"Hearts of Fire"
2010 Reconciliation Offering
“Reconciliation" is the ministry of our wider
church that seeks to heal racial divisions within
the church and the world we serve. Specific
ministries include anti-racism training for
congregations and regions, multicultural dia-
logues, leadership development, and witness to the growing diversity of our
church. We will focus on this offering especially on September 26, and receive
gifts on both September 26 and October 3.
“Doing All Things Through Christ Who Strengthens.”
(Philippians 4:13)
A New Small Group Series
Many of us remember the positive experience that grew out of participating in the
“Unbinding Your Heart” small group series last spring. There, we dialogued with
one another, prayed for one another, grew closer to one another, and heard the
challenge of sharing the good news.
This fall, you are invited to join in a five-week series—“Doing All Things Through
Christ Who Strengthens.” Focused on Paul’s letter to the Philippians, this is an
opportunity to ponder the Christian virtues of joy and humility; to consider what it
means to “work out our salvation” with one another; and to once again hear the
good news proclaimed in one another’s stories.
Some of last spring’s groups will be doing this study in open reunion—getting to-
gether again with room for more. Other groups will be formed anew. Be on the
look-out for sign up sheets. If you have any questions, Don Zukas and Pastor
Steve would love to try to answer them!
Page 1 September 16, 2010
Disciples Women’s Ministry
Upcoming dates for the Disciple Women’s Fellowship
Boutique Craft Workshop – Sunday, September 19, 2010
DWF Monthly Luncheon – Sunday, September 26, 2010
Spiritual growth retreat – October 1 -3, 2010.
Global Forum on Human Trafficking on October 14 –15, 2010
Women’s booklets for 2010/2010 are now available in the church office.
Save the date – the Deck the Halls Boutique will be held on Saturday, November
13th. Letters and invitations will be going out soon. Raffle tickets will be available for
sale beginning in October. If you haven’t started making things for the boutique, now
is the time to start. Don’t worry if you are not crafty, there are two more workshops
before the boutique. The workshop are lots of fun and a good chance for fellow-
ship. Janie Oden and Hilda Coleman will be in charge of Grandma’s Attic this
year. We will let you know when we will start accepting items for Grandma’s Attic.
If you are unable to help in any of the areas above, we are accepting donations for
food at the boutique. See Dorie or Kara
WORLD COMMUNION SUNDAY
Communion is the very heart and core of our beliefs as Disciples, and how wonderful
to have the opportunity to come together in worship to celebrate our essential
oneness as followers of Christ. On October 3, we will have the opportunity to do just
that – you won’t want to miss it! Both services will offer the opportunity to share in
lots of music, communion, and special prayers and blessings. The Korean church
has been invited to join us for second service. A few plans have not been finalized
yet, so expect a few surprises - it promises to be a wonderful morning! Join us in
Sippel Hall following both services for refreshments, and help us welcome our visi-
tors.
World Communion Sunday was started in 1933, and has slowly grown over the
years, based on the concept we are all one in the Spirit and the Gospel of Jesus
Christ. “It is a Sunday where different congregations from different denominations
around the world set aside their doctrinal differences and partake of a communion
together united solely as Christians.”
Come join us on October 3rd as we celebrate our unity and our diversity as God’s
People.
See you there!
Page 2
BLESSING OF THE ANIMALS
“All things bright and beautiful
All creatures great and small
In Love, God Made them All”
Come join us on October 3rd at 2 PM, as we offer a “Blessing of the Animals”
service to those special companions who share our lives. This observance
is traditionally held on October 4th - a day honoring Saint Francis of Assisi
(1182-1226). Saint Francis was the founder of the Franciscan Order, and
many stories are told of his love for animals, and his humility towards nature.
Even after over 700 years, his legacy is still remembered and celebrated.
We hope you will invite your friends, neighbors and family to join us on the
West lawn as we join together in prayer, songs, and fellowship. Get out
those kitty boxes, wagons, leashes, hamster cages, fish bowls, bird cages
and “all creatures great and small”; then join us as we celebrate the bond
between all God’s creatures. Bring the kids – don’t miss it!
