Orchard Ridge United Church of Christ

Preached by Winton Boyd on November 25, 2007
Psalm 46, Colossians 1:11-20

Today is the last Sunday in the liturgical year, the last Sunday on the Christian calendar.

As a whole the church year rehearses the history of God’s relationship with her people — from the anticipation of the Messiah during Advent, through Jesus’ incarnation, ministry, crucifixion, and resurrection.

The church celebrates Pentecost and calls her members to discipleship.

Finally, the church year ends with Christ the King Sunday, or what we now call the “reign of Christ” Sunday. Regardless of title, this day is an acknowledgment of something that has not happened yet.

We move from past history into future history and name Christ the Lord of all, even as we wait in a world that seldom behaves like Christ’s realm. Next Sunday, we will begin the year again with the First Sunday in Advent.

The end leads into the beginning. Continue Reading »

For information, contact Rev. Tammy Martens.

Youth Mission Trip

We will travel to Bay St. Louis, Mississippi to work with hurricane relief projects. We will stay right on the Gulf of Mexico! Our trip is planned for July 26-August 2, 2008. Definite commitment and deposit ($50.00) deadline is 1/21/08.

Coming in 2008 to the Youth (7^th-12^th grade) Sunday School

We will hear from a few more adults as they share their Vocation Stories. Alan Harris, East High Principal, and Meg Stevens, Caregiver, will be sharing. Tammy Martens will wrap up the unit with some activities.

Paul Hedges will lead a Sunday School unit on Film and Faith starting sometime in February.

A Funny Comment
I remember hearing someone make the comment years ago, “Too bad Jesus was born so close to the holidays.” I still chuckle at that. And yet, there is a pretty strong message in that simple comment. Jesus, who is the light of the world, is the gift we celebrate at Christmas. This is what we hold onto and the gift we unwrap every day of our lives. Jesus, the amazing peace giver brings the gift of peace to all of us. Lord Jesus, help us to seek your peace. Amen.

This breakdown of our 2007 pledges may be helpful in your decisions regarding a 2008 pledge. In the end, we appreciate all pledges and trust that they are made with faith and hope.

First quintile (20%)
Giving Range: $3000 - $9800
Average: $4,620
Total towards 2007 budget: $143,229
Percent of total pledges: 47.9%

Second quintile:
Giving Range: $1800 - $2860
Average: $,2,284
Total towards 2007 budget: $79,940
Percent of total pledges: 26.7%

Third quintile:
Giving Range: $1092 - $1620
Average: $,1,315
Total towards 2007: $40,762
Percent of total pledges: 13.6%

Fourth quintile:
Giving Range: $600 - $1040
Average: $831
Total towards 2007 budget: $24,922
Percent of total pledges: 8.3%

Fifth quintile:
Giving Range: $52 - $520
Average: $313
Total towards 2007 budget: $10,004
Percent of total pledges: 3.3%

On Sunday, October 28 Hanna Josephs (grade 10) offered this poem as a way of describing why she like giving back to the church through music.

I have been through so much in my life, some things good, some things bad.
I have, lost loved ones, that made me feel like I lost everything I had.
But, somehow I’ve managed to hold onto my one true love,
Which, sometimes seems like the only true gift from above.
To me, music is Her spirit, given to us by each and every lyric.
When I, feel her spirit I choose to let ones around me hear it.
I sing her tune, and, watch her spirit come to you.
Music is my past, my present, and my future,
I know this even though I have had my doubts,
Constantly the question was Her ‘where-abouts’.
Her music brought me out from doubt and
Showed me how bad I needed to search for help.
Music.
Such a simple thing, but there is so much to it.
Love, and laughter.
Tears, and the feeling of a happily ever after.
My mind constantly portrays a beat,
And the words in me eventually begin to fill the sheet.
But to sing, to sing is another thing.
Listening to harmony, melody,
Sometimes it seems like so much, but it never seems to bother me.
As long as we have a beat, a slow and steady tap in our feet,
We listen to the music, and sing the best we can to it.
But the point is not just singing well, but we sing for a reason, its what She really can tell.
Most people don’t just sing to sing,
Or play the bell just to hear it ring.
But, to see and feel all the joy it brings.
Just watch each other’s eyes,
You will see her spirit, I would never lie,
Because music is the passion of his, hers, and mine.
The one thing that helps me stay strong,
Is simply expressed in words, or in a song.

5th in a series: Faithful Christians in Life’s Tragic Gaps V
preached onNovember 4, 2007 (All Saint’s Observance), by Winton Boyd

“If I get a little crazy or inappropriate,” she said, “just say to me, Loreen, take a pill.” Don’t try to argue with me, don’t just tell me I am inappropriate, don’t ignore me – I need someone to just say, ‘take a pill.”

Loreen was a dear woman in our former church, First Congregational Church of Fresno, CA. This elderly woman was not only bi-polar, but probably had other mental illnesses. She imagined herself an elegant, sexy and sophisticated woman. Now I like to shop Goodwill with the best of them, but when this dear woman picked clothes at second hand stores – well let’s just say she had a unique sense of style. She loved hats and I never saw her without one. She would come and go in the life of the church depending on whether she was in a manic or a depressive state. Because she was one step away from being homeless, we always worried when we didn’t see her for awhile. Continue Reading »