Encounter march 2017

LIFE LESSONS Lenten Series 2017 As we once again journey with Jesus through the season of Lent, we will look at a number of texts where Jesus offers us a glimpse into the what life, real life, abundant life, is all about. We will look at several stories from Matthew and John about the life Jesus offers.

Come ready to open our lives to the work of God’s life giving, life-changing power!

March 5 – False Life! Matthew 4:1-11

GOOD FRIDAY, APRIL 14

IN THIS ISSUE... 

By Kent Ingram - Page 2 

Service in the Sanctuary: 7:00 p.m.

Candles are gradually extinguished until it is dark, marking the crucifixion and death of Jesus.

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EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 16

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Chapel Service: 7:30 a.m.

Sanctuary Services: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Join us to celebrate Jesus’ resurrection.

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Youth Ministries Page 7

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Around the Church & Beyond Page 8

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Around the Church & Beyond Page 9

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Around the Church & Beyond Page 10

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Caring Ministries Page 11

MAUNDY THURSDAY, APRIL 13 Service in the Sanctuary: 7:00 p.m.

Communion will be served commemorating the Last Supper. The Stations of the Cross will be depicted in living tableaux.

Children’s Ministries Page 6

PALM SUNDAY, APRIL 9 Chapel Service: 7:30 a.m.

Sanctuary Services: 8:00, 9:30 & 11:00 a.m.

Join us as we celebrate Jesus’ triumphal arrival in Jerusalem.

Calendar of Events Page 5

April 9 – Joyful Life! Matthew 21:1-11 April 16 – Eternal Life! John 20:1-18 (Easter)

Music and Arts Ministries Page 4

March 26 – Seeing Life! John 9:1-41 April 2 – Surprising Life! John 11:1-45

Around the Church & Beyond Page 3

March 12 – New Life! John 3:1-17 March 19 – Abundant Life! John 4:5-42

Religious, Not Spiritual!

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Ash Wednesday Services Back Cover

Religious, Not Spiritual!

By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor

One of the excuses that many, if not most people, give for not attending worship in a faith community is that they are “spiritual, not religious.” They don’t like “organized religion” (as if disorganized religion is better!). They have a soft spot for spiritual sentiment, for certain feelings and emotions and concepts. But they don’t want to be bound by any specifics, any challenging demands. They just want to experience their spirituality like a cafeteria, a little from here and a little from there…

Sometimes I feel like I am religious, not spiritual. I don’t do the “touchy feely” stuff too well. I am not overly contemplative, I find myself distracted and fidgety. But I love the symbols, imagery, power of Christian worship. I believe that we can only be faithful by specific practices and behaviors.

I listen to the church traditions and learn from those who go before me. My faith is not primarily a feeling, but a decision. My spirituality is not just an inner search, but is also an outer life of response.

Lent is not, however, just a time to meditate and navel gaze.

It is a time to use the traditions of the church to go deeper in a real and powerful way. It is a chance to use the practices of the church to strengthen this inner journey. So I will be at the Ash Wednesday Service to contemplate my mortality and see my need for forgiveness. I will be at the organ mediations to let the beauty of the space, the instrument and the music take me to a place of contemplation. I will pay attention at each worship service to the message of Lent, the life-giving message My spirituality is not of Jesus. I look forward to Holy Week, to Maundy Thursday, Good Friday. I invite just an inner search, you to join me in these and other events throughout the season as we journey together through this time of reflection.

but is also an outer life of response.

Now it is Lent. This is always a challenging time for me. It is a time that invites me to slow down, to look inward, to listen closely to my soul, to seek those places that need healing and forgiveness. It’s hard for me to slow down my mind. It is hard for me to spend time in quiet and solitude and silence. But I know that it is necessary.

Who do you know that would benefit from the powerful times of worship and reflection during this season? Now is a great time to invite people to worship and to these special events. I know it will be a rewarding time of spiritual growth.

