The Pilgrim - November 22, 2009

Sunday Celebration Notes from Jerry Stinson
Celebrating God’s Love Every Sunday at 10 am.

This Sunday, during the announcement time, the name of one person who has pledged to the church for 2010 will be drawn from a basket and that person will receive a $100 certificate to Utopia restaurant. Be sure to get your pledge card into the office by Thursday if you want to be included in the drawing.

The special music at this week’s Thanksgiving Service will be provided by Lisa Bode Heard and by Bellissimo, our adult bell choir. Burton Karson will be our substitute organist while Marc Dickey is gone.

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My sermon will relate to Thanksgiving, and other than that, it is hard to describe. You will just have to come and hear it.

SERMON: Lessons in Gratitude – and Getting the Bonus Miles As Well
The Rev. Jerry Stinson, preaching
READINGS: Selections from II Chronicles 16 & Nehemiah 11-12
LITURGISTS: The Rev. Libby Tigner and Gordon Shepherd

Next Sunday is the first Sunday of Advent; Libby Tigner will be preaching.

 

Music on Sunday

This Thanksgiving Sunday, we will sing “Pilgrims’ Hymn” by American composer Stephen Paulus. This anthem (which is from the opera The Three Hermits) was composed in 1997 and set to a poem by Michael Dennis Browne. Stephen Paulus is a prolific composer of over 350 works. He is fluent in all genres, including orchestra, opera, chorus, chamber ensemble, solo voice, concert band, piano and organ.

Born August 24, 1949 in Summit, New Jersey, Paulus has lived most of his life in Minnesota. He co-founded the American Composers Forum in 1973 and continues to work on behalf of his colleagues as the Symphony and Concert Representative on the ASCAP Board of Directors. His music has been commissioned, recorded and performed by such varied performers as the New York Philharmonic, Cleveland Orchestra, Atlanta Symphony Orchestra, Minnesota Orchestra, Opera Theatre of Saint Louis, Washington Opera, Los Angeles Master Chorale, Dale Warland Singers, VocalEssence, Doc Severinsen, Thomas Hampson and Deborah Voigt.

For the fourth Sunday in Advent, the Sanctuary Choir, with harp, oboe, flute, percussion and organ, will perform the “Three Nativity Carols,” “Hallelu” and the “Canticum Novum” as a part of the worship service. I will write more about these pieces in the December 20 edition of The Pilgrim. See you in church!

Pilgrims’ Hymn
Michael Dennis Browne

Even before we call on Your name
     To ask You, O God,
When we seek for the words to glorify You,
     You hear our prayer;
Unceasing love, O unceasing love,
     Surpassing all we know.

Glory be to the Creator,
     And the Son,
And to the Holy Spirit.

Even with darkness sealing us in,
     We breathe Your name,
And through all the days that follow so fast,
     We trust in You;
Endless Your grace, O endless Your grace,
     Beyond all mortal dream.

Both now and for ever,
     And unto ages and ages,
Amen.

- Dr. Leland, Vail, Minister of Music

 

In Sunday School This Week

Theme: A Wise Reign
Scripture Focus: John 18:33-37

In Adult Education This Week
Sundays at 8:30 am in the Klar Rooms, upstairs in Pilgrim Hall

We will continue our discussion of “First Light,” a DVD-based series featuring scholars Marcus Borg and John Dominic Crossan which examines the beginnings of the Jesus movement. Filmed in and around Jerusalem and the Galilee, the course discusses life in first-century Palestine and the social and cultural world into which Jesus was born and on which his teachings made such a deep and lasting impact. Reading materials prepared by John Dominic Crossan, including study questions, and are available for $1. You can pick up your copy on any Sunday morning in class.

 

 

Sparkling Reception Tickets Still Available

Tickets for the Winter Festival Concert and Sparkling Reception on Sunday, December 6 at 4 pm are still available. Please mail in your reservation as soon as possible. If you did not receive the Sparkling Reception invitation, please contact Ruth in the church office: office@firstchurchlb.org. If you would like to buy tickets for one of the Saturday performances, please contact the CSULB box office at 562-985-7000.

