1. Art and Diseño

FIRST EDITION
Volume 15 Issue 2
February 1, 2015
Ash Wednesday Service
Wednesday, February 18
7:00 p.m. in the Downtown Sanctuary
And join us for regular worship!
Downtown Service: 9:30 a.m. & 10:30 a.m.
West Campus Services: 9:00 a.m. & 11:00 a.m.
www.fumclawrence.org
FIRST EDITION
Page 2
First Word
Who Me? Go Where? Do What?
On Sunday, January 25, I preached downtown using the title – “Who Me?
Go Where? Do What?” The sermon was based on the story of Jonah and how he
tried to run from his calling to go to the city of Nineveh and preach against its sins.
Jonah wanted no part of God’s call and boarded a ship headed in the opposite
direction of Nineveh. The part about the big fish swallowing Jonah follows.
Rev. Tom Brady
“This was
clearly a
call from
God.”
-Rev. Tom Brady
I had planned to add two illustrations to that sermon about myself, but time
didn’t allow. The first has to do with every appointment I’ve received as a
pastor. Each time a District Superintendent has called and said to me, “we’d like
for you to move to ____________ and serve as their pastor,” I’ve responded
internally to the opportunity (and calling) with “Who Me? Go Where? Do What?”
I didn’t feel prepared for the call. I could add more information, but I’ll leave it at
that. I was always happy where I was currently serving, and moving to someplace
“unknown” seemed out of the question. But each time I went, I looked back in
gratitude for the call.
The other example I had planned to share was my first trip to Central America. I
felt a strong sense of God calling me to go on a Mission Trip to Guatemala. I heard
the stories and testimonies of others. I was looking for an adventure. My gifts
matched up with the needs of the mission’s team. I had the time and money. This
was clearly a call from God. For several years I answered the call by
saying – “Who Me? Go Where? Do What?”
Finally, one day, I said yes to the call. Even though I felt inadequate….even
though I knew no Spanish….even though my travels outside of North America had
been limited to Canada and Mexico – I went. I responded to the call by
saying – “Yes me. I’ll go to Guatemala. And I’ll do whatever you ask of me.”
I can honestly say that it was one of the best weeks of my life. Forget about the
work that we did. It was about the people I met, the culture I experienced, and the
relationships that were built. It was also about how God called me to a unique
place and time and used my gifts to love and serve others.
Our church will be taking a trip to Honduras, June 6-14. It could be that God is
calling you to go. What will be your answer? After you question the call, and
make excuses for not answering it, considering saying yes. It may end up being
one of the best weeks of your life. Time is short. God is calling. Don’t miss out!
In Christ,
Rev. Tom Brady
Page 3
Pastor Kathy’s note
“Bigger Investment yields Bigger Returns”
Rev. Kathy Williams
“Each day has
greater meaning
and purpose as
God awakens in us
the burning desire
to live out this
transformative
experience
together in mission
and ministry in the
world.”
-Rev. Kathy Williams
A couple of weeks ago, we each had the opportunity to complete a
spiritual gifts inventory during our worship experience. It was something a
little different, and maybe appeared a little unusual to some; however, the
greater blessing is that it allowed each of us the opportunity to identify how
God is working in our lives. We are reminded in Acts 17 that “we live,
move, and have our being in God.” We receive these spiritual gifts from God
and they are empowered through the Holy Spirit. We each carry within us
varying gifts, and it is through the sharing of such gifts that we are linked
together as the body of Christ.
In the book, “Equipped for Every Good Work” by Dick and Dick, we
learn that “spiritual gifts discovery is a tool to help us begin to hear the still,
small voice, to breathe in the ruach, the breath of God, to find and trust the
spark of the Holy Spirit that will fill and empower us to: know ourselves and
each other better, discern and trust God’s will, and find again the joy of living
God’s will for our lives.” Identifying, knowing, and sharing our spiritual
gifts influences us to connect more fully with God, as we grow deeper in the
divine life. Embodying our gifts allows us as a church to become a more vital
and renewing presence.
When you arrived home with your completed inventory and score
sheet, I hope you took time to score your inventory, “chewed on” the results,
and marveled at how amazing our God is in that we are fearfully and
wonderfully made. Imagine how fulfilling each day becomes, when we
simply operate in the power of our spiritual gifts and more fully recognize
God’s call in our lives. Each day has greater meaning and purpose as God
awakens in us the burning desire to live out this transformative experience
together in mission and ministry in the world. May we all respond with a
deeper investment and celebrate the great returns.
