Words From Wanda

First and foremost, I want to take this opportunity to thank each and every one of you who is reading this newsletter for all of your wishes, prayers, and participation in the grand celebration of my 25 years of ordination! As you know, the committee of workers from our church, led by the ever-so talented and gifted Kathy Brand, put together a very special celebration event on August 30. Each person involved touched the celebration in a unique way giving a little bit of themselves and their heart to me, and I am overwhelmed to this very day at their kindness and love for me and my ministry. The words, “Thank-you” or even “God bless you” are simply not adequate to express how you have blessed me and touched my heart. I couldn’t be surrounded by any better people of faith, not just here in Arvin, but in all the places that I have had the honor of pastoring! You are the best!

And so the next 25 years of ministry, or however long God will grant me, has begun. Many of you know that it began with a week of funerals and other church activities as we began the fall season. And as it has begun I have added a special prayer time in my days. It is my

hope that this prayer, written by Marianne Williamson, will renew my work and help me to focus each day on what it is that God is calling me to do as a pastor and as a person who is blessed with an important job of following Christ. As I was praying it just yesterday, it occurred to me that it is a prayer you might find useful as well. Perhaps it can be one you offer at the beginning of your day, whether you find yourself working in a job or working at home on special home projects, whatever work you are called to do today. So I will share it with you here. And I pray that it is a blessing to you as you go about your day to day work.

And once again…thank you for blessing me by being a part of my ministry! God is so good!

Dear God,

As I go to work today, may your spirit go with me. May my work in the world be a vehicle for your love. May it fulfill a divine mission. May it shine and light up all darkened places. Go with me, Lord. Show me how to love and forgive each person, that I might carry your light to all I meet.  Amen

Blessings to you in October!  Wanda

Teaching the Word...

OCTOBER LECTIONARY TEXTS

Here are the Lectionary texts for the month of October. Rev. Mello’s preaching texts are in Bold print. You are invited to read the texts ahead of each Sunday service as you prepare to hear God’s word.

October 4, 2009 (World Communion)

Psalm 8

Job 1:1 & 2:1-10

Hebrews 1:1-4 & 2:5-12

Mark 10:2-16

October 11, 2009

Psalm 90:12-17

Job 23:1-9 & 16-17

Hebrews 4:12-16

Mark 10:17-31

October 18, 2009

Psalm 104:1-9, 24, & 35c

Job 38:1-7

Hebrews 5:1-10

Mark 10:35-45

October 25, 2009

Psalm 34:1-8

Job 42:1-6 & 10-17

Hebrews 7:23-28

Mark 10:46-52

WORSHIP READERS NEEDED…

We are in need of our worship readers for the months of November and December. If you are interested in serving as a worship reader please sign up on the sheets in the Social Hall or speak to Rev. Mello.  May you be blessed as you read God’s word in worship.

WEEKLY BIBLE STUDY

You are invited to attend our weekly Bible Study on Friday mornings at 9:30 AM. At these studies we take a look at the scriptures for our Sunday worship service and ponder their deeper meanings for our lives. Everyone is invited to attend.

Touching the World...

ASSISTANCE FUND

You are invited to give a gift for mission to our Assistance Fund. We have been utilizing the money from this fund to help several people with their rent and utility costs in the past few weeks; and we have used some to purchase food gift cards from the Ranch Market for people in need. Thanks so much for your continued support of this fund! Your gifts to this fund do indeed help those in our community who are in need!

WORLD WIDE COMMUION SUNDAY AND OGHS OFFERING

October 4 marks the day we will join with Christians all around the world in celebrating Holy Communion. You are invited to join us in worship that day and come to the table to see and taste the goodness of God who is the God of all people. Also, our One Great Hour of Sharing Offering will take place that day. This is our mission offering for people in need around the world. Please consider your gift prayerfully.

CHURCH CABINET MEETING

Our next monthly Church Cabinet meeting will be on Wednesday, October 14, 2009 beginning at 7:00 PM.

NORTHERN ASSOCIATION FALL MEETING

The fall meeting of the Northern Association of the UCC will be held at First Congregational Church, Bakersfield, on Saturday, October 24. If you are interested in attending this meeting, please speak to Wanda. Since it is so close, it would be great if we had a strong representation from our congregation.

WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP RUMMAGE SALE

The Women’s Fellowship is collecting “rummagable” goods and clothing for their rummage sale that will be held on October 3. If you have rummage to offer, please bring it to the church any Tuesday and the ladies will take care of storing it until the sale. And if you are able to help with the sale, setting up, selling, and cleaning up, please speak to Joan Thomas or Sally Schulze-Pomeroy.

ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL

Our annual homemade ice cream social was held on September 13 with a crowd of almost 30 people, young and old! We had a wonderful evening on the patio here at the church and we filled our tummy’s with all sorts of goodies. Thanks to everyone who made ice cream and goodies for this special event.

REMEMBER YOU CAN FIND ALL OF OUR NEWS ON OUR WEBSITE: www.arvinucc.org

Check it out! And while you are on our website, take a look at the additional sites that are listed there. One of them connects you to our UCC Southern California Nevada Conference website where you can get all the news from the neighboring churches in our conference and from the Conference office staff. Take a look and stay in the loop!

Church Family News…

As our world remains in a time of war, we ask that you continue to remember in your prayers all of our young people serving our country all over the world. Especially pray for Jason Brand, John & David Phillips, Isaac Philips, Dylan Wakeland, and Tracey Farris.

Please keep our homebound members in your thoughts and prayers. Especially remember Lucille Barkley at home.

OUR SYMPATHY

Our sympathy goes to the family of Ruby Francis who passed away in late August and whose funeral luncheon was held at our church on August 31. Ruby was a longtime member of our church and will be greatly missed.

Our sympathy also goes to the family of Colleen Krauter who also passed away in late August and whose memorial service was held here at the church on September 5. Colleen was also a longtime member of our church and will be missed by all of us.

May both Ruby and Colleen rest in peace in God’s loving arms now and forever.

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