This Sunday: Jesus' lesson about what's possible in God.
Also, the choir sings Duke Ellington at 10:30!
From Pastor Molly: "The Really Big Picture"
Almost two weeks ago now, there was that incredible evening-time super moon eclipse. I'd meant to get to the beach to watch, but instead found myself driving down Torrance Blvd when I saw it happening in my car's mirror. So, with Matt and Jonah, I pulled into the Vons parking lot, and watched the moon enter earth's shadow. We sat in the car, contemplating the size and wonder of our universe.
I sometimes wish that these moments of wonder would be a little more elegant. But maybe there's a grace in knowing the eclipse comes to the grocery store parking lot as easily as it does the beach.
After all, we serve a God whose love is made real in the joy of creation and the pain of suffering, in struggle as well as triumph.[Pastor Molly Vetter]
In Worship This Week
Sunday, October 11
Scripture: Mark 10:17-31
"All Things Are Possible"
Pastor Molly Vetter, preaching
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary, with the Band and Choir
Anthem: "The Lord's Prayer" by Duke Ellington
Listen to Sermons online
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 11 October 2015
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 22:1-15
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31
Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 11 October 2015
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Job 23:1-9, 16-17
Psalm 22:1-15
Hebrews 4:12-16
Mark 10:17-31
Lectionary Texts:Job 23:1 Then Iyov answered:
Verse 2
[2] Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
To-day — Even at this time, notwithstanding all your pretended consolations.
Stroke — The hand or stroke of God upon me.
Groaning — Doth exceed my complaints.
Verse 3
[3] Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
O — I desire nothing more than his acquaintance and presence; but alas, he hides his face from me.
Seat — To his throne or judgment-seat to plead my cause before him.
Verse 5
[5] I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Know — If he should discover to me any secret sins, for which he contendeth with me, I would humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity.
Verse 6
[6] Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
No — He would not use his power against me, but for me; by enabling me to plead my cause, and giving sentence according to that clemency, which he uses towards his children.
Verse 7
[7] There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
There — At that throne of grace, where God lays aside his majesty, and judges according to his wonted clemency.
Dispute — Humbly propounding the grounds of their confidence.
So — Upon such a fair and equal hearing.
Delivered — From the damnatory sentence of God. This and some such expressions of Job cannot be excused from irreverence towards God, for which God afterwards reproves him, and Job abhorreth himself.
Verse 8
[8] Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Is not — As a judge to hear and determine my causes, otherwise he knew God was essentially present in all places.
2 “Today too my complaint is bitter;
my hand is weighed down because of my groaning.
3 I wish I knew where I could find him;
then I would go to where he is.
4 I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know his answering words
and grasp what he would tell me.
6 Would he browbeat me with his great power?
No, he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright person could reason with him;
thus I might be forever acquitted by my judge.
8 “If I head east, he isn’t there;
if I head west, I don’t detect him,
9 if I turn north, I don’t spot him;
in the south he is veiled, and I still don’t see him.
16 God has undermined my courage;
Shaddai frightens me.
17 Yet I am not cut off by the darkness;
he has protected me from the deepest gloom.
Psalm 22:(0) For the leader. Set to “Sunrise.” A psalm of David:
2 (1) My God! My God!
Why have you abandoned me?
Why so far from helping me,
so far from my anguished cries?
3 (2) My God, by day I call to you,
but you don’t answer;
likewise at night,
but I get no relief.
4 (3) Nevertheless, you are holy,
enthroned on the praises of Isra’el.
5 (4) In you our ancestors put their trust;
they trusted, and you rescued them.
6 (5) They cried to you and escaped;
they trusted in you and were not disappointed.
7 (6) But I am a worm, not a man,
scorned by everyone, despised by the people.
8 (7) All who see me jeer at me;
they sneer and shake their heads:
9 (8) “He committed himself to Adonai,
so let him rescue him!
Let him set him free
if he takes such delight in him!”
10 (9) But you are the one who took me from the womb,
you made me trust when I was on my mother’s breasts.
11 (10) Since my birth I’ve been thrown on you;
you are my God from my mother’s womb.
12 (11) Don’t stay far from me, for trouble is near;
and there is no one to help.
13 (12) Many bulls surround me,
wild bulls of Bashan close in on me.
14 (13) They open their mouths wide against me,
like ravening, roaring lions.
15 (14) I am poured out like water;
all my bones are out of joint;
my heart has become like wax —
it melts inside me;
Hebrews 4:12 See, the Word of God is alive! It is at work and is sharper than any double-edged sword — it cuts right through to where soul meets spirit and joints meet marrow, and it is quick to judge the inner reflections and attitudes of the heart. 13 Before God, nothing created is hidden, but all things are naked and open to the eyes of him to whom we must render an account.
