A VIBRANT & GROWING MINISTRY What’s New at Stories @ The Edge?
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IN THIS ISSUE...
By Kent Ingram - Page 2
ctober is going to be an exciting month for The Edge! Starting this month, Stories @ The Edge will gather twice a month! You are invited to join us on the first and third Friday, at 6:00 p.m., at the Mission Arts Center, 324 N. Nevada Ave., for dinner followed by the presentation of two personal stories. We will continue to seek out healing, connection, and grace through vulnerability and authenticity during these powerful services.
October 7, we will hear from Jerry Hurst and “Bozo.”
October 21, we welcome speakers Ann Lantz and John Brazelton.
Going to twice a month means we are doubling our work load, doubling the need for story tellers and cooks, and building a new community that is strong and vibrant. If you would like to help us seek God’s work in the world; with your prayers, your presence, your gifts, your service, and/or your witness, please contact Rev. Tiffany Keith at tiffanyk@fumc-cs.org, or at 425-9752 (texting is okay!). Look for additional updates in your First News and future issues of Encounter.
Miracle Sunday
Around the Church & Beyond Page 3
Music and Arts Ministries Page 4
CALENDAR OF EVENTS Page 5
Children’s Ministries Page 6
Youth Ministries Page 7
Around the Church & Beyond Page 8
Around the Church & Beyond Page 9
Caring Ministries Page 10
Mission Ministries Page 11
First Company’s Production “And Then There Were None” Back Cover
Miracle Sunday By Kent Ingram, Senior Pastor
Wow! Just Wow! I am writing this article the Tuesday after Miracle Sunday. At this point, it looks like we have raised, in gifts and pledges $218,000. That is absolutely amazing!
First United Methodist Church. We have opportunities for worship, prayer, study, and devotion. We also have opportunities for service, mission and outreach. If we do only one of those, we have failed in our task to be the church. I am so glad that we work hard to do both of them with passion and focus.
First of all, I am humbled by your generosity. I really didn’t know what to expect, I was hoping that we would at least My deepest prayer is that this is just the beginning. I pray that with this generous gift, we can begin to reach the $100,000 mark. When we went see the potential we have to reach out, with far past that before the Miracle Sunday offering, I was deeply touched. You are a “For over 140 years, God’s love, to the people in the shadow of our church. We are an amazing collection great congregation! For over 140 years, of people. God has placed us here! Think you have touched lives in Colorado Springs you have touched about that. GOD has placed us here. God and all over the world. You have started new has placed US here. God has placed us churches, supported missionaries, helped HERE! God has a church at the corner of St. the homeless, housed families with no place lives in Colorado Vrain and Nevada in downtown Colorado to live, generously supported the Marian Springs for such a time as this. House Soup Kitchen…the list goes on and on Springs and all over and on. Thank you for your witness! You are I am excited about what the future holds an example for United Methodist Churches for us. Let’s harness this momentum and across the denomination. the world.” continue to move forward as a force for One of the great values of the Methodist movement was combination acts of piety and acts of mercy. That’s just theological talk for the belief that as Christians, we need to tend to our spiritual lives and to engage the world around us with acts of kindness and compassion. We try very hard to embrace both of those at
God’s love right here in the heart of our great city! We have great days ahead of us. I am humbled and proud to be your pastor! 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: The Edge
WORDS FROM
LELAND REECE, LAY LEADER I was recently thinking about my career-long chosen profession as an architect. A practicing architect must be licensed by the state which, among other things, requires annual continuing education. This is required so that all licensed architects can become knowledgeable of new products and construction methods as they become available in the construction market. I think that continuing education can have a profound impact on our spiritual life as well. I have read through the Bible many times but honestly feel that I am just now beginning to scratch the surface. There is so much I still need to learn. Within Luke 11:9 Jesus said: “So I say to you, ask and keep on asking and it will be given to you; seek and keep on seeking and you shall find; knock and keep on knocking and the door shall be opened to you.” Here at First United Methodist Church, we are blessed with many continuing education opportunities. We have six adult Sunday school classes, Bible study groups during the week, and multiple Faith Academy classes to choose from on Wednesday evenings. Let’s be a church of “life-long” learners for Christ. Yours in Christ, Leland Reece
FALL INTO FUN – MANUP! Our ManUp! Fall Retreat will be Friday and Saturday, October 21 & 22. On Friday night, we will have great food and fellowship. On Saturday, we will be helping the Children’s Ministries’ Fall into Fun Festival. We’ll be setting up tables, cooking, washing dishes, helping with games, etc. You are encouraged to come in your best Halloween costume as there will be a costume contest! Cost for the retreat is $10. This includes dinner and breakfast. Please contact Rev. Jerry Hurst to sign-up for the event at 471-8522 ext. 209, or jerryh@fumc-cs.org.
