Spiritual Formation Small Group Update

The Spiritual Formation Group will meet in Redwood Chapel on Monday, Nov. 9th, from 7:00-8:30 p.m.

Another group needs the space in the Tower Room for this one week, so we’ll enjoy a different location as we explore Lectio Divina (Latin for divine reading), a centuries-old method of reading Scripture to experience transformation.

Last Monday, the group discussed the benefit of fasting in today’s world. It is the disciplined person who can do what needs to be done when it needs to be done – i.e., there is a time to feast and a time to fast. There’s a long list of Biblical fasters that reads like a who’s who of Scripture, as well as many well known Christians throughout church history. In His sermon on the mount, Jesus gave explicit instructions of what not to do and what to do when fasting – note that he referred to when we fast, not if we fast (Matthew 6:16-24). Fasting is a way of humbling oneself before God and helps one to focus on a specific issue. Oneonta’s youth group can testify to this from their experience of World Vision’s 30 Hour Famine.

The central idea in fasting is the voluntary denial of an otherwise normal function (whether it’s eating or something else) for the sake of intense spiritual activity.

The group briefly discussed how fasting from people (making time for solitude), the phone and conversation (making time for silence) and consumerism can foster spiritual growth in an ever busy, noisy world. What do you need to fast from to grow closer to God?

-Bernice Worley

A quick story of encouragement!

Be careful what you pray for!

I started praying regularly a couple of weeks ago for the Lord to bring new people to our contemporary worship service, “ONE Worship”, each week. I usually pray for this, but lately I felt the Lord calling me to make this more of priority. The first Sunday following my prayers we had a new woman visit us named Cheryl, who had a great experience and has been coming regularly ever since. Last week we had 4 new people in ONE Worship! Woohoo! Also, a woman who lives in Pasadena called the church today asking about our Monkey Butler Comedy group. She heard about Oneonta because she is a member at the YMCA next door. I spoke with her for a bit and she said that she was looking at our website and was also interested in checking out ONE Worship. I described what we are all about and she was so excited she said she will definitely be at both Monkey Butler and at ONE this Sunday! (I got so excited that I forgot what her name was. Oops.) So if you see a new face this week, feel free to give her a big ONE Worship greeting!

There are so many good things here at our church! I am so excited to have an opportunity to share them with the community around us. I would like to invite you to pray with me each week, “Lord, please continue to bring new people to ONE Worship and Oneonta Church as a whole.” Amen!

Sincerely,

Lincoln Skinner -Director of Family Ministries & Contemporary Worship

Door of Hope Outreach Event on Saturday, Nov 7

How can I show love to my neighbor?

WHAT: Join us as we head up to “Door of Hope” Ministries in Pasadena to help clean and fix things in their residences for low-income families.

WHEN & WHERE: Saturday, November 7. Meet at the church parking lot at 8:30am. We will return around noon and enjoy lunch together while we share our experiences with each other. The event will end around 1PM.

CONTACT: Tom Stone if you have any questions- tom@mpmusic.us

For more info about Door of Hope Ministries visit http://www.doorofhope.us

Spiritual Formation small group update

The Spiritual Formation Group read and discussed Elijah’s encounter with God in the cave on Mount Horeb (1 Kings 19:8-18).  “A hurricane ripped through the mountains and shattered the rocks, but God wasn’t to be found in the wind; after the wind an earthquake, but God wasn’t to be found in the earthquake; and after the earthquake came fire, but God wasn’t to be found in the fire; and after the fire, a gentle, quiet whisper.”  Like Elijah, in the quiet we can begin to hear the still, small voice of God. David had a lot to say about being still and waiting for the Lord.  “I wait for the Lord, my soul waits, and in His word I put my hope” (Psalm 130:5).  “My soul waits in silence for God only; from Him is my salvation” (Psalm 62:1).  “Be still and know that I am God” (Psalm 46:10). The more hectic our lives, the more essential it is that we make space for silence and solitude.  Hans Margolis said, “Only in quiet waters do things mirror themselves undistorted.  Only in a quiet mind is adequate perception of the world.” Silence and solitude supply fuel for the soul.  There’s something about being alone and quiet that has the ability to renew, invigorate and energize us.  But it’s not just about being alone and quiet – it’s about being alone with God, and quiet so we can hear Him speak.  Try these three simple steps to take toward hearing God’s still, small voice:  (1) Find time to be alone; (2) Make it as quiet as possible; and (3) Practice the art of silence, which involves active listening. Next Monday evening the group will discuss the Biblical tradition of fasting – how do we practice this in the 21st century?  What are the benefits of exercising this spiritual discipline? -Bernice

