The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
February 15, 2008
Pastor’s Column…..
The Season of Lent is already here. How will you use this time to deepen your own spiritual life? Traditionally, Lent has been a time of fasting, allowing the fast to enter into our lives as a call to prayer. There are many ways to fast. If you choose to do so, you might refrain from a particular item, a particular meal, or a particular activity. You might fast from coffee, for example – each morning being reminded that you can be filled and energized for the day with the presence of God, not Peet’s! Or you might set aside one day a week to fast from television and spend the extra time outside, taking in the drama and beauty of creation, instead. You might fast from fast food – reminding yourself to slow down and think about the source of our sustenance as you prepare your own meals. Whatever you choose, the intention of fasting is to interrupt our normal way of being, so that we are reminded to be in prayer.
Another way of marking the season of Lent is by adding a spiritual discipline. You might commit to reading the Lenten devotional booklet or participating in the Lenten book study. You might commit to an act of service by volunteering at the HOPE Center, the Table, or another local organization.
The season of Lent is meant to be holy time; set apart to make ourselves and our lives an offering to God. It is a time to allow the way of Christ to mark and shape us.
Flannery O'Connor has a story about a little girl who loves to visit the convent and the sisters. But every time the nun gives her a hug, the crucifix on Sister's belt gets mashed into the child's face. The gesture of love always leaves a mark.
May this season of Lent draw you closer to Christ – so close that his love leaves a mark!
In Christ,
Jennifer
I would like to let my church family know that I have Jan Whitmer helping me now with Parish visiting. If you see extra smiles on my face, it’s because of Jan! She is just right for this and I really appreciate her volunteering. Also, just a reminder to all of you, please let me, Jan or Dianne in the office know if you need a visit for ANY reason. Thanks for your support!
Doris Forsythe
Your
Parish Visitor
SAVE THE DATE
Jennifer Edenborough’s Ordination
will take place at our Annual Conference
in Sacramento on June 21, 2008.
All her church family is invited.
Details will follow in subsequent mailings but if you’d like to be there, please let the church office know.
We will plan carpooling, etc. Please let us know your needs.
Come take a ride on the GRAPE Express and learn all about what God requires of us. This month we are studying the word “Respect”. - Ages 3 thru 5th grade.
UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
UMW CIRCLES
Judith Newton - Thurs., Feb. 14 @ 1pm at Leona Gravatt’s Thurs.,
Mar. 13 @ 1pm at Marianna Stanley’s
Patricia Riddell -Thurs., Feb. 14 @10am Kagawa Room
Thurs., Mar. 13 @ 10am Kagawa Room
Lillian Wallace - Thurs., Feb. 14 @ 1pm at Millie Collins’ home
Thurs., Mar. 13 @1pm To be announced
Susanna Wesley - Meets every other mo.
Tues., Mar. 11 @ 7:30 pm at Aletha Silcox’s home
UNIT MEETING
The next Unit Meeting when all four circles and welcome guests join together at 10:00 am on March 20th. We will have a program on “Globalization - Is It a Plus or a Minus for People’s Peace and Welfare?”.
Put your Grapevine article here. The next deadline is Feb. 21st and will be mailed out on Feb. 27th.
Lent 2008
Re-Imagine the World
An Introduction to the Parables of Jesus
How does your understanding of Jesus' parables help you re-imagine the world – personally, locally, and globally? Bernard Brandon Scott helps us rediscover the parables in this year's Lenten Book Study. Please join one of the six week small group discussions and share your insights and hopes for the “Re-Imagined World” as we read the parables of Jesus in a new way. The first group started on February 10th but there is still room in some of the groups for late signups. Books are available in the church office and cost $11.00. Please contact Evelyn or Peter Lutz, 255-8593 or pelutz@sonic.net for more information.
New Campbell’s and Box Tops for Education Campaign
Congratulations to all who helped. We were able to mail to McCurdy’s School (one of our UMW mission projects in Espanola, New Mexico) 1,523 Campbell/Swanson Soup labels and 358 Box Tops for Education last December. With our help and the efforts of Methodist groups from all over the US, McCurdy School has been able to purchase school supplies, sport equipment and even vans for their school.
The UMW has decided to continue to help by participating in the New Campbell Campaign. NOTE: No more labels! INSTEAD: Clip the UPC bar code plus the little symbol just beside it on all Campbell, Swanson, Prego, Franco American, Pepperidge Farms and SpaghettiO’s products. The Box Tops for Education can be found on General Mills, Pillsbury refrigerated/frozen products, Betty Crocker, Huggies, Ziploc, Cottonelle, Scott, Depends and Hefty products. Each one of these is worth 10 cents for the school. You may leave them in the wooden Campbell’s box in the Fellowship Room or in the church office. I will collect and mail them every couple of months. For a complete listing of contributing companies and products, check the bulletin board. Thanks for all your help.
Aletha Silcox, UMW
Lent 2008: The Journey Continues
Schedule of Services - First United Methodist Church of Napa
February 6 ~ Ash Wednesday - 7 AM and 7 PM Services
February 10 ~ The Journey Continues: Got Snacks?
9:30 AM – Worship with music from the Bonner Bells
February 17 ~ The Journey Continues: Got GPS?
9:30 AM – Worship with music from the Cathedral Choir
February 24 ~ The Journey Continues: Got Water?
9:30 AM – Worship with music from God’s House Band
March 2 ~ The Journey Continues: Got Glasses?
9:30 AM – Worship with music from the Cathedral Choir
March 9 ~ The Journey Continues: Got Coffee?
9:30 AM – Worship with music from the Bonner Bells
and Children’s Choir
HOLY WEEK
March 16 Palm/Passion Sunday ~ Are We There Yet?
