FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

Transcription

1 JULY 30 - AUGUST VOLUME 197 ISSUE 16 THE GROWING SEASON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH "The Growing Season" is upon us, and each week First Church will be focusing on one the "five visions" Worship, Christian Education, Missions & Outreach, Evangelism, and Stewardship. The Methodist Witness will include featured articles on each vision over the coming weeks.

2 Dear Friends, I recently returned from a bicycle tour across Norway and Sweden. I am so thankful to be able to take a few weeks off and have some time to get outside my normal routine and challenge myself. This is my third extended bicycle trip, with my first being across the United States in 2013 and then biking from Ireland to the Czech Republic in Andrew Branch (son of Rick and Heidi Branch) and I started this tour in Bergen, Norway, on the North Sea, and in fifteen days rode our bikes 850 miles to Stockholm, Sweden. During these bicycle tours I often question why I would choose to use my vacation time for something like this. It s a lot of hard work and it s uncomfortable. However, every time I return home having been greatly impacted by the experience. These trips have taught me some important life lessons and I thought I d use this opportunity to share of few of the lessons that I ve learned. Slow Down and Notice the World Around You Our average speed on the bicycle tour was about 11mph. That s not fast. But at that speed you begin to notice the details that are all around. When you slow down, you can engage all your senses and see things you've probably never given much attention to before. The smell of wildflowers. The sound of a passing train. Seeing and feeling the spray of a nearby waterfall. For years I would drive the same route to work, day in and day out. Then a few years ago I began biking to work. The very first day that I biked to work I noticed so many things that I had simply glanced over for the past few years. I began to notice and pay attention to people that I would pass everyday. In a society that prides itself on being fast and efficient, be different. Slow down and engage your senses. God will speak to you in this time and you'll begin to notice people, places, and things you never noticed or paid attention to before, and it'll change your life. Be Hospitable and Receive Hospitality Graciously I ve always prided myself on being independent and selfsufficient. Because of this, I found out that I had trouble receiving hospitality. However, sometimes during these bike adventures you end up in situations where you have to rely on the help and assistance of others to survive. I have story after story of complete strangers, in foreign places, welcoming me into their home, providing me a place to stay and food to eat, after a long day of biking. At first I had trouble receiving this. I felt that I needed to worry about providing for myself and being self-sufficient. Instead, I learned to receive hospitality graciously, and show greater hospitality to others in return. Soon after I returned from my first bike tour in 2013, I asked the church if we could become a host for touring cyclists. Pensacola is located on the Southern Tier, a 3,000 mile crosscountry bicycle route that runs from St. Augustine, Florida to San Diego, California. The church agreed and in December of 2013 we hosted our first touring cyclist. Since then we have hosted over 300 touring cyclists from all around the world. Many of these visitors have limited to no experience with church and they often ask why we would open up our doors and show hospitality to complete strangers. These questions naturally lead to conversations of faith. It s a beautiful thing to be a part of and I have no doubt that this ministry is impacting the heart and lives of those who stay. Meet Others Who Are Different From You Traveling is such a great teacher. Mark Twain once said "Travel is fatal to prejudice, bigotry, and narrow-mindedness, and many of our people need it sorely on these accounts. Broad, wholesome, charitable views of men and things cannot be acquired by vegetating in one little corner of the earth all one's lifetime. I completely agree. If you have the opportunity to visit somewhere outside your home, do it. Meeting and loving someone who may be different from you is a powerful thing. It is not hard to remember these lessons right when I return from my trips, however it is hard to actually follow them. But imagine what would happen if we, as a church, chose to take a risk and be adventurous. What would happen if we did a better job of noticing the needs of the world and community around us and put those needs before our own? What would happen if we purposefully went out of our way to meet and love others who were different from us? I know it s not easy and it s not something we can do on our own. However, if we all do this, I have no doubt that it would change who we are and it would change the world around us. Jeb Hunt Creative Director IN LOVE AND REMEMBRANCE TO Gordon and Dianne Levi on the death of their daughter, Pamela. Pamela died July 13, WELCOME NEW MEMBERS Melanie Foust Malia Shelton Danielle Schrag FLOWERS You may place flowers in the Main Sanctuary in honor, celebration, or memory of someone. The arrangements are $65.00 each. To reserve a date, call Ginger ( ). The following dates are open: August 6 2 Arrangements August 13 1 Arrangement August 20 1 Arrangement August 27 2 Arrangements September 17 2 Arrangements October 1 1 Arrangement 2 JULY 30 - AUGUST VOLUME 197 ISSUE 16

