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Sunday, August 31
Michael Lodahl, guest preacher
8:30am
in the Epworth Lounge
10:30am
in the Sanctuary
special
music from the Tuuholoaki family
Sunday's Scripture:
Romans
12:9-21
Romans 12:9-10 Love from the center of who you are; don’t fake it. Run for dear life from evil; hold on for dear life to good. Be good friends who love deeply; practice playing second fiddle.
11-13 Don’t burn out; keep yourselves fueled and aflame. Be alert servants of the Master, cheerfully expectant. Don’t quit in hard times; pray all the harder. Help needy Christians; be inventive in hospitality.
14-16 Bless your enemies; no cursing under your breath. Laugh with your happy friends when they’re happy; share tears when they’re down. Get along with each other; don’t be stuck-up. Make friends with nobodies; don’t be the great somebody.
17-19 Don’t hit back; discover beauty in everyone. If you’ve got it in you, get along with everybody. Don’t insist on getting even; that’s not for you to do. “I’ll do the judging,” says God. “I’ll take care of it.”
20-21 Our Scriptures tell us that if you see your enemy hungry, go buy that person lunch, or if he’s thirsty, get him a drink. Your generosity will surprise him with goodness. Don’t let evil get the best of you; get the best of evil by doing good.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary:
Romans 12:9-21
Verse 9
[9] Let love be without dissimulation. Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.
Having spoken of faith and its fruit, Romans 12:3, etc., he comes now to love. The ninth, tenth, and eleventh verses refer to chapter the seventh; the twelfth verse to chapter the eighth; the thirteenth verse, of communicating to the saints, whether Jews or gentiles, to chapter the ninth, etc. Part of the sixteenth verse is repeated from Romans 11:25.
Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good — Both inwardly and outwardly, whatever ill-will or danger may follow.
Verse 10
[10] Be kindly affectioned one to another with brotherly love; in honour preferring one another;
In honour preferring one another — Which you will do, if you habitually consider what is good in others, and what is evil in yourselves.
Verse 11
[11] Not slothful in business; fervent in spirit; serving the Lord;
Whatsoever ye do, do it with your might. In every business diligently and fervently serving the Lord - Doing all to God, not to man.
Verse 12
[12] Rejoicing in hope; patient in tribulation; continuing instant in prayer;
Rejoicing in hope — Of perfect holiness and everlasting happiness. Hitherto of faith and love; now of hope also, see the fifth and eighth chapters; afterwards of duties toward others; saints, Romans 12:13 persecutors, Romans 12:14 friends, strangers, enemies, Romans 12:15, etc.
Verse 13
[13] Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.
Communicate to the necessities of the saints — Relieve all Christians that are in want. It is remarkable, that the apostle, treating expressly of the duties flowing from the communion of saints, yet never says one word about the dead.
Pursue hospitality — Not only embracing those that offer, but seeking opportunities to exercise it.
Verse 14
[14] Bless them which persecute you: bless, and curse not.
Curse not — No, not in your heart.
Verse 15
[15] Rejoice with them that do rejoice, and weep with them that weep.
Rejoice — The direct opposite to weeping is laughter; but this does not so well suit a Christian.
Verse 16
[16] Be of the same mind one toward another. Mind not high things, but condescend to men of low estate. Be not wise in your own conceits.
Mind not high things — Desire not riches, honour, or the company of the great.
Verse 17
[17] Recompense to no man evil for evil. Provide things honest in the sight of all men.
Provide — Think beforehand; contrive to give as little offence as may be to any.
Verse 19
[19] Dearly beloved, avenge not yourselves, but rather give place unto wrath: for it is written, Vengeance is mine; I will repay, saith the Lord.
Dearly beloved — So he softens the rugged spirit. Revenge not yourselves, but leave that to God. Perhaps it might more properly be rendered, leave room for wrath; that is, the wrath of God, to whom vengeance properly belongs. Deuteronomy 32:35
Verse 20
[20] Therefore if thine enemy hunger, feed him; if he thirst, give him drink: for in so doing thou shalt heap coals of fire on his head.
