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From Pastor Molly: why we do it
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During Annual Conference, our regional church gathering, our Bishop Grant Hagiya shared with us an introduction to some of his vision and goals for the church. Bishop Grant will have just 3 more years with us, before his retirement, which is giving him some urgency and revealing his passion for the work of leading in the church.
During one afternoon's presentation, he shared a video from comedian Michael Jr, where he invites us to change the question we're asking: instead of asking what we are supposed to do, ask why. To illustrate the difference, he shows an audience member, who works as a school music teacher. Michael Jr asked him to sing a few bars of Amazing Grace, which he did elegantly. Then, he asked him to sing it again, imagining the why. This time, he brings the whole crowd to their feet. The difference was incredible.
(I shared the video at our Church Council meeting on Monday, and invite you to watch it by clicking the link above!)
Knowing why we do church makes all the difference. Please know that I am so grateful to be a part of a congregation that is so capable of doing what we do well--our staff is professional, our ministry leaders well-qualified, our worship musicians are incredibly skilled and our volunteers have honed their skills at pulling together rummage sales, Shared Bread meals, welcome tables and more.
But even more important that all this skill is that our church leaders do our work because our lives have been changed by God's love. We worship, serve, lead and organize because we believe that God's grace changes everything, assuring us that we belong in God, and giving us work to do on behalf of God's kingdom.
I asked our Church Council members to name some of the reasons why they are a part of the church. They had good answers: church has provided a real community where we can share love and be loved, where we can find help as we try to raise our kids to know something bigger than themselves, and it gives us ways to make a difference in the world.
May it be so.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
In 10:30 worship, we will pray a blessing for our Baja Mission Trip team, for kids headed to church camp, and for our Week in the Arts Camp--I hope you'll join us in prayer!
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Sunday, June 25
"Unsettling"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Matthew 10:24-39
Scripture Text:
Matthew 10:24 “A talmid is not greater than his rabbi, a slave is not greater than his master. 25 It is enough for a talmid that he become like his rabbi, and a slave like his master. Now if people have called the head of the house Ba‘al-Zibbul, how much more will they malign the members of his household! 26 So do not fear them; for there is nothing covered that will not be uncovered, or hidden that will not be known. 27 What I tell you in the dark, speak in the light; what is whispered in your ear, proclaim on the housetops.
28 “Do not fear those who kill the body but are powerless to kill the soul. Rather, fear him who can destroy both soul and body in Gei-Hinnom. 29 Aren’t sparrows sold for next to nothing, two for an assarion? Yet not one of them will fall to the ground without your Father’s consent. 30 As for you, every hair on your head has been counted. 31 So do not be afraid, you are worth more than many sparrows.
32 “Whoever acknowledges me in the presence of others I will also acknowledge in the presence of my Father in heaven. 33 But whoever disowns me before others I will disown before my Father in heaven.
34 “Don’t suppose that I have come to bring peace to the Land. It is not peace I have come to bring, but a sword! 35 For I have come to set
36 a man against his father,a daughter against her mother,a daughter-in-law against her mother-in-law,so that a man’s enemies will be the members of his own household.[Matthew 10:36 ]
37 Whoever loves his father or mother more than he loves me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves his son or daughter more than he loves me is not worthy of me. 38 And anyone who does not take up his execution-stake and follow me is not worthy of me. 39 Whoever finds his own life will lose it, but the person who loses his life for my sake will find it.
