March 12, 2017 Issue 11

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CALLER the

In This Issue Remember in Prayer 2 Serving in the Military 2 Prayers/Joys/Concerns 2 Daily Devotional 2 Donna off 2 Sunday Night Live 3 Children’s Choir 3 Statistics 3 Lenten Study 3 Ministry Team Meetings 3 Hospitality & Welcome 4 Richard Dittberner Memorial 4 Senior Book Club 4 Week of Compassion 4 Save the Date 5 Afternoon of Music 5 2017 Crop Walk 5 We Get Letters 6 Alzheimer’s Service Thanks 6 Lent and Easter Activities 7 Holy Week Prayer Vigil 8 Chapel on Wheels 8 Serving Sunday 9

Events: March 12, 2017-March 19, 2017 March 12: Second Sunday in Lent 8:00 A.M. Casual service, discussion & communion 9:00 A.M. Adult Sunday School Class, Chapman Lounge 10:15 A.M. Blended service, music, sermon & communion 11:30 A.M. Potluck after church, Fellowship Hall 4:30 P.M. Sunday Night Live March 13: 7:00 A.M. - 9:30 P.M. Chapel on Wheels Fundraiser at Polly’s 11:30 A.M. PSWR Golf Committee, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. Bible study @ Donna’s March 14: 6:00 P.M. Casa uses Sanctuary, Chapman Lounge, classrooms 6:30 P.M. Men’s Bible study @ Barry’s March 15: 6:00 P.M. Global Ministries, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. Stewardship Committee, Kitchen 7:00 P.M. World Outreach Committee, Chapman Lounge 7:30 P.M. Worship Committee, Choir March 16: 7:30 P.M. Chancel Choir March 17: 10:00 A.M. Speaker’s League, Chapman Lounge March 19: 8:00 A.M. Casual service, discussion & communion 9:00 A.M. Adult Sunday School Class, Chapman Lounge 10:15 A.M. Blended service, music, sermon & communion 1:00 P.M. Casa de Oración Service, Sanctuary, Chapman Lounge, Classrooms 101 – 104 4:30 P.M. Sunday Night Live Bible Study 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.

The Caller is published weekly

Deadline Wednesday 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:

Carrie Van Diest

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Remember in Prayer Continue to pray for: Amber Angulo, Tom Beck, Dottie Bense, Kash & Sierra Cross, Sibyl Dittberner, Jack Doughty, Raquel Durdan, Lorna & Skip Farnum, Barbara & Gordon Fenters, Joyce Finch, Phil Forbes, Christine Givens, Bob Hasty, Sharon Hatton, Carolyn Kenrick, Terry Knott, Colleen Langston, Dirk McCuen, Flora Miller, Janet Parker, Kristine Perry, Norma Rill, Betty Rollo, Marj Schwenker, Claudia Tammen, Willie West, the Vannoy Family, Donna Woodbridge Please pray for: First Christian Church, Garden Grove 11231 Chapman Ave. Garden Grove, CA 92840 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 SPC. Kash Cross, Ted & Sammie’s grandson, is being deployed to Germany on 3/8. His address is: B Co. @77th ASB, 10th CAB, Unit 25909, APO, AE 09140-0901. His wife, Sierra, remains at Fort Drum, NY. Mjr. Christopher Evans, cousin of Annie Frater’s who is serving in Germany Pvt 2. Melody Martinez, in Kuwait Sgt. David Radcliffe, friend of the Robidouxs in South Korea

Daylight Savings Time Begins Today.

Make sure to set your clocks forward one hour or you’ll be late for church!

Prayers/Joys/Concerns March 5, 2017 Bob Vannoy – Our hearts go out to the Vannoy Family on the passing of Bob. Clara, a friend of Jill Scott who is having a COPD flare-up. Rhonda Morasse, niece of Rod & Jan Farley, who had her first surgery Friday with more surgery to follow. Okley Wright, a family friend of Alice Maraj, who has been diagnosed with colon cancer. Pray that they can get it all with surgery. Deena Haxton, a friend of Sharlane Blakeley, who had a stroke. Irene Warner, Peter’s mother, who is undergoing endoscopy and colonoscopy tests. Donna Woodbridge, on a speedy recovery! Marc Collonge prays for the end of nuclear weapons design, development, and threats for the sake of our current environment and humanity’s future.

Week of March 13-March 19, 2017 Monday, March 13: Reading: Exodus 17:1-3; Pray for the Chapel on Wheels Fundraiser at Polly’s.

