“For the Son of Man come not to be served, but to serve, and to give his life a ransom for many.” Mark 10:45 / NRSV
This brief article appeared in the Murphy’s Newsletter. They in turn gleaned it from the June/July United Church News:
On any 5th Sunday of the month, the First Congregational Church UCC in Montclair, NJ, locks the church entrance and drapes it with a huge banner reading “Jesus has left the building and we followed.” On those infrequent Sundays, the church members set the day aside to participate in hands-on service. Parishioners sign up from a list of volunteer options and put their intention in the collection plate the week before. People work in food kitchens, visit shut-ins, help with services at senior housing, provide transportation to those in need. Even visitors are active in the program and seem to love the concept of active service...
Something to consider for First Congregational Church, of Stockton? Please pray for our mutual ministry daily. As we progress with St. Anne Episcopal Church, you will know all details. Blessings and best, Pastor Dennis
Change of Worship Time: Please note on your calendars, the new time for our Worship Services is 10:00 a.m.
Board of Christian Education:
On August 12… Dress for a Picnic! We are having a Hot Dog BBQ at the church. The cost is $3.00 for all you can eat. The menu: Hot Dogs, Chips, Cookies, and Drinks. The money we raise will go toward Youth Summer Camp. We only had two youth from our church that went to Camp Tamarack: Abby Gorrell and Hugo Carranza. They left July 22 and were back July 28, so take the time to ask them at the BBQ what camp was like and about all the friends they made. Your support in helping our youth to go to Camp is very much appreciated. And to all those involved in the BBQ… A Big Thank You!
Next big event ~ RALLY SUNDAY! September 16. And guess what! We are having a BBQ. The menu will consist of Hamburgers, Hot Dogs, Chips, Salad, Cookies, and Drinks. This is the start of Sunday School after having the summer off. We call this Rally Sunday because it is a time to gather “Family and Friends” and come to church for worship and fellowship. Family and Friends are such a major part of our lives; let’s celebrate September 16 with all our Family and Friends! Question? How many people do you think we will have September 16? How about a church vote ~ as we get closer, I will ask for your help in coming up with a total. THINK BIG! Jacque, Chair, Board of Christian Ed
Breakfast Club: Breakfast Club meets 7:30 a.m. every Monday at Carrows Restaurant. All are welcome! This month's conveners are: August 6: Doris August 13: Ruth August 20: Paul August 27: Maxine
Women’s Fellowship: Woman's Fellowship had a committee meeting and scheduled the first meeting for Women's Fellowship for Saturday, September 15, 2007. There will be a 10:30 A.M., brunch and we will have a great speaker, Sr. Katherine Hamilton, Coordinator for Stockton Interfaith Care-giver Program. We will be mailing the yearbooks out by the end of August. We are looking forward to a fun and interesting year. Judy, President
Holiday A’Faire:
The Holiday A'Faire will be on Saturday, November 3, this year. Hav you circled it on your calendar? If not, it should be! Yes, that’s the date for the 13th Annual Holiday A’Faire! Please start thinking about the ways in which you can help prepare for this very important fund raiser. Work days will be scheduled soon. It is not too early to bring baskets, good custom jewelry, collectibles, handcrafted items, embroidered linens, and quart jars to Konig Hall. They can then be sorted, evaluated, and priced. Suggestions for ways in which the event can be made even more exciting will be much appreciated by Judy, Chairperson (her number is in the church directory). Let’s make this A’Faire the “best ever” as we open our doors to the community for a day of fun and excitement.
A Luau!!!: St. Anne Episcopal Church is having a Luau on Friday, August 24, 7:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. The church address: 1020 W. Lincoln Road, Stockton, CA. Call ahead... their number is in the phone book. Everyone is welcome!
Murphys Theatre: FCCS & St. Anne Episcopal church attended Murphys Creek Theatre “Theatre Under the Stars” on July 14. As You Like It, one of William Shakespeare’s most popular and delightful romantic comedies, was performed in modern day apparel. Seventeen (nine from FCCS and eight from St. Anne’s) attended. We had a wonderful time!
Religion and Ethics Newsweekly: "Religion and Ethics Newsweekly" is the Web site of the PBS television show hosted by veteran journalist Bob Abernethy, providing news and analysis in the world of religion and ethics. The Web address: http://www.pbs.org/wnet/religionandethics/index_flash.html
Saint Anne and FCCS at the Stockton Ports Games: This has been a fun season with going to the Stockton Ports games with St. Anne Episcopal Church. There are 3 remaining games, August 4, 18 and September 1. The seats are good and the group is fun, so get your order in to Judy as soon as possible. Thanks, Judy
Please note on your calendars that the new time for our Worship Services is 10:00 a.m.
Board of Christian Education:
Well, summer is here! How do I know? It is supposed to be 100 degrees today and Sunday School is out for summer break!
July 8 is our Ice Cream Social. This is your chance to forget about your diet and enjoy yourself! If you wish to make a donation, any money received will go toward summer camp for our youth.
August 12 – Hot Dog BBQ. – Do you like Hot Dogs? I hope so. This is a fund-raiser for Summer Camp. The BBQ is following worship. Watch your next newsletter for location of this BBQ! Remember that this is Picnic Sunday…come dressed for a Picnic.
