Plan ahead and join us starting this Sunday, March 5th at 5:00pm - "The Life You've Always Wanted" (based on the book by John Ortberg) which is a video program that focuses on spiritual disciplines for ordinary folks like us that help us to draw near to God and "The Return of the Prodigal" (book by Henry Nouwen), which will be a book discussion study focusing on the Parable of the Prodigal Son. Program for K-12 will be provided. All are welcome!

LENTEN MEDITATION MATERIALS for reading during this Lenten season through Easter are available in the So. Transcept.

CALLING ALL CHERUBS! We will be singing this Sunday. Please be at church by 9:10am to practice. Don't forget your smiles!

HEY KIDS! This Sunday is our children's worship service. We are going to have lots of fun doing something very special. Hope to see you there.

UMW will hold their Executive Committee Meeting on Monday, March 6th at 7:00pm in the UMW Room. All mission team members, please attend.

UMW will be holding their General Meeting on Tuesday, March 14th at 7:00pm in Fellowship Hall. Program: "Personal Journey" from Muslim to Christianity. Speaker: Zam Zam Qraeshy, born in India. Our mission studies for 2006 are India & Pakistan. All women and teens are invited. Martha/Mary Circle will be our hosts.

FOOD DRIVE: Farmingdale UMC will be having a food drive during the month of March to help restock St. Killian's Community Food Pantry. Suggested donations of basic items like canned fruits and vegetables, pastas, peanut butter and other basic items will be collected in the So. Transcept each week.

A WORLD IN NEED: A mudslide in the Philippines has buried thousands. You can help by making a donation to UMCOR, Advance Special 240235, "Philippines Emergency" (write a check to Farmingdale UMC with the advance special number on the memo line). In addition, the Save Darfur Coalition is urging that the President support a multinational force to stop continued massacres in the region. Postcards are available from Jeff & Lisa James. - The Outreach Committee

STEWARDSHIP WORKSHOPS: The Council on Finance and Administration of the New York Annual Conference is sponsoring a Stewardship Academy on Saturday, March 18th from 10:00am-3:00pm at the Westbury UMC. The keynote speaker is Lynda Byrd of the General Board of Global Ministries of the UMC. Further information outlining the workshops being offered is available in the So. Transcept. If you wish to register, please contact the Church Office.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED: to help pattern Kyli Abbinanti, a church member who is 3- years old and developmentally disabled. There are a few one-hour time slots still available. Please contact the Church Office, or see Jodi or Andy after Church.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED to help pattern Kyli Abbinanti, a member of our Church, who is 3 years old and developmentally disabled. Patterning is a sensory program designed to help Kyli achieve developmental milestones, and requires a 3-person team. Most anyone can pattern, it takes getting used to the coordination and rhythm, but it is not hard. A schedule has been set up by the family, who resides in Ronkonkoma. One hour time slots are available 2x daily. If you are interested and able to give an hour weekly or bi-monthly, or if you know of someone who may be, please contact the Church Office, or see Jodi or Andy after Church. Further information is posted on the bulletin board outside the Church Office.

FROM THE BISHOP: "The New York Annual Conference is a beloved community of hope, building up a healthy Body of Christ, and growing heart-warmed Methodists in mission."
The above statement, put forth by Bishop Jeremiah Park, is being widely discussed as a shaping statement for the ministries of our New York Annual Conference. It is a work in progress. Bishop Park invites every United Methodist in our conference to respond to this statement with questions, dreams, and ideas. Questionnaires are available in the South Transcept.

DIRECTOR OF MUSIC POSITION AVAILABLE: Farmingdale UMC seeks part-time Director of Music. Skilled, creative organist and pianist to direct and accompany a chancel choir, a praise and gospel choir, a youth choir and a bell choir and to play at Sunday worship service and other special services. Organ is a twenty rank Austin. Position could be divided. Salary up to $22K, commensurate with responsibilities. Additional income from weddings and funerals is possible. Position open March 1, 2006. Send resume to Music Search Committee at farmumc@earthlink.net or to 407 Main Street, Farmingdale, NY 11735.

DEFENSIVE DRIVING COURSE: on 3/11 9:00am-3:00pm at St. Killian's. Cost is $37.00, part of which will go to fund our friends at their outreach center. For more info, call 516-756-9656.

ALTAR FLOWER REQUESTS: If you wish to place flowers on the Altar in memory of a loved one, or in honor of someone or a special time in your life, there are flower request forms available in the South Transcept. Next available dates are: 3/19, 3/26, 4/2, 4/9.

IN NEED OF PRAYERS THIS WEEK: Hurricane, earthquake and mudslide victims, Helen Harvison, Peggy Lopez, Rev. John Dass, Emily Brown, Kylie Abbinanti, Tom Maldonado, Barbara Simpson, Russell Schwartz, Garry Wurth, and our troops in harm's way.
*If you know of someone in the hospital, or someone who wishes a pastoral visit, please call the Church Office.