ALL CHURCH

HOLY WEEK SERVICES:

April 17^th - MAUNDY THURSDAY Service, 7pm, Sanctuary

April 18^th – GOOD FRIDAY Service, 7pm,
St. Mark’s Campus

April 20^th – EASTER SERVICES,

All normal service times

LIFELINE SCREENING will be here Friday, April 25, 2025, offering safe, painless, non-invasive preventive health screenings that are typically not a part of a routine physical.  To be more proactive about your health for yourself, your family and your community, please register for these health screenings today.  Please refer to the attached flyer to get more info about how you can sign up. There is no time like the present to take action!  

Three ways to register:

•       Call toll-free: 1-888-814-0466 promo code HSCA001

•       Online: https://www.llsa.social/hsca

•       Text: the word circle to 216-279-1607

IT’S SAD TO SAY GOODBYE … As we announced last weekend in our services, KELLI NEWHOUSE IS LEAVING OUR STAFF. She’s born and raised in our church and has been an invaluable part of over staff for decades. She’s accepted a position that, at this time in life, is better for her family. She will still be attending our church, but we’d love to honor her for her many years of service here on staff. YOU’RE INVITED TO JOIN US FOR A CELEBRATION BETWEEN SERVICES ON SUNDAY, APRIL 27TH. Feel free to bring cards or notes of thanks and encouragement as we pray for her in her new position.

TOUCH A TRUCK EVENT COMING UP – May 3rd, 11am-2pm. FREE! Bring a non-perishable food item and/or clothing items to fill up our church bus! Donations will benefit ongoing local missions and support students at local schools.

   Questions or have a vehicle you’d like to put on
   display? Contact Mark Nance,
   markjr@mdblacktop.com.

    *kid vendors & Wide Open Hearts will be inside the building. If your child would like to be a vendor, contact Pastor Brandi. There will also be games and crafts inside for the kiddos! 

WE’VE HAD MANY ASKING about making donations to camp - For a high schooler to attend a full week of camp, the cost is $400. For a middle schooler to attend half a week of camp, the cost is $300. If you would like to donate towards this life-changing cause, please designate it in the giving, or contact Pastor Brandi. A BIG THANK YOU to all who have donated to assist our kiddos in offsetting these costs! YOU ARE CHANGING LIVES! 

KRISPY KREME DONUTS FOR SALE – a delicious way to help our kiddos get to camp! If you’d like to order, GO TO OUR HOME PAGE AND SCROLL DOWN TO SPECIAL EVENTS!

GIVING

GIVING ENVELOPES: In an effort to update records and be good stewards of the church's resources, if you are receiving GIVING ENVELOPES by mail, and *do not* need/use them, please contact Andrea at andrean@gcumc.org. 

Likewise, if you're NOT receiving your numbered envelopes by mail, but would like to, please contact Andrea as well.

KIDS/FAMILY/YOUTH/CAMP

FAMILIES! PLEASE RSVP BY APRIL 13^TH FOR THE FAMILY SCAVENGER HUNT TAKING PLACE ON APRIL 19^TH – BrandiB@gcumc.org.

CAMPERS & FAMILIES! Please remember that a payment for camp is due THIS Sunday.

MERGE

Did you know that families gather together every Wednesday at 6pm for dinner, fellowship, worship, study and mission? Families with children of any age are welcome to join us! 

ST. MARK'S

We are blessed to have 20 preteens and youth going to camp this year! We will be doing a T-SHIRT FUNDRAISER! You will find some of our own designs (see at the end of this blast!)! Please consider supporting us as the profit will help these kids go to camp. T-shirts are $20, and you can sign up in the Great Hall. Contact Pastor Lizzy for more information lizzyo@gcumc.org with questions! 

Would you be willing to join us at St. Mark’s and help teach our Preteen class? You do not need to speak Spanish – you deliver the lessons in English. We would need you Sundays, 1:20- 2:30pm. Interest or questions, please contact Pastor Lizzy, LizzyO@gcumc.org. 

Collecting these items:

*LAMPS

*KITCHEN APPLIANCES/DISHES/GADGETS

These items can be dropped off at our St. Mark’s location (5200 Sullivant Ave., Columbus, OH 43228) every Sunday, 8am-6pm or every Wednesday, 9am-8pm).

