

TUESDAY
CG 3 - 9:00 a.m. - Leader: Kathy Houser - Conference Room at the church
CG 1 - 6:30 p.m. - Leader: Heather Watkins - Jeff & Tina Dentel’s home

THURSDAY
Disciple Bible Study 1 - 9:30 a.m. - Leader: Ed Fair - Conference Room

CG 4 “Fellowship Builders” - 1:00 p.m. - Leader: Darlene Bruner, Seekers Room

CG 5 - 5:45 p.m. - Leader: Pastor Jim Mitchell - Off Campus

JOIN A COMMUNITY GROUP TODAY!

Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group: We have an Alzheimer's/Dementia Support Group which meets the first Tuesday of each month. If you are a caregiver of an Alzheimer/Dementia patient, we believe you could benefit from attending this meeting. We have a lot of resources, or if you just need to talk to someone and get some advice, please try to attend. Our next meeting will be on Tuesday, March 3, 2020 at 1:00 p.m. in the Conference room at the church. We hope to see you there!!

kidsPACK Volunteers Needed: We need several volunteers to help deliver the backpacks every Wednesday or Thursday. If you would be interested in helping out, please contact Renee Evans or call the church office. The next “packing” for kidsPACK is January 27 at 5:00 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall

No Hungry Hounds: Our church helps the Auburndale High School with a food pantry and the football team with food and snacks to eat between school and practice/games. The last month of each month, we have designated for collection of the food for that month. We are still collecting PEANUT BUTTER & JELLY . Please bring it on Sunday and put it on the table in the Sanctuary foyer area, or you may bring it to the church office anytime during the week! Your donations are very much appreciated!!

Young Adult Gathering: Calling all 18-30 year olds to a gathering EVERY Thursday at 7:00 p.m. in the Youth Room. Invite your friend and neighbors! We are meeting for fellowship and to talk about navigating through life. Contact Savannah Rogers, our Youth Director, or Pastor Jim for more information!!

Uniform Closet: OUR UNIFORM CLOSET IS NOW OPEN - You can get information from the Closet located in the lobby, as we reach out to Lena Vista Elementary School with uniforms, socks, and shoes. Many uniforms are on sale at the various stores this month. Thank you for your contributions!

Knitting Group: If you knit, or have always wanted to learn how, here is your chance! We have a knitting group that meets every Tuesday evening at 4:00 p.m. in the Conference Room. Make plans to come and bring a friend with you! At church on Sunday, look in the basket in the Sanctuary foyer and get a scarf to work on. The scarfs have been started, but need to be finished. Someone will be there to show you what to do if you have any questions.

Attention Singles!!: The “Early Birds” singles group meets every Tuesday at 11:00 a.m. in the Seekers room, then going to a restaurant to eat for lunch. The “Salt Miners” group will meet at 6:00 p.m. in the Seekers room, and then go to a restaurant of choice. So, come to and enjoy good fellowship, food, and fun!! Come to either, or both! All singles are welcome!!

Singles Mingle CARD MINISTRY has begun!! We will be sending cards to veterans in the Tampa Veterans Hospital throughout the year. Many veterans there are forgotten and have no family or friends, and receive NO cards from anyone. If you would like to participate or contribute to this project by providing cards (for any occasion) throughout the year, and / or writing greetings from FUMC, call the church office and give them your name and phone number and we will get back to you. We would love to have you be part of this wonderful card ministry!!

Men's Bible Group: The Men’s Bible Group meets every Thursday morning at 7:00 a.m. at Jazzy's Cafe on US Hwy 92 in Winter Haven near the airport. All men are welcome for this time of sharing of Food and Word. You order and pay for your own breakfast from the menu. We discuss the Scripture readings of the day from the daily schedule. We pray, and you are on your way by 8:00 a.m. Men, come and join us!

Ways to Give Back to FUMC Through Your Online Shopping: WAYS TO GIVE BACK TO FUMC THROUGH YOUR ONLINE SHOPPING
UMC Market - Go to www.umcmarket.org to register. Shop online at your favorite retailer and a percentage of your purchase from participating retailers is contributed to our Church at no cost to you.
Amazon Smile - Go to www.smile.amazon.com to register and designate “First United Methodist Church of Auburndale” as your charitable organization. Amazon will donate 0.5% of the price of eligible purchases to the Church.

FOR MORE INFORMATION AND LINKS, SEE THE WEEKLY “FIRST FLASH” !

Florida UM Children's Home Donations Needed: The Florida United Methodist Children’s Home is in need of many donations! There is a list of the items needed on the table in the foyer area at the church, and in the church office. If you are able to help out, please stop by and pick up a list. Please bring the items to the church office. All donations will be greatly appreciated!!