930north • Spring 2019 Edition

930north

A PUBLICATION OF FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

THE WIND & WAVES STILL KNOW HIS NAME

A mother's intuition and the diagnosis that changed everything

COMMITTING TO A FEW DAYS

The benefits of getting out of your routine

THE GOOD NEWS

A struggle to understand faith and being in relationship with God

LOVE LESSONS FROM HYPE

A volunteer experiences the power of love

SPRING 2019

INSIDE THIS ISSUE A LETTER FROM REV. BRADY.............................5 THE WIND & WAVES STILL KNOW HIS NAME....6 Margaret Pernici shares how her intuition led to a diagnosis that changed everything

COMMITTING TO A FEW DAYS.........................8 Tyson Hackenberg talks about the benefits of spending a weekend away from his routine

HE IS RISEN..................................................................8 Bring a friend and join us during Holy Week and on Easter Sunday as we celebrate our risen Savior

THE GOOD NEWS.....................................................9 David Lowe describes the struggle to understand his faith and his relationship with God

LOVE LESSONS FROM HYPE.............................10 Karen Milioto experiences the power of love

UPCOMING EVENTS CALENDAR.....................15

YOU BELONG CHILDREN & YO U T H MINISTRIES

SUNDAYS

9:40 AM & 5:00 PM CHILDREN BABIES-3RD GRADE HEIR FORCE GRADES 4–6 YOUTH GRADES 7–12

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COVER: Participants on a recent Men's Retreat walk the grounds together at St. Joseph Abbey.

THIS PAGE: First through third graders meet in their newly designed space for Children's worship on Sunday mornings at 9:40 AM.

He is Risen

BRING A FRIEND & JOIN US !

JOURNEY THROUGH HOLY WEEK TOWARD THE CELEBRATION OF EASTER

Childcare is provided for all services except the Easter Sunrise Service.

PALM SUNDAY | APRIL 14, 2019 8:30 & 11 AM SANCTUARY SERVICES | 9:45 AM AMERICA STREET SERVICE: Proclaim Jesus’ triumphant entry into Jerusalem with the palm processional at each morning service.

MAUNDY THURSDAY | APRIL 18, 2019 7:00 PM IN THE SANCTUARY: On this night Christians commemorate the foot washing and last supper Jesus shared with his disciples before his crucifixion. The service concludes with the stripping of the altar.

GOOD FRIDAY | APRIL 19, 2019 12:00 PM IN THE SANCTUARY | 6:30 PM AMERICA STREET SERVICE: These services commemorate the crucifixion of Jesus Christ and his death at Calvary.

EASTER SUNDAY | APRIL 21, 2019 6:30 AM SUNRISE SERVICE (pictured here): Sunrise Service at the North Boulevard Town Square led by the Youth Department. Breakfast will be served in the gym at FUMC following the service.

8:30 & 11:00 AM SANCTUARY SERVICES: Celebrate Jesus' resurrection with us through word and music featuring The Chancel Choir and Festival Brass.

9:45 AM AMERICA STREET SERVICE: Bring a friend to the 3rd floor of our Youth Building. This service will include a celebration of Christ’s resurrection through word and music led by the America Street Worship Band.

The sun rises on Easter Sunday at the North Boulevard Town Square as members of our youth group lead worship.

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Senior Pastor Rev. Brady Whitton Associate Pastors Rev. Becky Poor Rev. Fernie Rivera Rev. Dr. Jane Riecke Pastor Emeritus Rev. Dr. Don Cottrill Contributing Writers Tyson Hackenberg David Lowe Karen Milioto Margaret Pernici Editor & Designer Amy Book Proofreaders Extraordinare Katie Davis Toni Gilboy Virginia Guffey Lisa Russ Amanda Lyons

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

First United Methodist Church of Baton Rouge

WHO WE ARE WHAT WE’RE ABOUT MISSION» Making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.

STRATEGY» Go find those who are seeking God but not connected to the Church, and invite them to know God by following Jesus as a part of authentic Christian community.

LOVE3

We are personally committed to loving God, loving ourselves and loving others.

GOD WORKS

Our lives, relationships and communities are full of broken places. We believe that by celebrating and sharing God’s love, individual hearts are transformed and lives are healed.

WELCOME HOME

We offer Jesus to everyone—period. We are passionate about making a place of hospitality for people of all ages, those already claiming the Christian faith, and for nonreligious people seeking to find out more.

