T O U C H S T O N E  -  A  M i d W e e k  B u l l e t i n

 
      
     
 
10:00 a.m. FCC Worship in the chapel

Our Core Values are: 
Spiritual Growth. Welcome. Justice-seeking



  
 

        
                   July 24, 2016   
                                             
                       

  
Shane and Sonnet Deliver Donated Shoes. See article below.
Reflections on Sunday Worship . . .
 
Luke 12:13-21
"The Burden of Abundance"

Every one of us has abundance in some area of our lives. For some it is an abundance of things. For others it is an abundance of a quality - like hope or optimism or determination. Still for others it is an abundance of people in our lives or time. We all have abundance. Jesus addresses this abundance when asked by one to urge a sibling to divide the inheritance with him. In response Jesus tells him a story about abundance and hoarding. I'd like to invite each of you to bring something to church on Sunday that you have an abundance of - and be willing to share it with others. It might be fruit from your garden, extra toys that your children no longer use, etc. Look around your home and find something that you have an abundance of!! Be prepared to give it away when you come to church. Maybe it is not a "thing" but rather a quality - love, friendship, the ability to hug someone or give someone a note of encouragement. Bring that and be prepared to give it away! Jesus says if we share our abundance we will be rich toward God. Let's all practice being rich towards God this week!
 
I love poems that speak to my heart. Today I offer you a poem that is a little twist on the 23rd Psalm by Sally Fisher. Enjoy it! See you Sunday!!
 
Marlene
 
"Here In The Psalm"
I am a sheep and I like it
because the grass
I lie down in feels good and the still
waters are restful and right
there if I'm thirsty and though some valleys
are very chilly there is a long rod that prods me so I
direct my hooves the right way though today
I'm trying hard to sit at a table because it's expected
required really and my enemies-it turns out I have enemies-
are watching me eat and spill my drink
but I don't worry because all my enemies do is watch and I know I'm safe if I will just do my best
as I sit on this chair that wobbles a bit
in the grass on the side of a hill.
 
"Here In The Psalm" by Sally Fisher from Good Question.
 
 
Also This Sunday: Our special music this Sunday will feature vocals by Kim Mendez and vocals/guitar by Sage McLeish and will include the song "Beautiful Things" by Gungo. We will begin our worship with a hymn sing so be prepared to request your favorite hymn. Will Brookey and Rebecca Rinck will join Mrs. Phillips in the nursery this week. The nursery will be open till 12:30 so that folks can leave young children in the nursery during the coffee hour and Baby Shower we are hosting for Liana and John Gamber-Thompson. Please bring your gifts for this couple as well as food to share. We will host the shower in the East parlor after coffee hour, starting at 11:30. They are having a baby girl. Click here for a flyer and to see their registry information.
 

 
 
For more information visit aspireucc.org.


Worship Leaders:
Rev. John H. Pomeroy 
Rev. Marlene W. Pomeroy
Rev. Andy Schwiebert 
 
Ushers :
Judi Tyler 
Dana Pell
Mary Camacho
Brian Weltman   

Liturgist
Bettie Teel  

Pianist & Music Coordinator
Connie Washburn
 
Summer Church School Teachers:
 Combined Church School class with Jake Pomeroy and Elizabeth Lanski in the youth room. 
   
Church Nursery (for infants - K):
Will Brookey, Rebecca Rinck and Mrs. Phillips      

Nursery opens at 9 a.m. for early birds and then everyone comes to worship at 10:00 and stays through the Children's Time and then  children return to the nursery. 
 
Nina Kung  
[email protected]

Visit us at:  uccpasadena.org 

Sermon podcast:



Monday - Thursday 
9:00 a.m. - 5:30 p.m.

We close at lunch 
12 - 1:30 p.m.

 
Tel. # 626.795.0696
Fax # 626.795.0698

Like us on Facebook

 
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What is Highlighted in this Touchstone?

- Dive-In Movie, Barbecue and Swimming at Weltmans
- El Capitan All Church Camp - Oct. 14-16
- Resources for responding to violence and racism from your pastors
- Soles4Souls Shoe drive thank you 

Saturday August 6th Swimming and Movie Night at Weltmans!!

Click here for a flyer. Bob Rinck and Marlene Pomeroy are working on a Clam and lobster backyard bake. We need folks to RSVP for the lobster and be prepared to pay up to $10 for a sizable lobster tail. We will purchase and cook it for you!!! Clams are on us!! RSVP to Marlene at [email protected]


El Capitan All Church Camp - Last few weeks to reserve your spot 
Oct. 14-16!

Our Membership Ministry has selected the weekend of October 14-16th for our All Church Camp!! So far we have about 25 people signed up to go and we still have cabins and tents set aside for us.  You must call directly and reserve your spot and pay for one night now. The second night must be paid as you arrive in October. So, check your calendar, grab a friend or two and plan to join us!!! We are just above the heated pool and a short walk to the store and a hike to the beautiful beach. The more the merrier! The phone number is 1-866-352-2729 and ask for the block reserved for the First Congregational Church of Pasadena. There are 8 bunk cabins set aside ($501 per cabin with private bath and shower and kitchenette for the entire weekend or $125.25 per person if you split four ways), 4 tent cabins  with access to a public bathroom nearby ($347 per weekend with either two doubles or one queen bed at $173.50 per person for the weekend), or 3 creekside cabins with queen beds if you want to splurge for $589 for the weekend. We have until August to reserve the cabins and tents we want.

camp adult el capital oct 13



Responding to violence and racism as a community of faith
 
Your pastors and other church leaders have started to have conversations about how we as a faith community can address the violence of the past several weeks in our nation. We began by facilitating a listening session after worship on July 10th, where 15 persons shared their experiences and their concerns. We have listed a few resources below and invite our community to send in links and resources that can help guide us in deciding what actions we can take to witness to our concern, our commitment to justice and practice of compassion as a community. On Sunday July 31st we are offering another gathering after worship where we look and see how our gifts and values match up with opportunities to act for justice and compassion in our community.

- Revs. Andy Schwiebert, Marlene Pomeroy and Jake Pomeroy.
 
 
 
Adult book list:
The New Jim Crow - Michelle Alexander
Between the World and Me 
- Ta-Nehisi Coates
White Like Me - Tim Wise
 
 
 
Action Opportunity in Pasadena: Opportunities to Support Police .... 
 
Faith-based organization to eradicate mass criminalization of people of color:  
http://www.livefreeusa.org/

 
 
Faith-based resource on justice: 
http://day1.org/7399-on_scripture_how_long_oh_lord_praying_without_ceasing_for_justice_luke_11113_by_onleilove_alston



Soles4Souls 

We collected 110 pairs of shoes for Soles4Souls this year! Woo-hoo!!!!


Some of these shoes were really nice! But where do they go? Some shoes will be given to people who need shoes to wear, some will be used to set up 2nd hand shoe stores and create sustainable jobs for people in underdeveloped countries, and the really beat up shoes will be repurposed to be used in rice paddies.

Thank you all for your support of Soles4Souls!

Sonnet  Apple