December 18, 2016 Issue 49

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CALLER the

In This Issue Sunday Night Live 2 Longest Night Service 2 Remember in Prayer 3 Serving in the Military 3 Prayer requests, 12/4 3 Statistics 3 Daily Devotionals 3 Call for Clothing 4 T Shirts for sale 4 Girls Night Out Xmas Party 4 Children’s Choir 4 Congregational Meeting 4 Help organizing Kitchen 4 Sr Book Club & Christmas Tea 5 MMC Concert 5 Mitten Tree 5 Poinsettias 6 Cards 6 Christmas Offering 6 Campbell Soup Labels 6 Advent & Christmas 7 Serving Sunday 8

Events: December 18 - December 31, 2016 There will be no Sunday School, 8am Worship on 12/25 and 1/1/17 No Sunday Night Live on 12/18, 12/25 and 1/1/ 17 December 18: Fourth Sunday of Advent 8:00 A.M. - REAWAKEN Worship Service 9:00 A.M. - Adult Sunday School, Chapman Lounge 9:30 A.M. - Children’s Choir Rehearsal 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service, Choir Cantata

11:30 A.M. – Congregational Meeting, Sanctuary 1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary, FH, &

classrooms 101 – 104 6:00 P.M. - FIMA Longest Night Service at St. Jude Medical Center December 20: 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary, Chapman Lounge, choir room, &

classrooms 101, 104 December 21: 7:00 P.M. - Outreach, Worship and Stewardship Ministry Teams

meet tonight. December 22: 6:30 P.M. - Bell Choir Practice 7:30 P.M. - Chancel Choir Practice December 24: 7:00 P.M. – Christmas Eve Service December 25: Christmas Day – No 8 a.m. service, 9 a.m. Sunday

School or Sunday Night Live 10:15 A.M. - REMEMBER Worship Service

1:00 P.M. - Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary, FH, & classrooms, 101 - 104 December 26: Office Closed, Christmas Holiday –

Mandye on vacation through January 2. December 27: 7:00 P.M. - Casa uses Sanctuary, Chapman Lounge, choir room, &

classrooms 101, 104 December 31: New Year’s Eve – First Night Fullerton 7 – Midnight January 1: New Year’s Day - No 8 a.m. service, 9 a.m. Sunday School or Sunday Night Live AA Groups: Sun. 8 P.M., FH; Thursday, 8 P.M. FH; Friday, 7:30 P.M., FH; Sat. 8:30 P.M., FH Dist. 10, 1st Wed. 7:00 p.m. FH;

Intergroup, 2nd Wed, 7:00 P.M. FH

The Caller 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

Senior Pastor:

Rev. Dr. Mandye Yates

Editor:

Donna Woodbridge

Webmaster:

Lisa Parks

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Remember in Prayer Continue to pray for: Amber Angulo, Dottie Bense, Sandra

Brown, Jack Doughty, Raquel Durdan, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Joyce Finch, Bob Hasty, Sharon Hatton, Carolyn Kenrick, Terry Knott, Colleen Langston, Dirk McCuen, Flora Miller, Janet Parker, Kristine Perry, Norma Rill, Betty Rollo, Marj Schwenker, Edee Stahnke, Claudia Tammen, Willie West, Bob & Donna Vannoy. Please pray for: Iglesia Discipulos de Criston 17003 S. Clark Avenue Bellflower, CA 90707 Angeles Coronado, Pastor Pacific Southwest Region Don & Susan Dewey, Co-Regional ministers Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) General Church; Sharon Watkins, General Minister & President

For Those Serving in the Military

Michael J. Borden, Navy Chief, Nancy

Geiger’s grandson, in Norfolk, VA Brandon Johnson, Army Chaplain, Mariette Linberg’s cousin, in Afghanistan. Lt. Austen Packer, Laura Lee Wiggins’ friend, at Oceana, NAS, in Virginia Pvt. Kash Cross, Ted & Sammie’s grandson, is now back in the US at Fort Drum, NY Mjr. Christopher Evans, cousin of Annie Frater’s who is serving in Seoul, Korea. Pvt 2. Melody Martinez, at Ft Hood, TX PFC David Radcliffe, friend of the Robidouxs’ in South Korea

Prayer Requests, Sunday, December 11 John Cairns Pray for my father,

Douglas (91) who is having a pacemaker replaced on Friday, Dec. 16. Pray for the success and easy recovery.

Alice Maraj Prayers for my nephew, Naresh, who has been sick for over 9 months and is back in the hospital with complications.

Kelly McCuen Prayersfor a friend, Yvonne, who husband Don passed away last week.

