FIRST PRESS
Volume 50, Issue 4
FIRST PRESBYTERIAN
CHURCH OF
SAN BERNARDINO
1900 North D Street
San Bernardino, CA
92405
Office 882-3308
FAX 882-0888
www.fpcsb.net
The Rev. Dr. Sandy Tice
Pastor
The Rev. Steve Smith
Melinda Rueda
Ministry of Visitation
William Lee
Inquirer
Eliecer Barrantes
Director of Youth Ministry
Wendy Lamb
Intern
Stephanie Fletcher
Intern
The Rev. Jim Huffstutler
Pastor Emeritus
SUNDAY SCHEDULE:
Adult Ed. & Sunday School
9:30 a.m.
Worship
10:30 a.m.
Coffee Fellowship
11:30 a.m.
It is the Mission of First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino,
inspired by the Holy Spirit, to proclaim the good news of the Gospel
of Jesus Christ through worship and
celebration, and teaching and learning, so that lives are transformed
and members are encouraged to
use their special gifts to care for
and value, as God's Beloved, each
other and the community in which
we live.
April 2013
Make Resurrection Real!
By SANDY TICE
Last week 20 of us stood in the sanctuary that had just been decked with palms and said to one
another, “why do we do this?”
We reflected that we want the space in which we worship to reflect the great Story we are retelling, so that we can not only hear God’s Word, but see it and feel it and know it. Many congregations share our enthusiasm, and deck their sanctuary with dozens of Easter lilies and such. We
prefer our worship to be “Handmade”- crafted from the things we have tended in our homes all
year, made with our hands and our hearts, beautified with what we have to share. This is our offering to God as we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus on Easter.
With that in mind, all are invited (no experience needed!) to bring flowers, budding branches, and
greenery from your yard (or your neighbor’s!), and to bring your clippers or scissors, and to help
us transform our sanctuary from the darkness of Maundy Thursday when Jesus goes out to die,
to the beauty of a garden that proclaims resurrection joy! Come join us on the day before Easter,
at 9 a.m., and be part of this small miracle of expressing our love and gratitude to God!
Blessings for Us, Blessings for Others
By MIMI LANGE
Have you noticed the new tables?
After thoughtful consideration (and a few tales of bloodshed), the Session decided to replace all
the old wooden-topped folding tables. The new resin-topped tables are sturdier, far less likely to
break, and a lot lighter to move around, set up, and take down again. And even if the top should
break, it won’t leave any splinters to stab someone in the hand. And, oh yeah, they look good,
too.
We have donated some of the old round-topped tables (the ones in somewhat better shape) to the
New Beginnings Church in Fontana, led by Pastor Bruce Myers. New Beginnings has been borrowing a few from us each month for their activities. Now they won’t have to bring them back,
saving time, gasoline, and strained muscles.
And perhaps you haven’t noticed, but we have also had some extensive roof repairs done on the
education wing, which make the ChildCare Center and our Church School drier and more pleasant
places to work, learn and play.
And all of this is possible through the care and benevolence of past members and friends, such as
Barbara Maupin and Norma Lunn, who bequeathed gifts to the church. And their lives, which
gave so much to the church, go on giving after they are gone, not only to this church, but to the
friends and families of students at the ChildCare Center, to the New Beginnings Church in
Fontana and all the lives it will touch.
We are very grateful for the custody funds created in memory of Barbara Maupin and Norma
Lunn.
PAGE 2
FIRST PRESS
VOLUME 50, ISSUE 4
A Teaching Church
By SANDY TICE
A year ago we began to talk about ourselves as ‘a teaching congregation’.
This began when the first seminary
intern (William Lee) came to us, having
heard this was a good place to learn
about ministry. The idea has caught
on as we have welcomed another seminary intern, Eliecer, and two NONseminary interns: Stephanie and
Wendy. (As far as I know, we are the
only church that offers an internship for
non-seminarians who want to explore
their gifts for leadership and ministry.
