Scripture Reading for April 28, 2024 * Fifth Sunday of Easter * Acts 8:26-40

   26 Then an angel of the Lord said to Philip, "Get up and go toward the south to the road that goes down from Jerusalem to Gaza." (This is a wilderness road.) 27 So he got up and went. Now there was an Ethiopian eunuch, a court official of the Candace, queen of the Ethiopians, in charge of her entire treasury. He had come to Jerusalem to worship 28 and was returning home; seated in his chariot, he was reading the prophet Isaiah. 

   29 Then the Spirit said to Philip, "Go over to this chariot and join it." 30 So Philip ran up to it and heard him reading the prophet Isaiah. He asked, "Do you understand what you are reading?" 31 He replied, "How can I, unless someone guides me?" And he invited Philip to get in and sit beside him. 32 Now the passage of the scripture that he was reading was this: 

"Like a sheep he was led to the slaughter, 

and like a lamb silent before its shearer,

so he does not open his mouth. 

33 In his humiliation justice was denied him. 

Who can describe his generation? 

For his life is taken away from the earth." Isaiah 53:7-8

   34 The eunuch asked Philip, "About whom, may I ask you, does the prophet say this, about himself or about someone else?" 35 Then Philip began to speak, and starting with this scripture, he proclaimed to him the good news about Jesus.

   36 As they were going along the road, they came to some water; and the eunuch said, "Look, here is water! What is to prevent me from being baptized?" 38 He commanded the chariot to stop, and both of them, Philip and the eunuch, went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away; the eunuch saw him no more, and went on his way rejoicing. 40 But Philip found himself at Azotus, and as he was passing through the region, he proclaimed the good news to all the towns until he came to Caesarea.

REFLECTION: "Using Our Brains"

              THINGS TO THINK ABOUT

“Biology gives you a brain. Life turns it into a mind.”

                        ― Jeffrey Eugenides, Middlesex



“Rabbit's clever," said Pooh thoughtfully.

"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit's clever."

"And he has Brain."

"Yes," said Piglet, "Rabbit has Brain."

There was a long silence.

"I suppose," said Pooh, "that that's why he never understands anything.”

                  ― A.A. Milne, Winnie-the-Pooh

People often turn to scripture for answers. Preachers often give a definitive interpretation of a Biblical text. Some, perhaps most, Biblical texts intentionally raise only questions. It is an opportunity to use our brains and figure out the most meaningful questions for our time and place. What do you think?

                                - Rev. Anne G. Cohen, Sabbatical Minister

Also on Sunday

Church School Teachers: Jeff Tyler and Neva Orr

Liturgist, John Escherich

Zoom computer staff,  Wes Moore, ushers, Judi and Jeff Tyler

If you are a Zoom worshipper, you will be able to access the bulletin through a link when you log onto Zoom on Sunday. (See link at bottom of Touchstone)    

  Music from Connie

This week we will hear Madeline’s arrangement of “This is the Living Water”, as well as,

 a piano spiritual medley.

We hope to see you at 11:30.

 Connie Washburn, Music Director

Links for the documentary and articles mentioned by Anne in her Earth Day Reflection April 21st

“Before the Flood” – the full National Geographic Documentary re Climate Change:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zbEnOYtsXHA

Pope Francis Encyclical about the Environment:

http://w2.vatican.va/content/francesco/en/encyclicals/documents/papa-francesco_20150524_enciclica-laudato-si.html

Two links about the amazing Molly Burhans mapping the Catholic Church holdings and bringing them into ecological sustainability:

https://stm.yale.edu/molly-burhans-mapping-the-roman-catholic-church

Molly Burhans - Wikipedia



About Greta Thunberg and her movement Fridays for Future:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Greta_Thunberg

From Ellen:

Circle of Trees Church School Series

In the Bible, our story begins and ends with trees. There’s that tree in Genesis 2 that everyone knows about, but some Bible scholars suggest that there’s a second tree standing just beside: The Tree of Life. The Tree of Life is mentioned again as a metaphor for wisdom and as a symbol of kindness in Proverbs. And as the odd and powerful vision of Revelation ends, the Tree of Life is a physical feature at the center of God’s restored creation, where “the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations.” In many other religions and traditions, the Tree of Life is an important cultural image. (More info for your background knowledge here.)

In our lives today, we know the importance of all trees. They are essential to life, providing us with oxygen, cleaning our water and air, protecting our soil and giving homes to 80 percent of the plants and land animals on Earth. Even today, scientists are learning about how trees communicate with one another in what some call “The Wood Wide Web.”

