April 2015 First Pulse

April 2015 Edition

www.grandrapidsfumc.org

As I look at the of the year. Communion is always April calendar, I deeply moving for me, but particuhave a hard time larly on Maundy Thursday. It is a seeing beyond rehearsal of the Last Supper, when April 5! Oh – it’s Jesus met with his friends, forever a month that intransforming the breaking of bread cludes my wife’s and drinking the cup. We are joining birthday and some together again this year in Wesley vacation time… but being in pastoral Hall with a supper at 6:00 pm folministry, we tend to focus on EASTER! lowed by worship and communion.

April 5 is Easter. Holy Week begins on 3) Good Friday includes two service Palm Sunday (March 29), the winding possibilities. At noon, the downdown of our congregational study of town churches celebrate the tradiDr. Forbes book, Whose Gospel? It has tional “seven last words of Christ” been a great Lenten series and thank at Central Reformed Church at you for your faithful participation in the corner of College and Fulour various discussion groups. Hopeton. Rev. Tish Bowman will be fully, over the next couple of months, one of the speakers this year. we will be drafting a statement that will be descriptive of what it means to be Then, at 7:00 pm, we will once again a progressive Christian, connected to have a Good Friday evening sera progressive United Methodist convice in our sanctuary. Our service gregation, and engaged in progressive will include ministry in the heart of the city. The our choir and drafted “statement” will be discussed, organist, biblidebated, and in the end, embraced as a cal readings, description of who we are as members special music, and friends of First United Methodist congregational Church. It is an exciting spiritual jour- It is an exciting spiritual ney for us all that will lead us to great- journey for us all that will er fruit production lead us to greater fruit production in our ministry. in our ministry.

Holy Week includes: singing, and 1) Wednesday evening’s Taizé worship great art work experience at 7:00 pm. Our service that will blend will be a prelude to the Last Supper together to give as we ponder the servant ministry us a poignant of Jesus as he washed the disciples’ message of feet. We will pray with word, song, suffering as beand silence in an atmosphere of ing a part of living. If you missed it great peace and joy. This service last year, it was a deeply moving and will also include a celebration of meaningful worship experience. communion.

4) Then, on Easter morning – we 2) Holy Thursday (Maundy Thurswill have two identical services at day) is one of my favorite services 9:15 and 11:00 am. The resurrec-

inside

Intentional Faith Development

2

Pastor’s Message

tion celebration will include great music with choir, brass … with the congregation singing the Hallelujah Chorus by George Frederick Handel. It will be a morning to remember.

I invite you… no… I encourage you, to make it a priority to join us for all the services. You might be surprised how Easter worship will come alive for you because you have participated in the journey from the upper room, to the cross, and then, the resurrection!

Finally, I want to share a brief update on our “Envisioning our Future” process. We collected a sizeable amount of information as a result of the congregation’s excellent participation in our seven conversation events.

That data is being sorted by a professional who is able to guide the Vision Committee in focusing our time and resources in appropriate ways. The Vision Committee is working on cultivating the information and as soon as we have a report to deliver, we will enthusiastically let you know of our findings and what we believe will be the next steps. Stay tuned.

Pastor Bob Hundley

Radical Hospitaliy 1

Risk-taking Mission and Service

Happy spring, a Blessed Holy Week and Easter, and a growth-filled April to us all!

Passionate Worship 5

Extravagant Generosity 4

3 Compassionate Care

5

6

Intentional Faith Development Dear Parents of Our Elementary-Age Children, Think back to your years in school.

How many novels do you remember reading? How about chemistry equations; do you remember any of those?

How about those all-important algebraic terms? If you are like me, the things you remember clearly from your school years are those that you enjoyed presenting or performing in front of learned, their new knowledge will stay an audience. with them. Beyond the research, actually preparing for a performance and Research in education shows that stu- performing it is fun, especially when dents learn best when they are chal- done with friends. lenged and engaged while having fun.

If children are given an authentic audi- Many kids never have the opportunity ence with which to share what they’ve to perform in front of an authentic audience in a play or musical, sing with a choir, or speak in front of a large group. Those who do have the opportunity to perform often do not take it because performing can be scary.

