Vol. XVIII, No.12 La Jolla, California December 2018
A Message from Rev. Tim Seery
Dear CCLJ,
As we approach our busy holiday season I wanted to remind you that worry is not the way to celebrate any holiday time. We touched on this in church on November 25 when I preached on Jesus´ Gospel message reminding us about not worrying:
Thankfulness and gratitude is not bound up in worry. And it’s a shame that holidays are such a worry for so many. Celebration ought not to be a burden. We ought not be worried about judgment, about not measuring up, about not finding the hottest, best gift during a time when what we are celebrating is our gratitude and thankfulness for the fruits of this life and the miracle of the one who came into this world to call us holy and beloved beyond measure. At the end of it all, worry and anxiety, pining for all the stuff, for more things, is not the way to honor Jesus. Throwing elbows in lines at big box stores and running down the people we should be gathering around the table with is not the way to practice the action of gratitude.
We won´t be remembered by our Black Friday haul. We won’t be remembered by how much we worried. We won’t be remembered by how much money we spent. No one will ever say look at a gift we gave long after we are long gone and say, “Gee, Grandma mowed down 6 people to get me this on Black Friday 30 years ago, what a woman!¨ No one will ever say that. Rather we will be remembered by our presence. And to be fully present we must give up our anxieties and worries to God. We must admit, that yes we are starving… but not in the way people were in the first century. Our bellies are thankfully quite content. Rather we are starving for the one who restores us to wholeness. The one whom we await. The one who brings peace to chaos, and light to darkness.
Because after all, he is the only thing we really have.
I look forward to seeing you at all of our events this coming month. Including Lessons and Carols, Longest Night, and our two Christmas Eve Services. I am excited to start an 11 pm service with you to celebrate the birth of Christ in our sacred space, surrounded by the darkness of the most holy night.
With grace,
Rev. Tim
Rev. Tim has been made aware that some people would like ornaments on our Christmas tree this year. While it is true that we are descended from the Puritan pilgrims who valued starkness and simplicity, we are also people of a Still Speaking God who continues to move our hearts and minds in new directions. If you have ornaments that are meaningful to you, please think about adding them to our tree this season.
CCLJ Ride Share
Need a ride to church on Sunday? Would you be willing to drive a member of the congregation to church on Sunday?
We would like to make sure that everyone who wants or needs a ride to church on Sunday has that option. If you are willing and able to participate in a Sunday ride sharing program please see Bronwyn or sign up by email at office@lajollaucc.org.
CWA
CWA will hold their quarterly meeting on Thursday December 6th at Margretta Zettner’s home. The CWA will enjoy a small gift exchange on December 6th. Please bring a small wrapped gift (new, used or re-gifted). Come and enjoy the beginning of the Christmas season!
The Congregational Courier
December 2018 h Vol. XVIII, #12
The Congregational Church of La Jolla
United Church of Christ
1216 Cave Street, La Jolla, CA 92037
Church Telephone: (858) 459-5045
Website: www.lajollaucc.org
E-Mail Church office: office@lajollaucc.org
Rev. Tim Seery, Minister
Dr. Nina Gilbert, Music Director
Bronwyn Allen, Office Manager
Upcoming Events
Dec. 02: Trustees Meeting
Dec. 02 Council Meeting
Dec. 08 Holiday Tales
Dec. 11: Diaconate Meeting
Dec. 14 Show up for Shabbat
Dec. 15 Holiday Tales
Dec. 16 Lessons and Carols
Dec. 21: Longest Night Service
Dec. 24 5.30 pm Christmas Eve Social
Dec. 24 6 pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec. 24 11 pm Christmas Eve Service
Dec.28: Coffee with the Pastor
December Birthdays
- 06 Jesse Mays
- 08 Deborah Anderson
- 14 Emily Bott
- 14 Asher Dana
- 16 Haley Bott
- 20 Megan Joseph
- 21 Allison Mays
- 29 Mary Ellen Bockius
- 29 Sigrid Nicholas
Community Christian Service Agency (CCSA)
IF YOU MISSED THE OPPORTUNITY TO DONATE TO THE ADOPT-A-FAMILY GIFT BASKETS THIS YEAR…
We would love your donations towards gift bags for the homeless!
Please donate any of the items from this list. CCSA will be putting together the bags, so no need to provide all items for a bag. All donations should be brought to church on Sunday, Dec 2nd.
New knit gloves
New knit cap
Socks
Hygiene products-
Deodorant
Toothbrush / paste
Travel size shampoo/conditioner
Chapstick
Washcloth
New brush/comb
$10 gift cards for McDonalds, Subway, Jack In The Box, Rite Aid, Vons,
Thanks so much for your help!
CCSA URGENT NEEDS:
Any size bags or boxes of rice and small jars of peanut butter
We are completely out of the following items:
- Men’s Underwear (S, M,L)
- Men’s Jeans (30-36)
- Hooded Sweatshirts
- Men’s tennis shoes
- Shampoo & Conditioner (Family Size)
- Cereal
- Vienna Sausage
CCSA is looking for volunteers
Pledge Drive 2018
Pledge Drive 2018: We have received 45% of our goal of $80,000.00 with a total of pledges so far in the amount of 35,600.00. Please if you have not done so take a moment to fill out your annual pledge card.