14 Therefore, since we have a great cohen gadol who has passed through to the highest heaven, Yeshua, the Son of God, let us hold firmly to what we acknowledge as true. 15 For we do not have a cohen gadol unable to empathize with our weaknesses; since in every respect he was tempted just as we are, the only difference being that he did not sin. 16 Therefore, let us confidently approach the throne from which God gives grace, so that we may receive mercy and find grace in our time of need.
Mark 10:17 As he was starting on his way, a man ran up, kneeled down in front of him and asked, “Good rabbi, what should I do to obtain eternal life?” 18 Yeshua said to him, “Why are you calling me good? No one is good except God! 19 You know the mitzvot — ‘Don’t murder, don’t commit adultery, don’t steal, don’t give false testimony, don’t defraud, honor your father and mother, . . .’”[Mark 10:19 Exodus 20:12–13(16); Deuteronomy 5:16–17(20)] 20 “Rabbi,” he said, “I have kept all these since I was a boy.” 21 Yeshua, looking at him, felt love for him and said to him, “You’re missing one thing. Go, sell whatever you own, give to the poor, and you will have riches in heaven. Then come, follow me!” 22 Shocked by this word, he went away sad; because he was a wealthy man.
23 Yeshua looked around and said to his talmidim, “How hard it is going to be for people with wealth to enter the Kingdom of God!” 24 The talmidim were astounded at these words; but Yeshua said to them again, “My friends, how hard it is to enter the Kingdom of God! 25 It’s easier for a camel to pass through a needle’s eye than for a rich man to enter the Kingdom of God.” 26 They were utterly amazed and said to him, “Then who can be saved?” 27 Yeshua looked at them and said, “Humanly, it is impossible, but not with God; with God, everything is possible.” 28 Kefa began saying to him, “Look, we have left everything and followed you.” 29 Yeshua said, “Yes! I tell you that there is no one who has left house, brothers, sisters, mother, father, children or fields, for my sake and for the sake of the Good News, 30 who will not receive a hundred times over, now, in the ‘olam hazeh, homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, children and lands — with persecutions! — and in the ‘olam haba, eternal life. 31 But many who are first will be last, and many who are last will be first!”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Job 23:1-9Verse 2
[2] Even to day is my complaint bitter: my stroke is heavier than my groaning.
To-day — Even at this time, notwithstanding all your pretended consolations.
Stroke — The hand or stroke of God upon me.
Groaning — Doth exceed my complaints.
Verse 3
[3] Oh that I knew where I might find him! that I might come even to his seat!
O — I desire nothing more than his acquaintance and presence; but alas, he hides his face from me.
Seat — To his throne or judgment-seat to plead my cause before him.
Verse 5
[5] I would know the words which he would answer me, and understand what he would say unto me.
Know — If he should discover to me any secret sins, for which he contendeth with me, I would humble myself before him, and accept of the punishment of mine iniquity.
Verse 6
[6] Will he plead against me with his great power? No; but he would put strength in me.
No — He would not use his power against me, but for me; by enabling me to plead my cause, and giving sentence according to that clemency, which he uses towards his children.
Verse 7
[7] There the righteous might dispute with him; so should I be delivered for ever from my judge.
There — At that throne of grace, where God lays aside his majesty, and judges according to his wonted clemency.
Dispute — Humbly propounding the grounds of their confidence.
So — Upon such a fair and equal hearing.
Delivered — From the damnatory sentence of God. This and some such expressions of Job cannot be excused from irreverence towards God, for which God afterwards reproves him, and Job abhorreth himself.
Verse 8
[8] Behold, I go forward, but he is not there; and backward, but I cannot perceive him:
Is not — As a judge to hear and determine my causes, otherwise he knew God was essentially present in all places.
16-17
Verse 16
[16] For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
Soft — He hath bruised, and broken, or melted it, so that I have no spirit in me.
Verse 17
[17] Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Because — God did not cut me off by death.
Before — These miseries came upon me.
Covered — By hiding me in the grave.
[1] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
My God — Who art my friend and father, though now thou frownest upon me. The repetition denotes, the depth of his distress, which made him cry so earnestly.
Forsaken — Withdrawn the light of thy countenance, the supports and comforts of thy spirit, and filled me with the terrors of thy wrath: this was in part verified in David, but much more fully in Christ.
Roaring — My out-cries forced from me, by my miseries.
Verse 3
[3] But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
But thou art — Just and true in all thy ways, this he adds to strengthen his faith, and to enforce his prayers, and prevail with God for the honour of his holy name, to hear and help him.
Inhabitest — Whom thy people are perpetually praising.
Verse 6
[6] But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
A worm — Neglected and despised.
People — Not only of the great men, but also of the common people. Which doth not so truly agree to David as to Christ.
Verse 7
[7] All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
Shoot out — They gape with their mouths, in mockery. This and the next verse are applied to Christ, Matthew 27:39,43.
Verse 12
[12] Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Bulls — Wicked and violent, and potent enemies; for such are so called, Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1.
