FUMC Pasadena News

May Messenger

2013-05-16T09:40:00.002-07:00

May 15, 2013: Volume 83: Issue 5

Family Camp
Renewal Leave
Vacation Bible School
Religion and Science
More!

March Messenger

2013-03-16T13:19:00.001-07:00

March 15, 2013: Volume 83: Issue 3

Easter Holy Week Happenings
Pastor’s Message
Food Trucks Are Coming
Summer Musical Bye Bye Birdie Announced
Become a Foster Parent

Words, Lifestyle, and Lent

2013-02-27T16:09:00.002-08:00

Rev. N. Adiel A. DePano Lenten message from FUMC Pasadena.

Words have the power to create. Henri Nouwen writes:

When God speaks, God creates. When God says, “Let there be light” (Genesis 1:3), light is. God speaks light. For God, speaking and creating are the same. It is this creative power of the word we need to reclaim. What we say is very important. When we say, “I love you,” and say it from the heart, we can give another person new life, new hope, new courage.

Stories of healing abound in the gospels. One such story describes how Jesus went to minister to Jairus’ daughter who had just died (Mark 5:35ff). Let’s pick up the story from verse 38:

When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw a commotion, with people crying and wailing loudly.... After he put them all out, he took the child’s father and mother and the disciples who were with him, and went in where the child was. He took her by the hand and said to her, “Talitha koum!” (which means “Little girl, I say to you, get up!”). Immediately the girl stood up and began to walk around (she was twelve years old). At this they were completely astonished.

What strikes me about the healing stories in the gospels is that people sought Jesus and flocked to him in droves! They recognized the power of his words spoken in compassion. The experience so compelling that they recognized in Jesus a great prophet! In Mark 6:53-56 we read:

When Jesus and the disciples had crossed over, they came to land at Gennesaret and moored the boat. When they got out of the boat, people at once recognized him, and rushed about that whole region and began to bring the sick on mats to wherever they heard he was. And wherever he went, into villages or cities or farms, they laid the sick in the marketplaces, and begged him that they might touch even the fringe of his cloak; and all who touched it were healed.

You might be saying, “What do I need healing for?”

Our society is full of words: on billboards, on television screens, in newspapers and books. Words whispered, shouted, and sung. Words that move, dance, and change in size and color. Words that say, “Taste me, smell me, eat me, drink me, sleep with me,” but most of all, “buy me.” With so many words around us, we quickly say: “Well, they're just words.” Thus, words have lost much of their power.

But it seems that we have not lost a beat on our ability to inflict harm with our words. Words also have the potential to destroy as Henri Nouwen writes:

When we say, “I hate you,” we can destroy another person.

Our internal dialogue with the self could be anything but affirming and nurturing of the seed of God that is planted in our hearts. We are so capable of bombarding our inner self with words that harm – I’m not good enough. I’m an idiot. I’m a failure. I can’t do it. I don’t have what it takes. Our lives can be messy, filled with addiction, fretfulness, and fears.

For God, speaking and creating are the same. The holy season of Lent is a rich and potent season to experience the transformative and creative power of words of the Word of God! The Word that was made flesh at Christmas speaks volumes of God’s love, forgiveness, healing, acceptance, joy, and hope to us. Lent invites us to prepare for Easter by observing a period of fasting, repentance, moderation and spiritual discipline in order to make room for the indwelling of the Spirit. The purpose is to set aside time for reflection on Jesus Christ – his suffering and his sacrifice, his life, death, burial and resurrection – so that his life-giving words and life-affirming teachings can take root in our lives and increase our capacity to speak and love as he did.

John Wesley gave Methodists “three simple rules” to abide by in growing our ability to be Christ-like in our lifestyle:

Do no harm.
Do good.
Stay in love with God.

John Wesley believed that living a holy and good life required help from a caring community, commitment to the practice of spiritual discipline, and ongoing instruction.

Wesley gave the Methodist movement General Rules which were the practical application of what it meant to follow Christ – they were outlined and the people were instructed on them within the class structure. Accountability for practice was centered in the classes that formed the United Societies. Thus, the General Rules became distilled into this “behavioral trinity” we refer to as the “three simple rules”.

Living in a new way, becoming a new creation is risky business. Learning and speaking words that build up rather than tear down is hard work. It requires sacrifice – the willingness to undergo a radical transformation – it requires creating a way through the wilderness where there was no way before. Richard Rohr, OFM brings it home for me:

Christianity is a lifestyle—a way of being in the world that is simple, non-violent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established “religion” (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain in most of Christian history, and still believe that Jesus is one’s “personal Lord and Savior” or continue to receive the sacraments in good standing. The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on Earth is too great.

