First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach, California, United States Weekly News for Thursday, 29 January 2015

First United Methodist of Redondo Beach Weekly News Thursday, 29 January 2015

Sunday, 1 February 2015bruary 1       Pastor Molly, preaching  SOUPer Bowl Sunday,  to benefit Shared Bread  in the Epworth Lounge Adult Bible Study in Heath Chapel   in the Sanctuary Sunday's Scripture: Mark 1:21-28 Scripture Text: Mark 1:21-28 John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for: Mark 1: Jesus throws a demon out 21 Jesus and his followers went into Capernaum. Immediately on the Sabbath Jesus entered the synagogue and started teaching. 22 The people were amazed by his teaching, for he was teaching them with authority, not like the legal experts. 23 Suddenly, there in the synagogue, a person with an evil spirit screamed, 24 “What have you to do with us, Jesus of Nazareth? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are. You are the holy one from God.” 25 “Silence!” Jesus said, speaking harshly to the demon. “Come out of him!” 26 The unclean spirit shook him and screamed, then it came out. 27 Everyone was shaken and questioned among themselves, “What’s this? A new teaching with authority! He even commands unclean spirits and they obey him!” 28 Right away the news about him spread throughout the entire region of Galilee. Verse 21 [21] And they went into Capernaum; and straightway on the sabbath day he entered into the synagogue, and taught. Luke 4:31. Verse 26 [26] And when the unclean spirit had torn him, and cried with a loud voice, he came out of him. A loud noise — For he was forbidden to speak. Christ would neither suffer those evil spirits to speak in opposition, nor yet in favour of him. He needed not their testimony, nor would encourage it, lest any should infer that he acted in concert with them. ____________________________ Sermon Story "The Prophet After Moses" by Gary Lee Parker with Sermon Test  for Sunday, 1 February 2015 Scripture Texts: Deuteronomy 18:15 Instead, he will choose one of your own people to be a prophet just like me, and you must do what that prophet says. 16 You were asking for a prophet the day you were gathered at Mount Sinai[a] and said to the Lord, “Please don’t let us hear your voice or see this terrible fire again—if we do, we will die!” 17 Then the Lord told me: Moses, they have said the right thing. 18 So when I want to speak to them, I will choose one of them to be a prophet like you. I will give my message to that prophet, who will tell the people exactly what I have said. 19 Since the message comes from me, anyone who doesn’t obey the message will have to answer to me. 20 But if I haven’t spoken, and a prophet claims to have a message from me, you must kill that prophet, and you must also kill any prophet who claims to have a message from another god.[Footnotes: 18.16 Mount Sinai: See the note at 1.1-5.] Psalm 111: Praise the Lord for All He Has Done 1 Shout praises to the Lord!     With all my heart I will thank the Lord     when his people meet. 2 The Lord has done     many wonderful things! Everyone who is pleased with God’s marvelous deeds     will keep them in mind. 3 Everything the Lord does     is glorious and majestic,     and his power to bring justice     will never end. 4 The Lord God is famous for his wonderful deeds,     and he is kind and merciful. 5 He gives food to his worshipers     and always keeps his agreement     with them. 6 He has shown his mighty power     to his people     and has given them the lands     of other nations. 7 God is always honest and fair,     and his laws can be trusted. 8     They are true and right     and will stand forever. 9 God rescued his people,     and he will never break his agreement with them.     He is fearsome and holy. 10 Respect and obey the Lord! This is the first step     to wisdom and good sense.[a]     God will always be respected.[Footnotes: 111.10 This. . . sense: Or “This is what wisdom and good sense are all about.”] 1 Corinthians 8: Food Offered to Idols 1 In your letter you asked me about food offered to idols. All of us know something about this subject. But knowledge makes us proud of ourselves, while love makes us helpful to others. 2 In fact, people who think they know so much don’t know anything at all. 3 But God has no doubts about who loves him. 4 Even though food is offered to idols, we know that none of the idols in this world are alive. After all, there is only one God. 5 Many things in heaven and on earth are called gods and lords, but none of them really are gods or lords. 6 We have only one God, and he is the Father. He created everything, and we live for him. Jesus Christ is our only Lord. Everything was made by him, and by him life was given to us. 7 Not everyone knows these things. In fact, many people have grown up with the belief that idols have life in them. So when they eat meat offered to idols, they are bothered by a weak conscience. 8 But food doesn’t bring us any closer to God. We are no worse off if we don’t eat, and we are no better off if we do. 9 Don’t cause problems for someone with a weak conscience, just because you have the right to eat anything. 10 You know all this, and so it doesn’t bother you to eat in the temple of an idol. But suppose a person with a weak conscience sees you and decides to eat food that has been offered to idols. 11 Then what you know has destroyed someone Christ died for. 12 When you sin by hurting a follower with a weak conscience, you sin against Christ. 13 So if I hurt one of the Lord’s followers by what I eat, I will never eat meat as long as I live. Mark 1: A Man with an Evil Spirit 21 Jesus and his disciples went to the town of Capernaum. Then on the next Sabbath he went into the Jewish meeting place and started teaching. 22 Everyone was amazed at his teaching. He taught with authority, and not like the teachers of the Law of Moses. 23 Suddenly a man with an evil spirit[a] in him entered the meeting place and yelled, 24 “Jesus from Nazareth, what do you want with us? Have you come to destroy us? I know who you are! You are God’s Holy One.” 25 Jesus told the evil spirit, “Be quiet and come out of the man!” 26 The spirit shook him. Then it gave a loud shout and left. 27 Everyone was completely surprised and kept saying to each other, “What is this? It must be some new kind of powerful teaching! Even the evil spirits obey him.” 28 News about Jesus quickly spread all over Galilee.