SENTINEL. Sunday Worship at 10:00 am

Transcription

1 w orshi p Westside Food Bank Collection: Nutritional Bars (granola, energy, cereal, protein, etc) Sunday Worship at 10:00 am FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SENTINEL vol. cxxxvii, no. 1 January 2012 January 1 New Year s Day/Epiphany Blessing of the Toys/Holy Communion Family Service (no Sunday School or Nursery) The Blessing of the Toys New Year New Dreams by Rev. Patricia Farris New Year s Day, 10 am Everyone is invited to bring their favorite (non-noisy) Christmas gift to be blessed during worship. January 8 Baptismal Renewal/Installation of 2012 Officers/Sending Forth of Haiti Work Team Receive the Holy Spirit by Rev. Patricia Farris January 15 January 22 January 29 Youth Sunday This annual service is designed and led by our youth. It is always inspirational. Be sure to join us! 1008 Eleventh Street, Santa Monica, CA info@santamonicaumc.org Senior Minister Rev. Patricia Farris p.farris@santamonicaumc.org Youth & Intergenerational Rev. Robert English r.english@santamonicaumc.org Children & Family Life Rev. Camille Mattick c.mattick@santamonicaumc.org Music Jim Smith djes@roadrunner.com L. A. District Superintendent Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Business Administrator Christina Eddy c.eddy@santamonicaumc.org NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE PERMIT NO. 100 Advent s Many Blessings Advent 2011 offered the perfect end to an eventful year. We hope to see you in the New Year for worship, music events, study opportunities and more! May God bless you and your loved ones and spread peace across the globe in 2012! FUMC Preschool Charleen Smith, Director c.smith@santamonicaumc.org Photo of the Month Highlights Office Manager Nancy Perov n.perov@santamonicaumc.org The Bibles and United Methodist Hymnals Communications that were donated in honor of Rev. Rachel Eaton r.eaton@santamonicaumc.org Nancy Thompson, Office Assistant n.thompson@santamonicaumc.org Patricia Farris s 60th birthday last month have arrived in Mozambique! Thanks to all who gave. Horizons News & Events.. Community January Worship

2 Grant me the strength from day to day To bear what burdens come my way. Grant me throughout this bright New Year More to endure and less to fear. Help me live that I may be From spite and petty malice free. Let me not bitterly complain When cherished hopes of mine prove vain, Or spoil with deeds of hate and rage Some fair tomorrow's spotless page. Lord, as the days shall come and go In courage let me stronger grow. Lord, as the New Year dawns today Help me to put my faults away. Let me be big in little things; Grant me the joy which friendship brings. Keep me from selfishness and spite; Let me be wise in what is right. A happy New Year! Grant that I May bring no tear to any eye. When this New Year in time shall end Let it be said I've played the friend, Have lived and loved and labored here, And made of it a happy year. --Edgar A. Guest Horizons b y Senior Minister FUMC Leadership for 2012 Lay Leader: Michael Lamb Associate Lay Leader: Shannon Sturges Co-Chairpersons, Church Council: Noel Eaton and Leslie Nordby Chairperson, Guidance and Outreach Council: Charley Worley Chairperson, Fellowship & Events Council: Sandra Jones Chairperson, Finance Committee: Kim Defenderfer Co-Chairpersons, Health Ministry Council: Debi Jenkinson/Dorothy Williams Chairperson, Historical Records Committee: Marilyn Hedges Chairperson, Lay Leadership: Caprice Walker Chairperson, Library Committee: Mary Crawford Chairperson, Loans & Scholarships: Ben Ing President, Methodist Foundation of Santa Monica: John Stutsman Co-Chairpersons, Missions Council: Helen Hewitt/Linda Diane Anderson Chairperson, Parking Lot Committee: Chuck Kearsley Chairperson, Seasonal Displays: Mike Eskridge Chairperson, Spiritual Formation Council: Mary Crawford Chairperson, Staff-Parish Relations Committee: Dee Menzies Chairperson, Trustees: Todd Erlandson (elected by the Trustees) President, United Methodist Women: Cheryl Shanks/Betty Storm Chairperson, Youth Ministry Council: Sherry Erlandson 2012 Leadership Conference All lay members of the FUMC community are invited to participate in the 2012 Los Angeles District Leadership Conference on