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Next Sunday
The Rev Michale Love will preach the fourth part of the Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus series, a 7-week Lenten sermon series. The title of Sunday's sermon is Reconciliation. Our 8:30 am communion service is on hiatus. The reading is: Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. You are welcome here. Listen to a greeting from our senior pastor, the Rev. Michael Love. March Issue of Insights is Online!
Click here to read this month's news-filled issue!  Pastor Laurie's March 2010 Insights ColumnMarch 2010 Insights Column We've been talking about a dream for which Michael has coined the title “Worship 2.” It's still very much in the “conception phase” right now; there's still a lot of research, relationship building in the community, and, most importantly, prayer to be done as a foundation is laid and the waters tested before anything moves to a “prenatal” phase, much less birth or growth. I have heard questions, though, and I'd like to take the time here to begin a response and a conversation. Let me start with where I'm coming from: While we worship at 10:25 with excellence, there is a significant portion of the larger community around us who we are currently not reaching. As I make observations in Palo Alto, I'm struck, over and over again, by how greatly our congregation looks different from the clientele I see in the restaurants, the crowds in the stores, the parents and kids I see in the schools and parks. I see far more diversity ethnically. I see more young professionals and students. And I see vast potential. Our purpose is always to make disciples for Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. Our aim in developing “Worship 2” is to reach a different segment of our community to do that, to multiply the disciples we're making for Jesus and deepen our effectiveness. We're beginning with the development of a prayer team and a circle of excited, creative folks who are thinking outside of the box and listening to our neighbors. Some are strengthening our ties to the campus ministry at Stanford so we might extend care and listen to students there. If you're interested in joining this effort, let me know. God is calling us to multiplication in our congregation. What's good for Worship 2 will be good for Worship 1, and vice versa. There could be Worship 3 and 4 in the future, each with a unique style. But all would be marked by the same spiritual practices. I would hope that small groups and mission activities and leadership would include folks from all the worshipping communities, and that there would be good will and not competition among them. One church planter from whom I'm learning says: “People are always tuned into station 'WII-FM' -- What's In It For Me?” Here are some of my answers to that: Show rest of 'Pastor Laurie's March 2010 Insights Column'... Thursday & Sunday - "Radical Renovation" : A 7 Session Lenten StudyJoin Pastor Michael for a seven session Lenten study. Radical Renovation is a powerful image of what can happen in our lives during the season of Lent. Just as a house can be rebuilt after it has fallen into disrepair or devastation, author James A. Harnish says, so God can enter in to our brokenness and completely rebuild our lives, so that we can become the kind of people in whom the living Christ can take up residence, and through whom the loving purpose of God can become a tangible reality in this world. "Radical Renovation" starts Sunday, February 14, 2010 and runs through Sunday, March 28, 2010 . The class meets Sunday mornings at 9:00 am and Thursday mornings at 10:00 am in Pat's Place. All are welcome Holy Thursday - A worship-full evening
Join us as we "fix our eyes on Jesus" and relive together the dramatic events of this night of all nights. We'll begin with a shared meal in our own "Upper Room," recalling the drama of the Last Supper in word and action, then walk a path to the Garden of Gethsemane, witness the betrayal, trial, and crucifixion in word and music, and leave in silence and contemplation. We invite you to imagine yourself as one of the disciples, or a member of the crowd of onlookers, as we experience anew the great drama of scripture (costume optional!). The choir will lead us through the "vigil" portion of the evening with the musical piece Shadows: A Service of Tenebrae by Douglas E. Wagner. Helpers are needed (costumed or not!) to serve at table, to set the scene, to greet visitors, and to "usher us" into the various "sacred spaces" of the evening. This event is free and open to the public. We'll begin in Fellowship Hall (our transformed "Upper Room") at 6:30 pm. Do You Have a Flair for the Dramatic?Perhaps you enjoy reading aloud, or maybe you just liked playing “dress-up.” If so, we need you for our welcoming and worship ministries! In the coming weeks, we have many opportunities to share the saving story of Jesus in dramatic ways… • Reading of scripture in worship, including our not-to-be-missed Holy Thursday event Orientation, training and support will be provided. Want to learn more – or sign up for a role? Contact Pastor Laurie at 650-323-6167, or send an email to laurie@firstpaloalto.com If you’re a little shy, remember this: Great Decisions
Become a more informed citizen of the world! Join us for nine thought- provoking and lively discussions on Global Issues and US Foreign Policy in the “Great Decisions” discussion series. The 2010 topics range from U.S.-China security relations to the Global Financial Crisis. Your experience as a citizen of the world and your concern for its future are all that's necessary to participate in and contribute to the discussions. First Church of Palo Alto is proud to host the Great Decisions Series again in 2010 as we’ve done for almost thirty years. The Great Decisions Briefing Book, published by the Foreign Policy Association, can be purchased at First Church or at any of the sessions for $20 per book. It includes helpful articles and background for pre-reading and future reference. When: The series runs for 9 weeks from January 31, 2010 through March 29, 2010. Discussion sessions are held on Sunday Mornings from 8:30am to 10:15am and again on Monday evenings from 7:30pm to 9:30pm. We'll have a pair of sessions for each topic, on Sunday and repeated on Monday. We're also having a "ninth session" this year to focus on the question -- How do we as people of faith respond? Where: All sessions will be held in Kohlstedt Hall of the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, 625 Hamilton Avenue, Palo Alto. More info: For questions or to purchase a briefing book please contact Felice at fswapp@gmail.com or 650-283-4343. Haiti Earthquake - How You Can HelpUMCOR Responds to the Earthquake in HaitiA major earthquake hit Port-au-Prince, Haiti on January 12, 2010, causing widespread destruction. Millions of people are affected and thousands are feared dead. The United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) has close ties with the Methodist Church in Haiti and is responding to the devastating earthquake with funding, material resources and prayers.UMCOR executive, Melissa