I'm with the DJ | 10.20.22

Grace and Peace to you church family and friends,

There are so many exciting things happening in the life of our church! This weekend, after the service we will host a demonstration of turning guns into garden tools. To learn more, check out the photo I’m attaching to this post. Please note that the intention of this demonstration is to learn.

Isaiah 2:4 “He shall judge between the nations,
and shall decide disputes for many peoples;
and they shall beat their swords into plowshares,
and their spears into pruning hooks;
nation shall not lift up sword against nation,
neither shall they learn war anymore.”

The purpose of this presentation is not meant to force people to choose a side regarding gun control. As a diverse people, this is one great way of learning more together.

If you haven’t already made your pledge for 2023, you can learn more by clicking this video.

Coming up soon, you will have an opportunity to support our local community. Meredith Hill Cares gift card donation drive is something we have participated in the past several years.  Gift cards would need to be collected by Sunday, December 11th  in order for the group to distribute them before winter break.  Attached is a chart that shows how much specific dollar amounts provide to these families. There are many ways you can help at Meredith Hill.  These range from ongoing positions to one-time events.  People would need to complete a background check form before they could start. To learn more, contact the church office.

I'm with the DJ | 10.5.22

Church friends and family.

Last weekend we had a great time at worship. Just as importantly, we also hosted the Washington State descendants of Pakistani Physicians health fair at our church. For my weekly communication this week, I’d like to share about two things.

First, we are starting our generosity campaign. Our church leadership is praying, planning and working hard to be faithful stewards of our church resources. In order to properly forecast our budget, your pledge of financial resources is critical in our ministries. As always, we, as your church understand that jobs change and financial situations do too. You can fill out your online giving form here. If you, for any reason want or need to change your estimate of giving in 2023, please let us know by emailing generousfwumc@gmail.com.

Second, did you know that we have a new resource available for folks needing suicide and crisis help? You can call 988 anytime, day or night. This resources is available for you, or if you know someone else in need. Just like 911, 988 is a vital resource for people in need. If you or someone you know is in need, or you think might need help, please don’t hesitate to call 988. You could save a persons life.

I look forward to seeing you all in church or online very soon.

Peace be with you,

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | 9.28.22

Grace and Peace to you,

I hope that you are enjoying the wonderful weather this week. We had a lovely time at worship last Sunday. If you want to catch up on the service, click here. In just a few days we will be celebrating World Communion Sunday. Since 1940, thanks to the World Council of Churches, the United Methodist Church has joined countless churches in celebrating World Communion together, on the first Sunday in October. We too will celebrate World Communion together this Sunday.

If you would like to participate in worship, I would love it if you please record yourself saying “May the Peace of God be with you”. You can say it in your own language or a language of your choosing. Please use this link to upload your videos by this Friday.

As a church, we are in a time of planning, praying and setting our budget for 2023. Your support is critical in our preparation. Please take some time to prayerfully decide how you would like to support our ministries. When you are ready to commit, please use this form.

Please also remember this this Saturday we will be hosing a health fair. I’m attaching the flier on this blog.

I'm with the DJ | 9.21.22

Church,

In the next few weeks, some exciting things are happening in our church community. On October 1st, we will be hosting a health fair which is free for any and all people. Please check out the attached digital flier for more information. On October 2nd, we will be celebrating world communion Sunday. In preparation for this time, I’d love for you to please consider sending a video to me saying the words “May the peace of God be with you”. You can share that in any language, the more languages the better!

After church on October 2nd, we will also be holding our next Membership class. The class will be held in my office from 11:15-12:45pm after worship. Please let us know if you are interested in learning more about officially joining our faith community. Speaking of faith community, if you haven’t yet, please remember to pick up one of our water bottle stickers to place on your reusable cups, phones or computers. It’s a great way to share your connection to our church.

This Sunday we will be studying Intentional Faith Development. It’ll be a chance for us to explore how we can grow in our faith individually and together. I look forward to seeing you all online and in person this weekend.

If you would like to listen to the podcast of the sermon from last Sunday. Click here.

Grace and Peace be with you,

Pastor DJ

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Pastor DJ podcast sermon 9.18.22

I’m with the DJ | 9.14.22

Friends and Families of Federal Way United Methodist Church,

This past weekend we kicked off Fall programming by sharing water bottle stickers. We are asking you to put them on your reusable water bottles as a way of resembling that we take church wherever we go. These stickers will be available in the church office during office hours.

We also celebrated after church with a hot dog potluck. I’m sharing a few pictures in this blog post for you to enjoy. It was truly a wonderful time. Also, we have been celebrating a regular flow of new visitors. Please remember to wear your name tags when you are at church, it’s a great way to practice hospitality.

This weekend we will be studying Psalm 84 as we focus on Passionate Worship. My working definition of Passionate worship is “Sustained moments in time where I/we joyfully experience and praise God.  Experiencing the Holy Spirit moving in a community of persons also revering the Sacredness of God and holiness of the moment.” I’d love to know your thoughts about Passionate Worship.

Will you share a moment or story when you have experienced Passionate Worship?

I look forward to seeing you all soon,

Pastor DJ

I’m with the DJ | 9.7.22

Good evening church friends and families,

I hope and pray that the first week of school has gone well for many of our families. For teachers, administration and students in the Kent school district, our prayers continue with you in these important days. We will officially kick off our Fall programming this Sunday, September 11th.

On September 11th, we will be sharing free water bottle stickers. You are encouraged to bring your favorite water bottles, coffee cups or drink holder that is special to you. If you are joining us for worship online, we will have some stickers available during office hours throughout the week as well.

