First United Methodist of Redondo Beach’s Weekly News - Thursday,
8 January 2014 – Baptism of Our Lord
Sunday, January 12
Baptism of Our Lord
8:30am Informal Worship in
Epworth Lounge
9:30am Contemporary Worship in the Sanctuary
11:00am Traditional Worship in the Sanctuary
Sunday's Scripture:
Matthew 3: The Baptism of Jesus
13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be
baptized by him. 14 John would have prevented him, saying, “I need to be
baptized by you, and do you come to me?” 15 But Jesus answered him, “Let it be
so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfill all righteousness.” Then
he consented. 16 And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the
water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God
descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17 And a voice from heaven said,
“This is my Son, the Beloved,[a] with whom I am well pleased.”
Footnotes:
a. Matthew 3:17 Or my beloved Son
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John Wesley’s Notes-Commentary:
Matthew 3:13-17
Verse 13. Mark i, 9; Luke iii, 21
Verse 15. It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness - It
becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But
the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me
to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that
I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission
he hath given me.
Verse 16. And Jesus being baptized - Let our Lord's submitting
to baptism teach us a holy exactness in the observance of those institutions
which owe their obligation merely to a Divine command. Surely thus it becometh
all his followers to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus had no sin to wash away.
And yet he was baptized. And God owned his ordinance, so as to make it the
season of pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon him. And where can we expect this
sacred effusion, but in an humble attendance on Divine appointments? Lo, the
heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God - St. Luke adds, in a bodily
form - Probably in a glorious appearance of fire, perhaps in the shape of a
dove, descending with a hovering motion, till it rested upon him. This was a
visible token of those secret operations of the blessed Spirit, by which he was
anointed in a peculiar manner; and abundantly fitted for his public work.
Verse 17. And lo, a voice - We have here a glorious
manifestation of the ever - blessed Trinity: the Father speaking from heaven,
the Son spoken to, the Holy Ghost descending upon him. In whom I delight - What
an encomium is this! How poor to this are all other kinds of praise! To be the
pleasure, the delight of God, this is praise indeed: this is true glory: this
is the highest, the brightest light, that virtue can appear in.
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In This Issue
In January...
Marriage Class
Prayer Quilting
Lay Looker
This Week at Church...
www.beachfaith.org
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Adult Bible Study
You are welcome to join our regular Thursday Bible Study with
Pastor Molly, each week at 11:00am in May Day Parlor. (Please note: Johnna
Kosnoff will lead Bible study Jan. 16.)
A Church That Responds to the Needs of the Community
Shared Bread
Every Wednesday, with help from neighbor congregations and many
volunteers, we host Shared Bread, a free meal for the community.
(Click the logo for more information.)
Groceries =
$$$ for Church
Looking for an easy way to support our church? Now you can do
your grocery shopping and the store will give a percentage back to FUMCRB!
Click the image on the left to learn how you can sign up for this easy giving
program. Our Stewardship Team can answer
any questions!
WANT TO STAY CURRENT ON
ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS?
CLICK THE IMAGE ON THE RIGHT TO LINK TO THE CAL-PAC WEBSITE.
poinsettias.jpg
The holidays are over and many of the poinsettias that decorated
our sanctuary are now out on the main patio.
If you would like to take one home, please do so as you leave church on
Sunday.
Trustees Work Days at Church
Save the date---We are scheduling a couple work days
(probably February 7 and 8).
Stayed tuned for details and let us know if you can help.
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By Water and the Spirit - Baptism
Caroline and I were just working on our designing a program for
this year's confirmation class; I confess I got a little overwhelmed at the
idea of trying to equip young people with everything they need to know to
confirm the vows of their baptism in just 10 weeks of classes.
There is so much rich theology, so many details of how we share
our life of discipleship, so much I'd like to be able to give our young people
so that they can be prepared. (And, really, I know that the most important
things can't be taught in a classroom. They come through the rich experience of
living together.)
This Sunday, as we share the story of Jesus' baptism by John in
the Jordan River, we're reminded of how beautiful that moment was, as Jesus was
marked and blessed for his earthly ministry. This year, I'm particularly taken
by the way John plays a critical role in this moment where God's blessing was
so visible. I am hopeful that I, along with the rest of you, will be given the
privilege of John: the chance to be some small part of God becoming visible
among us.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
Contact Info
Pastor Molly Vetter
PastorMolly@BeachFaith.com
310-372-8445 x 102
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A Fresh Start in January
This month, our scriptures and worship will give us fresh
perspective on who we are, and what we're called to be in God.
On January 12, as we celebrate the Baptism of Jesus, we will
also welcome new members into our congregation. If you are ready to join--or
ready for a conversation with Pastor Molly about it--please contact us in the
church office. There is no formal membership class, but we ask new members to
have a conversation with Pastor Molly.
On January 19, we will welcome a special guest preacher, Rev.
