The Grapevine A Publication of Fremont Presbyterian ChurchV o l u m e 5 8 • I s s u e 1 2 • d e c e m b e r 2 0 1 3

featuring

Children’s Musical and the Fremont Music AcademyTuesday, December 10, 6:30 p.m. in the CLC

“A Christmas Celebration”

The Glorious Sounds of Christmas

FriDAy, DeCeMber 13SATurDAy, DeCeMber 14SunDAy, DeCeMber 15ALL perForMAnCeS AT 7:00 pM

Invite a friend to experience the glorious sounds of Christ-mas from the baroque to the contemporary in Fremont’s spectacularly decorated sanctuary. The 95-voice Fremont Choir and Orchestra present a festive Christmas Concert featuring Pergolesi’s ”Magnificat” along with several Christ-mas carol favorites. Tickets are free, but will be required for admission. The tickets will be marked Friday, Saturday or Sunday and there will be a limit of 8 tickets/family. The tick-ets guarantee seating from 6:30 to 6:45 pm. After 6:45, any open seats will be offered to those without tickets. Child-care provided (Infant – age 5). A freewill offering will be taken. Tickets are available on Sundays between services, during the week in the Church Office and online at www.fremontpres.org.

Join our Children’s Choirs as they pres-ent “Once Upon a Night” – a Christmas musical telling the Nativity story. Also performing will be the Fremont Music Academy Bands and Orchestras.

See pAge 3 For ChriSTMAS eve ServiCeS.

Christmas at Fremont 2013

The Grapevine

December 1 • Communion SundayClassic at 8:55 am • Modern at 11:00 amDr. Daniel C. Willson, preaching“A MAN EAtiNg LOcUsts & WiLd HONEy”Isaiah 40:3-8 • Matthew 3:1-6

December 8 • New MembersClassic at 8:55 am • Modern at 11:00 amPastor Steve Whitney, preaching“tHrEE PAgAN PriEsts briNgiNg gifts”Isaiah 60:1-6 • Matthew 2:1-12

December 15 • BaptismClassic at 8:55 am • Modern at 11:00 amDr. Donald H. Baird, preaching“A VirgiN giViNg birtH tO A bAby”Isaiah 9:2-7 • Matthew 1:18-25

December 22 Classic at 8:55 am • Modern at 11:00 amDr. Donald H. Baird, preaching“A bAby iN A MANgEr”Luke 1:26-38 • 1 Corinthians 1:25-31

December 29 Classic at 8:55 am • Modern at 11:00 amPastor Steve Whitney, preaching“gEttiNg rEAdy fOr A NEW yEAr”Luke 15:11-32

2

The

Gra

pevi

ne(USPS 210040)A newsletter published monthly by Fremont Presbyterian Church 5770 Carlson Drive, Sacramento, CA. 95819.

Periodicals postage paid at Sacramento, CA.

Postmaster: Please send address changes to address above.

The deadline for news items is printed on the back page. Submit all news items in writing including your name, phone number and date of submission to the Publications Coordinator mailbox or e-mail them to beCky LuCero at: becky@fremontpres.org. Contact church office with address changes.

Hours: Mon. - Fri., 8:30 am to 5:30 pm Sun., 8:30 am-12:30 am

Telephone: (916) 452-7132 FAX: (916) 452-2160 Webpage: www.fremontpres.org

Worship Series - Christmas Surprises

( - - - - - - - - - - Marathon route)

pLAn AheAD For The CALiForniA inTernATionALMarathon • Sunday, deCeMber 8Th

on Sunday, december 8th, Fair Oaks Boulevard, J Street and the H Street Bridge will be closed for parts of the morning due to the California Inter-national Marathon. Remember to plan ahead for your alternate route and leave earlier than usual.

For those living north of Fair oaks boulevard: Take Arden Way west to the Capital City Freeway (Business 80). Proceed west to the E Street off ramp, then south on 29th Street to H Street. Turn left on H Street and take H Street to Carlson Dr.

For those living south of Fair oaks boulevard: Take the 65th Street exit off Highway 50. Turn right and follow 65th onto Elvas Avenue. Bear left, turn right on 57th Street and right on H Street.

We have heard these Christmas stories so of-ten that we often miss the amazing surprises in them that demonstrate the glory and majesty of God to whom they point and that prepare us to meet our Messiah. I have selected only five Christmas surprises but there are many more I could have chosen, such as a guiding star, a king rejecting his heir, a heavenly host singing, etc. Come and enjoy the surprises! --Don

3

A Word . . .

FroM pASTor Don: One of the ways I become convinced that God is “The Actor” in something is when an idea takes on a life of its own. Last May, as I was agonizing over what themes/books of the Bible God wanted

Fremont to address in worship in 2013 and 2014, I became convinced then that one of our sermon series needed to be from the Book of Acts. Acts is the only book in the Bible that specifically tells us how the church came into being and what it looked like. Fremont is in transition and this is a good time for us to ask again, “What should Fremont really look like?”

