F irst Pulse
First United Methodist Church Grand Rapids | grfumc.org
December 2018
Stories from First Church and the impact on the lives of our community.
F irst Pulse
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December 2018
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Advent Series. Pigrimage to Bethlehem
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Methosit Connection: Fall Celebration Service
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Inclusion First: TED talk speakers
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OUR MISSION To make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.
OUR PURPOSE
To fulfill the call of Christ to be spiritually alive in the city while embracing the world.
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First Pulse | December ‘18
INCLUSIVITY Inclusiveness means openness, acceptance, and support that enable all persons to participate in the life of the Church, the community, and the world; therefore, inclusiveness denies every semblance of discrimination.
Candlelight and Communion Service It’s December again! It’s hard to believe that it is the last month of 2018 already. It seems as though we just started the year and now it’s nearly over. In December, people tend to be busy, stressed, over-committed and over-extended. Exhaustion and depression are tendencies during December, probably more than any other time of year. What an interesting and disturbing juxtaposition for the season of Advent and Christmas … the time to focus on love, joy, peace, and hope. Perhaps the counter-balance to our cultural realities of December is to intentionally slow down and find time to ponder anew what the coming of Christ means to each of us and our world. I have also learned over the years that people have a giving spirit during December. Somehow the Christmas spirit has gotten in our bones over the years, and most of us look for ways to be generous with loved ones, friends, and causes that we desire to support. I have always wondered why we tend to be more generous in December than the other 11 months of the year. It has been true in every church that I have ever served: generosity among the people of faith is extraordinary in December. At First Church, our giving is 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 find 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 byproduct of the season and our mood to be generous. Whatever the motive is or whatever fruit is realized, know that there are ways that you can invest in the ministry and mission of First Church. The other day, Emil Jensen, our Business Manager, told me of a check that we received from an estate that was established over 50 years ago. The person established a trust fund that made the church one of
its beneficiaries. After all these years, First Church still receives a check annually as the beneficiary of that person’s planned generosity. So as you consider the giving month of December, please prayerfully consider the ways that you can invest in ministry and thank you in advance for your generosity. In this issue, you will read about lots of ministries that are offered throughout the month of December. From worship on Sunday mornings to Advent classes, Blue Christmas for folks who are struggling after the loss of a loved one, caroling, Jazz Vespers, our Christmas Eve breakfast served to our Heartside neighbors, to our three Christmas Eve worship experiences. Our worship theme this year is Pilgrimage to Bethlehem! Advent I – December 2: “Everybody Is Going Somewhere” Advent II – December 9: “The Journey Is the Destination” Advent III – December 16: “Listen to Your Heart, It Will Show You the Way” Advent IV – December 23: “A Quest for Home” Christmas Eve – Monday, December 24 5:00 pm: The Children and Family service 7:00 pm: The Celebration Service – with candles, communion and dancers. “Encountering the Holy” 9:00 pm: A Contemplative Service with Communion Christmas Sunday – December 30 ONE Worship Service at 10 am I invite you to make First Church a priority throughout December. Please come and participate fully in our spiritual journey to Christmas. Consider inviting a friend, neighbor, or relative to join with you during this Advent season … and a most blessed December to you! Pastor Bob First Pulse | December ‘18
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Radical H ospitality
(and the church’s only staff member). In October, Pastor Laura, Pastor Bob and a few representatives from each of our churches gathered for a La Nueva Esperanza is a Spanish-speaking United dinner and time to discuss our Methodist Church in Grand Rapids, currently congregations and explore located in the Oakdale neighborhood, near Alger what partnership might look Heights. (Some may remember a time when like. We walked away with this congregation was on Burton Street a desire for more conversation and hope or housed with GRASP.) They are a for the future. How might we bring multicultural congregation made up together the gifts and talents of each people from different places - Puerto Aquí comienza congregation to make even more of Rico, Mexico, Guatemala, to name a an impact in our community? una nueva few. This summer, a request from historia — Here the District Superintendent (at that The first area we are exploring is in time, Bill Haggard) was made to First a youth group collaboration. Watch begins a new Church for a donation to La Nueva your newsletters for additional ways story for $15,000 for their operating budget to get involved. As we test out this in the 2019 budget year. The Missions ministry partnership, we hope to find Committee and Leadership Council even more ways to collaborate and be in approved this request to enter into a financial partnership together. I guess that means our partnership with La Nueva. story with La Nueva is “To be continued…”
Welcoming Diversity: A New Story Begins…
However, this isn’t the end of the story – just the first chapter.
