FIRST CONNECTIONS MARCH - APRIL 2022
From the Pastor “How does it feel to be back at First UMC?” It’s a question I have heard a lot in the last three months. My answer is always the same. “It feels like home.” I have loved and appreciated every church I have served but I have always felt a special connection with First UMC of Lakeland. My family and I have been overwhelmed by the way you have welcomed us back. Thank you! It is an honor to return to serve this extraordinary church. Almost 25 years ago, I was honored to be appointed as one of your associate pastors and, even then, I knew there was something different about this church. You could say it is good DNA and the strength of the laity. You could say it is the long history of effective pastoral leadership and the passion we have for outreach and missions. You could also point to our inspiring worship services, stellar staff, and rich programming. But if I had to sum up what makes First UMC of Lakeland so extraordinary it is that our church loves to love. We have never lost sight of our call to “shine a light so lovely that people want to know with all of their hearts the source of it” (Madeleine L’Engle).
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This issue of Connections reflects the different ways we are shining the lovely light of Christ in our community. You will also find information about our upcoming fall and Christmas events as well as the dates for this year’s stewardship campaign Count Me In! I hope you will take time to enjoy this magazine and make note of the different ways you can connect with First Church. I also encourage you to share Connections with friends who are looking for a church home. With Great Expectations,
Charley Reeb
Upcoming Sermon Series & Stewardship Campaign
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A Joyful Milestone: The Completion of Our Youth & Community Outreach Center Remember that spark of an idea we had for the Youth & Community Outreach Center? Well, fast forward to today and that idea is now a beautiful building at First UMC! It isn’t just bricks and mortar. It’s a place humming with the energy and promise of our youth. Every bit of this space is filled with the spirit of our community, the dreams we’ve shared, and the passion we’ve poured into this project.
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Please join us in marking this milestone at our ribbon cutting ceremony. It will be a celebration of the community that made this dream possible and the vibrant future that awaits within its walls. The foundation was your generous contributions, thoughtful prayers, and unwavering support. A heartfelt thank you to each of you who contributed to this campaign. The space is a reflection of our collective heart for our youth and the community. Let’s step into this new chapter with joy, a bit of party spirit, and lots of hopeful expectations for the memories we’ll create in our new space. The paint might be dry, but our journey’s not over. There are still tons of adventures waiting for us! Here’s to new beginnings, future adventures, and the beautiful chaos of joyous celebration! If you’d like to make a financial contribution, go to firstumc.org/capital-campaign.
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Trimming Traditions: Navigating Change Vicky Pitner (Memory Ministry Coordinator)
Once upon a time a little girl was helping her mother prepare a pot roast and vegetable dinner. Together they chopped the onions, carrots and potatoes. Before the mother placed the roast into the pot, she cut the ends off. The little girl had seen her mother do this often, but this time asked why. Her mother smiled and sweetly replied, “Because my mother always did.” This piqued the little girl’s curiosity, so off to her grandmother’s house she went to inquire about cutting the ends off the roast before placing it in the pot. Her grandmother thought for a moment and said, “Because my mother always did it that way.” Now the little girl was determined to find the answer to this mystery and went to her great-grandmother who looked a bit puzzled at the question but calmly replied, “Because my mother’s pot wasn’t big enough and the roast fit better if the ends were cut off.” I don’t recall when I first heard this story, but it popped into my head as I was writing this article. I love it because most people can relate to the message. Many times we do something because we have always done it that way and maybe don’t question the reason. With the holidays approaching, I thought about how family traditions will be different this year for those who have a loved one living with dementia. Often we do things the same way because it is comfortable and then continue because of tradition. Thinking of doing something different can be scary, especially if the change is brought about because of circumstances out of our control. The holidays look different when there are changes in family dynamics. But celebrating by combining traditions with new experiences adjusted to unique family needs can make gathering with family and friends even more special.
