Project Needs Casserole

This month for our Project Needs Casserole we are making meat loaf. Make your own recipe, use 2 and a half pounds of meat, so it will be a big one, and bring to church freezer by Sunday December 20. Or bring unthawed by Tuesday, December 22 at noon. Thanks for your tireless willingness to help those who are in need.

Muslim response to FT. Hood

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For the past few years there have been numerous acts of violence in the US and other parts of the world. The common characteristic of most of these events is that Muslims were involved Below is anofficial Muslim response to the recent FT. Hood trajedy. This response is similar to those after the Jewish temple shooting and previous events. What is your reaction to this statement and what do you think should be done in addition to these apologies? I will post my opinion next week.
Bill Keck
PRESS CONFERENCE ANNOUNCE:
Reps. Carson & Ellison to Join MPAC, ISNA & American Muslim Armed Forces & Veterans Affairs Council in Responding to Fort Hood Shootings
(Washington, DC - 11/5/09) -- The Muslim Public Affairs Council, Islamic Society of North America, and the American Muslim Armed Forces and Veterans Affairs Council will hold a press conference on Friday morning in response to the fatal shootings at Fort Hood Army Base in Texas. Congressmen Andre Carson (D-IN) and Keith Ellison (D-MN) will join the organizations at the press conference, which will be held at the United Methodist Building in Washington, DC.
The organizations today expressed their shock and condemnation of the senseless and appalling act of violence. All three organizations unequivocally denounce the incident in the strongest terms possible and offer their deepest condolences and prayers to the victims and their loved ones.
WHAT: National Muslim American Organizations To Denounce Shooting At Fort Hood
WHEN: Friday, November 6, 2009 at 10:00 a.m.
WHERE: ISNA Interfaith, United Methodist Building 110 Maryland Ave, NE Suite 304, Washington, DC 20002
WHO: Congressman Andre Carson (D-IN) Congressman Keith Ellison (D-MN) American Muslim Armed Forces & Veterans Affairs Council Alejandro Beutel, MPAC Government Liaison Islamic Society of North America
CONTACTS: Abdul-Rashid Abdullah, 703-638-8219, islamicendorser@amafandvac.org Alejandro Beutel, 202-547-7701 or 732-513-3701, alejandro@mpac.org
How Does MPAC Help Muslims & Islam in America?
As a matter of policy, MPAC DOES NOT accept any funding from foreign governments. The political and financial independence of MPAC will sustain the future of Islam in America. MPAC relies on your financial support to sustain its activities and represent the sentiments and interests of American Muslims not foreign governments.
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Taizé

Taizé Service - Music Meditation - Free
SUZIE WOOLDRIDGE and LIZ BARLAK sopranos
BILL BARLAK tenor and guitar
MERCEDE SHAMLO viola, MIKE WOOLDRIDGE piano

Wednesday, December 2, 2009 - 8:00PM
(First Wednesday of every month)
St. Finbar Catholic Church
2010 W. Olive Ave.
Burbank CA
[SanFernandoValley][Free]
For a Google map, click
http://tinyurl.com/38nmhz

Taizé is an ecumenical (all-faith) music-based service from the
monastic community called Taizé founded in the 1940s in
Saône-et-Loire, Burgundy, France. The Taizé service provides for quiet
meditation, reflection, and music. There is no sermon or communion
during a Taizé service.

Free and open to all. For information, call (818) 846-6251 x554.

In Palos Verdes:

Advent Taizé at St. Francis Church, Palos Verdes
2200 Via Rosa
Palos Verdes Estates, Ca 90274
Tuesdays, December 1, 8, 15, 22
Join us at 7 PM for sung contemplative prayer, accompanied by guitar and flute, in the tradition of the Taizé community. Be renewed in the beauty of hundreds of votive candles in our Tuscan Chapel Church then enjoy fellowship afterwards at a wine and cheese reception.

Sunday, November 29, 2009
First Sunday of Advent
Sermon: Hark! The Herald Angels Sing

Preacher: The Rev. Laura Krauss

Sermon Text: Luke 1: 1-7
1 Since many have undertaken to set down an orderly account of the events that have been fulfilled among us, 2 just as they were handed on to us by those who from the beginning were eyewitnesses and servants of the word, 3 I too decided, after investigating everything carefully from the very first, to write an orderly account for you, most excellent Theophilus, 4 so that you may know the truth concerning the things about which you have been instructed. 5 In the days of King Herod of Judea, there was a priest named Zechariah, who belonged to the priestly order of Abijah. His wife was a descendant of Aaron, and her name was Elizabeth. 6 Both of them were righteous before God, living blamelessly according to all the commandments and regulations of the Lord. 7 But they had no children, because Elizabeth was barren, and both were getting on in years.

Question to Ponder: What is your Christmas wish this year?

Wassail Party

Come Worship with Us!

