First Pulse May 2017

May 2017 Edition

For many months now, we have been working on solving a challenge that exists for every growing congregation. The q u e s t i o n i s h ow do we best facilitate members and regular participants in knowing and interacting with one another? The old way to solve the problem was to invite a church directory company to come in and take professional pictures and work with a volunteer crew from the congregation to gather information for publication. Generally, the company made their money by selling the pictures to individuals and families. I cannot tell you the amount of money that we have spent over the years on pictures taken as a result of posing for a church directory.

The time and money investment of the above process is enormous. With the delay of layout, approval, and printing the directory is generally outdated before it is published.

Many members of First Church have requested a new photo directory. In order to create a relevant directory that is able to adjust quickly to changing addresses, phone numbers, email addresses AND the inclusion of pictures that can be changed in adjusting to the ebb and flow of life, we are moving to an online directory. The purpose is to make the directory a ministry tool that assists members in connecting with one another using current information.

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Intentional Faith Development

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www.grandrapidsfumc.org

God’s Grace and Peace to you all during this Easter season.

With our improved communication options, church members can submit current information for other members to see in a “Members Only” part of our website. That means, if you move, your new address or phone number can be adjusted immediately. We will not need to wait 3-5 years for the next professional directory to hit the presses.

In our planning and problem-solving, we considered several pertinent questions:

or signing up via the sign-up sheet 1) Will anyone who visits the church’s website in the bulletin. have access to the directory?

No! The directory will be password- 4) Will there be opportunity to get a printed protected. After submitting an copy for those who do not work from a information sheet expressing your computer? desire to be included, you will Picture directories will not be approved by staff. Our staff will available in print. Up-to-date address also be responsible to monitor directories are currently available in carefully the requests, so that contact the north lobby. information is guarded. The intent is for the directory to be for members Once your information has been and regular participants only. received and added to the new directory, you will receive an email with detailed 2) How can you be included in the directory instructions for you to create your and gain access to the directory? account and how to use this new tool You may opt in online at www. of communication. grfumc.org/directory, or use the Sunday signup sheet, or pick up We have been diligent in working on a form from the receptionist in the this project. We believe that we have north lobby, fill it out and return it. anticipated the questions and concerns, but please do not hesitate in contacting 3) Will pictures be included? us with other questions that you may Yes. You may submit a current photo have. We want this to be a helpful, with your updated information accessible, and current way for folks to sheet and it will be included in the connect with one another. directory. There are also several staff members who are willing to assist in God’s grace and peace to you all during the picture-taking if you wish. You this Easter season. may schedule a time for a photo by Pastor Bob calling the office, sending an email,

Pastor’s Message

Radical Hospitality 1

Risk-taking Outreach and Mission

Passionate Worship 5

Extravagant Generosity 4

3 Congregational Care

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Intentional Faith Development

You’re Invited to the 2017 Youth Service

fridge, and refaced cabinets. Through all this work, my crew and I got to know this woman more and more.

We laughed and joked and listened to Dear Congregation, stories about her 14 children and many grandchildren. This trip has changed my We are happy to announce that the 2017 outlook on being thankful for what I Youth Service will be on May 7th. We, have, being humble, and the greatness the youth, have overthrown Pastor Bob of giving back to our communities.” and are taking over both the 8:15am ~Lucy and 10:45am services, and would like to invite you to a faith-filled morning. “This summer will be my third Reach We have been busy preparing our WorkCamp. This camp has taken me sermons and personal testimonies for to Monroe, North Carolina; Vassar, your spiritual growth and development. Michigan; and now to Columbia County, New York. I remember being in North During the service, we will be taking Carolina and having to literally tip-toe a special offering for our summer around our worksite because there were mission trip to Columbia County, red ants everywhere. Our neighbor, the New York. We will be working with woman whose house we were working Reach WorkCamps, which is a program on, came to prayer night at camp with that travels to different states and us. The following December she sent invites many different youth groups to everyone hand crocheted blankets come together to help out people in and pictures of her brand new dogs communities around the USA. in thanks. I cherish that blanket to this day and look forward to making “I have only been on a Reach mission more connections with neighbors and trip once to Vassar, Michigan, but my campers alike. At Reach we get to meet experience was definitely life-changing. other kids from all over the country. In While in Vassar, I was put in a crew Vassar, I met Joe who told me that if he and every day we went out to an elderly didn’t live in Pennsylvania I would have woman’s house to build her a new front been his best friend. It is experiences porch. We also repainted her front door, like these that keep me coming back”. fixed her bay window, installed her new ~Darcy

