VBS FUNdraiser!

Come join us on Wednesday, May 19 at Ruby’s Diner in

Redondo Beach to support Vacation Bible School!
This year Ruby’s is letting us raise money all day long,
so take your co-workers out for a nice lunch, and bring
your family for dinner!
Fliers will be available in the church office as well as on
Sundays. We will be receiving 20% of sales for dine-in,
to-go, and gift card purchases. See you there!

Great Opportunity for Service!

By now you have all seen “Bonnie, the Movie” we hope. We now want to offer you
an opportunity to meet and get to know her better! Bonnie comes to church every
Sunday, arriving before the first service and leaves after second. She has her own
transportation to and from church.

Here is where you can help. Bonnie needs to be assisted with eating lunch each
Sunday and also needs someone to follow her home and to get her from the side-
walk into her apartment. Each of these duties is not difficult and in fact is a good
time to get better acquainted.

We are looking to increase the number of folks who are willing to do this once in a
while. If this sounds interesting to you, give a call to the church and let us know.
We will get back to you and answer any questions you might have. One thing we
who have been doing this for a bit can say for sure is that you will receive way
more than you give. She is someone very special. Hope you give us a call.

Page 1 May 13, 2010

 Disciples Women’s Ministry
Disciple Women’s Spring Event
May 22, 2010 ~ 8:00 a.m. to noon. Registration and light breakfast from
8:00 to 8:45 a.m.

Project Impact
2640 Industry Way, Ste G, Lynwood, CA 90262 Get Directions
www.projectimpactusa.org Cross Streets: Between S Alameda St and Deputy Yama-
moto Pl
We invite you to gather at Project Impact for a morning of worship, study (using New
Day and Just Women magazines), fellowship, light breakfast and election of Com-
mission Officers. Keynote speakers: Mary Harris, co-founder of Project Impact and
Susan Gonzales-Dewey, co-regional minister.
Project Impact has offered to conduct tours of the areas it serves. If you are inter-
ested in participating, please indicate so on the registration form. After closing wor-
ship, those participating in the tour can purchase lunch at Roscoe’s; followed by the
tour of approximately 2 hours.
For additional information visit the Disciple Women website at www.pswdw.com
Registration is due by Monday, May 17th and the forms are available on the
website.

Women’s Luncheons
April luncheon was a big success with our annual tea. Chery Carew did a wonderful
job with the help of Anne and John Beecher. Thank you John for the wonderful
scones, delicious as always! Thank you to Dr. Lilian Asomugha for teaching us
about OWIN.

June luncheon will be on June 13th; Janie Oden will be performing the installation of
new Disciple Women’s Board program for us. New officers will approved /voted for
at the May luncheon.

Page 2
 DID YOU MEET THIN AND CORNELL AT FAMILY NIGHT?
Sometimes we take our church family for granted, and the special times we share as just ordinary,
not as special as they really are. Looking at our May 8th Family Night celebration through a new-
comer’s eyes, makes this thank you so much easier!
Thin and Cornell were first time visitors to our church. They saw the flyer, and came to see what we
were all about. We should be very proud – I believe they saw the best of our lives together…they
saw ---
People enjoying each other, from tiny kids to our more “mature” folks, together in love and friend-
ship in God’s house – having a ball! Thanks to Lynne Redderson, Room 4 was full of cake walk
enthusiasts. Some of the guys were kicking a ball around in the quad, and there was iced tea and
talk in the dining room. Kara Ryan was busy with her crew getting food on the table – great food,
enjoyed by all. Thanks Kara, for knowing exactly what every one would enjoy on a night like this,
and for all your hard work.
Kids were making Mother’s Day cards at a craft table (thanks Amanda and Dorie for getting that set
up), and nervous performers were gathering up props and checking music with Bill Wysong. Of
course, without Bill, no one would have heard a thing – he is absolutely our indispensable guy with
music and mikes! Thanks for all your help – always!
Soon, the lights were dimmed, and we were transformed “Way Off Broadway”. We had 25 per-
formers, unique, real, up close and personal - and wonderful! To each one of you – thank you for
making the evening a fun and lasting memory.
Many of the Disciples Women’s Board helped behind the scenes – Sakura Koontz rounded up lots
of helpers, and we are always blessed with willing hands in the kitchen. Please know how much you
are appreciated. Kitchen duty is the hardest in any family gathering!.
When the evening was over, everyone pitched in, as families do, to “clean up” – a welcome sight to
see, ladies clearing tables, men carrying chairs, kids getting in the way – a perfect ending to a great
evening. I even saw Cornell carrying chairs – welcome to FCC – our new friend!
On behalf of the Disciple’s Women – thank you, blessings, and we think you are all stars!
Judy Rickabaugh