Saturday, February 4, from 8:15 am - 2 pm which is taking place at our church. The registration fee is $8 and includes breakfast and lunch (what a deal). Registration forms are available at the Hospitality Table during Coffee Fellowship on Sundays or in the Church Office. Standing Together Project Beginning in January, 10 members of our congregation will be participating with 10 members of our local Muslim community in a 7-part series on Sunday afternoons from 2-4 pm. The program is intended to help bridge the gap between Christians and Muslims by building understanding, fostering loving and compassionate relationships, and engaging the participants with one another about their beliefs and practices. We are proud to be hosting and participating in this event. If you have any questions, please contact Rev. Patricia Farris in the church office or via at p.farris@santamonicaumc.org. Epworth Apartments Epworth Apartments are a mission of the Los Angeles District of the United Methodist Church. On the site of the former Epworth UMC at 6525 Normandie Ave. in South Los Angeles, a new four story apartment building has been constructed as a joint mission with the United Methodist Church and the state Department of Mental Health. It will be ready for occupancy in mid-march The apartments will be occupied by young adults who are either homeless, coming out of foster care, or referred by the probation service. This is a population which is very much underserved in our communities. They will have case managers to help them establish themselves in work or school, and will live in their units until they wish to move out. Funds and furnishings are needed to set up the apartments (2 single and 17 one bedroom units) as follows: $3,200 to equip a single apartment (furniture and supplies); $2,200 to contribute toward the furniture purchase; $800 for the sheets, towels, etc. to equip a unit; or, there are individual items that can be purchased, much as we do for Upward Bound House. A flyer with a fuller description and rendering of the facility will be available for your consideration. -Bee Campbell, Epworth Hospitality Team Mission Trip to Gulf Coast A mission trip to Gulfport, Mississippi, is being organized by members of Westwood UMC to take place during Holy Week The team will leave on Saturday morning (the day before Palm Sunday) and return Saturday afternoon (the day before Easter Sunday). Anyone who is interested is invited to join. Please contact Bette Caldwell (bette4dkg@aol.com) with questions. Ending 2011 in Good Health We look forward to everyone closing out their 2011 pledges. Stop by the office, mail or make payment online via our church website. We will be accepting 2011 payments through the first week of January. Thank you for your support!

3 Haiti Mission Trip January five members of our church family (Robert English, Michael Kelley, Camille Mattick, Martha Ross and Larry Young) will be serving in the country of Haiti. Two years ago a massive earthquake destroyed buildings and infrastructure of this impoverished nation. Our team will be serving in the city of Mellier, which has become a major priority of the recovery efforts of our United Methodist Committee on Relief. We go forth as an extension of this church family, to serve in whatever way we can. We ask for your prayers for our team but also focused prayers for the people of Haiti. If you are interested in reading more about one work team s experience in Mellier check out this blog from a previous work team: Mid-Week Recitals Resume Be sure to join us for our January Mid-Week Recital on Wednesday, January 11, in the Sanctuary with Nora Chiang, an outstanding pianist. Her program includes works by Chopin, Schubert and Debussy. The concerts run from 12:10-12:40 pm to accommodate lunch schedules. The concerts are always free and open to the public. Spread the word and don t miss the first of the season! CAST Auditions for Spring Productions CAST is proud to announce their Spring productions of: Peter Pan (Kindergarten - 4th grade) Auditions will be held on Monday, January 23, 4-6 pm. Rehearsals will take place Mondays, January 30 - May 7, 4-6 pm. Tech Rehearsals will be May 14 - May 17, 4-7 pm. Performances are Friday and Saturday, May 18 and 19, at 7 pm, and