 

As Part of Our Service Remembering World AIDS Day

During our service on Sunday, November 29 there will be a Time of Special Remembrance. We will remember any of our members’ or active participants’ family or friends who have died of AIDS. It does not matter when they died. You may wish to honor the memory of a partner, a child, a good friend, etc.

During our period of prayer that Sunday, we will read names submitted in advance to the church office by Monday, November 23. The names will be printed on an insert in the bulletin — so please return the form below to the church office as soon as possible. If you want to list several names, just send them on an additional sheet of paper. Please print carefully so that we can spell the names correctly.

DEADLINE: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 23

Please send the following information:

Your Name:

Those who have died of AIDS you would like remembered:

Name:
Relation to You:

Mail: First Congregational Church, 241 Cedar Avenue, Long Beach, CA 90802
Fax: 562-436-3018
E-mail: office@firstchurchlb.org
Phone Ruth in the church office: 562-436-2256, ext. 221

 

WHAT IF ... WE Needed Half a Million Dollars?

Well, now we don’t! Thanks to all those that have pledged! We have received pledges of 80% of our goal. So now …

WHAT IF … WE Needed only 100,000 dollars?

Join First Church 100 Club to insure we raise the last 100 thousand dollars necessary to fulfill our 2010 budget plans. We still need:

100 GUARDIAN ANGELS pledging $1 a week!
50 SOJOURNERS pledging $10 a week!
25 TRUTH SEEKERS pledging $25 a week!
10 PROPHETS pledging $50 a week!
2 ARCHANGELS pledging $100 or more a week!

Are you a …
GUARDIAN ANGEL, SOJOURNER, TRUTH SEEKER,
PROPHET or ARCHANGEL?

Remember, Jesus observed that only the poor widow gave everything. Others gave only from their surplus wealth. The idea of giving all that we have — materially, emotionally and spiritually is a daunting decision. Make your decision — submit your pledge card now. We express our gratitude for your generous contributions to the ministry of First Church during our fiscal year 2010.

When your pledge is received on or before November 18, a leaf is placed on our Giving Tree in the narthex with your name on it, signifying your participation in our 2010 Pledge Campaign. On Sunday, November 22, the names of all those with leaves on the Giving Tree will be placed in a basket, and one name will be drawn. The lucky winner will be awarded a gift certificate to dine at Utopia restaurant in Long Beach. Be sure your name appears on the Giving Tree to ensure your chance to dine and celebrate our successful 2010 Pledge Campaign! Remember: your contributions are tax deductible. If you wish to prepay your 2010 pledge for tax purposes, please make your payment to the church before December 31, 2009.

The Board of Stewardship and Finance

 

Advent Brochures

Advent brochures are available in the narthex beginning this Sunday.

 

Thank You, First Church!

Urban Community Outreach and the Board of Outreach wish to thank the congregation for all of the underwear that was donated. We know many of you personally gave up something so those less fortunate could have some clean underwear.

Sincerely,

Jim Snelling, Undie Sunday Coordinator

 

Memorial Service for Corinne Orr

A memorial service for Corinne Orr, Lisa Orr's mother, will be held on Saturday, November 21 at 11 am in the Sanctuary.

 

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Christopher Aiden Bedolla (son of Mark Cortes' friends); the Negri-Doran family (Cynthia Holt's friends); Lisa Orr upon the death of her mother, Corinne Orr; Bob Phibbs upon the death of his father, Garnett Phibbs; Ed Reeves; and Ann Randolph (Lisa Bode Heard's friend).

In the armed forces: Daniele Ware (Karen Miller’s granddaughter, stationed in Iraq).

Names on the Parish Concerns list appear in two consecutive editions of the newsletter. Those in the armed forces serving in combat zones are listed until they come home. To put someone on either list, put a note on the Parish Concerns board on the Third Street landing or contact Ruth Warkentin in the church office.

 

Becoming a Member of First Church

Whether you have been attending for a few weeks, a few months or several years, we would like you to consider becoming a member of First Church. When you are ready to take that step, please call or email Rev. Jerry Stinson at 562-436-2256, ext 230 or revjstinson@verizon.net.

 

Online Calendar

Don’t miss out! Check the online church calendar at www.firstchurchlb.org/calendar.html for details about all church events. You can use the online calendar to email invitations to friends to church events and to set up emailed reminders to yourself. Just click on any event to see information about it.