FCC-Fullerton Caller

The CALLER

is published weekly

(every other week in July/August)

First Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)

109 E Wilshire Avenue

Fullerton CA 92832

714-525-5525

Sr. Pastor - Rev. Darrell McGowan

Associate Pastor - Dr. Ed Linberg

EVENTS FOR December 21 –January 4 AT FCC:
December 21:
8:00 a.m. - NO Early Worship Service
9:00 a.m. - Sunday School for all ages

10:10 a.m. - Worship, Luke 1: 26-30 Choir Cantata
11:30 a.m. - Youth Fundraiser (Calendars)

5:00 p.m. - Beal/Nolan Wedding
7:00 p.m. - Gifts of Love Service

8:00 p.m. – AA, Fellowship Hall

December 22:

December 23:

7:00 p.m. - Contemplative Service
7:30 p.m. - NA, Fellowship Hall

December 24:   Office Closed - Donna on vacation
       7:00 p.m.- Christmas Eve Service
December 25:   Office Closed – Merry Christmas
December 26:   Office Closed - Donna on vacation
      7:30 p.m.- AA Meeting, Fellowship Hall
December 27:
      8:30 p.m.– AA Meeting, Fellowship Hall

December 28: Baptism Sunday

8:00 a.m - Early Worship Service
9:00 a.m.- Sunday School for all ages

10:10 a.m. - Worship, Luke 2:22-40
11:30 a.m. - Youth Fundraiser (Calendars)

December 29:
December 30:

7:00 p.m. - Contemplative Service

December 31:
7:00 p.m. – Midnight - First Night Fundraiser for HMM

January 1: Happy New Year

January 2:

January 3:
9:00 a.m. – Noon, Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive

January 4:

8:00 a.m. - Early Worship Service
9:00 a.m. -Sunday School for all ages

Diaconate Training

10:10 a.m. - Worship,
11:30 a.m. - Youth Fundraiser (Green Bags & Quarters for ISN)

Madeleine L’Engle, a wonderful teller of stories and spirited author writes:

There is also a legend that Mary was not the first young woman to whom the angel came. But she was the first one to say yes.

And how unsurprising it would be for a fourteen-year-old girl to refuse the angel. To be disbelieving. Or to say:

“Are you sure you mean—

but I’m unworthy—

I couldn’t anyhow—

I’d be afraid, No, no,

it’s inconceivable, you can’t be asking me—

I know it’s a great honor

but wouldn’t it upset them all,

both our families?

They’re very proper, you see.

Do I have to answer now?

I don’t want to say no—

it’s what every girl hopes for

even if she won’t admit it.

But I can’t commit myself to anything

this important without turning it over

in my mind for a while

and I should ask my parents

and I should ask my—

Let me have a few days to think it over.”

(—from And It Was Good: Reflections on Beginnings, pp. 250-251)

Jesus gave one command to his disciples, “love one another as I have loved you.” As you gather with family or friends to celebrate Christmas, trust that God has given you everything you need to say “yes” to Jesus and his one command. Go into those gatherings with confidence that you can move through every challenging encounter along with all the pleasant exchanges and love those God brings into your circle. Don’t worry about the outcome of any encounter—you can’t control the outcomes. Just do your small piece of footwork and love you neighbor. Say “yes” to God, say “yes” to Jesus and know that God will provide anything else required for your faithful response to Jesus’ command.

Merry Christmas church family,

Chi Rho and CYF

This week there is no youth meeting at 1:00. Plan to attend Gifts of Love at 7:00 and help with the Sunday School Christmas Program. I will need help with any of you who are available to be in the Live Nativity scene during the Christmas Eve Service. Please let me know if you are available. So far we have the Vannoy family as Mary, Joseph and baby Jesus. John you wanted to be an angel, Emily S. I think you were a wiseman, and Emily M. a shepherd. Ooops I might have that backwards. As you can tell I need as many youth as possible to complete the scene.

Then on Dec. 28 we will have a meeting at 1:00. Ice Breaker is Bryan, the study is "Calm in the storm" led by Cambria, worship is Kristyn, recreation Emily S, and refreshments Alyssa.