Feed him — With your own hand: if it be needful, even put bread into his mouth.
Heap coals of fire upon his head — That part which is most sensible. "So artists melt the sullen ore of lead, By heaping coals of fire upon its head; In the kind warmth the metal learns to glow, And pure from dross the silver runs below." Proverbs 25:21, etc.
Verse 21
[21] Be not overcome of evil, but overcome evil with good.
And if you see no present fruit, yet persevere.
Be not overcome with evil — As all are who avenge themselves. But overcome evil with good. Conquer your enemies by kindness and patience.
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In This
Issue
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Adult Bible Study
The
Pastor's Bible Study meets each Thursday at 11:00am in May Day Parlor.
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A Church That Responds to the Needs of the Community
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.)
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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!
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WANT TO STAY CURRENT ON ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS?
CLICK THE IMAGE ON THE
RIGHT TO LINK TO THE CAL-PAC WEBSITE.
________________________________
You may also visit the new
website for the entire denomination of United Methodist Church here.
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Want to see photos of
past church
activities and events?
Check out our
Flickr
page and our Facebook
page
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 The United Methodist Women hosted their Annual all-circle potluck last Thursday. Thank you to everyone who helped make it another successful evening. See photos of the event on our flickr site |
 Labor
and Rest
Perhaps because we're in the midst of hiring so many new people
here at church, I've been thinking a lot about labor. About work, and
leisure, and the privilege of being a part of God's work in the world.
It's Labor Day weekend--a
time to celebrate workers, and our society's advances in their conditions and
treatment. I give thanks for the ways the church has contributed to things
that are now part of the fabric of our culture--limiting work hours, ending
child labor, improving worker safety. I continue to support efforts for fair
wages, ending human trafficking, and humane working conditions.
I'm keenly aware that many
people are struggling with work--people are unemployed, and others are
overworked; some are underemployed and having trouble making ends meet. It's
hard to balance our responsibilities for family, church and work; others
struggle with the difficult reality that we're no longer able to do the work
we most enjoy.
I love that, in the midst of
all this complexity, Jesus uses the metaphor of rest and labor to describe
what we do when we follow him:
'Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy
burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from
me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your
souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' (Matthew
11:28-30)
He invites us to receive
rest, even as we pick up his yoke and become a part of his work. This life of
following Christ, as it turns out, is not something we take up on occasion,
but a relationship we choose for always.
Whatever your life's work
(or retirement!), I pray you will feel the call of Jesus' invitation to be a
part of his work, too.
Pastor Molly
P.S. I will be away again
this weekend, enjoying the holiday weekend with my family; I'm thrilled that
Michael Lodahl will be our guest preacher, and trust you'll help welcome him.
Please note that the Church office will be closed Monday, September 1 to
observe the Labor Day Holiday.
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Contact Info
Pastor Molly Vetter
310-372-8445 x 102
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Guest
Preacher this Sunday:
Rev. Dr. Michael Lodahl
Rev. Dr. Michael Lodahl, Professor of Theology and World
Religions at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, will be our special
guest preacher at both worship services. Ordained in the Church of the
Nazarene, has been a leader in Wesleyan theology and Christian environmental
ethics. He's an engaging preacher, and Pastor Molly is delighted he accepted
the invitation to preach here at our church.
Join us for worship at 8:30 and 10:30 am on Sunday!
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 Sunday,
September 7:
A
Breakfast Buffet & Ministry Fair
Between
Services
Start the fall season
off with a full tank: join us for breakfast and learn
more about the rich, diverse ministry of our congregation. At each table,
you'll find a different (delicious) food, and opportunities to use your own
time and energy to let our ministries overflow with blessing to our church,
community and world.
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Coming
In September:
Basic
Needs. A sermon series about the things our bodies, spirits and world need
most.
Food. Water. Shelter. Clothing.
These basic human needs are at
the heart of many of our worship traditions and our most fundamental beliefs
about God. Come experience the many ways God meets our needs, where we
are--and how God can use us to respond to the needs of the world.
