First United Methodist Church of Orange

The Forum Volume 84 issue #1 January 2015

Volume 82 issue #14 August 2013

Where God’s love is touching the earth

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x�x Newcomers Fellowship Calling all Newcomer's! Is your New Year's Resolution to learn more about the many ministries of FUMCO? How about just enjoying a free dinner with friendly fellowship? Well we have the perfect solution for both! The Newcomer's Fellowship will kick off its inaugural meeting on Saturday, Jan-uary 31st at 6pm in Messenger Hall (please note the date change). You'll have an opportunity to learn more about what to expect from FUMCO in 2015 from Pastor Bill along with the Leadership Team hosting a casual din-ner for anyone who has begun worshiping with us in the last two years. Please RSVP to the church office by January 26th so we can be pre-pared to welcome you!

x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x x�x

The Sweethearts Bash 2015: Celebrating FUMCO Seniors! Saturday, February 14th

at 5:30 p.m.

Dress to impress in black and red (and your dancing shoes) and then come on out for a evening of talent, dance, food and the enjoyment of a jazz ensemble. This fabulous evening

will once again be hosted by our very own Sanctuary Choir. In addition to the amazing entertainment, there will also be a raffle of items donated by the choir and local businesses. Bring your children and invite your family and friends as this is sure to be a fun evening for families, singles and couples. Get you tickets today: $15 adults, $25 couples, $5 children 6-14, 5 and under are free.

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR Dear Friends in Christ, It’s been a joy and privilege to share this Advent and Christmastide with you. From the warmth of your fellowship, to the joyful smiles of our children (of every age!) as they received new ornaments, to the inspiration of our music and the beauty of our sanctuary, it has been a season of rich experiences. I am blessed and proud to be your pastor. But look! A new year approaches, and in the quiet time between Christmas and New Year’s Eve we transition from looking back on what 2014 has meant for our lives to pondering what lies ahead in the coming year. We do this in order to be faithful, for Jesus once told his disciples “No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62) Even though we may not see very far ahead, and the way seems difficult to impossible, our future does not lie in our past…and we must train ourselves to look for what will come. In the spirit of looking ahead, I want to share with you some goals I am hoping to accomplish in the coming year. These aren’t really “resolutions”, more like things I’d like to accomplish “if the Lord allows.” (James 4:15) Personal Goals: Take some Spanish lessons Plant a Garden and do a home improvement project Read 25-30 books Cycle 5,000-7,000 miles Eat healthy foods, avoid junk Maintain daily disciplines of prayer, bibles study, and works of love

Family Goals: Make time for Judy every day Connect with my Mom and my Children at least once a week See my grandchildren face to face at least 4 times Disconnect from professional/vocational responsibilities and be fully present for family “vacation time”

at least once during the year Tithe our income to support the common work of God’s people

Vocational Goals: Move the Average Worship Attendance at FUMCO above 200 by year’s end Strengthen the small group ministry at FUMCO Establish/strengthen relationships with community leaders in Orange Grow a successful Newcomers Fellowship at FUMCO Find creative service/mission opportunities for members of FUMCO Lead a Work Team to Ghana in early August Facilitate two Lectionary Reading Weeks for pastors Fulfill my responsibilities as a member of theCal-Pac Annual Conference Navigation Team Fulfill my responsibilities as the Founding Director of LIFT Ministries

No doubt this list will change a lot during 2015, but its a snapshot of what I can see God leading me to do. Now I would love to hear from each of you as well…knowing what you know and seeing what you can see, what is God calling you to do and be in the coming year. Share your list with me, and we can hold each other accountable! In the meantime, I’ll see you in church! Pastor Bill

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SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS & FAITH FORMATION I can not believe Christmas has passed, and we are beginning the year 2015. If you don’t know, I’m an avid basketball fan, and would like to connect a basketball term to what is beginning to happen to the Jo-seph household. We are excited about Baby Noah, and it has made me ponder more of what life is like through a child’s eyes. I hope that this encourages you and your family in the New Year as well.

The definition of court vision: a player’s ability to see everything on the court during play

such as where his/her teammates and defenders are set up– which enables him/her to make better choices in passing—the best point guards possess this.

