Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Dear Friends,
Here are my notes from Sunday. I am delighted to learn that some of you have already read “Being Mortal.” As usual, you are ahead of me.
Love and Joy,
Dan
Perspective, Psalm 23
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 4-26-15
Introduction
We always pray for health and safety. Sometimes our prayers are not answered. We are now praying for the survivors of the Earthquake in Nepal, including our missionary, Katherine Parker. We need to acknowledge our grief and shock when tragedy strikes, and in time we need to learn to trust again in a different way. Maybe we can learn to live our own lives with the perspective that we have a very short time on earth. With that perspective, each day that we live our moments have more value. We may think of our choices as having lasting value for future generations. What kind of legacy are we going to leave behind. Seen through the lens of eternity, our days and nights can take on fuller meaning. Listen to Psalm 23 in two modern paraphrases with this perspective.
Retell the Scripture Story
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
The Message Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Application
This week I have been reading a current non-fiction bestseller Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande, a Harvard professor. He addresses issues of life, aging, and death that we usually don’t like to think about. Listen to a few pages of this new book.
Read pp.46-52
Maybe we can have a book study group later this year. Let me know if you buy the book. It is in first edition hardcover right now.
Our faith teaches us to honor our Creator by living our lives to the fullest. Live each day with hope. Love others as you love yourself, and give thanks and praise to the maker of the rose petal.
Let us be in prayer.
Perspective, Psalm 23
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 4-26-15
Introduction
We always pray for health and safety. Sometimes our prayers are not answered. We are now praying for the survivors of the Earthquake in Nepal, including our missionary, Katherine Parker. We need to acknowledge our grief and shock when tragedy strikes, and in time we need to learn to trust again in a different way. Maybe we can learn to live our own lives with the perspective that we have a very short time on earth. With that perspective, each day that we live our moments have more value. We may think of our choices as having lasting value for future generations. What kind of legacy are we going to leave behind. Seen through the lens of eternity, our days and nights can take on fuller meaning. Listen to Psalm 23 in two modern paraphrases with this perspective.
Retell the Scripture Story
Because the Lord is my Shepherd, I have everything I need!
He lets me rest in the meadow grass and leads me beside the quiet streams. He gives me new strength. He helps me do what honors him the most.
Even when walking through the dark valley of death I will not be afraid, for you are close beside me, guarding, guiding all the way.
You provide delicious food for me in the presence of my enemies. You have welcomed me as your guest; blessings overflow!
Your goodness and unfailing kindness shall be with me all of my life, and afterwards I will live with you forever in your home.
The Living Bible copyright © 1971 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.
God, my shepherd!
I don’t need a thing.
You have bedded me down in lush meadows,
you find me quiet pools to drink from.
True to your word,
you let me catch my breath
and send me in the right direction.
Even when the way goes through
Death Valley,
I’m not afraid
when you walk at my side.
Your trusty shepherd’s crook
makes me feel secure.
You serve me a six-course dinner
right in front of my enemies.
You revive my drooping head;
my cup brims with blessing.
Your beauty and love chase after me
every day of my life.
I’m back home in the house of God
for the rest of my life.
The Message Copyright © 1993, 1994, 1995, 1996, 2000, 2001, 2002 by Eugene H. Peterson
Application
This week I have been reading a current non-fiction bestseller Being Mortal by Dr. Atul Gawande, a Harvard professor. He addresses issues of life, aging, and death that we usually don’t like to think about. Listen to a few pages of this new book.
Read pp.46-52
Maybe we can have a book study group later this year. Let me know if you buy the book. It is in first edition hardcover right now.
Our faith teaches us to honor our Creator by living our lives to the fullest. Live each day with hope. Love others as you love yourself, and give thanks and praise to the maker of the rose petal.
Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Mid Dornan is back from her European cruise with her daughter, Roberta, son-in-law and his mother. Mid is all smiles and had a wonderful time. It’s good to have her home again.
