March 2018 Volume 65, Issue 3 Page 1 The prayer of the righteous is powerful and effective. James 5:16b Former Iowa Bishop Rueben Job said John Wesley knew that a life of prayer was not an accident or a natural consequence of just living. He was convinced that a life of prayer was the result of a determined and disciplined effort without this disciplined effort, prayer would become secondary and our relationship with God left to suffocate under the cares and delights of the world. It is important for us to remember that prayer is not the process by which we get what we want from God, but the relationship in which God gets what God wants in and through us. Its purpose is to enable us to live in an intimate relationship with God so we can become agents of God s saving purpose in this world. When people take membership vows in the United Methodist Church the pastor asks if they will support the church with their prayers, their presence, their gifts, their service and their witness. It is appropriate that the first practice we commit ourselves to is prayer. I read about a congregation of tee-totaling United Methodists who prayed for years that God would do something about the disreputable bar across the street from the church. One night the bar was hit by lightning and burned to the ground. The bar owner sued the church, saying that the congregation s prayers were responsible for the fire. The church contested the suit. After hearing the case, the judge said, I m not sure how I ll rule on this case, but one thing is clear. The bar owner believes in prayer, and the church people don t. What are the odds that you will be sued because of the effectiveness of your prayers? This month s question How is your prayer life? Christine
2 - THE LIGHT Lent at First Church Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday (March 31 st ). The season is a reflective time and a preparation for celebrating Easter. Historically, Lent began as a period of fasting and preparation for baptism by converts and then became a time of penance by all Christians. Below are the Lenten study and worship events at First Church. We hope you will participate in the events that will help you reflect and prepare for this season in a meaningful way. Sun., March 4 9:15 AM Sunday School for all ages 10:30 AM Worship: 3 rd Sunday in Lent Communion & Food Pantry Sunday Wed., March 7 5:30 PM Lenten Music Series 6:00 PM Lenten Supper 6:30 PM Lenten Study: Hallelujah: The Bible in Handel s Messiah Sun., March 11 9:15 AM Sunday School for all ages 10:30 AM Worship: 4 th Sunday in Lent UMCOR Sunday 11:45 AM Chapel Communion Wed., March 14 5:30 PM Lenten Music Series 6:00 PM Lenten Supper 6:30 PM Lenten Study: Hallelujah: The Bible in Handel s Messiah Sun., March 18 9:15 AM Sunday School for all ages 10:30 AM Worship: 4 th Sunday in Lent 11:45 AM Chapel Communion Wed., March 21 5:30 PM Lenten Music Series 6:00 PM Lenten Supper 6:30 PM Lenten Study: Hallelujah: The Bible in Handel s Messiah Sun., March 25 9:15 AM Sunday School for all ages 10:30 AM Worship: Palm/Passion Sunday 11:45 AM Chapel Communion Wed., March 28 6:00 PM Lenten Supper 6:30 PM Lenten Study: Hallelujah: The Bible in Handel s Messiah Thurs., March 29 Holy Thursday 7:00 PM Holy Thursday Service Fri., March 30 Good Friday 12:15 PM Good Friday Contemplative Service 1:30 PM Way of the Cross Procession (begins at First Church) 7:00 PM Good Friday Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness) Sat., March 31 Holy Saturday
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4 - THE LIGHT This year's Easter offering will be divided between support for our missionary in Mongolia, Chin Cho and Morgan Scott Project in eastern Tennessee. You may remember that in 2017 a group from First Church traveled to Morgan Scott for a week of service. Coins for Lent During the season of Lent we often reflect on our lives and examine all that we have. We also think about what we can do for others. This year we are offering you a chance to help those in need by participating in our Coins for Lent initiative. Each day during the season of Lent you will look at the calendar and place the appropriate number of coins in the offering box. The size of the coin you decide to use is up to you. Just remember as a disciple of Jesus you are asked to give according to what you have received. On Easter Sunday we will collect the offering boxes. Your offering will go to support the Central Iowa Shelter. This cold winter has put a strain on their resources and your gift can help them make a difference in the lives of those who are homeless. Easter Morning Breakfast Join us Easter morning for a delicious breakfast of egg casserole, quick breads, fruit and beverages. Your freewill donation will go to support our missionary Chin Cho who serves in Mongolia. Breakfast will be served in Fellowship Hall between 8:00 and 9:30. We hope to see you there!
