From Pastor Molly: Practicing
My son's new elementary school vice-principal, in a weekly note about wellness, suggested several practical ways to deepen my connection with him. The first is to make sure he gets 12 hugs a day. (This is advice I'm happy to take.)
Pioneering family therapist Virginia Satir believed that: “We need 4 hugs a day for survival. We need 8 hugs a day for maintenance. We need 12 hugs a day for growth.”
I've been contemplating how this important practicing of love--this embodiment of the connection of love I have with my child--might relate to the ways I practice my faith. My love of God is strengthened when I "show up" for God by taking time to pray, as I worship with others, as I share in Holy Communion, as I spend time reading scripture.
Sometimes I err in my devotional life by trusting in God's grace. I remember that God's love for me doesn't depend on my meeting a rigid quota of prayer time minutes or having perfect attendance in worship.
And yet: I believe that my connection to God is stronger when I do all these regular things.
This Sunday, we get to the third General Rule of the Methodist Societies. Eighteenth century Methodists named this rule as "attend upon all the ordinances of God." Regular worship, sacraments, prayer and fasting were the sorts of "ordinances" they mentioned. I'd suggest re-wording this rule to "keep practicing." Do the things that allow the intangible love of God to be embodied in the everyday parts of life. Like those 12 daily hugs, your practice will deepen connection to divine love.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
The church office will be open only from 10am-noon tomorrow (Thursday) morning, because of a planned power outage at our facility. You can still reach staff by email, though our phones will not operate during the outage. We will still have our Thursday Bible Study at 11am. Thanks for your understanding!
Sunday, September 21st
"Keep Practicing"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Matthew 20: 1-16
Scripture Text: Matthew 20: 1 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on a wage of one denarius, [the standard daily wage,] he sent them off to his vineyard. 3 Then, on going out at about nine in the morning, he saw more men standing around in the market-square doing nothing, 4 and said to them, ‘You go to the vineyard too — I’ll pay you a fair wage.’ So they went. 5 At noon, and again around three in the afternoon, he did the same thing. 6 About an hour before sundown, he went out, found still others standing around, and asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day, doing nothing?” 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ ‘You too,’ he told them, ‘go to the vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and ending with the first.’ 9 The workers who came an hour before sunset each received a denarius, 10 so the workers who came first expected they would get more, but each of them also received just a denarius. 11 On receiving their wages, they began grumbling to the farmer, 12 ‘These latecomers have worked only one hour, while we have borne the brunt of the day’s work in the hot sun, yet you have put them on an equal footing with us!’ 13 But he answered one of them, ‘Look, friend, I’m not being unfair with you. Didn’t you agree to work today for a denarius? 14 Now take your pay and go! I choose to give the last worker as much as I’m giving you. 15 Haven’t I the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 Thus the last ones will be first and the first last.”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Matthew 20: 1-16
Verse 2
[2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
The Roman penny was about seven pence halfpenny. [About thirteen and three quarter cents, American.] This was then the usual price of a day's labour.
Verse 6
[6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
About the eleventh hour — That is, very late; long after the rest were called.
Verse 8
[8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
In the evening — Of life; or of the world.
Verse 9
[9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
Who were hired about the eleventh hour — Either the Gentiles, who were called long after the Jews into the vineyard of the Church of Christ; or those in every age who did not hear, or at least understand the Gospel call, till their day of life was drawing to a period. Some circumstances of the parable seem best to suit the former, some the latter of these senses.
Verse 10
[10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
The first supposed they should have received more — Probably the first here may mean the Jews, who supposed they should always be preferred before the Gentiles.
Verse 12
[12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Thou hast made them equal to us — So St. Peter expressly, Acts 15:9. God-hath put no difference between us (Jews) and them, (Gentiles,) purifying their hearts by faith. And those who were equally holy here, whenever they were called, will be equally happy hereafter.
Verse 14
[14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
It is my will to give to this last called among the heathens even as to the first called among the Jews: yea, and to the late converted publicans and sinners, even as to those who, were called long before.
Verse 15
[15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? — Yea, doubtless, to give either to Jew or Gentile a reward infinitely greater than he deserves. But can it be inferred from hence, that it is lawful, or possible, for the merciful Father of spirits to "Consign an unborn soul to hell? Or damn him from his mother's womb?" Is thine eye evil because I am good - Art thou envious, because I am gracious? Here is an evident reference to that malignant aspect, which is generally the attendant of a selfish and envious temper.
