First Pulse: November 2015

November 2015 Edition

November is a month of celebration at First Church… and what a month it will be!

I was walking down Fulton Street the other day and the cornerstone near the front door caught my attention. The cornerstone reads “1915 First M.E. Church” (which stands for Methodist Episcopal – the name of our denomination until 1939 when we became the Methodist Church, healing the separation created by the Civil War. The name changed again in 1968 when we became the United Methodist Church.)

The cornerstone-laying ceremonies took place on April 26, 1915. The first services were held in the new building in January 1916, with dedication ceremonies of the new modified 14th century Gothic style building occurring the week of April 9, 1916. The people were continuing to build the pipe organ as well as installing the Tiffany window in the center of the chancel area. Everything was complete for a final dedication on Christmas Eve, 1916.

1915-16 was an incredibly creative time in the life of this congregation. Our ancestors invested $212,300 in the church building and our insurance evaluation one hundred years later is nearly 25 million dollars. We have been given a legacy. The prayerful creativity that is needed in 2015-16 that will take us boldly into our 3rd century of ministry is crucial in the life and ministry of this congregation. We are in our 180th year of ministry in the heart of Grand Rapids. November kicks off a season of celebration on the theme “Creating

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Intentional Faith Development

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www.grandrapidsfumc.org

SONS OF SERENDIP

Sunday, November 8, 2015 at 4:00 pm Tomorrow’s Legacy Today,” which is our Stewardship theme!

November 1 All Saints Day – honoring those who have passed from this life to the next during the past year. We will continue our focus on “Discovering and Utilizing Your Spiritual Gift” with the morning message “Ask… Seek… and Knock!”

November 8 The morning services will blend a stewardship emphasis with the message “Developing a Servant’s Attitude.” THEN – at 4:00 pm, an outstanding concert by The Sons of Serendip. Don’t procrastinate getting your tickets because they are going fast. You don’t want to miss this opportunity of celebrating our Methodist Connection with extraordinary music by an extraordinary group of young musicians.

November 15 Bishop Deborah Kiesey, resident Bishop of the Michigan Area of the United Methodist Church, will be our pulpit guest as we rededicate our building (after the tower project) and celebrate our 100th anniversary of worship in this sanctuary. New members will be received, Bishop Kiesey

Pastor’s Message

will be with us for an Adult Forum during the 9:15 hour, and a celebration meal will be enjoyed after the second service.

November 22 Consecration Sunday – when we dedicate ourselves and our financial partnership in ministry for 2016. The morning message is titled “Called… Gifted… and Empowered.” In addition we will have our traditional Thanksgiving Ingathering of food for Westminster Food Pantry and A Different Kind of Christmas Fair in Wesley Hall.

November 29 Advent begins!

What an incredible month that is in store for the good people of First United Methodist Church. Come and join us in the festivities… be inspired… and invest yourself as together, we “create tomorrow’s legacy TODAY!” May God bless you in your journey!

Radical Hospitality 1

Risk-taking Mission and Service

Pastor Bob Hundley

Passionate Worship 5

Extravagant Generosity 4

3 Compassionate Care

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Intentional Faith Development A Different Kind of Christmas In the United States it is hard to separate our spiritual journey from how we spend our money. Our false idol of choice seems to be consumerism. I struggle mightily when I hear Jesus say to the rich young ruler, “There’s one more thing. Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor.

Then you will have treasure in heaven.

And come, follow me.” – Luke 18:22 Surely you aren’t speaking to me, right, Jesus?

“I struggle mightily when I hear Jesus say to the rich young ruler, “There’s one more thing. Sell everything you own and distribute the money to the poor. Then you will have treasure in heaven. And come, follow me.” Luke 18:22

On October 8, 2015 the National Retail Federation announced it expects sales in November and December to increase 3.7% to $630.5 billion. ApIngathering Sunday, also on Noproximately 75% of these sales will be vember 22. for holiday gifts and goodies, totalling  Provide gifts for parents to give to about $700 for the average American. their children through the MLK As I move into the holiday season, Gift of Giving Program or proI continue to look for balance. Do I vide gifts to be used at the school need to spend $700 (or more) to enjoy via the Giving Tree in the north this Christmas? How can some of my lobby treasure be used to help others? How  Attend one of the Advent Church can I celebrate a Different Kind of School Classes beginning on NoChristmas? vember 29.  Attend worship services every First Church will offer many opporSunday during Advent. tunities during Advent to celebrate a  Use the Advent Devotional to Different Kind of Christmas: spend time in prayer and contem Explore giving alternative gifts plation each day. through A Different Kind of  Give the gift of time to others by Christmas Fair on Sunday, NoChristmas caroling with the Methvember 22 in Wesley Hall odist Connection on December  Give food or monetary support 5 and to our church homebound to Westminster Food Bank on members on December 13.