MANUP! MEETING Our ManUp! planning team will meet on Sunday, October 30, at 12:15 p.m. in the Large Conference Room at church. We’ll touch base with the event captains and see how things are going.
Photos by Kim Richardson
“Many thanks to all who worked to make it so special. We’ve decided we’ll stay together another year so we can come next year!” Bill & Carol Gaessler, married 57 years. First United Methodist Church held its annual Goldenweds celebration on August 28. A long standing tradition that runs deep in love and honor, Pat Kosley reminded us all to take our vows seriously and for the 39th year, she presented us with a delicious and beautiful anniversary cake. This celebration reminds us all how important marriage is. It also reminds us that the challenge of growing older and wiser together requires love, respect and a sense of humor! Art and Helena Ackley will be celebrating their 72nd year of marital bliss on October 4! Just over an additional 50 couples blessed us with their presence at this year’s Goldenweds celebration. Many members and staff were able to enjoy a time of fellowship in serving and honoring so many!
Thank you for your time and talents! Lori Lohrmeyer and Lynn Strong cooked up some love in our kitchen and Katherine Richardson with Sunnyside Occasions helped pull it all together with the decorations! Lois Oswalt played some classic love songs as our honored guests arrived. Lynn Barry asked each table to contribute their best “Goldedweds advice!” A great big thank you goes to the many volunteers that helped with decorating, serving and clean-up.
A few words from some of our honored guests: “It is great that the church gives to us, the Goldenweds. We do appreciate the gesture.” Chuck & Jan Baggs, married 56 years. “May your kindnesses return multiplied many times to each of you.” Dale & Marieta Smith, married 60 years. “The Goldenweds reception and lunch certainly was the most enjoyable, gratifying and enlightening event.” ~Ursula & Martin Frick, married 61 years.
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ORGAN CRAWL COMING TO FUMC Have you ever heard of this strange term? Well, it is an event quite popular among organists! On Friday, October 14, 40-50 organists from around the U.S. will descend upon FUMC (and many other local churches) to learn the history and significance of the various organs in Colorado Springs. Since we have the largest pipe organ in Colorado Springs, our instrument is one of significant importance. The group will get the chance to see the pipe chambers and hear about the upgrade to our organ. They will, of course, all be treated to our Principal Organist, Dr. Joseph Galema, playing the instrument. We welcome this group of distinguished organists to First United Methodist Church!
MUSIC AND ARTS SUNDAY Join us for the Annual Music and Arts Sunday, October 16. This is the one time when all of our vocal musical ensembles, and one bell choir, come together to participate in all the Sanctuary services. Our entire Music and Arts Ministry is formally dedicated for a year of service. The choirs pledge their service to ministry and the congregation affirms that pledge and also pledges to support those in Music Ministry. Be sure to be in worship at either the 8:00, 9:30, or 11:00 a.m. services on October 16 for a glorious musical experience on Music and Arts Sunday!
THE BENEFITS OF SINGING IN CHOIR At the recent Chancel Choir Workshop at the Ranch, choir members were asked to provide response to two questions: “What does being a member of the Chancel Choir mean to you?” And, “I enjoy making music and being part of the Chancel Choir because…” Here are some of the comments from Chancel Choir members: What does being a member of the Chancel Choir mean to you? “Being a part of a group in a large church makes it more of my church; provides a way to express my faith; provides a way to use the talent that God gave me; quite simply: sharing the musical gift given to me at my birth, in worship to our God; Music feeds my soul and to know that the choir adds to that is great comfort to me; being a part of a family; support and love for hard times and joys; hard work, good fun, great satisfaction after concerts; singing with this group is when and how I pray and serve. My spirituality and faith are stronger because of Chancel Choir.”
