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Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
May 4, 2014
Pastor’s Perspective
Faith and Doubt, John 20:19-31
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 4-27-14
Introduction
Norm and Jean are away from us today. We miss them when they are gone. We miss you, also, when you are away. They are cycling north of my first parish near the Sutter Buttes. Jean sent me a “phone in” request for prayers of the people today:
Congregations in the Philippines are lighting candles, praying and taking other actions on April 27 as President Obama and President Aquino meet to negotiate an “Enhanced Defense Agreement” a nice way to say, “fewer restrictions on increasing U.S. troops in the Philippines.”
Today we pray for peace for the Filipino people as they, too, pray for peace and justice.
Thank you, Jean, for reminding us of John Wesley’s statement: “The world is my parish.” Our faith, hope, and love always takes us out into the world. We do not live for ourselves, but for others.
Risen Christ, let us walk in your presence.
Let us live in the light of your shining. [repeat]
Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 2014 Hope Publishing Company
Retell the Scripture Story
But the disciples were understandably frightened after the crucifixion of their teacher, Jesus. In spite of Mary’s first witness, “I have seen the Lord!” they felt powerless. They didn’t know what to think, what to do. Thomas, dear Thomas, expressed for all of us the doubt, and the desire for certainty that we all feel, when he said to the risen Christ who appeared to them in the locked upper room, “Unless I put my finger in your wounds, I will not believe.”
Don’t you want that certainty? I do. I’d like to have the risen Christ appear to me and embrace me right now. According to the story, Jesus approved of this desire for a deep knowing, and invited Thomas, by name, to do what he needed to do to become “not faithless, but believing.”
At this point in the story, as I recall, Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus said to Thomas and to all who would come after him with that very human mixture of faith and doubt, “Blessed are you, for you have seen and believed. But blessed are those who having not seen, yet have come to believe.”
Sing:
Risen Christ, let us walk in your presence.
Let us live in the light of your shining. [repeat]
Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 2014 Hope Publishing Company
Application
Optional stories to add:
Adam Tice worship story…
Lonetree Ranch story, Larry and Robin Reinhold, Rainbow Bible Ranch…
Related story:
Near Fort Pierre, SC in 1881 a small cottonwood seedling was planted in a hole and left by a survey crew. The tiny seedling grew into a stately tree, which became known as The Lone Tree. The tree became a Moody County landmark and was a beacon for nearby teacher, Emma Clancy, and her twelve children during a blizzard in the late 1800’s.
Its existence as a landmark later provoked a controversy when a paved highway came under the shelter of its broad branches. Concrete from the highway created a drought for the roots, causing the tree to die, but the Lone Tree stood for more than two generations on the South Dakota prairie. A historical marker, dedicated to the memory of the landmark, can be found at the intersection of state Highway 34 and old U.S. Highway 77.
Conclusion
If we are honest with ourselves (which is hard to do) we will all notice this mix of faith and doubt in our minds. We cannot be rid of it. It is like the mix of joy and sorrow we learn to live with throughout our lives. It is like the balance of darkness and light present at creation. We cannot change this mix, nor should we try. What we can do, is to look outward from our locked upper rooms. We can choose to do this each day. When we make this choice we are moved to act in concern and service to the world around us, whether it is in Point Richmond, the wider city of Richmond, CA, or in Nepal, Iraq, or the Philippines. Faith, hope, and love, invite and challenge us to look out and to do what we can to make a better world. We are not mere passengers on this green planet. We are called to be co-creators with God, peacemakers, and justice-doers.
Read hymn text:
Can you see the living Christ
in the people gathered here
bringing sorrow, bringing joy,
as the Spirit draws us near?
Can you hear the living Christ
in the songs of young and old,
in the voices of the world,
in the stories often told?
Can you sense the living Christ
in the praise the earth can give,
as the colors leap with joy
in the garden where you live?
Can you feel the living Christ
in the love that holds us fast,
as the mortar holds the stone
while it echoes praises past?
Risen Christ, we see your face
in the people gathered here
bringing sorrow, bringing joy,
as your Spirit draws us near.
Risen Christ, we walk by faith,
moved by what we cannot see,
till our sorrow turns to joy,
and you come to set us free.
Dan Damon, 2013, revised for the second Sunday of Easter, 2014.
