August 22, 2016 For the week of August 28, 2016 Find out what s happening at FCC! The Church Office will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. The Women s Book Club is currently reading Small Miracles: Extraordinary Coincidences from Everyday Life by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal. For more information, check out page 8! Do you want to participate in the FCC Chili Cook-Off on Rally Day? If so, check out page 9 to find out more information!
We are united in striving to know the Will of God as taught in the Holy Scriptures; and in our purpose, to walk in the ways of the Lord, made known, or to be made known to us. - Our Covenant - Dr. Steven Jay Davis Senior Minister Dr. Lowell W. Linden Minister Emeritus Rev. Lori Hovren Ministry Associate Shanna Franklin Office Manager Michael Richardson Coordinator of Technology Bruce McClurg Choir Director Dr. Stephen Moore Church Organist Debbie Prutsman Clarion Kids Choir Director Vance Lambert Custodian Oscar Pacheco Facility Maintenance SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES August 28, 2016 Please join us for Worship Services at 8:30 a.m. in the Chapel of the Grail, and 10:00 a.m. in the Main Sanctuary. SERMON The sermon this week is titled God's Plan in Messy Times, and the Scripture passage is Genesis 16:1-4 GREETERS Olive Avenue: Geri McQueen Phone: (909) 793-3157 Email: Office@FCCRedlands.org Web: www.fccredlands.org 2 W. Olive Ave. Redlands, CA 92373 FLOWERS The flowers this week are given by Mary Hylkema in loving memory of John Hylkema. Church Office Hours: Monday-Thursday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. and 1:00 p.m. to 4:00 p.m. Friday: 9:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m. 2
Dear Friends, FEAR NOT is the message of the Bible from Abraham who heard the Word of God, all the way to Jesus who is the very Word of God in the Flesh. FEAR NOT Is not simply an encouraging phrase from beside us, helping us buck up. This is the word of God from above us bringing authentic peace. Our God Above is saying, FEAR NOT - I am with you! And if the very Creator of the Universe is with us, then who can be against us? Can illness, or hardship, or family troubles, or national distress, or international terror? No! In the book of Romans, Paul says, In all things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us. For I am convinced that neither death nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither the present nor the future, nor any powers, neither height nor depth, nor anything else in all creation, will be able to separate us from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus our Lord. (ROMANS 8:37-39) It is because God is with us, that we can experience a peace that transcends comprehension. The encouragement to FEAR NOT, repeated throughout the Bible, is a high value echoed throughout the church. It is demonstrated in the way people show love and encouragement to one another in hard times. When we offer grace and kindness to one another, and to those throughout the community, we are demonstrating that God is truly with us. We are diminishing the forces of fear. We are advancing the cause of peace. Shalom, Steve Rev. Dr. Steven Jay Davis 3
PRAYER LIST LONG TERM HEALTH ISSUES Helena Whitehurst Steve Graves Janet Graves Brook Stuck Michael DiMuro Steve Allen Carl Griffin Fae Burgess Jane Hawkins Darla Heringes Maureen Fairchild 4 IMMEDIATE CONCERNS Carol B. Burgess Jan Eickman Grace Wilson Jeanne Rosenquist Marian Rundle Dorothy Dally Carol Roghair Madeline Hendershot Monica Temple Margaret Hartzell Barbara Davies Audrey Vaughn Weldon Clegg William Vander Lugt Thelma DeFoy Gordon Baird Laura Gunn Jean Nease EXTENDED CHURCH FAMILY Peggy Patten Lori Hovren s mother Stacy Huckins Maizie s daughter-in-law Tom Johnson Shirley Miner s son Shirley Mayse Sue Baze s mother Teri Hankammer Joann Dickson s daughter Grace Williams Ruth-Ann Nydam s granddaughter Keith Hook Barbara Hook s son Jennifer Haynes Granddaughter of the Lecklers & the Alfords Alma Rennegarbe Robert Mendez s mother John (Tim) Simon Ken and Madeline Hendershot s son-in-law Gabrielle Alford Granddaughter of the Alfords Marge Wilson Younger sister of Jean Nease Jeanne Brown Carole Ley s Sister Jack Robey Stepson of Steven Henry If you know of anyone who is in need of prayer or a visit from the pastor, please feel free to call the Church Office and let us know, or leave a note on your response card in church.
