1 T HE E PISTLE Sunday Worship 9 AM Celebration Worship Service 10:30 AM Classic Worship Service Classes for all ages dur- ing both services Yarn Happens! 2nd and 4th Sundays Noon to 2:00 p.m. in class- room BH-5. We welcome beginners and long time knitters and those who crochet! You are en- couraged to bring some food to share, yarn and needles as well. We have a great time and in- vite you to join us!!! Quilt Group We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings of the month at 10:00 a.m. to Noon in room BH-5. No special skill sets necessary! Begin- ners welcome! A Reconciling Congregation Fairwood Community United Methodist Church 15255 SE Fairwood Boulevard Renton, WA 98058 www.fairwoodumc.org February 2020 Boy Scout Troop #455 and Girl Troop #8455 Annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday, March 7th, 7:30am-11am Mark your calendars for the annual Pancake Breakfast which is cooked and served by the local Scouts BSA Troop #455 here at the church. Come enjoy a great breakfast on Saturday March 7th with the scouts from 7:30am to 11am. The scouts will be in full uniform to serve you all the pancakes you can eat. Plus, there will be a bake sale, and a silent auction. Pre-sale tickets are $6, and cost at the door is $7. Kids 2 and under are free. Proceeds help support outdoor adventures and leader- ship training for the Scouts. Tickets will be on sale at the door or you may buy tickets online at www.troop455.com. Contact Heather Smith, [email protected]for details. See our website www.troop455.com or contact [email protected]if interested in joining or volunteer- ing with Boy Scout Troop #455 or Girl Troop #8455. Boys and girls 6 th - 12 th grades are invited to meetings every Monday at 7pm here at the church. Thank you for supporting Scouts BSA! ASH WEDNESDAY - February 26 Drive-Thru & To-Go: 7:00 – 9:00 a.m. Worship Service: 7:00 p.m. Pastor Ferdie Llenado invites you to start the 40 Days of Lent by receiving ashes. The mark of ashes on our fore- head is a humble sign of our spiritual readiness to enter the Lenten journey. This year we offer two options: Drive-Thru. Ashes To-Go will be offered 7:00-9:00 a.m. Ash Wednesday Worship Service at 7:00 p.m. The Drive Thru option will give an opportunity to anyone who can- not attend the evening worship. Additionally, receiving the ashes in the morning is also a great way of wearing the ashes the whole day as our witness to Christ’s presence and love in our lives.
Transcript
1
T HE E P ISTLE
Sunday Worship 9 AM Celebration Worship Service 10:30 AM Classic Worship Service Classes for all ages dur-ing both services
Yarn Happens! 2nd and 4th Sundays Noon to 2:00 p.m. in class-room BH-5. We welcome beginners and long time knitters and those who crochet! You are en-couraged to bring some food to share, yarn and needles as well. We have a great time and in-vite you to join us!!!
Quilt Group We meet on the 2nd and 4th Wednesday mornings of the
month at 10:00 a.m. to Noon in room BH-5. No special skill sets necessary! Begin-ners welcome!
A Reconciling Congregation
Fairwood Community
Uni ted Methodis t Church 15255 SE Fairwood Boulevard
Renton, WA 98058 www.fairwoodumc.org
February 2020
Boy Scout Troop #455 and Girl Troop #8455
Annual Pancake Breakfast Saturday, March 7th, 7:30am-11am
Mark your calendars for the annual Pancake Breakfast which is cooked and served by the local Scouts BSA Troop #455 here at the church. Come enjoy a great breakfast on Saturday March 7th with the scouts from 7:30am to 11am. The scouts will be in full uniform to serve you all the pancakes you can eat. Plus, there will be a bake sale, and a silent auction. Pre-sale tickets are $6, and cost at the door is $7. Kids 2 and under are free. Proceeds help support outdoor adventures and leader-ship training for the Scouts. Tickets will be on sale at the door or you may buy tickets online at www.troop455.com. Contact Heather Smith, [email protected] for details. See our website www.troop455.com or contact [email protected] if interested in joining or volunteer-ing with Boy Scout Troop #455 or Girl Troop #8455. Boys and girls 6th-12th grades are invited to meetings every Monday at 7pm here at the church. Thank you for supporting Scouts BSA!
Pastor Ferdie Llenado invites you to start the 40 Days of Lent by receiving ashes. The mark of ashes on our fore-head is a humble sign of our spiritual readiness to enter the Lenten journey. This year we offer two options:
Drive-Thru. Ashes To-Go will be offered 7:00-9:00 a.m.
