From Pastor Molly: Reading Along
Last week, I asked you to read the Gospel of Mark. This week, I added a second assignment: Genesis 1 and 2.
One of the challenges of reading familiar stories is noticing what ISN'T said. If someone asked me to recount the story of Jesus, or to tell the story of creation, I am quite certain that my version would be a conflation of details from various places in scripture, and would be embellished with details I learned from art or songs or saw in my own imagination.
There is a lot of white space in scripture. Even with so many pages of text, there are many more pages worth of details that have been left out. There are background scenes we have to imagine on our own, tones of voice and body language that are left to our interpretation. Between any two stories that are told in sequence, there are transitions left untold.
Whenever we read scripture, we get to try to read these things back in. We can imagine how the people in the story felt, and try to understand what they believed about God.
At the end of the day, this is perhaps the most important piece of scripture reading: what does it help us know about God? And what difference does that make for our lives?[Pastor Molly Vetter]
This Sunday we celebrate United Methodist Women's Sunday. In addition, our Lay Leader Johnna Kosnoff will share a word with us during worship, on her final Sunday before moving to the Seattle area. I hope you will join me in holding her in prayer!
In Worship This Week
Sunday, January 17
Scripture: 1 Corinthians 12:1-11 &
John 2:1-11
1 Corinthians 12:1 But, brothers, I do not want you to go on being ignorant about the things of the Spirit. 2 You know that when you were pagans, no matter how you felt you were being led, you were being led astray to idols, which can’t speak at all. 3 Therefore, I want to make it clear to you that no one speaking by the Spirit of God ever says, “Yeshua is cursed!” and no one can say, “Yeshua is Lord,” except by the Ruach HaKodesh.
4 Now there are different kinds of gifts, but the same Spirit gives them. 5 Also there are different ways of serving, but it is the same Lord being served. 6 And there are different modes of working, but it is the same God working them all in everyone. 7 Moreover, to each person is given the particular manifestation of the Spirit that will be for the common good. 8 To one, through the Spirit, is given a word of wisdom; to another, a word of knowledge, in accordance with the same Spirit; 9 to another, faith, by the same Spirit; and to another, gifts of healing, by the one Spirit; 10 to another, the working of miracles; to another, prophecy; to another, the ability to judge between spirits; to another, the ability to speak in different kinds of tongues; and to yet another, the ability to interpret tongues. 11 One and the same Spirit is at work in all these things, distributing to each person as he chooses.
John 2:1 On Tuesday[John 2:1 Greek: the third day, equivalent to Hebrew yom shlishi] there was a wedding at Kanah in the Galil; and the mother of Yeshua was there. 2 Yeshua too was invited to the wedding, along with his talmidim. 3 The wine ran out, and Yeshua’s mother said to him, “They have no more wine.” 4 Yeshua replied, “Mother, why should that concern me? — or you? My time hasn’t come yet.” 5 His mother said to the servants, “Do whatever he tells you.” 6 Now six stone water-jars were standing there for the Jewish ceremonial washings, each with a capacity of twenty or thirty gallons. 7 Yeshua told them, “Fill the jars with water,” and they filled them to the brim. 8 He said, “Now draw some out, and take it to the man in charge of the banquet”; and they took it. 9 The man in charge tasted the water; it had now turned into wine! He did not know where it had come from, but the servants who had drawn the water knew. So he called the bridegroom 10 and said to him, “Everyone else serves the good wine first and the poorer wine after people have drunk freely. But you have kept the good wine until now!” 11 This, the first of Yeshua’s miraculous signs, he did at Kanah in the Galil; he manifested his glory, and his talmidim came to trust in him.
