A P U B L I C AT I O N O F F I R S T U N I T E D M E T H O D I S T C H U R C H
T R A N S F O R M I N G L I V E S B Y E N G A G I N G O U R M E M B E R S T O C E L E B R AT E & S H A R E G O D ’ S L O V E I N J E S U S C H R I S T
[LOVE GOD] RETURN TO ME
FEATURES A LETTER FROM THE PASTOR.............................5 WITHOUT CONDITIONS Katie Gibbons shares how learning to love God transformed her marriage.........................................6 A PARTNERSHIP OF HOPE John F. Smith talks about the partnership between FUMC & Hope Community United Methodist Church.......................................................................8 LOVE YOUR CITY/LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR Get involved! Revive 225, FUMC’s urban home repair ministry needs you!....................................................9 SUMMERTIME AT FIRST Don’t miss these events for children........................10 A SOUL FRIEND FOR THE JOURNEY Weegie Peabody shares the wisdom she has gained through spiritual direction.........................................12 RETURN TO ME Karen Milioto talks openly about her decision to join First United Methodist Church..................................13 CONGREGATIONAL NEWS Check out the latest congregational news and upcoming events.....................................................14 Over 200 seventh and eighth grade students from Parkview Baptist Middle School volunteered to serve through Revive225, FUMC’s urban home repair ministry. Students worked at Hope Community United Methodist Church and three homes in the surrounding area that were affected by the historic flooding last August. Thank you to all the students, teachers and parents who put their faith into action!
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[LOVE GOD] RETURN TO ME
WHO WE ARE & WHAT WE’RE ABOUT: First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge is a worshiping community that seeks to provide a place of belonging for persons to experience the Living God. Here are some of our core values: • We are personally committed to loving God, loving ourselves and loving others. • We offer Jesus Christ to everyone. • We offer Christ to people who have questions and doubts, creating a space for thinking people to come to faith. • We are passionate about making a place of hospitality for people already claiming the Christian faith, and nominally/non-religious people seeking to find out more about our faith. • We seek to offer fresh expressions of worship through new, contemporary styles of music. • We are technology-driven. You don’t have to leave your smart phone at the door. Use it to read Scripture, connect with others, and plug-in to the external content we have on our website. • We are inclusive. No matter who you are, you are welcome at First.
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Senior Pastor Rev. Brady Whitton Associate Pastors Rev. Pattye Hewitt Rev. Becky Poor Rev. Fernando Rivera Pastor Emerius Rev. Dr. Don Cotrill Deacon Rev. Ann Trousdale Editor Amy Book Contributing Writers Katie Gibbons John F. Smith Weegie Peabody Karen Milioto Contributing Photographers Victoria LeJuene Jade Hewitt Molly Ann Walke
OUR MISSION: Transforming lives by engaging our members to celebrate and share God’s love in Jesus Christ. ON THE COVER
TOP: The youth group leading FUMC’s annual Easter Sunrise Service at the North Boulevard Town Center LEFT: Katie & James Gibbons celebrating their re-commitment to one another (see Without Conditions, pg 6) RIGHT: Rev. Louis James, Sr. Pastor of Hope Community United Methodist Church and Rev. Brady Whitton, Sr. Pastor of FUMC greeting a group of police officers, members of both churches and members of the community (see A Partnership of Hope on page 8)
WHAT IS THE AMERICA STREET SERVICE? America Street is our contemporary The service is more casual than service in a more intimate setting. our Sanctuary Services. You will This service features the America see folks wearing jeans and khakis, Street Band leading songs of suits and skirts, all in the same praise you may have heard on the room! Come as you are and leave radio! spiritually recharged for the week ahead. Newcomers are invited to Worshiping like you just made stay after the service for coffee and a touchdown, with your hands a casual chat with the pastor! in the air, singing out-of-tune and enthusiastic “Amens” are We hope to see you this Sunday at encouraged but not required. 9:45 AM in the Conference Center! The service lasts approximately one hour and meets at 9:45 AM in the America Street Conference Center. Holy Communion is served the first Sunday of every month.
