Martinez United Methodist Church

A Church Where Love Grows

2015-12-31T16:08:00.000-08:00

The roses will be blooming soon!!

is a friendly church!

It is a place where children,
teens/young adults,
adults and senior citizens
all worship, experience, and celebrate
the love and grace of God.

We invite you and your family
to worship and have fellowship with us.
You will find spiritual nourishment
and a kind, sympathetic,
understanding ear,
from your minister
and your church family,
here at
Martinez U.M.C.

WE ARE A CHURCH
WHERE LOVE
GROWS!!

PLEASE, COME
BE A PART OF
OUR FAMILY.

Greetings from our Pastor.

How To Contact Or Find Us

2015-12-30T16:10:00.000-08:00

Martinez United Methodist Church is at 100 Church St, which is 3 miles south of downtown Martinez. We are 4 blocks south of Highway 4, and 2 blocks east of Alhambra AV. If you can find Nancy Boyd Memorial Park on Pleasant Hill Rd E, we're just up the hill to the west of the park.

Click here to see a Google map showing where we are. Use the Zoom control at the left of the map, to see a larger or smaller scale.

Our postal mailing address is

100 Church St
Martinez CA 94553

Our phone number is

925-228-1233

Our email (Gmail) address is

(Please type the above Email address, by hand, into your email address window.)

Or, you could sign our guestbook.

Schedule Of Events

2015-12-29T16:12:00.000-08:00

This is our Fall thru Spring schedule of regular events, which in 2009, ends on June 14. For our Summer Schedule, see our Summer Schedule. For our various celebrations and special events, see Current Events.

Sunday, 9:30 AM: Sunday School for all ages
Sunday, 10:30 AM: Worship Service
Thursday, 7:00 PM: Choir Practice
Every First Sunday: Communion Service
Every First Sunday: Taize Service
Every Tuesday: Shawl Ministry

Summer Schedule

2015-12-28T16:14:00.000-08:00

This is our summer schedule, which in 2009, starts on June 21. We return to our normal schedule in the fall. For our various celebrations and special events, see Current Events.

Sunday, 9:30 am: Worship Service
Every First Sunday: Taize Service

Current Events

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Thought For Today:

Faith is the marriage of God and the Soul. In that case, certainty of God’s omnipotence through the soul: with God all things are possible, because faith can move mountains.
– Dag Hammarksjold

Coming Events

Jun 27: Celebrate Summer, and join us for a Summer Barbecue, 3:00 pm
Jul 5: Administrative Board meeting after the service
Aug 10 - 14: "Crocodile Dock", Vacation Bible School at Church of the Resurrection, Pleasant Hill

Miss something? It may be listed, maybe even linked to another article, in Past Events.

We Express Our Sorrow

2009-08-12T16:17:00.000-07:00

Bob Sartin tells us of some unexpected, and very bad news, about Gene Talbot.

I had been trying, unsuccessfully, to reach Gene Talbot via phone, I went by his place this morning - and was told by his landlady that Gene's daughter found him dead yesterday morning - with nothing to indicate that it was other than natural causes.

I spoke to his mother, Nancy Talbot, a few minutes ago (approximately 3:25 PM) and expressed our shock and sadness. She was devastated.

All plans are tentative but this is what she could share at this time. A memorial service is planned for noon Saturday, August 15, in the chapel at Skyview Memorial Park. Apparently this is between Vallejo and Fairfield. They have asked Winston to conduct services - and this is pending. One of the family will get back to us as things firm up,

Updates, as they are provided, will be posted here.

