Richmond First United Methodist News and Events
Pastor’s Perspective
Streams in the Desert, Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Pastor Dan Damon, Richmond 1st UMC, 1-10-16
Introduction
When the spring rains came to the Sutter Buttes near Yuba City, the streams would start to flow in the smallest mountain range in the world. The buttes would green up, and on a warm spring morning we would have church on Howard Cull’s ranch up in the Buttes. There were Indian grinding stones and oak trees: live oak, blue oak, and valley oak. I brought my guitar and led a little singing, preached a brief sermon, and we prayed together in that lovely place. We had a picnic and found refreshment for our bodies, minds, and spirits. In the five years that I served the Sutter United Methodist Church, that was always one of my favorite mornings. The streams didn’t flow for very many weeks, but we were there to enjoy them every spring.
My other half-time appointment was ten miles west of Sutter along Highway 20. The town of Meridian was build along the mighty Sacramento River. On one of my first pastoral visits a seventy-year-old woman took me water skiing on the big river. I got up on the skis my first try and enjoyed the view for a few miles. The Sacramento flows all year. Many of my first parishioners were farmers: rice, English walnut, and almond. They flooded the fields from the river to irrigate them during the dry summers.
Retell the Scripture Story
The story of Jesus baptism is very disappointing in Luke’s gospel. After he gives so much time to the birth of John the Baptist and Jesus, he gives just a sentence to the baptism of our Lord. This story provides the hinge between the end of John’s preaching mission of preparation and Jesus’ public ministry. People are wondering if John is the Messiah. John lets them know that one more powerful than he is coming, one empowered by the Holy Spirit. But Luke makes the transition in half of a verse: When all the people were being baptized, Jesus was baptized too. [3:21]
According to Luke, all we know about the baptism of Jesus is that it was with “all the people.” I wonder if the church has sometimes forgotten this simple detail. Did Jesus present himself for baptism as and act of solidarity with us? According to Luke, Jesus simply got in line with everyone who had been broken by the “wear and tear” of this selfish world and had all but given up on themselves and their God. When the line of downtrodden and sin-sick people formed in hopes of new beginnings through a return to God, Jesus joined them. At his baptism, he identified with the damaged and broken people who needed God. He lived out his name, Emmanuel, God with Us.
Does our church depend on the Holy Spirit and our connection to God in prayer for the spiritual stamina to go into the world and make a difference in people’s lives through Christ? This connection remains the lifeline of every disciple, every congregation, and every ministry. It is significant that the intensely spiritual experience following Jesus’ baptism happens while Jesus is praying. James Weldon Johnson prays that the church will never forget how to bend toward God for its strength:
O Lord, we come this morning
Knee-bowed and body-bent
Before thy throne of grace.
O Lord, this morning
Bow our hearts beneath our knees
And our knees in some lonesome valley.
We come this morning
Like empty pitchers to a fountain full.
Identifying with all people in the waters of baptism and holding on to God in prayer, Jesus will now be claimed as God’s Son. The sky split, the Spirit came down in the shape of a dove, and a voice came from the sky saying, “You are my dear Son; I’m proud of you.”
At his baptism Jesus is ordained as Messiah by a God who loves him and tells him so. This powerful affirmation, this calling from God, will sustain Jesus through a time of temptation in the desert, and through the joys and trials of a faithful ministry.
Application
During a December storm, I got the spark of inspiration for a new hymn text. I was looking past the piano from my wheelchair as I recovered from my ankle fusion surgery, looking out the picture window with the leaded glass to the Japanese Maple tree I planted several years ago. Here is the text:
When I see the rain
falling from the sky,
blowing in the wind, I wonder how.
How do pearl drops form
on the maple tree,
small and bare, alone in my front yard?
Who could put them there
during such a storm?
Who could make them stay until the dawn?
Could it be by chance
that these droplets cling?
Nature is amazing, is it not?
Some will say that God
causes rain to fall,
“On the just and unjust,” I have heard.
It is hard to know
when we cannot see,
but I know that something made that tree.
Daniel Charles Damon
WORDS © 2015 Hope Publishing Company, Carol Stream, IL 60188. All rights reserved.
Looking at a winter storm, I saw water beading on the little tree limbs in my front yard. I asked Eileen, “Who could put them there?” She said, “God could.”
I think of wonder as the beginning and end of true religion. It is a wonder that we have found a home here, that we have found an extended family here in this place. It is a wonder that we have found hope and faith for the way ahead—that we have not given in to the fear and despair of the world. It is a wonder that the waters of baptism still flow in the deserts of this world bringing the water of life to all who will drink. The waters of baptism run deep. Are you full of wonder in this moment? Remember it. Treasure it, and share the living water of the love of God wherever you go.
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
Pastor Dan will be away January 19-21 at the Gathering of Orders. he will be playing piano for this event at the Mount Herman Conference Center.
Mid Dornan had a long talk with Joanne Cheyne and Bob and Joanne celebrated their 65th wedding anniversary on January 13th! Congratulations to them both on this special occasion. If you would like to send a card: 4500 Meadowbrook, El Sobrante, CA 94803.
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
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 Sewer Line: The parsonage 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 17 is Human Relations Day: This is the first “Special Sunday” always close to Dr. Martin Luther King’s birthday, giving you the opportunity by your donations to support the disenfranchised. Your gifts support programs for at risk teens, high risk pregnant women, those recovering from addictions and those recently released from prison.
Friday, January 22, 7:30 pm, Point Richmond Jazz presents Tarika Lewis. Tarika is from Oakland and is best known for her bluesy style and appearances with John Handy and his group “Class”. Tickets are $18 in advance (prjazz.org) and $25 at the door. First United Methodist Church, 201 Martina St., Point Richmond. Door opens at 7 pm.
Sunday, January 24, Publicity Committee Meeting after church.
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.