In closing, let me share this invitation straight out of The Book of Worship:

I invite you, therefore, in the name of the Church, to observe a holy Lent: by self-examination and repentance; by prayer, fasting, and self-denial; and by reading and meditating on God’s Holy Word.

There’s that ‘Word’ again!

Easter Services in Pasadena

2013-02-26T09:26:00.004-08:00

Easter Vigil - March 30, Altadena UMC located at 349 W Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001-4254. For more info on meet up times, contact Rev. Mark.

Easter Sunrise Service - Join the FUMC Pasadena and Alta Dena Youth in a collaborative Easter Sunrise Service at Altadena United Methodist Church. Sunday, March 31, at 6:30am. Altadena United Methodist Church is located at 349 W Altadena Dr, Altadena, CA 91001-4254. Join us as we watch the sun rise into the morning sky!

Easter Morning Art - Starting at 8:55am, all are invited to join the Arts Committee and Children's Ministry in the Colorado patio to welcome in Easter morning with breakfast, music, an innovative family worship opportunity, Easter story corner and our "egg art" exhibition. Children and families, please arrive early as children grades preK up will adjourn to the sanctuary at 9:30am for choir. Then join us for our traditional...

Easter Festival Service, Sunday, March 31, 10am, in the FUMC Pasadena Sanctuary, located at 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena CA 91101.

More info on Holy Week and Lenten services at First Church on the web.

Music for Solo Cello in Pasadena

2013-02-19T14:27:00.000-08:00

Music at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena

presents

Music for Solo Cello

Works by Bach, Britten and Cassado

David Garrett, cello

- Program -

Bach - Suite No. 1, BWV 1007

Britten - Suite No. 1, Op. 72

Walton - Passacaglia

Cassado - Suite (1922)

Wednesday, February 27, 2013 7:30PM

First United Methodist Church of Pasadena

500 East Colorado Blvd, Pasadena

Free Admission

Donations gratefully accepted

for the FUMC-Pasadena Friends of Music

fumcpasadena.org 626-796-0157

From his biography on the LA Phil: Garrett is a dedicated advocate for music education. He coaches youth orchestras, visits schools, and is cello teacher for the El Sistema-inspired Youth Orchestra Los Angeles. At the Bob Cole Conservatory of Music at CSU Long Beach Garrett maintains one of Southern California’s top cello teaching studios. Garrett’s community service extends beyond the Philharmonic’s projects; he is a board member of the Los Angeles Bach Festival and the Los Angeles Violoncello Society and an active member of the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena. In his spare time Garrett enjoys games and sports; in particular he is an avid, if frustrated, golfer.

The February Messenger is here!

2013-02-13T16:23:00.001-08:00

All the news fit to be reported around the church. The February Messenger for the First United Methodist Church of Pasadena is live and ready for download.

In this issue, you will read about
Holy Week Goings-On
Breakfast and Bible Stories
Turn-A-Page Gatherings
Library Valentines for Kids Young and Old
Children’s Lenten Missions
How to “Be the Bunny”
An Appreciative Inquiry Update
How to go on the Summer YOUth Tour
Adult Ministries Study
And lots more…

You can download a copy of the Messenger from the churchwebsite, or read online here.

Hard copies will be in the mail later int he week.

Episcopal Letter on Immigration Reform

2013-02-05T09:29:00.000-08:00

This message comes from Bishop Carcaño in the the Cal-Pac Conference.

Last week, Bishop Carcaño represented the United Methodist Church at President Obama’s address on immigration reform in Las Vegas, NV. Afterward, she sent the following letter to the Council of Bishops; today she shares it in its entirety with the leaders of this Annual Conference, with the same expectation and encouragement that we give active witness to this issue of justice and compassion. Note especially the link at the close to further resources on the Episcopal Office webpage.

(January 30, 2013)
Dear Colleagues,

Yesterday I had the opportunity to be among those who personally heard President Barack Obama outline his plan for Comprehensive Immigration Reform in the U.S. When the White House called to invite me to join President Obama in Las Vegas, Nevada for this historic moment I was told that the invitation came as an acknowledgement from the White House of the good work The United Methodist Church has done in the area of immigration. I was privileged to represent the hard work that so many of you and other United Methodists have been engaged in.

This is the moment we have been working so very hard for. President Obama was clear in his commitment to reforming our broken immigration policies. I also sense a shift in the attitude of the country toward the issue of immigration. We have before us a great opportunity to live out our commitment to sojourn with our immigrant brothers and sisters until justice comes for them and for us.

