Santa Monica FUMC | Next Sunday

10 am - Worship Service
A traditional service (hymns, readings, responses) with a Children's Message that should appeal to all generations of individuals, couples and families. Nursery care, Sunday School & children's activities are offered. One hour in length.

Food Drive - Pork & Beans
Health Kits for Haiti - will be collected
Scripture - Luke 15:1-3, 11b-32
Sermon - "God's Love is Not Fair" by Rev. Patricia Farris
Music - The Youth Handbell Choir, The Youth Choir, The Chancel Choir

11:00 am - Coffee Fellowship
Please join us for coffee and refreshments in Simkins Hall and the Courtyard following the service. Each Sunday a committee, council or group of the church hosts coffee hour. (If your group would like to sponsor a coffee hour, please contact the church office.

The coffee that we use for our coffee hours is Fair Trade Certified from Equal Exchange.

Seasonal Paraments & Colors
Right now we are in the Season of Lent - the 40 days (not including Sundays) leading up to Easter. Self-examination, study, fasting, prayer and works of love are disciplines historically associated with Lent. Conversion—literally, the "turning around" or reorientation of our lives towards God—is the theme of Lent. Both as individuals and as a community, we look inward and reflect on our readiness to follow Jesus in his journey towards the cross. The forty days of Lent correspond to the forty-day temptation of Jesus in the wilderness and the forty-year journey of Israel from slavery to a new community.

On Ash Wednesday (February 17), ashes are placed on the foreheads of the congregation as a symbol that we have come from dust and one day will return to dust. It is one of many Lenten and Easter customs that remind us of our historical connection with Jewish tradition. Most of this time of preparation is symbolized by the color Violet, though the season is bracketed by the mourning Black of Ash Wednesday and Good Friday. As an alternative to Violet, we use off-white and the colors of rough unbleached cloth like burlap to reflect the season's mood of penitence and simplicity. The somber colors are a reminder of the unbleached "sackcloth" worn by mourners and penitents in the Jewish tradition.

Flowers
During the season of Lent the Sanctuary is only adorned with dried floral arrangements to represent a starkness that reminds us of our Lenten disciplines. Flowers may still be donated but will only be on display in the Narthex.

If you would like to donate flowers in honor or memory of a loved one or because of a special occasion, you may call the church office, email us or donate online. We also accept general donations for our “flower fund” which helps to provide displays when none have been ordered. Your thoughtfulness will add to the worship experience.

Time to Order Easter Lilies
As is tradition at FUMC, beautiful Easter Lilies will adorn the Sanctuary on Easter Sunday. A special insert will be in the Order of Worship that morning listing the dedications of the flowers in memory and in honor of loved ones. You are invited to purchase any number of plants you wish and give your dedication to be listed on the insert. The flowers are $12 each. Please contact the church office via email or phone or stop by in person at your convenience. The deadline to place orders/dedications is Tuesday, March 30.

Make A Note

• We receive new members into our church congregation every other month or so. If you are interested in church membership and/or have any questions, please contact the church office.

• We take joy in the fact that Baptisms take place frequently in our worship services. If you, a friend or family member would like to be baptised, please contact the church office.

• The special communion table candle reminds us that in the aftermath of the Gulf Coast hurricanes we are called to “Be the Hope.” Especially, we hold our partner church, Bethany UMC in New Orleans, in prayer as we send work teams to assist in its recovery.

• Sunday morning volunteers are always needed to cover the office area once a month. All you need to do is direct visitors, provide information and answer the phone. Please contact the church office if you're interested.

• Ushers are continually needed for both services. If you would be interested in helping fill this need, FUMC would be ever blessed. Find out more...

• Who among you would like to serve as a Lay Lector or Communion server? Please contact Linda Burch if you are interested.

• Every Friday Rev. Patricia Farris sends out an email with comments and thoughts on the upcoming Sunday Service. To be added to the list just send us an email.

• Instruments for the hearing impaired, large print hymnals and full-page magnifiers are available from the ushers. Printed copies of recent sermons are available in the narthex of the church and on this website.

• Digital/printable versions of Sunday sermons are available online in our Sermon Archive, If you would like a printed copy, you may request one from the church office.

• CD recordings of the morning services are available for $2 by completing a request form in the church office.

• A Suggestion Box is available in the narthex for your ideas, questions and concerns.