Volume LXII No. 77 December 19, 2018fccnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/NL121918.pdflove. Second...

Volume LXII No. 77 December 19, 2018

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 PastorJennifer Le’au, Director of Children’s MinistriesJeremy Gillett, Director of Youth MinistriesAlfredo Gomez & Loydi Rivas Gomez, Pastor, Spanish Speaking CongregationYoung Lan Kim & Young Jun Yang, Korean Pastors

Page � December 19, �018 First christian news

This coming Sunday is the fourth Sunday of Advent – Christmas Sunday. It has been a marvelous Advent Season with so many wonderful things happening.

After a decade of leadership, Phil Restivo passed the baton of chairing Trees 4 Kids to three dedicated fami-lies – the Brooks’s, the Valero’s and the Zavala’s. These three families have done an outstanding job of running the Lot and enlisting not only new volunteers but new customers. The beautiful trees, all fresh and delivered directly from the farm in Oregon, are almost gone and by Christmas Sunday the 2018 Trees 4 Kids will be an outstanding and inspiring memory. We do not know yet whether this year will break previous sales records, but we know it will be a banner year with a lot of posi-tive energy expended under the Big Top.

The Elders wrote, published and recorded an inspi-rational booklet for our daily meditation use. By going to the webpage you can also tune in and listen to the Elders read their meditations. It has been a very mean-ingful gift.

The Choir’s Concert was delightful in every way. The anthems, ensembles and solos were all beautiful. For many this concert is really the beginning of the Season. We extend our congratulations to David Rigsby for a beautiful first concert as Director of Music/Organist. And the added artistry of John Dickson was a gift to both choir and audience.

Last Saturday Operation Santa Claus, again under the direction of Ken Wilson and Diane O’Brien, with the assistance of 25 youth and 12 adult volunteers, gave

toys and gifts to just under 500 children. Pastor Alfredo once again served as our bilingual Santa, hearing the requests of the children and giving each their Christmas present.

Last Sunday our children presented their annual Christmas pageant. The word “impressive” keeps com-ing to mind when describing this annual event. The actors and actresses had their lines memorized per-fectly. Every participant, from the Senior Angels and Shepherds, who are some of our talented middle school students, to the very youngest sheep and barnyard ani-mals was outstanding. The “bah bah bah” chorus was a delightful surprise to everyone. In all, there were over 100 children and youth participating in the event. Our deepest gratitude is extended to Jennifer Le’au, our Director of Children’s Ministries, Ty Parr (who had been sick all week), the Director of our Children’s and Youth Choirs, all of the church school teachers, helpers and parents for their leadership and support.

Rodney Gould’s Communion meditation tied in perfectly with the children presenting the pageant. As I watched the children I was also watching their parents. Over a dozen parents had been in the pageant when they were children growing up in our church family. And when I asked how many had been in such a pag-eant in some other church as children over two dozen adults stood. However, one thing I forgot. I neglected to ask how many second generation “Baby Jesus’” were in the congregation. Ben, the father of this year’s Baby Jesus, Bohdi, played the part of Baby Jesus in his home church when he was an infant. What a tremendous heritage to share with our church family.

The Christian Women’s Fellowship held their an-nual bake sale during the Meet and Greet following the Pageant. This year the ladies invited everyone in the

First christian news December 19, �018 Page �

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!

Joshua BigbeeThomas Matthews

Christopher A. BernsteinChris Diaz

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.

church to help make this event successful. The response was overwhelming and the money raised will help the CWF meet their mission/outreach goal.

The Youth Choir sang beautifully in the Tree Lot following the Meet and Greet Sunday. As always, they had fun and those of us who listened enjoyed the carols. Our youth will also be singing Christmas carols in the halls of St. Joseph Medical Center this coming Saturday under the auspices of the Pastoral Care Department.

Following the Trees 4 Kids caroling Sunday several of the youth choir joined other youth in a hearty ren-dition of “Dial-A-Carol.” This was organized by Jason Peterson who shared with the youth his fond memories of the project when he was in high school. They made forty calls, wished the recipients a Joyous Christmas and sang a beautiful carol. The youth are very grateful to those who requested their services and as a result helped add funds to next summer’s mission trips.

