 Yesterday was awful.
Yesterday was a day that left another black mark on our collective soul. Two bombs exploded at the crowded finish line of the Boston Marathon, a place that was supposed to symbolize the triumph of human endurance and spirit. As the news reports began to pour in, we once again found ourselves asking the questions we have asked too many times before.
• Why?
• Why do things like this keep happening?
• Why would someone do such a thing, for any reason?
• Why can´t we overcome hatred and evil once and for all?
• How?
• How could God allow such destruction and havoc?
• How do we keep this from happening again?
• How can we endure this?
• When?
• When will this madness stop?
• When will love win?
• When will God´s kingdom come on earth as it is in heaven?
Today I am no closer to having the answers to these questions than I was the day before. I wish there were a simple answer to this problem of evil we continue to have, but that does not seem to be the case. As I sat before God in prayer, "Why Lord? How Lord? When Lord?," the words of Jesus are what kept washing back over me.
"Love one another as I have loved you." John 15:12
"The greatest command is this, that you love the Lord your God with all your heart, soul, mind, and strength and your neighbor as yourself." Mark 12:30
Why is this so hard for us to do? Why do we continue to strike out at one another instead of following this most basic word?
Later the words of Edwin Markham came to my mind:
He drew a circle that shut me out -
Heretic, rebel, a thing to flout.
But Love and I had the wit to win:
We drew a circle that took him in!
--Edwin Markham (1852-1940)
I like this imagery of a circle that takes in the ´other.´ Unfortunately, a circle by its very nature is a closed system. Once it is drawn there will inevitably be an ´inside´ and an ´outside.´ As a woman of faith, this says to me that we must continue to draw bigger and bigger circles (or perhaps a never ending spiral?). Our work, love´s work, is never finished. Each new generation that is born must be drawn into the circle. Children born knowing nothing of hatred, intolerance, racism, sexism, bigotry, indoctrination, homophobia, and prejudice, nor of love, compassion, integrity, tolerance, decency, and truth, must be taught the difference and encouraged to choose love - through love.
Once upon a time the Psalmist wrote:
"This is the day the Lord has made, let us rejoice and be glad in it." Ps. 118:24
Today, let us gladly draw one another into the circle of God´s love. Let us gladly seek out the lost, the lonely, the hurting, and draw them into the circle of God´s love. Let us gladly do whatever it takes to be the signs of God´s kingdom come. And let us rejoice that God has given us another day in which to do so.
Pastor Tish
P.S. Let´s begin drawing a circle of love today by pledging to attend worship on Sunday. This Sunday is Youth Sunday. Wouldn´t it be a wonderful display of God´s love if we packed the sanctuary in support of this amazing group of young people that God has entrusted to our care? I can´t wait to see God´s love interpreted through their eyes! See you on Sunday.
P.S.S. Mark your calendar for Saturday. Come to the Second Best Sale between 9:00 am and 3:00 pm and then return for our Jazz Vespers Service at 6:00 pm where we will feature the music of the Randy Marsh Trio and where we will talk about the game of ´Clue´ as we seek answers in a troubled world.
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
• April 18, 4:30 - 7:00 am — 2nd Best Sale: Friends & Family Presale
• April 20, 6:00 pm — Jazz Vespers: The Randy Marsh Trio
• April 20, 6:00 pm — Jazz Vespers: The Randy Marsh Trio
• April 20, 9:00 am - 3:00 pm — 2nd Best Sale
• April 21, 10:15 am — Tower Campaign Informational Coffee
• April 21, 3:00 pm — Words of Albert Schweitzer/Music of Bach
• May 1, 7:00 pm — Taizé Sung Prayers
• May 7, 7:00 pm — Infertility Support Group
• May 15, 8:00 am — Caring Connection
• May 18, 6:00 pm — Jazz Vespers: Tyler VanderMaas Sax Quartet
• May 20, 12:00 pm — 60+ Luncheon
• May 26, 8:30 and 10:00 am — Summer Worship Begins
• May 27 — Church and Offices Closed for Holiday
• June 4, 7:00 pm — Infertility Support Group
• June 10, 3:00 - 7:00 pm — Blood Drive
• June 14 -16 — Father/Child Camp
• June 16 — Farewell Sunday for Gary Haller
• June 17, 12:00 pm — 60+ Luncheon
• June 19, 8:00 am — Caring Connection
• July 2, 7:00 pm — Infertility Support Group
• July 4 — Church and Offices Closed for Holiday
• July 21, 11:15 am — Summer Picnic and Welcome
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REGULAR SUNDAY CHILDREN AND YOUTH SCHEDULE
9:15 AM
• Infant Nursery — 0-23 months Room 107
• Toddler Nursery — age 2-young 3 Room 205
• Children & Worship — older 3s (potty trained) – K Room 204/201
• Faith Travelers — 1-6th grade 3rd floor Church Bldg
(Faith Travelers begin in worship with their parents. Following Moments with the Children, they are dismissed to class. Children of all ages are welcome to remain in worship if their families so desire.)
