A Publication of First Christian Church of North Hollywood...

A Publication of First Christian Church of North HollywoodA Congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Robert M. Bock, Senior PastorLouise Sloan Goben, Associate PastorJefferson Beeker, Minister of Evangelism and Membership DevelopmentJustin Floyd, Youth MinisterAlfredo Gomez, Pastor, Spanish Speaking CongregationYoung Lan Kim & Young Jun Yang, Korean Pastors

Volume LXI No. 18 November 11, 2015

thought for the week:thought for the week: the courage to seethe courage to see

Celebrating ourVeterans

Page � November 11, �015 First ChristiaN News

I met with the Stewardship Council Monday night of this week. They are a very positive, forward looking group of dedicated people. Our financial reports show that you, the church family, are responding to our finan-cial shortfall. We may not be able to finish in the black (although I really do believe in you and in miracles) but if we do not there will be less red ink that we anticipated as we entered into the last quarter of the year.

These are tough times, not only for churches but also for most non-profits. That is because these are tough times for the marvelous people who support churches and non-profits. The price of a lot of essentials keeps climbing while income stays static or decreases. That places families with children, as well as those who have retired, in difficult situations. A continually growing population served by the Food Pantry are retired peo-ple. These good people have worked all their lives, saved their money, are living on Social Security and pensions and now find the cost of living in California, where they have lived, worked and raised their families, is beyond their means. As your pastor I understand that many of you are struggling. And the lay leaders of your church family understand that also.

There are many ways to support the very active and creative ministry of your church family. Financial giv-ing is obviously one of them. But there are other subtler ways to support financially, such as using Amazon Smile and designating FCCNH as your choice of non-profits, shopping at Ralphs and Dean Williams can help you sign up (he always sits in the same place very Sunday… ask and I’ll point him out to you)

or using your credit card for paying your pledge and gaining miles and rewards, a win-win situation.

As you know, our church has a very demanding program for children, youth and adults. We depend on volunteers to bring the dreams of ministry into the re-ality of ministry. Singing in the choir, teaching church school, acting as a youth advisor or cooking for the youth groups on Sunday evening, hosting a Meet and Greet, serving on the Diaconate, working in the Food Pantry, calling or phoning our elderly and shut-ins, re-pairing, shining, polishing, picking up, and making the church more beautiful, working in our community gar-den—these are only a few of the ways you can contrib-ute to making the ministry of your church family all that you want it to be, and even more importantly, all that God wants it to be.

We have a rich history as a church family of fac-ing challenges head-on and conquering them. For over ninety-one years the people of this church family have provided beautiful and meaningful worship and excel-lent Christian Education to our community. We are probably doing more today than we have ever done be-fore. I know we are doing more today than we have done in the last forty-five years. And that is because of each one of you who make up our church family and friends. You are an absolutely amazing group of people. Every day when I walk up the walkway to the office I realize how grateful I am to be associated with a church family like you. I am so blessed to be able to share the ministry of Jesus with you and see the continued vital-ity that you bring to this incredible corner. Thank you for that opportunity.

Our friend Jeremy Gillett’s one man show can

be seen at Vitello’s Restaurant on Tunjunga Avenue Thursday night at 8:00 PM. Jeremy, who gave up a teaching career at Arizona State University to pursue his dream of acting, has been active in our church family for over a year. He advises that his show is not “kid-friendly” and that there are a few “harsh” words in it. However, wherever it has been seen it has received rave reviews. By the time you read this I think you will still have time to call Vitello’s, or go on line, and make reser-vations. Peggy and I will be there with some other folks

First ChristiaN News November 11, �015 Page �

We also want to continue to pray for peace, for wisdom for the world’s leaders, and for the people of all war-torn areas of our world.

Arthur J. SzokeR. W. BruceJoshua Bigbee

For those of you who know someone serving in the armed forces, as well as people serving in other capacities, we want to lift them up in prayer... please let us know when they come home!