Of Bashan — As the cattle there bred were, and therefore fierce and furious.
Verse 14
[14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Water — My spirits are spent and gone like water which once spilt can never be recovered; my very flesh is melted within me, and I am become as weak as water.
Bones — I am as unable to help myself, and as full of torment, as if all my bones were disjointed.
Wax — Melted, through fear and overwhelming grief.
Verse 15
[15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Dried — I have in a manner no more moisture left in me, than is in a dry potsherd.
Cleaveth — Through excessive thirst and drought.
Death — Thy providence, delivering me into the power of mine enemies, and by thy terrors in my soul.
[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
For the word of God — Preached, Hebrews 4:2, and armed with threatenings, Hebrews 4:3.
Is living and powerful — Attended with the power of the living God, and conveying either life or death to the hearers.
Sharper than any two-edged sword — Penetrating the heart more than this does the body.
Piercing — Quite through, and laying open.
The soul and spirit, joints and marrow — The inmost recesses of the mind, which the apostle beautifully and strongly expresses by this heap of figurative words.
And is a discerner — Not only of the thoughts, but also of the intentions.
Verse 13
[13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
In his sight — It is God whose word is thus "powerful:" it is God in whose sight every creature is manifest; and of this his word, working on the conscience, gives the fullest conviction.
But all things are naked and opened — Plainly alluding to the sacrifices under the law which were first flayed, and then (as the Greek word literally means) cleft asunder through the neck and backbone; so that everything both without and within was exposed to open view.
Verse 14
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Having therefore a great high priest — Great indeed, being the eternal Son of God, that is passed through the heavens - As the Jewish high priest passed through the veil into the holy of holies, carrying with him the blood of the sacrifices, on the yearly day of atonement; so our great high priest went once for all through the visible heavens, with the virtue of his own blood, into the immediate presence God.
Verse 15
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He sympathizes with us even in our innocent infirmities, wants, weaknesses, miseries, dangers.
Yet without sin — And, therefore, is indisputably able to preserve us from it in all our temptations.
Verse 16
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us therefore come boldly — Without any doubt or fear. Unto the throne of God, our reconciled Father, even his throne of grace - Grace erected it, and reigns there, and dispenses all blessings in a way of mere, unmerited favour.
[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Matthew 19:16; Luke 18:18.
Verse 20
[20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
He answering, said to him, Master — He stands reproved now, and drops the epithet good.
Verse 21
[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Jesus looking upon him — And looking into his heart, loved him - Doubtless for the dawnings of good which he saw in him: and said to him - Out of tender love, One thing thou lackest - The love of God, without which all religion is a dead carcass. In order to this, throw away what is to thee the grand hinderance of it. Give up thy great idol, riches. Go, sell whatsoever thou hast.
Verse 24
[24] And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Jesus saith to them, Children — See how he softens the harsh truth, by the manner of delivering it! And yet without retracting or abating one tittle: How hard is it for them that trust in riches - Either for defence, or happiness, or deliverance from the thousand dangers that life is continually exposed to. That these cannot enter into God's glorious kingdom, is clear and undeniable: but it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a man to have riches, and not trust in them. Therefore, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.
Verse 28
[28] Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Lo, we have left all — Though the young man would not.
Verse 30
[30] But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
He shall receive a hundred fold, houses, … — Not in the same kind: for it will generally be with persecutions: but in value: a hundred fold more happiness than any or all of these did or could afford. But let it be observed, none is entitled to this happiness, but he that will accept it with persecutions.
[16] For God maketh my heart soft, and the Almighty troubleth me:
Soft — He hath bruised, and broken, or melted it, so that I have no spirit in me.
Verse 17
[17] Because I was not cut off before the darkness, neither hath he covered the darkness from my face.
Because — God did not cut me off by death.
Before — These miseries came upon me.
Covered — By hiding me in the grave.
Psalm 22:1-15
Verse 1[1] My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me? why art thou so far from helping me, and from the words of my roaring?
My God — Who art my friend and father, though now thou frownest upon me. The repetition denotes, the depth of his distress, which made him cry so earnestly.
Forsaken — Withdrawn the light of thy countenance, the supports and comforts of thy spirit, and filled me with the terrors of thy wrath: this was in part verified in David, but much more fully in Christ.
Roaring — My out-cries forced from me, by my miseries.
Verse 3
[3] But thou art holy, O thou that inhabitest the praises of Israel.
But thou art — Just and true in all thy ways, this he adds to strengthen his faith, and to enforce his prayers, and prevail with God for the honour of his holy name, to hear and help him.
Inhabitest — Whom thy people are perpetually praising.
Verse 6
[6] But I am a worm, and no man; a reproach of men, and despised of the people.
A worm — Neglected and despised.
People — Not only of the great men, but also of the common people. Which doth not so truly agree to David as to Christ.