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When my mother passed away 26 years ago, my family struggled for three years over the location, the contents of the meal and even the time to have our Christmas celebration. We tried Christmas at my sister’s home the first year. We rented a cabin in the Smoky Mountains the second. And we had dinner out on the third. Finally, we admitted our holidays would never be the same without Mom. But we realized it wasn’t where we were or even what we ate. It was about gathering with those we love to celebrate the real meaning of Christmas. Here are 5 tips on adjusting family traditions if you have a loved one living with dementia: 1. Focus on the positive to minimize feelings of being overwhelmed with sadness. Share memories, family photos and family bloopers to cope and feel at peace. 2. Identify most important traditions and brainstorm creative ideas to help with the adaptation to new family circumstances. 3. Include activities that your loved one living with dementia will enjoy. If some family members have not seen this person for a while, be sure to talk with them about changes and give tips on how to interact to create joyful moments. 4. Consider keeping a tradition to honor the person who no longer remembers the tradition. 5. Keep things simple and remain flexible to give yourself time to modify treasured traditions and make them more meaningful. Perhaps when the little girl in the story grew up she had her own family and decided to use a bigger pot for her roast. If she did and skipped the ritual of cutting the ends off the roast, I am sure dinner was still just as delicious!
Advent Schedule For more information about our Advent events & services, visit firstumc.org/advent. Family Christmas Live - Dec 20, 6pm, Fellowship Center Every child has a role to play and a costume to wear at Family Christmas Live! Costumes are provided, or you can come dressed as your favorite Christmas story character. (Mary, Joseph, angels, barn animals… etc.) We encourage you to come at about 5:30pm if you need a costume.
Christmas Eve Morning Services - Dec 24 9:30am Contemporary (Fellowship Center)* 11am Traditional (Sanctuary) *Childcare & Sunday School at 9:30am
Christmas Eve at First UMC - Dec 24 4pm Family Worship (Sanctuary)* 6pm Traditional (Sanctuary)* 8pm Contemporary (Fellowship Center) 11pm Traditional (Sanctuary) *Childcare at 4pm & 6pm (VPK & Under)
New Year’s Eve Service - Dec 31 Combined 11am Worship (Sanctuary)
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Upcoming Events For more information about all of our events, visit firstumc.org/events.
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The Jesus Model: An Invitation to Serve Forrest White (Missions Director)
During 20+ years in student ministry, I had a church member rush into my office after worship more than once, breathless from the breaking news. “A cute young couple just joined the church!” they exclaimed. “They need to work with the youth!” I’d pause, smile, and ask a vital question. “Do they want to work with the youth?” “Cute” and young are neither requirements for nor predictors of strong youth ministry leadership. Invariably, this is what happened: Someone recruited the “cute” young couple to work with the youth, and they showed up faithfully for a few weeks. Then, they began to disappear, at first from the youth ministry, then from the church entirely. I’m afraid they left feeling guilty. Told at the start they were needed, they almost certainly believed they let the youth down and, quite likely, the church. Worst of all, they may have felt like they let God down when they simply were never called to youth ministry. Recently, someone asked me about the best way to engage people in serving outside the walls of the church. The couple’s story immediately came to mind. It’s why you’ll never hear me say we need you to do something. The best way to engage others in serving is the Jesus way – to invite and to lead by example.
“As Jesus was walking beside the Sea of Galilee, he saw two brothers, Simon called Peter and his brother Andrew,” Matthew wrote (4:18-19). “They were casting a net into the lake, for they were fishermen. ‘Come, follow me,’ Jesus said, ‘and I will send you out to fish for people.’” Imagine if Jesus had walked up to the fishing brothers and said, “I need you to drop your nets right now…” Peter and Andrew might have gone with Jesus, but maybe out of a sense of obligation rather than by choice. The story wouldn’t have been compelling through the years. More unfortunately, it would have denied arguably God’s second greatest gift behind Jesus – free will. The first disciples chose to accept the invitation, drop everything, follow Jesus, and join Him in changing the course of history. In A Second Resurrection, author Bill Easum writes, “The Scriptures record (Jesus) as calling his disciples to ‘follow him’ and learn his ways. He had the disciples hang out with him so they could see how he lived, how he thought, and how he related to God and others. In essence, they were learning a trade – to be like Jesus.” Simply put, Jesus led by example. And we only know part of the story. John ended his gospel alluding to unrecorded moments from Jesus’ earthly ministry. “If every one of them were written down, I suppose that even the whole world would not have room for the books that would be written.” (John 21:25) So, be like Jesus! Find your place to serve. Invite others to join you. Trust God to move them. Who knows? Maybe you will help them find their calling. 9
Fine Arts Series 2023-2024 For tickets and more infomation, visit firstumc.org/concert-series
SEIPP/SHEETS: TRUMPET & ORGAN CONCERT Sun, Nov 5, 4pm, Sanctuary, $7 Melding exquisite soundscapes with captivating visuals, this duo crafts an unparalleled concert experience for all. Featuring elite performers: Dr. Chuck Seipp, retired Sergeant Major of the U.S. Army Band, and Dr. Randall Sheets, retired Ceremonial Organist for Arlington National Cemetery. Immerse yourself in a musical journey where precision meets emotion!