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: Lenten Series 2017

WORDS FROM

LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER The small group I belong to is currently reading “Half Truths” by Adam Hamilton. Besides my highly recommending the book, Adam made a statement backed up with examples that I have found true in my life as well. He stated that God most often speaks to him through “nudges.” As a young man, I can remember asking myself the question: “Why doesn’t God speak to me, just like He did to Moses”? The truth is, He was speaking to me but I could not hear him. It was not until quite some time later that I began to recognize the nudges as one of God’s ways of communicating with me. They were not always gentle and at times painful as God was insisting I both trust in him and follow his instruction.

Jesus declared, “More than that, blessed are those who hear the word of God and keep it!” (Luke 11:28) I now regard some of the most uncomfortable times as also the most rewarding in my life. I still don’t always get it right but I do have a much clearer view of where I am headed.

Hope to see you at worship this Sunday,

NEW CLASS FOR YOUNG ADULTS We are organizing a new 9:30 a.m.

Sunday School class for our young adults. This will include singles and couples in their 20’s and 30’s. We will be using various DVD studies by Rev. Adam Hamilton. He is the senior pastor of the 20,000 member United Methodist Church of the Resurrection in Leawood, Kansas. It is the largest United Methodist congregation in the United States.

Hamilton believes that people are drawn by teaching that engages not only the heart but also the head. Therefore, Hamilton's teachings are addressed to thoughtful Christians who have questioned their faith and are comfortable with nuance.

He has a heart for wanting to see the United Methodist Church renewed. Hamilton says, “God isn’t finished with it yet. We have an approach for the gospel that is exactly what’s needed for the 21st century. Our theology was postmodern and emergent before it was cool.” If you would like to get in on the ground floor of designing this class, or would be willing to commit to sponsoring it with your organizational presence, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org.

REV. JERRY HURST TO RETIRE After 39 years of ministry and over 13 years as a pastor on the staff of First United Methodist Church, Rev. Jerry Hurst has announced his retirement to begin July 1, 2017. Jerry has given us amazing leadership in many areas over his years here, most recently in the areas of Adult Education, Older Adult ministry, Men’s Ministry, worship coordination, and a host of other pastoral responsibilities. His last “official” Sunday will be May 21. He will get his vacation in and attend Annual Conference before he officially retires on the last day of June.

The Staff Parish Relations Committee has already begun work on filling Jerry’s roles on our staff. Look for more information this spring on how we can thank Jerry for his time here, and for what his future might hold! We will also be announcing how we will fill Jerry’s important work in our congregation.

From a grateful congregation, thanks, Jerry!

EASTER LILIES ORDERS Don’t miss the opportunity to purchase lilies in “honor of” or “in memory” of loved ones. The lilies will decorate the chancel area as we celebrate Easter Sunday, April 16. You may take them home with you following the 11:00 a.m. worship service on Easter Sunday. 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, March 5. Cost is $20 and payment is due at time of ordering. The final day to order will be Sunday, April 2.

FREE DAY AT THE JOHN WESLEY RANCH Join us at for a free day at the Ranch on March 25, from 10:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Enjoy sledding (if there is snow), hiking, having a picnic or just coming and spending the day in prayer using the prayer walk or labyrinth. Don’t miss a wonderful day away in the mountains!

DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME Daylight Saving Time begins on Sunday, March 12, at 2:00 a.m.

Remember to “spring ahead” and set your clocks forward 1 hour.

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ALL CHOIRS FREE CONCERT Come hear the results of our choral workshop led by Michael Kemp on Saturday, March 4, at 3:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary. Don’t miss this FREE concert featuring members of the Chancel Choir of FUMC as well as choir members from First Lutheran, First Christian, St. Mary’s Catholic, Chapel of Our Savior, Sacred Heart Catholic, Holy Apostles Catholic, Tri-Lakes UMC, Soli Deo Gloria, and Broadmoor Community Church. There will be over 100 singers participating from these churches! The concert will feature 6 anthems that Mr. Kemp will have rehearsed with the singers through the day on Saturday as well as 5-6 well known hymns. Mr. Kemp will briefly share background on the hymns. This ecumenical event will be a wonderful festival of music! This concert will last about one hour.

Come and celebrate with these great singers!