The Session invented this idea last
spring, and it has been an incredible
success!) As the academic year comes
to a close, all 3 interns will reflect on
their experiences in worship: April 7
will be Intern Sunday. You will hear 3
very different people talk about what
God has been up to in their lives, what
they are learning from this congregation, what they have discovered about
their own gifts, and what they see in us.
It will be extraordinary.
At the same time, we are making pro-
gress in our partnership with San Bernardino High School. At the request of
principal Sandra Rodriguez, we are providing 1500 notes of encouragement for
students taking high-pressure tests, and
snacks to show that we care and are
thinking of them. When I go to the office,
the receptionists recognize me, and every
other week I go over to pick up fresh flowers for my desk, arranged by their floral
arranging class. We believe in the mission of teachers, and we believe that education is the best way to move from out of
poverty, and so we are in support of the
mission of the school across the street.
We are a church that believes in teaching
and learning.
Finally, on the first Sunday in May we will
celebrate the Fellowship of the Carpenter
kids who are graduating from high school
this month. They (along with the rest of
the youth group) will lead us in worship on
Youth Sunday, reflecting on their experience of God and the faith and learning
they take with them as they prepare for
new things.
I think the image of “a Teaching Church”
Tattoos on the Heart
By DOTTI GARCIA
During the month of April, the adult class in Fireside Lounge will focus on the
book, Tattoos on the Heart: The Power of Boundless Compassion, by Gregory Boyle. Boyle is a Jesuit priest, who has worked with gang members in
the Boyle Heights area of Los Angeles for 20 years. He founded the HomeBoy Industries as a way to help gang members become productive citizens.
Anne Lamott, author of Grace (Elementary), says: “[this book]… about suffering and dignity, death and resurrection, one of my favorite books in years.
It is lovely and tough and tender beyond my ability to describe and left me in
tears of both sorrow and laughter.” Tattoos on the Heart is a series of parables distilled from Father Boyle’s twenty years in the barrio. These essays
offer a stirring look at how full our lives could be if we could find the joy in
loving others and in being loved unconditionally. This book reminds us that
no life is less valuable than another.
Several people have purchased the book; however, printed material will be
available in class for those who do not have the book. Material for the class
on April 7 will be available on Easter Sunday, March 31.
is useful in this chapter in American history. Once, a new member would come to
the church as part of a young couple,
typically carrying a baby. They would join
if they felt at home, and then stay for 25
or 30 years, raising their child and volunteering in various ministries. Life in the
US and particularly in San Bernardino in
this decade is much more mobile. Now, a
member may only stay with us for the 3
years they are in graduate school, or for 2
years, until they move to another city, or
for a while- until they graduate from seminary. But that is not a failure! They have
blessed us, and we have blessed them,
we have grown in Christ and God is glorified! A school does not expect even the
most passionate participants to stay forever- they stay for a season, and move
on, carrying with them new knowledge
and strength and grace. Those who remain behind can be proud and glad, and
can welcome newcomers with anticipation and excitement. What would it be
like if we felt that way about each person
that comes into our midst, grateful that
God has brought us together, and joyful
at how far our ministry reaches?
Bible Study for Adults
of All Ages
By ROGER LYONS
There is no class on Easter Sunday. After
that, Bereans study will turn to a discussion of
the Resurrection Hope. Beginning in the
Gospel of Luke 22:14-30, we will study the
Last Supper, the resurrection of Jesus, and
the coming of the Holy Spirit on Pentecost. A
major component of a life lived for Christ is
service. So let us explore together how to
serve Christ and to serve others.
We can all grow from the study of the gospels
and both Luke and Paul have much to teach
us. We look forward and are blessed to see
you. Join us as we grow in fellowship and
wisdom, studying together. See you at 9:30
a.m. in Room 10.
