May 4 - 17, 2008
Cover Story

YOUTH SUNDAY 2008 - A GREAT DAY
photos by Allan Walker, Noel Eaton & Sarah Huntting (click on photos for larger images)

 

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PRESCHOOL SPRING FAIR
Saturday, May 3, 11 am - 2 pm
Come support our Preschool! The Beach Luau will be held in the courtyard complete with pony rides, a petting zoo, a dunk tank, a live animal show, games, activities and fun for everyone!

UMW AWARDS LUNCHEON
Sunday, May 4 @ 12 noon
Everyone is invited to the annual UMW Awards Luncheon in Simkins Hall to recognize our outstanding graduating high school seniors. The seniors will talk a little about their future plans as you enjoy lunch together. Bring along your own alumni memorabilia to share! The suggested donation is $6 per person. Please RSVP to the church office, if possible.

CHOIR RECOGNITION SUNDAY/ONE SERVICE AT 10 AM
Sunday, May 18 @ 10 am
We will return to one worship service at 10:00 am on Sunday, May 18. This will be our Sunday morning worship time throughout the summer. May 18 will also be a Family Sunday, meaning that all children remain in worship with their families (nursery care will be provided for infants and toddlers). It will also be Choir Recognition Sunday with beautiful music by all our choirs! After the service will be our annual All-Church Cookout with lunch provided by the bridge. It will be a fun day for everyone. Be sure to join us!

CALLING ALL SURFERS
Sign up for Vacation Bible School!
VBS will take place August 4 - 8, 8:30 am - 12:30 pm. We are teaming up with Westwood UMC for this year’s event entitled “Beach Party! Surfin’ Through the Scriptures.” VBS is open to all children preK - 5th grade AND there are opportunities for youth and adults to participate as well! Brochures are available in the church office. Register early as space is limited!

camp C. A. S. T.
Registration Forms In Church Office
Camp C. A. S. T. is a summer program of FUMC’s Children’s After School Theater. The program for children K - 5th grade will be held from June 23 - August 2, 8 am to 5 pm. There is very limited enrollment. Please register early!

LAST MID-WEEK RECITAL OF THE SEASON - MAY 14
Don’t miss Peter Fennema on the organ on May 14 at 12:10 pm in the sanctuary. This will be our Last Mid-Week Recital until the Fall. Peter is organist at Westwood UMC where he presides over one of the largest organs on the West Coast. As a student of Cherry Rhodes and Ladd Thomas he received his Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in organ performance from USC. He was twice named Outstanding Graduate by the faculty there. He is the recipient of numerous organ playing awards and has held positions at several churches, including All Saints Episcopal in Pasadena, Pasadena Presbyterian Church, St. James Episcopal in South Pasadena, and St. Matthias Episcopal in Whittier. A reception will follow in the Fireside Room. All are invited.

L. A. GALAXY'S FAITH & FAMILY NIGHT
Like soccer? We’ve done baseball. We’ve done basketball. Now, for the first time ever, it’s time to join as a United Methodist family and watch some soccer by the L. A. Galaxy! Our local MLS Soccer team is hosting “Faith and Family Night” on June 7 at 7:30 pm at the Home Depot Center in Carson. The Galaxy will be playing the Colorado Rapids. With the winning combo of Beckham and Donovan, we are sure to see some very exciting soccer! Tickets are $28. If you would like to be part of the group going from FUMC, please send your check made out to “Cal-Pac Conference” for the full amount covering the number of tickets you want BY MAY 14! Please contact Nikki Edwards (njedwards@usagb.net) for more information.

MAY 17 IS GAME DAY!
The United Methodist Women will hold their annual Game Day on Saturday, May 17, at 1:00 pm. They would like to invite all church members who are interested in playing Bridge, Mah-Jong and Scrabble (or other games) to sign up with Joy Williams, (310) 476-9480, by May 3.
This is a fundraiser for missions. Refreshments (pie, tea & coffee) will be served. Door prizes will be drawn. $10 per person will be asked at the door.Why not plan to spend a lovely afternoon with friends and help UMW with their mission objectives! All are invited.

UNITED METHODIST FAMILY DODGER NIGHT
Mark your calendars now! The United Methodist Family Night at Dodger Stadium will be Friday, July 11, at 7:40 pm. The Los Angeles Dodgers will be playing the Florida Marlins. We have a new location for seats this year which will be located in the infield Reserve Level. Tickets are $17 ($28 value). More information coming soon!

