Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Moving On, Job 42:1-6, 10-17
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 10-25-15
Introduction
There was a joyful and amazing concert here Friday night, and a sad and beautiful gathering here yesterday afternoon remembering the life of Eli Botchan. In this church we share our joys and sorrows, both parts of life as we find it. We find the strength to move on as we live out our days in the presence and power of God, our Maker. In 2 Timothy 1:7, Paul writes to the young man, Timothy: God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.
We need these gifts of God as we move on in our lives. We go back to work. We wait for time to ease the pain of loss. We pray, we sing, we wait for God to show us the way forward. We carry the pain in our bodies, but we find there are folks who will help us bear our burdens. Some of those people who are willing to help are sitting here with us in this sanctuary. This church, this sanctuary is a holy place, a place set apart as a place of peace in this troubled world, as a place of prayer, as a place where we can join hands and feel that we are not alone.
Retell the Scripture Story
I want to return to the book of Job for one more week as we hear Job’s response to God.
[Remind them of last week’s story: God, Job, the adversary, fortune and family lost, friends come and sit in silence, personal physical suffering, wife’s words of advice, friends accuse Job of sin, Job’s declaration of innocence and cries to God, Job wishes he had never been born, God’s response]
Part of our reading today is Job’s response to God’s long and poetic series of unanswerable questions. God is portrayed in Job as asking: Where were you when I laid the foundations of the earth, when the morning stars sang together? Who gives the horse its strength? Is it at your command that the eagle mounts up and makes its nest on high?
After pages of this ancient exploration into the problem of pain and the nature of God, Job says: I know that you can do all things, and that no purpose of yours can be thwarted. I have uttered what I did not understand, things too wonderful for me, which I did not know. I had heard of you by the hearing of the ear, but now my eye sees you. Therefore I despise myself and repent in dust and ashes.
There are some points of interest in these verses:
Job seeks understanding and expresses his belief that God has a purpose that cannot be thwarted. This is life as it is, not as we imagine it should be.
Job admits his inability to understand God’s purpose in all things. He has a very limited experience of God.
But in v. 5 Job says “I had heard of you, but now I see you.” Job has had a personal, life-changing encounter with the divine.
Job can now share his experience of God with others. This experience satisfies him without answering all of his questions. It is enough for Job that his creator has come to him personally.
Job accepts what has happened to him and sits in dust and ashes. He accepts the weakness of his humanity while he finds the serenity and the strength that will enable him to go on living.
Application
It is a misreading of Job to consider the restoration of his fortune to be the point of the story. Job understands now that God is the source of all we are and all we have. God gives us free will to choose our path through this life. There are consequences for our choices. As maturing human beings we accept the consequences of our actions.
Let us resist evil and choose the good as often as we can. Let us avoid the things that hurt us. Let us avoid the things that hurt others. Living out the words attributed [and adapted by DCD] to St. Francis:
Let us be instruments of God’s peace.
Where there is hatred, let us sow love;
where there is injury, pardon;
where there is doubt, faith;
where there is despair, hope;
where there is darkness, light;
where there is sadness, joy.
Let us not so much seek to be consoled as to console,
to be understood as to understand,
to be loved as to love.
For it is in giving that we receive,
it is in pardoning that we are pardoned,
and it is in dying to self that we are born to eternal life.
John Wesley, founder of Methodism, had an encounter with God that changed him forever. Let us share our experience of the light of God’s love with all the people we meet. Let them ask us why we have such love, such peace, and such joy sustaining us throughout our lives through the hard times and the easy times. Together, we are transforming the world, a little at a time.
Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Armand Westerveldt was at church last Sunday. Her husband, Brent, died last Saturday night. She would welcome phone contact and visits. She may welcome being taken to the grocery store. If anyone would like to help, please let me know at:bahcats@sbcglobal.net and we can make a schedule. If you would like to send a card, her contact information is: 219 Nicholl Ave., Point Richmond, CA 94801: Phone # 510 375 3934.
Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery and anticipates further surgery December or January. She is making every attempt to join us at Sunday Worship.
