The Messenger - September 24, 2007
Pastor Neal's
NotesWhat a joy it was to see the hallway outside my office filled with the faces of children and their parents once again last Wednesday afternoon! For those of you who do not know, three of our children's choirs (Angels, Cherubs, and Gospel Gang) met that day, and they will continue to meet each Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. As these children practice, their mothers often visit in the Hallway or the Nursery or the "First Kids Church" room. There is a lot of laughter heard, a lot of stories swapped, and some very sweet friendships formed. At 5:30, the children return, usually holding a special "prize" or sweet treat. Thus, everyone is happy at the end.
Next, our teens arrive (beginning at 6 p.m.). The Middle School kids rehearse with Lesley Sirianni for about an hour while the high school kids share learning, fun and fellowship with Randi and Todd Walter. Then, around 7 p.m., the two groups swap: Senior Highs go off with Lesley while Junior Highs go off with Randi and Todd. Finally, about 8:15, everyone still at church goes to the hang-out room, where foosball, ping pong, video games, and pool are the order of the day.
Just as there is an option for parents while the younger children sing, so there is an option for parents of teens: Voyagers. This group meets in a church member's home each Wednesday night from 6:30 until 9. You don't have to be a teen's parent to attend, but this is a wonderful time for those of us in that category to share our stories, hopes, joys, and trials. We always eat dinner together, then we spend time in God's Word, then we close each night with prayer.
If none of these choices appeal to you, we have still two more: our prayer group meets in the Bill Steele Room each Wednesday Night at 7 p.m., and the Bell choirs rehearse each Wednesday night as well. The prayer group begins with a brief Bible study leading to an extended time of prayer, but almost all these prayer requests are printed out, so you don't have to think one up "on the spot." This is a great way to develop the discipline of intercessory prayer. And the bell choir is easy to join as well. Some of our bell choir ringers are very talented, playing 3 or 4 tones at once, but they also make lots of room for the novice who simply wants to sound a "joyful noise."
In short, it's a busy
evening, but it's sure a lot of fun. I hope you'll join us at one of
these gatherings soon.
Have a great week!
Neal
September Weekly Calendar Highlights Church in full swing. . .
Monday 24 Women's Bible Study 7pm Contact: Kim Neuenschwander
Tuesday 25 Beachcomber Beta Group 2:30pm Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal
Wednesday 26 Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's 7am Contact: Rupert Loyd
Women's Bible Study 1pm Contact: Kim Neuenschwander
Cherub Choir & Gospel Gang 4:30pm Contact: Cherubs - Emily Anderson; GGang - Lesley Sirianni
High School Fellowship 6pm Contact: Randi Bender
Kings Chorus 6pm Contact: Lesley Sirianni
Voyagers 6:30pm Contact: The Larsons
SonLight Singers 7pm Contact: Lesley Sirianni
Chapel Bells 7pm Contact: Nan Roberts
Prayer Fellowship 7pm Contact: Rupert Loyd
Jr. High Fellowship 7pm Contact: Randi Bender
Thursday 27 Hydrex bug spray Afternoon Contact: Jerry Drenckhahn
Chancel Choir 7:30pm Contact: Allan Petker
Friday 28 Tennis & Breakfast 8:15am Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal
Fisherman Deadline 9:00am Contact: Shirley Snow
Youth Hangout 7:30 - 9:30pm Contact: Randi Bender
Saturday 29 Co-Ed Church Volleyball Various Times Contact: Jim Peacock or Erik Larson
Even if you don't play, come on out and root for us! 1st Christian Church 2930 El Dorado, Torrance
That's at the corner of Maple and El Dorado. See you there! <<Map>>
Sunday 30 Adult Sunday School 8:30 - 9:30am Contact: Rupert Loyd
Children and Youth Sunday School Begins During Service Contact: Diane Bettis
Worship 9:30am Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy
- Preacher: Rev. Neal Neuenschwander
Remember these are just the Highlights... Call the church office if you need details 310-832-7597
Quick News
- Marriage
Encounter: All the time we attend seminars to enhance our
jobs, increase our salaries, for continuing education, or just for
fun. Why not do
the same for your marriage? October 12-14 is the Presbyterian Marriage
Encounter Weekend in Ontario. To find out more, or register, please click here.
Church as Family
Taylor: God’s vision is refuge, growth, inspiration, encouragement
By Jerry L. Van Marter
Presbyterian News Service
LOUISVILLE — God’s vision for the church is that it act more like a family, the Rev. Tom Taylor told. . . <<complete story>>
A Report on Light at the Lighthouse
Saturday, September 22nd was the 3rd annual Light at the Lighthouse Music Festival. There were three stages and music for all tastes and ages all day long.
Our own Karen Ceaser headed up a booth there and our youth rotated in and out all day. We provided brochures for all and face painting for the kids.
Our Gospel Gang youth choir headed by Lesley Sirianni sang at about 3:30pm and did an outstanding job.
Thanks to all who represented our church.
LA area Christian bands to take the stage.
One
Man's Trash is Another Man's Treasure!
A
Fall Rummage Sale to benefit SonLight Singers and King's Chorus (our
youth choirs) will be held on Saturday, October 6th from 7 a.m. to
Noon, so clean out those closets and garages and bring your
"no-longer-needed treasures” to the church parking lot on Friday,
October 5th (only after 3 p.m., PLEASE).
Small appliances must be in working order and only a limited number of
large, bulky items can be accepted.
Any questions, call Lesley Sirianni at
310-831-2060. Thank you for your support - hope
to see you there!
Spotlight on: Athletics Ministry
(The Athletics Ministry is attached to the Membership Commission - Cam Beck - Chair)
The volleyball league plays two seasons: fall and spring, and games are on Saturday afternoons and evenings. We have five teams at different levels. The games are six-on-six, and each team can have no more than three men on the court at a time. We'd really enjoy having you come and root us on in any of our games. We play at First Christian Church of Christ (Disciples of Christ) in Torrance. The address is 2930 El Dorado in Torrance. The gym is on the corner of Maple and El Dorado. <<Map>> Contact: Jim Peacock or Erik Larson
We play softball Saturday afternoons in the summer on a couple of fields at El Nido park in Torrance. The league is a fun slow-pitch brand of softball. Again, it's co-ed, so we can only have seven males on the field. Also, EVERYONE bats, so come on out and join the fun. The captain of this team is Gary Smith, and we'd love to have you join us--the only requirement is that you're age 12 or older. The address of El Nido park is: 18301 Kingsdale Ave, Torrance, CA <<Map>>
Come on out an enjoy the fun!
Random Fact of the Week
Q: Who was the first person in the Bible to be called a Hebrew?
(Scroll Down For Answer)
A: Abraham
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Page Last Updated: Sat Sep 29, 2007