the

March 24, 2013

CALLER
Issue 12

In This Issue
Pastors Corner 2 Statistics 2 Remember in Prayer 3 Spiritual Disciplines Wk 3 Prayer Requests, March 17 3 Serving in the Military 3 Sweet Peas 3 Work Day 4 Thank You/Girls Night Out 4 Summer Camp 4 Preschool Assistance 4 Flamingos 4 Senior Book Club 4 Possesions 5 Childrens Library 5 Crop Walk/Tri-Tip 5 All Church Study 6 What Does Bible Say about GLBTclass 6 Easter Offering 7 Lent/Easter Events 7 Prayer Vigil/Seder 8 Maundy Thursday 8 Serving Sunday 9

Events March 24, 2013 March 31, 2013

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

March 24: Palm Sunday 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 9:00 A.M. - NO REFRESH, Contemporary Service 9:00 A.M. - Classes for all ages 9:00 A.M. - What the Bible Says about Homosexuality, Rm. 107 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER, Traditional Service, Choir Cantata March 25: Darrell on vacation through Wednesday 6:30 P.M. Administrative Elders meeting, Chapman Lounge March 26: 6:30 P.M. - Mens Bible Study@ Barry Woodbridges 7:00 P.M. - Contemplative Service March 27: 7:00 P.M. - Council of Elders, Chapman Lounge 7:00 - 8:30 P.M. - Nancy Malotte use Cry Room & Choir Room March 28: 1:00 P.M. - Book Club at Mary Brills 3:30 P.M. - Bible Study, Chapman Lounge 7:00 P.M. - Frugal Supper & Maundy Thursday Service 8:00 P.M. - Choir Practice 8:00 P.M. - Prayer Vigil begins through Friday, 7:00 P.M. March 30: 7:00 A.M. ???. All-Church Work Day March 31:Easter Sunday 8:00 A.M. - NO REAWAKEN, Early Worship Service 9:00 A.M. - NO REFRESH, Contemporary Service 9:00 A.M. - Classes for all ages 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER, Traditional Service 11:30 A.M. - Easter Egg Hunt, Patio April 1: 7:00 P.M. - Alzheimers Support Group, Chapman Lounge April 2: 10:30 A.M. - Mary Circle, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. - Mens Bible Study@ Barry Woodbridges 7:00 P.M. - Contemplative Service April 3: 7:30 P.M. - Hot Meal Ministry, Team B AA Groups - Sun. 8:00 P.M., Friday, 7:30 P.M., Sat. 8:30 P.M., NA Group, Tues., 7:30 P.M.

This Sunday, we will celebrate Palm Sunday. As we hear the people of Jerusalem hailing Jesus as Messiah and King, we shudder knowing what is just around the bend. If you know the story of our faith, this is an uneasy observance, to say the least. I am so mindful of how fickle we can be. One minute we are shouting our support of a proposal, an idea, or a person, and the next we are distancing ourselves as fast as we can. We want to be on the right side of an issue, a crowd, or a contest. Who wants to cheer for the home team right after theyve been handed their hats in the tournament? Who wants to be counted amongst the supporters of a proposal the CEO just publicly lambasted? Who wants to stand with someone while security escorts them to the boundaries of the companys property? Ohwe feel bad for those people caught on the wrong side of things, but we know better than to be found with them. We are good Christian people and we dont want to cause conflict or division. Do you remember the last time you changed your stance in relationship to someone or on an issue in order to align yourself advantageously? We all do it, and though we can find plenty of reasons with a moral resonance to justify our sudden shift, deep down inside we know we acted in violation of our own values because we didnt want to be on the wrong side. Jesus had no qualms about pleasing anyone other than the One who sent him. He didnt care whether anyone liked him or the horse (or donkey) he rode in on. He would just as soon speak the damning truth to his most powerful critic as reach out to the most powerless people he met. Jesus stood for somethingsomething worth dying forlove of God and love of humanity! Palm Sunday is a great time to ask ourselves again, what do we stand for? Is there a time when our love for our neighbor, especially our voiceless, victimized neighbor, would lead us to take an unpopular stand? Where is God asking us to be uncomfortableto cheer the messiah, to follow the messiah, to join the messiah as he walks through Jerusalemwith a cross over his back? Ours is a faith that calls for discomfort if and when we become a little too comfortable. We are the ones who see sisters and brothers in every face, and we cannot deny the Messiah whose reflection we see in their eyes. We are the ones who cannot rest while there is injustice in our world because the injustice that is inflicted on others is inflicted on uswe are one with each other as Jesus was and is one with us. This is the truth we proclaim with a palm procession for Christ right down the center of the streets of the new Jerusalem, where mourning and crying and pain are no more, where death is no more, because the first things have passed away, and the Kingdom of God has been made manifest in our words, in our actions, and in our lives. We are happy to commemorate that Palm Sunday so far distant to our time, but more importantly, we prepare ourselves for the Palm Sundays hence wherein we will proclaim the Lordship of Christ in all we do and all we are. Maranathacome Lord Jesus!

