First United Methodist Church of Orange

The Forum Volume 85 issue #1 January 2016

Welcome 2016!

It’s a

New Year

with

New Opportunities

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A Message from the Pastor Dear Friends,

It’s wonderful to be celebrating the New Year as your partner in ministry. Together we are carrying out our God-given mission to “make disciples of Jesus Christ, for the transformation of the world” ... and anyone who has read a newspaper or watched the news can clearly see that ours is a world much in need of transformation. I am convinced more than ever that the power of God known tous in the forgiveness, love, suffering, death and resurrection of Jesus is the very thing to bring healing transformation to our world!

God has giving us the good news of Jesus and the promised Holy Spirit, but from time to time we must ask whether you and I have fuly received this blessing? Do we loudly proclaim it? Teach it dili-gently to others? Demonstrate it in every aspect of our lives? Sacrifice so that others can know Christ? The turning of the 2016 calendar page is the perfect time to reexamine our commitment to serving Jesus as his disciples.

Our newly adopted Vision Statement for FUMCO begins by affirming that we will be a congregation filled with “passionate followers of Jesus Christ.” The word “passion” comes from the Latin passio, meaning “to submit” or “to undergo”. The word was used in Medieval times to describe the sufferings of Christ on the cross, and Christians today still refer to the events of the last week of Jesus’ earthly life as his “passion” (hence the title of Mel Gibson’s movie The Passion of the Christ). Dr. Henri Nouwen once pointed out that Jesus is most renowned not for what he did but for what was done to him. He “submitted” himself to the will of God, an d “underwent” humiliation, suffering, and

death at the hands of others ... And through him redemption was given to the world.

People who are involved in passionate pursuits today - whether they are religious, romantic, secular, vocational, or recreational - often say it feels as though they “have no other choice”. Even though they might not have chosen the direction their life has taken, if they didn’t follow this or that pursuit an important part of them would die.

What are your passions? What must you be doing every day, every hour, lest part of you whither and die? Do any of your passions reflect the will and purpost of Christ in your life? To be a passionate disciple of Jesus is to submit ourselves to our calling in Christ as Christ defines it, to allow ourselves to be fit into God’s plan in stead of fitting God into “our plans.” May 2016 bring us a new awareness of our passionate discipleship to Jesus.

Faithfully,

Pastor Bill

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Peter Joseph Director of Faith Formation

Email: peter@fumco.org Cell: 714-473-8086 Office: 714-532-6363 x203

Youth Fellowship for 6th – 12th grades

We are changing days so that it is easier to remember for both parents and youth!

Our youth group now meets the first and last Sunday of each month.

January 10, 2016 5:45 p.m. to 7:45 p.m.

THE GATHERING at Santa Ana United Methodist Church This is a great chance to connect with other local United Methodist Youth Groups!

January 31, 2016 5:00 p.m.

Confirmation in the Youth Cellar at 5:00 p.m. Nerf Wars with Yorba Linda United Methodist Church from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m.

Bring a friend!

February 28, 2016

2nd SSP deposit of $50 is due

The God Squad

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United Methodist Women Thanks for a Successful Year

Our UMW Unit was blessed with a very successful year, thanks to everyone faithful support of all our activities. We were able to meet our Pledge to Mission thanks to a great rummage sale; this pledge is used for mission with women, children and youth.

We were also able to give a Special Mission Recognition Gift/Gift to Mission honoring Nancy Teigen and Janice Self. A Gift in Memory was given for Jerry Schaper and Alice Koster. A Candle of Commitment honoring women who are legacy builders was given to honor Ramona Kemp-Blair and in memory of Nancy Longyear and Marie Cline. Extra giving was made through our World Thank offering and Call to Prayer and Self-Denial.

Gifts were given to Methodist Hospital Chaplaincy Fund; Toberman Neighborhood Center-San Pedro; Calexico Neighborhood House; David & Margaret Home; Susannah Wesley Neighborhood Center; Imagine No Malaria; and Methodist Hospital Rehabilitation Center.

In addition, gifts to local missions included Family Promise; Eli Home; Interval House; Citizen Climate Lobby; The Music Room; Orange High School Choir; Sierra Service Project; Released Time Christian Education; Meals on Wheels; Casa Teresa; Free Wheelchair Ministry; Project Hope Alliance; Women’s Transitional Living Center; Wise Place; and Women Helping Women.

With the faithful support of each and every one of you, we truly were able to be a blessing to many. Thanks so much.

January Luncheon Meeting January 14, 2016 at 11:30 am

Hopefully, all enjoyed a wonderful holiday season. Our first UMW luncheon of the year will be Thursday, Jan. 14th. Sandy Wilson is planning our program, and we’ll enjoy lunch and fellowship time. All women are invited so plan now to join us. .

Women’s Sunday January 31, 2016

On January 31st, the UMW ladies will be leading worship. Our guest speaker will be Jane Stewart, daughter of a Methodist minister, and member of Lakewood First UMC. Jane has served in various positions on the UMW Conference team. She also has a passion for composing poems, skits, and meditations; she leads workshops and spiritual retreats. She has written articles for the 2002 UMW National Assembly’s Reflection Book, for Response magazine, and a program on prayer in the Spanish issue of the 2005 UMW Program Book. Jane’s life changed drastically when her husband passed away in 2008. She writes, “In the midst of my pain and loneliness, I have found a new direction and a deeper relationship to my Lord and Savior.” Now back on track, she finds new strength and commitment each day as she serves the Lord. We will be blessed by the word Jane will bring to us.

