Saturday, February 21, 2015

First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach, California, United States eNews: A Story To Tell--small groups begin Sunday! for Thursday, 19 February 2015 Weekly News

First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach, California, United States eNews: A Story To Tell--small groups begin Sunday! for Thursday, 19 February 2015 Weekly News 

Sunday, February 22
First Sunday of Lent
Pastor Molly, preaching
8:30am in the Epworth Lounge
9:30am Lent Small Group in May Day Parlor
Men's Meeting  in Epworth Lounge 10:30am in the Sanctuary
Sunday's Story Theme & Scripture:
"Starting Over"
Genesis 9:8-17

Scripture Texts: Genesis 9:(v) 8 God spoke to Noach and his sons with him; he said, 9 “As for me — I am herewith establishing my covenant with you, with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you — the birds, the livestock and every wild animal with you, all going out of the ark, every animal on earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you that never again will all living beings be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God added, “Here is the sign of the covenant I am making between myself and you and every living creature with you, for all generations to come: 13 I am putting my rainbow in the cloud — it will be there as a sign of the covenant between myself and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow is seen in the cloud; 15 I will remember my covenant which is between myself and you and every living creature of any kind; and the water will never again become a flood to destroy all living beings. 16 The rainbow will be in the cloud; so that when I look at it, I will remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of any kind on the earth.”
17 God said to Noach, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between myself and every living creature on the earth.”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary for Genesis 9:8-17
Verse 9
[9] And I, behold, I establish my covenant with you, and with your seed after you;
We have here the general establishment of God's covenant with this new world, and the extent of that covenant.
Verse 11
[11] And I will establish my covenant with you; neither shall all flesh be cut off any more by the waters of a flood; neither shall there any more be a flood to destroy the earth.
There shall not any more be a flood — God had drowned the world once, and still it is as provoking as ever; yet he will never drown it any more, for he deals not with us according to our sins. This promise of God keeps the sea and clouds in their decreed place, and sets them gates and bars, Hitherto they shall come, Job 38:10,11. If the sea should flow but for a few days, as it doth twice every day for a few hours, what desolations would it make? So would the clouds, if such showers as we have sometimes seen, were continued long. But God by flowing seas, and sweeping rains, shews what he could do in wrath; and yet by preserving the earth from being deluged between both, shews what he can do in mercy, and will do in truth.
Verse 13
[13] I do set my bow in the cloud, and it shall be for a token of a covenant between me and the earth.
I set my bow in the clouds — The rainbow, 'tis likely was seen in the clouds before, but was never a seal of the covenant 'till now. Now, concerning this seal of the covenant, observe, (1.) This seal is affixed with repeated assurances of the truth of that promise, which it was designed to be the ratification of; I do set my bow in the cloud, Genesis 9:13. It shall be seen in the cloud, Genesis 9:14. and it shall be a token of the covenant, Genesis 9:12,13. And I will remember my covenant, that the waters shall no more become a flood, Genesis 9:15. Nay, as if the eternal Mind needed a memorandum, I will look upon it that I may remember the everlasting covenant, Genesis 9:16. (2.) The rainbow appears when the clouds are most disposed to wet; when we have most reason to fear the rain prevailing, God shews this seal of the promise that it shall not prevail. (3.) The rainbow appears when one part of the sky is clear, which imitates mercy remembered in the midst of wrath, and the clouds are hemmed as it were with the rainbow, that it may not overspread the heavens, for the bow is coloured rain, or the edges of a cloud gilded. As God looks upon the bow that he may remember the covenant, so should we, that we also may be ever mindful of the covenant with faith and thankfulness.
Sermon Story "God's Covenant" by Gary Lee Parker for Sunday, 22 February 2015 with Scripture Text: Genesis 9:(v) 8 God spoke to Noach and his sons with him; he said, 9 “As for me — I am herewith establishing my covenant with you, with your descendants after you, 10 and with every living creature that is with you — the birds, the livestock and every wild animal with you, all going out of the ark, every animal on earth. 11 I will establish my covenant with you that never again will all living beings be destroyed by the waters of a flood, and there will never again be a flood to destroy the earth.” 12 God added, “Here is the sign of the covenant I am making between myself and you and every living creature with you, for all generations to come: 13 I am putting my rainbow in the cloud — it will be there as a sign of the covenant between myself and the earth. 14 Whenever I bring clouds over the earth, and the rainbow is seen in the cloud; 15 I will remember my covenant which is between myself and you and every living creature of any kind; and the water will never again become a flood to destroy all living beings. 16 The rainbow will be in the cloud; so that when I look at it, I will remember the everlasting covenant between God and every living creature of any kind on the earth.”
