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Upcoming
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November 5th
Gabriel Fauré's Requiem
November 11th
Goodwill Truck
Holiday Boutique
November 18th
Circle of Faith Build
November 19th
Alternative Gifts
December 3rd
Advent Wreath Workshop
December 10th
Christmas Concert @6p
December 16th & 17th
Living Nativity @ 8pm
December 18th
Blue Christmas
December 24th
Christmas Eve Services @ 5pm, 9pm, & 11pm
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Ministry Links
to Website
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Birthdays
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Allen Dooley
11/1
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Garth Phillipsen
11/3
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Mark Gerken
11/4
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Elise Hardbarger
11/5
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Sue Terwall
11/5
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Tom Moioffer
11/7
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Ken Spencer
11/7
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Abigail Hubbard
11/11
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Zachery Farmer
11/12
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Connie Clift
11/26
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Josh Bennett
11/27
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Letter From the Pastor
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Small World Preschool Update
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 Find out what's happening in
Maturing Ministries,
COSROW, and
Hospitality Committee.
More...
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Letter from Pastor Melissa
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Dear Faith Friends,
We continue to work our way through, The Book of Joy: Lasting Happiness in a Changing World written by The Dalai Lama, Archbishop Desmond Tutu and Douglas Abrams. The last part of the book describes the Eight Pillars of Joy. The sixth pillar is gratitude. They write, "Gratitude is the recognition of all that holds us in the web of life and all that has made it possible to have the life that we have and the moment that we are experiencing. Thanksgiving is a natural response to life and may be the only way to savor it." An ability to live in a state of thanksgiving maybe the only way to relish life, so in the month that we generally as a country celebrate Thanksgiving, I challenge us to move beyond the typical Thanksgiving where we gather for one day to eat good food (and for some watch football) to trying something that will deepen our faith. In the Book of Joy they also write, "It (gratitude) allows us to shift our perspective . . . toward all we have been given and all that we have. It moves us away from the narrow-minded focus on fault and lack and to the wider perspective of benefit and abundance."
So let's start everyday in November with a thanksgiving or gratitude. Some people write a thank you note everyday, or you can post something you are thankful for everyday (we have a calendar you can follow) or you can tell someone each day how thankful you are for something they do. Whatever the practice, find a way each day to be thankful. These everyday practices turn our eyes to the blessings in our lives because if we focused on what we lacked or what was difficult we will miss the blessing.
This attitude of gratitude can deeply change the way we view our life and how we live our lives. If we are thankful for what is in our life and we consciously recognize it and live out of it we move into a place of being generous. With a thankful spirit that leads to a generous spirit we become what Archbishop Tutu describes as, "becoming an oasis of peace, a pool of serenity that ripples out to all of those around us." This month let's all become an oasis of peace and pools of serenity for those in our lives.
Blessings,
Pastor Melissa
Sunday, November 12 - We welcome guest preacher, Rev. Dr. Roché Vermaak - New Executive Director of Family Promise who is an ordained pastor in the Presbyterian Church.
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Family Fun Night!
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Next FFN: Sunday, November 12th @ 5pm
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Upcoming Events
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Circle of Faith Build
November 18th 9am - 2pm
Signup for this incredible day of giving back to Veterans who have given of themselves so freely!
Click here to register:
www.HumanityCA.org/events.php
GOODWILL TRUCK
November 11th from 9am - 12pm!
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Music Ministries |
Please join us on Sunday, November 5
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for two special performances of Gabriel Fauré's epic masterpiece, Requiem. A "requiem" is a mass for the dead, rooted in Catholic and Anglican liturgies, and intended to celebrate the life of those gone before us. In my opinion, there's no better Sunday than All Saint's Day to honor those who have transcended to paradise before us. Many famous composers, such as Mozart, Haydn, Berlioz, and Verdi (and newer composers like John Rutter and Andrew Lloyd Webber) have set the Requiem Mass to music. The piece is sung in Latin with English supertitles and translations provided. The seven parts of the Requiem Mass, as they are featured in Fauré's composition, are the Introit/Kyrie, Offertory, Sanctus, Pie Jesu, Agnus Dei, and In Paradisum. The mass is about 35 minutes in length, and features combined choruses, soprano and baritone soloists, and full orchestra, including harp and organ.
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The Rainbow Ringers have a special musical surprise for the Christmas concert and need congregation family Christmas pictures to make it happen. They can be Santa pictures, Christmas morning pictures, Christmas Eve pictures, living nativity pictures ... but the emphasis is on family. Old pictures or new pictures are both welcome. Pictures can be scanned and sent either Keir Karzin or Ken Terwall. They can also be brought to church and will be returned quickly. The more pictures we get, the better! Help us ring in the Christmas season this year by providing a Christmas memory. Pictures are needed by November 26th.
