Journey to the Cross Prayer Experience

“Ash Wednesday,” February 22
Come and go in the sanctuary between 7:00 and 8:30 pm.

The worship season known as “Lent” begins on Wednesday, February 22. (For more about “Lent,” click here to see Pastor Steve’s blog.) Please join us for this prayer experience called “Journey to the Cross,” where you will be guided through meditations and prayers that will help you enter thoughtfully into this meaningful season of worship and service. All are welcome! We will meet in the sanctuary between 7:00 and 8:30 pm.

Welcome to First Church of God Luncheon

Are you new to our congregation? If so, we would like to invite you to join us for the Welcome to First Church of God Luncheon. Our pastors and ministry leaders would love to have the opportunity to meet you! We would also like to share with you information about our church, including our mission, our staff, our ministries, and the way in which our congregation provides care to one another. The Welcome Luncheon is Sunday, February 26th, following the second worship service (starting at about 12:15) at His Place. Please RSVP to the church office (email, firstcog@gmail.com or phone, 989-463-3730) by Thursday, February 23rd.

Free From… Free To… 
February 26 through April 1

“It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery.” When St. Paul penned these words to the church in Galatia, the church was on the precipice of falling backward into the slaveries that had held them in bondage prior to their Christian experience. Still today, we fall pray to attitudes, mindsets and habits (among other things) that hold us and others in bondage. During this six-week sermon series from Galatians called “Free From… Free To…” we will explore why St. Paul was convinced that freedom is at the heart and soul of the Christian life, what we are free from, and what freedom compels us to…

Download “Forty Days of Prayer and Fasting” right here!

View the upcoming sermon series details now. 

Recommended First Step for New People

Starting Point… Discovering Your Place
Twelve weeks beginning March 4
9:45 to 10:45 a.m., Room 106

This class is the recommended first step for those who are new to Alma First Church of God. During this twelve-week class, we will discuss the mission and purpose of Alma First Church of God, as well as the foundational teachings of the Church of God movement. We will explore what it means to follow Christ on a journey of renewal and service. We will also assist you in discovering what your God given gifts and talents are so that you are better equipped to discern how and where God is calling you to serve.

Sponsor a Student going to International Youth Convention with Stock Options

We are looking for families to partner with, pray for, and sponsor eight students attending IYC 2012 and Lead 222 Mission experience this summer in Denver, CO. During the next few weeks on the bulletin board next to the Welcome Center you will find a “Stock Options” sign-up. You can personally invest in and sponsor a specific student this summer by purchasing one or more shares in their name ($25/share). All of our sponsors will then be matched up with their student(s) to pray for them prior to and during the IYC experience. All students will write to their sponsors during the trip. Sponsors will receive an invitation to attend a “Shareholder’s Appreciation Banquet,” where students will “share” their testimonies. May you be blessed as you “invest” in our students!

To Worship Ministry Team Members

Last spring many of you completed a survey about the worship team. In a continuing process to growing and improving our ministry we want follow up this survey with some focus groups. This is an opportunity to get a review of the results of the survey and to more fully explore some of the primary results. You are encouraged to participate in a focus group whether or not you completed a survey. We have chosen three time slots for the groups. Each one is limited to ten participants. You need to sign up for one of the spots in one of the groups. If all the spots in all three groups fill we will open a fourth time for a group. Please stop by or call the office to sign up. The groups are scheduled for:

• Thursday March 1st 7:00- 8:30 p.m.
• Saturday March 3rd 9:00- 10:30 a.m.
• Sunday March 4th 5:30- 7:00 p.m.

All will be held in Room 108. Please join us. We need to hear your thoughts.

Sincerely, The Worship Planning Team