the

April 14, 2013

CALLER
Issue 15

In This Issue
Pastors Corner Statistics Remember in Prayer Spiritual Disciplines Wk Prayer Requests, April 7 IMPORTANT Final Contemplative Svc Serving in the Military Thank Yous CoE/Trustees Meeting Scholarships Habitat for Humanity Owensboro KY Senior Adults/Book Club Summer Camp/Possessions Flamingos Easter Offering Crop Walk Soles for Souls Letters All Church Study Poem Global Missions Church Serving Sunday 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 7 7 8 9

Events April 14, 2013 April 21, 2013

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

April 14: 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 9:00 A.M. - Classes for all ages 9:00 A.M. - All-Church Study in Chapman Lounge and Room 107 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER, Traditional Service 1:00 P.M. - Youth Group All-Church Study 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracion Service, Sanctuary & FH 7:30 P.M. - REFRESH, Contemporary Service April 15: 11:30 A.M. - PSWR Golf Committee, CL 5:30 P.M. - Alzheimers Facilitators Meeting, CL 6:30 P.M. - Council of Elders and Trustees Meeting, CL 6:30 P.M. - All-Church Study at Woodbridges, Dinner, 6:30; class at 7. April 16: 9:00 A.M.- Pathways meeting, Chapman Lounge Noon Sr. Adults Meeting, 6:30 P.M. - Mens Bible Study at Barry Woodbridges 7:00 P.M. - LAST Contemplative Service 7:00 P.M. - Casa de Oracion use FH, CL and PS Classrooms 7:30 P.M. - Choir practice April 18: Tri-Tip at Downtown Market 3:30 P.M. - All-Church Study, Chapman Lounge April 19: 7:00 P.M. - All-Church Study, Chapman Lounge 6:00 P.M. - 10:00 P.M. Casa de Oracion use Sanctuary April 20: FACES OF FULLERTON 7:00 A.M. - 10:00 P.M. Casa de Oracion use kitchen, Fellowship Hall, sanctuary and classrooms for retreat 8:30 A.M. - All-Church Study at Woodbridges Breakfast at 8:30. class at 9:00 April 21: 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 9:00 A.M. - Classes for all ages 9:00 A.M. - All-Church Study in Chapman Lounge and Room 107 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER, Traditional Service 1:00 P.M. - Youth Group All-Church Study 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracion Service, Sanctuary & FH 7:30 P.M. - REFRESH, Contemporary Service 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

For those of you who havent had an opportunity to read the introduction to this years All-Church Study, and those of you who could bear hearing a powerful insight again, I offer the following: It seems to me that it is a minority that ever gets the true and full Gospelin any denomination. Most of us just keep worshiping Jesus and arguing over the right way to do it. The amazing thing is that Jesus never once says, Worship me! whereas he frequently says, Follow me (e.g., Matthew 4:19). Christianity is a lifestylea way of being in the world that is simple, non-violent, shared, and loving. However, we made it into an established religion (and all that goes with that) and avoided the lifestyle change itself. One could be warlike, greedy, racist, selfish, and vain in most of Christian history, and still believe that Jesus is ones personal Lord and Savior or continue to receive Sacraments in good standing. The world has no time for such silliness anymore. The suffering on Earth is too great.1 Have you every tried to change a lifestyle, or even one small aspect of your lifestyle? Change always takes effortit takes practice. The practices in this study will draw you ever deeper into the encounter Peter had with the risen Christ as described in Johns gospel during which the Risen One repeatedly asks Peter if Peter loves him. As you encounter God and allow that same question to echo in your heart, mind, and soul, remember Jesus response to Peters third and final assertion that he loved Christ: feed my sheep. Prayer is not about naval gazing. Its not about feeling good. It is about encountering the presence of God, the Holy Spirit within each of us and the divine purpose expressed through Gods spirit. It is about being drawn into Gods purpose for our lives and moving from encounter with God to expressing Gods presence in a tangible way to those we encounter on lifes journey. Prayer is a necessary beginning to a more fulfilling, purposeful life. It is the means by which you step back from the busy-ness of life, the constant internal chatter, and listen for the still, small voice of God within. Christian prayer takes many forms but the aim is always the sameto become disciples! The written curriculum for the All-Church Study and the audio files that accompany the study are all available on our website. Go to fullertonfirstchristian.org, click on the link Prayer Study and you can engage the prayer practices you find there. Better yet, join one of our ongoing small groups and engage the prayer practices in the company of other Christians seeking a deeper connection with God and with each other.
1

