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

The Pilgrim - August 29, 2010

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

This Sunday, while Jerry is on vacation (he’s officiating at his and Kay’s youngest daughter’s wedding in Maine), I will continue with my sermon series based on a new book by John Buehrens and Rebecca Ann Parker called A House for Hope. Using the metaphor of house as that thing that provides structure, shelter, nurture and welcome, they explore ways that progressive religion can bring hope and purpose into our 21st-century lives.

Linda Kellogg will provide our special music, and Karen Miller will be our lay liturgist.  The 8:30 a.m. adult class on religious literacy will continue, and, as always, there will be time for fellowship in the courtyard after our Sunday service.

We need you!  Please join us for church on Sunday.

Sermon: A House for Hope, part 2
The Rev. Libby Tigner, preaching
Liturgists: The Rev. Deb Moore and Ms. Karen Miller

 

In Sunday School

Theme: Open Table
Scripture Focus: Luke 14:1, 7-14

 

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

Join us at 8:30 a.m. this Sunday as we resume our conversations about “Religious Literacy: What Every American Needs to Know – and Doesn’t.” We are basing our conversations in a book by the same title by Stephen Prothero. Copies are available at the local library or from online booksellers; however, it’s not necessary for you to read the book to take part in the class.

Coffee and childcare are both available – so bring your breakfast and join us in the Klar Rooms at 8:30 Sunday morning.

 

 

Don't Forget - September 12 Is Homecoming!
"Traveling Our Journey Together"

• Four short videos by First Church filmmakers Tom Penner, Kathryn Boyd-Batstone, Jose Sanchez-H. and Adreana Langston
• The choir back from summer break will present two anthems
• Rally Day Activities for church school
• Youth music registration
• Lunch sponsored by the Church History Ministry Team

We’re making a big push for all of our Southern California-based members to be present, so plan now to attend. It will be a day that celebrates the best of our church – so it’s a perfect time to invite your friends, neighbors or co-workers who you think might enjoy being a part of a church like ours.

 

Homecoming Luncheon on September 12
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.

 

Upcoming Events in Our Common Life
By Libby Tigner

The summer is quickly coming to an end, and we are preparing for a full and busy new year of activities.  Plan now to join in whenever you can!

• Homecoming Sunday with Rally Day and a Lunch – September 12
• Music Groups Resume Rehearsal
  • Sanctuary Choir – Thursdays at 7:30 p.m. starting August 26
  • Bellissimo Adult Hand Bells – Thursdays at 6:45 p.m. starting September 9
  • Beloved Bells Youth Hand Bells – Thursdays at 5:45 p.m. starting September 16
  • All Seasons Choir Children’s Choir – Sundays at 9 a.m. starting September 19
  • All Seasons Choir Continued Youth Choir – Sundays at 9:30 a.m. starting September 19
• Café Concert at 1 p.m., Sunday, September 19
• Newer Members Dessert, 6:30 p.m., Sunday, September 26
• All Church Golf Tournament, Saturday, October 23 at 9 a.m.
• Avocation Augmented Concert, Sunday, October 24, at 2 p.m.
• CROP Hunger Walk, Sunday, October 24 at 2 p.m. (Los Altos United Methodist Church)

 

Cranes of Remembrance ...
     Cranes of Peace ...
          Cranes of Gratitude!

After a beautiful service of remembrance and a great forum with Paul Chappell talking about ending war, the cranes are mostly cranes of gratitude. For me there is so much gratitude for the many, many hands that folded and hung cranes. There is much gratitude for so many who helped with both the evening service and the forum. We are a very fortunate community, indeed, to have so many willing to work so hard. Thank you! Thank you! Thank you! And peace.

Bob Kalayjian

 

Stewardship Moment - For Such a Time as This
From Robert Stapp

One of our recent lay leaders in the service was Terry McKiernan, and she shared these words with us about stewardship:

“Robert F. Kennedy once famously said that each time we stand up for an ideal, or act to improve the lot of others ... we send forth a tiny ripple of hope, and … those ripples build a current that can sweep down the mightiest walls of oppression and resistance.

“By supporting our church in its mission, we stand up for our ideals; we improve the lot of others; and we work to fight injustice and oppression. Our offerings can indeed create many, many ripples of hope as we build a church where no one is rejected and all are joyously welcomed and valued. Our gifts can make a powerful difference. Please give generously….”

When we support the mission of First Church by giving of our time, our talents or our treasure, we stand up for our ideals and we can fight injustice and oppression.

For Such a Time as This … you can send ripples of hope to the community.

 

Humanitarian Day Comes to the Drop-In Center
By Brad Lara-Gagne

ILM (Intellect, Love, Mercy) Foundation started Humanitarian Day 10 years as a one-day event during Ramadan in Los Angeles. Humanitarian Day has expanded to 13 counties in California as well as doing international work in countries like Ghana. In response to what happened on September 11, 2001, Iman Saadiq Saafir, father of the ILM foundation, decided that actions speak louder than words and created the Coalition for Human Dignity, helping the homeless as well as many other worthy causes in LA. This will mark the second year they have come to Long Beach, and we are fortunate that the coalition will be partnering with the Drop-In Center on Sunday, August 29. The coalition along with South Coast Interfaith Council will spend the day serving food, passing out hygiene kits and school kits and providing medical care to our guests in the form of a visiting nurse and doctor.

Anyone from First Church who would like to join us would be very welcome. It is a great opportunity to meet members of the Muslim community here in Southern California as well as people of many other faiths who will be participating. There may be new faces in the congregation on that Sunday and many gathering in the courtyard. There will announcements and a blessing given between 11:45 a.m. and noon before we open our doors to the Drop-In Center at 12:30 p.m.

If you have any questions please feel free to contact Brad Lara-Gagne at bradg63@aol.com.

 

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 1 at 8 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.

 

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.

 

 

The Church Mouse has heard ...

... Steve Schatz is a grandfather for the first time. His new granddaughter's name is MacKenzie. Congratulations, Steve!

... A recently published book, Meaning of Life, compiled and edited by Hap C. S. Lyda, is a compilation of one hundred and ten Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) clergypersons who write about the meaning of life for them. Among these ministers is the Rev. Grace Jones Moore, who holds standing with both the United Church of Christ and the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).  Hap C. S. Lyda says, “There well may be no other collection like this in existence.” Grace, and her husband Richard are members of First Church and live in the Pilgrim Place community.

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for Dorothy Baker; Gloria Byrne (Deb Byrne's aunt); Eric (Marc Dickey's brother); G. (Marc Dickey's colleague); Javier (Marc Dickey's friend); Ken (partner of Marc Dickey's colleague); Alison Mitchell; Sammy (Marc Dickey's friend); Paul DuNard upon the death of his wife, Trudy; Robert Stapp upon the death of his mother; Marion Hinze; Mary Martin; and Cynde Soto.

Garrison Paine, grandson of Joanne Paine and Jim Deaton, is stationed in Afghanistan.

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