FAITH UNITED METHODIST CHURCH 3600 J Street Sacramento, CA 95816 Phone (916) 452-7637 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

August 2016

TIME DATED MATERIALS ARE YOU MOVING? BE SURE TO LET US KNOW Pastor: Rev. Barbara Horikoshi-Firebaugh Vakatawa: Watisoni Qereqeretabua

Faith Witness We, as disciples of Jesus Christ, live by faith to worship and witness for Jesus through Christian love, fellowship and service. Vol. 18.2 Faith United Methodist Church Monthly Newsletter August 2016

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1. August 1, 1944 - Anne Frank penned her last entry into her diary. "[I] keep on trying to find a way of becoming what I would like to be, and what I could be, if...there weren't any other people living in the world." Three days later, Anne and her family were arrested and sent to Nazi concentration camps. Anne died at Bergen-Belsen concentration camp on March 15, 1945, at age 15.

2. August 3, 1492 - Christopher Columbus set sail from Palos, Spain, with three ships, Nina, Pinta and Santa Maria. Seeking a westerly route to the Far East, he instead landed on October 12th in the Bahamas, thinking it was an outlying Japanese island.

3. August 6-10, 1787 - The Great Debate occurred during the Constitutional Convention. Outcomes included the establishment of a four-year term of office for the President, granting Congress the right to regulate foreign trade and interstate commerce, and the appointment of a committee to prepare a final draft of the Constitution.

4. August 14, 1935 - President Roosevelt signed the Social Security Act establishing the system which guarantees pensions to those who retire at age 65. The Social Security system also aids states in providing financial aid to dependent children, the blind and others, as well as administering a system of unemployment insurance.

5. August 18, 1920 - The 19th Amendment to the U.S. Constitution was ratified, granting women the right to vote.

Historical Moments

Historical Moments In August August is not always thought of as having “dates to

take note of.” But here are a few that may be of interest.

Something to think about…

Watch your thoughts … they become words. Watch your words … they become actions. Watch your actions … they become habits. Watch your habits … they become character. Watch your character … it becomes your destiny. *****************************

It is never too late to become who you always wanted to be! *****************************

The first to “apologize” is the “bravest.” The first to “forgive” is the “strongest.” The first to “forget” is the “happiest.” (Unknown)

Before I begin with “Adapt to Thrive,” I wanted to sincerely thank all the Fijians who worked REALLY hard in hosting the June Quarterly Combined Fijian Event! I’m sure everyone was totally exhausted when it was all done! You all did a GREAT job! “Vinaka Vakalevu!” ***** I just finished reading a great book, Adapt to Thrive, by Revs. John Flowers and Karen Vannoy. “Churches have disappeared because they were unable to adapt to the world around them. Some churches barely cling to life. These churches are staring at their own extinction but not because of predators or climate change. It is because of their failure to adapt. For congregations to survive, and then thrive, clergy and church leaders must adapt to new environments and cultures.” They go on to say, “Business leaders already know what many of us in the local church still need to understand: The company and/or brand best ‘fitted’ or best ‘adapted’ to its environment (its markets, its customers) is most likely to survive, most likely to flourish. It means that companies or brands not well ‘fitted’ to their markets will not

Watch the thermometer on the bulletin board poster in the main hallway of the church climb!! As of July 17, 45% of the $10,000 goal has been reached! The Church Family has been invited to “match” a $10,000 gift that has been offered by a member of the church family. Funds are needed for major repairs to the church i.e. a new roof. All gifts to match this offer are invited and gratefully appreciated … whether large or small.

Also, the “quarter bank” has been placed in the Sanctuary of the church so that coins as well as paper cash and checks can be used as a way to donate.

When you do make your donation in the form of a check or of cash in one of the pew envelopes, please designate on your check or the envelope: “$10,000 Offer!”

Thanks to everyone for all of their gifts!

“$10,000 Offer!”

New Bible study starting July 31, 2016 True or False: 1. Everything happens for a reason. 2. God Helps those who help themselves. 3. God won’t give you more than you can handle. 4. God said it, I believe it, that settles it. 5. Love the sinner, hate the sin. All true? Not so fast. We’ve heard these phrases all of our lives, but in Adam Hamilton’s new book, Half Truths, you’ll learn that although they capture some element of truth, when compared to the wisdom found in Scripture, they’re really just popular sayings. This five-week study breaks down these sayings as biblical truth using Scripture and story with practical applications. The study will begin on Sunday, July 31 at 9:30am. A second session will begin on Tuesday, August 2. If you are interested in participating in this study, please let Rev. Barbara or the church office know so that a book may be ordered for you. EVERYONE IS INVITED TO PARTICIPATE!

