“O COME LET US ADORE HIM”

CHRIST THE LORD!

Christmas Eve
that most holy and beautiful of nights,
when the world once again celebrates the birth of our Lord and Savior.
Christmas Eve
the night, when every Christian heart overflows with joy.
Christmas Eve
this Holy Night is one to be shared with music, prayers, candles, the reading of scripture.
Christmas Eve
A night for the sharing of hearts, the joy of friends gathered near.

You are invited to join in this evening of worship

December 24th – 5:00 p.m.
Join with your church family as we light the candles of
Hope, Peace, Joy, Love and the Birth of Christ
Join in singing the beautiful carols of Christmas
Share in the readings and meditations
Receive communion and participate in
Lighting candles for a candlelit service
of prayer and blessings
Then go in peace to proclaim
“Joy to the World – the Lord is come
We hope to see you all at the Family Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
Merry Christmas!

December 11, 2008

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 Disciples Women’s Ministry
“AND SO THIS IS CHRISTMAS” . . .
and what have you done? Another year over – a new one soon begun”.
Those words from an old John Lennon song seem really appropriate for this
last newsletter article of the year. Although this space usually chronicles the upcoming activi-
ties of the women of the church, it seems only fitting to pause for a moment, and remember
where we have been, and what we have done in the service of our Lord and our church in
2008.
Our women’s ministries in this church seem to be ever intertwined, to the point
where it is hard sometimes to remember which committee did what – and does it
really matter? What has always been the goal is to provide fun, safe, inspirational
activities for all, emphasizing always our Christian ideals, our service-oriented
base, and our caring for each other and our world.
And so, in the ebb and flow of our lives, we have welcomed new families to our
church, and said goodbye to old friends with tears and wonderful memories. We
have rejoiced with Pastor Ted on his new path, bid “Godspeed” to our dear friend
Kel, and welcomed our new Pastor Steve and Janie, and of course, did it all with
caring - and with food! Food is always a wonderful way to bring people together,
and we have had increased attendance at our monthly luncheons, enjoyed picnics, our Friend-
ship Dinner, Family Night, our Holy Week meals and many other happy times of sharing a
big meal – or a simple cup of coffee – sharing communion – sharing each other.
We have come together in so many ways this year. Our Circles have been productive and
well attended. The Disciple Women’s Board has worked on our successful Boutique, and in
bringing to fruition our beautiful new Communion table. Our women have attended the
Spiritual Growth Retreat and the Spring Events, and represented our church in many ways.
And of course, there is always the focus on the kids! Young people from all over
the United States joined us this summer, and kept us busy with drivers and again –
food, as they stayed in our gym, and did outreach in the community Our women
give so much for the Sunday School programs, Vacation Bible School, the holi-
days with the Hanging of the Greens evening, the hayride, and so much more,
making meaningful memories for our youth. If you were able to share in the Chil-
dren’s Sunday on December 7th, you saw love in action. It was a perfect example of what is
really important at First Christian Church–coming together to celebrate God’s love.

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Service to others has always guided Disciples Women in their endeavors. Outreach is one of
the cores of our Christian beliefs, and in 2008, as always, it led us in our activities. Just a
few of the Disciples Women’s many service projects were Diamonds in the Ruff, Family
Crisis Center, the Optometry Mission to Paraguay, Kids for Kids, Blessing Boxes, Habitat
for Humanity, Impact USA, and the list goes on! Look around the church. Even as you
read this, there is a tree in Sippel Hall, waiting for you to choose a gift for a family who
needs help, His House bins, a men’s clothing mission basket, the Kid’s Kloset--our love
goes on. It’s not just a list - it is kids in Darfur being fed - it is a family who has a home – it
is sight for someone in far off Paraguay – it is helping to get a kid off drugs – it is an abused
child rescued – it is what we are.
If the question is “and what have you done” – for the Women’s Ministry at First Christian
Church, the answer is “my Father’s work”. It will soon be time to look back, to say good-
bye to 2008, and start a brand new calendar! In the new year we can look forward to the
beautiful circle of life that we share. When you open up that new calendar, be sure to mark
our the Disciple Women’s luncheons, the Friendship Dinner, and all the activities we can
share in 2009. Watch for dates and information in this newsletter, and make your New
Year’s prayer that God will lead us all in new ways to serve Him in the coming year.
From your Disciples Women’s Board – Happy New Year!
HOW MANY MEN DOES IT TAKE
TO PUT UP THE CHRISTMAS TREE IN THE SANCTUARY?
Well that’s easy to tell. On Friday evening November 28, Dave Marvin, Bill Wysong
and Lee Sebaugh removed the pews from the choir loft in preparation for Saturday
morning’s work party.
On Saturday morning, nine men began the assembly and decoration of our Christ-
mas Tree. In slightly over an hour the tree stood in its magnificence. A big thank
you to those who participated - Chuck Bruley, Roger Grove, Rich Koontz, Wally
Sandberg, Pastor Steve, Lee Sebaugh, Bob Schnepp and Bill Wysong. We missed
two of our crew, Gene Brummett and Jack Colston who have passed into Heaven,
no doubt working there.
Thank you all/Jack Perry
Furnace Update
As we have announced in Church Service, the heating system has been completely
replaced in the Sonoma Parsonage at a cost of $5,100.00. Our Church Family has
generously responded with $2,940.00 in donations as of 11/24/08 and we are very
grateful for this response-THANK YOU!. Since there is a remaining balance, we will
still be accepting gifts for this cause.
Thank You, Doug Crawford
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 State of the Union Letter
Time certainly does fly! It has been 5 months since Steve Fietz stepped into the role of our
Pastor and the First Christian Church of Torrance is flourishing. In some ways it feels like he
just arrived a few weeks ago but in other ways it feels as if he has been with us much longer.
Personally, I attribute the later to both Steve and Janie as they are so warm and caring and
filled with the spirit of the Lord. I suppose the Installation Ceremony made it all official, but
for me, what I see happening in our Church Family since Steve arrived is what makes it real.
God has blessed this Church Family in so many ways and all Thanks should be given to our
Lord.
Our Church Administration has been running smoothly and we must first thank our dedicated
staff of Ted, Camelia, Ken, Sherril and the newest member Dorie Hernandez. Dorie will fill
the role as the Nursery Attendant during the First Service so Sherril will be able to attend
worship service during that time. In addition, we need to thank all of our dedicated and faith-
ful members who volunteer their time, effort and talents to fill all of the other important posi-
tions in our church. I cannot begin to list their names and adequately describe all they do but
their efforts are truly inspirational.
We are currently working on a new updated Mission Statement. Our goal is to create a mean-
ingful statement we can all identify with and will accurately and concisely reflect the mission
of our Church Family.
Our giving has been generous and we are currently meeting all of our financial obligations
each month. However, with little in reserve, there is no cushion to fall back upon each month.
This puts an emphasis upon our consistent stewardship. In addition, we have several impor-
tant maintenance projects that are on hold until we can afford to have them completed. With
that in mind, being good stewards with all that God has blessed us with is very important and
everyone’s efforts are appreciated.
The Cabinet and Trustees have begun looking into ways to generate new sources of income to
better fund our current needs and to augment our important outreach efforts. Our rental fees
for the current outside groups have been reviewed and increased where appropriate and the
possibility of attracting a new congregation is being explored. This process is just getting
started and our emphasis will be on searching for the “right fit” and then using the income
generated for specific needs. If this search is successful and we find a group that seems to be
the “right fit”, it will be presented to the Board and Congregation for their involvement and
approval.
I want to personally thank everyone for contributing to the faith and substance of our Church
Family and in helping us to make a real difference in our community and the world in God’s
name and glory.

Doug Crawford/Board Chairman

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 CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS & CONCERNS
Paul Crossman is home from the hospital and doing much better as he re-
covers from hip replacement surgery.
Beverly Roseberry is transitioning toward home after time in the hospital following surgery
to remove squamous cell skin cancer from her leg.
Dolores Koontz is feeling better after treatment for circulatory problems.
Hilda Coleman’s vertigo has become far less severe, for which she gives thanks.
Shirley Crawford (Doug’s mother) is undergoing tests to determine the cause of continued
nausea; she is also suffering from osteoporosis.
David Eldik continues to make good progress on a number of basic preemie issues.
A match was found in the recent stem-cell drive for Steve Kroesen, giving far greater hope
in the treatment of his Hodgkins lymphoma.
Duane Johnson continues chemotherapy for skin cancer.

