Challenge By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor
The last few years have been tight financially for our church. We have been running a deficit each year, but each year our wonderful and generous Foundation has made an extra payment to us to make sure we paid all of our bills and to encourage us not to make too drastic of a cut to the operating budget. The deficit has been in the $100,000 range out of an almost $2.5 million budget. We have watched our budget closely, made some cuts, but giving has been flat for several years, and some costs just go up!
I have talked to the proper committees, including the Church Conference, so this isn’t new to many people. But it may be to you. I am challenging us to raise at least as much money as we have had in our deficit to help get homeless teens off of the streets of Colorado Springs. We have created a partnership with Urban Peak, a non-profit agency here in downtown Colorado Springs, to work on this issue. We already have several connections with this agency, and look forward to creating more. Not only are we going to raise money, we are going to challenge ourselves to get involved in their work. You will be given opportunity for hands-on work to help these teens. The Missions Committee has looked at several possible ministry areas and decided this most fits who we are as a church. We are missional, and we love our kids.
“My job is to challenge us to dream big enough dreams that our ministry might be big enough for God.”
As you might imagine, I have agonized over this. I have tried to encourage more giving, I’ve tried begging for more giving, and I’ve stopped just short of threatening for more giving! But even as a few people give more, the giving has remained flat due to the number of deaths we have each year. As I prayed and pondered this, I realized that maybe I was just trying to fix the symptom, and not fix the problem. The symptom is flat giving, but the problem is a lack of passion and energy around the mission of the church. I know we have a lot of passionate people in ministry, and we continue to do amazing things here and around the world. But we seem to have no unifying mission that engages and inspires us. And that is my fault. My job is to challenge us to dream big enough dreams that our ministry might be big enough for God. I tend to want to smooth things out and calm things down. But no more. I am issuing you a challenge.
We are not ready to unroll specifics as to the project. The board of Urban Peak is hard at work on the specifics. We will let you know more in detail soon. We have made about $75,000 in cuts to our 2016 operating budget, reducing our staffing by two positions. We have increases in the pledges by almost $50,000 dollars, so our operating budget should be in better shape next year. But that only fixes the symptoms. The issue is a sense of passion around a mission of the church. I can’t think of a better way to channel our passion than to helping homeless teens. I know this congregation will respond! You always do! See you in worship! Kent
First United Methodist Church 420 North Nevada Avenue. Colorado Springs, CO 80903 719-471-8522 • www.fumc-cs.org
Considering Membership at First UMC? If you are interested in membership at First United Methodist Church or have questions, please call 719-471-8522 ext. 270 for more information.
Sunday Worship Service Times 7:30 am Early Riser in the Chapel 8:00 am Traditional in the Sanctuary 9:30 am Contemporary in the Sanctuary 11:00 am Traditional in the Sanctuary Live broadcasts of the 11:00 am service on FOX, channel 21.2 (cable 7) and CW 57. Closed captioning available.
The Encounter is printed and published once a month by First United Methodist Church, 420 N. Nevada Ave., Colorado Springs, CO 80903. Materials for inclusion are due three weeks before publication date and are subject to approval. Not all submissions are guaranteed to be included. Articles, comments, or suggestions are welcomed by emailing, annaliec@fumc-cs.org or calling, 719-471-8522 ext. 272.
