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Preparing For Sunday
This
week we will be exploring the importance of forgiveness. To help prepare for this biblical study, here
are some words from the MAYO CLINIC on this subject.
What
are the benefits of forgiving someone?
Researchers have
recently become interested in studying the effects of being unforgiving and
being forgiving. Evidence is mounting that holding on to grudges and bitterness
results in long-term health problems. Forgiveness, on the other hand, offers
numerous benefits, including:
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Lower blood pressure
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Stress reduction
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Less hostility
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Better anger management skills
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Lower heart rate
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Lower risk of alcohol or substance abuse
§
Fewer depression symptoms
§
Fewer anxiety symptoms
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Reduction in chronic pain
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More friendships
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Healthier relationships
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Greater religious or spiritual well-being
§
Improved psychological well-being
Why
do we hold grudges and become resentful and unforgiving?
The people most likely
to hurt us are those closest to us - our partners, friends, siblings and
parents. When we're hurt by someone we love and trust - whether it's a lie,
betrayal, rejection, abuse or insult - it can be extremely difficult to
overcome. And even minor offenses can turn into huge conflicts.
When you experience
hurt or harm from someone's actions or words, whether this is intended or not,
you may begin experiencing negative feelings such as anger, confusion or
sadness, especially when it's someone close to you. These feelings may start
out small. But if you don't deal with them quickly, they can grow bigger and
more powerful. They may even begin to crowd out positive feelings. Grudges
filled with resentment, vengeance and hostility take root when you dwell on
hurtful events or situations, replaying them in your mind many times.
Soon, you may find
yourself swallowed up by your own bitterness or sense of injustice. You may
feel trapped and may not see a way out. It's very hard to let go of grudges at
this point and instead you may remain resentful and unforgiving.
How
do I know it's time to try to embrace forgiveness?
When we hold on to
pain, old grudges, bitterness and even hatred, many areas of our lives can
suffer. When we're unforgiving, it's we who pay the price over and over. We may
bring our anger and bitterness into every relationship and new experience. Our
lives may be so wrapped up in the wrong that we can't enjoy the present. Other
signs that it may be time to consider forgiveness include:
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Dwelling on the events surrounding the offense
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Hearing from others that you have a chip on your shoulder or
that you're wallowing in self-pity
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Being avoided by family and friends because they don't enjoy
being around you
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Having angry outbursts at the smallest perceived slights
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Often feeling misunderstood
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Drinking excessively, smoking or using drugs to try to cope with
your pain
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Having symptoms of depression or anxiety
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Being consumed by a desire for revenge or punishment
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Automatically thinking the worst about people or situations
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Regretting the loss of a valued relationship
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Feeling like your life lacks meaning or purpose
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Feeling at odds with your religious or spiritual beliefs
The bottom line is
that you may often feel miserable in your current life.
http://mayoclinic.com/health/forgiveness/MH00131
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Verdugo Day
Verdugo Community Church is an inner-city congregation in our Southern California region. It is an historic church with a small
congregation that has been unable to keep up their facilities. On August 15th our church along with 20 other
churches in our region are gathering together to help
upgrade their facilities. We will be painting, removing a block wall and
cement, replacing electrical, removing an old piano, and the like.
We need volunteers to make this happen!! We will leave the
church parking lot at 7:30 am on Saturday August 15Th and carpool down to Verdugo Community Church. We will be doing some painting and some electrical work as
well as just good old clean up work. Lunch will be provided and we should be
back in Santa Barbara by 5:00. It will be a day of working together as well as
fellowship and blessing a church that needs some help.
For more information, please contact the church office at 965-1338 x221.
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Peer Counseling Training Classes
Our fall series of Peer Counseling Training Classes will meet from 9:00-11:00am on Saturday mornings beginning September 5th in the Counseling Center. These classes are required training for all staff and volunteers participating in parish health ministry, small group and Bible study leaders, and are recommended for those who teach classes of all ages, work with people and serve in leadership positions in the church. This 8-week session will include the topics of: crisis intervention and counseling, communication, conflict resolution, setting appropriate boundaries and avoiding burn-out, substance abuse and codependency, grief counseling, healthy development of children, adolescents and adults, as well as spiritual preparation for ministering to hurting people. Call Cheryl Wayman (568-3838x229) for more information and to schedule a required interview. Spaces are limited!
