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I n s i d e t h i s i s s u e :

Discipleship Corner; Primetimers

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VBS Registration 3

Lay Pastor’s Message; photo

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UMW Notes; photos; Vet-eran of the Month

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Financial News; Feeding the Hungry; photos

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Youth News 7

This Month’s Calendar of Weekly Events

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www.facebook.com\rapidcityfirst 629 Kansas City Street, Rapid City, SD 57701

Phone 605-342-4498

www.rapidcityfirst.org

Twitter.com/RCFirstUMC

Greg’s Greeting

Pastor Greg

Messenger

RapidCityFirstUMC on Instagram

On the calendar for this summer is a significant anniversary date. Au-gust 18, 2017 marks the passage of 60 years since the catastrophic fire that left our previous church building all but destroyed with only an auditorium floor and the brick shell remaining. This is a time for us to look back upon that event, re-hear the memories of those who expe-rienced this loss, and cherish the faith and commitment of a congrega-tion undeterred in furthering the church’s mission despite the devas-tation.

I’m eager for us to gather the pictures, tell the stories, and share the spirit that was behind all the efforts to re-commit to our downtown presence and construct the facility that’s been our spiritual home for the past 6 decades. There’s fresh blessing and inspiration as we recall and connect with the strength and perseverance exhibited by the peo-ple of First UMC during that period of great adversity. Beyond the time and costs of rebuilding, as we consider the degree to which the congregation continued to worship, provide for Sunday School, and offer ongoing ministries, despite having no permanent building, we discover encouraging insight into our spiritual DNA. Truly, our identi-ty has been forged in fire – both literally and figuratively.

In looking back 60 years, now is also a time to look ahead. The facility that stands as a witness of our incredible past stands in need of re-pairs and refurbishments to support our current and future minis-tries. Several volunteer teams have gathered information over the past 18 months on the specific areas of need. This has been compiled and reviewed by the Leadership Council. All these steps are leading to a more formal analysis of our building, along with professionally rec-ommended updates to our Master Plan. This report should be availa-ble very soon.

Gathering the facts, and sharing the information as widely as possible among our congregation’s members and friends are absolutely essen-tial activities. The Leadership Council and I are committed to this transparency. Facts alone are just a part of the picture. We are the inheritors, the stewards of the legacy of faith generated by the genera-tions within our church who rose to the circumstances 60 years ago. Some of those folks are still among us today, thanks be to God! What does it mean for all of us to follow in their example now? With grati-tude for the people and decisions of the past, let’s be bold in articulat-ing and living into God’s desired future for us and our church facility.

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Jason’s Discipleship Corner

Upcoming Activities June - August 2017

June 2 2:00pm PrimeTimers Birthday party (church parlor)

June 16 Missile Museum

DATE CHANGE FOR JULY BIRTHDAY PARTY!

July 14 2:00pm PrimeTimers Birthday party (church parlor)

August 4 2:00pm PrimeTimers Birthday party (church parlor)

Primetimers are a group of retired and semi-retired seniors who get together for sup-port, fellowship and fun. If you’re interested in knowing more about this group, please call

Beverly at the church office, 342-4498.

Hello Congregation,

Time for the June newsletter article already, wow where did that year go? I have been with you a little over a year now and I hope that we have been able to encourage and challenge you in your faith journey.

I know that with June it is the beginning of summer and all the vacation plans and picnics as well. I know how important it is to take advantage of this time to make memories. As your disciple coordinator, I would like to take this opportunity to re-mind you that discipleship is a year around process. We need to continue to make disciples for Christ no matter what time of year it is.

We will continue to offer a class for you through the month of June and we will have several projects for you to get involved in throughout the summer months. I encour-age you to stay involved and active. After all this is what Christ expects of us.

Until next month,

Jason Christensen

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VBS 2017! June 11th – 16th 5:45-8:05pm

Preschool* through 6th Grade

Parents’ names___________________________________________________________________________

Address ___________________________________City ________________________ Zip ______________

Phone: Home ________________________________ Cell: ______________________________________

Local contact if parent cannot be reached: ______________________________________________

Phone: ___________________________________ relationship: __________________________________

Preschool age children must be 3 and potty trained. For the quality and safety of our VBS preschool program, class size is

limited to 20 children.

Please use this form to register all children in your family attending VBS. If you are bringing a friend to VBS, please have

them fill out a separate form.

There is no fee for our VBS, but a suggested donation of $5 will help defray the many costs of a VBs program.

The first 100 children to register will receive a VBS tee shirt, will supplies last.

Photo release: I hereby grant permission for my child/ren listed on this form, to be included in pictures, promo materials, and publications con-

nected with VBS at FUMC. My child’s picture may apprear in publications and promo materials such as newsletters, slideshows, church website,

postcards, and flyers.

Parent signature: ______________________________________________ Date: _________________

Questions? Contact Miss Lori at 342-4498 or lori@rapidcityfirst.org

Name Age Tee shirt

size (XS-

L)

Grade

(going into

fall 2017)

School Allergies or medical

concerns

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Lay Pastors’ Message

1 Thessalonians 5:18 (NRSV) 18give thanks in all circumstances; for this is the will of God in Christ Jesus for you.

I recall a time about 15 years ago, walking from my parking spot in the downtown ramp toward the office I worked at the time. I had a design firm with three partners and we were working hard to make a go of it. I don’t remember what had happened, but I remember heading to the office extra-early that Monday morning, worried about something pertain-ing to a client. I was dreading a phone conversation, wondering how things were going to turn out, and in general, just extremely anxious.

