First United Methodist Church of Orange

The Forum Volume 84 issue #5 May 2015

Above are the members of our Vision Task Force Team. The team has been authorized by the Leadership Team, and will be working through November. The team's desire is to celebrate the past, and peer into the future. DESIRED OUTCOME Clearly identify the thread of DNA from our 140 year history that must be carried forward into

FUMCO's future.

See the next 20-25 years through the eyes of God. . . what God is going to accomplish through FUMCO.

The vision of our "Core Mission" shared and celebrated by all at FUMCO. SIMPLIFIED OVERVIEW PHASE ONE---recruit and train Vision Task Force

PHASE TWO---21 day Prayer Vigil

PHASE THREE---Values Discovery through worship surveys

PHASE FOUR---In Home Focus Groups

PHASE FIVE---Process Data and dialogue with Consultant

PHASE SIX---Town Hall Meetings to perfect vision

PHASE SEVEN---Adopt Vision/Mission Statement Vision Task Force Co-Chairs Bonita Chavis & Jarod Hicks

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A MESSAGE FROM THE PASTOR

Ready … Set … Wait!

[Jesus said], “I am going to send you what my Father has promised; but stay in the city until you have been clothed with power from on high.”

Luke 24:49 Jesus’ disciples were the very pictures of faithfulness. For 3 years they followed, witnessed, healed, struggled to understand, despaired and rejoiced together…but the point is, they followed. Their reward at the end of the journey was to witness the arrest, torture, and crucifixion of Jesus, and then stagger into the breathless news of the resurrection. It took them 40 days to heal and recover, during which time Jesus told them his earthly ministry was drawing to a close and the time of the Church was about to begin. And you know what? The disciples were ready. Like dogs straining at the leash before the hunt, they were poised to be turned and share the gospel news.

“Ready?” Jesus asked….they leaned forward.

“Set?” he continued…their muscles tensed….

“Wait.” Jesus said.

And with that, Jesus was gone.

* * *

For Christians who are ready to do ministry “wait” is a most frustrating word. This month the Leadership Team at FUMCO has authorized the 2015 Vision Task Force—made up of a cross section from our congregation—to lead our congregation in a process of discovering God’s vision and mission-call for our church. The Vision Task Force will be consecrated during worship on May 10, and then they’ll go to work…helping us wait and listen for God’s living word. There’s no shortage, even now, of qualified opinions and ideas about “things we can do as a church.” It might seem tempting to just start “trying things, because taking a long time, waiting on God, having meaningful dialogue and working through disagreements can seem very…well…frustrating at times. But as the disciples in the first century learned, motivation, enthusiasm, and experience by themselves are not enough to make a church. Left to ourselves, we humans can do much; we are capable of organizing into wonderful clubs and societies, and states, and mighty nations. But it isn’t until our gatherings are “clothed with power from on high” that we become the church—Jesus’ body, given for the world. Over 2000 years ago on Pentecost, God rewarded the patient waiting of his faithful, and fulfilled the promise Jesus made. God’s Holy Spirit was poured out on the church and they began to go forth “with power from on high.” This year on Pentecost Sunday, First United Methodist Church of Orange will begin its own season of waiting for God’s power and love and vision to be poured out. Like the early disciples we are poised and ready, muscles tensed, eager to get started. Our common work together will include fellowship, coaching, workshops, teaching, and serving the world. But the first thing we are going to do is …wait. We wait because we want to make this journey with God and we want to be clothed in God’s power through the Holy Spirit.

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PASTOR’S MESSAGE CONTINUED

* * *

The first practical steps in our waiting will take the form of prayer and fasting, and our prayers will exist in three dimensions:

Personal Prayers – each member of First United Methodist Church of Orange is asked to set aside at least 15 minutes every day for devotions and prayer.

Family Prayers – each household is asked to gather themselves at least twice a week for family devo-tions. Singles are encouraged to gather with other singles and share a regular time of devotion.