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I enjoy making music and being part of the Chancel Choir because… “Making music strengthens my faith. I am praying when I sing; music touches the soul like nothing else; Kent loves us!; [Chancel Choir] is my extended family and I truly enjoy making beautiful music with them; Chancel Choir (especially the concert music) challenges me as a musician — more than that, singing with this group is a worship service — Thursday night or Sunday (morning); I sense sometimes the power of the Holy Spirit working in us; the fellowship of the choir members sustains me during the low days of life; I enjoy the harmonies and precision of the music; provides an opportunity to use what talents I have to glorify God.” Is God calling you to use your musical talents in Chancel Choir? Join us on Thursday nights at 7:30 p.m. in the Choir Room!
FIRST COMPANY PRESENTS AN AGATHA CHRISTIE MASTERPIECE And Then There Were None is based on Agatha Christie's most popular novel and the world's best-selling mystery of all time. Christie, known as the queen of crime fiction, is the world's best-selling novelist, with over 2 billion copies in print. When And Then There Were None was first produced on stage in 1943, critics called it "genuinely surprising and engaging," and praised it for its "classy, complex plot." This is not the first time this superb story has graced the stage at First United Methodist Church. In 1986, Bruce Carter, who is currently cast in the role of Judge Wargrave, played the bold Philip Lombard. “This is one of the most rewarding opportunities I could hope for – to come back as an older character whom I wanted to play before.” You may recognize Carter from My Fair Lady, in which he played Henry Higgins. New to the First Company stage is Dave Olson, who plays the nervous Dr. Armstrong. “The characters cause you to examine perceptions of guilt and justice,” he says. Olson hopes to appear in a future First Company musical, as he regularly sings with the Village Seven Presbyterian choir. PERFORMANCES: Friday, Oct. 28 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 29 7:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 30 2:30 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 4 Saturday, Nov. 5 Sunday, Nov. 6
TICKETS: Adults: $15 l Seniors & Military: $12 l Students: $5 Online tickets: www.firstcompanytheater.org Box Office: 1-866-967-8167
7:30 p.m. 7:30 p.m. 2:30 p.m.
Sunday, October 2 Monday, October 3 Thursday, October 6 Friday, October 7
Bereavement Ministry Luncheon — The Parlor NOAH Work Day at the Ranch — John Wesley Ranch
9:00 a.m.
NOAH Breakfast — Mimi’s Café (305 New Center Point)
9:00 a.m.
Stories @ The Edge — Mission Art Center
6:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 9
Will Power Seminar — The Parlor
Sunday, October 16
Music and Arts Sunday— See details on page 4
Wednesday, October 19 Friday, October 21
12:00 p.m.
Wednesday Night Dinners and Faith Academy Session 4 — See details on page 8 Stories @ The Edge — Mission Art Center
6:00 p.m.
Fri & Sat, Oct. 21 & 22
ManUp! Fall Retreat — John Wesley Ranch
Saturday, October 22
Fall into Fun Festival — John Wesley Ranch
1:00 p.m.
Homebound Visitor Luncheon — The Parlor
12:00 p.m.
Sunday, October 23 Monday, October 24
NOAH Autumn Harvest Dinner — Fellowship Hall
6:00 p.m.
Saturday, October 29
UMW Annual Bazaar — Fellowship Hall
9:00 a.m.
PLAN YOUR LEGACY: WILL POWER SEMINAR Sunday, October 9 Everyone needs a current will. To help you focus on getting yours in place, First United Methodist Foundation is sponsoring a Will Power Seminar Sunday, October 9, following the 11:00 a.m. service. Like the program last May, this seminar will focus on topics like: Who needs a will? What is the difference between a will and a trust and how to decide what best fits your circumstances? Why do you need a will even if you have a trust? How do I start making a will and what do I need to complete it?
Dale Levy, Planned Giving Director at the Rocky Mountain United Methodist Foundation, and Doug Goldberg, a local attorney specializing in estate planning and charitable giving, will be making the presentations and answering your questions. Lunch and child care will be provided. To ensure more time for individual questions, participation in this seminar will be limited to the first 36 people to sign up. To register, please call the church at 471-8522, or register online at www.fumc-cs.org (click the Foundation slide on the home page rotator).
