Summer is here and we are in the midst of changes in our church both locally in our own community and at the District level. We will see changes in leadership such as a new District Superintendent, Rev. John Farley. We will also welcome Rev. Craig Brown, his wife Bettina, son,David, and daughter, Rachel, as they come to join us with Craig's appointment as our new Senior Pastor.

Craig's first Sunday in the pulpit will be July 7. I know you will want to be here to welcome him. And I am sure you will want to remember Rev. Standiford and MaryLou as they move into their new adventure in retirement.

We will also acknowledge the change for our graduates in the 9:30 service as they go off to new levels of education and growth. And we acknowledge the fathers among us and those we miss on Father's Day this Sunday.

Our passages for this Sunday are about the transition and change from a perception and definition of self under the ancient laws of the Torah and how Jesus brought a new law; the Law of Love. This change was met with resentment, confusion and even outright resistance.

The Gospel for this Sunday is the story of Jesus' confrontation with the elders who saw the law as defining and absolute. Jesus seeks to open their eyes to a higher law that seeks inclusion of all those who seek his way of being.

Join us in worship as we celebrate the changes that God brings into our lives and God's presence in the midst of those changes.

Blessings,
Rev. Greg LaDue

Our blogger this week is Jessica Strysko.

Rev. Craig Brown

The SPRC and Rev. Craig Brown, whose appointment at First Church will begin July 1 (and first Sunday in the pulpit is July 7), have worked out transition details surrounding Rev. Craig's first year serving First Church.

SPRC Chair, Carl Meuser, explains logistics and plans here ...

 

SUNDAY!
Worship, Father's Day & Burger Night at Bully's
June 16 ~ 5 PM ~ Linder Hall

What better way to make an impression on Dad or a friend, than to take him to an image-rich, fun worship service with rockin' praise music?

Then treat him to a burger at Bully's Restaurant with some friends. RSVP to our Facebook Event at Facebook.com/f5church.

Mondays, June 17-July 22 ~ 6:30 PM
Led by Greg LaDue and Nancy Sunday

A new book study, Speaking Christian: Why Christian Words Have Lost Their Meaning and Power - And How They Can Be Restored
by Marcus Borg, will meet for six weeks at the home of Nancy Sunday (please register here and the address will be sent in the confirmation email).  

 

The book examines key words in our faith like: sin, redemption, savior, Bible, salvation. These words have a contemporary meaning that varies within Christian cultures, but what did they originally mean?

 

Obtain the book on your own and begin by reading the first 40 pages. Then come and join us June 17 as we examine the language we assume we all know and understand ... but perhaps not?

 

For more information email  Rev. Greg LaDue or call 619-297-2571, x. 132.

Last time we caught up with First Church member Brooke Collins, she was blogging her experience as part of the District Indiana Work Team, rebuilding tornado-ravaged homes in early March. Her prayers of discernment have now led her to pack her bags and head out to Agua Viva Serves in Los Chiles, Costa Rica where she has been invited to serve as an individual volunteer with the United Methodist Global Ministries program.

But, before she begins that journey at the end of June, she is currently in Zimbabwe with members of her childhood church, Pleasant Valley UMC in Wichita, KS. This church is part of the Chabadza Covenant (a Shona word which roughly translates to people in relationship working alongside each other for mutual benefit) with Dambanda UMC in Zimbabwe.

You can catch up with Brooke when she returns to worship at First Church on Sunday, June 16. You can also follow her blog, Brooke on a Mission, donate, or subscribe to her newsletter.

October 24-28

 

Visualizing Social Justice 
A Juried Photography Exhibition 

Submission of work: Aug. 1 - Sept. 1
Exhibition: Sept. 27 - Oct. 27

SDSCS invites professional and amateur photographers, adult and youth, to submit images to jury for the upcoming photography exhibit, Visualizing Social Justice.

Images should illustrate an instance of social justice: a visual representation of a problem or the solution in our world today. The exhibition will reflect the theme that God expects all people to:

• love kindness,  
• act justly, and  
• relate to one another humbly and respectfully  

and is an opportunity to bear witness to social justice and the realities of hope.

 

The exhibit will be judged by three professionals from the Museum of Photographic Arts in Balboa Park and prizes will be awarded:

• 1st place-$200 (Adult and Youth categories)
• 2nd place-$100 (Adult and Youth categories)
• Best of Show-$200

For detailed guidelines, visit the Visualizing Social Justice web page. or pick up an exhibition brochure on campus. 

 In Our Prayers...

We invite you to join us as we keep these individuals and families in our prayers this week.  

   

Daily Twitter Prayer 

There are still opportunities  to have your photo taken for the new Church Photo Directory. Appointment dates have been extended and are available four additional days this month: Saturday, June 22; Sunday, June 23;  Saturday, June 29; and Sunday, June 30.
     Sign up online or contact the church office at 619-297-4366.
     You will receive a free 8x10 photo and a free church directory for participating.

Rehearsals Thursday evenings from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in Sutherland Family Music Center.
Soprano/Alto Choir sings July 14 through August 4 (9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services)
Tenor/Bass Choir sings August 11 through September 1 (9:30 and 11:00 a.m. services)
No audition required!
For more info contact Stan Wicks, Director of Church Music.

Perform choral masterworks with guest directors. Wednesday evenings from 7-9:15 PM on July 10, 24 and August 7 and 21 in Sutherland Family Music Center. Registration fee: $15 per sing or $50 for all four
No audition required! For more info contact Katie Englund, registrar.

Living Proof Youth Choir from Christ United Methodist Church, Plano, Texas singing in Vespers and in concert on Wednesday, July 17