"To the Brim" Molly Vetter, preaching
Johnna Kosnoff, speaking 8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "There Shall a Star" by Mendelssohn, and "Show Me the Way" by Styx
Listen to Sermons online
Visit our Website
Read the Bible: a series in January
This Month Week: A worship series (+ new year's resolution): Read the Bible.Especially if reading scripture has left you confused or skeptical, these big questions may help you through its complexities! For deeper engagement, Pastor Molly has twobook suggestions to help you read Bible thoughtfully. This week's assignment: Read Genesis 1 & 2.Genesis 1:1 In the beginning God created the heavens and the earth. 2 The earth was unformed and void, darkness was on the face of the deep, and the Spirit of God hovered over the surface of the water. 3 Then God said, “Let there be light”; and there was light. 4 God saw that the light was good, and God divided the light from the darkness. 5 God called the light Day, and the darkness he called Night. So there was evening, and there was morning, one day.
6 God said, “Let there be a dome in the middle of the water; let it divide the water from the water.” 7 God made the dome and divided the water under the dome from the water above the dome; that is how it was, 8 and God called the dome Sky. So there was evening, and there was morning, a second day.
9 God said, “Let the water under the sky be gathered together into one place, and let dry land appear,” and that is how it was. 10 God called the dry land Earth, the gathering together of the water he called Seas, and God saw that it was good.
11 God said, “Let the earth put forth grass, seed-producing plants, and fruit trees, each yielding its own kind of seed-bearing fruit, on the earth”; and that is how it was. 12 The earth brought forth grass, plants each yielding its own kind of seed, and trees each producing its own kind of seed-bearing fruit; and God saw that it was good. 13 So there was evening, and there was morning, a third day.
(A: ii) 14 God said, “Let there be lights in the dome of the sky to divide the day from the night; let them be for signs, seasons, days and years; 15 and let them be for lights in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth”; and that is how it was. 16 God made the two great lights — the larger light to rule the day and the smaller light to rule the night — and the stars. 17 God put them in the dome of the sky to give light to the earth, 18 to rule over the day and over the night, and to divide the light from the darkness; and God saw that it was good. 19 So there was evening, and there was morning, a fourth day.
20 God said, “Let the water swarm with swarms of living creatures, and let birds fly above the earth in the open dome of the sky.” 21 God created the great sea creatures and every living thing that creeps, so that the water swarmed with all kinds of them, and there was every kind of winged bird; and God saw that it was good. 22 Then God blessed them, saying, “Be fruitful, multiply and fill the water of the seas, and let birds multiply on the earth.” 23 So there was evening, and there was morning, a fifth day.
(A: iii) 24 God said, “Let the earth bring forth each kind of living creature — each kind of livestock, crawling animal and wild beast”; and that is how it was. 25 God made each kind of wild beast, each kind of livestock and every kind of animal that crawls along the ground; and God saw that it was good.
26 Then God said, “Let us make humankind in our image, in the likeness of ourselves; and let them rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air, the animals, and over all the earth, and over every crawling creature that crawls on the earth.”
27 So God created humankind in his own image;
in the image of God he created him:
male and female he created them.
28 God blessed them: God said to them, “Be fruitful, multiply, fill the earth and subdue it. Rule over the fish in the sea, the birds in the air and every living creature that crawls on the earth.” 29 Then God said, “Here! Throughout the whole earth I am giving you as food every seed-bearing plant and every tree with seed-bearing fruit. 30 And to every wild animal, bird in the air and creature crawling on the earth, in which there is a living soul, I am giving as food every kind of green plant.” And that is how it was. 31 God saw everything that he had made, and indeed it was very good. So there was evening, and there was morning, a sixth day.
2:1 Thus the heavens and the earth were finished, along with everything in them. 2 On the seventh day God was finished with his work which he had made, so he rested on the seventh day from all his work which he had made. 3 God blessed the seventh day and separated it as holy; because on that day God rested from all his work which he had created, so that it itself could produce.