Sunday School Classes are at 9:30 & 10:45 am
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Cover Photo: Patriotic Celebration Concert
WORDS FROM
LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER Jesus talked a great deal about love and demonstrated it throughout his life. With that in mind, Saint Valentine’s Day seems an appropriate time to reflect on love. To begin with, God loved us so much that he sent his only son, so that we might have everlasting life. Furthermore, Jesus said that loving God with all our heart, with all our soul, and with all our mind is the greatest commandment. He then continued by saying the second greatest commandment is that we should love our neighbor as ourselves (Matthew 22:37-39). I have had many Saint Valentine’s Days. My first recollection was sitting at a small student desk in Mrs. Dahlquist’s second grade class. I clearly remember cutting a heart out of red construction paper and using a lead pencil about the thickness of my thumb to scratch out “I LOVE YOU” before signing my name and placing it in a six-by-eight inch envelope stating “TO MOM AND DAD.” Life was simple then. I knew I loved them and that they loved me. I relied on them for everything, and they did not hold back their love and, when I needed it, discipline. When I think about our Father in heaven, I think of him in much the same way as I thought of my parents as a child. I know He loves me unconditionally, even when I mess up, and at times have to be corrected. Like any relationship, communication is essential. Through Bible study and prayer, I continue to strive for a deeper relationship with Him. I hope to see you all Sunday morning, Leland Reece
EASTER LILIES We will be offering the opportunity to purchase lilies in honor of or in memory of loved ones starting on Sunday, February 21. The lilies will decorate the chancel area as we celebrate Easter Sunday, March 27. You may take them home with you following the 11:00 am worship service. Tributes will be listed in a separate insert in the Easter bulletin. To purchase lilies, please complete the order form on the You Can Count on Me bulletin insert starting on Sunday, February 21. Cost is $20 and payment is due at time of ordering. Final day to order will be Sunday, March 13.
FIRST DISCOVERY Are you interested in becoming a member of First United Methodist Church but still have some questions or would just like to learn more first? Join us for First Discovery on Sunday, February 7, to learn more about our church, get to know some of our pastors and staff, and learn about membership. We will have two sessions, each slightly longer than each service: 9:30-10:45 am and 11:00-12:15 pm. For more information, please contact Rev. Tiffany Keith at tiffanyk@fumc-cs.org.
ACADEMIC SCHOLARSHIPS The FUMC Scholarship Committee announces that the 2016 scholarship brochures and applications are available in the information rack near the Welcome Desk as well as online at www.fumc-cs.org. Please note there is now one application for all academic scholarships. Scholarships for the Youth Singers Tour and Youth Mission Trip must be applied for through the Directors. All applications are due no later than February 28.
Gathering † Worshiping † Being For a little over a year, The Edge, one of the ministries of this church, has been hosting an evening of dinner and personal stories. Every single time we do Stories @ The Edge, God shows up powerfully. It is powerful to see God at work in the personal stories we hear. We have experienced God through stories of heartache and love, sickness and health, death and abundant life. But it is not the only way we experience God showing up. God is present in the evening itself and in the way that points to God at work: in the moment. As we sit down to dinner, we experience God’s living presence in the community that gathers. Those that gather see themselves in someone else’s story. Walls are torn down, people experience the real presence of God in the courage and vulnerability of the setting. At the end of the first year, we are starting to form a community that is learning to spot God’s prevenient grace. And now, we are learning how to point towards that grace, so others can see it too. You are invited to join us and experience this powerful night. Our next gathering is February 19, at 6:00 pm at the Mission Art Center. We will hear stories from Abby McGee and Roma Johnson. If you would like more information, or would like to help, please contact Rev. Tiffany Keith: tiffanyk@fumc-cs.org or 425-9752.
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SLOW PARENTING Led by Rev. Todd Spencer and Molly Wingate Room 233 S, Experience 304 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm TO REGISTER, please contact Molly Wingate at molly@slowparentingteens.com or call 719-685-4114.
FAITH ACADEMY - SESSION 2
Parents of pre-teens and teens are warmly invited to participate in this special class. First United Methodist Church is hosting a free, 5 -week parenting intensive on Slow Parenting with authors and presenters Molly Wingate and Marti Woodward. Their book Slow Parenting Teens has been called the book teens want their parents to read.
Wednesdays, February 17 - March 16 Dinner will be served in the Fellowship Hall, from 5:00 to 6:15 pm. All classes meet from 6:30 to 7:30 pm.
