I want you to know that questions about God are welcome in church. I have quite a few myself. Even as I give my heart to God, and claim Christ's grace for myself, there are things I have trouble understanding.
I believe that God is beyond our easy answers and quick formulas: divine mystery is far richer than we are able to imagine. This month, in worship, we will take time to ask questions. I trust that asking more and deeper questions can draw us closer to God.
We'll start our series with some questions asked by children. You can watch an intro video here. I'd love to hear your questions, too--what would you want to ask God? Email me, or post a comment in the video link above!
I look forward to asking good questions, together.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
Sunday, January 7:
Do You Have Questions for God?
"Why did God choose for Jesus to be born to a poor family?"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Philippians 2:1-11
Philippians 2:1 Therefore, if you have any encouragement for me from your being in union with the Messiah, any comfort flowing from love, any fellowship with me in the Spirit, or any compassion and sympathy, 2 then complete my joy by having a common purpose and a common love, by being one in heart and mind. 3 Do nothing out of rivalry or vanity; but, in humility, regard each other as better than yourselves — 4 look out for each other’s interests and not just for your own.
"Laudate Dominum" by Mozart, sung by the Chancel Choir; "Love Rescue Me" by U2
Laudate dominum
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Praise the Lord, all nations;
Praise Him, all people
For He has bestowed
His mercy upon us
And the truth of the Lord endures forever
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever
And for generations of generations
Amen
Love Rescue Me
U2
Love rescue me
Come forth and speak to me
Raise me up and don't let me fall
No man is my enemy
My own hands imprison me
Love rescue me
Many strangers have I met
On the road to my regret
Many lost who seek to find themselves in me
They ask me to reveal
The very thoughts they would conceal
Love rescue me
And the sun in the sky
Makes a shadow of you and I
Stretching out as the sun sinks in the sea
I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
Said, love rescue me
In the cold mirror of a glass
I see my reflection pass
See the dark shades of what I used to be
See the purple of her eyes
The scarlet of my lies
Love rescue me
Yea, though I walk
In the valley of shadow
Yea, I will fear no evil
I have cursed thy rod and staff
They no longer comfort me
Love rescue me
Sha la la, sha la la la
Sha la la la, ha la la
Sha la la la, sha la la la
Sha la la la, sha la la
Sha la la la, sha la la la
Sha la la
I said love, love rescue me
I said love
Climb up the mountains, said love
I said love, oh my love
On the hill of the son
I'm on the eve of a storm
And my word you must believe in
I said love, rescue me
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Yeah I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
I said love rescue me
I've conquered my past
The future is here at last
I stand at the entrance
To a new world I can see
The ruins to the right of me
Will soon have lost sight of me
Love rescue me
(Written by Adam Clayton, Bob Dylan, David Evans, Laurence Muller, Paul Hewson • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group)
Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
As I looked at the beautiful decorations in our sanctuary over the Christmas season I noticed the amazing display of poinsettias placed in memory of those we remember , those who are now with our Lord and those we honor for their lives and meaning to us. Those beautiful red and yellow plants often are treasured and planted. I still have one in my yard now nearly ten feet tall planted in memory of my mother who passed into heaven the year of 2000. Born in 1898, she lived through all the 1900s and died in 2000 at 103 years. Not many can say that.
The nearly ten foot Christmas tree was...
Thursday, January 4, 2018
5 Let your attitude toward one another be governed by your being in union with the Messiah Yeshua:
6 Though he was in the form of God,
he did not regard equality with God
something to be possessed by force.
7 On the contrary, he emptied himself,
in that he took the form of a slave
by becoming like human beings are.
And when he appeared as a human being,
8 he humbled himself still more
by becoming obedient even to death —
death on a stake as a criminal!
9 Therefore God raised him to the highest place
and gave him the name above every name;
10 that in honor of the name given Yeshua,
every knee will bow —
in heaven, on earth and under the earth —
11 and every tongue will acknowledge[Philippians 2:11 Isaiah 45:23]
that Yeshua the Messiah is Adonai —
to the glory of God the Father.
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Philippians 2:1-11
Verse 1
[1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
If there be therefore any consolation — In the grace of Christ.
If any comfort — In the love of God. If any fellowship of the Holy Ghost; if any bowels of mercies - Resulting therefrom; any tender affection towards each other.
Verse 2
[2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Think the same thing — Seeing Christ is your common Head.
Having the same love — To God, your common Father.
Being of one soul — Animated with the same affections and tempers, as ye have all drank ill to one spirit.
