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February 22, 2015 Issue 08 1 CALLER the In This Issue From Dale’s Desk 2 Remember in Prayer 3 Spiritual Disciplines Wk 3 Prayer Requests, Feb. 15 3 Serving in the Military 3 Sunday Statistics 3 Save the Dates 4 Wedding Shower 4 Sr. Book Club 4 Senior Adults 4 JYF 5 Coffee Sales/Summer Camp 5 Fullerton Collaborative 5 MMC Concert 6 Letters/Mission Trip 6 Pathways of Hope 6 Founders Day 7 Get on the Bus 7 Lent & Easter Activities 9 Week of Compassion Ideas 9 Hasty Note 9 Serving Sunday 10 Events – February 22 – March 1, 2015 February 22: First Sunday in Lent 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH Youth Meeting February 23: 6:30 P.M. - OT Class meeting @ Woodbridges February 24: 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barry’s 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary & Chapman Lounge February 25: 7:00 P.M. – Council of Elders, Chapman Lounge February 26: 5:00 A.M. - Casa Prayer Group, Chapman Lounge 9:00 A.M. 4:00 P.M. Fullerton Collaborative Workshop on Homelessness @ Muckenthaler. 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. Chancel Choir February 27: February 28: 8:00 A.M. Noon – Al-Anon uses Fellowship Hall 6:00 P.M. 8:00 P.M. Casa Worship Band, Sanctuary 6:00 P.M. – Get on the Bus Fundraiser @ St. Juliana’s March 1: Second Sunday in Lent 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service 11:30 A.M. - Wedding Shower for Emily Steward-Styffe & Jaime Garcia, Fellowship Hall 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH Youth Meeting March 2: 6:30 P.M. - OCCS Meeting, Fellowship Hall 7:00 P.M. - Alzheimer’s Support Group, Chapman Lounge 7:00 P.M. - Worship Ministry Team, Choir Room March 3: 10:00 A.M. - Mary Circle, Choir Room 11:30 A.M. - PSWR Golf Committee, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barry’s 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary & Chapman Lounge 7:30 P.M. – Ecumenical Prayer Service @ Christ Cathedral AA Groups: Sun. 8:00 P.M., Thursday,, 8:00 p.m. Friday, 7:30 P.M.,Sat. 8:30 P.M., NA Group, Tues. 7:30 P.M. The Caller is published weekly (Deadline Wednesday at Noon) by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 109 E. Wilshire Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832 714.525.5525 email: [email protected] www.fullertonfirstchristian.org Interim Pastor: Rev. Dale Suggs Editor: Donna Woodbridge

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Page 1: Caller, February 22 , 2015

February 22, 2015 Issue 08

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CALLER the

In This Issue From Dale’s Desk 2

Remember in Prayer 3 Spiritual Disciplines Wk 3 Prayer Requests, Feb. 15 3 Serving in the Military 3 Sunday Statistics 3 Save the Dates 4 Wedding Shower 4 Sr. Book Club 4 Senior Adults 4 JYF 5 Coffee Sales/Summer Camp 5 Fullerton Collaborative 5 MMC Concert 6 Letters/Mission Trip 6 Pathways of Hope 6 Founders Day 7 Get on the Bus 7 Lent & Easter Activities 9 Week of Compassion Ideas 9 Hasty Note 9 Serving Sunday 10

