Week of April 15th, 2012 

Hello Friends,  

I have returned after a week of visiting with my grandmother and family in Canada. The trip was filled with blessings, but it is really good to be back with you. This week we continue our series on "Church With No Walls." Last week Pastor Craig shared with you the scope of the mission, and our need as a church to wait and hear from God about where we are being called to next. This week we are going to look at a very interesting story that has all the makings of a blockbuster hit. This week's narrative from Acts includes a magician and the most unlikely of pairings. The question we will look at is what happens when God calls us beyond the church walls into places where the gospel message seems so foreign? How do we contextualize faithfully without risking creating a watered down message? I look forward to seeing you Sunday.

~ Blessings, Pastor Sarah  

Church by the Numbers  

March, 2012

March Attendance                                                            

Average Adult Worship Attendance - 118

Average Children/Sunday School - 22  

Finances                                                                   

Pledged July '11 to March '12 -            $131,607

Received July '11 to March '12 -           $129,413

Difference -                                          -$2,194  

Total Income July '11 to March '12 -      $194,914

Total Expenses July '11 to March '12 -  $218,979

Difference -                                         -$24,065

For more information, please contact John Lockwood, Chair of Finance, at lockwood.13@sbcglobal.net or Pastor Craig Brown at revcraig@sothumc.org.

A day of fellowship and Bible study 

This Saturday, April 21^st from 11 am to 1:30 pm at the Mission Viejo campus in Shepherd Hall.  

The topic is "We all seek contentment. Why do we long for it, and why is it elusive?" Join us in this group-lead, short Bible study. We'll also have fellowship time as we share some tea and treats. There will be a free will donation taken. Childcare is available upon request. Contact Lynne Saremi for additional information.

Our Missions & Outreach Team is sponsoring a Job Skills Workshop at the Neighborhood United Methodist Church in Long Beach on Saturday, May 5th from 10 am to 1 pm.  The purpose of the workshop is to help underprivileged youth and young adults in the Neighborhood community increase their confidence and experience in resume writing, online job search techniques, and interviewing skills.

We need volunteers to provide one-on-one assistance during the workshop.  If you are interested in joining us at the Neighborhood UMC for this event, please contact Angela Branch.

Turkey, Greece & Rome in September 2012

A Pilgrimage with the Apostles John and Paul

Join Pastor Craig & Pastor Sarah for a journey in the footsteps of the Apostles John and Paul. Beginning in Turkey, our group tour will visit Ephesus, Pergamum, along with the other seven churches to whom the Book of Revelation was addressed. Departing Turkey, we take a three day, two night cruise of the Greek Isles, with stops at Patmos (where John received the Revelation) and Santorini. Landing in Athens, Greece, we are bound for tours in Athens, Corinth, Macedonia, Berea, and other locations visited by Paul. Finally, we travel to Rome for two days of tours including the Roman Forum, Coliseum, St. Peter's Basilica, and some free time to see Rome.

If you would like more information, please contact Pastor Craig or call the Mission Viejo office at 949-837-2941. Also, you may visit the pilgrimage website.