the

January 26, 2014

CALLER
Issue 04

In This Issue
Pastors Corner 2 Jeffrey Mensendiek 2 Statistics 3 Remember in Prayer 3 Spiritual Disciplines Wk 3 Prayer Requests, Jan. 19 3 Serving in the Military 3 Congregational Meeting 3 Change of Address 3 Thank Yous 4 Stewardship Report 4 Souper Bowl 4 Sunday 9 A.M Class 5 Week of Compassion 5 Sr. Adults 5&6 Outreach Ministry Team 6 Founders Day 7 Worship Ministry Team 7 Kids Page 7 Budget 8&9 Serving Sunday 10

Events - January 26, 2014-February 2, 2014

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: fullerton1stcc@gmail.com www.fullertonfirstchristian.org

The Caller

Senior Pastor: Rev. Darrell McGowan Associate Pastor: Rev. Debra Todd Editor: Donna Woodbridge

January 26: Missionary Sunday 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 9:00 A.M. - Galatians/James Bible Study, Chapman Lounge 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER, Traditional Service, Jeffrey Mensendiek, Missionary to Japan, speaking 11:30 A.M. - International Luncheon, Fellowship Hall 1:00 P.M. - Youth Group 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH January 27: 5:30 P.M. Alzheimers Facilitators Meeting, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Old Testament Bible Study @ Woodbridges January 28: 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barrys 7:00 P.M. - Casa use Sanctuary and Chapman Lounge January 30: 3:30 P.M. - Psalms Bible Study, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. - Choir Practice February 1: 8:00 A.M. DMF Breakfast, Chapman Lounge 9:00 A.M. NOON Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive February 2: 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 9:00 A.M. Church History Study, Chapman Lounge 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER, Traditional Service, 1:00 P.M. - Youth Group 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH February 3: 7:00 P.M. Alzheimers Support Group, Chapman Lounge February 4: 10:30 A.M. - Mary Circle, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barrys 7:00 P.M. - Casa use Sanctuary and Chapman Lounge February 5: 5:30 P.M. HMM, Team C February 6: 3:30 P.M. - Psalms Bible Study, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. - Choir Practice AA Groups: Sun. 8:00 P.M., Friday, 7:30 P.M., Sat. 8:30 P.M., NA Group, Tues., 7:30 P.M. 1

Do you ever look around our church, around downtown Fullerton and bemoan the presence of so many poor and homeless folks? Perhaps you look around and think about how much better things were when we didnt have so many people sleeping in the alley or hanging out around our buildings. For modern North Americans, there may be no more challenging text in the Bible than the gospel of Luke. To understand the nature of this challenge, all one need do is compare the Sermon on the Mount in the Gospel according to Matthew with its counterpart, often called the Sermon on the Plain, in Luke. Matthew renders Jesus words in ways most of us find much easier to hear: Blessed are the poor in spirit, for theirs is the kingdom of heaven," and "Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they will be filled. Luke, on the other hand has no such spiritual emphasis. He renders Jesus words in a way that can sound almost threatening: "Blessed are you who are poor, for yours is the kingdom of God," and "Blessed are you who are hungry now, for you will be filled," and of course, "woe to you who are rich, for you have received your consolation. Woe to you who are full now, for you will be hungry." Have you ever heard of the preferential option for the poor? It is an interpretive term used to describe the emphasis given the words of Jesus in Lukes gospel. Simply stated, it theorizes that Jesus not only reverses the view that wealth and abundance are signs of Gods blessing, but shows that God looks first to the poor, than to the rest of us. God has a preference for the poor. As if that isnt enough, Luke does not portray Jesus qualifying his statements with phrases like blessed are the poor who are doing their best, or blessed are the poor who go to work everyday. No, in Lukes gospel, Jesus just says blessed are the poor. Now, personally, I like the idea of being poor in spirit. It is a rare day, when I cannot imagine that phrase including me. It is out of that phrase that comes such justifications as we can be rich and be blessed, as long as we are poor in spirit. The Bible would be much more palatable to us Americans if our ancestors would have left Luke out of it. Alas, they did not, and we are left to wrestle with our response to God, whose Son declared the poor and hungry to be the blessed ones. I believe that the Gospel according to Luke is, as its English equivalent would suggest, good news. Not just good news to those with preferred seats in the Kingdom of God, but good news to all of us. So I am left to wrestle with this narrative to hear the good news that God would have me hear. It turns out that Jesus elevates one group even higher than the poor in Lukes gospel: the servants. Now the best part about that is anyone can be a servant! And better yet, anyone can multiply his or her blessings by serving the ones God cherishes: the poor. We can give them a hand out and help them for today or we can give them a hand up and help them help themselves. Either way, we are blessed as we become a blessing. We can choose our actions regardless of our circumstances and know the greatest joy in life: being an instrument of Gods love in anothers life. So the poor are not only blessed, but they are a blessing to you and me. It is they who provide us with an opportunity to know purpose and find meaning in our otherwise self-absorbed lives. We are saved from this meaningless existence through Gods grace and reminded of our salvation every time we serve someone in need. Seethe gospel and the faith that springs from it really is good news!

