September 2019 First Pulse

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F irst Pulse

First United Methodist Church Grand Rapids | grfumc.org

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

September 2019

F irst Pulse

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September 2019

On the cover A

Happy New (Program) Year at First Church.

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Summer Picnic was held Sunday, July 21.

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Lemonade on the Lawn was held following worship

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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 | September ‘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 Dear Friends, As I write this article, I am sitting on the deck overlooking a lovely stream in the woods of northern Michigan. This morning, there was just a hint of fall in the cooler air at dawn. The coolness evaporates by about 10:00 am and it doesn’t return until sunset. However, the weather report for the next ten days moves from the low 80’s to the low 70’s - with temperatures in the low 50’s at night. And so it goes. Even the weather cycles of August begin preparing for fall.

Once we hit mid-August, all of us begin preparing for September. It seems to be a rhythm that we learn from our school years that is ingrained in us that we practice for the rest of our lives. If the calendar was blended with the rhythm that has grown to be most comfortable for us, probably New Year’s Day ought to be September 1st!

For the most part, the church program year has adapted to our cultural rhythm. Our kick-off to the program year is Sunday, September 8. It is a BIG day that you will read about throughout this edition of the First Pulse. The staff has been working for months to plan the fall season; in fact, we have nearly completed the plan from the fall of 2019 through May of 2020. There are exciting plans for worship, Christian Education for all ages, new member exploration classes, special services, music ministry involvement, confirmation classes, youth groups, congregational care involvement, mission and service opportunities, and on and on.

Consequently, this is my “personal invitation” for you to join us for the Pastor’s Forum at 9:15 am on September 8. I will share lots of information about the over-view of where we are, where we are going, and how we plan to get there. The information that I will share will include important programmatic information

for our congregation, as well as developments within United Methodism. Throughout this long journey of unrest within our denomination, I have attempted to be transparent and faithful in dealing with topics that are important to our congregation as we navigate the often turbulent waters of both the Michigan Area and the General Church. It is appearing that 20192020 will be another year of major decision-making for the General Church and how those decisions will affect the local church. On the 8th, we will also spend some time in the Forum on an overview of the fall educational offerings.

We are also making plans to introduce a new worship option that we are hoping to begin in January. The intent of the new worshipping community is to reach out to a more expansive audience than most downtown churches are reaching currently. Our goal is to be a congregation that is multi-cultural, interracial, and overtly welcoming to all persons seeking a relationship with God in community. You will hear more about this emerging prospect as the fall unfolds.

Yet the outgrowth of this effort is we are adjusting to ONE worship service on Sunday morning at 10:45 am. We are putting even more emphasis on a comprehensive Christian Education hour at 9:15 am that will be for all ages and stages in the journey toward spiritual formation. A vital Christian Education program provides the opportunity for learning, sharing, getting to know others in a different setting than worship in the sanctuary, building relationships, and strengthening the spiritual health of the individual as well as the congregation. And, pastors need to be involved in teaching beyond leading worship.

It is a great time to be part of First Church! It is a wonderful time to be part of a vital congregation that is making a positive difference in a vital city. Come and enjoy the journey - and see you in church!

Pastor Bob First Pulse | September ‘19

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Radical H ospitality Three…two…one…

Happy New Year!

You don’t need to wait till January 1 to have a New Year’s Party! You’re invited to join us for First Church’s New Year’s party on September 8! (I can almost guarantee the roads won’t be icy for this party.)

Why are we celebrating the new year on September 8?

Because, it’s the Sunday that brings us together again after a season of travel. It’s the first Sunday of our new 2019/2020 program year. Classes, choirs, and groups restart after a summer break. Energy fills the sanctuary as we move back to the 10:45 am worship time and we reconnect and make new friends. Then, after worship, we’re gathering downstairs for a nutritious meal with a festive feel. It’s a great time to invite visitors into community and get to know people who are new to First Church. Intentionally use this time together to form new relationships. Every Sunday, visitors are walking into First Church looking for a spiritual community that invites them into community. YOU are just the right person to offer welcome!

As the confetti from our New Year’s party settles, consider what resolutions you have for this new year.