Lectionary
April 7: Acts 5:27– 32, Psalm 118:14 –29, or Psalm 150, Revelation 1:4–8, John 20:19–31
April 14: Acts 9:1–6 [7–20], Psalm 30, Revelation 5:11–14, John 21:1–19
April 21: Acts 9:36–43, Psalm 23, Revelation7:9–17, John 10:22
April 28: Acts 11:1–18, Psalm 148, Revelation 21:1–6, John 13:31–35
VOLUME 50, ISSUE 4
It didn’t behave
FIRST PRESS
Hurricane
PAGE 3
FPCCC is Out of This World!
By LYNETTE DuCLOS ADELSON
like anything you had
As we begin April, we will be exploring the night and day. One of our favorite
days is Pajama Day when we celebrate nighttime by wearing our pajamas,
bringing favorite stuffed animals, drinking hot chocolate and reading books
with the lights out, flashlights on while wrapped cozily in blankies.
ever imagined. The wind
tore at the trees, the rain
The sky, planets and outer space will be the themes for the following weeks.
The children will watch a video of the first men on the moon, look through real
telescopes and learn what My Very Excellent Mother Just Served Us Nachos
means (Mercury, Venus, Earth, Mars, Jupiter, Saturn, Uranus, and Neptune).
Just for fun we will have an Alien Creature Parade where they will model the
creature costumes they created from the toilet paper rolls, buttons and takeout boxes this congregation donates!
fell for days slant and hard.
The back of the hand
to everything. I watched
the trees bow and their leaves fall
As the children learn that day follows night, that the planets stay in their orbits
and how huge and awesome the sky is they will be reminded of the God who
created it all.
and crawl back into the earth.
As though, that was that.
This was one hurricane
Sabbatical Retreat - a Morning and a
Quiet Afternoon
I lived through, the other one
was of a different sort, and
By SANDY TICE
lasted longer. Then
On April 13, 50 of us will go to the Rezek Center where our dear friend Dr.
Elizabeth Nordquist will lead us in a morning of retreat entitled “Come
Apart and Rest for Awhile: an Introduction to Sabbath”
falling. The back of the hand to
She will invite us into reflection on the four movements of Sabbath rest: Ceasing, Resting, Embracing, and Feasting. The pace of the retreat (as well as the
content) will be Sabbath-friendly and restful. We will conclude with lunch.
to the actual trees;
Following this morning event, all are invited to an afternoon of quiet
(silence!) here at church. Beginning at 1:15, some of us will slow down and
spend some time in silent prayer, resting in the love of God and opening our
hearts. This afternoon will conclude at 3 p.m.
I felt my own leaves giving up and
everything. But listen now to what happened
toward the end of that summer they
pushed new leaves from their stubbed limbs.
It was the wrong season, yes,
Quiet Day
but they couldn’t stop. They
By LYNETTE DuCLOS ADELSON
looked like telephone poles and didn’t
care. And after the leaves came
blossoms. For some things
there are no wrong seasons.
Which is what I dream of for me.
-- Mary Oliver
Be still and know that I am God
Psalm 46:10
Quiet Day in April will be on the usual second Saturday (April 13) but at a
different time. We will gather in our Chapel following the Sabbatical Retreat
at Rezek Centre to pray with Biblical references to rest, Sabbath and Jesus’
practice of retreating to pray. You do not have to attend the Sabbatical Retreat to join in Quiet Day from 1:30-3:30 p.m. Come and listen for God’s message to you about Sabbath in your life.
PAGE 4
FIRST PRESS
VOLUME 50, ISSUE 4
National Crime Victims’ Rights Week
By JOANNE BALLARD
The San Bernardino Police Department will hold a candlelight vigil for all murder victims from the past year on April 23 at 6:30 p.m.
The program will be remembering all murder victims from the last year however families from past years are welcome to attend.
The police department’s address is 710 N D St., San Bernardino, CA. This program is so meaningful and emotional and difficult.
The caring support from our church members at this service has been so supportive and will never be forgotten. Please come and
show support for the other families who mark this day as an annual day of remembrance.