3 FEATURE THE GROWING SEASON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH AUGUST 6 - SEPTEMBER 10 Making disciples of Christ, for the redemption of the world, through Worship, Christian Education, Missions & Outreach, Evangelism, and Stewardship. From August 6th until September 10th we will take part in The Growing Season, our annual discipleship program at First Church. During The Growing Season we will take time to explore the five core principles that make up our mission statement and help guide us in our ministry and form us into disciples of Christ. Additionally, because of our extended focus on Worship in 2017, we will view each of these five principles through the lens of Worship. On August 6th we will focus on worship. Christian Worship is at the center of everything we do at First Church. Every Sunday morning, we gather together as a family of faith to acknowledge the holiness of God, hear God s Word, offer prayers, and celebrate the sacraments of the Church. It is through worship that our discipleship journey begins and in worship is where we learn more about Christian Education, Missions and Outreach, Evangelism, and Stewardship. August 13th is Christian Education Sunday. At First Church we believe that growing and learning is a lifelong process. It comes through study, worship, and learning together. In order for us to be challenged in faith, grow in our understanding of the Bible, and become followers of Christ, we invite all ages to actively engage themselves in the Christian Education opportunities we offer. Missions Sunday is on August 20th. At First Church we strive to be the hands and feet of Christ through missions & outreach. Through acts of compassion, volunteering, and missional giving, we make a positive difference in our community and around the world. On this Sunday we will learn more about the missions program at First Church and be challenged to go out and serve. August 27th is Evangelism Sunday. As a church we strive to invite, welcome, and care for others so that all may find a spiritual home and discover for themselves a life in Christ. We believe that God s evangelistic message of love and redeeming grace is best shared through showing hospitality, being invitational, being inclusive, being an example, and sharing with others personal testimonies of God s transformational story. Christian stewardship is our opportunity as a church family to give back out of love and gratitude to God. Christian stewardship is a realization that our life is a gift from God and our talents, time, and financial resources are to be used to express our gratitude for that gift. On September 3rd we will focus on stewardship and will be invited to make a commitment to be faithful stewards for the following year. The Growing Season culminates on Consecration Sunday, September 10th, where we will dedicate all our commitments. In the coming weeks you should also be receiving a packet containing more information about The Growing Season. Make plans to attend every Sunday during The Growing Season, as we learn how to be devoted disciples of Christ. FUMCPensacola.com 3

4 WILDERNESS TRAIL 4 JULY 30 - AUGUST VOLUME 197 ISSUE 16

5 FALL Classes AUGUST 16 - NOVEMBER 13 REGISTRATION July 30 - August 13 A full list of class descriptions will be availible online and in the church office starting July 30. SEE INSERT FOR LIST OF CLASSES & TO REGISTER JUNE 30 - JULY IN MEMORY Joyce Bennick By: Sue Butsch Sarah Strand Creel By: Marie Percy Pamela K. Levi By: Jim and Pat Brinson Lee Rouser By: Duane Rouser and Dennis Anna Spain By: Sue Butsch Bob and Janet Olliff Mother of Jim Tallman By: Tom and Elizabeth Mayhugh Willard (Vic) Vickery By: Tom and Elizabeth Mayhugh IN HONOR Donna Sue Gore's Birthday By: Betty Olliff Elaine Grove's Birthday By: Betty Olliff Kathy Phillips' Retirement By: Tom and Elizabeth Mayhugh FUMCPensacola.com 5

