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From Pastor Molly:
With Such Deep Gratitude
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I've been sorting through old papers as I pack up my office this week, remembering how grateful I am to have been pastor at this church for these past seven years. I found notes you sent me to welcome me to this community--including notes from then-young children who are now the youth I got to confirm during worship this earlier this month. I've found reminders of celebrations and memorials, of grief and hope and dreams that we've shared. Thank you for sharing your lives with me, and for trusting me as your pastor.
It's an incredible gift, to be welcomed in as a pastor and leader in a congregation like this one; it's been a great privilege to get to preach to you each week, to help organize our life together, to lead in your midst as we create the community of welcome that God calls us to. I am so very grateful.
As I get ready for this Sunday, my final day with you as your pastor, please know that I am praying for you! I'm cheering for you, eager to see what new things God will do in the midst of this faithful, gracious community. I am excited for the leadership Rev. Erika will bring to this place, and for what you will be able to accomplish together as each of you (and the church community) continue to grow in discipleship and in service to God.
With deep gratitude
,
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Sunday, June 23
Rev. Molly Vetter, preaching
Galatians 2:23-29
8:30am
in Epworth Lounge
10:30am
in the Sanctuary
Special Music at 10:30: "Gaelic Blessing'
” by
John Rutter, sung by the
Chancel Choir; "Come Sunday" by Duke Ellington, sung by Audrey Yoder
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Many of us who will attend the farewell Pot-Luck luncheon [Sunday] will do so to say an official and heart-felt goodbye to Pastor Molly Vetter and her family as she is transferred to be another church's Pastor. Her new experience at Westwood United Methodist Church will be her second as Senior Pastor and I, along with many of you will miss her educational and thoughtful Sunday Sermons. As the family goes through changes, so do we, for our new Pastor, Erika Gara first preaches to us Sunday, July 7, 2019...
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Farewell Pastor Molly, Matt and Jonah!
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Our Staff-Parish Relations Committee invites EVERYONE to a very special potluck and celebration on
Sunday, June 23
after 10:30 worship
We will honor and thank Pastor Molly and her family for seven wonderful years of shared ministry here at Redondo Beach First UMC.
Dessert will be provided; free-will gift basket will be available...and wear orange (it's her favorite color)
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Every Sunday Our Worship is Special...
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But we have some
extra special things lined up for worship over the next month. Every week there's something:
June 23 - Pastor Molly's final Sunday
June 30 - Guest Preacher: Rev. Lynette Fuka
July 7 - Rev. Erika Gara's First Sunday!
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Take our Church Survey:
Welcoming LGBTQIA+ People
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We are seeking input from the congregation to better know where we are in articulating our commitments to welcome all people, regardless of sexual orientation or gender identity. Our Reconciling Team has prepared a survey to help us hear from you.
Please visit the Welcoming webpage to learn more and fill out the survey. We ask you to respond before Monday, June 24.
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Parking Lot Fundraiser: July 4
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Looking for an easy, one-time way to give your time to support of our church's ministries? We're looking for volunteers to staff our church parking lot fundraiser on July 4!
This year, Stuart Everson is organizing our work teams. Watch for more information!
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TUESDAY NIGHT BOOK CLUB:
We will be enjoying a summer hiatus, and have selected four diverse books to read during these two months. They are:
The Gift of Pain
, by Paul Brand;
The Blessing Way,
by Tony Hillerman;
Normal People
, by Sally Rooney; and
The Bear in the Backseat,
by Carolyn Jourdan and Kim DeLozier. We plan to read as many as, and whichever ones, we wish during these easy summer days. We encourage other book lovers to join us in our summer reading. Then we invite you to come when we convene at 7:00pm on
September 17,
in May Day Parlor, when our discussion will be led by Helen Stockwell.
For more information,
contact Ann Gallagher.
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VBS Needs you!!
VBS volunteers are in 9th grade and beyond and help with the many moving parts of our amazing week.
Art Camp volunteers are 13 and older and will work closely with kids as they dance, sing, and create!
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Ah, tradition.
Like the tradition of a SUMMER LOCKIN! it's a youth group sleepover at church y'all, with games, campfires, and shenanigans that we do every year.
Click
here for more info!
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We're meeting Sunday morning (9:30am) in the youth room to finish up Luff Notes for Pastor Molly. Come! Attend! We'll have everything ready for ya.
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Registration is now open for Week In the Arts Day Camp!
All K-6th graders are welcome to join us August 12-16.
The cost of our one week camp is $200 per camper and financial assistance is available!
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Vacation Bible School 2019 is not one to be missed!