Richard Rohr, Adapted from CAC Foundation Set: Gospel Call to Compassionate Action (Bias from the Bottom) and Contemplative Prayer (CD, DVD, MP3)

Sunday Statistics
April 7 13 8 (Reawaken Service) Weekly Giving: $3,637.80 Budget Goal: $3,381 Downtown Market: $1056 92 (Remember Service) 26 (Refresh Service) Mission: $404.20 Easter Offering: $50

Remember in Prayer
Continue to pray for: the family of Donna Bagley, Helen Bailey, Dottie Bense, Harold Brickens, Mary Brill, Betty Ruth Buchanan, Linda Christman, Chris Collett, Dean Echols, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Anna Lou Horspool, Kevin & Linda Johnen, Carolyn Kenrick, Lowenn Land, Flora Miller, Sue Miller, Denise Olson and family, Betty Rollo, John & Marj Schwenker, Claudia Tammen, Dorothy Tanner, Jack Townsend, Gil Tucker and family, and Bob Vannoy. Please pray for the following church in the Pacific Southwest Region: United Christian Church 625 E 43rd Street Los Angeles, CA 90011 Mildred Butler

Prayer Requests: April 7, 2013

The Henkes

Peter Warner Jessica Cleveland Matt Chase

Laura Miller

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Week of April 15 April 21, 2013
Monday, April 15: Reading: Acts 9:36-43; pray for the Council of Elders & Trustees meeting tonight in Chapman Lounge. Tuesday, April 16: Reading: John 10: 22-25 pray for the Sr. Adult Ministry Meeting today. Congregational Prayer Day, Wednesday, April 17: Reading: John 10: 26-30; pray for Crittenton School here in our building. Thursday, April 18: Reading: Rev. 7: 9-13; pray for the Tri-Tip and the workers at the Downtown Market. Friday, April 19: Reading: Rev. 7: 14-17; pray for Casa de Oracion and the Leadership Retreat they are holding this weekend. Saturday, April 20: Reading: Psalm 23; pray for the Faces of Fullerton event on the Plaza today. Sunday, April 21: Reading: Psalm 23; pray for the Global Ministries Missionary in South Africa, Kristine Tsinger.

David Styffe

Sherry Herrera

Susie Wright

Brenna, 11 year-old who will have both kidneys removed on Friday in anticipation of a kidney transplant. Pray that the doctors can maintain seizure control through the multiple surgeries Irene Warner, intermittent high blood pressure issues Dr. John Hillsabeck, Addison Ball, Claudia Parrette and Brooklyn Ball Praise that Matt got the job with ADP and that they have a new place to live in Brea Susan Miller receiving a blood transfusion on Monday and tests. Praying for good results Family of Matthew Warren, Pastor Rick Warrens son, who committed suicide. He was best man at my nephews wedding Please pray for my friend, Julia, that her good health will continue and there will continue to be no sign of cancer For the All-Church Study that our church may become a more prayerful church

Please Note - Important Information

If you have information that you would like posted (posters for offerings, CROP Walk, etc.), it needs to be approved by church staff (Donna, Darrell or Debra) and we will put them up in order to not damage the finish on the windows. Also, you will find notepaper, pencils and a box for notes for the office on the counter. Please write a note, put any information in the box that you would like Darrell, Debra or Donna to know so they can handle during the week. Thank you for your assistance in helping our church staff have a pleasant experience on Sunday

Last Contemplative Service

This coming Tuesday, April 16, will be the last Contemplative Service. So if you like this service or have never experienced it, this would be the time to come.

