Transformations

Transformations Worship

Christ Like Disciples of Jesus

Grow

Serve

1 We are a sanctuary of Christian hope, love and encouragement in the heart of Sioux Falls.

From the Editor Welcome to Transformations, the periodic magazine of First United Methodist Church. The mission of our church is to make disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. And we strive to do that by being a sanctuary of Christian hope, love and encouragement in the heart of Sioux Falls.

But what does that really mean? How can (and do) we do that? I’ve thought about that for a while now, trying to succinctly put into non-church words the essence of who we are and what we do.

And, put simply, it comes down to this.

• We want you to meet Jesus as you Come & Worship with us.

• We want you to experience Jesus as you Connect & Grow with us.

• And we want you to serve Jesus as we Go & Serve together.

Deciding to follow Jesus isn’t a moment or a one-time event. It’s not something we can just check off our To Do list. It’s an on-going, life changing journey. And it begins when we look at our relationship with Jesus not as a destination, but as a life-long commitment.

In the following pages, you will read how lives are being transformed as we meet Jesus, experience Jesus, and serve Jesus – together.

So let’s get started.

Lynne Jones

First United Methodist Church 401 S. Spring Avenue Sioux Falls, SD 57104-4398 605-336-3652 E-mail: fumc@sfumc.org Website: www.sfumc.org Social Media:

CONTRIBUTORS

@firstchurchsf

Terry Dee

@firstchurchsf

Marcia Klimes Kathy Martens

SiouxFallsFirstUMC

Amy Hinrichs

www.sfumc.org

Nora Christensen Jackson Skuodas

firstchurchsf

Matt Seifel

@firstchurchsf

Gary Healy

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From the Pastors

We Want You to Meet Jesus as You Come and Worship “Every posture in worship says something of both the worshipper and the One being gloried in.” ~ Matt Redman When we come and worship together, what is your physical presence saying about you, and about Jesus. Are we excited? Are we bored?

Are we expectant? Our worship is a witness to the joy Christ brings through forgiveness and how it changes our lives forever!

Pastor Taylor We Want You to Experience Jesus as You Connect and Grow Jesus said, “Where two or three are gathered in my name, I’m there with them”, Matthew 18:20. We were never meant to live our lives as disciples of Christ alone. We are meant to care for each other, to be there for each other, to be a community. We want you to serve Jesus as we connect and grow.

Pastor Ron We Serve Jesus as We Go and Serve Together We serve together in many planned and unplanned ways. There is opportunity to serve at The Banquet, Nightwatch, Habitat for Humanity, Children and Youth Ministry as well as many others that you can sign up to be a part of. We all, however, are called to love our neighbors (Galatians 5:14), to offer help when we see a need (Matthew 25:40) and practice hospitality (Hebrews 13:2). We don’t need to wait for a “planned event” to Go and Serve. Let’s live our lives with eyes and ears open and hearts receptive to the people around us as we Go and Serve!

Pastor Andrea

Discipleship Throughout my journey of ministry, I have come to experience that when people realize the impact that having a relationship with Jesus makes in their life, they are transformed. Most often when one truly commits to the Jesus Way, the attitude is different; a person’s outlook on life is changed and one becomes more worried about how I can BE in ministry instead of what I can GET from ministry! The path of the way of Jesus truly is amazing!

Pastor Bob 3

WORSHIP

COME & WORSHIP

• Through Music

Through Music by Terry Dee Music is the first part of worship. In the Old Testament and the Psalms, God directs us over and over again to come before him with singing, dancing and playing instruments.

God inhabits the praises of his people. If you don’t have music, you haven’t invited God into the worship service.

I grew up attending a traditional worship service. It was very prim and proper. I played classical piano and sang in the choir. It was very traditional. And I still find the traditional parts of our 9:45 Unity service very comforting and consoling. But along the way, I encountered God in Scriptures which reminded me that the Holy Spirit comes to us, wanting us to raise hands in praise.

And so I respond… and it sets me free! Music lifts my burdens. It gives words and expression to what is deep inside me.

Sometimes, I look around the Sanctuary during worship, and I see people who I can just tell are wanting to physically respond to God in some way during a song. And I just want to say to them, “let it go”. We have to be willing to respond in a way that is pleasing to God, rather than what is comfortable for us.

Music in worship is all a response to God. I’m 75 years old. If God tells me he desires me to worship him with holy hands and respond with spirit and truth, I respond!

