GAZETTEA Note From The Pastor

Faith With Action Faith without action is no faith

at all, and it is in our service to others that our faith finds its highest expression. This month we will collect blankets and prepare food baskets to distribute to our homeless neighbors. Join with me in caring for the ‘least of these’ among us.

Our service to others doesn’t stop with caring for our homeless brothers and sisters. This month we will extend our financial literacy program to our local community so that our neighbors can achieve greater financial empowerment through knowledge.

This month has once again seen our commitment to diversity and academic excellence through music. Our Hope Alive concert generated much needed funds to support the underfunded music programs in the Santa Ana Unified School District, particularly Willard Intermediate School. Educators, professional musicians, and students were joined to produce a full concert at the historic Bill Medley Auditorium, an event that those in attendance will not soon forget.

I couldn’t be prouder of who New Hope is as we continue to serve our community. Let us not grow weary in our work as we approach the new and exciting year ahead. God bless and keep you!

You matter!Pastor Chineta

NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN

CHURCH IS A VIBRANT,

CHRIST-CENTERED

COMMUNITY OF PRAYER,

PRAISE AND MUSIC,

WHERE YOU MATTER!

WE ARE...

CREATIVE,

DIVERSE,

PRAYERFUL,

ENGAGED IN OUR

COMMUNITY,

A CONGREGATION THAT

GLORIFIES GOD BY

UPLIFTING ALL PEOPLE

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Editorial:Chris Mears, Richard Norwood, Kris Kozak, Mark Kozak and Darlene Kriesel

Design & Layout: Mark Kozak

Please send any New Hope Presbyterian Church news or activities you would like to have published in the next issue to: cmearsapc@aol.com orrichard.norwood@cox.net

Issue 5, Volume 1. New Hope Presbyterian Church News Gazette is published bimonthly.

NOV/DEC 2015

A Christmas Message:

Strength and LoveRemembering the birth of Jesus is to

know how love obedience and sacrifice strengthens us as one body in Christ. First, Joseph, the earthly father, who could be bitter about his wife’s pregnancy, but is instead obedient and trusting, sacrificing ego in his duty to care for Mary as they both await this very special birth. Mary, who knows she will lose her son one day, who could have hid him, given him to someone else for safe-keeping, is instead loving as she wraps the baby in swaddling clothes, and continues to be obedient as she raises him into the earthly man and heavenly Savior we know as Emanuel. And finally Jesus, obedient to both his earthly and heavenly father, and a great teacher to his family of disciples and to all the communities he travels in. Never straying from his destiny, sacrificing himself so that we all might be saved. What greater love is there than this? As Christmas approaches and we celebrate our loved ones with gifts, food, and laughter, may we remember the attributes exemplified through this holy family’s life - that the strength of love and family, obedience to God and sacrifice in the face of pain, will edify our own lives and those around us.

Youth Ministry

Being ThankfulDuring this season that includes reflecting

on what we are thankful for, as well as celebrating the birth of Christ, Minister Sherri reports that the youth, full of desire to strengthen their relationship with Christ through community work, are busy with a number of activities for this festive season. The following are scheduled events through December, 2015: Saturday October 31– Habitat for Humanity gift basket delivery to family moving into new home and Fall Festival from 6-7:30 pm, that includes a costume contest, a hula hoop contest and cupcake walk. To practice their hospitality skills, the youth hope to assist Ray in serving Thanksgiving dinner on November 21st .

Minister Sherri continues to encourage our youth to serve within the church. Serving as youth ushers is one such commitment. Harley Lambert fulfilled this opportunity by being the first junior usher to serve the church on October 1, 2015. Also, each 3rd Saturday through April, our young people will use their various talents in sharing and expressing their faith. Community Voice is now Fresh Expressions and has expanded to include: dance, drama, instrumental expression and spoken word, to name a few.

As a church, we must continue to provide spiritual enrichment to our youth people. They are the church of the present and our future.

"Adoration of the Shepherds" by Gerard van Honthorst, 1622

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Health Corner: Alzheimer’s

What You Should KnowA discussion of Alzheimer’s is relevant in

the church, today. By 2025, 7.1 million individuals over the age of 64 will have the disease – a 40 percent increase from the 5.1 million affected as of 2015.

Alzheimer’s disease is a progressive form of dementia, a disease that destroys memory and can occur in middle or old age. It is not clear what causes Alzheimer’s disease, but it is the most common form of dementia in older adults. Besides causing memory loss, Alzheimer’s can impair judgment, language, and behavior. Those affected may get lost in places that they used to know well. The disease may take many years to develop. In some cases, people can function well with the disease for many years.

