December 2019 First Pulse

F irst Pulse

First United Methodist Church Grand Rapids | grfumc.org

Stories from First Church and the impact on the lives of our community

December 2019

F irst Pulse

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December 2019

On the cover A B C

Christmas is here ― Love, Joy, Peace, Hope!

Ingathering Sunday Youth choir performing at the Methodist Connection Fall Celebration

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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 ‘19

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.

Pastor’s Message It’s December again! It’s hard to believe that it is the last month of 2019 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, and over-extended during the month of December. That is why we need to slow down and find the time to ponder anew what the “coming of Christ” means for us and for our world.

December seems to invite us to enter fully into a “giving spirit.” The Christmas spirit is in our bones!

Most of us look for ways to be generous with loved ones, friends, and even important causes that we believe in.

Generosity among the people of faith is extraordinary during December. At First Church, giving is quite extraordinary throughout the year, but in December, it is even better than the other eleven months. 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 by-product of the season and our mood of generosity is heightened. Between Thanksgiving and Christmas, most of us discover that we need to give.

Whatever the motive, please know that there are ways that you can invest in things that matter through the ministry and mission of First Church. Thank you in advance for the generous giving throughout the month of December.

2018 Christmas Eve Candlelight Dance In this issue, you will read about wonderful ministry opportunities that are offered during December at First Church: worship on Sunday morning; ways to be involved in mission; enjoy an adult education class; go caroling; attend A Jazz Christmas; help with our Christmas Eve breakfast that is served to our Heartside neighbors; attend one or more of the three Christmas Eve worship experiences at 5:00, 7:00 or 9:00 pm; or any one of the various opportunities designed to invite you to make First Church a priority throughout December.

Our Advent theme this year is focused on the historic themes of love, joy, peace, and hope. But this year, we are taking a little different perspective as we highlight Giving Love, Giving Joy, Giving Peace, and Giving Hope.

We are also doing something a bit different this year.

We have historically had a Blue Christmas Service for folks who are grieving the loss of a loved one, a relationship, a job, or the myriad of other ways that Christmas might be sad. This year, we are going to have a part of the Sunday morning service that will focus on loss and healing. In the ebb and flow of life, we all experience loss and we all deal with our grief differently. As a congregation, we have been touched by loved ones and friends, so it is important for us to pray for one another and the healing we all need as part of our Advent journey.

Please come and participate in the spiritual journey to Christmas. Invite a friend, neighbor, or relative to join you for Advent and Christmas at First Church.

A blessed December to you!

Pastor Bob

First Pulse | December ‘19

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Radical H ospitality Practicing

First Church’s theme for Advent this December is Love, Joy, Peace, and Hope. Rather than only receive love, joy, peace, and hope; how might we also practice them? Below are ways you are invited to practice: Love – First Church is honored to welcome hundreds of guests throughout the holidays, especially on Christmas Eve. Offering hospitality to these guests is one way to practice love. Wouldn’t it be amazing if each person who walked through the doors of First Church felt like they were home? Ways to offer hospitality include serving as an usher, greeter, parking lot attendant, or as CPR-certified First Response Team member.

Joy – What brings you joy?

Cookies bring me joy! Connect with an old friend or a grandchild to bake Christmas cookies or those yummy cookies with the peanut butter cup in the middle. Then, drop off your extra cookies to church

by December 22 so we can share then with our Christmas Eve guests. You get to create joyful baking memories and our guests experience the joy of a homemade cookie. Not a baker?

Consider helping us with Christmas Cleanup on Sunday, January 5, at noon. It would bring me great joy to have your help!

Peace – Many find peace through music, consider inviting your friends and family to A Jazz Christmas with MacNaughton Blvd. on Saturday, December 14, at 6:00 pm. Or, consider passing the peace (shaking hands) as a greeter for this special Christmas event.

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First Pulse | December ‘19

Another great way to practice peace this holiday season is to look for the people in your life who look stressed, then attend one of our free yoga classes together.

On Sundays at 5:30pm we have Free Gentle Yoga at First Church and on Tuesdays at 6:00 pm we have Free Mat (traditional) Yoga. No mat? No problem! We have extras!

Hope – For many people in our local retirement homes, Christmas can be a lonely time. The freedom of driving to family member’s homes over the holidays has changed to waiting for family to visit… or for YOU to visit. Even if you are not the best vocalist, your singing can bring hope to those you sing to. There are two opportunities to go Christmas Caroling: With First Church on Sunday, December 8, at noon (meet in Wesley Hall for lunch first). Or, with our Methodist Connection Churches on Saturday, December 14, at 3:00 pm (meet in the north parking lot).

