the

December 22, 2013

CALLER
Issue 50

Pastors Corner Statistics Remember in Prayer Spiritual Disciplines Wk Prayer Requests, Dec. 15 Serving in the Military Sr. Book Club Thank You Sr. Adults Disciples Mens Fellowship January Birthdays Hot Meal Ministry Hastys Renewal of Vows Mission Trip Chapel on Wheels Worship Moments Music Offerings Christmas Offering Letters Advent & Christmas Events January Calendar Serving Sunday

In This Issue

2 2 3 3 3 4 4 4 4 5 5 5 5 5 5 6 6 7 7 8 9 10

From the Staff: Darrell Debra Donna Mitch Sharlane Rob Nursery Attendants: Lorena, Mollie, Laura, Melody

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* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * Events December 22, 2013 January 5, 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

December 22: Fourth Sunday of Advent & Christmas 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 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH December 23: Donna on Vacation through January 1, 2014 December 24: Christmas Eve 7:00 P.M. - Christmas Eve Service December 25: Merry Christmas Office Closed December 28: 7:00 P.M. - Bob & Barbara Hastys 50th Anniversary Renewal of vows ceremony, Sanctuary December 29: First Sunday after Christmas 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 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH December 30: Donna on Vacation through January 1, 2014 December 31: New Years Eve 7:00 P.M. Midnight City uses Fellowship Hall January 1, 2014 Happy New Year Office Closed 5:30 p.m. Hot Meal Ministry, Team B January 2: Donna back in the office January 3: 10:00 A.M. Speakers League, Room 107 6:00 10:00 P.M. Fullerton Art Walk January 4: 8:00 A.M. - Disciples Mens Fellowship, Chapman Lounge 8:30 A.M. Greek Class @ Woodbridges 9:00 A.M. NOON Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive January 5: Second Sunday after Christmas 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 5:00 P.M. - 8:30 P.M. Casa de Oracin Service, Sanctuary & FH 1

Good News! Christ the Savior is born! God is not some distant entity to be worshipped outside of our immediate experience. God is with us. That is the meaning of Emmanuel. God is incarnate, that is embodied in a human being, embodied in human beings. Sodid God change when Jesus was born? Did God become something new when Jesus was born? Nobut Gods relationship with humanity was altered forever on that first Christmas morning. God does not change, and yet, God is all about change. Gods nature, Gods makeup, Gods being does not change. God is loveperiod. End of story. God does not become justice one day, power the next, and mercy on yet another day. Gods love is manifested in many different ways, ever changing in relationship to creation, but God is love, today, tomorrow, and forever. God is constantly reaching out to us in love, inviting a change in us, a willingness, an openness to intimate relationship with the One who has always loved us, an indwelling of Gods Spirit. In short, God is always leading us toward a Christmas experience, a dawning of awareness that God is with us, within us, and within every human being. God has been about this work of intimate relationship since the dawn of creation. That has never changed. Creation, and human existence as a part of that creation, is all about change. Nothing ever stays the same, and today, change comes so fast and so furiously, many of us have given up staying abreast of the change around us. We see no need to become computer geeks, learn to send instagrams, and start taking pictures with a smart phone. The old ways still work for us, and we see no reason to change. We are connected to family, friends, coworkers, and friends, and we have no need to find new ways to reach out or be reached. In the meantime, others of us, excited and emboldened by the possibilities embodied in new technologies, seek to express ourselves and embrace the expressions of others through the digital age. We share pictures over the internet, e-mail each other on cell-phones, and text family members, class mates, coworkers, and friends all day long. We feel more connected and empowered through these new technologies. And God? God is in the old ways and the new. God reaches out through cards and letters, phone calls, and family get-togethers. Anywhere love is spoken, God is with us, God is within us, and within everyone around us! God is also in the e-mails, cell calls, and texts where two or more speak the language of love. In church today, we embrace the old and the new. We place them side-by-side and we proclaim that God is in both because God is within us all. We sing from hymnals and we sing words projected on screens. We hear a message of love proclaimed in word and see it proclaimed in images. We are old and young; we are every color under the rainbow; we are women, men, boys, and girls, and God is with us. Good News! Christ the Savior is born!

