December 2016 First Pulse

December 2016 Edition

It’s December again!

It’s hard to believe that it is the last month of 2016 already. It seems as though we just started the year and now, it’s nearly over. It has been my experience that people are generally busy, stressed, overcommitted and over-extended during the month of December, probably more than any other time of year. That is why we need to slow down and find time to ponder anew what the “coming of Christ” means to us and our world.

What I have learned over the years of being in pastoral ministry is this: people have a giving spirit during December.

Somehow the Christmas spirit has gotten in our bones, and most of us look for ways to be generous with loved ones, friends, and causes that we believe in. Somewhere, a study has been done as to why we tend toward generosity more in December than the other 11 months of the year. If the study does not exist, some grad student is missing a dissertation theme.

Generosity among the people of the church is extraordinary in December.

Actually, at First Church giving is quite extraordinary throughout the year, but in December, it is even greater. I’ve never fully understood why that is, but it is true. Maybe we found ourselves behind in our pledge and we use December to catch up. Maybe we get to the end of the year and discover how blessed we have been, and we decide to share our blessings with others by giving to the mission and ministry of the church. Maybe it is a by-product of the season, our mood of generosity is affected, and we discover that we need to give. Whatever the motive is or whatever fruit is realized, know that there are ways you can invest

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Intentional Faith Development

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in things that matter through the ministry and mission of First Church.

It has been my experience that people are generally busy, stressed, over-committed and over-extended during the month of December, probably more than any other time of year.

In the next few That is why we need to slow down and find days, you will time to ponder anew what the “coming of receive a letter Christ” means to us and our world. from Dan Miller, introducing the members and friends of our congregation to a more concerted effort we are making to expand our planned giving ministry. We have an updated wepage at www.grfumc.org/ planned-giving that can help educate our members and friends about the variety of ways that giving can be beneficial to our ministry and to you.

There are tax implications that Dan, Sharon Sorensen, June Bowman and other team members can help you understand and sort out. Historically, we have called bequest giving (or planned giving), our Legacy Funds. It is a vital and growing part of our ministry as we prepare for our future.

I learned recently that someone who was a member of our congregation nearly 100 years ago established a trust fund that made the church one of its beneficiaries. After nearly 100 years, First Church still receiving a check annually as the beneficiary of that person’s planned generosity.

struggling after the loss of a loved one, the concerts of the Sons of Serendip as well as the Jazz Vespers, a Children’s program, our Christmas Eve breakfast served to our Heartside neighbors, three So as you consider the “giving” month Christmas Eve worship experiences and of December, begin thinking about one service on Christmas morning ways that you can give now AND in are all designed to invite you to make the future. Thank you in advance for First Church a priority throughout December. Please come and participate your generosity. fully in our journey to Christmas. Invite In this issue, you will read about a friend, neighbor or relative to join you. incredible ministry that is offered A blessed December to you! during December at First Church. From Pastor Bob worship on Sunday morning, the Blue Christmas worship for folks who are

Pastor’s Message

Radical Hospitality 1

Risk-taking Mission and Service

Passionate Worship 5

Extravagant Generosity 4

3 Compassionate Care

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Intentional Faith Development Have you heard the buzz about our nurseries?

Thank you for your support of our nursery and we hope to see you on January 8 for our Grand Re-Opening!

For forty-three years, First Church Children’s Ministry and GRCC’s lab preschool have enjoyed a mutuallybeneficial relationship. The lab preschool has had a home in our church building and we have used the preschool’s furniture and playthings on Sunday mornings. As you may have heard, GRCC has built a beautiful new building in which the lab preschool can grow and flourish well into the future.

