tower newsOctober 2010

A publication provided by Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades to inform, encourage and inspire our community in spiritual growth.

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In This IssueDr. Nagel’s Message page 2

Calendar Agenda page 3

Get Connectedpage 4

Preschool Update & Youth Happeningspage 5

Pastor Chris’ Messagepage 6

UMW News & Bazaar Detailspage 7

This month I am excited about the emphasis our church is making on outreach. We are focused on how

our fall theme, “God Takes Our Little and Makes It Much,” relates to

our presence in the community.

A few years ago I attended a leadership conference for ministers

from all over the United States. The conference was held at a fast-

growing United Methodist Church in Kansas City. I was particularly

impressed with the spirit of that congregation during the three days I

was there. Everywhere I went on their church campus I was greeted

by staff and members of the congregation who were friendly, enthusi-

astic, and excited about their faith and about their church.

Increasingly, that is what I hear as I walk in the Village and talk with

people in the Palisades. I hear how excited families have become

about our children’s programs, how enthusiastic youth have become

about our youth groups, how coveted spots have become on our pre-

school wait list, and how our staff and members are friendly, enthu-

siastic, and excited about their faith and about their church. God is

taking that faith and enthusiasm, and multiplying it and making it

much.

October is Stewardship Month. On October 31, all of us will have

the opportunity to make our personal commitment to the program

and ministry of this church for 2011. I would ask you to pray about

your participation for the coming year. We have just begun to touch

the lives of adults, youth and children in this community who need

to know that they are loved and cared for. Our church is making a

wonderful difference; and it is because of your prayers, your presence,

your gifts, and your service.

With Gratitude,

October 2010 | tower news page 2

Tower News is published monthly by Community United Methodist Church of Pacific Palisades and distributed to church and Methodist Preschool attendees/families, as well as others interested in the church’s news and activities. We also provide this publication via email. If you are interested in receiving Tower News only via email, or in addition to a printed copy, contact us with your preference at Info@PalisadesMethodist.org.

POSTMASTER: Send address changes to CUMC, 801 Via de la Paz, Pacific Palisades, CA 90272.

Our Staff:

Dr. John NagelSenior Pastor

Rev. Chris FracchiollaAssociate Pastor

Joey HargroveDirector of Youth

John Achen, IIAssistant Youth Director

Lori FrangipaneDirector of Christian Education

Rebecca SielingChristian Education Assistant

Phil AzeltonDirector of Music

Jennifer AyresDirector of Outreach & Communications

Luisa DonatiPreschool Director

Community United Methodist

Church of Pacific

Palisades801 Via de la PazPacific Palisades, CA 90272

Main | 310-454-5529

Info@PalisadesMethodist.org

PalisadesMethodist.org

Office Hours | Weekdays 10 am - 3 pm

Sunday Worship | 10 am

A Message from our Pastor

Calendar agendaEvery Sunday8 am | Community Praise Band Rehearsal9 am | Chancel Choir Rehearsal10 am | Worship10 am | Church School for kids of all ages11:15 am | Coffee Fellowship Pastor John’s Class* based on the sermon series

Every Monday5 pm | Senior High Youth Program7:30 pm | Women’s Bible Study

Every Tuesday1:30 pm | Treasure Island (Kindergarten to 2nd Grade)

Every Wednesday9:15 am | Preschool Chapel (1st & 3rd Wednesdays)12:30 pm | Treasure Island (Preschool)3 pm | Captain’s Club (3rd to 5th Grade)

Every Thursday9:15 am | Preschool Chapel (1st & 3rd Wednesdays)

Every Friday5 pm | Junior High Youth Program

OctoberFri/16:30 am Men’s Breakfast at Noah’s

Wed/67-9 pm UMW Apple Pie Workshop in the Kitchen

Fri/89 am-2 pm UMW Apple Pie Workshop in the Kitchen

Sat/99 am-2 pm UMW Apple Pie Workshop in the Kitchen

Sun/1011:15 am UMW Apple Pies for sale!

