Embrace a New Future No one sews a piece of unshrunk cloth on an old piece of clothing, for the patch pulls away and a worse tear is made. Neither is new wine put into old wineskins; otherwise the skins burst, and the wine is spilled, and the skins are destroyed; but new wine is put into new wineskins so that both are preserved. Matthew 9:16-17 Karen and I spent a few days in Portland, Oregon in August. On the sidewalks of Portland are hundreds of electric scooters for rent. The instructions are easy. Download the app, scan the QR code and hop on. So I did. It was incredibly fun and, when I needed to drop off a rental car, I just hopped on an electric scooter to get back to our hotel. It was so much easier and faster than walking or taking a taxi. Apparently, the taxi cab companies are not very happy. They are losing business. Short trips around the city a now quicker, cheaper and easier on an electric scooter. Change has come and gone. Recently, blogger Carey Neiuwhof wrote about change in the church by reflecting on the growth of Uber and the response of the taxi cab companies. Whether it be electric scooters or Uber, his analogy and observations are pertinent for our church as we move forward toward the re-launch of our church in Fall 2019. 1. Owning a great taxi cab is no longer enough. 2. Innovation doesn t ask for approval. 3. Fighting change will not stop change. 4. When you confuse method with mission, you lose. 5. Your past success is no guarantee of your future success 6. Innovation spawns innovation, while defensiveness spawns death. 7. Self-Interest will inevitably lose to public interest. There are some in Portland and other cities who are complaining about electric scooters on the sidewalks. Also, there are taxi cabs and bike share programs that have gone out of business as the scooters and the app make it so much easier to get around downtown business districts. (continued on the next page.)
(continued from page 1) There are some who are also complaining about change in our church as we prepare to re-launch. Our mission is the same as it has always been - to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. But as we seek to be more effective in reaching young families in our community, you may discover innovations that seem disruptive. As we seek to be faithful to the Great Commandment (love God and love others) and the Great Commission (make disciples) some of our old methods may change or be updated to keep us moving toward our age-old mission. So, put away your fears and embrace our new future as disciples of Jesus Christ. Faithfully, Will Reed, Pastor Choir to Perform Rutter s: Requiem The Chancel Choir will be joining Missouri City UMC s choir for two performances of John Rutter s: Requiem. The piece, scored for soprano solo, choir and chamber orchestra, is in 7 movements. It is Rutter s most acclaimed serious choral work. It is unmistakably optimistic in its message of hope and comfort, expressed through the beauty and care taken with the chosen texts, liturgy and music. Please join us for this choral experience. Performances: Sunday, October 28, 2:30 pm at First UMC Missouri City Sunday, November 4, 5:00 pm at First UMC Pasadena 2
New Worship Series Join us during the month of October for Mysterious Whirlwind, a 4-week lectionarybased (Year B) worship series using texts from the book of Job. When life is difficult, we feel disoriented, deserted and silenced. At times we feel trapped in a whirlwind of despair. However, the God who created the universe and all things in it is the same God who understands our pain, our brokenness and our humanity. He is our champion that restores and continuously brings us back into his mysterious love. October 7 - Disoriented, Job 1:1; 2:1-10 October 14 - Deserted, Job 23:1-9, 16-17 October 21 - Silenced, Job 38:1-7, 34-41 October 28 - Restored, Job 42:1-6, 10-17 An artistic opportunity to share Our next worship series, Mysterious Whirlwind, begins on October 7. We are asking the congregation to either take a picture of an item, or bring in an item to be photographed, that reminds you of a storm in your life where mysteriously God was working through it with you. For example, sheet rock representing a flooded home from Harvey, a rejection letter, an item that reminds you of a deceased loved one, ect. They will then be printed anonymously onto poster board and hung around the foot of our mirrored cross in the North Atrium. Please send your photos to Colly Enochs at CollyEnochs@FirstPasadena.org, or arrange time to take a picture with Nicole Gray at at NicoleGray@FirstPasadena.org. This will be a beautiful representation of our stories with Christ through the storms. 3