Verse 7
[7] All they that see me laugh me to scorn: they shoot out the lip, they shake the head, saying,
Shoot out — They gape with their mouths, in mockery. This and the next verse are applied to Christ, Matthew 27:39,43.
Verse 12
[12] Many bulls have compassed me: strong bulls of Bashan have beset me round.
Bulls — Wicked and violent, and potent enemies; for such are so called, Ezekiel 39:18; Amos 4:1.
Of Bashan — As the cattle there bred were, and therefore fierce and furious.
Verse 14
[14] I am poured out like water, and all my bones are out of joint: my heart is like wax; it is melted in the midst of my bowels.
Water — My spirits are spent and gone like water which once spilt can never be recovered; my very flesh is melted within me, and I am become as weak as water.
Bones — I am as unable to help myself, and as full of torment, as if all my bones were disjointed.
Wax — Melted, through fear and overwhelming grief.
Verse 15
[15] My strength is dried up like a potsherd; and my tongue cleaveth to my jaws; and thou hast brought me into the dust of death.
Dried — I have in a manner no more moisture left in me, than is in a dry potsherd.
Cleaveth — Through excessive thirst and drought.
Death — Thy providence, delivering me into the power of mine enemies, and by thy terrors in my soul.
Hebrews 4:12-16
Verse 12[12] For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart.
For the word of God — Preached, Hebrews 4:2, and armed with threatenings, Hebrews 4:3.
Is living and powerful — Attended with the power of the living God, and conveying either life or death to the hearers.
Sharper than any two-edged sword — Penetrating the heart more than this does the body.
Piercing — Quite through, and laying open.
The soul and spirit, joints and marrow — The inmost recesses of the mind, which the apostle beautifully and strongly expresses by this heap of figurative words.
And is a discerner — Not only of the thoughts, but also of the intentions.
Verse 13
[13] Neither is there any creature that is not manifest in his sight: but all things are naked and opened unto the eyes of him with whom we have to do.
In his sight — It is God whose word is thus "powerful:" it is God in whose sight every creature is manifest; and of this his word, working on the conscience, gives the fullest conviction.
But all things are naked and opened — Plainly alluding to the sacrifices under the law which were first flayed, and then (as the Greek word literally means) cleft asunder through the neck and backbone; so that everything both without and within was exposed to open view.
Verse 14
[14] Seeing then that we have a great high priest, that is passed into the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold fast our profession.
Having therefore a great high priest — Great indeed, being the eternal Son of God, that is passed through the heavens - As the Jewish high priest passed through the veil into the holy of holies, carrying with him the blood of the sacrifices, on the yearly day of atonement; so our great high priest went once for all through the visible heavens, with the virtue of his own blood, into the immediate presence God.
Verse 15
[15] For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin.
He sympathizes with us even in our innocent infirmities, wants, weaknesses, miseries, dangers.
Yet without sin — And, therefore, is indisputably able to preserve us from it in all our temptations.
Verse 16
[16] Let us therefore come boldly unto the throne of grace, that we may obtain mercy, and find grace to help in time of need.
Let us therefore come boldly — Without any doubt or fear. Unto the throne of God, our reconciled Father, even his throne of grace - Grace erected it, and reigns there, and dispenses all blessings in a way of mere, unmerited favour.
Mark 10:17-31
Verse 17[17] And when he was gone forth into the way, there came one running, and kneeled to him, and asked him, Good Master, what shall I do that I may inherit eternal life?
Matthew 19:16; Luke 18:18.
Verse 20
[20] And he answered and said unto him, Master, all these have I observed from my youth.
He answering, said to him, Master — He stands reproved now, and drops the epithet good.
Verse 21
[21] Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.
Jesus looking upon him — And looking into his heart, loved him - Doubtless for the dawnings of good which he saw in him: and said to him - Out of tender love, One thing thou lackest - The love of God, without which all religion is a dead carcass. In order to this, throw away what is to thee the grand hinderance of it. Give up thy great idol, riches. Go, sell whatsoever thou hast.
Verse 24
[24] And the disciples were astonished at his words. But Jesus answereth again, and saith unto them, Children, how hard is it for them that trust in riches to enter into the kingdom of God!
Jesus saith to them, Children — See how he softens the harsh truth, by the manner of delivering it! And yet without retracting or abating one tittle: How hard is it for them that trust in riches - Either for defence, or happiness, or deliverance from the thousand dangers that life is continually exposed to. That these cannot enter into God's glorious kingdom, is clear and undeniable: but it is easier for a camel to go through a needle's eye, than for a man to have riches, and not trust in them. Therefore, it is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter the kingdom.
Verse 28
[28] Then Peter began to say unto him, Lo, we have left all, and have followed thee.
Lo, we have left all — Though the young man would not.
Verse 30
[30] But he shall receive an hundredfold now in this time, houses, and brethren, and sisters, and mothers, and children, and lands, with persecutions; and in the world to come eternal life.
