the

January 12, 2014

CALLER
Issue 02

Pastors Corner Statistics Remember in Prayer Spiritual Disciplines Wk Prayer Requests, Jan. 5 Serving in the Military Room Needed Change of Address Thanks Yous Senior Adults Chapel on Wheels Fundraiser MLK Jr. Celebration Founders Day Mission Trip Parlor Class Special Offerings Report Missionary visit & Lunch Letters Mitten Tree Report Thoughts for the New Year New Tradition for 2014 Serving Sunday

In This Issue

Events January 12, 2014- January 19, 2014

2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 6 6 6 7 7 7 8

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@[Link] [Link]

The Caller

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

January 12: Home Communion 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 1:00 P.M. - Youth Group 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH January 13: 7:00 A.M. 9:30 P.M. Chapel on Wheels fundraiser & Pollys 9:00 A.M. 1:00 P.M. PSWR Boundary Training, CL 6:30 P.M. - Old Testament Bible Study @ Woodbridges January 14: 9:00 A.M. - Pathways Executive Committee, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barrys 7:00 P.M. - Casa use Sanctuary and Chapman Lounge January 15: 1:30 P.M. - Crittenton use Fellowship Hall 6:30 P.M. - Global Missions Task Force 7:00 P.M. - Ministry Team Meetings January 16: 2:00 P.M. - PoH, Chapman Lounge 3:30 P.M. - Psalms Bible Study, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. - Choir Practice January 17: 10:00 A.M. - Speakers League, Room 107 January 19: 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 1:00 P.M. - Youth Group 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH January 20: 6:30 P.M. - Old Testament Bible Study @ Woodbridges January 21: 9:00 A.M. - Pathways General Board Chapman Lounge Noon - Sr. Adult Ministry Group, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bible Study @ Barrys 7:00 P.M. - Casa use Sanctuary and Chapman Lounge 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

If you could make one commitment that would change every aspect of your life for the better, would you be willing to make that commitment? There is one simple thing you can do that will improve your quality of life dramatically. Ask more questions! When we are less determined to be right and more concerned with listening to others we grow spiritually, intellectually, and emotionally. The great Christian thinkers knew this and practiced it for centuries before getting caught up in the human impulse to be right. In a recent reflection, Richard Rohr offered these thoughts: Peter Ablard took all of the major theological positions of the Scriptures and the Church and he invited a Sic et Non (Yes, And) approach to understanding them. Peter Lombard (1100-1164) then wrote a book building on Ablards work called The Sentences. It was so influential that for almost three centuries, in order to get a theological doctorate from a European university, you had to write a commentary on The Sentences. The goal of both Ablard and Lombard was not to win an argument or to prove that this is the only way you can believe. They simply laid out all the arguments on one side and all the arguments on another side and trusted that truth and the Holy Spirit would lead and teach the authentic believer from there. We no longer enjoy that kind of trust. We lost the ability to think and dialog in this way. By the Protestant Reformation, our style of conversation inside the Church was to prove the enemy wrong; this was the form of discourse that has held sway for the last five hundred years. We really went backwards with this idea that we had the right to certitude, that we needed to prove we were absolutely right and therefore did not have to listen to any minority positions. It was the triumph of dualistic thought and has lasted till our time. Ablard points out that in Lukes Gospel (2:46), the little boy Jesus, symbol of all wisdom and truth, is sitting among the teachers and listening to them and asking them questions. If Jesus can listen and ask questions, Ablard says, who are we to think we are better than him? This year, commit yourself to taking a Yes, And approach to understanding. Your perspective is certainly worth sharing, as are the perspectives of those around you. The Yes, And approach should come naturally to we Disciples of Christ. We have long respected the rights of people to come to their own understanding of Scripture and religious practice. We are still human, though, and we can fall into the human need to be right as quickly as anyone else. The challenge is for us to live what we say we believe in all of our relationships. Coincidentally, doing so will improve our lives every bit as much as it improves the quality of our relationships.

