Hi Fairview and Friends,
Last evening we had an interesting discussion that acted sort of as “Liberation Theology 101.” Most of us aren’t theologians, but all of us have a theology, whether or not we vocalize it as such. At Bible Study we regularly engage in conversation of a theological nature, and so this group is particularly attuned to different perspectives of understanding the Bible, especially the different ways it can speak to us. Though we often employ aspects of liberation theology in our ways of interacting with each other, we don’t necessarily know what it is.
Liberation Theology comes out of the Social Gospel movement of last century, though it really took shape in the Catholic Church after Vatican II. This theological perspective sees the central focus of the Bible as one of liberation from oppressive forces, and Jesus, therefore, is viewed as the great liberator. Liberation theology has thrived in Latin America where Latinos have been living in oppressed conditions.
Out of this movement comes another facet of liberation theology –black theology. The title Black Theology first came from theologian, Rev. James Cone, out of the civil rights movement. Black Theology looks at the Biblical text through an African American lens. This Sunday we have the honor of hosting Karl Lampley, a black liberation theologian, as he preaches at Fairview on “The Gospel as Liberation.” Karl Lampley is a graduate of Harvard, and the Claremont School of Theology, and his completing his PhD at the University of Chicago Divinity School in Theology. Karl is not only a scholar of theology, he’s also my friend from seminary. So, I hope you’ll join me in welcoming my friend and find his sermon interesting, challenging and transformational.
As if a guest speaker isn’t enough – I’ll bet the major reason you’ll want to come to church this Sunday is that it is the Retreat Fundraiser Breakfast! YES! You won’t want to miss this delicious breakfast. All the chefs of Fairview come out for this morning’s scrumptious fixings! Dave Eastman will be making his yummy pancakes and I hear Rebecca Chadwick’s going to be bringing something hearty, while Christina Moritz will probably bring her tasty homemade coffee cake. All of this good food will be cooked right in front of you on our church patio and served up by the smiling faces of our Church Retreat committee. You will not want to miss this breakfast! So join your church family for breakfast
this Sunday at 8am until just before service!
If you are planning on attending Fantastic Friday tomorrow evening please contact the church office ASAP. We want to be able to serve our church families, but we need notice. Lots of fun is in store for our kids! See you soon!
The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
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Please take a moment to read through the prayers of our community,
the prayers that matter to us, and lift them up in your hearts this moment.
If you have an a prayer request you would like to add to our list, please email or call the office <mailto:office@ocfairviewchurch.org> .
PRAYERMATTERS
We are grateful for the well-beingand many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayers and concern . . .
Sean Burn’s grandmother suffered from strokes this week, and is struggling near death. Prayers of strength for her and Sean and their entire family.
Christina Moritz’ neighbor Elsbetthas a brain tumor andhad another brain scan done last month. We are hoping that the chemo workedand she will be in remission.
CynthiaWallace’smotherMargetook a bad fall on August 6 and has a compressed fracture of her vertebrae and abig bump on her head. She will be recuperating for the next fewweeks.
FrancyneBryant,ErnieRansom’sdaughter, who continues toundergo cancer treatments but is able to have food without a feeding tube.
Prayers of recovery forJohnEwart,KathyDeSalvo’s father, toovercome the effects of strokes in the last year.
Prayers of support for Dory,the wife ofJackFord’s businesspartner, who has undergone a double mastectomy and is now recovering from thatsurgery.
Our guest last Sunday fromPennsylvania,TammyGraeber, who asksfor prayers as she embarks on addiction
recovery for strength, a newjob, success in school, a clear mind and a loving heart to share with others. Also prayers for her mother, who is battling cancer.
GarrettKampsas he deals with a recentdiagnosis of Type I Diabetes and as he struggles withdepression.
Prayers of comfort and supportforIngrid,a friend of our new friendKyleCathey, who lost hernine-year-old daughter under very tragiccircumstances.
JanePhilipp,who continues to struggle withback problems, prayers of rejoicing that she is getting better and continuedprayers for strength and healing.
JoanSullivanasks forspecial prayers for her friendCathySemarwho was operated on recentlyfor breast cancer.
Melissa,JanePhilipp’sniece,has been diagnosed witha rare spinal cancer and is now pregnant. Also,Jane’s grandson who is havingdifficulties.
Our friendUrsulaMcFaul,RobinMcFaul’s wife,facing treatment for possible lymph nodemalignancy.