He shall receive a hundred fold, houses, … — Not in the same kind: for it will generally be with persecutions: but in value: a hundred fold more happiness than any or all of these did or could afford. But let it be observed, none is entitled to this happiness, but he that will accept it with persecutions.
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Upper Room Ministries
a ministry of Discipleship Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States
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Sermon Story "Seeking The Presence of God" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 13 October 2015 with Scripture: Job 23:1 Then Iyov answered:
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Sermon Story "Seeking The Presence of God" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 13 October 2015 with Scripture: Job 23:1 Then Iyov answered:
2 “Today too my complaint is bitter;
my hand is weighed down because of my groaning.
3 I wish I knew where I could find him;
then I would go to where he is.
4 I would state my case before him
and fill my mouth with arguments.
5 I would know his answering words
and grasp what he would tell me.
6 Would he browbeat me with his great power?
No, he would pay attention to me.
7 There an upright person could reason with him;
thus I might be forever acquitted by my judge.
8 “If I head east, he isn’t there;
if I head west, I don’t detect him,
9 if I turn north, I don’t spot him;
in the south he is veiled, and I still don’t see him.
16 God has undermined my courage;
Shaddai frightens me.
17 Yet I am not cut off by the darkness;
he has protected me from the deepest gloom.
As we heard this passage of Scripture, we still struggle with whether or not this man Job really existed. Yer, we see this man's suffering as an example of The Messiah coming to redeem His creation through suffering and death. Job comes to the place where he did not listen to the people who tried to get him to confess His sins that he had not committed, but now comes to seek the Presence of God. He cries out that his own suffering of the loss of his children and wealth then his sickness yet he is calling out to God that he will be able to defend himself that he has not sinned. He says that the defense is not his own, but the defense is not his but God's own defense. He even speaks that though he is suffering, God has kept him from seeing the darkness or death of this life despite some asking him to curse God and die. Here he is in a similar state that Jesus found Himself except Jesus died on the cross as He cried out asking the Father why He has abandoned Him as is written in the Psalm 22 for today. Then, the rich young ruler coming to Jesus asking Him what he must do to gain eternal life responding that he has kept all the commandments perfectily. Yet, Jesus said to sell all he holds on to and give to the poor and come and follow Him. In Job's case, the temptation came with God's permission from Satan to see how Job's faith was in God or what God has blessed him with. Job cries out that God would come to him in His Presence as the Father did three days after Jesus died to resurrect Him up for all eternity. How do you understand Job's cry for an opportunityto defend himself in God's Presence? How do you feel when your suffering comes to more than you think you can bare? How do you respond to your suffering because of your faith? We come to realize that people who are differently abled suffer much yet many keep their faith in God. Yet the community and church do not see their suffering as beneficial to build up God's KIngdom on earth as it is in Heaven, but God says differently. We are reminded that when we give up all that in this life we will be given back as much as we gave up that comes with persecution. Will you take your suffering as a way to be drawn closer to God or will you desire to what to be given the opportunity to die without pain? Lord, Have mercy on us. We come to seek God's Mercy and Love to go through whatever we do as we take and eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood through the participation in the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive singing the Hymn "Be Strong" by Ken Bible
1. Be strong and courageous and bold;
Be strong and courageous and bold.
Away with your fear, For God will be near.
Be strong and courageous and bold.
2. He's with you wherever you go;
He's with you wherever you go.
Be strong and courageous and bold.
Away with your fear, For God will be near.
Be strong and courageous and bold.
2. He's with you wherever you go;
He's with you wherever you go.
He's there by your side To help and to guide.
He's with you wherever you go.
3. So trust Him with all of your heart;
So trust Him with all of your heart.
Believe and obey Each hour of the day,
And trust Him with all of your heart.
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idaho Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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Visit our Website____________________________
Another Successful Weekend!
Thank you to the MANY volunteers who made our fall Rummage and Bake sale a huge success. Our United Methodist Women will use the $8000raised to help fund their mission work, locally and abroad. (Extra thanks to coordinators Lois Diers, Samantha Kaiser, June Shors & Marilyn Smalley!)check out some pics here.
We also thank all the families who volunteered to run our game booth at this year's Manhattan BeachHometown Fair, and especially Linsey and Kirk Miller who coordinated the effort. We raised $2001 for our budget!
THANK YOU ALL!
"Joseph" Musical and
All-Church Fundraiser
It's more than a youth musical--it's an all-church gala! Join us Saturday,November 14 at 5pm for a Dinner Theater and Silent Auction, or Sunday, November 15 at 11:30am for a Lunch Matinee. Tickets (reserved seats) go on sale October 25.
Be a part of making it happen. Join in now as a part of the show (costumes, sets, etc) or to help with the meals or auction.
Donate an item for the silent auction, or recruit a donation from a business you know!