There will be special options
for families and people of all ages at the 9:30 hour each week, too--see more
details online!
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 Guardianship
and Planning Seminar
for
Families
The Endowment committee will
host a seminar on important topics for young families with children in
September. The one hour presentation will be held in the 9:30 - 10:30 hour
fellowship hour on Sunday, October 5th. Endowment Committee member and estate
planning attorney, Laura Thatcher will make the presentation. Information on
estate planning topics and an opportunity to prepare and notarize a Guardian
Nomination will be available. See future articles for any planning details
for attendees.
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UMKIC
is collecting School Supplies for Haiti
UMCOR (United
Methodist Committee on Relief) has
asked us to help them in their effort to provide much needed kits for the
children of Haiti. We will be collecting every Sunday from now until
September 21st.
At the
9:30am hour (on September 21st) we will host a special
missions sewing workshop for parents and children, preparing the tote bags
for our kits.
On September 28th (during the 9:30am hour) there
will be a presentation about UMCOR, and its work
in providing disaster relief around the world; following the
presentation, people of all ages will help assemble the School Kits to sent
to UMCOR to aid its work.
In addition to the School supplies (see above) we need:
- Heavy-duty fabric (denim, corduroy, drapery, fabric etc)
for the bags
- $$ to help cover shipping costs.
Thank you for supporting our Children
(UMKIC) in their mission work.
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From the Lay Leader,
Johnna Kosnoff
bi-weekly thoughts and
reflections from our church Lay Leader
"As your Lay Leader, one
of my primary responsibilities is to help empower you, the congregation, in
your ministry. So, I am super-excited about the opportunity coming your
way on Sunday, September 7th! Fill-er Up Sunday will provide the
perfect time for you to get familiar with the many ministry opportunities in
our church. All (or, at least, most) ministry groups will have an
information station to give you the low-down about their ministry, answer
questions and allow you to volunteer. If you're really nice to them,
they'll feed you breakfast too! If you visit all of the Fill-er Up (ministry)
stations and you can't find a ministry that fits your gifts and talents,
then, please - please, talk to me!..."
Fill-er Up! by Johnna Kosnoff
As your Lay Leader, one of my primary responsibilities is to help empower you, the congregation, in your ministry. So, I am super-excited about the opportunity coming your way on Sunday, September 7th! Fill-er Up Sunday will provide the perfect time for you to get familiar with the many ministry opportunities in our church. All (or, at least, most) ministry groups will have an information station to give you the low-down about their ministry, answer questions and allow you to volunteer. If you’re really nice to them, they’ll feed you breakfast too! If you visit all of the Fill-er Up (ministry) stations and you can’t find a ministry that fits your gifts and talents, then, please - please, talk to me!
We have a variety of ministries that care for our community within our building and many that care for people outside our doors. William Temple said, “Church is the only society on earth that exists for the benefit of non-members.” God calls us to live inside and outside the church – to be his arms, his legs, his voice, and his heart to those who don’t know him but, also, to serve within our church, to help those of us, who do know Jesus, know him better. Here’s your chance to find a ministry that helps you live that life.
We hope you will find a ministry to fill you with passion for a long time but, maybe, it will be a ministry for just one season; and, that’s okay. Come with open hearts and open minds and a willingness to try something new. I heard a pastor say that sometimes you need to do things physically to experience God spiritually. Come, fill your plate with good stuff so that you may experience God spiritually and be full. Fill-er Up!
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Worship Helpers Needed: Liturgists and communion servers for 8:30 & 10:30
worship throughout the summer. If you are available to help out, pleas sign up here. Junior
and Senior High youth are encouraged to help, too! We also need
videographers in the balcony and sound/computer operators downstairs.
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 Join
the Choir!
Excitement is growing about
joining the choir--after hearing our new Music Director, Jim Raycroft, speak
and sing in worship last week, we hope you might want to get on the great
things that are happening this season!
Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 3, from 7:30-9pm in the Choir Room.
Everyone's welcome. Come share your gifts and be a part of some amazing
music-making to glorify God.