Finding out that a loved one has Alzheimer’s can be quite shocking.

How to live with a loved one with Alzheimer’s can be more bearable with certain lifestyle considerations. The family member should eat a balanced diet. She should eat plenty of whole grains, fruits, and vegetables every day. She should stay active, both physically and mentally. Walking, for example, has been proven to slow the decline of our mental capabilities. Reading a good book or working an interesting crossword puzzle, are just two examples of fun brainwork.

Other strategies and steps to follow if a loved shows signs or develops Alzheimer’s are as follows: Develop a routine. To have a clear, simple plan of what to do each day can help avoid frustration or confusion throughout the day. Write down appointments and other tasks on a calendar. Schedule activities and tasks for times of the day when the loved one

is mentally sharp and best able to handle them. Make a list of medicines and when they should be taken. Ask your loved one’s doctor about support groups and other resources in your area. Support groups can provide comfort for those with the disease, as well as their families. Finally, caretakers of Alzheimer’s family members should make a list of advance directives, which are instructions for the patient’s doctor and family members that outlines the kind of care the patient wants should she become unable to speak or express her needs. Together with family and the healthcare team, Alzheimer’s disease can be managed in a way that allows a person afflicted with this disease to preserve their memories a little longer and live with dignity.

Despite the current facts about Alzheimer’s, hope is on the horizon. There are currently five FDA-approved Alzheimer’s drugs used to treat the disease; however, new drugs in development are targeted to modify the disease, itself. Success with one or more of these treatments can dramatically alter the predicted 40% increase over the next 10 years. For more information on the disease, go to http://www.alz.org/.

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RECIPE

Alice’s Fruitcake RecipeIngredients: All purpose flour, baking powder, salt, nutmeg, cinnamon, pecans, candied pineapple, candied cherries, golden raisins, butter, sugar, eggs, brandy flavoring and brandy or Non-Alcoholic Wine.

Sift together in a 4-quart mixing bowl:4 Cups all purpose flour½ tsp. double acting baking powder½ tsp. Salt1 tsp. Nutmeg½ tsp. CinnamonAdd: ½ lbs. Pecans, whole or halved¾ lbs. Candied Pineapples chopped¾ lbs. Candied Cherries1 lb. Golden Raisins

Mix until all of the fruit and nuts are well covered with the dry ingredients

Cream: 1-Cup Butter, ½ Cup Sugar

Add: 6 unbeaten eggs, beating well after each

Add: 3 tbs. Brandy Flavoring to the Fruit Mixture and mix well to combine

Grease and line Pan: Pour into 10” Tube Pan or 2 Loaf Pans

Bake in a slow oven at 274 degrees. 2 Hours 45 min to 3 hours

Aging: Set aside ¼ cup of Brandy, Parchment paper and cheesecloth

Cool Cake in the pan for 10 min, and then sprinkle with 2 tbsp. of Brandy. Cut 1 piece of parchment paper and 1 piece of cheesecloth large enough to wrap around cake. Moisten cheesecloth with 1 tbsp. of Brandy. Arrange cheesecloth on top of parchment paper and unmold cake. Sprinkle top and side of cake with remaining brandy. Wrap cheesecloth closely to the surface of the cake, then wrap with paper. Place in an airtight tin for 10 weeks.

Finance Committee

Reduce Our DeficitThis report reflects a deficit of over

$43,000 through the end of September 2015. To clear this shortfall and to cover some expenses through the end of the year our total church givings will need to be increased by a minimun of $17,000.00 per month for the next three months.

Currently our thithes and offerings have been $14,000 per month. This increase in givings is only $750.00 more each week, which means if 40 members of our congregation gave an additional $20.00 per week, we could very easily reduce our deficit and move closer ending the year without a deficit.

Shelby

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NEW HOPE PRESBYTERIAN CHURCHTHIRD QUARTER FINANCIAL REPORT 2015

MONTH OF SEPTEMBER

CHURCH OPERATIONS ACTUAL BUDGET VARIANCE

OFFERINGS $14,168.75 $15,000.00 -$831.25

OTHER INCOME $4,921.33 $9,316.69 -$4,395.36

TOTAL INCOME $19,090.69 $24,566.69 -$5,476.00

TOTAL EXPENSES $22,391.60 $28,661.68 -$6,270.08

SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) -$3,300.91 -$4,094.99 $794.08

NINE MONTHS ENDING 9/30/2015

CHURCH OPERATIONS ACTUAL BUDGET VARIANCE

OFFERINGS $133,564.19 $137,250.00 -$3,685.81

OTHER INCOME $65,978.85 $83,850.21 -$17,871.36

TOTAL INCOME $199,547.62 $221,100.21 -$21,552.59

TOTAL EXPENSES $242,561.04 $257,955.13 -$15,394.09

SURPLUS/(DEFICIT) -$43,013.42 -$36,854.92 -$6,158.50

Profile In Patience and Service:

Mary and Dave Solomon (Editor’s Note: Mary and Dave Solomon are new members of New Hope who were formerly long-time members of Trinity Presbyterian. Married for 34 years and utterly devoted to one another, the couple is now challenged with Dave’s mild cognitive impairment, a subject which they approach with candor, patience, and humor. )

New Hope Gazette: You were members of Trinity for many years before joining New Hope. Why the change?