Christopher A. Bernstein1st Battalion at PendletonChris DiazBrian Johnson

from the church family. Can you believe there are only six more Sundays

until Christmas? Between now and then we have Thanksgiving Sunday, The Bill and Martha Goss Turkey Shoot Golf Tournament, the Inter-Faith Thanksgiving Worship Service, the Tree Lot (Trees 4 Kids) grand open-ing under the Big Top, the Choir Christmas Concert, Operation Santa Claus, the Children’s Christmas Pageant, a Spectacular Christmas Sunday featuring our choir at the morning service and two Christmas Eve services of worship. Let’s spend as many of those events and days together as possible. The holidays are all about family, and as a church family, a Family of Jesus, we al-ways enjoy being together. I look forward to seeing you often during the next six weeks. Have a great week.

Pergé!

Pastor Bob

CHILI LOVERS: This is an event you don’t want to miss. 5 dol-lars buys you 7 tickets! $10 buys you 15. Each ticket buys you a small sample cup of Gourmet Chili. Sample them and then get more of your favorites with your remaining tickets (or buy more!). 5 tickets buys you a bowl! The chili with the most tick-ets at the end gets bragging rights! You will have a full tummy

from the chili, and a full soul for helping our youth go help others.

CHILI COOKS: There will be no cookoff without you! I want to remind you: we DON’T need decora-tions, etc. In fact we don’t want any. The pots will be side by side. The chili will stand on its own! We just need a big pot of your spicy gold and any condiments you want to go with it. Leave it, labeled with your name and your clever name for the chili, in the Social Hall Kitchen before church.Please contact Justin if you can make a pot! Let’s send these youth on more trips! [email protected] or Matthew Hunt [email protected].

Youth Mission BenefitTHIS sunday, november 15th


For information on Young Adult Disciples in Action (YADA) contact Rev. Jefferson

Beeker at [email protected].

Welcome t o o u r c h u r c h f a m i l y

Angel Burgess joined the church this past Sunday, November 8th, at the 10:00 am service.

Welcome, Angel, to the First Christian Church of North Hollywood Family!

This is a call to please join in the volunteer effort in 2015. The Tree Lot will be open from 10:00 am to 8:00 pm Monday-Thursday and 9:00 am to 8:00 pm Friday-Sunday, beginning Friday, November 27th through Sun-day, December 20th. The Tree Lot will run for a mini-mum of three weeks, so we really need everyone to pitch in as much as possible! Please start carving out some availability now.

There are sign up boards in the narthex or con-tact Phil Restivo ([email protected]) or Dorothy Brooks ([email protected] or 818.919.8085) anytime to sign up or for more info. Also, if you would like to be added to the email list for tree lot communi-cations, we would love to add you!

volunteers needed

TREES for KIDS

Buy a tree. Help a child.First Christian Church of North Hollywood

4390 Colfax Avenue (corner of Colfax and Moorpark)Studio City, CA 91604

November 27 — DeCember 20moN-Thur: 10am-8pm & fri-SuN: 9am-8pmTo volunteer contact Phil Restivo at [email protected]

or Dorothy Brooks at [email protected]

Volunteers are needed in a variety of capacities: cashiers, tree cutting and standing, food angels (providing meals for our volunteers), and assisting customers.

We will be holding training sessions in the Dragonfly classroom on Sunday, November 15th & 22nd from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm.

We will also have a “Cutting and Standing” training session at the Tree Lot on friday, November 27th.

Spread the joy! ALL profits from Trees for Kids are distributed to programs that directly help children.

TREES for KIDS is a non-profit, volunteer tree lot operated by First Christian Church of North Hollywood (Disciples of Christ) since 1982.

voLuNTeerS NeeDeDtrees for kids

We will be holding T4K training sessions in the Dragonfly Classroom on this Sunday, November 15th & Sunday, November 22nd from 12:00 pm to 12:45 pm.We will also have a “Cutting and Standing” training

session at the Tree Lot on Friday, November 27th.

training classes

First ChristiaN News November 11, �015

Whoever is not with me is against me, and whoever does not gather with me scatters.—Matthew 12: 30

One of my favorite memories of Thanksgiving is when I was in church choir as a little boy. I remem-ber one cold evening we sang a song that was new to me, and it is one that I have always loved since. Not only does it remind me of Thanksgiving, but it always reminds me fondly of that night we learned it. I re-member our choir director, a young woman, Evangeline Everett, isn’t that a great name? I will never forget her, as she taught us this song:

We gather together to ask the Lord’s blessing;He chastens and hastens His will to make known;The wicked oppressing now cease from distressing;Sing praises to His Name; He forgets not His own.Beside us to guide us, our God with us joining,Ordaining, maintaining His kingdom divine;So from the beginning the fight we were winning;Thou, Lord, were at our side, all glory be Thine!We all do extol Thee, Thou Leader triumphant,And pray that Thou still our Defender will be;Let Thy congregation escape tribulation;Thy Name be ever praised! O Lord, make us free!

