THROUGH GOD’S EYES

“Now when Jesus saw the crowds, he had compassion for them because they

were troubled and helpless, like sheep without a shep-herd.” -Matthew 9:36 CEB

“I love you, and there is nothing you can do about it!” Pastor Rudy Rasmus, in his book, Touch, says that this is the most commonly repeated statement at his church (p. 73). Pas-tor Rasmus serves at St. John’s United Meth-odist Church in Houston, Texas. The focus of the ministry for his congregation is the people Jesus called, “ the least of these.” This congregation numbers in the thousands and includes everyone from wealthy business people to drug addicted persons and prosti-tutes. Rudy calls on the folks at St John’s to love all God’s people in the name of Jesus and a wide diversity of humanity are part of his congregation and respond to that call. Pastor Rudy tells his own story of his conver-sion to Christ and a new life. He begins to see people with new eyes, with God’s loving eyes, and leaves behind his own biases and stereotypes. He says:

I try to encounter every person God brings across my path with an open mind and an open heart. Before the lights came on and God changed my life, I would have expected a wealthy or powerful person to try to use me to get something he wanted, but I’ve realized that many wealthy or power-ful people are genuinely compassion-ate. That surprised me. Now I try not to make any assumption, espe-

cially a negative one. In the same way, before my epiphany about peo-ple, I assumed that homeless people weren’t aware of how they looked, sounded, and smelled and I assumed they were all illiterate. But getting to know many of them rocked my world and taught me that the veneer of dirt and old clothes often hides someone with a master’s degree or even a PhD, who is well are of his or her appearance and smell…. But now, God has given me a new set of eyes, and I see them as people God loves, and I love them(p.72).

The worship theme is August explores our Mission’s call to welcome all people. Where do the Scriptures lead us in welcoming young people seeking faith, in welcoming those who are broken and hurting, and in welcoming the least of these in our community? How do we move from a statement of welcome to living as a vital, loving, welcoming community? Jubilant Journey will include a class on Pastor Rudy’s book, Touch, taught by Doug Dinkins and will offer a place to explore the-se questions.

Thankful for rain, and for the showers of God’s Spirit in the midst of life,

(more from Pastor Lynn on page 5)

Worship Times and Topics for August Sunday Morning 8:30 and 10:45

August Series: God’s Welcome and Our Mission

August 5 Greg Lawton, Director of the United Methodist Campus Ministry at GVSU, guest preacher

Matthew 13: 1-9 “Seeds and Soil” The Lord’s Supper

August 12 Jan Lancaster, Preaching Hebrews 13: 1-3 “All are Welcome”

August 19 Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald, Preaching Matthew 9: 35-38 “Through God’s Eyes”

August 26 Tom Pier-Fitzgerald, Preaching Pastor, Grandville United Methodist Church

Church Events, Caring

Ministry, Birthdays

2 & 3

Nurture Ministry 4 & 5

Outreach Ministry, UMW,

Finance, Witness Ministry

and Kids Hope USA

6 & 7

Bazaar and JFON 8

Youth Ministry, calendar 9

Inside this issue:

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August 2012

Come join the Lunch Bunch on Sundays following the 10:45 a.m. service. We will gather at the Good Shepherd window to get a head count and head out to a local

restaurant. All ages are welcome to join including singles, couples, and families. Check the bulletin for the days’ location or contact David Newton.

Epsilon will meet Wednesday, August 15, 11:30 a.m. at Beechwood Inn. Please call Dave or Dor-othea John at 392-3493 by August 13 for reserva-tions.

will go to Grand Rails 2012, a national model train railroad train show, on Au-gust 3. Meet at church to ride the bus at 1:30 PM. The cost is $10.00 and reserva-

tions are required. Please note this is a Friday event. Call Sharon Rocker at 392-1966 to reserve your spot!

The deadline for article submissions for the September Focus is August 20. Please email articles to mhaney@fumcholland.org by that date or earlier. If a hard copy must be used, please bring to main office by that date also. If you would prefer not receiving the Focus in the mail, please let Marj Haney know at mhaney@fumcholland.org.

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Happening this Month

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Kids in Tow is a group for families with young children. Their August event will be the all church camping at TriPonds the 10-12. Sorry, this event is full.

Full-length audio recordings of each Sun-day worship are available in the church library, with the equipment to hear the service. Contact Barbara Webber (399-3547) to pick up the play-

er. Recordings of the sermon only are available online at the church website.