[Footnotes: 1.23 evil spirit: A Jewish person who had an evil spirit was considered “unclean” and was not allowed to eat or worship with other Jewish people.] We come to this week as we hear from God and relaize that the prophesy of God that there will be a prophet like Moses became fulfilled in the Presence of God coming to earth as the Messiah we know as Jesus. Yes, there is a description of what should happen to the false prophets who attempt to deceive the people, but this punishiment will come from God Himself. we recognize that as Jesus lived and healed, even the demons knew him, while the religious leaders had questions about His authenticity. We realize that even other leaders in non-Christian faiths point to who Jesus is, The Son of God, and the Savior of the world if we only believe and reopent of our sins. We see this in the writings of Paul where the meat that has been sacrificed to no-god idols is all right to eat because we Jesus' Spirit within us, but if this action would offend a weaker Christian we should partake of the meat that was sacrificed to a no-god idol. This even apply to the 21st century when we are free to do what continues to lead us closer to God and His Holiness in our life, but if a practice offends a weaker follower of Jesus we should partake of the event. This is why, for an example, is the conducting Faith on Tap is so important to reach people who would not step into a church for whatever reason, but we must be careful not to contribute to a follower or non-follower who has addiction problems with alcohol or drugs by either them coming or drinking the alcohol at the Faith on Tap. Yet, we cannot stop having Faith on Tap for those who are being reached with God's Grace and Love and/or growing in their journey of faith. This could also be in the exclusion rather than inclusion of people who have a different culture, language, or skin color or sexual orientation or even who are differently abled from fellowship with God's Church. What chararcters do you relate to in these stories? How does your faith fit into these thoughts and ideas? How will you reach people who do not know or even understand God's Grace and Love? may we sing this Hymn "O Worship the King all glorious above" by Robert Grant (1833) 1. O worship the King all-glorious above, O gratefully sing his power and his love: our shield and defender, the Ancient of Days, pavilioned in splendor and girded with praise. 2. O tell of his might and sing of his grace, whose robe is the light, whose canopy space. His chariots of wrath the deep thunderclouds form, and dark is his path on the wings of the storm. 3. Your bountiful care, what tongue can recite? It breathes in the air, it shines in the light; it streams from the hills, it descends to the plain, and sweetly distills in the dew and the rain. 4. Frail children of dust, and feeble as frail, in you do we trust, nor find you to fail. Your mercies, how tender, how firm to the end, our Maker, Defender, Redeemer, and Friend! 5. O measureless Might, unchangeable Love, whom angels delight to worship above! Your ransomed creation, with glory ablaze, in true adoration shall sing to your praise!  ____________________________ Gary Lee Parker 4147 Idaho Street San Diego, California 92104-1844, United States ____________________________ In This Issue eScrip From the Lay Leader Like us on Facebook This Week at Church... 20/30 Group www.beachfaith.org  The Church office is regularly open from 9am - 4pm, Monday to Thursday.  Adult Bible Study The Pastor's Bible Study meets Thursdays at 11:00amin May Day Parlor. A Church That Responds to the Needs of the Community    Every Wednesday, with help from neighbor congregations and many volunteers, we host Shared Bread, a free meal for the community. (Click the logo for more information.) Groceries =  $$$ for Church Looking for an easy way to support our church? Now you can do your grocery shopping and the store will give a percentage back to FUMCRB! Click the image on the left to learn how you can sign up for this easy giving program.  Our Stewardship Team can answer any questions!  WANT TO STAY CURRENT ON ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS?  CLICK THE IMAGE ON THE RIGHT TO LINK TO THE CAL-PAC WEBSITE. ________________________________  You may also visit the new website for the entire denomination of United Methodist Church here.  Want to see photos of past church  activities and events? Check out our  Flickr page and ourFacebook page We are the church together. Church leaders have been getting ready for Saturday's planning event. I'm increasingly excited about the "If We Build It..." event we're planning for this Saturday. There is an amazing group of people helping plan and lead the event, and we have some surprises that I look forward to watching unfold.  Most of all, I'm looking forward to the opportunity to get together as a church community, to remember what we're about, to celebrate what is going well, and to work together toward discerning what we're calling to in the coming months and years.  There's a children's song that I remember learning in Sunday School--perhaps you learned it too: the chorus sings, "I am the church. You are the church. We are the church together!" It's a simple tune, reminding us of a really important idea--that the church is more than a building or set of programs, that it's more than its staff or website: the church is a community of people. Together, we are the body of Christ. We care for one another as community, we learn to grow in love of God and one another, and we respond to the needs of the community and world.  I hope you'll join us Saturday. If you can't be there in person, I hope you'll hold the church in your prayers. And come Sunday, ready to check out what happened and be a part of what will come next! Grace and peace, Pastor Molly   This Sunday we celebrate Soup-er Bowl Sunday. Before watching the Super Bowl, we give you a chance to support Shared Bread in its ministry of feeding the hungry of our community. With food donations and cash gifts, you can help be a part of this important weekly ministry. (Plus, you can make your donations in honor of your favorite team in the football game...to see who wins the more importantcontest of the day.)

