December 19, 2012

Vol. 29, Issue 26

OFFICE: (818) 886-1555 FAX: (818) 886-9105

WWW.NORTHRIDGEUMC.ORG WEEKDAY PRESCHOOL: (818) 886-4949 SUNDAY WORSHIP AT 9:00 & 11:00 AM

Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors

BISHOP MINERVA CARCAÑO

DISTRICT SUPERINTENDENT CEDRICK BRIDGEFORTH

REV. STEVE PETTY

KATIE KEVORKIAN, DIRECTOR OF CHILDREN’S AND YOUTH MINISTRIES

Christmas Eve Services at NUMC

Monday, December 24

Family

Christmas Eve Service A special service

for children and families

5:30 PM

in the Sanctuary

Candlelight with Worship Band

Christmas Eve Service

8 PM in the Sanctuary

Candlelight

with Chancel Choir

and Celebration Ringers

Christmas Eve Service

11 PM in the Sanctuary

Friends of Music proudly present:

Arpa y Aulos in Concert

Friday, January 18, 2013 at 7:30 PM

A lush program of harp, flute and

guitar will grace our sanctuary through

the talents of these fabulous young

artists.

Designed as musical journeys

through time, the programs of Arpa y

Aulos encompass music from the

Renaissance to the present day. Just as

it is important to understand the music

of the past, it is vital to play the music

of our time. To that end, the duo has

commissioned new music written

especially for the ensemble.

Continued on Page 4

Born into a family of musicians, Rickey Woodard

hails from Nashville and was taught both saxophone and

piano by his father. Along with siblings, cousins and un-

cles, they formed a family band in the roadhouses and

clubs of Tennessee. Although his earlier gigs focused on

blues and R&B, his current music leans toward jazz with a

blues flavor. Influenced by the big explosive style of

Gene Ammons, Coleman Hawkins, Hank Mobley, and the

intellectualism of John Coltrane,

Woodard developed a distinctive, soulful

and seductive style that is all his own.

By his late twenties he was a member of

the Ray Charles Band and toured world-

wide for seven years. Ricky has record-

ed nine albums with the most recent

being Pineapple Delight. Continued on Page 4

Jazz Vespers presents… The Rickey Woodard Quartet

Rickey Woodard, saxophonist; Llew Matthews, piano; Roy McCurdy, drums; and Edwin Livingston, bass.

on Sunday, January 13 at 6 PM in the Sanctuary

Page 1

The Preacher’s Part

Upcoming Sermons

Advent Sermon Series

December 23: 4th Sunday of Advent: LOVE

“Stable Time” –– Luke 1: 39-45

December 24

A special service for children and families, 5:30 PM

Candlelight Christmas Eve led by Solid Rock, 8 PM

Traditional Candlelight Service led by Chancel Choir, 11 PM

December 30

“What Do You Wear to a New Year?” –– Colossians 3: 12-17

Page 2

I remember the feeling of being invited. There was a

very nice kid in school who was always popular. When he

had birthday parties, all the popular kids got invited. Since I

was less than popular, I didn’t get invited to those events.

But because I wasn’t popular, I had no pretenses that such

an invitation might be extended, so it wasn’t painful; it just

wasn’t nice.

But one day an invitation came from my good friends up

the street. One of them was having a birthday party, and I

was invited. It was such a joy to be wanted and invited to be

a part of the fun.

Being invited makes you feel important. Indeed, when

I added a congregational blessing to wedding ceremonies

I perform, I reminded people of this:

“Dear friends, Beauford and Hermione have invited you

here because you are important people in their lives. Your

love and support will be important always…”

So, being invited is one of the most special feelings in

the world. It means someone recognizes you as being a

person they hope will be present at some special occasion.

To be invited is to be special in someone’s eyes.

So, it is curious that one of the things people find

hardest to do is invite people to church. We are under the

impression that people do not want to come to church. If

they wanted to come, they could just walk in the front doors

and be here. After all, we do that every week, so they could

too if they wanted.

When our grandparents lived on the prairie, the only

time they got to see other people was when everyone

stopped working the farms and ranches long enough to come

into town on Sundays and worship together. Everyone was

invited and almost everyone came. There was usually one

church and whatever denomination it was, that was your

church.