Book Club will begin again in September. We will be discussing Little Bee by Chris Cleave. This story is about a friendship between an illegal Nigerian refugee and a recent widow from London.

Twelve library books, from the "Book Group To Go" bags, will be available Sunday, August 19. Have your own copy, or one you can borrow? -Great!- We will discuss Little Bee Monday, September 10, at 6:30 in the Conference Room.

THE COMMUNITY GARDEN IS ALWAYS "OPEN"! Need a place for a picnic lunch, or small group gathering? How about a fenced in space for a toddler (or grand-toddler) to explore nature - may-be even pick and eat a bean or cherry tomato right from the plant? While volunteers are always wel-comed to service the garden, its purpose is not simply to grow food for others. It's about good stew-ardship that feeds our spirit as well by creating a space where all of us can enjoy God's simplest splendors. So pull a weed, read a book, or gather a side dish to take home for dinner - but come to the community gar-den , If you have any questions - or feedback - contact Tim Haney at tyoungh58@hotmail.com or at church.

FREE STUFF, JUST FOR THE ASKING

Are you missing out on some things you might want or want to get rid of. The FreeCycle Board is where you should be looking. Things move on and off so keep checking. The current hot items are:

These things are available — a car ramp (2 pieces) handling 6500#, 10" lift--George Ward 786-0471

—a Fisher-Price highchair, heavily used but clean--Liz Carr 298-7723

—4 sedum perennials, pink flowering--Kay Namovich 393-0419

These things are wanted

—clear plastic zipper cases for sheet sets or comfort-ers--Alice Ward 786-0562

—old, non-stainless steel kitchen/butcher knives, more tarnished the better--Lee Voigt 395-5556

August

20 Barbara Miner 145 Columbia Ave. #718 Holland MI 49423

Happy Birthday Wishes!

Please be in prayer for these congregation members and friends...

Ivy Cammenga; Marla Stewart; David Newton; Vern Schumacher; Al Wiegerink; Joyce Buis; Joyce Bennett; Shirley Schumacher; Neila Hook

Note of appreciation received since the last Focus:

Larry and Linda Den Uyl wrote: We used to gaze with great admiration at the

landscaping of our neighbor, Hope Church. Now we can gaze in awe at the transformation of our church landscaping. We want every person who was in-volved in that project to know how much we appreci-ate their efforts.

Brian and Mike Working and family wrote: Thank you sincerely for your kind expression of sympathy. It was deeply appreciated.

Maxine Klinesteker wrote: Thanks so much for the cards I received— you’re such a special family. May the Lord bless each one of you. You are all very special.

The Albion Boy Scout Troop who stayed overnight in the building on July 11 said thanks. The note is on the bulletin board with all their names.

A U GU ST 201 2 Page 3

Caring Ministry

Sharon Rocker, Director of Visitation Ministry (ext. 13)

This friend is celebrating at least her 85th birthday this month. Please extend your well wishes!

Stephen Ministry

Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me. Psalm 23:4

Stephen Ministry is a national movement that trains Christian lay persons to be listening ears to people who need to unload their woes. The woes need not be life-threatening, just weighty. Stephen Ministers are not clergy; they're not therapists. They spend their time in one-on-one relationships, without judgment, with confidentiality.

When friends and family, co-workers and acquaintances have returned to more pressing needs, the Stephen Minister can be there, helping the person who still hurts. The hurting person sets the time frame. Holland FUMC has 22 care-givers, both men and women. Some are in a relationship; others are ready to step into the role.

If you know someone who might find a listening ear to be a comfort, please contact Sharon Rocker (392-1966, srocker@fumcholland.org), Pastor Lynn (396-5205, pierfitz@fumcholland.org), or The person in need is not required to be a FUMC member. Our program is ready to help.

We had 22 kids at-tend the United Methodist summer camp of their choice this year! Look for-

ward to hearing them talk about their week and the impact that camp has on a young person’s faith life. Thank to everyone who do-nated to our $10 for 10 campaign and made it possible for these youth to attend camp!

We will begin our fall schedule of classes on September 9. If you are willing to help with teaching a class, leading a group, working in the Worship Center, teaching the 3rd grade Bible class or shepherding children, please see Marj Haney for the specific jobs that are open. Lots of hands means nobody has to do it every week!

