Every year, when Martin Luther King Jr Day comes around, I'm reminded of what he called the "fierce urgency of now." Even here, fifty years after his assassination, we face the same uncertainties and obstacles in the work for God's justice:
The stability of the large world house which is ours will involve a revolution of values to accompany the scientific and freedom revolutions engulfing the earth. We must rapidly begin the shift from a “thing”-oriented society to a “person”-oriented society. When machines and computers, profit motives and property rights are considered more important than people, the giant triplets of racism, materialism and militarism are incapable of being conquered. A civilization can flounder as readily in the face of moral and spiritual bankruptcy as it can through financial bankruptcy.
(from "Where Do We Go From Here: Chaos or Community?" by Martin Luther King Jr)
These many years later, his words still call us to work for change in the world. To overcome racism, and strive for economic justice. To practice non-violence and work for peace. His words about a "revolution of values" speak to me about radical change and bold hope, like the powerful declarations in our baptismal vows:
- Do you renounce the spiritual forces of wickedness,
- reject the evil powers of this world, and repent of your sin?
- Do you accept the freedom and power God gives you
- to resist evil, injustice, and oppression in whatever forms they present themselves?
- Do you confess Jesus Christ as your Savior, put your whole trust in his grace, and promise to serve him as your Lord, in union with the Church which Christ has opened to people of all ages, nations, and races?
grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
Sunday, January 14: Do You Have Questions for God?
"Can God change people’s minds about how they act?"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Matthew 3:13-17
Matthew 3:13 Then Yeshua came from the Galil to the Yarden to be immersed by Yochanan. 14 But Yochanan tried to stop him. “You are coming to me? I ought to be immersed by you!” 15 However, Yeshua answered him, “Let it be this way now, because we should do everything righteousness requires.” Then Yochanan let him. 16 As soon as Yeshua had been immersed, he came up out of the water. At that moment heaven was opened, he saw the Spirit of God coming down upon him like a dove, 17 and a voice from heaven said, “This is my Son, whom I love; I am well pleased with him.”
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Matthew 3:13-17
Verse 13
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21
Verse 15
[15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness — It becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission he hath given me.
Verse 16
[16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And Jesus being baptized — Let our Lord's submitting to baptism teach us a holy exactness in the observance of those institutions which owe their obligation merely to a Divine command. Surely thus it becometh all his followers to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus had no sin to wash away. And yet he was baptized. And God owned his ordinance, so as to make it the season of pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon him. And where can we expect this sacred effusion, but in an humble attendance on Divine appointments? Lo, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God - St. Luke adds, in a bodily form - Probably in a glorious appearance of fire, perhaps in the shape of a dove, descending with a hovering motion, till it rested upon him. This was a visible token of those secret operations of the blessed Spirit, by which he was anointed in a peculiar manner; and abundantly fitted for his public work.
Verse 17
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And lo, a voice — We have here a glorious manifestation of the ever - blessed Trinity: the Father speaking from heaven, the Son spoken to, the Holy Ghost descending upon him.
In whom I delight — What an encomium is this! How poor to this are all other kinds of praise! To he the pleasure, the delight of God, this is praise indeed: this is true glory: this is the highest, the brightest light, that virtue can appear in.
John Wesley’s Explanatory Notes
Matthew 3:13-17
Verse 13
[13] Then cometh Jesus from Galilee to Jordan unto John, to be baptized of him.
Mark 1:9; Luke 3:21
Verse 15
[15] And Jesus answering said unto him, Suffer it to be so now: for thus it becometh us to fulfil all righteousness. Then he suffered him.
It becometh us to fulfil all righteousness — It becometh every messenger of God to observe all his righteous ordinances. But the particular meaning of our Lord seems to be, that it becometh us to do (me to receive baptism, and you to administer it) in order to fulfil, that is, that I may fully perform every part of the righteous law of God, and the commission he hath given me.
Verse 16
[16] And Jesus, when he was baptized, went up straightway out of the water: and, lo, the heavens were opened unto him, and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove, and lighting upon him:
And Jesus being baptized — Let our Lord's submitting to baptism teach us a holy exactness in the observance of those institutions which owe their obligation merely to a Divine command. Surely thus it becometh all his followers to fulfil all righteousness. Jesus had no sin to wash away. And yet he was baptized. And God owned his ordinance, so as to make it the season of pouring forth the Holy Spirit upon him. And where can we expect this sacred effusion, but in an humble attendance on Divine appointments? Lo, the heavens were opened, and he saw the Spirit of God - St. Luke adds, in a bodily form - Probably in a glorious appearance of fire, perhaps in the shape of a dove, descending with a hovering motion, till it rested upon him. This was a visible token of those secret operations of the blessed Spirit, by which he was anointed in a peculiar manner; and abundantly fitted for his public work.