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During our service we will also be recognizing all of the high school seniors who will be graduating with the Class of 2017. They have put in an enormous amount of time and effort to reach graduation, and we believe they deserve to be celebrated. At the 10:45 am service we will be inviting all of the graduating high school students to come forward during the service to acknowledge their accomplishments and provide them with a gift. At this time we will say a prayer for them, as well as our 2017 college graduates.

We hope that you will join us on May 7th at the 8:15 am or 10:45 am service to support us and the work we have put into planning for the service.

Sincerely, Lucy Schuiling & Darcy Walker Senior High Youth

Passionate Worship Music and Worship

“At the thought of God my heart leapt for joy, and I could not help my music’s doing the same.” – Franz Joseph Haydn The month of May presents a good opportunity for us to celebrate the gift of music and music-makers. After all, music is all around us: The flowers appear on the earth; the time of singing has come, and the voice of the turtle-dove is heard in our land. (Song of Solomon 2:12) We are in the midst of the Easter season, those fifty days from the Celebration of the Resurrection to Pentecost, the gift of the Holy Spirit and the “birth” of the church. Consider for a moment how music is integral to our worship life, expressing those things for which words often fall short.

“Give thanks for music-making art, and praise the Spirit’s choice of members called and set apart with instrument and voice. With work and wisdom, skills hard-won, lifegiving, and life-long. They celebrate what God has done and lead the people’s song.” – Brian Wren There is an interesting argument that has been made for several years, and perhaps you have heard it said, “Liturgy literally means the work of the people.”

For our purposes, you can substitute the word “worship” for “liturgy.” In most contexts, this is used to exhort “the people” to get more involved in the “work” of worship from planning through its implementation. However,

this easy definition may not be entirely accurate. Rather, it seems that the original word leitour gia, coming from the Greek, refers more to work or action for the people. In many ways, the word referred to “The flowers appear on the earth; the time acts of public service. of singing has come, and the voice of the It seems that worship turtle-dove is heard in our land.” Song of is much more than an Solomon 2:12 easy definition might imply. Rather than “O God, we thank you for music simply thinking that worship is the and its wondrous power to touch and work of the people, we might think heal and strengthen; under its spell of worship as work on the people, the closed doors of the human spirit through the people, and in the people. are unlocked and our hearts are It’s a more comprehensive idea, and moved to respond to you in worship. it reminds me of the writings of St. We praise you for this most precious Patrick: Christ with me, Christ before me, gift. And lastly we thank you for all Christ behind me, Christ in me, Christ who day by day enable us to sing beneath me, Christ above me… Christ in your song in many ways and many every ear that hears me. places, accompanying it on organ and trumpet, leading it with the This summer, on Wednesday evenings beauty of the solo voice, enriching (see the particular dates on the sign-up it with new forms of music, patient sheet in the bulletin), I will be offering a scholarship and gifted teaching. We time for instrumentalists in the church praise you for their ministry and to get together and make music. I gratefully ask your blessing on it this have a variety of resources that will day.” – Jeffrey Rowthorne allow us to have a flexible variety of instruments and skill-levels. Consider Eric Strand coming down to join us as we seek to Director of Music and the Arts develop ensembles that can accompany worship in this church. So if you play a string, woodwind, plucked, or brass instrument, I really want to hear from you. Our music is one way in which our particular community identifies, strengthens, and sustains itself.

