|
What's Happening This Week?
August 21st-27th
Saturday Aug. 22nd: Joe Mori Memorial Service - All are welcome to 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. To read more on Joe's life click HERE
Saturday Aug. 22nd: Glimmer of Hope Luncheon - 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
Sunday Aug. 23rd: Emergency Awareness Sunday
Sunday Aug. 23rd: FrontLine Sunday is back! -
Spread the word!! The calendar originally said Sunday,
September 13 but we miss you and school is starting so it's time for us to be
back to together. 9:30am in the YOUTH ROOM
Wednesday Aug. 26th: FrontLine for JH/MS/HS Meets at 7pm. For details contact Pastor Doug or text 252-3216
|
|
Preparing For Sunday
In John's presentation of who Jesus is, he uses the
"I AM" statements Jesus makes about himself.
In this Sunday's text Jesus says, "I AM the Light of the World." The symbolism of such a claim is obvious as
is the daily experience of the Sunrise lighting the darkness of our
planet. However, the setting Jesus
chooses to make this claim is in the temple court where four great Candelabra
are lit during the Feast of Sukkoth, also called the Feast of Tabernacles. Here is one scholars explanation of the
powerful message Jesus made that day and is making still today:
"For the Feast of Sukkoth, four enormous candelabrum were placed in the
Court of the Women. That is the first court inside the Temple itself, the same
court that contains the altar. These candelabrum were higher than the
surrounding walls. Each evening the large bowls on top of three of them were
filled with oil and then lit. Being the highest point in Jerusalem, it was said
that their light illuminated every courtyard in the city. As the women watched
from the balconies, "men of piety and good works used to dance before the oil
lamps with burning torches in their hands, singing songs and praises... countless
Levites played on harps, lyres, cymbals and trumpets and instruments of music"
(Mishnah Sukkot 5:4)
The meaning of the lights was abundantly clear to all the worshipers. They
were celebrating the Feast of Sukkoth (Booths or Tabernacles) and had built
their little shelters to remind them of the time when God led their forefathers
through the wilderness. What led them? It was the cloud by day and the pillar
of fire by night. (Exodus 13:21) These candelabrum represented that light, but
they also represented another light, the one that filled the Holy of Holies,
the Shekinah Glory. (Exodus 40:34) I haven't found any teaching as to why there
were four lights, but I would guess they represented the burning bush (Exodus
3:2), the pillar of fire, the Shekinah, and the coming Great Light (Ha'or
Gadol). Isaiah predicted this coming Light would not only restore Israel,
but also be a light to the Gentiles, or we would say to the world. (Isaiah
42:6; 49:6)
That fourth candelabrum, or Great Light, was not lit until the last night of
the weeklong feast. It was a symbol of the nation waiting for the full
salvation that God would one day bring. It was probably either when they were
preparing to light that candelabrum or the next morning when it was
extinguished that Jesus' voice rang out, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life." Once again, Jesus interpreted the symbolism to apply to
Him, personally. When you read the passage you don't get the full impact and
shock value of the statement unless you understand what was taking place during
the Feast. This was a jaw dropper and no doubt infuriated the religious leaders
once again.
You could make the claim that Jesus was just saying He was a great rabbi. It
was said of other rabbi that they were a light to the world. (Yohanan ben
Zakkai) But when you connect it with the lighting of the fourth candelabrum,
then it takes on a much greater significance. We know it is the last day of the
feast from John 7:37, and that is why it is connected with Isaiah's prediction
of a Light to the world. The Isaiah prophecies that spoke of the Light foretold
the restoration of Jacob, of God taking Israel by the hand, and making this One
a covenant for the people. He went on to predict this Light would bring
salvation to the ends of the earth. (Isaiah 49:6)
There Jesus was, standing in their midst, declaring that He was the One this
last candelabrum anticipated. "I am the light of the world. Whoever
follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life." Light
for the world, the Light that would bring salvation to the ends of the earth,
was standing among them. And just as the claim that followed Jesus' invitation
to the spiritually thirsty was followed by a promise of living water springing
up in everyone that came to Him (John 7:38), so this declaration is followed by
a promise. Our path will be illumined, and we will have the light of life.
