thought for the week:thought for the week: learnlearn

A Publication of First Christian Church of North HollywoodA Congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Robert M. Bock, Senior PastorLouise Sloan Goben, Associate PastorJeremy Gillett, Director of Youth MinistriesAlfredo Gomez & Loydi Rivas Gomez, Pastor, Spanish Speaking CongregationYoung Lan Kim & Young Jun Yang, Korean Pastors

Volume LXI No. 48 June 15, 2016

LoveLifeLearning

JUNE...Dads, Grads & Family

Page � June 15, �016 First Christian news

I’ve been writing this Letter to our Church Family almost every Monday morning for over four decades. Usually the words come easily. Our church family is such an amazing group of people doing such incred-ible ministry, both on and off campus and in their in-dividual lives that writing about it is an honor and a pleasure. This morning my heart is heavy and my mind is trying to understand once again the extent one person will go to express his hatred for another.

Yesterday (Sunday, June 12) was a day of contra-dictions. Making my first cup of coffee was interrupted by the phone ringing. It was early. That almost always means something bad has happened. Our youngest son Brad, who was preaching yesterday in their home church in Albuquerque, asked simply, “Have you heard about Orlando?” No! We had not heard. Brad touched on the highlights as I texted “what floral trib-ute can we have for Orlando” to David Blaire at Dee’s Flowers. David suggested a single white rose with a rainbow ribbon. It was a simple, elegant and mean-ingful tribute. It was on the communion table within half an hour

It seems that in recent years every mass shooting escalates in severity and number of fatalities. This, ac-cording to the news media, was the worst in American history. The magnitude is difficult to grasp, especially when some elected officials are assuring us that there are more such killings to come and that “home-grown-terrorists” may be our next door neighbors.

We were sitting in the Youth Hut in the monthly Christian Education Council meeting when Louise re-ceived a text from Ryan, one of our XPLOR residents, who was working the gay-pride parade. It was the first report we had heard that a diligent citizen, aware of “odd” behavior of a man parked near her home, had called the police. A trunk full of weapons, ammuni-

tions and explosives were found in his trunk. Was per-haps another Orlando or San Bernardino prevented, in West Hollywood or Santa Monica, by an observant citizen who followed the instructions to “report things that don’t look normal?”

At the same time as news of hatred, prejudice, in-tolerance and ignorance had motivated a mentally-ill religious fanatic to kill anyone not like him, the sanc-tuary of our church home was filled with those who came to be led in worship by wonderful, sensitive, brilliant, talented and dedicated youth. Youth who, in the midst of what some call “a hopeless world gone mad,” expressed their hope for the future and their dedication to use their faith as motivation to change the world they will lead.

Those present in church yesterday morning saw a group of youth, standing shoulder to shoulder, that stretched the entire width of our sanctuary. Those youth are amazing scholars, athletes, musicians, actors and actresses, dancers, community servants and all are dedicated to Christ and living His way of life. Those present heard two outstanding homilies by Gage Kirkland and Lydia Yang, two of our recent high school graduates, both of whom will be attending Chapman University in September. They heard inspiring com-munion and offering meditations, heard beautiful music and were welcomed and served by an amazing group of middle-school students. They saw a group of youth who, in their Confessions of Faith, have pledged to live according to Jesus’ Gospel of Unconditional Love. Youth who are dedicated to working for peace, tolerance and openness and who exhibit a generous spirit toward the world and those who are different from them. And all of our youth could not be present on Sunday. At least another twenty-four were travel-ling or had other commitments.

The contradictions of our world are classic: evil verses good, the disciples of war against the disciples of peace. However, it is not a time to be fearful or timid. It is a time to be faithful, careful, observant and diligent. Our youth expect nothing less of us. They are already leaders in their own right and as they grow

First Christian news June 15, �016 Page �

THANK YOU FCCNH!On Wednesday, June 8th, 2016 the Red Cross collected 25 pints of blood which helps to save up to 75 lives! A note from the Red Cross: Our Hospitals, Patients, and Disaster Victims rely on people like you and your community to make sure we have they blood they need. This was a great drive together! We had an amazing turnout and collected much needed blood product to restock our shelves during our Summer Critical Time. Your work in our Life-Saving Endeavors is paramount and we hope you and everyone who helped understands the impact we are able to make because of communities like yours. Thank you!

and mature, their faith will give them the guidance to lead our world into an era of peace and brotherly and sisterly love. In the light of recent events my words may sound greatly optimistic but our youth have instilled within me great hope for the future. I trust you saw a bit of that hope yesterday in our an-nual youth Sunday.

