Rally Day: Potluck, Backpack Blessing, and a Surprise
We have been waiting for Rally Day for a long time. Whether you’re a lover of potlucks, need a one-stop shop to dive deeper into life at First Church, or you are quite done with some of the more ‘creative’ aspects of summer worship, the arrival of Rally Day is exciting for most.
It is also the perfect time to put the invitations of the last 3 weeks into practice:
Inviting someone into something meaningful
Creating relationships of depth
Showing the way
Get the full scoop on Sunday (and the surprise we have for you!):
Backpack + Tag Blessing
If you know someone who goes to school or teaches at school, they can bring their backpacks or work bags up during our 10:30 service for a blessing upon the coming year. We’ll also have backpack tags for everyone to bless if you don’t happen to bring your bag with you.
Ministry Fair + Potluck
After the 10:30 service, Collins Hall will be chock full of lively ministry booths representing different groups at First Church. Whether you are interested in worship, music, justice, eating, caring for the earth, or something in between, the Ministry Fair is the best way to get connected with the small groups where meaningful relationships are formed.
As good Methodists, we also have a Sunday potluck to complete the day. The Children, Youth, and Families committee will provide hotdogs. Please bring an appetizer, side, or dessert to share. You can bring these to Collins Hall between 9:30 and 10:15. We’re still looking for a few folks to help set food out after the service. If this is you, let Blake (bwhisenhunt@fumcpdx.org) know.
Learning + Fellowship
Rally Day is the launch of our church’s program year, which means Sunday School and our young people’s ministry are back in full swing:
9:00am | Christianity in a Changing World (adult class, room 202)
9:30am | Peace Project (adult class, room 110)
9:45am | Groundswell Singers (choir ages 3-18. These 30-minute Sunday rehearsals in room 133 will prepare for introits at our 10:30am services and more. Whether your child is just learning to carry a tune or has been singing for years, there’s a place for them here)
9:45am | Parent Fellowship. While the kids are singing, enjoy coffee in the Chapel Narthex with other parents.
10:45am | Children Sunday School (136) and Youth Sunday School (210)
1:00pm | Compass Youth Kickoff BBQ (Tigard UMC)
A Special Surprise!
Well, it wouldn’t be a surprise if we told you what it was. What I can share is that our staff, volunteers, and extra workers have been planning and working for an entire year to pull this off. We’ll share the surprise at the beginning of the 10:30 worship service in the Sanctuary, so make sure to arrive a little early to drop off your potluck item in Collins Hall and get a good pew in the Sanctuary.
While I am looking forward to the hubbub of Rally Day, what I am most excited about is getting to see you. After our typically scattered summer, the fall is a treat because it means the joy of being able to reconnect with folks in the congregation whom we love. Come to invite and to be invited, to have conversations of depth, and to give and receive the hard won wisdom of The Way.
See you Sunday,
Pastor Karyn