WORDS and MUSIC © 2013 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
Sing again:
Risen Christ, let us walk in your presence.
Let us live in the light of your shining. [repeat]
Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 2014 Hope Publishing Company
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 4-27-14
Introduction
Norm and Jean are away from us today. We miss them when they are gone. We miss you, also, when you are away. They are cycling north of my first parish near the Sutter Buttes. Jean sent me a “phone in” request for prayers of the people today:
Congregations in the Philippines are lighting candles, praying and taking other actions on April 27 as President Obama and President Aquino meet to negotiate an “Enhanced Defense Agreement” a nice way to say, “fewer restrictions on increasing U.S. troops in the Philippines.”
Today we pray for peace for the Filipino people as they, too, pray for peace and justice.
Thank you, Jean, for reminding us of John Wesley’s statement: “The world is my parish.” Our faith, hope, and love always takes us out into the world. We do not live for ourselves, but for others.
Risen Christ, let us walk in your presence.
Let us live in the light of your shining. [repeat]
Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 2014 Hope Publishing Company
Retell the Scripture Story
But the disciples were understandably frightened after the crucifixion of their teacher, Jesus. In spite of Mary’s first witness, “I have seen the Lord!” they felt powerless. They didn’t know what to think, what to do. Thomas, dear Thomas, expressed for all of us the doubt, and the desire for certainty that we all feel, when he said to the risen Christ who appeared to them in the locked upper room, “Unless I put my finger in your wounds, I will not believe.”
Don’t you want that certainty? I do. I’d like to have the risen Christ appear to me and embrace me right now. According to the story, Jesus approved of this desire for a deep knowing, and invited Thomas, by name, to do what he needed to do to become “not faithless, but believing.”
At this point in the story, as I recall, Thomas cried out, “My Lord and my God!”
Then Jesus said to Thomas and to all who would come after him with that very human mixture of faith and doubt, “Blessed are you, for you have seen and believed. But blessed are those who having not seen, yet have come to believe.”
Sing:
Risen Christ, let us walk in your presence.
Let us live in the light of your shining. [repeat]
Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 2014 Hope Publishing Company
Application
Optional stories to add:
Adam Tice worship story…
Lonetree Ranch story, Larry and Robin Reinhold, Rainbow Bible Ranch…
Related story:
Near Fort Pierre, SC in 1881 a small cottonwood seedling was planted in a hole and left by a survey crew. The tiny seedling grew into a stately tree, which became known as The Lone Tree. The tree became a Moody County landmark and was a beacon for nearby teacher, Emma Clancy, and her twelve children during a blizzard in the late 1800’s.
Its existence as a landmark later provoked a controversy when a paved highway came under the shelter of its broad branches. Concrete from the highway created a drought for the roots, causing the tree to die, but the Lone Tree stood for more than two generations on the South Dakota prairie. A historical marker, dedicated to the memory of the landmark, can be found at the intersection of state Highway 34 and old U.S. Highway 77.
Conclusion
If we are honest with ourselves (which is hard to do) we will all notice this mix of faith and doubt in our minds. We cannot be rid of it. It is like the mix of joy and sorrow we learn to live with throughout our lives. It is like the balance of darkness and light present at creation. We cannot change this mix, nor should we try. What we can do, is to look outward from our locked upper rooms. We can choose to do this each day. When we make this choice we are moved to act in concern and service to the world around us, whether it is in Point Richmond, the wider city of Richmond, CA, or in Nepal, Iraq, or the Philippines. Faith, hope, and love, invite and challenge us to look out and to do what we can to make a better world. We are not mere passengers on this green planet. We are called to be co-creators with God, peacemakers, and justice-doers.
Read hymn text:
Can you see the living Christ
in the people gathered here
bringing sorrow, bringing joy,
as the Spirit draws us near?
Can you hear the living Christ
in the songs of young and old,
in the voices of the world,
in the stories often told?
Can you sense the living Christ
in the praise the earth can give,
as the colors leap with joy
in the garden where you live?
Can you feel the living Christ
in the love that holds us fast,
as the mortar holds the stone
while it echoes praises past?
Risen Christ, we see your face
in the people gathered here
bringing sorrow, bringing joy,
as your Spirit draws us near.
Risen Christ, we walk by faith,
moved by what we cannot see,
till our sorrow turns to joy,
and you come to set us free.
