Pastor’s Reflections
Dear Friends,
My wife, JoAnn, used to watch daytime dramas–soap operas. She doesn’t have the opportunity so much anymore, but back when she was working at home she could get into them. And of course, I loved making fun of these shows. It was like shooting fish in a barrel, what with all the excruciating examination of feelings, the agonizingly long reaction shots just before commercials, the inevitable complications that arise when your daughter just happens to be married to your new father-in-law… what absurd lives these people lead! (So you’ll know, JoAnn now gets back at me for my addiction to televised sports which are, if anything, a more complete waste of time.)
One of my most frequent observations was that nothing much seemed to happen. The characters didn’t seem to have real jobs. They didn’t spend a day at the beach or fly kites or ride bicycles. They didn’t do much of anything that got them out of intense, circular conversations in living rooms and bedrooms. They seemed trapped, like rats in a maze. Often I’d ask out loud, “Why don’t these people just go to church?”
Now going to church, in and of itself, doesn’t solve all problems. I’m a minister and I can only wish it was that simple, but clearly it isn’t. Yet some kind of break in the routine, in the endless re-working and re-telling of our own stories, is absolutely necessary for authentic living. Indeed, it isn’t just soap operas where people are trapped like rats; all of us can find ourselves in a maze, running fast but never getting anywhere, doomed to an endless traversing of old ground.
A day is coming, however, that can lift us out of the maze of our own making, like that giant hand grabbing hold and finally bringing us out of our box. It’s Easter, and somehow it just works. For once, we look not ahead or behind, but up. For once, it’s not just about all this crud I’ve gotten so caught up in, not just about my own career/marriage/health/ politics/finances… there’s a God. And a God who loves the world, and me! Hallelujah!
Granted, Easter is a single day, and a day on the calendar doesn’t mend our lives. But it can lead to a daily, perhaps even hourly resurrection, where our souls are drawn back up where they belong. It is with God, and in communion with Christ, where we are happily unencumbered, freed from confusion, free to be ourselves. So again, Hallelujah!
You’ll want to come to church on Easter. You’ll want to bring your friends and family, and all those who don’t get to church very often. Tell them it’s time for some up-lift, time to get out of the rat race. I believe inviting somebody to worship on Easter makes it doubly wonderful, akin to giving someone an unexpected gift and then accompanying them as they enjoy it.
And if you want to make it truly special, more authentically meaningful, then the drama of Holy Thursday is a must. We will recall the events leading to the crucifixion, we will take the Lord’s supper, and have a chance to make our own silent confession.
When we do these things, when we contemplate the full story of Jesus on this earth and beyond, when we allow ourselves to experience His resurrection as our own, we leave the soap opera behind. Come… laugh, cry, learn and live. Get lifted up! Get resurrected!
Blessings,
John Wagner
Holy Week Services
Maundy Thursday, March 28
7:00pm
Special service celebrating the Last Supper, offering Communion, Prayer & Music
Good Friday, March 29
12:00pm at First UMC
7:00pm at Bethlehem Lutheran
Focusing on the Crucifixion
Easter Sunday, March 31
8:15am Sunrise Service
9:15am Breakfast
10:30am Worship Service
Lenten Sunday School Class
“Examining Our Beliefs”
Schedule continues to Easter:
Mar 3 “The Life of the Spirit”
Mar 10 “Why Believe? A Panel Discussion”
Mar 17 “The Church, Then & Now”
Mar 24 “Jesus Christ: His Life & Work”
This session of classes is open to all adults and youth, and is especially important for those new to the First Church congregation.
Bach Society of Dayton performs “St. Matthew Passion”
As we experience the Lenten journey, the Bach Society invites us to attend its performance of Johann Sebastian Bach’s monumental St. Matthew Passion on Sunday, March 10th at 4:00pm at the Kettering Adventist Church, 3939 Stonebridge Rd. in Kettering. The work recounts the story of Jesus’ path to the cross. Considered to be among the greatest choral works ever written, it is rarely performed in Dayton. A free concert preview with Dayton Philharmonic Orchestra Music Director Neal Gittleman precedes the concert at 3:00pm. With a group of 10 or more we can take advantage of discount ticket prices—just $15/adults and $7/students; ages 12 & under are free. For more info go to www.bachsocietyofdayton.org
Go with the FUMC group…
Mary Ellen Clinard invites you to attend this performance with a group who will engage in a lunch/study session prior to the performance. See “Music Notes” for more details.
