News and Upcoming Events - You are welcome here!
Next Sunday
Join us for Sunday worship.
Our worship service is at 10:45 am in the Sanctuary.
Upstream is at 8:45 am in the Fellowship Hall.
Pastor Michael will preach at both services.
The Scripture for Sunday is Mark 1:40-45.
Can't make it to Church? Watch the live worship webcast. Join us online Sunday morning at 10:45 am
You are welcome here. Listen to a greeting from our senior pastor, the Rev. Michael Love.
January 29, 2011 - The Gift of Boldness - The Rev. Michael Love (audio)
Listen to Pastors Michael's January 29, 2012 sermon.
The reading was Luke 10:1-9.
This was the fourth and last sermon in the "Twas the Day After Christmas" series.
January 22, 2012 - The Gift of Commitment - The Rev. Laurie McHugh (Audio)
Listen to Pastor Laurie's January 22, 2012 sermon.
This was the third sermon in the "Twas the Day After Christmas" series.
The reading was Mark 1:14-20.
Scholarships Available for UM Undergrad Students
Need some help paying for college?
The United Methodist Scholarship Program is a churchwide educational service providing scholarships to help supplement the financial needs of today’s students.
Funding for these scholarships is provided through Special Sundays Offerings, wills, annuities and other designated gifts. Students need to complete only one application each year. Applications are reviewed by members of the United Methodist General Board of Higher Education and Ministry (GBHEM) and other affiliated representatives.
Scholarship applications are accepted January 4 - March 1 each year.
Apply online here.
The following are the standard criteria for EVERY program offered through GBHEM.
• Applicants must be an ACTIVE, full member of The United Methodist Church for at least ONE year. Membership is determined by the date the applicant was confirmed and took membership vows with a United Methodist church. (Members of other Methodist denominations are not eligible.)
• Applicants must be pursuing a degree program at an accredited college or university WITHIN the United States
• High school students may apply IF they will be college students in the fall term.
• Applicants must have a minimum GPA of 2.5 or higher on a 4.0 scale.
• Applicants are required to be full-time students according to their school’s standards for the program for which they are enrolled.
More scholarship information from the GBHEM is available here.
Deeper Calling - Young Adults Retreat
Save the date! March 16 to 18, 2012 at Mission Springs Conference Center in Scotts Valley. We will be sharing in a joint young adult retreat with a few other churches: St Paul UMC of Fremont, San Jose First UMC, and Los Altos UMC.
It’s going to be an awesome weekend of worship, laughter and just good old fashioned relationship building!
Our theme is “Deeper Calling” which focuses on our need to go deeper in our relationship with God and with others and our need to discern the various ways that God is calling us to service in the church and impact in the world.
Cost is $150 per person for two nights and six meals.
More details to follow.
Contact Pastor Sam at samuelyun@laumc.org for questions or info.
Opportunity to Serve
We're looking for someone who can make a big difference in all of of our ministries at First Church.
We're looking for someone who want to help us meet our vision of Serving the Children in our Midst, the Mission at Our Doorstep, and being a Place of Hospitality and Grace.
We're looking for someone who can help us match the many opportunities we have to serve First Church with people who want to be of service.
We're looking for a Volunteer Coordinator for First Church. We need help in many areas, and a lot of the time people don't even know that we have a need, or that there's an even a fulfilling opportunity that matches their interests and skills.
This position is vital to our ongoing ministry. Are you the person who can fill this important role?
January 15, 2011 - The Gift of Prayer - The Rev. Michael Love (audio)
Listen to Pastors Michael's January 15, 2012 sermon.
The reading was Matthew 6:5-15.
Great Decisions Is Coming
Great Decisions is a series of thought-provoking and lively discussions on Global Issues and US International Relations. The 2012 topics range from Middle East Realignment to Energy Geopolitics.
First Church of Palo Alto is proud to host a Great Decisions Series again in 2012 as we’ve done for about thirty years since our discussion group was founded by Don Loughry.
Interested in Facilitating? Let us know! Please review the topic list to determine what subject(s) are of most interest to you and which one you would like to facilitate.