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 Welcome homeless families to a safe and warm home during our December 20 – 26 Family Promise rotation.  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 Executive Director of Faith Development and Mission

Passionate Worship Practicing Imperfection In the Church

in the middle: on progress, not perfection. (Perhaps this is why church ceilings tend to be really high.) If we can start to see the smallest of steps as progress, then, I believe we can make great strides toward our vision for the church.

I recently ran across an interesting new book titled How To Be An Imperfectionist by Stephen Guise. It’s a book about our attitudes, expectations, and how Showing up to approach problems.

One of the goals in the It’s full of positive and vision statement has practical suggestions to do with worship atfor how to approach tendance. Recent nasetting goals and maktionwide studies among ing progress toward mainline Protestants are those goals. I found pointing to a disturbing several ideas that could trend in worship attenapply to how we are dance. It seems that the approaching the implementation of our “Vision” for the average member of a church attends worship 1.2 Sundays a month. We church. could go a long way toward achieving our vision if we worked at opPerfectionism is a problem The problems with being a perfec- posing this trend. We need to set as tionist are numerous. In psychologi- our “floor,” showing up for worship. cal terms, perfectionists view life as Showing up is “being there.” Showan endless report card, often leading ing up is “being present.” Showing up to a negative orientation of avoiding at church is a victory for the faithful failure at all costs. In the worst-case community. scenario, perfectionists view love as being conditional on performance, rather than freely accepting the unconditional love of God that is always present.

expert at evangelism, and you didn’t have to have a perfect speech. You simply mentioned our church, and something positive about what it is doing.  Don’t care about results. Care about putting in the work.  Don’t care about problems. Care about making progress despite them. Or if you must fix something, focus on the solution.  Don’t care what other people think. Care about who you want to be and what you want to do.  Care less about doing it right. Care more about doing it at all.  Don’t care about failure. Care about success.  Don’t care about timing. Care about the task.

Tell someone about an upcoming concert at our church; about our work with the homeless and the work program; about housing homeless families; about the work with refugees.

Floor and Ceiling There is a wonderful analogy in the book having to do with floors and ceilings. According to Guise, the floor should be our absolute minimal acceptable standard, and the ceiling should represent the perfect outcome, situation, or condition. The problem comes when we make the floor into the ceiling; that is, expecting everything we do to be perfect, and reach the ceiling. In addition to making the sanctuary a very cramped space, making the floor the ceiling paralyzes our initial efforts and prevents us from focusing on progress.

Take small steps If we celebrate the small steps that we Let’s take evangelism as another ex- can make today, we will be celebrating ample. What if we made as a “floor,” huge progress down the road. just mentioning our church every day to another person who is not a memEric Strand ber? Tell someone about an upcomExecutive Director of ing concert at our church; about our Worship, Music, and the Arts work with the homeless and the work program; about housing homeless families; about the work with refugees. You get the idea. If you did Progress, not perfection By contrast, when we make the floor this every day in a year, you have told and ceiling far apart, it has the effect someone about our church 365 times of focusing our attention somewhere in a year. You didn’t have to be an

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Risk-Taking Mission and Service Casey’s Tradition Casey’s Christmas Eve Breakfast is a First Church tradition. Named for restaurant owner Casey Wybenga who originally hosted the breakfast in a Heartside diner, the annual breakfast now takes place in Wesley Hall. First church volunteers spend Christmas Eve cooking, serving, and spending time with our Heartside neighbors.

The morning is filled with good food, fellowship, music, and Casey’s Socks.