News From Our Members
Every time I turn on the news, it’s more sad news. My heart aches for this world and all that is happening – missing ships, orphaned toddlers, accidental hospital bombings, refugees needing a home and flooding for people who have homes…. The list goes on and on. I’m thankful to be part of a church that supports UMCOR, which provides some relief to people in need. Yet, I sometimes feel...
Read more here
"By Our Love" by Johnna Kosnoff
Every time I turn on the news, it’s more sad news. My heart aches for this world and all that is happening – missing ships, orphaned toddlers, accidental hospital bombings, refugees needing a home and flooding for people who have homes…. The list goes on and on. I’m thankful to be part of a church that supports UMCOR, which provides some relief to people in need. Yet, I sometimes feel so helpless despite my desire to bring compassion and assistance to the broken-hearted and injured.
This morning, I heard the song, “They Will Know We Are Christians By Our Love” and the lyrics caused me to pause and think about my role as a Christian in this world. I thought of the Oregon student who was asked if he was a Christian before he was shot and of the unity in Christ we share as victims and as survivors.
The lyrics are as follows:
1. We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
We are one in the Spirit, we are one in the Lord,
And we pray that all unity may one day be restored.
Refrain: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Yes, they’ll know we are Christians by our love.
2. We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
We will walk with each other, we will walk hand in hand,
And together we’ll spread the news that God is in our land.
Refrain: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
3. We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
We will work with each other, we will work side by side,
And we’ll guard each one’s dignity and save each one’s pride.
Refrain: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
4. All praise to the Father, from whom all things come,
And all praise to Christ Jesus, his only Son,
And all praise to the Spirit, who makes us one.
Refrain: And they’ll know we are Christians by our love, by our love,
Walking and Working with one another in the unity of Christ…. It seems to me that these are the things our congregation does. We work rummage sales together, we worship together, we plan a theatrical production together and we will soon walk for Friendship Circle together. It’s all part of sharing our love with the world while bringing praise to the Father, Son and Spirit. I’m so thankful and honored to share this unity with you. May the world know we are Christians by our love.
Read Bob Peterson's "Lay Looker" column here
Coming at Church
Seeking Donations for an All-Church Silent Auction
Between now and October 31, we are seeking donations from church members, businesses, and friends for a Silent Auction to be held alongside the Youth and Children's Musical Dinner Theater on November 14. Funds raised to to our church budget to fund our many ministries.
Something to donate? Want to help ask others? More info here or contactLaura.
Book Club: The Red Tent, by A. Diamant
Thursday, October 22 at 7pm in May Day Parlor. Questions? Email Ann or Laura.
Women's Spiritual Retreat Weekend
Limited space available in shared rooms!
February 5 -7, 2016 at La Casa de Maria in Santa Barbara. Led by Rev. Nicole Reilley.
Read more here
All Saints Sunday
On November 1 in worship, we will remember those saints who have passed in the last year. If you would like to include a loved one in our slide presentation, please send a photo of the person, along with their name and relationship to you.
send photo
Saturday Parsonage Work Project
Join us Saturday, October 17 at 9am for a morning of work in the church parsonage yard. We're re-landscaping with low-water plants (and a rebate from the Water District)--it's almost done, and we could use extra hands spreading mulch. Bring work gloves if you have them! The parsonage is at 513 Faye Ln, Redondo Beach 90277.
Church Finance Update
As of the end of September, our regular giving through tithes and offerings continues to be under budget, by almost $30,000. Because of some generous special gifts, along with restrained spending, we are fortunate to be closing the gap. However, fulfilling our ministry dreams and commitments will require us to significantly step up our giving for the rest of the year so that we end in a good position.
We are mailing out third quarter giving statements this week, so please look for yours in the mail!
Tell Us About Yourself...
Please take a moment to tell us about your skills and interests through our online questionnaire. New questions for 2015!
Do You Know Pro Tools or Logic
The Music Department is looking for someone who knows ProTools, Logic, or comparable program for recording and mixing worship service audio.
Contact Jim Raycroft.
Join (or Support) our Church Team for the Pier-to-Pier Friendship Walk
Support the Friendship Circle by joining our church team for walk, on Sunday, October 25, starting at 9:30am. We'll meet at Perlots' home in Hermosa to do the walk backwards. :)
Details to sign up or donate are here!
Christmas Wreath Sales to Benefit our Youth Ministry
Our youth Christmas wreath fundraiser has returned. We have many options available again this year. You mayorder online or at church on Sunday mornings in coming weeks. Final day to order is November 1.
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, October 19, 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.
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!
Prayer Quilt Ministry: Know someone in need of prayer? You can sponsor a free prayer quilt for them. Next Quilt Workshop: Friday, October 16, 10am-noon. We will work on our quilt for the silent auction, as well as other projects. More information is online.