PLEASE THESE ITEMS ONLY. 

Questions? Contact Pastor Lizzy, LizzyO@gcumc.org! 

MERGE! 

Merge is our mid-week family Programming! We meet Wednesday evenings, 6-8pm. Sign up to attend here .

SMALL GROUPS! THE FIRST SUNDAY OF EACH MONTH AT 5PM, we have a girls small group and a boys small group. This is for 5^th graders through highschoolers.

HEY TEENS (7th-12^th grade)! Teens meet on Sunday evenings, starting at 6pm for a time of dinner, worship, message and a service opportunity.

We are looking for DINNER volunteers! Sign Up here .

Questions on any of the above or to RSVP for events, contact Pastor Brandi .

If you'd like to visit our Children/Family/Teens page, go here .

CONSTRUCTION NEWS: Please note that the construction team will be blocking off our parking lot entrances on the Columbus Street side, Monday through Friday. We’ve noticed unsafe practices of people cutting through our parking lot which endangers the lives of the many children in and out of our lot with Lifewise and PDCCC. Therefore, if you are coming to the church during the week, you will need to use the LaRosa entrances; however, during the weekends, the Columbus Street entrances will be open. Thank you!

YOU'VE PROBABLY NOTICED THE GEESE … we have a few friends in our parking lot – ‘tis the season – they were with us last year around this time …. We are trying to take measures to ensure that they leave everyone alone as you all come into the building – but we also ask that you just let them be. There is a nest in the little courtyard next to the café doors. We will continue to monitor the situation and ensure the safety first of all who go in and out of our building! 

THE RAINS CAME DOWN …. We are aware of the leaks throughout the building. The volume of rain that has fallen over these past weeks has been overwhelming to our roof. These leaks are being addressed with our insurance company, and repairs are forthcoming.

GRADUATION SUNDAY WILL BE MAY 4TH! If you have a graduate in your family, please send a baby photo, senior photo and post-graduation plans.

MAY LUNCH & LEARN – MAY 6TH, 11:30-1PM. The Alzheimer’s Association will be with us, providing resources regarding Alzheimer’s & Dementia. Please RSVP to Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org, to ensure we have enough lunch available.

BIKER BLESSING - Save the date – May 18th! 

SEED COLLECTION! The box for seed collection for the mission team is at the Info. Desk. 

PURPLE DOOR CHRISTIAN CHILDCARE

Looking for childcare or preschool? Purple Door offers full or part time care for your little one right here at the church! We are open from 7am to 6pm and work to meet your scheduling needs. Please share with your friends and family! Our center cares from little ones from six weeks old through after school care of elementary students. Preschool academics, Bible study, gross motor all offered in the morning with extended childcare hours. Now ENROLLING. Call us – 614/801-9475 for more information!

STREET CLEANING – 1st Saturday of the month. PLEASE NOTE: if below 32 degrees or snow on the ground, we will not go out!

MEN! YOU ARE INVITED TO JOIN OUR MONTHLY GATHERING. Family calendars book up, so please try to block out these dates for the year. Contact Bo Blackstone to get plugged in. 

Sunday May 4

Friday June 6

Sunday July 6

Friday August 1

Sunday September 7

Friday October 3

Sunday November 2* (may get rescheduled)

Friday December 5

FOR OUR TRADITIONAL SERVICES, WE NEED BOTH USHERS AND COMMUNION SERVERS FOR BOTH 8:30 & 11AM. Are you willing and able to help? Contact Kelli at the church office, KelliN@gcumc.org or 614/875-5612.

WE ARE IN NEED OF HELP in our 8:30 and 11am Traditional services. If you have been thinking about ways to plug in to the church and serve God, please pray about helping in these services. We need:

Sound Technicians (Training provided)

Ushers

Communion Servers

****If you would like information on these areas of service, contact Kelli at the church office, 614/875-5612.

NEEDS:

ST. MARK’S could use blankets, diapers, wipes, baby clothes, shelf-stable food items, adult clothing

GROVE CITY CAMPUS COULD USE food for our weekend food program. Shopping list here: https://www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/XRQLQX8HNMEU?ref_=wl_share.

BOTH CAMPUSES COULD USE BIBLES, AND THOSE ARE OFTEN ON SALE TOO. Go here  to our specific Amazon link!

