firstunited methodistchurch

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1 With you on your journey Volume 40 Issue 7 March 30, 2016 Dr. Tom Long to Visit April 10th On April 10th, we are in for a real treat. Dr. Tom Long will be our guest in worship at the 11:00 First Tradition service and a special service at 6:00 p.m. that evening. Dr. Long, one of the nation s most renowned preachers, will offer messages that will be inspiring, thought provoking, and transformational. Our church s music ministries will also lead us in worship, making for two services you will not want to miss. Some of you may remember his first visit to our church as the Walton Lecturer in He ll bring the same excellence to the pulpit this time. I am personally excited about Dr. Long being here as he has been a great mentor and teacher of mine since my days in seminary. He was one of those teachers where I would hang on every word. Whenever I had the opportunity to hear him preach, I was there early to make sure I got a good seat. And every time he publishes a book, I usually order it before it s released. He can take his deep scholarship of the Biblical text and shine a light on it where we can see clearly God s revelation and then communicate it in almost poetic language. I hope you ll join me in looking forward to Dr. Long s visit and join us in worship at 11:00 and 6:00 on April 10. David, Senior Pastor His latest books include The Good Funeral and What Shall We Say?. In 2010, Preaching magazine named his preaching textbook, The Witness of Preaching, one of the 25 most influential books in preaching for the last 25 years. 723 Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas IN THIS ISSUE: NEWS & EVENTS Pilgrimage for Peace - April 3rd KIDS@FIRST CPR and AED Training April 17th MISSION & OUTREACH Communion Sunday - April 3rd MISSION COVENANT Our promise is to be with you on your journey. Our purpose is to love God, love others, and change the world. Our mission is to be an inclusive downtown congregation that builds Christian community where people experience God s transforming grace. firstunited methodistchurch DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK

2 CHURCH CALENDAR April 3rd - 16th Sunday, April 3rd 8:30 am - First Cup Cafe 8:30 am - First Light (Chapel) 9:00 am - First Word (Cokesbury Center) 9:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - First Tradition (Sanctuary) 12:15 pm - LiNK Junior Leadership 5:00 pm - First Youth (Youth Studio) Tuesday, April 5th 7:00 am - Tuesday Study Group (Rm 204) 9:00 am - Sew & Serve (Rm 207) 12:00 pm - Day Bells 3:30 pm - FirstArts 5:30 pm - East Side Al-Anon Family Group (Rm 205) 5:30 pm - Stories from Cuba - Koinonia Class (Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, April 6th 9:00 am - Child Development Center Chapel (Chapel) 11:00 am - Weight Watchers (Chapel) 12:00 pm - Staff Lunch (Fellowship Hall) 5:30 pm - SWAG 7:00 pm - Interfaith Choir (Rm 251) 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Rm 258) Thursday, April 7th 10:30 am - Companion in Christ (Rm 243) 12:00 pm - Pastor s Bible Study (Rm 204) 3:30 pm - FirstArts 5:30 pm - FirstWord Practice (Cokesbury Center) 7:00 pm - Ensemble (Holt) Sunday, April 10th 7:30 am - Quapaw Community Breakfast (QQUMC) 8:30 am - First Cup Cafe 8:30 am - First Light (Chapel) 9:00 am - First Word (Cokesbury Center) 9:45 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - First Tradition - Tom Long Guest Preacher (Sanctuary) 4:00 pm - Our House Homeless Shelter Dinner 6:00 pm - Special Service with Tom Long 4:00 pm - Falkowski Journey Group 5:00 pm - First Youth (Youth Studio) Monday, April 11th 6:00 pm - Meditation Group (Prayer Room) Tuesday, April 12th 7:00 am - Tuesday Study Group (Rm 204) 9:00 am - Sew & Serve (Rm 207) 12:00 pm - Day Bells 3:30 pm - FirstArts 5:30 pm - East Side Al-Anon Family Group (Rm 205) 5:30 pm - Friends & Neighbors Network (Fellowship Hall) Wednesday, April 13th 9:00 am - Child Development Center Chapel (Chapel) 11:00 am - Weight Watchers (Chapel) 5:00 pm - Board of Trustees (Rm 209) 5:30 pm - SWAG 7:00 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal (Rm 258) Thursday, April 14th 9:30 am - PALS Journey Group (First Cup Cafe) 10:30 am - Companion in Christ (Rm 243) 12:00 pm - Pastor s Bible Study (Rm 204) 3:30 pm - FirstArts 5:30 pm - FirstWord Practice (Cokesbury Center) 7:00 pm - Ensemble (Church) NEWS & EVENTS United Methodist Women s General Meeting and Lunch is on Sunday, April 17th in the Fellowship Hall After lunch, our speaker will be Jane Dennis, Director of Communications, at Methodist Family Health which dates back to Methodist Family Health provides comprehensive psychiatric and behavioral healthcare to Arkansas children and their families. They serve 2,400 children daily in their Methodist Children s Home, behavioral hospital, group homes, counseling clinics and other programs throughout Arkansas. Some items needed by Methodist Family Health that you could bring to the meeting are: boys and girls socks, ages 3-17 (larger sizes are needed more); diapers of all sizes, especially pull-ups; and activity items including coloring books crayons, colored pencils, puzzles (500 pieces or smaller), board games, cards and dominos. Please call the church office at to make a reservation so enough food will be prepared. There is no cost, but a donation for the food is appreciated. Everyone is welcome! Pilgrimage for Peace Walking together as active peacemakers The third annual Pilgrimage for Peace is being organized by the local interfaith community in Pulaski County to mourn the violence committed in our community and the world and to walk together as active peacemakers. The public is invited to participate in the annual walk, which takes place this year on Sunday, April 3, 2016 at 2:00 p.m. Walkers will meet at 2:00 p.m. in the circle drive in front of Heifer International Village, 1 World Ave in downtown Little Rock. We will walk through the River Market, across the Junction Bridge, and end at the Beacon of Peace and Hope at the Arkansas Inland Maritime Museum, 120 Riverfront Park Dr. in North Little Rock. At 3:00 p.m. a service of remembrance will be held at the Beacon of Peace and Hope, consisting of prayers, brief reflections, and the reading of the names of the homicide victims in Pulaski County from the past year. www. pilgrimageforpeace.com. Ark. Interfaith Power & Light and SERVE present Climate Change and Inequality Pope Francis recently released his encyclical on the environment called CLIMATE CHANGE AND INEQUALITY: ON CARE FOR OUR COMMON HOME. We will have a three week discussion of the book. The dates are Thursday, April 7, 14, and 21 from 6:30-7:30 p.m. in the Interfaith Library at FUMC. To sign up and obtain a copy of the book, contact Anthony Falkowski at afalkowski@fumclr.org.