Taize Services, 2009

2009-07-19T23:22:00.000-07:00

Join Us For An Hour Of Prayer

The First Sunday Of Each Month, 7:00 pm
West Pleasant Hill Churches

January 4: Christ The King Catholic Church; 199 Brandon Road
February 1: Christ The King Catholic Church; 199 Brandon Road
March 1: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church; 1601 Mary Drive
April 5: Resurrection Episcopal Church; 399 Gregory Lane
May 3: Hillcrest Congregational Church; 404 Gregory Lane
June 7: Christ The King Catholic Church; 199 Brandon Road
July 2: Christ The King Catholic Church; 199 Brandon Road
August 2: Christ The King Catholic Church; 199 Brandon Road
September 6: St. Andrew's Presbyterian Church; 1601 Mary Drive
October 4: Resurrection Episcopal Church; 399 Gregory Lane
November 1: Hillcrest Congregational Church; 404 Gregory Lane
December 6, 4:00 pm: Advent Ecumenical Concert, Christ The King Catholic Church; 199 Brandon Road

Tongan Service 7/19/2009

2009-07-16T14:17:00.000-07:00

July 19, 2009, 2:00 pm
First United Methodist Church
625 Hamilton Ave
Palo Alto, CA

Tongan United Methodists from throughout the California - Nevada UM Conference will be gathering at 2:00 pm at the First United Methodist Church in Palo Alto. A special annual service is being held, to honor all Tongan UM students who graduated from high schools, colleges, and universities this year.

The Rev. Heilala Ahio will be providing the sermon.

Olive Oil Bottling Party 7/19/2009

2009-07-15T16:18:00.000-07:00

Sunday, July 19, 2009, 10:00 am - 4:00 pm
2022 Blake St
Berkeley, CA (click for a map)

The new oil is here!

Olives are harvested in the fall and immediately pressed to make oil. It's delicious when fresh, but congeals during the winter. For that reason, the particulates don't precipitate until the warmer spring weather, allowing the oil to clarify. This shipment is the first from last fall's harvest.

Please join us in bottling delicious Palestinian olive oil to benefit the International Solidarity Movement, and Palestinian agriculture and fair trade. The fun, fellowship, and smell of olive oil are hard to beat.

You are welcome to bring food, but we will have some typical Palestinian dishes to offer as well. Bring family, friends, etc. If you only want to come to buy some oil, that's OK, too. They're great gifts with a human rights message. Thanks for your support and we hope to see you there.

The International Solidarity Movement (ISM) is a Palestinian-led movement committed to resisting the Israeli occupation of Palestinian land using nonviolent, direct-action methods and principles.

God Is Like

2009-07-15T14:55:00.000-07:00

A fifth grade teacher in a Christian school asked her class to look at TV commercials and see if they could use them in some way to communicate ideas about God. Here are some of the results.

God is like Bayer Aspirin - He works miracles.
God is like Ford - He's got a better idea.
God is like Coke - He's the real thing.
God is like Hallmark Cards - He cares enough to send His very best.
God is like Tide - He gets the stains out that others leave behind.
God is like General Electric - He brings good things to life.
God is like Sears - He has everything.
God is like Alka-Seltzer - Try Him, you'll like Him.
God is like Scotch Tape - You can't see Him, but you know He's there.
God is like Delta - He's ready when you are.
God is like Allstate - You're in good hands with Him.
God is like VO-5 Hair Spray - He holds through all kinds of weather.
God is like Dial Soap Aren't you glad you have Him? Don't you wish everybody did?
God is like the U.S. Post Office - Neither rain, nor snow, nor sleet nor ice will keep Him from His appointed destination.
God is like Chevrolet - the heart beat of America.
God is like Maxwell House - Good to the very last drop.
God is like Bounty - He is the quicker picker upper, can handle the tough jobs, and He won't fall apart on you.

Sunday Service 7/12/2009

2009-07-11T14:30:00.000-07:00

July 12, 2009, 9:30 am

Message: "Gold Shoulders and Shaking Feet”

Hymns
"We've A Story To Tell To The Nation"
"Blessed Assurance"
"Go Make All Disciples"

Scriptures:
Mark 6: 7-13

From The Former Martinez UMC Congregation

2009-07-08T18:58:00.001-07:00

This letter is in response to Rev. Akolo’s introduction of himself, from a former officer, long-time member of MUMC, and a life-long Methodist.

