January 13 - 26, 2008
Cover Story

A GREAT YEAR IN REVIEW

(Click on each of these photos for the larger version.)

Gavin Kirtley, born in May, heard we’re short-handed in the church office and is ready to help out!

 

We had the Keiskamma Altarpiece on display in our sanctuary for two weeks in March which was a blessed event for all who saw it.

 

The My Everyday Sacred All-Church Photo Project was a success! Look for our article in the January/ February issue of the
United Methodist Interpreter Magazine.

2007 was a great year!

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FAMILIES, PRIORITIES & SPORTS
January 12 & 13
On Saturday night starting at 7 pm come to Simkins Hall and meet Regan McMahon who will be discussing “Families, Priorities, and Sports” as it relates to worship at FUMC. There will be a panel discussion with coaches, parents, family therapists and our own Rev. Brad Beeman. On Sunday morning at 10:30 in the Fireside Room will be a Book Study and signing of Regan’s book Revolution in the Bleachers. Both of these events are free and open to everyone.

GOSPEL BLUEGRASS & ROOTS GROUP
The Gospel Bluegrass and Roots Music Group will meet on Sunday, January 20, in the Fireside Room at 7 pm. All are welcome!

IT'S ALMOST HERE!!!
Simkins Hall in The New Shelby Center
On Sunday, February 3, we will celebrate the completion of Simkins Hall in the Shelby Center with one worship service at 10 am followed by a dedication ceremony and brunch. Save the date!

CORNER CHATS ARE HERE
January 13 @ 11:45 am and so on...
Corner Chats have now begun and will take place each Sunday - alternately after the first and second services. On January 13 the chat will begin in the corner of Simkins Hall around 11:45 after the second Worship Service. On January 20 the Chat will take place after the first service around 10:15. Come, bring your coffee or other beverage and snacks as well as your thoughts, questions and comments about that Sunday’s sermon. The Chats will be facilitated by members of our Spiritual Formation Council. No expertise is required. All are invited!

COUNCIL & COMMITTEE CHAIRS
Mtg January 26 @ 9:30 am
Calling all Council and Committee Chairpersons - a Leadership Training Event has been scheduled especially for you on Saturday, January 26, from 9:30 am - 1 pm in the Fireside Room. Lunch will be served. Please RSVP to the church office by Friday, January 18! This will be an important gathering as we begin another year of work in the church.

DID YOU KNOW?
Many companies, especially large ones, offer matching contributions to your chosen nonprofit organization. FUMC is a 501c3 which allows us to receive matching contributions. This means that if your employer offers this, you can speak with your Human Resources department and sign up to have your contributions to FUMC matched by your company. This would double your pledge amount and do wonders for our ministries. Contact the church office for more information.

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.

JANUARY 27 BOOK STUDY
Though the Fig Tree Does Not Blossom: Toward a Responsible Theology of Christian Hope by Ellen Ott Marshall
Chosen to launch us into the season of Lent which begins early this year on February 6, this book does not flinch from the hardest things and, in so doing, creates the possibility of grounding our hope in the deepest possible resources of faith. It is available for sale now in our Church Library. The Book Study will take place on Sunday, January 27 at 12 noon in the Fireside Room along with a potluck lunch. Dr. Ellen Ott Marshall herself will be our discussion leader.

SAVE THE DATE
AmeriCorps volunteers will be at FUMC on February 9 from 10 am - 4 pm in the Simkins Hall alcove offering a FREE CPR class. Please contact Mary Jo Dalton in the church office, (310) 393-8258, for more information.

REFURBISHED PIANO
The Steinway piano in the Fireside Room has been beautifully restored by the piano craftsman Ivan Tudor, instigated by Christine Stumpf and paid for thanks to the Lois and Ted Gehringer estate. Be sure to stop in and take a look or a listen!

COMMUNION IS FOR EVERYONE
The newly established Communion Ministry of FUMC would like to remind you that their services are open to anyone who is unable to attend church on Communion Sundays and can be offered on a temporary or permanent basis. If you would like the services of this Ministry, know someone who might or would simply like more information, please contact the church office.

MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR. CELEBRATION 2008
The Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition invites you to the 23rd Annual Program to honor the legacy of Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. on Monday, January 21 from 9 - 10:30 am at the SGI World Culture Center Auditorium (525 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica). The theme for 2008 is “How can it be that we have learned to fly like eagles and swim like fish and can’t walk as brothers on this earth?” The Keynote Speakers will be Drs. Wilma M. Ellis & Firuz Kazamzadeh. There will be a Community Involvement Fair immediately following the program from 10:30 am - 12 noon at 606 Wilshire Blvd, Santa Monica. Refreshments will be provided by the MLK Coalition.

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Double Dare!

How many times have you heard the words,
“I dare you!” or worse, “I dare you NOT to...!”?

I know when, at school while teaching,
I hear these words, I instantly know that
SOMETHING is about to happen. My head spins around in the direction of these words and all senses come alive. I try to quickly assess what adventure the kids are about to embark upon.

I have used these words with my own students. Daring them to do better academically or to dare the handbell choir to
attempt a difficult piece of music. I have also dared students not to bring up their grades and usually followed it by the threat of
consequences if they fail.

The very definition of dare includes, “to challenge, to perform an action.” To “dare not to” is a challenge to not perform an action with implied consequences if you don't. Either way, it's a call to make a decision. It's a call to action. Rev. Farris said it in the Christmas Eve sermon when she said, “we dare to step across that threshold tonight for the first time, to see for ourselves, to hear again the ancient and ever-new story of the birth of Jesus Christ.”

We are now crossing the threshold to a new year. We will all
reflect on changes we would like to make or what new
adventures we can embark upon.

As a community of faith, we need to also reflect on what we should do differently or decide what new adventures in ministry we should embark upon. Do we make our decisions believing God is daring us to, or daring us NOT to do?

While cruising the Internet I came upon web sites created by those who choose not to believe in God, that say that Christians live their lives in fear and that our actions are based upon a punishing God. They quote, repeatedly, phrases from the Bible that speaks of a vengeful and angry God and that these threats are the sole reason for our actions of faith. Obviously, their bias is based upon selection.

I believe we are dared to! Dared to change what needs to be changed. Dared to embark on new ministries. Dared to forgive. Dared to love with all our hearts. Dared to cross the threshold of this new year with the hope that was given to us by the baby lying in the manger.

I truly believe that God, with a smile, is saying to us, “I double dare you!”

See you in church! Ron Theile, Lay Leader

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Nativity Thanks
We send a huge thanks out to Chuck Kearsley and his crew including Noel Eaton, Vincent Lam, April McCollough, Dan Stirling and Jon Ward who set up FUMC’s nativity scene in Palisades Park along Ocean Avenue as part of this year’s Santa Monica Nativity display. Chuck has also done a great job keeping our scene looking fresh and maintained. Thanks to all!

Condolences
We extend our deepest sympathy to the families and friends of these dearly departed members:
-Ruth Anderson who died on December 31.
-Harry Koenig, Jr. who died on December 25.
-Verlyn Unruh who died on December 24.

Congratulations
We congratulate Phyllis Johnson, our diligent 10:30 am Head Usher, on receiving her Brown Belt in Karate. Hopefully she’ll never need to used it, but what a great skill for a Head Usher to have! Great job, Phyllis!

Caroling Thanks
I would like to give a Big Thank You to our Youth Group at FUMC for coming to my front door and singing Christmas Carols to me on Sunday evening, December 9. It was such a delight, just when I needed it, to have them there and be thought of during this Holiday Season. Many thanks again and God’s Blessings to you all. -Ellen Wise

Angel Tree Thanks
It was a very happy holiday at Upward Bound House! All of us at UBH would like to thank all of you from the bottom of our hearts for the incredible holiday party and amazing outpouring of kindness and gifts we received from the parishoners and preschoolers of FUMC. The party on December 22, was a huge success due, in no small measure, to the continued generous spirit of Chris Ruud, organizer extraordinaire. Chris once again handled all of the arrangements and put together the gift baskets filled with household items and warm winter coats. And the Preschool supplied wonderful toys for all the Family Place children. The party in Simkins Hall included face painting, crafts, a birthday cake for Jesus and, of course, a special visit from Santa himself. Everyone enjoyed the party and, for some, it was the first Christmas they had actually been able to celebrate in many years. The holidays were so much richer in every way because of your collective kindness and generosity. Thank you, thank you, thank you! -Elka Gilmore, UBH Social Services Coordinator

Service Update

Upcoming Worship