17 God said to Noach, “This is the sign of the covenant which I have established between myself and every living creature on the earth.”
We come to this first Sunday of Lent 2015 after we went through Ash Wednesday's Service to rreceive the sign of the cross with ashes to remind us of our mortal bodies. Now, we begin this journey to Easter 2015 wondering what god has instore for us besides giving up something up or even taking on a new practice to draw us closer to God. We realize that God has placed covenants with us humans to take care of us despite our desire to continue to sin against His way and His Holiness. We see in the Scriptures where baptism is mentioned as Jesus begins His ministry and baptism to the early church meant to take on the sufferings of Jesus to live as He taught us, but we go further to the destruction of all the living creatures except for two of each kind and one human family. This man and his sons have seen the flood waters destroy everything as they rode in a boat that contained every living creature that God had made for forty days and nights. Now, we see that the flood waters have receeded and Noah gave a burnt offerings to God for His salvation for him and his fmaily. God spoke to Noah and said that he will make a covenant with him and his sons that He will never destroy the earth by flood and He will give a rainbow as a covenant promise to do this. We look from history what God has done and He has kept His covenant that He would not destroy the earth and all inhabitants on it with a flood despite their continuous sin against Him and His earthly creation. Through this covenant, god chose a people to live and teach the love of God and to live our lives in God's ways, but sin still reigned. So, God did not destroy the people and all creation, but sent His Son to redeem His creation from ourselves. We explore this covenant today to see how God really loves us to redeem us as we really our sinfulness and repent and place all of our trust and love in Him to ead us through this world by His Holy Spirit to spend all eternity with Him. May we begin this lenten season in anticipation of what He is about to do for each us and for us in a communal manner to bring to light His Salvation and love for all of His creation on earth as it is in Heaven. May we sing this hymn as we move into the week of being Christ's to all other people including ourselves and families: "Forty days and forty nights, Thou wast fasting in the wild" by George Hunt Smyttan (1856)

1. Forty days and forty nights
Thou wast fasting in the wild;
Forty days and forty nights
Tempted, and yet undefiled.
2. Shall not we Thy sorrow share,
And from earthly joys abstain,
Fasting with unceasing prayer,
Glad with Thee to suffer pain?
3. And if Satan vexing sore,
Flesh or spirit should assail,
Thou, his Vanquisher before,
Grant we may not faint or fail.
4. So shall we have peace divine;
Holier gladness ours shall be;
Round us, too, shall angels shine,
Such as minister'd to Thee.
5. Keep, O keep us, Saviour dear,
Ever constant by Thy side;
That with Thee we may appear
At th' eternal Eastertide.
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In This Issue
eScrip
Men's Group
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 Heath Chapel--during Lent we will meet as a part of the "A Story to Tell" small groups.
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.
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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
Do you have concerns, ideas or input about our church that you want to be heard?
You are welcome to reach out to our leaders!
You can contact our Pastor, Molly Vetter.
Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee, which is responsible for staff and pastoral oversight, is led byDarrell Uran.
Nina Dooley is the Chair of our Church Council.
Johnna Kosnoff is our Lay Leader.
Starting Over
Though it's often seen as a season of somber repentance, Lent is also a season of new possibility--after all, on the other side of our repentance lies God's grace-filled forgiveness and a new start. It's good to remember that the reason we ask forgiveness is so that we might be people in whom God's spirit may bring fresh new life.
This weekend, we will share the story of Noah's flood, from Genesis 6-9. Though it's a story we often tell to our children, the details of the story are disturbing--the death and destruction of so much of creation is wild to comprehend. After the flood, though, comes a promise from God, that never again will life on earth be destroyed in a flood. God sets a rainbow in the sky as a sign of that commitment.
After the flood, God gives a fresh start to all creation.
I invite you to reflect on your own life, thinking of times when you've been given a fresh start. I give thanks that we serve a God who's always making things new.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
I will be out of the office next week, and part of the following week; I will be hereon Sunday. I am taking a short vacation to see my Grandfather in Nebraska, on the way to attending a meeting of the General Board of Church and Society in Washington, DC. The following week, I will be helping lead a meeting of our Clergy Orders for the California-Pacific Annual Conference. I will be back in the office on Wednesday, March 4.