It sounds as though Rev. Akolo understands that his “Tongan language ministry” that is now a part of the Martinez United Methodist Church (aka "MUMC") makes it a “multi-cultural organization”. MUMC had a multicultural history long before Rev Akolo arrived. In the last 25 years, the church has had one Caucasian minister, one Hispanic American minister, one African American minister, and one Filipino American minister, with congregants from these and other ethnic groups.

Several years ago, MUMC was pushed by the UMC Bayview District into accepting a Tongan UM Fellowship (not a full church) as a co-occupant of the church building through a rental agreement. MUMC had many difficulties with the Tongan Fellowship rental, but the District refused to assist MUMC in resolving those issues. Instead, a Tongan language pastor was appointed to his first “English-speaking” congregation in 29 years of ministry.

Unfortunately, for the majority of the members prior to Rev. Akolo’s appointment, the church has now become an almost exclusively Tongan ministry. The church members and their representatives were not consulted about their part in furthering a “Tongan language ministry”. Most church officers resigned because of the un-Christian-like manner in which the recent pastoral appointments were carried out. In fact, after last Sunday’s service (7/5/09) where approximately 40 Tongans “joined” MUMC, most non-Tongan congregants feel unwelcome and pushed aside by the Cal-Nevada Conference’s appointment of Rev. Akolo and the hostile take-over of its properties with a substantial financial value. Soon, new Tongan officers will be elected and the church will have few, if any, non-Tongan members.

I hope the new Tongan congregation finds themselves able to worship in their new church home and financially support the property and the minister, while the original congregation is set adrift and searches for a new church home. Many life-long Methodists are uncertain whether any other United Methodist church is worth the heartache they have recently undergone and may look to other denominations or unaffiliated churches in which to worship. I trust that our faith in God, in Jesus Christ his son, and in the Holy Spirit will not be swayed by the bureaucratic ineptitude of the United Methodist Church organization.

Comments to this, and other, articles here are welcome. All comments will be strictly moderated.

We Welcome Our New Pastor, Rev. Afuhia Akolo

2009-07-08T12:35:00.000-07:00

A Tongan by origin, born August 28, 1948, he has been married to Salote 'Akolo for almost 38 years. They have 5 children, and 6 grandchildren.

He immigrated to the USA in 1972, to attend school and to find a job, to help out his family and relatives in Tonga. He attended schools in Hawaii for his undergraduate studies. He never wanted to become a pastor, but on Dec 31, 1980 he felt the grace and love of God changed his life, and turned him around to become a stronger Christian. He did listen to his call, if you may, to become one.

He used to live in Concord, 1978 - 1996, before he moved to the seminary at Berkeley. In 1984, with 13 other people, he started the Concord Tongan United Fellowship that became the Martinez United Methodist Church Tongan Language ministry. He did his pastoral training at Claremont Theological Seminary and Pacific School of Religion, in Berkeley. He is an ordained elder in the UMC, and served at Cal/Nev Conference since 1990. Martinez UMC is his 4th church appointment.

He is very happy to serve at the Martinez UMC and the Martinez Tongan Language ministry, which is part of the Martinez UMC; hoping to strengthen the faith of the congregation and all people in Jesus Christ their Lord; and to help others recognizing the congregation as a multi-cultural organization working together with everyone in making disciples for Jesus Christ, and the transformation of the world. He believes that the church is for all people, of ethnicity, color, race, beliefs and so on. He also believes that the church is not for Holy people, but a gathering place for sinners trying to perfect or progress their lives into godly ways. His pastoral service is not only to church members, but to all people.

Services for Summer 2009 start at 9:30 am and 10:30 am during the rest of the year. Everyone is invited, and is welcome.

Comments to this, and other, articles here are welcome. All comments will be strictly moderated.

