I N S I D E T H I S

I S S U E :

From the Pastor 1

Pastors Appreciation Black History Month

2

3

Transfiguration Sun

Church Meetings 4

5

Upcoming Dates

All in the Family 6

7

Worship Leaders /

Calendar - Insert

First United Methodist Church of Ontario FEBRUARY

2016

Rend Your Heart

“Even now,”

declares the LORD,

“return to me with all

your heart, with fasting

and weeping and

mourning.”

Rend your heart

and not your garments.

Return to the LORD

your God,

for he is gracious and

compassionate,

slow to anger and

abounding in love,

and he relents from

sending calamity.

Who knows?

He may turn and relent

and leave behind a

blessing—

grain offerings and drink

offerings for

the LORD your God.

Joel 2:12-14( NIV)

Matthew 6:1-6, 16-18 (NIV)

6 “Be careful not to practice your righteousness in front of others to be seen by

them. If you do, you will have no reward from your Father in heaven.

2 “So when you give to the needy, do not announce it with trumpets, as the

hypocrites do in the synagogues and on the streets, to be honored by others. Truly

I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 3 But when you give to the

needy, do not let your left hand know what your right hand is doing, 4 so that your

giving may be in secret. Then your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will

reward you.

5 “And when you pray, do not be like the hypocrites, for they love to pray

standing in the synagogues and on the street corners to be seen by others. Truly

I tell you, they have received their reward in full. 6 But when you pray, go into

your room, close the door and pray to your Father, who is unseen. Then your

Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

16 “When you fast, do not look somber as the hypocrites do, for they disfigure

their faces to show others they are fasting. Truly I tell you, they have received their

reward in full. 17 But when you fast, put oil on your head and wash your face, 18

so that it will not be obvious to others that you are fasting, but only to your Father,

who is unseen; and your Father, who sees what is done in secret, will reward you.

Give to the Needy, Pray, Fast

Lent is a time of transformation. It is a time to sit down and be still in body,

mind, and soul. It is a season of preparation for the enrichment of our spirit. We

change from our own domain towards the embodiment of the Body of Christ.

We develop our spirituality in ways we have not previously developed before.

We move from the sinful past towards the heavenly future. We slow down for self-

awareness and self-examination. We adapt a spiritual discipline that strengthen our

generosity, temperance, humility, chastity, diligence, patience, and kindness.

Jesus affirms works of mercy and works of piety with warning against public

esteem. They are:

Almsgiving

Prayer

Fasting

John Wesley wrote on works of piety as a means of grace that leads to holiness:

Family and private prayer

Searching the scriptures

The Supper of the Lord

Fasting or abstinence

Public Worship of God

Ministry of the Word, either read or expounded

From the Pastor continued on page 2 . . .

PAGE 2 PASTOR’S APPRECIATION

From the Pastor continued . . .

And works of mercy that helps sanctify us:

Doing good

Caring for the sick and visiting the prisoners

Feeding the hungry, clothing the poor, sheltering the homeless

Welcoming the stranger

Opposing slavery

Peacemaking

This spiritual discipline helps us move toward Christian perfection and prepare us to be recipients of

the fruit of the Spirit: Love, Joy, Peace, Forbearance, Kindness, Goodness, Faithfulness, Gentleness, and

Self-control.

Peace.

Pastor Lisa Gay Santiago

Pastor Lisa’s Appreciation

The Lord bless you and keep you. The Church is grateful for your good

stewardship of our prayers, presence, gifts, time, talents, and witness.

We are grateful to Ken Boshart

for coordinating three study groups,

leading two groups (Wednesday

night & Sunday morning groups),

and writing the study outline for the

“Small Membership Church:

Serving with Significance in Your Context (Guidelines)”. We thank Charlene Guest for leading the

Wednesday morning study group at her home and Lynn Boshart for her assistance.

We recognize Lynn Boshart, Tungie & Ella Lewis-Coker, Charlene Guest, Catherine Hill, Jim & Kathy

Kinley, Doug & Judy Lewis, Anne Syria, Wyatt, and Laurie Milhiser, our faithful coordinator for placing all

the Christmas garlands, swags, ornaments, tree, and candles in boxes for next Christmas season. “Many hands

make light work.” We thank Kathy Kinley for updating the bulletin boards. We thank Bruce Jochimsen for

sanding the southwest Sanctuary doors.

