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December 2016 – January 2017 Vol. 35, No. 11
Worship: Sunday mornings at 10:30 amwww.arcadia.church
Pastor Jim Conner Family Ministry Sam Knottnerus Youth Ministry Andrew Ritiau Children’s Ministry Intern Mackenzie Conner Preschool Ministry Amanda Ritiau Family Min. Admin. Assistant Sandy Hakim Operations Manager Sonja Woosley Office Manager Erin Cruz Bookkeeper Cherri King Preschool Director Billie Turner Preschool Assistant Director Sara Read Preschool Admin. Assistant Joanna Rodriguez Music Conservatory Christina Liu Worship Shawn Halim Graphic Design Shawn Halim Video Amir Abdelmalek Audio Engineer Tony Tawfik Custodian Shane Jones Mark Read
Arcadia Community Church(626)445-7470 Fax (626)445-6071
www.arcadia.church
DECEMBER 2016
JANUARY 2017
Do you consider yourself a visionary? Most people don’t. The irony is that we all value vision. If we couldn’t see, where would we be? Who wants to be wandering around in the dark, bumping into things, getting hurt? Yet, by seeing everything, we sometimes miss what is most important. I would suggest that having vision is the ability to see but being a visionary is more than simply seeing. Visionaries see what is important and then move into the future with a singular focus on the important. They also communicate this vision freely with others. If you are anything like me, and I know I am, I love being intentional and living with purpose. Which leads me to this question: what greater purpose could there be than to live for the vision given to you by God and then share that vision with others?
In the Bible, God spoke to Abraham and gave him a vision of who he would be and what God was going to do through him. Genesis 12:2-3 says, “I will make you into a
great nation, and I will bless you; I will make your name great, and you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and whoever curses you I will curse; and all peoples on earth will be blessed through you.”
Notice first that the vision originates with God and not Abraham. This reminds me that any vision I chase should be a Godly one. Next notice that the vision shows God starts by blessing an individual and then a family and ultimately the whole world. This reminds me that what God may want to do in me doesn’t have to end with me, but like Abraham, may lead to a blessing that would spill out of the cup of my life splashing onto the peoples of the world. What if God wants to bless you and me like he did Abraham and that blessing goes viral?
The Bible tells us that when we believe in Jesus, we are Abraham’s children because of our faith. Therefore, we are heirs of that blessing and channels of that blessing. The
Pastor’s CornerKids Connect
Cross Culture CurrentHOM & Mission Moments
October Financials
Clerk’s Corner Upcoming Events
(Continued inside in Pastor’s Corner)
IN THIS ISSUE:
PASTOR’S CORNER
UPCOMING EVENTS
HOLIDAY OFFICE HOURSFri., December 23rd Office Closes at NoonMon., December 26th Office Closed
December 27th-30th Office Closes at NoonMon., January 2 Office Closed
December 3 ACM Winter Recital 3:00pm SanctuaryDecember 3 Roaming Gnomes 4:00pm Room 14December 4 Alternative Christmas 12:00pm LoungeDecember 8 Presbyterian Women’s Luncheon 10:30am Fellowship HallDecember 8 Preschool Christmas Program 6:30pm SanctuaryDecember 10 Deacon Christmas Breakfast 10:00am LoungeDecember 11 Christmas Breakfast 8:45am LoungeDecember 13 Sparks 6:30pm Fellowship HallDecember 16 Fun Friday 5:00pm Preschool Grass AreaDecember 20 Trustees Meeting 7:00pm Conference Room
January 8 Sunday School Staff Meeting 8:30am B101January 8 Discovering Community 12:00pm LoungeJanuary 12 Shoebox Packing 9:00am Fellowship HallJanuary 13 “Save the Date” Children’s Event 6:00pm Room 18/19January 15 Women! Rejoice! 12:00pm LoungeJanuary 22 The Village 12:00pm LoungeJanuary 27 Family Faith Night 6:00pm Lounge
NEWSLETTER
Fun Friday | Parent’s Night OutFriday, December 16th from 5 - 8:30pmWe are having another Fun Friday! This event is for children Infants - 5th grade. We have a fun night planned for your kids! Kids can have lots of fun with friends their age while parents get an evening child-free! Drop off your kids at the Arcadia Community Church while you enjoy a night out. Cost is $10 per child or $25 per family 3 or more.
SPARKSTuesday, December 13th at 6:30pmDecember will be our annual musical performance by Temple City High School and catered Christmas dinner. Dinner is $13.50 per person. For information and to RSVP, please call Jamie Robe at (626)285-0816. (Due by 12/4.)
Women! Rejoice!Sunday, January 15th at NoonMark your calendar for the next luncheon on January 15th. There will be a place for you in Fellowship Lounge following the service. Make sure to join us for a complimentary lunch and chance to chat with friends and meet new people! See you on January 15th!
1ST & 3RD WEDNESDAYS9:30 - 11:30am
MomsMASTERPIECE
MOPS – Masterpiece Moms 1st & 3rd Wednesdays from 9:30am - 11:30amMasterpiece Moms is a space for moms with children aged kindergarten and below to: come together and glean from one another, experience refreshment in their walk of faith, grow deeper in friendship, and embrace their belovedness as God’s unique masterpieces. Childcare is provided for the children. If you’d like to join us on this journey, please contact Evie Knottnerus by calling or texting (626) 656-3843.