(A: iv, S: ii) 4 Here is the history of the heavens and the earth when they were created. On the day when Adonai, God, made earth and heaven, 5 there was as yet no wild bush on the earth, and no wild plant had as yet sprung up; for Adonai, God, had not caused it to rain on the earth, and there was no one to cultivate the ground. 6 Rather, a mist went up from the earth which watered the entire surface of the ground.
7 Then Adonai, God, formed a person [Genesis 2:7 Hebrew: adam] from the dust of the ground [Genesis 2:7 Hebrew: adamah] and breathed into his nostrils the breath of life, so that he became a living being. 8 Adonai, God, planted a garden toward the east, in ‘Eden, and there he put the person whom he had formed. 9 Out of the ground Adonai, God, caused to grow every tree pleasing in appearance and good for food, including the tree of life in the middle of the garden and the tree of the knowledge of good and evil.
10 A river went out of ‘Eden to water the garden, and from there it divided into four streams. 11 The name of the first is Pishon; it winds throughout the land of Havilah, where there is gold. 12 The gold of that land is good; aromatic resin and onyx stone are also found there. 13 The name of the second river is Gichon; it winds throughout the land of Kush. 14 The name of the third river is Tigris; it is the one that flows toward the east of Ashur. The fourth river is the Euphrates.
15 Adonai, God, took the person and put him in the garden of ‘Eden to cultivate and care for it. 16 Adonai, God, gave the person this order: “You may freely eat from every tree in the garden 17 except the tree of the knowledge of good and evil. You are not to eat from it, because on the day that you eat from it, it will become certain that you will die.”
18 Adonai, God, said, “It isn’t good that the person should be alone. I will make for him a companion suitable for helping him.” 19 So from the ground Adonai, God, formed every wild animal and every bird that flies in the air, and he brought them to the person to see what he would call them. Whatever the person would call each living creature, that was to be its name. (S: iii) 20 So the person gave names to all the livestock, to the birds in the air and to every wild animal. But for Adam there was not found a companion suitable for helping him.
21 Then God caused a deep sleep to fall upon the person; and while he was sleeping, he took one of his ribs and closed up the place from which he took it with flesh. 22 The rib which Adonai, God, had taken from the person, he made a woman-person; and he brought her to the man-person. 23 The man-person said, “At last! This is bone from my bones and flesh from my flesh. She is to be called Woman [Genesis 2:23 Hebrew: ishah], because she was taken out of Man [Genesis 2:23 Hebrew: ish].” 24 This is why a man is to leave his father and mother and stick with his wife, and they are to be one flesh.
25 They were both naked, the man and his wife, and they were not ashamed.
We are so grateful for the generosity of our congregation at the end of 2015! We ended the year in a really strong financial position, due in large part to the graciousness of your giving at Christmas and in the month of December. We were able to fully fund our ministries in 2015, and contribute the whole of our apportionment asking to the larger church.
News From Our Members
Grace and Peace
I guess it is time to say goodbye. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have been your Lay Leader these past two years; it has meant so much to me. Many of you know that I started seminary in the fall of 2013 but withdrew for family reasons, after only a short period of time. When Molly offered the position of Lay Leader a few months later,...
Read more here
"Grace and Peace" by Johnna Kosnoff
I guess it is time to say goodbye. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to have been your Lay Leader these past two years; it has meant so much to me. Many of you know that I started seminary in the fall of 2013 but withdrew for family reasons, after only a short period of time. When Molly offered the position of Lay Leader a few months later, I knew God was offering another type of ministry and I accepted.
We have grown together in this ministry. I’ve learned so much about you and about our United Methodist Church and you’ve learned a lot about me. We have gone on field trips, studied God’s word, prayed together, prayed for one another, shared potluck meals and worked through many personal and church changes together. You’ve welcomed my husband and you’ve watched my kids grow through their own changes – especially as Kyle prepared for college and, now, Joshua is preparing for a new high school in Washington. We have become family.