Taize Service 7/3/2009

2009-06-29T22:31:00.000-07:00

An Evening of Taize Prayer

July 3, 2009, 7:00 pm

Glory to God in the highest

Adoremus Te Jesu Christe

Holy Spirit, come to us

Psalm 48:9

Ubi caritas

Mark 6: 7-13

With You, O Lord

The Kingdom of God

Silence

In the depths of our being Christ is praying, far more than we imagine. That is why silence is so essential in discovering the heart of prayer.
Brother Roger

Kyrie eleison

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding prayer

Although within us there are wounds, Lord Christ, above all there is the miracle of your mysterious presence. Thus, made lighter or even set free, we are going with you, the Christ, from one discovery to another.

Prayer around the Cross

During this time of meditative singing, you are invited to come pray around the Cross as an expression of the invisible communion with the crucified Christ and all who suffer.

Jesus, remember me

God is forgiveness

Nothing can ever come between us

Let your servant now go in peace

From The Pastor's Desk: June 2009

2009-06-27T23:11:00.000-07:00

To the Congregation at Martinez,

This is a sad time for me as I prepare to leave you for my next appointment at Valley Springs Community United Methodist Church, beginning July 1, 2009.

Nine years have passed by very quickly. I remember that day in May 2000 when I met with the members of the SPRC, my first Sunday service and the first few months we needed to adjust to one another. There was not much to adjust to really and my family and I seemed to fit in with the congregation very well.

I am so proud that we are a very welcoming church to everyone who came through our doors. We might not have always succeeded in providing the needed facilities to some who came to church but God knows we always did our very best. We have always shown our great joy, faithfulness and deep commitment in our little congregation and I feel God is leading us in the right direction. I hope you will continue in your journey of faith with more vigor and determination.

I have certainly grown as a pastor and will carry a lot of rich experiences with me to my next appointment. I have made a lot of friends and those will continue for a lifetime. We have studied, worshipped, sung and played together. We have discussed various issues and not always agreed, but worked alongside of each other in the true spirit of Christian love to fulfill God's work in the community and the world.

I have enjoyed being your pastor, baptizing children, marrying couples, doing the funeral for others and seeing you grow in your faith. I have been privileged to share your joys and sorrows. I am grateful that we are a friendly church regardless of the world and its problems. I have tried to open your hearts and minds and the doors of the church to others that they too might come to know and experience the love of Christ.

I express my sincere appreciation to the leaders of the congregation and others who did not need to be prompted and prodded to do what the church needed. What a bunch of fine people you are. My hats off to you.

May God continue preparing each of us for the rest of our journey of faith. May you welcome your new pastor with open arms and hearts as you did with me and my family. I simply thank God for the friendship, love and time we have spent together. I am a better pastor and a more loving person because of each of you. Thank you for loving my family and giving me this opportunity to love each of you.

On behalf of Cora, my children, grandchildren and our extended family, I thank God and thank you from the bottom of our hearts.

In Christ's Service,
Pastor Winston

Comments to this, and other, articles here are welcome. All comments will be strictly moderated.

Sunday Service 6/28/2009

2009-06-25T09:05:00.000-07:00

June 28, 2009, 9:30 am
4th Sunday after Pentecost

Message “Your Faith Has Made You Whole”

Hymns
“Guide Me, O Thou Great Jehovah” #127
“Through It All” #507
“Blest Be the Tie That Binds” #557

Choral Presentations:
"Join in the Dance", by Bob Sorem, 2005

Scriptures:
Mark 5:21-43

Sunday Service 6/21/2009

2009-06-18T07:20:00.000-07:00

June 21, 2009, 9:30 am
3rd Sunday after Pentecost

Message “Stronger Than The Storm”

Hymns
“Faith of Our Fathers” #710
“Blessed Assurance” #369
“Jesus, Savior, Pilot Me” #509

Choral Presentations:
"Servant Song", by D. McGargil / Bob Sorem, 2005

Scriptures:
1 Samuel 17:32-49; 2 Corinthians 6:1-13; Mark 4:35-41

Sunday Service 6/14/2009

2009-06-14T05:53:00.000-07:00

June 14, 2009, 10:30 am
2nd Sunday after Pentecost

Message "Will Work For Kingdom"