MARY: I suppose the tipping point was Trinity’s conservative stance on same sex marriage. Like most families, we have gay members of our extended family, so Trinity’s position was untenable for us. We have many dear friends at Trinity, but we couldn’t support that kind of discrimination.

DAVE: I suppose I’m more conservative than Mary as far as a more traditional church service and music, but we agreed fully on the change. Although it was very difficult.

NHG: Mary, Dave is now 91 years old, and is experiencing some mild cognitive impairment. How is this affecting your lives together?

MARY: It’s not easy, but it’s just part of it all. Life throws you a lot of curves, but there’s always a blessing in the mix. For us, we’ve had to tap reserves of patience that I’m not sure we knew we had. Fortunately, I am married to the kindest man I’ve ever known.

DAVE: And fortunately for me I married a younger woman!

MARY: And thank God for humor! None of us would make it through without it.

NHG: You two have done missionary work throughout the world. You’ve helped construct a leper colony in India, traveled to Kenya to work with African Presbyterians, and have worked with Southwest Center, Habitat for Humanity, and Futuro del Oro. Dave, you drove and maintained three church buses for 20 years, taking various groups to social events. Where does this commitment to service come from?

MARY: Dave was born poor, and worked for years as a boy on the family farm in Indiana before eventually becoming a successful real estate broker. It gave him a real appreciation for the have-nots in life. I guess I just love people, and life, and we want to help others reap more of the blessings.

DAVE: Life has been very good to us. It only makes sense to pass it on.

MARY: It’s what we are all called to do, isn’t it?

Mary and Dave

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Membership Committee Focus

The Power of One In a recent interview with the Gazette,

Richard Norwood, Mr. Everything at New Hope and also Chair of our Membership Committee, was clear on what it takes to increase our membership: You!

“The best, and most effective, method of increasing membership is word-of-mouth,” says Richard, a former marketing executive. “If every member of our church brought a guest every week, or even every month, we would meet our membership goals before you know it.”

Richard has, in part, focused the Committee’s efforts on our local neighborhood community by sending hundreds of mailers and hanging literature on neighbors’ doors. On a parallel track, the church continues to attract notice with the wildly popular Hope Alive Concert, the Jazz Christmas Concert, the choir’s annual Gospel Concert, and the Violin Academy.

“These are proven methods of increasing membership,” Richard emphasizes. “But more than anything else, it takes you, and it takes follow-up and perseverance.”

Richard’s beautiful bride of nearly 50 years, Joyce, looks on with an enigmatic smile as Richard evangelizes his membership gospel.

WOWW Minsitry

Busy, Busy, BusyThe Women of Word and Worship have

been busy these past few months….very busy. First, they hosted a bridal shower for Toni Andrews. A great time was had by all who attended and anyone walking by during the shower might have heard all the women singing “Going to the Chapel’ in beautiful unison!

Next, book club was well attended and Joyce Norwood hosted the discussion around the book by Beth Moore, ‘Believing God’. Next book club meeting is on December 15th in the Grand Street Center. The book selection is ‘War Room – Prayer is a Powerful Weapon’ by Chris Fabry.

Finally, WOWW kicked off the ‘Prayer Shawl Ministry’ brought forward by Ruth Siegrist. This ministry is an excellent way for those who find it hard to commit to another ministry – as the knitting of these shawls is done at each one’s own pace and time. We were fortunate to have a seasoned knitting instructor on hand for the kick off meeting on November 10th! We are certain this ministry will grow and bless countless members of our own congregation and beyond.

We look forward to seeing you all at the next WOWW event….stay tuned!

Bridal shower for Toni Andrews

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Marriage Ministry

Communication New Hope couples gathered on October

18th for the Marriage Ministry’s annual seminar, held at Santa Ana’s historic Hacienda Restaurant. Fourteen couples received the collective wisdom of Licensed Marriage and Family Counselors Michelle Miller and Joe Whitcomb, dynamic and insightful speakers whose messages were steeped in both solid psychology and Christian faith. Their core messages were similar: stay in touch with your spouse, and do more listening than talking.

