The Friday Five - 01.30.26

Jan 23

1. Chili Cook-Off THIS SUNDAY

Our Chili Cook-Off will take place this Sunday, February 1, immediately following worship, from 12:00–1:00 pm. Entry is free, and all proceeds will support our Pikeville Mission Trip this summer.

We’ll need helping hands for setup and cleanup, and a small team will be formed to help organize details like special awards.

Invite a friend—everyone is welcome to cook, attend, or cheer on the competitors! Also, be share to like and share the event on Facebook!

For questions or to get involved, see Corina. You can email her at corina@milfordfirstumc.org

Also, while we have your attention, our Staff Breakfast at Milford High School is just around the corner! You can now sign up to bring an item, and the deadline to register is Sunday, February 8. Thank you for helping us show appreciation and hospitality to our local school staff. That is all! If you have questions about the Staff Breakfast or the Chili Cook-Off, just send Corina and email! Sign Up Here

Corina Atherton

Director of Family Ministries

2. An Invitation to Make A Joyful Noise!

Watch Anthem: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bbl9Pd4iuME&feature=youtu.be

Music has always been an important part of the Methodist way. Both Wesleys, John and Charles, were adamant about the use of music in worship: John, calling for it to be part of every worshipper’s offering to the Lord, and Charles, actually writing many of the hymn texts we still sing today.

The Altar Choir, Wesley Handbells, Brass Ensemble, and Flute Choir are always open to new members. The time commitment is small - a rehearsal on Thursday nights, and church on Sundays when that group is scheduled to present music (but you were going to be there anyway, right?!?).

There are no auditions or requirements to join, although the instrumental groups find it very helpful if you read music.

Here are the folks to contact for these groups if you need more information or want to join:

Altar Choir - Tim Carpenter - Thursdays 7:38-9:00pm
Flute Choir - Tracy Carpenter - Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm
Brass Ensemble - Sharon Rutter - Thursdays 5:45-6:15pm
Wesley Handbells - Tim Carpenter - Thursdays 6:30-7:30pm

You can contact us through the Realm app, or just show up!

For your enjoyment, here is a video of “Come Unto Me” that we made that didn’t make it into the online video service from last Sunday. It will give you an idea of what we do, and we hope it inspires you to not only “Come Unto” faith, but also to “Come Unto” one of our music ensembles and serve the church through music!

Tim Carpenter

Director of Music Ministries

Email: music.mfumc@gmail.com

3. The Impact of Mission

A note for the congregation of Milford First:

Over 5 months have passed since your group of volunteers traveled to and worked on Hurricane Helene relief projects in western North Carolina. One project was a house build for the McGee family. The McGees lost their house due to black mold from the hurricane.

Trish, Lora, Jesse, Chip, Arlo, Tilli, Jade and Rorie helped construct the front porch & cover, back porch, and install windows. As you can see, the front porch & cover really makes the house look cozy and inviting. Your group was the exact help that we needed to accomplish this portion of the house build. Isn’t it amazing how God provides when there is a need? A great example of how God provides. The Volunteers from Central Baptist Church really appreciated your group’s help, attitude and camaraderie. The fellowship was wonderful and entertaining.

Please pass along CBC’s volunteer’s appreciation to the volunteers and congregation at Milford First United Methodist Church for supporting the Hurricane Helene recovery efforts. The house was dedicated on Friday, November 14th.

Blessings,

Doug Brown

Central Baptist Church

We received this beautiful note thanking our team for our efforts in North Carolina. This is just a small piece of the impact our mission trips have on communities far and wide. Consider this as we approach the meeting for our upcoming mission trip to Pikeville KY. The meeting will take place on Sunday, February 8 at noon, immediately following worship.

Our mission trips make a real difference in the real lives of real people.

Corina Atherton

Director of Family Ministries

4. Holy Grounds: The Caffeinated Saints Among Us

Each Sunday morning, something wonderful happens in our Welcome Center. Yes, worship is great—but let’s be honest, the coffee gets many of us there on time. We proudly serve free-trade, ethically sourced, organic goodness from Equal Exchange (About Us – Equal Exchange), plus hot chocolate (new crowd favorite) and an array of teas for the calm, composed souls among us.

But that steaming cup doesn’t appear by magic. It’s made possible by our bright, shining baristas: Jade Stewart, Jocelyn Reimer, and Kiara Reimer (pictured left to right), with a weekly assist from Donna Parrish, who faithfully sets up the station every Thursday like the behind-the-scenes hero she is.

And get this: the Reimer family (Phil and Beth included) rises before 6:00 AM and drives 79 miles one way from Pleasant Hill every Sunday. That’s not just dedication—that’s caffeine-powered discipleship. Thanks to them, you’re awake enough to sing, pray, and maybe even catch the sermon’s main point before your second cup.

These warm beverages are more than drinks; they’re a ministry of welcome. They help us extend hospitality, comfort, and community from the moment people walk through the door.

And let's not forget to mention the cleanup crew who, like angels among us, take time after worship to clean all the carafes, put away all the supplies, and wipe down the countertops...an unknown community of cleaning fairies who put off lunch (and their growling stomachs) in order to serve us.

If you’ve been thinking, “I’d like to get involved,” hospitality is a fantastic place to start—greeters, ushers, baristas and more. If you can smile and care about people, you’re already qualified.

Please join me in thanking these amazing young disciples who are putting feet (and lots of miles) to their faith.

Rev. Kenneth Stewart

Lead Pastor

5. Held and Healing, A Recap

As our January worship series Held and Healing comes to a close, we give thanks for a month of honest reflection on the ways God meets us in life’s tender places with compassion and hope. This series also created space to share the heart of Stephen Ministry—what it is, what it is not, and how a caring, confidential companion can make a difference in difficult seasons. It is our hope that many gained a clearer understanding of Stephen Ministry and were able to discern whether it might be a meaningful source of support now or in the future.

Deep gratitude is extended to our Stephen Ministers, who quietly wove their presence throughout the series and made themselves available after worship to listen and pray with anyone in need. Their ministry continues beyond this series—they remain available and ready to walk alongside others with Christ-centered care. We invite you to visit the Stephen Ministry page on our website to learn more or take a next step.

As this worship series concludes, our prayer is that walls of pride, isolation, and fear continue to fall, and that more people choose the gift of Christian community rather than going it alone. Thank you for being part of a church family that values authentic connection and compassionate care as we seek to be the Body of Christ together.