930nor th A P u b l i c at i o n
of
First United Methodist Church
March 2014 Transforming Lives
by
Engaging Our Members
to
Celebrate
and
Share
the
Love
of
Jesus Christ
Our life together
930north
March 2014
Table of Contents The Meeting Place...............................................................5 Celebrating Connections ................................................6
7
The Stewardship by David Poor.........................................................................7 Transforming Lives The Childrens Ministry at FUMC.......................................8
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Finding God in the Everyday by Rev. Katie McKay Simpson..........................................10 Engaging Stories..........................................................12-13 Bringing Out the Christ in Me by Haley Guillot....................................................................14
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Why Keep Silence by C.W. McPherson..............................................................16 Congregational News......................................................18
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930north
A P u b l i c at i o n o f First United Methodist Church
Pastor’s Column From Rev. Brady Whitton Senior Pastor
9 3 0 N o rt h B o u l e va r d B ato n R o u g e , L A 7 0 8 0 2 225-383-4777
Senior Pastor
Rev. Brady Whitton
Associate Pastors
Rev. Brad Franklin Rev. Katie McKay Simpson Rev. Susie Thomas Rev. Ann Trousdale
Editors/Designers
Natalie Smith with the loving support of the FUMC staff
Photographers Todd Rossnagel P.S.Carballo
To request to be added to our 930north Magazine mailing list, join our photography or reporting team, or to have information included in a future edition of this publication, please call 383-4777.
About the Cover
In May 2013, our congregation began a process to develop a more focused vision of our future together as a church. This edition of 930north focuses on the development of the Vision.
Dear Brothers & Sisters in Christ,, There’s a well-known anecdote about a debate that was being arranged between a leading Christian and a leading atheist. The Christian, however, agreed only to debate the atheist if one person could be found whose life had been changed for the better by atheism. The theologian agreed to the same. When the day of the debate came, the theologian arrived with 100 people whose lives had been changed for the better by Christianity. The atheist did not show up. The story of the church is, quite simply, the story of transformed lives. From Saul of Tarsus who encountered Christ and took the message of grace to the world, to John Wesley whose “heart was strangely warmed,” to you, me and other Christians all over the world today, the story of Christianity is a story of the healing and transforming power of God’s love and grace. At every church staff meeting we ask ourselves the question, “Where have we seen someone’s life changed
by what we do as a church?” I often add, “If we’re not able to come up with a story of transformation then we need to seriously rethink what we’re doing.” I’m happy to say we always come up with a few, and hearing the stories of transformation happening in and through the work of FUMC has become one the highlights of my week. In this issue of 930north, we invite you to read just a few stories of transformation happening in and through FUMC. In reading them I hope you’ll be inspired to look for the stories of transformation in your own life, and to begin to look for and recognize the transformations happening all around you. Yours in Christ,
Brady
The Meeting Place
e m o c l We aux
ionne r a M e Natali g& Invitin C’s to FUM ming team! Welco
Where did you grow up? Or where do you consider “home?” I grew up in Rosedale and graduated from St. Joseph’s Academy. I moved back to Baton Rouge from Chicago 2 years ago where I had been for 17 years. Loved Chicago. But it’s been great being back in Baton Rouge. What is your favorite thing to do when you are not working? Travel and photography. After college I worked for Habitat for Humanity in Mexico where I took some great photos of some of the folks with whom I worked. I’ve loved photography ever since and have been doing wedding photography for 10 years now. You can check out more at my site www.nataliephoto.net. What is your role at FUMC? I am Becky’s sidekick... the newest member to the Inviting and Welcoming team... I’m just trying to keep up with Becky and help get all the details that happen “behind the scenes” done to make FUMC an inviting and welcoming place for everyone. Dream vacation spot? Trip around the world visiting lots of different places experiencing the people and cultures!
