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

moral-compass

Sermon Title: “Where’s Your Moral Compass?”
Date: April 27, 2008
Minister: Rev. Charles E. Ensley, Jr.

Lesson:  Exodus 20:1-17

 

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This may never be a topic that you’ve thought about, but there is a difference between leading worship and being led in worship.  Any of you can see what I (or any other minister, priest or rabbi) does at worship.  We lead worship, guiding you through the various elements, usually after designing and composing much of that worship ourselves.  There is certainly a satisfaction in accomplishing this task, but sometimes one is so busy making it happen that it is hard to worship.  It could be compared to putting on a party:  sometimes you’re so involved with the fixings, welcoming your guests, replenishing the table that you don’t always get to enjoy the party yourself.

As I mentioned last Sunday, on April 13 Peggy and I worshipped at Keawala’i Congreg-ational Church in Makena, on Maui.  We’ve worshipped there twice before, and always look forward to the drive down the coast from Ka’anapali to Makena.  Several hotels hosted beachside services at 8:00 a.m., but we prefer the worship experience in Makena.  It is different worshipping in a church which uses their Hawai’ian heritage.  The cadence of the music, sometimes sung first in Hawai’ian, then English, is soothing to hear.  I noted in their worship bulletin there was a liturgist’s training session on April 19.  After hearing the English-speaking liturgist pray and read both in English and Hawi’ian, I could understand why!  While sitting next to my wife (a rarity for us), we sang some of the same hymns and heard the same lesson you heard here on April 13.

I had met the pastor on previous visits, and greeted him before worship that Sunday.     As we shook his hand at the door afterwards, I said to him, “Blessings on your ministry here.”  He sighed and said, “I’m just glad it’s all over.”  Evidently, the point in my first paragraph above must be a universal experience!

While meeting last Sunday with several incoming new members, one asked about their obligations.  They were assured we do not track attendance and call them after missing one Sunday.  However, I did say if you’re going to be away for several weeks visiting elsewhere, on a cruise or other trip, mention it to me at the door.  I hope you have the experience of worshipping elsewhere when away.  Last week, a member sent me two worship bulletins from a recent trip:  a Palm Sunday evening service in London and a French service on Easter in Paris.  Enjoy worshipping . . . anywhere!

Charlie Ensley
Senior Minister

If you have regularly been attending worship services at Bay Shore or reading the weekly Carillon, you are aware that some changes have been made and still are taking place in the finance/computer sector.  Your finance team has been working very hard to design a Giving Statement that appears professional and is easy to understand.

We hope to have the “new and improved” statements for the first quarter of 2008 in the mail by the end of April.  These will cover pledged giving only; not your special offerings for specific causes.  Please be aware that we are continuing to send quarterly statements only to those members/persons who have made pledges.  Those of you who chose not to pledge but still make contributions will receive a statement at the close of the fiscal year.  However, anyone may request a statement of their giving at any time.

If you have questions or concerns about the statement you receive, please give me a call so we can answer those questions. If I’m not in the church office, you can call me at home.
Allen Cagle, Treasurer

BOOKKEEPER: After interviewing three well-qualified candidates, Norena Thompson was chosen as part-time church bookkeeper. She also serves as part-time chief financial officer for another local non-profit, Food Finders. Norena holds bachelors and masters degrees from UCLA. She began work on April 21.
CHURCH SECRETARY: Charlie has received 59 resumes as a result of a three week ad in the Grunion and Downtown Gazettes.  As of this writing, he has spent four days interviewing those he considered the top and most able candidates.
CHOIR SECTION LEADERS: Over the past ten days, Director of Music Julie Ramsey has auditioned candidates for the alto and tenor section leader positions. She will be trying out selected candidates during May rehearsals and worship services.
ASSOCIATE MINISTER: On April 23, the newly-constituted search committee met with Associate Conference Minister, Rev. June Boutwell and Association Ministry Assistant Carol Fujita, who will be guiding us through the search and selection process. Committee members are Cassie Berrisford, Allen Cagle, Jim Morris, Traci Reitz, Kirsten Sumpter, Laura Tschudin, and Mary Lou Walling, with Amy Williams as alternate. One of their first responsibilities will be to create a congregational profile to define the position and describe our congregation for potential candidates. The congregation’s participa-tion will be sought in creating that profile

We’ll have a visitor from Pilgrim Pines bring greetings and summer camp news on May 11. topher nichols, program director will be in worship. Hope our campers are signed up! It’s not too late. And how about another adult volunteer to join Charlie?