MORE EASY WAYS TO SUPPORT FUMC
We’re happy to announce that FUMC has joined eScrip! Now, when you shop at eScrip merchants, the church gets a percentage of your purchase.
Participating merchants include Vons, Macys, Pep Boys, Bristol Farms,
OfficeMax and more. It’s simple to register:
-Log onto www.escrip.com
- Click on “sign up” and enter our group name (First UMC) or group ID number (166442608).
- Register your grocery club and your debit/credit cards (optional).
- Then start shopping!
If you have any questions or need help signing up, please contact Emily in the church office.

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... and proud of it!

How proud are we of our youth when they lead us in worship? They inspire us as they go forward in mission. They inspire us to do as they have done in helping others in need.

How proud are we of our United Methodist Women as they continue to raise funds for services and programs of the church and the conference?

How proud are we of our music program that begins at age three and continues to inspire us and lift our spirits to new heights? A music program that brings the community together by either participation or by reveling in the beauty of the chorus and orchestra.

How proud are we that our pastors are called upon to serve the national and world conference as advisors and speakers (expenses paid by the conference) to inspire others as they have inspired us?

How proud are we that we are financially stable because everyone does their part as good stewards of the church? We are able to update our facilities because of the generosity of a congregation who believes this church should be the center of the community.

How proud are we of our prayer quilt ministry that seeks to send prayers by way of a beautiful creation that carries with it the cares, concerns and prayers of our community of faith?

How proud are we that we have a staff of pastors, support services directors and administrative personnel that, no matter what the need may be, can answer the call 24 hours a day, seven days a week?

How proud are we that we have such a diverse congregation who answers the call to serve on committees and councils to plan events, projects and service and gives our church direction?

How proud are we of our support for local, national and global missions? They represent us as they help those in need both physically and spiritually.

How proud are we of those that came before us who showed us the way, of those who continue to “Be The Hope” and our young adults who have their hand out and are ready and anxious to carry the torch toward the future?

How proud are we...?

Proud? Yes.

Blessed? Most certainly.

Most of all? Humbled by His grace.

Amen!

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CONDOLENCES
We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of our dear member Libbie Ranslem who died on Thursday, April 24. A Memorial Service is being held for her on Saturday, May 3 at 3 pm in the Sanctuary with a reception following in the Fireside Room. Gifts in Libbie’s memory may be sent to Osteogenesis Imperfecta Foundation Research Fund, PO Box 630342, Baltimore, MD 21263-0342 or to Shriners Hospital.

NATIONAL DAY OF PRAYER
Our own Rev. Brad Beeman was one of fourteen speakers/prayers at the 57th Annual National Day of Prayer Breakfast and Service sponsored by the City of Santa Monica on May 1, at the Santa Monica City Hall. The theme for this year was “The Lord is my strength and shield, I trust in him and I am helped” from Psalm 28:7.

BAPTISMS
We were pleased to welcome Gia Marlo Cutler into the family of faith at her baptism on Sunday, April 20. She is pictured here with her parents Martin & Helen Cutler.

NOTHING BUT NETS THANKS YOU
What a blessing you are to the vital work of the church’s mission. Your generosity and personal response to the Nothing but Nets campaign has and continues to make life sustaining changes in the lives of our global neighbors, especially in the lives of children and women on the continent of Africa. Thank you! As you celebrate the inroads made toward the elimination of malaria, please keep those in prayer whose lives are being saved. The current and continued growth of the Nothing but Nets campaign is a testament to what can be accomplished when efforts are combined to make a difference in the lives of others. Blessings, Lynda R. Byrd
(FUMC contributed to Nothing but Nets through our Alternative Christmas project in December.)

SHARING OUR TALENTS
Our member Bill Buxton has again submitted another devotional reflection that was chosen and will be published in the April 2009 edition of The Upper Room. We are very proud of Bill and grateful for his devotional writing that will touch so many across the greater United Methodist Church. Congratulations, Bill, for being selected!

CELEBRATING OUR GRADUATES
As we do every year, we would love to list our high school and college/university graduates in an upcoming issue. Please send your names and details to the church office as soon as possible so that we might include you or your family member.

Service

Upcoming Worship