Winnie-the-Pooh gets one of my favorite lines in the new film, Christopher Robin. It goes something like this: “You say nothing is impossible. But I’ve been doing nothing for a very long time.”
I laughed at the line when I heard it, and I love it even more as I spend time away at the first week-long retreat in the Academy for Spiritual Formation. I love it because it messes up our assumptions: silly Pooh understands the familiar saying, and in so doing invites us to consider that we might actually choose to seek “nothing.”
At my retreat this week, we are spending intentional periods of time in silence. If you count sleeping hours, we’re asked to hold silence for 12 hours of each day. In this silencing of our voices and quieting of our minds, we are listening to hear the voice of God (or, waiting to see or feel or otherwise know God’s presence). I confess that I’m not used to so much silence. So far, I’ve loved it more than I expected.
One of the new songs in Christopher Robin sings with great joy the wonders of being “Busy Doing Nothing.” I do believe that there’s something beautiful and profound that we can connect to only when we make time to “do nothing.” In silence and Sabbath, we admit that our belonging in Christ doesn’t depend on anything we can do or have done. We accept that we cannot possibly work hard enough to manufacture the gifts of God’s grace.
So, I invite you to find a bit of time to be “busy doing nothing.” Turn off your phone and sit in silence. Look for a while at something beautiful, without saying anything.
I look forward to being back with you this Sunday, as we finish our series: “Jesus Loves the Earth.” In the meantime, I’ll be sitting here quietly, seeking God and (pretty much) doing nothing.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
In Worship This Week
Sunday, August 26"Jesus Loves the Earth: Do the Work"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Matthew 20:1-16
Matthew 20:1 “The Kingdom of Heaven is like a farmer who went out at daybreak to hire workers for his vineyard. 2 After agreeing with the workers on a wage of one denarius, [the standard daily wage,] he sent them off to his vineyard. 3 Then, on going out at about nine in the morning, he saw more men standing around in the market-square doing nothing, 4 and said to them, ‘You go to the vineyard too — I’ll pay you a fair wage.’ So they went. 5 At noon, and again around three in the afternoon, he did the same thing. 6 About an hour before sundown, he went out, found still others standing around, and asked them, ‘Why have you been standing here all day, doing nothing?” 7 They said to him, ‘Because no one hired us.’ ‘You too,’ he told them, ‘go to the vineyard.’
8 “When evening came, the owner of the vineyard said to his foreman, ‘Call the workers and pay them their wages, starting with the last ones hired and ending with the first.’ 9 The workers who came an hour before sunset each received a denarius, 10 so the workers who came first expected they would get more, but each of them also received just a denarius. 11 On receiving their wages, they began grumbling to the farmer, 12 ‘These latecomers have worked only one hour, while we have borne the brunt of the day’s work in the hot sun, yet you have put them on an equal footing with us!’ 13 But he answered one of them, ‘Look, friend, I’m not being unfair with you. Didn’t you agree to work today for a denarius? 14 Now take your pay and go! I choose to give the last worker as much as I’m giving you. 15 Haven’t I the right to do what I want with what belongs to me? Or do you begrudge my generosity?’ 16 Thus the last ones will be first and the first last.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Matthew 20:1-16
Verse 2
[2] And when he had agreed with the labourers for a penny a day, he sent them into his vineyard.
The Roman penny was about seven pence halfpenny. [About thirteen and three quarter cents, American.] This was then the usual price of a day's labour.
Verse 6
[6] And about the eleventh hour he went out, and found others standing idle, and saith unto them, Why stand ye here all the day idle?
About the eleventh hour — That is, very late; long after the rest were called.
Verse 8
[8] So when even was come, the lord of the vineyard saith unto his steward, Call the labourers, and give them their hire, beginning from the last unto the first.
In the evening — Of life; or of the world.
Verse 9
[9] And when they came that were hired about the eleventh hour, they received every man a penny.
Who were hired about the eleventh hour — Either the Gentiles, who were called long after the Jews into the vineyard of the Church of Christ; or those in every age who did not hear, or at least understand the Gospel call, till their day of life was drawing to a period. Some circumstances of the parable seem best to suit the former, some the latter of these senses.
Verse 10
[10] But when the first came, they supposed that they should have received more; and they likewise received every man a penny.
The first supposed they should have received more — Probably the first here may mean the Jews, who supposed they should always be preferred before the Gentiles.
Verse 12
[12] Saying, These last have wrought but one hour, and thou hast made them equal unto us, which have borne the burden and heat of the day.
Thou hast made them equal to us — So St. Peter expressly, Acts 15:9. God-hath put no difference between us (Jews) and them, (Gentiles,) purifying their hearts by faith. And those who were equally holy here, whenever they were called, will be equally happy hereafter.
Verse 14
[14] Take that thine is, and go thy way: I will give unto this last, even as unto thee.
It is my will to give to this last called among the heathens even as to the first called among the Jews: yea, and to the late converted publicans and sinners, even as to those who, were called long before.