It has been a great Advent Season thus far. Sunday will be the fourth Sunday of Advent and on Monday, Christmas Eve, we will have our traditional 5:30 PM family service and our beautiful 11:00 PM candlelight service, which will conclude a few minutes after 12:00 Midnight, ushering in Christmas morning. We will also have our traditional living nativity scene complete with sheep, goats, a donkey and chickens that will surround Mary and Joseph in the courtyard. I sincerely hope you can make one or all of these remaining Advent services of worship.

Have a most wonderful Christmas.

Pergé!Pastor Bob

This is the final issue of the First Christian News in 2018. Due to the Christmas and New Year holidays, the next newsletter

will be published (mailed and emailed) on Thursday, January 3, 2019. Submissions deadline for that issue will be midnight,

Tuesday, January 1st. Thank you!

newsletter schedule


When you do this, remember me. (Luke 22:19)

It has been a difficult year for Chris Erskine. If you are unfamiliar with Chris, he writes a weekly column for the Los Angeles Times called “The Middle Ages.” He has a wry sense of humor as he addresses the vari-ous hurdles and tasks of these “middle years” of living – children growing up, moving out of the house, work, the holidays, changing metabolism, and the aches and pains that arise with our bodies beginning to age. His writing is poignant, and never more so than this past Saturday’s column. He offers a beautiful and tearful tribute to his wife of 40 years, who lost her battle with breast cancer on November 30th. The couple also lost their eldest son in a freeway accident last March. As I

said, it has been a difficult year for the Erskines.Others of us have recently faced loss in our lives as

well. It is never easy to come into the holiday time with heavy hearts. Our loss may be the death of one we love, the compromise of our health, the end of a marriage or other significant relationship, losing a job… the list could go on. Each year near Christmas, we host a ser-vice called “Longest Night” at the church. Sometimes a comparable service may be referred to as “Blue Christ-mas,” and is traditionally held on December 21st – the Winter Solstice. We hosted our service this past Sunday evening.

Some of us who gathered were fresh from recent loss, while others of us held tender memories of loved ones with whom we had celebrated past Christmases.


The church sanctuary was bathed in a soft light with quiet music underscoring our time of remembering. Each person was invited to recall their loved ones, com-plete with mental images of people, sounds, scents and additional images that bring depth and contours to our recollections. And each person was invited to create a tribute to their memories by writing names on pa-per doves that were provided. Some also lit candles as part of their memorials. The doves were placed on the Christmas tree in the church where they will remain during the celebration of Christmas.

The atmosphere in the sanctuary felt tender and at the conclusion of the service some were reluctant to leave the beauty of the room. It was comforting and peace-filled and quiet. We closed the service by “re-membering” Jesus. Not his birth, but the gift of grace we encounter in sharing the Lord’s Supper. It was as

though all our memories were colliding in the love “poured out for many.”

I encourage you to spend time reflecting on the love that has been part of your life – past and present. Honor the gift of memory and connection we experi-ence with those we love.

Merry Christmas,Pastor Louise


Guided Tai Chi Classes Tues. 1:00 pm & Thurs. 4:00 pm

in the Youth HutClasses guided by Byron Armantrout.Freewill donation of $10 per session.

Tai Chibreathing techniques

s imple stretching exercisesmeditat ion to reduce stress

CHURCH OFFICE

The Church Office will be closed the following dates

and times over the holidays:

Monday, December 24ClOsing at 12:00 pm

Tuesday, December 25ClOseD all Day

Monday, December 31ClOsing at 12:00 pm

Tuesday, January 1ClOseD all Day

... for the 5:30pm & 11:00pm Christmas Eve services. Current and former Diaconate contact

Kevin Bailey to volunteer [email protected].

DiaConatE nEEDEDcurrent or former

The Children’s Christmas Pageant is a wonderful blessing for us. It brings laughter and tears as the chil-dren share what this season is all about. It reminds me how much God loves us and that He gave us Jesus to brighten and change our world. I share that love in my world with everyone, no matter what may be occurring. This Church gives me the tools to do that through love, prayer and action. Our Church needs our presence, our tithes and our prayers to share God’s Love and Light in this neighborhood and in this world.

Jacqui Dixon, ElDEr • 16 DEcEmbEr 2018


Start children off on the way they should go, and even when they are old, they will not turn from it.

Proverbs 22:6

Today you will witness our church’s annual Christ-mas Pageant. There will be lambs, shepherd, stars and a myriad of other characters that represent the story of Christ’s birth.