President Obama called for immigration reform that will provide a pathway to citizenship for the more than 11 million undocumented immigrants now living and laboring in the U.S. He affirmed the moral need to work for the reunification of families who have been separated by migration, recognized the importance of DREAMERS for the future of the U.S., and reminded us that we are a country of immigrants. He called us to remember that immigrants are not “them” but “us”. He vowed to work hard to bring our U.S. immigration policies into the 21st Century affirming that immigrants are part of the solution to our economic struggles. I heard him say that we need common sense comprehensive immigration reform for the common good.

Yesterday was a hopeful day, but there is yet much more work to be done. I was concerned when President Obama mentioned strengthening border security, employment verification, and undocumented immigrants going to the back of the line in order to begin their pathway to citizenship. The U.S. has already spent $10 billion dollars in border security. How much higher must the border wall be before border security is considered adequate? The government’s employment verification efforts thus far have proven to be detrimental to employers as well as employees including documented workers. And, we all know there is no immigration line to go to the back of, only a mass of people and a backlog that will take a lifetime to process unless immigration processes are reformed. In the meantime our immigrant brothers and sisters continue to live in fear, suffering injustice, discrimination, and in many cases the violation of their human rights. We United Methodists can help make a difference.

Here are some things we can do now as [leaders in] the church,

Write op-eds for our local newspapers standing with President Obama in his call for comprehensive immigration reform;
Contact your Congressional leaders and let them know that United Methodists stand for comprehensive immigration reform;
Blog about our commitment to justice for our immigrant brothers and sisters;
Sign up on the Interfaith Immigration Coalition call to the 113th U.S. Congress to work for comprehensive immigration reform. I have attached it for your consideration. All you have to do to sign up is send your name to Bill Mefford at bmefford@umc-gbcs.org. As United Methodists we are members of the IIC and helped shape this statement;
Observe Family Unity Prayer Vigils in your area in the month of February . Invite your local churches, UMW, UMM, young people, campus ministries, conference and district offices, your cabinets, ecumenical partners and others to join you. In doing so you and your area will be joining a nation-wide interfaith prayer effort in the U.S. There is power in prayer!

One of the most important aspects of the just and humane immigration reform we are advocating for is the reunification of families separated by migration.

We ask you to focus on three areas of concern:

Protection for immigrants,
Empowerment of people of faith to speak out more boldly for immigrants, and
Moral courage for Members of Congress to exercise leadership in enacting humane immigration reform.

Hosting prayer vigils will give us an opportunity to reflect on the deep scriptural and spiritual roots of our work to welcome and support immigrants in the United States, highlight the moral aspects of the immigration issue and help us remember the real-life consequences of our failed policies on immigrant families. It will show our representatives in Congress that just and humane immigration reform is a top priority for United Methodists, and demonstrate a growing movement in support of immigration reform.

As these prayer vigils are held in your area please have someone on you staff let Bill Mefford at GBCS know when and where they are held. Pictures of the prayer vigils would also be helpful. As we work with Congressional leaders it is so very important to make them aware of the fact that United Methodists are concerned, committed, and are praying. Numbers matter to elected officials!
In April, encourage Neighbor to Neighbor Meetings in your area. Neighbor to Neighbor meetings involve congregational leaders meeting with Members of Congress to share with them the need to support legislation that protects and preserves the dignity and rights of our immigrant neighbors from throughout the world. Neighbor to Neighbor meetings help us establish close relationships with our members of Congress, a crucial aspect of working for the enactment of just and humane immigration reform.

If you need any resources or assistance as you plan your Family Unity Prayer Vigils or Neighbor to Neighbor meetings, please contact Bill Mefford at the General Board of Church and Society. You might also want to consider using the wonderful video, Gospel Without Borders, that Bishop Charles Crutchfield graciously provided all of us with when he was still serving in Arkansas. Excellent resources provided to us by our GBCS called “How to Organize for Just and Humane Immigration Reform” can be located here: http://www.cal-pac.org/pages/detail/2016 .

I stand ready to support you in any way I can. Above all, may God be our help!
Your Sister in Christ,

Bishop Minerva

St.Olaf Choir comes to FUMC Pasadena

2013-01-30T15:54:00.001-08:00

The St. Olaf Choir, with Anton Armstrong conducting, will perform in concert at FUMC Pasadena on Saturday, February 9th, 2013.

Tickets and more information on the web at St. Olaf Choir 2013 Tour.

ECPAC Weather Shelters

2013-01-30T11:44:00.002-08:00

Everyone is invited to help at the Bad Weather Shelter on Tuesday, February 5. Please contact Diane Harris for more information and directions. Phone (626) 355-4494 or email dmharris150625@gmail.com.

On Tuesday, January 15th, 21 Methodists from our church, and one each from Altadena and Sierra Madre UMC's, plus our District Superintendent joined together to assist the Ecumenical Council of Pasadena Area Congregations (ECPAC) at their Bad Weather Shelter.