As I had stepped off the curb to cross Main Street, “in ALL things, give thanks” popped into my head.

I began to pray, thanking God for this difficult situation, for the mix of emotions I had been feeling, for the client and their project needs and their aggressive communication style. As I began the prayer and the words escaped my lips, it felt wooden and backwards, saying “Thank you” for something I was not at all thankful for, but as I continued, waves of relief washed over me. I realized as I gave thanks to God in this difficult circumstance, just saying those word was transferring things. I was trusting God to do something with it, I was releasing it to God’s care. Suddenly I felt joy and assurance that no matter what happened with this particular issue, overall everything would be okay.

My hope for you today is that if you are struggling with something, you find a way to thank God for it and believe in the long run that it will be used for your good. Remember Romans 8:28

“We know that all things work together for good for those who love God, who are called according to his purpose.”

God’s blessing of peace to you all!

Michele Slott

Worship downstairs in the “Blue Room” May 17, 2017.

Anyone is welcome to join us at 6pm on Wednesday nights once we start up again in the fall!

Contact Jerry at 342-4498!

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Find the June UMW News at the “Welcome Center”. Stay in-the-know about Rapid City First UMW happenings! Mission u 2017-- applications are available in the UMW drawer in the church office workroom. Dakotas Conference Mission, open to all male or female, is highly ac-claimed by anyone who has attended. Camps for children, grades 2-5 and for youth grades 7-13 are held simultaneously at the Southern Site. First timer scholarships available; CEU for lay pastors and lay leaders available. See the application blank for more information. Contact LaRee Mayes, past dean, to carpool to Mitchell. Dates to Remember June 1--Prayer Shawl Ministry, 1:30 pm, parlor June/July--Circle fellowship events (check with your Circle president or contact person for details.) July 13-16--Mission u, Southern Site, DWU, Mitchell, SD July 20-23--Mission u, Northern Site, Jamestown U, Jamestown, ND August 9--UMW Potluck Picnic, 11:30 am, Old Storybook Island shelter, Wesleyanite Circle hosting

UMW Notes

Congratulations to our youth and young adults coordinator, Jerry Simmons, for being named Rapid City’s Veteran of the Month for May!

FUMC Youth’s incoming fourth-graders (left) and out-going seniors (below)!

Financial News

Monthly contribution update:

April 2016 Actual April 2017 Actual April 2017 Budget

$51,054 $56,706 $57,683

April Contributions were above last year and budget.

We are currently short $6,300 in apportionment payments.

Electronic Funds Transfer (EFT) is a very quick and safe method of donating to the church. If you are interested in using EFT please contact me and I will give you an easy form to fill out.

If you have moved or changed phone number/address please notify the church office so we can update the church records. Also we need updated EMAIL addresses as the church will start sending church information via the internet!

Keep The Receipts Coming - We have a total of $101,024.79 in Family Thrift Center and Prairie Market receipts. Once we reach $150,000, the church receives $1,000 from Nash Finch to help with church expenses. Thanks, Jon and Nila Boone, for totaling the receipts each Sunday.

“We Care” food certificates are a great way to give to your church and your community! Simply write a check to First UMC and get a food gift certificate (Safeway, Walmart or Family Thrift) for the amount of your check. You are given the full amount, but Church Response and First UMC both get a percentage! It is a win-win proposition!!

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Feeding the Hungry Cornerstone Rescue Mission Meal

Thanks to Susan Dittman, John and Judy Hey, John and Betty Lou Duncan, Mardeena Bentz, Glynis Becker, and Randy Welch for serving the meal on May 21.

Church Response

We donated more than 126 cans of tomatoes during May. Thanks, everyone! Watch the bul-letin and the announcement slides or call the church at 342-4498 to find out what we’ll collect in June.

Youth Group Move-up Night at WNL - May 17

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Youth News

Senior Recognition May 21 at the 9:30am service

Senior “dinner” included a campfire at Storm Mountain

Youth Sunday - April 30, 2017

See the rapidcityfirst.org calendar on the website (click the lines at the top right of the home page for the menu) for up-to-date events and more information. Or call the office at 342-4498 if you need more information.

Day Time Event Location

Sunday

7:15 AM Communion Service Chapel (except first Sunday of the month)

Sunday 8:00 AM Gospel Worship

Service Sanctuary

Sunday 9:00 AM Intercessory Prayer Team Chapel

Sunday 9:30 AM

Contemporary Worship Service Sanctuary

with Children's Church

Sunday 11:00 AM Traditional Worship Service

Sanctuary

with Children's Church

Sunday 6:00 PM UM Beliefs class Parlor

1st Monday 6:00 PM Lay Pastors’ Meeting Parlor

Monday 7:00 PM Men’s Sermon Study Blue Room

3rd Tuesday 5:30 PM Leadership Council Meeting Parlor

Wednesday 6:00PM High School Youth Various sites

Thursday 6:00 PM Praise Team practice &

Courtyard Outreach Parking Lot

This Month’s Calendar of Weekly Events

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