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FX is an abbreviation for FAMILY EXPERIENCE! FX is designed to help us as the church partner with families. It is a fun, shared experience for families to come together for a purpose. It strategically places parents and kids in a world that helps both understand and live out essential truths. ​ We often say, “What happens at home is even more important than what happens at church.” This means that our faith really isn’t a living faith until it is lived out in our daily lives. Our hope and goal is that FX provides practical ways to take what happens at church home with you so that it is relevant not just on Sunday mornings! ​ ​ ​ ​ We know that no one has more potential to influence a child than a parent but we also know that parents can’t do it alone so we as the church are working to partner with families to help build lifelong disciples for Jesus! Our summer Family eXperience (FX) offerings include... We are very excited to announce “Sunday Morning Spark!” This program is geared for children in elementary school and allows both the parents and kids to get something out of Sunday morning. Our summer spark! program will be offered on the 2nd and 4th Sundays of June, July & August. Families will gather together for praise and prayer and then children will be dismissed to their own environment where they will love learning about Jesus in a fun way as they sing, play, create, learn, and grow together. Caregivers and their little blessings are invited to join us for a small group that's just their size! Join us for j.a.m on Thursdays from 11:00 am -12:00 pm starting June 29th. We'll start off our time together with some silly songs, enjoy a snack and then the kids will stay and play while the adults get a chance to sit and study. We're calling all kids in PK-5th grade to come and join us for splash! splash! will be an exciting week of diving deeper into Jesus' love for us. Join us July 24-28 from 6:30-8:00 PM as we hear a story, compete in some wacky games, enjoy a cool treat and get soaked!* *Participants are encouraged to wear clothes that may get wet or a bathing suit and towel. Can’t make it to church this week? Sunday @ Home, part of our FX program, brings the excitement of children's discipleship into your own living room! Sunday @ Home makes discipleship easier than ever by adding fun to some of your typical family moments like waiting in the drop-off line, mealtime, or bedtime. Simply click on the Sunday @ Home graphic to select and view this week's age-appropriate video or link below for the monthly devotions. WEEK 1 WEEK 2 WEEK 3 WEEK 4 Parents want a little more help? Check out the Parent Cue Resources today! To learn more about children's ministry at FUMC of Schuylkill Haven, please contact our Director of Children's Discipleship at 570-593-0303.

​"Our mission is to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world." ​ Welcome in the name of the Lord Jesus Christ! We're glad to have you come by to check out our website. We are a Bible-believing congregation that loves the Lord and has a heart for missions. We are excited to share with you the love of Christ and power of the Gospel. May the Lord richly bless you. Sunday Morning Worship Live Stream Sunday, May 28, 2023 | 9:00 AM Speaker: Rev. Dr. Christopher Fisher Sermon: "Children & Parents, Employers & Employees" Online Giving Order of Worship Worship Service Videos Archive Clicking the link above, you will go to the LiveStream page. You will see a block similar to this in the upper left corner of the video window. If you click the down arrow, you will be able to access previous weeks' messages. Dear Congregation, I invite you to join me and many others in a 1-year Bible-reading group, beginning Jan 1, 2023; although you can start when you are able. This year we will be using the BibleProject | The Bible: Through the Bible in 1-year plan. The plan includes short daily video devotions which are very interesting and creative. I will also be sending out a link through my phone's "YouVersion Bible" App if you would like to be part of the group plan. If you are not yet on my 'friends' list in the app but would like to be invited and participate in the group, please send me your request at pastor@havenfirstumc.org . You will need to download and register in the YouVersion app first before I will be able to see you. Then I will send you a direct invitation through the app. In Christ, Pastor Chris Join me in reading BibleProject | The Bible: https://www.bible.com/en/reading-plans/4820 Check out our Podcasts!! Our church now has a podcast that will make Pastor Fisher's sermons available. Our podcast is called, "Igniting Your Faith," and can be found on many of your favorite podcast sites such as Spotify, Apple, Anchor, Breaker, Google Podcasts, Pocket, Radio Public, TuneIn, and Pandora. You can listen to Pastor's sermons at any time, and download them for future listening. Go to any of the podcast sites and type "Igniting Your Faith" in the search area and you should find it. There will be a picture of our altar window to help you find it. Or you can click this link and it will take you to our new page "Igniting Your Faith" and find links that you can use as well. Spread the word. Let's grow in God's Word by Igniting our Faith. Are you going through a difficult time? Are you worried, sick, lonely, down-and-out? For over two thousand years, Christians around the world have depended on Jesus to help them get through the tough times. This podcast will explain how to live a victorious life now and throughout eternity by relying on the power of Jesus Christ.