How might you use your time, talents, and gifts at First Church this fall? Is this the year to dive into a new volunteer or leadership position? Have you wanted to take a class, but haven’t made the time? Now is the time! Happy New Year!

Sami Marasigan Hospitality & Invitation

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First Pulse | September ‘19

Stories Shared Thank you to all who joined us for the multicultural lunch with La Nueva (a Hispanic UMC)!

Together, we shared stories (in English and in Spanish).

Pastor Laura from La Nueva and Leandro Robles and Lea Tobar from First Church lead the lunch with their stories and then encouraged others to share in the storytelling. Rev. Dick Youlles shared part of La Nueva’s history as a congregation, which included many moves throughout the city.

Many individuals shared stories of immigrating to the US and the hopes they have for their children. Others shared the stories of their parents immigrating here.

One woman shared how she has had three different types of cancer yet has felt the love of God and her church family throughout all the treatments. Two of our First Church students shared their stories in Spanish, while being translated into English.

It was a beautiful and meaningful time of diversity brought into community through storytelling.

PASSIONATE WORSHIP Music and Arts Ministry

“Time” in all its forms is sacred

Eternal God transcending time, yet mindful of the fears, the hopes, the questions raised for us by ever-changing years: so guide us through our pilgrim days that we may find a home where justice, truth, and mercy meet, fulfilled in your shalom. (Carl P. Daw, Jr.)

This past year has seen the observance of several significant anniversaries.

This summer alone, in June, July, and August, we have observed the 50th Anniversaries of the Stonewall Riots, the moon landing, and Woodstock. Although I don’t personally remember these events, it is safe to say that the summer of ‘69 was quite a summer, even by today’s standards. Last November 11, we observed the 100th anniversary of the armistice of World War I. A recent article in the New York Times carried the headline, It’s the Anniversary of Everything! What is this ceaseless looking backward? The article really takes aim at the over-hyping (and commercialization) of these events and asks questions about the role of nostalgia as escapism.

I like anniversaries and marking milestones, and especially observing anniversaries in church. For the church, remembering an important event such as “Stonewall” is a recognition that work for peace and justice is ongoing, and that to look back at a flashpoint in history is to help anchor the work being done in the present day. The moon landing celebrates the mystery of our creation, and how we share God’s “inventive powers.” It also is about perspective: the perspective that we are all one people, living on a single, tiny, floating ball in space. Ironically, the star of space travel is the earth, and not the moon or wherever our explorations may take us.

The church, it seems to me, really knows how to do anniversaries. For the church, an anniversary observance is a re-kindling of the same Spirit that flowed through that original event. It is also an opportunity to recognize sacred aspects of these events for which the media has little language. Also, the church has a different relationship to time than secular society. What happened years ago, happens over and over today. God, through the Holy Spirt, transcends time and place.

Church anniversaries are known by many names, including “memorial,” “commemoration,”

and “remembrance.” The celebration of Holy Communion is the action that forms community among God’s people, and between God and God’s people.

The Institution of Holy Communion takes place in the context of the Passover Meal between Jesus and his disciples. For the Jewish community, the recalling or “remembrance” of God’s acts of salvation, (such as the Exodus), is not merely a psychological exercise of memory, but an actual realization and participation in that original act. “Remembrance” is a connective act between God and God’s people. The Mishna (from the second century), a collection of Jewish laws passed on by oral tradition, holds that the remembrance of the Passover (and other mighty acts of God) is the same as if one participated in the original event. So it is with Holy Communion. We know the presence of God in the breaking of the bread and sharing of the cup just as the disciples did long ago. Consider these lines from The Great Thanksgiving, the eucharistic prayer that is offered whenever we celebrate Holy Communion: And so, in remembrance of these your mighty acts in Jesus Christ, we offer ourselves in praise and thanksgiving as a holy and living sacrifice, in union with Christ’s offering for us, as we proclaim the mystery of faith: Christ has died; Christ is risen; Christ will come again.

Pour out your Holy spirit on us gathered here, and on these gifts of bread and wine. Make them be for us the body and blood of Christ, that we may be for the world the body of Christ, redeemed by his blood.

By your Spirit make us one with Christ, one with each other, and one in ministry to all the world, until Christ comes in final victory and we feast at his heavenly banquet.

