This Sunday in worship: Advent continues.
Beautiful music. 9:30 Pageant rehearsal. All-in-One Advent Fun from 4-6pm!
From Pastor Molly: We Need a Little Christmas
During Advent, we prepare for Christmas, a season of hope, joy, love and peace. But the Advent waiting starts in the darkness, in the sorrow, and the despair. I’ve been thinking about how it’s these times, when I’m so very hungry for a sign of hope and word of grace, that I’m ready for the gift of Christmas. It reminds me of this poem by Oscar Romero, who was assassinated in 1980 while serving as the Roman Catholic Archbishop of El Salvador:
No one can celebrate a genuine Christmas
Without being truly poor. The self-sufficient, the proud,
Those who, because they have everything, look down on others,
Those who have no need even of God—for them there
Will be no Christmas. Only the poor, the hungry,
Those who need someone to come on their behalf,
Will have that someone. That someone is God.
Emmanuel. God-with-us. Without poverty of spirit
There can be no abundance of God.[Oscar Romero][Pastor Molly Vetter]
In Worship This Week
Sunday, Decmeber 6
Scripture: Luke 3:1-6
"Shepherds, Why this Jubilee?"
Pastor Molly, preaching
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Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 6 December 2015
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Lectionary Readings:
Sunday, 6 December 2015
(Courtesy of Vanderbilt Divinity Library)
Malachi 3:1-4
Luke 1:68-79
Philippians 1:3-11
Luke 3:1-6
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Lectionary Texts:
Malachi 3:1 “Look! I am sending my messengerto clear the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple.
Yes, the messenger of the covenant,
in whom you take such delight —
look! Here he comes,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
2 But who can endure the day when he comes?
Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire,
like the soapmaker’s lye.
3 He will sit, testing and purifying the silver;
he will purify the sons of Levi,
refining them like gold and silver,
so that they can bring offerings to Adonai uprightly.
4 Then the offering of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim
will be pleasing to Adonai,
as it was in the days of old,
as in years gone by.
Luke 1:68 “Praised be Adonai, the God of Isra’el,[Luke 1:68 Psalms 41:14(13); 72:18; 106:48]
because he has visited and made a ransom to liberate his people
69 by raising up for us a mighty Delivererwho is a descendant of his servant David.
70 It is just as he has spoken
through the mouth of the prophets from the very beginning —
71 that we should be delivered from our enemies
and from the power of all who hate us.
72 “This has happened so that he might show
the mercy promised to our fathers —
that he would remember his holy covenant,
73 the oath he swore before Avraham avinu
74 to grant us that we, freed from our enemies,
would serve him without fear,
75 in holiness and righteousness
before him all our days.
76 You, child, will be called a prophet of Ha‘Elyon;
you will go before the Lord to prepare his way[Luke 1:76 Malachi 3:1; Isaiah 40:3]
77 by spreading the knowledge among his people
that deliverance comes by having sins forgiven
78 through our God’s most tender mercy,
which causes the Sunrise to visit us from Heaven,
79 to shine on those in darkness, living in the shadow of death,[Luke 1:79 Isaiah 9:1(2)]
and to guide our feet into the paths of peace.”
Philippians 1:3 I thank my God every time I think of you. 4 Whenever I pray for all of you I always pray with joy, 5 because you have shared in proclaiming the Good News from the very first day until now. 6 And I am sure of this: that the One who began a good work among you will keep it growing until it is completed on the Day of the Messiah Yeshua. 7 It is right for me to think this way about you all, because I have you on my heart; for whether I am in chains or defending and establishing the Good News, you are all sharing with me in this privileged work. 8 God can testify how I long for all of you with the deep affection of the Messiah Yeshua.
9 And this is my prayer: that your love may more and more overflow in fullness of knowledge and depth of discernment, 10 so that you will be able to determine what is best and thus be pure and without blame for the Day of the Messiah, 11 filled with the fruit of righteousness that comes through Yeshua the Messiah — to the glory and praise of God.