Should you have questions or want to discuss your interests please feel free to contact Vicki Veenker (650-269-3317) or Felice Swapp (650-283-4343) or email us at gd.paloalto@gmail.com.
Dates:
February 26 - March 25 (5 sessions -- Sunday/Monday)
April 15 - May 6 (4 sessions -- Sunday/Monday)
Time: Sundays from 9-10.30 am, Mondays from 7-9 pm
Where: All sessions will be held at First Church.
2012 Topic Descriptions
Theology by the Cup (Young Adults Edition)
Calling all 18-34ish year olds.
Theology by the Cup (Young Adults Edition) is taking place every Sunday morning at 9:45 am at First Church.
A great place to gather and make friends, share coffee and conversation. We'll meet in the Patio Room and grab some coffee or tea and then find a place that suits the group size for time to reflect and get to know one another.
Why don't you make Theology by the Cup your stop after Upstream or before 10:45 worship?
For more information, please contact Pastor Michael 650-323-6167 x101
No longer a young adult? No problem. You are invited to be a part of the regular edition of Theology by the Cup. Learn more about it here.
February Issue of Insights is Online!
The February issue of our Insights newsletter is now online.
Click here to read this month's news-filled issue!
January 8, 2011 - The Gift of Belonging - The Rev. Michael Love (audio)
Listen to Pastors Michael's January 8, 2012 sermon.
The reading was John 21:1-8.
Servers and Greeters Needed - Breaking Bread Monday Meal
Can you spare just 3 hours a month to serve as a server or greeter at the Breaking Bread Monday Meal?
Every Monday night our church, in cooperation with the Innvision, hosts a meal in our Kohlstedt Hall for the homeless in our community. This meal is part of Innvisoin's Breaking Bread program.
Breaking Bread currently offers a free hot meals every day of the week, six in Palo Alto and one in Menlo Park. The meals are at the same church on the same day each week, and are intentionally spread out among various locations so that people with transportation issues will always have at least some services near their home.
Their staff members deliver food for each meal from various food storage areas. There, a team of volunteers prepares the meal, then serves it and cleans up. Each of the meals has five teams of volunteers that rotate, so that each team cooks and serves once every five weeks.
The Outreach committee of First Palo Alto provides two volunteers to monitor the our building during a time when the building would otherwise be closed, and also a team to help serve meals.
We are asking you to volunteer just 1 Monday a month from 4pm to 7pm.
For more information, please contact the Church Office 650-323-6167
Show rest of 'Servers and Greeters Needed - Breaking Bread Monday Meal'...
Naked Spirituality
We’re be delving into Naked Spirituality, the latest offering by theologian Brian McLaren. We are taking orders for the book now, and will begin monthly small groups and a once-a-month Sunday worship focus, on the twelve spiritual practices outlined in the book.
In the book, McLaren uses the metaphor of seasons — spring, summer, fall and winter — in his description of “seasons” of the spiritual life: simplicity, complexity, perplexity and harmony. For each “season,” McLaren suggests three words that encapsulate three prayer practices. During this series, we will focus on one word/practice each month.
Focusing on one “word” per month also provides us the opportunity to host small groups that may be more workable for busy schedules. We hope you’ll consider joining a once-a-month discussion of the book to help work a variety of simple spiritual practices into your life. With this kind of meeting schedule, we can be more flexible about days, times, locations and forms. If you have an idea about where/when/how might work for you, please give Pastor Laurie a call, grab her after worship, or send an email. Pastor Laurie 650-323-6167 x102
You may order a copy of Naked Spirituality and sign up for a small group in the Welcome Center or by contacting the Church Office 650-323-6167. You can get a preview of the book here on Amazon. You might also enjoy reading this interview with Brian McLaren.
Adult Christian Education Classes
Three Adult Education classes are under way! Join us for a spiritual fellowship that will build up the soul of this church through spirited encounter with God and with one another in safe, caring small group settings.
Spiritual Entrepreneurs : Adult Spiritual Formation Classes
Weekly Sunday morning meetings modeled on the Wesleyan Small Group.
- Encounter God in a facilitated hour of prayer and conversation.
- Deepen friendships with other members.
- Meet and share faith in a safe and caring environment.
