Does Lent really matter?


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April 2018

Does Lent really matter? Lots of churches don’t spend much time on the “seasons” of the church year and many Christians don’t know anything about them. United Methodists come from the Anglican tradition, so many of our churches follow the church year (also called “the liturgical year”) though some do not. I like the fact that the church has a “calendar” and Lent is one reason why. We have a “school calendar” around which much of our lives circle, even long after our children are grown and we have no one in school. We have a Hallmark greeting card calendar built around all the holidays that are part of our culture, Mother’s Day, St. Patrick’s Day and so on. For many people Christmas and Easter belong to this cultural calendar. We have a civic calendar built around Thanksgiving, Fourth of July, Memorial Day. These are often marked more by retail sales than by their civic observance. The church has a calendar, too! Our “faith calendar” has three sections: 1) the sweep of Advent-Christmas-Epiphany; 2) the even greater sweep of Lent-Easter-Pentecost and; 3) the time from Pentecost to the first Sunday of Advent that we call “Ordinary Time.” Does any of this really matter? To me it does. It reminds me that my days and weeks, the cycles of my seasons and days are not shaped by the secular calendars, but by God. As a Christian, our lives are shaped by Christ’s life. We spend six months (Advent through Pentecost) walking through Jesus’ life and then Ordinary Time is about our response to Christ’s life and work.

Staff Rev. Paula Ferris Senior Pastor Don Barter Treasurer Kurt Boehmke Director Youth Ministries Stephanie Bowen, Kelly Jimenez Co-Directors of FFUMC Preschool Diane Hargrave Preschool teacher Susan Faber Director of Comm. Ministries Greg Fowler Maintenance Supervisor Kim Galea Director of Children’s Ministries Anna Reiley Organist/Pianist Russell Wilson Director of Music John Jaecker Celebration Bells Director Kim Galea Administrative Assistant

Fullerton First United Methodist Church

As Lent draws to a close and we celebrate our “Great Three Days” of Easter, I am even more aware of this. Lent is a time of deep meditation and many Christians “fast” by removing something from their lives. Then, launched by Easter, we are renewed to put God back at the center of our lives, no matter how far we’ve drifted.

114 N. Pomona Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832

By observing this season, and others in the church year, I let my faith shape my days. For me, it means that some part of every day is given to thinking about Jesus Christ, the love of God and how I’m living my life in response to God’s love.

Email: [email protected]

What’s defining your days? Shalom, Pastor Paula www.ffumc.net

Telephone: 714-871-4115

Website: www.ffumc.net April 2018

Pastor Paula’s Peace . . . . As I take a little extra time for contemplation during this Lenten season, I am looking at ways to have a more balanced approach to my life of love and service. I found this article helpful. I have edited it considerably. You can find a lot more about this on the internet. Signs You’re Burning Out (And How To Stop It) Even the best jobs can lead to burnout. The harder you work and the more motivated you are to succeed, the easier it is to get in over your head. New research from the American Psychological Association and the National Opinion Research Center at the University of Chicago reported the following: •48% of Americans experienced increased stress over the past 5 years •31% of employed adults have difficulty managing their work and family responsibilities •53% say work leaves them "overtired and overwhelmed." Burnout can get the better of you, even when you have great passion for your work. Burnout often results from a misalignment of input and output; you get burnt out when you feel like you’re putting more into your work than you’re getting out of it. Sometimes this happens when a job isn’t rewarding, but more often than not it’s because you aren’t taking care of yourself. Here are some things to consider— Fighting Burnout Fighting burnout is a simple matter of self-care. You need good ways to separate yourself from your work so that you can recharge and find balance. The following will help you to accomplish this. Disconnect. Disconnecting is the most important burnout strategy on this list, because if you can’t find time to remove yourself electronically from your work, then you’ve never really left work. Making yourself available to your work 24/7 exposes you to a constant barrage of stressors that prevent you from refocusing and recharging. For example, on weekday evenings, you may check emails after dinner, and on the weekend you may check your messages on Saturday afternoon while your kids are playing sports. Scheduling such short blocks of time alleviates stress without sacrificing your availability. Pay attention to your body signals. It’s easy to think that a headache is the result of dehydration, that a stomachache is the result of something you ate, and that an aching neck is from sleeping on it wrong, but that’s not always the case. Burnout manifests in your body, so learn to pay attention to your body’s signals so that you can nip burnout in the bud. Your body is always talking, but you have to listen. Schedule relaxation. It’s just as important to plan out your relaxation time as it is to plan out when you work. Even scheduling something as simple as “read for 30 minutes” benefits you greatly. Stay away from sleeping pills. As you sleep and your brain removes harmful toxins, it cycles through an elaborate series of stages, at times shuffling through the day’s memories and storing or discarding them (which causes dreams). Anything that interferes with the brain's natural sleep process has dire consequences for the quality of your sleep, and you need adequate, quality sleep to avoid burnout. Get organized. Much of the stress we experience on a daily basis doesn’t stem from having too much work; it stems from being too disorganized to handle the work effectively. When you take the time to get organized, the load feels much more manageable. Take regular breaks during the workday. If you wait until you feel tired to take a break, it’s too late—you’ve already missed the window of peak productivity and fatigued yourself unnecessarily in the process. Lean on your support system. Spending time with people who care about you helps you to remove yourself from the stresses of work and reminds you to live a little and have fun.

