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APRIL 2012 ADDRESS • 800 GREENSBORO AVE , TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401 PHONE • 205.345.7261 FAX • 205.345.7263 WEB • WWW.FUMCT.ORG EMAIL [email protected] AFTER HOURS PASTORAL EMERGENCY LINE • 205.886.7177 Check out My Fumct on Facebook! Follow The Bridge on Twitter at TheBridgeFUMCT! Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS The Way of Sorrows Friday, April 6, 2012, from 5:30pm-7pm, First United Methodist Church Tuscaloosa, AL Families are encouraged to enjoy this Good Friday experience together! Begin at the 8 th street sidewalk that leads into the courtyard. Begin your walk anytime between 5:30-6:30 pm and conclude by 7pm. There will be nine stations and each one depicts a portion of Jesus’ final hours. Walking the Stations, or The Way of Sorrows begins on the 8 th Street sidewalk at the Courtyard Gate. You will receive a printed guide for your walk containing scriptures. Each station is created by a member of our church. Each person walks the Way of Sorrows at their own pace. Families are encouraged to walk the Stations together. What is Stations of the Cross? As part of their acts of devotion, early Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem retraced the route of Jesus as he carried his cross to his death. Early pilgrimages varied considerably with different starting places and different routes. As the practice developed in the medieval period, the starting point for this journey through the streets of Jerusalem began in the ruins of the Fortress of Antonia that originally housed Pilate’s Judgment Hall. It concluded at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher that marks the traditional site of Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus. By the sixteenth century, the route this pilgrimage took through Jerusalem came to be called the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrow. Along the Way, certain points on the journey (stations) were associated with specific events re- counted in the Gospel accounts This act of reverence and devotion has been preserved through the centuries, although the actual practices associ- ated with it have changed considerably. Still, its origins in pilgrimage provide the shape and content of the practice. The Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross are still a popular pilgrimage destination in Jerusalem. Each year during Lent and especially on Good Friday, thousands of Christians retrace the route of Jesus through the streets of 800 GREENSBORO AVE TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401 CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED CONNECTING POINT INFORMATION The Connecting Point is published monthly by FUMCT, 800 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 ● 205.345.7261 ● www.fumct.org ● Editor: Hannah Crisp ● [email protected]. Deadline for copy: The 15th of each month is the deadline for the following month’s publication. Submissions can be sent to Hannah Crisp at [email protected] or may be submitted in writing to the church office. BROADCAST INFORMATION The Sunday 11:00 a.m. Traditions Worship Service is broadcast on WACT 1420 AM. Tapes/CD’s of Traditions & DVDs of The Bridge are available in the office. Contact Jean at 345-7261, Ext. 10 for more information. You may also listen to sermons by going to our website www.fumct.org. Click “Attender” and click on “listen to a sermon.” Perceptions® radio messages may be heard Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m. on WZBQ-FM (105.9) or WTXT-FM (94.1) or between 3:20 and 3:40 p.m. on WZBQ-FM (105.9). (Continued on page 10) HOLY WEEK & EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULE Through intentional effort during this holy season of Lent we have shed those things that have kept us from God and we have made space for God in our lives as we read and studying “Forty Days of Fruitful Living.” As we approach the end of Lent, we prepare our hearts for the culmina- tion: The Resurrection. We hope you will participate in all of our services during Holy Week. Be- cause of your participation throughout the week you will find that Easter Sunday morning takes on a whole new level of meaning and power. WEEKDAY SERVICES Chitwood Hall Noon-1:00 p.m.** Each weekday , we’ll eat lunch and then flow right into a time of worship that centers us on the final events of Jesus’ life. Childcare will be available for each of these services. MONDAY, April 2 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane —Matthew 26:36-46, Cooper Shattuck TUESDAY, April 3 Peter’s Denial of Jesus —Matthew 26:69-75, Wade Langer WEDNESDAY, April 4 Barabbas or Jesus? —Matthew 27:15-26, Jimmy Mixson THURSDAY, April 5 The Passover with the Disciples (with Communion)—Matthew 26:17-29, Brad Almond FRIDAY, April 6 The Crucifixion of Jesus —Matthew 27:32-44, Bill Brunson MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE Chitwood Hall 6-7:00 p.m. Join us for this special worship service of Holy Communion. Each year on Holy Thursday we remember the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ as we receive the bread and juice of Holy Communion. The music, the scriptures, and the prayers prepare our hearts for Good Friday. GOOD FRIDAY THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS 5:30-7 p.m.*** Begins on 8 th Street Sidewalk at the Courtyard Gate Arrive anytime between 5:30-6:30 p.m. Concludes at 7:00 p.m. Join us again this year for a powerful experience of walking The Way of Sorrows/The Sta- tions of the Cross. There will be nine scenes that depict the final two days of Jesus’ life. Each station will be created by artists in our church. We’ll begin at the Courtyard gates and walk (Continued on page 5)