Events – February 22 – March 1, 2015 February 22: First Sunday in Lent 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH Youth Meeting February 23: 6:30 P.M. - OT Class meeting @ Woodbridges February 24: 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barry’s 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary & Chapman Lounge February 25: 7:00 P.M. – Council of Elders, Chapman Lounge February 26: 5:00 A.M. - Casa Prayer Group, Chapman Lounge 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. Fullerton Collaborative Workshop on Homelessness @ Muckenthaler. 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. Chancel Choir February 27: February 28: 8:00 A.M. – Noon – Al-Anon uses Fellowship Hall 6:00 P.M. – 8:00 P.M. – Casa Worship Band, Sanctuary 6:00 P.M. – Get on the Bus Fundraiser @ St. Juliana’s March 1: Second Sunday in Lent 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service 11:30 A.M. - Wedding Shower for Emily Steward-Styffe & Jaime Garcia, Fellowship Hall 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary & FH Youth Meeting March 2: 6:30 P.M. - OCCS Meeting, Fellowship Hall 7:00 P.M. - Alzheimer’s Support Group, Chapman Lounge 7:00 P.M. - Worship Ministry Team, Choir Room March 3: 10:00 A.M. - Mary Circle, Choir Room 11:30 A.M. - PSWR Golf Committee, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barry’s 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary & Chapman Lounge 7:30 P.M. – Ecumenical Prayer Service @ Christ Cathedral AA Groups: Sun. 8:00 P.M., Thursday,, 8:00 p.m. Friday, 7:30 P.M.,Sat. 8:30 P.M., NA Group, Tues. 7:30 P.M.

The Caller is published

weekly (Deadline Wednesday

at Noon)

by First Christ ian Church

(Disciples of Christ) 109 E. Wilshire Ave. Fullerton, CA 92832

714.525.5525 email:

[email protected] www.fullertonfirstchristian.org

Interim Pastor: Rev. Dale Suggs

Editor:

Donna Woodbridge

Page 2: Caller, February 22 , 2015

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From Dale’s Desk This past Wednesday was Ash Wednesday, the traditional beginning of Lent. Lent is a season of prayer and penitence. It takes place during the 40 days before Easter (not including Sundays which are always resurrection days.) These 40 days remind us of the 40 days that Jesus spent in the wilderness in prayer and fasting. They remind us of our own need for repentance. And they are a call for God’s people to prepare for the glory of Easter by spending time in self-examination, confession, prayer and rededication of our lives to God. As the prophet Joel writes:

Yet even now, says the Holy One, return to me with all your heart, with fasting, with weeping, and with mourning; rend your hearts and not your clothing. Return to the Lord, your God, who is gracious and merciful, slow to anger, and abounding in steadfast love, and relents from punishing.

One of the long-standing traditions of Lent is to “give something up”. Usually, this is something relatively small in our lifestyle like weekly movies, meat, sugar, soft drinks or caffeine. This “giving up” is meant to be a regular reminder of the depth of God’s love demonstrated by Jesus’ willingness to go to the cross. I fully endorse giving something up for Lent. But more than that, I endorse “taking up” something for Lent. Specifically, I offer the Lenten challenge that each of us take up a spiritual discipline like daily devotions, prayer, journaling or Lectio Divina or even something like a day of fasting each week. The hope is that we can use these forty days not only to remind us of God’s love but also to connect with God’s presence in our everyday lives. Whatever we decide not to do or to do for Lent, I pray that this will be a season that better prepares us to hear the Good News of God in Jesus Christ that we will proclaim on Easter. And I pray that this will be a season that better prepares us to be the Good News of Jesus Christ that we will proclaim on Easter. But that’s a sermon for another day . . . maybe on Easter! Blessings,

DALE

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Remember in Prayer Continue to pray for: Jim & Helen Bailey, Sue Bacon, Dottie Bense, Harold Brickens, Sandra Brown, Linda Christman, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Joyce Finch, Annie Frater, Anna Lou Horspool, Carolyn Kenrick, Flora Miller, Sue Malotte, Kristine Perry, Audrey Poe, Norma Rill, Betty Rollo, Marj Schwenker, Claudia Tammen, Dorothy Tanner, and Bob & Donna Vannoy. Please pray for the following PSWR Church: Central Christian Church 4459 Lowell Avenue La Crescenta, CA 91214 Gregory Davis, Pastor

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Week of February 23 – March 1, 2015 Monday, February 23: Reading: Psalm