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930north Magazine is published quarterly for the Baton Rouge community and friends of First United Methodist Church by the FUMC Office of Communications. HAVE A STORY TO TELL? Email: abook@firstmethodist.org WANT TO KNOW MORE? Contact us at (225) 383-4777 www.firstmethodist.org SEND COMMENTS TO: Amy Book 930 North Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70802 abook@firstmethodist.org SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: toni@firstmethodist.org
Rev. Brady Whitton shares the joy of Easter at the America St. Worship Service.
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A LETTER FROM THE SENIOR PASTOR
Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ,
I
t’s been nearly four months since I had emergency quintuple bypass surgery and I’m still processing the many ways this incident has changed me. One of the most significant things that has changed is my level of gratitude for simple things I used to take for granted. For example, I used to be indifferent at best to walking Zoe to the bus stop. But now I’m truly grateful that I can walk at all! I have a heightened awareness of the quality of the early daylight, the birds singing overhead, the world starting to awaken around me. I’ve also found it much easier to prioritize caring for my health. I’ve never been a person who has completely neglected proper diet and exercise, but there were certainly times I let other things crowd out taking care of myself. Well, no more. There’s nothing like staring death in the face to help you realize the blessing and importance of your health. I’m taking better care of
myself and feel better than I have in years. I could go on and on with positive things I have experienced because of this unhappy incident and surgery. I was sharing all this with a spiritual mentor of mine the other day and he said, “Brady, it sounds as if this has been a real gift in your life.” I responded without hesitation, “It has been a gift.” It has. Now think about that a minute. Passing out, breaking my jaw, having major surgery—a gift? It has me thinking: We often think we know what’s best in life or what’s good for us, or what we want. We dream of trouble free success and enjoyment. But the truth is, some of the greatest gifts in life come from times of struggle and difficulty. Now I’m not saying we should seek out trials and trouble (they too often come on their own). I am saying that when struggles and difficulties come we should pay close attention, as perhaps there is a gift, a blessing, hidden therein.
It reminds me of something the Apostle Paul once wrote, “Rejoice always, pray without ceasing, give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you” (1 Thessalonians 5:16-18). Give thanks in all circumstances? Really? It’s a radical way of approaching life. It’s a way of life that requires tremendous trust and faith. But if we believe in a God who is good, a God who loves us and is with us, then it only makes sense. So take my advice. When you find yourself facing a trial, a struggle, a time of difficulty keep your heart and eyes open. Ask God to reveal the blessing, the gift, hidden therein. Give thanks even! You might be surprised by what’s on the other side. Yours in Christ,
Rev. Brady and Sandra King, Director of Care and Senior Adult Ministry lead worshipers in song at a special Easter Service for mobility or memory impaired persons and their caregivers.
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WITHOUT CONDITIONS: INVITING GOD INTO MY MARRIAGE
Without Conditions
Inviting God Into Our Marriage
BY KATIE GIBBONS
I
t was in this church where I walked down the aisle with so much hope and love on the day I married James. We vowed before God and our family and friends to love each other for the rest of our lives. The ceremony went by quickly, the trumpet played, we sealed our love with a kiss, and left the church that night ready to greet our friends and family as the new Mr. and Mrs. James Gibbons. A couple of years ago and about 9 years into our marriage, we found ourselves like many young couples, raising a family, juggling schedules, managing finances and just trying to survive from one day to the next. We found ourselves losing focus on each other. We were not happy with one another, not able to connect; ultimately, we were growing apart. Life seemed hard and messy and our marriage was struggling. I began questioning if it was even worth fixing. All I could focus on were the things that made me unhappy in my marriage and how much James needed to change. It was about this time, that I confided in a friend who suggested I read the Power of a Praying Wife. I figured I’d give it shot—down deep I really wanted to be married to James, but I also wanted him to change his ways. But you have to understand, I really wasn’t the “praying” type, and I didn’t even know what it meant to pray. The idea was foreign to me even though I had attended church regularly and was an active Sunday school teacher for ten years. We eventually decided to reach out for help and began seeing a marriage counselor. Through that
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process we hit some of the lowest points of our lives becoming vulnerable and owning our mistakes. I continued to pray daily for my husband and to pray for our marriage. I found myself spending time in conversation with God asking Him to help me to fight for this; I asked him to soften our hearts for one another and to please not leave us alone in this wilderness. His voice became audible to me; he worked through me, and I realized that His purpose for marriage is for us to model His love for us. I slowly began to see that transformation was in fact taking place. As I prayed for my husband, God was changing my heart. I started to visualize the good things in our marriage. And as I transformed, I realized that James was not the only one who needed to change and make things right. I began to see that I too had imperfections, and through it all James loved me anyway. Despite the hard times we had gone through, James had never left me and neither had God. You see, when we got married on April 29, 2006, we left the sanctuary in such a hurry to start our family and get on with our perfectly planned life that we didn’t realize that we had left God right there in the church. We had not invited Him to be a part of our marriage and so it was no wonder that we were broken. But here is the good news: God was ready to be invited in precisely when we were ABOVE: Katie and James Gibbons after “getting married again” and renewing their marriage vows in a private ceremony on the beach!