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APRIL 2012

ADDRESS • 800 GREENSBORO AVE , TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401PHONE • 205.345.7261 FAX • 205.345.7263

WEB • WWW.FUMCT.ORG EMAIL • [email protected] HOURS PASTORAL EMERGENCY LINE • 205.886.7177

Check out My Fumct on Facebook!

Follow The Bridge on Twitter at TheBridgeFUMCT!

Making Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World

GOOD FRIDAY STATIONS OF THE CROSS The Way of Sorrows

Friday, April 6, 2012, from 5:30pm-7pm, First United Methodist Church Tuscaloosa, ALFamilies are encouraged to enjoy this Good Friday experience together!

Begin at the 8th street sidewalk that leads into the courtyard. Begin your walk anytime between 5:30-6:30 pm and conclude by 7pm.

There will be nine stations and each one depicts a portion of Jesus’ final hours. Walking the Stations, or The Way of Sorrows begins on the 8th Street sidewalk at the Courtyard Gate. You will receive a printed guide for your walk containing scriptures. Each station is created by a member of our church. Each person walks the Way of Sorrows at their own pace. Families are encouraged to walk the Stations together.

What is Stations of the Cross? As part of their acts of devotion, early Christian pilgrims to Jerusalem retraced the route of Jesus as he carried his cross to his death. Early pilgrimages varied considerably with different starting places and different routes. As the practice developed in the medieval period, the starting point for this journey through the streets of Jerusalem began in the ruins of the Fortress of Antonia that originally housed Pilate’s Judgment Hall. It concluded at the ancient Church of the Holy Sepulcher that marks the traditional site of Golgotha and the tomb of Jesus. By the sixteenth century, the route this pilgrimage took through Jerusalem came to be called the Via Dolorosa, the Way of Sorrow. Along the Way, certain points on the journey (stations) were associated with specific events re-counted in the Gospel accounts

This act of reverence and devotion has been preserved through the centuries, although the actual practices associ-ated with it have changed considerably. Still, its origins in pilgrimage provide the shape and content of the practice. The Via Dolorosa and the Stations of the Cross are still a popular pilgrimage destination in Jerusalem. Each year during Lent and especially on Good Friday, thousands of Christians retrace the route of Jesus through the streets of

800 GREENSBORO AVE TUSCALOOSA, AL 35401CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

CONNECTING POINT INFORMATIONThe Connecting Point is published monthly by FUMCT, 800 Greensboro Avenue, Tuscaloosa, Alabama 35401 ● 205.345.7261 ● www.fumct.org ● Editor: Hannah Crisp ● [email protected]. Deadline for copy: The 15th of each month is the deadline for the following month’s publication. Submissions can be sent to Hannah Crisp at [email protected] or may be submitted in writing to the church office.

BROADCAST INFORMATIONThe Sunday 11:00 a.m. Traditions Worship Service is broadcast on WACT 1420 AM. Tapes/CD’s of Traditions & DVDs of The Bridge are available in the office. Contact Jean at 345-7261, Ext. 10 for more information. You may also listen to sermons by going to our website www.fumct.org. Click “Attender” and click on “listen to a sermon.” Perceptions® radio messages may be heard Monday through Friday between 7:30 and 7:50 a.m. on WZBQ-FM (105.9) or WTXT-FM (94.1) or between 3:20 and 3:40 p.m. on WZBQ-FM (105.9).

