Church Life
Worship at 10:00 a.m
714/538-9681 ! www.fccorange.com
An Open and Affirming Congregation
Chapman University Partner • Stephen Ministry Congregation • Habitat Covenant Church
August 5, 2009
A Stupendous Summer!
IN THIS ISSUE...
INSIDE
From the General
Assembly
Worship Sundays
HAPPENINGS
Searchers Class
Friendly Center School
Supplies
PSWR Happenings
Disciples Women
Project IMPACT
Elders Prayers in
Worship
Concert on the Lawn
NEWS FROM THE
PEWS
Concerns &
Celebrations
Visitors in Worship
Help Feed Our Kids &
Youth
BACK PAGE
Kids & Youth
With schools starting earlier this summer, many of our Kids
and Youth are preparing to head back to the classroom in
just a few weeks. Even with the “short” summer our Kids and
Youth have had some fun, serious, and blessed moments
together.
We had 40-45 campers and 10-15 adults participate at
summer camp at Loch Leven. You see Courtney Bramstedt
and Stephen Pollard below serving others for their morning
worship at camp. Amanda Califf and Heidi Reeley, both recent
graduates, enjoyed their last week as campers.
“Stupendous Sundays” for 4-years-old through 5th grade has spent
Sunday afternoons doing a variety of activities. We went bowling, saw a
movie, got messy on “Slimy and Sticky Sunday,” and built miniature
houses (Priscilla Espinoza) to help raise
money for Habitat for Humanity. You
see a “coke-covered” Camille Chap and a “cheerio-covered”
Ryan Johnson and Carli Row during “Slimy and Sticky Sunday.”
Amanda Johnson and Christan Blaser act silly as they bowled.
It is tough to hunt down busy Youth in
the summer. We did manage to have an
overnight and movie. You see Emily
Addington, Alicia Mills, Sabreena
Rodriguez, and Clarissa Rodriguez before seeing Harry
Potter. (We still have an upcoming outing planned for
Soak City and a pool party for all ages.)
As you read this newsletter, eight of our youth group participants will be
returning from their experience at General Assembly.
JYF also made Christmas
cards as a fundraiser to help
Project IMPACT.
Wow! It has been a truly
stupendous summer! Thanks
to everyone for your support
and love.
From the General Assembly...
GENERAL MINISTER AND PRESIDENT
EXHORTS DISCIPLES TO EXTEND CIRCLES
OF CARE
More than 6,000 Disciples were
encouraged to embrace God’s plan of
creation, where the world is one of
abundance, not scarcity, and where
there is more than enough for all. These were part of the
comments made by General Minister and President Sharon
Watkins Friday evening during her sermon at the 2009
General Assembly. Watkins challenged Disciples to extend a
circle of care to all God’s children.
“The world that God created is so abundant, in fact, that the
project of humanity is to help bring that proliferating abundance
under control,” said Watkins. “But are we as Disciples going to
pursue scarcity or abundance; the economists’ words or God’s?”
Watkins talked about the needs of baby Henock, a young
child she and eight other Disciples from the Indiana Region
met in a tiny village in the Congo last year. The Congo,
where Disciples missionaries first visited almost 100 years ago,
has been devastated by civil war and exploitation of its
natural resources by wealthier nations. The result is
widespread poverty.
“This poverty may be accepted in the world of economics, but
not in the world of Genesis,” Watkins preached.
“We are many but one, diverse but divided.” said Watkins.
“There are more than enough resources in the world to feed every
child, educate every child, and provide health care for all,” she
declared. “We have to care about the Henocks whom we have
never seen and we have to care about the youth whom we see each
day.”
She challenged Disciples to think about their patterns of
their lives that create over-consumption, in ways that impact
both those near to us and those in communities around the
world.
At her sermon’s conclusion she issued a “Call to
Commitment,” asking that those in attendance think of one
way that they can help extend the circle of care. People were
asked to write their thoughts on paper hands they had
received while entering the Assembly hall – hands like the
healing leaves of the Assembly logo.
She suggested that Disciples consider committing to such
things as praying daily for the lives of children around the
world; learning the names of the children in their
neighborhoods and getting to know them; tithing the price of
cell phone bills as an over and above offering to Disciples
Mission Fund; calling Congress to encourage the passage of
universal health care; and minimizing energy use by turning
up thermostats in the summer and down in the winter.
“I invite you to dedicate yourselves tonight to one new way of
extending your circle of care to include all God’s children,” she
said.
