Today during our Disciple Bible Study, one of our group shared an eye-opening encounter. She'd been shopping at a clothing store, and was growing increasingly frustrated that no one was available to help her. As she was growing angry about the offensively poor customer service, she remembered a friend's advice, urging her to assume the best in others. When she finally found someone, she learned that this clerk was overwhelmed by grief, having lost loved ones even that same day. Suddenly, her anger at poor service was swallowed up by a desire to offer compassion and care to someone in need.
It's not that the customer service wasn't poor: it certainly was. It's just that another point of view put that frustration in completely different perspective. Another point of view opened up a much bigger context, as well as a reminder of how easy it is to forget the limits of our individual viewpoints, and how precious life is.
All day today, I've been distracted, tuning into and out of the Senate hearings, as Christine Blasey Ford and Brett Kavanaugh faced questioning from the Judiciary Committee. The forum seems so inadequate and poorly designed for getting at the deeper, complex questions at stake, or for honoring the humanity of the people involved. My heart aches for survivors of sexual violence who are reminded of what they've come through and how difficult it can be to hold abusers accountable.
The Gospel reminds us that we're called to look out for one another, and to avoid being obstacles to others as they seek God. It reminds us that there's most always a bigger picture than the one we see. Let us be the sort of people who are ready to listen to others, to see from their points of view and hear their experience.
Grace and peace,
Pastor Molly
Sunday, September 30
See and Be Seen:
"Seeing Another Point of View"
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Mark 9:38-50
Mark 9:38 Yochanan said to him, “Rabbi, we saw a man expelling demons in your name; and because he wasn’t one of us, we told him to stop.” 39 But Yeshua said, “Don’t stop him, because no one who works a miracle in my name will soon after be able to say something bad about me. 40 For whoever is not against us is for us. 41 Indeed, whoever gives you even a cup of water to drink because you come in the name of the Messiah — yes! I tell you that he will certainly not lose his reward.
42 “Whoever ensnares one of these little ones who trust me — it would be better for him to have a millstone hung around his neck and be thrown in the sea. 43 If your hand makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be maimed but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both hands and go to Gei-Hinnom, to unquenchable fire! 44 [Mark 9:44 Some manuscripts include identical verses 9:44, 46: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Isaiah 66:24)] 45 And if your foot makes you sin, cut it off! Better that you should be lame but obtain eternal life, rather than keep both feet and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom! 46 [Mark 9:46 Some manuscripts include identical verses 9:44, 46: where their worm does not die, and the fire is not quenched. (Isaiah 66:24)] 47 And if your eye makes you sin, pluck it out! Better that you should be one-eyed but enter the Kingdom of God, rather than keep both eyes and be thrown into Gei-Hinnom,
48 where their worm does not die,
and the fire is not quenched.[Mark 9:48 Isaiah 66:24]
49 Indeed, everyone is going to be salted with fire. 50 Salt is excellent, but if it loses its saltiness, how will you season it? So have salt in yourselves — that is, be at peace with each other.” (Complete Jewish Bible).
Mark 9:38-50
Verse 38
[38] And John answered him, saying, Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name, and he followeth not us: and we forbad him, because he followeth not us.
And John answered him — As if he had said, But ought we to receive those who follow not us? Master, we saw one casting out devils in thy name - Probably this was one of John the Baptist's disciples, who believed in Jesus, though he did not yet associate with our Lord's disciples.
And we forbad him, because he followeth not us — How often is the same temper found in us? How readily do we also lust to envy? But how does that spirit become a disciple, much more a minister of the benevolent Jesus! St. Paul had learnt a better temper, when he rejoiced that Christ was preached, even by those who were his personal enemies. But to confine religion to them that follow us, is a narrowness of spirit which we should avoid and abhor. Luke 9:49.
Verse 39
[39] But Jesus said, Forbid him not: for there is no man which shall do a miracle in my name, that can lightly speak evil of me.
Jesus said — Christ here gives us a lovely example of candour and moderation. He was willing to put the best construction on doubtful cases, and to treat as friends those who were not avowed enemies. Perhaps in this instance it was a means of conquering the remainder of prejudice, and perfecting what was wanting in the faith and obedience of these persons.