With Christian Sympathy

Hilda Corless succumbed to complications from pneumonia on November 25. Her life and
faith were celebrated here on December 6. We continue to hold her daughter, Sherril
Wiechmann, in our prayers, as well as grandchildren Robert and Laurie, and great-
grandsons Dakota and Kailean.
Chery Carew, Dorie Hernandez and their extending family are in our prayers on the pass-
ing of their Uncle Bill.

OFFICE HOURS DURING THE HOLIDAYS

So that the staff may enjoy some of the holiday spirit, the office will be
on limited office hours during the time between Christmas and New
Years. The office will be closed on December 25, 26 and January 1.
The schedule for December 29-January 2 will be 10:00 to 12:00 each
day and closed in the afternoon. We will resume regular church office hours, Mon-
day, January 5, 2009.

A Newsletter Thank You

A BIG thank you to all the volunteers that came out and helped fold and prepare
the Newsletter this past year. They are; Susan Babcock, Carole Jones, Ellen
McCune, Stella McGinnis, June Perkins, Eileen Powell and Ruth Totes.

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 December 2008
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursd

WORSHIP SERVICES
8:30 and 10:30 am
Sunday School 9:30 am

1 2 3
Bible Study 10:00
Amazing Gray’s 1:00
Worship Meeting 7:00 New Hope
Trustees 7:00
Education Meeting 7:00

7 8 9 10

Christmas Program
Bible Study 10:00
Youth Adventure Disciple Women’s
Choir
Christmas Party 12:00 Newsletter Board
Board Meeting 7:00 7:00 p.m
CYF 12:00 7:00
Women’s Lunch 12:00

14 15 16 17

Cantata 10:30
Love Group 9:30 a.m. Bible Study 10:00 a.m.
Christmas Party Choir
Faith Group 1:30 p.m.
Sleigh Ride 7:00 p.m
Elders 7:00 p.m.
5:30-9:00

21 22 23 24
Christmas Eve.
His Hands 12:00
Worship
Bell Choir Meeting
12:00
5:00 p.m.

28 29 30 31

New Years Eve

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day Friday Saturday
December Birthday’s
Dorothy Rind (1)
Mark Faaita (2)
Arlene Zingery (2)
Stacy Martinez (2)
Tommy Wood (4)
4 5 6 Dylan Rogers (4)
Mike Mine (5)
Betty Fenton (5)
e 7:00 Jean Steenson (6)
Laura Duncan(8)
Roger Grove (9)
11 12 13 Donis Johns (10)
Ruthie Totes (10)
Janie Oden (12)
Kristi Marvin (13)
r Courtney Colston (14)
m. Eric Johns (15)
Lynn Jonas (18)
Jun Pagdilao (18)
Nduka Ibe (18)
18 19 20 Helene Strayer (19)
Jose Gonzalez (19)
Grant Galyardt (24)
. Carrie Fontaine (25)
r Ellen McCune (26)
m. Phyllis King (27)
Roy Houston (28)
Steve Fietz (28)
25 26 27 Melissa Woodman (28)
Nora Wiehe (28)
Judy Musser (30)

Church Office Closed

ANNIVERSARIES
Bill & Carol Rimmey (4)
Joe & Debbie Gonzalez (16)
Bernard & Jean Steenson (21)
Bill & Janet Wysong (27)

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 Education Notes & News
The International Dinner and Youth Auction was a big success. To date they have raised
$752, some of which will fund the horse drawn sleigh ride. The rest of the money will go to
youth related activities. The education committee gives a big thank you to Jimmy & Sakura
Koontz, Shirley Woodman and all the youth who participated. We look forward to collecting
on the work we bid on!
Another shout out to our Sunday School teachers Shirley Woodman, Janie Oden and
Kelly Rogers for putting together the children’s Christmas program. The kids and
youth all did a great job.

