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Page 1 February 9, 2012

Week of Compassion 2012:

SHARING BRINGS J OY

To us. To ot her s. To God.

God is able to provide you with every bless-

ing in abundance, so that by always having

enough of everything, you may share abun-

dantly in every good work. (2 Corinthians 9:8)

Week of Compassion is the disaster relief and development ministry of ourcommunion, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Though gifts canbeand arereceived year round, each year we receive a special over-and-above offering on behalf the work Week of Compassion does withthose in special needlocally, regionally, nationally, and globally.

Wherever there is a natural disaster, Week of Compassion is our presencethere. Wherever there are refugees to be sheltered, Week of Compassion is

our presence there. Whether it is here in Southern California, elsewhere inthe United States, or in any number of countries, Week of Compassion isour ministry among those who are hurting and in need.

No dollar of your stewardship is better spentplease consider a generousgift from your abundance.

We will receive our annual Week of Compassion offering on February 26& March 4but gifts can be given year-round. To read a Week of Com-

passion update, go to: www.weekofcompassion.org

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Disciples Womens Lunch and Program

Sunday, February 26, 12:00 NoonJoin us for lunch and welcome back our speakerNisreen Malhis. Nisreen has be-come our friend as she has presented a couple of very enlightening programs forour women. Her program for this month is entitled Misconceptions about Muslimsand Arabs. Plan to stay and invite a friend to enjoy this one, you will be inspired!

Our Service project for this month is the Afya Foundation. "Afya" in Swahilimeans "good health".

The Afya Foundation is a non-profit organization which was conceived in 2007 by

its founder Danielle Butin, a trained occupational therapist, who had been relievedof her position as an executive in a health care company in New York. While travel-ing in Africa she saw the dire conditions of medical care and lack of equipment inmakeshift facilities and was aware of fairly new and even unused materials thatwere regularly discarded in dumps by US hospitals. Thus began her mission whichhas grown in size and can now account for over 700,000 tons of medical suppliessent to needy countries. The foundation now regularly receives donations from 40different health care facilities and has over 450 volunteers, many of whom are teen-agers. The foundation has expanded its program to include training Haitians whoare in Rehabilitation to work in two newly established clinics. Another program isMothers Saving Mothers, the assembly of safe birth kits which are sent to trained

mid-wives.

Their motto: "It is possible to repurpose almost anything."

Disciples Womens Ministry

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Dear Friends,

On behalf of All Peoples Christian Center staff, volunteers and program partici-

pants, I would like to thank you for your generous contribution and support. Yourrecent contribution of $300.00 was received with such a wonderful feeling to knowthat there are people like you that care about our community. Through your dona-tions we are providing services and programs that enable our community to growand gain self-confidence in themselves. Our building is alive with youth attendinghigh school, and the staff, busy preparing for a day helping families who need sup-port in numerous programs and services throughout the Center.

I welcome you to come and tour our facility so you can see the difference you makewith your donations. Thank you again.

Sincerely,

Saundra Bryant, Executive Director

Tail Wags and Purrs Galore

Pet beds of all sizes were stacked almost to theceiling on our Pet Project table in the entrance toSippel Hall. They were made and donated to theCarson Animal Shelter by wonderful HildaColeman. Thank you Hilda for your special gift.Also wonderful is Janie Fietz who has made nu-merous flannel blankets to help make life betterfor animals awaiting adoption. Items of all kinds

beds, blankets, towels, food, newspapers, toysare still greatly needed. Any donation is appreci-ated. See Chet and Bonnie Reniff or SusanBabcock if you have questions. We pray Godsblessings on all who are so generously helping.

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Financial UpdateGood News from January

This January, our church experienced a rare event for any congregationa second month in arow where giving exceeded budget!

The margin of victory ($332) was several thousand less than December, and was wind

aided by five Sundaysbut it nonetheless means we continue to meet the goals of our mis-sion. It also serves as a reminder to keep up the good and generous work!

Small Groups Forming Up for Lent Study

We have good groups forming for Wednesday mornings, Wednesday evenings, Saturdaymornings, and Sundays(the Sunday group is doing some negotiating between being an af-ter-worship bag-lunch group, or an evening gathering.)