Of one mind — Tenderly rejoicing and grieving together.
Verse 3
[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Do nothing through contention — Which is inconsistent with your thinking the same thing.
Or vainglory — Desire of praise, which is directly opposite to the love of God.
But esteem each the others better than themselves — (For every one knows more evil of himself than he can of another:) Which is a glorious fruit of the Spirit, and an admirable help to your continuing "of one soul."
Verse 4
[4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Aim not every one at his own things — Only. If so, ye have not bowels of mercies.
Verse 6
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Who being in the essential form — The incommunicable nature.
Of God — From eternity, as he was afterward in the form of man; real God, as real man.
Counted it no act of robbery — That is the precise meaning of the words,-no invasion of another's prerogative, but his own strict and unquestionable right.
To be equal with God — the word here translated equal, occurs in the adjective form five or six times in the New Testament, Matthew 20:12; Luke 6:34; John 5:18; Acts 11:17; Revelation 21:16. In all which places it expresses not a bare resemblance, but a real and proper equalitg. It here implies both the fulness and the supreme height of the Godhead; to which are opposed, he emptied and he humbled himself.
Verse 7
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Yet — He was so far from tenaciously insisting upon, that he willingly relinquished, his claim. He was content to forego the glories of the Creator, and to appear in the form of a creature; nay, to he made in the likeness of the fallen creatures; and not only to share the disgrace, but to suffer the punishment, due to the meanest and vilest among them all.
He emptied himself — Of that divine fulness, which he received again at his exaltation. Though he remained full, John 1:14, yet he appeared as if he had been empty; for he veiled his fulness from the sight of men and angels. Yea, he not only veiled, but, in some sense, renounced, the glory which he had before the world began.
Taking — And by that very act emptying himself.
The form of a servant — The form, the likeness, the fashion, though not exactly the same, are yet nearly related to each other. The form expresses something absolute; the likeness refers to other things of the same kind; the fashion respects what appears to sight and sense.
Being made in the likeness of men — A real man, like other men. Hereby he took the form of a servant.
Verse 8
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
And being found in fashion as a man — A common man, without any peculiar excellence or comeliness.
He humbled himself — To a still greater depth.
Becoming obedient — To God, though equal with him.
Even unto death — The greatest instance both of humiliation and obedience.
Yea, the death of the cross — Inflicted on few but servants or slaves.
Verse 9
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Wherefore — Because of his voluntary humiliation and obedience. He humbled himself; but God hath exalted him - So recompensing his humiliation.
And hath given him — So recompensing his emptying himself.
A name which is above every name — Dignity and majesty superior to every creature.
Verse 10
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
That every knee — That divine honour might be paid in every possible manner by every creature.
Might bow — Either with love or trembling.
Of those in heaven, earth, under the earth — That is, through the whole universe.
Verse 11
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
And every tongue — Even of his enemies.
Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord — Jehovah; not now "in the form of a servant," but enthroned in the glory of God the Father.
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Philippians 2:1-11
Verse 1
[1] If there be therefore any consolation in Christ, if any comfort of love, if any fellowship of the Spirit, if any bowels and mercies,
If there be therefore any consolation — In the grace of Christ.
If any comfort — In the love of God. If any fellowship of the Holy Ghost; if any bowels of mercies - Resulting therefrom; any tender affection towards each other.
Verse 2
[2] Fulfil ye my joy, that ye be likeminded, having the same love, being of one accord, of one mind.
Think the same thing — Seeing Christ is your common Head.
Having the same love — To God, your common Father.
Being of one soul — Animated with the same affections and tempers, as ye have all drank ill to one spirit.
Of one mind — Tenderly rejoicing and grieving together.
Verse 3
[3] Let nothing be done through strife or vainglory; but in lowliness of mind let each esteem other better than themselves.
Do nothing through contention — Which is inconsistent with your thinking the same thing.
Or vainglory — Desire of praise, which is directly opposite to the love of God.
But esteem each the others better than themselves — (For every one knows more evil of himself than he can of another:) Which is a glorious fruit of the Spirit, and an admirable help to your continuing "of one soul."
Verse 4
[4] Look not every man on his own things, but every man also on the things of others.
Aim not every one at his own things — Only. If so, ye have not bowels of mercies.
Verse 6
[6] Who, being in the form of God, thought it not robbery to be equal with God:
Who being in the essential form — The incommunicable nature.
Of God — From eternity, as he was afterward in the form of man; real God, as real man.