Jay Vetter, a retired pastor who also happens to be the father of Pastor Molly.
He was with us as preacher last fall, and we're please to welcome him back
again.
On January 26, we share stories of Jesus' calling the disciples
to ministry, as we pray about the ways God is calling us to service and
devotion, now.
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Would You Like a Box of Offering Envelopes for 2014?
Our Finance Committee has boxes of dated offering envelopes
available for anyone who would like them--you can pick them up in the church
office. We are switching to a new program for keeping our giving records, and
we will no longer need envelopes numbers (please just write your name on your
envelope).
We also are working to have two new options for giving your
tithes and offerings in 2014: a paper form to fill out to arrange regular,
automatic gifts to be transferred from your checking account and online fund
transfers (either automatic or one-time) through a new website option. Please
watch for more information about these options in upcoming weeks!
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Let’s Do the Numbers
Year-End Finance Report
We are pleased to report that we ended the year well,
financially; we were able to cover our budget, and additionally were able to
pay 100% of our apportionments. (These are the funds we contribute to our
regional church, for the sake of ministry far beyond the walls of our
congregation.)
For our 2014 budget, we are also happy to report that we are
within $1500 of our goal for pledged donations! (This doesn't mean that we
don't need your pledge, though: we set an ambitious goal for contributions that
are not pledged, too.) If you are still considering making a financial pledge
for 2014, we encourage you to do so via the cards in our pews or in the church
office.
In the next few days, we will be sending out giving statements
for your tax records. Additionally, we are happy to share two new ways for you
to make contributions electronically (via Electronic Fund Transfer from your
banking account). You may now fill out a paper authorization form, directing us
to make regular (e.g. monthly) transfers. That form is available for download
here or in the church office. Additionally, in the next week, we will be able
to give you the option of arranging EFTs online via a new church information
system website. These alternatives simplify giving for you, and we are pleased
that we were able to arrange a method that adds takes very few fees from your
contributions.
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New Online Directory and Information System
We have updated our system for record-keeping in the church
office, and are pleased that our new system makes it easier to share contact
information and contribution records with all of you--it functions as an
secure, online church directory. In coming days, you will receive an emailed
invitation to join this new website, called Realm. (You cannot join without
being invited by our administrators.)
The new system gives you control over what contact information
you want to share, and makes it easier for you to send email or messages to
others in your small groups, classes or committees. It also gives you the
opportunity to login to your personal account and see your contribution record,
or update your pledge. (This information is NOT available to others who log
on.)
We hope you will participate; we look forward to sharing more
information in coming days.
We are grateful for all the people who make our ministries
possible. As we begin the year we've
updated our list of staff, ministry and committee leaders. You may download it here (to replace the
pages in the picture directory we made last year).
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Children's Ministry is collecting baptism pictures from the
congregation that we will be sharing with the children during our Sunday lesson
and then displaying on a bulletin board.
We'd love to have a variety of baptism memories! Please send us your pictures via email:
children@beachfaith.com
Rachel Perlot's
Wendy Stanfill's
Jonah Parker's
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Making Good Marriages Better: a workshop
Led by Rev. Virgil and Elaine Brady, in Epworth Lounge from
12:30-3:30pm (optional light lunch at noon) on Sunday, January 12
Bring your spouse and join us for this an afternoon for
conversations about things that matter in marriage as we work together at
making our marriages healthier. The workshop will include presentation of 6 big
ideas, with time after each for one-on-one conversation with your partner.
Please RSVP for the class and for a $5 lunch beforehand
(optional) by emailing the church office. The class is free; couples are
encouraged to read Dr. Brady's book, "Kiss and Tell," before or
after. Copies are avialable in the church office for $10.
Rev. Dr. Virgil Brady is a retired United Methodist pastor; he
and his wife, Elaine, married for 50 years, live in Lawrence, Kansas. We are
pleased to welcome Virgil and Elaine to our church, and count them as extended
family--especially because their son and daughter-in-law, Kip and Gina Brady,
are members of our congregation!
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Fresh Lessons in Jesus' Sermon on the Mount
During February, our worship scriptures will focus on Jesus'
sermon on the mount (from Matthew's Gospel.) His words are comforting and confronting,
and give us a whole lot to live up to as we seek to follow his ways. Join is
for worship (and in Sunday School) for the adventure!
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Prayers and Squares
Sponsor a Quilt for Someone in Need of Prayer
Our prayer quilt ministry is ready to share prayers and
quilts--if you would like to sponsor a quilt for someone you know, we simply
ask that you ask the recipient's permission, and then be here on a Sunday to
help people tie knots and say prayers. Request forms are available in the
church office or on our website.
Our January quilting meeting will be Saturday, January 25--from
10am-noon at the church (hosted by Carol Walter). To participate in our January
group quilt, we invite you to make a square in pastel floral fabrics, using the
directions on our website!
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Lay Looker by Bob Peterson
Read Bob Peterson's column here and on our website!