SERVANT SQUAD

We want to help you discover your purpose and use your God-given talents to serve, care, teach, lead, and love.

GOT BRAINS?

We offer Christ to people who have questions and doubts, creating a space for thinking people to come to faith.

SEND CHANGE OF ADDRESS TO: toni@firstmethodist.org

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DEAR BROTHERS & SISTERS IN CHRIST, On Saturday, February 16, our church council and staff gathered for a day with Jim Griffith, a teacher and coach who specializes in helping churches strategize how to bring new people to life in Christ. Jim was engaging, funny, and truthful. We really enjoyed our time with him.

One of the things Jim suggested that really stuck with me is that many of the things churches used to do to connect with new people simply don’t work anymore.

It used to be true that if you had a great facility, great music, good preaching, good programs, etc., that people would just come to your church. It used to be that everyone was looking for a good church to be a part of, and if yours was good they’d show up. Not anymore.

Today, most people aren’t looking for a church at all.

I knew that. So I thought what we needed to do a better job at, was “inviting" people to church. What we need is to let people know we love Jesus and invite them to join us in loving Jesus at our church. Let’s get the word out through personal invitation! I was shocked to hear Jim say that doesn’t work anymore either.

Friends, more and more people in our culture are suspicious of church. They don’t understand who we are or what we do. Our buildings and traditions are strange to them. What this means is, they aren’t coming by themselves.

What we need to do to reach new people nowadays, Jim said, is: • • •

Invite someone Pick them up Bring them

Wow. That’s a lot more investment on our part. If we want to involve someone in the church in the hopes

that they will come to know and follow Jesus, we have to really commit. We have to invite them, and then say, “I’ll pick you up at 10:30 am.” And then we have to go, pick them up, and bring them with us. This goes for worship, for youth, for a concert, Easter Walk, whatever.

That’s a big investment of time and energy.

But for those of us who love and follow Christ, we know life with Christ is everything. We want that life for others. And so we commit ourselves to reaching others.

Even if that means inviting someone, picking them up, and bringing them with us.

It’s a new day. Reaching people for Jesus requires new approaches. What do you think about all this? Do you think it’s true?

Can you think of someone you could invite, pick up, and bring with you?

It’s something to think about.

Rev. Brady

BRING A FRIEND TO THE 30TH ANNUAL EASTER WALK Palm Sunday, April 14 | 4:00-6:00 PM At the home of Dan & Robin Reed (719 Charter Oak Drive, 70810) • Easter symbol hunt • Egg hunt • Petting zoo & pony rides • Food • Face painting Bring your family, friends, and neighbors to this fun, free gathering. The Easter Walk needs sponsorships to help defray the costs of this family-friendly event. Sponsor face painting, petting zoo, food, etc., by emailing Sirena Brock, Director of Children’s Ministries, at sbrock@firstmethodist.org.

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THE WIND & WAVES STILL KNOW HIS NAME illness that intense. It took the weekend, but we recovered without the girls getting sick.

But I could not shake this feeling that danger loomed. Every fiber of my being was on alert.

It had been so strong the week before that I’d called my doctor to ask if I could be suffering from postpartum depression. When everyone was well by Monday morning, we proceeded into our week normally. But Monday night, our son ran a low-grade fever. Something in my gut told me it wasn’t right. But my gut had always told me that about him, and countless doctor appointments and evaluations had proven me wrong for three years. Tuesday morning, he woke up without a fever and bounding with energy. We chalked that fever up to the normal immune system of a young child.

BY MARGARET PERNICI

D

o you know that nagging gut feeling?

The inner voice telling you when to be on guard or when to open your heart, even when it may be hard? I always struggled with what to call that feeling, those gentle nudges you experience in life, guiding you in one direction or another. And I often ignored them, dismissing this gut feeling as anxiety or irrationality.

While God and the doctors were saving our son, I was being saved myself.

But that changed the night of October 10, 2017.

The weekend prior, while entertaining family and friends, I came down with a particularly nasty virus, eventually infecting my husband Michael and son Crawford and literally everyone else (after all, I helped to prepare the food!). When I realized the severity of the illness, I panicked, worrying about our two younger children–Leolene, who was one and a half years, and Eliza Grace, three months at the time. Eliza was too young to catch an

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That night, our son asked if he could make a pallet on the floor of our bedroom, so he could sleep nearby. It was an odd request. But our 3-month old was sleeping in a bassinet in our room, and we figured a little jealousy regarding the addition of his new sibling was setting in. It was also my first week back at work after maternity leave.

