Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
We plan to joyfully receive new members during the September 13 worship service. Please let Pastor Damon know if you’d like to join the church.
Dear friends:
Here are my notes from Sunday.
A Prayer for Wisdom, 2 Kings 2:10-12, 3:3-14
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 8-16-15
Introduction
Tell some United Methodist Women’s retreat stories:
“She was her own work of art.”
“Your child is not broken.”
A story of reaching in to a situation of abuse, neglect, and isolation with hands of caring.
Safety is not the goal. Living fully to the end is the goal.
“Comparisons are odious.”
Retell the Scripture Story
Solomon’s prayer and God’s response:
He prayed for wisdom. “I am like a little child. I don’t know how to go out or come in.”
God gave him wisdom, wealth, and a legacy. “I have given you what you asked for. And I have also given you what you did not ask for– both riches and honor.
Add the story of the prostitute’s baby that follows the reading for today.
Application
I’d like to close today with another page from My Grandfather’s Blessings (stories of strength, refuge, and belonging) by Rachel Naomi Remen, Riverhead Books, 2000. It is a book of wisdom.
Read p.127
Let us be in prayer.
Unless God builds the house, its builders toil in vain. Ps. 127:1
Creator of the universe, by whose will the world is renewed day by day, you have implanted in us a spark of your creative will. You have made us your partners in the building of the world, and we are grateful.
Often we cannot know the outcome of our work. At times, in our ignorance or our greed, we mar the landscape of your creation. Enlighten [us] with your wisdom, therefore, that we do not impoverish the very world that sustains our lives. Let us gain our livelihoods honorable; and as we strive for ourselves, let nothing we do be built upon another’s ruin or result in misery and pain. Rather, let us add to the contentment of others, through our devotion to justice, goodness, and truth.
In this enterprise we need strength. We need a clear vision and wise judgment. But more than all this we need the wisdom not to become so immersed in our task that we neglect our dear ones, or injure our health, or become remote from You, Divine Spirit of the world, the Well of living waters. May we walk with those we love in the light of your presence, O God, and use all our powers for blessing.
from The Gates of the House (The New Union Home Prayer Book) by Chaim Stern, p. 94
Joys and Concerns
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas a Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) update: Sandra thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. Fran reports that Sandra is more animated and cheerful. She is having chemotherapy every two weeks and it should be completed the end of August. Both Fran and Sandra ask that prayers continue.
Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support. Update: Hospice services have started. Pat says that Linda is more alert and has been able to be up in the wheel chair for short periods of time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, is home with attendant care.
Robbie Robinson would appreciate your prayers.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing as she undergoes chemotherapy.
Bobby and Pamella Hall would like to be remembered in prayer as they go through some difficult personal times.
News
Saturday, August 29, 6-8 pm, Panel Discussion sponsored by the Iranian American Community of Northern California. The panel will discuss the 1988 massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners in Iran. They will also discuss current issues related to the Iran Nuclear Deal and human rights issues regarding the mistreatment of political prisoners and the crackdown on any type of social dissent. UC Berkeley International House, Chevron Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley. Free: RSVP: http://goo.gl/EMOEqX.
Jean Reynolds went to San Antonio, Texas for the “Gather at the River” conference and she ended up having her appendix removed! She returned home on Monday and on Tuesday was participating in Vacation Bible School and loving it! She is truly thankful for the wonderful help she has had with Pastor Dan, Bethany Reynolds, Rachel Herrin, Bill Thompson and others stepping in to help make the week a success. Every day there were more children as word spread through the community about what fun it is. There were 15-18 children attending!
United Methodist Women’s Retreat: Six women and Pastor Dan met at Mid Dornan’s cabin on the Russian River for a day of business, election of officers, sharing and fellowship among the Redwoods. New officers: Doreen Leighton remains President, Kristi Johnson, Secretary and Barbara Haley, Treasurer. We discussed food for our Korean tea and we will be going to lunch at a Korean restaurant to sample foods Aug. 30th after church for more ideas. Anyone who is interested in helping with food preparation is welcome to come. Pastor Dan brought his Indian flute and played background music as we visited at break times. We discussed plans for the coming year and areas of interest for our energy and resources to be used best. Our sincere thanks to Mid for providing such a lovely place to meet. As always, the food was great with special thanks to Doreen for that wonderful berry and peach pie!
Pastor Dan will be away at Journey Farthest Out Camp at lake Tahoe, Sept. 27 through Oct.4. Fran Smith will be speaking about her experience regarding reconciling ministries at the San Antonio conference “Gather at the River”. If you are interested in attending the JFO Camp at Zephyr Cove, contact Carol Horn at 530 595 3290 to see if any spaces remain.
News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery efforts in Dhang province. Katherine will continue to work with WASH, nutrition and psycho-social support. Non-earthquake work is resuming and Katherine will soon be traveling to Rukum and Rupandehi for the baseline survey of their community health program focusing on maternal and child health.
Generosity
Art Auction: Debbie Benko is requesting items for door prizes of gift baskets with a theme, such as a coffee basket, chocolate basket, spa items (nice soap, lotion, loofah scrub), tea basket, dog or cat treat basket. You get the idea. Please bring your items to church.
New Public Address System: Donations are coming in to support our new system. Donations are $45 for a whole piano key which you can color and sign and donations of any amount are welcome. Karen Merkle, who died early in June left a Memorial Donation of $500 to our church. The Memorial Committee has donated the money to our new sound system. Karen would be pleased since music was such a large part of her life. See the display of piano keys and further information at the desk in the back in Friendship Hall. We are about halfway to our goal.
If you would like to donate for relief for the people of Nepal, go to umcor.org the Advance.
Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.
Events
New Membership Class starting Sunday, June 28 at 10 am in Friendship Hall as part of the Adult Sunday School. Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in joining our congregation. Regular Sunday School attendees are encouraged to come as well. We will welcome new members on September 13.
Sunday, September 20 Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour she will talk to people who are interested in learning how to set up an endowment for our church as part of our planning for the future of our church. Kristi Johnson is organizing a pot luck lunch.
Sunday, September 20, 7:30 pm, the Dan Damon Quartet with Eileen Johnson will present a jazz concert, “Down By the Riverside” with jazz and congregational song. Suggested donation $15. This is a fundraiser for the church. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm, the Point Richmond Jazz series starts the season with Paul Anastasio and Tony Marcus. Tickets online prjazz.org, $20, at door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Saturday, September 26, 4-7 pm, 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala: Tax deductible Donations needed: Arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes. Contact Diane, dianefrary@comcast.net or Debbie, debbenko160@aol.com. Donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning 10-11 am and 12-1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
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