Contact Info Pastor Molly Vetter PastorMolly@BeachFaith.com  310-372-8445 x 102

Church Council invites everyone to join us for a Saturday morning of planning and conversation, as we set priorities, move forward with our vision, and build our ministries together. (Plus, besides all that serious stuff, there will be toys to play with, and some special surprises...):

When you drop off your donations you will be able to show your support for your favorite Super Bowl  team.   Will it be the Patriots or the Seahawks??? Download a list of needed items here

Baja Mission 2015 The youth group is going to Baja, Mexico this summer for our mission trip!  Pray with us as we prepare to learn from the people of the San Quintín Valley! For more info on the migrant farmers we will serve, click here to see recent stories from the LA Times. For more info on the organization we will go with, click here.

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, for those who choose to bike to church! Thanks for your consideration.

Ash Wednesday Worship: February 18 The United Methodist Churches in our Mission Area are sponsoring a combined Ash Wednesday Worship Service on Wednesday, February 18, at 7:30pm. This year, it will be hosted at El Segundo UMC (540 Main St, El Segundo), where Rev. Lee Carlile is pastor.  Members of our choir will join a Mass Choir for the evening, and our own Pastor Molly will be preaching. All ages are welcome, as we mark the beginning of the season of Lent with prayer and worship. The worship service will include imposition of ashes.

2015 Lenten Series and Study: A Story to Tell This year, we have stories to share during Lent. Our sermon series and congregational study invite you to look at your own life story, and reflect on how God is at work in your life. Our scriptures tell the big story of the good news of God's love for us. Our life stories continue that story of love. Throughout the season, you will be invited to be listening for and sharing stories of God, of faith, of transformation and of hope. Pastor Molly is currently recruiting volunteers to lead small groups during the season, organized around listening to stories, reading Bible stories together, and sharing stories from our own lives. Please contact her if you might be willing to help. Lent begins Ash Wednesday (February 18) and continues through Easter on April 5.

Mark Your Calendar: Mardi Gras Pancake Dinner Tuesday, February 17 6:00-7:30pm Our Children and Family Ministries are organizing an all-church pancake dinner on Mardi Gras (Shrove Tuesday). Join us for this traditional feast of pancakes, including pancake games and a storytime as we prepare to begin the season of Lent.  The event will also benefit the work of Imagine No Malaria.

Sunday Morning Adult Bible Study: Beginning February 1 9:30-10:15am Our Sunday morning Adult Bible study will resume weekly meetings on February 1, now in Health Chapel. Led and coordinated by Helen Stockwell, this group will use an adult study curriculum from Cokesbury. The study presents stimulating lessons that explore the biblical message and how to apply it to daily life. The curriculum helps adults move from a focus on the Word to reflection on personal, family, church, and community concerns.