Sunday Statistics
March 17 13 119 (Remember Service) 7 (Reawaken Service) 8 (Refresh Service) Weekly Giving: $2,179.80 Mission: $242.20 Budget Goal: $3,381 CROPWalk: $1 Week of Compassion: $25.50 2

Remember in Prayer
Continue to pray for: the family of Donna Bagley, Helen Bailey, Margie Barlow, Dottie Bense, Harold Brickens, Mary Brill, Jerry Brown, Betty Ruth Buchanan, Linda Christman, Chris Collett, Dean Echols, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Anna Lou Horspool, Kevin & Linda Johnen, Carolyn Kenrick, Nancy Knott, Lowenn Land, Flora Miller, Denise Olson and family, Betty Rollo, John & Marj Schwenker, Claudia Tammen, Dorothy Tanner, Jack Townsend, Gil Tucker and family, and Bob Vannoy. Please pray for the following church in the Pacific Southwest Region: Gateway Christian Church 11760 Gateway Blvd. Los Angeles, CA 90064 David McAllister, Pastor

Prayer Requests: March 17, 2013

Carol Henke

Annie Frater Christina Martinez

Susie Wright Anonymous Matt Chase Donna Vannoy Audrey Poe

Readings and Prayer Concerns for Week of March 25 March 31, 2013
Monday, March 25: Reading: John 12: 111; pray for the Administrative Elders Meeting taking place in Chapman Lounge tonight. Tuesday, March 26: Reading: John 12: 20-36; pray for Darrell as he is on vacation through Wednesday. Congregational Prayer Day, Wednesday, March 27: Reading: John 13: 21-31; pray for Global Ministries Missionary in Guadeloupe/Martinque Tim Rose. Thursday, March 28: John 13:1-17, 31b-35; pray for our congregation as they have a frugal meal and experience the Maundy Thursday service. Friday, March 29: Reading: John 18: 1-9; pray for those praying as part of the prayer vigil today. Saturday, March 30: Reading: John 19: 38-42; pray for the work crew cleaning up the church today. Sunday, March 31: Reading: John 20: 10-18; Christ is Risen! Happy Easter everyone!

Brenna, 11 yr-old who will have both kidneys removed April 5 in preparation for a transplant. Diane Steimann whom I work for and has been diagnosed with lung cancer. Possible job opportunity for myself with the county where I can gain hours needed to set for my license and individual supervision. Those who have lost loved ones and the leaders who give us hope. Fullerton Police officer shot and wounded this morning That the job interview this week goes well Lowenn Land who is still battling infection and is discouraged Friend, Jan, following serious surgery.

