First United Methodist Church

Service Times

9am Contemporary | 11am Traditional

Each Tuesday, Bless Others! (Mar. 31)

John 13:34 “Love one another, as I have loved you, so you must love one another.”

Each Tuesday, let’s take time to bless someone. We can bless our family in fun easy ways that will make them feel special and happy! This week let’s bake!

Chocolate Chip Cookies

  • 1C Butter (room temperature)
  • 1C Sugar
  • 1/2 C Brown Sugar
  • 2 1/2 C Flour
  • 2 beaten Eggs
  • 1 Tbsp water
  • 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
  • 1 teaspoon Salt
  • 1 teaspoon vanilla
  • 1 1/2 C Chocolate Chips

First, wash your hands! & preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Use a hand mixer and cream together the butter and sugars. Add vanilla, eggs and water while mixing.

In another bowl, mix the flour, salt and soda. Gradually mix this into the wet ingredients until smooth. Stir in the chocolate chips.

Drop Tablespoons of the batter on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake for 9-11 minutes, take out of the oven and cool.


If you have leftover Christmas, Halloween, or Valentine’s sprinkles in your pantry, then you may want to make sugar cookies!

Use up your sprinkles, mix and match them and get creative, your family will love them!

Sugar Cookies

  • 1 C Butter
  • 1 C Sugar
  • 2 Eggs
  • 1 1/2 teasp Vanilla
  • 1 teasp Baking Powder
  • 1/2 teas Salt
  • 21/2 C Flour

First, wash your hands! & preheat the oven to 350 degrees.

Use a hand mixer and cream together the butter and sugar together for about 2 minutes. While mixing, add in the eggs, vanilla, baking powder and salt. Gradually add in the flour while mixing until creamy and smooth.

drop Tablespoons of dough on an ungreased cookie sheet about 2 inches apart.

Bake about 8 minutes. take them out of the oven and add sprinkles and let cool.

Place cookies on a plate and add a sweet note to your loved one, they will enjoy your thoughtfulness!


Share with us!

Don’t forget to send us photos of your cookies!  Tag us on social @fumcwp and #FUMCWPonline. You can also email Rebecca DeVane at rebeccad@fumcwp.org.

Do you have a favorite recipe for cookies? Share with us on Facebook!

Mar. 27 – Devotion from Pastor David


I am a stress eater.  I channel my anxiety into food.  Which means I am pretty much-eating everything in sight these days!  The other day, we sent our kids to the grocery store.  Big mistake!  Don’t get me wrong, I am grateful they went.  But they came home with $200 worth of pop-tarts, oatmeal cream pies, chocolate frosting, and ice cream.  It’s killing me!  I am going to have to join Weight Watchers if this self-isolation lasts much longer!

One of the things I have learned about myself is that I have a scarcity mentality.  I naturally get worried that there is not going to be enough.  Not enough food that I want.  Not enough money to go around.  Not enough resources for me to thrive.  And this scarcity mentality has really been triggered by the Covid-19 pandemic.  It gets me all worked up when I can’t find hamburger or pasta at the grocery store.  Don’t get me started on toilet paper!

Of course, these are minor issues when compared to things like medical care or employment.  Many in our community and church family are dealing with difficult questions over resources.  It is easy right now to be anxious.  It is easy right now to live in a mindset of scarcity.  But here is what we need to focus on.  Our God is a God unexpected abundance!

During my devotions this week, I was reading the Gospel of Mark, chapter 6.  And in particular, the story of the feeding of the 5000.  Where the crowds had flocked to Jesus.  And the disciples come to Jesus and tell him to send the crowds away.  Because there wasn’t enough food.  In response, Jesus tells the disciples – “you give them something to eat.”  (Mark 6:37).  The disciples are flabbergasted!  How could they possibly do that?  Where could they find such an enormous quantity of food?  All they had were a few loaves of bread and a few fish.  They have a scarcity mentality.  And it keeps them from seeing who Jesus really is.

As you know, Jesus takes the bread and blesses it.  He breaks it and has the disciples pass it out to the crowds.  And from a few loaves of bread and fish, thousands are fed.  And there are even 12 baskets of leftovers!  Our God is a God of surprising generosity!

Where am I going with this?  Well, our mindset has a profound impact on how we live our lives.  Our God has promised to meet our needs (Philippians 4:19).  Not our wants.  But our needs.  Do you believe this?  Do you trust that God is a God who is able and who desires to care for us?  What can you do today to express your trust in God’s abundance?

And our mindset has huge implications for how we share with our neighbors.  Most likely, if you are reading this, you have been greatly blessed.  What about the others around you?  What about your neighbor who has been forced into isolation by the pandemic?  What can you do to reach out and share with them today?