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CHILDREN’S MINISTRIES SUNDAY SCHOOL
(9:30 AM)
Fall Rotation We just completed our lessons on several of the judges from Israel’s history. Now, we will begin to discover the transition period from judges to kings. For the next few week, we will discover how Samuel was the bridge from Judges (like Eli) to Kings (like Saul) being the ruler over Israel. After these few weeks, we will continue to explore Kings, which will culminate on Christ the King Sunday.
CHILDREN’S WORSHIP (11:00 AM) Following the lectionary text that is preached during Sunday’s services, Children’s Worship is a wonderful mixture of traditional, contemporary and just plain fun ways to learn about God’s word. We hope that you will join us!
FALL INTO FUN ANNUAL FESTIVAL John Wesley Ranch Saturday, October 22 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. For the second year in a row, Children’s Ministries and John Wesley Ranch invite everyone to FALL INTO FUN! Don’t miss this family fall festival on Saturday, October 22, 1:00 - 5:00 p.m. at John Wesley Ranch. Come up and enjoy the amazing view and the changing colors of the trees in the mountains! It will be a day filled with lots of fun for the family! If you would like to volunteer for leading an event, contact David Fussell at davidf@fumc-cs.org, or call Janita at 884-2466 for more information.
CHILDREN’S CHOIRS INFORMATION Our choirs have just recently kicked off! If you have a child from age 4 through 6th grade, there is still room for them to come and make a joyful noise!! WEDNESDAY NIGHTS: BELLS/CHIMES, 5:30 - 6:15 p.m. Chorister Chimes: 1st-3rd grade, Room 7 Cathedral Ringers: 4th-6th grade, Room 8 CHOIRS, 6:30 - 7:30 p.m. Chorister Choir: K-3rd grade, Room 7 Cathedral Choir: 4th-6th grade, Adult Choir Room SUNDAY MORNINGS 10:30 - 11:00 a.m. Cherub Choir: ages 4 - 5 years old, Kingdom City Music Room Questions: contact Janita McGregor, Director and Children’s Choir Coordinator at 471-8522, ext. 246, or at janitam@fumc-cs.org.
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TEACHERS AND VOLUNTEERS NEEDED We are so very blessed to have wonderful volunteers and teachers to lead our children, but we are truly in need of a few more. Please prayerfully consider giving of your time for a few weeks or even a year to teach our precious children. For more information, please contact Janita McGregor at Janitam@fumc-cs.org, or at 884-2466.
CALLING ALL GRANDPALS FOR PRESCHOOL & MMO The school year has just begun and with it, we welcome a precious group of little ones into our FUMC family. A few years ago, FUMC preschool began the Grandpal program for our young ones to build relationships with positive male role models. Often times, these children do not have grandparents close by; or in military families, there may be some deployed family members. We are looking to form a new group of Grandpals to continue this great experience with our little ones.
How to be a Grandpal? The requirements are simple: Love God and Love the children! Please contact Dianna Flaherty, Preschool Director, at diannaf@fumc-cs.org, or 884-2500 to join this amazing group of volunteers!
October
SEEING OTHERS’ FAITH
Wednesday, October 5, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone (meal included) On this evening, we will continue listening to stories from the Gospel of Luke. We will listen to a story about a man, a Samaritan, who thanked Jesus for healing him (Luke 17:11-19). After dinner, large group, games, and music, we will listen to this parable and brainstorm questions about the story before going to our small groups for check-in and conversation.
DOING OUR FAITH Wednesday, October 12, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone (meal included) This is our last night in the series on faith from the Gospel of Luke. We will be peeking into the life of a widow (Luke 18:1-8) and her persistent faith in the face of struggle and discouragement. After listening to the story and talking about it in a large group, we will go to our small groups to wrestle with the questions that challenge us in this story.