When we moved into the cities, we held to that behavior

for a generation. Usually in new communities the first

church to open its doors was the church that most folk

would go to on Sundays. Churches were the glue that held

these new communities together, initially.

But then this new urban society shifted and there were

choices. Then it came to pass that being in church reflected

your political choices even more than your theological

choices. Soon, being in church wasn’t like being in your

community anymore. Your community was the Little

League, the Girl Scouts, the Soccer Club, the Off Roaders,

the Tailgaters at the football game. Church was now

unimportant as a social event, and God was irrelevant as an

institution.

But this has the nasty effect of throwing God out with

the Church. Where do we go to reflect on the presence of

the divine spirit in our lives? Where do we go to think about

our behavior as people of a divine creation?

Most people have a yearning in their souls to examine

these questions, but fear that if they attend a church they

will be bombarded with extremist views, theological rigidi-

ty, and political propaganda. Better to just stay home, they

think.

Recent studies indicate that over 68% of people would

attend a church if they were invited by a friend. But most

people who have never been to a church feel as if they are

specifically NOT invited. Today people think that church is

some secret club that only members are welcome to attend.

While we may know that is not true, a great many people do

not know that. They are waiting for an invitation.

When someone they trust and experience as a friend

invites them to visit their church, they would be inclined to

attend. It’s like being invited into someone’s home for a

special occasion.

Not only are they waiting, they will be honored and

flattered to be invited. When people are involved in some-

thing that is very important to them, we are flattered to be

invited to share that important thing with them.

The church relies on every member to invite other

people. Each member of the church is a member of the

invitation committee. (Actually there is no invitation

committee, so that is why you have never received a notice

to attend the meetings; there are no meetings.)

The biggest events in the church year are also the events

when we throw open the doors the widest: Advent/

Christmas and Lent/Easter. The greatest number of non-

members in attendance will be on Christmas Eve and Easter

Sunday.

So, what I hope you will do is to make your friends

happy. Let them know how important they are in your life.

Invite them to attend worship with you this Christmas Eve.

Just think how special they will feel to be asked.

Love,

A

Our condolences and prayers for Eileen Claussen on the recent deaths of her brother, his wife and niece.

Prayers of healing for:

Pearl Adams; Margie Douglas; Marion

Dugan; Tom Farish; DeWayne Johnson;

Sally Brunken Knox; Catharine Phillips

and her daughter Rebecca; Randy

Runyon; Nancy Savacool; Lauren

Stipulkosky.

Prayers for all those undergoing treatment

and those in pain.

Prayers of safety for all our Service

Personnel serving at home and abroad.

Page 3

Join an NUMC Bible Study Sundays at 8 AM in the Library

We will begin a new book on January 6, 2013.

Leading Ladies: Transformative Biblical Images for Women’s Leadership by Jeanne Porter, Ph.D.

“Leading Ladies is a major breakthrough in our understanding of women as leaders. Dr. Porter’s thoughtful analy-sis and descrip-tion of Leading Ladies of the Bible is testament to the powerful role that women have played in our spiritual, moral, and ethical development,” says Suzanne W. Morse, PhD., Executive Director, Pew Partner-ship for Civic Change. Come join us for a discussion about how

women in the Bible changed the world!

Wednesdays at 6:30 AM in the Library

This Bible Study sets aside time

each week to read and reflect, using

The Upper Room Daily Devotional

Guides.

Thursdays at 10 AM in the Library

Led by Rev. Petty Studying the Gospel of Luke

2012 Church Contributions

To comply with the IRS code, in order to claim a charitable deduc-

tion for 2012, you must deliver or mail (with postmark) checks on or

by December 31. Checks placed in the church offering on the first

Sunday in January do not qualify, even if the check is dated or

written in 2012. However, checks mailed and postmarked in 2012

will be deductible in 2012, even if they are not received by the

church until 2013.