Favorite movie or book? Wow... really how do you choose... 1. The Sound of Music 2. Top Gun 3. Monsters, Inc. How’s that for variety? For books, I just couldn’t get enough of Harry Potter! If you could have dinner with one person in the whole world, who would it be? Again how do you choose? Jesus. I would want to try to grasp and comprehend how much love He has for me and each one of us... Person you admire the most? Ashleigh Culivan, my niece, AND cancer survivor! What is something quirky about you? I work at Starbucks on College Drive and have worked for the company for 10 years now! Stop by and say hello! Anything else you would like to share? I’m best known at FUMC as Lulu Wemple’s little sister and I don’t mind at all because she is awesome and I love her very much. And it was she that introduced me to FUMC when I moved back to Louisiana and I am very grateful to her for bringing me to FUMC!
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g n i t a r b e l Ce ections Conn
Tuesday Morning Knitters led the congregation to aid ladies in ‘The Connections For Life’ program. The Connections For Life ladies were fortunate to celebrate a wonderful Christmas season! A big part of their joy came from the many ways FUMC made them feel special with your visits, cards and goodies. One of those special ways came from what the Tuesday Morning Knitters did for them. For the past several years, the Knitters
have led the congregation in collecting stamps that Albertson’s gives for merchandise purchased during the holidays. This year there were enough stamps collected and redeemed that made it possible for each of the Connection’s ladies to receive two Rachel Ray dish-sets.
The ladies were thrilled with their new, bright and colorful dinnerware! When it was explained to them about the Knitters efforts and the congregation’s participation, they felt very special and it made them love their gifts even more. The ladies appreciate the kindness and generosity of many of you at FUMC and often comment on how much they enjoy visiting with you and how friendly and nice you always are to them. While the dishes are a practical item they need and can definitely use, it means more than you may realize that the Knitters led this project and many of you took the time to collect the stamps, turn them in to the church, go and get the dishes and then give them as a gift. Your acts of kindness do much to help the Connections For Life ladies on their journey of rebuilding their lives for themselves and their children. Thanks for your expression of thoughtfulness and the many ways you help our program throughout the year.
The Stewardship of First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge by David Poor
I’ve been a member of First UMC for 20 years, but have never been more excited about the direction our church is heading! While I’ve always been a very engaged church member, as I look back I am not sure that I’ve had a clear vision of what our church was trying to accomplish. I’ve been involved in a number of worthy causes through First United Methodist, but as I look back it is hard to identify how I’ve helped the church achieve a greater goal. Having clearly identified our mission and established specific goals, however, I now know how I can best contribute to our church’s mission and have a clearer path to my own personal growth as a Christian. My purpose, our purpose, is to transform lives by celebrating and sharing the love of Jesus Christ. My personal contribution will come through an investment of time, money, and prayer. Time to serve in whatever way I can to help our church accomplish its goals. Prayer to ask God’s direction and blessing in this endeavor. Money to support the financial
needs that will come as we work to see this vision achieved. I made my commitment by completing and turning in the vision commitment card I received in February. This commitment card is a promise not only to my church but to God as well. It will help me be more focused in delivering on my commitments through the accountability that goes with making a pledge, and my financial commitment will help the church plan the right actions to bring our vision to life. I am not sure why my life has been blessed as it has, however I know I must do something worthy with it. I believe each of us has been given gifts from God that should be shared with others. If you haven’t turned in a commitment card it’s not too late! I hope you’ll join me in committing to this exciting new direction at First UMC. I look forward to engaging with you to transform lives by celebrating and sharing the love of Jesus Christ.
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On Wednesday evenings, though, there is not a place he would rather be than at FUMC. Recently, when his Cub Scout pack meeting was scheduled for the same time as The Gathering, Mason chose church. The decision was an easy one; “I go to Wednesday night service, because the music and preaching are just so pleasant and heart-lifting. Another reason I go is to take part in the fun activities we do at Children’s Gathering classes.”
