"Walking with Nehemiah . . . Prayer"
What a Monumental week it has been at LM1! For five days 30+ children and 16+ adults have gathered together to learn about God's greatness at VBS. We learned that:
God loves us no matter what!
God is with us everywhere!
God is in charge!
God is stronger than anything!
God is surprising!
We are excited to share these lessons and more through singing and dancing this Sunday in worship. Not only will our VBS friends and families be joining us in worship, but we'll also ask all students and teachers to bring a representation of the supplies they use for school for a special Blessing of the Backpacks as well as a blessing of the school supplies we collected for Sherman Indian High School.
We'll also continue our journey with Nehemiah as his story invites us to walk our neighborhoods, discover their needs, find ways we can help rebuild and repair, and overcome the obstacles that might get in the way. Nehemiah's story serves as a template for us today in ways that we can become change agents, living into our mission to transform lives, communities and the world, being co-creators with God of the world God intends.
Last week we heard of Nehemiah's heart breaking as he learned of the despair of his people. We took time to consider where our heart breaks for our own community and neighborhood. This week we hear Nehemiah pray to God for forgiveness and direction before he starts his mission of repair and reconciliation. We'll learn that if we pray sincerely, God will create a way for us to help the people and situations which break our hearts. We'll follow Nehemiah's pattern of prayer (Nehemiah 1:5-11) by recognizing God as the Lord of our lives, understanding that God keeps God's covenant with us and by confessing our sins and shortcomings.
You won't want to miss this great opportunity to celebrate God's goodness with our children, share prayers of blessing for a new school year and to grow in God's love through scripture, lessons and song. We hope to see you online or in-person at 9:30am!
Pastor Christian |
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Vacation Bible School Was Monumental!
Here are just a few images from the week-long God is Monumental Vacation Bible School that happened this week at LM1. 30-plus children had their mornings filled with music, dance, Bible lessons, crafts, snacks and games, thanks to the hard work of Pastor Christian, leader Meagan Conner and more than 16 volunteers! Each morning at 8:30, before the children who participated arrived, the adult volunteers circled up and prayed for them, asking that they would leave VBS knowing how dearly loved they were by God....and by this church community.
You can hear more about VBS at church this Sunday when the children who participated will present some of their songs and dance moves. They are excited to share the Good News of God's Monumental Love with all of us!
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VBS and The Pit share a stage LM1
Welcome to Monday evening at The Pit, or the LM1 Social Hall as it's called the other six nights of the week! Our sound engineer Javier has started a Smash Brothers Tournament and music event that will run on Monday nights from 6-10pm in our Social Hall. Admission is $10 for general entry and another $10 to enter the tournament -- and yes, there are cash prizes for tournament winners! For more information, contact Javier.
This past Monday was The Pit's second night and it's been fun to watch how a group of gamers and rock band can co-exist with an active, vibrant church community. The stage was all set for the week's Monumental Vacation Bible School so, that was the backdrop for this week's guest musicians at The Pit. This was probably a first for the band, but we think it looks pretty good!
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Sunday AM Book Club's Next Selection
The votes are in on the next Sunday morning book club selection and the winner is Bill McKibben's The Flag, The Cross, and the Station Wagon .
Join leader Eric Dewey-Hoffman on ZOOM this Sunday at 11:10am as this online group dives into the memoir of a man who grew up convinced that the United States was "the greatest country on Earth." Now, in his later years, he finds himself in an increasingly disfunctional nation, strained by bleak racial and economic inequality, on a planet whose future is in peril.
What follows is an unflinching review of our country's history and culture. What may sound like a negative diatribe, however, isn't. The author finds that he is not without hope. He wonders if any of the "trinity" of his youth -- the flag, the Cross and the station wagon -- could, or should, be reclaimed in the fight for a fairer future. This promises to be a great, conversation-invoking book. Join us!
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Community Outreach Tackles Affordable Housing and the Threat to Friendship Park on August 8
Affordable housing has been a priority of the community outreach ministry for a long time, but it has become a crisis in La Mesa and throughout San Diego. While we see many new multi-story developments of market-rate housing, unfortunately, many low and moderate income families cannot afford the prices. At the Community Outreach ZOOM meeting at 7pm, Monday, August 8, we will hear about one program for older adults and senior in La Mesa, Lemon Grove and Lakeside called GLM House -- a program that provides a private room that includes all utilities, a daily meal and on-site laundry. Such a program is out of reach for the unhoused we serve at Fresh Start, but it is a transitional step we hope to learn more about.
