October 31 marks the 500th Anniversary of a moment we attribute as the beginning of the Protestant Reformation. Martin Luther shared 95 Theses, describing what he saw as errors in his Christian church. Tradition says that he nailed his Theses to the door of the church in Wittenberg, Germany--a then-common way of posting something that you wanted others to see and read.
Today, we're more likely to post something online than on a church door, if we want people to see and respond to it. But we are no less likely to have thoughts about where the church needs correction or improvement. If nothing else, the Protestant Reformation has broadened our view to see that there are lots of ways the Christian church could be organized, each with its strengths and its failings. While Spirit-led, our churches are human institutions. Somehow, in the grace and mystery of God, all our churches are also part of Christ's Church (with a big "C"). We belong in the same transcendent and very present unified life that is possible because it is a gift from God.
The challenge is to let our church--as a part of United Methodism and as a congregation--remember that our primary identity is as a part of the one, holy, universal Church. This requires humility, grace, openness and vision.
At a recent clergy gathering, Brian McLaren said this clearly: "pointing out our differences doesn't make us divisive; pretending we don't have differences doesn't make us united." I believe this to be true. Which means that, although Martin Luther may have penned those thoughts that set the Reformation into motion, we don't get to blame it all on him. He's the one who named and gave voice to tensions that existed in the church, connected to political, economic and technological realities.
In our own time, these 500 years later, we feel the tensions of our own political, economic and technological challenges. And yet: we trust the the Church will find a way forward, by the power of the Holy Spirit.
May it be so!
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
In Worship This WeekSunday, October 29nd
"Always Reforming"
Reformation Day - 500 Years
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Matthew 22:34-46
Scripture Text: Matthew 22:34 but when the P’rushim learned that he had silenced the Tz’dukim, they got together, 35 and one of them who was a Torah expert asked a sh’eilah to trap him: 36 “Rabbi, which of the mitzvot in the Torah is the most important?” 37 He told him, “‘You are to love Adonai your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength.’[Matthew 22:37 Deuteronomy 6:5] 38 This is the greatest and most important mitzvah. 39 And a second is similar to it, ‘You are to love your neighbor as yourself.’[Matthew 22:39 Leviticus 19:18] 40 All of the Torah and the Prophets are dependent on these two mitzvot.”
41 Then, turning to the assembled P’rushim, Yeshua put a sh’eilah to them: 42 “Tell me your view concerning the Messiah: whose son is he?” They said to him, “David’s.” 43 “Then how is it,” he asked them, “that David, inspired by the Spirit, calls him ‘Lord,’ when he says,
44 ‘Adonai said to my Lord,
“Sit here at my right hand
until I put your enemies under your feet”’?[Matthew 22:44 Psalm 110:1]
45 If David thus calls him ‘Lord,’ how is he his son?” 46 No one could think of anything to say in reply; and from that day on, no one dared put to him another sh’eilah.
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John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes: Matthew 22:34-46
Verse 34
[34] But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Mark 12:28; Luke 10:25.
Verse 35
[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
A scribe asking him a question, trying him — Not, as it seems, with any ill design: but barely to make a farther trial of that wisdom, which he had shown in silencing the Sadducees.
Verse 37
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Deuteronomy 6:5.
Verse 39
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Leviticus 19:18.
Verse 42
[42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
Luke 20:41.
Verse 43
[43] He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
How doth David then by the Spirit — By inspiration, call him Lord? If he be merely the son (or descendant) of David? If he be, as you suppose, a mere man, the son of a man?
Verse 44
[44] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
The Lord said to my Lord — This his dominion, to which David himself was subject, shows both the heavenly majesty of the king, and the nature of his kingdom.
Sit thou on my right hand — That is, remain in the highest authority and power. Psalms 110:1.
Verse 46
[46] And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Neither durst any question him any more — Not by way of ensnaring or tempting him.
Verse 34
[34] But when the Pharisees had heard that he had put the Sadducees to silence, they were gathered together.
Mark 12:28; Luke 10:25.
Verse 35
[35] Then one of them, which was a lawyer, asked him a question, tempting him, and saying,
A scribe asking him a question, trying him — Not, as it seems, with any ill design: but barely to make a farther trial of that wisdom, which he had shown in silencing the Sadducees.