“Dearly Beloved” is set in the modern-day small town of Fayro, Texas, and follows a plot that Director Daniel Robbins calls, “a cross between the Golden Girls and Steel Magnolias.” The action centers around a family wedding that goes “horribly awry.” With harmonizing gospel singing and situational comedy, there’s something for everyone in “Dearly Beloved,” so y’all come out now!

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Wednesday,

March 1

Ash Wednesday Family Service — Kingdom City

6:00 p.m.

Wednesday,

March 1

Ash Wednesday Traditional Service — Sanctuary

7:00 p.m.

Wednesday,

March 1

No Faith Academy Classes or Dinners

Thursday,

March 2

NOAH Breakfast — Village Inn on Garden of the Gods just west of I-25.

9:00 a.m.

Saturday,

March 4

Choirs Workshop Free Concert - Open to the Public — Sanctuary

3:00 p.m.

Sunday,

March 5

The Reinhold Niebuhr Story — (See details on page 9)

3:00 p.m.

Wednesdays,

March 8, 15 & 22 Lenten Organ Meditations — Sanctuary

12:15 p.m.

Wednesdays,

March 8, 15 & 22 Session 2 of Faith Academy Classes Continue (Details in the February Encounter)

Saturday,

March 11

ManUp! Apostle’s Build Team — (See details on page 9)

Saturday,

March 11

Introduction to Lectio Divina Workshop — Kingdom City

Sunday,

March 12

Daylight Saving Time Reminder

Saturday,

March 18

United Methodist Women (UMW) Spiritual Day Apart — (See details on page 11)

Wednesdays,

9:00 a.m.

March 29-April 26 Session 3 of Faith Academy Classes & Wednesday Night Dinners

Friday,

March 24

NOAH Heads to TheatreWorks — (See details on page 9)

Saturday,

March 25

Free Day at the Ranch — John Wesley Ranch

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!

10:00 a.m.

QUICK GIVING

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!

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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL (9:30 AM) Purim is an ancient Persian word meaning “lots.”

The festival of Purim celebrates the Jewish people being delivered from destruction by Haman, the ruler of Persia. This story is found in the book of Esther. Our Purim festival party will be held on March 5 during Sunday School. The following week, we will launch our Lenten rotation and we will learn all about the last days of Jesus’ earthly ministry and the crucifixion. Lent is a time of great reflection and also a time to remember how much God loves each one of us!

CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) During Lent, we will explore the theme: Love Life as we Live Lent. Using the weekly lectionary scripture, Children’s Worship is a place for children to begin to understand and experience worship. This is a multi-age large group event held in Kingdom City.

MISSION TRIP TO NICARAGUA Children’s Ministry is collecting shoes to send with our FUMC Mission team to Nicaragua. All donations of new or used shoes can be dropped off at the Welcome Desk or in Kingdom City, no later than MARCH 10. Thank you for being a part of helping those families who are so desperately in need!

ASH WEDNESDAY FAMILY SERVICE Kingdom City Love Life as we Live Lent!

Join us for a special family-oriented Ash Wednesday service on March 1, at 6:00 p.m. in Kingdom City. During this informal service, we will learn a little more about what Lent is, and what it means to us. Join us as we prepare our hearts for the season of Lent.

Communion and imposition of ashes will be offered.

PRESCHOOL SUMMER PROGRAM The preschool is offering 4 two-week summer sessions for children 2 1/2 to 5 years old. Classes are Monday - Friday, 9:00 a.m. - 12:15 p.m. For information or registration forms, please contact Dianna Flaherty at 884-2500, or diannaf@fumc-cs.org.

Session 1 – May 30 to June 9 Session 2 – June 12 to June 23 Session 3 – June 26 to July 7 Session 4 – July 10 to July 21

$195 (No class May 29 - Memorial Day) $215 $195 (No class - July 4th) $215

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CONGRATULATIONS TO OUR T4G GROUP! In January at the Annual Sled Day and Chili Cook Off event at the Ranch, our Tweens for God group brought the heat with an award winning chili recipe! I know you will want to congratulate these young chefs as they proudly display the coveted Golden Ladle Award!