Christian Nursery School “graduated” a won-derful group of children into kindergarten last Friday morning. Maggie Hollis, one of our pre-K teachers, has taught at CNS for 33 years, a record tying Ruth Link Snyder’s 33 years served as Director of our school. We honored Maggie at the graduation with flowers, a gift certificate to her favorite restau-rant and a beautiful gold bracelet adorned with “X’s” and “O’s” to remind her of the many hugs and kisses she has received over her teaching career at CNS. We “allowed” Miss Maggie to retire under one con-dition – that she come back regularly as a substitute. Thankfully she agreed.

CNS summer school begins next week as the first of our local FCCNH camps, Dance Fit I, be-gins. The middle school mission trip also begins next Monday and from then until the middle of August our church schedule is at “warp speed.” Take a deep breath, hang on and enjoy the ride. It will be a great summer.

Have a great week, be kind to one another and I look forward to seeing you next Sunday as we cel-ebrate Father’s Day together.

Perge! Pastor Bob

From the Rev Dr. Sharon WatkinsPresident and General Minister of

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

All of us are heartbroken over the horrific tragedy in Orlando this weekend. Our General Minister and President, Dr. Sharon Watkins, just released this pastoral message. Our prayers contin-ue for those touched by this latest violent act. And let us pray for a kinder, more just world!

http://disciples.org/sharon_blog/love-wins/

Gary W. Kidwell, PresidentChristian Church Foundation

Join us on Facebook at :

www.facebook.com/christianchurchfoundation

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After Sunday’s service There will be a special Meet and Greet

honoring Dads and Grads

Page � June 15, �016 First Christian news

When I woke up this morning, these words by Paul McCartney were playing on a loop in my head: When I find myself in times of trouble, Mother Mary comes to me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be. And in my hour of darkness she is standing right in front of me, Speaking words of wisdom, let it be, let it be.

I woke up this morning in my childhood bed in Georgia. I flew out on a last minute’s notice to take care of my mom. An unplanned trip like this isn’t easy for a single mom of three. I’ve arranged 6 people to do my motherhood job and I can take care of the church stuff from here with help from my wonderful co-workers. While this is an emotional trip for me, it’s a trip that has me overwhelmed with love for my church family and my friends.

Youth Sunday was on Sunday and my phone blew up (meaning I turned it on and had more texts than I can count) from my church family. Pictures and vid-eos of the service and lots of pictures of my daughter who served on diaconate. Youth Sunday always makes me so proud and emotional. I’ve had the privilege of watching these children grow up. Before I joined the staff at FCCNH, I was a member of the congrega-tion since 1997 (I was just a baby back then, haha!). I remember seeing our current high school seniors per-form in the children’s choir when they were four years old. I’ve watched them serve on diaconate, serve on the food pantry team, volunteer at the tree lot, play alien in the social hall on sleepovers at the church, volunteer in the nursery, at camp and FNL. They are learning to live a life of service. They are learning to let God take the wheel. I am proud to be a part of this family.

None of us ever knows what the future holds, but what I do know is that our incredible corner makes life worth living and I’m thankful for the role that we

I greet you in the Wonderful Magnificent name of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.

I offer a special thank you to our youth, Ty Parr, Josh Elson, and Pastor Bob for their support during youth Sunday. This was my first time organizing youth Sunday and overall I was pleased with the number of young people involved. There were several youth that were unable to make youth Sunday and missed the opportunity to be recognized for their achievements. We have made extra certificates and they will be avail-able to those who were unable to be in worship on Sunday.