If you have not signed up yet: theres room for you! But it helps to have your name, so lead-

ers know who to expect.

If you have already signed up: Thank you! Now, invite someone else!

Ash Wednesday Worship on February 22

Historically, Lent has been a season of humble prayer, study, and spiritual disci-pline. We will begin the season with worship on Ash Wednesday, which fallson February 22 this year. A call to humility, our observation will includeprayers, intercessions, communion and the imposition of ashes for those whowish.

Pastor Steve will be available the morning of Ash Wednesday from 7:00 to 8:00 am for thosewho wish prayer and the imposition of ashes at the beginning of the day.

Charles Bales would like to thank everyone for their prayers for his son Bruce. The doctorsare pleased with his radiation and chemo treatments.

Congratulations

To newly-weds Clifford and Jennifer Marvin! They have moved to South

Carolina, where Clifford will finish his Navy training.

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CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS & CONCERNS

Linda Houston has a fractured rib...Dottie Taggart is needing more than therapy forshoulder pain. Betty Donley is home now after being hospitalized for a blood transfusionStella McGinnis is recovering from knee replacement surgery Ernest Wheatley (Billsbrother) spent five days in Whittier Hospital with heart and blood pressure problems; he isvery weak Hilda Coleman had a thyroid scan; some results appear benign, others arebeing further investigated Judy Musser is home from the hospital after treatment for aninfection; she offers praise that her nephew, Lucas, who was a preemie, is doing well at 5months, with no signs of brain damage, as had been fearedAnne Beecher asks prayersfor Rosella, a friend in the UK who is suffering from low potassium, and possible kidneycomplications.

Continuing Concerns: Nonnie McGiffin has been in rehab therapy for continued weak-ness in her legs from sciatic painBeverly Roseberry is receiving home therapy as sherecovers from a strokeJim Whobrey received good news about a mass detected duringhis successful back surgeryit was just a hematoma Robert Kapen, his mother, Karen,

and his grandmother, Priscilla Crawford continue in our prayersContinued prayers arerequested for those facing unemployment and possible lay-offs.

Cancer: Carole Jones received test results that show cancer cells in her blood; she will beundergoing further testsDoreen Jacksons friend Pat Patterson had a severe reaction tochemo Misty Levi had a procedure to remove pre-cancerous cellsShawn Knutsen(Kelly Rogerss sister) begins a new clinical trial later this month Continued prayers for:Judy RickabaughDoreen JacksonBruce Bales (Chucks son) Mark Parsons(Claremont School of Theology instructor).

With Sympathy

Mary Matsons aunt, Betty Swanson, passed on January 29, followed a day later by herUncle Frank; prayers are asked especially for Marys mother, Besse Gherna.

Roy Fietz (Steves father) died on January 30 from complications of emphysema, and aftera long decline with Alzheimers Disease. Steve and Janie will be in Portland for his memo-rial on February 11, and will return on Monday, February 13.

Amanda Ruhs asks for prayer on behalf of the loved ones of a High School friend who

took her own life.

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February 2012Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thu

WORSHIP SERVICES8:30 and 10:30 am

1

Bible Study 10:00Disciple Womens

Board 7:00 p.m.

New7

5 6 7 8

Youth AdventureTrustees 7:00 p.m.

Newsletter

Prayer Meeting 5:45Prayer Shawl 7:00

Education 7:00 p.m.Worship Meeting

7:00 p.m.

Bible Study 10:00Prayer Shawl 2:00Cabinet Meeting

7:00 p.m.

C

7

12 13 14 15

Womens SundayChi-Rho

Prayer Meeting 5:45Prayer Shawl 7:00

Bible Study 10:00Prayer Shawl 2:00Elders 7:00 p.m.

C7

19 20 21 22

Church Office ClosedPresidents Day

Family Promise

Love Group 9:30Faith Group 1:30

Prayer Meeting 5:45Prayer Shawl 7:00

Bible Study 10:00Prayer Shawl 2:00Ash WednesdayService 7:00 p.m.

