The Cornerstone Newsletter of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church 26438 Crenshaw Blvd
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____________________________________________________________ The Cornerstone Newsletter of Rolling Hills United Methodist Church 26438 Crenshaw Blvd. Rolling Hills Estates, CA 90274 May 31, 2007 An Evening with Jason Robert Brown “An Evening with Jason Robert Brown and the Caucasian Rhythm Kings with special guest Jan Bunker” will be presented on Friday, June 8, 2007 at 7:30 p.m. in our Sanctuary. Jason Robert Brown has been hailed as “one of Broadway’s smartest and most sophisticated songwriters since Stephen Sondheim” (Philadelphia Inquirer), and his “extraordinary, jubilant theater music” (Chicago Tribune) has been heard all over the world, whether in one of his musicals or in his own incendiary live performances. Jason is a composer and lyricist of the musical, The Last Five Years , which won the Drama Desk Award for Best Music and Best Lyrics. He won a Tony Award for his score to “ Parade” and subsequently won both the Drama Desk and New York Drama Critics’ Circle Awards for Best New Musical. His musical comedy “ Thirteen ” opened in 2007 at the Mark Taper Forum in L.A. Jan Bunker is an accomplished pianist, vocalist, and songwriter, having studied piano, voice, arranging and improvisation. She has appeared on many network TV shows, including the Carol Burnett Show, Happy Days and American Bandstand. She has performed at major venues throughout the country and was the opening act for such stars as Frank Sinatra and Johnny Mathis. She is an award-winning songwriter and has written and produced two of her own albums. Laura Griffith will be an added attraction for this evening performance. Laura has appeared on Broadway in The Light in the Piazza, Sweet Smell of Success and Oklahoma. She grew up in southern California where she won the Spotlight Award for opera at the Los Angeles Music Center when she was eighteen years old and performed at the Peninsula Music Fair when she was a Chadwick School student. She earned her Bachelor of Arts at Columbia University. Tickets are available through the church at 310-377-6771 or [email protected] . Donations: $20 adults, $5 children (12 & under) from the pastor It is the season of mortar boards and long graduation speeches. It is the time of the year when we celebrate what students from 5 to 95 have accomplished in schools of every description and look to what the future brings. From preschools to kindergartens, to elementary, middle and high schools, to colleges and universities – everywhere you go you can find people standing in dark robes and holding rolled up papers that prove to them, and to their families, that they weren’t just goofing off. They’re holding and hugging each other, and tears roll down their faces. As some of you know I will be going to my 25th reunion later this month (Thyra and Hannah too!). I remember well my terror at my name being called at the actual presentation of our degrees. The terror came from the fact that I still had a couple of library books upstairs in my room – overdue of course – and the word was that no one with an overdue book was going to get their actual diploma. Instead, so we were told, we’d get a piece of paper saying that we still owed library fines. That was not exactly what I wanted to show my parents! It turned out that there was a quirk in the policy. I had overpaid my fines some months before, and the remaining credit on my account more than covered the accumulating overdue fees. The look on my face, I’m told, was one of deep joy and genuine relief! That afternoon, a grateful graduate returned the last books he would ever borrow from the university library. It was a close call. I still remember the sermon preached that morning by our university chaplain, the Rev. Peter Gomes. He encouraged us not to go through with our graduation at all! He told us that the outside world was nowhere near as nice as Harvard, and we should stay. He quoted Mae West’s wisdom that “too much of a good thing... is wonderful!” But he also pointed out that the real meaning of graduation is commencement – beginning. It’s not so much the conclusion of something we’ve already accomplished as the first step toward something we’ve long been waiting to begin. I didn’t see it at the time, but later it made me think that there is a connection between graduation and baptism. Sometimes parents will call a church and ask to get the children “done.” But anyone who’s ever tried to live a Christian life will know that it’s a journey, rather than a