Sunday Statistics
Jan. 5, 2014 123 (Remember Service) 7 (Reawaken Service) 84 (Casa 5 P.M. service) Weekly Giving: $4,835.70 Missions: $537.30 Budget Goal: $3,881 2

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

Prayer Requests: January 5, 2014

Cam Malotte

Sherry Herrera Janice Whittington Diane Daugherty Alice & Craig Wallace Betty Rollo & Dottie Bense

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Weeks of Jan. 13 Jan. 19, 2014
Monday, January 13: Reading: Isaiah 49: 1-4; pray for PSWR Boundary Training Seminar taking place in Chapman Lounge today. Tuesday, January 14: Reading: Isaiah 49: 5-7; pray for the Pathways of Hope Executive Committee meeting today. Congregational Prayer Day, January 15: Reading: Isaiah Psalm 40:1-11; pray for Darrell and Jonathan as they have a couple of days of vacation together. Thursday, January 16: Reading: 1 Corinthians 1:1-4; Pray for Donna as she takes Thursday and Friday off for vacation. Friday, January 17: Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 59; Pray for Global Ministries Missionaries, Benjamin Ewart and Adam Royston in Thailand. Saturday, January 18: Reading: John 1: 29-36; pray for the youth of our region attending Janboree at Loch Leven. Sunday, January 19: Reading: John 1: 37-42; Pray for all those leading Worship this morning.

For Phyllis Ensminger, our aunt who is struggling with a broken pelvis. Rosario Moreno, hope and faith despite whatever may happen to her healthwise. Harold Horn who is in a Skilled Nursing Facility in Santa Ana before moving to Assisted living. Mary Adams upon the loss of her husband. Anna Van Diest who is having hip replacement on Wednesday. Jim and Dottie Young. Dottie is on hospice.

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.

Room Needed
Laura Alexanders sister is looking for a room to rent. She has a couple of part-time jobs in the Orange County area and needs a room to rent. If you have a room to rent for less than $400 or know of someone who does, you can coordinate with Laura at 951-943-1657. Thanks

Change of Address
Harold Horn has had to move out of Horn Hollow and at the present time is at Carehouse Healthcare 1800 Old Tustin Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705, 714-835-4900. He will be moving permanently in the next couple of weeks to Sunrise@Tustin, 12291 Newport Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705 714544-5959. Watch Caller for actual date.

Thanks from Phil Forbes My son, John David, is now

home with his wife and two young sons recovering from his recent quadruple bi-pass surgery. We wish to thank everyone for all the many thoughts and prayers offered up for John's recovery during this very difficult and uncertain time. We are so thankful to God for giving John another chance for a healthier and fuller life. Sincerely, Phil Forbes & Family

Seniors Meet Tuesday Jan. 21, 2014

The Senior Adult Ministry will meet Tuesday, January 21, at 12 noon in Chapman Lounge. This will be our first meeting in 2014. Our speaker this month is our own Ed Linberg. The title of his presentation is Whence and Whither? The Senior Ministry has been in existence for over 13 years. In this months program, Ed Linberg will first provide an overview of where we have been and what we have done as a group. Then he will lead us in a discussion that will invite us to think about the future of this ministry. What do we want to keep doing that weve been doing? Most important, what new ventures would we like to consider and, perhaps, undertake? Be thinking about these things in advance of the meeting so you will have some input to share with the group. If youve been thinking about becoming a part of this ministry, this would be a good meeting to attend to learn about our past and what may unfold in the future. As Ted has reminded us many times, mark your calendar for 2014 on the third Tuesday of each month at 12 noon as Senior Meeting Day and save the day if at all possible to fellowship with other seniors in the congregation and hear great presentations and talks on a variety of issues.

Thank you from Phyllis Elliott

I want to THANK everyone for the cards, calls, food and visits. Your love has made my recovery much easier and faster. Phyllis & Duane Elliott

Thank You to WELCOME Team and Friends.

Thanks to each of these people who gave up their Christmas evening to come out to prepare and serve a hot meal to homeless who might not have had dinner that evening. Due to the numbers, we were able to break bread with our guests and really hear their stories and struggles. Im sure each of us came away with renewed gratitude for our blessing and ideas of how we might better address their challenges. It shows that WELCOME isnt just about saying hello to those who come through our sanctuary doors. WELCOME also reminds others they are a child of God and that they matter. Many thanks to Lin Garcia who organized the meal; Donna & Barry Woodbridge who organized the schedule; Denise, James, Jesse and David Lester who provided toiletry bags; Ada Rodman, Bill Martin, Lynda Bailey, Carolyn Wright and Patrick Wise, who served the meals.

Chapel on Wheels Fundraiser

Pick up a Flyer on the table in the Narthex and eat at Pollys on Monday, January 13 to support the Chapel on Wheels Weekday Bible program at elementary schools in Fullerton. You can eat breakfast, lunch and /or dinner. Pollys will donate 20% of the proceeds to Chapel on Wheels. This is one of their major fundraisers.