This 5-week series of lessons starting April 7^th will focus on trees as important symbols in history, and life- giving elements of our lives.

Co-Pastors’ Sabbatical

Part of our relationship with our Co-Pastors is a three-month sabbatical away from church work each five years of service. Marlene and Jake will be away for three months for a period of rest, reflection, education, and retreat. This sabbatical will include some visits to colleagues and friends, time for further professional reading and online education, a few retreats and some extended self-care. Sabbatical leave provides an opportunity to look at the work of our church in a new light, with fresh resources and an important break from the day to day demands of pastoral leadership and pastoral care. The Pomeroys are grateful for all of our Ministry volunteers, paid staff and Rev. Anne Cohen and Rev. Scott Furukawa for covering the work of the church while they are away from April 9^th through July 8^th.

Sabbatical Pastor Coverage

The Rev. Anne G. Cohen served 36 years in various ministerial settings, mostly as a Professional Transition Specialist (PTS) aka Interim Minister serving UCC Churches in the Southern California Nevada Conference. She retired about 6 years ago and covered for the Pomeroys' last Sabbatical. Our monthly SoulCollage workshops are designed and led by Anne, a trained facilitator. She is married to John Dobbins and mother to Peter HM Cohen Dobbins. Pasadena UCC has been her home church since 1969. Anne will be working just under 20 hours per week during the 12 weeks.

You may contact Anne at agcohen99@gmail.com or catch her Sunday mornings!

Scott is a third generation Japanese American originally from Hawaii. His grandparents immigrated from Japan at the turn of the 20^th Century to pursue a “better life.”  Scott started his first career as the Hawaii branch manager of a large Wall Street investment corporation. In his fifties, he chose to pursue a vocational call to church ministry. Scott served as Director of Community Outreach, serving homeless communities on the island of Oahu. After graduating with honors from Vancouver School of Theology in British Columbia, he went on to serve as pastor to several churches in Hawaii. In 2020, Scott and his wife, Christy, moved to Pasadena. Once here, Scott was called to serve as interim minister at Woodland Hills Community Church in 2022 which ended in January 2024.

Christy, Scott, and their daughter, Claire, live in Pasadena. Claire is a senior graphic designer to an ecommerce corporation. Christy is a former pediatric nurse practitioner, who currently expresses her love and expertise of wines by working part-time at a wine bar/olive oil shop. Christy and Scott are members of First Congregational Church of Pasadena. Scott will be working a couple hours each week reaching out to folks and meeting people for coffee or a meal.

You may contact Scott at scott Furukawa smfurukawa@gmail.com

Timothy and Candace Murphy

Last Sunday former member of aSpire Timothy Murphy shared his children’s book Jesus Learns to Glow  with our kids. His spouse, Candace, offered her violin talents as a bonus for Worship. Tim spent some time sharing the process of creating the book with members during fellowship time. Many thanks, Tim! If you missed seeing him, you can find the book here:  

 https://www.amazon.com/Jesus-Learns-Glow-Timothy-Murphy/dp/1940447577

Lu Nguyen at the CROP WALK

Lu Nguyen represented our church in the local CROP WALK last Sunday raising nearly $1000 for local hunger projects. Thank you, Lu!!!

A number of us saw these high school performances over the last two weekends. Such wonderful talented young people in our midst!

Women's Scholarship Tea, May 4, 2024!



The scholarship committee, after much hand wringing and back and forth discussion, has chosen the 5 recipients of the FCC Women’s Scholarship 2024. Each woman will receive $4500 for furthering their education.

At Noon, Saturday May 4th, we will celebrate these women, see videos introducing them, present their scholarships and indulge in a lovely lunch/tea.

Thank you to those contributing delicacies for the tea, for those attending, and for those contributing to the lives of these amazing women.

Tickets available on our website  https://www.uccpasadena.org/

RSVP to Nina in the Church Office to verify numbers.

        Spotlight on Partner Organizations: Union Station

Union Station Homeless Services has been serving our community for almost 50 years. As the lead agency coordinating homeless services in the San Gabriel Valley, they serve a region with a combined population of over 1.5 million people, across more than 36 cities and communities. Their mission is to help individuals and families end homelessness and rebuild their lives.

They are one of the pre-eminent homeless services agencies in the San Gabriel Valley due to the quality of services, and their practice of the Housing First model. This approach prioritizes providing permanent housing and then offering, but not mandating, wrap-around services to help people experiencing homelessness stabilize and improve their quality of life.

Along with a focus on permanent housing solutions, they also build authentic relationships and acknowledge that clients are best able to direct their own path toward personal wellbeing.

