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

I remember a woman in my first church, more than thirty years ago, remarking to me after worship, “I don’t know who writes those prayers of confession, but they sure must sin a lot.” I remember replying to her that there wasn’t anything in those prayers that didn’t apply to me. “Well, I don’t feel I sin,” she concluded.

After last week’s column on the topic of forgiveness, I did not plan to continue that theme until I read the daily devotion below, written by the Rev. Lillian Daniel, senior minister of the First Congregational Church, UCC, Glen Ellyn, Illinois, and the author of Tell it Like it is: Reclaiming the Practice of Testimony. It brought back to me the memory of my long-ago parishioner - a very nice lady, really - and the fact that three decades later, the Rev. Daniels is answering much the same as I did. Here is her online devotional:

“Let it be known to you therefore, my brothers, that through this man forgiveness of sins is proclaimed to you; by this Jesus everyone who believes is set free from all those sins from which you could not be freed by the law of Moses.”  –Acts 13:38-39

“Why do we have to do the confession every week in church? It’s such a downer.” That’s a question I hear periodically on a Sunday morning.

I’m an open-minded pastor, so I tell them we actually do not have to do it every Sunday. In fact, the first Sunday that comes up when they, and all the rest of the church members, have done nothing wrong in the last week, we can skip it. But given that I am a church member who has yet to have a week, even a day, without sin, I suspect that the prayer of confession will be with us for a while.

The prayer of confession is more than admitting what we have done wrong, or what we have left undone. It is also when we receive forgiveness.  Anyone who thinks this moment is a downer is not paying attention. This is the moment when, if we truly are sorry, we are granted new life in Christ. Mind you, this gift doesn’t come our way because we were sorry. It is bigger than our own actions. Forgiveness in Christ comes to us as something we did not earn, but was earned for us on the cross. Laws and rules help us to live well, but divine forgiveness lets us soar into a new day transformed.

Prayer: Let me examine myself as you examine me, Lord Christ. Allow me to see the mistakes I have made so that I can learn from them, and to see the possibilities for my life that you have always held for me. Amen.

Charlie Ensley
Senior Minister

On Sunday, October 12, the day of the Long Beach Marathon, Bay Shore Church will hold its Sunday service at 5:00 p.m. This year, as we did last year, we have decided to hold a Taizé service in the Gabrielson Chapel. For an increasing number of North Americans, the name Taizé evokes a certain style of worship and music that has become popular in more and more churches, and with retreats or gatherings focused on young adults. Taizé is in fact an ecumenical community of brothers located in the small village of that name in the Burgundy region of eastern France. In many places across the world, people, young and old, organize ecumenical prayers using music from Taizé. These times of prayer are varied and are integrated in appropriate ways into the life of the local Church. In our evening service, our Chancel Choir will lead the congregation in the reading of scripture, prayers, and the singing of songs created in the Taizé tradition. Communion will be served.  We hope that this service will be a meaningful time of prayer and reflection. Join us!

The Long Beach Area CROP Hunger Walk will begin and end at Bay Shore Church on Sunday October 19, with the walk starting at 1:30.  Those interested in walking may sign out a pledge envelope in the Concert Hall.  Mark off your donors when they pay, either by cash or checks made payable to CWS/CROP. (All checks are sent directly to Church World Service, so please do not make them out to our church.)

1) World Communion Sunday
For over 60 years, the first Sunday in October is recognized in many Protestant churches as World Communion Sunday. You may bring different breads from home for this service. Place your unwrapped, unsliced loaves on the communion table when you arrive. We will serve commun-ion in the first half of worship so children may participate.

2) Third World Hand Arts
Sunday, October 5 is our annual Third World Hand Arts sale after worship. It’s a great chance to buy gifts and help a worthy cause supporting artisans who have no other market for their handcrafted goods.

3) Neighbors in Need Offering
Our UCC outreach for Neighbors in Need (NIN) reaches out to efforts supporting justice and compassion throughout the county. One third of the offering goes to the American Indian Ministry and two-thirds towards direct service, advocacy and justice projects. Please use the offering envelope in this Carillon, and make checks payable to the church; mark NIN in the corner.