These lyrics can touch us so deeply as we meditate upon them.

We do gather together. We hasten and chasen for there is no time to waste. We proclaim for God/Spirit to be made known through our understanding of God moving in our lives, always available and always right where we need Spirit to be. The wicked oppressing—

that is our doubts and our fears. That is our hesitation to experience fully God’s power and presence and to believe we are loved unconditionally. And yes, we do praise God’s name from on high as we count the many ways we are grateful.

There is a perfect rhythm of life. The sunset, the sunrise, the tides. The growing of things before the har-vest has a certain rhythm of life. The spirit of God has a rhythm as well and we are a part of that perfect rhythm. That rhythm is harmony and peace and it is uncondi-tional love.

Affirmation: Knowing I am a beautiful part of God’s rhythm of life, peace and harmony just

naturally manifest wherever I look.

Jefferson

If you would like to read any of my previous “Be Still and Know” columns follow my blog at

www.revjefferson.wordpress.com orfollow me on Twitter @jeffersonbeeker for daily

affirmations and words of encouragement.

Be Still and Know

The 2015 Annual Bill & Martha Goss

“Turkey ShooT” Golf TournAMenT will take place on

WedneSdAy, noveMBer 25th at Westlake Golf Course

The tournament will be a scramble —men and women of all abilities are welcome. entry fee is $33 per person and first tee time is 11:30 am.

To reserve a spot or for more informa-tion see Fred Sloan in church or call at

818.503.1369.


Do Jesus’ work this holiday season for those less for-tunate! The Human Needs Committee is looking for help feeding the homeless November 21st—the Sat-urday before Thanksgiving. We need volunteers to work as well as donations: financial, food (including full turkeys or hams), warm clothing, jackets, sleep-ing bags or bedding. We request that if you donate a turkey or ham that it be COOKED.

drop off PrePAred foods on saturday, november 21st

between 10:30 am and 11:30 am

Call kathy dantagnan at 818.314.4015or deborah luster at 323.854.6707

Please call us and let us know what you are donating—this will help us to plan any shopping we

may need to do in order to fill the gaps in supplies.

• COOKED Turkey• COOKED Ham• Rolls

• Desserts• Sturdy Plastic Utensils• Paper Goods

• Vegetables (mashed potatoes, corn, yams, green beans, etc.)

Cold weather is tough for the homeless. Please bring coats, sweaters or blankets that you no longer

use or need and donate them for our ministry to the homeless in North Hollywood Park. Thank you!

PLEASE NOTE: In case of rain, we would also appreciate the loan of pop-

up tents or portable canopies.

Hi, everyone,Today’s guest columnist is Ryan Felber, one of the

residents. Take it away, Ryan!

I need to start by saying thanks. If it wasn’t for the amazing generosity of First Christian Church North Hollywood I wouldn’t be able to have expe-rienced all that I have so far. It is because of your capacity for grace that I get to share what I’ve been up to these last few months.

Working at AIDS Project Los Angeles has been an eye opening experience and I’ve been able to do so many amazing thing in the short time there. From promoting new service options to introducing new concepts of faith in care, from wrangling celebrities at events to speaking in front of 25,000 people at AIDS Walk, everyday I’m expanding my skills and my abili-ties. I’m learning new marketing and outreach tech-niques as well as making contacts with professionals across multiple fields.

My time at APLA is leading me to explore new career and vocation paths that even a few months ago I wouldn’t have thought possible. And that’s all be-cause of you!

So once again thank you for listening and saying yes to the XPLOR program and to having me here this year.

Ryan

Thanks, Ryan. One additional note. My email ad-dress was listed incorrectly in last week’s column. Please direct any questions to me at [email protected].