Although this new chapter is bittersweet for both the lab preschool and FUMC, Children’s Ministry is excited to reclaim some space and rearrange some will last us years and years into the classroom configurations to better our future. Should we choose to rebuild our nurseries in the future, our furniture will flow on Sunday morning. be able to transition into a brand new There is a LOT to share about what space easily. will happen in the coming months, but for this article, I’d like to focus on our Here’s the fun part: you are invited to a “Grand Re-Opening” of our nurseries nurseries. after church on Sunday, January 8! We’d For families with young kids, our like to show off our “new” nursery and nurseries are the most important space make sure you know where it is in case in our church and the place that makes you encounter a wayward family with the biggest impression. Our worship young children on Sunday morning. service can be the most beautiful and spiritually-moving experience that a As with most baby showers, gifts are family has ever encountered, but if welcome at our party. While the church the nursery doesn’t make them feel has some toys in the nursery, the lab comfortable leaving their children preschool is taking 90% of what our to play, that family will never return kids play with on Sunday morning. to First Church. Our nurseries must We’ve created an Amazon Wish List be clean, organized, and aesthetically with developmentally- and churchpleasing not only for our current First appropriate toys. To buy a toy for our Church children, but for families-to- nursery, please go to www.grfumc. org/children and click on come, too. the Amazon Wish List Our nurseries currently meet the safe link. Please do not buy and clean standard, but definitely show or bring any toys to the wear of years and years of everyday church that are not on use. When the lab preschool moves, the wish list. cosmetic updates, like a thorough cleaning of all surfaces and replacement of ceiling tiles, will happen right away.

Once the rooms are ready, we’ll begin to assemble the furniture that we ordered in November. Our new furniture meets state child care center guidelines and

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Thank you for your support of our nursery and we hope to see you on January 8 for our Grand Re-Opening!

Blessings, Audrey Kawel Director of Children’s Ministry

Passionate Worship Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. – Colossians 3:16

New wine in old skins

“that hymn is a dirge.”

Batastini said that Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; when he unpacks this teach and admonish one another in all reaction to certain hymns, he has found wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts that, although many are quick to judge sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to the tune, it is most often the text that God. – Colossians 3:16 is unknowingly driving the reaction.

The craft and art of writing hymns is alive and well. This is likely something that many of us don’t consider on a regular basis. The fact is, good hymns that are relevant and speak to our best thoughts, hopes, prayers, and spirit are vital to passionate worship. Think about the hymns that we sing: what is the first thing that comes to mind? A particular melody? The words? What stands out to you when you think of your favorite hymns and why they are your favorites?

In all likelihood, you probably haven’t really thought about what it is about the hymns we sing, and why you may feel some are better than others. I recently attended a wonderful lecture and hymn sing with Robert Batastini, who is the retired editor for GIA Publications, and has been on countless new hymnal committees. He has an extensive knowledge of hymns and their use in a wide variety of churches, both Protestant and Catholic. Among the many fine observations he made that has stuck with me concerns an all too typical reaction to many hymns:

There are essentially two important components to a hymn: the text and the tune. The text is essentially a work of poetry, usually with multiple stanzas in a regular meter. The tune is crafted to fit the meter of the poetry, and in the case of the original text, often is written to echo the text in some manner.

hymns are followed by 2, 3, or even 4 alternate texts; new poems that provide an opportunity to express new thoughts and prayers for our 21 st century lives and 21st century condition. “God, Whose Love Is Reigning O’er Us”, a hymn set to the tune Lauda anima in our United Methodist Hymnal, has here two alternate texts, “Praise with Joy the World’s Creator” and “Praise, My Soul, the God of Heaven.” And there are many more examples. There are five text options for the tune Holy Manna, which is often sung to “God, Who Stretched the Spangled Heavens.”

This book encourages the value that a good tune is one that is very singable, easily learned, or a familiar one that may even have rich associations with an older text.

Think about these two aspects of our hymnody the next time you join in singing during worship. The words we use and the tunes we sing as we worship are very important to how we form each other and ourselves in this community of faith. “Through these pages, we invite hospitable attention to words that matter, sung to wonderful tunes that we may learn by heart. We urge patience in repeating the old and in exploring the new, that tunes and texts alike might become more and more your own.” (Elise Eslinger, the We have to look no further than our Compiler and Editor of the Upper new hymnal that we are using in the Room Worshipbook).

