News (Page 12)

grace

General Conference 2016 Reflections

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! This morning I sat with the Tuesday morning Bible study class and watched the live feed of General Conference as the president of the Council of Bishops for the United Methodist Church addressed the church on behalf of our bishops. Bishop Bruce Ough explained that his heart was broken for our church over what has been happening over the last week during General Conference. He spoke about the varying views of the bishops on…
grace

All Things New

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! The saying tells us that April showers bring May flowers and while it might not have been as much rain as we needed, we definitely had some rainy days in April. The product of those rains will be seen in our flower beds and gardens as we venture into May. I look forward to the colors and brightness that comes from the spring season, despite not always enjoying the inconvenience and sometimes damage that…

From Richard and Alma – Supporting Missionaries

From: Richard Navarro Subject: 2016 1st qaurter ministry newsletter Date: April 26, 2016 Beloved brethren in the Lord, Greetings in Christ! Alma and I are very grateful and we are humbled to know about your donation for us thru our advance in Global Ministries. We declare blessing upon blessing to be upon you and your ministry. Just love to share with you our 1st quarter ministry newsletter. May God touch you today and always. In Christ’s Service, RICHARD & ALMA…

Lois Balsley Scholarship Available

Cal-Pac News Post Lois Balsley, a faithful member of Torrance First United Methodist Church, established a scholarship fund for students within the California-Pacific United Methodist Conference with preference given to a student from Torrance First United Methodist Church. Applicants must meet the following qualifications: (1) graduating high school senior enrolling in a two or four-year college in 2016; (2) minimum of a 3.0 grade point average; (3) community and school involvement; (4) active service and membership in a local United…
grace

Reliving Easter Sunday

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! I just got back from cleaning up the Easter Sunday remnants in the sanctuary. The unclaimed Easter lilies have been moved to soak up the sun in the patio, the empty Easter eggs and children’s worship packets were moved to my office and the bits of trash have made their way into the bottom of the trash can. As I walked through, I reflected on the wonder of our Easter services. The music was…
grace

Blessing our “stuff”

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! In the wake of a new year, I have had several people ask me if I perform vehicle blessings and my answer is yes. Vehicles, homes, and pets are all worthy of our thanksgiving to God as well as a blessing for God’s protection and presence. Is not everything we have a gift from God? Is not everything we have able to be used in such a way to give glory to God? Then…
grace

‘Tis the season…

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! ‘Tis the season. Not the season of celebration and indulgence that we just finished with Christmas, but just the opposite. It is the season of self-denial and sacrifice that we in the church call Lent. lent is a time when we can realize the distractions of life that can limit our relationship with God through Christ. During these 40 days (modeled by Christ’s 40 days in the wilderness after His baptism), we are able…
grace

New Year of Opportunities

Greetings in the name of Jesus Christ, born to us once again and here to greet us with a new year of opportunities and blessings. I am looking at 2016 with hope and anticipation and I am ready to be proactive in the goals that I plan to achieve this year. I plan to take care of myself by eating better (I say this while eating, a piece of pizza for lunch). and starting to run once again (after a…
grace

Christmas season is officially here!

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! Christmas season is officially here! Despite decorations and Christmas goodies on sale in the stores since before Halloween, we can finally bring out the lights, our trees, and favorite nativity scenes. We can shop ’til we drop and bake to our heart’s desire. But, most of all, I hope that we will remember the reason for the season. For an entire season of the church year we prepare our ‘hearts and wait with expectancy…
grace

Stewardship and The Giving Tree

Greetings, Brothers and Sisters in Christ! I will admit that this is not my favorite time of year. I’m not talking about Fall, but I am talking about the season that I ask each of you to pledge money to the church. Admittedly, I have never been good at it. When I was a child I had a paper route and I was great at throwing the papers out the window of my mom’s Buick onto each driveway with great…