BROWN BAGS AND BIBLES DAY! Last month, on February 1, the children were invited to ask ‘the questions…’ and Kent had some answers for them! Here are a few of the darling questions asked by the children: “Is God a person?”

“When was the Bible written?”

“How old is the organ?”

“Are there secret passages around the church?”

“How old is God?” “How did Paul escape from Damascus?”

“What is the difference between Catholics and Protestants?”

“Which Gospel is written by a doctor?”

“Why did God create us?”

“What does heaven look like?”

MARCH DINNER AND ASH WEDNESDAY WORSHIP Wednesday, March 1, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone Make sure to be on time or early this night! We’ll eat a quick dinner together and then head up to the Sanctuary for the Ash Wednesday worship service. This experience marks the beginning of our holy season of Lent, which leads us over many weeks, to the cross of Jesus on Good Friday and then the Easter celebration of the empty tomb.

The service will conclude with the ancient and meaningful moment of kneeling at the altar rail and receiving the imposition of ashes, reminding us of the brevity of life and the importance of turning back to God for love and direction.

BELIEF: THE SEEKERS Wednesday, March 8, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone After quick dinner and total group fun, we will watch the episode one of Oprah Winfrey’s video series on Belief according to the experiences of persons from many different world religions and traditions. In this episode, we get colorful and personal glimpses into evangelical Christianity, Hinduism, Orthodox Judaism and Australian aboriginal traditions. Bring a friend!

BELIEF: LOVE’S STORY Wednesday, March 15, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone This night, along with our food and fun, we continue with the video series, Belief, by Oprah Winfrey. Episode two is about the ways our beliefs come to impact relationships with others. In one of the stories of this episode, we meet James and Muhammad, a pastor and an imam, who are attempting to model the command to “love your enemies” in the middle of a country torn

by Christian-Muslim conflict.

YOUTH ADVISORY TEAM MEETINGS (YAT) Sunday, March 19

BELIEF: ACTS OF FAITH Wednesday, March 22, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone The stories presented in this episode of Belief highlight the demand to act out one’s belief without any guarantee of what our actions will produce. To believe is to act on one’s faith. In one of the stories, we meet a grieving mother and her son’s convicted murderer who meet behind bars. Judy and Timothy, who both now share a common Christian faith, struggle to find a semblance of forgiveness through conversation with one another.

NO YOUTH GATHERING Wednesday, March 29, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone Have a wonderful spring break!

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 7

FAITH ACADEMY CLASSES AND WEDNESDAY NIGHT DINNERS There will be no dinner or classes on Wednesday night, March 1.

Instead, we invite you to attend the Ash Wednesday worship service in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m.

Session 2 of Faith Academy classes and dinners will continue on March 8, 15, and 22. Session 3 classes will begin on March 29 through April 26. There will be no classes or dinner on April 12 for Holy Week.

CLASSES FOR SESSION 3 (March 29 through April 26) INTRODUCTION TO THE NEW TESTAMENT: AN OVERVIEW OF CHRISTIAN SCRIPTURES Leader: Rev. Kent Ingram Scripture 101, Room 133 S We love to study the words of Scripture. We find them comforting, challenging, instructive and confusing. It is helpful, however, to step back and see the books in their larger context. We will spend time in this class looking at the broader perspective of the whole New Testament, to see what kinds of literature we have and how it all fits together. Armed with this knowledge, we can go deeper in our own personal study of scripture.

YOUR MISSIO DEI, SHOULD YOU CHOOSE TO ACCEPT IT… Leader: Janita McGregor Experience 304, Room 234 S What would you say if I told you that there are no missions, rather there is only one mission? In this class, we will be exploring the concept of Missio Dei. If you don’t speak Latin, just come to class and you will learn not only what that phrase means, but also more importantly, what Missio Dei means to our daily lives. This is the mission, should you choose to accept it...this message will self-destruct (well…not really).

