First United Methodist Church of Orange

The Forum Volume 85, Issue #3 March 2016

Join Us as we Prepare for Easter!

Lenten Soup Suppers & Bible Studies

March 2nd, 9th, & 16th at 6:00 p.m. in Messenger Hall

Palm Sunday Worship March 20th at 10:30 a.m.

Holy Week Nightly Worship 7:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary

Good Friday Cantata “The Weeping Tree” March 25th at 7:00 p.m.

Easter Sunday March 27th

Sunrise Service 6:30 a.m. in the Courtyard

Easter Breakfast 8:00 - 10:00 a.m. in Messenger Hall

Traditional Easter Worship 10:30 a.m. in the Sanctuary

An Easter Egg Hunt for the children will immediately follow worship.

2016 Easter Flower Order Form Please order ________ Easter Lilies ________ Hydrangeas

Given in Memory of: ____________________________________________________

Given in Honor of: ____________________________________________________

Given by: ____________________________________________________

It’s time to order your Easter Flowers!

Order a Lily or Hydrangea in honor or celebration of someone special, or simply to help beautify our sanctuary Easter morning. Lilies are $10 each and Hydrangeas are $1350 each. Place your order form and payment in the offering plate or return it to the church office no later than Sunday, March 20th. Please make all checks payable to First United Methodist Church of Orange or FUMCO with the notation “Easter Flowers” at the bottom.

Choosing Christ Above All

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A Message from the Pastor Take care, brothers and sisters, that none of you may have an evil, unbelieving heart that turns away from the living God. But encourage one another every day, as long as it is called “today,” so that none of you may be hardened by the deceitfulness of sin. For we have become partners of Christ, if only we hold our first confidence firm to the end. --Hebrews 3:12-14-- Holy Week and Easter arrive early this year, bringing with them the powerful remembrance of the good news which lies at the center of all we do. God loved the world so much that he gave is only son for its redemption, and through Christ we receive forgiveness of sin and new life. Now by God's grace we have become, as the author of Hebrews reminds us, "partners with Christ" in carrying out his teaching and commandment of love. One aspect of our partnership with Christ that deserves special emphasis is the need for constantly watching over one another in love...for taking care that none of us become "hardened by the deceitfulness of sin" or give way to an "evil, unbelieving heart." It turns out that every Christian has moments when he or she knows what do to, but doesn't do it, or knows what not to do and does it anyway. Walking with Christ requires more than constant faithfulness and discipline; it often requires a second set of eyes. We need Christian accountability--someone to check with us and ensure we are keeping ourselves in Christ. Over the next few months we at FUMCO will be reminding ourselves that the basic building blocks of the early Methodist movement were not their worship services, but rather something they called Class Meetings. Class meetings were small, weekly gatherings of 5-10 friends in Christ who would watch over one another in love, check on one another's spiritual progress, and admonish one another to live in holiness. The Methodist Class's Meetings brought Hebrews 3:13 to life in a practical, easy-to access way. It was primarily through Class Meetings that strangers to Christ became friends, friends became family, and family members became whole. I believe that any United Methodist Church experiencing renewal in the 21st century will have at the center of their weekly experience together a modern equivalent of the Class Meeting. Therefore one of the major practical steps I'd like to see FUMCO take forward in 2016 is to organize ourselves for ministry to one another through class meetings. This will include the need for training and recruiting of leaders, hosts, participants, and especially new persons to the faith. It's going to take a lot communication and cooperation, and most especially prayer, but I look forward to sharing the effort with you, and to the resulting fruit that will surely be ours as we "hold our first confidence [in Christ] firm to the end." In the meantime, you are each in my prayers as our journey through Lent and Holy Week continues. Please hold me in your prayers as well! See you in worship…and beyond! Pastor Bill

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Discipleship and Spiritual Formation

As I get ready to preach on Maundy Thursday and the Easter Sunrise Service, I wanted us to take some time to reflect on Holy Week, and give an excerpt of my sermon----

We call it Holy Week. But it was a terrible week.

His trial reeked of injustice. His own disciple sold him out for a few pieces of silver, betrayed him with a kiss… and hung himself.

As he was arrested, one of his closest friends disregarded all his teaching on love – pulled out a knife – and cut a guy’s ear off. (Jesus called him out… and healed the other guy). A lot of the stuff that happened that first holy week was pretty unholy.

Once arrested, he was passed back and forth between politicians and bureaucrats. There was Caiaphas the priest, the Sanhedrin council, Pontius Pilate, the crowd – everyone seemed to want him dead, but no one wanted blood on their hands. Even Pilate washed his clean.

