January 26, 2007
Come and join us for worship this Sunday at 10:00 a.m. in the Chapel! The Scripture text is Luke 4:21-30, an account of Jesus addressing those in Nazareth who are unwilling to hear his description of God and God's work. In a sermon entitled "Those Who Have Ears To Hear" we will consider what is difficult to hear in our faith and how we cope with that challenge.
This Saturday morning from 9:30 to 11:30 a.m. our teachers are meeting with Marlene in our Co-Pastor's office to plan for the spring sessions of church school. At 11:30 a.m. members of the Budget Committee are gathering to prepare copies of the budget and visual aids for the presentation of the 2007 draft budget on Sunday. At 4:30 p.m. we have a Memorial Service in the Chapel for Walter Laursen, a former member of our congregation who passed away this month, and at 6:30 p.m. the Kellers are hosting the Dinner Club--an informal gathering open to all--at their home in La Crescenta. Call the Kellers if you have questions or need directions.
After worship on Sunday we will have a Budget Forum at 11:30 a.m., where the Budget Committee will present a draft budget and explain the changes and highlights of the document to our congregation. Please come and bring your questions--if we examine the budget now, it will make the agenda for our Winter Business Meeting next Sunday more manageable!
Greeting you at the Los Robles entrance on Sunday are: Grace & Robert Rinck.
The ushers are: Sandy Biehler, Lurline Brown, Angie Schnapp & Mel Smith.
Acolyte is: Elizabeth Brookey.
The Rev. John H. Pomeroy
January 19, 2007
This Sunday we celebrate our Twentieth anniversary of becoming a Just Peace Church with Just Peace Sunday! Our Guests will be Jim and Judy Manley, and the Rev. Anne G. Cohen, who will lead us in song and in reflection on what it means to be a faithful people, witnessing to justice and peace. Our scripture text is Luke 4:14-21, where Jesus preaches good news to the poor and release to the captives in the synagogue in Nazareth. The reflection on Sunday will be a combination of spoken word and song, considering the connection between Jesus' proclamation and our work as a church. Come and join us for worship in the Chapel at 10:00 a.m. and join with us for Songs of Justice and Peace.
After worship at 11:30 a.m. we will have another Forum on the tenets of The Center For Progressive Christianity. As our church considers joining this organization, we will look at the points that distinguish the Center's work and consider how it matches with our collective faith here at FCC. Come join us in the parlors after worship for an engaging discussion! Note that this is a change from an earlier version of our January calendar--the Budget Forum will be next Sunday, January 28.
At 3:00 p.m. Sunday afternoon, Sue Miele and friends are hosting a shower for Peter Cohen Dobbins, Anne and John's new son! All are welcome in the Parlors--if you plan on attending, please e-mail the church office as soon as possible so Sue can have an accurate count of guests to help with preparing the refreshments.
Those greeting you at the Los Robles entrance on Sunday are: Marie & Robert Spencer.
The ushers greeting you this Sunday are: Sandy Biehler, Lurline Brown, Angie Schnapp & Mel Smith.
Acolyte is: Margaret Andres
The Rev. John H. Pomeroy
January 11, 2007
Bible Text: John 2:1-11
The story in John's Gospel about Jesus attending the wedding in Cana is the first miracle in this Gospel. It is also the first act of Jesus' ministry in this Gospel. It is a lovely story to read - to hear that Jesus attended the events of his day just like the rest of us; to hear that Jesus' mother had opinions about his actions just like the rest of us! Early in this Gospel we get the sense that Jesus is capable of far more than the average person through his life and actions. I invite you to read this story in advance of worship on Sunday. The Rev. Leo Lynch will be preaching on the topic, "Expect a Miracle!" We hope you will join him in worship. Jake and I will be leading a retreat for the Southern California/Nevada Conference youth this weekend. Please keep us in your prayers.
The Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy
Those greeting you at the Los Robles entrance on Sunday are: Ron & Roberta White
Ushers scheduled are: Kathie Arscott, Suzanne Burger, Jeff Levison and Jim Maddox
Acolyte schedule is: Tang Annis
Please note that the office will be closed in observance of Martin Luther King, Jr. holiday on Monday.
January 4, 2007
Text: Matthew 2:1-12
Epiphany celebrates the 12th day of Christmas by announcing the arrival of the Magi who have journeyed to see the Christ child. The word epiphany literally means "manifestation" or "sudden appearing." The Magi who have traveled from afar come to see this infant manifestation of the divine. They come bearing gifts fit for a king. They come to worship and adore. For those of us who honor the birth of Christ on Christmas day and open our own presents at that time, this feels like a strange addendum to a holiday that is past. And yet observing Epiphany reminds us that Christmas is not just a one-day holiday. It is a celebration whose meaning stays with us throughout the year as we live in constant reminder of the presence of God through Jesus. As we hear and read the story of the Wise Ones who travel from other parts of the known world to herald this new birth, we are invited to reflect on our own journeys of faith and expectation. It does no good for us to have a savior or leader if we don't seek him out! We have images of stars guiding us, wise ones leading us, gifts offered this Sunday. We who follow Jesus today still need to find him in our lives. We need to search, journey, look and recognize his presence in our lives and in our world. I invite you to read the story of the Magi in Matthew's Gospel in preparation for our worship service on Sunday morning. Hope to see you Sunday!
The Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy
We return to the chapel for worship at 10 a.m. this Sunday.
Those greeting you at the Los Robles entrance are: Josh and Bevin Ashenmiller
Ushers for the day are: Ken Winte, Peter Keller, Marie and Robert Spencer
Acolyte is: Pam Biery
Church School resumes this Sunday. Since it is a Communion Sunday, older children and youth are urged to remain in worship for a brief meditation and Communion. Younger children will have class with Krysty and Grace teaching.
Opportunities at church this weekend:
Our tradition for Communion Sundays is to bring a canned food item to be delivered to Friends In Deed food pantry. The basket to collect your item will be in front of the Communion Table. You may also make a contribution to the "Good Samaritan Fund." Envelopes are in your church bulletin every Communion Sunday. The money is used towards the food we serve monthly at Union Station as well as to aid others who are in need. You are all invited to the annual ECPAC dinner to be held on Thursday, Jan. 25 at 6:30 p.m. This organization oversees the bad weather shelter and the Friends In Deed House which offers food and clothes to others. At the dinner you will meet the new ECPAC director, the Rev. Pat O'Reilly. If you would like to join our Rev. Jake Pomeroy in attending this dinner, please let him know on Sunday!
After worship on Sunday we will have the first of two forums led by Jake Pomeroy on The Center for Progressive Christianity. This is a national, nondenominational group headed up by the Rev. Fred Plumer that seeks to bring together progressive Christian voices for study, action and affiliation. They define themselves through eight points and we will be studying the first of their eight points in our forum this Sunday. The second session will be Sunday, Jan. 28. You may call Nina in the church office if you would like her to send you the first four points to read in preparation for the forum this Sunday; you may also find this information on
their website.
Apr. 2008
