BCUCC News for Sunday, April 1, 2018

News and Upcoming Events

· Sunday April 1: Easter Sunday. We invite you to bring family, friends, and flowers for our Flower Cross. Trumpet will accompany our festive music. This will also be First Food Sunday! (Bring donations for A.C.T. food shelf in Brea; we will collect them in worship.) Refreshments and Easter Egg Hunt (for people 12 and younger) after worship.

· Sunday April 8, after church: Heritage Sunday. Potluck, exploring a timeline of our church’s 105-year history, and conversation about what we treasure and what we want to bring into our future. This event is hosted by our Transition Team.

· Thursday April 12, 11:45am: Lunch Bunch at Coco’s. If you are free during the day for fellowship, food and fun, join us! RSVP to Bill Goetsch or Pastor Terry so we save a place for you.

· Sunday April 15, 11:15 in Manzanita Room: “Exploring Membership.” If you are considering joining our church, please attend. If you cannot attend, please contact Pastor Terry and we will get the info to you another way.

· Sunday April 29, after church: What We Value. Potluck (yes, they’re off sequence from First Sundays for now) with activities and table discussions to clarify what we value at BCUCC and in pastoral leadership, led by the Transition Team.

· Monday April 30, 7:30: Candlelight Taizé Service of song, prayer and silence in the Hall. Led by Karen Hill.

· If you have photos that show off our church, hall, or grounds, please talk to Dick Tibbs about sharing them for our website. rtibbs@roadrunner.com

Community Events

· Puerto Rico Ministries Join us on Thursday, April 5th for a unique opportunity to hear the news of the Puerto Rican disaster and recovery by Rev. Daphne M. Salcedo, a Disciples of Christ pastor from the island. The Global Ministries Committee UCC/DOC and Church of the Foothills (UCC/DOC) will host the evening event on Thursday, April 5th at 7:00pm at 19211 Dodge Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.

· Sunday April 22, 6pm: Candidate Forum hosted by Citizen’s Climate Lobby in our Hall. The 39th congressional district is hotly contested. Hear candidates address the important issue of climate change. All candidates are invited. Tell your neighbors! Help for hosting appreciated: talk to Dennis Arp. You are probably in the 39th, which includes: Fullerton, La Habra, La Habra Heights, Brea, Buena Park, Anaheim Hills, Placentia, Yorba Linda, Diamond Bar, Chino Hills, Hacienda Heights and Rowland Heights

· The musical Godspell by Craig Tyrl’s company The Wayward Artist is playing in Santa Ana April 13-29. Tickets are at: http://www.thewaywardartist.org/buy-tickets-4567.

· OC AIDS Walk is Saturday May 5 at 8:30 am in Mason Park, Irvine. Please let Pastor Terry know if you are interested in participating or coordinating.

Ongoing

· The BCUCC Theological Book Club will be reading Living Buddha, Living Christ by Thich Nhat Hanh. Thich Nhat Hanh has been part of a decades-long dialogue between two great contemplative traditions, and brings to Christianity an appreciation of its beauty. In lucid, meditative prose, he explores the crossroads of compassion and holiness at which the two traditions meet. We’ll meet Wednesday, April 11th to discuss the first 110 pages and then again the next week, April 18th to discuss the rest of the book. We meet at 7:00p.m. at the Hill household. Please call or email for directions at 714-693-0261 or jandkhill@mac.com. Come join the discussion. Light refreshments are provided.

· Bible Study is Thursdays 9:15-10:15 in the church office. Topic is 1-2 Samuel. All are welcome, to discover the intersection of sacred story and modern life with an open mind.

· Tai Chi is most Thursdays at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Enjoy this gentle meditative movement led by Karen Hill. Thursdays in April except the 25th.

· Choir practice on Thursdays at 7:30pm in the music room. We love newcomers! Give us a try.

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 25, 2018

News and Upcoming Events

  • We have completely redone our church directory!  This will be distributed only by request to active participants.  Do you have any updated contact information you wish to share? Do you wish to have some of your info unlisted?  Please phone or email the office.
  • Thank you to all who donated to One Great Hour of Sharing.  Our gifts totaled $1385!! This UCC offering supports emergency aid and locally-directed mission projects all over the world.
  • Sun. March 25: Palm Sunday. Theme: “Untold Gospel” Bible Reading: Mark 14:1-10.
  • Sun. March 25 after worship: It’s Your Turn to talk!  Discuss a sermon, ask a question, ponder a current event or topic. Or just stop by and listen. Pastor Terry will be at a table in the Fellowship Hall with coffee in hand awaiting your input 15 minutes after worship ends.
  • No Thursday Bible Study this week.
  • Tai Chi is Thursday, March 29 at 6:30pm in the sanctuary.
  • Friday March 30, 7:30 pm: Tenebrae Service of Remembrance on Good Friday. Tenebrae means “Darkness.” Songs and readings as candles are extinguished, followed by Communion.
  • Sunday April 1:  Easter Sunday.  We invite you to bring family, friends, and flowers for our Flower Cross.  Trumpet will accompany our festive music.  This will also be First Food Sunday! (Bring donations for A.C.T. food shelf in Brea; we will collect them in worship.) Refreshments and Easter Egg Hunt (for people 12 and younger) after worship.
  • Sunday April 8, after church:  Heritage Sunday. Potluck, exploring a timeline of our church’s 105-year history, and conversation about what we treasure and what we want to bring into our future. This event is hosted by our Transition Team.
  • Sunday April 29, after church: What We Value.  Potluck (yes, they’re off sequence from First Sundays for now) with activities and table discussions to clarify what we value at BCUCC and in pastoral leadership, led by the Transition Team.