But while I was laying his blankets on the rug, something took over my body. I had an intuition so strong to look in the direction of where he was playing that I literally couldn’t stop myself. I looked.

“Margaret, did you see that?” There was no one there but me, Crawford, and a sleeping baby.

But in an instant, I responded aloud, “Yes, I did see that.”

Crawford had grabbed his right upper abdomen and winced. It was an odd thing for a young child to do. Something again, forced the words out: “Crawford, does your belly hurt?” “Yes, Mama, it does hurt,” he replied.

I then proceeded to follow a strong intuition to do things I’d never done before. I laid him down on my bed and started rubbing his belly. I felt nothing. But something told me to dig deeper, so I did.

confirmed to my husband and I our worst fear—Crawford did have liver cancer.

Crawford is now one year post-treatment and doing very well. And I’ve had a lot of time to reflect on the journey we are concluding, and what I can say now is this: While God and the doctors were saving our son, I was being saved myself.

You see, I have always struggled with my faith. I’ve done the work, read the lessons, and supported my community.

But I never had that “ah ha” moment.

But through this season of suffering, I’ve been led to a much deeper faith with God as I watched him provide to us exactly what we needed right when we needed it, often when we didn’t realize we needed it. It has led me to a place of complete trust and obedience in Him – and peace.

Why did I feel called to serve the new children’s hospital while driving on the interstate two weeks before his diagnosis? Was God working on my heart already, knowing what was ahead?

What was that voice that led me to discover Crawford’s cancer that fateful night?

What was the weighted feeling I felt on my shoulders that first night in the ER as I watched a somber sonogram technician measure multiple masses on my son’s liver, as my first panic set in? There was no one there, and in a moment of devastating discovery, I physically felt touched on my shoulders and an instant calm came over me.

OPPOSITE PAGE: Chic-Fil-A sent their cow to visit Crawford at the St. Jude Affiliate Clinic. TOP: The first day Crawford was declared NED–no evidence of disease! BOTTOM: Taken the day after receiving Crawford's first set of clear scans…one of my favorite photos of the kids. -Margaret Pernici

A mass. I felt it just as plain as day. A fist feeling mass below his right rib. I screamed for my husband who was upstairs working, convinced I’d just found a tumor in our 3-year old. And in that instant, our perspective on life changed.

While in the ER waiting room, sitting next to our happy and healthy-looking son, I found his diagnosis courtesy of Google on my iPhone. When I read about Hepatoblastoma, a one-in-a-million chance liver cancer affecting children five and under, I was convinced that was what he had. Every symptom that bothered me about him was listed under the condition. Later that night, the doctors

Was it really just coincidence that we’d bumped into Crawford’s ELC teacher that next night at ten o’clock, twenty-four hours after he was diagnosed? Mrs. Joanetta was the first person to hear me say out loud, “Crawford has cancer.” She then stated words to me that I truly believe were God’s intervention, reminding me: God is good, God is love, and the best path forward is to surrender and put my absolute faith in Him. She helped to set the trajectory of the journey we were on, as did many, many other friends.

The godmother of one of our children happened to work at the hospital in Memphis, TN where Crawford’s complicated surgery was performed 6 days before Christmas. She held our hands, made connections and comforted us. Even Crawford’s local St. Jude oncologist is a member of FUMC. (Continued on page 12)

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COMMITTING TO A FEW DAYS BY TYSON HACKENBERG

Y

ou might think of it as a leap of faith, a distraction, a mini vacation for your soul, or simply a weekend away from the routine; however you decide to book it, I have confidence that you will thank yourself for the decision, your friend for the suggestion, or both. At the end of the weekend, I honestly forgot the reason that I packed a bag and took a quiet drive for a few nights away from the family. For me, choosing to say yes and sign up for a men’s retreat, spend a weekend away, by choice, from my wife and kids, and disconnecting from the familiar routine is, normally, not an easy decision.

As a kid from a small community church in Shreveport, I remember fondly the annual family retreat. It was sort of an abbreviated summer camp, at some quiet place in the woods: cabins, pancakes, camp fires, singing the hymns that don’t require an organ, and, most of all, this comfortable fellowship with people you know well and a few you don’t. There was something magical, mysterious, and certainly comfortable about it.