[LOVE SELF] WITHOUT CONDITIONS
ready to let Him in, and we learned that by doing this, He would not allow us to be in the wilderness. Through this process, James and I have grown stronger and have fallen deeper in love than either of us could have ever predicted. Praying, seeking outside help, and prioritizing our marriage has not only become a gift that we’ve given ourselves and to each other, but also is a gift that we’ve given to our boys, Andrew and Thomas. We have the opportunity to show them what love looks like every day in our home. God teaches us that marriage is about loving our spouse as God loves each of us— without conditions. We don’t have to earn His love and we don’t have to fight for it; it is given freely. On our wedding night James and I made a deal that every ten years we would get married again. How quickly ten years rolled by–and for a time, I didn’t think we would see 10 years, but we did. On April 29, 2016, we got married again, in a private ceremony on the beach. We wrote our own
vows this time and promised to continue to grow deeper in love with one another and renewed our commitment to one another. Every day when I wake, I choose to love my husband and James does the same for me. We had to learn to love each other more than we love ourselves and to work daily to understand this type of sacrificial love. These are the questions that I ask myself to help me stay focused on this God giving love: Do I love my husband well? Do I adore the man that God has given to me? Am I admiring him as a child of God? Am I appreciating him for who he is today instead of what he could be if he lived up to my expectations? Am I giving my heart freely or do I make him feel like he has to earn my love? God gave us the gift of marriage to show us the perfect example of His love for us. We are not perfect people but we have found that God created beauty through our imperfections. When we struggle, God is here to help us.
Marriage
FUMC is excited announce the launch
MINISTRY
to of the
First United Methodist is excited to announce the launch of the church’s first Marriage Ministry. If you feel called to serve on the marriage ministry team or simply want to learn more
about this exciting new ministry, please contact Becky Poor at becky@firstmethodist.org or Katie Gibbons at katiegibbons1@me.com or (225) 413-2900.
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FUMC & HOPE COMMUNITY UMC BUILDING RELATIONSHIPS
30 PEOPLE COMING TOGETHER TO DO THE WORK OF GOD, COMMUNITY & COUNTRY.
A PARTNERSHIP OF HOPE
O
BY BYJOHN JOHN F.F.SMITH SMITH
bigger of than had realized. ideaa new of relocating Revive225 to ut of of the thedevastation devastation encountered Out encountered by the much rising waters thewe August flood hasThe come kind of rising−the Hope Community to take shape as a new launching by the risingbuilt waters of the Augustwho the rise in relationships between strangers didn’t know how much campus they hadbegan in common.
