CSN – Condolensces to the Family of Marilyn Prince

 

First Grace – where the city worships

First Grace Members and Friends,

It is with much sadness that we inform you of the passing of Marilyn Prince.  

Please keep Marilyn’s sister, Eileen Prince and Eileen’s two daughters in your prayers. 

Services are being planned for the week after Easter.  When we have more details we will share that information.
Blessings,
Pastor Shawn

CSN — Shomade/Palm Sunday

 

First Grace – where the city worships
Shomade/Palm Sunday at
First Grace 
Shomade Groups meet 10:00AM 

 

Worship

9:00 AM Spanish Language Worship

11:10 AM English Language Worship

 Scripture:

Mark 11:1-11  
_______________________

Don’t forget to wear your blue and white.

Dillard University, a United Methodist financially-supported institution, is celebrating being the Tom Joyner Foundation’s School of the Month for March 2018. Calling all First Grace UMC Dillard alums, friends and church members to support us in raising money for much-needed student scholarships. Visit bit.ly/Give2DU or www.dillard.edu and make a donation today! Please spread the word.

 

Good Friday Service, March 30th at 7:00 PM.

The Care Ministry will meet on March 28th at 11:00AM in the Parlor. For more information contact Laurie Peller at lauriepeller@earthlink.net
The Community Garden invites you to a community garden gathering & workday this Monday evening, 3/26 at 6pm
Confirmation 2018 All youth 6th grade and up who have not been confirmed are eligible to participate. Please contact Marice Bailey at firstgraceumcyouth@gmail.com for more info.

 

The First Grace Drama Club Ministry

would like members of First Grace to submit for consideration their 5-10 page ORIGINAL Play for possible selection for our Spring Production.
Submission Guidelines:
*Members of First Grace (Youth/Teens/Adults) * Any Genre
* Their Original 5-10 Page Play * Must be submitted by April 7,2018
You will be advised by April 31,2018 if your play was selected for the Spring Production. Should your play be selected there is NO $ Compensation!

 

LEARNING

Seekers Class where questions are encouraged, listening is required and hearts are accepted.   Come and join co-leaders Dan Thelen and Kahlida Lloyd in what will be a time of exploring how God can meet us right where we are and help us grow through seeking and discussion. Classes are at 10:00AM each Sunday in the Parlor.

THE GATHERING – FIRST GRACE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

Contact Adria Kimbrough at adriakimbrough@gmail.com.  Join us in the upstairs conference room!

March 25 Shomade Sunday

April 1 He Has Risen
Purpose: To realize that for nonbelievers, “the cross is foolishness” while we know “it is the power of God” for our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18)
(Scripture: Luke 24:1-35)

Couples Ministry – meets each month on the first Monday and is using “7 Inhibitors of Intimacy” along with “Marriage Today” by Jimmy Evans. For additional information please contact Jennifer Moss, 504-616-7431.

Due to Easter, the next meeting is scheduled for April 9th.     


First Grace Parents Prayer Line
Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM. Call 641.715.3580, Access Code 838575#.
Men’s Morning Call, Tuesday, 7:15-8:15AM at Morning Call Café in City Park, “Illusions” by Richard Bach -All are welcome.
Disciple II continues each Thursday at 1:00 PM in the Parlor. Led by Toni Antrum.

Monday Meditation 6 PM -6:45 PM, each week in the Chapel.

Monday Meditation is a guided meditation by Dan Thelen (dthelen2520@gmail.com).

Green Tip Both Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish offer curbside recycling. If you do not have a recycling bin or can, contact your parish to get one. In New Orleans call Phone 311 or (504) 658-2299. In Jefferson Parish call 504-731-4614 OR 1-877-747-4374.

SERVING

Name Tag Ministry To volunteer with the distribution of name tags on

Sunday, contact Dallas McGlinn at dallasmcglinn@gmail.com or Robin
Ask Me Ministry Want to help new members or guests plug into the
dynamic life at First Grace? Contact Eric Craig ericmcraig28@gmail.com or
Debbie Holman at skipdebliz@cox.net.

The United Methodist Women  will meet on Saturday,March 24th at 10AM. New members welcome. Margaret Washington, President.

Tuesday Meal

The meal is served at 12:30 PM and volunteers are always needed.   Contact the church office to volunteer.

Desmond Project Looking for a way to make a difference in our community. The Desmond Project provides a healthy, nutritious meal to the men, women and children at the New Orleans Mission every Saturday evening. Contact Jackie Vinson at blaqjacque@gmail.com.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Sanctuary Opportunities 
The Sanctuary Hospitality Committee at FGUMC have been asked to support the following:
Family Transportation-A need for a few people who have reliable vehicles that can fit 3 or more people to rotate driving Jose’s family, especially to church on Sunday afternoons.  Please sign up here for more information:  https://goo.gl/forms/KWyO3919xvIpLouq2.  Or, mail or deliver an Uber or Lyft gift card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.
Weekly Groceries– Sign up at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4 to deliver a week’s worth of groceries for Jose (& his family).  Feel free to partner up with a few friends as each sign up is for a whole week of food. FGSanctuaryCommittee@gmail.com. will email you his grocery list a few days before you’re scheduled.
 