The junior high youth of First Church make a very important contribution to the success of Casey’s Breakfast. On a Sunday in November, our 7th and 8th grade youth go shopping, sort through the purchases, and stuff up to 200 socks that our Heartside neighbors receive after our Christmas Eve breakfast. It is a huge endeavor that would not be possible without the continued support of our church family. We ask for monetary donations and donations of toiletries to be brought ahead of time to help supplement and minimize our shopping trip (although it does make for an extremely long receipt, as

seen in the photo). We ask for volun- consider how you can help our youth teers who are willing to fix lunch for make a difference in our local commuus. Our mentors and other youth lead- nity. ers participate by herding the groups through the shopping extravaganza.

Emily Uebbing Then the support continues as we enJr. High Youth Director courage the youth and their families to come back Christmas Eve morning and volunteer at the breakfast. As the holidays quickly approach, please

As the holidays quickly approach, please consider how you can help our youth make a difference in our local community.

Extravagant

We are about to embark on our annual First Church Stewardship campaign. You will soon be hearing about our exciting campaign which culminates on Sunday, November 22 when we present our annual Estimates of Giving for 2016. We have chosen the theme… “Creating Tomorrow’s Legacy… Today.” In selecting this theme, the Finance Committee discussed the awesome visioning work that was recently communicated and how, in our ministries and actions today, we are creating the First Church of tomorrow.

We have many ministries to be proud of here at First Church. But often we forget that they were each started because someone had a vision to start them supported by gen-

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Radical Hospitality In another setting, Jesus said “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard.” Matthew 11:4 Jesus said “Follow me… and I will make you fishers of men” (Matthew 4:19). How often have we heard those words?

How many of us have become “fishers of men?” Maybe most of us have “fished“ or invited someone to church once or twice, maybe to a special event. But it is not as easy as it sounds.

We all have our church friends, co-workers, neighbors, and family.

But I know my network of friends and associates are mostly churched. We talk about our churches; we can invite them to special events at First Church, but I wouldn’t invite them to worship because they have their own church. I may very well talk about the excitement I feel at First on Sunday mornings.

Generosity

erous gifts of money and time by the congregation.

A few examples… regularly, groups approach the Grand Rapids Public Schools about forming partnerships with local neighborhood schools.

Without hesitation, GRPS sends these people to visit our tutoring center at Martin Luther King, Jr., Leadership Academy as the example of how well such a partnership can work. This ministry was the result of a vision at First Church over 20 years ago for a tutoring ministry at an under-performing school, that has grown into a comprehensive support ministry for the poverty-strapped families in the MLK neighborhood. It all began with a vision and grew with the support of our dollars and time.

It feels awkward to invite the person ringing up our groceries or the person we sit next to waiting for an appointment. Even if we are talking with them it’s hard to direct conversation around to church. It just isn’t going to happen.

In another setting, Jesus said “Go and tell John what you have seen and heard” Matthew 11:4.

Now that is a little easier! You can tell your friends that the “Sons of Serendip” are coming to First and they should think about attending. Or tell about our “Trunk-or-Treating” and say how much fun it’s going to be.

Arrive at church, signed on to Face-

book and “check-in” and saying that you are at waiting for worship to start; then at the end of the service follow up with the one thing that was the most meaningful to you. Who knows how far that will reach! I “checked in” at a high school football game Friday night and got 23 likes and 5 comments.

Recommending is effective when we tell others what we have personally experienced in the life of the church, how our lives have been impacted and changed by God’s grace and what a blessing it is to be part of a caring community of faith. Think about when you have been to a new restaurant and had a good experience. You didn’t invite friends to go with you, but you did talk about the great experience you had. When that friend is going out to dinner the next time, they may very well decide to try the restaurant you spoke highly of. Church is no different… give it a try.

Patsy McGillivray Director of Invitational Ministries

In selecting this theme, the Finance Committee discussed the awesome visioning work that was recently communicated and how, in our ministries and actions today, we are creating the First Church of tomorrow.

Creating Tomorrow's Legacy...

Years ago, a few people had a vision to provide a few hours of work for the local Heartside residents in exchange for a $10 stipend. Over the years, we became known downtown as the “Ten Dollar Church.” Today this ministry, known as the “Work Program,” still continues financed by our generous giving.

Today!

for generous support of the arts.

What legacies are we creating today?

