The Grapevine

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA

(707) 253-1411

February 15, 2010

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist Church

…from Doug’s Deck:

                In this space last month I mentioned that Michael Herzog and Barbara Thompson were leading a Sunday School Class about Bishop Robert Schnase’s book, Five Practices of Fruitful Congregations.  I talked a bit about the first of those five, “radical hospitality,” in  last month’s column – the others, again, are “passionate worship,” “intentional faith development,” “risk-taking mission and service,” and “extravagant generosity,” and that by our focusing on these five practices we will become a more vital church.

            So what about “passionate worship?”

When have you ever been deeply moved by one of our worship services – a time at which you clearly experienced the presence of the Sacred?  For me, authentic worship happens whenever I meet or am met by God – sometimes I feel like the one moving; and sometimes it feels like God has moved and filled my emptiness.  Whatever it is, worship is meaningless unless we know what is of supreme importance to us, because it’s in worship that we’ll be reminded of it.

            To what have you dedicated your life?  That is the focus of your worship; and if it’s that sacred to you, it’s what you ought to be reminded of on Sunday mornings.  But if it’s not been happening, tell me what I – and others on the Worship Committee – might do to help create moments of worship for you so that these sacred moments of meeting happen, and happen more frequently.  As Bishop Schnase says, It ought to be “the most important hour of the week.”

            If you’re like me, though, often these experiences happen outside of church:  in our interactions with nature, family, the arts, and other things that we love doing.  I would expect that.  But if the same depth of experience doesn’t happen in a church worship service, then it’s without real passion and we need to rethink what it is that we’re doing together between 9:30 and 10:30 A.M. on Sundays.

            Again, as Schnase puts it:

…Passionate Worship includes the “aha” moments that change people and mold them, the touch of transcendence that pulls them out of themselves, deepens their understanding of life and their relationship to God, and makes them feel richer, stronger, and truer to what God has created them to be. 

            At a minimum, worship ought to keep us connected to the source of life and all of its blessings.  And that has to be something worth sharing beyond just one morning a week; don’t you think so?

Shalom, Doug 

Black Church Celebration Sunday:  February 14, 2010

Hello Folks.  Jan Lanterman and I have put together a worship service that celebrates the richness and diversity of the black church experience.  Come and have a good time. We promise not to put you to sleep!  You will experience a different style of worship and see how a black worship service ebbs and flows.  Most of all you’ll get to sing some hymns, hear some spirituals, pat your feet and say a lot of Amens!  The choir will march in; you will experience an altar call and do things in a different order.  This is a time for you to enjoy yourself and enjoy a different style of worship.  So come on.  Put the date, February 14, 2010 on your calendars and come praise the Lord!

                                                                                                            Roger

  P.S.  Ladies you do not have to wear hats or you men, ties.  Just come as you normally would and experience the spirit of the black church!  Amen.

Get On Board the GRAPE Express!!!

This month we are studying about people who have made a big difference in making the world a better place.  All children who are three years old through the fifth grade are welcome to attend.  If you would like to teach, there is always room for you, too.

Free Tax Help

The Napa Senior Center is offering a free, volunteer run tax preparation counseling service for low and middle income seniors with special attention to those aged 60 and older.  They will be doing tax returns on Tuesdays and Fridays from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. beginning February 5th, 2010.  Please bring the following with you when you come:

            Copy of last year’s income tax return

            Social Security benefit statement

            All 1099 forms showing interest, dividends, etc.

            1099-R form from your pension or annuity

            Social Security cards for yourself and all dependants for identification

Call 707-255-1800 for an appointment

Fun and Fellowship wants to thank the congregation for your wonderful support of our First Annual Chili Cookoff!  We had 11 team entrants who brought their best games.

Thank you to our 3 judges,  Dave Silveira, Jan Geren and Vic Renfrow.  We appreciate their "expertise" and focus.

Black Bean and Pork,  Evelyn and Peter Lutz

Team Phoenix,  John and Fran Young

Michael's Four Seas Chili,  Michael and Mary Herzog

Barb's Best Chili, Barb Thompson

Chili-Sa,  Patty and Lisa Renfrow

Sandy's Chugwater Chili, Sandy Silveira

Red River Red, Susan Edinborough

The Texas Two, Nancy and Wes Moore

Slow Roller Hot, Julie Jerome

Parker's White Chili, Dale and Pat Parker

Turkey 3 Bean, Elizabeth Kirkaldie

The winners are as follows:

1st Place:  Barb's Best Chili

2nd Place: (tie) Sandy's Chugwater Chili and Parker's White Chili

3rd Place:  Black Bean Pork

People's Choice: Team Phoenix

Congratulations to the winners and thanks to all the participants.  The congregation were the real winners as they were able to taste each of the entries and experience the culinary excellence. Thanks again for everyone's overwhelming support.

