October 2018 Volume 65, Issue 10 Page 1 Bible Study Offered this Fall Psalms is the most commonly read book of the Hebrew Bible and there is much we can learn from studying it. This three-session study on Psalms leads participants through the book, particularly studying how the Psalms were collected and ordered and how they can speak to us today. Two specific genres of psalms: psalms of lament (complaint songs) and psalms of worship, will be covered. Specific psalms are explained in depth in each of the three sessions. The Psalms Study will be offered on October 3, 10, and 17 from 6:00-7:00 PM in Conference Room 1 on the main level of the church. There is no cost for the study material, but to ensure enough materials are available and to help with planning, please indicate your interest in attending The Psalms Study by calling (244.6209) or emailing (officemanager@dmfistchurch.org) the church office or by signing up on the attendance slip on Sunday mornings. None of us like to think about our own death but one of the best gifts you can give to your loved ones is to have in place plans for the end of your life. On Saturday, October 20 th from 9:00 to 11:00 AM we will have an End-of-Life workshop. At this workshop we will be discussing funerals, living wills and other legal matters. Our speakers will include Pastor Eric, Christine Anders and Scott Hartsook, former staff attorney for Iowa Legal Aid s Older Adult Hotline. Feel free to invite a friend. Please call the church office by Friday, October 12 th to register or you may sign up on the attendance sheet. You will receive lots of good information and your family will thank you for being proactive.
2 - THE LIGHT October 2018 Mabaan UMC First UMC Partnership Anniversary Celebration On Sunday, September 16 a reception was held between the end of the First Church worship service and the beginning of the Mabaan worship service to mark the one-year anniversary of our shared Covenant Partnership. Both congregations were well represented at the reception and enjoyed food and conversation together. Several members from each congregation worshipped together at both the 10:30 First Church service and at the 12:30 Mabaan service. Those attending the First Church worship service that morning also had the opportunity to hear the Mabaan Choir.
3 - THE LIGHT October 2018
4 - THE LIGHT October 2018 Ushers for October October 7 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk October 14 October Worship Volunteers Ned Johnson (Head Usher) Mike & Emily Schaumburg Delvin Sadler (Balcony) David & Betty Stout David & Betty Stout Ann Herteen Greeters Joan & Frank Hanna Information Desk Mandy Chouangmala Reception Desk Volunteers Welcome! Call the church office and let Lisa Karen know if you can help out this day! October 21 Greeters Martha Hardie & Lucille Nichols Information Desk Volunteers Welcome! Call the church office and let Lisa Karen know if you can help out this day! Reception Desk Lucille Nichols October 28 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Abby & Cory Darrington Tom & Donna Gruis Joan & Frank Hanna World Communion Sunday On October 7, Christians around the world will unite in the observance of World Communion Sunday, celebrating our unity in Christ in the midst of the world we are all called to serve. We will receive a special offering on that day to invest in the future leadership of the church and the global community, thus ensuring continuing ministry for generations to come. Scholarships will help graduate students pursue degrees in areas of agriculture, medicine, theology and other disciplines and provide ethnic-minority students the opportunity of higher education. In-service training grants also assist with careers in Christian education, church music, youth ministry and hospital and prison chaplaincy. Our gifts on World Communion Sunday can help make a difference in the lives of future Christian leaders. Nelson Mandala said, Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.
5 - THE LIGHT October 2018 LET S SING TO GLORIFY GOD One of my favorite hymns is from the Faith We Sing, page 2009, O God Beyond All Praising. The first verse of this majestic hymn of praise and adoration is O God beyond all praising, we worship you today and sing the love amazing that songs cannot repay; for we can only wonder at every gift you send, at blessings without number and mercies without end: We lift our hearts before you and wait upon your Word, we honor and adore you, our great and mighty Lord. I love the words of this song. Everything we have is a gift from God and we can never repay Him. Our Chancel Choir share their musical gifts in worship with the congregation, but the ultimate choir is our congregation. Singing engages the mind and impacts our hearts. We have the opportunity each Sunday to sing praises to God together as a Church family. Think you can t sing well? God is interested in your heart, not your singing ability. I encourage you to sing each Sunday with enthusiasm, with spirit, passion and heart. When we sing we glorify God. Cookie Major Member of Chancel Choir and WhiteChapel Chimes CEF presents an evening with Carrie Newcomer (with Gary Walters) in concert at First United Methodist Church, on Friday, October 12 th at 7:30 PM. Carrie is an American singer-songwriter, poet, and author at the intersection of folk, Americana, and progressive spirituality. Tickets are $25 in advance and at the door. Seating is limited since the concert will be attended by all of those attending the curious.church conference (concert included as part of the conference registration), so don t wait. https://cefumc.org/carrienewcomer If you purchase tickets online, please print or bring your confirmation email on your phone as your ticket. Tickets may also be purchased at the door if space is available. The mission of CEF is to develop leaders in faith formation to equip people of all ages to live as disciples of Jesus Christ.