How is your giving today helping to foster how our church will be known to the next generation? What is your vision? How will your 2016 giving impact our future? As we enjoy the rich traditions of First Church let us conMany years ago, church members had sider how our financial support today a vision to create an annual art show creates our legacy will inspire future that is now known as “Celebration generations to do even more in minof the Arts,” and has brought many istry for Jesus Christ. people to our church and has helped create our legacy as a church known Chris Hawkins, Finance Committee

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Compassionate Care Meet Your Congregational Care Assistants!

I am so very excited to introduce our seven Congregational Care Assistants (CCA) to you! Each one has a passion for caring for people as well as unique gifts and experiences which will make our congregational care even stronger.

Bob Jones and his wife Carol have three children and five grandchildren.

Bob is a retired pastor and was our associate pastor from 1978 to 1983 before serving other congregations in Michigan. Bob is currently one of our Stephen Ministers. He enjoys family genealogy and visiting Presidential Museums (all the presidents since Hoover).

Bob shares that he is joining the Congregational Care Team because he enjoys visiting people. He is especially passionate about visiting visitors and those with mental health challenges.

Nel Kastner has three sons and three grandchildren, and was blessed with a wonderful husband for 49 years. She is a retired RN who worked for Spectrum Health in the Emergency/ Trauma Department for 25 years. A member of First Church for over 50 years, she has been a Stephen Minister and has already been visiting members at Porter Hills for 15 years! In addition to engaging with people, Nel enjoys hiking, flower arranging, and being with family. Nel visits our Porter Hills and Covenant Village members.

Dick Mieskowski and his wife Laure have three adult children and three grandkids. Dick works in Human Resources at Spectrum Health. He has attended First Church for 23 years, coming here when Laure came on staff. He has been very involved in the life of the congregation through Family Promise, Youth Group, Worship Support, and Stephen Ministry. Dick loves being a

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grandpa! He also enjoys camping, MSU sports, working out, and time with family and friends. Dick says, “My social work and Human Resource experience have taught me that we need to take care of ourselves in order to care for others. I believe we need a community of faith to support us, to provide growth and nurturing, so we can go out into the world to do what we are called to do. I would consider it both an honor and a blessing if our congregation would allow me to represent them via this ministry when members and friends of FUMC need our care and support.”

Barbara Moser is married to Richard and they have a daughter, Amanda, who is attending MSU. Barb is the Marketing Design Manager at HarperCollins Christian Publishing and is responsible for the design and production of all catalogs, direct mail pieces, email and web marketing. She has been attending First Church since she was 15 years old. She met Richard in our handbell choir in 1986 and the rest is history! She enjoys golfing, bicycling, and traveling. Barb says, “I have been a Respite Care volunteer for Helen DeVos Children’s Hospital for over 6 years, spending time with kids who are battling cancer. I thought with that experience I could help with congregational care. I am excited to get our team going and look forward to being a part of such an important ministry.” Barb will be helping with hospital and homebound visits.

Marlene Terpstra has been married to Dan for 44 years. They have three adult children and three grandchildren. She is a retired RN who worked for Spectrum Health for 42 years. Marlene attended FUMC throughout her childhood until she and Dan moved to Cedar Springs. She returned to First Church about 12 years ago with her daughter, Jen. She enjoys reading, walking, and spending time with her grandchildren.

Marlene says, “I became a part of the Congregational Care Team to continue

to help others as I have done my whole career. I want to be able to give support to those in our congregation as the need arises.” Marlene will primarily be making hospital visits.

Peggy Thompson is married to Dave and they have two daughters, Sarah and Stephanie.

Peggy is a physician and the Associate Dean at the MSU College of Human Medicine. She has been attending First Church for 19 years and in her free time enjoys golfing, reading, and walking. Peggy says she volunteered to be a CCA as she “enjoys building relationships with people and families at church. I think the church is there to be the support structure for its members.” Peggy will be making homebound and hospital visits.

Lois Walker is married to Steve. They have a son, Sean, and two daughters, Jenna and Darcy. Lois has been attending First Church for 26 years and is one of our Stephen Leaders and Stephen Ministers. She is a physical therapist for Spectrum Health. Lois enjoys camping, music, and theatre. She says,“I am joining the team because I am called to one-on-one ministry and helping people through difficult times.” Lois will primarily be making rehab and Clark Retirement Community visits.

