From Pastor Molly: In a Procession
Something about marches and parades always makes me cry. I think it's the procession of people, moving together in one direction. And when they're holding candlelight, I get overcome with emotion.This is one of my favorite images of the church: a procession of light-bearers, moving through this world in an endless line. I imagine a stream of people that stretches back in time, all the way to the beginning--faithful people, not so different from me, trying to be a part of the movement to bring light into dark places. Holding hope and walking on.
In our creed, when we say we believe in the "holy catholic church" and "the communion of saints," we are reminding ourselves that the church is so much bigger than what we are able to see or be a part of. It's a gift that has been handed down to us from those who've gone before. It's a gift we share with so many people today. It's a gift that will continue in those who come after us. We get to be a part of it, living our lives as if they were candlelight held up into the night. What image of the church do you treasure?
I look forward to seeing you Sunday.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
In Worship This Week
Sunday, March 26Fourth Sunday of Lent
"The Church and the Communion of Saints"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Hebrews 12:1-2
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Scripture Text: Hebrews 12:1 So then, since we are surrounded by such a great cloud of witnesses, let us, too, put aside every impediment — that is, the sin which easily hampers our forward movement — and keep running with endurance in the contest set before us, 2 looking away to the Initiator and Completer of that trusting,[Hebrews 12:2 Habakkuk 2:4] Yeshua — who, in exchange for obtaining the joy set before him, endured execution on a stake as a criminal, scorning the shame, and has sat down at the right hand of the throne of God.[Hebrews 12:2 Psalm 110:1]
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Hebrews 12:1-2
(Read all of Hebrews 12)
Verse 1
[1] Wherefore seeing we also are compassed about with so great a cloud of witnesses, let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us,
Wherefore, being encompassed with a cloud — A great multitude, tending upward with a holy swiftness.
Of witnesses — Of the power of faith.
Let us lay aside every weight — As all who run a race take care to do. Let us throw off whatever weighs us down, or damps the vigour of our Soul.
And the sin which easily besetteth us — As doth the sin of our constitution, the sin of our education, the sin of our profession.
Verse 2
[2] Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith; who for the joy that was set before him endured the cross, despising the shame, and is set down at the right hand of the throne of God.
Looking — From all other things.
To Jesus — As the wounded Israelites to the brazen serpent. Our crucified Lord was prefigured by the lifting up of this; our guilt, by the stings of the fiery serpents; and our faith, by their looking up to the miraculous remedy.
The author and finisher of our faith — Who begins it in us, carries it on, and perfects it.
Who for the joy that was set before him — Patiently and willingly endured the cross, with all the pains annexed thereto.
And is set down — Where there is fulness of joy.
Special Music: "When the Saints Go Marching In" (chancel choir and all-church band)
"When the Saints Go Marching In"
1. O when the saints go marching in,
O when the saints go marching in,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
when the saints go marching in.
2. O when the sun refused to shine,
O when the sun refused to shine,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
when the sun refused to shine.
3. O when they crown Him Lord of all,
O when they crown Him Lord of all,
O Lord, I want to be in that number
when they crown Him Lord of all.
Listen to Sermons onlineVisit our Website
News From Our Members
Last Sunday we were privileged to hear Rev. Nicole Reilley preach, replacing Pastor Molly Vetter. She, Nicole, always has a way of getting us to do Christian things during our week days between Sundays. Her preaching is easy to follow and leads one into thoughts and action during ordinary weeks. Thank you, Nicole, for being part of our congregation and for serving us so well.
If you read the detailed bulletin each Sunday, or on the internet, you will be...
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Thursday, March 23, 2017
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, 23 March 2017 by Bob Peterson
Last Sunday we were privileged to hear Rev. Nicole Reilley preach, replacing Pastor Molly Vetter. She, Nicole, always has a way of getting us to do Christian things during our week days between Sundays. Her preaching is easy to follow and leads one into thoughts and action during ordinary weeks. Thank you, Nicole, for being part of our congregation and for serving us so well.
If you read the detailed bulletin each Sunday, or on the internet, you will be informed on everything going on in our church as developed by Ernie Valenzuela and Pastor Molly Vetter. No detail is left unpublished. As a matter of fact, I don't even know what to write about this week.