Counted it no act of robbery — That is the precise meaning of the words,-no invasion of another's prerogative, but his own strict and unquestionable right.
To be equal with God — the word here translated equal, occurs in the adjective form five or six times in the New Testament, Matthew 20:12; Luke 6:34; John 5:18; Acts 11:17; Revelation 21:16. In all which places it expresses not a bare resemblance, but a real and proper equalitg. It here implies both the fulness and the supreme height of the Godhead; to which are opposed, he emptied and he humbled himself.
Verse 7
[7] But made himself of no reputation, and took upon him the form of a servant, and was made in the likeness of men:
Yet — He was so far from tenaciously insisting upon, that he willingly relinquished, his claim. He was content to forego the glories of the Creator, and to appear in the form of a creature; nay, to he made in the likeness of the fallen creatures; and not only to share the disgrace, but to suffer the punishment, due to the meanest and vilest among them all.
He emptied himself — Of that divine fulness, which he received again at his exaltation. Though he remained full, John 1:14, yet he appeared as if he had been empty; for he veiled his fulness from the sight of men and angels. Yea, he not only veiled, but, in some sense, renounced, the glory which he had before the world began.
Taking — And by that very act emptying himself.
The form of a servant — The form, the likeness, the fashion, though not exactly the same, are yet nearly related to each other. The form expresses something absolute; the likeness refers to other things of the same kind; the fashion respects what appears to sight and sense.
Being made in the likeness of men — A real man, like other men. Hereby he took the form of a servant.
Verse 8
[8] And being found in fashion as a man, he humbled himself, and became obedient unto death, even the death of the cross.
And being found in fashion as a man — A common man, without any peculiar excellence or comeliness.
He humbled himself — To a still greater depth.
Becoming obedient — To God, though equal with him.
Even unto death — The greatest instance both of humiliation and obedience.
Yea, the death of the cross — Inflicted on few but servants or slaves.
Verse 9
[9] Wherefore God also hath highly exalted him, and given him a name which is above every name:
Wherefore — Because of his voluntary humiliation and obedience. He humbled himself; but God hath exalted him - So recompensing his humiliation.
And hath given him — So recompensing his emptying himself.
A name which is above every name — Dignity and majesty superior to every creature.
Verse 10
[10] That at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, of things in heaven, and things in earth, and things under the earth;
That every knee — That divine honour might be paid in every possible manner by every creature.
Might bow — Either with love or trembling.
Of those in heaven, earth, under the earth — That is, through the whole universe.
Verse 11
[11] And that every tongue should confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.
And every tongue — Even of his enemies.
Confess that Jesus Christ is Lord — Jehovah; not now "in the form of a servant," but enthroned in the glory of God the Father.
8:30 am in Epworth Lounge
10:30 am in the Sanctuary"Laudate Dominum" by Mozart, sung by the Chancel Choir; "Love Rescue Me" by U2
Laudate dominum
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart
Praise the Lord, all nations;
Praise Him, all people
For He has bestowed
His mercy upon us
And the truth of the Lord endures forever
Glory to the Father and to the Son and to the Holy Spirit
As it was in the beginning, is now, and forever
And for generations of generations
Amen
Love Rescue Me
U2
Love rescue me
Come forth and speak to me
Raise me up and don't let me fall
No man is my enemy
My own hands imprison me
Love rescue me
Many strangers have I met
On the road to my regret
Many lost who seek to find themselves in me
They ask me to reveal
The very thoughts they would conceal
Love rescue me
And the sun in the sky
Makes a shadow of you and I
Stretching out as the sun sinks in the sea
I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
Said, love rescue me
In the cold mirror of a glass
I see my reflection pass
See the dark shades of what I used to be
See the purple of her eyes
The scarlet of my lies
Love rescue me
Yea, though I walk
In the valley of shadow
Yea, I will fear no evil
I have cursed thy rod and staff
They no longer comfort me
Love rescue me
Sha la la, sha la la la
Sha la la la, ha la la
Sha la la la, sha la la la
Sha la la la, sha la la
Sha la la la, sha la la la
Sha la la
I said love, love rescue me
I said love
Climb up the mountains, said love
I said love, oh my love
On the hill of the son
I'm on the eve of a storm
And my word you must believe in
I said love, rescue me
Oh yeah, oh yeah, oh yeah
Yeah I'm here without a name
In the palace of my shame
I said love rescue me
I've conquered my past
The future is here at last
I stand at the entrance
To a new world I can see
The ruins to the right of me
Will soon have lost sight of me
Love rescue me
(Written by Adam Clayton, Bob Dylan, David Evans, Laurence Muller, Paul Hewson • Copyright © Universal Music Publishing Group)
Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
The nearly ten foot Christmas tree was...
