Pastor’s Column (Page 12)

grace

Looking at the Next Six Months of Ministry

Dear Friends, I am not one who lives with hidden agendas or sneaky ways, but I am often looking at a bigger picture to see how pieces can fall into place for an eventual goal. Ministry is the most rewarding chess game I play. Pieces slowly move with a goal of finding ways of bringing people to Christ and closer in their walk with Him. I search for new and creative ways to worship on Sunday mornings, exciting opportunities to…
grace

Discovering Critical Values Within the Church

Dear Friends, In my first few weeks here at Torrance First I have discovered what I believe to be the two critical values within the church (outside of God and Christ). First, is family and second is food. If you took either of these elements out of a Sunday morning or any church gathering it would not be Torrance First. These two values are the lenses that I have put on to look forward in our ministry together and to…

This Time of Transition

I am looking with anticipation to the conversations I will be having with you, the wonderful meals we will be sharing, the time we will spend studying the Bible and discovering how it applies to our lives, and seeing how Christ is shining through your ministry.

Farewell Message from Pastor Bob and Marlou

Dear Friends, Over the next few weeks, Marlou and I will be sorting and packing stuff; and that goes for the emotions and memories as well. When I sort through the wonderful activities and events in my mind, I’ll bring with me many remembrances—outreach lunches, Filipino heritage and Christmas feasts, recycling Saturdays, confirmation and membership classes, youth trips to Big Bear to play in the snow, young adults times, dinner dances, and volleyball games. I’ll remember the many celebrations—the combined…
reflecting

Reflections on the past year

Dear Friends, By the time you receive and read this El Portal article, we will be in between Christmas and New Year. Before celebrating the New Year, let’s reflect on the past year. How would you characterize 2013 for you and your family? Below are some of my thoughts in review. In the latter half of 2013, we experienced change and difficulty. In September, we had a change in the organist position. After a couple of months of substitutes, we…
joy

Decorating

Dear Friends, Last Saturday, several folks came to the church to decorate the sanctuary, social hall, and Friendship Room; and to hang the “joy” sign, and the large wreath on the front of our entrance. For the next three Sundays our church will be adorned in greens, and purple paraments, purple candles, Christmas lights, ornaments, wreaths, and manger scenes. What remains are the radiant red poinsettias, which are due to arrive. How do you decorate your home? In addition to…
https://www.umcor.org

Response to the Crisis in the Philippines

We were pleased to respond to the crisis in the Philippines with a prayer vigil on Thursday, November 14, and a collection drive to pack some “balikbayan boxes” to send. Many thanks to those of you who brought blankets, canned goods, clothing, toiletries, toys, and other supplies.