5 - THE LIGHT UMCOR Sunday is March 11 Please give generously. Be there. Be hope. When disaster strikes around the globe and responders scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is prepared to act. That is because our generous giving on UMCOR Sunday lays the foundation for UMCOR s ministry of relief and hope. Donations UMCOR receives through this special offering, along with other undesignated gifts received throughout the year, cover their operating costs, making it possible for UMCOR to use 100% of all other contributions on projects donors specify. UMCOR does not receive any United Methodist World Service or apportionment funds so, without our offerings, UMCOR would not exist. Through UMCOR, United Methodists extend loving care to suffering people throughout the world in Christ s name, working with United Methodist churches and other local partners to address immediate relief and achieve sustainable recovery. When Syrians sought refuge from the ongoing civil war, we responded. When hurricanes devastated the Gulf region and islands, we responded. When earthquakes rocked Mexico, we responded. When forest fires ravaged the Pacific Northwest and California, we responded. And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond because you gave.
6 - THE LIGHT Ushers for March Craig Strayer (Head Usher), Junella Schultz, Josh & Will Sadler, Delvin Sadler (Balcony) March 4 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Volunteers Welcome! Call the Church Office if you can help! David & Betty Stout Ann Herteen Tom Cady March 11 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Dean & Sally Hosfelt Mandy Chouangmala Volunteers Welcome! Call the Church Office if you can help! Laurie Hoskins March 18 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Trudy & Don Gurnsey Volunteers Welcome! Lucille Nichols Tom Gruis March 25 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Arnie Brown & Ann Herteen Tom & Donna Gruis Joan & Frank Hanna Charles Dickson, Jr.
7 - THE LIGHT Youth Scripture Readers We would like to add youth grades 7 and up to our Sunday morning scripture readers. Before they can be placed in the rotation of readers they will need to attend 2-3 sessions with Charles Dickson. We have scheduled these sessions on Sunday, April 15, 22 and 29 from noon 1:00. We will have lunch before we begin. Depending on the number of children signed up to participate we may only need 2 weeks in which case we will meet on the 15 th and 22 nd. This is a great opportunity for children to learn about public speaking. Charles was the head of Speech and Theatre Arts at Grandview University for 20 years. He also taught at Drake and Wartburg. We thank him for sharing his skills with our youth. Please call or email Christine (christine@dmfirstchurch.org) if your child would like to attend. Measuring Your Discipleship Pathway Progress We are on a journey of discipleship. Where are you on the journey? Ask yourself Am I daily spending time in prayer? Am I regularly attending worship? Am I living a life of generosity? Am I continuing to read and study God s word? Am I being a doer of the word by serving others? Spiritual Growth Day March 10, 2018 Covenant and Community Covenant of Self, Community, Church, & God Day of uplifting, laughing, loving and praying Iowa UMC Conference Center, 2301 Rittenhouse St. Des Moines, IA 50321 Please RSVP by March 5, 2018. Two dozen muffins or bars per car, please. Contact Marilyn Burch at Nuhope57@msn.com or 515 314 6638 Lunch is provided by the Canteen Crew Of Central District UMW
8 - THE LIGHT After Church Potluck and Program On March 18 th after worship we invite you to join us in Fellowship Hall for a potluck followed by a program on the Roma. Many of us know the Roma as gypsies. Our speaker will be Judy Marnin, a United Methodist from Anita, Iowa. Judy was interested when five years ago the United Methodist Women selected as a study The Roma of Eastern Europe. She has traveled several times to Serbia, Slovakia and Bulgaria to visit United Methodist Churches among the Roma. She came back with many stories to tell. During her program Judy will share the history of this people, their status today, many stories of discrimination and stories of their dreams. Please bring a dish to share and your own table service. Drinks will be provided. 90+ Birthdays Nondas Beswick March 4 Lois Grisamore March 8 Byrd Lange March 10 Betty Thompson March 12 Sally Lambert March 26 Ray Craig March 31
9 - THE LIGHT Creative Center for Young Children Annual Art Auction Saturday, March24 6:00 to 9:00 PM at the Jasper Winery 2400 George Flagg Parkway Des Moines, IA 50321 We will be hosting a silent auction and a live auction at Jasper Winery. The silent auction will run from 6 PM to 7:15 PM with the live auction to begin roughly at 7:30 PM. We will have various packages including hotel stays, gift cards, art pieces, jewelry, and various other items. There will for sure be something there for everyone. We will also have some appetizers for you to enjoy. During the live auction we will sell unique pieces create by each of the four CCYC classrooms. We hope you will be able to join us as we work to raise money for some capital improvements around the center. Child care will be provided at CCYC for currently enrolled children and their siblings so you can enjoy the event!
