The Messenger: Campus Clean-Up Day – Saturday, March 7

CAMPUS CLEAN-UP DAY – We will have a campus clean-up day this coming Saturday, March 7 from 10am-5pm. There are multiple cleaning &/or light maintenance projects that we would like to complete. All are welcome to come for all or any part of the day that you are able. A bbq lunch will be provided. No need to RSVP, you can just arrive on the day whenever you are able to come. Thank you!

EASTER EGG HUNT – As has become our tradition, we will be hosting an Easter Egg Hunt for ages 0 to 3^rd grade on Easter Sunday, April 5 @ 10:30am (following the traditional service). In the past, we have requested donations of plastic eggs and candy and have gratefully accepted these. This year, we are requesting monetary donations only and staff and volunteers will make the necessary purchases to ensure consistency. Donations will be used to purchase any needed eggs, small and safe toys, and individually wrapped and allergy friendly treats. Please mark “Easter Egg Hunt” on the memo line of your check or on the envelope (for cash donations). Please turn in donations by Palm Sunday, March 29. Thank you so much!

SUNDAY ADULT STUDY – All are welcome to attend the Adult Study on Sunday mornings currently led by Wendell Webster. This study meets @ 10:45am in Button Hall.

MAYHEM – This recurring monthly gaming event serves as an outreach ministry to youth and college-age students. We are seeking prayer support, sponsors, and volunteers. Email justin.oneonta@gmail.com for details. Donations can be made out to Oneonta Congregational Church with MAYHEM in the memo line.

ROGUE IMPROV – This group meets every Monday evening at 7pm in the Tower Room. It’s a free, quality Improv Class taught by fantastic, skilled teachers, followed by fellowship and prayer time. This weekly event is open to adults of all ages and experience levels.

RELAY FOR LIFE – Our Oneonta Church Movers & Shakers Team is joining the South Pasadena/American Cancer Society Relay for Life for the 12^th year in its effort to Celebrate, Remember, and Fight Back against cancer. The 2015 modified South Pasadena Relay will be held on April 25, 2015 from 3:00pm to 9:00pm in Garfield Park. If you wish to support our church team in this important community outreach effort, you can drop your check or envelope in the offering plate, stop by the church office or give your contribution to Carol Evans (Team Captain), Carole Abernethy or David Schwend by April 19. Checks should be made payable to: AMERICAN CANCER SOCIETY/2015 SO. PAS RELAY and please note “Oneonta Church Team” on the memo line. Thank you for your support! Carol Evans, Team Captain.

UPCOMING LENTEN EVENTS

The 2015 South Pasadena Ministerial Association Lenten Meal & Prayer Schedule:

• Sunday, March 8 @ 6pm – Calvary Presbyterian Church
• Sunday, March 15 @ 6pm – St. James Episcopal Church
• Sunday, March 22 @ 5pm – Assembly of God Church
• Sunday, March 29 @ 7pm – Holy Family Catholic Church

• Sunday, March 29 @ 9:30am & 11:30am – Palm Sunday Traditional & Contemporary Services and the OGHS collection for Church World Service
• Thursday, April 2 @ 7pm – Maundy Thursday Service in the Tower Room
• Friday, April 3 @ Noon – South Pasadena Good Friday Service at Holy Family Catholic Church
• Sunday, April 5 @ 9:30am Traditional Service, Sanctuary / 10:30am Easter Egg Hunt / 11:30am ONE Worship, Gray Hall – Easter Sunday! Celebrate the Risen Lord and Communion in these beautiful services

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

• Sunday, March 8 – DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME BEGINS! (Don’t forget to “spring forward” and set your clocks AHEAD one hour before going to sleep on Saturday night!) – Traditional Service @ 9:30am, Sanctuary / Coffee & Fellowship Time @ 10:30am, Tower Room / Adult Bible Study @ 10:45am, Button Hall / ONE Worship @ 11:30am, Gray Hall / Men’s Pick-up Basketball @ 1pm / Lenten Dinner & Prayer @ 6pm, Calvary Presbyterian Church
• Monday, March 9 – Rogue Improv @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Tuesday, March 10 – Christian Ed @ 7:45pm, Forum
• Wednesday, March 11 – Youth Group @ 7pm / Adult Bible Study @ 7pm, Forum
• Thursday, March 12 – Prayer Mtg @ Noon, Redwood Chapel / Chancel Choir @ 7:30pm, Button Hall
• Saturday, March 14 – Mayhem! @ 10am, Gray Hall / Handbell Team Rehearsal @ 3:00pm, Button Hall