Palm Sunday Ecumenical Service & Potluck Dinner
Sunday, March 24@ 4pm
at Bethlehem Lutheran Church
Second Baptist Church and St. Paul’s United Church of Christ will join us at Bethlehem Lutheran (212 S. Broad St.) for an ecumenical service followed by a potluck dinner. Every family needs to bring a side dish or dessert to share; FUMC providing the meat entrée. Hope to see you there!
Do You Remember…?
Memory has become an issue for me. I have always struggled to remember names and this continues at an accelerated pace. Lent is a time to remember. This was impressed upon me in our recent Ash Wednesday service. In the prayer of thanksgiving over the ashes we heard these words: “Grant that these ashes may be to us a sign of our mortality and penitence, so that we may remember that only by your gracious gift are we given everlasting life …”
As ashes were imposed on our foreheads we were told “Repent, and believe the gospel.” Other words of imposition sometimes used are “Remember that you are dust, and to dust you shall return.” This is a powerful reminder of our mortality. We have limited time on this earth.
To re-member is to re-connect the broken and scattered parts of our lives. We are all in the process of growing into wholeness. Broken hearts and broken relationships, physical, emotional and spiritual brokenness all call us to remember the source of our healing. Lent is a great time to remember and be re-membered.
David Hilton
Visitation Pastor
Baking Reminder
*Cookies needed Mar 3*
Those who plan to make cookies for the “Care Packages for College Students & Military “ should mark your calendar to bake and bring cookies in on Mar 3(boxes will be packed that day then shipped).
We are asking for you to bake cookies that are small to medium in size (2” or less) and the quantity should be (8) baggies of (6) cookies each; the size & quantity is important as boxes only allow so much space and we wish the cookies to make it in one piece. Please contact the church office to let us know that you will be baking so we can make sure there is enough for all the packages. Please contact the office or Imogene Orts for questions or to help in any way with this outreach.
Connecting in the Commons
The half hour before the worship service in the Commons has become a time of connection and refreshment for those waiting on the worship service to begin. As you know it takes some simple preparation and a team to make it all happen.
Thank you to those who have served as hosts so far for this connection time each Sunday morning: Marcy Andrews, Carolyn Callis, Katey Shepperd, Mike & Linda Snyder, and Debbie Taylor.
We invite anyone who would like to participate in this team effort to please let us know which Sunday you would be willing to provide bagels, donuts, coffee cakes, or whatever you think might be a special treat for the congregation. Contact the office for more information.
Highview Partnership Ministry Update
Our latest project was the supply drive for the Highview staff. The response from the congregation was terrific and inspiring. Between donation of materials and money we were able to grant all the requests that were submitted. That is such a blessing to us and the teachers! Coming up for the Team are support for parent/teacher conference nights, 3rd quarter awards party, and helping with the 5th graders’ visits to familiarize them with Highview Sixth Grade Center for next year. Keep May 9th in mind if you are able to help with the cook-out/field day for the students. I will be posting details as I receive them. Blessings to you all for your support for this ministry.
—Lynda Goecke
“Training in Tansen” In Nepal
Update from Dr. Les & Debbie Dornon, missionaries to Nepal working in the Tansen Hospital
How much training does a trainer need? I, Les, was “invited” to come to Kathmandu for a training skills course, to help me be a better instructor. Since several of the training courses which we run at Tansen Hospital have outside grant support, the sponsors want to make sure the instructors have all been properly trained. The first 3 days was for the Primary Trauma course, in which I teach physician’s assistants, interns and residents how to give first aid to seriously injured people. The clinical training skills course (so I can teach physician’s assistants and skilled birth attendants the necessary skills for their jobs) was for the following 5 days. After 8 days of training, I was very happy to get back here, to the work that I enjoy doing. I see patients, both in the clinic and on the wards. And I do continuing education for interns and residents at the hospital, and for physicians’ assistants and midwives who come to the hospital for training from other hospitals and village clinics. Our hospital also does training for anesthetic assistants.