A class for families (and anyone else): Understanding Baptism (February 8) & Understanding Communion (February 15) - 9:30-10:15amin Epworth Lounge Pastor Molly will lead two interactive classes, designed to help families understand the sacraments: baptism and communion. The classes are designed to help kids and adults learn together about these important parts of our church worship and tradition--people of any age are welcome. You may attend either or both--these are opportunities to learn about our United Methodist tradition. Come to learn what we believe--and how it's different from other traditions. Deepen your understanding, and help your kids get more out of the worship. This class is also great for grandparents, godparents or friends who want to be able to help young people know more about the sacraments!

Church Finance Update We are grateful for the generous contributions of so many of you, supporting in our ministries in 2014.  As we move into 2015, we have adopted a budget with only a modest total increase; to fulfill our budget and commitment, we will seek even deeper and broader support. It is not too late to make a pledge of financial giving, either with the card that is in our pew pockets or via our website. Most importantly, it is now a great time to make a priority of giving to the church in our own personal and family budgets--to choose regular giving as a part of our monthly finances.   Thanks for your generosity and support, for your involvement and prayers.

From the Lay Leader, Johnna Kosnoff   bi-weekly thoughts and reflections from our church Lay Leader  "Our church was very busy last summer educating others about Imagine No Malaria* while fundraising during VBS and hosting lemon-aid stands all over town. Many of you assisted in these opportunities, donated through our 2013 Advent "Imagine" Campaign or donated through www.buzzkills.net. We are waiting for the official number from the UMC but it looks like our church has raised about $8,500 of our $20,000 goal over the past two years. You may recall that a donation of just $10 is enough to provide necessary items (a bed net, medicine and education) to save one life.  We are well on our way to meeting our goal of helping save 2,000 lives..."  Read the rest of Johnna's recent "From the Lay Leader" column on our website by clicking here.   "Just like John Lennon, We Get to "Imagine" (...No Malaria)" by Johnna Kosnoff Our church was very busy last summer educating others about Imagine No Malaria* while fundraising during VBS and hosting lemon-aid stands all over town. Many of you assisted in these opportunities, donated through our 2013 Advent “Imagine” Campaign or donated through www.buzzkills.net. We are waiting for the official number from the UMC but it looks like our church has raised about $8,500 of our $20,000 goal over the past two years. You may recall that a donation of just $10 is enough to provide necessary items (a bed net, medicine and education) to save one life.  We are well on our way to meeting our goal of helping save 2,000 lives.  On Shrove Tuesday (the day before Ash Wednesday), our Youth, along with Children’s and Family Ministry will host a pancake dinner at 6pm to recognize the beginning of the Lenten season AND to raise more money toward our goal. I hope you will reserve the date to attend for some food, fellowship and fun and also be encouraged that all profits will be applied to INM.  Even if you can’t attend, you are welcome to donate toward this worthwhile goal. In case you aren’t familiar with the UMC Imagine No Malaria campaign, here’s a little more information.  Our conference pledged to raise $3 million as part of a UMC goal of 75 million. Our Bishop suggested that each church raise $100 per member to assist our conference and our church council set a goal of $20,000. Currently, the UMC has raised just over $64 million of the $75 million goal.  (Look for exact numbers from our church on our webpage.) Nearly 90 percent of malaria's victims are children under the age of 5 and pregnant women. Although malaria was eliminated in the U.S. in the 1950's, it continues to kill a person every 60 seconds in Sub-Saharan Africa. Please log on to www.imaginenomalaria.org to learn more about the UMC work in Sub-Saharan Africa and how you can help.  If you choose to donate online, be sure to include our church name so it gets applied toward our goal! And, please reserve February 17 to come eat (and play with) pancakes!     *Malaria, it is caused by a parasite, which is transmitted to humans through the bite of the female anopheles mosquito.  This mosquito flies and feeds at night (which is why bed nets are an effective prevention tool).  When an infected mosquito bites a person, the parasite enters the bloodstream and heads for the liver, where it multiplies.  It then re-enters the bloodstream, attacking red blood cells.  Typically, someone with malaria experiences a high fever, chills, joint pain and headaches.  Left untreated, symptoms eventually advance to organ failure.

The Lay Looker, Bob Peterson   a view from the pew from a longtime member of our church  Read Bob's recent Lay Looker columns on our website by clicking here.