Forbid him not — Neither directly nor indirectly discourage or hinder any man who brings sinners from the power of Satan to God, because he followeth not us, in opinions, modes of worship, or any thing else which does not affect the essence of religion.
Verse 40
[40] For he that is not against us is on our part.
For he that is not against you, is for you — Our Lord had formerly said, he that is not with me, is against me: thereby admonishing his hearers, that the war between him and Satan admitted of no neutrality, and that those who were indifferent to him now, would finally be treated as enemies. But here in another view, he uses a very different proverb; directing his followers to judge of men's characters in the most candid manner; and charitably to hope that those who did not oppose his cause wished well to it. Upon the whole, we are to be rigorous in judging ourselves, and candid in judging each other.
Verse 41
[41] For whosoever shall give you a cup of water to drink in my name, because ye belong to Christ, verily I say unto you, he shall not lose his reward.
For whosoever shall give you a cup — Having answered St. John, our Lord here resumes the discourse which was broken off at the 37th verse. Mark 9:37; Matthew 10:42.
Verse 42
[42] And whosoever shall offend one of these little ones that believe in me, it is better for him that a millstone were hanged about his neck, and he were cast into the sea.
On the contrary, whosoever shall offend the very least Christian. Matthew 18:6; Luke 17:1.
Verse 43
[43] And if thy hand offend thee, cut it off: it is better for thee to enter into life maimed, than having two hands to go into hell, into the fire that never shall be quenched:
And if a person cause thee to offend — (The discourse passes from the case of offending, to that of being offended) if one who is as useful or dear to thee as a hand or eye, hinder or slacken thee in the ways of Cod, renounce all intercourse with him. This primarily relates to persons, secondarily to things. Matthew 5:29; Matthew 18:8.
Verse 44
[44] Where their worm dieth not, and the fire is not quenched.
Where their worm — That gnaweth the soul, (pride, self will, desire, malice, envy, shame, sorrow, despair,) dieth not - No more than the soul itself: and the fire (either material, or infinitely worse!) that tormenteth the body, is not quenched for ever. Isaiah 66:24.
Verse 49
[49] For every one shall be salted with fire, and every sacrifice shall be salted with salt.
Every one — Who does not cut off the offending member, and consequently is cast into hell, shall be, as it were, salted with fire, preserved, not consumed thereby whereas every acceptable sacrifice shall be salted with another kind of salt, even that of Divine grace, which purifies the soul, (though frequently with pain) and preserves it from corruption.
Verse 50
[50] Salt is good: but if the salt have lost his saltness, wherewith will ye season it? Have salt in yourselves, and have peace one with another.
Such salt is good indeed; highly beneficial to the world, in respect of which I have termed you the salt of the earth. But if the salt which should season others, have lost its own saltness, wherewith will ye season it? - Beware of this; see that ye retain your savour; and as a proof of it, have peace one with another. More largely this obscure text might be paraphrased thus: - As every burnt offering was salted with salt, in order to its being cast into the fire of the altar, so every one who will not part with his hand or eye, shall fall a sacrifice to Divine justice, and be cast into hell fire, which will not consume, but preserve him from a cessation of being. And on the other hand, every one, who, denying himself and taking up his cross, offers up himself as a living sacrifice to God, shall be seasoned with grace, which like salt will make him savoury, and preserve him from destruction for ever. As salt is good for preserving meats, and making them savoury, so it is good that ye be seasoned with grace, for the purifying your hearts and lives, and for spreading the savour of my knowledge, both in your own souls, and wherever ye go. But as salt if it loses its saltness is fit for nothing, so ye, if ye lose your faith and love, are fit for nothing but to be utterly destroyed. See therefore that grace abide in you, and that ye no more contend, Who shall be greatest. Matthew 5:13; Luke 14:34. (John Wesley's Explanatory Notes).8:30am in Epworth Lounge
10:30am in the Sanctuary
Special Music: "A Gaelic Blessing" by John Rutter, sung by our Chancel Choir
A Gaelic Blessing
Deep peace of the running wave to you.Deep peace of the flowing air to you.
Deep peace of the quiet earth to you.
Deep peace of the shining stars to you.
Deep peace of the gentle night to you.
Moon and stars pour their healing light on you.
Deep peace of Christ,
of Christ the light of the world to you.
Deep peace of Christ to you.