Jeffrey Mensendiek Here On Sunday

Don't miss hearing Jeffrey Mensendiek, missionary to Japan, at both our 10:15 A.M. worship service and at the International Dinner that will follow the worship service at approximately 11:45 A.M. This should be a great day for us to increase our awareness of our connection to sister and brothers in Christ who live in Japan. Reminder, there is no charge for the meal, but a donation in any amount you choose, will be appreciated.

Remember in Prayer
Continue to pray for: Sue Bacon, Dottie Bense, Harold Brickens, Mary Brill, Vio Danna Brant, Sandra Brown, Linda Christman, Chris Collett, Matt Davis, Phyllis Elliott, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Harold Horn, Anna Lou Horspool, Kevin Johnen, Carolyn Kenrick, Flora Miller, Sue Miller, Jim Piper, Norma Rill, Julie Stuart, Claudia Tammen, Dorothy Tanner, Anna Van Diest and Bob & Donna Vannoy Please pray for the following PSWR Church: Pacific Beach Christian Church 1074 Loring Street San Diego, Ca Brian Daly, Pastor

Prayer Requests: January 19, 2014

Anonymous Linda Johnen Anonymous

Sobriety within the homeless of Fullerton Sharon Myers for upcoming knee surgery Pastor Darrell as he recovers from Diverticulitis

Serving in the Military:

Adam Hawley, Deb Taylors nephew, is now home from Afghanistan and back at Ft. Bliss with his family. Lt. Cmdr. Patrick OConner, Betty Rollos grandson-in-law, will be back home for a couple of months to help take care of his wife after surgery. Lt. Patrick Rollo, Betty Rollos grandson. He is training on a submarine in the Pacific. PFC Brandon Vannoy, grandson of Bob & Donna Vannoy, is now stationed at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Petty Officer Michael J. Borden, Nancy Geigers grandson, who is stationed in Guam for the next year.

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Week of Jan. 27 Feb. 2, 2014

Monday, January 27: Reading: Matthew 5: 1-10; pray for Old Testament Bible Study at the Woodbridges. Tuesday, January 28: Reading: Matthew 5: 1112; pray for the Mens Bible Study at the Woodbridges. Congregational Prayer Day, January 29: Reading: Psalm 15; pray for our homebound and those in Assisted Living facilities. Thursday, January 30: Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 18-25; Pray for the Bell Choir and Chancel Choir rehearsals tonight. Friday, January 31: Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:26-31; Pray for Global Ministries Missionary in Namibia, Loletta Barrett. Saturday, February 1: Reading: Micah 6: 1-5; pray for the DMF meeting in Chapman Lounge for breakfast and prayer this morning. Sunday, February 2: Reading: Micah 6: 6-8; Pray for our Youth as they collect cans of food and cash for Souper Bowl Sunday.

Congregational Meeting
Please mark your calendars for an important Congregational Meeting on February 16 following the 10:15 service to vote on the 2014 Budget (attached as a separate document.)