Peace,
Kathy
Page 4
Get in on the Action with Stephen Ministry
Would you like to be part of a ministry that makes a difference in others lives when they
need it most – and in your own? Consider becoming a Stephen Minister!
Stephen Ministers are members of our congregation who provide one-to-one caring for
people experiencing grief, divorce, loneliness, job loss, and other difficulties. This training
equips you to do an excellent job as a Stephen Minister as well as improving the quality of
your other relationships. Topics include: listening, feelings, confidentiality, providing
Christian care, maintaining boundaries, crisis theory and practice, and ministering to
people experiencing grief.
Once prepared, Stephen Ministers are prayerfully matched with someone going
through a stressful time or life difficulty so they can meet each week for an hour to listen,
care, encourage and pray. The Stephen Minister brings Christ’s presence to the person’s
life and also experiences Christ in the other person. It’s a very life-changing ministry for
both.
We are forming a class to begin in March. We only need a few more caring people to
sign up. Are you one them? If so, contact Carol Abrahamson, 785-842-2572,
Bev Bartscher, 785-4569, or Candice Ranney, 785-760-3294.
Don’t miss all the special events happening this month at FUMC.
● February 1
5:00 p.m.
● February 7
11:00 a.m.
● February 8
2:00 p.m.
● February 11
12:30 p.m.
● February 15
All Services
● February 18
7:00 p.m.
● February 20
5:00 p.m.
UMYF Super Bowl party!
DT-Youth Place
Troop #53’s Chili Feed
DT-Brady Hall
Free State Brass Band
DT-Sanctuary
S.A.S.S. Game Day; Lunch & Games
Off Site-Yellow Sub
UMW Sunday
DT-Sanctuary
Ash Wednesday Service
DT-Sanctuary
Community TAIZE Worship Service
DT-Sanctuary
Page 5
18-Hour
Justice Event
Feb. 27-28. Grades 9-12
No Cost
Reg. Deadline: Feb. 15
Visit our website for more details on 18-Hr Justice Event.
Registration form available under the Forms/Registration
Come support our First Church Chancel Choir on
Sunday, Feb. 15 at Corpus Christi Church. 6:00
p.m.– 8:00 p.m. Come to hear beautiful music from
churches in and around the Lawrence community.
This concert is free with a free will offering. Come
show your support for the wonderful music that is
created by our choir.
Page 6
Seminar on Disabilities & the Faith Community
Saturday, March 7, 2015
West Campus
Celebration Center
8:30– 2:00 p.m.
Topics: Attitudes & Perceptions, Physical Access &
Facilities, Mental Health/Cognitive & Intellectual
Disabilities, Transportation, Hearing, Sight & Sensory
Disabilities
Box lunch included with cost of registration fee of $6
If you have questions, please contact Ron Miller at:
[email protected] or 856-8532
All Are Welcome to Participate.
The Congregational Care Team is sponsoring the Lenten Cross Walk 2015. Our study this
year will be led by Greg Hildenbrand, using his new book, Finding Grace in Lent-Journeying
the Stations of the Cross. On each Saturday from February 21st through April 4th, we will have
a group walk at West Campus between 8:00am and 9:00am, a continental breakfast at
9:00am, and a group discussion that will begin at 9:30am in Room 105. You can participate in
part or all of the activities. Books will be available at the Church office at a cost of $7.00 each.
Please contact Laura Irick at [email protected] or 749-5542 to sign up. Come journey with
us!
Page 7
This is the day the LORD has made; let us rejoice and be glad in it.
Psalm 118:24
The Congregational Care Team would like to celebrate these birthdays with the
First Church family. This list may not be complete so please let us know if we have
left someone out!