I did talk to our Trustee Chair this week and asked about the work party scheduled for Saturday, April 1st, and that's no joke. We have had Saturday work parties for many years to help get things painted, repaired, polished and ready for special days, in this case, Easter. Years ago I reported for duty on a work Saturday and was told by Jim Courter, our leader that day, to paint. I responded that I don't paint. He said it would make no difference, he needed me to paint primer on the balcony rails of the Sunday School classes. He would have another real painter do the finishing. So, I painted.
Things are being prepared for Easter, so plan on bringing guests and you won't miss out on seeing and hearing the best preaching, music and Worship anywhere.
Read Bob Peterson's Lay Looker column here
During Lent; we are doing special six-week study and sermon series, about what we believe, and why. Walking through the traditional statements of faith that are a part of our Apostles’ Creed, we will have a chance to look closely at what it means (and doesn’t mean) to say we believe. Based on a new book by United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton. The study continues until Easter, April 16.
There are six small group options for the study: Sunday from noon-1pm, Wednesday from 10:30-11:30am, Wednesday from 6:30-8pm, and Thursday from 11am-noon. There is also a Monday evening group for youth. Though all of the groups have already begun, it's not too late to join any one of them. Click thru for more information.
Palm Sunday at Beachfaith Church
Join us for a Palm Sunday Procession on Sunday, April 9! Meet on the patio at 10am, where we will reenact Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey! The donkey and rider will lead us into the sanctuary, for special music and a message.
Worship with us before or after--in the sanctuary at 10:30 or Epworth Lounge at 8:30. After 10:30 worship, stay for fellowship and a casual fundraiser lunch in support of our Baja Mission.
Visit our webpage or Facebook Event for online info that's easy to use to invite others!
Good Friday Service of Darkness
Worship with us on Good Friday, April 14, as we remember and contemplate Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
Our choir will sing Dale Wood's "Service of Darkness," which includes seven choral meditations on the last words of Jesus Christ. Interspersed with scripture readings of these words that Jesus spoke from the cross, the service will provide a prayerful and meditative space on this holy day.
Worship begins in the sanctuary at 7:30pm, and ends with silence and darkness.
Easter Worship and Egg Hunt
We will celebrate Christ's resurrection in worship on Sunday, April 16! Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for this special day of celebration. Besides our worship services, we invite children to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45. Meet near the parking lot on the Broadway lawn!
At 6:30am: Sunrise Worship on Torrance Beach. Meet on the beach below the parking lot at the south end of the Esplanade; our church and Riviera UMC share together in this beautiful Easter worship tradition! Our youth band will lead music.
At 8:30am: Easter Worship in Epworth Lounge. Celebrate Resurrection in the simplicity and hospitality of our casual worship service. With holy communion and rich conversation, prayer and a sermon.
At 10:30am: Easter Worship in the Sanctuary, with Brass Ensemble, Band and Choir. We're pulling out all the stops for a festive celebration of Christ's resurrection. We have some top-notch musicians from our church and the LA community who will be with us, and a message that is world-changing! There will be communion and a sermon; all are welcome.
Mary Circle Monthly Meeting: Our next meeting will be Monday, March 27 at 7pm in May Day Parlor. Our topic for this month's meeting is the church Lenten study based on Adam Hamilton's "Creed." Join us for fellowship and discussion
Coming at Church
During Lent; we are doing special six-week study and sermon series, about what we believe, and why. Walking through the traditional statements of faith that are a part of our Apostles’ Creed, we will have a chance to look closely at what it means (and doesn’t mean) to say we believe. Based on a new book by United Methodist pastor Adam Hamilton. The study continues until Easter, April 16.
There are six small group options for the study: Sunday from noon-1pm, Wednesday from 10:30-11:30am, Wednesday from 6:30-8pm, and Thursday from 11am-noon. There is also a Monday evening group for youth. Though all of the groups have already begun, it's not too late to join any one of them. Click thru for more information.
Palm Sunday at Beachfaith Church
Join us for a Palm Sunday Procession on Sunday, April 9! Meet on the patio at 10am, where we will reenact Jesus' triumphant entry into Jerusalem on a donkey! The donkey and rider will lead us into the sanctuary, for special music and a message.