The FUMC men’s retreat at St. Joseph Abbey brought me back to those days. No doubt there were many differences—all “mature” men, comfortable beds, historic structures, manicured grounds, etc.—but the Spirit filled both experiences in a surprisingly familiar way. Most remarkable is the coming together of men in different phases of life with different distractions committing to a few days of community filled with prayer, worship, study, sharing, celebration and comfort.

The experience is uplifting, all of us taking the time to unplug and separate from the noise of everyday life, focus on our soul, and strengthen our relationships with God and each other. I needed this; when invited I had no hesitation, the invitation felt for me more like an offering, the choice didn’t feel like a choice, yet looking back I had no idea what I was committing to.

When I arrived, there were a few minutes of the typical anxiety—“Am I at the right place? Where do I park?”—but that quickly faded as I walked up to the welcoming sight of friends, some that I just met for the first time, but so comforting and welcoming in a strange but deeply familiar way.

I suspect the experience was uplifting in different ways for each of us who attended, but all of us felt the comfort of the surroundings, the gentle caring presence of each other, a deep connection with God and all left with much more than we came with.

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MEN'S RETREAT

August 2-4, 2019 St. Joseph Abbey (near Covington, LA) Spend some time away from your routine and bring a friend to the next Men’s Retreat.

To register or for more details, please contact Cherri Johnson, Director of Spiritual Formation, at cherri@firstmethodist.org.

THE GOOD NEWS

BY DAVID LOWE

I

wish I could say that I was one of the lucky few who never struggled with their faith or wrestled with God. I also wish I could say that my struggles were brief or trivial, but that would not be true. The truth is, I struggled for a long time over my relationship with God, my understanding of my faith, and the importance of both of those things in my life.

My struggles began a week before my eighth birthday when my father passed away. He had been diagnosed with pancreatic cancer a few months earlier. By the time of his diagnosis, there were no treatment options available so he came home, tried his best to hide his pain and deteriorating health, and gave our family one last Christmas together. He passed away less than three weeks later.

I had already begun my journey of faith before he passed away.

My family had laid a solid foundation, teaching me about God and his Son, and some of my best memories of my Dad were attending church together as a family. After church, we would pick up donuts, have breakfast together, and then have a big family meal for lunch. I saw in my Dad what it means to be a Christian through the way he lived and the love that he showed to us.

The good news for me throughout this time was that I still believed in God. I didn’t doubt his existence. I just could not understand or see how God was working in my life. Thankfully God never gave up on me. But more than that, I now see that God was actively working in my life in multiple ways and sent people to guide me, support me, and push me back to Him.

The loss of my father at such a young age forever changed my family and devastated me personally. My mother still insisted that we attend church every week. She I now see that God was actively working also attempted to keep God in our lives on a daily basis, but the seeds she sought to sow in my life in multiple ways and sent people me fell on the rocky path for a long time.

guide me, support me, and push me back to Him.

We still attended church every week and I had religion class at school, but it lost the meaning and importance that it had previously held for me. I went through the motions during worship and in my studies. I also struggled to understand how God could let this happen, felt sorry for myself, and wondered why this had to happen to me. The worst part was that I was constantly reminded of my Dad every time we went to church since he and my mom had made it such a big part of our lives before he died. Because of this reminder, I made no effort to deepen my understanding of God or strengthen my faith.

High school and college were not much better. I went to church regularly and still had religion classes through high school, but I did not feel like I had a relationship with God. He continued to be a presence in my life, but I was not capable of explaining how I felt or trying to develop a relationship with him. Instead, the sadness I felt when I was younger was largely replaced by anger. I went from trying–and failing– to understand why I lost my Dad to just being angry that he was gone.

in to

First, my family and I stayed close.

Too often, the loss of a family member causes a family to fall apart. We did not do so. My mother tried to fill the role of both parents and tried to guide the hardheaded and strong-minded son I was becoming. My sisters filled in when I was in high school. No matter how busy any one of us became, we were there for each other through thick and thin.

God also sent a teacher to me in high school when I was at an especially low point. (Continued on page 12)

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LOVE LESSONS FROM

BY KAREN MILIOTO

I

t was a Wednesday afternoon in August of last year when I showed up at HYPE for the first time and made a shy new friend named Joshua, his bright eyes shining back at me expectantly from across a pile of math homework. Though he tried to convince me otherwise, I quickly learned that he could solve any equation in a matter of seconds, and despite the fact that he rarely spoke, it didn’t take long before those big eyes revealed a sense of humor that accompanied the sharp intellect and quiet confidence made evident that first day.

