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Taking
time to listen
Do you remember
being in school and asked what you did on your summer vacation?
Just what do you do when you have time off from the regular
routine? Ever wonder if a mail carrier walks the dog, or if
an auto mechanic repairs the family car, or if a chef prepares
dinner for family and friends? And what does a Pastor do with
time off? On this vacation, I listened. No matter what else
I did do during my time off-clean the yard, picnic along the
river, see a ball game-the most important thing was for me to
listen. I listened to my heart, others, and God. Too often,
our lives are so busy that we spend too much time talking and
trying to be productive, and forget to stop, to listen and to
receive. In order to discover what God has for us, we must be
silent and listen. It is in the silent moments that we discover
new truths: about ourselves, about our world, and about how
God is working in our lives. I am thankful for a prolonged opportunity
to be silent and listen. Now comes the hard part; to act on
what I learned.
Love and peace,
Pastor L. S. Emery
Big turnout for the Fourth
of July Pancake Breakfast
If you didn't get
to the church on time for the delicious pancake breakfast in
Koinonia on the Fourth of July, you might want to mark your
calendar early next year. Gene and Joanne Wiseman and their
hard-working helpers had to turn away many late-comers because
they ran out of food around 9:45 a.m. The pancake breakfast
is an annual Fourth of July fundraising event for the church
that is growing into a Walnut Grove community tradition prior
to the big parade sponsored by the Fire Department. It's an
event that is "a function of the church reaching out to the
community that goes beyond fellowship. I look for it to continue
for a long time," says Gene.
A special thanks
from Joanne and Gene Wiseman-annual coordinators of the pancake
breakfast-goes to the perfect pancake turner and mixers, the
wonderful kitchen help, decorators, ticket salespeople, and
those all around helpers who pitched in when they saw it was
really busy. "We were delighted to have such a great success.
We made just under $800 and served more than we've ever served
before," said Joanne. Gene added, "It was the biggest breakfast
ever served at our church,. We started early and served 240
meals."
Be sure to come
early next year for that special recipe of great pancakes, sausage
or bacon, heated syrup, fruit, coffee, juice, smiles, fellowship
and fun down in Koinonia Hall from 7:30 a.m. till 9:30 a.m.
It just wouldn't seem like the Fourth of July without it!
Camp News
In the middle of
the vast redwood forest just east of Bodega Bay is Westminster
Woods, a Presbyterian camp for youth. Each summer, hundreds
of young people from California gather together for fun, fellowship
and exploring the meaning of Christ for our lives. This summer,
ten young people from our church went-two as counselors- for
a week. Pastor Emery served as a resource and reference counselor
for the week. It was a FANTASTIC time for all. It was the first
time for several, and it was wonderful to see the church of
the future through the eyes of young people from our church.
Most important was the presence of Christ revealed here and
now in our youth. Ask the kids about it!
Outdoor worship under the redwood trees
Sunday, Sept 21 at 9:30 a.m.!
Come join us for
a special worship service in the beauty of God's creation. Pastor
Emery will be continuing his fall series on the book of Acts.
Don't miss it!
The Desert: A place prepared by God?
Dr. Pheobe Sese
from the United Church of Christ in the Philippines gave a timely
message of encouragement for times of hardship on Thursday evening,
July 17. When we find ourselves in the "desert of life" where
there is loneliness, depression and sorrow, we also find God's
love and hope. In the Bible, several books describe the desert
as both a wilderness of hardship and a place of refuge and hope.
Revelation 12: 6 says, "..the woman fled into the wilderness,
where she has a place prepared by God, so that there she can
be nourished for one thousand two hundred sixty days."
