SEPTEMBER 2014
Special points of
interest:
Our Vision
Publication
Spire Deadline
Altar flowers
Church hours
Electronic giving
Go green
Church calendar
Sermon Schedule 2
Church Council 3
Announcements 4
Sr. High Mission Trip 4
Birthday &
Anniversary Corner 5
Inside this issue:
Volume 45, Issue 6
firstchurchofmesa.com Share the Journey iPraise iConnect iServe
THETHE
SPIRESPIRE
RENNICK’S REFLECTIONS
There is a game that’s played among children and youth that pushes the imagination
and allows them to dream for a moment. The game goes something like this: What would you do if given $20 to spend? The responses range from save it to give it away. Some responses include getting a special item or some sort of edible treat.
In the Bible, we read a story about three people who are given an amount of money and told to wisely take care of it. The first two persons went out and doubled the
amount given to them. The third person, fearing the anger of the giver, hid the money to keep it safe. On the day of accounting, the first two persons who had doubled the amount of money given to them where praised for their efforts. The third was released from his responsibility. (see Matthew 25:14-30)
Recently, we have been given a similar challenge. A grant from the Annual Conference in the amount of $2000 has been given to each local church. Bishop Hoshibata is invit-
ing us to prayerfully imagine how to use this gift as seed money to jump-start some-thing new to create vital ministry to reach new people. Something new may include an effort to reach persons who are new to the neighborhood, a training event for the con-gregation, some sort of evangelism outreach, starting a new worship service, Bible study, or a small group ministry.
This is something very exciting and challenges us to ask, “What can we do for the sake of God’s kingdom?” I’d like to rather think we ask, “What is it that we cannot do?” As
we imagine, the possibilities are endless. So what can we do with this gift? Put it under a mattress? Place it in a savings account? Take an additional collection and multiply the amount? Invest in the transformation of the world? Let’s give this a shot.
I invite you to dream about this gift and how it is a launching point for doing something BIG. Our meet and greets have been opportunities to dream about First Church. Let’s keep up this great momentum and see just what we can ignite together. Please discuss your thoughts in your classes and small groups or write me at da-
[email protected] with your ideas.
Dreaming!
David
Page 2
OUR VISION
We strive to reach
out to the
community
through:
A ministry of
continuous
spiritual growth;
A ministry with
children, youth,
and families in all
their diversity,
and;
A ministry of
music and the
arts.
LIKED THE
SERMON?
You can now download the
sermons onto your Ipod or
listen via your computer.
Visit firstchurchofmesa.com
and start reaching out
electronically to friends,
family, and those who are
looking for God!
September 7th Communion Sunday
Promotion Sunday
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Mending Fences”
Sermon Title: “Mending Fences With Conflict Resolution”
September 14th
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Mending Fences”
Sermon Title: “Mending Fences With My Family”
September 21st
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Mending Fences”
Sermon Title: “Mending Fences With My Neighbor”
September 28th
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Mending Fences”
Sermon Title: “Mending Fences With God”
October 5th
World Communion Sunday
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Fears of Faith”
Sermon Title: “Forgiveness”
October 12th
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Fears of Faith”
Sermon Title: “Hell”
October 19th
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Fears of Faith”
Sermon Title: “Forces of Darkness”
October 26th
9:00 & 11:11 am
Sermon Series: “Fears of Faith”
Sermon Title: “Death”
SEPTEMBER SERVICES OCTOBER SERVICES
Publication
Deadlines
Sunday Bulletins /
Announcements
Wednesday Noon
Spire Deadline
All articles to be submitted
to the church office no
later than
September 10th
(Holidays and vacations may
advance or delay these deadlines
by a day or two.)
Page 3
Flowers
To place flowers on the
Lord’s Table in honor or
memory of someone
special contact the Church
Office at 480-969-5577
The SPRC committee by Discipline of The United Methodist Church functions as the churches person-nel committee. In that capacity, we are thrilled to announce that Patricia “Lisa” Kaleopa has been hired as our new Administrative Assistant. Lisa will be working part time in the office Monday-Thursday. Those of you that have been in the office may have seen Lisa functioning in a volunteer ca-pacity, but now it is official. She has already become an important part of the staff team. Please help us in welcoming Lisa! Her new email address is:
Katie Mozurkewich, our Office Ad-ministrator, remains on staff full time and is adding event coordi-nating responsibilities to her cur-rent role as Administrator. Katie’s email remains:
Welcoming our new Pastor – there will be a number of meet and greets with Pastor David in the coming weeks. Please look for a sign-up sheet in the Narthex on Sunday or e-mail Margie or Sandra if you would like to host or attend a meet and greet. Sandra Lackore: [email protected] Margie Rick:
Thanks to all who participated and helped with the Potluck and Hymn Sing on August 24. We hope you enjoyed singing your favorite hymns! Thanks to Kevin Gardner & Bonnie Loney for leading us in the
Hymn Sing.
Please remember to wear your nametag on Sunday mornings. This is part of our attempt to provide radical hospitality at first Church. Also, Pastor David asked us to wear our tags so he can
learn our names. If you need a new nametag, go to the table in the narthex, add your name to the list, and we will be sure you receive a tag the following
Sunday.