Caregiver
Janis St. Marie is looking for a new home in which she can provide care-giving services in trade for room and board. Please contact the church office if you know of someone who needs care-giving services.
Worship Volunteers
Greeters:
Dec. 02 Deborah KZ
Dec. 09 Caroline Chamales
Dec. 16 Open
Dec. 23 Ken Hall
Dec. 30
Head Usher:
December: Sigrid Nicholas
Liturgists:
Dec. 02 Bronwyn Allen
Dec. 09 James Towner
Dec. 16 Lessons and Carols
Dec. 23 Matthias Kaeser
Dec. 30 Nathan Henrichon
Flower Donors:
Dec. 02 Mary Benbow
Dec. 09 Caroline Chamales
Dec. 16 Chris Bott
Dec. 23 Christmas Flowers
Dec. 30
Coffee Hosts:
Dec. 02 The McGruer family
Dec. 09 Open
Dec. 16 Open
Dec. 23 Open
Dec. 30 Pot Luck Sunday
Volunteers…if you need help with any of your duties, please ask someone from the Diaconate to help you. If you notice we need supplies, please contact the church office.
Saturday, December 8th, 2018 2 pm
Saturday, December 15th, 2018 2 pm
Tickets can be purchased in the Office or at lajollaucc.org on the Events page.
Daily Scripture Readings
December 1 2018 – January 5 2019
| Thur Dec 1 |
am: 18:1-20 pm: 18:21-50 |
Isa 2:12-22 | 1 Thes 3:1-13 | Luke 20:27-40 |
| Fri Dec 2 |
am: 16, 17 pm: 22 |
Isa 3:8-15 | 1 Thes 4:1-12 | Luke 20:41-21:4 |
| Sat Dec 3 |
am: 20, 21 pm: 110,116,117 |
Isa 4:2-6 | 1 Thes 4:13-18 | Luke 21:5-19 |
| Sun Dec 4 |
am: 148,149,150 pm: 114, 115 |
Isa 5:1-7 | 2 Pet 3:11-18 | Luke 7:28-35 |
| Mon Dec 5 |
am: 25 pm: 9, 15 |
Isa 5:8-23 | 1 Thes 5:1-11 | Luke 21:20-28 |
| Tues Dec 6 |
am: 26, 28 pm: 36, 39 |
Isa 5:13-25 | 1 Thes 5:12-28 | Luke 21:29-38 |
| Wed Dec 7 |
am: 38 pm: 119:25-48 |
Isa 6:1-13 | 2 Thes 1:1-12 | John 7:53-8:11 |
| Thur Dec 8 |
am: 37:1-18 pm: 37:19-42 |
Isa 7:1-9 | 2 Thes 2:1-12 | Luke 22:1-13 |
| Fri Dec 9 |
am: 31 pm: 35 |
Isa 7:10-25 | 2 Thes 2:13-3:5 | Luke 22:14-30 |
| Sat Dec 10 |
am: 30, 32 pm: 42, 43 |
Isa 8:1-15 | 2 Thes 3:6-18 | Luke 22:31-38 |
| Sun Dec 11 |
am: 63, 98 pm: 103 |
Isa 13:6-13 | Heb 12:18-29 | John 3:22-30 |
| Mon Dec 12 |
am: 41, 52 pm: 44 |
Isa 8:16-9:1 | 2 Pet 1:1-11 | Luke 22:39-53 |
| Tue Dec 13 |
am: 45 pm: 47,48 |
Isa 9:1-7 | 2 Pet 1:12-21 | Luke 22:54-69 |
| Wed Dec 14 |
am: 119:49-72 pm: 49, 53 |
Isa 9:8-17 | 2 Pet 2:1-10a | Mark 1:1-8 |
| Thur Dec 15 |
am: 50, 59, 60 pm: 33 |
Isa 9:18-10:4 | 2 Pet 2:10b-16 | Matt 3:1-12 |
| Fri Dec 16 |
am: 40, 54 pm: 51 |
Isa 10:5-19 | 2 Pet 2:17-22 | Matt 11:2-15 |
| Sat Dec 17 |
am: 55 pm: 138, 139 |
Isa 10:20-27 | Jude 17-25 | Luke 3:15-20 |
| Sun Dec 17 |
am: 24, 29 pm: 8, 84 |
Isa 42:1-12 | Eph 6:10-20 | John 3:16-21 |
| Mon Dec 19 |
am: 61, 62 pm: 112, 115 |
Isa 11:1-9 | Rev 20:1-10 | John 5:30-47 |
| Tues Dec 20 |
am: 66, 67 pm: 116, 117 |
Isa 11:10-16 | Rev 20:11-21:8 | Luke 1:5-25 |
| Wed Dec 21 |
am: 72 pm: 111, 113 |
Isa 28:9-22 | Rev 21:9-21 | Luke 1:26-38 |
| Thur Dec 22 |
am: 80 pm: 146, 147 |
Isa 29:13-24 | Rev 21:22-22:5 | Luke 1:39-56 |
| Fri Dec 23 |
am: 93, 96 pm: 148, 150 |
Isa 33:17-22 | Rev 22:6-11, 18-20 | Luke 1:57-66 |
| Sat Dec 24 |
am: 45, 46 pm: 89:1-29 |
am: Isa 35:1-10 pm: Isa 59:15b-21 |
am: Rev 22:12-17 pm: Phil 2:5-11 |
Luke 1:67-80 |
| Sun Dec 25 |
am: 2, 85 pm: 132, 110 |
Zech 2:10-13 | 1 John 4:7-16 | John 3:31-36 |
| Mon Dec 26 |
am: 28, 30 pm: 145 |
2 Chron 24:17-22 | Acts 6:1-7 | [Acts 7:59-8:8] |
| Tues Dec 27 |
am: 97, 98 pm: 118 |
Isa 44:1-8 | 1 John 5:1-12 | John 13:20-35 |
| Wed Dec 28 |
am: 8 pm: 19, 126 |
Jere 31:1-17 | Rev 21:1-7 | Matt 18: 1-14 |
| Mon Dec 29 |
am: 18:1-20 pm: 18:21-50 |
Isa 12:1-6 | Rev 1:1-8 | John 7:37-52 |
| Tues Dec 30 |
am: 20, 21 pm: 23, 27 |
Isa 25:1-9 | Rev 1:9-20 | John 7:53-8:11 |
| Wed Dec 31 |
am: 46, 48 pm: 90 |
am: Isa 26:1-9 pm: Isa 65:15b-25 |