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Matthew 10:24-39
The Book of Matthew
Chapter 10
Verses:
| 10:24 | 6:30 ; John 15:20. |
| 10:25 | How much more - This cannot refer to the quantity of reproach and persecution: (for in this the servant cannot be above his lord:) but only to the certainty of it. Matthew 12:24 . |
| 10:26 | Therefore fear them not - For ye have only the same usage with your Lord. There is nothing covered - So that however they may slander you now, your innocence will at length appear. 4:22 ; Luke 8:17; 12:2. |
| 10:27 | Even what I now tell you secretly is not to be kept secret long, but declared publicly. Therefore, What ye hear in the ear, publish on the house - top - Two customs of the Jews seem to be alluded to here. Their doctors used to whisper in the ear of their disciples what they were to pronounce aloud to others.And as their houses were low and flat roofed, they sometimes preached to the people from thence. 12:3 . |
| 10:28 | And be not afraid - of any thing which ye may suffer for proclaiming it. Be afraid of him who is able to destroy both body and soul in hell - It is remarkable, that our Lord commands those who love God, still to fear him, even on this account, under this notion. |
| 10:29 | The particular providence of God is another reason for your not fearing man. For this extends to the very smallest things. And if he has such care over the most inconsiderable creatures, how much more will he take care of you, (provided you confess him before men, before powerful enemies of the truth,) and that not only in this life, but in the other also? |
| 10:30 | See note ... "Mt 10:29" 12:7 . |
| 10:32 | Whosoever shall confess me - Publicly acknowledge me for the promised Messiah. But this confession implies the receiving his whole doctrine, 8:38 , and obeying all his commandments. 9:26 . |
| 10:33 | Whosoever shall deny me before men - To which ye will be strongly tempted. For Think not that I am come - That is, think not that universal peace will be the immediate consequence of my coming. Just the contrary. Both public and private divisions will follow, wheresoever my Gospel comes with power. Ye - this is not the design, though it be the event of his coming, through the opposition of devils and men. |
| 10:34 | See note ... "Mt 10:33". 12:51 . |
| 10:36 | And the foes of a man - That loves and follows me. 7:6 . |
| 10:37 | He that loveth father or mother more than me - He that is not ready to give up all these, when they stand in competition with his duty. |
| 10:38 | He that taketh not his cross - That is, whatever pain or inconvenience cannot be avoided, but by doing some evil, or omitting some good. Matthew 16:24 ; Luke 14:27. |
| 10:39 | He that findeth his life shall lose it - He that saves his life by denying me, shall lose it eternally; and he that loseth his life by confessing me, shall save it eternally. And as you shall be thus rewarded, so in proportion shall they who entertain you for my sake. Matthew 16:25 ; John 12:25. |
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: “Swingin' With the Saints,” Chancel Choir
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Last week, if you read Music Director Jim Raycroft's music notes, he wrote about the music played and sung last Sunday, written during the 1960s and also in the 2000s. Then for the postlude, pianist/organist Mary Ann Stickler performed Johnann Sebastian Bach's 1st movement of his Italian Concerto for piano. Bach, who died in 1750 made our church music cover some 267 years. With the scripture reading going back another 2,000 years, that's a lot of history in both music and words. My feeling was that the Bach number was very well done by Mary Ann and...
Thursday, June 22, 2017
 Bob Peterson
Bob 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, 22 June 2017 by Bob Peterson
Last week, if you read Music Director Jim Raycroft's music notes, he wrote about the music played and sung last ,Sunday, written during the 1960s and also in the 2000s. Then for the postlude, pianist/organist Mary Ann Stickler performed Johnann Sebastian Bach's 1st movement of his Italian Concerto for piano. Bach, who died in 1750 made our church music cover some 267 years. With the scripture reading going back another 2,000 years, that's a lot of history in both music and words. My feeling was that the Bach number was very well done by Mary Ann and held it's own with the more current music.
As I write this, I have my daughter in Iowa headed East with her husband, following the Lewis and Clark discovery route, my son in Oceanside, CA, my granddaughter in Utah, a grandson back from 8 months in Afghanistan, another grandson living in Oklahoma with his family and more remote relatives scattered all over. Makes me think about our diverse world. Just looking at the TV news, the newspapers and other sources makes me do two things: 1. Appreciate living here. 2: Appreciate the instant communication from afar. I am certain many of you can feel as I do....a bit overwhelmed from time to time.
As we proceed into summer our church may have visitors walk in to see what this huge church building looks like. Please greet them as you would like to be greeted should you be a traveler. We need to show the Love of Christ not only to others of the faith, but to strangers curious about what goes on in our church. How else can we spread peace and love if we don't do it here in Redondo Beach?
Read more of the Lay Looker here
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Annual Conference 2017 Reflections
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by George Mercer
Our Church had diverse representation at Annual Conference 2017; Pastor Molly, Stephen Hale, Jonathan and Ofa Tuuholoaki, and me. Bishop Grant Hagiya opened the Conference on Wednesday and led us throughout the 4 days. The theme of the Conference was "From Here to There" and the Bishop asked each of us to go there, going out and making disciples as we grow our church—our marching orders. He set concrete goals: that each church would...
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Rev. Jeff Bishop, who served as Interim Minister of Visitation at our church in 2012, was ordained a Deacon at Annual Conference.
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Baptism Class: Sunday, June 25 at 9:30am
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Join Pastor Molly for a one-day class about baptism. This class is designed especially for parents considering baptizing their children, but is open to all adults, youth and children who would want to know more about the sacrament of baptism, which is our formal initiation into the Church. (Even if you've already been baptized, or are not sure you would want to be baptized, you are welcome to come be a part of our conversation.)