(Continued on page 10)

HOLY WEEK & EASTER SUNDAY SCHEDULEThrough intentional effort during this holy season of Lent we have shed those things that have kept us from God and we have made space for God in our lives as we read and studying “Forty Days of Fruitful Living.” As we approach the end of Lent, we prepare our hearts for the culmina-tion: The Resurrection. We hope you will participate in all of our services during Holy Week. Be-cause of your participation throughout the week you will find that Easter Sunday morning takes on a whole new level of meaning and power. WEEKDAY SERVICES Chitwood Hall Noon-1:00 p.m.**Each weekday, we’ll eat lunch and then flow right into a time of worship that centers us on the final events of Jesus’ life. Childcare will be available for each of these services.

MONDAY, April 2 Jesus Prays in Gethsemane —Matthew 26:36-46, Cooper Shattuck TUESDAY, April 3 Peter’s Denial of Jesus —Matthew 26:69-75, Wade Langer WEDNESDAY, April 4 Barabbas or Jesus? —Matthew 27:15-26, Jimmy MixsonTHURSDAY, April 5 The Passover with the Disciples (with Communion)—Matthew 26:17-29, Brad Almond FRIDAY, April 6 The Crucifixion of Jesus —Matthew 27:32-44, Bill Brunson

MAUNDY THURSDAY SERVICE Chitwood Hall 6-7:00 p.m.Join us for this special worship service of Holy Communion. Each year on Holy Thursday we remember the sacrificial love of Jesus Christ as we receive the bread and juice of Holy Communion. The music, the scriptures, and the prayers prepare our hearts for Good Friday.

GOOD FRIDAY THE STATIONS OF THE CROSS 5:30-7 p.m.***Begins on 8th Street Sidewalk at the Courtyard GateArrive anytime between 5:30-6:30 p.m. Concludes at 7:00 p.m.

Join us again this year for a powerful experience of walking The Way of Sorrows/The Sta-tions of the Cross. There will be nine scenes that depict the final two days of Jesus’ life. Each station will be created by artists in our church. We’ll begin at the Courtyard gates and walk

(Continued on page 5)

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ATTENDANCE 2.26.12 3.4.12 3.11.12 3.18.12TRADITIONS & BRIDGE WORSHIP WOW ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL K-5TH GRADE SUNDAY SCHOOL NURSERY SUNDAY SCHOOL YOUTH WEDNESDAY NIGHT YOUTH SUNDAY SCHOOLYOUTH SUNDAY NIGHT

about our congregation

• In thanksgiving for his life, Louis Hampton Bush, February 22, 2012.• Sympathy to Jackie Tucker in the death of her brother, Judge Jerry Baird of Tuscaloosa. He was the grandfather of Caroline & John Davis Baird, the uncle of Dr. Curtis (Erin) Tucker & Cynthia (Dale) Vandagriff & the brother-in-law of Katherine Baird.• Sympathy to Julia (Danny) Norris in the death of her daughter Loraine (Lori) Hale Williams of Panama City, FL. She was also the granddaughter of Lorraine Williams and sister of James Hale.• Sympathy to Rick (Marilyn) Stephens in the death of his aunt, Margaret Stephens of Odenville, AL. She was also the sister-in-law of Dot Stephens.• Sympathy to Beau and Cindy Wicks and family in the death of his aunt, Patricia Josephine Price Matkin of Tuscaloosa. She was also the sister-in-law of Stan Moyer.

