TOWER TALKS First United Methodist Church of Warren A church for the whole family of God Published on March 15, 2019 Special Points of Interest: Amazon Smile Church Directories Greeters, Ushers, Lay Reader Schedule Ladies Night Out April 12 Messy Church 2nd Wednesday s Thank You Corner Inside This Issue: Pastor s Pen 2 Church Announcements 3 Rummage Sale 4 Prayer Concerns 5 United Methodist Women s News 6 Layettes 7 Easter Plants 8 warrenfirstumc.org Easter Egg Hunt Did you know that there are people in our community who have never heard the Easter Story? We have an opportunity to change that in a fun and creative way through our annual Easter Egg Hunt. This year, the Easter Egg Hunt will be on Saturday, April 13 th. We are looking for volunteer ministers (that means people like you) to help organize and lead this event. If you are interested in helping, please sign up in the Fellowship Hall. Special Services for the Easter Season Maundy Thursday 7 p.m. at St. Paul s UCC on Mound Good Friday 7 p.m. at First UMC of Warren Easter Vigil Service 8 a.m. on Easter Sunday Easter Breakfast 9 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall (Sign-up sheet will be coming soon) Easter Service 10:30 a.m. Second Worship Service Coming This Fall! We are called to CONNECT people to God s love. The reality is that there are many people in our community that do not know the love of God. We want to work to change that. It is our goal to start a second service this fall. That service will be designed to reach young families in our community. As we get closer to this happening, we will be having informational forums where we can address any concerns or questions people may have about changes that may need to take place for us to faithfully live out our vision. In the meantime, we need all of you praying for this ministry, its leaders, and the people who we are called to reach.
TOWER TALKS Page 2 The Pastor s Pen Just a few weeks ago, delegates from our denomination gathered together to discuss a very hard topic, the topic of sexuality. People from all across the world waited with baited breath for the outcome. Some were wondering "Will we become a truly inclusive church or will the exclusive language remain?" While other were wondering if we will stay true to "The Gospel" and maintain our stance on the topic of sexuality in the church. The results of that conference have left the denomination in chaos. I realize that human sexuality is a very controversial topic in our world. It is even more controversial in the life of the church. For some, it is cut and dry. They look to a few select passages in the Bible that appear to condemn it as the only proof they need. For others, it is not so cut and dry. Reason, experience, and interpretation of scripture play into their interpretation. Even within the walls of our church family, there is divide. For some it is clearly wrong. For others, it is part of God's beautiful, creative mystery. This is what I know. Jesus told us that the most important commandment was love. We were called to love God and to love one another. No judgment. No condemnation. Just love. He lived this out. He loved the adulterous woman who was tossed at his feet as if she were garbage. He loved the sinners and tax collectors, outcasts of the community of faith. He loved those who were hurting: the poor, the imprisoned, the sick. He ate with them. He stayed in their homes. Not once, in the whole of the gospel story, have I read about Jesus trying to fix anyone. Sure, he tells the adulterous woman to "go and sin no more" but only after he reassures her that he is not there to judge or condemn her. Please know that this is something that effects many members of our congregation. When you look around on Sunday morning, know that you have friends here who have sons and daughters or brothers and sisters or nieces and nephews, aunts, uncles, friends, neighbors, or even themselves who are gay. I believe our church needs to be a place where each and every person can feel the love of God for them. We need to remember that Jesus was always reaching out to bring in those the church had cast out and reconnecting them to God's love. Our job as followers of Christ is to love people no matter where they are in life's journey. We are not called to "fix", probably because we don't really know what is "broken" and what isn't. We are called to walk alongside with compassion in our hearts. Love one another...care for one another...accept one another...stop passing judgment on one another...carry each other's burdens...be kind and compassionate to one another build each other up...clothe yourself with humility toward one another. There are 59 "One another" passages in the New Testament. If you didn't get a copy, please pick one up. Blessings, Pastor Melissa