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. Sandra has undergone 4 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 can no longer get out of bed, isn’t eating and probably has a very short time remaining. She is mentally alert. Pat requests that if you have been meaning to stop by, you do it soon. 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: Huge 7.8 earthquake in Nepal last night. Katherine’s Facebook page says that she is not injured but is staying outside. Prayers for Katherine and the people of Nepal.
Pastor Mark Zier from El Sobrante UMC on April 27th wrote to her that she and the entire country would be in our prayers. She sent this response yesterday:
“Thank you Mark. We are sending off four doctors to Gorka and Lamjen momentarily. Please pray for them as road conditions are not clear and long working days are anticipated. Glad that people are getting through to friends in Kathmandu. Reports I’m hearing is that the fear and anxiety from continued aftershocks and what seems to have been another 6.9 earthquake on a new fault line yesterday at 1pm is a major challenge in Kathmandu. Damage has been high among older buildings, and while devastating is not nearly the magnitude as we have been expecting in the worse case scenario. The challenge right now is uncertainty how to proceed with continued high magnitude quakes and the rain last night in Kathmandu. Some friends of mine chose to sleep in an unstable building rather than get more wet. Difficult choices that each person must make. Thanks for your continued prayers.”
Peace, Katherine
Our friends at WriterCoach Connection are sponsoring a fundraiser on Saturday, May 16, 8 am- 6pm: 7th annual Read-and-Write-a-Thon.
Ten hours of non-stop writings from students and coaches. Come and make a donation or support with your presence. Longfellow Middle School Library, 1500 Derby St., Berkeley.
The Richmond Commission on Aging is presenting its 22nd Annual Senior Nite Out on Saturday, May 2, 6-10:30 pm. This includes dinner, 6:30-7:30 and live entertainment featuring Top Shelf and drawings for prizes. Richmond Memorial Auditorium, 403 Civic Center Plaza. Advance tickets through the Richmond Recreation Dept. 3230 Macdonald Ave. $25, at the door $30.
CA/Nev Annual Conference registration is open at www.cnumc.org/acs15.
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. Some of you may wish to donate some money towards the purchase of some items. Barbara Haley is willing to do the shopping.
Generosity
Don’t forget that donations for Imagine No Malaria are always welcome.
On April 23rd the United Methodist Church donated 9.6 million dollars to fight malaria. This is the most any community of faith has ever been able to donate.
Events
Today, Junktique Sale! May 2, 9 am-3 pm. Come and buy, come and help, come for lunch, but come! See attached flyer.
Friday, May 8, 7:30 pm Point Richmond Acoustic closes the season with our own Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan. Claudia has a knack for crafting tightly woven songs that carry you to the sweet spots of youth and the autumn colors of growing older. Bruce’s accompaniment on the mandolin and electric guitar are spot on. Come celebrate Bruce and Claudia as they bring another terrific season to a close. Tickets. $20. Advance tickets and more info: pointacoustic.org.
Save the Date: Saturday, May 16, 9:30 am to 4:30 pm, District Conference. Rev. Schuyler Rhodes has sent this reminder. The Conference includes a Mission Fair with displays by local churches, a fair trade marketplace, training opportunities for Staff-Parish Relations Committee Members, Trustees, church council and more. Plus a briefing on legislation coming up at the Annual Conference. Donations $15 includes lunch and materials. First United Methodist Church, 502 Virginia St., Vallejo, CA 94590. To register: https://calnev-reg.betrapp.com.
Thursday, May 21, 1 pm, Memorial Service for Lauren McLeod. Come and celebrate her life and mourn the loss of her presence.
Sunday, May 24, 3 pm: The Multi-Cultural Music Fellowship presents the Triskela Celtic Harp Trio and the Bay Area Youth Harp Ensemble playing music from the British Isles, Latin America and California. Suggested donations: children $10, adults $20 except children under 12 $5 and seniors $15. Reserve tickets and more information about the group: multiculturalmusicfellowship@gmail.com. Tickets also available at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
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.
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”.
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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