Monthly Phone Bill– Donate at the donation link at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4.  Or, mail or deliver a pre-paid visa card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.

CSN — Pastor’s Lenten Bake Sale

 

First Grace – where the city worships

 

This Sunday at First Grace
 
Sunday School meets at 10:00AM (all ages)  

 

Worship

9:00 AM Spanish Language Worship

11:10 AM English Language Worship

  

Scripture:

Luke 20:27-38

_______________________

Pastors Lenten Bake Sale – All baker’s are invited to please bring baked good’s this Sunday to sell.  All sales to benefit Hagar’s House.

Shomade Group meet on Sunday, March 25 at 10:00AM.  If you are not in a Shomade group please contact the church office.

 

The Adult, Youth and Children’s choirs will rehearse for Palm Sunday immediately after worship today
 
The Green Team will meet on Monday, March 19th at 6:30. If you are interested in preserving our Earth please join us. We will be doing additional planning for Earth Day to be celebrated at First Grace on Sunday, April 22. We’re hoping that you will join us.

Confirmation 2018  All youth 6th grade and up who have not been confirmed are eligible to participate. Young people who have already been confirmed at First Grace can attend as well. Confirmation classes will happen during the Sunday school hour starting on Sunday March 18, 2018. A day of service, a group service project and the confirmation day with the Bishop will also be included in the activities for this. Please contact Marice Bailey at firstgraceumcyouth@gmail.com for more info.  

The First Grace Drama Club Ministry would like members of First Grace to submit for consideration their 5-10 page ORIGINAL Play for possible selection for our Spring Production.
Submission Guidelines:
*Members of First Grace (Youth/Teens/Adults) * Any Genre
* Their Original 5-10 Page Play * Must be submitted by April 7,2018
You will be advised by April 31,2018 if your play was selected for the Spring Production. Should your play be selected there is NO $ Compensation!

LEARNING

Seekers Class where questions are encouraged, listening is required and hearts are accepted.   Come and join co-leaders Dan Thelen and Kahlida Lloyd in what will be a time of exploring how God can meet us right where we are and help us grow through seeking and discussion. Classes are at 10:00AM each Sunday in the Parlor.

THE GATHERING – FIRST GRACE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS
Contact Adria Kimbrough at adriakimbrough@gmail.com.  Join us in the upstairs conference room! 

March 18 The People Gave Thanks to God
Purpose: To express our thankfulness to God with heartfelt, awe-inspired worship. (Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-11)

March 25 Shomade Sunday

April 1 He Has Risen
Purpose: To realize that for nonbelievers, “the cross is foolishness” while we know “it is the power of God” for our salvation (1 Corinthians 1:18)
(Scripture: Luke 24:1-35)

Couples Ministry – meets each month on the first Monday and is using“7 Inhibitors of Intimacy” along with “Marriage Today” by Jimmy Evans.

For additional information please contact Jennifer Moss, 504-616-7431.
First Grace Parents Prayer Line Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM. Call 641.715.3580, Access Code 838575#.
Men’s Morning Call, Tuesday, 7:15-8:15AM at Morning Call Café in City Park, “Illusions” by Richard Bach -All are welcome.
Disciple II continues each Thursday at 1:00 PM in the Parlor. Led by Toni Antrum.

Monday Meditation 6 PM -6:45 PM, each week in the Chapel.

Monday Meditation is a guided meditation by Dan Thelen (dthelen2520@gmail.com).

Green Tip Both Orleans Parish and Jefferson Parish offer curbside recycling. If you do not have a recycling bin or can, contact your parish to get one. In New Orleans call Phone 311 or (504) 658-2299. In Jefferson Parish call 504-731-4614 OR 1-877-747-4374.

SERVING

Name Tag Ministry To volunteer with the distribution of name tags on

Sunday, contact Dallas McGlinn at dallasmcglinn@gmail.com or Robin
Ask Me Ministry Want to help new members or guests plug into the
dynamic life at First Grace? Contact Eric Craig ericmcraig28@gmail.com or
Debbie Holman at skipdebliz@cox.net.

The United Methodist Women  will meet on Saturday,March 24th at 10AM. New members welcome. Margaret Washington, President.

Tuesday Meal  The meal is served at 12:30 PM and volunteers are always needed.   You may contact Marilyn Prince at marilynprince1949@yahoo.com or contact the church office.

