Keep Your Heart with All Vigilance, for from It Flow the Springs of Life
A Publication of First Christian Church of North Hollywood A Congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 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, Pastor, Spanish Speaking Congregation Young Lan Kim & Young Jun Yang, Korean Pastors Volume LXII No. 71 November 7, 2018
Keep your heart with all vigilance, for from it flow the springs of life
proverbs 4:23 Page November 7, 2018 First Christian News
lowers of Jesus.
Peggy and I went to see the Advent Theatre produc- tion of London Assurance last Saturday. It is a delightful play. It was typical British humor with multiple plots and twists throughout. Lauren Lewis not only directed this I am writing this weekly epistle on election-day production and made most of the costumes, but she also eve. During this past week the robo-calls have increased portrays a marvelous aristocratic lady. I did not recog- from day to day on our land line, FAX line and cell nize Ken Campbell until well into the first act. DeOnzell phones. At the same time our post office box has been Green enters every scene singing with glee. The entire filled daily with expensively printed mailers soliciting cast is comprised of very fine actors and actresses. our support for every candidate and proposition on the This coming weekend there will be two Saturday ballot. At least half of these mailings are not about what performances at 2:00 PM and at 8:00 PM. It is a fun a candidate promises to accomplish if elected. Sadly show and I think you will enjoy viewing it. The entire they are, instead, about the terrible, despicable, dishon- play is “in the round” which means you’re never more est and cheating nature of their opponents. They are than a few feet from the action on the stage. Several nothing but character assassinations. photos of the cast can be found below and on the op- I will be very happy when tomorrow is over. I will posite page. vote, as I have done in every election since I turned 21, and I will greet our neighbors, with deep appreciation, Have a wonderful week. And I look forward to see- who volunteer to work monitoring the election proce- ing you in church this Sunday and every Sunday. dures. And then, on Wednesday morning, it is time for all of us to go to work. As Christians we have an enor- Pergé! mous task to accomplish. We must resolve, regardless of Pastor Bob our politics, to reverse this movement of hatred that has swept over our country. We must find a way to begin speaking more kindly to one another. We must begin using social media to promote love and respect, not ha- tred and suspicion. We may never all agree on anything, except – the power of Jesus’ love is the greatest power in the world. We need to use that love as a healing balm on ourselves and in our world. That is our post-election task, regard- less of who earned our votes or who wins. We have something much more important to do together as fol- First Christian News November 7, 2018 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! Christopher A. Bernstein Joshua Bigbee Chris Diaz Thomas Matthews 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.
This saturday 2PM & 8PM Page November 7, 2018 First Christian News
You shall not take vengeance or bear a grudge for practicing what we preach. against your kinsfolk. Love your neighbor as yourself: I remember studying as a graduate student the I am the LORD. (Leviticus 19:18) work of a 20th century Psychologist, Henry Stack Sullivan. He wrote, “In the most general of terms, we Do unto others as you would have them do unto you. are all much more simply human than otherwise…” (Matthew 7:12) The Apostle Paul wrote, “…for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23) The way I As you would have people do to you, do to them; and understand both of these statements is to recognize that what you dislike to be done to you, don’t do to them. each of us does the best we can to live up to the ideals (Muhammad) that are set before us. Often we are not able to, perhaps Those acts that you consider good when done to you, do because we have not made the effort to see the world those to others, none else. (Taittiriya Upanishad) through the eyes of another. And I believe that we react with fear to what we do not understand. Then again, What you do not wish for yourself, do not do to others. I also believe that there are those who intentionally (Confucius, Analects.) choose to hurt, disparage or demonize others – often it is because it is they that are hurting inside and may not The above list could go on. I did not include see it in themselves. teachings from Buddhism, Daoism, Sikhism, Jainism, We hold before us the ideals of how we would like Yoruba, or the ancient philosophical systems. Nearly to live in the world. And perhaps these ideals are taught every religious tradition has a variation on what is re- by our great religious leaders because it is so difficult to ferred to as The Golden Rule. There is something so practice, and we need to be reminded again and again very common sense about the principle of treating oth- what it means to love, or at least to regard the dignity ers as you would like to be treated that the axiom is of each person. nearly universal. It is the work of our lifetimes, to love. It doesn’t When we discuss this in our World Religions class just happen. We choose to cultivate it and practice it, at Pierce College, the question is always asked, “If this until it becomes second nature to us. And as you know is considered such a universal value, or command, then “practice makes perfect.” why don’t people practice it?” It is asked almost as if the principle didn’t apply to them. The assumption is that it Pastor Louise is others who don’t honor these precepts, without con- sidering how they themselves may not always live by a standard they hold as important. We are all responsible First Christian News November 7, 2018 Page
Drumstick Dash LA is an annual 5k / 10k running event held on Thanksgiving morning in order to raise funds for the homeless and hungry throughout the San Fernando Valley. The event is hosted by Hope of the Valley Rescue Mission located in the Northeast Valley.