Tuesday, March 14: Reading: Exodus 17:4-7; Pray for the Men’s Bible Study at Barry’s. Wednesday, March 15: Reading: Psalm 95; Pray for our church committees as they meet tonight. Thursday, March 16: Reading: Romans 5:1-5; Pray for our Choir as they prepare for Sunday. Friday, March 17: Reading: Romans 5:6-11; Pray for the Speakers League meeting here at 10:00 a.m. Saturday, March 18: Reading John 4:5-26; Pray for Global Ministries Missionaries in South Korea, Kahala Cannon, and in Honduras, Don Westra. Sunday, March 19: Reading John 4:27-42. Pray for our Sunday School Lenten Study.

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Donna Off While Donna is home recuperating from her knee replacement surgery, Pam Findley-Flor will be subbing for Donna for approximately 4-6 weeks. The church office will be open following Pam’s schedule which is: Mondays and Wednesdays 8:30-4:30; Tuesdays and Thursdays 11:30-4:30; Fridays 8:30-12:30. Please keep Donna in your prayers.

Sunday Night Live 4:30-5:30 P.M. - Childcare for ages birth to 5; Adult Bible Study;

CYF - youth group (fellowship, mission and study) for Junior High and High School ages.

Calling Young Singers! Chapman University student, Stephanie Caress, will be starting a children's choir for grades K-3. Stephanie is a junior studying music and directs one of Chapman's a cappella groups. Rehearsals will be every Sunday starting March 12, 4:30-5:30 and performances will be during worship. This project is in conjunction with the Phillips University Legacy Foundation that gives scholarships to undergraduate students who exemplify leadership and service. All are welcome!

Sunday Statistics March 5, 2017 97(Blended Service) 8 (8 A.M. Service) 10 (Sunday Night Live) Weekly Giving: $5339.70 Missions: $593.30 Budget Goal: $4,227 Week of Compassion $210.96 Pathways of Hope $20

Lenten Study Underway The 2017 Lenten Study of the Parlor Class is underway. The first session was held this past Sunday with 18 present to see and discuss the initial video presentation by Max Lucado, “He Chose to Be One of Us.” After the session, we learned that at least one additional person plans to join the group for the second session this Sunday when Lucado’s topic is: “He Chose to Forgive Us.” With that in mind, we are ordering 3 additional copies of the Workbook that goes with the video program. One of those three is spoken for, but if you’d like to have an extra copy, you’d be most welcome to join the group this Sunday for session two at 9 a.m. in Chapman Lounge. Leslie Beck will be the facilitator for this Sunday’s session. We thank her for stepping in to cover Ed Linberg’s absence this Sunday. There are five video sessions in this course entitled, “He Chose the Nails.” In addition, there is material for a sixth session which does not have a video presentation. The group will determine whether or not to meet for a sixth session which, if held, will occur on Sunday, April 9—Palm Sunday. The theme of the optional sixth session is: “He Chose to Give Us Confidence The Parlor Class

Ministry Team Meetings Wednesday, March 15: 6:00 P.M. Global Ministries, Chapman Lounge 6:30 P.M. Stewardship, Kitchen 7:00 P.M. World Outreach, Chapman Lounge 7:30 P.M. Worship, Choir

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Hospitality & Welcome

Upcoming Events

See’s Candy Sales have begun! We are offering See’s Famous Easter Eggs, “Bunny Delight” Boxes for the kids and grandkids and so much more! Show your order form to all your friends. The last day to turn in your orders is March 26 and the candy will be delivered April 2 (plenty of time for shipping). Look for us at the Hospitality & Welcome table to pick up your order form. Our first Church Luncheon for 2017 is THIS SUNDAY (immediately following church). It will be a POTLUCK. Everyone please bring a Main Dish to feed 4 and A -M: bring a salad; N – Z: bring a dessert. Hospitality & Welcome will supply drinks, plates, cups, utensils and napkins. Plan to attend and enjoy the fellowship.

LOOKING AHEAD – Friday, April 21st will be Game Night in Chapman Lounge at 7 p.m. We will be playing FOR PRIZES!

There will be snacks (Rice Krispy Treats, brownies, cookies, hot chocolate & water) available for purchase. FREE to play! Come on out and play Bingo.

Richard Dittberner Memorial.

