Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Dear Friends,
Here are my notes from last Sunday.
Love and Joy,
Dan
The Nature of God, John 3:1-17
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 5-31-15
Introduction
This is Trinity Sunday, a day to explore the mysterious and wonderful nature of the divine, the Good, the God who is love. God is ultimately one, but is revealed in many ways. Al Carmines wrote a song that celebrates the diversity of creation: Many gifts, one Spirit, one love known in many ways. In this church we honor the light in all faith traditions as we praise God from where we are. There is a sub-section in our hymnal called “God’s Nature.” Did you know? (UMH 102-125) It comes under the general heading The Glory of the Triune God. We sing hymns celebrating the Father/Mother, Son, and Holy Spirit. Sometimes we use the terms Creator, Redeemer, and Sustainer in the “trinitarian formula.” As Tom Troeger says in his trinitarian hymn text, Source and Sovereign, Rock and Cloud: May the church in prayer recall that no single holy name but the truth behind them all is the God whom we proclaim.
Retell the Scripture Story
In our gospel lesson today we have the familiar story of Nicodemus, a ruler of the Jews, coming to rabbi Jesus at night with a question: How can a man be born when he is old? Jesus says, except a man be born of water and of the Spirit, he cannot enter the kingdom of God. To explain this mystery Jesus continues, “The wind blows where it wills, and you hear the sound but cannot tell where it comes from or where it goes. So is everyone who is born of the Spirit.
Nicodemus says, “How can these things be?” Soon Jesus says, “For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life. For God sent not his Son into the world to condemn the world, but that the world through him might be saved.” Some of us remember the famous choral setting of this passage by John Stainer.
This is the heart of the Christian faith. It touches me at an emotional level and lets me know that, for better or worse, I am a Christian. I am a lifelong follower of this Jesus. Brian Wren, my teacher for hymn text writing gives us this hymn text expressing some of the divine mystery:
God of many Names
gathered into One,
in your glory come and meet us,
Moving, endlessly Becoming;
God of Hovering Wings,
Womb and Birth of time,
joyfully we sing your praises,
Breath of life in every people –
Hush, hush, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Shout, shout, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Sing, sing, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Sing, God is love, God is love!
God of Jewish faith,
Exodus and Law,
in your glory come and meet us,
joy of Miriam and Moses;
God of Jesus Christ,
Rabbi of the poor,
joyfully we sing your praises,
crucified, alive for ever –
Hush, hush, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Shout, shout, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Sing, sing, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Sing, God is love, God is love!
God of Wounded Hands,
Web and Loom of love,
in your glory come and meet us,
Carpenter of new creation;
God of many Names
gathered into One,
joyfully we sing your praises,
Moving, endlessly Becoming –
Hush, hush, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Shout, shout, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Sing, sing, hallelujah, hallelujah!
Sing, God is love, God is love!
Brian Wren
Words © 1986 Hope Publishing Company
And Carl Daw, Associate editor of Hymnody (with me) at Hope Publishing gives us this amazing text on the person and work of the Holy Spirit:
Like the murmur of the dove’s song,
like the challenge of her flight,
like the vigor of the wind’s rush,
like the new flame’s eager might:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
To the members of Christ’s body,
to the branches of the Vine,
to the Church in faith assembled,
to her midst as gift and sign:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
With the healing of division,
with the ceaseless voice of prayer,
with the power to love and witness,
with the peace beyond compare:
Come, Holy Spirit, come.
Carl P. Daw, Jr.
Words © 1982 Hope Publishing Company
Application
In poetry we try to express something about the highest good we can imagine. The language of poetry helps us transcend the usual limits of language, and gives us brief, passing glimpses of the divine. We get these brief glimpses of the divine in the people around us, too, and in the world of nature. Eileen and I took a walk yesterday in the hills beyond Nicholl Knob and saw many wildflowers braving the drought to bloom in profusion on the hills. Have you seen them?
In addition to being Trinity Sunday, this is Peace with Justice Sunday. Our exploration of the nature of God remains unimportant unless we put our discoveries into action in our own lives. As we understand who God is, we can begin to live in a more loving, peaceful, and just way. As we go deeper into the mystery Christians call God, we begin to live better, more meaningful lives. Wonder is the beginning and end of religion. We wonder at the beauty of the natural world, and we are moved to greater care for creation. We plant a tree, care for a flower, save water, and in our small gardens, we work for peace and justice.
Listen to one more hymn text as we move into our prayer time. I wrote this exploration into God’s nature inspired by the opening of the television show The Twilight Zone. The choir will sing a new anthem setting of it next September when we start our new season.
Shadow and substance,
wonder and mystery,
spellbinding spinner of atoms and earth;
Soul of the cosmos,
person and energy,
Source of our being, we sing of your worth.
We are your image,
formed in community;
sisters and brothers of Adam and Eve.
You gave us color,
custom and history;
teach us to honor what others receive.
Naming the nameless,
Spirit of unity,
scanning the heavens for signs of your care;
God of the ages,
give us humility;
guide us to mystical union in prayer.
Daniel Charles Damon
Words © 1994 Hope Publishing Company
Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Please keep Katherine Parker, our missionary, and the people of Nepal in your prayers.
Megan Timberlake is asking for prayers for her ex-husband, Ernest R. Style III, as he struggles with serious illness.
