LITTLETON UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
5894 South Datura St.
Littleton, CO 80120
(303) 794-6379 Tel
(303) 795-7047 Fax
littletonumc.org
NON-PROFIT
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
LITTLETON,CO
PERMIT #1
The Littleton United Methodist Monthly Connection
April Edition / Vol. XX VI / No. 4
CONTENT HIGHLIGHTS:
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
What is your
legacy?
125th Music Premiere
pages 2
Easter Sunrise Service
page 3
Youth Summer Missions
page 4
E
IT
D
ME
THODIST
CH
U
End of Life Workshop
page 7
R
C
N
Seniors On the Town
page 5
U
H
LITTLETON
PASTOR’S PEN
Resurrection Living
E
E
R
C
S
1890 - 2015
L
BR
ATI
NG 125
YE
A
INFORMATION FOR THE CONNECTION
If you are looking to place info for an upcoming event in the Weekly or Monthly Connection, please
follow these deadlines and instructions.
For the Weekly:
Dates: info runs 3 weeks–provide start date
Deadline: close of church office Monday
Contact: direct info to Jenny Robillard at
[email protected]
For the Monthly:
Deadline: the 15th of each month
Contact: direct info to John R. Morrison at
[email protected]
The resurrection of Jesus is the cornerstone of
the Christian faith. The one whom they saw taken away, beaten, hung on a cross, exhaling his last
breath, buried and put in a tomb is not dead. He
lives on. Some people in those days found that
hard to believe. People who believed in those
days argued about just what it meant to be resurrected. People still do. In the meantime, the
people still believe.
No matter how you understand what happened
2,000 years ago, you cannot deny that whatever
happened changed our world. For many who believe, it changed their lives. Still does. I believe
that Jesus lives on. As a person who has studied
theology, science, psychology, history and even
calculus (not that I remember any of that or that
it’s relevant in this case!), I don’t explain the resurrection using traditional terms. But I don’t think
I have to explain it at all. I believe it is sufficient
to know that Jesus died a horrible death, after living an extraordinary life, and what was essential
in him and to him lives on by a very real sense of
his presence.
“He lives” is a
statement of
fact acknowledging that his
influence on
others, his revelation of God,
his challenge
to the way we
think and his
spirit of truth, grace and love is very much alive.
We are a part of that living, breathing witness.
We are Jesus’ legacy. We keep alive his life, his influence, his revelation, his challenge, truth, grace,
and love. So my question to you is this: what is
your legacy?
In the days after Easter, I invite you to consider what you will leave behind when you pass
on. I know that many of us feel like were way
too young to consider dying, and many of us
would much rather never consider dying, no
matter what our age. Yet as people who believe,
A Big Welcome to New Littleton UMC Members!
Bill & Phyllis Klein
40 Eagle Drive
Littleton, CO 80123
Continued on page 2
Ray & Ora Trefethen
4515 S Delaware St
Englewood, CO 80110
The Monthly Connection
April
2015
2
ALL CHURCH NEWS
Continued from page1
we must recognize that there’s nothing to fear, deny or avoid about dying. And as people who believe, we have a
responsibility to consider what we will leave behind for those who follow behind us.
To help us consider some of these thoughts, we have invited some guest speakers to present a conversation on
the end of life, topics including how do you begin the conversation with family, do I have a will, what are my last
wishes, where will my body find its final resting place and what might I leave to the church. The conversation begins on Sunday, April 26th from 9:45–10:45 a.m., continues on Sunday, May 3rd from 12:15–2:00 p.m., and finishes
up on Sunday, May 31st from 9:45–10:45 a.m. See the full article and schedule on page 7.
We are resurrection people! So, what lives on from your life?