Chancel Choir Schedule

As per my discussion with SPRC, there are some Tuesdays that I will not be able to come to church for

choir rehearsals. Those days are rescheduled to Mondays. Our Chancel Choir rehearsal schedule will be as

follows:

February 2nd - Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

February 9th - Tuesday, 7:00 p.m.

February 15th - Monday, 7:00 p.m.

February 22nd - Monday, 7:00 p.m.

Thank you all for your understanding. Looking forward to music making together to serve the Lord and

His people! Blessings, Andrea Hilliard

December 31 to January 24, 2016:

Offerings $11,697.00 Music Fund 100.00

Apportionments 800.00 Communion Offering 30.00

Maintenance 525.00 Christmas Offering 10.00

Human Relations Sunday 410.00 Missions 4.00

PAGE 3 BLACK HISTORY MONTH

Celebrating Black History Month

Africana Hymnal Project Film Documentary Wins Emmy

Nashville, Tenn. Feb. 3, 2015 /Discipleship Ministries/ – A documentary film tracing

the history of black sacred music, produced by Discipleship Ministries as part of The

Africana Hymnal Project, has received a regional Emmy for best documentary. The film,

Reflect, Reclaim, Rejoice: Preserving the Gift of Black Sacred Music, was honored

Saturday by the Midsouth Chapter of The National Academy of Television Arts and

Sciences (NATAS) at the 20th Annual Midsouth Regional Emmy Awards show held

in Nashville. “The success of the Africana Hymnal Project's mission to preserve this

important music for the church and the world will be forever valued and appreciated by all who are shaped

by sacred music. Thanks be to God,” said Dr. Timothy L. Bias, General Secretary (chief executive) of

Discipleship Ministries.

Reflect, Reclaim, Rejoice captures songs that blacks who were enslaved in America four centuries

ago created for solace even during the most inhumane conditions, said Steve Horswill-Johnson, Executive

Director of Communications & Brand Strategy at Discipleship Ministries, who was the film’s executive

producer. “These songs, which are rarely sung anymore, are basically lost to the collective memory of

America, but this documentary invites the viewer to see and feel how the music is being kept alive,”

Horswill-Johnston said.

Another major part of The Africana Hymnal Project is The Africana Hymnal: Black Sacred Music,

which was produced and released by UMPH’s Abingdon Press. The Africana Hymnal features 155 songs

organized around the seasons of the year, the sacramental life of the congregation and the special days of the

black church. The music selections cover multiple genres that demonstrate intergenerational connections and

serves as a bridge between the music of the past, present and the future in order to encourage all of God’s

people to sing. - www.umcdiscipleship.com

Young People (ages 12-30) Bible Study

Sunday, February 7th after worship

1:45 a.m. - 12:45 p.m. in the Conference

Nominations & Lay Leadership Committee

Wednesday, February 3rd @ the Choir Room

4:30 p.m.- What’s My Job? Webinar Training

5:30 p.m. - Nominations & Leadership Committee

Safe Gatherings

The California-Pacific Conference of The United Methodist Church is committed to ensuring safe

places of worship and fellowship for all.

Safe Gatherings is an online abuse prevention program that screens and educates staff and volunteers

to help prevent abuse of children, youth, and vulnerable adults in group settings. When employees and

volunteers are trained to identify potential abusers, recognize the signs of abuse, and know how to handle

reporting, they are better equipped to prevent abuse. The training is comprehensive and customized for our

organization. Applicants may complete the online training modules at their own pace. The training typically

takes about 1.5 hours to complete. Go to https://safegatherings.com/app/registration. To get it on the free

trial, sign on as ERT or LMA, but it must also say Pasadena.. Early Response Team (ERT) and Lay Ministry

Academy (LMA) are conference programs, therefore by signing on as “Pasadena” it means the conference.