Verse 16
[16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
So the last shall be first, and the first last — Not only with regard to the Jews and Gentiles, but in a thousand other instances.
For many are called — All who hear the Gospel; but few chosen - Only those who obey it. Matthew 19:30; 22:14.
8:30am in Epworth Lounge10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "One Faith, One Hope, One Lord," sung by the Chancel Choir; "O Sacred Head Now Wounded," with choir and cello
"One Faith, One Hope, One Lord,"
One faith one hope one Lord
One church for which He died
One voice one song we lift in praise
To Him Who was and is
And shall be evermore
1. O sacred Head, now wounded,
with grief and shame weighed down,
now scornfully surrounded
with thorns, Thine only crown.
O sacred Head, what glory,
what bliss till now was Thine!
Yet, though despised and gory,
I joy to call Thee mine.
2. What Thou, my Lord, hast suffered
was all for sinners' gain;
mine, mine was the transgression,
but Thine the deadly pain.
Lo, here I fall, my Savior!
'Tis I deserve Thy place;
look on me with Thy favor,
vouchsafe to me Thy grace.
3. What language shall I borrow
to thank Thee, dearest Friend,
for this, Thy dying sorrow,
Thy pity without end?
O make me Thine forever!
And should I fainting be,
Lord, let me never, never,
outlive my love for Thee.
4. Be near when I am dying,
O show Thy cross to me!
And, for my succor flying,
come, Lord, to set me free.
These eyes, new faith receiving,
from Thee shall never move;
for he who dies believing
dies safely in Thy love.
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News From Our Members
The ladies leading the Rummage Sale this month (Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 9 to 4 PM) tell me to let you know about this twice a year event. But, if you don't know by now that we are having a one day Rummage Sale that day, then you have not been paying attention to the written word in these newsletters, for they have announced it many times, so far. I also believe you will keep hearing about it until that day comes and goes. By the way, the food they serve is a great place to have lunch that Saturday. The prices are good, the food is great and the options are so diverse they will please any palate. All the good stuff they bring tastes outstanding. It will be... Thursday, September 21, 2017
Bob PetersonBob Peterson's popular column for the Mainsail has found new life, online! Read his view from the pews about church life and community news. You'll enjoy keeping up with the many good things happening in our congregation!
Thursday, 21 September 2017 by Bob Peterson
The ladies leading the Rummage Sale this month (Saturday, September 30, 2017 from 9 to 4 PM) tell me to let you know about this twice a year event. But, if you don't know by now that we are having a one day Rummage Sale that day, then you have not been paying attention to the written word in these newsletters, for they have announced it many times, so far. I also believe you will keep hearing about it until that day comes and goes. By the way, the food they serve is a great place to have lunch that Saturday. The prices are good, the food is great and the options are so diverse they will please any palate. All the good stuff they bring tastes outstanding. It will be in the Epworth Lounge nearest our parking lot, so come and enjoy lunch even if you don't feel like shopping in the fellowship hall.
Last Sunday Pastor Molly Vetter's sermon was based on Matthew 18:21-35 which asks us to forgive those who sin against us. But, If I think about the mass murders and slaughter of innocent people that we read about so often, it is very difficult to do as Jesus says, and forgive seventy seven times that type of atrocity. It is not an easy thing to follow the teachings of our Lord.
Along those lines, I have attended a showing and video about Peace and Conflict Resolution and it reminds me of my late friend Bob Content who died a few years ago. He taught school, was a Navy pilot and an FBI agent and in his retirement taught and visited schools telling children how to disagree without being disagreeable. It seems to me we should all be doing something along those lines and perhaps the world will become a bit better because of us and our activities.
What a great photo was on the cover of last week's Order of Worship. It was taken from high (perhaps a drone) of a four lane street heading South towards the Palos Verdes Peninsula. My guess is that it is Catalina Street from about Knob Hill Street towards Avenue I. The tall palm trees give it away.
Click here to read more of the Lay Looker.
Donations for Disaster Recovery
We encourage everyone to donate to UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) through the link below. (Through our Sunday offering, we have collected more than $2200 already, with more donations online!) The United Methodist Church pays all overhead costs for UMCOR, which means 100% of donations go to relief efforts. Additionally, UMCOR is a distinct 501(c)3, so many employers will match donations to UMCOR.