9:30 AM – Drama with music from God’s House Band
March 20 Holy Thursday
7:00 PM - Communion Service in the Sanctuary
March 21 Good Friday Public Procession of the Cross
12 Noon –Begins at FUMC and ends with worship in the Sanctuary
March 23 Easter Sunday ~ The Journey Continues!
7:00 AM ~ Sunrise Service at Tulocay Cemetery
9:30 AM ~ Worship with music from the Cathedral Choir
ADULT BIBLE STUDY
The class meets each Sunday at 10:45 am in the Parlor.
This season of study is God’s call to the Christian community. Each of the months we studied are a different call. In December we studied God’s call to believe, to be a vessel, to proclaim, to rejoice and to witness. In January we heard God’s instruction to inquire, to love, to pray and to trust. In February we are hearing God’s summons to labor, to respect, to be humble and to be a disciple.
In the spring our course is entitled “God, he People and The Covenant”.
Come and join us as we study and discuss each topic. We are striving to start at 10:45 am in order to encourage more of the parents of pre-school and school age children to join us. It’s refreshing to have all ages in our discussions and study.
Queen of the Valley Hospital is celebrating its 50th Anniversary with a birthday bash on 6/14/08. If you were born there in 1958 or after submit your name, address, phone number and date of birth. You will be sent a formal invitation to the party. Forms can be found in the church office.
MINI THRIFT SHOP
Ace may be the Place but the Mini Shop is Tops
Both quantity and quality for less
No tax and no sales pressure
Browsing at leisure encouraged.
WE ARE OPEN!
Both our “regular” and new customers came on that beautiful sunny day to give us a busy opening day.
Thanks to your donations, we cleared a significant amount in 2007. UMW will be voting on where these funds will be put to work, being “hands” of God’s loving care.
Traveling Opportunities
In celebration of the 35th anniversary of the Napa-Iwanuma Sister City Committee, there will be a tour to our sister city this April. We will be gone from April 5th through April 13th. We will have three days in Tokyo, one day in Nikkoto visit the famous shrine and three days in Iwanuma. While in Iwanuma we will have wonderful adventures with our Iwanuma friends, visiting schools, meeting teachers and students, visiting factories, supermarkets, the Takakoma Shrine and seeing their ceremony, and we may even stay in a Japanese home, if you’d like. The tour price will be less than $2,500! Contact Charlie Ray for more details at 226-2473 or cwray@quixnet.net.
Dreamweavers Theater Benefit
for SSP 2008
What: Agnes of God: Play and dessert, wine and coffee reception
When: Thursday, March 13, 2008
Time: Doors open at 7:00 PM, play starts at 8:00 PM
Where: Dreamweavers Theater in the west Imola shopping center
Tickets: $25 available on Sundays in the fellowship room, beginning 2/17 or call the church office at 253-1411
Why: Proceeds support FUMC Youth Group’s trip to Sierra Service Project Summer 2008
Each year our SSP team begins its fundraising efforts with a play at Dreamweavers Theater. This year’s production will be Agnes of God. The content of this play, while thought-provoking and religiously-inspiring, is most appropriate for ages 13 and above. Reverend Pamela Abbey provides the following description:
A young nun, Agnes, is found unconscious in her room at the convent. She’s just given birth to a baby, who has been found dead. The nun remembers neither the birth nor the conception of her child. Did she kill her baby? Or was someone else in the room? And who could the father be?
On one level, Agnes of God is full of suspense, with plot twists in every scene. But on another level, it’s a play about what we choose to believe in, our longing for transcendence, and our desire for miracles, even in a scientific age.
Rev. Pamela Abbey, who presented her dramatic monologue, “Giving with a Flourish” at Napa UMC two years ago, plays Mother Miriam Ruth, who battles with the court appointed psychiatrist for the heart, mind and soul of Agnes.
Pam says, “This is a terrific opportunity for me as an actress. Mother Miriam is a rich and challenging character to tackle. Secondly, it’s great to be in a play that raises so many theological questions in a way that can speak to everyone, whether they consider themselves religious or not. And if you’ll let the preacher in me sneak out for a moment, seeing this play can be a good way to prepare for Holy Week. The title, Agnes of God is a play on words with the Latin “Agnus Dei” – The Lamb of God. It asks us to contemplate how the brokenness, pain and sacrifice of one person, can lead to growth and healing for others.”
Mission Statement
The First United Methodist Church unconditionally welcomes all people in greater Napa wherever they are on their faith journey. As a congregation rooted in scripture, tradition, experience, and reason, we promise opportunities to grow in the Spirit and to become active followers of Jesus Christ.
Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 am -- All Sunday School Classes at 10:45 am
Adult Bible Study: Parlor
GRAPE Express for ages 3 years thru 5th grade: Kagawa Room
Junior High School Group: Beall Library
High School Youth Group: Sunday at 4:00pm - Youth Room
February 17 Scripture: Genesis 12:1-4a; Psalm 121; Romans 4:1-5, 13-17; John 3:1-17
Pastor Jennifer Edenborough Cathedral Choir
February 24 Scripture: Exodus 17:1-7; Psalm 95; Romans 5:1-11; John 4:5-42
Pastor Douglas J. Monroe God’s House Band
March 2 Scripture: 1 Samuel 16:1-13; Psalm 23; Ephesians 5:8-14; John 9:1-41
Pastor Jennifer Edenborough Cathedral Choir
March 9 Scripture: Ezekiel 37:1-14; Psalm 130; Romans 8:6-11; John 11:1-45
Pastor Jennifer Edenborough Bonner Bells