Thursday's Thoughts 10/2/08

Hello Friends,
Well, Rally Day was incredible!  Didn’t I tell you it would be?  When was the last time you went to church and built a sandcastle?  Yeah…I thought so… uh…never?    We build sandcastles, painted, played with worms, sang a lot and even played along with the band –it was FUN!   There was dancing in the aisles and lots of laughter!  What a day!   Our children led us on an adventure of discovery as we worshiped with wonder.  We colored our prayers and opened our hearts to open ourselves to God’s realm. For Jesus says we must enter as a child in order to enter into the kingdom of God at all.  I’d say we were living in God’s realm on Sunday….and what a heavenly experience it was!  I hope you had as much fun as I did.   Check out the photos below.
This Sunday we will be worshiping in the mountains.  I hope you’ll be joining us –if not for the whole weekend –at least for our Sunday morning service.  We’ll be celebrating World Communion Day –a day when Christians all over the world partake in the sacrament of communion.  We recognize that whether we use wafers or Hawaiian bread, whether we drink grape juice or wine, whether we are Catholic or Protestant we are all Christians. As the song we sing says, “One Bread, One Body.”  So, whether we’re in the sanctuary at Fair and Fairview or the sanctuary of the mountains we’re all apart of God’s sanctuary, of the one body of Christ, the family of faith and sometimes we need to remember this.  
I hope you’ll consider joining us for part of our retreat experience –even if you can’t actually stay the whole time.  It’s so much fun to simply be together.  We’ll have lots of fun activities –from listening to our own Jeff Johnston as our keynote speaker, to singing songs, and dancing along to Gina’s band, to playing whiffle ball, to staying up late at night talking!   I am looking forward to it –I hope you are too!
REMEMBER SUNDAY MORNING SERVICE WILL TAKE PLACE AT THOUSAND PINES CAMP NOT AT OUR CHURCH.
Hope to see you in the mountains!!!    Note that the directions to Thousand Pines and schedule are attached to this email. 

 
*********
                                        
Rally Day Fun!

 
The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
 

A Prayer for World Communion Sunday

 

 

by Safiyah Fosua

 

 

Jesus prayed that we might be one.
One in spirit
One in mission
In union and communion with each other and with You.
Today, God, we confess fumblings and failures in accomplishing unity, as we set aside yet another day to remind ourselves of the task.
On this World Communion Sunday, give us eyes to recognize your reflection in the eyes of Christians everywhere.
Give us a mind to accept and celebrate our differences.
Give us a heart big enough to love your children everywhere.
We thank you for setting a table with space enough for us all! Amen.

 

********

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 714 545-4610.
 
 
PRAYERMATTERS
We are grateful for the well-being and many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayersand concern  . . .
Frenacee Schuck, her sister Virginia Pena and their extended family are rejoicing that their 90-year-old father Charles Davishas rebounded from his critically ill condition and will be able to make his planned return to southern Californiain the nearfuture.  Frenaceethanks everyone for their prayers and support!
JoanneAnguiano’s daughterAngieEstrada, who recently had knee surgery, andnow may need
 treatment for her kidneys for reasons yet to bedetermined.
ChristinaMoritz’neighbor Elsbetthas a brain tumor and hadanother brain scan done earlier in the year.  We are hoping that the chemoworked and she will be in remission.
 ForJohnEwart,KathyDeSalvo’s father,prayers to overcome the effects of  strokes in the last year.
Our friend and former memberDennisGankema, who mayhave renewed concerns about his prostate
RichardGrindley’s uncle inSimi Valley, whose suddenloss of kidney function has him hospitalized and in need of prayer for recoveryto continue to operate his landscapingbusiness.
JackFord’sson-in-lawBobCampbellhas been diagnosed with terminalcancer.  Please pray forBoband hisfamily for the strength and determination to deal with this condition.
Jane Philipp,who continues to struggle withback problems, prayers of rejoicing that she is getting better and continuedprayers for strength and healing.
JeffHull’suncleBillHull, whofell off a ladder onLabor Day and broke his vertebrae, is now out of the hospital and walking aroundwearing a neck brace. 
JoanSullivanasks forspecial prayers for her friendCathySemar, operated onfor breast cancer. 
Prayers for our new friendShirley Lenbird, wife ofVinceand mother of their sonClydis, who was struckby a car  last month and suffered two small broken bones, from which she istrying to heal..
AlonzoPedrin’ssisterOliviacontinues to strugglewith physical and mental challenges arising from her MS (MultipleSclerosis).
VickiPedrin'smomAnnYoungis home after 1-1/2 months in a hospital& skillednursing facility.  Continued prayers are requested as she re-adjusts tohome.
VickiPedrin'sco-workerHelenerequested prayers for her andhusbandJerry. He was recently diagnosed with lung cancer and given 6 months tolive. 
WayneRash’s sister-in-law Barbara Gentry,who has been rehospitalized due to a series ofmini-strokes
after returning home from legamputation surgery.
Ernie Ransome was hospitalized this week.  Please pray that they might discover the cause of her chest pains and that she will find strength to deal with it.
FritzTramz’swife,Carolann,who isexperiencing partial remission from her terminal cancer.  Also prayers ofstrength forFritzas he cares for herat home “24/7”, including the aftermath of a fall she took the week before last.
DeniseValoff’sdear friendKelly, as she continues to seek new employment after ayear of effort and
despite  health problems without healthinsurance.
The family ofDeniseValoff’s other dearfriendLori, who are grieving hersudden death of a heart attack at the age of 49.  She leaves behind a husband of30 years, six  children, and threegrandchildren.
The people ofthe southeast United Statesandthe people of theCaribbean,as they deal with theimpact of both current and recenthurricanes.
OurTroops,as theyperform their duties, wherever they are in the world.
Allwho feel the burdens of lifethat theburden might be lifted and God’s grace felt andaccepted.
 
*************
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/
 
 
All Church Fall Retreat! Thousand Pines: Oct 3,4, and 5th
Join us for fun in the mountains! 
We sing, we laugh, we retreat to the beauty of God’s Creation!
Our keynote speaker is our very own Jeff Johnston!
Scholarships are available!
Contact Pam Eastman: dpeast@jps.net
Or call the office for more information!
NOTE--- Our Church Service will be at Thousand Pines –we will not hold service at the church

Check out their website for directions and pictures: www.thousandpines.com
 
 Choir is Back!  
*****TONIGHT*****
Join Sean today, Thursday Sept 25th at 6:30pm, to Sing Your Heart Out!
Whether you sing professionally or just sing in the shower, Sean will find a place for you in our church choir!
                               Contact Sean Burns, our Music Director, or simply join him this evening!  We need you and your voice!
Email Sean at: musicdirector@ocfairviewchurch.org
                         
 
 
 
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.
 


ADULT CHRISTIAN EDUCATION PRESENTS
  Wednesday Evenings 7pm
                                                                                 Fairview Community Church
Do you feel like you’ve got questions about faith, but not always sure if it is appropriate to ask those questions aloud?  Well, here at Fairview we’re Living the Questions.   Join in this spiritual journey that will engage your heart but let your mind lead the way!   Our NEW Minister of Christian Education, Susan and her husband Tim, the scholar, will help to facilitate the journey!
 
 
 
One Spirit,
Sarah
 
Reverend Sarah Halverson
Fairview Community Church
2525 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-4610
http://www.ocfairviewchurch.org