23:4; In this time of Lent, pray and give thanks that God is always with us. Tuesday, February 24: Reading: Hebrews 4: 14-16; Pray for our Casa brothers and sisters. Wednesday, February 25: Reading: 1 Peter 1:6-7; Psalm 145:17; Pray for our Council of Elders as they meet tonight. Thursday, February 26: Reading: Micah 4: 1; Pray for the Fullerton Collaborative Workshop @ the Muckenthaler today from 9:00 A.M. – 4:00 P.M. on the homeless issue in Fullerton. Friday, February 27: Reading: Matthew 4: 5-6a; Pray for Global Ministries Missionary in Mexico, Lindsay Mercer. Saturday, February 28: Reading: John 6, Matthew 27; Pray for the Get on the Bus Fundraiser at St. Juliana’s tonight. Sunday, March 1: Reading: Deuteronomy 34: 1-12; Pray for Emily Steward-Styffe & Jaime Garcia as we celebrate their upcoming marriage at a shower in Fellowship Hall.

Prayer Requests – February 15, 2015 Lorraine Albrecht Praise that grandson,

Michael Anderson, is all well now.

Steven Miller Mother, Flora, still in the hospital with a blood clot in her leg.

Judi Smedley Prayers for attitude and family issues. Also friend, Helen Viyan has been diagnosed with breast cancer.

Bill Martin Daughter, Krystan, grieving the death of her mother.

Annie Frater Ted & Sammie Adams who are battling colds.

Serving in the Military

Adam Hawley, Deb Taylor’s nephew, is back at Ft. Bliss.

Lt. Cmdr. Patrick O’Conner, Betty Rollo’s grandson-in-law deployed to the Persian Gulf. Lt. Patrick Rollo, Betty Rollo’s grandson, is at sea for several months. PFC Brandon Vannoy, grandson of Bob & Donna Vannoy, has returned to Ft. Campbell. Petty Officer Michael J. Borden, Nancy Geiger’s grandson, in Norfolk, VA. Brandon Johnson, Army Chaplain, Mariette Linberg’s cousin has returned from his deployment in Afghanistan. Lt. Austen Packer, Laura Lee Wiggins’ friend, is back at Oceana, NAS, in Virginia Lt J.G. Kip Packer, friend of Laura Lee Wiggins, Navy nurse stationed in Norfolk, VA. Kash Cross, Ted & Sammie’s grandson, is at boot camp in Ft. Benning, GA. Mjr. Christopher Evans, cousin of Annie Frater’s who is serving in Seoul, Korea. Sunday Statist ics February 15, 2015 108 (Remember Service) 9 (Reawaken Service) 94 (Casa 1 P.M. service) Weekly Giving: $3,572.10 Missions: $396.90 Budget Goal: $3,777 Pathways: $5 Week of Compassion: $620

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Save the Dates: March 1 – All-church

wedding shower for Emily Steward-Styffe and Jaime Garcia. We will be having a salad luncheon in Fellowship Hall. See related article below. March 13-14 – Founders’ Day Weekend at Chapman. Nancy Malotte is our coordinator. May 19 & 20 – Sr. Adult Retreat at Loch Leven Camp and Conference Grounds June 28 – August 1 - Summer Camps at Loch Leven. See Donna for registration forms. Wedding Shower We will be honoring Emily Steward-Styffe and Jaime Garcia on their upcoming wedding at an All-Church Potluck Salad Luncheon shower in Fellowship Hall after the 10:15 service next Sunday, March 1. Please let Sammie Adams know ASAP whethe you are coming and what kind of salad you are bringing so we can plan accordingly. Emily and Jaime are registered at Target. You may also contribute to a Church gift if you would like. Donna Woodbridge will be collecting those donations.

Senior Book Club News I hope everyone has the book and is reading Mr. Penumbra’s 24-

Hour Book Store by Robin Sloan so you are ready for our discussion of this inventive literary tale on Thursday, March 5, 2015, at 1 P.M. in Chapman Lounge. Barbara Fenters will be hosting the group. Please note that this is the first Thursday in March, a change from our usual fourth Thursday of the month. For those who like advance notice of upcoming book selections, we plan to discuss Secret Daughter by Shilpi Somaya in May and Mary Coin by Marisa Silver in July. All three of these book selections are in paperback.