In the past few weeks, two of Mason’s favorite activities with his friends at the Oasis have been making bread and squashing grapes to make grape juice. While the children are involved in hands-on projects, Ms. Rebecca, Ms. Fran, and Ms. Kathryn are exposing them to Bible verses and discussing how they can share the love of Jesus with others outside of the church. As Mason says,“Wednesday night service is not the only thing that gets me going. Last year, through The Gathering and Mission Day Camp, I went on several mission trips around Baton Rouge that involved helping people from the very young to the homeless. One of my personal favorites was when we went to the Sweet Dreams shelter and saw children and mothers that needed an extra hand. We brought and served dinner to the families and then played with them outside. The kids’ faces lit up with joy when they saw the games we brought and the fun we were sharing.” Like so many children at First, Mason participates in Sunday School, serves as an acolyte at early service, and attends Vacation Bible School; “VBS offers great music, crafts, and even some chemistry! It is a great, active, and inspiring week.” The Children’s ministry at FUMC engages kids of all ages throughout the entire year to celebrate their blessings and to reach out to others. Looking back, Mason appreciates that his life has already been shaped so much by his time at ELC, the programs offered at church, and great people along the way who have encouraged him to “follow the light of Christ, respect others, and trust in the Lord.”
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Finding God Everyday: in the
The Story of Triumph Kitchen Walking into the Old Delaronde Building on 3rd Street in downtown Baton Rouge, one might not expect what is now found behind these historic doors. If you enter this sprawling 5,300 square foot area today, you’ll probably be greeted by the smell of spray paint murals, the sound of nails hitting some of the finishing touches of a coffee bar, a mismatched group of tables and chairs from historic restaurants all around Baton Rouge, and, of course, the warm welcome of two of FUMC’s newest church members - Chris and Sommer Wadsworth. The Wadsworths moved to Baton Rouge only a year ago after starting the Bon Repas Wrap Truck in Lafayette. They were also the pioneers that brought Restaurant IPO, one of the top 100 hottest restaurants in nation. Chris, a wellknown chef in our area, who appeared on TV series Top Chef, was named “Top Five Chefs to Watch in the South 2013,” and together,
they both catered the Sundance Film Festival. To celebrate Chris’ many accomplishments as a chef, they went to a photo shoot at Cafe Reconcile in New Orleans, an establishment with a mission to rehabilitate at-risk youth and train them in the restaurant industry. After his experience there, the dream for Triumph Kitchen was born. Chris and Sommer, in starting this new endeavor, are attempting to blend two passions-cooking and teaching. Sommer has three degrees in education and taught special education in Lafayette for 10 years. Along with Chris’ well-known reputation for quality fine cuisine, they promise to change the culinary scene of Baton Rouge by creating a quality restaurant industry workforce. Students of the Triumph Kitchen will mostly be at-risk, high school dropouts ages 16-22. When mentioning some of the characteristics of the applicants -Pray for their efforts. to the program, they talked about the -Spread the word about example of one student whose father their program. is serving a life sentence in prison and -Need catering for a special mother is disabled. On his application, event? Use their services! he wrote, “I come from nothing. I just want to be a little bit better.” Many of their students that have been accepted understand the value of this opportunity, but as Sommer said, “have no clue about the skills needed to interview or make a good impression to land a job in the industry. Not all students are made for college. The age of 16 is really where they will make it or break it, so they need protection and positive role models to follow and learn right behavior, job readiness, and training.” One little known fact that sheds light to this couple’s passion and sensitivity to this population is that Chris was a high school dropout himself. He earned his GED, and started working in the restaurant business when he was 14. Having learned the industry over these 20 years, he says now, “I have now accomplished everything I ever dreamed and set out to do as a chef. Now, I’m searching for a way to give back.” In addition to offering this unique program for their students, they have also adopted
Want to Help Triumph Kitchen?