The Christian Education & Building and Grounds Commissions are working together to coordinate a Spring Cleaning Event. Saturday, May 31st.
Watch the Carillon for further details

Women’s Conference- Step Out and Change Your Life
Friday, May 2: 6:30pm – 9:00pm
Saturday May 3:    8:30am – 1:30pm
Featuring: Holly Wagner:  Author of God Chicks, and Laurie Beth Jones:  Author of Elements of Success.
Tickets: $45
Includes Continental Breakfast and Lunch – Call Laura Tschudin for info

On May 18, we will receive new members into our fellowship, as well as enjoy the Children’s Choir presentation of The Tale of the Three Trees. Immediately following worship will be the Annual Meeting of the Congregation, in which we will hear reports from the various commissions, and elect new officers and commission members for those whose terms are expiring.

Commission chairs are urged to have their reports in to the church office by May 4. Send by attachment to bayshorechurch @aol.com

Sunday School This Week
Study Nine: Week of April 20, 2008
Paul teaches in Athens    Acts 17:16–31

Bible Point: God is the creator of heaven and earth.
Weaving Faith Into Life: Students will give thanks to God, recognizing the significance of the world, other people, and themselves as God’s creation.
Key Verse:  “Do you not know?  Have you not heard?  The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth” (Isaiah 40:28a)

SIX-2-EIGHT

April 24: The Surprise of Brokenness: Good gifts from hard times
Snack: Lily Flame
May 1: Beautiful Feet: A firm stand and consistent walk, two characteristics of committed disciples Snack: Diego Ramos
May 8:Cramming for the Final: Material possessions and eternal significance
May 18: Lean on Thee Trusting God in the middle of pain and struggle
Middle School kids meet in the Youth Center Thursdays from 6 to 8 p.m.

Children’s Choir Rehearsals
Currently rehearsing our Spring Musical, “The Tale of the Three Trees,” to be presented on Sunday, May 18.
Rehearsals:
Sunday, April 27: 11 – 12 rehearsal
Sunday, May 4: Church Fundraiser
Tuesday, May 6: 4:00– 6:00 pm Dress Rehearsal
Sunday, May 11: 11 – 11:30 rehearsal
Tuesday, May 13 - 4:00 – 6:15 pm Dress Rehearsal: Pizza for everyone!
Sunday, May 18: Children’s Musical Sunday
Call: 8:00 am: run-through dress rehearsal
Service: 9:30 am – The Tale of the Three Trees
Thanks, Julie

Confirmation’s Final Class
Our final meeting is this Sunday, April 27 4 o’clock at Tess Richie’s. Your statement of faith will be due: one to two paragraphs about your faith, what you believe, how prayer helps you, how God or Jesus guide your life, etc. This is the last chance to pick out your confirmation gift. May 11 is Confirmation Sunday! Any questions—contact Charlie Ensley.

Current Bible Studies
Beatitudes Study: The 10 week study was completed on April 8th. The study provided a contemplative, reflective journey through the Beatitudes and the blue print they can provide for living a life though the example of Christ. Many of us found new, more thoughtful and loving approaches to responding to and caring for one another and reminded us of what it is in life that provides real joy and value. We were also grateful for the small group experience that allowed us to get to know each other better.
Cassie Berrisford

Patriarchs: Encountering the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob. Women’s Bible study meets Thursday mornings at 9 am in Gabrielson Chapel. Currently studying chapter 8.