Bay Shore Church - Sermons and News from Bay Shore Community Congregational Church in Belmont Shore, California.

Yahoo, it’s Leap Year!  That means, ladies, that you get to do the asking!  So ask your best fellow to join you in donating blood this Sunday, February 24, right here at our Youth Center (corner of Nieto and The Toledo).  The hours are 8 a.m. – 2:00 p.m.  Just contact Maureen to make an appoint-ment. (562-433-0401).  Walk-ins are also welcome.  Remember to drink plenty of water for the rest of the week and eat iron-rich food.  Also bring your ID.

We don’t need to tell you how important it is to donate.  You know that it makes a difference – a big difference to someone you probably don’t even know but who will live because of you.

As a bonus, donating your blood earns you a $10 gift certificate from Mimi’s Café – but better yet you know you’ve done your part to make the world a better place.  So take the leap – save a life. You’ll be glad you did.

Michael Remley (562) 434-2530.  Call him if you have a need for this confidential help when you are going through a crisis.

Al Sykes, Rich Elliott, Mike, all caregivers, Mom, Peace, Dad, Scout, Ben, Ted & Billie Anderson, Courtney Stanley Terry Pynchon, George, Harriet Susan, Gini, Karen Welch, Nancy & Erik, Al & Esther Watts, Carol Davis, Michael, Birtha VanLaningham, Butch Ackerman, Tracey Condon, Irene Cox, Papa Lou, Tam & her family, Kathy & her sister, Chris Allard, Kristin in the hospital with twins, Dad’s health, Steven’s family, Shelly, Ralph Biggerstaff, Doug Incledon, Bob & Patsy Miller, Rory Woodbury & family, Rev. Elaine & her Dad, help make right decisions with my marriage, Rick Jones, all those men & women far from home & loved ones trying to bring peace to Iraq & Afghanistan, Bill Nighswonger, Emily Atkins, Virginia Campbell, Linda Miller, Danny Fairley, Chuck Greenberg, Aggie Mulhearn, Alice, Betty Outten, Paul Orris, all travelers, Teri Z., Manson Family, Nic Johnson, Chuck Nixon & family, Hopkins family, Violette Stephesen, young people who struggle with their sexual orientation & the intolerance of those who tease, persecute, and even kill them. Thanks to God for answered prayers, God’s Grace, infinite love & the promise of each new day. The souls of these persons who have died, and their families: Jim Silknitter, Anne Wallace McAndrews, Kathy Roberts’ husband, Pat Kidd, Betty Bragg, Kathryn Rush, Don Wallace.

Bay Shore Buried Treasure!!!

Fear not me hearty lads and lasses, for these pirates are coming with treasures for ye enjoyment.
Save the date for Sunday, May 4 right after church!

Attendance February 17 was 206:
168 adults and 38 children.

Board of Stewards will meet on Tuesday, February 26 at 7:00 p.m.

Sunday School Teacher Meeting: March 9, in library

To add concerns for our Prayer Chain, contact Joyce Scott at (714) 842-2838, or drop a notice in the Prayer Box with a cross † on the narthex table.

I wanted to thank you for the wonderful support you provided for 5 families of students of Long Beach Unified School District. The Ortiz\Lemus(Webster), Quintero (Wilson), Spurling (McKinley), Cabrera (McKinley), Cabrera (Whittier), and Pech (Whittier) families all appreciate the holiday assistance and the children have let me know how much your help
meant to them.

I went on a home visit to Norma Ortiz’ apartment recently and saw the items you had brought to her home. She was still very appreciative of the help you provided to her during Christmas.  As she recalled your generosity, she smiled, leaned back, and shook her head, as if to say that she still could not believe how kind and considerate you had been to her. As a mother who has struggled and lost faith in others, it was beautiful to see her show how she is beginning to trust others again.  This developing trust and belief that things might work out has helped her emerge from depression and begin to make plans for her and her children’s future.

This is how the eights year that you and I have collaborated to provide support for some of our most impoverished families during the Christmas holiday season. Each year you have worked with a new set of families in the same understanding and empowering way. Thank you for continu-ing to bring that philosophy to this annual endeavor.

You have made the holiday season a special for the children in these five families who attend school in the Long Beach Unified School District. Thank you for making a difference.

Tory Cox, LCSW\PPS
School Social Worker
Long Beach Unified School

Feb. 24: Greg & Lori Bozzani, Dick Landes
March 2: Cyndy Dennis, _help needed_
March 9: John & Kay Burt, Laura Caley
March 16: Pete & Cammie Cassiano, Debbie Gerardi

Save the date for “Faith in the Market-place,” Friday, May 2 and Saturday, May 3. Interested, contact Laura Tschudin, as above.

Even if you were not able to join us for the registration and introduction last Thursday, there is still space available for you to study with us this Thursday, February 21 in Gabrielson Chapel from 9 to 11 a.m. Call Laura Tschudin 434-0053 or email to ltschudin@verizon.net for info.

This Sunday our children will be covering the following from Group Publishing’s Faith Weaver curriculum:
Unit 4: Jesus Changes Our Lives
Lesson 13: February 24 Jesus talks to the Samaritan Woman (John 4:5-42)
Bible Point: Jesus brings life.
Weaving Faith into life: Children will enjoy new life with Jesus.
Key Verse: God so loved the world so much that he gave his Son, Jesus, so we can live forever in heaven (John 3:16)