They had all kinds of accusations… Insurrection. Inciting a riot. Conspiracy. Terrorism (plotting to destroy the temple). Blasphemy.

But all he did was love. And heal. And give people hope.

Despite any substantial evidence, witnesses, or signs of any crime committed – he was pronounced guilty and sentenced to die.

As he awaited his fate, he was bullied, interrogated, harassed, tortured, beaten to a pulp. The authorities humiliated him and stripped him naked. They mocked the claims of his divinity – ramming a crown of thorns onto his head and wrapping him in a royal purple robe as they laughed.

And so it went. This man who many believe was the holy one that the prophets spoke of, the long awaited Messiah, God incarnate, love with skin on – was executed, brutally. He died, with vultures swarming over-head, hoping to clean up after the execution. There is nothing more evil than what happened that “Good” Friday.

Most of his friends deserted him and left him to fend for himself. Some of them were so scared they denied even knowing him. Only the women stayed. The long loneliness was so agonizing, so gut-wrenching, he felt like God had bailed on him. Among his last words were these: “My God, My God… why have you forsaken me?”

But even though it was a gruesome week – love gets the last word. We call it “Good” Friday because it wasn’t just death that made the news – but resurrection. The empire, the cross, the bloodshed was not the end of the story. On the cross Jesus made a spectacle of evil – he exposed the hatred we are capable of. And he triumphed over that hatred with love. He died with forgiveness on his lips. Just as he came to set the oppressed free, he also came to set oppressors free.

Holy Week is not just about the resurrection – it is also about the cross. Without Good Friday there is no Easter. But we can’t leave Jesus on the cross. In the end this is a resurrection story. Holy week is about a God who suffers with us – bleeds with us, mourns with us, lives with us, is present with us, hopes with us, and loves us unconditionally. May Holy Week be a time for us to draw closer to our Beloved, our Creator, and our Savior.

Grace and Peace,

Peter Joseph

Director of Discipleship

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Peter Joseph, Director of Discipleship Email: peter@fumco.org Cell: 714-473-8086 Office: 714-532-6363 x203

Youth Fellowship for 6th – 12th grades

March 6th 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

The Gathering District Wide Worship Event in Laguna Beach

March 20th 4:00 p.m.

Confirmation Class

4:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. CONCERT of PRAYER and then . . . BOOMERS in IRVINE!

The God Squad

Just a reminder . . .

The next

CONFIRMATION CLASS

takes place on

March 20th

at 4:00 p.m. January Nerf Wars at Yorba Linda UMC!

We give thanks to you as re raised $150 from our Blaze Pizza Fundraiser for our youth mission trip with Sierra Service Project.

Our second restaurant fundraiser will be in early June with Ruby’s Diner.

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United Methodist Women

February Luncheon Meeting March 10, 2016 at 11:30 am

Our monthly UMW luncheon meeting will be on Thursday, Mar. 10th. Our program will be presented by Kelly Wildman of The Sheepfold, which is a shelter for abused women and their children. Their Mission Statement reads as follows: To equip mothers with children suffering from homelessness or abuse for successful independent living with hope for the future. A key outcome is that they can live on their own independently and not be tempted to return to their abuser and destructive lifestyle. The Quilting Guild will be giving several quilts to The Sheepfold. Ruth Circle will be providing us with a delicious potato bar luncheon. We look forward to a wonderful time of fellowship and to seeing each and every one of you. We acknowledge that parking is very scarce around the church on a weekday. Please try to carpool and if you need a ride, please call Joyce Claussen and we will be sure you have a way to attend.

Book Review Calling All Readers: The new books for the 2016 reading program are located on the top shelf of the UMW reading cart. Following is a review of two of the books (which I personally read and enjoyed): Education for Mission: Coffee, Tea and Holy Water: One Woman’s Journey to Experience Christianity Around the Globe, by Amanda Hudson. Amanda provides a personal touch to profound questions about the nature and practice of faith as she travels to Brazil, Wales, Tanzania, China and Honduras. This book is about the places we meet, what we share, and the steps we take to cross geographical, cultural and personal borders. (I give this a 4 star rating.) Nurturing for Community: Miss Brenda and The Loveladies, by Brenda Spahn and Irene Zutell. This is a heartwarming true story of grace, God and gumption. Brenda Spahn was a businesswoman who wouldn’t take no for an answer when she discovered that God wouldn’t either. When she invited seven hardened parolees into her home, she expected to house them, not to love them. But her reluctant decision to serve female prisoners developed into a career, a calling and a ministry that has helped thousands of women leave prison behind for good. (I give this a 5 star rating.)

