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From Pastor Molly: what are you listening to?
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This week, our scripture lesson describes Jesus as he tells a parable to a crowd of followers. "Listen!" he begins. "Let anyone with ears listen," ends the story.
The parable is bookended with admonition to listen. It's an invitation to pay attention, to hear, and to notice.
We try to do an excellent and faithful job in preparing for worship and teaching at church--preparing the words and music for Sunday mornings, the lessons for youth group or Bible study. At the end of the day, though, I'm aware that this is just a small part of all that you hear, read or watch each week. All day, every day, you are surrounded by images, words and stories that fill our lives.
So this week, we're starting to add some suggestions into this newsletter about other stuff that we're reading, watching or listening to. I'll share some of the books, films and podcasts that I've been giving my attention to, and invite other church leaders to do the same.
On the top of my summer reading pile are two books: a novel by one of my favorite authors, Louise Erdrich, and a new book by Rob Bell: What is the Bible? (You can read more about my thoughts on Bell's book below.)
I hope you're finding things to read and pay attention to, also--and that they are helping you listen for God's voice in the midst of the world. I look forward to sharing with you even more.
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
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Sunday, July 16th
"Seeds"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Matthew 13:1 That same day, Yeshua went out of the house and sat down by the lake; 2 but such a large crowd gathered around him that he got into a boat and sat there while the crowd stood on the shore. 3 He told them many things in parables:
“A farmer went out to sow his seed. 4 As he sowed, some seed fell alongside the path; and the birds came and ate it up. 5 Other seed fell on rocky patches where there was not much soil. It sprouted quickly because the soil was shallow; 6 but when the sun had risen, the young plants were scorched; and since their roots were not deep, they dried up. 7 Other seed fell among thorns, which grew up and choked the plants. 8 But others fell into rich soil and produced grain, a hundred or sixty or thirty times as much as had been sown. 9 Those who have ears, let them hear!”, 18-23
Scripture Text: Matthew 13:1-9, 18 “So listen to what the parable of the sower means. 19 Whoever hears the message about the Kingdom, but doesn’t understand it, is like the seed sown along the path — the Evil One comes and seizes what was sown in his heart. 20 The seed sown on rocky ground is like a person who hears the message and accepts it with joy at once, 21 but has no root in himself. So he stays on for a while; but as soon as some trouble or persecution arises on account of the message, he immediately falls away. 22 Now the seed sown among thorns stands for someone who hears the message, but it is choked by the worries of the world and the deceitful glamor of wealth, so that it produces nothing. 23 However, what was sown on rich soil is the one who hears the message and understands it; such a person will surely bear fruit, a hundred or sixty or thirty times what was sown.”
John Wesley's Notes-Commentary: Matthew 13:1-9, 18-23
Verse 2
[2] And great multitudes were gathered together unto him, so that he went into a ship, and sat; and the whole multitude stood on the shore.
He went into the vessel — Which constantly waited upon him, while he was on the sea coast.
Verse 3
[3] And he spake many things unto them in parables, saying, Behold, a sower went forth to sow;
In parables — The word is here taken in its proper sense, for apt similes or comparisons. This way of speaking, extremely common in the eastern countries, drew and fixed the attention of many, and occasioned the truths delivered to sink the deeper into humble and serious hearers. At the same time, by an awful mixture of justice and mercy, it hid them from the proud and careless. In this chapter our Lord delivers seven parables; directing the four former (as being of general concern) to all the people; the three latter to his disciples.
Behold the sower — How exquisitely proper is this parable to be an introduction to all the rest! In this our Lord answers a very obvious and a very important question. The same sower, Christ, and the same preachers sent by him, always sow the same seed: why has it not always the same effect? He that hath ears to hear, let him hear!