We rely on the generous support of the community so Move Your Feet So Others Can Eat!
Register at: www.drumstickdashla.com
A Celebration of Pastor Robert M. Bock’s 50 Years of Pastoral Leadership at First Christian Church of North Hollywood SAVE THE DATE Saturday, March 2, 2019 Lakeside Golf Club • Burbank, California $85.00 per person • Invitation to follow Page November 7, 2018 First Christian News
Poinsettias Provided by Dee’s Flowers
1 John & Susan Randi In celebration of Christmas, we will once again place 2 Jamie & Justin Jeter poinsettias on the chancel for Christmas Sunday. The cost of the plants is $20 each. If you would care to give Charlie Mount & Arden Lewis a poinsettia, either as a gift or as a memorial, please fill 5 David & Sheri Izzard out the order form below, enclose it with your check 7 Michael & Rhonda Kinosian with “poinsettias” in the memo line, and place it in the Cosmo & Heidi Moore offering plate, drop it by or send it to the office. Dead- th 10 Michael & Bernadette Batts line for orders is Sunday, December 9 . We will print as many dedications as we have by that date in 13 Michael & Margaret Carlson the Christmas Sunday, Christmas Eve bulletins and the 16 Ken & Ann Wilson newsletter the week before Christmas. 22 Robert Sarton & Maree Cheatam 26 Manny & Pamela Chavez Your Name(s): James & Diane O’Brien Daytime Phone: 29 Rex & Betty Hopper Email: Poinsettia Dedication(s): Please check one of the following and write the specifics of your dedication(s) in the space provide below In Honor of Celebration of Memory of ...
No. of plants Total Enclosed $ The North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry has a current need for canned soup! If you would like to take your poinsettia home, they will be Please bring a can or two to the next service or available following the 11:00 PM Christmas Eve service. Plants remaining after Christmas will be taken to shut-ins drop them off during the week to the church of our church family. Anyone who would like to help with office. Thank you for your continued generosity. taking plants to shut-ins please contact the Elders. First Christian News November 7, 2018 Page
Enjoy CPK and donate 20% The Trees 4 Kids tent will be going up on of your bill to FCCNH! November 18th following the 10:00 AM service. We need as many able bodies as we can get to raise the tent. The more people that come to Church help, the faster it gets done! If you have any questions please contact Dorothy Brooks at Fundraiser [email protected] or 818-919-8085. NEXT tuesday november 13
California Pizza Kitchen 12265 Ventura Boulevard Studio City
Blood Drive
wednesday . november 21 10am – 4pm . in the Social Hall
Make an appointment today! Go to www.redcrossblood.org and enter the Sponsor Code FCCNH. Page November 7, 2018 First Christian News
8 DeOnzell Green 18– Collin Melendez Justin Jackson Andrew Nawoj Joshua Owen 19 Shannon Webber-Lewis 9 Rayna Ahner 20 Deborah Edwards Ho Lo Jennifer Le’au 1 Sean Adair Harris Pieper Marcelo Murillo Thomas Dalesandro 10 Cindy Kaller 22 Chloe Drastal Jacqui Dixon Katie O’Brien Stella McFadden Bill Edwards Loretta Rodriguez Ian Morgan Samantha Maslar 11 Piper Goldschmidt Dean Williams Richard Melendez Elizabeth Holmer 23 Shaza Hanafy 2 George Crosby Janet Radford Maura Ross Michael Carlson T.J. Smith 24 Angela Hayes Ryan Eiklor 12 Chase McKinzie Cassidy Snider Betty Hopper Annette Romano Connor Spagnolo Ava Martineau 13 Marla Fain 25 Colin Keogh Alexander Nini Olivia Reed Lynda Swavely 3 Sage Elliott 14 Sydney Bax Margaret Taylor Wedda Ernesto Valdez Jack Harris 26 Deborah Currin 4 Adam De Lucia Patsy Meyer Kreitler 27 Liz Ellwein 5 Deborah Dalesandro Sarah Porcaro Ivanna Garza Virginia Keene Erin Zavala Jasmine Kelleher Troy Pieper 15 Debbie Chyba Gavin Rhoads Sonia Soliman Jim Ross 28 Lamont Cooper 6 Dorothy Brooks Cole Ellis James Pazzo Ella Helmerich 16 Dorma Hughes Jayla Jackson Katherine Taylor Emmanuel Lupei 29 Bill Murray Mel Wolf 18 Alexander Hirsch 30 Rowan Glenn 7 Jack Brown Jim Gattis Jack Farnham First Christian News November 7, 2018 Page