Ada Rodman, Coordinator

Senior Adult Ministry met on February 17th

The Senior Adult Ministry met this past Tuesday for their monthly luncheon. Nineteen of us gathered for fellowship and to hear our speaker for the day, Rev. Dale Suggs, our interim minister here at FCCF. Pastor Dale shared his life story with us, especially his school years and his life as a minister in the Disciples of Christ denomination. In case you weren’t aware Pastor Dale is a PK (preacher’s kid.) His journey was fascinating to hear. Thank you Pastor Dale for sharing with us so openly. We are thankful that you join us for our meetings, keep us informed of church activities and needs, but especially thank you for this past Tuesday. Our next meeting will be Tuesday, March 17, 2015 at 12 noon in Chapman lounge. If you have never attended one of our meetings, this is one you might want to put on your calendar. We are being blessed with another wonderful musical presentation. Ed Zeliff, a friend of Ed Linberg who sings in the Mountainside Master Chorale with him brought a program of music to us awhile back. This time he will be bringing one of his students, Alexandria Schammel, a senior at Whittier College, who is pursuing a Bachelor of Arts Degree in Vocal Performance. She sings in the Whittier College Choir, the Whittier Chamber Choir, and recently performed in a production of Hairspray at Whittier College. She will be accompanied by Ed. Plan to come and hear this talented young lady and learn more about her. Ed Linberg is leading this meeting as Ted and Sammie will be out of town. Another date of importance is Wednesday, March 11, 2015 at 10:30 A.M. This will be the day that our seniors host a worship service for Alzheimer’s residents at some of the Orange County homes for these very special people. We have done this service for a few years now and find it very rewarding. Ed Linberg is in charge this year and would like to have as many people help as possible. If you can help, please contact Ed or Donna.

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JYF (1st – 6 grades) We meet today, Sunday

following the 10:15 service from 11:30 – 1:00

P.M. in Chapman Lounge. We will be making prayer flags, practicing our song, “Totally Transformed by YOU.” Bring your sack lunch and your Bible. Our Bible verse is Romans 12: 2 Do not conform to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind.” Hope to see you all there. Nancy, Cyndi, Marguerite (2 – 5 year olds) We meet today, Sunday following the 10:15 service from 11:30 – 1:00 P.M. in Chapman Lounge. We will be making prayer flags, practicing our song, Totally Transformed by YOU. Bring your sack lunch. Our Bible verse is” John 4:8 God is Love Hope to see you there. Marguerite, Melody & Melissa

Fair Trade Coffee Sales The Fair Trade coffee cart is back. Donna will be

having products available for sale after the 8:00 A.M. service and before the 10:15 service. Mary Anne Richmond and Jill Scott will be handling the sales after the 10:15 service. We have a new array of products available including the single cup serving compatible for use with the Keurig and other single serve coffee makers. This coffee is equal to or better than Starbucks, costs about the same and helps the farmers to get their fair share of profits. We have chosen to partner with the Disciples of Christ Coffee Project, a partnership between Week of Compassion, Disciples Home Missions and Equal Exchange, a worker-owned co-operative offering 100% fairly traded coffee, chocolate, tea and foods. So stop by before or after church, sample the coffee or you may always drop by the office during the week and purchase any of the products.

Summer Camp is Coming! With the renovation of Campbell

Lodge and the addition of new trails and outdoor meeting areas, Loch Leven is looking better than ever! PSWR Scholarship applications are due on or before April 30. FCCF will pay ½ of early bird registration. The schedule is posted on the wall in the office. Call Donna in the office for registration forms Fullerton Collaborative Management Conference

Even though this is not about homelessness as previously announced, it would be a good way for us to become acquainted with our neighbors in the community.