Christmas Eve Worship ServicesTueSDAy, DeCeMber 24

• Modern ChriStMaS Celebration – 2:00 PMCelebrate the coming of Jesus with your family in the midst of trees and garlands in the Community Life Center. This service will feature the Modern Worship Team playing favorite Christ-mas carols. A short Christmas message will be shared by Pastor Donald Baird. Invite your friends to experience the wonder of Christ’s birth with the ex-tended Fremont family. Childcare pro-vided (Infant – age 2.)

• FaMily WorShiP – 4:30 pMJoin us for a special service in our Com-munity Life Center designed for families and children. Experience the wonder of Christmas with a special message for children. The Modern Worship Team and Children’s Choirs will help your family celebrate the birth of Christ. Childcare provided (Infant – age 2).

• Candlelight ServiCeS – 7:00, 9:00 & 11:00 pMExperience the warmth and beauty of worshiping the newborn Christ by candlelight. Led by Pastor Donald Baird, the Sanctuary Choir, organ and instrumentalists, these services are a highlight of the season for many, with favorite carols and moving candle pag-eantry in a warm and inviting setting. Childcare provided for the 7:00 pm ser-vice only (Infant – age 2).

FremonT presbyTerian church

As I prepared this study I came upon the discovery that the early church was very interested in spreading the Gospel and growing the Church so that the world might know, love, worship and serve Jesus Christ. Virtually every chapter talks about the growth of the church or something like “and the Lord added to their number.” This is not mysterious or accidental, but rather very intentional. That was when I thought, “This is what Fremont needs to do. We need to be more intentional in our sharing, inviting and including of those outside of Fremont into this wonderful family God has created for us and all those He calls.” This is how it happened in the early church and it is how it happened when Jesus called His Apostles, one person invites another and welcomes one person into the Family one at a time. So, I called it “ONE”.

After I got home I shared “ONE” with some of the staff. They liked it and began exploring ways we could do it at Fremont. At the Leadership Retreat last month I shared it with the elders and program staff of Fremont and they were equally enthusiastic about it. So, we will begin “ONE” in January, 2014, with a sermon series on Acts, but, more importantly, we will begin explor-ing what each of us can start doing that will realize the vision we find in Acts. It will take all of us if we are to match the amazing response the early church got, but just imagine what could happen if we even just get close. Imagine each of us establishing a relationship that might result in bringing one friend, one member of our family, one neighbor or one stranger to a Fremont activity, a special worship service, a concert, a class or a service in the course of a year. Statistics tell us that the average Presbyterian brings 1.2 people to church in a life time. What if we each did that every year or even every month?

Now, you may be thinking, “I don’t know anyone who isn’t already com-ing to Fremont. All my friends, family and acquaintances are already Fre-monters.” In that case, it is time to make some new friends. Next year, beginning in January, we are going to learn how to make new friends, how to include them in the things that mean so much to us and how to enjoy the new things that they bring to us. I am certain that this is going to be a great adventure. I can already see God’s fingerprints all over it and when God has His hands on it, you can be sure of this, it will be “very good.” Happy New Year!

1o

ne

4 The Grapevine

Children’s Ministries

ToDDLer SToryTiMeConTinueS Through DeCeMber! For ages 2 - 4. Storytime will be held from 10:00 - 11:00 am, Monday mornings in the bookstore. Toddlers will be read a couple of stories, make a simple craft, and have time to play. A parent must be present during the entire hour. Please bring a friend! For more info, con-tact Cate Williams at cate@fre-montpres.org

Toddler Story Time

teamKid will be taking a break from november 27 – December 25. The Winter/Spring Session of TeamKID begins on Wednesday, January 7. If you have not regis-tered your children for TeamKID this year, do it today at www.fre-montpres.org. Join us in January as we are learning about Jump-ing the Hurdles of Life!

advent WorKShoPSunday, deCeMber 8, 20148:55 & 11:00 aM in FerguSon hALLChildren will participate in the Advent Workshop during the 8:55 & 11:00 service hours in conjunction with their regular class schedule. If you are available to help at the Ad-vent Workshop or bake cookies for this event, please contact Kim Shaw at kim@fremontpres.org

FREE e-WasteCollectionFundraiser!

S P O N S O R E D B Y C E A R , I N C . • C E A R I N C . C O M

9 AM to 1 PMSaturday, October 23

Fremont parking lotWe will accept: monitors, televisions,desktop and notebooks, VCRs, stereoequipment, speakers, keyboards, digital cameras, telephones, cell phones,printers, copiers and fax machines.

We cannot take: appliances, furniture,hazardous waste, flourescent lightbulbs, paint, pesticides, used oil,cleaning supplies, tires, etc.

For optimal security CEAR INC shredsall accepeted computer hard drives.

NEXT WEEKEND!

You don’t even need to get out of the car, we will unload it for you!

FREE e-WasteCollection Fundraiser!

Proceeds benefitting

FremonT nursery school

Fremont parking lotSaturday, January 25, 20149 AM to 1 PMIf you get new electronics for Christmas, save your e-waste for FNS!

Proceeds benefit tuition scholarships for FNS students and professional development for FNS teachers.

