eNEWS - February 22, 2021
|
|
REMEMBER!
Sunday, Feb. 28 | 2 - 3 PM | Mission Valley P2
Pick up Communion Elements for Holy Communion on Sunday, March 7
|
|
Call for Singers!
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.
|
|
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
|
|
Adopt a Student
Imagine a knock on your front door ... opening it ... and a 10-year-old neighbor standing there “I really need help with my math homework. I’m supposed to divide 7.8 into three equal parts but I don’t know how. Can you help me?”
That is about the difficulty of the work First Church volunteers face one hour weekly providing homework assistance — online — for students at Cherokee Point Elementary School. It’s mainly help with math and reading. I think you can also do this ... and your help is really needed.
Cherokee Point Principal Quyen Corral has about as many students needing assistance as First Church can line up volunteers to do so. Most tutors’ concerns about “not being qualified” vanish after one or two of these online sessions. This is really about just being there for a child who may have no one else to turn to.
The commitment is one hour one afternoon a week. It’s a Zoom meeting. You’re likely using Zoom for other church meetings ... and I know you can do this. Email Les Smith if you would you like to help.
|
|
Most of us prefer peace.
Most of us don’t like to cause trouble. Most of us avoid conflict. Jesus, however, disrupted his home synagogue when he spoke words that sounded like blasphemy to others there. Jesus, however, broke the norms of sabbath law and stirred up the ire of those for whom the law was irrefutable. Jesus, however, broke convention as he ate with sinners and invited women to sit at his feet to learn. Jesus did all of this for the sake of bringing good news to the poor, the sick, and the excluded. “Good Trouble,” John Lewis said.
|
|
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).
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
Next Pastor’s Bible Study: The Passion of Jesus
Wednesdays, Feb. 24 - 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.
|
|
"FUMCSD Pastor's Bible Study" Podcast
|
|
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.
|
|
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.
|
|
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."
|
|
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.
|
|
Prayers of the People
Wednesdays, 9:30 AM
Ongoing
Join us as we pray for one another and shared prayer requests.
|
|
Koinonia
Fridays, 8 AM
Ongoing
|
|
Heart of Christianity
Sundays, 10:30 AM
Ongoing
|
|
Tips for live-stream worship:
Go to our Live Stream page - check out the buttons on this page beforehand to:
|
|
Lead Pastor
Rev. Trudy Robinson
|
|
9 AM | Rev. Trudy Robinson | 1st Sunday in Lent
Risking Righteous Anger
10 AM | Rev. Jessica Strysko
|
|
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"
|
|
REMEMBER!
Sunday, Feb. 28 | 2 - 3 PM | Mission Valley P2
Pick up Communion Elements for Holy Communion on Sunday, March 7
|
|
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!
|
|
Children and Youth Ministries Sunday Schedule
For more information contact the Dir. of Discipleship for Children & Youth Kenton Reaves Hundley, 619-297-4366 x118
|
|
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.
|
|
Deaths: Check our website for weekly updates regarding deaths, memorial services and funerals.
|
|
|
Join us every Sunday at 10 AM when we live-stream from Ocean Beach Campus!
We are now hosting a Fellowship Hour via Zoom starting at 11 AM each Sunday. RSVP for the link to join here.
|
|
CHURCH BUSINESS & NOTICES
|
|
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!
|
|
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.
|
|
Giving
Budgeted Giving as of Feb. 14: $252,750.00
Actual Giving as of Feb. 14: $254,381.00
(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?
-
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.
-
TEXT to Give. Just text MYCHURCHGIFT to 73256 and see how easy it can be!
-
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.
2020 Giving Statements
2020 Giving statements were sent via Friday, Feb. 5, if you have an email address on file with the church. You may need to check in your SPAM or Junk-mail folders to locate it. Givers who do not have an email on file had their statements mailed on that Friday, as well. If you haven't received your statement, contact Jason Tucker in the Development Office – jtucker@fumcsd.org and he’ll be able to help you.
|
|
Offering Envelope Pickup for 2021
To reduce paper waste and expenses, we will use the surplus envelopes from last year. If you would like a box of envelopes for 2021, you can pick them up a box outside the church office on weekdays from 9 AM – 4 PM through the end of February. You will receive a box of envelopes with a random number, and the only time you’ll need to write any personal information on the envelope will be if you give in cash. As long as your names are on the checks you send in, we will be able to link your gifts to your account in our database.
If you are not able to pick up your envelopes and you still would like them, please contact Jason Tucker (619) 297-4366, x145 or jtucker@fumcsd.org to make arrangements for receiving your offering envelopes.
|
|
Weekly Attendance
2/14 Sunday live-streamed services, real-time viewers: 1125
Avg. watch-time: 16
First Church YouTube Subscribers: 875
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.
|
|
|
619-297-4366
2111 Camino del Rio South,
San Diego, CA 92108
|
|
|
|
|
|
|