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August 30, 2006
"Sustain me with raisins,
Refresh me with apples;
for I am sick with love."
Do you know where this text resides in scripture? Anyone? Anyone? It is the second of eight chapters in the book, Song of Solomon. It is a slim book, located just after Proverbs and Ecclesiastes in the Old Testament. It is a wonderful and quite silly book because it is written from the perspective of two people who are drunk with love. They are giddy with happiness in one another, using images of leaping gazelles and teeth that look like "a flock of shorn ewes." I have to confess that it makes me giggle when I read this book of the Bible, especially when I put it alongside heavier books such as Job or Revelation or the Passion Narratives in the gospels. But I love that the Bible shapers included this book in the biblical canon. For many years the church described this book as simply a metaphor for Christ's love for his church. Well, read it again my friends; it is a book that celebrates the love between two human beings as they describe one another and yearn for the next visit of their beloved. Physical love is strong and powerful and an apt metaphor for our love for God.
When was the last time you fell in love with someone? Do you remember how you were swept off your feet? Do you remember how you counted the minutes until you could return to your new love? Do you remember how all-consuming this new love was in your life? I think Song of Solomon is trying to use human love and passion that we can all relate to, to woo us into that depthful relationship with God. Our passion shouldn't be limited to our mates or our favorite hobbies. It should also extend to our relationship with God. Can we get in touch with our fervor for the Divine presence? That is what Song of Solomon calls us to reflect on this week.
I will preach on the Song of Solomon this Sunday in worship. I invite you to re-read this lovely poetic book in scripture in preparation for worship together. Greeting you at the door this Sunday is the Usher team of: Ken Winte, Peter Keller, Marie Spencer and Bob Spencer. Kaley Pomeroy is our acolyte.
Coming up this weekend: Some of us may be traveling this final weekend before school begins anew. Others of us will be back-to-school shopping or prepping our classrooms to welcome students. Because of the holiday we have no meetings planned for this weekend. Take a rest this holiday weekend as we remember and observe Labor Day. Hope to see you Sunday!
The Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy
August 18, 2006
Marlene and Jake have returned from their vacation. They are grateful for the time away and appreciate all the help with worship in their absence. Marlene will be preaching this Sunday on various texts that mention Mary Magdalene. They are: Luke 8:1-3, Mark 14:3-9;16:9-1. She will be looking at a redeemed reputation for Mary.
Also coming up this weekend:
On Friday, the 20's-30's-40's group will attend the Hollywood Bowl for dinner and Fantasia. Plan to meet at 6:30-7:00 for dinner together.
Saturday at 9:30 a.m. the Called to Care group meets with Jake in the Co-Pastor's office.
On Sunday we worship at 10 a.m. followed by a Teacher's Meeting in the Co-Pastor's office from 11:30 till 12 noon. In the afternoon the Church School children and their families are gathering at the Gerrish Swim Club in Altadena as the guests of Carol Biery. The time is 3-5 p.m. Please RSVP to Marlene and plan to bring a side dish to share. Carol will be providing hot dogs.
August 11, 2006
Our Gospel reading for Sunday, August 13 is Matthew 4:12-19.
When Jesus heard that John had been arrested, he went back to Galilee. He left Nazareth and settled in Capernaum, a lakeside town near the territory of Zebulun and Naptali. In this way the prophecy of Isaiah was fulfilled;
"Land of Zebulun, land of Naphtali,
the way to the sea on the far side of the Jordan,
Galilee of the Gentiles:
the people who lived in darkness
have seen a great light;
on those living in the land of the shadow of death
a light has dawned."
From that time on, Jesus began proclaiming the message, "Change your hearts and minds, for the realm of heaven is at hand!"
As Jesus was walking along the Sea of Galilee, he watched two brothers -- Simon, who was called Peter, and Andrew -- casting a net into the sea. They fished by trade. Jesus said to them, "Come follow me, and I will make you fishers of humankind."
We welcome to our Sunday worship the Rev. Leo Lynch.
While our Co-Pastors are away on vacation, pastoral care and coverage will be provided by Rev. Joe McGowan of the Altadena Community Church (UCC). If you have a pastoral concern or would like to have a conversation with Joe about something related to the work of the church, please contact Nina in our church office at (626) 795-0696. Nina will leave a voice mail for Joe and he will be in touch with you as soon as he is able. Marlene and Jake return Thursday August 17th to the office.
Upcoming Church Events
After worship on Sunday, there will be a Faith Sharing Forum in the parlors from 11:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. A light snack will be served. Please plan to attend.
Friday, August 18th the 20's - 30's - 40's Group is going to the Hollywood Bowl to see and hear Walt Disney's Fantasia on the big screen!
On Saturday, August 19th the Dinner Club is meeting at 6:30 for dinner at a member's home. Please RSVP to Thom and Regina Meyers or Peter and Irene Keller.
Nina
Apr. 2008