– Rev. Trudy
125th Anniversary Piece to be Premiered
In anticipation of our church’s 125 anniversary year,
composer Michael Bedford was commissioned to
set a special hymn text by poet Rev. Carolyn Winfrey
Gillette. This special piece will be performed by our
Chancel, CrossFire and Rainbow Express choirs with
organist Kathy Forsberg and the Chancel Ringers. The
text describes our appreciation for all of God’s gifts to
our church, and our desire to remain servants of Christ
into the next century:
th
Our God, we sing and celebrate! Your grace to us is clear!
For we recall your faithful love for all your people here.
We’ve worked together, yet we know it’s not the things we’ve done,
But you, who give us life and hope in sending us your Son.
Lord Jesus, in this broken world, you teach us how to heal,
And in a world where pride abounds, you call your church to kneel.
Amid the hate, we’re called to love; amid the fear, to pray.
You call us to live differently; transform us every day!
You give us gifts to be your church; we follow as you call.
Here some are teachers, others preach, to speak your truth to all.
Some reach to help the sick and poor, while some are called to lead;
Yet by your Spirit, we are one, in word, in prayer, indeed!
How easy to look back and see your graceful, constant care,
And yet we’re called to look ahead, to grow, to serve, to dare!
What is your will in this new day? God, help us pray and search,
For as we seek to walk with you, we are your faithful church.
125th Anniversary History Spotlight:
Founding of LUMC
The first commercial building in
Littleton was constructed in 1872 a large white frame building that is
now occupied by the Three Chimneys and Natural Surroundings gift
shops at the eastern end of Bowles
Avenue. The second floor of that
building may have been the initial meeting place of Methodists in
22st Annual LUMC Art Festival
The 2015 LUMC Arts Festival is scheduled to run from
Friday, April 17 through Sunday, April 19 in Grant Fellowship Hall. In addition to a community Art Show,
this year’s celebration of visual and performing arts will
feature performances of a play by the Encore Players, a
special recital and the premiere of a new piece to honor LUMC’s 125th. This year’s play will be Love Letters
performed by Richard and Lisa Hendry, directed by Annawyn Shamas.
Friday, Apr 17
6 p.m. Show Opening
7:30 p.m. Love Letters
Saturday, Apr 18
10:30 a.m. Show Open
11:00 a.m. - Alex Raab studio recital featuring
talented young string players
2:00 p.m. Love Letters
Sunday, Apr 19
8:00 a.m. Show Open
8:30 & 11 a.m. - Worship with special 125th
Anniversary premiere of “O God We Sing and
Celebrate” by four LUMC choirs
2 p.m. Love Letters
Registration forms for artists of all ages are available in the
church office.
Littleton, other than in individual
homes. Meetings were apparently
held off-and-on and at various locations. The Rev. John Collins was
the English-born organizer of many
Methodist churches in Colorado,
and he eventually succeeded in organizing the Littleton Methodists
in 1890. The Methodists rented a
room above O-Brien’s Store; a newly constructed building located at
the northwest corner of Main and
Sycamore, and held the first Sunday
services there at 10 AM on November 2, 1890. John Collins was the
first minister and served from 1890
to 1894. We hasten to reassure readers that the Methodists occupied the
upstairs hall of O-Brien’s Store some
nine years before the first floor became a tavern - the “First and Last
Chance Saloon”.
a place where faith and life come together
The Monthly Connection
April
7
2015
ALL CHURCH NEWS CONTINUED
The End of Life Workshops: The Conversation Project and the Will-Power Program
On Sunday April 26th from 9:45 to 10:45 a.m., our Director of Senior Adult Ministries Beth Corn will guide
us through The Conversation Project, a program dedicated to helping people talk about their wishes for endof-life care.
We know no guide and no single conversation can
cover all the decisions that you and your family may
face. What a conversation can do is provide a shared understanding of what matters most to you and your loved
ones. This can make it easier to make decisions when
the time comes.
This workbook style kit will help you answer key
questions for yourself that you can then share with
those most important to you. A conversation starter,
a way to communicate in a very loving and kind way
your wishes, the kit has questions and proposals for us
to start with.
