News and Upcoming Events - You are welcome here!
Welcome
Welcome! Whether you are visiting the Silicon Valley, or are looking for a new church home, we welcome you to First Church!
We offer a variety of worship celebrations, small groups and classes to nourish your soul, as well as numerous ways to serve both the local community and the world.
Programs and opportunities for fellowship for kids, teens, tweens, young adults, adults and seniors abound.
Please join us for Sunday worship. Pastor Michael will preach at both services. The readings are Proverbs 8:1-4, 22-31 and John 16:12-15.
Our 10:45 am classic worship service is celebrated in the Sanctuary.
Can't make it to Church? Watch the live worship webcast. Join us online Sunday morning at 10:45 am.
Questions? - If you would like to learn more about First Church please contact one of our Co-Pastors.
Pastor Michael Love 650-323-6167 x101 Pastor Sadie Stone 650-323-6167 x102
Do you have input? SPRC is “all ears”
In this time of change and transition, our Staff-Parish Relations Committee (SPRC) welcomes any input you might have.
There are two ways you can do this. First, you can speak directly to any of us or send e-mail to any member of the committee (names and contact info are listed below).
Alternatively, you are welcome to attend the opening portion of any SPRC meeting to provide the input to all of us. Our next meetings are on June 8, 2013 and July 13, 2013; each at 9am in the Millennium Room.
You can email all of the SPRC members as a group, by clicking here.
The members of SPRC and e-mail contact information are:
Thomas Garner thomas536@gmail.comLinda Grossman planaap@aol.com
David Carman jugglinpilot@gmail.com
Doris Lippitt dorislippitt@yahoo.com
Emily King emilylindblom@yahoo.com
Lucy Tompkin lucytompkin@sbcglobal.net
Elinor Ovenshine atoven@aol.com
Marsi O’Malley-Riley omalley-riley@comcast.net
Marcia Sterling mks@sonic.net
Barb Brandt brandt510@sbcglobal.net
Lou Bellardo lou@bellardo.com
Pastor Sadie reappointed to First Church. Pastor Michael appointed to Trinity UMC and First Church
Pastor Michael shared the following with us during worship on May 5, 2013.
__________
I am writing to share the news that our Bishop, Rev. Warner H. Brown, Jr., and the cabinet of the California/Nevada Annual Conference will appoint me to 70% time at First UMC Palo Alto and 30% time at Trinity (Mountain View) UMC, effective July 1, 2013. Let me say right away that a great deal of prayer and consideration went into this decision. I want to encourage you that this is a decision born out of faithful and creative thinking and at its heart seeks the very best interests of the ministry of Jesus Christ in this place. It is also an open door to our future ministry and I can imagine God inviting us to some combined blessings shared between us at both First Church and Trinity United Methodist Church.
Rev. Kristie Olah, our District Superintendent, and I have met with the Staff Parish Relations Committee where this plan received unanimous support. Together we will be living into the changes it will bring and our SPRC will help explore the new vision of pastoral staffing and other staff needs.
We Need Your Soccer Cleats
Please bring your used soccer cleats of any size to church between now and June 2nd.
Sarah Jo Perry, a missioner on the July mission trip to Tonga and Fiji, is collecting soccer cleats to distribute to the children in the two schools we will serve on the trip.
A colorful donation box is available in the Narthex."
Support the Relay for Life
On June 15-16, 2013, young adults from our OpenCircle alliance are participating in Relay For Life, Los Altos.
One of the CORE values of OpenCircle is making an IMPACT on the society and the community we live in, and Relay is one of the IMPACT projects of OpenCircle. Relay For Life is a fundraiser for American Cancer Society, where the teams raise funds and participate in a 24 hour relay walk. The event is held at different times of the year in different communities and in over 20 countries around the world.
OpenCircle has been doing the Relay for the last two years. Last year, they demonstrated a great spirit of participation on the track and won the accolade of being the most enthusiastic team, resulting in a prime campsite spot this year. So far, this year we have more than nine team members and have raised over $500.
We have an ambitious target of raising $5000 in front of us, and we need your support for that.