With peace,Jeff Henderson,

XPLOR Host Church [email protected]


sAve the dAteFirst Christian Church of North Hollywood Choir

presents

“Christmastime Is Here”A Holiday Concert

featuring The Alfred Burt Carols and a tribute to the 50th anniversary of A Charlie Brown Christmas

december 5th—2:00 pm & 7:00 pmFree Admission

(freewill donations accepted)

Wed., November 25th

7:30 pmthe north hollywood interfaith food Pantry

presents our 31st annual

interfaith service of thanksgiving

“SOS: Sharing Our Stories”

Faith Presbyterian Church5000 Colfax Avenue

Valley Village, CA 91601(818) 766-8103 • www.faithpresvv.org

donAtions of stAPle foods& MoneY Are welCoMe.

www.NHIFP.org & www.facebook.com/NHIFP

this serviCe is wheelChAir ACCessiBle.

Suggested Food Donations:Canned Tuna, Canned Chicken,

Beans (pinto, navy, etc.), Peanut Butter

c e l e b r a t i n g 3 1 y e a r s o f s e r v i c e

During Sunday School on November 22nd, ALL of our Sunday School children will participate in an excit-ing mission project at the church. We will be packing shoe boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The mis-sion of Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, and together with the local church world-wide to share the Good News of Jesus Christ.

These boxes change the lives of children. They give children hope and a chance to experience the love of God. Aside from all the excitement and fun of sharing in this ministry, we need $7/per box to cover the cost of shipping. Would you please help us make Christmas dreams come true and donate to our Mission? You can write a check and put “Operation Christmas Child” on the note line. Or you can donate cash in an envelope, just make sure you mark “Operation Christmas Child” on the envelope. I am looking forward to seeing the joy on our church children’s faces as they pack these boxes! You can go to the website www.samaritanspurse.org for more information, videos and true stories of how Op-eration Christmas Child changes lives.


I was sitting in a pew filled with children on Sunday morning, the children weren’t my own children, as my children were with their dad, but I sat there and looked around and thought “yes, we are all part of the same family”. As I was sitting there, one child joined the pew to be with his friends, then during the prayer, another child joined the pew. None of these children were relat-ed biologically, but they are all part of the same church family. They all wanted to sit together and they were excited to see each other after a week apart.

Last week, when my 13-year-old daughter and I were alone in the car on the way to school, after drop-ping off my younger two children at school, she asked me, “Are you still friends with anyone from when you were my age? Do you think any of my friends will still be my friend when I’m an adult?” We chatted about friendships and childhood. It’s interesting how many of my childhood friends, whom I’d completely lost track of, are sort of my friends again via Facebook and Instagram. I say “sort of” my friends because even though we get to see each other’s lives via the social me-dia lens, we aren’t actively involved in each other’s lives. There are some friendships that my daughter is forming that will always be an active friendship, no matter where life takes them. I can imagine that her closest friend, one that has been a friend since she was two, will always be a friend. They have other friends and walk in differ-ent circles, but they met at CNS and have grown up at FCCNH together. The church is their only common thread. And they are best buds, they are always there for each other and truly like each other.

I know there are many people in this church who have the same such friendships, some of the friend-ships are lifelong and some of the friendships are newly formed and ready to take on a life of their own. This in-credible corner offers a family and a friendship that can’t be found anywhere else. I’m happy to have my friends that I’ve made on this corner and I’m happy to see the

friendships that my children have made on this corner. I am happy that we have this foundation in a family so far away from any biological family, but a family none-theless.

Have a great week and thank you for being a part of my family!

I was holding off. I was thinking to myself, it will pass. But it hasn’t. The Starbucks Red Cup debate is not going away.

In case you missed it over the weekend, Starbucks red holiday cups are back. It’s the unofficial reminder to the world that Thanksgiving and Christmas are on their way, especially when you fill it with the delicious gin-gerbread latte exclusively sold this time of year. But this year, Starbucks did something different. Instead of put-ting a fancy design on it that says “Merry Christmas” or “Happy Holidays” its just red. In fact, its the same cup you get all year long just red instead of white with the mermaid logo on it. If you as me, the big travesty here is that the design is boring.

But here is what has so many people upset: it does not have the word “Christmas” on it anywhere. Which, by the logic of some, means that Starbucks hates Christ-mas, and by hating Christmas, Starbucks must hate Christians. Therefore making Starbucks evil.

