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A Weekly Newsletter of The First United Methodist Church
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Message: Rev. Dr. Mark A. Fowler
"
It Seems Silly"
Text: Matthew 21:1-11
Music: Chancel Choir, Blessed Brass
Musical Prelude Begins @ 8:50 a.m.
Worship: 9 a.m. & 10:30 a.m., Sanctuary
Palm Sunday Procession @ 10 a.m., Sanctuary to Capitol Square
Coffee Fellowship: 8:30-10:30 a.m., Fellowship Hall
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Sunday, April 9
9 a.m.: Worship Service
10 a.m.: Palm & Donkey Processional Parade
Procession to the Capitol Square and back to FUMC
(Coffee Fellowship will be available in Fellowship Hall during this time.)
10:30 a.m.: Worship Service
Remembering Christ's Passion: A Chancel Drama
At the conclusion of the 9 a.m. service, the First Church children and youth will lead all who wish to participate in a procession from the Sanctuary to the Capitol Square and back. The young people have prepared posters to carry on this procession and we will all have palms to wave.
Why a processional parade? This congregational spiritual practice will be a re-enactment of Jesus' proclamation of peace, affirming the understanding that "my kingdom is not of this world."
When the procession returns to the church the shofar (an ancient ceremonial horn) will sound to call us into 10:30 worship. Readings and music will dramatize the Passion narrative as we prepare ourselves for the events of Holy Week.
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Rise Up!
Holy Week
Maundy Thursday
April 13, 6:30 p.m.
Celebration of Holy Communion and Ceremonial Foot Washing
Message: Pastor Breanna Illéné, Trinity UMC
Music: Combined choirs of Trinity UMC and First Church
Easter Sunday, April 16
Worship Services: 9 & 10:30 a.m.
Free Community Easter Meal: Noon-2 p.m.
All Welcome
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Meet Israeli Exchange Student
Sunday, April 9
11:45 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Fellowship Hall
Nour Abu Hjoul is an exchange student from Israel studying at Oshkosh North High School this academic year. Her home school is Mar Elias High School in Ibillin, Israel, founded by international peace-maker Archbishop Elias Chacour. As a Palestinian citizen of Israel and a Muslim, Nour embodies her varied identities with grace and poise. Come for a light lunch (freewill offering) and enjoy Nour's engaging presentation about her homeland and her experience of living among us in Wisconsin. If you have questions, contact Joan Deming at 608-241-9281.
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A sermon on Ephesians 5:8-14. We were baptized to be a child of light.
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Understanding Racial Equity in Methodism
Rev. Carla Mitchell, Associate Pastor at St. Mark AME Church in Milwaukee, spoke on the topic of race in the birth of American Methodism during the latest Extending the Table event on Sunday, April 2. Rev. Mitchell reminded us that Jesus' ministry was about equality and ministering to people who were not seen as "equals" in society. This event was part of the education portion of First Church's initiative toward racial equity as we strive to live the ministry of Jesus and make our church, and our Madison community, a better place for all people.
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Invitation to Full Response
First Church is growing and in response, we are expanding opportunities for engagement for all ages on Sunday mornings starting April 30.
The morning begins with 9 a.m. worship. At 10:15 a.m. adults, children and youth will be able to attend classes and other educational and spiritual formation gatherings.
(A list of class offerings will be available at the Information Desk on Sunday.) The second worship service begins at 11:15 a.m. and includes a time for Children's Church on the lower level during the Pastor's message. Childcare and refreshments will be available all morning.
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Grief Support Group Beginning
Tuesday, April 18,
2 p.m.,
Room 208
A support group for First Church members and friends who have recently lost a loved one is being organized and will meet for the first time on April 18. Rev. Milton Ford will lead the gatherings, which will last approximately one hour. This is intended to be an ongoing program involving conversation, reminiscences, questions of faith and an opportunity to get to know each other better. If you have questions, please contact Jim Ostrander at 608-338-0268 or
[email protected].
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Walk Together in Madison People's Climate March
Saturday, April 22,
1:30 p.m., Meet at FUMC
Join other people of faith to walk together in the Madison People's Climate March. Organized by the First Church Green Team.
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Joys & Concerns
We extend our condolences and prayers to Georgene Vitense and the family and friends of Yvonne Vitense, who died Friday, March 31. Memorial arrangements are pending.
We offer love and sympathy to Joan Maynard upon the death of her father on Monday, April 3.
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Announcements
Sunday in the Octagon
- Easter Community Meal Support
Learn how you can support this annual free dinner.
Sign Up to Volunteer >
- Lyons Lecture Registration
Sign up for the Saturday, April 29 event featuring Rev. Dr. Robin Meyers.
Learn More >
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Theology for the 21st Century
No Class this Sunday, April 9
The class will not meet this Sunday so that all may participate in the Palm Sunday processional and special worship at 10:30. The class will continue their discussion
The Trouble with Resurrection, by Bernard Brandon Scott, on Sunday, April 16 at 10:30 a.m. in Room LL05.
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UMW Deborah Circle
Tuesday, April 11, 6 p.m., Sa Bai Thong
(2840 University Ave.)
Gloria Carter, a member at Bethany UMC, will discuss the efforts being made to help refugees get settled in Madison. All are invited to join in the fellowship of this circle and learn more about the local initiative.
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First Church Foot Care Clinic Volunteers Needed
Saturday, April 15, 8 a.m. - 1:30 p.m., FUMC
Help out at this monthly clinic that provides essential services for our neighbors in need. Sign up online or contact Karen Andro at
[email protected] or 608-338-0320.
Sign Up Online >
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QPR/Suicide Prevention Training
Thursday, April 27, Noon - 1:30 p.m., Fellowship Hall
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The Crossing Spring Gala
Sunday, April 30, 5 p.m.
The Crossing (1127 University Ave.)
The Crossing Spring Gala of our United Methodist co-sponsored ecumenical student ministry at The University of Wisconsin is the yearly fundraiser for this campus ministry. The evening will begin with a social hour at 5 p.m. The buffet style dinner at 6 p.m. will be provided by the Slow Food Cooperative, a student organization that utilizes local food producers. Tours of The Crossing facility will be offered along with a program during which students involved in this international and broadly inclusive community will speak about their experiences in international programs and in the spiritual life of the Crossing. Tickets can be purchased from Ann Herrold-Peterson or Mel Vance. You can contact Ann and Mel directly or via the church office at [email protected] or 608-338-0545.
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203 Wisconsin Avenue
Madison, WI 53703
608-256-9061
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