The Messenger - October 30, 2007
Pastor Neal's NotesNo More Gentiles
During a sermon several weeks ago, I mentioned two words the apostle Paul loves to contrast, "sarx" (or flesh) and "pneuma" (or spirit). His message was to live by God's spirit, not by the "flesh" (i.e., appearances). What a difference it would have made in the history of our country if Christians had managed to do that--400 years of racist ugliness would have been avoided! But now we need to look ahead. Thus, we're going to study Paul's greatest proclamation of Christian unity this Sunday morning "There is neither Jew nor Greek, slave nor free, male nor female, for you are all one in Christ Jesus." (Galatians 3: 28)
What a fabulous verse! And what a fabulous challenge for the church. We've come a long way in the last several years. But many Christians lapse into an unintentional discrimination when we come to church. We're so busy visiting with our friends or completing volunteer tasks or even thinking about the sermon that we fail to welcome the "outsiders" in our midst. Perhaps we shake their hands. Perhaps we say, "hello." Perhaps we even say, "We're glad you're here." But we don't really think about their needs. And we rarely think about the questions they must ask: Will I fit here? Will I be singled out? Are there any folks here like me? Where's the restroom? Where's the nursery? What's the Sunday School program like? And if I bring my kids to church, where should they be and when?
No matter what we print in the bulletin, there is no substitute for a real person in the pew who answers this sort of question and takes a personal interest in each guest. Even if you don't "fit" the person beside you in any obvious way, you can serve him as a bridge. That means you help our guests to find some common link--children, sports, hobbies, schools, clubs, politics, work--anything that could help that person to "connect" with other people in our church. So, don't just leave our visitors in pew--introduce them to church members with whom they might be able to relate.
Several decades ago, most Christians discriminated against other people who differed from them in some surface way. Now, by God's grace, most of us overlook such things. But it takes a special person to look through the surface differences until you find a common link. It's not always easy, but I believe it is God's call to us. Won't you help us build the unity Paul proclaims through your witness in Christ's church?
I'll see you on Sunday!
Neal
Oct/Nov Weekly Calendar Highlights The Church on the move. . .
Tuesday 30 Beachcomber Beta Group 2:30pm Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal
Wednesday 31 Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's 7am Contact: Rupert Loyd
Women's Bible Study 1pm Contact: Kim Neuenschwander
Cherub Choir 4:30pm Contact: Cherubs - Emily Anderson;
NO Gospel Gang Contact: GGang - Lesley Sirianni
NO High School Fellowship Contact: Randi Bender
NO Kings Chorus Contact: Lesley Sirianni
NO Voyagers Contact: The Larsons
NO SonLight Singers Contact: Lesley Sirianni
NO Chapel Bells Contact: Nan Roberts
Prayer Fellowship 7pm Contact: Rupert Loyd
NO Jr. High Fellowship Contact: Randi Bender
NO "After Hours" Contact: Randi Bender
Thursday 01 Deacons 9am Contact: Betty Loyd
Chancel Choir 7:30pm Contact: Allan Petker
Friday 02 Tennis & Breakfast 8:15am Contact: Paul Mathews or Pastor Neal
SonLight and King's Chorus Retreat 4pm Contact: Lesley Sirianni
Youth Hangout 7:30 - 9:30pm Contact: Randi Bender
Saturday 03 SonLight and King's Chorus Retreat ends @ 4pm Contact: Lesley Sirianni
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 04 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
- Series: Strategic Initiatives
- Theme: Assimilation
- Title: "No More Slaves"
- Scripture: Gal 3:26 - 4:7
- Preacher: Rev. Neal Neuenschwander
Remember these are just the Highlights... Call the church office if you need details 310-832-7597
Quick News
FORMER PRESIDENT
CARTER
TO JOIN VOLUNTEERS FROM AROUND THE WORLD
AT HABITAT FOR HUMANITY'S JIMMY CARTER WORK PROJECT 2007 IN SAN PEDRO
AND WATTS
Monday, Oct. 29 (San Pedro) • Building begins, 8 a.m.
• Press conference with President Carter, 10 a.m.
Tuesday, Oct. 30 (San Pedro) • All-day build, begins at 8 a.m.
Wednesday, Oct. 31 (Vermont/South Los Angeles) • All-day build, begins at 8 a.m.
• President Carter visits renovation site and Watts site, location of 1995 JCWP in Los Angeles, 1:30 p.m.
Thursday, Nov. 1 (Port of Los Angeles) • Closing Ceremonies with Patricia Heaton (“Back to You” and “Everybody Loves Raymond”) and Nathalia Ramos (“Bratz”), and announcement of 2008 JCWP location, 6 p.m.
Friday, Nov. 2 (San Pedro) • House dedications with Habitat partner families, 4 p.m.
WHERE: Port of Los Angeles: Berth 87, San Pedro, CA 90731
Harborside Terrace San Pedro work site: 308 N. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro, 90731
Vermont Village work site: 11130 S. Vermont Ave., Los Angeles, CA 90044
TO VOLUNTEER CLICK HERE
Assimilating New People into the Church
by Dr. David D. Durey
Assimilating New People into the Church
The Problem of Assimilation
As
early as the 1960s Earl Waldrup addressed the challenge of
assimilation by dramatizing the loss of Southern Baptist members to
active and vital relationship with the church. “The
annual loss of active members is greater than the number of men which
American Armed Forces have lost killed in battle in all the wars of
this century. One out of every two persons on our church
rolls is lost to kingdom service through his church. One
out of every two <<Complete
Article>>
Extensive and Comprehensive Article
Spot Light on: Small Groups
Various small groups meet for discussion of a spritual book and prayer together (and usually food too). They meet in members' homes in San Pedro, Rancho Palos Verdes or Lomita. They have become a vital part of our church and a great way of bringing new members into our community of faith.
| Schedule | Leader | Current topic |
|---|---|---|
| Tuesday afternoon, weekly | Rupert and Betty Loyd | Miracles video series |
| Monday evening (usually), once or twice a month | Paul Purdy | Searching Issues book |
| Sunday afternoon, once per month | Keith and Sue Headley | Searching Issues book |
| Wednesday evening, weekly | Heather and Erik Larson | Scripture study of Hebrews |
| Sunday evening, ? | Randi & Todd Bender-Walter | ? |
| Resuming in Sept | Dan and Marilyn Falcon | ? |
| Monday 7pm, and Wednesday 1pm | Kim Neuenschwander | Women's
Bible Study |
If you are interested in joining, please contact a leader of a group, or Pastor Neal.
Random Fact of the Week
Q: What animal is mentioned most frequently in both the New and Old Testaments?
(Scroll Down For Answer)
A: The Sheep.
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Page Last Updated: Sun Nov 11, 2007