A Publication of First Christian Church of North Hollywood A Congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Rev. Dr. Robert M. Bock, Senior Pastor Louise Sloan Goben, Associate Pastor Jennifer Le’au, Director of Children’s Ministries Jeremy Gillett, Director of Youth Ministries Alfredo Gomez & Loydi Rivas Gomez, Pastors, Spanish Speaking Congregation

Volume LXIII No. 71 November 4, 2020

JOIN US FOR WORSHIP EACH SUNDAY - PLUS GROUPS, STUDIES, FAMILY GAME NIGHTS AND MORE — WWW.FCCNH.ORG Page 2 November 4, 2020 First Christian News

years, been the FCCNH representative in planning the Thanksgiving Eve Interfaith Service of Worship. As a doctoral student at Claremont School of Theology at Willamette, working on her Doctor of Ministry degree, Louise is writing her major project about the Food Pan- It is with mixed emotions that I share with you that try and various similar ministries throughout our larger Pastor Louise has announced her retirement effective community. January 3, 2021. This is sad news for me and for the One of Louise’s greatest gifts is teaching. Through rest of the staff. She is a valued member of our staff and the years her Monday and Tuesday Bible study classes of the worship team. During the recent pandemic she have been extremely popular with many students, both has brought many creative ideas to our online worship/ from the church family and the community. She is a tech team. Certified Practitioner and Instructor for the Healing From a personal point of view I’m going to greatly Touch Spiritual Ministry and has brought various forms miss working with Louise. I have known her and her of meditation to our Wednesday evening Service of family since she was in high school. I have had the plea- Prayer and Meditation. For the last several years Louise sure of sharing in her wedding as well as in her ordi- has been an instructor of World Religions in the Encore nation service and have enjoyed working with her in Program at Pierce College. growing the programs of FCCNH. Yesterday, Novem- In announcing her retirement Louise noted the ex- ber 2nd, was her 27th anniversary of joining our staff. tra time the pandemic has allowed her to spend with In 1993, Louise left the pastoral/preaching ministry her family and the quality time she has been able to to become our Minister of Christian Education. After spend with her son Neill. She looks forward to offering several years of directing the ministry of our church supply preaching throughout our Region, continuing school, initiating our LOGOS program and bringing her teaching at Pierce College, completing her Doctoral other creative ideas to children’s ministries, she moved program and spending more quality time with family. into the role of Associate Minister. Through the years While we will greatly miss Louise as part of our staff, we she has been a regular participant in Sunday morning are very happy for her as she makes this life-changing worship. Several years ago she assumed the leadership transition. After we are able to return to our campus for of the SpiritSong service on Sunday evening and has worship and other occasions, we will have an appropri- enjoyed working with the musicians and worship team ate celebration recognizing her many contributions to of that service. the life of FCCNH for the past 27 years. Louise has been a great advocate for our Interfaith Pergé! Food Pantry and during the pandemic has volunteered Pastor Bob every Friday working at the Pantry. She has represent- ed FCCNH on the Pantry Board and has, for many First Christian News November 4, 2020 Page 3

PRAYER IS ALWAYS THERE

For those of you who know someone serving in the Prayer has always been a fundamental part of the armed forces, as well as people serving in other capac- glue binding us together as a church family. Unfortu- ities, we want to lift them up in prayer... please let us nately, the current realities of our worldwide health cri- know when they come home! sis mean that we cannot physically gather together for Chris Diaz • Joshua Bigbee • Steven Zaun either worship or prayer in the church that is “home” We also want to continue to pray for peace, for wisdom to so many of us. for the world’s leaders, and for the people of all war-torn We in the Monday morning and Tuesday evening areas of our world. Prayer Groups want to reassure you that, despite tem- porarily suspending our weekly gatherings in the Chap- el, individual prayers from and for you have continued all along. As part of our covenant, we both corporately lift prayers when we are together, and lift them in our I greet you in the Wonderful Magnificent name of individual daily prayers throughout the week. our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. I have decided to dedicate the month of November WAYS YOUR PRAYERS CAN REACH US as a Christian fellowship youth fun month. Each Friday Via direct email to one of our leaders: in the month of November the youth will meet on • Janet Bruce ([email protected]) Zoom for some fun interactive activities starting at 4pm Eunice Cox ([email protected]) (PT) . Irion DeRouen ([email protected]) The first event (11-6-20) will be a combined middle • Via e-mail via the church website: www.fccnh.org. > school and high school gaming experience. Our featured Worship > Prayer Requests) or click here: game will be....”Among Us”! For contextual purposes, www.fccnh.org/worship/prayer-requests/ “Among Us” is an online multiplayer social deduction • Via phone call to the church office: 818-763-8218 game. The game takes place in a space-themed setting • If you are at the church, via prayer cards that are avail- where players each take on one of two roles, most being able at the Prayer Cabinet outside the Chapel. Fill Crewmates, and a predetermined number being Impostors. one out and put it in the cabinet slot or drop it off in The goal for the Crewmates is to identify the Impostors, the church office. eliminate them, and complete tasks around the map; the Impostors’ goal is to covertly sabotage and eliminate the Unless urgent, Janet will compile prayers submit- Crewmates before they complete all their tasks. ted on Saturday and Sunday and for the weekly list. I can’t wait to see our youth Friday! Midweek prayers will be sent out as received. We will With Love, continue to hold you close to our hearts throughout the Jeremy Gillett, Director of Youth Ministries coming days and weeks. Did you know FCCNH has a Facebook page? Please check it out and Like us on Facebook. It is a great way to keep up with what is going on in the life of the church. www.facebook.com/pages/First-Christian-Church-of-North-Hollywood/111570318857728