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THE SIGHTS & SOUNDS OF CHRISTMAS Sun, Dec 10, 4pm & 7pm, Sanctuary, Free Ring in the season with choirs, handbells, The Current worship team and the Sights and Sounds Orchestra as we experience the joy of the coming of Christ. Ring in the season and experience this Lakeland tradition. Childcare is available for children VPK and under at the 4pm concert.
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JAZZ ROOM Fri, Jan 26, 7-9pm, Wesley Center, $10 Looking for something unique this winter? Enjoy a relaxed evening of Jazz favorites, as The Jeff Phillips Trio whisks us away from the worries of today and into a New York City style Jazz Room. Ticket price includes an evening of exceptional music, table snacks, and one drink from the craft mocktail and soda bar.
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W FINE ARTS SUNDAY Sun, Feb 11, All Services, Free Join us as we celebrate in the 8:15, 9:30, and 11:00 worship services. Through the creativity of music, dance, and visual art, we will glorify God and celebrate the artistic talents of all who contribute to our fine arts ministries.
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CURSES, FOILED AGAIN AND AGAIN AND AGAIN: DINNER THEATRE AND SILENT AUCTION Presented by the Handbell Ringers and Singers
Fri & Sat, Mar 1 & 2, 6:30pm, Fellowship Center, $30 An old fashioned western melodrama, complete with Dastardly Dan, Sweet Suzanna, and Dudley Do-Gooder, paired with a delicious meal and a silent auction - who could want more? Join us for a night of fun, food, and follies in support of the Ringers and Singers.
PAUL PITTS: THE SCRIBE Wed, Mar 20, 7:30pm, Sanctuary, $7 The Scribe is an unforgettable, dramatic, musical presentation of the life of Christ as seen through the eyes of a Roman centurion soldier, who himself becomes a believer through the testimony of Simon Peter. This must-see performance is presented by Hollywood actor, recording artist, and New York Broadway entertainer Dr. Paul Pitts. HANDBELL RINGERS AND SINGERS: FROM DARKNESS TO LIGHT Sun, Apr 21, 4pm, Sanctuary, Free Singing and ringing simultaneously, this talented group will present a unique program of music describing light, rebirth and renewal. The Ringers and Singers perform on two sets of Whitechapel handbells along with ChoirChime instruments that blend wonderfully with their singing.
KIDS PRAISE MUSICAL: RESERVATIONS NOT NEEDED Written by Jan Hermany; Music by Matthew Corl
Wed, May 8, 6pm, Sanctuary, Free This fun and entertaining musical is based on the feeding of the five thousand. It is full of humor, but stresses the constant availability of Jesus to all who call upon Him - no matter the time or place. His love overflows unendingly.
Help support our 2023-2024 Fine Arts Series by becoming a Patron! To donate, scan the qr code, visit firstumc.org/concert-series, or send your check payable to First UMC and marked “Fine Arts Series” directly to: First UMC Fine Arts, 72 Lake Morton Dr, Lakeland, FL 33801
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First United Methodist Church 72 Lake Morton Drive, Lakeland, FL 33801 firstumc.org | 863.686.3163
Non-Profit Org. U.S. POSTAGE PAID Lakeland, FL Permit No. 30
SUNDAY SERVICES 8:15am Sanctuary: Traditional worship presented in a new way with a fresh approach to time-honored hymns and a variety of styles of music. 9:30am Fellowship Center: A more contemporary, relaxed atmosphere with worship music of today. 11am Sanctuary: Traditional hymns with organ accompaniment and musical pieces from our various fine arts groups. 11am The Current: A unique worship experience in our Fellowship Center with a contemporary setting. Communion is offered each Sunday. The purpose of First United Methodist is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. We strive to accomplish this by being a worship plus three church. Worship plus three is how we define our ministries. We believe worship is of prime importance and is our foundation. In addition, we are to invite others into a relationship with God, grow in our own relationship with God and our neighbor, and serve others as a continued sign of God’s work in our lives.