I am also excited to announce that this coming Monday June 20th will mark the first day of our mid-dle school mission trip. We have a full schedule and will visit with many different mission sites throughout the week. I want to thank all the parent volunteers for their help and also the members of the congregation for donating resources to help support the mission trip. Mission work is very important as it teaches our youth about service to humanity and that true leader-ship is defined by our service to others. I ask that you keep us in your prayers as we travel the highways and by ways to our different mission activity sites during the week of June 20-24.

Jeremy GillettDirector of Youth Ministries

First Christian Church North Hollywood

all play in each other’s lives. For now, I will try to let it be, let go and let God…“Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; yet not my will, but Yours be done” Luke 22:42.

Christi Anderson, Director of Children’s Ministries

First Christian news June 15, �016 Page 5

“When the Lord saw [the mother] he had com-passion for her and said to her, ‘Do not weep.’ Then he came forward and touched the bier, and the bearers stood still. He said, ‘Young man, I say to you ‘rise!’ The dead man sat up and began to speak and Jesus gave him to his mother.” (Luke 7:13-15)

I think that many of us are familiar with the story of Jesus raising his friend Lazarus from the dead. And many of us are also familiar with Jesus restoring to life Jairus’ daughter. This story from Luke, of Jesus bringing back to life the only son of a widow from Nain, is a little less familiar to us. Simply told, the story is of Jesus and his disciples on the road when they encounter a funeral procession in process. A widow’s only child, a son has died. As Jesus comes to understand the situation, Luke says that Jesus has compassion for her. He stops the pro-cession and reaches out to the young man who has died and speaks, “I say to you, rise.” And he does.

This is a simple story, and it is also very rich in wis-dom for us in our living and our caring. Jesus randomly encounters this funeral. He didn’t have to stop. No one would look negatively at Jesus if he had simply minded his own business and continued his journey. Yet, Jesus cared enough to interrupt his travel and offer what he could. He noticed the hurt, the tears. He was paying at-tention. It is often easy for us to overlook the pain that is around us. In fact, it can be overwhelming when there is so much around us to take in. Yet, when we care even a little, people begin to heal. It makes a difference.

The root of the word compassion means to feel with another (from the Latin “com” + “pati” to bear or suffer).We have to be willing to hurt with others, especially in those times when it seems much easier to walk on by. Healing only happens when those things are in place – our attention and our compassion. We don’t know when we may be raising someone who is dead, at least on the inside. It is not supernatural. It is real for that one who is hurting unto dying.

We become healers, like Jesus when we walk alongside people, through listening, caring and loving. Healing can happen.

Pastor Louise

Healing Like Jesus

In the mid-19th century, seekers traversed the Middle East in search of biblical treasure. They did not seek the location of the Ark or the Holy Grail, in-stead, they sought ancient documents that attested to the words found in Holy Scripture. What they found will forever change how we read the Bible. During the Monday Night Bible Study on June 13th and 20th, we will watch the Smithsonian Channel’s two-part series Bible Hunters that details their journeys. Join us, as we learn how these treasure hunters’ discoveries influence our lives today.

July 11 • The Horn Blows at Midnight (1945, NR) July 18 • Inside Out (2015, PG) July 25 • Of God’s and Men (French, 2010, PG-13) Aug. 1 • Big Miracle (2012, PG) Aug. 8 • Me, Earl and the Dying Girl (2015, PG-13) Aug. 15 • Les Miserables (1952, NR) Aug. 22 • Jiro Dreams of Sushi (Doc. 2011, PG) Aug. 29 • The Miracle Worker (1962, NR)

Page 6 June 15, �016 First Christian news

Food Pantry VoLUntEEr ContaCtTransportation Teams:

Chris Wilkinson at 818.515.5753

another way to donateYou can now make recurring donations to the

Interfaith Food Pantry through the FCCNH web page (www.fccnh.org/Donate%20Cash).

THE FOOD PANTRY IS IN NEED OF:Canned tuna, canned chicken, rice, canned beans (pinto,

navy etc.), boxed cereal, diapers, powderd milk, baby food, peanut butter and tomato products!