C7

26 27 28 29Feed the HungryDisciple Womens

Lunch 12:00

Lent Small GroupStudy Begins

Newsletter

Prayer Meeting 5:45

Prayer Shawl 7:00Small Group 10:00Prayer Shawl 2:00Small Group 7:00

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February BirthdaysRaven Concepcion (3)

Bonnie Reniff (4)Michael Gonzalez (6)Marie Wood (6)Lisa Uys (6)John Galyardt (7)Diana Sencerbox (8)Maruel Pascual (10)Brent Foster (10)Doreen Jackson (11)Jean Richards (12)Ted Oden (13)Austin Levi (14)Barbara Myers (17)Chester Reniff (18)Cheryl Crawford (22)Adonna Bowman (23)Ruth Singleton (24)John Beecher (27)Jeff Wood (28)

ANNIVERSARIESJeff & Michele Wood (12)Stan & Chery Carew (24)

sday Friday Saturday

2 3 4

Hope:00

9 10 11

oir

:00

16 17

18

oir:00

Mens Breakfast8:30 a.m.

23 24 25

oir:00

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Bible Explorers Pre-K to 4th Grade

Beginning 2/26 the children in Bible Explorers will journey through the Lenten season to Je-rusalem. They will explore their learning by making a rock choir, playing a memory game,

learning a movement prayer and recognizing the symbols of Holy Week.

Middle School to High School

We will meet in Room 8 2/26 through 3/25 to explore together the study on Gifts.

OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE

We are seeking those who would like to be a workshop leader, helper in our Bible Explorersprogram or work in our Worship & Wonder program as a storyteller or greeter. We will trainyou so you will be familiar with our programs so no need to be shy. We also need help frompeople who like to work behind the scenes. Curious? Just give Shirley a call at 310-328-8399for more information.

DATES TO SAVE:

2012 SUMMER CAMP DATES - more information to follow when available. Keep

watch on the Loch Leven site at www.lochleven.org. Also join the Facebook page for

Loch Leven at www.facebook.com/LochLeven.. Registration begins Feb 1st.

July 1-4, 2012 Mini Camp

July 8-14, 2012 Junior CampJuly 15-21, 2012 Chi Rho Camp

July 22-28, 2012 CYF I

July 29- August 4, 2012 CYF II

August 5 - August 11, 2012 All Ages Camp (Grades 4-12)

August 17-19, 2012 Young Adult Camp

Education Notes & News

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Different Worship Order for Lent & Easter

During the six Sundays of Lent, as well as Easter Sunday, we will be trying a differentorder of worship in both our 8:30 and 10:30 services. Changes will be explained dur-ing worship, and we will be inviting feedback from the congregation.

This is an experimentany permanent changes in the order of worship will be made,ifthey are made, with the input of the Worship Committee, pastors, musicians, and,of course, the congregation.

Pastors Baptism Class

Any youths or adults interested in baptism are invited to please contactPastor Steve about being part of a baptism class during Lent.

Feed The Hungry Sunday

Our next Feed The Hungry Sunday is February 26th. Your faithful dona-tions of canned tuna, soups, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed pastahave made it possible to help feed needy families around the South Bay.Meals are served everyday from 8:00 to 10:00 a.m. Dave and his staff fromHis House continue to thank you for your love and support.

Tuesday Prayer Meeting Continues

Each Tuesday evening at 5:45, a group gathers in our sanctuary to lift upprayers for one another, on behalf of loved ones, the ministry of the church,and the needs of the world. It is a simple time of focus where some prayaloud, others silently. All are welcome and everyone with a need is en-couraged to submit prayer requests.

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Upcoming Sunday Messages

February 12: WOMENS SUNDAY (Ecclesiastes 3:1)Though our church enjoys leadership from women every day of the year, this Sunday wewill emphasize and celebrate that leadership. Disciples Women will be sharing insights,testimonials and drama from last Falls Spiritual Growth Retreat, which Torrance women

planned and led.