On that first day I showed up confident that I was there to do the helping. With what, I wasn’t sure. My math is iffy and my grammar, so-so at best. But I did know how important it was for me when people helped with my homework back when I was in first grade, so I came in hopes that my time there would be something to someone.

Joshua and his family (from left to right): Treasure, Joshua, Jamie, Alexia and De'Juan (not pictured here, Je'vonte.)

Proof that sometimes love is that thing that catches you off guard when you show up somewhere thinking you are the one doing the helping, only to discover that it’s the kid with the bright eyes who is helping you.

I had been a member at First for about three months or so on that first afternoon, a status that often left me feeling like an outsider myself. At times overwhelmed just trying to find my way through the maze of hallways and up the stairs, let alone finding my people. I guess that is why it made it so special when I stepped on those stairs the following week and noticed Joshua reaching back for my hand.

Throughout the weeks and months that followed I slowly came to know more about Joshua and his siblings, Treasure, Alexia, Je’Vonte and De’Jaun. In them I found some of the kindest and most welcoming children I have ever met. Rejoicing on the Sunday mornings when the once lonely and awkward coffee hour was transformed by the welcome of their energetic embraces.

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And though Joshua does have days when clouds within fog his humor and he finds it hard to smile back at me from the other side of his worksheets, he never forgets that my daughter’s favorite scissors are the “pinkypurple” ones and he brings them to her every time he sees her searching the bins on Wednesday afternoon. His inclusive and compassionate nature always overriding whatever trouble he was met with throughout the day.

One of the only things I knew for certain showing up at this church two years ago was that I was intimidated, and wondered how if ever I would find my way here in this place. Now I look back and know without a doubt that the children in this family met me in that time of uncertainty and helped me find my way. Proof that sometimes love is that thing that catches you off guard when you show up somewhere thinking you are the one doing the helping, only to discover that it’s the kid with the bright eyes who is helping you.

HYPE'S MISSION» Helping Youth and Parents Excel (HYPE) is an afterschool program creating bright futures for under served elementary students and families in our surrounding community, through academic tutoring, mentoring, character development, cultural enrichment and parent education.

IT TAKES A VILLAGE» Through multiple avenues of love, Joshua and his siblings are thriving more than ever: • • • • •

Je’Vonte: Initially repeating 5th grade this year, he has rejoined his peers in 6th grade and discovered a love for football. He has thrived under his coach's direction.

De’Juan: Graduated HYPE to enter middle school. Continues to dance and comes back to teach his dances along with Ms. Teresa to the HYPE students.

Treasure: Has maintained A/B Honor Roll and joins her brother De’Juan at dance lessons and teaching dance to the HYPE students.

Alexia: Has improved her effort and attitude, earning her the opportunity to take guitar lessons with a HYPE volunteer once a week (at her request).

Joshua: Improved his behavior so much that his teacher ripped up his behavior plan and he earned A/B Honor Roll recognition for the first time ever!

HOW YOU CAN HELP» Is God nudging you to be a part of the HYPE village? We need people like YOU to make our mission of helping youth and parents excel…

• •

Get hands on! Give of your time from as little as one day a month to two hours a week.

Our greatest need is donations. Provide life-altering opportunities for our students: $40 sponsors a child for a week. $160 for one month. $1,500 for one year. Give online at hypebr.com.

Contact Mary Treppendahl Byo, Director of HYPE, at mtrep@firstmethodist.org to find out how your individual gifts and talents can make a lasting influence in a child’s life!

CONGRATULATIONS TO THE CONFIRMATION CLASS OF 2019: LEFT TO RIGHT, FIRST ROW: Julianne Schwab, Ella Stephens, Eloise Parker, Anna Kate Ruebsamen, Maddy Snyder, Molly Fautheree, Annie Leotta, Sofia Lockridge, Eva Lockridge SECOND ROW: Izzy Shanklin, Anna Grace Murrill, Zoe Davidson, Emma Cate Thaxton, Marlie McLellan, Caroline Melville, Meredith Cohn, Hannah Nettles, Caroline Cain THIRD ROW: De’Juan Issac, Charles Starnes, Davis Bruno, Chandler Duggan, Baylor Guidry, Aidan Whitton, Andy Dutruch, Addison Eglin FOURTH ROW: Kathleen Beaudoin, Charlie McCandless, Henry Hackenberg, Tommy McRae, John Hart Singer (not pictured) Eason Newbill.

