Redondo Beach, California, United States 1st United Methodist Church eNews: "God can do unexpected things" This Sunday: Presentation of Bibles to Children, New Members for Thursday, 15 September 2016From Pastor Molly: Shared Laughter
Our first Old Testament story of people who are better together is about Abraham and Sarah. At least three times in the story, the characters laugh--sometimes in disbelief, and then in joy. Throughout, the laughter is the best when it's shared.
It's got me thinking about times when a shared laugh has changed my perspective, lightened my mood or broken down barriers. There's nothing as joyfully contagious as laughter!
When's the last time you laughed really hard?
I believe God is at work in the world in the same way as laughter--helping shake up our perspectives, giving us hope and connecting us to one another. Thanks be to God!
Grace and peace,[Pastor Molly Vetter]
In Worship This WeekSunday, September 18
Genesis 18:1-15
"Laughably Impossible"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Scripture Text is Genesis 18:1Adonai appeared to Avraham by the oaks of Mamre as he sat at the entrance to the tent during the heat of the day. 2 He raised his eyes and looked, and there in front of him stood three men. On seeing them, he ran from the tent door to meet them, prostrated himself on the ground, 3 and said, “My lord, if I have found favor in your sight, please don’t leave your servant. 4 Please let me send for some water, so that you can wash your feet; then rest under the tree, 5 and I will bring a piece of bread. Now that you have come to your servant, refresh yourselves before going on.” “Very well,” they replied, “do what you have said.”
6 Avraham hurried into the tent to Sarah and said, “Quickly, three measures of the best flour! Knead it and make cakes.” 7 Avraham ran to the herd, took a good, tender calf and gave it to the servant, who hurried to prepare it. 8 Then he took curds, milk and the calf which he had prepared, and set it all before the men; and he stood by them under the tree as they ate. 9 They said to him, “Where is Sarah your wife?” He said, “There, in the tent.” 10 He said, “I will certainly return to you around this time next year, and Sarah your wife will have a son.” Sarah heard him from the entrance of the tent, behind him. 11 Avraham and Sarah were old, advanced in years; Sarah was past the age of childbearing. 12 So Sarah laughed to herself, thinking, “I am old, and so is my lord; am I to have pleasure again?” 13 Adonai said to Avraham, “Why did Sarah laugh and ask, ‘Am I really going to bear a child when I am so old?’ 14 Is anything too hard for Adonai? At the time set for it, at this season next year, I will return to you; and Sarah will have a son.” (ii) 15 Sarah denied it, saying, “I didn’t either laugh,” because she was afraid. He said, “Not so — you did laugh.”
John Wesley's Notes/Commentary for Genesis 18:1-15
Verse 1
[1] And the LORD appeared unto him in the plains of Mamre: and he sat in the tent door in the heat of the day;
This appearance of God to Abraham seems to have had in it more of freedom and familiarity, and less of grandeur and majesty, than those we have hitherto read of, and therefore more resembles that great visit which in the fulness of time the Son of God was to make to the world. He sat in the tent-door in the heat of the day - Not so much to repose himself, as to seek an opportunity of doing good, by giving entertainment to strangers.
Verse 2
[2] And he lift up his eyes and looked, and, lo, three men stood by him: and when he saw them, he ran to meet them from the tent door, and bowed himself toward the ground,
And lo three men — These three men were three spiritual heavenly beings, now assuming human shapes, that they might be visible to Abraham, and conversable with him. Some think they were all three created angels; others, that one of them was the Son of God.
He bowed himself towards the ground — Religion doth not destroy but improve good manners, and teaches us to honour all men.
Verse 9
[9] And they said unto him, Where is Sarah thy wife? And he said, Behold, in the tent.
Where is Sarah thy wife? — By naming her, they gave intimation to Abraham, that tho' they seemed strangers, yet they well knew him and his family: by enquiring after her, they shewed a kind concern for the family of one, whom they found respectful to them. And by speaking of her, she over-hearing it, they drew her to listen to what was farther to be said.
Verse 10
[10] And he said, I will certainly return unto thee according to the time of life; and, lo, Sarah thy wife shall have a son. And Sarah heard it in the tent door, which was behind him.