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 Join the Team: a Church Softball Team!
Softball Update from membership
committee: We are forming a co-ed
slow-pitch softball team. We'll play in the Redondo
Beach D league, with games at Alta Vista (or possibly Anderson) Park
on Sunday
evenings. The earliest games will begin at 5:30pm and the
latest games at 8:30pm. Anyone 18 years of age or older may play. We
still need a few more people to comfortably field a team!
If interested (or if you have questions) please email Troy
Thomas here.
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The Lay Looker, Bob
Peterson
a view from the pew from
a longtime member of our church
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Social
Hour Between Services
This September, check
out these special Social Hour opportunities:
Sept 7 - Fill 'Er Up Breakfast Buffet and
Ministry Fair (Fellowship Hall)
Sept 14 - Watercolor Banner Workshop
for families (Fellowship Hall); presentation
on our drought and water conservation (Epworth Lounge)
Sept 21 - Sewing Workshop for
families - making UMCOR School Kit bags (Fellowship Hall); Presentation on Corazon
(Epworth Lounge)
Sept 28 -
Learn about UMCOR's relief work & assemble School Kits -
all
ages! (Fellowship Hall)
Note:
Adult Bible Study and Choir Rehearsal also meet during this hour!
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 Thank
you to the Families of FUMCRB
Over $600 was raised
this summer for Imagine No Malaria at our
LemonAid Stands!
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Register your Children
and Youth for the 2014-15 year!
On Sunday, September 7, stop by the Registration Table at the
"Fill 'Er Up" Sunday breakfast and ministry fair to sign your kids'
pre-printed registration form for all church children and youth events this
year. Or, download the form here, fill it out and
bring your copy to the church.
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Our
Weekly Drawing Challenge will continue...
This summer in
worship both Youth and Children were invited to connect to the scripture
readings through our weekly "Drawing Challenge." Check the Children's
Cart (now available during BOTH the 8:30am and 10:30am service) throughout
the school year for the weekly bulletin.
Be sure to turn in your art
at the conclusion of the service.
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 Mark your calendars:
World Communion Sunday
is October 5.
Join us at 10:30 for
worship with a calypso beat.
Featuring a steel
drummer.
(You are welcome to
dance.)
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 Like
us on Facebook!
Visit the page and
"like" us so you can see and share the latest photos, news and
links from the church.
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This Week at
Church...
Nursery
The
Nursery is open during both services: 8:30am for ages 6
weeks to 6 yrs old and 10:30am for children 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:
Join us in
church at either worship service! Stop by the children's cart for special
challenges and activities that invite children to participate in the worship
service. Our new Sunday School session begins at 10:30am on September
7th!
Church R Us (4th and 5th grade):
Join us in church at either worship service! Stop by the
children's cart for special challenges and activities that invite children to
participate in the worship service. Our new Church R Us weekly
session begins at 10:30am on September 7th!
Youth Group (6th-12th grade):
Join in the Drawing Challenge during worship this summer...see
the kid's cart in the sanctuary for details.
--There is an awesome leadership team working to plan early Fall
and keep a smooth transition. Youth Group starts again on September 7,
from 3-5pm; we'll also help host a table at the Fill 'Er Up Sunday breakfast
and ministry fair that morning. (Don't forget to re-register for the new
year--see above...)
Adult Sunday School:
Our Adult Sunday School class will be on hiatus for the
summer. Stay tuned for the start-up date in the fall.
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Men's Breakfast:
Our next breakfast is Monday, September 1 at 7AM. Coco's Restaurant, 18120 Hawthorne Blvd.
(Hawthorne and 182nd) All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join
us for fellowship.
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20/30 group: This
young adult group is a casual gathering of people in their 20's and 30's
looking to connect with other young adults who attend the same church.
Contact Amanda Kuczun for
info on upcoming events!
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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
Ernie Valenzuela, Administrative Assistant x101 Ernie@beachfaith.com
First United Methodist Church
243 S. Broadway Street
Redondo Beach, CA 90277 United States
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