REMINDER – OUR CAN COLLECTION IS ONGOING and is a way we continue to raise funds for our mission trips. You can leave them at the Info. Desk!

LOCAL SCHOOL PARTNERSHIPS: 

    The needs in our community continue to rise. We have new schools reaching out to us to begin the weekend food bags for their students. Thank you for continuing to bring in food each and every week-please continue to do so! In addition, we have created a school partnership Amazon Wishlist  for those that would like a simple way to grab some of our needed items! 

IMPORTANT NOTES - NO GLASS. Cans that have tab tops are preferred. Precooked items are helpful or items that only need water added. This is not an exhaustive list, but examples.

Cereal*Poptarts*Oatmeal*Pancake Mix*Syrup*Peanut Butter*Jelly*Honey*Pasta Sauce*Canned Veggies*Fruit cups*Applesauce*Rice*Pasta*Instant potatoes*Macaroni & Cheese*Ramen Noodles*Granola Bars*Crackers*Soups*Canned Meat - Chicken, beef, tuna, etc.*Fruit Snacks*Koolaids packs

Toiletries - deodorant, Q-tips, shampoo/conditioner, toothpaste, underwear

GET YOUR MERCH ON DEMAND! Many have been asking about church merch – t-shirts, hoodies, hats – well now, you can order it online and get it in a SUPER FAST turnaround – AND – the company will donate $5 back to the church for every item purchased! MERCH UPDATES! Our merch site has updates - Rain jackets, polos and crewnecks! Check out the website at https://www.24tees.shop! You can also request your favorite name brands be used for an increased price!

TECH – We are in need of tech personnel for both our traditional and contemporary services. Able to serve? Contact Traci, traciw@gcumc.org to get plugged in! It’s a GREAT place to be!

MENTAL HEALTH: REAL TALK, REAL SUPPORT - A peer-led, social-emotional support group for parents and caregivers of children with mental health struggles. Two meetings a month:

• 2nd Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8pm – The Buckeye Ranch (5665 Hoover Rd.), Mary Dunn Building
• 4th Tuesday of the month, 6:30-8pm – The Purple Door Church, Fireside Room

For questions, contact Sheri Dunagan at sheri.dunagan@att.net or call/text 614-439-7110. Learn more online: www.RealTalkOhio.org.

• CONNECT ON FACEBOOK HERE .

GET INVOLVED! We love being able to serve our families and our community and we have SO many opportunities to plug in at The Purple Door Church. We are fully open and have all of our activities available to our congregation and community! There are plenty of places for you to serve – WE NEED YOU and want to encourage you to check out list of opportunities – go to our website: https://www.purpledoorchurch.com/opportunities-to-serve.

A LOOK AT WHAT WE NEED: It truly takes the hands and feet of ALL of us to do our part to make this church run day in and day out! We have some AMAZING volunteers who make this place exceptional and a place to call HOME. Here is a look at where we could use some help:

TECH TEAM (both Traditional and Contemporary) - Contact TRACI WURSCHMIDT 

SUNDAY SCHOOL TEACHERS – Contact PASTOR BRANDI 

MONEY COUNTERS – Contact KELLI NEWHOUSE 

LANDSCAPE TEAM – Help keep our grounds looking glorious! Kids are welcome! Contact SANDY

HOSPITALITY TEAMS – Contact Pastor Brandi, or sign up HERE .

WE NEED CHURCH OFFICE HELPERS - We need volunteers to work in the church office. You mainly will be answering the phones and other small jobs that might need to be done. If you are available, we need several spots to be filled on a regular basis: the second and fourth Tuesday in the afternoon from 9am-noon and the first and second Wednesday afternoon, 12-4pm. Also, we always need substitutes to fill in spots for our regular volunteers. If interested, please contact PEG ADDINGTON  or 614/270-1639.

PRAYER BOX – Did you know we have a Prayer Box located in our parking lot? It is a little purple mailbox located in the front of our parking lot facing Columbus Street. Our Prayer Chain is committed to praying for the people of this church and our city. If you have a prayer request, you can drop it in that box at any time. Prayer requests are collected weekly and prayed over by our committed prayer team.

