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

The Pilgrim - August 8, 2010

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

At this Sunday’s service, we will sit under more than 2,500 origami paper cranes. This week marks the 65th anniversary of the 1945 bombings of Hiroshima and Nagasaki. The liturgy and content of our service will both help us remember that terrible reign of death and call us to action in creating a world filled with peace.

We will view a short video that talks about the story of Sadako and the paper cranes. Bob Kalayjian will share his own personal reflection on why we gather under those cranes. My sermon will focus on imagining a post-nuclear world. Tina Datsko will provide our special music, again focusing on the possibilities of peace.

SERMON: Imagining a Post-Nuclear World
The Rev. Jerry Stinson preaching
READINGS: Amos 9:7; Isaiah 2:1-3; Galatians 3:28-29
LITURGIST: Dr. Robert Kalayjian

 

 

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Living into the Promise
Scripture Focus: Hebrews 11:1-3, 8-16

 

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

Jerry Stinson will lead the final session in his class “The Heart of Islam,” based in the book of the same title. You are welcome to join the class, even if you haven’t been to the previous sessions or missed a few. Coffee and child care are both provided.

 

 

Luncheon on Homecoming Sunday
By Barbara Smith

The Church History Ministry Team invites you to lunch on Homecoming Sunday, September 12. The team’s delicious salad bar, drinks and dessert will be provided. Tickets for this event will be on sale August 29, September 5 and September 12: individuals $8 and families $20. Luncheon will be held in the downstairs Dining Room.

 

Same the Date! Homecoming Is September 12
By Libby Tigner

We’re still in the midst of summer travels, but take a minute now to mark your calendar. We’ll kick off the new year of fall programming and welcome the choir back on Sunday, September 12. The theme for homecoming this year is “Traveling Our Journey Together.” The Sunday service will feature four short videos about our congregation made by members of our church: Kathryn Boyd-Batstone, Adreana Langston, Tom Penner and Jose Sanchez-H.

 

There Is Still Time to Purchase Your Pacific Island Tour Luau Tickets
By Mary Flynn

August is here and the Pacific Island Tour Luau event is just a few weeks away. You still have time to purchase your tickets. For more information visit the SCNCUCC.org website or stop by the Luau table in the courtyard after service on Sunday and Mary Flynn will be there to answer your questions and help you with your ticket purchases. 

This is going to be a very special event and will give you, your friends and your family a chance to enjoy a wonderful summer day in the sun along with other United Church of Christ members. Here are some of the highlights:

Authentic Luau Buffet
Dance performances representing each of the Pacific Islands
Fantastic Pacific Island Band
Samoan Money Dances (if you have never experienced this, you will not want to miss)

Luau Date: Saturday, August 21
Time: 12 p.m. to 6 p.m.
Location: Queen Mary Event Park located next to the Queen Mary in Long Beach
Ticket Price: $50 for a general ticket, or you can purchase a VIP table of 10 for $750

This is a fundraiser to support the ministries of the
Southern California Nevada Conference United Church of Christ.
Sponsored by
SCNCUCC and the Samoan Ministry Team.

 

2010 Golf Tournament October 23
By Libby Tigner

Watch your Pilgrim for more details about this year’s golf tournament. Information is also available at the church website, firstchurchlb.org. For the first time this year, you can register and pay online.

The tournament will be at David L. Baker Golf Course in Fountain Valley, with our first tee time set at 9 a.m. The $60 registration fee includes green fees, cart, range balls, lunch and goody bags. Our friendly tournament is perfect for golfers of all levels, so don’t be shy – come out and play!

 

Angels Baseball Game August 29
By Libby Tigner

There are only three tickets left for the First Church day at Angels Stadium! For $20 you’ll get a terrace box seat (value $28) AND a voucher for a hot dog and soda. Here’s the best part – the seats are in the shade!

To get your ticket, send an email to Libby at ltigner@firstchurchlb.org. Once they’re gone, they’re gone!

 

Save This Date: CROPWalk Is October 24
By Jerry Stinson

The 35th Annual Long Beach Area CROPWalk will take place on Sunday afternoon, October 24. This year’s walk with start and finish at the Los Altos Methodist Church at Woodruff and Willow. The walk will again take us through the campus of Cal State Long Beach.

First Church has a long history of supporting this interfaith effort to raise money to help people in need. The proceeds go to Church World Service for its global outreach programs and to several local agencies, including Su Casa, run by our own member Vicki Doolittle.

Bob Halter has walked in every single one of the Long Beach walks – that’s real dedication! But in the last few years, the number of First Church walkers has diminished. It is time we recommit ourselves to participating in this important event. So put the date on your calendars now and watch for more details in the fall.

 

Chamber Music America Concert - September 1, 8 P.M.

Chamber Music America (CMA) will present a showcase concert of small ensemble music at First Church on September at 1 p.m. Six ensembles, selected through a competitive process from CMA’s national membership, will perform. On this program are a wide range of styles, including classical, jazz and contemporary music. Scheduled to perform are 88 Squared Piano Duo, Brasil Guitar Duo, the Calder Quartet, the Gaudete Brass Quintet, and Kat Parra and the Sephardic Music Experience. The concert is free and open to the public.

 

Run a Marathon and Raise Funds for Clean Water in Africa

Team World Vision is a program of World Vision that gets people to train for and run half and full marathons while raising funds for clean water in Africa. Train for the 13.1 L.A. and the L.A. Marathon with Team World Vision. You don't have to be a runner. There is no fundraising minimum, and you can train with others in one of their training groups. To learn more and meet Team World Vision staff, attend an informational meeting: August 21, 8 a.m. at Lululemon in Fashion Island, or August 26, 7 p.m. at Ata a Snails Pace, 8780 Warner Ave., Fountain Valley. For more information contact Andrea Witting at awittig@worldvision.org.

 

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.

 

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for the family of Bob Klar; the family of Ed Reeves; the family of Iris Wells; the family of Mike Taylor (Lisa Bode Heard's friend); Trudy DuNard (Paul DuNard's wife); Gary Kellogg (Jennifer Mota's father); Deb Moore; Miriam Stapp (Robert Stapp's mother); Adella Valla; and Celeste Williams (Ruth Keller and Larelle Hendon's friend).

In the armed forces: 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 the 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.

 

To place an ad in this newsletter, please contact Ruth Warkentin in the church office.

 

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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