Verse 37
[37] Jesus said unto him, Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
Deuteronomy 6:5.
Verse 39
[39] And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
Leviticus 19:18.
Verse 42
[42] Saying, What think ye of Christ? whose son is he? They say unto him, The Son of David.
Luke 20:41.
Verse 43
[43] He saith unto them, How then doth David in spirit call him Lord, saying,
How doth David then by the Spirit — By inspiration, call him Lord? If he be merely the son (or descendant) of David? If he be, as you suppose, a mere man, the son of a man?
Verse 44
[44] The LORD said unto my Lord, Sit thou on my right hand, till I make thine enemies thy footstool?
The Lord said to my Lord — This his dominion, to which David himself was subject, shows both the heavenly majesty of the king, and the nature of his kingdom.
Sit thou on my right hand — That is, remain in the highest authority and power. Psalms 110:1.
Verse 46
[46] And no man was able to answer him a word, neither durst any man from that day forth ask him any more questions.
Neither durst any question him any more — Not by way of ensnaring or tempting him.
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8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," sung by the Chancel Choir
"A mighty Fortress is our God" by Martin Luther (1483-1546) bio; Translated by Frederick H. Hedge (1805-1890)
Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "A Mighty Fortress is Our God," sung by the Chancel Choir
"A mighty Fortress is our God" by Martin Luther (1483-1546) bio; Translated by Frederick H. Hedge (1805-1890)
1. A mighty Fortress is our God,
A Bulwark never failing;
Our Helper He amid the flood
Of mortal ills prevailing:
For still our ancient foe
Doth seek to work us woe;
His craft and power are great,
And, armed with cruel hate,
On earth is not his equal.
2. Did we in our own strength confide,
Our striving would be losing;
Were not the right Man on our side,
The Man of God’s own choosing:
Dost ask who that may be?
Christ Jesus, it is He;
Lord Sabaoth His Name,
From age to age the same,
And He must win the battle.
3. And though this world, with devils filled,
Should threaten to undo us,
We will not fear, for God hath willed
His truth to triumph through us:
The Prince of Darkness grim,
We tremble not for him;
His rage we can endure,
For lo! his doom is sure,
One little word shall fell him.
4. That word above all earthly powers,
No thanks to them, abideth;
The Spirit and the gifts are ours
Through Him who with us sideth:
Let goods and kindred go,
This mortal life also;
The body they may kill:
God’s truth abideth still,
His Kingdom is forever.
---Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
There are many things happening for us at church this fall. One of them is called Food Trucks – Variety Show – Silent Auction! What a title. If you haven't been asked to be involved in this Free Saturday Evening Event November 4th, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM it must be because you didn't attend church these past weeks, but be careful. I said yes and so now have to put up or shut up. Believe me, many are going to be involved. I think Don Jones is the one you may wish to talk to for the answers to your questions.According to the church bulletin, this Sunday October 29th, is Reformation Sunday, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. I surely don't recall...
Click here to read more of the Lay Looker.
Saturday, October 26, 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!
Saturday, 26 October 2017 by Bob Peterson
There are many things happening for us at church this fall. One of them is called Food Trucks – Variety Show – Silent Auction! What a title. If you haven't been asked to be involved in this Free Saturday Evening Event November 4th, 5:00 PM to 8:00 PM it must be because you didn't attend church these past weeks, but be careful. I said yes and so now have to put up or shut up. Believe me, many are going to be involved. I think Don Jones is the one you may wish to talk to for the answers to your questions.
According to the church bulletin, this Sunday October 29th, is Reformation Sunday, the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. I surely don't recall any special celebration last year for the 499th anniversary, but perhaps we did have one.
A memorial Service for Duff Means will be held Sunday afternoon, November 5 at 3:00 PM. His many friends, among which are also many who attend this church are welcome at this special event.