XPLOR update of all the other people in need, often leaving their own needs on the backburner. In acknowledging their work, Many of you will re- we turn the tables to care for the caretakers and heal member Cara McKinney the healers. as one of our residents in The worship service looked not only to the past at participation with the Na- all that had changed in the year since the earthquake tional Benevolent Associ- but looked to the future. One pastor who spoke at the ation’s 2015 XPLOR Pro- service put it simply when she said, “God’s work of gram. Below is an article art is all of you working together to make the best of reprinted from the Global all the fear and destruction that has been lived in the Ministries website. More past year.” God is still working and God will continue information can be found at www.globalministries.org. to work with us. As we remember that terrible night and the months following it, we acknowledge that new life has grown from it, and that our communities have A Year Later - Restoring the Ruins become stronger and more unified as a result. Together by Cara McKinney • September 20, 2018 we are working towards a stronger future. May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as One year ago, on the night of September 7, 2017, you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the an 8.2 magnitude earthquake roughly roused us from power of the Holy Spirit. (Romans 15:13) our slumbers and sent us running for the streets, patios, stairs, and open spaces. The earthquake left many Dear God, as we continue to restore our communities in rubble and left all of us waking in the communities after tragedy and begin to heal our souls middle of the night fearing another aftershock. after trauma, we remember that you are a God of hope. In a worship service on the evening of September We ask you to continue to walk with us through this 7, 2018, we commemorated the people who gave their difficult time and to remind us that you have a future in time and whole selves to the recovery process: doctors mind and are constantly pulling us towards it. Help us and nurses, firefighters and police, women who cooked to continue to heal and to take care of the caretakers and meals for 1000 people daily at local refugee camps, to remember that there is always hope for the future. volunteers who came from all over North America to help Thank you for being our God of hope. Amen. rebuild, and pastors and counselors who accompanied ______the mourning communities. Acknowledging the people Cara McKinney serves with Melel Xojobal in Mexico. who gave everything they had after the earthquake helps Her appointment is made possible by your gifts to us to restore the ruins—both physical and emotional— Disciples Mission Fund, Our Church’s Wider Mission, and begin to heal. It also puts the spotlight on the WOC, OGHS, and your special gifts. people that have been in the background, taking care ______
Page 10 November 7, 2018 First Christian News
thanksgiving in the park
Do Jesus’ work this holiday season for those less fortunate! The Human Needs Committee is looking
for help feeding the homeless November 17th—the Saturday before Thanksgiving. We need volun- teers to work as well as donations: financial, food (including full turkeys or hams), warm clothing, jackets, sleeping bags or bedding. We request that if you donate a turkey or ham that it be COOKED. Drop off the following PREPARED FOODS Saturday, November 17th - between 10:00 am and 11:30 am cooked and carved Turkey or Ham •rolls • butter • pies (store bought ok) lots of side dishes (veggies, mashed potatoes, yams, etc)• sodas & bottled water Call Sharon Johnson at 818.414.0782 or Deborah Luster at 323.854.6707 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.