Spring 2019 | www.firstmethodist.org | 930north

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THE WIND & WAVES STILL KNOW HIS NAME

BY MARGARET PERNICI (Continued from page 7) My list could go on showing that at every step we were cared for, but I know that I’m short on space! So, in closing, I’ll share two final thoughts that made an impact on me during this season: There is a song by Kristene DiMarco titled “It Is Well,” where the lyrics state: "So let it go, my soul, and trust in Him/ the wind and waves still know his name." It was inspired by Matthew 14:29-31 and the original hymn with the same title.

Isn’t it a beautiful reminder that our God is trustworthy, sovereign, and capable of giving us peace that surpasses all understanding, even in the midst of our suffering? I’ve listened to it so many times that the words are forever etched on my heart.

And in Colossians 2:6-7, we are encouraged to live our lives rooted in Christ, strengthened in faith, and overflowing with thankfulness. This verse has also spoken to me deeply, reminding me that by focusing on thankfulness, we’ve been able to heal and accept God’s plan for our lives.

The worries associated with childhood cancer don’t easily leave you, but we enter this new phase of life with great peace in what is to come, no matter how joyful or hard it may be. And we send praise for the good that has come out of this situation: opportunities to tell our story and new ways to positively impact our community, none of which would be possible if not for the trials we’ve gone through.

Through every part of this very difficult journey, we saw His grace and care through the love and support of our community. From the bottom of our hearts, we thank the FUMC community for rallying around us.

With love, Margaret Pernici

THE GOOD NEWS

BY DAVID LOWE (Continued from page 9) This teacher took a chance on me and let me take his journalism class, even after it was full and he had turned away other students. That began a relationship that continues to this day and he has become like a father to me.

Most importantly, God sent me my wife and our children. I recognized not long after we started dating that Amy had a strong faith and was filled with the Spirit. She read the Bible often, encouraged me to do so, and we talked about God often. She made it a priority for us to find a church that we could attend in which we could raise our future children.

I see now that God’s spirit led us to First United Methodist Church. In FUMC, we have found a church in which we can hear God’s word. We have also found countless church members who are willing to give up their time to help us deepen our faith. We also found a church that has developed in our daughters a knowledge of the Bible and an understanding of God, his love, and the importance of leading a Christian life.

Most importantly, through my family’s growth, I wrestle less with God and have begun developing the relationship with Him that we all need, but which was missing from my life for so many years.

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Enthusiasm is growing as we anticipate the start of the sanctuary renovation this May. The congregation has generously responded with pledges and gifts totaling $3,683,422.

Over the next several months you will continue to receive information about this exciting project.

Sanctuary Architecture Terry Eason, Liturgical Designer, has completed final drawings for the chancel area, suspended cross, lanterns, and choir screens.

Suspended cross designed by Terry Eason

Lighting Rambusch Lighting from New Jersey, the company responsible for the lighting design during the sanctuary renovation in 1998, has again been secured to enhance the lighting design in the sanctuary. New chandeliers and sconces (designed by Terry Eason), spotlights, and recessed ceiling lights will be LED to increase energy efficiency and to save on maintenance costs. Up-lighting will softly render the architecture, while down-lighting will serve the needs of the congregation in the pews. The new fixtures, dimming control, and programmable scenes will provide a variety of atmospheric and visually engaging lighting options.

Lantern designed by Terry Eason

Organ On July 2, 2018, Reverend Whitton and Jim Smith, Board of Trustees Chair, signed a contract for the new organ to be built by Casavant Frères of Saint-Hayacinthe, Quebec.

Founded in 1879, Casavant Frères is one of the best-known and most respected pipe organ builders in the world. Organs built by Casavant can be found on all six inhabited continents, ranging from small Organ console under construction portable organs of only a few stops to enormous cathedral and concert hall instruments.

Casavant has designed an instrument for our church that will not only meet our needs for worship, but will also accentuate the beauty of the sanctuary. The final stop-list and mechanical drawings for the new organ have been approved and Casavant began fabricating the over 3,200 wood and metal pipes and façade case in January. Building the instrument will take approximately ten months. The new organ will be delivered to First United Methodist in January 2020.