First Church has a long standing relationship with ECPAC and provides volunteers at the shelter twice each year, the next date being February 5. Our volunteer service includes providing the food, cooking and serving the evening meal for between 150 and 200 persons, setting up cots and distributing bedding for the homeless, overnight, guests.

The Bad Weather Shelter operates out of the Pasadena Covenant Church gymnasium at 539 N. Lake Avenue, Pasadena. The shelter is open every night in January and February. It is also weather activated (40 degrees or below or 40% chance of rain) from the day after Thanksgiving until the end of December, and from the first of March until the 15th of March. At 7 pm families with children are admitted to the shelter, registered and fed a hot meal by volunteers. They are then transported to another local church where they spend the night. At 8 pm individual adult guests are admitted, registered, and fed. Guests leave the shelter by 7 am each morning.

We want to thank the following volunteers for donating their time and talent at the shelter on January 15th. Jessica Ardo, DS Cedrick Bridgeforth, Nathan Carter, Dr. Ebenezer Dasan, Theresa Dawes, Rev. Adiel DePano, Julian DePano, Jim Doyle, Diane and JP Harris, Pam Harris (Altadena UMC), Wendy Kendall, Liz Mackey-Peterson (Sierra Madre UMC), Michael Moore, Fred Niemann, Adán and Marian Peña, Karl Peron, Gerry Poulin, Cynthia Quan, Sara Seyedali, Patricia and Steve Zeider and Ann Zeiss.

Breakfast and Bible Stories

2013-01-30T10:30:00.000-08:00

First Church begins a Family Worship Experience on Sunday mornings.

We invite you and your family to join us at 8:55 am on Sunday mornings, in the chapel, for breakfast and family worship.

Each Sunday, we will offer a healthy breakfast for parents and children followed by a casual worship service led by our children. After worship, children join their Sunday School teachers for class time followed by music at 10 am.

We invite you to join us!

FUMC Pasadena presents an intimate reading of 8

2013-01-29T15:30:00.000-08:00

First United Methodist Church of Pasadena to Produce Landmark Marriage Equality Play by Academy Award-Winning Screenwriter of Milk & J. Edgar

Pasadena, CA – The Drama Committee and Reconciling Committee of First United Methodist Church Pasadena, with license from the American Foundation for Equal Rights (AFER) and Broadway Impact, are proud to announce an intimate reading of “8,” a play chronicling the historic trial in the federal constitutional challenge to California’s Proposition 8. Written by Academy Award-winning screenwriter and AFER Founding Board Member Dustin Lance Black, “8” had its much-heralded Broadway world premiere in September 2011 and its star-studded Los Angeles premiere in March 2012.

The production is an unprecedented account of the Federal District Court trial in Perry v. Schwarzenegger (now Hollingsworth v. Perry), the case filed by AFER to overturn Proposition 8, which stripped gay and lesbian Californians of the fundamental freedom to marry.

What: A staged reading of “8,” the landmark marriage equality play by Academy Award-winner Dustin Lance Black.

Who: First United Methodist Church of Pasadena, jointly sponsored by the Drama Committee and Reconciling Committee

When: 7:30 p.m. on Friday, March 15 & Saturday, March 16

Where: FUMC Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101 in Fellowship Hall

Cost: Free

FUMC Pasadena Info: Our cast and crew all have dedicated themselves to giving a performance that you won’t soon forget. Mark your calendars and get to FUMC on March 15 or 16! This is a free event, but a free-will offering will be taken with half of the proceeds to go to AFER. The reading will be followed by a short talk-back session. Contact the Church Office for more information: 626.796.0157

Cal-Pac Bishop Carcaño to represent UMC Church POTUS address

2013-01-29T09:29:00.002-08:00

This message originated from the UMC Cal-Pac office yesterday. FUMC Pasadena sends it's prayers and well wishes to Bishop Carcaño on this mission of hope.

January 28, 2013 Special Update
The White House, upon recommendation of the U.M. General Board of Church and Society, has invited Bishop Minerva G. Carcaño to represent the United Methodist Church at a public address by President Barack Obama tomorrow, Tuesday January 29, in Las Vegas. The President will speak to the proposal reported below. The invitation came in light of the current administration’s recognition of the strong, positive voice that the U.M.C. has brought to the issue of immigration and needed reform. When more news becomes available, it will be posted here and to the Cal-Pac Conference website.

United Methodist bishops, social-justice agency welcome step forward on immigration reform
Caution, though, more changes needed to achieve just, workable system

WASHINGTON, D.C. — The General Board of Church & Society of The United Methodist Church welcomes the Bipartisan Framework for Comprehensive Immigration Reform presented by eight U.S. Senators Monday, January 28. This framework offers necessary steps towards policy solutions, particularly regarding a pathway to full citizenship for all undocumented immigrants and the strengthening of the family immigration system, both of which are crucial aspects of any legislation that is both effective and humane.