Luke 3:1 In the fifteenth year of Emperor Tiberius’ rule; when Pontius Pilate was governor of Y’hudah, Herod ruler of the Galil, his brother Philip ruler of Iturea and Trachonitis, and Lysanias ruler of Abilene, 2 with ‘Anan and Kayafa being the cohanim g’dolim; the word of God came to Yochanan Ben-Z’kharyah in the desert. 3 He went all through the Yarden region proclaiming an immersion involving turning to God from sin in order to be forgiven. 4 It was just as had been written in the book of the sayings of the prophet Yesha‘yahu,
“The voice of someone crying out:
‘In the desert prepare the way for Adonai!
Make straight paths for him!
5 Every valley must be filled in,
every mountain and hill leveled off;
the winding roads must be straightened
and the rough ways made smooth.
6 Then all humanity will see God’s deliverance.’”[Luke 3:6 Isaiah 40:3–5]
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John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Malachi 3:1-4
Verse 1
[1] Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
I — The Messiah.
My messenger — John the Baptist.
The Lord — The Messiah.
[1] Behold, I will send my messenger, and he shall prepare the way before me: and the Lord, whom ye seek, shall suddenly come to his temple, even the messenger of the covenant, whom ye delight in: behold, he shall come, saith the LORD of hosts.
I — The Messiah.
My messenger — John the Baptist.
The Lord — The Messiah.
Whom ye seek — Whom ye, who truly fear God, long and wait for.
Suddenly come — After the coming of his fore-runner.
To his temple — That which was the second temple at Jerusalem, lately built by Zerubbabel and Joshua.
The messenger — The angel of the covenant, the Messiah, in whose blood the covenant between God and man was confirmed.
Whom ye delight in — You Jews, among whom, few there are, who do not please themselves to think of his coming, tho' from various motives.
Verse 2
[2] But who may abide the day of his coming? and who shall stand when he appeareth? for he is like a refiner's fire, and like fullers' soap:
Abide — Who shall be able to stand under the weight of those crosses which in that day, will fall on all sorts of men? The day - This day was from his preaching, 'till the utter destruction of Jerusalem, about seventy years after the birth of Christ.
A refiner's fire — Some are like metals, which nothing but a fierce fire can purge, such fire shall the troubles of these days be.
Fuller's soap — As boiling waters, into which, spotted cloaths are thrown, and as the rubbing of them with soap; so that day will prove to all, a day of great trial, to purge and refine.
Verse 3
[3] And he shall sit as a refiner and purifier of silver: and he shall purify the sons of Levi, and purge them as gold and silver, that they may offer unto the LORD an offering in righteousness.
He shall fit — As resolved to attend his work and finish it.
He shall purify — The effect of this fiery trial, shall be the thorough cleansing of the persons that are to pass through it.
Sons of Levi — Either the Jewish Levites, or all Christians, who are made priests unto God.
In righteousness — That they may offer themselves, their souls and bodies to God, in righteousness and true holiness.
Verse 4
[4] Then shall the offering of Judah and Jerusalem be pleasant unto the LORD, as in the days of old, and as in former years.
The offerings — The services and duties of the whole Christian church.
Pleasant — Well pleasing to him.
Luke 1:68-79
Verse 69
[69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
A horn — Signifies honour, plenty, and strength.
A horn of salvation — That is, a glorious and mighty Saviour.
Verse 70
[69] And hath raised up an horn of salvation for us in the house of his servant David;
A horn — Signifies honour, plenty, and strength.
A horn of salvation — That is, a glorious and mighty Saviour.
Verse 70
[70] As he spake by the mouth of his holy prophets, which have been since the world began:
His prophets, who have been since the world began — For there were prophets from the very beginning.
Verse 74
[74] That he would grant unto us, that we being delivered out of the hand of our enemies might serve him without fear,
To serve him without fear — Without any slavish fear. Here is the substance of the great promise. That we shall be always holy, always happy: that being delivered from Satan and sin, from every uneasy and unholy temper, we shall joyfully love and serve God, in every thought, word, and work.