Thank you for your support of spe-

cial church projects. The church's

Special Projects Committee wishes to

extend its thanks to church members

for the congregation's overwhelming

support of the committee's fundrais-

ing projects this past year. All proceeds went to support the

church's programs. Over $25,296.33 was raised. This has

played an important role in the financial health of the

church. More importantly, the programs provided fellowship

and an opportunity for service for those volunteering. Projects

included Antique Auto Show, Harmony Ji Concert, Mexican

Fiesta, September Yard Sale, Annual Steak Dinner with auction

and entertainment, Christmas Home Tour, and The Sunday

Breakfast. Thank you again to everyone. Greg Taylor

NUMC Young Adult Ministries would like to thank everyone

who donated food and time to the Study-a-Thon. We had several

students in attendance who were very appreciative of the study

space and the food. Your support helped us make this event

successful!

Allegra Wilson, Director of Communications and Young Adults

Thank you to Family Ministries, Missions and to everyone

who contributed to and participated in the Poor, Young and

Pregnant: Mary's Advent Bible Study. We were able to pack 20

birthing kits which will be distributed by UMCOR. Each kit will

allow a woman in a developing country without access to

medical care to bring a child into this world under safer

conditions. All your time, prayers and financial contributions are

greatly appreciated! The final class is Sunday, December 23,

from 12 to 1 PM, in Room 4. Please join us. Lunch and child-

care provided.

Many Thanks,

Katie Kevorkian, Director of Children's and Youth Ministries

The 2013 Flower Calendar

is in the workroom of the church office. You may

sign up for flowers for the Altar table or the

Narthex for a Sunday, in remembrance of a

special person or date. The cost is $50. You may

take the flowers after the 11 AM service or on

Monday morning.

Children, Youth, Young Adult and Family News

Friends of Music proudly present:

Arpa y Aulos in Concert

Friday, January 18, 2013 at 7:30 PM

Continued from Page 1

The duo special-

izes in concert-

lectures in both

English and Span-

ish and has been

very active in

community con-

certs and educa-

tional programs

throughout L.A. and Southern California.

Their guest artist, Yalil

Guerra, is a 2012 Latin

Grammy Award Winner in

the Best Classical Contem-

porary Composition cate-

gory for “Seducción.”

Tickets for the series

and individual concerts are currently on

sale in the church office, between services

on Sunday, and online through Eventbrite

on our website: northridgeumc.org.

Sunday School

Sunday school meets each week at 9 AM and 11 AM

Coming up: December 23: The Birth and the Shepherds

December 30: The Wise Men

January 6: John Baptizes Jesus

January 13: The Lord's Prayer

January 20: Birds of the Air

January 27: The Golden Rule

Family Christmas Eve Service

Monday, December 24 at 5:30 PM

All ages welcome.

Come be in our interactive Christmas pageant!

Helpers needed! Contact Katie@NorthridgeUMC.org

Page 4

NUMC Young Adult Ministries

The Coolest Winter Break Hangout EVER

December 27 @ 7 PM in the YAC

Home from school? Come hang out with other

college students and enjoy free food.

Study Nights!

Every Thursday Night during the Spring semester

7 PM in the YAC starting January 17

Free food, free Wi-Fi, free parking! Come get some studying done!

Jazz Vespers presents… Rickey Woodard Quartet

Rickey Woodard, saxophonist; Llew Matthews, piano; Roy McCurdy, drums; and Edwin Livingston, bass.

on Sunday, January 13 at 6 PM in the Sanctuary

Continued from Page 1

See the December 5 Methodist for more on Rickey Woodard.

Llew Matthews returns to Jazz Vespers. He started playing ukulele at

four and later played French horn. He sang with a neighbor-

hood doo-wop group and began playing piano near the end

of high school. While serving in the Air Force, Llew had

opportunities to do writing in addition to playing French

horn. He was asked to arrange for the Air Force Bicentenni-

al Band. Frank Sinatra performed with the orchestra, as did

Ray Charles. After the Air Force, Llew settled in Southern

California and played sophisticated rock and roll, reggae and R&B with

the two-keyboard band Katz and Jammers. Llew co-conducted the Jazz

Ensemble at UCLA with trombonist-arranger Garnett Brown under the

leadership of Kenny Burrell. Llew got a call to work with Nancy Wilson

and has worked with symphony orchestras and such big bands as those of

Count Basie, Duke Ellington, Woody Herman and the Diva Band. In

Nancy Wilson’s recent concerts at Carnegie Hall and the Hollywood

Bowl, Llew performed with Kurt Elling, Patti Austin, Nnenna Freelon,

Natalie Cole and Dianne Reeves.