Crutchfield says, “We are working with our partners on the ground to provide immediate relief to the people in Haiti. UMCOR has worked in Haiti for many years. We anticipate that there will be years of rebuilding needed and are prepared to work with the people to help them through that process.” Working with partners, Action by Churches Together, Church World Service, Global Medic and the Methodist Church, UMCOR is channeling its resources to respond effectively to the people most in need. How You Can Help You can also donate by check. Checks can be made to UMCOR with Advance #418325 Haiti Emergency in the memo line. Checks can be put in the church offering plate this Sunday or mailed to UMCOR, PO Box 9068, New York, NY 10087. UMCOR Sager Brown is coordinating a shipment of health kits to provide individuals with basic necessities. Instructions for assembling and shipping health kits are available at http://new.gbgm-umc.org/umcor/getconnected/supplies/health-kit/. Please pray for all of the people affected by the earthquake in Haiti. Thank you for your faithful support for all of God’s children. 100% of gifts made to this advance will go to help the people of Haiti.< 2010 Centennial Endowment Grant Application
Only official organized administrative groups within First Church are able to apply for a grant. Please also note that Centennial Endowment Committee members are available for consultation during this process. Should you have any questions, please ask the Committee for clarification and/or guidance before you submit your application. More details about the grant process, and a list of the current committee members are available in the Grant Application Information package. Applications may be submitted to the Church Business Administrator at any time up to 4:00PM on Wednesday, March 24, 2010. Late applications will not be considered. Click here to downloand the Grant Application package. Job Opening - Director of Children and Youth MinistriesThe First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto is seeking an able candidate for the position of Director of Children and Youth Ministries. The Director of Children and Youth Ministries is responsible for establishing and managing a comprehensive Christian Education and Youth Ministries program to prepare children and youth to live informed Christian lives in an every-changing world, under the supervision of the Senior Pastor (or his/her designated pastor). Job responsibilities include, but are not limited to: - Supervise and manage Sunday morning Christian Education program for children and youth. The successful candidate will have had professional or volunteer experience or training in Christian education and/or faith development in children and youth, appropriate training and/or experience with children and youth and training of youth leaders, and an understanding of Christian faith and especially appreciation for the United Methodist Church and its history, polity, and theology are preferred. This is a part-time position of approximately 20-25 hours per week. Weekly hours will be those required to plan and implement children and youth activities, oversee nursery care at church events, and attend meetings. Interested candidates, please email resume to michael@firstpaloalto.com No phone calls please. UMW Green
Genesis and the Psalms help us understand that Creation is a gift from God. Everything in creation is created by God, is good, and is interconnected. That is why we, and all other parts of Creation, have intrinsic worth and are sacred. In Genesis 2 we are asked to be stewards of creation. This message is more than requiring us to manage natural resources wisely. Throughout the Bible we are called to be good stewards. This means learn to also be good stewards of our time, and in the use of our talents and personal resources. We are to care for those in need. To share – to care. All giving and sharing is an act of stewardship. We recycle. We compost. As individual families and as a church, we are involved. The next step is to be aware. How are we spending our family income? Are we supporting our church, and programs that help others? Are we buying products that harm the earth in their manufacture? What happens when we are finished with the item? Does it just disappear in the landfill? No. It just disappears from our sight. Earth still has to contend with it. Are we setting good examples for the children around us? Are we teaching them to see others who are not as “lucky”, or privileged, and to ask how we can share? Are we teaching them to know where an item originates and where it ends up? Are we teaching them the wonders of nature and how our actions protect or harm our air, water, the very earth? There are opportunities all around us every day in God’s wonderful Creation. We just need to be aware of our personal impact. Follow Us On Twitter
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Join us for worship at 10:25 am.
The March issue of our Insights newsletter is now online.
Holy Thursday, April 1, 2010 - A worship-full evening you won't want to miss!
Great Decisions 2010 is under way!
The Centennial Endowment Funds Committee is beginning the Grant Process for 2010.
The Women's Division of the United Methodist Women has made Green our favorite color.
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The First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, California - A Welcoming Church spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties since 1894. We're conveniently located in downtown Palo Alto near the Stanford University campus. Whether you're in the Silicon Valley or on the Peninsula, we want to be your Church home.
We invite you and your family to worship with us any Sunday morning.
Our members come from all over the San Francisco bay area including Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, Campbell, Castro Valley, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Fremont, Gilroy, Half Moon Bay, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Newark, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Stanford, Sunnyvale and Walnut Creek.
Check out our Visitors Information section for more information about the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
©2000-2010 First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
 Listen to Pastor Michael's greeting. You are welcome here!
Join us for worship at 10:25 am. Pastor Michael will preach the 4th sermon in the Lenten series entitled Let Us Fix Our Eyes on Jesus
Our 8:30 am communion service is on hiatus. The reading for Sunday March 14th is Luke 15:1-3, 11-32. Listen to and read the March 7th sermon. Save it to your iPod.
Read the latest issue today!
Read the latest column by Pastor Laurie
Join Pastor Michael for this new class. Just as a house can be rebuilt after it has fallen into disrepair or devastation, so God can enter in to our brokenness and completely rebuild our lives.
Join us on April 1st as we "fix our eyes on Jesus" and relive together the dramatic events of this night of all nights
We need you for our welcoming and worship ministries
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