Join us Saturday, November 13th 9:00 a.m.-2:00 p.m.

Handmade crafts, beautiful jewelry, elegant knitwear and much more!

Homemade cinnamon rolls, bake sale goodies and plenty of homemade candy at our candy shoppe! Taco boats for lunch too. Raffle prizes are: Reindeer made by Jack Perry, Doll made by Ruth Perry, Framed fabric picture made by Maureen Estolas, Glass Ball wreath, Travel Shawl made by Anne Beecher, Broom doll made by Hilda Coleman, Crazy Quilted Stocking made by Lynne Redderson, China set made by Shirley Brummett & Necklace made by Kelly Rogers. See you at the boutique!
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Disciples Womens Ministry

Womens Luncheon There will be no luncheon in November due to Thanksgiving. Boutique News Are you making something to donate to the boutique? Please contact Dorie Hernandez or Kara Ryan. Handmade items from our church members are what help to make this a big success. Opportunity drawing ticket sales are ongoing and we have nine raffle prizes this year! Come buy at the ticket sales table and see what great opportunity prizes there are this year. Check out the photo ornaments that are available to order for Christmas. Pictures are printed on transparent paper and put into an ornament. Ornaments can be pre-ordered and will also be available the day of the boutique. This gives the picture a holographic appearance you must see to appreciate! Grandmas Attic Please bring your items to church for storage in the Disciple Womens room. If you have any questions please contact Janie Oden. Helpers needed for the boutique If you are not crafty or dont have time to help out in advance, please consider helping the day of the boutique. Lots of helpers are needed to make the boutique a success. Sign-up sheets are available where the opportunity drawing tickets are sold. We need bakers and candy makers too to help with the bake sale and candy sales.

FCC Disciples Women present the All Church Christmas Card. The All Church Christmas Card is designed to take the place of mailing cards individually to your church friends. Instead, this one booklet is sent to all church members and friends. It contains your greetings to them and theirs to you. Add your greeting to the Church Christmas Card after church on Sunday, November 11, 18 or 25. You can use one of the sample greetings or write your own. The booklet will be sent out at the beginning of the Advent season to your church family. A donation of $2 will be accepted.
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Alternative Christmas Faire

As Christmas approaches, do you ever find yourself wondering What should I get her? or We dont need any more things! or perhaps How can I help those who are truly needy ? There may be a solution to your gift-giving dilemma! Through the month of November, we are sponsoring an Alternative Christmas Faire, with opportunities to give a charitable gift in honor of a loved one as an alternative to buying something they may not need or want. Displays will be set up in Sippel Hall with gift cards, and information about different ministries, including: Heifer International, Love INC, Habitat for Humanity, Week of Compassion, All Peoples Christian Center, and Eastmont Christian Center. Come check out the alternatives!

Lets Deck the Halls

Can you believe it! We are fast approaching the most wonderful time of the year! Advent will be here before we know it, and as is traditional in our church family, we will kick off the season with our annual Hanging of the Greens. You wont want to miss this time of fun, food, fellowship and worship, so mark your calendars now for Sunday, November 28, 2010. Following second service on this first Sunday of Advent, we will gather in Sippel Hall for a light lunch. Then the fun begins as we decorate the wreaths that grace our church for the Advent season. There is bound to be some mess involved thats half the fun! We will also be making Advent wreaths this year for your household and families to enjoy. To end our afternoon on a special note, we will gather in the Sanctuary to enjoy our beautiful Angel Christmas tree, hang our decorated wreaths, and share in a time of music and scripture as we prepare ourselves for the holy season ahead. Come join us as we make another memory in the life of our church. Your Worship Committee

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Food Offering on Thanksgiving Sunday

In order to better emphasize the full meaning of Thanksgiving, we will be receiving our monthly food offering on the Sunday before Thanksgiving, November 21 (the third Sunday, rather than the fourth.) Please bring items from the list below, which we will pass on to His House: Peanut Butter Jam Tuna Mayo Brown Paper Lunch Bags Plastic Sandwich Bags Fruit Cups Pudding Cups Cup of Noodles Boxed Mac & Cheese Juice or Milk Boxes Canned Fruit Cereal His House feeds an average of 3,000 local families per month, and serves some 6,500 brown bag lunches each month. Our donations touch lives! We will also be receiving our over-and-above Special Offering on behalf of Disciples of Christ Higher Education and Leadership Developmentmore on this in our next newsletter.