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News From Our Members
Thursday, September 27, 2018
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! by Bob Peterson 
Last Sunday our congregation sang Happy Birthday to Pastor Molly Vetter, and a beautiful bouquet of flowers was presented to her at the beginning of the worship service. I was also told that a birthday cake was available out near the Epworth Lounge. However, by the time our money counting team of June Shors, Pat Godfrey and myself finished, they were cleaning up the serving space. Such is life and we all know that such birthdays are not only appreciated, but we all wished her the best for additional years of happiness serving not only our church but our United Methodist district and the United Methodist world.
The flowers were presented by our Co-Lay Leader Jonathan Tuuholoaki and Sally Donner, member of our SPRC committee which oversees details between our church and our Pastor.
We showed sympathy for George Mercer with his arm in a sling. When asked, he replied he fell off his bicycle while riding near The Strand and didn't break anything but his composure. His shoulder needs time to heal and he sang in the choir as usual. It's fortunate for him to have his wife Peggy (an RN) available to help out giving him extra good home care.
The late Joy Slothower was remembered at a service in our church last Saturday (9-22-18) and beautiful flowers from that service were in the church Sunday morning. She had been noticed by many as a senior who rode her electric scooter from her nearby apartment nearly every Sunday, parking it near the North Entrance to the Sanctuary and walking down to the second front (left) row for our services for several years as a regular senior citizen of our congregation. We have missed her for a few weeks and will continue to do so as time passes.
Pastor Molly referred us as to how many of the VBS (Vacation Bible School) children made new friends so easily during that one week event. It reminded me of my time in the U.S. Coast Guard during World War II. I had been stationed in New York City for awhile and had seen shows, museums, movies and as many sights as possible. There I was walking down Broadway in a multi-million person city and didn't really know any New Yorker. I happened to stroll into an off-Broadway USO which was in the basement of an old Brownstone house and I was nourished by Methodist women, mothers of girls who were eager to have servicemen to entertain. To make a long story short, I was invited to their nearby Methodist Church on Park Avenue for the following Sunday. So that's how I ended up becoming a regular there for almost a year before shipping out. I made friends there from all over the world (other military) and, of course, those in church. I kept some of those friendships after the war, but most of them moved away from NYC. The last friend just died in 2017 in Ohio and I still have many lasting memories of our experiences in that great city. Friendships make everything work out well, often for many years.
Click here for more of the Lay Looker
Coming at Church
See and Be Seen Sermon Series
Topics include:
- "I see you. You matter."
- Correcting for unrealistic expectations.
- More than getting "likes."
- Seeing another point of view.
- #nofilter
- Getting your priorities in focus.
- Unleashing your greatness.
- "You look really tired."
Here are 5 great ways you can help with the UMW rummage sale, which will be Saturday, October 6:
Bake goods for Naomi Cafe--drop them off anytime Thursday or the morning of the sale;
Set out rummage on Wednesday morning, Oct 3; all day Thursday, Oct 4; Monday morning, Oct 1 (in the Boutique). You can just show up any of these times.
Stay after worship on Sunday, September 30 to help carry boutique and rummage items up from the basement--after 8:30 and 10:30!
Volunteer to work the day of the sale. We especially need a strong crew of volunteers at the end of the day (3pm), to load remaining items onto the truck.
Donate handled gift bags or shopping bags, such as those from Macy's, Old Navy, etc--large, medium, even small--for the boutique. We also need bubble wrap, if you have it, and plastic grocery bags (the kind that used to be free). Bring everything to the office, anytime.
All donations should be delivered to the choir room from now until the sale.
Work Day at Church: Sept 29
We invite you to join our Trustees for a volunteer work day at the church, on Saturday, September 29 from 8-11am.We plan to do work to spruce up the campus and set up for the Rummage Sale (which is the following weekend).
Volunteers of all ages and ability levels are welcome.
"See and Be Seen" Daily Photo Challenge
Keep watch for God in the world around us and join in a social media Daily Photo Challenge this month!
Take or find a photo that connects to each of the daily themes, and post it on your social media.
Tag it with #beachfaithsees #seeandbeseen so we can see it, too!
Enrollment for children's spanish classes is now open for 3-8 year olds! Classes are Tuesdays from 3:45-4:45 and 5:00-6:00.
Tuition is $85 a month.
Click here to register or learn more!
