Events

New Membership Class starting this Sunday, June 28 at 10 am in Friendship Hall as part of the Adult Sunday School. Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in joining our congregation. regular Sunday School attendees are encouraged to come as well.

Saturday, August 15, United Methodist Women Annual Retreat at Mid Dornan’s cabin. All day Saturday with planning for next year and evaluation of the past year in a lovely setting. Car pool, pot luck lunch. Let Doreen Leighton know if you are coming and need a ride. Doreen: 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Sunday, September 20 Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour she will talk to people who are interested in learning how to set up an endowment for our church as part of our planning for the future of our church. Pot luck lunch being planned.

Sunday, September 20, 7:30 pm, the Dan Damon Quartet will present a jazz concert, “Down By the Riverside”. More onformation to follow.

Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm, the Point Richmond Jazz series starts the season with Paul Anastasio and Tony Marcus. Tickets online prjazz.org, $20, at door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Saturday, September 26, 4-7 pm, 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala: Tax deductible Donations needed: Arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes. Contact Diane, dianefrary@comcast.net or Debbie, debbenko160@aol.com. Donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning 10-11 am and 12-1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

 

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

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Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

Pastor’s Perspective

 

We plan to joyfully receive new members during the September 13 worship service. Please let Pastor Damon know if you’d like to join the church.

Dear Friends,

Here are my notes from last Sunday:

 

Being Kind, Ephesians 4:25-5:2

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1^st UMC, 8-9-15

 

Introduction

 

Last week I talked about some basics of the Christian faith: prayer, reading the Bible, worshiping the God revealed in Jesus in the community called the church. Christians are baptized, we receive communion, and we honor the light in other faith traditions while we follow the example of Jesus our Savior. We invite others to love and serve God. Christianity is a missionary faith. We believe in sharing the good news with others. If you have found a home in this church we invite you to share that joy with others. We invite you to become a member of this church and to give of your time, talent, and treasure to make the church a stronger witness in the community and in the world.

 

Retell the Scripture Story

 

Another basic of the Christian faith is being kind. As people of faith called Christians we are called to live a certain way. Earlier in the service today we sang a song from the ancient Hebrew prophet that includes kindness:

 

What does the Lord require of you but to do justice, to love kindness, and to walk humbly with your God? [Micah 6:8]

 

There are three basics in that verse which we receive with gratitude from the Jewish community: justice, kindness, and humility. It is not always easy to know how to do justice, but we know we are called to the work. We talk, we attend conferences, we write hymns on justice issues like modern day slavery, homelessness, and hunger. We pray. We ask for God’s help as we live out our identity in this community as a Reconciling Congregation, a place where all are truly welcome, a place where the diversity in God’s creation is celebrated. We do all this work for justice with kindness and humility, knowing that we are small and that the world is large. Jesus did what he could do to live out his mission, and so shall we.

 

According to Ephesians 4, part of our work involves telling the truth to our neighbors because we are already “members one of another.” We are part of the same body. What hurts one hurts all.

 

We are told to be angry, but not to sin. Anger is a natural human emotion. It is not a sin to be angry. Anger can motivate us to fight for justice, but if it is not handled correctly, it can lead to pain and suffering. It is better to talk about things the same day in many situations. To let anger grow silently over time is to court trouble. Tell the truth and express your anger in healthy ways. We should expect anger and conflict in the church, and we can use this anger for growth and change for the better. Anger unexpressed can turn to depression. In this church let us “be angry and sin not.” Living in a loving faith community depends on our honest expression of our feelings with respect for the feelings of others. We do not always agree, but we always listen, learn, and love.

 

To the ancient prohibition “No stealing” is added: Labor and work honestly [why?] so you will have something to share with the needy. Isn’t that a beautiful way of understanding the holiness of honest work? It is a joy to be able to help others. Many of us do that with our whole hearts. We want to be known as kind people, people who provide help, hope, and home for others.