Desmond Project Looking for a way to make a difference in our community. The Desmond Project provides a healthy, nutritious meal to the men, women and children at the New Orleans Mission every Saturday evening. Contact Jackie Vinson at blaqjacque@gmail.com.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Sanctuary Opportunities
The Sanctuary Hospitality Committee at FGUMC have been asked to support the following:
Family Transportation-A need for a few people who have reliable vehicles that can fit 3 or more people to rotate driving Jose’s family, especially to church on Sunday afternoons.  Please sign up here for more information:  https://goo.gl/forms/KWyO3919xvIpLouq2.  Or, mail or deliver an Uber or Lyft gift card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.
Weekly Groceries– Sign up at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4 to deliver a week’s worth of groceries for Jose (& his family).  Feel free to partner up with a few friends as each sign up is for a whole week of food. FGSanctuaryCommittee@gmail.com. will email you his grocery list a few days before you’re scheduled.
 
Monthly Phone Bill– Donate at the donation link at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4.  Or, mail or deliver a pre-paid visa card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.

CSN – Lent Week Five – Lent with Bonhoeffer

 

First Grace – where the city worships

 

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline

Week 5

Some background…
Each week of Lent, First Grace will be given one of the “Ministries of Life Together” that Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote for his flock. We are invited to read, reflect and practicethe ministry for the week in all aspects of daily life. Perhaps you will add to the ministries that Bonhoeffer wrote of. He spoke of the Ministry of Listening, The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue, The Ministry of Meekness, The Ministry of Helpfulness, The Ministry of Bearing the Burden of Each Other, and the Ministry of Proclamation-Speaking the Truth in Love.
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism-Nazism and Adolf Hitler. His ties to the July 20, 1944 conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his arrest. In April 1945, weeks before the war ended, Bonhoeffer was hanged.
His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world. One of those writings is Life Together-a Discussion on Christian Fellowship. Bonhoeffer had opened an underground seminary where he served as dean. He wrote Life Together for the seminarians who were having a difficult time-living together and being the church for each other.
Bonhoeffer was engaged in a most serious, dangerous and joyful life-giving endeavor-living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For him and for us the gospel is one of both social transformation AND personal transformation. These two transformations do not happen in unison. Bonhoeffer confronted the ills in society and the ills in himself. His faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ enabled him to do both. Like the first disciples of Jesus, he was silenced, imprisoned and executed. Yet Bonhoeffer was known roundly as the kindest and most generous of souls. He even provided pastoral counseling for his Nazi prison guards.   He is truly among the cloud of witnesses.
(Our thanks to Rev. John Winn who introduced me to this book when I entered pastoral ministry. Rev. Winn’s paraphrasing with a few edits is employed for this Lenten study.)

 

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline
Week 5

A review of Bonhoeffer’s teachings from the previous four weeks
 
THE FIRST MINISTRY– LISTENING
The First act of love is to listen. THE FIRST SERVICE that one owes to others in the Community consists in listening to them…
 
THE SECOND MINISTRY– HELPFULNESS
THE SECOND SERVICE that one should perform for another in a Christian Community is that of active helpfulness. This means, initially, simple assistance in trifling, external matters. There is a multitude of these things wherever people live together. Nobody is too good for the simplest service.
THE THIRD MINISTRY-BEARING THE BURDEN OF EACH OTHER
WE SPEAK, THIRD, of the service that consists in bearing others. “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2).
 
IT IS, FIRST of all, the FREEDOM of the other person, of which we spoke earlier, that is the burden to the Christian. Another person’s freedom collides with my own autonomy, yet I must recognize it. I could get rid of this burden by refusing his or her freedom, by constraining that other person and thus doing violence to their personality, by stamping my own image upon that person. But if we recognize that God is creating God’s own image in that person, we by this token give the other person his or her freedom and that person bears the burden of this freedom. The freedom of the other person includes all that we mean by a person’s nature, individuality, endowment. It also includes their weaknesses and oddities, which are such a trial to our patience, everything that produces frictions, conflicts, and collisions among us. To bear the burden of the other person means involvement with the created reality of the other, to accept and affirm it, and, in bearing with it, to break through to the point where we take joy in it.
 
THEN, BESIDES THE, other’s freedom, there is the abuse of that freedom that becomes a burden for the Christian. The sin of the other person is harder to bear than that person’s freedom; for in sin, connectedness with God and with the sister or brother is broken. Here the Christian suffers the rupture of his or her connection with the other person that had its basis in Jesus Christ. But here, too, it is only in bearing with our brothers and sisters that the great GRACE of God becomes wholly plain. To cherish no contempt for the sinner but rather to prize the privilege of bearing the person means not to have to give him or her up as lost, to be able to accept that person, to preserve community with them through forgiveness.
 
THE SERVICE OF FORGIVENESS is rendered by one to the others daily. It occurs, without words, in the intercessions for one another. And every member of the community, who does not grow weary in this ministry, can depend upon it that this service is also being rendered to them by their brothers and sisters. When we bear others we know that we, ourselves, are being borne, and only in this strength can we go on bearing.
THE FOURTH MINISTRY-SPEAKING THE TRUTH IN LOVE
The speaking of that Word is beset with infinite perils. If it is not accompanied by worthy listening, how can it really be the right word for the other person? If it is contradicted by one’s own lack of helpfulness, how can it be a convincing and sincere word? If it issues, not from a spirit of bearing and forbearing, but from impatience and the desire to force its acceptance, how can it be the liberating and healing word? [One can only speak truth in love if they have first shown love to the other by their previous words and actions and demonstrated a continued commitment to the other.]
 
