First United Methodist Church of Orange

The Forum Volume 84 issue #12 December 2015

Catch the Spirit Celebrate the Season

Christmas Caroling & Soup Supper Sunday, December 13th

at 3:00 p.m. in Messenger Hall Join us as we go out and spread some Christmas cheer - no singing experience needed!

Then, return for a delicious soup supper prepared by our choir.

Christmas Cantata Sunday, December 20th

at 4:00 p.m. in the Sanctuary “Come to the Manger”

Come be inspired as the choir brings the story of Jesus’ birth to us through a combination of traditional carols and spirituals written and arranged by Mark Hayes.

Christmas Eve Services 5:00 p.m. Family Service 7:30 p.m. Candlelight Service 11:00 p.m. Communion Service

Bring your family, invite a friend, and join us on this special, holy night.

Please order _____ Poinsettia(s): Cost: $10 each. Checks should be made payable to

First United Methodist Church with the notation Poinsettia

In Honor of: _______________________________________

In Memory of: _______________________________________

Given by: _______________________________________

The deadline for ordering is

Sunday, December 13th

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A Message from the Pastor The people who walked in darkness have seen a great light; those who lived in a land of deep darkness - on them light has shined…

- Isaiah 9:2 -

Dear Friends,

Each year when families, businesses, and whole cities take their “Christmas” boxes out of the attic and decorate for the holidays, I instantly recall what a Pastor and mentor said to me back in my seminary days: “Welcome to the world of itinerant ministry, where three moves is as good as a fire.” I had no idea at the time how true those words would become.

Judy and I have moved many times during our life in ministry together, and at some point after each move we were saddened to discover that one or more of our “most important” boxes had disappeared into that vast unknown place where unpaired socks go. Something precious to us was lost; baby books and baby pictures, first ornaments and family mementos, a wedding album, and so many other things. We’ve lost so many reminders and keepsakes! (although you'd never know it by the look of our garage and our closets). And it always seemed that Christmastime was when fresh revelations of missing items surfaced, and with each new missing item there came a profound accompanying grief…for even though they are mere “things” they held dear meaning for us, and loss is loss in whatever form it presents itself.

As time moves on the “meaningful losses” - of things, of friends and loved ones, of physical capabilities, and even of memories themselves - seem to become more pronounced during the holidays. These days Christmas joy is often mixed with a sad kind of wistfulness, a recalling of what was and is no more. Yet I’m discovering it is precisely in these moments that God’s grace comes most powerfully and unexpectedly, and I find my heart suddenly and wonderfully set at peace in the awareness that Jesus truly is “emmanuel”, God with us. In a world where losses and grief abound, Jesus brings light to my life and yours through the power of the Holy Spirit. God is more real to me now, in the midst of loss, than he ever was in the innocence of my childhood.

So I find there are three things worth remembering in this season, because “God is with us”: God’s good news is infinitely more powerful than any bad news the world can throw at us. The light and power God’s Holy Spirit can truly transform the most profound darkness and grief Our best, most treasured memories aren’t worth comparing with what God is about reveal to us.

If you are experiencing wistfulness, sadness, a sense of loss in any form this year…join with me in remembering daily that God is with us, and a bright and hopeful future is unfolding before our very eyes. Darkness will always give way to light, and in the powerful light of Christ we shall find peace which surpasses all our losses put together.

May God bless you and keep you in his Grace,

Pastor Bill

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Faith Formation As followers of Jesus, keeping Christ as the center of my family’s Christmas celebrations is key. Now, I don’t think it’s necessarily wrong to decorate with snowmen, buy presents, throw parties, eat lots of (good!) food or even play Santa Claus. But if we do all those things and forget Christ, what does that say to our children? And what does that say to the world?

We constantly need to be reminded that Christmas can be a season of great joy. It is a time of God showing His great love for us. It can be a time of healing and renewed strength. Jesus' birth brought great joy to the world. Shepherds, wise men, and angels all shared in the excitement of knowing about this great event. They knew this was no ordinary baby. The prophets had told of His coming hundreds of years before. The star stopped over Bethlehem just to mark the way for those who were looking for this special child. Do we really want to keep this extraordinary gift to ourselves? Do we not want to be faithful and pass this down to our children so that they may choose for themselves down the road?

Over the past couple years, I’ve been gathering ideas on how my family can truly celebrate Christ during the season.

1. Decorate with Different Nativity Sets. Collect one each year.

Use them to teach our children the Christmas story and about how God calls us to spread the love of Jesus all over the world.