Dan Damon, 2013, revised for the second Sunday of Easter, 2014.
WORDS and MUSIC © 2013 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
Sing again:
Risen Christ, let us walk in your presence.
Let us live in the light of your shining. [repeat]
Christine Manderfeld, OSB © 2014 Hope Publishing Company
Joys and Concern
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Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.
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Our friend, Arinel Greene, from Easter Hill UMC, is being treated with chemo/radiation for uterine cancer. She is a woman of great faith and welcomes being on our prayer list for healing. If you would like to send her a card: 5326 Conestoga Way, El Sobrante, CA 94803.Please remember her in your prayers.
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Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Linda was so pleased to participate in the Easter Egg Hunt. She loves doing things for the children and we love having her do them!
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Robbie Robinson has been out for several weeks. He would appreciate your prayers for recovery.
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Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) is undergoing more medical testing. Continue to remember her in your prayers
News
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Our missionary, Katherine Parker in Nepal, has sent an update on her activities. On a personal level, she is moving into an apartment of her own. Katherine is working as a health advisor in rural Nepal where she works with communities through improving water sanitation, hygiene, food security and nutrition. She has a blog (bokashi.blogspot.com) where you can find information on her recent adolescent sex education class. Donating to support Katherine’s work makes you a partner in improving the quality of life for the less advantaged. Copies of her letter are in Friendship Hall.
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A Study and Survey of the Worldwide Nature of the United Methodist Church will be presented by Pastor Dan Damon and Jean Reynolds for four Sundays, May 18 through June 8 during Adult Sunday School 10 am in Friendship Hall. Anyone interested in joining the church is encouraged to come and all are welcome. Recommendations from the class will be presented at General Conference 2016. Weekly topics in order: 1. General Conference, Jurisdictions, and Central Conferences.2. The Book of Discipline.3.Boards, Agencies and Finances. 4. Education of Clergy and Laity. This is an opportunity to have input into proposals and changes
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New 2014 Directory is available! Copies will be in Friendship Hall for you to pick up.
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Junktique will be here May 3. Fran Smith is requesting you bring plastic bags and paper bags so that we have containers for purchases.
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Season of Love, A time for change: The Reconciling Caucus of the CA-NV UMC is coordinating a Circle of Love, Saturday, May 17 starting at 2 pm to support the marriage of two women at the Wesley UMC, 566 N. Fifth Street, San Jose. The marriage ceremony is at 3 pm and a possible press conference at 4:30 pm. You would not be attending the wedding, but supporting the church, minister and the union of these loving women by your presence. For more information: seasonoflove.info.
Generosity
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The Administrative Board met Thursday evening. We are having difficulty meeting our projected costs in the General Budget and have added a column called “How are we doing?” to keep you informed. Our General Fund receipts to date are $20,283. Our budget need is $26,439. We count on your generosity to keep us funded and if you haven’t increased your giving, perhaps you would give it consideration.
Events
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Junktique is coming! Saturday, May 3, 9am- 3pm.
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Special Sunday, Native American Ministries, May 4. Your donations provide scholarships to Native Americans in ministry and help to Native American Communities. Please give generously. We will have a special Native American guest, Courtney Cummings from the Native American Health Clinic in Richmond.
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Wednesday, May 14, GRIP Dinner. UMW (United Methodist Women) will be providing dinner at GRIP. If you would like to help, contact Doreen Leighton : d3leighton@me.com
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Friday, May 16, 8 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic presents Susie Glaze and the Hi Lonesome Band. This Los Angeles based Quintet performs a lush, Americana fusion of mountain folk, exciting newgrass and Celtic inspired originals. Quiles and Cloud open the show. They were here to perform a few months ago and if you liked them, come and hear them again! Tickets: $18, seniors and students $15 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
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Father’s Day Jazz Service, Sunday, June 15, 11am. The Dan Damon Quartet will present the service with music. Come early to be sure to get a seat.
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Labor Day Weekend: August 29 through September 1st 2014, Stepping Out in Faith, sponsored by the Western Methodist Justice Movement which advocates compassionate US immigration policies, fully inclusive UMC ministries, human rights in the Philippines, a just peace for Israel-Palestine, reproductive justice and more.
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Registration is open. Lake Tahoe, Zephyr Point Retreat Center. For more info and to register: wmjm.org.
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Send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net