I will certainly return unto thee — And visit thee. God will return to those that bid him welcome.
Verse 12
[12] Therefore Sarah laughed within herself, saying, After I am waxed old shall I have pleasure, my lord being old also?
Sarah laughed within herself — It was not a laughter of faith, like Abraham's, Genesis 17:17, but a laughter of doubting and distrust. The great objection which Sarah could not get over was her age. I am waxed old, and past child-bearing in a course of nature, especially having been hitherto barren, and which magnifies the difficulty, My lord is old also. Observe here, That Sarah calls Abraham her lord, and the Holy Ghost takes notice of it to her honour, and recommends it to the imitation of all Christian wives, 1 Peter 3:6. Sarah obeyed Abraham calling him lord, in token of respect and subjection.
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "Amazing Grace" by the Chancel Choir and a special men's quartet singing "I Hear the Lord"
"Amazing Grace" by John Newton (1779)
1. Amazing grace (how sweet the sound)
that saved a wretch like me!
I once was lost, but now am found,
was blind, but now I see.
2. 'Twas grace that taught my heart to fear,
and grace my fears relieved;
how precious did that grace appear
the hour I first believed!
3. Through many dangers, toils and snares
I have already come:
'tis grace has brought me safe thus far,
and grace will lead me home.
4. The Lord has promised good to me,
his word my hope secures;
he will my shield and portion be
as long as life endures.
5. Yes, when this flesh and heart shall fail,
and mortal life shall cease:
I shall possess, within the veil,
a life of joy and peace.
6. The earth shall soon dissolve like snow,
the sun forbear to shine;
but God, who called me here below,
will be forever mine.
"I Hear the Lord" by Gateway Worship
CHORUS
I hear the Lord passing by
This could be my day of visitation
Have mercy on me, Lord
Hear my cry of desperation
I hear the Lord passing by
BRIDGE
My heart, my flesh
Yearn to be with You
Open my eyes to see Your glory
All the days of my life
BRIDGE 2
This is my one chance
This is my moment
Lord, I throw everything aside
Just to run blindly after You
This is my one chance
This is my moment
I wanna see You
I wanna touch You
I wanna hold You
I wanna know You
I wanna follow You
I wanna follow You
All my hope is in You
All I need is in You
My miracle is You
CHORUS 2
I hear the Lord passing by
This could be my day of visitation
Have mercy on me, Lord
Hear my cry of desperation
Have mercy on me, Lord
From the depth of my affliction
I hear the Lord
I hear the Lord
I hear the Lord passing by
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News From Our Members
Do you remember the large color cover photo of our church congregation in last Sunday's Order of Worship? Many of us in church today were in the photo including, at that time, Pastor Winfried Ritter and his wife Maria. Based on my faulty research I think it was taken about 1985. Later during Pastor Winfried's tenure, about 28 of us traveled to Europe together led by Maria and Winfried to visit their birthplace, Germany and including Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Today, I remember a few of our fellow members going along, Paul Caldwell, Duff and Nancy Means, Gene and Patty Koester and others who will be miffed that I failed to include their names. We saw...Read it all here
The Lay Looker by Bob Peterson
Bob PetersonBob 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!
Thursday, September 15, 2016 by Bob Peterson
Do you remember the large color cover photo of our church congregation in last Sunday's Order of Worship? Many of us in church today were in the photo including, at that time, Pastor Winfried Ritter and his wife Maria. Based on my faulty research I think it was taken about 1985. Later during Pastor Winfried's tenure, about 28 of us traveled to Europe together led by Maria and Winfried to visit their birthplace, Germany and including Austria, Switzerland and Italy. Today, I remember a few of our fellow members going along, Paul Caldwell, Duff and Nancy Means, Gene and Patty Koester and others who ill be miffed that I failed to include their names. We saw Heidelberg, at which university the Ritters met, and then there was Obergammerau where we saw the Passion Play, the church where the Sound of Music Maria von Trapp was married to her Captain, Vienna and a great overnight train ride to Rome, the Vatican and on to Naples, etc. It was a fun trip with the finest travel guide, Max, one has ever had. That photo surely brought back memories of many wonderful things and wonderful people, some who have moved, others who are with Jesus.Also last Sunday we had, what used to be called Rally Day, but this time it included breakfast. You had to visit several tables where, at each one there was one item of food for you and a volunteer trying to recruit you for something. It took me seven tables to have breakfast but the price was right. At this time in life I didn't volunteer for anything, but found myself a victim ofPastor Molly's smile, causing me to be a reader as we honored Stephen Hale's Seminary Intern Field Education at our church while he is attending The school of Theology in Claremont. He has a support committee of five to support his work here at church, so we'll learn more soon.