6 ANNOUNCEMENTS WHAT'S HAPPENING FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH ART Contact: Mici Kuba THE ART SPACE AT THE WRIGHT PLACE July 11 - August 14 Being a native of Pensacola, Sheila Feltner is excited to be back full time. Her painting career started nine years ago in Ellijay, Georgia where she lived ten years before moving back to Pensacola. Sheila has been painting with the Pensacola Plein Artists the last five years and renovating two homes in Pensacola, which has kept her busy. She was fortunate to have a wonderful start in Ellijay by selling one of her paintings for a wine label and hosting a private show in a historical Methodist church. Sheila looks forward to enriching her painting experience on the coast. CHILDREN & FAMILY Contact: Lisa Bond LBond@FUMCPensacola.com FAMILY FUN NIGHT SUMMER FAREWELL August 4 5:30 7:30pm Pavilions Before Ft. Pickens All families are invited to join us for a fun and relaxing evening at the beach. Come have dinner on the beach and enjoy the sunset. Bring your own dinner, chair, and money for snow cones. RSVP to SHicks@FUMCpensacola.com. CHRISTIAN ED. / PROMOTION SUNDAY August 13 9:30-10:30am Ed. Building All children will go to their new Sunday school classes. Save the date for this special kick-off to the new Sunday School year. PARENT'S COFFEE August 13 9:30-10:30am All parents of children are invited to a get together to meet other parents and find out how to plug into children's ministry at First Church. CHURCH-WIDE NEW WEBSITE - COMING SOON! In the coming weeks, you may notice pictures and video being taken around the campus during worship hours. We are excited to have the opportunity to give our website a fresh new look and will be using this media to do so. BLOOD DRIVE August 20 8:00-12:30pm On Campus Share your story. Share your power. Save lives. Get on the big red bus and give blood during the OneBlood blood drive. All those that are able are encouraged to donate. ID required. Visit OneBlood.org to schedule an appointment. Bud Mitchell (BMitchell@FUMCPensacola. com) for more info. BLUE LAKE - CHURCH -WIDE RETREAT October Blue Lake, Andalusia Join for this annual church-wide retreat as we worship, learn, and fellowship together. Activities include pumpkin carving, canoing, hayrides, roasting marshmallows, with guest speaker Mark Miller. Registration forms can be found in the church office. Registration deadline is September 16. FIFTY FORWARD Contact: Debra Tallman DTallman@FUMCPensacola.com LUNCH OUT August 10 11:30am Five Sisters All are invited to join the Fifty Forward ministry for this time of fellowship and food. SUMMER BREAK June, July, & August Silver & Gold and Friday Night at the Wright Place will be breaking for the months of June, July, and August. JOB OPENINGS PRESCHOOL DIRECTOR First United Methodist Church is seeking a qualified director to run our preschool at the Methodist Children s Academy. The Methodist Children s Academy is a full-day preschool and after school care program located on the campus of First United Methodist Church in downtown Pensacola. Interested applicants should a resume to jobs@fumcpensacola. com. FULL-TIME TEACHERS FOR MCA Methodist Children's Academy is looking for full-time teachers. We are looking for someone who is dedicated, reliable, and loves working with children. Interested applicants should a resume to jobs@fumcpensacola. com. PART-TIME TEACHERS FOR MCA Methodist Children's Academy is looking for part-time afternoon teachers. We are looking for someone who is dedicated, reliable, and loves working with children. With this position there is a possibility for a full-time position to become available. Interested applicants should a resume to jobs@ fumcpensacola.com. MISSIONS Contact: Rev. Brandon Bures BBures@FUMCPensacola.com SUIT YOURSELF Do you have a "Passion for Fashion?" Consider volunteering with this group to help women in our community entering the workforce with new clothing and knowledge that there is a group of ladies at FUMC praying for their success. On Thursday mornings there is child care available if needed. Call Anne Aldridge at for more information. To drop off donations, call Jeanne Royal at JULY 30 - AUGUST VOLUME 197 ISSUE 16

