Watsonville First United Methodist Church

You are invited to in-person worship this World Communion Sunday, October 2 at 10 am. *Masks are optional. The bulletin for this Sunday is available for viewing HERE. You can also worship online by going to our website “watsonville1stumc.org” and click YouTube or Facebook. It will be uploaded on Sunday afternoon for your viewing.

World Communion Sunday ~ Sunday, October 2, 2022, 10 am

The World Communion Special Sunday special offering envelopes will be available at worship. Without your generosity, this ministry could not be achieved! United Methodist local congregations gave $473,970 last year toward ministries funded by the World Communion Special Sunday special offering. Your gifts support racial and ethnic students in achieving their educational goals while also transforming communities. 50% percent of the offering provides scholarships for graduate students from the U.S. and other countries. 35% percent supports ethnic scholarships for undergraduate students. 15% percent funds in-service training programs for racial and ethnic persons.

This Sunday is the In-Person Lego Sunday!
First, children will be in worship. Following the Special Music,
the teacher, Joan Culbertson, will lead our children to the Nursery Room.

Special Music: Forever Young by Bob Dylan Sung by Brandon and Trisha Kett

Written as a lullaby for his eldest son Jesse, born in 1966, Dylan’s song relates a father’s hopes that his child will remain strong and happy. It opens with the lines, “May God bless and keep you always / May your wishes all come true”, echoing the priestly blessing from the Book of Numbers, which has lines that begin: “May the Lord bless you and guard you / May the Lord make His face shed light upon you.”

The Mystical Last Supper Icon (Hung on Social Hall breezeway)
Painted in 1312 from the Monastery of Vatopedi at Mount Athos in Greece

Message: Entering the Word of Icons Part 7 “The Mystical Last Supper” by Rev. John Song

This concludes the “Entering the Word of Icons” sermon series. On this World Communion Sunday we will explore the Institution of Holy Communion by Jesus and learn the meaning of Eucharistic life.

The Holy Communion is one of two Sacraments we practice in the United Methodist Church with the other being the Holy Baptism. We practice open Communion for all ages, including children. We believe Christ has opened his table for all and no one will be turned away from having a sit at the Christ’s table. You are welcome to join us in the breaking of bread and drinking the cup that Christ offers to us for our spiritual nourishment and becoming One with Christ.

“For the bread of God is that which comes down from heaven and gives life to the world.”
They said to him, “Sir, give us this bread always.”
Jesus said to them, “I am the bread of life. Whoever comes to me will never be hungry, 
and whoever believes in me will never be thirsty.”
~ John 3:33-35

“I am the bread of life. Your ancestors ate the manna in the wilderness, yet they died. 
 But here is the bread that comes down from heaven, which anyone may eat and not die.
 I am the living bread that came down from heaven. Whoever eats this bread will live  forever. 
This bread is my flesh, which I will give for the life of the world.”
~ John 6:48-51

This photo was taken in the early turn of the century of Native Hawaiians sharing a meal together.

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:30 pm in the church parking lot. Come out and meet your neighbors and Watsonville Police Officers. You will also get to meet and talk with your local Council Members. There will be free food and drinks and plenty of entertainment for kids and adults including a petting zoo, pony rides and a Mariachi band! You won’t want to miss this!

You are invited to in-person worship this Sunday, September 25 at 10 am. *Masks are optional. The bulletin for this Sunday is available for viewing HERE. You can also worship online by going to our website “watsonville1stumc.org” and click YouTube or Facebook. It will be uploaded on Sunday afternoon for your viewing.

Season of Ordinary Time 
Sunday, September 25, 2022, 10 am

This Sunday is the In-Person Lego Sunday!
First, children will be in worship. Following the Special Music,
the teacher, Joan Culbertson, will lead our children to the Nursery Room.

