Sunday, August 11
8:30am
Informal Worship
in Epworth Lounge
9:30am
Contemporary Worship
in the Sanctuary
11:00am
Traditional Worship
in the Sanctuary
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Prayer Group
Tuesday morning
Prayer Group
from 9-10 a.m. in
Heath Chapel
All are welcome!
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Adult Bible Study
You are welcome to join our regular Thursday Bible Study with Pastor Molly, each week at 11:00am in May Day Parlor. |
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A Church That Responds to the Needs of the Community
Every Wednesday, with help from neighbor congregations and many volunteers, we host Shared Bread, a free meal for the community.
(Click the logo for more information.)
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Mid-Year Update on Church Finances
Recently, we mailed contribution statements to those who have given to the church in 2013; if you didn't receive one or have questions, please contact us.
As we reach the mid-point of the year, we are pleased to report that our finances are steady: with generous donations in the first half of the year, our income and expenses are in line with our budget. With your continuing help, I believe we can make our commitments for the year, and hope we might even stretch beyond them to meet bigger missional giving goals by year's end.
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Groceries =
$$$ for Church
Looking for an easy way to support our church? Now you can do your grocery shopping and the store will give a percentage back to FUMCRB! Click the image on the left to learn how you can sign up for this easy giving program. Our Stewardship Team can answer any questions!
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Who We Are and What We're About
It was wonderful to join our youth on their summer service trip again this summer. I continue to be inspired by them--by the easy way they build a loving community, by their thoughtful engagement with big ideas, by the way they care. (They're pretty fun, too...)
This year, we were working close to home, in South LA. On the Wednesday in the middle of our trip, we started the day with an hour or two of work, cleaning an alley. The alley was neglected, piled deep with trash and other things. In the weeks before we were there, other work groups had begun the work of hauling out the accumulated layers. Still, there was so much to do.
While we worked, a man who lived on that block stopped one of the SSP leaders. "I don't know who you people are," he said, "or why you're doing this, but thanks." The city hadn't done anything to clean up the alley for years, and it was too much for any resident to take on. He said he didn't have an adequate way to thank our group, but he did leave us a case of water.
This is exactly who we are called to be as a church: the kind of people who surprise the neighbors with humble service. The sort of generous people whose inspire questions about why someone would live like this.
This week, a bunch of us went back that alley, to help the new youth from other churches who are sharing in SSP in LA this week. We got the alley nearly cleared out. I love that our youth wanted to do that. I look forward to ways we will continue to live in that spirit of loving service in multitudes of other ways.
with gratitude and hope,
Pastor Molly
My deep thanks to Caroline, who does such a beautiful job pastoring our youth, along with great volunteers. It's a privilege to be in ministry with her!
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Contact Info
Pastor Molly Vetter 310-372-8445 x 102 |
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Celebrating and Supporting our Youth & Summer Service Trips
Our church youth have experienced what it means to "Just Love and Just Serve" this summer on Sierra Service Projects trips. We celebrate the way they gave to others, and the ways the trips helped them grow in faith.
You are invited to help lend support to their trips by helping with donations to fill the gas tanks for their trips--on Sunday, we'll have a plastic gas can -- we invite you to make a contribution to offset the costs that the group shared on their trips. (Each youth was responsible for most of their own costs.)
This last week, our Sr. High Sierra Service Project (SSP) worked in South LA with local residents and non-profit agencies on painting and building projects to improve the community. The week before
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Youth from our Sr High group at SSP in LA, painting a children's center
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, our Jr High youth spent a week serving on a Native American reservation with SSP in Coarsegold, CA.
The youth group is so grateful for the continued support of opportunities like this. Please keep our youth and our adult leaders in your prayers while they travel this summer!
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 Lay Looker, by Bob Peterson
Read Bob Peterson's column here and on our website!