It has been such a joy for Bonnie and I to see Christmas through the eyes of our 4 year old daughter, Julia Grace. She’s at that age where everything is still so new to her—all the colors, lights, all the wonder and magic of the season– and she isn’t tainted by how the world perceives things, or defines things. God desires us to see ourselves, and the world, in the way that He sees it. We are to be children of God. What does it mean? First, it means that we need to have the court vision of a child, a court vision of how our Creator sees things. That does not mean we are to be naive! Much of our happiness in life depends on how we think God sees us. Sadly, many of us have a wrong idea of God’s opinion of us. We base it on what we’ve been taught, our bad experiences in life, and many other assumptions. We may think God is disappointed in us or that we’ll never measure up. We may even believe God is angry with us because try as we might, we can’t stop sinning. But if we want to know the truth, we need to go to the source: God himself. God loves us no matter what, God sees us as white as snow, and God places hope in us.

A few characteristics of children is that they listen to their parents, they copy their parents behavior, they walk like their parents. They also talk the same and learn their mannerisms. They bring their pains and issues and complaints and requests to their parents. They do not behave independently (not yet at least) from their parents. They may run off for a bit, but then cry if they can’t find their parents. If we will listen to God’s promises and place those promises above any other thing, above what we can see, above what we have experienced in our past… then we are being like that child. God has created a world of hope and magic and wonder. I mean, the birth story of Christ is pretty magical to me. Why have that hope jaded by what the world thinks?!? Julia Grace sees our world as hopeful, sees the wonder and magic behind every bright light, every toy, every expression our dog used to make. As parents, we need to continue to build that up in her, encourage her, and make sure she knows that the hope she feels is real, that anything is possible with God. She has a court vision that I want to have, a vision that is crafted by God, and un-touched by human ego or pessimism. Yes, she’s only 4 years old, but Jesus did tell us that to enter heav-en, we are to be like a child. I too want to possess this quality, a quality that helps me make better choices, and help my teammates along the way, teammates being my family, my friends, my neighbors, and my church family. I hope that we continue to teach those lessons of hope and possibility with God not only with Julia and Noah, but also with all the children that come thru the doors of our church.

May you and yourfamily continue to hear God’s wisdom in this New Year!

“And He called a little child to Himself and put him in the midst of them, And said, Truly I say to you, unless you repent and become like little children,

you can never enter the kingdom of heaven. Whoever will humble himself therefore and become like this little child

is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.” – Matthew 18:2-4 Grace and Peace, Peter Joseph (M.Div)

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The next Confirmation class takes place on Sunday, January 25th, from 4:30 to 5:30 p.m. in the Youth Cellar. The evening’s topic will be: Commitment of the United Methodist Church - the World is our Parish.

“The God Squad” Youth Fellowship for 6th – 12th grades

January 11th at 5:30 p.m. Join Sarah Fast & Danika Dickerson for

Games, Starbucks & Prayer Time!

January 25th at 5:30 p.m. Bowling at Tustin Lanes!

This evening’s activities will be led by Susan, Sarah & Alea

Bring a friend ~ Join the excitement

Peter Joseph Director of

Faith Formation

Email: peter@fumco.org

Cell: 714-473-8086

Office: 714-532-6363 x203

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Peter leading Sunday morning’s “Word for Children”

Welcome Noah Liam Joseph!

Born January 5, 2015 at 5:58 a.m. 7 lbs. 13 oz.

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

UMW Luncheon Meeting As we begin the new year, it is fitting that we come together for a time of Christian fellowship. Our first luncheon meeting of the year will be held on January 8, 2015 at 11:30am in Messenger Hall. A wonderful luncheon has been planned and we hope everyone will be able to join us. UMW is open to all women of the church. We hope you will make it a New Year’s resolution to participate with us in fellowship and mission outreach. United Methodist Women had an especially blessed year. In addition to giving over and above on our pledge to UMW Conference missions, we were able to make donations of $200 each to: Released Time Christian Education, Wise Place, Casa Theresa, Wounded Warriors, Project Hope Alliance, Women’s Transitional Living Center, Meals on Wheels, and Get on the Bus. Thanks to the whole congregation for your support throughout the year.

Ruth Circle Ruth Circle will meet Tuesday, January 27th at 7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Hostesses will be Mary Lou Taylor and Marlene Cook. The program, “Anticipating 2015,” will be a discussion of future thoughts and ide-as for Ruth Circle programs.

January 25 UMW Sunday

February 27-March 1 UMW Retreat

at Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades

Lady Twigbenders Please join us on Thursday, January 15th at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room.