Community Prayers – our entire church is called to fast from our busy-ness; to suspend all non-worship activities (meetings, rehearsals, classes, etc.) for 21 consecutive days, and to open the sanctuary for prayer from 3 to 8 pm during that time. All the necessary materials will be provided to guide us through our devotions, and everyone is encouraged to come to the sanctuary often to be in prayer.

* * *

No one’s integrity as a Christian can be measured in public gatherings. Our integrity springs from what we do when no one is watching. No one will come around checking on your progress during your daily prayer and family devotion…and yet our church grows stronger when each of us faithful to these disciplines; like-wise, our church family is diminished when we neglect them. In 2015, God’s love is touching First UMC of Orange with Vision and Hope. How we long to see it! But out the outset, Jesus first says, “Wait.” So we are going to be faithful in waiting and listening for God, and it will be worth it! I am looking forward to receiving this vision with you! In Christ, Pastor Bill

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SPIRITUAL REFLECTIONS AND FAITH FORMATION

There is a disturbing trend I am noticing in churches. The trend is the decline in percentage attendance. As we look forward as a church to this 21 day prayer vigil, and the vision that God has for our church, it is important as well to continue to keep church a priority. Church is not something that you do individually, but it is something that you do collectively. To be a follower of Christ is not just what you do by yourself; it is what you do together with other people. We are what the Bible calls the "family of God." A family is by its very nature inter-dependent. What it means to be a part of a local church is that you're inter-dependent with other people in your church. Here are 5 great reasons to come to worship weekly - - -

1) It Is What Jesus Did

Luke 14:6 says, "Jesus went back to Nazareth, where he'd been brought up and as usual he went to the meeting place on the Sabbath." The Bible tells us that "as usual" or another translation of the Bible says "as was His custom" Jesus went to the place of worship. This is in keeping with obeying one of the Ten Commandments which is, "Observe the Sabbath by keeping it holy." When we say we are followers of Christ, we're supposed to do what Jesus has done. Jesus would go to church and we as followers of Christ should do the same. If we take seriously our followership of Christ, then we should go to church regularly.

2) It Is a Good Habit

Hebrews 10:25 says, "Some people have gotten out of the habit of meeting for worship. But we must not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other, especially since you know that the day of the Lord's coming is getting closer." The Bible says to us there is a good habit of regularly going to church. Most of the time when we think of habits we think bad habits but there are good habits. Some have developed the bad habit of missing church. Maybe you've gotten out of the habit or maybe you have yet to develop the habit of regular church attendance. Sunday morning offers a lot of options. It offers the sleep in option, it offers a brunch option, it offers the read the Sunday paper option, and it offers all kinds of options having to do with recreation. Good habits bless your life and produce positive results. When you practice the good habit of regular church attendance you reap some very good outcomes.

3) It Is a Positive Example

Going to church is a positive example. When you go each Sunday, you're setting an example. You are setting an example that other people notice. It is an example that becomes an inspiration for others. People who are trying to make their lives better, people who want a positive change are going to be impacted by an example of someone who is committed to regular church attendance. For those of you that have children, it's an absolutely positive example for your kids to know that on Sunday you go to church. We have also decided to push back our Word for Children so that our children can be in church longer. Studies show that it's important for our children to be immersed in church worship..."train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart from it" (Proverbs 22:6).

4) It Is Important for Fellowship

Look again at what the Bible says, "Some have gotten out of the habit. We should not do that. We should keep on encouraging each other." The church is an encouraging place. We all need encouragement. Life is hard. Life is difficult. We all run into various kinds of challenges; health problems, financial issues, conflict within our families. We have an opportunity to encourage one another and that is part of what church is about. Sunday service is where fellowship begins. Being in classes, groups and serving is where you get to know people on a deeper level. But it starts on Sunday; the launching point to fellowship and community is in church services.

