The Grapevine

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA

(707) 253-1411

March 1, 2010

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

…Pastor’s Column:

I have always loved the  month of March .   You can just feel Spring in the air.  Buds and leaves are just waiting to burst forth with colors and greenery. There is a warmth to March that just makes the soul anticipate the sunshine that is forthcoming.

Likewise, we should anticipate the Son of God warming our souls and lives everyday.  When disappointments and hard times come upon us, it is a time to exercise our faith ... our belief that God is on this journey with us, and that there are valuable lessons to be learned and later taught to others.

Life is never in vain.  God has a purpose for each of us.  Having been in the military, I know how fragile life can be.  You never know if you or your buddies are coming back from a mission.  Death is always a reality. One moment you are here and the next you can be gone.  You learn not to take life for granted.  You learn life is very precious.

I have learned to enjoy the sound of a bird singing, a bee flying, my grandchild asking insatiable questions and my wife giving me endless honey do lists to complete.  I have learned to appreciate all of the above, as God giving me an opportunity to enjoy life, and to cherish each valuable moment as it comes.

As Spring approaches, enjoy the birds singing, the bees buzzing and nature blooming.  How wonderful God is to give us our daily bread ... our daily dose of love ... and then God simply watches us bloom.  God too must smile at our pouting and doubting faith and faces.  Remember; take time to enjoy the moment, the sunshine, the blooms, and the Son of God in your lives.  Breathe in the precious breath of life and cherish each moment. Shalom.

                                       Roger

March dates for UMW meetings are as follows:

March 4th - 10:00 a.m. Executive Committee Meeting - FUMC in Kagawa Room

March 9th - 7:30 p.m. Susanna Wesley Circle – Contact Donna La Point 226-2932

March 11th - 10:00 a.m. Patricia Riddell Circle - Kagawa Room - Contact Doris Forsythe 944-2654 or Lois Nelson 257-3160

                      1:00 p.m.  Judith Newton Circle – Contact Ann Thieme 258-1800

                      1:30 p.m. Lillian Wallace Circle - Contact Eleanor Greig 255-8056 or Twyla Kellerman 224-3226

March 13th - 1:00 p.m. – Sarah Crosby Circle - Kagawa Room – Contact Janeen Breyman 265-6918 or Amy Herzog 251-8768

Hope you can come.  All are welcome.  Bring a friend.

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

Church Women United World Day of Prayer

at First United Methodist Church

Friday, March 5, 2010, 10:00 a.m.

Our unit of United Methodist Women is hosting the World Day of Prayer in our Sanctuary and you are all invited to attend.  We begin with a continental brunch and conversation in the Fellowship Room, and then continue in the Sanctuary with a program of song, scripture, and prayer. 

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of women of many faith traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year on the first Friday of March.  Each year a different country serves as the writer of the World Day of Prayer worship service.  For 2010, the World Day of Prayer committee off Cameroon developed the theme, Let everything that has breath praise God.

Prepared by the women of Cameroon, the 2010 WDP will begin at the first sunrise on March 5, 2010, in the Pacific region, and follow the Earth’s orbit, shining its light on the continent of Africa and the rest of the world.  The worship service emphasizes the importance that the people of Cameroon place on music and celebration in their praise to God.  Music is a powerful unifying tool that brings people of all faiths together in the Lord’s name.  

All women are invited to help us welcome our Christian sisters as we host this worldwide event in our beautiful Sanctuary.  

Put Friday, March 5 on your calendar and come worship with us!    

Membership Care

Doris Forsythe would like to thank Bob McIntire for driving her around to visit the people on her Membership Care list.  She loves her volunteer job of visiting but was unable to do so after losing her car in an accident.  Bob came to her rescue and now she can resume visiting with her church family.  Thank you, Doris . . . and thank you, Bob.

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

March 19th at 6:30 pm

In honor of St. Patrick's Day we'll view "The Quiet Man".  Mark it down, bring a dessert to share and we look forward to seeing all who can make it.                             Martha

Oooops!  In our haste to get the information to the Grapevine, The Fun and Fellowship Committee mixed up two of the Chili contestants.  We apologize wholeheartedly and hope that everyone will forgive this transgression. Red River Red Chili was made by Wes and Nancy Moore and the Texas Two Chili was made by Susan and Kip Edenborough.  Once again, thanks to all who made this event so successful. 

Donation Requested

Disability Services and Legal Center is looking for furnishings and dishes for a client’s new, accessible apartment.  If you have something appropriate, please call 258-0270 or email aprild@sonic.net.

Sierra Service Project 2010 

During the last week of June the youth will be participating in an urban immersion experience in the Vermont Square neighborhood of South Los Angeles.  They will be

repairing homes for four days and another day will include a tour of the city, visiting social services agencies and feeding the homeless on Skid Row. 

Fund raising for this adventure begins in March with Sponsorship Month.  Each Sunday you will have an opportunity to meet the youth, read their autobiographies and purchase a tool to display with your name on it.  We appreciate your prayers and support!! 

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 March 4th and it will be mailed out on March 10th.

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. 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

Mar. 14 Scripture:  Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:15-21; Luke 15:103, 11-32

   Rev. Doug Monroe—One Great Hour of Sharing                                        Cathedral Choir

Mar. 21 Scripture:  Isaiah  43:16-21; Psalm 126; Philippians 3:4-14; John 12:1-8

   Rev. Doug Monroe—Fifth Sunday in Lent                                                  Cathedral Choir