Parents will learn how to build respectful, fun and sustainable relationships with their children, no matter what their ages. Parents will assess what areas of their parenting they want to change, learn the Slow Parenting model, and how to apply it to real family situations.
FAITH ACADEMY CLASSES:
Wingate and Woodward have decades of experience working with children, especially adolescents, in classroom and therapy settings, and they parent five teenagers between them. They are regular presenters at schools throughout the state and are fresh from giving a TED talk in Colorado Springs about Slow Parenting.
LENT WITH THE GOSPEL OF MARK Led by Rev. Kent Ingram Room 133 S, Scripture 101 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm *Thursdays, 9:00 am – 10:00 am (Same class as Wednesdays) We will examine some of the most important stories in Mark’s gospel as we journey through Lent. These stories will gather up and help explain some of the great themes of this holy season. Join us as we let Mark guide us through this season of preparation and examination.
SPIRITUAL BOOK GROUP Led by Rev. Patty Walker Parlor 140S, Experience 204 Wednesdays, 6:30 - 7:30 pm Love the idea of a book group but don't have the time to join an on-going group? Here's a 5-week group that will explore Barbara Brown Taylor’s New York Times bestseller, An Altar in the World. In her book, Taylor reveals meaningful ways to discover the sacred in the small things we do and see. Something as ordinary as hanging clothes on a clothesline becomes an act of meditation, if we pay attention to what we're doing and take time to notice God within it. As we incorporate these practices into our daily lives, we begin to discover God and “altars in the world” everywhere we go, in nearly everything we do. Taylor is an Episcopal priest, professor, author and one of the United States' best known preachers. In 2014, TIME magazine placed her in its annual TIME 100 list of the most influential people in the world. You will need to purchase the book yourself. For the first meeting, read the Introduction and Chapter 1. But please come even if you don’t! Group led by Rev. Patty Walker.
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The book Slow Parenting Teens will be available at the class. You can also get a paperback copy in advance at a local bookstore or online at norlightspress.com or amazon.com. You may also purchase an ebook at barnesandnoble.com or amazon.com.
WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS Are you looking for a new way to connect and create fellowship in 2016? We are looking for a few more helping hands to help serve and clean up during Wednesday Night Dinners. SUNNYSIDE OCCASIONS has created a new menu with options for the whole family. Along with offering the comfort foods menu, Sunnyside is also offering a gluten-free and simple carbfree alternative on Wednesday Nights as well as an awesome salad bar! Please keep in mind that our kitchen operations involve shared cooking and preparation areas. We are unable to guarantee that any menu item is completely free from gluten or any other allergen. Wednesday Night Dinner menu for the upcoming week is published weekly in First News. You can also find the week’s menu online at www.fumc-cs.org. Click on the Faith Academy and Dinners slide to see the menu.
Thursday,
February 4
NOAH Breakfast — The Egg & I
Sunday,
February 7
First Discovery Session — (Details on page 3)
February 7 & 14
Chocolate Roses Youth Singers Fundraiser — Hospitality Center
Wednesday,
February 10
Ash Wednesday Service for Children and their Family — Kingdom City 6:00 pm
Wednesday,
February 10
Ash Wednesday Worship Service — Sanctuary
7:00 pm
Friday,
February 12
NOAH Valentine Dinner — Fellowship Hall (Details on page 9)
6:00 pm
Sunday,
February 14
A Patriotic Celebration Concert — Sanctuary
3:00 pm
Sunday,
February 14
Contemplative Lenten Series — The Chapel
6:00 pm
Monday,
February 15
Church will Be Closed in Observance of President’s Day
Wednesday,
February 17
Faith Academy Classes & Wednesday Dinners Begin — (Page 4)
Saturday,
February 20
ManUp! Event — (Details on page 9)
Saturday,
February 20
Tween Event — (Details on page 6)
Sunday,
February 21
Bereavement Ministry Luncheon Invitation — (Details on page 10)
Sundays,
9:00 am
6:30 pm 11:00 am 5:30 pm
ONLINE GIVING is an easy way to make contributions to the church. To access the giving page visit our website at www.fumc-cs.org and click on the ‘GIVE’ tab on the top menu. If you are a first-time visitor to the site, you will be prompted to sign-up for an account. You can easily set up your transactions as a one-time gift or a recurring donation. It’s that easy!