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An Invitation The second concert of the 2014-2015 season of the Mountainside Master Chorale is set for Saturday, March 14 and Sunday

March 15 at First Christian Church, Pomona. The Saturday evening concert is at 7:30 P.M., while the Sunday afternoon concert is set for 3:30 P.M. The concert theme is “California Voices,” so-named because all of the selections to be sung have been composed by persons who either currently live in the area, or who have lived here in the recent past. One of the composers, David V. Montoya, teaches Choral Music at La Habra High School. Two of his compositions are on the program. Tickets cost $20 for adults; $17 for seniors and students, or just $12 for groups of 10 or more persons. Let Ed Linberg know if you’d like to attend on either Saturday or Sunday. We Get Letters In a letter dated February 9, Sal Mancino, President of FISH of FULLERTON, wrote this: “On behalf of the Board of Directors of Fish of Fullerton, I wish to thank your church for your recent generous donation to our group. Fish of Fullerton can only operate due to the generosity of local church groups and the donations for our clients.” A brochure about the work of FISH of Fullerton was enclosed. It describes their work. Both the letter and the brochure are posted on the bulletin board. Look for these items. In a letter expressing gratitude for our support of the varied ministries of Pathways of Hope during 2014, Maria Mazzenga Avellaneda, Executive Director informed us that we gave $3,077.60 last year to help underwrite their work which is dedicated to “rebuilding lives of the hungry and the homeless.” You’ll want to read the full letter she sent to our congregation. Look for it on the bulletin board above the water fountains.

Mission Trip Organizational Meeting On Sunday

Immediately following the 10:15 A.M. service this Sunday, there will be a brief organizational meeting for those who already indicated that they plan to be part of the June 7-13 Mission Trip to Loveland, CO and for ANYONE ELSE who want to learn more about the plans. The meeting will be brief, so all who attend will definitely be on their way no later than Noon, or before. One of the things we’ll be doing is to hear a report from Craig Wallace about the present cost of airfare to and from our destination. The sooner we book the flights, the better the fare will be. Two other things we’ll be discussing are payment of registration fee and distribution of forms all participants need to complete in order to go on this trip. So, if you have ANY INTEREST in this trip, plan to stay for Sunday’s meeting. You don’t have to decide now but the sooner you get your name on the list of participants, the better. Outreach Ministry Pathways of Hope Food-Loving Guys and Gals Fundraiser The 9th Annual Food-Loving Guys and Gals Amateur Chef Competition is Sunday, March 15, 2:30 – 4:30 at the Fullerton Community Center, 340 W. Commonwealth, Fullerton. FCCF will have a couple of entries. The Monday Night OT Bible Study and the Greek Class will be joining Barry Woodbridge as one of the entries and Tom Beck and Dirk McCuen the other. Still room for some of you other chefs to enter. There will be food tasting, you get to vote for your personal favorite, music by “Creamin’ Color” and a silent auction. Trader Joes, Brea, the Dhont Foundation and St. Andrew’s Episcopal Church will be receiving Friends of Pathways’ Awards. Tickets are $50 per person in advance and $60 at the door. Opportunity tickets are available for $10 per ticket or 3 for $25. $.92 of every dollar given to Pathways goes to serving the clients. RSVP at 714-680-3691, fax 714-871-3032 or online at WWW.PATHWAYSOFHOPE.US

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Are YOU registered for Chapman Founders Day

March 13-14, 2015? Chapman University in Orange, CA is holding its 32nd annual Founders’ Day. Come join us for: · Richard H. Lowery, Hebrew Bible scholar and teacher, who will relate foundational stories in Genesis to contemporary issues in human rights. His PhD is from Yale and he has taught at Phillips Theological Seminary until joining his wife, the Rev. Sharon Watkins, in Indianapolis while she serves Disciples as the General Minister and President. Rick is a witty and insightful teacher. He will do three lectures on Friday, March 13 and one the following day in the afternoon. Worship on Saturday morning in the Wallace All Faith’s Chapel. Our preacher is returning to her alma mater: Rita Nakashima Brock ’72. Rita heads the Soul Repair Center at Brite Divinity School, doing research and public education about moral injury. We will honor David Downing as Disciples Church Leaders of the Year and as the United Church of Christ Church Leaders of the Year. An hour concert by Chapman University’s Concert Choir on Saturday afternoon after Lowery’s final lecture. Workshops on Saturday morning for prospective students and their parents as well as a session on Mindfulness by Dr. Gail Stearns, Dean of the Wallace All Faith’s Chapel. A big reunion event—a Friday evening dinner for all alumni, Disciples on Campus parents and prospective parents and Chapman friends. Then we will be going to--- A new, exciting event: Godspell which will be performed in the Wallace All Faiths Chapel on Friday and Saturday nights at 7:30 P.M. and Sunday afternoon at 2 P.M. DOC senior David Ruby is the director. · Chapman’s Founders’ Day is a great way to see the exciting campus for the first time or to reconnect with alumni and friends from other churches. We hope that Founders’ Day will strengthen your congregation’s knowledge

