October 11, 2011 Volume 11 Number 22

Modesto Church of the Brethren2301 Woodland Avenue Modesto CA 95358-9501 (209)523-1438

fax: 209-343-0847 e-mail: info@modcob.org web site: www.modcob.orgPastors: Russ & Erin Matteson

Continuing the work of Jesus. Peacefully. Simply. Together.

Living into the seasons … It’s official. Autumn is here. The temperature has dropped. The rain has begun. Last week I pulled out my long-sleeve sweatshirt hoodie for the first time, the kind I heard folks on facebook yearning to get into. Some are happy. Others are crying for summer to come back. Either way, seasons change. And we can either move with them, or fight them. I’ve discovered it’s best to try and move with them. Fighting them gets us nowhere. When we fight them, we usually just get tired and miss the beauty and opportunity that every season holds.  As a congregation, it is the season of Nominating Committee praying, seeking and calling out new leadership for days ahead. It is the season of budgeting with commissions; our Personnel Committee and board hard at work on our behalf. Keep them in your prayers, but don’t forget that even though they represent us around tables, we still need to walk through this season together trying to figure out how to dress for the upcoming weather. Leadership needs all of us invested and active in the process. Pray and reflect thoughtfully to discern if you are called into this season of leadership if nominating committee contacts you. Take time on your own or as families to reflect on our ministries, mission and the monetary budget that represents that, discerning where you think God is calling us to make changes or keep forging ahead.  I was recently visiting with someone from our congregation who shared that they see the weather change as an invitation to ask what season it is in their life? What needs to change? What needs to die in them? Where do they need to be open to surrender and let go of a few leaves? What do they need to trust in? What good spiritual wisdom for us as individuals and as a congregation. A rainy day can be a good time to hunker down and spend some time with God on those questions...                                         With you on the journey, -Pastor Erin

A Choice for Truth - October 16Stephen takes center story as we continue to make our way through the opening chapters of

Acts. Here in Acts 6:8--8:1 we encounter Stephen speaking the truth to the power structure of his day. In worship we will consider how and when we might be called to speak the gospel truth in our world today. Oct. 23 - A Real Crisis of Faith                                                                 Acts 8:26 – 40   Philip interprets God’s word to the Ethiopian eunuch, even after the codes and laws of Deuteronomy forbid it. Did he break the law? Fulfill the gospel? As we strive to be the church, what are we to do?

Missed a Sunday? Hear the service at www.modcob.org/worship/listen-sunday-service/

Franklin and Juan Galvez as they mourn the passing of their father as well as others grieving the loss of loved ones; Boardmans and those seeking guidance concerning treatment of health issues or seeking employment; the Nominating Committee calling out new leadership; our children and youth both here and away at school as well as teachers in our midst. Remember members of the congregation who are unable to participate in an active church life with us. Pray for traveling mercies for all that are on journeys. Rejoice with those who have expressed thanks for prayers answered!

Birthday wishes to Taj Wolfe, who will be one year old this month (10-28-10).If we have missed a birthday of your child or youth, please contact the church office.

Welcome to Modesto. Please up date Gerald Moore’s address to: 1745 Eldena Way #1005 Modesto, CA 95350-3500 Home: (209) 523-3073 Cell: (510-789-8206.

Council Meets November 20Mark your calendars and plan to stay after worship for lunch and our fall church business meeting. The agenda will include the 2012 budget, calling out leadership, and other items.

The Chimes

Hold in God’s Light

Reflections

Upcoming Worship

Happy Birthday

Kids Walk a Joyful PathThe kids who are participating in Sunday School each week are having a wonderful time  exploring faith, but there is still room for more. Pre-K to grade 6 meets in room 9 at 9:30 a.m. each Sunday. There are classes for youth (grade 7-12) in room 2, and adults as well. Come and be a part of the fun each week!

Advent Devotionals   On October 16, 23 and 30 look for a

table in the narthex after worship to choose and order your devotional for the advent season. There are choices and all are well done. One choice is especially geared to families. We encourage you to take advantage of this opportunity to nurture your faith, funded by our tithes and offerings!      -The Worship and Spiritual Life Commission 

Take a bite out of something good. Chicken, hamburgers, enchilada pie, potato bar and more have already blessed the table Wednesday night. Come join us for a great meal for just $3 each week. Get out of the house. Connect with others midweek. Take a break from cooking! You may even consider some  service if you are willing and able to sign-up and help in the kitchen for a week. Invite a friend and come see what’s cookin!

Back by popular demand, Health and Healing’s “Dessert and DVD” event returns to Wednesday night Faith Bites on October 19. During dessert, served by the committee members, there will be a showing of "Understanding Stroke" as a follow up to the showing last fall of the program on heart attack.  This is a part of the “Healthy Body, Healthy Mind” series made for public television. The committee also gives this health alert: Don’t let yourself or a loved one become a statistic! Get your blood pressure checked every first Sunday during fellowship time in the Gathering Place and see your doctor regularly. Did you know? *About one out of three U.S. adults—31.3%—has high blood pressure.*High blood pressure is a major risk factor for heart disease, stroke, congestive heart failure, and kidney disease.*High blood pressure was listed as a primary or contributing cause of death for 326,000 Americans in 2006.*In 2010, high blood pressure will cost the United States $76.6 billion in health care services, medications, and missed days of work.*About 70% of those with high blood pressure and took medication had their high blood pressure

controlled. The control rate was 46.6% among all hypertensive patients.*25% of American adults has prehypertension—blood pressure numbers that are higher than normal, but not yet in the high blood pressure range. Prehypertension raises your risk for high blood pressure

