Newsletter February 28, 2015

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events (2)

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

Dear Friends,

I hope you will join us for the JFO day here on March 7, 10 am till 4 pm at our church. This will be a day of singing, prayer, spiritual growth, and creative fun. Song leader, John David Webster will be staying over for our worship service the next day. Don’t miss the opportunity to hear him. I’ll be doing a service in song at the Patterson Federated Church (see their Facebook page) on March 15. Jean Reynolds will be leading our service here that day. Let her know if you’d like to help.

Love and Joy,

Pastor Dan Damon

The Instead List, Mark 1:9-15

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1^st UMC, 2-22-15

Introduction

The old school of religion told us to give up something for Lent. I grew up in that school. We knew we were Christians by the things we didn’t do. We were expected not to go to movies, dance, drink alcoholic beverages, do drugs, have sexual thoughts, feelings, or actions before marriage, we didn’t play with face cards (gambling), and I forgot the other things on the list called the “nasty nine.” This was the supplement to the Ten Commandments. Maybe some of you were tormented by a similar supplement to the ancient laws. Roman Catholics gave up meat on Friday. No one would ever tell me why. On my journey out of fundamentalism into a more welcoming faith I cast off some of these unhelpful rules.

Retell the Scripture Story

The season of Lent begins each year with the story of Jesus when he was being tempted in the wilderness. Lent is a season of repentance, turning away from what hurts you and others, turning toward the Highest Good. Christians call this higher power/person God, but other names also may be used. In Matthew, Mark, and Luke the story follows the baptism of Jesus by John. In Mark 1:12-13 we read, “And immediately the Spirit drove him into the wilderness. And he was there in the wilderness forty days, tempted by Satan; and was with the wild beasts; and the angels ministered unto him.”

We turn to Luke’s gospel to find the three classic temptations as interpreted by Marcus Borg, a great scholar who died last month after a long illness:

Satan: Turn these stones into bread

Jesus: We do not live by bread alone, but by every word that comes forth from the mouth of God.

Satan: All these [kingdoms seen from a high mountain] I will give you if you will fall down and worship me.

Jesus: You shall worship the Lord your God and serve only God.

Satan: Throw yourself down [from the top of the temple] God will bear you up. God will protect you.

Jesus: Do not put the Lord your God to the test.

In the first temptation we [with Jesus] are tempted to see life as material, focused on acquisition and consumption.

In the second temptation we are tempted to power, both personal and political. The United States in our time has both military and economic power. How we use our power matters greatly. The message of Jesus is about the nature of the kingdom of God. It raises the question, “What would the world be like if it were ruled by God [Good] rather than by the powers of empire?” The perennial temptation of empire is the overuse and misuse of imperial power.

In the third temptation we are tempted to think on one hand that we must to something spectacular with our lives, and on the other hand that we can make bad choices without experiencing a consequence.

Mark leaves these out of his brief story in his hurry to get on with the story of Jesus life and ministry. In Mark 1:14-15 we are given the information about John the Baptist’s arrest and imprisonment. Mark goes on to say, “Jesus came into Galilee, preaching the gospel of the kingdom of God, and saying, The time is fulfilled, and the kingdom of God is at hand: repent, and believe the gospel.”

I like to avoid the power of coercion in favor of the power of invitation and attraction. People are not coerced into coming to our corner of the kingdom of God, the local church. You never have to come. You never have to give time, talent, or treasure. You never have to buy anything. People are warmly invited and welcomed to this church and to our events. This is a good use of the power we have. Fear is not the motivator. Love is what draws us here, and love leads us out in service to the world.

Application

I heard about the “Instead List” a couple of weeks ago. It seems quite appealing to think in terms of doing something instead of something else. We each have a list of things we do regularly. Some are conscious choices. Some are unconscious. As we become more aware of our life’s choices, we have the opportunity to say, “This is better than that. I like the outcome better.” We have only so much time on earth. We have only so much energy. We have only so much money. How do we use these precious gifts?

About ten years ago I made an “instead list” decision. I “gave up” drinking alcoholic beverages. I noticed immediately that I had more time, more energy, and more money to spend on more important things. I made a decision and I am benefiting from the consequences of that choice. What are your temptations? What could you do instead of giving in to them? Jesus resisted the temptations set before him in the wilderness. He went on to preach, teach, and heal, and to challenge the politically and religiously powerful in his day to live lives of love and hope. Jesus radical life and faith led him to an early death at the hands of the Roman rulers who felt threatened by his life and ministry, by his popularity with the poor and oppressed. The kingdom of God that Jesus announced and proclaimed is now in our hands.

What choices are you making? What could you do instead that would lead to a better result? Join me on this Lenten journey as we walk with Jesus to the cross.

I close today with a prayer by Alcuin, an 8^th C British Christian influenced by the Celtic Christianity that started with St. Patrick. Let us be in prayer.

Give us, O Lord, we pray, firm faith, unwavering hope, and a passion for justice. Pour into our hearts the spirit of wisdom and understanding, the spirit of counsel and spiritual strengths, the spirit of knowledge and true compassion and the spirit of wonder in all of your works.

Light eternal shine in our hearts. Power eternal, deliver us from evil. Wisdom eternal, scatter the darkness of our ignorance. Might eternal, have mercy on us.

Grant that we may ever seek your face with all our heart and soul and strength, and in your infinite mercy, bring us at last to the fullness of your presence where we shall behold your glory and live your promised joys.

In the name of Jesus, our body and blood, our life and our nourishment,

Amen.

Joys and Concern

Lauren McLeod welcomes your prayers for healing.

Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) up date: Sandra thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. Fran reports that Sandra is more animated and cheerful than she has been in months. The wound has healed, the drain is out and the infection is gone! The IV port for chemo was inserted this week and treatment will begin on Tuesday. Both Fran and Sandra ask that prayers continue.

Molly Smith is requesting prayers for her brother who has been treated for a brain tumor for several years and has recently entered the Hospice program. Prayers for his family and her brother as they go through this very difficult time.

Deby McFadyen is asking for prayers for her father, Jack McFadyen, who has lung cancer. Currently he is doing well.

Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support and healing. Update: Linda is pretty much in a wheelchair and using a walkerto try to cut down on the number of falls she has been having.They are still open to visitors, so drop by if you can.

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.

Please keep the people of Camp Liberty in your prayers as chaos reigns in Iraq and near the camp.

News

Beginning Sunday, February 15 we will be honoring the memory of Helen Valentine with donations of your coins, checks or paper money to enable the children of the church to make a donation to the Heifer Project. We will be collecting through March 14. bring your coins, Norm Reynolds loves to roll them up for deposite in our Heifer Fund.

The World Health Organization’s World Malaria Report 2014 shows a dramatic decrease in deaths. Sub-Saharan Africa is where 90% of the cases occur and UMCOR will be giving out millions of bed nets this year from your donations to Imagine No Malaria, which is short $10 million dollars of the $75 million needed. The bed nets in Africa will go to areas where access is most limited hoping to increase the use to 90-98% of the people. WHO states we are on the right course. Won’t you help with a donation?

UMCOR is now helping in the Ukraine. Many people have been displaced and are homeless. UMCOR is helping with food distribution, firewood, and health kits.

United Methodist Women are starting a collection for 10 School Kits. There will be a box in Friendship Hall for your donations. Lists of needed supplies will also be in Friendship Hall for pick up. Remember that you can only donate things that are on the list or UMCOR will remove them. Linda Woody-Wood is generously going to sew the school bags for us again. We would like to have our kits packed up and ready to go to the Annual Conference in June. Update: Rulers have been purchased so cross them off your list.

One Great Hour of Sharing is coming March 15. This special Sunday donation goes to support the administrative costs for UMCOR which allows all the donations to UMCOR to be used for the needy.

Generosity

Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.

Events

Beginning Sunday, February 15 thru March 14, we will be collecting coins and other forms of money, in memory of Helen Valentine and contributing the donations to buy animals or plants chosen by the children in the church for Heifer International.

Saturday, February 28, 11 am to 1 pm, Master Class and Workshop with Zack Brock. 714 Western Dr., Point Richmond. See prjazz.org and click on Workshops for more information.

Today, Sunday, March 1, 4 pm Free concert! SF Munich Trio will be playing at the Piedmont Piano Company, 1728 San Pablo Ave (@ 18th St.) Oakland. Rebecca Rust, cello; Fredrich Edelman, bassoon; and Dimitriy Cogan, Piano. They are superb. Come and enjoy the music.

Saturday, March 7, 10 am to 4 pm, All JFO Spring Retreat. Journey Farthest Out provides camping experiences for development of body, mind and spirit by giving an opportunity to explore one’s inner spirituality and find ways to go farther out in one’s relationship to God. Come for a day of meditation, singing, speaker, creative/sharing, prayer group, World Prayer Broadcast and a blessing ceremony. Light breakfast provided, bring a bag lunch. RSVP to Jean Reynolds 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. More information at: jfocamps.com/home.

Friday, March 13, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic presents Ernest Troost with special guest Laura Zucker. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St. point Richmond. More info when available.

Saturday, March 14, Annual Sweetheart Dinner: Heinz Lankford and Kathe Kiehn will be installed as our new sweethearts for 2015. Come and celebrate with us. Gathering music at 6:30 pm and dinner at 7 pm. San Pablo Yacht Club, 700 W. Cutting Blvd., Point Richmond. Tickets are $50 and reservations through Fran Smith at junosmith@aol.com.

Sunday, March 15 Special Sunday. Your special donations for One Great Hour of Sharing Sunday go to pay the administrative costs for UMCOR (United Methodist Committee on Relief). This ensures that the gifts you give to UMCOR all go to help those in need.

Tuesday, March 17, 9:30 am, Church Women United will be meeting at Easter Hill UMC, 2911 Cutting Blvd., Richmond. Gather at 9:30, meeting at 10 am, “World Day of Prayer”. Contact Jean Reynolds at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com for more information.

Good Friday Service, April 3, 7:30 pm

This year the churches of our Circuit will be observing Good Friday at El Sobrante UMC. The service will feature a mass choir and “Golgatha,” a dramatic interpretation of the passion of our Lord. The drama involves 8 characters and a narrator. Those interested in participating in this dramatic interpretation are invited to contact Noel Stout, noelstout@yahoo.com, 510-754-1503. El Sobrante UMC, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.

Save the Dates: June 14-20 for Mt. Lassen Journey Farthest Out Camp. Just to let you know the dates. More info in March, including registration.

The Methodist Federation for Social Action (MFSA) is meeting in San Antonio, Texas in conjunction with the Reconciling Ministries Network. Gather at the River, Thursday, August 6 to Sunday, August 9. The conference will be working on issues of justice throughout the church and issues they would like to see presented at the General Conference in 2016. Register at http://www.gather2015.org/.

Please send submissions for FUMC News and Events to Barbara Haley, editor: bahcats@sbcglobal.net.

Newsletter February 28, 2015

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