"Last Sunday, as we were honored by visiting preacher Dr. Kuan, new president of the Claremont School of Theology, we were also honored by perhaps twenty visitors from the recently closed Disciples of Christ Church from the corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Emerald. Some of them were familiar to some of us due to years of volunteering at our Shared Bread Program. They were invited to join us due to Pastor Molly Vetter's connection following the closure of their facility... "
[Read the rest of the Lay Looker by clicking here!]
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 Summer Reading Recommendation: Wonder, by R. J. Palacio
During August, our youth group will be reading and discussing Wonder, by R. J. Palacio. This short book, written to a middle school-aged audience, has a message for people of all ages. If you are looking for a thought-provoking read this summer--and if you want to read along with our young people--you might want to check it out. Written in the voices of young people, it explores the life of a boy born with pronounced physical abnormalities, and invites readers to share in their life and story. You can read a review from the NYTimes here. |
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United Methodist Women
ALL-CIRCLE POTLUCK
Mark you calendars for our
All-Circle Potluck on
August 15th at 6:30pm
Epworth Lounge
The "Loaves & Fishes" team will share about our sister feeding programs ithe UMC West District.
We ask attendees to bring:
- a dish (and serving utensils) to share
- your own place setting (plate, cup & utensils)
-NEW for this year- cans of meat (tuna, chicken, Spam, salmon, etc.) OR individual pop-top cans of meat and energy bars to donate to two programs in great need of our support.
email Rebecca Thomas for more info
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A Note from our New Director of Children and Family Ministries
De ar Church Family Members & New Friends,
I wanted to take this opportunity to briefly introduce myself to you, and to let you know that I have started my position here at church as your new Director of Children's Ministries. My name is Katherine Stanfill and I am a native Angeleno, born and raised in Marina Del Rey. I've attended and served in Methodist Church's my whole life and after 12 years in Full Time ministry I took a short hiatus these last 2 years to be with my adorable children (Wendy, age 6 & Calvin, age 3). Now I am BACK and couldn't be more excited about joining this amazing congregation! I love "being a Methodist," kids, fun and Jesus. I'm deeply honored to have been asked, and consider it a privilege, to be in this position.
As your Children's Ministry Director, I believe my role is to equip all kinds of leaders for work with and alongside the children, empowering them to grow spiritually strong and confident in their faith. As a busy mom I understand how conflicting obligations can overwhelm families and keep them from obtaining a true spiritual relationships. I want to do what I can to make church a comfortable and welcoming place for everyone. A place where you can get the tools you need to maintain a strong and meaningful connection to Christ in the home.
In the next few weeks leading up to "Jump In Sunday" on September 8th, my goal is to get to know as many of you as I can as I prepare to cast a vision for the new school year. I've already had the pleasure of planning and working alongside the wonderful Ms. Mele and look forward to our upcoming 4-week "Faith Your Fears" Back-to-School curriculum. This Sunday School program is a chance for kids to connect God's promises to anything they face that may challenge or trouble them. On Friday August 16th my entire family plans on being here to eat tacos and play games with all of you at our All-Church Taco Truck and Family Game Night. My husband and I often joke that our entire marriage is based on friendly competition because we love playing trivia/strategy games so much. (Ask me in person about the time we won $10,000 on a Game Show)! Join us on the 16th so we can share some of our favorite games with all of you.
I want you to know that I'm here to serve, and if there is anything at all you have concerns about, or even if you have some great ideas for the future you'd like to share with me--I am here. Feel free to contact me via e-mail or by phone.
On Sunday September 15th I plan to hold a short "Jump Into Children's Ministry" meeting in between services. This is an open invitation for ANYONE interested in connecting to this dynamic ministry.
Lots of Jesus Love,
Katherine
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 All-Church Game & Taco Night Join us Friday, August 16th 5pm-8pm
Enjoy a night of fellowship with the many awesome members of this church. Everyone is invited-big or small, old or young! Board games, card games, new games old games, uncommon games...you name it, we'd love to play it! So, come on over for a fun night with great company and some delicious tacos from the taco truck (available for purchase).