NIGHT OUT WITH URBAN PEAK Wednesday, October 19, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone (meal included)
WHY WE DO WHAT WE DO – WORSHIP Sunday at 11:00 a.m. Led by Bruce Phillips. Room 52 Every Sunday, countless churches have worship services that can be dramatically different. Even in our own church, we have four different services. This fall, at 11:00 a.m., we will work together to discover what makes a gathering a worship service. We will look at sources, traditions, and other church approaches to worship as we develop our own understanding and practice.
Every year, Rev. Dr. Todd Spencer along with some of our older youth, partner up with Urban Peak for their “Night Out to End Youth Homelessness Fundraiser.” Once again, they will get a sense of what it is like for a young person that has no place to live. So on this night after dinner, large group games, and music, Urban Peak will come talk to us about their program and about their upcoming fundraiser. Then, we will form small groups, check in and talk about all we learned.
ALL HALLOWS’ EVE Wednesday, October 26, 6:30 - 8:30 p.m., The Zone (meal included)
Sunday, October 9 Every few months, some of us gather to reflect on past youth events and plan upcoming gatherings. Our next meeting will be Sunday, October 9, from 12:15 – 1:30 p.m. We will have lunch, reflect on how the fall is going so far, and look forward to upcoming events including the fall retreat. The Youth Advisory Team (YAT) would love to add your voice to the plans!
T HIS MONT H
YOUTH ADVISORY TEAM MEETING
Think Halloween is a secular holiday? Not so fast! Join us as we dig deep into to the history of All Hallows’ Eve, All Saints Day, and how this tradition has changed over the years. There will also be candy, fun and music after dinner!
November
FALL RETREAT 2016
Friday - Sunday, November 4-6 Friday at 5:00 p.m. through Sunday at 3:00 p.m. Cost: $25 Register by November 2 by turning in your Trip Forms (download from www.fumc-cs.org) and $25 check made out to “FUMC.” Come get away with us to our place in the mountains, the John Wesley Ranch! We’ll grow closer to God and we’ll grow closer to each other. Are you ready to rest, play, eat, and worship well? Friends are always welcome!
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SESSION 4 OF FAITH ACADEMY CLASSES This session begins Wednesday, October 19 Dinner in Fellowship Hall will be served from 5:00 – 6:15 p.m. Classes are from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. Some exceptions apply. See class description for more information
Listen to the Parables! Leader: Rev. Kent Ingram. Scripture 301. Room 133 S. Jesus’ primary way of teaching is through parable. Using common, everyday illustrations, Jesus talks about God’s reign. The parables sound sweet and simple, but they are not! They are counter intuitive and often radical! Join us as we take a look at Jesus’ parables in the synoptic gospels.
Ministry for Veterans and Military Families Leader: Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens. Experience 204, in Room 234 S This class will spend five weeks reviewing the book, Coming Home — Ministry That Matters with Veterans and Families, by Zachary Moon. He is a commissioned military chaplain who has served as a VA chaplain and with combat veterans in residential treatment for PTSD. “Coming Home” speaks frankly to the underlying issues of welcoming our veterans back into our communities. We will study the text and have small group discussions regarding our effectiveness in this type of ministry. You may order this book ahead of time for about $11 at Cokesbury books.
Are you grieving? Grief Support Group Leader: Rev. Patty Walker. Wednesdays, 6:30 - 8:00 p.m. This class continues on Wednesday nights, from 6:30 to 8:00 p.m. This is a closed group that started back on September 14. This support group provides a place for people to integrate their loss, educate themselves around grief misconceptions, as well as provide information that helps affirm, honor and normalize what the grief experience brings. For more information, please contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org, or 471-8522, ext. 204. This is a support group specifically for those grieving a death. If you need help locating a support group for other losses, such as divorce, unemployment, etc., please contact Patty.
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WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
NOAH BREAKFAST
Special Sunday Offering, October 2
The NOAH breakfast this month is on Thursday, October 6. Meet us at 9:00 a.m., at Mimi’s Café (305 New Center Point), on Powers just north of Constitution. As always, you don’t need a reservation. Just join us for a great time!