Verse 17
[17] And lo a voice from heaven, saying, This is my beloved Son, in whom I am well pleased.
And lo, a voice — We have here a glorious manifestation of the ever - blessed Trinity: the Father speaking from heaven, the Son spoken to, the Holy Ghost descending upon him.
In whom I delight — What an encomium is this! How poor to this are all other kinds of praise! To he the pleasure, the delight of God, this is praise indeed: this is true glory: this is the highest, the brightest light, that virtue can appear in.
8:30 am in Epworth Lounge
10:30 am in the Sanctuary
"All I Want Is You, Lord" by Carol Cymbala, sung by the Chancel Choir and Pauline Tamale, soprano.
"All I Want Is You, Lord" by Carol Cymbala
10:30 am in the Sanctuary
"All I Want Is You, Lord" by Carol Cymbala, sung by the Chancel Choir and Pauline Tamale, soprano.
"All I Want Is You, Lord" by Carol Cymbala
Verse 1: Once I looked for pleasure here,
just living for each day.
All I found were empty years.
Although I had my way.
Now I know what troubled me.
I needed someone new.
All I want is You, Lord.
All I want is You.
Chorus: All I want is You,
Lord All I want is You.
No one else but You Lord.
All I want is You.
Verse 2: Through the years,
the many years when You were wanting me.
I was looking everywhere
Oh, but You I could not see.
In my heart I see you now.
And I know that You're all I need.
All I want is You, Lord.
All I want is You.
Chorus: All I want is You,
Lord All I want is You.
No one else but You Lord.
All I want is You.
Listen to Sermons online
The church office will be closed on Monday, January 15,
in observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
The recent passing of Marv Davison brings many fond memories of this great guy. When I first became acquainted with him some 25 years or so ago he had retired from work and was spending most of his time working around our church campus repairing, painting and doing odd jobs that otherwise would have cost the church a lot. Marv and Donna also were active in the Shared Bread program until both became too unstable to do the work anymore. We will remember him next week at the Memorial Service as one special person who loved this church enough to step forward and do the dirty work around here.
Last Sunday I still saw over thirty...
Thursday, January 11, 2018
Listen to Sermons online
The church office will be closed on Monday, January 15,
in observance of the Rev. Martin Luther King, Jr. Holiday.
Visit our Website
News From Our Members
Last Sunday I still saw over thirty...
Thursday, January 11, 2018
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, 11 January 2018 by Bob Peterson
The recent passing of Marv Davison brings many fond memories of this great guy. When I first became acquainted with him some 25 years or so ago he had retired from work and was spending most of his time working around our church campus repairing, painting and doing odd jobs that otherwise would have cost the church a lot. Marv and Donna also were active in the Shared Bread program until both became too unstable to do the work anymore. We will remember him next week at his Memorial Service on Thursday, January 18 at 11:00am, as one special person who loved this church enough to step forward and do the dirty work around here.
Last Sunday I still saw over thirty beautiful poinsettia waiting to be planted or taken somewhere to brighten up a home or rest home. They remind us that Christmas may have passed, but the love it brought to Christians everywhere remains all year.
The recent fires in California brought death and destruction to many in our state and now the past rain has doubled the trouble with mud slides, flooding and other things. You may help through our church by donating financially or otherwise to UMCOR for those expressed purposes. Any amount, small or large can help our disaster relief fund respond where needed. Just mark it on an envelop to be found in the sanctuary pews and it will go right to work.
As I recently looked at the flower chart found on the wall outside the North Sanctuary door I realized that altar flowers had increased to $55 per Sunday, an item I ignored last year when the change was made. Shame on me. If you wish to supply flowers for Sunday mornings, sign up in memory of someone, in honor, or just for the love of our church. The beautiful flowers donated by our people each week certainly help us realize that nature not only is magnificent, but are also a beauty to behold.
Our newly added soprano section leader was introduced and added to our choir last week and her name is Audrey Yoder, originally from Iowa. Now, the only Yoders I knew were here in church when Dick and Winona Yoder used to attend. Dick was a hard worker for our church but died about 25 or so years ago. Winona is still living in the same mobile park that I do, Skyline Mobile Home Park in Southeast Torrance so I see her infrequently. There is no apparent connection to them or our new singer, Audrey.
Click here for more of the Lay Looker
Coming at Church
Do You Have Questions For God? (We do, too)
Join us on Sundays in January, as Pastor Molly takes on big questions.
