Dear Friends,
As the Lenten Season approaches, we need to ask ourselves, "How can I deepen and grow in my relationship with Christ and draw near to Him?" and prepare to take action.

There is a plant in my garage that has withered. It once flourished when it was given consistent loving care. Now it waits to be disposed because the care was not given. Our spiritual life is very much like that plant. It will grow or wither depending on what care we give it.

In order to see growth in our relationship to God, we must give time and attention to it through regular times of worship, prayer, study of God's Word, service and holy living. In this Lent, I urge you to take special care to deepen your walk with Christ as you participate in the upcoming opportunities of the season.

ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE: Plan ahead for our service on March 1, 2006 at 8:00pm.

SKILLS DIRECTORY: We are still compiling information for the Skills Directory. It is not too late to submit your information. You can either fill out a form on Sunday during church or e-mail Rodger Lee at rltrumpet@aol.com.

OUTREACH COMMITTEE: Would you like to help extend our Church's reach beyond our own walls to the greater world? Then you're welcome to join the Outreach Committee! If you're interested, call the Church Office.

FAREWELL BRUNCH: Please join us on Sunday, February 26th after church in Fellowship Hall for a farewell brunch for Christine Bouton and her family. We wish her well in her move to Texas and thank her for her many years of music ministry with us.

J.C. CAFŠ: Join us on Saturday, March 4th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall for an evening of fellowship and contemporary Christian music featuring Joe Guadagno and Paul Paoli. Suggested donation is $5.00, which includes coffee and desserts. See Harry Schwartz for tickets at Coffee Hour.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC POSITION AVAILABLE: Farmingdale UMC seeks part-time Director of Music. Skilled, creative organist and pianist to direct and accompany a chancel choir, a praise and gospel choir, a youth choir and a bell choir and to play at Sunday worship service and other special services. Organ is a twenty rank Austin. Position could be divided. Salary up to $22K, commensurate with responsibilities. Additional income from weddings and funerals is possible. Position open March 1, 2006. Send resume to Music Search Committee at farmumc@earthlink.net or to 407 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

FROM THE BISHOP: "The New York Annual Conference is a beloved community of hope, building up a healthy Body of Christ, and growing heart-warmed Methodists in mission."
The above statement, put forth by Bishop Jeremiah Park, is being widely discussed as a shaping statement for the ministries of our New York Annual Conference. It is a work in progress. Bishop Park invites every United Methodist in our conference to respond to this statement with questions, dreams, and ideas. Questionnaires are available in the South Transcept.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: to help pattern Kyli Abbinanti, a member of our Church, who is 3-years old and developmentally disabled. Patterning is a sensory program designed to help Kyli achieve developmental milestones, and requires a 3-person team. Most anyone can pattern, it takes getting used to the coordination and rhythm, but it is not hard. A schedule has been set up by the family, who resides in Ronkonkoma. One hour time slots are available 2x daily. If you are interested and able to give an hour weekly or bi-monthly, or if you know of someone who may be, please contact the Church Office, or see Jodi or Andy after Church. Further information is posted on the bulletin board outside the Church Office.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE: save money on your car insurance by taking a Defensive Driving Course on Saturday, March 11th 9:00am-3:00pm at St. Killian's. The cost is $37.00, part of which will go to fund our friends at their outreach center. For more information, call 516-756-9656.

ALTAR FLOWER REQUESTS: If you wish to place flowers on the Altar in memory of a loved one, or in honor of someone or a special time in your life, there are flower request forms available in the South Transcept. Next available dates are: 3/5, 3/12, 3/19, 3/26.

IN NEED OF PRAYERS THIS WEEK: Hurricane victims and earthquake victims, Helen Harvison, Rev. John Dass, Emily Brown, Kylie Abbinanti, Tom Maldonado, Barbara Simpson, Russell Schwartz, Garry Wurth, and our troops in harm's way.
*If you know of someone in the hospital, or someone who wishes a pastoral visit, please call the Church Office.