THE GIVING KIOSK is also available at the Welcome Desk. This is a convenient way to donate right at church. Just select a fund, enter an amount, and swipe your card!
12:00 pm
SCAN THE QR CODE BELOW FOR QUICK ACCESS TO GIVING
TEXT GIVING is our newest way to give. Text 719-298-3177 on your phone (a one-time sign-up will be prompted), type the word “Funds” (a list to choose from will pop up on your screen), text the amount + the fund name of your choice (i.e. – $100 TV Ministry). For more information, please contact Annalie Ceballos at 471-8522, ext. 272, or annaliec@fumc-cs.org.
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) … Love comes from God! As we enter this Lenten season of remembrance, we will look at how Jesus shows love to everyone…from the Pharisees to his beloved 12 disciples, and even each one of us!
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) THE SEVEN LIGHTS OF LENT Often, we will light candles to bring Christ’s light into the worship experience, but during our Lenten Children’s Worship, we will extinguish the lights, one by one. Each week, we will learn about a different symbol in the story of the last days of Christ’s earthly ministry, and we will extinguish one of the lights. Join us as we journey toward holy week and Easter together.
SHROVE TUESDAY PANCAKE DINNER Tuesday, February 9 6:30 pm – 8:00 pm in Kingdom City We had such fun last year, we decided to celebrate Shrove Tuesday, again! Please join us for pancakes, music and fun as we learn about why Shrove Tuesday is an important part of the Lenten experience. Please RSVP by February 4 to Janitam@fumc-cs.org, so we can make sure we have enough pancakes for everyone.
ASH WEDNESDAY FAMILY & CHILDREN’S SERVICE Wednesday, February 10 6:00 pm – 7:00 pm Children and families are welcome to join us in Kingdom City for a contemplative and prayerful look at what Ash Wednesday means to us. Then, we will begin our Lenten Journey by walking to the Chapel, where we will receive the imposition of ashes and share in Holy Communion together.
BOY SCOUT SUNDAY Boy Scout Sunday will be February 14. If you have a child that is active in scouting, please have him wear his uniform to church this Sunday.
TWEEN EVENT The tweens and youth will be meeting at Dart Warz, located at 5850 Championship View, on Saturday, February 20 for an evening of fun and fellowship. We will gather at 5:30 pm for ice breaker games and then play from 6:00 - 7:00 pm. The event is free for tweens as a gift from the Youth Ministry. Parents must complete a waiver at www.dartwarz.com before that evening.
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CHILDREN’S ADVENT MISSION: ABC SCHOOL On Saturday evening, January 9, our children held their 5th Annual Bangladeshi Dinner. We had a stronger attendance than previous years, due to a good turnout by parents who elected to stay for the meal this year. We had melokatani soup, rice, chapatti, naan, mangos, and bananas. We had a slide presentation comparing the difference between living in a Bangladeshi city and the Bangladeshi rural areas. We made a Skype connection with children at the ABC School in Dhaka. Our children asked and answered questions and were serenaded by the Bangladeshi children singing their school song. This annual dinner is a culminating activity for our children’s Advent Mission, which is to raise money to sponsor children at the ABC School. This year, we raised over $5,000, enough to sponsor 20 Dhaka street children for another full year of school. A huge thank you to all the generous FUMC members who supported our mission Top Photo: this year! If you missed a chance to Boys collecting trash in a donate during Advent, donations are Bangladeshi street. accepted by David Fussell all year long. Bottom Photo: A full sponsorship is $250, but any Children in the ABC School amount will go a long way toward helping this less fortunate children. Make checks out to FUMC and note at the bottom, “ABC School.” These can be submitted to David Fussell or put into any collection tray during worship. You are a blessing!