Roy McCurdy also returns to Jazz Vespers. He is

probably best-known for his contributions to Cannonball

Adderley’s Quintet. McCurdy also worked with Chuck

and Gap Mangione and the Jazztet, Bobby Timmons,

Betty Carter and Sonny Rollins. Continued on Page 6

Page 5

What’s Your Mission?

I retired from CSUN in

2000 and saw a newspa-

per article about the

Mountain Bike Unit, a

volunteer patrol group

whose members work for

the National Park Ser-

vice, the State Parks and Recreation Depart-

ment, and the Mountain Recreation Conserva-

tion Agency, primarily in the Santa Monica

Mountains National Recreation Area. I began

my training in February of 2001. We learned

First Aid, CPR, park radio use, maps of all the

areas and our roles in working for the agencies

in dealing with park users.

As a patrol member I was able to ride into

areas I’d never thought about exploring –– and

with a partner. Our job was to be the eyes and

ears of the rangers covering great expanses of

park acreage. We help find lost children, orient

hikers, share water and maps, explain park

rules, talk about saving park resources.

Twice a month youth agencies transport inner

city youth groups to nearby parks, including

Malibu Creek State Park, Cheesboro/Palo

Comado Canyons, and Paramount Ranch.

They are provided bikes, snacks, and water,

and souvenir pictures. MBU leads a guided

tour and gives introductions to the flora, fauna

and history of each area. Our goal is to help

them not only try the sport but also see the

beauty and accessibility of the parks.

As an educator, NUMC has offered me con-

tinued learning through small group discus-

sions and book studies, as well as in-depth ex-

ploration of the Bible, theology, and dogma.

I’m happy to be a “greeter” before Sunday wor-

ship and to be able to share in the service as a

liturgist.

What’s my mission? To be the best steward

of the gifts I’ve been given; to use those gifts to

witness to the blessings of everyday life; to

assist those around me to be the best they can

be. Wherever there are opportunities for

growth and learning, I want to continue to grow

and share.

Our church is a place richly abounding in

mountaintop experiences. The Holy Spirit is

always nearby and wants you to experience the

meaning of Creation, wants you to keep look-

ing for all of your gifts and praising God for

each new opportunity you are given!

Bill Foster

Show your love and appreciation by sending a

“Gift to the World”.

You may donate to any of the following

projects in the spirit of Christmas giving: North Valley Caring

Services, Imagine No Malaria, Haven Hills, Chrysalis,

G.Y.T.T.E (Give Ye Them To Eat), Heifer Project Interna-

tional, and S.H.A.R.E. (Support for the Handicapped And their

Rehabilitation through Education).

For more information, see the November 7 Methodist or the

“Gift to the World” brochure in the church office.

GIFT TO THE WORLD Alternative Christmas Giving

Children's Missions Thank you to everyone who supported Children's Missions in

2012! This year we packed 500 snack sacks, raised $250 to

"Aquadopt" a seahorse from Heal the Bay, raised $433 for

UNICEF, packed 17 boxes for Operation Christmas Child, and

collected toys for North Valley Caring Services' toy lending

library! Imagine what we can do in 2013!

We are still collecting toys for Jade's Mission:

A Christmas Toy Drive. All toys will be sent to

North Valley Caring Services and community

organizations. Please bring your donations to

the church office or place them under the tree in

the Narthex.

Youth Missions

30 Hour Famine is coming up in February,

2013.

Be on the lookout for information and

updates.

Church and Society will screen a classic!

On January 28th at 7 PM in the Kendall

Building, Church and Society will screen

the classic film Grapes of Wrath, starring

Henry Fonda and directed by John Ford.

This is the story of a poor Oklahoma family

forced off their land who move to the

promised land of California.

Food Donations Collected Monthly

Church & Society and Missions will collect food donations once a month in the Narthex on Communion Sunday. The next collection will be on Sunday, January 6, 2013. We will put out the bin and transport the food to North Valley Caring

Services.

