February
11 - 24, 2007
Cover
Story
COMMUNION
SERVER MINISTRY
by Mary Garbesi
On Sunday, January 28 in both worship services, we commissioned
the first class trained in our new Communion Server Ministry.
This ministry, not new in the Methodist tradition, was initiated
here at First United Methodist Church by Mary Crawford as part
of her participation in The Two Year Academy for Spiritual Formation.
Members of the first class are Doris and Wynn Battig, Mary Crawford,
Leslie Nordby, Mike Olsson, Barbara and Rich Parker, and Jai Taylor.
These individuals have a desire to help bring to those who are
unable to attend worship, a sense of greater connection to this
faith community. During the training, the Reverends Patricia Farris
and Dorothy Worley offered instruction in the history and meaning
of Communion and in the practical aspects of administering the
Sacrament. Our new Communion Servers have made a one-year commitment.
Communion serving sets have been acquired especially for the purpose
of taking the elements blessed in the Communion service to those
who are absent. On Sunday, February 4, after Communion, these
newly commissioned individuals went out for the first time. We
pray for them as they continue this new ministry. If you are interested
in becoming a Communion Server, please notify Mary Crawford, Mary
Garbesi, any of the Servers or pastors. A second training is planned
and we welcome your participation.
(Photo) From Left: Michael Olsson, Barbara Parker, Mary Crawford,
Rich Parker, Doris Battig and Wynn Battig. Not pictured: Leslie
Nordby and Jai Taylor. Photo by Allan Walker.
Highlights
FEBRUARY
MID-WEEK RECITAL
Wednesday, February 14
On Valentine’s Day, come enjoy beautiful music performed
by pianist Miran Song. The program will begin at 12:10 pm in the
sanctuary with a light reception following in the Fireside Room.
More...
LIVING
DEEP IN A SHALLOW WORLD
Thursday, February 15 @ 7 pm
Join John Hayes, the founder and director of InnerCHANGE, as he
signs copies of his just-published book, sub-merge: Living Deep
in a Shallow World, and recounts his journey of service, justice
and contemplation among the world’s poor. Discover how building
authentic faith-based rela-tionships is changing the world one
person at a time. Everyone is invited to this event. Please RSVP
to the church office.
SHROVE
TUESDAY PANCAKES
Tuesday, February 20 from 5 - 7 pm
Come celebrate Shrove Tuesday (Fat Tuesday), the last day before
Lent, by enjoying a pancake dinner hosted by Youth Ministry and
Fellowship & Events from 5 - 7 pm in Simkins Hall. Proceeds
will go towards opening up the wall between rooms 304 (Youth Lounge)
and 306 in the education building to accommodate our growing youth
group. UMYF members under the direction of Ron Theile will work
on this project as training towards this summer’s work trip
to New Orleans. Tickets for the pancake dinner are $5 and may
be purchased in the church office.
FEBRUARY
BOOK STUDY
Sunday, February 25
Miraslov Volf ‘s book Free of Charge: Giving and Forgiving
in a Culture Stripped of Grace will be the topic of discussion
with Rev. Patricia Farris, starting at 12 noon with a potluck
lunch in the Fireside Room. The book is now available in the church
library and all are invited! More...
SEEING
BIGGER
If you need a little help reading the hymns in The Faith We Sing
hymnals, ask one of the ushers for a new large-print version.
Large print UM Hymnals and hearing-assistance devices are also
available.
PROMOTING
WELLNESS
Recently there was an incident at church where a member choked
on food. She was rushed to the hospital (but was breathing when
she went) and had the food removed from her airways. Luckily she
did not have any permanent damage from this incident. It was good
to know that people acted fast to get the paramedics to her and
get her treatment in time to have a favorable outcome. An incident
like this always reminds us to be careful when eating, to chew
each bite before we take the next. But it also reminds us that
this can happen anywhere. Most importantly, it can happen at home.
Our church members who live alone may want to make sure there
is an emergency plan for contacting 911 and a friend or relative
in this case. A good resource is Lifeline Personal Response Service
at 310-423-5468. We will schedule a program soon in which a representative
from Lifeline will speak about Lifeline and how it works. - Mary
Jo Dalton, Health Ministry Nurse Promoting
Wellness
THE
KEISKAMMA ALTARPIECE
Made by the women of the Keiskamma Art Project as a message of
hope for people who are living in the midst of poverty, AIDS and
other hardships, the Keiskamma Altar-piece is now traveling through
North America bringing the story of AIDS and poverty as experienced
in the rural South African village of Hamburg to a much wider
audience in North America.
A large triptych of hinged panels, the Keiskamma Altarpiece uses
the form and themes of the famous Issenheim Altarpiece of Matthias
Grûnewald to depict hope and redemption in the face of AIDS.