Thank You
Charlene Peterson and her son, Scott, would
like to thank the church family, (and especially
Noé Falconi, Nan Shelton, Doris Nord, and
Mindy Rueda) for all the love, prayers, and
support that was given to them with their recent loss. It means so much to them.
Do You Know Me?
By AUTHOR UNKNOWN
"Do you know me? I am the child with eyes
downcast in sadness, with
silence and solitude my only friends.
Do you know me? I am the child afraid to
speak, who casts my voice
away to avoid being hurt and only finds solace in speaking to animals.
A Special Member
By LAURIE STAFFORD
How many of you know Edie Denevan? Well, if you don’t, you should. Edie
is one of my favorite people. First of all, she is 92 years young. Yes, she
gave me permission to tell her age.
Edie is one of the receptionists that help out in the church office.
She first attended First Presbyterian Church when it was at its previous location at 5th & E Street.
She and Martha Buck were among a group of women who started Presbyterian Women Circles at First Church. The early circles were numbered; the
naming of our circles did not start until later.
Edie told me a story about when she and Martha Buck were going to Valley
College to learn to use the mimeograph machine. This was sometime during
WWII and she was driving a Model A at the time. She remembers one night,
she and Martha had to drive home from Valley without any lights due to a
required blackout.
In 1941, she married Boyd Denevan before he went into the Air Force. They
had two daughters, Patricia and Paula. Edie now has 3 granddaughters and
3 great grandsons.
Take a minute to say hello to Edie. We are so grateful for her help and for all
of her years of dedication to First Presbyterian Church of San Bernardino.
Do you know me? I am the child at school,
desperately wanting to ask for help, but too
full of fear to talk to my teacher.
Do you know me? I am the child who constantly 'falls', and covers my
bruises to protect a mother or father, relative
or friend, none of
whom will ever protect me.
Do you know me? I am the child who prays
A Thank You From the Children!
By LYNETTE DuCLOS ADELSON
Your support of First Presbyterian ChildCare Center means a lot. Because
you love children AND Mexican food you attended the El Torito Fundraiser in
October and over $180 was raised. In March you bought child created
art. Our art fundraiser brought in almost $500 from FPCCC families and the
congregation combined. We may struggle financially in this economy but we
never doubt the love and support from the congregation who sees FPCCC
as their mission. Thank you!
for help and waits for my rescue.
Do you know me? I am the child who, if lucky
Financial Report
enough, will find love
and solace in the arms of people who care.
Do you know me?"
as of February 28, 2013
Actual
Pledges
Other Income
Expense
Net Income
$ 77,128.02
$ 8,695.51
$ 92,458.01
$ (6,634.48)
Budgeted
65,833.30
11,891.64
87,369.64
(9,644.70)
Over/(Under)
11,294.72
(3,196.13)
5,088.37
3,010.22
PAGE 5
FIRST PRESS
VOLUME 50, ISSUE 4
Easter Traditions at First Presby Church
By JIM HUFFSTUTLER
Sandy asked me if I would write some things for FIRST PRESS which might be pulled out of the dusty attic of my memory. Her
first request was: Where did our tradition of the Burial of the Alleluia come from?
One of the toughest liturgical tasks for pastors is coming up with new and fresh materials for our two most important festivals:
Easter and Christmas. Of these, Easter has historically been the most important, since for decades the first Christians had no information about Jesus’ birth and the fact that the Resurrection changed the experience of Jesus from a historical to a spiritual
event – accessible to all believers. In fact, the Day of Resurrection was so important that Christians moved their weekly worship
experience from Saturday (the Sabbath) to Sunday (the Lord’s Day.)
The great word of rejoicing in the Christian Church is Hallelujah (Hebrew) or its Latin equivalent, Alleluia. “Hallel” mans “praise.”
The “Jah” is short for Jahweh or Yahweh, which is the name for God but is never spoken by the pious, so the word “Lord” or “God”
is substituted. Thus you have “praise to the Lord, or God.” “Alleluia” was the song of the angels at Jesus’ birth and is related to the
word “Gloria.”