Research in education shows that students learn best when they are challenged and engaged while having fun.

This spring, the Faith Travelers, kindergartners through sixth graders, will have a chance to experience a new-tothem kind of performance: a musical!

We will practice and perform a small selection from “Welcome Back, Billy Best!,” an adaptation of the The Prodigal Son Parable, by Joe Cox and Jody W. Lindh, to be performed at 10:30 am on Sunday, May 17.

I would like to personally invite your elementary-age child to give this new experience a chance. Even if he or she has never been to Faith Travelers before, please consider joining us at 9:15 on April 19 when we begin rehearsals.

Because we have only a five-week window to rehearse, it is imperative that children be at all the rehearsals they can! No prior knowledge of the parable is necessary, just a desire to learn something new and have some fun.

The entire congregation is and will be invited to watch the performance on May 17 and support our elementary students in this new experience.

Thank you for supporting Children’s Church is the ideal safe place to at- Ministry at First United Methodist tempt new things, like performing or Church! presenting to an audience. As a child, Blessings, many of my formative experiences Audrey Kawel happened while performing someDirector of Children’s Ministry thing at First United Methodist or at a church event. While I was never personally inspired to audition for a show on Broadway, those experiences did give me the confidence to seek out other public speaking opportunities.

2

Passionate Worship I AM. Identification. Empathy.

Unity. Barrier-free.

Becoming more aware of “us” is an important ingredient in forming community. Community is about becoming aware of shared experience.

especially in the first two or three weeks of Lent, how difficult it was to remember to sing “us” rather than “me.” Because this hymn is so Dr. James Forbes, in his amazing well known, it’s rather habitual to sing weekend of teaching and preaching, “me” rather than “us.” In making this raised critical issues that we face to- small yet significant change, we have day. Coming at it from a variety of an- had to be intentional about including gles, he couldn’t have made it clearer the other. that the “free flow of God’s love” is being restrained in our lives and, par- Becoming more aware of “us” is an ticularly, in our relationship to one an- important ingredient in forming comother. Raising the question of how we munity. Community is about becomidentify ourselves, he pointed to the ing aware of shared experience. Worway in which God tells Moses that “I ship emphasizes a shared experience.

AM” has sent him to the Israelites. There is a recent study that yawning Too often, taught Forbes, we fill in among people produces “group emthe blank following “I am” with a de- pathy.” Why? Well, yawning is relaxscriptor that, all too often, separates ing, and, often comes about spontaus from one another. “I am black,” or neously in us. Yawning is contagious.

“I am white,” or “I am an American,” We all know the experience of yawnor “I am straight.” You get the pic- ing, and as we yawn together, we are ture, and Forbes couldn’t have more having the same experience. powerfully or poetically brought this message home about the boundaries Think about the shared experience of and divisions that are thus created and beauty. We are overcome with a type reinforced when we fill in the implied of spontaneous “awe” when we expe“blank” following the words “I am.” rience beauty in nature, such as an inKnowing that we are created in the credible sunset or sky. In worship, we image of God, can we also simply say: may experience a moment of “awe” in beautiful sights, sounds, prayers, “I AM?” and even in attentive silence. When we sing together, uniting in the word, we I AM… WE. have a shared experience. “One who Or, as Forbes put it, “I AM, because sings prays twice” (often attributed to St. Augustine) doesn’t refer to merely WE ARE.” During Lent, we have been singing a doubling of the prayer, but to prayer “Spirit of the Living God, fall afresh in multiple dimensions, which encomon US.” I found it rather interesting, passes this shared experience. I think

that when Jesus says in the Gospel of Luke, “Today this Scripture has been fulfilled in your hearing,” he is, in part, saying that the shared experience of hearing these words is part of the fulfillment or dimension of those words.

May we continue to become intentional about identifying ourselves in ways that unify us and worship in ways that emphasize the shared experience of this “free flow of God’s Love.” May we all sing together: “I AM.” Eric Strand Director of Music and the Arts

3

Risk-Taking Mission and Service Why Take the Risk?

