From The Pastor´s Desk

Who is the greatest? Mark 9:34

 Dear friends and members of our Balboa Union Church

This question never ceased. Jesus’ disciples discussed this question among themselves. Today, 2,000 years later, this question is still being discussed everywhere. What is the best brand? Who has the most money? Who has the most influence? Who is the best football player or tennis player? Who will win the next title? Who will win the next election? – It seems that this question would determine our lives. Who is the greatest? This question requires being the great question of life at all.

Let us allow Jesus to get a place in our circle too. Then we will fall silent just as it happened at that time with the disciples. Actually, the disciples knew that this question only makes inflated. Who is the greatest? Each answer is no more than cheap Bla Bla. Just like the disciples we, too, know that fact. Nevertheless, we continue to discuss.

Let’s listen again on Jesus’ answer and example. He took a child and put it in the middle of all. »Who is doing something for this child in the name of Jesus, will be the greatest.«

Only when we have a relationship with God we will be great persons. Only when we serve we will be human and great. The question “Who is the greatest?” isolates us inevitably as humans. I´ll be great when I start to discover in my brother and my sister ´s face God´s image and dignity.

Kind Regards

Reverend Roland

Special invitation:

Reverend Douglas Shepler

Ordained in 1985 by the Reformed Church of America, Reverend Douglas Shepler visits BUC as a BUC senior pastor candidate with experience as a pastor, teacher, academic, activist and intercultural relations specialist. He is the current senior pastor of Second Reformed Church in New Jersey. From 1989 to 1999, pastor Shepler helped consolidate and grow the Christian Seminary of Venezuela in Caracas, an experience that left him with a deep appreciation for Latin America and which today makes him yearn to return.

Reverend Shepler has served as a minister to churches and groups in diverse geographies such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Iowa, North Dakota, Venezuela and Costa Rica. He cherishes working at an ecumenical level, having collaborated with Episcopal, Catholic, Lutheran, Presbyterian and non-Christian organizations, and has vast experience in crossfunctional areas such as spiritual direction, church revitalization, adult education and crisis counseling. He is completing his doctoral degree at the San Francisco Theological Seminary and has masters degrees in theology and divinity from the Lutheran Seminary and Westminster Theological Seminary. Reverend Shepler is married to his wife Aleta and they have three adult children.

THIS SUNDAY AT BALBOA UNION CHURCH

Worship Service at 10 a.m. – ALL ARE WELCOME!

SPEAKER: Pastor Douglas Shepler

Sunday School Teachers: Roland Schnell + helpers

Prayers Concerns

Please Pray for Our Brothers and Sisters from Siria and Iraq

Lord, please remind the world that we are all brothers and sisters and there should be no violence among us, only love and attempts to understand one another.

Other News

Special speaker – Sunday, October 18, 2015

We enjoyed the visit from lay pastor Maria Lourdes Guevara, who spoke regarding the Church and those with mental health issues.  She highlighted Christ’s work with the sick, the oppressed and the support that many in the community need, in order to be able to face their demons and overcome their fears.

Our visit to Fundación Nueva Vida, Howard – Sunday, October 18, 2015

A huge thank you to David, Joe, Grace & Gerry, Paulette & Nadine who accompanied us on the visit to Fundación Nueva Vida’s home for the aged in Howard. 

We were warmly welcomed by Sister Gerri, who has the oversight of the home and had the surprise of musical group showing up with songs and activities, at the same time that we were there to sit and speak with them and help serve their lunch.

We invite all members to join us in the upcoming visit of November 15th, when we will also be visiting their second building, to meet more residents who are more physically impaired than those in building 1.

Our AAAM Program Tuesday, October 20, 2015

On Tuesday, October 20th we welcomed into the Church our group of ladies & gentlemen that are participating in the benefits of our AAAM program, in which we were able to deliver to them the food baskets, through your generous donations and the help of the Banco de Alimentos.  We would encourage you to come and join us on the third Tuesday of each month when we have the joy of inviting them to join us at the Church for a short prayer and thought by Roland and conversation & sharing with them.

Up-coming BUC Activities

• We are currently working on sprucing up Building 773 – the basement, apartment C and other common areas.  We would be happy to have any volunteers that can assist with this, and any donations towards this work would always be appreciated.
• Council meeting- Saturday-November 14th 1:00 pm BUC Office. This will be a meeting of Missions, Property &Management, Christian Education, Worship & Ministry, Membership committee chairs and other council members.  But all members of the congregation may sit in on the meetings and deliberations. If you have any issues you would like the council to consider, these should be present to the Council Secretary before the meeting, so that they can be included in the agenda.
• Visit to Fundación Nueva Vida – We have programmed our next visit for the 3rd Sunday of November, which is the 15th of November.  We would love for you to join us!
• Missions AAAm Program – All BUC Membrs and Friends are invited to Participate in our next month AAAM Program on Tuesday  November 17th , 1:00 pm
• Thanksgiving Service and  Pot-Luck Lunch – Sunday November 22nd, please come and join us. Bring your favorite thanksgiving plate!
• In  BUC Missions we are Collaborating with “Good Deeds ” Program: Here is more information regarding the Good Deeds Program. And here is some information regarding their activities, if you want to participate and volunteer more actively.