Next Sunday

Next Sunday we welcome our new pastors. Join us for our traditional worship service at 10:30 am. The Rev. Michael Love's sermon will be Other Campfires. After worship we will hold a reception for our new pastors and their families.

Our 8:30 am Communion service will NOT be held next Sunday. It will return on July 12th.

The reading for Sunday, July 5, 2009 is Mark 6:1-13.

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Welcome Michael and Laurie

We welcome our new Pastors and their families to First Church

Welcome
Michael Love and Laurie McHugh

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Thursday - Picnics in the Park

On Thursday, July 2, 9, 16 and 23 we'll be having a picnic. Plus, come meet our new pastors and their families.

Join us from 5:00pm to 7:30pm at the Pine Grove area of Mitchell Park in Palo Alto.

Dinner served at 6 pm.

Great food, fun and fellowship. Bring a friend.

The Menu
July 9 - Tri Tip
July 16 - Chicken
July 23 - Fajitas

RSVP in the attendance pads on Sunday mornings or call the church office at 650-323-6167.

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July Issue of Insights is Online!

The July issue of our Insights newsletter is now online.

Click here to read this month's news-filled issue!

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Next Game July 13 - Come cheer on the Swing and a Prayer!

Come cheer on our Softball Team, A Swing and a Prayer, as they return to the diamond for a second season!

All of the games are held at Greer Park in Palo Alto.

Upcoming Games - (All games are at 6:30pm)

Monday July 13th - vs Parking Lot - Greer Park Field 1

Monday July 20th - vs SPB - Greer Park Field 2

Results

June 29th at Janitorial Honey Bees - Lost 9-8

June 22nd at Manatt Attack - Won 13-5

June 15th vs SPB - Lost 20-2

June 8th vs Parking Lot - Lost 19-9

May 18th at Janitorial Honey Bees - Won 16-11

May 11th at Manatt Attack - Won 14-10

April 6th vs Manatt Attack - Won 16-6

April 13th - vs Janitorial Honeybees - Won 6-4

April 27th at Parking Lot - Lost 11-9

May 4th - at SPB - Lost 17-5

Click here to see photos from the 2008 season of A Swing and a Prayer

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Sunday - Couples Group Is Under Way

The couples group reconvenes Sunday, June 21, 2009 in the Wesley Room right after worship.

We will be using The Five Love Languages: How to Express Heartfelt Commitment to Your Mate by Gary Chapman as the theme for our next group of meetings. All couples are welcome to attend. Please call Lou or Patty Bellardo for more details.

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Leaders Needed for Circle of Friends

We need leaders to staff Circle of Friends during the summer. Circle of Friends – for children ages 3 through 7 - is the Sunday school program during 10:30am worship.

Circle of Friends needs two adult leaders each Sunday to read stories, do crafts, sing, and/or play games with children. Sign up for a Sunday (or two) in June, July or August by contacting Angela in the church office.

Please let her know when you can support this important ministry. Here are the dates:

June 14
June 21
June 28

July 5
July 12
July 19
July 26

August 2
August 9
August 16
August 23
August 30

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Summer Choir Is Here

Our choirs take a well-deserved break during the summer months, so we invite you to join our Summer Choir.

During the Summer months come to the Sanctuary at 9:30am for rehearsal. We'll rehearse an easily accessible anthem which we'll then present during the worship service.

Join us for one Sunday or every Sunday!

Everyone is welcome!

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Summer Hymn Sing - Send in your favorites!

For the past few years, we have enjoyed a hymn sing during the summer church services. As in previous years, we are asking you to submit your favorite hymns.

Email Angela (angela@firstpaloalto.com) the name (and number if you know it) of the hymn you are requesting and also tell us why it is important to you.

You can also request a hymn by writing it on the attendance pad during worship.

Each week during the Summer we'll sing three requested hymns.

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UMW Green

The Women's Division of the United Methodist Women has made Green our favorite color.

Aaahhh - summer time - one of God's gifts to us. Time to enjoy our gardens and outdoor nature. Time to fight mosquitoes.

Mosquitoes are delicious food for fish and other aquatic creatures, but a great annoyance to people. Mosquitoes can also carry a variety of diseases, so controlling them should be a top priority. But we should not automatically reach for a pesticide spray that can cause harm to beneficial insects and add a pollutant to our air.

The most effective way to control mosquitoes is to find and eliminate their breeding sites:

• Eliminate standing water in containers, including water in cans, plastic containers, potted plant saucers, buckets, wheelbarrows, etc.
• Change water in birdbaths and pet water dishes at least once a week, preferably every 2 to 3 days.
• Fix leaky outdoor faucets and sprinklers, and don't over water your yard.
• Recycle tires or store them so they do not collect water.
• Keep roof gutters clean so water drains completely.
• Don't dump yard waste into the street gutters, storm drains, or creeks.
• Drain plastic wading pools or fountains when not in use, or cover tightly.
• Keep swimming pools and hot tubs chlorinated and filtering properly.
• Use mosquitofish (Gambusia affinis) in backyard ponds or water gardens, or watering troughs.

Protect yourself:

• Install screens on windows and doors and keep them in good repair.
• Keep outside lighting to a minimum near entry doors to prevent attracting certain species of mosquitoes attracted to light..
• Wear long sleeves and long pants when mosquitoes are biting.
• Use insect repellents that are DEET-based. But don't use a stronger or longer-lasting product than you need. Wash treated skin with soap and water after coming indoors.

For more information go to Mosquito & Vector Control Association of California.

Contact Nancy Olson for more information.

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Follow Us On Twitter

Do you Twitter?

Now you can getting the latest Church updates through Twitter.

Just follow FirstPaloAlto on Twitter.

• Instantly find out when we post new photos and sermons to the web site
• Get reminders about church events
• Be the first to know about new opportunities for fellowship and service
• And more!

Not on Twitter yet? You can sign up for free at www.twitter.com/firstpaloalto

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Save the Date - All Church Family Retreat

Save the date!

Our all-church intergenerational retreat has been rescheduled.

The new date of the retreat is Labor Day weekend, September 4th, 5th and 6th at beautiful Monte Toyon in the redwoods.

Check back for more details.

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Food Drive

Help feed and clothe the needy in our community.

The Outreach Committee is collecting canned food for the Food Closet. Every Monday morning we deliver the collected food to the InnVision Food Closet.

Please bring items to the collection bin in the Narthex .

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