7 SERVICE TIMES MUSIC Contact: Dr. Rick Branch USHERS NEEDED Usher volunteers are always needed at all of our sanctuary services. There is a special need for 11:00am sanctuary on fourth Sundays and 8:00am on first Sundays. Ushers can be male or female, older youth, through older adults. SANCTUARY CHOIR July 30 Sing at 8:00am August 2 Rehearse at 6:15pm August 6 Sing at 11:00am August 9 No Rehearsal August 13 Sing at 8:00am CHRISTMAS MUSIC RETREAT September 8 & 9 Sing in our Adult Choir Christmas Concert! We are having our annual Christmas Music Retreat in September and this is a great opportunity to join the choir and sing with us for the Christmas Concert. Look here for more info in the next Witness. RUTH S KITCHEN Contact: Susie Schmidt SSchmidt@FUMCPensacola.com WEDNESDAY MEALS August 2 No Dinner August 9 No Dinner SUNDAY 8:00am, 9:30am, 11:00am & ICON AT 11:00am SPIRITUAL FORMATION LABYRINTH & PRAYER STATIONS July 31 5:00-7:00pm Wesley Abbey First Church is offering a prayer room experience called Entering the Life of the Saints. You will be invited to prayerfully enter the life of a handful of the saints of the Christian church as a way of discerning whether any of their holy habits or spiritual practices is something which God is inviting you to embrace as a means of growing into the newness of life Christ offers us through His resurrection. RSVP to Donell Seager at DonellSeager@gmail.com. TWEEN Contact: Denise Van Atta DVanAtta@FUMCPensacola.com MORNING BIBLE STUDIES Begins Week of August 21 5th Grade - Panera - Wednesdays Starting August 23 6th Grade - Panera- Thursdays Starting August 24 6th Grade - Bagel Heads - Fridays Starting August 25 FEAR FACTOR September 10 Mark your calendars! More information to come. stay connected WOMEN Contact: Nancy Shealy nfs3@bellsouth.net fumcpensacola ANNUAL DESIGNING WOMEN'S EVENT & LUNCHEON August 26 9:00am - 12:30pm $25 All women (and men too!) are invited to the annual Designing Women Luncheon presented by the United Methodist Women of First Church. This wonderful event, which raises money for various community missions, includes a silent auction, special guest speaker Kim Gravel (kimgravel.com), and a delicious catered lunch served at beautifully decorated tables. Tickets are on sale through August 20th and can be purchased in the church office or at tables set up on Sunday mornings. To learn more about the Designing Women Luncheon event, or to volunteer to decorate a table or donate an auction item, please contact Heather Schultz at heatherschultzrn@yahoo.com or Tricia Thomas at triciebird@bellsouth.net. YOUTH Contact: Denise Van Atta DVanAtta@FUMCPensacola.com MORNING BIBLE STUDIES Begins Week of August 21 Senior High - Panera- Mondays Starting August 21 Senior High - Bagelheads- Tuesdays Starting August 22 Mid High - Panera- Thursdays Starting August 24 Youth - Bagelheads - Fridays Starting August 25 Sunday Night Youth Starting August 27 ANNOUNCEMENTS EGGSTRAVAGANZA August 20 Mark your calendars! More information to come. FUMCPensacola.com 7

8 Six East Wright Street, Pensacola, Florida (office) (fax) inside this edition... The Methodist Witness is a biweekly newsletter published by First United Methodist Church of Pensacola. If you have information to be included in an upcoming edition, or you have any questions or comments regarding The Methodist Witness Please contact the editor. Please Note: all information to be included is subject to approval and must be submitted by the appropriate deadlines. Kelsey Seager Editor of The Methodist Witness KSeager@FUMCPensacola.com...and more.