place for community healing, building, listening, and support. flood has come a new kind of In rise the aftermath of the flood, leaders of First United Methodist Church were driving down Evangeline Street in rising—the in relationships built between North Baton Rouge when church that Imagine seemingly called out to them, if it was a voice from the heavens. this: a gathering of theasHope Community UMC congregation, strangers who didn’t know they hownoticed much athey from Hope Community United Methodisttheir Church, the voiceneighbors, was so strong they not resist the urge immediate andthat local lawcould enforcement from ourtocity, had Coming in common. stop and go inside. The church had been inundated with flood water and was completely destroyed. state and sheriff’s offices, standing with members of First Methodist, simply to have a conversation. We would talk—not around recent In the aftermath of the flood, leaders of First The voice they heard thatdriving day in August only growaround louder and continue to speak to, andConversations through, our church issues—but common human thoughts. begin to United Methodist Church were down would ministers and leaders and into the congregation. flow The FUMC community, in true Christian spirit, would with, work as it should, with each person sharing and meet responding to one Evangeline Street in North Baton Rouge when with, walk in the rain, and stand alongside some newfound friends at 4260 Evangeline as the flood clean-up began. Out another as they ask questions like, “Tell me about your family,” “Share they noticed a church that seemingly called out of the soggy ruins, First Methodist would find a friendship blossoming between Pastor Henry Louis Jones and the HOPE with me your vision for your children,” “What is your vision for your to them, as if it congregation. were a voice from the heavens. Community community?” and “How can we work together to make this a reality?” Driving away from Hope Community United now picture doing this as Jesus did,it meeting not inside Methodist Church, the voice was so strong As God continued to “ImagineBut speak, became clear that Hisof a the freedom tofield talk, building, but in an open for everyone to see. Imagine the thatvision they could not resist the urge to stop and for Hope Community was much bigger than wefreedom had to talk, to, butyour WITH your fellow brothers andto sisters. is out of go inside. TheThe church had been inundated with not to, butnotwith realized. idea of relocating Revive 225 the It Hope this building of relationships that each will in alaunching better position flood water andcampus was completely Community began todestroyed. shape as be a new place to fellow brothers and sisters.” move towardbuilding, the morelistening difficultand conversations. for a community healing, support We will come not from a position of anger, hurt mission. The voice they heard or despair, but from a position of one person to that day in August a gathering of the HOPE Community UMC congregation, their immediate neighbors, and local law another. would Imagine only this: grow enforcement fromto our city, state and sheriff’s offices, standing with members of First Methodist, simply to have a louder and continue conversation. We would talk—not around recent issues—but around commonThis human thoughts. Conversations is the vision that members ofbegin FUMCtosaw speak to, and through, flow as it should, with each person sharing and responding to one another as they ask questions like, “Tell me about and implemented last month, in partnership our church ministers your family,” “Share with me your vision for your children,” “What is your vision for your community?” and “How can we with Hope Community UMC in the Evangeline and leaders and into work together to make this a reality?” But now picture doing this as Jesus did, meeting not inside of a building, but in no Street area—an area that, to this date, has the congregation. The an open field, for everyone to see. Imagine the freedom to talk, not to, but WITH your fellow brothers and sisters. It is name of its own. After this event, I think it should be called God’s FUMC community in true Christian spirit out of this building of relationships that each will be in a better position to move toward the more difficult conversations. Community, a place where its people can be found doing the work of would meet, work, walk, and stand alongside We will come not from a position of anger, hurt or despair, but from a position of one person to another. God, community, and country. some newfound friends at 4260 Evangeline as the flood clean-up began. Out of the soggy This is the vision that members of FUMC saw and implemented last month, in partnership with HOPE Community ruins, First Methodist would findarea—an a friendship UMC in the Evangeline Street area that, to this TOP: date, Table has nogroups name listening of its own. But, another. after thisPastor event,Louis I think will be to one Jones (Sr. blossoming between Pastor Henry called God’s Community, a placeLouis whereJones its peoplePastor, can beHope), foundRev. doing the Whitton work of (Sr. God, community country. Brady Pastor, FUMC)and & John F. Smith and the Hope Community congregation. (member, FUMC) welcoming the group. ABOVE: (from left) Troy Banks If you would like to be involved in this community-building, life changing, and restorative ministry, please contact (EBR Sheriffs Office), Eric Lockridge (member, FUMC) Malcom Carter Alex at alex@firstmethodist.org. As GodByo continued to speak, it became People clear are needed to help Revive 225 serve meals, host teams, supervise & Michael Hudson (members, Hope), and Rev. Patty Hewitt (Associate boil crawfish, and a variety of other needs. thatconstruction His visionwork, for clean-up, Hope Community was Pastor, FUMC.)
