Teaching the Word...
SEPTEMBER LECTIONARY TEXTS
Here are the Lectionary texts for the month of September. 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.
Psalm 19
September 20, 2009
Psalm 1
Psalm 19:7-14
WORSHIP READERS NEEDED…
We are in need of our worship readers for the months of September and October. 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
We have been taking a summer break from our formal Bible Study sessions on Fridays. However, you are invited to attend our weekly Bible Study on Friday mornings at 9:30 AM beginning again in this Fall on Friday, September 4, 2009. 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...
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!
A DAY TO REMEMBER
Thank you to everyone who helped to make the Day to Remember with In His Wakes Ministry so special to 18 young people from the Arvin and Lamont area. We are happy to say that seven of these young people recognized the need for Jesus to come into their lives and walk with them along their life’s journey. Their lives have been blessed in part by your contribution to this special day. Thanks and God Bless you all!
Our next monthly Church Cabinet meeting will be on Wednesday, September 16, 2009 beginning at 7:00 PM.
CHURCH PICNIC
Thanks to everyone who made our church picnic such a special event! We especially thank Verner and Birthe Stenderup for hosting the picnic in their lovely backyard. And we thank everyone who brought food to share. It was a great meal and a wonderful evening, even in 116 degree heat!
WOMEN’S FELLOWSHIP RUMMAGE SALE
The Women’s Fellowship is collecting “rummagable” goods and clothing for their rummage sale that will be held at a date yet to be decided. 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.
ANNUAL ICE CREAM SOCIAL
Our annual homemade ice cream social will be held on September 13 at 6:30 PM at the church. Plan on spending the evening with us enjoying homemade ice cream and lots of goodies!
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.
A NEW BABY
Congratulations to Erica and David Brand on the birth of their daughter, Brooke Lily Brand, born Aug. 1. Grandpa John and Grandma Kathy are happy and proud at the birth of their first grandchild. Many blessings to you all!
OUR SYMPATHY
Our hearts go out to John and Robin Martin at the sudden unexpected death of their son, Bob on August 19. There will be a private service at Forest Lawn some time this month. Bob was 26 years old. He is also survived by his wife, Marisa, who married Bob this past Easter Sunday, and his brother, Bill and his sister, Barbara. Please keep the Martin family in your prayers.
Cards and condolences can be sent to 343 Ridgecrest Dr, Santa Barbara, CA 93108
AND…We received word late in the month of August that long-time member of our congregation, Ruby Francis passed away up in northern California. As of this writing funeral arrangements are pending. Please keep Ruby’s family in your prayers.
THOUGHTS FROM A 90 YEAR OLD WOMAN
These thoughts were written by Regina Brett, who was 90 at the time of this reflection. It was originally published in the Cleveland, Ohio newspaper “The Plain Dealer”. Here are a few of her reflections for your reflection.
1. Life isn’t fair, but it is good.
2. When in doubt, just take the next small step.
3. Life is too short to waste time hating anyone.
4. You don’t have to win every argument. Agree to disagree.
5. Cry with someone. It’s more healing than crying alone.
6. It’s OK to get angry with God. God can take it.
7. When it comes to chocolate, resistance is futile.
8. It’s OK to let your children see you cry.
9. Don’t compare your life to others. You have no idea what their journey is all about.
10. If a relationship has to be a secret, you shouldn’t be in it.
11. Make peace with your past so it won’t screw up the present.
12. Take a deep breath. It calms the mind.
13. Get rid of anything that isn’t useful, beautiful or joyful.
14. When it comes to going after what you want in life, don’t take no for an answer.
15. Over prepare, then go with the flow.
16. Be eccentric now. Don’t wait for old age to wear purple.
17. Always choose life.
18. Frame every so-called disaster with these words, “In five years, will this matter?”
19. Forgive everyone everything.
20. Time heals almost everything. Give time, time.
21. However good or bad the situation is; it will change.
22. Believe in miracles.
23. God loves you because of who God is, not because of anything you did or did not do.
24. Don’t audit life. Show up and make the most of it.
25. Your children get only one childhood.
26. All that truly matters in the end is that you loved.
27. Yield.
28. Envy is a waste of time. You already have all you need.
29. No matter how you feel, get up, dress up and show up.
30. Life isn’t tied with a bow, but it’s still a gift.