Sunday Statistics
Dec. 15 2013 158 (Remember Service) (Reawaken Service) 79 (Casa 5 P.M. service) Weekly Giving: $2,685 Missions: $298.50 Budget Goal: $3,881 Mexico Build: $200 Christmas: $523 AA Groups: Sun. 8:00 P.M., Monday, 7:30 P.M., Friday, 7:30 P.M., Sat. 8:30 P.M., NA Group, Tues., 7:30 P.M.

Remember in Prayer
Continue to pray for: Sue Bacon, Dottie Bense, Harold Brickens, Mary Brill, Vio Danna Brant, Sandra Brown, Betty Ruth Buchanan, Linda Christman, Chris Collett, Matt Davis, Phyllis Elliott, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Anna Lou Horspool, Kevin Johnen, Carolyn Kenrick, Flora Miller, Sue Miller, Jim Piper, Norma Rill, Julie Stuart, Claudia Tammen, Dorothy Tanner and Bob & Donna Vannoy Please pray for the following organizations in the Pacific Southwest Region: 12/22 Project IMPACT 2041 W. 94th Street Los Angeles, CA 90047 Matt Harris 12/29 Chapman University One University Drive Orange, CA 92866 Nancy Brink, Director Prayers for my former student, Isabel (12) and her sister (4) whose mother passed away suddenly on Friday. Payer for Claire Davis, the 17 year-old girl shot in Colorado on Friday. Family of Claire Gilbert (Kevin Malottes wifes family) who lost their mother this week to a brain hemorrage. Prayers for Ghesi Stojanov, close friends of Kelly and Shawn McCuen who has been diagnosed with breast cancer at 33 years of age. Scheduled for a Mastectomy on December 19. Prayers for our sister churches in Japan Kawageta Preaching Point, Fukushima-Ken, and Isumi Takamori Church, Miyagi Prefecture to whom we sent Christmas Cards

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Weeks of Dec. 23, 2013 Jan. 5, 2014
Monday, December 23: Reading: Isaiah 63: 7-9; pray for Donna as she begins a well-deserved eight days of vacation of vacation. Tuesday, December 24: Reading: Luke 2: 1-20: pray for those leading the Christmas Eve Service and all those attending. Congregational Prayer Day, December 25: Reading: John 1: 1-14; Merry Christmas! May everyone have a great day. Thursday, December 26: Reading: Psalm 148; Pray for all the service men and women around the world who will not be home for Christmas this year. Friday, December 27: Reading: Hebrews 2: 1018; pray for our partner Global Ministries Missionaries, John & Karen Campbell-Nelson in Indonesia. Saturday, December 28: Reading: Matthew 2: 13-18; pray for Bob & Barbara Hasty as they renew their vows for their 50th Anniversary. Sunday, December 29: Reading Matthew 1: 125; First Sunday after Christmas. Pray for those in our congregation recovering from surgeries, colds, flu and other illnesses. Monday, December 30: Reading: Jeremiah 31:7-14; pray for the City of Fullerton as they prepare for First Night tomorrow night. Tuesday, December 31: Reading: Psalm 147: 12-20; pray for Casa de Oracin as they hold a Watch Night service tonight. Congregational Prayer Day, January 1: Reading: Ecclesiastes 3:1-13; Happy New Year. Prayers for our church as we search for a new Pastor this year. Thursday, January 2: Reading: Psalm 8; Pray for our choir as they begin the New Year Friday, January 3: Reading: Matthew 25: 31-46; pray for our partner Global Ministries Missionaries, Susan Valiquette and Doug Couper, in Durban, South Africa. Saturday, January 4: Reading: Revelation 21: 16a; pray for Chapel on Wheels holding their paper drive today. Sunday, January 5: Reading Matthew 2: 1-12; Epiphany Sunday; Let us celebrate the manifestation of God in the form of a human, his son Jesus on this twelfth day of Christmas 3

Prayer Requests: December 15, 2013

Amber Angulo

Anonymous Malotte Family

Kelly McCuen

Ed Linberg

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. Joshua Reynolds, Jane Reynolds son, who is at Ft. Riley, KS dealing with PTSD and will be returning to Afghanistan soon. 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.