Sunday, May 20, at 1 pm. Man of LaMancha (5th -12th Grade) Auditions will be held on Monday, January 23, 6:30-8:30 pm. Rehearsals will take place Mondays, January 30 - April 16, 6:30-8:30 pm. Tech Rehearsals will be April 23-26, 5-8 pm. Performances are Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, at 7pm and Sunday April 29, at 1pm. Everyone who auditions will be cast. $125 activity fee. Scholarships are available. For more information, please contact Camille Mattick at , x104 or c.mattick@santamonicaumc.org. LOOKING AHEAD 27th Annual Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Celebration All are invited to the SGI-USA World Culture Center Auditorium (525 Wilshire Blvd) on Monday, January 16, from 9 am - 12 noon for a multi-ethnic, interfaith program of live music, dance, and spoken word performances, speakers, inspirational readings, and the presentation of the Rev. Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. Westside Coalition Education Awards. The Keynote Speaker will be The Honorable Janice Hahn of the U.S. House of Representatives. The event is free and open to the public. Immediately following the celebration there will be a Community Involvement Fair across the street (606 Wilshire Blvd) offering refreshments and informational displays by a variety of community organizations. Free parking will be available on 7th Street. January Book Study Join us on Sunday, January 29, at 11 am in the Fireside Room for our next Potluck and Book Study discussion. The book will be Creation Untamed: The Bible, God, and Natural Disasters by Terence E. Fretheim. As our mission team heads off to Haiti to take part in the on-going work following the devastation of an earthquake, cholera and hurricanes, what better time could there be to take a hard look at what we believe about God and natural disasters? Biblical scholar Dr. Fretheim of Luther Seminary explores Scripture to help us reflect on the relationship of God to nature, creation and suffering. He asks in the Introduction:...if our God cares so much for all creatures, why didn t God create a world in which there would be no natural disasters? We see disease, hunger, pain, loss of life... where is God in all of this? What does the Bible tell us? As the New Year begins, put on your thinking caps and come prepared to do some heavy lifting. You will be richly rewarded for your efforts. The book is on sale NOW in the Church Office and at the Sunday Hospitality Table. Save the Date! Mark your calendars now and plan to attend the dynamic Communication and Social Networking, Take Two seminar and luncheon on Sunday, February 12 from 11:15 am - 1 pm, sponsored by the Health Ministry Council. F U M C S e n t i n e l - J a n u a r y P a g e 3

4 JANUARY Sunday, January 1 - Epiphany/Holy Communion Blessing of the Toys Sunday, January 8 - Baptismal Renewal Commissioning of Haiti Team/Installation of FUMC Officers 11:30 am UMW Monthly Luncheon, FR Monday, January 9 - Church Office Closed 9:30 am Intercessory Prayer Group, FR Wednesday, January 11 12:10 pm Mid-Week Recital & Reception, S/FR Nora Chiang, piano Thursday, January 12 - Haiti Work Team Departs Monday, January 16 (Church Office Closed) Martin Luther King, Jr. Day 9:30 am MLK Celebration, SGI Auditorium Tuesday, January 17 6 pm UBH Board Meeting, UBH Community Rm Thursday, January 19 9 am Preschool Mini March, CY/SH Friday, January 20 5:30 pm Preschool Parent s Night Out, SH Saturday, January 21 (Haiti Work Team Returns) 1 pm Henry Jex Memorial Service, S Sunday, January 22 11:30 am Rev. Farris Book Study & Potluck, FR 2 pm Standing Together (Christian/Muslim Group), FR Monday, January 23 9 am Intercessory Prayer Group, FR 4 pm CAST Auditions (Peter Pan), SH 6:30 pm CAST Auditions (Man of LaMancha), SH Wednesday, January 25 9 am Preschool Lunar New Year Celebration, SH Sunday, January 29 - Youth Sunday 11 am Haiti Team Report-Back & Lunch, SH 2 pm Standing Together (Christian/Muslim Group), FR Monday, January 30 (Church Office Closed) 4 pm CAST Rehearsal (Peter Pan), SH 6:30 pm CAST Rehearsal (Man of LaMancha), Rm 301A Church Office Hours Tues - Fri, 9 am - 5 pm Weekly at FUMC * Sundays 8:45 am Youth Handbell Choir, CHR 9 am Partnership with God, Rm am Lectionary Scripture Discussion, FR 9 am