Malaria’s death toll nearly cut in half

NASHVILLE, Tenn. (UMNS) — Every 60 seconds, malaria claims a life in Africa. Does that sound a little different from what you’ve heard before? It should because it is different — the rate of death has slowed from every 45 seconds to a minute. But a little different to us is a huge difference to families in Africa. Imagine No Malaria announces the change based on the recent 2011 World Malaria Report, issued by the World Health Organization, citing a declining death rate. Malaria’s toll has been reduced to an estimated 655,000 deaths annually — down from 1 million just three years ago.

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Worship Sunday March 4

Worship with Communion.  All are welcome to participate in this community sharing in Jesus.

Scripture Readings: Genesis 17:1-7, 15-17; Mark 8:31-38

Sermon: Degrinchification

Morning Prayer: Open-hearted, open-handed God, we see your profound generosity and your profuse love all around us.  We see incredible beauty in creation.  We see unimaginable kindness and tenderness between friends.  We watch a people care about those they will never meet.  We witness work for justice and care for the earth.  We testify to the love of Jesus.  Open-hearted, open-handed God create in us generous hearts and spirits that lean toward justice.  Amen.

Songs: The God of Abraham Praise; I Have Decided To Follow Jesus; We Are Called

Musicians: Tapestry; Sanctuary Choir; Strikepoint Handbell Choir with Jenna Mattson on violin; Carol Donahue, organ; Katie Harvey, cello; LeAnn House, piano

11 am Adult Faith Forum: Representatives from CHUM discussing CHUM’s work on health benefit exchanges

News Wednesday February 29

Due to blizzard conditions, the church building will be closed all day today.  All afternoon and evening activities have been cancelled.  The choir is asked to come at 8:30 am Sunday for rehearsal.

Worship This Week At First UMC

Ash Wednesday Worship – February 22, 7 p.m.  We will share communion together and offer the imposition of ashes.  Communion is open to all who wish to participate.

SUNDAY FEBRUARY 26

Scripture Reading: Mark 1:9-15

Sermon: A Haunted Forest

Morning Prayer: Wayfarer God of a journeying people, the way takes us on many roads and through many places.  Sometimes the road is wide and smooth, sometimes narrow, bumpy, potholed.  Sometimes we travel through beautiful, wonderfully lighted environs, and sometimes through haunted forests.  To journey with you in the way of Jesus, the way of life, can be difficult.  Along the way we must confront our deepest selves with all our scars, schemes, evasions, fears, and with all our hopes, dreams, and beauty.  These can be haunted places, yet we know with you every place can also be a sacred place.  So we go.  In Jesus.  Amen.

Songs: In the Midst of New Dimensions; Loving Spirit; At the Font We Start Our Journey

Musicians: Sanctuary Choir, Carol Donahue – organ, Thomas W. King, Cast in Bronze bell choir

We will also be honoring our United Methodist Women this Sunday

Faith Forum, 11 am: Dave Lee on the TXT4Life program

Confirmation, 11 am

Worship Sunday February 19, 2012

Scripture Readings: Colossians 2:6-7, 3:12-17; Luke 24:13-35

Sermon: Stepping Out

Morning Prayer: God of the creative process, of the wandering Israelites, of the traveling Jesus: Life moves, changes, grows.  So, too, does faith.  The voice of your love in Jesus invites us to a journey, moves us on the road to do your work, to grow in love.  So we go.  We are on the move.  We journey together, and together with you.  In Christ.  Amen.

Songs: Christ, Whose Glory Fills the Skies; Shine, Jesus Shine; May You Run and Not Be Weary

Musicians: Sanctuary Choir, Tapestry (band), Carol Donahue – organ

We will be welcoming a child into the world and into the family of faith in baptism

Faith Forum, 11 am: Presentation on the Un-Fair Campaign

Worship Sunday February 12, 2012

Scripture Readings: II Kings 5:1-14; Mark 1:40-45

Sermon: Say What?!

