Making New and Stronger Disciples of Jesus Christ for the Transformation of the World.

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH OF CHULA VISTA December 27, 2016

Volume 2016 12th Edition

Pathway

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Remembrance of Baptism Service

Join us for a special worship service on January 8th to remember

your Baptism. This is the Sunday each year that we read the

Gospel passage highlighting Jesus’ Baptism, the Sunday that we

welcome our Confirmands into the church and also the Sunday that

we open the waters of Baptism for all to reconnect with their

faith. As United Methodists we believe in one baptism, meaning

once you are Baptized that is good for a life time. In Baptism we

believe that we receive the Holy Spirit in a special and unique way

and no matter what happens in life you don’t lose the Holy Spirit

nor does God take it away; that inception of the Holy Spirit stays

with you, whether you know it or not. So, while we do not re-

baptize people, we do from time to time remember our Baptism. It

is in Baptism that we respond to God’s call for all of us to be

servants of the Gospel, set apart, for the work of God. In Baptism

we answer this call with a resounding and humble

YES. Remembering your Baptism is a way to say YES again to

God and begin in a new way to answer this call on your life. In all

of the worship services on January 8th there will be a special time in

worship for everyone to approach the waters of Baptism and

reconnect with the God of all life.

Confirmation Class

Nearly six months ago, 10 students met in the Youth Room for the first

of 15 classes in their Confirmation journey. Since then, these

students have completed homework assignments, attended retreats, and

grown together in a greater understanding of their faith and their role

in the Church. This month, we were blessed to celebrate

the confirmation of these youth. For many Christians, confirmation is

an important part of the faith journey. It is the process by which young

people assume the primary responsibility for their own faith and affirm

the promises made in baptism. These students have worked hard and

grown together. We celebrate together the confirmation of:

Please take a moment to lift up your joy to the Lord for these

students and pray for them as they continue on in their lives as

fully confirmed and committed Christians.

Alex Burritt

Annika Daglish

Alexsandra Garcia

Ella Guardado

Genevieve Muñoz

Aaron Pangilinan

Landon Parcel

Jianna Ruiz

Abby Schmitz

Bryan Najera Staff Christmas Gift

Christmas is right around the corner! Members of the congregation

frequently ask the Staff Parish Relations Committee what they can

get the church staff as a gift. We would like to express our

gratitude to the staff of FUMC.CV by gifting them a special

celebration dinner. Traditionally, the staff and their spouses/guests

enjoy a dinner together at a local restaurant in January, after the

busy Christmas Season. We invite you to join in the gifting,

therefore making this event a celebration for the staff by the

church members. If you would like to participate in this gift,

please mark your contribution “Staff Gift” and put it in the regular

offering plate or send it to the Church Office. Donations can also

be made through the church website giving link.

Thank you in advance for your generosity.

Wednesday night classes for adults

January 11, 2017 - February 15, 2017 (6:30-7:30pm)

Men's Bible Study:

"A City of Disciples", a series from Man in the Mirror

When God looks at our city, what do you think He sees? What is

His agenda for this place? And, where do you and I fit in? To be a

city of Disciples, we must first be Disciples Makers. What does the

Master need from us for there to be a fresh movement of God

among the men of our city? Join us for this study.

Led by Dave Balk in the Disciples Lounge.

The Women’s Study

Magrey deVega’s One Faithful Promise: The Wesleyan Covenant*

for Renewal.

Over the weeks of the study we will look at the promises and

actions we make in following Jesus and being faithful and effective

disciples within the Methodist church. *One of the documents that

Wesley delivered to the early and rapidly expanding societies and

congregations of the Methodist movement was The Wesley

Covenant Prayer and Renewal Service from 1755. Today it still

helps us to learn about our Methodist identity. Since 1755 many

Methodists use this service at the beginning of each new year as a

service of renewal of the individual’s covenant with God for the

coming year.

Please join us and enjoy study and this community of women.

Facilitated by Pam Hay in room 212 (Matthew) upstairs in the

Fellowship Hall building.

Library Class

Finding New Energy in Christ

This class will study the scripture stories of people who were called

upon to reboot their lives. People like David, Esther, Gideon,

Moses, Peter, Woman at the well had to reexamine their lives when

the world around them changed. It is a new year and we should

look at rebooting our lives, not just New Year’s resolutions, but

new energy for our life in Christ.

Join us in the Library for this Bible Study.

Lead by Chuck Kishpaugh.