3 EASTER 2016 To view all the Easter photos, please visit the church Facebook page- facebook.com/fumclr

4 To view all the Easter photos, please visit the church Facebook page- facebook.com/fumclr EASTER 2016

5 In Memory and Celebration of Allen & Betty Ann Bullard by Katherine, Helen & Henry Melhorn In Memory and Celebration of Johnson Melhorn by Katherine, Helen & Henry Melhorn In Memory of Julia Wilke by Mabel Harris-Webb In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. JM Fisher by Georgann Ozment In Memory of Jimmy Fisher by Georgann Ozment In Memory of Charles Chastain by Sara Chastain In Memory of Imogene Bridges by Sara Chastain In Memory of Hayes Bridges by Sara Chastain In Memory of Gene Wallace by his loving family In Memory of Jake Agar by his loving family In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. L.D. Holt by Dee Ann Holt and Mada Holt Stanley In Memory of Suzanne Holland by Karen Barnett In Memory of Ella & Alvie Oldham by Nancy and Dan Oldham In Memory of Lenore & Roy Doyle by Nancy and Dan Oldham In Memory of Jean Oldham by Nancy & Dan Oldham In Memory of Matthew & Jim Doyle by Nancy & Dan Oldham In Memory of Suzanne Barker by Steve Barker In Memory of John Slaven by Mary & Everett Hawks In Memory of Bess Mabrey Herr by Brad and Helen Herr Jordan In Memory of Thitus Farish Jordan by Brad & Helen Herr Jordan In Memory of Winston Faulkner by his family In Memory of Rosemary Williams by Flora Jeanne Colglazier In Memory of Charles Williams by Flora Jeanne Colglazier In Memory of Sybil and Claude Hefley by Katherine, Gene, Samuel, Thomas & Sophia Lu In Memory of Ham Tobler by Katherine, Gene, Samuel, Thomas & Sophia Lu In Memory of Bob Ligon by a friend In Memory of Winston Faulkner by Mabel Harris-Webb M E M O R I A L S In Memory of William Stanley by Mada Stanley & family In Memory of Jim Foster by Nancy Foster In Memory of Pearle H. Stout by Sara Stout Shaw In Memory of Chick Stout by Sara Stout Shaw In Memory of Curtis H. Stout by Sara Stout Shaw In Memory of Neoma Shaw by John C. Shaw, Jr. In Memory of John C. Shaw, Sr. by John C. Shaw, Jr. In Memory of Lee Bowen Spencer, Sr. by Molly McNulty, Judge Mary Spencer McGowan, Sarah Spencer, Dr. Catherine Robben & Dr. Liz Oswald In Memory of Willa Belle Spencer by Molly McNulty, Judge Mary Spencer McGowan, Sarah Spencer, Dr. Catherine Robben & Dr. Liz Oswald In Memory of Louis & Lorraine Lanford by Gaye & Bob Lanford In Memory of Charles & Jean Phillips by Gaye & Bob Lanford In Memory of our grandson, Mario Roman Ordonez-Perez by Joseph & Joanne Ramay Perez In Memory of George and Kathryn Kurtz by Kathryn McConnell In Memory of the Wedding Anniversary of Charles U. & Dorothy J. Robinson by Harriet & Bill Robinson In Memory of Martha Barber by Pat & John Lile In Memory of my parents, J.B. & Margaret McCuistion by Lynda Lewis In Memory of Noel & Ella Latta by Barbara Latta In Memory of Emmitt & Lizzie Wensler by Barbara Latta In Memory of Barbara Fowler by Barbara Latta In Memory of Charles Chastain by Judy Chastain In Memory of Jim and Katy Rice by their Children In Memory of Benton Williams by Don & Helen Williams In Memory of Juanita Ridling by Coralie Hawkins In Memory of Paul Ridling by Coralie Hawkins In Memory of Matilda Wynne by a friend In Memory of French Wilde by a friend In Memory of Betty Mallory by a friend