If you have not made a commitment to the Generations Sanctuary Renovation Project, we need you to participate in this once-in-a-generation effort. This is an exciting time in the life of our congregation. Thank you for your commitment to our church and to this project. To God Be the Glory!

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CONGREGATIONAL NEWS | SHARING OUR CELEBRATIONS & SORROWS Celebrating Our New Members...

Suzy Rivera

Sympathy to the Families of...

Johnathan Harnsongkram

Parker Cavin

Neily Rawls 11-6-18 William Mollere 11-10-18 Rita Hawkins 11-15-18 Maxwell Robinson 11-19-18 Mitchell Smith 12-18-18 Donald Chaney 12-28-18 Charlotte Paladino 1-4-19

Chester Calcote 1-7-19 Jan Jordan 1-22-19 Maureen Cupit 1-23-19 Glenda DeLong 1-24-19 Wade Randolph 2-8-19

Celebrating the Birth of...

Janet Sukkar

Amanda Lyons

Audrey Shields

Brooke Cawthon

Nicole May

John May

Erin Kruppner

Madeline Parker

Kyle Johnston

Peyton Lambertson

Emily Bratton 10-30-18 child of Caroline & Daniel Bratton Cecelia DiFalco 11-2-18 child of Payton & Joe DiFalco Jack Buzzell 11-16-18 child of Kelley & John Ross Buzzell Jack Rhodes 12-12-18 child of Megan & Ryan Rhodes Dawson Brown 12-13-18 child of Elizabeth & Walker Brown Elizabeth Graves 12-19-18 child of Meghan & Tyler Graves Camille Comeau 1-6-19 child of Valarie & Joshua Comeau Bruno Schroeder 1-11-19 child of Diana Hamer & Jonathan Schroeder Ruby Salvaggio 2-11-19 child of Mary Claire & Joel Salvaggio Eden Ridge 3-11-19 child of Michelle & Sam Ridge

Celebrating the Baptism of...

New Members (photos unavailable...

Elvis left the building and took their pictures with him): Matthew Lee, Mimi Singer Lee, Al & Ann Jolissaint, Elspeth Stewart, Tyler White, Betty Womble.

14 930north | www.firstmethodist.org | Spring 2019

Avery Corkern 11-25-18 child of Karen & Marc Corkern Levi Murchison 11-25-18 child of Karen & Trent Murchison Andrew Hugon 12-2-2018 child of Rachael & Justin Hugon Evelyn Wilson 12-16-18 child of Martha & Nicholas Wilson Madeleine Chappell 12-16-18 child of Julie & James Chappell Bennett LeBlanc 12-23-18 child of Beth & Brandon LeBlanc Case PeĂąa 12-23-18 child of Morgan & Benjamin PeĂąa Lucille Dugas 12-23-18 child of Jennie & Jacob Dugas Annie Chua 12-30-18 child of Sydney Brown-Chua & Michael Chua Robert Braswell 12-30-18 child of Leila & Beau Braswell Madeline Parker 1-13-19 child of Debra & Bruce Parker Tate DeMarche 1-13-19 child of Tricia & Craig DeMarche Elise Anding 1-20-19 child of Erin & Trey Anding Thomas Mundinger 1-20-19 child of Kristina & JT Mundinger Caroline Soong 1-27-19 child of Katy & Josh Soong Randall Shirley 1-27-19 child of Claire & Matthew Shirley April Vandivier 2-17-19 child of Sarah & Kevin Vandivier Nathan Totaro 2-17-19 child of Rachel & Nick Totaro Chandler Duggan 2-24-19 child or Adonica & Daniel Duggan Izzy Shanklin 2-24-19 child of Missy & Matt Shanklin Marlie McLellan 2-24-19 child of Romney & Rusty McLellan Brooks Courville 3-10-19 child of Ashley & Blaine Courville Camille Comeau 3-10-19 child of Valarie & Joshua Comeau Harrison Kill 3-17-19 child of Savannah & Sam Kill Penelope Melder 3-17-19 child of Charlotte & Josh Melder

S P R I N G 201 9 | C a l e n d a r o f E v e n t s For more information about groups and events visit www.firstmethodist.org or call 383–4777

WEEKLY CALENDAR SUNDAYS 8:30 AM WORSHIP–SANCTUARY 9:00 AM CAFÉ 930 9:40 AM SUNDAY SCHOOL CHILDREN’S WORSHIP 9:45 AM WORSHIP–AMERICA STREET 11:00 AM WORSHIP–SANCTUARY 4:30 PM PRAYER MINISTRY 5:00 PM ADULT CLASSES

YOUTH NIGHT

FUSE CHILDREN’S PROG.