Verse 4
[4] And when he sowed, some seeds fell by the way side, and the fowls came and devoured them up:
And while he sowed, some seeds fell by the highway side, and the birds came and devoured them — It is observable, that our Lord points out the grand hinderances of our bearing fruit, in the same order as they occur. The first danger is, that the birds will devour the seed. If it escape this, there is then another danger, namely, lest it be scorched, and wither away. It is long after this that the thorns spring up and choke the good seed. A vast majority of those who hear the word of God, receive the seed as by the highway side. Of those who do not lose it by the birds, yet many receive it as on stony places. Many of them who receive it in a better soil, yet suffer the thorns to grow up, and choke it: so that few even of these endure to the end, and bear fruit unto perfection: yet in all these cases, it is not the will of God that hinders, but their own voluntary perverseness.
Verse 8
[8] But other fell into good ground, and brought forth fruit, some an hundredfold, some sixtyfold, some thirtyfold.
Good ground — Soft, not like that by the highway side; deep, not like the stony ground; purged, not full of thorns.
Verse 19
[19] When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side.
When any one heareth the word, and considereth it not — The first and most general cause of unfruitfulness.
The wicked one cometh — Either inwardly; filling the mind with thoughts of other things; or by his agent. Such are all they that introduce other subjects, when men should be considering what they have heard.
Verse 20
[20] But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it;
The seed sown on stony places, therefore sprang up soon, because it did not sink deep, Matthew 13:5.
He receiveth it with joy — Perhaps with transport, with ecstacy: struck with the beauty of truth, and drawn by the preventing grace of God.
Verse 21
[21] Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended.
Yet hath he not root in himself — No deep work of grace: no change in the ground of his heart. Nay, he has no deep conviction; and without this, good desires soon wither away.
He is offended — He finds a thousand plausible pretences for leaving so narrow and rugged a way.
Verse 22
[22] He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful.
He that received the seed among the thorns, is he that heareth the word and considereth it — In spite of Satan and his agents: yea, hath root in himself is deeply convinced, and in a great measure inwardly changed; so that he will not draw back, even when tribulation or persecution ariseth. And yet even in him, together with the good seed, the thorns spring up, Matthew 13:7. (perhaps unperceived at first) till they gradually choke it, destroy all its life and power, and it becometh unfruitful. Cares are thorns to the poor: wealth to the rich; the desire of other things to all.
The deceitfulness of riches — Deceitful indeed! for they smile, and betray: kiss, and smite into hell. They put out the eyes, harden the heart, steal away all the life of God; fill the soul with pride, anger, love of the world; make men enemies to the whole cross of Christ! And all the while are eagerly desired, and vehemently pursued, even by those who believe there is a God!
Verse 23
[23] But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.
Some a hundred fold, some sixty, some thirty — That is, in various proportions; some abundantly more than others.
8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen, sung by Ed Zajac
"Hallelujah" by Leonard Cohen
Now, I've heard there was a secret chord
That David played, and it pleased the Lord
But you don't really care for music, do you?
It goes like this, the fourth, the fifth
The minor fall, the major lift
The baffled king composing hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Your faith was strong but you needed proof
You saw her bathing on the roof
Her beauty and the moonlight overthrew ya
She tied you to a kitchen chair
She broke your throne, and she cut your hair
And from your lips she drew the hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
You say I took the name in vain
I don't even know the name
But if I did, well really, what's it to you?
There's a blaze of light in every word
It doesn't matter which you heard
The holy or the broken hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
I did my best, it wasn't much
I couldn't feel, so I tried to touch
I've told the truth, I didn't come to fool you
And even though it all went wrong
I'll stand before the lord of song
With nothing on my tongue but hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
Hallelujah
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Pretty soon our church's VBS (Vacation Bible School) will begin and I am pleased to announce that my two Great Granddaughters Natalie (7) and Vivian (4) will be attending. It reminds me of last week's sermon when Pastor Molly spoke about new things not just as a child, but also as an adult in church. I have always attended Sunday School from about age five until now. There are so many things to learn about our Bible, our faith and our denomination's stand on Christianity. Other things can be learned from my fellow Sunday School members as they...