Click here to donate!
Coming at Church
Readiness 360+: We Want to Hear From You
By Monday, Sept 25!
You have just a few more days to participate in our online survey, as we begin a 15-month project of church growth and deepening vitality. We encourage you to help us--it should take fewer than 30 minutes. Find the survey here. Survey code # 8034751127. Please pray for those who will join the leadership team, and for everyone who will be a part of our shared work!
Naomi's Cafe is open all day! Boutique items will be discounted 50% from noon - 2pm; Special Price in main rummage room, $5 per bag, 2 -4pm only!
Sept 30: Fall Rummage Sale
Mark your calendars for our UMW fall rummage sale!
It will be One Day Only, on Saturday, Sept. 30!
9am - 4pm
Volunteer: UMW Rummage Sale
There are lots of ways to help support the UMW Rummage Sale.
Two easy ways for new people to get involved are:
- Make baked goods for sale in Naomi's Cafe (Bring them by the church office during the week before, or even on Saturday morning!)
- Help set up the sale, on Wednesday morning (Sept 27) or Thursday morning to afternoon (Sept 28). Drop in to help.
We could donate, too--talk with Samantha, Marilyn or June for more information!
Bonus points for bringing your own washable dishes--disposable dishes are available, too!
All-Church Potluck on Sunday
Join us for our monthly(ish) potluck after 10:30 worship this Sunday, Sept 23! Regular potluck rules apply: bring a dish to share, enjoy good food and fellowship. It's free.
This time, we'll also have a 5-minute video about Corazon's ministry in Mexico to share. It's Carl Harrison's last Sunday before moving to Tucson, so we know you'll want to be there to wish him well (and enjoy his beans one more time).
Family Art Night, October 5th!
Come one, come all, to our first Family Art Night. People of all ages are welcome (even if you don't have kids.)
We'll start with dinner at 5pm and then move into our project for the night.
Pastor Molly and Risa, our Director of Children's Ministries, will teach a fun printmaking project using simple tools.
Check our website for more details!
Youngish adults are getting together Saturday, Sept 23 (6-8pm) for board games and pizza!
If you need childcare, please RSVP to Risa!
More details are right here!
Corazon House Build - October 14
On Saturday, October 14, Redondo First along with 3 other Methodist Churches will be building a house in Mexico. Our portion of the building cost is $2,250. Thank you EVERYONE who took a donation Angel. You helped us reach our goal!!
Want to know more about the house build? Email George and Peggy Mercer or talk to them on Sunday morning.
Upper-Classmen Retreat
High School juniors and seniors are going to Camp Colby for three days in November to talk about faith, calling, and that which lies ahead.
Stare off into the distance as you read that.
Or, click here for more info!
Come learn about AJS!
AJS is visiting! We'll have coffee and desserts and learn about their work for justice, human rights and transparency in government in Honduras. Come listen on Sept 26th, and spread the word!
Click here for more info!
Bibles for 3-year-olds and 4th Graders
On Sunday, October 8th, join us in celebrating the spiritual growth of our children as they are presented with their very own Bibles. Preschoolers receive the Spark Story Bible, and 4th graders, a special edition of the NRSV Bible.
Families with 3-year-olds and 4th graders: Let us know if your child will be participating by September 25th, so we can have your Bibles ready.
Save the Date: Silent Auction, Talent Show, Food Trucks on Saturday, November 4
We are planning our 2nd Annual Talent Show, Silent Auction and Food Trucks night at church on Saturday, November 4. Mark your calendars, start putting an act together, and think about who you might ask about donations for the auction! Proceeds benefit our church ministries.
This Sunday, we'll have new church mugs available. There are two good ways to get your hands on one:
-Purchase a mug for $10 to take home. (Your purchase also funds a mug that will stay at church for use on Sundays.)
-Use one at church during fellowship time on Sundays, before or after worship!
(Thanks to our youth who had the idea of washable mugs during their Eco-Justice Retreat in the spring.)
Directions for Faith
This fall, Pastor Molly will preach a sermon series with directions for how to live out your faith. Using tools from our Methodist tradition, we will look at how to live out our faith, with devotion to God and service to others. The series began September 10, and continues for 7 weeks. Read more online.
Acolyte Sign Ups For 2017-2018
Acolytes are 4th-8th graders who assist Pastor Molly during worship services by lighting candles and helping with baptisms (and more!)