Page 6

All-Church Hike

on Saturday, January 5

to Betty Dearing

Mountain Trail,

Fryman Canyon

Park. Shady out-

and-back trail, fe-

turing lovely tree canopy overhead and great views of the

valley from the Laurel Canyon area. Free parking and

trailhead on Mulholland Drive at Nancy Hoover Trail

Pohl Overlook, east of Coldwater Canyon.

Meet at the Church Parking Lot at 8:30 AM to carpool.

No Soul Food Café in January.

The Soul Food Crew is taking a much-deserved break!

Next Soul Food Café is February 6, 2013.

For fellowship & fine dining

Wednesday, February 6 @ 6 PM In Fellowship Hall

Free-will Offering

Suggested donation - $6

Great Food, Great Fellowship. Please sign up after church or call the church office @ 818-886-1555.

February 6

Soul Food

Café

“New You” will meet on January 7 at 7 PM at the home of Jean Paris. The program will

be given by Barbara Stiles. “New You” is open to all women of the church. For details, see Dorine Collins or check the church office.

Dessert Bridge

Saturday, January 12 at 6 PM

at Virginia Jackson’s Home

Sign up at Coffee Hour or in the Church Office.

The UMW Noon Fellowship will meet on January 15 at 11:30 AM in the Kendall

Building. Speaker will be announced.

S a t u r d a y M o r n i n g Breakfast will be held on

January 19 at 8 AM in Fellowship Hall. Join us for the best break-fast in town. The Saturday Morning Breakfast is sponsored by the NUMC Men’s Club.

Saturday Morning Breakfast

January 19 @ 8 AM in Fellowship Hall

Jazz Vespers presents… The Rickey Woodard Quartet

Rickey Woodard, saxophonist; Llew Matthews, piano; Roy McCurdy, drums; and Edwin Livingston, bass.

on Sunday, January 13 at 6 PM in the Sanctuary Continued from Page 4

After Adderley's death, McCurdy relocated to the LA area.

He has played and recorded with top local musicians, includ-

ing Count Basie, Wes Montgomery, Ella Fitzgerald, Sarah

Vaughn, Carmen McRae, Joe Williams, Herbie Hancock,

Oscar Peterson, Bud Powell, Art Pepper, John Heard, Jackie

Ryan, and Blood, and Sweat and Tears. He has performed on

150 to 200 recordings.

Edwin Livingston has performed or recorded with Elvin

Jones, Donald Harrison Jr., Alvin Batiste, John Beasley,

Deron Johnson, Kevin Toney of The Blackbyrds, Peter

Erskine, Ndugu Chancler, Barbara Morrison, Queen Latifah,

Russell Ferrante, A Race of Angels,

WILL.I.AM, Justin Timberlake,

Natalie Cole and others. He is on the

faculty at USC, teaching bass and com-

bos in the jazz studies department. He

has appeared in RAY and Dreamgirls

and has performed on The Tonight Show with Jay Leno, the

A & E show Private Sessions with Queen Latifah, and in mu-

sical productions Stormy Weather starring Leslie Uggams,

Ain't Misbehavin' and Spamalot starring John O'Hurley. He

has two CD’s, The Edwin Livingston Group and Transitions.

Page 7

Regularly Scheduled Meetings

Tuesdays:

Cracker Barrel 10:00 AM Library Sr. Exercise Class 10:45 AM Fellowship Hall Worship Band Rehearsal 7:30 PM Sanctuary

Wednesdays:

Devotional Group 6:30 AM Library

Maintenance Volunteers 8:30 AM Church Office

WORMS 9:30 AM Kendall Building

Jubilee Bells 4:00 PM Room 5/6 On break until January, 2013

Celebration Ringers 7:00 PM Room 5/6 On break until January, 2013

Thursdays:

Rev. Steve’s Bible Study 10:00 AM Library Meets December 20, then on break. Resumes January 10, 2013.

