Friday E-News Bulletin
March 28, 2025
This Sunday is YOUTH SUNDAY: This Sunday, March 30th, our youth will be leading all three worship services (8:30, 9:45 and 11 a.m.) in Hedrick Hall for a special Youth Sunday! We invite you to come worship with us and be uplifted by the faith, energy and leadership of our incredible youth. We hope to see you Sunday!
UMCOR Sunday is This Sunday, March 30th: UMCOR Sunday is designated for collecting a special offering to support the United Methodist Committee on Relief. Among United Methodists, this offering is the primary way we underwrite the administrative support needed to run this important agency. Because you give, the United Methodist Church’s compassionate response to human suffering reaches around the world. As we join our gifts with the gifts of many other churches from across the entire United Methodist connection we ensure that UMCOR can continue to meet needs with love. You can make your donation online or through a check payable to East Heights and include “UMCOR” on the memo line.
First Wednesday Meal is April 2nd: On Wednesday, April 2nd, from 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., our Justice Together Team will be serving a taco bar for dinner! There is no need to RSVP, and the meal is by donation. The funds raised will be our East Heights pledge to Justice Together for this year. If you can’t pick up a meal between 5:45 p.m. – 6:30 p.m., but would like one, please let Pastor Sam know, and he will have them hold one back for you. If you would like to sign up to serve with your group or friends please scan the QR code around the church for open signups.
WEDNESDAY, APRIL 2ND – Dinner & Orientation for Newcomers at East Heights: We are so glad to have new families with us at East Heights and we’d love to get to know you. If you are new to the church, please join us Wednesday evening, April 2nd from 6 p.m. until 7:30 p.m. in room #120 near the church coffee house. Our first Wednesday dinner is provided from 5:45 p.m. til 6:15 p.m. in Hedrick Hall. You may serve your plate and come to room #120 to eat together. The dinner is complimentary for newcomers attending this meeting. This informal gathering is a great opportunity for those who have recently joined the membership of the church as well as for those who have attended some but not made a membership decision. You will meet the pastors, staff and other newcomers and discover opportunities of interest at East Heights. If your spiritual walk leads you to call East Heights your church home, information about becoming a member is also available at the meeting. Childcare is provided with your reservation. Contact Beth Strickler at beth@ehumc.org, or call the church office, 682-6518 to let us know you’re coming. If you can’t attend but would like to talk membership options, please contact Beth or Pastor Steve.
THE JOY OF SERVING! East Heights UMC is having a workday at the Emergency Winter Shelter – 1025 N. Main St. on TUESDAY, APRIL 8TH FROM 1 P.M. – 3 P.M. East Heights volunteers will clean out the outdoor courtyard, restock the clothing closet, and organize and clean the community room in their family center at the shelter. We need 15 volunteers for this project. Please bring your own work gloves. Other tools and supplies will be provided. Click this volunteer signup link to help, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C49A4AC229-48421145-ehumc
Hyde Neighborhood Cleanup - SATURDAY, APRIL 12TH FROM 7:30 A.M. – 12 P.M. East Heights volunteers will collaborate with the Hyde Neighborhood Association for their Neighborhood Cleanup from 7:30 A.M. – 12 P.M. About 15 volunteers are needed to assist Hyde community members in this project. Click this signup link to volunteer, https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0C49A4AC229-55363411-joyofserving
Save the Date: April 9, 2025, at 6 p.m. in the Chapel. There will be a presentation on Phone/Online Security presented by an officer from the Wichita Police Department. This presentation is geared for children as well as adults. (Paige and Hallie have agreed to have their children/youth attend this presentation in lieu of some of the Wednesday night activities) Please join us as we strive to keep our children and ourselves safe from phone and online predators. The presentation will be for 1 hour. Presentation is sponsored by United Women in Faith.