Verse 76
[76] And thou, child, shalt be called the prophet of the Highest: for thou shalt go before the face of the Lord to prepare his ways;
And thou, child — He now speaks to John; yet not as a parent, but as a prophet.
Verse 77
[77] To give knowledge of salvation unto his people by the remission of their sins,
To give knowledge of salvation by the remission of sins — The knowledge of the remission of our sins being the grand instrument of present and eternal salvation, Hebrews 8:11,12. But the immediate sense of the words seems to be, to preach to them the Gospel doctrine of salvation by the remission of their sins.
Verse 78
[78] Through the tender mercy of our God; whereby the dayspring from on high hath visited us,
The day spring — Or the rising sun; that is, Christ.
Philippians 1:3-11
Verse 4
[4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
With joy — After the epistle to the Ephesians, wherein love reigns, follows this, wherein there is perpetual mention of joy. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy." And joy peculiarly enlivens prayer. The sum of the whole epistle is, I rejoice. Rejoice ye.
Verse 5
[5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
[4] Always in every prayer of mine for you all making request with joy,
With joy — After the epistle to the Ephesians, wherein love reigns, follows this, wherein there is perpetual mention of joy. "The fruit of the Spirit is love, joy." And joy peculiarly enlivens prayer. The sum of the whole epistle is, I rejoice. Rejoice ye.
Verse 5
[5] For your fellowship in the gospel from the first day until now;
The sense is, I thank God for your fellowship with us in all the blessings of the gospel, which I have done from the first day of your receiving it until now.
Verse 6
[6] Being confident of this very thing, that he which hath begun a good work in you will perform it until the day of Jesus Christ:
Being persuaded — The grounds of which persuasion are set down in the following verse.
That he who hath begun a good work in you, will perfect it until the day of Christ — That he who having justified, hath begun to sanctify you, will carry on this work, till it issue in glory.
Verse 7
[7] Even as it is meet for me to think this of you all, because I have you in my heart; inasmuch as both in my bonds, and in the defence and confirmation of the gospel, ye all are partakers of my grace.
As it is right for me to think this of you all — Why? He does not say, "Because of an eternal decree;" or, "Because a saint must persevere;" but, because I have you in my heart, who were all partakers of my grace - That is, because ye were all (for which I have you in my heart, I bear you the most grateful and tender affection) partakers of my grace - That is, sharers in the afflictions which God vouchsafed me as a grace or favour, Philippians 1:29,30; both in my bonds, and when I was called forth to answer for myself, and to confirm the gospel. It is not improbable that, after they had endured that great trial of affliction, God had sealed them unto full victory, of which the apostle had a prophetic sight.
Verse 8
[8] For God is my record, how greatly I long after you all in the bowels of Jesus Christ.
I long for you with the bowels of Jesus Christ — In Paul, not Paul lives, but Jesus Christ. Therefore he longs for them with the bowels, the tenderness, not of Paul, but of Jesus Christ.
Verse 9
[9] And this I pray, that your love may abound yet more and more in knowledge and in all judgment;
And this I pray, that your love — Which they had already shown.
May abound yet more and more — The fire which burned in the apostle never says, It is enough.
In knowledge and in all spiritual sense — Which is the ground of all spiritual knowledge. We must be inwardly sensible of divine peace, joy, love; otherwise, we cannot know what they are.
Verse 10
[10] That ye may approve things that are excellent; that ye may be sincere and without offence till the day of Christ;
That ye may try — By that spiritual sense.
The things that are excellent — Not only good, but the very best; the superior excellence of which is hardly discerned, but by the adult Christian. That ye may be inwardly sincere - Having a single eye to the very best things, and a pure heart. And outwardly without offence - Holy, unblamable in all things.
Verse 11
[11] Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are by Jesus Christ, unto the glory and praise of God.
