A Liberal Church, Welcoming of All, Passionately Committed to Social Justice

The Pilgrim - December 13, 2009

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

On this third Sunday of Advent, we will have the opportunity to follow the holy family to the manger for the annual presentation of our Gifts to the Manger. The gifts will include our regular offerings as well as unwrapped toys (or checks to the church marked “toys”) to go into the Christmas baskets for families in need in the downtown area.

We will light the joy candle in our Advent wreath, the All Seasons Choir will be singing, and there will also be special music by our Sanctuary Quartet.

In my sermon, I will look at Alice Walker’s 27-year-old novel, The Color Purple, to see what one of the characters has to say about God.

SERMON: Bringing Shug’s God to Church
The Rev. Jerry Stinson preaching
TEXT: Jeremiah 22:13-17
LITURGISTS: The Rev. Libby Tigner and Ms. Cathy Chambers

Next Sunday’s service will center around the Sanctuary Choir’s presentation of The Nativity Carols and Canticum with harp, flute, oboe and percussion. In place of a sermon, Jerry Stinson and Libby Tigner will each tell a Christmas story.

 

Music on Sunday

For the Third Sunday in Advent, the choir will sing “In the Bleak Midwinter” by English composer Dr. Harold Edwin Darke (1888-1976). His famous setting of Christina Rossetti's poem, giving to his delicate melody a beautiful and lilting organ part, is still often sung at the service of Nine Lessons and Carols at King’s College at Cambridge and at similar services around the world. “In the Bleak Midwinter” was voted the greatest Christmas carol of all time in a poll of choral experts and choirmasters, published December 7, 2008. See you in church!

- Dr. Leland, Vail, Minister of Music

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Look Forward
Scripture Focus: Luke 3:7-18

 

In Adult Education
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.

 

 

Blue Christmas Observation This Sunday
By Libby Tigner

The holidays are “supposed” be a joyous time. But for some, December is hard. People who are grieving the loss of a loved one, or who are living with disappointments or sorrow may have a difficult time navigating through the month. We respect those challenges and try to provide a safe place for people to acknowledge the losses and pains of life in our Blue Christmas observation.
This Sunday at 11:45 in Sacred Space, all who are interested are invited to gather in Sacred Space. There will be time for quiet, with music, poetry, liturgy and a special lighting of Advent candles to mark this time. The service lasts about 40 minutes.

 

Gifts to the Manger
By Nancy Valencia

Only a few days are left until the Downtown Associated Youth Services (DAYS) Committee in conjunction with the Board of Outreach delivers holiday baskets to our families in downtown Long Beach.

The Outreach Board and DAYS still need your help. We are accepting the following items:

• Canned fruit and vegetables, tomato sauce and soup; non-perishable, grain items (pasta, rice, flour, breakfast cereal, oatmeal, Bisquick, etc.);
• Non-perishable protein (canned or dried beans, canned tuna or chicken, peanut butter, nuts, etc.);
• Unwrapped toys and gift cards for children, or checks marked "toys."

Items brought this Sunday, December 13, for Gifts to the Manger will be dedicated during the service. Please join us in celebrating the holiday season.

If you are interested in helping to assemble and/or deliver the holiday baskets on Saturday, December 19, please contact Nancy Valencia at 562-234-2851. Please give only what you can and together we can make a difference in a child’s life.

Happy holidays and thank you.

 

Christmas Dinner This Saturday, December 12
By Cheryl Fisher

The All Church Christmas Dinner is this Saturday, with the reception in the Koinonia Room at 5:30 p.m. followed by dinner at 6:30. We have kept the cost to $8 for adults and $4 for kids. Planned events include Avocation and Friends caroling, a visit from Santa, pictures at the fireplace, and of course lots of time to socialize with your church friends. We would love for you to come. Space is limited; if you have not yet bought your tickets, please check with Ruth in the office by Wednesday- some spots may be available.

 

Year-End Reminder
By Melody O'Keefe

Don't forget that you can get a special gift receipt for non-cash contributions for expenditures such as "Undie Sunday," Gifts to the Manger, expenses for work done at the church or any other event that didn't involve a cash donation. Go to the Members Area on the church website, click on Finances, and at the bottom of the page there is a link to the form to be completed and returned to the church. The form gives us information to put into a letter of thanks that will be sent to you.

 

Getting to Know You Groups - Why Sign Up?