6 H O N O R A R I U M S In Honor of David Gentry by Mabel Harris-Webb In Honor of David, Sydney, Emery & Ansley Johnson by Amy Johnson In Honor of our children Jim, Ross and Sloan by Flo & Jim Deer In Honor of Judy Chastain by Sara Chastain In Honor of Bob Bridges by Sara Chastain In Honor of Ann Bridges by Sara Chastain In Honor of Carol Sherer by Robert Sherer In Honor of Pam Owen by Mary & Everett Hawks In Honor of Thomas Lu by Martha Faulkner In Honor of the Music Ministry by Martha Faulkner In Honor of my children, Phil and Carol by Nancy Foster In Honor of my grandchildren, Christina, Jennifer, Megan and Cody by Nancy Foster In Honor of Liam Hankins-Hull by the Faulkner Sunday School Class In Honor of our mommy, Katherine Lu by Samuel, Thomas & Sophia In Honor of Betty J. Harris by Harriet & Bill Robinson In Honor of Anthony Falkowski by Harriet & Bill Robinson In Honor of Jane Cazort by Pat & John Lile In Honor John Lile by Pat Lile In Honor of Jack & Kay Latta by Barbara Latta In Honor of Tom & Karen Latta by Barbara Latta In Honor of Ed & Lesia Latta by Barbara Latta In Honor of Jackay Burnside by Barbara Latta In Honor of Cole, Sarah, Logan & Cash Nix by Barbara Latta In Honor of Julia, Lauren & Julianne Darley by Barbara Latta In Honor of the Choir by Judy Chastain In Honor of our children: Jenifer, Wesley and Claire Williams and their families by Don & Helen Williams In Honor of the Flower Girls by Nancy & Craig Wood In Honor of Susan and Don Weir by Katherine, Gene, Samuel, Thomas & Sophia Lu In Honor of Jerry Tobler by Katherine, Gene, Samuel, Thomas & Sophia Lu In Honor of Bernice Lindley by Bob & Mary Ann McKuin In Honor of Anthony Falkowski by a friend In Honor of David Freeman by a friend In Honor of Donna Hankins-Hull by a friend In Honor of Richard Lancaster by a friend In Honor of Kyle Linson and John Churchwell by a friend In Honor of Marianne Ligon by a friend In Honor of the Cuba Mission Team by Mabel Harris- Webb