– Disciples News Service
COME WORSHIP WITH US
“Open Hearts - Open Minds - Open Arms”
Summer Worship
Progressive Christianity
August 16, 2009
10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
We live in turbulent times and historians and
sociologists have demonstrated that turbulent times often
foster fervent religious expressions. We humans naturally
hunger for absolutes. We crave the final answers. And yet
most of us know that there are few certainties in life beyond
the knowledge of our death. So where is our “faith” in all of
this? We continue today with point #6 - By calling ourselves
progressive, we mean that we are Christians who find more grace
in the search for meaning than in absolute certainty, in the
questions than in the answers.
Scripture: Matthew 5:38-48
Worship leadership includes Randy and Jenice Carter,
Stan Smith, Olivia Updegrove, Dean Shepherd, Phil Chap,
and others.
August 23, 2009
10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
One of the challenges of progressive Christians is to
recognize and acknowledge the complexity and contradictions
in the highest of ideals, such as peace and justice. Can peace
and justice be achieved at the same time? Point #7 - By
calling ourselves progressive, we mean that we are Christians who
form ourselves into communities dedicated to equipping one
another for the work we feel called to do: striving for peace and
justice among all people, protecting and restoring the integrity of all
God's creation, and bringing hope to those Jesus called the least of
his sisters and brothers.
Scripture: Matthew 25:34-46
We invite you to come and worship, sing and enjoy the
friendship of this loving congregation. Worship leadership
includes Lynda Perring, Stan Smith, Olivia Updegrove,
Dean Shepherd, Phil Chap, and others.
August 30, 2009
10 a.m. in the Sanctuary
This may be the most difficult of all of the Progressive
points. It calls us to sacrificial love. Point #8 - By calling
ourselves progressive, we mean that we are Christians who
recognize that being followers of Jesus is costly, and entails selfless
love, conscientious resistance to evil, and renunciation of privilege.
Scripture: Mark 10:17-23
We invite you to come and worship, sing and enjoy the
friendship of this loving congregation. Worship leadership
includes Matt Thomas, Stan Smith, Olivia Updegrove,
Dean Shepherd, Phil Chap, and others.
Happenings
Searchers’ Class Series Returns
The “seniors” meet every Sunday at 9:00 a.m. to learn,
fellowship and share together. They call themselves the
SEARCHERS and are indeed life-long learners of the faith.
They believe “If you are able to see God in dynamic new
ways, you will be able to see yourself and your potential in
dynamic new says.”
The Fall Series will begin with a Study of the Book of Acts, a
six-week series of lessons to be presented to the Searchers’
Class when the Sunday Classes begin to meet in the Fall September 13. You are invited to attend and participate.
Roy Bullock will present the lessons.
Other topics and presentations for the coming year include:
Chapman Professors Marve Mayer and Don Will
Project IMPACT with Nora Jacob
“Faces of Faith” DVD Series and discussion with Bev
Weatherill
Clarice Friedline portraying Katherine Booth and Selena
Campbell
Nancy Brink, Office of Church Relations at Chapman
“It’s Not Easy Being Green” with Joyce Miller
Hymns, History and Singing with Miller Messer
Art and Literature of Christmas
And, maybe a Few Surprises.
In addition, members go out to lunch on the fist Sunday of
each month, have occasional parties and pray together.
Facilitators are Bev Weatherill and Pat Messenger.
The Friendly
Center
Continuing each Sunday during August, you are invited to
bring school supplies and/or backpacks and place them in
The Friendly Center box in the courtyard. Needed items
include notebooks, paper, pens, pencils and crayons. You
may also write a check to First Christian Church of Orange
and designate “Friendly Center - School Supplies” on the
check. The Friendly Center currently provides assistance to
over 600 families per year, including children from preschool
through high school.
- Don Latimore, Christian Action & Outreach Committee
Pacific Southwest Region
Happenings . . .
Saturday, October 17, Regional Gathering
First Christian Church of Fullerton will host the one-day
Regional Gathering. The Speaker, Dr. David Matson, will
help us explore the theme, “Covenant and Communion: A
Journey Toward Wholeness,” based upon the story of the
two disciples on the road to Emmaus (Luke 24:13-33a).
Plan to attend and enjoy a variety of stimulating and
enriching workshops, inspiring worship opportunities and a
challenging speaker.
Monday, October 27, 5th Annual Golf Classic
Alta Vista Country Club, Placentia
What do you see?
Take a look at this line of type:
GODISNOWHERE
Did you read it as “God is nowhere”? Or, are you an optimist
who read it as “God is now here”?
Calling all golfers! And non-golfers are welcome at the
dinner that follows the event. This is an
annual event that supports All Peoples
Christian Center, Disciples Seminary
Foundation, Eastmont Community Center,
Loch Leven Camp & Conference Center
and Project IMPACT. See Lary Row or
check in the church office for entry forms.