Pastor Molly's sermon title was “Better Together” a suggestion that we do more outstanding things as a church than one alone could do. Believe me, that's why I'm still attending Redondo Beach First United Methodist Church after all these years.
For those of you who signed up to do something new for your church last Sunday, congratulations. We need you. If you are still thinking about it, call the church office and get more information. Our staff needs all of us in various ways to help serve the Lord and our neighbors.
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The Lay Looker by Bob Peterson
Bob PetersonBob 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!
Thursday, September 8, 2016 by Bob Peterson
Monday this past week was Labor Day, but as it was the first Monday of September, I attended the Men's Breakfast at Cocos in Torrance. It was a small six-man group with a guest visitor, Arnie Sachs, our Church Custodian. Those of who know Arnie realize he knows a lot, speaks a lot and helps everyone a lot around our church. However, the men at breakfast that morning heard about the huge slide which reached to the ceiling, brought into the Fellowship Hall for the enjoyment of the youth sleep-over, or “Lock In”. Arnie said the blowers (four) were so loud it was hard to hear talking inside the hall. Perhaps you already know about this event, but we of the Men's Breakfast heard about it for the first time that day. I mention this only to tell those of us who may not know what happens at our church sometimes, might learn about this. Who knows what the next unusual experience might be?This Sunday morning, (9/11) we are invited to have breakfast at the Fellowship Hall, 9:15 AM to 10:15 and while there, check out the various mission projects, organizations and studies our congregation participates in. To me, 9/11 is the horror story about the planes flying suicide missions into the twin towers in New York City and the Pentagon in Washington D.C. fifteen or so years ago. That day changed all our lives here in America and the world. I pray as I remember that day.
It seems as if every day is a day to remember something special, either good or bad and I guess that is part of getting to be old. There are so many things to remember, not just in church life, but throughout all history. My calendar says 9/11 is Grandparents Day...who knew? It is also called Patriot's Day due to the above mentioned tragedy in New York and Washington D.C. For our church it used to be called Rally Day. Hope to see you at Breakfast.
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Read Columns from our former Lay Leader, Johnna Kosnoff, here!
Coming at Church
This Fall: Better TogetherIt's a church theme, a sermon series and more! All fall, we will be celebrating how we're Better Together, remembering how God works in the lives of communities and in our relationships. As the writer of Ecclesiastes said, "And though one might prevail against another, two will withstand one. A threefold cord is not quickly broken." (Ecclesiastes 4:12)
It goes much deeper, too--we come to know about God because of the people in whom we have seen God at work. Our faith and love make sense when we live them out with other people here on earth.
There's much more to say, and we hope you'll be a part of this whole meaningful season.
Looking for Good Stories!What group or person has made a difference for you, if your life and faith? Pastor Molly is looking for stories about how our lives have been changed for the better because of others. Let her know if you have one to tell!
3 Year Olds and 4th Graders will be receiving Bibles during worship at this Sunday's 10:30 service! Join us in celebrating the spiritual growth of our children as they are presented with their very own Bibles. Preschoolers receive the Spark Story Bible, and 4th graders a special edition of the NRSV Bible.
Families with 3-year-olds and 4th graders: Let us know if you can be there before Sunday, so we can have your Bibles ready.
Sunday School Volunteers Wanted!We are looking for adults of all ages to help teach Sunday School. We have tools and resources for people of all levels of experience--you won't be alone!Join us on Sunday, September 25th in Epworth Lounge at 9:30 for an informational meeting for anyone interested in helping with Sunday School!
Coffee will be served and child care will be available.
Youth Group is Back!We start back this Sunday afternoon! It's going to be great to see everyone!Our youth group normally meets in the youth room from 3-5pm on Sunday afternoons for games, prayer, music, Bible study, and community. Oy, what a community!