Nursery Care, Rm 204 9:15 am Youth Choir, Rm 300 9:20 am Children s Choir, Chapel * 10 am Worship, S 10:15 am Sunday School, Edu Bldg 10:50 am Cherub Choir, Rm am Coffee Fellowship, SH 11 am Hospitality Table, SH 6:15 pm UMYF, 3rd Floor Edu Bldg 6:30 pm Open Table, Off-site Mondays (Church Office Closed) Tuesdays 7 am Men s Breakfast Bible Study, FR 7:30 pm Amadeus Handbell Choir, CHR Wednesdays 10 am UMW Work Party & Lunch, WR 7 pm the bridge, Rm 308 Thursdays 8 am Women s Bible Study, FR 7:40 pm Chancel Choir Rehearsal, CHR Chapel Open for Prayer Mon - Fri, 10 am - 4 pm * Food Drive for January: Nutrition Bars (granola/protein/energy) Please refer to the calendar insert in your Order of Worship on Sunday mornings for specifics or changes to the schedule. For more information about groups of the church, special events or for the complete church calendar, visit our website. Sunday Flowers for Worship The dates available for donating flowers as of the printing of this issue are: January 1, 8, 15, 22 & 29. Please call the church office to reserve a date in January 1 Coffee Fellowship We invite everyone to bring refreshements for Coffee Fellowship on New Year s Day. Have holiday goodies to share? Just bring them along! CHR = Choir Room; CR = Conference Room; CY = Courtyard; FR = Fireside Room; L = Library; MH = Member s Home; OS = Off Site; S = Sanctuary; SH = Simkins Hall; WR = Work Room (UMW)

5 Births -Congratulations to Jim and Laura Farrand on the birth of their grandson Emmett Farrand Dubeck on December 8. -Congratulations to Don and Michelle Danforth on the birth of great-grandson Kolby Patrick Sorrels on December 12. -Congratulations to Chris and Gordon Reagh on the birth of nephew Benjamin Osamu Murata to Doug and Tritia Murata on November 29. Baptisms Congratulations to the family of Brooke Anne Talt Lundin who was baptized on Sunday, December 11, during worship. Congratulations Congratulations to Preston Searfoss who received his black belt in Tae-kwondo and Hapkido AND was named to the All-State Honor Choir! Way to go, Preston! Condolences We extend our deepest sympathies to the family and friends of these departed loved ones: -Wayne Parrish who died on December 6. -Eric Potulicki s mother Virginia Potulicki who died on November 23. -Charlene Earnest s mother Louise Hopkins who died on December 22. -Fred Rapoport s father. Thanks -Dear friends, thank you for your love, concern, and prayers before, during and since the removal of my benign tumor on my right adrenal gland. Our Lord was with the surgeons, nurses and all the hospital staff; he gave family and friends hope, peace and encouragement; and I grew in my faith of fully relying on God. My beautiful prayer quilt was on my bed and everyone asked about it. I told each person about the message of the quilt and asked each one to tie a square knot and say a prayer. Each one saw the cross on the back. I was able to be a witness to the love of our Savior, Jesus Christ. Again many thanks. With love, Marie Rourke -My sincere thanks to all who were praying for me and my surgical team for my recent back operation. Everything went well and I was released from St. John s the following afternoon to continue recuperation. Many thanks! -Dennis Gibbs -To the church staff, thank you so much for the beautiful flowers. My mom was so surprised to find them when she came home from the cemetery. Thank you to the staff and congregation for their continued support in the loss of my father. I know now that he watches me from heaven and keeps a watchful guard over my family. I know that the family name and his namesake are living on in my brother s new son Benjamin. God bless you all! -Chris Reagh Thanks for Giving -We served dinner to about 3,700 people and gave several hundred hair cuts, eye exams and medical exams. We gave out tons of clothing and blankets, hygiene kits, toys and stuffed animals. Thank you each and every one, and may God bless you throughout the year. Next year we turn thirty! See you then, Dean (Westside Community Thanksgiving at the Santa Monica Civic Center) -Heartfelt thanks to everyone who contributed so generously for Bibles and Hymnals for Mozambique to celebrate my 60th birthday! I am overwhelmed. You far exceeded our goal of 60 of each, so