On Sunday, October 7th, join us in celebrating the spiritual growth of our children as they are presented with their very own Bibles. Preschoolers receive the Spark Story Bible, and 4th graders, a special edition of the NRSV Bible.
Families with Pre-schoolers and 4th graders: Let us know if your child will be participating ASAP, so we can have your Bibles ready.
Questions? Contact Gary Baughman at church
Save the Date: Our annual fall talent show, silent auction and food trucks event is scheduled for Saturday, November 10, from 5-8pm! True to our street address, we're planning to call it "A Night on Broadway."
We hope you'll start thinking about what talents and auction items you can share! You don't have to limit yourself to Broadway-themed acts, but they're not a bad place to start...
All children are invited to join us for our annual Christmas Pageant! Rehearsals will begin on Sunday mornings, starting October 28th!
Email Children's ministry to sign up!
Friday, October 5th from 7-9pm, you are invited to come meet Inalienable's new Program Manager, Sinaí Guevara (Inalienable is the non-profit that has organized our annual Baja Mission trip).
Sinaí will be at the Great Room Cafe, talking about her experiences working with Green Peace, Doctors Without Borders, and Inalienable! A native of Mexico City, she has considerable experience working for these NGOs in Mexico. Click here for more info!
Looking for Next Steps at Church?
We are always inviting you to take a next step as you grow in faith and invovlement in our church community!
On our website, you can now more easily see all the Classes and Small Groups at church, as well as current and ongoing Volunteer Opportunities!
Corazon House Build 2018
This will be our 20th Anniversary Corazon House Build! On Saturday, October 13, Redondo Beach First along with, Aldersgate, Abundant Life and University UMC's will build a home in one day. We are still raising our $2000 share of the building cost; look for the Corazon Donation Angel on Sunday.
We also need 10 volunteers to help build this home. This is a great opportunity for anyone interested in living out our faith. (We have a bus to go from Chula Vista to our house build in Mexico and back across the border.) Email George & Peggy Mercer for more info. Or call (310) 748-3921
Giving to the Church: An Invitation
Our annual ministry budget is made possible because of the generous giving of our congregation. This year, we hope to receive about $400,000 from your Sunday offerings and online gifts that we receive as tithes and offerings. (Additionally, we receive about $100,000 in annual income from special fundraisers, income from our endowment, groups that use our campus, and other such sources.) You can contribute to our ministries through the Sunday offering during worship, by sending donations to the church office, or online.
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, October 1, 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, October 12, starting at 10am. There's something for everyone to do to help. 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: Back from summer hiatus, our book club is in full swing. Having reviewed our five summer books at the September meeting, the next meeting will be Tuesday, October 16, at 7:00 PM in May Day Parlor. Our October book will be "A Gentleman in Moscow," written by Amor Towles, and the discussion will be led by Helen. Helen and Sally will bring refreshments. Please join us. For more information, contact Ann Gallagher.
Help Wanted: Sound Board Operators: We are looking for 8-10+ people to volunteer to be part of a rotation of sound board operators. There are no requirements other than a desire to help out.Volunteers should either stop by the sound booth after church or send Matt Parker an email.
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): Parents can sign students in as early as 10:20 upstairs in the Sunday School room, we'll start at 10:30! At the end of Sunday School, we'll head back to join our families in worship just in time to have Holy Communion with our families!
Church R Us (Grades 4 & 5): Start out in 10:30 worship with your family, and you'll head to Sunday School during "Passing of the Peace". Look for our youth director, Stephen Hale, who teaches CRU Sunday School!
Youth Ministry (6th-12th grade):
-Middle School Sunday School (10:30am)? Oh yes.
-Youth Group(2-4pm on Sunday)? You know it.
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We have a weekly gathering, Tuesday nights at 6:30. We meet at Starbucks, and talk about life. Contact Stephen for more details!
Monday Night Dinner Study (Young-ish Adults and Young-ish Families):
We resume on September 17th! We'll be studying the book "7", by Jen Hatmaker. Dinner for all is at 5:30, in Epworth lounge. Children's programming is available! Email Dawn Kirkemo for information.
Tuesday Night Online Disciple Bible Study: This Disciple Bible Study Fast Track meets online via Zoom from 8-9:30pm. Register and find more information here.