 

As we continue in our lesson for today, we come to this: Let no evil talk come out of your mouths, but only what is useful for building up. Let your words “give grace” to those who hear you.

 

Do not grieve the Spirit. The Spirit is an essential part of the gathered community called the church. Without the Holy Spirit of God there could be no worship, no community, no virtue. We know this Spirit was active in our conversion and in our baptism, marking us as God’s own as we live in the hope of the world to come.

 

We put away the long list of things that hurt us, and that hurt others. In contrast we practice the things that build loving community: kindness, tenderheartedness [we allow our hearts to be broken as we see the suffering around us], and forgiveness. We forgive before someone says, “I’m sorry.” We practice the things that foster unity and cooperation. We become more vulnerable in this process, and we become open to intimacy, to knowing and being known. This can happen, and is happening here in this place.

 

I memorized this verse as a child: Be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, as God in Christ has forgiven you. [Ephesians 4:32]

 

And our passage concludes:

 

Be imitators of God [the highest good we can imagine], as dear children, and live in love, as Christ loved us and gave himself for us.

 

Application

 

I’d like to close today with a page from My Grandfather’s Blessings by Rachel Naomi Remen, Riverhead Books, 2000. You may want to read the whole book if you haven’t already enjoyed it.

 

On page 86 the author gives us her grandfather’s story about giving with kindness. There are eight ways to give, all of them good. All giving is a form of kindness.

 

Read…

 

Let us be in prayer.

 

Joys and Concerns

Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery.

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.

 

Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) update: Sandra thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. Fran reports that Sandra is more animated and cheerful. She is having chemotherapy every two weeks and it should be completed the end of August. 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 more alert and has been able to be up in the wheel chair for short periods of time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, is home with attendant care.

 

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.

 

 

News

Saturday, August 29, 6-8 pm, Panel Discussion sponsored by the Iranian American Community of Northern California. The panel will discuss the 1988 massacre of over 30,000 political prisoners in Iran. They will also discuss current issues related to the Iran Nuclear Deal and human rights issues regarding the mistreatment of political prisoners and the crackdown on any type of social dissent. UC Berkeley International House, Chevron Auditorium, 2299 Piedmont Ave., Berkeley. Free: RSVP: http://goo.gl/EMOEqX.

Jean Reynolds went to San Antonio, Texas for the “Gather at the River” conference and she ended up having her appendix removed! She returned home on Monday and on Tuesday was participating in Vacation Bible School and loving it! She is truly thankful for the wonderful help she has had with Pastor Dan, Bethany Reynolds, Rachel Herrin, Bill Thompson and others stepping in to help make the week a success. Every day there are more children as word spreads through the community about what fun it is.

Pastor Dan will be away at Journey Farthest Out Camp at lake Tahoe, Sept. 27 through Oct.4. Fran Smith will be speaking about her experience regarding reconciling ministries at the San Antonio conference “Gather at the River”. If you are interested in attending the JFO Camp at Zephyr Cove, contact Carol Horn at 530 595 3290 to see if any spaces remain.

News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation.

Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery efforts in Dhang province. Katherine will continue to work with WASH, nutrition and psycho-social support. Non-earthquake work is resuming and Katherine will soon be traveling to Rukum and Rupandehi for the baseline survey of their community health program focusing on maternal and child health.

 

 

Generosity

Pastor Dan is requesting the donation of non perishable food to fill his cupboard to feed the poor who come to his door for food. Please leave your donations at the altar.

Art Auction: Debbie Benko is requesting items for door prizes of gift baskets with a theme, such as a coffee basket, chocolate basket, spa items (nice soap, lotion, loofah scrub), tea basket, dog or cat treat basket. You get the idea. Please bring your items to church.

The United Methodist Church Market Place has revamped their online site and made it more user friendly. When you sign up to be a user you scroll down to find our church and after that every time you go through this site to shop at stores on line a percentage of your bill will be donated to our church. umcmarket.org.