Monkey Butler Improv Comedy Update

Join us Thursday nights from 8pm-10pm in the Tower Room for free Improv Comedy Worshops by critically acclaimed “Monkey Butler Comedy” team. This is a level 1 foundations class that is open to anyone age 17 and up. If you are new to improv comedy and want to come to check it out, great! If you are a pro who wants to come and refine your craft, this class is for you, too.

We had a great turnout last week at class. 16 people showed up and our fearless instructor, Eric Reeser, decided that we were ready to experiment with group “long form” imrov comedy. This is a technique in which two people act out a spontaneous scene and other actors can jump in and manipulate the story. It just as much fun to watch as it is to participate.

On another note, it is exciting to report that we have quite a fun community building here every Thursday night. Not only are we consistently seeing the same faces each week, but great friendships and hang out times are beginning to happen outside of class among our attendees. It really blesses me to see how people in the group are excited to come each week not only because they enjoy learning and performing improv, but because they feel like this is a safe place among friends.

If you are looking for a chance to have fun, make new friends, and learn more about improv comedy, please join us this week!

If you want to learn more about monkey butler, please visit www.monkeybutlercomedy.com

-Lincoln

Oneonta’s Monday Evening Spiritual Formation Group

What does it mean to imitate Christ?  Arthur Simon, founder of the international organization Bread for the World, grew up on a farm in Wisconsin and was taught by his father that “even the cows should know you are a Christian by the way you treat them.”  Last Monday, the Spiritual Formation Group studied the pattern of Jesus’ life and ministry as set forth in Mark 1:35-42.  In a nutshell, Jesus set an example of meditation, proclamation and compassion. Meditation (or spending quiet time alone with God) is necessary to face the challenges with which we are presented.  As a medieval monk prayed, “Lord, temper with tranquility our manifold activity, that we may do our work for thee with very great simplicity.” Proclamation (or preaching) was essential to Jesus’ ministry.  All Christian living is proclamation of that which masters us.  By deed as well as by word, we make a statement about the things in which we believe and an expression of our faith. Compassion (or love) is a natural blossom from the seed planted in meditation; and proclamation is futile without compassion.  As Johann Wolfgang von Goethe so aptly stated, “The highest cannot be spoken, it can only be acted” and “Knowing is not enough; we must apply.  Willing is not enough, we must do.” May the example that Christ gives us draw us to a fuller commitment of our lives to His way so that even the cows will know we are Christians! Next week the Spiritual Formation Group will explore the disciplines of silence and solitude and how they provide perspective and fuel for the soul. -Bernice Worley

Pics from Family Movie Night!

Spiritual Formation update

Last Monday, the Spiritual Formation Group explored the mysterious partnership we have with God in becoming more sanctified (or holy – or Christ-like).  Paul told the Philippians to “work out your salvation with fear and trembling” indicating that we have an important, yet humble, role; but then he said, “For it is God who is at work within you.”  (Philippians 2:12-13)  So sanctification is empowered by God.  Just like a sailboat that requires action to hoist the sails and steer the rudder, we cannot be passive.  But, at the same time, we are utterly dependent on the wind.  Read John 3:8 to see what Jesus said about the “wind.”  Our job is to discern where the wind of the Spirit is blowing and to know how to catch it.