Our hostesses will be Rita Keller & Joanne Patterson and The program will be presented by Margaret Beyer. Come, bring a friend ~ guests are always welcome!

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MUSICAL OPPORTUNITIES

NEW Hand Chime Choir

This is a NEW musical opportunity for children in grades 3-6. It will meet from 6:15-7:15 on Thursday evenings in the downstairs choir room of the Sanctuary. It Is open to all children of our community. The children will learn the basics of ringing the hand chimes, a musical instrument similar to the hand bells. They will also learn the fundamentals of music notation as it pertains to rhythm and notes. Encourage those children you know that would enjoy this opportunity to be a part of a musical group. Rehearsals begin January 15th. Contact Sylvia Coussa for further information: coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813.

This choral group is for children ages 4 through 6th grade. We will start rehearsals again on Sunday, January 18th. We rehearse for 30 minutes every Sunday (except the 1st Sunday of each month) right after Sunday School, in the Sunday School classroom. For more information, contact Donna Nelson at msnelsondonnal@yahoo.com or Sylvia Coussa at coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813.

KIDZ PRAISE

Bell Choirs SPECTRUM BELL CHOIR

Rehearsals for this choir will begin Sunday, January 18th. This choir is open to those who have played in a bell choir before or have prior experience and knowledge of reading music. Rehearsals are on the 1st and 3rd Sundays of each month following the morning worship service in the downstairs choir room of the Sanctuary. For further information, contact the director, Sylvia Coussa at coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813.

BELLS OF PRAISE Rehearsals for this choir will begin Sunday, January 11th, following the morning worship service. This is a beginning level choir for grade 7 to adult. It is open to anyone that is interested in being in a musical group. No previous music experience or knowledge is required; just a willingness to commit to the scheduled rehearsals. New members are always welcome. We rehearse the 2nd and 4th Sundays immediately following the morning worship service in the downstairs choir room of the Sanctuary. For further information, contact the director, Sylvia Coussa at coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813

Join a choir . . . and make a joyful noise to the Lord!

If you’ve ever felt your toe tapping or caught yourself humming along with the anthem in worship then the choir may be just your thing. No experience is necessary and all voices are welcome! Our SkyWord Gospel Choir rehearses Thursday evenings from 6:15 to 7:15 p.m. and typically sings in service on the 2nd Sunday of each month. The Sanctuary Choir rehearses from 7:30 to 9:00 p.m. and sings all other Sundays. See Mike Short, Choir Director, or any choir member for more information.

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Lunchbags for the Homeless Thanks to your generous donations our lunch bag program is doing great! Items needed to fill the bags include: Vienna sausage, Beanie Weenie, granola bars, individual applesauce cups, small boxes of rai-sins, cheese & crackers, peanut butter & crackers or any other item that would fit nicely into a sack lunch. All donations, large and small, are greatly appreciated. Please place your donated items in the specially marked collection bins in the Narthex on Sunday mornings.

Men’s Lunch and Bible Study led by Wayne Nash

at the Tulsa Rib Company (220 E. Katella Ave). Tuesday, January 13th at 12:00 noon

OUTREACH . . . EVENTS . . . OPPORTUNITIES

New adult Sunday school class “Outside the Gate: A Study of the Letter to the Hebrews”

by Roy I. Sano

Join us as we learn the original meaning of the Letter to the Hebrews and what it tells us about our current life as Christians.

Class starts Sunday, January 11th at 9:00 a.m. in the Fireside Room. See Wayne Nash for more information.

Ushers and greeters needed Are you interested in serving FUMCO with a pleasant greeting on Sunday mornings?

If so, you should become an usher or a greeter!

As an usher you will be assigned to usher one Sunday a month. It is important that our members and visitors feel welcomed and cared for by your smiling face on Sunday mornings. Contact Albert Coussa for more information at coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813. As a Sunday morning greeter you will be assigned to greet one Sunday every three months. Your warm handshake and smiling hello are often a visitor’s first impression of our church. For those of us who are members and regular attendees of First United Methodist Church of Orange, your welcome reminds us that we belong and that we are at home. For more information or to volunteer, contact Carol Rathbun at the church office, carol.rathbun@fumco.org or 714-532-6363 ext.216.

In loving memory of Jerry West If you are interested in sending a condolence card to the family of Jerry West, please send it to:

Linda Richards 1862 Rainbow Rd.

