The Friday Five - 02.13.26
1. Ash Wednesday Marks the Beginning of Our Lenten Journey
“Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.”
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the season of Lent—a sacred time when Christians prepare their hearts for Easter through repentance, reflection, and self-examination. This solemn and meaningful day invites us to consider both our human frailty and our need for God’s grace. In worship, we remember that our sin and our mortality have been overcome through God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ.
Ash Wednesday services often include the Imposition of Ashes, when ashes are placed on the forehead in the shape of a cross. This powerful, tangible act serves as a visible reminder of our dependence on God and our call to repentance and reconciliation. Traditionally, the ashes are created by burning the palms from the previous year’s Palm Sunday celebration.
Here at Milford First, we will gather for a reflective Ash Wednesday worship service in our Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. on Wednesday, February 18. Together, we will begin the Lenten journey in prayer, scripture, and the Imposition of Ashes.
The service will also be streamed live online for those who are unable to attend in person.
All are welcome as we enter this holy season together.
Rev. Kenneth Stewart
Lead Pastor
2. Welcoming AMDLC’s New Director!
We’re excited to share that A Million Dreams Learning Center is welcoming their new Director! We’re grateful for the leadership and heart she brings to this role and look forward to this next chapter for AMDLC.
From Amanda:
“Hi, I’m Amanda Roettele. With over 20 years of experience in childcare my #1 mission is to make every child special. I have an associate’s degree in Early Childhood Education from the University of Cincinnati. In my previous role I was the Program Coordinator for Milford Extended Day. I’m excited to bring my passion for creating a fun, safe and engaging environment for each child to learn and grow.
I’m the proud mom of 3 amazing children, Nevae (19), Nolan (12) and Nyah (6). Outside of work you can find me on the sidelines of a baseball or football game. Planning my next Disney trip. Looking forward to an exciting adventure. Or relaxing by our pool.”
When you see Amanda in the halls or at church on Sundays, be sure to introduce yourself and extend the warmth and kindness that define Milford First. We’re grateful for her leadership and excited for the journey ahead!
3. Movie Night + Lock-in THIS WEEKEND!
Do you need last minute plans this President’s Day weekend? This Sunday at 7:00 PM in Room 203, we’re hosting the Milford First premiere of Soul On Fire! This powerful true story of faith, resilience, and overcoming incredible challenges is both inspiring and deeply moving. We can’t wait to experience it together as a church family. There will be free popcorn… so invite a friend and come ready for a meaningful and uplifting evening!
For our teens, the night doesn’t end there! Students in grades 6–12 are invited to stay for an overnight lock-in lasting until 6:00 AM. It’s going to be a fun-filled night with games, laughter, and great time together in a safe and welcoming space.
A signed permission slip is required for students who plan to attend.
It’s going to be an exciting Sunday evening at Milford First—we hope you’ll be part of it!
Corina Atherton
Director of Family Ministries
4. Tomorrow - Support Milford Robotics!
We are getting ready for the Milford competition, happening tomorrow, 2/14. This is the one event that we host each season. We would like to invite members of the community to come and see the Milford robotics teams compete. Our competition will be tomorrow, Feb 14th at the Milford Middle School, and there will, actually, be 2 competitions going on at once: a middle school competition and a high school competition. We will get started around 9 am. Admission is free. We will be selling concessions and tickets to our basket raffle to raise money for our club. Please stop by and see all the excitement.
Here are some ways to support our club:
We are taking donations to stock the hospitality room for the coaches and volunteers who are running our event. Here is the link for the things that we need: hospitality donations.
We are also selling tickets to our basket raffle to raise money for our club. The attached flyer shows what our baskets contain. Here is the link to buy raffle tickets: Raffle Tickets.
As a non-profit organization, we are also seeking sponsors who would be willing to donate to our club. Please see the attached sponsorship letter and sponsorship form. Here is what our chair of fundraising sends out to our potential sponsors:
Milford Robotics is a 501(c)(3) educational organization that engages middle school and high school students in hands-on STEM learning through competitive robotics.
We are contacting members of our community who may be interested in sponsoring our program. Funding from our sponsors helps us purchase the components, tools, and materials needed to sustain our program.
We deeply value our partnership with the community members who make our work possible. The attached sponsorship proposal provides more information about our organization and the ways we recognize the contributions of our community partners.
We would be grateful if you would consider supporting our students!
Lindsay DuPriest
President, Milford Robotics
5. Kroger Community Rewards Make a Difference
Did you know you can help fund the mission and ministry of Milford First UMC just by buying groceries?
By enrolling in the Kroger Community Rewards Program, a portion of your purchases will be donated to our church every time you shop and use your Kroger Plus Shopper’s Card—at no extra cost to you!
It’s easy to get started!
Create a digital account at krogercommunityrewards.com, through the Kroger app under “Rewards,” or visit your local store’s customer service desk.
Link your card by searching for “Milford First UMC” or entering our organization number: BS726.
Once linked, every purchase you make using your Shopper’s Card supports our church ministries.
Our most recent data shows there are around 35 enrolled households that generate about $100 per quarter. Imagine the impact if even more of us joined in!
As you consider ways to give this year, we invite you to take a few minutes to enroll. Every grocery trip can be a simple act of generosity.
Thank you!
MFUMC