9:30 AM
• Junior High — 7-8th grade The Vine South (First Place Bldg)
• Senior High — 9-12th grade The Vine North (First Place Bldg)
10:25 AM
• Faith Travelers´ Choir — 1-6th grade 3rd floor Church Bldg
11:00 AM
• Infant Nursery — 0-23 months Room 107
• Toddler Nursery — age 2-young 3 Room 205
• Children & Worship — older 3s (potty trained) – K Room 204/201
• Junior Church — 1-2nd grade Room 202
(Children in Junior Church begin in worship with their parents. Following Moments with the Children, they are dismissed to class. Children of all ages are welcome to remain in worship if their families so desire.)
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NEWS AND EVENTS
21 DAYS OF PRAYER: For The Tower Campaign and Construction begins April 21. Click here to download the prayer guide.
OPEN PRAYER First United Methodist Church will be open to pray for Boston this evening, Tuesday, April 16, from 5-7pm. Please enter via the Barclay doors or north lobby doors.
MOTHER´S DAY HONOR ROLL This year, Mother´s Day will be celebrated on Sunday, May 12. Please join the United Methodist Women as we honor mothers by supporting the annual Mother´s Day Honor Roll. 100% of donated monies will be given locally, 50% to United Methodist Community House and 50% to Martin Luther King Leadership Academy Fitness Track Build.
United Methodist Community House, based in southeast Grand Rapids, exists to increase the ability of children, youth, adults, and families to succeed in a diverse community. The new fitness track at MLK School will help create a safe environment for children and their families to develop healthy lifestyles.
If you would like to pay tribute to a mother, living or deceased, send donation form and check to the church office by May 6, 2013 or email information to marym@grandrapidsfumc.org. You may also make a donation without requesting a tribute. Please make checks payable to FUMC (note Mother´s Day Honor Roll on memo line).
FATHER/CHILD CAMP Attention dads (grandpas and uncles, too)! A great Michigan summer is nearly upon us, and what better way to kick it off than spending Father´s Day weekend (June 14-16) at Lake Michigan United Methodist Camp in Pentwater! Picture you and your kids sitting around a campfire, running up and down the beach, hiking the many trails, watching beautiful sunsets, even taking a refreshing dip in Lake Michigan - all while spending time with God and some of your church family! Platform tents, as well as spots for your own tents and campers, are available. Site rental is $28 per night. Food is $20 for Dad and $15 per child with a max amount of $50 per family. Please contact Jason Smith at 262.7151 or jason.smith007@att.net. Make sure to ask about the "buy one, get one night free" offer for first timers!
 HUNGER WALK Join us for the Hunger Walk on Saturday, May 4! Register to participate on Sundays in the parlor. Walk, donate, or volunteer to help on the day of the event. Monies raised help 19 local agencies and 5 international agencies that work to end hunger. For more information visit: www.accessofwestmichigan.org.
SAVE THE DATE FOR ARTS ALIVE CAMP: THE GLOBAL VILLAGE Camp dates have been scheduled for August 5-8. Special field trip to Howell Nature Center Global Village, on Thursday, August 8. Watch for more details to come!