References: The approval process requires one professional and one clergy reference to assist in qualifying

all applicants. Reference requests are submitted and received electronically.

Training: Training may be completed online once the application has been completed and payment has

been made. After successful completion of the training course, it will continue to be available for review.

Approval: Upon satisfactory completion of all components of the Safe Gatherings process, applicants and

their account administrator will be notified by email. Approval is valid for 3 years.

Payment: Through March 31, 2016, payment is provided by the California-Pacific Conference for

administration, background checks, and training required to be Safe Gatherings-approved. After the

deadline, individuals pay for registration.

For more information go to www.calpacumc.org or talk to Judy Lewis

PAGE 4 TRANSFIGURATION SUNDAY

February 7th is Transfiguration Sunday

Transfiguration Sunday: Why Do We Celebrate It Before Lent?

The background of this question lies in the differing practices of

Christians in North America. United Methodists and many other

denominations schedule the observance of the Transfiguration on the

Sunday before Lent. There are three different times when the Transfiguration is commemorated and

celebrated:

(1) Roman Catholics celebrate the Transfiguration on the second Sunday of Lent.

(2) Most other denominations following a liturgical calendar, including those that follow The Revised

Common Lectionary (United Methodists are part of this group), celebrate it on the last Sunday after the

Epiphany (the Sunday before Ash Wednesday).

(3) On the calendar of "Holy Days," liturgical churches observe the Transfiguration on August 6.

Why does the celebration of the Transfiguration take place just before Lent in United Methodist and

other denominations that follow The Revised Common Lectionary?

The Book of Common Prayer collect for the Last Sunday after the Epiphany suggests why the

Transfiguration of Our Lord is celebrated when it is:

O God, who before the passion of your only-begotten Son revealed his glory upon the holy mountain:

Grant to us that we, beholding by faith the light of his countenance, may be strengthened to bear our

cross, and be changed into his likeness from glory to glory; through Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and

reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen. - Book of Common Prayer according to the use of the Episcopal Church, 1979, page 217.

We celebrate the revelation of Christ's glory "before the passion" so that we may "be strengthened to bear

our cross and be changed into his likeness." The focus of the Lenten season is renewed discipline in walking

in the way of the cross and rediscovery of the baptismal renunciation of evil and sin and our daily adherence

to Christ. At Easter, which reveals the fullness of Christ’s glory (foreshadowed in the Transfiguration),

Christians give themselves anew to the gospel at the Easter Vigil where they share the dying and rising of

Christ.

In the biblical context, the synoptic gospels narrate the Transfiguration as a bridge between Jesus' public

ministry and his passion. From the time of the Transfiguration, Jesus sets his face to go to Jerusalem and the

cross. - www.umcdiscipleship.org

Lent Begins

February 10th, Ash Wednesday

6:00 p.m. – Soup Supper

Back by popular demand!

The Fellowship/Hospitality Committee will once again be hosting a

Soup Supper prior to the Ash Wednesday service.

If you would like to contribute to the “fixings” for this vegetarian meal please contact Laurie Milhiser,

Charlene Guest, or Lynn Boshart. We hope you will plan to join us as we reinstate this tradition. - Laurie Milhiser

7:00 p.m. – Worship Service

Preacher: Rev. Lamuel Jacob, Hindi Urdu United Methodist Mission Church

When Did United Methodists Start the “Imposition of Ashes” on Ash Wednesday?

While many think of actions such as the imposition of ashes, signing with the cross, footwashing, and

the use of incense as something that only Roman Catholics or high church Episcopalians do, there has been a

move among Protestant churches, including United Methodists, to recover these more multisensory ways of

worship. This is in keeping with a growing recognition that people have multiple ways of learning and

praying.

continued on page 5 . . .

PAGE 4 PAGE 5 CHURCH MEETINGS

“Imposition of Ashes” continued . . .

Worship that is oriented to the intellect or to the emotions, both interior, leaves out those who engage

in prayer through vision, smell, touch, movement, and so forth. We are increasingly aware that people are

formed in faith when practices become embedded in memory, nerves, muscles, and bone through sensory

engagement.