Week of December19 – December 25, 2016 Monday, December 19: Reading: Isaiah 52:7-10; Pray for the Electoral College as

they cast their votes for the President of the United States. Tuesday, December 20: Reading: Psalm 96; Pray for Global Ministries missionary in Dominican Republic, Toni Reynolds. Wednesday, December 21: Reading: Psalm 98; Pray for the Ministry Team meetings tonight. Thursday, December 22: Reading: Isaiah 9:2-7; Pray for the Bell Choir as they get ready for their performance on Christmas Sunday. Friday, December 23: Reading: Hebrews 1:1-12; Pray for Gleanings for the Hungry group who will be going to a Syrian Refugee Camp in Greece to distribute food and clothing. Saturday, December 24: Reading Luke 2:1-20; Pray for Christmas Eve service tonight in the Sanctuary. Sunday, December 25: Reading: John 1:1-14; Merry Christmas everyone.

Sunday Statistics December 11, 2016 102 (Remember Service) 8 (Reawaken Service) 114(Casa 1 P.M. service) 17 (Sunday Night Live) Weekly Giving: $4,059 Missions: $451 Budget Goal: $4,831 Pathways: $20 Christmas: $735

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Thank You - Our family wishes to convey our sincerest appreciation for your prayers,

caring and loving friendships shown to Helen and family. We are blessed to have friends and family like you and even though they are missed, we rejoice in knowing that Helen and Him are together again.

In Gratitude and Love The Helen Bailey Family, Becky, Cathy, Sue and Bill

Card is posted on the door to TV in the narthex.

Kitchen Items Up for Grabs The kitchen has been cleaned and

organized and lots of items are up for grabs! Join us this Sunday in room 107 in Fellowship Hall buildinga fter the congregational meeting to help yourself to place settings, silverware, kitchen utensils, and oh so much more. YOU MUST BRING YOUR OWN BAGS AND PACKING SUPPLIES. The trays and containers the items are resting in MAY

NOT be taken. Any remaining items will be donated, so if you want a little piece of church history, this is your chance. See you then.

Children’s Choir Rehearsal The Children and Youth will be singing during Children’s moment today. Please be sure to have your children here for practice at 9:30 a.m.

Congregational Meeting, TODAY after10:15 service Please plan on staying for a Congregational Meeting

after the 10:15 service today. The Stewardship Ministry Team will be presenting the 2017 Budget for congregational approval. There are narrative and line item budgets available on the table in the back of the sanctuary and also in the church office on the counter.

Leadership Retreat- Saturday, January 7th 9:00 A.M. - 3:00 P.M. Lunch provided All Elders, Lay Leaders, Ministry Team and Committee chairs are invited to attend, We will meet in Chapman Lounge. Here's a basic breakdown of the day and what we will be doing. Please make plans to stay for the whole day. It will be lots of fun! 9:00 A.M. - 11:00 A.M. Elder Training (what you need to know for the various duties of an elder: Table (prayers and motions), Narthex (responsibilities), Stewardship (prayers and responsibilities) and Shepherding (shut in visitation, prayers and responsibilities) 11:00 A.M. - 12:00 P.M. Lay Leader Training (speaking in worship 101, prayer and offering invitation ideas) 12:00 P.M. - 1:00 P.M. Lunch 1:00 P.M. - 3:00 P.M. Calendaring and Visioning for 2017 (planning our committee events, fundraisers, outreach projects, all church activities for the year - and dreaming up new stuff too)

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Concerning the Parlor Class The Parlor Class will conclude its four-session study

of “Because of Bethlehem,” featuring the DVD presentations and writing of Max Lucado, this Sunday. Due to Christmas Day falling on Sunday this year, we will not meet on December 25. We plan to resume our study of the Gospel of John on Sunday, January 8 at 9 A.M. If you’d like to join us for the on-going study of the Gospel of John, we’d welcome you. We have completed the first twelve chapters of this beloved gospel. These chapters have taken us through John’s narrative of Jesus’ ministry. Chapter 13 takes us into Jesus’ passion, i.e. the last week of his earthly ministry from Palm Sunday to Easter. In Chapter 13 Jesus is gathered with his disciples in the upper room. It’s here that we find the account of his washing his disciples’ feet. The upper room scene continues in Chapters 14 through 17. In these chapters we will encounter some of Jesus’ most beloved sayings, such as “I am the way, the truth and the life . . . “ found in Chapter 14 and “”I am the vine, you are the branches . . . “ found in Chapter 15. We invite you to join us for our study of the passion narrative, as related by John. We believe that being part of this experience will be a good way—no, a great way—to start the new year, especially if you’ve resolved to devote more time to studying your Bible in 2017. This class will help you keep your resolution! The Parlor Class

We Get Letters . . . The following letters came to us recently. Below are excerpts from the

letters which are posted on the bulletin board by the water fountain. ….“Many thanks for First Christian Church, Fullerton. CareerWise will use your donation to coach local homeless people in how to find and keep jobs. Kathey Schuster, CarrerWise Director.”