FROM EPWORTH TO CITY ROAD CHAPEL Leader: Rev. Jerry Hurst Tradition 302, Room 233 S Many members have asked Jerry to repeat his class on John Wesley, the founder of the Methodist Church. In 2013, Jerry and his wife, Lynn, took an educational tour in England of the life of John Wesley. Jerry will present pictures, taken by him, and historical facts of John Wesley’s birthplace and other important sites of Wesley’s ministry. These four weeks will give you a great look at our founder’s life and the theology he brought to us.

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NOAH BREAKFAST IN MARCH

NOAH HEADS TO THEATREWORKS

This month our breakfast will be on Thursday, March 2 at Village Inn (Garden of the Gods just west of I-25). We’ll meet at the restaurant at 9:00 a.m. for a time of great Christian fellowship and good food. As always, you don’t need a reservation. Just come and join us!

On Friday night, March 24, the NOAH group is going to Theatreworks at UCCS to see the student production of Cabaret. We will meet at the FUMC north parking lot to take the bus and leave at 6:45 p.m. We have 15 tickets at $15 each.

THE REINHOLD NIEBUHR STORY FUMC is part of a coalition that is sponsoring An American Conscience, the Reinhold Niebuhr Story. This film will be shown on Sunday, March 5, at 3:00 p.m., at Library 21C, located at 1175 Chapel Hills Dr. Admission is free.

Niebuhr may be best remembered today as the author of the famed “Serenity Prayer.” He was an outspoken American-born pastor, writer, and political activist and remains one of the most influential public theologians of our time. Niebuhr’s career spanned some of the most tumultuous decades in American history, from World War I through Vietnam, from the Great Depression through the Civil Rights Movement.

Niebuhr rose from a small Midwest church pulpit to become the nation’s moral voice. His unique insights into human nature and its relationship to political movements and social justice propelled him to speak openly, and often critically, to an America consumed by moral certainty. For Niebuhr the priority was always justice, his guiding principle was hope in a redeemer God, and his weapon was an extraordinary gift for clarity of thought that made him a leading voice of conscience for his time.

AN APOSTLE’S BUILD AND MANUP! On Saturday, March 11, the ManUp! group will be helping in the building of the house for Habitat for Humanity. As 12 churches are involved, we call it An Apostle’s Build. We need two groups of 5 men each to fulfill our commitment.

One group will work from 8:30 a.m. to noon and the second group will work from 1:00 to 4:30 p.m.

Habitat for Humanity will provide all tools and supplies and the team leaders to guide our construction. Don’t worry if you have never done construction before, as the team leaders will show you what to do. If you are interested in being on one of these teams, please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org.

Sally Bowles is an American singer and dancer who lives in Germany in the between-wars period. She dreams of becoming rich and famous and works at the Kit-Kat Cabaret club. Love is in the air and the Nazis are in the way. You will love the lively songs this musical presents. To reserve your ticket, contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org

COMMUNION: A SACRAMENT OF THE CHURCH, A PLACE TO SERVE Communion is one of the high, sacred moments in the life of a church. Jesus began this sacrament with the disciples in the Upper Room and later stated that we all should participate in this sacred moment in remembrance of him.

Our Communion Steward team is a wonderful group of people who realize the importance of this sacrament. We are in need of additional people to join this team. These people prepare the communion for our first Sunday of the month worship services.

They come to the church on the Saturday morning before the first Sunday of the month and spend about 2 hours preparing the bread and juice. They also clean up the communion at noon on Sunday after worship. Each team of 2 or 3 people are only scheduled three times each year.

If you are looking for a place to serve God and your church, this is a great opportunity. Please call Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, or email him at jerryh@fumc-cs.org for more information.

RANCH INTERN OPENING The Ranch is looking for an intern for the summer of 2017. The candidate must be no less than 18 years of age and be able to drive themselves to and from the Ranch.

If you have any interest or know of a possible candidate, please send an email and resume to Chris Thornton at christ@fumc-cs.org.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 9

UMCOR SUNDAY SPECIAL OFFERING

FAMILY PROMISE OF COLORADO SPRINGS

Sunday, March 26

Next Host Week: April 9 – 16

Together we reach children, families and communities who have experienced devastation in the wake of disaster.