Capital Campaign Update Summary Report September 2018 DEBT as of May 31, 2016 $2,309,007 as of December 31, 2016 $2,205,112 as of December 31, 2017 $1,411,916 Capital Campaign Commitments $1.5 million (Note 1) Total Paid on Commitments through August 31, 2018 $ 995,299.14 DEBT as of September 15, 2018 $1,225,672.32 (Note 2) REDUCTION in DEBT since May 31, 2016 $1,083,486.03 (Note 2) Note 1 - In addition to signed capital campaign commitments of $1.42 million over three years (April 2017-March 2020), there are several church members and friends making regular contributions to debt reduction. We estimate that over three years these contributions will add over $100,000 to our campaign for an anticipated total commitments and payments of over $1.5 million. Note 2 Through your generosity in helping reduce our debt, we have reduced the number of years it will take to pay off the debt. Also, you have saved the church an estimated $250,000 in interest over the remaining life of the Steinway Grand Piano given to Church Recently, the church received a Steinway M Grand Piano with an auto player as a generous gift for the choir room that will be utilized with our Chancel Choir and the Fellowship Singers. Hardly ever played in their home, the almost brand new piano was given by a generous couple who are friends of the church. It will be utilized for choir rehearsals, but can also be used for small recitals and other events in a more intimate setting. The replacement value of this beautiful gift is $72,000. Please give thanks to God for the generosity of these friends. 4
God is our refuge and strength, always ready to help in times of trouble. Psalm 46:1, NLT The hustle and bustle of our everyday lives can pull us in many different directions at the same time. Compounded with the busyness and expectations that the fall season brings, life can sometimes be downright exhausting. Do you ever wish you could sneak away to a cabin somewhere in the mountains and just relax? Let s do it together! Hosted in the First UMC Pasadena Log Cabin, Cozy Mountain Lodge is a mountain lodge-themed retreat designed to help women grow in their relationship with God and develop lasting friendships with each other. Using the story of Ruth and Naomi, this retreat brings home the meaning and significance of making God our foundation. Women can expect to be whisked away to a virtual cozy mountain lodge where we ll enjoy the study of God s Word, uplifting worship, a Christian service project, and wonderful relationship-building activities. Lacryca Flatt will host this one-day event for women (18 years old and up) on Saturday, October 20 from 9:00 am to 4:00 pm. Join us as we get away together! The cost is $50, if paid by October 7; $65 if paid after October 7. Registration can be completed and payments made at the Ministry Center. Final registration and payment deadline is Sunday, October 14. Childcare available upon request. Sunday, October 21 at 4:00 pm, on the lawn at the front entrance of the church, First United Methodist Church Pasadena will offer a Blessing of the Animals. This historic church tradition is based on the ministry of St. Francis of Assisi who had a great love for all of God s creatures, both great and small. All are welcome to bring their special pets, no matter what size or species. Dogs, cats, fish, birds, turtles, frogs, snakes, goats, horses.the Lord, our God loves them all! Please bring your special friends on a leash or in their appropriate crate, bowl and halter. There will be a parade of the animals around the parking lot and then an individual blessing will be 5 offered by your pastors for your special pet. Don t miss this special blessing!