"Last Sunday our calendar 2014 year began with some special
visitors. Pastor Molly Vetter pointed out her Uncle and Aunt from Guam, and I
had never met any residents of Guam, so we had a visit. He told me they are
here visiting many friends all over the states and will head home this summer
sometime. He pointed out that he was thinking of selling their house in Guam,
and I asked, "To move back here?" He said no, they needed another
type of place to live and they would stay there. A bit later I met..."
[Read the rest of the Lay Looker by clicking here!]
Some Special Visitors by Bob Peterson
Last Sunday our calendar 2014 year began with some special
visitors. Pastor Molly Vetter pointed out her Uncle and Aunt from Guam, and I
had never met any residents of Guam, so we had a visit. He told me they are
here visiting many friends all over the states and will head home this summer
sometime. He pointed out that he was thinking of selling their house in Guam,
and I asked, “To move back here?” He said no, they needed another type of place
to live and they would stay there. A bit later I met the Young man from Auburn,
Alabama with whom John Kirk, formerly an Alabaman, visited as if they were long
time friends. John was asking the guest if he had heard of our former member,
the late Frank Du Bose, a 1927 All American Football Star at Auburn. Frank and
his wife Bess were here for many, many years. Of course the visitor was in
California for the Auburn vs. Florida State BCS Championship football game at
the Rose bowl in Pasadena. He said he had parking arrangements in Brookside
Park. I said better get there early and he had plans to be in his seat at 7:00
AM for the 5:30 PM kick-off. Those fans are very supportive. Also, another long
ago member of our church made a gift to us Christmas Eve. Bruce Field will be
remembered by old timers as a member in the eighties and before. Some people
slip in and out so easily. It’s too bad we couldn’t, in some way know about
visitors and appreciate their visit and remembrances. For instance, Donna
Bailey of Bend, Oregon, long time member with late husband Norman still makes
annual donations, bless her heart. Her family was active here in the sixties,
plus or minus several years.
But now we move on with big plans for the 2014 year. Last Sunday
was my, and perhaps yours, first sighting of a photo of our denomination’s
newest bishop for this huge conference. Not only was her photo on the screen
during worship, but I answered the request and completed the brief
questionnaire distributed. You could still do it on line if desired. Happy New
Year to all of you!
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Bishop Carcano
This Sunday in Pasadena: An invitation to Holy Conferencing on
Biblical Obedience with Bishop Carcaño.
Our Bishop, Minerva Carcaño, will be sharing about the journey
that led her to invite Frank Schaefer to the California-Pacific Annual
Conference. (Rev. Shaefer is the
Pennsylvania United Methodist pastor who was recently defrocked for having
officiated the same-sex wedding of his son and partner.) Rev. Frank Schaefer
will be sharing about his own journey of Christian leadership as he includes
this time of Holy Conferencing in his visit to Southern California in
discernment of a call to ministry in the California-Pacific Annual Conference.
This gathering is solely for Cal-Pac United Methodists. This time of Holy Conferencing will be on
what we are called to do if the Book of Discipline of The United Methodist
Church and the Gospel of Jesus Christ are in conflict. (Members of the news media are referred to
the Cal-Pac Office of Communications for information about the event.)
Sunday, January 12, 2014 // 3:00PM to 5:30PM
Pasadena First United Methodist Church - Fellowship Hall
500 E Colorado Blvd., Pasadena, CA 91101
To attend and participate, RSVP immediately to the Cal-Pac
Office of Communications (cpco@cal-pac.org) with name and local church
affiliation. Space is limited.
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This Week at Church...
Nursery
The Nursery is open all three services for ages 6 weeks to 4 yrs
old. Located right off of the parking lot across Epworth Lounge. Any questions
email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry
This Sunday we'll be discussing "Baptism". If you have a picture of your child's baptism
(or YOURS) we would love feature it during the lesson! Please email katherine:
children@beachfaith.com. The children will hear and read the story of Jesus'
baptism (pages 242-245 of SparkStorybook Bible) and make shell frames and door
hangers. Bring your bible bags! See you Sunday.
Church R Us (4th and 5th grade):
Join us for Sunday School at 9:30 am. This week we will continue our lesson on
Jesus' Baptism.
Youth Group (6th-12th grade):
We're Retreating! We
welcome prayers as we travel to Big Bear for our Annual Winter Retreat this Friday
evening-Sunday afternoon.
--Youth group will resume next Sunday 1/19 from 3-5 PM.
--Middle School Sunday School will resume on Jan. 26th!
Adult Sunday School: Join
us every Sunday at 9:30am for study and discussion of this week's scripture
lesson. (May Day Parlor)
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, January 20 at
7a.m. All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us for
fellowship. At Billy's Deli, 5160 W 190th St, Torrance, CA 90503.
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First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
(310)372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
Reverend Molly Vetter, Lead & Teaching Pastor
PastorMolly@beachfaith.com
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