First United Methodist Church
eNews for Thursday, 9 August 2018: Jesus Loves the Earth, Vacation Bible School Week! "Jesus Loves the Earth" series continues; VBS This Week!
If you've been around a while, you've heard me profess my love of fresh, homegrown, heirloom summer tomatoes. (They're an entirely different thing from the sad, picked-too-early, out-of-season ones from the grocery store.) It's that time of year when I get to remember just how good they are.
In our scriptures, in several places and ways, we use the metaphor of fruit to describe what's produced by God's faithfulness as it's lived in our lives. We bear fruit. (Sometimes it's amazing, like those summer tomatoes.) The things we do and say and the quality of our lives, when we live out God's love, give our lives sweetness and flavor. We become nourishment for a hungry world. And not just the kind of nourishment that gets you by: we get to be like summer tomatoes.
Our Vacation Bible School will begin on Monday. I love how VBS gives our congregation a chance to be, for all those who come to be with us for the week, a taste of the goodness of God. We get to share patience, joy, peace, kindness and love. We get to show what it looks like to live as a community that seeks to follow Christ.
I hope you will keep our whole VBS in prayer: the young people who will attend and their families, the volunteers who organize and teach and lead, the whole community of our church who has helped make this week possible. I pray that it will, indeed, be filled with the life-giving, delicious flavors of God's grace.
with gratitude,
Pastor Molly
Sunday, August 12:
"Jesus Loves the Earth: Be the Vine"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
John 15:1-11
John 15:1 “I am the real vine, and my Father is the gardener. 2 Every branch which is part of me but fails to bear fruit, he cuts off; and every branch that does bear fruit, he prunes, so that it may bear more fruit. 3 Right now, because of the word which I have spoken to you, you are pruned. 4 Stay united with me, as I will with you — for just as the branch can’t put forth fruit by itself apart from the vine, so you can’t bear fruit apart from me.
5 “I am the vine and you are the branches. Those who stay united with me, and I with them, are the ones who bear much fruit; because apart from me you can’t do a thing. 6 Unless a person remains united with me, he is thrown away like a branch and dries up. Such branches are gathered and thrown into the fire, where they are burned up.
7 “If you remain united with me, and my words with you, then ask whatever you want, and it will happen for you. 8 This is how my Father is glorified — in your bearing much fruit; this is how you will prove to be my talmidim.
9 “Just as my Father has loved me, I too have loved you; so stay in my love. 10 If you keep my commands, you will stay in my love — just as I have kept my Father’s commands and stay in his love. 11 I have said this to you so that my joy may be in you, and your joy be complete. (Complete Jewish Bible).
John 15:1-11
Verse 2
[2] Every branch in me that beareth not fruit he taketh away: and every branch that beareth fruit, he purgeth it, that it may bring forth more fruit.
Every one that beareth fruit, he purifieth — by obeying the truth, 1 Peter 1:22; and by inward or outward sufferings, Hebrews 12:10,11. So purity and fruitfulness help each other.
That it may bear more fruit — For this is one of the noblest rewards God can bestow on former acts of obedience, to make us yet more holy, and fit for farther and more eminent service.
Verse 3
[3] Now ye are clean through the word which I have spoken unto you.
Ye are clean — All of you, to whom I now speak, are purged from the guilt and power of sin; by the word - Which, applied by the Spirit, is the grand instrument of purifying the soul.
Verse 4
[4] Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit of itself, except it abide in the vine; no more can ye, except ye abide in me.
Abide in me — Ye who are now pure by living faith, producing all holiness; by which alone ye can be in me.
Verse 5
[5] I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.
I am the vine, ye are the branches — Our Lord in this whole passage speaks of no branches but such as are, or at least were once, united to him by living faith.
Verse 6
[6] If a man abide not in me, he is cast forth as a branch, and is withered; and men gather them, and cast them into the fire, and they are burned.
If any one abide not in me — By living faith; not by Church communion only. He may thus abide in Christ, and be withered all the time, and cast into the fire at last.
He is cast out — Of the vineyard, the invisible Church. Therefore he was in it once.
Verse 7
[7] If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.
