October 2014 First Pulse Newsletter

October 2014 Edition

www.grandrapidsfumc.org

So... What is it about First Church that makes people want to be part of our Worship... Faith Development...

Outreach... Hospitality... Generosity... or Care?

The church year is off and running.

We had a wonderful Homecoming Sunday on September 7 with great energy and participation. It has been a challenge for many months to get to 227 E Fulton St because of all the road construction. But these first two Sundays in September, over 400 people wanted to be at First Church... or they might not have been persistent to find a way through the maze to be with us. Members, constituents, and guests figured out a place to park, walked from the parking place to the church, and made their way to the sanctuary... even when it wasn’t easy.

The road work continues throughout Grand Rapids - particularly on East Fulton between Lafayette and Lake Drive... but people are finding a way to be with us. Thank you.

So... What is it about First Church that makes people want to be part of our Worship... Faith Development...

Outreach... Hospitality... Generosity... or Care?

As you read this edition, I believe that you will understand why people want to be part of our congregation. We are engaged in extraordinary ministry that benefits children, youth, young adults, adults, and older adults. Our

inside

Intentional Faith Development

4

Worship is engaging and eclectic.

There are learning opportunities for all ages and stages. People are invited and encouraged to invest in ministry by giving their time, talents, or resources. We are a congregation that is genuinely welcoming to all people. We are also a congregation that is amazingly generous as we band together in our giving to make ministry happen. And - our circle of care touches many lives through prayer, visitation, sending cards of encouragement, phoning to check on friends, listening to one another, or via pastoral counseling. It is those topics of our congregational life that are the focus of our monthly newletter each month.

There are four things that I want to highlight as we move in to October!

is always a red-letter event of the Christian year. Plan to be with us.

3) October 5 is also the kick-off date for Adult Education classes. Our classes have been planned with the needs of our congregation in mind. Disciple Bible Study...

Leadership Development... a class on Wesleyan theology and history... and a class on Decision-Making... are offered as an important way for our people to grow spiritually and practically. PLEASE make an effort to participate. Each class needs more students to sign up and participate to make the experience worthwhile. Growing to be disciples of Jesus ought not be optional for the committed Christian.

We need one another to function as a catalyst for growth. Being a participant in classes is a great way for spiritual growth to occur. Sign up today at www.grandrapidsfumc. org/sign-up-sheet!

4) Membership Exploration Class is also happening in the later part of October. If you have an interest in learning more about the United Methodist Church, the history and ministry of First Church, and to consider being a member, then consider attending. Contact the church office if you have interest in membership.

Thanks for reading... and thanks in advance for responding. Invite a friend to join us in our journey because First Church IS a place where people want to be.

1) Please read about and get involved in the “Lot Party” - which is one way that First Church participates in the city’s ArtPrize. You will also read about how we are a venue for artists in ArtPrize, too!

2) October 5 is World Wide Communion Sunday. This

Passionate Worship

Radical Hospitaliy

Pastor’s Message

Compassionate Care

Extravagant Generosity 6

5

3

1 Risk-taking Mission and Service

Grace and Peace to you.

Pastor Bob Senior Pastor

2

2

Compassionate Care

Compassionate Care and Renewal As most of you know, I was able to take a 5-week renewal leave this summer and would like to share briefly with you some of what I experienced!

I spent the first week at Lake Junaluska, North Carolina at SoulFeast, a spiritual formation and retreat event put on by Upper Room Ministries. Set in the beautiful Smoky Mountains, I worshipped and studied primarily with others who work for churches and find it difficult at times to nurture their own souls while caring for others.

After experiencing SoulFeast, I returned home energized and upbeat. However, that was short-lived as I found it very hard being back in Grand Rapids and adjusting to not having a daily schedule. I had goals I had set with our pastors and I started working on those, but it was so difficult to disconnect from caring for our congregation. I remember praying, “Dear God, help me to relax, renew, and to listen for you. I feel like a failure today.” My life was now going at such a slow pace that I felt almost purposeless. But as the days went on, I was able to spend time with my husband doing things we haven’t done in years. I ate healthier,

2

“A time to work and a time to renew.” For me, renewal was work, and yet work can also be renewing. exercised more, slept well, worked in our garden, reconnected with friends outside of church with whom I had let friendships lapse, and read a lot.

