July 5, 2016

I trust that each of you had a happy 4th of July and that the days ahead will hold good things for all. The Hopkins and Phillips families enjoyed participating in the Alameda Parade and 5k run, a true slice of Americana.
In worship this coming Sunday our central Scriptures will be Revelation 1:5 and Colossians 1:15-20.  In both passages Jesus is identified as the “firstborn from the dead.” In Colossians he is also called “the firstborn of all creation.” As the firstborn he both gives us life and guides our lives. He guides us into the new territory of resurrection-life. We might say that embracing resurrection-life allows us to spiritually re-frame our perspectives, to see things in a whole new way.
Writer David Gushee gives us some insight into how we might best respond to the invitation of the firstborn to  resurrection-life. He writes, “The only antidote to the oppressive hand of a cold, loveless Christian orthodoxy is a vivid, prophetic, liberating Jesus. But the traditional church finds cold orthodoxy easier to manage.”

Prayers of the Congregation

• Dave and Sheryl Gattey (Sheryl’s health concerns)
• Gail Carter for Dennis (health concerns)
• The people of Turkey, Bangladesh and Iraq in the wake of terrorist attacks
• All who are looking housing
• All who are looking for work
• Ruben Artery for his family
• Rowena Jackson
• Elizabeth Osajindu
• Dennis Tanner (health concerns)
• Preparations for Vacation Bible Camp and the Church Retreat
• Mary Anderson for Sherri
• Kay Baxter for her family
• Virginia McClow for political leaders around the globe
• Rick McKillop for his daughters
• Maya Hart for Phillip Bond
• Joan Patten for Paula
• Marie Johnson for all fighting addictions and eating disorders  and their loved ones
• All who are undergoing chemotherapy
• Zondra Martin for her family
• Alean Saunders-Coffey for her family and for Luis Pantoja
• The Evans and Leche families
• Ann Fields for her family
• Gloria and Phil Meads for family and friends
• Myra Saxton and Lucille Riggins
• The homeless and those who minister to them
• The incarcerated and those who minister to them
• All who are traveling
• Louann Roberts, colleague of David Robinson, for her father (health concerns)
• Rae Rita Thompson for her father (health concerns)
• The people of Venezuela
• The people of Great Britain, Europe and the world as decisions are made following the Brexit vote
• Thanksgiving for the One Great Hour of Sharing Offering and the good it does
• Our younger adults as they give leadership in our worship this Sunday
• Thanksgiving for the life and witness of holocaust survivor Eli Wiesel (1928-2016)

Announcements

If you know of someone who is well qualified to serve as our Church Business Manager please have them get in touch with me. The major responsibilities are: Facilities Management, Financial Oversight, Church Office Management and Human Resources Management.