            …In speaking the truth in love, God can re-bind elements together, re-create community and grant grace.   [First show your love to another by being of helpful service, second by bearing the burden of another in love and third, by speaking the truth in love. Speak simply, directly and humbly, and trust the Holy Spirit with the rest.]

 

Bonhoeffer’s “Four Services” have been modified
to be gender inclusive byJohn Winn

 

CSN — Pastors Lenten Bake Sale

 

First Grace – where the city worships

 

This Sunday at First Grace
 
Sunday School meets at 10:00AM (all ages)  

 

Worship

9:00 AM Spanish Language Worship

11:10 AM English Language Worship

  

Scripture:

Luke 12:13-21

_______________________

Pastors Lenten Bake Sale – All baker’s are invited to please bring baked good’s this Sunday to sell.  All sales to benefit Hagar’s House.

First Grace Coffee Hour  immediately after worship on Sunday.  

Confirmation 2018  There is a parent meeting scheduled for Sunday March 11, 2018 during the Sunday School hour from 10:00am -1100am in the fellowship hall. This meeting is for all parents who would like for their child(ren) to participate in this year’s Confirmation. All youth 6th grade and up who have not been confirmed are eligible to participate. Young people who have already been confirmed at First Grace will be able to be in attendance for the classes as well. Confirmation classes will happen during the Sunday school hour starting on Sunday March 18, 2018. The classes will go on for 8 weeks. A day of service, group service project and the confirmation day with the Bishop will also be included in the activities for this year’s Confirmation youth group. Bishop’s Confirmation Day is Saturday March 24, 2018.  Please let me know if you plan for your child to participate in Confirmation this year. Please contact Marice Bailey atfirstgraceumcyouth@gmail.comfor more info.

Tuesday Meal Calling all fishermen/women. We are in need of cleaned,
filleted white fish for a special meal on March 13th. If you can help please
contact Marilyn Prince at marilynprince1949@yahoo.com or by calling 504.621.8051.
The First Grace Drama Club Ministry would like members of First Grace to submit for consideration their 5-10 page ORIGINAL Play for possible selection for our Spring Production.
Submission Guidelines:
*Members of First Grace (Youth/Teens/Adults) * Any Genre
* Their Original 5-10 Page Play * Must be submitted by April 7,2018
You will be advised by April 31,2018 if your play was selected for the Spring Production. Should your play be selected there is NO $ Compensation!
 
First Grace’s new Fitness and Philanthropy group! Join the team to walk, jog, or run the Crescent City Classic on March 31 on behalf of a local nonprofit. Join us on Saturdays, 8:30 at City Park at the water fountain across from New Orleans Museum of Art. All experience levels welcome! Email Nora Ellertsen at noraellertsen@hotmail.com or Katie Poynter at kpoynter@gmail.com for questions.

LEARNING

Seekers Class where questions are encouraged, listening is required and hearts are accepted.   Come and join co-leaders Dan Thelen and Kahlida Lloyd in what will be a time of exploring how God can meet us right where we are and help us grow through seeking and discussion. Classes are at 10:00AM each Sunday in the Parlor.

THE GATHERING – FIRST GRACE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS 
Contact Adria Kimbrough at adriakimbrough@gmail.com.  Join us in the upstairs conference room! 

March 11 There is No God Like You
Purpose: To build on the promises God made to those who have come before us. (Scripture: 2 Chronicles 6:1-21)
March 18 The People Gave Thanks to God
Purpose: To express our thankfulness to God with heartfelt, awe-inspired worship. (Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-11)
March 25 Shomade Sunday

Couples Ministry – meets each month on the first Monday and is using “7 Inhibitors of Intimacy” along with “Marriage Today” by Jimmy Evans.

For additional information please contact Jennifer Moss, 504-616-7431.
First Grace Parents Prayer Line Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM. Call 641.715.3580, Access Code 838575#.
Men’s Morning Call, Tuesday, 7:15-8:15AM at Morning Call Café in City Park, “Illusions” by Richard Bach -All are welcome.
Disciple II continues each Thursday at 1:00 PM in the Parlor. Led by Toni Antrum.
Monday Meditation 6 PM -6:45 PM, each week in the Chapel.
Monday Meditation is a guided meditation by Dan Thelen (dthelen2520@gmail.com).

Green Tip Recycle those Mardi Gras beads! There are numerous sites where beads can be dropped off. Beads can be dropped off at the city recycling center at 2829 Elysian Fields Ave on Saturday, March 10th from 8am until 1pm. The center is located between I-10 and I-610. See nola.gov for more info and drop-off locations.

