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

The Pilgrim - September 5, 2010

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

On this Sunday of Labor Day weekend, I want to look at some issues of morality in the American workplace where sometimes workers are paid such low wages they must struggle to survive and support their families. Is it wrong for Andrew, the manager of a Midwestern fast food restaurant, to put some of his low-wage workers in for more hours so their paychecks will be bigger? Is it wrong for Joaquin, a food company manager in the West, to let low-income workers take some food and make a meal after their shift, or take some food for their children? Is a new moral underground, or perhaps an immoral underground, emerging today? That’s what my sermon will explore.

One of our newer choir members, Elizabeth Kuyper, will provide the special music on this final Sunday of the choir’s annual vacation.

SERMON: A New Moral Underground -- ? or !
The Rev. Jerry Stinson preaching
READINGS: Leviticus 19:13 and Deuteronomy 24:14-15
LITURGISTS: The Rev. Libby Tigner and Mr. Aaron Palmer

Next Sunday, four short videos created by First Church filmmakers
will be shown in place of a sermon.

 

In Sunday School

Theme: A New Identity
Scripture Focus: Philemon 1-21

 

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.

 

 

First Church Café Returns This Sunday
By Libby Tigner

Join us for lunch this Sunday! September marks the return of the First Church Café, our shared lunch in the dining room on the first Sunday of the month. Take some time to relax, get to know folks, talk about your summer, and catch up with one another as we enjoy a meal prepared by Karen Cannon. The menu will be “A Labor Day Picnic” and will feature these mouth-watering delights:

Forbidden City Chicken Salad
Thai Peanut Shrimp Noodles
Potato Salad Provencal
Greek Summer Pasta
Lemonade and Iced Sun Tea
Summer Peach Berry Shortcake with Whipped Cream

There will also be a children’s table that will offer turkey and cheese sandwiches, pizza pinwheels, veggies, fruit, “bumps on a log” and Cinnabon cinnamon cookies.

The cost for lunch is $8 for adults and $4 for children 10 and under.  We want you to join us!  If you or your family need financial assistance to be able to enjoy lunch, just see one of the ministers; vouchers are available.

 

Homecoming Sunday Is September 12
"Traveling Our Journey Together"
By Libby Tigner

The end of summer means the beginning of fall and a new academic year of activities and events at church. We’ll welcome one another back from summer travels and kick off the new year on our annual Homecoming Sunday, which is September 12. The Worship and Arts Ministry Team has been planning all summer for a wonderful celebration of our life together. The Sunday morning service is being built around four short videos which are being prepared by First Church filmmakers Kathryn Boyd-Batstone, Adreana Langston, Tom Penner and José Sánchez-H. Each video will focus on a different aspect of our journey together as a community of faith. Homecoming will also mark the return of the Sanctuary Choir.

The day will begin at 9 a.m. with the Rally Day breakfast and registration for fall children and youth classes and music groups. Information about upcoming adult activities and classes will also be available. After church, everyone is invited to join us for a lunch prepared by the Church History Ministry Team ($8 individuals/$20 family groups), which will be served in the Dining Room.

This will be a joyful day in the life of our community – and we really need YOU to be there to celebrate with us! Plan now to be at church on Sunday, September 12 for our Homecoming Sunday events.

 

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 September 5 and September 12. Individuals $8 and families $20. Luncheon will be held in the downstairs Dining Room.

 

Sermon Discussion Opportunities
By Libby Tigner

Did you love Sunday’s sermon? Hate it? Like some parts, but really disagree with others? Need an opportunity to unpack it all just a bit? You are not alone. Beginning this coming Sunday, September 5, there will be a “Sermon Discussion Table” set up wherever we are gathering after church. On Sundays when we’re having lunch (like First Church Café this coming Sunday), it’ll be in the Dining Room. On most Sundays, it’ll be in Patterson Hall.

Just look for the sign on one of the tables that says “Sermon Discussion Table” and have a seat. We’re hoping to get some lively conversations going!

 

Ninth Annual First Church Golf Tournament!
By Martha Duncan, Chair, Board of Parish LIfe

When: Saturday, October 23
Where: David L. Baker Golf Course, Fountain Valley, CA
Cost: $60

We will gather at 8:30 a.m. and the first tee time is 9 a.m. We'll enjoy lunch together after we finish! Registration forms are available on the Third Street landing OR online! Just go to the church website, www.firstchurchlb.org, and look for the golf tournament info on the first page!

 

Can You Help?
By Yvonne SaMarion

A few of the church vacuum cleaners are feeling the presence of the Grim Reaper following them. They are no longer functioning very well and are in dire need of overhauls and tune-ups. Our rug shampooer is shooting sparks as it tries to maintain church carpets. Do you have time to spare and a truck to carry our equipment to the repair shop? Please give a call to Yvonne at 562-436-2256 extension 227.