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Men@Nacimiento 2009
Free Methodist Men's Retreat
September 18-20th
Come To The Water!
If you would like to join in a preparatory prayer time for this retreat, join us in the Counseling Center at 10:35am on Sunday mornings. For more information contact Don Farnsworth at 455-8880 or don.farnsworth@cox.net
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Church Finances
In this time of financial struggle, Thank you for remembering
your church family!
Offerings Needed YTD: $387,845.16
Offerings Receive YTD: $388,847.32 (100.26%)
Income Over Budgeted YTD: $1,002.16
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Church Reformation Trip Deadline is September 1st
With the difficult times we have decided to only do the European
part of the church trip with the sights of Luther, Calvin and Oberammergau's
Passion Play. We have a small group of 14 going at this time and have a
few openings if you would like to join us. The cost has changed to $4747
for the 12 days, which includes all travel, meals, lodging, the play ($800 is
for the play). Here is our trip:
WED, JUN 23
LOS ANGELES � GENEVA
Begin your Passion Play journey by departing for
Geneva. Meals and overnight on board.
THU, JUN 24 GENEVA
Arrive in Geneva where we will be met by our
experienced Tour Manager who will be accompanying us for the duration of the
trip. Today we tour Geneva, regarded as the "Protestant Rome". See the historic
and religious sites connected with John Calvin and John Knox: St. Peter's
Cathedral, John Knox Chapel, the Reformation Monument with the great statues of
the reformers, the Museum of Art and History with the nearby Calvin College,
United Nations and World Council of Churches buildings as well as the lovely lakeside
promenade.
FRI, JUN 25 GENEVA �
INTERLAKEN � LUCERNE
We travel through Switzerland to Lucerne. Our
first stop is Interlaken in the heart of the Swiss Alps, situated between the
lakes of Thun and Brienz, and at the foot of the Eiger, the Mönch and the
Jungfrau. Here we have time to relax and enjoy the superb views. We travel
through the Brunig Pass to lakeside Lucerne in central Switzerland for our
overnight stay.
SAT, JUN 26 LUCERNE �
WIES � OBERAMMERGAU
Today we tour this medieval city highlighting
the poignant Lion Monument, built in memory of Louis XVI's Swiss Guard, and the
covered wooden Chapel Bridge which spans the River Reuss and is decorated
inside with wooden panels which chronicle the history of Lucerne. Later we
travel to Germany and on to Oberammergau. On our way we will tour Ludwig's
Linderhof Castle and the Baroque Church in Wies. Continue to Oberammergau, site
of the Passion Play. Dinner and overnight.
SUN, JUN 27 OBERAMMERGAU
Today we see the Passion Play in Oberammergau, a
village in the Bavarian Alps famous for its woodcarving industry. In the year
1633, the town was stricken by the plague. In desperation the people of the
village took an oath that they would stage a performance of the Passion of
Jesus every 10 years if the plague would vanish and save their town. The town
was saved and the first performance took place in 1634. From 1690 on, the play
has been performed every 10 years.The play takes almost eight hours to perform
and the 124 speaking parts are performed by inhabitants of the village. The
audience is seated in a roofed auditorium while the stage is open-air. Lunch
and dinner are included.
MON, JUN 28 COBURG � AUGSBURG
� NURNBERG � ROTHENBURG
This morning we drive to Coburg. Luther stayed
for six months in Coburg Fortress in order to follow the negotiations at the
Imperial Diet in Augsburg, where Luther defended his 95 Theses in a debate with
Cardinal Cajetan in 1518. Visit the Church of St. Anne, the starting point of
the Reformation in Augsburg and "Fronhof", as well as the Luther room and the
Luther Chapel. Then we will travel on to Nurnberg, which was the first town in
the Empire into which the Reformation was introduced in 1525. Continue to
Rothenburg for a walking tour. Rothenburg is an extremely well preserved
medieval city, complete with cobblestone streets, protective moat wall and
charming old buildings and homes. Dinner at the hotel.
TUE, JUN 29 ROMANTIC ROAD TO
WURZBURG � LEIPZIG
Depart this morning on the "Romantic Road" for
Leipzig. Visit Wurzburg enroute. Enjoy the lively
atmosphere of Wurzburg, which is beautifully embedded in the valley of the Main
River, surrounded by wine grape-covered hills.