Presbyterian Women’s Christmas PosadaThursday, December 8thPresbyterian Women invite EVERYONE to a special Posada Christmas Program presented by Tabatha Henken on December 8th. What a WONDERFUL way to celebrate the Christmas Season. We will be having lots of Christmas Cheer. Reservations must be made no later than Monday, 12/5. All attendees will be asked for a donation of $10.00 at the door.
Please call Anna Greenhalgh at (626) 445-3275 to tell us you will be there. The doors open at 10:30 AM. The program commences at 11:00 AM and luncheon will be served at noon. Come early to shop and visit. Invite a friend. Men are ALWAYS welcome.
A Game Booth at Trunk or Treat
A Christmas Celebration BreakfastSunday, December 11th at 9am in the LoungeThis year, we will be celebrating the Christmas season with some fun! We will enjoy a delicious breakfast, make a Christmas themed craft, sing Christmas carols, and celebrate the true meaning of Christmas. Our mission spotlight will be Hassan Dicks’ Mustard Seed Project. Buy your tickets for $5/family before or after the church services.
Save the Date - Elementary Kids Fun Night! Friday, January 13th from 6-8pmAre your elementary aged kids looking for a fun night filled with games, friends and food? Arcadia Community Kids has just the thing for you! “Save the Date” will be a fun night of games and activities for our elementary school students and their friends. Can’t wait to see you there.
Christmas Day ServiceSunday, Deember 25th at 10:30amOn Christmas Day, we will still be holding a special Christmas service. It will begin at 10:30 am. We will not be providing Children or Youth Sunday School. Please call the church office if you have inquiries about this service.
THE BOOK OF MATTHEW IN DECEMBERWe will be continuing on in our Jesus the Messiah series in the book of Matthew for December on Fridays from 6:00-8:30pm in the youth room. We’ll also enjoy our regular game, worship music, and small group discussion times.
LAST SERVICE NIGHT OF THE YEARIt’s been great to say that we’ve spent a quarter of our time at Cross Culture doing service projects. Jesus teaches that service is a way to more deeply understand the faith, and we believe the students have learned that as they’ve engaged in ministry this year. On Friday Dec. 16, we will be hosting our final Fun Friday | Parents’ Night Out of the year. We’ll be blessing the parents of the community by hosting a fun night for their kids as they have fun on a date night and/or wrapping up Christmas to-dos. Students are to report to the church at 4:00pm.
NO YOUTH GROUP DURING THE HOLIDAYSDue to the holidays there will be no Youth Group the nights of December 23rd or 30th.
ROAMING GNOMESWe’re excited about our annual holiday outreach event, happening Saturday, December 10th from 5:00-9:00pm. The festivities will include our Roaming Gnomes scavenger hunt, and a fun Christmas party
to follow, including refreshments, karaoke, an ugly sweater contest, and fun prizes. This event is designed to help students invite their friends to church, so we strongly encourage you to invite any 6-12th graders you think might be interested!
JANUARY SERVICE PROJECTOur first project of the new year will be with Door of Hope, Friday January 13th. As usual, we will be serving dinner to the families and playing with the kids of the home. We will be leaving the church at 5pm.
WINTER RETREATOur annual winter retreat is happening on January 20th-22nd. We’re looking forward to this time away and ask that you pray for the students attending – that they will encounter God in amazing ways!
It’s been a wonderful year and God has moved in amazing ways! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year from Cross Culture Student Ministries.
Andrew RitiauDirector of Youth
thought of the average person, like you or me, accessing global influence was once unimaginable. It is now a daily occurrence as our words and actions are potentially only one click away from impacting millions. So let’s think about this together... Are my words or your words, my actions or your actions ones that are directed by God?
Abraham didn’t make up this vision, he received it from God. So how do we today receive a vision from God? How do we get into the place of God’s blessing? How can I improve my vision and understand what is truly important so when I get a chance to influence others, I am not just sharing my own limited wisdom?
One primary way it comes is when we spend time reading or listening to His words to us through the Bible. Do you have a rhythm in your life that puts you in a place where you can see the splendor of who God is through God’s word?
Each person needs to find their own rhythm to spend time with God. Here is a simple three part model of what I like to do:
Divert Daily – spend 20 minutes praying, singing or reading and thinking about Scripture
Withdrawal Weekly – spend a 2 hour block of time
Abandon Annually – spend 2 days away with God
The best part of vision is seeing color and awe inspiring majesty. The more you spend time delighting in God, the more beauty you will discover. Abraham spent time with God and was changed and consumed by the wonder of God’s promise and what he saw. Now go spend some time in God’s presence, and when the vision comes, pay attention and listen. Share what you have seen and heard with others.
Sam KnottnerusFamily Pastor
Merry Christmas, Season’s Greetings and Blessings to you all! With the celebration of the birth of our Savior Jesus Christ and all of the gatherings with family and friends, it is truly, to quote the lyrics of a favorite Christmas song, “the most wonderful time of the year.”