Our annual Pumpkin Patch at First UMC Pasadena is something that we are known for in our community. It is a great way to welcome people onto our property and introduce them to our church. It is a place to make new friends as children and their families have fun in the patch and are able to enjoy a variety of activities such as taking photos and purchasing pumpkins and gourds. This is a GREAT outreach ministry and WE NEED YOUR HELP! Please mark your calendars for delivery day: Saturday, October 6. The patch will be open to the public from Sunday, October 7 - Tuesday, October 30. Please be on the lookout for more information. Please contact Pastor Mireya at MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org if you would like to help serve on the day of delivery (breakfast, pumpkin patch design and set up, unloading of the pumpkins), or during the hours the pumpkin patch is open (2 hour shifts, anytime from 3:00 pm- 7:00 pm Mondays-Fridays and 12:00 pm-6:00 pm on Saturdays and Sundays.) Your participation is needed to make the Pumpkin Patch a success! Stop by the Ministry Center to sign up. First Friends Day School Pumpkin Parade The children of First Friends Day School will be having their Pumpkin Parade on Tuesday, October 30 and Wednesday, October 31 at 9:30 am. They will be going around the church halls both mornings collecting candy! If you would like to join the fun and see adorable children in costumes then bring a lawn chair and your candy and get ready to be blessed! We look forward to seeing you! 6
"So then let's also run the race that is laid out before us, since we have such a great cloud of witnesses surrounding us..." Hebrews 12:1 (CEB) Join us for a movie in the Pumpkin Patch on Friday, October 26 at 6:30 pm. We will be watching Disney Pixar's Coco. This movie celebrates the Mexican Day of the Dead Holiday, in which people remember and celebrate their loved ones who have passed on. Want to know a "secret"? Pastor Mireya is a huge fan of the Day of the Dead! Here s why: it is a powerful reminder of our Christian belief that we are surrounded by a great cloud of witnesses, and something we celebrate on All Saints' Day. So, come! Join us as we follow Miguel, who finds himself accidentally in the Land of the Dead, who needs the help of his deceased great-great-grandfather so that he can return to his family back home. And as we watch and fellowship together: REMEMBER. Remember those in your cloud of witnesses. Celebrate them. And give thanks. Popcorn will be provided. Bring your favorite soda or beverage to enjoy and a lawn chair or blanket to sit on. If you are available to help make and serve popcorn to our guests, please contact Kyle Buchanan at tokdbuchanan@gmail.com. See you in the Pumpkin Patch! 7
Join us on Halloween, Wednesday, October 31 at 6:30 pm for a fun evening for all ages! What is Trunk-or-Treat? Participants will decorate the back of their cars for Halloween (or decorate a card table), load up on candy, and sit in the parking lot for kids to "trick or treat" from car to car. Kids come dressed in Halloween costumes and holding out bags or plastic pumpkins for treats. The adults get to socialize while seeing all the cute costumes. We will need people to sign up to host spots on the Trunk-or- Treat trail. If you are interested in participating, start googling fun and friendly ideas and get the creative juices flowing! We are also in need of donation of wrapped candy. A sign up sheet is available at the Ministry Center. For more information, contact Eva Layton at EvaMLayton@Yahoo.com. November 4, 2018 All Saints Sunday is a day of remembrance for the saints of the Church of Jesus Christ. We celebrate the communion of saints as we remember the dead, both of the church universal and of our local congregation. The names of those who have died in the last year will be read and a bell will chime following each name. Please let the church office know if there is a member s name missing from the list below that has passed since last November. Coy Baker Freddie Beken James Crawford Dan Dixon Sarah Gaiser Thomas Hyde Aleen Jones Dorothy Metting Patsy Ruth Michaels Allen Sory Jo Ann Stringer Wesley Wall Dorothy Winter
Scripture tells us that our bodies are a temple of the Holy Spirit who dwells within us. (See 1 Corinthians 6:19) That means that temple maintenance should be one of our priorities! Several of your First UMC Pasadena staff members have decided to join in on the #last90dayschallenge and create healthy habits to (1) make it through the holiday season with less guilt and (2) start the new year strong with good health as a priority. So join Pastor Mireya, Amanda, Colly, Nikki, Eva, and Penny on this journey! The more the merrier! We are stronger together, and when we are healthy we can truly give God and others our best. Here, you can post your goals, struggles, and seek encouragement and advice from others in the group. Also, please chime in when someone asks for advice. Additionally-anyone have good, easy recipes to share?! Pastor Mireya is a terrible cook and always looking for easy ideas for the kitchen! Join the challenge here https://thechicsite.com/90days/. Join our Facebook Support Group here https://www.facebook.com/groups/2181292982196792/.