Contact Info
Pastor Molly Vetter
PastorMolly@BeachFaith.com
310-372-8445 x 102
2015 Lenten Series and Study:
A Story to Tell
This year's Lenten study series is all about stories. It's about your life story, and about God's big story in scripture.
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.
There are several ways to participate:
We are forming small groups, meeting at different times during the week, including daytimes, weekday evenings, and weekends. These groups will have a chance to tell each other stories, building community, and read key scripture stories together. It will be a meaningful time to learn the stories of our church, and to be more aware of how God is at work with us. Let us know if you're interested through this online form--as we form the groups, we will match you to a time that can work. We encourage you to invite other friends, too! Watch for a special email--with specifics about the times and places of the small group options.
We invite you to journal through the season; we will give you a prompt for reflection each day, inviting you to recall stories from your own life and family. You can find them on Twitter or Facebook, or pick up a sheet of labels to stick into your own journal each day. Labels will be available this Sunday, or download them here.
Families and all people will be invited to share in a Round Robin Story-Sharing Journal, passing notebooks from home-to-home, and adding stories at each stop.Sign up (you or your family) here!
We will also find extra ways to tell stories in worship, at fellowship time, and anywhere else!
Lent begins Ash Wednesday (February 18) and continues through Easter on April 5.
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.
New Men's Group Forming
Have you been looking for a way to connect with other men in our church? If so, you're invited to a special meeting to discuss the formation and possible direction of a new men's group. It will be an opportunity for you to share your ideas and hopes for this exciting new ministry.
Sunday, February 22 at 9:30am in Epworth Lounge.
Hosted by Darrell Uran and Gary Baughman.
Trustees to Host Work Day
Saturday, Feb 28 --- 8:30 - noon
Please join us for a morning of good work and fellowship. Help us check off our task list. We have a couple big projects we'd like to get done (bulb replacement) and a lot of smaller tasks. Bring some work gloves if you have 'em and other tools are are always helpful. Contact Don Burrows for more info.
We're Building It!!
There's one more Sunday for you to check out the giant, little church that we build in Fellowship Hall during our "If We Build It..." event in January. The little church is filled with ideas for ministry--things we've been doing that we celebrate, and new ideas. If you haven't already, we ask you to stop by the Hall and place your stickers on the big church to mark the ideas and visions that you are excited about. (People of all ages are encouraged to participate!)
Our Church Council looked at the ideas that had stickers of support at our recent meeting, and our existing committees and ministry groups began to work at claiming projects that they'd like to move forward on. In coming meetings, we hope to move forward in exploring and implementing on other ideas, as well. We continue to be in prayer together, discerning the ministries that best reflect the core of our mission and calling.
Check out photos from the event here. Our deep thanks to everyone who helped plan, build and lead!!
United Methodist Women's
SPRING RUMMAGE AND BAKE SALE
Friday, March 6
9am - 4pm
Saturday, March 7
9am -noon Come on down and find some new treasures to take home!
Fellowship Hall will be filled with thousands of items to purchase;
May Day Parlor will have our very popular
Boutique filled with extra special merchandise (crystal, silver, handmade crafts, holiday decor and other unique gifts)
Visit Naomi's Cafe and enjoy a sit-down lunch of soup and sandwiches and some tasty homemade treats!
Mark your Calendar:
Upcoming Potluck Lunches
Please join us for mid-month potluck lunches this Spring! These Potlucks will be on Sunday, following the 10:30 worship services--everyone's welcome, just bring something to share.
We are planning Potlucks on the following Sundays:
March 15, April 19 and May 17
The Lay Looker, Bob Peterson 
 
a view from the pew from a longtime member of our church
"If you are reading this, I suggest that you spend the time to read all of this church bulletin whether on paper or the internet. The other day I was talking with a church member telling him about the great Saturday we spent at church a couple of weeks ago. We were there for about half the day with over sixty-five others of all ages and my friend said he hadn't heard about it and that he would have liked to have been there. I said it had been announced for a few times in our church bulletin and newsletter and that only those who don't read or look at the church web page could miss it. So, if you take this bulletin home, don't throw it away until you have scanned or read it all for there are many announcements about..."
Read the rest of Bob's recent Lay Looker columns on our website by clicking here.