Serving in the Military:

Adam Hawley, Deb Taylors nephew in Afghanistan. He will be gone nine months from his wife and new baby. Lt. Patrick OConner, Betty Rollos grandson-in-law left on April 1 for approximately 6 months deployment. Lt. Patrick Rollo, Betty Rollos grandson. He is back at his home base. Joshua Reynolds, Jane Reynolds son. He is at Ft. Riley, KS dealing with PTSD and will be returning to Afghanistan soon. PFC Brandon Vannoy reported to Fort Jackson, South Carolina for his basic training in the Army on April 1, 2013. He is Grandson of Bob & Donna Vannoy. From time to time, Betty Rollo will be posting cards to send to our servicemen so they will know that we continue to keep them in prayer. Please check the bulletin board.

Do you know a low-income US military veteran in Fullerton who is in need of home repairs?
The Home Depot Foundation hopes to partner with Habitat for Humanity of Orange County to fund home repairs for several low-income veterans in Fullerton. The timeframe in which the homes can be identified is limited. We are looking for home-owning veterans living anywhere in Fullerton although preferably in south or southwest Fullerton, (flyer attached) Active duty military, spouses of deceased veterans, and veterans living in south Orange County are also eligible. If you know a low-income veteran in need of home repair, please contact me as soon as possible. Thank you, Alex Osborne Neighborhood Revitalization Manager Office: (714) 434-6200 Cell: (949) 742-0436

Attention high school seniors and undergraduate college students:

College Scholarship Application Packets for the 2013-2014 school year are available in the church office. To qualify as a scholarship recipient, your application MUST be returned to the church office no later than Sunday, May 5, 2013 and the application form must be filled out completely. Also, you must be registered in an undergraduate college or university program as of July 31, 2013. When you pick up the scholarship application packet, please review the policy guidelines carefully prior to completing the application form. Scholarship recipients will be notified by June 30, 2013.

Thank you
Dear Church family, I just wanted to thank all those who have donated to the Ronald MacDonald pull-tabs, especially Susie Wright who made a large donation earlier this week. The R.M. House closest to the church is in Orange not far from Chapman University and St. Joseph's Hospital. This charity has a special meaning for me as I had a young family member who was a patient in the mid 1980s at CHOC TOWERS. Thank you once again for all your help. Linda Johnen Thank you to our church family for all your prayers, calls, cards and visits. Bob has completed his in-home therapy and is doing well. He is now working to gain his strength and endurance. Knowing that we have such a caring church family and friends praying for us and ready to help has been such a blessing. God is powerful and we love you all. Bob & Donna Vannoy

Attn: Council of Elders & Trustees

There will be a meeting of the Council of Elders and the Trustees with Dan Oliver and Don Dewey from the Region on Monday, April 15 at 6:30 P.M. in Chapman Lounge.

Senior Adults Meeting, Tues., April 16

PLEASE NOTE CHANGE The seniors meet this coming Tuesday, April 16, 2013 at 12 noon for our monthly luncheon and meeting. Our guest this month was to have been Matt Davis our former accompanist at FCCF. Unfortunately Matt has a conflict and is unable to come. We will plan to reschedule him for another time. Since the news of Matt not being able to come arrived on Thurs of this past week it was too late to move one of our currently scheduled programs. THEREFORE, WE ARE GOING TO THE MOVIES. We have been holding in reserve the movie THE BEST EXOTIC MARIGOLD HOTEL which some have said they wanted to see. The movie is about a group of British retirees who decide to outsource their retirement to less expensive and seemingly exotic India. Enticed by advertisements for the newly restored Marigold Hotel and bolstered with visions of a life of leisure, they arrive to find the palace a shell of its former self. The experience forever transforms them and they discover that life and love can begin again when you let go of the past. Judi Dench and Maggie Smith are two of the actors who star in the movie and are joined by other familiar British actors. The movie is two hours long (which we have done before), so plan to stay until 2:00 P.M. We will meet in Chapman lounge and start the movie when we start to eat. Popcorn and drinks provided. See you there. SENIOR BOOK CLUB The Senior Book Club has chosen the novel The Light Between Oceans by M. L. Stedman for their next book. Sammie and Ted Adams will host the group in their home for our discussion of this book on May 23, 2013 at 1 p.m. Since the Senior Book Club started reading together in May of 2004, we have read a total of 53 books. We are a fun group. Plan to get this book and join us.