Sunday, November 22, 2009

Gratitude Sunday

Sermon: The Power of ‘Thank-you’

Preacher: The Rev. Reinhard Krauss

Sermon Text: Luke 17: 11-19
11 On the way to Jerusalem Jesus was going through the region between Samaria and Galilee. 12 As he entered a village, ten lepers approached him. Keeping their distance, 13 they called out, saying, "Jesus, Master, have mercy on us!" 14 When he saw them, he said to them, "Go and show yourselves to the priests." And as they went, they were made clean. 15 Then one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, praising God with a loud voice. 16 He prostrated himself at Jesus' feet and thanked him. And he was a Samaritan. 17 Then Jesus asked, "Were not ten made clean? But the other nine, where are they? 18 Was none of them found to return and give praise to God except this foreigner?" 19 Then he said to him, "Get up and go on your way; your faith has made you well."

Question to Ponder: In your daily life, how often are you being thanked? How often do you say ‘thank you’ to someone?

A Building Built on a Dream - PVPNews Thursday, 19 Nov'09

An article by the Rev. Dr. Reinhard Krauss accompanied with a picture by John Chase dominated the Religion page of the Palos Verdes Peninsula News on Thursday, November 19, 2009. A reformatted version and the picture are shown below.

A building built on a dream

On the last Sunday in October, St. Luke’s Presbyterian Church celebrated the realization of a long-held dream. The dedication of a new learning center and greatly enhanced church facility marked a major milestone in the congregation’s history.

St. Luke’s started from humble beginnings 52 years ago as one of the first churches on the Peninsula. After meeting at Dapplegray School for several years, the congregation acquired land at its current location on 26825 Rolling Hills Road in Rolling Hills Estates, and soon completed a new sanctuary as a more permanent home. Sunday School classes were held in an adjacent building, a remodeled residential home the church had acquired with the property. From the beginning, it was clear that ‘Westminster House,’ as the building was renamed in traditional Presbyterian fashion, could only be a temporary solution. The dream was to replace the aging structure with a new facility that could adequately serve the church’s education program and be available as a meeting space for community groups. However, sometimes bridge-gap measures turn into enduring fixtures. Year after year, the children of the church gathered in Westminster House for their weekly Sunday School lessons, and eventually even shared their class rooms with a week-day preschool.

Yet as years turned into decades, the founders’ dream never died. Over the course of a half century, the church launched several attempts to make the dream come true. But the momentum would never be quite enough - until about 9 years ago. An informal dinner with several church board members and the pre-school leadership ignited the initial spark. Before long, another church member took up the cause. He was soon joined by a small, dedicated team of others who offered their time, talents, and energy to explore the project’s feasibility. From the beginning, the key question was not about design or financial resources. Rather, it was the more fundamental question of whether a new building was essential for the congregation to live out its core calling to be a welcoming community of faith and to serve others after the example of Jesus. A congregational study process identified two primary areas in which the church’s physical facility was an impediment to this core calling: an inadequate learning environment for the young, and lack of full accessibility for those with physical challenges. In a successful capital campaign, the congregation responded with a resounding ‘yes’ to address these issues with a building project that would create inviting new classrooms and full handicap access for the church. These twin objectives remained the guiding principles throughout the entire project from the first architectural sketches, through the construction, to the completion of the project.

Gathering on October 25 for the dedication provided an opportunity for the congregation to celebrate the realization of its long held dream. By God’s grace and the love and labor of many, the mission has been accomplished: a new building with bright, attractive class rooms to serve the church’s Sunday School; a place of welcome and hospitality for the many community groups, such as AA, Al-Anon, and Adult Education classes who each week use the classrooms as well; newly designed drop-off parking and a church facility which is handicap accessible throughout; an inviting new front entrance to the church.

The morning worship service focused on gratitude and the church’s calling to be a place of welcome, hospitality, and service. The celebration continued with an afternoon program which included a slideshow down the memory lane of the construction process as well as a recognition of the dedicated team of church volunteers which guided the project from the first beginnings all the way to its fruition. Special guests included architect Bruce Biesman-Simmons and contractor Ernest Magana and several of his staff members. Official greetings on behalf of St. Luke’s’ 51 Presbyterian sister churches in the Los Angeles area were offered by the Rev. Linda Culbertson, General Presbyter of the Presbytery of the Pacific. Congratulations and well-wishes also were extended by Dr. Bob Rothman on behalf of the Dawn Interfaith Group, and Mr. Khalil Momand of the Islamic Center of South Bay. After a building dedication ceremony led by the Rev. Laura Krauss, the day’s celebration concluded with a festive candlelight dinner.

Fw: Geography of a recession

 Fascinating in a horrible sort of way. Frank

----- Original Message -----

From: Chuck Berman

To: Recipient list suppressed:

Sent: Tuesday, November 17, 2009 9:20 AM

Subject: FW: Geography of a recession

 
   Check out this map of unemployment over time. Scary stuff. It looks just like one of those maps the CDC uses when they plan for an epidemic.

http://cohort11.americanobserver.net/latoyaegwuekwe/multimediafinal.html

 

Ethics and the Death Penalty

Let's continue the discussion online that started at tonight's Adult Education event led by Art Auerbach and Pastor Reinhard. Does the death penalty deter criminals? Does it make society safer? Is it applied disproportionately on poor people and people of color? What are the ethical concerns of the state putting someone to death? What about the families of victims -- do they deserve to see a killer put to death? Can we square our beliefs as Christians with the death penalty? What are your thoughts?

