The Messenger - January 8, 2008
by Rev. Neal Neuenchwander
New Initiatives
Pastor's Corner for the "Messenger"
January 9, 2009
January is a great time for new initiatives in our personal lives. These may take the form of new year's resolutions (like losing weight), or starting something new (e.g., painting, writing, singing in a choir). There could also be a new desire for service in the church or the community. But each of these initiatives requires a bit courage. It requires a bit of "umph!"
That's why I'm starting a series of sermons this month entitled "The Heart of Hero." Some heroes are known to millions; others are known to just a few. But most heroes have certain traits that are worthy of admiration (and imitation) by us all. Here are just a few:
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January 4: Focus
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January 11: Courage
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January 18: Innovation
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January 25: Discipline
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February 1: Perseverance
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February 8: Commitment
It is my hope that these sermons enable each of us to kindle some impulse in our own heart that might enable one to become a hero. There is no one formula, and there is no one technique. But I firmly believe that each human can be hero for someone else. And the Bible has many keys that show us how.
Some of my heroes are those who serve so faithfully in the commissions of our church. Sometimes, this work is fun. Sometimes, it is routine. And sometimes, it can be stressful. But each commission plays a vital role in the life of our church. Two commissions, in particular, are looking for fresh new faces in 2008: Adult Discipleship and the Mission Facilitation Team. And one group, called "Acts 16:5," will be starting out from scratch. This group will be learning (along with other churches) how to help an "Old First" church to reconnect with un-churched people around it. Then, as they learn of these techniques, the Act 16:5 group will help us to apply them to the community that we serve. If any of these opportunities sound good to you, please call me at the church. I'd love to help you find your "fit" in God's service at First Pres.
Finally, as we begin a new year together, may God give each of us the character and the faith of William Carey, a missionary hero, who said,
Expect great things of God; attempt great things for God.
I couldn't say it better myself.
I'll see you in church!
Neal
Jan. 9 Calendar Highlights
| Friday | Tennis & Breakfast | 08:15 am | Contact: Paul Mathews or Pastor Neal | ||
| Youth Hangout | 7:30 - 9:30 PM | Contact: Randi and Todd Bender | |||
| Saturday | |||||
| Sunday | Adult Sunday School | 8:30 - 9:30 AM | Contact: Rupert Loyd | ||
| Children and Youth Sunday School | Begins During Service | Contact: Sue Headley | |||
| Worship | 09:30 am | Contact: Pastor Neal or Paul Purdy | |||
| Monday | Women's Bible Study | 01:00 pm | Contact: Kim Neuenschwander | ||
| Tuesday | Beachcomber Beta Group | 02:30 pm | Contact: Rupert Loyd or Pastor Neal | ||
| On Hiatus | |||||
| Wednesday | Breakfast Club Bible Study at Carrow's | 07:00 am | Contact: Bob Erbacker | ||
| Women's Bible Study | 01:00 pm | Contact: Kim Neuenschwander | |||
| Cherub Choir | 04:30 pm | Contact: Emily Anderson | |||
| Gospel Gang | 04:30 pm | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | |||
| Kings Chorus | 06:00 pm | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | |||
| Voyagers | 06:30 pm | Contact: The Larsons | |||
| SonLight Singers | 07:00 pm | Contact: Lesley Sirianni | |||
| Chapel Bells | 07:00 pm | Contact: Nan Roberts | |||
| Prayer Fellowship | 07:00 pm | Contact: Rupert Loyd | |||
| Jr. High Fellowship | 07:00 pm | Contact: Todd Bender |
A Look Ahead
- Jan. 11 - Elder and Deacon Ordination and Installation
Wanted: Editor-Publisher to take over The Messenger
As of January 31, Eric is moving on and Adult Discipleship is in need of someone to take over The Messenger.
You should be familiar with email applications, basic HTML, Internet browsers and information retrieval. A desire to write is a major plus!
Please contact Keith Headley.
A
special offer for those who are on our email list, and their friends.
If you order
tickets between 8:00 tonight, and 8:00
Thursday (48 Hours only) You get them at $7.50 a ticket.
Email your
order and we'll hold the tickets, you just need to
pay at the show, Or call the office at (310) 832-2788 during office
hours 9AM
to 2PM, or buy them from Tim at the church at Thursday evening service
at Rock
Solid.
Feel free to
forward this to your friends, but they must
reference "EM25" as the code when ordering.
Thank you,
January 14th – Choir rehearsals resume – see you then!
4:30 – Gospel Gang * 5:30 – King’s Chorus * 6:30 – SonLight Singers
DATES FOR GOSPEL GANG
February 8th, March 8th, April 5th (Palm Sunday), May 3rd – sing in worship
May 17th (Music Celebration Sunday) – sing in worship
Sunday, June 7th – Our spring musical in worship
Tech Week is June 3rd – 6th)
June 21st (Father’s Day Choir) – sing in worship
DATES FOR KING’S CHORUS
February 15th, March 15th, April 5th (Palm Sunday) - sing in worship
March 27th and 28th – Youth Rummage Sale
April 26th – First Pres Rockin’ Diner (after church)
(Tech Week is April 19th- 25th)
May 17th (Music Celebration Sunday) – sing in worship
June 21st (Father’s Day Choir) – sing in worship
DATES FOR SONLIGHT SINGERS
January 11th, 18th, 25th – SonLight Super Bowl Sub Sandwich Sale orders taken
February 1st – sandwich orders delivered after church
February 22nd, March 22nd, April 19th – sing in worship
March 27th and 28th – Youth Rummage Sale
May 17th (Music Celebration Sunday) – sing in worship
May 22 – SonLight Tour begins at Harbor Terrace
May 23 – May 25 – SonLight performs on Catalina Island
May 31st – SonLight Superb Salad Show (after church)
(Tech Week is May 26th – 30th)
June 21st (Father’s Day Choir) – sing in worship