Summer Camp is Coming!

Summer Camp for our children and youth is coming. Regional scholarship applications are due on or before April 30. For forms and more information, see Debra Todd or check with Donna in the office. Mini Camp - 7/7 7/10 $260 before June 7 nd rd (2 & 3 grade in fall 2013) Junior Camp 6/23 6/29 $355 before May 23 (4th 6th grade in fall 2013) Chi Rho Camp 6/30 - 7/6 $355 before May 30 (7th - 8th grade in fall 2013) CYF I Camp 7/21 -7/27 $355 before June 21 (9th 10th grade in fall 2013) CYFII Camp 7/28 8/3 $355 before June 28 (11th 12th in fall 2013 and 2013 graduates) Costs after Early Bird deadline are: $285 for Mini Camp, and $380 for all the other camps.

Transfer of Possessions
Check this column each week to see what is new. Available: 3-drawer Work Bench with Vise $100 Creative Memories albums and supplies NEW! 2 DVDs (brand new still in wrappers) Youve Got Mail & The Notebook $5 each White, glass-top, wrought iron patio table with four matching chairs. excellent condition, $200.00. In Need of: Glider Rockers for the back of Sanctuary & the Childrens Cry Room Good working used lawnmower Donna Woodbridge

The Time Has Come!!!!

Last chance to get Flamingo Insurance is this Sunday. Be sure to find the bright pink table in the Narthex after church to purchase your insurance!! See you soon!!!! FCCF CYF/Chi-Rho 5

Easter Offering Final Report

We received an additional $50 in gifts for the 2013 Easter Offering this past Sunday. This moved our total for this Special Offering up to $945.06. While this is just $54.94 short of our $1,000 goal, it represents an increase of $180.81 over last year's Easter Offering--almost a 25% increase! We are very grateful for your support of the 2013 Easter Offering. Your gifts will be put to work across our nation and around the world through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Outreach Ministry

Crop Walk Set For April 28

The 2013 Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk is just two weeks away-Sunday, April 28 at 1 P.M., with registration beginning at Noon on the Plaza. Have you signed up to walk in this great event? Have you made a gift to support your "favorite CROP Hunger Walk walker? You have just two more weeks to do so. Following is a list of our members who are now seeking support for their participation in the 2013 Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk. Youth and Youth Advisors who are walking are: Debra Todd, Janelle Vannoy Kyle Fought, Melissa Fought, Laura CairnsFought, Melody Martinez, Jennine Martinez and Reid Richmond. Adults who are walking are: Phil Forbes, Randy Langston, Ed Linberg, Cathy Thompson, Barry and Donna Woodbridge. You may support one, or more, of these persons in one of two ways. 1. You may go online to www.churchworldservice.org and click on "CROP Hunger Walks." When the U.S. map comes up, click on California. This will be followed by a list of CROP Hunger Walks in California, click on Fullerton. Then click on First Christian Church and you should find the names of our walkers who are registered for online donations paid for by a credit card. 2. You may write a check, in any amount, and give it to the walker(s) you want to support. Checks should be made payable to:

