February 10 - 23, 2008
Cover Story

WELCOMING NEW MEMBERS by Brad Beeman

We welcome the six newest members of Santa Monica First United Methodist Church with open arms and open hearts. Let me introduce them to you once again.

 

Lars, Joanne and Nils Reierson come to us originally from New York and Minnesota and now live in Westchester, CA. Lars is a financial analyst and Joanne a stay at home mom. Their son Nils is 2 ½. Lars and Joanne have both talked of a new group for young families.e additional copies of Revolution in the Bleachers for sale in the church library. The cost is $15.

 

Amanda Weinberg is a long-time member of “the bridge” and comes to us from Hiawatha United Methodist Church in Hiawatha, Kansas. Amanda is a make-up artist and is preparing for her wedding to Ross Grogan coming up in May. She is a delightful and articulate person and enjoys serving as Lay Lector. Welcome, Amanda.

 

 

Doug Hovey and Melissa Aleman come to us from Northern California. Doug is an film editor and Melissa a nursing student. They two are participants of “the bridge.” Melissa has worked at the Holiday Boutique and Doug volunteers at the Family Place Food Pantry. We welcome them to the First Church family.

 

Many of us know Kathy Naylor, teacher and daughter of Maxine. Kathy comes to us as an affiliate member from Northridge UMC. She now has membership in both churches and continues to be a significant help and support to her mom. She’s also active in our Missions Council. She is a delightful, wonderfully supportive person. Welcome home, Kathy.

Each of these new members bring gifts and talents to this church. Each brings a rich understanding of faith and dedication to Christ that has been a privilege to see. Let’s greet them, welcome them, and engage them as the newest members of Santa Monica First United Methodist Church.

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VALENTINES FOR YOUR LOVED ONES
Sunday, February 10 @ 11:30 am
Come join us during coffee hour on Sunday Febuary 10, to make your own homemade valentines. Nothing says ya love ‘em, like a homemade card. (Hallmark’s got nothing on us!) All supplies will be furnished. This event is hosted by your (romantic) Fellowship & Events Committee.

FEBRUARY MID-WEEK RECITAL
Wednesday, February 13 @ 12:10 pm
The artist will be our very own Erin Wood, soprano. A reception will follow in the Fireside Room. All are invited to this free concert.

GOSPEL BLUEGRASS & ROOTS
Sunday, February 24 @ 7 pm
The Gospel Bluegrass and Roots Music Group will meet Sunday, February 24, in the Fireside Room at 7 pm in the Fireside Room. Brad Beeman will be participating. All are welcome to bring their favorite songs, their voices, acoustic instruments, or just come to listen.

TIME TO SIGN UP FOR VBS
Beginning March 1
Applications for this summer’s Vacation Bible School entitled Beach Party: Surfin’ Through the Scriptures will be available beginning on March 1, in the church office. VBS will be taking place on August 4 - 8, from 9 am - 12:30 pm each day. Children from kindergarten - 5th grade are invited to participate. And, everyone else is invited to help! Stay tuned for more details.

HABITAT CONCERT - SAVE THE DATE
Sunday, March 2 @ 4 pm
A benefit concert for the Santa Monica Habitat for Humanity build that FUMC is a part of will be held at First Presbyterian Church on Sunday, March 2, at 4 pm. On the program will be Gabrielle Faure’s Requiem and Erich Zeisl’s Requiem Ebriaco, 92nd Psalm. The suggested donation per ticket is $25. Mark your calendars now!

MEET THOMAS ALBIN OF THE UPPER ROOM CHAPEL
In February of 1999, Rev. Tom Albin was installed as the Dean of the Upper Room Chapel and Team Leader for the Program Unit of The Upper Room Ministries in Nashville, Tennessee. The eldest of four children raised on the family farm, Tom’s elementary education was in a one-room schoolhouse on the Kansas prairie. His educational journey included undergraduate study in Kansas and Oklahoma, graduate study in Oklahoma, California and Cambridge, England. In 2007 Tom celebrated his 30th year as an ordained minister in the United Methodist Church, the 36th anniversary of his marriage to Maryle Hargitt, and the arrival of his first grandchild, Elle Marie Marvin. Tom and Maryle have three married daughters, Beka Tischker, April Graves and Heather Marvin.

