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Wednesday, July 17, 2013
 
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Pastor Craig Brown
Pastor Craig Brown

Lead Where You Are...Into the Unknown

There are a variety of times in our lives when we might feel a bit lost. That sense of being in the unknown can happen due to our circumstances, like an illness or other outside situation. Other times we are lost of our own accord. I do not mean that we have willfully engaged in ignorance, but we have chosen to embark on an experience that is unknown to us. For some this might be a new relationship or new job (of which I am well versed) or it can even be travel or a cultural exchange. Sometimes those moments of being lost afford us the greatest growth that can happen in our lives.

 

I am always encouraged by the writings of the Apostle Paul, who reflected often about this "mystery" in which he found himself. Paul was appointed as an apostle to the Gentiles; in other words, those who are not Jewish. How does a Jewish leader like Paul explain, in a compelling fashion, the message of a Jewish Messiah to a Greek-speaking world? No wonder he called it a mystery! What Paul does do is affirm that the unknown is never really a void in life. Christ Jesus, through the power of the Holy Spirit, is always present when we are trekking in the unknown. Whether it be by choice or circumstance, we are never estranged. Christ is always near to guide each of us toward a deeper faith.

 

Where is your life filled with uncertainty today? Who do you know that might be lost right now? How can you be a leader even when you are lost? It can only happen when we follow the leader who is never lost, but is the very definition of being "found," Jesus Christ, the righteous! May His grace and peace be yours even in the unknown.

 

Craig+
NEIGHBORHOOD GATHERINGS FOR CRAIG & FAMILY  

Come and meet Pastor Craig Brown and family at a Neighborhood Gathering near you! Each gathering will be from 3 - 5 p.m. at the following locations

  1. Saturday, July 27: home of Dorothy Howard, 10946 Pallon Way, San Diego 92124
  2. Saturday, August 3: home of David & Claudia Kay, 5511 Del Cerro Blvd., San Diego 92120
  3. Sunday August 4: home of Suzanne Stofer, 3237 Trumbull St, San Diego 92106
  4. Sunday, August 11: home of Kathy & Peter Fait, 9990 Dichondra Pl, San Diego 92131, east side of Scripps Ranch (there will be a west-side Scripps Ranch in Sept.)
  5. Sunday, August 18: home of Todd & Lori Sorbo, 2909 Murat St, San Diego 92117, north Clairemont area
  6. Sunday, August 25: home of Cynthia Miller, 1720 Avenida del Mundo, Unit 203, Coronado,  92118 

If you live in one of these areas and would like to attend a gathering please RSVP with the date of the gathering to Demmie Divine, 619-297-4366 x108.   

 

Future gatherings will be every weekend through the end of September. Dates and locations will be announced as they are confirmed.

Worship WORSHIP

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013
VESPER COMMUNION | 5:30 PM | Sanctuary | Rev. Jessica Strysko | Singing Favorite Hymns!
Music for Meditation begins at 5:15 | Free childcare by RSVP - Reserve here
Living Proof Youth Choir
TONIGHT! Texas Youth Choir at Vespers 
The Living Proof Youth Choir from Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, TX, will sing at our Wednesday Evening Vesper Communion Service tonight, July 17 at 5:15 PM and will provide a brief concert after dinner, concluding around 7:45 PM. Read more ...
Wednesday Night Dinner & Study
6 PM dinner, sign-up info  |  6:45 PM Leaders In The Bible class through July 24

SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2013
Lead Where You Are
Lead Where You Are: Paul | Ephesians 3:1-13 
TRADITIONAL | 8 ~ 9:30 ~ 11 | Sanctuary | Rev. Craig Brown
NEW: A Message Guide for sermon note-taking is provided in the worship bulletin!
NON-TRADITIONAL Water's Edge | 9:30 | The Cove, United Methodist Center | Rev. Elbert Kim
Band | Communion
CHILDREN'S CHURCH | 9:20 | Trotter Chapel
Children's Church is on summer break. Children will meet at the Chapel at 9:20 and be escorted to Sanctuary worship. Children will leave worship at the usual time for Sunday School.
Read Pastor Jessica's weekly message
CHAPEL COMMUNION | 10:40 | Trotter Chapel  | Rev. Greg LaDue
Daily Devotional
Are You Participating in the Daily Devotional?
Preparing your heart and mind during the week is a powerful way to hear the voice of the Holy Spirit. The new Daily Devotional will help cultivate your heart for how God is seeking to change your life.

There are a variety of ways to have the daily devotional delivered to you: 

It is our hope that by preparing for Sunday's message from Monday through Sunday each week, you will have your life changed on a different level!

 

SUNDAY, JULY 21, 2013
F5 Logo Red
F5 CHURCH
5 PM | Linder Hall | Rev. Craig Brown | Band
Fun * Friends * Faith * Fellowship * Follow
We will welcome new First Church Senior Pastor Craig Brown to F5!
Come hear his message and stay for festive fajitas and conversation with Craig and his family! Free-will offering for dinner.

SUNDAY, JULY 28, 2013
Baptism with Elbert Kim
Baptism for Infants and Young Children
Baptism for infants and young children will take place on Sunday, July 28, at the 11 AM worship service.

If you are interested in having a child baptized contact Demmie Divine, 619-297-4366, x. 108.

MembershipMEMBERSHIP
Explore First Church
Explore First Church
Sunday, July 21 | Linder Hall 2
You are invited to gather for a meal and time with the pastors and staff. It will be a fun time to break bread, make some new friends and explore membership. New members will be received on Sunday, August 4, 11 AM.

Questions? Contact Demmie Divine, 619-297-4366.