SAVE THE DATE! EXCITING NEW ACTIVITY GLOW-IN-THE-DARK EGG HUNT Open to children in 5th and 6th grades only. Friday, March 19, 6:30 pm - 8:30 pm. More information coming soon!
DINNER AND ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP Wednesday, February 10 After a quick dinner, we will head up to the Sanctuary to join in on the annual Ash Wednesday worship service. This is the event that begins the holy season of Lent, which helps us prepare for the Holy Week and Easter celebrations coming at the end of March. The worship service tonight concludes with our kneeling at the altar rail and receiving the imposition of ashes on our foreheads or hands. This reminds us that from dust we came and to dust we return, and to turn and believe the Good News of Christ. This is a special night you won’t want to miss.
Sunday, February 14 at 12:15 pm. The Zone PARENTS AND YOUTH
SUNDAY
POT LUCK AND SIGN UP MEETING FOR SENIOR HIGH SAN FRANCISCO MISSION TRIP
If you are an 8th grader or older this year, you can join our team going to the inner-city of San Francisco this summer! This meeting is for all of those interested in learning more and signingup. Please bring a food dish to share!
LEANING TOWER OF PISA SAVED EPIC (EVERYTHING’S POSSIBLE IN CHRIST) Led by Todd Spencer and Debi Spencer, 9:30 am, Room 52 This youth Sunday School class is fun and engaging, focused on bringing teens’ faith and relationship with Christ alive through the use of movies, music, and other multimedia. Each class is structured to include games, a large group lesson and small group discussions. Join us!
Wednesday, February 17 The Leaning Tower of Pisa is being saved and straightened through the slow and careful removal of clay soil beneath it. Our not-quitestraightness is also part of what makes humanity beautiful, in unique ways. But we each need a solid foundation to weather life’s storms. What dirt needs to be extracted from our spiritual lives and replaced with solid rock? Scripture: Luke 13:31-35.
THE LOST ART OF WAITING
SCREWTAPE LETTERS
Wednesday, February 24
Led by Bruce Phillips, 11:00 am, Room 52 Every Christian deals with temptation all their lives. We will read and discuss how we are tempted and challenged by the world around us, and how we can use our faith and our church fellowship to keep us strong. Join us!
Spiritual growth takes three things: truth, love and — here's the hard part — time. It's easy to think that we live in an instant, ondemand world where data is a millisecond away and next-day delivery is as easy as a click of a button. But not so fast! Some things still take time – like growing into the unique persons God had in mind. Scripture: Luke 13:1-9.
BAD START?
TRASH INTO TREASURE
Wednesday, February 3
Wednesday, March 2
The first week of school this year was Ahmed’s first week of high school in Irving, Texas. He was excited to share the digital clock he built by hand out of a pencil case. Unfortunately school officials thought it was a bomb. The police were called. How did the rest of this story unfold? Ever had a terrible, no-good start? Ever been unfairly judged? Scripture: James 2:13.
YAT
meetings:
This night, we have two stories. One, a story set in the slums of Lagos, Nigeria is about a woman who turns trash into treasure. The other is an ancient story about a young man who turned treasure (his inheritance) into trash, ruining his life. Fortunately, he had a father who saw "treasure" in his son. His love was able to transform a trashed life into a treasured one. Scripture: Luke 15:1-32
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CHOCOLATE ROSES FOR SALE Milk, dark, and white chocolate roses for your Valentine will be available in the Hospitality Center Sunday, February 7 and 14. For a suggested donation of $3/rose, get a beautiful long stem chocolate rose with Valentine’s wrapping. Get them early, they go fast! This is an important fundraiser for the Youth Singers and helps defray the expenses of the summer choir tour. Your support is appreciated!