God is good and God is wise. He has more growth in store for all of us. I am excited to see what He’s going to do in my life and I am just as eager to learn what He has for you. I am confident that what Paul told the Philippians also holds true for this congregation: “He who has begun a good work in you will complete it until the day of Jesus Christ.” I wish you the same blessing that Paul gave the Philippians: “Grace and peace to you always, in the name of God our Father and our Lord, Jesus Christ.”
I will miss you and I hope you will stay in touch. My new contact information is listed in our online church directory.
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Read recent Lay Looker columns here
Coming at Church
Book Club: Our next book, Anne Perry’s “Silent Nights," is actually two books in one—both are murder mysteries. Perry is a prolific mystery writer, with her own very dark back story. Our next meeting will be in May Day Parlor at church on Jan 28, at 7 pm. Questions about book club? More info online, or email Ann or Laura.
Recycling at Church
With encouragement from our dedicated Custodian, Arnie, we've recently added new recycle bins to our church campus.Mixed recyclables can be placed in any marked recycle bin--please help us care for God's creation by using them!
Friday, January 22nd
5:30pm-8:30pm
Drop off your children (Toddlers-5th Grade) at church for three hours of programming. The evening costs $20.00 for first child ($10 for second, $5 for third or more).
Parents get a night out, and the children finding time for fellowship at church. The curriculum is based on an age-appropriate movie, plus board games, active games, pizza and crafts. It is a fun night for all!
You MUST RSVP by Tuesday Night, January 19th: Children@beachfaith.com
Spanish Classes for Kids resume next Tuesday!
Want your child to learn Spanish?
Weekly classes for our children to learn Spanish through song, manipulative activities, interaction and books. Taught by Adriana Hwang, with Grace Martens and Bryan Hwang.
Tuesdays, 3:45-4:45pm -- 3-5 year olds
Tuesdays, 5:00-6:00pm -- 5-7 year olds
Register Here
Coming in 2016
Mark your calendar:
Join us for a Mardi Gras Pancake Breakfast on Sunday, February 7, from 9:15-10:30!
In 2016, Lent begins February 10. Deepen your faith with spiritual practices for life.
We look forward to sharing some of the practices that help us love God with our prayers, presence, gifts, service and witness, as followers of Christ.
New Member Class continues
Pastor Molly will continue a class for people interested in church membership--this Sunday, January 17, from 9:30-10:15am in Epworth Lounge. All those who want to know more about our congregation, the United Methodist Church, or what membership means are welcome! We plan to receive new members on Sunday, January 24.
RSVP (or questions) to Pastor Molly
Our youth group had these T-Shirts made in response to a certain hate group's visit to Redondo Union High School Monday morning. Those folks told our LGBT+ classmates that God hates them.
We think that’s not what Jesus said. So we wore our shirts all week to school.
We're selling the shirts on Sunday morning (or on our website here)!
The proceeds for these shirts will go to theLos Angeles LGBT Center’s Youth Center for homeless teens. Shockingly high numbers of teens become homeless when their families believe what was said Monday morning by this hate group (here's a great summary of the problem). What better way to respond to their work than by supporting the LGBT Homeless Shelter?
Annual Church Conference
Our annual Church (Charge) Conference will be Monday, January 25 at 7pm in Epworth Lounge. All church members are invited--we will elect leadership for our administrative committees, finalize our 2016 budget, and share stories of ministry.
Save the Date: Vacation Bible School 2016 will be in AUGUST
We're planning to shake up our summer schedule next year, and move Vacation Bible School to August in 2016!
We've got in on our church calendar forAugust 1-5, and hope you can plan to join us. We'll be looking for young surfers to attend, and volunteers of all ages.
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, January 18, 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!
Prayer Quilt Ministry: Know someone in need of prayer? You can sponsor a free prayer quilt for them. Next Quilt Workshop: Friday, January 22, 10am-noon. We will learn a new quilt block pattern, and work on other projects. More information is online.
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.
