The Touchstone Midweek Bulletin

March 7, 2010

I'll be honest. When I opened up the Bible to see what the lectionary assignment in Isaiah was for this Sunday, I was a bit surprised. Right here in the middle of Lent is a passage that is about eating and drinking and delighting!! "Hearken diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in fatness." The message in Isaiah is that God woos us with sensual delight and then whispers in our ears that God wants us close so that God can make an everlasting covenant with us. Hmmm. God knows that we love food and drink (and clothes and golf, wine and purses, nice power tools and shiny new technology). Okay, says God, have those things, but "incline your ear, and come to me?"
Isaiah goes on to urge us to seek out God and know that God is beyond all of this stuff of human life and pleasure!!! What a great passage to read during Lent when we are well aware of trying to discipline ourselves to do something different. The text is paired with a brief parable in Luke's Gospel that shows us indeed that God's ways are not our ways!! Join us in worship this Sunday as we explore the themes of these two passages and celebrate the Sacrament of Communion. Confirmation Class will take place from 10:30-11:45.

After worship we will have a time of fellowship in our parlors. Our Directory Committee will be on hand to take pictures for our FCC photo directory. Pictures will be taken family style in the East parlor this Sunday as well as on March 14th and 21st after worship. If you have questions, please direct them to Amy Story Johnson or Don Hughes. All members and friends of FCC are encouraged and invited to be in our photo directory.
Hope to see you Sunday! - Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy

Greeters are: Ken & Beth Biery and Trenton Hart
Ushers are: Marie & Robert Spencers, Peter Keller and Kim Story
Liturgist is: TBA
Acolyte is: Rebecca Rinck
Church School Teachers are: Andy, Krysty and Grace are teaching.
Confirmation class taught by Jake and Marlene Pomeroy

Other Opportunities Coming Up:
Lent: Each week in the six weeks of Lent a different area UCC church is providing us with daily reflections. Unfortunately this past week we were not given them. However, our church is assigned the week of Sunday March 7-Saturday March 13, so look for our reflections in a later e-mail this week! Also, please notice our Lenten bulletin board outside the chapel this week. We are posting different Lenten practices that folks are doing to observe Lent! If you have one or two for us to post, please send it to one of the pastors at fccrevs@yahoo.com We are happy to post your practice anonymously! Come and be inspired by what others in your faith community are doing this season.
In addition to the Reflections this Lent, we are also inviting folks to participate in two activities this season: the first is the Annual Easter Basket distribution to children and adults through ECPAC. The deadline to deliver a basket to ECPAC is Friday March 26th. If you wish for us to deliver it to you, please bring it in by Wed. March 24th. Ideas for the baskets are: gender neutral gifts, candy, gift cards, small goodies that cannot be swallowed by young children, etc.

The second activity is work on the Glendale Habitat project on Saturday March 27th from 12-4 p.m. We are hoping to invite youth 16 yrs. and older from all area UCC churches to have first priority but we also want adults!! If you are interested, please speak with Lu Burd or Marlene Pomeroy ASAP so we can get you the forms and the information needed.

Newsletter deadline: Monday March 8th!! Get in any articles that pertain to this month through Easter Sunday!!!

Installation of Rev. Skip Lindeman - will take place Sunday March 7th at 3 p.m. at the Congregational Church of La Canada. All are welcome to attend this service to install Skip as the settled pastor there.

February 28, 2010

This Sunday in worship I will be preaching on Luke 9:28-36. In this passage, Jesus took the disciples to the mountaintop to pray. But rather than entering deeply into prayer and truly listening to how God may be speaking to them... the disciples rush straight into doing-- to misguided action. For Lent this year, I decided to take on a daily morning prayer practice to help center and connect me to God each morning. It's a practice I used to do on a more-or-less regular basis but have gotten away from. Much like a workout regimen, in my newly (re) adopted morning prayer, I'm trying out a regular routine of exercises. You could liken each one to a physical exercise, each one strengthening a different (spiritual) muscle group.
After a short time of silence, I enter into Awareness, noticing how I've felt God's presence in my life over the past 24 hours.
Next I ask for forgiveness for the ways I have fallen short in using the gifts I've been given and failed to offer my life to others. I pray to be Showered with God's grace and forgiveness. I then take time to consider all the blessings in my life and give Praise and thanks to God for these blessings and for the gift of life.
I Engage, opening myself up to being transformed and used. I spend time listening for God's guidance.
Finally, I name the Needs I want to lift up? those people, places and situations in need of God's love, comfort, healing and grace.A spiritual mentor introduced this particular practice to me, and called it A.S.P.E.N., explaining that in prayer she's felt like an aspen leaf, connected to the source of life, blown/moved by the spirit. After A.S.P.E.N., to end my prayer time, I usually say the prayer of St. Francis, asking to be made into an instrument of God's peace.