4) Make-Up Date for Photos
The make-up date for commission photos is at 10:45 a.m. We can either shoot the entire commission over, or we can “drop” the individual folks into the existing image. Please have your folks that missed the other photo dates, or the entire group, meet on the steps of Gabrielson Chapel.

Attendance September 28 was 178:
155 adults and 23 children.

Upcoming Fellowship Hour Hosts:
Oct. 5: Laura Caley & Susan Henderson
Oct. 12: No coffee hour at 5 p.m. Vespers

Rev. Ensley will be away on vacation following worship Oct. 5 through Oct. 13.

We need one to two coffee hosts for Fellowship Hour on Sunday, October 19. This is a fun and worthy service which is highly appreciated by all those eager to enjoy a Sunday morning cup of coffee. If you would like to be a coffee host October 19, please contact John Dooley.

On Friday, October 17, the Bay Shore Friends Club is having a potluck and program meeting. All members and friends of the church are invited to join us. Our program features a Fraud Inspector from the U.S. Postal Service who will enlighten us about postal fraud and identity theft.

If you’re coming for the potluck, please have your food at the Concert Hall at 5:45 p.m. Please call Jeanine Benson, or Betty Lindgren to coordinate food assignments, and remember to bring your own table service.

If you are coming just for the program, please arrive by 7:00 p.m.

We will serve the hungry again on October 15. This is the Wednesday after the marathon. Unfortunately, the timing is difficult for you to bring your casseroles. If you could bring them on the evening of the 12th, I will be at Bay Shore for the Vespers Service. Otherwise, you may bring them in on the 13th or 14th. If you would like to contact me, please call me.

Thank you and God Bless.
Linda Sumpter

We are again selling Long Beach and Orange County Entertainment Books, and all profits support our Christian Education programs. Books are available after church. A few visits to the movies with $6 coupons, and one or two restaurant dinners, and the book pays for itself! Questions? Call Kathy Walczak.

Sunday School This Week
We love to see you each Sunday and miss you when you’re not here. Sunday School Teachers have lots of fun and faith in store for you. Bring a friend!

What our youth will be learning this Sunday, October 5:
Bible Story: Noah builds the ark (Genesis 6:5-22).
Key Verse: We must obey God rather than men (Acts 5:29).
Bible Point: God wants us to obey.

Middle School Youth Group - 628 Thursday Night
Are you in 6th, 7th, or 8th grade? If yes, please join us on Thursday nights from 6:00 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. in the Youth Center for Fun, Food and Fellowship. Coming later this month -  Costume party Thursday, October 30th!! Contact Traci Reitz with questions or for details.

Revolve - An Event for Teen Girls!!! Come join us October 10 and 11 for a fun, fast paced, action packed afternoon learning about how much God loves us. Call Laura T. for details, tickets, car-pooling information, etc.

Calling Youth to Knott’s Scary Farm
Are you ready to come out for some fun at Knott’s Scary Farm? A date will follow soon, but let me know if you’re interested. Bring a friend, and we can go as one big group. E-mail Amy Williams if you’re up for a scary time of mazes and spooks.

Substitute Sunday School Teachers Needed
If you are interested in being a substitute teacher, we would love to have you. Each year we prepare special “Substitute Lessons” that are easy, fun and require little preparation on your part (just a bit of reading prior to class). Contact Traci Reitz if you are interested or Laura Tschudin.

Thursday Morning Women’s Bible Study Now Underway
Beth Moore’s Study, Stepping Up: A Journey Through the Psalms of Ascent, is being held Thursdays from 9-11 a.m. through November 6 in the Gabrielson Chapel. This 7-session study began September 25 and focuses on themes such as unity, joy and gratitude, redemption, repentance, the power of blessings. Interested? E-mail Laura Tschudin.

Gentlemen: Want to participate in a MEN’S Evening study? Look for Laura Tschudin or Traci Reitz after service, or sign-up on the kiosk.