WED, JUN 30 LEIPZIG �
WITTENBURG � TORGAU � LEIPZIG
Drive to Wittenberg, where Luther lectured at
the University and lived for 36 years until his death. It was here, on the door
of the Castle Church, that Luther nailed his thesis. In the Castle Church are
the tombs of Luther and Melanchthon. We will tour the Luther House, the world's
largest Reformation Museum, and the Melanchthon House. We then take a short
drive to Torgau, a political center of the Reformation, to see the first Palace
Church (the first Protestant Church), consecrated by Luther in 1544. The town became
famous as a result of the "Torgau Confederation" and the "Torgau Articles."
Luther's wife, Katharina von Bora, died here. We will visit the Municipal
Church of St. Mary with its altar table by Lucas Cranach and grave stone of
Katharina von Bora. Continue to Leipzig. Afternoon sightseeing will include St.
Thomas Church, St. Nicholas Church and the Old Town Hall. Dinner at the hotel.
THU, JUL 1 LEIPZIG �
SCHMALKALDEN � EISENACH
Depart Leipzig for Eisleben and Erfurt. Our
sightseeing in Eisleben includes the homes where Luther was born and died, the
Church of St. Peter and St. Paul, and St. Andrew's Church. Our tour
in Erfurt includes the Augustinian Church and Monastery where Luther lived as a
Monk, along with the Luther Memorial, the Franciscan Church where Luther
preached in 1529, St. Mary's Cathedral where Luther was ordained as a priest
and St. Stephen's Church. Then on to Schmalkalden, a stronghold of
Protestantism, to see the Luther house. Next stop is in Moehra to visit the
Luther parental home and Memorial. It was in Moehra in 1521 when Luther's
pretended capture took place and he was brought to Wartburg. Continue to
Eisenach to visit the Wartburg Castle, where Luther translated the New
Testament into German. The walking tour of Eisenach includes the Luther House,
St. George's Church and the Luther Memorial as well as the Bach Family House
and Museum. Dinner and overnight in Eisenach.
FRI, JUL 2
RHINE CRUISE � WORMS �
HEIDELBERG
This morning we travel to St. Goars Hausen where
we board our Rhine cruise. Our three hour cruise takes us through the most
scenic part of the Rhine River to Ruedesheim. We disembark in Ruedesheim and
travel to Worms. On our way we visit the small village of Guntersblum and
the vineyards surrounding the village. Visit Worms, where Luther refused to
retract his beliefs and was banned from the Empire by the Diet. See the Church
of Our Lady which has given its name to the famous "Liebfraumilch" wine, the
world's largest Reformation Memorial, the Church of the Holy Trinity and the
Imperial Cathedral.
SAT, JUL 3
HEIDELBERG
Today we visit the Heidelberg Castle. We have
all day to relax and enjoy this quaint town on our own. Dinner and overnight in
Heidelberg.
SUN, JUL 4
HEIDELBERG � FRANKFURT � LOS ANGELES
Transfer to the airport where we board our
hometown flight. Arrive home the same day with wonderful memories of The
Passion Play and our European Adventure.
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FMCSB
Our Mission is to win
people to Christ, establish them in the faith, and equip them for ministry.
Free Methodist Church of Santa Barbara
1435 Cliff Drive
Santa Barbara, California 93109
805-965-1338
www.fmcsb.org
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Important Dates
Sat. Aug. 15th:
Verdugo Day
Mon. Aug. 17th: CDCC Board Meeting
Sat. Aug. 22nd: Glimmer of Hope Lunch
Mon. Aug. 24th: Property Finance Board Meeting
Tues. Sept. 1st: Last day to register for the Church Reformation Trip in 2010
Thurs. Sept. 3rd: LBOA Meeting
Fri-Sun. Sept. 18-20: Men@Nacimiento 2009
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Announcements!
We will celebrate the life of Joe Mori on Saturday, August
22nd at 2:00. The service will be held at Bethany
Congregational Church: 556 N. Hope Avenue. Please remember Kikkie
and their sons Forest and Paul, their daughter-in-law Priscilla, and their granddaughter
Sarah.
Bonnie Bosma is the proud grandmother of Mason Thomas Bosma,
born August 6, 2009. He came into the world already weighing 9lbs 2 oz -
and is 21 inches long!
Jim Mannoia is the proud grandfather of Ella Marie, born August 10th. She came into the world weighing 7lbs 7oz.