Sibyl Dittberner writes: “Dear Church Family, enclosed is a check for $400 to be donated to the church in memory of our son, Richard A. Dittberner. It may be used where needed.” Thank you so much Sibyl! Please keep the Dittberners in your prayers.

Senior Book Club The Senior Book Club met March 2nd to discuss “A Man Called Ove.” There were differing opinions on this novel. Some of us thought it was funny, others not so much. We had a thought-provoking discussion.

Mariette Linberg provided us with some interesting Swedish touches to go with our cake and berries. She also told us how to pronounce Ove as there is not a hard e in the language.

We have chosen “Go Set A Watchman” by Harper Lee as the novel we will read for discussion in May. I noticed there were at least three copies at the Fullerton Public Library. This is a landmark new novel set two decades after Harper Lee won a Pulitzer Prize for her Masterpiece, “To Kill A Mockingbird.” Join us as we read our 78th novel.

Week of Compassion Offering Goes Even Higher! The 2017 Week of Compassion Offering soared above $2550 with gifts received on, or prior to, February 26, the last Sunday of this year’s special offering for this cause. Since February 26, additional gifts, totaling $210.96 were received. These gifts took the Week of Compassion Offering up to $2,763.26. We are most grateful for this result for the 2017 Week of Compassion Offering. Without checking to be sure, we think this is the most money our congregation has ever given in support of the February Week of Compassion Offering. When there were additional gifts given later in the year, it was in response to natural disasters, especially ones that occurred in the U.S. like the tornado that hit Joplin, Missouri. Several years ago, we gave as much as $4,000 to $5,000 to the Week of Compassion for the full year. We will run a

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review of this question by perusing yearbooks and give you a report in a few weeks. Again, thanks for your fantastic support of the 2017 Week of Compassion Offering! The Outreach Ministry

Save This Date! A few weeks ago, we received word that Loren McGrail, a Common Global Ministries appointee to a four-year term with the YWCA of Palestine, will be in our Region in April. We contacted the Regional Office to request a date for her to appear in Fullerton. We learned last week that she will be making a presentation here on Tuesday, April 18—two days after Easter—from 6:30 p.m. to 7:30 p.m. There is a possibility that she’ll be here to speak to our Sr. Adult Ministry earlier that same day, however, that appearance is yet to be confirmed. In the meantime, we encourage you to save this date so we can have a great turnout to hear about her ministry with the YWCA of Palestine. Some of her duties include identifying international partners, trust funds and other relevant sources of funding, expanding church relations, especially with churches in the U.S., and working with the young people in the church to assist them in preparing a multi-year fundraising strategy. As well as being a Global Ministries partner with UCC and Disciples congregations, she is also serving as an ecumenical partner with St. Andrews Scottish Church in Jerusalem with whom she assists in leading worship and other pastoral duties. We’ll provide you with more details about Loren’s educational background and work experience as the date of her appearance at our church gets closer. In the meantime, we invite you to SAVE THIS DATE so you won’t miss this opportunity to learn more about what our outreach dollars are doing around the world.

An Afternoon Program Of Music The Mountainside Master Chorale invites you to its Annual Gala Fundraiser at

Taylor Hall, located at 1775 North Indian Hill in Claremont, on Saturday, March 18 at 3 P.M. The site is above Foothill Blvd. and just north of Claremont High School. The Chorale will be singing selections of “West Side Story.” Members of the Chorale, either in solo or ensemble performances, will be presenting a variety of beloved songs from a wide range of Broadway musicals. In addition to the Silent and Live Auctions that will be part of the afternoon, you will be served complimentary party food items and beverages. Tickets are complimentary in spite of the fact that the figure of $25 is printed on them. If you’d like tickets, contact Ed Linberg and he’ll see that tickets are left in your name at the door the day of the event.

2017 Crop Walk This year’s CROP

Hunger Walk will be held on 4/30/2017. If you’re planning on participating, the website is www.crophungerwalk.org/fullertonca, along with more information about the walk as we near the date.

Why do we walk each year? We know by bringing food to families in times of scarcity and by bringing water to communities in times of drought, we are helping people both in our own community and around the world reclaim their livelihoods so they aren’t forced to look elsewhere. Given the current climate, we are attentive that we may need to increase capacity of resources in refugee camps and services so food, water, and shelter can continue to be safely and sustainably provided to those who are vulnerable. CROP walks are an incredibly meaningful outlet to providing these resources

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(and the flexibility to respond), with symbolism in the walk itself at a time when an unprecedented number of people do, indeed, have to walk for resources and safety. There is power in a walk.