Around the globe, countless gifted and qualified people face financial obstacles that hinder them from preparing for the vocation God has given them, especially youth and young adults. For ethnic students who will be the first generation in their families to attend college, or for those people of color who haven’t historically had access to resources that make higher education possible, the road toward education has often been unwieldy. What would it look like if the church today imitated Jesus’ affirmation of the full dignity and God-given potential of all women and men—especially those who’ve historically been assigned to the world’s margins? On World Communion Sunday your gifts help to provide scholarships for national and international graduate students whom God has gifted to learn and to serve. The impact of 12.4 million United Methodists, in 136 countries, is phenomenal! Together, we witness to the love of Jesus Christ for a hurting world, and transform lives and communities in his name. We are lifting up the next generation – to lead the church and to lead society – by developing the gifts of undergraduate and graduate students in the United States and around the world. Nelson Mandela said, “Education is the most powerful weapon you can use to change the world.” And because the people of The United Methodist Church believe that all of God’s children have been created and gifted to build the kingdom Jesus ushered in, we’re resourcing them to do just that. Because of your giving on World Communion Sunday, the most powerful tool to change the world is in more hands. This special Sunday offers congregations a unique opportunity to experience Holy Communion in the context of the global community of faith. Please join us for this special Communion service and prayerfully consider giving an offering to continue sharing God’s gifts around the world. Look for the special offering envelope in the bulletin on Sunday, October 2.
NOAH WORK DAY AT THE RANCH Our next NOAH workday at The Ranch is Monday, October 3. We will help with some fall clean-up at The Ranch with a gorgeous view of the golden aspens! RSVP is needed so that bus rides and lunch can be planned. To RSVP, contact Rev. Jerry Hurst at 471-8522, ext. 209, or at jerryh@fumc-cs.org. There is no charge for this event. Just bring some cleaning rags and sponges and we’ll put you to work! The bus will leave FUMC at 9:00 a.m. and return by 3:00 p.m.
NOAH AUTUMN HARVEST DINNER The NOAH group is invited to the annual Autumn Harvest Dinner on Monday, October 24, at 6:00 p.m., in Fellowship Hall. This is a reservation only dinner and show event. The cost for the event is $20 per person. This year, the entertainment will be provided by First Company featuring their version of “Hee Haw!” It’s bound to be a ton of fun! The earlier you register and pay, the closer to the stage you will be seated. To reserve your seat, please contact Rev. Jerry at 471-8522 ext. 209, or at jerryh@fumc-cs.org. All y’all is welcome ta come dressed in yar best Hee Haw duds, or just be yar normal sef! We’uns don’t mind a bit whatcha wear!
November 3 NOAH Breakfast at Garden of the Gods Gourmet November 26 Trip to Rosemount Museum in Pueblo December 1
NOAH Breakfast at IHOP (Constitution and Powers)
December 9
Christmas at the Ranch/bus riders
Learn more about FUMC programs and events at www.fumc-cs.org
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RESTING IN GOD: CONTEMPLATIVE PRAYER ON THURSDAY MORNINGS In our fast-paced culture, we often find ourselves running from one thing to the next. But our souls need time to stop, to simply be, and open ourselves to the presence of God. You are invited to visit a contemplative prayer group that meets in the FUMC Praise Plaza, on Thursday mornings, from 9:30 to 10:30 a.m. 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 the spiritual practices of Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina are not necessary, as an introduction can be provided at any time to newcomers. This is a drop in prayer group, meaning that you can come as your schedule allows. For more information, contact Rev. Patty Walker at pattyw@fumc-cs.org, or 471-8522, ext. 204. Additionally, a Centering Prayer and Lectio Divina group, called Holy Listeners, meets on Thursday evenings at 6:30 p.m. in the Campbell Reading Room. For more information about that group, contact Dan and Lori Lohrmeyer at 630-1809.
BEREAVEMENT MINISTRY LUNCHEON INVITATION Do you have a heart for those who are grieving? Our Bereavement Ministers are lay people 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 a luncheon with those currently serving in this ministry, on Sunday, October 2, from noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Parlor. To RSVP for this event, contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext.204, or pattyw@fumc-cs.org.
HOMEBOUND VISITOR LUNCHEON INVITATION Many of our homebound and nursing home resident members attended church all their lives before the circumstance of their health or the health of a loved one made it difficult to attend services. Many miss church fellowship profoundly. Are you willing to help keep their connection with their church family alive? If you are interested in finding out more about being a Homebound Visitor, please join us for our luncheon with those currently serving in this area on Sunday, October 23, from noon to 1:30 p.m., in the Parlor. To RSVP for the luncheon, please contact Rev. Patty Walker at 471-8522, ext. 204, or pattyw@fumc-cs.org.
