Midday Gathering: Birding 101
Wednesday, March 3 | 12:15 PM | RSVP by 3/1
It is said that more people than ever are picking up binoculars and looking at birds. What’s all the fuss about? Jen Hajj from San Diego Audubon Society will share some insights about the fastest growing hobby in the US: what birders do, how they do it, and how you can do it too. Jen Hajj is the Events and Membership Coordinator at SDAS and organizes the San Diego Bird Festival.
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Call for Singers! - Last Day to Sign Up!
You are invited to join in the Easter Virtual Choir with the Chancel Choir and Contemporary Singers. This would be a great opportunity to actively participate in worship if you enjoy singing and is open to youth and adults alike. If you are interested, please contact Dr. Jaebon Hwang, Organist and Interim Director of Music Ministries jhwang@fumcsd.org by March 1.
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Midday Pipes Concert
Enjoy beautiful organ music played by Thomas Mellan
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In-Person Communion for Lent
Sunday, Mar. 7 | 1 or 2 PM | LInder Patio | RSVP by 3/4
Attendance is restricted to 45 people, registration is mandatory, and safety measures will be taken.
As COVID settles down once again and as vaccinations have started to find their way into people's bodies, we will return to our small group, in-person gathering for the sacrament of Holy Communion. Register your attendance as group size is limited and first-come, first served. The short communion service on Linder Patio features prayer, a brief meditation, and the chance to see a few other members of the church, behind masks and from a distance, but in real life.
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Sacred Texts and Shared Meaning: An Interfaith Exchange
Tuesday, Mar 16 and 23 | 10 - 11 AM | Via Zoom
Join a two-part series led by Beth Israel Senior Rabbi, Rabbi Jason Nevarez, and Rev. Trudy.
March 16: Orientation, Disorientation, and Reorientation in the Book of Psalms
March 23: A Pastor and Rabbi's Deep Dive Into Our Sacred Festivals: Easter and Passover
There is no fee, but please RSVP for planning purposes. This event is held virtually on Zoom. After registering, you will receive a confirmation email containing information about joining the event. For more information, contact Program Director Ilene Tatro at itatro@cbisd.org.
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Church-Wide Lenten Book Study
Take some time during Lent to read the 2015 Brené Brown book entitled, Daring Greatly. In our daily lives, we experience uncertainty, face risks, and deal with a variety of emotions, which can produce fearlessness when we learn to be vulnerable and dare greatly. Based on twelve years of pioneering research, Brené Brown PhD, LMSW, dispels the cultural myth that vulnerability is weakness and argues that it is, in truth, our most accurate measure of courage. Then join our book study discussion on Zoom on Wed, April 7 | 7- 8:30 PM (link to RSVP coming soon).
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Lenten Daily Devotion
You can read and follow our Daily Devotion on our website/facebook and you can subscribe to receive in your email.
"Fearless like..." is a daily Lenten devotion written by members and staff on becoming fearless followers that will be available on our website and through online subscription starting on Ash Wednesday. Click below to subscribe.
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Making Easter Memories - Family Photo Session
Sunday, April 4 | 2 - 4 PM | Mission Valley Campus | RSVP by 3/22
Create an Easter memory with a family photo taken in the First Church sanctuary. We’ll have photographers on hand to snap photos in front of the stained-glass Christ window in the plaza level foyer and also near the altar. Photos will be delivered via email. Registration required. Limited to 32 families)
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New Beginnings Membership Class
Sundays March 7-28 | 11:30 AM - 12:30 PM | RSVP by 3/5
New Beginnings is the class for people interested in becoming a member and learning more about First Church and Methodism. Through four one-hour sessions via Zoom, participants will get to know each other and meet a wide range of presenters. In addition to gaining a lot of information, we will engage in more personal conversation to strengthen our connection.
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Joyful Together
Friday, March 12 | 10 AM - 12 PM | RSVP by 3/8 to get your Zoom Invite
Join the United Methodist Women of FUMC's spring meeting "Joyful Together", open for all members and ladies in our Church. Our own Rev Hannah Ka will be our speaker and the entertainment will be a shared video of the Children's Choir of San Diego. This is an opportunity to at least "see" others at least on Zoom. It will be great to be "together."
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Pastor’s Bible Study: The Passion of Jesus
Wednesdays through Mar. 24 | RSVP (new Zoom link)
During Lent, Pastor’s Bible Study will focus on the last week in the life of Jesus. This last week brought everything for which Jesus lived into focus and uncovered the risk involved in standing for things that threaten the position of many people in power. Placing this week in its historical context, looking at scriptural nuances and language, hearing the story yet again, provides new insights that inspire us to take our own risks as followers of Jesus Christ.