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Risk-Taking Outreach and Mission Crossing Divides

It is Thursday night, our last night in Cuba. Sitting on the side porch of the pastor’s home, you can take in the joyous sounds of children talking, hands and arms hitting the volleyball, feet making contact with the soccer ball, adults in conversation, and cheers coming from the volleyball court.

The Lord has blessed this place.

While a few of us have been here before, it was been some of the team members’ first time. The relationships start slowly. At first there is apprehension among the children and adults wondering if they will be accepted if they approach each other and are not sure how to communicate. Some of the apprehension is developmentally appropriate and the other is about approaching and crossing the cultural divide.

It is guaranteed with each trip that the divide is crossed and the children and adults embrace each other by this last night together. Each one finds their niche whether it is a card game, playing volleyball or making friendship bracelets. Each one learns to communicate with each other through English, Spanish, and unofficial sign language, calling Wendy or Sydney over to interrupt, or just a friendly smile. The divide is crossed.

Proof that the divide has been crossed?

One of the Cuban children asks one of the shy First Church youth to play and

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she flies off the porch with a confident, “Sure.” The pastor’s son shouts across the yard to one of our First Church girls to come play volleyball and she joins. Cuban children are asking the team members to teach them to make friendship bracelets. Jokes and teasing is occurring among members from both communities. Prayers are being said for Cubans and First Church members. Multiple examples exist. A bridge has been formed and crossed multiple times.

There is so much excitement for this last night together that the community members are waiting at the side of the house for us to finish dinner. In preparation for a long night, the men have put up outdoor lights by patchwork cords stretching to the electricity. They are creating the continued opportunity for late night bridge-building. And these moments will be seized.

While building bridges with our Cuban friends, also First Church members grow strong as individuals and as team members. We have laughed and cried

together, shared our resources, and cared for one another. There is a bond that forms that will never go away. It’s a shared experience that is hard to explain but clearly God has blessed us with.

We only hope in the time to come we can share our experiences and pass on the love we so graciously received while we have been here. Thank you to our First Church members who graciously provided the opportunity and resources for us to embrace our brothers and sisters in Cuba.

It has been an experience we will never forget.

Cuba Mission Team 2017 Mary Judnich, Sydney Judnich, Sydney Mor ris, Abby Schuiling, Emma Schuiling, Lucy Schuiling, Penny Schuiling, Braylon Taylor, Erin Taylor, Lane Taylor, Trent Taylor, Wendy Taylor

First Church sends a team of youth and adults to visit our sister church in Herradura Cuba during spring break each year. Watch fall 2017 newsletters for informational meeting dates about next year’s trip or ask any of this year’s team members about their experience.

Radical Hospitality Happy Eastertide!

What an amazing Easter morning we had at First Church! The worship support teams warmly welcomed us into community. The Fellowship Committee shared fantastic treats and a time to connect. The musicians, ribbon wavers, and speakers brought us into the worship celebration.

Did you know that Easter isn’t just a one-day holiday? Eastertide, the 50-day Easter season leading up to Pentecost, is a time when Christians rejoice and

experience the risen Christ. Many of us are quick to give up something or add in a spiritual discipline for the 40-days of Lent.

But once the sun sets on Easter, we go back to normal. Don’t pass up this opportunity to find joy and to rejoice over the next 50 days!

Invite friends and family to worship, share stories of hope and delight, volunteer in a new way, look for the signs of resurrection and life all around you. Celebrate Eastertide!

Sami Marasigan Director of Hospitality

PS – The Fellowship Committee would like to expand for the 2017-2018 program year. If you like to plan meals, host events, cook, or like to create welcoming places of fellowship, please email SamiM@grandrapidsfumc.org.

We’d love to include you in our next planning session.