Adult Sunday School: Bible Study and Discussion in May Day Parlor.Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15am. Led by Helen Stockwell. All are welcome.
Thursday Disciple Bible Study:
Meets from 10:30am to noon! Register and find more information here.
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
(310)372-8445 main
(310)372-5696 fax
Ongoing Ministries
Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
Shared Bread always accepts donations of the following: new underwear- men's and women's, all sizes; Sweatpants/sweatshirts-L/XL (hooded, zip up, dark colors); Men’s jeans waist sizes 32- 34; Men’s new socks, white or grey only- all sizes; Men’s tennis shoes - especially sizes 9.5 to 11.5; new or used brown paper bags with handles.
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 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too. by Jim Raycroft
On October 14th, we will welcome composer Karen Hart as our Composer Sunday series continues. Karen is a singer as well as a composer, who I met while we were both singing in the LA Master Chorale. She has a large body of work, in many different styles, but there are gospel overtones to much of it. We will provide more detail about her and her music as we get closer, but put the date in your book and tell your friends.
John Rutter is a British composer, born in London in 1945, and one of the most recognized composers of church music in the world. His work includes carols (both original and arrangements of familiar carols), anthems (including A Gaelic Blessing, our anthem for this week), choral works and larger musical compositions. A Gaelic Blessing, also known by its opening line Deep Peace, was commissioned by the chancel choir of 1st United Methodist Church of Omaha, Nebraska, and their conductor Mel Olsen in 1978. The original text was not a specifically sacred text, but rather an old Gaelic rune that made reference to elements of nature. Rutter added a line referencing Jesus and Amen to it to make it a Christian anthem. It has become popular for baptisms, weddings and funerals, and was performed at the funeral Mass for Tip O’Neil. It became a hit when a recording by Aled Jones was released in 2003, and has been recorded often, including by the composer with the Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia.
Michael Gungor is an American singer/songwriter who leads the musical collective Gungor. He began his career in Grand Rapids, Michigan, producing albums from his church through Integrity Media. He released his first album, Bigger Than My Imagination, in 2003, which contained the Dove-nominated single Friend Of God. He later formed the Michael Gungor Band, which consisted of his wife Lisa on vocals, his brother David Gungor on bass and John Arndt on piano, Josh Eatmon on drums and former Desperation Band member Michael Rossback as a guitarist and producer. In 2010, he renamed the band Gungor and has released or collaborated on 18 albums to date. The song Us For Them was part of an ambitious project called Soul, Spirit, Body – a trilogy of albums that was kicked off with the August 2015 release of the album One Wild Life: Soul, which contained Us For Them. That release was followed in March of 2016 with the album One Wild Life: Spirit, and the September 2016 release of the album One Wild Life: Body. Michael and his wife Lisa live here in Los Angeles with their daughters Amelie and Lucie.
Hailing from the small coastal town of Bangor in Northern Ireland, the Rend Collective is a group of “twenty-somethings” that gathered at Rend, what the band describes as “a ministry for spiritually hungry young adults, desperately seeking an authentic, raw and real expression of church, which was informally pastored by bandleader, Gareth Gilkeson.” Their first album – Homemade Worship by Handmade People – was released in 2012, and was followed by a string of hits in the contemporary Christian music world. Their music is based around older instruments - their native Irish folk instruments, old rock and roll guitars and assorted other whimsical musical toys - and has a raw, uninhibited style that gets the toes tapping and the feet stomping. They don’t call themselves a folk band, but insist rather “We are not actually an indie-folk band - despite all the beards and bow-ties and banjos. We are a celebration band. It’s just a coincidence that folk music and celebration make a great pairing!” Their song Rescuer (Good News) is the title song from the album Rescuer, which was released in 2017. It’s an interesting tune in that the musical form is slightly irregular.
Click here to read past 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.
4th-8th Graders needed to Acolyte!
Acolytes are needed for 10:30 worship each week. If you've been trained, you can sign up via our "sign up genius" (click here!)
If you are interested in being trained, email children's ministries!
Our UMW is back to their regular meeting times.
Circle Meeting Time
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. We appreciate all recycling donations,but the blue recycling bins are only for CA RV or CRV. We don't get any funds from milk cartons, or other plastics that are not CRV.
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
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.
Offering food and friendship to those in need, every Wednesday night since 1992. More info here.