If your child is interested and hasn't been trained, please send us an email!
Click HERE to see our online sign up page for acolytes and add your name to a couple of dates!
October 21: Golf Tournament
We are excited to announce our 2017 BeachFaith Church Golf Tournament, this year at Los Verdes Golf Club in RPV. Again, it will be a four-person scramble--invite a team of friends to play for a day of fun, fellowship and fundraising in support of church ministries. Register online.
Book Club, Tuesday, Oct 18: The Book Club has ended its summer hiatus, resuming its regular meetings. If you enjoy reading, please join us. For our Tuesday, October 18 gathering, Jackie Heite will lead a discussion of Woman of God, by James Patterson and Maxine Paetro. It is a story of a doctor whose convictions and callings take her to dangerous, conflicted parts of the world, and make her a target of all those who abhor challenges to tradition; it is an “epic tale of perseverance, love, faith, and nothing less than what it means to live in a fallen world.” Circle your calendars also for our November meeting, which will be a week later than usual, on Tuesday, November 28. For more information, on our club, contact Ann Gallagher.
Beginning Quilting Class
Our Prayers and Squares Quilting ministry will offer a one-day quilting class on Saturday, October 14 from 9am-2pm. Cost is $20 (includes lunch, supplies); proceeds go to fund prayer quilt supplies. Register now--space is limited! Children are welcome when accompanied by an adult. More details and registration are online.
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, October 2, 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.
Prayer Quilt Ministry: Quilting Class for Beginners will be held on Saturday, October 14, 2017 from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. Want to learn how to make a quilt? We will learn how to cut fabric, piece it together and sew it up! Cost is $20 and is due by October 11. Lunch included. More information is online. Know someone in need of prayer? Anyone is invited to sponsor a free prayer quilt. The Quilt Request Form is online or in the church office.
Church Council: Our September meeting will be on Monday, October 16 at 7pm in Epworth Lounge. For more information, contact Chair Dan Martens.
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.
A Memorial Service for Rae Linda Brown will Saturday, October 7 at 1pm in our sanctuary. Her family requests that guests wear bright colors (rather than somber ones); there will be a reception afterwards in the Fellowship Hall.
This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
Nursery (6 weeks+): The Nursery is open during both services, for ages 6 weeks to 6 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across from Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade):
Preschool-3rd Grade Sunday School begins at 10:30 upstairs and must be signed in by parents. Children will be accompanied back to the church service to join their families for communion. We will be learning about the Parable of the Vineyard this week through fun games and activities!
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Sunday School starts again this week!! Start out in Worship with your family, then head to classl with our youth director, Stephen Hale during "Passing of the Peace". You'll head back to church for communion!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School? YESSS!!!!!!!!!
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? YES! We're talking about wisdom.
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We have a board game & pizza night (with childcare available) Sept 23. Click here for more details!
We're going to CalPac Young Adult Retreat at Lazy W October 6-8: Young Adult Retreat at Lazy W is an annual event for any young adult, ages 18-35(ish) who seeks to nourish their relationship with God through Jesus Christ, or just explore what that means. Get more information and register here: CLICK ME!
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Paul Caldwell and Helen Stockwell .
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
We usually meet Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. All are welcome.
Please note: We WILL meet on Thursday, September 21, but we will NOT meet on Thursday, September 28 because of rummage sale preparations.
United Methodist News & Events
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.
Bishop Grant Hagiya invites you to join him in praying for our church, and for the work of the Way Forward Commission, of which he is a part. Read more here.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
310-372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
Ongoing Ministries
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
DESSERTS FOR SHARED BREAD
Our dessert supply is still low! Would you like to help? Homemade treats are treasured by our guests – but purchased treats would be wonderful, as well. Please wrap desserts tightly and mark for Shared Bread. Deliver Sunday (when you come for church) through Wednesday to the church kitchen (or the office if kitchen is closed.) Wednesday deliveries should be here by 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
Charles Metzler-Winslow has been playing the cello for 8 years, studying with Dr. Stan Sharp at the Colburn School of Music. Other musical interests of his include...