NEW MEMBERS

welcome to our congregation!BIRTHS1.31.12-OLIVIA NICOLE SCHRECONGOST, Daughter of Jennifer & Josh Schrecongost, Great-granddaughter of Jane & Jerry Eure2.20.12-MARY-MILLER DUNLAP BAKER, Daughter of Mary Kathryn & Ted Baker2.22.12-CHARLOTTE PAIGE PATTON, Daughter of David & Paige Patton, Granddaughter of Pat & Bill Patton

sympathy to our church family

attendance & budget stats

FINANCIAL REPORTOPERATING BUDGET BUILDING BUDGETDESIGNATED GIVING

102141

4379459

N/A5152

96330

3264464

N/AN/AN/A

65818

22919305114

N/A

$31,392.95$1,034.00$1,299.00

$49,745.45$317.00

$1,707.98

$27,239.63$1,550.00

$940.00

church happenings

71522

2544237

N/A43

N/A

$27,413.97$177.00 $490.00

ONGOING GROUPS FOR ADULTS ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTSPASTOR’S BIBLE STUDY Lee Classroom(Room 110) 6:00 p.m. Led by Dr. Ken Dunivant The study contin-ues each Wednesday evening.

CREATING CHRISMONS Craft Room 6:00 p.m. The class continues as a group works to repair and replace our Christmas ornaments.

COFFEE AND CONVERSATION 6:00 p.m. For those who just want fellowship.

WOMEN’S BIBLE STUDY Stabler Conference Room 6:00 p.m Led by Liz Wilson

SINGLES TOGETHER Parker Fireside Room 6:00 p.m. Led by Dennis Harkey Discussions on life issues, fellowship together, and often go to dinner following the meeting.

FOUR NEW ADULT CLASSES BEGINNING APRIL 11Telling Your Story: Stories of Family and Faith Led by Dr. Millie JacksonApril 11, 18, 25 & May 2 & 9 Room 215 6:00–7:30 p.m. In an era where we communicate in texts, we often lose the richness of oral stories. What story do you want to tell? Is it a story about your faith? Is it a family memory that you want to capture to pass on to younger generations? Perhaps there is a story about a lesson you have learned that has shaped who you are and what you value? Maybe there is a story that you have loved that you just want to learn how to tell. Join us for a five week storytelling class that will end with an opportunity for you to present your story. We will discuss story structure and how to find the Most Important Thing (MIT) in a story, talk about developing ideas from sparks, and work on telling stories in a safe environment. The final night will be a Storytelling Olio where you can invite others to hear your story. Dealing with the Rejection and Praise of Man (Author, Bob Sorge) Led by Jeff & Hope Holemon April 11, 18, 25 & May 2 & 9 Room 221 6:00-7:00 p.m.

Rejection. Ugh! Many of us have been devoured by its ravages, and most of us have also given it out. Praise. Now there’s a happier word! But the sinister tentacles of man’s praise constantly seek to dis-qualify God’s servants from their highest inheritance. Rejection and Praise are like twin gullies that flank the narrow highway of holiness. Every step counts. For Jesus, man’s opinions were meaning-less in light of the exuberant affection and passionate approval of His Father. Learn how to hold your heart before God in a way that pleases Him in the midst of both rejection and praise from people.

The Forgotten God (Author, Frances Chan) Led by Tonya HesterApril 11, 18, 25 & May 2 & 9 Room 220 6:00-7:00 p.m.

A follow up to the profound message of Crazy Love, Pastor Francis Chan offers a compelling invita-tion to understand, embrace, and follow the Holy Spirit’s direction in our lives. In the name of the Father, the Son, and...the Holy Spirit. We pray in the name of all three, but how often do we live with an awareness of only the first two? As Jesus ascended into heaven, He promised to send the Holy Spirit - the Helper - so that we could be true and living witnesses for Christ. Unfortunately, today’s church has admired the gift but neglected to open it. Breakthrough author Francis Chan rips away paper and bows to get at the true source of the church’s power - the Holy Spirit. Chan contends that we’ve ignored the Spirit for far too long, and we are reaping the disastrous results. Through scrip-

2.26.12-MICHAELA ANNE CATHERINE KOZAK, Daughter of Tynan & Chris Kozak

2.26.12-ALBERTA LINDSEY “BERTIE” WASCHER, Daugh-ter of McCall & Ricky Wascher, Granddaughter of Nancy Y. Taylor

3.8.12-ARIELLE LEE SANDBERG, Daughter of Rebecca & Doug Sandberg, Granddaughter of Stephenie & David Justice.