February 19: Pray for Who? (1 Timothy 2:1-2)There is a tradition, going back to scripture, of praying for those who govern this world.We are not asked to agree with them, or even like them. But our faith does challenge us topray for them. What spiritual benefit might fall to us, or our world, if we entered this disci-pline?

February 26Lenten Series 1: All Good Gifts Around Us (Ephesians 4:4-8)This first Sunday of Lent, we begin our series on spiritual gifts with a simple idea: all aregifted by God. For some of us, this gifting may be abundantly clear; for others, a com-

plete shock; for others still, a guilt trip. As we humbly enter into Lent, what will it mean forus to prayerfully consider our gifts, and how we may use them?

March 4Lenten Series 2: Care Not to Compare (Romans 12:1-8)New Testament lists of spiritual gifts are almost certainly not meant to exhaust the possibili-ties. There certainly seem to be gifts beyond the lists. But these lists do contain lessons onhumility, the Holy Spirit, and the dangers of spiritual comparisons.

Sunday Morning Adult Class

Our Sunday Morning Adult Class is finding that some very interesting discussions can arisefrom the questions we raise among ourselves. For the next several weeks, we will be dedi-cating our time to whatever comes up, and looking to see how the Spirit moves us.

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Our Wednesday Morning Bible Study has reconvened our survey of Proverbs, which weplan to continue until the start of Lent on February 22. Our themes in Proverbs currentlyinclude Family Life and Parenting, Public Responsibilities and other relevant issues.

Our Wednesday Morning Bible Study meets in the Choir Room at 10 a.m. All are wel-comethis is the kind of study where joining in the middle works just fine.

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When he was a boy, my father convinced his motherto let him sit in the church balcony during worship.He had discovered my grandmother could not seeinto the balcony, and did not know when he snuckout with his friends! That is, until the day she wentup to remind him of something, and found him gone.His sin was compounded later when she asked himwhat he thought of the sermonand of coursecaught him in a fib. From then on, he sat next toherand for a while, on a rather sore backside!

My fathers spirit for mischief continued through his lifeas a clerk in the

Army, he would write his own passes, and then spend most of his afternoonslooking for trouble in Yokohama. It beat daily parade ground drills! On hislast full day, in and out of consciousness, he quipped to the hospice nurse, andmy stepsister, Fine state of affairswhat are you doing this fine afternoon?As I shared last Sunday, Alzheimers finally blocked off his recognitions andhis memories, but it never conquered his sense of humor.

Janie and I have much appreciated all the kind words offered on the death ofmy Dad, and have felt uplifted by your prayers. In all circumstances, it contin-ues to be a blessing to serve with you. We continue to covet prayers as wetravel to Oregon this coming weekend for his memorialand somebodyplease record Womens Sunday!

Shalom, Steve

Home phone: 310-212-5950 email: steefeets@hotmail.com

Next Newsletter articles need to be at the church office by February 27, 2012

Footnotes

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T

heChristianMessenger

FirstChristianChurch

2930ElDoradoStreet

T

orrance,CA

90503

TIMEVALUEDATA

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109

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Disciples of Christ)2930 El Dorado StreetTorrance, CA 90503

(310) 328-2820 Fax 310 328-2929E-mail - fcctorr@pacbell.netWeb address - fcctorrance.org

Sunday Schedule

8:30 a.m. - Worship - Informal9:30 a.m. - Church School for all ages

10:30 a.m. - Worship - TraditionalChildrens Worship - Ages Pre-school through

2nd Grade(During the Traditional Worship Service)

Nursery Provided

For birth through age 3 during Sunday Schooland Contemporary & Traditional Service

Office Hours

Monday - Friday9:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.

Staff

Steven Fietz, Senior PastorTed Oden-Minister of Contemporary Worship

Administrative Assistant Camelia OlloqueChoir Director - Ken Potter

Nursery Attendant - Amanda RuhsDorie Hernandez

Officers

Chair - Chery CarewVice Chair - Francisco Sanchez

Treasurer Jimmy KoontzFinancial Secretary - Moggy Emmen

Clerk Nancy Johnson

OrCurrentResident