Greetings,
This past Sunday we celebrated all Saints Sunday. It is a time to remember and commend our loved ones into God’s care as well as profess our faith. When we experience the loss of a loved one it is easy to get discouraged. Both the absence of their presence as well as any dreams we might have held of being with them in this life come to an end. It is in the midst of this we are invited to remember and come to internalize a deeper truth. Love overcame death itself. In Jesus death and resurrection we get a glimpse of a larger mystery. The separation from God and others is traditionally understood as sin or at least the effects of sin. Jesus through His coming has bridged the gap. Reunited us with God in a way that even physical death cannot divide, though our bodies wear out, that union does not. It is in our celebration of the liturgy on All Saints Sunday that we place candles out to represent those, who are absent from us, but still remain in the presence of God; and someday we too will see them again face to face. Consequently in the midst of our loss we can experience some comfort with the knowledge that as we declare each Sunday (a mini-Easter) Christ is risen, so too, those that have passed from this life continue to remain in God.
Grace and Peace,
Pastor Dan
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| SUNDAY CELEBRATION |
9:03 am Praise and Worship
9:15 am Service and Communion
10:15 am Fellowship Time
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Our tissue drive last month was a great success! Pastor Dan was able to deliver 133 boxes of kleenex to the kids at Wainwright! Thank you to everyone who brought in tissues! Their little noses will blessed by your generosity!
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Last Tuesday at the final Ad Council meeting, the small board of governance system was officially named, and members were appointed. Each member on the list was carefully considered and prayed over. They reflect the qualities of a good listener, are prayerful, open to learning, have a sense of calling to a leadership role, regularly attend worship, fiscally support the church, and are able to attend 5 meetings a year. All members were approved unanimously by the Ad Council.
The new Fircrest Board members are:
Adam Daniel
Harry and Sandy Holliday
Bruce MacInnis
Willa Mungen
Joanne and Terry Stone
Joe Stortini
Pastor Dan
This Sunday is the last chance to get your directory info  and picture submitted! Please make sure you have turned your directory form in and that you've had your picture taken! There will also be a proof copy out on Sunday, please make sure that all the information is correct, and if not write the changes in! We'd like to get the directory out as soon as possible!
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Bethany UMC (the other church Pastor Dan oversees), located at 5634 S. Park, in Tacoma, is going to have a community Thanksgiving Meal on November 17th from 5-7 p.m.. Currently Bethany UMC services a large population in Tacoma through its foodbank. Each year the membership at the church likes to host a meal that is for both the church and the community. It is open to all – including you, if you choose to go. This year they are inviting other churches to assist in this opportunity. If you would like to help here, is the list of items they are in need of for the meal. If you have questions, please see Pastor Dan.
(Please bring all donated food in by November 11th)
Pecan Pies (will we freeze them) Pumpkin Pies (will we freeze them)
Ranch Dressing (24 ounce size) Seasoned Croutons (5 ounces or more)
Real Bacon Crumbles (6 ounces size) Hawaiian Sweet Dinner Rolls – packs of 12
Frozen Whole Kernel Corn Mini Marshmallows
Apple cider, gallon size 32 ounce Vegetable Stock
Whipped Cream, aerosol type Real Butter (not margarine) by the pound
Spiral Ham – 6 needed in total
Monetary donation for Non-Food Supplies (suggested $75)
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Faithbooking:
Faithbooking is keeping a book that focuses on our personal journey of faith. The first meeting will be an Introductory session, held in the old nursery downstairs, beginning after the potluck at 6:45.
For questions call Myrna Slater 253-564-5371
Faithbooking | Wednesday's 6:45pm |
Bethany UMC Community Thanksgiving Meal
Each year the membership at the church likes to host a meal that is for both the church and the community. It is open to all – including you, if you choose to go.
Community Dinner | Nov. 17th at 5pm | 5634 S. Park, Tacoma. |
Church Family Night Potluck:
Every Wednesday, bring a dish to share, everyone is welcome!