2.27.12-LILY KRISTEN WILLIAMS, Daughter of Lori Hale Williams & Levi Williams, granddaughter of Julia & Danny Norris, Great-granddaughter of Lorraine Williams.

WEDNESDAY NIGHTS ALIVE! CONTINUES APRIL 11-MAY 9Dinner Chitwood Hall 4:45-6:15pm Programs for all ages begin at 6:00pm.

Bill & Charlye Adams with daughter Anna Cate

Cindy Sands

Chris & Michael Byrd

Stephanie Gurrola

Hal & Mary Jean Sproul

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about our congregation church happenings church happeningsMERRY METHODISTS/OLDER ADULT4TH WEDNESDAY LUNCH• April 25 at noon in Chitwood. Please sign up by Monday noon 4/23.

MATINEE MUSICALS AT SHELTON & BIRMINGHAM• Sunday, May 20, Singin’ in the Rain, Birmingham• Wednesday, July 18, Gypsy, Shelton• Sunday, July 22, Legally Blonde, Birmingham

More info in the Merry Methodist newsletter and on the web-site. If you are interested, contact Ethelyn Stuhr as soon as possible at 205.345.7261, ext. 26 or [email protected].

CONTACT INFORMATIONIf your address, phone number, or email changes at any time, please let the church know so that we can better our communication. We try to inform you of what is going on, so help us help you! Contact the church office to make any changes or updates.

CONGREGATIONAL CAREThe Congregational Care Ministry is basically our inside ministry—taking care of our members while global out-reach goes beyond the church membership. Our primary need now is people to arrange and others to deliver flowers on Mondays and also people to visit nursing homes and assisted living members. Call Ethelyn Stuhr at 205.345.7261 ext. 26, or email [email protected] to sign up.

CELEBRATION CRUISE WITH DR. MAXIE DUNNAMJanuary 26, 2013, 8 days from New Orleans

We will take a bus to New Orleans and board Royal Caribbean Navigator of the Seas for 7 nights. Dr. Dunnam will speak during days at sea, “When the World Takes the Wind out of your Sails.” Visit Falmouth, Jamaica; George Town, Grand Cayman; and Cozumel, Mexico. Contact Ethelyn for more details at [email protected] or 205.345.7261, ext. 26. www.eo.travel/find_trip (tour LA13, date 012613N; group leader ID #50573)

the Old City of Jerusalem, many carrying small or large wooden crosses. Throughout the world, churches may choose to offer Stations of the Cross on Good Friday.Here’s what people said about last year’s experience of Stations of the Cross:“I thought it was an amazing experience and I hope it will become a tradition! What a way to celebrate Good Friday!”

“Stations was a beautiful experience for all. Thank you.”

“I am very proud of this church for trying new things and reaching out in new ways to bring in the people wanting to be closer to God.”

“Thank you for putting together such a meaningful event. It touched my heart and soul on so many levels.”

“That was a most impressive setting, and something I’ve never seen before. I’ve walked the Stations of the Cross in Jeru-salem, but this was very well done. All of the participants did a great job in creating a thoughtful and inspirational setting.”

“It was a wonderfully blessed experience. Over the years of many Easter Services this was one of the greatest we have experienced. Each Station was impactful and unique! The handout to go with it was awesome. You are all talented! We are so blessed to have each other.”

Rev. Mary Bendall, Associate Pastor

(Continued from “Stations of the Cross” on page 12)

tural support and compelling narrative form Chan’s invitation to stop and remember the One we’ve for-gotten, the Spirit of the living God.

Faith Lessons: On the Death and Resurrection of the Messiah (Author, Ray Vander Laan) April 11, 18, 25 & May 2 & 9 Room 212 6:15-7:30 p.m. Led by David & Stephenie Justice

This study focuses on the last week of Jesus’ life, his death and resurrection, and the Holy Spirit’s visit on Pentecost. It was filmed on location at these impor-tant Biblical sites: 1. When Storms Come (Sea of Galilee); 2. Piercing the Darkness (Kursi); 3. Gates of Hell (Caesarea Philippi); 4. City of the Great King (I) (Jerusalem); 5. City of the Great King (II) (Jeru-salem); 6. The Lamb of God (Mount of Olives); 7. The Weight of the World (Capernum/ Gethsemane); 8. Roll Away the Stone (Garden Tomb); 9. Power to the People (Southern Stairs); 10. Total Commitment (Caesarea).