This new model recognizes that trauma, broken systems and lack of support have led people into extreme vulnerability and homelessness. However, human beings are, by nature, resilient and can, with the right supports, move toward stability and wellness.

Since adopting the Housing First model of care, and with a focus on trauma-informed services, they have seen a 97% success rate of clients who have been housed and have not returned to homelessness.

For decades, FCC Pasadena has provided meals to individuals experiencing homelessness, by cooking and serving a hot meal to 40-50 folks at Union Station, one night a month, for 9 months during the year, and we send money for them to purchase food, during the remaining months. We regularly volunteer at Union Station, and provide support to their various services in Pasadena, and the surrounding communities.

Four Ways to Nurture Your Body & Soul

1. Monthly SoulCollage Workshop led by the Rev. Anne Cohen - a chance to do some soulful creating together in community with others.

Join us on April 27 and May 25,10-12, at Anne’s house in Pasadena or via Zoom. Contact Anne to be placed on her email list and receive the link: acohen99@sbcglobal.net 

3.     FUMC has a first-class concert program on the 3^rd Saturday of the month. The next concert is May 18th at 4:00 p.m. The concerts are held in the Sanctuary and are free (they also encourage donations to continue these wonderful concerts). read about all of them at: https://www.thirdatfirst.org

All Church Camp

All Church Camp is confirmed for El Capitan on the weekend of October 4/5/6. We have 1 King cabin, a few bunk cabins and a few yurts. Please let Anne know of your 1st and 2nd choice. Marlene will be finalize rooms late July and release any cabins/yurts we don’t want. Use this link on our website to make your $100 deposit to secure your spot for your family or group: https://secure.myvanco.com/YMEK/campaign/C-13KH5

Outreach Opportunities 

for your hands-on involvement

Friends in Deed 

We stock shelves and work as needed on most Thursdays

(not the 1^st one) from 2-3:30.

Please contact coordinator Lu Nguyen at luburd@gmail.com if you want to volunteer.

The food pantry could use some food! You may drop off a bag of food to them during the week or use this link to purchase what they need to be sent directly to them.

https://friendsindeedpas.org/programs/the-food-pantry/

Tuesday Morning FUMC Social Services hands out food, clothing, and hygiene items weekly. If you wish to volunteer any Tuesday between 9:45-noon, please use this FUMC sign-up link:

https://www.signupgenius.com/go/10c0445acaa2aa1f58-food#/

You may also make a donation – FUMC has a list of items needed. 

1st Mondays Union Station Teams shop/prep/serve a meal the 1st Monday of most months (9 per year). The other months we send a donation so that food can be purchased. If you wish to be on a team or be a sub, please contact Nina in the office at fccmonina@gmail.com or our FCC Coordinator Lu Nguyen on Sunday or via email: luburd@gmail.com 



Sermon Podcast: 

Did you miss a worship service and want to hear the sermon? Please visit uccpasadena.org and select 'podcasts' from the menu on top of the home page or click below

https://www.podomatic.com/podcasts/uccpasadena

Listening Sessions on Building Choices

In the past two weeks we held three Zoom sessions to invite persons to share their experiences of our current leased spaces and to ask if there was a desire to find or purchase our own building for our church. No one attended the first session, five Council members attended the second and one Council member attended the third session. Here are the highlights…

·       Everyone loved being in a leased space and no one desired to have our own building or purchase our own space

·       Persons valued being able to pay staff just wages, to increase our outreach giving and to have some shared programs with the FUMC community

·       Persons pointed out that we have wonderful cameras and sound equipment that we share with FUMC that allow us to build an audience online with members and newcomers

·       Persons liked the simple access to the Chapel from the parking lot and pointed out that our leased space is more accessible than our original building

·       Persons noted that we have access to a number of spaces around FUMC as part of our lease and that those spaces suit us well

·       With the stability of our finances and the needs of FUMC we are in a position to ask for a longer term lease in our current space that might not be available elsewhere

If you were unable to attend any of these session online and want to share your views, please contact our Moderator Jeff Tyler at jhosfordtyler@yahoo.com to schedule a conversation.

A New Church Directory has been created and sent to members and friends digitally. If you would like a paper copy please let Nina know: fccmonina@gmail.com Office: 626 795-0696

Sunday Worship Zoom Link

The Rev. Anne Cohen is inviting you to a scheduled Zoom meeting.

Times: Sunday, April 28, 2024, 11:30 AM – all on Pacific Time (US and Canada)

       Every week on Sun, until Jun 30, 2024, 52 occurrence(s)

Bulletin link

Join Zoom Meeting

https://us02web.zoom.us/j/85764926605

Meeting ID: 857 6492 6605