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Merrell UMC is a Christian community sharing the love of Jesus Christ through the practice of our gifts and graces to become Christian disciples of excellence. Christian disciples are believing and those yet to believe (Christians and pre-Christians) being transformed in a life giving faith community, living the gospel out of biblical learning, with inspirational worship, growing in generosity, committed to transform communities with our service and accepting God’s presence for all people through prayer.

Merrell On The Move Spec ial Edi t ion

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Spirit-led•Equipped•Empowered•Disciples Mission: To create Spirit-led, Equipped and Empowered Disciples for the world.

Sunday Worship - 10:00am Tuesday Prayer meeting - 6:30pm Wednesday Bible Study - 6:30pm

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Password: 320128 One tap mobile

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Beloved Brothers & Sisters in Christ, Warm Christian greeting to everyone! During this season of COVID-19 a lot of people are fearful and allowing stress to get the better part of them. As people of God we are reminded in 2 Timothy 1:7( NLT), “For God has not given us a spirit of fear and timidity, but of power, love, and self-discipline.” This is not a

time to be fearful but to trust God unconditionally and to exercise love and self-discipline. It means we are to observe the guidelines set forth by the CDC Health officials by practicing social distancing, washing our hands often with soap and water for 20 seconds, etc. By doing so will prevent the spreading of the virus and demonstrate our love for others.

It has been my deepest honor to be of service to you over the recent weeks during this difficult time. I am encouraged by your faithfulness to God. Many of you, as are able, have joined our online worship services on Sunday mornings and participated in our Lenten reflections during Holy Week. It is an indication to me that even though we are apart we are still together as One in the body of Christ. Our Church is a glorious Church! Your generous giving and your commendable spirit of stewardship that has allowed the ongoing upkeep of our Church is greatly appreciated, We look forward to your continued support.

In the coming weeks and months, let us follow the instructions given in Hebrews 10:24-25 9NLT): “ Let us think of ways to motivate one another to acts of love and good works. And let us not neglect our meeting together, as some people do, but encourage one another, especially now that the day of his return is drawing near.” Please join us for online worship:

Sunday Worship - 10:00am Tuesday Prayer meeting - 6:30pm Wednesday Bible Study - 6:30pm

Join Zoom Meeting Meeting ID: 816 348 7727

Password: 320128

“The Lord bless and keep you, the Lord make his face shine on you and be gracious unto you; the Lord turn is face towards you and give you Peace.” Servant in the making,

Bancroft Williams

We are seeking your feedback about the online worship services. Send short comments to Pastor or the office via email.

A Pastoral Letter to the People of the Florida Conference

Sisters and Brothers in Christ,

Thank you for your patience and faithfulness in this sea-

son of COVID-19. This virus is very real. We have lost

members to death. We are watching and praying as

friends and family members have contracted the

virus. We have been unable to gather in our

sanctuaries. We carry the stress, anxiety and fear within

our bodies. And yet, to quote the words of one of my

mentors, Ken Callahan, “We are the people of the empty

tomb, the risen Lord, the new life in Christ. We are the

Easter people. We are the people of hope.”

The crucified and risen Lord asked the disciple Peter a

question, three times. “Do you love me?” When Peter

responded, affirmatively, Jesus replied, “Feed my

sheep” (John 21).

We love our Lord by caring for his people. We love God

by loving our neighbor (Matthew 22).

And now we love our neighbors by flattening the curve

(the effect and spread of the virus). Many of our

neighbors and members are more senior adults, the most

vulnerable and among our most dedicated. We love them

and honor them by flattening the curve. We save lives

by flattening the curve.

Many of our members who live on the margins are

among our most dedicated and are most

vulnerable. Their illnesses are often unreported.

We are the second oldest state in average age. Illnesses

in many elder care facilities and nursing homes in Florida

are often unreported.

We do not yet have testing to know if we ourselves might

carry the illness to those we meet and serve.

A pandemic is not about political partisanship. I offered

guidance as your bishop twenty-two days prior to that of

the state government. This guidance is grounded in the

great commandments of Jesus. Right now we love God

by loving our neighbors.

If you are a clergy in leadership, this is what you were

licensed, commissioned and ordained to do—to feed the

sheep, to seek their safety, to love God’s people.

This is a mindset change for many of us, who have spent

out lives assembling congregations in order to offer love

for God. When we know it is safe--when there is testing

that is widespread and available—we will reassemble. It

will be a day of rejoicing.

For now, and through May 15, we will offer worship via

technology. Hundreds of our churches, large and small,

are faithfully bearing witness in this way. Thank you for

the creative and innovative ways you are sharing the

gospel.

Be assured of my prayers and gratitude for you. In this

time of distancing and at times isolation, we are a

connection.

