Thursday's Thoughts 05/06/10

May 7th, 2010 | posted by Rev. Sarah

Thursday’s Thoughts

Fairview Community Church

Worshiping God and Welcoming All Every Sunday at 10am

So many wonderful thoughts on my mind I'm certain I cannot write them all here in Thursday's Thoughts or you would just stop reading altogether! My mind is filled with reflections upon the last week! I've just said goodbye to my dear friend Sharon (my mate!) as she continues the next leg of her journey only a week away from having her degree conferred and another title officially added to her name! It was wonderful having her shadow me all week. She joined me through a hospital visit, to the incredible BINGO game played last Saturday, to church where she preached a lovely thought-provoking sermon following the incredibly adorable and theologically sound Spring Pageant. We toured the Interfaith Chapel at Chapman University as well as the Roger's Holocaust Memorial Library. She met nearly all of my clergy friends in Orange County: two Presbyterians, three Methodists, two Disciples, a Unitarian, two Episcopalians (and then she hitched a ride with one of them to the opening worship of the Episcoplian clergy conference one night while I was in a meeting) and a non-denominational type as well! She joined me at Bible Study, my lectionary study group in preparation for this week's sermon, and even made it to this morning's National Prayer Breakfast where we heard an incredible speaker David Levinson -the founder of Big Sunday. When we finally parted she said to me, "My Sarah, mi-dear, you certainly have a full life!" And she is right! I am so grateful for my life at Fairview Community Church and the incredible ministry that I am blessed to be a part of here!

Truly, last week was a fabulous week to show off our church! Saturday night was SO much fun for all involved! Ultimately everyone was a winner! We had such a great time together! We're still tallying the results of funds raised but we can already affirm that there was lots of FUN raised by all! And though there were some challenges getting to church on Sunday morning, those of us who made it were just in awe as our hearts melted and our theology put into the mouths of children watching the adorable Spring Pageant. Our playwright and director, Myrna Pappas, should definitely consider publishing her plays! She and all of her helpers did an amazing job. I was so proud to share our church with my friend. She'll return to Australia with stories of the little church with a big heart in California!

Well, if my thoughts weren't on my mother today I'd be in trouble! Today is my mom's birthday, and of course all of us have Sunday to look forward to Mother's Day! Whether you've got a mother like mine who is alive and kicking, you're remembering your mother who is no longer living among us, or even if you never really had a mother, all of us have women in our lives who in some way or another have mothered us. Some of us are mothers, while some of us are longing to become mothers. Some of us can never be a mother and ache from that reality. While some of us have chosen to mother the people we love. Whether we're women or men we can appreciate the loving qualities of mothers --the feminine spirit that keeps us comforted, embraced, and loved. While some ministers tell me they don't celebrate Mother's Day because it is a hyped up Hallmark Holiday, I have come to believe that every time we look through the lens of faith, we experience a new angle of God's creation. As we celebrate Mother's Day, let us thank God for Mothers --the biological kind, the adoptive type, and the spiritual mothering God that cares for us our whole lives through.

Looking forward to seeing you all this Sunday as we celebrate that incredible feminine Spirit that is our mothering God alive and well in the lives of women all the world over!

*********

The Wide, Wide World of Theology!

A Mother’s Day Visual Prayer

http://www.andiesisle.com/amothersdayprayer.html

Please click on the link above to see an endearing visual prayer you can share

with your mother, your friends who are mothers, and your friends who have mothers!

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 . . .

Sandy Blakesley`s grandson Sean’s baseball teammate, Garret Ross, who is 7 and is in need of a second heart transplant. They live in Colorado. Please send your prayers.

Prayers of healing for Libby Cowan and Rebecca Chadwick’s friend Jennie, who is undergoing treatment for cancer.

Suzanne Gumpertz had surgery for breast cancer last week and will be undergoing further treatment.

Diane Halverson, Sarah’s aunt, has been released from ICU and St Joseph's hospital and returned to a rehabilitation center with prayers of recovering.

Peace and faith for Johnny Hartley, a friend of Mercy Becerra, as he continues in his court trial.

Flo Martin’s brother-in-law, Kevin, continues chemotherapy, however his cancer has spread to his remaining lung and lymph nodes. Pray for him and his wife Nikki as well as for their entire family.

Jeanie Molinaro, wife of Wayne Rash’s former employer Paul Molinaro, who is going through chemotherapy for ovarian cancer.

Continue to hold Gina Notrica in your prayers. She has returned home and is discerning her next steps. She is also looking for a room to rent.

Carol Thicksten’s nephew who is still recovering from his tragic car accident. Continued prayers for him, his girl friend, and his mother who is suffering from shingles.

Thomas, a family member of a work colleague of Wayne Rash, who is in the grip of alcohol dependency and resisting recovery.

Jim Wolf, Alonzo Pedrin’s business partner, was found to have cancerous lymph nodes and must have additional nodes removed to prevent spread of melanoma.

Everyone affected by the Icelandic volcano that erupted on April 14.

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 the 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:

http://ocfairview.podbean.com/

Have you missed out on sermons? Listen to this past Sunday’s Sermon by the Rev. Cannon Dr. Sharon Hayston

“ Lessons from the Plastic Bag ”

Why not listen now? Simply click here!

Breaking Bread and Raising Dough