Sami Marasigan Hospitality & Invitation
In July, Rev. Laura Feliciano moved from the Nashville area to become La Nueva’s new pastor
Holiday Hospitality Opportunities First Church is honored to welcome hundreds of guests throughout the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve. I would love for every person who walks through the doors of First Church to feel like they are home. How can you help? We’re looking for dozens of ushers, greeters, and parking lot attendants for Christmas Eve services. We are also looking for additional hospitality help throughout the month of December and homemade cookies for different events. If you’d like to help out with holiday hospitality, email SamiM@grfumc.org. 4
First Pulse | December ‘18
PASSIONATE WORSHIP Music and Arts Ministry
“Silent Night” Celebrates 200 Years One of the most well-known Christmas hymns, Silent Night, celebrates its 200th birthday this Christmas Eve. Silent Night is an example of how a piece of music, created for a particular time and circumstance, can resonate and spread across borders and boundaries to become a beloved part of Christmas celebrations around the world. This simple, folk-like song is sung today in over 300 languages and dialects. The words for Silent Night were written in 1816 by Joseph Mohr, a young Roman Catholic priest who was then serving a small parish in the Austrian town of Mariapfarr. Mohr loved to sing and play the guitar, which he often did during the celebration of the mass. Following a brief illness that returned him to Salzburg, Mohr was assigned to be the assistant priest at St. Nicola Church in Oberndorf, another small town north of Salzburg. It was here that he met Franz Xaver Gruber, a school teacher and musician. There are many stories surrounding the circumstances that led to the composing of Silent Night. It seems that these are likely just stories. The most likely scenario is that Mohr was seeking a song that he could sing and accompany himself (and possibly, the choir) with his guitar. Looking for an original piece, Mohr gave his poem (six stanzas in German) to Gruber at some point prior to Christmas Eve, 1818. A fictional story published in the US in 1930 is the source of several theatrical and television films that were made about the song and its first performance. It seems unlikely that Mohr delivered the poem to Gruber on Christmas Eve and that Gruber composed in a couple of hours that afternoon. It also seems unlikely that the organ had broken down that evening, thus necessitating a new song accompanied by guitar.
The spread of Silent Night was rapid. The organ builder at the church was enamored with the song, taking it back to his hometown. Two families of folk-singers toured with the song, performing it in the 1820’s for Austrian and Russian leaders. The Rainers, one of the folk-singing families, performed it in New York City in 1839. The first English translation was done by an Episcopal priest at Trinity Church, Wall Street, New York City in 1859. The Rev. John Freeman Young translated three of the six original verses. Silent Night has also become an international song of peace. The song was written during a time of war, conflict, and famine in Salzburg, Tirol, and Upper Austria during the Napoleonic wars. In 2011, the song was declared an “intangible cultural heritage” by UNESCO. It was sung by thousands of opposing troops in the trenches on the Western Front on Christmas Eve, 1914, a momentary display of peace during World War I. President Franklin D. Roosevelt and Prime Minister Winston Churchill sang it at the White House. Silent Night has become a universal song of hope and peace in an increasingly conflicted world. The power of this song is its quiet simplicity. It doesn’t shout its message of peace, but gently inhabits the soul of all who sing its message of calm and peace. I invite you once again, by the light of candles this Christmas Eve, to sing this immortal song with all those around the world who seek peace. Eric Strand Director of Music and the Arts
Left: An early manuscript of the song. Right: The Rainers, the folk-singing family that brought the song to America.
First Pulse | December ‘18
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December 2018 Saturday, December 1 4:00 pm – Families in Faith at the Charnleys’ Sunday, December 2 Communion Sunday 8:00 am – Nursery Care 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 9:15 am – Jesus’ Birthday Party 9:15 am – Adult Advent Classes: Handel’s Messiah, Art in Advent, and Faithful Through the Eyes of Joseph 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room 11:45 am – Blood Pressure Clinic 2:30 pm – I Light Specialty Open Studio 5:00 pm – Sunday Dinner 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Game On! 5:30 pm – Yoga for 50/60s
Monday, December 3 10:00 am – Worship Design 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 1:00 pm – Lead Team Meeting 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Tuesday, December 4 7:00 am – Work Program 10:00 am – Songs for the Waiting 5:00 pm – Moms’ Group: Christmas Party Wednesday, December 5 1:00 pm – MLK Gift of Giving Wrapping Day 6:00 pm – Young Adult Group Thursday, December 6 9:00 am – MLK Gift of Giving Wrapping Day 6:00 pm – Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Saturday, December 8 9:30 am – Feeding America 3:00 pm – Methodist Connection Caroling
Sunday, December 9 8:00 am – Nursery Care 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room 12:00 pm – Church Christmas Caroling 12:00 pm – Kids’ Club: Unplugged/Mission Impossible: Christmas Caroling 5:00 pm – Sunday Dinner 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Game On! 5:30 pm – Yoga for 50/60s 5:30 pm – I Light Soul-Fill Sunday Monday, December 10 10:00 am – Worship Design 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 1:00 pm – Staff Meeting 5:00 pm – Trustees Meeting 6:00 pm – SPRC Meeting 7:00 pm – Church Conference Tuesday, December 11 7:00 am – Work Program 10:00 am – Songs for the Waiting 5:30 pm – Finance
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First Pulse | December ‘18
Tuesday, December 18 7:00 am – Work Program 10:00 am – Songs for the Waiting 6:00 pm – FAN of I Light: Specialized Grief Group
