This coming Sunday, everyone is invited to gather around their screens at 7pm for a special Sunday Evening Worship Service. This Palm/Passion Sunday worship service will invite you to use candles and explore what it means to be a light in the darkness (literally, theologically, and otherwise). As people of faith we don't run away from darkness, but instead carry the light of Christ into it. In order to do that effectively, we need to first acknowledge the darkness and then prepare ourselves for the holy work that still lies before us.
Some Logistics: The worship service will "go live" at around 5pm on the church's facebook page and youtube channel. At around 6pm an email will be sent out that contains direct links (just like the past few weeks). And then, perhaps with a little more coordination and "togetherness" than we've done before - let's meet for worship online at the designated hour of 7pm. |
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As a result of the wide-spread pandemic caused by the novel coronavirus, and in compliance with an executive order by the Governor of Virginia that all public gatherings of more than 10 people are banned for a period of time, all of our public worship services have moved online. Everyone is invited to join us for worship on Sunday mornings by visiting our Facebook Page or our Youtube Channel
April 5 – Palm Sunday - Worship at 7pm
Themes: Flowering, Ripen, Mature
Sermon Scripture: Mark 15:1-20
April 6 through April 11 – Holy Week
There are members of the Music Ministry Team who have prepared a few selections that we will be premiering on our Facebook Page every day during Holy Week (April 6-11) along with some prayers and meditations from the pastors.
The Pastors will also be leading a nightly Zoom Bible Study at 9pm. More info can be found further down in this email.
April 12 – Easter Sunday
Themes: Harvest, Reap, Gather
Scripture: Matthew 13:1-9
We also encourage everyone to continue to be in prayer with other United Methodists of the Virginia Annual Conference by praying at noon every day.
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Holy Week – The Rest of the Story
Paul Harvey, an ABC newscaster back in the 60’s and 70’s, always had a segment he called “The Rest of the Story’. As one might imagine, Harvey would present a short synopsis of an event and then delve into the details which made the tale amazingly engaging and memorable. I have often thought that the “The Rest of the Story” is an apt description of Holy Week, the time between Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem on Palm Sunday and the celebration of His Resurrection on Easter. While many participate in the observance of Jesus’ Last Supper (Maundy Thursday) and/or His arrest, trial, crucifixion and death (Good Friday) during Holy Week, these evens do not complete the rest of the story. During the three or four days between Jesus triumphant entrance into Jerusalem and His last Passover meal, all three synoptic gospels record profound teachings by Jesus. (Matthew 21-25 , Mark 11-13, Luke 20-21). This is where Jesus’ authority is questioned by the chief priests, elders and scribes and where He proclaims “woe to the scribes and Pharisees” and tells the Sadducees that they are mistaken, that they know neither the scriptures nor the power of God. This is where Jesus predicts the destruction of the temple in Jerusalem, describes the Signs of the Times and the End of the Age, the “Great Tribulation” , the “Coming of the Son of Man” and the judgment of the nations. Included in these scriptures are the lessons of the withered fig tree, the parable of the two sons, the parable of the wicked vinedressers, the parable of the wedding feast, and the parable of the talents. A lot is happening between Palm Sunday and the Passover meal but rarely do we have an organized opportunity to learn about them. Well this year is different!
The Covid-19 pandemic is precluding us from gathering to worship on Palm Sunday, Maundy Thursday, Good Friday and even Easter itself. But our pastors are giving us the opportunity to participate in daily Bible studies (Monday through Saturday of Holy Week) at 9PM on Zoom. What a prefect time – dinner is over, dishes are washed, and children are in bed. In addition the FUMC Facebook page will feature music and scripture throughout the week. I can’t ever remember an opportunity such as this to immerse oneself in the events of Holy Week. I encourage you to join with me in finding out about the rest of the story.
Who’s Manning the Fort?
Answer: Our Office Staff are “manning the fort”
Kathy Berkley (kathyberkeley@cvillefirstumc.org), Jeannie Gentry (jeanniegentry@cvillefirstumc.org) , and Lyndsay Harshman (lyndsayharshman@cvillefirstumc.org). Even though they are each working mostly from home, they are still doing their jobs and expecting to hear from us as we need them. Kathy is still maintaining the church calendar.
If you need to hold a meeting (even though you can schedule your own Zoom meeting once you have received instructions from Rev. Phil Woodson (philwoodson@cvillefirstumc.org) you should check with Kathy to see if your preferred Zoom time is available and to see that it gets put on the church calendar. She is also available to assist you in the many other ways she has in the past. She picks up the church answering machine (434-296-6193) regularly and if you need her quickly she is willing to take your calls on her personal phone (434-981-0784).