We will journey this path together, helping each other with recommendations that may help get the process
started.
The conversation continues on Sunday May 3rd, at
12:15–2:00 p.m. The United Methodist Foundation
Representative Dale Levy will present the Will Power
Program. This program covers questions such as how
to choose a personal representative, how to choose a
guardian for your children, and the overarching question, how to plan your will and trust. We will consider
what it takes to leave a gift to the church as a witness to
your faith. We will also learn about the church’s Columbarium as an option for those who want to be buried at
their church home.
LUMC Member and Estate Planning Attorney Bonnie
Bowles will be present for planning and conversation to
help us act on what we’re learning. A follow-up session
on Sunday, May 31st 9:45–10:45 a.m. will help resource
and empower us to keep the conversation going.
Please join us for these important and special opportunities.
Native American Sunday
On April l9th LUMC celebrates Native American Sunday. An envelope will be provided in the bulletin for this
special offering. Your generous gift will help develop and strengthen Native American ministries within the annual conference. Sponsored by the LUMC Mission Committee, this important ministry of the United Methodist
Church supports scholarship for Native Americans attending seminary Administered by the General Board of
Higher Education and of Ministry and expansion of the number of target cities included in the Native American
urban initiative.
Also, on Native American Sunday, we would like to recognize the native Mayan culture of Guatemala. During
the upcoming LUMC immersion trip to Guatemala the team will be working with local people and families and
experiencing the rich and vibrant culture first hand. To find out more about this opportunity or how you can
support the team, contact Diana Castellion, [email protected] or 720-283-6862, or Rev Mary Beth.
Plain Proposal
by Beth Wiseman
This book is part of a series of novels called
the Daughters of the Promise Series. Each
novel focuses on an individual journey into
an Amish community where they discover
the way of life and customs of the Amish,
adding new meaning to the words faith,
hope and love.
Miriam has been raised in the Amish
traditions. She and her family welcome her
cousin, Shelby, an English (non-Amish person) who has been in trouble at home and
whose parents recently divorced, into their home.
Miriam has had a long standing attraction to Saul, who is
Amish. He has a once in a lifetime offer of an apprenticeship
in Pittsburg with a chef in a large restaurant, which is a dream
come true for him. This love story shows how the characters
resolve the many difficulties they must face in their new lives.
Dear Glenn, Rita and LUMC Church and Society,
Thank you so much for your yearend gift to the Day
Break Cafe at St. Paul’s. Because of generosity like
yours, we were able to provide over 10,000 meals to
the homeless in 2014. Our mission in 2015 is to add
a one-on-one mentorship program with homeless
vets to guide them through the complicated VA system into a better life.
We would love for you to come visit the Day
Break Cafe or bring a volunteer team to see your
gifts in action as we feed the body and soul of those
in need in Denver.
Blessings, Rev. Jesse Boyce, St. Paul’s UMC
blessed to receive, blessed to give
The Monthly Connection
The Monthly Connection
April
2015
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April
3
LITTLETON UMW NEWS
Faith Circle
UMW Reading Program
Lamplighters Circle
United Methodist Women have an extensive Reading
Program emphasizing five areas of study: education,
leadership, nurturing community, social action and
spiritual growth. Books are purchased every year and
added to our library. In 2014 a challenge was proposed to see which circle group would have the most
participants reading and the most books read. Congratulations to Lamplighters Circle. In April, they
will enjoy supper served by the other circles.