Upper Room, coincidentally titled, The Upper Room Worshipbook. Come, let us worship!

Eric Strand This is precisely the approach that Director of Worship and the Arts is found in this hymnal and worship resource. In this book, many of the I took Batastini’s remarks to indicate that our “old” tunes can work very well with “new” words. This seems to me to be the preferred balance in a “new” hymn. Let the text express new thoughts, but use a vehicle (the tune) that is well-known to those gathered in worship. There is certainly an argument for the opposite as well, a new tune for an older, beloved text, but in general, if we are to stay relevant and moving forward, I prefer the former route.

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Risk-Taking Mission and Service A Different Kind of Christmas Have you ever hunted for a Christmas gift for someone who has more than they need? Do you tell yourself that you’ll cut down on the craziness of the mall frenzy only to find yourself drawn back to the shops one more time? Are you an Amazon shopping junkie? Do you ever feel a bit disappointed after all the gifts are opened?

You are not alone. According to 2016 holiday sales forecasts, the average American family expects to spend $940 on Christmas gifts. Many upper income families spend nearly twice that amount.

In many households the hoopla of the Santa celebration overshadows the simplicity of the story of the birth of Christ. How can we enjoy the fun of Christmas while keeping our spiritual center? How can we respond to the needs of others?

First Church offers many opportunities during Advent to celebrate a Different Kind of Christmas:  Explore giving alternative gifts through A Different Kind of Christmas Fair on S unday, November 27 in Wesley Hall

Have you ever hunted for a Christmas gift for someone who has more than they need? Do you tell yourself that you’ll cut down on the craziness of the mall frenzy only to find yourself drawn back to the shops one more time? Are you an Amazon shopping junkie? Do you ever feel a bit disappointed after all the gifts are opened?

 Volunteer to help with the MLK Gift of Giving Program, provide gifts for MLK moms, or provide gifts to be used at the school via the Giving Tree in the north lobby  Attend The Redemption of Scrooge Advent adult church school class beginning on December 4

 Attend worship services every Sunday during Advent  Use the Advent Devotional to spend time in prayer and contemplation each day  Give the gift of time to others

by Christmas caroling to our church homebound members on December 4 and with the Methodist Connection on December 10  Provide Christmas socks and fellowship with our Heartside neighbors for our annual Casey’s Christmas Eve Breakfast.  Give generously to our Christmas Eve Mission Offering Watch for additional information in our Weekly Pulse newsletter, church bulletin, and church website or contact me at laurem@grandrapidsfumc.org.

Join me in celebrating a Different Kind of Christmas this year!

Laure Mieskowski Director of Faith Development and Mission

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Radical Hospitality

there were special times where I was blessed to witness a parent or grandparent sharing the Christmas story with their child for the first time. In that moment, I became a living part of the Christmas story.

As we center our hearts on the story of Christmas, I encourage you to I was blessed to witness remember that you are a living part a parent or grandparent of the Christmas story. As you share sharing the Christmas story the nativity story with children, you are with their child for the first the living voice of the angel bringing the good news. As you prepare meals time. In that moment, I or offer rides, you are showing the became a living part of the love and care of Mary and Joseph.

Christmas story.

As we open our church doors to the many visitors this holiday season, we A Living Nativity are the innkeeper offering rest. As we One of my favorite holiday memories greet and welcome the guests to the was being a part of a live nativity. All sanctuary, we are showing the kindness ages would dress up as Mary, Joseph, and gratitude of the shepherds. the shepherds, or the angel. I always wanted to be the angel… until 10 During this Advent season, I encourage minutes into my shift when I realized you to intentionally find ways that you how cold it was standing on the hay can be a part of the living nativity. bales. Even though I was freezing, There are many opportunities to join

the story: volunteer on Christmas Eve (we need about 100 volunteers), serve at Casey’s Breakfast, or Christmas carol to our homebound members. If you are interested in using your gifts and talents as a volunteer, email samim@ grandrapidsfumc.org.