Coffee Shop Office Hours with Pastor Molly  Pastor Molly invites you to join her during her open Coffee House Office Hours on Tuesday, February 10, between noon and 2pm. Come by any time--share lunch, coffee, or another treat, and join in informal conversation. The topics are open--there's no agenda, just an opportunity to connect with one another. At Catalina Coffee - 126 N Catalina, Redondo Beach, CA 90277

Our two new Spanish Language classes for children start this upcoming week- February 3rd!  Tuesdays (3 &4 year olds): 3:45-4:45pm   Tuesdays (5,6 & 7 year olds): 5:00-6:00pm For more information including tuition cost and teacher bio visit our Children's Page on the Church Website.   www.beachfaith.com/children  Registration is NOW open!!!

Join the Choir! There's still room for more voices to join in the singing! We're adding handbells into some of the music, too--so ringers are welcome. Rehearsals are on Wednesday evenings, from 7:30-9pm in the Choir Room. Everyone's welcome. Come share your gifts and be a part of some amazing music-making to glorify God.

Altar Flowers 2015 Would you like to purchase altar flowers for the sanctuary for Sundayworship?  It's easy! Just click this link and fill out the order form.   Cost: $45

Community Events and Other Opportunities: click these links for more information

Wanting more training to be a leader in the church? On Saturday, February 7, our West District is hosting a one-day training event for church leaders, with workshops on a wide range of topics. The event is from 8am-2pm, at Holman UMC in Los Angeles (3320 W Adams Blvd). After January 20, registration is $20 (including lunch). See a list of workshop, and register online here.

We need more rummage... Our United Methodist Women are currently working hard sorting your rummage donations for the next rummage sale. It's time to clean out your closets, garages and storage units and bring those treasures to church.  Donations are accepted Mon-Fri, 10am-4pm.  Items we cannot accept: box televisions, old CRT computer monitors, strollers, car seats, certain cribs, used mattresses and bed pillows and stuffed animals.  If you are uncertain about an item, please contact the office for advice. Mark your calendars...the next sale isFriday and Saturday, March 6 and 7.

Like us on Facebook! Visit the page and "like" us so you can see and share the latest photos, news and links from the church.

This Week at Church... "If We Build It"---Saturday, Jan 31, 8am-noon, Fellowship Hall UMW Board meeting---Monday, Feb 2, 7pm, May Day Parlor Boy Scouts Court of Honor---Tuesday, Feb 3, 7pm, Sanctuary/Hall Spanish Classes begin, Tuesday, Feb 3 Music & Worship meeting, Wednesday, Feb 4, 6pm, May Day Parlor                                                                                   Nursery (6 weeks-2 years): The Nursery is open during both services: 8:30am  for ages 6 weeks to 6 yrs old and 10:30am for children 6 weeks to 4 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang  Children's Ministry (Preschool- 3rd Grade): 8:30am: Join us in service! Look for special activities on the children's cart that invite children to engage with the message.  10:30am: You did it! By bringing in your Bible Bags and attending class you've earned enough scoops of popcorn kernels to have your own popcorn party! For a portion of the class time we will enjoy a Veggietales video (and popcorn treat) that complements our weekly lesson. Church R Us (4th and 5th grade):  8:30am: Join us in service! Look for special activities on the children's cart that invite children to engage with the message.  10:30am: CRU class meets in its newly refurbished room (work in progress!) above the nursery.  This week's Bible story is "Teaching and Healing" fromMark 1:21-28. Lesson Focus: "Jesus' strong beats evil's wrong" Youth Group (6th-12th grade):  -Youth Group Cancelled Sunday (Feb 1)! See you next week at 3-5pm! -Conference Winter Retreat: What Does the Lord Require of You (Feb 15-17)! -SSP Weekend of Service in South LA (April 10-12): Registration DueFebruary 23rd. -Middle School Sunday School? Nope! Remember, we meet every other week.  ___________________________________ Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, February 2 at 7AM. Coco's Restaurant, 18120 Hawthorne Blvd. (Hawthorne and 182nd)  All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us for fellowship.

20/30 group: This young adult group is a casual gathering of people in their 20's and 30's looking to connect with other young adults who attend the same church. Contact Amanda Kuczun for info on upcoming events!

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First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
310-372-8445 main   310-372-5696 fax
Reverend Molly Vetter, Lead & Teaching Pastor PastorMolly@beachfaith.com 
Ernie Valenzuela, Administrative Assistant  x101 Ernie@beachfaith.com
First United Methodist Church
243 S. Broadway Street
Redondo Beach, California 90277United States
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