Church World Service/CROP. Write "CROP Hunger Walk" in the memo line of your check. Cash, in any amount, is also acceptable. Remember that of what is raised through the Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk comes back to Pathways of Hope to aid them in their work with the hungry and homeless people in our community, as well as the surrounding communities. The remaining of what is raised will be directed to the ministries of Church World Service around the world to help people address their needs for food and for a sustainable life. Following are some things our gifts will do: $150 can provide three farm families with everything they need to make succulent, nutritious and marketable honey--training, hives and equipment. $500 can provide 4,000 lbs. of food for a local food bank or provide up to 400 meals in a soup kitchen. $1,000 can provide more than a dozen displaced families with emergency food packages each containing enough to feed a family of five for a month. $1,500 can provide a well that reaches deep into the aquifer, allowing a village access to clean, safe water. When periods of drought hit, communities with deep-water wells can continue to grow gardens, lessening the drought's impact on local food supplies. Randy Langston has packets for new persons who are interested in being part of the 2013 Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk. He will be in the Narthex after worship this Sunday, April 14, to assist you in registering to be part of this year's event as a walker. If you simply want to give in support of one, or more, of our walkers, review the list of names above and select the one, or ones, to whom you will give a gift.

Thought for the Day Keep Praying, but be thankful that Gods answers are wiser than your prayers.

William Culbertson
6

WE NEED YOUR SHOES!

Outreach Ministry has designated April as the month to collect used shoes for Soles 4 Souls. So, when you are doing your spring cleaning, please dont throw away those old shoes. Soles 4 Souls will refurbish them and distribute them to the needy wherever the need is greatest. During the past two years, FCCF has donated over 1,000 pairs of shoes to this worthy cause. Your discards may be someones first pair. A box will be in the Narthex for your donations. Thank you! Outreach Ministry

Cause My Cup has Overflowed I've never made a fortune, And it's probably too late now. But I don't worry about that much, I'm happy anyhow And I go along life's way, I'm reaping better than I sowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. Haven't got a lot of riches, And sometimes the going's tough But I've got loving ones all around me, And that makes me rich enough. I thank God for his blessings, And the mercies He's bestowed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. I remember times when things went wrong, my faith wore somewhat thin. But all at once the dark clouds broke, And the sun peeped through again. So Lord, help me not to gripe, About the tough rows I have hoed. I'm drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. If God gives me strength and courage, When the way grows steep and rough. I'll not ask for other blessings, I'm already blessed enough. And may I never be too busy, To help others bear their loads. Then I'll keep drinking from my saucer, 'Cause my cup has overflowed. When I think of how many people in this world have it worse than I do, I realize just how blessed we really are.

We Get Letters . . .
"On behalf of Pathways of Hope Board of Directors, our dedicated staff, tireless volunteers, and the homeless and hungry we serve, I want to thank your for your generous donation of $214.00 in support of our programs! This letter was dated April 8 from Maria Mazzenga Avellaneda, Executive Director, Pathways of Hope. Our outreach dollars are at work in Fullerton and throughout north Orange County through Pathways of Hope! This letter will be posted on the bulletin board so you can read it in its entirety. Outreach Ministry

All-Church Study
The All-Church Study is now up on our website and accessible through the Homepage by clicking the link "Prayer Study " on the top-level menu. Under the "2013 ACS" link, you will notice drop-down links to each session in the study and a separate page for all the audio files associated with the study. The audio files are also accessible through links built into each of the ACS Session pages. The audio files can be easily downloaded by right-clicking on the link to each audio file from the audio file page. Pam

