THE LIGHTHOUSE

June 2019

THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Disciples of Christ)

OF PACIFIC GROVE

A Spiritual Sanctuary

for the Thinking Christian

442 Central Avenue

Pacific Grove, CA 93950

Phone: (831) 372-0363

Daniel Wm. Paul, Mdiv.

Pastor

E-mail:

churchoffice @pacificgrovechurch.org

Website:

pacificgrovechurch.org

Sunday Schedule

Worship Service 11:00 AM

Fellowship after Worship

In essentials, unity.

In non-essentials, liberty.

In all things, charity.

Notes from the Lion’s Den

Happy Anniversary!

Dear God, Today is a beautiful, magnificent, delightful, and wonderful day. I will rejoice and be glad. I am grateful to the women called the Willing Workers who prayed together and envisioned the Disciples of Christ Church be built here,125 years ago. I am grateful for the answered prayers, the healings, the blessings, and the sorrows expressed in this church during times of peace and war over the last 125 years. The Holy Trinity abides here now. During this time of communion, I just want time God, time to be with you to sit in stillness to ponder how beautiful, magnificent, delightful, and wonderful you are right here, right now. In Christ’s name, I pray and give thanks. Amen

This lovely work was the written prayer that Elder Kimberly Brown recited during our 125th

anniversary celebration. Add this to communion celebrated with thoughtfulness humor by our

regional minister LaTaunya Bynum and an interactive sermon by our dear friend Ben Bohren…

well, it was indeed a happy anniversary well-celebrated.

In his sermon, “Safe Space… Brave Space… God Space” Ben challenged us to identify the

uniqueness of this congregation that describes us and appeals to us. It was a fitting way of

reminding us that milestones like a 125th Anniversary is partially reflecting on what we have

done, but it is moreover a time to consider what we have yet to do.

Even on a rainy day, we had great attendance and jubilant energy. The group that meditates

prior to worship could sense the vibrancy and joy as we began to gather in the fellowship hall to

prepare for worship and celebration. Truly, a great day to be church, wasn’t it?

See you in church,

dp

Serving Our Church

Worship Leaders

2- Lori Robinson 9-Kimberly Brown 16-Pam Brydon 23-Janet Billets 30-Pinkie Weesner

June Birthdays 2- Bill Landreth

5- Alex Pardi & Allison Payne 6- Patricia Hoffman

24- Tiffany Bingaman

June Anniversaries

27- Charlie & Carole Bestor

28- Jeff & Allison Payne

Serving Elders Thanksgiving Communion

2- Pinkie Weesner Heidi Toy 9- Ed Kilgore Nancy Bingaman 16-Joy Brittain Carole Bestor 23- Ed Kilgore Lori Robison 30-Kimberly Brown Joy Brittain

Elder of the Month

Pinkie Weesner

Deacon of the Month Patricia Hoffman

Flowers Fellowship 2- Phyllis & Michelle Birthday Cake 9- Jean & Patricia Jean & Patricia 16-

23- 30- 26-

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

1 Book Club 11 AM Chalice Closet 1-4pm Blue Theology Group

2 Meditation with the Pastor 9:45 AM Worship 11 AM Blue Theology Group

3

4

Clergy Lectionary @ 10AM

5

6 Lunch Bunch Noon Trustees Meeting 6 PM

7 Chalice Closet 12-4 PM

8 Chalice Closet 1-4 PM

9 Meditation 9:45 AM Worship 11 AM

10

11

Clergy Lectionary @ 10AM

Finance Meeting @ 5:30 PM

12

13

14 Chalice Closet 12-4 PM

15 Chalice Closet 1-4 PM Blue Theology Group

16 Meditation 9:45 AM Worship 11 AM Father’s Day Blue Theology Group

17 Blue Theology Group

18

Clergy Lectionary @ 10AM Administrative Board Meeting @ 6:00 PM

19

20 CWF @ 10:30 am

21 Chalice Closet 12-4 PM

22 Chalice Closet 1-4 PM

23 Meditation 9:45 Worship 11 AM

30 Worship 11 AM Blue Theology Group

24 25

Clergy Lectionary @ 10AM

26

27

28 Chalice Closet 12-4 PM

29 Chalice Closet 1-4 PM

2019

BOOK CLUB!

You are invited to join our new book club. We will discuss books

and enjoy lunch together once a month. Our first meeting will

take place next month in the fellowship hall.

WHEN: Saturday, June 1, 2019, 11 a.m.–1:00 p.m.

WHERE: Jones Hall

BOOK FOR JUNE’S MEETING: The Practice of the Presence of God, by

Brother Lawrence (This edition is a translation of the 17th

century French text into modern English. Translator: Marshall

Davis.)

We hope you can attend our first meeting! Please contact Janet

Billets for further information.

Pentecost Offering June 2 & 9

Each year, half of the Pentecost Offering is designated to the local Christian Disciples

Region in an effort to start and sustain new churches. The other half is used to support the

recruitment, assessment, training and coaching of new church leaders at events like the

Leadership Academy. Your gift will help new churches grow in Northern California and

Nevada and it will provide support to new church planters across the life of the Church. The

stewardship of our new church leaders is vital, and your contribution to the Pentecost Offering

connects planters with much-needed resources for support and sustainability.