South District UMW Mission Study “Created for Happiness”

This is a unique time to experience one of the mission studies presented at the 2015 Mission U by the actual Mission U Study Teacher – Grace Han. The date of the event is Sat., April 9, 2016, 9am. Capistrano Beach Palisades UMC is hosting the event and we will be carpooling from FUMCO. Cost for this lovely and informative day is only $12 which includes lunch. Sign-up now.

Calendar March 8 9:00 a.m. Mission Team Meeting Library March 10 11:30 a.m. Luncheon Meeting Messenger Hall April 12 9:00 a.m. Mission Team Meeting Library April 15 11:30 a.m. Luncheon Meeting Messenger Hall May 7 Mother/Daughter/Friend Luncheon

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A Few Notes from our Leadership Chairperson, Jackie Hanson We now have a defibrillator that is located in the Narthex. Jo Hanson has supplied a short instruction card on its use. The defibrillator was furnished by our Methodist Foundation Group and we are so thankful for their help in obtaining it.

The Leadership Council has taken all the suggestions from the congregation and will be working on the implementing them. We will keep you updated on future classes and events for helping us become Disciples of Christ.

The locks on the gates around the education building are being locked at 10:00 p.m. All those who have keys will find that their key will work the locks. They will not open without a key. This has been a help in keeping people from sleeping on our church campus.

• • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • • •

Family Promise of Orange County Dear Friends,

I want to send my sincere thanks for everything your congregation has done for the families of Family Promise over the past year. Family Promise has one of the highest success rates of any homeless shelter in Orange County, and that has everything to do with the love and attention our families receive from our host and support congregations.

Below you will find a summary of the meals, beds and volunteer hours provided by your congregation both last year and since you first began hosting with us. I think you will be surprised by the number. Even in one week segments, congregations can give a tremendous amount in a short time, and we are enormously grateful for the time and energy your congregants have put into us and those we serve. Since we have opened, you have assisted 433 individuals including 266 children to return to stable housing.

In 2015 you provided: 273 Bed Nights, 819 Meals and 720 Hours of Volunteer time. The values of these in-kind gifts is: $4095 Bed Nights, $2048 Meals and $6573 Hours of Volunteer Time

Since you began hosting: 1060 Bed Nights, 3144 Meals, 3498 Hours of Volunteer Time. The total value of these gifts is: $15,900 Bed Nights, $7860 Meals and $31,937 Hours of Volunteer Time

Thank you for allowing us to partner with you, and for sharing your congregation’s abilities, dedication and care. If there is any way we can be of assistance in making this a stronger or more fulfilling ministry for your community, please just let us know.

Richest Blessings,

Casey Crosbie

Executive Director of Family Promise

Church Info & Opportunities

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Groups & Events

Stephen Ministry Training Class Are you looking for a way to put your faith into action? Then Stephen Ministry might be the place for you. Stephen Ministers are trained lay Christian caregivers who commit to meet with a care receiver frequently for an hour or so for one-on-one, confidential Christian caregiving. A new training class will begin on Saturday morn-ing, March 5th. from 9:00 to 11:30 in the Fireside Room. Please contact Wayne Nash or Sandy Wilson if you are interested or need more information. We are in need of both men and women for this ministry.

Men’s Breakfast

Saturday, March 12th at 8:00 a.m. in Messenger Hall All men are welcome!

Quilting Guild Monday Mornings

9:00 a.m.

Room #209 in our Education Building

Lady Twigbenders Thursday, March 17th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room

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Lunchbags for the Homeless Thanks to your generous donations our lunch bag program is doing great! In fact, the word has gotten out and we are serving more people than ever. Of course that means we need more food donations than ever! Items needed to fill the bags include: Vienna sausage, Beanie Weenie, granola bars, box juice drinks, individual applesauce or fruit cups, small boxes of raisins, cheese & crackers and peanut butter & crackers. We can also use napkins, plastic spoons and brown lunch bags. All donations, large and small, are greatly appreciated. Please place your donated items in the specially marked collection bins in the Narthex on Sunday mornings or bring them to the office during the week.

“When did we ever see you hungry and feed you . . . whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me”

- Matthew 25:38-40

Friendly Center’s Easter Fun Day Once again it is time to support our community’s children by helping fill Easter Baskets for Friendly Center’s Easter Fun Day. This will be an All Church Project sponsored by the United Methodist Women. We will be filling the baskets on March 15th at 7:00 p.m. in Messenger Hall. We need your help to make it happen. Our goal this year is to make at least 100 baskets. Please help by bringing any of the following items and putting them in the basket that will be located in the Narthex starting on February 28th. Items needed are: large chocolate Easter rabbits, wrapped candy, jelly beans, sidewalk chalk, a hygiene item (toothpaste, shampoo, combs, etc.), a small toy or book (cars, small stuffed animals, etc.) and anything else you think might delight a child. We do not need: baskets, grass, cellophane, ribbon, large stuffed bunnies, Peeps or any candy that is not individually wrapped. If you would prefer to donate money please see Joyce Claussen. It costs approximately $10.00 to fill one basket.