Also don't forget on Dec. 28, the worship leaders for the church service are, lay leader - Cambria and children's moment - Kristyn. Let me know if that's a problem.

See ya, Sue

Remember in Prayer

Continue to pray for: Marge Barlow, Linda Christman, Chris Collett, Kathy Davis, Laurie Davis-Ybarra, Greg Elsasser, Lorna and Skip Farnum, Theresa Hickman, Anna Lou Horspool, Kevin Johnen, Cindy Matney, Flora Miller, Brenda Morey, Ruby Ramos, Wes Rollo, The Smedley Family, Ed Smith, Barbara Tucker, Bob Vannoy, Betty Warner, and the Mehaffeys. The PSWR publishes a weekly prayer calendar to pray for the churches of the Region. Please pray for:

Eastmont Community Center

701 S. Hoefner

Los Angeles, CA 90022
Teresa Palacios, Exec. Director

Save the Date!

Pastoral Partners Luncheon, Feb 8, 2009

Gifts of Love

Tonight is our “Gifts of Love” Christmas Program. You are invited to bring a Gift of Love. Your gift can be a homemade goody (like a plate of cookies or brownies,) a special craft, or something that just represents you or your family. Helpful elves will be waiting in the Narthex to exchange your gift for a ticket. The elves will mix up the gifts and later, Santa will distribute a new gift to each family with a ticket. Refreshments will be served following the gift exchange, and Ben and Julie Stuart will be taking pictures with Santa, at no charge, for all who wish to participate. Join us for this celebration of love!

Santa’s Elves

Santa Photos to Benefit Disciple Men’s Fellowship

Time is running out to get that photo with Santa. Rainbow Photographics (owned by Ben & Julie Stuart) will be closing their Santa Photos on Dec 24. The location is in the Placentia Town Center on the corner of Bradford and Yorba Linda Blvd. in Placentia between Office Max and Ross Dress for Less. You will receive the same quality photos as you would in the mall without the long lines and high prices.

A percentage of the revenue will be given to the DMF to further their planting project designed for shut-ins and senior citizen homes.

If you are planning a visit to Santa, please make it this one. Thank you and Merry Christmas from Rainbow Photographic Productions!

Please keep Richard and Kathy Reeves in your prayers as Richard’s stepfather passed away this week. They will be travelling north for a memorial service this weekend.

Did you know?

Frances Shapiro will be 95 years young on December 30. Happy Birthday, Frances.

Diaconate Training
All new diaconate members and returning members who would like a refresher, are encouraged to meet me in the narthex at 9:00 a.m. Sunday Jan 4 for training.

Thanks so much! - Leslie

Name Tag Sunday

The first Sunday of every month is Name Tag Sunday. Be sure to grab your name tag from the holder in the narthex before entering the sanctuary. If you don’t have a name tag, supplies are available. You can help the new folks get to know everyone by wearing your name tag.

January Birthdays

Tim Acquistapace (3); Barry Woodbridge (6); Caitlyn Shiner (7); Kyra Iversen (8); Lee Laird, Joanne Scovill, Ted Witowich (10); Karl Diller (12); Kristoffer Witowich (13); ; Jessica Tarbell (18); Shawn Wright (20)Sarah Barcyzk(21), Bob Vannoy (23); Mark Booher (25); Kathy Davis, Jackie Doughty, Dorothy Keech, Tammy Scovill (27); Kathie Witowich (28);Donna Harisis (29) Leslie Evans (30)

If you have a January birthday and it does not appear here, please call Donna so we can get you on the calendar. Thanks

SIS Group

The first meeting for 2009 of the 'Sisters in Spirit' (SIS) group will be Friday, January 9th at 6 pm (the second Friday) in Chapman lounge. The 'SIS' meeting has been and will continue to be on the first Friday of every month at 6pm with this one exception in January due to the New Year's holiday. All women are invited to attend ... all you need is a smile and a desire to be in service. Hope to see you there!

The Date Has Been Set!

The date has been set to build a house in Mexico! It’s Saturday, January 31. The rain date is February 21. If you want or plan to go, there is a sign-up sheet on the counter in the church office. More information in the next Caller.