Verse 15
[15] Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with mine own? Is thine eye evil, because I am good?
Is it not lawful for me to do what I will with my own? — Yea, doubtless, to give either to Jew or Gentile a reward infinitely greater than he deserves. But can it be inferred from hence, that it is lawful, or possible, for the merciful Father of spirits to "Consign an unborn soul to hell? Or damn him from his mother's womb?" Is thine eye evil because I am good - Art thou envious, because I am gracious? Here is an evident reference to that malignant aspect, which is generally the attendant of a selfish and envious temper.
Verse 16
[16] So the last shall be first, and the first last: for many be called, but few chosen.
So the last shall be first, and the first last — Not only with regard to the Jews and Gentiles, but in a thousand other instances.
For many are called — All who hear the Gospel; but few chosen - Only those who obey it. Matthew 19:30; 22:14. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: presented by the Tuuholoaki Family
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News From Our Members
Also last Sunday we heard the small but beautiful Flames of Goodness Choir sing for our service and...
Click here for more of the Lay Looker
Thursday, August 30, 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
Last Sunday we said goodbye to Vika Tuuholoaki as she takes a position in Gilroy, CA. Now I have been through Gilroy, but never TO Gilroy. It's the garlic capitol of the USA and I might add that it smells like it as well. However, that's where Vika is going to take a position with a family there. When you see her again tell her we prayed for her, wished her well and certainly hope she returns here someday soon. Many of us will miss her, including the Choir, Shared Bread and the Church.
Also, last Sunday we heard the small but beautiful Flames of Goodness Choir sing for our service and they were all four dressed in white with a guitar accompaniment. When I asked where they were from they remarked Redondo Beach, so, of course, they were invited back someday.
Backpacks are a symbol of learning and they were consecrated for the new school year by Pastor Molly last week and it made me think about the past 97 years I have been learning from the Bible, the Preaching and the church, for it has always been a big part of my life. Hopefully, we all learn something not only each Sunday but in the varied other activities of Redondo Beach First United Methodist Church
Happy Labor Day week-end but if you go to the Hermosa Beach Fiesta Saturday, Sunday or Monday, you had better walk, because the parking is just about impossible unless you know the secret. You could always park in our church lot and help that fund-raiser. Paul Caldwell is, once again, heading up that event. Call him to volunteer.
Coming at Church
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!
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 sermon series through September 2.
Sunday School Resumes September 9th
Join us for Open House Sunday on September 9th and make sure children are here for the first day of Sunday School!3 year olds to 3rd grade are invited to start upstairs in the Sunday School room at 10:30.
4th-8th graders will start in church and head to Sunday School during "Passing of the Peace".
See you then!
Youth Group Resumes 9/9!
Sunday afternoon, youth group starts again (9/9 from 2-4pm)! We'll meet in the youth basement, play games, eat snacks, and talk about what it means to have friends.Click here for more info!
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.
New Three-Week Study begins August 28: Online Video Bible Study
Join us for an online, interactive video Bible study. We will read Anne Lamott's Help Thanks Wow: the Three Essential Prayers. 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. Join us to discuss one of the chapters each week: August 28, September 4 & 11.
Click through for more information, including the link to log on!
October 20: Church Golf Tournament
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
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.We are planning to offer the study twice: during the daytime on Thursdays from 10:30am-noon, and on Tuesday evenings from 8-9:30pm via online video conference. We plan to start September 18 and 20!
Interested?
Purchase the study workbook on your own, or order with our group for $20 (includes shipping) here.
A Night on Broadway (Redondo Beach)
Save the Date: Our annual fall talent show, silent auction and food trucks event is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, from 5-8pm! True to our street address, we're planning to call it "A Night on Broadway."We hope you'll start thinking about what talents and auction items you can share! You don't have to limit yourself to Broadway-themed acts, but they're not a bad place to start...
Christmas Pageant Rehearsals coming soon!
All children are invited to join us for our annual Christmas Pageant! Rehearsals will begin on October 28th!Stay tuned for more details!
Help Needed for Parking Lot Fundraiser: Labor Day Weekend
As usual, we will be renting the lot over the holiday, but we need some help. Please volunteer for a shift by contacting Paul Caldwell. As of now, we plan to work Monday, September 3.
Corazon House Build 2018
This will be our 20th Anniversary Corazon House Build! On Saturday, October 13, Redondo Beach First along with, Aldersgate, Abundant Life and University UMC's will build a home in one day. Our contribution for the material is $2,000. To date we've raised just over $1300. Look for the Corazon Donation Angels on the bulletin on Sunday.We also need 10 volunteers to help build this home. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in having fun, learning how to build a house in one day, meeting our neighbors in Mexico and how they live, wonderful camaraderie, and living out our faith. It's an opportunity to know that you have helped make a home for a hard working family and the hope for theirs and their children's success in life. (We have a bus to go from Chula Vista to our house build in Mexico and back across the border.) Email George Mercer for more info. Or call 213-248-8310
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, September 3, 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, September 14, 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.
