Thursday, November 19, 2020 |
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In the Spotlight
Like many, this quarantine season has made an impact on our day-to-day lives. After the "Shelter in Place" order in March, we both made the switch from working at the office to working from home. We were suddenly pushed into a new way of living, in both our professional and personal lives. No more morning commute, no more in-person talking to co-workers, no more in-person church meetings and worship, no more going to restaurants, and so much more. While working from home has its perks, it took us a little bit to adjust to these changes, and we slowly began to figure out our new "normal". Taking daily walks with our dog, Clark, and just with each other became a saving grace because it got us out of the house. Zoom and Microsoft Teams meetings have been so helpful just so we can see and catch up with our co-workers. We've started a new tradition of virtual game nights with family members who live in other states across the country. Instead of eating dinner in front of the TV, we have made it a habit of eating at the dinner table and praying with each other. And we are especially grateful for the ability to worship online with the Water's Edge every Sunday, to feel connected even though we are still apart.
Our faith has grown in surprising ways too. Some days when it is a struggle to stay positive, we help remind each other that things will get better. And we have not forgotten God's call for us to put His Love to work in the world. We have sought out new, small ways to help those most impacted by the crisis; including our many homeless, jobless, and hungry neighbors. We also look for ways to be more generous in word and action with everyone in our lives; neighbors, co-workers, friends, family, and each other. Overall, our faith has reminded us of the importance of maintaining connections with others during this quarantine season. We pray that you all are doing well and miss all of you!
Many blessings to all of you!
Becca Vitale & Kevin McBryde
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Three Reasons to Drive by First Church in Mission Valley this Sunday!
Sunday, Nov. 22 | 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Mission Valley Parking lot P2
- Pick up Communion Elements for Holy Communion on Sunday, Nov. 29
- Bring your food donations for the Thanksgiving Food Drive (see details below)
- Pick up your FREE materials to create your own Advent wreath (see details below)
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Drop-off dates and times:
Monday, Nov. 16 - Friday, Nov. 20 | 8 AM - 4 PM | Donation box in front of the church office in Mission Valley
Sunday, Nov. 22 | 3:30 - 4:30 PM | Mission Valley Parking lot P2
First Church is again partnering with Wesley UMC to distribute ingredients for a full Thanksgiving dinner to hungry San Diego families. We are asking you to prayerfully consider these options:
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Donate to the "Special Gifts - Wesley Thanksgiving Fund", either by check or online (select "special gifts" and write "Wesley Thanksgiving Fund" in the memo line).
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Shop for items on this list and bring to First Church where it will be sorted and packaged for distribution at Wesley.
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Volunteer to package food bags on Saturday, November 21, volunteer to load for delivery on Monday, November 23, or volunteer to monitor health practices at Wesley during distribution on Tuesday, November 24.
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Rachel's House Sandwich Sunday
Sunday, December 6
In order to meet our commitment to support Rachel's House every other month we are donating $300 each time. We have been averaging 1/3 of this goal in donations received, so please know that your contribution would be welcome and helpful if possible for you and your family. Please consider making a monetary donation online. Select "Special Gift" and write: "Rachel's House Donation." Thank you for supporting Rachel's House!
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Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Worship
Wednesday, November 25 | 7:30 PM | YouTube
The 40th Annual Interfaith Thanksgiving Eve service, hosted by Congregation Beth Israel and First Church San Diego, will be aired on November 25, at 7:30 PM. Rabbi Jason Nevarez and Rev. Trudy Robinson will share their thoughts on "Home, Humanity and Holiness" with pre-recorded music provide by both congregations.
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ADVENT
In-person Communion Service
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Sunday, Nov. 29 | OB Campus Courtyard
Join us for an in-person, small group, outdoor gathering on the OB campus under careful guidelines. The service will be brief, as we celebrate Holy Communion together.
Attendance is restricted to 25 people, registration is mandatory, and safety measures will be taken. No walk-ins please!