Through

Message by Lynne Jones

I am in a new season of life and the Christmas season was particularly sad and lonely for several reasons. One because I know it is likely the last Christmas with my mom, or at least the last one she will remember as her Parkinson’s and dementia continue their rapid progression. But in the days leading up to Christmas, the phrase “Emmanuel, God with us” kept coming to mind. Every tearful episode was followed by some deep breaths and a sigh of Emmanuel.

On Christmas Eve, as I sat in the pew next to mom, I couldn’t even sing the last verse of Silent Night as I watched her hold her lit candle high and sing with such joy and enthusiasm. And afterwards, as a dear friend hugged me and said “bless you for what you are doing for your mom”, it was all I could do to get her home before the flood gates opened. Still, I heard the words Emmanuel again.

During Pastor Bob’s Christmas Eve message, he talked about how after seeing the Christ child, God sent the wise men home by another road. And that sometimes we are on a different, often broken road, in our lives. A road we may not have thought we would be on. Yet here we are. And on that road God is with us. Emmanuel.

On Christmas Day, I went for a walk at my favorite

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• Through Message • Through Prayer • State Park. But I took a different path ­— a different road. Having never been on it, I didn’t know where it would lead, and I didn’t know what to expect. And as I walked I remembered something a dear friend had shared with me. “Clarity comes on the journey. God’s timing is perfect and just know that he will lead you through whatever he leads you to.”

So here I am. On a different road. One that I have chosen, but one that is still hard to travel. But on the road, I am not traveling alone. Emmanuel.

Emmanuel Through

Prayer

Here’s what others are saying about the power of prayer:

•

I have been inspired by how important prayer was to Jesus. He was consistently taking time away to meet with His heavenly Father. I am part of a small group of women who pray for each other daily.

They have walked with me through home hospice with both of my parents and numerous medical procedures and issues. They even stop to pray right when someone is going through a specific procedure or difficult situation. These sisters in Christ have made His love and presence very real in my life. They have been through so much themselves I see the power of His love in their lives and they give me courage.

•

I was eating breakfast with guests at The Banquet recently, when a group of 5 or 6 sit to my right. I’m talking to the guy on the left, but I hear a guy in the group say, “I’m done with that. I’m done with that.” I have no idea what he’s talking about, but before I know it, everyone in the group has joined hands and the man on the end is leading them in prayer. Truly God is everywhere for everyone.

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GROW

CONNECT & GROW

• With God • W

With Each Other Interview with Marcia Klimes You have been a part of two small group book studies recently, but that isn’t something you have done in the past. What made you decide to join one?

My job as the organist doesn’t always allow me to meet people in the church. Everyone knows me, but I know very few of them. So, I wanted to meet people.

Both small groups have been primarily the same women.

Has that been valuable?

Yes! I have become very interested in these women and their stories. It’s been interesting that everyone has opened up and shared very personal struggles – as well as joys. One of the greatest impacts of this group is us drawing together as women of faith to support and reaffirm each other. During one meeting, we each wrote something that was troubling us on a slip of paper. The slips were collected and we each drew one out and took it home, committing to pray for that person and situation. It was nice to then see that person in church on Sunday and be able to say “How are you doing? I’ve been praying for you.”

Have you grown closer to God or grown spiritually through these studies?

While we have a leader, the whole group responds and helps share things that are meaningful from the readings. We have some members who are very knowledgeable when it comes to Scripture, and for me, that’s an important part of our discussions.

New perspectives on our topic are great, and I also love discovering what the Bible actually says about it.

Would you recommend joining a small group study?

Yes! It’s a great way to meet people who maybe go to a different worship service than you do. And I think it is helpful to study the Bible and discuss issues with other people of faith.

With God Interview with Matt Seifel If you’ve attended the 8:30 or 9:45 worship service recently, you probably know Matt Seifel, our dedicated assistant usher.

He proudly wears his purple Connections Team shirt and name tag nearly every Sunday morning. Matt has not been shy about sharing his love of First Church with those in his residential community. I sat down with Matt and asked him why.

Why did you start inviting your friend to come to church with you?

I was trying to bring my friend to a different kind of place. I don’t usually talk with him about God, but I hope that he will start to learn about God by being here. I wanted him to come to a place where he could learn things and help out. He was a little uncomfortable the first time he helped, but now he likes it.

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With Each Other • With Our Neighbors • Was it hard for you to start inviting him?

It was easy for me to ask him to come with me. Sometimes he doesn’t want to come, but he does like coming here and helping.

Do you think other people should invite their friends to church like you have? Yes. Why? Because you never know if someone might like it, too.