Thursday, July 13, 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, 13 July 2017 by Bob Peterson
Pretty soon our church's VBS (Vacation Bible School) will begin and I am pleased to announce that my two Great Granddaughters Natalie (7) and Vivian (4) will be attending. It reminds me of last week's sermon when Pastor Molly spoke about new things not just as a child, but also as an adult in church. I have always attended Sunday School from about age five until now. There are so many things to learn about our Bible, our faith and our denomination's stand on Christianity. Other things can be learned from my fellow Sunday School members as they question and state their beliefs each Sunday. The Sunday School sessions are one of the small groups in our church that keeps me thinking about all these things in addition to my learning from Pastors who preach from our pulpit. So, if your child is in VBS and learning sound faith beliefs, thank our staff and volunteers for leading the way to a better life and a better world for us all.
Last Sunday was marked by a return of Duff Means after a few weeks in a care facility and it was great to see Nancy, Duff and their daughter Candy all in the left rear pew area of our sanctuary. But even more special was the annual return visit of our church long time youth and music leader Neeltje Gingerich who now lives in Arizona. She and her daughter Carolyn had quite a lot of old friends greet them before and after church. Even the Koesters, Gene and Patty attended so they too could visit Neeltje. It's always great fun to see so many former members attend, visit and to remember all they have meant to our church congregation over the years. They, their families and friends added so much over the years that any type of reunion is fun to be a part of. Two of Neeltje's son and daughters live near her in Arizona and are school teachers these days.
In visiting long time church friends we remember the new buildings, the fundraisers and the working together to make our church important to the South Bay. It has been good to be a part of this wonderful United Methodist Church for all these years. May our future continue to be as successful.
Click here to read more of the Lay Looker.
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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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VBS Meeting for ALL volunteers:
This Sunday, July 16 at 9:30am
in Epworth Lounge.
(If you're still thinking about helping and want to learn more,
come to this meeting!)
Email Children's Ministry to volunteer!
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Mark your calendars:
All Hands on Deck VBS Prep Day
July 29 at 9:00am
Many hands make light work-
all are welcome!!
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VBS is coming!
We need YOU!
In just a little more than two weeks we will be sharing God's amazing love with over 100 children from our community and we need your help!
Volunteers can be as young as entering 9th grade. We are in need of about 8 more crew leaders and one dynamic person to head up our "Missions" station! Can't commit to the whole week? That's OK. We can always use extra help any day during the week. Just let us know when you're available.
VBS Maker Fun Factory:
July 31-Aug. 4th
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The Baja Mission Team is back!
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Our youth and other volunteers from our church worked hard and had fun in Baja California, Mexico last week as they served in mission. They helped in construction projects, leading art and music with children, and many other endeavors.
Make sure to attend the Stockholders Meeting July 23, to hear more about what happened!
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Baja Stockholders Meeting!
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You're invited to the Baja Trip Stockholders Meeting! Baja Mission 2017 participants will report on their work to those who invested in the trip. Come hear how the trip went!
When: July 23, at noon!
Where: The Fellowship Hall
Food: Yep! We'll have a spaghetti-style lunch, too!
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VBS Supply Drive continues...
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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!
Thank you to everyone who has already donated new supplies, as well as recyclables for our "maker workshop." The kids will have fun creating "new" things.
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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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July 4th Parking Lot Fundraiser: With a split holiday and cooler weekend, we didn’t make as much as last year, but $1700 is still great. Thanks go to our volunteers: Michael Deferro, Jonathan Tuuholoaki, Norton Donner, Joe Zeiler, Carl Harrison, David Klinger, Don Pearson, Arnie Sachs, and organizer Paul Caldwell..
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We want to share some of the books, films, blogs and podcasts that helped us see new perspectives on our faith.
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Pastor Molly: I've Been Reading What Is the Bible?
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I've been reading a new book by Rob Bell: What is the Bible? How an ancient library of poems, letters, and stories can transform the way you think and feel about everything. As has been the case with his books and videos before, I'm finding Rob Bell's book to be an engaging and fresh way of looking at the Bible. I encourage you to check it out. Bell has an impressive way of speaking about scripture, which is both really accessible (that is, not burdened by lots of insider language that only biblical scholars understand) and exceptionally deep (that is, he goes into detail and nuance that allows the richness of scripture to come to life and opens up a way to engage deep ideas). I think he didn't write it for me, really: it's written for people who have ignored or dismissed the Bible. His ideas aren't new, but he shares them with a fresh clarity. If you've had a hard time finding the Bible to be life-giving, this book might help; if you want ways to talk about scripture with people who've never given it much chance, this book shows one way.