You are invited to come and share a potluck supper with the 18 families who will be camping at TriPonds Family Campground north

of Allegan the evening of August 11. We will share dinner at 5:30 but you are welcome to come and play all day with us! Please bring a large dish to pass, your own ta-ble service, chairs and anything else you’ll need for the day. The campground has a swimming pond and a swimming pool and they ask if you are going to swim in both that you have two different swimsuits. If you have questions about how to get there, please see Marj Haney before August 10. There is a $2 per visi-tor fee, payable upon arrival.

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Nurture Ministry Marj Haney, Director (ext. 15) Heidi De Moss, Director of Adult Ministry

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On Sunday, August 5, we welcome Missionaries Jeff and Ellen Hoover. Jeff and Ellen have been assigned since 1979 to the Demo-cratic Republic of Congo. The Hoovers are deeply com-mitted to the United-Methodist University at Mulungwishi believing it can help address the critical needs of the Congo that are emerging after three decades of the Modutu regime and five years of war. French rather than English is the principal language in Congo so a Congolese University can best serve the needs of this country, following the princi-ples and values of Africa University. Ellen also works with The English-Speaking School of Lubumbashi (TESOL), an elementary school for children of missionaries, a ministry that has been supported with funds from our mission offerings.

The Hoovers are well known to our DeMoss Family as Jeff, David, and Drew have a spent some time living with the Hoovers in Africa. You are invited to join Jeff and Ellen and our Lunch Bunch after our 10.45 am worship service on Sunday, August 5, to learn more about their mission work.

Back-to-School Ingathering on Sun-day, September 9. In celebration of the start of the new school year and new life in Christ, we ask that our church family purchase extra school supplies to be do-

nated to Holland High School for teachers to use in their class rooms (school budgets for supplies are very limited). Watch our Sunday announcements toward the end of Au-gust for a list of requested items.

A U GU ST 201 2 Page 5

Adult Nurture Opportunities We have been having a great time this summer! The Movies class has had great dis-

cussions. It really causes us to think about the other places we might see God’s messages out in the world -- TV shows, books, bill-boards, even commercials. The possibilities are endless. Let us know if you find something great!

Green Church has had a wonderful

time as well. They have some ideas on how the whole body of FUMCH might better honor God’s creation. Don’t be surprised if you hear or see some new things in this area. Also be looking for this class to continue in the fall -- so if you missed it this summer, but want to get in on the action, you still have a chance! Any ques-tions, contact Dave Marckini at 786-0562 or dmarckini@att.net

Big Screen Movie Night varied in attendance based on the film. No matter if there were many or few, there was always popcorn, fellow-ship, and a good time with a good film had by all who were present.

There is one more Summer class of-

fering before we move back into the fall. We have been giving you teasers all Summer so far, so I hope your excited. It begins in the lounge on August 5. We hope that you will join us for this. We feel that this study has so much to of-fer as we seek to look at ourselves, the Mission Statement we have created, and begin to dream and vision what First United Methodist Church of Holland might become. This book, “Touch”, and it’s au-thor Rudy Rasmus, have an im-portant massage for us.

Summer Classes Coffee and Conversation Where : East end of Fellowship Hall What : A time to gather and visit with each other, or just relax and re-fresh. Copies of the newspaper are present, as well as coffee, tea, and often some light refreshments. Touch Where : Lounge led by Doug Dinkins Touch – Pressing Against the Wounds of a Broken World by Rudy Rasmus Our new Holland First Mission Statement reminds us that we are commanded to love all people and then reach out in love to our neigh-bors. Read about how this was done by a growing church in Houston led by Pastor Rudy Rasmus. We will have books available from the church office or you can find them available from Amazon or Barnes & Noble. Join us for discussion about this and more in August.

Small Group Ministry Most Small Groups do not meet reg-ularly during the Summer. Watch for announcements of fun social and service offerings with these groups. You might find a chance to have a picnic at a park in the city, or go to the beach. Summer can be a great time to get to know some of the Small Groups on a less formal basis. (And SGs - now is a great time to invite someone new to check out your group in an informal way.)

TOWARD OUR VISION

In July, a task group began to meet to develop a Vision for our congregation for the next 3-5 years. The task is to discern and articulate the picture of what our church will be like in 2017. The team will be gathering infor-mation from statistics, but also from conversations and interviews with various segments of the congregation. In September, there will be opportunities to pray, share, and let the Team know your ideas. In October, congre-gational meetings will provide a time for affirmation and setting forth specific plans for how we will move for-ward. Please pray for the Vision Leadership Team and for the Holy Spirit’s leading. If you have questions or an interest in this process, please let me know.