You can donate in support of OpenCircle team at our tables on the patio after the Sunday Worship Service, or you can donate online by clicking: here.
Another way you can support the cause is by walking the Survivors’ Lap. If you have fought cancer in your life, then we want to celebrate with you. You can sign up to walk the Survivor’s Lap. Or, if you want to remember a loved one you lost to cancer, then you can dedicate a luminaria to remember them.
Please contact Ashish Farmer: ashishfarmer@gmail.com if you have any questions on donations, or you would like to sign up for Survivors’ lap or want to dedicate a luminaria.
We look forward to a great support from First Church.
Monthly All-Church Potluck
The All-church, Old-fashioned Methodist Potluck Supper started by the Koinonia Fellowship Group with an enthusiastic response is continuing.
It is now regularly scheduled on the church calendar for the 3rd Saturday of each month at 5:30pm in Fellowship Hall.
We made it early so you can bring your children (and don't forget your friends).
Please bring your appetites and a casserole or salad or dessert to serve 12 people. Beverages, bread, and utensils will be provided.
Let Janet Nicholls (650) 321-9039 know you are coming! If you need a ride, let Janet know and we’ll arrange for someone to pick you up and take you home.
June Issue of Insights is Online!
The June issue of our Insights newsletter is now online.
Click here to read this month's news-filled issue!
New Class - Saving Jesus Redux
Starting Sunday, April 21, 2013, Pastor Michael will be starting a new 12-week class, Saving Jesus Redux.
Ever feel like Jesus has been kidnapped by the Christian Right and discarded by the Secular Left? Saving Jesus Redux is the Living the Question's popular 12-session DVD-based small group exploration of a credible Jesus for the third millennium.
New contributors in this updated discussion-based study include Brian McLaren, Diana Butler Bass, and Robin Meyers, all who join Marcus Borg, Walter Brueggemann, John Dominic Crossan, Matthew Fox, Amy-Jill Levine, and a host of others for a conversation around the relevance of Jesus for today.
Pastor Michael hopes you'll consider joining in. We'll gather Sunday evenings at 6:00 pm. This study is open to the whole church, so if you know someone who might also be interested, please bring them along.
July 2013 Mission Trip to Tonga Update
First Church and First Tongan UMC are planning a mission trip to Tonga in 2013.
The Tongan UMVIM (United Methodist Volunteers in Mission) trip is now receiving applications for missioners to travel on this cultural-immersion and service mission in Tonga. The approximate date is July 2013.
At this time the program calls for us to refurbish some school property, teach English, and learn about Tongan culture through immersion in the community life of 2 villages whose residents are related to our brothers and sisters in the First Tongan UMC. The mission team will include Pastors Michael and Sione and members from both churches.
Please contact Pastor Michael Love 650-323-6167 x101 or Pastor Sione for a UMVIM application. We are also planning another mission preview event soon as well.
New Music Blog - Words on Music
Our organist, Sarah Wannamaker, has started a new blog featuring thoughts and notes on the music at First Church.
Read "Words on Music" here.
Music speaks for itself. Yet, there are still occasions when an explanation, quote, or context can paint an even more colorful picture than simply listening. Of all the arts – dance, painting, poetry, sculpture – music is consistently integrated into the Christian experience of worshiping God.
We reference equally rich traditions of worship and religious music, allowing for a vibrant interplay of meaning and music in the setting of the service. Often, there are subtle but meaningful reasons why music is chosen, and the blog, Words on Music, is to bridge the difference between intent and experience.
Children's Sunday School Update
To the Sunday School students, their parents and our terrific Sunday School teachers,
We are getting in touch to say thank you to all. Pastor Sadie and I are very excited by the helpful responses we've received during our transition time in Children and Youth Ministries.
We want to share the plan going forward.
We will respond to current student census and availability of teachers and volunteer helpers by structuring the Sunday School classes as follows:
• Pre-K to Kinders Teacher Pamela and helper Roxanne
• First to Third Grade Teachers Alicia and Jill
• Fourth and Fifth Grade Teacher Mike and helper Todd
• Middle and High School Teacher Dolly and helper Todd
Looks like Todd is going to be a little busy so we are also looking for additional helpers. Maybe you know of someone who we should be talking to and will suggest them to us.