One of the books I read, Not A Fan, has changed the way I look at what it means to be a Christian. I worshipped at 5 different churches but prayed for all of you each day. I spent quiet time in solitude and prayer at our family cottage. I reflected on my 11 years as your Parish Nurse and set some professional and personal goals for this next year, including how to make our Pastoral Care and Health Ministries the best they can be. And I stopped carrying my phone with me everywhere I went, which is a huge thing for me!

As I write this, I have been back to work for 3 weeks and I admit my phone is back at my side. Fall programming has begun and I’m busy catching up on pastoral care visits and writing agendas. However, I am continuing to eat healthier, exercise daily, and to set aside time to do new things with my husband as well as quiet time with God.

The leaves are starting to change just as I can feel a change in myself.

I think of the verses in Ecclesiastes which say there is a time for every purpose under Heaven. I have added “A time to work and a time to renew.”

For me, renewal was work, and yet work can also be renewing. I thank God for blessing me with both. I thank all of you for honoring my time away and for taking compassionate care of me!

Peace and joy, Marj Timmerman RN

Extravagant At First Church, we have a rich tradition of actively supporting many local outreach activities.

Whether by our personal involvement of time, or our generous financial gifts, over 30 local charitable organizations receive support from First Church every year.

In 2014, this tradition, enabled exclusively by our regular giving, is indeed being continued. Through August, our total church revenue is right on plan. We are very fortunate in that when we “pledge” to give, we are nearly 100% in actually fulfilling those pledges.

That is a very high fulfillment rate compared to most non-profits. I believe this is a testament to our

Radical Hospitality People come to First Church from many different places, looking for many different things. What many find is an open and welcoming congregation with a passion for hospitality. Here is one such story.

We joined FUMC in July 2012 after a period of church shopping in the Grand Rapids area. What stood out about First compared to the other churches, is that people other than just the pastors welcomed us and invited us back. On our first visit, we sat next to a very nice couple who noticed that we were new (thank you, Blue Friendship Pads), and they talked to us after the service. They told us about activities that young couples could be involved in and about several service opportunities - and they told us that they hoped to see us again! This didn’t happen at the other churches we visited. At the other churches only the pastor no-

ticed we were new or the congregation members told us that the “young” people attend the contemporary service.

Now that the door was opened, we could see the other ways in which our church is incredibly inviting to all.

The way that strikes us the most is how we welcome friends and strangers into our homes. When we signed up for our first season of Dinner for Eight, we knew a handful of people, but we were welcomed as friends when we walked into members’ homes and sat at their tables to share a meal. We have done Lenten Studies on cold winter nights in front of someone’s fireplace. We have also welcomed new friends to our house for a night of Rummikub excitement.

Sharing a moment with someone in one Sharing a moment of the places you hold most sacred is so with someone in personal, and that’s radical hospitality. one of the places you hold most

Generosity

Hospitality centered around the “home” continues into our congregation’s ministries.

Several times a year we offer our church home to be the week-long home of families who are experiencing a housing crisis when we host Family Promise. We share a meal, we play with their children, and we offer a place of peace and rest. And that’s totally radical.

-Karl and Angela Norton

Can you relate to Karl and Angela’s story?

How might you play a part in welcoming new people into our midst?

Remember extending hospitality to strangers is one of the marks of the true Christian! (Romans 12:13) had nothing to fear. Can we also be fearless in our giving?

faith-filled congregation, and our understanding of what it means to be good stewards with the bounty that God has bestowed upon us.

Of course, we want this tradition of generous ministry to continue into 2015 and the years to come.

Our 2014 church budget includes a deficit. When it was created last fall, we determined we would attempt to secure the needed remaining revenues during the year rather than cut ministries. Fortunately, this year we are able to supplement our ministry funds with Legacy/Memorial funds that have been designated by donors for this purpose. In 2015, we may not have that ability.

sacred is so personal, and that’s radical hospitality.

