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January 19, 2014

CALLER
Issue 03

In This Issue
Jeffrey Mensendiek Statistics Remember in Prayer Spiritual Disciplines Wk Prayer Requests, Jan. 12 Serving in the Military Week of Compassion Souper Bowl Search Committee Senior Adults/Book Club Parlor Class Mission Trip Founders Day Week of Compassion Serving Sunday 2 2 3 3 3 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 6

Events January 19, 2014- January 26, 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 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 January 22: 7:00 P.M. Council of Elders, Chapman Lounge January 23: 1:00 P.M. Book Club , Chapman Lounge 3:30 P.M. - Psalms Bible Study, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir; 7:30 P.M. - Choir Practice January 25: 9:00 A.M. - PSWR Boundary Training, Chapman Lounge 3:00 P.M. 7:00 P.M. Casa use Fellowship Hall 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, Chapman Lounge 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 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

Jeffrey Mensendiek Here Next Sunday

Jeffrey Mensendiek, Global Ministries Missionary to Japan, will be our guest preacher in worship next Sunday. In addition, he will speak after a shared meal in Fellowship Hall following our worship service. We will be sharing this day with Casa de Oracin, and, we hope some other Disciples and UCC congregations in the area whom we've invited will join us for the meal event. Jeffrey has been assigned to the Emmaus Center in Sendai, Japan, for the past 23 years. This Center serves as a district center for the Northeastern Conference of the Kyodan (UCC). It has provided programs for youth through Student Center activities for more than 60 years. Jeffrey directed these programs that involved a majority of students who had no affiliation with the church. Since the earthquake/tsunami hit Japan in 2011, the Emmaus Center has served as a relief center for outreach to the survivors of the earthquake/tsunami and nuclear disaster. Sendai has been home to Jeffrey ever since he arrived with his parents when he was three years old. The Emmaus Center became famous throughout Japan as many volunteers and church organizations accessed the web and started to mobilize relief work through the Center. Jeffrey was in the midst of the mobilization as the Kyodan strived to serve survivors. Close to 80% of the volunteers who came to work through the Center had next to no ties to the church. Concerning this, Jeffrey has commented: "The church is at its best when it can be a sign of something larger than itself." Jeffrey grew up in Japan as the son of missionary parents. He married Kazuko Ikawa on July 20, 1998. They have a daughter, Hana, who is 14, and a son, Tomo, who is 12. Stella, age 7, is their second daughter. The family has been residing in Lancaster, PA for the past year as Jeffrey has been on home assignment. In April, Jeffrey will begin a new assignment in Kobe at the Kwanse Gakuin University serving as Chaplain for the Center for Religious Activities. He will also be teaching some courses but his main responsibility will be to maintain and develop activities to enhance the Christian spirit of the university. He will continue to be concerned about northeastern Japan, site of the earthquake/tsunami, as well as the people in and around Fukushima who are living in the highly tenuous situation created by the explosion of the nuclear plants. Through his blog he keeps people informed about what is happening in the Fukushima area. If you'd like to learn more about these things, check out his blog at this address: http://jeffreyfromjapan.blogspot.com/ We encourage you to be in worship and to plan to stay for the shared fellowship meal with members of Casa de Oracin to hear Jeffrey's report on his ministry in Japan and his plans for the work he'll be doing in his new assignment.

International Luncheon
Welcome Ministry Team will host an International luncheon after the 10:15 service next Sunday. Jeffrey Mensendiek who will be speaking at 10:15 will also share more of his ministry at the luncheon. Please plan to come and taste the foods of Poland, Italy, Mexico, Japan, and America. A free will offering will be taken to help offset the cost.

Sunday Statistics
Jan. 12, 2014 109 (Remember Service) 8 (Reawaken Service) 98(Casa 5 P.M. service) Weekly Giving: $2,349.52 Missions: $234.95 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 12, 2014

Anonymous Betty Rollo Anonymous Alice & Craig Wallace

The Steimman family as Dians tumor on the brain has grown. For Jim Young whose wife Dottie passed away on Jan. 7. All those who are ill particularly those with the flu. Anna Van Diest for continued healing following hip replacement.

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Weeks of Jan. 20 Jan. 26, 2014
Monday, January 20: Reading: Matthew 4: 12-17; pray for peace in the world as we celebrate Martin Luther King, Jr. Day. Tuesday, January 21: Reading: Matthew 4: 1823; pray for the Sr. Adult Ministry Meeting today in Chapman Lounge. Congregational Prayer Day, January 22: Reading: Psalm 27: 1, 4-9; pray for the Council of Elders meeting tonight in Chapman Lounge. Thursday, January 23: Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-4; Pray for the Book Club meeting in Chapman Lounge today. Friday, January 24: Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 114; Pray for Global Ministries Missionary Nicole Betteridge in Laos. Saturday, January 25: Reading: 1 Corinthians 1: 14-18; pray for the PSWR Boundary Training taking place in Chapman Lounge this morning. Sunday, January 26: Reading: Isaiah 9: 1-4; Pray for Jeffrey Mensendiek, our partner missionary in Japan as he speaks to us today in the 10:15 service.