Ash Wednesday Worship Service at 7:00 p.m. The Drive Thru option will give an opportunity to anyone who can-not attend the evening worship. Additionally, receiving the ashes in the morning is also a great way of wearing the ashes the whole day as our witness to Christ’s presence and love in our lives.
We hope many women join us for our February meeting on February 13
th
at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor. We will be making Valentine’s to be
sent to our shut-in members and young adults away at college. Come and get your crafty on. Our March meeting is scheduled for March 12th at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor and is open to anyone interested, young, old, male, or female. In our effort to become a Racial Justice charter, the board decided to start close to home. Our own Pastor Ferdie Llenado will be telling his immigration story. Don’t miss this great opportunity to know our pastor more deeply and understand the immigration story more personally.
I HAVE A CONFESSION Pastor Ferdie Llenado
I have a confession to make. I still believe that our church will grow. I know that can sound so naïve. With the increasing non-religious culture and churches like us showing steady signs of decline, it
is more practical to be ready for a slow church recession. I also don’t have any diagrams and figures to back up this vision. And if I try to bring one, it will inevitably disprove my point. All I know is that there is recently a stirring in my soul to believe in growth. That’s all. But this is how I see it. Before we can grow, we need to be healthy. Or healthier. Because a healthy church organically grows. So in essence, I am not asking you to aim to be a growing church. I am asking that we aim to be a healthy congregation. Or healthier. I still believe that we will grow. But I am not too excited about getting bigger. I am excited about making our church healthier—missionally, spiritually, communally. And here is another confession—I am afraid. I am afraid that if I start making this claim that we will grow, that people will start looking to me for answers. That I have the magic formula. Or I’ll have the charisma to attract multitudes. Because God knows that I don’t have any of those. I am also afraid that people will think that I meant exponential growth. On the contrary, it maybe that a journey to church health involves some strategic decision of scaling down, so we can achieve better cohesiveness and deeper togetherness. And perhaps those healthy choices can actually make us emit a more invitational aura that eventually results in more people participating in our mission. The truth is, I don’t know much about church growth. But two things I am committing myself to. First, I will be intentional to being a catalyst of personal growth myself--spiritually, relationally, and missionally. Two, I will be hopeful that this topic will spark productive conversations. And that is the reason why I can make this confession. Because I know I am not alone. We will journey together.
Renton Salvation Army Community Supper The Renton Salvation Army is committed to serving our local community. Anyone is welcome to join for an evening meal. Did you know that Fairwood UMC volunteers to serve meals every other Monday? It takes 4 to 5 volunteers to serve the evening meals. Volunteering is a less than 2 hour commitment. Arrival time is 5:15 and we are generally out before 7:00. No meal preparation required. Just show up to serve then help clean up. The friendly SA staff will provide instructions if you’re a first time server. Location is 720 South Tobin St. in downtown Renton. Are you interested in volunteering to serve? If so, please contact Joe Meyers @ [email protected] Our 2020 serving dates are as follows
Volunteering Online You may sign up on our church website to volunteer for church jobs. To find the page: go to the website, hover over "community life," go down the list to "volunteering" and click on it. You will find a simple page with a BIG "sign up here" button. Select that. Password is "skittles". This will bring you to the list of volunteer opportunities. If you need help with signing up for a church job - like ushering or lay reading or helping in the Sunday School contact Pastor Carrie and she will get you signed up. Prefer to use your phone? Scan this QR code to go straight to the volunteering portion of the website.
Youth Vocal Band: The Youth Vocal Band will have a practice on Friday evening (Jan. 31
st) at 5:30
pm before the youth lock-in as we prepare to sing in church on the 9
th at
both services. Our next regular Sunday evening practice will be on Feb. 23
rd due to the
Presidents week vacation (no practices on the 2
nd, 9
th or 16
th). All youth (6
th – 12
th grade) are
invited to join us. For more information contact Bill & Lori McEwen at [email protected]. Youth Group: We are having a fun lock-in starting Friday evening (Jan. 31
st) at 6:30 pm with a potluck
dinner. The youth will bring some of their favorite board games, as well as something to share for the dinner. There is no cost for this event. Parents can pick-up the youth at 9:00 am on Saturday morning (Feb. 1
st). We will have
regular youth group meetings on Sunday evenings Feb. 9
February Youth Calendar Jan. 31 (Friday) – 5:30 pm Youth Vocal Band practice Jan. 31 (Friday) – 6:30 pm Youth arrive for lock-in Feb. 2
nd (Sunday) –
No Youth Vocal band or Youth Group activity Feb. 9
th (Sunday) –
8:15 am Youth Vocal Band prepares for singing at services (no evening practice) 6:30-8:00 Youth Group meeting Feb. 16
th (Sunday) –
No Youth Vocal Band or Youth Group Feb. 23
rd (Sunday) –
5:30 pm Youth Vocal Band practice 6:30-8:00 Youth Group meeting
The Epistle is published monthly by Fairwood Community United
Methodist Church, 15255 SE Fairwood Blvd, Renton, Washington 98058
Phone: 425-228-4577, E-mail: [email protected], Web site: www.fairwoodumc.org Pastor: Ferdie Llenado Associate Pastor: Carrie Bland Newsletter: Joletta Holman
Deadline for copy: 25th day of each month for next month’s news.