CHURCH COUNCIL The following reports reflect the goal of FUMC’s Church Council - connecting our vi-sion with our ministry:
WELCOMING MINISTRY STAFF PARISH RELATIONS
WORSHIP COMMITTEE
Fry’s Community Rewards &
Albertson’s Rewards
Please contact Peggy Tenney at 602-510-2088 to find out more information on these programs that earn some extra money for our church projects. Fry’s is re-quiring that we re-register at this
time so please do so asap.
Page 4
ANNOUNCEMENTS
CHURCH
OFFICE HOURS
M-TH:
9—4:30 pm
PH: 480-969-5577
Electronic
Giving
Electronic giving is a
direct debit program
where your
contribution is debited
automatically from
your checking or
savings account,
either weekly or
monthly. This is an
easy way to fulfill
your stewardship
commitment, even
when you are unable
to attend church. You
can pick up an
authorization form in
the church office, and
talk to Lynn Adams
for further details.
CHECK OUT our new
option to give with a
debit/credit card on
our website at
firstchurchofmesa.com
Bible Study:
The Wednesday morning bible study group will resume meeting on Sep-tember 10th at 10:00 a.m. in
the Assembly Room.
This bible study group has donated a clock which hangs on the Assembly Room wall in
loving memory of Phyllis Kern Howe, who was a long time
member of their group.
Church Library:
Our church library is located in the Assembly Room. There are no check out cards—just borrow a book, read and re-
turn.
Donations of Chris-tian books are needed, both fiction and non-fiction
(Christian only).
Trunk or Treat:
Save the date!
October 25th
from 3:00–
5:00 p.m.
SENIOR HIGH MISSION TRIP
Page 5
SEPTEMBER BIRTHDAYS
9/01 Carroll, Stan
9/01 Kuck, Nicole
9/02 Cummings-John, Yemi
9/03 Tatom, Erinn
9/03 Warden, Jim
9/04 Bunning, Eric
9/05 Webb, Jamie
9/06 Mozurkewich, Emma
9/08 Ripley, Jim
9/08 Thuenen, Randall
9/11 Pirlo, Debbie
9/12 Cummins, Sierra
9/12 Koniseti, Kipeli
9/12 Lewis, Terry
9/13 Christensen, Eleanore
9/13 Mayberry, Vanessa
9/13 McCraw, Jerad
9/13 Mindrup, Raymond
9/13 Vasko, Vera M.
9/14 Tapaatoutai, Siokatame, Sr.
9/15 Courtright, Mary Jo
9/15 Patterson, Betty Jo
9/15 Sellers, Krissi
9/16 Kaye, Mary
9/17 Standage, Seth
9/17 Thuenen, Jonathan
9/18 Kain, Ryan
9/19 Walkosz, Cameron
9/20 Stevenson, Sandra
9/21 Bartlow, Jeanette
9/22 Desenberg, Margaret
9/22 Rountree, Evelyn
9/22 Thuenen, Judy
9/22 Whitford, Anthony
9/23 Barefoot, Juanita
9/23 Cummngs, Abigail
9/23 Smith, Loretta
9/23 Whitford, Theresa
9/25 Baum, Ann
9/26 Conger, Donna
926 Lucchesi, Rick
9/26 Phillips, Linda
9/26 Tenney, Peggy
9/27 Grace, Donny
9/27 Larry, Inez
9/30 Kopf, Mary
9/30 Larson, Kathy
9/07 Ripley, Jim & Pam
9/12 Hakaumotu, Tevita & Puii
9/13 Sellers, Mike & Krissi
9/13 Sanders, Shad & Nikki
9/16 Thuenen, Randall & Judy
9/27 Blais, Raymond & Tracy
Congrats to
all our
birthdays & anniver-
saries! If
your name is not on our
list (or if you
know of someone
who should
be), please call the
church office
so we may update our
information.
We truly do not mean to
leave anyone
out.
SEPTEMBER ANNIVERSARIES
THE SPIRE First United Methodist Church
15 E. First Ave. Mesa, AZ 85210 480-969-5577
fax 480-844-2846 Spire Submissions:
[email protected] www.firstchurchofmesa.com
Office Hours: 9 am - 4:30 pm Monday - Thursday Editorial Policies: The mission of The Spire is to be one communication source for the First United Methodist Church of Mesa. Other communication sources include e-mails, the Sunday church bulletins and verbal announcements made at services or other official meetings. Chairpersons of Boards and Committees , coordinators, members and friends of First UMC may submit announcements, information or items of interest that relate to the mission of the church. The Editor shall reserve the right to either accept or reject articles, to edit for space, grammar and accuracy. Currently, the Spire is being published monthly. Deadline for submission of articles are published both in this newsletter and weekly bulletins.
The deadline for submission of articles for the next issue is September 10, 2014. The Spire Newsletter Team Editors: Katie Mozurkewich and Linda Phillips Publisher: Linda Phillips Printers: Jo Ann Ramirez Davis, Kermit Davis Assemblers: Pam Rutkowski, Irene Risser, Carla Zwald, Linda Miller, & Margaret Desenberg
THE SPIRE (USMC 944660) is published monthly, by the First United Methodist Church, 15 East First Avenue, Mesa AZ 85210, a nonprofit organization. Periodical postage paid at Mesa AZ 85201-9996.
www.firstchurchofmesa.com
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to THE SPIRE, 15 E. 1st Ave., Mesa AZ 85210
DATED MATERIAL– DO NOT DELAY
Pastors:
Rev. David C. Rennick
Rev. Dr. Bob Mitchell
Rev. Cecil Lackore - Pastor Emeritus
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