2. Serve others as a family

Whether you serve a meal at your local soup kitchen or sew dresses for impoverished girls, use this season as a springboard for serving those Jesus came to save throughout the year. Have your child pick from the Christmas Tree in our Narthex a gift they can buy for a family for The Friendly Center.

3. Deliver Treats with Scripture

What do homemade treats or baked goods have to do with celebrating Jesus? If your focus is making the treats a way to show Him to your neighbors, it could be a prime example of keeping Him center!

4. Count down the days with an Advent Calendar or Wreath

Advent refers to a period of spiritual preparation in the season leading up to Christmas. Many families celebrate Advent with countdown calendars for each day of December–or with lighting a candle for each week leading up to December

5. Keep gift giving simple.

My family doesn’t think there is anything wrong with giving gifts at Christmas, but instead of lavishing our kids with any and every toy, some families decide at just 3 gifts–in representation of the 3 gifts that the wise men gave to Jesus, and to be intentional about the types of gifts as well: They re-ceive a want (like a new toy), a need (like an article of clothing) and a spiritual gift (like a new Bible). Another idea is to give gifts that give back to others.

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Peter Joseph, Director of Faith Formation Email: peter@fumco.org Cell: 714-473-8086 Office: 714-532-6363 x203

Family!

“THE GOD SQUAD” Youth Fellowship for 6th – 12th grades

December 6 Youth at Christmas Tree Lighting

6:00 p.m.

December 13 Christmas Caroling to our Shut-Ins

3:00 - 5:00 p.m.

December 20 Free Christmas Concert

4:00 p.m. Youth & Young Adult Christmas Party

5:30 - 8:00 p.m.

6. Invite a family to the 5 pm Christmas Eve Service at our church

The best gift we can give to families outside the church is to let them hear the love of Christ in a unique way. Just think one word…mayhem. This service will be family friendly, casual, and warm, and would be a great opportunity for families to come and be themselves in a comfortable setting before they begin their Christmas traditions. Who can you ask to come?

7. Don’t do it all.

Last year, I tried to do it all. I was overly enthusiastic about the fact that my 4 year old could under-stand more of the Christmas story. But in trying so hard to keep Christ the center, I ended up stressing out and leaving Him out!

If you’re eager to incorporate some of these suggestions, pray about it and decide which ones best fit your family. May God bless you and yours this Advent Season, and may you truly draw closer to him through our worship here and through your daily reading of the Scriptures.

"For a child has been born for us, a son given to us; authority rests upon his shoulders; and he is named

Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.” Isaiah 9:6

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United Methodist Women December Luncheon Meeting

December 10, 2015 at 11:30 a.m. We will gather on Dec. 10th for luncheon and wonderful Christmas music presented by Mike Short and his Orange High Choral Ensemble. Plan to join us for this joyous time.

Before the meeting, at 10:30 am, we will be preparing “goodie” bags for our shut-ins. We need your help in providing special cookies and treats for the bags. Please ensure that your donations are in Messenger Hall by 10:30 on Dec. 10th. Also, if you have any items to share for the Opportunity Table, please bring them. Our Quilting Guild has been busy spreading joy – they donated 14 quilts to Interval House in November and donated another quilt to the Cranberry Tea.

Cranberry Tea On November7th, we had a lovely day of food and fellowship at our annual Cranberry Tea and joyfully celebrated the 50th Anniversary of Sound of Music with a variety of people delighting us with many of the most memorable songs. Thank you to all who shared the musical talents with us. A special thanks goes to Florence Towers who chaired this wonderful event and to the many hostesses who decorated such lovely tables. Our hostesses included: Bonita Chavis; Penny Cline and Pam Zirbel; Margaret Davis and Julie Wakefield; Shaundell Lentz and Cheryl Melugin; Betsy Ross Miale; Marilyn Moore; Donna Nash; Sandy Porter; Leia Simpson; Debbie Tanner; Nancy Teigen; Florence Towers; and Sandy Wilson. And we extend grateful thanks for the men in the kitchen who prepared the tea and kept our pots full: Wayne Nash; Lynn Wakefield; Dale Towers and his grandsons. Thanks to all who served and all who attended and made the day extra-special. If you missed the tea this year, put it on your calendar now for next year – the first Saturday in November.

Quiet Disciple On November 14th, our UMW unit welcomed other UMW women from within our District as we celebrated our Quiet Disciples. A Quiet Disciple is a person whose personal ministry is usually accomplished by their special gifts and service in a quiet, unassuming manner. The influence of his/her presence is a gift and an example that enriches their church and/or their local United Methodist Women’s organization. This year our UMW Unit was pleased to honor Rosemary Meek as our Quiet Disciple.