Change of Address:
Please update your directory with Harold Horns new address: Harold Horn Sunrise @ Tustin #44 12291 Newport Avenue Santa Ana, CA 92705 714-544-5959

Sunday Statistics
Jan. 19, 2014 105 (Remember Service) 8 (Reawaken Service) 89 (Casa 5 P.M. service) Weekly Giving: $2,420.10 Missions: $268.90 Budget Goal: $3,881

Thank You
Dear Church Family, We want to thank all our friends at church for the love thoughts and prayers given for me. Our love to all of you and Thanks. Vio Danna Brant & family Eyeglass Donations Thanks to our great congregation, we have 49 more eyeglasses and cases which will benefit area people in need. You have generously donated hundreds of eyeglasses. Thanks! Pam Findley-Flor, World Outreach Ministry Team

Souper Bowl Sunday Is Next Week

For several years now we have joined churches across our nation in collecting cans of soup, or other canned food items, or cash on the Sunday when the biggest football game of the long season of college and professional games is played. This year the Super Bowl will feature the Denver Broncos playing the Seattle Seahawks in the Meadowlands Stadium in what is most likely to be a very cold outdoor stadium in New Jersey. We, who will likely be basking in balmy 70 degree weather, will be engaged in what we call the "Souper Bowl." Our collections will go to Pathways of Hope to provide them with a supply of some food items each month to distribute through their Distribution Center in Fullerton. Our Youth Group will be coordinating this activity and will have containers in the narthex for you to use to deposit the cans of soup and/or other canned items that you choose to bring on February 2. If you prefer, you may put cash in those containers as well. The cash will be used by Pathways of Hope to purchase items to restock the shelves of their Distribution Center. Last year's Souper Bowl giving totaled $214. This figure does not include the value of the canned goods that were donated on Souper Bowl Sunday. Your generous support of Souper Bowl Sunday will be greatly appreciated. Why is this a project of the Youth Group? It's due to the fact that a Youth Group, based in North Carolina, came up with this idea, at least 20 to 25 years ago, as alternative to the hype that surrounds the Super Bowl each year. Their idea soon caught on with other Youth Groups in North Carolina and nearby states. Now this activity is done in scores of churches, representing many, many denominations on the Sunday of the Super Bowl with the proceeds directed to local food banks and soup kitchens. The value of the canned goods and cash donated on this one day is now conservatively estimated to be well in excess of a million dollars! Your support of the 2014 Souper Bowl Sunday will be appreciated! 4

Congratulations
Taylor Fee graduated from University of San Diego with a Masters of Arts in International Relations Degree on December 18. She will walk in the graduation ceremony on May, 24, 2014.

From the Stewardship Ministry Team

Good News regarding our church giving! While double checking our year-end financial books, we came across a reporting error. It didn't affect the bottom line, but it certainly impacted morale. The monthly giving data on the treasurer's report has been based on a wrong set of numbers. So it turns out that instead of being below our giving goal in 2013, we actually EXCEEDED it by over $6,500! A new Treasurer's report will be available on the church counter. If this news appalls you, and you think "How could this have happened? Even I could do a better job at bookkeeping than they do!" then please come to our Stewardship meetings each month. We need fresh, financially-savvy people to share their talents as we discern the right financial decisions for the Church. Stewardship Ministry Team

New Course Begins On February 2nd

The Parlor Class will begin a ten-session study of Church History on Sunday, February 2, at 9:00 A.M. in Chapman Lounge. Entitled "An Incomplete Overview of Church History," this course will concentrate on "The Apostolic Church and the Church Fathers" in its first session next Sunday. Two of the church fathers who will be profiled are Tertullian and Clement of Alexandria. Class members Judi Smedley and Sybil Dittberner will be making brief reports about them. Ed Linberg will be providing the overview for this session. If you'd like to sign up for this class, add your name to the Registration Form you'll find on the bulletin board to the right of the entrance to the narthex. An outline of the weekly topics to be presented/discussed in this course may be found on the counter in the Church Office.