celebrating Pastor Bob’s 50 years at FCCNH Sunday . March 3, 2019 This year’s Bill & Martha Goss golf tournament following the 10AM Service will be held on Wednesday, November 21st, the day before Thanksgiving. We will be playing a little closer Please join us for lunch, fellowship and activities for the entire family to home this year, probably at El Cariso in Sylmar. throughout the FCCNH Campus. Golfers of all skill levels are welcome. It will be a scramble format and will cost around $40 per per- More to come… but please note son. For further information contact Fred Sloan March 3rd on your Calendar! in church or at 818.579.3675. First Christian News November 7, 2018 Page 11
During Sunday School on November 18th, our Sunday School children will participate in an exciting mission project at the church. We will be packing shoe november 18 . 11:30 am boxes for Operation Christmas Child. The mission of in the social hall Operation Christmas Child is to demonstrate God’s love in a tangible way to needy children around the world, Christmas is just around the corner, and you’ll and together with the local church worldwide to share want to shop for a gift for yourself and a friend or two the Good News of Jesus Christ. th at the November 18 Jewelry Sale. Many new items These boxes change the lives of children. They give came in over the summer and we thank those who have children hope and a chance to experience the love of donated items. Please save the date and come up to the God. Aside from all the excitement and fun of sharing Social Hall after the 10:00am service. Our “Kids’ Table” in this ministry, we need $15/per box to cover the cost of will be set up with many items for $1.00 and under. shipping and the contents of the box. Would you please Have your children raid their banks and shop for mom, help us make Christmas dreams come true and donate to aunt and grandmothers, too. our Mission? You can write a check and put “Operation All proceeds go directly to the CWF and are used for Christmas Child” on the memo line. Or you can donate missions, camp scholarships, and special church projects. cash in an envelope, just make sure you mark “Operation Thanks so much for your help with our endeavors!! Christmas Child” on the envelope. Go to www.samari- tanspurse.org for more information, videos and true sto- Linda Wolf and Sue Williams, ries of the how Operation Christmas Child changes lives. Co-leaders of Group III Please contact our Director of Children’s Ministries, Jennifer Le’au ([email protected]), for more info!
Did you know a percentage Shop & Donate of your online purchases can be a donation to FCCNH?
Check out our website (www.fccnh.org), and click on the Donate or Vendor button at the top of the page and select “First Christian Church of North Hollywood” as your designated charity. Page 12 November 7, 2018 First Christian News
34th Annual North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry Thanksgiving Eve Service Everyone Welcome!
celebrating 34 years of service
#givingthankstogether 11:00 am - Thursday November 22 November 21, 2018 Interfaith Service 7:30 PM of Thanksgiving North Hollywood Thanksgiving Day sit-down banquet rain or First United Methodist shine... delicious food and nice people 4832 Tujunga Avenue, — at — North Hollywood 91601 Temple Beth Hillel www.nohofumc.com • [email protected] 12326 Riverside Drive Get in the spirit of Thanksgiving and join the Valley Village,CA 91607 interfaith community for an evening of music, (818) 763-9148 • www.tbhla.org inspirational readings, heartfelt music, children’s message, and a word about the work we do — together in our community to serve people in Donations of staple foods need. Please bring non-perishable proteins* & money to support nhifp are welcome. www.NHIFP.org & www.facebook.com/NHIFP which will be donated to the North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry. This service is wheelchair accessible.
Service sponsored by the North Hollywood Suggested Food Donations: Interfaith Food Pantry. www.nhifp.org Canned Tuna, Canned Chicken, Chili, Ravioli, Beans, Peanut Butter, *Peanut Butter, Tuna & other Canned Meats, Beans cereal (dry, boxed) First Christian News November 7, 2018 Page 13
Tuesday Morning Study Circle
10:00 am . in the Annex Monday Night Bible Study Adult Education This fall we are learning how the early church grew from a small movement of 12 chosen leaders 7:00 pm . in the Annex to organizing congregations, practices and teach- Religions of the World is a trimmed down ings that came to be the Christian Church. A close version of the World Religion class Pastor reading of the book of Acts and the Epistles of Paul Louise teaches at Pierce College. This Fall she and others show us how a formal “Church” began is co-teaching with Rev. Ed Esau and inviting to form. There are additional writings by ancient some guests along the way. historians and the early leaders of the emerging church that help us trace how we began with itin- november 12 • Islam erant preachers, and the Roman Catholic Church november 19 • Yoruba became the first product of witnessing to Jesus november 26 • Interfaith Panel; Christ. Please join us – everyone is welcome. Jewish/Christian/Muslim