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Good News Gang will be presenting a musical, written just for them, called Follow the Star AKA Dorothy in the Land of Ahhh's and Oooo's.
Our two lovely narrators, Goodness and Mercy, of "O Where O Where Has My Little Lamb Gone fame" are back and tell the story of one young girl's search for the real meaning of Christmas. Dorothy, saddened by the absence of her parents this Christmas, is struggling to find the "reason for the season".
While reading The Wizard of Oz for her book report, she falls asleep and dreams of "Christmas Land" where her school friends are the fanciful characters in this beautiful and whimsical land. On her journey, she is led by God's Word, an Angel and the Three Kings to Bethlehem and comes face to face with the baby Jesus.
You won't want to miss the children as they give their witness in song, words and a little dancing thrown in. You will hear classic carols, hymns and originals like The Candy Cane Twist. Hear the Gospel in an enchanting way.
Deborah Malena, a southern California native has been a professional musician and singer most of her life. Once a teacher, she has done studio work, and has performed all over the world. She was the music director at Calvary Lutheran Church, Arleta for almost 30 years. Deborah worked with country hall of fame member, Cliffie Stone and producer, Ray Ruff. She has sung on two of Pat Boone albums. Deborah plays bass, keyboards and musical saw. She began writing gospel songs about 15 years ago. She has four sons, two dogs and a great husband, Garth, who is also her guitarist.
Garth Phillipsen, born in Oregon, raised in southern California, and Alaska also made his living in the music field. As a young man, he performed with a gospel trio in California, then with his father performing and ministering to the native Alaskans for the Salvation Army. He then played in nightclubs, restaurants and Las Vegas. He too worked with Cliffie Stone and Ray Ruff. Garth had the opportunity to perform with many great musicians, Tennessee Ernie Ford, Stuart Hamblin, Tex Williams, the original champagne lady, Roberta Lynn and Molly Bee to name a few.
Together, Deborah and Garth have a music ministry and a burning desire to spread God's word. As a songwriter, Deborah writes in many different styles. Most of the songs the Lord gives her are filled with hope and peace. Enjoy, be filled and spread the Good News...
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Small World Preschool Update
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Small World Spooky Preschool! This month was busy with Halloween themes! Ghosts, pumpkins, bats and costumes have been fun to discover. 3 cars from our Small World family participated at Trunk or Treat!! To end the Halloween fun, we had crazy hair! The preschoolers trick or treated on campus! Children also gathered at Small World Sunday to sing, praise God and visit with some super heroes! WE are glad that October is a nice long month, we also had chapel with Pastor Melissa. She read the book, The Kissing Hand. We talked about how our family's love is with us wherever we go. It is the same with God's love, it is with us wherever we go.
- Michelle Moyer
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What's Happening
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Fun Bible Study
Every Tuesday at 0930 in the Fireside Room.
M&M's (Maturing Ministries)
November 10th and 24th
At 0930 in the Fireside Room
COSROW Boutique is almost here. Members of our congregation have been hard at work preparing knit items, sewing items, cookies, breads, crafts and jewelry. Come by Fellowship Hall to enjoy a free lunch and see what treats and gifts you might find. There will also be a table of games, puzzles, books, and odds 'n ends to be purchased by donation. We look forward to sharing!
9:30 - 12:30
Fellowship Hall
November 12, 2017
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What do you get for the person who has everything? Or what special gift can you give to your favorite teacher or co-worker? Gift them a gift that honors them through a donation to a worthwhile cause. Here are some of the gifts you could buy:
- make a donation to Best Friends hurricane relief. We forget that many pets are being cared for until their families can be found or there is a house for them to return to. Best Friends is one of the groups caring for pets of all kinds.
- make a donation to UMCOR, the United Methodist Committee on Relief. They are wherever families have experienced a major event such as earthquakes, hurricanes, tornadoes. A TV special recently thanked UMCOR for their work and they stay for as long as they are needed.
- make a donation to the Domestic Violence Center that helps families experiencing abuse and trauma. They provide counseling, shelter, and whatever else is needed to remove them from harm's way.
There are 12 groups that we are highlighting and 100% of your gift goes to the organizations you choose through your Missions and Outreach committee.
