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"There is plenty in the fabric of Paul's decisions to challenge us, to guide us, and to comfort us. We have a foundational encouragement because we do have the Holy Spirit and we can pray and seek the Lord as we go through the decisions that are before us."
Pastor Connie in this week's sermon
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“THE SEA WAS ANGRY THAT DAY, MY FRIENDS”
That line has become such a common part of American story-telling that people assume it must be a quote from a famous classic adventure novel. But, actually, it’s from the lips of the George Costanza character in a memorable 1995 episode of the “Seinfeld” show on television. After Kramer’s accidental golf hole-in-one threatens a blue whale’s life, George luckily saves the giant creature by picking up the ball from its blowhole and allowing it to breathe again. You can hear his dramatic description of this stormy ocean encounter in this excerpt https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2a3TZC69tSg
I believe that George’s words had an emotional effect on many Seinfeld listeners because they subconsciously connected them to the well-known novel by Ernest Hemingway, The Old Man and the Sea, which was published in 1952, with movie versions coming out in 1958 (starring Spencer Tracy) and 1990 (starring Anthony Quinn). Hemingway’s plot centers on an old fisherman who is obsessed with catching a giant marlin that continues to elude him. It’s really an allegory for the lonely struggle of a human being against his own mortality, which is, at the same time, heroic and doomed to fail. With his opening words, George Costanza was putting himself in the dramatic role played by Spencer Tracy and Anthony Quinn.
Hemingway, in turn, seemed to be building on an even older literary tradition, The Rime of the Ancient Mariner, a well-known lyric poem by Samuel Taylor Coleridge, published in 1798. In it the old man (or “ancient mariner”) is driven to distraction, not by a giant marlin (as in Hemingway) or a monstrous whale (as in Seinfeld), but a strange and eerie albatross. The bird somehow leads a lost sailing ship to safe harbor, but it is shot and killed by the old fisherman. Coleridge, too, was fascinated with the human struggle in facing mortality.
I suppose we could go back and find even more ancient roots in Greek mythology. Homer’s Odessey (about 700 BC), for instance, describes sailing ships lost at sea because of the misleading influence of “Sirens,” alluring female spirit-figures that seem to represent the temptations of the flesh. (Proving that men have been blaming women for their failures for more than two-and-a-half millennia.)
For us, too, life often seems like an angry sea. There is something in us that thinks we can capture the marlin, shoot the albatross and beach the whale by ourselves. We say, as William Ernest Henley said in his 1875 poem Invictus,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul . . . .
I am the master of my fate;
I am the captain of my soul.
NOT!
A lucky golf shot and good timing may have made George the whale-rescuer for now, but that whale’s likely to outlive him and maybe even attend his funeral (whale life expectancy can be twice that of humans). George’s soul will only be unconquerable by the grace of the God who created whales, giant marlins, albatrosses and blustery old men.
Pastor George Van Alstine
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Altadena Pride 2025
ABC will be hosting a table at the festival at the Altadena Library parking lot. If you can volunteer to be at the table during the 4:30-6:30 PM time slot, let Loren Roberts know. It's a wonderful opportunity to get to know our community.
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TLC Bible Study Gatherings
There are 2 opportunities to join a small group bible study gathering. ---
* Thursday afternoons at 2:00 PM via Zoom. Contact is Alice Blackwood.
**2nd and 4th Wednesday evenings at 7:00 PM in person at 2306 El Molino Ave (new ABC Church Office). Contact is Karen Garrison.
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Men's Prayer Breakfast
Saturday, June 21st at 8:00 AM
at the home of Leon Barinaga
9077 E. Fairview Ave. San Gabriel, CA 91775
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Congratulations Graduates
Hip, Hip, Hooray! to the following achievers:
Gabby Roberts: Cal State University, Fullerton
Miriam Dama: Pasadena Community College
Anneliese Airitam: John Muir High School (Allisonne Crawford's daughter)
Olivia Molina: Excelsior Charter School, Redlands
Sam Fiala: High School
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Celebration
You are invited to join in Miriam Dama's graduation celebration.
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VBS Opportunity
VBS 2025
Metropolitan Baptist Church has invited us to participate in their VBS
Theme: “Discovering Jesus”
July 14 – 18, 2025; 5:00 – 7:30 p.m.
at Metropolitan Baptist Church.
Ages 4 – 11 (elementary through middle school).
No cost.
Meals are provided.
Dear Pastors, Church Leaders, and Families,
Grace and peace be unto you in the name of Jesus Christ.
In the wake of the recent Altadena Fire, our hearts and prayers have been with you and your congregations. We recognize the emotional, physical, and spiritual toll this disaster has had on many families and faith communities in our area.