More Happenings
DISCIPLES WOMEN
Elders Prayers in Worship
Disciples Women in August
Communion Prayer - July 26, 2009 - Betty Jean Reinard
ALL WOMEN are invited to lunch
on Thursday, August 13, at 11:30
a.m. We will meet at church at
11:00 to car pool to the Fullerton
Train Station and Spaghetti Factory. Please RSVP to Joyce
Miller by August 11.
Ever present, loving God, as we partake of this blessed meal
renew our memory with Jesus’ stories and lessons. Today, we
were reminded what You require from us. Instill in each of
us to act justly and to love mercy, so we can walk humbly
with You. Praise be to Christ, Amen.
Communion Prayer - August 2, 2009 - Eileen Vincent
The Board will meet Thursday, August 27, at 9:30 a.m. in
the Fireside Room.
Disciples Women in September
The Long Group will meet Wednesday, September 2, at
11:30 a.m. at the home of Marylyn Owens.
The PAL Group will meet Thursday, September 3, at 9:30
a.m. in the Fireside Room, with hostess Martha Braun.
The Koinonia Group will meet Wednesday, September 16,
at 7:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room with hostess Joyce
Miller.
Since dear God, in this place, at this table, we will touch, we
will taste and we will hear the signs of your love for us, grant
that we may go away from this table filled with our love for
you and overflowing with your love for those who are around
us and who share our lives. We pray in the name of Jesus
Christ.
Also in September . . .
The Pacific Southwest Regional Disciples Women Spiritual
Growth Retreat - “Renew Your Spirit” - will be held
September 18 - 20, at Loch Leven Camp & Conference
Center. The keynote speaker will be Linda Houston.
Scholarships are available. Contact Joyce Miller for more
information. Registration deadline is August 28.
Project IMPACT Sunday October 11
Direct Sellers Fair
If you have ever been to a Tupperware® or Longaberger®
Basket party, you know that the person hosting the party
receives a bonus based on the amount of merchandise sold.
Sunday, October 11, is Project IMPACT Sunday and FCCO
will host a Direct Sellers Fair and donate our “bonus” to
Project IMPACT. If any of our church members/participants
are members of the Direct Sellers Association and would like
to participate in this fair, please contact Don Latimore,
before September 1st.
Concert on the Lawn
Come to our annual Concert on the Lawn and Pot-luck
Dinner on Sunday, August 30! The Orange County
Concert Band, under the direction of Mark Kamp, will
provide the music, and the FCCO folks are invited to bring
their favorite dish to share. Please bring enough to serve 1012 people (drinks and dessert will be provided). Dinner will
start at 5:00 p.m., and the concert at 6:00 p.m. Bring a
blanket or chair to sit on the lawn, or you can sit on the patio
in the church’s folding chairs. What a great way to end the
summer! See you there.
News from the Pews
OUR CONCERNS
OUR CELEBRATIONS
Please continue to pray for: Mary Walker, Gwen Shaw, Bob
Wilson, Mary Dotson, Lois Worden, Wanda Rossier, Oleta
Tuman, Allyene Robinson, Paul Roberts, Doris Luraschi,
Nikolas Mills, Rheon Lacke, Gene Eppler (hospice care)
and . . .
General Assembly in Indianapolis, July 29 - August 2.
Amanda Roberts - daughter; got lead part as Barnecals in
“Honk” at JCC. (Jennifer Roberts)
Pam Latimore - celebrated her birthday on July 26.
Welcome to our Belgian Students: Laura, Glynis, Thomas,
Nathalie, Geraldine, Isabeau and Guyta (Kamps,
Mittelstaedts and Olivers)
Ty Mittelstaedt - will get a little brother or sister in January
2010! Yeah!
Project IMPACT/FCCO - JYF Xmas Card Party - awesome
time had by all - great art! (Dan Oliver)
The Life of Dorothea Thompson - friend, who died on July
27. (Sandy Hansen)
Christine Baker - grateful for wonderful laser eye surgery!
Kaycee Whitmore - niece, now age 17, 10 years cancer free.
(Shirley Sherrill)
Ben Bohren - surgery recovery.
David Shepherd - in hospice care.
Bee Womack - eye treatments.
Nancy Hoey - undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer.
Louise Hall - recovery from facial surgery.
Don Shelton - surgery recovery.
Claudia Burris - recovery from foot surgery.
Billie Erich - mother of John Reinard; continued recovery
from serious auto accident, at a rehabilitation facility.
Juan Espinoza - hospitalized after episode at work; undergoing
tests.
