With you on your journey Volume 41 Issue 18 August 17, 2017 Fall Study Opportunities Our vision statement declares our aspiration to be good neighbors. We must be intentional about growing in our faith of God and love of others. But being good neighbors doesn t happen by accident. We must seek opportunities to grow spiritually and deepen our understanding of God. This fall, we have 5 opportunities to grow in your neighboring: Brown Bag Bible Study at Canvas Community, Thursdays at Noon starting September 7 (Sept-Oct) This fall we re trying something new in partnership with Canvas Community Church. Canvas Community is a United Methodist Church on 7th Street that serves many of the homeless people in Little Rock. In order to connect with our neighbors, we re creating a weekly Bible study with members from First Church and members from Canvas. Studying the Bible together and bringing various perspectives of life will offer a rich experience for people. A brown bag lunch will be provided for everyone, and each session will last an hour. Rev. Paul Atkins will be the study leader and this class promises to be a powerful experience. Financial Peace University, Tuesdays at 6 pm starting September 12 (9 weeks) Finances are one of the greatest stressors of people s lives. Led by Jenny Adair, and Shawn and Ginny McMurray, FPU gives participants the tools for gaining control of their personal finances. The author, Dave Ramsey, gives practical advice with a spiritual foundation for both generosity and responsibility. I ve had many good friends take FPU and tell me how they paid off debt, got control of their credit cards, developed a solid financial plan, and increased their generosity by making it a priority. Disciple Bible Study (Fast Track), Sundays at 6:30 pm starting September 24 (24 weeks) I believe that Disciple Bible Study is one of the best overall Bible Studies ever written. I took the youth edition of Disciple when I was in the 9th grade, and it was so formational for my daily practices of prayer and study. Led by Brad Cazort, this class will be an educational and spiritually enriching as you take on the practice of daily Bible reading and personal prayer. This class is limited to 15 participants. Enneagram Workshop, Tuesdays at 6 pm starting September 26 (10 weeks) I was originally introduced to the enneagram at a workshop when I was in college, and in the past year I was able to attend a 3 day workshop about this powerful tool. The enneagram is all about self discovery. Self discovery is the path to God as we look deeper within we find where God has taken up residence in us. I highly recommend this class led by Mary Jane Cole. By the way, I m a 1 with a 2 wing. Moses Bible Study, Mondays at 6 pm starting September 18 (7 weeks) Linda Baker is leading this 7 week study on Moses written by Adam Hamilton. The thing I love about the studies Adam Hamilton writes is they are easy to understand but filled with great knowledge and research. This study will give you great insight on Moses and the story of the Exodus, and Linda s experience as an art historian will be an added bonus! With you on your journey, Rev. David...more details inside on insert! 723 Center Street Little Rock, Arkansas 72201 501.372.2256 www.fumclr.org firstunited methodistchurch DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK
BELOW ARE FIVE NEIGHBORING OPPORTUNITIES THIS FALL! Brown Bag Study, Starts September 7th This fall we are partnering with Canvas Community Church, a United Methodist Church on 7th Street that serves many of the homeless people in Little Rock. Most of the people who attend Canvas are homeless or near homeless. Studying the Bible together and bringing various perspectives of life will offer a rich experience for people. A brown bag lunch will be provided for everyone, and each session will last an hour at noon on Thursdays. Rev. Paul Atkins will be the study leader and this class promises to be a powerful experience as we study and share from different places in life so we can discover a new depth of Christian community. Financial Peace University, Sept. 12th Find peace in your life by taking control of your finances. Learn the basics of budgeting. Get out of debt. Plan for your future. Do it all as a matter of your faith in God. Financial Peace University is a 9 week class for anyone wanting better control of their financial and spiritual life no matter how much money or debt you have. Starting September 12th, from 6:30 to 8:00, these classes will be every Tuesday evening through November 7th. Class materials cost $100 per family. The first 12 registrations will receive 10% off course materials. In order to receive materials before the class starts, registration will close Thursday, September 5th. Childcare is available on request. To sign up or for more information contact Christi Harper (charper@fumclr.org) or register online at fumclr.org/ registrations. neighboring opportunity Moses: In the Footsteps of the Reluctant Prophet THRIVEing Monday Nights, Starts Sept. 18, 6 pm Retrace the life of Moses from his modest birth and rescue as a baby to the courts of Pharaoh, from herding flocks in Midian to leading his people out of Egypt. Join Adam Hamilton as he travels from Egypt to Mt. Sinai, the Nile, the Red Sea and the wilderness exploring the sites of Moses life. Using historical information, archaeological data, and biblical text, Hamilton guides us in the footsteps of this reluctant prophet who grew in his relationship with God and by the end of his life had successfully fulfilled the role he was given. Turn your own reluctance into boldness as you examine the significant challenges facing Moses and how God shaped his character and life in powerful ways. To register, contact leader Linda Baker by email sorryvasari@att.net or by telephone 501-372-4685, cell 501-680-1089. You may also register online at fumclr.org/registrations. Discipleship Fast Track, Starts September 24th Disciple Fast Track, an adaptation of the original, bestselling Disciple Bible Study, provides a viable option for busy people seeking comprehensive engagement over time with the entire biblical text. Fast Track groups meet for a total of 24 weeks, devoting 12 weeks each to the Old Testament and the New Testament. Participants read a manageable 3-5 chapters of the Bible daily in preparation for the weekly meetings, which last approximately 75 minutes. For more information, contact Brad Cazort (bzort@sbcglobal.net). Register online at fumclr.org/registrations. The Enneagram Journey - Growth, Exploration, and Transformation Starts Tuesday, September 26th, 6 pm Ignorance is bliss except in self-awareness. What you don t know about yourself can hurt you and your relationships and even keep you in the shallows with God. Do you want help figuring out who you are and why you re stuck in the same ruts? The Enneagram is an ancient personality type system with an uncanny accuracy in describing how human beings are wired, both positively and negatively. It is extraordinarily useful because it works. Each of us has life experience that has given us a degree of self-knowledge; however there is always a deepening clarity we discover through our Enneagram type. Please join me for this 10-12 week curriculum in which participants will learn about the Enneagram. For more information and to register, please contact Rev. Mary Jane Cole mjcole@arumc.org or 501-960-7731. You may also register online at fumclr.org/registrations.
