logo imagery key what do you see?

eye- The eye holds all of the logo's imagery and summarizes the theme of seeking, while referencing various narratives from the scriptural texts: Adam & Eve's eyes are opened, Jesus rubs mud on the blind man's eyes, Jesus asks Mary, "Who are you looking for?" The circles that create the pupil and iris can also represent: an aerial view of the well, the water basin water- The drop of water references the many times water is mentioned in the texts. Jesus tells Nicodemus he must be born of water and spirit. Moses strikes a rock to find water. At the well, Jesus asks a Samaritan woman for a drink and offers her living water. Jesus meets the blind man at the pool of Siloam. Jesus washes the disciples' feet. The water drop can also reference a tear; Jesus weeps at the mouth of his friend Lazarus' tomb, and Mary weeps at the mouth of Jesus' tomb. vessel- The shape of the vessel can be seen as a cup or a jar poured out. The vessel represents: the jar the woman leaves behind at the well after meeting Jesus, the jar of sour wine offered to Jesus while on the cross, and the communion cup present at our remembrance of Christ's sacrifice. leaf- The leaf represents the foliage present throughout the texts, and further supports the repetition of garden imagery. Adam & Eve create fig leaf coverings in the shadow of the tree of knowledge of good and evil, and upon Jesus' humble entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday, the crowds wave palm branches.

The drop of mud represents the dirt and garden imagery that is found throughout the scriptural texts: the Garden of Eden, the mud that is rubbed in the blind man's eyes, the garden of Gethsemane. It also references when Jesus is mistaken as a gardener at the empty tomb.

© a sanctified art | sanctifiedart.org

Lenten Devotional

The First UMC Lenten Devotional is available to pick up in the Narthex, at the Sunday Hospitality Table, or in the church office. Written by members of the congregation, this year’s edition also features writings from A Sanctified Art for the Sundays in Lent. Sign up online to receive the daily devotional by email (the email version includes the scripture for the day): www.santamonicaumc.org/lent.

Lenten Art Exhibit

Stop by the Fireside Room after worship to view artwork and read statements from artists that are part of a collective called “A Sanctified Art.” Each picture is connected to a Sunday in Lent and the Scripture we will hear in worship. You can also find the images in our Lenten Devotionals for Sundays, reflecting our seeking theme for Lent. The gallery will be open each Sunday during Lent after worship.

Holy Week Schedule

To view the Holy Week schedule (April 2- 9) view the back of the Sentinel, or visit the website: www.santamonicaumc.org/lent

Sunday School is now being held in Room 206. We are so grateful to our Sunday School teachers (Dot Plukas and Sandra Jones) for their ongoing care and commitment to our children and families. Sundays, 10 a.m. Room 206

After Worship Social Time

Join others in the courtyard or in Simkins Hall (depending on the weather) after worship to say “Hello!” and enjoy the coffee and donuts table (all donuts individually wrapped). Stop by the Welcome Table and visit with staff member David Penson if you have any questions.

Easter Flowers

Now is the time to donate toward the purchase of Easter Flowers for Easter Sunday morning worship in celebration of a loved one, an event, a joy, or a remembrance. Order online: www.santamonicaumc.org/ flower-fund, or stop by the Sunday Welcome Table and fill out a form. Flowers are $15. Deadline to order is April 4, 2023.

• Men’s Bible Study Tuesdays, 7 a.m. via Zoom

• Open Space Young Adults Wednesday, March 15 meeting

• Listening Hearts Women’s Group

Meetings: March 1 & 15: Coffee and Connect: 10 a.m. Literati Cafe (12081 Wilshire Blvd, Los Angeles, CA 90025 ) March 8 & 22, 6:30 p.m. via Zoom

• Prayer Quilt Ministry Meets the 3rd Saturday of the month

• The Chancel Choir Meets at 7:40 p.m. on Thursdays

• Nursery Care Sundays, 9:30 - 11 a.m. in Room 204

• Blood Pressure Screenings Third Sunday of the month - March 19

• Sunday School for Kids Sundays, 10 a.m. In-Person in Room 206, for ages 2 and up.

• UMYF Youth Group Meets Sundays, 6 - 8 p.m. in the Youth Lounge

For more information on all of these programs, go to www.santamonicaumc.org/small-groups

March at a Glance

Wed Mar 1 Gospel of Matthew Lenten Bible Study class begins

Sun Mar 5 Holy Communion, Second Sunday in Lent

A Conversation with Missions Council

Wed Mar 8 March Mid-Week Recital

United Women in Faith meeting

Sun Mar 12 St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon

Daylight Saving Time begins (Spring

Forward!)