Thursday, January 4, 2018
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, 4 January 2018 by Bob Peterson
As I looked at the beautiful decorations in our sanctuary over the Christmas season I noticed the amazing display of poinsettias placed in memory of those we remember , those who are now with our Lord and those we honor for their lives and meaning to us. Those beautiful red and yellow plants often are treasured and planted. I still have one in my yard now nearly ten feet tall planted in memory of my mother who passed into heaven the year of 2000. Born in 1898, she lived through all the 1900s and died in 2000 at 103 years. Not many can say that.
The nearly ten foot Christmas tree was decorated again with the Crismons made many years ago by the women of our church for that purpose. They are white, gold and red symbols of the various activities of our congregation, such as music, youth, prayer, etc. They look as great as they did the first year and, as always help us remember the beautiful hands who did the work. I think its known as needlepoint.
There are still women who attend very Sunday who created those amazing decorations. I love them, yes, the women and their hard work. Now, we begin January Worship bright eyed and bushy tailed as our many wonderful children do, eager to continue making the world a better place for all mankind by following Jesus' words of love and peace.
There has been an influx of donations to our "Friends of Music Fund" to make up for lost sources this past year and if you should decide that you wish to support the music as led by Jim Raycroft, you may donate an extra amount marked for that fund and it will help just that department continue their amazing and wonderful presentations each Sunday. I plan to do just that.
May the new year be even more successful than the past one for you, for me and for our wonderful church, not just happy, but successful in bringing Christ to others.
Click here for past Lay Looker columns
Coming at Church
Do You Have Questions For God? (We do, too)
Join us on Sundays in January, as Pastor Molly takes on big questions.
(Have a question on your mind? Email it to Pastor Molly!)
Spiritual Gifts Class in January
Congratulations! You're gifted!
Come and learn how God has uniquely gifted you and where your dreams and passions might lead you to serve. You’ll study the Bible, use personal assessments, connect with others and brainstorm ideas for putting your gifts into action, here at the church and throughout the community.
Spiritual Gifts Class: Monday evenings, starting January 22 (Led by Liz Gyori) Register online.
Need a kid free evening? Want to grab sushi with your friends?
Bring your children to Parents Night out!
Drop off your children at church for three hours of programming, starting at 5 pm.
The cost is $20.00 for the first child ($10 for the 2nd, $5 for 3rd+) and includes dinner.
Enjoy an evening out while your kids play games, make crafts, and enjoy fellowship!
It's a great night for all!
We request all spots be reserved by the Wednesday prior to the event.
Email Children's Ministry to save a spot!
Thank you to everyone who has submitted a pledge of financial giving for 2018. Early in the new year, we will be setting our final 2018 budget, and we are glad for pledges of giving to help us plan well. We encourage you to pledge now, if you haven't already: You can read more or submit a pledge here.
We are grateful for your generosity!
Read stories from church members about "Generations of Generosity" on our website!
Did You Know: View Your Church Giving Record
In coming weeks, we will be mailing out records of your giving to those who have donated to the church in 2017. Anytime, you can log onto OnRealm, our cloud-based church directory, to view or print a record of your giving to the church. You can also set up or manage secure, electronic giving to the church. Arrange a one-time gift or a recurring donation. Plus, you can access contact information for other church members, to better stay in touch with the community! If you don't already have a login, contact the office for an invitation to join.
Parents! Remember, you need to send a SECOND permission slip for your youth so they can go to Snow Tubing!
Also: we've got a blog post up on what is happening during the Winter Retreat!
Over the past two years, we have been updating and improving WiFi access on our campus. Now, there is a guest network that is available to anyone on campus. It has a password that we are happy to share, and invite you to share.
- The network is: First UMC Guests
- The password is: openhearts
We join others in lifting prayers for the many people and communities in southern California that are threatened and affected by wildfires this week, including people from our own congregation and regional church. Our Annual Conference is working to coordinate response to this disaster, and invites contributions to UMCOR (The United Methodist Committee on Relief). Read more about the church's response here.
Vacation Bible School:
(age 3-8th grade) August 13-17
BeachFaith Kids Arts Camp:
(K-5th grade) July 30-August 3
Baja Mission Trip:
with Inalienable (youth & adults) July 7-14
Summer Camps:
at Lazy W Ranch & other sites
Save The Date for VBS!
