Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity

jsearls — Fri, 27 Aug 2010 10:49:13 -0700

Stress. Anxiety. Even fear. These words capture well the state of mind of many of us today as economic uncertainty and instability continue in our nation, state, and community. We invite you to join us beginning Sun., Oct. 10 for a church-wide study and worship emphasis called Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. We will explore, through corporate worship and small group study, what the Bible teaches us about financial management. Small group study will begin the week of Oct. 3. For information on study dates and times and how to join a group and/or obtain the book Enough, contact Heidi DeMoss at 355-7257 or ssomed@comcast.net. Journey with us as we look at how we can better manage our financial resources, move toward simplicity and generosity, and truly experience that God is Enough. Your 2010 Stewardship Team Suzanne Jones, Chair Rev. Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald Dorothy Chamness Polly Diehl Janet Hardenburg Tom Herrick Sid Kenyon

September Focus

mhaney — Thu, 26 Aug 2010 12:31:01 -0700

The big news this month is the new Sunday schedule, effective September 12:

8:30 – 9:30 a.m. Worship Service

9:40 – 10:30 a.m. Jubilant Journey (Christian Education for all ages)

10:45 – 11:45 a.m. Worship Service

Enclosed find information about classes for all ages and make a decision as to which class sounds good for you! Also inside is information about the worship series, outreach activities, who needs your prayers and all kinds of things to keep you busy as we move into the fall season.

Hope to see your smiling face at FUMC this fall!!

Adult Classes for You This Fall beginning September 12!!

mhaney — Tue, 24 Aug 2010 14:23:19 -0700

Something for everyone...take a look!!!

Ongoing Classes
• Often topical study
• Weekly class open to all
Why you should come?
• You want to be a part of a class group.
• You are interested in the topic the group is studying.
• You want to get to know the other members of the group.
• You want to grow as a Christian.
Who should come?
• Everyone is welcome.

Open Minds Class Where : Conference Room led by Heidi DeMoss
What will the first study be?
• A New Kind of Christianity: Ten Questions that are Transforming the Faith by Brian D. McLaren
• What is the overarching story line of the Bible?; How should the Bible be understood?; Is God violent?; Who is Jesus, and why is he important?; What is the gospel?; What do we do about the Church?; Can we find a way to address human sexuality without fighting about it?; Can we find a better way of viewing the future?; How should Followers of Jesus relate to people of other religions?; How can we translate our quest into action?
• “Brian McLaren, one of the more articulate leaders in the emergent church, has a lot of questions. And he hopes Christians won’t avoid those questions.” (The Christian Post )
• “A new reformation is taking place in Christianity. Brian McLaren is one of its leading voices and A New Kind of Christianity is a roadmap for this reformation. This is a very important book.” (Adam Hamilton, Senior Pastor, The United Methodist Church of the Resurrection. )

Faithlinks Class Where : Filling Station contact Kathy Herrick
What will the first study be?
• “Sex and the Church” - dealing with issues of sexuality rarely discussed in the Church.
• Sep. 12 - Theology of Sexuality; Sep. 19 - The Mass Media’s Influence; Sep. 26 - Ending Heterosexism; Oct. 3 - Reproductive Rights.
• Based on an online course prepared by the United Methodist Church’s General Board of Church and Society. If you want course materials, contact John Buttrey at buttreys2@charter.net (for email delivery) or 1488 Stoney Lake Dr., Holland, MI 49424 (for mail delivery).

Pastor Lynn’s Class Where : West end of Lounge
What will the first study be?
• This We Believe by William H. Willimon - Bishop Willimon systematically lays out key Wesleyan tenets of faith so that you will have a fresh way to hear God’s voice, share in God’s grace, and become more like Jesus Christ.
• Grow to love God with a warmed heart and serve God with active hands during this eight week study.

Tim’s Topics Where : Heritage Room led by Tim Haney
When : Starting in October ~ when the garden is done.

Lecture/Presentation Classes
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Bibles Studies
• Life application
• Lectures
• Discussions
• Hands on opportunities
• Video Presentations
Who should come?
• Anyone who finds that topic of interest
Why should you come?
• Come when it interests you.
• Come when it challenges you.
• Come when you need what it offers.
• Come when it might help you.
• Come just because...

Short - Term Classes Where : East end of Lounge
What : Offerings lasting two or more weeks on a topic.
• Begining Oct. 3 ~ Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity by Adam Hamilton

Sunday Assortment Where : West end of Fellowship Hall
What : Various one time offerings
• Sep. 12 ~ No program ~ Chicken BBQ
• Sep. 19 ~ Spiritual Gifts inventory and interpretation, online and on paper
• Sep. 26 ~ Introduction to Isreal
• Oct. 3 ~ Response to Arendshorst lecture at our church Sept. 30 at 7 PM

Fellowship Space
Coffee and Coversation Where : East end of Fellowship Hall
What : A time to gather and visit with each other, or just relax and refresh. Copies of the newspaper are present, as well as coffee tea and often some light refreshments.

“Palestine and Israel: A Christian Peacemaking Perspective”

mhaney — Mon, 12 Jul 2010 14:46:15 -0700

To be presented by Dr. Tom and the Rev. Dr. Sharon Arendshorst on Thursday, September 30, at 7:00 PM at the First United Methodist Church. Tom and Sharon traveled to Palestine/Israel with Christian Peacemakers in April. They will show pictures, tell about their trip, and discuss the Israel/Palestine conflict and hopes for peace. Tom is a retired Holland ophthalmologist who subsequently earned a master's degree at the Kroc Institute for International Peace Studies at Notre Dame and is involved in peace/justice education. Sharon has served RCA churches as specialized interim pastor and recently received her Doctor of Ministry degree from Western Theological Seminary.

This presentation will be a memorial to Philip E. Beal, a Peace with Justice advocate, who died in 2009. Tom was the last person that Phil had a discussion with about PWJ before he became too ill to do any more.
We hope you will be part of this ecumenical effort to learn more about and participate in furthering Peace with Justice.

Sponsor:

First UMC – Peace With Justice

Co-sponsors:

Alliance for Cultural and Ethnic Harmony,

Calvary RCA,

First Presbyterian,

Grace Episcopal,

Hope RCA,

Interfaith Congregation of Holland,

International Student Office – Hope College,

Journey at Western Theological Seminary,

Lakeshore Women for Peace,

LEDA – Lakeshore Ethnic Diversity Alliance,

Maple Ave. Ministries,

Multi-Cultural Affairs – Hope College,

Peace Lutheran,

Phelps Scholars Program – Hope College,

Real Life Fellowship,

St. Francis deSales Catholic, (Donating $100,)

Third RCA.

Pastor Lynn is Blogging

jsearls — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 18:23:28 -0700

Pastor Lynn has joined the blogging community. If you would like to join the conversation, director your browser to:

Pastor Lynn's Blog

Haiti Earthquake Relief

justdave — Sat, 16 Jan 2010 23:35:46 -0800

The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) is the not-for-profit global humanitarian aid organization of the United Methodist Church. UMCOR responds to natural or civil disasters that are interruptions of such magnitude that they overwhelm a community's ability to recover on its own. The country of Haiti was hit by a devastating earthquake on January 12th, and UMCOR has responded. If you'd like to help, either with time, money, or other gifts, visit UMCOR's website for information on how to support UMCOR's efforts in Haiti, and news about UMCOR's ongoing relief efforts.