Being filled with the fruits of righteousness, which are through Jesus Christ, to the glory and praise of God — Here are three properties of that sincerity which is acceptable to God: 1. It must bear fruits, the fruits of righteousness, all inward and outward holiness, all good tempers, words, and works; and that so abundantly, that we may be filled with them. 2. The branch and the fruits must derive both their virtue and their very being from the all - supporting, all - supplying root, Jesus Christ. 3. As all these flow from the grace of Christ, so they must issue in the glory and praise of God.
Luke 3:1-6
Verse 2
[2] Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Annas being high priest, and Caiaphas — There could be but one high priest, strictly speaking, at once. Annas was the high priest at that time, and Caiaphas his sagan or deputy.
Verse 4
[4] As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
[2] Annas and Caiaphas being the high priests, the word of God came unto John the son of Zacharias in the wilderness.
Annas being high priest, and Caiaphas — There could be but one high priest, strictly speaking, at once. Annas was the high priest at that time, and Caiaphas his sagan or deputy.
Verse 4
[4] As it is written in the book of the words of Esaias the prophet, saying, The voice of one crying in the wilderness, Prepare ye the way of the Lord, make his paths straight.
Isaiah 40:3.
Verse 5
[5] Every valley shall be filled, and every mountain and hill shall be brought low; and the crooked shall be made straight, and the rough ways shall be made smooth;
Every valley shall be filled, … — That is, every hinderance shall be removed.
Verse 6
[6] And all flesh shall see the salvation of God.
The salvation of God — The Saviour, the Messiah.
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The Upper Room Ministries
PO Box 340004
Nashville, Tennessee 37203-0004, United States---------------------
Sermon Story "Great Expectations" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 6 December 2015 with Scripture Text to Read: Malachi 3:1 “Look! I am sending my messenger
to clear the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple.
Yes, the messenger of the covenant,
in whom you take such delight —
look! Here he comes,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
2 But who can endure the day when he comes?
Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire,
like the soapmaker’s lye.
3 He will sit, testing and purifying the silver;
he will purify the sons of Levi,
refining them like gold and silver,
so that they can bring offerings to Adonai uprightly.
4 Then the offering of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim
will be pleasing to Adonai,
as it was in the days of old,
as in years gone by.
---------------------
What kind of great extations are you placing upon this advent and Christmas holiday season for this year? We read about the promises of God to send a deliver of Israel for their oppression and sin. They are anticipating a Messiah who has a sent holy man of God to announce His arrival to set up His Temple for God's Glory. We look back on the history of Israel and their oppression by nations and realize that they were looking forward to a Warrior-King to deliver them, but God! God was proimising them a Messiah to deliver them from their sins and to give them the power of Holiness in their lives to bring Heaven on earth as the Messiah comes to set up the earth as He originally intended it to be. We read in the newspapers and magazines as well as listen and watch on the television and internet the violence around the world including ISIS and Al Quaeda killing people who disagree with them as well as our responses to kill and defeat the enemies by violence and warfare, but God! We come to realize that God is calling us to love and respect other people and allow His Spirit to shine thorugh in our words and actions in proclaiming His love and mercy. In our response, we realize that the refugees who are escaping from their countries to escape war, other violence, and poverty are being brought to our doorsteps for us to show His Grace and Love no mater what their faith may be because God is the one to redeem, not us because we are only used by God for His redemption of all of creation. This includes people who are different from us in culture or race or thinking or disability because God has a way to bring others into a loving relationship with Him thorugh our actions of love, not necessarily our words. We come to realize that we need to turn our expectations whether Jesus returns as He left or returns in His spirit to transform us to be more Christlike in our actions of Love. How are you responding to God's to love even people who we consider our enemies? Will you be a conduit of God's Love, Grace, and Redemption? We come to the time now to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood as we participate in the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive from God singing the Hymn "Expecting" by William Mcdowell:
I’m expecting.
Anticipating.
A Move of God.
A Move of God.
(Repeat)
I’m expecting.
Anticipating.
A Move of God.
A Move of God.
We won’t be satisfied (until)
heaven invades our lives
Move oh God.
Move oh God.