I look forward to practicing love, joy, peace, and hope with you!

Sami Marasigan Invitation & Hospitality samim@grfumc.org

PASSIONATE WORSHIP Music and Arts Ministry

The Season of Advent O that you would tear open the heavens and come down…

– Isaiah 64:1 The themes of Advent are rich, complex, and varied.

Advent is a time of turning inward as the world spins toward the longest of nights in late December. The themes of our Advent services are focused on what we can give: love, joy, peace, and hope.

The season of Advent recognizes both the coming of Christ as well as the return of Christ at the end of time, often referred to as “the Second Coming.” Many of our Advent readings speak of “the end” and that Christ “will come again.” So we prepare for both the celebration of the first Christmas at Bethlehem, as well as the Second Coming and the Reign of Christ.

Drop down, ye heavens, from above, and let the skies pour forth righteousness: let the earth be fruitful and bring forth a Savior.

– Isaiah 45:8 A particularly evocative theme of Advent is that the earth is a dry and barren place that becomes fruitful and abundant with God’s descent among us. In the passage from Isaiah, often referred to as The Advent Prose, God’s mercy and justice rain down like showers that water the earth, bringing peace and justice to a parched and wilderness land.

It is a great paradox that, as the earth moves toward the longest and darkest night of the year, Jesus is born and “turns the year around” toward light. Jesus, the light of the world, has come into our midst, and, literally and figuratively, turns the world toward light.

The Kalamazoo poet, Conrad Hilberry captures this beautifully in his poem, Carol.

When April asks it, horses foal and ewes drop lambs to earth, Cattle ease the season’s young To fields green with birth: Gently the creatures blink alive To spring and all its gear But Mary lays her son on straw The longest night of the year.

Ox and ass hoard up their warmth, Shepherds freeze by a star.

Even kings must ride to find Where their seasons are.

The fall has buried all its dead The day dropped underground, The sun lies dark unless a child Can turn the year around.

Despite all the trappings of joyous music and celebrations, this time of year is often filled with sadness. Seasonal Affective Disorder (SAD) is often a byproduct of this lack of light. Loss of any kind (a loved one, employment, health), is keenly felt during this time of year, when all around us encourages celebration. Stress is often a close companion at this time of year.

During this Advent season, we will acknowledge this sadness and stress in our time of prayers following the message each Sunday. Prayer, meditation, and quiet reflection are a powerful antidotes, a healing balm in this sea of stress.

Lord Jesus, Master of both the light and the darkness, send your Holy Spirit upon our preparations for Christmas. We who have so much to do seek quiet spaces to hear your voice each day. We who are anxious over many things look forward to your coming among us. We who are blessed in so many ways long for the complete joy of your kingdom. We whose hearts are heavy seek the joy of your presence. We are your people, walking in darkness, yet seeking the light. To you we say, “Come Lord Jesus!” Amen.

- Henri J.M. Nouwen Eric Strand Director of Music and the Arts First Pulse | December ‘19

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December 2019/January 2020 Sunday, December 1 Communion Sunday 8:45 am – Nursery Care 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 9:15 am – Adult Advent Classes: Christmas Memories Creative Writing, We Sing Our Theology of Christmas, Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:15 am – Different Kind of Christmas Fair 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, and Shine: Sensory Room 11:45 am – Blood Pressure Clinic 12:00 pm – A Different Kind of Christmas Fair 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga December 2 - 12 MLK Gift of Giving Monday, December 2 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, December 3 7:00 am – Work Program 10:00 am – Light of the World at Clark Retirement 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga Wednesday, December 4 6:00 pm – Young Adult Group Thursday, December 5 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sunday, December 8 Coffee Can Offering 8:45 am – Nursery Care 9:00 am – Jesus Birthday Party: Child Check-In 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:15 am – Christmas Photos 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, and Shine: Sensory Room 12:00 pm – All-Church Christmas Caroling & Lunch 6

First Pulse | December ‘19

12:00 pm – Unplugged (3rd - 6th Graders): Christmas Caroling 12:00 pm – Families in Faith: Christmas Caroling 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga Monday, December 9 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, December 10 7:00 am – Work Program 10:00 am – Light of the World at Clark Retirement 5:30 pm – Finance Committee 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga Thursday, December 12 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal Saturday, December 14 9:30 am – Feeding America 6:00 pm – A Jazz Christmas with MacNaughton Blvd.