ABOUT THE AUTHOR: Dr. Travis Bradberry is the award-winning co-author of the #1 bestselling book, Emotional Intelligence 2.0, and the cofounder of TalentSmart, the world's leading provider of emotional intelligence tests and training, serving more than 75% of Fortune 500 companies.

www.ffumc.net

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April 2018

Etc. Walk to End Hunger! CROP WALK Sunday April 29th 12:30 Fullerton Plaza Pick up an envelope in the church office or Contact David Reger

“ONE ITEM PER MONTH”

For Pathways of Hope Fullerton Food Pantry The item for April is

Mac and Cheese Please place your donations in the buckets near each door.

Cinema Sunday Sunday April 8!

TWO GREAT EVENTS NEED TO GET AWAY TO REST, RE-SET AND CONNECT? Come along on a Cal-Pac Women’s Retreat, open to all, April 20-22, 2018 at Aldersgate Retreat Center in Pacific Palisades. See info at calpacumc.org/prayerhacks or contact Rev. Marlene Urban-Funk at 719-351-8206, [email protected]

2018 SUMMER MINISTRY INTERNSHIPS FOR YOUNG PEOPLE are available through Cal-Pac's new: Leadership Experi-

LEAP Nacho Bar served at 5:00 Movie starts at 5:30 Bring your friends!

ence And Discipleship (LEAD) program. Learning/training weekend is April 27-29, 2018 and placements locations and times are flexible. See info at calpacumc.org/lead or contact Rev. David Berkey at 424-237-4477 or [email protected] to get started on a summer adventure of service!

Quilters Margaret Ruitcel sent in this clipping for the Good News in 1980 and adds,

“We do need more quilters!” “I have a high opinion of quilters. As a group they work hard, they do for others and either they have lovely dispositions and that brings them to quilting, or they come to quilting and get lovely dispositions. The very act of quilting seems thereputic. It reminds me of the kitchen where, cooking with friends or family, heads down, attentive to task, we can express our needs and find solutions for them.” From the Pittsburgh post Gazette www.ffumc.net

