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FOCUSFirst Baptist Church, Chico

850 Palmetto Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

530-343-3446

Monthly Newsletter Vol. 30, No.10- November 2011

We are a richly varied church community celebrating the grace of God through worship, through encouraging spiritual

growth, and by living as reminders of God’s loving presence in our world.

Anumber of years ago, Robert H. Roberts –

Associate General Secretary of the ABCUSA

at the time – provided churches with very

good material on tithing/giving to God. Bob talks

about tithing, and I know there are some in the

congregation who don’t like to talk of tithing so we

talk about commitment instead. As you read the “10

Reasons Why I Tithe” from Bob, I invite you to

translate tithing to commitment if you so desire.

However you read his ideas, I hope you’ll think

about giving to God.

1. GRATITUDE – Tithing helps me to feel

blessed. Thinking about my blessings creates

a desire to give more. Since tithing, my wife

and I have never had a need that was not met.

2. PRAISE – I praise God with word and song,

but when I give my tithe I sense a substantial

and tangible expression of praise.

3. WITNESS – My tithing testimonies and

example witness to my children and grand-

children, to fellow church members, and to

neighbors and friends.

4. ORDERLINESS – The discipline of giving a

tenth had helped my wife and I plan the useof our finances and to avoid random

spending.

5. SERVANTHOOD – Giving the tithe reminds

me that I am not my own, but that my life

belongs to Christ, my Lord. Tithing prompts

me to remember that we are “servants of

Christ and stewards of God’s mysteries.”

6. COMMITMENT – The word commitment i

not a popular word in today’s culture. But

when I tithe I reaffirm my covenant with

Christ and express the intention of my heart

to give God priority in my life.

7. GENEROSITY – My natural instinct is to b

a bit cheap. I could easily become self-

centered and look out only for myself. Tith

ing strengthens my compassion for others.

8. JOY – We now give beyond the tithe and

every year we would like to give more.

Tithing reminds me how joyful I can feel to

provide for ministries I really believe in.

9. OBEDIENCE – I was taught to tithe as achild. I am very willful, and in my rela-

tionship with God I find it necessary to trust

and obey. Tithing is not an issue of law, bu

obeying the natural instinct of my heart

before the cross.

10. HABIT – After all these years, tithing is a

habit of the heart – even a holy habit. I no

longer question tithing. It is as important fo

my spiritual health as clean teeth are for my

physical well being.

I hope these 10 reason to tithe will help all of us

think about what we give to God. This coming

Sunday, October 30 , we’ll receive the commitmenth

cards. Remember. We give to God, not to First

Baptist Church.



First Baptist Church, Chico

850 Palmetto Avenue

Chico, CA 95926

530-343-3446

www.chicofirstbaptist.org

RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

E-Mail:[email protected]

Every Member a Minister

Rev. Ted Sandberg D. Min.

M A R K Y O U R C A L E N D A R Sunday, Nov 6 - Daylight Savings Time Ends

Friday, Nov 11 - Veterans Day

Sunday, Nov 13 - Spiritual Practice Class

Thursday, Nov 24 - Thanksgiving

Thursday, Nov 24 - Office Closed

Saturday, Nov 26 - Hanging of the Greens

FOCUS Articles due in office Wednesday, 23

Expediters: Joyce Shannon, Louise Logue, Evelyn Cash, Marta Torres *THANK YOU*



N O V E M B E R C A L E N D A R

Date Sermon Title Sermon T

November 6

Communion “Where’s the Oil?” Matthew 25:1

Worship Leader: Jackie Long

Communion Servers: Louise Logue, Cheri Sandberg, Doris Arbuckle, Carol Willette

November 13 “Like a Thief in the Night’” 1 Thessalonians 5:1Worship Leader: Rev: Sandi John

November 20 “Is Caring Enough?” Matthew 25:31

Worship Leader: Laura Sederberg

November 27 “What Are You Waiting For?” Mark 13:24-

Worship Leader: Mark Edson

1 Sunday in Advent Candle Lighters: Terre Reynolds, Laura Sederbergst

ADULT DISCUSSION CLASS

Sunday Mornings at 9:15 am with Shirley Stanley and Jerry Fogle.

Presently in a video series Jesus in the New Testament (In Mark)Coffee and Donuts provided.