Becoming A Global Mission Church

During each of the meetings of the Outreach Ministry to date in 2013, the matter of our becoming a Global Mission Church has been the subject of discussion. In this initial report to you, the members of the congregation with whom we serve Christ, will outline the steps that are necessary for a congregation to take to become a Global Mission Church and update you as to where we are in the process. Step 1 -- Gather a team to coordinate the "Be A Global Mission Church" process. This we have done as the members of the Outreach Ministry with the support of our Pastors, Darrell and Debra. We welcome other interested persons to join us. Step 2 -- Learn about Disciples and UCC global mission understandings and commitments. We have shared the document, "Be A Global Mission Church," with the members of the Outreach Ministry for them to read with the intention to discuss this concept at our meeting in May. A working definition we are considering is: "A global mission church understands itself to be inter-related with the whole of God's creation, cross all physical and human made barriers, and seeks to timely and appropriately meet Gods people and creation at the point of deepest need." We have lots of things to discuss in relation to this topic. Step 3 -- Evaluate our past and current global mission involvement. This involves identifying members of our congregation who have a passion for global mission and how our congregation is involved globally with people, projects and programs, as well as reviewing our support of the global mission efforts of our denomination as it works with the United Church of Christ, our global mission partner. Step 4 -- Create a new action plan for engaging in God's global mission. These things are suggested as the components of an action plan. 1. A global mission church PRAYS regularly for partners, missionaries and the world. 2. A global mission church EDUCATES its members about global issues from preschool age to adult. 3. A global mission church SEEKS JUSTICE for the "least of these" in the international community. 4. A global mission church RECEIVES the gifts of the global church. 5. A global mission church GIVES to the work of global mission. 6. A global mission church SENDS its members into the world to share the Good New of Jesus. 7. A global mission church GROWS in sharing the story of God's mission with others. There are a number of suggestions for specific things a congregation may do to "flesh out" each of these seven items. We have done some of these things in the past. We need to consider how to strengthen all seven of these things Step 5. -- Commit to carrying out our plan in covenant with Global Ministries. This will involve us deciding as a congregation to be a Global Mission Church. As Chair of the Outreach Ministry, it is my hope that we can be ready to take this step no later than this November when we hold our annual congregational meeting. If this process interests you, or you have more questions about it, we'd be happy to have you join the Outreach Ministry to discuss this matter at any one of our meetings during the rest of 2013. Our next meeting is set for Wednesday, May 15 in the Choir Room at 7 P.M. If you'd like a copy of "Be a Global Mission Church," a 28-page notebook that gives more information about the five steps listed above, please pick up a copy of this booklet from the credenza in the Narthex. We will be ordering additional copies of this document so that every one who wants to know more about or to be part of this process, at whatever level, will have access to this material. They will be available by April 21. As always, your questions and comments about the Outreach Ministry of our congregation are welcome. Speak to me personally, or put your thoughts in writing and leave them in the Outreach Ministry box in the church office. Thank you for your interest in our becoming a Global Mission Church. Ed Linberg, Chair, Outreach Ministry Team

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. Refresh (Emergent Worship Service) 7:30 P.M. Youth Groups: Sunday, 1:00 P.M. & Wednesday, 3:30 5:15 P.M. Last Contemplative Service: Tuesday, 7:00 P.M.

Serving April 14, 2013

Greeter: Laura Schaffell Guest Book: Mariette Linberg Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: McCuen Sound: Clare Keech Video: Paul/Travis Robidoux Lay Leader: Craig Wallace Childrens Moment: Joshua Dorrough Elders: Chris Fee, Kathy Robidoux, Deb Taylor Diaconate: Leslies Team Prepare: Sue Harless, Randy Langston Ushers: Phil Forbes, Sherry Herrera Serve: Leslie Beck, Diane Daugherty, Sue Harless, Sherry Herrera, Amy & David Styffe Clean Up: Leslie Beck, Amy & David Styffe Alternates: Nancy Geiger, Dena Heathman

Serving April 21, 2013

Greeter: Minde Findley Guest Book: Becky Graves Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Angulo Sound: Alyssa Robidoux Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Sherry Herrera Childrens Moment: Nancy Knott Elders: Pam Findley-Flor, PJ Vannoy, Elizabeth Beech Diaconate: Leslies Team Prepare: Nancy Geiger, Dena Heathman Ushers: Phil Forbes, Sue Harless Serve: Leslie Beck, Sue Harless, Dena Heathman, Sherry Herrera, Randy Langston, David Styffe Clean Up: Leslie Beck, Phil Forbes, Randy Langston Alternates: Diane Daugherty, Amy Styffe 9