Date, Time & Place: April 14 at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor
Program: Tying Quilts
Contact: Marilyn Ansted can be reached at
303-803-0352 or [email protected]
Date, Time & Place: April 14 at 6:00 p.m. in the Parlor
(NOTE TIME CHANGE)
Program: Salad Supper and Tying Quilts
Contact : Sue McKnight can be reached at
303-283-8459 or [email protected]
Loving Hands Circle
Date, Time & Place: April 9 at 12:30 p.m. in the Parlor
Program: Tying Quilts – Collecting School and Health
Supplies for UMCOR
Contact: Karen Almanza can be reached at
303-973-8811 or [email protected]
New Sunshine Circle
Date, Time & Place: April at 9:30 a.m. in the Parlor
Speaker: Tying Quilts – Collecting items for Florence
Crittenton Services
Contact: Marlene Sommer can be reached at
303-795-6963 or [email protected]; Irma Parham
can be reached at 303-979-5835 or [email protected]
UPCOMING UMW EVENTS
Meal of the Upper Room
Thursday, April 2, 5:00 p.m.
in Parlor/Fellowship Hall
For all Women of the Church
Reservations in the office by March 31
UMW Spiritual Life Retreat
in Estes Park, April 24-26
Contact Patricia Graham for registration
information 303-734-0942
By Our Presence ...
LUMC OPTIMIST CLUB NEWS
April 1, 8:45 a.m. in the Parlor
We will welcome the top three winning students
in the essay contest. They will read their entries
to us.
April 15, 8:45 a.m. in the Parlor
A high school exchange student from China will
come talk to us about life in China.
May 6, 8:45 a.m. in the Parlor
Will be the Littleton Mayor talking about Urban
Renewal.
May 20, 8:45 a.m. in the Parlor
Joann Holden from the Tri-Country Health Wic
will be our guest speaker.
All members and friends of Littleton United Methodist
Church are reminded of the importance of regular worship attendance. Should you anticipate an absence for
an extended period of time due to illness, vacation, etc.,
please contact the Church Office, so that we may best
minister to your needs. Don’t forget to register your attendance on Sunday morning.
February 2015 Attendance Averages:
Average attendance for the 8:30 Service – 146
Average attendance for the 11:00 Service – 218
Average Total attendance – 364
BY OUR PRAYERS...
We lift up the family and friends who have lost
loved ones recently: Michelle Wyeno, niece of
Hank & Ruth Wyeno; Cindy Green, daughter of
Rev. Phil Green; and Ken McWhorter.
a place where faith and life come together
2015
ALL CHURCH NEWS CONTINUED
A
Good Friday to feature
“The Seven Last Words of Christ”
t 7:30 p.m. on Friday, April 3, the Littleton UMC
Chancel Choir and soloists, along with LUMC organist Kathy Forsberg, will perform Dubois’ Seven Last
Words.
Dubois’ setting of the final sentences that Jesus uttered
from the cross has been continuously performed in Europe and the U.S. since its composition in 1867. The
work is highly dramatic, and employs the soloists and
chorus to play all of the roles associated with the crucifixion. The powerful LUMC organ expertly played
by Kathy Forsberg will depict everything from angelic
harps to the rancorous crowd and an apocalyptic earthquake.
Théodore Dubois (1837–1924) was an important organist, composer and teacher in Paris. In 1861, he was
awarded the prestigious Prix de Rome for composition,
and was director of the Paris Conservatory from 1896–
1905. He was a contemporary of Charles Gounod, Gabriel Faure, and Camille Saint-Saens. His best-known
work is Seven Last Words.
This special Holy Week performance is part of the
church’s 125th anniversary celebration. Seven Last
Words was one of the most beloved masterworks of the
previous century—and it has been performed through
the decades in one of Littleton’s original churches.
Robinson, share a special snack, play some games
and make some crafts before going on an egg hunt!
At the end of the egg hunt the children will turn
in their eggs for a special goody bag before being
picked up by their families back downstairs in the
children’s area at 10:45. An infant friendly egg hunt
will occur in the nursery for children under 2.
Easter Sunrise Service
6:30 a.m. at Gallup Gardens
An Easter Sunrise Service will be the first opportunity
for you to proclaim the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The
Littleton United Methodist Church Sunrise Service will
be at Gallup Gardens (just east of Bemis Library) and will
begin at 6:30 a.m. on Sunday, April 5. The Sunrise Service will feature a meditation by Nathan See, LUMC’s
Director of Youth Ministries. The music will be led by
LUMC’s Youth Choir, CrossFire. Those planning to attend the Sunrise Service should plan to dress warmly.