Lady Twigbenders Lady Twigbenders will meet Thursday, December 18th at 11:30 a.m.

at the home of Betsy Ross Miale.

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Operation Christmas Child Shoebox Ministry Thank You to everyone who filled Christmas Boxes or helped with shipping costs for Operation Christmas Child. Because of you and your generosity we were able to deliver 73 boxes and pay for a lot of the shipping expenses. It is caring people like you that make it possible for us to share God’s love with millions of boys and girls around the world. Thank you again for your support in this great outreach program. < Joyce and Helen

Lunchbags for the Homeless Thanks to your generous donations our lunch bag program is doing great! In fact, the word has gotten out and we are serving more people than ever. Of course that means we need more food donations than ever! Items needed to fill the bags include: Vienna sausage, Beanie Weenie, granola bars, box juice drinks, individual applesauce or fruit cups, small boxes of raisins, 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 or bring to the office during the week.

Outreach & Opportunities The Best Kept Secret at FUMCO!

The Orange Methodist Foundation is one of the best kept secrets in our church. The Foundation has been around since 1952. It has a 501(c)(3) tax exempt status, and it is here to advance Christian love and growth by serving the needs of the church and community. Funds donated to the Foundation are invested and only the money earned from investments is used to help others. When letters or request forms are received, the OMF board reviews and decides if the request will help promote the vision and mission of FUMCO and Christ work in our community. Fund requests for the church must be for unbudgeted items.

For over 50 years, the Foundation has supported good works in our community and beyond. We have helped with programs and services of the Friendly Center. The new signage you see around campus, the Vision Task Force retreat, and much needed church office equipment. In July of this year, the Foun-dation helped provide funds to send 5 FUMCO youth to Arizona to repair roofs and serve the needs of families as part of the world wide Sierra Service Project (SSP). Recently, the Foundation funded the purchase of a life-saving defibrillator for the Sanctuary.

The Foundation grows through your gifts that keep on giving. Bequests and Legacy Gifts can provide the Foundation with funds that will be an ongoing tribute. Some groups in our church have non-church budgeted needs and The Orange Methodist Foundation is here to help. We can also support your fund raising efforts through matching funds. The Foundation is the quiet disciple here to help spread God’s love. The board welcomes requests for review.

OK - Now the secret is out… We appreciate your support, prayers and donations.

Packy McFarland, President The Orange Methodist Foundation

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Birthdays 3 Kaitlyn Lester 8 Eleanor Clair 11 Kyle Dickerson Keith Fawver 12 Emmanuel Gohil 13 Sandy Porter 14 Gavin McCullough 17 Julie Connell 18 Colin McCullough 20 Nancy Bjorklund 21 Brennan Corbin 22 Kerrey Martinez 26 Kayla Hill-Tidball 27 Virgil Fast Rosemary Meek Joan Patterson Susan Simpson 30 Rebeca Espinoza-

Rodezno

Anniversaries

Prayer & Praise Requests Kay Johnstone is asking for pryaers for Kevin,

who has been diagnosed with cancer.

Prayers for Donald Spix, the step-father of Colin, Allison & Alexander, who is undergoing 6 weeks of chemotherapy.

Prayers for the family of Harry Eaton, who passed away in November.

Praise for the birth of Ron &Anita Kelly’s 5th Great Granchild, Cole Michael Gifford.

Praise for the birth of the Martinez families 2nd granddaughter, Naiya Lee, born November 20th.

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.

3 Virgil & Barbara Fast 4 Burt & Rita Suthers 14 Emmanuel & Sara Gohil

22 Dwight & Sharon Tipping 27 Joe & Teri Schubert 30 Joe & Nadine Tardie

Nancy Bjorkland, Diane Brown, Ken Brown, Virginia Eaton, Jay Farrell, Simon Gohil, Bonnie Goodrich, Shirley Katz, Cybil Low, Mary McKenerick, Jackie McCracken, Kendall Meersman, Meg Murray, Carol Nameth, Charles Schroeder, Shirley Somers, Freida Stevens, Patricia Stone, Burt Suthers, Rita Suthers, Karla Turner, Nena Williams, Betty Wisely

Pray Without Ceasing

December 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

161 South Orange St. Orange, CA 92866

Phone: 714-532-6363 www.fumco.org

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

Friday: 9:00 a.m. - 12:00 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. First & Last Sundays

of each month

Office Staff Telephone Extensions: Dial 532-6363 and extension: Pastor 201 Rev. Bill Johnson

Programs 203 Peter Joseph, Director of Faith Formation

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

Administration 204 Karen Mendoza, Office Manager 216 Carol Rathbun, Communications Secretary

The deadline for the January edition of

The Forum

will be December 21st