6 - THE LIGHT October 2018 50 TH YEAR JUBILEE HUNGER HIKE! We Walk That They May Eat Much has changed since the first Hunger Hike held in Des Moines fifty years ago. Unfortunately, however, one thing has not changed: the need to alleviate hunger in our own community and worldwide. One in eight Americans struggles with hunger, and one in six children may not know where the next meal will be found. The DMARC Food Pantry has seen a steady increase in the number of visits, up 73% over the past six years. First Church has a long history of helping to feed hungry people through our three meal programs and ongoing support of the DMARC Food Pantry. In addition, annually we participate in the Des Moines Area Hunger Hike, a not-for-profit organization run by volunteers and dedicated to alleviating hunger in our own community and abroad. Over its 50 year history, more than one million dollars has been raised as caring people join the Hike by walking and/or donating to those who walk. Local organizations, including Central Iowa Shelter and Services, Bidwell Riverside Center, Children and Family Urban Movement, Hawthorn Hill and many others receive some of these funds. In addition, Church World Service is designated to receive some of the funds to address world-wide hunger due to war, natural disasters and grinding poverty. This year s Hunger Hike will be held on Sunday, October 14 th, beginning at 1:30. Hikers will gather at the riverside entrance of the Hall of Laureates (old Library) between Walnut and Locust. The hike will go along the River Walk, and return to the Hall of Laureates to celebrate with refreshments and music. This is a family friendly event, enjoyed by adults and children of all ages. Please be a part of this important effort to relieve hunger here and beyond by hiking and/or donating to those who walk. A table will be set up in Kenyon Hall beginning on September 30 th, where you can pledge, contribute and/or sign up to hike. No one should be hungry in Iowa or anywhere in the world. You can help, as we join the Jubilee and Walk that They May Eat!
7 - THE LIGHT October 2018 Discerning A Way Forward Walnut Hills United Methodist Church, Urbandale, will be hosting This is My Story - Narrating a Hopeful Future for the United Methodist Church on Sunday, October 14 at 4:30 PM. At this event, those in attendance will hear stories from LGBTQI United Methodists and their allies, the people most affected by the outcome of our upcoming General Conference in February 2019. The format will also review the current language in the Book of Discipline, define basic and respectful language and terminology regarding LGBTQI persons, present the three plans that will come before General Conference, and allow time for questions and answers. We plan to adjourn at 6:00 or earlier. This will be an opportunity for local church members to lovingly hear each other s stories and to provide information about the upcoming General Conference. This is My Story Sunday, October 14 at Walnut Hill United Methodist Church 12321 Hickman Road, Urbandale, IA. 2018 Charge Conference The 2016 United Methodist Book of Discipline states that "The District Superintendent shall fix the time of meetings of the Charge Conference" (Para. 246.4). This fall, Charge Conferences will be held in four connectional groups to enable ongoing opportunities to work with, and learn from, one another. Our Charge Conference date, time and location will be October 21 st at 2:00 pm at Indianola, First UMC (307 W Ashland Ave, Indianola). To encourage broader participation by all members of our church, the Charge Conference will be convened as a Church Conference, thus extending the vote to all local church members present at the meeting. (Para. 248, 2016 Book of Discipline). Join us at our Charge Conference October 21 at 2:00 PM at Indianola, First UMC
8 - THE LIGHT October 2018 JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our 2018 UMW (United Methodist Women) Fundraiser is scheduled for Sunday, October 28. Everyone is invited to attend in Fellowship Hall following worship. Our program, CHANGE YOUR MIND: Understanding Mental Health can help us to consider mental illness the same as we consider other physical illnesses. We can begin to openly share experiences. The session begins with lunch. Come and support mission programs in the U.S. and around the world. United Methodist Women Present Annual Fundraiser UNDERSTANDING MENTAL HEALTH Presenter: Jacque Coulson SUNDAY, October 28 Following Worship Enjoy a Tasty Lunch, Drinks, & Conversation
9 - THE LIGHT October 2018 For thirty-nine years the Thanksgiving Ingathering has been a hands-on way for Iowa United Methodists to address hunger and poverty locally and around the world. Kits and cash donations will be received from Oct. 14-28 and delivered to our Ingathering site on Nov. 3. Samples of the kits for the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) will be displayed in the Narthex where you will find a collection box for your donations. All kit donations need to be made through this central location as they must be submitted on one remittance form. Health kits should be placed in a 1-gallon zip-lock bag and school kits in a 2-gallon zip-lock bag. Health Kit: 1 new hand towel and washcloth; 1 wrapped bath-size bar of soap (no Ivory or Jergens please due to moisture content); l new full-size toothbrush in sealed wrapper; l large sturdy comb (not pocket-size); 1 finger nail clipper; 10 ¾-inch adhesive band aids (Cash value $12) School Kit: 6 unsharpened pencils with erasers; a 2 ½-inch eraser; 1 hand pencil sharpener (larger than 1-inch); 1 box of 