New Public Address System: Donations are coming in to support our new system. Donations are $45 for a whole piano key which you can color and sign and donations of any amount are welcome. Karen Merkle, who died early in June left a Memorial Donation of $500 to our church. The Memorial Committee has donated the money to our new sound system. Karen would be pleased since music was such a large part of her life. See the display of piano keys and further information at the desk in the back in Friendship Hall. We are about halfway 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

New Membership Class starting this Sunday, June 28 at 10 am in Friendship Hall as part of the Adult Sunday School. Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in joining our congregation. regular Sunday School attendees are encouraged to come as well.

Saturday, August 15, United Methodist Women Annual Retreat at Mid Dornan’s cabin. All day Saturday with planning for next year and evaluation of the past year in a lovely setting. Car pool, pot luck lunch. Let Doreen Leighton know if you are coming and need a ride. Doreen: 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Sunday, September 20 Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour she will talk to people who are interested in learning how to set up an endowment for our church as part of our planning for the future of our church. Pot luck lunch being planned.

Sunday, September 20, 7:30 pm, the Dan Damon Quartet will present a jazz concert, “Down By the Riverside”. More onformation to follow.

Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm, the Point Richmond Jazz series starts the season with Paul Anastasio and Tony Marcus. Tickets online prjazz.org, $20, at door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Saturday, September 26, 4-7 pm, 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala: Tax deductible Donations needed: Arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes. Contact Diane, dianefrary@comcast.net or Debbie, debbenko160@aol.com. Donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning 10-11 am and 12-1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

 

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

Reply, Reply All or Forward | More

 Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

 

Pastor’s Perspective

 

Bread of Life, John 6:24-35

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1^st UMC, 8-2-15

 

Introduction

 

In any Christian church there are some faith basics: bread, wine, water, prayer, Bible study, worship, music. Once a week people like to come together to remember Jesus, his person and his work. Almost every church gathers to sing hymns. Most churches have a pastor to care for the sick, and to preach the Bible stories and to make them come to life for us in our time and place. Most people like to read and study the Bible alone and in small groups for all ages. Prayer is universal in Christian churches and in many faith traditions of the world. There are many ways to pray. We spend a lifetime learning to pray, deepening our experience of the divine mystery in prayer. Prayer is simple enough for children to understand, and deep enough to be our companion in times of great grief as well as in times of joy and celebration. We say a loud religious “Wow!” which is praise. We say “please” in the morning and “thank you” at night. This is prayer, an expression of a deepening personal relationship with the Creator God, the Great Holy Spirit, seen at work in Jesus, our Savior, who loves each of us. Christians, not only United Methodists, use water for baptism [sprinkling, pouring, or immersion], and bread and wine [grape juice] for communion. In the United Methodist Church we observe the two sacraments that are part of the life story of Jesus, baptism and the sacrament of Holy Communion, sometimes called the Lord’s Supper. These are the basics of the Christian faith. I claim this as my faith, and try to live by faith, even as I allow myself a little room for doubt. I serve the faith, not the doubt, and I have deep respect for people of other faith traditions who are seeking love and light in their diverse and wonderful ways. I know I am a Christian because I am touch at an emotional level by the songs and stories of Jesus. I look forward to the story of Jesus’ birth in a manger, and to the stories of his life, death, and resurrection. I want to sing the great hymns of the faith when I am old and gray. I hope you will be singing them with me all the way.

 

Retell the Scripture Story

 

After the feeding of the five thousand, Jesus saw that they were going to make him a king, so he went away by himself to a mountain. His disciples got in a boat and headed across the sea. In the darkness a storm came up. They saw Jesus walking toward them on the sea. He said, “Be not afraid, It is I.”

