Lent and Easter

Sundays at 9:15am on March 5, 12, 19 & 26 in Room 34 

Sign up online 

 During Lent, many Christians fast from eating certain foods or abstain from participating in certain activities. In this class we will explore the Biblical and historical roots of fasting as we seek to understand the roots of a practice that might seem to be embraced more often in contemporary culture by fitness and nutrition experts than by Christians. We’ll thus examine fasting as a spiritual practice and ways it can be part of our spiritual formation. 

This class is co-led by Henry Carrigan, Pastor Grace, and Pastor Britt. Please sign up using the above link. 

Sundays, March 5, 19, 26, 3:30-5:00pm (ONLINE)

Sign up at https://faithatfirst.regfox.com/pulpit-of-fire      

Pulpit of Fire:  The trajectory of our history to living in the world today

Pastor Grace and Jim Hagedorn co-teach this class which looks at selected sermons of Arthur Landwehr, Harold Bosley, and Ernest Fremont Tittle, all of them past senior pastors of First Church. A sermon and supporting docs will be shared with participants to read in advance of each gathering; the gathered group will then study and discuss. 

This opportunity is limited to 15 people. Sign up at the above link to receive the Zoom link via email. 

Group Conversations on Is It Too Late?: A Theology of Ecology 

Group options: 

• Sundays at 9:15 a.m., Mar. 12, 19 & 26 – Led by Jan and Joe Womack.
  
• Sundays at 9:15 a.m., Mar. 12, 19 & 26 – Led by Colin McDonald. Designed for parents and caregivers of children and youth. Room 24.  
• Sundays during the Young Adult potlucks – Led by Kelsey Morton   [time and room?]
• Tuesdays at 1:00 p.m. ONLINE, Mar. 14, 21 & 28 – Led by Phyllis Bird and Henry Carrigan.  

Sign up at https://faithatfirst.regfox.com/one-church-one-book-lent-2023 

More than fifty years ago, theologian John Cobb asked a simple question regarding the state of the environment: ”Is it too late?” His book by that title is one of the earliest attempts to pose questions for the Church about the relationship between Christian theology and ecology. During Lent, First Church’s One Church, One Book study will focus on Cobb’s recently reissued Is It Too Late?: A Theology of Ecology (Fortress Press, 2021). Part one of the book examines the need for a new vision of ecology and theology, and part two suggests a contour for the new vision we need that we may be ”a force for hope rather than an instrument of despair.” 

We look forward to your joining us for this important and timely discussion. We offer a variety of times and formats for you to connect with a group during Lent. Copies of the book may be purchased from the church office at a 20% discount. 

Questions?  Please contact Henry Carrigan at carjrn@aol.com or Colin McDonald at colin@faithatfirst.com  

Sunday, March 5, 9:00-10:15am in Great Hall.

Life is rarely neat and tidy. But God isn’t afraid to enter the mess.

“Messy Church” is an opportunity for kids, families, and adults to engage in hands-on creative activities, celebratory worship, and time together in community. The concept originated in the U.K. and has spread around the world.

This new program begins at First Church on Sunday, March 5 and offers a different kind of Sunday School for children and adults on March 5 and again on May 7.

Please register for the sessions you plan to attend so we can plan food and materials appropriately.

Sunday, March 5, 7:00pm (Online) 

Hosted and sponsored by the Pastor’s Advisory Team (PAT) 

Sign up at https://faithatfirst.regfox.com/journey-to-general-conference 

Journey to General Conference:  What’s coming up at General Conference, and how might GC2024 affect the future of the UMC?

Rev. Richard Bentley, a U.S. delegate to the United Methodist General Conference, and Rev. Izzy Alvaran, a General Conference (GC) delegate from the Philippines, will meet by Zoom with any interested First Church members to discuss current preparations for General Conference, who/what is disaffiliating (under current rules), and other topics of interest, so we can understand what we as First Church can do while the denomination prepares for GC 2024.   

With the results of 2019 Special GC, and GC 2020 being postponed at least twice (and now not occurring), we are living in unprecedented times for our denomination, and it will be very helpful for us to be as informed as possible this year leading up to GC 2024.  Please make plans now to attend this most important and informative meeting.  Sign up below by 6pm on March 5, and the zoom link will be emailed to you. 

Questions?  Please contact bethswanick@gmail.com.