Church News (Page 9)
Interfaith Shelter 2023
Interfaith Shelter UpdateNew Information We are finishing our second week for the Interfaith Shelter that we are supporting at Pacific Beach United Methodist Church. Our church has helped on a daily basis with the set-up and day-to-day operation of the shelter including significant contributions to dinner preparation and overnight hosting. On Wednesday, we will be cooking dinner for both Project Grace and shelter guests. We thank you foryour support. It’s a little bit like a family. Two of our guests…
Notes on “You Are”
In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world. Matthew 5:13-20 (NRSVue) 13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how can its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything but is thrown out and trampled under foot. 14 “You are the light of the world. A city built…
Notes on “Blessed Are”
In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world. As we continue our series, we move from Paul’s letter to the church in Corinth to Matthew’s Gospel, the Sermon on the Mount, and (as it’s commonly known) the Beatitudes. In his sermon, Jesus pushes against the common wisdom of both the past and present in naming those…
Women of LJUMC Ring in the New Year with Retreat led by June Dillinger
This past weekend twenty-two of us shared in a wonderful (though somewhat wet), retreat. Our presenter, June Dillinger, Margie Herrick’s daughter, came from Honolulu to challenge and inspire us, and she did just that! We enjoyed wonderful accommodations and delicious food, but, more importantly, we enjoyed camaraderie, companionship, and the comforting presence of members of our church family. Next year will see a new retreat with a new presenter, but with the old expectations of a worthwhile and inspiring weekend. …
Notes on “Have the Same Mind”
In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world. As we continue this series, we move from Paul’s beautiful affirmation of the church community in Corinth and into his gentle reminder that they still have work to do. Even in naming that these faithful Christians have all the gifts necessary to do the work of the church,…
Book Talk Update
Happy New Year to all you readers! Earlier this month, Cindy Rushing presented two well known nonfiction books by authors Cheryl Strayed and Bill Bryson who hiked, respectively, the Pacific Crest and Appalachian Trails. Both books were filled with adventure, sometimes harrowing and often very funny. We recommend them to you, whether or not you are a seasoned hiker. On Tuesday, February 1, at 2pm, in the Fireside Library, we welcome Jean Thomas who will present Geraldine Brooks’ newest novel,…
Notes on “Not Lacking”
In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world. Paul’s opening to his first letter to the church in Corinth begins with effusive affirmation. Paul reminds the faithful members of the community that they are good enough, smart enough, and worthy (and our SNL fans will see a fun reference here). As the church, we too may…
Notes on “The Water’s Fine”
In the weeks after Christmas, we are in the season of Epiphany. This begins with the arrival of the Magi which we consider the first glimpse of God’s incarnation to the world. This first week of our series feels like the very beginning of Jesus’ ministry. John the Baptist has been proclaiming the forgiveness of sins in baptism, and Jesus arrives to be baptized as well. This baptismal tradition continues today, and in the United Methodist tradition we consider this…
Notes on “The Gifts of the Gentiles”
This Advent season, we prepare our hearts for Christmas with a series guided by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent. This week concludes our Advent series and looks forward to our Christmas Eve and Christmas Day services. Please invite family, neighbors, and friends to join in any and all of our vibrant Worship services! As we look forward to these, we continue the story of Advent with a change. The previous three weeks have…
Notes on “The Journey of Joy”
This Advent season, we prepare our hearts for Christmas with a series guided by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent. We place a great deal of value on traditions. We discussed this some in this series’ opening message on Elizabeth and Zechariah. Very often there is good reason for tradition! And sometimes it’s helpful to remember what is tradition and what may be behind a tradition. This is not to dishonor a tradition, but…
Notes on “The Promise of Potential”
This Advent season, we prepare our hearts for Christmas with a series guided by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine’s Light of the World: A Beginner’s Guide to Advent. In Light of the World, Amy-Jill Levine says about this scripture, “From Mary’s visit with Elizabeth, we see not only the importance of solidarity, across generations, between women, but also the importance of the human body, which provides its own signs of new beginnings. We see how revolutionary ideas can be given voice not…
Notes on “The Meaning of Memory”
This Thanksgiving Sunday begins our Advent season as we prepare our hearts for Christmas and remember the light of Christ in our lives. We begin with Elizabeth and Zechariah, and an angel making an unexpected prediction. The story is familiar to us as we remember telling upon telling of this story, as we remember Christmas after Christmas. The tradition of storytelling is ancient. We all have family stories and Christmas traditions. Perhaps there’s a family recipe or a special gathering…