For the Elder/Trustees who will be going off Session and Trustees: Thanks to Joe Purcell for 6 years of hard work serving for 3 years as Chair of Buildings and Grounds and President of Trustees the last two years, Cindy Crippen for 5 years on Personnel and Mark Pocino serving as Chair of Building and Gounds and Trustees. Very special thanks for their years of hard work and dedication to our beloved Arcadia Community Church.
This has been a very challenging year for your Clerk and Session with the pending matters of the last 5 years finally being
resolved. We can now move forward doing the visionary things that will serve the direction the LORD has for Arcadia Community Church as we enter our second year of the next 100 years of service.
Thanks to our Lord for his wonderful and flawless direction of being the church that will continue to be WELCOMING PEOPLE ON A SPIRITUAL JOURNEY TO BECOME FULLY DEVOTED FOLLOWERS OF JESUS CHRIST. AND DEVELOPING THE NEXT GENERATION OF BELIEVERS TO CONTINUE THE MISSION.
I and your Session wish you all a very Blessed Christmas and a safe and joyous New Year’s celebration.
Bob GarnerClerk of Session
Hello Church Family, here are some updates from the Children’s Ministry:
Christmas Season CelebrationsDecember is a month that is full of Christmas cheer! This year we will have our second Christmas Breakfast on December 11th. This event is for all members of the church community, so we hope that you will be able to join us for this morning of celebrating the coming season!In addition, we have a December Fun Friday that is perfect for parents who need to get a bit of last minute shopping and errands done before the holiday season. Our kids always love these nights of games, snacks, time with friends, and getting to learn an awesome Bible lesson. If you are interested in helping at this event, feel free to send me an email at [email protected]. Sunday SchoolOur Sunday school program continues to grow! It is exciting for me to see new faces in our Sunday school classes, but also to see them continue to come back. At the end of Sunday school, some of our kids are sad to leave, and we are so glad that they enjoy the time that they get to spend at church! Sunday school is so influential in the faith development of children and in their perceptions of church, so we are honored
to get to spend this critical time with the children of our church! I have so enjoyed my time getting to work as the Children’s Ministry Intern here in this community! I have grown so much from my time here, and that growth has helped me to become the student and the leader that I am today.
It is with a sense of excitement and sadness that I will be stepping down from my position in January of this year. I have been offered the position as Biola’s Student Director of New Student Orientation and Transitions. I credit the time that I have spent working at this church in a large part of my ability to get this position. I am so thankful for the support that I have received, and I look forward to continuing to play a role in the life of this church. Please join us in praying for this ministry in our time of transition.
Mackenzie ConnerChildren’s Ministry Intern
PASTOR’S CORNER (CONT.)
KIDS CONNECT
CROSS CULTURE CURRENT CLERK’S CORNER
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OCTOBER 2016 FINANCIAL SUMMARYOctober 2016
Actual Budget
Income 59,254 53,285
Expenses 64,266 57,191
Net Income (loss) (5,012) (3,906)
Four Months Ended October 2016
Actual Budget
Income 263,654 264,355
Expenses 270,022 273,317
Net Income (loss) (6,368) (8,962)
HELP STRUGGLING FAMILIES THIS CHRISTMAS (Matthew 25 – helping the needy in Jesus’ Name)
1. Join us for a final Breakfast with the struggling families we have been helping at 10 a.m. December 10. Set aside some time to help others by serving, sharing a meal and listening to the families and/or helping us clean up. (20 people are needed) (Our Deacons will announce a new program for helping the needy in our communities in 2017.)
2. Choose a child from one of these families to purchase a $20 Target or Wal-Mart gift card for from our Christmas tree in the church patio. They will also receive school supplies.
3. Purchase or donate towards $45 (large families) and $35 (small families) grocery cards instead of food baskets.
4. Monetary donations of any size for the gift cards for these families are greatly appreciated.
Please sign up to help and bring your donations to the church office or Hands on Missions Booth by December 4. Thank you!
HANDS ON MISSIONS & MISSION MOMENTS
Concessions at Trunk or Treat
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service We will be having our Chrismas Eve Candlight Service at 5:30pm in the Sanctuary. Come join us to be reminded why we celebrate Christmas through songs, Scripture readings and a brief message. Hope to see you there!
Alternative Christmas 2016 Sunday, December 4th in the Lounge after the serviceDo your Christmas shopping early. A light lunch will be served. The Mission Committee will feature the following projects.The Mustard Seed Project – Hassan Dicks - NigeriaFunds have been released to purchase the building. We have a matching grant of $8,000 which expires 12/31. Proceeds will be used to
refurbish the building and buy some of the equipment needed.Truth Matters – Finney PremkumarFinney challenges atheistic, naturalistic and reductionistic ideologies from a Christian perspective and makes presentations at major universities throughout the US, Europe and South America.Sarah’s Sewing Project – Sarah Maigari – Nigeria$300 will buy a sewing machine and materials to train 12 women to sew for 9 months. This enables them to be self-sufficient. ($15/woman). Sarah also disciples them during this time.