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MANUP! EVENT
NOAH BREAKFAST Join the NOAH group for breakfast on Thursday, February 4. We will meet at 9:00 am at The Egg & I at 7816 N. Academy. As always, you don’t need a reservation to join us. Just ask for the First United Methodist group when you get to the restaurant. We hope to see you there!
NOAH VALENTINE DINNER FUMC will host the annual NOAH Valentine Dinner on Friday, February 12 at 6:00 pm, in the Fellowship Hall . Reservations are required. A $15 donation per person is recommended. Remember, you don’t have to have a sweetheart with you for the dinner. Single NOAHs are always welcome, too. Lori and Lynn will be cooking for us! The deadline to make a reservation and submit your donation is Sunday, February 7. The earlier you make your reservation, the closer you will be seated to the stage. Our entertainment for the evening will involve romance, nostalgia, and a lot of fun. To make your reservation, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522 ext. 209, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org.
PRESIDENT’S DAY FUMC will be closed on Monday, February 15, for President’s Day. If you have an emergency, please call the church at 471-8522 and listen for instructions on how to contact the Minister on Call.
Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org
On Saturday, February 20, our ManUp! men’s ministry is offering a special opportunity. Do you ever find yourself struggling just to make ends meet? Do you wish you could ever set aside some money for those fun things and trips you’ve always wanted to do? Have you found yourself wondering how in the world you will pay for your children’s college? And let’s not even think about retirement. How can you ever have enough money for THAT? We might just have some answers for you. Mark and Lanice Miller will be joining us to give an overview of Financial Peace. This program has given millions of people the help they need to answer the questions above. Join us for lunch and the presentation. The ManUp! meeting will be from 11:00 am to 12:30 pm. The cost is $7 per person to cover lunch. You can register for the event by calling Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or stopping by the registration table in the Hospitality Center on Sundays, February 7 and 14.
RECOGNITION OF A LEADER Keith Grove, a long-time member of First United Methodist Church, has been honored by the General Commission on United Methodist Men for his involvement, support, and leadership with the Boy Scouts. A lifelong supporter of scouting, Grove joined the Boys Scouts in Nebraska in 1939. His involvement with the organization for over 75 continuous years has been outstanding, to say the least. Here at First United Methodist Church, we would like to recognize Keith Grove for making a difference in the life of many young men by presenting him with the Cross & Flame Award. The Cross & Flame Award was established in 1985. Since 1986, 150 people from the Rocky Mountain Conference have received the award. We are proud to know that one of its recipients is our own Keith Grove. Congratulations Keith!
WINTER WEATHER REMINDER This is the season we like to remind our members and friends that First Church follows School District 11 delay and closure policies. On the occasions when a storm intensifies on a day we have already been open for business, and schools have completed for the day; for the safety of our members and staff, we may choose to close early. All closures and delays will be posted on the FUMC website as they occur. For information on delays, early closures, and complete closures, please remember to check the rotator slide on the homepage of the website: www.fumc-cs.org. We also provide our closures and delays to KKTV, local Channel 11, and www.kktv.com as early as we possibly can to help you know when it is necessary to change plans for your scheduled church activities.
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THE BUS MINISTRY NEEDS YOUR HANDS ON THE STEERING WHEEL
newcomers. This is a drop-in prayer group, meaning that you can come as your schedule allows. For more information, please contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org, or 471-8522, ext. 204.
Many members of our Church don’t or can’t drive anymore, or do not own a car. Our Bus Ministry brings members to Church on Sunday. For some, this is their only enjoyable trip away from a care center or independent living facility. The fellowship that develops between drivers and passengers is very special. This is an opportunity to meet new friends, as well as to serve the church in a very rewarding and important ministry.
HOLY LISTENING: this is a Centering Prayer group that meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30 pm in the Campbell Reading Room. For more information about that group, please contact Dan and Lori Lohrmeyer at 630-1809.