Worship with us before or after--in the sanctuary at 10:30 or Epworth Lounge at 8:30. After 10:30 worship, stay for fellowship and a casual fundraiser lunch in support of our Baja Mission.
Visit our webpage or Facebook Event for online info that's easy to use to invite others!
Worship with us on Good Friday, April 14, as we remember and contemplate Jesus Christ's crucifixion.
Our choir will sing Dale Wood's "Service of Darkness," which includes seven choral meditations on the last words of Jesus Christ. Interspersed with scripture readings of these words that Jesus spoke from the cross, the service will provide a prayerful and meditative space on this holy day.
Worship begins in the sanctuary at 7:30pm, and ends with silence and darkness.
Easter Worship and Egg Hunt
We will celebrate Christ's resurrection in worship on Sunday, April 16! Invite your friends and neighbors to join us for this special day of celebration. Besides our worship services, we invite children to join us for an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45. Meet near the parking lot on the Broadway lawn!
Invite Friends & Neighbors to Easter Worship!
Our worship will be especially rich on Easter Sunday, as we celebrate resurrection. Please invite your friends, colleagues and neighbors to any one of our three Easter services (and an Easter Egg Hunt at 9:45!):At 6:30am: Sunrise Worship on Torrance Beach. Meet on the beach below the parking lot at the south end of the Esplanade; our church and Riviera UMC share together in this beautiful Easter worship tradition! Our youth band will lead music.
At 8:30am: Easter Worship in Epworth Lounge. Celebrate Resurrection in the simplicity and hospitality of our casual worship service. With holy communion and rich conversation, prayer and a sermon.
At 10:30am: Easter Worship in the Sanctuary, with Brass Ensemble, Band and Choir. We're pulling out all the stops for a festive celebration of Christ's resurrection. We have some top-notch musicians from our church and the LA community who will be with us, and a message that is world-changing! There will be communion and a sermon; all are welcome.
Mary Circle Monthly Meeting: Our next meeting will be Monday, March 27 at 7pm in May Day Parlor. Our topic for this month's meeting is the church Lenten study based on Adam Hamilton's "Creed." Join us for fellowship and discussion
Church Council Finance Update
Our Church Council recently approved a 2017 budget for our ongoing ministries of $494,000. This is modestly smaller than our 2016 budget, with careful reductions that let us continue our investments in the meaningful ministries of this congregation. This spending plan is about $16,000 more than our current projected income, though, so we continue to invite you to consider additional contributions or pledges of giving to help us close this gap without negatively impacting our ministries. Thank you for your prayerful consideration!
Support our Children's Easter Egg Hunt
Empty plastic eggs will be on the patio this Sunday!! There are many remaining, so take a bag (or two!) and fill them with small treats (stickers, etc) or candy (please, no nuts or chocolate). Bring them to church no later than April 12th! 
Join our Trustees for an All-Church Work Dayat the Church on Saturday morning, April 1!
We're compiling a short list of tasks to complete (or begin) on Saturday, April 1 from 8am - noon. If you have some free time and would like to help out, come by and join the fun. We'll have the list ready very soon, so you can choose what you'd like to help with. Email the office if you have any questions.
Items needed for College Care Packages!
On Palm Sunday, April 9th, our Children will be making care packages to send to our church members attending college! We are seeking small items to put in the boxes, such as:
hot chocolate packets, nice tea bags, gum and candy, mac & cheese packets
and other small meaningful things (for about 25 boxes) to lift the spirits of our great college students during finals!
Contributions are needed no later than
April 6th!
Young Adult Night!
We're hanging out at the Hale apartment next Saturday night (April 1st)! We will not be watching Saved By the Bell. But we would love for you to join us!Location: Hale apartment in Torrance
Date: April 1
Time: 7pm-9pm
Food: yes! We're serving Food.
Who: Young Adults! Like...18-35 or so!
Childcare: Sorry, not this time.
Email Stephen for directions!