It is exciting to see people developing their skills and knowledge, so that health care in Nepal is improving, not just at our hospital, but in all the other remote areas where these people work. After the last training session, I was able to spend time talking with the participants about why we are here in Nepal and about Christianity and Jesus’ love for everyone. No other reward is needed.
P.S. To see more photos and stories, please check our blog: http://dornonnepalmission.wordpress.com/
Remember, every third Sunday of the month we collect donations to support Les and Debbie’s work in Nepal. You may drop your donation in the collection jars or add it to your regular offering using your envelope; just write “Dornons” along with the designated amount.
Music Notes by Mary Ellen Clinard
First Friday Artist Debut!
We have enjoyed many kinds of art in our hallway during our First Friday Concert Series, and this month we are so happy to feature one of our own members! The work of Carolyn Callis will be on display for the month of March. Please come and enjoy these wonderful paintings by a talented lady!
Join Me for “St. Matthew Passion”
For those who plan to attend the concert (detailed article above: Bach Society of Dayton performs “St. Matthew Passion”) there will be lunch provided and a study session in the Commons immediately following worship on March 10. We will also be attending the concert preview at 3pm followed by the performance. Please RSVP for tickets by March 7th. Any questions, please contact Mary Ellen at the church or email. Hope to see you there!
Special Invitation to All
You are cordially invited to attend an Open House honoring the 50th wedding anniversary of Don and Imogene Orts on Saturday, March 30. It will be held at the Monroe Community Center, 6 East Avenue, Monroe from 2-4 pm. Their children, Scott Orts of Hilliard and Karen Orts Ronlund of Edmonton, Australia are hosting this event. It would be helpful to get a tentative number of those who plan to attend so kindly respond by telephone 513-539-7977 or email: don.imogene@gmail.com
THE ORTS REQUEST: NO GIFTS PLEASE.
First Friday Concert Series 2013
March 1 THE DEDICATION BAND
Enjoy old mountain tunes and Early American/British Isles melodies with this talented group of musicians playing traditional music on authentic instruments. Strains of Celtic and Appalachian melodies combine in a salute to this distinctive period of American music.
This concert series would not be possible without the support of the Middletown Community Foundation, the Barnitz Fund, the Miriam G. Knoll Charitable Foundation and the congregation of First United Methodist Church, Middletown. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you for helping us make downtown Middletown a destination for the arts!
Community Ministries Corner
Thank You, FUMC!
The Community Ministry Council wishes to thank the generous people of FUMC for their continued support of the Pantry and Emergency Food programs. We also wish to thank the many volunteers who provide their time and talents to make these programs a success. Working together we can help make the world a better place!
Hispanic Hospitality
Do you like to smile? Do you like to think that you’re making a difference in someone’s life? Do you have an hour and a half a month that you could spare? If you answered yes to these questions, then pray about joining the team that is providing child care for the new Tuesday and Wednesday evening Hispanic outreach in our church.
You won’t have to work alone and will be partnered with an experienced person. Interested? If so, please contact Debbie Taylor, get your name on the list and prepare to be blessed!
Garage Sale Reminder!
Don’t forget—there’s a garage sale on the horizon. Donate your “stuff” so that we can provide someone else with a “treasure. ” Storage space is available at the church if you need to remove something from your home at this time.
Susan Jutte is chairing the sale and Scott and Teri Hines are assisting. Please contact them or the church office if you have questions.
March Birthdays
2… Deborah Back, Bob Bradley & Becki Roof
4… Barb Dillon
6… Laura & Michael Alderton
7… Max Grandey
8… Joyce Boyd, Dave McGraw
10… Ellen Pratt
12… David Morgan
13… Mary Maurer
14… James Irwin, Patty McGraw
16… Scott Tucker
17… Breanne Dickson
19… Ron McGuire, Alma Taulbee
20… Dick Roof
23… Tom Atkinson, Misty Clark, & Jean Stamper
24… Sheila Bailey, Cary Fenton & Marcille Weatherwax
27… Barb Orth
28… Shelley McDaniel
30… Pat Ickes
31… Lon Fairchild
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