And now, another Special Privilege. I am inviting you and any guests, friends or neighbors you have who care for Classical music, to attend the Free Concert of the Beach Cities Symphony Orchestra this coming Friday November 3rd, 8:00 PM at the El Camino College Marsee Auditorium. This 75-piece symphony began rehearsals in Redondo Beach in 1949 and with this week's concert begins its 68th season of four or more concerts each year. I have been playing French Horn in this group all those years and will be there again Friday. Even though the concert is free, if you park on the campus it is $3 per car. Over the years, many of my music friends have performed here at church, most recently with the Easter Sunday Brass group. This concert features Piano Soloist Mark Richman, a fine artist who has soloed with us a few times previously, who will perform Beethoven's Piano Concerto No. 5, Emperor, a real treat to hear. Also, there will be Tchaikovsky's Sleeping Beauty Suite complete with The Palos Verdes Ballet dancers being a special treat for the eyes as well. The concert opens with Rosamunde Overture by Schubert, which will be recognized by many. Beginning at 8:00 PM, there is a pre-concert lecture by Maestro Barry Brisk at 7:15 PM, also free.
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Thursday, October 19, 2017
Thursday, October 19, 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, 19 October 2017 by Bob Peterson
Those of us sitting in the first three or four pews, literally down front, soon learn that in summer months it's a bit cooler there compared to the back slightly higher elevation and naturally warmer. Of course that reverses in the cooler winter Sundays soon to be upon us. We also get a better view of the children and other special events that are presented during the year.
We see the small yellow candle, lit by acolytes each Sunday, now representing June Shors daughter Janine, serving a year's duty in Afghanistan for the U. S. State Department. Each Sunday I think of her and those other military and civilian personnel doing their part to make lives better for those in peril from time to time. My Grandson Cory Peterson has been overseas three times so far in the Army, via the California National Guard special services group.
Here's a reminder: The altar flowers are donated by various families of the church to remember special people or events that we need to be reminded of and there are dates available in the Narthex calendar if you should be of a mind to help donate flowers for the sanctuary.
We certainly take our Acolytes for granted, but they learn their duties and help make the service flow smoothly each Sunday. Thank them, their parents and their trainers for their volunteering. We also take ushers and greeters for granted but they and the altar committees do their Sunday services regularly and need to be acknowledged from time to time.
Isn't it great to have the choir regularly now for Sunday Worship? We really need to appreciate their work as they rehearse twice weekly and perform once each Sunday. Many of the choir's music pieces are specially sought out to compliment the sermon topic with their presentations and musical talent each week. Pastor Molly Vetter, her staff and volunteers make it all go beautifully each week.
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Click here to donate!Donations for Disaster Recovery
We encourage everyone to donate to UMCOR (the United Methodist Committee on Relief) through the link here. You can choose to direct your gift to US Disaster relief (including Houston, Florida and Puerto Rico) or International Disaster Relief (including Mexico)--or you can make your donation undesignated. 100% of donations go to relief efforts.
Coming at Church
Silent Auction, Variety Show, Food Trucks on Saturday, November 4, from 5-8pmOur 2nd Annual Variety Show, Silent Auction and Food Trucksnight at church is coming on Saturday, November 4. Invite your friends and neighbors to this free community event! People can purchase dinner from the diverse food trucks, bid on an amazing variety of items and experiences in our silent auction, and enjoy the talents of our intergenerational community in the variety show!
Help spread the word: Share the Event on your Facebook page! Pick up flyer postcards to give to friends and neighbors!
Donate to the Silent Auction: Last Chance!
This is the last weekend to donate something to the Silent Auction! We encourage you to think creatively about what you might have to offer; we are grateful for your donations! Be sure to fill out the donation form on our auction page or in person on Sunday.
You can help recruit donations, too--print this letter and give it to a business you know and love! We have all the supplies you need to help you out. Check out our event page for more information!
Bring dinner money and enjoy good food from one of these excellent LA food trucks that will be in the church parking lot on November 4, from 5-8pm!
- Humble Crust : Artisan Flatbreads
- Papa Fritz : Belgian fusion waffles & fries
- LA Donut : Donuts and ice cream
- District Burger : Burgers!
There's still a little time left to volunteer for an act in our Nov. 4 Variety Show! Now's the time to act: email Don Jones and let him know about your act--how long it will be, who's involved, what set-up you need and any sound or visual needs you have.