Casual dress is encouraged. A limited number of chairs
will be provided at the Sunrise Service site. In the event
of bad weather the Easter Sunrise Service will be held
in the LUMC Sanctuary. All participants are encouraged to invite their friends and neighbors. Following
the Sunrise Service an Easter Pancake Breakfast will be
served in Grant Fellowship Hall. The Pancake Breakfast
is sponsored by the LUMC Cub Scout Pack #114. The
breakfast begins at 7:00 a.m. and ends at 10:00 a.m. The
cost is free. For more information about LUMC’s EasEaster Egg Hunt on Easter morning!
Join us for a kid friendly Easter egg hunt on Eas- ter Sunrise Service, please contact Nathan See or Becky
ter morning during the Sunday school hour. The Lichlyter @ 303-794-6379. Join us for this wonderful
children will hear an Easter story with Rev. Trudy Easter celebration at sunrise!
Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz to Preach
On April 12th, we welcome guest
preacher, the Rev. Dr. Harvey Martz,
as part of our year-long 125th anniversary celebration. Dr. Harvey
Martz has been a United Methodist
Pastor for 43 years in our Conference, and his first appointment was
as associate minister here at Littleton United Methodist Church when
Fred Venable was Senior Minister.
Harvey and Judy moved from here
in 1972 to be pastor in Colorado
Springs where, over a 22 year pe-
riod, he helped that congregation
grow from 130 people in worship to
600 in worship and led the church
through relocation and three major
building projects.
Harvey has just retired recently
from an 18 year pastorate at St Andrew Church in Highlands Ranch
where the worship attendance increased from 600 to 1100 and where
the church received over 2700 new
members, most of them on profession of faith or reaffirmation of
faith. Under Harvey's leadership, St
Andrew relocated and went through
a $26 million building program as
well as graduating over 2500 people
from Disciple Bible study groups.
Harvey has chaired our Annual
Conference Board of Ordained Ministry as well as our New Church Development. He is a longtime friend
and colleague of Reverend Trudy
Robinson. Harvey and Judy are the
parents of Meredith who lives in
New York City and is getting married this summer, and Todd, who
passed away in August of 2014.
blessed to receive, blessed to give
The Monthly Connection
The Monthly Connection
April
2015
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Youth Summer Mission Trips
April
5
YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Middle School Mission Trip / June 8-13 / St. Louis, MO / Cost: $150
Middle school youth (currently in grades 6-8) are invited to join us on an amazing summer mission experience as we travel to St. Louis, MO to work with a ministry called Harvest. Harvest works with refugees from Nepal and Burma by helping them build community gardens. We will be working alongside
these refugees to create raised garden beds that not only promote food sustainability, but a relationship
between the communities, as well. The cost of the trip is $150/person. Registrations and $50 deposit
are due on or before April 6th.
High School Mission Trip / Albuquerque, NM / July 11-18 / Cost: $250
High School youth (currently in grades 9-12) won’t want to miss this summer’s mission trip to Albuquerque, NM! Youth will be working with a couple of different ministries that help fight poverty and
homelessness in the Albuquerque area. The cost of the trip is $250/person. Registrations and $50 deposit
are due on or before April 6th.
Mission Trip brochures and registration are available by contacting Nathan See or Becky Lichlyter @
303-794-6379. Friends are always welcome to join us for these life-changing mission experiences. Consider giving up a week of your time this summer to help change lives!
S E NIO R MINIS T RY NE W S
CHILDREN’S MINISTRY NEWS
Club 435 meets on April 12! See you for dinner at 4:35 in the children’s area. We are working on Mother’s day cards for Interfaith Community Services and Mother’s day gifts for the ladies of Someren Glen.