In Matthew, chapters
3 and 4, the wilderness was where John the Baptist first appeared
proclaiming that the Kingdom of Heaven is near. The wilderness
is also where Jesus was tempted by the devil, then waited on
by the angels. The "deserts" in our lives can be pressures at
work, unemployment, financial problems, failed relationships
or tragic accidents. When we're in it, the desert can seem like
a place of punishment and lacking forgiveness. But it is also
a place of growth and change where one can experience the divine
companionship of God. Deserts test our faith to the limits,
but we come out stronger because of them.
Reverend Alan Sarte of the Philippines
to speak on Oct. 23
The church will hold
a potluck dinner on Thursday, Oct. 23, at 6 p.m. to welcome our
guest speaker, the Rev. Alan Rey B. Sarte, Bishop of the United
Church of Christ in the Philippines (UCCP). Rev. Sarte was a local
church pastor for ten years and taught philosophy and Christian
ethics at Philippine Christian University. Rev. Sarte will speak
on "The roots of the Muslim conflict in the Philippines and a
Christian response." This is an important topic for all concerned
with war and unrest in our world and how the church should respond.
Since 1994, Rev. Sarte has served as Bishop of UCCP in the North
Luzon jurisdictional area comprising around 500 local churches.
Please come and welcome Rev. Sarte for a night of fellowship and
a wonderful message of hope and understanding.
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Thursday Night Bible
Study
Come join us for
Bible study every Thursday night at 7 p.m. starting on Sept. 11.
We will meet in Koinonia the first night for a potluck dinner
at 6 p.m. Our theme for fall is "A Lifestyle of Love," and the
group will study how Christian love relates to everyday life.
God has shown us His love in Jesus Christ and wants us to share
that same love with each other. But how? Come on Thursday nights
and find out! We'll begin every first Thursday Bible Study of
the month with a potluck at 6 p.m. Bring a friend!
A Sampling of our
Summer Sermons Throughout the summer, Pastor Emery delivered sermons
that focused on the early Christian Church. The Apostles of Jesus
persevered in establishing faith among thousands who were encouraged
by the message of Christ.
The Courage
of our Convictions July 6
The essence of courage
is to be true to what we know is right. The early disciples of
Jesus were not afraid to proclaim the Gospel even when they were
told by the authorities not to spread the good news. But even
when they were threatened for spreading the good news, they were
not discouraged. They stood up to opposition, even to the highest
authorities in government. They knew that "God alone is the Lord
of conscience and that it has been left free of the doctrines
of men." (Westminster Confession) Leaders in the world who have
made significant changes in the face of opposition did so with
the courage of their conviction. Leaders like Martin Luther King
and Ghandi faced the hardships familiar to the early disciples
and triumphed in spreading the message of peace, honor and righteousness.
Dealing
with Difficulties July 13
Prayer is not a toll
call. It is an 800 number, a direct line to God. The Lord wants
to fill us with his Holy Spirit and to bear the burdens of one
another. Some think they can carry their burdens alone so long
as they have faith in God in a "Me and My Jesus" philosophy of
dealing with challenges and hardships. But God wants us to share
our concerns in the community of faith. In the early Christian
church, the disciples of Jesus shared with one another the trials
they were going through. They gathered for prayer to support each
other in their faith. What are your problems? Come and share your
needs in your community of faith. Remember that God gives the
gifts of the Holy Spirit to those who ask him. The Bible says
in Luke 11:13 that if those who are evil know how to give good
gifts to their children, how much more will your heavenly Father
give the Holy Spirit to those who ask him?
Preach
the Gospel At All Times, Sometimes Use Words July 27
In the early days
of the Christian Church, spirituality was manifested by the works
of the members. Members of the early church brought their resources
and shared with those in need, and through these acts of kindness,
humility and grace, God reached out and touched the lives of many.
The Apostles faced the issues directly. They appointed members
to address needs in the early church. Those works were a spiritual
act, demonstrating God's Holy Spirit without using words. The
active, practical love and fellowship ministering to the needs
of the church manifested what God wants the church, the body of
Christ, to be. What does it mean for the church to be filled with
the Holy Spirit? Sometimes it means preaching and teaching-sharing
the word of God. Often, it means the daily demonstration of faith
through the lives of members. God is calling all to the family
of faith. The Holy Spirit is at work reaching out to humankind
through every member of the church.
