| eSentinel (PDF printable version) | Online Archive |
August 26 - September 8, 2007
GULF COAST WORK TEAM IV photos by team members
On August 26, join team members after worship in the sanctuary (at 11:20 am or so) for a presentation about their experiences, photos and videos and a light lunch in the courtyard. From top left: Rayne UMC; Bobbie & Ben; Dylan; Kristin & Eliana; Holly; Melanie; Matthew; JP; Paul; Carolan; team pic; Leah, Holly, Ben, Matthew & JP
Highlights HOMECOMING
& OPEN HOUSE YOUTH
GULF COAST REPORT BACK MISSIONARY
TRAVELS/LEARNINGS
WHAT'S
NEW WITH CHILDREN'S MINISTRY I believe that the Sunday School program is a vital component of each child’s spiritual journy that lies at the heart of this song is at the center of our Sunday School program. The teachers, superintendents, and childcare workers give of themselves every week in order to make sure our children know that they belong at this church. For new families this same spirit becomes contagious when the children leave church excited about what they have learned in Sunday School and the friends they have made. This happened for many, many families at our church during Vacation Bible School. The success of that program was due entirely to those of you who gave of your time and effort. In September, we begin a new and exciting chapter in our Sunday School program. We have new, engaging curriculum that reveals the love of God in a way that children can comprehend. However, this curriculum is nothing without a teacher to bring it to life. And that’s where you can be of great service to our children. We are currently looking for committed people of all ages and stages of life to work with the children of this church. Be a part of the team that welcomes these children and their families into our church community. Beginning in September, we need volunteers to help out with Sunday School during the first worship service and with our Children’s Club during the second worship service. Children are the future hope of our congregation and we need you to If you are interested in joining the team please call me - (310) 393-8258, x104 or email me. God bless!! - Nate Risdon, Parish Associate Donate
that Dusty DVD player and TV Beginning this Fall, our Sunday School program will be using a new and exciting curriculum titled Live B.I.G. With this curriculum, students will have the opportunity to know the love of God through Jesus through a focus on three major themes or “big truths”: 1) God is a great big God 2) God loves us with a great big love. 3) We are part of God’s great big world. Through Bible stories, music, art, theater, discussion, worship, and prayer, our children will learn more about what it means to be a child of God and how their faith should be a part of the everyday lives. One
of the ways in which this message is conveyed to the children
is through a weekly introduction on DVD. Currently only a couple
of our classrooms are equipped with the necessary equipment to
show DVDs. We are currently looking for 6 DVD players and TVs
to help meet this need. This equipment will also be utilized by
our Adult Education classes as well. If you have any questions about how to donate equipment or money towards this project, please call me – (310) 393-8258, x104 or email me. Thank you! -Nate Risdon, Parish Associate
Sponsored by the Guidance and Outreach, Fellowship and Events, and Missions Councils, we will be continuing the mission project embraced by our Vacation Bible School, just recently completed. The new phase of the project, entitled “Adopt-a-School in the Inner City” (Esperanza Elementary School), will be a clothing drive beginning on Homecoming Sunday. There is a real need at this school, for gently used (or new) school clothes, jackets, underwear (new), socks, and /or shoes! We will be collecting these items before and after church from September 9 - October 14, which is National Children’s Day! If you wish to make a cash donation, make your check payable to FUMC with “Adopt-a-School” in the memo line. Council members will gratefully receive your donation in the alcove of Simkins Hall. Age groups in need are Pre-kindergarten through fifth grade. On Homecoming Sunday Guidance and Outreach Council members will also assist in assuring that each person receives the Welcome Packet of new information about the opportunities First United Methodist Church of Santa Monica offers throughout the year for worship and spiritual growth, through fellowship, study of the Bible, and service. Please look for a separate form in this packet, which will invite you and your family to volunteer for council service, and particularly for your assistance in special projects. We
eagerly anticipate the beginning of a new church year. Please
join us as we continue our faith journey together.
Sometimes things happen so fast that I actually become disoriented. Between home, Kelly and Eric, Sean and Heather, school, church, and a whole hosts of other people and situations that I must face every day, I seem to lose my place. There are times that I feel that the solution is simple. Think about what I must do, prioritize actions, and get back at it. But, no matter how much I prioritize, I end up spinning in different directions. At times I wish I could just rewind the clock and start again from the beginning. After all, how many times have we been in situations that just become so complicated that someone finally says, “OK, let’s just start all over again from the beginning.” The beginning just seems to be such a great point of reference. Unfortunately, the beginning is seldom available to us to return to. In the past few months I have been given an invaluable point of reference. The first, my grandma turned 101 years old, and second, I received a phone call from my dad saying that he was under hospice care. Certainly, these two events would cause anyone to pause and reflect. This summer, I have been to Florida twice to visit both dad and grandma. Each day with them was a life lesson and an inspiration. You see, both know that tomorrow is not promised. That waking each day is a gift. Live for the day, because there may be no tomorrow. Live life in such a way that there are no regrets and above all, be able to say honestly to yourself, “I’m ready.” I have learned from them that the most important point of reference is found by asking ourselves how we are living each day. I have learned from them that what we do today creates hope for tomorrow. Dad and grandma both said that they have no regrets, and that no matter what happens tomorrow, they know that there is hope because they leave a wonderful family and friends to carry on. I encourage all of you to find that point of reference. You only need to look in our sanctuary on Sunday. There are wonderful families that have been nurtured and loved by our senior members. The generation that, it seems, only yesterday was singing on the steps of our church are now raising the next generation. There are new and lifelong friends that we worship with. There is a Bible in the pew that tells us how to live life without regrets. And, most importantly, by living the way Jesus taught us to, there will always be the hope and promise of tomorrow. See you Sunday! - Ron Theile, Lay Leader Community THANKS
FROM NEW ORLEANS RELAY
FOR LIFE THANKS CONDOLENCES VBS
THANKS FOOD
PANTRY OFF TO APPETIZING START Several highlights of the Food Pantry program: 1. We have relationships with Whole Foods, Wild Oats and the Westside Food Pantry, providing us with non-perishable and prepared foods. Elka is hard at work cultivating additional relationships with potential food donors, especially for meats and cheese. 2. Volunteers from the First United Methodist Church have provided great guidance and support in making the Pantry a success. In addition, the Church has generously partnered with us with the use of its van, allowing us to make early morning pick-ups from stores. 3. The SM Rotary Club provided a grant that enabled us to purchase a walk-in refrigerator which will enable us to expand our fresh produce and prepared food program. 4. Residents now can “shop” at the food pantry twice a week. Elka works with residents one-on-one to help them with specific nutritional and dietary needs. 5. The program also assists Senior Villa residents, and we are developing a delivery service to for seniors using volunteers. Elka
Gilmore has thirty years of experience as a professional chef and
has prior experience starting and running a food pantry. Elka will
continue to leverage her extensive relationships with restaurants,
distributors, and markets in the Los Angeles area to meet the expanding
needs of UBH’s Food Pantry program. She will also oversee
many new exciting programs and services at UBH which we hope to
share with you in the months to come. Of course, we can always use
more volunteer help!!!
August
26, 2007
September
2, 2007 More Sunday Worship Information...
|
COMING
HOME TO WORSHIP AND SERVE
by
Ron Theile, Lay Leader