The Messenger - October 8, 2011 - When Faith Is Fashionable
"When Faith Is Fashionable"
During the last few weeks, I have been preaching a series of sermons entitled "Built to Last: 128 years at the First Presbyterian Church of San Pedro." While covering the first 50 of those years, I had the great good fortune of talking about events that no living member of this church could actually recall. Based on our Session's minutes, a decent knowledge of US (and California) History, and a few articles in the San Pedro News Pilot, I wove together the story of our church's founders, and I did my very best to get the facts "straight."
This Sunday, I will begin to preach about pastors and events that at least some of you remember, and I will do my very best, once again, to get the facts "straight." I've heard a lot of stories about this era from several members of this church, and I'll pass along those tales I know that are "fit to preach." I'll also review the church minutes carefully, and I'll peruse some good church scrapbooks, too. But I'm sure I'll make a few mistakes along the way. I apologize in advance for these errors, and I encourage you to correct me--just don't do it while I'm still trying to preach!
The era I will describe (from 1940 to 1970) could well be called a "golden era" for our church, and here are just a few highlights from those days:
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Andrew McCormick, our most legendary pastor, made over 1100 home visits every single year. That's an average of 3 visits per day, 7 days per week, 52 weeks per year--and I'm not counting visits to hospitals or shut-ins. Often, he would just "drop by" the homes of married women while their husbands were away to have little "chat", and no one thought a thing about it. Can you imagine what would happen to a pastor who tried to do that today?
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At the beginning of this era, every "respectable" woman went to church in hat and gloves; by the end of this era, that attire was rare.
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At the very peak of our church membership (in 1967), we had 3 pastors and over 200 people in the choirs. We listed over 1500 members, and at least 1/3 of them attended one of two "packed" services every Sunday morning.
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Church attendance throughout the country clearly peaked around this time, and it wasn't unusual to meet folks for the very first time and ask them within seconds where they went to church. You didn't ask if they went, you asked where they went--and they'd better have an answer--even if they only showed up once or twice a year.
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The Mariners clubs were going incredibly strong. Hundreds of folks attended the "Beachcombers," and even more joined the "Outriggers" over time. Each of these clubs sponsored dances, plays, fashion shows, service projects, and retreats. Several kids raised in that era told me that almost every weekend of their growing years involved a fun-filled social gathering organized with other families from this church.
Even now and then, we old-line protestants try to re-create this era in some ways, but we soon learn you just can't do it. If you've ever watched "Mad Men" or any other early 60s sit-com, you know our world has changed. But we can celebrate this era, we can learn from those who lived it, and we can use those lessons now to create a great new future for First Pres. I hope you'll join me in that task this Sunday morning.
I'll see you in church!
Neal
2011 Thanksgiving Basket Program
On November 22, 2011, our church will sponsor our 16th Annual Thanksgiving Family Food Baskets for needy families in the greater San Pedro area. In our first year we delivered 58 Baskets. We really have come a long way in helping needy families celebrate Thanksgiving. If you would like to help, just fill out and send in the donation/volunteer form. Or visit the church website for more information.
OUR 16TH YEAR WILL BE DEDICATED TO THE MEMORY OF JOHN M. OLGUIN
Student Ministries News
Pizza Party & Game Night: We will be having a pizza party along with games at the church from 6:30PM to 10:00PM on Saturday October 15th.
Car Wash: We will be having a car wash on October 22nd from 10:00AM to 2:00PM in the church parking lot. Pre-sale tickets will be available from our teens.
Disneyland Christmas Event: This year, we will be going to Disneyland on December 10th for our Christmas celebration. Admission cost is $62. Food will be extra. For more information please contact Randi or Todd.
Winter Camp: Pondo’s Christian Camp - January 13-15, 2012. Cost for the camp is $164 plus extra for skiing or snowboarding. A $50 deposit will hold a spot for you.
Mission Trip: We will be going back to the Navajo Reservation with YouthWorks - July 14–21, 2012. Cost is $288. Get your $50 deposit in now. Don’t miss out this experience.
Recycling drive for youth: We will be recycling #1 plastic bottles and aluminum cans. If you would like us to pick them up at your house simply call Todd.
Student
Ministries
Staff
Randi
Bender & Todd Walter
Email: rdbender44@aol.com
Tel:
(310) 832-9717 (home)
(310)
562-9243 (cell)
Calendar
Sun, Oct 9
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
Mon, Oct 10
7:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
7:00 pm - Stewardship meeting
Tue, Oct 11
7:30 pm - Student Ministries Meeting
Wed, Oct 12
7:00 am - Bible Study at Carrow's
12:00 pm - San Pedro Pastor's Luncheon
1:00 pm - Women's Bible Study
4:00 pm - Homework Hangout
4:00 pm - Angel Choir Rehearsal
4:00 pm - Parent Hangout
4:30 pm - Cherub Choir Rehearsal
5:00 pm - Gospel Gang Choir Rehearsal
5:45 pm - Dinner for Jr. and Sr. High Schoolers
6:15 pm - King's Chorus Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Handbell Choir Rehearsal
7:00 pm - Prayer Group
7:15 pm - SonLight Singers Choir Rehearsal
7:40 pm - SEAL team meeting
Thu, Oct 13
7:30 pm - Chancel Choir Rehearsal
Fri, Oct 14
7:00 pm - Youth Hangout
Couples Retreat Starts
Sat, Oct 15
Couples Retreat
6:30 pm - Youth Pizza and Game Night
Couples Retreat
8:30 am - Adult Sunday School
9:30 am - Worship
Amy Hubbard is the editor of the Messenger. Fill-in this week by Erik Larson.
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