Sami Marasigan Evangelism, Hospitality, & Young Adult Ministry

Extravagant Generosity

The Christmas season at First Church is a very impactful time. There are many examples during this season where our congregation practices Extravagant Generosity.

• Our Thanksgiving Ingathering provides massive amounts of food for local hunger ministries.

• The congregation provides thousands of dollars-worth of gifts for the children and families at the Martin Luther King Leadership Academy through our Gift of Giving ministry.

Children living in poverty, who otherwise would likely receive little or nothing, are blessed by this ministry.

• Hundreds of local homeless residents receive a hot meal and socks stuffed with basic essentials through the Casey’s Socks ministry.

• Our annual Christmas offering brings in close to $20,000 in free will offerings that are provided to focus different ways. Hopefully, all of us will ministries of First Church. include giving to the ministries of First Each of these ministries reaches Church as an important part of our folks who have little chance of ever holiday gift giving priorities. experiencing a bountiful holiday season like most of us will enjoy. Our And, just as important, may the Spirit generosity provides a bit of hope and of Giving that is so powerful during happiness for those who struggle daily this season of Advent, inspire our giving throughout the year as well. simply trying to get by.

Jesus, whose coming we celebrate We talk about Christian Stewardship this season, teaches us to give all of all year long here at First Church. It is ourselves to the glory of God. Just as a vow we all make when we join the we rejoice in Christ’s coming, let us also church, but sometimes we can lose rejoice through our generous giving, both this Advent season and in the sight of the impact of our giving. year to come!

While the Advent season is a time when Chris Hawkins our generosity seems most observable, Finance Committee our mission and outreach activities continue throughout the year in many

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Compassionate Care There’s all this joy and excitement, yet we need to remember those for whom this holiday season may be difficult and lonely. Congregational Care is especially important this time of year and here are some ways you can help!

Repeat The Sounding Joy! It’s that time of year again when fa-lala-la-las fill the air! Brightly wrapped packages with big red bows, shopping that needs to be done, invitations to holiday parties, and upbeat Christmas carols being played wherever you go.

There’s all this joy and excitement, yet we need to remember those for whom this holiday season may be difficult and lonely. Congregational care is especially Blue Christmas: important this time of year and here are December 7 at 7:00 pm some ways you can help!

Yes, there are years we are anything but merry at Christmastime. This may Christmas Caroling: be due to the loss of employment, December 4 at 12:00 pm financial concerns, depression, loss If you know Joy to the World, Jingle Bells, of a relationship or dream, an illness, and We Wish You a Merry Christmas, you or the death of a loved one. It doesn’t are not only qualified but needed to sing matter if the loss is recent or in the Christmas Carols to our homebound, past; the holidays can make the loss feel hospitalized, those recovering from fresh again. If you are feeling down this surgery or cancer treatment, and our Christmas or know of someone who seniors. Please note we are doing this is struggling, please attend our Blue two weeks earlier than we have in the Christmas service which is held on past! After the 10:45 am service on Wednesday December 7 at 7:00 pm in December 4, we will meet in Wesley the Upper Room. It is a gentle service Hall for a light lunch and then divide which will include readings, music, up into caroling groups. Please sign up silence, and candles as we acknowledge using the bulletin sign-up sheet or by our losses, disappointments, and hurts emailing me at marjtimm@aol.com. together. After the service, a small It’s a wonderful family event! reception will be held in the library at which time you will be able to talk with a Stephen Minister and each other if you choose. If you are finding this holiday season tough, please come – or think of those who might find this Christmas difficult and bring them. All are welcome!

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Christmas Cards: All of December

Pick up some address labels at the north lobby desk and send out some extra Christmas cards. Especially when you are homebound, ill, or struggling, getting a reminder in the mail that you are not forgotten by your church family means so much!