It was Gregory the Great (540-604) who declared that the alleluia should be used in services prior to the Gospel reading, but not
during the season of Lent, a penitential time when festivities should be curtailed (no church bells rung, no weddings, etc.) It was at
the Great Easter Vigil, at midnight as Easter begins, when the Christ candle is relit, and the people respond with the ancient
phrases: “Christ is risen! He is risen indeed!” Then the alleluia is joyously sung again and is used every Sunday until Lent.
But what about the “Burial of the Alleluia”? Years ago, I read in Alive Now, of the fragments of an ancient service discovered in
Normandy which was called “The Burial of the Alleluia.” The author attempted to fill in the gaps of the fragmented service, and I
picked it up for use in our congregation. These were the days before the internet, so I was unaware if anyone else might be using
the service. Today most liturgical churches make provision for the Burial.
The burial itself can be completely verbal, that is not saying “the A word,” or it can be more symbolic, removing the Alleluia Banner
from the sanctuary, or, indeed, placing it in a casket and burying it – which is a little more risky. (How would you explain to the children if you went to dig it up and it wasn’t there?)
Our alleluia banner was first made by Mary Newman, who decided she didn’t like her first attempt, so she made a second. The
banner we now use is the third banner. It precedes the choir in the Easter procession.
As I review the rich history of liturgy – and our own liturgical practices – there is so much that goes past us. We are often unaware
of the centuries of discussion, even arguments, which lie behind the practices which sometimes whiz past us unnoticed. I like to
think that when we sing Alleluia, or join in the great Easter hymn, “Jesus Christ is Risen today,” we are, in the words of our communion liturgy, joining our voices with “saints, angels, and martyrs, who join with us in our praise.”
(I hope to share thoughts about people and practices each month. If you have a question, let me know and I will try to answer it.
JCH)
Keep Military Members in Your
Prayers
Sgt. Andrew Bonine, US Army, Afghanistan
Pvt. Rachel Bonine, US Army, Ft. Riley, Kansas
Lt Col David Le Roy, US Air Force, Persian Gulf
Seaman Mark Munz, US Navy, San Diego
Seaman Robert Sandoval, US Navy, Pearl Harbor, HI
Staff Sgt. Robert Bentley Wilson, US Army, Ft. Sill, OK
CW3 James Bentley Wilson, US Army, Joint Base Lewis-McChord, WA
VOLUME 50, ISSUE 4
FIRST PRESS
April Celebrations
Apr 1
Apr 2
Apr 4
Apr 5
Apr 7
Apr 8
Apr 9
Apr 10
Apr 12
Apr 13
Apr 15
Apr 16
Apr 18
Apr 19
Apr 20
Apr 23
Apr 24
Apr 27
Apr 28
Apr 29
Apr 30
Wayne McCarl
Ray & Becky Nelligan
Irene Sandoval-Suverkrup
Skip & Daisy Lane
Colleen Gareau
Kyle Knabe
Howard Le Roy
Rose Gareau
Laura Olsen Dunn
Jacob Curtiss Allen
Kelsey Law
Tony Paredes
Patricia Parks
Adam Cordova
Don & Earleen Dudley
Mary Bolaños
Sharon Wallis
Debbie Law
Matthew Panelli
JoAnna Wierenga
Cassidy Wright
Kelsey Adelson
Beverly Snell
Michelle Lea Babcock
Don Dudley
Oliver Andrew Lamb
JoAnn Miller
Cliff Cummings
Joseph Kreuter
Joseph Ramirez
Sally Morris
Steve & Suzie Earp
Harlan Leonard Wright
Niza DiCarlo
Carly Earp
Tino & Sandy Garza
Jim Cimino
Jim Coyne
Mark Freeman
Jim & Helen Babcock
Lori & Mark Edwards
Noé & Alicia Falconi
Tom Rennard
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