Attention all Young Adults! Join us for LA Zoo Lights 2019
Explore the zoo at night with brilliant displays of holiday lights. An amazing collection of lights, lasers, decorations animal-themed and Christmas-inspired, along with a water show, a tunnel of lights, and more. The animals may be sleeping, but we will be creeping - all over the zoo! To register or for more information please contact Aliza Ramos ([email protected]). Page 14 November 7, 2018 First Christian News
Thursday, November 8 #5 Rosey Tamkin Barbara Erdahl Sunday, November 18 Derek Reisinger #6 Kevin Kenney Devan Manley Barbara Erdahl Ashley Couch Maggie Talton Sunday, November 11 Denise Bourne (ten.) #4 Amanda Johnson Thursday, November 22 Luis Oliart Temple Closed-no pick up Barbara Erdahl Sunday, November 25 Hans Christoph #8 The Hallada Family Robin Frank Jill Groswirth Denise Bourne (ten.) Joe & Jacob Beam Wednesday, November 14 Sue Pastoria Studio City Team Denise Bourne (ten.) prayer is always there THE FOOD PANTRY IS IN NEED OF: Canned tuna, canned chicken, rice, canned Our Prayer Group meets in the Chapel to pray on boxed (dry) beans (pinto, navy etc.), Monday mornings at 9:30 am and on Tuesday evenings cereal, diapers, powdered milk, baby food, at 6:30 pm. We pray for those of you who have written peanut butter and tomato products! on the back of one of our prayer cards, prayers forwarded another way to one of the members of our prayer group via email, in to donate to the pantry person, or submitted via our website (www.fccnh.org). Make your donations to the Interfaith Food Pantry Don’t forget that there is a prayer cabinet in the through the FCCNH web page (https://fccnh.charityfinders.com/Donate%20Cash). area outside the Chapel and the office at the bottom of the stairs. You may take a blue card and write down Food Pantry VOLUNTEER ContactS your prayer, then put it through the slot of the locked Transportation Teams: cabinet, and the Prayer Group will be your prayer sup- Heather Hatch 508.667.1609 port. It will be completely confidential. This cabinet is Congregation Representative: Erin Zavala [email protected] available any day of the week to receive your prayers and will be checked throughout the week. First Christian News November 7, 2018 Page 15
By Way of Report Church Staff
Sunday, November 4, 2018 ______Robert M. Bock Senior Pastor Louise Sloan Goben 10:00 AM Worship 187 Associate Pastor 5:30 PM SpiritSong Service 27 Alfredo Gomez 7:00 PM Evenlight Service -- Pastor, Spanish Speaking Congregation Jennifer Le’au 7:00 PM Wednesday Meditation -- Director of Children’s Ministries Sunday School Children 42 Jeremy Gillett Sunday School Youth (in service) 15 Director of Youth Ministries Tyana Parr Evening Youth Group 9 Director of Children’s/Youth Choirs David Rigsby 10:00 AM Worship $7,856.03 Music Director/Organist Christine Karasseferian 4:00 PM Servicio en Español $47.00 Director of Finance 5:30 PM SpiritSong Service $202.00 Chris Carson 7:00 PM Evenlight Service $155.00 Church Administrator Gabriela Dorantes 7:00 PM Wednesday Meditation -- Administrative Assistant Sunday School Children $53.43 Glenda Morgan Brown Administrative Assistant Terri Burton otal eneral ffering T G O $8,313.46 Church Publications Michele Amundsen Human Needs (Thanksgiving in the Park) $40.00 Wedding Director Elmer Maldonado Operation Christmas Child $74.00 Building & Grounds Superintendent Trees 4 Kids $50.00 Miriam Mancilla Director of Christian Nursery School Greg Kirkland Media Director N e w s l e t t e r VOLUNTEER STAFF Craig Brooks, Jordon Goldschmidt, Janette Jara, Tom Louie, Susan Marble, Jeff McFadden, Denise Ovaldson Sound Technicians is midnight sunday! Luis Oliart Security PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA EMAIL TO IN MEMORIAM [email protected] or [email protected] Earle Immel Please indicate “newsletter” and/or “bulletin” in the Minister of Music Emeritus subject line if articles are for publication. Articles can Merle E. Fish, Jr. also be delivered to the office M-F, 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 November 11 email: [email protected] 10:00 am Rodney Gould (O) Jacqui Dixon (C) Pastor & Senior Editor Robert M. Bock 5:30 pm Bryan Zavala Art Direction Terri Burton 7:00 pm Aliza Ramos Diaconate: Production Services Donna Loyd Byron Armantrout Deborah Currin
Emeritus Chris Trammell Patricia Turnquist Mary Ann Steuterman Billie Kline Loretta Rodriguez Lillian Carlson Heather Kenney Joe Vallero Margaret Defibaugh Cathy Melendez Bill Drastal Fern Donald Chuck Mont Hillary Iffrig Jean Johnson Wanda Kanoy Erin Zavala Helen Scarna Kay Smith Betty Van Zanten Shirley McClure Upcoming Diaconate: Deborah Wheeler Virginia Stebbins November 18 Joan Norland & Toni Rossi Cindy Kaller November 25 David Olsen & Scott Riley