• Sunday, March 15 – Traditional Service @ 9:30am, Sanctuary / Coffee & Fellowship Time @ 10:30am, Tower Room / Adult Bible Study @ 10:45am, Button Hall / ONE Worship @ 11:30am, Gray Hall / Men’s Pick-up Basketball @ 1pm / Lenten Dinner & Prayer @ 6pm, St. James Episcopal Church
• Monday, March 16 – Rogue Improv @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Tuesday, March 17 – Deacon’s Mtg @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Wednesday, March 18 – Youth Group @ 7pm / Adult Bible Study @ 7pm, Forum
• Thursday, March 19 – Prayer Mtg @ Noon, Redwood Chapel / Chancel Choir @ 7:30pm, Button Hall

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The Messenger: Commitment Sunday

COMMITMENT SUNDAY – This coming Sunday, December 7, our annual celebration of “Commitment Sunday” will take place during the 11:30am Congregational Meeting in Gray Hall (following the 10:30am Communion Service in the Sanctuary). In this meeting, a vote will be taken to approve the proposed 2015 budget and lunch will be served. A pledge card was enclosed in the letter sent out this week, and cards will also be available in the Narthex and Church Office.

DONATIONS FOR CHRISTMAS FLOWERS & MUSIC – If you would like to contribute to the poinsettias &/or special music for Christmas, please either use the donation form on the advent newsletter (available in the Narthex and in the church office) or simply list your dedication in the memo line on your check. You can put your donation in the offering plate, bring it to the church office or mail it to the church. Please turn in your donations by Sunday, December 14. Dedications will be listed in the Order of Worship and Messenger the week of Christmas.

ALTERNATIVE CHRISTMAS GIFT FAIR – Thank you to all who participated in the Alternative Christmas Gift Fair. There’s still time to donate; please turn in all donations by December 7.

SUNDAY ADULT STUDY – The Sunday Adult Study invites everyone to the current study entitled “The Music of Christmas” at 10:45am in Button Hall.

CHRISTMAS FOOD BAGS – We are continuing to accept food donations for Christmas that will go to Foothill Unity Center. Empty bags are available in the Narthex. Please bring non-perishable food items such as canned goods, boxed stuffing mixes, gravy mix, mac & cheese, hearty soups, dried pasta, peanut butter, etc. You can also provide turkey certificates (check with your local supermarket) or monetary donations; please make donations out to Foothill Unity Center. Please bring all food donations by Sunday, Dec. 7. Thank you!

ANGEL TREE ORNAMENTS – For those who have picked an angel from the angel tree, please return the angel with your gifts (toys &/or clothing) in the $20-$25 range on Sunday, December 7 for our Joy of Giving Sunday. Tape the angel to your gift or package, please do not gift wrap. Foothill Unity Center will also gladly accept any new, unwrapped toy or game.

SOUTH PASADENA CHRISTMAS TREE LIGHTING – Sunjoo Yeo has organized a Community Children’s Choir to sing for the South Pasadena Christmas Tree Lighting on Thursday, December 4 at the South Pasadena Farmer’s Market; the performance will be at 5:15pm. The event is open to children ages pre-k through 5^th grade. Rehearsals are Wednesdays at 3:30pm in Button Hall from November 12 through December 3. To sign-up or for more information, contact sunjooyeo@hotmail.com.

WOMEN’S CHRISTMAS TEA – The Women’s Christmas Tea will be SATURDAY at 1:00pm! There is still time to sign up as a guest for this beloved event. Please send an email to christmastea@oneonta.org or call the church office if you would like to attend. High Tea will start at 1:00pm followed by a Christmas Program. Our program will feature soloists Nazani Ashjian, Florence Agcawili and Emilie Hess. Our speaker will be actress and producer, Lynn Downey. Lyn adapted Shauna Niequist’s best selling memoir “Cold Tangerines” into a play and appeared in the starring role for the world premier of Little Candle’s production at The Fremont Centre Theatre in June 2014.

ADVENT & CHRISTMAS CAROL SING – Beginning Sunday, December 7 and continuing through Sunday, December 28, there will be a carol sing 10 minutes before the traditional service. This is an opportunity to sing your favorite carol or to simply join in singing many of the familiar tunes of the Advent and Christmas season. Come ready to call out the number of the carol of your choice. We will sing 2 verses of each selection accompanied by our own Bill Schmidt at the organ console. Don’t be left in the cold (or the narthex). Step into the warmth and beauty of our Sanctuary and sing out!