…“Thank you for your recent

donation to NAMI, OC inspiring us to continue our efforts in providing emotional support, education and resources for families and individuals affected by mental illness. John Leyerle, President” …“Thanks for your donation to Habitat OC . Habitat for Humanity has built 205 affordable homes to date helping more than 3,651 women, men and children transform their lives.The donation will be used to build more affordable homes for hard-working families in OC. Sharon Ellis, President/CEO These donations were generated by the Alternative Gift Faire held on Sunday, November 6. Thank you for your support of this annual event. Outreach Ministry Team

Longest Night Service If you or someone you know has lost a loved one this year, the Fullerton Interfaith Ministerial Association

has a service to help you get through the holidays. This year’s service will be held,

Sunday, December 18 at 6:00 P.M.In the

Chapel at St. Jude Medical Center. This is always a very beautiful and heart-warming service.

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Christmas Offering Supports Regional Church Ministries

The 2016 Christmas Offering, which we will be receiving on both December 18 and December 25 supports the ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Pacific Southwest Region. Our Region, composed of local congregations found in Southern California between Bakersfield and Morro Bay in the north and San Diego in the south, plus Las Vegas, Nevada, and Hawaii, covenants to work together to be the kind of change that needs to happen for Jesus to again become the Savior of the world. Together we: . . . Provide camps, conferences and retreats where children and youth find hope and God’s love in a community faith that embraces all; . . . Revitalize existing congregations and plan for new congregations; . . . Call, commission and ordain new pastors; . . . Support and equip pastors and lay leaders for their ministries; and, . . . Provide resources and support for congregations and pastors. The foregoing is a partial listing of what is done in the name of Christ because of our annual Christmas Offering. Further information about the work we support in the Pacific Southwest Region through the Christmas Offering will be provided in the next issue of “The Caller.” Look for that information next week and, of course, make your gift for the 2016 Christmas Offering by using the special envelope provided in last Sunday’s worship bulletin or by simply writing “Christmas Offering” on the memo line of your check. The goal for the 2016 Christmas Offering is $1,502.00. In advance of the two Sundays designated for the presentation of gifts for the 2016 Christmas Offering, we have received

$735. We thank those of you who made advance gifts and we will welcome the gifts that others will give on either of the next two Sundays. The Outreach Ministry

Mitten Tree Project

There are two more Wednesdays that we will be giving out 30 – 35 tickets and having the guests at Hot Meals choose something of their choice.

If you would like to still donate items for the tree, look for the red tub near the tree. Thank you so much! Diane Daugherty & Susan Harless

Share your card Again, this year, you are invited to cut costs and bring a card to hang

on the doors to the TV cabinet in the Narthex. You only have to send one card, save lots of postage and at the same time, let everyone in the congregation know that you are thinking of them.

Reminder to Save Campbell Soup Labels

With the Christmas season upon us, more of us will be

entertaining and that means more Campbell’s Soup cans will be opened. The Disciples Women (Betty Rollo is our coordinator) ask that you continue to save your Campbell product bar codes from the label on the cans or just bring the whole label and Betty will cut out the bar code. Bring them to church and deposit in the silver box on the counter in Donna’s office. These labels are sent to Woodhaven Home for the developmentally disabled in Jefferson City, MO

Thanks for your assistance with this worthwhile project.

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Advent & Christmas Events

December 18 – Fourth Sunday of Advent – Love Candle Chancel Choir Cantata 9:30 – 10:00 - Children’s Choir Rehearsal and performance during the

church service. 2:00 p.m.- Sunnycrest Christmas Service

December 24 – Christmas Eve Service, 7:00 p.m.

December 25 – Christmas Sunday

Gift-giving solutions Trying to find gifts for certain people — or letting others know what you want — can be quite challenging. After all, most of us don’t need anything. Realizing that the best gifts aren’t material items offers a new perspective on giving and receiving. Consider these insights from author Charles Swindoll: “Some gifts you can give this Christmas are beyond monetary value: Mend a quarrel, dismiss suspicion, tell someone ‘I love you.’ Give something away — anonymously. Forgive someone who has treated you wrong. Turn away wrath with a soft answer. Visit someone in a nursing home. Apologize if you were wrong. Be especially kind to someone with whom you work. Give as God gave to you in Christ, without obligation, or announcement, or reservation, or hypocrisy.”