Fall Harvest Festival is back with fun additions! On Saturday night, October 29 from 5 – 8p come to the church for a festive time. Fellowship and Recreation will provide the hot dogs, chili, table service, drinks and dessert. You bring a side dish to share, if you are able, and we’ll have in a simple meal to kick things off.  We will continue the fun with a costume parade, haunted house, and games for the young people. Anyone who would like is invited to bring a Jack-o’-lantern that has ALREADY been carved for judging. Each person at the festival will get to vote for their favorite pumpkin design. Those who would like are invited to bring a fall or Halloween themed dessert for a silent auction. Anyone can bid on a dessert to take home with the proceeds from the auction to support our congregation’s budget. We’ll end the evening’s fun with s’mores and songs around the campfire. Look for the sign-up at church to help us plan for food. We encourage those who can to bring a lawn chair. Invite family or friends, especially those with kids. - Fellowship & Recreation Commission

Christmas Giving Tree  This year, we will host our third annual Christmas Giving Tree which provides needed clothing and items to 40 of our neighborhood children at Martone Elementary School.   How does the Giving Tree work? Sponsors will take a child’s ornament from the tree, write their name on the back of a Sponsor ornament and place that in the Sponsor box next to the Giving Tree.  They will keep the ornament with the child’s information and provide them with four to five items for Christmas. They will then bring the gifts to the church, labeled with only the child’s name. That’s it! Parents will pick up items at the church or the school before Christmas.   Watch for the Giving Tree in the narthex Wednesday, November 2. Gifts need to be brought to the church by Sunday, November 30.  Questions?  Contact Leah Knipe @ Leah@modcob.org or (209)523-1438

Opportunities for Service

Future Events

Save those box tops! Our Stanislaus Partner in Education,

Martone Elementary School, uses the box tops found on cereal boxes and many other items to support a reading

subscription at their school.  If you have box tops and would like to donate them to

Martone, get them to Leah Knipe or put them in the Outreach Coordinator’s box and they will be taken to Martone School.

Write a New SongSteve Reddy will be leading a four week oclass during Sunday School which will encourage participants to write new words from their life experience to be sung to existing tunes from songs and hymns. The class will meet from October 2 through 23 in Room 3.

Work Day October 22Come out and be a part of the fun in working with others as we get the church and the kitchen ready for winter. Signup for a specific job, or just signup to be there. We start at 8 and will be done by noon. - Building & Grounds Commission

Senior Ministries Progressive Lunch Reserve a space by writing your name on the announcement board in the foyer and giving Felton Daniels (614-6825) $5 by Sunday, October 16. Then meet at the church at 11:15a on October 20, Look forward to fun, fellowship and food.

RegistrationThe PSWD Conference will be at Hillcrest inLa Verne from November 11-13. Registration will be done through a website this year, and you can pay with a credit card, or send a check within a few days. Access to this site, as well as housing information, can be found under District Conference at pswdcob.org. Registration deadline is October 21. Adventists Hosting SeminarThe Modesto Westside Seventh Day Adventist congregation that rents our facility for worship on Saturdays will be using the church on Wednesday through Saturday evenings from now until late November to hold an evangelistic teaching event focused on the book of Revelation. They are using rooms 1 & 2 on Wednesday, and the Fine Arts room on Thursday to Saturday.

A People's History of Christianity: the Other Side of the Story by Diane Butler Bass is recommended by Sandra Franklin. The author spoke at a Church of the Brethren District Conference several years ago.

 

October 16 Main door: David & Ruth Garrison West door: Renee' Gokey October 23, Main door: Mike & Peggy Castañada West door: Anna Brown

JOIN IN THE FOLLOWING ACTIVITIES!CALL THE CHURCH OFFICE FOR INFORMATION

EACH SUNDAY9:30a Sunday School for all ages 11:00a Worship12:00n Youth group every 2nd & 4th Sundays7:00p Worship at Casa de Modesto

WEEKLYOffice hours – Mon thru Fri 8:30-11:30a & 12:30-4pQuiet Place open: Mon-Wed: 7a-4p; Fri 8:30a-4p; Sun 7a-12:30pYoga class: Mon 7-8pPastors’ usual Sabbath Day out of office: TuesdaySenior Fitness – Young at Heart: Tue & Thu 11a-12 noonDinner & Faith Bites: Wed 6p; Serving dinner at 9th & D St shelterSERRV shop open: 10a-noon Sat, & Sun after worship

IN THE DAYS AHEADThu Oct 13 & 27 Knitting Ministry 2p Mary Baucher 523-5178 Sun Oct 16, 23, 30 Choose Advent Devotionals before/after churchWed Oct 19 Dessert & DVD 6:00 Gathering PlaceThurs Oct 20 Sr. Ministries hosts Progressive Lunch 11:15aSat Oct 22 Work Day Church 8a-noonSat Oct 29 5-8p Fall Harvest Festival bring dish to shareSun Nov 2 Christmas Giving Tree narthexFri Oct 21 registration deadline for PSWC pswdcob.org. Nov 11-13 PSWC LaVerne Ca Sun Nov 30 Giving Tree gifts need to be turned in to Leah

The Chimes articles are due Thursday, October 20, by noon, for publishing Tuesday, October 25.Please e-mail items to enbupp@yahoo.com or contact the church office (523-1438). Thank-you.

Coffee for October - Prospectors

Greeters in October:

Deacon on Call for October Marye Martinez (523-0449)

Good Reads

New Address for Pat Vardaman, 7019 Lake Forrest Village Circle  Fort Wayne, IN 46815

In Case You Missed It