PRAYER TEAM - Prayer is powerful and an amazing gift from God. We have the opportunity to talk directly to our Creator and the ability to pray on the behalf of others. Our prayer team started meeting this past Monday and we will continue to meet every week on Mondays at 9am. During our time together, we will be praying over our Sunday morning prayer requests, needs of the church, our community and nation. We will be prayer walking the church as well. If you are interested in joining, please contact CLARENCE DINNEN.

TO REQUEST PRAYER - If you'd like us to pray alongside you, you may fill out a prayer card during one of our services and put in the offering plate or in the offering boxes outside of our worship spaces; or, you may send an email to commuincations@gcucm.org . We would be honored to pray alongside you.

*RIGHT NOW MEDIA - Just a reminder that Right Now Media is available to all of our members as you think about your relationship with God in this upcoming year. Right Now Media is a database FULL of online Bible studies and social groups for individuals, families, children and groups. We often use this media resource in our Bible studies and small groups throughout the year. It’s a GREAT resource for you or for your family to be able to plug in to God’s Word and in the times we use it in our own church group setting. If you’d like to take advantage of this FREE online resource, contact Pastor Brandi to get set up. She just needs your email address. Your faith journey isn’t one you were ever meant to take alone. God made us for community!

MONDAY EVENING BIBLE STUDY - "STARVED" BY AMY SEIFERT BEGINS 3/31.

WATCH TRAILER HERE .

Countless Christians are struggling with the never-ending chaos consuming our world. To find a way out of the overwhelm, we turn to our phones, social media, politics, and a million other little things, desperate for relief. But over time, these imposters leave us weak, weary, and starving. Now more than ever is the perfect time to examine what we are feeding our souls so that we can receive the sustenance we need.

In this six-session Bible study companion to the book Starved, popular author and teacher Amy Seiffert helps readers sweep out their spiritual pantry and replace those old ingredients with new biblical principles that will provide healthy change in real, lasting ways.

Throughout the Starved Bible Study, which is designed for both individuals and groups, Amy invites you to join her in practicing what it means to leave behind sluggish spirituality by offering healthy alternatives such as:

• putting down our phones to find genuine connection;

• letting go of anxiety and fear to discover peace;

• setting aside exhaustion so we can rest and be renewed; and more.

In this study, Amy welcomes you to the table, inviting you to sit down and give thanks and begin the good, holy work of indulging in spiritual nourishment that only comes from Jesus.

SATURDAY MORNING WOMEN'S BIBLE STUDY - meets the 1st and 3rd Saturdays of the month, 8am, via zoom.

CONTACT PASTOR BRANDI, BRANDIB@GCUMC.ORG FOR ZOOM LINKS

PASTOR BRIAN’S BIBLE STUDY – Feb. 25^th – April 22^nd, 6:30pm, Hospitality Room, talking about how to have joy in difficult circumstances.

THURSDAY MORNING BIBLE STUDY

This study meets every Thursday morning at 10am! We will be studying the book of Genesis!

BIBLE JOURNALING - 3RD MONDAY OF EACH MONTH, 6PM, CHURCH OFFICE

Are you creative? Do you enjoy time in the Word? Join the two together, and come hang out with us on the 3^rd Monday of the month at 6pm at the church office. Questions? Contact Pastor Brandi, BrandiB@gcumc.org. 

PURPLE DOOR WOMEN’S GROUP: Join our new group! Our focus is on our church and parishioners/shut-ins. Need more info.? Contact Jean Davis, 614/282-8590.

THE BLESSING STATION -

We offer a small food pantry to our community. If you have food to donate, we look for dry beans, chickpeas, lentils, rice, and pasta; canned goods (tomatoes, corn); cereal; snacks; spaghetti sauce; tuna and chicken.

“THE LITTLE HOUSE” - With the help of the Free Store and lots of donations, we have been operating the “Little House” where we can provide different resources specific to the new families in the country/state. These items include household items, bedding supplies, kitchen supplies, kids toys and when we have some, furniture. This has been a blessing to the community and also to share the love of God. We have the opportunity to pray for those families we are serving and give them a Bible. Contact Pastor Lizzy for more information or ways to connect with this ministry: LizzyO@gcumc.org.