Serving in the Military:

Adam Hawley, Deb Taylors nephew in Afghanistan. He will be gone nine months from his wife and new baby. Lt. Patrick OConner, Betty Rollos grandson-in-law, now back at his home base. Lt. Patrick Rollo, Betty Rollos grandson. He is also back at his home base. Joshua Reynolds, Jane Reynolds son. He is at Ft. Riley, KS dealing with PTSD and will be returning to Afghanistan soon. Scott Brill and friends will again be putting together the Easter Cross for Easter morning. Scott advises that this is the last year he will be able to do this task and is hoping that someone else would love to take up this project. If you would like to continue this tradition, please talk to Scott. If you have any sweet peas (especially white ones), please bring them to the main kitchen on Saturday, March 30, by 1:00 P.M. or you can call the church office to make arrangements for pick up. 3

Wanted: Sweet Peas

All-Church Work Day

Saturday, March 30, is our All-Church Work Day. We need as many bodies as possible to help. We start at 7:00 a.m. with coffee and donuts, but if that is too early, we can use your help whenever you get here. Thanks in advance for your help! Property Ministry Team

Why are all those Flamingos in our Narthex???

Many of you may be asking this question. It is for our youth mission trip fundraiser. This year our youth group has put a focus on mission. In order to complete their wish list, the youth would like to make a mission trip this summer and we need to raise funds.so we have invited the flamingos to return to Fullerton First Christian Church! Watch out because its migrating season for those pink aviators called flamingos! The Flamingo Foundation has decided to grant our youth groups request and decided that Fullerton First Christian Church is the perfect landing zone for the month of April. We will be selling insurance for 2 weeks, Sunday April 7 and Sunday April 14. There are three insurance options for the Flamingo Fundraiser: 1. Basic Flamingo Insurance $20 You may buy Anti-Flamingo Insurance. This is not an absolute guarantee against receiving a flamingo (see options 2 & 3) 2. Anti Anti-Flamingo Insurance - $25 Do you want to see a particular church member receive a flamingo?? Even if they have bought the basic flamingo insurance, you will be able to send them a flamingo. 3. Pink Standard Insurance $30 This is the ultimate protection in Anti-Flamingo Insurance! With the Pink standard insurance you are guaranteed protection against the flamingo flocks circling Orange County this spring! If by error you have become inundated with a flamingo or 2 we will have our F.R.T. (Flamingo Relocation Team) relocate the flock for you. Of course if you choose not to buy any insurance our Flamingo Relocation Team is available to help with Flamingo removal for a nominal fee of $10 per flamingo. We will have insurance for sale outside the doors to the Narthex before and after all worship services to allow all our members to participate. Youth Group 4

Summer Camp is Coming!

Summer Camp for our children and youth in coming. Regional scholarship applications are due on or before April 30. For forms and more information, see Debra Todd or check with Donna in the office. Mini Camp - 7/7 7/10 $260 before June 7 nd rd (2 & 3 grade in fall 2013) Junior Camp 6/23 6/29 $355 before May 23 (4th 6th grade in fall 2013) Chi Rho Camp 6/30 - 7/6 $355 before May 30 (7th - 8th grade in fall 2013) CYF I Camp 7/21 -7/27 $355 before June 21 (9th 10th grade in fall 2013) CYF!! Camp 7/28 8/3 $355 before June 28 (11th 12th in fall 2013 and 2013 graduates) Costs after Early Bird deadline are: $285 for Mini Camp, and $380 for all the other camps.

Preschool Assistance Fund

This is the last week that donations will be accepted to the Preschool Assistance Fund. The final disbursement will be made in April. Please send your check to the church with Child Care Staff written on the memo line.

The Senior Book Club

The Senior Book Club will meet at Mary Brills home, this Thursday, March 28 at 1:00 p.m. to discuss The Unlikely Pilgrimage of Harold Fry by Rachel Joyce. You still have a few days to get the book, read it and join us.

