"The Beatitudes" by Sister Corita

Such Blessing

A friend of mine who is a pastor on the other side of the country posed a question on Facebook this week, asking what modern beatitudes we'd like to hear. Who is hungry for Jesus blessing, as he declares: "Blessed are the ______"? Or, on the flip side, another question: when have you known and felt the assurance or promise of God's blessing? 

In worship this week, we begin a month-long series on Jesus' sermon on the mount, beginning with the Beatitudes. I look forward to celebrating God's grace, which offers us blessing and hope, whatever the circumstances.

grace and peace,

Pastor Molly

You may recall that on Epiphany Sunday, Pastor Molly shared a video message from Bishop Carcano with our church.  After that video, you were given three questions to answer and those answers were forwarded to the Bishop's office as one of the steps in discerning God's will for our California-Pacific Annual Conference at this time in our life together.

On Saturday, Pastor Molly and I attended the next step in this process of District Visioning Events.  ... Click here to continue

You can read even more of Johnna's thoughts on our website.

You might know Earnie Neagle because he volunteers his time to play the electric base during our 9:30 worship service or because he voluntarily helps Caroline lead our youth group on Sundays, on summer trips and during Lent small group sessions or because he's always happy to have a conversation and share God's love with you.  All of these special traits are some of the reasons we are acknowledging Earnie in our Disciple Spotlight.

Earnie's professional title is Virtual Manufacturer for Boeing.  When he has time, he loves to hike and enjoy the great outdoors.  He's also a father of four:  Steven, Keven, Andrew and Katie.  All of his kids are special to Earnie.  However, Earnie believes God gave him Andrew, who 

Earnie and his son, Andrew

was diagnosed with Ataxic Cerebral Palsy and a seizure disorder, to teach Earnie how to love others.  Andrew loves everyone and is an inspiration to Earnie in living his own life with love for others.

Earnie didn't grow up in church but his faith journey has been a life-long process; and, like most of us, he's still working on it.  Earnie first started seeing God at work in his life through theatre but his connection with God really began about 10 years ago, while hiking with a friend on the John Muir Trail and finding himself in Evolution Valley.  Upon returning from that hike, he attended Hope UMC, where he met Reverend Nicole, whose sermon topic was hiking, and was later baptized by Reverend Nicole on an Easter morning.  After Earnie met Caroline at a summer youth camp, he learned we were looking for a bass player and God opened the doors for Earnie to share his gifts and talents at FUMC-RB.  He believes "no matter how much you give, you keep getting it back and you can't give it all away."

Earnie's favorite part of the bible is Matthew 5-8, the "red letter" pages of Jesus' own words.  He says, "If you want to know how to live, you listen to those words."  Earnie's favorite way to pray is to simply talk to God, like he talks with a friend, and he does this throughout the day.  Earnie wants others to know that no matter what we do or the mistakes we make, God really loves us.  He also wants a faith that moves him into action.  Clearly Earnie's faith does that for him.  We are fortunate to be blessed by the God-given gifts and talents he shares with us.

Mardi Gras

All-Church Family Party 

Sunday, Feb 23rd     4-5:30pm

Fellowship Hall

Learn the religious significance of this Lenten festival. Enjoy Pancakes, games, a cake-walk contest, crafts, fellowship and good jazz music!