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April 2018

Did you know that…? World-renowned trumpeter Doc Severinsen, the “Tonight Show” host Johnny Carson’s loyal bandleader, must have sensed talent in Tony Ellis when he performed with the Pacific Symphony 25 years ago. Severinsen invited the young Symphony trumpeter to his dressing room where he asked Tony to try playing a new trumpet. “He told me to go into the restroom where the sound was better,” Tony recalls. “When I came out and praised the instrument, Doc said he was manufacturing trumpets with his name on them. He said he would make one for me.” A year later, Severinsen’s manager contacted Tony, and said two were ready for him. “Less than 100 were made, and I am fortunate to have these rare trumpets,” Tony adds. Tony says he and Severinsen, now 90, have been friends ever since. Another time, when Tony’s wife, Cindy, was getting ready to perform on the flute with Pacific Symphony, guest artist Shirley Jones was frantically looking for her cosmetic blush. “We’re both blondes and wore the same shade, so I gave her mine,” Cindy says. “It’s well-traveled now as I keep it close by just in case.” The couple’s anecdotes are two of many experienced in their more than 35 years with Pacific Symphony and earlier orchestras. “Sometimes people think the Pacific Symphony is just a temporary position, but it’s a real job with benefits and a pension,” Cindy explains. “We have 85 contracted members.” This month, the musicians have been invited to perform at Carnegie Hall in celebration of American composer Philip Glass’s Birthday Celebration. Cindy says it’s an honor to be asked. “Anyone can pay to play at the Hall, but we were invited,” she says. And in May, Symphony musicians will travel to China where they will present five concerts in 10 days including performances in Beijing and Shanghai. The Ellises, married for 35 years, have discovered making music together not only in theatrical venues and specifically offering solos at Fullerton First United Methodist Church, has enriched their lives. Raised in Palos Verdes and Mission Viejo, young Cindy Bueker was always on the move, “dancing and singing around the house.” Her mother saw to it Cindy sang in church choirs and took dance lessons. “But I couldn’t wait to play the flute,” Cindy says. “They don’t make small flutes like making small violins for children, so I had to wait until I was 10 years old. I just loved the sound and its shine. I could then play in the school band and orchestra, even playing Stravinsky’s compositions in junior high.” By skipping a grade, she eventually was able to pass the audition for Cal State Fullerton’s School of Music and the USC Applied Music Study at age 17. At age 19, she won an audition playing with the Pasadena Chamber Orchestra before earning her bach-

elor and master’s degrees in music. Such accomplishments led to life-enhancing experiences, including time at the National Flute Association conventions and teaching a master class at the Victoria, Canada Conservatory. Meanwhile Tony, a graduate of Anaheim High School, first met Cindy in music classes at CSUF. His musical background actually began in third grade when he decided playing the clarinet didn’t resonate, so he quit. After picking up the trumpet, he was able to join bands in junior high and high school, often marching in local parades and band revues. In his sophomore year at CSUF, he was a co-winner of the Carl Eiler Memorial Scholarship with the current international singing star Deborah Voight. Asked how they’ve kept their stamina all these years, Cindy answers a two-mile walk with their three Labradors, plus Zumba and Yoga classes are great exercises. Tony adheres to walking and stretching regimens to “keep what they call the wind in shape.” Both Tony and Cindy are involved in music education. She teaches flute at Vanguard University and Saddleback College. She previously taught flute at CSUF and was an adjunct teacher at Claremont and Biola colleges. He has taught music at Santa Fe Middle School in Monrovia for 33 years. Their professional talents, however, are not limited to major venues and classrooms. Periodically, the pair brings their interpretations of religious music to FFUMC. “We are so happy to enhance services,” Tony says. “It’s our way of giving back.” Adds Cindy: “We’ve discovered the congregation really listens when we play, and that is so heartwarming.”

Interviewed and written by Barbara Giasone www.ffumc.net

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April 2018

United Methodist Women

General Meeting April 5, 2018 9:00 am Board meeting

10:00am General meeting in the South Lounge Hymn Sing led by Jan Hickenbottom with piano accompaniment by Allyson Shelly. Come and sing many of your old favorites and some new ones, too!