Please give generously. Make your check payable to the Christian Church of Pacific

Grove and indicate “Pentecost” in the memo line or use the envelope provided.

CWF on Thursday, June 20, 2019 at 10:30 AM.

Lunch at 12 noon, bring a sack lunch. Pastor’s Bible Study at 1:00 PM. All are welcome.

The month of August is drawing closer and so is our annual Auction of Talents and Treasures which is on Sunday, August 25. Our dual Auctioneers, Ken Rockefeller and Keith Brown will be selling everything "to the bare walls" to the congregation, family, friends and whoever shows up to bid. But first, we need your help! Perhaps there's some incredible craft you make or you have a hidden talent people will pay to enjoy as you share it with them. Many things have been donated in the past such as Pancakes or Pie of the month, complete dinners for as many as 12 people, original water colors, photographs, keepsakes, timeshare weekends, hotels, trips and Ukulele or French lessons. Or maybe your gift is the ability to obtain donations from area merchants such as restaurant gift certificates, rounds of golf, car washes or merchandise in exchange for the promotional value of having their item be part of our auction will bring. Be sure to invite friends and family for the event, which starts immediately following worship on Sunday August 25. Everybody enjoys the auction. We are already getting some items, but we need a lot of them to make a great and entertaining event. If you have an item for the auction, please contact Lori Robinson or Kimberly Brown. If you have an item that has been donated by a local merchant and would like a tax letter to give them or one to show to a prospective donor, contact Lori or Keith Brown and we'll get the letter for you. Please help in making 2019's auction the best ever.

Ten Ways to Support Your Church By the Spring Hill, FL UCC Church

• Attend regularly • Give generously • Love radically

• Bring others consistently • Volunteer joyfully

• Share Jesus willingly • Fellowship purposely • Show up energetically

• Pray fervently • Encourage Faithfully

ENCOURAGED BY THE WORD

We encourage you to contribute one of your favorite biblical passages to our newsletter. We have forms to fill out at the back of the sanctuary, or you may send an e-mail to Janet Billets.

Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God—what is good and acceptable and perfect. —Romans 12:2 NRS

In Paul’s Magna Carta—the Book of Romans—he gives us this gem that reminds me that being in the world doesn’t mean it’s good to be of the world. I like how this passage honors the mind and reminds me that through reflection and sacred discernment, I can be transformed. —Dan Paul

So I say to you, ask, and it will be given you; search, and you will find; knock, and the door will be opened for you. —Luke 11:9 NRS

I remember an image I saw as a young child. Jesus stood at a door waiting to answer our prayers. It was a comfort for me to think that Jesus was always there for me. —Lori Robinson

Did You Notice? By Lori Robinson

Did you notice the feeling of pride as you passed through the doors restored by Ken and John Sunday morning? Did you notice the pleasure Kimberly took inviting visitors to sign the guestbook? Did you spot the smiles and hugs that dotted the sanctuary as our Sunshine Lady Linda greeted the congregation? As you walked down the aisle of pews were you dazzled by the gleam of all that wood lovingly polished by Kathleen? Could you feel the sweet spirit in the faces of your friends as you took your seat? Did you share Jackie’s joy as she welcomed everyone to worship, the care taken by the choir and musicians Heidi, John and Pam? Did you notice three women serving as elders at the communion table? Were you uplifted by Carole’s prayer, Toni’s invitation and Kimberly’s deeply personal, yet universal musings? Did you feel nostalgic as Ben guided us through the history of our Church? Did you laugh and did you cry Hallelujah? Did you notice the words of gratitude for the unique delivery of our Pastor Dan? Did you pray for those receiving shawls that morning? Did you feel a part of something greater than yourself? When the service ended and you made your way into Jones Hall did you smile to see the special decorations Janet and Scott provided? Were you impressed by the sight of the table laden with delicious food supplied by our deacons and elders? Did your mouth water at the tri-tip prepared and served by Marc? Did you enjoy fellowship with old and new friends as Dawn and Ed, Joy and others brought the day full circle by restoring the kitchen and dining area to their pristine readiness? Most importantly did you feel the presence of our Lord and Savior, our gracious God and Holy Spirit as you helped to make our 125th Anniversary of worship at the Christian Church of Pacific Grove a day to remember? I hope so, and I hope that you will continue to experience that special feeling every Sunday you join us.

THE LIGHTHOUSE

MONTHLY NEWSLETTER OF CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF PACIFIC GROVE 442 CENTRAL AVE PACIFIC GROVE, CA 92950

Church Administration Moderator – Lori Robinson

Vice Moderator – Nancy Bingaman

Board Secretary/Clerk –Linda Nichols

Financial Secretary – Perci Paulsell

Chief Financial Officer - Steve Brydon

Chair of Trustees - Ken Rockefeller

Chair of Elders – Joy Brittain

Chair of Deacons – Janet Billets

Church Staff Pastor - Dan Paul

Minister of Music– Heidi Toy

Organist- John Shykun

Choir Director – Pam Brydon

Administrative Assistant- Nanette Murphy

Nursery Attendants- Larisa Sutter, Faith Harris, Sat Jiwain Khalsa