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"FUMCSD Pastor's Bible Study" Podcast
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Conversations
Wednesdays, 7 PM | Through 3/17: Towards the Sunrise, will focus on the disciples and their journey of faith from confusion to conviction, and walk with them along the Emmaus Rd as they encounter the risen Lord. We also look at other famous journeys, including those of Nelson Mandela, John Wesley, John Newton and Captain Scott of Antarctic fame.
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Prayers of the People
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM
Ongoing
Join us as we pray for one another and shared prayer requests.
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Koinonia
Fridays, 8 AM
Ongoing
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Heart of Christianity
Sundays, 10:30 AM
Ongoing
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Tips for live-stream worship:
Go to our Live Stream page - check out the buttons on this page beforehand to:
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Lead Pastor
Rev. Trudy Robinson
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9 AM | Rev. Trudy Robinson | Communion
Risking Challenge
10 AM | Rev. Jessica Strysko
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Do you have problems finding our live-stream or a link is not working?
- Go to Youtube.com
- Search First Church San Diego
- "Bookmark" or save the First Church San Diego as your "favorite"
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Fellowship by Zoom
Sundays | 10 - 11 AM
Join pastors, staff and your congregation for an hour of fellowship following the 9 AM service. Register below to receive a Zoom invitation.
We have a new Zoom link. Make sure to rsvp!
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Children and Youth Ministries Sunday Schedule
For more information contact the Dir. of Discipleship for Children & Youth Kenton Reaves Hundley, 619-297-4366 x118
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Do you struggle to access worship online?
Do you know someone who has struggled to worship via the livestream, either because the technology is unfamiliar or they do not have WiFi? We will now be making USB flash drives available with the worship service downloaded onto them, for those who may find it easier to view and participate in worship that way. The services from our Mission Valley and Ocean Beach campuses will be included, and volunteers will deliver them as needed. Look for the first delivery to occur around Easter!
We know that this will not solve every barrier to worshiping virtually. We will continue to address these other obstacles, but want to begin with this step. Please email Rev.Tamara if you would like to receive one of these flash drives, or would like to help deliver them.
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Would you like someone to talk to?
Our Stephen Ministers are ready to listen, care, encourage, and provide emotional and spiritual support. A Stephen Minister will meet with you privately—by phone, by video chat, or, if safely possible, in person—to offer care and support. It’s free and completely confidential. For more information, email Pastor Tamara.
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Deaths: Check our website for weekly updates regarding deaths, memorial services and funerals. |
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CHURCH BUSINESS & NOTICES |
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Gift Card Scam Warning!
We have been alerted to a scam in which a text message from Rev. Trudy is being sent to church members asking that they purchase gift cards for members in need. This is a scam and if you or other church members receive this text and ask you about it, please ask that they not respond, delete the text and block the phone number on their cell phones.
If you can help us get the word out to members you are in contact with, that would be great. We know of at least two members who received this scam text message.
Linda Hawk
Controller/Business Manager
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Return to Church Update
The Supreme Court lifted California’s ban on churches meeting in person, but, not without restrictions. Our Bishop Grant Higiya of the California-Pacific Conference of the United Methodist Church responded with this update from the Bishop.
Given the Return to Church Task Force’s value of not hosting anything intended for the entire community, until we have made it possible for the entire community to participate, we will not be doing our primary worship service in person for a while.
Parallel Ministries
We are, however, gearing up for parallel ministries, for creating opportunities to come together safely in small groups, and even looking further into the future to make sure we have the biggest, most celebratory re-gathering in person the church has ever seen!
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Office Closed
The church office remains closed under state/county order. Staff continues to work from home and are available via email or the church voicemail system.
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Giving
Budgeted Giving as of Feb. 21: $297,604.00
Actual Giving as of Feb. 21: $284,063.00
(Pledges, record of giving, unrestricted gifts, interest earnings, and contributions from the Children's Growing Center, Ocean Beach and our leased properties at both locations.)
How to give when the church office is closed and worship is online?
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Give online using your credit/debit card or ACH transfer from your checking account. Gifts can be one-time or automatically recurring each week or month.
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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.
Thank you as we work to keep everyone safe meet the church's ongoing expenses. Contact Jason Tucker with your questions about giving and tithing to First Church. |
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Weekly Attendance
2/21 Sunday live-streamed services, real-time viewers: 1,386
Avg. watch-time: 12 minutes
First Church YouTube Subscribers: 882
To subscribe, log in to your Gmail account, go to First Church YouTube channel, click the subscribe button. You can choose to be notified when we live-stream.
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619-297-4366
2111 Camino del Rio South,
San Diego, CA 92108
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