Worship Services Time Change - Aug 29

One strange fact about churches is that they cannot plateau; they are always changing.   Churches are either growing or dying.  Against the backdrop of a declining church in North America, we are a thriving church with unprecedented growth. Last year we brought about 250 new members into our family, this year we are on track to beat that record.

One of the greatest areas of growth is in worship attendance.  All four of our Sunday morning services have been growing. This increase has made it difficult to transition between services within the allotted 15 minutes.  Therefore, in order to make room for our congregation and for future growth we are pleased to announce a time change in our Sunday morning schedule.  The Early Service will move from 8:30 to 8:00, the Communion Service will move from 9:45 to 9:30, Sunday School/Small Groups will move from 9:45 to 9:30, and the Traditional Service and ICON will be at 11:00.  This transition will take place on Promotion Sunday, August 29, 2010.

It is exciting to see all that God is doing in Pensacola’s oldest Protestant church and Florida’s oldest Methodist church.  We ask you to be in prayer for our church as we continue to grow and change

Wilderness Trail

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We are taking sixty 6th-12th graders and eight adults to hike 45 miles in the Grayson Highlands on a portion of the Appalachian Trail in Virginia.  This experience gives our students and adults the opportunity to leave behind distractions and focus on serving each other while we hike and explore the gift of God’s creation.  It is a challenging, but extremely rewarding trip.  We covet your prayers for our travel and our experience from July 27th- August 4th.

7th Year Hikers
Drew Branch
David Feliciano

6th Year Hikers
John Netherland
*Emily Capes
*Pam Moore

5th Year Hikers
Connor Bond
Jason Felicano
Stephanie Sharp

4th Year Hikers
TRAILBLAZERS!
Max Colbert
Megan DeBari
Luke Evans
Julie Hermann
Brady Kirby
Katie Moore
Thomas Pierce
Victoria Sharp
Travis Swann

3rd Year Hikers
Ben Carr
Matt Carr
Michael Dubose
Chandler Hoskins
Holder Hudson
Austin Keller
Andie Netherland
Gordon Pierce
Richard Trawick
Wilson Trawick
*Richard Colbert
*Denise Kirby

2nd Year Hikers
Alex Anderson
Mary Bond
Nate Bradley
Rowan Carroll-Christopher
Amanda Farr
Rebecca Farr
Rachel Girouad
Mark Hibyan
Anna Jackson
Cody Luker
Abby Morse
Blakely Noble
Chad Ratliff
Michael Stavely
Garrett Summitt
Cody Titus
Christopher Varnson
Robert Varnson
*Will Moore
*Walter Pierce

1st Year Hikers
Conner Cole
Alex DeBari
Anna Del Gallo
Elise Griffin
Ali Rae Hunt
Mitchell Lipham
Tori Marsh
James McGhee
Mallory Noble
Haley Roberts
Anna Safko
Chloe Schweigert
Hugh Sherrill
Katherine Varnson
Carmen Vickory
Rachel Warren
*Sandie Hudson
*Michael Roberts

*adult chaperone

Worship Arts Camp - Aug 9-13

Join us for a week of worship and fun at this unique Worship Arts Day Camp.  Each day, we will creatively experience worship through various classes that might include dance, drama, puppets, movement, stomp, photography, guitar, art ….

We will explore worship through prayer, liturgical activities and have opportunities to learn more about the countless ways we can worship God!  To celebrate this week, we will put together several pieces that will be shared in ICON worship in August/September.  And of course, we will have some fun recreation and a good snack. Open to children Kindergarten - 5th grade.

Schedule and Registration

Drop off at 9 a.m. in the gym - Pick up at 12 Noon on the 2nd floor of the Education Bldg.

Cost $35.00 (includes supplies, props, snacks, a T-shirt and tickets to see Alice in Wonderland at PLT!)
Make checks payable to FUMC.

Registration Form
Registration deadline is Aug 5th!

Classes

Worship Classes: One hour class that will work on an “offering/presentation” for worship.

Fish Stix – This is a kids style version of God Rods. Kids will be using sticks as they interpret songs and stories. Taught by Susannah Walters and Mary Bond. Worship Date: August 15

Worship through Video – Do you want to learn how to make your own video? Come and help us create a custom video from start to finish. Then come see it during a special ICON service on August 22nd. Taught by Jeb Hunt. Worship Date: August 22

Music Mix – We’ll praise God through singing a “mix”ture of many styles of songs: some wild; some calm; some loud; some soft; some slow; some fast; some new; some old. Taught by Rick Branch. Worship date: Tentative - August 22 in the Sanctuary

Props – This dance class will be using props as they create a dance piece to be shared in worship. Taught by Brady Kirby and Katherine Varnson. Worship Date: August 29 ICON Service

Storytelling in Action – This class will be acting out stories, playing drama games and working on a Children’s Sermon drama. Taught by Lisa Bond. Worship Date: September 12

Hands-On Classes: These groups focus on a fun, creative, “hands-on” experience.