FAMILY MINISTRIES CORNER In this picture from Walk Thru the Bible, there are T w o P e a Tears (for 2 Peter). Their tears are because there s Poison in the Pew, which is the key word. The apostle Peter s second letter is to convey the message that false teachers are at times found in the church. He writes this letter to his original audience, but with an even more serious theme than his first letter. When defection, false teaching, and persecution come from within the body of Christ, a serious condition exists poison in the pew. Peter warns that judgment awaits those who teach falsely, and that believers must be on their guard so as not to be led away by the error of wicked teachers (3:17). To learn more about the Book of 2 Peter, check out Pastor Steve's blog at StevenJayDavis.com and be sure to join us in church on Sunday, too! CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY The Church Office will be closed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. MEMORIAL SERVICE FOR PEARL WARD We will hold a memorial service for Pearl Ward here at the church on Saturday, August 27 at 1:00 p.m. in the Chapel, with a short reception to follow in Kimberly Hall. UPCOMING MISSIONS COMMITTEE MEETING The Missions Committee will meet next on Monday, September 12 at 7:00 p.m. in the Church Office. 5
WOMEN S BOOK CLUB NEWS This summer, the Women s Book Club is reading Small Miracles: Extraordinary Coincidences from Everyday Life by Yitta Halberstam and Judith Leventhal. You will enjoy reading this collection of incredible, almost unbelievable, short stories. Sit back, relax with a cool drink and immerse yourself in these examples of God s work in the lives of ordinary people. We will meet on Sunday, September 25 at 11:30 a.m. in the Church Library to discuss. KIRK NIGHT We will hold Kirk Night on Wednesday, August 31 and September 7 at 6:00 p.m. in Kimberly Hall for dinner and 7:00 p.m. in the Chapel for singing and discussion. Please sign up on the clipboard if you d like to come for dinner. Regularly scheduled Kirk Nights will resume in October. FCC MEMORIES This is a photo of Leonette DiMuro, taken on the steps to the C h a p e l a t F i r s t Congregational Church in 1953. Leonette said, All the youth choir members had their pictures taken on the steps to the Chapel. Thanks to Leonette for providing this lovely p h o t o a n d F C C memory. If you have any photos or memories that you would like to share, please feel free to contact the Church Office. 6
CHILI COOK OFF AT RALLY DAY! Do you make the best chili? Do you have what you think is an award-winning chili recipe? We are looking for chili cooks for our Chili Cook-off. The Chili Cook-off will be held on Rally Day following second service on September 11, 2016. Prizes will be awarded for the best recipes. Those interested in participating may sign up on the patio following both services. Any questions may be emailed to berangeretucker@outlook.com or jumpsoffacliff@hotmail.com. RUMMAGE SALE DATES We are low on rummage this year for the Rummage Sale! Please check your closets and bring your unwanted items to church. The proceeds from sales go to help our church projects. Larger furniture items can be brought starting Monday, September 12. Tax deductible receipts are available in the Church Office. Church members' and friends' night will be Thursday, September 22 from 4:00 to 7:00 p.m. General public times are Friday, September 23 from 9:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., and Saturday, September 24 from 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. We ll see you there! The Clarion Kids Community Choir The Clarion Kids Community Choir is a free opportunity for children in Kindergarten through Eighth Grade to learn proper vocal production, performance 7 technique, and contemporary and traditional choral works. Rehearsals will begin again on Sunday, September 11 at 9:00 a.m. at First Congregational Church and no auditions are required! The Clarion Kids Choir is directed by Debbie Prutsman, well-known Redlands educator, director, and performer. For more information, email Debbie at Debbie@FCCRedlands.org.
WEEKLY CALENDAR August 28, 2016 September 3, 2016 Sunday, August 28: 8:30 & 10:00 a.m. Worship Services 10:00 a.m. Middle School Sunday School 6:00 p.m. Youth Group Wednesday, August 31: 8:30 a.m. Exercise Class Noon Emotions Anonymous 6:00 p.m. Kirk Night Kimberly Hall/Chapel CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED FOR LABOR DAY The Church Office will be cl osed on Monday, September 5 in observance of Labor Day. 8
EXTENDING BIRTHDAY BLESSINGS TO... August 28: Christy Salazar David Sousa August 29: Mark Messersmith Rebecca Sousa August 30: Nancy Petry August 31: Gary Baze Sabine Robertson-Phillips Audrey Vaughn September 1: Ruth Heeney Joe Henehan 9