Wednesday 6/15 Studio City Team

Sunday 6/19#6 Kevin Kenney Heather Hatch Barbara Erdahl

Thursday 6/23#1 Barry Dantagnan Terri Hall Jackie Fecske

Sunday 6/26#8 Sally Hallada

Wednesday 6/29Volunteer TeamChris WilkinsonRobin GarnerArt DielhennJoe White

Thursday 6/30Volunteer TeamChris WilkinsonRobin GarnerArt DielhennJoe Whitenhifp

Seeking p/TTreaSurerThe North Hollywood Interfaith Food Pantry is seeking someone for the position of the Pantry’s

treasurer. The treasurer is a vital part of the Pantry’s op-erations. The treasurer needs to be consistent, organized and dependable, effectively communicating with the Director and the Advisory Board. Previous experience in bookkeeping or accounting is required. The treasurer position is a five hour a week position. If you are inter-ested, or someone you know is interested in this posi-tion please contact Luis Oliart, director of the Pantry at luis@fccnh.org.

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!

Brian JohnsonJoshua BigbeePeter Morawek

Christopher A. Bernstein1st Battalion at PendletonChris Diaz

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.

First Christian news June 15, �016 Page �

ChUrCh StaFF

Robert M. Bock Senior Pastor

Louise Sloan Goben Associate Pastor

Alfredo Gomez Pastor, Spanish Speaking Congregation

Christi Anderson Director of Children’s Ministries

Jeremy Gillett Director of Youth Ministries

Tyana Parr Director of Children’s Choir

Joshua Elson Music Director

David Rigsby Organist

Christine Karasseferian Director of Finance and Human Resources

Sara Rushing Administrative Specialist

Diane Hirsch Administrative Assistant/Web Master/Publicity Coordinator

Terri Burton Church Publications

Michele Amundsen Wedding Director

Elmer Maldonado Building & Grounds Superintendent

Lauren Muscarella-Huizar Christian Nursery School Director

Miriam MancillaChristian Nursery School Assistant Director

Greg Kirkland Media Director

VoLUntEEr StaFFJosé Pretlow, Susan Marble, John Henry Kreitler, Jeff McFadden, Denise Ovaldson, Tom Louie, Richard Johnson, Martin Smith, Sound TechniciansLuis Oliart Security

In MEMorIaMEarle Immel Minister of Music EmeritusMerle E. Fish, Jr. Minister Emeritus

By Way oF rEPortJune 12, 2016___________________________

10:00 AM Worship 230 5:30 PM SpiritSong Worship 40 7:00 PM Evenlight Worship 5 7:00 PM Wednesday Worship 13 Sunday School Children 36 Sunday School Youth 33 Evening Youth Group 3

10:00 AM Worship $6,367.00 4:00 PM Service En Espanol $202.00 5:30 PM SpiritSong Worship $1,274.00 7:00 PM Evenlight Worship $4.00 7:00 PM Wednesday Worship $30.00 Elders Fund $50.00 Week of Compassion $25.00

ToTal General offerinG $7,952.00

PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA EMAIL TOterrib@fccnh.org

or in the office M-F from 9am to 5 pm.

is midnight sunday!

n e w s l e t t e r

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

First Christian Church of North Hollywood818/763-8218 • FAX 818/763-8457Web Site: www.fccnh.orgemail: fccnh@earthlink.net

Pastor & senior editor Robert M. Bockart direction Terri BurtonWeb Master Diane Hirsch

Production services

Billie Kline Mary Ann SteutermanByron Armantrout

eMeritus

Lillian Carlson Heather KenneyMargaret Defibaugh Cathy MelendezFern Donald Chuck MontJean Johnson Wanda Kanoy Helen Scarna Kay SmithBetty Van Zanten Shirley McClure Deborah Wheeler Virginia StebbinsCindy Kaller

June 19, 201610:00 am Randy Carver (O) Erica Christensen (C)5:30 pm Rodney Gould7:00 pm Anna Sigala

Diaconate: Kevin Bailey Dean Williams Sue Williams Joan Norland Toni Rossi Chris Carson Deb Carson Stacie Constantine Connie Cross Larry Brown

Upcoming Diaconate: June 19 Dean Williams & Sue Williams June 26 Charles Hirsch & Diane Hirsch

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