Thank you! If you have any questions please call Joyce Claussen (714) 633-4934.

Easter Candy & Plastic Eggs Needed! As it is the tradition here at FUMCO, we will be having an Easter Egg Hunt for the children immediately following worship on Easter Sunday and we need your help to make it happen. We need many, many plastic eggs and lots of candy to fill them!!! Please place your donations in the specially marked bin in the Narthex when you come to church on Sunday mornings or bring them by the office during the week. Thank you in advance for making this a truly fun and joyful event for all the children this Easter!

Outreach

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March Birthdays 2 Carol Rathbun 4 Janice Self Scott Swanson 5 Jo Hanson 6 Steve Gillham Ann Robison 10 Don Conner Dwain Raney 11 Richard Helmick 12 Warren Monroe 15 Sandy Elias Jan Quintanilla 16 Chip Dickerson 17 Jaxson Irwin Wayne Nash 19 Patty Glenn 20 Mohamed Asgar Vinodini Asgar Judy Reynolds 22 Julie Wakefield 29 David Kull Ada Landes 30 Beverly Helmick

Anniversaries

Prayer & Praise Requests Dick Allen is asking for prayers for his wife,

Marilyn Allen, who is having difficulty breathing even on an oxygen mask.

Prayers for Sierra Gill, the grand daughter of Norm Hansen, who is in ICU at CHOC.

Bill Utter is asking for prayers for the Doy Henley Family on the death of his wife, Dee.

Nate & Betty Wisely are asking for prayers of healing for Charles & Katie Schroeder

Sandy Porter is asking for prayers for her sister, Virginia, and her best friend Joanna. Joanna has been diagnosed with bone cancer.

Bonita Chavis is asking for prayers for Ramona Kemp-Blair as her condition has taken a turn for the worse. Prayers for her family as they go through this difficult time.

Katie Hicks is asking for prayers for Kaylee Hicks, Jarod’s youngest sister, who is going through an extremely difficult personal time.

Helen Huston is asking for prayers for Reneé Rosacker Hockers who broke her leg.

Prayers for our shut-ins, the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the lonely, the unemployed, our military so far from home and all the others not mentioned, but known in our hearts.

14 Don & Betty Conner 15 Doug & Marti Lester 19 Lind & Marlene Cook 27 Jarod & Katie Hicks 29 Bill & Ada Landes

Nancy Bjorkland, Diane Brown, Ken Brown, Albert Coussa, Virginia Eaton, Jay Farrell, Bonnie Goodrich, Shirley Katz, Ramona Kemp-Blair, Cybil Low, Mary McKenerick, Jackie McCracken, Kendall Meersman, Meg Murray, Carol Nameth, Charles Schroeder, Shirley Somers, Freida Stevens, Patricia Stone, Rita Suthers, Dwight Tipping, Karla Turner, Nena Williams, Betty Wisely

Pray Without Ceasing

Joys . . . Concerns . . . Celebrations

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Outreach Ministries of First UMC, Orange

FAMILY PROMISE Casey Crosbie, Exec. Dir. 714-353-0428

FUNCO Parent operated child-care Becky Billingsly, Coordinator 714-944-7156

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Orange Co. Central 714-556-4555 Meets Monday and Friday evenings in room 205

NARANON Meets Thursday evenings in room 205

161 South Orange St. Orange, CA 92866

Phone: 714-532-6363 Fax: 714-532-5496 www.fumco.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Friday: 10:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m.

Sunday Morning Schedule 8:30 a.m. ......... Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. .. Adult Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ..... Coffee/Fellowship 10:30 a.m. .................... Worship

Sunday School for ages 4-6th grade following the

Word for Children.

United Methodist Youth Sunday Fellowship

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. see page 4 for schedule

Office Staff Telephone Extensions: Dial 532-6363 and extension: Pastor 201 Rev. Bill Johnson

Programs 203 Peter Joseph, Director of Discipleship

Mike Short - Director of Music Sylvia Coussa - Bell Choir Director Joe Schubert - Organist

Administration 204 Karen Mendoza, Office Manager 216 Carol Rathbun, Communications Secretary

The deadline for the next edition of The Forum will be Monday, March 21st

Give yourself a break each day and listen to the devotions recorded for YOU!

DIAL-A-DEVOTION 714-532-6363 ext.6