Wednesday, December 12 7:00 pm – Blue Christmas 5:00 pm – Young Adult Group: Christmas Party at Well House Thursday, December 13 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 9:00 am – Moms and Muffins Date 5:30 pm – I Light Open Studio 6:00 pm – Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir
Wednesday, December 19 9:00 am – Caring Connection Thursday, December 20 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Sunday, December 23 8:00 am – Nursery Care 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room
Saturday, December 15 6:00 pm – Jazz Christmas with MacNaughton Blvd Sunday, December 16 8:00 am – Nursery Care 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room 5:00 pm – Sunday Dinner 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Game On! 5:30 pm – Yoga for 50/60s
Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve 8:00 am – Casey’s Breakfast 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 5:00 pm — Interactive family story-telling service 7:00 pm — Candlelight and Communion Service 9:00 pm — Contemplative meditative service with candlelight Tuesday, December 25 Christmas Day Church Building and Offices Closed Wednesday, December 26 Church Building and Offices Closed Thursday, December 27 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship Sunday, December 30 10:00 am – Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Shine Sensory Room
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Monday, December 17 10:00 am – Worship Design 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry
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Inclusion First TED Talks Third Grade Bible Sunday Our youth stuffing socks for Casey’s Breakfast
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First Pulse | December ‘18
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Intentional Faith Development Spiritual Fitness How do you keep yourself spiritually fit? Do you read a devotional or the Bible every day? Do you journal? Or pray daily? Adult Faith Development at First has focused primarily on these exercises of the mind as a way to encourage spiritual fitness in our congregation. But what, if any, role does physical fitness play in our faith development? If you exercise regularly, you know that the more you are aware of your body, the better your workout. Cultivating awareness is central to any physical or spiritual exercise, so why not combine the two?
During the month of December, and hopefully carrying on into the new year, First Church will offer a yoga class specially designed for 50- and 60-year olds on Sunday evenings from 5:30 - 7:00 pm. Instructor Kathy Julien will lead the class in stretching, strengthening, lengthening, and cultivating that inner awareness. This weekly instruction will include work that can become daily practice to increase spiritual fitness.
As 2018 draws to a close, take the pulse of your spiritual fitness. Do you need a jolt? Audrey Kawel Director of Faith Development
The youth are busily stuffing socks for Casey’s Breakfast held every year on Christmas Eve. Thank you to everyone who donated money or items for the youth to use in this project!
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First Pulse | December ‘18
Risk-Taking Outreach and Mission One of my favorite scripture passages on which to reflect during the season of Advent is Luke 1:46-55. The context is Mary’s visit to her cousin Elizabeth during the time that Elizabeth is pregnant with John the Baptist and Mary is pregnant with Jesus of Nazareth. The text, known as the Magnificat or Song of Mary, is Mary’s response to the miracle that is to be born into the world through each of them. What is most striking to me about Mary’s song is that she chooses present tense verbs. She proclaims God’s forthcoming acts of salvation in the world as though they have, in some ways, already come to fruition. He has brought down the powerful from their thrones, and lifted up the lowly; he has filled the hungry with good things, and sent the rich away empty. He has helped his servant Israel, in remembrance of his mercy, according to the promise he made to our ancestors, to Abraham and to his descendants forever. Although Mary knows that God’s redemption of the world has not yet occurred, she sings of it as though it is already a completed act. For me this is a powerful reminder of how we are called to be people of hope – to sing of God’s righting of the world in the midst of a world in which things are not yet right. This kind of hope doesn’t shift our focus from our present challenges to some distant future. Rather, hope helps us to find that place where our desires align with God’s desires, and compels us to participate with God here and now as agents of change in our world. Our mission and community outreach events at First Church give us abundant opportunities to embody hope in this way. On Sunday, November 11,
First Church participated in a collective worship service with the three other churches in our Methodist Connection. In a culture marked by racial division, violence, and systematic racism towards the Black community, the members of our churches found ways to worship God together and to grow in our love and commitment to one another. Together we embodied hope. On December 8 our Methodist Connection churches will come together again to bless our communities and neighborhoods with Christmas caroling. Together we will embody hope. Our annual Gift of Giving program is off to a great start this season thanks to Jer Hon-Hawkins, Maryann Warren, MLK parent volunteers, and our many First Church volunteers. In the midst of a world marked by systemic issues that exacerbate poverty and make it difficult to escape, our MLK students will experience joy and abundance this Christmas. Together we will embody hope. On the morning of December 24 we will join with our Heartside neighbors for our annual Casey’s Breakfast. In the midst of another harsh Michigan winter we will find warmth in community and in the gift of Christmas socks. Together we will embody hope. May living into the hope of Christ renew our vision of God’s kingdom and compel us to be more deeply grounded in being agents of change in our world – this Advent season and throughout the year. Joan VanDessel Director of Community Outreach and Mission
First Pulse | December ‘18
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EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY
Just Do It!