Amber Blake Community Engagement Specialist, CWS

We Get Letters John & Cyndi Cairns write: “We would like to thank our Church Family for your many prayers and sympathy cards in regards to the passing of John’s father. You have all been such a wonderful blessing to us.” Please keep the Cairns in your prayers. In a letter dated February 24, 2017, Pam Sousa, Executive Director, Pathways of Hope, sent us this message, “On behalf of Pathways of Hope’s Board of Directors, our dedicated staff, tireless volunteers, and the homeless and hungry we serve, I want to thank you for your generous donation of $600.00. Thank you for your help in supporting our programs!” The full text of this letter may be found on the bulletin board. Check it out along with the other letters of thanks we received for our outreach giving in recent weeks.

Thanks To All Who Helped This past Wednesday, the Sr. Adult Ministry hosted Alzheimer’s patients from

various care facilities around Orange County. We were expecting some 70 to 75 guests, but a few centers that had indicated they’d have residents present for the service did not show. In all, we had guests from 6 or 7 centers with approximately 50 to 55 guests. We had one guest, if that is a term we can use, from our congregation. Sharlane Blakeley brought her mother, Joyce Finch, to the service. It was good to see Joyce after many months of not having her in worship with us. We learned that this service for Alzheimer’s patients, which is offered monthly

in various congregations around Orange County, has been happening for the past 13 years and that our congregation is one of the original ones in the mix. Our Sr. Adult Ministry had been offering this worship experience annually for 13 years. That’s a record of which to be proud. This service, as well as the welcoming and seating of our guests, plus assisting them to Chapman Lounge to enjoy cookies and punch after the service and getting back on their buses, is labor intensive. We are always assisted by some 6 to 8 volunteers from the Alzheimer’s Association of Orange County, but without our Senior Adults turning out in great numbers, this could not happen. We are most grateful to these people for serving this past Wednesday morning as we hosted this annual service for Alzheimer’s patients: John and Cyndi Cairns, plus John’s service dog, Donald, greeted everyone as they arrived. Donald was a big hit with many of our guests, Ted and Sammie Adams, Scott Brill, Sara Caswell, Rod Farley, Annie Frater, Joyce Keitel, Mariette Linberg, Mike Vaughan and Craig Wallace helped to welcome and seat our guests in the sanctuary. Bob Hasty was at the piano playing familiar hymns and choruses as our guests arrived. Due to the fact that some of our guests arrived 20 to 30 minutes after the 10:30 a.m. time originally set for the service to begin, Bob played some 45 minutes before the service actually began. Worship was led by Ted Adams, Ed Linberg, Sammie Adams, Barry Woodbridge and Laura Lee Wiggins. Our Pastor, Mandye Yates, presented a homily based on Jesus’ feeding of the 5,000 found in Matthew 14. Pat Van Vliet sang a solo, “In the Garden,” as communion was served. Our communion servers were Scott Brill, Rod Farley, Mike Vaughan and Craig Wallace. We appreciated Craig’s work in setting up and taking down the microphones so that everyone could hear our spoken words as we shared in leading worship. And, all of these folks got to fulfill their roles in worship twice. This was due to

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the fact that one of the Care Center’s group of patients arrived just before the service ended. Mandye graciously offered to repeat the service for those who had arrived so late due, as we learned afterward, to a mix-up in their understanding of the start time for the service. Also, since Bob Hasty had to leave and could not stay to provide the accompaniment for the singing during the second service, Mandye not only preached her sermon a second time, but she went to the piano to accompany the singing and to accompany Pat’s solo during the second service. Refreshments were coordinated, along with a beautifully decorated room that had a St. Patrick’s Day theme, by Jan Farley. She was ably assisted by her husband, Rod, in the set-up of Chapman Lounge. Also, helping her with the serving of our guests and the clean-up following the event were: Ted and Sammie Adams, Mary and Scott Brill, Sara Caswell, Annie Frater, Ed and Mariette Linberg, Judi Smedley, Mike Vaughan, Craig Wallace, and Laura Lee Wiggins. Many of these same people, plus others who could not attend, provided the cookies that were served guests. Behind the scenes were Donna Woodbridge and Pam Findley-Flor. Last week, before she went to the hospital for her knee surgery on Monday, Donna completed the worship bulletin and the song sheet. Pam made copies of the service and had them folded when we arrived, plus, she ran off copies of the song sheet just before the service began so no one had to deal with using a hymnal in order to sing the hymns that were part of this year’s service. Jackie Schwepe, the long-time Coordinator of these services on behalf of the Alzheimer’s Association, and who has spoken to our Sr. Adult Ministry about her experience with this disease when her late mother was afflicted with it, said, “We always love to come to First Christian Church, Fullerton. You provide us with a wonderful service with lovely music each year, and this time, you did it twice. Also, your hosting of the patients and