MLK Jr. Celebration

This year the 2014 MLK Jr Celebration is Today, Sunday, January 12, at First Christian Church, Garden Grove (11231 Chapman Ave, Garden Grove, CA 92840). The youth will be putting on the first ever youth-run anti-racism MLK program from 2-4 P.M., with games, activities and praise & worship. The annual MLK worship service and the presentation of the 2014 MLK Scholarship will be from 4-6 P.M.

Interested In Being Part Of A Mission Trip?

If you are even just slightly interested in being part of a Mission Trip in 2014, you are urged to join others who are considering being part of a Mission Trip this year at a short meeting in Chapman Lounge immediately following worship this coming Sunday, January 12. We still have 2 spots for the Mission Trip to Joplin, Missouri, that's scheduled for March 16-22. We are looking at setting up a Mission Trip to Moore, Oklahoma sometime between May and October. But we need to know how many people would be interested in such a trip and what dates would be best. All Mission Trips through Disciples Volunteering are scheduled for work to be done Monday through Friday, with Sunday being a travel day to get to the site and Saturday being the day to travel home. In other words, you need to think about setting aside a week--Sunday through Saturday--to be part of a Mission Trip. If you're interested in this, but Sunday will not work for you, be sure to give your name and dates you are available to Ed Linberg. See you on Sunday! The Outreach Ministry

We Are Close To Finishing 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. More details will be available in future Callers. For now, mark this date on your calendar! The Parlor Class, i.e. that meets in Chapman Lounge each Sunday at 9 A.M., is going to complete its course of study on the N.T. books Galatians and James by the end of January. The group decided that their next topic for study would be Church History. A ten-session course that will provide an overview of Church History will begin on Sunday, February 2nd at 9 A.M. If you'd like to be part of this course of study, which will run from February 2nd through Sunday April 6. Please put your name on the registration form that is posted on the bulletin board. If you'd like to see an outline of this course before you register, you'll find an outline on the counter in the church office beginning this Sunday. Opportunities for class members to present brief reports on various topics related to Church History will be available. Ed Linberg will be the facilitator. 5

Report On The Special Offerings For 2013

As promised in last week's issue of "The Caller," here is recap of the six Special Offerings of our denomination that were supported by our congregation during 2013 as it compared with 2012. Offering 2013 2012 Week of Compassion $2,077.35 $1,968.47 Easter 1,045.06 764.75 Pentecost 681.40 695.46 Reconciliation 893.00 421.00 Thanksgiving 2,001.00 1,968.47 Christmas 1,392.00 798.00 Total of Offerings $8,089.81 $6,616,15 As these figures reveal, we gave close to 30% more in support of these six Special Offerings in 2013 than we did in 2012. That's a great record for which we, the members of the Outreach Ministry whose responsibility it is to promote these offerings, are most grateful! We are very proud of you! The Outreach Ministry Ed Linberg, Chair Pam Findley-Flor, Mission Treasurer

meeting and will be fully publicized in the January 19 Caller, including a picture of Jeffrey, plus his bio. Until that more detailed information is in your hands, we hope you are planning to be part of a full day focused on our church's mission work in Japan through Global Ministries. The Outreach Ministry

We Get Letters
In recent weeks, we have received letters from two ministries that received financial support from us through our 2013 Alternative Gift Faire. "Thank you for your gift of $165.00 which we received on November 19, 2013. Your financial support is especially helpful as we seek to provide more opportunities for more people to turn their faith into action to end hunger." James R. Lund, Vice-President for Development and Membership, Bread for the World "Thank you for making a gift to Heifer International and joining us as a global change maker. Because of your generous gift we can empower more families this year by offering the tools and training so many desperate families need. And because of our Passing on the Gift cornerstone, a gift from you will create a ripple effect that soon transforms entire communities as they lift themselves out of hunger and poverty." Pierre U. Ferrari, President and CEO, Heifer International (Note: Our gift from the Alternative Christmas Faire totaled $3,325.00 for which this letter was written in response. Early in December we also gave HI an additional gift of $1,000 from the profit generated by the Tri-Tip/Bratwurst sales during the 2013 Farmer's Market.) The complete letters from these two gentlemen are posted on the bulletin board above the water fountain. The Outreach Ministry

Is January 26th Marked In Red?