But you will also be witnessing things that are unseen. First, a church and congregation that puts an emphasis on teaching children of God’s unconditional love. Second and even more, you will be witnessing the devotion of parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who are supporting their children as they learn the love of God through Christ. You are glimpsing but a moment in time wherein these children are being taught on the way they should go – and yes, there might be a time in their futures where they don’t want to get up and go to Sunday School or church but at some other point in their futures, maybe when they have children or maybe when they are facing the trials and tribulations of life, they will remember a time when

Rodney Gould, eldeR • 16 decembeR 2018

they performed the story of Christ’s birth in a place where God’s love was the paramount teaching – and like in Proverbs, they will turn back to God’s love, God’s strength and God’s guidance – and there will be joy-ous thanks to parents, guardians, grandparents, aunts, uncles and friends who showed them the way to go as a child.

Donations can be dropped off at the church office during normal business hours or given to Deborah Luster in the Narthex on the morning of the second Sunday of the month. Please contact Deborah with any questions at 323.854.6707.

As we move toward winter it’s beginning to be down-right cold at night—especially for those who have no shelter. The Human Needs Committee is in need of winter supplies... clothing, shoes, tents, blankets, and more. Please take a look at the list below and consider donating one or more of these items to the homeless of our community.

coats warm socks jeans blankets

tents gloves sleeping bags knit caps

sweatshirts scarves men’s shoes sweatshirt/pants

December 19, �018 First christian news

Christmas EvE at FCCNh

5:00 pmLive Nativity

5:30 pmWorship for the Family

11:00 pmCandlelight Service

with the Chancel Choir

celebrating Pastor Bob’s 50 years at FCCNH

Sunday . March 3, 2019following the 10aM Service

Please join us for lunch, fellowship and activities for the entire family throughout the FCCNH Campus.

More to come… but please note March 3rd on your calendar!

and suddenly there was with the angel

a multitude of the heavenly host

praising god and saying:

Luke 2:13-14

First christian news December 19, �018

WiNtEr Camp is hErE! Register your middle-schooler for JAN Camp at

https://app.campdoc.com/!/home/auth/login?r=lochlevenFor Chi Rho (Middle School) Youth in Grades 6 - 8Cost is $300 to register. (Campers have the option

to pay $200, with their church paying $100). If you would like to register AND help another middle school youth attend JAN Camp, cost is $400. Check in Friday, January 18 at 7pm • Check out Monday, January 21 at 11am. The camp will take place at Loch Leven Camp

and Conference Center 8171 Mountain Home Creek Road, Mentone, CA 92350

a NEW WiNtEr Camp FOr hiGh sChOOL YOUth!

Space is limited to 20 females and 20 males - register athttps://app.campdoc.com/!/home/auth/login?r=lochleven

Cost is $300 to register. (Campers have the option to pay $200, with their church paying $100). If you

would like to register AND help another middle school youth attend JAN Camp, cost is $400. Check

in Friday, January 18 at 7pm. Checkout Monday, January 21 at 11am. The camp will take place at

Loch Leven Camp and Conference Center • 8171 Mountain Home Creek Road, Mentone, CA 92350

LOCH LEVEN WINTER CAMP REGISTRATION

December 19, �018 First christian news

Thank you to all who provided the beautiful poinsettias decorating our chancel this christmas season. Their dedications are as follows:

Marti BentonIn memory of Gaynelle Bock. In my prayers and my thoughts always. Love and

miss you.

Peggy & Bob BockWith love, appreciation, and gratitude to Terri Burton, our amazing graphic artist,

for all she does for our church.In loving memory of Harriet Brandt, Heather Kenney, and Billie Kline.In loving memory of Robert “Bob” Bruce, Stewart Morgan, and Phil Rossi.

Melodee BridgesIn memory of Grandpa Fred Finger.

Deb, Chris & Chase CarsonIn loving memory of our beloved Dad and Papa, John McGee. We miss you every

day! And in grateful celebration of life with our wonderful Mom and Nana, Norma McGee.

Debra ChybaIn loving memory of our beloved mothers, Honey Lanning and Marta Chyba.

Chris, Sheryl, Allison & Michael ConteIn loving memory of Pat and Gino Conte amd Ruth Patzig.In honor of Rodger Patzig.

Irion DeRouenIn memory of Nevers and Lee DeRouen, Bill Simar, Ruth Alexander, Billie Kline,

Nancy Dorff, and Maurice Davis.