 

Help for Pakistan Flood Victims
By Cathy Chambers

Thanks to everyone who contributed after church August 22 to the Pakistan flood relief efforts organized by Church World Service (CWS). We raised over $300!

If you didn’t make it to church on the 22nd  but still want to help, it’s not too late. Write a check to First Congregational Church with "CWS Flood Relief" in the memo line. Or if you prefer to contribute online to our denomination’s relief effort, go to UCC Pakistan Flood Relief and click on the donate button. You may also donate to CWS directly online at www.churchworldservice.org (click on the How to Help tab). For news about relief efforts, go to the CWS Pakistan/Afghanistan site: www.cwspa.org/.

Remember, too, that CROP Hunger Walks raise funds for CWS. Set aside the afternoon of October 24, gather a bunch of your friends and take part in the Long Beach CROP Walk. More information is available at www.churchworldservice.org (click on the CROP Hunger Walk tab) and registration/pledge packets will be available at church soon.

 

Men's Retreat At Pilgrim Pines, October 1-3

Facilitator: The Rev. BJ Beu, Neighborhood Church, Laguna Beach
At this year's men's retreat, we invite you to find time for silence and reflection, find time for rest, find time for God. Our retreat will offer opportunities to simply be in the presence of God ... in silence ... in prayer ... in laughter ... in fellowship ... in drumming ... or simply going for a hike. If you want to reconnect with your life, don't miss our retreat! For more information, contact Pilgrim Pines at 909-797-1821 or see www.pilgrimpinescamp.org.

 

A Faith and Reason Seminar
Radically Faithful: Passionage Christianity Confronting Empire and Savage Inequality

Friday, October 8, 7-9 p.m.
Saturday, October 9, 9 a.m. - 3:30 p.m.
All Saints Church, Pasadena
132 North Euclid Avenue

JOHN DOMINIC CROSSAN and JOERG RIEGER will address critical issues facing us today and ask the questions, "Is it possible to be a faithful Christian today without addressing systemic injustice? Why, in the wealthiest country in the history of the world, do we have such savage economic inequality that allows a 10+% unemployment rate and vast disparities between the wealthiest and poorest?" Together Crossan and Rieger will challenge us to see not only how Jesus focused on economic and sociopolitical issues, but how current pressures force Americans to take a fresh look at both empire and economics.

To register online for the seminar and to find more information about the event including the schedule, hotel, venue information and publicity flyer, go to the Faith and Reason website. Registration is open and space is limited. Cost per person is $50 which includes a box lunch on Saturday. This FAITHANDREASON® seminar is presented by Progressive Christians Uniting, The D.L. Dykes, Jr Foundation, The Joe B. and Louise P. Cook Foundation, All Saints Church, Pasadena, CA, and The Progressive® Christian.

 

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.

 

 

September Birthdays

1 Linda Kellogg, Bryce King
2 Carole Yochum
4 Carole Patten, William Purcell, John Sharpe, Kathy Young
5 Steven Adams
9 Meghan Ramsay, Dominique Sinclair
10 Marc Dickey, Don Donan, Melissa Infusino, Kevin Nutt
11 Laura Butler, Isabel Drake
12 Ben Bond, Leslie Charles, Grace Hiller
13 Michael Smallwood
14 Chris Holman, Janet Rhodes
15 Richard Moore
16 Martha Duncan
17 Sue Johnson, Brandon Solem-Kuehl
18 Jim Deaton
19 Karen Cannon
22 Esperanza Aceves
23 Ruth Keller
24 Wendy Chavis
26 Joe Ernst, Adreana Langston
28 Dorothy Deatherage, Michael Earl, Casey Holman
29 Scarlett Johnson
30 Sarah Borrero, Drew Wilson

 

September Anniversaries

3 Tina Datsko and Jose Sanchez-H., 16 years
3 David and Marjorie McMillin, 50 years
5 Jerry and Alison Mitchell, 18 years
5 Ronald Mullens and David Clements, 23 years
6 Wendy and Timur Kuran, 30 years
11 Bill and Carole Yochum, 23 years
20 Randel and Dorothy King, 24 years
20 Ray Vargas and Thomas Nicolai, 15 years
22 Aaron and Laura Gonzalez-Palmer, 9 years
22 Ester and Isagani Sagun, 26 years
27 Chuck and Georgette DeBruyn, 30 years

 

Parish Concerns

Your thoughts and prayers are requested for David Cavanaugh; Jim Frisby; Richard Grauman; Marion Hinze; Harold KameyaMike (Marc Dickey's co-worker); Janet Rhodes; 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; and Sammy (Marc Dickey's friend).

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.

 

Please reply to this email to be removed from our mailing list.

 

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