theBig Rapids First United Methodist Church

N O V E M B E R 2 0 1 9

FIRST UMC family

May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Romans 15:13

What inspires you? What makes you get out of bed in the morning and look forward to the day? Is it the thought of missing out on something, or simply the daily obligations that tend to fill up our lives? I have been pondering the power of inspiration as I look at the ideas generated from our journey with the Catch small groups and curriculum.

Something is different in our gatherings since we began this journey together. There is a hope-filled excitement when new faces join us in worship. There is an intentional desire to make sure that anyone and everyone feels included and valued. New ideas and the energy to follow through with them may lead to things like valet parking, a new “welcome-center” information hub, nicer bulletins, a more diverse offering of classes, support groups, and social gatherings. (Check out the poster boards in the fellowship hall to add your ideas, or place your name next to that which excites you.) Inspiration often looks like excitement or eagerness, and in this case, I truly believe it is a product of the Holy Spirit’s movement within each of you and our community as a whole.

Another gift that the Holy Spirit bestows on us is hope. Hope inspires us to believe that we are capable of things beyond our ability and understanding. Hope gives life to God-sized dreams and visions. Hope reminds us that God is not done with us yet! As a faith community one of the greatest gifts we can offer one another is hope. Around here hope comes in all sorts of disguises. Sometimes hope looks like a hot meal, a hug, a ride, a place to have your mail sent when you are homeless, help buying work-boots or a uniform for a new job, a visit from someone who cares about you, or a listening ear. Our faith community reminds us that in all circumstance’s faith is greater than fear, and God is with us. How has hope birthed inspiration in you?

As your pastor, I thank you for reminding me of the power of inspiration and hope. This past month you have surrounded and encouraged me in such a tangible way that I will be forever changed. Through your cards, your hugs and your kindness you have been the presence of God’s love for me. Thank you is not sufficient, but I hope you know how grateful I am.

There is no doubt in my mind that together we are on a Holy Spirit inspired journey. I pray we will continue to be filled with hope, open to the movement of God, and willing to take those leaps of faith with courage.

You are Loved,

Our mission is to reach out to and

bless every child of God.

GALLOPIN’ GRANNIES

NOVEMBER 6 CHINA BUFFET

NOVEMBER 13 CHINA BUFFET

NOVEMBER 20 SZOT’S

NOVEMBER 27 SZOT’S

Prayers• Aging: Those suffering from dementia, Alzheimer’s, and other conditions associated with aging, and for

those who care for them.• Students, Teachers, & Administrators: Angela Lovegrove, Wesley Theological Seminary. Support for

all in education.• In Nursing/Adult Care Homes: Carroll Larrison, Dottie McMaster, Malcolm Lund, Roger Baker, Gloria

Anderson. All those in Nursing/Adult Care Homes.• Mission: Mecosta County Jail Ministry, McCurdy School, Valerie Mossman-Celestin (HAPI)• Military: Sgt. Kyle Maneke (Fort Campbell, Kentucky); Forrest Dorman (Beale AFB, California);

River Dorman (Cannon AFB, NM), 2nd Lieutenant Matthew Ferguson (USMC, Jacksonville, NC); LCPL Paul Nelson (USMC, Deployed); AMN Dalton Nelson (US AirForce, Abilene, TX); Stephen Szpiech (Scott AFB, IL),

StaffRev. Devon Herrell — Pastor Barbara Erb — Office Manager Open — Family Discipleship Coordinator Rev. Kaye Patton — Director of Music Shirley Jernstadt — Organist Kathy Bell — Accompanist Ruth Reeds — Accompanist Diane Parrish — Nursery Supervisor Beth Ridenour — Treasurer Gary Erb — Custodian

Email for Church Office/Barbara Erb: bigrapidsfirstumc@gmail.comEmail for Pastor Devon: bigrapidsfumcpastor@gmail.comChurch Website: www.bigrapidsfumc.comFacebook Page: www.facebook.com/brfumcChurch Address: 304 Elm Street Big Rapids, MI 49307Phone Number: 231-796-7771Fax Number: 231-796-0757

www.facebook.com/brfumc Find us and follow us!

Worship In

NOVEMBER 3 DST Ends

NOVEMBER 10 NOVEMBER 17 NOVEMBER 24

Liturgist: Phil Keating

Liturgist: Richard Patton

Liturgist: Antionette Epps

Liturgist: Emmanuel Jadhav

Ushers: Ann Spagnuolo Joann Haist Ron Bongard Pat Williamson Daniels Family

Ushers: Colin & Roberta Cline Arnold Parrish Allan & Sharon Parker

Ushers: Doug & Jackie Fitzgerald Pete Jensen Herm McConnell Pisani Family

Ushers: Michael Gibson Keith & Lori Maneke John & Sally Nelson

Greeters: Pete Jensen Denise Jefts Claude & Jane Pepper

Greeters: Mike & Dawn Wyman Joann Haist Gary Fitch

Greeters: Barbara Ross Mike & Chris Mekaru Bev Wesche

Greeters: Chris & Christine Berke Ed & Linda Owczarek Robin Dilg

Acolytes: Kaitlyn Case

Acolytes: Liberty Beam

Acolytes: Chloe Councilor

Acolytes: Emma Kwant

Soundboard Tech: Derek Doublestein

Soundboard Tech: Thomas Wheeler

Soundboard Tech: Thomas Wheeler

Soundboard Tech: Ken Draves

Nursery: Maureen Kubitskey

Nursery: Kati Wheeler

Nursery: Julie Tessin

Nursery: Jana Pisani

Children’s Worship: No Children’s Worship

Children’s Worship: Larisa Draves Bev Wesche

Children’s Worship: Amanda Hahn Derek Doublestein

Children’s Worship: Trisha Jadhav Dawn Wyman

Communion Helpers: Claude & Jane Pepper

Upcoming Church, District and Conference Events

Dates NovemberEvents

Sunday,November3 DaylightSavingsTimeEnds(turnclocksback)