Children’s Time: “Being Happy with What You Got” by Pastor John

Choir Anthem: Sing to the Lord a New Song  (Psalm 98)

Message: “What Is the Price of Self-Abandonment?” by Rev. John Song

The unfolding of one self is as beautiful, unique, and unrepeatable as a snowflake. It is something truly magnificent and a treasure to behold. But early on in our childhood we have learned to abandon ourselves to get approval, procure love, and to survive. The cost has been immense, not only to ourselves, but to those we claim to love.

I will be sharing my personal journey of coming to terms with a personal struggle with self-abandonment that was costly to myself, people I love, and ultimately to my God. I believe when we are drawn in and commit to honoring ourselves, we can thrive as we receive and embrace the fullness and joy of living our true lives. This is about opening our lives and turning towards the Self (God). This is about aligning ourselves to our souls and being a healing and loving force for God in the world.

“Then the Lord God formed man from the dust of the ground,
And breathed into his nostrils the breath of life;
and the man became a living being.”
~ Genesis 2:7

“My deepest me is God!”
~ St. Catherine of Genoa (1447–1510)

“When you say ‘Yes’ to others, make sure you are not saying ‘No’ to yourself.”
~ Paolo Coelho

“When you show up not being true to yourself,
you are harming us and the world.”
~ Rumi

NATIONAL NIGHT OUT is on Tuesday, October 4, 2022 from 5:00 – 7:00 pm. Come out and meet your neighbors and Watsonville Police Officers. You will also get to meet and talk with your local Council Members. There will be free food and drinks and plenty of entertainment for kids and adults. You won’t want to miss this!

You are invited to in-person worship this Sunday, September 18 at 10 am. Don’t miss out on a special treat this Sunday from our guest preacher, Rev. Clyde Vaughn and Ms. Emily Sinclair who will offer us special music. See details below.

*Masks are optional. The bulletin for this Sunday is available for viewing HERE. You can also worship online by going to our website “watsonville1stumc.org” and click YouTube or Facebook. It will be uploaded on Sunday afternoon for your viewing.

Season of Ordinary Time
Sunday, September 18, 2022, 10 am

Special Music: Liebst du um Schönheit by Clara Schumann, Emily Sinclair, soprano

Emily Sinclair, soprano, has performed in opera and concert across the United States, including at the Caramoor Festival, Central City Opera, and Opera Colorado. In the Bay Area, Emily has performed with the San Francisco Choral Society, West Bay Opera, and most recently as the soprano soloist in Verdi’s Requiem with Cantare Chorale in Walnut Creek. Emily received a Doctor of Musical Arts degree from the University of Colorado in Vocal Performance and Pedagogy, and holds additional degrees from Northwestern University, Manhattan School of Music and Yale University. 

In Santa Cruz, she conducts Fiat Musica and the Temple Beth El choir, and teaches voice and vocal repertoire at the University of California, Santa Cruz. Upcoming performances include the MAH Common Ground Festival and Santa Cruz Chamber Players.

Message                         “I Don’t Wanna Grow Up”              Rev. Clyde Vaughn

Rev. Clyde Vaughn is a (semi-) retired minister, currently serving part time at the Boulder Creek UMC. He is known to most of the Watsonville UMC as he has been a frequent visitor over the years. Married to Sheila they have lived in Aptos for almost 30 years. Clyde is an active Board member of the Santa Cruz Symphony League, a fund-raising organization that supports the Santa Cruz Symphony. Children and grandchildren keep both Clyde & Sheila quite (happily) busy.

Mark 10:13-16
Jesus Blesses Little Children
13 People were bringing children to him in order that he might touch them, and the disciples spoke sternly to them. 14 But when Jesus saw this, he was indignant and said to them, “Let the children come to me; do not stop them, for it is to such as these that the kingdom of God belongs. 15 Truly I tell you, whoever does not receive the kingdom of God as a little child will never enter it.” 16 And he took them up in his arms, laid his hands on them, and blessed them.

“While we try to teach our children all about life, our children teach us what life is all about.” ~ Angela Schwindt, homeschooling mom States