The Grapevine
FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF NAPA
(707) 253-1411
May 15, 2009
Open
Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors:
the People of The United Methodist
Church
Pastor’s Column
I have learned to be truly grateful for the little things in life. After lunch in my office, I usually go for a leisurely walk in Napa. I simply thank God for the beautiful homes, flowers and trees, as I walk along. I see children playing in the school yard and ducks taking a nap on a lawn. Napa is truly beautiful and blessed.
I remember growing up in the projects under the shadow of a freeway overpass in Oakland. I remember bargaining with God, that if you just get me out of here, I’ll do whatever you want. I remember the cold winters in Chicago walking to seminary classes. Once again I bargained with God. If you just get me back to California, I’ll do whatever you want. I remember the wet monsoon season of Korea in the Army. Once again I bargained with God. Just get me home to my family and I’ll do anything for you God.
As I’ve gotten older and wiser, I realize that God does not bargain. God simply loves and provides for me regardless of my situation and lack of bargaining skills. God must have a sense of humor to listen to my pleas for help. God simply smiled upon me and just kept loving me, regardless of what I said.
The peace I feel within when I walk the streets of Napa is real. God has been with me ever since my mother’s womb and has plans for me each day. All I have to do is accept God’s blessings each day and take my hands off the wheel of life. God is steering me where I need to go and showing me the people I am to love in this world.
God has brought me and my family to each of you at Napa, and I am eternally grateful to God and for your love. That is why I walk in peace with God, knowing I am blessed and yet, humbled that the God of eternity continues to touched my life, and does not bargain, but simply loves and teaches me to love in return.
Shalom my friends and may your walks in life be ones of peace with God.
Roger
Welcome New Baby
Fyona Jane Mitchell was born on April 30, 2009
To Jennifer and Curtis Mitchell
She weighed 8 pounds, 15 ounces and was 21 inches long
Her happy sisters are Sonja and Lydia
May God Bless this sweet new baby!
United Methodist Women’s 2009 Reading Program
Many thanks to Ruth McIntosh for graciously donating three additional books to the UMW Reading Program library. They are as follows:
“I Choose To Stay: A Black Teacher Refuses to Desert the
Inner City”
by Salome Thomas-El
(2008-Nurturing for Community Category)
“Leap of Faith: Memoirs of an Unexpected Life”
by Queen Noor (Large Print edition)
(2008-Spiritual Growth category)
“They Take Our Jobs” and 20 other myths about
immigration
by Aviva Chomsky
(2009-Social Action category)
The brochure explaining the UMW Reading Program can be found on the library shelves along with a listing of all the eligible books. To check out a book, simply remove the inserted card, write your name and date on it and then place it in the card file tray on the desk. When you return the book, please place it in the green bin below the UMW library book shelves. Thank you.
Sunday the 31st of May is The Day of Pentecost
"a rush of wind and tongues of flame."
Wear RED to church and celebrate the
Gift of the Spirit.
Barbara Farmer Recognized
Our own Barbara Farmer was presented an award for thirty years of volunteer service to Queen of the Valley Medical Center at a luncheon in her honor last week.
She said it was a labor of love and her pleasure to serve.
Congratulations, Barbara! Your church is very proud of you!
COME PLAY WITH US! FUMC Play group meets each Thursday from 9:30 to 11:30 am in the church nursery. Babies, toddlers, pre-schoolers and their caregivers are welcome!
Call Eva at 252-0708 for more information.
FUMC serves THE TABLE on the 4th Tuesday of each month. Our next day is May 26th. We can always use extra help so if you’d like to help us, please call Eva to sign up.
Grapevine
The next deadline is May 21st and it
will be mailed out on May 27th.
please email your articles to
secretary@napaumc.org
UMW Unit Meeting
May 21 - 10:00-11:00 a.m. Kagawa Room
Program: “A Call to Prayer and Self-Denial: Creating Communities Through Information Technology”
Contacts: Joan Feury 255-0494—Barbara Thompson 255-0457
All are welcome to come to any meeting! Bring a friend.
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
Napa Creek Manor
The Board of Directors of Napa Housing Foundation invites you to join them at Napa Creek Manor, 1300 Jefferson St., Napa on Sat., May 16th from 2-4 pm to celebrate 25 years of providing affordable housing for senior citizens.
The program will begin at 2:30 pm with music by the Sing Alongs, remarks by the residents and community leaders and the sharing of memories.
Refreshments will be served
Please RSVP to 257-1878
VITAL
SIGNS RIDES AGAIN!
Plan
now to attend the all-church potluck and table-talk session
on Sunday, June 7th.
Time:
Immediately Following Worship
Place: The
Fellowship Room
Event: Food for Thought and Food for
the
Soul
Purpose: Join your fellow
congregation members
for Brunch and a meaningful discussion
around the topics of Lifelong Learning and Ministry in our
Community.
And it’s not too early to
think about the
POT
LUCK.
Please
bring food to share that can be served cold and prepared in
advance.
Food should be easy to eat and no cutlery required.
Some ideas are as follows:
Sandwiches,
cut into small portions and labeled
Cold
kabobs with cheese/meat/veggies
Cold appetizers:
frittatas, mini pizzas
Fruit kabobs
Fruit and Veggie
Pieces - apple pieces, carrot
sticks, celery, jicama, radishes, pickles
Sierra Service Project
Gourmet Dinner
The Hannas will host the gourmet dinner in their beautiful garden surrounded by vineyard and mountain views. The youth will serve and entertain guests.
"A Little Bit of Italy"
Saturday, May 30th
5:00PM Appetizers and Wine
6:00 PM Dinner
Your $50 contribution to this fundraiser supports the eight youth attending SSP in Loleta, CA where they will spend a week in service to the Wiyot Tribe.
The youth will accept your reservation and payment in the Fellowship Room on Sunday after worship service on May 17th and 24th.
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
Coffee, cookies, lemonade and friendship are served at 10:30 am
Adult Bible Study: 10:45 am Parlor
Sunday School for All Ages begins at 10:45 am
High School Youth Group begins at 11:00 am
May 17 Scripture: Acts 10:44-48; Psalm 98; 1 John 5:1-6; John 15:9-17
Michael Herzog, Lay Speaker Bonner Bells
May 24 Scripture: Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; Psalm 1; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19
Rev. Douglas J. Monroe—Four Parts of Mass—sung by two visiting choirs with Cathedral Choir
May 31 Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; Psalm 104:24-35b; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27, 16:4-15
Michael Herzog, Lay Speaker Day of Pentecost God’s House Band
June 7 Scripture: Isaiah 6:1-8; Psalm 29; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17
Rev. Douglas J. Monroe Peace With Justice Sunday Bonner Bells