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

Date: November 23, 2008
Minister: Rev. Charles E. Ensley, Jr.

Lesson: 1 Thessalonians 5:12-24

 

 Standard Podcast [13:47m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (11)

Date: November 16, 2008
Minister: Rev. Charles E. Ensley, Jr.

Lesson: Matthew 25:14-30

 

 Standard Podcast [11:52m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Date: November 9, 2008
Minister: Rev. Charles E. Ensley, Jr.

Lesson: Matthew 25:1-13

 

 Standard Podcast [19:08m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download

Date: November 2, 2008
Minister: Rev. Charles E. Ensley, Jr.

Lesson: Matthew 5:1-12

 

 Standard Podcast [9:58m]: Play Now | Play in Popup | Download (2)

Every minister I’ve talked to in the last month or so has asked, “How are things going at your church?”  They don’t mean how’s my preaching, how’s attendance, or how’s the search for an Associate Minister going.  They mean how are we doing financially.

It is an awkward time to be having the annual pledge drive, but then, it’s done every year at this time, regardless of the economy.  Those who planned our proposed 2009 budget took that into consideration.

We are also on the verge of asking inviting you to make some donations through our church for Thanksgiving and Christmas.  We’ve already completed Third World Handarts, Alternative Christmas Market and Project Love.  Last Sunday and this week we distribute shopping bags with a list of suggestions for our Thanksgiving Sunday annual food drive for Woman to Woman.  On Saturday, November 22, Christian Outreach in Action is having a collection of food at the Marketplace at PCH & Second Street.  Their Festival of Grace fundraiser is Saturday, November 15.  And around Thanksgiving, the posters for our biggest gift-giving of the year occurs:  our Christmas families.  You will have an opportunity to do some Christmas shopping for local families who are down on their fortunes at this time.

Even in the midst of tough economic times, it is fun, even satisfying to shop for others who are less fortunate than ourselves.  When Peggy and I were shopping on Monday, it was no trouble to throw a box of cereal and a few extra cans of vegetables into the cart for the Woman to Woman drive.  My Kiwanis Club is adopting five families through two local elementary schools.  One seven-year-old girl wanted an art set, so we bought the same kit with extra paper and supplies that we bought for a Project Love girl.

Let’s face it.  There’s really nothing Peggy and I need for Christmas.  If we spent the money we’d spend on each other on food, gifts and clothing for people like those above, we would both be pretty satisfied, even happy!

“…for I was hungry and you gave me food…I was naked and you gave me clothing…”
–Matthew 25:35-36

The Fellowship Club meets for its annual Thanksgiving dinner on Saturday, Nov. 15 at 6:30 p.m. at the Alamitos Heights home of Diane Donaldson and George White, Call Diane for food assignments.  Bring your own table service and beverage of choice.  Remember your donations of food or money for COA’s Thanksgiving dinner.

COA will have its annual Fundraising Dinner and Silent Auction, called the Fall Festival of Grace, on Saturday, November 15, at 5:00 p.m. at the First Baptist Church of Lakewood.  Dinner will feature Santa Maria style beef tri-tip and skewered shrimp grilled over red oak.  Tickets cost $60 each.  Proceeds benefit their Hot Meals Program, the distribution of groceries to homeless and low income families, and their Men’s and Women’s Transitional Housing Programs.  For additional information, or to make reservations or donations, please call COA.

Last week we had a Scrip order form in the worship bulletin and will again this week.  It may seem early but with Thanksgiving being so late this year, we have fewer weeks to order.  Through Scrip, we have given $5,000 to the church.  It is an easy way to help the church and does not cost you anything extra.  We have lots of Scrip (gift cards) on hand and lots more choices for you to order.  To ensure your order will be here by Christmas, you must order by Sunday, December 14.

We have gas cards, clothing store cards, grocery cards, movie cards, restaurant cards, coffee cards, bookstore cards and many others.  We are sure there is something to please everyone on your Christmas list.  Please check out the order sheet and come by the Scrip Table in the Concert Hall any Sunday between now and December 14 to order.  We will be happy to answer any questions you may have. Thank you all for supporting our church.

The Scrip Committee

Each of the 93 Hotevilla-Bacavi School children will have a gift this year at Christmas!  They were transported to the delivery site last Monday. Thanks to all who bought gifts or who made a donation to the Scholarship Fund!  We were able to send $525 in scholarships.  This is helped by the Watts family requesting that memorials given for Al Watts be used for this purpose.  Memorial donations of $1065 were transferred to the Project Love account to be used over the next couple of years.  Al began Project Love in our church, and it was very dear to his heart.

The Harvest Home congregational meeting to adopt the proposed 2009 budget and elect financial officers is this Sunday, Nov. 16.  If you did not receive a pledge card for 2009 support of the church, they are available on the narthex table or by calling the office.  Please return them by Nov. 16 so we have a gauge on expected pledges.