SERVING

The United Methodist Women  will meet on Saturday,March 24th at 10AM. New members welcome. Margaret Washington, President. 

Tuesday Meal  The meal is served at 12:30 PM and volunteers are always needed.   You may contact Marilyn Prince at marilynprince1949@yahoo.com or contact the church office.

Desmond Project Looking for a way to make a difference in our community. The Desmond Project provides a healthy, nutritious meal to the men, women and children at the New Orleans Mission every Saturday evening. Contact Jackie Vinson at blaqjacque@gmail.com.

SOCIAL JUSTICE
Sanctuary Opportunities
The Sanctuary Hospitality Committee at FGUMC have been asked to support the following:

Family Transportation-A need for a few people who have reliable vehicles that can fit 3 or more people to rotate driving Jose’s family, especially to church on Sunday afternoons.  Please sign up here for more information:  https://goo.gl/forms/KWyO3919xvIpLouq2.  Or, mail or deliver an Uber or Lyft gift card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.  

Weekly Groceries– Sign up at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4 to deliver a week’s worth of groceries for Jose (& his family).  Feel free to partner up with a few friends as each sign up is for a whole week of food. FGSanctuaryCommittee@gmail.com. will email you his grocery list a few days before you’re scheduled.
 
Monthly Phone Bill– Donate at the donation link at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4.  Or, mail or deliver a pre-paid visa card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.

CSN – Lent Week Four–Speaking Truth in Love

 

First Grace – where the city worships

 

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline

Week 4

Some background…
Each week of Lent, First Grace will be given one of the “Ministries of Life Together” that Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote for his flock. We are invited to read, reflect and practicethe ministry for the week in all aspects of daily life. Perhaps you will add to the ministries that Bonhoeffer wrote of. He spoke of the Ministry of Listening, The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue, The Ministry of Meekness, The Ministry of Helpfulness, The Ministry of Bearing the Burden of Each Other, and the Ministry of Proclamation-Speaking the Truth in Love.
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism-Nazism and Adolf Hitler. His ties to the July 20, 1944 conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his arrest. In April 1945, weeks before the war ended, Bonhoeffer was hanged.
His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world. One of those writings is Life Together-a Discussion on Christian Fellowship. Bonhoeffer had opened an underground seminary where he served as dean. He wrote Life Together for the seminarians who were having a difficult time-living together and being the church for each other.
Bonhoeffer was engaged in a most serious, dangerous and joyful life-giving endeavor-living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For him and for us the gospel is one of both social transformation AND personal transformation. These two transformations do not happen in unison. Bonhoeffer confronted the ills in society and the ills in himself. His faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ enabled him to do both. Like the first disciples of Jesus, he was silenced, imprisoned and executed. Yet Bonhoeffer was known roundly as the kindest and most generous of souls. He even provided pastoral counseling for his Nazi prison guards.   He is truly among the cloud of witnesses.
(Our thanks to Rev. John Winn who introduced me to this book when I entered pastoral ministry. Rev. Winn’s paraphrasing with a few edits is employed for this Lenten study.)

 

 

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline
Week4

THE MINISTRY OF PROCLAMATION

  Speaking the truth in love

from

LIFE TOGETHER  by Dietrich Bonhoeffer

 

WHAT WE ARE CONCERNED with here is the free communication of the Word from person to person, not by the ordained ministry which is bound to a particular office, time, and place. We are thinking of that unique situation in which one person bears witness through their words with another person… of a difficult truth that is harming themselves or others.
The speaking of that Word is beset with infinite perils. If it is not accompanied by worthy listening, how can it really be the right word for the other person? If it is contradicted by one’s own lack of helpfulness, how can it be a convincing and sincere word? If it issues, not from a spirit of bearing and forbearing, but from impatience and the desire to force its acceptance, how can it be the liberating and healing word? [One can only speak truth in love if they have first shown love to the other by their previous words and actions and demonstrate a continued commitment to the other.]
 WHERE CHRISTIANS LIVE TOGETHER the time must inevitably come when in some crisis one person will have to [address a difficult truth with another person]…. no matter how old or highly placed or distinguished, they are still a person like us, in need of God’s grace. That person has the same great necessities that we have, and needs help, encouragement, and forgiveness as we do.
…In speaking the truth in love, God can re-bind elements together, re-create community and grant grace.  [First show your love to another by being of helpful service, second by bearing the burden of another in love and third, by speaking the truth in love. Speak simply, directly and humbly, and trust the Holy Spirit with the rest.]

Bonhoeffer’s “Four Services” have been modified to be gender inclusive byJohn Winn

Canal Street News

 

First Grace – where the city worships

 

This Sunday at First Grace
 
Sunday School meets at 10:00AM (all ages)  

 

Worship

9:00 AM Spanish Language Worship

11:10 AM English Language Worship

  

Scripture: Luke 13:20-21

 _______________________

Pastors Lenten Bake Sale – All baker’s are invited to please bring baked good’s this Sunday to sell.  All sales to benefit Hagar’s House.