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[LOVE OTHERS] A PARTNERSHIP OF HOPE
LOVE YOUR CITY
LOVE YOUR NEIGHBOR
R
evive225 is FUMC’s urban home repair ministry that is designed to recruit, train and deploy people in the Greater Baton Rouge area. After this year’s historic flooding, Revive needs your help more than ever. FUMC is leasing a portion of the Hope Community facilities to eventually house most of Revive225. Currently there are over 700 volunteers scheduled to serve in our community this summer. We invite you to love your neighbor and be a part of rebuilding our city. Here are some opportunities to love others through this ministry:
PHOTOS BY MOLLY ANN WALKE ADMINISTRATIVE VOLUNTEER Time Commitment: 1-3 days a week, 1-3 hours/day at FUMC. Volunteers needed to help return phone calls to home owners and volunteer groups; organize volunteer paperwork.
WORK SITE LEADERS Time Commitment: If you can help out half a day, a whole day, or take the morning shift—we need you! Volunteers needed to oversee work being done by volunteer groups at sites around Baton Rouge. Skilled and unskilled volunteers welcome.
WEEKLY CRAWFISH BOIL COOK DINNER FOR GROUPS (SUNDAY OR THURSDAY) Time Commitment: Sunday nights, from 4:30-6:15 PM at FUMC. All food is provided! Volunteers needed to set-up, cook burgers and fries and clean-up after dinner. Time Commitment: Thursday nights, from 4:30-7:15 PM at Hope Community UMC. All food is provided! Volunteers needed to set-up, boil crawfish or fry catfish (whichever is in season) and clean up after dinner.
REVIVE WORKSITE To volunteer your time or for more information about how you can help, please contact Alex Byo, Director of Missions and Revive225 at alex@firstmethodist.org or 800-5855.
SERVE MEALS TO GROUPS
VOLUNTEER GROUP
Time Commitment: 1-3 days a week; 5:30-7:00 PM at FUMC. Volunteers needed to help set-up and serve dinner to visiting work groups, and also clean-up afterwards. No cooking involved!
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Summertime at First Children's Events You Won't To Miss Vacation Bible School June 19–23 9:00 AM–Noon
Kids age 3 yrs. through 3rd grade are invited to join us for VBS: Hero Central. Children will participate in awesome adventures alongside some of their favorite Bible heroes and discover the qualities that make us truly heroic. VBS Hero Central uses epic music, science, crafts, heroic recreation, and fantastic Bible stories to help kids discover their strength in God!
Vacation Bible School Assembly Time
Mission Day Camp June 19–23
Calling all children who have completed 4th or 5th grade! We want YOU on our Mission Day 9:00 AM–Noon Camp Team. Spend a week doing mission work in the Baton Rouge community. The MDC Team will make a difference by serving at: HOPE Ministries, Hope Community Church, Magnolia Woods Elementary, Connections for Life and Bernard Terrace Elementary.
Mission Planting se Day Campers eds at Hop e Ministrie s
Register your child for VBS or Mission Day Camp by visiting www.firstunitedmethodistchildren.org or at the children’s check-in table in the gym at FUMC on Sunday mornings. Registration closes May 21, 2017.
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[LOVE GOD] SUMMERTIME AT FIRST
Nursery Care Sundays 8:15 AM–Noon
Nap-time in the Nursery
We love and encourage children to attend service with their parents. Your wiggly, squiggly, boisterous, talkative, curious (and even crying) children are always welcome! We also understand if you need “grown-up” time during worship. Nursery is provided for Sunday morning services from 8:15 to 12:15 for children 6 weeks through Kindergarten. Children are “promoted” in August each year to the next age class. Infants are welcome in the nursery as soon as your pediatrician gives approval, usually after the 6 week visit and first round of immunizations are complete. Bring a bag with diapers, wipes, an extra set of clothes, and any bottles or food your children will need in the nursery. We provide snacks and water in our toddler-K rooms.
ily To Join Ours ! The Children’s Ministry Invites Your Fam Children's Worship Sundays 9:40–10:40 AM
This exciting service for 1st through 5th graders lasts about 20 minutes and includes interactive stories from the Bible, prayers, and singing. Worship is followed by small groups from 10:00-10:40 AM where children have the opportunity to apply what they’ve heard in worship to their everyday lives. Everything we will teach is based on one of three basic, but powerful, truths modeled by Jesus in Luke 2:52: • I need to make the wise choice (wisdom) • I can trust God no matter what (faith) • I should treat others the way I want to be treated (friendship)
Sunday School Sundays 9:40–10:40 AM
Each Sunday morning from 9:40-10:40 AM, kids 2 years through 5th grade engage in God’s word through adventure, stories, science, art & crafts, video storytelling, and active games–all combined into a living faith experience that will help them discover what it means to be a disciple of Jesus Christ. We have dedicated, loving teachers who create a community with their students and encourage them along their faith journey.