an operative principle that, as often as they can, they hire homeless people from the community to do manual labor and construction work as they transform the facility to prepare for their opening. Chris and Sommer both believe that their faith has deeply influenced them as they formed the vision for this outreach in the community. Chris said, “At the end of the day, I want the kids to believe in themselves. We have a curriculum, but have freedom to work on self-esteem.” They both have a long history of being a part of the United Methodist Church, having attended worship at Asbury UMC in Lafayette throughout their marriage. Chris also comes from a long line of Methodist ministers-particularly his father and grandfather, who continue to influence him deeply on how to live out his faith by working for transformation in his everyday life. The couple joined FUMC’s America Street worship service in late November 2013. Since that time, they have offered themselves to cater some of our events for the Vision series, and own two plots in the Beauregarden for their students to grow fresh vegetables and goods to give to the food bank and use in their own cooking for the kitchen. This is in addition to the other sustainable food sources they patron, such as local farms. They both admitted, “We thought the garden plots would be especially effective because it’s a ‘non-churchy way’ to introduce them to good, faithful people at FUMC that can influence their lives for the better.” Speaking of the future for Triumph Kitchen, the Wadsworths assert that they don’t have an exact “end” in mind. They will work toward a 100% graduation rate for all of their students over four semesters, and hope to influence the whole restaurant industry of Baton Rouge with trustworthy, quality employees whose lives have been changed by their training experience. As for the rest, they both said, “We are going to let God do the driving.”
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Transformation through Engaging A couple of years ago we moved to Baton Rouge and began watching the FUMC televised services. We both found them inspiring and applicable to daily living. After two years of regular church visitation, we became members of the FUMC family. We began to find ourselves participating in several different church ministries that have gotten us engaged and that have ultimately transformed our lives. We are a part of the colloquium Sunday school class. Also, Bill has taken several Disciple Bible studies and is a regular at Men’s coffee that meets on
Tuesday mornings. I’m a part of the Thursday ladies group that makes crafts and seasonal gifts for the home bound and the women at the battered women’s shelter and Connections for Life. And on a personal note, a little over a year ago Bill began having trouble with his eyes; he even reached a point where he could no longer read. The congregational care ministry, whom we are very thankful for, provided him with a magnified reader. They had the machine delivered to our home and set it up for us. We were very moved by the generosity of this
group of caring people. Bill was able to continue his Disciple 3 class and take care of those things that previously he was unable to do. We are proud to call First Methodist our church home. We are actively being engaged and are experiencing the transforming power of God’s love and care shown through Christian community. God Bless, Bill and Gloria Whaley
Get Engaged at First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge Sunday, March 9th 9:40-10:40 a.m Reverend Dwight H. Judy, Ph.D., noted author, professor and theologian, will speak to our congregation Sunday, March 9th from 9:40-10:40 a.m. in the Sanctuary. Dr. Judy will share his insight and research on the Methodist movement past, present and future. Learn how Wesley’s vision for the church connects to The Vision of FUMC today and how FUMC’S Vision connects to the wider vision of the United Methodist Church. Dr. Judy serves as professor Emeritus of Spiritual Formation at Garrett Evangelical Theological Seminary in Evanston, Illinois.
Reverend Dwight H. Judy, Ph.D.
About Dr. Judy During his career, he has served as parish pastor, academic administrator of two graduate programs, retreat leader, retreat center director, spiritual director, and faculty member. He was licensed as a psychologist in California and maintains membership in the American Association of Pastoral Counselors and Spiritual Directors International. As a scholar practitioner, he has worked for over thirty years in the field of spiritual formation.