So for the church, “Time” in all its forms is sacred.

We remember, we celebrate, we commemorate, we memorialize, we re-enact, and we participate in God’s life… eternal, yet ever new. May we enter this new program year with a renewed sense of purpose and understanding of our shared work in worship and mission.

Eric Strand Director of Music and the Arts First Pulse | September ‘19

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September 2019 Sunday, September 1 Communion Sunday 9:45 am – Summer Nursery Care 10:00 am – Worship 10:15 am – Children’s Ministry: LEGO Bible Adventures 11:00 am – Blood Pressure Clinic 11:00 am – Lemonade on the Lawn Monday, September 2 Church Building & Offices Closed 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study (offsite) Tuesday, September 3 7:00 am – Work Program 5:30 pm – SPRC Meeting 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga Wednesday, September 4 6:45 am – Road Trip: Charlevoix and Petoskey 5:30 pm – Young Adult Group: Calvin College’s Church Fair Thursday, September 5 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal Saturday, September 7 4:00 pm – Wedding

Sunday, September 8 Homecoming Sunday Coffee Can Offering 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 9:15 am – Pastor’s Forum 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, Third Grade Bible Study, and Shine: Sensory Room 11:45 am – Homecoming Meal 2:30 pm – I Light Open Studio 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga Monday, September 9 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 5:00 pm – Board of Trustees 7:00 pm – Leadership Council Tuesday, September 10 7:00 am – Work Program 5:30 pm – Finance Committee 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga

Friday, September 13 9:30 am – Moms’ Group: Morning Playdate at Huff Park Saturday, September 14 9:00 am – Bell Choir Retreat 9:00 am – Moms’ Group: Schwallier’s Orchard 9:30 am – Feeding America Sunday, September 15 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 9:15 am – Ministry Fair 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, Third Grade Bible Study, and Shine: Sensory Room 11:45 am – Ministry Fair 12:00 pm – Unplugged 12:00 pm – Families in Faith Brunch 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga

Wednesday, September 11 11:00 am – Young Adult Group: AQ’s Saintstock 5:30 pm – Young Adult Group Peace Project

Monday, September 16 9:00 am – MLK Tutor Training 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study 12:00 pm – MLK Tutor Training 12:00 pm – 60+ Luncheon 6:30 pm – Stephen Ministry

Thursday, September 12 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

Tuesday, September 17 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – FAN of I Light: Specialized Grief Group

Thanks to all who helped at our summer picnic! Together, we served 200+ people! If you’d like to help with ou email samim@grfumc.org.

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First Pulse | September ‘19

6:00 pm – Mat Yoga 6:30 pm – Missions/Social Concerns Committees Wednesday, September 18 9:00 am – Caring Connection 9:00 am – MLK Tutor Training 12:00 pm – MLK Tutor Training 5:30 pm – Young Adults Group Dinner @ Gita Pita 6:30 pm – Courageous Space Ally Training Thursday, September 19 9:00 am – Fixin’ ‘n’ Fellowship 9:00 am – MLK Tutor Training 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal 5:30 pm – Mom and Me Yoga Sunday, September 22 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 9:15 am – Adult Classes begin: • Jesus is the Question • Listening for Justice • Introduction to First United Methodist Church • Confirmation for Parents 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, Third Grade Bible Study, and Shine: Sensory Room 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga

Monday, September 23 First Week of MLK Tutoring 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study

Saturday, September 28 2:30 pm – Wedding 4:30 pm – Families in Faith Potluck

Tuesday, September 24 7:00 am – Work Program 6:00 pm – Mat Yoga

Sunday, September 29 9:00 am – Infant/Toddler Nurseries 9:15 am – Church School Classes for all ages 10:15 am – Choir Rehearsals 10:45 am – Sunday Worship 11:00 am – Children & Worship, Third Grade Bible Study, and Shine: Sensory Room 5:00 pm – Jr High and Sr High Youth Group 5:30 pm – Gentle Yoga

Wednesday, September 25 5:30 pm – Young Adults Group Dinner @ Gita Pita 6:30 pm – Courageous Space Ally Training Thursday, September 26 6:00 pm – Bell Choir Rehearsal 7:15 pm – Chancel Choir Rehearsal

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Neighborhood Picnic Sunday morning Walk and Worship group

Monday, September 30 11:00 am – Adult Bible Study C D

Monthly running group with Pastor Tim Outdoor Service for Inclusion

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ur New Year’s Kick-Off Party, please D

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Intentional Faith Development September 8 is Homecoming Sunday and the first day back to our program year schedule: 9:15 am Education Hour and 10:45 am Worship.