24 crayons; 1 blunt-end metal blade scissors; a 30 cm metric ruler; 3 70-page spiral or bound notebooks and a package of loose-leaf paper, 100 or 200 sheets, the paper can be wide- or college-ruled (Cash value $8) Since relief kits will now be distributed only in the United States and local grants given for world-wide relief, any undesignated cash donations will be given to the UMCOR Advance #982450 Disaster Response, International where 100% of your donation will be used on location where most needed. Our Ingathering site is the Greenfield United Methodist Church. You may contact Shirley Christoffersen for additional information regarding this event should you want to attend. Experience the joy of sharing and help Iowa reach their target of $1 million in donations. Last year we did not quite reach this goal, but the event was still successful with 64,000 pounds of kits delivered to the UMOCR Depot in Baldwin, LA from the five Iowa Ingathering sites in addition to cash donations. Save the date for the Amos Annual Salad Luncheon November 18, right after church in Fellowship Hall. Freewill Offering RSVP: Please call the church at 515-244-6209 with your reservation no later than noon Friday, November 9, 2018. Program: AMOS Tax Presentation: What We Have Learned So Far
10 - THE LIGHT October 2018 Measuring Your Discipleship Pathway Progress We are on a journey of discipleship. When you are on any journey it is important to periodically stop and check the map (or GPS) and see where you are. Ask yourself Am I regularly attending worship? Am I living a life of generosity? Am I continuing to read and study God s word? Am I daily spending time in prayer? Am I being a doer of the word by serving others? Do you enjoy spending time with young people? Do you enjoy sharing your faith with a new generation of disciples? If so, we have a place for you to serve. We are beginning a UMYF (United Methodist Youth Fellowship) group. Beginning October 26 they will meet the 2 nd and 4 th Fridays of the month from 6:30-7:30 PM Since all of our current students are boys it would be great to have a male leader to assist those who have already committed to helping. If you are interested in helping, please contact Pastor Eric.
11 - THE LIGHT October 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 Prayer Group 3:00 8:30 PM Meal Preparations - Kitchen 6:30 PM FUMC serves Central IA Shelter 1420 Mulberry St. 6:00 PM Psalms Study CR1 11:00 AM ELL CR1 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 World Communion Food Pantry Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service at Spaghetti Works, 310 Court Ave. 10:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 2:00 PM ELL CR1 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine 10:30 AM Worship 11:45 AM Chapel Communion 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 2:00 PM ELL CR1 Columbus Day 10:00 AM Scottish Rite Coffee 5:30 PM Outreach Meeting CR1 9:00 AM Staff Mtg 6:00 PM CCYC CR1 6:30 PM Capitol City AA 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 2:00 PM Wesley Acres Coffee 6:00 PM Psalms Study CR1 11:00 AM ELL CR1 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes Prayer Group 7:30 PM Christians Engaged in Faith Carrie Newcomer Concert FH, Sanctuary, Kitchen 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 11:00 AM ELL CR1 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 11:00 AM ELL CR1 12:00 PM Partnership Covenant Meeting 14 15 16 17 18 19 20 Laity Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine 10:30 AM Worship 11:45 AM Chapel Communion 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 2:00 PM ELL CR1 2:00 PM Charge Conference at Indianola FUMC 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 6:00 PM Psalms Study CR1 11:00 AM ELL CR1 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes LIGHT Deadline Prayer Group 1:30 7:00 PM Meal Preparation - Kitchen 4:45 PM FUMC serves at Trinity (CFUM Supper Club)- 1548 8th St, DM 9:00 11:00 AM End of Life Seminar 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 11:00 AM ELL CR1 21 22 23 24 25 26 27 10:00 AM Meal Prep 9:00 AM Staff Mtg Prayer Kitchen Group 11:30 AM Theology 11:00 AM ELL CR1 of the Ordinary 6:30 PM 7:30 PM UMYF 12 FUMC serves at 5:30 PM Chancel Choir Youth Room Connection Café, 7:00 PM Foxhall AA UMW Set-Up 815 High St., DM 7:00 PM WhiteChapel 6 - Church Council Chimes 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine 10:30 AM Worship 11:45 AM Chapel Communion 12:00 PM UMW Luncheon & Program 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 2:00 PM ELL CR1 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 11:00 AM ELL CR1 28 29 30 31 Nov. 1 Nov. 2 Nov. 3 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 11:00 AM ELL CR1 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes Prayer Group 3:00 8:30 PM Meal Preparations Kitchen 6:30 PM FUMC serves Central IA Shelter 1420 Mulberry St. 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 11:00 AM ELL CR1
12 - THE LIGHT October 2018 NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID DES MOINES, IA PERMIT NO. 4308 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED 1001 Pleasant Street Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 244-6209 DMFirstChurch.org DEADLINE FOR THE NOVEMBER ISSUE OF THE LIGHT IS OCTOBER 20 Attention all First Church Middle School and High School youth. On Fri., October 26 th at 6:00 PM we will be meeting for pizza, pop and conversation. This fall we will be starting our United Methodist Youth Fellowship. We have some ideas but we want to hear from you. Come share your thoughts!