TOWER TALKS Page 3 Church Announcements Thank You Corner! Thank you so very much for all the wonderful cards and notes, for the beautiful flowers from the choir, the candy from those of you who know how much I love sweets! How wonderful it was to have those who could visit. And I thank everyone for their good thoughts and prayers. We have a wonderful church family and I thank God everyday for all of you. With much gratitude and love, Ruth Ann Anderson Change of Address Carrie Nolan 11065 Forrer Dr. Sterling Hgts., MI 48312-4944 Renee Garcia 26600 Burg Rd., Apt. 312 Warren, MI 48089-1053 When You Give You Equip Christ's Body to Serve in His Name Every year, the church takes up a special offering for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief.) In 1940, UMCOR's forerunner was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of WWII. Since then, they have continued to respond to those in desperate need throughout more than 80 countries around the world, including here in the United States. On the Last Sunday of March, we will be taking up a special offering for UMCOR. That offering will go to help offset the administrative costs involved in any ministry and ensure that the greater United Methodist Church can continue to be a helpful presence in the world. It will also ensure that 100% of anything given for a specific ministry will go to helping those in need. Please give generously. Messy Church Every month we have an opportunity to come together and experience God in new ways, through creativity. It is an amazing opportunity to reach out to members in our community as well and help them experience the love of God through us. We invite you to come and join us in this amazing experience. We do need your help. We need people willing to cook a simple meal as we feed the body before we feed the spirit. We need people willing to lead a table in a simple craft. We need people willing to be a loving presence by developing relationships with the people from our community who come and join us. We hope that you will join us. Sign up to volunteer in the Fellowship Hall. 2019 Church Directories Members, please contact the church office with any address or phone number changes by April 26. The new directories will be available in June. 24 Hours That Changed the World by Adam Hamilton A Lenten study discussion group meeting every other Thursday, March 21 and April 4 from 6:30 to 8:30 p.m. in the Parlor. All adults are welcome to attend. Questions, contact Bonnie Newman at 586.918.1218. Did You Know? St. Paul s United Church of Christ located at 31654 Mound Rd. in Warren has a food pantry. It is open Monday through Thursday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Call for an appointment at 586.264.4777. Warren First UMC will be assisting St. Paul s food pantry with the food we collect here starting in April.
TOWER TALKS Page 4 Ladies Night Out Friday, April 12, 2019 6:00 p.m. Calling all Ladies! Join us as we gather for dinner at Theo s Family Restaurant (11747 13 Mile Rd. (just east of Hoover). Call or text LeeAnn Witherspoon at 586.215.8158 to RSVP. Warren First UMC is now connected to Amazon Smile (Amazon will donate a small percentage of eligible purchases to the church)! So as you shop, please consider using Amazon Smile. The church s direct link is https://smile.amazon.com/ch/38-1858320. Thank you! FUMC Rummage Sale The sale dates are Friday, June 7 and Saturday, June 8, 2019 from 8:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. Early Bird entry is $2.00 per person, both days from 8:00-9:00 a.m. Sale items can be brought in starting on Sunday, June 2 and dropped off in the Library. Volunteers are also needed for setting up on Sunday after service, and sorting items Monday, June 3 through Thursday, June 6, starting around 9:00 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall. Questions, contact Byron Pietras-Kiefer at 248.515.9727.
TOWER TALKS Page 5 PRAYER CONCERNS... Recently Hospitalized Marge Cornett, Sandy Shepich, Jenette Taylor Assisted Care Doug Anderson Martha T. Berry, 43533 Elizabeth Rd., Rm. 2248 Mount Clemens, MI 48043 Richard Berryman Sunrise Assisted Living of Shelby Twp., Rm. 206 46471 Hayes Rd., Warren, MI 48092 Cliff Jex Lakeshore Woods, 4851 Lakeshore Rd, Rm. 215, Fort Gratiot, MI 48059-3540 Mary Etta Miller 31800 Van Dyke, Rm. 247, Warren, MI 48093 Jean Minter Sunrise Assisted Living, 46471 Hayes Rd., Rm. 216, Shelby Twp., MI 48315 Continued Prayers Active Duty Jack Barnes United States Sean Boesman Germany Bradley Cornett WA Andrew Rivard MI Vincent Farmilo Germany Matthew Seilicki CA Vincent Von Lau Army All those in active military service. Names removed from this list remain on the prayer team s weekly prayer list. Questions? Please see a member of the prayer team or contact them below. Lora Quick: 586.243.1715, prayergramma@gmail.com Dorothy Collins: 586.264.7152 Dot McLean: 586.264.1649, dorothym308j@gmail.com Church: 586.264.4701, contact@warrenfirstumc.org Ushers Schedule April Jerry Garriott Phil Heavin Greeters Schedule April 7: Sharon Nichols April 14: Dorothy Collins April 21: Hilda Blazo April 28: Janine & Phil Heavin Lay Readers Schedule April 7: Wendy Schwartz April 14: Open TBA April 21: Ashley Staple April 28: Nick Rowland Counters April Shari Anderson Doug Belles MCREST Church s April 7: Cornerstone Baptist, Roseville April 14: St. Thomas Presbyterian, Shelby Twp. April 21: Trinity UMC, Roseville April 28: Utica UMC, Utica Sunday Office Volunteers April 7: Shari Anderson April 14: Claudia DeBacker April 21: 8 AM Open April 21: 10:30AM Shari Anderson April 28: Janet Waud