Choir Rehearsals Have Moved to Thursday nights!Our choir is back for the fall, and regular rehearsals have moved to Thursday evenings! Join the choir for rehearsal each Thursday, from 7:30 to 9pm in the Choir Room. Contact Jim Raycroft for more info.
Book Club: Our next book is a work of fiction titled "The Language of Flowers: A Novel" by Vanessa Diffenbaugh. We will meet Tuesday, September 27 at 7pm in May Day Parlor.More info online; email Ann or Laura.
Annual Church Golf Tournament:Saturday, October 15
Join us on Saturday, October 15 for a First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach Golf Tournament!
We will be playing at a local course, Alondra Park Golf Course and the tournament is a four person scramble. It's a great opportunity to invite friends and neighbors to join your foursome. (You may register as an individual or a foursome.; $80 per player) Tee times will begin at 10 a.m.
Click here for more info and to reserve your spot
Guest Preacher on Sept 25:Rev. Nicole ReilleyWe are pleased to welcome Rev. Nicole Reilley as a guest preacher on September 23. Rev. Nicole is the Director of New Ministries for our Cal-Pac Annual Conference, and is a part of our congregation. She'll also be preaching monthly through this fall!
Fall Fundraiser: It's more than...It's more than a silent auction, more than a talent show, and more than good food. Mark your calendars for Saturday, November 12 for a special fall event! We'll be looking for acts for the show, items for the auction, and volunteers for the food. Want to be a part of the planning? Contact Pastor Molly
Hawaiian Music on World Communion Sunday: October 2World Communion Sunday honors and celebrates the unity we share with our whole Christian family, throughout the whole world. This year, we celebrate with some very special Hawaiian music. Come ready to share an "aloha" spirit in our worship!
Mark Your Calendars: the Christmas Pageant is Coming!Rehearsals: November 13, 20, 27 and December 4 at 9:30am
Dress Rehearsal: December 10th
Pageant Performance: December 11th during 10:30 worship
UMW’s Reading ProgramEvery year, the United Methodist Women publish a reading list. Subjects include general knowledge, spiritual growth, social action and mission areas, ways to nurture our communities and more.
Any one can read the books and our own local UMW unit will get credit! click here information about the program.
COMING SOON: Church Rummage Sale, October 7 & 8UMW's Fall Rummage Sale is happening very soon! Our loyal crew of volunteers is working every week at the church sorting and prepping the donations. We encourage you to clean out your closets and garage and bring your usable, clean discards to the church during office hours. Who knows? You're trash can become someone's treasure! If you have questions about your items, contact the office.
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, September 19, 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 Stephen Hale in the church office 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, October 14, 10am-noon.--if you haven't tried quilt-making, this is a great easy way to begin. 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.
Parents' Night Out Cancelled: There will NOT be a PNO this Friday--it was cancelled for lack of RSVPs. Our next PNO will be October 21!
This Week: Children, Youth & AdultsNursery (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 from Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade) & Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Sunday School is back! Meet upstairs in the classrooms. Kids will return to worship during communion.
-3 Year Olds and 4th Graders will be receiving Bibles at the end of 10:30 worship.
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-YES! Middle School Sunday School meets this Sunday! We'll start in 10:30 worship and head downstairs together during the passing of the peace, then return for communion.
-Youth Group (3-5pm)? OH YES. Be here at 3pm!
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. All are welcome.
United Methodist News & EventsOur 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
310-372-5696 fax
Website
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday NightsOffering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.DESSERTS needed for SHARED BREAD
We continue to accept dessert donations for our Shared Bread program. 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 through Wednesday to the church kitchen (or the office if kitchen is closed.)
Thanks for your sweet caring.
Francesca Battistelli is a Christian recording artist who was born in New York in 1985 and released her first independent album in 2004 titled Just A Breath. She released her first studio album under the Fervent label in 2008 titled My Paper Heart. Her single Holy Spirit, written by Bryan and Katie Torwalt, was released in 2014 as part of her 3rd studio album, If We’re Honest, and it went on to win a Grammy in 2016 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song.
Amazing Grace has a long and storied history. The words were written by English clergyman John Newton to illustrate a...
Read more about our music here!