Santa Ana, CA 92705

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DIAL -A- DEVOTION 714-532-6363 ext. 6

Call today for a devotion recorded for you!

BITS ‘N’ PIECES

The 2015 Flower Calendar is ready! Sign up for flowers to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or any other special occasion. The calendar can be found on the Narthex table. Sign up early to

ensure the date you want. Bouquets are $35 each.

As we begin 2015, we encourage you to make a resolution to try something new and automate your regular donations. FUMCO relies on the consistent financial support of the congregation and electronic giving offers an easy way to give on a recurring basis. Simply go to our church website (fumco.org) and click on the online giving button to sign up. Or, if you prefer, pick up an authorization form from the office. We thank you for your continued support. Please contact Karen Mendoza in the church office at 714-532-6363 ext. 201 for more information about online giving.

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I would like to thank my church family for all their love, prayers and support during Bob’s illness, passing and continuing on today. It is such a blessing to me and my family to have such a supportive church family. Thank you again and God Bless, Margaret Davis

January Birthdays 1 Packy McFarland Paul Robison

7 Betty Wisely

10 Marcia Madore

16 Louise Delong

Marilyn Sutlick 19 Lynn Wakefield

20 Mildred Mallinckrodt

25 Matthew Short

28 Dixie Higgins

Anniversaries

Pray Without Ceasing Jay Farrell Jackie McCracken Carol Hilton Sybil Low Rob Kaiser Carol Nameth Jane Parra Jim Sal ling Charles Schroeder Jerry Schaper Shirley Somers Rita Suthers Bob Tanner Debbie Tanner Dwight Tipping Nena Williams Betty Wisely

Prayer & Praise Requests Prayers for Anita Kelly’s sister, Barb, who is in ICU

with cancer. Ron & Anita are in Ohio to visit.

Prayers for Penny Franz and her husband Mark who is very ill with tumors in his kidney and glans and it is spreading. He is a fellow worker of Debbie George & Bernie Franklin.

Prayers for a friend of Shirley Hoggatt, Julia, whose husband Irv sustained a head injury in a fall.

x� Many thanks FUMCO Family for your generous gifts for Friendly Center Families! We provided Christmas joy to nearly 800 families this year! Praise God! From Cathy Seelig & Friendly Center.

x� Happy 17th Birthday to Brennan Corbin!

x� Robert Klein gives thanks to God for his wonderful wife Renee who has been an angel on earth in helping him and his father Glenn in dealing with his mother’s illness and passing. And for his mother who had always been his inspiration and his source of faith in God.

x� Prayers for our shut-ins, the homeless, the hungry, the sick, the lonely, the unemployed, our military so far from home and all the others not mentioned, but known in our hearts.

5 Rick & Leissa Nazzareno 10 Bob & Debbie Tanner 25 Ron & Shirley Katz

JOYS . . . CONCERNS . . . CELEBRATIONS

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Outreach Ministries of First UMC, Orange

FAMILY PROMISE Casey Crosbie, Exec. Dir. 714-353-0428

FUNCO Parent operated child-care Becky Billingsly, Coordinator 714-944-7156

ALCOHOLICS ANONYMOUS Orange Co. Central 714-556-4555 Meets Monday and Friday evenings in room 205

NARANON Meets Thursday evenings in room 205

HOMEWORK HOUSE Marcia Marcinko, Director 714-694-0965

161 South Orange St. Orange, Ca. 92866

Phone 714-532-6363 Fax 714-532-5496 www.fumco.org

Office Hours: Monday - Thursday 9:00 a.m. - 5:00 p.m.

Sunday Morning Schedule 8:30 a.m. ......... Choir Rehearsal 9:00 a.m. .. Adult Sunday School 10:00 a.m. ..... Coffee/Fellowship 10:30 a.m. .................... Worship

Sunday School for ages 4-6th grade following the

Word for Children.

United Methodist Youth Sunday Fellowship

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 2nd & 4th Sundays

Office Staff Telephone Extensions: Dial 532-6363 and extension: Pastor 206 Rev. Bill Johnson

Administration 201 Karen Mendoza, Administrative Secretary 216 Carol Rathbun, Communications Secretary

Programs 203 Peter Joseph, Director of Faith Formation

Mike Short - Director of Music Sylvia Coussa - Bell Choir Director Joe Schubert - Organist

The deadline for the February edition of

The Forum

will be Tuesday, January 27th