Coming back to the heart of worship Undignified worshippers worshippers [2 Samuel 6]
Faith at Firststorage.cloversites.com/firstunitedmethodistchurch2/documents/Fa… · 9:00 a.m. in...
Transcript of Faith at Firststorage.cloversites.com/firstunitedmethodistchurch2/documents/Fa… · 9:00 a.m. in...
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time on a beautiful summer day.
Whatever the reasons, persons
of all ages enjoy Worship in the
Park, which begins June 13.
Thanks to Louise and Mark Buis-
seret, Jan Conner, David and
Judy D’Arcy, Annie and Grace
Johnson, the McGuire family,
Elaine Moy Johnson, Jonathan
and Chris Nieuwsma, and Gayle
Webber for their input.
Louise Buisseret is a fan of
Worship in the Park. ―I love
being able to dress casual
and ride a bike over. The
church sanctuary is beautiful,
but nothing can beat a sunny
summer morning in the park,‖
she reports.
For the 12th year, First Church
offers an outdoor summer
worship option. Worship in
the Park is a casual, come-as-
you-are service on Sundays at
9:00 a.m. in Lunt Park, on the
corner of Church Street and
Sheridan Road in Evanston.
Worshippers bring their own
blankets or beach chairs for
this 40-minute service.
Many cite the informality and
family-friendly nature of Wor-
ship in the Park as a selling
point. ―You can wear shorts‖
says one member. ―Your kids
can roam around to other fami-
lies’ blankets, and everyone is
fine with that,‖ says another.
One five-year-old says she likes
eating cookies and climbing
trees after worship.
A number of persons point to
how the natural beauty of the
setting enhances their worship
experience. Others cite the ear-
lier start as a way to maximize
Worshipping in Shorts
J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 0
Faith at First
I N S I D E T H I S E D I T I O N
Long range planning begins
Program year comes to a close
Ghana team departs June 20
Material for the August issue is
due July 23. Please send info to
Worship in the Park begins on Sunday, June 13 and runs through September 5. In case
of rain, worship is held in Great Hall. If the weather is questionable, call the church
office for the location. The 10:30 a.m. worship service in the sanctuary continues all
summer. We will resume with one worship service on Rally Day, September 12, 2010.
Photo by S. Smith Photography, copyright 2008.
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We are coming to the end of our
program year; we have cele-
brated confirmation and have
sent our Senior Pastor on re-
newal lave for 12 weeks. I would
like to encourage everyone to
intentionally seek time for Sab-
bath during these summer
months.
Sabbath is a tradition of biblical
faith that we too often overlook
in our earnest efforts to be who-
ever we think we are expected to
be—productive citizens, perfect
parents, exemplary professors or
students, pillars of the church.
The challenge of the Sabbath is
to remove ourselves from the
work that we think defines us
and to rest instead in the knowl-
edge that we are not what we do.
We are creatures of God who
live, grow and learn through
God’s grace. God’s command-
ment to rest is a gift to us, a re-
minder that the world can turn
without us. It is a gift that we
must learn to accept, and sum-
mer is the time to begin.
In summer, the pace around First
Church slows a bit, we move out
to the park to worship, and we
Page 2 F A I T H A T F I R S T
enjoy creation at camp and in
our summer travels. Vacations
scatter us in new directions
where we can gain new perspec-
tives on ourselves and how we
spend our time.
The staff is in and out of the of-
fice more, and we will honor
summer office hours to give the
staff a little more time to find
rest and to enjoy summer.
I encourage you to seek Sabbath
time during these summer
months and to rest in God’s
grace and love.
Peace.
—Jane Cheema
Pastor of Youth and
Family Ministry
The Dean’s List Jane Contemplates Faith and Life
Can you imagine 29 ukuleles playing in
unison? Guests at our Senior Luncheon on
April 29 were treated to ukulele music,
singing, and dancing performed by the Na
Kupuna Ukulele Club of Chicago (with
dancing by some of our members) cele-
brating the spirit of Aloha. Thanks to our
seniors who attended and to Ann Covode
and the Congregational Care Committee
for coordinating the event.
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At the May 2 Charge Conference,
a committee was established to
develop a long range plan for
First Church. Committee Chair
Rob Magee explains the process:
"Over the coming months, the
committee will gather informa-
tion on everything that is cur-
rently happening at the Church
and on the needs and opportuni-
ties that we might address. We
will develop a tentative plan of
priorities for the next five years,
bring that to the congregation for
further refinement, and then for
ultimate adoption."
The previous long range plan
was established in January 2005
and has served as a
guide for staff assign-
ments and budgeting
since that time.
The new committee
began their work in
May. Committee
members include Dex-
ter Bailey, Donald E.
Baker, Ethelyn Bond,
Matt Dunaway, Joe
Haughney, Mary Hen-
derson, Linda Mac-
Cracken, Rob
Magee, Amy Mosser,
Heath Port, and a
youth representative.