—Pastor Lynn

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Outreach Ministry Tracy Garrett, Director (ext. 11)

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Check out all of the opportunities for service and giv-ing during the month of August!

Please prayerfully consider your ability to reach out to oth-ers through these great opportunities for service and giving.

Bread Pan Offering on Sunday, August 19, will support our mission trip to Lake Louise.

We will send a mission team to Lake Louise Methodist Camp and Retreat Center September

24-27 to help close up the camp for the winter. You contri-butions will be used to purchase materials and supplies for repair work - any surplus funds will be donated to the on-going camp maintenance. If you would like be a member of this mission team or for more information, please contact Gene Wong (gingong6691@gmail.com, 399.3432). Please prayerfully consider sharing your financial blessings on July 19.

The need for additional Senior Meal volunteers contin-ues...

We need people to help prep or serve food, clear or wash dishes, or serve as an assistant cook on Tuesdays.

Contact Tracy Garrett (396.5205 x 11 or tgarrett@fumcholland.org) or Ruth Lumbert (546.9115 or ruthlumb@sbcglobal.net).

Donate food and household products to Community Action House.

We always collect non-perishable food, household cleaning, and personal hygiene

items for the emergency services pantries at Community Action House. Donations can be placed in the baskets at both main entrances any time.

Protect our planet - bring your recycling to church or Tree Huggers on 8th Street (in the old Post Jewelry store).

Or you may bring your clean Styrofoam, ink cartridges, batteries, and cell phones to church on the first and third Sundays of each month. These items will be collected the east end of the 9th Street for recycling.

Please be sure all recycling items are CLEAN.

Buy Fair Trade and support fair prices to farm-ers.

On the first and third Sunday of each month, fair trade coffee, and tea are for sale in Fellowship Hall.

Help us paint a neighbor’s house.

We are seeking volunteers to work with this intergenera-tional mission opportunity - helping a church member (and neighbor) paint the exterior of her home. This is a great opportunity for many leaders and volunteers to help with the painting work, providing meals for the workers, and providing childcare for volunteers. If you can help in any-way, please contact Tracy Garrett (396.5205 x 11 or tgar-rett@fumcholland.org).

Be a part of our SUPER COOL church! In the extreme heat of the past month we have occassionaly opened our church as a cooling station. This is a new bit of community outreach. Would you like to be a super cool part of our super cool church? Contact Tracy Garrett or Rev. Jan Lancaster to be added to the list of hosts. When the weath-er gets really hot again we will start calling from that list to get a schedule set. We are also praying for a few people to come forward as team members to help coordinate this type of emergency ministry - contact Tracy or Pastor Jan.

Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! You have gener-ously supported our special offerings in July.

Communion Offering (July 1) in support of Haiti Hot Lunch, your gifts totaled $270.66.

Bread Pan Offering (July 15) in support of Henderson Settlement, your gifts totaled $1794.80.

Peace with Justice Sunday

Peace with Justice Sunday is one of six church wide Special Sundays of The United Methodist Church. Peace with Jus-tice is a time for us to make a special offering to help The United Methodist Church to advocate for peace with justice through a broad spectrum of global programs. This year, we will celebrate Peace with Justice Sunday as our Com-munion Offering on Sunday, September 2.

Lake Louise Methodist Retreat invites one and all for the fall Holland First United Methodist volunteer work camp. It is scheduled for September 24th, Monday through Thursday noon, September 27th, most members arrive on Sunday after-noon September 23d at this beautiful campground near Boyne Falls. All you need to bring is some personal clothing, toiletries, and a smile. Lake Louise provides the accommodations, food, and tools needed for the various projects. This springs we worked on 15 projects that improved this Christian campground, and look forward to more this September. Contact Gene Wong at 616 3993432 and/or gingong6691@gmail.com for more information.

United Methodist Women

A U GU ST 201 2 Page 7

Finance Update Liz Travis, Treasurer (ext. 12)

The ice cream social between Hope Church and FUMC was a great success. It was a warm evening but very nice in the shade at Hope Church. The music, children’s activities, and socialization plus the good ice cream with numerous toppings, made the evening a good example of effectively working together for a neighborhood event. Thanks to all who worked on this event and attended! Happy 150th Hope Church!

Membership classes will begin again in September. If you are interested in attending classes to learn about our church and beliefs, please call me, Liz Travis at 396.5205, ext. 12.