Music Notes by Jim Raycroft
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, September 15, 2016 - Music Notes by Jim Raycroft
Francesca Battistelli is a Christian recording artist who was born in New York in 1985 and released her first independent album in 2004 titled Just A Breath. She released her first studio album under the Fervent label in 2008 titled My Paper Heart. Her single Holy Spirit, written by Bryan and Katie Torwalt, was released in 2014 as part of her 3rd studio album, If We’re Honest, and it went on to win a Grammy in 2016 for Best Contemporary Christian Music Performance/Song. Amazing Grace has a long and storied history. The words were written by English clergyman John Newton to illustrate a sermon on New Year’s Day, 1773. His own history was rocky and turbulent. He was conscripted into the Royal Navy and, once released from service, went into the Atlantic slave trade. In 1748, a storm battered his ship off the Irish coast so badly that he called out to God for mercy, an event that marked the beginning of his spiritual conversion. He was ordained in the Church of England in 1764 and became curate of Olney, Buckinghamshire. It wasn’t until 1835, however, that composer William Walker assigned Newton’s words to the tune New Britain, which was itself a combination of 2 different melodies, Gallagher and St. Mary. The final, familiar version of the hymn as we know it was first published in the “shape note” tunebook Southern Harmony in 1847, “shape note” being an American musical artform dating back to the Revolutionary War.
I tend to be a “functional” writer – I compose or arrange something because I need it. This week’s arrangement of Amazing Grace is one of the exceptions – I had watched the PBS special on the song and was very inspired. I chose three of the most familiar verses, and tried to capture the flavor of three of the most familiar styles of performance – a cappella (which the publisher made me change because they weren’t publishing a cappella in those days), gospel and traditional choral. The arrangement was published in 1993 by Hal Leonard, the largest publisher in the world, and went on to sell over 7,000 copies before it was taken out of print.
I Hear The Lord was composed by Rolland Jacks, the owner of the Santa Barbara Inn (who composes gospel music as a hobby) and arranged by Emilio Palame, who is a staff composer/arranger for the Nickelodeon Channel. I was called in to “record some vocals” for this tune, but when I arrived, there was nothing written (we were expected to just improvise something). Upon listening to the instrumental track, it was clear to me that this was a country gospel tune in the finest Statler Brothers style, so I told the other singer and Emilio to go get some coffee and I’d have the vocal arrangement written by the time they got back. This was the result.
Chris Tomlin was born in Texas in 1972 and learned to play guitar by playing along with Willy Nelson recordings. He has become one of the dominant forces in contemporary Christian music, and in 2012 CCLI announced that his songs were played 3 million times in churches that year. His 2013 album Burning Lights debuted at No. 1 on the Billboard 200, only the fourth Christian album ever to open at No. 1, and he was pronounced the most sung songwriter in the world that year. The song God Of This City was written by a worship band from Belfast, Ireland calledBluetree. They composed the piece (and I’m not making this up!) in Padia, Thailand at a bar that also doubled as a brothel. Chris Tomlin heard the song at concert of worship bands in Belfast when the band took him aside and played the song for him. He was so inspired by the message that he gave the song his own unique treatment and recorded it on the 2008 album Passion: God Of This City, which won the Dove Award in 2009 for Special Event Album of the Year.
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"Holy Spirit" by Bryan and Katie Torwalt
There's nothing worth more
that will ever come close
No thing can compare
You're our living hope
Your Presence
I've tasted and seen
of the sweetest of love
where my heart becomes free
and my shame is undone
Your Presence, Lord
Holy Spirit you are welcome here
come flood this place and fill the atmosphere
Your glory, God, is what our hearts long for
To be overcome by your Presence, Lord.
Oh God how we love your Presence
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"God of This City" by Chris Tomlin
You're the God of this city
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
Greater thing have yet to come
And greater things are still to be done in this city
You're the God of this City
You're the King of these people
You're the Lord of this nation
You are
You're the Light in this darkness
You're the Hope to the hopeless
You're the Peace to the restless
You are
There is no one like our God
There is no one like our God
For greater things have yet to come
And greater…
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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.
Hearing Assistance Devices are available on Sunday mornings. Just ask for one at the audio/video booth in the sanctuary.
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First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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