September 16 is Rally Sunday. This is the start of the Sunday School year. There will be a BBQ of Hamburgers and Hot Dogs. This is a great time to invite your family and friends to worship for a time of celebration of “Family and Friends.”
Everyone stay safe this summer!
Jacque, Chair, Board of Christian Ed
Breakfast Club:
Breakfast Club meets 7:30 a.m. every Monday at Carrow’s Restaurant. July 16: Harriet, July 23: Herb, July 30: Maxine
Spiritual Care:
Spiritual Care has some projects for the summer and would like to give you an update: Port's Baseball Game with St. Anne ~ We went to our first game on June 9 and the group was a total of 27 people. The game was great (Ports won!) and everyone had a good time. The next game is on July 3 and we will have a total of 55 people (21 from our Church) and look forward to a good evening and "fireworks.” The following games are scheduled and tickets are available; July 21, August 4, August 18 and September 1, so contact Judy for tickets.
St. Mary's "Christmas in July" shoe drive ~ Please bring slightly worn shoes to church and we will take them to St. Mary's Dinning Hall. This is a good time for summer clean-out.
Everyone, have a great summer and stay "cool.”
Judy, Chair, Board of Spiritual Care
Women’s Fellowship:
The summer is a good time for planning the 2007-2008 year for the Women's Fellowship. In July, Pauline, Janet, and myself, will meet and confirm dates and program speakers. We would welcome ideas for programs and speakers, so please contact one of our group. The year book for Women's Fellowship will be handed out on September 1.
While Pastor Dennis is off on a well-earned vacation from July 9 to July 24, we will have two dynamic ministers preaching. The Rev. Erin King will be preaching on July 15. She is a former member of our church and we are proud that she was ordained during her time here. She is currently a member of United Congregational Church in Lodi.
The Rev. Derril Peabody is the former pastor of United Congregational Church in Lodi. He has served as an interim minister the past six years, and is a longtime friend of our church.
Please give a hearty welcome to both of these fine ministers. And don't forget: church starts at 10:00 A.M.!
Saint Anne and FCCS at the Stockton Ports:
Join St. Anne and FCCS families and friends for fun at the Banner Island Ballpark on June 9, July 3, July 21, August 4, August 18, and September 1. All games start at 7:05 p.m. All are on Saturdays, except Tuesday, July 3. Single tickets are $10.00, except for those 2-years old and under, who are free. “St. Anne/FCCS Season” tickets are $57.00 for the six games. Our seats will always be in Section 106, right at Third Base. The benefits are:
You will save 50 cents on each ticket.
You will be ensured of having a ticket for each game.
You will have your choice of seats!
You can choose to sit close to the front of the section, toward the back, or in the middle. You may select a seat on the aisle or in the middle of the row. (The actual seat may vary because the Ports might not give us exactly the same block of tickets within Section 106 for each game.)
Tickets will be on sale after worship services every Sunday. To reserve our block of good seats, we must:
1) sell a minimum of 25 tickets
2) we must have the money to the Ports two weeks in advance of each game.
Reservations for the June 9 game must be paid for by May 20. You will receive your actual tickets on Sunday, May 27 or June 3. Your payment is your reservation. Pay for your tickets as you sign up through Judy. You may reserve seats for any or all of our dates. The Ports predict that the July 3 game will be a sellout. Get your reservation in well in advance for that special event.
Theatre Under the Stars:
FCCS and St. Anne churches will be attending the Murphy’s Creek Theatre “Theatre Under the Stars” on Saturday evening, July 14. Performances take place outdoors at the Cornelia Stevenot Performing Arts Center at Stevenot Winery. It is located at 2690 San Domingo Road two miles outside of Murphy’s. The 250 seat-terraced amphitheater provides superb acoustics and excellent site lines, a great setting to enjoy the theatre under the summer stars.
Seating is festival style, on the lawn; patrons may bring a low chair (12" maximum) or picnic blankets to sit on. A limited number of chairs are available for rent on a first-come, first-served basis. All shows begin at 8:00 p.m., with the grounds opening for seating at 6:30 p.m. Light snacks, desserts, wine by the bottle or glass and other beverages are available for purchase. You may bring your own cooler with food and beverages (including your own wine, soda). Pastor Amy’s note: BRING BUG SPRAY (FOR MOSQUITOES)!
As You Like It, one of William Shakespeare’s most popular and delightful romantic comedies, will be performed. Banished from the Court of Duke Frederik, Rosalind escapes to the forest of Arden with her cousin Celia. For protection, she disguises herself as the boy “Ganymede,” and the gender-bending comic confusion quickly starts to pile up! She encounters Orlando, the man she loves, and tries to teach him how to properly woo a woman, while fending off the advances of the shepardess Phebe, who has fallen in love with the “boy” Ganymede. Meanwhile, the lovesick Shepard Silvius pines for Phebe, creating a hilarious love triangle where nothing, and nobody, is as it seems.
Ticket prices are $22 each. Pauline will be the contact person for First Congregational Church. Payment needs to be to Pauline by June 17. We will car pool at a prearranged time from one of our churches.