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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.
WHEN A HOSPITALIZATION HAPPENS, CALL THE CHURCH! Contact the church if you or a family member are hospitalized. Illness and hospitalization are normally anxious times for everyone. Studies indicate that patients benefit measurably from receiving prayer and visits from their clergy and fellow church members. Hospital visits are part of the daily routine for the ministers and lay hospital visitors from the church. Please be aware that hospitals no longer notify the church when parishioners have been admitted. So please notify us by contacting Jana Brink, at the Welcome Desk, at 471-8522. She will add your information to the hospital visitation list.
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, please call Jana Brink at 471-8522, Monday - Friday, from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m., or email her at janab@fumc-cs.org.
MISSION TRIP TO CHACRASECA, NICARAGUA
HOSTING IS BACK AT FUMC!
Chacraseca is a farming community just east of Leon, near the Pacific Coast of Nicaragua. Most of the 8,000 residents of Chacraseca are subsistence farmers, averaging less than $2 per day, per family in income. Life is constantly lived on the edge, but rather than despair, the community has chosen to organize and work together to realize their dreams of a better life for all. First United Methodist Church has reserved the week of March 25 - April 1, 2017 for our third mission trip to this community. The estimated costs will be $850 per person plus airfare. Over thirty people have already expressed an interest in this mission. Now it is time for making a commitment. A $300 deposit per person will be required by October 15 so that we can begin to make plans regarding the size of the team going as well as how we will most benefit the community we are going to serve. This deposit will be refundable until December 1, 2016 after which time, we will need to make airline reservations which cannot be refunded. For more information, please contact Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org, or at 719-471-8522, ext. 208.
Next Host Week: October 30 – November 6
CITY SERVE ECUMENICAL MISSION DAY First United Methodist Church is joining with 12-15 other churches to demonstrate how the greater Church of Christ can make a difference in our community. A number of different projects have been developed in which any of you may participate. Some of these projects include: painting at Atlas Prep School, painting and upgrades to the Colorado House, and landscaping at Community Prep School. For more information on available mission sites go to www.cityservecos.com. The First United Methodist Church project will be a clean-up day at Urban Peak. We will need 10-15 volunteers to provide deep cleaning for the kitchen and to prepare the courtyard for winter and next spring’s planting. For more information, you may contact Rev. Dr. Chuck Stephens at chucks@fumc-cs.org.
FACES OF DIGNITY LUNCHEON Faces of Dignity is the Ecumenical Social Ministries (ESM) annual luncheon to raise funds for the services they provide to their Colorado Springs guests in need and also to build community awareness. We encourage you to join us for this luncheon and learn more about our expanded services. The date is Thursday, October 13, from 11:30 a.m. to 1:00 p.m., at the Antlers Hotel. Ticket price is $25 per person or $250 for a full table (10 seats). For more information about reserving your own table and becoming a table host, please contact Denise Sanders at dsanders@ecusocmin.org.
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 persons without a home 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 eat 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, and other volunteers take down the bedrooms on the morning of the last Sunday of the host week. The Family Promise Leadership Team at First United Methodist Church is enormously grateful to our generous volunteers who continue to provide supplies, meals, set-up and take-down 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 October 30 – November 6. Please stop by the Family Promise table on Sunday, October 16 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.
FUMC/INTERFAITH BUILD It is the mission of Pikes Peak Habitat for Humanity (PPHFH) to follow the example of Jesus Christ by providing simple, decent places to live for families who cannot afford a home by conventional means, through building houses in partnership with the community and prospective homeowners. Habitat families truly own their homes. Families not only agree to pay back their zero interest, 30 year mortgage, they also save money to contribute a down-payment and invest 350-450 hours of sweat equity into the construction of their home. FUMC along with several other churches will build a Habitat home by June 24, 2017. We will need your help to fulfill this project. More details will be provided as we approach the build date. For more information, contact Gordon Kunzman at gordonkco@q.com, or at 548-0150.
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