The Christian CallerMarch 21, 2014

Julie's Jar                  Rivers

A meeting of rivers in northwest Iran that is similar to the description in Genesis 2

"And the LORDGod planted a garden in Eden...a river flows out of Eden to water the garden and from there it divides and becomes four branches." Genesis 2

"Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life... On either side of the river is the tree of life with its 12 kinds of fruit." Revelation 22

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Rivers provide life. They carry life down stream and nurture life within and around. Spring fed creeks that run through the desert in Anza-Borrego State Park have trees that grow alongside them, even while the landscape around them is covered in cactus and creosote.

Rivers bring life when they flood their banks depositing new topsoil as waters recede. Rivers bring life when they change their course, leaving behind in dry beds the remnants of a rich and diverse ecosystem that can sustain different kinds of life. Rivers are wild and humans have tried to control their courses, their banks and the life within them for millennia. Sometimes to our detriment and sometimes to our benefit: sometimes both.

The river appears at the beginning of creation and at its fulfillment. It is the source of God's refreshment to us. The river is the gift God gives to pour life into our world.  Without this river our life cannot be sustained now nor into the future, even the future beyond. Rivers run dry because we take more than they supply. Rivers flow with contaminated water because people are careless and ignorant; they are polluted with oil, run off from pesticides, petroleum fertilizers, cleaners, etc.

Next time you turn on the tap, flush a toilet, or take a shower, remember the river that watered God's garden, remember the river that is a vision of the promised future of fulfillment in the city of God. It is the same water.

The Season of Lent is a time of reflection and preparation in the life of the church. This year our collective reflection in worship and study is centered in Christian Simplicity.

Christian Simplicity is about how we live in relationship to other people, to our community and to the planet, our home. Each Sunday in worship, you will receive a bulletin handout related to the week's theme. The handouts contain quotes, prayers and simple suggestions for how a person can live the gospel value of Christian Simplicity.

Two classes are currently scheduled that will explore in greater depth how we live our

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Christian faith in relationship to how we live on the earth.

Wednesdays at 6:30 p.m.  Starting March 12, Mike Fronk will lead a discussion group on the same themes explored in worship: Christian Simplicity. Each session will explore a number of short essays related to the topic. This class meets after Logos dinner. If you would like to have dinner with Logos people before class, that is an option.

Sundays after worship Starting March 9, Julie Roberts-Fronk will lead a discussion group using the topic of Food to explore our sacred relationship to and stewardship of the earth: Food for Life. This class includes a meal together.

You can find more information and resources on the Lent 4.5 website.

Easy Ways to Help Out

You can be part of the ministry of hospitality at FCC Pomona in many ways.  A few simple ways are to help with Coffee Hour, Greeting on Sundays and/or Communion Preparation.  Signup sheets are in the entryway.  You can also call or email the church office:  909-622-1144 or fcc@fccpomona.org

Have you heard of Alan Shawn Feinstein?

My name is Alan Shawn Feinstein. For the past 16 years, I have been giving away $1 million each year to anti-hunger agencies throughout the country.

This year, I am doing it again...

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WHATEVER YOU WANT TO DONATE TO THIS AGENCY, I WILL ADD MONEY TO IT. THE MORE YOU GIVE, THE MORE OF MY $1 MILLION THEY'LL GET-

THANKS TO YOU!

Why am I doing this? Because I believe each of us was put here on earth to do what we can to help those in need. You got this letter because we feel that YOU believe that, too.

My money started this campaign, but it is YOU who will help decide how many people in your city or town will be fed this year.

This has become the greatest grass roots campaign ever to fight hunger in our country. Your donations make you   a partner in it with me!

We Are Needed Now!

Please give whatever you can- I gladly add money to yours.(My $1 million will be divided proportionately in full among the agencies receiving donations from my offer.)

Thank you for sharing my heart, and hope that-someday-no one will ever go hungry.

Sincerely Yours,Alan Shawn FeinsteinAlan Shawn Feinstein

P.S. All that will matter to us someday is what we did while we were here to help those in need.

Any Donations sent on March 1st through April 30th will get Feinstein money from Rhode Island added to it- and the more we raise, the more of the Feinstein $1 million we will get- thanks to YOU! You will become partners in the most successful on-going campaign of all time to fight hunger!