In addition to our free give-always, we will also be pairing up students with adults in our faith community as prayer partners. If you are interested in supporting one of our students through prayer and encouragement, please contact Ann Mayer. Ann.Mayer@fwumc.org. We will also begin our new 5-part sermon series called 24/7 Faith as we use Luke 19 as our guiding Scripture to focus on Radical Hospitality. I’m looking forward to seeing you all online and in-person this Sunday at 10am.

Coming up this Fall, we will be hosting a health fair on October 1st. In addition, we will be hosting an online All church charge conference will be via zoom October 20th, 7-8pm.

I’m with the DJ | 8.31.22

Church friends and families,

I pray that you are doing well this week. After Church last Sunday, some of our church leaders meet with the Association of physicians of Pakistani descent of North America.

Our church will be the host site for National Health Care day.

FREE Health

Screening…

Blood pressure, Blood sugar,

Flu Shots, Covid 19

Vaccine, Vision, Back care,

Nutrition Counseling,

Women's health and more.

Saturday, October 1st, 2022

12pm - 4pm

Federal Way United Methodist

Church

29645, 51s Ave S, Auburn. 98001

Families are welcome

I'm with the DJ | 8.24.22

Hello friends,

We are weeks away from the start of school for many of our students. As staff and leaders, we are preparing for the start of Fall ministries. Starting September 11th, we will also start a new sermon series 24/7 Faith. For the next couple of weeks, I’d love to learn and hear from you. Attached is a one question poll that is multiple choice. Please take the time to fill it out.

https://www.menti.com/p3xtbociv8

See you this Sunday!

Pastor DJ

I'm with the DJ | 8.2.22

Here’s the quote I read last Sunday.

“On Generosity

On our own, we conclude:

there is not enough to go around

we are going to run short

of money

of love

of grades

of publications

of sex

of beer

of members

of years

of life

we should seize the day

seize our goods

seize our neighbours goods

because there is not enough to go around

and in the midst of our perceived deficit

you come

you come giving bread in the wilderness

you come giving children at the 11th hour

you come giving homes to exiles

you come giving futures to the shut down

you come giving easter joy to the dead

you come – fleshed in Jesus.

and we watch while

the blind receive their sight

the lame walk

the lepers are cleansed

the deaf hear

the dead are raised

the poor dance and sing

we watch

and we take food we did not grow and

life we did not invent and

future that is gift and gift and gift and

families and neighbours who sustain us

when we did not deserve it.

It dawns on us – late rather than soon-

that you “give food in due season

you open your hand

and satisfy the desire of every living thing.”

By your giving, break our cycles of imagined scarcity

override our presumed deficits

quiet our anxieties of lack

transform our perceptual field to see

the abundance………mercy upon mercy

blessing upon blessing.

Sink your generosity deep into our lives

that your muchness may expose our false lack

that endlessly receiving we may endlessly give

so that the world may be made Easter new,

without greedy lack, but only wonder,

without coercive need but only love,

without destructive greed but only praise

without aggression and invasiveness….

all things Easter new…..

all around us, toward us and

by us

all things Easter new.

Finish your creation, in wonder, love and praise. Amen.”

― Walter Brueggemann

I'm with the DJ | 7.20.22

Hi everyone,

I pray that your summer has been going well. I spent last week with middle school students at a United Methodist Summer camp. Our Camp was at the base of a valley and up the hill, there is a lovely hike to oversee the valley. At the top of the hike, there is a beautiful cross that’s visible from far away. It’s hard to spot, but can you see the cross on the ridge?

I’ve been reading a lot about the stories of Methodist founder John Wesley. He meet with his accountability group and they had 22 questions they used. I’m going to copy them below.

These are 22 questions the members of John Wesley’s Holy Club asked themselves every day in their private devotions over 200 years ago.

• Am I consciously or unconsciously creating the impression that I am better than I really am? In other words, am I a hypocrite?

• Am I honest in all my acts and words, or do I exaggerate?

• Do I confidentially pass on to another what was told to me in confidence?

• Can I be trusted?

• Am I a slave to dress, friends, work, or habits?

• Am I self-conscious, self-pitying, or self-justifying?

• Did the Bible live in me today?

• Do I give it time to speak to me everyday?

• Am I enjoying prayer?

• When did I last speak to someone else about my faith?

• Do I pray about the money I spend?

• Do I get to bed on time and get up on time?

• Do I disobey God in anything?

• Do I insist upon doing something about which my conscience is uneasy?

• Am I defeated in any part of my life?

• Am I jealous, impure, critical, irritable, touchy, or distrustful?

• How do I spend my spare time?

• Am I proud?

• Do I thank God that I am not as other people, especially as the Pharisees who despised the publican?

• Is there anyone whom I fear, dislike, disown, criticize, hold a resentment toward or disregard? If so, what am I doing about it?

• Do I grumble or complain constantly?

• Is Christ real to me?

Also, don’t forget…

I'd love to learn from you about what topics are interesting to you and your friends, neighbors, coworkers, classmates and anyone else in your life. Would you please take the time to fill out this survey? You are welcome to share it with others, the more responses, the more we learn! The survey typically takes 5-7 minutes. I'll be sure to share some of the learnings in the Fall. We are getting a great response rate and want to make sure the your voice is heard as well.

Please click this link and feel free to have other people in your life fill it out too. This survey is for members, non-members, regular attendees and people who have never come.