His latest book: A Quiet Pentecost, Inviting the Spirit into Congregational Life is widely acclaimed as one of the best educational resources for congregational life and Christian discipleship. Join your church family. Let’s learn and grow together! For more information, contact Cherri Johnson, Director of Spiritual Formation and Education at cherri@firstmethodist.org
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some stand out more than others. I came into this building only what we talked about; by sharing his Don’t get me wrong, these kids have knowing three people, and I was knowledge with his teammates, his tested my strengths several times, but introduced to what felt like over team did not have to sleep outside they also bring out the Christ in me. two hundred faces within the first during the retreat. That same weekend For the past six months I have week. It was a bit intimidating at first, I witnessed all of them convert from had the blessing to help 25 new spastic but with some help I quickly caught being individual players into a huge 6th graders through Confirmation. I on and adjusted. With these young, team that worked together, which was have gotten to know each and every one the theme of the retreat. I also noticed spirited people I’ve ventured down of them and have seen them transform to the edge of the swamps in Dulac, a change in the youth after the retreat. into members of the church. I have been The kids were much more open with and up to the tops of mountains in there for all of their lessons, over-night Colorado. As little of an impact I may each other and talked to each other a retreats, and their consistent questions leave on some of our youth, they have lot more than before. By sharing their definitely had an impact on me. stories and experiences with each Seeing our kids interact and come other, they all impacted one another I’ve come to learn that this is what together on a consistent basis to and developed relationships among our Youth Department is all about: worship has made me realize how themselves while building their much I missed out on while I sharing with our youth and in turn, relationship with Christ. was in their shoes. I didn’t have I’ve come to learn that this impacting their lives. the same experience that these is what our Youth Department is kids have growing up with a youth all about: sharing with our youth family; I missed out for various reasons, that have strengthened their and in turn, impacting their lives. beliefs. David Poor, Jennifer Winstead, but they have made me realize how We give them a safe place to come and Chuck Winstead are exceptionally important it is to surround yourself and celebrate their faith without patient with the incredibly energetic with your faith. I have seen Christ in judgment. Coming to work with the all of these kids, though youth and have done an excellent Youth Department has been a thrilling job informing them on the basics of experience and I’m so glad I have the Methodism. During our fall retreat chance to be involved in our youth’s to Camp Istrouma, William Duke lives as a mentor and friendly face. transformed before my eyes when he confidently blurted out every answer during our team Jeopardy game. He had taken the time to study his Confirmation notes when we hinted that everyone should remember
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Why Keep
Silence? By C.W. McPherson
Lent is a 40-day period of prayer and self-reflection that echoes the 40 days Jesus spent in the wilderness in preparation for his public ministry (Matt 4:1-11, Mark 1:12-13, Luke 4:1-13). Christians often take up a practice or discipline during Lent as a way of giving themselves more fully to spiritual reflection. The article below, an excerpt from Keeping Silence by C.W. McPherson, introduces the powerful practice of keeping silence. Since you are reading this, you it a welcome companion; it’s a catalyst bringing the presence of God into probably have an interest in learning for anyone in their physical efforts. our lives and into the world.” about the practice of keeping silence, Psychologically, its benefit lies in but you may also be asking what the balance it offers. By calming An Experiment in good it will do. Why have so many the mind, and by increasing the Keeping Silence explorers of the spiritual life discovered mind’s command over the emotional Be silent for just ten minutes. Insulate silence, then refined ways of keeping life, it makes extremes easier to and isolate yourself—remove or turn it? Why have so many ordinary manage. Grief and exultation are less off the telephone, make yourself people found it helpful today? likely to shock and displace us. comfortable, lock your door. Do Ultimately, you will have to discover Spiritually, it puts us in touch with whatever will guarantee ten minutes that for yourself. But let me suggest reality. It makes us far more aware of quiet. Do nothing else to prepare some of the benefits others have of ourselves, both of our souls, and yourself. Put nothing else on the discovered. Practically everyone who our bodies. Silence returns us to the agenda—just see what happens. Note has practiced silence finds that it present moment, that moment we your thoughts and feelings during improves concentration. Work becomes are always trying to escape. Silence is this period. You might find it helpful easier. Leisure activities become more also the other--and often neglectedto jot them down or reference when enjoyable. People have told me they the period of silence is over. Note get more out of life simply by investing “Silence returns us to any difficulties you have, any the present moment, a few minutes a day in silence. feelings of anxiety, or feelings of Physiologically, deliberate silence that moment we are absurdity. All of these are quite calms the body. For some people, always trying to escape.” normal and people who are new it actually lowers blood pressure; to intentional silence experience a bit virtually everyone finds that it steadies half of prayer. Prayer is a two-way of both. Of course, take note of your the heartbeat. For many, it signals the conversation, so it must involve positive feelings: security, peacefulness, beginning of greater control over their listening to God. And in order to listen, rest, and refreshment. These are not physical lives. Bad habits become easier we must be silent. A noisy life allows illusory benefits, and they are a welcome to discard, good ones easier to form. us to be conscious only superficially, alternative to the noise for most of us. People involved in support groups or and a superficial consciousness excludes Get acquainted with them. They are twelve-step groups usually find that spirituality. Cultivating silence enables part of the reason for keeping silence, silence helps them keep their daily us to understand and recover our and they are immediately available. resolutions. Runners and cyclists find own humanity; it serves as a catalyst,
Other Practices for Lent Weekly Worship Commit to attend worship every week
March 5
Bible Reading Find and commit to a Bible reading plan (Google The Grant Horner Bible Reading Plan for an interesting one)
(Ash Wednesday)
Daily Prayer Get an Upper Room or Disciplines and read and pray daily
thru
Fasting Abstain from a favorite food or activity (not as punishment, but as a way to increase awareness) Works of Mercy Volunteer to tutor a child, serve at a soup kitchen, drive an elderly person to a doctor’s appointment, etc.