"We Are Blessed" by Bob Peterson 
If you are reading this, I suggest that you spend the time to read all of this church bulletin whether on paper or the internet. The other day I was talking with a church member telling him about the great Saturday we spent at church a couple of weeks ago. We were there for about half the day with over sixty-five others of all ages and my friend said he hadn't heard about it and that he would have liked to have been there. I said it had been announced for a few times in our church bulletin and newsletter and that only those who don't read or look at the church web page could miss it. So, if you take this bulletin home, don't throw it away until you have scanned or read it all for there are many announcements about things we are doing here at church, not only this Sunday, but for several weeks in the future. Thanks to Pastor Molly, Ernie and our staff for this.
Speaking of planning, I and some of my music (brass) friends will be here April 5, Easter Sunday to help keep you awake during the service. Jim, our Director of Music, has plans for every musician in the building to participate that Sunday, so don't be surprised if you really get a thrill out of Easter this year. Oh yeah, why not bring guests so they too can hear what Pastor Molly Vetter has to say about this most important Sunday of the year and our United Methodist faith.
Pastor Molly remembered the late Bob Crownover last Sunday as it has been a year since he passed on. She mentioned others of our church who have left us to be with The Lord. It caused me to remember some important men leaders who loved this church so much they made us all feel it was the most important thing in their lives. I remember George Bottomly and his importance to the YMCA nationally. There was also Earl Brown, a most important High School Superintendent who put his church first above all his many interests. There was also Bill Enderson who claimed he always wore his black hat to meetings so that he could disagree when necessary. There were so many dedicated Redondo Beach First Church members who loved our church and did what they could to make it important to our world. We are blessed with our heritage and continue to be blessed with you many workers and supporters of this church. Thanks to you and all who strive to be like Jesus and be there for the needy and the poor.
From the Lay Leader, Johnna Kosnoff
bi-weekly thoughts and reflections from our church Lay Leader
Read Johnna's recent "From the Lay Leader" column on our website by clicking here.
Rummage Sale Donations
There's still 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 need: Jewelry and boutique items; tables to use in the boutique (please drop off at church before noon on Sat, Feb 28 )
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.
FUMCRB Corazón House Build #13, March 21
Spend a day giving a family security, hope and a brighter future. This is an opportunity for parents to work side-by-side with their pre-teens and teens giving them an appreciation for the gifts they have received. It's one day and will give parents a better sense of security in Mexico. Please watch the following video and sign up to help give a future for a hard working family.
Contact George Mercer, gamercer@aol.com
SAVE THE DATE!
Children, Family and Youth Ministries present:
Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat
Saturday Evening, April 25 & Sunday Matinee, April 26
Families: Want more information?
See Katherine in the Sunday School rooms at 10am this Sunday!
Did you know?
Our Endowment Enables Ministry
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach has an Endowment Fund that accepts gifts from estates and members. The Fund is invested for growth and income with all capital gains reinvested and only dividends and income are used to support the operation and mission of the church. All gifts to the Endowment Fund will go on into the future generating unending support.
In 2014, our Endowment provided $37,500 in support for our church budget, enabling our ministries to continue and grow.
If you would like to know more about making a gift to the Endowment, or about including it in your estate planning, please contact Endowment Chair Whit Walters.
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.
Check out our page on the church website for more info!
A wonderful time was had by all at our Mardi Gras Pancake Dinner!
Thanks to everyone who helped make it a success--including our Children and Family Ministries and Youth Ministry.
You can see some of the fun in thephotos posted here!
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 Sunday worship? 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
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...
Mary Circle Meeting-Monday, Feb 23 at 7pm in May Day Parlor
Spanish Classes for kids-Tuesday afternoon
Trustees Work Day-Saturday, Feb 28 at 8:30am
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: Join us for Sunday School! This week's Bible Story is The Transfiguration from Mark 9:2-9. Read the story with your family before class- Spark Story Bible pages 358-359 or Spark Bible page 1111.Have you ever experienced a moment when you felt like God was speaking directly to you?
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 The Transfiguration from Mark 9:2-9. This text brings together important Old and New Testament figures. Along with Jesus and three of his disciples are Moses, one called by God to lead the Hebrew people out of slavery, and the prophet Elijah, who was expected to return to Earth before the coming of the Messiah.
Youth Group (6th-12th grade):
-Youth Group This Week: Sunday, 3pm-5:15 ish...we are doing video interviews of folks from the church! We miiiiight go a few minutes over.
-SSP Weekend of Service in South LA (April 10-12): Registration DueMonday, February 23rd.
-Middle School Sunday School? Yes! Remember, we meet every other week.
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Men's Breakfast:
Our next breakfast is Monday, March 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!
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 90277 United States
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