If ye abide in me, ye shall ask — Prayers themselves are a fruit of faith, and they produce more fruit.
Verse 8
[8] Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.
So shall ye be my disciples — Worthy of the name. To be a disciple of Christ is both the foundation and height of Christianity.
Verse 9
[9] As the Father hath loved me, so have I loved you: continue ye in my love.
Abide ye in my love — Keep your place in my affection. See that ye do not forfeit that invaluable blessing. How needless a caution, if it were impossible for them not to abide therein?
Verse 10
[10] If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love; even as I have kept my Father's commandments, and abide in his love.
If ye keep my commandments, ye shall abide in my love — On these terms, and no other, ye shall remain the objects of my special affection.
Verse 11
[11] These things have I spoken unto you, that my joy might remain in you, and that your joy might be full.
That my joy might remain in you — The same joy which I feel in loving the Father, and keeping his commandments. (John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes).
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "When Dreams Come True" from Joseph: The Dreamer, and "L'Dor Vador" by Sharon Farber, sung by Ilysia Pierce
"When Dreams Come True"
What is this dream Swirling in my head This moment of grace
This truth where I'm lead Is this dream of my destiny? And if I follow where will it lead? I see you here I feel your hand Vast and mysterious is your plan With a heart of faith, I will try and see This heaven and earth You painted for me You've opened my eyes Laid truth on my heart Set my spirit to fly Gave light to the dark Please make me wise So that I might know The will of my Lord from here below I see you here I feel your hand Vast and mysterious is your plan If all things start and end with you Then I can believe (Sight & Sound Theatres)"L'Dor Vador" by Josh Nelson
We are gifts and we are blessings, we are history in song
We are hope and we are healing, we are learning to be strong
We are words and we are stories, we are pictures of the past
We are carriers of wisdom, not the first and not the last
L'dor vador nagid godlecha
(From generation to generation, we will tell of Your greatness)
L'dor vador... we protect this chain
From generation to generation
L'dor vador, these lips will praise Your name
Looking back on the journey that we carry in our heart
From the shadow of the mountain to the waters that would part
We are blessed and we are holy, we are children of Your way
And the words that bring us meaning, we will have the strength to say
Listen to Sermons onlineVisit our Website
News From Our Members
Thursday, August 9, 2018
Bob Peterson
Bob 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! by Bob Peterson
Not very often do we get to hear one of our church trustees sing a solo during a worship service but it happened last Sunday. Stuart Everson did a great job singing solo on the song Show Me The Way, accompanied by the church worship band. Of course, we already knew his wife, Lauren, an accomplished singer who not only sand her own solo, Thy Will as our prayer song. She sings in our Chancel Choir, now on vacation and planning on rejoining us on a Sunday in September, Praise the Lord.
During a chat with volunteer greeter Ellyn Park, we discovered we had a mutual friend teaching instrumental music at Chadwick School, but neither her or I could recall his name, although he has been at my house and our church playing flute many times, just not lately. Abut ten minutes later she came up with the last name and then I remembered his first name....Richard Babcock, a great musician. Does this type of thing ever happen to you? It does to me from time to time.
Watching Dave and Carlos, his dog who is always with him, come down front for communion, often steadying Nancy Means a bit, I noticed Carlos wagging his tail a as he discovered a crumb of communion bread, somehow dropped on the floor earlier and scooped up by Dave's “always there” friend and buddy.
I enjoyed the “Post-Baja” luncheon and show arranged by Stephen Hale and others from their recent trip, as we saw slides and film about the humanitarian trip to Baja California, Mexico to help those in need of housing, work, friendship and Love for the fourth time. Our young people and their supporters impressed us all with their testimonies and stories about bringing this help to Christians in need and meeting old friends from the years before. Our entire church should be proud to continue this support of our fellow Christians in Mexico. It's an all church mission project.
P.S. My great granddaughters Natalie and Vivian Thompson are excitedly looking forward to this coming week's VBS, Vacation Bible School. Perhaps your family is too.
Click here for more of the Lay Looker
Coming at Church
August Sermon Series:
Jesus Loves the Earth
His teaching is full of stories and metaphors that draw lessons from the natural world. He spoke of farmers and fishermen, of mother hens and fig trees, inviting us to think deeply about the world around us.We believe that Jesus' teachings have a lot to say to us as we try to navigate our ecological responsibilities today.
