Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Holy Moments, Luke 9:28-36
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 2-7-16
Introduction
A few weeks ago I heard three singer-songwriters sharing songs in a concert here. One said, “This space is so lovely it almost makes me want to come back to church…almost.” [laughter] And I thought to myself, you are in church [buddy]. We are all in church right now, and you are creating holy moments for us to enjoy right now, now, the only time we have. I mentioned this to Bruce Kaplan and thanked him for helping to create this holy moment.
I told a barista at Kaleidescope this week, “I’m not your grandmother’s minister.” [Actually, I am the pastor to many grandmothers and great grandmothers, but she knew what I meant.] Business was slow, so she had read two of my hymns, “Speak to a Tattooed Man” and “Out of Joy and Out of Need.” [They don’t have much God in them.] She could sense a different way of talking about people in relation to God. Allie invited me to read some of my poetry on open mic night. “I’m too shy,” [I lied.] But maybe I will work up my courage to share something like that.
Over time our language changes, our theology [God talk] changes, our experience deepens, our sense of wonder increases, but God’s presence in our lives remains the same. God’s love never changes. Hebrews 13:5 says, “I will never leave you, nor forsake you.” This is as true now as when it was written in the first century of the Common Era. It is as true now as when I underlined it in the leatherbound King James Bible my mother gave me on my fourteenth birthday, July 2, 1969.
Delivering a dresser to someone who needs it, listening to a concert in a church with great acoustics, attending worship to sing and pray in a space made for it: these are holy moments that we share as a people called Methodist, as a church called Richmond First United Methodist, over a hundred years young. Our conversations, our meetings, even these are holy moments shared together in God’s love.
Retell the Scripture Story
UMH 260 George and Alice may want to look up UMH 260 to discover why we didn’t sing these words today. Peter Cutts says his tune was written “under the influence of Hindemith.”
Brian Wren retells the gospel story of the transfiguration this way:
Jesus, on the mountain peak,
stands alone in glory blazing.
Let us, if we dare to speak,
join the saints and angels praising: Alleluia!
Trembling at his feet we saw
Moses and Elijah speaking.
All the Prophets and the Law
shout through them their joyful greeting: Alleluia!
Swift the cloud of glory came,
God, proclaiming in its thunder,
Jesus as the Son by name!
Nations, cry aloud in wonder: Alleluia!
Jesus is the chosen One,
living hope of every nation,
hear and heed him, everyone;
sing, with earth and all creation, Alleluia!
Brian Wren
Words © 1977 Hope Publishing Company
The biblical mountaintop experience in the gospel reading today tells of a holy moment, a transforming experience. Have you had any really big moments of transformation in your life? Did you give your heart to Jesus at age eight, like I did, at a Bible camp at Big Stone Lake, SD on the northeastern corner of the state? Did you ever feel the peace of God rolling over you while you were lying in bed, like I did when I was eleven at a Bible Camp in the Black Hills?
Most of our experiences I am calling “holy moments” are not dramatic theatrical productions. Usually we are not on the mountaintop with thunder and lightening making everything look different. And yet, in the times of service we consider ordinary, there can come to us a strange light of joy. It is the knowledge that God is at work in us to do a good work today. It is acknowledging the good energy of the moment and sharing it with another human being. And, somehow, that is enough.
We are not changed “once and for all.” A husband does not say to his wife: “Now, honey, once and for all, I love you.” That is not how it works. Day by day, moment by moment, we are changed into the likeness of God our Creator. The Spirit fills us up little by little as we learn and grow, as we study and serve, as we sing and pray together.
Peter wanted to stay on the mountaintop. This is an understandable human emotion. We want it always to be GREAT. But all of our lives have a mixture of joy and sorrow, times on the mountaintop and times walking through the valley of the shadow of death. We share these times together, and they are holy moments, too. And God is with us. And we will fear no evil. Thanks be to God.
Application
Jesus always leads us back down the mountain. We return to the valley below because it is the place of service for all the years God gives. Jesus said, “Love your neighbor as you love yourself.” This is how it works: we love others as we love ourselves. We love ourselves. Let’s admit it. That comes first. But loving ourselves, we are then able to love others, and to love God, our Maker.