Transfer of Possessions
If you have something you would like to give away, or sell at a bargain, you can advertise it here in this column. If you are in need of something, you can post it here also. Then if someone in the congregation or friends of FCCF need or want or can supply the item they contact me and I will put the two parties together. Great way to find homes for your unneeded possessions and help others find something they need. Check this column each week to see what is new. Available: 3-drawer Work Bench with Vise $100 Creative Memories albums and supplies NEW! 2 DVDs (brand new still in wrappers) Youve Got Mail & The Notebook $5 each White, glass-top, wrought iron patio table with four matching chairs. excellent condition, $200.00. In Need of: Good reliable used car Glider Rockers for the back of Sanctuary & the Childrens Cry Room Donna Woodbridge

Children's Library
We have begun collecting books for the children's library! We are very excited about getting this project finished, but we are still looking for over half of the books on our list! A number of people asked if we can put the book list online. In response, an Amazon Wish List has been set up. You can access it at: http://tinyurl.com/libwish. If you go to that link, you can order books and they will be directly mailed to the church! If you are worried that you will purchase a book that we have already received, I invite you to purchase one anyway. We would also like to have a set of books in the children's Worship and Wonder room. Thank you so much for your support of our children!

TRI-TIP PROJECT UPDATE Some 15 to 20 people came out for the Organizational Meeting for the 2013 Tri-Tip Project that was held on March 13. This was about half of the number of persons who volunteered to be part of this project at the Fullerton Downtown Market which will be launched on Thursday, April 4. If you volunteered for this project and were unable to attend the Organizational Meeting and have not already done so, please contact either Tom Beck or Dirk McCuen right away so that you can be assigned to one of the teams that will be responsible for the Tri-Tip Project between April and October of this year. Tom reports that the team for April is set, but that the teams for the rest of the year are still a "work in progress." All of the proceeds from this project will be designated for outreach ministries, either in our community or around the world. The decision about the distribution of these funds will be made by the Outreach Ministry with input from those who are involved as volunteers in this project. Thanks to everyone, and especially to Tom and Dirk, for making it possible for us to continue the Tri-Tip Project under new leadership and with an expanded list of volunteers. The Outreach Ministry

CROP Walk is Coming!

April 28 is the date! 12:15 is the time! Fullerton Plaza is the place! Randy Langston will be in the Narthex with registration forms for the next few Sundays. Pick up yours today. Then contact your friends and family to collect your pledges or go online to www.churchworldservice.org, click find a CROP Walk, click on California, scroll down to First Christian Church, Fullerton and follow the prompts to join the team. Send the link to your address book.

All-Church Study
The All-Church study for 2013 begins on Monday, April 8, and will focus on different approaches to prayer, exposing participants to various prayer practices and empowering each person to pray in a fashion that suits his or her personality, time, and context. Some of the prayer practices will be more quiet and contemplative and others will be more active and engaged. Some will be centered around Scripture reading, others around quiet connection with God, and still others around prayer needs and requests. Some practices can be engaged anywhere, for any length of time, and others require a bit of preparation. Wouldn't you like to grow closer to God and more comfortable with prayer? Join other members of our church as we explore how we might "pray without ceasing." Small groups are offered on: Mondays, April 8 May 13 at the Woodbridges. Dinner at 6:30 P.M., class at 7:00. Donna is the facilitator. Thursdays, April 11 May 16 in Chapman Lounge at 3:30 P.M. Chris Fee is the facilitator. Fridays, April 12 May 17 in Chapman Lounge at 7:00 P.M. Elizabeth Beech is the facilitator. Saturdays, April 13 May 18 at the Woodbridges. Breakfast at 8:30 A.M., class at 9:00. Barry is the facilitator. Sundays, April 14 May 19, at 9:00 A.M. in Chapman Lounge. Darrell McGowan is facilitator. Pam Findley-Flor is facilitator in Room 107. Sundays, April 14 May 19, 1:30 P.M. Debra Todd is facilitating Youth Group. If none of these times work for you or you would just like to have a class at another time, please contact Pam Findley-Flor and she will see about finding the right time for you. Lets see if we can have more participants than when we did Unbinding Your Heart. Registration forms are on the bulletin board in the Narthex.

TODAY is the final session in the twopart series, What Does the Bible Really Say?
led by Dr. Randy Baxter at 9:00 a.m., room 107.

