The Messenger - June 24, 2008
Pastor Neal's Notes
We are ending a good season in the history of First Church. The adult and children's choirs have sung their last "hurrah", several of our young people are graduating (or getting "promoted" to a new school), and all of our Sunday School teachers are getting a well-deserved break.
This ending is a wonderful chance for those of us who are highly involved in church work to catch our breath, and most of us will start planning our new "school" year quite soon. But before we "press on" to the new tasks God has before us, we really need to pause and thank those who have enabled us to get this far.
I can't tell you how many years Ann Norton has taught Sunday School, but I can tell you that she has built the faith into several generations of children in our church. Kim Salas, Sue Headley, Angela Ackerman, and Dianne Pegg have also taught the children of our church for many years. This year, they were joined by a whole new crop of eager teachers who were willing and able to serve. These include both teenagers (Betsy Mantz, Natalie Delossa, and Elizabeth Esposito) who have barely moved out of Sunday School themselves and adults (Jennifer Anderson and Pam Vees). Finally, where would we be without our wonderful youth workers (Randi Bender & Todd Walter) who teach our teens so faithfully almost every week?
All these Sunday School teachers are are supported by one of two commissions (Children's Ministries or Student Ministries). They are also undergirded by the many efforts of our diligent youth director, Karen Ceaser. But youth work does not end on Sundays! There is Wednesday night fellowship (recently supported by new member Tim Gray), Friday night "hang out" (supported by staff and several volunteers), summer fund-raisers (like the car wash scheduled at American Tire on July 6), service projects (like the Habitat Build July 8 - 11), week-long summer camps (chaperoned for this year by Kelly & Jennifer Langdon, Danny Reeder, Randi Bender, and Morgan Smith),and special summer trips (like the "White-Water" splash organized each year by Tom Hynes)
If you have been blessed by the young people in our church (or you know someone who has), why don't you send a thank-you note this week to some member of the staff or some volunteer who has invested countless hours in our kids? Their work can be challenging, at times. And they may need your affirmation to end this season well.
Have a great week!
Neal
p.s. Don't forget that our "Summer Celebration" begins this Sunday, June 29. We will commemorate this new start with an Ice Cream Social after church.
June 24 Calendar Highlights Summer is Here!
| Wednesday | Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's | 7:00 am | Contact: Bob Erbacker | |||
| Women's Bible Study | 1:00 pm | Contact: Kim Neuenschwander | ||||
| Cherub Choir | On Hiatus | Contact: Emily Anderson; | ||||
| Gospel Gang | On Hiatus | Contact : Lesley Sirianni | ||||
| High School Fellowship | On Hiatus |
Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| Kings Chorus | On Hiatus | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | ||||
| Voyagers | Off | Contact: The Larsons | ||||
| SonLight Singers | On Hiatus | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | ||||
| Chapel Bells | ??? | Contact: Nan Roberts | ||||
| Prayer Fellowship | 7:00 pm | Contact: Keith Headly | ||||
| Jr. High Fellowship | Off for June |
Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| After Hours | Off | Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| Thursday | Chancel Choir | On Hiatus | Contact: Allan Petker | |||
| Venturing
Crew 731 Swimming, Dinner and a Meeting |
6 pm at the Beck's |
Contact: Eric V. Beck | ||||
| Friday | Tennis & Breakfast | 8:15 am | Contact: Paul Mathews or Pastor Neal | |||
| Youth Hangout | 7:30 - 10:00 pm | Contact: Todd Walter | ||||
| Saturday | Softball
@ El Nido Park |
4:45 pm |
Contact:
Jim Peacock |
|||
| Sunday | Adult Sunday School | 8:30 - 9:30 pm | Contact: Paul Mathews or Shirley Gonzales | |||
| Children's Sunday School | Begins During Service | Contact: Sue Headley | ||||
| Worship
|
9:30 am | Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy | ||||
A Look Ahead
The week beginning Sunday, June 29.
- Sermon Text is Ecclesiastes 3: 1-15. Title is "Do you know what time it is?"
- June 29 starts "Summer Celebration" for children
- All members are invited to an "Ice Cream Social" right
after
church on June 29
- Outriggers will have a brunch at the Claysons July 4
at 10 a.m.
- Youth Fellowship and Hangout will NOT occur that
week. Hangout
will occur on June 27.
- Deacons meet July 3 at 10 a.m.
- Student Ministries has a car wash at American Tire from 11 until 3 on July 6
Church Fund Raisers for 2008
To: All Groups
From: Session
It is mandatory that all fund raisers must be approved by Session at least 30 days before the event is scheduled.
The participating group or appropriate commission must submit all fund raisers to the Session. Placing an event on
the church calendar does not mean your fund raiser will be approved. There are no standing fund raisers on the Session calendar.
CAR WASH - Cleanliness Is Next To . . .
Sunday, July 6th, Student Ministries is looking to wash your car, truck or van.
After church from 11am to 3pm, you can drop by America's Tire on Western and let our youth have wet fun, while providing you with a service for a bargain price!
Habitat for Humanity Build
Come join us for our 3rd annual 'connectional' event with other churches in our presbytery. This year's build will be in Lynwood from July 8 to July 11. Registration forms are available from Karen Ceaser.
Habitat for Humanity International is a nonprofit, ecumenical Christian organization dedicated to eliminating substandard housing and homelessness worldwide and to making adequate, affordable shelter a matter of conscience and action. Habitat is founded on the conviction that every man, woman and child should have a simple, decent, affordable place to live in dignity and safety. In many projects, volunteers work with families to build or refurbish their own homes. We have partnered with Habitat to build homes in Long Beach, Harbor City and San Pedro.
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