Because the strategic planning and transition team are being dissolved, there will now just be the potluck at 6pm, a time to enjoy our church family and share a meal!
Church Family Night Potluck | Wednesday's 6:00pm |
Small Groups:
Tuesday Morning – 10:30 a.m. In upstairs parlor, bring a sack lunch.
Sunday Morning - Meets after fellowship time in the upstairs parlor.
Monday Afternoon - 4:00 p.m. Meet's at the Stone's house.
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Community Dinner Donations: Bring by this Sunday!
Bring food items listed above on or before November 11th for the Bethany UMC Community Thanksgiving Dinner! Everyone is welcome and encouraged to not only donate food but to attend!
Fellowship Time: Weekly volunteers are needed to set up coffee, and bring treat/sweet bread and fruit. Sign up sheet is in Lobby! (Funds are available if the expense is a hardship to volunteers!)
Clothing Closet: Open weekly Thursdays 12-2pm Always taking donations! Please contact Sandy, or Lena at the office to schedule a donation drop off!
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Emergency Food Network Mobile Truck: November 20th 12:30 – 3pm
FUMC provides the volunteer staffing for the Nourish Pierce County (aka FISH) mobile food truck at the STAR Center, 66th and Adams, every 3rd Tuesday of the month. We have a loyal team of volunteers, but would like to see more people helping. If you would like to participate in this important ministry, please call Pat Thompson at 253-566-1883
EFN Repack: Nov. 29th 9-11:30am | Dec. 8th 12:30-2:30pm
Emergency Food Network has two repack opportunities scheduled at their distribution center on 92nd Street S in Lakewood. The first is Thursday, November 29th from 9:00 to 11:30 am. The second is Saturday, December 8th from 12:30 to 2:30 pm. Repacks could involve everything from putting 50 lbs of rice or beans into 2 lb bags to sorting orchard bins of apples to sorting store donations. They cannot serve all of the food pantries and meal sites without this important volunteer effort.
EFN's Empty Bowls Fundraiser: Nov. 17th 1-3pm
EFN's annual fundraiser, Empty Bowls, is being held on Saturday November 17th from 1:00 to 3:00 pm at Charles Wright Academy, 7723 Chambers Creek Road in University Place. Donated bowls are sold, starting at $10, after which you will be served soup donated by local restaurants. The bowls make wonderful Christmas presents!
Prayer Partners: Kenyan District Superintendent Joe Kamau presented our District Superintendent Rich Lang with a list of 20 churches that want to be in connection with congregations in the US. The offer is to simply pray for each other. If anything else emerges from that connection, all to the good. We have been asked to link up with a specific congregation in Kenya and pray for each other. We have been partnered with the Baruk UMC ---Pastor Kuria, in turn, they will pray for us. Over time the hope is that once the link is made, correspondence can occur and the prayers can become more focused and specific.
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This Sunday is a very dear holiday to me, it's Veterans Day.  Growing up in a rural town nowhere near a military base, Veterans Day wasn't a big deal to me. I didn't really understand it until I moved to Washington. Once here, I got to watch my Uncle as he was honored for his time in special forces and as Lieutenant Commander at JBLM; a childhood friend returned from a tour in Iraq as a triple amputee; I met and married my husband, now a former Army Specialist; and one of my best friends joined the Army and deployed to Afghanistan. In a matter of years, my life was now functioning on military time, and filled with soldiers and veterans. What really amazes me about every current or retired service member, especially on Veterans Day, is that they don't use the holiday, or the uniform to seek attention, serving is just ingrained in them. To them, they do they're just doing their job, what they're called to do: fight the enemy and protect home. As an Army wife, people would ask how they could honor soldiers, they would leave them gifts or food during gate guard, send cards; but I think the best way we can honor our Veterans is by following out our own mission as Christians - Fighting for the Lord, saving lost souls, and serving others. So to really honor our Veterans, lets follow their example: Go suit up for battle, fight the enemy, and serve the ultimate Commander and Chief Jesus Christ.
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