We are fortunate as a congregation to be in ministry in so many impactful ways. So many people count on us! As our annual giving campaign approaches, let us all listen carefully to Pastor Bob and Pastor Tish as they remind us of the awesome

Let us be inspired by the poor widow who gave her only two coins to God because she knew that with God she had nothing to fear. Can we also be fearless in our giving?

Our goal for 2015 is to challenge ourselves to indeed be Extravagantly Generous in our giving. Let us be inspired by the poor widow who gave her only two coins to God because she knew that with God she

example we have in Jesus Christ. Let us know Jesus so that His example leads us to be Extravagantly Generous in 2015.

Chris Hawkins, Finance Committee

3

Intentional Faith Development Faith Development in Faith Travelers Do your children sometimes struggle to make the best decision? Could they benefit from having time to think about their faith?

Faith Travelers is a truly unique experience for children and for adults who teach and shepherd. As a teacher of Faith Travelers last year, I saw children become inspired by Jesus’ teachings and heard stories of how the love of God was extended to others during the week. Specifically, I remember a Sunday on which an excited second grader shared a positive experience she had had that week: she befriended the new kid in class, even though her friends told her not to.

“It wouldn’t be cool.” She said that she knew it was the right thing to do because it was what Jesus would have done.

As a teacher, hearing a story like this made my heart melt; not only did

4

she put into practice what we had learned in Faith Travelers, but she challenged herself to act out of love when she could have taken an easier path and ignored the new girl.

In the Faith Travelers years, I saw children become inspired by Jesus’ we add layers on teachings and heard stories of how the love to what children of God was extended to others during the have already week. discovered about God’s love while in Children and Worship (our preschool-age program at FUMC). We focus in on foundational Bible stories, analyze how the words can help us as we grow and develop as people of Christ, and share real-world examples of the effect we can have on the world with something as simple as a kind word and a smile. The effort and the careful thought that the kids of our congregation put into dework that these young people do. veloping their faith motivates me to constantly challenge and “By participating in the Faith Traveldevelop my own faith. ers Mission in Action, I learned no matter who you are that you are able In fifth and sixth grade, Faith Travelers take on the responsi- to help others and God gives us the opportunity to help. Even doing bility of applying little things like going to church and what they know treating people with kindness shows about God’s love others that being a Christian is a good to helping others thing.” - Sydney Judnich, 6th Grader globally, nationally, and locally.

You may recall the If your kindergartener through sixth impressive Imagine grader has yet to experience faith development through Faith Travelers, No Malaria video I hope that you will encourage him that the fifth and or her to learn and grow with us on sixth graders put Sunday mornings at 9:15 am. together at the end of last year; Blessings, this is just one Audrey Kawel example of the Director of Children’s Ministry inspiring missions

Passionate Worship Traditional vs. Contemporary These two words often sum up the typical conversation about music in the church. Amazingly, these words do very little to adequately describe the music, and often raise more questions than they answer. Whose tradition? Tradition at what point in time? Contemporary to whom? To what population? Also, these words do little to express the worship experience that is found in churches that use one of these words to describe their “style” of worship.

An article that I recently read in The Christian Century entitled “New Harmonies” discusses the music and identity at four different congregations. All of these congregations have fashioned a particular musical niche that defies the easy categories of traditional and contemporary.

“If Jesus wasn’t a physical being, then form and sound and taste and sight wouldn’t matter as much for worship; we could just meditate or something. The incarnation suggests that God cares deeply about beauty,” says James Falzone, music director at Grace Chicago, a church that has fashioned a progressive jazz idiom for its worship.

Taking a look at the identity of our congregation, we find a variety of musical styles represented by practicing and often, professional musicians within our congregation. We have members of this congregation who regularly perform in a variety of idioms: jazz, classical, ancient, folk, ethnic (Celtic, early American, African), pop, and rock music. Perhaps we also could fashion a new and eclectic musical style that reflects this congregational diversity.

If we could get past these descriptions, we just might discover a vast diversity of music that is appropriate and worshipful in the service of the church. There is already a diversity to be found throughout out hymnals and supplemental materials: newly written texts and tunes, chants, hymns, spirituals, and folk songs.