Weekly Announcements These announcements are from the weekly bulletin and/or bi-monthly newsletter. You will find here information on regular announcements (i.e., signing up for newsletters, online giving) to special events scheduled. Please take some time to review these announcements. Prayer Opportunities | Prayer is such an important part of a church's life. FUMC offers many opportunities to strengthen your prayer life. Please check out our prayer ministry page . We offer prayer groups, a prayer chain, an intercessory prayer group, and many other opportunities to kneel before our Lord and Savior and share your burdens and worship and praise. For what other great nation has God so near to it as the Lord our God is whenever we call to him? ~Deuteronomy 4:7 (NRSV) Sunday Preaching Schedule (schedule may change without notice). Pastor Fisher preaching unless otherwise noted. ​ Pastor Christopher Fisher ​​(Individual message titles subject to change) June Communion Offering Pastor's Discretionary Fund May 28 - "Children & Parents, Employers & Employees" June - "The Armor of God I: The Spiritual Battle" June - "The Armor of God II: Defensive Armor" with Holy Communion June - "The Armor of God III: The Weapons of Our Spiritual Warefare" June - Guest Speaker: Brian Reading - ONE SERVICE AT 10AM June - "The Purposes and Power of Prayer" Confirmation Sunday | June 4 at 9AM Confirmation will be held at the 9AM service. There will be a cake reception to follow. Please join us as we welcome our newest members! Methodist Women Events | We will continue to meet the second Tuesday of the month at 1:00 PM in Fellowship Hall unless otherwise announced. Our focus continues to be local mission work. All ladies are welcome. Please let us know of any ideas you have or issues that you would like more information. Fathers' Day Lunch | June 18 The Methodist Women are having a Father’s Day lunch in Fellowship Hall after the 10 AM worship service. Tickets will be available beginning this Sunday, May 21st. Tickets will be $5.00/person. Baked French toast, sausage, fruit, cheeses, and assorted desserts are on our menu. Requests for Prayer | Please remember to call the church office if you know of members in the hospital or if you are going to be in the hospital. A visit from our Pastor or visitation team can be arranged. Please continue to remember all those in the hospital, in mourning, and listed in the weekly bulletin in your prayers. ​ Website Prayer Request Page: You may also submit a prayer request by accessing our prayer request page. Weekly Prayer Ministry | Wednesdays at 6 PM Our Prayer Ministry will also continue to run every day of the week with prayer partners meeting for one hour a day with a one-week-at-a time commitment. Please sign up in pairs to pray for one hour a day during your week for the Kingdom of God to come more fully in our church and our community and beyond. We will continue to promote the prayer team ministry on Sunday mornings with the prayer clipboard circulated periodically. Please join us as we seek God together! Missions Committee Evangelism CD | Jesus – Help in Times of Need Devotional CD John Fatora and Irene Tomchik published a CD a few years back that shares the message of Jesus Christ in the spirit of John Wesley. ​ It is the vision of the Missions Committee that this CD will be a continuation of the Discipleship process that we are pursuing as a church. We have been growing and training as disciples over the past few years and feel now is the season to begin moving beyond our church family into the community using this CD as a tool to help share the life of Christ with our neighbors and friends. ​ Copies are available for drive-by pickup under the carport; or ask your small group leader for copies to give to friends who are open to receive them. Click here if you would like to listen or download the CD. ​ If you have any questions, please contact the Church Office at 570.385.3941 or office@havenfirstumc.org . Next Community Lunch is June 10 at 12 PM All are welcome to share this time of fellowship. If you would like to sponsor a C ommunity Lunch, please contact the Church Office at 570.385.3941 for contact information regarding available dates. Men's Breakfast | June 17 at 8:00 AM For more information, please contact the Church Office at 570.385.3941. Prayer Shawl Ministry Update Since 2011, this ministry has gifted 171 prayer shawls to men and women in need of prayer within and outside our church walls. Prayers are lifted over the shawls before gifted and often while in the process of being created. ​ Can you knit or crochet? We could use your help. Would you consider creating a shawl for the church's prayer shawl ministry to gift to others in need of prayer? Please help us keep our shawl inventory plentiful. We need the talents of you, the church family, to help keep the closet full. It doesn't matter if it's one shawl or many; any will be appreciated and in being a blessing to another, you will also be blessed in return. If you are interested in this ministry, there are two ways to help: Let us know of a need through contact Donna Miles, Linda Wagner, or the Church Office Crochet or knit a prayer shawl wrap of any color or style. The rectangular shape measuring 15-18 inches wide by 5-1/2-6-1/2 feet long makes a comfortable wrap. Some donated yarn is available for your creation. ​ We thank all who have created beautiful prayer shawl wraps through the years. Some folks have been thanked personally while others donated anonymously and with this note, we thank you so much. There are no church funds used for this ministry. These wraps are a gift from the heart and the blessings are many from the first stitch of the giver to the gentle touch of the receiver. ​ For more information, please contact Linda Wagner, Donna Miles, or the Church Office. Thank you very much for supporting this wonderful outreach of our church and her ministries. There are times when things are not going well for each of us, perhaps we ourselves are sick, perhaps there are loved ones who are sick or hurting, maybe there is a family emergency or crisis, during these times you don't need to be alone. Our Pastors, Minister of Visitation, or even our Lay Leader would be very happy to come and visit with you. Before you reach a place where you feel alone and that no one cares, please call the Church Office and let the office staff know that you are in need of a visit. The message will be passed along quietly to the Pastors and a time for a personal visit can be arranged. Others of us tend to prefer to weather these times quietly and by ourselves; if that is you, please be aware that there is a Prayer Ministry team that is willing to intercede and pray for you. You can access the Prayer Ministry through the website, by calling the church office, or prayer chain . Most importantly, remember that you have a church family that is willing to walk along side of you at all times. Also, please know that you don't need to be a Pastor or Lay Leader to visit and care for your Brothers and Sisters in Christ. You can visit our homebound members. If you enjoy getting to know new people and would like to spend some time with members of our First Church family that can no longer make it to church on a Sunday morning, please call the Church office or simply put a note in the offering plate and someone will contact you. Thank you for taking the time to spend a few minutes sharing the love of Jesus with our members who can no longer come to church! Did you know…? FUMC saves Redner’s receipts Do you shop at Redner’s? If so, do you have a Save‑A‑Tape /Pump Perks/Rewards Card? FUMC participates in the Redner’s 1% Save‑A‑Tape program. Remember to use your Redner’s Save‑A‑Tape/Pump Perks/Rewards Card and put your entire receipt in the plastic containers on the table in the narthex marked Redner’s receipts. By using your rewards card each time you purchase merchandise (excludes, fuel purchases and items controlled by the federal or state government such as tax, milk, and tobacco products) at Redner’s Warehouse Markets, your receipt will be designated as a 1% Save‑A‑Tape customer receipt with a Save‑A‑Tape total printed on the receipt. Receipts that have been highlighted or written on are not eligible, so please do not mark or circle the receipts. Participating in the 1% Save‑A‑Tape program does not exclude your ability to receive gas points, etc. If you don’t already have a rewards card, you can pick one up at any Redner’s locations. The card is free and you DO NOT HAVE TO GIVE ANY PERSONAL INFORMATION to receive the card. Your name is not on any mailing list if you request a card. Our church gets 1% of the total of all receipts. For example, if the receipts total $5,000, we would get $50 to be divided between Christian Ed and the Youth Group. Please consider participating in this easy program.

