What if church were a Verb? Something you do every day of the week rather than just a place to be on Sundays?
This is the core question driving the United Methodist Church's "Rethink Church" campaign. The campaign is aimed at re-presenting the UMC to people looking for an place to actively live out their faith, as well as at churches to help them prepare to receive and deploy Christians in vital discipleship.
If you want to learn more, check out:
www.10thousanddoors.org
www.rethinkchurch.org
or join the discussion on Facebook in the rethink church group
Wednesday, December 30, 2009
Monday, December 28, 2009
Reel to Real Resumes!
Back by popular demand: Reel to Real is a chance for high school youth to talk together about Christian life and God's place in the world through reflecting on movies. By watching a movie together and then engaging in discussion we can wrestle with tough topics like relationships, money, and ethical conflicts by reflecting on the shared experience of the movie-world.
Starting January 17th, Reel to Real will meet from 5-8 pm on the third Sunday of each month in the north balcony classroom. Food will be provided and the movie will begin at 5:30. Pastor Sean will lead the discussion after the movie, and will be assisted by Amy Abrams and other adult volunteers.
Starting January 17th, Reel to Real will meet from 5-8 pm on the third Sunday of each month in the north balcony classroom. Food will be provided and the movie will begin at 5:30. Pastor Sean will lead the discussion after the movie, and will be assisted by Amy Abrams and other adult volunteers.
Tuesday, December 22, 2009
Youth Worship Update
We had a good group together yesterday to work on planning Youth Worship Weekend and we made good progress toward general feel and theme of the services. Right now we are working toward a general theme of Calling, with the key scripture of Jeremiah 1:4-10.
This year we are taking a slightly different approach than past years by sticking with the usual basic format of Saturday and Sunday services and bringing youth leadership into those forms. That means a casual contemporary service Saturday at 5:30 and warm traditional services Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00.
At this point we need volunteers - we want to connect youth with those areas of worship that they have interests, excitement, or skills for. We need several youth to help create this service by writing prayers, reading prayers, presenting scripture, and sharing special music. Individuals and groups of youth who want to participate in any of these ways should contact Pastor Sean.
And if you have other ideas for connecting people with God in worship and helping us raise our prayers and praises to God, please share them! There's still plenty of time for creative expression and new visions of worship!
This year we are taking a slightly different approach than past years by sticking with the usual basic format of Saturday and Sunday services and bringing youth leadership into those forms. That means a casual contemporary service Saturday at 5:30 and warm traditional services Sunday at 8:30 and 11:00.
At this point we need volunteers - we want to connect youth with those areas of worship that they have interests, excitement, or skills for. We need several youth to help create this service by writing prayers, reading prayers, presenting scripture, and sharing special music. Individuals and groups of youth who want to participate in any of these ways should contact Pastor Sean.
And if you have other ideas for connecting people with God in worship and helping us raise our prayers and praises to God, please share them! There's still plenty of time for creative expression and new visions of worship!
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
Well Done Up With Puppets!
Up With Puppets had a great performance at First UMC on Sunday evening, finishing up a three stop tour in the Ames community. The show, including great music, blacklights, improv comedy and more, was a great combination of celebration, praise, and education as the youth and adult volunteers shared their unique telling of the Christmas Story.
I am continually impressed by the innovation of the Up With Puppets ministry as they find new and artistic ways to share their faith. If you missed this Sunday's program, you will see one of these new art forms at the 7:30pm Christmas Eve service. Neon painted dowels become staffs, a crown, and even the Messiah in the hands of the performers in this striking presentation.
Once again, well done Up With Puppets! Your weeks and months of hard work and extra practice has paid off, and we look forward to your next presentations.
I am continually impressed by the innovation of the Up With Puppets ministry as they find new and artistic ways to share their faith. If you missed this Sunday's program, you will see one of these new art forms at the 7:30pm Christmas Eve service. Neon painted dowels become staffs, a crown, and even the Messiah in the hands of the performers in this striking presentation.
Once again, well done Up With Puppets! Your weeks and months of hard work and extra practice has paid off, and we look forward to your next presentations.
Monday, December 14, 2009
Youth Worship Planning Team
Youth worship weekend is an opportunity for youth to create worship in the way that helps them connect deeply with God, and to share that form or worship with their church family. In order to create that experience, though, we need to hear from youth who have a passion for worship and for helping others lift prayers and praise to God. It is for this reason that I am calling for a Youth Worship Planning Team to meet over the next few weeks to plan and design for the January 30-31 Youth Worship Weekend.
If you or a youth you know would help in this work, please visit http://whenisgood.net/youthworship and select the times when you are able to meet. As soon as possible I will contact those who responded to let them know when the first meeting will be.
If you or a youth you know would help in this work, please visit http://whenisgood.net/youthworship and select the times when you are able to meet. As soon as possible I will contact those who responded to let them know when the first meeting will be.
December 16th
Our Wednesday evening activities this week will be full of celebrations!
At 6:00 children, youth, and adults will gather in the fellowship hall for dinner and a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration for our “Building on the Past, Reaching for the Future” campaign.