Our God never wastes anything.  God is going to use this time.  Even having to go on a quest for hamburger meat and toilet paper.  Even the very real anxiety we have over medical care and employment.  God didn’t cause these things.  But God is able to use these things to draw us all closer to the foot of God’s throne.  So I challenge you today to turn to Him and ask Him for His abundance.  And I will join you in asking for God to reveal God’s surprising generosity in your life today!   God be with you!  In the name of the Father, the Son, and the Holy Spirit.  Amen.

Day of Prayer – March 27

What: The Gathered in His Name prayer group is planning a “Day of Prayer” in response to the uncertainties and changes surrounding COVID-19. Our hope is to have our church family join us as we pray for our church body, our community, our country, and our world.

Where: Pray from home or wherever you are

How: Choose an hour to pray between 5:00am and 11:00pm on March 27. Email Rev. Gary Rideout at garyr@fumcwp.org indicating the time you as an individual or family plan to pray.

What’s next:  Once you have indicated the hour you plan to pray, you will receive an email with a prayer you may use and prayer topic suggestions.

Daily Devotions

Though we are experiencing many changes in our day-to-day life, know your faith community is here for you. We encourage you to invite your friends and family to subscribe to our church-wide mailing list to receive this inspirational message.

Sept. 30 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 29 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 28 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 25 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 24 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 23 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 22 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 21 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 18 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 17 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 16 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 15 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 14 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 11 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 10 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 9 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 8 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 7 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 4 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 3 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 2 – Daily Devotion

Sept. 1 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 31 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 26 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 25 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 24 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 20 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 19 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 18 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 17 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 13 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 12 – Daily Devoiton

Aug. 11 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 7 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 6 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 5 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 4 – Daily Devotion

Aug. 3 – Daily Devotion

July 29 – Daily Devotion 

July 28 – Daily Devotion

July 27 – Daily Devotion

July 23 – Daily Devotion

July 22 – Daily Devotion

July 21 – Daily Devotion

July 20 – Daily Devotion

July 17 – Daily Devotion

July 16 – Daily Devotion

July 15 – Daily Devotion

July 14 – Daily Devotion

July 13 – Daily Devotion

July 9 – Daily Devotion

July 8 – Daily Devotion

July 7 – Daily Devotion

July 6 – Daily Devotion

July 3 – Daily Devotion

July 1 – Daily Devotion

June 30 – Daily Devotion

June 29 – Daily Devotion

June 26 – Daily Devotion

June 25 – Daily Devotion

June 24 – Daily Devotion

June 23 – Daily Devotion 

June 22 – Daily Devotion

June 17 – Daily Devotion

June 16 – Daily Devotion

June  15 – Daily Devotion

June 12 – Daily Devotion

June 11 – Daily Devotion

June 10 – Daily Devotion

June 8 – Daily Devotion

June 4 – Daily Devotion

June 3 – Daily Devotion

June 2 – Daily Devotion

June 1 – Daily Devotion

May 28 – Daily Devotion

May 27 – Daily Devotion

May 26 – Daily Devotion

May 25 – Daily Devotion

May 22 – Daily Devotion

May 21 – Daily Devotion

May 20 – Daily Devotion

May 19 – Daily Devotion

May 18 – Daily Devotion

May 15 – Daily Devotions

May 14 – Dialy Devotion

May 13 – Daily Devotion

May 12 – Daily Devotion

May 11 – Daily Devotion

May 8 – Daily Devotion

May 7 – Daily Devotion

May 6 – Daily Devotion

May 5 – Daily Devotion

May 4 – Daily Devotion

May 1 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 30 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 29 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 28 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 27 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 24 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 23 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 22 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 21 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 20 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 17 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 16 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 15 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 14 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 13 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 10 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 9 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 8 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 7 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 6 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 3 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 2 – Daily Devotion

Apr. 1 – Daily Devotions

Mar. 31 – Daily Devotion

Mar. 30 – Daily Devotion

Mar. 27 – Daily Devotion

Mar. 26 – Daily Devotion

Mar. 25 – Daily Devotion

Mar. 24 – Daily Devotion

Mar. 23 – Daily Devotion

Let’s Stay Connected

The recent days behind us and the coming days before us are proving to be uncertain, fluid, and changing. We aim to keep our faith community up-to-date with information regarding FUMCWP as soon as we have those changes available. Please visit our webpage devoted to COVID-19 for all current information.