Kathe Kiehn is requesting prayers for healing 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. Kathe says that Karen is strong and will make it through this, but extra prayers are more than welcomed.
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.
Pat Dornan and Linda Pereira continue to need your prayers of support. Update: Hospice services continue. Pat says that Linda sleeps all the time and is unaware of her surroundings.
Helen Wysham welcomes your prayers for healing and gaining strength. Chemotherapy has been completed!
News
Camp Liberty Update: Missiles landed in Camp Liberty on Thursday killing 23 people and injuring many others. The injured have been taken to Baghdad hospitals for care. Our State Department and the United Nations are condemning the attack, but it is unclear what action may take place.
Rally to protest this attack: Sunday, Nov 1, 2-4 pm, Union Square.
Pay/Pal is here! Our website, pointrichmondmethodist.org now has a donation tag that takes you to PayPal. The Home Page does not have it, but any page for the news or events has it listed on the right-hand side of the page. Just scroll down to Donate. This makes it easy for when you miss church, you can still participate by giving.
Don’t forget to turn your clock back one hour, Saturday night, October 31st when you go to bed.
Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery.
Generosity
UMCOR (United Methodist Church Organization for Relief) has donated $2.4 million dollars for the people of Syria and Iraq who are displaced in emergency aid plus 16,800 health kits, 6000 school kits, 784 layette kits, 440 family food vouchers which feed a family for two months, 1000 emergency kits containing fresh water filters and hygiene items.
We are continuing to move ahead with plans for the long-term financing of our church for generations to come through an Endowment program.
Think about the part you want to play in our Church’s future. You have the opportunity to support this ministry in many ways. Naming the Church as a beneficiary in your estate plan or the making of an endowment gift can assure your continued participation in this ministry far into the future.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Thursday, November 12, 7 pm: Administrative Board Meeting, Friendship Hall. All interested persons are welcome.
Friday, November 13, 7:30 pm: Point Richmond Acoustic presents Katie Dahl and Friends. Katie is a singer/songwriter of folk music from Wisconsin. She’s got a gorgeous alto voice which she uses to fine effect on her carefully wrought lyrics and beautiful melodies. Katie’s husband, Rich Higdon, accompanies her on bass and percussion. Claudia Russell and Bruce Kaplan will back her on vocals and mandolin as well as open the show. Tickets: $15 richmondacoustic.org, $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina, Point Richmond.
Thursday, November 26, 12-2 pm, Community Thanksgiving Dinner lovingly prepared for our community to enjoy. Interfaith Service of Thanks, 11:30 am. If you wish to help, contact Fran Smith: 707 427 2131 or junosmith@aol.com.
Friday, November 27, 7:30 pm: Point Richmond Jazz presents Solene Le Van. This 18 year old prodigy is originally from France, but now lives in L.A. She has toured the world as part of the La Van Family Band, led by her classical pianist father, Eric Le Van. She is “breaking out” on her own as a jazz violinist and singer. She is currently attending Princeton and majoring in voice and violin. Don’t miss this new talent. See her first right here in the Point! Tickets are $18 online at prjazz.org or $25 at the door. Bring the whole family. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.
Thursday, December 3: Dinner/Theater. Dinner at Hotel Mac and Theater at the Masquers Playhouse for the musical “The World Goes ‘Round”. Songs by Kander and Ebb the men who created Cabaret and Chicago. Save the date and invite friends! Tickets are $55. Dinner at 6 pm, Theater at 8 pm. Contact Jean Reynolds for tickets at 510 734 3942 or sweetheart05@mac.com. Let’s have a sell-out event!
Saturday, December 5, 1 pm: Annual All Church Conference, held at El Sobrante United Methodist Church. Bridges District Superintendent, Rev. Schuyler Rhodes will preside. All are welcome. 670 Appian Way, El Sobrante.
Saturday, December 19, 9 am-3 pm: Annual Bake and Crafts Sale. Bring your baked goodies by 9 am for sale. Donations for the crafts can be given to Barbara Haley any time. Point Richmond Community Center.