World Outreach

Another Opportunity to Serve!

The Department of Spiritual Care at Kaiser Permanente – Anaheim Medical Center is offering a free 40 hour training program which will be held on Tuesday Mornings from 9:30 a.m. – 12:30 p.m. beginning January 13, 2009. In this course you will learn skills for providing spiritual care to people who are homebound, hospitalized or anyone who is in need of prayerful support and council.. Call Chaplain Karen @ 714-279-4300 for more information and/or to reserve a place in this class.

A Heart for the Homeless

In a few weeks (January 10 to January 24 to be exact), we will be hosting the Interfaith Shelter Network Homeless Program (ISN for short), a branch ministry of the Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services (FIES). We need volunteers to help provide dinners, lunch fixin’s, transportation to the laundromat, and overnight supervision. Beginning Sunday, December 28 you will find a sign-up sheet in the narthex.

If you are looking for a ministry where you can get involved and really make a difference in someone’s lives, won’t you join this program and help give a hand up not a hand out to someone in need.

Thank you,

Donna & Barry Woodbridge, Coordinators

We have two new learning opportunities set to begin right after the first of the year. One is a new Elective Class on Parenting. It begins on Sunday, January 4 at 9:00 a.m. in Room 107 with Cam and Nancy Malotte serving as co-leaders. The other is a new seven-week Bible Study dealing with Jesus' parables set for Thursday afternoon and evening beginning on January 8 at 3:30 p.m. and 7 p.m. respectively. Chris Fee and Ed Linberg will co-lead the afternoon session. Ed Linberg will lead the evening session. We need to order the resources for the Elective Class tomorrow, December 22, so if you're interested in the class on parenting sign-up today. We need to order the student books for the course on Jesus' parables no later than December 29, so you have another week to register for this Bible Study.

Concerning the Study of Jesus’ Parables

Many people think of Jesus' parables as "nice stories that teach a moral, or lessons that are more interesting because they are told in story form." However, the truth is that the parables "can open our minds to ideas that are profound and often complex." In fact, it's possible for the parables to "change our lives." If these potential experiences stimulate your interest, you are invited to be part of the seven-session Bible Study on the parables that begins on Thursday, January 8. Our regular participants would be delighted to have some new persons involved in Bible Study with them. The specific themes of this course will have us engaging parables of growth, of reversal, of preparedness, of decision and of treasure. Start the new year by treating yourself to an encounter with Jesus' parables.

After the Holidays

Those who participated in "Getting Through the Holidays," a program that was offered on November 5 agreed to have a follow-up meeting after the holidays. They will meet on Wednesday, January 7 at 7 p.m. in the Choir Room. Even if you did not come to the gathering on November 5, you'll be welcome to share in this follow-up meeting during which we will share our experiences of dealing with our losses during the 2008 holiday season. For more information about this gathering speak to Ed Linberg.

Disciples Men’s Fellowship

We will be changing the January meeting to Jan. 10 at 8 a.m. in Fellowship Hall. We will be working on coordinating a Feb. meeting with other nearby DMF groups, and decide what schedule everyone wants for 2009.

Hope to see you there.

Flowers for our Sanctuary

You will find a flower calendar for 2009 on the inside door of the bulletin board above the credenza in the Narthex.

You may bring your own flowers, order them and have them delivered, or call Donna in the office, give her an amount to spend, what you would like and she will order them for you. Sign up early to get the special dates you want. They do go early

Preschool Wants Your Ink Cartridges

The Preschool is recycling ink cartridges to help the environment, If you would like to help, there is a box in the Narthex. Just bring your old ink cartridges, put in the box and the Preschool will do the rest. Thank you for your support.

CynDee Allen, Director

Hot Meal Ministry

Team B, it’s your turn to serve up a tasty dinner for our Hot Meal Ministry on Wednesday, January 7, 2009. Team Members should be there at 5:00 p.m. Please find a substitute if you are unable to make it.

Team B is: Diane Daugherty, Mitch Hanlon, Sue Harless, Theresa Hickman, Kathy Reeves, Paul Robidoux, Craig & Alice Wallace(set-up), Ben & Julie Stuart and Dorothy Tanner.