10 - THE LIGHT March 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 Prayer Room 103 LL 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes World Day of Prayer 10:30 AM Mabaan Prayer 3:00 8:30 PM Meal Preparation - Kitchen 6:30 PM FUMC serves Central IA Shelter 1420 Mulberry St. 10:00 AM Mabaan Prayer 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 3 rd Sunday in Lent Prayer 10:30 AM 10:00 AM Communion, Food Pantry 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship - Sanctuary Prayer Prayer 11:00 AM MEPEC Meeting CR1 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary CR1 5:30 PM Lenten Music Series 6:00 PM Lenten Dinner 6:30 PM Lenten Study Location TBD Room 103,104 Prayer 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes Mabaan Prayer Mabaan Prayer 12:00 1:30 PM Mabaan First Church Partnership Meeting CR1 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 4 th Sunday in Lent Daylight Savings Begins UMCOR Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship Prayer 9:00 AM Staff Meeting Prayer 6:00 PM CCYC CR1 6:30 PM Capital City AA Prayer 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary CR1 5:30 PM Lenten Music Series 6:00 PM Lenten Dinner 6:30 PM Lenten Study Location TBD Room 103,104 Prayer 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes 10:30 AM Mabaan Prayer 1:30 7:00 PM Trinity Meal Preparation - Kitchen 4:45 PM FUMC serves at Trinity (CFUM Supper Club)- 1548 8th St. 18 19 20 21 22 23 24 5 th Sunday in Lent LIGHT Article Prayer 10:30 AM 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 AM Potluck and Program on the Roma 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship Prayer Deadline Prayer 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary CR1 5:30 PM Lenten Music Series 6:00 PM Lenten Dinner 6:30 PM Lenten Study Location TBD Room 103,104 Prayer 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes Mabaan Prayer 25 26 27 28 29 30 31 Palm Sunday 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 9:00 AM Staff Meeting Prayer Prayer 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary CR1 Holy Thursday Prayer 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM Maundy Thurs. Service Prayer 10:00 AM Connection Café Meal Preparation - Kitchen 12:00 PM FUMC serves at Connection Café, 815 High St., DM 6:00 PM Church Council - #110 6:00 PM Lenten Dinner 6:30 PM Lenten Study Location TBD Room 103,104 Good Friday 10:30 AM Mabaan Prayer 12:15 PM Good Friday Service 1:30 PM Way of the Cross (starts at FUMC) 7:00 PM Tenebrae Service (Service of Darkness) 10:00 AM Mabaan Prayer 10:00 AM Mabaan Prayer 6:00 PM CCYC Art Auction at Jasper Winery 10:00 AM Mabaan Prayer
11 - THE LIGHT Easter Flower Order This year on Easter morning our sanctuary will be filled with various spring flowers. All pots of flowers are $10. Please mark your selection below. Lily Tulip Daffodil Hyacinths Your Name In honor of In celebration of In memory of Orders due by March 5 th. Place this form and your check in the offering plate or drop off in the office. Mail form and payment to: First United Methodist Church 1001 Pleasant Street Des Moines, IA 50309
12 - THE LIGHT 1001 Pleasant Street Des Moines, IA 50309 (515) 244-6209 DMFirstChurch.org NON-PROFIT ORGANIZATION U.S. POSTAGE PAID DES MOINES, IA PERMIT NO. 4308 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED The Light DEADLINE FOR THE APRIL ISSUE OF THE LIGHT IS MARCH 20