Senior Adults Met Tues., Dec. 17

The Senior Adult Ministry Group met this past Tuesday December 17 for our annual Christmas Tea. There were 30 of us present to enjoy the wonderful sandwiches, cookies, punch, tea and coffee in the beautifully decorated Chapman Lounge. Many thanks go to Jan and Mary for decorating and serving the goodies at the tea. Thanks also to Rod and Scott for setting up the room and to all those who contributed those goodies we enjoyed eating so much. We then moved to our beautiful sanctuary for our program of the Christmas Bells. Thanks to Jack for his prelude and accompaniment of the hymns and for setting up the sound. Thanks Shar for the lovely Bell Solo and Jack for accompanying her. Our readers were Barbara, Ada, Laura Lee, Sibyl, Sammie and Ted and our song leader was Ed who also filled in for Pastor Darrell who didnt make it back to give the benediction. Thanks to you for your willingness to participate and help to make the program so meaningful. Most importantly thanks to Donna who has so faithfully helped the seniors in so many ways throughout the past year. You are much appreciated for your efficient, pleasant and dedicated way of serving this church. We are so sorry if you werent able to join us for this celebration and look forward to seeing all of you in the coming year at the monthly meetings. Just as a reminder, we meet the third Tuesday of every month at 12 noon. We bring our lunch, share in fellowship and enjoy the many types of programs that are scheduled. Ted reminded all of us to get that day marked each month on our 2014 calendar so that we dont schedule doctors visits on that day. The next meeting will be Tuesday, January 21st at 12 noon. The program is TBA. MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR TO YOU ALL FROM OUR SENIOR MINISTRY.

The Senior Book Club

The Senior Book Club has chosen The Honk and Holler Opening Soon by Billie Letts as our next book. It is a story about finding what you need from life in some unsuspected places. It has some unique and interesting characters and deals with their generosity of spirit. We will meet on Thursday, January 23, 2014, at the church to discuss the book and Ed and Mariette Linberg will be our hosts. For those who like to plan ahead, we have already decided on a novel for March. It is Saving Cee Cee Honeycutt by Beth Hoffman. It is the delightful story of a little girl finding the love and acceptance that she was missing. We plan to meet at Leslie Becks home March 27, 2014, for our discussion of that book.

Thank You
Jan Farley and Mary Brill want to thank everyone who provided cookies, brownies and cucumber sandwiches for the Sr. Tea. They were delicious.

A "Call to the Groves" -Men's Fourth Annual Orange Picking Trip, Saturday, January 4
All men are invited to enjoy a great breakfast with Ed Linberg at Roberta's Village Inn at 2326 D Street in La Verne, and then pick next year's fresh orange crop at Heritage Park Orange Grove. We will meet in front of the church at 7:15 A.M. for those who wish to carpool. Breakfast is at 8:00, and Ed would appreciate RSVP's to reserve the right number of tables. Mark your 2014 calendar now for this special time. Ed has confirmed that 9:00 a.m. that morning is the opening of the groves for picking, so we will have complete choice of good oranges. (Note: In case of rain that morning, we will hold the next Saturday, Jan. 11, as our "rain out date.")

Youre Invited
Barbara and Bob Hasty invite you to share in a special time in their lives hosted by their son, Dr. Robert Hasty, Jr. They will be renewing their wedding vows and celebrating their Golden Wedding Anniversary on December 28 at 7:00 p.m. in the sanctuary of our church. Pastor Darrell will be doing the ceremony and reception will follow in Chapman Lounge. They are requesting no gifts but if you insist, please make a donation to Heifer International at www.heifer.org.

Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive

Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive will be Saturday, January 4, from 9:00 A.M. until noon at the following locations: Behind liquor store, corner of Chapman and Euclid. Parking lot east Raymond on Chapman Avenue next to Walgreens. Behind the Bank of America, on Laguna Road, between Bastanchury and Valencia Mesa.

January Birthdays
Tim Acquistapace (3); Eloise Smith (4); Sue Miller, Barry Woodbridge (6); Caitlyn Shiner (7); Kyra Iversen (8); Lee Laird, Joanne Scovill, Ted Witowich (10); Karl Diller (11); Kristoffer Witowich (13); Leandra Spontak (17) Jessica Tarbell (18); Shawn Wright (20); Sarah Bartczak(21); Bob Vannoy (23); Mark Booher (25); Kathy Davis, Dorothy Keech, Tammy Scovill (27); Kathie Witowich (28); Donna Harisis. Debra Todd (29

Is This For You?