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 HwangChildren's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade): Sunday School starts again on September 9th. Until then we are so glad to have children in worship with us! 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)? Almost there...
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? Not quite yet...
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We're doing a Homeboy Industries 5k....and brunch in LA afterwards! Interested? Contact Stephen!
Monday Night Dinner Study (Young-ish Adults and Young-ish Families):
Email Dawn Kirkemo for information.
Tuesday Night Online Video Bible Study: This week we begin Help Thanks Wow by Anne Lamott. We'll talk about the final chapter. Click through for more information, including the link to log on! Tuesdays from 8:30-9:30pm.
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:
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 Beach243 South Broadway
(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 deliveriesshould be here by 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Thursday, August 30, 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
The Kingdom of Tonga is a group of 169 islands, of which 36 are inhabited, that lies east of Australia, with Fiji to the northwest and Samoa to the northeast. They are a unitary parliamentary constitutional monarchy, and thus have both a King and a Prime Minister. They were first visited by Europeans in 1616 by the Dutch ship Eendracht, which stopped to trade. They were later visited in 1773 by Captain James Cook, who dubbed them "The Friendly Islands" because of the congenial reception he was given. Just as the Hawaiian Islands were united into a single kingdom under Kamehameha, the Tongan islands were united into a single kingdom in the mid-1800s by a visionary young warrior named Tāufaʻāhau. The Methodist missionaries baptized him with the name Siaosi, which means George, after King George III of England. He then declared Tonga a constitutional monarchy, adopted the western royal style, established a code of law, land tenure and freedom of the press, and limited the power of the chiefs. Since then, in spite of colonial pressures, Tonga has governed itself, making it unique in the Pacific.
The first time I heard the Tuuholoaki Family singers sing, I was astonished. I suppose I should have known – singing is very much a Polynesian tradition – but I was impressed with how good they are. Every summer, when the choir is off, they are always there to support the worship service with their music. The Tuuholoaki family, which hails from Tonga, arrived in Redondo Beach in March of 2000, looking for a spiritual home. They found it at FUMCRB, and have been heavily involved ever since. Upon their arrival, the church's music director at the time, Linda Waterman, invited them to sing a Tongan song for the service every month for a while. Since then, they've always unhesitatingly jumped at the chance to bring parts of their heritage and culture to our worship. Personally, I vividly remember the breathtakingly beautiful hula dance that the young ladies did for us 2 years ago for the Hawaiian Sunday. One Sunday last year, Vika came up to Cris after he played his postlude – Reach Out To Jesus (his was Elvis' version) – and told him that she had that very same song in Tongan. This year, the Tuuholoaki Family Singers will be singing an original hymn, Jesus, The Good Shepherd, written by Uluaki Tamale, Pauline's Dad, who is and has been a choir director in Tonga for more than 40 years. He paid us a visit in the spring, when he came here for Pauline's graduation.
Pauline Tamale found her passion to singing when she moved to California after leaving her beloved island of Tonga after high school. She has involved in the church since she became a member in 2010. She started her studies at El Camino College where she obtained many performance practices that lead her to perform Faure's Requiem with collaborative choirs at Carnegie Hall in 2013. She toured Hawaii and performed at Kawaiaha'o church to which known as the oldest church in the island of Oahu for the member of the chief's family. She transferred to Bob Cole Conservatory in 2015, and invited to join in competing in Llangollen, Wales Choir of the World title and they won. She also debut her first full operatic role as Mrs. Patrick de Rocher from the opera Dead Man Walking by Jake Heggie with the Miami Summer Music Festival in July 2017. She has done many masterclasses, including Gary Glaze, Caren Levine, Jennifer Trost, Deborah Voight, Eglise Gutierrez, Bradley Moore, Manny Perez and David Anglin. Early this year, she played the "Old Lady" from the opera Candide by Leonard Bernstein. She is currently a member of the Opera Buffs organization where she was invited to perform in the chorus for La Boheme by Puccini, in a concert version on September 2nd, 2018 at 2pm in Colburn School of Music.
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.
Freely, Freely is a hymn in our hymnbook that was written in 1972 by Carol Owens. Carol attended San Jose State College and the Cathedral School of the Bible in the 50s in Oakland. Later, she joined forces with her husband Jimmy Owens to write Christian musicals.
Great Is Thy Faithfulness is a hymn written by American composer William M. Runyan and author Thomas O. Chisholm. William Runyan composed the tune in 1923 to an original poem by his good friend and fellow Methodist minister Thomas Chisholm. The hymn has been included in more than 95 hymnals, and his family endowed the "The Rev. William M. Runyan Endowed Memorial Scholarship" at Baker University, in Baldwin City, Kansas (where he is buried), with the royalties from his song Great is Thy Faithfulness.
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!
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. We appreciate all recycling donations,but the blue recycling bins are only for CA RV or CRV. We don't get any funds from milk cartons, or other plastics that are not CRV.
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
Campus 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.
Sunday Worship Liturgist Sign Up
Campus 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.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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