Upper Room Class

This class will resume in March 2017

Reboot Sermon

Series Sunday Jan. 8 --

Wednesday Feb. 15

Believe it or not,

another year has

passed and we stand

on the precipice of a

whole new year! A

lot happened in

2016...including a Presidential Campaign that seemed like it

would never end, a few devastating natural disasters, some racial

unrest in our country and much much more. If you are like us,

you are thankful that 2016 has ended and now feel like it time to

Reboot (to use some techie language). Rebooting means to shut

down, clear out and start afresh. This first sermon series of 2017

is designed to help you do just that for your spirit, family, work,

school and every other part of your life. In a way, this is just what

God did in Jesus Christ, a fresh start, a new beginning. Join us for

this sermon series that will seek the basics of our faith and set our

2017 up for the best kind of year.

Children’s Choirs

Spring Semester -

Starts January 11!

What: Voices in Praise (3rd-6th grade) & Cherub Choir (K-2nd

grade)

When: Wednesdays, 6:30-7:30pm

First rehearsal: Wednesday, January 11, 2017

Registration: visit fumccv.org (under Music Ministries) or pickup

forms in the church office

Cost: Free

Is your child always singing around the house or in the car? Does

she clap or tap along to the radio? If your child is interested in

exploring music, sign them up for choir this year! Students will

learn music skills, sing songs, play instruments, engage in music

activities and games, and perform at Sunday worship services, our

annual POPS concert, and other special events.

Voices in Praise (directed by Korrie Yamaoka) will meet in the

Choir Room on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:30pm. The

Cherub Choir (directed by Glenda McKibben) will meet in the

Kidzone on Wednesday nights from 6:30-7:15pm. You can

register online at www.fumccv.org or by picking up a form at the

front office. For more info, email korrie.yamaoka@fumccv.org.

Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra

Sunday, January 29 at 4pm

The Tifereth Israel Community Orchestra

returns to our concert series for a wonderful

afternoon of music. This orchestra, under

the direction of Maestro David Amos, has

been performing for 43 years including

more than twenty appearances at

FUMCCV. TICO is known for its diverse

programming. This year, they will present

Beethoven's Symphony #5 and Franz

Liszt’s Piano Concerto #2. Mr. Peter

Vinograde will be the featured pianist.

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Angel Tree Recap

Thank you for adopting

an Angel this year.

Once again, it was a

success. With your help,

89 children and 40

families were able to

connect with their

incarcerated families.

To my amazing volunteers, you are the best!

Thank you for your time. We surely had fun!

Christmas Concert

Our Family Christmas Fest was a great afternoon of

music and festivities. We had a full house for our

concert which featured a variety of musical styles

with presentations by all our music groups. At the

reception which followed, children and adults alike

enjoyed decorating cookies, drinking cocoa, watching

a performance by our Youth singers, and taking

pictures with Santa! Thanks to all that participated in

the event and made the season merry and bright!

Youth Group Friendsgiving The Youth Group spent some time to fellowship and be thankful the

Sunday before Thanksgiving. Complete with homemade mashed

potatoes, a 25-pound turkey, and some decadent desserts, this event

was sweet and savory! We are so blessed by our youth and inspired by

their commitment to this church and each other.

Men’s Ministry Annual

Blanket and Jacket

Drive

We would like to thank

everyone that provided

jackets and blankets

during our drive between

November 27th and

December 11th. Once

again it was a great

success. They were all

delivered to the

distribution center at God’s Extended Hand on Saturday December 17th. God’s

Extended Hand is a wonderful ministry that provides meals, clothing and other

essentials to God’s people in Downtown San Diego, many of which are either living on

the streets or various shelters. Thank you for your generosity.

Men’s Ministry Annual Christmas Carol

Breakfast Our annual Christmas Carol Breakfast, which

is open to everyone, took place on Saturday

December 3rd in Fellowship Hall. Wonderful

time was had by all with great food and

fellowship. Thanks especially to Jerry Kaehr,

Jason & Korrie Yamaoka and Lynda

Reynolds for leading us all in music and

poetry! What a great way to start the Advent

season, one of our annual highlights.

Spanish/Crossing Thanksgiving - The Spanish language and Crossing

services came together for worship on Sunday, November 20th and

followed up with a collaborative meal together. This was a wonderful

time for cross-cultural dining, but more so for the celebration of

community amongst the two services.