Welcome Kayli Perry, Gloria Hernandez, Pablo and Adrian Ferretiz, Ross and Brenda Doyle, John Jones and Julio and Rosario Jimenez and their children, Daniel and Gianna to our church family! Gloria Hernandez Ross and Brenda Doyle John Jones Julio and Rosario Jimenez, Daniel and Gianna Kayli Perry Pablo and Adrian Ferretiz 10
CHURCH CONTACT INFORMATION w w w. F i r s t P a s a d e n a. o r g PHONE: 281.487.8787 FAX: 281.998.1355 Office Hours: 8:30 am - 5:00 pm Monday - Thursday Society of St. Stephen Assistance Ministry 281.487.1774 Monday - Thursday 10:00 am - 1:00 pm First Friends Day School 281.487.8170 Monday - Friday 7:00 am - 6:00 pm Christian Life Center 281.487.2843 PASTORAL STAFF Dr. Will Reed, Pastor, ext. 3006 WillReed@FirstPasadena.org Rev. Mireya Martínez, Pastor, Outreach and Discipleship, ext. 3004 MireyaMartinez@FirstPasadena.org Rev. Ruben Olivares, Pastor, Hispanic Ministries, ext. 3008 RubenOlivares@FirstPasadena.org DIRECTOR OF WORSHIP ARTS Nicole Gray ext. 3011 NicoleGray@FirstPasadena.org ORGANIST Daniel Miner DanielMiner@FirstPasadena.org CONTEMPORARY ASSISTANT WORSHIP LEADER SPANISH WORSHIP LEADER Miriam Tello MiriamTello@FirstPasadena.org DIRECTOR, FIRST FRIENDS DAY SCHOOL Penny Buckert ext. 3019 PennyBuckert@FirstPasadena.org BUILDING MANAGER Bryan Dudley ext. 3020 BryanDudley@FirstPasadena.org BUSINESS MANAGER Amanda Horton ext. 3005 AmandaHorton@FirstPasadena.org COMMUNICATIONS COORDINATOR Colly Enochs ext. 3001 CollyEnochs@FirstPasadena.org DIRECTOR OF SOUND Matt Pettit MattPettit@FirstPasadena.org MEMBERSHIP COORDINATOR Margie Kearns ext. 3046 MargieKearns@FirstPasadena.org WEDDING COORDINATOR Carol Wilson CarolWilson@FirstPasadena.org YOUTH AND CHILDREN ASSISTANT Rayna Carter Calendar of Events Tuesday, October 2 Ladies and Guys Night Groups begin new Bible Studies at 7:00 pm Wednesday, October 3 Prayer Ministry Meeting at 6:00 pm Parlor Saturday, October 6 Pumpkin Patch Set-Up at 12:00 pm Front Parking Lot Tuesday, October 9 Governing Board Meeting at 6:15 pm Cornell Conference Room Saturday, October 20 Cozy Mountain Lodge Women s Retreat at 9:00 am Log Cabin Sunday, October 21 Blessing of the Animals at 4:00 pm Church Entrance Friday, October 26 Movie in the Patch at 6:30 pm Pumpkin Patch Sunday, October 28 District Conference at 4:00 pm Sanctuary Monday, October 29 Re-Launch Meeting at 5:30 pm Fellowship Hall 2 & 6 Wednesday, October 31 Trunk-or-Treat at 6:30 pm Front Parking Lot 11
Ongoing Ministries & Church Events Bus Ministry Sundays, 8:00 am Church Parking Lot Traditional Worship Sundays, 8:30 am & 11:00 am Sanctuary Contemporary Worship Sundays, 9:45 am Sanctuary Contemplative Worship Sunday, October 21, 9:45 am Log Cabin Sunday School for All Ages Sundays, 9:45 am (English) and 11:00 am (Spanish) Spanish Worship Service Sundays, 12:30 pm Sanctuary Grief Support Group Sundays, 2:00 pm Parlor Narcotics Anonymous (NA) Sundays, 6:30 pm Fellowship Hall First Fitness Exercise Class Mondays, Tuesdays and Thursdays, 9:00 am Gym Breakfast With Bill (Alcoholics Anonymous) Tuesday-Friday 7:00 am, Saturday 7:30 am Log Cabin Un dia a la vez Al-Anon (Hispanic Al-Anon) Tuesday 6:00 pm and Saturday 10:00 am Room 226 Ladies Night Out Bible Study Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall 2 Guys Night Bible Study Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Fellowship Hall 4 Contemporary Praise Band Rehearsal Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Sanctuary Levites Maintenance Ministry Wednesdays, 8:00 am Log Cabin Hand bell Rehearsal Wednesdays, 5:30 pm Adult Wing Youth Dinner and Discussion Wednesdays, 6:00 pm Café Choir Rehearsal Wednesdays, 7:00 pm Choir Room and Sanctuary Spanish Prayer and Bible Study Wednesdays, 7:00 pm Parlor and Fellowship Hall Spanish Service Rehearsal Wednesdays, 8:30 pm Sanctuary Men s Prayer and Study Breakfast Thursdays, 7:00 am Fellowship Hall 4 Spanish Youth Group Fridays, 7:00 pm Away Spanish Women s Prayer Group Thursdays, 1:30 pm Parlor Women s Al-Anon Meeting Saturdays, 11:00 am Cornell Conference Room Ongoing Activities Strawberry Squares Square Dancing Mondays, 7:00 pm Log Cabin Junior High Open Gym Tuesdays, 4:00 pm Gym Boy Scout Troop #199 Tuesdays, 7:00 pm Log Cabin Prime Timers Luncheon Wednesday, October 3, 10:30 am Fellowship Hall Senior High Open Gym Wednesdays, 4:00 pm Gym Open Gym for all ages Thursdays, 4:00 pm Gym Cub Scout Troop #199 Wednesdays, 7:00 pm Log Cabin 12