- Meets in the Wesley Room
Encoders : Living into the Biblical Text
Weekly Sunday morning facilitated journey through the biblical texts.
- Follows the Revised Common Lectionary readings.
- Great for newcomers to the text and long-time students as well.
- Meets in Kohlstedt Hall
Wesleyan Class
Weekly Wednesday small group meeting in the style of the Wesleyan Class.
Centered in a time of prayer and scripture sharing, this group is our most available venue for the neighborhood Senior Citizens of downtown Palo Alto. We have shared biblical texts for discussion, chatted about concepts of theology, and read seasonal devotionals together, such as "The Journey: Walking the Road to Bethlehem," by Adam Hamilton and "Three Simple Rules," by Ruben Job.
• Meets in the Wesley Room every Wednesday morning at 10:00am
Doug & Ellie Norris Scholarship Challenge Gift
Congratulations to Doug and Eleanor Norris on the establishment of the Douglas and Eleanor Norris Scholarship at Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary, Doug’s alma mater.
To date over $31,515 has been given towards the scholarship fund.
Great news! A Family Camp couple will match dollar for dollar any gift made to the Douglas and Eleanor Scholarship Fund between now and December 31st up to $2,500!
Doug and Ellie are thrilled with the response of those who share their vision of providing significant scholarships so young people can answer their call to pastoral ministry.
If you wish to join this matching challenge with a year-end tax-deductible contribution, the first scholarship awarded next fall can be increased.
Make your check to “Garrett-Evangelical Theological Seminary”,
designate it for the “Douglas and Eleanor Norris Scholarship Fund”
and send it to: Garrett-Evangelical, 2121 Sheridan Road, Evanston, IL. 60201.
If you have questions, or would like information on other ways to give (including online giving, making gifts of stock, or planned gift commitments), email David Heetland at David.Heetland@garrett.edu or call him at 847.866.3970.
Thank you for joining Garrett-Evangelical in honoring Doug and Eleanor through this scholarship which will help prepare persons for ministry for generations to come!
Fiji Mission Trip Photos and Videos
Pastor Michael and Fijian Lay Leader Lepani Verebasaga went to Fiji on a connectional United Methodist Volunteers in Mission (UMVIM) trip to Fiji with Bishop Brown and 24 others from our California-Nevada Conference.
During his trip Pastor Michael took almost 500 photos and lots of videos. Check them out on our new Fiji Mission trip page.
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.
Sacred Grounds
Join us Sunday mornings at Sacred Grounds, a place where you can enjoy a cup of decent coffee, engage in conversation, or read.
It's a place where you can ease into the morning’s activities and get acclimated. Whether you're a newcomer to First Church or a long-time member, you're welcome at Sacred Grounds.
Located in the Patio Room, Sacred Grounds is open Sunday morning from 9:00 am - 12:00 pm.
We are in need of stewards for this new ministry — to maintain the supplies and offer hospitality — probably three people for one-hour shifts each Sunday. If you are interested in helping out, please contact the Church Office 650-323-6167.
Theology by the Cup
Theology by the Cup is a safe place to get together for open conversation about faith. The name comes from Pastor Michael's belief that sometime we should take our theology "by the cup," so we don't become too full of ourselves and unable to hear one another. We are all travelers on a journey that brings us closer to God every day. I hope you will feel welcomed to join in a conversation about that journey.
Join us on Thursdays in Redwood City
Join Pastor Michael Thursdays from 7:00 pm - 8:00 pm at Peet's Coffee and Tea, 2600 Broadway (at Perry) in Redwood City.
There is also a special Young Adults Edition of Theology by the Cup for 18-34(ish) year olds. Learn more about it here.
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.
Live Worship Webcast
• Can't join us in person for worship?
• Traveling?
• Live out of the area?
Now you can join us for worship online every Sunday at 10:45am
Just go to www.firstpaloalto.com/live to view the live video webcast.
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
Can't make it to Church? Watch the live worship webcast. Join us online at 10:45 am
Listen to Pastor Michael's January 29th sermon. Listen to Pastor Laurie's January 22nd sermon.Apply online here
Listen to Pastor Michael's January 15th sermon. 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.
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
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