Serving this week... (Sunday Service) ​ ​ Welcome & Announcements Liturgist ​ ​​​Prayer Team Message ​ Organist/Pianist ​ Music Team ​ ​ Parish Nurse ​ Media Team ​ ​ Acolyte ​ Greeters. . **Volunteers listed below are subject to change without notice** ​ Mr. Dwight Dros. ​ ​ Mr. Dwight Dros. ​ Mrs. Lisi Fisher, Mrs. Sue Rudiman, Mr. Dwight Dros, Mrs. Cindy Dros, Mrs. JoAnn Daum. ​ Rev. Dr. Christopher Fisher. ​ Cindy McClelland ​ Julie Saunders, Laurie Gosch, Tom McClelland, Cindy McClelland, Barb Katkowski, Jean Twardzik ​ ​​Ann Moyer ​ Don Bergen, Matthew Bergen, Katie Bergen, Dave Williams, Kasandria Williams, and Wyatt Williams, Ms. Stacey Lehman, Nigel Kuzanga, Kendall Moyer, Eva Fisher, Gabi Perry ​ . ​ Jim Eifert, Al Machamer. ​ . Flowers... May 28 June 4 ​ ​ June 11 June 18 ​ ​ June 25 Happy Birthday in Heaven Carolyn Shappell To Katie Bergen - Wishing you all of God's Blessings on this extraordinary day. ~ Julie Happy Birthday Kasandria Williams by Lenny & Shirley Yenilaitus In Honor of Mr. and Mrs. Adam Kraft by Bruce & Kristy In Memory of Clifford Boyer, from Linda, Gary and Steven Leibensperger In Honor of Jean Twardzik by Lenny & Shirley Yenilaitus In Honor of April Bergen by Ruth Noecker ​ ​​​Are you interested in sponsoring the altar flowers for a Sunday morning? If so, please contact the Church Office or sign-up on the 2023 Flower Calendar Poster on the bulletin board near Fellowship Hall. If the date you had in mind is already taken, please let the Church Office know as we are able to have two sponsors each Sunday. The flowers are yours to take home after the service(s). The cost is $20; checks payable to First United Methodist Church with the words "Altar Flowers" in the memo section of your check. Thank you for honoring or remembering a loved one with flowers. Weekly Prayer Vigil... Saturday Night Speakers... May 28-June 3 June 4-June 10 June 11-June 17 June 17-June 25 June 26-July 1 Ruth Noecker Lisi Fisher Wanda Langley Lynne & Doug O'Connell Darlene Beers In the event of inclement weather, please call the Church Office to inquire about service cancellation. May 27 June 3 June 10 Brian Reading Bonnie Hawley Ted Catranis