Community Events

  • Puerto Rico Ministries Join us on Thursday, April 5th for a unique opportunity to hear the news of the Puerto Rican disaster and recovery by Rev. Daphne M. Salcedo, a Disciples of Christ pastor from the island. The Global Ministries Committee UCC/DOC and Church of the Foothills (UCC/DOC) will host the evening event on Thursday, April 5th at 7:00pm at 19211 Dodge Avenue, Santa Ana, CA 92705.
  • Sunday April 22, 6pm: Candidate Forum hosted by Citizen’s Climate Lobby in our Hall. The 39th congressional district is hotly contested.  Hear candidates address the important issue of climate change.  All candidates are invited. Tell your neighbors! Help for hosting appreciated: talk to Dennis Arp. You are probably in the 39th, which includes: Fullerton, La Habra, La Habra Heights, BreaBuena ParkAnaheim HillsPlacentiaYorba LindaDiamond BarChino HillsHacienda Heights and Rowland Heights
  • The musical Godspell by Craig Tyrl’s company The Wayward Artist is playing in Santa Ana April 13-29. Tickets are at: http://www.thewaywardartist.org/buy-tickets-4567.

Ongoing

  • The BCUCC Theological Book Club:  For a change of pace, we will be reading a book of fiction that shows theology through creative transformation and the persuasive power of God.  The book is Augustown by Kei Miller.  Augustown, set in the backlands of Jamaica, is a magical and haunting novel of one woman’s struggle to rise above the brutal vicissitudes of history, race, class, collective memory, violence, and myth.  We will finish the novel for the next meeting on March 28.  We meet at 7:00pm at the home of Karen and Jim Hill.  Light refreshments are provided.  Please phone or email for directions at 714-693-0261 or jandkhill@mac.com.  Looking forward to a lively discussion together.  See you there.
  • Bible Study is Thursdays 9:15-10:15 in the church office.  Topic is 1-2 Samuel.  All are welcome, to discover the intersection of sacred story and modern life with an open mind.
  • Tai Chi is most Thursdays at 6:30pm in the sanctuary. Enjoy this gentle meditative movement.  Thursdays in April except the 25th.
  • Choir practice on Thursdays at 7:30pm in the music room. We love newcomers! Give us a try.

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 18, 2018

This Weekend

  •    Fri. 3/16, Sat. 3/17, Sun. 3/18 : Trojan Women: A Love Story at the Long Beach Playhouse. Friday 3/16 and Saturday 3/17 at 8pmSunday 3/18 at 2 pm. Our own Rose London is acting. Support and enjoy community theater. Tickets at: http://www.lbplayhouse.org/show/trojan-women-love-story/
  •        Sun. March 18: worship theme is “Widening the Circle.” Mark 7:24-28.
  • Sun. March 18: Connecting Voices:  Elizabeth Hansburg is an urban planner by training. In January of 2017, she started People For Housing Orange County, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that advocates for new housing construction in existing communities. P4H is part of a “YIMBY” (Yes in my backyard) movement. While we may not agree with every program P4H is advocating, they challenge us to consider what it means to truly love our neighbor. Elizabeth lives in Fullerton with her husband, a public school teacher, and her daughter.
  • Sun. March 18, 3pm: Transition Team Meeting in Manzanita Room.

Upcoming

  • Tues. March 20, 7pm: Church Council meeting in Manzanita Room
  • Thurs. March 22, 6:30: Worship Meeting in Church Office
  • Sun. March 25: Palm Sunday. Theme: “Unheard Gospel” Bible Reading: Mark 14:1-10.
  • Fri. March 30, 7:30 pm: Service of Remembrance on Good Friday.
  • Sun. April 1:  Easter Sunday!  We invite you to bring family, friends, and flowers for our Flower Cross.  Trumpet will accompany our festive music.  This will also be First Food Sunday!
  • Sun. April 8:  Heritage Sunday. Potluck, exploring a timeline of our church’s 105-year history, and conversation about what we treasure and what we want to bring into our future.

Community Events

  • Saturday March 24, 2 pm: March for our Lives OC (For safety from gun violence) Centennial Regional Park, 3000 W. Edinger, Santa Ana.
  • The musical Godspell by Craig Tyrl’s company The Wayward Artist is playing in Santa Ana April 13-29. Tickets are $25 at Vendini: https://tinyurl.com/way-april.

Ongoing

  • The BCUCC Theological Book Club is beginning a new book.  For a change of pace, we will be reading a book of fiction that shows theology through creative transformation and the persuasive power of God.  The book is Augustown by Kei Miller.  Augustown, set in the backlands of Jamaica, is a magical and haunting novel of one woman’s struggle to rise above the brutal vicissitudes of history, race, class, collective memory, violence, and myth.  We will read the first 116 pages and have a discussion on Wednesday, March 14, and then the rest of the novel for the next meeting on March 28.  We meet at 7:00p.m. at the home of Karen and Jim Hill.  Light refreshments are provided.  Please phone or email for directions at 714-693-0261 or jandkhill@mac.com.  Looking forward to a lively discussion together.  See you there.
  • Next Tai Chi is March 29 at 6:30.
  • Choir practice on Thursdays at 7:30pm in the music room. We love newcomers! Give us a try.

UCC Youth planning to join March for Our Lives
(Excerpt from http://www.ucc.org/recent_headlines)

“PEOPLE SHOULD NOT BE AFRAID TO GO TO SCHOOL,” said 15-year old Madison. “The only way this can be fixed is if people acknowledge this fear, and stand up to fix this problem. I want to stand up, I want to stop this, and I can only do this with the support of others. The support of my friends, the support of my family, and the support of my church and my faith. Strength comes in numbers. I am here, with my faith and my church by my side, to stop this awful, terrible, and revolting wrong.”

“We as a faith community need to make sure that we’re not just praying, not just keeping those who are in pain in our thoughts,” said 16-year old Melina. ‘We need to make sure that we’re turning our compassion and kindness for others into action to make the world a better place.”…

The Minnesota Conference UCC is sponsoring the travel and participation of these young people through its Ashley Endowment, established over a decade ago by a generous couple who dedicated the endowment to ministry with children and youth, 19 & younger.

“We’ve asked Sandy Sorenson (Director of the UCC Washington Office) to convene all the UCC folks who are there in D.C. to be able to gather in one place. So students have the sense of a greater whole, and understand they are part of a church movement bigger than their own conference,” Minnesota UCC Conference Minster Prestemon said. “We also hope to find a way to keep that group connected after the march. Keep the momentum, connections going after the March for Our Lives.”

“In the witness of students we are seeing policy advocacy at its most powerful,” Sorensen said. “When the people and communities most impacted by an issue claim their voices and demand change, the policy dialogue shifts.”

Bulletin/News Sunday, March 11, 2018

In the Coming Week  
  

  • It is Daylight Savings time! Time to “spring forward”! Set your clocks ahead one hour before going to bed on Saturday night.

  • Sat. Mar. 10 – Chapman University Founder’s Day. Lectures by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine on Bible, Gender and Sexuality. Details and registration at: https://www.chapman.edu/about/church-relations/founders-day/index.aspx

  • Sunday March 11: Worship theme: “Identity and Freedom.”  Bible Reading: Bible Reading: Mark 5:1-20
  • Sunday March 11: One Great Hour of Sharing. The UCC’s biggest mission offering, for locally-run missions all over the world, as well as disaster relief supplies ready at a moment’s notice. Checks can be made to BCC, with “OGHS” in the memo line.http://www.ucc.org/oghs
  • Wed. March 14, 7 pm. BCUCC Theological Book Club (see next page for details)
  • Thursday March 15, 6:30 pm: Tai Chi Practice  No experience needed: benefits all ages.  No special clothing or shoes necessary.  Tai Chi is a practice of slow, gentle balance movements that promote good health and peace of mind.  We meet every other Thursday evening at 6:30p.m. in the sanctuary; next meeting March 29th.  Come join us for this peaceful, centering practice.
  • Sun. March 18: worship theme is “Gracious Challenge and Forgiveness.” Mark 7:24-28.
  • Sun. March 18: Connecting Voices:  Elizabeth Hansburg is an urban planner by training. In January of 2017, she started People For Housing Orange County, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that advocates for new housing construction in existing communities. P4H is part of a “YIMBY” (Yes in my backyard) movement. While we may not agree with every program P4H is advocating, they challenge us consider what it means to truly love our neighbor.

Ongoing

  • The BCUCC Theological Book Club is beginning a new book.  For a change of pace, we will be reading a book of fiction that shows theology through creative transformation and the persuasive power of God.  The book is Augustown by Kei Miller.  Augustown, set in the backlands of Jamaica, is a magical and haunting novel of one woman’s struggle to rise above the brutal vicissitudes of history, race, class, collective memory, violence, and myth.  We will read the first 116 pages and have a discussion on Wednesday, March 14, and then the rest of the novel for the next meeting on March 28.  We meet at 7:00p.m. at the home of Karen and Jim Hill.  Light refreshments are provided.  Please phone or email for directions at 714-693-0261 or jandkhill@mac.com.  Looking forward to a lively discussion together.  See you there.
  • Choir practice on Thursdays at 7:30pm in the music room. We love newcomers! Give us a try.

What is One Great Hour of Sharing?
One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in crisis.  Almost 60 percent of the UCC’s offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries working in disaster relief, health care, education, sustainable agricultural development, and refugee support. The offering also funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster related volunteer initiatives in the U.S. This voluntary offering makes a difference!

UCC missionaries are always sent at the request of, and in partnership with, local organizations, to meet special needs those local organizations identify, and to respect the decisions and values of the people we serve.

 On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 95 cents is used directly for mission programming, and the remaining 5 cents is used to create interpretation materials. Administrative costs are paid by gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission National Basic Support.

BCUCC News for Sunday, March 4, 2018

In the Coming Week  

  • Sun. March 4: First Food Sunday and Potluck! Bring nonperishable food items to be collected in worship.  Then join us for a potluck lunch.
  • Sun. March 4: Worship Theme: Demystifying Prayer. Bible reading: Mark 4:35-41.  After worship: It’s Your Turn to talk!  Discuss a sermon, ask a question, ponder a current event or topic. Or just stop by and listen. Pastor Terry will be at a table in Fellowship Hall with coffee in hand awaiting your input 15 minutes after worship ends.

    Upcoming

  • Sat. Mar. 10 – Chapman University Founder’s Day. Lectures by Dr. Amy-Jill Levine on Bible, Gender and Sexuality. Details and registration at: https://www.chapman.edu/about/church-relations/founders-day/index.aspx
  •  Sunday March 11: Worship theme: Gracious Challenge and Forgiveness.  Bible Reading: Mark 7:24-29.
  • Sunday March 11: One Great Hour of Sharing. The UCC’s biggest mission offering, for locally-run missions all over the world, as well as disaster relief supplies ready at a moment’s notice. Checks can be made to BCC, with “OGHS” in the memo line. http://www.ucc.org/oghs
  • Sun. March 18: Connecting Voices:  Elizabeth Hansburg is an urban planner by training. In January of 2017, she started People For Housing Orange County, a volunteer-driven nonprofit organization that advocates for new housing construction in existing communities. P4H is part of a “YIMBY” (Yes in my backyard) movement that puts into practice Jesus’ teaching, “Love your neighbor.”


Ongoing

  •  The BCUCC Theological Book Club is beginning a new book.  For a change of pace, we will be reading a book of fiction that shows theology through creative transformation and the persuasive power of God.  The book is Augustown by Kei Miller.  Augustown, set in the backlands of Jamaica, is a magical and haunting novel of one woman’s struggle to rise above the brutal vicissitudes of history, race, class, collective memory, violence, and myth.  We will read the first 116 pages and have a discussion on Wednesday, March 14, and then the rest of the novel for the next meeting on March 28.  We meet at 7:00p.m. at the home of Karen and Jim Hill.  Light refreshments are provided.  Please phone or email for directions at 714-693-0261 or jandkhill@mac.com.  Looking forward to a lively discussion together.  See you there.
  • Choir practice on Thursdays at 7:30pm in the music room. We love newcomers! Give us a try.

What is One Great Hour of Sharing?
One Great Hour of Sharing is the special mission offering of the United Church of Christ that carries God’s message of love and hope to people in crisis.  Almost 60 percent of the UCC’s offering supports international development initiatives, including annual support for missionaries working in disaster relief, health care, education, sustainable agricultural development, and refugee support. The offering also funds disaster preparedness and response, and disaster related volunteer initiatives in the U.S. This voluntary offering makes a difference!
 
UCC missionaries are always sent at the request of, and in partnership with, local organizations, to meet special needs those local organizations identify, and to respect the decisions and values of the people we serve.
 
            On average, of every dollar given to One Great Hour of Sharing, 95 cents is used directly for mission programming, and the remaining 5 cents is used to create interpretation materials. Administrative costs are paid by gifts to Our Church’s Wider Mission National Basic Support.

 

Creation Care Tip:  Do you order beverages that come in disposable containers?  Why not bring your own car cup? Many coffee shops will discount you a nickel, and if you are a regular purchaser of drinks, the savings in waste will add up.  Do you lose your car cup regularly? Me too. They can be bought at thrifts stores for a dollar or two.