Page 4 November 4, 2020 First Christian News

“Just A Thought ...” by Rev. Louise Sloan Goben

Brothers and sisters, we want that in the end, God is the arbiter of this, and not me… you to know about those who or anyone else, for that matter. have died. We don’t want you to It is a human trait to divide people into the in- be sad like other people— group and the out-group. In Paul’s correspondence to the church in Thessaloniki, he tries to reassure the con- those who have no hope. gregation that those who have died before the expected - 1 THESSALONIANS 4:13 return of Christ are fine. They are in the hands of God. Paul writes, “…we do not want you to be uninformed, Yesterday, we hosted an observance of All Saints brothers and sisters, about those who have died, so that Day in the church parking lot. It was a different expe- you may not grieve as others do who have no hope.” rience as a team of volunteers worked together to set up (4:13) The message of Christ is that all those who have tables outdoors and light luminarias at dusk. On these died and all those who are living “will be with the Lord luminarias we wrote the names of loved ones from the forever.” church and other notable people who have died. Once John of Patmos describes a vision of heaven in it was dark out, the display was lovely. There are photos which he sees 144,000 gathered around the throne of in the newsletter of the event. God, praising God and the Lamb. (Rev. 7:4) This num- It is interesting to me that historically the Church ber is symbolic, and it represents a great multitude of has divided this observance into two days – All Saints those praising God. So many, they cannot be counted! Day and All Souls Day. All Saints is considered a Feast They represent the 12 tribes of Israel (i.e., the Jews) and Day of the church, which obligates worshipers to at- 12 representing the disciples of Jesus (or, the Gentiles), tend Mass. Prayers are offered for those who the church times 1,000. 12 x 12 x 1,000 = 144,000. The whole believes are in heaven. All Souls Day is observed for known world is worshiping at the throne of God. people who have died, and whose presence in heaven If God is understood to be the one that unites us, may be up for debate. This is not to say that these souls why do we believers still insist on dividing the world are bad people, but perhaps they were simply not in the into “us” and “them?” good graces of the church at the time they died. So, the I write this the day before a significant election for church prays for them, just in case… our nation. And I understand that this will go to print It is reassuring to me that prayers are offered for the day after the election. I do not know what will be everyone who has died. Yet I am also aware of the the outcome, and perhaps the day after the election we human tendency to divide ourselves up into catego- still may not know who is elected. But I do have an un- ries of the saved, the maybe saved, and the not saved. derstanding that in the eyes of God, we are all God’s Depending on who is doing the defining of these cate- precious children. I do not believe that God cares the gories, it will often result in who receives the categoriz- least about our politics or the future of United States ing, and where they end up. And it makes me grateful politics. God cares that we love like Jesus. First Christian News November 4, 2020 Page 5

“Just A Thought ...”continued

The image of the crucifixion and of resurrection is the outstretched arms of the Christ – the one who died at the hands of power. As Richard Rohr has written, Brother Jesus, we humans so often hate ourselves, but we mistakenly kill you and others instead. You always knew we would do this, didn’t you? And you accepted it. Now you invite me out of this endless cycle of illusion and violence toward my self and toward anybody else. I want to stop crucifying your blessed flesh, this blessed humanity, this blessed holy mother earth. I thank you Brother Jesus, for becoming a human being and walking the full journey with me. Now I do not have to pretend that I am God. Instead, we lift the family of humanity in prayer for the living and the dead, trusting that we are held and Above and below are photos of this past Sunday’s loved by God and the Lamb. Lights of Remembrance. Volunteers set up luminaries Pastor Louise with the names of those we have lost, and members of the congregation and the community were able to Richard Rohr. The Universal Christ. 2019. Page 157. drive through and view them. Page 6 November 4, 2020 First Christian News