We will accept: monitors, televisions, desktop and note-books, VCRs, stereo equipment, speakers, keyboards, digital cameras, telephones, cell phones, printers, copiers and fax machines.

We cannot take: appliances, furniture, hazardous waste, fluorescent light bulbs, paint, pesticides, used oil, cleaning supplies, tires, etc.

If you have questions, please contact Katie McClure at katiebudesa@yahoo.com

Thank you for your support of Fremont Nursery School!

heAr ye! heAr ye! CookieS Are neeDeD! Your help is needed! Fre-mont will soon be filled with the glorious sounds of Christmas when our choir pres-ents the Christmas concerts on December 13, 14, and 15. After each concert, all who attend are invited to a lovely reception in Ferguson Hall. Lots of cookies are needed to be served with the coffee, tea, and cider. The cookies should be delivered Friday afternoon, December 13. Please let Patti Dusel (481-6812 or duselpw@surewest.net) know if you would like to provide cookies or have questions about how you might help with set-up or hosting. Thank you!

CALLing ALL AngeLS! “Angel Tree” is a program of Prison Ministries started and directed by Chuck Colson. It is a program whereby children of incarcerated per-sons receive a Christmas present along with a Christian greeting. Our church is partici-pating in the program and will be serving the families of approximately 90 households with gifts of a value of up to $25.

Thank you to all who have taken the responsibility for these “angels.” After you pur-chase the gifts, wrap them up and DeLiver TheM To The ChurCh oFFiCe no later than deCeMber 8Th. They will be delivered to the children by members of our congregation just before Christmas.

If you have any questions please call Jay or Karren Wright at 916.454.1102, or email: jwright551@comcast.net

FremonT presbyTerian church 5

The Art of Faith Gallery in the Fremont Church office will be host to an art show and book signing Sunday, deCeMber 8Th FolloWing the 1ST Ser-viCe AnD 2nD ServiCe. Illustrator and artist Sheila Jacobs will be visiting our church to sign the children's book she illustrated titled “The Little Candle that was Frightened of the Dark: A Family Devotional.” This is a beautifully illustrated book that celebrates advent and includes an advent devotional that families can do together. The book was written by Presbyterian pas-tor Cheryl Kincade. The book will be available for purchase in the Fremont Bookstore. Folks can purchase the book and then visit the office and Ms. Jacobs will be available to sign it. In addition the 9 original paintings/illustra-tions will be hung in the office for viewing. The paintings will be available for view from November 22nd through December in celebration of Advent.

Advent Book Signing and Art Show at Fremont

eeMusic &WorshipArtsMinistry

Serve the lord With gladneSS: Are you musical? Are you looking for a way to use your gifts? Come join the Sanctuary Choir. Rehearsals are Thursdays at 7:00 pm. Check us out and enjoy a time of singing, refreshment, and fellowship. Questions? Call Cheryl in the Music Office, 452-7132 ex.231 or email Cheryl@fremontpres.org.

Also available are musical groups for all ages, including beginning and continuing bands, orchestras and choirs. For more information, call the Music office 452-7132 or e-mail cheryl@fremontpres.org, visit our website www.fremontpres.org

Music & Worship Arts at Fremont

6 The Grapevine

Adult Education Classes

• Study oF roManS Dr. DonALD h. bAirDIt would be difficult to overestimate the influence of St. Paul’s letter to the Romans on Christianity. Of all the books of the Bible, none has left its mark on the theology and language of Christianity than this letter. Romans has had life-changing impacts on some of the greatest Christians down through the ages.

The more you know what this letter says, the more your life will be changed as well. It can still awaken faith wherever people discover in it the transforming Truth of the Gospel.

sundays 10:15 am

• r. C. SProul video SerieS barbara vonK • WeStMinSter rooMWhat is your theology? What is it you believe? Why do you believe what you believe? If you aren’t sure and want to know more about Biblical theology, what the “Bible says about God, Jesus, etc.” plan to attend the next offering from the Bible teacher, Dr. R. C. Sproul.

Topics through December:

12/1 Three in person12/8 incommunicable attributes12/15 Communicable attributes

• angelS and deMonS LeD by bruCe ogDen deCeMber 1 & 8 • ChaPelAngels play an important part in the first Christmas. In fact, an-gels (and demons) are found throughout the Bible. Who and what are these beings? Why do they exist? Are they with us today? Join elder Bruce Ogden as he presents an incredibly in-teresting, two-week class on what the Bible has to say about this fascinating topic.

Each week, study guide pages are offered which go along with the video. As an additional resource, Barbara Vonk has chosen Scripture verses from the Psalms which relate to the topic being studied. These verses can be used for Scripture memory or for family devotionals.

Please prayerfully consider joining our class and experience the truths of scrip-ture in a new and exciting way.

Wednesdays 6:30 pm

Thursdays 10:00 amclasses held through december 4th.

Give gifts of appreciation to someone who provides services to you or your family: bus driver, mail carrier, lawn care workers, babysitter, et cetera.