Long Range Planning Process Launched
Page 3 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 0
On May 14, Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary
awarded Dean Francis an honorary Doctor of Divinity
degree for his leadership and service to the First
Church congregation and the seminary. Photo by Bill
Burlingham.
Two years passes quickly, and we are already saying goodbye to Nancy Lynn, our
seminary intern since Fall 2008. Upon her graduation from Garrett-Evangelical
Theological Seminary, Nancy received a number of awards, including the Myrtle Say-
lor Speer Award for ―expanding the vision of women in ministry and theological
scholarship‖; the Hoyt L. Hickman Award for outstanding liturgical scholarship and
practice; the Ernest T. Campbell Preaching Award; and the Quentin Nolte Prize for
promise in ministry. In addition, Nancy was selected by her classmates to preach at
the senior graduation chapel service.
In June Nancy and her daughter Emily are moving to Ann Arbor, MI, where she has
been appointed the Associate Pastor of the First United Methodist Church there.
Many thanks to Nancy for all her contributions to the life of this faith community,
and best wishes to Nancy and Emily as they make a new home in Ann Arbor.
During her two-year internship at First Church, Nancy assisted with worship, taught
confirmation and adult classes, coordinated Children’s Chapel, provided pastoral
care, and participated on various administrative committees. She also helped with
baptisms , and enjoyed being a parent (rather than a pastor) for her daughter Emily’s baptism at our Easter
Vigil. Photo by Clark Federer.
Nancy Lynn Sent Forth with Honors
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Page 4 F A I T H A T F I R S T
On June 6, the final Sunday of
our program year, we celebrate
the gifts of our musicians and
our children as they lead wor-
ship.
The adult handbell ensemble will
play arrangements of two ethnic
hymns, ―Cantad el Senor‖ and
―Siyahama‖, both of which the
congregation will sing during wor-
ship. Our children’s choir will
sing an anthem by former organ-
ist-music director Austin Love-
lace, and the Chancel Choir will
offer ―Benedictus Es, Domine‖, a
piece of praise and acclamation
by early 20th century composer
and church musician Everett
Titcomb.
Student instrumentalists and
perhaps a saxophone
ensemble will also par-
ticipate in music that
day.
Also in the June 6 wor-
ship service, our children
will lead the processional
carrying a banner they
have created in Chil-
dren’s Chapel, our wor-
ship education program
for ages four through
fourth grade. Older chil-
dren will server as lec-
tionary readers that day.
Our summer worship
schedule begins June
13.
Musicians, Children Lead Worship on June 6
Photos by Clark Federer
S U M M E R W O R S H I P
June 13—September 5
9:00 a.m. Worship in the Park
at Lunt Park (Church St.
and Sheridan Road)
10:30 a.m. Sanctuary Worship
fellowship time on the lawn
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Ahoy, me Hearties! Come and join me mates and crew!
Pirates are the theme of this
summer’s Vacation Bible
School, held at First Church on
July 12–14, 5:30-7:30 p.m.
Children entering kindergarten
through fourth grade are in-
vited to participate in this Veg-
gie Tales program of bible sto-
ries, music, games, and crafts.
The $15 cost includes dinner
each night. Registration forms
are available in the church of-
fice. For additional details,
please contact Beckie Corneli-
son, camp director, at [email protected] .
Summer Means Camp(s) for First Church
Page 5 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 0
Thanks to 2009-2010 Children’s Ministry Volunteers
Our Children’s Ministry at First Church is strong and growing because
of the dedication of many volunteers who teach and assist our children
in Sunday school each week. Thank you!
Toddlers and Twos: Cheryl First Bornstein, Allison Greer, Ann & Will
Borders, Rebecca Kaegi. Lisa Huff. Kari Kemerer, Liz Blackwell, Angeli-
que Ketzback, Mark & Louise Buisseret. Jeanne-Marie & Tom Daly,
Mike Flesher
3 and 4 year olds: Jim & Stephanie Casey, Kate Edwards, Pete Clem-
son, Laura Pryzby, Leslie Treece, Matt & Lynelle Diener, Tina & Paul
Kalil, Kari & Dave Van de Walle
Kindergarten and 1st grade: Lisa Huff & Robert Sahadevan, Elaine &
Matt Moy Johnson, Christina Zentner, Renee Poole Brownlee,
Kathy Ryan & Rocky Clancy, Pat Haughney, Jen Eberle, Karen Young
2nd and 3rd grade: Liz Blackwell, Judith Campbell, Sungju Bark, Jessica
Clarke, Lori Colbert, Ann Wehmeyer, Mari Leonard & Rich Hobson,
Matt & Kirsten Dunaway
4th, 5th, and 6th grade: Jennifer Christensen, Beckie Cornelison, Dave
Vance, Evelyn Alford, Pam Peters, Lisa Burkhart , Becky Kass, Jim
Champlin, Abbey Ogunbola
C H I L D R E N ’ S P R O G R A M
C O O R D I N A T O R P A S S E S
T H E B A T O N
At the beginning o f June, Pam
Kendall, First Church Children’s Pro-
gram Coordinator, will pass the ba-
ton to Beckie Cornelison, who will
serve as interim coordinator for our
children’s ministry area. For three
years as a staff member and two
volunteer years before that as chair
of Children’s Council, Pam solidified
our children’s ministry area and
brought a mission focus to it.
