holly burns

Soul Food for November 2015

November 8, 2015
Posted by: holly burns
Posted In: Pastor Mike's Musings

November: Thanksgiving, and a significant birthday for me

First, a word about thanksgiving. Its an attitude of gratitude. Every work morning I climb into my car and turn on the radio to catch the latest news on my thirty minute commute to church. Hearing the condition of the world, especially first thing in the morning, can be depressing. So, I say this little ditty or mantra to myself:

I am thankful for my life and my wife I am thankful for my church & work
I am thankful for my family & friends I am thankful for my health & wealth

Saying this little prayer puts me in a good frame of mind for the day. Now, for what are you thankful? Make a list, create your own mantra, and repeat it often. I hope we are all thankful for our special church. We show gratitude by supporting our ministries with time, love, work and by sharing our wealth in offer- ings and gifts (yes, we Americans are wealthy, lets admit it) . Our pledge goal for 2016 is $203,000. Wheth- er $10 a week or $1,000 a month, the range of our pledges, it takes us all to make it work. Thanks.

Now, about that special birthday.

I turn 60 on November 27th.
I was born in 1955, the same year that Disney and McDonalds started and Einstein died.

Our family likes to celebrate the big birthdays every decade. So, we have reserved the Fellowship Hall, Sunday, November 29, 5-8 PM for a drop-in dinner-dance, and you are all invited. Chipotle will cater, using SCRIP of course, but bring your favorite drink, including wine. Robbie will DJ. NO PRESENTS PLEASE, but anyone who wants can make a donation to a church ministry in my honor, or to the Pastor’s Sabbatical Fund. Cards and well wishes are always appreciated.

Please RSVP so we know how many to prepare for. There will be a sign up sheet at church, or email me: drmholland@ca.rr.com

I am thankful for our solar panels
I am thankful for the UCC & DOC
I am thankful for peace & justice
I am thankful for progressive Christi- anity and Interfaith cooperation.

I am thankful for all of you. Amen.

~Pastor Mike

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Pumpkin Patch Update

October 4, 2015
Posted by: holly burns
Posted In: Church Life, Getting Involved

The pumpkins are almost here. On Tuesday October 13th at approximately 4pm, the pump- kins will be delivered and unloaded by a won- derful group of off duty fire fighters and the patch will be created on our front lawn.

The pumpkin patch will be running from Fri- day October 17th – Saturday October 31st from 10:00am – 7:00pm. Lots of volunteers are still needed to staff the patch and sign-ups will be taking place after church the next 2 weeks.

The will be a Pumpkin Patch training meeting on Sunday October 11th after the potluck.
In addition to volunteers, donations of baked goods, fall decorations, grocery store and Am- azon gift cards are also needed. If you are in- terested in volunteering or would like to make a donation contact Pastor Kel.

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Soul Food for October 2015

October 4, 2015
Posted by: holly burns
Posted In: Pastor Mike's Musings

The decline of Fall light and the rise of Autumn colors says it must be October. Although this is a month of pumpkins and a fun holiday, those of us who live in California also know to be on guard against fire and Santa Ana winds. This transition in seasons re- minds us that life is both exciting and challenging, and ever evolving.

Our church’s heritage has always been on the cutting edge of faith and religion, especially Christianity. We are known for “speaking early” on a host of social-spiritual issues, from the emancipation of slaves to women’s suffrage, to full inclusion of all people of differing sexual orienta- tions and gender identities. Our stands for and ministries to the mar- ginalized, ostracized and misunder- stood has made a difference in lives. Our niche has also garnered us a share of admirers and critics.

We claim a God who is still speak- ing and acting, and forever inviting us to participate in the re-making of the world. To remain progressive Christians, we have to be constantly seeking where the Spirit is leading.

One of the new and growing reli- gious movements in our country is the increasing number of Americans who now identifying themselves as agnostics (“not-knowing”) and or atheists (“non-theistic’). In short, many modern, educated, ethical people are rejecting belief in a su- pernatural God. While much of reli- gion, and Christianity in particular, views this trend as an existential threat, like the month of October, there is beauty, change and chal- lenge here for us who profess a dif- ferent experience of God.

The Progressive Christian move- ment professes a naturalistic God that is more in line with post-modern science and consistent with tradi- tional mysticism. We proclaim a Je- sus who was a spiritual sage and wisdom teacher of the ways of peace, love and justice, rather than an atoning blood sacrifice. We take the bible seriously but not literally. We practice democracy at church, believing the Spirit speaks best when all are heard and participate. We honor folks of many spiritual tra- ditions, and we seek to preserve the Earth in all its wonder and majesty.

October calls us to do no less. Peace to all, Pastor Mike

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Worship Schedule

March 8, 2015
Posted by: holly burns
Posted In: Upcoming Sermons

Mar 1 Second Sunday in Lent
Communion
Reading: Mark 1:12-20
Sermon: A Mature Faith

Mar 8 Third Sunday in Lent
Daylight Savings Begins
Reading: Exodus 20:1-17
Sermon: Crossing Boundaries

Mar 15 Fourth Sunday in Lent
Communion by Intinction
Reading: Mark 11:25-26
Sermon: The Scandal of Forgiveness

Mar 22 Fifth Sunday in Lent
OGHS & Week Compassion Offerings
Reading: Mark 8:34-37
Sermon: Finding our Way

Mar 29 Palm/Passion Sunday
OGHS & Week Compassion Offerings
Reading: Mark 14:3-9; 15:16-20
Sermon: Christus Victor

April 5 Easter
Communion
Reading: Mark 16:1-8
Sermon: Tears of a Clown

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WORSHIP SCHEDULE FOR November 2014

November 4, 2014
Posted by: holly burns
Posted In: Upcoming Sermons

Nov 2: Reformation & All Saints Day

Communion by Intinction

Daylight Savings Time Ends

Sermon: For All the Saints

Reading: Matthew 23:1-3, 11-12

 

Nov. 9: Stewardship Sunday

Sermon: Staying Awake is Hard to Do

Readings: Matt 25:1-13

 

Nov. 16: Hospitality Sunday

Communion

Sermon: Life’s Big Surprises

Readings: Matt 25:31-46

 

Nov. 23: Thanksgiving Sunday

With Rev. Dr. Duane Day

Sermon:

Readings:

 

Nov. 30: First Sunday of Advent “Justice”

Sermon: Waiting on God

Readings: Mark 13:24-31

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