9 WHAT'S HAPPENING FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SUNDAY, 30 JULY 8th Sunday after Pentecost 7:45 AM - 12:15 PM - Childcare Available EB 8:00 AM - Worship Service Main Sanctuary 9:00 AM - Perry Home Coffee Bar PH 9:30 AM - Worship Service Main Sanctuary 9:30 AM - Sunday School Various Locations 11:00 AM - ICON Worship Service WA 11:00 AM - Worship Service Main Sanctuary FRIDAY, 04 AUGUST 5:30 PM - Family Fun Night at Pensacola Beach SATURDAY, 05 AUGUST CALENDAR MONDAY, 31 JULY 11:00 AM - Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 5:00 PM - Labyrinth WA 5:30 PM - Cub Scout Pack 99 YMC 5:30 PM - Fitness and Faith Group Front Lawn 7:00 PM - Boy Scout Troop 495 YMC TUESDAY, 01 AUGUST 9:00 AM - Suit Yourself OB 9:30 AM - Bridge Group PHCB 10:00 AM - Prayer Shawl Ministry PH101 5:30 PM - Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 6:00 PM - UMW Friendship Group PH WEDNESDAY, 02 AUGUST 9:00 AM - Suit Yourself OB 10:30 AM - Women at the Well PHP 5:30 PM - Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 5:45 PM - Kids Gym & Childcare Available HRAC 6:15 PM - Adult Sanctuary Choir ITRH THURSDAY, 03 AUGUST 10:00 AM - Study of Prayer PH 11:00 AM - Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 11:30 AM - Mentors Recruitment Luncheon GH 1:00 PM - Heather Mitchell Art Class PH JULY 30 - AUGUST VOLUME 197 ISSUE 16 FUMCPensacola.com INSERT

10 SUNDAY, 06 AUGUST 9th Sunday after Pentecost Blessings of the Back Packs All Services 7:45 AM - 12:15 PM - Childcare Available EB 8:00 AM - Worship Service Main Sanctuary 9:00 AM - Perry Home Coffee Bar PH 9:30 AM - Introduction to First Church PH101 9:30 AM - Worship Service Main Sanctuary 9:30 AM - Sunday School Various Locations 11:00 AM - ICON Worship Service WA 11:00 AM - Worship Service Main Sanctuary MONDAY, 07 AUGUST :00 AM - Sewing Ministry FB 11:00 AM - Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 5:15 PM - Trustees Committee Meeting S117 5:30 PM - Cub Scout Pack 99 YMC 5:30 PM - Fitness and Faith Group Front Lawn 7:00 PM - Boy Scout Troop 495 YMC THURSDAY, 10 AUGUST 10:00 AM - God s Stories Group PH 11:00 AM - Serving The Hungry Plus MBP 11:30 AM - Pensacola Heritage Lunch and Lecture DH 1:00 PM - Heather Mitchell Art Class PH FRIDAY, 11 AUGUST 5:30 PM - Sacred Harp PH SATURDAY, 12 AUGUST TUESDAY, 08 AUGUST 9:00 AM - Suit Yourself OB 9:30 AM - Bridge Group PHCB 10:00 AM - Prayer Shawl Ministry PH101 5:30 PM - Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 5:30 PM - UMW Mary and Martha Group PH101 6:00 PM - Mission Outreach Committee Meeting DH WEDNESDAY, 09 AUGUST 9:00 AM - Suit Yourself OB 10:30 AM - Women at the Well PHP 5:30 PM - Five Flags Dog Training Club FB 5:45 PM - Kids Gym & Childcare Available HRAC 6:15 PM - Adult Sanctuary Choir ITRH S - Basement of Sanctuary EB - Education Building FB - Franklin Building HRAC - Henry Roberts Activities Center ITRH - Ike Terry Rehearsal Hall LEGEND JHL - Joe Harrell Library OB - Outreach Building PH - Perry Home PHCH - Coffee House WP - The Wright Place DH - Wright Place Dining Hall GH - Wright Place Great Hall WA - Wesley Abbey YB - Youth Building MBP- Miss Barbara's Place JULY 30 - AUGUST VOLUME 197 ISSUE 16 FUMCPensacola.com INSERT