 

The crowd followed and Jesus said, “You come not for miracles, but for bread. Why don’t you work for the bread that does not perish? Believe in God. Moses gave you manna in the wilderness, but you got hungry again. Look for the bread of life that comes from heaven to give life to the world.

 

Jesus said, “I am the Bread of Life. All who come to me will never hunger. All who trust in me will never thirst.”

 

Application

 

The meaning of Holy Communion can not be stated in a few words. It is as simple as sharing a meal with some friends. It is as profound as enjoying God’s life and presence within us eternally. There is enough here at the Lord’s Table. All are welcome to receive. Let the meaning of this sacrament come to you as you receive.

 

I revised my latest hymn text this week to show Jesus singing “with” the poor, not “for” them. The older ideas have to be pulled from the text like weeds to make room for the flowering of new and better ideas. Here it is again:

 

Beside the great cathedrals

we huddle in the rain,

or underneath the bridges

till busy folks complain.

We seek a little shelter,

a coin to buy some bread,

and Jesus waits here with us.

He shares our stony bed.

 

He sings on city sidewalks,

he sits on curbs alone,

he holds a sign and listens

for footsteps on the stone.

He sings down by the river,

a spiritual, a blues,

with mothers and with fathers

who pay no union dues.

 

Friend, have you seen him naked,

in prison, or in pain,

and have you seen him shivering

with us out in the rain?

Friend, have you seen him sleeping

outside cathedral doors,

and have you heard him singing

with those the world ignores?

 

Sit down with us and listen

to stories we can tell

of death and resurrection,

of heaven and of hell.

Then strive to love the beggars

who gather at your door,

and see in us our Savior,

the rabbi of the poor.

 

Daniel Charles Damon

WORDS © 2015 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

 

We are blessed and filled. Let us remember to bless others. Gifts of food are needed for our free food pantry. You are invited to bring a bag of food any Sunday and to place it up in the front of the sanctuary as an act of love. I give away food from my front door when people ask me for it. It is a simple, amazing, and wonderful gift of grace.

 

Let us be in prayer.

 

 

Joys and Concerns

Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery.

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.

 

Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) update: Sandra thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. Fran reports that Sandra is more animated and cheerful. She is having chemotherapy every two weeks and it should be completed the end of August. 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 more alert and has been able to be up in the wheel chair for short periods of time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, is home with attendant care.

 

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.

 

 

News

News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation.

UMCOR and the United Mission of Nepal are partnering to build 10 temporary learning centers for the children who have lost their schools, especially in Dhading province where the Mission already provides services including Katherine Parker. About 2000 children will be able to attend these schools. Almost 1 million children have lost their schools throughout the country. Your gifts to UMCOR are welcome.

Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery efforts in Dhang province. Katherine will continue to work with WASH, nutrition and psycho-social support. Non-earthquake work is resuming and Katherine will soon be traveling to Rukum and Rupandehi for the baseline survey of their community health program focusing on maternal and child health.

 

 

Generosity

Pastor Dan is requesting the donation of non perishable food to fill his cupboard to feed the poor who come to his door for food. Please leave your donations at the altar.

The United Methodist Church Market Place has revamped their online site and made it more user friendly. When you sign up to be a user you scroll down to find our church and after that every time you go through this site to shop at stores on line a percentage of your bill will be donated to our church. umcmarket.org.

New Public Address System: Donations are coming in to support our new system. Donations are $45 for a whole piano key which you can color and sign and donations of any amount are welcome. Karen Merkle, who died early in June left a Memorial Donation of $500 to our church. The Memorial Committee has donated the money to our new sound system. Karen would be pleased since music was such a large part of her life. See the display of piano keys and further information at the desk in the back in Friendship Hall.

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

New Membership Class starting this Sunday, June 28 at 10 am in Friendship Hall as part of the Adult Sunday School. Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in joining our congregation. regular Sunday School attendees are encouraged to come as well.