Meals and More: Did you know that we have a ministry that organizes meals and other assistance for church folks in times of need? In the past, we've helped arrange rides to medical appointments, meals for people recovering from surgery, and more. Leila Grantz coordinates this ministry, using online sign-up tools. If you want to be a part of the group that she emails when there is an opportunity to help, or if you know someone who's in need of a little help, please contact the church office or Leila.
Ambassadors of God's Reconciliation
Read a recent sermon from our Los Angeles Area Bishop, Minerva G. Carcaño, as she reflects on the Pope's visit to the US.
Read the sermon here
Ambassadors of God’s Reconciliation – Sermon
Delivered at Perkins School of Theology Chapel on September 30, 2015.
Over the last week we certainly saw an ambassador of God among us in the Bishop of Rome. Pope Francis’ visit to the U.S. touched many hearts and lives including my own. We saw him live out his words that, “Holiness is always tied to little gestures…..signs of tenderness, affection and compassion.” We saw it as he blessed the children, embraced the afflicted, stopped for those whom others ignore. Small gestures of reconciliation that we can all give.
But he also spoke of big things in clear ways: All people are worthy of mercy including immigrants and the imprisoned. The environment is being destroyed and we have a moral responsibility to care for it. Our priority should be ministering to the most vulnerable among us.
Pope Francis spoke to us through word and deed of the reconciliation that the Apostle Paul exhorts us to practice in Second Corinthians. Do we not remember that God was in Christ reconciling the world to himself? We are called to be reconciled and ambassadors of this holy reconciliation.
Paul found himself at odds with the people in Corinth. Enmity was a part of life even among those early Christians. As we consider the church today we see that enmity among Christians is still with us. In the United Methodist Church the litmus test is-are we confessing or progressive, do we stand for evangelism or social justice, is our good news the true good news or not. We spend much too much time inwardly fighting over these dividers rather than focusing outwardly being ambassadors of the One who calls us to be reconciled, letting go of our enmity and living in sacred friendship in spite of our differences. You would think that by now we would have learned how to live and love in the way God hopes we would.
As I watched Pope Francis on the constant news coverage that his visit received, I caught myself thinking with a bit of jealousy, “Why can’t we get such news coverage for our United Methodist message?” Then of course I remembered that the Pope speaks for a congregation of 1.2 billion Christians while we United Methodists number only 13 million. The numbers quickly brought everything into political perspective for me.
I must also confess, however, that the more I listened to the Pope the more I found myself challenged to consider what it means to be reconciled as Christians.
Was Pope Francis’ core message not our message as well? A message of love and reconciliation, with God, with each other, and with all of creation; the message of Christian faith, I believe.
There were though concerns raised about the faith institution the Pope represents. There were those who met with him privately because they are victims of the scandal of sexual abuse at the hands of those who have been ordained to proclaim and live God’s love. These victims report that they found no comfort in being told that the Pope was sorry for what had happened to them and would be vigilant so that such things never happen again. And while the Pope gave a shout out to nuns in the U.S., there was also the declaration that the authority of an exclusively male clergy body was not up for negotiation. Sexism, alive and well.
Serving in California I was hoping that Pope Francis would not canonize the Catholic priest and missionary to the Americas, Junipero Serra. Our Native American brothers and sisters in California where Father Serra established missions for Christ and Spain up the Camino Real, the Kings Highway, hold within them the history of being enslaved and oppressed by a gospel that came to them under the intermingled and inseparable shadow of a cross and a sword.
Then this morning we learned that while he was here in the U.S. Pope Francis had a private meeting with Kentucky Clerk Kim Davis to tell her to stay strong. My heart sank. Not only has Ms. Davis obstructed the right of same gender persons to express their love for each other through marriage, she has obstructed the love of God for all people. Pope Francis is but a man, leading an imperfect church.
But it isn’t a matter of the Roman Catholic Church being somehow more damaged than Protestant, Orthodox, Evangelical, Pentecostal, or Charismatic churches. It certainly isn’t about Christians being better than others who do not share our faith. Is not all this a sign of the fact that we are all, even we Christians, in need of the reconciliation that only God can give.
Who else can show us our sin while also forgive our sin? Is our reconciliation not in Christ who knew no sin, but who out of tender mercy was sent by God to be sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in Him, ambassadors of God’s reconciliation? We are not saved by our institutional churches, or by a Pope, or a Council of Bishops, by pastors or seminary professors. We are saved by God alone who blesses us with reconciliation, an act of perfect love that should humble us before God and each other.
It seems abundantly clear that humility of the kind we have seen in Pope Francis must be our way of being too if we are to be ambassadors of God’s reconciliation. The Good News is that it is God’s work within us and not the work of our own making. That should give us hope that we can be the reconciled people that God has already made us to be and even ambassadors of God’s reconciliation.