First christian news December 19, �018

Deborah DietrichIn memory of Stephen Markle, husband & best friend, Papa to my child, conspirator

in life, love, art… I miss your sweet face, the touch of your hand, your gift of delight in delicious things. We love you forever & ever, no matter what/where, and see you beautifully peaceful and free. --deborah & melody

Jean & Bill DietrichIn memory of our dear son-in-law, Stephen Markle, whose love of words on

multiple stages and in his writings brought pleasure to so many people.

Chris EllisIn honor of the marriage of Ben & Carissa Ellis.In memory of Carl Davis (brother & uncle) and Dale Davis (father & grandfather).

Sheryl FitzpatrickIn memory of my beloved Mother, Eunice Combs.

Sally HalladaIn loving memory of John Fuller.In honor of my wonderful family and church family.

Mary HeissIn memory of my parents, Christine and Roy.

Julie HoulihanIn memory of Justice Tom Glaze and Amy Glaze.In honor of my beautiful mother, Susan Glaze.

Ginger IrelandIn memory of James H. Ireland.In memory of Harold and Eleanor Hirst.In honor of Robert & Peggy Bock.

continued –

� December 19, �018 First christian news

Mary Lynn JacksonIn memory of Mary Cowgill, Mother and Grandmother.

Kathleen JordahlIn memory of Randy Jordahl.In memory of Nadine Jordahl.In memory of Gayee Lee Greene.

Jeanne KarpenkoIn memory of Vadim Karpenko.

Larry & Virginia KeeneIn Honor of our grandson, Dr. Bryan Charles Keene, for completing and receiving

his doctorate from Courtauld Institute of Art, London University, London, England, in July of this year.

In honor of our grandson, Dr. Mark Mark Keene, for completing and receiving his doctorate from Purdue University, Lafayette, Indiana

In celebration of the completed permanent adoption of our newest great-granddaughter, Eowyn Arya Keene, by her parents Bryan and Mark Keene along with their first child and her birth brother, Alexander Jaxon Keene. Adoption day on August 15th of this year!!

In celebration of the completion and release of Larry’s book entitled How Can I…? Perplexing Spiritual Questions & Suggestive Spiritual Answers by Laurence C. Keene PhD.

In gratitude for the FCCNH family and our Pastors and leadership who guide us week by week.

In gratitude for the music department of the church under the capable leadership of David Rigsby in his new role as Music Director/Organist.

Jody MannIn memory of Heather and Wes Kenney.

Mary MaonocchiaIn memory of Dana Anderson.

First christian news December 19, �018 Page 1�

Nelle and Wendell NilesIn loving memory of my brothers Les and George Longshore. I miss them every day.In loving memory of my dear friends Mary Wheeler and Nancy Dorff.In loving memory of Blair Renshaw, Darren Dahlman, Andrew Dorff, and Jennifer

Kawan, all gone way too soon.In honor of our wonderful children and great sons-in-law and our seven awesome

grandchildren, Jack, Teddy, Nelle, William, Georgi, Shepard and Pippa.With Love to Bob and Peggy Bock who have been wonderful friends for over 40

years. You make our lives better just by being in the world.

Gustavo SantinIn memory of my sister, Lupe M. Hausfield, and my mother, two wonderful women

who inspired my life: to my sister, one soul who so much inspired and influenced me in so many ways. To my mother, Raquel M. Santin, a mother who has inspired me since I was six years old. I miss you both so much.

Phyllis StevensonIn memory of Christopher Stevenson. You will always be my sunshine. Love, Mom

Sheri WernerIn memory of my dear mother, Carole Minkow, who brought meand my siblings to

Jesus and passed away this summer.

Alexandrea, Kent, Greta, West & Ford YoungIn memory of David Haskell. You are always in our hearts.In memory of Jeanne Lange. You are always in our hearts.In memory of Eve Reinhardt Caripedes. You are always in our hearts.

Merry Christmas!

� December 19, �018 First christian news

Food Pantry VoLUntEEr ContaCtSTransportation Teams:

Heather Hatch 508.667.1609Congregation Representative:

Erin Zavala [email protected]

aNother Way to doNate to the paNtry

Make your donations to the Interfaith Food Pantry through the FCCNH web page

(https://fccnh.charityfinders.com/Donate%20Cash).

the Food paNtry IS IN Need oF:Canned tuna, canned chicken, rice, canned beans (pinto, navy etc.), boxed (dry)

cereal, diapers, powdered milk, baby food, peanut butter and tomato products!