And that’s really what discipleship is about. Asking the question ­— extending the invitation — because you never know if someone might like it… might come to meet Jesus, experience Jesus, and serve Jesus, too.

With Our Neighbors Interview with Kathy Martens How long have you been helping with the Ignite kids program? Why did you decide to start?

This is my second year helping. I decided to start as I had a child who attended the KidStop after school program for two years. I knew it was a great program and wanted to help where I could.

Is there a favorite moment working with the kids that you’d like to share?

Many of these kiddos have not had a lot of experience with using a Bible, so I have enjoyed seeing them learn to use the Table of Contents in the Bible and figure out how to locate a verse during the Ignite worship service.

Describe a time that you saw God at work during our Wednesday night Ignite activities.

Has there been a time where you really saw God making a difference in the group, or an individual child, either through the meal, activities, worship or just Ignite in general?

The group loves the Kids Connection Choir portion of the night! With Jazzy Jeff and Rocking Rachael Fode, the kids love learning and singing these songs. Sitting in a room where sometimes 20 or more kids are singing their hearts out and worshipping a loving God warms my heart!! One of my favorite choir experiences was when Jeff and Rachael told the kids they were going on stage to sing that night during the Ignite worship service. There was a child who is rarely afraid to express himself within the group, but become rather nervous and did not want to go on stage. I told him, “If you do not want to go on stage, that is your choice but you are one of the oldest kids in the room and you’ve got a big wonderful voice that God wants to hear and so does the church. How about you try it just this once and if you really feel uncomfortable you can come and sit down.” Well, this young man rose to the challenge and was one of the loudest worshippers that evening. When he sat back down in the pew next to me he said. “I did it, I really did!! I just went up there and sang to God and it was like everyone else disappeared!!”

Have you felt God working in you as you work with kids?

Absolutely. I truly had no idea of the struggles some of the young kids in our community face. Working with this group is humbling and a privilege!!

Anything else you want to share?

Kassidi Smith (KidStop Director and Children’s Ministry Coordinator) is truly a wonderful coordinator of the group and the kids are so very lucky to have been blessed with her. As my daughter would say, “Kassidi makes everyone feel special.” The kids absolutely love the meals that are provided and are so very grateful for this!! The kids also love when other members of the congregation take the time to say hello, share a moment with them, or come into the gym and play games with them. I would encourage anyone to come and spend time with this amazing group of kids!!

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SERVE

GO & SERVE

• Down The Hall • Aroun

Down the Hall by Amy Hinrichs For several years now, First United Methodist Church has served breakfast out of the Nightwatch van to anyone who shows up.

My husband John and I try to sign up to serve the meals about once a month- because we feel strongly that sometimes you go to service and sometimes you do service.

One recent morning we served 95 people breakfast. There was the family of 6 — mom, dad and 4 kids. There was the single guy who looked really rough, like he had been sleeping outdoors for quite some time. And there was the couple that asked me to watch their bikes while they went in to sit and enjoy their meals in the church.

95 people who needed food received it out of this van.

If you have the chance to serve, do it. You will never feel that you wasted your time.

Around the Corner by Gary Healy

This morning at the Banquet, a staff member pointed out a man sitting near where I was working and told me that this was his first time at the Banquet. As the man left, he asked me where the dirty trays and silverware went and I pointed out the wash room. He dropped off his tray and picked up some produce from the giveaway table and then walked toward me to leave. As he came near, I said something like “Have a great day”. He responded, “This is the best breakfast I have had in a long time.”

One in need, served.

I also talked with a woman and her 7th grade daughter. The woman also has a son who is a high school junior ­— and confined to a wheelchair due to cerebral palsy.

The family recently moved to Sioux Falls from Minneapolis and is living at the Bishop Dudley Hospitality House. The woman recently got a job at the St. Vincent de Paul store on north Cliff. She has an amazing love of life — she loves Sioux Falls and her situation. They are about to move to a new home. Her daughter was a delight. Sometimes we complain and worry about not having enough. There is much to be learned from an amazing mom, her children, and their approach to life.

Around the Corner by Nora Christensen As part of our church’s Missional Church Consultation Initiative process a few years ago, we joined a group who began an on-going relationship with the residents of Summit Heights apartments across the street from our church. For two years, a few of us would go to Summit Heights on a regular basis to provide a meal and activities for any of the residents who wanted to join us. “L” was a 4-year old girl who

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nd The Corner • Across The Globe • came to these gatherings with her dad. She was shy, and each time we met Harold and I would pay extra attention to her to make sure she was part of the activities. During this time, she also became part of our church’s KidStop program and started kindergarten at Lowell Elementary.