Prior to joining the staff of The Upper Room, Tom served as a pastor in Oklahoma, a faculty member at Boston University School of Theology, and the University of Dubuque Theological Seminary. His academic interests lie in the areas of spiritual formation, Wesley studies, historical theology, mission and evangelism. Recent publications containing his work include: “Inwardly Persuaded”: Religion of the Heart in Early British Methodism in the volume Heart Religion in the Methodist Tradition, edited by Richard B. Steele; Teach Me to Pray; a chapter in Wesleyan Theology Today, edited by T. Runyan; the 1985, 1988, 1994, 1996, and 1999 Upper Room Disciplines; Charles Wesley’s Earliest Evangelical Sermons; Charles Wesley: Poet and Theologian; and articles related to Methodism and spiritual formation for the New Dictionary of Christian Theology, Dictionary of Christianity in America, and the Dictionary of Ethics and Pastoral Theology.

On Sunday, February 24, we will offer a “Conversation with Dr. Tom Albin” at 11:30 am in the Fireside Room with a potluck lunch. Upper Room materials will also be available. All are invited!

Please note that the previously scheduled February Rev. Farris Book Study has been rescheduled for March 2 at 12 noon in the Fireside Room with a potluck lunch. The book will be The Last Week: What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’s Final Days in Jerusalem by Marcus J. Borg and John Dominic Crossan.

2008 LAY SPEAKERS SCHOOL
Are you interested in Lay Speaking? A Lay Speakers School will be held at Culver-Palms United Methodist Church on the following Mondays - April 7, 14, 21, 28, and May 8, 2008. Devotions will be held at 6:30 pm and class will be held from 7:10 - 9:10 pm each evening. The Basic Class is being offered for adults in English, Spanish, Japanese (possible different location) and a Basic Class for Youth is being offered as well. Advanced Classes will include: Lay Speakers Tell Stories (youth class), Lay Speakers Are Accountable Disciples, Lay Speakers Cultivate Christian Community, Lay Speakers Grow Spiritually Through Daily Discipline, and A Ministry of Caring. If you are interested or would like more information, contact Culver-Palms UMC at (310) 390-7717 or info@hope4la.org.

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For the past several years, I have shared this beautiful Lenten prayer as a new season of Lent begins. Many of you have said that you have carried it with you through the season. Once again, may it open doors to new insight and deeper faithfulness.

 

Fast from judging others; feast on the Christ dwelling in them.
Fast from emphasis on differences; feast on the unity of all life.
Fast from apparent darkness; feast on the reality of light.
Fast from discontent; feast on gratitude.
Fast from anger; feast on patience.
Fast from pessimism; feast on optimism.
Fast from worry; feast on trust.
Fast from complaining; feast on appreciation.
Fast from unrelenting pressures; feast on unceasing prayer.
Fast from hostility; feast on nonviolence.
Fast from bitterness; feast on forgiveness.
Fast from self-concern; feast on compassion for others.
Fast from personal anxiety; feast on eternal truth.
Fast from discouragement; feast on hope.
Fast from suspicion; feast on truth.
Fast from thoughts that weaken; feast on promises that inspire.

Gracious God, during this season, gift us with your presence, so that we can be a gift to others in carrying out your work.

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CONDOLENCES
We extend our deepest sympathies to the families and friends of these dearly departed:
-Jerry Laird Alianiello who died on January 23.
-Keith Kelly.
-Paul Leoni’s mother.
-Melanie Gullett’s grandmother.

PRAYER QUILT THANKS
I would like to give a big huge thank you for all you do. I got a call from my Auntie Margie that her mom has received the prayer quilt and that she loves it very much. She is very grateful that there are people who care so much for others that they take some time to bring a little bit of comfort to the lives of others. She is taking every day one step at a time, and is trying to be positive about what has happened. God Bless the Prayer Quilt Ministry for all you do. -Chris Reagh

BEAUTIFICATION THANKS
We extend a huge thank you to all who turned out for our church and Preschool Beautification Day on February 2! It was a great success and our places of worship, education and fellowship look really nice as a result. Thanks for the support!
-Your grateful FUMC & Preschool Staff

BAPTISMS
We celebrate with the Bruce and Reyes families on the baptisms of their sons; James Raphael Bruce born on July 14, 2007, to Steven and Leticia Bruce, and Aiden Orozco Reyes born on September 20, 2007, to Marina and Marco Reyes. Congratulations to the parents, grandparents and friends!

CONGRATULATIONS
We congratulate Sarah Huntting who recently passed the Professional Engineering (PE) Exam. Sarah is a Civil Engineer and an active member of the bridge.

Service Update

Upcoming Worship