Book Club reading: The Life We Bury
For our meeting on Tuesday, April 18, the book club has selected “The Life We Bury,” by Allen Eskens. It is a tale of a Minnesota college student, Joe Talbert, who has the modest goal of interviewing a stranger and writing a brief biography as a writing assignment for an English class. At a nursing home, he meets Carl Iverson, and soon nothing in Joe's life is ever the same. The plot is something akin to a good Grisham-style thriller.For more information about our club, contact Ann Gallagher.
Children Singing Special Music for Mothers Day!
Our BeachFaith Kids will be writing a special song and performing it in worship on Mothers day! We will meet on Sunday, April 2nd after church to write our song!
Rehearsals will be April 23rd &30th after church and May 14th at 9:30
Registration Open for Arts Camp!
June 26-30 Cost: $200.00
This program is opened to Kindergarten through 8th Graders!
BeachFaith Kids is excited to offer dance, music, and visual arts as part of our Arts Day Camp programming this year!
Click Here to register!!
We are also seeking volunteers!!!!
Contact Children's Ministries for more info!
Summer Camp at Lazy W!
Send a young person you love to camp! Registration is open now! The cost is $435 for traditional camps and $465 for adventure camp.
Early Bird: Save $50.00 (through March 31, 2017)
Financial assistance is available, get in touch with Risa for more details!
Little Canyoneers (Grades 1-3): June 25-28
Adventure Camp (Grades 7-10): June 25-30
Elementary Camp (Grades 3-6): July 9-14 (Risa will be here!)
Junior High Camp (Grades 6-9): July 16-21
Senior High Camp (9th Grade-Graduated Seniors): July 23-29
Learn more here!
Register here
Taco Fundraiser on Palm Sunday!
Our church is sending 18 people on Baja Mission 2017! Come to the Taco Fundraiser after church on Palm Sunday on the Epworth patio for tacos and stories about trips gone by. This trip helps vulnerable people in the San Quintin Valley, and it sometimes even helps those who go. Come support us!
Fundraising Goal: $2700
Contact Stephen for more info!
Registration for Vacation Bible School is OPEN!
All 3 year olds through 8th graders are invited to join us for a fun week of learning we were designed by God for a purpose! Sign up a child you love today! Click here to register!
VBS & Arts Camp Need YOU!
Make a difference in the life of a child this summer!
Volunteers are need for our summer programming!
A Week In The Arts Camp: June 26-30
VBS Maker Fun Factory: July 31-Aug. 4th
Email Children's Ministry to sign up!
Other ways you can help:
Bring in clean, craftable recyclables (cans, yogurt cups, old kitchen utensils, craft supplies/scraps, paper towel rolls, lids, tops of squeezable apple sauce, etc)
Purchase something from our
Amazon Wishlist & have it shipped directly to church!
(to find the VBS registry with out using the link, search for the list using the email Children@beachfaith.com)
Announcements
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, April 3, at 7AM. Coco's Restaurant, 18120 Hawthorne Blvd. (Hawthorne and 182nd). All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us for fellowship.Prayer Quilt Ministry: Know someone in need of prayer? You can sponsor a free prayer quilt for them. Join us for our monthly quilting workshop on Friday, April 21 in the choir room. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, 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.
SAVE THE DATE: All Church Picnic at El Nido Park: Sunday Afternoon, May 21 after 10:30am worship. More details coming soon!
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 from Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana HwangChildren's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade) Meet us upstairs in the Sunday School room at 10:30! We will continue our Lenten Creed Sunday school activities this week, exploring the fourth part of the Apostle's Creed with crafts and fun! We'll rejoin our families in worship for Communion.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in church with your families, then meet Jen for Sunday School during "Passing of the Peace"! You'll rejoin your family for communion!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
- Middle School Sunday School? Yes!
-Youth Group? Nope! Normal Youth Group is on hiatus through Lent!
-Monday Lent Dinners meet this week (Mar 27, 6:30-8pm) at Brad's house!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We are having a get-together Saturday, April 1st! Contact Stephen for more info!
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor. Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Helen Stockwell and Paul Caldwell.
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. All are welcome. During Lent, the Bible Study will be using our lenten study, "Creed."