Chapman New Testament professor Ron Farmer once wrote: "If the Bible says something is wrong, shouldnt that settle the question? If the Bible says something is wrong, then its wrong. Period. End of discussion. But one should note that a thing is wrong for a reason. And what if that reason no longer exists today?" In the often-discussed passage in Rom. 1:27, used to prove God's condemnation of a group of people today, what exactly did Paul mean was "unnatural" and for whom was it unnatural? I Peter 3:15 "Always be prepared to give an account of your faith..." What are we able to say to our families, friends, or neighbors when they use unquestioned biblical passages such as these as a blanket condemnation of people different than themselves. The Bible mentions homosexual acts in several places, but what did homosexuality signify to the cultures existing when these verses were written? Today the focus will be on the New Testament verses; 1st-century Judeo-Christian and Roman Empire cultures will be explored. FCC member Randy Baxter has studied the issue of homosexuality and the Bible for the past twenty years, and has taught a similar study at annual conferences of Evangelicals Concerned With Reconciliation, a national organization of gays and lesbians from theologically conservative backgrounds. Randy's training as a history professor also enabled him to more accurately contextualize the Bible verses that relate to both homosexuality in particular and Christian sexuality in general.

Easter Offering To Be Received

Our Annual Easter Offering, which benefits the work of the General Units of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) will be received on either this Sunday, March 24, Palm/Passion Sunday, and next Sunday, March 31, which is Easter Sunday. Our goal for the 2013 Easter Offering is $1,000. We gave $764.75 in support of the 2012 Easter Offering, so this year's goal presents a challenge for us. Today you will find in the bulletin an insert that describes the construction of a new maternity wing at the Bolenge Hospital in Congo that was completed in August of last year. You will find this an exciting story to read. This hospital treats over 16,000 patients annually. Also, there will be a short video presentation about the Easter Offering from the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), the Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins. In her usual upbeat style, she will tell us about the significance of the 2013 Easter Offering. The theme for this year's Easter Offering is taken from the 10th chapter of the Gospel of John where Jesus declares: "I came that they may have life and have it abundantly." (John 10:10b). Our gifts will help many people to experience an abundant life through the worldwide ministries of our denomination. You may use the Special Offering envelope you'll find in Sunday's worship bulletin, or you may simply write "Easter Offering" on the memo line of your check. Either way, your gift will be included in the 2013 Easter Offering. Thank you for your generous support of this year's Easter Offering. The Outreach Ministry

Lent & Easter Activities:

TODAY: Palm Sunday, Choir Cantata, Easter Offering March 28: Frugal Supper & Maundy Thursday Service Prayer Vigil starts at 8:00 P.M. March 29: Good Friday, Prayer Vigil continues until 7:00 P.M. March 31: EASTER Worship at 10:15 A.M. (no 8 or 9 A.M. services) Easter Egg Hunt, after 10:15 worship

Easter Egg Hunt

We will be having our annual Easter Egg Hunt immediately following the worship service on Easter Sunday. We are asking people to please bring a dozen filled eggs to donate to our hunt! If you would rather we stuff them for you, we ask that you bring the stuff to the church by noon on Wednesday March 27! We look forward to an exciting time at our hunt and we appreciate your support!

Easter Lilies
You can still order Easter Lilies through today. They are $8.50 per lily Make checks payable to FCC with Easter Lilies in the memo line. Name of Donor _________________________________________ No. of Lilies ______ In Memory or honor of _____________________ ________________________________________

Holy Week Prayer Vigil

Thank you to those who have already signed up to pray at our annual Holy Week Prayer Vigil from 8:00 P.M. Maundy Thursday (March 28) until 7:00 P.M. Good Friday (March 29.) If you have never been a part of this experience, you will be richly blessed by taking one of the hour slots and pray. You are encouraged to come pray in the Sanctuary if possible. Listed below are the times left to fill. Friday, 11:30 A.M. 5:30 P.M. 6:00 P.M. 6:30 P.M. Call Donna in the office or sign up on Sunday at the Prayer Vigil board in the Narthex.