November

*Marta Torres-Miranda 11/1

*Rita Fox Landrum 11/2

*Wayne Houchin 11/3

*Edith McConnell 11/4

*Paul Sandberg 11/8

*Caroline Latham-Fairchild 11/11

*Deborah Logue 11/12

*Carroll Shannon 11/12

*Carol Willette 11/12

*Laura Sandberg 11/14

*Kelly Gerfen 11/17

*Delores Wood 11/19 *Mary Jane Bowser 11/21

*Sue Rychtera 11/23

*Wanda Long 11/28



Our Praye r L i . s.t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chico First Baptist Family Continue to Pray for: The WAR in Iraq and Afghanistan

FRIENDS WITH CANCER:

FERN MORGAN - mother of friend of Terre Reynolds; FRANK JAMES - Mary Jane Bowser’s friend, esophag

cancer; MARGARET BALLINGER’S SISTER - remains on chemotherapy; CANDACE - Jill Ramsey’s friend

ovarian cancer; CHERYL DEAN - Evelyn Cash’s cousin, bone cancer; ERIKA LUCKETT - singer friend of Te

& Laura, ovarian cancer, chemotherapy; CAROL LOCASTRO - Carrie Nevin’s in-law, cancer; DENICE - Jill

Ramsey’s sister, breast cancer. ******

SHIRLEY SMITH: Has Parkinson’s and Palsy SP; AMY: Ed Hightower’s daughter - Parkinson’s disease; RICK

Jill Ramsey’s cousin - received kidney transplant; CORA RAE HUBBARD: Health concerns; ELIZABETH

FUNK - Health concerns; LILLIAN WENDORF: Home recovering from surgery; CAL RAINEY: Radiation

Treatments.

REMEMBER IN PRAYER:

Courtyard at Little Chico Creek: HELEN WALLACE

The Inn at the Terraces : EDITH MCCONNELL

Roses & Ivy Elder Care Center: DOLLY SKINNER Roseleaf Senior Care: PAULA JOHNSON

Feather River Canyon Home: ELAINE HERRINGTON

Twin Oaks Care Center: LOU HAYES

MILITARY : JASON WILLIAMS - Ed Hightower’s step grandson

WILL DUNHAM - Doris Arbuckle’s grandson

JOSEPH STEWART - Afghanistan

DAN GERFEN- Joan Hannis Gerfen’s son deployed to Afghanistan

**********************************************************

Attitude of Gratitude

What finally counts is not what biblical texts or church doctrines tell us we may believe but what

humanity, reason, justice, and Christ’s love tell us we ought to believe.



Joy: Hello Extended Church Family!

I just wanted to send a note of thanks for all your collective prayers for me to find a new

apartment here in New York City, specifically, here in Brooklyn.

My new place is fantastic! There’s a washer and dryer in the apartment (a luxury in the city!) I’m

one block away from the subway, and I’m in a quiet and safe neighborhood.

I Couldn’t ask for more. I wanted to let you know I’m grateful for all your prayers and thoughts!

Thank you Kindest Regards, Christi Willette

An Attitude of Gratitude

*A list of the items posted on the Banner in the Narthex*

My Savior

My Christian Parents

Children and Grandchildren I didn’t expect us to have.

My Christian friends throughout my life.

My memories are full and I am very grateful.

Grateful for Lena White and Anne Wheelock.

I am so proud of how long we have worked to support the homeless, before the Torres Shelter

was opened and today.

We are grateful for those who roll bandages.

Thankful for Choirs.

I am grateful for Helen Kinnee’s work for peace, in our community and now the peace library

in her honor.

I am grateful for the 500 quilt blocks Margaret Ballinger cut. That will make many quilts.

I am grateful for my friends and family because they are so supportive.

I am grateful to be alive.

I am grateful for God, Jesus, Ted and Cheri.

I am grateful for my church family, and my family.

I am grateful for friends and freedom.

I am grateful for more than nine months of fairly good health since my heart attack.

I am grateful for faith, family and friends.

Joy: Dear Friends: Thank you for your prayers,

concerns, cards, letters and phone calls during

Cal’s illness and surgery we really appreciate every

thing you’ve done for us.

Cal and Margarita Rainey



A Message from Erika Luckett

Though initially doubtful about proceeding with chemotherapy, I feel good about the choice.

I'm responding really well to treatment and a huge part of my positive response has to do

with the confluence of approaches: combining western medicine with

acupuncture/supplements/diet and the rest.

It's not a battle, or a game to be won or lost. Each of us is going to die. The question is simply:

how do we live? How do we bring the fullness of our being to every moment? Have we

brought more love to those around us? It's not about errors, but about opportunities to adaptand evolve, to grow in awareness and become better human beings. My aim is to regain my

health fully and be able to learn to love more completely. If I have two years or fifty more, my

prayer is: "May I live each day as fully as possible, love more abundantly, and leave the world

a better place than I found it."