Vacation Bible School will be the week of August 10 thru 14. Contact Jean Reynolds if you would like to help at sweetheart05@mac.com. this is always a fun event and much looked forward to by the children and the helpers. The theme is “Aloha”.

Wednesday, August 12 is the next GRIP dinner. If you would like to help with preparation and serving, let Doreen Leighton know at 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Thursday, August 13, Administrative Board Meeting at 7 pm in Friendship Hall. If you are interested, come and join us.

Saturday, August 15, United Methodist Women Annual Retreat at Mid Dornan’s cabin. All day Saturday with planning for next year and evaluation of the past year in a lovely setting. Car pool, pot luck lunch. Let Doreen Leighton know if you are coming and need a ride. Doreen: 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Sunday, September 20 Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour she will talk to people who are interested in learning how to set up an endowment for our church as part of our planning for the future of our church.

Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm, the Point Richmond Jazz series starts the season with Paul Anastasio and Tony Marcus. Tickets online prjazz.org, $20, at door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Saturday, September 26, 4-7 pm, 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala: Tax deductible Donations needed: Arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes. Contact Diane, dianefrary@comcast.net or Debbie, debbenko160@aol.com. Donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning 10-11 am and 12-1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

 

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

 

Events

New Membership Class starting this Sunday, June 28 at 10 am in Friendship Hall as part of the Adult Sunday School. Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in joining our congregation. regular Sunday School attendees are encouraged to come as well.

 

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/.

Vacation Bible School will be the week of August 10 thru 14. Contact Jean Reynolds if you would like to help at sweetheart05@mac.com. this is always a fun event and much looked forward to by the children and the helpers. The theme is “Aloha”.

Wednesday, August 12 is the next GRIP dinner. If you would like to help with preparation and serving, let Doreen Leighton know at 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Thursday, August 13, Administrative Board Meeting at 7 pm in Friendship Hall. If you are interested, come and join us.

Saturday, August 15, United Methodist Women Annual Retreat at Mid Dornan’s cabin. All day Saturday with planning for next year and evaluation of the past year in a lovely setting. Car pool, pot luck lunch. Let Doreen Leighton know if you are coming and need a ride. Doreen: 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Sunday, September 20 Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour she will talk to people who are interested in learning how to set up an endowment for our church as part of our planning for the future of our church.

Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm, the Point Richmond Jazz series starts the season with Paul Anastasio and Tony Marcus. Tickets online prjazz.org, $20, at door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Saturday, September 26, 4-7 pm, 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala: Tax deductible Donations needed: Arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes. Contact Diane, dianefrary@comcast.net or Debbie, debbenko160@aol.com. Donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning 10-11 am and 12-1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Richmond First United Methodist News and Events

 

Pastor’s Perspective

Enough for All, John 6:1-21

Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1^st UMC, 7-26-15

 

Introduction

 

Eileen and I enjoyed an abundant Chinese feast at Annie Ao’s last evening. There was plenty for all. Lara Choe came over early for a few appetizers before returning to the Hotel Mac for a busy night there. Steve Chen and David Tung helped us enjoy the great banquet. I tried a few words of Mandarin and enjoyed the great feast that is surely a foretaste of the heavenly banquet as described in our Bible.

 

We are becoming an international church. We are learning to love each other. The language and cultural differences are real, but the Spirit of Love is also real. We felt that spirit as we shared food, drink, songs, and stories. If Annie invites you to dinner, be sure to say, “Yes.”

 

Retell the Scripture Story

 

Some things unite us across languages and cultures, across centuries and distance. Music, prayer, food, the Lord’s Supper, baptism, and the shared Bible stories that we can read in our mother tongue draw us together. Many of these Bible stories are unforgettable. The gospel story for today, “The Feeding of the Five Thousand,” is one of my favorites.

 

The story outline is this:

 

A large crowd kept following Jesus.

 

Jesus sat down on a mountain with his disciples.

 

He asked Philip, “Where are we to buy bread for these people to eat?”