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Join Us In Prayer

Immediate Concerns: Adelina & Jose Jr. del Pilar – Joy!; Anna Lizarraga – Joy! and Anna’s children; Crystal Day;

Dolores Nostrates’ children; Frances Knight, Helena Basa, Wendy Hirschfield, Marty Bryson and family & Jeanette Duarte (from Pamela Basa); Frances Knight, Wendy Hirschfield, Jeanette Eckhert, Mr. Al and Ms. Helen (from Pamela Basa); Frank Wise, Ginger Boone’s granddaughter Aly Wise (from Ted Doughty); Grace Leighton's mom (from Mike Schuck); Hazael Bagube’s family and loved ones; Jamie Nieto and the Seekers Class (from Crystal Day); Jan Kishpaugh’s friend Jenn Samson and her children; Jim & Beverly Tesch’s son Gregory Tesch; Joan Baziak (from Lorna Judge); Kerry Meads (of Lambs Players, from Scott & Cathy Shaw); Kevin & Mary Leonard – Joy!; Kraig Fallwell Jr., Prayer Ministry and Artcel Ruiz (from Mike & Traci Schuck); Luz Flores Velasquez’s daughter Celene Cadena and Luz’s grandchildren Beto, Briyan, Joel, and Vanessa; Michael Schuck’s friend Kraig Falwell Jr.; Pastor Brian’s dad; Paul & Mary Price’s daughter Lisa Smith; Rebecca Aguon and Peace in our home (from James and Kathy Kolar); Sabina Gutierrez’s children Noel, Ivan and Aaron; Sue Bennett – Joy! for her sons, grandchildren, and great grandchildren; Susan Woodard; Sylvia Jardine’s brother Bill; Tammy Alarcon – Joy!; Ted Doughty- Joy!; The Whole World (from Virginia Dodd); Those serving our country in uniform (from the Elbel family); Virginia Hall (from Crystal Day).

Long Term Prayer List: Adriana & Mayda Gonzalez and family (Jannette Garcia’s sister & mom); Anna Nagy; Betty Bixler; Bev & Jim Tesch; Carl Polk; Carolyn Gaetske; Charlotte Helms; Claude & Nancy Yates; Denise Rubio (Mireya Sixsmith's niece); Ginny Fleming; Homer & Mary Craft; Inez Scott; Jack & Kay Mundell; James & Jennifer Olschlager, Jr. (Janine Hatz Allen's son-in-law & daughter); Janine Hatz Allen; Jean Hay (Alan Hay's mom); Jerry Smith (Shirley Kingsley’s son); Jon & Kathy Peterson (Karen Polk's brother & sister-in-law); Keri Balk; Mickie Pruitt; Mireya Sixsmith; Nina Welch; Norma Redmond; Phillip Nittolo & Stephen Rodriguez (from Janine Hatz Allen); Robert Sack; Ruth Ratliff; Tonyette Pope.

DEPLOYED MILITARY and THEIR FAMILIES

January 2017

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Pathway (USPS 953400) is published monthly by the First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista, 1200 East H Street,

Chula Vista, CA 91910-7728. Office hours: 9am-5pm Mon-Fri. Articles deadline: 15th of every month. Mailed: 4th Tuesday.

Periodicals paid at Chula Vista, California. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Pathway

1200 East H Street, Chula Vista, CA 91910.

Children’s Ministry Every Sunday morning there is age appropriate classes during

worship and there are many special programs for children and

families through the year.

Sunday School in Kidzone

Nursery Infants to 3 years

8am, 9:30am & 11am

9:30 am

Pre-Kindergarten - 6th grade

11:00 am

1st-6th Grade

Wednesday Night

Cherub Choir in Chapel (5 yrs – 2nd grade)

Voices in Praise Choir in Choir Rm (Grade 3-8)

Financial Stewardship Campaign

Many thanks to the everyone who expressed their support for

FUMC-CV with a financial pledge for 2017. As the Pathway goes

to press, pledges received total $597,412 from 165 households –

that’s an average of $70/week, ranging from $5/week to $385/

week. “For if the willingness is there, the gift is acceptable

according to what one has, not according to what he does not

have.” 2Co 8:12.

You have the opportunity to make a difference in the church, the

community, and the world with your financial support of

FUMCCV. With your 2017 pledge, you are saying, “this church is

important to me and I want to do my part to ensure the

continuation of the ministries.” Normally by this time, Finance

Committee has finalized a budget for the coming year, but that has

not been possible yet. It is still our hope that we will receive

pledges for the resources needed for next year’s ministries, rather

than making cuts to ministry budgets. Your pledge makes this

difference. If you have not yet submitted a pledge for 2017, please

go to the church website, www.fumccv.org, TODAY and click on

the ‘Online Giving’ dropdown menu, then click on ‘Pledge’. Or,

you can call Sue Meyer in the church office at

619-656- 2525. Making an annual pledge to the church is critical

to planning for the coming year and an important step for you in

your faith journey.

