January 26, 2016

Dear LABC,
Printed below (in italics) is an email Pastor Tanner sent to Charlene Wolf (who prepares our Sunday Bulletins). I share it with you as an example of the advance planning that goes into worship every week and to invite everyone to this Sunday’s “Family Friendly Service.” One of the things I will share with the kids, as we honor the necessity of both light and dark, is that Jesus did some of his most important work in the night. Witness Mark’s introduction to Jesus’ last supper with his disciples in Mark 14:17, “When it was evening he came with the twelve.”

Charlene,
Here’s what I have for the Jan 31st bulletin so far. I’ll provide the finishing touches by Tuesday. Let me know if you have any questions.
Ally
we prepare for worship
I have learned things in the dark that I could never have learned in the light, things that have saved my life over and over again, so that there is really only one logical conclusion. I need darkness as much as I need light.  — Barbara Brown Taylor
we sing songs of joy to God
I Sing the Mighty Power of God (lyrics in July 26 and Aug 30, 2015 bulletins)
This is the Day – Chalice Hymnal # 286
we welcome god’s presence and we welcome each other – The Scott Family – Bill, Jill, Elijah and Alexandria
welcome and Lord’s Prayer
welcome one another
(passing of the peace text)
we think about God                                                               Pastors Jim and Allison
Genesis 1:1-5
The goodness of Day and Night
we sing what we believe
Joyful is the Dark – Chalice # 333
we share our gifts –
Angels Watching Over Me – arranged by Gerry Grosz
we pray together –       (teen)
we keep on singing
He’s Got The Whole World In His Hands (cong. will sing from hymnal, but we will tweak the verses)
we bless each other –
benediction

Following worship on Sunday Moderator Leon Taylor and Treasurer Casey Mitchell will lead the Annual Meeting of our Congregation. The 2015 Annual Report skillfully prepared by Mary Alice Cirimele, our Church Administrator, will be presented.
On Friday evening I hope you will be able to drop by the Sanctuary between 5:30 and 7:30 for even a few minutes to slow down, breathe deep and benefit from “A Place To Reflect,” a ministry of sacred space offered by the Younger Adults of LABC.
LABC Reads will discuss “Bridge” with its author, Robert Thomas, on Saturday morning at 9:00.

Prayers of the Congregation

• James Chuck and family as they mourn the death of their wife, mother and grandmother, Marie (Memorial service 10:00 Friday, February 5, at Oakland First Baptist Church)
• Rick Mixon and family as they mourn the death of his mother, Loyce
• Carolyn Matthews in the process of moving
• Rick McKillop as he helps his daughter move to Los Angeles
• Thanksgiving with Chris and Allison Angotti on the birth of their son Jonah (January 14)
• Thanksgiving for he community effort to prevent a coal terminal from being built at the Port of Oakland
• Thanksgiving for all who participate in the leadership and governance of Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church
• A prayer for the success of the Aspire and Achieve Dinner with 100 Black Men at Geoffery’s Inner Circle on Wednesday evening
• Jerry and Charlene Wolf for the neighbor as recuperates from a fall
• The people of Haiti in the face of widespread political unrest
• All who were impacted by, and attempting to dig out from, the blizzard on the East Coast
• All who are fleeing famine, war, and depravation