of scripture and your sense of connection to Chapman University and YOUR amazing students here. Registration closes on March 12. Nancy Malotte is our coordinator for this event and will be in the Narthex to accept your reservations or you can register online at www.chapman.edu/founders-day. Do not let the cost of registration keep you away. If you need a scholarship, please ask for it!

Get on the Bus Fundraiser You are invited to a fundraiser, dinner and concert on February 28, 5:00 p.m. at St. Juliana

Catholic Church. Funds are raised to reunite children with their mothers and fathers who are in prison. Each year, St. Juliana’s, Congregation Church of Fullerton and Morningside Presbyterian send a group of adults with children by bus to go visit their parents on Mother’s Day and Father’s Day. You are invited to attend. The cost is $50 per person (a portion which is tax deductible.) Please donate items for their silent auction or just make a donation. Last year I attended this event for the first time and plan to attend again this year. It was heartwarming to see and hear from one of the mothers who benefitted from this event. When she felt all hope was lost, this group of people brought her children to see her which was the turning point for this woman to change her life. I plan on attending again this year and would like to have a full table. Please let me know if you can join me? Donna

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Lent & Easter Activities:

TODAY: First Sunday in Lent

March 1: Second Sunday in Lent Study

March 8: Third Sunday in Lent

March 15: Fourth Sunday in Lent

March 22: Fifth Sunday in Lent

March 29: Palm Sunday Choir Cantata, Easter Week of

Prayer begins Easter Offering

April 1: Maundy Thursday 6:30 P.M. – Simple Supper 7:00 P.M. Watch Caller for

details. Prayer Vigil begins 8:00 P.M. April 2: Good Friday. Prayer Vigil ends 7:00 P.M. April 4: Easter Week of Prayer ends

April 5: Easter Sunday Easter Offering

Easter Egg Hunt, Patio

Easter Lilies Time to order Easter Lilies. They

are $8.50 per lily Make checks payable to FCC with Easter Lilies in the memo line. Name of Donor __________________________________________ ___________No. of Lilies ______ In Memory or honor of __________________________________________ __________________________________________ * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *

Kids Activity - The Tempting of Jesus Matthew 4:1-11 Questions 1.) Name three ways that Jesus was tempted. 2.) What were two statements that Jesus made to Satan? 3.) What do Satan's temptations say about his power? 4.) Why do you think Jesus did not give into Satan's temptations? Memory Verse "...For it is written: Worship the Lord your God, and serve him only." Matthew 4:10

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Week Of Compassion Offering To Wrap Up On Sunday This Sunday is the final Sunday for the 2015 Week of Compassion Offering. We have now received $935 towards our goal of $1,750 for this special offering.

Children are reminded to bring their offering boxes back this Sunday into which they’ve been putting their gifts. These will be put in an offering plate on the Communion Table during Children’s Moment. Adults are reminded to use the Week of Compassion offering envelope for their gifts or to simply write “Week of Compassion” on the memo line of their checks. We are a little over half way to meeting our goal for this special offering. Let’s have a generous outpouring of gifts this Sunday so that we will reach our goal. To let you know how your gifts have made a difference in people’s lives in the past, here’s an illustration of how our gifts, combined with those of others, have made a difference in the lives of women and children living in Kenya. “In her arid region in Kenya, Matee Kakoo and women in her community had to walk over six miles in order to collect water, wait in line for four to five hours to draw the water and then start the journey home. Their children could not attend school. Often families went hungry as there was no water for cooking or for watering the crops. The most vulnerable suffered the most. Together, Week of Compassion’s partner, Church World Service, and the people of Mbangulo built a sand dam and shallow well. The community worked hard to collect local materials. And, they banded together and built the sand dam within a month. One month later their lives were changed forever. Children are now attending school regularly and do not even have to carry water with them to school. They are drinking safe, clean water from the well dug by their classes. There is now water for vegetables and fruit trees. Families’ nutrition is improving and younger children are thriving. This is truly YOUR COMPASSION IN ACTION! To speak the truth, this project has changed this community. On behalf of the people of Mbangulo, we thank God for the historical change you have brought this community. It will be remembered for generations to come. Thank you,” Ed Linberg, Chair, World Outreach Ministry