 

Confirmation 2018  There is a parent meeting scheduled for Sunday March 11, 2018 during the Sunday School hour from 10:00am -1100am in the fellowship hall. This meeting is for all parents who would like for their child(ren) to participate in this year’s Confirmation. All youth 6th grade and up who have not been confirmed are eligible to participate. Young people who have already been confirmed at First Grace will be able to be in attendance for the classes as well. Confirmation classes will happen during the Sunday school hour starting on Sunday March 18, 2018. The classes will go on for 8 weeks. A day of service, group service project and the confirmation day with the Bishop will also be included in the activities for this year’s Confirmation youth group. Bishop’s Confirmation Day is Saturday March 24, 2018.  Please let me know if you plan for your child to participate in Confirmation this year. Please contact Marice Bailey atfirstgraceumcyouth@gmail.comfor more info.

Tuesday Meal Calling all fishermen/women. We are in need of cleaned,
filleted white fish for a special meal on March 13th. If you can help please
contact Marilyn Prince at marilynprince1949@yahoo.com or by calling
504.621.8051.

Lydia Kimbrough
one of our youth is leading a food drive for our Loaves and Fishes Food Pantry and Tuesday Meal. Lydia and her friend McKenzie Gullage have named it HOPE. Donations will be accepted through March 11, so bring your non-perishable food donations in quickly!   Email spreadsomehope17@gmail.com for more information.
Join First Grace’s new Fitness and Philanthropy group! Join the team to walk, jog, or run the Crescent City Classic on March 31 on behalf of a local nonprofit. Join us on Saturdays, 8:30 at City Park at the water fountain across from New Orleans Museum of Art. All experience levels welcome! Email Nora Ellertsen at noraellertsen@hotmail.com or Katie Poynter at kpoynter@gmail.com for questions.

 

LEARNING
Seekers Class where questions are encouraged, listening is required and hearts are accepted.   Come and join co-leaders Dan Thelen and Kahlida Lloyd in what will be a time of exploring how God can meet us right where we are and help us grow through seeking and discussion. Classes are at 10:00AM each Sunday in the Parlor. NO CLASS ON MARCH 4TH.

 

THE GATHERING – FIRST GRACE ADULT SUNDAY SCHOOL CLASS

Contact Adria Kimbrough at adriakimbrough@gmail.com.  Join us in the upstairs conference room! 

March 4 The Lord Will Provide
Purpose: To trust that, ultimately, God will provide. (Scripture: Genesis 22)
March 11 There is No God Like You
Purpose: To build on the promises God made to those who have come before us. (Scripture: 2 Chronicles 6:1-21)
March 18 The People Gave Thanks to God
Purpose: To express our thankfulness to God with heartfelt, awe-inspired worship. (Scripture: 2 Chronicles 7:1-11)
March 25 Shomade Sunday
Couples Ministry – meets each month on the first Monday and is using “7 Inhibitors of Intimacy” along with “Marriage Today” by Jimmy Evans.
For additional information please contact Jennifer Moss, 504-616-7431.

Next meeting, Monday March 5 at 7:00 PM.

First Grace Parents Prayer Line Every Tuesday at 8:30 PM. Call 641.715.3580, Access Code 838575#.

Men’s Morning Call, Tuesday, 7:15-8:15AM at Morning Call Café in City Park, “Illusions” by Richard Bach -All are welcome.
Disciple II continues each Thursday at 1:00 PM in the Parlor. Led by Toni Antrum.

Monday Meditation 6 PM -6:45 PM, each week in the Chapel. Monday Meditation is a guided meditation by Dan Thelen (dthelen2520@gmail.com).

Green Tip Recycle those Mardi Gras beads! There are numerous sites where beads can be dropped off. Beads can be dropped off at the city recycling center at 2829 Elysian Fields Ave on Saturday, March 10th from 8am until 1pm. The center is located between I-10 and I-610. See nola.gov for more info and drop-off locations.

SERVING

The United Methodist Women  will meet on Saturday,March 24th at 10AM. New members welcome. Margaret Washington, President. 

Tuesday Meal  The meal is served at 12:30 PM and volunteers are always needed.   You may contact Marilyn Prince at marilynprince1949@yahoo.com or contact the church office.

Desmond Project Looking for a way to make a difference in our community. The Desmond Project provides a healthy, nutritious meal to the men, women and children at the New Orleans Mission every Saturday evening. Contact Jackie Vinson at blaqjacque@gmail.com.

SOCIAL JUSTICE

Sanctuary Opportunities
The Sanctuary Hospitality Committee at FGUMC have been asked to support the following:

Family Transportation-A need for a few people who have reliable vehicles that can fit 3 or more people to rotate driving Jose’s family, especially to church on Sunday afternoons.  Please sign up here for more information:  https://goo.gl/forms/KWyO3919xvIpLouq2.  Or, mail or deliver an Uber or Lyft gift card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.  