Wed Mar 15 Open Space Gathering

Sat Mar 18 Walk the Labyrinth in Simkins Hall

Wed Mar 22 United Women in Faith meeting

Sun Mar 26 Ser vice of Lessons and Anthems

Conversation on Spiritual Life at First UMC

For Sunday, March 5, the First UMC Youth will be baking the communion bread during their Youth Group meeting. We give thanks for our youth!

March Online Mid-Week Recital

The March Mid-Week Recital features Cantilena Trio: Susan Greenberg, flute; Jon Lee Keenan, tenor; and Kenton Youngstrom, guitar. Flutist Susan Greenberg enjoys a versatile career as soloist, chamber musician, symphony player, and recording artist. The Los Angeles Times has described her playing as “brilliant,” “elegant” and “supple,” and has lauded her “panache” and “musical projection.” Jon Lee Keenan, tenor, grew up exposed to a wide variety of music ranging from rock-n-roll and bluegrass to classical and jazz in his home town of Las Vegas, NV. Since joining with the Los Angeles Master Chorale in 2007, Jon has appeared as a featured soloist in each season: recent highlights include Magnus Lindberg’s Graffiti with Esa Pekka Solonen the Los Angeles Philharmonic and singing the role of Evangelist in Bach’s St. Matthew Passion. Kenton Youngstrom, guitar is active as a producer, composer, arranger, recording artist and educator. His eclectic career has taken him around the world, appearing in concerts in Europe, the Far East, Canada, Mexico, and throughout the U.S.

How to watch:

• Facebook Live - Search @santamonicaumc

• YouTube Live- Search “Santa Monica UMC”

• Website - www.santamonicaumc.org/livestream

• The App - download the app at the App Store, search FirstUMC_SM

March Mid-Week Recital: Wednesday, March 8, 12:10 p.m. Livestream. Available to watch anytime afterwards on the above platforms.

Open Space Young Adults

Open Space is a young adult ministry that offers community for young adults to journey alongside one another in spiritual discovery, growth, and belonging. They gather once a month in person, and sometimes on Zoom, for conversations on faith and life, engaging in prayer and study. Visit: www.santamonicaumc.org/open-space

Next Gathering: Wednesday, March 15 page 4

St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon is back!

Women of Action, a circle of United Women in Faith (formerly United Methodist Women), in partnership with Fellowship and Events and Children’s Ministry, ALL ARE WELCOME to the 21st Annual St. Patrick’s Day Luncheon on March 12, at 11:15 a.m. in Simkins Hall. The suggested donation of $10 per person includes lunch and a rousing singalong with virtuoso piano accompaniment. Children are welcome and will be provided seasonal crafting materials. Children under 5 will be admitted for free. Tickets will be available on Sunday March 5, and on the day of the event. Don’t forget to wear green!

Sunday, March 12, 11:15 a.m., in Simkins Hall

Walk the First UMC Labyrinth

First UMC is pleased to announce the Labyrinth will be open for walking for the first time since 2019, as a complement to your Lenten practice. The Labyrinth laid in the Simkins Hall floor of First UMC is a replica of the Chartres Labyrinth laid in the cathedral around 1220 CE. Walking the Labyrinth is an ancient spiritual practice, a way to quiet our minds and open our spirits to the presence of the Holy. Every step a prayer.

Saturday, March 18, 10 a.m. - 12 p.m. in Simkins Hall Good Friday, April 7, 9 a.m. – 3 p.m. in Simkins Hall

Service of Lessons & Anthems

This service of Lessons & Anthems is an annual tradition. This is a solemn service, designed to prepare our hearts and minds for Holy Week. In word and music, we will remember the last days of Jesus’ life–his witness, his teaching, his faithfulness.

Sunday, March 26, 10 a.m., online and in-person worship

Vacation Bible Camp - Save the Date!

Mark your calendars for Vacation Bible Camp, happening Monday, July 31 - Friday, August 4, on the First UMC campus. This year’s theme is Hero Hotline: Called Together to Serve God. VBC invites children to answer the call to serve God together. Join the Professor and Super Meer as young Heroes learn to strive for the things that bring peace and the things that build each other up as we are taught in Romans 14:19. More info to come!