The group discussed how sanctification is a process that may be painstaking.  Paul wrote in Philippians 3:12-13 that he wasn’t there yet, but he presses on, forgetting what is behind and straining toward what is ahead.  Finally the group talked about the goal or motivation behind pursuing sanctification (or spiritual growth).  The answer in one word is “love.”  God loves us even when we are hardest to love.  He wants to sanctify us and that’s no small thing – it’s God’s destiny for us.  If we miss out on that, we miss out on what we were made for – God’s intent is to sanctify us so we can love as He loves.  I think Oneonta got it right in our mission statement – “Our mission as Christians is to love God, love others, and serve humanity.”

Next week’s discussion will focus on imitating Christ – read Mark 1:35-42 – can you see a pattern of Jesus’ life that we can imitate?

Bernice Worley

Spiritual Formation small group update

 ”For where two or three come together in my name, there am I with them.” Matthew 18:20 (NIV).   Three of us met last Monday and shared how we interpret God working in our lives.  Sometimes what we first perceive to be problems turn out to be blessings.   

Next Monday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Tower Room, the group will explore further the mysterious partnership we have with God in growing spiritually.

Bernice Worley

Family Movie Night featuring DreamWorks “Monsters vs. Aliens”

You’re invited to this special event!

WHAT: Join us for Family Movie Night, featuring the recently released DreamWorks animated film, “Monsters vs. Aliens”.

WHEN: Saturday, October 17 from 5:30pm-8:00pm.

WHERE: Oneonta Congregational Church. Event will be in the church quad (grassy area in the center of the campus).

COST: Free event! Free dinner provided by “Mamas Brick Oven Pizza” and free dessert provided by “My Sweet Cupcake”. There will also be free refreshments and more!

BRING: This will be an outdoor event, so don’t forget to bring lawn chairs, blankets, warm clothes, etc.

RSVP: Please contact Lisa Petty at 323-257-8477 to rsvp.

10/3 Door of Hope service event CANCELED

Due to last- minute unforseen circumstances, our Saturday Oct. 3 Door of Hope morning visit is canceled. We apologize for any disappointment this has caused. We will be sure to reschedule this event and post it on our website calendar: www.oneonta.org

Spiritual Formation small group update

The Spiritual Formation Group met last Monday to discuss different aspects of finding the secret of satisfaction by seeking God’s kingdom.  In Matthew 5:6, Jesus tells us we are blessed when we ravenously hunger and insatiably thirst for righteousness, and he assures us that we will be filled or satisfied.  We talked about righteousness being a gift from God and sanctification as a process of becoming more Christ-like through the power of the Holy Spirit.  In John 6:35, Jesus said “I am the bread of life.  He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.”  So the way to satisfaction lies in coming to Jesus and believing in Him. Next Monday from 7:00-8:30 p.m. in the Tower Room, the group will explore the mysterious partnership we forge with God in our quest for holiness – this process of spiritual growth – is it our job or God’s? Bernice Worley

Spiritual Formation at Oneonta Congregational Church

As part of my commitment to lead a small group pursuing spiritual formation, I intend to report weekly on what the group is studying.

This is an open group that anyone can attend at any time – no need to RSVP, simply show up in the Tower Room on Monday evenings from 7:00 – 8:30 p.m. In any event, I hope you enjoy this weekly summary of the spiritual formation group’s progress.

Last Monday, we talked about the difference between believing in Jesus and living a Christian life. We looked at the close relationship Adam and Eve had with God in the Garden of Eden (Genesis 2:15-3:13); we discussed the humble life modeled by Jesus as portrayed by Paul in Philippians 2:1-11; and we talked about passionately pursuing a closer relationship with Christ (Philippians 3:12-4:1). We challenged each other to “make a date” with our Lord and Savior this week – to set aside a time, place or activity to commune with Him. Next week’s session is entitled “The Secret of Satisfaction” – feel free to come check it out!

In His Love, Joy and Peace – Bernice

Pics from August 9th BBQ at the Griffins

Here are some pics from the OSAC/ONE Worship BBQ we had on August 9th. Special thanks to Jim and Sarah Griffin for providing their beautiful home for this event!

A few more pics of the Whitmore room so far…

Special thanks to Abraham Ho and all the volunteers who helped get us this far!

-lincoln