All-SaintsDay

Friday,November15 FamilyMovieNight“TheArtofRacingintheRain”,6:00pm

Sunday,November24 CommunityThanksgivingService@TheUnitedChurch,4:00pm

Saturday,November30 HangingoftheGreens,10:00am

Sunday,December1 AdventBegins

Saturday,December7 FUMCYouthChristmasFun,9:00am-11:30pm

Friday,December13 FUMCAdultChristmasParty,6:00pm

Sunday,December22 ChancelChoirCantata-“HaveYouHeard?”

Daylight Savings Time ENDS Sunday, November 3.

All-SaintsSundayisNovember3rd.Wewouldlovetorememberthoseinyourliveswhohavepassedawayinthelastyear.Ifyouhavesomeone

youwouldliketorememberpleasesendtheirpicture(ifyouhaveone)totheofficeandwewillincludetheminourtimeofremembranceduringworship.

CandyforCommunityMealHolidayBags

WewillbeputtingtogetherourannualholidaycandybagsforourCommunityMealguests.IfyouwouldliketodonateyourextraHalloweencandy,mustbeindividuallywrapped,forthecandybags,

pleasebringyourcandytothechurchbySunday,December8.AboxforyourcandydonationsislocatedinKitchenToo.

Thankyouchurchfamily!

Christian Education and Family News

Bake CookiesMake Ornaments Create Cards for

Shut-ins

FUMC Youth Christmas Fun Cookies - Crafts -Cards Saturday, December 7

9 am - 11:30 am Ages 5-18

Friday Nov. 15th 6pm

Popcorn and Drinks provided!

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Let’smakeourworshipspacebeautifulforAdventand

Christmas!

Meetinthesanctuary:Saturday,Nov.30th

10am

Mission CommitteeThefollowingdatesin2019arescheduledforMissionMoment/HungerPotsandSpecialOfferingSunday’s:Sunday,November10-SpecialOfferingSunday-StarburstSunday,November24-SpecialOfferingSunday-UMStudentDay

Worship/Music Committee

Memorial GardenSunday,November3rd,wewillberememberingalltheSaintswhohavepassedonthisyear.TheMemorialGardenCommitteeishighlightingonesuchperson,RonLittle!Ron'sdedication,visionandtalenthasenhancedourchurch.Someexamplesare:ThePrayerRoom;TheWoodenCrossintheGarden;TheWoodenWallRemembrancePlaqueandinparticular,thebeautifulMemorialGarden.ABronzePlaque,asadedicationtoRon,hasbeenmadeandinstalledintheMemorialGarden.YouareencouragedtovisittheGardenandobservethePlaqueandenjoyRonLittle'shandywork!

WeareinneedofavolunteertoruntheSoundboardduringworshipforoneSundayamonthandapossiblesecondSundayonmonthswithfiveweeks.Thisisanimportantministryandifyoufeelcalledtofillthisposition,pleasecontactJanaPisaniatJanaPisani@ferris.edu

WeareinneedofanUsheronthe2ndSundayofthemonthfortheMainFloorandoneUsherfortheMainFlooronthe4thSundayofthemonth.IfyouareinterestedinthisministrypleasecontactClaude&JanePepper

Endowment Committee

Staff Parish RelationsWearesearchingtofindapersontofillourFamilyDiscipleshipCoordinatorposition(FormerlyDirectorofChristianEducation).Thispersonwillbringvisionandenergytoourministrybyintentionallyreachingouttochildren,youthandtheirfamilies.Inaddition,wehopetocreateopportunitiesforintergenerationalconnectionandfaithdevelopment.TheJobDescriptionisavailableonourwebsiteundertheNewsletterTabandonourFacebookpage.Pleasehelpusspreadtheword!Resumescanbesenttobigrapidsfumc@gmail.com.IfyouhaveanyquestionsaboutthispleaseletPastorDevonknow.

TheFall2019EndowmentGrantsintheamountof$5,200weregiventothefollowing:WesleyHouseIntentionalLeadershipDevelopment($1,000)The“PrayGround”forthesanctuary($500)FundAngelaLovegrovefor2019-2020academicyear($1,200)FundInternshipofDerekDoublestein($1,000)DisabilityMinistry($1,500)

EnvisionElevatorUpdates:•OnOctober19thatourannualchurchconferenceamotionpassedunanimouslytomoveforwardwithourcurrentelevatorplanuptoamaximumcostof$275,000.Webelievetheprojectwillfallbelowthisamount.•Detailswillcontinuetobesharedaswemoveforwardandreceiveprojectbids.•Staytunedformoreinfoandcontactusifyouhaveanyquestionsorconcerns.

AdventbeginsDecember1standleadsusrightuptoChristmas,offeringanintentionalperiodofspiritualgrowth.Thisyearwe

wouldliketocompileanadventdevotionalbookletandarelookingfor25peoplewillingtowriteashortdevotion.PastorDevonhasalistoftopicsfromwhichyoucanchoose.

Pleasecontactherifyou’dbewillingtohelp!