Shared Bread always accepts donations of the following: new underwear- men's and women's, all sizes; Sweatpants/sweatshirts-L/XL (hooded, zip up, dark colors); Men’s jeans waist sizes 32- 34; Men’s new socks, white or grey only- all sizes; Men’s tennis shoes - especially sizes 9.5 to 11.5; new or used brown paper bags with handles.
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 4:00pm to help us plan our meal better. THANK YOU!
Thursday, September 27, 2018 - Music Notes
Jim Raycroft
Music Director, Jim Raycroft, will share upcoming worship music
selections and a little bit of history, too. by Jim Raycroft
On October 14th, we will welcome composer Karen Hart as our Composer Sunday series continues. Karen is a singer as well as a composer, who I met while we were both singing in the LA Master Chorale. She has a large body of work, in many different styles, but there are gospel overtones to much of it. We will provide more detail about her and her music as we get closer, but put the date in your book and tell your friends.
John Rutter is a British composer, born in London in 1945, and one of the most recognized composers of church music in the world. His work includes carols (both original and arrangements of familiar carols), anthems (including A Gaelic Blessing, our anthem for this week), choral works and larger musical compositions. A Gaelic Blessing, also known by its opening line Deep Peace, was commissioned by the chancel choir of 1st United Methodist Church of Omaha, Nebraska, and their conductor Mel Olsen in 1978. The original text was not a specifically sacred text, but rather an old Gaelic rune that made reference to elements of nature. Rutter added a line referencing Jesus and Amen to it to make it a Christian anthem. It has become popular for baptisms, weddings and funerals, and was performed at the funeral Mass for Tip O’Neil. It became a hit when a recording by Aled Jones was released in 2003, and has been recorded often, including by the composer with the Cambridge Singers and the City of London Sinfonia.
Michael Gungor is an American singer/songwriter who leads the musical collective Gungor. He began his career in Grand Rapids, Michigan, producing albums from his church through Integrity Media. He released his first album, Bigger Than My Imagination, in 2003, which contained the Dove-nominated single Friend Of God. He later formed the Michael Gungor Band, which consisted of his wife Lisa on vocals, his brother David Gungor on bass and John Arndt on piano, Josh Eatmon on drums and former Desperation Band member Michael Rossback as a guitarist and producer. In 2010, he renamed the band Gungor and has released or collaborated on 18 albums to date. The song Us For Them was part of an ambitious project called Soul, Spirit, Body – a trilogy of albums that was kicked off with the August 2015 release of the album One Wild Life: Soul, which contained Us For Them. That release was followed in March of 2016 with the album One Wild Life: Spirit, and the September 2016 release of the album One Wild Life: Body. Michael and his wife Lisa live here in Los Angeles with their daughters Amelie and Lucie.
Hailing from the small coastal town of Bangor in Northern Ireland, the Rend Collective is a group of “twenty-somethings” that gathered at Rend, what the band describes as “a ministry for spiritually hungry young adults, desperately seeking an authentic, raw and real expression of church, which was informally pastored by bandleader, Gareth Gilkeson.” Their first album – Homemade Worship by Handmade People – was released in 2012, and was followed by a string of hits in the contemporary Christian music world. Their music is based around older instruments - their native Irish folk instruments, old rock and roll guitars and assorted other whimsical musical toys - and has a raw, uninhibited style that gets the toes tapping and the feet stomping. They don’t call themselves a folk band, but insist rather “We are not actually an indie-folk band - despite all the beards and bow-ties and banjos. We are a celebration band. It’s just a coincidence that folk music and celebration make a great pairing!” Their song Rescuer (Good News) is the title song from the album Rescuer, which was released in 2017. It’s an interesting tune in that the musical form is slightly irregular.
Click here to read past 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.
Calling All Gardeners!
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.Acolytes are needed for 10:30 worship each week. If you've been trained, you can sign up via our "sign up genius" (click here!)
If you are interested in being trained, email children's ministries!
Circle Meeting Time
- Naomi Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 10:00am
- Hannah Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 7:00pm
- Mary Circle 4th Monday @ 7:00pm
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. We appreciate all recycling donations,but the blue recycling bins are only for CA RV or CRV. We don't get any funds from milk cartons, or other plastics that are not CRV.
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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