February 29, 2012
Jim McAllister, my mentor and friend, will be with us the next five Sunday’s leading a consideration of “Wishful Thinking: A Seeker’s ABC” by Frederick Buechner. The book is a compilation of Buechner’s (A Presbyterian pastor and award winning author) playful yet thoughtful definitions of important theological themes and words. Jim is asking that everyone get a copy of the book and be willing to do homework in preparation for each class. I am certain that you will benefit from your participation in this series.
On the Sunday’s that Jim is here I will be preaching a sermon series based on “Wishful Thinking.” The schedule for my sermons is:
March 4 “Bread”
Luke 4: 1-4
“Man does not live by bread alone, but he also does not live long without it.”
March 11 “Guilt”
Matthew 9: 2-7
“The danger of our guilt, both personal and collective, is less that we won’t take it to heart than that we’ll take it to heart overmuch and let it fester there in ways we ourselves often fail to recognize.”
March 18 “Incarnation”
Exodus 3: 1-6
“One of the blunders religious people are particularly fond of making is the attempt to be more spiritual than God.”
March 25 “Parable”
Matthew 25:14-30
“A parable is a small story with a large point.”
April 1 “Spirit” (Palm Sunday)
Mark 11:1-11
“Spirit is highly contagious.”
Each of the quotes is from “Wishful Thinking.”
Prayers of the Congregation
- Edna Dorenzo – Kaiser Hospital, Oakland
- Cecil White as he mourns the death of an aunt
- Fannye Leary- Recuperating at her son’s home from foot surgery
- Thanksgiving with Robert Wilkins on the birth of his granddaughter Liliana
- Al Johnson and Roy Browner in their search for a new home
- Mary Karne – Recuperating at home from surgery
- Tyrone Mack for Mrs. Davis
- Ray Mathis – Searching for work
- Gloria and Phil Meads for Jon, Jordan, Brenda and all those searching for work
- The people of Syria
- Thanksgiving for a magnificent African American History Month and Soul Food Dinner
- Susan Joachim
- Shirley Jones
- Steve and Carol Leichter
- All who mourn
- The peace of our city
- Thanksgiving for the Seafarers Ministry of the Golden Gate
- Rae Rita Thompson for her father
- Theresako Harris for her aunt
- Thanksgiving the Doug Marques is recuperating well and able to be in church
- Richard Ice – San Leandro Hospital
- Joshua Ross as he continues to recuperate from a concussion
- Those devastated by the school shootings in Ohio
- The people of North Korea
- All who are looking for work
Announcements
America For Christ Offering – The Second Offering this Sunday is the America for Christ Offering. Our gifts to this offering support the work of American Baptist Regions and American Baptist Home Missions. One third of the offering supports the LABC Scholarship Fund.