As you know, we were looking for a teacher for our nursery and God heard our prayer. We are thankful to have Micah and Yoselin Eller helping with this group. If you are still interested to come to our campus and serve our Sunday School Classes, let us know! REMEMBER: language is not a barrier. Most of our kids go to school here and speak English.

BOOK COLLECTION! We are collecting Christian base books or coloring books (for babies to high school age). If you have some in good condition, we will take them! We have been buying some for our toddlers at the dollar store. This is to share with the kids who are attending the afterschool program in our church.

There will be a box on the Information Desk with a sign

 “Iglesia Hispana / St. Mark’s Campus.”

CAN YOU GIVE A DAY? Do you love your church and cleaning is something you enjoy? Every month, we have a cleaning day at our west side campus, St. Mark’s Iglesia Hispana. Every 3^rd Saturday of the month at 9am, we go through our building and make it pretty! Email Pastor Lizzy for more info: lizzyo@gcumc.org.

Looking for a place to fellowship with other women, gain encouragement, give encouragement and grow deeper in your faith? We have several groups (aka “Circles”) that meet regularly throughout the week, have different areas of interests, and we’d love to invite you to find your fit!

We currently have three Circles:

REBECCA CIRCLE - meets the third Tuesday of the month @ 11:30am. For more info. or questions, contact Ann Beal (614-371-4472) or Peg Addington (614-877-4200), who are the leaders.

HANNAH CIRCLE - meets the 2nd Monday @ noon. For more info. or questions, contact Sue Flowers (614-357-7935) or Nina Riley (614-579-4624), who are the leaders.

MIRIAM CIRCLE – meets the 3^rd Sunday of each month @ 12:30pm. For more info. or questions, contact Brandi Blackstone (614-402-6706) or Tami Adams (614-545-8887), who are the leaders.

Each of the Circles would love to welcome new members. You do not need to be a member of our church. If you are interested in any of the Circles, please free to call the leaders or just show up at a meeting. Our UWF Circles are a wonderful way to meet new people and learn more about what actions they each do to help our church family and community.

CURRENT FUNDRAISERS:

SHOP AT KROGER AND GIVE BACK! Did you know that you can make a financial contribution to our Missions Task Force JUST by shopping at Kroger? It’s simple! All you have to do is link your Kroger Shopping Card to Grove City United Methodist Church.

Go to Kroger.com and log into your digital account (or create a digital account, if not already created).

Scroll down to “Community Rewards” and click. From there, you can select our organization by either scrolling or searching for “Grove City United Methodist Church.” Make sure our name matches our organization number, which is XY804. Enroll. Easy as that! Kroger will make donations to the organization based upon spending of those whose cards are connected to that organization.

Any questions regarding enrollment need to be directed to Kroger individually.

FREE STORE: 

Current Critical Needs:

Men - Jeans and Casual Pants (waist sizes 38 and below); Winter Shirts/Sweaters (Small and Medium); Winter Coats and Hoodies (All Sizes)

Girls - Winter Clothes (all sizes)

Toddler/Children’s Underwear

Toiletries are always needed.

We are currently serving over 200 people most Wednesdays.

Monetary donations are also welcome.

******PLEASE NOTE: WE ONLY ACCEPT CLOTHING. WE DO NOT ACCEPT APPLIANCES, TOYS, OR FURNITURE.

CAFÉ:

The time slots to volunteer in the café are: 7:30, 8:30, 9:30 and 10:30am.

A sign-up sheet will be on the Mission Counter in the café area. If you’d like more info. or to volunteer, contact Pastor Lizzy . 

Refreshments are available in the café upon donation and all proceeds will go to further Missions projects throughout the year.

CONNECT & SERVE COMMUNITY MEAL!

THANK YOU FOR YOUR CONTINUED SUPPORT OF THIS MINISTRY.

DON’T FORGET, OUR COMMUNITY MEAL IS THE SECOND SATURDAY OF EACH MONTH, 4:30-5:30PM, and is for our congregation, 

as well as for the City of Grove City!

What is the “COMMUNITY MEAL?” It’s a time for us as the Purple Door Church to come together, to fellowship with one another as it is a meal for our congregation, as well as come together with our community and serve them. It’s a time for us to gather and share God’s Love with others.

    Sign up/Questions: contact Andrea at the church office, AndreaN@gcumc.org.