At the end of the school year last year, the project ended and so did our visits. Then, shortly after Memorial Day I saw her dad’s obituary in the paper. We were concerned about her, and very relieved when we ended up eating with her and her adult sister (now her guardian) at KidStop’s Mac & Magic supper in August.

We found that the sister, who lives on the far west side of town, had decided to keep L. in KidStop and at Lowell to maintain as much stability in her life as possible.

Fast forward to this past fall, when I was assigned a first grader to mentor at Lowell. When I went to meet her the first day, I was thrilled and humbled to see it was L. My overwhelming thought was “God is right here, now, in this place!” Being with L. in this context was not something I had considered, let alone try to arrange; but here we are. She has been comfortable with me from our first moments together, and I believe God prepared the way for me to be a consistent adult in L’s life; someone who has a connection to her past and who can be an additional part of the network of adults who are providing her the extra love and support she needs. God is at work at First United Methodist Church, showing up in the midst of our efforts to carry out our mission.

Across the Globe an interview with Jackson Skuodas Why do you decide to go on the mission trip to Puerto Rico?

I decided to go on the mission trip because I wanted to help people who were less fortunate. The hurricane affected everyone in Puerto Rico and I wanted to help.

Describe your favorite experience.

My favorite experience was when we went to the casarios and got to play with the kids there. They were so happy to have people who wanted to spend time with them and just play. I also really enjoyed how people’s faces lit up when they saw how much work was done on their house.

Describe a time that you saw God at work during the trip.

Was there a specific activity or experience where you really saw God making a difference in that community, either through the group’s work, or just the community in general?

I saw God at work when we did a prayer walk and met a lady from Georgia named Lois. She said she moved to Puerto Rico because she felt that God wanted her to move there. God was at work in Lois because she had her own host of problems, but cared enough about others to leave her home to help. She took time to pray and sing with us and have a good time.

I also thought that the church service there was a prime example of God at work because everyone was up and singing and banging on tambourines. It was pretty cool because you could tell how much everyone cared about what they were doing and really wanted to be there.

Did the trip change you? Did you feel God working in you during this trip?

Describe that experience.

This trip changed me because I realized that I am really lucky that I have parents that can afford to pay for everything I need, and also that I live where there aren’t hurricanes. I really realized that when we were working on the house because it had been mostly destroyed by a hurricane and they needed our help to clean it up to a livable condition.

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Community CONNECTIONS Church On The Street Three years ago, when I walked into First Church with a burning desire to work together and see where the Holy Spirit would lead us in ministry, I would have never guessed that our partnership would grow into what it has. Together, we walk alongside people. We enter into spaces in the neighborhood where no one else wants to go, we open our hearts to the hurting, lost, disconnected and lonely, and we share the peace of the Lord. We are living out our call to be the church in the world.

It is GREAT to be church together!

Rebel Hurd Minister of COTS

The Banquet The Banquet relies on volunteers to serve and financially sponsor meals for our guest. For many years, First Church has made the commitment to serve monthly at our downtown location — and now also at our west location.

Our Banquet staff know that when First Church is on the schedule, we know we will be working with a crew who not only knows exactly what is expected and works like a well oiled machine, but also people who are passionate about serving and connecting with our guests.

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What We BELIEVE We believe that Jesus was both wholly divine and wholly human.

He not only knows God, but knows us.

We believe in Jesus’ message that God love us – each and every one of us.

That each person has value and that we are to love one another – each and every one of us.

We believe that God forgives those who ask for forgiveness.

We believe that God’s love for you is so great, that no matter what you’ve done in the past, if you were the last person… the only person… on earth, God still would have sent Jesus to die JUST FOR YOU.

We Want You to Meet that Jesus, Experience that Jesus, and Serve that Jesus.

And we at First United Methodist Church want to help you do that.

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It is our pleasure to share some of the transformations taking place in our church family.

If you are looking for a church home we would love to have you join us!

SUNDAY WORSHIP 8:30 a.m. — Traditional Service in the Sanctuary 9:45 a.m. — Unity Service in the Sanctuary 11 a.m. — The Light Service in the Multi-Purpose Room WEDNESDAY WORSHIP 6:30 p.m. — Ignite! Worship in the Sanctuary See our website for other opportunites: www.sfumc.org

FIRST

United Methodist Church

First United Methodist Church • 401 S. Spring Avenue • Sioux Falls, SD 57104-4398 12