“Wait a minute. You want me to spend my entire morning at church?” At the risk of growing in your faith, yes, yes we do. A congregation that is hungry to know more and be more like Christ is one that is unstoppable! Think of all the good we can do with an intergenerational congregation that is equipped with Biblical literacy.

Wow!

Infants and toddlers can hear stories and music that introduce them to God’s big, big world and big, big love on Sunday mornings.

The nursery is open from 8:45 am until all kids are picked up after worship.

Those interested in officially joining the church should attend Introduction to First UMC taking place Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 10:15 am, September 22 - October 13.

Check out the website for a fuller description of each of these and many more offerings, and I look forward to seeing you in church!

Kids in 5th and 6th grade will connect with Jesus’ early life through fun games, videos, and friends in September on Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 10:15 am.

Class will meet every Sunday morning throughout the program year.

September 22 - October 13, Rev. Joan VanDessel and Leandro Robles are offering a four-week class called Listening for Justice which uses podcasts as the weekly basis of discussion. This class will meet in the Upper Room Sunday mornings from 9:15 - 10:15 am.

It’s a confirmation year! 7th and 8th graders will dive deeply into their faith as they wrestle with how and why they follow Jesus.

Confirmation class meets every Sunday from 9:15 to 10:15 am in The Vine. They will also visit different houses of worship in

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First Pulse | September ‘19

Grand Rapids, go on retreats, and explore their faith in creative ways.

Ever notice that Jesus asks a LOT of questions in the Gospels?

Explore those questions, and the few answers he gave, with Jesus is the Question on Sunday mornings from 9:15 to 10:15 am, September 22 October 13.

Our preschool through 4th graders will experience the creation story in all new ways this September: through art, music, games, drama, puppet shows, video, silly dance moves, and so on. Drop off and pick up is in room 201 at 9:15 am on Sunday mornings.

I hope this little taste of what has been planned for you has piqued your interest and that you are ready to let your faith grow this year!

Audrey Kawel Director of Faith Development

Risk-Taking Outreach and Mission The Irish poet, John O’Donohue, wrote, “We cannot be fully ourselves without others. In order to be, we need to be with.

There is something incomplete in purely individual presence.

Being together with others completes something in us.”

For me, O’Donohue’s words capture the beauty and strength of the community outreach events that our congregation has participated in this summer.

Two events that stand out in my mind as having particularly exemplified being with one another in community were the Methodist Connection Summer Cookout (July 13) and the First Church Neighborhood Picnic (July 21).

At the Methodist Connection event, folks from all of our Methodist Connection churches (First Community AME, St. Luke AME Zion, Hilliard Chapel AME Zion, and FUMC) gathered for interchurch fellowship. The kids from our churches played with water balloons and used a giant wand to make the largest bubbles I’ve ever seen in my life.

The youth created artwork that depicted messages of anti-racism and God’s love for all people. The adults played bingo, laughed, and told stories. In a culture that seems to be increasingly marked by racial division, violence, and systemic racism toward the Black community, the members of our churches continue to find ways to grow together in our love and commitment to Christ and to one another. We shared a meal and modeled a different way of being in community, coming together as a multi-racial, multi-cultural embodiment of God’s vision for our world. Being together completed something in each of us.

At the First Church Neighborhood Picnic, folks from our Heartside neighborhood joined with our congregation for a lunchtime gathering in our parking lot. We had a large number of people, both volunteers from our church and workers from our Work Program, who together worked to make sure that everyone could sit and have a meal. We all sat together, and everyone was fed. Our communal meal created space for authentic conversation, and for sharing our dreams and visions for the Heartside neighborhood. While we certainly face different types of challenges associated with our varied contexts, there was mutuality, kindness, and a shared recognition that in our Heartside neighborhood we each need one another in order to fully thrive. In order to be, we need to be with.