“TAke The

go ChALLenge” For DeCeMber:

WiCKer bASkeT CoLLeCTionSFor you holiday trav-elers and snowbirds, please remember the needy in Sacra-

mento and save the travel size toiletries found in your hotel. Those little shampoos, soaps and lotions mean a great deal to the home-less. Please collect them and drop them in the wicker baskets in the narthex and CLC atrium when you return to church. There’s also a big need for toothbrushes, toothpaste, combs, brushes, chapstick and deodorant. All of these items can go in the wicker baskets and some-one from the Local Mission team will deliver them to our mission partners for distribution.

uSeD prinTer ink CArTriDgeSYou can also help our local mission partners by donating your used printer ink cartridges. They turn these in for credit toward stationery items. Please leave them in the office.

7 FremonT presbyTerian church

ST. John’S SheLTer For WoMen and ChiLDren empowers homeless women with chil-dren to advance from crisis

to economic self sufficiency through job training and placement, career advice and supportive services. It has a proven record of changing the lives of the wom-en they serve, helping them develop the skills they need to re-enter and advance in the workforce, with the ability to create their own fixed assets, overcome structural poverty and become positive role models for their children.

Since the founding on the steps of St. John’s Lutheran Church in 1985, they have served more than 29,000 homeless mothers and children and have moved well beyond the traditional model of “housed, fed and clothed” to include crucial social and economic reinte-gration. The current facility offers comprehensive ser-vices 24 hours per day to more than 900 women and children annually. St. John’s Shelter is the largest shel-ter in Sacramento County and the only one focused ex-clusively on homeless mothers and their children.

St. John’s Shelter operates a 120-day Shelter, a Sup-portive Housing Program, an On-The-Job Employment Training Program with three self-funded social enter-prises, a Career and Education Placement Center com-plete with GED (General Equivalency Diploma) services and career counseling, a full scale Mental Health Clinic with one-on-one case management and individual and family therapy, and an After-Care Program that pro-vides ongoing support to program graduates. This year a new shelter facility was purchased that is over twice the size of the current shelter, allowing better service to clients and expansion of the Supportive Housing Program. The comprehensive program brings the ma-jority of necessary services under one roof, addressing the needs of the entire family and breaking the cycle of poverty – a seamless, 18 month continuum of care.

There is not a similar program to St. Johns that has the ability to truly transition homeless women with chil-dren from dependence to independence. To date, 94 per cent of the graduates have been placed in employment.

The 2013 Christmas Offering will be divided between one local mission and one worldwide mission project.

WitneSSing MiniStrieS oF ChriST is one of the World-wide Mission Projects that Fremont supports. Witnessing Ministries of Christ created the Exodus Christian Presbyterian Church – India that serves the untouchable class of the caste system in India today. The most oppressed of these people are 30 million known as Bhangi Dal-its, only allowed to do the most despicable filthy work. Families deeply oppressed by birth, struggle to survive. Lasting change comes through faith in Jesus Christ and education. There are thousands of stories of people empowered by the Exodus Chris-tian Presbyterian Church-India. They stand as a witness of tri-umph against seemingly insurmountable odds. Witnessing Min-istries of Christ founder, Rev. Philip Prasad, coming from Bhangi untouchability himself, understands that their stories of exodus from untouchability must be written, recited, and heard so that all may know the power of the awesome God that can topple the towering grip of untouchability and set people free in the Truth through the Christian faith.

My STory by niThLeSh eSTher SAMArThiMy mother’s mother died when she was one year old. They were Bhangis (Untouchable – latrine cleaners). She was raised by her grandmother and married at age eight. When she went to live at her husband’s home, life was very hard because his family was even poorer than hers. To survive, my father collected shrouds from the Hindu cremation places to sell in the market. We used the shrouds to make our clothing. Even my father’s wedding gift to my mother was a half shroud!

From somewhere my mother got a chicken. Soon there were many chickens and eggs to sell. With that money she sent my brother and uncle to school. The Exodus Church created a school in our village and I attended through fifth grade. Further educa-tion was at Hindu schools where I suffered many insults. Exodus Church Pastor Vijay came to a prayer service and encouraged me to get a scholarship for college. I applied, attended and am work-ing on the Master of Arts Degree. I am also an assistant teacher at the Exodus School in Pavitrasthaan.”I was raised in Christ and I will always live in Christ”.

One half of the Christmas offering will help Witnessing Minis-tries of Christ raise funds to accomplish the task of writing, edit-ing, translating, publishing and making the stories available and giving hope of a new life to those who have been downtrodden for so long.

Christmas Offering - One Local, One Worldwide

8 The Grapevine

GO Day ChallengeBLESSINGS. . .

A FAMILY PROMISE BLESSING

As the holiday season approaches, I re-alize that this last year was special for me and my blessings have been many. One of those blessings has been the opportunity to work with the wonder-ful volunteers that have made sure our guests felt welcome every time they visited. It has also been a joy to meet the many different families that have made Fremont their temporary home. Many of these families have since per-manent homes and are settled happily in them. I know we all wish them well.