Church Assistance Program: Any Day

A reminder that CAP, our Church Assistance Program through Pine Rest, is available to help you or your family members through the holidays or any difficult time. Just call 4556210 and tell them you are a member of First Church to receive two confidential one-hour appointments with a compassionate social worker at no cost to you.

Wishing you all the blessings of Christmas!

Marj Timmerman RN Executive Director of Congregational Care

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ONE WORSHIP 10:00 am Intergenerational Worship All ages in worship today

CHRISTMAS DAY

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7:15 pm Chancel Choir

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9:00 am Caring Connection

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11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 1:00 pm Staff meeting 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry

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WORSHIP 8:15 & 10:45 am 9:15 am Church School 12:00 pm Unplugged: 3rd6th Grade Adventures 5:00 pm Disciple II 5:00 pm Disciple II, Jr High and Sr High Youth Group

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9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 5:30 pm Moms’ Group Traditions Party 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir

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FRIDAY

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5:30 pm Young Adults Christmas Party at Well House 6:30 pm Disciple I 6:30 pm Jesus in the Gospels

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6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir

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9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 3:00 pm Moms’ Group: Meijer Gardens Christmas 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir

THURSDAY

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7:00 am Work Program 5:30 pm Finance Committee

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6:00 pm Young Adults Advent Study 6:30 pm Disciple I 6:30 pm Jesus in the Gospels 7:00 pm Blue Christmas

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6:00 pm Young Adults Advent Study 6:30 pm Disciple I 6:30 pm Jesus in the Gospels

WEDNESDAY

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11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 1:00 pm Staff meeting 5:00 pm Trustees

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7:00 am Work Program 6:30 pm Social Concerns

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7:00 am Work Program

TUESDAY

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Sons of Serendip Christmas Concert 3:00 & 7:00 pm

WORSHIP 8:15 & 10:45 am 9:15 am Church School

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11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 1:00 pm Staff meeting

11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 1:00 pm Staff 2:30 pm Blood Drive 7:00 pm Church Conference

WORSHIP 8:15 & 10:45 am 9:15 am Church School 9:15 am A Different Kind of Christmas Fair 5:00 pm Disciple I

WORSHIP 8:15 & 10:45 am Communion Sunday and Blood Pressure Sunday 9:15 am Church School 12:00 pm Caroling to Homebound 5:00 pm Disciple II

MONDAY

SUNDAY

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5:00 pm Family Service 7:00 & 9:00 pm Candlelight Communion

CHRISTMAS EVE SERVICES

8:00 am Casey’s Breakfast

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6:00 PM A JAZZ CHRISTMAS with MacNaughton Blvd

8:30 am Feeding America

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3:00 pm Methodist Connection Christmas Caroling

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SATURDAY

Join Us for Our Advent and Christmas Events

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

PAID

PERMIT #354 GRAND RAPIDS, MI

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

www.grfumc.org/advent

Make us a part of your

Christmas Tradition!

Join us this Christmas season as we prepare our hearts for the coming of Jesus.

Lose yourself in the beauty of worship. Restore your soul.

Sunday Worship

at 8:15 & 10:45 am — “The Window to the Soul” Sunday, December 25 at 10:00 am — Christmas Day Sunday, January 1 at 10:00 am — New Year’s Day

A Unique Christmas Quartet

with Sons of Serendip on Sunday, December 11 at 3:00 and 7:00 pm — Finalists from America’s Got Talent! return to Grand Rapids for a Christmas concert unlike any other. Tickets at www.GRFUMC.org/sos.

A Jazz Christmas

with MacNaughton Blvd. on Saturday, December 17 at 6:00 pm — This seasonal “swing” features music and readings for the season. Free-will offering.

Christmas Eve Services

Saturday, December 24 5:00 pm — Interactive family story-telling service 7:00 and 9:00 pm — Traditional candlelight and communion service firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

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