Mormon Temple Square in 360 degrees AWESOME

Well worth a look but it is a time waster. Frank

----- Original Message -----

From: Lloyd Olson

 

 

-                   Mormon Temple Square in 360 degrees AWESOME This is amazing photography of Temple (Mormon) Square. I have never seen photography at this level before.  I have seen 360 shoots, but not like this.  Look all the way up and all the way down and you don't get any decrease in the shot. You can't even see where the camera equipment is, it's like it's not even there. Use your mouse to move around. It takes practice.  ENJOY ! ! ! http://www.utah3d.net/GalleryTempleSquare.html       No virus found in this incoming message. Checked by AVG - www.avg.com Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.38/2467 - Release Date: 10/29/09 07:38:00

 

Come Worship with Us!

Sunday, November 15, 2009
Sermon: “Praises Sung To a Harp” The Psalms

Preacher: The Rev. Laura Krauss

Sermon Text: Psalm 66
Come and see the works of God!
God’s awesome deeds among us.
Come and hear, all who revere God!
God’s still speaking voice in our weary world
Come and touch the sacred, extraordinary in the ordinary!
God’s presence in water, bread and wine.

Question to Ponder:
Do the Psalms have a place in your devotional life? If so, what is your spiritual practice?

Palos Verdes Teens and Religion

The Thursday, August 20, 2009 edition of the Palos Verdes Peninsula News presented a sample insight into the views of the local youth on religion. It would be prudent for St. Luke's and other peninsula religious establishments to ponder the ramifications of those views. Consider the results of the following survey.

Some elements of the survey raise questions about the poll itself. For example, are there really no Muslims or religious Jews on the peninsula? In question #1 I would have included a category for Agnostics. Nevertheless, there is certainly significant information here.

Associated with the survey was an article by a local teen author. Attending church when her father insisted, and taking confirmation classes, she still does not anticipate participation in formal religion. She is a firm believer in the ethics of the church, but can not accept its other dogmas. The survey shows that she is hardly unique.

What does this mean for the future of St. Luke's and other traditional faiths? What should our response be? I have some thoughts on the subject, but would like to hear what the faithful and leaders of St. Luke's have to say. It was surprising and disappointing to see such a muted response from the readers of the paper.

Come Worship with Us!

Sunday, November 8, 2009
Sermon: The Mystery of Jesus

Preacher: The Rev. Reinhard Krauss

I danced in the morning
when the world was begun,
and I danced in the moon
and the stars and the sun,
and I came down from heaven
and I danced on the earth,
at Bethlehem
I had my birth.

Question to Ponder: Throughout Christian history, Jesus has been described in many ways such as Savior, Social Revolutionary, Prince of Peace, Founder of Christianity, Son of God, Friend of Sinners, Ruler of the World. How do you understand his role? Why?

Building Dedication (25Oct'09) - Palos Verdes Peninsula News, Thursday 5 Nov'09

Original Civil War Photographs

You have probably seen all or most of these before but it is a fine resource. I added the website to my favorites. Frank

----- Original Message -----

From: Harry S

 

 

These are fantastic pictures of the Civil War and in the surrounding countryside during that period.  Every history buff will want to see these pictures. 
 Most of them will tell you what they are when you lay the curser on them, and you can enlarge the ones you want by clicking on them.
 
Click here: Original Civil War photographs

 

Some Dedication Pictures (25 Oct'09)

The Rev. Laura Greig Krauss addressing the attendees.


The following are more pictures taken and prepared by John Chase for submission to the PVPNews.

Fw: A Think Test....

I got 17 Natalie got 18 and one person, so far, got 16. Good luck.

----- Original Message -----

From: Natalie

CLICK ON THE BELOW LINK AND TAKE THE TEST. THE AVERAGE RATE IS 7 OUT OF 25 CORRECT. GOOD LUCK! http://oldjoeblack.0nyx.com/thinktst.htm

No virus found in this incoming message.
Checked by AVG - www.avg.com
Version: 8.5.423 / Virus Database: 270.14.27/2452 - Release Date: 10/25/09 19:57:00

God and dog

---

From: faychang23@yahoo.com
To: aandehoy@aol.com
Sent: 11/2/2009 9:32:40 P.M. Pacific Standard Time
Subj: Fw: Fwd: God and dog

Cat lovers included. Add this to divine buzz. I have yet to log in.
Fay

-------Original Message------- From: Ernesto Elizondo Subject: FW: Fwd: God and dog If you are a dog lover you have to hear this song… I think it is very nice… Blessings to all