YOUNG ADULTS: SPRING PARTY Are you 18-30, and looking to connect with other young adults? Then you´re invited to join us for our Spring Party on Wednesday, April 17 at 6:00 pm! Please message Sami at samim@grandrapidsfumc.org to sign up to bring a dish to share and for directions.
WORDS OF ALBERT SCHWEITZER AND THE MUSIC OF BACH - A Multimedia Musical Dramatization by Thurston Moore Join us on Sunday, April 21 at 3:00 pm. The remarkable Albert Schweitzer was a rare and gifted individual with immense creativity. Premiered in 1995, this dramatization has helped to keep the legacy of Schweitzer alive and to preserve the glorious music of Bach. The poignant text, fine choice of repertoire, and beautiful slides will create a beautiful effect along with the fine Möller-Buck organ at First Church. This production brings cultural and spiritual enrichment to all who see it.
THE METHODIST CONNECTION: NWANDO ACHEBE RECEPTION Nwando Achebe will speak with The Methodist Connection about her father´s book Things Fall Apart on Friday, April 19 at 6:30 pm in the parlor. All are welcome to attend.
TWO UPCOMING ROAD TRIPS Join us on Wednesday, June 19 for a Detroit Tigers game at Comerica Park in Detroit! Our tickets are lower baseline box seats so we can watch the Tigers beat the Baltimore Orioles from a great vantage point!
Join us in Nashville Tennessee in October! This trip includes a guided bus tour of Nashville, a lunch cruise with entertainment on the General Jackson Showboat, a back stage tour of the Grand Ole Opry, as well as a 7:00 pm performance at the Grand Ole Opry! We should see lots of beautiful fall colors, too. The dates are October 10-12. A $100 deposit is needed to confirm your reservation. All itinerary and reservation forms are in the literature rack in the north lobby or online at www.grandrapidsfumc.org/road-trips.
NEW MAGNETIC NAME TAGS We are committed to being a welcoming congregation. Name tags are a great way to welcome guests, create community, AND to help our new pastor and his wife, Bob and Pigeon Hundley, get to know us. The church staff has been wearing new magnetic name tags. This type of name tag will be available to all active church members and attendees (including confirmed children) beginning in May. Name tags will also be printed for younger children upon request. Names will be printed as they are listed in the current church directory unless a nickname or abbreviated name is requested. If you cannot wear a magnetic name tag due to health concerns (such as a pacemaker), we will provide an alternative name tag. If able, we request a $5 per name tag donation ($20 max per family), however a donation is not required to receive a new name tag. Please use the Sunday bulletin sign-up sheet, church website, or contact Patsy McGillivray at patsym@grandrapidsfumc.org, to give us any of the following information: alternative spelling of name, name tags for children, non-magnetic name tag.
JAZZ VESPERS, featuring The Randy Marsh Trio, on Saturday, April 20 at 6:00 pm weaves scripture, a pastoral message and prayer into a celebration of faith, hope, and the love of God. Please join us!
FELLOWSHIP BREAKFAST Join the Fellowship Committee in Wesley Hall on Sunday, April 28 from 10:00 - 11:00 am for breakfast. Don´t miss this opportunity to be in fellowship with your First Church family.
TOWER COFFEE Join us Sunday, April 21 after 9:15 am worship in the parlor for the Tower Campaign Informational Coffee.
IMMIGRATION UPDATE FROM JFON Comprehensive Immigration Reform is in the news and the ongoing debate is getting a lot of coverage. We want to remind you that as things progress, trust JFON to keep you up to date on the issue. We regularly post information on our website www.jfonwestmichigan.org and publicize community events and announcements on our Facebook page Justice for Our Neighbors West Michigan (insert link). There are no stupid questions; in fact, the unasked question often protects damaging myths.
Finally, JFON staff and volunteers are available to speak at public forums, small groups or at your workplace. Contact Laura Rampersad at L.Rampersad@jfonwestmichigan.org with your questions or to schedule a speaking engagement.
