Thursday, November 26, 2020 |
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In the Spotlight
This year has seemed like the longest shortest year. This year is almost over, yet some days seem like years long, and January 1st seems like another lifetime ago. The first quarter of the year Bill and I were greeting our sidewalk friends with coffee, burritos, and hugs—lots of hugs. It’s a ministry Bill and I are passionate about that we can do together right in front of the Ocean Beach church. Then the Pandemic hit!
We, like a lot of people, self quarantined to stay safe. Bill got involved in leading three Zoom classes. At first he hated them, but as the Pandemic wore on, he became thankful that we could even do that. Many of us are thankful for his leadership. Our Sunday morning routine together is live streaming both church services. The new monthly small in-person masked communion services have seem like such a gift.
Bill and I look forward to once again traveling, seeing family and friends, and being in church. It is our prayer to once again safely serve our Ocean Beach sidewalk friends.
Amen. May it be so.
Carol Stephenson
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Advent In-person Communion Services |
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Sunday, Nov. 29 | OB Campus Courtyard
Join us for an in-person, small group, outdoor gathering on the OB campus under careful guidelines. The service will be brief, as we celebrate Holy Communion together.
Attendance is restricted to 25 people, registration is mandatory, and safety measures will be taken. No walk-ins please!
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New Pastor's Bible Study in Advent
Sundays, Nov. 29 - Dec. 27 | 8 AM | Zoom
Dr. Bill Stephenson will lead the study called "Christmas According to Dr. Luke." Over five weeks, explore themes of preparation, our need for a new paradigm, the character of plain Mary, our longing to tell others good news, and finally, the manger. This promises to be a wonderful opportunity for connection and Bible Study during this special season. Join us via Zoom on Sunday mornings at 8 AM.
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"Conversations"
Wednesdays | 7 PM
You are welcome to join this group for discussion and conversation on various topics. Dr. Bill Stephenson and Curt Goldacker are the primary facilitators.
Join the 18-week fall curriculum called "24 and Me: A Divine DNA Search for Relatives in the Bible " written by Bill Stephenson Ph. D.
Water's Edge Children and Youth
Sundays | 6 & 7 PM
Sundays | 10:45 AM
Prayers of the People
Wednesdays | 9:30 AM
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Rachel's House Sandwich Sunday
Sunday, December 6
In order to meet our commitment to support Rachel's House every other month we are donating $300 each time. We have been averaging 1/3 of this goal in donations received, so please know that your contribution would be welcome and helpful if possible for you and your family. Please consider making a monetary donation online. Select "Special Gift" and write: "Rachel's House Donation." Thank you for supporting Rachel's House!
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We may not celebrate the Holidays the same this year. Join First Church and Water's Edge in the preparation for this year's Holiday Season.
As we get closer to Advent we hope you join us in these and other upcoming activities. You will be able to serve through the Advent Food Drive, the Angel Tree and the Alternative Christmas Gifts. Each week in Advent will have something new for you and your families to take part of. A Daily Advent Devotional written by members of our congregations in Mission Valley and OB will be available on our website and Facebook. If you like to receive the devotional in your email, click the link below to subscribe.
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Digital Holiday Cookbook & Family Photos
We invite you to share your best Holiday Recipes along with a photo of the dish. We'll collect all recipes and photos to create the 2020 First Church Holiday (digital) Cookbook. We'll have digital copies to share with the church. (Let us know if you would be willing to share your recipes and photos with the community on our social media sites.) Submit your recipes as a PDF or Word doc, along with a picture jpg of the dish, and if you'd like, a photo of your family (current or past) enjoying the dish and/or family tradition pictures. Please submit by December 2. We look forward to sharing in a virtual feast together!
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Making Memories - Family Photo Op (MV Campus)
Sunday, December 6 | 3 - 5 PM | RSVP below by Dec. 3 (no walk-ins)
Come to First Church and take some pictures to kick off the second week of Advent! We will have two photo stations, one in front of our stained glass Christ window and one in front of our decorated Christmas tree by the altar. Photos will be distributed via email in the following couple weeks before the holidays are over. Click button below to sign up.
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Over the River and through the Woods
If you and your family were to travel this holiday season, where would you go? With many travel restrictions in place, we invite you to share where your best holiday destination would be! Send us your trip coordinates: your home as your departure point and your final destination. Your submission will be compiled with others into a fun, digital map to be shared on our social media platforms. Send your response by Dec. 9! We’ll share the map Dec. 20.
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Tips for live-stream worship:
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Sunday Live-stream Worship
November 29 | 10 AM | Join Rev. Adam and Stephanie online this Sunday
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How to give when the church office is closed and worship is online?
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Give online using your credit or debit card. Gifts can be one-time or automatically recurring each week or month, however you’d like.
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TEXT to Give. Just text MYCHURCHGIFT to 73256 and see how easy it can be!
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Mail your check directly to the church via US postal service: First United Methodist Church of San Diego, 2111 Camino del Rio S. San Diego, CA 92108.
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2021 Stewardship Campaign Update 11/20
Total pledges = 156 households
Total amount = $556,214
Average pledge/year = $3,565 ($297 per month)
As we plan for our ministries together in 2021, we give thanks for all of your financial commitments to the work of First Church next year and beyond. Did you miss Consecration Sunday? Pledges are still being accepted through December. You may submit your pledge below.
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Rev. Adam Marshall-Lopez
(Interim Pastor)
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Water's Edge Faith Community
Join us on Sundays, at 10 AM
1984 Sunset Cliffs Blvd in Ocean Beach
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