HEIR FORCE (GRADES 4-6) MONDAYS 10:30 AM PRAYER MINISTRY TUESDAYS 9:00 AM KNITTING & MEN’S COFFEE 10:30 AM WOMEN’S AA GROUP 12:00 PM ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS WEDNESDAYS 4:30 PM CARE TEAM 5:00 PM DINNER 6:30 PM ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS 7:00 PM CHANCEL CHOIR THURSDAYS 9:00 AM THURSDAY LADIES GROUP

MONTHLY LECTIONARY TEXTS The Revised Common Lectionary is a three–year cycle of scripture readings for specific days of the year. Four passages are recommended, two from both the Old & New Testaments.

Thus, over a three-year period the Bible is covered in a systematic & balanced way.

Find the entire lectionary schedule at https:// www.umcdiscipleship.org/worship/lectionarycalendar.

ADULT EVENTS SENIOR ADULT PROGRAM & LUNCH APRIL 10 & MAY 8 PALM SUNDAY WORSHIP SUNDAY, APRIL 14 8:30 & 11:00 AM • SANCTUARY 9:45 AM • AMERICA STREET AT FUMC MAUNDY THURSDAY WORSHIP THURSDAY, APRIL 18 7:00 PM • SANCTUARY GOOD FRIDAY FRIDAY, APRIL 19 12:00 PM • SANCTUARY 6:30 PM • AMERICA STREET AT FUMC

EASTER WORSHIP SERVICES SUNDAY, APRIL 21 8:30 & 11:00 AM • SANCTUARY 9:45 AM • AMERICA STREET AT FUMC EXPLORATION RETREAT APRIL 4-7 • THE WESLEY CENTER WOODWORTH, LA

Liturgy of the Passion Isaiah 50:4-9 Psalm 31:9-16 Philippians 2:5-11 Mark 14:1-15:47

CHILDREN’S EVENTS EASTER WALK SUNDAY, APRIL 14 • 4:00-6:00 PM HOSTED AT THE REED'S HOME: 719 CHARTER OAK VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 24-28 • 9:00 AM-NOON BERNARD TERRACE ELEMENTARY

YOUTH EVENTS

To register for an event or for more information, contact Kale Wetekamm, Director of Youth Ministry at kwet@ firstmethodist.org.

EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE SUNDAY, APRIL 21 6:30 AM • NORTH BLVD TOWN SQUARE

APRIL 14 PALM SUNDAY Liturgy of the Palms Mark 11:1-11 Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29

MEN'S RETREAT AUGUST 2-4 ST. JOSEPH ABBEY (NEAR COVINGTON, LA)

ONE NIGHT STAND APRIL 12 & 13 • FUMC Human sexuality retreat for 7th-9th graders & their parents/guardians.

YOUTH NIGHT SUNDAYS • 5:00-7:00 PM 2ND FLOOR OF YOUTH BUILDING Games, dinner, devotion and tribe time!

Dinner is $2/person.

APRIL 21 (EASTER) Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:19-26 John 20:1-18

MAY 5 Acts 9:1-6 (7-20) Psalm 30 Revelations 5:11-14 John 21:1-9

APRIL 28 Acts 5:27-32 Psalm 150 Revelations 1:4-8 John 20:19-31

MAY 12 Acts 9:36-43 Psalm 23 Revelations 7:9-17 John 10:22-30

15

930north

Non-profit Org. U.S. Postage

PAID

First United Methodist Church 930 North Boulevard Baton Rouge, LA 70802 Change Service Requested

Baton Rouge, LA Permit No. 63

Bring a friend this Sunday: Nursery Care is available from 8:00 AM to 12:00 PM, Sunday mornings, and from 5:00-7:30 PM on Sunday Evenings.

8:30 AM- Sanctuary Worship Service 9:40 AM- Sunday School for all ages

Children’s Worship 9:45 AM- America Street Contemporary

Worship Service 11:00 AM- Sanctuary Worship Service 5:00 PM - Adult Small Groups & Studies

F.U.S.E. Children’s Ministry

HEIR Force (grades 4-6)

Youth Night

To discover more about us visit www.firstmethodist.org or

facebook.com/FUMCBR

@FUMCBatonRouge