MARY MARTHA FELLOWSHIP GROUP 7pm

HEART TO HEART APRIL 17 6:30

April 3 in the south lounge Making Easter Baskets for shut-ins

EVERYONE WELCOME

MOVIE NIGHT– “SOMEWHERE IN TIME”

BRING A SNACK TO SHARE IF YOU WISH

Hostess Jan Ballard and Vicki Johnson

Stephen Ministry Hello Beloved Congregation Easter is just around the corner. Stephen Ministries are based on the love and teachings of Jesus Christ. If it were not for the resurrection of Our Lord and Savior on the day we celebrate as Easter we would not be here of course. We need to just be Jubilant and filled with joy on Easter. If there is any day of the year that we celebrate, it should be Easter. For your God allowed his Son to be killed in the most gruesome way in order to take on all the worlds sin for now and forever. We are so blessed to have Stephen Ministries at our church now. Because it is based on the life and testimony of Jesus. All the love and examples of His Ministries are the subjects of our teaching of the Stephan Ministers. We teach "Love your neighbor as yourself ". "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you ". "If you help someone in need you help Me". Please have a wonderful Easter and be thankful to God for His Son Jesus and what He brings to our Christian Community. Happy Easter to All.

www.ffumc.net

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Preschool News Value of the Month: Cheerfulness "May my children be filled with joy given by the Holy Spirit" 1 Thessalonians 1:6: Calendar: Every Tuesday and Wednesday at 9:15am Chapel Time Wednesday, 4-4 Blue Submarine Visit Thursday, 4-5 & Friday, 4-6 Perceptual Motor Class Wednesday, 4-18 Bug Lady Visit Open House 6-7pm Thursday, 4-19 & Friday, 4-20 No School CAEYC Conference Thursday, 4-26 & Friday, 4-27 Perceptual Motor Class

Youth Fullerton First UMYF is open to all 6th –12th grade youth. Friends are always welcome! APRIL April 1st—Easter Sunday No First Sunday Out 8th —Cinema Sunday 15th—Youth 5-7 pm 22nd—Youth 5-7 pm 29th—Youth 5-7pm

If you have any questions or need to talk about anything at all contact Kurt at 909-573-5428 or [email protected] Join our UMYF Facebook group to keep up to date on events and meetings! www.ffumc.net

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About People

There will be a Celebration of Life Service for Harry Musser, April 21 at 1:00 Prayers for Stephen Ministers, Kathy Norris,

April Moell Barbara Stocker David Reger Ryan Reger Sharlene Ratzliff Jacob Jimenez Marjorie Shelly Hannah Curtis Donald Mosher Virginia White Susan Faber Giselle Blanche Becky McFarland Paulette Marshall Sarah Bankhead Andrea West Erik Murata

John Lamkin Tammy Scrivner, Barbara Giasone, Brandon Scrivner, and Viviane Kirk.

Prayers needed for continued healing: Clara Hernandez, Danny Hernandez, (Clara Hernandez’s nephew) Nieves Garcia (Lilia Milloy’s mother) Scott Clark, (Sandi Hofner’s son) having heart problems

Lori Applerose is on a journey with stage 5 Kidney failure and is currently in the process of seeking a live donor. She asks for the prayers of her church family For those in the military and their families: Zack Zarow, Jordan Hoffner (grandson of Sandi Hoffner), Philip Neisess (grandson of Kendall & Sandy Neisess), Andrew Stover, Noah Fuller

A note of Thanks:

Those in care facilities: Margaret McFarland Christensen at Park Vista, Arceli Elman at Anaheim Crest Nursing Home, Alta Carter at Sunrise of Fullerton, Loren Grandy at Park Vista.

Dear Church Family, Thank you for all of the support and prayers for my dad while he fought to hang on to his life. It was a comfort to me and my family to know that you were there for us. He attended our church numerous times while he visited with us each year, so I know some of you met and talked with him. Thank you again for your constant care.