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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 17, 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. Carolyn Major will teach a bargello piecing technique. 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
FUN-day School is back! We'll start out in church this week, then during "Passing of the Peace" we'll head to the fellowship hall for a fun activity! We'll rejoin our families at the end of worship! The nursery will be available for children up to 5 years old.
-Middle School Sunday School? Nope, it's summer!
-Youth Group(3-5pm on Sunday)? Nope! Normal youth group is hibernating through the summer!
-Baja meeting meeting this Sunday (after 10:30 worship): Lunch will be provided. 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 week, our wonderful drummer Ed Zajac switches hats and will be singing k.d. lang’s version of Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah. I actually knew Ed as a singer before I found out that he was a drummer and percussionist. Originally from Chicago, Ed was a timpanist/percussionist with the South Suburban Symphony, the Chicago Heights Symphony, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, which is the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony. Nowadays, he’s very busy in the studios doing film and TV soundtracks and playing in pit orchestras for show productions. As a singer here in Los Angeles, Ed has done commercials for Sea World, Home Base, Oldsmobile, Tastee Cake, Fantastic Sam’s, Power Rangers, American Airlines, Keebler, Hot Wheels, TWA, Chili’s, and...
Thursday,July 13, 2017 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 13 July 2017 Jim Raycroft
This week, our wonderful drummer Ed Zajac switches hats and will be singing k.d. lang's version of Leonard Cohen's Hallelujah. I actually knew Ed as a singer before I found out that he was a drummer and percussionist. Originally from Chicago, Ed was a timpanist/percussionist with the South Suburban Symphony, the Chicago Heights Symphony, and the Civic Orchestra of Chicago, which is the training orchestra of the Chicago Symphony. Nowadays, he's very busy in the studios doing film and TV soundtracks and playing in pit orchestras for show productions. As a singer here in Los Angeles, Ed has done commercials for Sea World, Home Base, Oldsmobile, Tastee Cake, Fantastic Sam's, Power Rangers, American Airlines, Keebler, Hot Wheels, TWA, Chili's, and many others. TV shows and feature films including Walking Tall 3, Studio 60, The Simpsons, Polar Express, The Matrix II: Reloaded, The Matrix III: Revolutions, Spiderman I and II, The Hulk, Angels in America, Ally McBeal, Van Helsing, The Flintstones, X-Men, King of The Hill, Bruce Almighty, King Kong, Superman Returns, Dawn of the Planet of the Apes, Tomorrowland, and Jurassic World.
Switchfoot is an alternative rock band from San Diego (the word "switchfoot" is a surfing term and they all love to surf). The band formed in 1996 as Chin Up, featuring brothers Jon (guitar/vocals) and Tim (bass/vocals) Foreman, as a primarily Contemporary Christian band. Their 3rd album, Learning To Breathe, released by Sparrow Records in 2000, was nominated for a Grammy for Best Rock Gospel Album. Then in 2002, their music was featured in the movie A Walk To Remember, starring Mandy Moore, who sang their song Only Hope during a scene. This led to their being signed by Columbia Records/Sony BMG in 2003 and the release of the hugely successful album A Beautiful Letdown, which has been certified double platinum, and began a movement away from being an exclusively Christian band and towards the mainstream (hence the term "switchfoot" - switching feet on the surfboard to face a new direction). In 2016, they signed a recording and co-publishing deal with Vanguard Records and the Bicycle Music Company. They then released their 10th studio album, Where the Light Shines Through, which includes the song Live It Well, and are in the process of releasing their first film Live From The Hollywood Palladium.
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.
Next week, our friend Aleta Braxton returns to serenade us, and will be singing A Simple Song for Leonard Bernstein's Mass.
Click here to read more Music Notes!
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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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