Dear Members and Friends of the United Methodist Church of Merrick,
Greetings in the name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus the Risen Christ!
We are currently in the season of Lent where traditionally those who were being baptized on Easter Sunday would devote their time for study, prayer, and fasting. And since these new members were to be received into a living community of faith, the whole community was called to prepare by doing the same. This was also the time when those who drifted off from the Church would prepare to rejoin the faith community.
As Holy Week begins, we will have a service on Holy Thursday, April 18th at 7:30 pm. There will be a Prayer Vigil in the Chapel on Friday, April 19th from 10:00 am to noon. The season will conclude with a joint Good Friday service at First Presbyterian Church in Freeport at 7:30 pm. All are welcome to join us in these services. If you have drifted off from the Church, Lent is an ideal time to rejoin a faith community. Because each one of us are all a vital part of the Body of Christ.
As I wrote previously, we will start the repairs to the church (especially the roof) this spring to continue the legacy and blessing that was given to us. I thank all of those who contributed to this effort. I would especially like to thank those who have been a part of the Merrick UMC but have since moved out of state. We thank you for continuing to support this church with your prayers and donations. We will continue to ask for your help with this much needed repair. Throughout this year, we will be holding various fundraisers to accomplish this and we ask that you continue to give generously.
For those who are looking for a place to worship, or seeking something, please join us and be a part of a legacy that is greater than you alone.
As the congregation of Merrick UMC and I walk and live the Christian path together in this journey of life, we invite you to join us in this journey.
Blessings in Christ,
Rev. Akio Iyoda