Alternates include Gracie Beal, Rod Farley, Dirk McCuen, and Judi Smedley.

Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive
The Chapel on Wheels Paper Drive will be held on Saturday, January 3, from 9:00 A.M. until noon at the following locations:

-Behind “5-12” store, corner of Chapman and Euclid.

-Parking lot east of Raymond on Chapman behind Walgreens

-Behind the Bank of America, on Laguna Road, between Bastanchury and Valencia Mesa.

If you can help “man” one of the collection points each month, quarterly, or just once, talk to Jack Doughty.

Habitat for Humanity Invite

You are invited to attend the dedication of Fullerton Habitat Homes for
The Gomez’s and Vasquez’s, 413 W. Valencia Drive, Fullerton, CA 92832. on Saturday, January 10, 10 :00 – 11:00 a.m. Registration begins at 9:30 a.m. Light refreshments will be served.

RSVP by Tuesday, January 6 to Sarah McGuire at 714-434-6200 ext 223. or email sarahm@habitatoc.org.

A Huge Thank You

The 2008 Fullerton's Farmer's Market, held on Thursdays, ran longer than in the past. Instead of quitting in mid-October, the Farmer's Market ran almost until to the Thanksgiving Holiday. This meant our dedicated group of volunteers who sell the tri-tip and bratwurst sandwiches to benefit Heifer International, Habitat for Humanity and more outreach ministries put in "more hours than ever before." The final profit from the 2008 sales set a new record—approximately $25,000. This is how these dollars will be spent.

Heifer International, $17,500 (That's three arks!) ($2500 in May for Crop Walk)

FIES, $1000

Fullerton CROP Hunger Walk, 2009 - $500 (This will make our church one of the sponsors of this event for the first time. Sponsors assure that all costs associated with putting on the CROP Hunger Walk are paid for in advance so that all funds raised by the event go to support international and local ministries to help hungry people.)

Mexico Build - $3,000

Loch Leven - $1,000

Kitchen Projects - $1,593

None of these dollars would be available for these important ministries without the dedicated service of men and women who staff this project week in and week out from April to almost Thanksgiving Day. Those persons were: Jim Bailey, Paul Smith, Mike Silva, Rod Farley, Bob Vannoy, Duane Elliott, Phyllis Elliott and Darla Parick. Others who helped from time to time, as needed, included Barbara Fenters, Craig Wallace, Richard Graves, Blanca Vergara and Donna Vannoy . This great project generates a great amount of money for a wide variety of very important outreach ministries. About 1/5 to 1/4 of our total outreach giving for 2008 will likely come from this source once we have the final figures for outreach giving this year!

Forty-One Share in Seniors’ Christmas Tea

The Sr. Adult Ministry's Annual Christmas tea this past Tuesday had 41 persons present for a great afternoon of food, fellowship and inspiration. The food--Christmas goodies galore--was coordinated by Jan Farley, with help from Rod Farley, Donna Vannoy, Phyllis Elliott and Lynda Bailey--plus donations of cookies and sweets from many people. The program--a dramatic reading of the classic Christmas story, "The Littlest Angel,"--was developed and coordinated by Barbara Fenters. She was ably assisted by Ted and Sammie Adams who introduced the program and by three readers: Bob Rill, Julie Stuart and Susie Wright. Jack Townsend provided accompaniment for the singing of the carols Barbara had chosen to be interspersed through the reading. Sammie Adams developed and sent out the invitations and coordinated transportation for those who needed rides. The event got rave reviews from those who were present. The first program of 2009 will feature our own Ben Stuart. He was our "man in Beijing" for the 2008 Olympic Games so he'll be sharing pictures and stories of his experiences as part of the NBA's delegation to Beijing last summer. Ben will present this program on Tuesday, January 20th, at Noon in Chapman Lounge. Put the third Tuesday of each month on your calendar for next year and plan to be part of the Sr. Adult Ministry in 2009.

Congratulations

Congratulations to Jason Fee who is graduating this month with a B.A. in Business Economics from U.C. Riverside. He is in the process of looking for a job. We wish him luck in his endeavors.