Unlike the disciples who were corrected by a loud booming voice from the sky, I don't always get clear guidance from the period of prayer and listening, but it's my hope that through the daily practice during Lent I will be transformed and somehow receive a renewed (and renewing) sense of call and purpose. I look forward to seeing you in worship on Sunday!

- Assistant Pastor Andy Schwiebert

Sunday Morning pick-up Gospel Choir meets at 9 a.m. in the choir room under the direction of Connie Washburn. We are joined this week by Damon Zick's jazz group, Quarteto Nuevo!

Greeters scheduled: Jackie Lonnquist and Barbara May
Ushers: Avis Hinks, Nate Lewis and Judi Tyler
Liturgist: Sue Miele
Acolyte: Sandy Grant
Teachers are: Krysty Leckrone, Judi Tyler, Andy Romine and Roberta White

Other opportunities coming up to engage in:

How are you observing Lent? You are invited to share your response to this question with others by sending an email to Pastor Marlene at fccrevs@yahoo.com. We'll anonymously post your response alongside others on the bulletin board outside the chapel for all to see and appreciate. Let's be inspired by others this Lenten season!

On Saturday Feb. 27th we are showing the next film in our Conscientious Projector series entitled, "Angels in the Dust." It is the story of hope and healing in South Africa as Marion Cloete and her husband move from suburban Johannesburg to a small village to build a school and home for more than 550 South African orphans. The creator of this documentary film, Louise Hogarth, will be with us for the evening! Potluck at 5:30 p.m. and film begins at 6:00 p.m. Join us in the church parlors. If you need childcare, please contact Nina in the church office by Thursday Feb. 24th (626) 795-0696.

On Sunday Feb. 28th our Church Council will have their monthly meeting beginning promptly at 11:30 in Rm. 232. Please be in touch with our Moderator about bringing some food to share for this lunch-time meeting. Childcare is available till 1:30 when we end
.

February 21, 2010

Today marks the beginning of the season of Lent - a season of reflection and preparation for Easter. We are invited to set aside these forty days as a time for deepening our faith in God. In our United Church of Christ tradition, we are invited to observe this season in a way that is meaningful to us. For some, this may mean taking on a spiritual discipline for the forty days - either something we already do that we might do in a different way, or a new discipline that we have been toying with. Now is the time to begin!! For others, this might be an opportunity to "fast" from something for this length of time. Traditionally it may mean giving up a certain type of food, but it might be non-food related! Be creative! Maybe we need to give up procrastinating or complaining this year. Perhaps we need to give up another habit that is creating an obstacle to our health and well being. Take the time to reflect on what might be meaningful for you this year and give it a try!

For Lent in 2006 I made the decision to practice yoga at my local YMCA at least once a week. It was hard to add this to my schedule, but I managed to do it most weeks and I fell in love with this discipline. Now, four years later, I am certified as a yoga teacher and practice/teach yoga at least four times each week! Who knew that a Lenten discipline could have such a lasting impact? For me, this is a spiritual discipline that works with my personality and temperament far better than meditation or silent prayer. Perhaps for you silent prayer each day might work! I know Rev. Lynch uses distance running as one of his spiritual disciplines!! Others might use knitting or baking as a way to be with God. I invite you to use the tools of discernment to discover what your body and soul needs this Holy season. How will you observe the season of Lent this year?