Now, I am a fan of Starbucks. I don’t go often be-cause I don’t like spending $5 on coffee, no matter how good the Pumpkin Spice tastes. But, I do understand that the red cups make everything taste better. I want

continued—


noveMBer 22for a Meet & Greet sponsored by

Christian women’s fellowship/disciples womenThere will also be a

BAuBles & Bottles&

All oCCAsion GreetinG & holidAY CArds sAle(featuring many new card selections!)

sAve the dAte

God is the Earth and Sky and Sea but do we take the time to listen to Him? In her book In the Heart of the World Mother Teresa offers this meditation, invit-ing us into the silence where we find all we need to live a life of peace and service:

In the silence of the heart God speaks. If you face God in prayer and silence, God will speak to you. Then you will know that you are nothing. It is only when you realize your nothingness, your emptiness, that God can fill you with Himself. Souls of prayer are souls of great silence.

To make possible true inner silence, practice:

Silence of the eyes, by seeking always the beauty and goodness of God everywhere.

Silence of the ears, by listening always to the voice of God and to the cry of the poor and the needy.

Silence of the tongue, by praising God and speaking the life-giving Word of God that is the truth.

Silence of the mind, by opening it to the truth and knowledge of God in prayer.

Silence of the heart, by loving God with our heart, soul. Mind, and strength; loving one another as God loves.

I shall keep the silence of my heart with greater care, so that in the silence of my heart I hear His words of comfort, and from the fullness of my heart I comfort Jesus in the distressing disguise of the poor. For in the silence and purity of the heart God speaks.

(Adapted from Mother Teresa’s In the Heart of the World)

I invite you to be silent this morning as you take the bread and the cup. Let God speak to you as we re-member the sacrifice that His only Son made for us.

CommunionMeditation

by Cindy Kaller November 8, 2015

to go on record as not being against the change in cups. Why? Because its a cup. That’s all it is. A vessel for hold-ing hot (delicious) liquid in-between it being made and me drinking it. Thats all. Period. There is no reason why a coffee cup in any context should make you this mad or challenge your faith to this degree. Its not a com-mentary on the wider world. It’s not an act of aggression against Christians. It’s a cup. And if a coffee cup can get you this upset, then perhaps you and I can go get some coffee (in the cup of your choosing) and talk about it. I would be happy do that.

The war on Christmas is missing the point. Its not a war against Christmas. It should be an Act OF Christ-mas. Things that bring the peace, hope, love, and joy of the season to the front where all can enjoy it. And you know what makes it taste better? A red cup from Starbucks.

Peace,Rev. Justin Floyd, Youth Minister

November 11, �015 First ChristiaN News

FCCNH Blood DriveTue, Nov. 24th—12:45 PM to 7:00 PM

in the Social Hall

Food Pantry VoLUntEEr ContaCtSDirector and Primary Contact:

Luis Oliart at 818.939.1187Transportation Teams:

Chris Wilkinson at 818.515.5753

another way to donateYou can now make recurring donations to the

Interfaith Food Pantry through the FCCNH web page (www.fccnh.org/Donate%20Cash).

THE FOOD PANTRY IS IN NEED OF:Canned tuna, canned chicken, rice, canned beans (pinto, navy etc.), boxed cereal, diapers, powderd

milk, baby food, peanut butter and tomato products!

Sunday 11/8#4 Luis Oliart Chris Wilkinson Ken Wilson Barbara Berdahl

Wednesday 11/11 Studio City Team

Thursday 11/12#5 Rosey Tamkin Shayne Tamkin Barbara Berdahl Heather Hatch Clayton Ferguson

Sunday 11/15#6 Kevin Kenney Heather Hatch

Wednesday 11/18 Studio City Team

Sunday 11/22#8 John Fuller FCCNH Youth Team

Thanksgiving Day Feast!... for our North Hollywood

Interfaith Food Pantry Friends— free for everyone —

Rain or shine, come enjoy a delicious, traditional, sit-down Thanksgiving Day Banquet!

when: thurs., november 26, 2015Arrive between 11:00 am & 1:00 pm

delicious food, nice people... and free gift bags!

where: temple Beth hillel12326 riverside dr. , valley village

(west of Laurel Canyon Blvd—map below)

There will be a free shuttle bus from the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry/church parking lot —4390 Colfax Ave. (at corner of Colfax & Moorpark.).