For more information about the Children’s Ministry at FUMC please contact Sirena Brock, Director of Children’s Ministry, at sbrock@firstmethodist.org. You can also check us out at www. firstunitedmethodistchildren.org or on Facebook @FUMCBRChildren.
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A SOUL FRIEND FOR THE JOURNEY
A SOUL FRIEND
FOR THE JOURNEY
BY WEEGIE PEABODY
The spiritual journey is a journey of self-discovery, since the encounter with God is also an encounter with one’s deepest self. As we draw closer to God, we encounter the wellsprings of our own makeup, the hidden chambers of our personality and behavior. And so, growing in God’s grace is a gradual process of stepping into the light and becoming fully human. ~Thomas Keating
S
piritual direction encourages growth toward wholeness as a human being. It is an on-going process of awakening to, living in, and being transformed by the love of God, through the power of the Holy Spirit. A spiritual director serves as a soul friend on this journey of mystery and grace; helping one explore one’s relationship with God and mapping out a personal path for spiritual growth and maturation. My journey began following retirement from a government job of 30+ years. I knew it was time for me to move from “doing” to “being.” I was drawn to spiritual book studies and moved by authors such as Thomas Keating and Richard Rohr; next followed studies on the different types of prayer. I participated in one of FUMC’s women’s retreats and an Enneagram workshop. I also attended the one year Academy for Spiritual Formation Leadership at FUMC. During this time I learned that centering prayer keeps me open to the mystery of God’s love and allows God to help me know myself. At the women’s retreat I was drawn to the Benedictine philosophy that “every day we begin again.” From the Enneagram workshop I discovered my pattern of thinking, feeling and responding.
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My spiritual director has guided me along the way and helped me discern how God is working in my life and how to integrate everyday life with my faith journey through the practice of prayer, holy listening and holy loving. And yes, at every meeting with my wise mentor we “always begin again.” It is, after all, an on-going process of awakening to and discerning the movement and guidance of God, the Holy Spirit. Would I recommend spiritual direction? Absolutely! It’s one of the best things I have ever done—and to close with a favorite quote from my spiritual guide—“It’s all good.” If you feel the Spirit may be gently nudging or calling you to explore and deepen your relationship with God through Christ, you may contact Cherri Johnson, Spiritual Director and Director of Spiritual Formation, at cherri@ firstmethodist.org or by calling 383-4777 ext. 249.
[LOVE GOD] RETURN TO ME
BY KAREN MILIOTO On Wednesday afternoon I found myself staring at my Inbox chuckling at the two perfectly timed emails that were staring back at me. The first one was an invitation to a membership event at church and the second was from Shutterfly, displaying my pictures from that exact day eleven years earlier. The photos were from our going away party a few days before my husband and I left Boston to move to Baton Rouge. These two emails combined to send one clear message... 11 years and I still haven’t joined a church. I like the way that God sometimes chooses to communicate with me. He knows that I am a visual learner with tendencies toward procrastination. He also knows that I am an excuse generator and He was understandably done with my excuses...it’s been 11 years! During these years I have grown up a lot. I was 23 years old when I moved. Like many young adults, I loved my parents, but I didn’t want to hear everything that they had to say. I treated the Lord the same way. I didn’t think that I needed to be actively engaged in a church; I believed that my strong religious upbringing would sustain me in my relationship with Him. I didn’t think that I needed a church family here in Louisiana, I still felt rooted in the church I had left behind in Massachusetts. I had grown up in that church. It was where my grandparents joined the congregation as newlyweds, and my parents met as pre-teens. I considered it my home; as much of a home as the house that my parents raised me in. The members were more like my aunts, uncles and cousins than acquaintances or friends. I struggled with the idea of trying to re-root myself with new people in a new place. What I failed to understand was that long distance relationships aren’t known for their success rates. Often times they fail, communication breaks down and messages get mixed. It is hard for even the strongest