Calendar January 23: Leadership Training @ Escondido First UMC

January 31: Women’s Sunday

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Musical Notes

Hand Bell and Hand Chime Choirs

“Praise the Lord. Praise God in his sanctuary … Praise him with the sounding of the trumpet, praise him with the harp and lyre, …” and praise him with bells, loud ringing bells! Participation in a Hand Bell or Hand Chime Choir offers an opportunity to make this Psalm 150 come aliveListed here is the information for adults and children to be a part of this unique form of participation in the praise and worship of our Lord, Jesus Christ.

The Spectrum Bell Choir will begin rehearsals for 2016 on Sunday, January 17. Rehearsals are every Sunday, except the 1st Sunday, of each month following the morning worship service. This choir plays several times a year in worship services for the special seasons of the church year. This choir is always open to auditioning new members who have played in a bell choir, or have a good foundation in reading music. If you would like to be a part of this dynamic group, please contact the director, Sylvia Coussa, at 714-667-7813 or coussa@excite.com.

The Children’s Hand Chime Choir will begin rehearsals Thursday, February 4 at 6:15 p.m. in the downstairs choir room of the Sanctuary. This choir is open to children in grades 3-6. They learn the basics of music notation and have opportunities to participate in worship services. Please contact the director, Sylvia Coussa, at 714-667-7813 or coussa@excite.com for questions.

Kidz Praise

Kidz Praise is the name of the Children’s Choir here at First United Methodist Church. Children age 4 through grade 6 are invited to be a part of this musical adventure. Rehearsals are every Sunday, except the 1st Sunday, in the Sunday School Room, for 30 minutes right after the worship service. Rehearsals will begin again Sunday, February 14. The Kidz Praie experience offers opportunities for children to sing the music of the Christian faith and songs that help celebrate the special days of the Christian calendar. They will have opportunities to share their music in Sunday morning worship services throughout the year.

This group is directed by Donna Nelson and Sylvia Coussa. For more information, contact Donna at msnelsondonnal@yahoo.com or Sylvia at coussa@excite.com or 714-667-7813.

Chancel Choirs Our Sanctuary Choir and SkyWord Choir are always open to any youth or adult who wants to sing - no experience or audition necessary! Just show up and help spread God’s word with song. The SkyWord Choir sings in worship on the second Sunday of each month and rehearses from 6:15 p.m. to 7:15 p.m. on Thursday evenings in the Sanctuary. The Sanctuary Choir sings in worship all other Sundays and rehearses on Thursday evenings from 7:30 p.m. to 9:00 p.m. Both choirs are accompanied by Joseph Schubert and directed by Mike Short. Come, make a joyful noise to the Lord!

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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.

“When did we ever see you hungry and feed you . . . whenever you did one of these things to someone overlooked or ignored, that was me - you did it to me”

- Matthew 25:38-40

Outreach & Opportunities Leadership Retreat

Saturday, January 16, 2016 at 8:30 a.m.

Lady Twigbenders Thursday, January 21, 2016

1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room

Newcomers Fellowship Saturday, January 23, 2016 6:00 p.m. in Messenger Hall

Newcomers Fellowship is a Ministry for those new to the FUMCO Family. If you have begun worshipping at FUMCO in the last 24 months, come join us for dinner! Newcomers Fellowship meets the 4th Saturday of the month, eight times per year, for dinner hosted by one of our many ministries representing Worship, Discipleship, Evangelism & Mission. These gatherings allow Newcomers to meet others and introduce a ministry of FUMCO where you may feel called to more fully respond. What can you expect? Each evening will consist of dinner with music, followed by a brief study with the Pastor and an informational presentation by one of FUMCO’s many ministries, all in a warm, welcoming setting.

Ruth Circle Tuesday, January 26, 2016

7:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room This will be a time for planning our monthly events for the 2016 calendar year. Treats and fellowship will be provided! For further information, please contact Marlene Cook at 714-633-2991 or Mary Lou Taylor at 714-538-4778.

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January Birthdays 1 Packy McFarland Paul Robison 2 Jonathan Sanchez 4 Braelyn Corbin 5 Noah Joseph 7 Sara Gohil Rebekah Martinez Betty Wisely 10 Marcia Madore Gracie Roney 16 Louise DeLong 19 Lynn Wakefield 20 Mildred Mallinckrodt 22 Carolyn Geraldi 23 Julie Roney 24 Bob Tanner 25 Matt Short 28 Jacquie Tidball

Anniversaries

Prayer & Praise Requests Prayers for Mark Huston as he heals after a

serious car accident. Prayers for Katie Schroeder’s sister, Ida Craig,

who has been undergoing extensive testing to resolve serious health issues.

Praise that both Ken & Diane Brown are doing better after some earlier health issues.

Simon Gohil says, “Praise the Lord. God is Great! Thank you very much for your concern, love and prayer.”

Shirley Hoggatt has praised God that Kyle Dickerson is back with us as an acolyte after recovering from a broken leg.

Virgil & Barbara Fast Thank God for giving them the 65 years of marriage they have shared together.

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.

5 Leissa & Rick Nazzareno 10 Bob & Debbie Tanner 24 Karen & Ken Mendoza 25 Shirley & Ron Katz 29 Dwain & Barbara Raney

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

Pray Without Ceasing

Joys . . . Concerns . . . Celebrations

LORD IN YOUR MERCY, HEAR OUR PRAYERS

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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 Fax: 714-532-5496 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

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 February edition of

The Forum

will be Thursday, January 21st