much so that we ve been able to send them to both the Nazareta UMC AND the Matsuquetele UMC. WOW! They were given to them at their Annual Conference session in mid-december. They sent the following: On behalf of the Missouri Mozambique Initiative and both of these parishes, Nazareta (Nazareth) and Matsuquetele UMC s, please extend our gratitude to the Santa Monica FUMC congregation for their generosity. So, since we sent a grand total of 110 Bibles and 92 Hymnals, I think that means that I need to live to be at least 100! Thanks be to God for this marvelous gift of Word and song to our brothers and sisters in Mozambique. I am deeply touched and honored. -Patricia Farris Stay Informed! A New Service from the City of Santa Monica In the event of an emergency, get important text, or voice messages sent to your mobile phone, work , your home or anywhere you need to receive important safety messages. It s easy and free. Visit SMAlerts.net to sign up. You may register for Community Updates as well. Your information will not be shared outside of the SM Alerts system. For more information, visit the website or call the Office of Emergency Management at Household Hazardous Waste Collection Comes to Your Home Introducing the Home Collection Pilot Program, a safe, convenient, and easy way to use pick-up service where the Haz Mat technician comes to your home. The new home collection service is provided in a few easy steps: 1. Reserve collection service: call , Monday-Friday, 8 am - 5 pm; or hotline@curbsideinc.com; 2. Receive collection kit in the mail (includes detailed instructions with collection day reminder); 3. Prepare collection kit at your doorstep or at a predetermined location on collection day; 4. Leave prepared materials and we ll do the rest. This service is provided on a free and unlimited basis to all Santa Monica residents. The Household Hazardous Waste Center has limited its hours of operation to Saturdays only, 9 am - 2 pm. If the pilot program is successful, the city will transition to a permanent pick-up service this month. For additional information or feedback, please visit or call F U M C Sentinel - Ja n u a r y page 5

6 w orshi p Westside Food Bank Collection: Nutritional Bars (granola, energy, cereal, protein, etc) Sunday Worship at 10:00 am FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH SENTINEL vol. cxxxvii, no. 1 January 2012 January 1 New Year s Day/Epiphany Blessing of the Toys/Holy Communion Family Service (no Sunday School or Nursery) The Blessing of the Toys New Year New Dreams by Rev. Patricia Farris New Year s Day, 10 am Everyone is invited to bring their favorite (non-noisy) Christmas gift to be blessed during worship. January 8 Baptismal Renewal/Installation of 2012 Officers/Sending Forth of Haiti Work Team Receive the Holy Spirit by Rev. Patricia Farris January 15 January 22 January 29 Youth Sunday This annual service is designed and led by our youth. It is always inspirational. Be sure to join us! 1008 Eleventh Street, Santa Monica, CA info@santamonicaumc.org Senior Minister Rev. Patricia Farris p.farris@santamonicaumc.org Youth & Intergenerational Rev. Robert English r.english@santamonicaumc.org Children & Family Life Rev. Camille Mattick c.mattick@santamonicaumc.org Music Jim Smith djes@roadrunner.com L. A. District Superintendent Rev. Cedrick Bridgeforth Bishop Mary Ann Swenson Business Administrator Christina Eddy c.eddy@santamonicaumc.org NONPROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID MAILED FROM ZIP CODE PERMIT NO. 100 Advent s Many Blessings Advent 2011 offered the perfect end to an eventful year. We hope to see you in the New Year for worship, music events, study opportunities and more! May God bless you and your loved ones and spread peace across the globe in 2012! FUMC Preschool Charleen Smith, Director c.smith@santamonicaumc.org Photo of the Month Highlights Office Manager Nancy Perov n.perov@santamonicaumc.org The Bibles and United Methodist Hymnals Communications that were donated in honor of Rev. Rachel Eaton r.eaton@santamonicaumc.org Nancy Thompson, Office Assistant n.thompson@santamonicaumc.org Patricia Farris s 60th birthday last month have arrived in Mozambique! Thanks to all who gave. Horizons News & Events.. Community January Worship