FUMC WORSHIP LIVE-STREAM Our prayer is that each of these messages will touch and bless each of you in some way. Sunday, May 28, 2023 | 9:00 AM Speaker: Rev. Dr. Christopher Fisher Sermon: "Children & Parents, Employers & Employees" Online Giving Order of Worship Also Available On:

MY FAITH STORIES My Faith Stories is a Discipleship Council initiative. Each Story contains a situation, an event, its impact, an "experiencing God" relevant Bible reference and are contributed primarily by members of our congregation. The stories are "mapped" into one of the five steps in the FUMC Discipleship Plan: "Experience God," "Follow the Lord Jesus," "Share Life Together," "Serve the Body of Christ" and "Invest in Others." Click on the Story Title of interest. This opens a link to the full text of the Story that can be read on-line or downloaded for later. If you have any questions or have Faith Stories to share, contact the church office or any member of the Discipleship Council to discuss further. Experience God "My story about the Goodness of God " ~ Sevenia "God heard my prayer, my plea" ~ Ann "prayer moves mountains" ~ Nigel "God makes a way ," when we trust Him ~ Liz "God showed me I had to take a step and then another step..." Ted "This book (Experiencing God) has changed my expectations and understanding of serving God." ~ Karen "My grief helped me minister to those who are grieving " ~ Lynne Follow the Lord Jesus "My faith gave me the Strength to 'pull up my roots'... to Save my son's life" ~ Wanda "Would I be able to make other Obligations , if I started to Tithe ?" ~ Suzie "God has opened many doors during my life" ~ Brian "..... this insensitive joking burned me in my heart ." ~ Dave Share Life Together "I was Flying High , as far as the secular world was concerned" ~ Bill "I discovered a Big Void in my life." ~ Connie "Why Me Lord? " ~ JoAnn "how a Small group actually changed my life " ~ Eydie "I joined a small group and began experiencing the intense love God makes available to all of us." ~ Gary "I Heard God's Voice " ~ Doug Serve the Body of Christ "Having faith and trusting in God has Produced Results I never expected" ~ John "I never knew I had a Food Ministry , until one of our church members asked me about it" ~ Jean "we were strangers, and they took us in" ~ Dwight "My church family covered me with prayer " ~ Julie "God is the reason I've made it this far." ~ Bonnie Invest in Others "Attending church and having a strong faith in God, helps Heal the Scars from being Bullied as a teenager" ~ Randy "Never give up on God's assignments for you." ~ Joanne "I believe, and have always felt, each church member should bring their own personal Bible, perhaps with notes, to church or to study sessions." ~ Mike