Preschool-8th graders are invited to a week where we'll learn about loving ALL of our neighbors, just like Jesus did!
Vacation Bible School is $45 for one child, $75 for two children, or $90 for three or more children.
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Women's Retreat 2020: Save the date!
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February 28 - March 1, 2020
Prince of Peace Abbey
Oceanside, California
Leader - Rev. Darin Arntson
For more information, email the following:
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Men's Breakfast:
We meet every 1st and 3rd Monday of the month.
Our next breakfast is
Monday, July 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. Contact
Rick McCandless
or
Don Pearson
for more information.
Prayer Quilt Ministry:
Join us for our monthly quilting workshop
Friday, July 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.
Help Wanted: Sound Board Operators:
We are looking for new volunteers for the sound booth during Sunday 10:30 worship!
Let us know
if you are interested.
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This Week: Children, Youth & Adults
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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 - 2nd Grade): Sunday School is on summer vacation! We are glad to welcome kids in worship, and have activity kits to help keep them engaged. Keep an eye out for Funday School activities coming soon! Don't forget to sign up for VBS & Week In the Arts camp!
Church
R Us
(Grades 3-5): CRU
is on summer vacation! We are glad to welcome kids in worship, and have activity kits to help keep them engaged. Keep an eye out for Funday School activities coming soon! Don't forget to sign up for VBS & Week In the Arts camp!
-Middle School (6th-8th grades) Sunday School (10:30am)?
We're
on summer vacation and we are glad to welcome you in worship! Don't forget to sign up for VBS!
-Youth Are Meeting Sunday Morning
(9:30-10:15) to work on Luff Notes for P-Mol!
Young Adults (19-not very specific):
We have informal gatherings and we'd love to connect with you.
Email Stephen for more details!
Monday Small Group:
We'll be on summer break until after Labor Day!
Watch for us back this fall.
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 Pastor's Bible Study
: We are on summer break until we meet on Thursday, July 11 at 10:30am to welcome Rev. Erika Gara as our new pastor!
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United Methodist News & Events
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Our
General Board of Church and Society
has resources to help speak up as people of faith on social justice issues. They have a lot of resources on a variety of issues from the
environment
to
poverty
to
immigration
.
Connect in to this work through their website
.
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First United Methodist Church of Redondo Beach
| 243 S. Broadway | Redondo Beach | CA | 90277
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Free Meal on Wednesday Nights
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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!
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This Sunday is the day we say goodbye to Pastor Molly, although fortunately she’s not going too far - just to Westwood, so we have the option of dropping in to say “hi” from time to time. Personally, I have so many fond memories of my time with her that there really isn’t space to list them all. There are a couple that stand out, though. In one of my first meetings with her, I asked her “If you could have any piece of music written for you, anything at all, what would it be?” The intent was to help to get a feel for the kind of music that was in her soul. Without hesitation or reflection, she said “Well, I’ve always had a hankering for a setting of
O Sacred Head Now Wounded
with a cello solo.” I was fascinated - a cello solo! What an interesting request. I found out later that she played the cello. I wrote just such a setting for her as an Easter gift and we played it that Palm Sunday, and we’ve played it a couple of times since then. The other memorable moment was during a discussion of music. She made a comment about the pentatonic scale (for those of you who don’t know, that’s a scale made up of 5 notes - the black keys on a piano. It has a very distinctive sound). I was flabbergasted…
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Ushers Needed for Sunday Worship
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shers today provide an invaluable service to the church. A church usher is a person who helps ensure a smoothly running church service and who ministers to people in a variety of practical ways. The duties here at Redondo First usually include greeting people as they arrive for the service and assisting people with special needs. They are responsible to take up the church offering and make sure it is put in the proper place. With a goal of minimizing distractions during the music and sermon, ushers stand ready to assist anyone in the congregation who might need help, to aid latecomers in finding a seat, and to inform those in the sanctuary of any urgent matters. If you would like to be a part of this vital church ministry, please contact Don Jones.
Email Don Jones
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Looking for a Way to Volunteer?
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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.
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Our UMW circles meet at the following times:
Circle
Meeting Time
Naomi Circle 2nd Tuesday @ 10:00am
Hannah Circle 2nd Thursday @ 1:00pm
Mary Circle 4th Monday @ 7:00pm
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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.
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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 H
umanity 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 PLACE RECYCLABLES IN THE BLUE BINS IN FELLOWSHIP HALL.
W
e 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.
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We have many spots to fill for liturgists on Sunday mornings. The following link will take you the sign up. Please check it out.
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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.
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