Morning Prayer: Great and gracious God, whom we know in Jesus, we gather grateful for your grace, wisdom, and love.  In Jesus you touch our lives to heal us, free us, feed us, forgive us, empower us.  In you we find wisdom for our perplexity and a place to call home.  And in Jesus you give us a way of life, a spirit to be embodied in our lives and in our life together.  May it be so, O God.  May Jesus’ Spirit be formed in us and may we continue to grow as the body of Christ.  Amen.

Songs: This is a Day of New Beginnings, Jesus Hands Were Kind Hands, Turning of the World

Musicians: Tapestry (band), Sanctuary Choir, Carol Donahue – organ, Ringtones bell choir

We welcome new children into our life together in baptism

Faith Forum: “Truth and Wholeness” video with a discussion led by Karen Alseth

Confirmation, 11 am

Worship Sunday February 5, 2012

Scripture Readings: Mark 1:29-39; Colossians 1:15-20

Sermon: Extremely Lord and Incredibly Close

Morning Prayer: Great God of the Universe, whose creativity shines in moon and stars, whose beauty blazes in sunrises and sunsets, whose love inspires our loves, how is it that you are so near?  How is it that we feel you so incredibly close, at least some of the time?  How is it that we look to a single life and say “God”?  Mysteries abound with you, yet we still see you, and feel you and know you in the life of Jesus.  In our own way, may each of our lives reflect your presence as strongly as your presence was reflected in Jesus.  Amen.

Songs: There’s Something About That Name; O For a Thousand Tongues to Sing; Lord of the Dance

Musicians: Sanctuary Choir, Tapestry (band), Class Ring bell choir, Carol Donahue – organ, Michael Hintzman – saxaphone, Grant and Alex Goodlet, piano

Worship includes the sharing of communion and all are welcome to share in this important part of worship

Super Bowl Bake Sale – proceeds to benefit Imagine No Malaria and First UMC

Coffee and Conversation, 9 am and Faith Forum, 11 am: discussion of the Minnesota Marriage Amendment from a faith perspective, led by Pastor David

Worship Sunday January 29, 2012

Scripture Readings: John 4:7-26; I John 4:7-8

Sermon: God is Love, So What?

Morning Prayer: God of many names: Elusive Presence Ever Near, Healing Touch of the Spirit, Wind that Carries Us Forward, Soft Whisper in our Heart, Jesus – we come to you with open minds and hearts and hands.  We are weary and need your energy.  We are discouraged and need your hope.  We hurt and need you healing.  We have done wrong and need your forgiveness.  We are strong and need your direction.  We rejoice and need you laughter joined with ours.  We are grateful and offer you our thanks.  Amen.

Songs: Gather Us In; Healer of Our Every Ill, Together We Serve

Musicians: Carol Donahue, organ; Tapestry band; Sanctuary Choir; Cast in Bronze bell choir

Potluck Meal following worship.  We would love to have you join us.

Worship Sunday January 22, 2012

Scripture Readings: Genesis 1:26-27, 31; Romans 3:9-18, 23

Sermon: Beautiful People in a Pickle

Morning Prayer: God whose light has shined since the very creation of the world and whose light shines in each person, we wonder, sometimes, how that light gets lost.  Capable of extraordinary beauty and incredible creativity and caring, we can also be petty, cruel, malicious, even murderous.  Able to soar to wondrous heights, we often trap ourselves in harmful patterns.  We turn to you, O God, and find you’ve already reached toward us in Jesus to forgive, heal and free.  Thank you.  Amen.

Songs: Taste and See; Blessed Be the God of Israel; You Are Mine; Lord, You Have Come to the Lakeshore

Musicians: Carol Donahue, organ; Sanctuary Choir; Tapestry band; Joshua Peterson and Raymond Comstock duet

Faith Forum: Intimacy With God – video and discussion

Confirmation, 11 am

Sunday Evening Faith and Film: Win/Win.  Film rolls at 6 :30

Upcoming Sermon Series

Beginning Sunday January 22, Pastor David will preach a series of sermons on basic themes in Christian faith:

Januray 22: Beautiful People in a Pickle

January 29: God is love

February 5: Jesus is lord

February 12: Church is mission

February 19: Faith is a way