Bridge:
And we’ll see
Blind Eyes Opened
Cities and regions changed
I Believe.
We will see a move of God.
Special
Sopranoes: A move of God (repeat)
Altos + Tenors: We’ve been praying for it. We’ve been longing for it.
We believe we’ll see (A Move of God)
Everyone: We’ve been praying for it. We’ve been longing for it.
We believe we’ll see (A Move of God)
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
A Move of God…
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Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idano Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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8:30am in Epworth LoungeSermon Story "Great Expectations" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 6 December 2015 with Scripture Text to Read: Malachi 3:1 “Look! I am sending my messenger
to clear the way before me;
and the Lord, whom you seek,
will suddenly come to his temple.
Yes, the messenger of the covenant,
in whom you take such delight —
look! Here he comes,”
says Adonai-Tzva’ot.
2 But who can endure the day when he comes?
Who can stand when he appears?
For he will be like a refiner’s fire,
like the soapmaker’s lye.
3 He will sit, testing and purifying the silver;
he will purify the sons of Levi,
refining them like gold and silver,
so that they can bring offerings to Adonai uprightly.
4 Then the offering of Y’hudah and Yerushalayim
will be pleasing to Adonai,
as it was in the days of old,
as in years gone by.
---------------------
What kind of great extations are you placing upon this advent and Christmas holiday season for this year? We read about the promises of God to send a deliver of Israel for their oppression and sin. They are anticipating a Messiah who has a sent holy man of God to announce His arrival to set up His Temple for God's Glory. We look back on the history of Israel and their oppression by nations and realize that they were looking forward to a Warrior-King to deliver them, but God! God was proimising them a Messiah to deliver them from their sins and to give them the power of Holiness in their lives to bring Heaven on earth as the Messiah comes to set up the earth as He originally intended it to be. We read in the newspapers and magazines as well as listen and watch on the television and internet the violence around the world including ISIS and Al Quaeda killing people who disagree with them as well as our responses to kill and defeat the enemies by violence and warfare, but God! We come to realize that God is calling us to love and respect other people and allow His Spirit to shine thorugh in our words and actions in proclaiming His love and mercy. In our response, we realize that the refugees who are escaping from their countries to escape war, other violence, and poverty are being brought to our doorsteps for us to show His Grace and Love no mater what their faith may be because God is the one to redeem, not us because we are only used by God for His redemption of all of creation. This includes people who are different from us in culture or race or thinking or disability because God has a way to bring others into a loving relationship with Him thorugh our actions of love, not necessarily our words. We come to realize that we need to turn our expectations whether Jesus returns as He left or returns in His spirit to transform us to be more Christlike in our actions of Love. How are you responding to God's to love even people who we consider our enemies? Will you be a conduit of God's Love, Grace, and Redemption? We come to the time now to eat the Body of Jesus and drink His Blood as we participate in the Holy Sacrament of the Holy Eucharist. We come to receive from God singing the Hymn "Expecting" by William Mcdowell:
I’m expecting.
Anticipating.
A Move of God.
A Move of God.
(Repeat)
I’m expecting.
Anticipating.
A Move of God.
A Move of God.
We won’t be satisfied (until)
heaven invades our lives
Move oh God.
Move oh God.
Bridge:
And we’ll see
Blind Eyes Opened
Cities and regions changed
I Believe.
We will see a move of God.
Special
Sopranoes: A move of God (repeat)
Altos + Tenors: We’ve been praying for it. We’ve been longing for it.
We believe we’ll see (A Move of God)
Everyone: We’ve been praying for it. We’ve been longing for it.
We believe we’ll see (A Move of God)
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
Move oh God. Oh Oohhh
A Move of God…
---------------------
Gary Lee Parker
4147 Idano Street, Apt. 1
San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States
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10:30am in the Sanctuary
Anthem: O Come, O Come Emmanuel
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THIS SUNDAY! All-Church Advent Fun: 4-6pm in Fellowship Hall!