Michelle Mears and Joyce Norwood were the event’s principal organizers, and, judging by the feedback from attendees, the day was an overwhelming success.

“Michelle and Joe brought such an important fusion of the practical and the spiritual,” says Joyce. “I know their message was powerful because even my Richard took notes!”

“We are very proud of our seminar,” says Michelle Mears. “The feedback was so positive, and it was clear that there was something for every couple, whether contemplating marriage, or as newlyweds or those married for decades.”

The Ministry will hold its Christmas dinner on December 6th at the home of Ray and Moira Singer. Please contact Richard Norwood at richard.norwood@cox.net for more information and to RSVP.

“You know,” Joyce now says, smile still intact, “sometimes Richard actually knows what he’s talking about!”

Not sure if he’s been damned with faint praise or not, Richard picks up where he left off.

“Increasing membership is just essential to our success as a church,” Richard added, glancing at Joyce for any reaction. “As we move forward with chartering, the Presbytery will look at a number of factors to determine whether we are ready to charter. But it's safe to say that increase in membership, and increase in tithing, are at the top of the list. And increasing membership and tithing are really flip sides of the same coin. No pun intended.”

As the end of 2015 approaches, New Hope can proudly boast a 20% increase in membership, a figure that doesn’t satisfy Richard.

“We can, and must, do better,” the unrelenting church leader chides. “Most churches would hold a parade with a 20% membership increase. Well, we’re not going to start popping corks until we double in size!”

Joyce is asked if her husband has always been so driven. “I suppose in a way he has,” says Joyce. “And he’s used to getting what he wants.”

“I got you, didn’t I?” Richard says, now meeting his wife’s look with a smile of his own.

Praise God. And tell a friend!

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TO LONG BEACH

TO RIVERSIDE

91

57

5

5

22

405

55

TO L.A.

TO S.D.

NEWHOPE

E. Maple Ave

NEWHOPE

CHAPMANUNIVERSITY

ORANGECIRCLE

W. Chapman Ave.

N. Glassell St.

N. Orange St.

N. Grand St.

N. Olive St.

5

57

91

55

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LOCAL STREETS (Not to Scale)

LOCAL FREEWAYS

(Not to Scale)

Join us for Worship every Saturday at 5:00 p.m.We meet on the campus of FirstPresbyterian Church of Orange

191 North Orange Street, Orange, CA 92866 PHONE: 714-288-9986

EMAIL: info@MyNewHopePres.org WEB: MyNewHopePres.org

Calendar of Events NOVEMBER

11/4; 11/18; 12/2; 12/16 BIBLE STUDY 6:30 - 8:00 PM

11/17 - 11/20 FINANCIAL CONFERENCE

11/22; 12/20 STEERING COMMITTEE(S) 10:00 - 12:01 PM

11/15 HOPE ALIVE CONCERT 6:00 - 9:00 PM

11/19 PRAY GATHERING 6:30 - 8:00 PM

11/21 THANKSGIVING DINNER 6:15 - 8:00 PM

11/21 LOOSE CHANGE DAY 5:00 - 6:15 PM

11/29 TREATS IN THE STREETS 3:00 - 7:00 PM

DECEMBER

12/06 MARRIAGE MINISTRY AT SINGERS 6:00 - 8:30 PM

12/06 TREE LIGHTNING CEREMONY 4:00 - 7:00 PM

12/03; 1/07; 2/04 MEMBERSHIP MTG 6:30 - 8:00 PM

12/07 CHRISTMAS CHOIR FELLOWSHIP 7:00 - 9:00 PM

12/13 JAZZ CONCERT 6:00 - 8:30 PM

12/19 NEW HOPE CHRISTMAS SERV 5:00 - 7:00 PM

SPECIAL NOTES

EVERY SATURDAY YOUTH SERVICE IN CHAPEL 5:15 PM

Special New Hope Mentions:WES KRIESEL is our member of special recognition this issue. With his friendly smile, his gentle spirit, Wes quickly makes anyone who is around him feel comfortable. His personality is enough to appreciate and love him; however, his expertise in photography, video recording and editing, have been a tremendous contribution to the incredible talent we have here at New Hope. And he is a hard worker. A few of his contributions to our church family so far include: producing high quality promotional videos for the 2015 Hope Alive concert, recording and producing footage of our choir singing for Bill and Audrey Brooks to enjoy, increasing our online visibility on social media, and becoming a board of directors member of the newly formed New Hope Music and Arts committee. Thank you, Wes, for all you do to help build

the kingdom of God here at New Hope.