Sunday, December 15 8:45 am – Nursery Care 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 – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga 5:30 pm – SPRC Meeting Monday, December 16 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, December 17 7:00 am – Work Program 10:00 am – Light of the World at Clark Retirement 6:00 pm – I Light Grief Group 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga Wednesday, December 18 9:00 am – Caring Connection 5:30 pm – Moms’ Group Christmas Party

Thursday, December 19 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sunday, December 22 8:45 am – Nursery Care 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 – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga Monday, December 23 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study Tuesday, December 24 Christmas Eve 8:00 am – Casey’s Breakfast 5:00 pm – Interactive Family Story-telling Service 7:00 pm – Traditional Candlelight Communion Service 9:00 pm – Meditative Service with Candlelight and Communion Wednesday, December 25 Christmas Day Church Building and Offices Closed Thursday, December 26 Church Building and Offices Closed Sunday, December 29 10:15 am – Nursery Care 10:45 am – Worship Monday, December 30 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study

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Tuesday, December 31 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga

10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, and Shine: Sensory Room 12:00 pm – Celebration Committee 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga

Wednesday, January 1 New Year’s Day Church Building and Offices Closed Sunday, January 5 Communion Sunday 8:45 am – Nursery Care 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 11:45 am – Christmas Clean Up Party 11:45 am – Blood Pressure Clinic 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga

Monday, January 13 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 5:00 pm – Board of Trustees 6:00 pm – Legacy Committee Tuesday, January 14 7:00 am – Work Program 5:30 pm – Finance Meeting 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga Wednesday, January 15 9:00 am – Caring Connection

Monday, January 6 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study

Thursday, January 16 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Tuesday, January 7 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga 5:30 pm – SPRC Meeting

Saturday, January 18 9:30 am – Confirmation Prayer Retreat

Thursday, January 9 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal Saturday, January 11 9:30 am – Feeding America Sunday, January 12 Coffee Can Offering 8:45 am – Nursery Care 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals

Sunday, January 19 8:45 am – Nursery Care 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 – Unplugged (3rd - 6th Graders) 12:00 pm – Families in Faith: Monthly Brunch 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga

Monday, January 20 Martin Luther King, Jr., Day Church Building and Offices Closed 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 5:30 pm – Building Committee Tuesday, January 21 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – I Light Grief Group 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga 6:30 pm – Social Justice Team Thursday, January 23 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal Sunday, January 26 8:45 am – Nursery Care 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 4:00 pm – Middle Worship 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga Monday, January 27 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 7:00 pm – Leadership Council

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Sunday, November 24 was a great day for a baptism and Ingathering!

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First Pulse | December ‘19

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Intentional Faith Development Fall Youth Retreat From October 11th-13th the junior and senior high youth traveled to Camp Geneva for a weekend retreat. This weekend served as the junior high youths’ first Confirmation retreat of the year.

The theme for the weekend was “The We of Me: Be You, Be God’s, Be Us.” Each student made a crest with symbols that represented their interests, important people in their life, and their future hopes.

Students reflected on how much time they spend with their friends versus Jesus and how they are called to act. We reaffirmed our baptisms and made a group Crest (which is on display in The Vine). We had a lesson on the Holy Spirit, which can best be compared to a flame, breath, or wind. Students learned about John Wesley’s heart warming experience through a fun Mad Lib. The senior high youths’ theme for the weekend was “Love Does.”

Students discussed how each of us has experienced fear and failure throughout our life, and we reflected on how we can still love God and others when we are experiencing times of fear and failure.

Students wrote thank you notes to the individuals in their lives who have loved them 8

First Pulse | December ‘19

and walked alongside them through life’s hard stuff. We practiced loving others in our community by making sixty snack packs for Kids Food Basket and decorating bags for the sack suppers Kids Food Basket delivers to schools throughout Grand Rapids.

We also made sure to take some time to have fun and get to know one another better. We played Nuke Em, took a walk to the lake, and asked each other silly questions while we were eating. We watched the movie Rudy to see how we can all overcome hard circumstances to accomplish our goals and dreams.

We fostered community between the junior and senior high youth by asking them to write care cards to one another. Care cards are short positive encouraging notes of affirmation. Each student was asked to write notes to someone else in the group about the positive attributes they displayed throughout the weekend.

On Sunday, we wrapped up our retreat by revealing the destination of our summer mission trip. This year the junior and senior high youth will be traveling to Indianapolis, Indiana, with Group Mission Trips from June 21st-27th.

The retreat brought our students closer to God and each other. It was a fantastic weekend!

Emily Uebbing Director of Junior High Youth Heather Yzenbaard Director of Senior High Youth

Risk-Taking Outreach and Mission O come, Desire of nations, bind All peoples in one heart and mind; Bid envy, strife and quarrels cease; Fill the whole world with heaven’s peace.

Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel Shall come to thee, O Israel.

In my work at First Church with our mission, outreach, and justice ministries I frequently hang out at the intersection of hope and struggle. And every Advent season as we sing this particular verse of “O Come, O Come Emmanuel” I feel a familiar tension. We live in a world that is so full of strife (and envy and quarrels), yet in the midst of struggle we find insistent hope in the promise of God’s ongoing restoration of all that is broken.

As the Church, Christ calls us to model peace and community on earth as it is in heaven. This is what it means to fully live into the hope of the Incarnation.

This season our First Church mission, outreach, and justice ministries will offer a number of opportunities to model peace and community on earth as it is in heaven. From the Different Kind of Christmas fair on December 1 to Casey’s Breakfast on Christmas Eve, you can find plenty of ways to live into hope, joy, love, and peace.

We are also looking toward birthing to a new worship opportunity in early 2020 that will embody the expectant hope of Advent. Over the past year First Church pastors, staff, and lay leadership have been engaged in thinking about what a new worship opportunity might look like in our context.

As we listened to our current members and built

relationships with new folks in our surrounding communities, we heard a number of common themes: • Although there are many churches in Grand Rapids, there are none who are actively multiracial, multicultural, AND inclusive of all genders and orientations.

• Young people are interested in finding communities who are interweaving progressive Christian theology with celebratory worship and deep commitment to social justice.

• As a large church in the heart of downtown Grand Rapids, we want to find ways to better reflect our surroundings and to be more invitational to our neighbors who have not yet found a worshiping community to call home.

In response to these insights, we plan to launch a multiracial, multi-ethnic worship service that intentionally invites and celebrates all genders and orientations. To offer additional help with this project, we are consulting with Middle Collegiate Church in Manhattan, NYC, who are already successfully living into this vision of multiracial, multicultural, progressive Christian worship and relationship.

As we move forward, let us continue to creatively and courageously seek the movement of God’s Spirit among us so that we might engage our world by following Jesus’ way of revolutionary love. I am looking ahead with abundant hope, grateful to be in ministry with all of you.

Pastor Joan Van Dessel Associate Pastor Director of Outreach and Mission

First Pulse | December ‘19

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EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY Resource Development

Seeking God’s Guidance About Our Giving Our 2020 Stewardship Campaign “officially” concluded Sunday, November 24. Consecration Sunday is a time of celebration, where we come together to commit to financially supporting the ministries of First Church in the coming year. It’s still too early to report on how successful our campaign was in supporting our vision for ministry, but our history is one of extravagant generosity. There is no reason to expect this year to be any different.

For those of you who responded, we offer you our heart-felt thanks for your commitment once again in 2020. Some of you may have not yet made your pledge. If you are among these, please return your pledge as soon as possible to reduce the follow-up required by the Stewardship Committee and staff.

Our giving campaign is never actually “over.” At First Church, we practice year-round stewardship, meaning that we should always be seeking God’s guidance about our giving, not just during the annual campaign.

You may be inspired at any time during the year by a moving moment in worship, a great sermon, or a wonderful anthem. You may attend a class that moves you to want to give more. You may hear a testimonial or witness the impact of our ministries at any time during the year that leads you to greater financial commitment. You may become involved in outreach or otherwise commit your time in ministry that inspires you to want to respond even more generously than you already have.

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First Pulse | December ‘19

At any time during the year you may increase your pledge by simply contacting Emil Jensen in the church office. Conversely, if life’s events require you to reduce your pledge, that’s okay, too! We are so fortunate at First Church that every year we receive virtually 100% of pledged funds. Some give more than they pledged, a few find it necessary to give less.

During the year, we receive new pledges from new friends who have discovered a church home at First Church. As a church family, we collectively honor our commitments which enables our church leaders to confidently plan even more vibrant ministry for the future!

I hope your pledge for 2020 has been truly inspired

by God’s presence in your life and not simply because of some feeling of obligation. I hope you are open to increasing your commitment at any time as God so inspires you! As we are motivated by God’s leading, our generosity becomes a natural and joyful response!

I hope everyone can discover this joy of walking with God through the ministries of First Church.

Thank you again for your pledge for 2020. Thank you in advance for allowing your personal walk with God to inspire even greater generosity as the year goes on!

Chris Hawkins Finance Committee

Congregational Care Congregational Care inserted a bulletin sign-up sheet on Sundays, November 10 and 17. It was an invitation that provided ways to be in ministry with one another.

The open-ended questions invited a response. Some invitations provided opportunities to give of yourself, while others provided an opportunity to receive something. There is a beautiful balance that happens when we can find ways to give and receive finding the gift in each. Here is a small sample of what was shared.

In this season of giving and receiving, we can benefit from sharing out of the God’s gracious abundance and seeing how the different gifts can be shared with one another. What are ways that you would like to connect with Congregational Care in this season and into the New Year? Sometimes it is not finding the one exact perfect fit; it is through exploring what God is saying through your own experiences in this season of life.

Rev. Tim Tuthill Associate Pastor Director of Congregational Care

Participate in the community of care at First Church!

You can receive care if you:

Have lost a loved one and are needing spiritual guidance and support.

Are having surgery and would like to share prayer at the hospital beforehand.

Are hospitalized and would value visitors during your stay.

Need a companion to walk with you in Christian love during a difficult time.

Are recovering from surgery, illness, or have had an addition to your family.

Are expecting a child and would like to share your journey with another First Church parent.

Are stressed out, anxious, or

You can provide care if you:

Have a compassionate smile, warm handshake, or caring embrace.

Have a knack for composing notes of concern and encouragement.

Have a good driving record and wish to team up with others to provide occasional transportation to worship or doctors’ appointments.

Would like to learn more about Stephen Ministry, a program that trains caregivers to walk one-onone with a person in need.

Like to prepare and deliver a simple meal to someone recovering from surgery.

Are a First Church parent who would like to connect with and support expecting or new parent(s).

Have sewing or crafting talents

Participate in the comm You can receive care if you:

Have lost a loved one and are needing spiritual guidance and support.

Are having surgery and would like to share prayer at the hospit beforehand.

Are hospitalized and would valu visitors during your stay.

Need a companion to walk with you in Christian love during a difficult time.

Are recovering from surgery, illness, or have had an addition t your family.

Are expecting a child and would like to share your journey with another First Church parent.

First Pulse Decemberout, ‘19 anxious, 11 or Are| stressed

Sundays at First Church Christmas Eve Services Tuesday, December 24

9:15 am — Classes and child care for all ages.

(No classes December 29.)

5:00 pm — An interactive family story-telling 7:00 pm — Traditional candlelight and communion 9:00 pm — Contemplative meditative service with candlelight and communion

10:45 am — Worship Service

A faith community that is inclusive and affirming of ALL people.

You are invited! Join us this Christmas season at First United Methodist Church!

Free Gentle Yoga

Birthday Party for Jesus Advent Adult Classes

Sundays — 5:30 pm Mixed-level gentle yoga, equipment available. (No class December 29.)

Sunday, December 8 — 9:15 am Kids in preschool - 6th grade are invited to come along for games, cookies, music, and loads of fun.

Free Yoga

Christmas Caroling

Tuesdays — 6:00 pm Community mixed-level yoga, equipment available. (No class December 24 and 31.)

Sunday, December 8 — 12:00 pm Help take some Christmas cheer to our homebound church members!

A Jazz Christmas

Jefferson Ave SE

Fulton St E

Visit us online College Ave NE

First United Methodist Church 227 Fulton

Prospect Ave NE

Main Entrance

Lafayette Ave NE

Silver Line Fulton St Station

Barclay Ave NE

Ransom Ave NE

Fountain St NE

Saturday, December 14 — 6:00 pm Free music by local band, MacNaughton Blvd. This seasonal “swing” features music John St NE and readings for the season.

Sundays, December 1 - 22 — 9:15 am • We Sing Our Theology of Christmas Take a closer look at the theology of our beloved carols to examine what we have learned from what we sing.

• Christmas Writing Workshop Join writers of all experience levels as we learn to hone our writing craft and explore our own Christmas stories.

• Christmas in the Four Gospel Homes Reimagine each of the four Gospels as a house decorated for Christmas through beautiful illustrations.

for more events and details at www.grandrapidsfumc.org/advent or like us at www.facebook.com/grandrapidsfumc.