United Methodists have had resources for worship that include the imposition of ashes since 1979

when Ashes to Fire was published as Supplemental Worship Resource 8. This practice became part of our

official worship resources in 1992 when General Conference adopted The United Methodist Book of

Worship. See the service for Ash Wednesday, pp. 321-324. Other such practices were adopted in 1992. See

The United Methodist Book of Worship

Footwashing for Holy Thursday, pp. 351-354

Meditation at the Cross for Good Friday, pp. 363-364

Incense for Evening Praise and Prayer, p. 574 - Daniel Benedict is retired from Discipleship Ministries, www.umcdiscipleship.org

Special Charge Conference

Thursday, February 11th, 7:30 p.m.

Agenda: 2016 Church Budget, Election of Church Lay Leaders

All Church Council Meeting

following the Special Charge Conference.

(Individual Committees meet at 6:30 p.m.)

Staff Parish Relations Committee Meeting

Thursday, February 25th, 7:00 p.m.

Next All Church Work Day - Saturday, February 13th

As I end my years as a member of the Board of Trustees of this great congregation I would like to thank

a few people.

Cathy Speaks always responds immediately to any request, any emergency. She always knows who to

call. Cathy is always pleasant, even when I am muttering. We are so lucky to have her.

Jim Kinley can fix most anything, even stained glass windows. He also responds immediately, even

when he is out of town.

Tungie Lewis-Coker will always help whenever needed during the week.

Linda Hall, Judy and Doug Lewis, Kathy and Jim Kinley, Tungie Lewis-Coker, Bruce Jochimsen,

Charlene Guest, Neva Grzeskiewicz, Laurie and Mike Milhiser, Steve Davis & Pastor Lisa. These are the

people we know will be at All Church work days when they are in town and don’t have another commitment.

These friends save our congregation a lot of money each year and usually have fun doing it. Please find time

to join them.

Do you have an hour or two a month? You can straighten the Sanctuary, put the Bibles and Hymnals

where they belong, replace the pencils that have walked away, sharpen those that need it. Yard work always

needs to be done. Our gardener mows and whacks at the bushes, but everything else is done by church

members. The refrigerator always needs cleaning. There are so many ways you can work on the “service”

part of your pledge to uphold this congregation with our prayers, our presence, our gifts, and our service.

Ronny Taylor

Planning for Lent and Easter

The early church designed Lent and Easter Season primarily as seasons for discipling persons in the

way of Jesus. During Lent, the church focused on teaching persons how to live the baptismal covenant.

During Easter they focused on teaching core doctrine and helping persons discern and form them to exercise

their calling into ministry. - Taylor Burton-Edwards, umcdiscipleship.org

PAGE 6 UPCOMING DATES

Revival:

Faith As Wesley Lived It

Lenten & Membership Study

Begins Sunday, February 14th,

9:00 a.m. in Conference Room

John Wesley’s message and

his faith continue to speak to 21st

-century Christians – calling for a revival of our

hearts and souls so that our world might be

changed. Join Adam Hamilton for a six-week

journey to England, through Wesley’s land,

life, ministry, and teachings. For Methodists,

Wesleyans, and all Christians, Wesley’s story

is our story, defining our faith and challenging

us to rediscover our spiritual passion.

A.L.I.C.E. Training

February 16th, 8:30-11:30 a.m.

Harvest Orange County, 17600 Gillette Ave., Irvine, CA 92614

ALICE (Alert, Lockdown, Inform, Counter, Evacuate) training prepares individuals to handle the threat of an

active shooter. ALICE teaches individuals to participate in their own survival, while leading others to safety.

Though no one can guarantee success in this type of situation, this new set of skills will greatly increase the

odds of survival should anyone face this form of disaster. Sponsored by Philadelphia Insurance Co.

Registration is needed at no cost at

http://www.cvent.com/events/alice-presentation-philadelphia-insurance-irvine-ca/event-summary-

9a8e5f9c00fc4840b4c6a2b2750cfa80.aspx.

Friday Night Potluck Dinner

and a Movie.

Join the fun and fellowship on

Friday, February 19th

6:30 p.m.in the Fellowship Hall.