Looking for Donations of Old MapsDo you have a pile of old maps you don't need any more? We're
looking for donations of maps to use in our decorations for the "You Are Here" event on November 4. Please bring any maps you're ready to be rid of (and don't need back) to church on Sunday, or drop them by the office before Wednesday!
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals begin November 5th!
The pageant will be December 10th, and will meet each Sunday until then.
Rehearsals will be in the fellowship hall from 9:30 to 10:15. See you there!
Celebrating 500 Years of the ReformationOn Sunday, October 29, we will join other Christians in celebrating the 500th anniversary of the Protestant Reformation. It was on October 31, 1517 that Martin Luther shared his 95 Theses, raising objection to church practices that included the selling of indulgences. During worship, we will sing a classic Lutheran hymn, and re-commit ourselves to the ongoing work of reforming our faith!
Women's Retreat: Spring 2018All 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.
Church Women United: Nov 3Church Women United will have their World Community Day meeting on Friday, November 3, at Mt Sinai Missionary Church in San Pedro. The program will be "Kindling New Fires for Peace."
Reservations for the lunch ($5) are due by Monday, October 30. We will meet at church and carpool. ALL women in the church are invited to attend. RSVP to Jackie Heite 310-371-3707
Directions to Mt. Sinai Church
ALL SAINTS SUNDAYOn November 5 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
email a photo to the office of the person, along with their name and relationship to you. Photos may also be hand delivered to the office where we will scan them instantly and return them to you. All submissions should be in by November 2. Email here
Corazon House Build - October 14Thank you to everyone who was a part of our Corazon House Build Project this year! It was an amazing day.
More of our photos are on our Flickr site--click through to enjoy them!
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!
Click here to register to attend!
Or, click here for more info!
Click here to register to attend!
Wreath Sales are Back!And we've added a new table centerpiece option! Items delivered to the church will be available for pickup the week of November 27th. Items shipped directly to the Recipient will arrive the first two weeks after Thanksgiving
These wreath sales support the youth group's budget, and they are our biggest fundraiser of the year. Thanks for your support!
Click here to order online or click here for printable forms!
Donate to Youth Classrooms?This year, the youth group has made BIG upgrades to our programming, but we need help getting the furniture together to make that stuff work! Would you consider donating to this specific goal?
Click here to learn more!
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, November 6, 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: Join us for our monthly quilting workshop Friday, November 10, 10am - noon in the choir room. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, this is a great way to begin. Know someone in need of prayer? Anyone can sponsor a free prayer quilt. The Quilt Request Form is online or in the church office.
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 Duff Means will be held at our church on Sunday, November 5, at 3pm in the sanctuary.
Book Club, Tuesday, Nov 28: The next meeting of the book club will be Tuesday, Nov. 28, in May Day Parlor. Sally Donner will lead our discussion of "The Glass Castle," by Jeanette Walls. For more information, contact Ann Gallagher.
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 children must be signed in by parents. We will be learning about Martin Luther, the protestant reformation, and eating WORMS! (Really, come and see!)
Students will be accompanied back to the church service to join their families for communion after Sunday School.
Parents' Night Out is this Friday, October 27!
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in Worship with your family, then head to class 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)? Nope! WE stayed out late playing broom ball!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We are starting a new group ! We plan to meet once a week to discuss our faith, and how that relates to the real world. Interested? Click here to share your preferences regarding timing.
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15 am. 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.
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.
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, November 6, 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: Join us for our monthly quilting workshop Friday, November 10, 10am - noon in the choir room. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, this is a great way to begin. Know someone in need of prayer? Anyone can sponsor a free prayer quilt. The Quilt Request Form is online or in the church office.
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 Duff Means will be held at our church on Sunday, November 5, at 3pm in the sanctuary.
Book Club, Tuesday, Nov 28: The next meeting of the book club will be Tuesday, Nov. 28, in May Day Parlor. Sally Donner will lead our discussion of "The Glass Castle," by Jeanette Walls. For more information, contact Ann Gallagher.
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 children must be signed in by parents. We will be learning about Martin Luther, the protestant reformation, and eating WORMS! (Really, come and see!)