In worship on Sunday we will mark the first Sunday of Lent by hearing the account of Jesus' temptation by the devil in Luke's Gospel. I urge you to read the passage in advance of worship and consider the role of temptation in your life. When you come to worship on Sunday, please remember it is Pasadena Marathon Sunday - consult your last newsletter or the marathon website for a route to church and allow extra time! (pasadenamarathon.org) Also, due to a University Club event, there will be no parking at the University Club this Sunday. You may park in either of our lots or in the small Fuller lot, just adjacent to our Walnut lot - enter on Oakland.

This Sunday we will be having Confirmation Class at 10:30 till 11:30. We are also having a Lenten Lunch and program this Sunday - food catered by Pita Pita will be ready for you after worship/coffee hour and there will be programs for all ages: adults will be in the east parlor for a discussion about Lent, youth will be in the computer room meeting with Pastor Schwiebert, and the elementary youth will be in the youth lounge watching a movie. Of course the nursery will be open through the end of the program around 1:00. Join us as we explore the season ahead! - Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy

Greeters are: Nate and Varnell Lewis
Ushers: Sandy Biehler, Robert Rinck, Cindy Speakman and Lurline Brown
Liturgist is: Andy Romine
Acolyte: Lachlan Ashenmiller
Church School Teachers: Krysty Leckrone and Roberta White
Confirmation led by Pastor Schwiebert
Lenten program for all ages 11:30-1:00 ish

Also Coming Up:
The Halogen Fellowship Group is traveling to Chinatown this Saturday, Feb. 20th to have Dim Sum together and watch the Chinese New Year Parade! Please RSVP to Lu Burd or Marlene by Friday if you plan to join the group for lunch at 11 a.m. at the Empress Pavilion at 988 N. Hill Street. Lu is making reservations! There may be a group that travels on the Gold Line from Pasadena. Let us know by Friday at the latest. All ages are welcome! Bring cash to help pay for lunch easily - $15-20.

In our newsletter this past week the prayers were omitted. Please keep the following in your prayers: Mel Smith, Jack Badzey and Jackie Hoyt.

The SCNC Church Vitality Event is happening this Friday Feb. 19th and Saturday Feb. 20th. See the conference website for more info - scncucc.org for further information. The conference is being held at the First Congregational Church of Long Beach.

February 14, 2010

This Sunday is Peace and Justice Sunday and we welcome Carlos J. Correa of Justice and Witness Ministries of the United Church of Christ as our guest! In worship our scripture text is Matthew 25:40-45 and Carlos will preach a sermon entitled "Jesus is a Verb Not a Noun!" We hope you will join us for worship at 10AM in our Sanctuary. At 11:30AM we will have a Forum in the parlors where Carlos will share about his current work as the Program Coordinator of Centro Romero, a US-Mexico border ministry in San Ysidro, CA. We will serve light refreshments and all are welcome to join our discussion! Carlos' visit is sponsored by our Peace and Justice Committee.

Liturgist: Jordan Leano
Acolyte: TBA
Greeters: Peter Keller, Irene Keller and Cindy Speakman
Ushers: Ron White, Kathie Arscott, Jeff Levison and James Maddox
Teachers are: Andy Romine and Grace Rinck are teaching

Upcoming Events
Our Lamplighter Fellowship Group is having a day at the Santa Anita Racetrack this Saturday Feb. 13th from 12:30 through the last race. If you would like to join them, please contact Ken Biery or Nina in the church office at fccnina@yahoo.com

The Church office will be closed on Monday Feb. 15th due to the observance of Presidents' Day.

On Wednesday Feb. 17th we will observe Ash Wednesday with a potluck dinner and Worship service with other area UCC churches. The combined service will be held at the First Congregational Church of Glendale, located at 2001 Canada Blvd. in Glendale, just north of Glendale Community College. All are invited to attend! Lenten Reflection booklets put together by area churches will be available electronically starting next week, with a few copies available for pick-up on Sunday for those without access to e-mail.

The Church Vitality Event is taking place Friday and Saturday Feb. 19th and 20th. A few folks from our church are attending and Jake Pomeroy is presenting a workshop on Narrative Budgets on Saturday morning. For more information see the Conference website www.scncucc.org

The Halogens are gathering for Dim Sum and to view the Chinese New Year's Parade downtown on Saturday Feb. 20th. More information will be in the newsletter this week. The parade starts at 2 p.m. with lunch beforehand.