Our next visit from our Family Promise guests will be December 15th through December 22nd. We are planning a joyful week to celebrate our Lord’s birth. Of course, fun, camaraderie, and good food will be part of the celebra-tion. The volunteer sign up sheet will be in Ferguson Hall from November 17th – December 12th. Please sign up and join us in this wonderful week. We need volunteers to prepare meals, help set up and take down the sleeping arrangements, and sleep over at the church. We will also be having a Christ-mas tree and presents for the children of the guests, and would love to have some Christmas goodies to serve.

For many of our Family Promise guests, the Christmas season brings a greater awareness of their present situation. The warm welcome and friendly faces that greet them at Fremont can make a big difference for them each evening when they return to the church from their day. Together we can make this their happiest Christmas in memory.

If you have any questions, please contact:Gretchen Mounier email: gamounier@gmail.comPhone: (916) 550-1032

Family Promise

Peacemaking Offering

Philippines Disaster Relief

Typhoon hAiyAn is the most destructive storm to strike the Philippines in recorded history. Entire cities have been eliminated, as many as 10,000 lives have been lost, infra-structures and telecommunications have been destroyed, and the most ba-sic life requirements – water and food – have been rendered unavailable. If you would like to make a financial donation to help rescue and recovery efforts, please make your check out to the Fremont Presbyterian Church, and write “Philippine typhoon relief” in the memo line; or place your cash donation in an envelope with your name on it, and write on the front “Phil-ippine typhoon relief”.

SyriAn reFugeeS hAve FrienDS in SACrAMenToAround the beginning of October, you, the members of Fremont, donated $12,260 to this year’s Peacemaking Offering. Those monies will be used by God to strengthen the hands of our fellow Christians in Lebanon as they seek to minister to displaced, war-affected Syrian refugees.

In our communications with Lebanon and Syria, we’ve received word from Mary Mikhael, an elder in the National Evangelical Synod of Syria and Leba-non. She has been tasked with serving as an envoy between the churches of the West and the Syrian situation. Mary shared that the National Evangelical Synod’s goal is to help as many as 3,000 families per month. Thanks to all of you for choosing to be Christ’s instruments in bringing His compassion and mercy to – we pray – as many as 3,000 Syrian refugees each month!

9FremonT presbyTerian church

Fremont members and friends are cordially invited to join FIRS in Ferguson Hall for a catered lunch of baked honey ham, scalloped potatoes, green beans almondine, salads, Christmas cookies & ice cream. Cost: $11. We will be treat-ed to the annual Christmas musical program by the Saints Alive! choir. You don’t want to miss this tradition when we all join in singing our favorite Christmas carols. Come on out and enjoy this time together! As part of our lun-cheon meeting, Dr. Dan Willson will install the 2014 FIRS officers and directors. For reservations, call Sandy Craig at 481-1138 before 9:00 pm, Sunday December 8th.

LunCheon, 11:30 AMWedneSday,

DeCeMber 11, 2013

For information, please call Lu Bakken, (916) 481-2035 or Kathy Bos, KB’s Travel, (916) 689-5117. Flyers are avail-able in the church office or from Lu Bakken on Sunday mornings after the 8:55 am service.

Seniors’ TravelFLY WITH FIRS!

FiRS & Friends

FiRS• Friendship • Inspiration• Recreation • Service

Seniors Ministry

Seniors Ministry

EvEry Thursday

priMe TiMe: Call Jeanne Wallis at 397-8584

Prime Time!for Active Adults (55 +)

Fremont’s

priMe TiMe SCheDuLe: (choose as much or as little of the day as you’d like.)

9:30 am Coffee, fellowship & board games begin

11:00 am Low-impact exercises in Ferguson Hall, a group walk in the neighborhood or table games (Kings in the Corner, Dominoes, Bridge)

11:45 am You provide your own sack lunch ($4.00 buys dessert and coffee) followed by more board games and occasional informative and/or entertaining programs throughout the year.

(1) an “early ChriStMaS” day triPTueSDAy, DeCeMber 3, 2013DuArTe’S nurSery, hughSon, CA.

Price: $35.00 per person. This price includes the coach and driver gratuity. Lunch will be on your own at The Fruit Yard in Modesto. Coffee and donuts will be at 9 am in the CLC with a departure time from Fremont’s back parking lot set for 9:30 am. Our tour begins at 11:30 am at the Duarte Nursery. The Nursery is walker and wheel chair accessible.

Because December daylight hours are shorter, we anticipate being back to Fremont no later than 5:00 pm instead of our usual 5:30 pm.

Duarte Nursery, Inc. (DNI) is a family owned and operated wholesale nursery located in Hughson, about 10 miles south-east of Modesto in California’s Central Valley. Their poinsettias are grown on site, in the nursery’s state-of-the-art new modern greenhouses. Duarte Nursery grows over 60,000 poinsettias in all, with over 30 varieties and colors. The Duarte Nursery calls it the “Sea of Poinsettias.” Although the Nursery sells a vari-ety of agricultural products year round, sale of their beautiful poinsettias is the highlight of the Christmas season. The Nurs-ery also has poinsettia trees, decorative bowls, pots, and vases with poinsettias.