TOWER TALKS Page 6 MARCH IS NATIONAL WOMEN S HISTORY MONTH In observance of National Women s History Month it is an honor to recognize the historic contributions of United Methodist Women (UMW) during their 150 th Anniversary this month. In 1869 there were 8 members who started what has become one of the largest women spiritual movements to emerge with over 800,000 members throughout the world. Its 140-year legacy started when the Woman s Foreign Missionary Society first organized in Boston in response to a lack of women s health in India. Hilda Blazo, Pres. Women in the Methodist and Evangelical United Brethren traditions organized about the same time in history (1869-1893) when women and children were legally classified as chattel, legally dead, non-persons. There was little service to women because of prejudice and limitations of cultural attitudes in the church and in society. The History of UMW has contributed to the advocacy of women and children throughout the world for years. Here at First UMC, UMW has participated in this great history with such events as Blood Drives, our growing ministry to newborns and moms where we provide Layette packages to hospitals; Community Fairs, and many fund-raising events such as Rummage Sales, Silent Auctions, Noisy Collection for Music Department, Teas and others which both support our mission, charities and our church. We invite all the women of First UMC of Warren to become a part of making history with UMC. Our work is not just about service, it s about worship, it s about standing up, stepping up making our voices heard, she said. We try to help governments see the world the way we see the world because it will positively impact the lives of women, children and youth." Harriett Jane Olson in her chief executive report at the organization s annual meeting in New York City, October 2013. United Methodist Women Mission Team: Tuesday, April 2, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m. Library Circle Meetings: Tuesday, April 9, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m. 1. Mary Fellowship Hall Dorothy Collins 2. Naomi Bronx Burger Karen Failing 3. Joy To Be Announced 4. Glory Theo s Family Restaurant 5. Deborah Tuesday, April 16, @ 7:00 p.m. Jackie Moore s Fellowship Meeting: Tuesday, April 16, 2019 @ 10:00 a.m. Fellowship Hall Administrative Assistants Luncheon: We will be taking Karen Jones out to lunch on Tuesday, April 23, 2019 at 11:30 a.m. at Macey s Restaurant at Oakland Mall. A sign up sheet will be provided in the Fellowship Hall for those wishing to attend, as we need to have a count for seating.
TOWER TALKS Page 7 U.M.W. L A Y E T T E Project It is time again to begin shopping, sewing, knitting, crocheting, etc. for items to be included in the layettes to be assembled by United Methodist Women. For many years the layette project has been a means by which we are able to help new moms in our community. New mothers who come to the hospital without proper clothing for the newborn to go home in will be given one of these layettes. The needs of these recipients are determined by staff at hospitals, clinics, and social service agencies in the area. Anyone too busy to sew or shop can put money or a check (made out to the U.M.W.) in an envelope marked Layettes, and the phantom shoppers (who love shopping for sales) will go into action. A pack-n-play is located in the Narthex to place your purchases or completed items in. You may want to take advantage of sales in progress now. The deadline for donations is May 12, 2019. If you have any questions, please contact Reva Misch at 586.295.6563 or at: pinkycross6@yahoo.com. Each layette consists of (size 0-12 months) 1 sleeper, 1 pair booties or socks, 1 sweater set or playsuit, 1 receiving blanket, 1 bib, 6 disposable diapers, 1 afghan or crib blanket, 1 onesie, and 1 bottle. Thank you!
EASTER PLANTS 2019 To order an Easter plant(s), please complete this form and return it with the total amount of money required. Please return this form to the secretary s mailbox in the church office, or mail to: Warren First UMC, 5005 Chicago Rd., Warren, MI 48092 (Please include Easter flowers in the memo area of your checks.) Tulips: $8.00 each Daffodils: $8.00 each Lilies: $11.00 each Mums: Yellow White Purple $11.00 each Person ordering flowers Ordered IN HONOR OF Azalea: Red Pink $18.00 each Hydrangeas 3+ Blooms: Pink Blue $18.00 each Orders taken through: Sunday, March 31, 2019 Amount enclosed $ TOWER TALKS Page 8 Phone/E-Mail Ordered IN MEMORY OF We need your help!!!!! Easter Egg Hunt Spring is here and Easter is right around the corner. In Easter, we discover God's great redeeming grace that is for all people. It is our mission to share that redeeming grace with the world as we work to connect people to God's amazing love for them. Every year, we have an opportunity to reach out to the families in our community and share the message of God's amazing love for them in a fun and creative way. We do this through our annual Easter Egg Hunt. But to do that well, we need help from all of you. We need: Someone to be in charge of organizing this event People to be part of the breakfast team Donations of Candy and other supplies Be present and help out with various activities Community Picnic We need people to help organize the community picnic. The picnic is scheduled for August 10 th. There a many places to serve.