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WoC December 15, 2016 Syria Crisis: Week Of Compassion Committee Approves Largest Emergency Grant Year To Date

This week our hearts have been wrenched again by the crisis in Syria, especially in Aleppo, as conflict intensified. The media continues to remind us

that this is one of the worst humanitarian crises in the world today. Over 12 million people have been displaced since the war began in 2011. In the last several weeks, Week of Compassion has provided emergency grants to our partners through Global Ministries to support Syrian refugees through the winter months. Just this week, the Week of Compassion Committee approved an emergency grant to provide nearly $250,000 from our unrestricted Compassion In Action Fund for the global refugee crises surrounding the Middle East. The need is vast and varied: From those still in war-torn areas inside Syria, to those who have fled and are staying in refugee camps throughout the Middle East, to those who have sought asylum throughout Eastern Europe. The grants approved by the Week of Compassion Committee provide support to refugees and migrants in each of these areas, and respond to the unique needs identified by partners on the ground. Within Syria, especially in Aleppo, funds provide immediate food and water relief, delivered through our network of church partners who create a collaborative network of compassion in dire circumstances. Although there has been a ceasefire in Aleppo, violence has not ceased. As of Thursday morning, our partners remain in Aleppo providing food and water even as the situation develops. As families flee Syria, they go to refugee camps throughout the Middle East. Daily challenges in these camps include personal sanitation and hygiene. Partners are providing hygiene kits to respond to this need. Some have migrated through to Greece, Serbia, and Hungary. Refugees there face several challenges from food insecurity to cold winter in temporary shelters. Thousands of children have missed months, or even years, of school. Through our partners, we are providing hot meals and food parcels, weather appropriate clothing, and remedial classes and school supplies. After fleeing violent conditions and entering a foreign country, many refugees face ongoing challenges from post-traumatic stress. This grant provides crucial counseling and psychosocial services, especially for children, during this vulnerable moment. As the situation in Syria and the surrounding Middle East is expected to worsen in the near future, Week of Compassion is committed to continuing to provide emergency support. We will continue to be in communication with those on the ground. We will continue to listen to the voices of those who implore the world to hear their cry. We will continue to work with our global church partners to end this conflict. We will increase our efforts to advocate for peace for all people. During this time we are called as church to respond to our sisters and brothers in need. We hold the suffering of the Syrian people in prayer and we continue to pray that all people come to live in peace. Your generosity and support allows our church to be present with the suffering and in solidarity with the vulnerable. In this season of Advent, we await Christ's coming into the world. As we wait, we prepare Christ's way through our actions: comforting the weeping, healing the wounded, feeding the hungry, and protecting the vulnerable. Next Week – Week of Compassion Flood Report for 2016

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First Christian Church 109 E. Wilshire Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832

Reawaken (Early Worship Service) Sunday, 8:00 A.M. Adult Sunday School: 9:00 A.M. Remember (Traditional Worship Service) Sunday, 10:15 A.M. Children’s Sunday School – Infants through 12 years old, 10:00 a.m. Sunnycrest Worship Service: Fourth Sunday of every month 2:00 P.M. Youth Group: Sunday, 1:00 P.M.

First Christian Church . . .

Where encounters with God are not only ordinary, they’re extraordinary!

Where invitations not only happen on occasion,

they happen on every occasion.

Where not only minds grow in knowledge,

hearts grow in faith.

Serving December 18, 2016

Greeter: Richard & Becky Graves Guest Book: Sara Caswell Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolytes: Elders Sound & Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Sherry Herrera Children’s Moment: Youth & Children’s choir

CWW Greeter: Lori Albrecht & Donna Woodbridge

CWW Helper: Callie Yates Butterfly Nook Helper: Kayla McCuen Elders: PJ Vannoy, Pat Vannoy, Jeanne Tarbell

Diaconate: McCuen’s Team Prepare: Anna & Dwain Van Diest Ushers: Jan & Dirk McCuen Serve: Jan, Kelly & Shawn McCuen, Craig

Wallace, Anna & Dwain Van Diest Clean Up: Jan, Dirk & Shawn McCuen

Serving December 25, 2016

Greeter: Ted Adams Guest Book: Mary Brill Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolytes: Lay Leader and Elders Sound & Video: Travis Robidoux Lay Leader: Chris Fee Children’s Moment: Mandye Yates CWW Greeter: Lori Albrecht & Donna Woodbridge

CWW Helper: Callie Yates Butterfly Nook Helper: Kayla McCuen Elders: Barry & Donna Woodbridge, Mike Vaughan

Diaconate: McCuen’s Team Prepare: Randy Langston Ushers: Kelly & Shawn McCuen Serve: Jan, Kelly & Shawn McCuen, Randy

Langston, Anna & Dwain Van Diest Clean Up: Randy Langston, Anna & Dwain

Van Diest