Be sure to mark your calendars for
August 13th-17th!!
Believe it or not, VBS 2018 is on it's way and we want YOU to be part of this incredible ministry.
Save the date!
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, January 15, 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, January 12, 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.
Book Club, January 16, 2018 at 7 PM: Vika, our January hostess, has selected for our discussion, “Living as a Covenant Community,” by Evy McDonald, which was used for study at UMW’s Mission U last summer. The book is available on the UMW website for $10, and the kindle from Amazon for $5.00. Vika is contacting women in our district who attended Mission U, to borrow copies and make them available on the UMW bookshelf in May Day Parlor. Assisting Vika with refreshments will be Eloise Elder. 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 5 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across from Epworth Lounge. Please know that children of any age are always welcome in worship. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade): We'll start out upstairs in the Sunday School room, sign in as early at 10:20. This week we will be celebrating with a multicultural Epiphany party! You won't want to miss it. Afterward, we'll join our families in worship for Holy Communion.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): You are invited to be a part of worship with your families! (No Sunday School today, while Middle School is on the Winter Retreat.)
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School? Cancelled, since everyone is at the Winter Retreat!
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? Nope! We're at the Winter Retreat!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We are starting a new group in about two months. In the meantime, consider attending the Spiritual Gifts class on Monday nights! It will be great!
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by 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.
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.
SHARED BREAD NEEDS DONATIONS OF MEN'S AND WOMEN'S PANTS (JEANS). Please bring them to church on Sunday, or to the office during the week.
DESSERTS FOR SHARED BREAD
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!
Classically trained, she studied with Deanna Murray at California State University, Northridge and Alexandra Coku at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik, Trossingen. Her operatic roles include Euridice in Gluck’s Orfeo ed Euridice, Gretel in Engelbert Humperdink’s Hansel und Gretel, and Barbarina in Mozart’s Le Nozze di Figaro.
Audrey has an extensive background in oratorio and recently was the featured soloist for Handel’s Messiah and Poulenc’s Gloria. I worked with Audrey during last year’s High Holy Days at the temple I work for, and we are very lucky to have her with us. 2018 is looking to be a very exciting year...
Thursday, January 4, 2018 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 4 January 2018 by Jim Raycroft
This week we welcome a new member to our musical family, Audrey Yoder. Audrey, who is taking over the soprano section leader position from Susan Kasenow, is an Iowa City native and recent California transplant. Classically trained, she studied with Deanna Murray at California State University, Northridge and Alexandra Coku at the Staatliche Hochschule für Musik, Trossingen. Her operatic roles include Euridice in Gluck's Orfeo ed Euridice, Gretel in Engelbert Humperdink's Hansel und Gretel, and Barbarina in Mozart's Le Nozze di Figaro. Audrey has an extensive background in oratorio and recently was the featured soloist for Handel's Messiah and Poulenc's Gloria. I worked with Audrey during last year's High Holy Days at the temple I work for, and we are very lucky to have her with us. 2018 is looking to be a very exciting year.
Wolfgang Amadeus Mozart is another of history's most renowned composers. Born in 1756, he was a true prodigy and his father Leopold, a composer and music teacher, began teaching him pieces on the harpsichord at the age of 4, and he picked them up and played them flawlessly. By the age of 5, he was composing small pieces that his father wrote down, including, believe it or not, the tune we all know as Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star (he wrote it as a Theme and Variations!). By the time he was 5, his father had begun taking him and his older sister, Nannerl, on concert tours as child prodigies, and he composed his first symphony when he was 8. On one such trip to Rome when he was 14, he heard Gregorio Allegri's choral work Miserere, a closely guarded Vatican treasure of the Sistine Chapel Choir, and wrote it out from memory. Instead of being excommunicated, as was the required punishment, the Pope was so impressed that he gave Mozart a commendation. He met Joseph Haydn in 1784, and they became friends, occasionally playing together in an impromptu string quartet (a string quartet jam session). Ultimately, he went on to write over 600 pieces of music during his short life, many of which are considered to be pinnacles of symphonic, concert, chamber, operatic and vocal music. The movie Amadeus, adapted from the stage play, creates a fictional story around his relationship with composer Antonio Salieri (who, in real life, was one of the few who attended his burial) and the writing of the Requiem, which he never finished (that story is indeed fiction). The most recent hypothesis regarding the cause of his death in 1791 is a severe kidney ailment, which probably could have been resolved by him drinking a lot of water (but the medical technology of the time was to bleed him with leeches). The Laudate Dominum, which is a setting of Psalm 117 and is considered to be one of the most "perfect" pieces of music ever written, is the 5thmovement of the Vesperae solennes de confessore, or the Solemn Vespers of the Confessor. The Vespers is a 6 movement work that was written for the Salzburg Cathedral in 1780 when he was 24 years old, and is the last choral piece written for the Cathedral before he moved to Vienna. The orchestration is unique in that it was written for strings, but without violas. When the movie Amadeus was in the theatres, one of the local choral conductors thought it would be a good marketing move to do an "Amadeus Live" concert, featuring the Salieri Requiem (considered the best thing he ever wrote) and the Mozart Solemn Vespers (considered to be middle-of-the-road Mozart). I sang on that concert, and it wasn't even close. Middle-of-the-road Mozart was head and shoulders better than the best thing Salieri ever wrote.