Psalm 92:2

“to declare your steadfast love in the morning, and

your faithfulness by night..”

Lord as the new year dawns, help us to remember to

start each and every day in prayer, declaring your love

and turning the day over to you. In the evening, after

the day is done, may we look back and recall times

where you were at work in our lives through the day’s

activities, our family and friends. May we remember,

and give you thanks for your faithfulness, provision,

protection, grace and encouragement each and every

day. Amen.

Sunday Night Youth Group, 6-8 pm

Meet in the Youth Room (up the outside stairs near the quad).

Sunday Night is a time to get away from all the pressures and

influences of the world, retreating into a place of safety and

growth. Sunday Night Youth Group often includes worship, fun

and teaching that takes an element of life and applies biblical

principles to the issue. Though Youth Group invites students in the

7th-12th grades, Junior High and Senior High are separated for

group discussions and small groups.

Wednesday Night Junior & Senior High Bible Studies

Wednesday Nights, 6:30-7:30 pm

Join us in the Youth Room (up the outside stairs near the quad).

Life application is the theme for this gathering where we dig

deeper into the Bible focused on helping youth find character

building opportunities to assist in their daily lives. Bible studies

will vary in topic, sometimes focusing on one book and other times

focusing on a theme.

For specific schedule of events visit the youth group Facebook

page (FUMCCV Youth Group)

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First United Methodist Church

1200 East H St

Chula Vista, CA 91910

Address Service Requested

Dated Material

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First United Methodist Church of Chula Vista Daytime: (619) 656-2525 -- FAX: (619) 421-7190

Email: info@fumccv.org Website: www.fumccv.org

Rev. Dr. Brian T. Parcel: Lead Pastor

Rev. Francisco Garcia-Velasquez: Associate Pastor

Rev. John Farley, District Superintendent

Bishop Grant J. Hagiya

~NURSERY AND CHILD CARE ARE AVAILABLE DURING WORSHIP AND ON WEDNESDAY NIGHTS~

SUNDAY WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL MINISTERIOS EN ESPAÑOL 8 am Day Break 9:30am Children/Youth Escuela Dominical 10am

9:30am Sounds of Grace 10:30am Adults Reunión de Alabanza 11:00am

11 am the Crossing

WEDNESDAY NIGHT SPECIAL CHAPEL PRAYER / MEDITATION PRESCHOOL 6:30pm Classes & Studies 9 am—Noon & 4 —6:30 pm M-F (619) 482-8228

9—Noon Saturday only 9 am– 5 pm M-F

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FUMCCV Spanish Ministry Turning Over New Leaf

The leadership of our congregation has been hard at work this Fall examining a variety of ministries for effectiveness in making new

and stronger disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world. This is a part of the role of your elected congregational

leaders to assure that we are doing everything in the most effective and fruitful ways. In light of this review our leaders have made

some decisions, along with the members of the Spanish Language Ministry, to make some changes to this ministry. Over the course of

13 years our Spanish Language Ministry has added immeasurably into the life of our congregation and we are thankful for the rich

contributions this ministry has made. Over the past few years the ministry has been challenged to gain traction that would help them

reach new people. In an effort to reclaim this health we are transitioning to a lay led, volunteer, ministry that will primarily focus on

small groups, serving in the community, discipleship growth, caring for one another and adding new people to their spiritual

community. Over the course of the winter and spring the staff positions connected to this ministry will be phased out and a premium

will be placed on small groups – the most effective way of gathering new people. This is a very Wesleyan way of life and ministry, it

is how our movement first began and it is also a much wiser stewardship decision, our leaders believe, at this time in the life of our

ministry. Much of the ministry will not change, with the exception of Sunday worship in Spanish. Once appropriate numbers are

achieved in the small groups then worship will resume once again. Connected to this decision is also the resignation of Daniel Caro,

our leader of Spanish Ministry Worship Team.

Prior to the decision for transition Danny had decided to resign his position. He and Denise are expecting their third child and

this pregnancy has not been easy on Denise with two hospitalizations already in the early stages of the pregnancy. Danny felt

that it was in the best interest of his family to step away form the ministry at this time to so that he could spend as much time

helping with the two children and assuring that Denise is healthy as possible.

We will miss Danny on staff, but his family will remain a part of the ministry and we look forward to

celebrating with the family upon the birth of their third child. Please be in prayer for the Caro family and

also for all the members of the Spanish Language Ministry as they take this next step of faith.