I encourage you to hold our new Congregational Care Team in your prayers as they train and begin this ministry.

Peace and joy!

Marj Timmerman, RN Congregational Care

“Will you let me be your servant, let me be as Christ to you?” (Richard Gillard)

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November 1 Daylight Saving Time Ends, Blood Pressure, and Communion 8:00 am Infant and Toddler Nurseries Open 8:15 and 10:45 am Sunday Worship 8:30 am Children’s Chapel (dismissed from worship) 9:15 am Church School for all ages 9:15 am Medicare Class 10:45 am Children & Worship and Shine (dismissed from worship) 11:45 am Cuba Trip Informational meeting 12:00 - 3:00 pm & 5:00 - 7:30 pm 2nd Best Sale Drop Off Day 5:00 pm Senior & Junior High Youth, Kids’ Club, and Disciple I November 2, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry November 3, 7:00 am Work Program 5:30 pm Staff Parish Relations November 4, 6:00 pm Serving from the Heart 6:00 pm Young Adults: Bible Study at J. Gardella’s 7:00 pm Refresh Worship (Taizé) November 5, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal November 6, 12:00 - 6:00 pm 2nd Best Sale November 7, 9:00 am - 2:00 pm 2nd Best Sale November 8, 8:00 am Infant and Toddler Nurseries Open 8:15 and 10:45 am Sunday Worship 8:30 am Children’s Chapel (dismissed from worship) 9:15 am Church School for all ages 9:15 am Medicare Class 10:45 am Children & Worship and Shine (dismissed from worship) 4:00 pm Sons of Serendip Concert/Methodist Connection Celebration November 9, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 5:00 pm Stephen Leaders November 10, 7:00 am Work Program 12:00 pm JFON Advisory Board 5:30 pm Finance November 11, 6:00 pm Serving from the Heart 6:00 pm Young Adults Group November 12, 5:00 pm Trustees 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal November 14, 10:00 am Prayer Bead-Making November 15, 8:00 am Infant and Toddler Nurseries Open 8:15 and 10:45 am Sunday Worship

Mark your calendars 8:30 am Children’s Chapel (dismissed from worship) 9:15 am Adult Forum with Bishop Deborah Kiesey 9:15 am Church School for all ages 10:45 am Children & Worship and Shine (dismissed from worship) 11:45 am First Church Birthday Dinner 5:00 pm Senior & Junior High Youth, Kids’ Club, and Disciple I November 16, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 12:00 pm 60+ Luncheon 6:30 pm Stephen Ministry November 17, 7:00 am Work Program November 18, 9:00 am Caring Connection 5:00 pm Legacy 6:00 pm Serving from the Heart 6:00 pm Young Adults Group 6:30 pm Missions Commission 7:00 pm Refresh Worship (Taizé) November 19, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal November 22, Thanksgiving Ingathering of food for Westminster Pantry 8:00 am Infant and Toddler Nurseries Open 8:15 and 10:45 am Sunday Worship 8:30 am Children’s Chapel (dismissed from worship) 9:15 am A Different Kind of Christmas Fair 9:15 am Church School for all ages 10:45 am Children & Worship and Shine (dismissed from worship) 11:45 am Jr High Casey’s Socks Stuffing 5:00 pm Senior High Youth, Kids’ Club, and Disciple I November 23, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study 2:30 pm Blood Drive 7:00 pm Leadership Council November 24, 7:00 am Work Program 6:00 pm Hanging of the Greens November 25, 2:00 pm Church Building and Offices Close Early November 26 - 27 Thanksgiving Holiday: Church Building and Offices Closed November 29, 8:00 am Infant and Toddler Nurseries Open 8:15 and 10:45 am Sunday Worship 8:30 am Children’s Chapel (dismissed from worship) 9:15 am Church School for all ages 10:45 am Children & Worship and Shine (dismissed from worship) 5:00 pm Disciple I November 30, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study

NON-PROFIT ORG U.S. POSTAGE

Sons of Serendip Concert Sunday, November 8

4:00 pm (doors open at 3:00 pm)

PAID

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

PERMIT #354 GRAND RAPIDS, MI

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

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

Tickets at grfumcsos.eventbrite.com General Admission No Reserved Seating In Celebration of the Congregations of The Methodist Connection

SONS OF SERENDIP

firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

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