Dalton First Methodist Church kicks off its annual Missions Celebration this Sunday with a look at the many local missions in which the church and its members are involved. The following Friday, Jan. 27, the Foreign Missions Celebration opens with some of the missionaries the church supports overseas coming to share their work with various Sunday school classes. While some who are passionate about sharing the message of Christ are called to go to foreign countries, many are also challenged to serve as local missionaries right in their own hometowns. There are jobless, homeless, hungry, lonely, cold people, the elderly, broken families and others in need right here in our own back yard. Motivated to find ways to serve outside the walls of the church, Dalton First Methodist has come alongside to partner with the many dedicated agencies seeking to address local needs. They are motivated by tough times to follow Christ’s directive to “Love your neighbors as yourself.” (Matthew 22:37-39) Members believe they are called to put their faith into action helping others, and have found their own lives transformed. Simply loving, serving, seeking to help those they encounter each day in school, in their neighborhoods, at work or around Dalton has enriched the lives of adults and youth. Dalton First is partnering with Campus Outreach, Carter Hope Center, Chad Swift Ministries, Christian Counseling Center, Compassion House, Dalton First United Methodist Church Kindergarten Scholarships, DOC-UP, Family Promise, Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Friendship House, Gene Tibbs Ministries, Habitat for Humanity, Murphy Harpst Home, Mountain Top Boys’ Home, Northwest Georgia Girls’ Home, Providence Ministries, Whitfield County Jail Ministry and the Women's Enrichment Center. Sunday school classes, Bible study groups, men’s and youth groups, and individuals also support City of Refuge, Dalton Greater Works, Salvation Army, Saturday Sacks and many other projects. Under the leadership of the director of Youth Ministries, Nate Juvinall, youth are involved in a wide variety of mission activity. They work regularly with Dalton Greater Works where they have contributed to the food pantry and clothing closet, and painted the outside of the building. Just last Saturday, 35 youth worked to build shelves and clean everything. Food also has been served on site at Tent City. In February, youth will go on a mission trip to Birmingham, Ala., where they will work with an urban ministry in the inner city. This summer youth will travel to Memphis, where they will live and work with hundreds of teenagers from all over the country. This is a project sponsored by Group Magazine and will involve actual construction projects. Group Magazine provides innovative ideas and resources to help children, youth and adults grow in their relationship with Jesus. Currently, in both services, a series of sermons titled “Contagious” is being preached by pastors Robin Lindsey and Kenny Ott. The ministers are seeking to enable Christians to be people who will naturally “infect” those around them by sharing their faith in a way that is sincere, honest and deeply felt. When we are comfortable in our own Christian faith, others will be attracted to Christ. The public is invited to all of the programs of Dalton First Methodist. There are traditional worship services at 8:30 and 11 a.m. on Sundays in the sanctuary. Also at 11 a.m., there is the ReMix worship service in the fellowship hall that is in a more contemporary format. Sunday school for all ages begins at 9:30 a.m. On Sunday evenings, the youth in grades 6-12 meet for dinner and a get-together at 6 p.m. You can watch the 11 a.m. services on OptiLink’s Channel 10 at 8 a.m. and 10 p.m. on Sundays. Go to daltonfumc.com and check the calendar for the myriad of activities for all ages throughout the week. Information also can be obtained from the church office by calling (706) 278-8494.