Welcome Our Newest Member

Maritza Hernandez came forward to reaffirm the Good Confession on October 17. Maritza has attended both worship services and our adult Sunday morning class. She has just moved into the area from New Mexico, and is looking to find relationships and roots in our community. Maritza was referred to us through a friend of Pastor Lee, of Torrance the Lords Church. Please add her contact information to your directory: Maritza Hernandez 1565 228th St., Torrance, CA 90501 505-459-2811

Were Recycling!
Dont through that paper away! Hang onto that 2-litre bottle! We are making an effort to recycle at First Christian Church. There is a marked box in the church office for recyclable paper, and a large tub in the kitchen for bottles and cans. Please help by doing your part when cleaning up, or disposing of recyclable products.
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CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS & CONCERNS

In and out of the hospital: Keith McGiffin has gone home, where he is receiving hospice care.Diana Sencerboxs mother, Faith Harder, has been moved to yet another care facility... Ron Kirbys mother remains in a facility as she recovers from multiple leg fractures. Families touched by cancer: June Perkins' s son-in-law Doug Johnston, has stomach cancer that has spread to his lungs and elsewhereChuck Baless cousin, Russell Reynolds, is fighting lung cancerVi Fietz (Steves stepmother), Dean Noble (Haley & Madison Nobles grandfather), Shawn Knutson (Kelly Rogerss sister) continue in our prayers. Melissa Woodman asks prayers for her UCSD room-mate, Jackie Smith, who is suffering severe headaches after treatment for passing out. Annette Carew (Stans stepmother) faces a move to a care facility away from Stans father, as knee problems limit her mobility. Jamie Dihn, a friend of Karen Jackson, continues to suffer complications from an epidural given during the birth of her child several weeks ago. Elba Woods requests prayers for a friend's 5-month old granddaughter Sofia, whose surgery to correct a cranial malformation was delayed due to illness. Martha Halstead asks for prayer on behalf of Brain Gardener, a coworker whose week-old son, Dominic, is recovering from open-heart surgery. Evelyn Wrights friend Nancy Hernandez is recovering from brain surgery. For those struggling with addiction, and their families. Michael Sanchez asks prayer for the family of a friend who died after a drug overdose. For those separated from loved ones: Sarah Iannucci continues to ask for prayers on behalf of her mother in the Philippines, and the hope that she may be able to visit some day. For those dealing with unemployment and income insecurity. For others around the globe who are suffering.

With Sympathy
Nora Pagdilao's mother died suddenly of a heart attack. Jun and Nora had early-November plans to visit her home in Australia, but left early. We pray for Gods peace to be upon their family. Liz Parker, Karen Jacksons neighbor and friend, lost her battle against colon cancer. Liz was comforted by many prayers, as well as a prayer shawl and a basket from His Hands ministry. Bonnie Reniff asks prayer for the Charesma family, whose mother Flor Adviento died of breast cancer.
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November 2010
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday WORSHIP SERVICES 8:30 and 10:30 am Sunday School 9:30 am
1
Trustee Meeting 7:00 Prayer Shawl 7:00 Elder Bible Study

Thur

2
Bible Study 10:00 Prayer Shawl 2:00 Choir 7:00

New 7:00

7
Boutique Workshop 12:00

8
Prayer Ministry 5:45 Prayer Shawl 7:00 Disciple Womens Board Meeting 7:00

9
Bible Study 10:00 Prayer Shawl 2:00 Cabinet 7:00

10

Vetera Church Of Ch 7

14
His Hands 12:00

15

16
Love Group 9:30 Faith group 1:30 Prayer Ministry 5:45 Prayer Shawl 7:00 Elder Bible Study
Bible Study 10:00 Prayer Shawl 2:00 Elders 7:00

17

Newsletter

Ch 7

21
Feed The Hungry Sunday Christmas Party Lunch fundraiser in Sippel Hall

22

23
Prayer Ministry 5:45 Prayer Shawl 7:00 Elder Bible Study

24

Bible Study 10:00 Prayer Shawl 2:00

28

29

30

Hanging of the Greens

Newsletter
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rsday

Friday

Saturday
November Birthdays

w Hope 0 p.m.