At First Church we are committed to passionately engaging in social justice and outreach with our neighbors during all seasons, but there is something special about these summer events. It goes beyond the joy of warm weather and delicious grilled meats – to the sacred space of shared conversation, community-building, and a beautiful expression of being in ministry with our neighbors.

Rev. Dr. Joan VanDessel Associate Pastor and Dir. of Outreach and Mission

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EXTRAVAGANT GENEROSITY Resource Development

Finding Their Church H ome H ere!

Many generations of faithful saints have come and gone since the founding of First Church. Our church has endured the test of time, surviving an assortment of calamities through the years. If the walls could talk, we would hear stories of wars, the Depression, societal upheaval, and hardship. But we would also hear stories of great faith, amazing acts of Christian love and compassion, and a tradition of generosity that continues to this day.

Each generation has “made their mark” on the legacy of First Church. Today we are blessed by the generosity of so many people both from the past and in the present. Indeed, we continue to be a strong and vibrant witness for Jesus Christ because of faithful ministry support through the years.

Today at First Church, we are fortunate to have become the church home for a new generation of younger faith travelers. Younger adults, young families, children and youth, and people from many diverse walks of life have found their church home here! Our message is resonating across a wide spectrum of the Grand Rapids community!

First Church is also experiencing the ongoing transition of leadership from one generation to the next. On an ever-increasing basis, the various leadership roles at First Church are now being filled by “the next generation.” What a blessing it is to have these new energetic folks with amazing new ideas stepping into the key roles in the life of the church.

We need to look at our financial support in the same way. We are blessed with some incredible financial support from some of our longer-term members.

The strength of their giving has been a bedrock of

Young Adult Group made dinner during Family Promise Week.

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First Pulse | September ‘19

our ministry for many years. But as must be expected, their giving will begin to wane as time goes by. How will this strong financial support be passed on the next group of faithful First Church disciples?

In last year’s giving campaign, we experienced a broad increase in our giving, up about 2.5% from the previous year! But at the same time, we lost a few very generous gifts due to death or moving into a stage of life that resulted in a decline in giving. In total, we essentially held our own in total year over year giving levels.

How will we respond to this inevitable transition with the dynamics of church giving? Hopefully, we can celebrate the strength of this past giving, and let God lead us to be the next “bedrock” of strong financial support for the ministries of First Church!

As we move into the fall, exciting new program year here at First Church, let us all find ways to engage in ministry together so that our vision for a vital, faithful, and inclusive congregation continues to evolve! And let us also resolve to be the next base of extravagantly generous givers that leads First Church boldly onward!

Chris Hawkins Finance Committee

Music Programs for All Ages!

Join a music groups at First Church • Children’s Choir (Grades K – 4) — Rehearses Sundays, September 8 - May 24 from 10:15 10:40 am in Room 304.

• Youth Choir (Grades 5 – 12) — Rehearses Sundays, September 8 - May 24 from 10:15 10:40 am in The Vine.

• Chancel Choir — Rehearses Thursdays, September 5 - May 21 from 7:15 - 9:00 pm in the Choir Room The ability to read music is helpful.

• Jubilation Ringers Handbell Ensemble — Rehearses Thursdays, September 5 - May 7 from 6:00 - 7:00 pm //This group (intermediate to advanced handbell ensemble) participates in worship once a month and during major concerts.

Congregational Care On Saturday, August 3rd two shootings occurred in Dayton, Ohio, and El Paso, Texas. Countless lives changed in a matter of seconds. In addition, two homicides occurred in Grand Rapids from Saturday (July 27) to Saturday (August 3). Our senses are overstimulated with the coverage from social media, new reports, and printed articles. Politicians are at odds in their responses, and at the same time, individuals, families, and communities look for ways to react and respond to how to cope and make sense of what has happened. Where can we find answers?

What is the good first step to address a recurring issue in communities across the country? Unfortunately, one to one thousand answers would not resolve why a life was removed from the world. No answer would suffice.