Sunday, December 23#8 Sally Hallada Ian Hallada Luke Hallada Jill Groswirth Joe Beam Jacob Beam Sue Pastoria Denise Bourne (ten.)

Thursday, December 27#1 Art Dielhenn Terri Hall Jackie Fecske Devan Manley Ashley Couch

Sunday, December 30 Swing Team

FURTHER INFONOT AVAILABLE

AT TIME OF PRINT

Our Prayer Group meets in the Chapel on 9:30 am on Monday mornings and on 6:30 pm on Tuesday eve-nings. We pray for those of you who have written on the back of one of our prayer cards, prayers forwarded to one of the members of our prayer group via email, in person, or submitted via our website (www.fccnh.org).

Don’t forget that there is a prayer cabinet in the area outside the Chapel and the office at the bottom of the stairs. You may take a prayer card and write down your prayer, then put it through the slot of the locked cabinet, and the Prayer Group will be your prayer sup-port. It will be completely confidential. This cabinet is available any day of the week to receive your prayers and will be checked throughout the week.

prayeris always there

First christian news December 19, �018 Page 1�

ChUrCh StaFF

Robert M. Bock Senior PastorLouise Sloan Goben Associate PastorAlfredo Gomez Pastor, Spanish Speaking CongregationJennifer Le’au Director of Children’s MinistriesJeremy Gillett Director of Youth MinistriesTyana Parr Director of Children’s/Youth ChoirsDavid Rigsby Music Director/OrganistChristine Karasseferian Director of FinanceChris CarsonChurch AdministratorGabriela Dorantes Administrative AssistantGlenda Morgan Brown Administrative AssistantTerri Burton Church PublicationsMichele Amundsen Wedding Director Elmer Maldonado Building & Grounds SuperintendentMiriam MancillaDirector of Christian Nursery SchoolGreg Kirkland Media Director

VoLUntEEr StaFFCraig Brooks, Jordan Goldschmidt, Janette Jara, Tom Louie, Susan Marble, Jeff McFadden, Denise OvaldsonSound Technicians

Luis Oliart Security

In MEMorIaMEarle Immel Minister of Music Emeritus

Merle E. Fish, Jr. Minister Emeritus

By Way oF rEPort

Sunday, december 16, 2018 ________________

10:00 AM Worship 320 5:30 PM SpiritSong Service 29 7:00 PM Longest Night Service 12 Wednesday Meditation Service 5 Sunday School Children 90 Sunday School Youth (in service) 15 Evening Youth Group 30

10:00 AM Worship $15,949.78 5:30 PM SpiritSong Service $629.00 7:00 PM Longest Night Service $162.00 Wednesday Meditation Service $7.00

ToTal General offerinG $16,747.78

Disciples Mission Fund $110.00 Operation Santa Claus $1,070.00 Dial-A-Carol $275.00 Food Pantry $265.00 Choir Fund $500.00 CWF Bake Sale $600.00 Tree Lot $765.00 Maurice & Ann Davis Scholarship Fund $10.00 Youth Fund $200.00 Bock Scholarship Fund $1,000.00 Youth Mission Fund $500.00

PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA EMAIL [email protected] or [email protected]

Please indicate “newsletter” and/or “bulletin” in the subject line if articles are for publication. Articles can

also be delivered to the office M-F, 9am to 5pm.

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

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.

December 23 - 4th Sunday of Advent 10:00 am Geriann McIntosh (O) Randy Carver (C) 5:30 pm Bryan Zavala 7:00 pm Aliza Ramos

Diaconate: Mike Dobbin Ellen Dobbin Debbie Geraci Oleta Diamond Cindy Kaller Kirsten Karlsrud David Olsen Scott Riley Ken Campbell

Upcoming Diaconate: December 24 dIacoNaTe Needed for 5:30 & 11pm services contact Kevin Bailey to volunteer. December 30 Youth Sunday FURTHER INFO NOT AVAIL AT PRINT

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 Burton

Production services

Byron Armantrout

emeritus

Mary Ann Steuterman Billie KlineLillian Carlson Heather Kenney Margaret Defibaugh Cathy Melendez Fern Donald Chuck Mont Jean Johnson Wanda Kanoy Helen Scarna Kay Smith Betty Van Zanten Shirley McClure Deborah Wheeler Virginia Stebbins Cindy Kaller

Volume LXII No. 77 December 19, 2018fccnh.org/wp-content/uploads/2018/12/NL121918.pdflove. Second...

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