It has almost been a month since settling here in Camarillo. Four weeks has gone by in a flash as I familiarize myself to this beautiful town and the wonderful people who make up Camarillo United Methodist Church. In many ways the coronavirus pandemic has slowed the pace in getting to meet people, which on the brighter side, allows me to learn each person and get to know you without being too overwhelmed. I still have a long ways to go in meeting everyone, but each person I've met has been a blessing to me and my family.
As we continue to prepare for each Sunday online, we will be adding more elements that allows you to engage in worship. Last week, we began putting words for the hymns on the screen so that you can sing along. Don't we all miss singing in church! But this is a small way in which remember how wonderful church is.
This Sunday, we will be adding another element to worship that we haven't had in a while. It is the first Sunday of the month, and typically we remember the community of who we are by observing Holy Communion. For some, observing Holy Communion online may feel awkward; while for others, it will be a welcomed remembrance. We just ask that if you do choose to participate in observing communion this Sunday, we make it intentional.
Prepare ahead of time a sacred table with the elements (bread or crackers of some sort and water or beverage of your choice) and perhaps a candle and Bible. At the appropriate time in the service, I will bless the elements and invite all those participating to partake of the elements. If you wish to abstain from communion during this time when we are not able to worship in-person, that is okay as well. May you partake of the spiritual bread and cup at that time.
This coming Sunday, we will be looking at the story of Jesus feeding the 5000, found in Matthew 14:13-21. As the crowd were fed by Jesus, may we all be nourished spiritually through worship and the faith community as we gather online.
Today’s worship team: Luvi Avendano, Music and Worship Arts Director, Rev. Elbert Kim, pastor; Mark Holmstrom, organ, Cari Fox, Sunday School Director, Karen Gundelfinger, liturgist, Grace Kim, soloist
Media Team: Corey Miller, Matt Saint, Mike Nelson, Anna Binney, Don Howald, Jon Scheurich
Prelude: "Great Is the Lord" Jack Schrader Welcome & News Opening Song: "All Who Hunger" #2126 First Reading: Matthew 14:13-21 (NRSV)
Time with Children: Cari Fox
Centering Music: "Jesus Loves Me" #191 Pastoral Prayer, Lord's Prayer Invitation to Giving *Offertory: "How Great Thou Art / Amazing Grace" Second Reading: Genesis 32:22-31 (NRSV) Sermon: "Wrestling with Our Faith" Pastor Elbert Holy Communion
Closing Song: "A Place at the Table" #3149 Benediction Postlude: "Christ is Made the Sure Foundation" D.N. Johnson
Family Fun
Family Fun Night - in the church parking lot Saturday, August 8, 7-8:30 pm
Just because we are socially distancing doesn't mean we can't be together as a church family and have some FUN! Join us for an evening of fun for families and people of ALL AGES! We will have music, stories, games, and prizes! Bring some snacks, bring the whole family, especially the KIDS! For safety reasons, we will be enjoying the festivities from the safety and comfort of our cars. Questions? Contact Kristi VanKeersbilck at vankeersbilckfamily@gmail.com or 805-491-1026.
Drive-In Movie Night Saturday, August 22 at 8 pm
The first drive-in movie night was so much fun, we are doing it again! Plan to be there. Kristi is now accepting family friendly movie recommendations, so if you have a favorite movie you would like to suggest, contact Kristi VanKeersbilck at vankeersbilckfamily@gmail.com.
Plans for Relaunching In-Person Worship
As the days, weeks and months keep adding to the total number of days the church doors have been closed to in-person worship, many are wondering what are our next steps. When will the doors open again? Are there plans for outdoor worship? Can other groups gather at the church? A committee of leaders have been meeting to discuss the logistics for a safe reopening, and part of the discussion is to get your feedback. On Monday, August 3rd, an email survey will go out to the whole congregation. Please on the lookout for that email and have each person, ages 14 and above, fill out that survey. We want everyone's input as we carefully consider the safest way to relaunch in-person worship while making it meaningful and spiritually nourishing.
In the meantime, enjoy this YouTube clip by a priest hoping that day we can gather in person once again.