            Fun and Fellowship Wants You!

               The FUMC Talent/Skills/Abilities Show

     March 6, 2010 at 6:30 in the Church Sanctuary

Please join us for a fun evening of fellowship  

                   and sharing.  We will have refreshments!

                                  All Ages!  All abilities!

Can you sing? Dance? Tell jokes? Read dramatically?                                              If so, we want you!

Please return this sign up sheet to the church office by February 28, 2010.

Name(s):  __________________________________________________________

Talent: ____________________________________________________________

Accommodations/Assistance needed:  ___________________________________

Questions?  Please contact Holly Zaccone at 252-6729

Need a ride?  Call the church office—we’ll get one for you!

The talent show will have a free will offering with 50% of the donations going to UMCOR and 50% to Fun and Fellowship to defray costs of the events we put on

during the year. 

Pie & A Movie

For our Feb. 19th selection we chose, on a recommendation, the movie "Muppets Take Manhattan"...now don't laugh...it's light, funny and very adult.  Fun for the gloomy days of February.
March will be on the 19th and in honor of St. Patrick's Day we'll view "The Quiet Man". 
Mark it down and we look forward to seeing all who can make it.

Martha

Blood Drive Scheduled

Sign-up to donate blood on March 14, 2010.

The Blood Centers of the Pacific will be in the Asbury Room from 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM to receive donations.

Sign-up in the Fellowship Room after each worship service between now and 3/7.

10 REASONS TO DONATE BLOOD

• Blood transfusions save lives.

• There’s no substitute for human blood.

• Every three seconds, someone needs a blood transfusion.

• About 1 in 7 people entering a hospital need blood.

• A pint of blood, separated in to components, can help up to three people.

• You’ll make your community a safer place.

• Fulfills your desire to “give back” to the community.

• You’ll receive a mini physical (blood pressure, temperature, iron level), and find out your cholesterol level.

• You’ll learn your blood type.

• It’s safe, simple and it saves lives.

First United Methodist Church

625 Randolph St. Napa  94559

Office:  (707) 253-1411      Fax#:  (707) 253-1976

www.napaumc.org

            Pastors:     Douglas J. Monroe

                               Roger Kimble, III

Sunday Worship - 9:30 a.m.

Child and Infant Nursery Care is available

Church Office Hours:

Monday—Friday   8:30 am to 4:30 pm

The Grapevine is published bi-monthly.

Editor:  Dianne Mahler

Grapevine Schedule

The next deadline is February 18th

and it will be mailed out on

February 24th

Please email your articles to secretary@napaumc.org

Help For Haiti

Please make your checks out to FUMC and write Haiti on the memo line.

100% of all donations go directly to

UMCOR for earthquake relief efforts.

Thank you for your generosity.

Mission Statement

The First United Methodist Church of Napa unconditionally welcomes all people 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 to become active followers of Jesus Christ.  We are affiliated with The Center for Progressive Christianity and a member of the Reconciling Ministries Network.

Sunday Worship Service: 9:30 am 

Coffee, cookies, lemonade and friendship are served at 10:30 am

Adult Bible Study:  10:45 am Parlor

   Sunday School for 3 years old through 5th grade—10:45 am—Kagawa Rm.

Middle School Group—10:45 am—Beall Library

  Youth Group—11:00 am—Youth Room

 Come and see what your church has to offer you this year

Visit us on Facebook—Napa First United Methodist Church

Feb. 14 Scripture:  Exodus 34:29-35; Psalm 99; 2 Corinthians 3:12-4:2; Luke 9:28-43

   Rev. Roger Kimble—Experiencing the Black Church                                  Cathedral Choir

Feb. 21 Scripture:  Deuteronomy 26:1-11; Psalm 91:1-2, 9-16; Romans 10:8b-13; Luke 4:1-13

   Rev. Roger Kimble—First Sunday of Lent, Scout Sunday                                Bonner Bells

Feb. 28 Scripture:  Genesis 15:1-18; Psalm 27; Philippians 3:17-4:1; Luke 13:31-35

   Rev. Roger Kimble—Peace With Justice Sunday                                         Cathedral Choir

Mar. 7 Scripture:  Isaiah 55:1-9; Psalm 63:1-8; 1 Corinthians 10:1-13; Luke 13:1-9

            Rev. Doug Monroe—Communion Sunday      Bonner Bells