(Have a question on your mind? Email it to Pastor Molly!)
Spiritual Gifts Class in January
Congratulations! You're gifted!
Come and learn how God has uniquely gifted you and where your dreams and passions might lead you to serve. You’ll study the Bible, use personal assessments, connect with others and brainstorm ideas for putting your gifts into action, here at the church and throughout the community.
Spiritual Gifts Class: Monday evenings, starting January 22 (Led by Liz Gyori) Register online.
Need a kid free evening? Want to grab sushi with your friends?
Bring your children to Parents Night out!
Drop off your children at church for three hours of programming, starting at 5pm.
The cost is $20.00 for the first child ($10 for the 2nd, $5 for 3rd+) and includes dinner.
Enjoy an evening out while your kids play games, make crafts, and enjoy fellowship!
It's a great night for all!
We request all spots be reserved by the Wednesday prior to the event.
Email Children's Ministry to save a spot!
Thank you to everyone who has submitted a pledge of financial giving for 2018. To date, we have received 58 pledges, totaling $268,188. We will set our final 2018 budget at our Church Council meeting on January 22; if you haven't already, we encourage you to consider making a pledge before then, to help us estimate what resources we will have to use in ministry this year. You can read more or submit a pledge here.
We are grateful for your generosity!
Did You Know: View Your Church Giving Record
Next week, we will be mailing out records of your giving to those who have donated to the church in 2017, which can be used for your tax records. Anytime, you can log onto OnRealm, our cloud-based church directory, to view or print a record of your giving to the church. You can also set up or manage secure, electronic giving to the church. Arrange a one-time gift or a recurring donation. Plus, you can access contact information for other church members, to better stay in touch with the community! If you don't already have a login, contact the office for an invitation to join.
March 9-11, 2018 at La Casa de Maria Retreat Center, Santa Barbara
We have two openings left!
Our topics will include:
· Why friendship with God matters
· Loving ourselves-isn't that being selfish?(nope)
· How loving others is loving God
Reserve your spot TODAY!
CLICK HERE for more info.
Vacation Bible School: (age 3-8th grade) August 13-17
BeachFaith Kids Arts Camp:
(K-5th grade) July 30-August 3
Baja Mission Trip:
with Inalienable (youth & adults) July 7-14
Summer Camps: at Lazy W Ranch & other sites
Save The Date for VBS!
Be sure to mark your calendars for
August 13th-17th!!
Believe it or not, VBS 2018 is on it's way and we want YOU to be part of this incredible ministry.
Save the date!
Memorial Service for Marv Davison: We will hold a funeral for Marv on Thursday, January 18, at 11am in the sanctuary, with a light reception to follow; Rev. Molly Vetter will officiate. A burial will follow, at Pacific Crest Cemetery.
______________________
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, January 15, 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: Join us for our monthly quilting workshop Friday, January 12, 10am - noon in the choir room. Even if you haven't tried quilt-making before, this is a great way to begin. Know someone in need of prayer? Anyone can sponsor a free prayer quilt. The Quilt Request Form is online or in the church office.
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.
Book Club, January 16, 2018 at 7PM: Vika, our January hostess, has selected for our discussion, “Living as a Covenant Community,” by Evy McDonald, which was used for study at UMW’s Mission U last summer. The book is available on the UMW website for $10, and the kindle from Amazon for $5.00. Vika is contacting women in our district who attended Mission U, to borrow copies and make them available on the UMW bookshelf in May Day Parlor. Assisting Vika with refreshments will be Eloise Elder. For more information, contact Ann Gallagher.
This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
Nursery (6 weeks+): The Nursery is open during both services, for ages 6 weeks to 5 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across from Epworth Lounge. Please know that children of any age are always welcome in worship. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry (age 3 - 3rd Grade): We'll start out upstairs in the Sunday School room, sign in as early at 10:20. We will explore a Bible story, play, and make a craft! Afterward, we'll join our families in worship for Holy Communion.
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in Worship with your family, then head to class with our youth director, Stephen Hale during "Passing of the Peace". You'll head back to church for communion!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School? YES!!!!
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? YES, WE ARE MEETING THIS WEEK!!!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We are starting a new group in about two months. In the meantime, consider attending the Spiritual Gifts class on Monday nights! It will be great!
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: We usually meet Thursday mornings from 11:00-noon, in May Day Parlor. All are welcome.
United Methodist News & Events
West District Training Conference: for Current and Emerging Leaders - on Saturday, February 3, 2018 from 8:00 AM - 2:00 PM at Holman UMC in Los Angeles
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
(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.