Small Groups 2020 Four New Small Group Opportunities this year! Compassion in Practice Family History Interest Group Health & Longevity Yummy Meals to Go Co-op You are welcome to join any one of these groups.
Stewardship Give+ Church If you would like to give by text, go to your app store for Android or iTunes. Download and in-stall the Give+ Church app. Search by zip code (98058) or type Fairwood to look for our church. Then click on the plus sign at the bottom to en-ter your donation.
The Membership team sent a letter in September 2019 to members who have moved out of the area and have not attended church in the last few years. The people listed below either did not respond or the mail was returned with no forwarding address by the post office. The following members were presented for the first reading at our Church Charge Conference in November 2019. If you have any current information on these members, please email Irene Monson at [email protected] so she can make any changes to the church data base. Thank you,
We have outdoor jobs year-round. Green Team will be looking for helpers in February and March for winter cleanup and pruning. If you have ferns to donate, February is the perfect time to dig up or divide. Please contact Sharon if you can help. It would be so appreciated. In caring for God’s Creation, keep informed and let your legislators know your concerns. Environmental Priorities 2020- Earth Ministry, along with 20+ Washington environmental groups, have chosen the following priorities. They encourage congregations to get involved in understanding the issues and to contact your legislators. Go to earthministry.org/advocacy/w for more details. There you can also get more info on Environmental Lobby Day, Jan. 30, and Interfaith Advocacy Day, Feb. 6. 1. Clean Fuels Now: WA transportation is responsible for nearly half of our climate and air pollution. A Clean Fuels Standard would clean our air, give us more options to fuel our vehicles (such as electricity and local renewable biofuels), create economic development, cut climate pollution, and move us beyond oil. 2. Reduce Plastic Pollution: only 6 % of plastic bags are recycled and plastic pollution is very harmful to our water, wildlife, recycling equipment, and compost. The Reusable Bag Act would eliminate thin carry-home plastic bags at all retail establishments and help Washington address a growing recycling crisis. 3. Climate Pollution Limits: setting credible and ambitious climate pollution limits, providing clear direction to meet these limits, and investing in nature-based solutions like trees and soils to capture excess carbon. 4. Healthy Habitat, Healthy Orcas: With Orcas facing extinction, increase salmon populations, protect and restore habitat. We will work with state and local governments to implement this key Orca Task Force. For weekly report top ten upcoming bills on health/environmental in State Senate and Congress go to Washington Environmental Council to sign up for weekly reports at wecprotects.org look for red box at bottom “View bill to watch”. Info on Asphalt Plant Planned on Maple Valley Hwy 150 feet from Cedar River and less than 2 air miles from our church is on wall to left of office door. The decision on this is postponed by King County Council, KKC until April or later. The Muckleshoot Tribe has come up with many concerns and requests for KCC. Citizens to Stop the Cedar River have needed paperwork ready to submit to Environmental Lawyers. See www.savethecedarriver.org to learn more, to sign petition, get on Facebook, and to make needed donations (tax deductible) for legal work and environmental studies.
United Methodist Men We are off to a great start with the renewal of our UMM group. Please join us on Feb 9
th at 11:45 (after the second service) for our next meeting. All are
welcome! Our Mission is to support spiritual growth and fellowship among men within the congregations of the UMC.
In our January meeting we agreed to provide minor home repair assistance and/or other needs within our congregation. If you are in need of minor home repair or maintenance that is beyond your capabilities or financial means, perhaps our UMM team can help? If so, please contact
2 Communion Sunday Joy Singers & Youth Vocal Band 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Celebration Worship (& classes) 10:00 AM - 10:30 AM College Care Packages Group - BH-2 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Classic Worship (& Joy School for chil-dren) 11:45 AM - 12:45 PM Trustees - BH-5 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Dialogue Sunday School class - BH-4 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM NO Youth Vocal Band or Youth Group
3 Lead Pastor Day Off 5:00 PM - 7:00 PM Emergency Task Force - M-2 4-7:30p 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM BSA Girl Troop - BH-5 6:45-8:00p 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM BSA meetings - Sanctuary, M-7 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Saints & Sinners Family History small group - Parlor 6:30-9p
4 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study - Parlor 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM AA - BH-2 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Finance Committee - BH-5 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Health & Longevity small group - Sanctu-ary 7:00 PM - 9:00 PM Troop #455 Eagle Scout Bd of Review - M-7
7 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Compassion in Practice small group - BH-2 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Game Group - Parlor 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Samaritan Center (Syslo) - M-1
8 9:00 AM - 12:00 PM Worship Committee - Parlor 8:30a-12:30p 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Children's Council Kick-off - Shari's on Maple Valley Hwy
9 Bible Sunday/Scouting Sunday 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Celebration Worship (& classes) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Classic Worship (& Joy School for chil-dren) 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Dialogue Adult Sunday School class - BH-4 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Yarn Hap-pens! - BH-5 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Youth Vocal Band - Sanctuary 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Youth Group (Middle & HS) - BH
10 Lead Pastor Day Off 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM JHP Craft Group - M-7 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM BSA Girl Troop - BH-5 6:45-8:00p 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM BSA meetings - Sanctuary, M-7 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Signs for Glory - Parlor 6:30-8:30p
11 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study - Parlor 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM Staff Meeting - Parlor 1:00 PM - 2:30 PM Preschool Council - Parlor 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM AA - BH-2 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Health & Longevity small group - Sanctu-ary
13 9:30 AM - 12:00 PM UMW General Meeting - Parlor 9:30a-12p 5:45 PM - 7:00 PM Yoga for Healthy Aging - Narthex 5:30-7:15p 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM AA - BH-2 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Church Council - Parlor
14 Valentines Day 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Compassion in Practice small group - BH-2 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Game Group - Parlor 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Samaritan Center (Syslo) - M-1
16 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Celebration Worship (& classes) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Classic Worship (& Joy School for chil-dren) 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Dialogue Adult Sunday School class - BH-4 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Heart for Others - BH-2 11:30a-2:00p 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Worship Committee - BH-5 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Youth Vocal Band - Sanctuary 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Youth Group (Middle & HS) - BH
17 Joyful Hearts Presi-dents' Week Vacation
Presidents' Day - Closed
6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Mar-tha Circle - BH-4 5:30-8:30p 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Saints & Sinners Family History small group - Parlor 6:30-9p
18 Joyful Hearts Presidents' Week Vacation 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study - Parlor 3:00 PM - 4:30 PM Congregational Care - Pastor Ferdie's office 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM AA - BH-2 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Health & Longevity small group - Sanctu-ary 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Membership & Evan-gelism - Parlor
21 Joyful Hearts Presidents' Week Vacation 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Compassion in Practice small group - BH-2 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Game Group - Parlor 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Samaritan Center (Syslo) - M-1
23 9:00 AM - 10:15 AM Celebration Worship (& classes) 10:30 AM - 11:30 AM Classic Worship (& Joy School for chil-dren) 12:00 PM - 1:00 PM 50/50 Vi-sioning - BH-2 11:30-1:30 12:00 PM - 1:30 PM Dialogue Adult Sunday School class - BH-4 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Yarn Hap-pens! - BH-5 5:30 PM - 6:30 PM Youth Vocal Band - Sanctuary 6:30 PM - 8:00 PM Youth Group (Middle & HS) - BH
24 Lead Pastor Day Off 9:00 AM - 11:30 AM JHP Craft Group - M-7 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM BSA Girl Troop - BH-5 6:45-8:00p 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM BSA meetings - Sanctuary, M-7 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Signs for Glory - Parlor 6:30-8:30p
25 Epistle Deadline 9:30 AM - 11:00 AM Bible Study - Parlor 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM AA - BH-2 7:00 PM - 8:30 PM Community Life Team - Parlor 6:45-9:00p 7:00 PM - 8:00 PM Health & Longevity small group - Sanctu-ary
26 Ash Wednesday 7:00 AM - 9:00 AM Ashes to Go - in front of church 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM UMW Quilt Group - BH-5 9a-12p Evening - Scouts in BH 7:00 PM - 7:30 PM Ash Wednesday Service 7:45 PM - 9:00 PM Choir practice - Sanctuary
28 10:00 AM - 11:30 AM Compassion in Practice small group - BH-2 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Game Group - Parlor 1:00 PM - 7:00 PM Samaritan Center (Syslo) - M-1
29 10:00 AM - 12:00 PM Nominations Committee - Parlor 12:00 PM - 2:00 PM Yummy Meals to Go small group - BH Kitch-en
4
2020
Our priority is to inform you of our church events on the calen-dar. As a result, some outside group meetings are not shown to preserve a one-page format.