Hymns
“Christ For The World We Sing” #568
“Great Is Thy Faithfulness” #140
“We’ve a Story to Tell to the Nations” #569

Choral Presentations:
"Welcome God In", by M. McCawley, 1997

Scriptures:
1 Samuel 15:34-16:13; 2 Corinthians 5:6-10; Mark 4:26-34

Sunday Service 6/7/2009

2009-06-02T17:50:00.000-07:00

June 7, 2009, 10:30 am
1st Sunday after Pentecost

Message "Nick at Night", presented by Bev Penzien

Hymns
"Spirit" #2120
"Spirit Song" #347
"There's a Spirit in the Air" #192

Choral Presentations:
"He Speaks Peace to Me", by Hamblen & Hamblen

Scriptures:
Isaiah 6:1-8; Romans 8:12-17; John 3:1-17

World Week For Peace In Palestine Israel 6/4/2009 - 6/10/2009

2009-05-31T15:26:00.000-07:00

The World Council of Churches (WCC) has designated June 4-10 as
World Week for Peace in Palestine Israel
Advocating Joint Action for a Just Peace

A description of activities planned for this week can be found on the WCC website at www.worldweekforpeace.org.

The tragic events in Israel and Palestine continue to call people of faith to respond. All WCC member churches and related organizations are asked to help make a common international public witness by advocacy, education and prayer.

To promote a just peace so that both Israelis and Palestinians can finally live in peace is desperately needed and churches in different countries on 5 continents are coming together to send a clear signal to policy-makers, governments, the wider public and their own parishes about the urgent need for a peace settlement that secures the legitimate rights and future of both peoples. Churches are requested to plan their activities around these points:

Pray with churches living under occupation, using a special prayer from Jerusalem.
Educate about actions that make for peace and about facts on the ground that do not, especially, settlements in occupied territory.
Advocate with political leaders using ecumenical policies that promote peace with justice.

The WCC announcement states:

The week calls participants to seek justice for Palestinians so that both Israelis and Palestinians can finally live in peace. It is now more than 60 years since the partition of Palestine hardened into a permanent nightmare for Palestinians. It's more than 40 years since the occupation of East Jerusalem, the West Bank and Gaza overwhelmed the peaceful vision of one land, two peoples. Yet the dream of one nation cannot be fulfilled at the expense of another.

The action week's message is that now:

It's time for Palestinians and Israelis to share a just peace.
It's time for freedom from occupation and terrorism.
It's time for an end to all military action - covert and overt - against non military persons.
It's time for equal rights.
It's time for the healing of wounded souls.

This call to action is particularly crucial in the United States and crucial at this time when our new administration needs all of our support to press for meaningful and just negotiations. In the past, the USA has given billions of dollars and diplomatic support to the Israeli governments no matter what actions they have done toward the captive Palestinian population, including the rapidly declining Christian Arab population. In the North Bay Area, assistance for you is offered, to hold one or more events June 4-10 or anytime thereafter.

Providing materials, or you may find the "Jerusalem Prayer", and other resources, at www.worldweekforpeace.org.
Providing speakers that are well informed on the situation there and possible actions for a peaceful resolution. Jewish voice for Peace has offered speakers that address the Jewish viewpoint and will inform us of the support of American and Israeli Peace groups for a just solution. Local Christians that have visited the Holy Land and are well informed are also available to speak to your congregations, either for short addresses or full programs.
Providing information to your congregations for advocacy actions and on going opportunities.

Please contact Anna Rogers, dannarogers1@hotmail.com with Jewish Voice for Peace, or David Jones, djones1948@sbcglobal.net.

Taize Service 6/5/2009

2009-05-30T12:24:00.000-07:00

An Evening of Taize Prayer

June 5, 2009, 7:00 pm

Alleluia

In the Lord

Laudate Dominum

Psalm 29

Holy Spirit, come to us

John 3: 1-17

Veni Lumen

Christe lux mundi

Veni Sancte Spiritus

Silence

In the depths of our being Christ is praying, far more than we imagine. That is why silence is so essential in discovering the heart of prayer.
Brother Roger

Kyrie eleison

The Lord’s Prayer

Concluding prayer

Holy Spirit, Spirit of the Living God, you breathe in us on all that is inadequate and fragile. You make living water spring even from our hurts themselves. And through you, the valley of tears becomes a place of wellsprings. So, in an inner life with neither beginning nor end, your continual presence makes new freshness break through.