11

12

ans Day ffice Closed hoir :00

18

19

hoir :00

Julie Vernon (1) Lyrae Monson (2) 6 Alyssa Zukas (3) David Drolet (4) Jill Foster (4) Dorie Hernandez (7) Lorraine Colston (8) Beverly Townsend (10) Jimmie Talley (11) 13 Nancy Johnson (11) Donna Stent (11) Doug Hedde(12) Pat Woodman (12) Deck the Halls Madison Noble (13) Boutique Donald Bowring (20) 9:00-2:00 Marlen Sanchez (26) Samantha Lubrani (26) Carol Wilk (27) 20 Benjamin Koutny (27) Emily Denis (29) Mens Breakfast Mark Thompson (29) Chuck Bruley (30) 8:30 a.m. Kim Silagy-Silva (30) Megan Bell (30)

25

26

27

ANNIVERSARIES
Jack & Ruth Perry (3) Francisco & Marlen Sanchez (9) Jun & Nora Pagdilao (25) Frank & Joan Paour (26)

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Education Notes & News

BIBLE EXPLORERS Our young children will be learning about Thankfulness the month of November, which will include a service project. Our scripture memory verses for November will be: 11/7 11/21 THANKFULNESS 'Give thanks to the LORD, for he is good; his love endures forever.' Psalm 136:1 BONUS: Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name. Psalm 100:4 CYF SUNDAY SCHOOL Our high school class is led by Don Zukas as they continue their study in Philippians. YOUTH ADVENTURE / CHI RHO We will continue with our Philippians study in Room 4 until 11/14. Please bring a sack lunch. Regular meetings will resume with the first on 12/5 the activity to be announced. WANTED: Check out the WANTED poster in Sippel Hall and see if there might be something you would be interested in helping with our all youth programs, Bible Explorers and Children's Worship. There are some behind the scenes service opportunities available. We need workshop leaders, workshop resource gatherers, curriculum story writers, adult greeters, extra hands to help in workshops and as always your prayers.

WE NEED PRAYER SISTERS! Why would I want to be a Prayer Sister???

As women of faith, we already know how prayer enhances our lives here at FCC, and how it has affected our lives when we all pray together. As Disciples of Christ, and sisters in heart, why not take this joy to the next level! Sometimes with todays busy lives and stressful demands, it is great that we as women can share our cares with a sister who understands. Prayer sisters support each other not only with prayer, but with compassion.

Sounds good! How do I get a Prayer Sister???

Your Disciples Women just happen to have a Prayer Sister Program starting NOW! If you would like to be a part of this wonderful sharing ministry, just contact Judy Rickabaugh, or pick up a form at the church office. You will be contacted with Information on your new sister as quickly as possible. Your commitment to pray for your sister, and she for you, is such a positive step in our journey of faith. Any questions call/email Judy 424-263-4052 or judygg85@aol.com Be careful for nothing, but in everything by prayer and supplication with thanksgiving, let your requests be made known unto God Phil. 4.6
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Vacation Bible School

Mission Project
Im sure many of you remember not long ago at our VBS this year we raised around $1,400.00 to be given to the school that Melanie Emmen works at in a village called Meri in Cameroon Africa. Well Melanie has finally worked through all of the, as she puts it, bureaucratic hurdles to set the project up so we can send our money to her. Below is an excerpt from the website detailing some of what the money will be used for. The Girls Leadership Program is a six-month program designed to motivate, educate and empower young women between the ages of 14 and 20 to be community leaders active on girls and womens issues. Through two skill-building seminars (Seminar I: Health and Study Skills; Seminar II: Financial Management and Leadership), the development of action plans to achieve program goals, a minimum of six participant-led follow-up meetings, school and community based peer-education presentations, and a presentation during local International Womens Day Celebrations, participants will: organize themselves into contributing and influential community voices; build confidence in their ability to organize meetings, identify objectives, mobilize community members and achieve stated goals; increase their knowledge of hygiene and healthcare, formal/informal career opportunities, home economics, personal finances and budgeting, small-income generation and study techniques; develop relationships with leadership-minded peers through activities including sports, community-outreach assignments, monthly followup meetings, mother-daughter online activities. You can go to the peace corps website (peacecorps.gov), click on the Donate to Volunteer Projects link on the left hand side and search for the project number (694-174) to read more about this. Melanie says in her email sent to us: We've started the application process for the girls and should be having our first pre-camp meeting at the end of the month. The actual week long camps will take place in November and again in February. I'll email pictures afterwards so you guys can see what we're up to. Thanks again for all of your help with this. Now my whole community knows about FCC Torrance and is always asking how you guys are doing :) Love, Mel I dont know about you, but reading all of this makes me realize that all of the miles between us cannot stop us from doing ministry together.
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Upcoming Sermons
October 31: The Un-Resume (Philippians 3:2-9) In this time of elevated economic insecurity, so many people are putting their best selves forward in job applications and interviewsand we continue to hold them in our prayers! But curiously, Paul does pretty much the opposite with the Philippians: he puts forth his excellent religious credentialsand then declares them spiritually irrelevant, worse than worthless! November 7: Even When Im Up, Even When Im Down (Philippians 4:4-13) Our temptations are to take things for granted when all is welland to give in to stress when they are not. Paul claims (in a letter written from prison) that hes able to be content no matter what his life circumstances. Whats the secret of his even temperament? November 14: YOUTH SUNDAY From upper elementary through High School, our young people will be leading worship through service, message and visual arts. Come celebrate and support our youth this Sundayand learn something from them as well! November 21Thanksgiving Sunday: Love Endures Forever (Psalm 136:1-9, 23-26) With its call-and-response refrain, Psalm 136 gives thanks for Gods steadfast love which endures forever in all forms of order and provision. We too will repeat the blessings of God, and seek to live them out through a special emphasis on our monthly food offering.