CHURCH FUNDRAISER Tuesday, November 10th from 11am to 9pm Mention FCCNH when ordering and 30% of your bill goes to the church on all take-out orders at

6:30PM TUESDAYS 12401 Ventura Boulevard, Studio City 2020 ON ZOOM for EMAIL JASON PETERSON AT Trees2020 Kids [email protected] Trees for Kids TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN

Buy a tree. Help a child. First Christian Church of North Hollywood 4390 Colfax Ave. (corner of Colfax and Moorpark) StudioBuy City, a CAtree. 91604 • HeT4K LOT:lp a818-985-7807 child. First Christian Church of North Hollywood 4390OPENING Colfax Ave. (corner NOVEMBER of Colfax and Moorpark) 27 Studio City,11 CAam 91604 - 7 •pm T4K LOT:DAILY 818-985-7807 OPENINGSafety precautions NOVEMBER will be observed, 27 FAMILY GAME NIGHT including11am (but- 7pm not limitedDAILY to) wearing masks at all times, SUNDAYS . 4PM ON ZOOM! Safetypracticing precautions physical will distancing, be observed, and Fun and prizes for the winners useincluding of contactless (but payment not limited methods. to) to join in the fun, email TREESwearing for KIDS ismasks a non-profit, at all volunteertimes, tree Jason Peterson at lotpracticing operated by physical First Christian distancing, Church of Northand [email protected] useHollywood of contactless (Disciples payment of Christ) since methods. 1982.

TREES for KIDS is a non-profit, volunteer tree lot operated by First Christian Church of North Hollywood (Disciples of Christ) since 1982. First Christian News November 4, 2020 Page 7

THANKSGIVING IN THE PARK

Do Jesus’ work this holiday season for those less fortunate! The local homeless population has doubled in the past few years and with the COVID Pandemic they are really suffering. The Human Needs Committee is looking for help feeding the homeless of North Hollywood on November 21 – the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We plan to feed at least 100 people. We need volunteers to help pack the boxes as well as donations: financial, and food. We request that if you donate a turkey or ham that it be COOKED. Drop off the following prepared foods SATURDAY, NOVEMBER 21 between 9:00 am and 10:30 am (If you can’t drop off Saturday, Deborah will be at church Friday, November 20th.) We will be doing “To Go Boxes” so we need the food at church early enough to pack.

COOKED AND CARVED Turkey (1) and Hams (3) Side Dishes: cornbread stuffing, rice stuffing, vegetables, mashed potatoes, scalloped potatoes, yams, rolls, butter, pies (store bought ok) whipped cream, sodas & bottled water

Please call us and let us know what you are donating – this will help us to plan any shopping we may need to do in order to fill the gaps in supplies.

Call Sharon Johnson at 818.414.0782 or Deborah Luster at 323.854.6707 so we can add your item to our list. Page 8 November 4, 2020 First Christian News

Remembering Those We Have Lost Below is the list of names that we remembered with luminarias at the “Lights of Remembrance” display on All Saints Day this past Sunday, November 1st.

Adeline, Frank, Wilma, Lillian Coomer Rex Hopper Michael Swope Bea & Ross Michael Crouch Randall Jarrett Breonna Taylor Anthony Arrientos Ann Davis Polly Jeffries Elena Torres Jeanne Bamattre John DiBene Rep. John Lewis Jackie Ubleman Mary Barney Christine Donato MaryAnn Lynch Guerry Wardell The Mother of Susan Bell Alfonso Dorantes Stephen Markle Chichiro Tsuchiya Wendel Harry Berg Kenneth Elliott Belly Molina Helen Wilcox Michael Bluestein Sam Engel, Sr. Jean Morgan Denise Williams Gaynelle & Maurice Bock Jane Espinosa Stella & Stanley Noziska Jill Wolf Jane Boelcke Siumu Fa’aiu’aso Uncle Otto Helen Mack Wright Barbara Brodsky Al Feit Ginny Pierry All COVID-19 deaths Bonnie Brooks George Floyd Family Members of Traci The Milwaukee Molson/ Duke Brown Ponder (4) Coors Shooting victims Ruth Bader Ginsburg Kobe & Gianna Bryant Colleen Rigsby Naval Base Pensacola +7 additional names Jesse Green Shooting victims Hugo Rivas Lesley Buzby Mary Therese Hallada Pearl Harbor Naval Base John Sawyer Shooting victims Kym Chatfield Steve Hallada Ruth Link Snyder Saugus High School Tamas Chyba Jennifer Henson Karen Sweat Shooting victims First Christian News November 4, 2020 Page 9