VickiPedrin’smother,AnnYoung,has improved and is outof the hospital and in a skilled nursing facility for a couple of weeks forphysical therapy.
AlonzoPedrin’ssisterOliviaremains hospitalized. Shestill seems to be having problems with a serious wound&severe bladderinfection.
WayneRash'sMichigancousins, as they deal withfamily conflict and economic difficulties.
A new path in their troubledlives forSean,21, andBrittany,17, the oldest
son and daughter,respectively, of WayneRash’sformer employers.
FritzTramz’swife,Carolann,who isexperiencing partial remission from her terminal cancer. Also prayers ofstrength forFritzas he cares for herat home “24/7”.
DeniseValoff’sdear friendKelly, as she continues to seek new employment after ayear of effort and despite health problems without healthinsurance.
DonnaWallace’sfriendBetty Keller, contendingwith wrenching family circumstances. Also prayers for her
physical health , as she has aCOPS condition involving her pulmonary (heart and lungs)system.
Our Troops,as they perform their duties,wherever they are in the world.
All who feelthe burdens of lifethat theburden might be lifted and God’s grace felt and accepted.
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A PASTORAL PRAYER
MARTIN LUTHER KING, JR.
<http://www.stcharleschurch.org/faith/prayer/mlk.htm#martin#martin>
(1956)
O God, our Heavenly Father, we thank thee for this golden privilege to worship thee, the only true God of the universe.
We come to thee today, grateful that thou has kept us through the long night of the past and ushered us into the challenge of the present and the bright hope of the future. We are mindful, O God, that man cannot save himself, for man is not the measure of things and humanity is not God. Bound by our chains of sins and finiteness, we know we need a Savior.
We thank thee, O God, for the spiritual nature of man. We are in nature, but we live above nature. Help us never to let anybody or any condition pull us so slow as to cause us to hate. Give us strength to love our enemies and to do good to those who despitefully use us and persecute us. We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon thy Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and pray, but to go out and work as though the very answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon thee.
Then finally, help us to realize that man was created to shine like stars and live on through all eternity. Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace, help us to walk together, pray together, sing together, and live together until that day when all God’s children, Black, White, Red, Yellow will rejoice in one common band of humanity in the kingdom of our Lord and of our God. We pray. Amen.
Announcements
Missed a Sunday? Catch up on your sermons by listening at home!
Just click here to listen or download now:
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org/podcast/sermons or http://fairviewcc.mypodcast.com/
FANTASTIC FRIDAY
Fun for the whole family!
KIDS – Join us on August 15th at 6pm here Fairview Community Church for
FUN! FUN! FUN!
CRAFTS! GAMES! PIZZA!
RSVP to the office: office@ocfairviewchurch.org, or call 714 545-4610
Save the date: August 16th 9am, St Mark Presbyterian Church
Being the Good Samaritan: Faith Discernment About Healthcare
How are churches caring for each other? How are we as Christians caring for our community?
Come and Learn from California Council of Church’s Libby Sholes and Rev. Gail Benson about Healthcare in CA
And from St Mark Presbyterian Church and their Parish Health Program.
Interested in Becoming a Member? Wonder what it means to Join the Church?
Being a member of the church is easy!
All you have to do is come to a membership class and learn more about the church.
–if you’re interested please contact Marge Salmassy, Wayne Rash or hit reply to this email.
So… think you can sing? Afraid you can’t?
If you answered yes to either of these questions… Sean wants to meet you!
He’ll take the singers and help them shine, and he’ll take the non-singers and teach them to sing!
Choir Returns with Rehearsal on Thursday Sept 4th at 6:30pm
Contact Sean Burns, our Music Director, to find out how you can be involved!
pian0_player@verizon.net
Divine on the Vine: Word and Wine on Wednesdays!
Wednesday, August 20th at 7:00pm here at church
Join us for Wine, Juice, Cheese and Goodies!
Join us for Bible Study, lively conversation, spiritual and mental growth, and fun!
ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PRESENTS
Beginning Wednesday Evenings this September 3rd at 7pm Fairview Community Church
A curriculum that engages the heart and mind asking the questions, respecting the journey, and encouraging growth! Be a part of this
exciting 12 week dvd and web based group discussion!
Seeking Liberation,
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Halverson
Fairview Community Church
2525 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-4610
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org <http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org/>
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