Visit www.fumct.org/grouplink for additional details and to register online.

REMEMBER TO BLESS YOUR NEIGHBORIt’s not too late to adopt a “blessing.” Come by the church during office hours to claim one of the remain-ing blessings. Remember to give your blessing no later than April 27. Email a report of your BYN experience to Chere Flanagan at [email protected]. We would like to share your story.

CARD CARE TEAMEaster Cards are on the receptionist’s desk ready to pick up by April 1.

CELEBRATION CIRCLE MEETINGCelebration Circle Meeting is Tuesday April 3 in the Parker Fireside Room at 6:00 pm. Jim Wilson has the program.

NEW CHURCH WEBSITE COMING SOON!The design for the homepage of the upcoming FUMCT website, shown to the left, was submitted by Hannah Crisp. Visit www.fumct.org/newweb-site to view the design and to offer suggestions for the content of our new site. Your ideas are welcome and encouraged.

ARE YOU TECHY? YOUR CHURCH NEEDS YOU!Join the Team working on the new FUMCT Website. Contact Chere Fla-nagan at [email protected] to get in-volved. Share your ideas for the new site at www.fumct.org/newwebsite.

Pictured here is screen shot of the new website design. (Home page pictured only) To view the new design, visit www.fumct.org/newwebsite.

EMERGENCY LINEWe have a cell phone for after-hour emergencies. The number is 205.886.7177. Please keep this number for emergency use only to contact the on-call pastor at nights or on weekends. Leave your name, phone number and a short message and we will return the call in a timely manner.

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RECREATION NEWS Below are some photos taken at February’s Exercise is Medicine event.

BIG THANK YOU FOR YOUR HELP! Thanks for serving as Coaches for the 2011-12 FUMC Children’s Basketball Program: Shannon Formby, Russ Harshman, Geoff Ledbetter, Todd Pickers, Susan Harper, Jim North, Lamar Daniels, Kenneth Crowe, Richard Ellis Jr., Michael Rodgers, Brett Wilkin, Bryan Finison, Chass Horton, Craig Benoit

PARA ADULT CO-ED SOFTBALLWe need a coach/manager and many others interested in playing on a co-ed softball team for FUMC this Spring.Registration deadline is March 30 and season begins April 17, 2012. If you want more info on PARA Softball go to www.tcpara.org. Contact Linda Dunn at [email protected] or 205.345.7261, Ext. 28 if you are willing to be our team manager.

*EXERCISE CLASS DESCRIPTIONS: All fitness levels are welcome! Bring a mat for the yoga class! Please wear athletic shoes to all classes, except yoga. AEROBICS WORKOUT: 90% cardio class (dance and athletic moves) high or low impact with a few minutes of toning and cool down stretch. Modifications offered for beginners. Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutes)INTERVAL WORKOUT: 3 minutes of cardio (STEP or floor) 1.5 minutes of muscle work conditioning, cool down stretch. Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutes) SENIOR FITNESS: Mild /Moderate Exercise class geared for 55 yrs. And up. Great variety of exercises with (or without) a chair using body bars, dumbbells, tubing, and balls. Emphasis is on balance, strength, flexibility, and muscle coordination. Please wear athletic shoes. (45 minutes)STEP & SCULPT: Intervals of STEP aerobics and muscle conditioning using body bars, dumbbells, balls, and tubing. Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutes)STEP ATTACK: High energy athletic moves on step and floor (moderate to high intensity) with a few minutes of toning and cool down stretch. Modifications offered for beginners. Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutesTBC: Total Body Conditioning is a “PUMP” up your muscles class emphasis is on strength training for major muscle groups with a long cool down stretch! Be prepared to work! Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutes)YOGA: Exercise for your body, mind and spirit with emphasis on practicing yoga asanas (postures), yoga breathing, and meditative relaxation. Many modifications are offered for all levels of fitness. No athletic shoes required. (60 minutes)ZUBMA FITNESS: High energy cardio dance fitness class. We use Latin and international music that will move your muscles into an exercise groove. Fun Plus! Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutes)20/20/20: Instructor’s choice of a combo of any three (20 min. each) of these exercise classes on the schedule into one special workout for you! Plan to work up a real sweat! Please wear athletic shoes. (60 minutes total)

