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

Dr. Lawrence Fong, Danny Posson, Nancy, Marilynn, Michael, Calli, Charlotte Student  Heyward Christmas, Roberta Stanley, Mike Prencavage, Rich Elliot, all caregivers, Jay, Lena-Jo Wilson, Herb, Doug & Darl Incledon, Amy Jensen, Dennis, soul of Susan Doti, Doti & Scaffidi family, Liz, Mom, men & women working to bring peace & freedom to the people of Iraq & Afghanistan, Bud Kilsby, Marta, Tracey Condon, Brian Edmonds, John Armstrong, Phyllis Johnson, John & his family, Bill Johnston, family of Bobbie Needham Miller-Reed, Marie Hennessey, Al, soul of Tillie Baker, Betty Outten, Laurie Turley, all travelers, Teri Z., Isaiah Hoagland, Lute Olson.

9:30 a.m.    Worship     Sunday School     Nursery

The Rev. Charles Ensley’s Sermon:
“THIS  IS  NO  TIME  FOR  TALENTS”

Some parables of Jesus are difficult to understand; some seem even subversive.  In today’s economic climate, we would praise someone who buried their money, thus preserving the principal.  Wouldn’t we like to know how the other two entrusted with five and two talents invested them and didn’t lose the principal in a down market?  Or is this about money at all?

Scripture Lesson: Matthew 25:14-30
Lay Reader: Diane Donaldson
Bay Shore Bells: A Song of Hope
Chancel Choir anthem: E’en So, Lord Jesus, Quickly Come
Reception of New Members

This Sunday’s Activities
8:00  Bay Shore Bells Rehearsal
8:30  Chancel Choir Rehearsal
8:30  Parish Outreach Commission
9:30  Worship, Sunday School & Nursery
10:45  Fellowship Hour in Concert Hall
11:00  Harvest Home Congregational Meeting
11:00  Children’s Choir Rehearsal in Sanctuary
12:00  Missions Commission meets after Harvest Home Meeting

Flowers on the altar are given by the Eastman family in loving memory of Jack and Shirley Gescheider to honor them on their anniversary.

Greeters are: Terry and Mary Ann Anderson

Lay Reader:  Diane Donaldson
Diane has been a Bay Shore Church member for 23 years and has lived in Long Beach 25 years.  Her favorite church involvements are listening to the beautiful music and being involved in the Missions Commission.  Diane’s family includes her husband, George White, and their children Lauren and Grant White.  Diane is an Assessment Consultant for Pearson, and she enjoys traveling, all kinds of music, and spending time with her friends and family.

I’m writing this on Tuesday morning, a short while after waiting 35 minutes to vote in the presidential election.  One poll worker said that by 8:00 a.m., they had as many voters as usually vote in an entire day!  Poll workers at the precinct voting in our Youth Center tell me they had a line around the corner this morning as well.  It’s exciting to see so many people take part in the democratic process that is part of our American life.  Many young voters were enthused to vote for the first time, and I saw several families take their children into the voting booths to witness the process, and participate in their own way.

By the time you read this, we will know who is the new president of the United States.  Knowing the make-up of our congregation, some of you will be delighted your candidate won; others will be deeply disappointed your candidate lost.  Either one senator will return to the Senate, or two will.  One candidate will be moving into the presidency, and one must concede.  Perhaps it can be done as gracefully as this quote, which Stephen Douglas reputedly said to Abraham Lincoln after the election of 1860:  “Partisan feelings must yield to patriotism.  I’m with you, Mr. President, and God bless you.”  The race is over; now the governing must begin.

One proposition which had as much support and opposition as the presidential candidates was California Proposition 8, which would amend the California constitution to define marriage as only between one man and one woman.  Again, I know there were mixed views on this issue among our congregation.  Some of you will be elated at the results; others will be deeply disturbed.

I hope that after all the results are in, we can process what they mean for us, make our peace with the results, then get on to the important business of addressing our nation’s ills, its economic problems, and society’s needs.

It has been a long campaign, the most expensive on record.  When I heard figures of millions and billions spent on advertisements we heard over and over again, I could not help but wonder how much good some of that money could do if directed to charities and some of the very agencies the propositions were aimed at.  But, this is America, and thank God for that.  At least we have orderly transitions of power.

There will be a 2009 Budget Informational Forum this Sunday, Nov. 9 after worship.  The Harvest Home congregational meeting to adopt the proposed 2009 budget and elect financial officers will be 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.

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.

Frances Nobert will perform Music, She Wrote: Organ Compositions by Women at Bay Shore Church next Tuesday, November 11 at 7:30 p.m.  This event is part of the season of the Long Beach Chapter of the American Guild of Organists.  Dr. Nobert’s program will showcase works by women from the 1800s to the present, with a special emphasis on Americans.  Composers will include Elfrida Andrée, Emma Lou Diemer, Ester Mägi, Margaret Meier, Clara Schumann, Jeanne Shaffer, Alex Shapiro, Martha Sobaje and Florence Price.  In addition to performing this less-explored repertoire, Dr. Nobert will feature various color stops of the organ, including the recently refurbished Hooded Trumpets.

Dr. Nobert is Professor Emerita of Music at Whittier College.  She earned her Bachelor of Music from Salem College, Master of Music from Syracuse University and Doctor of Musical Arts from the University of Southern California.  As a recipient of a Fulbright Grant, she studied organ, harpsichord and piano in Germany.  For many seasons she served as the accom-panist for a nationwide tour of the Roger Wagner Chorale.

Each of the 93 Hotevilla-Bacavi School children will have a gift this year at Christmas!  Remember, they are due back on Sunday, November 9.  If you weren’t able to sponsor a child, we are still taking donations for the scholarship fund, which would help send these deserving students to college.  You can make out your check (for any amount) to the church and put Project Love in the memo line.  Please submit your donation by November 9.  If you have any questions or would like to help sort and pack the gifts, please contact Debby Griffin. Thank you to everyone who signed up to buy a gift or who made a donation to the Scholarship Fund!

Attendance at 9:30 November 2 was 202:
169 adults and 33 children.
Attendance at 5:00 Vespers was 21.

Upcoming Fellowship Hour Hosts:
11/9:    Dick Landes & Diane Donaldson
11/16:  Jean Brodie & Cassie Berrisford
11/23:  Phil & Charlene Bosl
11/30:  Tom & Val Light

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

The Business Affairs Commission is interested in forming a committee of volunteers that will help develop, direct, and maintain Bay Shore Technology now and into the future, contributing and serving by helping to set up and maintain Bay Shore’s computer network, computers, printers, and copiers.

Interested members and others should have experience in setting up networks and computers and, most importantly, be willing to put their skills to good use to help Bay Shore.  We also encourage those of high school and college age to apply.  Rich Ramsey, who works in the software industry, has been volunteer-ing his time the last several months and will lead the committee.  If you are interested in serving, or want more information, please contact Rich.

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 our own table service and beverage of choice.