We have space for five people to be part of a Mission Trip to Joplin, Missouri, March 1622. One spot belongs to Paige Richmond. Two spots may belong to Tom Beck and Dirk McCuen who have not yet confirmed their plans for this activity, though they both have expressed interest in going. Two more spots are available. We have funds on hand to assist members of our congregation who want to be part of this activity. We are also hoping to set up a Mission Trip this summer to Moore, Oklahoma. Craig Wallace has indicated this trip interests him. We'll hold a brief meeting after worship on Sunday, January 12, to discuss this matter in more detail: number of people who'd like to go, several dates re: Disciples Volunteering requests, etc. Please plan to join us for this discussion. The Outreach Ministry 5

Hot Meal Ministry

Team B is on tap to help out with our Hot Meals Ministry, Wednesday, January 1. Team Members should be there at 5:30 P.M. (set up at 4:30). Please find a substitute if you are unable to make it. Team B is comprised of: Luanne Bailey, Diane Daugherty, Duane & Phyllis Elliott (set-up), Phil Forbes, Mitch Hanlon, Sue Harless, Carol Henke, Paul Robidoux and Ben Stuart Alternates include: Rod Farley, Annie Frater, Judi Smedley, Craig Wallace

Worship Moments December 15, 2013

On December 8, a bus driver, whose everyday route along Harbor Blvd. caused him to grow curious about what happens in First Christian Church Fullerton, decided to visit our 10:15 worship service. When our pastor greeted him afterwards, he sent us this message: "I hope your people truly realize how very special is what they have here!" Those words would be equally if not even more appropriate for last Sunday's Christmas Cantata, Joseph Martin's "Season of Wonder," arranged and produced by our music director, Mitch Hanlon. If you experienced that worship service, nothing more needs to be said. If not, ask the church office for a CD recording of that service and discover the beauty of what all happened. Thinking back to our visitor's comment to us, we can be grateful we still have the wonderful opportunity to have a Cantata each year. Many churches today no longer have the volunteer hours, the talented musical leadership nor diverse support required to sustain such an endeavor. We are blessed, and with our bus driver visitor, we thank God for the director, the singers, the piano and flute accompanists, the narrators, yes, even the three videoed wise men who delighted in this great thing God has done in our midst! The director wishes to thank the folks who help behind the scenes without whom such events couldn't happen: Jack Townsend, Donna Woodbridge, David Styffe, Sharlane Blakeley, PJ Vannoy and Craig Wallace.

For Your Listening And Viewing Pleasure As Advent Ends And Christmas Arrives
Christmas music fills the airwaves these days. Two sources of that music that may be of interest to you are the following. First, Chapman University's annual Wassail Dinner Concert, taped on December 6th and 7th, will be shown on KCET on these dates and at these times: Saturday, December 21 at 8 P.M.; Monday December 23 at 8 P.M.; and Tuesday, December 24 at 2 P.M. Nicole Coffaro, who was one of our soloists in the cantata this past Sunday and whose parents, Dave and Carrie are members of our congregation, was featured as a soloist with the Chapman University Singers in one of these concerts. She may be featured in these presentations since she shared a solo with another student who sang on Saturday night, while Nicole performed the same solo on Friday night. Second, KUSC, 91.5 on your radio dial, will broadcast live the annual Service of Nine Lessons and Carols from Kings College, Cambridge, England at 7 A.M. on Christmas Eve, December 24. If you've never heard this broadcast tune in to hear it with its traditional beginning of one boy soprano singing the first stanza of "Once in Royal David's City" who is then joined by the Choir and the congregation. There's lots of other glorious Christmas music on the PBS Station, KOCE, including this year's Christmas program of the St. Olaf Choir, one of the most outstanding college choirs in the world located in Northfield, Minnesota. Check their website and/or your TV guide for dates and times of this broadcast, plus many others.

We Get Letters And A Phone Cal

Greetings Friends: "Please accept my sincerest thanks on behalf of Loch Leven and all who benefit from the ministries of this sacred place. The ongoing support of the Outreach Ministry makes a tangible difference in our success as an organization each year. None of our ministries continue without caring for the infrastructure. FCC Fullerton has always understood this important need and your influence surrounds us here. In the past few years, your help with our tractor purchase, workshop roof and now Campbell Lodge project support has been instrumental in helping us achieve our goal in getting Loch Leven to a sustainable business model for years to come. Thank you again!" Blessings, Sloan Hamilton. Sloan Hamilton is the Manager of Loch Leven Conference Center. Her note comes in response to our gift to Loch Leven through the distribution of the profit from the Tri-Tip Project. Dear Friends: "This letter comes with the sincere thanks of Global Ministries for your recent gift of $260. As you have indicated, $60 will be used in its entirety to support ministries through Caminante in the Dominican Republic; $170 will be used to support the Congo radio project in the Democratic Republic of Congo, and $30 will be used to support the appointment of missionaries, all through the Alternative Christmas Program. We appreciate your special giving of important resources to the work of Global Ministries." Sincerely, Jane Sullivan-Davis Reverend Davis is the Executive for Resource Development for Global Ministries, based in Indianapolis. This gift was part of our 2013 Alternative Christmas Faire. We also got a phone call from O.C. Habitat for Humanity thanking us for our gift to them from the Tri-Tip Project proceeds. The note from Sloan and the letter from Jane are posted on the bulletin board.