Extravagant Generosity Legacy Ministry

Within the ministry of the Legacy Funds, we have many different giving opportunities. We have the College Education Scholarship Fund, Building & Facilities Fund, Education & Youth Fund, Missions & Outreach Fund, Congregational Care & Development Fund, Music & Arts Fund, and the General “As Needed” Fund. When talking with someone about their estate plan and deciding where their final gifts might fit, I ask “What are you passionate about?” The Legacy Ministry is also funded by memorial gifts.

In 2016, the Legacy Funds received memorials gifts in memory of: Lois Moseley, Chuck Beach, Shirley Etcher, Linn Keller, Helen Weller-Crossman, Lynne Beals, and Don Spicer. So far in 2017, the Legacy Funds received memorial gifts in memory of Dorothy

Hunger Fund is another special fund within Legacy. These funds are used to support our Casey’s breakfast Wimmer, Pam Carrier, and Skip on Christmas Eve and our Feeding Moseley. The Legacy Funds also America food distributions. The received a bequest from the Estate of Ardith Wiltse Music Scholarship is another special fund within Legacy and Janet Gillespie. music scholarships will once again be The Legacy Ministry Funds are used available this year. to support ministry areas outside of the general operating budget of First I invite you to learn more about the Church. Requests were granted for the Legacy Ministry at www.grfumc.org/ purchase of new toys for our nursery, planned-giving. If you have already worship story supplies for the new made the decision to include First classrooms, child-size chairs for the United Methodist Church in your new classrooms, Cuba scholarships, estate plan, I invite you to complete the a new camera for the Young Adult member profile form. Marilyn Moore ministry, artificial flowers for the has shared her story with me as to why sanctuary, Bead and Prayer Workshop, she included First Church in her estate plan; her story can be found on the retreats, and guest speakers. webpage. Are you willing to share your Many years ago, the Al Heffron Estate story, too? I look forward to hearing left funds for the purchase of Bibles. from you!

Blessings, So as our toddlers and third graders Sharon Sorensen receive their Bibles each year, the Bibles are paid for out of this special fund within Legacy. The Donna Keller

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Congregational Care End of Life Care You have likely noticed all the prayers being asked for the families of those who have died recently. It seems like every other day I am being called to the bedside of someone who is either beginning hospice care or has just died.

In the almost 14 years I have been on the pastoral care staff here at First Church, I have found that many people are still hesitant to reach out to those who are dying. With all the funeral and memorial services happening, I decided that now is a good time to talk about this again!

“To everything there is a season and a time for every purpose So why are well-meaning people in the under Heaven…” Ecclesiates 3:1 church often timid about reaching out to individuals who are dying or families who are grieving? I think there may be Let’s try to make it a little easier for our your presence at these times is so very congregation to reach out by addressing meaningful to the family. They may not four reasons for this. these concerns! remember what you said but they will remember you were there.

1) People are afraid they will cry or will cause the grieving person(s) to cry. Crying – it’s OK to cry. I do! If you 2) They don’t know what to do or say knew the person who is dying or has Grief is a journey, and each journey and are afraid they may make it worse died, you empathize with the loss. That’s is different. People never get over the comforting to the family, even if what loss but will get through it in time with so they do nothing.

3) They simply feel uncomfortable you share is a simple “I am so sorry” faith and the love of family and friends. with a hug and your tears.

The surviving family members’ lives about death/funerals/loss. are forever changed; you can’t pretend 4) They may believe that a month or so after a loss that grief is done and What to say – your presence even otherwise. It is generally comforting for life is back to “normal” and if they without saying much says a lot! Sharing families to hear their loved one’s name ask how the person is doing they will how you knew their loved one or sharing in conversation, knowing that they were a story about them is so meaningful. special to others who also miss them. prolong their grief.