“Adapt to Thrive”

Adapt to Thrive – The Basics

Aug. 7-12th Sunday in Kingdomtide John 15:1-11, 1 John 4:4-12 “You Belong to God” Aug. 14-13th in Kingdomtide Matthew 12:46-50 Colossians 3:12-17 “Our DNA” Aug. 21-14th Sunday in Kingdomtide (Rev. Barbara on Vacation… Speaker: Watisoni Qereqeretabua) Aug. 28-15th Sunday in Kingdomtide Matthew 28:18-20; Luke 14:25-33 “Our Purpose: Make Disciples”

Scriptures Readings for August

Read these ahead of time so that you are prepared for worship

will not survive long-term.”

They draw the analogy of “Christianity is like the finch [birds] family.” There are different kinds of finches: “the varieties of finches adapted their beaks to their unique food source. Just like the finch, we must adapt to thrive.” Their premise is that a local church must see themselves not so much as an organization, but, as a living organism. We, followers of Christ, must know 3 things: Who we belong to (God); Our self-definition (our DNA) as followers of Jesus; and our purpose to make new disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world.

They lifted up the story of Nicodemus and Jesus’ call for him to be born again. Jesus was telling him that if you want to follow Jesus, he, Nicodemus, needed to become a new species; he no longer was part of his birth family; but, he needed to adapt and become a completely new species (person), one of Jesus followers! We must remember that we belong to God, not our biological family, and not our possessions. We need to know that our life is not about what we want, what we need, or what we desire; but, our life must be all about what Jesus wants, needs, and desires. We are to deny ourselves; because it is not about us, but Jesus!

Wow! When we call ourselves Christians, do we really understand that is expected of us? Did you know this is what is expected of YOU? The book quotes The Rev. Duane Zimmerman, pastor of a large church in Arizona. He says, “Far too long we have been admirers of Jesus when, in fact, we have been called to be followers of Jesus. . . . Our future depends on us moving from being admirers of Jesus to followers of Jesus. Our future depends on remembering who we belong to. Our future is utterly dependent on our ability to live into and out of our designated purpose, to make new disciples of Jesus for the transformation of the world. To have a future means we must adapt to thrive.”

In August, I will talk about what adaptations we, as Faith Church, must do in order to thrive. See elsewhere in this issue, what some of the sermon themes for each Sunday. We have lots of work to do; we must adapt to the changing environment and the changing times. We are not in the 60’s or the 80’s (and we can’t go back and do it like you did back then)! We are 3 decades or more removed from those times! Just as technology has changed; so must Faith Church! Blessings always, Rev. Barbara

“Adapt to Thrive” Continued from previous page

1. Carol Saylor…continuing prayer for encouragement and healing 2. Betty Chinn...encouragement and peace 3. Jim & Joan Miller…continuing prayers for healing and strength 4. Sue Wilcox…strength, encouragement 5. Kay Connell…strength, encouragement and peace 6. Resurrection/Revival Committee as they work to develop ideas and plans for Faith’s Revival 7. Faith’s Congregation …commitment to work towards Faith’s Revival 8. Rev. Barbara…as she encourages and leads all of us to a deeper commitment to our Christian journey and to make a commitment to Faith’s Revival

A number of members of the Faith family are not able to attend worship. Please remember them in your prayers:

Betty Chinn, Kay Connell Mary Dess, Joan & Jim Miller

Carol Saylor, Sue Wilcox

1- Mosese Veremalumu

3- Peni Qarau

Robert Randolph

5- Brett Jones

8- Christopher Scarberry

11- Kimland Yee

13- Margery Thompson

14- Bill Clancy

Hazel Sheehy

16- Ema Gonemaituba

19- Betina Brantley

23- Mary Dess

Jim Miller

Kristin Weisser

28- Fern Goodman

29- Poasa Gonemaituba

Eva Marie Pollock

Happy Birthday …

to those with a birthday in

August…