First United Methodist of Redondo Beach
Weekly News
Thursday, August 28, 2014 

Sunday, August 31

Michael Lodahl, 

guest preacher 

 

8:30am

in the Epworth Lounge

 

10:30am

in the Sanctuary

special music from the Tuuholoaki family

  

Sunday's Scripture:

Romans 12:9-21
In This Issue
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This Week at Church...
20/30 Group

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Adult Bible Study
 
The Pastor's Bible Study meets each Thursday at 11:00am in May Day Parlor.

A Church That Responds to the Needs of the Community

Shared Bread  

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.)

escrip
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! 
WANT TO STAY CURRENT ON
ANNUAL CONFERENCE NEWS? 

CLICK THE IMAGE ON THE RIGHT TO LINK TO THE CAL-PAC WEBSITE.
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You may also visit the new website for the entire denomination of United Methodist Church here. 
Want to see photos of past church 
activities and events?

Check out our 


The United Methodist Women hosted their Annual all-circle potluck last Thursday. Thank you to everyone who helped make it another successful evening.  See photos of the event on our flickr site

Labor and Rest 


 Perhaps because we're in the midst of hiring so many new people here at church, I've been thinking a lot about labor. About work, and leisure, and the privilege of being a part of God's work in the world.

 

It's Labor Day weekend--a time to celebrate workers, and our society's advances in their conditions and treatment. I give thanks for the ways the church has contributed to things that are now part of the fabric of our culture--limiting work hours, ending child labor, improving worker safety. I continue to support efforts for fair wages, ending human trafficking, and humane working conditions. 

 

I'm keenly aware that many people are struggling with work--people are unemployed, and others are overworked; some are underemployed and having trouble making ends meet. It's hard to balance our responsibilities for family, church and work; others struggle with the difficult reality that we're no longer able to do the work we most enjoy.

 

I love that, in the midst of all this complexity, Jesus uses the metaphor of rest and labor to describe what we do when we follow him: 

 

'Come to me, all you that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble in heart, and you will find rest for your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.' (Matthew 11:28-30)

 

He invites us to receive rest, even as we pick up his yoke and become a part of his work. This life of following Christ, as it turns out, is not something we take up on occasion, but a relationship we choose for always.


 

Whatever your life's work (or retirement!), I pray you will feel the call of Jesus' invitation to be a part of his work, too. 

 

Pastor Molly

 

P.S. I will be away again this weekend, enjoying the holiday weekend with my family; I'm thrilled that Michael Lodahl will be our guest preacher, and trust you'll help welcome him. Please note that the Church office will be closed Monday, September 1 to observe the Labor Day Holiday.

Contact Info
Pastor Molly Vetter
310-372-8445 x 102
Guest Preacher this Sunday:
Rev. Dr. Michael Lodahl

 

Rev. Dr. Michael Lodahl, Professor of Theology and World Religions at Point Loma Nazarene University in San Diego, will be our special guest preacher at both worship services. Ordained in the Church of the Nazarene, has been a leader in Wesleyan theology and Christian environmental ethics. He's an engaging preacher, and Pastor Molly is delighted he accepted the invitation to preach here at our church.
Join us for worship at 8:30 and 10:30 am on Sunday!
Sunday, September 7:
A Breakfast Buffet & Ministry Fair
 Between Services
 
Start the fall season off with a full tank: join us for breakfast and learn more about the rich, diverse ministry of our congregation. At each table, you'll find a different (delicious) food, and opportunities to use your own time and energy to let our ministries overflow with blessing to our church, community and world. 
Coming In September:
Basic Needs. A sermon series about the things our bodies, spirits and world need most.

Food. Water. Shelter. Clothing.
These basic human needs are at the heart of many of our worship traditions and our most fundamental beliefs about God. Come experience the many ways God meets our needs, where we are--and how God can use us to respond to the needs of the world.

There will be special options for families and people of all ages at the 9:30 hour each week, too--see more details online! 

Guardianship and Planning Seminar 

for Families

The Endowment committee will host a seminar on important topics for young families with children in September. The one hour presentation will be held in the 9:30 - 10:30 hour fellowship hour on Sunday, October 5th. Endowment Committee member and estate planning attorney, Laura Thatcher will make the presentation. Information on estate planning topics and an opportunity to prepare and notarize a Guardian Nomination will be available. See future articles for any planning details for attendees.

UMKIC is collecting School Supplies for Haiti
 
UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief)  has asked us to help them in their effort to provide much needed kits for the children of Haiti. We will be collecting every Sunday from now until September 21st. 

At the 9:30am hour (on September 21st) we will host a special missions sewing workshop for parents and children, preparing the tote bags for our kits.