The framework is being put forward by Sens. Michael Bennet, D-Colo.; Richard Durbin, D-Ill.; Jeff Flake, R-Ariz.; Lindsey Graham, R-S.C.; Robert Menendez, D-N.J.; John McCain, R-Ariz.; Marco Rubio, R-Fla.; and Charles Schumer, D-N.Y.

The framework’s principles offer necessary steps towards immigration policy solutions that are just and humane, according to Bishop Minerva Carcaño, episcopal leader of the Los Angeles Area (California-Pacific Conference) and chair of the United Methodist Interagency Taskforce on Immigration. “A pathway to full citizenship for all undocumented immigrants and policies that will allow the reunification of immigrant families are crucial aspects of any legislation that strives to be effective and humane,” she emphasized.

Carcaño said the steps being recommended in the framework help the United States move toward immigration reform, but she cautioned that there is much more work to be done. “One specific area of concern is making a pathway to full citizenship contingent on even stronger and potentially harsher border enforcement,” the bishop said. “We will continue to monitor the plan for implementing these principles for immigration reform. I do, however, applaud our senators for their hard work and look forward to working closely with them in moving these principles toward effective, just and humane legislation.”

The framework contains essential elements such as a pathway to citizenship for young immigrants called "DREAMers" and agricultural workers. It would also reduce waiting times for separated families to be reunited thereby strengthening the family immigration system and would protect the rights of workers with strong labor protections.

Rectify enforcement-first proposals

Unfortunately, the framework also makes the pathway to citizenship for many undocumented immigrants contingent on more onerous border enforcement, some of which could take years or even decades to achieve. "The enforcement-first proposals must be rectified before these proposals can be effective legislation," stressed Bishop Robert Hoshibata, episcopal leader of the Phoenix Area (Desert Southwest Conference) and president of the General Board of Church & Society.

Hoshibata pointed out that The United Methodist Church has led in the grassroots mobilization of the faith community across the United States, organizing hundreds of public witness events in support of just, humane immigration reform. “United Methodists are calling for humane and common-sense solutions because they see firsthand how our immigration system tears families apart, exploits workers, and keeps entire communities terrorized under our current enforcement policies,” he emphasized.

The United Methodist Church believes “at the center of Christian faithfulness to Scripture is the call we have been given to love and welcome the sojourner … to refuse to welcome migrants to this country and to stand by in silence while families are separated, individual freedoms are ignored, and the migrant community in the United States is demonized … is complicity to sin” (Welcoming the Migrant to the U.S., 2012 Book of Resolutions).

Moral courage needed by Congress
Just as United Methodists have led in the struggle to defend and support the rights of immigrants, they are organized and ready to work closely with Congress and President Obama to see the principles in this framework that are just and effective enacted into legislation, according to Jim Winkler, chief executive of the General Board of Church & Society.

We need Congress to show the moral courage necessary to enact immigration reform,” Winkler said. “The framework has created a first step towards just, workable reform, and with some changes, can improve the lives of our immigrant brothers and sisters.

Winkler said immigration reform must be both moral and practical.

It will secure both the future of the United States and the rights of immigrants and their families,” he said. “We applaud the leadership by the Senators and we urge all members of Congress to work towards enactment of just reform as soon as possible.

The General Board of Church & Society is one of four international general program boards of The United Methodist Church. Prime responsibility of the board is to seek implementation of the Social Principles and other policy statements on Christian social concerns of the General Conference, the denomination’s highest policy-making body. The board’s primary areas of ministry are Advocacy, Education & Leadership Formation, United Nations & International Affairs, and resourcing these areas for the denomination. It has offices on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C., and at the Church Center for the United Nations in New York City.

Related Social Principles
162 III. The Social Community
163 IV. The Economic Community

More Info on the United Methodist Church California Pacific Conference at their website.

January Messenger is here!

2013-01-16T17:12:00.004-08:00

The January Messenger is here!

Just in time for all your mid winter reading.

In the January issue, you will find...

Enough Light for the Next Step
Greetings from the Holy Land
Small Group Meet-Ups in 2013
Pasadena Methodist Foundation
Help to Find Focus in the New Year
News on the Youth Cabaret
Valentines from the Library
And a special upcoming Jazz Concert.
And lots more!

For now, you can only download the January Messenger directly, or you can view and down load it from our NEW church website.

Casting Call For Staged Reading of Eight, the Play

2013-01-15T10:28:00.002-08:00

The Drama and Reconciling Committees are jointly sponsoring this year's spring drama production - a staged reading of Eight, the play, about the trial of California's Proposition 8. The performances will be Friday and Saturday evenings, March 15-16. No memorization is necessary.