In September we will formally recog-
nize and thank Pam for her service.
First Church offers three summer
camp experiences.
Creation Camp this June 14-18
is for children entering third
through eighth grade. Campers
enjoy five days and four nights at
Wesley Woods Camp on Lake
Geneva.
Vacation Bible School (details at
right) is three evenings in July for
kindergarteners through fourth
graders.
CIA Camp (Children in Action)
August 9-12 is a hands-on mis-
sion experience for kids entering
third through sixth grades.
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F A I T H A T F I R S T Page 6
Mission Team Seeks Prayer Partners for Ghana Trip
On June 20, 18 First Church
youth and adults leave for a ten-
day Volunteers in Mission trip to
Ghana. In Ghana, the volunteers
will continue work on a Method-
ist Youth Center in Aburi, working
side by side with Ghanaians to
construct a dor-
mitory at the
Youth Center
site.
The congrega-
tion is invited to
participate in
the experience
by serving as
prayer partners
for the team
members.
Prayer partners
typically develop
special relation-
ships and sup-
port the mission team members
through prayer or special medita-
tions.
Interested persons can request
to be assigned to a specific team
member or to get to know a new
person. Please contact Joanna
Gwinn at (847) 869-4541 or
[email protected] if you
would like to participate.
The 2010 Ghana mission team
includes college students Tina
Cheema, Dylan Powell, Alex
Rhea, Emily Roth, and Amanda
Schultze; and adults Ethelyn
Bond, Ruth Gerald, Don Gwinn,
Pam Kendall, Eleanor Nicholson,
Bonny Roth, Beth and Terry
Ruppe, Rob and Stacy Schultze,
and Jack Turner. The trip is led
by Jane Cheema and Joanna
Gwinn.
Above: On April 30 over 80 people enjoyed a dinner of tra-
ditional Ghanaian food (groundnut stew, jol lof rice, ground
cornmeal, fried plantains, and tropical fruit) and heard
Bishop Charles Konadu describe traditional family life in
Ghana and the Church’s challenges helping Ghanaian fami-
lies cope with change. Jim Young (above left) talks with
Bishop Konadu (center) and Felix (right), a Northwestern
grad student from the Mo-Dega area in Ghana. Below: A
main street in Aburi. Aburi photo by Galen Frysinger.
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Page 7 J U N E / J U L Y 2 0 1 0
F A C E S A T F I R S T
2nd and 3rd Graders Explore Their Church Home
This spring our 2nd and 3rd graders gathered for a scavenger hunt, exploring the stained glass windows and wood carvings
and discovering many nooks and crannies in the church building. Judith Campbell, who thought of the idea and carried it out
along with Liz Blackwell and Paula Scholl, envisioned it as a way for the kids to build their relationships while becoming more
aware of the architectural components and worship history of First Church. ―I want them to feel like this is their church, too,‖
says Judith, ―and not just their parents.‖ Photos by Judith Campbell.
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S T R A W B E R R Y
S H O R T C A K E S E R V E D
O N T H E L A W N
On Sunday, June 20, worship-
pers at the 10:30 a.m. service
will be treated to strawberry
shortcake during fellowship hour.
Our summer fellowship time is
held on the Hinman Ave. lawn
after the 10:30 a.m. service in
the sanctuary.
C H A P E L P O T L U C K
C E L E B R A T E S P R O -
G R A M Y E A R E N D
Families are invited to an infor-
mal Children’s Chapel potluck
and open house on June 6 after
worship. Bring a snack or light
P A N C A K E S I N T H E
P A R K S E T F O R J U N E
2 7
Membership Growth and Devel-
opment invites all to stay after
Worship in the Park on June 27
for a pancake breakfast with all
the fixings. This will be our
fourth Pancakes in the Park
breakfast.
5 1 6 C H U R C H S T R E E T
E V A N S T O N , I L 6 0 2 0 1
( 8 4 7 ) 8 6 4 - 6 1 8 1
W W W . F A I T H A T F I R S T . C O M
N E W S A N D N O T E S F R O M A R O U N D F I R S T C H U R C H
dish to share and come cele-
brate the end of the program
year.
The ever-popular Pancakes in the
Park is scheduled for June 27.
Photos by Frank Montagna.