Prayer around the Cross

During this time of meditative singing, you are invited to come pray around the Cross as an expression of the invisible communion with the crucified Christ and all who suffer.

Jesus, remember me

God is forgiveness

Nothing can ever come between us

Let your servant now go in peace

Concert: Themes On Palestine - 6/7/2009, 6/8/2009

2009-05-29T17:49:00.000-07:00

Sunday, June 7, 7:00 pm
First Presbyterian Church,
1140 Cowper St, Palo Alto (click for a map)
Monday, June 8, 7:00 pm
BFUU Hall,
1924 Cedar at Bonita, Berkeley (click for a map)

A Benefit Fundraiser for
the Free Gaza and
International Solidarity Movements

“Gilad Atzmon, the expat Israeli saxophonist/ clarinetist, combines thrilling jazz musicianship with a maverick political intelligence” - Guardian

“One of the finest alto players” - BBC Music Magazine

Gilad Atzmon is fearless, both on the jazz saxophone and in defense of human rights in Palestine. The renowned expat Israeli musician, composer, educator and writer will be accompanied on the piano by Daniel Renaud.

$20 admission each event, no one turned away for lack of funds
Sponsored by BFUU Social Justice Committee
Co-sponsored by Bay Area Women in Black
For more info:
solidarity@norcalism.org
www.norcalism.org

Sunday Service 5/31/2009

2009-05-28T10:42:00.000-07:00

May 31, 2009, 10:30 am
Day of Pentecost

Message: "The Power Source Of The Church”

Hymns
"Holy Spirit, Truth Divine" #465
"Open My Eyes, That I May See" #454
"O Spirit Of The Living God" #539

Choral Presentations:
"Send Your Fire Down", by Dave Gordon & Ian McIntyre, 2002

Scriptures:
Acts 2:1-21; Romans 8:22-27; John 15:26-27, 16:4-15

Sunday Service 5/24/2009

2009-05-20T14:40:00.000-07:00

May 24, 2009, 10:30 am
7th Sunday of Easter

Message: "Choosing From the Crowd”

Hymns
"Morning Has Broken" #145
"O How I Love Jesus" #170
"Jesus, Thine All-Victorious Love" #422

Choral Presentations:
TBA

Scriptures:
Acts 1:15-17, 21-26; 1 John 5:9-13; John 17:6-19

Program: Cafe Night at St. Paul UMC, Fremont 5/22/2009

2009-05-17T17:01:00.000-07:00

Friday, May 22nd, 6:00 pm
St. Paul UMC,
33350 Peace Ter,
Fremont, CA

Brought to you by the youth ministries of St. Paul UMC-Fremont, Valley Faith UMC, and Good Shepherd Community Church, come to Cafe Night, on Friday, May 22nd. Doors open at 6 pm. Entrance is free.

Enjoy a full house of praise and worship through music from praise bands, string instrumentalists and singers, dancers and many more expressions of our love for Jesus. A special offering will be received at the event to benefit Heifer International, an organization that helps the poor by educating them and providing livestock to raise and then later on pass the gift on to the needy others in the community.

Please help us by lifting up this event in your prayers, and lifting up those groups and individuals who are participating. We invite you to experience the love of Jesus in a brand new way!

We highlight the participation of the praise bands of Valley Faith UNITY 1, UNITY 2, Wesley Ukulele Band, Wounds of A Friend, 18 Thoughts, G.U.I. Dance (St. Paul's youth dance ministry), WOW Praise Team of Korean First UMC-Fremont, SPY and POWER choir. Many vocalists and instrumentalists are performing at the event all for the glory of God.

Come and share with us your love for Jesus!