7 THIRD AGERS Music s Positive Contribution to Race Relations Third Agers and friends will have a real treat at noon Wednesday, May 18th when attorney Dent Gitchel provides a program about the origins of Rock n Roll music in African American culture. Dent wrote a paper on this topic while teaching at the University of Memphis Law School, according to his friend Jim Newell who will introduce him. Jim is a member with Dent of the Outback Band, an informal group which gathers almost weekly to enjoy good music and fun times together. Members of the Bowen- Cabe class heard this program recently and suggested that more of our church members would enjoy it as well. Come about 11:45 am and pick up a sandwich lunch and beverage for a $10.00 contribution. Remember, you do not have to be a member or to be of a certain age to come for our programs. Questions? Contact Jim Newell at jnewell@windstream.net or Pat Lile at plile@sbcglobal.net. For reservations, Kat Marsh at kmarsh@fumclr.org. KIDS@FIRST Tweens visits Clinton Library April 3rd All 4th 6th graders are invited to join together for lunch at 12:15 pm in the Cross & Flame Tween Café, followed by a tour of the Clinton Library s exhibit American Champions: The Quest for Olympic Glory. This exhibit tells the story of American athletes in the modern Olympic and Paralympics Games. Beyond celebrating their achievements and athleticism, the exhibit, like the Games themselves, honors the human spirit that unites us all: across borders, generations, gender and race. Both Summer and Winter Games will be featured; and as we discover what it takes to be an Olympian, we will compare and contrast that against what it takes for us to be Jesus followers as tweens. Friends and parents as always are welcome to join us. Make sure your child has turned in their medical release forms to me by that morning. Contact psnider@fumclr.org for more information or medical forms. CPR and AED Training American Heart trainers will conduct training on our campus on April. 17th for our staff and church family from 12:15 to 2:30 pm. If anyone would like to be included in this training, I need to know no later than April 3rd to make sure we are properly prepared. The cost is $45 for a two year certification. psnider@fumclr.org. FIRST YOUTH Sunday Morning at the Movies In a seemingly perfect community, without war, pain, suffering, differences or choice, a young boy is chosen to learn from an elderly man about the true pain and pleasure of the real world. This Sunday continue watching The Giver! Come hang out, eat popcorn and watch part of this dramatic film from 9:45-10:50 am! Communion Fund - Sunday, April 3rd I was lucky enough to get to observe last week, first hand, our outreach ministry at work as I sat in with Anthony Falkowski, Director of Missions and Outreach. Among the many people who came in that day was a young couple who had found themselves in a tough situation, and they truly needed a hand up. While their most immediate need appeared to be employment and a way to get to a job, in the course of the conversation we discovered that they had a place to live, but had no food. After giving them bus passes to help them search for work, recommendations of where they might apply, and a quick phone call to find an open food pantry, I drove them over to the pantry just before it closed. I learned that it was the young man s birthday. He said he had woken up feeling down and hopeless, but our church was truly a blessing. We had given them opportunities to find work, help to get food, and most of all, hope. The pantry gave him a birthday cake, his first birthday cake in a very long while. Together, we all helped him see that his life was worth celebrating, that their circumstances didn t have to be forever. They had too much to carry, so I drove them home and located a library nearby where they could use the computers to help find work. They couldn t thank me enough as they got out of the van. I am not the one who deserved their thanks. I am just the one blessed to receive it. You are the ones who contribute to this daily ministry of our church and help make these hopeful futures possible. Thank you!--kim Marsh Ministry like this is made possible through our Communion Fund. You can support this fund on the 1st Sunday of each month by leaving an offering on the communion rail or in a designated basket as you receive Holy Communion. Memorials & Honorariums (February) In Honor of Mary Jane Cole by Faith & Film (Cooking Matters) In Honor of Patty Barker and Faith Promise by Mary Ellen Irons (Faith Promise) In Memory of Betty Bonewits by Little Shaneyfelt Marshal & Co CPA In Memory of Chuck Germer by Jack Ramer In Honor of Maurice Webb, Jr. by Nancy Wood In Honor of Kathy Cooper by Nancy Wood In Honor of Bill Owens by Nancy & Craig Wood WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS April 3-2nd Sunday of Easter Acts 5:27-32; Psalm 150; Revelation 1:4-8; John 20:19-31 April 10-3rd Sunday of Easter Act 9:1-6 (7-20); Psalm 30; Revelation 5:11-14; John 21:1-19

8 firstunited methodistchurch LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS The First United Methodist In the First Place (USPS ) is published every other week for a total of 26 issues by the First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas Editor, David Freeman ; Managing Editor, Lesley Andrews; Periodicals postage paid at Little Rock, Arkansas. www. fumclr.org. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to FUMC In The First Place, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR Follow us! facebook.com/fumclr The next issue of In the First Place will be published on April 14, Submission deadline is April 10.