As you have put your varied personal activities on your calendar for these early days of 2014, we hope you have put a special mark by this date: Sunday, January 26. Why? That's the day that Jeffrey Mensendiek, Global Ministries' Missionary to Japan, will be our pulpit guest and will join us for a shared meal and a presentation in Fellowship Hall immediately after worship. We are expecting our sisters and brothers from Casa de Oracin to join us both for worship and for the meal on that Sunday. We have invited other congregations in the area, both UCC and Disciples, to join us that day, too, but as of this time we know that two congregations we invited have their respective Annual Meetings on that day so they will not be with us. We still hope that others will join us. The Outreach Ministry is meeting on January 15. Plans for all of the activities to occur on January 26 will be finalized at that

Report On The Mitten Tree Project

The last Outreach Project of our congregation for 2013 was the Mitten Tree. You will undoubtedly recall seeing the Christmas tree in the narthex that was decorated with scarves, caps, socks and other items of warm clothing. People, who were present for the weekly Hot Meal Ministry on Wednesdays from December 4 through January 1, were able to come to the narthex and take items from the Mitten Tree. This project was coordinated by Diane Daughtery and Sue Harless, members of the Outreach Ministry with assistance from Ada Rodman. Diane and Sue report that over 100 people were able to pick a scarf, cap, socks, and more to help them brave the cold nights during the final month of 2013 and the first day of 2014. We are most grateful to the members of our congregation who gave gifts to stock and replenish the Mitten Tree each week. Without your support this project would not have been possible. We add our personal word of thanks to Diane and Sue for coordinating the Mitten Tree Project on our behalf. The Outreach Ministry

Thoughts for the New Year For Everything a Season

Wanting his sons to learn not to judge too quickly, a man sent each, in turn, on a quest to look at a pear tree far away and report what he saw. The first son went in winter, the second in spring, the third in summer and the fourth in fall. Finally, the father gathered the young men together. What did you see? he asked. The first son reported seeing an ugly tree, bent and lifeless. The second disagreed, saying it was budding with fresh new life. The third son reported finding a tree laden with sweet-smelling, beautiful blossoms, while the fourth insisted it drooped with ripe fruit. The father said his sons were all correct, for theyd seen the same tree, though at different seasons of its life. Dont judge a tree or a person based on just one season of life, he counseled his children. Who they are can only be known at the end, when all lifes seasons have been lived. Furthermore, he added, dont give up on your own life if you experience a hard season, such as winter, or youll miss out on the renewal of spring, the joy of summer, the fulfillment of autumn.

Start a New Tradition in 2014

Need a new tradition to begin the new year? One way to reflect on your blessings as the days and months pass is to fill a Blessing Jar. Simply find a container (ideally with a lid) and place it in a prominent place in your home. Next to it, set slips of paper and writing utensils. Encourage each family member to jot down one thing theyre grateful for every day. If you have a large family, you may need one jar per person. You can also use different-colored paper slips for each family member. Every week, sit down together and review the many ways that God is present in your lives.

"Help Me Be"
Lord, help me be your heart today, providing hope for those who stray. Lord, help me be your love today, displaying grace in every way. Lord, help me be your Word today, proclaiming good when all is gray. MaryAnn Sundby

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 12, 2014

Greeters: Richard & Becky Graves Guest Book: Beverly Reinke Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Sound: Kyle Fought Video: Paul/Travis Robidoux Lay Leader: Sammie Adams Childrens Moment: Sherry Herrera Elders: Barry Woodbridge, Chris Fee, Penny Fonches (HC) Home Communion: Penny Fonches, Randy Langston, PJ Vannoy Diaconate: Leslies Team Prepare: Nancy Geiger, Randy Langston Ushers: Phil Forbes, Sherry Herrera Serve: Sue Harless, Randy Langston, Sherry Herrera, Amy & David Styffe Clean Up: Leslie Beck, Phil Forbes, Nancy Geiger

Alternate: Leslie Beck

Serving January 19, 2014

Greeters: April Johnen Guest Book: Edee Stahnke Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Sound: Kyle Fought Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Scott Richmond Childrens Moment: Jamie Dorrough Elders: Randy Langston, Jodie Martin, Judi Smedley Diaconate: Leslies Team Prepare: Nancy Geiger, Lisa Parks Ushers: Phil Forbes, Sue Harless Serve: Sue Harless, Randy Langston, Lisa Parks, Amy & David Styffe Clean Up: Nancy Geiger, Sue Harless, David Styffe Alternate: Leslie Beck 8