SUNDAY, MARCH 30

“4th Sunday in Lent”

9:30 AM CHRISTIAN EDUCATION 10:30 AM FELLOWSHIP TIME 11:00 AM WORSHIP SERVICE

12:45 PM YOUTH CLASS

MESSAGE “STANDING ON THE ROCK”

4. Third Culture Christians Scripture

Ephesians 5:8-14 Music Director

Terumi Lyon Worship Leader

Muriel Bourke Elder

Virginia Greeley Home Communion Elder

Jerry McHarg Audio and Video

David Becerra Communion Preparation

Marie Durflinger Fellowship Time

Marcella Trader Greeter

Juanita Barrera

Issue 729 March 30, 2014

Church Women United

“Streams in the Desert”

Worship & Luncheon

Friday, March 28

10:30 am-2:00 pm

Donation $7.00

at DMCC in Robinson Hall

Women, men and children in more than 170 countries and regions will celebrate World Day of Prayer. This year you are invited to join into a time of worship with words of the prophet Isaiah, “I am making a way in the wilderness and streams in the desert.” With these words as a backdrop, we are invited to learn about Egypt’s history and rich cultural diversity. An exploration of the Samaritan woman’s conversation at the well offers an opportunity for reflection about the borders that we, like Jesus and the Samaritan woman, must cross to reach streams of living water. The woman by the well has a theological conversation with Jesus that ends with action.

World Day of Prayer is a worldwide ecumenical movement of Christian women of many traditions who come together to observe a common day of prayer each year. World Day of Prayer USA promotes justice and equality for women through prayer, partnerships, service and celebration. For more information, contact Marie Durflinger.

KEEPING IN TOUCH...

bur•gla•ry ˈbərglərē/

noun 1. entry into a

building illegally with intent to commit a

crime, esp. theft.

This is the formal definition, but it feels much more like a violation! Since the church office and sanctuary were burglarized last week, things have felt uneasy. Not only are there issues of fixing locks, replacing glass, tallying the loss (computers, printers, sound equipment, etc.) but also the task of securing the buildings for the future. Certainly this loss is nothing compared to the loss of human life, but it does “rattle” one’s faith in human nature.

So we will be installing a security system, and will have to find replacements for all the items taken. Locks will be replaced, and we will continue to wonder if there are things missing that we haven’t noticed yet. “Didn’t we used to have one of these?”

One might reflect upon how important it is to not get too attached to “things.” (Although some will be irreplaceable.) And we could muse about “giving things up” during the season of Lent, although I don’t think the early church theologians had theft in mind as a means to accomplish this. But since it is Lent… maybe it is a good time to remind ourselves of the Rock at the center of our faith. Certainly we shouldn’t be easily shaken from our faith in God, or even human nature for that matter.

Lent is our time to reflect and reassess our faith foundation. What is really important to us? What does God require of us? Where do we stand?

Spring is here. And that means new life. In the midst of overwhelming conflict and despair in our world, and turmoil in many places in our own lives, we never fail in our hope for a spring-time renewal. We have a God who resurrects us from the dead, creating life in the midst of grief, creating love in the midst of loss, creating faith in the midst of despair – resurrecting us from our big and little deaths, showing us by example that the only road to Easter morning runs smack through Good Friday. But let us not be afraid. God waits for us, and wants for us, to have that spring-time experience of new life. And I say, “Better now than later!” But the truth is, it will happen no matter what! For our God is a God of new life – always!

See you in worship,

Dr. Stanley D. Smith Intentional Interim Pastor

This past Sunday we had two new members join the DMCC family! We welcome with open arms, both Patricia Reboulen and her daughter, Patty Alday.

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Dear Members, The volunteers of the Downey Council PTA HELPS program sincerely thank you for the

recognition you placed upon us at your recent Sunday Service. We are deeply touched by your kindness and grateful for your support of our program. HELPS would not be possible without the support of the community and programs such as yours, which contribute greatly towards our effort to serve. Thank you so much for the delicious luncheon your congregation prepared. Sincerely, Members of HELPS

Sunday, March 30 – 4th Sunday in Lent ▪Christian Education 9:30 am

▪Coffee Hour 10:30 am ▪Worship 11:00 am

▪Prayer Meeting, Church Office 12:30 pm ▪Youth Group 12:45 pm Monday, March 31 ▪Chalice Deadline (small version) 10:00 am Wednesday, April 1 ▪Spiritual Life Ministry Team, 7:00 pm Church Office Thursday, April 3 ▪Music Rehearsal, Sanctuary 5:00 pm ▪Bible Study, Robinson Hall 7:00 pm ▪Search Committee, 7:00 pm Adult Classroom Sunday, April 6 – 5th Sunday in Lent Inasmuch Sunday - bring donations! ▪Christian Education 9:30 am

▪Coffee Hour 10:30 am ▪Worship 11:00 am

▪Prayer Meeting, Church Office 12:30 pm ▪Youth Group 12:45 pm

WORSHIP SERVICE Sunday, March 23

Attendance 42 General Offering $3,004.30

Our thanks to all those who have completed and returned their congregational survey this week. If you haven’t yet had a chance to provide us your completed survey, there is still time. We are extending the deadline and would appreciate receiving your survey by next Sunday, March 30. If you didn’t receive a copy of the survey, please contact Marie Durflinger or Cheryl Collier. We look forward to hearing from you.

Many, many thanks to the group who came out for our Workday on Saturday, March 22. Marcella Trader, Curtis Phalen and Marie Durflinger worked on the flower bed around the sign and trimming along the property line.

1 Bill Judd 2 Yvette Becerra 3 Chris Mason 5 David Collier 7 Francisco Saldana 8 Anna Collier 9 Luigi Hernandez 16 Rebecca Terrones 19 Muriel Bourke

7 Michael & Terumi Lyon 28 Luigi &Paulina Hernandez

Back from Vacation:

"I'm thankful to God for a wonderful week of vacation in Arizona with my husband, daughters and parents who are visiting from Sweden". ~Pastor Annica

Palm Sunday, April 13

11:00 am Worship

Join us as we reflect on the first Palm Sunday when Jesus rode into Jerusalem on, not a prize-worthy stallion, but a young, unimpressive, donkey. Remember the roar of the crowd? "Hosanna (Save us!), Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord." They were waving palm branches, a symbol of peace, as they hailed Jesus as their King.

Come enjoy seeing the children of DMCC as they process with the palms through the Sanctuary to the altar. “Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord!” (Mark 11:9, NIV). Blessed are we who worship in his name! We hope you might join us on this special day.

Maundy Thursday, April 17

7:00 pm Worship

What is Maundy Thursday, the Thursday of Holy Week all about? The word “Maundy” is a shortened version of the Latin word mandatum, which means commandment.

At the Last Supper, Jesus gave his friends a new commandment. He told the disciples, “I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another” (John 13:34, NRSV). As we gather together on Maundy Thursday, let us make a special effort to exhibit our love and respect for one another.

Sonrise Service, April 20

7:00 am Worship

Come celebrate the risen Christ at DMCC as we join with the First Christian Church, Norwalk. We hope that you will plan to come as we joyously celebrate Christ’s resurrection early this Easter morning. Plan to stay for a hot breakfast in Robinson Hall following the service. If you would like to volunteer to help with breakfast contact Marcella Trader at 562.884-9677.

Easter Worship, April 20

11:00 am Worship On this glorious day when we remember the victory of our Lord over sin and death, we warmly and lovingly welcome all who come to join in the celebration. The Lord is indeed risen! Blessed be the name of the Lord!