The poinsettias are $8.00 each and a bargain for the high qual-ity of the plant. The Duarte Nursery poinsettias are known for their longevity. They can last several years with proper care in-structions provided by the Nursery.

When you sign up, you will receive reminder information a week before the trip noting any changes not stated on the flyer. The deadline date for sign-ups is Tuesday, November 26, 2013. Some information about cancellation has been removed.

Flyers are available in the church office or from Lu Bakken at (916) 481-2035.

(2) day triP to San FranCiSCo: Plans are being made for a San Francisco tour led by San Francisco’s outstanding tour guide, Craig Smith, within the first two weeks in February. More information will be provided in the January Grapevine. Flyers for the February trip will be available at the FIRS Christmas lun-cheon on Wednesday, December 11, 2013.

DeCeMber 5Table Games

DeCeMber 12Simple and Fun Holiday Crafts with Mary Lawrence

DeCeMber 19A Christmas Movie: “Scrooge”

DeCeMber 26No Meeting

•

•

•

•

10 The Grapevine

Student Ministries Jamaica Medical Mission

Only 8 weeks to go!! Our departure date, January 31st, is getting closer and we’re getting more excited with each passing day. We continue to prepare, order, and organize our supplies and finalize those smaller de-tails. (Do you think Santa will bring me a solar shower for Christmas?) In February, our medical mission team led by Dr. Pat Tansey-Mitzner will travel to Manchester Parish in the mountains of central Jamaica where we will staff rural health clinics and provide both physical and spiritual care.

Our team will bring with us all the medications necessary to provide the people of Manchester, Jamaica with the medications they need for their various illnesses and chronic diseases. These medications will include both over the counter and prescription medications at no cost to the pa-tient. The 2012 medical mission trip provided over 5,000 prescriptions in a 2 week period. Wow!

YOU CAN HELP!! We have resources available to purchase these medications at or below cost. A fund has been set up at Fremont and is available for your contributions. Checks should be made out to Fremont Presbyterian Church with the notation that they are for the “Jamaica STM Fund.” Please prayerfully consider what you spend on a regular basis for medicine for you and your family and make your

donation to help us alleviate the medication shortage in Jamaica.

We are eagerly anticipating our opportunity to serve the Jamaican people with our Heavenly Father’s help and we invite you to participate in what He is doing. It is a privilege to serve our Lord and show His love to others. Part of our joy comes in giving them practical help with medications that you, our supporters back at home, provide. As we continue to organize and prepare for this exciting mission trip, we covet your prayers. Please pray:• That our travel plans would continue to progress smoothly• That we would be able to collect adequate medical and dental supplies and that sufficient medications can be attained.• That God would prepare the hearts of our future Jamaican patients• That God would continue to strengthen our team and work through us to glorify Him.

Connect with other College 20’s & grow in your relationship with Christ. Check out information on the website under College Ministry (www.fremontpres.org) or contact Travis Velder (travis@fremontpres.org)

THE WayCollege:

For HigH sCHool,Contact lysle spangler: lysle@fremontpres.org.Check out our website:oneelement.org

For For More inFo: jordan@FreMonTpres.org

For jr. HigH: CHeCk ouT our websiTe For eVenTs!:

FreMonTpres.org

NExt MEEtiNg is ON dEcEMbEr 12tH!Come, join us and be our guest at the ALZheiMer’S CAFe oF SACrAMenTo. Food, fun, activities & music in Geneva Room. Dates are 2nd Thursday of the month: December 12, from 2:00 - 4:00 pm. Questions? Call 594-9088.

Alzheimer’s CafeHealth Ministry’s

Beyond providing proper medical and dental care to the people of Jamaica, we will be introducing them to the Great Physician, the healer of both bodies and souls. In a culture needing help and care, we go to supply medicine, but more impor-tantly, to introduce our patients to Jesus Christ. If you have any questions, please contact Pat Mitzner at 683-4389.

“…and He sent them out to preach the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.” Luke 9:2

200,000

300,000

0

400,000

700,000

800,000

100,000

500,000

600,000

688,000

From the BookkeeperCan it be possible that 2013 is almost gone?!

Stock gifts are always welcome at any time, however, we need to know immediately who is giving what and to which account it is to be posted. Please notify either Carolyn or John Walden when you notify your broker. (452-7132 or email carolyn@fremontpres.org or john@fremontpres.org)

CheCkS MuST be poSTMArkeD by DeCeMber 31St (irS ruleS).

PLEASE SAVE AND CHECK CAREFULLY (WITH YOUR BANK STATEMENT) THE DETAILED GIVING STATE-MENT YOU RECEIVE AFTER THE END OF NOVEMBER. In January you will only receive a year-end summary of giving by category, not by date. Please be aware that no changes can be made after the 15th of Janu-ary, because the books will be closed.

New offering envelopes will be available on the stage in Ferguson Hall after worship on December 29th, then for the following 3 Sundays. If you do not find envelopes for your name and want to use them con-sistently, please sign the clipboard provided. They will be available the following Sunday.