April 20 (Easter Sunday) March 2014 | 930north Magazine
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Congregational News Welcome New Members!
Celebrating the Birth of... Reed Alexander, son of Emily & Logan McIlwain Archer James, son of Robert K. & Leah O. Boyd Landry Marie, daughter of Stuart L. & Kimberly B. Gilly
Todd Grand
Ashley Jones
Brenda Griffiths
Vijay Murugesan
Brent & Lindsey Turtle
Whiteny Rushing
Anthony Rushing
Mark Mitchell
James (Jim) & Rhonda Kemp
Colin & Christina Lacey
Dr. Gary & Sheryl Lum
Reginald (Reggie) Haslom & Katherine Robillard
Reed Alexander, son of Logan C. & Emily R. McIlwain Jack Lawyer, son of Anna Stevens Camille Elebash. daughter of Brent & Lindsey Turtle
Sympathy to the Families of... Walter Rody Virginia Cotton
Weekly Attendance Week of Sunday, January 5
Week of Sunday, January 12
Week of Sunday, January 19
Week of Sunday, January 26
Worship Sunday School Total
Worship Sunday School Total
Worship Sunday School Total
Worship Sunday School Total
1,116 431 1,547
1,364 454 1,818
1,027 468 1,495
1,114 408 1,522
Calendar of Events
March Sunday, March 2 9:00 AM Cafe 930 9:40 AM Newcomer’s Coffee 5:00 PM H.I.G.H. 5 Monday, March 3 9:45 AM Prayer Ministry
Tuesday, March 4 9:00 AM Knitting 9:00 AM Men’s Coffee 10:30 AM AA-Women’s 11:45 AM Centering Prayer - Cancelled 12:00 PM AA Wednesday, March 5 7:00 AM Ash Wednesday Service 12:10 PM Ash Wednesday Service 4:00 PM Illness Support Group 6:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service 6:30 PM Books of Life Thursday, March 6 10:00 AM Widow’s Support Group 11:30 AM Women’s Council 12:00 PM Alcholics Anonymous Sunday, March 9 8:30 AM Rev. Dwight Judy 9:00 AM Cafe 930 5:00 PM H.I.G.H. 5 Monday, March 10 9:45 AM Prayer Ministry 5:00 PM Finance Committee Tuesday, March 11 9:00 AM Knitting 9:00 AM Men’s Coffee 11:45 AM Centering Prayer Cancelled Wednesday, March 12 8:00 AM United Methodist COSROW 10:00 AM Senior Adult Luncheon 4:00 PM Illness Support Group 4:30 PM Care Team Thursday, March 13 9:00 AM Thursday Group 10:00 AM Widow’s Support Group 12:00 PM Alcholics Anonymous Sunday, March 16 9:00 AM Cafe 930 5:00 PM H.I.G.H. 5
For more dates and events, visit our web site at www.firstmethodist.org. Monday, March 17 9:45 AM Prayer Ministry Tuesday, March 18 9:00 AM Knitting 9:00 AM Men’s Coffee 9:30 AM Fit @ First 10:30 AM AA-Women’s 11:45 AM Centering Prayer - Cancelled 12:00 PM AA 4:30 PM Generosity Committee Meeting 5:00 PM TBR Meditation/Study Wednesday March 19 4:00 PM Illness Support Group 4:30 PM Care Team Thursday, March 20 10:00 AM Widow’s Support Group 12:00 PM Alcholics Anonymous Sunday, March 23 9:00 AM Cafe 930 5:00 PM H.I.G.H. 5 Monday, March 24 9:45 AM Prayer Ministry Tuesday, March 25 9:00 AM Knitting 9:00 AM Men’s Coffee 10:30 AM AA-Women’s 11:45 AM Centering Prayer - Cancelled 12:00 PM AA Wednesday, March 25 7:15 AM Senior Adult Breakfast 4:00 PM Illness Support Group 4:30 PM Care Team Thursday, March 27 9:00 AM Thursday Group 10:00 AM Widow’s Support Group 12:00 PM Alcholics Anonymous Sunday, March 30 9:00 AM Cafe 930 5:00 PM H.I.G.H. 5