ChildrenCHILDREN & YOUTH
Everywhere Fun Fair
Preregistration Ends Sunday, VBS Fun Fair starts Mon., July 22!
Wow, the whole world is coming together! At Everywhere Fun Fair we will meet neighbors from Japan, Zimbabwe, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Mexico, in addition to neighbors from Biblical times. Everyone we meet will remind us that Jesus teaches us to love God by loving our neighbors. What does it mean to be a good neighbor? Join us at Everywhere Fun Fair: Where God's World Comes Together for Vacation Bible School 2013 to find out! 

Vacation Bible School starts this Monday from 9 AM - 12 PM, through Friday. Preregistration,$30/child, ends Sunday; then will be $40 at the door.
Pre- and after-care are be available by sign-up only, from 8-9 AM (free) and/or 12 - 5:30 PM ($15/child per day). Register here online or contact Pastor Jessica.
Youth Ministry
Summer Socials, 9 AM - 4 PM:
BEACH DAY, Thursday, July 18   
District Day at the Beach at La Jolla Shores via the Church Bus. Bring: towel, swimsuit, sunscreen, $10 or sack lunch. Drop off/pick up in the Cove. Next week we're back to beaching-it every Thursday.
FIELD TRIP, Tuesday, July 23
9-noon: Ferry to Coronado Island. noon-1: Lunch on beach at Coronado (bring a sack lunch). 1-4: Seaport Village and merry-go-round. Drop off/pick up in the Cove.
Sunday Mornings in July 
9:30-10:30 Water's Edge worship | 10:30-11:30 Sermon discussion, community building, snacks.
Qs? email Randal Newton or call 619-297-4366

WomenWOMEN
ChristCare
In God We Trust ChristCare Group for Women
How many times in your life have you not felt God in your life or felt those around you, family, friends, work associates, even church friends have abandoned you? In God We Trust ChristCare group looks at trust and faith from the inside out. Through reading scripture, worshiping, and praying we are able to find trust in God. We've study women of the Bible, meet faithful church women, establish relationships with each other, and serve others.

We welcome women of any age to join us on the first and third Wednesday of each month at 6:30 PM in Linder 5. Come! Trust in God!

MissionMISSION
Loose Change
Change is Good
It's time again to clean off your counters, desks, and dresser drawers and start collecting change for the annual "Shoes That Fit" program. This year's change drive for needy students will be held on Sundays, July 21 and 28. Last year we donated over 2,200 items of clothing, uniforms, shoes, socks, underwear, and hygiene items to our seven adopted elementary schools and three nonprofit organizations. Questions? Email Vicki Misner or call 619-581-0712.
Brooke on a mission July 2013 Catch Up with Brooke On A Mission 
First Church's Brooke Collins is settling in to her home in Los Chiles, Costa Rica, where she is in mission with Agua Viva Serves. Follow her work and journey on her blog, brooke on a mission.
 

 

SDSCSSDSCS
Visualizing Social Justice
CALL FOR ENTRIES AUG. 1 - SEPT. 1
Visualizing Social Justice: A Juried Photography Exhibition
Imagine a world where God is thought by absolutely everybody
to love absolutely everybody. Picture it and enter!
 
Open to: professionals, amateurs, adults and youth. Work will be judged by professionals from the Museum of Photographic Arts. Cash prizes will be awarded. Exhibition dates: Sept. 27 - Oct. 27. Visit the exhibition web page.

MusicMUSIC
Join a Summer Choir!
The Music Ministry is looking for singers for the Summer Choirs. Summer Sundays are divided in half: Soprano/Alto and Tenor/Bass Choirs sing in our 9:30 and 11 AM sanctuary worship services. The Soprano/Alto Choir sings July 14 - August 4. Rehearsals begin this Thursday, July 11. More info
Summer Sings Continue  
Like singing large choral works? Join us Wednesday evenings in July and August. Info/schedule...
Favorite Hymns at Wednesday Vespers 
Throughout the summer, enjoy singing your favorite hymn requests at our weekly Wednesday Communion Vespers! We'll be singing three at each service. Join us from 5:30-6 PM, with music for meditation starting at 5:15.

 

NoticesNOTICES
Leaders in the Bible continues Wednesday evenings through July 31 at 6:45 PM in Linder Lounge. Tonight: "Paul" with Elbert Kim.

Friday Night Singles (50+ or -) meets every Friday at 6 PM for a meal followed by various activities. Email Karen Maczka or call 619-263-3743.

Wednesday Pastor's Bible Study is on break for the summer.

You can still make an appointment to have your photo taken for the new Church Photo Directory. Appointments are available this Saturday, July 20 and Sunday, July 21. Schedule your appointment here ...

Please wear your name tag for our new Senior Pastor this Sunday and every week. If you need a replacement, please contact Beckett Kirk and he will be happy to provide you with a new one.

Our "Just a Little Gift" Shop" is open every Sunday before and after services from 9 AM-12:30 PM. It is located below the sanctuary, through the sanctuary meeting room (behind the Christ window).

Free Neighborhood Family Meal: Help provide and serve food and enjoy fellowship with families, teens, seniors and people in need of a nutritious, hot meal on Monday, July 29, 5:30 to 7 PM, at Normal Heights UMC, 4650 Mansfield St. Volunteers prepare and bring a main dish, salad or dessert. Email Brenda Blake or call 619-297-4366, ext. 125, to sign up.

Prayers & Squares Prayer Quilt Ministry meets twice a month. For our next meeting, see our 2013 schedule.

The 2013 Altar Flower Calendar has openings for all Sundays in July and August. Please help us fill those dates. Call Eleene in the church office at 619-297-4366 to make your reservation. Each bouquet is $50.
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2111 CAMINO DEL RIO S. IN MISSION VALLEY | 619-297-4366 | WWW.FUMCSD.ORG