We are in need of several new drivers, which would give our group of 14 very loyal and dedicated drivers extra time between turns. They balance church activities, family, jobs and social life. Many volunteer in other areas of the church or in the community. The schedule is set up in away that allows drivers to attend their usual Sunday school and worship service. No CDL is needed, just a regular driver’s license. Your commitment would be to drive for a few hours on Sunday, about once every 5 weeks. Please consider becoming a part of this wonderful ministry. For more information, contact Catherine Marshall at 719-484-9347 or catmarshall57@hotmail.com.
RESTING IN GOD: CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER THURSDAY MORNINGS Without prayer we become deaf to the voice of divine love and become confused by the many competing voices demanding our attention. How difficult that is! When we sit down for half an hour – without talking to someone, listening to music, watching television, or reading a book – and try to become very still, we often find ourselves so overwhelmed by our noisy inner voices that we can hardly wait to get busy and distracted again. Our inner life often looks like a banana tree full of jumping monkeys! But when we decide not to run away and stay focused, the monkeys may gradually go away because of lack of attention, and the soft gentle voice calling us the beloved may gradually make itself heard. ~ Henri Nouwen Come and listen to the voice of divine love! You are invited to join a contemplative prayer group that meets in the FUMC Prayer Room on Thursday mornings from 9:30 to 10:30 am. This time provides for a period of Centering Prayer (a silent form of Christian meditation), followed by Lectio Divina (meditative reading of Scripture). Familiarity with these spiritual practices is not necessary, as an introduction can be provided, at any time, to
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BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY LUNCH INVITATION Do you have a heart for those who are grieving? Our Bereavement Ministers are lay persons who provide one-on-one care (through phone calls, visits, prayer, sending cards, etc.) for those in our church who have lost a loved one. To learn more or to join this ministry, please come to our next luncheon on Sunday, February 21, from 12:00 to 1:30 pm with those currently serving in this ministry. Sign up by February 16 for the lunch, by contacting Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204, or pattyw@fumc-cs.org.
INTRODUCTION TO LECTIO DIVINA WORKSHOP Saturday, March 5 9:00 am - 2:00 pm Room 133 Are you interested in learning more about the ancient spiritual practice of praying the Scriptures called Lectio Divina? Lectio Divina, a Latin term, means "divine reading" and describes a way of reading the Scriptures, whereby we gradually let go of our own agenda and open ourselves to what God wants to say to us. It is a traditional Benedictine practice of scriptural reading, meditation and prayer intended to promote communion with God and to increase the knowledge of God’s word. Anyone desiring to deepen his or her relationship with God through scripture will benefit from this program. The suggested donation is $20 per person. For further information, or to make reservations for this workshop, please contact Leslee Terpay at 720-315-8120, co-leslee@comcast.net, or Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org or 471-8522, ext. 204. Please register by February 28. This workshop is hosted by Contemplative Outreach and First United Methodist Church.
FAMILY PROMISE AT FUMC Deeply appreciates our January back-to-back host week volunteers! A great big THANK YOU to all our gracious volunteers who made our January back-to-back host weeks so successful! It takes many hands and hearts to make our guest families feel so welcome and hopefully, and feel a little bit at home! We also appreciate the extra support from our outstanding custodial staff! Our current 5-member FUMC Family Promise Leadership Team has had a heart for this mission for 10+ years and would like to encourage adults in our giving congregation to consider joining the Leadership Team. As a member of the Leadership Team, your responsibilities would include: 1.
Hosting one nightly meal as our Leadership Team representative during our scheduled Host Week (serving with 1-2 additional meal host volunteer(s)
2.
Attending the Leadership Team Post Host Week meeting to debrief
3.
Helping to staff our volunteer sign-up Sunday table (1 shift of 1.5 hours, serving with another Leadership Team member)
4.