“I appeal you therefore, brothers and sisters, by the mercies of God, to present your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and acceptable to God, which is your spiritual worship. Do not be conformed to this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your minds, so that you may discern what is the will of God…” [Romans 12.1-2a] When you attend worship, do you expect to have your thinking challenged, even to the point of making life-altering

changes of attitude and action? Or do you come to church because you don’t expect to be challenged in your thinking and in your faith? I knew a church member who got very angry every time the preacher said anything that upset her. The following morning, she would call her attorney requesting that he take the church out of her will. Next, she would call the church, leaving a message informing the church secretary about what she did. Then, after hearing something that really pleased her, she would call her attorney instructing him to put the church back in her will. I can’t tell you how many times this happened. But I am confident her attorney was one of the wealthiest lawyers in town. When I worship, I expect transformation every time. I expect to hear something that will challenge me to think differently than when I walked through the door. It does not always happen in the sermon. It might be in the music the choir sings, the prayer of an Elder at the Lord’s Table, or in a phrase in the fourth line of the fourth verse of a hymn I never sang before. But I truly believe that in order for worship to be meaningful, I have to present my mind [which was a part of the body for Paul] in the hope that it will be challenged to think. Our empty pews symbolize people who are no longer living. They represent people who have moved far away. They also reflect the people who refused to think! They would not allow God to change their minds by any preacher, Elder, or anyone else, about the way they thought and lived. Worship is where some of us bring our joys to share; where some of us bring our sorrows and cares; and where some of us bring great needs to be met. If all of us come bringing a willing spirit, God will meet us, transform us, and renew us. It usually happens in worship because God expects a caring and nurturing community in which that transformation finds fulfillment. Without the community of the faithful coming to worship, a person who has been transformed will seek that community elsewhere. We all should be ready for change. I hope God leads you to worship on Sunday. See you in church! In love, Bob Hasty, Worship Team Chair

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First Christian Church 109 E Wilshire Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832 Reawaken (Early Worship Service) Sunday, 8:00 A.M.

Church School for all ages: Sunday, 9:00 A.M. Remember (Traditional Worship Service) Sunday, 10:15 A.M. Youth Group: Sunday, 1:00 P.M.

Serving February 22, 2015 Greeter: Phil Forbes Guest Book: Scott Brill Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Angulo Sound & Video: Kyle Fought, Clare Keech Lay Leader: Sharlane Blakeley Children’s Moment: Donna Woodbridge Elders: Barbara Hasty, Bob Hasty, Deb Taylor

Diaconate: Randy Baxter’s Team Prepare: Randy Baxter, Kyle Fought Ushers: Sybil Dittberner, Bill Henke Serve: Randy Baxter, Kyle Fought, Annie

Frater, Dena Heathman, Nancy Knott, Terry Vannoy

Clean Up: Annie Frater, Dena Heathman Alternate: Barbara Fenters,

Emily Steward-Styffe

Serving March 1, 2015 Greeters: Barry & Donna Woodbridge Guest Book: Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: McCuen Sound & Video: Clare Keech, Kyle Fought Lay Leader: Randy Baxter Children’s Moment: Elders: Nancy Malotte, Pat Vannoy, Kathy Robidoux Diaconate: McCuen’s Team Prepare: Ushers: Serve: Clean Up: Alternate: