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

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 DevelopmentJeremy Gillett, Director of Youth MinistriesAlfredo Gomez & Loydi Rivas Gomez, Pastor, Spanish Speaking CongregationYoung Lan Kim & Young Jun Yang, Korean Pastors

Volume LXI No. 24 December 23, 2015

Celebrating ourVeterans

Page � December �3, �015 First christian news

There was no big fanfare. There was nothing to indicate to the outside world what was happening. But the people on the incredible corner of Colfax and Moorpark just celebrated one of the busiest weekends of the year. The Christmas Tree Lot closed early this year due to a lack of trees. Many of the regular growers did not harvest their trees this year because of the drought. Next year those trees will be taller and fuller thanks to the expected El Nino. So when the last two trees were sold mid-week the Lot quietly closed its doors for an-other year. From all indications it was once again a great success. The Big Top was carefully and lovingly taken down and stored on Saturday morning. Money earned for distribution to our Children’s Ministries will be an-nounced after all expenses for the Lot have been paid.

Operation Santa Claus was held on Saturday with just a dozen short of 500 children and youth receiv-ing gifts for Christmas. Our bi-lingual Santa (Pastor Alfredo) was, as always, a great hit and at times the line of families waiting to see Santa ran in front of the sanc-tuary pillars and around the corner into the alley way.

Thanks to the support of Los Angeles City Councilman Paul Krekorian and his staff, who hosted a special breakfast event in our Social Hall, we received over 3,000 pounds of food for the Interfaith Food Pantry and hundreds of toys for Operation Santa Claus. The Councilman spent over an hour and a half on cam-pus greeting constituents, receiving food and toys and bringing holiday greetings to our friends and neighbors from LA Council District 2. It was a great event with tremendous support for those we serve through the Pantry and Op Santa. The Councilman is a great sup-porter of our ministries to the hungry and homeless of

this community. Christmas Sunday was highlighted by the Chancel

Choir bringing a special “musical homily” as part of the morning service of worship. The Choir sang several numbers, some from their recent Christmas Concert, which brought a sense of beauty and depth to the meaning of this sacred Season. This was the second year the Choir has delivered the main message on Christmas Sunday and consensus was that it should be an ongo-ing tradition.

Sunday night, “The Longest Night Service” was held in the sanctuary. Our sanctuary, bathed in reflec-tive candlelight, has never looked more beautiful and for those who attended it was a most meaningful ser-vice of worship. This service is especially held for those who have experienced significant loss of any kind dur-ing the past year. Letters of invitation were sent to fam-ily members of all those who were honored as part of our morning service of worship on All Saints Sunday.

To cap off the weekend it was Jeremy Gillett’s first Sunday as our Interim Director of Youth Ministries. A good group of both Middle School and High School students attended church school as Jeremy began his ministry by identifying students, names, interests, schools, hobbies and generally got acquainted with our marvelous group of youth. Sunday evening several of the youth attended the Spirit Song service of worship. Others joined them at 6:30 PM in the Youth Hut for a night of pizza, salad and fellowship. Youth group ac-tivities will be on hiatus until the second week of the New Year.

It was a busy, event filled and productive week-end of ministry and service. The people of this church family and their friends really do accomplish some life-changing ministry. It really does make the corner of Colfax and Moorpark an “Incredible Corner”.

Christmas Eve we will again have two services of worship. Christmas Eve Festivities will begin at 5:00 PM with the Living Nativity Scene in front of the

First christian news December �3, �015

church. An enlarged area has been prepared this year to give more room for the children and adults to enjoy the animals and share in the Nativity. I would especially like to thank John Currin for “expanding and enlarging our barn” and to Joe Beam for providing the lighting.

The first service will begin in the Sanctuary at 5:30 PM. Originally begun as a service for families with small children, this service has grown over the years to include many adults without children. There will be marvelous music, a homily and a time to sing some of our most favorite Christmas carols. The Nativity Scene will remain in place until 7:00 PM.

Our 64th Candlelight Service of Worship will be-gin at 11:00 PM and conclude at Midnight. Christmas music by our Chancel Choir and soloists will highlight the evening. As always the service concludes with the lighting of individual candles, the singing of “Silent Night” followed by greeting Christmas Morn with “Joy to the World”. This is a favorite service for church fam-ily, friends and neighbors. It is a time for uplifting wor-ship, reunions and great fellowship. Those who attend every year all agree – there is something truly magical about welcoming the Christ Child with candlelight and joyous singing at Midnight on Christmas Morn.

I hope to see you at one or both of these beautiful Christmas Eve services.

Please see announcements elsewhere in the news-letter about a Memorial Concert in memory of Betty Sakata on Sunday afternoon, January 3rd and memorial services for Jim Ireland on Saturday, January 9th.

We will observe our regular services of worship on Sunday, December 27th at 10:00 AM, 5:30 and 7:00 PM and our Spanish Speaking Service at 4:30 PM.

Peggy joins me in wishing each of you a very Merry Christmas and the Happiest of New Year’s.

Pergé! Pastor Bob

We are saddened to hear of the pass-ing of our good friend Jim Ireland.

Graveside services will be held at Forest Lawn Hollywood Hills on Wednesday, December 30 at 2:00 PM. A memorial

service will be held in the Sanctuary on Saturday, January 9 at 1:00 PM.

A Lossin our

Church Family

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!

R. W. BruceJoshua BigbeePeter Morawek

Christopher A. Bernstein1st Battalion at PendletonChris DiazBrian Johnson

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.


I greet you in the wonderful magnificent name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

Love your neighbor as you love yourself is a fun-damental belief of the Christian faith. Cultivating a servant’s heart is another fundamental belief of our faith. The Christmas season is a time of year when we get to explore what it means to love and serve others as Christ loved and served others. With Christmas only a few days away and the New Year rapidly approaching, our youth have been very proactive in bringing joy and love to people’s heart. This past week a group of young ladies in our youth group traveled to a nursing home to sing Christmas carols to senior saints. They proudly represented the youth of FCCNH and most important-ly they showed the love of Christ. These young ladies showed their love by using the gift of music to bring a message of Hope, Peace, Joy and Love to these saints. Later that night, we walked around the FCCNH neigh-borhood and sang Christmas carols. It was a joy to see people standing on porches, balconies and doorsteps to listen to the voices of our youth and congregation lifted in song. Saturday morning provided another opportu-nity for FCCNH youth to share the Christmas spirit through participation in Operation Santa Claus.

These young people are kind, loving, caring, and filled with the spirit of Christ. FCCNH youth loved and served others. In them we see the love of Christ and a sincere hope for our future.

I ask that we pray for them and with them on their journey as they seek to love as Christ loved and serve as Christ served.

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Blessings,Jeremy Gillett

Director of Youth Ministries

save the date

sunday, January 24, 2016Make plans to attend the Christian Women’s Fel-

lowship Luncheon and General Meeting on Sunday, January 24, 2016 at 12 noon ($5 donation). Everyone is invited—men and women. Our speaker will be Yolada Entz, Holocaust survivor, author and Christian mission-ary, who will share with us her inspirational life journey. Please RSVP to the church office at (818.763.8218) as soon as possible, as seating is limited.

The church office will open from 9am to 1pm on December 24th and closed on Christmas Day.

This issue is our final newsletter of 2015—our first newsletter of 2016 will be published on January 6th.


An angel appeared to Joseph in a dream and said, “Get up, take the child and his mother, and flee to Egypt, and remain there until I tell you.” —Matthew 2: 13

Suppose we picked up our Bible for the first time and read the above scripture and nothing else. Our view of what happened to the young Jesus would be very limited. This is true of reading any single passage of scripture, and only that, and thinking that is the whole story. But we must read on to discover God’s message for us. Yes, Jesus and his family fled to Egypt, but they returned. Yes, Jesus was a baby, a young man and later an adult, but there is more and we read on and discover he had a life-altering ministry. Yes, he died on the cross, but we read on and discover the resurrection. Just as we must read the entire biblical story to seek understand-ing, so too we must look at our entire lives to know that we are not just a single event of our past. Maybe we ex-perienced tough times, brokenness and hurt, but there can always be so much more beyond that. The story of our life can change at any moment as we affirm the presence and grace of our loving God. We celebrate at this time of the year the birth of the one who showed us how life can change when we believe and trust in him. So, as you write the story of your life remember to in-clude the Christ, the Son of the living God, who is in-deed the author of all life.

For information on Young Adult Disciples in Action (YADA) contact Rev. Jefferson Beeker at [email protected].

If you would like to read any of Rev. Jefferson Beeker’s previous “Be Still and Know” columns follow his blog

at www.revjefferson.wordpress.com, orfollow him on Twitter @jeffersonbeeker for daily

affirmations and words of encouragement.

May you have a wonderful and meaningful Christmas journey of new discovery.

Affirmation: Together with the Christ I author my life and it is good.

Jefferson


January 11 — Hebrew Scriptures (Old Testament)

January 18 — MLK Holiday weekend—no Bible Study

January 25 — Christian Scriptures (New Testament)

February 1 — Literal and Spiritual Approaches to the Bible

February 8 — Tools for Personal Bible Interpretation

Many people have a true desire to have a regular practice of reading scripture to draw closer to God. And often, this is something much easier said than done! The Bible can be confusing and often we read it, and think, “Huh?” This short series is designed to help you cultivate and deepen your reading of the Bible.

Co-led by Revs. Ed Esau and Louise Sloan Goben

Beginning Tuesday morning, January 5 we will begin a study of The Acts of the Apostles, also known as the book of Acts. Acts is the second “volume” of the two-part story written by the author of the Gospel of Luke. It tells of the early days of the early Christian Community, also known as the “followers of the way” of Jesus.

We meet each Tuesday morning for prayer and the communal reading of Scripture as we learn and grow together.

Led by Rev. Louise Sloan-Goben

First christian news December �3, �015 Page �

1 Dillen Furry2 Sage Dawe David Friedrich Eva Sloan Danielle Veloso3 Kaylee Hirsch Ryan Hirsch Joan Jackson Evan Klein4 Veda Semarne-Heatherton John Mas Catherine (CG) Mirich5 Jon Joyce John Randi Lydia Yang6 Gabrielle DeRouen- Hawkins Braden Jessica Pichardo7 Jennifer Caloca Henry Richardson Sue Williams8 Mercy Diaz Isabella Ellwein Nicolette Hill Matthew King9 Doug Fitzsimmons Christopher Goben Duran James Diana Jenkins10 Anastashia Chavez Ken Dallara

11 Julie Houlihan Tony Kaye12 Dillon Mount Dino Schofield Jeanine Speiser13 Katharine Boyd Kurt Johnson14 David McKinzie Phil Restivo III Joey Vallero15 Constance Cross Adrian Gonzalez-MacNeil Billie Kline16 Larry Day Luke Hallada17 Russell Curtis Samantha Meade Cosmo Moore Megan Snodgrass18 David Colwell Cynthia Helmerich Daniel Rossi19 Britton Askerneese Anthony Dallara20 John Beal Emily Fuller Jose Murillo Jensen Ray Carter Williamson21 Camden Richardson Jarrett Stotts22 Katie Treibach Nancy Valdez23 John Fuller Emily Inaba Kini Voorhies24 Byron Armantrout Elizabeth Bax Catherine Kelleher Phil Restivo

25 Maggie Gattis Amanda Johnson Tyana Parr26 Barbara Mack Richard Peardon27 Lee Arter, Jr. Daisy Bishop Samantha Bock29 Caitlin Currin Christopher Dearth Melinda McInerney30 Elisabeth Nini31 Tatiana Castellino Lukas Chavez Rod Conti Loe Powel

2 Rollie & Sue Bigbee Henry Lehn & Patti Patton-Lehn3 Kent & Alexandrea Young Bryan & Erin Zavala4 Galen & Louise Goben6 William & Melanie Maseredjian8 Steven & Jennifer Kusch20 David & Deborah Wheeler21 Nathan & Megan Burkart30 Bob & Janet McComb


At left: Children and parents lined up in front of church for Operation Santa Claus.

Above: Santa Claus (Pastor Alfredo) awaits the next child.

Below: Santa’s Workshop at 7:00 AM before Operation Santa Claus.

Operation Santa Claus

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First christian news December �3, �015 Page �

Christmas Eve ServicesLive Nativity — 5:00 pm

Worship for the Family — 5:30 pmCandlelight Service w/the Chancel Choir — 11:00 pm

New Year’s Eve ServiceDecember 31 — 11:00 pm

This service will be conducted in Spanish, Korean and English and followed by a sharing

of foods from all three traditions.

Season ofAdvent 2015

I absolutely love Christmas lights… they make ev-erything beautiful and bright. There is something else that ranks right up there with the Christmas lights for me and that’s watching children buy, make and give gifts. Ten years ago when Chloe, my eldest daughter, was in the Bumblebee class at Christian Nursery School, she got to buy gifts for me, her dad, her grammy and her brother at the CNS holiday boutique. She was so happy with her purchases and went home with the big-gest smile on her face. Upon entering the house, she proudly went to the tree and placed the gifts just so under the tree. I still use the coffee mug she gave me that year!

My office sits in the CNS hallway, so I get to hear all kinds of things from the nursery school children. Last week I was sitting at my desk and I heard Miss Lauren tell one of the children that she was going to go shopping and the little girl’s reply carried right down the hall as she squealed “I love to go shopping for pres-ents”. While we all know it’s better to give than to re-ceive, I think it’s important to remember that when we do receive a gift, that we need to think about how much love has been put into the gift, no matter what the gift is. If you can’t afford to give gifts to your friends and family, a nice note, a text or a call can really brighten someone’s day. I think it’s good to remember that the reason for the gifts under the tree is to remember the greatest gift, the gift of the birth of Jesus. The gifts are a reminder that we are loved and our greatest gift that we can give is to spread the love of Jesus to all we come in contact with. I hope you get to give and receive many gifts of love this year, at Christmas and all year long. Merry Christmas!

Christi AndersonDirector of Children’s Ministries

Members of the “Light It Up” Choir entertain patients at Studio City Convalescent and Rehab Center Friday

night before Cocoa and Carols.

December �3, �015 First christian news

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!

Thursday 12/24#1 Barry Dantagnan Terri Hall Jackie Fecske

Sunday 12/ 27Temple Closed Team #8

Wednesday 12/30 Robin Garner Art Dielhenn Joe White Chris Wilkinson

Thursday 12/31Temple Closes at 12:00pm Robin Garner Art Dielhenn Joe White Chris Wilkinson

No further information available at

time of print.

Molly Wilson Holmer at the chalk board—keeping children, toys, Santa and volunteers coordinated during

Operation Santa Claus this past Saturday, December 19th.

The Big Top came down after another successful Trees 4 Kids. Pictured before taking the tent down last Saturday are Scott

Fain, Phil Restivo, Jim Cohejo and Charles Hirsch.


The Annino Family

In loving memory of Kamekichi Takahashi, Tomiyo Takahashi, Toye Nishida,

Frank Annino, Rose Annino, Mary Wheeler and Nancy Dorft.

Marti Benton

In memory of Gaynelle Bock. In my prayers and in my heart always. Miss you.

Bob and Peggy Bock

With love and appreciation to Christi Anderson, Jennifer Le’au, and Ty Parr,

as well as all the Sunday School teachers, for their devotion, time and

loving energy in working with the children of our church family.

In honor of our children, grandchildren, godchildren, nieces, and nephews...

they are all shining lights in our lives.

In loving memory of all the friends and family who have passed away this year.

In thansgiving for all our amazing Christmas Tree Lot volunteers, and

especially to Dorothy Brooks who kept them all organized!

� December �3, �015 First christian news

Bob and Peggy Bock--continued

With deepest gratitude to David Blair and Dee’s Flowers, not only for the

gorgeous decorating of the sanctuary, but for always being available to meet

the needs of our church throughout the year!

Shelly Cherwinski

In honor of my dear grandpa.

In memory of Grandma Vern & Helen Cherwinski.

Gaye Coffman and Ian Williamson

In memory of Gaye’s dad, Scott Coffman.

In honor of our parents, Linda, Roy and Hazel.

In honor of our precious kiddos, Rebecca and Carter.

Chris, Sheryl, Alison and Michael Conte

In memory of Ruth Patzig and Patricia Conte, Sheryl’s and Chris’ mothers,

who both passed away this year. You will always be in our hearts.

Connie Cross

In memory of my husband, Jim, daughter, Cheri Carroll, and parents, Gladys

& Delbert Crews.

Kathy Fisher

In memory of my my mom, Oleta Hart, and my dad, Floyd Fisher Jr.

Sheryl Fitzpatrick

In memory of my beloved mother, Eunice Combs.


Mary Heiss

In memory of all the victims of violence & terrorist activities.

Shirley Huegin

In memory of my Great Grandson, Joey Thomas. God bless him and keep him

until we meet again!

James and Ginger Ireland

In memory of Clifford and Leola Ireland.

In memory of Harold and Eleanor Hirst.

In honor of Bob and Peggy Bock.

Jeanne Karpenko

In memory of Larry Taylor.

Nelle and Wendell Niles

In remembrance of my brothers Les and George with many memories and

much love.

In loving memory of my dear friends Mary Wheeler and Nancy Dorff who I

miss every day.

In loving memory of Blair Renshaw, Darren Dahlman, Maxie Leviss, Dick Van

Patten and Frank Gifford.

In honor of our family who is the best part of our lives.

In honor of my wonderful friends who make the journey so much fun.

In honor of Bob and Peggy Bock who have been such loyal and supportive

friends for many years. We love and appreciate you.

� December �3, �015 First christian news

Betty Papanek

In honor of Pastor Bob and Peggy.

Patti Patton

In memory of mom, Elizabeth Swaney, my sister, Judy Swaney and my dad,

Harold Swaney.

Gina Quintero

In memory of Albert Paul Piantanida who passed away September 1, 2015.

In memory of Herbert G. Swartz who passed away October 16, 2012.

Gustavo Santin

In memory of my sister, Lupe M. Hausfeld. The pain in my heart does not

lessen, but you are always in heart and mind and are always loved. Merry

Christmas Lupe in heaven!

Ken and Linda Walmsley

In loving memory of Ken’s dad, Ronald Walmsley.

In honor of Ken’s mom, Jackie Walmsley.

In loving celebration of this joyous Christmas season with our

children: Anthony, Adam and Elise. And our “adopted”

children Michael, Ashley and Sean.


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 MinistriesJeremy Gillett Interim Director of Youth MinistriesTyana 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, Richard Johnson, Martin Smith, Sound TechniciansLuis Oliart Security

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

By Way oF rEPortDecember 20, 2015_______________________

10:00 AM Worship 200 5:30 PM SpiritSong Worship 51 7:00 PM Evenlight Worship 22 7:00 PM Wednesday Prayer Vigil 9 Sunday School Children/Youth 48/41

10:00 AM Worship $15,554.03 5:30 PM SpiritSong Worship $1,032.00 7:00 PM Evenlight Worship $427.00 7:00 PM Wednesday Worship $10.00 Sunday School Children/Youth $9.00

Operation Santa Claus $50.00 Disciples Mission Fund (Christmas) $215.00 Cars 4 Causes $260.37 Food Pantry $750.00 Music Ministry $100.00 Choir Donation $20.00

ToTal General offerinG $17,032.03

november creDiT carD DonaTions: General Offerings $3,789.00 Operation Santa Claus $100.00 Human Needs $100.00 Tree Lot $100.00 Food Pantry $100.00 Operation Christmas Child $100.00

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

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

December 27, 201510:00 am Sally Hallada (O) Bill Hayes (C)5:30 pm Richard Follett7:00 pm Barbara Campbell

Diaconate: Diane Carlshagen, Prepare Ida Carlshagen, Prepare Kathy Dantagnan, CU Barbara Sheppard, CU Mike Dobbin Ellen Dobbin David Olsen Dan Soderstrom Charles Hirsch Diane Hirsch

Upcoming Diaconate: Jan 3 Ted Mantz & Jeremy Scripter Jan 10 Ann Jones & Linda Finnell

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

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