It's a whole lot of Advent and Christmas fun, rolled into one event! Join us as we celebrate the season with our church community. People of all ages are encouraged to attend--
the event is free, with opportunities to support missions of the church.
Our Youth and Children will have crafts that you can make and give for Christmas
Our Missions Committee will host a gingerbread house building station
Our UMW and others are bringing good food to eat during the event
Shared Bread and Imagine No Malaria will have opportunities for you to make donations as Christmas gifts to others (with a lovely card you can give them!)
Ten Thousand Villages will set up a gift shop with lovely handicrafts from around the world, in support of fair-trade artisans
Our Choir will help us sing some favorite Christmas carols
Pastor Molly will share the Christmas story.
Sunday, December 6, from 4-6pm in Fellowship Hall. More information here
"Gingerbread" House supplies
We still need Help!: All-in-One Advent Event Supplies & Food
We're looking for help bringing food and supplies for our Advent event on December 6 from 4-6; there are lots of easy ways you can help out!
Our Children and Youth Ministries are sponsoring cool crafts: Sign Up to bring in Gingerbread House Supplies
Our UMW and others are bringing food: Sign Up to bring food for the party
Coming Soon: Our
Children's Christmas Pageant!
Our Annual Christmas pageant will be Sunday, Dec 13th at the 10:30am service. Children ages 2-5th grade will share the Christmas story, with a special Hawaiian twist. There will be crabs, coconuts, sea-stars, sharks and surfers! There are three more rehearsals:
Sun Dec. 6 @ 9:30-10:30am;
Sat, Dec 12 @ 9-10:30am;
Sun Dec 13 @ 9:30-10:30am
Advent Class for Parents (and others): Two More Weeks!
Join us for the next two weeks of Advent, as we take time for a spiritual recharge, and for fellowship with each other. Pastor Molly will lead this session, and invites anyone to join her. From 9:30-10:15am in Epworth Lounge.
Note: The class is scheduled during Sunday Pageant rehearsals, so our parents of young kids can drop them off at practice, and attend. Older youth are welcome to join us, too!
Let Every Heart Prepare Him Room
Advent 2015
Advent has begun. This year, in worship and in devotions at home, we will be invited to ponder the meaning of beautiful phrases from beloved Christmas songs.Download (free) prayers to use at home with your Advent wreath.
A daily devotional is available in the church office for $10. "Why this Jubilee," by Rev. James Howell explores the deeper meaning of words in our Christmas music.
Church 2016 Pledge Campaign
It is still not too late to make a pledge commitment of financial giving for 2016. Read more about our campaign here. You can submit a pledge online, or at church.
To date, we have received 57 pledges, totaling $273,890; we hope to receive additional commitments, so we can continue to fund ministries of this congregation. We hope to receive around $400,000 in tithes and offerings each year
to continue our growing ministries.
News From Our Members
This current “trend” of shootings (the most recent in San Bernardino) can rob us of our hope, peace and joy. If we let it, the shootings can shackle our lives with fear and despair, especially as we listen to the news reporters repeatedly share the details and emotions of victims. These ghastly shootings are frightening for so many reasons: that they occur without warning, that no one knows how to...
Read more here
"The Saving Work of Jesus" by Johnna Kosnoff
This current “trend” of shootings (the most recent in San Bernardino) can rob us of our hope, peace and joy. If we let it, the shootings can shackle our lives with fear and despair, especially as we listen to the news reporters repeatedly share the details and emotions of victims. These ghastly shootings are frightening for so many reasons: that they occur without warning, that no one knows how to avoid them or stop them from continuing and that they are so pointless. Finding hope seems insurmountable. Peace seems unattainable.
Yet, we know a God who tells us nothing is impossible with Him. As part of my bible time, I recently read this sentence, “There is nowhere else to look for God's saving work except to Jesus.*” Although I already knew this in my heart, reading it renewed my hope and prepared my heart for peace. Jesus says, “…my peace I give to you, I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled and do not be afraid.” [John 14:27 NIV] The mass shootings may continue but in the midst of the tragedies, my hope is that Jesus’ love will be present for those impacted personally, those helping the impacted and those of us watching it from afar. And, may this love provide some peace and hope.