Adult Sunday Class

Our Sunday morning Adult Class continues to meet through fall in Room 7 at 9:30or as soon after first service as possible! Discussion is always lively and enlightening. Steve Fietz is currently leading a series on Islam, which will last into Octobermaybe longer if our engaging discussion continues to stretch out the material! All are welcome!

Wednesday Bible Study

Our Wednesday Morning Bible Study is participating in the All Things Through Christ small group series through November 17.

Advent Devotional Booklet

The Worship Committee is once again putting together a special booklet of thoughts and devotionals from our members, to be used each day during the coming Season of Advent. If you are interested in contributing some thoughts on the meaning of the season, please check the Sign-up Calendar on Sunday, or see Linda Houston. Our goal is to have the booklets together and available by November 21.
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Footnotes
Once again, we are involved in an effort to meld our worship, fellowship and study lives into one focus. I am so pleased to again see youth, seniors (and Elders!), women, and a number of mixed groups coming together to share our lives as we study Pauls letter to the Philippians. This beautiful letter touches on a number of issues that are still relevant today: keeping faith in hard times and dealing with hard people; maintaining unity and humility while living as a Christian community; keeping proper perspective and priorities in our relationships with God and others. I am mindful of this effort as I receive the privilege of taking up another: our Regional Church has invited me to participate in a Transformation Consultation coordinated among the Western Regions of the Disciples of Christ. I will be joining pastors and regional staff from all over the west to pray, think, and learn about ways congregations can more deeply focus on Gods mission. This event is being held in Las Vegas from Monday, October 25, through Friday, October 29. (Janie will be coming with me so as to spend time with our kids.) We may be back before many of you read this, but we still covet your prayers for our travel, and especially for this Consultation and the congregations represented there. I am going in part because our church is perceived as one that is seeking transformationyou and I know, I believe, that this is not just a perception! Three areas of focus as we gather will include: Shifting the church priorities from internal to external Moving from a program focus to people focus Re-orienting leadership to the needs of Gods reign beyond the demands of the institutional church. I see in these priorities great possibilityand also great challenge! And so as you pray for our time at the event, pray also for our church, as we continue to seek Gods will and reign. Shalom, Steve Home phone: 310-212-5950 email: steefeets@hotmail.com

Prayer Meeting Continues on Tuesday Evenings

Our Tuesday evening prayer meetings continue in the sanctuary every Tuesday, from 5:45 until about 6:30. It is an informal time of sharing, silence, and praying for the needs of one another, our congregation, and the world. Next Newsletter articles need to be at the church office by November 15, 2010
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NON PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (Disciples of Christ) 2930 El Dorado Street Torrance, CA 90503 (310) 328-2820 Fax 310 328-2929 E-mail - fcctorr@pacbell.net Web address - fcctorrance.org Sunday Schedule 8:30 a.m. - Worship - Informal 9:30 a.m. - Church School for all ages 10:30 a.m. - Worship - Traditional Childrens Worship - Ages Pre-school through 2nd Grade (During the Traditional Worship Service)

TORRANCE, CA PERMIT NO. 109

Or Current Resident

Nursery Provided For birth through age 3 during Sunday School and Contemporary & Traditional Service Office Hours Monday - Friday 9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. Staff Steven Fietz, Senior Pastor Ted Oden-Minister of Contemporary Worship Administrative Assistant Camelia Olloque Choir Director - Ken Potter Nursery Attendant - Amanda Ruhs Dorie Hernandez
TIME VALUE DATA DO NOT DELAY EXPEDITE

The Christian Messenger

First Christian Church 2930 El Dorado Street Torrance, CA 90503

Officers Chair - Chery Carew Vice Chair - Jerry Jonas Treasurer Jimmy Koontz Financial Secretary - Charlotte Sandberg Clerk Angie Ahumada

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