In response, we are joyfully extending an open invitation to your church families – especially children and youth – to attend our Vacation Bible School (VBS) this summer. This is not just a fun event, it’s a space for healing, hope, and renewal. We want to bless your children with a week of joy, community, and Scripture-based encouragement. More than just crafts and games, this VBS is an opportunity for Gospel centered teaching, Spiritual encouragement and Emotional support.
We believe God is writing a new story of healing and strength for your church and community. Let us walk alongside you – this summer and beyond.
With love and hope,
Sunday School Ministry – Metropolitan Baptist Church
Contact: Bernetta Driver: bernettadriver@gmail.com or 626.755.7916
Gloria Nunn: glorianunn51@gmail.com or 626.824.5507
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World Focus: Fred and Carol Lewis - working on sending out cross-culturally equipped missionaries.
Fred writes:
Please pray for Carol. She will again be in Kansas City at All Nations, Inc., for their pre-field missionary training conference. Over this week she will be preparing missionary appointees for learning their target languages. Please pray that Carol will communicate clearly and effectively. Please pray that she will make good connections with the appointees. The relationships she establishes at the training will be foundational for establishing her knowledge and experience. Possibly more important, she will need to demonstrate to the appointees that she will be a trustworthy and empathetic language coach!
Lastly, please pray that God will give Carol the strength she needs throughout the entire week. For the first time in several years, Carol will be doing all the training and assessments without supporting staff. Her ministry colleague Andrea is currently on sabbatical. This means that all the training sessions, meetings with learners, and the writing of reports will be on Carol's shoulders, alone.
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For Prayer and Praise
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World Focus: Fred and Carol Lewis - working on sending out cross-culturally equipped missionaries.
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Pray for our students, as they finish up school for the year. Pray for the families who are transitioning to summer schedule.
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Please pray for Lori Otttaviano as she continues to recover from home.
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Continue to pray for our church building debris removal and rebuilding.
- Pray for Judy Van Alstine's recovery from cataract surgery. The healing is slower than expected.
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Please pray for the health of Coreen Larson, Dale McCall, and Juanita DeVaughn.
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Please pray for our Altadena community as we recover from the Eaton Fire.
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Please pray for those who are facing difficult decisions because of the fire.
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Remember these in prayer: Phyllis Blackwood Henderson, Dale McCall, Zobrist family, Gordy Horn, Mary Muse, Lois Harris, Karen Knudson family, Pat Losie, Shari Khudanyan, Juanita DeVaughn, William Lebsch, Peggy Golden, Sherry Cavallo and family, Peter and Coreen Larson, Patricia Harris, Jill Boekenoogen, the Bassett family.
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Sunday Morning Worship - livestreamed
For the next few weeks, we will be holding our morning worship on Sundays at 11am at the Highlands Church, 4441 La Crescenta Avenue in La Crescenta. Come as you are!
We are livestreaming once again on YouTube at https://www.youtube.com/c/AltadenaBaptistChurch
CHURCH CALENDAR
Wednesday, June 11
- 7:00 PM TLC Bible Study in person**
Thursday, June 12
- 2:00 PM TLC Bible Study via Zoom *
- 6:00 PM Education Department Meeting via Zoom
- 7:00 PM Deacon Board Meeting via Zoom
Friday, June 13
Saturday, June 14
- 3:00 PM Altadena Pride Walkabout
Sunday, June 15
- 11:00 AM Worship Service in person at Highlands Church (see above announcement for church address)
Thursday, June 19
- 2:00 PM TLC Bible Study via Zoom *
- 7:00 PM ABC Finance Department Meeting via Zoom
Friday, June 20
Saturday, June 21
- 8:00 AM Men's Prayer Breakfast @ Leon B.'s home (see address above)
Sunday, June 22
- 11:00 AM Worship Service in person at Highlands Church (see above announcement for church address)
- 12:30 PM Membership Care Department Meeting
Tuesday, June 24
- 7:00 PM ABC Rebuild Team Meeting via Zoom
Wednesday, June 25
- 7:00 PM TLC Bible Study in person**
Thursday, June 26
- 2:00 PM TLC Bible Study via Zoom *
Friday, June 27
Saturday, June 28
- 10:00 AM-Noon Deacon Board mini- retreat
Sunday, June 29
- 11:00 AM Worship Service in person at Highlands Church (see above announcement for church address)
Thursday, July 3
- 2:00 PM TLC Bible Study via Zoom *
*Contact is Alice Blackwood
**Contact is Karen Garrison
(TLCs are Bible study and prayer small groups)
Some current meetings are held on Zoom. Please continue checking the Messenger for further updates.
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