In the midst of the uncertainty around us, FUMCWP leadership and clergy want you to know that we are here for you and our local community. Here are just a few ways to stay connected with us:

  • Share your prayer requests and concerns with our congregational care team using our digital form or by calling the front office at 407-644-2906.
  • Our Pastoral Team is offering Virtual Sessions to support our church community. Whether you prefer a phone call, video conference, FaceTime, texting (you name it!) – our Pastoral Team is here to offer the care you need. To schedule, please contact the pastor directly:
  • Though we are experiencing many changes in our day-to-day life, know your faith community is here for you. Starting Monday, March 23, 2020 look for a Daily Devotional in your inbox. We encourage you to invite your friends and family to subscribe to our church-wide mailing list to receive this inspirational message as well.
  • Don’t forget about Realm, our online community! Our church has been using the platform for over a year now. Find ways to connect and build community with others using the groups and messaging features available.
  • If you haven’t already, create a free account to RightNow Media, a faith-based video resource, on our website. As we type, Pastor Rick is already working on ways to use this resource with our Families and Children.
  • And, don’t forget about the classic telephone. We encourage you to take the time to connect with each other and be sources of encouragement. Community is critical to our faith and we encourage you to actively seek ways to stay connected.
FUMCWP leaders are actively working, planning, and coordinating. Look for future communication from us regarding specific ways we are supporting those in need – our members, our community, and our staff in missional ways.

Two Things I Claim…

Below is a recent post from Pastor David’s realm group, “Leadership Matters…”. To join this group, get connected at fumcwp.org/realm.


“If you are like me, you find yourself more and more checking the latest update on the web, watching the news and discussing COVID-19 with friends. I confess that I get this way every couple of years. Whenever a major hurricane seems likely to come through. Only this seems even more threatening. Because there is so much unknown. And because it has affected and yes – devastated so many.

And yet, in this season of anxiety, there are two things I find myself claiming. The first is community. In particular, my church family. My first reaction to every bit of news is to shut down, to back away, to withdraw. But deep inside I know that this cannot be sustained. There will be more distress ahead. There will be other things that bring anxiety. Life is constantly changing. And life contains threats. To navigate these changes and threats, I need others. I cannot imagine distancing myself from the strength, the encouragement, the care and the faith of my brothers and sisters in Christ.

Now, please hear me when I say that I absolutely understand and support everyone who feels they need to refrain from gathering with our church family in person. The “in person” part is key. Our love for each other dictates that we do not harm others. Furthermore, we are to be especially mindful of those parts of our church family that are more vulnerable. When it comes to gathering, we must be thinking of others and not just our own desires.

It’s important to remember that there are other ways we can participate in the body of Christ. We live in an era of wonderful technology that allows us to text, email, call, video conference, share pictures, meet on-line. The key will be to make an extra effort to remain connected. When this season passes and life in person resumes, we don’t want to feel like we went backward in our relationships. Or that we lost touch with those who share our lives. So, let’s commit to touching base with others in the family (electronically)! Your brothers and sisters need you to reach out to them so that they can experience your support, your strength, your encouragement in Christ.

The second thing that I claim is that faith is not a feeling. It can sound a bit cliché when we are uncertain and afraid. But then it is when we are uncertain and afraid that we need to trust in God’s promises over our feelings all the more. I was reading in my devotion guide the other day. And it said this, “Be sure to distinguish between the fact of God’s presence and the feeling of the fact.” It went on to say, “Trust God’s Word and His power more than you trust your own feelings and experiences.” That really hit home for me. Jesus said that he was with us ALWAYS. So, take care of yourself, your family and your neighbor. Be wise. Prepare. AND through it all trust that God is present. That God is at work. And that God knows what you need.

One last thought! Perhaps this is a time when our church can surprise the world! To live in such a way that our neighbors grow curious about our behavior. Maybe it’s a time all the more to show our love for each other and our neighbor. Could it be that our current season is a time to demonstrate faith? When so many in our families and community have anxiety, we can point the way to the love of Christ that drives out fear.

Praying for you and yours!”

~ Pastor David

The Vote at General Conference

Below is a recent post from Pastor David’s realm group, “Leadership Matters…”. To join this group, get connected at fumcwp.org/realm.


March 4, 2020

“I have been encountering a lot of confusion about the upcoming vote at General Conference. There is a good reason for this. It’s confusing! Here are a couple of things (I believe) are relevant to the upcoming gathering of United Methodist representatives from around the world.

  • General Conference will meet in Minneapolis, MN from May 3 to May 15th.
  • General Conference occurs every 4 years (unless a special session is called as in 2019).
  • At General Conference, elected representatives vote on the business of the denomination.
  • · This May, one of the items being presented for vote is called Protocol of Reconciliation and Grace through Separation.
  • The Protocol has been supported by many different groups in the United Methodist Church.
  • The Protocol lays out a template for conferences and churches that wish to separate from the UMC to follow.
  • You can read the Protocol through this link https://cdnsc.umc.org/-/media/umc-media/2020/01/03/15/48/Protocol-of-Reconciliation-and-Grace-through-Separation.
  • There is no guarantee that the Protocol will pass. Or that it won’t be amended.
  • There are multiple proposals that will be presented at General Conference.
  • We won’t know what will happen with the Protocol until May.
  • There will follow a period of months and years for implementation.