As we move through this season of Advent, let us ponder Jesus’ arrival 2000 years ago, prepare our hearts for His future arrival and pray over how to be disciples today. May we spread hope and peace with love, mercy and grace in this complicated world.
*https://www.biblegateway.com/resources/commentaries/IVP-NT/Luke/John-Baptist-One-Who-Goes
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Read Bob's recent Lay Looker columns here
Coming at Church
Advent Wreath Devotions are ready for you to use at home! The weekly devotions coordinate with our church theme, using verses from Christmas carols. Pick up a copy on Sunday, or download one.
Corazon Gift Angels: Thank you everyone who picked up an "angel." Our team will take them to the Corazon Christmas party on Saturday, Dec 5. Please keep our team of volunteers in your prayers!
Acolyte Training: December 21 at 3pm
Young people in grades 4-12 are invited to join our Acolytes, assisting in our 10:30 worship and during Christmas Eve worship.
Read more, or sign up with Pastor Molly
Young Musicians Wanted for Christmas Eve: Children and youth are invited to their musical gifts as a part of the Prelude for our 5pm Family Worship Service.
Read more, or sign up with Pastor Molly
Book Club: Our next book, Anne Perry’s “Silent Nights," is actually two books in one—both are murder mysteries. Perry is a prolific mystery writer, with her own very dark back story. Our next meeting will be in May Day Parlor at church on Jan 28, at 7 pm. Questions about book club? More info online, or email Ann or Laura.
Our church has received a digital advertising grant from United Methodist Communications, which will run online ads that match our national tv ads during advent, and link people in our area to our church and website. We're grateful to have these free ads -- look for them online!
Caroling and Open House
Pastor Molly and her husband, Matt, invite the congregation to an open house at the parsonage on Sunday,December 20 from 3-5pm.
From the open house, we'll go out in groups to sing carols at the homes of some of our older and homebound members.
513 Faye Lane - Redondo Beach
New Ways to Recycle at Church
With encouragement from our dedicated Custodian, Arnie, we've recently added new recycle bins to our church campus.Mixed recyclables can be placed in any marked recycle bin--please help us care for God's creation by using them!
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, December 7, 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, December 4, 10am-noon. We will learn a new quilt block pattern, and work on 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.
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 in our Sunday School rooms. We will continue our three-week lesson on the Christmas story. (At the end of these next three weeks every child will have a special nativity set to take home for Christmas.) (Don't forget pageant rehearsal at 9:30am!)
Church R Us (Special Class for Grades 4 & 5):
10:30am: We will start upstairs in our CRU room this week. We'll continue on our Nativity project and there will be a lesson focused on the characters within the Christmas story. (Don't forget pageant rehearsal at 9:30am!)
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
- Yep! Sunday School this week! And next week!
- Youth group is helping with the All-in-One Advent Fun party this Sunday! We'll be here about 3-6:30!
-We are going to Corazon Christmas Party Dec. 5th!
-The Youth Group Christmas party is December 18th, (for real!) at Nina Dooley's house. We'll have dinner together and a White Elephant party! Spending limit of $15, though hopefully you find a good White Elephant present in your home... More details to come!
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion (new location)
Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. For Nov 29 & Dec 6, we will join the Advent Study with Pastor Molly in Epworth Lounge!
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. Led by Pastor Molly Vetter. (No Bible Study on Thanksgiving Day!)
United Methodist News & Events
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 the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
310-372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
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.
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.
Office staff will be taking some time off for Christmas and we could some help during worship Christmas Eve & Dec 27 (audio/video) and in the office (answering phone and opening doors for volunteers), Dec 28-31, 10am-3pm. If you are able to help out, please emailErnie@Beachfaith.com
We also have many spots to fill for liturgists on Sunday mornings. The following link will take you the sign up. Please check it out.
Sunday Worship Liturgist Sign Up
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.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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