September 13, 2016
Dear LABC,
I trust that everyone is well aware that this coming Sunday, September 18, is Homecoming Sunday. In our worship we will consider some of the ways that music matters to us. My sermon will be taken from I Samuel 16: 19-23, a text that is both confounding and comforting, in which David plays a lyre to comfort a distraught King Saul. Our worship will also include the presentation of scholarships and honoring Mary Alice as her retirement at the end of the month fast approaches.
At our annual luncheon (please bring a dish to share) we will join in the first of three congregational conversations. In this first conversation we will look at our past, where we came from and what we bring with us as we face the future. The luncheon will be begin at 11:45 and we plan to have you on your way home no later than 2:00. Childcare will be provided. Your participation is essential as we discern together the future that God has for us.
I also hope that you can join us on Saturday morning for the All Church Workday, 9-12 clean-up after a busy summer. Rumor has it that our workdays can be pretty fun.
Prayers of the Congregation
- Cathy Leaks and family as they mourn the death of her father
- Nedra Hathaway as she begins hospice care
- Joan Thatcher (health concerns)
- Sheryl Gattey (health concerns)
- Ruben Artery for his father
- Sydney Webster for Gigi
- Zondra Martin for her family
- Ann Fields for her family
- Barbara Bowman (health concerns)
- Mary Karne for Maryla
- John and Jo Giles for their family
- Luke Oladoja for his family and for himself
- Larry Sims for his family
- Justice for the Standing Rock Sioux nation
- Respect on all sides for the ceasefire in the Syrian Civil War
- Thanksgiving for the witness of LABC at the Oakland Pride Festival
- Thanksgiving with Oakland Community Organizations on its 39th Anniversary
A Prayer For Homecoming
(Adapted from the Book of Worship: United Church of Christ)
O God, Eternal Spirit, You have called us into relationship to fulfill a mission whose meaning we yet dimly see. Grant to Lakeshore Avenue Baptist Church a secure sense of our identity as people of rich human lineage, as children of promise, as nobodies unless you claim us as your own. And make us impatient with any identity that does not propel us into the struggle for justice, liberation and peace. Distribute among us gifts of faith and prayer, of prophecy and discernment, of love and hope that we may never cease doing your will; in Jesus’ name. Amen.
Together We Vote
Our Goal is to have 100% of LABC Members age 18 and over registered and voting. Deadline to register is October 24 registertovote.ca.gov