Farmer's Market

Eating fresh fruits and vegetables is essential to healthy living. Inland Valley Hope Partnerssponsors the Pomona Valley Certified Farmer's Market each Saturday to provide a forum for the

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community to purchase fresh produce from family farmers. The market also operates in conjunction with Cal Fresh, WIC (Women, Infants and Children) and Senior WIC programs. It is  located on Pearl at Garey Ave. in Pomona every Saturday, from 7:30 am - 11:30 am (rain or shine).

To volunteer: Volunteers assist with educational and outreach activities at the market as well as with set up and tear down of the market.

UPCOMING EVENTS

ICON Organizing 101 Training EventMonday, March 24, 7:00 pm - 8:30 pm

Industrial Areas Foundation (IAF) Regionall Manager and legendary organizing trainer Ernesto Cortes is coming to lead us in another organizing training. Whether you think organizing is about shelves or a word you're sick of hearing, come find out who is interested and interesting and form those important public relationships for organizational power in the inland communities and beyond!

Inland Communities Organizing Network (ICON) is the new name of the Inland Empire Sponsoring Committee (IESC).

For more info go to http://www.icon-iaf.org/

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 CELEBRATIONS AND PRAYER CONCERNSWe join together in prayer for members of our community and our world.

CELEBRATIONS

We celebrate Christ!

HOMEBOUND & CONVALESCING

Jean Weddle Hilda FaulknerDarlene Jones Jackie McCallister

Rhodes Thompson

PRAYERS AND CONCERNS

Brian Thies Ed Ross Jose Mendiola Laura ZivnakAllan Wilkin Carolyn McKee Leonard

FamilyVirginia Greeley

Lorraine Rogers Nancy Garcia Tim Reed T. BrothersDick & Lillian Arbenz Norm Brown Delores

EstradaLaddie DeWolf

Shirley Ewing & Family Jarod Davis Bret Wiley Donna BahmVelma Sanders Ray Akin Teresa Crist's brother, OwenMarie Tillenger Doug Sabicer Tim Jacobs and FamilyEvelyn Lepire and Family Kenneth Wandell

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Ellen Hamilton's Family Jim Bailey's Family

CHURCH CALENDER

April 2014

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesd

ayThursday

Friday

Saturday

1 2Mike's Lent Group,6:30 pm

3Hand Bells, 6 pm

Choir, 7:00 pm

4 5Men's Breakfast, 9 am

6Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Julie's Lent Group, after worship

7Elders Meeting, 5:30 pm, @ the Fronks'

8 9Mike's Lent Group,6:30 pm

10Hand Bells,6 pm

Choir, 7 pm

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13Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Julie's Lent Group, after worship

14 15Reiki Share,7 - 8:30 pm

16Mike's Lent Group, 6:30 pm

17Maundy Thursday Dinner & Service, 6-8 pm

18Good Friday Service, 7 pm

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Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday20Easter

Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Easter Egg Hunt, after church, all ages

21 22 23 24No Choir

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27Bible Study: Luke, 9 am

Congregational Lunch & Meeting, after worship

Tech Group Meeting, after Congregational Meeting

Theology on Ice, Julie & Mike's, 3 pm

Labyrinth Walk, 6:30 - 8 pm

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We'd love to wish you a happy anniversary here in The Caller too!If you would like to have your anniversary or anything

else listed, contact the church office: 909-622-1144 or fcc@fccpomona.org

April Birthdays  1 ~ Connie Sly  4 ~ John Alcazar  7 ~ Harry Pearson11 ~ Tom Hunter &Julie Roberts-Fronk16 ~ Jamie Baily17 ~ Marvin Pitts & Marsha Wolfersberger25 ~ Kristen Thies26 ~ Elaine Reed

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30 ~ Mandy Jacobs

 Have you sent in your Membership Information Sheet yet?  We would like to get this project completed, so if you would please send them in, it would be greatly appreciated.  Thank you.

Your Hospitality Group Members

Address Change:

David Fronk11 Peabody Terrace #502Cambridge MA, 02138

Upcoming Scriptures:

March 30 -   Numbers 35:34

April 6 -  Luke 10:30-37,  The Parable of the Good Samaritan

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facebook.com/fccpomona

About First Christian Church PomonaWe are an active, informed, progressive Christian Community worshiping and serving in the Pomona, CA community. Our congregation is associated with the Disciples of Christ Denomination. All are welcome to worship, take Communion and serve the world with us.

Join us for Bible Study:The Gospel of Luke

9 am Sunday

Join us for Worship:10 am Sunday

Contact Us www.fccpomona.org1751 N. Park AvePomona, California 91768First Christian Church Pomona909-622-1144

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