Resource Development
Nike has turned that phrase into one of the most recognized brand slogans of all time. The message is clear: don’t just sit back and think about a challenge, but just do it (of course while wearing Nike apparel)! If you are like me, you can get a little overwhelmed when you read about all the incredible opportunities to get involved in ministry at First Church. It seems that every week there new are invitations to participate. Yet how many of us sit there and think, “maybe I should do that,”…and that’s as far as it goes? Part of our spiritual journey is the search for meaningful ways to be in service for God. History is full of examples of people finding inspiration that has led to amazing examples of philanthropy and service. Indeed, even at First Church, some of our most impactful ministries were borne out of a single idea by just one or two people. The MLK Tutoring Ministry, the Work Program, and Celebration of the Arts are but a few examples where a simple inspired vision has led to a ministry that survives, and even grows, years after its initial inception. How are you engaging in the current ministries of First Church? What ideas do you have to create the next First Church idea that will end up standing the test of time? When people get involved…when they actually get out of the pew and find a way to live out God’s call to
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ministry, amazing things happen! Not only do those we serve feel the love and care that comes from First Church, but those who participate in ministry find themselves awash with the Holy Spirit in ways they didn’t think were possible. You see, God calls us to serve, and when we do, we experience God in very personal ways. This is where generous church giving comes from. It doesn’t come from someone from the Finance Committee telling you to give more. It comes from a personal faith that is continually nurtured through worship and ministry. Simply put, when you feel good about the ministry work you are doing, God leads you to give more. Hmmm…isn’t there a scripture that discusses your heart and your treasure being in the same place? So as we turn the page on 2018, let us commit to get involved! Find your place in ministry. Listen for God’s leading and then be bold in responding in faithful service. There is so much going on at First Church! There is indeed a place for all to find their own calling. In the words of Nike: get out of the pew and “Just Do It”! Chris Hawkins Finance Committee
Congregational Care
Looking back and looking forward seem to be a way of living. The year has flown by with numerous changes and opportunities. It’s hard to believe the church is starting a new year with the start of Advent. The new Christian year provides a time to come together and be together in the mystery and wonder of Emmanuel, God with us. From Advent devotionals to services of Light, we seek to find ways to welcome the new year and new birth that comes to us in new ways this year. Congregational Care seeks to provide adult education opportunities. This season the Art in Advent class will be led by Leara Glinzak from I Light Studio on Sundays, December 2 - 23 at 9:15 am in Room 302 (in I Light Studio in First Place on 12/2). Prepare for Christmas and deepen your experience of the Advent season this year with Art in Advent. Each week, the class will explore a work of sacred art and use it to encounter themes like excitement, fear, change, and hope. The artist’s expression of these emotions will allow participants to explore their own preparations for Christmas. Led by art therapist Leara Glinzak.
The annual Blue Christmas Service will be held on Wednesday, December 12 at 7:00 pm in the Upper Room. Join us for a service of scripture, prayer, song, light, and silence, specially planned for those who may find the holidays difficult this year. The holidays aren’t always merry. If this year is a difficult one for you, please come. If you know someone who is hurting, invite and bring them. A time of refreshments and the opportunity to talk with the Congregational Care Team, Stephen Ministers, and each other, will follow. All are welcome! The Congregational Care Team continues to meet human needs of the congregation through listening and presence. Please text or call the Congregational Care Phone 616.551.9944. A team member will respond as fast as humanly possible to your concern. We are always in prayer with you. Rev. Tim Tuthill Associate Pastor and Director of Congregational Care
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Worship
Sundays, December 2, 9, 16, and 23 8:15 & 10:45 am Sunday, December 30 10:00 am — One Worship Service
A Jazz Christmas Saturday, December 15 at 6:00 pm Music by local band, MacNaughton Blvd.
Christmas Eve
Monday, December 24 5:00 pm — Interactive family story-telling service 7:00 pm — Traditional candlelight and communion service 9:00 pm — Contemplative meditative service with candlelight and communion