South Bay Christian Church Celebrates 100 Years

We are all invited to South Bay Christian Church in Redondo Beach for their 100th Anniver-
sary Celebration on June 5, at 2 p.m. Our own Praise Band will be part of the music of the
service.

There is also a reception dinner at 5:00 pm at the United Methodist Church in Redondo
Beach. The suggested donation is $10—RSVP to our church office as soon as possible.

Page 3
 New Opportunities for Prayer 
New Men’s Prayer Group
This is a new opportunity for men in our church. Our goal is to deepen the spiritual lives of
men in our church, and our accountability to one another as Christians. The plan is to meet
each first and third Saturday of the month at 10:00 am. The third Saturday gatherings will
follow our regular 8:30 Men’s Breakfast, to which all men are also invited. Our next two
meetings will be May 15.

Worship Prayer Journals

Using themes from the upcoming worship, a daily prayer journal guide is available for those
who want to explore different ways to spiritually focus the day. A daily electronic version of
the Prayer Journal is available from Don Zukas (Donald.zukas@gmail.com)

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Wednesday Morning Bible Study is currently studying the Babylonian Exile—a time that dra-
matically shaped both modern Judaism and Christianity.
Wednesday Bible Study meets at 10:00 am in Sippel Hall. Everyone is welcome, as are com-
ments and questions. This just-begun series is a good time to join in!

I want to thank all of you for the phone calls and cards, but most of all thank you for
the prayers.
Also thanks to Anne Beecher for coming to visit both days at the hospital.
Blessings,
Hilda Coleman

Budget Reminder…
…to all Department Chairs—please get budget numbers into the church office as
soon as possible. Figures may also be sent to Paul Ryan, or Bill Wysong.

Week Of Compassion
Our special Week of Compassion offering was $5,261.04. This money will go to the
Disciples Mission Fund for the relief efforts in Haiti. Thank you for your caring and
your faithfulness.
Page 4
 CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS & CONCERNS
Lorraine Colston’s son Ken Colston has been diagnosed with a blood disorder that will
require chemotherapy.

Kelly Rogers’s sister, Shawn Knutson, has been diagnosed with an aggressive form of lung
cancer. Treatment is still in the preliminary stages.

Manuel Escobar has been hospitalized for some time, and is receiving stem-cell treatment
and radiation to treat the cancer that has spread to his brain. Manuel is the son-in-law of
Shirley Woodman’s cousin.

We also continue to hold in our prayers other loved ones who are fighting cancer: Jackie
Tamayo (wife of a co-worker of Carol Wilk), Ron Walls (Wally & Charlotte Sandberg’s
brother-in-law); Elizabeth Parker (Karen Jackson’s friend); Cheryl Vought (Angie Ahu-
mada’s cousin); Eleanor O’Neill (daughter of Wysongs’ friend); Matt Kelly (son of John
Beecher’s friend).

Sammie Baker, Carol Wilk’s mother, will be having back (instead of hip replacement) sur-
gery on May 20; she is currently being treated for skin cancer.

Martha and Bob Halstead’s 9 year-old Kentucky granddaughter, Emily, is recovering

from her May 4 open-heart surgery and the installation of a pace-maker on May 11.

Bonnie Evans is having a battery of blood tests as part of her semi-annual treaments, and
prays for a good outcome. Bonnie also asks for continued prayer for her caretaker, Art,
who is back to work after surgery, and his wife, Sonia, who has diabetes. Both are of great
service to Bonnie’s whole complex.

Prayers are requested on behalf of those struggling with addiction, and their families; as
well as for those who are dealing with unemployment, underemployment, or job insecurity.

With Sympathy in Loss

Jean Richards son, David Richards, died unexpectedly after pancreatic surgery. His life
was celebrated at Harbor Church in Lomita—we are keeping Jean in our prayers, as well as
David’s wife, daughter, and son.