Christmas - Calendar of Events

December 24: office closed, Donna on vacation.

Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 p.m.

December 25: Merry Christmas holiday - office closed

December 26: office closed, Donna on vacation.

December 28:
Baptisms

December 31:
First Night, 7:00 p.m. - Midnight

Beautiful Holiday Poinsettias
You can still purchase a beautiful 6” poinsettia to help decorate our sanctuary and then you can take it home after Christmas Eve Service and decorate your own home? The cost is still only $8.00. (We have a few left that have not been purchased.) We will list those who provided poinsettias in the Dec. 28 bulletin. Return the form below with a check made out to First Christian Church. Worship Committee

Please order me/us one poinsettia, for $8.00.

From:
________________________________________________________________________________

In Memory of/In Honor of (choose one
____________________________________________________________

Patty Emerson adopted the “Advent Challenge” long ago.

Here is a letter that Patty wrote to the Orange County Register regarding her challenge beginning in January of 2008:

Dear Jan/OC Local News,

Last year I read an article in the paper written by you entitled "In God's economy." It was about a La Habra Heights couple who challenged themselves to work together for a life-changing dream. This article touched me, I cut it out of the paper, and I hung it on my refrigerator (see the attachment). During the New Year's holiday, I thought about how so many people make resolutions about themselves, for themselves, and although I am not one to make New Year's resolutions, I decided to make one. My challenge was to make an earnest effort to give of myself every week for a cause: your article on my refrigerator was a constant reminder.

Since I had worked for over 13 years in the East Whittier School District giving of myself to children, it was easy to pick children as my mission. For several weeks I had pondered what I would do, and it finally came to me that I would help homeless children for Christmas 2008. I would create a package of goodies that I felt "every child" needed. My concept would be what I would title "a bear bag." Each bag would have a huggable teddy bear, a warm blanket, a book to read, a lunch bag with a hair brush, toothbrush, and toothpaste, and it would all be tied up with a jump rope, placed in a clear bag, wrapped with a holiday bow, and have a tag reading what every child should have (see attachment).

My hope was to create 52 of these bags by Christmas, one per week, and try not to spend over $20 per bag as my budget would allow. I went to dollar stores for deals on books, jump ropes and cosmetic items, CVS for after-holiday clearance on bears, to Wal-Mart for fleece throws, and to the internet to a great site that sells teddy bears at a reasonable price.

I can't tell you how this project touched me, and I haven't even delivered the bear bags yet. Each time I wrapped a bag I felt this overpowering joy knowing what it would mean to a homeless child to receive such an unexpected gift. I went to my pastor at First Christian Church of Fullerton about my project, and he referred me to FIES (Fullerton Interfaith Emergency Services), and I now have plans to deliver my bear bags on December 23rd in time for the homeless parents to pick up a gift for their child before Christmas.

I now look at the 52 bears that I have placed temporarily by my Christmas tree (see attachments), knowing how that one article in your paper inspired me. Sharing my story is not about what "I have done," but how it will inspire yet someone else to do what they can do every day to make a difference.

It does not end here, because this project gave me a purpose which I now can not release. I am already planning a new project for 2009 that will involve the young adults coming out of foster care who have to go out into the world on their own with so very little. I am now "hooked on helping" those less fortunate.

Thank you for your time, and thank you for the inspiration.

Sincerely,

Patty Emerson

1923 Berkshire Drive

Fullerton, CA 92833

714-871-0070

for.emerson@sbcglobal.net

Council on Christian Unity (Christian Church Disciples of Christ)

Dear Friends,

It has been both an exciting and a challenging year in the life of the Council on Christian Unity. For my annual Christmas letter I was beginning to summarize the highlights, successes, and positive decisions made in the ecumenical mission of the Church over the past 12 months.

All that changed in a visit from my seven-year-old grandson, Trace, when he asked the question: “Poppy, what does ‘Noel’ mean? You know, like the name of the carol we are singing again this year in school.” Of course, I knew – but wanting to use this opportunity to help in Trace’s educational experience, we turned to a dictionary and found the exact definition: ‘Noel’ is the French word for ‘Christmas.’

