April 2018 Volume 65, Issue 4 Page 1 Now the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain to which Jesus had directed them. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. And Jesus came and said to them, All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age. Matthew 28:16-20 Over the past several months I have written articles for The Light that focus on our five Discipleship Pathways (Learning, Giving, Service, Prayer and Worship). During the season of Lent Eric and I preached a sermon series, each week talking about one of the discipleship pathways. As we move through this year and the years to come we are going to continue to emphasize how we as followers of Jesus can grow in our faith. We are a community of faith and we have come together around Jesus. He is the model for our discipleship. He teaches us what we are to be about and he shows us the way. We only have to look at his life to know how we are to live. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be on a journey. To be a disciple of Jesus is to serve others. To be a disciple of Jesus is to be obedient to God in all things. To be a disciple of Jesus is to make God s work the highest priority in our lives. To be a disciple of Jesus is to pray. To be a disciple of Jesus is to live with the conviction that love of God and love of people are intimately tied together. To be a disciple of Jesus is to show concern for the outcasts of society. To be a disciple of Jesus is sometimes to suffer. To be a disciple of Jesus is to live by different rules. To be a disciple of Jesus is to have faith. To be a disciple of Jesus is to continue his work of ministry. Jesus gathered around him a group of disciples. At times they didn t seem to be very good learners. They are pictured as a pretty dense group of people, unable to understand (continued on next page)
2 - THE LIGHT what Jesus was trying to teach them. These disciples seemingly lacked faith, worried, fell asleep on him, betrayed him, deserted him, and the most loyal one denied him. And yet, it was to those people Jesus entrusted the future of his ministry. Despite their shortfalls, Jesus commissioned them to be his witnesses to all the world. Disciples, it seems, do not have to be perfect (thank heavens!) in the understanding or practice of their faith. What they do need is to be devoted to Jesus, eager to grow in relationship with him and willing to be his witnesses in the world. Jesus has entrusted to us the future of his ministry. Will you be devoted to him? Are you eager to grow in your relationship with him? Are you willing to be his witness in the world? These are serious questions we each must ask ourselves. If your answer is yes then join us as we journey on, walking our pathways of worship, learning, giving, service and prayer. May God bless us as we seek to become the people He has called us to be. Christine 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! 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 On Easter Sunday we will collect the Coins for Lent 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.
3 - 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. Dorothy Strayer Memorial Scholarship Again this year First United Methodist Church is offering college scholarships to church members and their families. If you are interested in applying for one of these scholarships for the 2018-19 year, please contact Ned Johnson at 515-284-5791 for information and application forms. The deadline for applying is July 1. 90+ Birthdays Gladys Mitchell April 18 Dorothy Riddle April 21 Evelyn Martin April 27
4 - THE LIGHT Native American Ministries Sunday Together, we empower local spiritual development and educate Native American seminary students to serve God faithfully. Native American Ministries Sunday is April 15 United Methodists will observe Native American Ministries Sunday on April 15, reminding us that throughout our connection are people of faith whose ancestry comes from those historically indigenous to this continent. This observance recognizes and supports the contributions of Native Americans to church and society and honors their traditions. When you support Native American Ministries Sunday, you equip students of all ages to honor and celebrate Native American culture in their education and ministries, and you empower congregations that are finding fresh new ways to minister to their communities with the love of Christ. One half of this offering remains in the Iowa Annual Conference to support Iowa s only recipient, the Native American Child Care Center at Grace United Methodist Church in Sioux City. This ministry began over 40 years ago as a cooperative effort between leaders of the Native American community and local United Methodists. It is there to promote and foster the physical, emotional, social, cultural and intellectual development of children to help them realize their full potential. This work, and hundreds of other ministries, is possible because you give. God has blessed us and, through church-wide Special Sundays, we can pass those blessings on to others. Reasons We Celebrate Native American Ministries Sunday: We celebrate in commitment to racial reconciliation. We believe in funding justice efforts for Native Americans. When we give together, we do more than any individual can. We believe in taking care of our own family. We want to model generosity for our communities and future generations. Please give generously. Be there. Be hope.