Welcome Our Newest Members
Daniel and Jennifer Teruya placed their membership during our blended worship
service on September 12. This was appropriate, as both were a big help in setting
up for our picnic that day. Both Daniel and Jennifer were also a big part of Vaca-
tion Bible School this summer. Their great support of our children's program cer-
tainly has to do with their daughter, Jillian, who has also made her insightful pres-
ence felt during children's moments in worship. Please be sure to welcome the
Teruyas into our church family, and please add their contact information to your di-
rectory:
Daniel & Jennifer Teruya
Jillian
1432 W. 227th St, #9
Torrance, CA 90501
(310) 227-9075
Page 3
Dear Church Family;
I would like to thank all of you for the outpouring of Get Well Cards, Flowers, phone
calls of concern and visits. I would like to give a special thanks to Ann Beecher for
the mini Prayer Shawl which I kept with me through the angiogram, the aneurysm
surgery, and my recovery at home. I would also like to give another special thanks to
my FCC church family. I felt your prayers daily as I went through this ordeal and I
feel very blessed to be part of such a wonderful church family. I miss you all and
hope to be back soon,
I Love You All,
Elba Woods
Dear Christian Brothers & Sisters
Thank you for all your prayers, cards and caring thoughts sent our way during our
time of sadness.
Sincerely,
The Billy E. Adams Family
Dear Church Family,
I can’t thank you enough for all the prayers, cards and thoughts for myself and my
family the past 2 years. My sister and I talked and said we could feel all the prayers
wrap their arms around us and where much better than we thought we would be be-
cause of this. So thank you very much.
Also thank you Shirley, Janet for coming. The Prayer Shawl made by Janie Fietz
was especially kind of you.
I miss this wonderful caring church.
Kristi Marvin
Directory Changes
Jill Foster (new e-mail) brentjill1@[Link]
Laura Apodaca (correct e-mail) [Link]@[Link]
Dolores Susswain (new address & phone number) Sunnyside Retirement Center
22711 So. Vermont Ave. Room 132 Torrance, CA. 90502
Page 4
CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS & CONCERNS
In & Out of the Hospital: Janet Wysong’s shoulder surgery went well; she is home, and
started physical therapy…Linda Galati is home and doing well after gastric bypass sur-
gery…Sharon Dexter has been in the hospital with an infection.
Carole Jones has received great news—the mass considered cancerous has shrunk by half,
and is now thought to be non-cancerous. Doctors want Carole to check back in three
months.
We are praying for Vi Fietz (Steve’s stepmother) whose cancer has spread to her lungs; and
Roy Fietz (Steve’s father) as he adjusts to the Alzheimer’s care facility.
Other families touched by cancer: Dean Noble (Haley & Madison Noble’s grandfather),
Shawn Knutson (Kelly Rogers’s sister), Liz Parker (Karen Jackson’s friend).
Hilda Coleman’s daughter-in-law, Suzanne, has a rare syndrome associated with exposure
to urethane. She has developed asthma and suffered permanent damage to her vocal cords.
Others facing serious illness: Paul Crossman asks for prayer on behalf of his wife Mabel,
who has Alzheimer’s; Keith McGiffin with congestive heart failure; Lynne Redderson’s
father.
Continued prayers for those struggling with addiction, and for their families.
Others in continuing recovery: Elba Woods, from a successful procedure to isolate a brain
aneurysm; Chuck Bruley, from follow-up hip surgery; Diana Sencerbox’s mother, Faith
Harder.
Prayers for those dealing with unemployment and income insecurity. We are thankful for
Kelly Crawford’s new job, and continue to pray for Frank Mitchell, Ada Sykes, Dorie Her-
nandez, Shirley Woodman, Brett Stobie (Anne Beecher’s brother) and others.
Sarah Iannucci’s 88 year-old mother has been moved rather suddenly back to the Philip-
pines by Sarah’s half-siblings. Sarah and Ileana ask for support as they grieve her absence.
For James Sturges (Kelly Rogers’s brother), deployed to Afghanistan; and for all others
separated from loved ones…Anne Beecher asks prayer for those in New Zealand suffering
from earthquake damage; her family is safe.
With Sympathy
We hold the family of Brandon Corral in our prayers after his recent suicide. Brandon’s grand-
mother is former FCC member Sheila (Vroman) Chadwick; his parents, Bruce & LeAnn Corral, his
brother, Andrew, paternal grandmother Bobbie Daniels are all in our prayers, as are Lindy & Doug
Hedde, Jr., his aunt and uncle, and his cousins, Connor and Caitlyn Hedde.
Page 5
September 2010 (Revis
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thur
WORSHIP SERVICES
8:30 and 10:30 am
Sunday School 9:30 am
1
New
7:00
5 6 7 8
Bible Study 10:00
Labor Day Observed Prayer Ministry 5:45
Prayer Shawl 2:00
Church Office Closed Prayer Shawl 7:00
Choir 7:00
Trustees 7:00 p.m.