Cheryl Gettman - upon the death of her Aunt Agatha.
Betsy & Russ - sister; prayers asked for special needs 16-yearold son who has become violent. (Pam Latimore)
Courtney Bramstedt - recovery from oral surgery.
Judy McLaren - spinal compression fracture and disc
problems; awaiting further testing.
Marie Labbee - has been put on bed rest by her obstetrician.
Sandy Reeley - hospitalized with diverticulitis, is home and
awaiting further testing.
Carol Francis - sister-in-law in San Francisco; undergoing
tests. (Diane Francis)
Sarah Hunt - fell on Saturday, August 1, and broke her ankle,
awaiting surgery at this writing.
Lynn Olson - Jennifer Francis’ aunt, in Idaho, is in hospice
care. (Diane Francis)
Tim Waters - will have multi-level laminectomy on August 11
at Kaiser-Lakeview.
Karly Labate - Nora Jacob’s daughter; recovery from
emergency gall bladder removal surgery on August 2.
Nola Mills - mother, prayers for healing of infection in her
arm. (Aly Mills)
Visitors in Worship
Tyler and Trey Randall - Dan Randall’s grandchildren;
Jason Kixmiller of Huntington Beach; Nancy & Hannah
Brink of Orange; Laura and Phil Arnold of Seal Beach;
Irene Fully of Seal Beach; Joseph and Mikayla Walker Nita Walker’s grandchildren; David and Mary Matson of
Torrance; Frank and Lynn Santandrea of Austin, TX
Help Feed our Kids and Youth
No, really . . . we are going to try something new for Sunday evening youth meals. We
are still going to have parents sign up to bring a meal and to help serve, but since several
families have multiple kids, and with the current economic times, we need help. Would
you be willing to provide a part of dinner on Sunday evening for our kids and youth?
If so, please e-mail Olivia and she will help provide possible options.
Who We Are
**Youth and KIDS**
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
1130 E. Walnut, Orange CA 92867
(714) 538-9681 voice; (714) 538-4686 fax
e-mail: [email protected]
website: www.fccorange.com
Office Hours: 8:30 a.m. - 5:00 p.m. M - F
**YOUTH**
Tuesday, August 11
“Soak City”
Meet at FCCO at 9:00 a.m. - be back at 4:00 p.m.
Wear appropriate bathing suits!
**EVERYONE!**
Sunday, August 23
ALL YOUTH, KIDS AND FAMILIES
Pool Party at Tom and Cathy Perring’s
(1820 Elsinore Road, Riverside)
1:00 to 6:00 p.m.
Sunday, September 6 - Kids Kick-Off
(4 years - 5th Grade)
After church parents will meet in the Young Disciples/
JYF Room, followed by lunch at Chuck-E-Cheese
(no cost for kids).
Remember, worship will be at 9:00 a.m. due to Labor Day.
Let Olivia know if you will be out of town
for the holiday weekend.
(No afternoon activities for Kids after the lunch.)
4:30 PM - Youth Choir
5:30 PM - Regular Youth Group Meetings
1130 E. Walnut Avenue
Orange, CA 92867
(6th - 12th Grade)
Meet at church at 3:30 p.m. - It’s a surprise!
(No Kids Programs)
MAILED ON AUGUST 5, 2009
Sunday, August 30 - Youth Kick-Off
RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED
Kicking Off the School Year!
Church Staff
Senior Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dr. Stanley D. Smith
Associate Pastor . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Rev. Olivia Bryan Updegrove
Admin. Secretary . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phyllis Laherty
Bookkeeper . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Wini Chuidian
Minister of Music & Arts . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Dean Shepherd
Organist . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Phil Chap
Children & Youth Choir Director . . . . . . . . Jazmine Harnishfeger
Children & Youth Choir Accompanist . . . . . . . . . . . Pam Wykoff
Chi Rho Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Marie Labbee
CYF Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Lisa Kolbe
JYF Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .
YD Coordinator . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Reeley
Custodian . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Miguel “Mike” Cosme
Nursery Superintendent . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . Sandy Carden
Sunday, September 13
Welcome Back Sunday
Regular Programs for All Groups –
Kids, Youth and Young Adults
Mandatory CPR Training for Staff
Saturday, August 22, 6:00 PM
Fire Station 6 at 3180 Barranca Parkway, Irvine, CA 92606
Sponsors are encouraged to attend, and other members are
welcome if there is room. Contact Olivia if you are
interested.
Non-Profit Organization
U.S. POSTAGE
PAID
Orange, CA
PERMIT NO. 75
Mark your calendars - Sunday, September 13, Youth Parent
Meeting at 5:30 p.m.