Thursday’s Thoughts
Fairview Community Church
Worshiping God and Welcoming All Every Sunday at 10am
Hiya Fairview Family and Friends!
I’ve spent a great deal of time now thinking about Baptism in preparation for last Sunday’s service. First I reflected upon Jesus’ baptism. Then I researched Baptism as an act and its roots in Judaism and the Greco-Roman world. Then I spent time remembering my own baptism, what it meant to me, and what it means to me as a pastor today. And then I meditated upon what it would mean and now means to Jennifer Francisco, the newly baptized. Following the service we had a large group at Talkback. This tells me that we probably don’t spend enough time talking about Baptism. Sort of ironic, I would say, given the fact that we’re Baptists after all! However, it became clear to me as I prepared this sermon that I’d have to spend some time unpacking baptism and after the service, I realized that you too need some time to unpack baptism for yourself as well. Very likely, our understanding of baptism has changed over our lifetime. For some it has taken on deeper meaning. For others, I sadly learned, baptism seemed like coercion. Some feel like it is something that happened a long time ago, barely memorable, and for others the moment seemed imprinted on their hearts. I think it is wonderful that we talk about Baptism –what does it mean to us now, to our faith, to our lives? Do we need to re-theologize it? Do we need to re-interpret it? Do we need to define what we think it is and what we think it isn’t? I did much of this on Sunday morning –but each of us needs to ask what it means to us personally ---because Baptism is always a personal choice.
I continue to feel the glow of the moment in which I immersed Jennifer into our Baptismal waters. It was a beautiful, powerful moment in time –one I will remember my whole ministry through. Each of us who is a part of this community is now a part of her journey. What a wonderful testament it is that we journey together in faith. God bless Jennifer; God bless us all!
Jennifer has had a big role in our children’s ministry over the last year: partly because she and Holly have two adorable daughters, but perhaps equally as important, she is committed to raising all of our FCC children along their spiritually journey. We as a church have committed to 5th Sunday Kids Days! These are days in which we intentionally recognize the children of our church, offer a worship service that creatively addresses them and their spiritual needs. Each time we do a service like this it is a little different –so if you’ve seen one Kids Sunday you haven’t seen them all. But one thing each has in common, is the priority to put our children first. After all, it takes a village to raise a child, and we each have a responsibility for our children’s spiritual education. So let’s have some fun and celebrate Kids Sunday!
Remember parents – There’s a Family Fun outing right after church –Frogg’s Bounce House! Wear socks! It’s gonna be fun!
Help Haiti relief efforts by donating through our denominations. You can give online by clicking here through the UCC website or here through our ABC website.
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The Wide, Wide World of Theology!
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A Prayer with the People of Haiti, Week 2
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by Taylor Burton-Edwards
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Again the ground shakes, Earth heaves, buildings rumble and more fall. How long, O Lord?
The dead unnamed, uncounted,
some yet living; still not rescued, and now more traps are sprung. How long, O Lord? How long?
Help scrambles in,
soldiers, doctors, food, water, dogs, money, supplies of every kind from every nation, and more will surely come. Your mercy is on all your creatures, O God.
Let this be but beginning,
not of rescue only, but deliverance, not simply to restore, nor to rebuild, but build anew. Lord, have mercy.
These are our sisters, brothers,
not projects for a time, but family for our lifetimes. When others leave, call us to stay. Christ, have mercy.
And keep our hearts stirred,
not satisfied until these and all our family, in every place, can live with joy and dwell in peace. Lord, have mercy.
With all who live and die in Port-au-Prince,
in the name of Jesus, Prince de la Paix, we continually pray. Amen, and amen.
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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 office714 545-4610.
PRAYER MATTERS
We are grateful for the well-being and many blessings among our church family. Yet keep in your prayers and heart . . .
Kyle Cathey, still experiencing excruciating health difficulties. Prayers for his improvement.
Prayers that Jennifer Larsen’s uncle Lou Cusimano will get well enough so they can bring him to California.
Flo Martin’s brother-in-law, Kevin, who’s clinging to life and for her sister, Nikki, who’s clinging to hope.
Jeanie Molinaro, wife of Wayne Rash’s former employer Paul Molinaro, who has been operated on for ovarian cancer and now faces chemotherapy.
Continue to hold Gina Notrica in your prayers as she works in Japan and suffers from homesickness.
Alex Oldenburg’s friend Rob Corratti who has been paralyzed from an auto accident for 13 years. Rob will soon take an adventure to Germany to undergo stem cell treatment. His friends and family look forward to seeing him walk by the end of the year.
Ernie Ransom’s nephew, Richard (Dickie) Fox, is fighting cancer. Prayers for him and their family.
Carol Thicksten’s nephew who is still recovering from his tragic car accident. Continued prayers for all involved.
Thomas, a family member of a work colleague of Wayne Rash, who is in the grip of alcohol dependency and resisting recovery.
The people of Haiti, all who have died, who are missing, and all who suffer following the destructive earthquake.
Those seeking new employment, in this time of severe job losses and economic hardship.
Those suffering and recovering from deadly addictions and crippling obsession and those who help them.
Our Troops, as they perform their duties, wherever they are in the world.
Announcements
Missed a Sunday? Catch up on your sermons by listening at home!
Just click here to listen or download now:
Have you missed out on sermons? Listen to the Baptism sermon:“Taking the Plunge”
Why not listen now? Simply click here!
THIS SUNDAY!
Family Outing! After church on January 31st Families are invited to go to the FROG BOUNCE HOUSE!
Lots of fun! If you’ve got kids or are just a big kid – let’s all get together and bounce!
Divine on the Vine
Wednesdays at 7pm here at Fairview Community Church
Adult Study Group – Come join in on the fun!
Men’s Breakfast
Saturday, February 6th
8am at the Chicken Coop
Sunday, Feburary 21, 2010
Congregational Meeting immediately following the Service
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 Rashor hit reply.
Immersed,
Sarah
Reverend Sarah Halverson
Fairview Community Church
2525 Fairview Road
Costa Mesa, CA 92626
(714) 545-4610
No matter who you are or where you are on life's journey, you are welcome here!
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