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STEWARDSHIP

5) It Is Essential for Growth

It is absolutely essential for spiritual growth to regularly attend church. I have this phrase, "The service you miss is the service you need." Each service is tailored and designed to maximize your Sunday worship so that you can leave with the best possible spiritual experience. You can praise and worship God and you can learn things that you didn't know before. You will be challenged. You're going to be motivated. Church is where you will be inspired to go higher than you've gone, to live a life that is godlier and greater than you've been living, to sync your life up with Jesus and His purpose and plan for your life. You will come to understand why you're here on this earth: to serve, to give and to love.

Don't come occasionally to church. Don't just come when you feel like it. Make regular church attendance a priority and let it be a good habit that becomes a part of who you are. Nothing does more for your spiritual health than regularly being in church. Being in a church service is irreplaceable. It is a moment in time and once it's gone, it's gone forever. There will always be competition for your time and other things that you could do on a Sunday. But these are really good reasons you should regularly attend church. Let us be a witness for Christ to those around us and let us grow together. And let us be a great witness for our children. . .

Dear Church Family,

On May 31, 2015, three of our youth will be confirmed in worship service: Nathan Meersman, Alycia Roney, and Skottlynne Roney. I am so excited about the journey these 3 youth have begun in their faith walks. They have been meeting with me once a month since October of 2014, learning about the colors of the church season, about the founder of Methodism: John Wesley, the Fruits of the Spirit, Spiritual Gifts, the Season of Advent, the Season of Lent, the Season of Easter, the Means of Grace, our 2 Sacraments: Baptism and Communion, the importance of being servants for Christ in this world, and finally the Season of Pentecost. I am proud of what these 3 have accomplished, and they will be sharing their faith statements in worship service as well.

The church will not be confirming these 3 on Confirmation Sunday, but rather the Holy Spirit will confirm its work in each of these teen’s lives on Confirmation Sunday. Join us for cake, balloons, and fellowship as we celebrate together the great work that God has done and is still doing in the lives of our youth-----May the Holy Spirit continue to bless you with the gift of faith and guide your lifelong journey with God.

Bible Verse: John 16:13

When the Spirit of truth comes, he will guide you into all the truth…

I want to thank the parents and our mentors (Helen Huston, Jodi Roney, and Julie Roney) for partnering with us on this journey!

Grace and Peace, Peter Joseph (M.Div), Director of Faith Formation

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VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL

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URGENT! . . . HELP NEEDED FOR VBS, IT’S JUST AROUND THE CORNER

Calling all youth and adult volunteers - we need your help for Vacation Bible School. Our dates for VBS is July 13th thru 17th, and our theme is G-Force, God’s love in action! At VBS we will have adventures such as wonderful Bible stories, great music, cool crafts, exciting science, fun games, and more! We can’t do this without your help. Here is what we need:

Shepherds (5 to 9) Bible Story Leader Music Leader (already filled by Donna Nelson) Snacks Leader Games Leader Science Leader Crafts Leader (1 to help co-lead with Joyce Claussen) Pre-registration (3 Sundays) Registration (4 Helpers) Creative minds to help decorate Messenger Hall (3 to 4 helpers)

If you can help in any way, please contact Peter Joseph ASAP. Email him at peter@fumco.org or call his office number: 714-532-6363 ext. 203. We will be having a check in meeting for all interested helping out on Sunday, May 17th @10 am!

WE NEED YOU!

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

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The next Confirmation class takes place on Sunday, May 3rd, from 11:45 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. in the Youth Cellar.

May 31st is Confirmation Sunday!!

“The God Squad” Youth Fellowship for 6th – 12th grades

May 10th No God Squad due to Mother’s Day

May 24th at 5:30 p.m. Church-Wide Prayer Vigil Begins!

Youth and parents are encouraged to come to the sanctuary sometime between 5:30 and 7:00 p.m.

to join Peter in a time of prayer for our church.