bonds to survive, much less grow, in those conditions. Unfortunately, that’s exactly the kind of relationship I was trying to have with God. I did find my way here to First Church and during Reverend Whitton’s sermon series on Love3: Love God, Love Self, Love Others I prayed often asking for personal direction on his message. I realized that the Lord was softly whispering His response with the words of Zechariah 1:3, “return to me”. I often use this passage to ground myself in prayer. I anchor myself with these three simple words that God had for his wandering people who failed to prioritize him appropriately. In Zechariah, He wanted his people to commit to Him in a tangible way by rebuilding the temple and trusting their future in Him alone. In this instance I knew that God wanted me to go back to my spiritual home in HIM. He wanted me to root myself in His church and prioritize a relationship with His people. The long distance nonsense had to stop. I know that I can show my love to God by committing to His house again and by giving of myself and my gifts to His work. I can love myself through the amazing gift of Christian fellowship that joining this family will provide and I can love others through the church’s countless outreach efforts throughout the community and the world. So, I decided to join First United Methodist Church and root myself in this community of believers (knowing that I should have done it long ago). On April 23, FUMC hosted an event called “Membership Matters,” an evening of fellowship, dinner and conversation with the pastors. Participants learned more about church membership and why it’s important. Karen Milioto (pictured above with her daughter, Ruth) and 12 others joined First United Methodist Church at the event! Check-out their group picture on page 15.
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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS [LOVE GOD] RETURN TO ME Welcome Our New Members!
Ella VanDuzee
Van VanDuzee
Hill VanDuzee
Alexandra Alford
Sharon Altholz
Marguerite Ritter
Daniel Zeagler
Donald Shelmire
Brandi Ackoury
Joey St. Pierre
Jane St. Pierre
Anne Raggio
Annie Peeples
Bill Peeples
A.C. Grand
Leslie Grand
Stu Lassere
Mary Lassere
Tommy Thompson
Alex Gourney
Sandra Blake
Lindsay Veillon
Meredith MacNeill
Brad Miller
Celebrating the Baptism of...
Caroline Ellington 1-15-17 daughter of Michael & Chris Ellington Augie Fangman 1-29-17 son of Paul & Kim Fangman James Mundinger 2-19-17 son of JT & Kristina Mundinger Parks Barber 2-19-17 son of Jeb & Katie Barber Reagan Shore 2-26-17 (adult baptism) Brylie Reese 2-26-17 daughter of Reagan Shore Ava & Graycen Gibbons 3-12-17 daughters of Doug & Jenni Gibbons Waylan Doucet 3-12-17 son of Blake & Megan Anderson Fontenot 3-19-17 son of Cal & Kaylee Fontenot Genevieve Boudreaux 3-19-17 daughter of Brad & Emily Boudreaux Charlotte Miller 3-36-17 daughter of Clif & Julie Miller Hayden Hester 3-26-17 son of Chris & Emily Hester Aaron Venuto 4-23-17 son of Shannon & Andrew Venuto Nolan Speer 4-23-17 son of Lauren & Sam Speer Audrey & Anna Stout 4-30-17 daughters of Amanda & Tadd Stout
Celebrating the Birth of...
Paul Jackson 2-26-17 child of Robert & Morgan Johnson George Turner 3-11-17 child of Kyle & Jade McDowell Walter Clements 3-15-17 child of Ben & Jennifer D’Arensbourg Bram Stevens 4-18-17 child of Brooke & Patrick Coogan
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Bob Ritter
Sympathy to the Families of... Walter Wright 2-11-17 Shirley Schroeck 2-13-17 Samuel Newell 2-18-17 Doyle Whittington 3-2-17 Ethel Brupbacher 3-5-17 Holt Harrison 3-14-17 Barbara Jenkins 3-19-17 Barbara Grunewald 3-25-17 John Walton 4-17-17
[LOVE GOD] RETURN TO ME
ABOVE: In April, FUMC hosted Membership Matters, an evening of fellowship, dinner and conversation with the pastors. Participants learned more about church membership and why it’s important. Thirteen new members joined the church at this event! Please join us in welcoming: (from left) Vivian Lehman, Janie Pogue, Roger Lehman, Court Lawson, Ashley Lawson, Gregory Pogue, Dottie Frazzini, Jamie Hotard, Karen Milioto (with daughter Ruth), Chad & Robin Toups (with children James, Grant & Annadele), Debra Keppler, and Rochelle Beychok.