Christian Nurture invites everyone to our Lenten Lunch on Sunday February 21st from 11:30AM to 1:30PM in the parlors. Lunch will be catered and there are brief Lenten offerings for all ages?extended time for the nursery, a DVD for elementary aged children in the computer room, a discussion for youth in the Youth Lounge and small group discussions for adults in the parlors after lunch. Come and join us for both fun and faith development as we begin the Lenten season. We will ask for a small donation for lunch from those who are able to pay. All are welcome!

February 7, 2010

This week in worship we hear the story of Jesus teaching at the edge of the lake and Simon Peter and his co-workers deciding to follow Jesus after a miraculous haul of fish in their nets. The text is Luke 5:1-11 and in a brief reflection entitled "A Faith Perspective," we will consider what difference it makes for us to live our lives with faith. The fisherman had already fished the waters that day, yet when they returned after hearing the words of Jesus, the writers of Luke are showing us that their work, their living, even the lake itself was transformed. Do we experience anything like that in our own faith journey? Come and join us in the Sanctuary at 10AM for worship this Sunday! We will celebrate the Sacrament of Communion in our worship service and all are welcome to come forward and partake of this expression of God's grace to us.

The Rev. Jake Pomeroy

Winter Business Meeting this Sunday! All are invited and encouraged to attend our Winter Business Meeting where we will hear: a Treasurer's report about how we ended the financial year in 2009, the proposed budget for 2010, we will approve a slate of officers and ministry members, and hear both a Moderator and Co-Pastors' reports. Please plan to bring an ample lunch for a potluck as well as kid-friendly food for children who will be in the nursery and library. Lunch will begin at 11:30 and the meeting will go until approximately 1:15. Please plan to attend, as we need all voices and votes to approve the budget and plan for the coming year!! Many thanks to Budget Committee Chairperson Carolyn Olney, Jeff Levison and her team for all their hard work.

Greeters this week are: TBA

Ushers scheduled are: Marie & Bob Spencer, Peter Keller and Kim Story

Acolyte is: Will Brookey

Liturgist is: Catherine Brookey

Church School teachers are: Andy Romine, Roberta and Judi; Confirmation class taught by Rev. Marlene Pomeroy; church school class will continue during the church business meeting on the first floor, staffed by Kathleen Sheehy and teachers will supervise them after they have had a chance to eat.

Other Opportunities Coming Up:

On Saturday Feb. 6th the Halogen Fellowship Group is going to see the play Tick Tick Boom at the Empire Theatre in Santa Ana at 202 N. Broadway. If you ordered a ticket, please speak with Marlene Pomeroy. All folks are urged to meet in the church parking lot at 5:15 to carpool to dinner and the play, which starts at 8 p.m. We have one extra ticket! You may also order your own ticket at the theatreout.com website.

Confirmation Class will be held this Sunday, starting after the Children's Time in the Co-Pastor's office. Older children and youth are invited to eat lunch together and then paint in the church library.

Bad Weather Shelter Meal: This Sunday we are scheduled to cook and serve our second meal at the Bad Weather Shelter. Please speak with Peter Keller to confirm whether you are serving this meal. We need at least 15 people and the time is 5:30-9:30 p.m. at the Pasadena Covenant Church on the corner of Lake Ave. and Santa Barbara. The parking lot is on Santa Barbara Ave.

Come Sing with Us! Over the past couple of years our choir member numbers have decreased due to various reasons including retirement and/or moving out of the state. I know there are some good singers in our congregation who would enjoy participating in our choir. We have fun and fellowship while learning different styles of music from gospel to praise to contemporary. Most of what we sing is recently published like the jazzy gospel arrangement of last Sunday's spiritual "Go Down, Moses." Here's your chance to participate and sing in our beautiful Sanctuary. We especially need more women. We rehearse the first Thursday of the month at 7:00pm and Sunday morning at 9:00am. There is no regular choir on the Sunday each month when the bell choir plays. Come join us on Thursday, Feb 4th at 7:00 or jump in on Sunday at 9:00am. High school age students are welcome to participate. Hope to see you soon!