Angels Game The God Squad Youth Group is going to the Angels

game on June 14th. Please RSVP by May 31st if you are planning on going!

YOUTH & CHILDREN’S ACTIVITIES

Peter Joseph Director of

Faith Formation

Email: peter@fumco.org Cell: 714-473-8086

Office: 714-532-6363 x203

Please take note that Peter is now in the church office

Tuesday - Friday

The God Squad at BOOMERS

in Irvine

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UNITED METHODIST WOMEN

MOTHER - DAUGHTER - FRIEND LUNCHEON May 9, 2015, 11:30 am

A delightful day is being planned for you and your guests at our annual Mother-Daughter-Friend Luncheon on May 9, 2015. Our theme is “There’s No Business Like Show Business” and delightful entertainment will be provided by The Music Room. This is always a wonderful day which includes a catered lunch, great entertainment and many, many door prizes with the grand prize being a beautiful quilt donated by our Quilting Guild. Tickets are on sale in the courtyard on Sunday - $15 adult, $10 child, and free for children 0-3. Child care will be provided if requested. We look forward to seeing everyone there.

ANNUAL RUMMAGE SALE

July 27 - August 1, 2015 The time is drawing near for our GIANT Annual Rummage Sale. As most of you know, this is United Methodist Women’s largest fundraiser of the year, and proceeds from the sale go to help support Mission Giving in our country and around the world. You may begin bringing your items on or after July 1st; please at this time only bring items that can be placed on the stage in Messenger Hall “behind the curtain”. Please no large items or furniture before July 27th. You may call Nancy Teigen or Neale Davis to schedule pick-up of large items during the week of July 27th,

USED RUMMAGE NEEDED: Kitchen items, dishes, small appliances; jewelry, lamps collectibles, books, pictures, knick-knacks, toys, games/puzzles; pet supplies, sport and camping equipment, sleeping bags, tools and bicycles. Clean, gently used clothing (dresses, suits and jackets on hangers if possible); purses, hats, shoes; linens, blankets, holiday decorations, backpacks, suitcases, small area rugs; furniture in good condition, overstuffed chairs and couches must be on good, clean conditions – no rips or stains; baby furniture, etc. (The key criteria is – if you wouldn’t use it, don’t bring it.)

WE CANNOT ACCEPT THE FOLLOWING: Magazines, console TVs, console stereos, very large heavy appliances or furniture, unframed mirrors, paint and chemicals, car parts, cosmetics and toiletries, food, office desks, hospital beds or equipment, drapes or window coverings and hardware, carpeting, mason jars, text books, library books, swing sets or large play equipment, organs, water beds, king-sized beds, headboard or mattresses. We can accept computers, monitors, printers, fax machines.

TEA AT TWO FELLOWSHIP

The former “Daytime Fellowship” group has a new name: Tea at Two Fellowship! They meet the first Tuesday of each month at 2:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room and welcome newcomers. The next meeting will be May 5th. See you there.

QUILTING GUILD

Our quilting ladies continue to amaze us with the loving quilts they make. In April, Nancy Teigen and Shaundell Lentz delivered 14 quilts to WISE Place. These quilts are being saved until the young women graduate from the program and are given to them to keep. What a wonderful gift and thanks to the Quilting Guild for blessing them with the quilts

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JOOIN US IN FELLOWSHIP & FUN!

Twigbenders May Dinner The Twigbenders Social Group will be having their May Dinner Meeting on Friday, May 15th, in Messenger Hall. The social time begins at 5:45 p.m. followed by the catered dinner at 6:15 p.m. The evening's entertainment will be the "Snappy Tappers". They are a lively group of retired and semi-retired members, both men and women who love to tap dance. They are members of OLLI, the Osher Lifelong Learning Institute at Cal State Fullerton.

Please RSVP by May 11th to Sandy & Wayne Wilson at 714-637-4533.