SUMMER 2017 Calendar of Events
For more information about small groups, classes or special events visit www.firstmethodist.org or call 383-4777
WEEKLY CALENDAR SUNDAYS 8:30 AM 9:00 AM 9:40 AM 9:45 AM 11:00 AM 4:30 PM 5:00 PM
Worship-Sanctuary Café 930 Sunday School Newcomer Coffee/ Discover First Essentials I (5/7-6/25) Children’s Worship Worship-America St. Worship-Sanctuary Prayer Ministry Adult Classes & Groups
MONDAYS 10:30 AM
Prayer Ministry
TUESDAYS 9:00 AM 10:30 AM 12:00 PM
Knitting & Men’s Coffee Women’s AA Group Alcoholics Anonymous
WEDNESDAYS 4:30 PM 6:30 PM 7:00 PM
Care Team Alcoholics Anonymous Chancel Choir
THURSDAYS 9:00 AM
Thursday Ladies Group
WEEKLY LECTIONARY TEXTS
The lectionary is a series of Scripture readings for specific days of the year. The United Methodist Church uses a lectionary based on The Revised Common Lectionary, a three-year lectionary.
12:00 PM Alcoholics Anonymous 6:00 PM Young Adult Bible Study (off-site)
CHILDREN’S EVENTS JUNE 19-23 Vacation Bible School 9:00 AM- Noon
JUNE 19-23 Mission Day Camp 9:00 AM- Noon
YOUTH EVENTS MAY 27-JUNE 4 Senior High Youth Mission Trip Oljato, Utah
JULY 25-29 Junior High Youth Mystery Trip Destination...it’s a mystery!
JULY 25-29 What’s Up Wednesdays 6:00-8:00 PM off-campus
ADULT EVENTS TUESDAY 5/9 Young Adult Board Game Night 7:00-9:00 PM in the Conference Center
TUESDAY 5/16 On the Deck 6:00-8:00 PM, at The Guru
WEDNESDAY 5/17 Senior Adult Program & Lunch featuring the Bayou Brass Quintet 10:30 AM in the Conference Center
SUNDAY 6/4 Blood Drive 8:00 AM-1:00 PM in the America St. parking lot
TUESDAY 6/20 On the Deck 6:00-8:00 PM, at The Guru
WEDNESDAY 7/26 Senior Adult Eat Out At Ruth’s Chris Steak House
MAY 14 Acts 7:55-60 Psalm 31:1-5, 15-16 1 Peter 2:2-10 John 14:1-14
MAY 28 Acts 1:6-14 Psalm 68:1-10, 32-35 1 Peter 4:12-14; 5:6-11 John 17:1-11
JUNE 11 Genesis 1:1-2:4a Psalm 8 2 Corinthians 13:11-13 Matthew 28:16-20
MAY 21 Acts 17:22-31 Psalm 66:8-20 1 Peter 3:13-22 John 14:15-21
JUNE 4 Acts 2:1-21 Psalm 104:24-34, 35b 1 Corinthians 12:3b-13 John 7:37-39
JUNE 18 Genesis 18:1-15 Psalm 116:1-2, 12-19 Romans 5:1-8 Matthew 9:35-10:8
www.firstmethodist.org | Summer 2017 | 930north
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First United Methodist Church 930 North Boulevard Baton Rouge, Louisiana 70802 Change Service Requested
Baton Rouge, LA Permit No. 63
Join us for Worship Sundays
8:30 AM - Sanctuary Worship Service 9:40 AM - Sunday School for all ages 9:45 AM - America Street Contemporary Service 11 AM - Sanctuary Worship Service Nursery Care is available from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Sunday mornings and from 5:00-7:30 PM, Sunday evenings
For more information, visit www.firstmethodist.org
facebook.com/FUMCBR