The class fulfills the required preparation for baptism; at the class, you will also get more information about how and when to schedule a baptism. In Epworth Lounge.
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Childcare will be available for young children during the class, in the nursery.
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4th of July Parking Lot Fundraiser
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We will be renting out the Church parking lot over the 4th of July Holiday weekend. As usual, we need members to man the lot on Sunday afternoon, July 2 and all day Tuesday, July 4. Please call or email Paul Caldwell for a two hour shift.
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VBS is coming!
Our children need YOU!
This summer we expect to share God's amazing love with over 100 children from our community, can you help us make that happen? We need about 10 more volunteers, high school aged and up!
VBS Meeting for all volunteers: July 16th at 9:30am
All hands on deck VBS prep day July 29th 9:00am
Many hands make light work- all are welcome!!
VBS Maker Fun Factory: July 31-Aug. 4th
Email Children's Ministry to volunteer!
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Baja Meetings Continue Sunday!
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We meet in Epworth after church!
We'll be done by 2pm each day.
This week, we discuss chapters 7-12 of 1000 Wells, and figure out carpooling to Chula Vista! If you only come to one meeting, come to this one.
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Have an Old Camera to Donate?
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Do you have an older digital camera you would be willing to donate to the Baja Mission 2017 trip? If it still works, we've got a great use for it! To donate, please drop cameras off in the church office, or email Stephen with questions! Thanks!
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WHO: The Youth Group!
WHEN: June 25, 4:30-7pm
WHERE: Meet at Gable House, then we walk to Laser Tag in the same shopping center. Here's a map!
FOOD: Yes! Pizza!
COST: $30! If that's a problem, come anyway!
RSVP: Please! There's a maximum of 20 attendees, and there are 4 spots left. Get on the list!
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Celebration of the Arts:
You're Invited!
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Join us on Epworth patio, Friday, June 30th, for an Open House celebration of our Week In the Arts camp! The fun starts at 5pm!
There will be an art show, songs and dancing, all by our campers!
Be a part of celebrating their creativity and gifts. Light refreshments will be served.
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Thanks to everyone who has contributed to our supply drive!
You can still donate: grab a tag from the board on the patio on Sunday, purchase the item on the tag and bring it back to church.
OR purchase something from our Amazon Wishlist & have it shipped directly to church!
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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!
VBS is $45.00 for one child, $75 for two, and $90.00 for three or more!
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By becoming a church member, you affirm or reaffirm the covenant of baptism, and claim your commitment to serve Christ through our congregation. We are planning to receive new members in church soon, and would be happy to welcome new people into the life of our congregation.
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Book Club on Summer Hiatus: Our Book Club is taking a summer vacation, with no meetings in June, July, and August. We will meet again Tuesday, September 19. There are four selections for enjoyable summer reading: “I Capture the Castle,” by Dodie Smith; “Marriage of Opposites,” by Alice Hoffman; “Sally Ride,” by Lynn Sherr; and “The Shoemaker’s Wife,” by Adriana Trigiani. For more information, on our club, contact Ann Gallagher.
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Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, July 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 Friday, July 21, 10am - noon in the choir room. Sue Christman will teach a new paper piecing quilt project. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, this is a great 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.
Church Council: Council will meet Monday, July 17 at 7PM in Epworth Lounge. This is the monthly meeting of the governing body of the church, comprised of each committee chair and several at-large members. All are welcome to attend.
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This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
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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 Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade) We're in church this week. Pick up a coloring activity in the back when you arrive. The nursery will be available for children up to 5 years old.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): We're in church this week!!
-Middle School Sunday School? Nope, it's summer!
-Youth Group(3-5pm on Sunday)? Nope! Normal youth group is hibernating through the summer!
-Laser Tag & Bowling Day (Sunday, June 25) is from 4:30-7pm! Meet at Gable House Bowl. First we bowl, then heads will roll! I'm sorry about that. It's really dreadful. We bowl first. Then we'll walk over to laser tag. Send $30 if you can (and if not, come anyway)!
-Baja Meetings continue this Sunday after the 10:30 service! We’ll get a party platter from Subway, and we'll eat together as we start! That means lunch is prepared for you in Epworth Lounge. We’ll leave out a basket, so you can donate a few bucks to help pay for lunch.
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We get together occasionally. 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 Paul Caldwell and Helen Stockwell .