BOARD GAMES + TACOS + YOU = A GREAT TIME |
 Save the Date for a Dining Out Fundraiser: Black Bear Diner in Torrance Thursday, August 22
More details will follow, but we hope you will mark this into your calendars now. Thanks!!
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Trustees to Sponsor Church Work Day-
August 24, 8:30-noon
Jump In and join us for a work day to spruce things up before the fall. We will have various jobs that need to be done. Our primary focus will be the installation of the new sound system in the sanctuary. If you are interested in helping please email Ron Willman to let him know you will be here.
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 Blessing of the Backpacks Sunday, August 25 in worship
Students and teachers of all sorts are invited to bring their backpacks or school bags to worship on August 25 for a special blessing at the start of the school year. We will bless backpacks at all 3 worship services, and you are encouraged to invite your friends and neighbors, too!
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Jump In Sunday on September 8
This year, we are kicking off our fall season with a jump start! On Sunday, September 8, we will host Jump In Sunday. You will have great opportunities to jump into the rich ministries of our congregation this fall. Mark your calendar, invite a friend, and plan to be with us. (We'll make sure there are plenty of ways to jump, literally, that day, too.)
In the meantime, we are hosting a Jump In Sunday Photo Contest--to participate, take a photo of yourself, jumping. Alone, with friends, with family...whatever. The awesomest jump photo will win someone a pair of tickets to the Sky Zone Indoor Trampoline Park in Torrance! To submit your photo, post in on our Facebook page or email it to Pastor Molly.
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| Save the Date: Acolyte/Worship Assistant Training
Young people, 4th grade through High School, are invited to join Pastor Molly for an hour-long Acolyte/Worship Assistant Training on Tuesday, September 10 at 3:30 p.m.
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 Help Save Lives with a Simple Bone Marrow Test
Christ Episcopal Church in Redondo Beach invites us to join them to help save lives by participating in a simple swab test that would place you in a worldwide bone marrow matching system. Anyone 18-44 is eligible to participate in this simple, quick way to help others.
They are also hosting an art show, with 25% of the sales being donated by the artists to the Be The Match organization.
Friday, September 6th from 6-9 p.m.
Saturday, September 7th from noon-5 p.m.
Sunday, September 8 from 11 am-4pm
at Christ Episcopal Church, 408 S Broadway, RB 90277
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Celebrating the Life of John Strouse
Our congregation is invited to share in a special time of remembrance for John during the 11:00 worship this coming Sunday, August 8, and the coffee fellowship following it. His widow, Adele, will be present; everyone is invited to share together in remembering John. (His family is sponsoring a private gathering of remembrance and celebration at our church on Saturday, as well.) |
Ready to Become a Church Member?
We would be happy to receive new church members in any of our worship services on August 25. If you are interested or have questions our would like to know more about what this means, please contact Pastor Molly. |
 Like us on Facebook!
Visit the page and "like" us so you can see and share the latest photos, news and links from the church.
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This Week at Church...
Nursery
The Nursery is open all three services for ages 6 weeks to 4 yrs old. Located right off of the parking lot across Epworth Lounge. Any questions email the Nursery Coordinator: Adriana Hwang
Children's Ministry
(Pre-K through 3rd grade): Summer Sunday School with Miss Mele & Ms. Katherine. Join in on the fun during 9:30 worship.
Church R Us
(4th and 5th grade): Please worship with your families through the summer--worship worksheets are available in the back. Our final summer outing is on August 19th. We will meet at the church parking lot at 9am for our annual water day at Raging Waters--RSVPs are greatly appreciated for this outing!
Youth Group
YOUTH GROUP STARTS THIS SUNDAY from 3-5pm!
(6th-12th grade): No Sunday School in the summer--worship with your family. (Junior High worship worksheets are available in the back.)
Men's Breakfast: Our next breakfast is Monday, August 19 at 7a.m. All men of the church and their friends are welcome to join us for fellowship. At Billy's Deli, 5160 W 190th St, Torrance, CA 90503.
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