4-15-12 Listen

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Dear Friends:

The crowning evidence that Jesus was alive was not a vacant grave,
but a spirit-filled fellowship.
Not a rolled-away stone but a carried away church.
Clarence Jordan

We gather in worship this Sunday as Easter people, revived and renewed by the power of the Easter message. We welcome to the pulpit this Sunday, Rev. Chuck Hoffman, former Senior Minister of our church. Chuck’s sermon will be “It’s About Life” and he will be preaching from John 20:19-31. It is always a pleasure and an inspiration to have Rev. Hoffman with us in worship and I know that you will welcome him warmly.

As many of you gather for worship on Sunday, remember those of us who will be on the Women’s Retreat in Temecula.

Easter Blessings,

Rev. Martha Wingfield

Easter Sunday 4-8-12 Listen Watch Video
Order of Worship Announcements

Dear Friends,

It will be another wonderful Easter celebration this year, with inspiring music from our choir and brass ensemble, a message of resurrection hope, and our annual butterfly release for all ages following both services. 

Easter reminds us that it is never too late to begin again, or to start in a new direction.  As such, I encourage you to come with an open heart as we hear again the story of how God rolls away stones and invites us live abundant lives that are committed to the transformation of the world.  It’s a great opportunity to invited a friend or neighbor to church. 

Plan on arriving early, as last year we experienced record attendance.  If you are planning to attend the 9:00 am service, I encourage those of you who are able-bodied to park off-site (the shopping center down on the corner, or the business park across the street are available for your use).  This will make it easier on many of our members and guests, especially our second service crowd.  Our butterfly release will take place after both services, in the grassy area between the Sanctuary and Founder’s Hall.  Butterflies are still available for purchase, and all proceeds will benefit our children’s and family ministries.

Yours in Christ,

Rev. Mark

04-04-12

Follow this link to see our weekly e-blast and find out what is going on with youth group this week http://archive.constantcontact.com/fs018/1101886008653/archive/1109688843988.html

Bread of Life—for the last several years our congregation has prepared a dinner in our church kitchen, then transported it to, and served it to the clients of Bread of Life, a rescue mission in Oceanside run by Steve and Raylene Bassett.  http://www.bolrescue.org/ has an excellent video showing the people and the program.   Our church’s participation grew from two of our members, Bruce and Kristine Headrick, who helped serve dinners, and was expanded over the past few years to quarterly participation.  Now we prepare and serve approximately 150 meals once a month.  There have been memorable meals.

One Fathers Day we provided new socks for many of the travelers, homeless, and footsore.  Foot washing supplies were available.  One of the well-remembered and loved members of our congregation, the late Don Howell, used to have us serve the food to the people at table rather than passing along the steam table in the kitchen.   One time special entertainment was provided by another congregation at Christmas.  A food pantry serves many during these hard times—they need all the help they can get.

Tuesday, March 20, 2012 John Trexel and a small team accomplished the work with four cooks in the kitchen, two folks transporting, and four serving.  We use a standardized meat loaf menu every time (genius idea, Mary Ann Jones).  A few of the clients at Bread of Life got on the line to help serve this time.  There is room for more people to work with the regulars to cook the basic meat loaf menu (always well received).  Ride along with an experienced hand and see who we are helping.  This is a ministry to continue:  40 Days Living the Jesus Creed (and beyond).

4-2-12

Week Six – At the Tomb with Jesus

After the Sabbath, as the first day of the week was dawning, Mary Magdalene and the other Mary went to see the tomb. And suddenly there was a great earthquake; for an angel of the Lord, descending from heaven, came and rolled back the stone and sat on it. His appearance was like lightning and his clothing white as snow. For fear of him the guards shook and became like dead men. But the angel said to the women, ‘Do not be afraid; I know that you are looking for Jesus who was crucified. He is not here; for he has been raised, as he said. Come; see the place where he lay. Then go quickly and tell his disciples, “He has been raised from the dead, and indeed he is going ahead of you to Galilee; there you will see him.” This is my message for you.’ So they left the tomb quickly with fear and great joy, and ran to tell his disciples. Suddenly Jesus met them and said, ‘Greetings!’ And they came to him, took hold of his feet, and worshipped him. Then Jesus said to them, ‘Do not be afraid; go and tell my brothers to go to Galilee; there they will see me.’
                                                                                    Matthew 28:1-10

Jesus is dead and buried.  It is a total disaster as far as his followers are concerned.  Jesus excited their hopes for the kingdom of God, he gave them reason to believe that what God had promised to his people through the prophets would come to pass.  But now he is dead.  Disasters abound – death, disappointment, and doubt.

Many of us face disasters: financial, relational, parental, marital, as well as physical and psychological diseases.  Disasters rip rest from our sleep, hold us captive until the morning sun dawns, and makes us wonder if we can possibly move on.  And we all face the disaster of death.

…Beyond death is the new life of resurrection.  And beyond personal disasters there breathes the new life of Jesus’ offer of forgiveness, Jesus’ offer of presence, Jesus’ offer of faith and Jesus’ offer of a mission.  Beyond personal disaster there is hope.

                                                                        from The Jesus Creed p. 290

Formation Prayer:  On this day, O God, we express our deepest praise for the power of the resurrection, for raising Jesus Christ from among the dead as the firstborn among all those who follow him in the resurrection.  Through Jesus Christ, Lord of the living.  Amen.