Save the Date: The Easter Party is April 13th at 3 p.m. Join us for an afternoon of fun with a petting zoo, games, activities, and egg scavenger hunts! This event is not possible without several amazing volunteers, so if you would like to help, please contact Hallie Heard or sign up here: https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10C0E45A9A828A0FEC43-54550732-easter
Parking Lot on Easter: On Easter Sunday, we will have multiple worship services throughout the morning, including East Heights UMC at 11 a.m. in the Sanctuary and Heart of Christ UMC at 11:15 a.m. in Hedrick Hall. To accommodate everyone, overflow parking will be available in the parking lot of the Second Church of Christian Science next door. Parking lot attendants will be on-site to help guide vehicles to available spots and ensure a smooth parking experience. We encourage everyone to arrive early and follow the attendants’ directions for a seamless and welcoming Easter celebration.
Sharing the Joy of Easter by purchasing an Easter Lily or Making a Donation: We have three opportunities for you to honor your loved ones at Easter: Purchase an Easter Lily to beautify the church, donate to our Summer Missions, or donate to our East Heights Landscaping Fund. You may find this form at any of the worship service entrances or you can also donate online. On Easter we will share the names of all those remembered. Donations must be received no later than April 14th. If you choose to keep your Easter Lily you can pick it up after the Easter Service on April 20th. If you choose to have it delivered to a shut-in we will deliver them throughout the week after Easter. If you are able to help with the deliveries please contact Beth Strickler, beth@ehumc.org
Save the Date: Not too Old for Fun April Lunch and Presentation: On Tuesday, April 22, Not too Old for Fun will have a bring-your-lunch from 11:30 a.m.- 1 p.m. in the East Heights dining room. Our speaker Mr. Kristopher Gupilan, Wichita Police Public Information Officer and Crime Stoppers Coordinator, will talk about crime and safety in Wichita, and will answer your questions. Coffee, iced tea, and water will be provided. If you have any questions, contact Judy Oliver 316-712-1735.
We Need Your Help with 4th Sunday Cookies: No baking required! Volunteers are needed to provide one tray of commercially-baked cookies for our 4th Sunday fellowship beginning in May. To sign up or learn more, contact Carolyn Kretzer at cgkretzer@msn.com or 882-5080.
CDO Enrollment is Now Open: Summer is just around the corner and registration has begun for our summer session beginning May 29th. The theme for this summer session is “Road Trip, On the Go with God”. We will be embarking on a fun road trip each session, filled with great crafts and activities mixed with lots of educational opportunities to keep all the children’s minds stimulated. We will offer special events throughout the session, including visits from Tanganyika, a visit from Great Plains Nature Center, story time with Ms. Anne, and a local artist. CDO is open to ages 3 months to 10 years of age during the summer session and will be offered on Thursdays from 9:30 a.m. – 2:30 p.m. Please click the link to find out more information and to sign up! https://www.ehumc.org/childrens-day-out Questions? Be sure to contact Stacie Savaiano at 682-6518 or stacy@ehumc.org
Volunteers needed for Wichita Public Middle School Choir Contest: Michael Fibelkorn, EH Children’s Choir director and soloist/choir member, is looking for volunteers to help with the Wichita Public Schools Middle School Choir Concert on Wednesday, April 2nd. There are two different shifts that you may sign up for one or both if you would like. The morning shift is from 7:30 a.m. – 11:30 a.m. or the afternoon shift, 11:30 a.m. – 3:30 p.m. You may volunteer to guide choirs around the school, usher the audience, assist judges, and other areas as necessary. There are jobs that are sitting and some with more movement so all are welcome to help! There will be a boxed lunch provided. Please contact Michael at mfibelkorn@usd259.net or 913-742-0310 if you are able to help out! This is a great way for our church to reach out to our community!
Upcoming Youth Ministry Events:
o March 28th – 29th – High School Lock-In
o March 30th – Youth Sunday
o April 9th – Phone/Online Safety Presentation
o April 19th – Easter Sunrise Rehearsal
o April 20th – Easter Sunrise Service
o April 26th – Mission Possible – Special Olympics
o April 27th – Mountain T.O.P. Training