The Human Needs Committee can always put new or gently used items to use by passing them along to the needy in our community. Please take a look at Online Men’s Group the list below and consider donating one or more of the 8am Wednesdays via Zoom. items we will need as the weather cools: jackets sleeping bags Email: [email protected] for Zoom info. socks t-shirts jeans baseball caps blankets tennis shoes tents (men’s/women’s) Donations can be dropped off at the church office during normal business hours. Please contact Shelley with any questions at 818.298.8209.

BABY GRAND PIANO FOR SALE At the end of last year, FCCNH was gifted a beautiful WOMEN to WOMEN baby grand piano. Unfortunately, space is so limited Online Women’s Group on our campus that it’s impossible for us to showcase Meets Fridays via Zoom • 8:00 pm and use it in the way it deserves. We decided to Hosted by: offer it first to our church members before making Sheryl Fitzpatrick, Jenny Harris it available to the general public. Here are the Trudie Kirkland, and Diane O’Brien specs: 1980 Kawai Baby Grand Piano, GE1, Satin For Zoom info email: Ebony finish. Very good condition. $5,500 obo.If [email protected] interested contact the church office at 818.763.8218. (ALL CAPS - Case sensitive) Page 10 November 4, 2020 First Christian News

NORTH HOLLYWOOD INTERFAITH FOOD PANTRY

Dear Pantry Supporters, Thank you for your ongoing support. The Pantry is still in need of the following for those able to help: HELP UNLOADING We need strong bodies to help unloading the big truck at the Temple. Just a couple of hours of heavy work on November 20th at 3:30pm and December 18th at 3:30pm.

HELP TRANSPORTING NEEDED Sign up at: www.signupgenius.com/go/60b0a4ba5a82fa5fa7-transporting

Our current food needs include boxed cereal, canned fruit, and peanut butter as well as the items on our Amazon wishlist at: www.amazon.com/hz/wishlist/ls/3M15OOOZO59FV/ref=nav_wishlist_lists_2?_encoding=UTF8&type=wishlist

HYGIENE KIT ITEMS NEEDED toothpaste • toothbrushes • small deodorants • lip balm Thank you! Rae Eiklor, FCCNH Food Pantry Liaison

8am Saturdays on Zoom. Interested? Email: [email protected] for Zoom info. 5

First Christian News November 4, 2020 Page 11

BY WAY OF REPORT CHURCH STAFF

Week of Sunday, November 1, 2020______Robert M. Bock Total General Offering $1,744.44 Senior Pastor Louise Sloan Goben Christmas Tree Lot $500.00 Associate Pastor Alfredo Gomez Credit Card Offerings 10/28 - 11/4______Pastor, Spanish Speaking Congregation Jennifer Le’au General Offering $3,554.84 Director of Children’s Ministries Jeremy Gillett Director of Youth Ministries Tyana Parr Director of Children’s/Youth Choirs David Rigsby Music Director/Organist Christine Karasseferian Director of Finance Chris Carson Church Administrator Gabriela Dorantes Administrative Assistant Glenda Morgan Brown Did you know a percentage of Administrative Assistant your online purchases can be a Terri Burton Church Publications donation to FCCNH? Michele Amundsen Check out our website (www.fccnh.org) and click Wedding Director Elmer Maldonado on the Donate or Vendor button at the top of the Building & Grounds Superintendent page and select “First Christian Church of North Miriam Mancilla Director of Christian Nursery School Hollywood” as your designated charity . Greg Kirkland Media Director PUBLICATION DEADLINES VOLUNTEER STAFF Jacob Beam, Craig Brooks, Janette Jara, Tom Louie, Susan Marble, Jeff McFadden, Denise Ovaldson, Tiffany Tapp Sound Technicians FCCNH NEWSLETTER Luis Oliart DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT SUNDAY Security PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA EMAIL TO: IN MEMORIAM [email protected] or [email protected] Earle Immel Minister of Music Emeritus Articles can also be delivered to the office Merle E. Fish, Jr. Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5pm. Minister Emeritus 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

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First Christian Church of North Hollywood 818/763-8218 • FAX 818/763-8457 Web Site: www.fccnh.org email: [email protected]

Pastor & Senior Editor Robert M. Bock Proofreading Glenda Morgan Brown Art Direction Terri Burton Production Services Byron Armantrout

Emeritus Mary Ann Steuterman Billie Kline Lillian 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