Below is Mary Humme’s reflection on the value of being in a Getting to Know You Group:

I would just like to thank those who have shared themselves through the Getting to Know You Groups ... the current ones and also the ones in years past. I may know you through your children or a committee, but it's not the same as when we take more time to share our thoughts, feelings, personal history and hopes for the future. I feel more connected, and am grateful to understand and recognize those elements that have been shared. We may not ever talk about these things (or anything) again, but when I say hello, I am thinking of you on a deeper level - the beginnings of a friend.

New groups are forming now and will begin in January. You can sign up on any Sunday in December after church.

 

First Church to Begin Food Bank to Assist Members
By Libby Tigner

As we all know, this has been a tough economic year on many, including many folks who are a part of the First Church family. We’d like to be able to assist those in need in whatever ways we can, and so we are beginning a food drive for an on-going food bank for First Church members and friends.

Please bring donations of non-perishable foods that can be made available to church members in need. Donations of gift cards to grocery stores or other stores, like Target, will also be appreciated. You can bring these items to church on any Sunday or any weekday. On Sunday, please leave your donations in the narthex, and mark them “food bank.” During the week, you can leave donations with Libby.

The food bank will be administered by the clergy staff. If you need help with groceries, just contact Jerry or Libby in the church office.

 

CCEJ “Under One Sky” Breakfast to be February 24
By Libby Tigner

The California Conference for Equality and Justice (formerly NCCJ) will hold its 19th Annual Interfaith/Intercultural Breakfast on Wednesday, February 24. The guest speaker will be John D. Maguire, President Emeritus of the Claremont University Consortium and Graduate University. Maguire has a long history of activism in America’s struggle for racial and social justice, was a colleague of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr, and was an original Freedom Rider in 1962.

The church will buy a table for the breakfast if we can be assured of filling it. If you would like to commit to attending the breakfast (or sponsoring a seat for someone else) for $38, please contact Libby in the church office (ltigner@firstchurchlb.org or 562-436-2256, ext. 224). If we have 10 reservations by the end of December, we will purchase a table.

 

Riding the Rails to the World March
By Bob Kalayjian

The World March for Peace and Nonviolence came to Los Angeles on Wednesday last, and First Church rode the rails to support this remarkable event and bring a little light to Wilshire Boulevard and to a country and world deeply in need of peace. Sometimes I feel like making this kind of effort, a march with a few hundred people, is not going to make a difference in anything, but a couple of personal friends and a CSULB student on their first march show the power of just showing up. I see the CSULB students in the Drop-In Center for the homeless, and there is the same gift that the leaders of that effort have given to young people who are getting involved for the first time. Many thanks and blessings to all who show up for World March and many other efforts that are changing lives for the better. Peace, peace, peace!

 

Advertise Your Business in The Pilgrim!
By Heather Chambers

Reach out to others in the congregation and let them know what your business has to offer. The Pilgrim editor (Ruth Warkentin) will now publish advertising at the end of each online Pilgrim. Contact Ruth by email at office@firstchurchlb.org for rates and more information.

 

Pilgrim Deadline

The deadline for submitting items for inclusion in the newsletter is Friday at 12 noon for the email going out the following week. Due to the new email format, it is no longer necessary that items be submitted as attachments; they may simply be included in the text of your email.

 

 

In Memoriam

Lowell Johnson, under hospice care and surrounded by family, died very peacefully this last Saturday afternoon. Lowell was a former moderator of the congregation who also served as church treasurer for many years. He was truly one of the true pillars of First Church. A memorial service will be held at the church on Sunday, January 17 at 2 p.m.

 

The Church Mouse has heard ...

... Teri Brewster has four paintings of dogs displayed during the dog show December 3-12 at the Long Beach Westin Hotel; the paintings are in the hotel lobby.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Suzanne Wells Cauble (Bill Wells' sister); Michael Eagan (Dottie Wine's brother-in-law); Agnes Herbst; Donny Lara-Gagne upon the death of his mother; Marlyn McMillin (David McMillin's sister-in-law); Phil (Debbie Byrne's father); Mary Ellen Kilsby's son-in-law; Doris Sutherland (Harold Sutherland's mother); Jeff Ford; Janet Rhodes; Katy Philips (Cynde Soto's mother); David (Jon Rodgers' boyfriend); Donny Taylor (Jon Rodgers' friend); Jann Winn (Yvonne SaMarion's friend); David Bourassa; Bryce King; James McMaster; and Harley Rubenstein (Jerry Kulhavy'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.

 

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First Congregational Church - 241 Cedar Avenue - Long Beach, California 90802
562-436-2256 - Fax: 562-436-3018 - E-mail: office@firstchurchlb.org