Students will be accompanied back to the church service to join their families for communion after Sunday School.
Parents' Night Out is this Friday, October 27!
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in Worship with your family, then head to class 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)? Nope! WE stayed out late playing broom ball!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We are starting a new group ! We plan to meet once a week to discuss our faith, and how that relates to the real world. Interested? Click here to share your preferences regarding timing.
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15 am. 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.
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.The Judicial Council of the United Methodist Church will meet at a hotel near LAX this week, from October 24-27. Like the Supreme Court of the US, the Judicial Council of the UMC is our highest judicial body. They will hear a number of cases, including several that relate to the church's understanding of homosexuality and its implications on those who are in ministry in the church. Please hold the meeting in your prayers, as well as everyone affected by its decisions.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
310-372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday NightsOffering 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 4:00 pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
Music Notes by Jim Rayorft
Peter Scholtes was a Catholic priest who was born in Evanston, Illinios, and grew up in Oak Park. In the mid-60’s, he was a parish priest at St. Brendan’s in the south side of Chicago, and was leading the youth group out of the church basement. He was looking for an appropriate song to go with a series of ecumenical, interracial events and couldn’t find one. So, he sat down and wrote his most famous composition – They’ll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. He eventually left the priesthood to join a company that specialized in Corporate Human Resources, and spent the rest of his life traveling around the world, helping businesses engage employees' talents more fully, humanely, and effectively. He passed away in 2009.
The band Hillsong United was formed in 1998 from close friends within the Hillsong youth ministry (called “Powerhouse Youth”). So many songs were being written within the...
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Saturday, October 26, 2017 - Music Notes
The band Hillsong United was formed in 1998 from close friends within the Hillsong youth ministry (called “Powerhouse Youth”). So many songs were being written within the...
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Saturday, October 26, 2017 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 26 October 2017 by Jim Raycroft
Peter Scholtes was a Catholic priest who was born in Evanston, Illinios, and grew up in Oak Park. In the mid-60's, he was a parish priest at St. Brendan's in the south side of Chicago, and was leading the youth group out of the church basement. He was looking for an appropriate song to go with a series of ecumenical, interracial events and couldn't find one. So, he sat down and wrote his most famous composition – They'll Know We Are Christians By Our Love. He eventually left the priesthood to join a company that specialized in Corporate Human Resources, and spent the rest of his life traveling around the world, helping businesses engage employees' talents more fully, humanely, and effectively. He passed away in 2009.
The band Hillsong United was formed in 1998 from close friends within the Hillsong youth ministry (called "Powerhouse Youth"). So many songs were being written within the youth ministry that it was suggested they make an album. The songs One and Everyday were recorded and released with the annual Hillsong worship album in 1999. They both achieved gold sales status in Australia, and the band has gone on to win five Dove Awards in 2014 and were nominated for an American Music Award and won the Billboard Music Award Top Christian Artist in 2015. Their song Oceans was released in 2013 and was certified Platinum – 1,000,000 copies sold. Their song This I Believe (The Creed) was released in 2014 on the album No Other Name. The album peaked at #2 on the Aria albums chart, and although This I Believe (The Creed) has not been released as a single, it was #2 on Worship Leader's Top 20 Songs of 2014 and has received airtime. The song Cornerstone is the title track from their 21st album from the live worship and praise series. The album, released in July of 2012, reached #2 on the Aria Albums chart and reached #1 on the Billboard Christian Albums chart. The song, which was released in May of 2012, has a live music video and there is also an acoustic version that can be seen on YouTube.
Mark Hayes is a composer/arranger/pianist based in Kansas City whose music is renowned around the world. He got his degree in piano performance at Baylor University, moved to Kansas City to work as a music editor for Tempo Publishing, and now spends his time writing music for the church and traveling around the world as a clinician and guest conductor. When I met Mark in the late 80's, I was struck by his pianistic skills – more specifically, the way he manhandled the piano into submission to produce the most wondrous sounds. Mark's writing is superbly crafted, with influences of black gospel and jazz. He's one of my favorite contemporary writers, and when I arrived at FUMCRB, outgoing choir director Linda told me "You'll like it here – we have a lot of Mark Hayes in the library." If you play piano and want some music that will both challenge you and satisfy your appetite for delicious piano music, pick up a book of Mark Hayes piano improvisations. You'll love it. Our anthem this week, in honor of the 500th anniversary of the Reformation, is a setting of the classic Martin Luther hymn A Mighty Fortress Is Our God. It is one of his more innovative musical settings of a classic hymn tune, something that he truly excels at, and features driving rhythms and outside-the-box harmonic structures. A few years ago, I led a seminar in "Anthems That Work", sponsored by the National Association of Church Musicians, and this was one of two setting of his I included.