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No one
will leave hungry from the new brick barbecue!
For the first time,
flames will light up the new brick barbecue just in time for the
annual church picnic on Sept. 6. The new barbecue uses propane
on one side, charcoal on the other, and will cook enough for 100
at a time on each side! The new barbecue is a functional work
of art. It has iron inserts, movable grates, ash pans with handles
that serve as rain covers, and drainage for easy clean-up.
Special thanks
for the project goes to: Gerry Valdovinos, production manager
of Wilcox Agricultural Products, for facilitating the manufacture
of the cast iron inserts; Fidel Jimenez, a local bricklayer,
for his masonry skills; and to members of the congregation
for their insight about where, when and how the barbecue will
be used. Join us at the picnic and see it in action!
An extra special
Thank You to Michael Morris for the many hours designing and configuring
the new barbecue. What a blessing!
New
TV and more!
Sunday school teachers
rejoice! The new T.V. has arrived, and not only can it play all
those Bible videos, but DVD's as well! It's up and ready to use
for the fall season. Thanks to Gail Morris for picking it up and
bringing it to the church.
Ethnic
Concern Conference, Oct. 10 -12
Come for fellowship
and reflection among people of various backgrounds in the church
at Zephyr Point. Cost is $70 for adults, $35 for children over
12, $10 for children under 12. For more information., call the
church office at 776-1106.
Tuesday
breakfast group kicks up fun
Bananarama and garbage
bag volleyball were among the fun and games July 1 during the
summer barbecue hosted by the Tuesday morning Children's Breakfast
group. Under the leadership of Chris Hudson and sponsored by the
Missions Committee, the event extended the fun enjoyed by the
group when school was in session. CALLING ALL KIDS! Tuesday
morning Children's Breakfast group has started up again for fall.
They meet in Koinonia at 7 a.m. for breakfast, games and prayer
before boarding the school bus in front of the Church.
Chris Hudson has
put up a challenge-and a prize-for whoever can beat him at bringing
the most friends to the breakfast. Come find out what they're
up to! Special thanks to Mary Lou Hudson and Pastor Emery
for all their hard work that make Tuesday mornings a lot of fun.
Volunteers to cook are encouraged to sign up! For more
information, call Chris Hudson at 775-1940.
Mission
Committee gears up for Halloween Fun
Halloween is just
around the corner (where did summer go?) and the Mission Committee
will soon be making plans for entertaining Trick-or-Treaters in
Koinonia Hall at the annual apple-dunking, cider-and-cookies party.
We're hoping that last year's record turnout was just a foretaste
of what's to come-and we'll be ready! Whether you love Halloween
because it makes you feel like a kid again or if you just like
cider and cookies, plan to stop by and join the fun. We start
at sunset and continue until 9 or thereabouts-whenever the last
apple is peeled and eaten, the last of the cider is sipped, and
the coffee pot is empty. Donations of apples and cookies cheerfully
accepted!
Fall
Sermon Series
Christ Manifested
in the Body of Believers
What does Christ
want the church to be? Continuing our series on the Book of Acts
started in the summer, we will look at how Christ's spirit guided
the early church and how He still guides the church today. The
church was established by God as a place where physical, social
and spiritual needs are met. The fall sermon series beginning
Sept. 7 focuses on how we can be that type of church in our world
today.
Wee
Kirk Conference on Mount Hermon
The Wee Kirk Conference
is specifically designed to help small churches build up leadership.
Benefits and challenges of small churches will be explored in
workshops and presentations sponsored by the Presbyterian Church
USA at the beautiful Mount Hermon Christian Conference Center,
Oct. 28-30. The center is nestled in the picturesque redwood mountains-75
miles south of San Francisco- just minutes from the beaches of
Santa Cruz. Conference speakers are: Rev. Harold Kurtz,
Director Emeritus of Presbyterian Frontier Fellowship; Dr.