Wed/136:30 pm Trustees Meeting in the Program Center

Fri/156:30 am Men’s Breakfast at Noah’s

Sun/179 am Staff Parish Committee meets in the Program Center11:15 am Worship Committee meets in the Program Center

Thur/217-9 pm UMW Country Bazaar Preview Night (see page 7)

Fri/229 am-3 pm UMW Country Bazaar (see page 7)11:15 am Gourmet Luncheon - First Seating12:45 am Gourmet Luncheon - Second Seating

Sun/2411:15 am Missions Committee meets in the Program Center

Fri/284-6:30 pm Halloween Carnival in Tauxe Hall

October 2010 | tower news page 3

Worship Service Participants

Sermons10/3 Rev. Chris Fracchiolla

10/10 Dr. John Nagel God Takes Your Little and Makes It Much | Peter

10/17 Rev. Chris Fracchiolla

10/24 Dr. John Nagel God Takes Your Little and Makes It Much | The Church

10/31 Dr. John Nagel God Takes Your Little and Makes It Much | Conquerors

Greeters10/3 John Lange10/10 Michael Graves10/17 Randy & Billy Koenig10/24 Diane Atkins10/31 The Ayres Family

Liturgists10/3 Mary Sue Hart10/10 Lynn Borland10/17 Joanne Woods10/24 John Lange10/31 Sylvia Grieb

Coffee Fellowship10/3 Marjorie Buell & Judy Grosh10/10 Helen Christie10/17 Lois Anderson & Jessie Fuchiek10/24 Burkley DuBois10/31 Leza McCord

Communion Stewards10/3 Vicki & Christine Borland

If you can’t make a scheduled date, please find a replacement, then contact the Church office at 310/454-5529 or Jen@PalisadesMethodist.org to update the bulletin. Thank you!

NEW PalisadesMethodist.orgHave you seen it? The Church’s website is all new and all equipped with the latest happenings and info. Check it out and let us know what you think.

Get Connected It’s Halloween Carnival time!Friday, October 29 from 4-6 pm, the entire church and preschool is invited to attend our Halloween Carnival in Tauxe Hall. Tickets are only $1. They get you lots of delicious goodies to eat, fun games to play and a haunted house to discover (aimed at younger kids). You still have most of the month to decide what to be and get your costumes together! Invite your friends and neighbors to this fun-for-all-ages community event! And if you are willing to donate cupcakes for our cupcake walk, please contact Joey Hargrove at Joey@PalisadesMethodist.org.

Reaching out this Holiday SeasonAs fall is officially here, we want to start looking toward the holidays. As a community, we realize that we are very blessed and fortunate in many ways. As a church, we want to be able to reach out and help those who are struggling and offer support throughout the holidays. This year, our church will again work with the ministry of the Toberman Neighborhood Center in San Pedro. We will begin a food drive in mid-October to help residents provide food for their families this Thanksgiving. We will participate in a toy drive in December to make sure children are able to receive the joy of presents on Christmas morning. Collection areas will be designated in the Narthex (entry area of the Church) for donations of food and toys and monetary donations can always be placed in the Sunday offering made out to CUMC and marked: “Toberman.” For more information about the ministries of the Toberman Neighborhood Center, visit their website at www.toberman.org.

Hey Guys. Get fed at Noah’s.Every 1st and 3rd Fridays at 6:30 am meet with Pastor Chris and a great group of guys at Noah’s Bagels. It’s a casual time to connect and get encouraged. Every meeting is different, with different people talking about their lives and backgrounds. It’s not to be missed. Email PastorChris@PalisadesMethodist.org with any questions or call the Church office at 310/454-5529.

Study with Pastor John Sunday mornings after the serviceSunday mornings in the Youth Lounge at 11:15 am

Dr. John Nagel is leading a video-based study about key Scrip-tures that will help us grow as faithful followers of Jesus. Also, we discuss how the day’s sermon applies to our daily living.

10/10 The Story of Peter (John 21:1-19)10/17 The Story of Moses (Exodus 3:1-20)10/24 The Story of the Church (Acts 2:1-13)10/31 We Are More Than Conquerors (Romans 8:28-39)

October 2010 | tower news page 4

Children’s Christmas Musical is already gearing up. Join the glee!Is your child interested? Let us know today* : )

Greetings! We realize school has just started back – but we are already looking forward to CHRISTMAS!! (The shopping malls have nothing on us when it comes to getting a jump on the holidays!) This year all the kids at Palisades Methodist’s Treasure Island, Captain’s Club, Youth Group and the Methodist Preschool are invited to participate in the Christmas Musical on Sunday, December 12 in lieu of the 10 am worship service. Rehearsals begin mid-October.

We would love to have as many children and youth participate as possible and it would be great if we could get an idea of who is interested as we’re trying to choose a musical to perform.

Sounds fun. But what’s the commitment? We are hoping to accommodate everyone’s busy fall schedules while still planning enough rehearsals to pull off a fun and memorable show! Most rehearsals will be Sundays after church. “Leads” will probably rehearse at least one other day after school each week. Younger kids (preschool and kindergartners) will have less frequent and shorter rehearsals. There are also some smaller roles for kids who can’t make as big of time commitments. But there will definitely be a dress rehearsal for everyone the morning of Saturday, December 11.