LOS AMIGOS CHRISTMAS PARTY – Everyone is invited to our Los Amigos Christmas Party which will be on Saturday, December 13, at 6:30pm in the Tower Room. Please bring an unwrapped gift for a child age 11-15 which will be donated to the Salvation Army and also bring a white elephant gift for our entertaining gift exchange. Mark your gift: “Man”, “Woman” or “Either”. There is a charge of $15 per person for dinner. (Any excess after expenses will go to the Salvation Army for Christmas dinners for those in need.) Each of us will bring an appetizer, salad, side dish or dessert to go with our ham entrée. Please RSVP to Susan Porch by December 7 or contact the church office for more information.

ARROYO SINGERS CONCERT – On Sunday, December 14 at 4pm in the Sanctuary, the Arroyo Singers will present “An International Holiday Celebration” concert. Tickets are $12 for adults, $10 for seniors & students, and children under age 10 are free. Tickets may be purchased at the door or call 323-256-5332 for tickets &/or information.

For more information about these events and more, pick up a copy of our special holiday, Advent and Christmas edition of the Messenger in the Narthex and the church office!

 

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WEEKLY SCHEDULE:

• Sunday, December 7 – Communion Service @ 10:30am, Sanctuary / Meal & Congregational Meeting @ 11:30am, Gray Hall
• Tuesday, December 9 – Deacon’s Meeting @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Wednesday, December 10 –Youth Group @ 7:00pm / Adult Bible Study @ 7pm, Forum
• Thursday, December 11 – Prayer @ Noon, Redwood Chapel / Chancel Choir @ 7:30pm, Button Hall
• Saturday, December 13 – Los Amigos Christmas Party @ 6:30pm, Tower Room

• Sunday, December 14 – Traditional Worship Service @ 9:30am, Sanctuary / Coffee & Fellowship Hour @ 10:30am, Tower Room / Adult Bible Study @ 10:45am, Button Hall / ONE Worship @ 11:30am, GH / Arroyo Singers Concert @ 4pm, Sanctuary
• Tuesday, December 16 – Board Meeting @ 7pm, Tower Room
• Wednesday, December 17 – No Adult Bible Study / Youth Group @ 7:00pm
• Thursday, December 18 – Prayer @ Noon, Redwood Chapel / Chancel Choir @ 7:30pm, Button Hall
• Saturday, December 20 – Hand Bell Team Rehearsal @ 3:30pm, Button Hall

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9/11 Commemorative Event in South Pasadena

On Sunday, September 11, 2011, at 9:30am and 11:30am, Oneonta Congregational Church will be commemorating the 10^th Anniversary to the September 11, 2001 attacks upon the World Trade Center during their worship services.

 

This event will include a special color guard presentation by members of Boy Scout Troop #366, a time of prayer, special music, and a candlelight vigil.

 

All are welcome to attend. For more information, please call 626-799-6161 or visit www.oneonta.org.

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Oneonta hosts “Friendship Sunday” on June 12, 2011! All are invited!

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200

In 2010 we turned a corner at Oneonta Congregational Church! We picked up momentum and we would like to keep that momentum going. That is the reason I chose “200” as the title for this week’s Messenger front page. Is there anything magical about the number 200? There is for us at Oneonta! This year we began our second “100”, which means we are moving onward in our second century, our second hundred years as a church. We also want to achieve a goal of 200 in attendance in both worship services this year. This may sound modest, but it is an achievable goal for our congregation! When we succeed, it will give our whole congregation a sense of accomplishment. I believe we can and will do it.

The Friendship Committee has designated June 12, Pentecost Sunday, as “Bring a Friend to Church Sunday.” This is a big opportunity for us! In the next few weeks, we are going to mobilize the entire congregation to make this day a success. It used to be said, “Build it and they will come.” This no longer works for the church. The motto is now: “Invite them and invite them again, and again – then they will come.”

People still come to church primarily through the invitation of a friend or a relative!

How do we do it? Well, to do it, we make contact with people we know and invite them to church. Today I want you to start thinking of whom you might invite; and I also want you to think of why you want to invite them to Oneonta Congregational Church. The why-part may be the part you may really want to think through. Think about the positive, inspiring things that you find at Oneonta. There is a reason you are here, and that is probably the reason God has you here! What are the things that fill that spiritual gap in your life? Think about the people, the music, the worship opportunities, the opportunities for youth and children. Think about the friendship, the comfort, the support, and the challenge you find at Oneonta. You can find all this here, and more! Put your thoughts into a brief sentence or two, and then share that message as part of your invitation.

June 12th is Pentecost Sunday. We will commemorate the beginning day of the Church. It will also be the first Sunday of our summer sermon series from the Book of Acts entitled, Blueprints for a 21st Century Church. A blueprint is a carefully laid-out design used to build something tangible – inviting others to church is part of the basic blueprint for the church of any age.