Also, we will learn about the threat to Friendship Park, which has existed for more than 30 years at the San Diego/Tijuana Border. It is a place where families on opposite sides of the border can see each other and connect. Our former pastor, Rev. Fanestil has been conducting worship services on each side of the border fence. Current plans proposed by the Federal government include the completion the 30-root border wall begun under the Trump administration, threatening the park's existence. Please plan to attend this ZOOM meeting and hear ways that we can intervene and negotiate to save this local treasure. |
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| Beth Saunders and Friends Return to LM1! |
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Who better than acclaimed vocalist and actress Beth Saunders (not to mention 'church member') to help bring live music back to our Sanctuary with Friends of Music? We are excited to announce Beth's fundraising concert at LM1 on Sunday August 14 at 4pm to raise money for the Southern Caregiver Resource Center. SCRC is the leading provider of fre e caregiver support services for families caring for frail older adults and adults living with Alzheimer’s disease and related disorders in San Diego County. The concert will include songs reflecting the experiences of those serving as primary caregivers to loved ones and honoring the support that the SCRC and in-home professional caregivers offer them. This will be an ideal concert to attend with your loved one if you are a caregiver yourself! Vision and hearing impairments have been taken into consideration in the planning of this concert and the sanctuary is wheelchair-accessible. The concert is free of charge and free-will offering will be collected. Plan to attend and then stay for the after-concert reception. It will be a great way to spend a Sunday afternoon and evening! |
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UWF Rummage Sale: Find Bargains and Treasures…and Help Sponsor two Missionaries!
The United Women in Faith are holding a rummage sale on Saturday, August 20 from 8am to 2pm. All proceeds will go toward creating a covenant relationship between LM1 and General Board of Global Ministries Missionaries, Jonathan and Terah Parks (formerly of San Diego) now serving in Vietnam.
We have the usual huge variety of household goods, personal items, art, tools and toys along with adult bicycles, crystal glassware, electronics, a brand-new decorative fountain and collectible boutique items. If you have items to donate (no adult clothing please) or if you would like to volunteer to help, email Lynn Parsons or call her at (214) 931-6254. |
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Join VBS Students in Supporting Native American School Children
This week, VBS participants have been learning about sharing God's love with those in need. To that end, the children are joining our Conference's Committee on Native American Ministries in providing supplies for Sherman Indian High School, a residential boarding school for Native Americans in Perris, California. Because many of the students come from a great distance to attend school, they often arrive with only the clothes on their backs.
It's been a great lesson for our VBS children to follow the example of the congregation and contribute the needed school supplies! This Sunday will be the final chance to join in this effort. Please consider helping Sherman Indian High School with any of the following:
- School supplies, such as
- college ruled notebook paper
- college ruled composition books/notebooks
- #2 pencils
- colored pencils
- 3-ring binders / notebooks
- (other school or art supplies also welcome – must be new)
- Student personal supplies, such as
- back packs
- large beach towels
- XL Twin comforters
- (personal hygiene items also welcome – must be new)
- Snacks
- Many students find the BIA’s federal food program limiting, especially those participating in sports, and other extra curricular activities. Many have provided cheese & crackers, peanut butter & crackers, peanut butter, ramen, and other shelf-stable snack items.
- Teacher Requests
- for small denomination gift cards to places like McDonald’s, Target, Wal-Mart, Domino’s, Little Caesars, Chic-fil-A, etc. Preferred amounts are $5.00 or $10.00. These are provided as incentive cards. Some generous church members have provided larger denomination cards which are held for class or group functions.
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In Memoriam...
We received news this week that longtime LM1 member, Dora Mae Weatherbee passed away this week. She was living in Arizona to be near her son and his family. As details of services or remembrances are set, we will share them here. May her memory be a blessing! |
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This Week @ La Mesa First UMC
Friday, August 5
Final day of VBS
Sunday, August 7
Worship In-Person & Online @ 9:30am (Facebook & YouTube)
VBS Participants: Wear your VBS T-shirts and help lead worship!
Sunday Morning Book Club @ 11:10am on ZOOM
Monday, August 8
Caring Ministry Meeting @ 9:30am
Days 4 Girls @ 1pm, LL
Yoga @ 4 pm, SH
Community Outreach on ZOOM at 7pm
The Pit - Gaming and Music @ 6-10pm in SH
Tuesday, August 9
Trustees @ 6:00pm in Conference Room
Women's Bible Study @ 6:30pm on ZOOM
Wednesday, August 10
La Mesa Walks @ 9am; check here for location
Earth Care Meeting @ 11am on ZOOM
Yoga @ 4:30pm at Good Shepherd Ministry Center
(772 S. Johnson, El Cajon)
Thursday, August 11
SPRC Meeting @ 5:30pm on ZOOM
La Mesa Village Car Show @ 5pm
Choir Rehearsals on break until September
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!!
Friends of Music Benefit Concert, Sunday, Aug. 14 @ 4:00pm
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Thank you for supporting the mission and ministries of
La Mesa First United Methodist Church.
Click here to donate.
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