(Psalm 36:9)...
Two weeks ago we stood in the Court of the Women as the water ceremony
concluded and heard Jesus declare, "If anyone is thirsty, let Him come to me
and drink. As the Scriptures have said, 'Streams of living water will flow from
within Him." Now later that evening, let us stand there again. The
crowds are standing in silent expectation as the priest is climbing the ladder
to the top of the fourth candelabrum, the Great Light, torch in hand. Their
thoughts go to the Scripture about the light and the full salvation that is to
come. What does it mean? How would it appear?
Then a voice, sharp and loud declares, "I am the light of the world.
Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of
life." What an announcement! He is God's way of bringing
salvation to the ends of the earth. He is the long awaited Great Light. What a
claim! What a promise!"
This Sunday as we gather under the Light, may we each one experience our
path illuminated by the One who is the Light of Life!
Denny
|
|
Red Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Training
We will be offering Red
Cross First Aid/CPR/AED Training for Disaster Team Members Only. This is
a one day, six hour certified class. We would like to make it available on
Saturday, August 26 and/or Sunday, August 27. We need a minimum of 10
per class to run both days.
Saturday, August 26, 9:00 am to 3:00 pm (This time
conflicts with a Ladies Luncheon at FMC)
or
Sunday, August 27,1:00 pm to 7:30 pm
Please contact Bonnie Bosma if you are interested asap. (805.564.2367)
|
|
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!
|
|
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
|
|
Church Finances
In this time of financial struggle, Thank you for remembering
your church family!
Offerings Needed YTD:$399,858.06
Offerings Receive YTD $395,540.32 (98.92%)
Income Needed YTD: $4,317.74
|
|
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
|
|
|
Important Dates
Sat. Aug. 22nd: Glimmer of Hope Lunch
Sun. Aug. 23rd: Youth Sunday School Starts Up!
Mon. Aug. 24th: NO Property Finance Board Meeting
Thurs. Sept. 3rd: LBOA Meeting
Wed. Sept. 9th: Women's Ministries Team Meeting
Sat. Sept, 5th: Peer Counseling Begins
Thurs. Sept. 10th: DEPTH
Sun. Sept. 13th: Children & Adult Sunday School Starts Up!
Thurs. Sept. 17th: Senior Lunch at SHIFCO
Fri-Sun. Sept. 18-20th: Men@Nacimiento 2009
Mon. Sept. 21st: CDCC Board Meeting
Sat. Sept. 26th: Women's Wellness Luncheon at Noon
|
|
Announcements!
FrontLine Sunday is back! -
Spread the word!! The calendar originally said Sunday,
September 13 but we miss you and school is starting so it's time for us to be
back to together. 9:30am in the YOUTH ROOM
DEPTH is back! September 10th at 7pm. This is an excellent time
to learn about the issues important to Christians in our culture. Join us to
hear Pastor Kari Morris-Guzman, a pastor from our Redlands Free Methodist
Church, and her husband Aaron share from their life experience. The topic is
"Joy and Contentment." Pastor Kari will discuss joy, thanksgiving,
and contentment in the midst of the challenging circumstances of life, drawing
on her experience following a serious car accident. For more information or to request childcare, please contact Pastor Danielle Garcia 965-1338x222 or dgarcia@fmcsb.org. We are Launching a College-age small group! Spread the word Friday September 4th at 7pm the college-age group will be meeting for a game night in the upper room.
For information contact Pastor Danielle Garcia: 965-1338x222 or dgarcia@fmcsb.org. Bible Study Leaders MeetingSunday September 13th at 12:30, right after the 3rd worship service. Lunch will be served!
Attention
Women: Save This Date, March 19-21 2010! 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!
|
|
Opportunities To Serve
YOUTH MINISTRY OPENINGS
We have opportunities for more people to join the leadership
team of this exciting and rewarding ministry. If you are interested
contact Pastor Doug to get an application and set up an interview. Contact
info: 965-1338 x224, dranck@fmcsb.org or
text @ 252-3216
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
|
|
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.
|
|