5 - THE LIGHT Ushers for April Craig Strayer (Head Usher), Junella Schultz, Josh & Will Sadler, Delvin Sadler (Balcony) April 1 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader David & Betty Stout David & Betty Stout Ann Herteen Judi Buxo April 8 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Joan & Frank Hanna Mandy Chouangmala John & Kari Walker Tom Glenn April 15 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Martha Hardie & Lucille Nichols John & Kari Walker Lucille Nichols Patty LaGree April 22 Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Lay Reader Abby & Cory Darrington Tom & Donna Gruis Joan & Frank Hanna Tom Cady April 29 Volunteers welcome for most areas: Greeters Information Desk Reception Desk Please contact the church office if you can help out April 29th! April 29 th Lay Reader Donna Gruis
6 - THE LIGHT APRIL 2018 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 Easter 10:00 AM Mabaan Room Bible Study 103 LL Communion, Food Pantry 8:00 AM Easter Breakfast 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service at Spaghetti Works, 310 Court Ave. 10:00 AM Central Iowa Brass Quintet 10:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 3:00 8:30 PM Central IA Meal Prep - Kitchen 6:30 PM FUMC serves Central IA Shelter 1420 Mulberry St. 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary CR1 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 Offering of Letters 9:00 AM Staff Mtg. 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 5:30 7:00 PM Confirmation Class 7:00 PM Bible Study location TBD 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes 5:30 PM CCYC Celebration of the Arts Night Fellowship Hall, Gym, Kitchen 15 16 17 18 19 20 21 Native American Sunday Dedication of Offering of Letters 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 1:00 PM Youth Reader Lunch & Teaching Session 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 5:30 7:00 PM Confirmation Class 7:00 PM Bible Study 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes LIGHT Deadline 1:30 7:00 PM Trinity Meal Prep - Kitchen 4:45 PM FUMC serves at Trinity (CFUM Supper Club)- 1548 8th St, DM 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study 12:00 1:30 PM Mabaan First Church Partnership Meeting CR1 22 23 24 25 26 27 28 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine 9:00 AM Staff Mtg. 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study Service 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 1:00 PM Youth Reader Lunch & Teaching Session 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 10:00 AM Meal Prep - Kitchen 12:00 PM FUMC serves at Connection Café, 815 High St., DM 6:00 PM Church Council - #110 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 5:30 7:00 PM Confirmation Class 7:00 PM Bible Study 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes 29 30 May 1 May 2 May 3 May 4 May 5 29 9:15 AM Sunday School 9:30 AM Grapevine Service 10:30 AM Worship 11:30 1:00 PM Youth Reader Lunch & Teaching Session 12:30 PM Mabaan Worship 11:30 AM Theology of the Ordinary 3:00 PM Meal Prep - Kitchen 6:30 PM FUMC serves Central IA Shelter 5:30 7:00 PM Confirmation Class 7:00 PM Bible Study National Day of Prayer 5:30 PM Chancel Choir 7:00 PM Foxhall AA 7:00 PM WhiteChapel Chimes 10:00 AM Mabaan Bible Study
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8 - THE LIGHT About Grace Hospice Home Care Program in Mongolia Grace Hospice program visits homes of patients who have advanced stage cancer and whose cure is improbable. Since the establishment of Grace Hospice in 2005, Grace Hospice has cared for more than 2,100 patients. We offer home care services for individuals in need in the entire city of Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia and surrounding area, and have an office located in Chingeltei district. The staff visits patients using Grace Hospice car or public transportation and care is routinely given from Monday through Friday from 10 am until all scheduled patients have been visited, about 5-6 pm. Doctors are available to receive telephone calls to help support the caregivers and patients by advising on control of symptoms and helping them to understand what is happening with the patient. Currently the Mongolian staffs consist of 2 doctors, 2 nurses, 1 spiritual care counselor, 1 bereavement counselor and a driver. Another important component of this team is the 4 volunteers who have received 16 hours of classroom training, providing care with no salary. A family caregivers support group meets once a month, and usually attended by different people each time. The purpose is for sharing among the participants-family caregivers. It is a time for finding out that one is not alone. It is a time for sharing of information and applying strategies. One person said I didn t have any place to go and cry, and expressed appreciation to be able to do that in this group. Following the development of this caregivers group, a bereavement group was started. Bereavement group provides a cup of tea to create welcoming atmosphere and helps participants to feel that they are not alone in this grieving process. We provide encouragement and hope that things will improve and that deep sadness will dissipate.