Join Pastor Molly for this five week sermon series, starting August 5.
VBS 2018
It's not too late to join us!Grow in faith. Have Fun. Change the world!
VBS 2018 is coming: August 13-17
Click here for more info and registration!
We will be inspired each day by the vastness of God's amazing creation and love! There will be games, crafts, and more each day, while we learn about the Parable of the Sower.
Ways to help with VBS!
Tell everyone you know that there’s still time to sign up and spaces are available!Do you use facebook, Instagram, nextdoor, etc? Share the news everywhere you can. Here are two links you can share:
We will be inspired each day by the vastness of God's amazing creation and love! There will be games, crafts, and more each day, while we learn about the Parable of the Sower.
Ways to help with VBS!
Tell everyone you know that there’s still time to sign up and spaces are available!Do you use facebook, Instagram, nextdoor, etc? Share the news everywhere you can. Here are two links you can share:
- https://www.fumcrb.org/VBS2018 and our Facebook Event: https://www.facebook.com/events/380596649106509/ (You can copy + paste these links right from the email!)
There will be jobs for everyone, bring the whole family!
Attend VBS Sunday, on August 19th and stay after to be part of the “Demo Team”
Our exhausted VBS crew will need some help returning the church to normal after our week is done, stay after 10:30 worship and help!
VBS...For Middle School!
This year, Middle School has a special part to play in VBS! In addition to all the great VBS stuff we know and love, we will be doing a super fun service project. Get on your gardening gloves, we have work to do- and it's going to be awesome!Youth Service Lock-In
This year, for our back to school lock-in event, we're doing a service project at Golden Heart Ranch! It's (Fri-Sat) August 24-25.
Click here to learn about Golden Heart Ranch!
Options for Children at Church in Summer!
We love having children in worship, and through the summer, we encourage families to attend together!
For much of the summer, our children's Sunday School is on break. We have special children's activity books available to pick up as kids enter the sanctuary, with things they can work on during worship.
We encourage you to help your kids participate in worship as much as they are able! Help them follow along in the bulletin if they can read, and talk about what the experienced and remembered afterwards!
Wanted: Sound Board Operators
We are looking for 8-10+ people to volunteer to be part of a rotation of sound board operators. There are no requirements other than a desire to help out. Volunteers should either meet me after church or send me (Matt Parker) an email at mjp.sandiego@gmail.com.
Online Video Bible Study - Join from your Home!
Join us for an online, interactive video Bible study this summer! We will read through "Consider the Birds: A Provocative Guide to Birds of the Bible," by Debbie Blue. Our small group meets via online video chat, so you can join in from wherever you are this summer, on your laptop, smart phone or tablet!
We meet up online on Tuesday evenings, from 8:30-9:30pm, through Google Hangouts. The group is led by Lillian Naveira, Eileen Raycroft and Pastor Molly Vetter, and will continue for 10 weeks over the summer. Next up is Chapter 9 (The Hen--Insider and Servant) on Tuesday, August 14.
Click through for more information, including the link to log on!
Mark your calendars now, and make plans to join us for our 2018 church golf tournament. We will return to the beautiful Los Verdes Golf Course for the tournament, which benefits the ministries of our church.
Questions? Contact Gary Baughman at church
Game Night: Sunday, August 26
Mark your calendars and get out your favorite games: We're going to have a church game night in August! Come have some fun, playing games you love (or are up to try out) with friends of all ages from church.Looking for a Deeper Look at the Whole Bible?
This coming year, we invite you to be a part of a 24-week Disciple Bible Study Fast Track class. With 12 weeks in the Old Testament and 12 weeks in the New Testament, the class with go deeper in understanding the whole of the Bible story. In the midst of our busy lives, this study is designed to help us understand with the Bible has to say to us as disciples of Jesus Christ, today.