Music that is both “ancient” and “future” is possible, given the excellent resources that we have in this congregation.

Of course, regardless of the musical style and issues around worship, a critical factor in all of this is congregational participation: facilitating and encouraging the worship and prayer life of those gathered. Let’s encourage each other to bring our heart, voice, spirit, and talents to worship in this place, so that it can truly represent this community of faith and love in downtown Grand Rapids.

Eric Strand Director of Music and the Arts

New Adult Education Opportunities

Sign up online at www.grandrapidsfumc.org/adults 6 Decisions That Will Change Disciple 1: 1st Session: Your Life: Sundays, October Sundays, October 5 – November 9 at 5-6:30 pm with 12 – November 9, 9:30-10:30 am with Laure Mieskowski.

Pigeon Hundley.

Developing Christian Leaders: Sundays, October 5 – November 9, 5-6:30 pm with Dr. Bob Hundley.

The Wesleyan Way: Wednesdays, October 8 – November 19, 6-7:30 pm with Dr. Bob Hundley.

5

Risk-Taking Mission and Service

Risk-Taking Mission: Meeting Blessed People...

Have you ever wondered about certain people who are different? People who look different, act different, talk different, and have different values?

The wonderful experience of risk-taking mission and service through the outreach ministries of First Church has taught me that the more we explore and involve ourselves in the lives of others, the more we learn how much we are all connected.

The friendships that have formed through serving the participants in our work program have led to greater spiritual strength and understanding of the sacred common ties that bind us together as one people.

When individuals are allowed to become valuable and contributing parts of the ministry, they take ownership and pride in the program.

Randy, a work program participant in his early thirties, is the self-appointed

6

goodwill ambassador of the work program. Randy arrives each Tuesday morning by 6:30 am to make sure everything is in its proper place and ready for the day. One of Randy’s priorities is to identify strangers to the program.

He cheerfully introduces himself and gives them a complete orientation, helps them get a cup of coffee, and makes them feel welcome. Randy is part of the Heartside community and takes pride in his involvement in the work program. He brightens everyone’s morning!

Another blessed member of our work program ministry is Isaac who was being controlled by his addiction to drugs and alcohol. His life nearly ended a few years ago when he collapsed on the sidewalk from heart failure. He was revived by CPR and the grace of God. He made the decision to transform his life and become an advocate for positive change in others. Isaac spends his days working at convincing friends on the street that they too can change and be redeemed. Isaac enjoys helping on Tuesday mornings and is a faithful participant in the work program.

Participation in the work program not only provides a service to the social service agencies within Heartside and an opportunity for our friends to work and earn some honest money, but it also inspires them to go beyond

the required tasks and strive to be assets to their community.

The supervisor at one of the jobsites said that he has seen volunteerism increase substantially in people who participate in our program. They realize the good that they are doing for themselves and others and want to do more.

There is a celebration of diversity early Tuesday mornings at First Place and everyone is welcome to come and join in the festivities. Lively conversations about life and the human condition can open our eyes and hearts and provide an opportunity to make a positive change in someone else’s life, as well as our own. People who volunteer on Tuesday mornings find a new joy in serving that fills their hearts with compassion for others.

You could be the answer to someone else’s prayer.

Richard Johnson, Director of The Work Program

For information about volunteering, please contact Richard at 451-2879 ext.125 or RichardJ@grandrapidsfumc.org.