9 - THE LIGHT Hospice care is primary about accompanying patients while in sickness until she/he no longer needs the support. It is with the recognition that quality of care is the goal. Patients are living and have things to celebrate. So we are involved with celebration of birthdays, Christmas, and Children s Day (June 1). We also help them to participate in family celebrations by helping to control symptoms they may have. Continuing education and training for the staffs will improve their care skills, so we participate in educational events related to palliative and hospice care and improve our knowledge by learning new skills and studying various areas of care more in depth. Grace hospice offers free care services and receives donations primarily through members of the United Methodist Church (Global Ministries Advance number for Grace Hospice is #14928A) If Mongolians wish to show their appreciation for hospice care they have received, we encourage donations when possible. Also anyone who wants to offer support may do so by making a donation to the Grace Hospice program. Thank you & God bless you! (Written by Delgermaa, Bereavement & Caregivers group care person, February 27, 2018) Commission on a Way Forward District Gatherings Bishop Laurie Haller and members of the Iowa Conference Delegation to the Special Session of General Conference will lead a special presentation and conversation about the Commission on the Way Forward proposals. These proposals address the way(s) in which we might maintain church unity concerning human sexuality issues. Clergy and Laity are encouraged to attend as we dialogue around possible proposals for our denominational impasses around human sexuality. The Central District Gathering is on April 15 th at 2 PM at New Hope UMC in Des Moines. If you are interested in the conversation but unable to attend the Central District gathering you are welcome to attend any of the remaining scheduled gatherings in another district. April 7 - East Central and Southeast - Iowa City, St. Mark s - 2:00 to 4:30 PM April 15 - Central - Des Moines, New Hope - 2:00 to 4:30 PM April 21 - Northwest - Cherokee, St. Paul s - 9:30 AM to noon April 22 - Northeast - Cedar Falls, First - 2:30 to 5:00 PM
10 - THE LIGHT Our Missionary in Mongolia The Outreach Committee at First Church is excited to announce the visit of Chin Cho, our missionary in Mongolia. Please mark your calendar for Wednesday, June 27 th. At 6:00 PM we will have an all church potluck followed by a program by Chin. He will share with us about his work in Ulaanbaatar. This is a great opportunity to meet our new missionary and encourage him in his work. We recently received this photo of Chin and his family. Left to right are Joseph, Chin, Grace, Hannah. We thank them all for their service to the church. Mark your calendar for this year s Bible-que. We will be meeting July 10, 17 and 24. More details will follow in the June Light.
11 - THE LIGHT Mission from the Margins A recent conference on World Mission and Evangelism challenged those in attendance to listen and learn from those with no titles, no money, no stature in society. A speaker at the conference reminded the attendees that Jesus was from the margins and died as a marginalized preacher rejected by the powers of that time. She went on to ask Is our notion of discipleship inclusive of those who exist in the marginal spaces of our times and world? If so, then it follows that the church must view those in the margins with the same agency, dignity, and grace which Christ affords them in the Gospels, remembering that God gives power and strength to the weak, the outcast, and those who go without. Where in the margins do you see Jesus? Do you see him in the face of a hungry child? In the face of an unemployed single parent? In the face of a prisoner? In the face of drug addict? In the face of a homeless person? In the face of the oppressed by those who believe themselves to be superior? Many times we turn our heads or pass judgment on those who live on the margins of our society but if you look carefully, you can see Jesus in the hunger, the fear, the uncertainty, the hopelessness, and the oppression of those with no titles, no money and no stature.
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 MAY ISSUE OF THE LIGHT IS APRIL 20 New Bible Study Beginning April 11, Eric will be leading a seven-week study and discussion using the resource Your Bible! The Study Begins. This is an introduction to the Bible that will pave the way for future study and deeper understanding. It is designed to help participants understand how the Bible came to be, what the Old and New Testaments are about, how the Bible has been preserved and handed on, how we study the Bible and what the Bible s place is in our lives. The Bible study will be offered on Wednesday evenings from 7:00-8:00 pm on April 11, 18, 25 and May 2, 9, 16, and 23. The cost of the Your Bible! The Study Begins book is $15. Books will be available for purchase from the church office or in Kenyon Hall on April 8. You may sign up for the class by contacting the church office or by indicating on the attendance sheet during worship.