First United Methodist Church of Sun City First Word APRIL 2020 I must confess, it is so hard to sit at my desk and write this letter at this time… There is so much confusion in the news, in my spirit, in the people around me – then I looked up and saw the mountains out the window, the blue sky, the palm trees moving in the gentle breeze… I took a deep breath and reminded myself that God is in control. When things seem out of control all around me, I look up and know that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere all at once and God can manage this too. (Deep breath, slowly in and out). Everyone seems to have a different way to cope with the Coronavirus. One of my nieces is posting every day “Coronacation” pictures on her Facebook page. She has a houseful of children and now into the second week is beginning to go a bit crazy!! Friends and family across the states are connecting through social media and entertaining one another. Each are coping in different ways; binge watching television, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing games, connecting on the computer, cleaning drawers and closets, doing all the little projects around the house that were going to be done “someday…”. This reminded me of a meditation I read in the Upper Room a few weeks ago that touched me and made me think. Someone was walking through a bird sanctuary and saw a heron standing completely still and fishing, occasionally leaning over and snagging a fish. As they continued their walk, they saw a heron walking along looking for fish as it went and occasionally leaning over and catching one. These birds had two very different ways of fishing and yet both successful. We all have different methods of coping with this virus. It is affecting us all in a variety of ways. For myself, I am happy to stay home and do nothing, until you tell me I have to stay home and do nothing!! I think it is that rebel streak within my spirit that when you tell me I have to do something, I want to do the exact opposite or test you to make sure that you meant what you said. I often fight and resist until I take a deep breath and look up – then I remember it is not about me, it never was about me, I need to let go and let God. (Deep breath, slowly in and out). These times of not knowing and not being sure are trying on our spirits. Stay in touch with the One who can see you through all things! Pray – it is truly the best thing we can do. Look up to the Creator of everything and KNOW, even in this pandemic, God is in control. God Bless YOU – Rev. Lois
Transcript
First United Methodist Church of Sun City
First WordAPRIL 2020
I must confess, it is so hard to sit at my desk and write this letter at this time… There is so much confusion in the news, in my spirit, in the people around me – then I looked up and saw the mountains out the window, the blue sky, the palm trees moving in the gentle breeze… I took a deep breath and reminded myself that God is in control. When things seem out of control all around me, I look up and know that God is all-powerful, all-knowing, everywhere all at once and God can manage this too. (Deep breath, slowly in and out).
Everyone seems to have a different way to cope with the Coronavirus. One of my nieces isposting every day “Coronacation” pictures on her Facebook page. She has a houseful of children and now into the second week is beginning to go a bit crazy!! Friends and family across the states are connecting through social media and entertaining one another. Each are coping in different ways; binge watching television, doing jigsaw puzzles, playing games, connecting on the computer, cleaning drawers and closets, doing all the little projects around the house that were going to be done “someday…”.
This reminded me of a meditation I read in the Upper Room a few weeks ago that touched me and made me think. Someone was walking through a bird sanctuary and saw a heron standing completely still and fishing, occasionally leaning over and snagging a fish. As they continued their walk, they saw a heron walking along looking for fish as it went and occasionally leaning over and catching one. These birds had two very different ways of fishing and yet both successful.
We all have different methods of coping with this virus. It is affecting us all in a variety of ways. For myself, I am happy to stay home and do nothing, until you tell me I have to stay home and do nothing!! I think it is that rebel streak within my spirit that when you tell me I have to do something, I want to do the exact opposite or test you to make sure that you meant what you said. I often fight and resist until I take a deep breath and look up – then I remember it is not about me, it never was about me, I need to let go and let God. (Deep breath, slowly in and out).
These times of not knowing and not being sure are trying on our spirits. Stay in touch with the One who can see you through all things! Pray – it is truly the best thing we can do. Look up to the Creator of everything and KNOW, even in this pandemic, God is in control.
God Bless YOU – Rev. Lois
Are You Heading Home for the Summer?? If you’re getting ready for the trip to your summer home, please let us know (with address, email address, dates, etc.) so we can get your newsletter and any church communications directed to where you are. Please also let us know if your address has changed or if you have an email address. You can contact the church office at (623) 974-3631 or [email protected]. Thank you!
Shirley Catto ...........................4/01 Barbara Leyh ...........................4/15Theda Vickers ........................4/02 Gail Rankin ..............................4/17Aline Bring ..............................4/03 Nan Weihmuller .......................4/19Ann Thacker ...........................4/03 Wayne Brownell .......................4/21William Van Meter ..................4/05 Tom Scott .................................4/21Gordon Burhop .......................4/06 Roseann McGuire ....................4/22Donna Johanson ....................4/06 Ruth Prior ................................4/23Dick Murray ............................4/07 Lynda Van House ....................4/23Dee Dee Strombeck ...............4/08 Val Mack ..................................4/25Dottie Klaahsen ......................4/12 Patti Lewis ...............................4/28Ella Pitchford ..........................4/14
Jim & Jil Carlson ....................4/04 Tony & Pat Trevino ..................4/23Dick & Bogie Budke ...............4/06 Mark Ehrichs & Robyn Ferro ...4/26Tom & Connie Scott ...............4/15 Ross & Lenora Rector .............4/27
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
HAPPY ANNIVERSARY
MAY NewSLetteR DeADLINe foR ARtIcLeS
IS APRIL 15tH
Please submit any articles you have by April 15th. This may sound early, but multiple people and steps are involved in compiling this newsletter. Thank you.
APRILBible Studies...
Lectionary StudyReAD At HoMe uNtIL we ReSuMe
March 30 Matthew 21:1-11 Matthew 27:11-54April 6th
Acts 10:34-43 Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24Colossians 3:1-4 John 20:1-18
April 13th Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16
1 Peter 1:3-9 John 20:19-31April 20th
Acts 2:14a, 36-41 Psalm 116:1-4, 12-191 Peter 1:17-23 Luke 24:13-35
April 27thActs 2:42-47 Psalm 231 Peter 2:19-25 John 10:1-10
Reading through the Biblewhen we resume we will be in Numbers
VALLeY VIew coMMuNItY fooD BANKtoucAN = two cans
Tilly 2Can is the mascot for Valley View Community Food Bank. Her message — every time you shop for your family’s groceries, grab an extra two cANS for the food bank. Thank you in advance for all you do for the community.
Our food bank donation will begin again when we gather for worship. Put aside a few cans every week for those in need and bring them in when it is safe.
MeRceR’S ceRtIfIcAteSThe United Methodist Women will only be selling Mercer’s certificates the last Sunday of each month. If you have questions, call Colleen Becker at 623-341-5107.
tHANK You fRoMoPeRAtIoN cHRIStMAS cHILD
I got a call from Sam at the homeoffice of Samaritan’s Purse with a thank you for the shoeboxes that we sent. He said that 10.5 Million shoe boxes were collected from around the country and delivered to 120 countries. Also with the distribution of “The GreatestJourney” materials there would be 4.5Million participates in this program. These materials teach children through 12 lesson programs that introduces them to Salvation through Jesus Christ. I thought you all would like to know just how your shoebox helps. Sometime look at the website of Samaritan Purse and just see how much this organiza-tion helps around the world not only this program but with help in disasters such as the Australia fires and Tennessee tornadoes.
God bless you all. Sally Kloostra (chair)
fellowship Hour Hosts: The group that will be hosting our 10:30 a.m. Fellowship Hour for the month of April, if we meet for worship, will be SPRc
coMMIttee MeetINGS
All meetings have been cANceLLeD until further notice.
ecuMeNIcAL PRAYeR cIRcLe We pray for the following congregations:
APRILSun city congregations
Our Savior LutheranFirst UMC
Willowbrook UMCLakeview UMC
united Methodist congregations in our DistrictDove of the Desert UMC - Glendale
All uMw meetings are cANceLLeD until further notice.
The church directory has been recentlyupdated. If you would like an electronic copy sent to your e-mail that you can print at home, call the church office at 623-974-3631 and we will send you one.
eASteR LILIeS
Since we cannot meettogether as a congregationright now, we have cancelledthe Easter Lily order. So there will be no plants for you to pick up and take home.
Lenten Offering to Benefit Sun City CAN
Bring your “offering can” of loose coins that we were going to collect on Easter Sunday, to the church office during the week. Remember we will accept checks and paper money if you do not have a can of loose coins. Sun City CAN (Community Assistance Network) is a local non-profit charity whose mission is to connect people with resources. Last year CAN helped over 500 people apply for utility discounts, prescription drug help, food stamps, free Medicare, Social Security assistance, tax help, and more – including legal aide. All of their services are free.
tItHeS & offeRINGS How do you make donations when you don’t gather for worship?
During this time of crisis, we are going to try to keep the church office open to be a conduit for information, coordination of services and volunteers, to be here to serve you. The church office is open Monday – Thursday 8:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. and we will continue as long as it is safe to do so. You may mail your regular tithes, gifts and offerings to the church, or use bill-pay with your bank, on-line giving through the church web site, or drop them by the church office.
Volunteer fumcsuncity.com 623-974-3631Are you able to help?? We are not sure what people may need in this time of crisis, but we will be a clearinghouse for those who need something and those who are willing to dosomething. Please reach out to the church office if you are in need or if you are willing to help. Thank You for your patience and understanding during this time.
9849 N. 105th Ave.Sun City, Arizona 85351
NON-PROFIT ORG.U.S. POSTAGE PAID
Sun City, AZPermit No. 16
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
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Visit our website at www.fumcsuncity.comJoin us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/fumcsuncity
First United Methodist Church
9849 N. 105th Avenue, Sun City, AZ 85351 623-974-3631
The ministers of this church are its members. Those who assist and support them are:
Lois Hedden Senior PastorThomas Ondra Associate PastorColleen Becker Lay LeaderTerry Smith Music DirectorCathy Murray Organist, Handbell DirectorPam Marsh Administrative AssistantGail Rankin BookkeeperRichard Vickers Audio EngineerLou Farrar Media OperatorRobert Schmidt Maintenance
.
teLewoRSHIP:Teleworship allows a person to dial a phone number remotely and listen to the worship service as it occurs. Here’s how it works:• Call 623-777-3306 during the 9:30 a.m. service• When prompted, enter extension 930 • Dial 536-545-940 #• You will be connected to the worship service.
Note: You can have a convenient wallet size card with the above information. These are
available in the church office.You can follow the service with a copy of the Sunday bulletin which is located on our website: fumcsuncity.com. Under the heading “WORSHIP” click on “SUNDAY BULLETIN.”