So, are we just doing this to fill the church? No, not really – we are doing this to learn how to honor God’s blueprint for building His Kingdom on earth. We are doing this because in every church, God in His grand blueprint has inextricably intertwined the imprint of the life-changing Gospel of Jesus Christ on each of our lives. Through our lives, shared with another, the Gospel is passed on.

They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved. [Acts 2:46b-47]

So – as we reach out to others – let’s also reach for 200! We can do it, with God’s help!                 -Doug Brandt

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Mother’s Day

Even though Mother’s Day is a holiday worth supporting, there are many people who can NOT honestly celebrate their mothers, as those mothers did more harm than good to their children.  And then there are those who would love to be counted among mothers, themselves, but who are sad because they haven’t received that blessing (yet).  So, how do we celebrate Mother’s Day thoughtfully, and Biblically? What thoughts about mothers stand out from the Scriptures?

                 1. GOD shows us what the ideal mother is like.

“I, the LORD All-Powerful, will protect Jerusalem like a mother bird circling over her nest.” (Isaiah 31:5; CEV)

The LORD answered, “Could a mother forget a child who nurses at her breast? Could she fail to love an infant who came from her own body? Even if a mother could forget, I will never forget you.” (Isaiah 49:15; CEV)

Wow. God protects and circles over us, EVEN IF our own mothers should have “forgotten” us.  Now THAT is something to celebrate!

2. Yes, there are way less-than-ideal mothers (also in the Bible)….

One of the most infamous examples of a bad mother in the Scriptures is Herodias, who had her daughter dance alluringly in front of Herod the King. When Herod offered the dancer whatever she wished as a reward, “the girl’s mother told her to say, >Here on a platter I want the head of John the Baptist!<” (Matthew 14:8; CEV)

Talk about exploitation and murderous manipulation! There is no whitewashing of painful realities in the Scriptures, thank God.

3. Yes, we owe love and respect to our mothers….

….as per the Fifth Commandment (Exodus 20:12; CEV), and also per Jesus’ own instructions:^19”Respect your father and mother. And love others as much as you love yourself.” (Matthew 19:19; CEV)

For many, it may be a far easier and happier task than it is for others to love our mothers.  If so, thanks be to God!

4. Yet, in the family of faith, we can also find additional, spiritual mothers – and we can ourselves become spiritual parents!

³³Jesus asked, “Who is my mother and who are my brothers?” ³⁴Then he looked at the people sitting around him and said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. ³⁵Anyone who obeys God is my brother or sister or mother.”  (Mark 3:33-35; CEV)

If Jesus can call His followers His family, we surely can too! The family of faith, while never (on Earth) the “perfect” family, either, is a wonderful creation of the Lord for the mutual comfort and strengthening of His people.  For some of us, that’s a gift in addition to a great family of origin – for others, it can be a refuge from the biological family. Either way, as believers, we owe love and respect also to the moms we have in the family of faith…and, we should strive to become spiritual parents and older siblings to others, younger in the faith than ourselves (cf. I Timothy 5:1-2).

5. Remember: The best mothers imitate God, and pass along the faith!

Paul gratefully mentions two women who fulfilled their mission as moms: “I also remember the genuine faith of your mother Eunice. Your grandmother Lois had the same sort of faith, and I am sure that you have it as well.” (2 Timothy 1:5-6; CEV)  –Let’s all give thanks for moms like these this Mother’s Day…and let’s endeavor to be like them in our God-given families!     

 …….Your fellow mom, Katie

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Come celebrate Easter with us!

Sunday, April 4, 2010

10:00am Traditional Service

11:00am Coffee and Fellowship time

11:15am Easter Egg Hunt for the kids

11:30am “ONE Worship” Contemporary Service

Special music, preaching, and childcare offered at both services. All are invited! See you there!

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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

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Pics from ONE Worship BBQ yesterday!

Howdy all! We had a great turnout for our first ever ONE Worship BBQ yesterday. This whole concept was started as a way to create opportunties for everyone to spend time together after our services. Success! Almost everyone stuck around for hours afterwards and made new friends, played games, and enjoyed great food. Thanks to everyone who helped set up, clean up, and bring food. Here are some pics that I took:

Sincerely,

-Lincoln

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Oneonta Easter Sunday Recap

Thanks to everyone who made our ONE Worship Easter Sunday service a reality! Pastor Doug gave a great Easter sermon, Jennie & Bob kept the energy high as our MC’s, the ONE Worship band rocked out great tunes such as Chris Tomlin’s “All Bow Down” and New Life Worship’s “Our Savior Lives”, David Schwend did an amazing job running the sound, Tom Stone did a great job organizing the greeting team, and our Deacons faithfully served as ushers, too! All in all, it was a great time of worship and I left feeling blessed and excited to be a part of such an amazing ministry.