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New Pastor's Bible Study
Sundays, through Nov. 22 | 8 AM | Zoom
For the month of November, Dr. Bill Stephenson leads the OB Bible Study "Hope and Healing: Healing Miracles by Jesus." By looking at stories of healing in Mark and John's gospels, the group will explore a theme that feels so relevant today. Bill begins the study with a compelling question: "Do you want to be right, or do you want to be well?" The study gathers via Zoom on Sunday mornings. RSVP below.
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"Conversations"
Wednesdays | 7 PM
You are welcome to join this group for discussion and conversation on various topics. Dr. Bill Stephenson and Curt Goldacker are the primary facilitators.
Join the 18-week fall curriculum called "24 and Me: A Divine DNA Search for Relatives in the Bible " written by Bill Stephenson Ph. D.
Water's Edge Children and Youth
Sundays | 6 & 7 PM
Sundays | 10:45 AM
Prayers of the People
Wednesdays | 9:30 AM
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We may not celebrate the Holidays the same this year. Join First Church and Water's Edge in the preparation for this year's Holiday Season.
As we get closer to Advent we hope you join us in these and other upcoming activities. You will be able to serve through the Advent Food Drive, the Angel Tree and the Alternative Christmas Gifts. Each week in Advent will have something new for you and your families to take part of. A Daily Advent Devotional written by members of our congregations in Mission Valley and OB will be available on our website and Facebook. If you like to receive the devotional in your email, click the link below to subscribe.
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Advent Wreath Making
Sunday, Nov. 22 | 3:30-4:30 | Mission Valley Parking Lot P2 to Pick up your FREE wreath materials
Sunday, Nov. 29 is the first Sunday in Advent when the first candle in the Advent wreath will be lighted during worship, and again each Sunday until Christmas. Bring the tradition into your own home by creating an Advent wreath and join in the ritual during live-stream worship! For inspiration and ideas using everyday materials or your own Christmas decorations, visit the First Church Pinterest, a collection of member-created and Pinterest ideas, or look through the photo album at fumcsd.org/wreath (and send us a picture of yours to add, upload to fumcsd.org/mywreath.
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Digital Holiday Cookbook & Family Photos
We invite you to share your best Holiday Recipes along with a photo of the dish. We'll collect all recipes and photos to create the 2020 First Church Holiday (digital) Cookbook. We'll have digital copies to share with the church. (Let us know if you would be willing to share your recipes and photos with the community on our social media sites.) Submit your recipes as a PDF or Word doc, along with a picture jpg of the dish, and if you'd like, a photo of your family (current or past) enjoying the dish and/or family tradition pictures. Please submit by December 2. We look forward to sharing in a virtual feast together!
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Making Memories - Family Photo Op (MV Campus)
Sunday, December 6 | 3 - 5 PM | RSVP below by Dec. 3 (no walk-ins)
Come to First Church and take some pictures to kick off the second week of Advent! We will have two photo stations, one in front of our stained glass Christ window and one in front of our decorated Christmas tree by the altar. Photos will be distributed via email in the following couple weeks before the holidays are over. Click button below to sign up.
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Over the River and through the Woods
If you and your family were to travel this holiday season, where would you go? With many travel restrictions in place, we invite you to share where your best holiday destination would be! Send us your trip coordinates: your home as your departure point and your final destination. Your submission will be compiled with others into a fun, digital map to be shared on our social media platforms. Send your response by Dec. 9! We’ll share the map Dec. 20.
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Tips for live-stream worship:
Gather and light a candle to signify the holy presence of Christ.
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Sunday Live-stream Worship
November 22 | 10 AM | Join Rev. Adam and Stephanie online this Sunday
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How to give when the church office is closed and worship is online?
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Give online using your credit or debit card. Gifts can be one-time or automatically recurring each week or month, however you’d like.
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TEXT to Give. Just text MYCHURCHGIFT to 73256 and see how easy it can be!
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Mail your check directly to the church via US postal service: First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino del Rio S. San Diego, CA 92108.
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Until We Feast Together
Stewardship season is here! We hope you will consider offering a pledge for the 2021 operating budget of Waters Edge and First Church! Click the button below to submit your pledge today.
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Rev. Adam Marshall-Lopez
(Interim Pastor)
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Water's Edge Faith Community
Join us on Sundays, at 10 AM
1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd in Ocean Beach
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