12 13 14 15
Bible Study 10:00
Kick-Off Sunday Prayer Ministry 5:45 Prayer Shawl 2:00
Ch
Blended Service 10:30 Newsletter Prayer Shawl 7:00 Backpack Stuffing Party
7:00 p.m. 7
Picnic 12:00
19 20 21 22
Love Group 9:30
Faith Group 1:30
Boutique Workshop
Outreach Meeting Prayer Ministry 5:45 Bible Study 10:00 Ch
12:00
2:00 Prayer Shawl 7:00 Prayer Shawl 2:00 7
CYF 6:30
Elders 7:00
26 27 28 29
Feed The Hungry
Sunday
Prayer Ministry 5:45
Disciple Women’s
Prayer Shawl 7:00 Bible Study 10:00 Ch
Lunch 12:00 Newsletter
Prayer Shawl 2:00 7
CYF 12:00
Page 6
ed)
rsday Friday Saturday
September Birthdays
Jack Rogers 2
Matt Galyardt 2
Ileana Iannucci (3)
2 3 4 Greg Oden 4
Walter Morrison 4
Susie Noble 4
w Hope Brandon Williams 5
0 p.m. Cynthia Fried (7)
Rich Koontz 9
Robert Fender12
9 10 11 Harding Peck14
Chal Strayer 16
Matthew Reeley17
Karen Jackson 19
Board Retreat Bobbi Lotrick 19
South Bay Church Dick Talley 20
9:00 to 1:00 p.m. Ashley Whobrey 20
Uy Vu 21
Betsy Galyardt 22
Vicki Johns 22
16 17 18 Janie Fietz 23
June Perkins 24
Men’s Breakfast Kara Ryan 24
Jaryd Griego 25
hoir 8:30 a.m. Catherine Paour 25
:00 Helen Williams 26
Gwen Jonas 27
Katelynn Rogers 27
Nneji Ibe 30
23 24 25
hoir
:00
ANNIVERSARIES
Jerry & Lynn Jonas 2
Chal & Helene Strayer 4
30 Lee & Pat Sebaugh 7
Mike & Kel Henderson 7
Morrie & Virginia Gober 12
Grant & Betsy Galyardt 23
hoir Earl & Elba Woods (27)
Mike & Toshiko Morotani 29
:00
Page 7
Tatsuki Blee Koontz
Born: September 13, 2010
Weight: 7 lbs. 5 oz.
Length: 19 inches
Proud Parents: Jimmy & Sakura Koontz
Hey baby boy
You bring us joy
Every time we look at you
All the little things you do
Were so glad God gave us you
We wake every morning just to look in your eyes
Every single morning we get a different surprise
We pray everyday that God blesses us
But we pray even more that God blesses you most.
Page 8
Full Tummy’s and Happy Hearts
On behalf of our Church Family and guests, the Membership Committee wholeheart-
edly thanks everyone who participated in any way in our Sunday, September 12th,
All Church picnic. Many, many people were involved in making this event a success.
Listing their names would invariably mean someone was inadvertently left out, so we
won’t begin to try. However, (aren’t there always exceptions) some extra special rec-
ognition goes to Mark Yamnicky and Bill Wysong for the many hours spent in prepar-
ing and cooking such tender and delicious pulled pork. Wow! Dave Marvin, John
Beecher and crew arrived very early to set up tarps, tables and chairs. They even
went to Australia to get Brett Stobie, Anne Beecher’s brother, to help. (Torrance FCC
goes the extra thousands of miles for our congregation). Dave Marvin lovingly pro-
vided the great new “cover the quad” courtyard cover. Carnival theme decorations,
courtesy of Jennifer Teruya, Kara Ryan and Misty Levi, were absolutely perfect.
Anne Beecher’s neighbor Stella created the most amazing balloon sculptures for de-
lighted children and adults. Of course, none of this hard work would mean anything if
our wonderful Family hadn’t been so generous in sharing their salads, hot dishes,
chips, drinks and desserts AND in eating it all. Thank you, thank you. You are all so
precious.
With Love,
The Membership Committee
We’re Recycling!
Don’t through that paper away! Hang onto that 2-liter 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.
Part-Time Housekeeper Needed
Contact Laura Duncan at 310-830-5215 for more information.