Here are some pics taken by Howard Kelley of the Easter Egg Hunt, Traditional and Contemporary services:

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“Keeping Positive” by Rev. Doug Brandt

How do we keep positive? I think the Christian is at a decided advantage.

Look at what I found out this week. Tyndale House Publishers found evidence that reading the Bible promotes a positive outlook. According to a study they commissioned with the Barna Research Group:

• Eighty-two percent of regular Bible readers described themselves as “at peace” compared to 58 percent of those who said they never read the Bible.
• Seventy-eight percent of regular Bible readers said they felt “happy” all or most of the time compared to 67 percent of nonreaders.
• Sixty-eight percent of regular Bible readers said they were “full of joy” compared to 44 percent who said they never read the Bible.

I think there might be something to that! Let the word of Christ dwell in you richly; teach and admonish one another in all wisdom; and with gratitude in your hearts sing psalms, hymns, and spiritual songs to God. (Col 3:16 NRSV)

Your Pastor and Friend,

Doug Brandt

Pastor Doug

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Confirmation Retreat 2009!

We had an awesome confirmation retreat last weekend! Here are some pics!

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Easter @ Oneonta

He is Risen! Come and celebrate the resurrection of our Lord and Savior with us on Easter Sunday, April 12, 2009.

We are having 2 worship services:

10AM Traditional & 11:30AM Contemporary.

Childcare will be provided. There will also be refreshments, an Easter egg hunt for the kids, and opportunities to make new friends! Hope to see you there!

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The Home of the Puritans Loses its Religion (Part 1)

“My food,” said Jesus, “is to do the will of him who sent me and to finish his work. Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest. (John 4:34-36 NIV)

First the bad news, John Cotton would not be happy! Does it frighten me? No!

I have taken my title from a Los Angeles Times article dated Monday, March 16, 2009. The article by Joanna Lin reports the findings of the American Religious Identification Survey 2008. The upshot of the article is the number of Americans claiming no religion has nearly doubled. Of interest was that the New England region of the United States has surpassed the West Coast in its abandonment of religion! The cradle of Pilgrim congregationalism and the new frontier for it are fast becoming spiritually nonaligned. I thought to myself, “Hey they are talking about us!” “They have us going and coming.

While the Los Angeles Times article was on page four, a similar article appeared on the front page of USA Today seven days ago. I believe the title of the article was “‘Nones’ Now 15% of the Population.” It looks like since 1990 the number of people who claim ‘no religion’ has grown from 8% to 15%! That means if the present trends continue for the next 60 years, 57% of all Americans will be claiming no religion!

Now the good news – this is nothing new – and it actually presents the church of today with an unprecedented opportunity. It is often the case that the solution to a problem is bound up in the problem itself.

The bad news provides an answer. In USA Today, Kathy Lynn Grossman quotes Barry Kosmin as saying: “These people aren’t secularized. They’re not thinking about religion and rejecting it; they’re not thinking about it at all …” Do you see the solution? The solution is to reach out to the people around us and introduce them to Christ. If Kosmin is right, these are people who are neutral about religion.

When Jesus’ disciples demurred at his offer of the Gospel to the Samaritan woman and her Samaritan friends, he told them the fields were ripe for the harvest, all they had to do was look around them. In Matthew Jesus said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few!” In both cases he is telling his disciples: reach out to those around you and you will have success!

If the statistics of the American Religious Identification Survey are correct, that means that within a five mile radius of Oneonta there are 198,000 people who don’t have religion on their radar. That’s a harvest field ripe for the picking.

We think of Lent as a time of introspection. Perhaps the church of the 21st century should use times like Lent to be extroverted. Do you think Oneonta can lead the way?

Your Pastor and Friend,
Doug Brandt

Pastor Doug

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Snackbot: Defender of Snacks, rumored to make appearance at 2009 Oneonta VBS

South Pasadena, CA–Even though it is only March, rumors are already flying that the epic and victorious “Snackbot” will make a reappearance at the Oneonta Congregational Church’s Vacation Bible School (VBS) week long event, which will take place on August 10-14, 2009. Last year, Snackbot showed up and delivered tasty snacks to hungry children which resulted in happiness and giggling all over the South Pasadena area. VBS volunteers were able to snap a picture of Snackbot moments before his rocket boosters carried him away to fight “snack related” crimes. More details will follow!

Snackbot: Defender of Snacks

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