Posters for summer mission project due on May 3rd meeting so we can vote in Sunday school! Need
more information? Just ask Lisa Perkins, Director of Children’s Ministries.
VBS, Summer Fun & Camp Day forms will be coming out once we line up youth and adult volunteers
to provide a safe, fun environment! Need a form to volunteer? Let Children’s Ministries know and we’ll
get one to you right away! VBS, as always, is the final week of July from Monday the 27th to Thursday
the 30th. Save the date cards for Summer Fun / Camp dates available downstairs in the children’s area.
Seniors on the Town
J
oin us for a delightful trip to the Denver Museum of Nature and Science on Tuesday, April 14. We
will experience Mythical Creatures: Dragons, Unicorns, and Mermaids. Legendary creatures have
captured imaginations and inspired stories, music, art, and many theories! This exhibit includes life size
models, paintings, preserved specimens and fossils. Tickets are $10.75 and include the entire museum.
The bus will take us and costs $2.25 leaving the church around 9 a.m. Sign up by March 31.
Downtown Aquarium is our next trip, Tuesday, April 28. This entertainment and dining complex
features an aquarium with more than one million gallons of underwater exhibits, 500 species of animals,
a string ray tank and fantastic restaurant where we will have lunch. Tickets are $12.95 and lunch is separate. Please make your reservation in the church office by March 31. The bus will pick us up around 9:30
and return about 2 p.m.
Join us for Tuesday Game Day in the Parlor on April 21 at 1 p.m. We will have a big Bingo game and lots
of fun. Friends are always welcome! Bring a snack to share. No reservations, no charge, just fun!
Any questions about Senior Adult ministries, contact Beth Corn, 303-794-6379 ext. 239 or
[email protected].
ALL CHURCH NEWS CONTINUED
Middle School Youth attend YouthQuest Retreat
On April 17-19, Middle School Youth from LUMC will travel to Frontier Ranch in Buena Vista, CO
to participate in a Rocky Mountain Conference retreat experience called “Youth Quest.” This year’s
theme is “Break Free!”. The keynote speaker will be the Rev. Chebon Kernell, an ordained minister
in the Oklahoma Indian Missionary Conference of the United Methodist Church. Contact Becky
Lichlyter for more information ([email protected] / (303) 794-6379 x.249).
2015
Dinner for 8
We will begin the next session of the Dinner for 8 program at LUMC in May 2015. The idea is to provide
an informal way to meet and get to know other LUMC members and families. People who join will be
assigned to a group with 7 other folks (it could be 4 couples or various individuals) and the group decides
when and where to meet for a meal 4 times over a four month period. In the past the groups typically
went to people’s homes - but restaurants or picnics are fine. The idea is to have a social gathering that
involves food.
If you are interested in participating please send an Email with your name, email address and phone
number to [email protected] or call Barb Lee at 303-734-0756.
The groups will be assigned in late April and your group should start meeting in May 2015 with plans
to finish by August.
Choristers Guild Festival
2 p.m. Saturday, April 19
Children and youth from around Colorado will perform at this choral festival, which is an annual
event of the Rocky Mountain Chapter of the Choristers Guild. LUMC is hosting the event for the
second time. Participating choirs are from churches of all denominations. Young singers will work
A HUGE thank you for a wonderful first Talent Show as Director of Children’s Ministries. Your
participation and attendance helped raise $1,345.00! After meal expenses, Children’s Council netted nearly $1000.00 to underwrite future family fellowship opportunities! – Lisa Perkins
under special guest conductor Dr. John Yarrington of Houston Baptist University and First Presbyte-
Sa n dw i ch M i n i s t r y I t e m o f t he Mont h: B ROWN P AP E R LUNCH BAGS
S and wich Ministry Item of the Month: BRO WN P A P ER LUN CH B A G S
a place where faith and life come together
blessed to receive, blessed to give
rian, Houston. The Festival Service begins at 2 p.m. and is open to the public.