Next week is All Saints Sunday, and we'll be rocking the house with When The Saints Go Marching In. Be there or be sorry.
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Thursday, October 19, 2017 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 19 October 2017 by Jim Raycroft
Jean Berger was born in Germany as Arthur Schlossberg to a Jewish family in 1909 and grew up in Alsace-Lorraine, France. After studying at the universities in Vienna and Heidelberg, he eventually obtained his PhD in music under the tutelage of Heinrich Besseler and went on to be assistant conductor of the Mannheim Opera. After the Nazis gained control of Germany, he moved to Paris, where he adopted the name Jean Berger, to honor his German father and French mother. He toured widely as an accompanist and pianist, and in 1939 moved to Rio de Janeiro, where he was on the faculty of the Brazilian Conservatory and was resident conductor at the Municipal Theatre in Rio. In 1941, he moved to the U.S. and served in the army, and then became an American citizen. After the war, he worked as an arranger for CBS and NBC and as an accompanist. He then joined the faculty Middlebury College in Vermont, then the University of Illinois, then the University of Colorado at Boulder. In the later years of his life, he toured extensively as a lecturer in the area of American music. His anthem The Eyes Of All Wait Upon Thee was written in 1959 and the text is based on Psalm 145. It has become a classic and a standard in Christian choral repertoire.
Michael Gungor is an American singer/songwriter who leads the musical collective Gungor. He began his career in Grand Rapids, Michigan, producing albums from his church through Integrity Media. He released his first album, Bigger Than My Imagination, in 2003, which contained the Dove-nominated single Friend Of God. He later formed the Michael Gungor Band, which consisted of his wife Lisa on vocals, his brother David Gungor on bass and John Arndt on piano, Josh Eatmon on drums and former Desperation Band member Michael Rossback as a guitarist and producer. In 2010, he renamed the band Gungor and has released or collaborated on 18 albums to date. The song Us For Them was part of an ambitious project called Soul, Spirit, Body – a trilogy of albums that was kicked off with the August 2015 release of the album One Wild Life: Soul, which contained Us For Them. That release was followed in March of 2016 with the album One Wild Life: Spirit, and the September 2016 release of the album One Wild Life: Body. Beautiful Things was released in 2012 on the album A Creation Liturgy, and was nominated for a Grammy Award for Best Gospel Song. Michael and his wife Lisa live here in Los Angeles with their daughters Amelie and Lucie.
Hailing from the small coastal town of Bangor in Northern Ireland, the Rend Collective is a group of "twenty-somethings" that gathered at Rend, what the band describes as "a ministry for spiritually hungry young adults, desperately seeking an authentic, raw and real expression of church, which was informally pastored by bandleader, Gareth Gilkeson." Their first album – Homemade Worship by Handmade People – was released in 2012, and was followed by a string of hits in the contemporary Christian music world. Their music is based around older instruments - their native Irish folk instruments, old rock and roll guitars and assorted other whimsical musical toys - and has a raw, uninhibited style that gets the toes tapping and the feet stomping. They don't call themselves a folk band, but insist rather "We are not actually an indie-folk band - despite all the beards and bow-ties and banjos. We are a celebration band. It's just a coincidence that folk music and celebration make a great pairing!" Their song Build Your Kingdom Here was released on their debut album in 2012, and has become one of their most popular songs.
In coming weeks, we'll be featuring some new music, including a beautiful Advent piece by a local composer and an arrangement of Let Us Break Bread Together in celebration of the anniversary of Shared Bread.
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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.
Calling All Gardeners!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
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.
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First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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