Thank you for your continued faithfulness. Have a GREAT CHRISTMAS SEASON!

--Carolyn Walden, Giving Secretary

Buildings and GroundsA big thank you to all the volunteers who gave their time and talents on October 26th for All-Church Workday. A lot of projects were completed and these projects could not be done without the dedication and help of our members. Thank you all again and we hope to see a greater response for Spring Workday, april 12, 2014. --With much gratitude from The Buildings and Grounds Committee

If you haven’t seen them yet, look up! Fremont’s campus is flying high and proud with an American flag and our Christian flag provided by the Eagle Scout Project of Stephen Gillis. We congratulate you on the completion of this project and are honored you chose our campus for your project. Thank you Stephen!

FremonT presbyTerian church 11

Blessings...A Response to Faith

Have you joined with other members and friends of Fremont to erase our final indebt-edness and free us for future ministry? We’re almost there! For more information or for a commitment card, call the church office (452-7132).

12

October Session Meeting

The Grapevine

Following are some action and informational items from the Session meeting of October 22 that might be of interest to the general congregation. These notes are not intended to reflect the total work of the Session at the meeting. If you are interested in more information about a particular item, please contact any member of Session.

This was the annual meeting with the Deacons. Following dinner together, the Deacons presented a summary of all their excellent work this year. The theme was thankfulness. What a wonderful group of dedicated workers these Dea-cons are, the heartbeat of the church! Session always looks forward to these annual meetings.

The Financial Report for September showed General Fund revenues (total) were $126,115 and expenses were $177,560, giving a loss for the month of $51,445. Year-to-date revenues of $1,205,914 were less-than-budget by $90,810, and year-to-date expenses of $1,381,341 were less-than-budget by $24,313, giving a year-to-date loss of $175,428, with a variance from budget of ($66,497).

There was further discussion about the 2013 budget short-fall with a request by the Finance Committee for prayer. Just a note: the General Fund is the backbone for funding our ministry operations. It supplies money for the staff, the buildings and grounds, and the ongoing ministries.

There was also a preliminary look at the proposed 2014 budget. The Executive Committee will be working to for-mulate a final proposed budget to submit to Session.

There was a report from the Pastor Search Committee. The final Church Information Form (CIF) has been posted and

the Committee is ready to receive applications. The Com-mittee continues to be open to suggestions of places to seek likely candidates.

There was a report from the Presbytery of the Pacific meet-ing held in October. Presbytery affirmed Fremont’s ability to retain Dr. Baird for one year following his 70th birthday.

Dr. Willson reported over $9,000 has been collected through the Peacemaking Offering which will be sent to Lebanon to work with Christian refugees from Syria.

Dr. Baird reported happily on the birth of Olivia Gwynn Baird to James and Dani Baird. Congratulations to all!

ACTionS:• Approved a time change for the Modern Christmas Eve Service. The new time will be 2:00 pm.

• Approved collection of the traditional Christmas Special Offering on December 22, with one-half of the collec- tion going to Witnessing Ministries of Christ to assist in building a school for the Dalit Christians in India and one-half going to St. John’s Shelter in Sacramento.

• Approved a plan for member Carol Skinner to send letters requesting missionary support to a small number of Fremont members. Carol’s plans have changed. She will be serving in a church- planting project in Krakow, Poland, for six months while continuing to pursue her mission project in Ethiopia.

--Submitted by Elaine Moody, Clerk of Session

FreMonT FinAnCiAL upDATeyear-to-date through oCtober 2013

ACTUAL BUDGET DIFFERENCE

General Fund Revenue $1,325,290 $1,440,679 ($115,389)

General Fund Expenses $1,568,597 $1,580,787 $12,190

Net Income (Loss) ($243,308) ($140,109) ($103,199)

Your continued giving will help to erase our current deficit. Thank you!

irA DiSTribuTion SAvingS: Are you 70½ or older? Did you know that you could roll over the required minimum distribution of your IRA (up to $100,000) to a qualifying charity – like Fremont Presbyterian Church – without owing any income tax on the distribution? This is a great way to give generously to Fremont and take advantage of significant savings on your income tax. Contact your financial advisor soon because the IRS provision expires on December 31, 2013.

What a great way to support Fremont’s critical mission and make the most of this tax break as well! Contact Mark Eshoff (mark@fremontpres.org) for more information.