Happy and satisfied with his new knowledge, Trace skipped off singing:

“They looked up and saw a star, shining in the East beyond them far.

And to the earth it gave great light, and so it continued both day and night,

Noel, Noel, Noel, Noel ….”

My thought turned to the image and imaginations of stars: Unity – our polar star;
Christmas – the star in the East. And then there were those Maji who looked up, and followed, and brought their gifts.

At that moment, I felt that this Christmas letter should be more about the vision than about the CCU’s recent achievements or accomplishments:

In a world where we are so tempted to look down, faith invites us to lift our eyes above the problems, the divisions, the economy, the injustice, and to believe that God still works bringing peace, hope and love.

As followers of Christ, we are called not to a final destination but to share in a journey that leads to God’s own Son bringing us anew into one family, one body, one church.

And like the Magi, we are moved to offer our gifts, -- to glorify God, and in witness to the unity of Christians everywhere: a sign of God’s abiding love for all.

Noel…may the Star of Christmas shine brightly upon you this Holy Season and into the New Year.

In Christ’s love,

Robert Welsh

Darrell

Donna

Holly

Shar

Mitch

Matt

Jack

Jeanni

Linberg’s Line
I share these words of William Shakespeare about the holy seasons of Advent and Christmas under the title, "Bird of Dawning."

"Some say that ever 'gainst that season comes

Wherein our Saviour's birth is celebrated,

The bird of dawning singeth all night long;

And then, they say, no spirit dare stir abroad;

The nights are wholesome; then no planets strike,

No fairy takes, nor witch hath power to charm

So hallow'd and gracious is that time."

The last line raises a question for me. What makes this time of the year hallowed and gracious? I'm sure each of us has many answers for that question. My answers include the wonder of Advent/Christmas worship services, the music of the season in which I always immerse myself, the timeless truth of the many fictional stories about Christmas, such as Dickens' classic, A Christmas Carol, messages from friends across the miles as well as across the years, time spent with families and the great treats that come from the kitchen once a year.

Bonnie Carenen, an Intern with the Week of Compassion, wrote an Advent reflection that I received through the weekly e-mail from the WOC Office. It offers another way for us to be aware of the hallowed and gracious manner of this time. She observes that Isaiah provides many references to the city and the desert, both of which were places where "traditionally dark forces were known to dwell." She wrote:

Cities were crowded, noisy, anonymous, dangerous. Armies were more likely to attack city centers where power and wealth were centralized; diseases could travel quickly with so many people living so close together. Deserts were barren, distant and potentially deadly. If something happened in the desert, there was no one to hear your cry, no one willing or able to help."

Yet, she reminds us, that it is from Isaiah that we receive the great image of God coming in triumph through the desert with the call to "prepare the way of the Lord" by creating "a highway for our God!" (Isaiah 40:3)

She then suggests "Advent is a desert season." In it, we are called "to use this time as a vantage point to see our lives as the prophets saw the world. We also can see that the world we live in is not the world as God created it to be." She declared: "Isaiah cries out still. And standing here in the desert of Advent, we can hear it calling to us. In verse six the prophet asks back: "What shall I cry?" (Isaiah 40:6) "What shall we cry? How shall we respond to the brokenness of God's world, and the relationships between all God's people?"

Finally, she points to the reason why this season is "hallowed and gracious." In fact, she tells us how all seasons can be "hallowed and gracious" by reminding us that our work through the Week of Compassion "aims to hear the one crying in the wilderness and to respond with mercy and justice." She concluded her thoughts with this comment.

"Through our partners Week of Compassion is positioned in cities and villages and rural outposts all over the world, to be poised to respond in the event of a natural or human disaster. Week of Compassion hears the call during Advent and every day, around the world and around the year. We understand that disasters don't affect just one person, and that hurt isn't healed in a day."

Our giving of ourselves and our resources through Week of Compassion, or through the many other avenues available to us, makes this season "hallowed and gracious." More important it is the way to make the whole year "hallowed and gracious."

A blessed Christmas to all of you from Mariette and me! We are honored to be your partners in ministry!