Art – Come join Ms. Celeste as you create beautiful art pieces for the Kids Art Show in August.

Stomp - This class, taught by Susannah Walters and Brady Kirby will be some rompin’ stompin’ fun . . . and there will be noise!

Hip Hop - Come join Katherine Varnson for this fun, upbeat style of dance.

Stompin’ Steppin’ and Clappin’ - Come kick up your heels with some fun line-dancin’ with our very own Rick Branch.

Cooking – Ms. Denise has cooked up some great ideas for this culinary class. If you like to create and cook, this class is for you.

Special Hands-On Classes:

Guitar – Come join Connor Bond and learn some basic guitar skills and maybe a song or two. Preference given to students who have completed 4th or 5th Guitars will be supplied.

Puppet Workshop - For those who have completed 2nd, 3rd, 4th and 5th grade. This workshop will train students to handle a puppet while having fun with creative scripts. Ms. Wanda is back and excited to start sharing! Students from the workshop are also invited to join the FUMC puppet ministry, In His Hands, which will rehearse on Sunday mornings from 9:00-9:30, and will perform at various events throughout the year.

The Percy Institute - August 2010

The 2010 Percy Institute is pleased to welcome the Reverend Doctor Reginald Mallett

Read more

Designing Women’s Luncheon

Please join us on Saturday, August 21, 2010 for the annual United Methodist - Women in Mission
Designing Women’s Luncheon Read more

Blue Lake Church-Wide Retreat - Oct 15-17

Join us for our Annual Blue Lake Church Wide Family Retreat Read more

Children’s Ministry Summer 2010

The Children’s Ministry at First United Methodist Church has a wide variety of activities and programs for your children to participate in this summer.  Check out some of the exciting events planned!

Sunday Mornings
Sunday from 9:45-10:40 on the 2nd floor of the Education building
This Summer our Sunday School  theme  is:  Totally Green.   Each week children K-5th grade will celebrate God’s creation and our role in it.  We’ll hear from speakers on how we take care of God’s earth and each other.  We will visit centers that include a science lab, ecological crafts, green games, a prayer room, cooking and some other “green” activities.

Family Nights
June 23rd, July 14th, August 11th
Let’s get together for a fun night of fellowship with our church friends!  Families are invited to come for dinner, then join us for a movie night, a water play night and a family skate night!  Watch your email for more information.  Dinner is from 5 - 6 PM and Family Night will begin at 6:15 unless otherwise specified.

Fitness Camp
July 19 - 23, 9 - 12 noon, Church Gym and Wesley Abbey
Ages K-5th graders
This year we will offering a new camp experience – Shapin’ up Fitness Camp.  We’ll be focusing on healthy habits and attitudes for kids regarding their bodies, food and exercise. We will begin each day with a jumpstart, fun games, play icebreakers games to get to know each other, move and groove, have physical fitness training and a time of Bible Study.  We’ll even have a few science experiments to make our point!    Registration forms will be available by May 23rd.

Shapin’ Up Children’s Fitness Camp Registration Form

Kids Camp Night
July 23rd  Time;  TBD
K – 1st and 2nd graders
Gear up for Camp Smalledwin, our “almost” night at camp.  We’ll play games,  do crafts, have water fun…just like camp!!!  So mark your calendars and watch for details.

Kids Camp Night - Camp Smalledwin Retreat 2010 Registration Form

2010 Worship Arts Camp
August 9 - 13th, 9-12 noon
For K-5th graders
Come join us for this amazing week of creativity and praise! Children will have lots of fun playing together and having the opportunity to create.  We will have classes in dance, art, music, drama and much more!   Watch for more info.

Preschool Play Days
July 9th and August 6th, 9 - 12noon
Come join Ms. Lisa and friends as we play, sing and enjoy a morning of Preschool fun.  More details to follow.

Nursery Workers Needed

The nursery is looking for 2 energetic individuals to care for our youngest church members during services. For details please contact Marlow at (850) 261-8309 or thatgirl77@prodigy.net

Men’s Casual Clothing Needed

Serve the Hungry Outreach Mission not only serves lunch to nearly 100 homeless and needy people twice a week, but also distributes clothing once a week.  Due to our low clothing inventory, we are only able to provide clothing assistance to about 35 men.  In order for us to continue this mission project, we need your help to stock our men’s clothes closet.  We need men’s casual clothing, especially shorts (sizes 30-38), long pants (khakis and jeans), and shoes (casual, tennis, and sandals).  Please go through your closets and donate to Serve the Hungry any gently worn casual clothing that you no longer wear or need.  A big THANK YOU to those of you who have supported this mission in the past.  We are sincerely grateful for your help.  At this time, we do not need any women’s clothing.

There is also a continuing need for travel size toiletries (shampoo, conditioner, body lotion, and soap).  We receive no funding from the general budget of the church for the clothing division and rely solely on donations. We appreciate any cash donations to purchase socks, underwear, and razors.  You may leave bagged donated items in the church office.  Please label with “Serve the Hungry”.  Remember the homeless and less fortunate in your prayers.