I know a lawyer who specializes in criminal and immigration law. He has journeyed with the suffering of the world in ways that at 65 years of age make him skeptical about our human ability to be agents of any kind of reconciliation much less ambassadors of God’s own reconciliation. He is a cradle Presbyterian, who along the way became a self-declared agnostic. Today he says he is a deist; there is a god out there somewhere. More recently he’s begun to wonder whether God is closer than he had ever realized.
Earlier this year he took on the asylum case of a Syrian family. They had suffered a great deal in Syria because of their faith and one day it became clear that they would die if they stayed in Syria. One daughter left first seeking asylum in France while the rest of the family, the mother and father, another daughter her husband, and their 6 year-old son came to the U.S.
This lawyer, deist of a man, worked hard on this Syrian family’s case. Knowing the potential consequences of his failing to get this family asylum kept him awake at night. It did not help that the case had been assigned to an immigration judge known even for his cruel way of treating immigrants in his courtroom. Then something began to happen.
Just days before the final court proceeding on this asylum case this lawyer received word that the case was being postponed for another few weeks, giving him more time to build his case. Then just two days before the rescheduled court appearance he received yet another gift of grace. He was informed that the originally assigned judge would not be able to proceed with the case. Another judge would be presiding; it would be the judge known as the most compassionate and most helpful immigration judge in the whole circuit!
The day of the court proceedings arrived and after a night of no sleep and with just a cup of strong coffee in his belly, the lawyer did his best to defend this family and won their case! After the legal proceedings the lawyer invited the family to a debriefing room to explain the next steps. In the debriefing room in a most uncharacteristic moment the lawyer shared with the family how very stressed out he had been over their case. The family matriarch who had spoken throughout their journey together of her faith and confidence in God, asked him why he had been so stressed. The lawyer opened his mouth to answer but before he could do so the youngest member of the family, the 6 year-old grandson, came over to him and affectionately slapping his leg, declared with a great big smile, “That’s because you love us!”
He considers all the changes in the case – extra time, a kinder judge – as coincidences or perhaps good luck. But he continues to wonder about and marvel at the sentiment of the little boy, “That’s because you love us……” He had not thought of his work in those terms. He was trying to be the best lawyer for this family that he could be. He was seeking ways to find them some justice. Love was not at the forefront of his thinking. But every time he thinks of that little boy and feels his declaration, he does experience love, a love so profound that it breaks through the hard shell he’s barricaded his heart with and he begins to weep. Could it be God at work within him and through him penetrating the impact of human sin, the sin of the world, and reconciling even him to God’s self and to others? He wonders.
I’m a pest in his life because I do not wonder. I know that it is God within him and through him bringing reconciliation, love and hope in a broken world! It’s what I saw in Pope Francis last week.
While some tried to shame him through the vitriol of the assumed inappropriateness of a religious leader getting involved in political matters, and others even calling him a clown, Pope Francis just kept loving the world and inviting us to love with him. It’s what true ambassadors of reconciliation, ambassadors of God, do. Thanks be to God.
This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
Nursery (6 weeks+):
The Nursery is open during both services, for ages 6 weeks to 6 yrs old. (Three year olds and older attend Sunday School at 10:30.) Located right off of the parking lot across Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade & Church R Us: grades 4-5):
10:30am Sunday School: Join us upstairs for a lesson on "Building a Church". We'll talk about what it means to build together as a community of faith (There will be legos!).
Church R Us (Special Class for Grades 4 & 5): Join us in the "clubhouse" above the nursery for a lesson on " Taking care of God’s House". We'll construct "something from nothing" and there might even be time for a lego game!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
- No Middle School Sunday School this week.
-Youth Group-Cancelled! See you guys the 18th!
-Parent Meeting on Oct 18th during youth group!
Children & Youth: Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Rehearsal schedule is posted online for those in the cast.
To volunteer to help with the crew (costumes, sets, tech, etc.), contact Stephen! There are lots of jobs that don't require major time commitment--we'd love to have you involved.
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion
Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am, in Heath Chapel. Led by Helen Stockwell.
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. Led by Pastor Molly Vetter.
Community Events
Riviera UMC: Rejoice in Art! Fine Art Fair and Exhibition Opens October 16/17
West District Training Conference: for Current and Emerging Leaders - on January 30, 2016 from 8am-2pm at Holman UMC in Los Angeles
Our congregation is a part of the El Tordondo Mission Area, in the West District of theCalifornia-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
Parking Reminder: If you are able, we encourage you to park at the Wells Fargo bank on Sunday mornings, and walk across the street, reserving the parking lot for those with mobility challenges or for new visitors. We also have a bike rack on the patio. Thanks for your consideration.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
310-372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
Email | Website
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
Choir & Our Music Ministry
Join our choir and lend your voice to help us worship God together. Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights, from 7:30-9pm. We are always looking for instrumentalists and musical guests, too. Contact Jim Raycroft for more info.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277 United States
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