Christmas Offering Wraps Up On Sunday

The annual Christmas Offering, our final special offering for this year, wraps up on Sunday. Gifts toward the Christmas Offering total $523 to date toward the $1,000 goal that was set by the Outreach Ministry for the 2013 Christmas Offering. Please use the special offering envelope to make your gift on Sunday, or, if you do not have an envelope, please write "Christmas Offering" on the memo line of your check. Thanks for your generous support of the Christmas Offering. We remind you that 100% of our Christmas Offering is supports the vibrant ministry of the Regional Church, i.e. the Pacific Southwest Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of which our congregation is a vital part. That ministry includes these things. . . . Camps for children and youth; . . . Leadership empowerment of men, women and youth; . . . Miracle Week; . . . Support of seminarians, i.e. future ministers for our congregations; . . . Congregational renewal and transformation; . . . Loch Leven Conference Center; . . . Clergy Support, plus Search and Call; . . . New Church Development; and . . . Unit Ministries such as Eastmont Community Center and Project Impact. Again, we are grateful for our congregation's solid support of our multiple outreach ministries in Fullerton, Southern California and around the world! The Outreach Ministry

Advent & Christmas Events

As usual, Advent worship experiences will also occur at 8 A.M. (Reawaken) December 22 Christmas Sunday Fourth Sunday of Advent (Love Candle)

December 24 Christmas Eve (Christ Candle)

December 25 Christmas Day Office Closed

Church Christmas Card Display

In an effort to be a more green church and save some money in the process, we invite you to wish a Merry Christmas" to the entire congregation with one card by hanging it on the garland that is available in the Narthex on Sunday mornings until Christmas. You can also mail it to the church office at 109 E. Wilshire Avenue, Fullerton, CA 92832 and we will post it for you. When filling out your Christmas cards this year, take one of your cards and send a thoughtful note to this address: Holiday Mail for Heroes, P.O. Box 5456, Capitol Heights, Maryland 20791-5456

Holiday Poinsettias
Its time to order poinsettias to decorate our sanctuary during the Advent Season. The cost is $8.50 each. Return the form below with a check made out to First Christian Church, mark poinsettias in the memo line. Please order me/us _____poinsettia/s, for $8.50 each. From:_____________________________________________________________________________ In Memory of/In Honor of (choose one) ____________________________________________________________________________________

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 December 22, 2013

Greeters: Barry & Donna Woodbridge Guest Book: Scott Brill Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: McCuen Sound: Clare Keech Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Cam Malotte Childrens Moment: Emily Steward-Styffe Elders: Chris Fee, Kathy Robidoux, Janelle Vannoy Diaconate: Pauls Team Prepare: Paul Robidoux, Bev Reinke Ushers: Paul Robidoux, Linda Johnen Serve: Luanne Bailey, Rod Farley, Linda Johnen, Alyssa & Paul Robidoux, Anna & Dwain Van Diest, Janelle Vannoy, Clean Up: Luanne Bailey, Rod & Jan Farley Alternate: Anna Van Diest

Serving December 29, 2013

Greeters: Youth Guest Book: Phil Forbes Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Angulo Sound: Kyle Fought Video: Clare Keech Lay Leader: Craig Wallace Childrens Moment: Alice Wallace Elders: Joshua Dorrough, Sharlane Blakeley, Emily Malotte Diaconate: Pauls Team Prepare: Paul Robidoux, Janelle Vannoy Ushers: Rod Farley, Beverly Reinke Serve: Nancy Malotte, Alyssa & Paul Robidoux, Anna & Dwain Van Diest, Janelle Vannoy, Clean Up: Cam & Nancy Malotte, Beverly Reinke Alternate: Luanne Bailey, Linda Johnen