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A Weekly Newsletter of First United Methodist Church of Madison
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This Sunday in Worship
Services at 9 & 11:15 a.m.
This Sunday, March 31, we will observe the fourth Sunday of Lent, incorporating artwork by Char DeVos.
Char will lead a discussion of her Lenten artwork at 10:15, for the next two weeks. We have been blessed by Char's work in our Lenten journey this year. We will have the opportunity for conversation and deepening our understanding for both artist and those of us who have been accompanied by her work in worship, prayer and reflection in this season of preparation for Easter.
This Sunday, Pastor Mark Fowler will focus on the parable of the Prodigal found in Luke 15: 1-3, 11b-32. Musical leadership will be provided by the Handbell Choir, Chancel Choir and soloist, Thore Dosdall. We will hear familiar hymn tunes, "Softly and Tenderly" and "Make Me an Instrument of Thy Peace" from the Handbell Choir. Chancel Choir will sing "The Promise of Living" from Aaron Copland's opera, The Tender Land. The Tender Land is set during spring harvest and high school graduation. In parallel to the Prodigal Son, the opera tells of a young woman graduating from high school and leaving home for new adventure. The text of "The Promise of Living" urges us to work together, to grow, to love, and to sing in joy and thanksgiving! Thore Dosdall will sing a Copland arrangement of an American folk hymn, "Zion's Walls". This folk hymn is the melodic material of "The Promise of Living". At the 11:15 service, we will participate in the baptism of Owen Guy-Thomas Crose-Heller, son of Steven Heller and Ryan Crose.
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This Sunday in Christian Formation
Classes at 10:15 a.m.
Coffee Fellowship: 8:15-11:15 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall (treats served at 10 a.m.)
Childcare
For infants and toddlers - Noah's Ark Nursery (in Octagon), 8:45 a.m. - 12:30 p.m.
For young children - Read N' Play Room (LL07) from 9-10 a.m.
Children's Sunday School
Children age 3 and older
Classrooms in the Lower Level
Wee Learn Class in room LL12 at 10:30
Youth Sunday School
Lower Level Youth Rooms
Art Study I
n the Sanctuary, with Char DeVos
Char will lead a discussion on her Lenten artwork, currently on display in the Chapel.
Theology for the 21st Century
Theology for the 21st Century will resume March 31, with a study of
Healing the Heart of Democracy, by Parker Palmer
.
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Time to Order Easter Flowers
Spring is officially here, and this Sunday, members will find inside their bulletins Easter flower order forms. Please consider donating a lovely spring plant. Every year we so enjoy having so many beautiful plants on the Chancel!
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UMCOR Sunday
UMCOR Sunday is coming up! On March 31, we will celebrate UMCOR Sunday, formerly "One Great Hour of Sharing," and receive a special offering to benefit the United Methodist Committee on Relief. E
ach gift allows UMCOR to immediately respond
to floods, famine, storms, earthquakes and other disasters by supporting the administrative costs of these efforts.
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Can You Help on Sunday Mornings?
The Sunday morning Welcoming/Mobile Assistance group would like to extend an invitation to anyone interested in helping out to contact David Kinyon.
We could use the assistance of one or two people who could commit on average of about one Sunday per month to welcome people to church with a friendly word and an open door and to assist anyone who might need a hand to navigate the entrance into the church. The time commitment is about ¾ of an hour. We do the coordination through email, and the group has been great in filling in for an unanticipated schedule conflict. Join us!
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Save the Date - Lyons Lecture May 4, 2019
Brian McLaren is a renowned author, speaker, activist, and public theologian. A former college English teacher and pastor, he is a passionate advocate for "a new kind of Christianity" - just, generous, and working with people of all faiths for the common good. The author of many books, his most recent is The Great Spiritual Debate (2016), although that has been followed by a rewrite of one of his earlier books, now as a devotional called Seeking Aliveness (2017). His public speaking covers a broad range of topics including postmodern thought and culture, Biblical studies, church leadership and spiritual formation, pastoral survival and burnout, inter-religious dialogue, and global crises. Register HERE for this event!
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Joys and Concerns
Please hold the following in prayer this week: Charlotte Holzman, Shirley Blank, Chuck Waity, and Leigh Roberts
.
We extend our love and sympathy to her daughter, Rev. Jennifer Wilson, son, Ron Mushel, as well as family and friends of Rev. Lynnette Peterson who died last Thursday, March 21. Lynn's service will be held in Medford, WI on Saturday, April 27th
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We extend our love and sympathy to the family and friends of Thea Aschkenase, who died on March 23, 2019. Thea is the namesake of our Thea's Table program, which helps people in Madison every week.
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Announcements
Deborah Circle Meeting
Deborah Circle will meet on Tuesday, April 9, at 6pm at the Nile, 6119 Odana Rd., Madison. Mary Jo Taylor will lead a discussion concerning the future of The United Methodist Church.
All women are invited to attend. Questions? Email Diane Scorgie or call her at 608-836-6705.
Journey to the Holy Land
Join Rev. Joan Deming and Pilgrims of Ibillin on a 14-Day Journey to Meet the Peacemakers of the Holy Land: May 13-26, 2019. Visit holy sites and meet the "Living Stones" of Palestine and Israel during a listening/study tour. We'll visit Archbishop Elias Chacour, stay several days at his Mar Elias Schools in Ibillin, and meet with vital organizations in Bethlehem, Jerusalem, Ramallah, Zababdeh, Ramle, and Ibillin. You'll learn directly from leaders in the West Bank and Israel who are seeking a nonviolent path to peace. Questions, email
Joan Deming, or call
608-235-1046
. For full
tour information,
click here.
Total cost, including registration, is $1945 - which includes a $50 discount and covers all on-the-ground costs except airfare, insurance, and several lunches. Brochures are also available on the bulletin board in the Octagon at church.
Help Northcott Neighborhood House
Northcott Neighborhood House, a national mission institution of United Methodist Women, will host a Fundraiser Celebration on Saturday, March 30, 2019 at 2:00-4:00 p.m. at the Jewell Caribbean on 2230 N, Dr. MLK Jr. Drive in Milwaukee. The campaign "Love: 500x100x3", is for sorely needed repairs & updates to its building. There will be "Food - Fun - Community". The campaign goal is to raise $150k by the end of the year by recruiting 500 people to donate $100 three times this year. For more information, contact Northcott Neighborhood House at 414-552-7714, visit their website, or Facebook.
Upcoming Field Trip to Middleton Outreach Ministry
All are invited to tour the Middleton Outreach Ministry. On April 5, at 12:45 pm we will gather at their facility, 3502 Parmenter Street, Middleton, for a tour followed by a talk about what they offer, how they reach out to those in need, and what services they provide, from food pantry on up.
This is an opportunity to see close-up what ministries MOM offers to the greater Madison community. And after this difficult winter, a spring field trip sounds like just what we all need!
Have an event or announcement you'd like printed here? Email us your submission by 10 a.m. on the Tuesday prior. Please note that all announcements are subject to edit.
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