The Peace of the Lord,

Ken Carter

Resident Bishop, Florida Conference

President, Council of Bishops

The United Methodist Church

We want to thank everyone for your continued financial commitment to your church during this quarantine. While we know you understand that our giving is not at the same pre-quarantine level, but – because of your generosity - we WILL be able to make payments on many of our most pressing obligations – payroll, partial payments on our major utilities, you know, the bills & other pay-ments that we simply must make to stay in business Here are the ways you can give:

• Drop off at church on Mondays and Wednesdays from 9 a.m. to noon.

• Sign up with Vanco through our website, www.merrellumc.org

• Sign up through Zelle by using this email: bookkeeper@merrellumc.org

• Drop your offering in the mail using The Church address

• Call the church office: (954) 731-2323 to make special arrangements. Our Finance Ministry thanks you very much, we encourage you to remain faithful in your giving, as you are able.

Bishop Ken Carter

The Rev. Michelle Shrader, Lead Pastor at Killian Pines United Methodist Church, is sharing a message from three of her members who are licensed mental health professionals. The message is on promoting mental and spiritual wellness during the quarantine.

Alexandria Fletcher 04/01

Adrian Lowe 04/01

Jean Walters 04/02

Courtney Mills 04/02

Danielle Brooks 04/02

Vireena Daley 04/04

Murlene Salmon 04/04

Icent Sidden 04/05

Pearl Lewis 04/06

Hortense Ormsby 04/08

Norma Williamson 04/08

Nioka Williams 04/08

Carl Walcott 04/10

Clare Dixon 04/10

Owen Webb 04/10

Leoma Isaac 04/11

Kristi Anderson 04/11

Jazmine Hyacinth 04/11

Jermaine Barnaby 04/12

Dennis Mullings 04/13

Shawn Perrin 04/13

Lemara Williams 04/13

Monique Nichols 04/15

Claire Smith Hall 04/17

Barrington Berry 04/17

Marcus Watson 04/17

Andrew Pryce 04/17

Kamar Smith 04/17

Owen Webb 04/10

Leoma Isaac 04/11

Kristi Anderson 04/11

Jazmine Hyacinth 04/11

Jermaine Barnaby 04/12

Dennis Mullings 04/13

Shawn Perrin 04/13

Lemara Williams 04/13

Monique Nichols 04/15

Claire Smith Hall 04/17

Barrington Berry 04/17

Marcus Watson 04/17

Andrew Pryce 04/17

Kamar Smith 04/17

Adia Barnes 04/24

Sheila Weir 04/25

Bulletin Announcement Forms are available in the church office area on the office door. Please return form(s) via email:

office@merrellumc.org or place it in the box on the office door. Deadline for announcements: WEDNESDAY at NOON.

+ The Staff +

The Rev. Dr. Bancroft Leighton Williams, Pastor Email: pastorbancroft@merrellumc.org

Claudette Meatley, Certified Church Administrator Email: claudette@merrellumc.org

Bro. Louis Trotman, Director of Music Sis. Shirley Smith, Director Preschool

Email: Preschool@merrellumc.org Mr. Leroy Satchell, Custodian

MEMBERSHIP AND DISCIPLESHIP Merrell welcomes interested persons to become members.

We invite you to contact the Pastor by calling the Church Office.

BAPTISMS Performed at the Sunday Service, contact the Church Office.

MARRIAGES Performed after consultation with the Pastor

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In time of illness or sorrow, please call the Pastor or the Church Office promptly.

Church Council

Sis. Eileen Tucker Lay Leaders

Sis. Patricia Tabois Sis. Lurow Hall

Lay Member to Annual Conference Sis. Lorna Smith

Staff Pastor Parish Relations Committee

Sis. Yvette Smith Admn. Assistant to Pastor

Sis. Claudette Meatley Finance Committee

Bro. Wayne Ranger Financial Secretary

Sis. Norma Williamson Prayer Ministry Sis. Uliet Black

Trustee Bro. Franklyn Coombs Evangelism/Outreach

Ministries Sis. Valerie Henry

Preschool Board Chair Sis. Thelma McGeachy

United Methodist Women

Sis. Thelma McGeachy United Methodist Men Bro. Lovell McKail

Visitation Ministry Sis. Dizzierene Cox Stewardship

Bro. Winston Chang New Members Committee

Sis. Rose Farquharson Membership Secretary

Sis. Phillipa Daniels Campus Ministry Representative

Sis. Judith Gohagen Disaster Coordinator

Bro. Lovell McKail Worship Ministries Sis. Ettamerle Rapley

Youth Sis. Judy Gohagen

Sis. Keisha Coombs-Newman Thrift Shop Coordinator

Sis. Phylis Brown

Our Church Leaders