Please email Joey Hargrove at Joey@palisadesmethodist.orgif your child is interested* or if you have questions.

*Your email will not commit your child to participate at this time. Ms. Rebecca and Ms. Joey just want to get an idea of who (and how many) might be participating so we can start planning. We will not hold you to this commitment... yet! : )

Women’s Monday night gatheringOur Monday Night Women’s Group meets Monday evenings at 7:30 in the youth lounge. All women are welcome to attend! We will finish our study on the Gospel of Matthew. This is an amazing and welcoming group of women and a wonderful op-portunity for Christian fellowship, support and prayers! Please talk to Joey Hargrove if you have any questions. Feel free to email Joey@PalisadesMethodist.org.

Facebook Helps Us Keep In TouchDid you know that our Church is on Facebook? If you’re a user, connect to us at Facebook.com/PalisadesMethodist and “Like” us. Go ahead. See who’s already connected. For help, contact Jen@PalisadesMethodist.org or call 310/454-5529.

October 2010 | tower news page 5

Methodist Preschool is off to a great start! The children and staff transitioned well into this new year and all seem excited to be back.

Our summer program was a huge success. We add-ed an afternoon session and had full enrollment for both morning and afternoon sessions over the entire 5 weeks. Some of the themes included: MPS Toy Factory Week (children hand crafted silly putty, memory games, marshmallow shooters, dolls and chalk), MPS Candy Camp (the children made gummy bears, marshmallow rice crispy treat lollipops, candy dots and chocolate dipped pretzels), Petting Zoo Week (started with a visit from a petting zoo which then inspired a series of great projects like carrot soup (inspired by the bunnies), making paint brushes out of hay, creat-ing a mud pit (inspired by the pigs), home made quills (inspired by the feathered friends) and home made ink made out of beets and blueberries (to use with the quills.)

Summer is officially over and our fall programs have begun!

Fall Kick-Off began with an overnight Back to School Lock-In on September 17-18. We had 29 youth participate. We played lots of games, had a fabulous “after-hours” trip to Baskin Robbins (thanks Fracchiolla family!) and gathered to praise God during a midnight worship service where we lifted up this current school year. And then fell asleep (eventually) in the gym watching movies on the big screen!

We are officially back on our “school year” schedule. Senior High meets Monday evenings 5-7pm and Junior High meets Fridays from 5-7pm (although there is some discussion regarding changing the time to 4-6pm.)

The youth groups will begin a fall Green Campaign for our church – which will include some fabulous fundraising items! Announcements of all the details will be made by the youth during the worship services on Sundays – so you won’t want to miss.

The youth will also be hosting our annual Church and Preschool Halloween Carnival on Friday 10/29 from 4-6pm. Youth (junior and senior high) who are willing to volunteer and work the event, need to arrive (in costume!) as soon as school gets out and plan to stay until 7:30. They will be running various games and booths for the event. This tends to be a very big event and help is always needed! (If there are enough volunteers, I will split the event into 2 “shifts” so youth would only have to work from 3-5 or 5-7 pm.)

Youth Update by Joey Hargrove

UPCOMING YOUTH DATES

OctoberFri/29 Halloween Carnival (event is 4-6:30) Youth Group volunteers needed from 3-7 pm

Sun/10 The Christmas Musical – rehearsals begin (after church)

NovemberFri-Mon/22-26 No Youth Group/Thanksgiving

DecemberMon & Fri/6 & 10 Last Youth Group for 2010Group meetings resume 1/10 and 1/14 respectively

Sat/11 The Christmas Musical – dress rehearsal

Sun/12 The Christmas Musical (10 am)

The teachers came back on August 25 and immediately got to work on preparing for the new school year. As part of the staff orientation we took a field trip to The Gloria Walther School in West Hollywood. Gloria taught a few courses I took at UCLA and became a true in-spiration to me. I wanted the teachers to meet her and be inspired, which they all were. It was a great day spent together learning about another school and leaving full of ideas and inspiration to apply to our work here at MPS.