caregivers, plus the members of the Alzheimer’s Association’s staff, with the reception that follows the services are very much appreciated. We always feel most welcome to be here.” Again, thanks to every one of the members of our Sr. Adult Ministry for their part in the 2017 worship service and reception for persons with Alzheimer’s disease who were our guests this past Wednesday.

Lent Activities: March 12: Second Sunday in Lent March 19: Third Sunday in Lent

March 26: Fourth Sunday in Lent

April 2: Fifth Sunday in Lent April 9: Palm Sunday, Children’s parade of palms Choir Cantata, Easter Offering April 13: Maundy Thursday Service Prayer Vigil starts at 8:00 P.M.

April 14: Good Friday, Prayer Vigil continues until 7:00 P.M.

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Easter Sunday APRIL 16: EASTER – Worship at 10:15 A.M. (no 8 A.M. service)

Easter Offering

Easter Egg Hunt, after 10:15 worship

Easter Lilies Time to order Easter Lilies to decorate our Sanctuary. They are $8.50 per lily. Make checks payable to FCC with Easter Lilies in the memo line. Name of Donor _________________________________________ No. of Lilies ______ In Memory or honor of _____________________

Holy Week Prayer Vigil The Council of Elders will have our annual Holy Week Prayer Vigil from 8:00 P.M. Maundy Thursday (April 13) until 7:00 P.M. Good Friday (April 14.) If you have never been a part of this experience, you will be richly blessed by taking one of the ½-hour slots and praying. You are encouraged to come pray in the Sanctuary if possible. If you would be willing to be here in the Narthex to let people in to pray, we need to staff the church from: April 13, 8:00 p.m. – 11:00 p.m.; April 13, 11:00 p.m.-April 14, 2:00 a.m. April 14, 2:00 a.m. - 5:00 a.m. Please let Donna know if you can be available any of these times.

Chapel on Wheels Fundraiser at Polly’s This Monday, March 13, 2017, 7:00 a.m. to 9:30 p.m., Chapel on Wheels will be having a fundraiser. Polly’s is at 136 N. Raymond in Fullerton. Flyers are on the office counter at church. Polly’s will donate 20% of the proceeds to Chapel on Wheels when you present the flyer to your server.

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

Casual Service Sunday, 8:00 A.M. Adult Sunday School: 9:00 A.M. Blended 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, 4:30 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 March 12, 2017

Greeters: Jan & Dirk McCuen Guest Book: Lin Garcia Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte: Nolan Vannoy Sound & Video: PJ Vannoy Lay Leader: Sara Caswell Children’s Moment: Pastor Mandye CWW Greeter: Jennine Martinez CWW Helper: Reese Angulo Butterfly Nook Helper: Callie Yates Elders: Nancy Malotte, Jeanne Tarbell, Mike Vaughan

Diaconate: Randy Langston’s Team Prepare: Lorraine Albrecht, Dayann

Shepherd Ushers: Laura Schaffell, Ben Stuart Serve: Nancy Knott, Ben Stuart, Kelly &

Shawn McCuen, Kathy Wright, Dayann Shepherd,

Clean Up: Lorraine Albrecht, Kelly & Shawn McCuen

Serving March 19, 2017

Greeters: Laura Schaffell Guest Book: Becky Graves Coffee Host: Hospitality Ministry Acolyte: Nolan Vannoy Sound & Video: Paul Robidoux Lay Leader: Pat Vannoy Children’s Moment: Pastor Mandye CWW Greeter: Jennine Martinez CWW Helper: Reese Angulo Butterfly Nook Helper: Callie Yates Elders: Sherry Herrera, Lin Garcia, PJ Vannoy

Diaconate: Randy Langston’s Team Prepare: Lorraine Albrecht, Randy Langston Ushers: Kathy Wright, Ben Stuart Serve: Randy Langston, Nancy Knott, Kelly

& Shawn McCuen, Laura Schaffell, Dayann Shepherd,

Clean Up: Lorraine Albrecht, Randy Langston