My daughter Emily went on one of the first mission trips to Cuba in 1998.

At the time, our family finances were tight. Someone in our congregation gave an anonymous gift that paid half of Emily’s expenses. Emily called this person her “Cuba Angel.”

Emily had never traveled outside of the United States. She had never seen poverty close-up and personal. During her stay in Herradura, Emily became especially close to one little girl. When it was time for the team to return to the United States the little girl wanted to express her love to Emily. She gave Emily her prized possession, her baby-doll. Emily didn’t want to take away the little girl’s special doll. The team leaders advised that to refuse this gift would be the unloving thing to do.

So Emily brought a bedraggled little baby-doll home with her. This gift of love forever changed Emily’s life. Her faith was deepened and her understanding of extravagant generosity was changed. She went on to study nursing and Spanish in college and has used these tools to serve her community.

Seventeen years later, Emily’s interaction with a little girl in Cuba still makes a difference, impacting how she loves and raises her own children. The gifts of one “Cuba Angel” and one little girl continue to change the world.

This gift of love forever changed Emily’s life. Her faith was deepened and her understanding of extravagant generosity was changed. She went on to study nursing and Spanish in college and has used these tools to serve her community.

Why support someone going on a mission trip? Why take that risk yourself ?

Through mission ministries we spread the word of Christ, strive to share God’s love, alleviate suffering, and seek relationship with people who are our neighbors both locally and in far off places. Persons who serve in mission learn to rely on God, to pray more deeply, to understand how all are connected through God’s unconditional love, and become committed to treating all persons with love and respect.

Contact me if you feel ready to take a new risk and I will help find the right mission ministry for you to participate in. If you would like to become a “Mission Angel,” plan on contributing to our Easter mission offering.

Take a risk! Change the world!

4

Looking up, Jesus saw rich people throwing their gifts into the collection box for the temple treasury. He also saw a poor widow throw in two small copper coins worth a penny. He said, “I assure you that this poor widow has put in more than them all. All of them are giving out of their spare change. But she from her hopeless poverty has given everything she had to live on.” Luke 21:1-4 Laure Mieskowski Director of Missions

Radical Hospitality

wasn’t appreciated by some. However, I’m beginning to believe that “Radical I’m not willing to Hospitality” means anything that pushes us make Masen (who further and, often past our comfort zone. just turned 3) go to the nursery/toddler What does “Radical Hospitality” look room. As you may recall, I work full time like? We keep asking that question of so Masen spends every day away from me at ourselves. Is it the “children’s spot” at daycare/preschool. Saturdays and Sundays coffee hour, greeting your neighbor are our time together, and I want to experiin worship, the “fidget” bags and pew ence worship with him and share the jourcards? I’m beginning to believe that ney together. I have tried one or two other “Radical Hospitality” means anything churches, but I really love FUMC. So, I that pushes us further and, often past wanted to get your thoughts on having Masen our comfort zone. Last month, Marj’s with me in the sanctuary during service. If article covered “compassionate care there comes a time when he wants to go with of families in worship,” but then I the other kids, then I would happily let him, received the following email this past but I know that for now, he’ll want to stay week. Might this be another face of with me. I’m always conscious of others and whenever he would get loud, I’d take him out “Radical Hospitality”? and walk the stairs. But, I wanted to get Hi Patsy, It’s Andrea McGrew. I haven’t your thoughts on it. been to FUMC much since my son Masen was born. Since then I’ve been struggling I responded to Andrea telling her that to incorporate Masen into my church at- she and Masen were welcome here and tendance. I sort of got the feeling that hav- we had put some new things in place: ing a child in the sanctuary during service fidget bags, childrens’ pages and kids’

bags. Andrea is a member and felt she needed to ask me this question, and for that I am sorry. It made me wonder what our visitors feel when they come in with children: They don’t always want to put them in the nursery or childcare the first couple of visits, nor do they know where it is. We need young families to help us grow, so we need to be “Radically Hospitable” to them.

Jesus said “Let the little children come to me.” Sometimes that means in childcare or our education classes and sometimes it means in the pew with mom, dad, and/or grandparent.