On September 26, 1976, 14 year old Larry Mullen, Jr. placed a note on the bulletin board of Mount Temple Comprehensive School in Dublin, Ireland, looking for members to form a band. 6 people responded. They began as Feedback, performing covers of other artists' music, then in 1977 changed their name to The Hype with 5 members. In March of 1978, they phased out their fifth man and changed their name to U2, playing their own original material. Their 1st big break came when they won a competition on St. Patrick's Day, 1978, which provided them with the opportunity to record a demo that would be heard by CBS Ireland, a record label. Since then U2 has gone on to release 13 studio albums and have become one of the best-selling musical artists of all time, selling over 170 million albums worldwide. They have won 22 Grammy Awards and were inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame in 2005. Rolling Stone ranked U2 as 22nd on their list of "100 Greatest Artists of All Time". Love Rescue Me was part of their album Rattle and Hum, which was released in 1988. The album explores American root music and incorporates blues rock, folk rock and gospel elements in the music. In November of 1987, Bono met Bob Dylan and they wrote a song together called Prisoner of Love, which later became Love Rescue Me. The original recording was recorded with Bob Dylan singing lead vocals and was recorded at Sun Studios in Memphis, Tennessee, which had been home to Elvis Presley, Johnny Cash and Roy Orbison, to name a few. Dylan asked that his version not be included in the album because of previous commitments.
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.
Circle Meeting Time
- Naomi Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 10:00 am
- Hannah Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00 pm
- Mary Circle 4th Monday @ 7:00 pm
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.
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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"In Memoriam: Marv Davison" First United Methodist Church in Redondo Beach, California, United States
We give thanks to God for the life of Marv Davison.
In Memoriam: Marvin Roy Davison
December 1, 1931 - January 2, 2018 "O Lord, from everlasting to everlasting you are God. Look down upon our sorrowing hearts today, we humbly pray, and be gracious. Help all who mourn to cast every care upon you, and find comfort, through Jesus Christ our Lord."
With deep sympathy and prayers, we share news of the passing of Marvin Roy Davison of our congregation.
Marv passed from this life on Tuesday, January 2 at a care facility near his son and daughter-in-law, Mike and Kathy Davison, in Lake Forest, California. He had moved there a month ago, from his home in Torrance.
Marv joined Redondo Beach First in 1963, and was active in the church in many ways, including as a faithful volunteer for Shared Bread and a dependable handyman around our campus. Marv was a life-long Methodist; he was baptized and confirmed in the First United Methodist Church of Bertrand, Nebraska. In 2002, he was recognized as a "Dynamic Disciple" in our congregation.
Marv is survived by his son Michael Roy Davison and his wife Kathy of Lake Forest, CA; and his son Robert Ray Davison of Lancaster, CA. He also leaves behind his grandchildren, Julia Davison Norquist (Noel) of Illinois, Nicole Davison of Lake Forest, Brieana Barkau of Torrance and Leah Davison of Menifee. His great grandchildren are Elizabeth, Alexandra and Andrew Norquist of Illinois; Reid Davison-Simpson of Lake Forest; and Liam Barkau and Gideon Buzzelli of Torrance. He is preceded in death by his wife of 65 years, Donna, and his son, Stephen Lee Davison.
We will hold a funeral for Marvin on Thursday, January 18, at 11am in the sanctuary, with a light reception to follow; Rev. Molly Vetter will officiate. The family will hold a private burial later that day, at Pacific Crest Cemetary.
May God grant us grace, that in pain we may find comfort, in sorrow hope, in death resurrection. (from the United Methodist Book of Worship)
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First United Methodist Church
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