02/1 Beatrice Carlson, Jacob Gage, Kennie Geiger, Margo Johnson, Elliott Klopp, Arline
Seely-Bensch, David Smerchek, Larry Walters
02/2 Bruce Belcher, Alyson Christensen, Brian Finan, Charlie Griffith, Paula Meyers, Kimberly
Miller, Sophia Racy, Marjorie Seiwald, Lucca Wang
02/3 Whitmore Bohning, Heather Clinger, Mallory Gard, Brandi Krones, Joe Levy, Mildred Moore,
Sally Riggs, Bryce Visser
02/4 Ron Burgess, Robert Carlson, Brandon Eddy, Gail Padden, Cathy Patterson,
02/5 Cayce Elder, Maggie Fieger, Michele Krones, Cindy Kruger, Scott Mayhew, Debbie Mishler, Coleen Tyler
02/6 Sydney Aul, Jacie Butler, Ryan Courtney, Dru Fritzel, Dorothy Glenn, Jackie Miller, Sam Nitcher,
Galen Van Blaricum, Elisa Williams Bickers
02/7 Sarah Brittain, Corinne Kingsley, Kristina Krones, Jill Morgison, Adrienne Struble, Jessica Vequist,
Patti Winn
02/8 Cassandra Brickell, Doug Brickell, Cindy Chubb, Yvonne Hedges, Bill Hundley, Cynthia McCoy,
Lisa Patterson, Dave Petersen, Kristin Shillington, Emily Wangler
02/9 Claire Berquist, Tammy Frank, Kelly Hoover, Betty Kappelman, Noah Krehbiel,
Brookelynn Shepley, Julien Stockwell, Kathy Williams
02/10 Lynn Carter, John Holladay, Lark Lund, Rosalyn Peterman, Carson Rhoades
02/11 Cara Breeden, Rosy Elmore, Eileen Greenawalt, Emily Keizer, John Krehbiel, Ashley Packard,
Davis Pickett, Karl Pittman, Cori Tate, Shirley Tate, Michael Trendel, Jake Willard
02/12 Sydney Alexander, Kathie Bunce, Adam Fry, Dylan Groves, Sara Hatzenbuhler, Amy Holt,
Bud Jacobs, Keith Jones, Jana Jorn, Kennedy Menzel, Kara Mishler, Thomas Reid, Harry Thomason
02/13 Shannon Abrahamson, Sarah Hoskinson, Myron King, Eleanor Nelson, Pam Patrick, Elizabeth Shew
02/14 Jeff Clinger, David Gage, Julie Jackson, Jackson Mercer, Dorothy Monaghan, Zoe Schneider, Julie Ward
02/15 Phyllis Buchele, Alyssa Crenshaw, Ryan Graves, Pam Griffin, Erin Hehn, Calvin Jacobsen, Kirk Niles,
Eleanor Rivera, Brent Schippers, Sherri Smail, Jennifer Stellwagon, Shirley Walters, Emma Wiley
02/16 Katie Angermeier, Jeff Dressel, Mitch Grant, Stan Hughes, Sandy Liechti, Veronica Mohr-Bahret,
Carolyn Phillips
02/17 Ann Durham, Michael Gisel, Nicholas Hayes, Mary Lou Holcomb, Wayne Turner, Jillian Wilson
02/18 Morgan Carmichael, Wesley Cooper, Aria Hutchinson, Lindsay Mann, Braxton Nottingham,
Roger Rieder, Becky Rorabaugh, Effie Simmons, Bryan Spangler
02/19 Katie Chamberlin, Kaylen Flachsbarth, Monica Franz, Pat Levy, Mike Parmley, Daniel Rieder, Phil Struble
02/20 Alexis Hamilton, Heather Hoy, Emily McEntire, Robin Pickett, John Towner
02/21 Tracy Bedell, Misti Carmichael, Traci Eddy, Denise Ingram, Tanya Kline, Michael Pomes,
Erika Sjursen
02/22 Bryan Allen, Andrea Baloga, Josh Clinger, Kyle Craig, Janice Dick, Lexi Hoskinson, Nathan Kress,
Curtis Lesslie, Annabel Pite, Alex Sinks, Kasey Waite
02/23 Kristy Buche, Robert Ewy, Mason Freeman, Kelly Meier, John Stewart, Dakota Zinn
02/24 Katie Butler, Bob Hughes, Dwight Jackson, Eric Magnuson, Vicki Shaughnessy
02/25 Krista Haley, Megan Hershiser
02/26 Amy Bartle, Brady Johnson, Casey Stewart
02/27 Grace Bartle, Riley Buller, Lacey Elmore, Jackson Fike, Colette Gaches, Katie Gill, Jessica Hase,
Carolyn Thomson
02/28 Kathy Gates, Patsy Huffman, Linda Hyler, Todd Mihalchik, Ira Salvini, Nita Sewell,
02/29 Paris Spotted Tail
First United Methodist Church
Office: 946 Vermont Street
Lawrence, KS 66044
785-841-7500, fax 785-841-3034
Return Service Requested
E-mail: [email protected]
Web address: www.fumclawrence.org
First Edition
is a publication of the First United Methodist Church,
Dr. Tom Brady, Senior Pastor
Our Mission is to connect and empower people for living
the Gospel of Jesus.
Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors
Community Taize Worship Service
Friday, February 20 at 5:00 p.m.
Downtown Sanctuary
Join us for an evening of song, reflection, and
liturgy. Make this beautiful, meditative service
part of your faith journey this new year.
Members of the Chancel Choir lead this
service of quiet music, readings, and
meditation.