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

The song, “O Lord, Hear Our Prayer” is familiar to the Bay Shore congregation. Over the past few years it has been sung numerous times by the choir as a call to prayer in the worship service.  But you may not know that this song, and many others like it, comes from Taizé, an ecumenical community of brothers located in the small village of that name in the Burgundy region of eastern France. The ecumenical community, founded in 1940, is made up of more than a hundred men from many nations representing Protestant and Catholic branches of Christianity. Life in the community focuses on prayer and Christian meditation. At the heart of Taizé there is a passion for the Church, and their goal is to provide not only an example of community, but “a pilgrimage of trust on earth.” People from all over the world visit Taizé each week to join in the community life. 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.

The Taizé style of singing incorporates short songs based on Psalms or other pieces of Scripture. Much of the Taizé community music was conceived and composed by Jacques Berthier. This music, combined with the reading of scripture passages and prayers forms the basis of a Taizé service. In our worship service, the Chancel Choir will read the scripture passages, lead the unison prayers, and lead the congregational singing. Communion will be served by members of the Worship Commission. Alica Adams on the piano and Michelle Haun on the flute will accompany our singing. The Scripture passages throughout the service will provide a focus for the prayers, and the unison and silent prayers will provide a time for personal and common contem-plation. The silence in the service will provide a time of calmness and reflection, and the singing of the songs will provide an opportunity to contemplate the meaning of the words being sung.

Because of the Long Beach Marathon closing off area streets on Sunday, October 12, it is not possible for us to have a morning worship service. Instead, come and join us at 5:00 p.m. in Gabrielson Chapel. It is our hope that this service will be a meaningful time of prayer and reflection for all who attend.

Julie Ramsey
Director of Music

Last week the church received the following thank you from Centro Shalom.

Thank you so much to Bay Shore Community Congregational Church for your generous contribution to Central Shalom of $200 a month in Smart & Final scrip for the rest of the year.  We often have a shortage of food supplies at Centro but, given this economy, this is especially a problem. The Smart & Final coupons will help us out greatly by giving us $50 a week to spend for supplies and food that we do not get through donations. Please convey this heartfelt thanks to your Missions Commission.

Sincerely, Marc Coleman
Chair, Centro Shalom Program Board

Attendance October 5 was 197 :
166 adults and 31 children.

Oct. 12: No coffee hour at 5 p.m. Taize and Communion Vesper Service

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 October 19. If you are interested, please contact John Dooley.

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.

Bay Shore Briefs
Attendance September 14 was 172:
146 adults and 26 children.

Upcoming Coffee Hour Hosts:
Sept. 21: Joel & Jeanine Benson
Sept. 28: Brad & Deborah Andrews
Oct. 5: Laura Caley & Susan Henderson
Oct. 12: Jim & Margo Carter

Margaret Servin, Coordinator of Client Services for the C.A.R.E. Program, sent the following thank you to the church.

I would like to take this opportunity to thank you and your congregation for the Smart and Final cards. We have purchased more food bags for our most needy clients.  On a weekly basis we have individuals who are homeless and clients in very difficult situations come in for emergency food assistance. We are very thankful for the generosity of your congregation. Without your gift we would not be able to provide this assistance to our clients. Your heartfelt gift is making a huge impact in many lives. We cannot thank you and congregation enough!

Blessings to All,
Margaret Servin, MSW

The church received this thank you from Opera Gang Creator and Producer Marvellee Cariaga.

To the Congregation of Bay Shore Church: Thank you for your generous help in our Opera Gang Productions. Your church was a perfect setting with wonderful acoustics. The audiences were very comfortable.  We are grateful for your contribution to our success. I enjoyed meeting many of the congregation.  Megan’s supporters came again and again. Thank you all.

Best wishes,
Marvellee Cariaga

We need extra people to join four others to fold the Carillon and prepare it for mailing.  It takes about 90 minutes.  Come join the other folders for a morning of fun, fellowship, and folding!