Senior Adults Met Tues, Jan. 21,

The Senior Adult Ministry Group met this past Tuesday, Jan 21, 2014, for our first meeting of the year. Twentytwo of us enjoyed lunch, fellowship and a very informative and challenging presentation by Ed Linberg. Ed gave us a history of the 13 plus years since the senior ministry began and then challenged us to look forward to where we would like to see the program grow and expand. We were split into four groups to brain- storm the areas of Spiritual Development, Learning Opportunities, Service Opportunities and Service Provision, and Social Interaction that the group might move in the future. Here are the ideas that came from that exercise: SPIRITUAL DEVELOPMENT: Prayer life opportunities for sharing spiritual needs, 1. Assisted Living and homebound - a phone prayer chain schedule for them to pray for others since many cant get emails 2. Prayer Partners each month pass out names and set up sharing and praying everyday 3. Gratitude Journal LEARNING OPPORTNITIES: Small groups: classes offered on aging; 10 Gospels Promises by Jane Thibault and/or the new book on aging written by Richard Morgan and his two brothers; Beginning computer skills; Speakers from St. Jude Senior Outreach Program Police Department on volunteers for Fullerton Watch program Medical Insurance Orange Co Council on Aging - Hi Cap Regional Pastors Regional Senior Programs Care for Care Givers Medical Devices available for home use Preparing your home for a home bound person

Week Of Compassion Staff Member Here On February 9

Brandon Gilvin, the Associate Director of the Week of Compassion, will be with our congregation on Sunday, February 9th. He will make a presentation at 9 A.M. in Chapman Lounge. This is open to any person who is interested in attending this session. The Parlor Class will suspend its class session for that day in order to hear Brandon's presentation. He will be preaching in our 10:15 A.M. worship service and will also present the Children's Moments that morning. Following worship, the members of the Outreach Ministry will have lunch with Brandon at a restaurant to be determined. If you'd like to be part of that day's "lunch bunch," please give your name to Donna Woodbridge so we can make arrangements for a room to accommodate our group at a local restaurant. The 2014 Week of Compassion Offering will be received on Sunday, February 16th and Sunday, February 24th. The Outreach Ministry has set a goal of $1,500 for our 2014 Week of Compassion Offering. Watch for more information about this special offering in the coming weeks. The Outreach Ministry

SERVICE OPPORTUNITIES AND SERVICE PROVISION Annual service for Alzheimers patients Pastoral Partners-provide and support Seniors serving seniors-meals needed, calls, cards, transportation, books on tape, etc Learning to reach out and ask for help when we need it Ambassador for seniors in our congregation SOCIAL INTERACTION: Participation in our monthly meetings Book Club Encourage other seniors who are not active to participate in gathering opportunities Participate in giving and receiving in all four areas listed. Be aware of needs of all seniors As you can tell from the list above, it was a busy and productive meeting. Our meeting next month is set for Tues, Feb. 18, at noon in Chapman Lounge. Craig Wallace will be our speaker. He will share with us about his experiences over the many years he has taken Junior High School students to Washington, D.C., Williamsburg and Gettysburg.

Report From The Outreach Ministry

The Outreach Ministry held its first meeting of 2014 on Wednesday, January 15. We were pleased to welcome Jill Scott and Craig Wallace as our newest members. Our ranks were somewhat slim at this meeting due to illness and schedule conflicts, but those present worked together to develop plans for the Outreach Ministry's work for this new year. Among the plans set in motion that evening are the following ones: 1. Two Mission Trips are in the works for this year. The first one, going to Joplin, Missouri,is set for March 16-22 and will find 4 or 5 members of our congregation participating. The second one will go to Moore, Oklahoma. The preferred date is September 28October 4. We have requested this date through Disciples Volunteering and are

