Special Events and Current Activities 

Alpha - An Introduction to Christianity A 10-week course that explores the meaning of life which began on January 22. A variety of topics are introduced in an informal setting, starting with a meal at 5 p.m., followed by a DVD presentation and then group discussion with group facilitator, Holly Shaffer. Alpha is for everyone! You can visit www.alphausa.org to learn more about how Alpha changes lives.
 

Mothers Of Preschoolers is offering a babysitting service on Friday, February 10, 6:30-9:30 p.m. and Saturday, February 11, 5-9:30 p.m. The cost is only $2 per child. The sign-up poster is in the narthex. Contact Amy Myers if you have questions (412-2819).
 

Church Cookbooks What a great gift for family and friends! Cookbooks full of recipes submitted our congregation and friends are available in the church office. Cost: $12.50.  A project of the Health and Welfare Commission.

Valentine Dance February 25, 6-10:00, Fellowship Hall. All ages.
 

Good 'n Plenty Suppers  4:30-6:00. COST: Adults $8; Children 6-12 yrs. old $4; Under age 6 free. Take out after 4:30. No child-size take-out.

March 7: baked ham loaf, parsley potatoes, green beans, applesauce, rolls, carrot cake, beverage

April 4: roasted turkey, gravy, stuffing, mashed potatoes, corn, coleslaw, rolls, bar cookies, beverage

May 2: shaved ham BBQ with relish and sauce, grilled hot dogs, macaroni salad, baked beans, pickled cabbage, pie, beverage

Keenagers Older Adult Ministry  The Keenagers’ luncheon will not be held in January. On Wednesday, February 22 the program will be “The Gospel Accordion to Mike Gardy”. The meal will be provided by Linda and Harold Geise. Please make reservations by Monday, February 20 with Ardene Judd (546-7676), Arlene Opp (433-0306).
New this year will be a mission program. Participants are asked to bring a specific item. For February the donation is a box of cereal for Son Light House.
Please make reservations with Ardene Judd (546-7676), Arlene Opp (433-0306) or the church office (546-8030). Meetings are generally held the fourth Wednesday of the month, with one or two special trips or events held throughout the year.

30th Annual Pre-Lenten County-wide Ecumenical Service will be held at Christ United Methodist February 19 at 7:30 p.m. at (148 S. Main, Hughesville). The speaker will be the Rev. Glenn McCreary of Church of the Resurrection, Muncy. Special music will be provided by the combined choirs of Bethany and Christ United Methodist churches. Parking is in the rear of the building. Let us unite as God’s people in praise of Christ.

Informal Worship and Potluck Suppers on February 29, March 14, 21, and 28 in Fellowship Hall. Come at 6:00 to eat and/or 7:00 to worship.

Men’s Fellowship Breakfast is generally held the third Saturday of the month. The next gathering will be for breakfast at 8 a.m. on Saturday, February 18. For more information, contact Dave Pentz, 546-3998.

Methodists in Focus Do you like to take pictures? A group is forming and you are invited! Our mission is to take pictures of our church family Celebrating Life Together with Jesus Christ. We will meet sometime in January to discuss what this means and how we’ll “focus” our efforts! If you can share your talents - let the church office know or call Steve Godfrey (584-4402) for more information.

Muncy Valley United Methodist Men will meet on Monday, February 27 at 7 p.m. in Fellowship Hall. For more information contact Howard Ott or Harold Geise. This group’s focus is Christian fellowship, information and entertainment. They support many charities through free will offerings. 

New Member Sessions If you have been considering formal membership with Muncy First United Methodist Church, new member sessions with Pastor Gardy begin February 5, at 9:30 in Fellowship Hall and run 13 weeks. Reception into membership will be Pentecost Sunday, May. 27. Please contact the church office if you would like to participate.

Newsletter Proposal Would you be interested in receiving your monthly newsletter by e-mail? It could be a cost-saving measure to offer an e-newsletter to those who would like it. If you would be interested in going “paperless” (also known as a green solution!) please contact the church office at muncyumc@windstream.net

Prayer and Healing Service There will no service in December. The next service will be February 18 at 7 p.m. (generally held the third Sunday of the month). Time is spent in worship and prayer for those on our prayer list as well as individual needs of those present.

United Methodist Women  United Methodist Women will meet on Tuesday, February 14, at 7 p.m. for the annual “Call to Prayer and Self-Denial” program. Molly  Kemmerer will present the theme, “A Time for Change.” The offering received will benefit mission institutions in the U.S. and in other countries who help the marginalized and the poor, the physically challenged and others, especially women, children and youth, who don’t have access to information technology that will improve their quality of life. The business meeting will be led by Ardene Judd and hostesses for the evening will be Molly Kemmerer and Evelyn Rinn.

All women of the church are encouraged to become active members of United Methodist Women.

Women’s Retreat: Instruments Of Blessing

Our church’s eighth annual retreat will be held from April 27-28 at Villa Sacred Heart, Danville. We begin that Friday at 7 p.m. and conclude by 4 p.m. on Saturday. While there will not be the option to arrive either Friday or Saturday this year, due to Saturday’s material building upon what we cover on Friday evening, there is the option to commute for the two days for those who prefer not to spend the night at the Villa.

Our leader will be Becky Cuddeback and her theme is “Growing Eyes On Our Hearts”.  We will ask, “What does the kingdom of God look like?  Do we really have to wait to see it or are we to work together to bring it here?”  Jesus' first ministry message was to “repent, for the kingdom of God has come near”.  We will examine Matthew 13 and the Beatitudes (Matthew 5:1-13) to see this kingdom coming for ourselves and to be the instrument of blessing for our community.   

The retreat fee is $55.  This amount covers: overnight accommodations, breakfast, snacks, dinner, a gift, plus the leader’s time and talents!  There is confidential financial assistance available (contact Paige, 546-8030 mornings; 546-6231 evenings). The building has an elevator; carpooling will be available.

Please prayerfully consider taking this time to grow as a disciple of Christ. You may contact Retreat Committee members with questions: Patrice Bond, Linda Holsinger, Paige Kepner, Paula McCabe, and Gail Pentz.  Registration will begin on March 25 in the narthex.

Widow’s Mite monthly lunch will be at the Log Cabin on Thursday, February 16. Please make your reservations with Janice Oden (546-6166) by Monday, February 13.  A carpool will leave the lower level church parking lot at 11:45 (note time).  This gathering will include dominoes.  Any widows in the community are invited.