Weekly Groceries– Sign up at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4 to deliver a week’s worth of groceries for Jose (& his family).  Feel free to partner up with a few friends as each sign up is for a whole week of food. FGSanctuaryCommittee@gmail.com. will email you his grocery list a few days before you’re scheduled.
 
Monthly Phone Bill– Donate at the donation link at https://mealtrain.com/0nv3k4.  Or, mail or deliver a pre-paid visa card to Attn: Sanctuary Committee, First Grace UMC, 3401 Canal St, New Orleans, LA 70119.

CSN – Lent Week Three–Bearing the Burden of Each Other

 

First Grace – where the city worships

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline

Week 3

Some background…
Each week of Lent, First Grace will be given one of the “Ministries of Life Together” that Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote for his flock. We are invited to read, reflect and practicethe ministry for the week in all aspects of daily life. Perhaps you will add to the ministries that Bonhoeffer wrote of. He spoke of the Ministry of Listening, The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue, The Ministry of Meekness, The Ministry of Helpfulness, The Ministry of Bearing the Burden of Each Other, and the Ministry of Proclamation-Speaking the Truth in Love.
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism-Nazism and Adolf Hitler. His ties to the July 20, 1944 conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his arrest. In April 1945, weeks before the war ended, Bonhoeffer was hanged.
His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world. One of those writings is Life Together-a Discussion on Christian Fellowship. Bonhoeffer had opened an underground seminary where he served as dean. He wrote Life Together for the seminarians who were having a difficult time-living together and being the church for each other.
Bonhoeffer was engaged in a most serious, dangerous and joyful life-giving endeavor-living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For him and for us the gospel is one of both social transformation AND personal transformation. These two transformations do not happen in unison. Bonhoeffer confronted the ills in society and the ills in himself. His faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ enabled him to do both. Like the first disciples of Jesus, he was silenced, imprisoned and executed. Yet Bonhoeffer was known roundly as the kindest and most generous of souls. He even provided pastoral counseling for his Nazi prison guards.   He is truly among the cloud of witnesses.
(Our thanks to Rev. John Winn who introduced me to this book when I entered pastoral ministry. Rev. Winn’s paraphrasing with a few edits is employed for this Lenten study.)

 

 

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline
Week 3
 

THE MINISTRY OF BEARING

Paraphrased from
LIFE TOGETHER  by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
WE SPEAK, THIRD, of the service that consists in bearing others. “Bear one another’s burdens, and in this way you will fulfill the law of Christ” (Gal. 6:2). Thus, the law of Christ is a law of bearing. Bearing means forbearing and sustaining…IT IS ONLY WHEN A PERSON IS A BURDEN that the person is really a brother or a sister and not merely an object to be manipulated…
IT IS, FIRST of all, the FREEDOM of the other person, of which we spoke earlier, that is the burden to the Christian. Another person’s freedom collides with my own autonomy, yet I must recognize it. I could get rid of this burden by refusing his or her freedom, by constraining that other person and thus doing violence to their personality, by stamping my own image upon that person. But if we recognize that God is creating God’s own image in that person, we by this token give the other person his or her freedom and that person bears the burden of this freedom. The freedom of the other person includes all that we mean by a person’s nature, individuality, endowment. It also includes their weaknesses and oddities, which are such a trial to our patience, everything that produces frictions, conflicts, and collisions among us. To bear the burden of the other person means involvement with the created reality of the other, to accept and affirm it, and, in bearing with it, to break through to the point where we take joy in it.
It is doubtless this bearing of another person, respecting that person’s freedom, that the Scripture means when it speaks of “Bear with one another” (Colossians 3:13). “…lead a life worthy of the calling to which you have been called, with all humility and gentleness, with patience, bearing with one another in love” (Ephesians 4:1-2)
THEN, BESIDES THE, other’s freedom, there is the abuse of that freedom that becomes a burden for the Christian. The sin of the other person is harder to bear than that person’s freedom; for in sin, connectedness with God and with the sister or brother is broken. Here the Christian suffers the rupture of his or her connection with the other person that had its basis in Jesus Christ. But here, too, it is only in bearing with our brothers and sisters that the great GRACE of God becomes wholly plain. To cherish no contempt for the sinner but rather to prize the privilege of bearing the person means not to have to give him or her up as lost, to be able to accept that person, to preserve community with them through forgiveness. “My friends, if anyone is detected in a transgression you who have received the Spirit should restore such a one in a spirit of gentleness. Take care that you yourselves are not tempted” (Galatians 6:1). As Christ bore and received us as sinners so we in his community may bear and receive sinners into the community of Jesus Christ through the forgiving of sins.
THE SERVICE OF FORGIVENESS is rendered by one to the others daily. It occurs, without words, in the intercessions for one another. And every member of the community, who does not grow weary in this ministry, can depend upon it that this service is also being rendered to them by their brothers and sisters. When we bear others we know that we, ourselves, are being borne, and only in this strength can we go on bearing.
Bonhoeffer’s “Four Services” have been modified
to be gender inclusive byJohn Winn