Study Nights 7:00 PM YAC Beginning January 17

Chancel Choir 7:30 PM Sanctuary Except December 27

Fridays:

Cracker Barrel 10:00 AM Library

T’ai Chi Class 10:00 AM Fellowship Hall

MYF 7:00 PM YAC

Sundays:

Adult Study 8:00 AM Library 1

Sunday School & Nursery 9:00 AM Library

Youth Choir 10-11 AM Fireside Room

Cherub Choir 10:15 AM Room 5/6

Sunday School & Nursery 11:00 AM Ed. Bldg.

Preschool to Kindergarten in Nursery Grades 1 to 5 in Room 5/6

Family Advent Study 12:00 PM Room 4 Ends December 23

Worship Services @ 9 & 11 AM \

Childcare available at all services.

United Methodist Women

Contact Person

UMW Pat Small

Prayer Chain Dorine Collins

Hearts & Hands Betty Kinzy

WEEKLY:

Mondays at 9 AM Arts & Crafts Phyllis Nelson On break in December

January 2013 ACTIVITIES

14 Monday at Noon Executive Board Kendall Building

22 Noon Fellowship Dorine Collins

29 Tuesday at 10 AM Bluejays Bridge Pearl Adams

Newsletter Articles Are Due Because of the Christmas and New Year holi-days, there will not be a Methodist on January 2. Articles for the next newsletter, dated January 16, 2013, should be submitted before 4 PM, Tuesday, January 8, 2013. Please send pictures, articles and/or information to:

announcements@northridgeumc.org.

Remaining December Events December 24… Family Christmas Eve Service

@ 5:30 PM in the Sanctuary

Candlelight Service with Solid Rock Band @ 8 PM in the Sanctuary Candlelight Service with Chancel Choir and Celebration Ringers

@ 11 PM in the Sanctuary December 25... Office Closed. Merry Christmas. December 30… Worship Services at 9 and 11 AM

January, 2013 Events January 1… Office Closed. Happy New Year. January 2… NO Soul Food Café Next Soul Food Café will be February 6 January 5… All-Church Hike to Betty Dearing Mountain Trail

Meet in Church Parking Lot at 8:30 AM to Carpool January 6… Collection of Food Donations in Narthex January 7… New You @ 7 PM at the home of Jean Paris January 8… Ministry Team Meeting @ 6 PM in the Library Quarterly Conference @ 7 PM in the Kendall Building January 10… Special Events Committee @ 6 PM in the Library January 12… Dessert Bridge @ 6 PM at Virginia Jackson’s Home January 13… Family Ministries Meeting @ Noon in the Kendall Building Jazz Vespers @ 6 PM in the Sanctuary

January 14… Eat Out Monday, 11:30 AM to 9 PM at Maria’s Italian Kitchen Church and Society Meeting @ 7 PM in the Kendall Building

January 15… UMW Noon Fellowship @ 11:30 AM in the Kendall Building Foundation Meeting @ 1:30 PM in the Library Finance Committee Meeting @ 5 PM in the Library Board of Trustees Meeting @ 7 PM in the Library January 16… Leadership Team @ 7 PM in the Library January 18… Friends of Music Concert @ 7:30 PM in the Sanctuary January 19… Saturday Breakfast @ 8 AM in Fellowship Hall Rose Pruning Party from 9 to 11 AM in the Rose Garden Goodwill Truck Fundraising Drive at Preschool, from 9 AM to 3 PM January 21… Martin Luther King Jr. Day — Office Closed NO Caring Ministries Meeting January 28… Book Club @ 7 PM @ Sally Taylor’s Home Church and Society Movie @ 7 PM in the Kendall Building Methodist Money Makers @ 7 PM in the Library

NUMC Blood Drive Our next NUMC/Red Cross Blood Drive will be held on February 11 in Fellowship Hall.

Save a possible three lives with your donation of one pint of blood.

Please call Joann DeSantis to schedule your appoint-ment.

Rose Pruning Party

Saturday January 19, from 9 to 11 AM

Many hands are needed to help cut back the roses for the new spring growth. If you have prun-

ing shears and saws, please bring them. If not, tools will be provided. Come and learn the best way to trim back the roses. And… After the roses start to bloom in the spring, every Friday morning the old flowers are cut to make room for more. This usually takes about an hour or less. If you can help Peter Scanlin on a Friday morning, please call the church office.