Response to the Deepwater Oil Spill

What can the church do in response to the Deepwater Oil Spill?

It can be difficult to discern how exactly the church can respond to the devastating, man-made disaster wreaking havoc on the Gulf of Mexico. We are unsure of what we can do and we feel a responsibility to act and respond to what is happening. But what do we do? To that end we offer some perspective of how the we, the church, can respond.

We can pray…

Prayer always has been and will always be a central part of the Christian tradition. Given the nature of the environmental catastrophe currently happening in the Gulf of Mexico and the fallout that will come from it, we need to pray as a local and global community of the church. We pray for God’s intervention with the contamination of oil in the Gulf of Mexico and the damage it is causing; we pray for God’s guidance in finding a working solution to the uncontrolled spewing of oil; we pray for God’s wisdom in how to be better stewards of oil as a finite resource; and we pray for God’s protection that we might not suffer through such an event again. We invite you to be apart of the prayers for the waters of the Gulf of Mexico, all the creatures who live in it and all the people who depend on it to support themselves and their families.

Below is a prayer that we offer to you as you ask God’s intervention and blessing in the wake of such a tragic situation.

Holy God, Creator of Earth and of your children,
Creator of soil and sea and sky and the tapestries of the stars,
Forgive us when we treat this beloved planet as if we own it and can use it as we wish.
We have been too careless. We have failed to nurture the fragile life you entrusted to our keeping.
Our lifestyle of wasteful over-consumption has been insensitive to the effects we caused around the world.
We want to express our love and care for all creation.
We know that we must learn more about the problem and take effective action.
Here we stand wondering and confused because of the bounty that you have given us.
Here we stand Creator God, and we ask you to help us to care for the earth as our responsibility.
Help us to do what we know we must even at the cost of reducing our lifestyle so that others may live.
Please help us O God. Through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, now and forever. Amen.

~Adapted from prayers from the Uniting Church in Australia, Miriam Therese Winter and the Book of Common Prayer

We can act…

There are still ways we can actively reach out in response to the crisis. In Genesis, God invites humanity into a partnership to care for creation, to nurture and protect it as a king would their subjects. The second great commandment that Jesus calls all Christians to follow is to love our neighbor. When we remember these teachings from Holy Scripture we cannot help but be moved to act.

We encourage all members of the community to be vigilant and active in reporting oil that washes up on shore, wildlife that has been harmed through the oil spill or preventative measures that appear to be damaged, vandalized or working improperly. We urge all members who have had their livelihoods impacted to be proactive in filing a claim and hopefully reduce the severity of their situation. We gratefully support those persons who believe they can take a more active approach in responding to the physical situation of the oil spill and encourage those persons, whether in a volunteer or professional capacity, to work with city, state and federal forces who are already working to restore the Gulf of Mexico.

Resources in response to the oil spill.

Report Oiled Shorelines 1-866-448-5816, leave message of exact location of oiled finding.

(Important: Do not touch any substance you suspect to be oiled or oil-related. Call in the exact location for teams to investigate.)

Report Oiled Wildlife 1-866-557-1401, leave message. Messages checked hourly.

Florida Emergency Information Line 1-800-342-3557

Florida Oil Spill Information Line 1-888-337-3569

Report Boom Vandalism 1-800-320-0519 or #DEP on cell phone

Volunteer Information: 1-866-448-5816

BP Claims Hotline and Spill-Related Damage

File a claim online or call 1-800-440-0858, 8A-8P, seven days a week.

If you are not satisfied with BP’s resolution, call 1-800-280-7118.

BP Services 281-366-5511

To register as a consultant, contractor, vendor, or submit ideas on alternative response technology, services, productions or suggestions.

BP Vessels of Opportunity - register boats available to assist with response 281-366-5511

Master Vessel Charter Agreement

Vessel Requirements Checklist

*Copied from “Escambia Disaster Response to the Deepwater Horizon Oil Spill,” http://www.escambiadisasterresponse.com/ on June 2 2010.

We can change…

This event in the history of the Gulf and our nation should give us a moment to pause and ask, “How are we being good stewards of God’s creation? How can we be better stewards?” These questions are not easy to answer, but we owe it to God to wrestle with the questions. There are things we can all do to improve the quality of the Earth, including:

• Recycling everything that is available to recycle in your community

• Using compact-fluorescent bulbs in your home

• Considering the amount of electricity you use in your home

• Using reusable water bottles instead of buying cases of plastic water bottles

The point of change is not about “being green” for the sake of being green. It is about doing something that improves your relationship with God’s creation. We ask all of humanity to prayerfully and with God-centered intentions consider how they might be better stewards of the earth and change the way they live.

For further insight on how you can change your lifestyle check out http://www.togethergreen.org/ActionCenter/Default.aspx.