church happeningschurch happenings

FIRSTKIDS NEWSPALM SUNDAY PROCESSIONAL Sunday, April 1 at 11:00 a.m. in Traditions for Infants – 5th Grade.Preschool children and parents: meet at 10:50 AM on front steps of the church.

KWA (K-5) KWA will be performing with the Adult Choir. Practices are during KWA on Wednes-day nights beginning at 6:45 p.m. It’s not too late to be a part of this special occasion.

EASTER SUNDAY, APRIL 8There will be two WOW services on Easter Sunday at 9:45 a.m. and 11:00 a.m.Come and be a part of the butterfly release. Hope to see you and your children during the Lenten season.Moira Parker and Stephanie Charboneau can now be reached at [email protected] and [email protected].

ARTS, BAKE & CRAFT FAIR (Arts, Baked Goods and Crafts)Thursday, April 5 from 10:00 AM - 5:00 PM in Church Activity Center Featuring arts, baked goods, and crafts. Crafts include hand-crafted jewelry, stationary, originally designed hand-knit-ted scarves, stained glass art items and Easter décor. This is a wonderful opportunity to buy gifts to benefit missions.Smoked Chickens by “Cooking for Christ”-Buy a smoked chicken for $10 by Monday, April 2 from Elaine Englebert. Bring ticket to craft room on Thursday, April 5 between 10AM and 5PM to pick up orders.All UMW Members -bring baked goods and items to sell to the craft room on Wednesday afternoon, April 4 from 1-5pm or Thursday morning, April 5 from 8:30-10AM.

GLOBAL OUTREACHApril will be a very busy month for us in the Global Outreach Ministry of First United Methodist Church. We have mis-sion teams developing, projects that need volunteers, and the dedication of our first complete house rebuild with the “Hope Builders” project. We pray you will join us for one or more of these wonderful activities.

Honduras Mission Team - We are in the process of forming our 2012 Honduras Mission Team. This will be a medical mission team with a children’s activity component. We will need Physicians, Dentists, and general volunteers (no experience needed!) for a myriad of service opportunities. The teams travel dates are set for Saturday June 23 – Saturday June 30, 2012. The team will have its initial interest meeting on Sunday, April 22, 2012 at 12:15 p.m. in the Parker-Fireside Room at the church. We will discuss the teams goals, different tasks we will be assigned, trip costs breakdown, etc.. For more information please contact Joshua Davis at 205.345.7261, ext. 52.

Open House at the United Methodist Boys Home - On Saturday April 21, 2012 from 2-4 p.m. the United Methodist Boy’s Home here in Tuscaloosa will be hosting an open house at the orphanage. There will be a tour of the facility, light refreshments, and a small discussion with the Home’s Director. However, before the open house there are sev-eral small maintenance items that need to be taken care of. These are items that a small group (10 or less) would be perfect to work on. The tasks vary greatly, so all experience levels are needed. If you are interested in being part of a Saturday work team to go assist with some of these items please contact Joshua Davis at 205.345.7261, ext. 52.

“Hope Builders” Tornado Rebuild House Dedication - Mark your calendars for the Sat-urday before Easter, April 7 at 3:00 p.m. for the Hope Builders’ rebuild dedication! The address is at 122 Juanita Drive. Rock Stone, the UMCOR Director, will be speaking and we will have refreshments. We hope to have a large turnout from First united Methodist Tuscaloosa for this very meaningful day!