Patsy McGillivray Director of Invitational Ministy

Extravagant Generosity It is remarkable to reflect on what has happened in Grand Rapids in the last 20 years. Downtown and several city neighborhoods have seen almost complete re-inventions of themselves. New office buildings have opened, as well as new residential buildings, restaurants, ArtPrize, entertainment, and remodeled parks and green spaces. Now the city is embarking on the complete make-over of the riverfront.

“In 2000, no census tract in the Grand Rapids suburbs had a poverty rate above 20%, according to Brookings. By the period of 2008-2012, there were 20 suburban census tracts with that distinction.

Nearly a third of the people living in poverty in the Grand Rapids area right now live in the suburbs. Grand Rapids ranks eighth in the country for the rise in suburban poverty concentration since 2000.

As we bask in the resurgence and excitement of our fair city, let us not forget that the problems of poverty in our These are truly exciting times to be a As we bask in the resurgence and ex- midst remain rampant. part of the Grand Rapids community.

It is pretty easy to let the good things over-shadow the fact that the effects of gentrification have moved the problems of poverty from the “front and center” downtown areas to suburban pockets. As such, the problems of poverty can be almost “out of sightout of mind.”

citement of our fair city, let us not forget that the problems of poverty in our midst remain rampant. At First Church, we are in constant ministry and local outreach in many ways…but this is only made possible by our gifts of time and money. The rebound from the recession is well documented, but this rebound has left many behind. As Christians, we cannot forget the plight Michigan Radio recently reported on a so many face every day as they simply Brookings Institution study of subur- try to get through each day. ban poverty…

Thankfully, our First Church family “gets it!” We have heard the call to be witnesses for Christ. As you enjoy the many great offerings our city offers, please remember those just around the corner who are at risk of being forgotten. It is never too late to re-think your giving commitment to the wonderful ministries of First Church as we strive to be Extravagantly Generous!

Chris Hawkins, Finance Committee

5

Compassionate Care Christ Caring for People through People!

That’s what Stephen Ministry is all about! Later this year, we will be celebrating 12 years of being a Stephen Ministry congregation. In that time, our Stephen Ministers have journeyed along with more than 100 people going through difficult times in their lives. The people with whom our Stephen Ministers meet are called care receivers. We always keep the identity of the care receivers confidential, but I would like to share with you some of the comments I have heard from them.

“I am so very thankful that my church has Stephen Ministry and that I could have a Stephen Minister support me during one of the darkest times of my life. I don’t think I could have gotten through the loss of (my family member) if it weren’t for her meeting with me weekly, hugging me when I cried, letting me speak freely about my feelings of anger and loss, and then praying with me. That personal care helped me to heal and go forward. I would recommend Stephen Ministry to everyone.”

This was on a card that one of our Stephen Ministers recently received: “Because of you (Stephen Minister), I’ve laughed a little harder, cried a little less, smiled a lot for no special reason. Because of you I’ve felt the warm embrace of a good and lasting

friendship…because of you, my world is a happier, nicer place.”

“My world fell apart when I unexpectedly lost my job.

When Marj met with me and told me about Stephen Ministry, I was hesitant to say yes. But with some nudging, I agreed to try having a Stephen Minister and I have to admit it was the best thing I could have done at the time. We met for coffee almost weekly and he was encouraging and a reliable support for me for almost 2 years.”

Because of the LORD’s great love we are not consumed, for his compassions never fail. Lamentations 3:22

“My family wasn’t happy with me living alone any more so I had to move against my will. I was hurt and angry and afraid – a lot of different emotions even at my age. When I called the church to let them know my new address, Marj called and then visited me. She offered to have a Stephen Minister visit me while I worked through my feelings during this time of “transition” as my family called it.

My Stephen Minister helped me process my feelings and enjoy this stage of my life. I will be forever grateful for her.”

Stephen Leaders

One of our Stephen Ministers was given a magnet years ago that read “We’ll always be friends – you know too much about me!”

