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

The prelude will be a piano arrangement of a favorite hymn to many: “How Great Thou Art” (Chalice Hymnal No. 33). Although the hymn originated in Europe, it was not widely known until 1957, when the Billy Graham Crusade in New York City began using the hymn. S. K. Hine brought this hymn to America after 70 years of literary activity, involving several different writers and translators.  In 1885 or 1886 Rev. Carl Boberg, a Swedish preacher, wrote the hymn O Store Gud (O Great God).  In 1907 it was translated into German, and in 1912 into Russian.  In 1927, the English missionary Hine found it and started using it in his ministry in the Ukraine.  When W.W. II broke out, Hine brought the English translation with him to England.

He added the fourth stanza just after W.W. II, when many refugees from eastern Europe were streaming into England.  The refugees were always asking: “When are we going home?”  Hine’s response was: “In the day we reach our heavenly home will we proclaim with the hymn, ‘My God, How Great Thou Art’.” Every time we hear a bird sing, hear the thunder roll, or see a babbling brook, may we be reminded of God’s greatness.

Alicia Adams

Attendance on November 9 was 193:
155 adults and 38 children.

Upcoming Fellowship Hour Hosts:
11/16:  Jean Brodie & Cassie Berrisford
11/23:  Phil & Charlene Bosl
11/30:  Tom & Val Light
12/07:  Jolene Clark

To add concerns for our Prayer Chain, call Joyce Scott or drop a note in the Prayer Box in the narthex.

Two copies of the Associate Minister search documents—consisting of church profile, job description and a prospectus about Bay Shore Church—are available for reading in the church office.  You are free to read them on the church premises.  We are not making copies for general distri-bution as they are to go only to candidates the search committee is considering.

All members and friends of the church are invited to the Bay Shore Friends Club’s annual Christmas Dinner and Installation of Officers for 2009 on Tuesday, December 9.  The dinner commences at 6:00 p.m. at the Virginia Country Club, and features Prime Rib or Stuffed Salmon.  The cost is $45 per person, and the hosts are Burt & Norma Marter and Mary & Dick Zern.

Besides the Installation of Officers, the program includes Carol Singing and a Gift Exchange.  If you wish to participate in the gift exchange, please bring a gift valued at $15 for a person of your own gender, and mark it as being for a man or woman.  To RSVP, please send a check payable to Bay Shore Friends to Glenn Moeller or you may give him the check at church.  Be sure to indicate your choice(s) for entrée on it.  The deadline for receiving your checks is Thursday, December 4.  Contact one of the hosts if you need a ride.

The 2009 flower chart will go up on the bulletin board outside the church office on Sunday, Nov. 16.  If you would like to sign up for flowers on the altar or in the niche for a Sunday service, please sign your name on the chart next to the date which you would like.  If the altar and niche are taken for that day, please contact the church office to make arrangements to have flowers put on the pedestal.

After you sign up, Jennifer Jordan will contact you prior to the Sunday service for which you signed up to obtain the occasion for the flowers and the type of flowers which you would like.  You will then receive a bill the week after your flowers are in the service.  You may also pay for the flowers ahead of time.  Flowers on the altar and pedestal cost $45, and flowers in the niche cost $25.  If you would like higher-priced flowers, please let Jennifer know when you place your order.  After the service, you may take the flowers.  If you have any questions about this process, please contact Jennifer.

Sunday School Lesson for Sunday, November 16
Bible Story: God makes a covenant with Abram (Genesis 15:1-18).
Key Verse: “For I know the plans I have for you,” declares the Lord (Jeremiah 29:11).
Bible Point: God has good plans for us.

Middle School Youth Group – 6-2-8 Thursday Night
Are you in 6th, 7th, or 8th  grade?  If you are, 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.

Entertainment Books Benefit Christian Education
We are still selling Long Beach and Orange County Entertainment Books to support our Christian Education programs.   A few visits to the movies with $6.50 coupons, and one or two dinners out, and the book pays for itself!  Questions?  Call Kathy Walczak, or ask her at the sales table on Sunday.

Parents:  Want a Night Out?
Parents Night Out is a service project that the middle school youth have sponsored for several years.  We offer a fun, safe environ-ment in the Youth Center for our church families to drop off their kids so that they can go have a quiet dinner or get a head start on Christmas shopping.  The middle school youth will lead the kids in crafts, games, and dinner.

When: Thursday, Dec. 4, 6:00 to 8:00 p.m.
Sign-up sheet will be in the Concert Hall beginning Sunday, November 16.  Call Traci Reitz, with questions.

The last meeting for this year of the Knitters & Crocheters will be held on November 19 at Linda Landes’ home, (NOT at Church), at the regular time of 10:00 a.m., followed by lunch at noon, hosted by Linda.  Call her to RSVP & for directions.  The deadline for finished items is November 30.
All the blankets, caps, and booties that have been made will be blessed by Charlie at the church service on November 30, before they are distributed to the Christmas families, COA, and Woman to Woman.  Come and see our “Blessings from Bay Shore!!”

The Pastoral Care Department at Long Beach Memorial Medical Center is holding a Service of Memory and Hope Tuesday, December 2, in Houssels Forum to honor loved ones who have died.  Refreshments are at 7:00 p.m., and the service begins at 7:30 p.m.  You are encouraged to bring an ornament in celebration of your loved one’s life to decorate the Tree of Remembrance.  If you would like to include your loved one’s photo in their presentation, it is needed by November 17.  Please e-mail it or mail it with a self-addressed stamped envelope to Pastoral Care Department, Long Beach Memorial Medical Center.  Please RSVP by November 17.  Complimentary parking is available for this event.

Good news, our Thanksgiving meeting will be Wednesday, November 19 at the church from 5:30 p.m.-7:00 p.m.  Hope to see lots of old friends from past groups and meet lots of new friends to share our hope and experience with.  For more information, please call Diane Elledge.

Is Carolyn Remley.  Call her for confidential help or referrals when you are going through a crisis.