Andrew Whitenack, FCC Music Director

January 31, 2010
Luke 4:22-37; 40-44

Jesus' ministry has begun by chapter four of Luke's Gospel. We have already heard that he read and interpreted Holy Scripture in the temple and Rev. Jake challenged us to find our own voice as followers of Jesus. Today's lectionary is full of action by Jesus: he finishes his teaching in the synagogue and manages to anger his hearers by telling them that God is not a tribalistic God, but someone who reaches beyond our confines to heal and tend to those who are not like us; the crowd responds by taking him to the edge of town and he barely escapes being thrown off a cliff! Next, he teaches in Capernaum and a man possessed with a demon confronts him and Jesus rebukes the demon in the man. Then Jesus is inundated with requests for healings and exorcisms and performs them until he is in need of some alone time. We end this section with Jesus seeking out a quiet place and letting folks know that he is called to bring the good news to other towns as well and sets out for a new location. A rolling stone gathers no moss? His message is controversial, his reputation increases daily and he must decide how long to linger and when to move on. A busy first few weeks of public ministry if you ask me! We, as followers of Jesus, have much to learn from him. He knows when to provoke, when to comfort, when to withdraw and when to keep moving! Join us in worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. as we explore this text and learn from this wise one.

The Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy

Greeters this Sunday are: Don Hughes, Carol Penn-Romine and Andy Romine

Ushers are: Carol Penn-Romine, Aren Burd, Julie Burd and Thom Meyers

Acolyte is: Sandy Grant

Liturgist is: Cherryl Weaver

Church School Teachers are: Krysty, Judi and Jeff in Room 232

Other Opportunities Coming Up:

This Sunday, Jan. 31st we will be having a Budget Forum from 11:30-12:30. The forum will give us a report on how we finished the year financially in 2009 and a preview for the proposed 2010 budget that will be presented at the Winter Business meeting for your approval on Sun. Feb. 7th. The Budget Committee, headed up by Vice Moderator Carolyn Olney, has worked hard on the challenges of the current budget with the struggling economy and major shifts in our building rentals this past year. The committee is interested in your input at this stage in the process so please plan to attend. Childcare is provided in the nursery for younger children and older youth are welcome to hang out in the library across the hall from the parlor.

On Monday Feb. 1st the Bravo team is signed up to serve the meal at Union Station. Please confirm with Nina that your team is all set! If anyone would like to be a sub on this team or any others, please contact Nina in the church office at fccnina@yahoo.com or call her at (626) 795-0696.

On Sat. Feb. 6th a group of 15 Halogens will be having dinner and attending the play Tick Tick Boom in Santa Ana. We have two extra tickets for $22.50 each. Contact Marlene Pomeroy if you are interested in buying them and joining this group. Other folks can order their own tickets at the theatreout.com website.

On Sunday Feb. 7th FCC will hold its Winter Business meeting following worship in the east parlors. We will vote on the budget for 2010 as well as new leaders and officers. Please plan to attend and bring food for a potluck. Childcare is provided while the meeting lasts (between 11:30-1:15). Also on Feb. 7th our church will cook and serve the meal at the Bad Weather Shelter from 5:30-9:30 p.m. Please contact the church office or Peter Keller if you can join the group. We need about 16 people.

Please see your newsletter and attached monthly calendar for other February events! Lamplighter day at the races on Feb. 13th, Guest preacher and Forum leader Carlos Correa from the Romero Center on Jan. 14th , Ash Wednesday service with other UCC churches at the Glendale UCC Church on Feb. 17th, just to name a few!

January 24, 2010

Our scripture in worship this week is Luke 4:14-21 where Jesus returns to Nazareth as a young adult and teaches in the synagogue on the Sabbath, reading from the prophecy of Isaiah. Jesus explains that in his person, the "good news" for the poor, the prisoner, the blind and the broken has come true. In a sermon entitled "Claiming Our Part" we will consider how we offer our gifts and how we participate in God's work in the world. How is it that we will receive the training, the support and the guidance we need to carry out ministry in Christ's name? Come join us for worship in the Sanctuary at 10:00 a.m. this Sunday! After Children's Time, the Confirmation class will meet in the pastor's office till 11:45. Adult sponsors of Confirmands are invited to join us at the conclusion of worship. There will also be a Council Meeting this Sunday starting at 11:30 upstairs in Rm. 232. A light lunch will be provided for Council members.