It celebrates the strength of grandmothers who bear the responsibility
for the children in these times. The Altarpiece will be at FUMC
from March 13 - 23 and is being sponsored by, along with our church,
St. Monica’s Catholic Church, First Presbyterian Church
of Santa Monica and St. Paul’s Lutheran Church. You may
find out more about the art work, the makers and the cause at
www.keiskamma.org.
FRUITS
OF THE SPIRIT
Our inspiring youth group created and carried forth an interesting
and motivating worship service on Youth Sunday. If you would like
to see photos from Youth Sunday or even view
portions of the service online, visit the Youth
News page.
KEEPING
THOSE PLEDGES COMING
Now that February has arrived, we are officially well into the
New Year. Please remember to get your pledge cards for 2007 in
to the church office. If you have any questions, feel free to
contact us.
PROMISES
The Social Concerns Council is beginning a documentary film series
on issues of vital social importance, centering this year on the
theme of resolving conflict and transcending violence. Our first
film will be the Academy Award nominee and Emmy Award winning
film “Promises” by Justine Shapiro, B.Z. Goldberg
and Carlos Bolado. “Promises” shows the impact of
the conflict and violence in the Mideast on Palestinian and Israeli
children, and the hope of reconciliation that is carried in their
hearts. This first film will be shown on Sunday, February 18,
at 11:45 am in the Fireside Room. All are welcome.
LENTEN
SERIES
For six Wednesday evenings during Lent, beginning February 28,
the Rev. Larry Young will be leading a class on “The Death
and Resurrection of Jesus.” Using a video by Biblical scholar
Marcus Borg, this class will seek to answer the question, what
does it mean that Jesus died for our salvation? Here is an opportunity
to challenge and focus our thinking on one of the core tenets
of our faith as Christians. Further information will follow soon.
Horizons
by
Ron Theile, Lay Leader
There is a certain comfort that I feel when I am with Dad. Even
though he is battling cancer, and is in a very weakened state
from the chemotherapy that he has been subjected to, he is still
a pillar of strength to me. I always sleep better when I am with
Dad in his home knowing that no harm can come to me when I am
in his presence. He is the one who, in my nightmares, would always
come to my rescue. He is the one who made things right, when I
thought everything was wrong. I have a foundation of faith in
him that I can always depend on.
We
all know someone who has been a foundation in our lives. It might
have been our father, mother, aunt, uncle, or just a very good
friend. On February 11, as we celebrate and honor our Scouts and
their leaders, I think of those who provide a solid foundation
to our youth by teaching them self-confidence and leadership skills.
In
New Orleans’ Ninth Ward, we observed houses that had rolled,
contents and all, almost a quarter of a mile from where they had
originally stood. When we drove nearer to the dikes, we saw the
foundations where these houses had stood. The foundations looked
as though you could immediately rebuild houses on them and, I
am sure, some houses will be built again on these same, strong,
foundations.
As
Christians, our foundation of faith is our God through Jesus Christ.
How rock solid is this foundation? Can we depend on it in our
darkest hour? Assurances can be found in the Bible in 1 Samuel,
Chapter 2, Verse 8 and reads, “He raises the poor from the
dust and lifts the needy from the ash heap; he seats them with
princes and has them inherit a throne of honor. For the foundations
of the earth are the Lord’s; upon them he has set the world.”
A
strong foundation of faith will allow us to rebuild after any
crisis. It was, and still remains, His promise to us.
See
you Sunday!
Community
Condolences
We extend our deepest sympathy to the family and friends of Margaret
“Peggy” Sterry who passed away on January 25. She
was a long-time member who served as a Sunday School teacher and
was active in UMW. She and her family joined FUMC when it was
located on the corner of 4th Street and Arizona Avenue. She had
three daughters: Geninne Jacobs, Claudia Short and Kathy Allard;
seven grandchildren and 16 great grandchildren.
Prayer
Quilt Thanks
Thank you so much for the beautiful quilt. Your wonderful talents
are only exceeded by your love and compassion. There isn’t
a day that goes by that I don’t say a prayer of thanks for
your kindness. Love, Jeanie Shields
The quilt that was given to
me is beautiful. Thank you so very much for your thoughts and
prayers and beautiful workmanship. I shall treasure the quilt
and your efforts.
-Beverly Smith
To
all the people who prayed for us we are eternally grateful. Your
prayers were definitely heard. The quilt with its knots is beautiful.
We’ve displayed it everywhere - church, hospital, school
- it’s made a lasting impression. Thank you all; we are
forever grateful.
-Rose and Gabriel Larkin
Our
Prayer Quilt Ministry
Thanks
Please accept our most sincere gratitude for FUMC’s generous
contribution to Step Up on Second. Thank you for your confidence
in our work and your belief in our mission. It is because of your
support that Step Up on Second is able to continue helping members
regain their lives. -Tod Lipka, Chief Executive Officer