First ChristiaN News November 11, �015

ChUrCh StaFFRobert M. Bock Senior PastorLouise Sloan Goben Associate PastorJefferson Beeker Minister of Evangelism and Membership DevelopmentAlfredo Gomez Pastor, Spanish Speaking CongregationChristi Anderson Director of Children’s MinistriesJustin Floyd Youth MinisterTyana Parr Director of Children’s ChoirJoshua Elson Music DirectorDavid Rigsby OrganistChristine Karasseferian Director of Finance and Human Resources Sara Rushing Administrative SpecialistDiane Hirsch Administrative Assistant/Web Master/Publicity CoordinatorTerri Burton Church PublicationsMichele Amundsen Wedding Director Elmer Maldonado Building & Grounds SuperintendentLauren Muscarella-Huizar Christian Nursery School DirectorJennifer Nieto Christian Nursery School Assistant Director

VoLUntEEr StaFFJosé Pretlow, Susan Marble, John Henry Kreitler, Jeff McFadden, Denise Ovaldson, Tom Louie, Robin Stallings, Richard Johnson,Martin Smith, Jason Tuttle Sound Technicians

Luis Oliart Security

In MEMorIaMEarle Immel Minister of Music EmeritusMerle E. Fish, Jr. Minister Emeritus

PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA EMAIL [email protected]

or in the office M-F from 9am to 5 pm.

is midnight sunday!

n e w s l e t t e r

By Way oF rEPortNovember 8, 2015__________________________

10:00 AM Worship 205 5:30 PM SpiritSong Worship 77 7:00 PM Evenlight Worship 9 7:00 PM Wednesday Worship 7 Sunday School Children/Youth 51/10

10:00 AM Worship $7,027.03 5:30 PM SpiritSong Worship $2,356.00 7:00 PM Evenlight Worship $88.00 7:00 PM Wednesday Worship $11.00 Sunday School Children $22.00 Youth Sunday School Aug—Oct $15.76

Operation Christmas Child $14.00

ToTal GeNeral offeriNG $9,519.79

ocTober crediT cards $3,949.00

CorreCtions of the november 1 report

The following donations were either omitted or reported incorrectly—our sincere apologies. The correct donations are:

Operation Christmas Child $58.00 Operation Santa Claus $350.00 Food Pantry $350.00

First Christian News First Christian ChurCh oF north hollywood

a Congregation oF the Christian ChurCh

(disCiples oF Christ) 4390 ColFax avenue

north hollywood, CA 91604 - 2898

First Christian Church of North Hollywood818/763-8218 • FAX 818/763-8457Web Site: www.fccnh.orgemail: [email protected]

Pastor & senior editor Robert M. Bockart direction Terri BurtonWeb Master Diane Hirsch

Production services

Billie Kline Mary Ann SteutermanJean Johnson Heather Kenney

eMeritus

Michele Amundsen Lillian CarlsonAnita Bené Jerry & Edna McCormackMargaret Defibaugh Cathy MelendezFern Donald Chuck MontCindy Kaller Barbara RhinelanderWanda Kanoy Helen ScarnaChuck MacCannell Kay SmithJessica McConahey Betty Van ZantenShirley McClure Deborah Wheeler Virginia Stebbins

November 15, 201510:00 am Barbara Sheppard (O) Molly Wilson (C)5:30 pm Alex Young7:00 pm Jeremy Scripter

Diaconate: Joan Norland, Prepare Toni Rossi, Prepare Linda Walmsley, CU Connie Cross, CU Rich Wunderlich Iris Wunderlich Dean Williams Sue Williams Larry Brown

Upcoming Diaconate: Nov 22 Charles Hirsch & Diane Hirsch Nov 29 YOUTH SUNDAY

THINK GREEN! PLEASE RECYCLE!NOTE: If you would like to receive this newsletter via Email, which saves

on printing/mailing costs and is better for the environment, please contact us. Annual subscription cost for first class mail version is $24.

A Publication of First Christian Church of North Hollywood...

Documents

Transcript of A Publication of First Christian Church of North Hollywood...