Thursday, September 21, 2017 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 21 September 2017 by Jim Raycroft
When I first arrived on the scene here, I had a series of meetings with Molly to get acquainted and to get a feel for the kinds of things she likes musically. I asked her "If you could have any piece of music written for you, what would it be?" and she replied that she'd always had a hankering for a setting of O Sacred Head Now Wounded with a cello solo. So, I wrote it for her as an Easter gift and it was debuted on Palm Sunday that year, with the cello solo played by a friend of mine from the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra. This week, we're reprising the piece with our young cellist friend, Charlie Metzler-Winslow, who joined us for a service at the end of July. Charles Metzler-Winslow has been playing the cello for 8 years, studying with Dr. Stan Sharp at the Colburn School of Music. Other musical interests of his include singing bass with the San Fernando Valley Youth Chorus and playing the guitar. Charles was accepted into the Early Entrance Program at California State University, Los Angeles, class of 2021. He began coursework in August, and is pursuing a Bachelor's of Science degree in Physics.
Stars Go Dim is a pop-rock band that began in 2008 as a side project of the Christian band Pillar. They released their first independent album in 2009 called Love Gone Mad, then another in 2011 called Between Here And Now. In 2015 they signed their first major studio contract with Fervent Records and released their first major studio album titled Stars Go Dim. The primary single from this album is You Are Loved. Co-founder/songwriter Joey Avalos stated "We just love to write songs that make you want to sing along."
Craig Courtney is one of the dominant forces in the world of church anthems. He is currently the Executive Music Editor for Beckenhorst Press in Columus, Ohio, and was the protégé of the founder, the legendary John Ness Beck. What his resume doesn't tell you is how he started composing (I got this information one day over coffee with him). He was a staff piano teacher at the famous Mozarteum in Salzburg, Austria. Sitting in his cubicle, day after day, waiting for piano students to arrive (or not), he began to improvise and noodle. This brought about his first big publication, Thy Will Be Done (which we happen to have in our library). This week's anthem, One Faith, One Hope, One Lord, was a commission and has become one of his more well-known pieces.
Let There Be Peace On Earth is a song written by Jill Jackson Miller and Sy Miller in 1955. It was initially written for and sung by the International Children's Choir created by Easter Beakly and Arthur Granger of the Granger Dance Academy in Long Beach. To this day, the International Children's Choir uses it as their theme song. Jill Jackson, who had been suicidal after the failure of a marriage, later said that she wrote the song after discovering what she called the "life-saving joy of God's peace and unconditional love." It is featured in numerous Christian hymnals, including ours, and was covered by country star Vince Gill, who recorded it as a duet with his daughter Jenny. It is also the theme song/closing song for the Religious Science movement, which was founded here in Los Angeles. It was performed by the Young People's Chorus of New York City on September 25, 2015 at Ground Zero at the close of the Interfaith Prayer Service and Remembrance, presided over by Pope Francis.
Next Sunday, the anthem will be a piece by one of the great composers of the glory days of Romantic Era Paris, Charles Gounod. We're singing his Sanctus and Benedictus. Don't miss it.
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Looking for a Way to Volunteer?
The Welcome Team is looking for volunteers who can help about once a month between the two services and/or immediately after the 10:30 service. Go to our "Want to Help" page to learn more about this awesome ministry, as well as several other current ways you can lend a hand in ministry.
Do you have a couple hours once or twice a month to help maintain our beautiful church gardens? Tasks would include pruning, planting, weeding and watering. Whatever you can help with, we'd love to have you join our team! Duties could change seasonally. Sign up through the church office, or by talking with Jody Wilkinson.
Our UMW is back to their regular meeting times.
Circle Meeting Time
- Naomi Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 10:00am
- Hannah Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00pm
- Mary Circle 4th Monday @ 7:00pm
Women's Retreat: Spring 2018
All women are invited!
Our topics will include:
· Why friendship with God matters
· Loving ourselves—isn't that being selfish? (Nope)
· How loving others is loving God
Limited space available – reserve your spot TODAY!
CLICK HERE for more info.
United Methodist Women’s Reading Program: There are many titles to choose from with new ones added every year! Books are available in the UMW library located in May Day Parlor. Any one can read the books and our own local UMW unit will get credit! click here for information about the program.
Support missions through recycling!
Bring your plastic bottles, aluminum cans AND CRV glass bottles to church every Sunday. By recycling we can support Corazon, Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity and some of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) programs: Syrian refugee relief, eradicating hunger, clean water, ending malaria and fighting HIV/AIDS. Please bring your cans and bottles.
We 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.
Hearing Assistance Devices are available on Sunday mornings. Just ask for one at the audio/video booth in the sanctuary.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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