On September 28th (during the 9:30am hour) there will be a presentation about UMCOR, and its work in providing disaster relief around the world; following the presentation, people of all ages will help assemble the School Kits to sent to UMCOR to aid its work.
In addition to the School supplies (see above) we need:
- Heavy-duty fabric (denim, corduroy, drapery, fabric etc) for the bags 
- $$ to help cover shipping costs.
Thank you for supporting our Children (UMKIC) in their mission work.
From the Lay Leader, Johnna Kosnoff  
bi-weekly thoughts and reflections from our church Lay Leader

"As your Lay Leader, one of my primary responsibilities is to help empower you, the congregation, in your ministry.  So, I am super-excited about the opportunity coming your way on Sunday, September 7th!  Fill-er Up Sunday will provide the perfect time for you to get familiar with the many ministry opportunities in our church.  All (or, at least, most) ministry groups will have an information station to give you the low-down about their ministry, answer questions and allow you to volunteer.  If you're really nice to them, they'll feed you breakfast too! If you visit all of the Fill-er Up (ministry) stations and you can't find a ministry that fits your gifts and talents, then, please - please, talk to me!..."

  

Worship Helpers Needed:  Liturgists and communion servers for 8:30 & 10:30 worship throughout the summer. If you are available to help out, pleas sign up here.  Junior and Senior High youth are encouraged to help, too!  We also need videographers in the balcony and sound/computer operators downstairs.
Join the Choir!

Excitement is growing about joining the choir--after hearing our new Music Director, Jim Raycroft, speak and sing in worship last week, we hope you might want to get on the great things that are happening this season!


Rehearsals begin Wednesday, September 3, from 7:30-9pm in the Choir Room. Everyone's welcome. Come share your gifts and be a part of some amazing music-making to glorify God.

softballJoin the Team: a Church Softball Team!

Softball Update from membership committee:  We are forming a co-ed slow-pitch softball team.  We'll play in the Redondo Beach D league, with games at Alta Vista (or possibly Anderson) Park on Sunday evenings. The earliest games will begin at 5:30pm and the latest games at 8:30pm. Anyone 18 years of age or older may play. We still need a few more people to comfortably field a team! 

If interested (or if you have questions) please email Troy Thomas here.
The Lay Looker, Bob Peterson  Lay Looker
a view from the pew from a longtime member of our church
  
Social Hour Between Services
 
This September, check out these special Social Hour opportunities:
Sept 7 - Fill 'Er Up Breakfast Buffet and Ministry Fair (Fellowship Hall)
Sept 14 - Watercolor Banner Workshop for families (Fellowship Hall); presentation on our drought and water conservation (Epworth Lounge)
Sept 21 - Sewing Workshop for families - making UMCOR School Kit bags (Fellowship Hall); Presentation on Corazon (Epworth Lounge)
Sept 28 - Learn about UMCOR's relief work & assemble School Kits - 
all ages! (Fellowship Hall)

Note: Adult Bible Study and Choir Rehearsal also meet during this hour!
Thank you to the Families of FUMCRB

Over $600 was raised this summer for Imagine No Malaria at our LemonAid Stands!  
 
Register your Children and Youth for the 2014-15 year!
On Sunday, September 7, stop by the Registration Table at the "Fill 'Er Up" Sunday breakfast and ministry fair to sign your kids' pre-printed registration form for all church children and youth events this year. Or, download the form here, fill it out and bring your copy to the church.
 
Our Weekly Drawing Challenge will continue...

This summer in worship both Youth and Children were invited to connect to the scripture readings through our weekly "Drawing Challenge." Check the Children's Cart (now available during BOTH the 8:30am and 10:30am service) throughout the school year for the weekly bulletin. 
Be sure to turn in your art at the conclusion of the service.
 
Mark your calendars:
World Communion Sunday
is October 5.

Join us at 10:30 for worship with a calypso beat.

Featuring a steel drummer.
(You are welcome to dance.)
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Visit the page and "like" us so you can see and share the latest photos, news and links from the church.
This Week at Church...
 
Nursery 
The Nursery is open during both services: 8:30am  for ages 6 weeks to 6 yrs old and 10:30am for children 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:
 
Join us in church at either worship service! Stop by the children's cart for special challenges and activities that invite children to participate in the worship service. Our new Sunday School session begins at 10:30am on September 7th!

 

Church R Us (4th and 5th grade): 
Join us in church at either worship service! Stop by the children's cart for special challenges and activities that invite children to participate in the worship service. Our new Church R Us weekly session begins at 10:30am on September 7th!
 
Youth Group (6th-12th grade): 
Join in the Drawing Challenge during worship this summer...see the kid's cart in the sanctuary for details.  
--There is an awesome leadership team working to plan early Fall and keep a smooth transition.  Youth Group starts again on September 7, from 3-5pm; we'll also help host a table at the Fill 'Er Up Sunday breakfast and ministry fair that morning. (Don't forget to re-register for the new year--see above...)
 
Adult Sunday School:   
Our Adult Sunday School class will be on hiatus for the summer. Stay tuned for the start-up date in the fall.
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Men's Breakfast:

Our next breakfast is Monday, September 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. 

20/30 group: This young adult group is a casual gathering of people in their 20's and 30's looking to connect with other young adults who attend the same church. Contact Amanda Kuczun for info on upcoming events!

 
First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
310-372-8445 main   310-372-5696 fax
Reverend Molly Vetter, Lead & Teaching Pastor PastorMolly@beachfaith.com 
Ernie Valenzuela, Administrative Assistant  x101  Ernie@beachfaith.com