Rehearsals are set to begin on Saturday mornings starting January 26th at First Church. We need a fairly large cast of at least 13, but as many as 21, so please tell family and friends and join us. If you haven't tried one of our drama productions before, they are comfortable, supportive theater adventures for the actors.

Questions, please contact Maggie in the church office by phone at 626.796.0157, or by email at office@fumcpasadena.org. Or, you may contact Pam Marx, FUMC Arts Committee, at pamelamarx@sbcglobal.net for more details.

Jazz and Swing Youth Cabaret in February

2013-01-08T14:38:00.005-08:00

Get out your poodle skirts and saddle shoes because this year’s Youth Cabaret is

Join the Youth of
Sounds of the Risen Son Choir &
Messiah’s Harmonies Bell Choir
at First United Methodist Church Pasadena

Friday, February 1st
&
Saturday, February 2nd

Appetizers & Silent Auction at 6:00pm
Dinner & Show at 7:00pm

Tickets on-sale after worship or in the Church Office.

Individual - $20, Children $10
Big Band Donor - $500+
Boogie Woogie Donor - $200
Jitterbug Donor - $100

Donations for Silent Auction & Ads for Program also being accepted!

See Lydia In or Rev. Allison Mark for more details.

FUMC Pasadena Book Club to meet Sundays

2013-01-08T10:08:00.002-08:00

Turn-A-Page book group to beging 2013 meetings on Sunday, January 13 at 11:30am.

At the meeting we will be discussing Viktor Frankl's book, Man's Search for Meaning. Written in 1946, psychiatrist Viktor Frankl's memoir has riveted generations of readers with its descriptions of life in Nazi death camps and its lessons for spiritual survival.

Between 1942 and 1945, Frankl labored in four different camps, including Auschwitz, while his parents, brother and pregnant wife perished. Based on his own experience and the experiences of those he treated in his practice as a psychotherapist, Frankl argues that we cannot avoid suffering but we can choose how to cope with it, find meaning in it, and more forward with renewed purpose.

We welcome all newcomers to join with us after worship on January 13, in the church lounge, for light lunch and conversation.

All are welcome to join in on the conversation.

Sunday morning Adult Bible Study

2013-01-02T13:57:00.000-08:00

SpiritSeekers Adult Sunday School, invites you to study with them on Sunday mornings beginning at 8:55 AM, in the Church Lounge at FUMC Pasadena.

Beginning Sunday, January 6th, SpiritSeekers begins Philip Yancey’s 8-week study, The Bible Jesus Read, facilitated by Paula Hui.

Jesus didn’t have Paul’s epistles or the Gospels when he meditated on God’s word. As a Jew, he studied the Hebrew Bible. Yancey, editor-at-large for the magazine Christianity Today, observes in this study that the Hebrew Bible “portrays the world as it is, no holds barred. In its pages you will find passionate stories of love and hate, blood-chilling stories of rape and dismemberment, matter-of-fact accounts of trafficking in slaves, honest tales of the high honor and cruel treachery of war. Nothing is neat and orderly. . . .” But he also detects in these stories of God’s people a “gradual but certain movement toward grace.” Yancey offers samplings from Job, Deuteronomy, Psalms, Ecclesiastes and the Prophets -- not because he expects them to reveal the secrets of life, but as companions on his own pilgrimage.

Join SpiritSeekers on Sunday mornings to track this journey. Participant’s Guide available in class or at the church office for $9.00; also available in other formats, including ebook and on the Kindle.

SpiritSeekers will interrupt the Yancey series mid-February to join FUMC’s church-wide Lenten Study. Watch for details.

Sign up for these classes after Sunday service or anytime through the Church Office, or drop in at the church on the day of the class.

Adult Ministries invite you to consider the gift of a spiritually-centered study in your life. It is in settings of close connection with others on a faith journey that we deepen our relationship with God and strengthen connections with one another as the church, the body of Christ. We encourage everyone to consider one or more of these short or long-term commitments, whether as a new visitor, or a new or long-time member.

Confidential scholarship assistance is available to assist with study material fees. See Rev. Adiel DePano or your course leader. Childcare is provided on Sunday morning and for weeknight classes when needed. Please indicate when signing up.

Questions? contact the church office by calling 626.796.0157 or by email at office@fumcpasadena.org

Invitation to John - Study Group

2013-01-02T13:44:00.002-08:00

Join us at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena on Monday Nights beginning January 28th at 7:00PM. Led by Kevin Lussier, this study group runs through April.

Each of the four Gospels has its own unique interpretation of the life, ministry and meaning of Jesus, but the Gospel of John truly stands apart.

