Details, Details

Church Closure Update:  Due to the on-going COVID-19 crisis, and at request of our area Bishop Karen Oliveto, First UMC of Cortez will remain closed for in-person gatherings until at least May 1st.  Our first priority is to keep everyone safe and healthy.

This COVID-19 thing is really going to impact our church's financial situation.

• The Thrift Store remains closed--and the income we count on from the store is closed as well.  (The Thrift Store supports 60% of our Church Budget!).  
• We're not meeting for worship, so dropping your gift or tithe into the offering plate isn't an option.
• Church Council is committed to paying our church staff for at least two months.  We know our staff and families depend on this income to meet their family's needs.
• We're reducing expenses as much as possible by not ordering supplies, and by turning down the thermostats in the church and the store.

Please support our church during this difficult time by sending your gifts and tithes to:  FIRST UMC OF CORTEZ

       P.O. Box 1016

       Cortez, CO 81321

You can contact the Church Office by calling the usual phone number 970-565-3002.  or email us at  fumccortez@gmail.com  .  Phone calls are forwarded to office manager Remetha Gustafson at home.

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If you ordered photos when pictures were taken for the new church directory, they have arrived and are at Remetha's home office in Cortez.  Please call 970-565-3002 if you wish to stop by and pick up your photos. 

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We are making plans for a "social distancing" worship service on Easter Sunday, April 12th!

We will be holding a DRIVE-IN EASTER WORSHIP SERVICE in the church parking lot at 10am on April 12th.

Here's how it will work--if all goes according to plan...

1.  You pull into church parking lot and remain in your car for the duration of the service.

2.  Audio for the service will be transmitted to an FM radio station.  You will tune into that station to hear the music and speaking.

3.  You'll receive a bulletin with the worship order and words to the hymns so you can sing along.  (opening your windows a crack so other people can hear you singing is optional)

4.  You'll have the opportunity to drop your financial gift into the "offering plate" at both the parking lot entrance and exit 

5.  We'll get to celebrate the Joy of Resurrection together!!!

During this time of year--this season of Lent--we are preparing our hearts and lives to celebrate Christ's Resurrection--the most important occasion of the Christian Year.  Throughout history, Christians have sacrificed, fasted, "given something up," and prayed during the 40 days of Lent.  It's always been optional.  This year Lent has been our reality.  We have given up handshakes and hugs, in-person greeting and meetings, shared meals and group worship.  One of my friends said it best: "This is the Lentiest Lent I've ever Lented!"

Unfortunately, all these COVID-19 physical restrictions will not let up in time for us to celebrate Easter in the usual way with church services and family brunches and Easter Egg Hunts.  But that does not mean that we get to simply postpone Resurrection!  For us and for Christians around the world, Easter will arrive under difficult and dangerous circumstances.  Our physical, temporal reality will not be lighthearted and carefree.

But maybe that's the point.  Think back to that first Easter.  Jesus was dead.  The disciples were terrified.  The women were preparing to bury Jesus.  It looked like violence and evil and danger had won the battle.  There was really nothing to celebrate.  Until Mary and the other women went to the tomb and discovered...

It's two weeks until Easter Sunday.  In the midst of physical hardship, we will celebrate the Good News of Resurrection.  Our external circumstances may be challenging, but our spiritual circumstances will rejoice at the miracle of Resurrection.

Hang in there, everyone.  This COVID-19 thing may seem like it's going to last forever--but the promise and hope of Resurrection is just around the corner.

Psalm 30:5

God's anger is just for a moment;
   God's favor is for a lifetime.
Weeping may linger for the night,
    but joy comes with the morning.

Peace and all good,

Pastor Jean