Jeannie is still receiving and recording our gifts and paying our bills. The water, gas, electricity and phone bills still need to be paid on time. She wishes the gifts would be a bit greater even though she understands the stressors we are all under and suggests we use on-line giving . Lyndsay is still taking care of our property and probably has to go to the church more frequently than the others to manage deliveries and maintenance. I, for one am grateful for the devotion of our office staff to our congregation and pastors during this difficult time and pray that they will remain healthy. Why not give them a call to thank them and wish them well.
Bill Clarke, Lay Leader |
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Rev. Heaton & Rev. Woodson are inviting the congregation of First U.M.C. to join them for a nightly bible study during Holy Week. The bible study will meet at 9pm every night on Zoom and will be able to host about 100 people!
To join the nightly bible study please use the following invitation information every night from April 6 through April 11 at 9pm
Topic: Pastor's Bible Study - 1.5 hours
Times:
Apr 6, 2020
09:00 PM
Apr 7, 2020
09:00 PM
Apr 8, 2020
09:00 PM
Apr 9, 2020
09:00 PM
Apr 10, 2020
09:00 PM
Apr 11, 2020
09:00 PM
Click this link to Join the Zoom Bible Study at 9pm every night: https://zoom.us/j/468012936
Meeting ID: 468 012 936
If you have any issues with using Zoom or connecting to this meeting, please email Rev. Woodson at philwoodson@cvillefirstumc.org |
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As sent out in a letter last week, the church is facing a $200,000 deficit for 2021 and a $98,000 deficit for 2020 (due to money from the Endowment fund in 2020).
Due to these budget shortfalls, the staffing budget will need to be decreased by $200,000 (current staff budget is $480,000) unless more pledges are received.
To give the Staff Parish Committee your thoughts to aid in these very tough decisions, we are asking that you take a few moments to fill out the below survey. Your input will be able to show what the "pulse of the church is" and what the congregation values.
Again, this survey is to gather information so that the voices of the congregation can be heard and will be discussed by the Staff Parish Committee. Ultimately, the final decisions will be made by them. The survey will close on April 12th at 6:00 PM
Link to Survey:
The next Financial Task Force meeting will be a Zoom Meeting on Monday, April 6 - 7:00 P M Click this Link to Join the Zoom Meeting on Monday: https://zoom.us/j/945989469 |
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Sunday Worship will be in the evening at 7pm!
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April
April 5
Palm Sunday Worship at 7pm
April 9
Maundy Thursday
April 10
Good Friday
April 12
Easter Sunday
April 13
Finance Committee
April 15
Worship Team
April 16
Endowment Commitee
April 20
Church Council
April 22
Preschool Board
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If you are looking for ways to
provide support, or if you
need support in the greater Cville area, please spend some at this website is the most up-to-date resource (both in and for our community) and there are currently local needs for medical/cleaning supplies for local healthcare workers.
Make sure you scroll all the way down each page and you'll see ways that you can donate funds, time, and supplies, or receive those items as well. There is also a lot of information related to health resources and who to contact locally if you have any questions.
Link:
SUPPORTCVILLE |
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Prayers at Noon
(Click the video below)
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With so many changes to our daily routines and schedules it can overwhelming trying to keep track of what has been canceled, postponed, rescheduled, or moved to an online meeting. It is our hope that we will keep our website regularly updated with important church announcements and information about meetings, rehearsals, or other ministry events that are taking place at First UMC over the next few weeks.
To view the Latest Announcements on our website, please CLICK HERE |
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The Wesley Memorail UMC - Sanctuary Fund is raising money to support Maria Chavalan Sut, an indigenous Guatemalan asylum-seeker, living at the church in Sanctuary. Maria's family still lives in Guatemala, and the coronavirus is making it difficult for them to work and afford food. 100% of donations go directly to Maria. Click Here to Donate
Here is a message from Maria:
In the face of the COVID-19 pandemic, the Guatemalan government is doing everything possible. They have closed the streets and avenues to traffic throughout the whole country to avoid a massive spread of the virus. The Guatemalan constitution has the power to declare a broad curfew that limits movement, and they have already done so.
Due to the emergency, in every place, each village, all corners of the country of Guatemala, including mountain paths, they are controlling the movement of the people. Also, the prices of food have increased.
In my personal situation, I have had easy situations. Now, I am still unable to work to earn my daily sustenance, and I do not like that. I want to be able to earn my daily sustenance, just like God commanded us, and that way be able to provide for my family.
I have lived in sanctuary for the past 18 months. My family and I continue to need your help to secure the sacred subsistence for my family.
I pray to God that all the storms pass, and I am very thankful for each kernel of support that I receive from you. I hope God returns your support and multiplies it.
In the name of my celestial father, thank you.
Thank you for your donation to the sanctuary
María Chavalan Sut
For more information about Maria, see here: https://www.npr.org/2019/08/04/745609635/undocumented-woman-finds-healing-and-support-in-sanctuary
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