At 6:30 the celebration continues with the annual Christmas PJ party, beginning with a reading of the Christmas Story in the sanctuary and followed by treats and activities in the parlor.
Also at 6:30, middle and high school youth are welcome to join the celebration with treats and games in the north balcony classroom.
Festivities will last until 7:30 pm, and families are encouraged to bring either treats for the party or healthy side dishes for dinner.
See you there!
At 6:00 children, youth, and adults will gather in the fellowship hall for dinner and a Volunteer Appreciation Celebration for our “Building on the Past, Reaching for the Future” campaign.
At 6:30 the celebration continues with the annual Christmas PJ party, beginning with a reading of the Christmas Story in the sanctuary and followed by treats and activities in the parlor.
Also at 6:30, middle and high school youth are welcome to join the celebration with treats and games in the north balcony classroom.
Festivities will last until 7:30 pm, and families are encouraged to bring either treats for the party or healthy side dishes for dinner.
See you there!
Tuesday, December 8, 2009
Winter Weather Policy
First UMC cares about your safety and wants to help you make good choices, and so has adopted the following winter weather policy:
The FUMC policy for cancellation of events/activities follows the schedule of the Ames School District. So if Ames Schools releases students early and states there will not be evening activities; we also will not hold evening activities. Also if Ames School District is closed for the day – then we would not hold events/activities. The exception to that rule is Food at First --- they haven’t missed a meal in six years --- so let’s all pray that continues!
If there’s no school or Ames gets out early tomorrow, we won’t go caroling.
If we are forced to cancel the Wednesday night caroling party, don’t forget you’ll still have a chance to carol on Sunday afternoon. Caroling for Compassion will happen right after worship on Sunday. We’ll have a soup lunch in the fellowship hall with the folks from United Church of Christ and First Christian Church. Then we’ll all head downtown to carol. Any money raised will go to our Good Samaritan funds which help those in need here in the community.
The FUMC policy for cancellation of events/activities follows the schedule of the Ames School District. So if Ames Schools releases students early and states there will not be evening activities; we also will not hold evening activities. Also if Ames School District is closed for the day – then we would not hold events/activities. The exception to that rule is Food at First --- they haven’t missed a meal in six years --- so let’s all pray that continues!
If there’s no school or Ames gets out early tomorrow, we won’t go caroling.
If we are forced to cancel the Wednesday night caroling party, don’t forget you’ll still have a chance to carol on Sunday afternoon. Caroling for Compassion will happen right after worship on Sunday. We’ll have a soup lunch in the fellowship hall with the folks from United Church of Christ and First Christian Church. Then we’ll all head downtown to carol. Any money raised will go to our Good Samaritan funds which help those in need here in the community.
Monday, December 7, 2009
Youth Strike Sign-up Deadline
Remember: the deadline to sign up to attend Youth Strike for Christ is Wednesday, December16th. Please have your registration in to the church office by then so that you can join us and other Christian youth from across the state February 5-7 at the Des Moines Marriott. Registration forms are available at the church or at http://www.youthstrike.com/forms/YSFC2010Forms.pdf. Registration costs $159, but First UMC will pay $100 for each youth, so the cost to you is only $59.
Wednesday, December 2, 2009
Hopes and Longings
Advent is a time of hope - for our lives and for the world. It is a time of longing - for God's presence to be made more real, for the transformation that God brings about. During these weeks we prepare our hearts for God's vision becoming our reality. We pour out our hopes and longings to God and open ourselves to the exciting and challenging reality of a life lived with God.
As you move through this season, reflect: what are your hopes and longings? Where would you see your life transformed? What vision has God given you for our church, or our youth program in particular? What future do you long for for yourself, your family, your neighbors? How can we open ourselves to exciting and challenging relationships with God?
As you move through this season, reflect: what are your hopes and longings? Where would you see your life transformed? What vision has God given you for our church, or our youth program in particular? What future do you long for for yourself, your family, your neighbors? How can we open ourselves to exciting and challenging relationships with God?
Tuesday, December 1, 2009
ASP Informational Meeting
It's time to begin preparing for our 2010 Appalachia Service Project trips! This year we will partner with Collegiate UMC to send one group from July 24th - August 1st and another from July 31st - August 8th. ASP is a high school youth oriented mission trip, but we also need plenty of college age and older adults to lead our teams.
We will have an informational meeting at First United Methodist Church at 12:15 on Sunday, January 10th. At this meeting we will share a presentation from last year's trip, answer questions about the Appalachia Service Project in general, and outline our preparation and fundraising schedule for this year's trip. We will also have sign-up forms available at the meeting and in the church office. We need to have these forms back by February 1st along with each individual's $80 registration fee so that we can make plans appropriate to our group size.
We will have an informational meeting at First United Methodist Church at 12:15 on Sunday, January 10th. At this meeting we will share a presentation from last year's trip, answer questions about the Appalachia Service Project in general, and outline our preparation and fundraising schedule for this year's trip. We will also have sign-up forms available at the meeting and in the church office. We need to have these forms back by February 1st along with each individual's $80 registration fee so that we can make plans appropriate to our group size.
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