February 12, 2013
Greetings to all. Before paying some attention to the week ahead let me take a brief moment to look back and say thank you to all who played a role in making the funeral of Leona Sims a day of beauty, love and hospitality. The vibrancy of our community is directly related to our ability to both mourn and care for the mourning.
Let me also note my appreciation for Michael-Ray Mathews and all who contributed to the time of beauty and inspiration that was our service of worship this past Sunday. In remembering Michael-Ray’s emphasis on the miracle of God’s ongoing call of ordinary, doubting, imperfect people to join in the work of advancing God’s reign my mind is drawn to the African proverb “With many spider webs we can catch a lion.”
Our worship service this coming Sunday was designed, and will be led by The Reverend Carolyn Matthews. Music will figure prominently in the service and in the proclamation of the good news. In the bulletin Carolyn shares these words from theologian James Cone, “Black music is unity music. It unites the joy and sorrow, the love and the hate, the hope and despair of black people; and it moves the people toward the direction of total liberation…Black music is functional…Black music is a living reality…Black music is also social and political…Black music is also theological. That is, it tells us about the divine Spirit that moves the people toward unity and self-determination.” A group of first year ABSW students will be joining us for worship as part of their observation of faith communities in the Bay Area.
I hope many will stay after worship to join in our Annual Intergenerational AAHM Quiz-Bingo Contest. Trust me, it will be both fun and informative. Prizes.
Prayers of the Congregation
- All who are grieving
- Bette Pancoe – Summit SNF
- Carol and Steve Leichter
- Sylvia Lee
- Helen and Marc Harrison for Marc’s dad and for Helen’s boss
- Larry Hutchings for his mom
- Phil and Gloria Meads for their niece
- Theresako Harris for her aunt
- All who are grieving
- All who are looking for work
- The ministry of the PICO California and the PICO National Network
- The ministry of the Association of Welcoming and Affirming Baptists
- Declan and Sheila Brown for their family
- Rae Rita Thompson for her father
- Jackie Washington for her father
- Crena Alexander for her mom
- Peace with justice in the Kachin State
- Peace with justice in Syria
- Mary Osajindu for her sister
- Margaret Alexander for LaShaya and family
Announcements
Ash Wednesday Vigils 7-8 a.m., 12-1 pm. 5-6 p.m.
Soul Food Dinner – After Worship, Sunday, February 24 $5, and bring dish, in advance, $15 at door.