Summer is always facility upgrade time and this year was no different. We cleaned out the Manipulatives/Fire Alarm room upstairs and installed built in shelves to help us better organize and access our materials. We painted the preschool kitchen and installed shelves to help us store our reusable cups and plates (our snack time is almost 100% waste free -- everything except the napkins!) We teamed up with the church to paint and organize the music room. We installed brand new 8’x4’ bulletin boards in the Sunday School/Parent and Me room upstairs, as well as in the upstairs hallways for Treasure Island and Captain’s Club use. We painted the upstairs bathroom (outside of the Sunday School Room) and outfitted it with a new changing table, new mirrors, new curtain and new carpets. We touched up the paint in the classrooms. On the yard we refinished all the picnic tables, spray washed the fence and fixed all the loose nails, and we had a watering system installed to water the many plants we are so lucky to have.

So much has happened already and we have only been in session four days as I write this. Looking forward to a great year! ~Luisa

The update from . . .

October 2010 | tower news page 6

God takes our little & makes it much. Consider your 2011 commitment Sunday, October 31.

Our theme for this fall reminds us that God can take what often seems like a little to us and make it big. This is truly the heart of the Gospel message. Jesus reminded the people of His time that a small little mustard seed could grow into a great bush. Over and over again Jesus would say to the people ‘Think Big. Live Big.’ As we approach this year’s stewardship campaign, may each one of us become excited about what God does for us each day of our lives. We are daily blessed by God’s presence in everything that we do. Our response to God’s great love should be to share in God’s bounty through our prayers and gifts and presence and service to others.

On Sunday, October 31, each of us will be given the opportunity to place our 2011 Commitment Card on the altar of the church. This is a sacred moment in our lives. As we come forward, God blesses us to be in service. Our church is a Mission Station for our community and beyond. Weekly we minister to children, youth and adults about God’s love.

Next year we have the opportunity to continue God’s call to the Pacific Palisades. Please pray about your part in our ministry and how together we can make a big difference in our community. Together God can take our gifts and do great and miraculous things. Remember, your pledge for 2011 helps us to fulfill our mission.

Give Me More!I have a can of shaving cream at home that won’t quite fit between the shelves of my medicine cabinet. You may have one too, or something like it. The problem with the can (or my shelf) is that it contains “FREE! 20% more!” This is what prompted me to buy it. After all, who doesn’t want 20% more of almost anything? But it does make the can an odd size, which means I have to leave the can on the sink, which throws off the look of my bathroom. I like my products put away. I don’t like feeling like I’ve hung my mirror in the toiletry aisle at CVS.

But it’s hard to pass up an offer of “more”. More makes us feel good. More makes us feel like we “have it together”. More money in the bank makes us feel like we’re prepared for any disaster, or any opportunity. More education makes us feel like we’re better prepared to handle the myriad decisions we need to make in life. More vacation time makes us feel like we’ve “made the grade”, we’re successful.

We like more! And when we get more for FREE, it’s all the bet-ter. Free “more” make us feel like we’ve been shrewd getting the most for our dollars, that we have it over the competition. Ever been to Costco and not come out with so much “more” for your money that you don’t know where you’re going to put it?

God is often called a God of abundance. You could say He’s the God of “more”. In Old Testament times, as God raised up the people of Israel to lead all people to knowledge of Him, God promised all manner of “more” if they would obey Him: “You will be blessed in the city and blessed in the country.The fruit of your womb will be blessed and the crops of your land…Your basket and your kneading trough will be blessed. You will be blessed when you come in and when out go out…” (Deuteronomy 28:3-6ff)

But with God’s coming in Jesus, the focus of God’s abundance shifted. While Jesus always gives thanks to God for material things (in scarcity and in plenty), in the New Testament, Jesus’ notion of abundance is invariably linked to intangible goods, spiritual goods, Kingdom goods. The day after Jesus miraculously feeds a hungry crowd on a hillside, another larger crowd fol-lows him, making the long journey around the Sea of Galilee to Capernaum. They are clamoring for second helpings. They want MORE! But instead, Jesus clues them into the Kingdom view of “more”: “I am the bread of life. He who comes to me will never go hungry, and he who believes in me will never be thirsty.” (John 6:36)

No doubt there were many that day who left perplexed and disappointed, even cheated. Who asked Jesus to turn the conver-sation from their getting full, to their getting faith? But that’s what Jesus did. He got them excited about the 20% more, but then switched the product in the can. But that was Jesus’ point. It’s not the size of the can but what’s in it that counts.

Jesus promises “more”, and “free more” at that. Twenty per-cent, fifty percent, one-thousand percent more. But He wants

us to remember that He came so that through faith in Him we might have more of what really makes a difference. More joy. More peace. More patience, kindness, gentleness, self control and especially love.