Based upon this, it is too early to be talking about any local church vote. We don’t know if there will be a vote. We don’t know what that vote will be about. We don’t know what the options will be for us to vote towards. We will have to address this post General Conference.

In the meantime, I want to focus on how we at FUMC Winter Park can have the one spirit Paul talks about in Philippians 2. What are some ways we as a church can respond to General Conference that build a united heart rather than create winners and losers?

Therefore if you have any encouragement from being united with Christ, if any comfort from his love, if any common sharing in the Spirit, if any tenderness and compassion, then make my joy complete by being like-minded, having the same love, being one in spirit and of one mind. Do nothing out of selfish ambition or vain conceit. Rather, in humility value others above yourselves, not looking to your own interests but each of you to the interests of the others. Philippians 2:1-4

Peace be with you!”

~Rev. David Miller, Senior Pastor

COVID-19 Information

Updated 5/24/2021

This is an exciting time to share that while the pandemic is not over, we are at a place to start relaxing some of our safety protocols. With that said, we are aware that there are still new cases of Covid in our community and this will be with us for some time

While staff, members, and guests can volunteer their vaccination status with others, it is not permissible to question anyone’s vaccination status, or make assumptions/commentary to or about those wearing masks. With the new CDC and Florida United Methodist Conference mask guidelines, we want to clarify our mask policy:

Members, Guests, Staff:

  • Vaccinated Individuals – Masks Optional on campus
  • Unvaccinated Individuals – Masks Required on campus

Student, Children, Nursery Staff/Lay Volunteers working with those under 18:

  • Vaccinated Leaders – Masks Required indoors and optional outdoors
  • Unvaccinated Leaders – Masks Required on campus

Preschools:

  • Vaccinated Teachers – Masks Optional on campus
  • Unvaccinated Teachers – Masks Required indoors and optional outdoors

We are excited that life is in some ways returning to “normal” and we are thankful for the slightly lower COVID cases in our area. We give God thanks for all that we have learned in this strange season and how we have stretched, pivoted and worked creatively throughout this time. Thank you for being a part of our faith community as we aim to transform lives for the good of God’s Kingdom. 

Please contact Matt Kuzma, COO, at MattK@fumcwp.org. if you have any questions or concerns.


Safety Preparedness 

Like others in our community, we are monitoring the COVID-19 situation. As a church community, we offer a variety of ministries across all age groups and life stages. We continue to follow briefings provided by local, state, and national officials including Orange County, the City of Winter Park, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC), and Public Health Departments.

We want to share with you some of the proactive measures we are taking at our Winter Park Campus (125 N Interlachen Ave Winter Park, FL 32789) and Reeves Center (110 N Fern Creek Ave, Orlando, FL 32803).

  • Providing disinfectant wipes in all the meeting rooms.
  • Providing additional trashcans around campus.
  • Distributing hand sanitizer across the campus.
  • Upgrading our sanitization program with the custodial crew.
  • Sharing educational resources through our communication channels.

Safety Precautions

We encourage everyone to follow advice from the CDC:

  • Avoid close contact with people who are sick.
  • Avoid touching your eyes, nose, and mouth.
  • Stay home when you are sick.
  • Cover your cough or sneeze with a tissue, then throw the tissue in the trash.
  • Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces using a regular household cleaning spray or wipe.
  • Wash your hands often with soap and water for at least 20 seconds, especially after going to the bathroom; before eating; and after blowing your nose, coughing, or sneezing.

Stay Informed

  • Follow our Facebook page for up to date information and announcements as well.

Have Questions?

Marcy Trust Contributions 2020

The Marcy Trust continues to believe in the mission and vision of our church; and, for that we are grateful. The contributions from the Marcy Trust allow our church to run special projects and initiatives that are outside the scope of the operations budget. The Marcy Trust just closed their fiscal year 2019/2020 and we are grateful for the $560,691 contribution they gifted our church during that time.

Our church family received gifting for the following 2019 initiatives:

  • Matching Grant for the 2020 Stewardship Campaign
  • New Stage for the Family Ministry
  • Festival Gloria 2019
  • Marcy Music Scholarships for UCF & Rollins Students

Our church family received gifting for these upcoming 2020 initiatives:

  • Clergy to attend the Preaching Training: For Such a Time as This
  • Wall’s Display Coming this Fall
  • Stephen Ministry Training
  • Landscaping at the Reeves Center
  • Matching Grant for the Counseling Ministry
  • Exploration of Live Streaming Services
  • Festival Gloria 2020
  • Leadership Council Project Fund

While the Marcy Trust’s primary beneficiary is FUMCWP, the trust has recently provided funds for projects at Duke University, the Candler School at Emory and the local district. Going forward, requests such as these are going to be submitted directly to the conference so they can help to prioritize them according to the goals and objectives of the conference.