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

The Pilgrim - January 24, 2010

Sunday Celebration Notes from Libby Tigner
Celebrating God’s Love Every Sunday at 10 am.

This Sunday is a great example of all of the good things that are going on in our congregation – the moms and dads of young children will be continuing their book study of Making a Home for Faith; the choir and our soprano soloist, Megan O’Toole, will sing pieces from the upcoming Mozart festival; our new moderator, Alison Mitchell, will lead the “How-Now (Hour-or-so) of Power,” a primer of how to get things done at the church; the Drop-In Center will be open to serve lunch to all who want it; and five youth will gather for their confirmation class. There is truly something – or several things! – for everyone.

In my sermon, I will talk about our human need for meaning and connection, and explore ways that we can work together in our collective journeys. I hope that you will join us!

Sermon: Thinking Theologically
The Rev. Libby Tigner, preaching
Text: Isaiah 43
Liturgist: Mr. Michael Gardner

Next week Jerry Stinson's sermon will be titled "Penny and the Med Students."

 

Music on Sunday

Today is “Mozart Sunday.” The various churches who sponsor the Long Beach Mozart Festival are featuring the music of W.A. Mozart in their worship services. We will feature Mozart in two ways. First, the Sanctuary Choir and our new soprano soloist, Megan O’Toole, will sing the “Agnus Dei” from the “Colloredo Mass.” This movement begins with the soprano solo singing a beautiful setting of the Agnus Dei text (Agnus Dei qui tollis peccata mundi – Lamb of God who takes away the sins of the world). The choir then takes over on the final articulation of the line in the same Adagio tempo. This is followed by a joyous setting of the “Dona nobis pacem” (Grant us peace).

Our second is an aria, “Der Hölle Rache kocht in meinem Herzen, (The rage of hell seethes in my heart), from the opera “Die Zauberflöte” (The Magic Flute), composed in the last year of Mozart’s life. The aria is sung by The Queen of the Night. Here is a brief synopsis of the scene: The Queen of the Night, enlisting the help of Pamino and Papageno, a young love-struck man and his bird-catching companion, has rescued her daughter Pamina from the clutches of Monastotos, a Moorish slave holding her captive in the palace of Sarastro. Upon rescuing her, the queen gives Pamina a dagger and orders her to kill Sarastro, the high priest of the Temple of Isis, who also happens to be Pamina's own father.

This is one of the most demanding coloratura arias in the genre, and Megan does a fantastic rendition. She was the People’s Choice Award Winner at the Mozart Festival “Night in Vienna” a few years ago. I know you will enjoy both the sacred and secular aspects of Mozart’s timeless music. Remember the Gala Concert is Saturday, January 30 at 8 p.m. Elicia Silverstein, violinist and winner of the concerto competition, will play the Mozart Violin Concert in D Major, K. 218. The combined choirs will perform the Missa Solemnis in C Major (Colloredo Mass), K. 337. Both works are accompanied by a professional orchestra and conducted by yours truly. Also featured will be an organ work played by Sean O’Neal. See you in church, and at the gala!

- Dr. Leland, Vail, Minister of Music

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Luke 4:14-21
Scripture Focus: Good News, Good Ways

 

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

Throughout January we are exploring the “Eight Points of Progressive Christianity.” Using a study guide from The Center for Progressive Christianity, we are fleshing out what each of these points might mean for us as individuals and as a congregation.

The class meets at 8:30 a.m. in the Klar classrooms. Coffee is provided, child care is available, and you are welcome to bring your breakfast and a friend!

 

Parent Book Study Continues

The Parent Book Study meets Sundays at 9 a.m. in the Pownall Room to discuss Making a Home for Faith: Nurturing the Faith of Your Child, by Elizabeth Caldwell. The book study will meet each week through February 21. All parents and those interested in children's faith are invited. Childcare provided in the nursery.

 

 

HOW NOW - THIS SUNDAY!
By Alison Mitchell

You've volunteered through the WOO WHO bulletin board and contributed to the WHAT IF Stewardship Campaign, so to continue on our journey together please come to the

ALL CHURCH
HOW NOW (Hour-or-so) of POWER
Sunday, January 24, 11:30 a.m. - 1 p.m.
Downstairs Dining Room

Our time together will include "Everything You Always Wanted to Know about First Congregational Church But Were Afraid to Ask," the well-loved First Congregational Trivia Game "Are You Smarter Than the Moderators?" and the popular party conversation mixer "From Stressed to Blessed." Light snacks will be served, and OF COURSE there will be lovely PRIZES. Child care for kids.

Don't miss out! Please tell Alison or Ruth that you will come.
Alison Mitchell: 562-493-8565, alison123@earthlink.net
Ruth Warkentin: 562-436-2256 x221, office@firstchurchlb.org

 

Kindred Spirits
By Ron Cuttriss

Kindred Spirits will meet at 6 p.m. on January 23 at the home of Richard Berryman. Be reminded this is a potluck dinner, so be sure to bring a favorite dish that will serve six to eight people. Richard’s address is 2244 East Sixth St., Unit 1, Long Beach. If you need directions, please call Richard at 562-433-4545 or 562-706-6020. Parking is OK at Big Lots if no street parking available. For other questions or information, please contact Ron Cuttriss at 310-850-0594 or massageguy90278@aol.com. Please be prepared to pay your 2010 dues. See you the 23rd.