Newcomers are always welcome.

Newcomer’s Fellowship

The Newcomer’s Fellowship will be getting together again on Saturday, May 23rd at 6pm in Messenger Hall for dinner and a presentation by the Men’s Lunch & Bible Study Group. RSVP to the church office by May 18th. Questions? Contact Bonnie Joseph (bejoseph@att.net) for more information.

Men’s Lunch and Bible Study

led by Pastor Bill

Tuesday, May14th

at 12:00 noon in Messenger Hall RSVP to Nate Wisely, 714-348-3483,

by Sunday, May 10th

Lady Twigbenders Thursday, May 21st

at 1:00 p.m. in the Fireside Room

The afternoon’s hostesses will be Rita Keller and Joanne Patterson

The program will be presented by Margaret Beyer

Join the Choir . . .

and make a joyful noise unto the Lord!

We rehearse Thursday evenings. SkyWord at 6:15 p.m. and Sanctuary at 7:30 p.m.

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Thank you to the FUMCO family for all your prayers and good wishes over the last few weeks. Thanks to God’s care, my level of back, leg and knee pain has significantly reduced and I have no visible symptoms of the TIA (mini-stroke). I do have 3 remaining blood clots that need further attention. Also, I continue to experience above normal tiredness. I should be able to schedule my spine surgery in 3-9 months. A special thanks to those who sent their prayers and good wishes with the prayer shawl - and a very special thanks to Nancy Teigen for providing the shawl.

Nick Rogers

May Birthdays 1 Shushma Gohil Corbin Alycia Roney

5 Chris Simpson

10 Bob Anderson

Mike Short

Lynne McFarland

Jessica Sanchez Jeanne Tibbets

12 Joe Tardie

13 Patricia Stone

17 Jeanne Nelson

18 Julie Connell

19 Eric George

21 George Longyear

Mary Wilson Seastrom

30 Jane Carmichael

Anniversaries

Prayer & Praise Requests Prayers for Janice Self’s sister, Donna Thompson,

who had cornea surgery.

Prayers for the family and friends of Betty Zeller who passed away on April 19th.

Continued prayers for Mona Ward who is recovering at home from a small stroke.

Continued prayers for Diane Brown, who was diagnosed with rheumatoid arthritis.

Healing prayers for Angelina Gohil, who had knee replacement surgery on April 16th.

Prayers for the Martinez family and their extended family, after their cousin, Joey Alterbury (24 years old) was killed in a car accident in Oregon on Good Friday, leaving behind a 1 year old son.

6 Joe & Beth Meersman Gene & Shirley Somers

JOYS . . . CONCERNS . . . CELEBRATIONS

Pray Without Ceasing Marilyn Allen, Nancy Bjorkland, Diane Brown, Ken Brown, Jay Farrell, Bonnie Goodrich, Shirley Katz, Ada Landes, Cybil Low, Helen Martin, Mary McKenerick, Bob Meyer, Jackie McCracken, Meg Murray, Carol Nameth, Jane Parra, Nick Rogers, Jim Salling, Jerry Schaper, Charles Schroeder, Shirley Somers, Patricia Stone, Florence Towers, Karla Turner, Mona Ward, Nena Williams, Betty Wisely

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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

HOMEWORK HOUSE Marcia Marcinko, Director 714-694-0965

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 Scripture Readings.

United Methodist Youth Sunday Fellowship

5:30 - 7:00 p.m. 2nd & 4th Sundays

Office Staff Telephone Extensions: Dial 532-6363 and extension: Pastor 206 Rev. Bill Johnson

Administration 204 Karen Mendoza, Office Manager 216 Carol Rathbun, Communications Secretary

Programs 203 Peter Joseph, Director of Faith Formation

Mike Short - Director of Music Sylvia Coussa - Bell Choir Director Joe Schubert - Organist

The deadline for the June edition of

The Forum

will be May 21st