7

October 1, 6:00 pm “Disciple 2” October 1, 7:00 pm Taizé Sung Prayer Service October 2, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers Rehearsal October 2, 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal October 4 - 5 ArtPrize: LotParty October 5 World Wide Communion Sunday and Blood Pressure Sunday October 5, 8:30 am First Singers Rehearsal October 5, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “Jesus is … Mystery” October 5, 9:15 am Children & Youth Church School October 5, 9:30 am (start date changed to October 12) “6 Decisions That Will Change Your Life” October 5, 4:00 pm Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Group - Jazz Concert October 5, 5:00 pm “Developing Christian Leaders” October 5, 5:00 pm “Disciple 1” October 6 First Week of MLK Tutoring October 6, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study October 8, 6:00 pm Young Adult: ArtPrizing October 8, 5:00 pm “The Wesleyan Way: A Faith That Matters“ October 8, 6:00 pm “Disciple 2” October 9, 9:00 am Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship October 9, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers Rehearsal October 9, 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal October 10, 6:00 pm Moms’ Group Hayride October 12, 6:30 am Senior High Youth: Cedar Point October 12, 8:30 am First Singers Rehearsal October 12, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “Jesus is … Miracle” October 12, 9:15 am Children & Youth Church School (no Senior High) October 12 9:30 am “6 Decisions That Will Change Your Life” October 12, 12:15 pm Second Sunday Lunch Bunch October 12, 5:00 pm “Developing Christian Leaders” October 12, 5:00 pm “Disciple 1” October 12, 5:00 pm Junior High, and Kids’ Club (no Senior High) October 13, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study October 15, 9:00 am Caring Connection October 15, 5:00 pm “The Wesleyan Way: A Faith That Matters“ October 15, 6:00 pm “Disciple 2”

Mark your calendars October 16, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers Rehearsal October 16, 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal October 18, 8:30 am Feeding America at Cesar Chavez Elementary October 18, 9:00 am Young Adults: Well House Ramp Building October 19, 8:30 am First Singers Rehearsal October 19, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “Jesus is … Redeemer” October 19, 9:15 am Children & Youth Church School October 19, 9:30 am “6 Decisions That Will Change Your Life” October 19, 12:15 pm Second Sunday Lunch Bunch October 19, 4:00 pm Evening Worship in The Vine October 19, 5:00 pm “Developing Christian Leaders” October 19, 5:00 pm “Disciple 1” October 19, 5:00 pm Senior High, Junior High, and Kids’ Club October 20, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study October 20, 12:00 pm 60+ Luncheon October 22, 7:15 am Chicago Road Trip October 22, 5:00 pm “The Wesleyan Way: A Faith That Matters“ October 22, 6:00 pm “Disciple 2” October 23, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers Rehearsal October 23, 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal October 24, 6:00 pm Junior High Overnight October 25, 9:00 am - 1:00 pm Women of First: Shelly Beach Event October 26, 8:30 am First Singers Rehearsal October 26, 9:15 and 11:00 am Worship: “Jesus is … Healer” October 26, 9:15 am Children & Youth Church School October 26, 9:30 am “6 Decisions That Will Change Your Life” October 26, 5:00 pm “Developing Christian Leaders” October 26, 5:00 pm “Disciple 1” October 26, 5:00 pm Senior High and Kids’ Club (no Junior High) October 27, 11:00 am Retiree Bible Study October 27, 6:15 pm Legacy Event: Charles Honey October 29, 5:00 pm “The Wesleyan Way: A Faith That Matters“ October 29, 6:00 pm “Disciple 2” October 30, 6:00 pm Jubilation Ringers Rehearsal October 30, 7:15 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal

ArtPrize Lot Party

Non-Profit Organization U.S. Postage

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

PAID

Permit #354 Grand Rapids, MI

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

Saturday, October 4

11am–4pm Urban Playground |

Free games and activities for all ages

Creation Stations |

Free art projects for all ages

Coffee Lounge |

Relaxation station, free coffee, & snacks

1–3pm ArtPrize Project |

with ArtPrize artists

Sunday, October 5

11am–2pm Urban Playground |

Free games and activities for all ages

Creation Stations |

Free art projects for all ages

Coffee Lounge |

Relaxation station, free coffee, & snacks

11am Worship & Communion |

227 Fulton St E

11:45am Community Communion |

Under the tent. Open to all!

12:15pm Picnic |

Lunch Available for purchase

12:20pm ArtPrize Talent Show |

Open to all Ages! Prizes! Walk-ups welcome!

4pm Cooper, Hay, Van Lente Jazz |

Concert at 227 Fulton St E, in the sanctuary

firstchurch@grandrapidsfumc.org

You’re Invited!

Free events under the tent! www.grandrapidsfumc.org/artprize

facebook.com/grandrapidsfumc

twitter.com/FUMC_GR