THRIVE T-SHIRTS Deadline to order is Sunday, September 3rd. These t-shirts are good quality with a vintage feel, and they should not shrink much if any! SAMPLES ARE ON HAND TO TRY DIFFERENT SIZES BEFORE ORDERING. See Lesley with any questions (landrews@fumclr.org). TABLES WILL BE SET UP THIS SUNDAY TO ORDER! Name Phone Email Please Note: If you desire bigger than XL, place size (2X, 3X, 4X) in the Other Box. Adult Sizing Style XS SM MD LG XL Other Price Qty Total Crew Neck T-Shirt $15 V-Neck T-Shirt $17 Child Sizing SM MD LG Price Qty Total Crew Neck T-Shirt $10 Order Total Special Notes Crew-Neck & V-Necks: The shirts feature a uniquely soft triblend fabrication, modern fit, and short sleeves. SPECIAL NOTE: These t-shirts are a fashion fit and may feel small. Consider ordering one size larger than normal for a traditional fit. Payments: Cash or check (make check payable to FUMC). Please include this order form with EV- ERY order. Pre-payment is required. You may deliver order to church office, place in offering plates with payment folded inside order sheet, or mail to the church at 723 Center Street, Little Rock, AR 72201. Questions: Call Communications Director, Lesley Andrews, at 501-327-2256 Ex. 207 or email landrews@fumclr.org. Office Use Only Payment Received: Cash Check Credit Card (Office Only)
NEW & EVENTS An Expression of Gratitude and Appreciation On August 27th there will be a farewell reception for Anthony Falkowski and Pam Snider from 9:30-10:45 am in the Fellowship Hall. While there is no way to accurately capture the impact that Anthony and Pam have had on the lives of individuals, children and families during their years of ministry at First Church, this gathering provides us with an opportunity to say thank you for the many ways they have touched our lives. If you like to contribute toward a love offering for Anthony and/or Pam, money can be sent to the church office, attention Financial Office, with the appropriate name on the memo line. Please join us on the 27th as we celebrate and honor Anthony and Pam! FirstArts needs Volunteers! First Arts, the education arm of our church s music program, is gearing up for a busy year. We are partnering with the Arts Center to provide a new theater education experience this Fall. In addition, our partnerships with the Sturgis Academy through the Arkansas Symphony and the orchestra program at Booker continue to thrive. First Arts is making a significant impact on the lives of children and transforming our community. But we need volunteers! Can you spare a few hours Tuesdays or Thursdays between August 29 and November 9th? Our program runs from 3:30 to 6 pm, and our growth depends on your time! First Church has a NEW mobile app! The FUMCLR App allows you to register for upcoming events, volunteer for a service opportunity, catch up on the latest sermons, view recent newsletters, receive push notifications, give an offering on your mobile phone, and more! It s a wonderful way to stay connected wherever you are! To download, visit your apple or android app store and search for First United Methodist LR. $5s to THRIVE-Nourishing Young Scholars Continues THRIVEing opportunity THRIVEing opportunity One out of every four children in Arkansas go to bed hungry. As part of our partnership with Booker Arts Magnet School, we will continue our program to provide nutritious food and snacks for week-end meals for our young scholars. Become a Friday Friend for $5, a Monthly Chum for $20, or an All-Year Ally for $190. FIRST YOUTH Please Note: Wednesday Nights (SWAG) will be on pause until after Labor Day, and we will kick things off then. Youth Parent Meeting - Sun, August 20th All youth parents are invited to attend a parent meeting on Sunday, August 20th at 5 pm. After eating all together, the parents will meet with Brandon about the coming year. The youth will follow their normal Sunday night schedule. KIDS@FIRST Kids Prayer Partners You are invited to pray for an FUMC child this school year! Names are located on little frogs on a bulletin board by the gym entrance on the first floor. This is a chance to touch the life of a child in our church- to pray for them, connect in a deeper way if desired, and to encourage them through the year with notes and cards. I don t think I have to describe the look of a disappointed child, so let s not leave any names on our prayer board for them to find. If you would like to connect in a more personal way, you may email me, and I will send it to the parents of the child you have chosen, so they may offer you suggestions, such as birthday, etc. Kindersongs A big thank you to Brian and Terri Kinder for entertaining our children at the Back at It Potluck luncheon last week! It is always such a special time for the children to see you up close and personal! 