Ovarian cancer is a nasty thing. Although it is fairly rare, only 22,000 women get it each year,

it is alarmingly lethal, killing two thirds of women diagnosed. I am profoundly grateful that I

am doing so well and that my prognosis is so good. Of the many blessings that have resulted

from my "Semester at C," one of the most impacting is raising the level of gratitude for the

privilege of being alive.

May I live each day as fully as possible. May I love more abundantly. May I leave the world a

better place than I found it.

Thank you for being on this journey with me.

With deep love and gratitude,

Erika Luckett

*******************************************************************************

From: Millie Zediker

I am sorry to have been so long in letting the church family in Chico know that Zip went to be

with the Lord on August 22nd. He had a heart attack early on Sunday morning, and died the

next morning early. Though his passing was rather sudden, I am praising God for taking him

so quickly and that he didn't have a long suffering road ahead. Two celebrations of his life

were awesome. One in Arco where he served his last years as pastor before retiring and one in

Tacoma, WA where he served nearly twelve years. God is good and my family is resting in His

love and strength. Thank you for being a part of his life. Millie Zediker

Be in His Peace, Blessed with His Love



Spiritual Practices Series:

November 13: Growing through Grief: Letting go and staying connected through

the losses of life.

This is an ongoing series of self-contained classes on spiritual practices offered by

First Baptist Church of Chico, 850 Palmetto Ave. You are also invited to bring yoursack lunch to eat together at 11:45 AM. Drinks and dessert provided. The class is

taught by the Rev. Sandi John, Pastoral Counselor. For more information please

call Sandi at 809-0409 or the church office at 343-3446.

All are welcome!

*********************************************************************

**Beginning in November we will be adding a Recipe section to the Focus, if you would like to share your

recipes please submit them to the office

Circle Meeting: November 15

Charity Circle Country Waffle 10:00 am

Hope Circle Sue’s House 7:00 pm

Lauren Bethell Circle 6:30 pm



Donate your old Eye Glasses for Haiti - table in the Narthex

Soup Labels for Education - table in the Narthex

On the right of the table in the Narthex: Torres Sh elter Milk Bottle

Did you know? We have wireless Personal P. A. Receivers available, as well as copies of

the sermons, if you would like to borrow or purchase a tape

Please see Jerry at the sound booth.

Cinnamon Jam Muffins

SHARES CARDS

First Baptist Church continues to benefit from our using SHARES cards. If we buy from Save Mart

(grocery or pharmacy), Food Max or Lucky's, the church gets a check each quarter as a rebate.

Members and friends can obtain a card from Alice and it will be swiped by the store; the church gets

3% of the total purchase. Remember to submit your card BEFORE paying the bill.

If you misplaced your card and need one for a friend or acquaintance, I have more.

Submitted by Alice Reed



ABW Women’s Ministries

Bible Book for November: I, II, & III, John

CIRCLE OF CHARITY

The Circle of Charity met on September 20, 2011 at the Country Waffle Restaurant. This was the first meeting

for the 2011-2012 year. Those attending were Virginia Bolton (chairperson), Betty Hannis, Jackie Long, Evelyn Cash, Margaret Ballinger, Lena White, Vivian Anderegg and myself.

Virginia Bolton opened the meeting and we discussed members in the Yearbook and discovered that several ofthem were “inactive”. We shared our summer activities, and Margaret Ballinger asked us to say a prayer for

her sister in Durham. Jackie lead us in a prayer and we enjoyed a brunch and lots of fellowship. We collected$25.00 for the Love Gift and $7.00 for the general offering.

Lena read a card from Cora Rae Hubbard, and Margaret told us that she would be delivering items to the

Battered Women’s Shelter soon and would be happy to take any donations.

Virginia reminded us that the next meeting would be on Tuesday (October 18) at the Country Waffle. She

delivered a remarkable devotion from 1 Corinthians. The meeting was adjourned at 11:00 AM. st

Submitted by Louise Logue

The American Baptist Women held a board meeting on October 8, 2011. Those attending were

Jackie Long, Marty Brandstatt, Louise Logue, and Cheri Sandberg.

Cheri welcomed us and opened the meeting with prayer. Jackie read the minutes from the recent Brunch andthey were approved as read.

Cheri read a “Thank you” from Catalyst, Louise gave the Treasurer’s report and Love Gift, Marty reported on

the White Cross activities. She told us that the roller bandages were expensive and that we would finish theones we had started this year. Next year we will not be sending roller bandages. In December, we will prepara $150 check for White Cross.