This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
Nursery (6 weeks+):
The Nursery is open during both services, for ages 6 weeks to 6 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade & Church R Us: grades 4-5):
10:30am Sunday School: Sunday's Bible Story: John 2:1-11, In our story, Jesus turned water into wine for a special occasion. When Jesus did this amazing thing, he showed the bride and groom hospitality! Hospitality is all about being welcoming and generous. When Jesus changed water to wine, he helped keep the big party going!
Church R Us (Special Class for Grades 4 & 5):
10:30am: CRU meets above the Nursery! Sunday's Lesson: John 2: 1-11, Jesus turned water into wine as a sign that God provides abundantly for everyone. You share Jesus’ love when you provide for others.
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Yes! Sunday School this week!!
-The Annual Winter Retreat was last weekend. For pictures, click here. For the Great Spoon Incident mockumentary we made and watched, click here.
-Parent Meeting on January 17th (3-4pm) during Youth Group! We'll discuss the summer mission trip, and other big activities of the year.
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Helen Stockwell.
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. Led by Pastor Molly Vetter. We are back on schedule next week--see you January 7!
United Methodist News & Events
West District Training Conference: for Current and Emerging Leaders - on January 30, 2016 from 8am-2pm at Holman UMC in Los Angeles
Our congregation is a part of the El Tordondo Mission Area, in the West District of theCalifornia-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
310-372-8445 main
310-372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
Website
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
A Note of Thanks...
Shared Bread would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the love, care and generosity that was given to our guests during the Christmas season. Thank you for the delicious homemade desserts. We were able to use them for both December 23 and December 30, which was such a blessing. Our guests often commented on how they could tell the treats were homemade and that made it very special to them. Thank you for decorating tables and making Fellowship Hall look so warm, inviting and festive. Our guests lingered a little longer on those nights enjoying the atmosphere and friendship. Overall, we are so grateful and humbled for the support that this loving and caring community provides to Shared Bread. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers and to all our supporters behind the scenes. Shared Bread is blessed because of you all. May the Lord continue to provide for Shared Bread during 2016.
-Carol Walter and Meagan Burrows, Co-Chairs
Choir & Our Music Ministry
Join our choir and lend your voice to help us worship God together. Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights, from 7:30-9pm. We are always looking for instrumentalists and musical guests, too. Contact Jim Raycroft for more info.
Tell Us About Yourself...
Please take a moment to tell us about your skills and interests through our online questionnaire.
Do You Know Pro Tools or Logic
The Music Department is looking for someone who knows ProTools, Logic, or comparable program for recording and mixing worship service audio.
Contact Jim Raycroft.
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
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.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
A Note of Thanks...
Shared Bread would like to express our heartfelt gratitude to all the love, care and generosity that was given to our guests during the Christmas season. Thank you for the delicious homemade desserts. We were able to use them for both December 23 and December 30, which was such a blessing. Our guests often commented on how they could tell the treats were homemade and that made it very special to them. Thank you for decorating tables and making Fellowship Hall look so warm, inviting and festive. Our guests lingered a little longer on those nights enjoying the atmosphere and friendship. Overall, we are so grateful and humbled for the support that this loving and caring community provides to Shared Bread. Thank you to all our wonderful volunteers and to all our supporters behind the scenes. Shared Bread is blessed because of you all. May the Lord continue to provide for Shared Bread during 2016.
-Carol Walter and Meagan Burrows, Co-Chairs
Choir & Our Music Ministry
Join our choir and lend your voice to help us worship God together. Choir rehearses most Wednesday nights, from 7:30-9pm. We are always looking for instrumentalists and musical guests, too. Contact Jim Raycroft for more info.
Tell Us About Yourself...
Please take a moment to tell us about your skills and interests through our online questionnaire.
Do You Know Pro Tools or Logic
The Music Department is looking for someone who knows ProTools, Logic, or comparable program for recording and mixing worship service audio.
Contact Jim Raycroft.
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
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.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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