destination. We believe that there IS a destination, but it’s over on the other side of the river, with God. Between now and then there is a lot more learning and growing for us to experience. On Father’s Day we’ll be celebrating baptism for a number of people who’ve already been part of our church family. Some have been with us for many years, others only recently. You could look at the range of their ages and know that what this means will be different for each of them. That’s true, in a way. But where they really are, from infancy to full adulthood, is nearer the beginning of their journey than the end. We’ll also celebrate the renewal of baptism for the whole church family, and invite everyone to come forward (much as at communion), to be touched again with the waters of baptism and be invited to remember, and be thankful. Some of you are still carrying around the glass beads which we gave out the last time we did this renewal, as a portable reminder of your baptism. If yours is a little bit worn, be sure to be here on Father’s Day, as we celebrate not so much our own accomplishment, but God’s. Grace and peace, Editor’s note: Harvard University chose Jonathan as one of 10 alumni nation-wide to be the subjects of a video being shown during the Reunion weekend. The video will focus on the accomplishments and work these graduates are engaged in now – 25 years after their own “beginning”. Children’s Ministries Mother’s Day Brunch We enjoyed a wonderful celebration of our Mom’s on Sunday, May 13 th . Due to an extraordinary group of dads and teens, the event was very successful. Thank you to the following people for their generous and hard work: John Anderson, Jeff Lehman, Bobby Lehman, Cheri Bailiff, Stevie Lorentzen… and the 4 th and 5 th Grade & Junior High Sunday School students! Father’s Day Brunch Don’t worry Dad’s, we’re celebrating you, too! Please join us on the patio after each service on Father’s Day, June 17 th , for our annual Hot Dog Brunch! 3rd Grader Bible Presentation- NAMES NEEDED! Each year we present our children who have completed 3 rd Grade with their very own Bibles. This is to commemorate that they are now old enough to use and appreciate this lifelong companion book. If you have a 3 rd Grade child who would like to be presented with a Bible during any service on Sunday, June 17 th , please call or email Lisa Lehman (377-6771 or [email protected] ) with the name as you would like it to appear on a personalized nameplate. Please call no later than June 15 th . VBS Volunteers Wanted Vacation Bible School is still 3 months away (July 3o th through August 3 rd ), but it’s not too soon to commit to help as a volunteer for the program. Last year, we had a record turnout of over 240 kids, and we expect a similar crowd this year. We need MANY volunteers to make the program successful. The registration fee for children of volunteers is free (a $50 per child value). Contact Lisa Lehman at 377-6771 or [email protected] if you are interested or for more information. Lisa Lehman, Director of Children’s Ministries CHILD SAFETY SEAT INSPECTION Hosted by RHUMC Health & Wellness Committee and the California Highway Patrol Wednesday June 13, 2007 from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. by appointment only Please call the Parish Nurse for an appointment at 310-377-6771 ext. 116 or email: [email protected] Kid Zone Dance Recital All are invited to see what our dancers have been up to this year. Tuesday, June 5 at 6:30 p.m. in the sanctuary. NOW ACCEPTING SUMMER CAMP REGISTRATIONS! Don’t miss out on this great experience for your kids or grandkids. For questions, call Kid Zone 310-377-7302. Also, accepting applications for Kid Zone and Mid Zone after school programs in the fall. Elementary LOGOS As we end the year I am reminded that LOGOS is more than just a place where kids gather on Wednesday afternoons for games, snack, craft and bible study. Each week it is like seeing family gather together to have fun and experience God’s love and grace! We have nurtured our friendships and strengthened our love for God. We look forward to seeing you back in September and remember new faces are always welcome! God is Good…All the Time! RHUMC PRESCHOOL GRADUATION … on June 11 and 12, at 7:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. You are welcome to watch the class of 2007 receive their “degrees”. All children are graduating at the top of their class! Five Youth Group High School Seniors Get Ready for the Next Step Photo by Dick Goetz Pictured above from left to right are Kyle Walsh, Kiah Freels, Jesse Shrader, Karly Masson, and Matt Levan.