3rd Grade Bible Presentation- This Sunday! This Sunday, August 20th during the First Tradition worship service at 11:00 am will be the presentation of Bibles to our rising 3rd graders. When you arrive, please sit as a family near the front until your child is called forward by the pastor. After the presentation, you child will join you for worship. Please contact Pam Snider at psnider@fumclr.org with any questions. Sunday School Promotion August 27th Our fall classes will begin on August 27th at 9:45 am. Please have children ages K 5th meet in the Theater on the first floor at 9:45 am. Following our musical beginning, we will divide into age groups for our small groups. MUSIC & WORSHIP ARTS We re back at it! The Chancel Choir is back from our summer neighboring hiatus! All other music ensembles start back opportunity the week after Labor Day. The Center Street Ringer s first fall rehearsal is Wednesday, September 6th at 5:30 pm. Ensemble s first gathering is Thursday, September THRIVEing 7th at the home of Fran and Al Nelson. Our beginning Bell Ensemble - the Dingalings begins Tuesday, September 5th at noon! Please join us - we have ALOT of fun! Kyle Linson (klinson@fumclr.org)
Thank you! Does it ever feel like your life is dictated by whichever way the wind blows? More than just fashion trends, popular culture, and technology, do you feel like all your life choices are made by the cultural norms and patterns? We receive so many messages about how to live our lives from the world around us. But do those messages lead us to the life we want and more importantly the life God intends? In the Sermon on the Mount, Jesus describes a way of life very different from the messages we receive from our culture and society. To live this kind of life is to live counter-culturally and to run against the wind. Join us, beginning September 10, for a sixweek series exploring the Sermon on the Mount and how Jesus is calling us to run against the wind. Sunday, September 10 Seek the Path of Least Resistance, Matthew 7: 13-14 Sunday, September 17 Money Makes the World Go Round, Matthew 6: 19-24 Sunday, September 24 Don t Get Mad. Get Even, Matthew 5: 38-48 Sunday, October 1 Forgive But Don t Forget, Matthew 5: 21-26 Sunday, October 8 Never Let Em See You Sweat, Matthew 6: 25-34 Sunday, October 15 Dress to Impress, Matthew 6: 1-15 FRIENDS & FAMILY Memorials & Honorariums In Memory of Jeff Bullard by Jenny Adair (Betty Ann Bullard Library), Eleanor & Peter Pella (Betty Ann Bullard Library) Congratulations on Baptism Congratulations to Buddy & Rachel Harding and big brother Five on the baptism of Leger Wilder on Sunday, July 30th during First Tradition. First Church Family, It is an understatement to say we miss you, your constant and reassuring presence in our lives since 2009 is irreplaceable. However, I think both Austin and I wholeheartedly agree that you have truly lived up to the with you on your journey motto. You showered us with love and well wishes, you equipped us with monetary gifts to ease the transition, and this summer, you lent us 4 amazing young men who helped us make summer 2017 an amazing experience for so many campers. Despite the 1,000+ mile distance, we have never felt far from our church family and we are blessed beyond measure to be loved by this congregation. Going to church was at the top of Rowan s list when she visited Arkansas in June; thank you for helping her feel as though she never left! We see many opportunities for different groups at FUMC to come retreat at Buckhorn United Methodist Camp (looking at all y all in the choir loft, Kyle Linson), and we would welcome every one of you with open arms and giant hearts! Thank you, church. Love, Austin and Taylor Hubbard Rowan and Levi Sympathy To Lillie Major and family following the death of her husband Rev. James (Jim) Edward Major on August 13, 2017. To the family and friends of Orval Riggs following his death on August 1, 2017. WEEKLY BIBLE READINGS August 20, 2017-11th Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 45:1-15; Psalm 133; Romans 11:1-2a, 29-32; Matthew 15: 10-20, 21-28 August 27, 2017-12th Sunday after Pentecost Exodus 1:8-2:10; Psalm 124; Romans 12:1-8; Matthew 16:13-20
firstunited methodistchurch LITTLE ROCK, ARKANSAS The First United Methodist In the First Place (USPS692-190) is published every other week for a total of 26 issues by the First United Methodist Church, 723 Center Street, Little Rock, Arkansas 72201-4317. 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 72201-4317 PERIODICALS POSTAGE PAID LITTLE ROCK, AR Follow us! facebook.com/fumclr The next issue of In the First Place will be published on August 27, 2017. Submission deadline is August 31.