 

Board of Parish Life Baked Potato Lunch on February 14
By Martha Duncan

Save the Date! Board of Parish Life will be holding a fundraiser on February 14 after the service. Baked potatoes with all the fixings plus salad and beverage. And, since it's Valentine's Day, we'll have SWEET potatoes, too! More details to come.

 

Women's Spirituality Retreat
By Libby Tigner

Brochures and registration forms are now available for the women’s spirituality retreat, which will be March 5-7 at Pilgrim Pines. The cost is $125, which includes lodging, five meals and all program costs. You can pick up a brochure at church or download it from the website (firstchurchlb.org). Space is limited, so if you are interested, sign up right away. Scholarship assistance is available. For more information, contact Libby at 562-436-2256, ext. 224 or via email at ltigner@firstchurchlb.org.

 

Fight Homophobia Now
From Jerry Stinson

The following information comes from Amnesty International:

A proposed bill storming through Uganda's parliament is one of the most severe pieces of anti-homosexuality legislation in the entire world! If passed, it would establish an alarming precedent that would virtually annihilate the human rights of Uganda's lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) population.

In October 2009, Parliamentarian David Bahati introduced draconian legislation in Uganda that would make "any form of sexual relations between persons of the same sex" punishable by prison or even death. The bill even takes aim at those offering protection or support to any lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) person by instituting harsh prison sentences of up to seven years.

If the Ugandan Parliament chooses to endorse this hateful legislation, it would be responsible for depriving countless Ugandans of their human rights as well as placing LGBT people throughout the world at significantly greater risk.

The vote on this bill could happen as soon as the end of this month [January], so we've got to act fast.

Fortunately, momentum to fight Uganda's egregious bill has already started building in Washington. Congresswoman Tammy Baldwin (D-WI) is spearheading a joint Congressional letter that will be sent to Uganda's President urging him to put an end to this discrimination. We need ALL U.S. Repre-sentatives to unite in opposition to codify persecution and discrimination in Uganda.
Urge your Representative to sign-on to stop Uganda's Anti-Homosexuality Bill: www.kintera.org.

The negative consequences sparked from the passage of such irresponsible legislation may not stop at Uganda's borders, but may reverberate throughout the rest of Africa and even the world.
Make your voice heard and stand up for human rights in Uganda! Tell your Representative to condemn the proposed legislation that would deal a blow to human rights in Uganda and across the world.

 

Support Haiti and Local Food Banks with Souper Bowl of Caring
By Wally Hoeger

This year the youth of the church have decided to bring back our hunger labyrinth here at First Church on Super Bowl Sunday. At a time when need and hunger are making the headlines on a daily basis, the labyrinth will be a place to pray, meditate, and offer aid to others. Food will be collected this Sunday, the 24th, and on January 31 and February 7. On February 7 the youth will construct a labyrinth for the congregation members to enjoy on that Sunday after church as well as collect monetary donations for the people of Haiti.

What is a labyrinth, you ask? It’s a path that at first glance might appear to be a maze, but in actuality it is the opposite. With one way to enter and one way to exit, it is a single purposeful path that is walked to help become closer to God. It is a meditation and prayer tool used to quiet the mind and focus in prayer or meditation. It can be a powerful experience.

Food donated for the labyrinth will be donated locally to help those who need the support. Monetary donations will be given to the One Great Hour of Sharing Fund to help support the people of Haiti.

 

Thank You!
From Kay Gault

Thank you to all who helped with the baked potato lunch last Sunday - David Cavanaugh, Wayne Itoga, Deb Buller, Harold Sutherland, Robert Stapp, Cathy Chambers, and Ruth Keller. Approximately $350 was raised to support the Pride Parade and Worship and Arts Ministry.

 

Church Council

Church Council will meet on Tuesday, January 26 at 7 p.m. in the downstairs Dining Room.

 

Senior Minister on Study Leave

Jerry Stinson will be on Study Leave from this Friday, January 22 until next Thursday, January 28. He will be attending the West Coast UCC Senior Ministers of Large Churches gathering in Berkeley and then the Earl Lectures at the Pacific School of Religion also in Berkeley. Libby Tigner will be preaching this coming Sunday, January 24 and Jerry will be preaching on January 31.

 

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.

 

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Wilma Boese (Harold Sutherland's greataunt); Don Donan upon the death of his mother; Maycie Herrington; Janet Wiscombe upon the death of her mother; Stan Cook (Georgette DeBruyn's cousin); and Dell Webb (Jon Rodgers' stepfather).

In the armed forces: Daniele Ware (Karen Miller’s granddaughter, stationed in Iraq) and Laura Anderson (Kathy Young's niece, stationed in Bahrain).

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