But how do we show that we love God? We show our love for God as we love others. In service we find holy moments filling us with joy, the joy of loving ourselves, the joy of loving others, and the joy of showing we love God by loving others.
If you will forgive me a closing football comparison, Christianity is a “contact sport.” We don’t stay on the mountain. We don’t stay on the bench. We get in the game and play our best. At the Camps Farthest Out we say we are becoming athletes of the Spirit. At the end of Yoga class Sally reminds us to care for body, mind, and spirit. As we live out our faith, we contact many people every week. Remember, we can create holy moments of love and peace, forgiveness and faith as we share our experience, strength, and hope every day of our lives. Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Susan Wickesser, Doris Swope’s niece, has been cancer free for two years and living life to the fullest. She has just sent a message that new tumors have been found on her lungs. She has started chemotherapy. Please remember her in prayer for healing.
Our dear church friend, Pat King, Update: Pat had her surgery and her daughter is returning home this weekend. Pat cannot lift more than 10# for 2-3 weeks so she needs our help. Someone to take her grocery shopping and to carry in the bags. Help taking out garbage and lifting her laundry. If you can help please contact her at 375 1688 or kingp1@earthlink.net.
Kathe Kiehn is asking for healing prayers for her daughter, Karen Gagnier. Karen has survived breast cancer once and is now facing treatment for a new aggressive cancer in her other breast. Karen is currently undergoing a 5-6 week course of chemo and once that is completed she’ll have a second round with different drugs. She is trying to live her life as normally as possible and your prayers are welcome.
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for two young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington and Jimmy Lowe in your prayers.
News
Pastor Dan will be away February 22-29 teaching music in Toronto.
This Saturday, February 13, the floors in Friendship Hall and the kitchen should be stripped and washed and waxed with thanks to Fran Smith and Bill Thompson for coordinating it.
Barbara Haley visited the new Family Justice Center in Richmond which provides services for abused women. The center has social workers, police and attorneys all present to assist the victims. The center often has to send mothers with children to a safe home or shelter and they like to give them a soft, cuddly toy to take with them. Missions would like to be able to take some new stuffed toys with the tag still on them, to donate to the center. If you would like to donate a stuffed toy, we will be collecting them on Easter Sunday.
Volunteer needed: Pat Dornan will decorate the church for Easter, but will be out of town Easter weekend, so she will not be able to pick up lilies for Easter Sunday. We need someone to coordinate the sign-up and collection of money for people who want to get lilies in memory of loved ones and to buy the lilies and place them near the altar. Contact Alice Thompson (Worship Comm.) if you are able to do this. Alice: abthompson2@comcast.net.
Our friends at Saffron Strand wish to prepare and donate a lunch for our church family once a month in gratitude for the work Pastor Dan has been doing with them. They will be doing this the second Sunday of the month, beginning March 13.
Konevets Quartet, Tuesday, Feb. 16, 7:30 PM
Tickets will go on sale shortly for the Konevets Quartet who will be performing Tues, Feb. 16, 7:30 PM at the El Sobrante United Methodist Church
670 Appian Way, El Sobrante CA
(510) 223-0790
(510) 223-0790
Tickets are $15 each.
The Konevets Quartet was founded in 1992 by four young musicians from the St. Petersburg Conservatoire who were singing in the choir of the Konevets Monastery on the island of Konevets in Lake Ladoga. The members of the ensemble studied at the St. Petersburg Glinka Choir College. Trained in the tradition of Russian song, the Konevets Quartet is not just a group of individual soloists, but is in essence a chamber choir dedicated to creating a perfect harmonious ensemble sound.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Update: Katherine will be here to speak with us on June 5, 6-9 pm.
The Blockade by Nepali dissidents near the Indian border is causing severe shortage of supplies, mainly fuel and medicines in Nepal. Many businesses have been shut down and hospitals will soon be running out of fuel to run their generators which means that surgeries and life saving incubators for babies will not be operational. The violence at the border has increased. Katherine is safe but electricity is dicey and life is harder. She is having to bathe in cold water and the team she is with are sharply curtailing driving. Hundreds of cars without fuel clog the streets of Katmandu. Winter is causing a crisis as is the loss of fuel for heating. Negotiations between the government and the dissidents is bogged down.