“My sister contacted your church and asked about having a Stephen Minister visit me. My health was declining and I needed to make some difficult decisions. I was given a Stephen Minister who met with me until I moved back home (to the other side of the state). Her prayerful support and love to someone who wasn’t even a member of your congregation was something I will always remember.”

Have you ever wondered about Stephen Ministry? Meet and greet your Stephen Ministry team in the parlor after both services on April 12. Look for the blue shirts! They will be ready to answer your questions and provide you with information on this lifechanging ministry. Remember, Christ provides compassionate care through you and through me!

Newly Commissioned Stephen Ministers

6

Peace and joy, Marj Timmerman RN, Parish Nurse

7

April 1, 10:00 am Whose Gospel? at Clark 12:00 pm Whose Gospel?

6:00 pm Whose Gospel? and Disciple II 6:00 pm Young Adults: Bible Study at J. Gardellas 7:00 pm Taizé Sung Prayers April 2, 9:00 am Prayer Quilters 6:00 pm Maundy Thursday Service: “Am I Really Listening?”

April 3, 7:00 am Men’s Lenten Breakfast 12:00 pm Community Good Friday Service at Central Reformed 7:00 pm Good Friday Service: “The Garden, The Court, & The Cross” CELEBRATE EASTER SUNDAY April 5, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “Is There Any Hope?”

10:00 - 11:00 am Continental Breakfast April 6, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry April 7, 7:00 am Work Program 5:30 pm Staff Parish Relations April 8, 12:00 pm Legacy Sweetheart Luncheon 6:00 pm Young Adult Group April 9, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 10:00 am Moms’ Group: Spring Break Splash April 10, 1:00 pm Youth Volunteering at Humane Society April 12, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “More Challenging Questions” 9:30 am Children & Youth Church School 10:15 and 12:15 pm Stephen Ministry Meet and Greet 12:15 pm Second Sunday Lunch Bunch 12:15 pm Kids’ Club and Senior High Lunch Gathering 5:00 pm Junior High Youth and Disciple I April 13, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Social Concerns April 14, 7:00 am Work Program 5:30 pm Finance April 15, 9:00 am Caring Connection 6:00 pm Young Adults Bowling and Disciple II April 16, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir

Mark your calendars April 18, 8:30 am Feeding America at Cesar Chavez Elementary School 10:00 am Youth Service Practice April 19, 9:15 and 11:00 am Youth Service: “When Faith Clicks” 9:30 am Faith Travelers rehearsal, Children & Youth Church School 10:00 - 11:00 am Fellowship Brunch 5:00 pm Junior High Youth, Kids’ Club, and Disciple I April 20, MLK Spring Outing in Wesley Hall 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 12:00 pm 60+ Luncheon in the parlor 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry April 21, MLK Spring Outing in Wesley Hall 7:00 am Work Program April 22, MLK Spring Outing in Wesley Hall 6:00 pm Young Adult Group and Disciple II April 23, MLK Spring Outing in Wesley Hall 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir April 26, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “More Challenging Questions” 9:30 am Faith Travelers rehearsal, Children & Youth Church School 5:00 pm Senior & Junior High Youth, Kids’ Club, and Disciple I April 27, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 7:00 pm Leadership Council April 28, 7:00 am Work Program April 29, 6:00 pm Disciple II April 30, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

First United Methodist Church 227 Fulton St E Grand Rapids, MI 49503-3236

PAID

Permit #354 Grand Rapids, MI

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

! a i u l e l l A

Join us for Easter 2015 www.GrandRapidsFUMC.org/lent

PALM SUNDAY SERVICES

March 29 – 9:15 and 11:00 am “Can God Survive the Church?”

Youth Auction and Brunch

MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE April 2 – 6:00 pm

“Am I Really Listening?” — A family meal followed by worship and communion.

GOOD FRIDAY SERVICE April 3 – 7:00 pm

“The Garden, The Court, and The Cross“ — Music and readings on the Passion of Christ.

EASTER SUNDAY SERVICES April 5 – 9:15 and 11:00 am “Is There Any Hope?” firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

facebook.com/grandrapidsfumc

twitter.com/FUMC_GR