Joshua Davis, Director of Hospitality & Global Outreach

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church happenings church happeningsTHE POWER OF SACRED MUSICMost musicians that dedicate themselves to music ministry feel a sense of calling to their profession. In a way, I think all professional musicians must feel a calling to the life and pursuit of music. It’s certainly not for the glory and fame, despite what you might think. The truth is, musicians – particularly sacred musicians – know of the immense power with which music can communicate directly to the human condition. They have caught a glimpse of the ability of music (and all the arts) to sway the human soul like no other medium, and that the love and appreciation of music adds value to a person’s life. Once a sacred musician makes this connection, the rest of his or her life is spent sharing this creation of God with others, especially those outside the church walls.

At the beginning of March, I attended a conference in Winston-Salem, NC for the American Choral Directors As-sociation. I am currently serving on the leadership board for the State of Alabama chapter of ACDA, and I was looking forward to hearing some of the choirs from around the southeast. Some of the best college concert choirs and high school honor choirs and advanced church choirs always sing for ACDA concerts, but there was one choir that really caught my ear.

The Voices of Hope choir is made up of inmates from the Metro State Prison outside of Atlanta, GA. It’s an all women’s prison and therefore and all women’s choir. As the director told us, “These singers are chosen based on their musicianship, conduct, positive attitude, and commitment to ministry through song.” Their director, Chaplain Susan F. Bishop, told us how the prison uses the power of music to give women prisoners something that they need badly…hope. They lead worship services for other inmates. If members of the choir continue good behavior practices, do what they are supposed to, and do it all with a good attitude, they are allowed to travel outside the prison walls to sing. After the presentation, I met with their director and also bought their CD. As I was listening to the CD, I came across a dedication for one of the songs. “Precious Lord is sung for the encouragement of all men and women on death row. Emma Cunningham, soloist, spent two and half years on Georgia’s death row. She has been a successful and productive citizen since her release from prison in 1992.”

Draw nearer to God, and God will draw near to you. —James 4:8

This is the power of God’s creation—music. It can bring hope and value to the listener and singer alike – to the free and the imprisoned alike.

Faithfully,

James SeayDirector of Music and [email protected]

ALLIANCE STUDENT MINISTRYThis month, Alliance capped off our spring break with a Meet Us At The Movies event. Over 50 students joined us for dinner at Zaxby’s and the we walked to the Cobb to see Dr. Suess’ The Lorax. It was a great movie urging people to do something about the situation we are in and ended with Suess’ quote, “Unless someone like you cares a whole awful lot, nothing is going to get better. It’s not.”

We also had a Workship Weekend and assisted Josh with his tornado relief efforts.March was also a recruiting month in the Stu-dent Ministry for the 2012-2013 school year. If you would like to volunteer in the student min-istry next school year please contact [email protected] to discuss the potential for doing ministry with our 6-12 grade students.

through the Courtyard and into Chitwood Hall. You will be given a simple bulletin with instructions and scriptures that will help to guide you through the nine stations. This powerful evening will be an excellent experience for a family to do together. EASTER SUNDAY MORNINGBREAKFAST Stations around the church 7:45-10:45 a.m. (Everyone is welcome)

TRADITIONS Sanctuary 8:30 a.m. 9:45 a..m. 11:00 a.m.

THE BRIDGE Chitwood Hall 8:30 a.m. 9:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. (corner of 8th Street and Lurleen Wallace Ave.)

W.O.W. WONDERS OF WORSHIP FOR CHILDREN K-3 Grade 9:45 a.m. 11:00 a.m. (Attend the service of your choice. Children will be led to W.O.W.)*The day of Resurrection is what gives us the hope we need for our lives. Everything else that we do as a church and in our own lives is impacted by our core belief that ultimately life prevails. Join us as we celebrate that Christ is risen! NOTE: Adult Sunday School classes will decide on their own as to whether they will meet on Easter morning. Please check with your Class Leader. There will be no Sunday School for Children or Youth. *At the W.O.W. services there will be butterflies released. Therefore, please pick up your children in the Courtyard. ** Childcare provided*** No Childcare

(Continued from page 1)

THE HARVEST CAPITAL FUNDS CAMPAIGNOn Sunday, April 15, 2012, FUMCT will be kicking off our Capital Funds Campaign called The Harvest. Be sure to look for information coming to you in the mail, the e-Con-nect, and other publications!

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