UMW All-Circle Potluck Dinner
All women in the church are invited to our annual summertime All-Circle Potluck on Thursday, August 23 at 6pm. Besides usual good food and fellowship, we will hear about the work of CCI, the Canine Companions for Independence. Everyone is encouraged to bring a favorite dish to share, as well as reusable dinnerware that you can use and take home!Open House Sunday on Sept 9
Join us to kick off the fall season with an Open House Sunday on September 9. Between services we will have fun activities and information about our church community. After 10:30 worship, we will have a Potluck Lunch. We hope you will invite a friend to come check us out!
If you're a leader in a church group, please check in with us by the end of August, to make sure your events are included in our fall church calendar!
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, August 20, 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, August 10, starting at 10am. There's something for everyone to do to help. 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.
"The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe" will come in the Spring! We have decided to shift our production of a play version of this CS Lewis classic to 2019. But, it's still not too early to contact Kristen Harper if you're interested in being a part of it then!
Book Club: Next meeting, Tuesday, September 18. We are on summer hiatus and have chosen a few books for you to enjoy. The books we selected are: The Chilbury Ladies’ Choir, by Jennifer Ryan; Hillbilly Elegy, by J. D. Vance; Uncommon Type, by Tom Hanks; Dancing in a Distant Place, by Isla Dewar; and The Guernsey Literary and Potato Peel Society, by Mary Ann Shaffer and Annie Barrow. Read as many as you wish; we will briefly discuss all of them when next we meet. Happy reading until September! 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):It's summer, so we'll be in church with our families! As always, There will be fun activity pages and books to read at our children's station.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Sunday School is officially in summer mode, which means that we are excited to have you join your family in worship!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School (10:30am)? No, we're on a break.
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? We're on a break!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
Stay tuned for more Young Adult events!
Monday Night Dinner Study (Young-ish Adults and Young-ish Families):
Email Dawn Kirkemo for information.
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor.Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Helen Stockwell. All are welcome.
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
Thursday Bible Study will NOT meet on August 16, during VBS. (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
Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.Shared Bread always accepts donations of the following: new underwear- men's and women's, all sizes; Sweatpants/sweatshirts-L/XL (hooded, zip up, dark colors); Men’s jeans waist sizes 32- 34; Men’s new socks, white or grey only- all sizes; Men’s tennis shoes - especially sizes 9.5 to 11.5; new or used brown paper bags with handles.
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 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
Thursday, August 9, 2018 - Music Notes
Jim Raycroft
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too. by Jim Raycroft
Josh Nelson is a jazz pianist and singer based here in Los Angeles who released his first album – First Stories – at age 19 in 1998. His 2nd album, Anticipation, was released in 2004 and he's released a total of 9 albums to date. The song L’Dor Vadoris from the album Lift, which was released in 2008. The Hebrew words “L'dor vador nagid godlecha”, which are the only Hebrew words in the song (the rest is in English) translate as “From generation to generation, we will tell of Your greatness”.
Don Harper is a Los Angeles based film composer, arranger, orchestrator and conductor, whose credits include The Guardian, National Treasure, Training Day, Armageddon, The Rock, Twister, Broken Arrow, Assassins and Speed – all in all, he has over 57 credits in the film industry, as well as having written for Tokyo Disneyland and Disney’s Animal Kingdom in Florida. His 1st CD, Dream and Variations, was released in 2006 and is a hybrid of jazz, Americana, rock, spirituals, blues and bluegrass. It was recorded live at the Eastman Scoring Stage at Warner Brothers studios with a 70 piece orchestra and a 35 voice choir. Joseph: The Dreamer is a stage musical written in 2011 and was debuted by the Sight & Sound Theatres in Branson, Missouri, on April 14, 2012. It featured 40 actors, dozens of live and exotic animals, and tells the biblical story of Joseph. The song When Dreams Come True is from the end of the show.
Next week, we welcome back our young friend Denice Gonzalez, who will sing for us just before she leaves for San Diego in pursuit of a degree in dentistry.
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.
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.
4th-8th Graders needed to Acolyte!
Acolytes are needed for 10:30 worship each week. If you've been trained, you can sign up via our "sign up genius" (click here!)If you are interested in being trained, email children's ministries!
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.
Sunday Worship Liturgist Sign UpCampus WiFi network is: First UMC Guests; Password is: openhearts
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.
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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