Thursday Pastor's Bible Study:
Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. All are welcome.
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United Methodist News & Events
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First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach | 243 S. Broadway | Redondo Beach | CA | 90277
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Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
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Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
DESSERTS FOR SHARED BREAD
Our dessert supply is still low! Would you like to help? 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.)
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This is the last Sunday for the choir until the fall. I am very proud of this group of dedicated people. They sing music that most church choirs literally could not sing, and have been willing to tackle all the crazy things I throw at them……singing classical, jazz, Latin, pop, rock and roll, pieces written in multiple voicings, even singing in German, Latin, French and Russian! It truly is a dream job for any music director and I hope we’ll continue to make music together for a very long time. I want to draw special attention to our marvelous section leaders, who shoulder the burden when our regulars can’t be here and provide support and leadership for the regulars every week.
Our guest artist this week is soprano Elyse Willis, who has been with us once before. Elyse sings with me in the Los Angeles Master Chorale and in the studios, and is one of my...
Thursday, June 22, 2017 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 22 June 2017 by Jim Raycroft
This is the last Sunday for the choir until the fall. I am very proud of this group of dedicated people. They sing music that most church choirs literally could not sing, and have been willing to tackle all the crazy things I throw at them......singing classical, jazz, Latin, pop, rock and roll, pieces written in multiple voicings, even singing in German, Latin, French and Russian! It truly is a dream job for any music director and I hope we'll continue to make music together for a very long time. I want to draw special attention to our marvelous section leaders, who shoulder the burden when our regulars can't be here and provide support and leadership for the regulars every week.
Our guest artist this week is soprano Elyse Willis, who has been with us once before. Elyse sings with me in the Los Angeles Master Chorale and in the studios, and is one of my favorite sopranos.
Next week, the star of the show will be our own Pauline Tamale, who will sing for us in the anthem and offertory spots. It's always a joy to hear her sing (and never often enough!).
Mark Hayes is a composer/arranger/pianist based in Kansas City whose music is renowned around the world. He got his degree in piano performance at Baylor University, moved to Kansas City to work as a music editor for Tempo Publishing, and now spends his time writing music for the church and traveling around the world as a clinician and guest conductor. When I met Mark in the late 80's, I was struck by his pianistic skills – more specifically, the way he manhandled the piano into submission to produce the most wondrous sounds. Mark's writing is superbly crafted, with influences of black gospel and jazz. He's one of my favorite contemporary writers, and when I arrived at FUMCRB, outgoing choir director Linda told me "You'll like it here – we have a lot of Mark Hayes in the library." If you play piano and want some music that will both challenge you and satisfy your appetite for delicious piano music, pick up a book of Mark Hayes piano improvisations. You'll love it. The anthem for this week – Swingin' With The Saints – is one we've done before (a couple of years ago). It was written in 1981 and combines two old favorite hymns – Swing Low, Sweet Chariot and When The Saiunts Go Marching In – and makes them groovy.His Eye Is On The Sparrow is a gospel song written in 1905 with lyrics by Civilla Martin and music by Charles Gabriel. It's been recorded by everyone from Whitney Houston to Marvin Gaye to Andy Griffith to Carol Channing, and was sung by Gladys Knight at the funeral service for Michael Jackson. Civilla Martin wrote about the theme of the lyrics, "One day while we were visiting with the Doolittles (they were longtime friends – she was bedridden for 20 years and he was in a wheelchair), my husband commented on their bright hopefulness and asked them for the secret of it. Mrs. Doolittle's reply was simple: "His eye is on the sparrow, and I know He watches me." I've written two different arrangements of this piece, one as a calypso instrumental, and this one as a big band swing chart.
The band Hillsong United was formed in 1998 from close friends within the Hillsong youth ministry (called "Powerhouse Youth"). So many songs were being written within the youth ministry that it was suggested they make an album. The songs One and Everyday were recorded and released with the annual Hillsong worship album in 1999. They both achieved gold sales status in Australia, and the band has gone on to win five Dove Awards in 2014 and were nominated for an American Music Award and won the Billboard Music Award Top Christian Artist in 2015. Their song From The Inside Out was released on the album Almighty To Save in 2006, and the album reached #25 on the Aria albums chart.
Read more music notes here
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Looking for a Way to Volunteer?
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The Welcome Team is looking for volunteers who can help about once a month between the two services and/or immediately after the 10:30 service. Go to our "Want to Help" page to learn more about this awesome ministry, as well as several other current ways you can lend a hand in ministry.
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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.
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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.
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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
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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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