Also on Sunday the Ecumenical Council for Pasadena Area Churches (ECPAC) is having its annual meeting at the First Methodist Church on Colorado and Oakland from 3:00 -5:00 p.m. In addition to hearing a report on the year's activities and voting in new Board Members (Rev. Marlene Pomeroy is rotating off this Board after three years), there will be a discussion about the possibility of ECPAC becoming an interfaith organization. We support ECPAC/Friend Indeed House through our annual mission giving, our offering of Bad Weather Shelter meals, summer camperships and canned goods that we donate the first Sunday of each month. Any church member is invited to attend the annual meeting to hear about the work of ECPAC and to help set the direction of this important local organization that serves the poor and homeless on our behalf. See you Sunday!

The Revs. John and Marlene Pomeroy

Ushers greeting you this Sunday: Avis Hinks, Nate Lewis and Judi Tyler
Greeters: Jackie Lonnquist and Barbara May
Acolyte: Tang Annis
Church School Teachers are: Grace/Roberta
Confirmation Teacher: Marlene
Liturgist: Jeff Levison

Other opportunities coming up:
This Saturday, January 23, our youth will be going on an outing with Andy Schweibert and a youth advisor. Due to the weather, please check with Pastor Schwiebert about the activity which begins at 10:30 a.m.

Our Winter Business Meeting will be held on Sunday, February 7 directly after worship in the East Parlor. Please bring food for a potluck lunch and to vote on the business of the church: hear the budget report for 2009, presentation of the 2010 budget, voting on new officers and leaders, and a report from the pastors and moderator. Please plan to attend this important business meeting between 11:30 a.m. -1:15 p.m. Childcare is provided for small children. Older children are free to gather in the church library.

Financial Update: Our Treasurers and Bookkeeper are getting ready to close the books on 2009 and finalize the pledge income for 2010. If you have any final checks for 2009, please date them December 31, 2009 and bring them to the church office this week. If you have a pledge for 2010, please call Nina for a pledge card or simply let Stewardship Committee member Varnell Lewis know of the amount so that we can finalize our budget planning for 2010 - we are within $4,000 of the giving that was reached for 2009 which is great news for our budget. With reduced building income due to the economy, we are dependent more than ever on members' giving. Thank you to all who have supported the ministry and programs of our church for 2010! Please keep the Budget Committee in your prayers as they begin the task of reconciling the budget with our needs. They will present the tentative budget for 2010 on Sunday, January 31 in a forum after worship to gather your input. The budget will be voted on at the Business Meeting on Sunday, February 7.

January 17, 2010
John 2:1-11

In this narrative of Jesus at the wedding at Cana , oftentimes the focus is simply on the miracle of Jesus turning water into wine. It is viewed as one of the "signs" in John's Gospel to show us the work and majesty of Jesus through miraculous deeds. We often use miracles as evidence of God's presence; if we only pay attention to the spectacular and the amazing, we may miss the wonder of God in the everyday. We will also consider the relationship the text presents between Jesus and his mother at a community event. Jesus at the wedding feast is a story about more than turning water into wine. It is about all the ways that God's presence can be seen in our world. We invite you to read this story in advance of worship and to come join us in our beautiful sanctuary this Sunday for worship at 10 a.m. Our heater seems to be up and working so the temperature should be comfortable for you. We will also be celebrating the baptism of young Mattias in worship. Hope to see you Sunday!

The Rev. John H. Pomeroy

The Membership Ministry is interested in coordinating an "enhanced coffee hour" on Sundays. In addition to our usual coffee and drinks, they are hoping that folks will sign up to bring other goodies for people to enjoy and to provide this hospitality to visitors and members. If you would like to sign up to help with this enhanced experience of welcome, please speak with Josh Ashenmiller. At 11:30 a.m. this Sunday, the church school children and youth will be going on a field trip to the Norton Simon museum in Pasadena. Each parent will need to sign a permission slip before their child can leave the premises. Please see Grace Rinck on Sunday about that. Church folks will be driving. Admission for children is free but we encourage each person to bring money for lunch at the museum. The trip is a chance for our children and youth to see some of the religious art at the museum in preparation for their exploration of Jesus through art in their church school classes. Please direct questions to Marlene Pomeroy Grace Rinck.