Condolences: Bob Lutz passed July 26. Condolences to Donna Lutz at this new address: 70 Caleta Dr., Camarillo, CA 93012 Janice Kutin's husband Richard Lee Kutin passed July 16. Condolences to Janice Kutin, 2924 Wendell Street, Camarillo, CA 9301026,
Hospital updates: Mark Rogers - home after cardioversion for AFIB Marilyn Farwell - home after E.R. visit Helen Quiocho's sister Edith in ICU
Beginning Cancer Treatment: Linda Sharp
Karen Roth
Steve Halpern's brother Dave.
CUMC Youth's Camarillo Service Project (CSP) A BIG SUCCESS!
Fourteen youth and several young adult helpers got together on Tuesday and Wednesday of this week for the first EVER CSP - Camarillo Service Project. We had fun, sang songs, talked about our faith, and got LOTS of work done! After just two days of work, we were able to re-line the parking lot, re-paint all of the arrows, plant a succulent garden, revive the youth patio, and do various other gardening and clean up jobs. Woo hoo, CUMC Youth! Thanks to all who helped make it happen: the Parker family for cooking a delicious dinner, the Ling family for the pizza lunch, Don Howald, Steve Kunkle and the Kindigs for mentoring our work teams, Chloe and Catie Parker and Erin Kistler for song time and spiritual programming, Janet Kinch and Jill Smith for being on -site support. Thanks also to our young adult team leaders: Nate Kim, Luke VanKeersbilck and C.J. Burgoyne. And a big thanks to our very energetic and dedicated youth workers! You rock! *See pictures below*
Kristi VanKeersbilck, Director of Youth, Family Ministries and Bell Choirs
Open your computer browser and go to YouTube (put “YouTube” in the search line and click return.)
YouTube shows its own search line: enter “Camarillo UMC” or “CUMC Media” and click return.
The results will show results titled “Camarillo UMC YouTube”—click on the first/top one.
Now you’ll see pictures from recent worship services, test videos, concerts, etc.
Typically, the first one on the left will show a title and image the last worship service; if you are checking in on Sunday morning for the livestream, after 9am it will show the upcoming service/sermon title plus a small box that says “Live” –when it turns red, it IS live!
Click on that to hear the worship service in real time (before 9:15am, it will play recorded music and display current announcements.)
After Sunday mornings, use these same steps to WATCH the video record of Sunday services (the most recent one is typically edited and available by Tuesday afternoon of the same week.) ***Please share this How-To with anyone you know who may be looking for this info.
For information on CUMC, its programs, and future, contact the CUMC office at sec@cam-umc.org; Senior Pastor, Rev. Dr. Elbert Kim at elbert@cam-umc.org; and/or Karen Gundelfinger Chairperson, Church Council and Lay Leader Anna Binney, all through the CUMC office.
CUMC Staff and Leadership information Los Angeles Episcopal Area Resident Bishop: Grant J. Hagiya North District Superintendent: Reverend James Powell Senior Pastor: Rev. Dr. Elbert Kim - elbert@cam-umc.org (direct line – 805-491-1024)(urgent matters call: 805-312-8225) Church Office Manager: Pam Dougherty sec@cam-umc.org (805-491-1023) Music & Worship Arts Director: Luvi Avendano - luviavendano@cam-umc.org (direct line – 805-491-1025) Family/Youth Ministries & Bell Choirs Director: Kristi VanKeersbilck - kristivan@cam-umc.org (direct line – 805-491-1026) Sunday School Director: Cari Fox - cariann02@gmail.com Finance Sec/Admin Assistant: Lorna Efford - finance@cam-umc.org Organist: Mark Holmstrom - keys2mark@aol.com Caring Ministries: Evelyn Williams - evelynwilliamsca@gmail.com Preschool Director: Karen Lundberg, 482-2537 –klundberg@cam-umc.org Wedding Coordinator: Karen Gundelfinger - kng.1@verizon.net
allows me to learn each person and get to know you without being too overwhelmed. I still have a long ways to go in meeting everyone, but each person I've met has been a blessing to me and my family.
again.
