Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
The Way of Forgiveness, John 2:1-11
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 1-17-16
Introduction
There is a way to live and learn, to grow and to enjoy life to the fullest.
This is the way of Forgiveness and Acceptance. Accept yourself, and accept what has happened in the past. You will thus free yourself for a joyous future. You do this accepting in the present, right now, as much as you are able.
Here are some words and phrases that will help you in the process: please, thank you, I love you, I’m sorry, I’m praying for you. We are taught to love and pray for both friends and enemies, for those who treat us with love, and those who do not.
We forgive others—not because they deserve forgiveness, but because we want to be free of the hurt that comes from harboring resentments.
This hurt can make us turn to drugs or alcohol to numb the pain for a while.
Retell the Scripture Story
The gospel story of Wedding in Cana is a story of change—according to the story, Jesus did his first miracle there. At his mother’s request he changed water into wine—a lot of it—the best wine, saved till the last. Maybe our lives will be like the wine, the best comes at the last.
Changing water into wine may seem beyond our earthly powers, but the Bible stories are always challenging us to imagine more than we can see, to try more than we have in the past, to discover new ways of seeing and being in this world.
One of the ways we get stuck in this life is by harboring resentments. This prevents us from having the best wine at the last.
You have heard it said, “an eye for an eye, a tooth for a tooth” [Ex. 21:24] but I say to you [Mt 5:38] do not resist someone who does something bad to you. Turn the other cheek. If someone takes your shirt, give up your coat also. If a soldier forces you to carry his gear a mile, carry it two miles.
You have heard it said, love your neighbor [Lev. 19:18] and hate your enemy [Deut. 23:6], but I say to you [Mt. 5:43] love your enemies, bless them that curse you, and pray for those who despitefully use you and persecute you.
[Why?] Mt. 5:45 continues: that you may be called children of God: for God makes the sun to rise on the evil and on the good. God sends rain on the just and on the unjust.
The implication here is that we are invited to be like God in giving care, blessings, love, mercy and forgiveness to all, not just to those who deserve it.
This is a good thing because all of us are both just and unjust and various times. All of us do a mixture of evil and good during our lives. Sometimes our good intentions turn out badly—sometimes we do act with bad intentions, revenge, resentment, fear, and all the things we keep submerged as much as possible can rise to torment us and others.
So God make the sun to shine and the rain to fall on all of us. One of the secrets to a joyful life is forgiving those who have hurt us deeply, and moving on with wisdom and understanding into a future free from resentments.
It is not worth it to drag that long bag behind us as we go through life. If we keep putting hurts, resentments, and the like in the long bag, it will get so heavy that it gives us physical pain, ruins our health, and shortens our life. We hurt only ourselves by doing this, and we are the ones who have the poser to let go of the bag. We are free to choose.
Okay, maybe we are only able to let go of part of it at a time. That would be fine. Start a practice of forgiveness today. Take one item out of the bag and let it go. It will be a big relief. Next day listen to your thoughts, see what comes to the surface, and let it go. This method takes you in the direction of lifetime healing of old wounds, and freedom for joyful living in the days to come.
Jesus says, “If you love your friends and hate your enemies, what reward do you have? Even the tax collectors do that.
Application
“Friend, come up higher,” my church history professor used to say.
The gospel calls us to healing and wholeness, to growth and change. You may have felt stuck in the same rut for years, but God has given you the power to choose, the power to change. Use it for your own good, and then live for the good of others.
Overcome evil with good.
How many times must we forgive—as many as seven times?
And Jesus said, seventy x seven [infinity] or until you have lost count of the offenses. Mt. 18:22
We want to be free of the burden. Forgiveness is the way. Forgive a little today, a little more tomorrow. Repeat this process until there is nothing left to forgive.
Let us be in prayer.
Joys and Concerns
Linda WoodyWood had hip replacement surgery on Wed., December 2. Update: Linda is doing well. Walking with a walker for stability but is pain free! She is staying with an aunt and uncle who need assistance to stay in their home because of aging issues. She is thankful for our prayers and good wishes and hopes to get back to church soon. Cards may be sent to Linda at 5584 Circle Drive, El Sobrante, CA 94803.
Pastor Dan had ankle surgery on November 19. The cast has been removed! He is doing exercises to strengthen the leg and regain mobility.
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, is sending thanks for the warm wishes and prayers for her recovery. She will be having further surgery February 1st.
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
* Joanne Cheyne and Bob and Joanne celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on January 13th. Bob died suddenly and unexpectedly on January 14th. Services are being planned and once the date is set, will let you know. If you would like to send a card: 4500 Meadowbrook, El Sobrante, CA 94803.
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.
We have a projected budget for 2016 of $114,344.20. This is an increase of about $3000 from last year’s budget. About 77% of our income is from the Sunday collections and 22% from fundraising.
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.
Katherine has sent pictures of the Christmas celebration she attended. Go to Facebook and “friend” her to see the photos.
Generosity
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.
Remember your church in your Will and Living Trust.
Imagine No Malaria continues to need your donations.
Events
Sunday, January 24, Publicity Committee Meeting after church.
Friday, January 29, 6:30 pm, our friends at Zonta are presenting the annual Lunafest. These are short films made by, for, and about women. This is a fundraiser for the North Bay Zonta Club. Lunafest supports the Breast Cancer Fund and H.E.A.T Watch( Human Traffiking). Kala Art Gallery, 2990 San Pablo Ave., Berkeley. Tickets $30 in advance, $35 at the door, $25 for students. lunafest.org/berkeley0129. Men are welcome.
Saturday, January 30, United Methodist Women Meeting, 1-3 pm at Doreen Leighton’s home: 236 Castro Street. Let Doreen know if you are coming: 307-5461 or d3leighton@me.com.
Friday, February 12, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Acoustic presents Rita Hoskins. Rita has been described as a captivating performer. Her country-folk has been lauded for story and sense of place. A descendant of Cornish miners who sang in the mines, Rita grew up with deep regard for folk music and the power of the voice. Advance tickets $15 (point acoustic.org) $20 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. More info: pointacoustic.org.
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. More info as it becomes available.
Sunday, February 21, 6 pm, San Francisco Munich Trio.
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.