We reside in the Schuylkill Haven School District so in the event that the Haven schools are canceled because of winter weather conditions, our Youth Group meetings and events will be canceled as well. At the same time, in the event that prior to our Youth Group meetings the weather conditions become unsafe or too slippery to drive, we will cancel our meetings. In the event of the need to cancel, information will be communicated to you via Facebook.

The information on this calendar is generally based on the information in the newsletter and Sunday bulletins. Therefore, this information is subject to change and may not be reflected within the calendar if changes are made by event organizers without notification to the Church Office. If you see any discrepancies and would like the information updated or have a new item to be submitted for the calendar, please contact the Webmaster .

BI-MONTHLY NEWSLETTERS | THE CIRCUIT WRITER First United Methodist Church issues a bi-monthly newsletter, called The Circuit Writer, as one way of communicating to its members the happenings of the church. The newsletter consists of a letter from the Pastor, Parish Nurse's Notes, monthly calendars, committee updates, scheduled church-wide events, planned youth group events, and other tid-bits of information. Click on the link below to access the desired newsletter. If you have a need to access newsletters from 2010 through 2020 , please send an email to request a copy. NEWSLETTER | Did you know that the Church newsletter can be viewed online via our church website? You can view it anytime by clicking on whichever bi-monthly newsletter you'd like to read. ​ Newsletter Options | We would like to offer the option to have the newsletter emailed to you. If you would like to receive the newsletter via email, please send a quick request to the church office at office@havenfirstumc.org and we will add you to the email list to receive the newsletter. 2023 January/February March/April May/June . 2022 January/February March/April May/June July/August September/October November/December 2021 January/February March/April May/June July/August September/October November/December

​ What is Alpha? Alpha is an extended conversation on the meaning of life and the Christian faith. In the past, the Alpha program has been shared with new church members and local small groups to promote discussions on faith in Jesus Christ. Participants take part in sharing their views and questions following a light meal and a video presentation. Program areas of exploration include: Is There More to Life Than This? Who is Jesus? Why Did Jesus Die? How Can We Have Faith? Why and How Do I Pray? Why and How Do I Read the Bible? How Does God Guide Us? Why and How Should I Tell Others? Does God Heal Today? What About The Church? A weekly Alpha program, open to the community, is taking place this Spring, 2023 . More information can be seen on this website by clicking the link, "Haven Alpha" . A Fall Alpha community program is expected to begin Sunday, September 17, 2023 , and continue through Fall. A schedule and further details will be posted sometime this summer. All who are interested in learning more about faith in Jesus Christ are welcome to attend. We hope you continue to follow this program as more details develop. If you have any questions, contact the church office at 570-385-3941. ~~ (05/09/23)

Email our Youth Director to learn more! Middle School (Grades 5-8) iGnite Youth Ministry exists to love God & love others. iGnite is geared for students in grades 5 through 8 who want to make a difference in their church, community, and world for Christ! ​ The group is being led by: Mrs. April Bergen Mr. Don Bergen Mr. David Williams Mrs. Renee Williams Ms. Stacey Lehman Click to view our Calendar of Events "Fun"-Raisers! Youth in grades 5-8th are welcome to COME, GROW & GO with us! ​ ​ …as we COME together to know Christ as our Lord & Savior by experiencing fun-filled faith during our weekly club meetings as we host "a party with a purpose!" Youth enjoy food, fun & friendship as we build stronger relationships with each other and Jesus. ​ …as we GROW in Christ by being youth who worship, study, pray, serve and fellowship together on our journey by sharing life, laughs & t he love of Jesus! ​ …as we GO serve by showing Christ through action, attitudes, words, and service by being ​ " For our Neighbors" throughout the year, where you can make a difference by helping to collect food for the hungry, showing compassion for animals at the local shelters, and spreading the Gospel through various outreach events. ​