The last of the Gospels to be written, John, contains many stories and discourses of Jesus not found in the others. Indeed, John posits a Christology not found expressly in any of the other Gospels: Jesus is the enfleshed Word of God that existed before the creation of the world that was sent by God to dwell among man in order to reveal God and the way to eternal life.

This short-term study is an in-depth examination of the often subtle and always deep meaning in this challenging and rewarding Gospel. Participants will closely read the Gospel, learn its historical context, compare its viewpoint to that of the other three Gospels, and discuss its meaning to them, the church, and our world.

Materials approximately $11.

Sign up for these classes after Sunday service or anytime through the Church Office, or drop in at the church on the day of the class.

Adult Ministries invite you to consider the gift of a spiritually-centered study in your life. It is in settings of close connection with others on a faith journey that we deepen our relationship with God and strengthen connections with one another as the church, the body of Christ. We encourage everyone to consider one or more of these short or long-term commitments, whether as a new visitor, or a new or long-time member.

Confidential scholarship assistance is available to assist with study material fees. See Rev. Adiel DePano or your course leader. Childcare is provided on Sunday morning and for weeknight classes when needed. Please indicate when signing up.

Christmas Eve Service in Pasadena

2012-12-18T11:36:00.005-08:00

Join us Monday, December 24th, for a special Christmas Celebration!

Family Service at 5pm

Candle Light service at 11pm

First United Methodist Church of Pasadena

500 E. Colorado Blvd.

Pasadena, CA 91101

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December Messenger

2012-12-12T17:17:00.002-08:00

The December Messenger is here!

Just in time for the holidays, the December Messenger is ready for you to download.

In this issue you will find:

A Few Holiday words from Rev. DePano
Results of the 2013 Stewardship Campaign
Holiday Goings on in and around the church
Mission Opportunities
Upcoming Adult Ministries Classes
Rent A Youth Details
A few words of Gratitude from the Bishop
An update on the Appreciative Inquiry Committee
and lots more…

You can Read the December, 2012, Messenger here, or download from the church website.

Rose Parade Pancakes

2012-12-12T09:20:00.001-08:00

Everyone loves a hot breakfast at the Rose Parade!

First United Methodist Church Pasadena is hosting a Pancake Breakfast on Tuesday, January 1st, New Years Day, from 5:30 am to 8:30 am just steps away from the Rose Parade.

Located on the parade route, First Church will be serving two sausages, unlimited pancakes, a hot beverage and orange juice, all for the low cost of $7.00. To reserve your hot breakfast, tickets may be purchased in advance from the church office which is located at 500 E. Colorado Boulevard, Pasadena.

On the day of the parade, tickets for the breakfast will be available at the door.

Breakfast will be served from 5:30am to 8:15am from the east side of the church on Oakland Avenue.

What: Pancake Breakfast at FUMC Pasadena
Where: FUMC Pasadena, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
How: Advance tickets from the FUMC Office, or the day of the event at the door.
How much: $7.00 for two sausages, unlimited pancakes, a hot beverage and orange juice.

To purchase your tickets, please visit or contact the church office.

Questions please contact the church office at 626.796.0157 or by email at office@fumcpasadena.org.

Be sure to get your tickets before they sell out!

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November Messenger is here!

2012-11-14T15:28:00.001-08:00

It's that time again, the November Messenger is out tomorrow!

November 14, 2012: Volume 82: Issue 11. Click the link at left to view, or right click and select 'save as' to save the file to your computer.

In this issue, you'll find...
How to be on a Committee at First Church
A Year of Healing and Wholeness
Haiti Mission Team Returns
Christmas Eclectic
Wonderful Music of Christmas
Christmas Market
Advent Study
FUMC Home Group
Thanksgiving Luncheon
Youth Ministries
Appreciative Inquiry
And More...

Pasadena area Crop Walk

2012-10-22T03:30:00.000-07:00

37th Annual Pasadena Area Crop Walk is slated to take place Sunday, October 28th, 2012.

CROP Hunger Walks are community-wide events sponsored by Church World Service and organized by local volunteers to raise funds to end hunger.

Each year, First UMC Pasadena has participated in the Pasadena/Altadena Crop Walk. Join our youth and families and walk together to bring awareness about hunger in our world community. The Walk is a 5K loop.

This years event will take place in Altadena at
St. Mark’s Episcopal Church
1014 E. Altadena Dr,
Altadena CA 91101.

Registration begins at 1:00 pm, with the walk to follow at 1:30 to 3:00 pm.