All Church Christmas Party and Sleigh Ride

Who: Everyone! Friends, family, neighbors, Santa Claus
What: A fun evening together
When: December 14, 2008 from 5:30-8:30 p.m.
Where: Fellowship Hall
Why: To celebrate the Christmas season with our church family
Menu: Taco boats, hot dogs, hot chocolate
Activities: Sleigh ride with real horses, decorating gingerbread men, other fun holiday crafts,
a visit from our favorite man in red
Cost: $10 for 6 gingerbread men, $20 for 12

Bible Explorers
This is the name of our new Sunday morning program. Sunday School is not a thing of the
past; it’s just taking on a new look, a new name and a new focus. We invite all parents, chil-
dren and anyone interested to join us for our kick-off on Sunday, January 11th. You will get
the chance to visit and participate in 3 mini-rotations.
Ask Jill Foster, Shirley Woodman or Chery Carew how you can be a part of this exciting pro-
gram. As always, don’t forget to join us for our current Sunday School program for all ages
on Sunday mornings from 9:30-10:15 a.m.

Adult Sunday School

Entitled “Christmas in the Amazon (.com),” Jeff Wood is continuing a wonderful discussion
on the meaning and values reflected in how we celebrate this time of year. Steve Fietz will be
leading a short Bible Study in January. Unless Sippel Hall is being used for something else,
the Adult Class is there each Sunday at 9:30 a.m. If the hall is busy, we meet in Room 7.
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 December-January Youth Calendar
December 14th
12:00 Chi Rho (grades 6-9) meets in Room 4 to make Gingerbread Houses
5:30 All Church Christmas Party and Sleigh Ride.
December 21st
12:00 CYF (grades 9-12)
No Youth Adventure today
December 28th
12:00 Chi Rho has some New Year’s fun making fortune cookies
No CYF today
January 4th
12:00 Ice Skating at Seaside Lagoon for all youth groups and entire church

Loch Leven All Church Retreat

Imagine contemplating God’s winter landscape while sitting on a bench by a
stream. Imagine caravanning to a snowy hill and taking a ride on an inner
tube while a cool wind blows through your hair. Imagine joining together
with church family to play and get to know each other a little better. Imagine worshipping
together atop a hill on a crisp Sunday morning as our song and prayers waft towards
heaven. Imagine feeling part of God’s creation.
You are invited to join your church family on the weekend of March 20-22nd, 2009 for an
All Church Retreat to Loch Leven Camp and Conference Center in the San Bernardino
Mountains. Cost will be $90 for adults and $67 for children (ages 4-12). Children 3 and
under are free. A $25 deposit per person is required by January 30th to hold your spot.
Financial assistance is available. We don’t want money to be the reason someone can’t
join us. Look for more details in future newsletters. See Samantha Lubrani with ques-
tions or for more information.

Dear Friends of Clinica Esperanza

Thank you, thank you! We very much appreciate you and I wanted to personally thank
you for being such an important influence on Clinica Esperanza’s success in the past.
Without the help of generous donors like you, we wouldn’t be where we are today. As you
can see from our recent e-newsletter which you can get at newslet-
ter@clinicaesperanza.com, we have been very busy. Our much anticipated birthing and
pediatric inpatient center is about to open.
Blessings, Peggy Stranges, RN Clinica Esperanza, Roatan, Honduras!
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 Special Christmas Offering
Each year, our church receives four over-and-above
special offerings for the work of our wider church.
The theme for this year’s Christmas Offering, “God
has done great things,” is from Mary’s Song (Luke
1:47-55). This offering lifts up the great things God
is doing through our Regional Church, The Christian
Church of the Pacific Southwest.
Lead by our co-regional pastors, Don Dewey and
Susan Gonzalez Dewey, our Regional Church pro-
vides excellent women’s programming, camps for
youth and families, support and training for pastors
and lay leaders, and helps in the development of new
Disciples congregations.
First Christian Church of Torrance has extra cause to
support our Region, as Susan Gonzalez Dewey
helped facilitate the call of our new pastor. Please
prayerfully consider the Christmas gift you can offer
for this vital ministry of our wider church.