Saying that their loved one is “in a better place” or that “God needed a Jesus said in Matthew 5 “Blessed are new flower for the heavenly garden” those who mourn for they will be generally isn’t helpful. Be genuine. comforted.” You and I can provide Conversation doesn’t need to be long. that comfort in so many ways such Offer to do something specific such as sending a card with a personal as “I am going to pick up groceries on note, attending the funeral/memorial Monday, what may I pick up for you?” service, taking a meal, taking them or “Can I watch the kids so you have out for brunch, or by continuing to some time to do something you need to check in even months after the loss. do?” is better than telling them to call Compassionate care is often needed you if they need anything. most after the last casserole dish is returned. Let’s work on this together!

Feeling uncomfortable – should not prevent you from showing your loving Grace and peace, care and support. The more you attend Marj Timmerman RN, visitations, funerals and memorial Congregational Care services, the more comfortable you will become. No, they will never be fun but 6

Sunday, May 7 Youth Sunday Communion Sunday Blood Pressure Sunday 8:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:15 am – Church School for All Ages 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room 2:30 pm – ACCESS Hunger Walk 5:00 pm – Jr High Youth Group

Saturday, May 6 9:30 am – Youth Service Rehearsal 1:00 pm – David and Kathy Crawford Service

Thursday, May 4 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm – Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir

Sunday, May 14 8:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:15 am – Church School for All Ages 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group

Saturday, May 13 10:00 am - 6:00 pm – Table Toppers

Thursday, May 11 9:00 am – Moms and Muffins Date 6:00 pm – Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir

Wednesday, May 10 12:00 pm – Staff Worship 6:00 pm – Young Adult Picnic at Veteran’s Park 6:30 pm – Jesus in the Gospels

Tuesday, May 9 7:00 am – Work Program 12:00 pm – JFON Advisory Board 5:30 pm – Finance Meeting

Tuesday, May 2 7:00 am – Work Program

Wednesday, May 3 12:00 pm – Staff Worship 6:00 pm – Young Adult Bible Study at Tavern on the Square 6:30 pm – Jesus in the Gospels

Monday, May 8 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 5:00 pm – Trustees 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Training

Monday, May 1 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Training 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry

Mark your calendars

Sunday, May 21 8:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 8:15 am – Sunday Worship 8:30 am – Children’s Chapel 9:15 am – Church School for All Ages 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship and Shine: Sensory Room 12:00 pm – Unplugged: 3rd-6th Grade Adventures 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group

Saturday, May 20 8:30 am – Feeding America 3:00 pm – Wedding

Thursday, May 18 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 5:00 pm – JFON Clinic 6:00 pm – Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir

Wednesday, May 17 9:00 am – Caring Connection 12:00 pm – Staff Worship 6:30 pm – Jesus in the Gospels

Tuesday, May 16 7:00 am – Work Program 6:30 pm – Missions Commission

Monday, May 15 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 12:00 pm – 60+ Luncheon 5:30 pm – Building Committee 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Training 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry

Wednesday, May 31 12:00 pm – Staff Worship 6:30 pm – Jesus in the Gospels

Tuesday, May 30 7:00 am – Work Program

Monday, May 29 Memorial Day Holiday Church Building and Offices Closed 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study Offsite

Sunday, May 28 10:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nursery 10:00 am – Summer Worship Schedule Begins 10:15 am – Summer Sunday School (preschool - 6th grade dismissed from worship)

Wednesday, May 24 12:00 pm – Staff Worship 6:30 pm – Jesus in the Gospels

Tuesday, May 23 7:00 am – Work Program 11:45 am – Office Volunteer Appreciation Luncheon 5:30 pm – Staff/Parish Relations Committee

Monday, May 22 10:00 am – Worship Design 11:00 am – Retiree Bible Study 11:00 am – Executive Team 1:00 pm – Staff 2:30 pm – Blood Drive 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry Training

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PERMIT #354 GRAND RAPIDS, MI

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

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JUNE 26-29, 2017 For kids entering grades 1-6 in the fall of 2017!

Register at www.grfumc.org/arts-alive-camp firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

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