Minister of Modern Music and College/20’sTravis Velder

Director of Sr. High MinistryLysle Spangler

Director of Jr. High MinistryJordan Skinner

Director of Children’s MinistryKimberly Shaw

Coordinator of Member MinistryJessica Fengel

Outreach CoordinatorCate Williams

Executive SecretaryCathy Cole

OrganistPatricia Grimm

Administrative AssistantAmanda Jantz

Technical Ministries CoordinatorMike Mitchell

Memorial CoordinatorJeanne Wallis

Parish NurseCarmen Enz

Children’s Program AssistantAngie Nevin

Childcare/Nursery DirectorMelissa Spangler

CLASS oF 2013Russell Brown(Student Ministries)

Char Gezi (Member Care)

Jeff Hightower(Specialized Ministries)

Chris Jaime (Development)

Ken Moody (Personnel)

Fremont Nursery School DirectorDu Willson

Publications CoordinatorBecky Lucero

Business ManagerJohn Walden

Facilities CoordinatorMelanie Andrews

Giving SecretaryCarolyn Walden

Accounting Clerk Linda Brown

CLASS oF 2013Agnes AndersonAmanda DeferrariJim Deferrari*Lora HarrisMarcia HouseJanice Stone ThomasConnie ThomasWes Yee

CLASS oF 2014Brian BurchLorrie DrottsNelson KrouseDan LeeTracey ListMary RutishauserJarrett TraskMargo WalcottJan Wilson

(*Moderator )Elaine Moody (Clerk of the Session)

CLASS oF 2015Diane BlokReye DiazShelley DiazLana ElhardtTana Kinder-EbersbergerHeather HansenJohn KabatekJulie NewcomerMarlin OgdenLuba Rich

The SeSSion

CLASS oF 2014Patti Dusel(Outreach)

Darlene Jantz(Music and Arts)

Linda Larson(Evangelism)

Skip Ohs(Spiritual Development)

Glen Thomas(Administration)

DeaconS

church STaff

13FremonT presbyTerian church

CLASS oF 2015Bruce Ogden(Nominating)

Claude Vanderwold (Mission)

Rich Walcott(Worship Support)

Sheree Wong (Children’s Ministries)

Brian Wyatt (Adult Education)

Maintenance TechnicianMike Mitchell

CustodiansJason EdgeEduviguez GamesMike JeanBlanca LacayoAnthony LarkEvan Polis

Bookstore ManagerHeidi Taghavian

Coffee Bar Manager(vacant)

Pastor/Head of StaffDr. Donald H. Baird

Associate Pastor - Congregational Care & MissionDr. Daniel Willson

Assistant Pastor for Congregational & Community Life (Interim)Steve Whitney

Executive MinisterMark Eshoff

Minister of Music & Worship Arts Cheryl Eshoff

Many of us have traditions that we perform year after year in preparation for Advent. One of ours, here at Fremont, is decorating the Sanctu-ary and CLC. There are bows to be fluffed, trees to be lit and garland to be hung to prepare our campus for this year’s concerts and worship ser-vices. We need help at the following times:

TueSDAy, DeCeMber 3, STArTing AT 6:30 pm, we will be unpack-ing boxes and assembling trees. Come early at 6:00 pm and enjoy some pizza and fellowship.

SATurDAy, DeCeMber 7, FroM 9:00 am to 3:30 pm, decorate the church with a midday break for lunch (provided).

TueSDAy, JAnuAry 7, 6:30 pm, we “strike the set,” repacking boxes and cleaning up. It takes a lot of hands to take everything down and pack it up in one short evening.

narthex tree – The large tree in the narthex is our Christmas beacon (visible day and night.) We have the decorations, we just need some help decorating it. It would make a great service project for a small group. Please let Vicki Meyer, Decorating Team Leader know. If you can help, please contact her at 452-7132 or email vicki@fremontpres.org. Why not bring some friends and make decorating the church one of your Christmas traditions?

give The giFT oF A poinSeTTiA!is there a special someone that you would like to honor or remember for the things they’ve done in your life. This advent, consider purchasing a poinset-tia in their name. there will be a listing of your tributes in the bulletin the Sunday before Christmas. each $10 donation will be used to purchase advent decorations for the campus. to order, fill out this form and return it to the church office by Sunday, december 15th.

i have enclosed $ ___________ ($10 each) for poin-settias. Make checks payable to fremont Presbyte-rian church (Please print or type all information).

in memory of:

in honor of:

your name:

phone:

visit us on the web: www.fremontpres.org perioDiCALS

5770 CArLSon DriveSaCraMento, Ca 95819

(916) 452-7132WWW.FreMontPreS.org

The grApevine: A newsletter published monthly by the Fremont Presbyterian Church, Sacramento, CA. Entered in the Sacramento, CA Post Office November 7, 1955, as periodicals under the Act of Congress of March 8, 1977.

For the january issue: sunday, december 5

place address label here

dEadlinE

twitter.com/fremontpresfacebook.com/FremontPresbyterianChurch

E a r l i E r !

FREMONT FAMILY CONNECTION MINISTRY

A “Connector” shows our members that they are cared for by praying for them, as well as calling, writing or visiting them. It is our goal to have all of our church family contacted by a Connector at least four times a year. We hope Connectors and those you know who may be interested in joining this very important ministry will attend our first Connectors Meeting in 2014 which will be a potluck: Sunday, January 19, 2014 12:30 in the geneva roomIf you are a Connector and are not able to make the meeting, please call the Butlers (see below) and turn in your checklist to the Fremont Connector mailbox in the mail room by the church office. The new forms should be in that same mailbox after January 19th. From Our Connector Team: Mike and Joanne Butler (call 451-6866), Lana Elhardt, Julie Morris, Tanya Lammerding, Char Gezi and Pastor Dan Willson