Fellowship Hall
10:00 - 12:30
November 19, 2017
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Prayer advocates-
I would like to highlight a group of incredible women who serve as prayer advocates in our church. When the offer of having someone pray for/with you was first offered on communion Sunday I was hesitant even though I believed in the power of prayer. I was on the prayer phone chain for years. I still respond with prayers as I see/hear of others in need. I experienced and encouraged shared praying at camp.
The first time I went down to the kneeling rail and turned my palms face up asking for the advocates to pray with me, it was more to share a concern I had and wanted other to be praying for it too. But as time went on I began to understand that I needed help with my praying. I had become overwhelmed with the bigger, worldwide hate and atrocities. I went to the rail (now no longer able to kneel as well) and I just shared my despair. The women took my hands, looked into my face and began to pray. Putting into words my fears, and then speaking words of hope and reconfirming God's love.
The prayer advocates on communion Sunday's are a blessing. They are for a quick few moments, a connection to God. They come to those in need, who ask for prayers by turning their palms upward, and then they are fully with them, turning together to focus on God.
Thank You
-donna everhart
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J.A.M. Club
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The Season of Thanksgiving is upon us. In the last year my family and I have had many things to be thankful for. We moved back home to California, found an amazing church family. Spent time making memories, from Advent wreath, to Easter, to Trunk or Treat. Let's not forget Family Fun Night with Legos, worship, study and food! What do all these have in common? Relationships, we have cultivated new friendships, with so many at SCUMC, and are looking forward to many more. There are a few more chances to join me in making memories:
Family Fun Night will return on Sunday, November 12th at 5 PM. The youth will be serving a delicious Spaghetti Dinner. This is a fundraiser for the youth group so plan accordingly. If you are not able to donate, please come and eat and fellowship with us anyway, your presence is enough. We will break out into groups at the end of our meal.
On Sunday, November 19th, at 5 PM Bring out your famous soup or chili recipes and join us in a cookoff. It will be amazing to see who has the best of the best out there. There will be surprises for the top 3. After dinner, join us for the Movie Polar Express we will have hot cocoa, and cookies available as we kick off the Holiday Season. This will be our last Family Fun night until 2018.
If these are not enough reasons to make memories and build relationships, I will offer one last one. Our kids need you. They need to know the adults that they go to church with and see what a grown Christian Disciple looks like. There are many opportunities to meet these precious members. Teachers, helpers, volunteers for our many activities. Just let me know, I can help you find your place with us.
As I close, I want to thank each and everyone one of you for being a part of family ministries. The apostle Paul said it much better than I:
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I thank my God every time I mention you in my prayers. 4 I'm thankful for all of you every time I pray, and it's always a prayer full of joy. 5 I'm glad because of the way you have been my partners in the ministry of the gospel from the time you first believed it until now. 6 I'm sure about this: the one who started a good work in you will stay with you to complete the job by the day of Christ Jesus. 7 I have good reason to think this way about all of you because I keep you in my heart. You are all my partners in God's grace, both during my time in prison and in the defense and support of the gospel. 8 God is my witness that I feel affection for all of you with the compassion of Christ Jesus.
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This is my prayer: that your love might become even more and more rich with knowledge and all kinds of insight. 10 I pray this so that you will be able to decide what really matters and so you will be sincere and blameless on the day of Christ. 11 I pray that you will then be filled with the fruit of righteousness, which comes from Jesus Christ, in order to give glory and praise to God.
Philippians 1:3-11Common English Bible (CEB)
With Gratitude,
Kristi Smith
Director of Family Ministries
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Youth Ministries
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Youth October Calendar
November Youth Highlights
11/11 - Goodwill Truck!
9am-12pm
Donate your stuff, and our youth earn money!
Youth, come help out during our timeframe and you get money to use towards future events or trips!
11/18 - Habitat Build for Humanity!
9am-2pm
Youth are invited to help Family Promise build a home for a local veteran! It's an amazing day for a great cause!
Must be 16 years or older to participate. Cost is $40 which includes breakfast, lunch, a t-shirt, and a full heart! :)
11/19 - Healthy Relationships!
6-8pm
We'll have a guest speaker join us for UMYF as we discuss what a healthy relationship looks like at school, at home, and in your every day life. Youth are invited to join us for a great discussion about something we have all struggled with!
11/26 - 1st Annual Potluck Dinner!
5-8pm
Thanksgiving is over, but leftovers are still abundant!
Youth are invited to join us the Sunday after Thanksgiving as we share leftovers, funny stories, and fellowship time together during the season of Thanks! We'll watch a movie and enjoy each other's company. It's going to be fun! :)
SCUMTHANKS
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