Witness and Invitational Ministry Liz Travis, Director (ext. 12)

THANK YOU for your gifts during the summer. We are able to keep our expenses up to date and our minis-try shares are paid through July. The Capital Reserve fund is now (mid-July) at $43,063. We still need $13,151 to replace the boiler expense.

Our church budget for the year is $562,135 and as of the end of June, 49% income has been received and expenses were at 49%. The 10th Street House Minis-try, the 3 rentals we have next to the church, continue to be rented. The commercial loan is down to $60,827. After property taxes are paid in August we may be able to lower that amount.

Please continue to remember to keep your pledge up to date this summer!

Are you interested in being a friend and mentor to an at risk child?

Kids Hope USA could be for you!!!

The new school year is right around the corner!!

I am excited to be starting my second year as your Kids Hope Director!!! I am hoping to add

some new Mentors to our program this year!! The kids at Holland Heights love their mentors

and I would love to serve more of them this year!! Consider volunteering for this great program. It takes just 1

hour a week, usually during lunchtime. Subs are always available to fill in for you. Training will be provided.

There is nothing like a child lighting up because you showed up!!

If you are interested in learning more or volunteering please let me know. You can contact me at 738-1689 or

616-499-5401, also dklindst@yahoo.com

I’d love to add some more great volunteers to our Kids Hope Program.

Service Group for August is Shalom Circle August 9 Mission Day will be held at United Methodist Community House in Grand Rapids August 11 Drive In Day for School of Missions will be held at Wyoming Park UMC from 9am to 3pm There are 3 studies offered: Immigration and the Bible; Poverty and the impact on women and children; Haiti, past and present with glimpses into the heart and soul of Haiti's people. If you are interested in attending these events please call Mary DeRidder at 399-2161. We will car pool! Watch for the September Focus and for more opportunities for learning, fun and fellowship with UMW.

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Angels from Around the World Will Surround UMW Bazaar

Nov. 8

Angels of all shapes, sizes, materials, and styles will be featured at the 51st annual Holiday Bazaar of First United Methodist Church Women, Thursday, November 8, 2012. Hours are 9:30 a.m. to 7 p.m.

Coordinator Linda Den Uyl is asking church members and friends to help carry out the theme “Angels Around the World” as they make handicrafts, create decorations, and bring in other items for the Bazaar. Of course, contri-butions aren’t limited to angel items, she says.

The following chair people are working on this year’s Bazaar; please contact them if you can help. Crafters, bakers, canners, sorters, decorators, room vol-

unteers, and kitchen and dining crew are always needed.

--Assistants: Phyllis Boal and Sally Gar-rett

--Volunteer Coordinators: Mary De Ridder and Carol Mungall

--Handicrafts: Phila White

--Cookie Corner: Sheryl Crosby and Nancy Haggarty

--Country Store: Pat Barrett and Sarah Kenyon

--Attic Specials: Julia Marckini

--Attic Specials Too: Mary Mowery

--Bargain Boutique: Phyllis Boal and Joy Rankin

--Kids Only Market Place: Sandi Steggerda and Rachel Strong

--Wreaths: Polly Diehl

--Decorations: Dorothy Chamness

--Pigs-in-the-Blanket: Jane Fairbanks and Mary Jo Wiswedel

--Kitchen: Susan Kuite

--Dining Room: Linda Vizithum (coffee); Marsha Burnham (lunch/dinner)

Behind the scenes are:

--Postcards: Dorothy Chamness and Nancy Lumbert; Graphics: Dorothy Chamness; Publicity: Ann Weller

Cash: Liz Travis.

And, yes, Santa will make an appearance because we still believe in him, as well as in angels.

Justice for our Neighbors (JFON)

The objective of this article and hopefully more articles in the future is to try to simplify and explain in layman terms - what JFON is and how the work of this outreach ministry is done.

During 2011, Justice for our Neighbors - West Michigan served 318 clients, 50 of whom were served by the Holland First United Methodist Church ministry and our West Michigan Immigration Attorney, Liz Balck. Our clients have incomes of no more than:

$21,780 for one person

$29,420 for a family of two

$44,700 for a family of four

They struggle to get correct information about how the complex immigration laws relate to them and how they can best apply for the proper status and documentation. JFON represents immigrants and their family members in a variety of family-based and humanitarian-based cases.