FCCF Members Participate in Seder Passover at Temple Beth Tikvah

On Thursday, March 14, fourteen of us from the FCCF Worship Ministry Team, 300 Words Greek Class, Men's Bible Anonymous group, and general membership took part in a special interfaith Seder Passover held specifically for people of other faiths at Temple Beth Tikvah in Fullerton. Led by Rabbi Ken Milhander, we were taught the foods and songs of the ritual remembrance of the night God passed over the homes of those who would be led from slavery to freedom in the Exodus. Afterwards, many of our members shared their reflections on this service. Laura Miller's was a "first" and held a very welcoming hospitality and fresh insight into Passover. Joshua Dorrough commented that the modern version of the prayers and liturgy were "globalized" to include all people's enslavement and hope for freedom, not just the Jewish community. Examples of that were in the Haggadah (order of service) everyone took home from the service: "Oppression does not always mean slavery or punishment. Sometimes it means discrimination against someone because of a person's race, or religion, or age, or whether or not they own a home, or the people they choose to live with and to love. Sometimes, Pharoahs are outside of us, and sometimes, they are inside us." Scott Richmond's entire family, MaryAnn, Page, and Reid, attended and happened to be seated in front of Rabbi Milhander. He shared how the Rabbi welcomed all their many questions about the Seder and Jewish life with personal stories and examples. More about this service and a photo of our table at the service was also featured in an article in the Fullerton Tribune section of the Orange County Register on Thursday March 21. 8

Frugal Meal and Maundy Thursday Service

7:00 P.M. Thursday March 28 in Fellowship Hall On Maundy Thursday at 7:00 P.M. we experience our Lord's Last Supper as we participate in a frugal meal, communion, and journey to the cross. Our Worship Ministry Team and Welcoming Ministry have been planning with our clergy this special service where we share a simple meal together as Jesus did with his disciples on that night that ushered in what was to change everything everywhere. Come join at this table fellowship as Mitch Hanlon brings the music which reminds the faithful of their presence and role in this foreshadowing of the ominous event in which God's love reaches through terror, betrayal, and death.

First Christian Church 109 E Wilshire Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832

Reawaken (Early Worship Service) Sunday, 8:00 A.M. Refresh (Contemporary Worship Service) Watch for reopening at 7:30 P.M. April 7, 2013 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. Contemplative Service: Tuesdays, 7:00 P.M.

Serving March 24, 2013

Greeter: Barbara Fenters Guest Book: Ted Adams Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Angulo Sound: Clare Keech Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Barry Woodbridge Childrens Moment: Darrell McGowan Elders: Dwain Van Diest, PJ Vannoy, Janelle Vannoy Diaconate: Pauls Team Prepare: Linda Johnen, Nancy Malotte Ushers: Jan Farley, Beverly Reinke, Serve: Rod Farley, Linda Johnen, Nancy Malotte, Alyssa & Paul Robidoux, Dwain Van Diest, Clean Up: Beverly Reinke, Dwain Van Diest, Janelle Vannoy Alternates: Luanne Bailey, Cam Malotte

Serving March 31, 2013

Greeter: Youth Guest Book: Donna Vannoy Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte Parent: Henke Sound: Alyssa Robidoux Video: Clare Keech Lay Leader: Ed Linberg Childrens Moment: Luanne Bailey Elders: Kathy Robidoux, Janelle Vannoy, Norma Rill Diaconate: Pauls Team Prepare: Beverly Reinke, Janelle Vannoy Ushers: Alyssa & Paul Robidoux Serve: Luanne Bailey, Rod Farley, Linda Johnen, Cam & Nancy Malotte, Alyssa & Paul Robidoux, Dwain Van Diest, Clean Up: Beverly Reinke, Dwain Van Diest, Janelle Vannoy Alternates: Luanne Bailey, Cam Malotte 9