 

CSN – Lent 2018 at First Grace – Week 2

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline

Week 2

 

Some background…
Each week of Lent, First Grace will be given one of the “Ministries of Life Together” that Rev. Dietrich Bonhoeffer wrote for his flock. We are invited to read, reflect and practicethe ministry for the week in all aspects of daily life. Perhaps you will add to the ministries that Bonhoeffer wrote of. He spoke of the Ministry of Listening, The Ministry of Holding One’s Tongue, The Ministry of Meekness, The Ministry of Helpfulness, The Ministry of Bearing the Burden of Each Other, and the Ministry of Proclamation-Speaking the Truth in Love.
DIETRICH BONHOEFFER was a German pastor and theologian known for his opposition to National Socialism-Nazism and Adolf Hitler. His ties to the July 20, 1944 conspiracy to assassinate Adolf Hitler and to overthrow the Nazi regime led to his arrest. In April 1945, weeks before the war ended, Bonhoeffer was hanged.
His theological writings are regarded as classics throughout the Christian world. One of those writings is Life Together-a Discussion on Christian Fellowship. Bonhoeffer had opened an underground seminary where he served as dean. He wrote Life Together for the seminarians who were having a difficult time-living together and being the church for each other.
Bonhoeffer was engaged in a most serious, dangerous and joyful life-giving endeavor-living the Gospel of Jesus Christ. For him and for us the gospel is one of both social transformation AND personal transformation. These two transformations do not happen in unison. Bonhoeffer confronted the ills in society and the ills in himself. His faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ enabled him to do both. Like the first disciples of Jesus, he was silenced, imprisoned and executed. Yet Bonhoeffer was known roundly as the kindest and most generous of souls. He even provided pastoral counseling for his Nazi prison guards.   He is truly among the cloud of witnesses.
(Our thanks to Rev. John Winn who introduced me to this book when I entered pastoral ministry. Rev. Winn’s paraphrasing with a few edits is employed for this Lenten study.)

 

First Grace’s 2018 Lenten Discipline
Week 2
page 2

THE MINISTRY OF ACTIVE   HELPFULNESS

Paraphrased from
LIFE TOGETHER  by Dietrich Bonhoeffer
THE SECOND SERVICE that one should perform for another in a Christian Community is that of active helpfulness.
This means, initially, simple assistance in trifling, external matters. There is a multitude of these things wherever people live together. Nobody is too good for the meanest service.
WE MUST BE READY to allow ourselves to be interrupted by God. God will be constantly crossing our paths and canceling our plans by sending us people with claims and petitions. We may pass them by, preoccupied with our more important tasks, as in the Good Samaritan story when the priest passed by the man who had fallen among thieves, perhaps—reading the Bible.
IT IS A STRANGE fact that Christians and even ministers frequently consider their work so important and urgent that they will allow nothing to disturb them. They think they are doing God a service in this, but actually they are disdaining God’s “crooked yet narrow path.” They do not want a life that is crossed and balked. But it is part of the discipline of humility that we must not spare our hand where it can perform a service and that we do not assume that our schedule is our own to manage, but allow it to be arranged by God. Only where hands are not too good for deeds of love and mercy in everyday helpfulness can the mouth joyfully and convincingly proclaim the message of God’s love and mercy.
———————————————————————
In his 20s Jean Vanier left the navy as a captain, in his 30s left the university as a professor of philosophy and has lived with the mentally and physically disabled for more than 50 years. He is the founder of L’Arche Communities.
SOME COMMUNITIES START BY SERVING THE POOR. When they begin, their members are full of generosity-though sometimes a bit aggressive toward the rich-and have rather utopian ideals. Gradually, they discover the need for prayer and an inner life, they realize that their generosity is being burned up and that they are in danger of becoming a collection of hyperactives who put all their energy into external things… If this group does not grow into discovering the deepening of prayer and the bonds of love flowing into celebration, they risk becoming a militant group struggling for justice.
OTHER COMMUNITIES START WITH PRAYER-like many of the communities of (the praise and worship} and charismatic movement. But gradually they discover the need to serve the poor and to develop a real commitment to them…… If this group does not discover the waters of compassion flowing from the pain of the poor and others, they risk becoming legalistic and sterile.
…Opening to God in adoration and opening to the poor in welcome and service are the two poles of a community’s growth, and signs of its health. And the community itself must grow towards a stronger sense of its own identity…a body in which every member can exercise their gift and be recognize for it.
A growing community must integrate three elements: a life of silent prayer, a life of service and above all a life of listening to the poor, and a community life through which all its members can grow in their own gift.   Jean Vanier,
Bonhoeffer’s “Four Services” have been modified
to be gender inclusive byJohn Winn