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.

The Souper Bowl is Coming

No, that's not a typo. On the Sunday when the Super Bowl will be played, February 2nd, our youth will again provide us with the opportunity to respond to the needs of hungry individuals and families. They will be collecting cans of soup, and/or money to purchase cans of soup, before and after our worship services on that date. Watch for more information about the 2014 Souper Bowl in "The Caller."

A Week Of Compassion Staff Member Will Be Here On 2/9

Brandon Gilvin, a Week of Compassion Staff Member, will be our guest preacher on Sunday, February 9th. Watch for more information about his visit in the weeks just ahead. The Outreach Ministry

Senior Minister Search Committee Update

The first meeting of the Search Committee took place on Wednesday, January 8th. Susan Gonzales-Dewey from the region met with the committee to walk them through the process and provide guidance and answer questions. The committee will keep the congregation apprised of progress via updates in The Caller. Your input will be needed as the committee moves forward and we are currently discussing many different options on how best to engage the congregation in obtaining your input. Please keep all of the committee members in your prayers as we begin this journey together. Mike Hogan & Cam Malotte Co-chairs Randy Baxter, Joshua Dorrough, Beverly Reinke, Judi Smedley, Janelle Vannoy

Seniors Meet Tuesday Jan. 21, 2014

The Senior Adult Ministry meets 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? Ed 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.

The Senior Book Club

A reminder that the Senior Book Club will discuss The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts at 1 P.M. on Thursday, January 23, 2014, in Chapman Lounge. Ed and Mariette Linberg will be our hosts.

Mission Trip Updates

With Judi Smedley's decision to be part of the group going to Joplin, Missouri, March 16-22, we now have only one slot left in what we hope will be a five person work team. Judi joins Tom Beck, Dirk McCuen and Paige Richmond who had previously committed themselves to be part of this mission trip. If you'd like to be person #5 going to Joplin on behalf of our congregation, speak to Ed Linberg or Donna Woodbridge right away. We hope to have the registration forms ready for the participants to complete this coming Sunday. The Outreach Ministry

Parlor Class To Learn About Church History

Beginning on Sunday, February 2nd, the Parlor Class will embark on a 10-week course of study that will focus on Church History. The topics to be dealt with will give participants an overview of the history of the Church from the end of the first century to the present. If you'd like to be part of this study experience, add your name to the sign-up sheet posted on the bulletin board just to the right of the entrance to the narthex. A copy of the list of topics for this course may be found on the counter in the Church Office. This will give you an overview of what is planned.

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!

Rev. Thaddaeus B. Allen serves as the Regional Minister and President of the Christian Church in West Virginia. Late last week, a chemical spill rendered water undrinkable across several counties of the state. Tuesday, January 14, Thad offers this reflection on our partnership and response.

Week of Compassion Report on Chemical Spill in West Virginia

Water is life! This year as the church has been contemplating the Baptism of Jesus (in the liturgical calendar), we in West Virginia have also been made keenly aware of the precious place water holds in our life. Late last week the drinking water supply of a major portion of our state's population, including our capital city of Charleston, was tainted with a chemical that is not fit for human consumption. Suddenly our water was not life giving. As of Monday, it is still unfit to wash dishes with, bathe in, or drink. As much as one third of our state's population has been affected. As Disciples, you need to know that you have been here from the beginning, jumping into action. Our congregation in the heart of the capital, United Disciples of Christ, was checking on members and neighbors. The pastor and region were in contact and the region made immediate plans to deliver drinking water, wipes for bathing, and other essentials for our members and neighbors. Week of Compassion immediately provided funds for this need. Thank you, Disciples. We have deep ecumenical ties in this region, so we do this work always with our brothers and sisters, particularly the West Virginia Council of Churches. So when an appeal was made for supplies, congregations from Fairmont to Parkersburg mobilized to take needed items to the ecumenical warehouse for distribution. Christian Unity is still our polar star and together the church is meeting needs immediately! When the call came for vans and drivers to deliver water and check on the disabled and most vulnerable, congregations from Wheeling to Princeton said "Send Me!" Thank you, Disciples, for being there! Last evening after rounds of conference calls and texts and prayers, I became very much aware of my gratefulness for the church, the institution which is Christ's Body. Because of the body, we are able to move immediately. We have each other, networks, and relationships to get things done when things need to be done! We have bones and muscle. The body is life too! So thank you brothers and sisters for caring for us. This morning we think we have adequate supplies. This could change, but for now supplies remain stable. Many ask--what can we do? Well, we appreciate your prayers and solidarity in these days. Remember the poor, service workers, and businesses who struggle with closings. Make gifts through Week of Compassion so that the body can continue to be present when disaster strikes. This is the best and most appropriate vessel for holding our offerings! Come visit when we get this fixed. You will love West Virginia: it really is almost heaven! And we love you for your concern, compassion, and presence in the body. You make real the very presence of Christ, thank you for being life.

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 19, 2014

Greeter: April Johnen Guest Book: Edee Stahnke Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: McCuen 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

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: Childrens Moment: 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