One of the following preparation/Host Week tasks: Non-perishable supply inventory Set-up (first Sunday of each Host Week) Bedding/Towel laundry (2 times – mid Host Week and end of Host Week)
If you would like to volunteer or learn more about Family Promise, please contact Katy Adams at 471-3484. “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.” ~ Hebrews 13:2
ECUMENICAL SOCIAL MINISTRIES “Did you know that in 2015 Ecumenical Social Ministries (ESM) provided services to 71,653 people who were in need? This included 8,261 hot showers for those who were experiencing homelessness and providing food to 30,490 people. Thanks so much for your congregation’s support of our brothers and sisters in need!” —Ann Steiner Lantz The support from FUMC has always been strong. Just today, as I was walking out to lunch, a young couple asked about who they should see for help with gas money. They were traveling from Texas to Washington State for a new job when their truck broke down. They were living in their truck and eating at the Marion House while they made repairs, which had taken all the money they had left. In the process, she had developed a dental abscess
and they had been to the hospital twice. I took them to meet Rev. Ann Lantz, and within ten minutes they were seen by the site nurse, received a box full of food to sustain them on their journey and filled out an application to receive a gas voucher. ESM continues to serve those who find themselves in broken times in their lives. ESM is always looking for a few good volunteers. Please know that your monetary support, as well as your food and clothing donations, are used fruitfully to bless God’s children. ~ Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens
BRIDGE OF LOVE Each year, the Rocky Mountain Conference Board of Global Ministries sponsors the Bridge of Love offering at the annual conference session. This is a freewill offering available to all churches in the conference. The offering is used to assist at national and/or global areas in crisis or recovery from a crisis. This year, FUMC would like all classrooms, small groups and other entities to prayerfully consider placing a coin/bill jar in their area. Proceeds from these collections can be directed to the Mission’s office and a final total will be offered at Annual Conference in Westminster in June. May you be blessed by your generosity.
LENTEN CONTEMPLATIVE Contemplative Vespers will meet Sunday, February 14 at 6:00 pm in the Chapel. We will continue to meet weekly through the time of Lent. Using a similar format based on Lectio Divina, we will travel through Lent examining who and what Jesus is in our lives. As a guide, we will reflect each week on one or more of the seven “I am” statements which Jesus made in the Gospel of John. We will prayerfully consider how Jesus describes himself in these words, and then use them to reflect back on our own ideas of how we have defined Jesus and how he participates in our lives. All are invited to this time of contemplative reflection and Holy Communion as we move towards Easter.
RIDES FOR RUBBISH (R4R) Rides 4 Rubbish (R4R) is a local mission that meets 1:45 - 4:00 pm on the third Sunday of each month. Church volunteers meet west of Marian House with selected client-volunteers of the Marian House and honor God’s creation by picking up trash in the downtown area and parks. Then we worship in the park with a devotion and communion. In return for their efforts, the clientvolunteers receive two weeks worth of city bus passes or help obtaining identification. We are looking for groups to take turns providing brown bag lunches for the clients. We also accept financial support. For more information, contact Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org or 884-2470.
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You are invited to join us for Ash Wednesday Worship on February 10. We will offer two choices of worship: The first service is designed specifically for children and their families at 6:00 pm, in Kingdom City. The second service will be at 7:00 pm in the Sanctuary.
February 10 Families with Children Service 6:00 pm — Kingdom City
Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 pm — Sanctuary
In the Ash Wednesday worship service, we emphasize a dual encounter: First, we confront our own mortality. Second, we confess our sin before God within the community of faith. The form and content of the service focuses on the dual themes of sin and death in the light of God’s redeeming love in Jesus Christ. The use of ashes as a sign of mortality and repentance has a long history in Jewish and Christian worship. The Imposition of Ashes can be a powerful nonverbal and experiential way of participating in the call to repentance and reconciliation. This tradition is how the day, Ash Wednesday, got its name. In addition to the traditional liturgy of the Ash Wednesday service, we will observe both the Imposition of Ashes and Holy Communion.