Deby McFadyen is requesting prayers for three young friends who are battling cancer. Please remember Sarah Talkington, Carolyn Thomas and 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 than she has been in months. Sandra has undergone 5 chemo treatments and feels good. 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 stronger, able to stand and transfer to her wheel chair after the removal of medications that were confusing her and making her weaker. She is calmer. She is mentally alert and more verbal. Do stop by for a short visit 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.
Arpha MacIntyre is doing better. She is still in the Residential Treatment area but has been able to return to her own apartment for parts of the day and has been able to play the piano again! Arpha played the piano at our church for many years. If you wish to send a card: Sierra View Homes Retirement Community, 1155 E. Springfield Ave., Reedly, CA 93654. Jane Carnall has spoken with Arpha several times and Arpha is thrilled to be getting cards and messages of love from our church community.
Please keep the people of Camp Liberty in your prayers as chaos reigns in Iraq and near the camp.
News
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine has left for Northern Dhading to facilitate water sanitation and hygiene. for the people there. Large helicopters are being used to finally get more needed supplies into the areas unable to be reached in any other way. This week 100% of the supplies have reached the people in Dhading Provence. The next task is to get seed to the farmers to be able to plant before the wet season starts and secure housing against the coming storms.
United Methodist Women have packed up 10 school kits to go to the CA/NV Conference for eventual delivery to the depot in Salt Lake City for UMCOR to release into the world of the disadvantaged. Much appreciation to all those who helped by giving items, giving money for purchase of items and for shoppers and packers. A special Thank You to Linda Woody-Wood for again making beautiful bags to hold the items.
Junktique II was a resounding success with basement sales, pancake breakfast earnings and our Ladybug garden, we earned more than $3,600! The final count is yet to be made. Masquers Playhouse will receive $317 of this. Well done everyone!
Two members of our church community sing with the Berkeley Community Chorus, Linda Andrew-Marshall and Mary Lee Cole. The Chorus will be singing Verdi’s Requiem , June 5,6 and 7 at Hertz Hall in Berkeley.
New Church Brochure: Debbie Benko is putting the finishing touches on a new brochure for our church. Thank you to Debbie for making this long awaited project a reality! Keep your eyes open for it. The Administrative Board thinks you’ll like It.
Mark your calendar! The 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala on
Saturday, September 26, 2015 from 4-7 p.m. at The Point San Pablo Yacht Club
700 W. Cutting Blvd. in Richmond located on San Francisco Bay.
(100 yards from the intersection of Canal & Cutting.)
Featuring:
- Arts and Crafts for Bidding;
- Jewelry for Sale;
- Door Prizes;
- Live Music;
- Hors d’oeuvres; and
- No Host Bar.
Suggested donation at door $10.
Donations needed at this time! Do you craft, knit, crochet, make jewelry, sculpt, paint etc., or would like to donate cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes?
Please contact Diane @ dianefrary@comcast.net or
Debbie @ Debbenko160@aol.com; or bring your tax deductible donations to The Richmond First United Methodist Church @ 201 Martina St., Point Richmond (at the corner of W. Richmond and Martina St.) on Sunday’s between 10-11 a.m or 12-1 p.m.
Invite your friends and neighbors! This is our second largest fundraiser for our church.
Generosity
New Public Address System
Our public address system has served our church well for many years, but it is nearing the end of its service. A new sound system is on the horizon for our church. The choir and the congregation need to be able to hear the spoken and sung word in our worship services. The Administrative Board has discussed the matter fully and has decided to encourage your giving to this project. A new public address system will serve the needs of the church for future generations both with the spoken word and with the music that is presented in the church. Please pray and contribute what you can to help us achieve this good goal. This will help us continue in ministry serving the needs of the whole community.
How You Can Help
You can purchase a Piano Key for $45. Choose your key and color it or sign it or both! Sale of the entire keyboard will get us 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
Thursday, June 11, 7 pm, Administrative Board Meeting in Friendship Hall.
Sunday, June 14, 3 pm Kelly Hope (Bob Hope’s son) will be speaking about his father. This is a fundraiser for the Kitchen Revival Committee of El Sobrante UMC. This should be a fun event. Donations $15. El Sobrante UMC, 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.
Ca/Nev Annual Conference, June 17-20 (Wed. thru Sat.). This year’s theme is ” Engaging Faith in the Public Square”. Registration is now open at www.cnum.org/acs15. San Francisco Airport Hyatt Regency, 1333 Old Bayshore Hwy, Burlingame, CA.
Thurs. June 18, at 5:45 p.m. – MFSA/Advocacy and Justice Dinner at New Vision UMC, 450 Chadbourne Ave. in Millbrae (2 mi. from the CA/NV Conference Convention site), with guest speakers The Rev. Sharon Delgado on “Global Migration, Climate Justice, & System Change,” and immigration attorney Sharron Williams on “Immigration: Children at Our Borders – the Effect of DAPA & Extended DACA on Families.” Also attending will be The Rev. Israel Alvaran, this year’s Bishop Kelly Peace and Justice Award winner. RSVP by June 11th by completing the form on the attached flyer and mailing it with your $20 check. Seating is limited. Please join us.
Save the Dates: June 14-20 for Mt. Lassen Journey Farthest Out Camp. The camp provides a time apart for spiritual growth and opening our lives to God physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually. The vision is to provide a place where all people are accepted with the unconditional love that Jesus shares. All ages are welcome. Registration is open through “Mt. Lassen JFO”.
Sunday, June 21, Father’s Day Jazz Service: Dan Damon Jazz Quartet, 11 am Service with singer Sheilani Alix.
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 resolutions 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
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