PORTER HILLS FRIENDS Please join Pastors Gary and Tish and our Parish Nurse Marj for a gathering in the Library at Porter Hills on Thursday, May 2 at 2:00 pm. Let´s catch up over some punch and cookies!
MOMS´ GROUP: POT PAINTING & PIZZA NIGHT Thursday, May 9 at 5:30 pm. Bring a packet of seeds to exchange.Please RSVP to Marj at 451.2879 or marjtimm@aol.com by May 5 so we purchase enough pots to paint.
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FIRST CHURCH FAMILY CONCERNS
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Concerns & Prayers for:
• Abby Greer
• Harlene Jackson (outpatient surgery 4/16)
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Service Personnel
• Chris Bolhouse
• Scott Grifhorst
• Stephan Mathos
• Jesse Mounts
• Trevor Norton
• Shawn Seher
• Peter Taylor, Jr
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The love and prayers of the congregation are extended to Ashley Hosokawa and family on the death of Ashley´s mother on March 29th in Missouri; to Jill and Ken Peirce on the death of Jill´s aunt on April 10th in Illinois; to Burt Holmes and family on the death of his mother, Pat Holmes, on April 13; and to the family and friends of Coral (Corky) Kastner who died on April 15th.
Thank you for your concern, prayers, and cards.
Beth Colvin
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WEEKLY PULSE: Click the link to download a PDF version of the Weekly Pulse. |
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Worship Services
9:15 & 11:00 am
Reflections of Immortality
Sunday, April 21
Annual Youth Service
"Sassy Jesus"
Mark 7:5-8
Coffee Can Offering
Music With a Mission Concert:
"Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach" 3:00 pm
Sunday, April 28
"Manna Miracles and Methodist Money"
Rev. Wayne Barrett
Exodus 16:2-4, John 6:5-14
"Coffee with Rev. Wayne Barrett"
after both services
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 SETTING OUT
LET´S GET PERSONAL! During the month of April, the Social Concerns Committee will be collecting personal care items to help stock the shelves of Westminster Food Pantry. Many of the things we take for granted are unavailable to low-income families because they are not covered by food stamps. Here´s a way we can help ease the problem. Why not pledge that each time you go to your favorite market, you will pick up one or more of the following items to donate to the pantry: bar bath soap, body wash. Donations may be dropped off in the collection bin in the north lobby office. Your ongoing support of the Westminster Food Pantry is an essential part of helping area families in need.
FEEDING AMERICA Join us Saturday, April 20 for the monthly food distribution at Cesar El Chavez Elementary (1205 Grandville St. SW 49503). The truck arrives at 8:30 am for set-up, and the distribution begins at 9:00 am. First Church does not have primary responsiblity for this distribution, however, volunteers are invited to help. No sign-ups are needed.
2ND BEST SALE The annual 2nd Best Sale is Saturday, April 20 from 9:00 - 3:00 pm. Join us on Thursday, April 18 from 4:30 - 7:00 pm for the Friends and Family of First Presale.
 JOURNEYING ALONG
ADULT SUNDAY CLASS: UNITED METHODIST SOCIAL PRINCIPLES - Begins April 21 at 9:30 am for 7 weeks excluding Memorial Day weekend. Led by Dick Youells and Darren McKnight in room 3109. The Social Principles provide our (Church´s) most recent official summary of stated convictions that seek to apply the Christian vision of righteousness to social, economic, and political issues.
ADULT SUNDAY CLASS: NOOMA A two-week drop-in series featuring Rob Bell´s Nooma videos. The class will be video- and discussion-based. Classes are Sunday, May 5 and 12 at 9:30 am in the parlor. Led by Jess Rozga-DeBoni.
 FIRST AID STATION
ANXIOUS? DEPRESSED? Does it seem like all you hear is bad news? CAP, your Church Assistance Program, is here for you! By calling 455.6210 you can have 2 one-hour appointments with a Pine Rest Christian counselor at no cost to you. Don´t wait, call CAP today!
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ATTENDANCE
Sunday, April 14
Worship 9:15 am........129
Church School 9:30 am........103
Worship 11:00 am........275
Evening Activities........42
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