The Messenger - November 20, 2007
Pastor Neal's NotesSometimes, I don't know any other way to say this:
You're amazing! Outstanding! Incredible! Fantastic! Profound!
When we
heard that our anonymous donor had expired just 7 days before we were
to dedicate matching funds, I was flabbergasted. I knew that
Tom was ready to die. We had talked about that reality many times,
and he had been uncomfortable for months. I am sure death came to him
as a blessing. But I couldn't help but think "7 days! If we'd
only had 7 more days to match Tom's offered funds." I knew that
the matching fund offer would expire on the day of his death, and it
seemed that all was lost.
But God knew more than me, and so did you. At 2 p.m. last Tuesday, I learned we had 4 hours to deposit every check that could be matched in Tom's name. So, I got on the phone to call a few church leaders. Then, they got on the phone to notify their friends. Then, those friends got on the phone to notify their friends. Within less than 60 minutes, your checks began to come. And they continued to come for 2 and 1/2 hours. Scores of you just dropped everything in the middle of your day to drive down to the church with your gift. There were times when our parking lot looked like the drive-through at MacDonald's! It was amazing! And when that time was through, $60,000 had been received in a single afternoon.
Perhaps even more amazing, several of you contributed well in advance, and still other dear friends who have met the Lord left matching gift contributions in their wills. Because of their generosity (and yours) at least $140,000 will be matched. Even if we'd had those 7 days, I never would have imagined we could receive that much.
The end result of this effort (after Tom's match) will be almost $300,000 dedicated solely to the purpose of church growth through building improvements, program enhancements, and other creative means. What a legacy for our donor! And what a testament to you!.
Some of the changes we need to make (like fixing smelly bathrooms) are pretty obvious. Others changes will require considerable discussion and refinement over time. The front of the sanctuary, for example, contains several important symbols for the members of our church, and none of those will be changed without extensive opportunities for feedback and alteration with those who are concerned.
Thanks again for your commitment to the future of our church. I certainly do not know how God will use this awesome gift, but I know it's going to be exciting, because I have faith in Him, and I have faith in you.
Thanks be to God!
Neal
November Weekly Calendar Highlights The Church on the move. . .
Tuesday 20 Beachcomber Beta Group 2:30pm Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal
NO Session this week. Session will be held NEXT week.
Wednesday 21 Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's 7am Contact: Rupert Loyd
NO Women's Bible Study Contact: Kim Neuenschwander
NO Cherub Choir 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 22 Thanksgiving Day - Church is closed and THE ALARM IS ON.
NO Chancel Choir Contact: Allan Petker
Friday 23 Tennis & Breakfast ??? 8:15am Contact: Paul Mathews or Pastor Neal
NO Youth Hangout Contact: Randi Bender
Saturday 24 NO Co-Ed Church Volleyball 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 25 Adult Sunday School 8:30 - 9:30am Contact: Rupert Loyd
Children and Youth Sunday School Begins During Service Contact: Sue Headley
Worship 9:30am Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy
Venture Crew 731 1pm Contact: Eric Beck or Kenneth Beck
- Series: Thanksgiving
- Theme: Thanksgiving
- Title: "Do You Recall God's Benefits"
- Scripture: Psalm 103
- Preacher: Rev. Neal Neuenschwander
Remember these are just the Highlights... Call the church office if you need details 310-832-7597
Quick News
Tuesday, November 20 is Thanksgiving Basket Project assembly day.
Come on Down!
San Pedro Church To
Feed Thousands
San Pedro, CA
On
a fairly busy street, frequented by hundreds of people every day,
stands an unassuming brick building. Some have even said that from
Eighth Street during the week, they honestly didn't know it was a
church. While it may appear unassuming on the exterior to some, it
houses something
that is truly out of the ordinary. Within the walls of the First
Presbyterian Church of San Pedro meets a family. It's no ordinary
family however. It's a family that spans the ages, from those yet born
to a member that has reached the century mark. Having begun in 1883, this
family has
survived and spanned the years. It's a family
that also spans socio-economic lines. More than anything, it's a
family that constantly reaches
out.
The First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro, or First Pres. as members
most often call it, regularly supports some 37 different ministries and
philanthropic organizations. Most of these are right here in San Pedro
and more than a few were founded either at First Pres. or by First
Pres. members. Some of these are still primarily manned by First Pres.
members, such as Meals on Wheels. Perhaps the most visible and
requested ministry that the majority of this family participates in,
however, is the Thanksgiving Basket Project.
It had humble beginnings
12 years ago when 58 turkey dinners with the trimmings were distributed
to needy families, but now First Pres. seeks to distribute 1,000
baskets! The church estimates that these 1,000 baskets will feed about
6,000 people. The
applicant families come from referrals throughout the San Pedro area.
This year First Pres. planns to reach out to 34 different schools and
organizations, including:
- 17 LAUSD elementary, middle, and high schools
- 3 adult schools
Love, Inc.
- YWCA
- Salvation Army
- SHAWL House
- Toberman House
- Harbor Interfaith
- Willenberg School
- Boys/Girls Club
- House of Hope
- Rainbow Services
- Beacon House
- Harbor Occupational
- Hope Chapel
This endeavor will bring together about 150 volunteers to help assemble and deliver the baskets. This year a few more people will be dropping in. On assembly day, The San Pedro High School Pirate Band will be stopping by to play for the workers and it's been said that even City Councilwoman Janice Hahn is planning to pop in to encourage and congratulate workers for touching San Pedro in such a dramatic way.
If YOU would like to be part of the 2007 Thanksgiving Family Baskets program, please come on down, or contact the church.
Spot Light on: Meals on Wheels is a low cost meal delivery service for aged and disabled citizens of San Pedro. Meals on Wheels began in England during the Second World War and spread to San Pedro in 1977 when First Presbyterian Church Member Maria Cameron and her friend, Marie Michelle, recommended this program to Church Women United, a large ecumenical group. Meals on Wheels is now governed by an independent board. Their kitchen and business office have been located in our church building from the start.
Random Fact of the Week
Q: How many times does the Bible mention thanksgiving?
(Scroll Down For Answer)
A: Giving thanks is mentioned in the Bible at least 140 times. The word praise, which is similar in meaning to thanksgiving, is used many more times in Scripture. If you gauge the importance of a concept by the number of times it's repeated in the Bible, then this is definitely one to take note of.
Please send updates and you can help with the site
Page Last Updated: Sun Nov 25, 2007