waiting to have the date confirmed. At least 3 of our members have indicated their interest in going to Moore. 2. Assignments for a variety of projects were taken at this meeting, including these annual ones: Christmas in July, Blanket Month, Food Bags Month and the Mitten Tree. 3. Volunteers to work with Helen Bailey and Barbara Fenters in organizing the 2014 Alternative Christmas Faire, set for November 2, are needed and will be sought in the coming months. 4. Initial plans for the 2014 Tri-Tip Project at the weekly Farmer's Market, beginning April 3rd were discussed. An organizational meeting for all potential volunteers for this project will likely be held in early March. 5. It was reported that Patty Segura, a member of Casa de Oracion, will chair the Global Ministries Partnership Task Force, with Donna Woodbridge serving as the Recorder. This group will hold its first full meeting on Wednesday, February 5. Also representing our congregation on this Task Force are Craig Wallace and Ed Linberg. 6. Based on our having given $1,156.63 to the 2013 Week of Compassion Offering last February, a goal of $1,500 was set for the 2014 Week of Compassion Offering. 7. Soles for Souls will be a project we'll conduct on the last Sunday of each quarter. The first one for this year is March 30th. Watch for details in March. 8. The Youth Group will be organizing the 2014 Souper Bowl Sunday on February 2nd. 9. Plans for the visit of Jeffrey Mensendiek, Missionary to Japan, on 1/26 and Brandon Gilvin, Week of Compassion Staff, on 2/9 were finalized.
The members of the Outreach Ministry for 2014 are as follows: Sue Bacon, David and Carrie Cofarro, Pam Findley-Flor, Mission Treasurer, Phil Forbes (On Leave), Randy Langston, Christina Martinez, Mary Anne Richmond, Jill Scott, Ben and Julie Stuart, Connie Townsend, Craig Wallace and Kevin Wilbur. Donna Woodbridge serves as Recorder. Ed Linberg is the Chair of this group.

2014 FOUNDERS DAY AT CHAPMAN March 13-15

Founders Day is an annual event sponsored by the Office of Church Relations, connecting students, faculty and community members with an outstanding scholar in the area of religion (Founders Education Day) and a renewal and reunion event for Disciples of Christ and United Church of Christ. In 2014, the Founders Education Day will be extended because of a partnership with Chapman's Department of Religious Studies. The scholar is John Dominic Crossan. Founders Day is March 13-15. Nancy Malotte will be our coordinator. Watch the Caller for more details. For now, mark this date on your calendar!

KIDs Page

Worship Moments
(From time to time the Worship Ministry team publishes elders' prayers or other memorable moments from our worship services.) Last Sunday's worship was the third time in several months we have heard from a new children's moment leader as Jamie Dorrough brought the children a memory of Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr., tied in with our theme from the morning from John's gospel "Come and See." We are encouraging new participation as we seek to build the inspiration and creativity of our members from "the bottom up" in terms of offering leadership to as many as possible. Also new last Sunday was one of the three new Worship Elders, Jodie Martin, praying this inspiring prayer to consecrate our morning offering at the table: Receive and bless these gifts and our lives, O God, which we offer to You. As Jesus transformed peoples lives, so may the lives of others be transformed through these gifts, through our love and through our witness to Your love. As Jesus asked the disciples to come and see, let us not forget to ask others the same. In Christs name we pray, Amen.

For God so loV ed the world, That He gA ve His onL y BegottE n SoN That whosoever Believeth I n Him Should N ot perish, But have E verlasting life. John 3:16

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 Groups: Sunday, 1:00 P.M. & Wednesday, 3:30 5:15 P.M.

Serving January 26, 2014

Greeters: Youth Guest Book: Becky Graves Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Angulo Sound: Clare Keech Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Pam Findley-Flor Childrens Moment: Jeffrey Mensendiek Elders: Bill Martin, Kathy Robidoux, Debra Taylor Diaconate: Leslies Team Prepare: Phil Forbes, Nancy Geiger Ushers: Diane Daugherty, Phil Forbes Serve: Diane Daugherty Randy Langston, Lisa Parks, Amy & David Styffe Clean Up: Leslie Beck, Lisa Parks, Amy Styffe Alternate: Leslie Beck

Serving February 2, 2014

Greeter: Mariette Linberg Guest Book: Nancy Knott Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Henke Sound: Kyle Fought Video: Clare Keech Lay Leader: Tim Acquistapace Childrens Moment: Ed Linberg Elders: Dwain Van Diest, PJ Vannoy, Janelle Vannoy Diaconate: Randys Team Prepare: Ushers: Serve: Clean Up: Alternate