Chris Miles is the proud grandmother of Penny Leveau Pressley. She came into the world weighing 8lbs 12oz and is 21 inches long.
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Opportunities Knocking at Your Door!
Children's Ministries has options for you to be part of a
vital and kingdom-building experience as we gear up for a new school year. Contact Nelda (mcshead@mcssb.org or 964-2612) to find out
more.
There are openings and orientation available for:
- sitters for
infants & toddlers Sunday morning or special services (must be adult for
infants & at least 13 for toddlers)
- teachers for
Sunday School
- sitter
supervisors for 3rd service on Sundays
If there are other ways you'd like to be
involved, please let us know.
"There are different kinds of gifts, but the same
Spirit. There are different kinds of service, but the same Lord." 1 Cor.
12: 4-5
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Glimmer of Hope
Glimmer of Hope luncheon for the vision-impaired meets on the 4th Saturday of each month at Emmanuel Lutheran Church. August 22nd is our month to host this lunch. Volunteers are needed.
Please call Joy Robledo: 963-1259 or Lela Schaffner: 963-5991
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Santa Barbara Meals on Wheels Needs Volunteer Drivers
Can you spare 2 hours one day a week to deliver hot, nutritious
meals to the elderly and homebound of Santa Barbara? The hours are from
approximately 10:15 am - 12:15 pm, and Meals on Wheels (MOW) currently has both
weekday and weekend routes available. They are also in need of "on
call" drivers that can fill in if the regular driver is unavailable. You
will use your own car - and MOW will reimburse you for mileage!
The rewards for delivering Meals on Wheels are
so great. They deliver 7 days a week 365 days of the year. They are a
non-profit all volunteer organization except for one hired staff person
and the contracting of food preparation from Valle Verde. If you can
spare a couple of hours one day per week or can volunteer occasionally please
call the MOW office at 683-4565 Monday through Friday and ask for Leanna. You
can also call or email Mark Huston for more information. His contact
information is: markhuston1311@gmail.com
or cell # 895-1262.
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Attention
Women: Save This Date, March 19-21 2010!
SAVE THE DATE: Ladies, plan
on joining us in Cambria March 19-21, 2009 for our Women's Retreat weekend and
start saving just $5 per week now and it will be paid!
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Memory Verse
John 3:16 & 17
16"For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son,that
whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17For God did
not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world
through him."
John 1:1-18
1In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was
God. 2He was with God in the beginning. 3Through him all things were made;
without him nothing was made that has been made. 4In him was life, and that
life was the light of men. 5The light shines in the darkness, but the darkness
has not understood it.
6There came a man who was sent from God; his name was John. 7He came as a
witness to testify concerning that light, so that through him all men might
believe. 8He himself was not the light; he came only as a witness to the light.
9The true light that gives light to every man was coming into the world.
10He was in the world, and though the world was made through him, the world did
not recognize him. 11He came to that which was his own, but his own did not
receive him. 12Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name,
he gave the right to become children of God- 13children born not of natural
descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
14The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory,
the glory of the One and Only,[d] who came from the Father, full of grace and
truth.
15John testifies concerning him. He cries out, saying, "This was he of
whom I said, 'He who comes after me has surpassed me because he was before me.'
" 16From the fullness of his grace we have all received one blessing
after another. 17For the law was given through Moses; grace and truth came
through Jesus Christ. 18No one has ever seen God, but God the One and Only,who
is at the Father's side, has made him known.
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FM FlashPoints
>> International Child Care Ministries (ICCM)
Vivian Hyndman, who has passionately served for 26 years as ICCM-Canada
Director, retired in June. Her capa-ble and joyful ministry has been a
tremendous blessing around the world, says International Director Linda Adams.
Adams and the FMC in Canada welcome Paula Moriarity as the new Canada
director. The Canadian ICCM office operates in 14 countries of the world with
approximately 2,500 children sponsored. Through education, meals and medical
care, children in need are given an opportunity for a better life. For more,
visit www.childcareministries.org and click "Ministry News."
>>Peru
Recently 11 teachers repre-senting five area churches attended a one-day
Sunday school teacher workshop. Three young people attended from Yanamayo and
Huaricolca. Currently people from outside churches are directing the new
children's programs in these locations; however, these teens feel God's calling
to work with children. Missionary Becky Crouse, event organizer says, "It was
a joy to help prepare them for future leadership roles in their own
communities."
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