Under old Business, we discussed board meetings in January and February. We will collect donations for the

“No Bazaar Bazaar” in November. Money will be collected at Circle Meetings.

The Communications Committee will prepare signs for the Church and articles for the Enterprise Record for

the - White Cross Projects, No Bazaar Bazaar, and the Noel Brunch.

The yard sale will be discussed after April 30, 2012. The Noel Brunch will be held Saturday December 3, 2011in the Social Hall at 10:00am. We plan to have CD music and group singing.

The Circle of Hope will prepare the decorations, coffee, and punch.

The Circle of Charity will provide the fruit

The Lauren Bethell Circle will provide the breads, and rolls. All Circles will help with clean-up.

Submitted be Louise Logue



CIRCLE OF CHARITY

The Circle of Charity held their monthly meeting on October 18, 2011 at the Country Waffle Restaurant.Those attending were Virginia Bolton, Margaret Ballinger, Betty Hannis, Jackie Long, and myself.

We started the meeting with fellowship, Margaret offered a prayer for the food, for the offering, we collected $4.00 for the regular fund, and $15.00 for the Love Gift.

More fellowship followed with a report from Margaret regarding the quilt blocks, birthdays in November,

ABW board meeting, and the Angel Tree. We discussed the Communion offering.

Betty delivered a devotion from William Coffin’s Credo. She adjourned the meeting with prayer.

Next meeting will be held November 15.

Submitted be Louise Logue

CIRCLE OF HOPE

The Circle of Hope met at the home of Louise Logue October 18 at 7:00 P.M. Those in attendance were Joyce Shannon and Cheri Sandberg. We started out by sharing what was going on in our lives and moved onto circl

business. We discussed the No Bazaar “Bazaar Offering” which we can bring to the November circle.

We talked about the Noel Brunch December 3rd which will be held at 10:00 A.M. Our circle is in charge of

decorations and drinks. Those who attended the circle meeting thought we could come early on December 3rdand decorate and make the apple cider and coffee.

Joyce read a poem by Helen Steiner Rice entitled “The Solution to Our Problems”. The poem basically says w

all have problems and sometimes we dwell on them, but if we open our hearts to God he will solve themthrough Faith, Hope and Prayer. Afterwards we talked about how we each cope with our problems and we all

agreed we need God in our lives to help us deal with our problems.

Louise served a delicious dessert and we adjourned at 9:30 P.M.

Submitted by Joyce Shannon



Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturda

November 2011FLOWERS FOR THE MONTH

(PROVIDED BY CHURCH MEMBERS)

1 2

Worship - 11 am(Country Waffle)

Stewardship 6pm

3

Communication9am

Choir 6pm

4 5

U David Sch

Nv Chamberchorale 7-9:30pm

6 Communion

Daylight SavingsTime Ends

U David ScholzNvChamber chorale2-5:00pm

*L. Logue

7 Pastor/Staff

5:30

Evang/Member 6:30pm

Prop/Mgmt 3:30

Human Relations Network 3-5pm

8

Christian Education6:30pm

9

CAIC 11:45 am

Gov. Bd. 7 pm

10

Choir 6pm

CAIC Annual Dinner

11 12

13

Spiritual Class

Rev. Sandi John12-1

*J. Fogle

14 15

CIRCLES

16 17

U youth and family center/ foster agency 2:00-6:00pm

Choir 6 pm

18 19

20 Stewardship Dinner

Missions/Social sveve. meal to

Torres Shelter

*J. Rychtera

21 22

Missions/social 5:15

(CANCELLED)

23

Last day to submit articles for Focus

24

No choir

OFFICE CLOSED

25 26

Hanging of Greens

3:30PM

27

1 Advent Sunday st

*J. HannisGerfen

28 29

F.O.R. 7 pm

30 U

*Pending approval

U Approved



Annual Dinner Thursday Evening, November 10,2011

6:30-8:30 p.m.First Christian Church

295 E. Washington Avenue ChicoTickets: $15 per person Available at your faith communities

For financial aid please contact President: [email protected]

or Secretary: [email protected]

The Chico Area Interfaith Council seeks to build relationships and understanding

among all faith communities in Chico.

Our 54th Year

Program"Reconnecting with

Compassion"

Krista Tippett: Video

Panel Discussion

Table DiscussionsIn the spirit of the

"Book in Common"A cooperative event joining CSU C hico, Civic and Faith Communities

nov 2011 updated copy focus

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