Upcoming Sermons
December 14 – “The Musical According to Luke” (Luke 1:39-55)
The first chapter of Luke is a kind of ancient musical – and Mary’s song is a real show-stopper! It
also has a powerful message for us now. (This message will be offered in the contemporary service
only – we’ll be enjoying our choir’s Christmas Cantata at the traditional service.)
December 21 – “Be Careful What You Dream” (Matthew 1:18-25)
How do we make important decisions? Looking to the example of Joseph, we see how love can
overcome the worst outcomes of our best intentions.
December 28 – “Superstitious & Spiritual Strangers” (Matthew 2:1-12)
The magi are led to Jesus through an odd and foreign set of beliefs. How do we respond to the spiri-
tuality of strangers? How is Jesus revealed through odd others? And how can their devotion inform
and deepen our faith?
January 4, 2009 – “Tough Love & the Gentle Truth” (Matthew 3:1-17)
John the Baptist announces the arrival of one kind of savior—but in Jesus, he gets something a bit
different. What expectations do we have of our Lord—and how does he meet them, or not?
January 11 – “A Dangerous & Tempting Comfort” (Matthew 4:1-11)
Jesus faces some very personal temptations. What do his responses offer to those who would seek
to follow him?

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 Footnotes
Have you ever had someone “should” on you? As in “You really should do this, or do
that…” Preachers are tempted to should on others, but usually couch it with “we”—as
in “We really should do this, or do that…” The challenges of parenting leave one vul-
nerable to shoulding on one’s children. (Combine pastor with parent, and it goes a
long way towards explaining the many travails of preachers kids!)
But I notice Christians are at least as likely to should on ourselves as anyone else. As
in “I should do this or that…” Or even more daunting: the unfulfilled should, as in “I
really should have done this or that…” And it seems Christmas, like it does every-
thing else, really amplifies this tendency. As in “I really should have hung the lights,
gotten out cards, baked cookies, knit a sweater, read the directions, given so-and-so
such-and-such…”
It’s why Advent continues to be so necessary for our spirits. Not as in, “I should do
my devotionals more…” But as in helping us prioritize—helping us let go of our
shoulds, so that we might claim the most important cans. As in, “I can say no to most
of those shoulds…”
Advent frees us from Christmas; Advent helps us empty a place where Christ may
come and be born.
Shalom, Steve

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Our Wednesday morning Bible Study will be taking a three week break.
We’ll return with an overview of the epistles starting January 7. Bible
Study is in Sippel Hall every Wednesday morning from 10:00 to 11:30 a.m..

Grief Support Group During the Holidays

On Monday, December 15, our Grief Support Group will gather to offer
support and insight into how we experience this time of year. We are to-
gether from 7:00 – 8:30 pm. For more information, give Steve a call: 310-
328-2820 or 310-212-5950.

**Next Newsletter articles for need to be at the church office by 1/5/09.

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 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
U.S. POSTAGE PAID
NON PROFIT ORG.

(Disciples of Christ)
PERMIT NO. 109
TORRANCE, CA

2930 El Dorado Street

Torrance, CA 90503
(310) 328-2820 Fax 310 328-2929
E-mail - fcctorr@pacbell.net
Web address - fcctorrance.org
Sunday Schedule
8:30 a.m. - Worship - Informal
9:30 a.m. - Church School for all ages
10:30 a.m. - Worship - Traditional
Children’s Worship - Ages Pre-school through
2nd Grade
(During the Traditional Worship Service)
Nursery Provided
For birth through age 3 during Sunday School
and the Traditional Service
Office Hours
Monday - Friday
8:00 a.m. - 4:00 p.m.
Staff
Steven Fietz, Senior Pastor
Ted Oden-Minister of Contemporary Worship
Administrative Assistant– Camelia Olloque
Choir Director - Ken Potter
Nursery Attendant - Sherril Wiechmann
The Christian Messenger

Officers
Chair - Doug Crawford
TIME VALUE DATA

Vice Chair - Don Zukas

2930 El Dorado Street

DO NOT DELAY
First Christian Church

Torrance, CA 90503

Treasurer– Bill Wysong

EXPEDITE

Financial Secretary - Moggy Emmen

Clerk– Chery Carew

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