Greeters this Sunday are: Nate & Varnell Lewis
Ushers are: Sandy Biehler, Robert Rinck & Cindy Speakman
Liturgist is: Shannon Anderson
Acolyte is: TBA

Church School teachers are: Grace, Jeff and Krysty

Other Opportunities Coming Up:
Confirmation Class will be held during the church school time on Sunday, January 24. Confirmands will start class after children's time in worship and sponsors are invited to join us in the church office immediately following worship. Class will end by 11:45.

Also on Sunday, January 24, ECPAC is having its annual meeting from 3:00 - 5:00 p.m. at the First United Methodist Church on Colorado Blvd. and Oakland. This is a time to review the past year, vote in new Board Members, and hear about the programs and plans of this important organization. We donate substantial time and money to the work of ECPAC and their outreach arm Friends Indeed, and urge any interested church members to attend.

January 10, 2010
Luke 3:15-12, 21-22

Theologian Howard Thurman was a contemporary of Martin Luther King, Jr. In his book, "The Mood of Christmas," he writes,

When the song of the
   angels is stilled,
   When the star in the sky is gone,
   When the kings and princes
   are home,
   When the shepherds are
   back with their flock,
   The work of Christmas begins:
   To find the lost,
   To heal the broken,
   To feed the hungry,
   To release the prisoner,
   To rebuild the nations,
   To bring peace among brothers,
   To make music in the heart.

In the Christian lectionary year we move from the celebration of Christ's birth to the baptism of Jesus as an adult. We hear Luke's version of the baptism this week. Baptism is one of two sacraments observed by our tradition (the second being Communion). We observe these ancient rituals as a link to our historical past and as symbols of God's presence with us in the Church today. Baptism is a decision to join the sacred family of God's people and to publicly proclaim God's mark on us. We celebrate and remember the baptism of Jesus this Sunday and we take the time to reflect on our own baptism and commitment to the Church of Jesus Christ. We will continue to meet in the sanctuary this week if the boiler is working! Wear your warm clothes and enjoy the beauty of our sanctuary. We may decide to go back to the chapel if the cold persists and the boiler continues to be finicky. Stay posted, be flexible. God is with us wherever we worship!

The Rev. Marlene Pomeroy

Ushers greeting you this Sunday: Ron White, Kathie Arscott, Jeff Levison and James Maddox
Greeters are: Peter Keller, Irene Keller and Cindy Speakman
Acolyte is: Sandy Grant
Liturgist is: Carol Penn-Romine
Teachers TBA

Other Events and Opportunities Coming Up:
Our Halogen Fellowship Group is having its annual Epiphany Party at the Ashenmiller's house this Saturday, January 9h starting at 5:30 p.m. This adult-only party is a potluck with a twist! Bring your least favorite Christmas gift you received for our "Yankee swap" and $10 for a challenging game where the winners donate their winnings to their favorite non-profit. Please RSVP to the pastors and plan to attend!

Our youth and a few adults will be setting out cots and serving the meal for the Bad Weather Shelter this Sunday, January 10 at 5:30 p.m. Please confirm with Peter Keller that you will be attending. If you are in 6th-12th grade, please check in with Andy Schwiebert about attending.

Christian Nurture will meet this Sunday after worship for their meeting. All other Common Ministries will meet at the usual time on Tuesday, January 12 at 6:00 p.m.

A group of older youth and adults will be participating in the Faith Build Day for Habitat for Humanity on Saturday, January 16. All spots are taken for this day but if you are interested in future work days, speak with Lu Burd or Peter Keller from Discipleship Ministry.

Stewardship Update:
We currently have received pledges from 50 household units for a total of $143,920! Thank you all of you who have pledged! Our pledged income last year was $151,500 and we are hoping to reach that and even exceed that for 2010! Please speak with the office or Varnell Lewis if you plan to make a pledge or wish to increase your gift. The Budget Committee is working hard to present us a proposed budget at the Budget Forum on Sunday, January 31. Please plan to attend to hear the details! Note: January Council meeting has been moved to Sunday, January 24.