The laws involve many different ways to hold legal status in the US. The general categories of legal work JFON does for immigrants are:

Temporary Non Immigrants Visas – Includes visitors, certain workers and students

Permanent Resident or Immigrant Visas – Also referred to as having a “green card”

Citizenship – Includes the process by which permanent

residents become US citizens through naturalization

Humanitarian – Includes unaccompanied children, refu-gees and victims of domestic violence

Advice and Counsel – Sometimes there is no pathway to status available under the current immigration laws or the attorney’s current caseload is too great to accept the case. In these situations, JFON pro-vides information and education on the laws and gives the person a referral list of other immigration attorneys in West Michigan.

Of the 50 clients served at Holland in 2011, the breakdown by type of legal work required was:

For times and locations of events and meetings each week, refer to the calendar available at our website, www.fumcholland.org on the right hand side of the page. Staff can be reached via the website by clicking on Contact Us at the top. Check out our new website!

Youth Ministry LuAnne Stanley Hook, Director (ext. 19)

A U GU ST 201 2 Page 9

Schedule of Events

August 7 Outreach Team 7:00 PM

August 7 FUN School board 7:00 PM

August 13 Endowment Team 7:00 PM

August 14 Staff Parish 7:30 PM

August 16 SM Supervision 7:00 PM

August 20 Trustees 7:00 PM

August 21 Finance 7:00 PM

August 28 Church Council 7:00 PM

Each week:

Tuesday noon: Senior Meal

Thursday 7:00: Volleyball

VBS each evening August 5-9

As summer winds down, we are getting excited for another year in Youth Ministry! We’ve had some great mission trips this summer, giving students the opportunity to connect with the greater world, and we look forward to continued opportunities during the school year to serve. Thank you so much for all of your prayers and support for the Youth Ministry Program—it helps so much!

August 8 will be the Unity Festival Day Zero, when there is free Christian music and lots of fun fair food, all in an open-air setting at Heritage Landing in Muskegon. The featured artists will be Manic Drive, Abandon, Group 1 Crew and Peter Furler (former lead singer of the Newsboys). If you keep up with Christian music at all, you know this is a GREAT line-up! If you are interested in going, please let LuAnne know with an email, Facebook message or phone call, and plan on meeting at FUMC on August 8 at 4:00. Bring a lawn chair or blanket to sit on (lawn chair is preferable), dress for the weather, and bring between $10-$20 for supper at the food vendors of your choice. A filling meal can be had for as little as $5, and you’ll need extra drinks if it is hot. We plan on returning to FUMC by 11:00 p.m.

ENOY THE LAST FEW WEEKS OF SUMMER!

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2 3 4

5 6 7 8 9 10 11

12 13 14 15 16 17 18

19 20 21 22 23 24 25

26 27 28 29 30 31

August 2012

Pastor Rev. J. Lynn Pier-Fitzgerald

Phone: 616-393-6242

Nonprofit Org.

U.S. Postage

PAID

Holland, MI

Permit No. 445

57 W. 10th St.

Holland MI 49423

Return Service Requested

FI RST UNIT ED MET HODI ST CHURCH

Highlights for the Month

Phone: 616-396-5205

August 2012

We’re On the Web

www.fumcholland.org

The Singles Group will go to the Stable Inn on U.S. 31 near Grand Haven (north of M-45) on Thursday, August 23 at 6 p.m. Singles of any age are welcome to attend. Please R.S.V.P. David

Newton at 396-5205 or by email dnewton@fumcholland.org by Wednesday, August 22.

It isn’t too later to sign up for Vacation Bible School!! The dates are August 5-9 from 6:00-8:30 each evening. All ages

from preschoolers who will be going to Kindergar-ten in the fall of 2013 through those who just finished the 4th grade are welcome to attend!! Bring a friend or two, there is always room for more!! Registration forms are available from Marj Haney or online at http://overboard.cokesburyvbs.com/fumcholland

We hope to see everyone there for a week of fun, songs, stories, games and snacks as we discover how we can dare to go deep with God!

BEAL MEMORIAL LECTURE

Sept. 27, 2012 from 7:00-9:00 PM at First United Methodist Church, Dr. Steven Bouma-Prediger, professor of religion at Hope College, will be presenting the Beal Memorial Lecture:

"Peacemaking in a Violent World: A Christian Perspec-tive" Jesus is called the Prince of Peace and yet many who claim to follow Jesus advocate war. The early church em-braced pacifism yet the church of the Middle Ages author-ized crusades.What does it mean for a Christian to be a peacemaker?

Q & A and a fellowship time will follow. 26 local churches and organizations are joining us a sponsors for this community event. Please bring your friends.