am: 2 Cor 5:16-6:2 pm: Rev 21:1-6 |
John 8:12-19 |
| 1st Sun Jan 1 |
am: 93.96 pm: 34 |
Isa 62:6-7, 10-12 | Heb 2:10-18 | Matt 1:18-25 |
| Mon Jan 2 |
am: 34 pm: 33 |
Gen 12:1-7 | Heb 11:1-12 | John 6:35-42, 48-51 |
| Tues Jan 3 |
am: 68 pm: 72 |
Gen 28:10-22 | Heb:11:13-22 | John 10:7-17 |
| Wed Jan 4 |
am: 85, 87 pm: 89:1-29 |
Exod 3:1-12 | Heb 11:23-31 | John 14:6-14 |
| Thur Jan 5 |
am: 2, 110 pm: 29, 98 |
am: Joshua 1:1-9 pm: Isa 66:18-23 |
am: Heb 11:32-12:2 pm: Rom 15:7-13 |
John 15:1-6 |
Copyright © 2017, CRI / Voice, Institute
October 26, 2018
Dear Members and Friends,
“Give and it shall be given to you. For the measure you give shall be the measure you get in return.”
Luke 6:38
If I were to choose a line from the Bible that reflects the financial past and future of our Church and our Congregation, I would chose line one of the Psalm 23, “The Lord is my shepherd, I shall not want.” There has never been a truer statement regarding our financial condition over the history of our Church. It seems that when we are faced with financial shortfalls the Lord has provided.
The good news for this year is that the Lord has provided for us when we had concerns about our financial future. We are finally reaping significant benefits from our remodeled kitchen, which brought in considerable revenue from our new renters this year.
Although line one of the 23rd Psalm does not completely describe our financial past. Along with the assurance that the Lord will provide for our needs there is a caveat. Although not found in the text of the Bible there is the saying, “God helps those who help themselves.” In order to do God’s work it must be a combined effort between what we contribute and what the Lord provides to see our mission through. This is where stewardship becomes part of God’s plan for our mission.
I have been writing the Stewardship letter for our Church for many years and it seems that although the dynamics of the Church may change slightly, the spirit of the Church remains consistent and strong, more often than not with a little help from the Lord to see us through to the finish line. Although the Lord is there to watch over us, it is our job to provide for the life of the Church. A significant portion of our income comes from the gifts of our members and friends.
Psalm 116:12, “What shall I return to the Lord for all God’s bounty to me,” embodies a feeling of gratitude for the many blessings in each of our lives and encourages us to give back to the Lord from what we have reaped through his grace. Give and it shall be given to you.
Our practice of faith in God is personal to each of us and our Church is a magnificent place in which we enjoy this personal experience. What I love most about our Church is that our members are committed to making our religious experience wonderful, through fellowship, music, education, and outreach. Our journey of faith continues with your support. It is time for all of us to reflect on our pledge to the Church for the coming year to continue that amazing and faithful legacy.
Faithfully,
Graham McGruer, JD
Chairman, LJUCC Stewardship Committee
Holiday Plant Order Form
Help us to beautify the sanctuary during the Christmas season and honor a loved one at the same time with a holiday plant! Please complete this order form and return it to the church office with your payment of $10 no later than December 14, 2018. Make checks payable to the Congregational Church of La Jolla and write “Holiday Plant” in the memo section. The plant you purchase will then be yours to take home and enjoy after church on December 24.
In Memory of
In Honor of
Given by
Phone #/E-mail
~ A Collaboration of the Diaconate and the Sanctuary Committee ~