 

Andrew said, “There is a boy here who has five barley loaves and two fish, but what are they among so many people?”

 

Jesus said, “Make the people sit down.”

 

Jesus took the loaves and the fish, gave thanks, and gave them to all the people.

 

When all were satisfied, Jesus said, “Gather up the leftovers, so that nothing may be lost.”

 

Twelve baskets of leftovers were gathered up.

 

The people said, “This is indeed the prophet who is to come into the world.”

 

Application

 

The last three stanzas of a Charles Wesley hymn text talk about the abundance of God’s grace. “Thy Ceaseless, Unexhausted Love,” published in 101 hymnals, contains the line: Enough for each, enough for all, enough forevermore.

 

Thy goodness and thy truth, to me,

to every soul abound;

a vast unfathomable sea,

where all our thoughts are drowned.

 

Its streams the whole creation reach,

so plenteous is the store;

enough for all, enough for each,

enough for evermore.

 

Faithful, O Lord, thy mercies are,

a rock that cannot move:

a thousand promises declare

thy constancy of love.

 

He was writing to counter the Calvinist idea of “limited atonement.” Charles and his brother John Wesley, founders of Methodism, believed in the abundance of God’s grace available to everyone. All are invited to the great banquet.

 

Returning from vacation, I want to include a story or two from the Hymn Society Conference and our vacation days in New Orleans:

 

Down by the Riverside: jazz and congregational song [an evening to remember]

 

Food, music, and people in the French Quarter [jazz, jambalaya, and jubilee]

 

In closing I’d like to share a new hymn text inspired by walking at night in the French Quarter of New Orleans after the Hymn Society Conference, 2015. Eileen and I saw many people sleeping in church doorways, and heard a poor family sitting on a step singing “Down by the Riverside” night after night.

 

According to Matthew 25:45, Jesus said, “Truly I tell you, just as you did not do it to one of the least of these, you did not do it to me.” This is the end of the Bible story that goes with this hymn text.

 

Beside the great cathedrals

we huddle in the rain,

or underneath the bridges

till busy folks complain.

We seek a little shelter,

a coin to buy some bread,

and Jesus waits here with us.

He shares our stony bed.

 

He sings on city sidewalks,

he sits on curbs alone,

he holds a sign and listens

for footsteps on the stone.

He sings down by the river,

a spiritual, a blues

for mothers and for fathers

who pay no union dues.

 

Friend, have you seen him naked,

in prison, or in pain,

and have you seen him shivering

with us out in the rain?

Friend, have you seen him sleeping

outside cathedral doors,

and have you heard him singing

with those the world ignores?

 

Sit down with us and listen

to stories we can tell

of death and resurrection,

of heaven and of hell.

Then strive to love the beggars

who gather at your door,

and see in us our Savior,

the rabbi of the poor.

 

Daniel Charles Damon

WORDS © 2015 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.

 

Let us be in prayer.

 

 

 

Joys and Concerns

Our dear church friend, Pat King, is requesting prayers for healing. She is slowly recovering from surgery.

Help Needed! Linda Pereira’s mother, Lorraine, has been in rehab for a broken arm and will need 24 hour a day attendant care starting next week. Pat Dornan has found someone for the weekends but needs someone M-F to live-in (separate room) and to help Lorraine with activities of daily living, meal prep etc. Can pay a max of $150 per 24 hour day. Contact Pat Dornan at 510 237 3063 or doornob22000@yahoo.com if you can help or know of someone else who may be available.

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.

 

Sandra Kokoruda (Fran Smith’s daughter) update: Sandra thanks everyone for their prayers and concerns. Fran reports that Sandra is more animated and cheerful. She is having chemotherapy every two weeks and it should be completed the end of August. 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 more alert and has been able to be up in the wheel chair for short periods of time. Lorraine, Linda’s mother, fell last week and had surgery on a broken arm and elbow. She is currently in a Skilled Nursing Facility for rehab so that she can return home. As you can imagine, Pat is stressed with all the care demands. Pat was able to transfer Linda to the car and take her to visit her mother. It was a very touching visit.  Kudos to Pat for always doing the best she 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.