Roberta Hestenes, International Minister for World Vision,
one of the world's largest Christian relief and development agencies;
and Rev. Paul Tshihamba, Pastor of Mission Outreach for
the First Presbyterian Church of Berkeley. Would you like to take
part in this exciting and inspirational conference? Contact the
church office for more information and registration details. Cost
is only $100. Come to the mountains and be renewed!
Do
you have 'Flower Power'?
Dixie Wilson and
Adrienne Young have kept our narthex and communion table beautifully
decorated. They deserve a big Thank You for adding so much
to our worship experience. If you'd like to help them out by providing
flowers for the sanctuary some week-perhaps to honor a birthday,
anniversary, or loved one-please call Audrey Mondeel of the Worship
Committee at 777-5759. (These don't need to be formal bouquets.
Flowers from your garden are fine.) Thanks!
Come
one Come ALL! Sunday School's geared up for the Fall!
Calling all kids
(to attend) adults (to help!) Happily, we did not take a "summer
break" but continued to enjoy our special time together each and
every week. What a blessing (our) your kids are! ADULTS-If God
has gifted you in the area of teaching or music, WE NEED YOU!
Please let someone from the Christian Nurture Committee know.
THANKS! KIDS who went to camp… We are excited to hear about your
experiences and have you teach us the new songs you learned. In
Christ's Love, The Christian Nurture Committee Virginia LaBahn,
Melanie Schauer, Pan van Loben Sels, Edna Williams and Pastor
Emery.
Take
a Walk on the Wild Side..... Join our "Singing Safari"
"Safari" means "journey"
in Swahili. The world of Choir Participation encompasses an incredible
range of experiences from lofty mountain heights of exuberant
praise to the tranquil, serene embrace of the Father's arms. It
is a world of fellowship, support, and so much more. So join us
on Wednesday, September 3 at 7: 30 p. m. as we get the 2003- 04
Choir Safari underway. Make choir your personal journey..... no
one comes away completely unchanged.
SCHEDULED SAFARIS
While many travelers want to custom-design their own safari or
have a ready made group of people to travel with (see Special
Music), others prefer to join a small group on a scheduled safari
(see Choirs and Ensemble). The latter offers an advantage where
travelers enjoy the group company of like-minded travelers for
the whole trip. Sharing an adventure forms bonds with new people,
and is often the basis for lasting friendships. In addition, your
guide travels with you for the duration of the safari and quickly
learns where the group's special interests lie.
Chancel Choir:
Wednesday evening practice from 7: 30 to 8: 20-ish. Group provides
music on the First Sunday of each month and at other special observances.
Ladies Choir:
Wednesday evening practice from 8: 20 to 8: 40. Group provides
music on the Third Sunday of each month.
Ensemble:
Wednesday evening practice from 6: 45 to 7: 20. Group provides
music on the Fourth Sunday of each month.
Special Music:
These safaris of solo, duet, or small ensemble vocal or instrumental
work meet independently with their accompanist on their own schedule.
They provide music on the Second Sunday of each month. Persons
interested in Special Music safaris should coordinate with Pete
Mondeel at (916)- 777- 5759.
FIRST TIME TRAVELERS
The Choir Safaris, conducted by Debbie Phulps and accompanied
by Robert James, welcome new participants. Great care is taken
to provide both travelers and wildlife (you know which you are)
with an enjoyable experience. Prior choral experience or an ability
to read music are not required. However, travelers must be able
to carry a tune. First time travelers are encouraged to contact
Debbie (916)- 776- 1351 or e- mail: debel@aol.com with any questions
regarding safari requirements and details.
Walnut Grove Community Presbyterian Church
Sharing together the love of God
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