When disaster strikes around the globe—Haiti’s 2010 earthquake or Hurricane Sandy of 2012—so many watching the drama unfold on their living-room televisions, feel entirely helpless. How could any one person make a difference in the wake of such widespread devastation? As responders around the globe scramble to help survivors, the United Methodist Committee on Relief, UMCOR, is prepared to act.

Since 1940, when UMCOR’s forerunner was established to meet the needs of those suffering overseas at the onset of World War II, we have continued to respond to those in desperate need—today throughout more than eighty countries around the world.

The response of UMCOR isn’t something “they” do, it’s something “we” do. That’s because your generous giving to UMCOR Sunday is what allows UMCOR to act as the arms and legs of Christ’s church, moving toward the most vulnerable in their darkest days. Convinced that all people have God-given worth and dignity—without regard to race, religion or gender—together we are assisting those affected by crisis or chronic need.

Because you give, the United Methodist Church’s compassionate response to human suffering continues today: 

When tornadoes ripped through Oklahoma, we responded

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When children in Zimbabwe lost parents to AIDS, we responded

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When a massive tsunami devastated lives in Japan, we responded

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And when the next mass crisis occurs, we will be prepared to respond

All United Methodists have the annual opportunity to come together to make a special offering to benefit UMCOR in support of worldwide humanitarian aid. Please look for the special UMCOR envelopes in the Sunday service bulletins on March 26 and give generously.

“I was hungry and you gave me food to eat. I was thirsty and you gave me a drink. I was a stranger and you welcomed me. I was naked and you gave me clothes to wear. I was sick and you took care of me. I was in prison and you visited me.” ~ Matthew 25:35-36

Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org

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Family Promise provides a way for local communities to respond to the needs of their homeless “neighbors.” Congregations have found that the Family Promise mission provides an effective way to be involved in a hands-on outreach program that serves the homeless and also fosters congregational unity and interfaith cooperation.

Families arrive at their “home” church each day at 5:00 p.m. and leave at 7:00 a.m. the next morning to go to jobs, school, or the Family Promise Day Center (located on Tejon Street). Upon their arrival “home” each day, families have a hot, nutritious meal prepared by meal preparation volunteers and served by evening host volunteers. Overnight host volunteers arrive at bedtime to “sleep on the job” and to be available if something is needed during the night. Other volunteers set up the family bedrooms with cots and linens on the first Sunday of the host week.

The Family Promise Leadership Team at First United Methodist Church is enormously grateful to our warm and generous volunteers who continue to provide supplies, meals, set-up labor, and host our “families” during evenings and overnights. This mission COULD NOT operate or be as successful without you!

Our Next Host Week at FUMC is April 9 – April 16. Please stop by the Family Promise table on Sunday, March 26 to volunteer or to find out more about our Family Promise mission! To volunteer or get more information, please contact Katy Adams at 471-3484 .

Hebrews 13:2 “Do not neglect to show hospitality to strangers for by doing that some have entertained angels without knowing it.”

Gathering † Worshiping † Being We host our beautiful evenings of dinner and storytelling on the first and third Friday of every month. But did you know we are also hard at work on the other Fridays of the month? On the second and fourth Fridays of every month, a small group of us share a meal, talk about Stories @ The Edge, and then get to work around the building. We clean the building, create gifts, laugh, and sometimes cry. We always have fun dreaming big, working hard, and listening for the Christ in the little things we do. We would love to have you join us! We gather at 324 N. Nevada Ave., half a block south of Boulder and Nevada. Drop in any “Open Space” Friday to see what we are all about! If you have questions or you would like to let me know you are coming, you can email Tiffany Keith at tiffany@theedgedowntown.org, or text/call The Edge at 719-425-9752.

INTRODUCTION TO LECTIO DIVINA WORKSHOP March 11, 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

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 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, or at co-leslee@comcast.net, or Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumccs.org or 471-8522, ext. 204. Please register by February 28. This workshop is held Kingdom City. Co-hosted by Contemplative Outreach and First United Methodist Church.