Every day as parents we are confronted with the clamoring for more. Our kids want more, we want to give them more; we want to work more so that we might provide more. All this is natural and good, to an extent. We want the best for our families. But let us not confine our pursuit of “more” to the material. Let us remember ourselves and instruct our children in the Kingdom view of “more”. Let us teach our children, and learn ourselves, to give thanks for what we have, and then ask for the “more” that comes with faith in Jesus: “I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly.” (John 10:10)

God Bless Your Family. ~Pastor Chris

October 2010 | tower news page 7

Come, Support and Promote the UMW Country Bazaar

The Country Bazaar is a much-anticipated annual

event produced by the United Methodist Women and

coordinated by Doris Schock and Marjorie Buell.

The Church women have been working for months

producing unique gifts and Christmas decorations.

An exquisite hand-crafted, cross-stitched quilt will be

featured in the Opportunity Drawing, as other quilts

and special items will be on Silent Auction tables. The

Collectibles Table features both antiques and jewelry,

and the Food Booth features freshly baked goodness

of all sorts for you to take home and enjoy. You won’t

want to miss this.

There are several ways you can play a role.

1 - Buy tickets for Preview Night. Get a first chance to select from the wide array items - plus get a great dessert to top it off!

2 - Bake something delicious for the Food Booth. Cakes, pies, cupcakes, cookies, brownies, breads - deliver your yummy eatables by 6:45 pm on Thursday or 9:30 am on Friday.

3 - Invite friends to the Dessert Preview or Gourmet Luncheon. Note: You will need to get your tickets early. Nancy Fracchiolla and her sous chefs produce a luncheon that will bring your taste buds to a whole new level.

4 - Add special items to The Collectibles Table. This is always a big draw and a big contributor to the Bazaar’s proceeds. Please bring your treasures to the church’s OK Room by Thursday morning, October 21.

5 - Volunteer to help sell tickets and/or to work at the Bazaar for at least a few hours. Help is needed on Thursday for set up, the Preview and dessert, as well as Friday for the Bazaar and Luncheon.

Everyone is welcome to lend a hand. Fun is guaranteed. Church members, preschool families and friends. Let Marj know if you’re interested at ambuell@charter.net.

A community of women that provides opportunities and resources to become more deeply rooted in Christ; and that puts faith into action through participation in the local and global ministries of the Church.

Mmmm! It’s Apple Pie monthAll are invited to the Church kitchen (men included) to help prepare the best apple pies yet. Let’s have fun chatting and chopping. All help is appreciated, even for an hour or two.

3 Apple Pie Workshops are available: Wednesday, October 6 from 7 to 9 pmFriday, October 8 from 9 am to 2 pmSaturday, October 9 from 9 am to 2 pm

The pies will be sold Sunday, October 10 after church. They freeze nicely, so grab a few. Think Thanksgiving!

Note: Pie making is in lieu of the October Evening Circle.

Annual Country

Bazaar & Luncheon

Preview Night: Thursday, October 21 | 7 to 9 pm$5 Admission, includes dessert

Friday, October 22 | 9 am to 3 pmFree Admission

Gourmet Luncheon is $15 | Two Seatings: 11:15 am & 12:30 pm

Reservations required. Please call: 310/459-0334

In the Church’s Tauxe Hall & Hart Family Lounge

General Meeting resumes in NovemberThe UMW General Meeting is postponed for October as we prepare for the Country Bazaar. It will resume the second Thursday of November at 12:15 pm.

UMW United Methodist Women

Let me hear in the morning of your steadfast love, for I trust in You. Teach me the way in which I should go, for to You I lift up my soul. Teach me to do Your will, for You are my God. Let Your good Spirit lead me on level ground. ~Psalm 143:8, 10

801 Via de la PazPacific Palisades, CA 90272

Community United Methodist

Church of Pacific

Palisades

October news

happy october.

Come to church.Get Fresh Pies!Sunday, Oct. 10Apple Pies

$12Think Thanksgiving. They freeze nicely.Interested in helping? See page 7 for details.

Annual Country

Bazaar & Luncheon

Children’sHalloween Carnival

Friday, Oct. 29 | 4:30-6 pm

Fun! Food! Games! Prizes!

Handcrafted Gifts, Quilts,

Children’s Corner,

Christmas Decor, Collectibles,

Antiques & Confections

Thursday, October 21 | 7 to 9 pm$5 Admission, includes Dessert & Beverage

Friday, October 22 | 9 am to 3 pm Free Admission

Gourmet Lunch is $15 | 11:15 am & 12:30 pmReservations required. Please call: 310/459-0334

In the Church’s Tauxe Hall. Everyone is welcome!

Made with love by our UMW & friends.

All proceeds benefit

local & global missions.