Please bring a dish

to share and invite

your friends &

neighbors!

Mid-Week Service of Prayer and Testimony

6:00 p.m., Every Wednesday during Lent,

February 17, 24, March 2, 9, & 16

The Mid-week service of prayer and testimony is an

informal service. It reflects a distinctively Wesleyan and

North American style of worship. Hymns are sung and

scripture is read. Testimonies may include personal witness

to God's grace or accounts of what God is doing in the

lives of others. The pastor may also give a witness to the

scripture. Spontaneous prayers may be offered by the

people, or a litany of intercession and petition may be

prayed, during which any person may offer a brief prayer

of intercession or petition. The Lord’s Prayer is prayed, a

hymn sung and we close with a Blessing. Join us for the

Mid-week service of Prayer and Testimony.

February 15th is President’s Day

Prayer for National Leaders

(Inspired by Jeremiah 23:1 & 4)

Lord, we believe you when you say you will lead us. But we have suffered at the hands of those who

would destroy and scatter your sheep. You promised that you would raise up shepherds who will

gather us together so than no one will have to live in fear. So we look for those shepherds, Lord.

We pray for those who will do good and do right, for those who will protect the children, who will

school the children, who will give the children hope.

We pray for those shepherds who will pursue peace, who will walk humbly, who will reconcile nations.

We pray for shepherds who will fight injustice, who stand on the side of justice.

We pray for shepherds who will feed the hungry, clothe the naked, and set at liberty the captives.

We pray for shepherds who will spread love, show mercy, and practice hospitality.

Lord, we pray for our shepherds; we pray for our people; we pray for our country; we pray for the

nations. Amen. - Tony Peterson, from the Africana Worship Book for Year C. © Discipleship Resources. Used by permission.

February 21st is Scouting Sunday

Prayer for Scouting Ministry

O God, your will is that all your children should grow into fullness

of life. We lift to you the ministry of scouting. We offer you thanks for

camping, to teach us that the world is our great home; for study and

work, to build character; for service, to see our responsibility to those in

need; for encouragement in genuine patriotism and vital faith. Bless the

work of scouting, in this place and around the world, that, through its

efforts, the young may, like our Lord, increase in wisdom and in stature,

and in favor with you and all people. Amen. - Mark Trotter, U.S.A. 20th Cent., www.umcdiscipleship.org

PAGE 7 ALL IN THE FAMILY

February Flowers

7 - Communion

14 - in honor of Caleb Hall’s birthday by Linda Hall

14 - in honor of Matthew Sutliff’s birthday by Ed Sutliff

21 - in honor of Kathy Kinley’s birthday by Jim Kinley

28 - in honor of family birthdays by Cecile Heald

Please Pray for . . .

+ Congratulations: To Nathan & Kerstin Hall on the birth of their daughter Savannah Raye on January 17th.

Linda Hall is the proud grandmother.

+ Losing a loved one: Please keep Chris Starns’, her parents and the extended Stanton family in your prayers

in the passing of Chris’ sister Shannon. Please keep Veiongo Soakai and family in your prayers in the

passing of her sister.

+ God’s grace and healing: Ursula Allie, John Baernstein, Ethel & William Barcus, Gladys Barton, Ethel

Bremer, Sarla Chauhan, Dave Davis, David Edwards, Meredith Freeman & her son Michael, Barbara &

Dick Grossklas, Trish Halacy, Helen Hargrove, Dana Hermison, Gary Knox, Chikezie Okeiyi Sr., Phyllis

St. John and her son Paul & her sister-in-law Avis Martin, Chuck Sedey, Anne & Tom Syrja, Jenean

Batty’s daughter Alyssa Jones, the Bosharts’ granddaughter Summer Barnes and their neighbor & friend

Lionell Lewis, Tungie Lewis-Coker’s aunt Mrs. Duro Charles and his cousin Gladys Charles, Claudia

Cook’s mother Elsie, Tabita Green’s grandmother Maysel Penticoff, Charlene Guest’s brother-in-law

Tommy Bullock & her nephews wife Whitni Dempsey, Dick Grossklas’ daughter Tracie Thompson, Trish