 

 

News

News from Camp Liberty in Iraq: Since July 13th the Iraqi government has stopped supplies from entering Camp Liberty. They have prevented supplies of food, fuel and septic tank trucks from entering the compound. The lack of fuel means that the generators can not function so there is no electricity, no sewage system, no air conditioners with the temperature reaching 120 degrees. The United States Committee for Camp Ashraf is asking our Secretary of State, John Kerry, to intervene as well as the United Nations. Please remember these people in your prayers and that actions are taken to reverse this situation.

UMCOR and the United Mission of Nepal are partnering to build 10 temporary learning centers for the children who have lost their schools, especially in Dhading province where the Mission already provides services including Katherine Parker. About 2000 children will be able to attend these schools. Almost 1 million children have lost their schools throughout the country. Your gifts to UMCOR are welcome.

Katherine Parker, missionary in Nepal: Katherine reports that the emphasis now will be on long-term recovery efforts in Dhang province. Katherine will continue to work with WASH, nutrition and psycho-social support. Non-earthquake work is resuming and Katherine will soon be traveling to Rukum and Rupandehi for the baseline survey of their community health program focusing on maternal and child health.

 

 

Generosity

The United Methodist Church Market Place has revamped their online site and made it more user friendly. When you sign up to be a user you scroll down to find our church and after that every time you go through this site to shop at stores on line a percentage of your bill will be donated to our church. umcmarket.org.

New Public Address System: Donations are coming in to support our new system. Donations are $45 for a whole piano key which you can color and sign and donations of any amount are welcome. Karen Merkle, who died early in June left a Memorial Donation of $500 to our church. The Memorial Committee has donated the money to our new sound system. Karen would be pleased since music was such a large part of her life. See the display of piano keys and further information at the desk in the back in Friendship Hall.

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

New Membership Class starting this Sunday, June 28 at 10 am in Friendship Hall as part of the Adult Sunday School. Please let Pastor Dan know if you are interested in joining our congregation. regular Sunday School attendees are encouraged to come as well.

 

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/.

Vacation Bible School will be the week of August 10 thru 14. Contact Jean Reynolds if you would like to help at sweetheart05@mac.com. this is always a fun event and much looked forward to by the children and the helpers. The theme is “Aloha”.

Wednesday, August 12 is the next GRIP dinner. If you would like to help with preparation and serving, let Doreen Leighton know at 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Thursday, August 13, Administrative Board Meeting at 7 pm in Friendship Hall. If you are interested, come and join us.

Saturday, August 15, United Methodist Women Annual Retreat at Mid Dornan’s cabin. All day Saturday with planning for next year and evaluation of the past year in a lovely setting. Car pool, pot luck lunch. Let Doreen Leighton know if you are coming and need a ride. Doreen: 510 307 5461 or d3leighton@me.com.

Sunday, September 20 Susan Peters, Executive Director of the California-Nevada United Methodist Foundation will be our guest preacher. During the coffee hour she will talk to people who are interested in learning how to set up an endowment for our church as part of our planning for the future of our church.

Friday, September 25, 7:30 pm, the Point Richmond Jazz series starts the season with Paul Anastasio and Tony Marcus. Tickets online prjazz.org, $20, at door $25. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

Saturday, September 26, 4-7 pm, 7th Annual Jean Eakle Art Auction and Gala: Tax deductible Donations needed: Arts, crafts, jewelry, pottery, photography, cash or gift certificates for auction and door prizes. Contact Diane, dianefrary@comcast.net or Debbie, debbenko160@aol.com. Donations can be dropped off any Sunday morning 10-11 am and 12-1 pm at First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond.

 

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