SHARED BREAD NEEDS DONATIONS OF:
Men’s jeans waist sizes 32- 38; Men’s new socks, white or grey only- all sizes; Men’s tennis shoes - especially sizes 9.5 to 11.5
Please bring them to church on Sunday, or to the office during the week.
DESSERTS FOR SHARED BREAD
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 (when you come for church) through Wednesday to the church kitchen (or the office if kitchen is closed.) Wednesday deliveries
should be here by 4:00 pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
We Shall Overcome is a gospel song and protest song that became an anthem for the civil rights movement. It is generally said to have its lyrical genesis in the hymn I’ll Overcome Some Day by Charles Albert Tindley, which was first published in 1900. A modern version of the song was said to have been first sung at a 1945 tobacco strike in Charleston, South Carolina. It was published in 1947 as We Will Overcome in People’s Songs (Pete Seeger was a director and added it to his repertoire). The version we know was created by...
Thursday, January 11, 2018 - Music Notes
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too.
Jim Raycroft
Thursday, 11 January 2018 by Jim Raycroft
Our closing song this week is a contemporary Christian song written by Laura Story - Indescribable. Written and recorded by her in 2002, it has been recorded by several Christian artists, most notably Chris Tomlin, whose rendition was #22 on the Contemporary Christian Licensing International (CCLI) list of top 25 Christian songs in 2007. Countdown Magazine proclaimed it to be #6 of the Top 20 Praise and Worship songs in 2008.
We Shall Overcome is a gospel song and protest song that became an anthem for the civil rights movement. It is generally said to have its lyrical genesis in the hymn I'll Overcome Some Day by Charles Albert Tindley, which was first published in 1900. A modern version of the song was said to have been first sung at a 1945 tobacco strike in Charleston, South Carolina. It was published in 1947 as We Will Overcome in People's Songs (Pete Seeger was a director and added it to his repertoire). The version we know was created by Seeger and Guy Carawan, and was introduced in 1959. In August of 1962, a 22-year-old folk singer named Joan Baez led 300,000 people in singing that song at the Lincoln Memorial during A. Phillip Randolph's March On Washington. Dr. Martin Luther King recited the words in a sermon at an interfaith service at Temple Israel in Hollywood in 1965, and then again in his final sermon in Memphis on Sunday, March 31, 1968, before his assassination. It has been pointed out that the first half sounds very much like the Catholic hymn O Sanctissima (published in London in 1792), the second half sounds like the 19th century hymn I'll Be All Right, and in general sounds a lot like the Neapolitan art song standard Caro Mio Ben. It was sung by hundreds of thousands of people in Wenseslas Square in Prague during the 1989 Velvet Revolution. In India, the renowned poet Girija Kumar Mathur created a literal translation, which became a popular patriotic/spiritual song, especially in the schools, in the 70's and 80's. In 2012, Bruce Springsteen performed the song at a memorial concert in Oslo after the terrorist attacks in Norway in 2011.
The Brooklyn Tabernacle is a non-denominational, multi-cultural church in the heart of downtown Brooklyn that began as a small congregation worshiping in a rundown building, and has grown into a congregation of over 16,000. The husband and wife team of Pastor Jim Cymbala and music director Carol Cymbala took over leadership of the 30 member congregation in 1971. By the 1980's, the church had grown enough to purchase the 1383-seat Carlton Theatre and convert it into their sanctuary. By 2002, they had outgrown that facility and purchased Loew's Metropolitan Theatre, a former vaudeville theatre, and renovated it into a state-of-the-art, 3,200-seat worship facility. The choir began with just 9 members in 1971 and grew with the church. Carol Cymbala began writing music for the choir, and they recorded their first album in the 1980's. Now numbering over 280 members, their music is sung all over the world, and they sang at the 2013 inauguration of President Obama. All I Want Is You, Lord was written by Carol Cymbala, and is typical of her style of writing – well-crafted, melodic, and sits naturally and easily in the voice.
Click here to read more Music Notes!
Looking for a Way to Volunteer?
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.
Do you have a couple hours once or twice a month to help maintain our beautiful church gardens? Tasks would include pruning, planting, weeding and watering. Whatever you can help with, we'd love to have you join our team! Duties could change seasonally. Sign up through the church office, or by talking with Jody Wilkinson.
Circle Meeting Time
- Naomi Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 10:00 am
- Hannah Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00 pm
- Mary Circle 4th Monday @ 7:00 pm
United Methodist Women’s Reading Program: There are many titles to choose from with new ones added every year! Books are available in the UMW library located in May Day Parlor. 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.
Sunday Worship Liturgist Sign Up
Campus WiFi network is: First UMC Guests; Password is: openhearts
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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