Our Homebound Members Margaret Christensen Loren Grandy Wynelle Holbrook Mary Peardon Lois Reade Edith Strevy-Kent Virginia White Nancy Woods www.ffumc.net

April 1 April 2 April 7 April 8 April 9 April 10 April10 April11 April 12 April 12 April 16 April 20 April 20 April 21 April 22 April 22 April 24

The Hargrave Family

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April 2018

Dates and time were correct at time of printing. Please check with each group for possible changes

SUN

MON

TUE

WED

THU

1 Easter

2

3

4

5

9:00am Sunday School

Office Closed 9:15 Storytime

9:00am-noon Mom’s Morning Out

9:15am Quilters

10:00am Worship

9:00am UMW Board meeting

10:15 Care Committee

5:00pm Outreach committee

3:00pm Windsong

7:00pm Trustees

7:00pm Stephen Ministry

7:00pm Mary Martha

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9

10

8:15 Bell Rehearsal

9:15am Storytime

Easter Egg Hunt

9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Worship

FRI

6

Pre-school perceptual motor 10:00am UMW class (SL)

SAT

7 7am Community Pancake Breakfast

7:00pm Choir

12

11

13

14 7am Men’s Book Study

9:15am Quilters 4:00pm Staff meeting

3:00pm Windsong

3:30 Confirmation Class

5:00 Cinema Sunday

15

16

8:15 Bell Rehearsal

9:15am Storytime

7:00 SPPRC

7:00pm Bible Study

7:00pm Choir

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18

19

9:15am Quilters

9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Worship

6:30 Heart to Heart 7:00pm Finance

5:00pm Youth

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23

8:15am Bell Rehearsal

9:15am Storytime

24

7:00pm Bible Study

25

4:00 Confirmation Class

3:00pm Windsong

26

Pancake Breakfast

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28

1:00pm Celebration of Life for Harry Musser

7am Men’s Book Study

9:15am Quilters 4:00 Staff meeting 6:00 Invitational

5:00pm Youth

Pre-school perceptual motor class (SL)

7:00pm Choir

9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Worship

21 7am Community

Pre-school perceptual motor class (SL)

3:00pm Windsong

4:00 Confirmation Class

20

7:00 Church Council

6:00pm Hot meals Ministry

7:00pm Choir

7:00pm Bible Study

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30

8:15 Bell Rehearsal

9:15 am Storytime

31

9:00am Sunday School 10:00am Worship

3:00pm Windsong

12:30 CROP WALK 4:00 Confirmation Class 5:00pm Youth

www.ffumc.net

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April 2018

Fullerton First United Methodist Church 114 N. Pomona Avenue Fullerton, CA 92832 Return Service Requested TO:

Our Sunday Worship Service begins at 10:00 a.m. FFUMC GROUPS and MINISTRIES              

FFUMC OFFICE HOURS Monday through Thursday 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. Office is closed Friday

Adult Sunday School Aldersgate Chorale Handbell Choir Book Study Groups (Short & Long Term) Bible Study Classes Care Ministry Families & Children’s Ministries Family Ties Community Outreach Men’s Breakfast Group Quilters Bible/Prayer Group United Methodist Women United Methodist Youth Group

SUNDAYS AT FFUMC 9:00 a.m.—Searchlight — Adult Sunday School 9:00 a.m.—Pathfinders — Adult Sunday School 10:00 a.m.—Worship Service  10:00 a.m.—Children’s Sunday School 11:15 a.m.—After Worship Fellowship Time 5:00 p.m.—United Methodist Youth Fellowship (6th Grade thru Sr. High School)

FULLERTON FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH’S MISSION STATEMENT Fullerton First United Methodist Church is a community of faith that seeks to be a growing and dynamic church in Fullerton with an outreach to this region of Orange County and beyond. We are a part of a world-wide communion who believe in God’s transforming love as demonstrated by the life and teaching and living influence of Jesus. Believing that we are undergirded by God’s presence through God’s Holy Spirit in our daily living, we serve God as we endeavor: to reach out and receive persons into the faith family as they are; to help persons relate to God and grow in their commitment to the values exemplified in Jesus; to provide opportunities for persons to grow and deepen their faith as Christian disciples; to send persons into God’s creation as faithful disciples. As God’s people we seek to bring a fresh vision of hope as we minister to one another and the larger community in which we reside. We seek to faithfully live out these four foundational missional principles. We shall endeavor to be a place of grace in today’s world. www.ffumc.net

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April 2018