 How knowledgeable are you about our church history? Try your hand at these questions:
1. The decision to build our current sanctuary was made in which year?
A. 1910
B. 1912
C. 1914
D. 1916
2. When were "pew rentals" discontinued in favor of voluntary contributions?
A. 1896
B. 1905
C. 1913
D. 1929
3. Who first proposed building a new educational addition north of the church?
A. Rev. King Beach (1919-26)
B. Rev. George McClung (1926-1935)
C. Rev. Lester Kilpatrick (1935-1957)
D. Rev. James Wright (1957-1964)
4. The major Capital Improvements campaign in 1959 resulted in:
A. A new Ladies Powder Room
B. The Chapel
C. Improved lighting in the Chancel
D. Rebuilding the Organ
1. The Answer:
In 1910, the church purchased the Fulton St. site for its future location and took possession on Sept 1, 1910. Then, on April 15, 1915, authorization was given the Building Committee to proceed on building our current church facility. That´s 98 years ago next week.
2. The Answer:
Pew rentals were discontinued in 1913. The feeling had been growing that "pew rentals" excluded poorer people from the more desirable pews. In 1905, Mrs. Mary J. Scudder endowed a pew to be "free in perpetuity" with a gift of $1,000. Now those highly desirable pews right in front are yours for the taking.
3. The Answer:
George McClung was the first pastor to propose adding a two-story addition to the north of the educational building and parlors to provide for the expanding Sunday School. The proposed cost was $35,000, but no action was taken due to the stock market crash in 1929. Dr. Kilpatrick proposed it again in 1950. This addition was finally added in the 1960s.
4. The Answer:
All of these are correct. A major Capital Improvement drive began in 1959, eventually raising $83,000 under the leadership of Watson Page. Out of this came the creation of a lovely chapel in what was formerly the third parlor. The old choir office became the "Ladies Powder Room," new lighting was added to the chancel, and the rebuilding of the Möller organ was completed.
Do you want to be part of history? We shape it by the decisions we make, by changing with the times, and by having the courage to move forward. I am inspired as I look upon the decisions of our spiritual forebears. I am all-the-more inspired by the decision of our congregation to build a new tower. It´s a bold decision not to imitate the past, but to move forward responsibly with a new design that is financially and ecologically sound.
And now the future is in our hands. Will we be willing to step up and do our part? I hope and pray we will! And I trust that future generations will find inspiration in the decisions and sacrifice each of us are challenged to make for such a time as this.
– Gary
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MARK YOUR CALENDAR:
• April 10, 12:00 pm — Sweetheart Luncheon
• April 11, 5:30 pm — Moms Group: Pancakes and Pj´s
• April 15, 12:00 pm — 60+ Luncheon
• April 17, 8:00 am — Caring Connection
• 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
CARING CONNECTION The next meeting is on Wednesday, April 17 at 8:00 am at New Beginnings Restaurant (1455 Michigan St NE). We welcome anyone who would like to participate in caring for our homebound with phone calls, note-writing, and visits.
MOMS GROUP: PANCAKES & PJS NIGHT Join us on Thursday, April 11 at 5:30 pm. Put the little ones in their pjs and meet us at church for a dinner time breakfast! We´ll provide the pancakes and stories. Dads invited, too. Please sign up to bring a topping. Please RSVP to Marj at marjtimm@aol.com.
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.
THREE 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 on Thursday, July 11 for a Road Trip to Chicago! We´ll take a 90-minute narrated boat tour and learn about the architecture and history of Chicago from this new vantage point. After lunch, we´ll see the fabulous world premiere of "The Jungle Book," a musical at the Goodman Theatre.
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 and 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.
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.
TOWER COFFEE Join us Sunday, April 21 after 9:15 am worship in the parlor for the Tower Campaign Informational Coffee.
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!
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.
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!
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.
 HUNGER WALK One month to 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 as a corner monitor, checkpoint water server, or check-in volunteer. Monies raised help 19 local agencies and 5 international agencies that work to end hunger. For more information visit: www.accessofwestmichigan.org.
60+ LUNCHEON The next 60+ Luncheon will be held on Monday, April 15 at noon. There will be a presentation from Chemical Bank on scams. Please call Elaine Youngs at 735.5506 or Luci Baer at 457.7797 if you would like to make a reservation.
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FIRST CHURCH FAMILY CONCERNS
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Concerns & Prayers for:
• Luci Baer
• Abby Greer
• Marianne Miller
• Pat Newell
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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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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 14
"I Go to Prepare a Place for You"
Rev. Letisha Bowman
John 14:1-4
Sacrament of Baptism
Ministry Focus:
Walker Family Tower Skit
Sunday, April 21
Annual Youth Service
Coffee Can Offering
Music With a Mission Concert:
"Words of Albert Schweitzer and the Music of Bach" 3:00 pm
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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.
GOT STUFF? It´s time to de-clutter to support First Church missions. The annual 2nd Best Sale is Saturday, April 20. Ask your friends and neighbors for excess stuff that other people can really use. Clothes on hangers would be appreciated, and other items in good repair. See the sign-up sheet for ways you can help! Drop-offs in the north lobby of the church begin on Sunday, April 14 from 12:00 to 2:30 pm and again from 5:00 - 7:30 pm. Contact Jane Lovett at peachesinn@gmail.com or 458.4504 with questions or if you need help in picking up your larger donations.
 JOURNEYING ALONG
ADULT SUNDAY CLASS: PRAYER & DEVOTIONAL LIFE OF UNITED METHODISTS by Steve Harper - This series challenges United Methodists to engage in life-transforming practices. The theme is explained and underscores major emphases within the United Methodist denomination. This adult study will last four weeks. Begins Sunday, April 7 - 28 at 9:30 am in room 3108. Led by Dorothy Blakey.
ADULT SUNDAY CLASS: UNITED METHODIST SOCIAL PRINCIPLES - Begins April 21 for 7 weeks excluding Memorial Day weekend. Led by Dick Youells and Darren McKnight. 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.
PARENTS AND YOUTH Spring sign-ups for serving in children´s church school are ready on Doodle! Go to www.grandrapidsfumc.org/volunteers to sign up to serve in the Infant or Toddler Nurseries and Children & Worship classrooms! Thank you for supporting our church school. 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.
STEP UP!........MAKE A DIFFERENCE ONE STEP AT A TIME! We all hear about childhood obesity and think something needs to be done. Here is your chance to make a difference in the life of a child at MLK by contributing to the Fitness Track project for the MLK playground. Our students need a safe place to exercise. The school grounds can provide the perfect venue for kids to move and be challenged. They can develop healthy habits for life. Won´t you STEP UP and make a contribution today?
 FIRST AID STATION
ANGER ISSUES "My child seems angry all the time and can´t get along with their siblings." Call your Church Assistance Program (CAP) at 455.6210. They will answer 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and will set you up to meet with a trained counselor. The first two one-hour sessions will be at no charge to you by telling them you are a member or friend of First Church!
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ATTENDANCE
Wednesday, April 3
Taizé Sung Prayers........32
Sunday, April 7
Worship 9:15 am........101
Church School 9:30 am........80
Worship 11:00 am........215
Evening Activities........29
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