One thousand five hundred seventy-seven miles separate Dayton, Ohio and El Paso, Texas. There are distinctions and differences about each place and yet there are commonalities that each community shares. Common threads that each community faces and now violence against neighbor is another shared commonality. How does a community address human concerns from hatred to homelessness and escalating rent to racism? Once again there is no right answer for a way forward in addressing communities challenges. At times, it is through people coming together to talk and find common ground in the face of unthinkable tragedies and hurt. While action and response is important, it is important to first take care of yourself. Solving a community issue takes time, effort, and tenacity. A first step is to acknowledge your own sense of loss, anger, sadness, and hurt.

In the pursuit for answers and justice, care of the self and soul is vitally important. “Be still and know that I am God (Psalm 41:10).” At times, reaction is not the best response. The constant saturation of solutions and finger-pointing does not help our struggle for meaning-making. As the Psalmist points out, it is necessary to stop and be still. Through taking a breath and break from the chatter, there is a place for peace. Prayer provides a place to share with God your heart’s desires as well as put voice to what you are experiencing. Don’t hold everything inside or pretend nothing has happened. Find a friend to talk with and support one another. Self care is the first step as we move toward being vigilant in our pursuit for peaceful ways to resolve conflict in our communities

and world. Let our prayer be for our community as well Dayton and El Paso.

Rev. Tim Tuthill Associate Pastor and Director of Congregational Care

Care and Be Cared for at First Church Caring Connection is a group of caring members who send cards to our hospitalized and homebound members. Monthly meetings take place at New Beginnings for breakfast and fellowship.

Friends in Faith visit members at home when an extra level of connection to First Church is desired by an individual. Visits may include discussing the latest happenings at First Church and offering spiritual support through prayer and conversation.

Funeral and Memorial Service care givers provide a hand or a shoulder to guests and family in honoring the life of a loved one; greeting, ushering, and more.

Learn more about this important ministry.

Meal Ministry: Our coordinated meal ministry delivers meals to First Church members who are ill, recovering from illness, or have welcomed a new baby.

Prayer Team offers confidential prayer for you and those you care for! Join this dedicated group or take your concern to them by placing a prayer card in the offering plate or making a request on the First Church website.

Stephen Ministry is comprised of a group of trained lay caregivers, equipped to provide highquality, confidential, Christ-centered care to people who are hurting. Call to discuss your need for support or learn how to become trained as a Stephen Minister today!

Visit the Ministry Fair on Sunday, September 15 for more inspiration and opportunity!

Contact the congregational care ministry by email at care@grfumc.org or call/text 616.551.9944.

First Pulse | September ‘19

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(PR O

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Join us for the Fall Kick-Off on

Sunday, September 8!

10:45

Join us for 9:15 am Christian Education, am Worship, and Fall Kick-Off Meal on September 8!

Sundays at First Church 9:15 am – Education for All Ages Child Care (infants – 3-year olds) Children/Youth Classes (preschool – grade 12) Adults: schedule at grfumc.org/adults Pastors Forum: September 8 Ministry Fair: September 15 Classes begin September 22

Additional Sunday Activities Unplugged (grades 3 - 6): 3rd Sunday at noon Families in Faith: Bi-monthly on Sunday afternoons Youth Groups (grades 7 - 12): Sundays at 5:00 pm Free Gentle Yoga: Sundays at 5:30 pm Adult Classes: schedule at grfumc.org/adults

10:15 am – Music Children’s Choir (grades K-4) Youth Choir (grades 5-12) Chancel Choir

Special Events and Activities

10:45 am – Worship Child care for infants – 3-year olds Children & Worship (preschool – 2nd grade) Third Grade Bible Class Shine Sensory Room: Children and Youth with Special Needs

Have you thought about stopping in?

September is the time to try something

• Courageous Space Ally Training: Wednesdays, September 18 and 25 from 6:30 - 8:00 pm in Room 303 //This is an opportunity for allies to develop an understanding of the unique challenges LGBT+ people often face and develop an action plan to create more inclusive environments.

• Free Mat Yoga: Tuesdays at 6:00 pm • Moms’ Group: schedule at grfumc.org/momsatfirst • Young Adults Group (ages 18-30): Wednesday Evenings

Visit us online at grfumc.org/

homecoming or like us at facebook.com/ grandrapidsfumc.