These classes will meet at the regular start time 9:45am.
High Schoolers - Sign Up for Sierra Service Project
Sierra Service Project (SSP) is all about building; building homes, building communities, building bridges between people and cultures, and building a relationship with God. Rise up and build with us.
First Church has a long history of supporting this Ministry. The 2013 Sierra Service Project dates are August 4 - 11, 2013. We will go to Los Angeles.
For more information contact the Church Office 650-323-6167, Pastor Michael 650-323-6167 x101 or Pastor Sadie 650-323-6167 x102.
3RD S3SSION - Young Adult Worship Is Under Way!
Join us on the third Thursday of every month at 9:00 pm in the Wesley Room for an intimate, meditative worship time together.
For more information about "Third Sesh", contact Pastor Sadie Stone 650-323-6167 x102.
Oikos Palo Alto Adult Small Group
OpenCircle small groups — called Oikos groups or O-groups (“oikos” means family or household in Greek) — are aimed at fostering accountability, deeper and more intimate relationships, spiritual growth and prayer.
We're starting a study using a book called Addicted to Hurry by Kirk Byron Jones. See Pastor Sadie for a copy of the book. The cost is $14.
These groups are made up of 6 to 12 individuals and meet on a bi-weekly basis, Wednesdays evenings at 7:00 pm in the Wesley Room.
For more information contact Pastor Sadie Stone 650-323-6167 x102.
Sign the Equality for All in Christian Marriage Petition
Pastor Michael invited us to sign this petition for Equality for All in Christian Marriage during his July 3rd sermon.
You may sign the online petition below, or print out a copy of the petition here.
Online Prayer Requests
Do not be anxious about anything, but in every situation, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your requests to God. And the peace of God, which transcends all understanding, will guard your hearts and your minds in Christ Jesus. Philippians 4:6-7
If you have a prayer request, you can now submit it online to our pastors. All prayer requests are held in confidence.
To submit a prayer request, click here.
Donate Online to First Church
We now offer the ability to make an online donation today to the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto securely through PayPal.
Your gift is vital to our mission: The Children in our Midst, the Mission at Our Doorstep, a Place of Hospitality and Grace.
Donations help us provide the many programs and ministries of the church including: Children and Youth Ministries, Faith Development and Education Programs, Community Outreach Mission and Service Projects, and Worship. Please note a PayPal account is not required.
To make a donation, just click on the Donate button below.
If you have any questions, please send an email to giving@firstpaloalto.com.
Send comments about the site to:
webmaster @firstpaloalto.com
For all other church matters:
info@firstpaloalto.com
Scan for directions to First Church
Can't make it to Church?
Watch online at 10:45 am
Sunday School: 9:45am
Young Adult Worship:
3rd Thursday of the month at 9:00 pm
The First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto, California - A Welcoming Church spreading the Good News of Jesus Christ to the people of San Mateo and Santa Clara counties since 1894. We're conveniently located in downtown Palo Alto near the Stanford University campus. Whether you're in the Silicon Valley or on the Peninsula, we want to be your Church home.
We invite you and your family to worship with us any Sunday morning or the third Thursday of the month.
Our members come from all over the San Francisco bay area including Atherton, Belmont, Burlingame, Campbell, Castro Valley, Cupertino, East Palo Alto, Foster City, Fremont, Gilroy, Half Moon Bay, Los Altos, Los Gatos, Menlo Park, Millbrae, Milpitas, Morgan Hill, Mountain View, Newark, Pacifica, Palo Alto, Portola Valley, Redwood City, San Carlos, San Francisco, San Mateo, San Jose, Santa Clara, Saratoga, Stanford, Sunnyvale and Walnut Creek.
Check out our Visitors Information section for more information about the First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
©2000- First United Methodist Church of Palo Alto
Powered by Movable Type
Monitored by SiteUptime