Books of Life Books of Life will meet next on Wednesday, March 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the McKenzie Library. If you plan to attend or want more information, please contact Mary Jacob - 753-4226 or mjacob53@cox.net. The book for March is The Lowland by Jhumpa Lahiri. About the book: Born just fifteen months apart, Subhash and Udayan Mitra are inseparable brothers, one often mistaken for the other in the Calcutta neighborhood where they grow up. But they are also opposites, with gravely different futures ahead. It is the 1960s, and Udayan—charismatic and impulsive—finds himself drawn to the Naxalite movement, a rebellion waged to eradicate inequity and poverty; he will give everything, risk all, for what he believes. Subhash, the dutiful son, does not share his brother’s political passion; he leaves home to pursue a life of scientific research in a quiet, coastal corner of America. But when Subhash learns what happened to his brother in the lowland outside their family’s home, he goes back to India, hoping to pick up the pieces of a shattered family, and to heal the wounds Udayan left behind—including those seared in the heart of his brother’s wife.
Monthly Lectionary Texts
The lectionary is a series of Scripture readings for specific days of the year. The United Methodist Church uses a lectionary based on The Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year lectionary. They include four Bible readings for every Sunday, plus readings for special Holy Days. March 2, 2014 Exodus 24:12–18 Psalm 99 (UMH 819) 2 Peter 1:16–21 Matthew 17:1–9 March 5, 2014 Joel 2:1-2, 12-17 Psalm 51:1–17 (UMH 785) 2 Corinthians 5:20b-6:10 Matthew 6:1-6, 16–21
March 9, 2014 Genesis 2:15–17; 3:1–7 Psalm 32 (UMH 766) Romans 5:12–19 Matthew 4:1–11 March 16, 2014 Genesis 12:1–4a Psalm 121 (UMH 844) Romans 4:1–5, 13–17 John 3:1–17
March 23, 2014 Exodus 17:1–7 Psalm 95 (UMH 814) Romans 5:1–11 John 4:5–42 March 30, 2014 1 Samuel 16:1–13 Psalm 23 (UMH 754 or 137) Ephesians 5:8–14 John 9:1–41
Monday, March 31 8:00 AM ELC Art Show / Setup 9:45 AM Prayer Ministry
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First United Methodist Church
NON-PROFIT US POSTAGE PA I D Baton Rouge, LA PERMIT 63
930 North Blvd. Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Change Service Requested
930north
J oin
us for
W orship ! Sundays
8:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship 9:40 a.m. Sunday School for all Ages 11 a.m. Sanctuary and America Street Worship 6:30 p.m. Ory Parish Hall Worship
Wednesdays
12:10 p.m. Aldrich Chapel Worship & Holy Communion 5:45 p.m. Worship @ Gathering
Nursery Care is available from 8:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. Sunday mornings and from 5:007:30 p.m. Wednesday evenings for children ages 8 weeks to kindergarten
l
visit
www.FirstMethodist.org
facebook.com/FUMCBR
for more information
@FUMCBatonRouge