Generosity
From the Early Childhood Mental Health Clinic Newsletter
Thank You First United Methodist Church of Point Richmond!
Former ECMHP’er, Karen Bianchini, has been extremely helpful at keeping our ties well connected to her church group, United Methodist Women.
Through the course of the year, this small group of wonderful women have sent our agency diapers, clothing, books, and more! All of which was distributed to approximately 12 families over the course of the year.
On behalf of our staff and clients, we would like to send a warm thanks to the First United Methodist Church of Point Richmond and their group United Methodist Women for their service and commitment to help others in need.
Parsonage and Church Sewer Line: The parsonage sewer line, which is a shared line with the church sewer line, is leaking and needs replacement. It’s a long line that connects to the main sewer below the Catholic Church. Estimated cost is $7,100. We are also asking our congregation for donations to help fund this project. City of Richmond has a grant program for installing sewer laterals. We are in the process of applying for the grant. Grants may be given for $3000. Kim Butt is applying for us. Our thanks to Kim and Bill Thompson for the work they have done on this project.
We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program. The California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation has a planned giving website for your information. The site is: plannedgiving@canvumf.gift legacy.com. See what your options for giving are.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Sunday, February 14 thru Sunday, March 13: Annual Heifer International collection of your pennies in memory of Helen Valentine. Hope you have been saving your change for this. Of course we take bills and checks as well. Heifer International provides animals, bees, trees and more to help those in need to start a business to improve their quality of life. Please donate generously.
Tuesday, February 16, 6 pm: Prayer and Self Denial Dinner. United Methodist Women from Open Door UMC, Easter Hill UMC and Richmond First United Methodist Church meet at the beginning of Lent. This year it is our turn to present the program. If you are interested in attending and reading at the gathering, please let Doreen Leighton know at 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com. Hosted by Easter Hill UMC, 3911 Cutting Blvd, Richmond. Plenty of parking in the back.
Saturday, February 20, Sweetheart Dinner. Russ and Kristi Johnson are our sweethearts for this year. Come and honor them for their years of dedicated service and love of our church and church community. Pt. San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 Cutting Blvd., Richmond, 6-9 pm. Tickets $50; make checks payable to Richmond First United Methodist Church and send to Fran Smith, 2149 Beaujolais Ct., Fairfield, CA 94533. Questions? contact Fran: junosmith @aol.com.
Sunday, February 21, 6 pm, San Francisco Munich Trio presents ” Salut d’Amour” with works from Beethoven, Elgar, Glinka and Tingley. Come enjoy an evening of classical music with Rebecca Rust, cello, Friedrich Edelmann, bassoon and Dmitriy Cogan, piano. Donations: $15. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Wednesday, February 24, 4 pm, in the kitchen! The Trustees, UMW and Paul Garnett will meet with Kim Butt to begin planning for the Kitchen Renewal Project.
Friday, February 26, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Jazz presents “Five Play” and the PRJazz String Quartet. first United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. Tickets in advance $18 (prjazz.org) at door $25.
Veteran Bay Area jazz Quintet, Five Play with guitarist Tony Corman, pianist Laura Klein, Dave Tidal on reeds, Alan Hall drums and Paul Smith bass, will be joined by the newly formed PR Jazz String Quartet with Anthony Blea and Kit Eakle on violins, Emily Onderdonk, viola, and Lewis Patzner, ‘cello, in an evening of original music by members of the 2 groups, including Tony Corman, Kit Eakle, Laura Klein, and Emily Onderdonk.
Saturday, March 5, 9:30 am-4 pm, Journey Farthest Out Spring Retreat is being held at our church. This is a great way to strengthen our spiritual connections through meditation, singing, speaker, rhythms, creative expression & sharing. Free event. Contact Jean Reynolds if you would like to attend: 510 734-3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. Light breakfast provided, bring a lunch. See attachment.
Saturday, March 12, United Methodist Women’s Retreat. 8:30 am-3:45 pm the Napa Methodist Church. Open to all women. Retreat leader Rev. Holly Hillman, “Courage to Grow”. Please see brochure. Napa Methodist Church, 625 Randolph, Napa. Cost $18, includes continental breakfast and lunch.
Good Friday Services, 7:30 pm, March 25: Pinole United Methodist Church, 2000 San Pablo Ave., Pinole.