Halacy’s sister Ada Boyce & her daughter-in-law Julie Rudinski, Jim Kinley’s sister-in-law Becky Kinley,

Kathy Meier’s friend Isabel Reyes & her son Ruel, Chris Preiksaitis’ friend Abraham Trujillo, Ed Sutliff’s

relative Deanna Tyszka, Ronny Taylor’s cousin Jimmy Sturm and her friends baby Kennedy Blalock

+ Cancer therapy: Kathy Saccone, Gary Ovitt, the Boshart’s friends Craig Johnston & Denise Wampole,

Sandy Deem’s nephews wife Jody Taylor, Neva Grzeskiewicz’s friend Lois Gritton, Tom Hill’s cousin

Scott Evans, Michele Houska’s cousin Mary’s husband Rich DePrizio, Matthew Pankratz-Ruiz’ Godmother

Laura Greenwood, the Schlosser’s friends Steve Bishop & Dorothy Grinter, Barbara & Anne’s friend Brian

Crane

+ Glen Helen Rehabilitation Center: Steven Lemmon. Steven really appreciates your prayers, positive

support, letters of encouragement. If you would like to write to him please call the

church office for the address.

+ Oak Mt. of San Antonio Heights: Jacquie Haynes

+ Bella Vista Rehab: Katherine Boyce + Rancho Mesa Care Center: Marilyn Reed

+ Around the world: Prayers for all the people affected by natural disasters, tragedy &

acts of violence. For those who are hungry. For our nations leaders and our military

troops and their families. Prayers that we work together for justice, peace and reconciliation in the world.

Larry Gehley - 1

Kathleen Jochimsen - 4

Ed Sutliff - 7

Matthew Sutliff - 13

Margaret Black - 14

Patty Cunningham - 14

Godofredo Tabago - 14

Caleb Hall - 15

Kathy Kinley - 19

Lysander Reyes - 21

Barbara Grossklas - 22

Michele Houska - 25

Dick Grossklas - 26

Rick Meier - 26

If you would like to have your

birthday or anniversary in the Beam

please let the church office know.

Thank you to Lynn Boshart and her helpers

for the beautiful arrangements every week!!

You are invited to serve the Lord

by serving people at our monthly

Loaves and Fishes Dinner on

Friday, February 26th 6:00 p.m. in

the Fellowship Hall.

Our church family is

asked to contribute

pies for the meal and

join us in

serving the meal.

Easter Invitation Cards

The United Methodist Church

is having a Rethink national

campaign for Easter. Our church

received 100 invitation cards for

our community. We ask that you

take some of the cards, write a note

or a prayer and give or send it to a

friend, a neighbor, a family

member, and a co-worker. The

cards are located in the Narthex.

First United Methodist

Church of Ontario 918 N. Euclid Ave.,

Ontario, CA 91762-2320

909-986-6641

Website - www.fumcontario.com

Office Email: ofumc1@yahoo.com

Church Office Hours: 9:00-12:00; 1:00–4:00 p.m.

Monday thru Friday

Sunday Worship at 10:30 a.m.

Rev. Lisa Gay Santiago Pastor

Andrea Hilliard Director of Choirs

Chris Preiksaitis Organist

Cathy Speaks Church Office

Pamela Payne Wedding Coordinator

Laura Cunningham Wedding Assistant

Visit FUMCO Facebook Page

created and managed by Steve Davis

at www.facebook.com/firstumcontariocalifornia

February 14th is Valentine’s Day

10:30 a.m. Sunday Worship with Reaffirmation of the Marriage Covenant

Couples are invited to come for the Reaffirmation of the Marriage Covenant

during the 10:30 a.m. worship service on February 14th. As a Response to the Word,

the couples face each other, join hands, and speak directly to each other, repeating the vows.

Children may participate by blessing the marriage.

“In the name of God, and with a thankful heart,

I once again declare that

I, Name, take you, Name, to be my wife/husband,

To have and to hold

From this day forward,

For better, for worse,

For richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health,

To love and to cherish,

Until we are parted by death.

This is my solemn vow.” - Book of Worship p.136