Feed The Hungry Sunday
Our next Feed The Hungry Sunday will be on Sunday, September 26th. Please re-
member to bring in your non perishable food items. His House will be picking up the
items on Monday, September 27th. Thank you!
Page 9
Upcoming Sermons
September 19: “The Second-Greatest Picnic” (Mark 8:1-10)
Covered by only Mark and Matthew, the “feeding of the 4000” doesn’t get as much press as
the better-known earlier feeding. Still, there is much here for us and our understanding of
God’s mission. What can we learn from the similarities and differences in this follow-up
miracle meal?
September 26: “Status Whoa!” (Mark 10:35-45)
From such an early age, there is something within us that so wants to be important. Jesus
confronts his disciples’ rivalries by inviting them to follow his example of servant-
leadership.
October 3: “World Communion Music Celebration” (1 Corinthians 11:23-26)
We will once again join together in worship with Torrance the Lord’s Church (the congre-
gation that usually worships in our gym.) This year, our celebration of the bond of unity we
find at the Lord’s Supper will be celebrated through the transnational language of music.
Our worship will include additional musical offerings from both congregations.
October 10: “By the Grace of God, He Was What He Was” (1 Corinthians 15:1-10)
As in introduction to our worship and small group series on Philippians, we will consider
the complicated perceptions we have of Paul—which are hardly less complex than the view
he seems to have had of himself. (See the front page for more information on the small
group themselves)
Wednesday Bible Study
Our Wednesday morning Bible Study has just begun a short series on “The Return from Ex-
ile.” We meet in Sippel Hall at 10:00 a.m.—everyone is welcome!
Adult Sunday Class
Our Sunday morning Adult Class will continue to meet through the summer in Room 7 at
9:30—or as soon after first service as possible! Discussion is always lively and enlighten-
ing.
Steve Fietz is currently leading a series on Islam, which will last into early October. Other
future topics include an overview of Catholicism, a dialogue on Judaism, and discussion of
other world religions. We are also looking forward to a consideration of the Bill Mahr
movie Religulous, and a discussion of the meaning of Jesus’ atonement. All are welcome!
Page 10
Footnotes
Milestones. We don’t see too many literal stone mile-markers any more, but we have
lots of figurative ones: a big bubble in our church has just entered kindergarten; an-
other has started grade-school. We have other squads who have just begun middle and
high school; college and empty nest. Some are anticipating retirement. September
means back to school. So does life!
So what have we learned? What do we anticipate learning? Where have we realized
that we can never stop learning? What part of us understands that we will never know
it all—and that this is no reason at all to stop learning? Where in our life have we rec-
ognized the difference between knowledge and wisdom?
Ideally, church is a place that encourages learning and growth—a place where there
are no “stupid questions,” where everyone is becoming more expert in their own story,
their own experience, their own faith.
Hopefully we are a place that provides solid opportunities for learning. The best ones
I know? Teach children! Others? Join in our Sunday morning adult class, and/or
Wednesday morning Bible Study. Want a shorter commitment? Consider the five-
week small group series coming up in October. If nothing else, ask one another: “So,
what is God doing in your life these days?”
Shalom & Salaam, Steve
Home phone: 310-212-5950 email: steefeets@[Link]
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.
Worship Prayer Journals
Using themes from the approaching Sunday worship, a daily prayer journal guide is
available for those who want to explore a spiritual focus each day. An electronic ver-
sion of the Prayer Journal is also available—contact Don Zukas
([Link]@[Link]) if you would like to be added to the list.
Next Newsletter articles need to be at the church office by September 27, 2010
Page 11
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
NON PROFIT ORG.
(Disciples of Christ)
PERMIT NO. 109
TORRANCE, CA
2930 El Dorado Street
Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 328-2820 Fax 310 328-2929
E-mail - fcctorr@[Link]
Web address - [Link]
Sunday Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Worship - Informal
9:30 a.m. - Church School for all ages
10:30 a.m. - Worship - Traditional
Children’s Worship - Ages Pre-school through
2nd Grade
(During the Traditional Worship Service)
Nursery Provided
Or Current Resident
For birth through age 3 during Sunday School
and Contemporary & Traditional Service
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 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
The Christian Messenger
Officers
TIME VALUE DATA
Chair - Chery Carew
2930 El Dorado Street
DO NOT DELAY
First Christian Church
Torrance, CA 90503
EXPEDITE
Vice Chair - Jerry Jonas
Treasurer– Jimmy Koontz
Financial Secretary - Charlotte Sandberg
Clerk– Angie Ahumada
Page 12