25% of the funds raised are shared with the following local hunger-fighting agencies including:
•    ACTS Food Pantry
•    Bad Weather Shelter (ECPAC)
•    Holy Family Giving Bank
•    St Vincent de Paul at St. Elizabeth
•    Friends In Deed
•    Foothill Unity Center

CROP Hunger Walks help children and families worldwide - and right here in the U.S. - to have food for today, while building for a better tomorrow. Our local efforts are making a huge difference... and you are part of it!

FUMC Pasadena Arts Committee invites you...

2012-10-21T15:32:00.000-07:00

The FUMC Pasadena Arts Committee invites you to enjoy all of the wonderful events coming up at First United Methodist Church of Pasadena.

Family Pageant Prop Workshop November 3rd
The Arts Committee invites families and other FUMC friends are invited to come work under the guidance of Doug Rogers to make props and costume bits for our children’s Christmas pageant. We will begin at 9 am on Saturday 11/3 in Great Hall and work through the morning. Light breakfast will be provided. There should be lots of fun paper mache and other opportunities for kids and parents and friends to help with.

Ernie Ozsvath Art Show November 4th
The Arts Committee invites you to a show of the pen and ink art of Ernie Ozsvath will be shared during coffee hour on Sunday 11/4. Enjoy his detail designs of Porsche vehicles and local Pasadena buildings.

Family Fall Floral Workshop November 11th
The Arts Committee invites you to come make a floral arrangement using dried and fresh flowers to use during the Thanksgiving season. The workshop will be in the Grades 2-4 Sunday School room on Sunday, 11/11 at 12 noon for a cost of $7 per arrangement. Fun for both kids and adults! Sign up during coffee hour.

Christmas Eclectic Concert December 11th
Tuesday, December 11, the Arts Committee and the Drama Committee invite friends and families to a concert and storytelling in the Chapel. Children can wear pjs and enjoy hot chocolate, cookies and a book gift. Handbells, traditional stories including “The Velveteen Rabbit” and more will be on the program.

Children’s Fall Habitat for Humanities Mission Project
Be on the lookout for our Sunday School children bake sales on November 4th and 11th as they raise money to support Habitat for Humanity. They will also be collecting spare change in their Habitat houses.

Art in our Lives - Creche Display
Once again, the Arts Committee will be sponsoring a creche display during Advent on Sunday, December 23, during coffee hour. Please consider sharing a traditional creche that your family enjoys.

Contact pamelamarx@sbcglobal.net for more information on all of the events above.

I’m Thankful I’m A Methodist

2012-10-20T04:30:00.000-07:00

by Mikala L. Rahn

Lately I have been in a cycle of spiritual re-awakening. I am re-embracing what it means to be Methodist. I grew up Lutheran, but was married at FUMC as I joined the Rahn Family. As a current Lay Leader of the church, I have been drawn to the Book of Discipline and how it may speak to me, and the congregation.
As many of you know I work daily in my life on social justice issues. Creating a school for high school dropouts has put me face to face with issues of poverty. I live with the poor, and it’s an honor and hardship I am blessed to be called to do. Some of my toughest moments have been with the criminal justice system. Our system is very broken. I have sat with many crying mothers as their children rely on public defenders, faced with tough sentencing laws, and little room for forgiveness. Luckily, in the many court cases I have been a part of, I have not experienced a student murdering another (only attempted). I have had to have difficult conversations about consequences, self-forgiveness, and reminding the convicted that they are children of God, no matter what.

At the top of our system of punishment is the death penalty, which affects our approach to sentencing. We are the only industrial nation that continues to have the death penalty. On Sunday, the 300th person on death row in the US was proven innocent by DNA evidence. I believe the hardest task we have as Christians is forgiveness. Forgiveness of ourselves and others. It’s the hard work we are called to do. I am proud that the United Methodist Church for over 50 years has declared its opposition to the retention and use of capital punishment and urges its abolition. In spite of a common assumption to the contrary, “an eye for an eye and a tooth for a tooth,” does not give justification for the imposing of the penalty of death. Jesus explicitly repudiated retaliation (Matthew 5:38-39).

The Book of Discipline (Par. 164G) states,

“We believe the death penalty denies the power of Christ to redeem, restore and transform all human beings. The United Methodist Church is deeply concerned about crime throughout the world and the value of any life taken by a murder or homicide. We believe all human life is sacred and created by God and therefore, we must see all human life as significant and valuable. When governments implement the death penalty (capital punishment), then the life of the convicted person is devalued and all possibility of change in that person’s life ends. We believe in the resurrection of Jesus Christ and that the possibility of reconciliation with Christ comes through repentance. This gift of reconciliation is offered to all individuals without exception and gives all life, new dignity and sacredness. For this reason, we oppose the death penalty (capital punishment) and urge its elimination from all criminal codes.”

I am thankful I am a Methodist. I pray for Policy change.