United Methodist News & Events
Our congregation is a part of the El Tordondo Mission Area, in the West District of the California-Pacific Annual Conference of the United Methodist Church.
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
310-372-8445 main
310-372-5696 fax
Ongoing Ministries
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
This year's CROP Walk is at our beautiful South Bay Botanic Gardens, Saturday, May 13, 10 am to 2 pm. Please walk, donate, do what you can to make this a better world.
The Peninsula/Harbor CROP walk started about 30 years ago as a 10 mile walk. It's a shorter walk today but the mission hasn't changed; feed the hungry, clothe the naked, heal the sick, comfort the aged, shelter the homeless. Church World Service is one of nine agencies helping resettle refugees in the USA.
Our own Shared Bread program has been a fortunate beneficiary of Crop Walk. for many years.
Would you consider joining our walk team and/or making a donation? Our team name is "First Redondo UMC."
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Thursday, March 23, 2017 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 23 March 2017 by Jim Ray-croft
Matt Maher is a Canadian Christian artist who was born in Newfoundland, studied jazz on a scholarship from Arizona State University in Tempe and now lives in Nashville. He's written and released 7 studio albums to date, 3 of which have reached the top 25 of Billboard's Christian Album chart, and 4 of his singles have reached the top 25 of Billboard's Christian Songs chart. A practicing Catholic, he was asked to lead worship for crowds of thousands at the Rally for Youth and Seminarians in Yonkers, New York during the visit by Pope Benedict XVI in 2008, and in 2013 he sang Lord, I Need You for an audience of about 4 million, including Pope Francis, for World Youth Day in Rio de Janeiro. His song And All The People Said Amen was the title track for his first compilation album, released in 2013. The album charted at #5 on Billboard's Christian Albums.
The Newsboys were founded in a garage in Mooloolaba, Queensland, Australia in 1985. They initially called themselves The News, but later changed their name to Newsboys so as not be confused with Huey Lewis and the News. They moved to the United States in 1987, after being signed by Refuge Communications. They've released 17 studio albums, 6 of which have been certified gold. The current lineup is lead vocalist Michael Tait (formerly of DC Talk), keyboardist and bassist Jeff Frankenstein (yup, that's his name, and the reason I told you about their personnel), drummer and percussionist Duncan Phillips, and guitarist Jody Davis. Their song We Believe was released on the 2013 album Restart, and was nominated in 2015 for Dove Awards for Pop/Contemporary Song of the Year, and Song of the Year. It was also nominated in 2016 for Worship Song of the Year.
When The Saints Go Marching In is an American gospel hymn. It originated as a Christian hymn, but is most usually played by Dixieland jazz bands. The origins are unclear, although it appears to have evolved from several similarly titled pieces, including When the Saints Are Marching In (1896) and When the Saints March In for Crowning (1908). The first known recording of the tune was in 1923 by the Paramount Jubilee Singers. Although the record title was listed as When The Saints Come Marching In, the group sings the modern lyrics of When The Saints Go Marching In. Most early renditions were slow and stately, but began to pick up the tempo as time went on. Louis Armstrong was the first to record the tune as a secular dance number in 1938. He wrote that his sister informed him that she felt the "secular performance style of the traditional church tune was inappropriate and irreligious". Each to his own, I suppose. We're taking it down the well-traveled path to the land of Louis Armstrong-style celebration, and are adding our extra musicians to the mix.
Next week, we'll be singing blues and hosting a wonderful young guest singer. Don't miss it!
Read more about our music here
United Methodist Women’s Reading Program Any one can read the books and our own local UMW unit will get credit! click here for information about the program.
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.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
United Methodist Women’s Reading Program Any one can read the books and our own local UMW unit will get credit! click here for information about the program.
Support missions through recycling!
Bring your plastic bottles, aluminum cans AND CRV glass bottles to church every Sunday. By recycling we can support Corazon, Crop Walk, Habitat for Humanity and some of the United Methodist Committee on Relief (UMCOR) programs: Syrian refugee relief, eradicating hunger, clean water, ending malaria and fighting HIV/AIDS. Please bring your cans and bottles. 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.
Connect with us
First United Methodist Church
243 South Broadway
Redondo Beach, California 90277, United States
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