ARE YOU GOING THROUGH A HARD TIME? Life can be complicated. Life can be difficult. Stephen Ministers are available to accompany you during a struggle in your life. In a loving, compassionate and confidential manner, we are able to share the gifts of prayer, presence, a listening heart, and compassion with you. Please consider asking for a Stephen Minister when you are in need of a Christian friend to walk you through a hard time. To learn more or to request a Stephen Minister, contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204 or pattyw@fumc-cs.org.

ALTAR FLOWERS The beautiful flowers we enjoy each Sunday in the Sanctuary are donated by many individuals who wish to honor the memory of loved ones or recognize loved ones’ anniversaries, birthdays, etc. Placing your order soon will assure your reservation for a Sunday of your choice. The bulletin will include the name(s) of those whom you choose to remember or honor. You have the option of donating one bouquet for $40 or both bouquets for $80.

Regardless of which option you choose the bulletin will include the names and event you are commemorating. After these flowers enhance the church’s worship experience, you may choose to take the flowers home, or have them delivered to a homebound or hospitalized FUMC member by a “Flowers of Love” ministry volunteer. Should you desire to participate in this ministry either as a donor or a “Flowers of Love” ministry volunteer, contact Jana Brink at 471-8522, Monday - Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or at janab@fumc-cs.org.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN SPIRITUAL DAY APART Mile-High Pikes Peak District is hosting a Spiritual Day Apart on Saturday, March 18, from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m., at First United Methodist Church in Castle Rock.

The theme is “Our Spiritual Journey in Community” as part of United Methodist Women’s effort to be a purpose-filled community. The presenter will be recently retired Dr. Janet Forbes (Price) who formerly has been in the education department at our own First Church during her career. Bring a Bible, a journal and a salad for the luncheon. All are invited to come and enjoy a very special “Spiritual Day Apart.”

The meeting is at First United Methodist Church of Castle Rock, 1200 South Street. Castle Rock, CO. 80104 For more information please call Betty at 720-951-1171 or Loeda at 719 632-5965.

UNITED METHODIST WOMEN The United Methodist Women (UMW) of our congregation is an active group. There is much more to us than the occasional bake sale and annual bazaar. We are a group of women whose mission is mission!

There are five Circles of differing ages, meeting on different days, each with a different mission focus. In addition, we have a Reading Group who shares information on a variety of concepts from education to mission to spiritual growth. Our Craft Group works year-round in support of the bazaar. The Quilters’ Circle raises funds by quilting for individuals as well as making items which are sold at the bazaar. The Card Workshop recycles greeting cards and makes them available for purchase near the Welcome Desk every day.

You read the word “bazaar” a number of times but you also read “mission.” The funds raised at the bazaar and through other efforts are then spread to missions locally, within the United States, as well as globally. In 2016, this unit of the UMW gave $22,364 in support of global missions! Not bad… but not all!

UMW Unit meetings are in April, August, and December and are open to all who would come. Programs for the unit meetings are focused on mission and spiritual growth. Anyone is welcome.

Come share in the fellowship of this community of women and join in the activities and missions as we continue to grow spiritually.

First United Methodist Church • The Encounter I 11

March 1 is Ash Wednesday, the beginning of the Lenten season.

We will have a special service of communion and the imposition of ashes in the Sanctuary at 7:00 p.m. Rev. Patty Walker will be preaching.

Wednesday, March 1 Children’s Ministries Service 6:00 p.m., in Kingdom City Special service for families with children

Regular Worship Service 7:00 p.m., in the Sanctuary

Lent is a season of forty days, not counting Sundays, which begins on Ash Wednesday and ends on Holy Saturday. Lent comes from the Anglo-Saxon word lencten, which means "spring." The forty days represents the time Jesus spent in the wilderness enduring the temptation of Satan and preparing to begin His ministry. Lent is a time of repentance, fasting and preparation for the coming of Easter. It is a time of self-examination and reflection. In the early church, Lent was a time to prepare new converts for baptism. Today Christians focus on their relationship with God, often choosing to give up something or to volunteer and give of themselves for others. Sundays in Lent are not counted in the forty days because each Sunday represents a "mini-Easter" and the reverent spirit of Lent is tempered with joyful anticipation of the Resurrection.