Nursery (Birth through age 4) [ The Little Children and Jesus ] People were also bringin g babies to Jesus for him to place his hands on them. When the disciples saw this, they rebuked them. But Jesus called the children to him and said, “Let the little children come to me, and do not hinder them, for the kingdom of God belongs to such as these. Truly I tell you, anyone who will not receive the kingdom of God like a little child will never enter it.” ~Luke 18:15-17 While God's littlest blessings are most welcome in all worship services, our nursery provides an opportunity during the 9:00 AM Sunday morning worship service to allow parents to grow in their faith and experience God’s presence without the distraction of an active child. After all, God did not have “stillness and silence” in mind when he created children! Along with providing an opportunity for parents to grow in their faith, our nursery is an exciting place for these little ones to grow in their faith as well as they come to know, love and follow Jesus. This spiritual foundation begins in the nursery for your infants and toddlers, as they are lovingly cared for and enjoy busy active learning as our leaders make the Bible come alive in a meaningful and fun way! PLEASE NOTE...our nursery is a bug free zone! If your child has a fever, runny nose, cough, diarrhea, unknown rash, discharge from the eyes, illness being treated with antibiotics for less than 24 hours please keep them at home. We look forward to seeing them when they are feeling better. ​ Little Blessings Nursery Policies & Procedures ​ Hours of Operation & Age Limitations Only children from birth through 4-years-old will be allowed in the nursery. Parents of this age-group must be on-site in the event of an unforeseen emergencies. Parents are encouraged to check-in up to 15-minutes after the start of the worship service to reserve your child’s place and so that a nursery caregiver is available should you decide to utilize the nursery at any point during the service. If no children are registered by that time, the nursery may close allowing caregivers the opportunity to worship. Only attendants who have been trained under the Safe Sanctuary policy will be allowed in the nursery. Classroom Check-in and Check-out There is a sign-in sheet located on top of the bookcase where parents MUST sign-in each child. This sheet must be completed weekly! A registration form with details of the child’s age, parent’s information, allergies, etc. must be completed prior to use of the nursery annually and updated as needed. All children’s belongings must have name identification (diaper bags, cups, etc.). Children will only be released into the custody of those listed on the information sheet. Diaper Changing and Bathroom Trips Parents should supply diapers, wipes, a burp pad, and a change of clothing for their child each time they drop off their child. Due to Safe Sanctuary Guidelines, parents are the only ones permitted to do diaper changes. Children who are potty trained may use the nursery restroom on their own. Discipline Policies Physical punishment is forbidden for all nursery caregivers, including parents who serve in a room with their own children. The only discipline allowed in the nursery is time-out which should be limited to the age of the child (for example, 2 minutes for a 2-year-old). Scolding, harsh words and physical punishment of any kind is forbidden. If the child’s behavior could cause physical harm to another child such as biting, hitting, throwing things, etc., then nursery caregivers will get the parent from the service and require that the parent keeps the child with them in worship that day. Children who have been removed may return to the nursery the following week. Repeat offenders will not be allowed to return. Food Parents must label all bottles and sippy cups with the child's name. FUMC does NOT provide formula, bottles, or baby food for infants. FUMC DOES provide snacks (crackers, cookies, pretzels, etc.) for toddlers. Please make sure nursery caregivers are aware of any food allergies. Meals will NOT be fed to children, even if parents provide the food. Wellness Policy For the protection of all children and caregivers, neither children nor caregivers with any of the following symptoms within the past 24 hours will be admitted into the nursery: ​ Fever Vomiting or diarrhea Untreated pink eye or other eye infection Rash Sore throat Runny Nose Persistent coughing or sneezing Drainage from ears Lice, including the presence of eggs or nits COVID, RSV or flu symptoms not listed above We understand that a child may end up getting ill during their stay in the nursery. If a Nursery Caregiver suspects a child does not meet the standards of the Wellness Policy, they will notify the parent and request that the child remains with the parent that week. If your child isn’t feeling well, we encourage you to worship with us online at: www.havenfirstumc.org and look forward to seeing you next week! Medications Nursery caregivers CANNOT administer any medication (this includes Benadryl, teething or diaper rash ointments). If your child needs medication or treatment during their stay in the nursery, you MUST come to administer necessary medications. In the event of a sudden allergic reaction, parents will be notified immediately, and Benadryl will be available for parental administration until proper medical personnel can attend to the situation. ​