After a long battle, Marilyn Roehl’s brother, Don Roehl, succumbed to cancer. Marilyn
was able to return to Michigan to be with him before he died.
Page 5
 May 2010 (Revised)
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thur
WORSHIP SERVICES
8:30 and 10:30 am
Sunday School 9:30 am
2 3 4 5
Prayer Shawl Sunday
Newcomer Lunch
Education 7:00
12:00 Amazing Gray’s 12:00 New H
Choir 7:00
Youth Adventure 12:00
CYF/Chi Rho 12:00
9 10 11 12
Newsletter
Prayer Ministry 5:45
Bibles Study 10:00
Holiday Boutique Prayer Shawl 7:00
Prayer Shawl 2:00 Choi
Meeting 7:00 Disciple Women 7:00 Cabinet Meeting 7:00
CYF 12:00

16 17 18 19
Love Group 9:30
Pentecost Offering Bibles Study 10:00
Faith Group 1:30
Disciple Women Lunch Prayer Shawl 2:00
Prayer Ministry 5:45
12:00 VBS Fundraiser Choi
Prayer Shawl 7:00 Ruby’s Diner 11:00-9:00
Youth Adventure 12:00
Elders 7:00 .
CYF/Chi Rho 12:00

23 24 25 26

Pentecost Offering
Prayer Ministry 5:45
Feed The Hungry Bibles Study 10:00
Newsletter Prayer Shawl 7:00 Choi
Sunday Prayer Shawl 2:00
CYF 12:00

30 31

Memorial Day
Church Office Closed
Page 6
 rsday Friday Saturday
1
Men’s Prayer Meeting May Birthdays
10:00 a.m. Doug Crawford (5)
Melanie Emmen (8)
6 7 8 Shirley Brummett (8)
Haley Crawford (9)
Camelia Olloque (12)
Sarah Iannucci (14)
Hope 7:00 Family Night 6:00 Melissa Bell (16)
Carole Jones (16)
Bj Chamberlain (17)
Ryan Rogers (17)
13 14 15 Samantha Fender (20)
Shirley Fender (23)
Men’s Breakfast James Johnston (23)
8:30 a.m. Betty Sleeth (24)
ir 7:00
Men’s Prayer Meeting Clifford Marvin (24)
Ed Shroyer (24)
10:00 a.m.
Jacob Gonzalez (25)
Gabrielle Carmona (26)
20 21 22 Robert Reeley (29)
Mabel Simmons (31)

Loch Leven Retreat

ir 7:00

27 28 29

ir 7:00

ANNIVERSARIES
Bob & Mary Ann Swartzlander (1)
Gene & Doreen Jackson (1)
Ed & Kathy Shroyer (6)
Aron & Cynthia Fried (21)
John & Phyllis King (23)
Al & Samantha Lubrani (25)

Page 7
 Education Notes & News
Summer Camp
The Education Committee is encouraging all youth to make plans to attend summer camp at
Loch Leven. The church is committed to paying half of the early bird registration fee for any
of our kids. See Jill if you have any questions.

Mini Camp, 7/7-7/10 (entering 2nd-3rd grade)

Junior Camp, 6/27-4/3 (entering 4th-6th grade)
Chi Rho, 7/18-7/24 (entering 7th-8th grade)
CYF I, 7/25-7/31 (entering 9th-10th grade)
CYF II, 8/1-8/7 (entering 11th-12 and ’10 grads)

Vacation Bible School- July 26-30

We’re heading for the rainforest this summer so mark your calendars for July 26-30 to join
in on this summer’s adventure.

We are looking for:

Workshop Leaders-to lead workshops in storytelling, bible activities, recreation

Classroom shepherds-to shepherd our kids to the workshops

Helpers and Assistants-to help in the workshops, classrooms, registration, snack

See Jill Foster if you have questions or are interested in helping out

Save the Dates

Sunday, June 6-Education Appreciation Sunday
Sunday, June 15-Graduation Recognition Sunday
Page 8
 May Youth Calendar
Sunday, May 16
12:00 Youth Adventure/Chi Rho-outing after second service
6:00 CYF will meet for dinner at the church
Sunday, May 23
10:30 CYF-Waffle Sunday-Youth are invited to attend Early Service and Sunday School
and then will go to Jimmy’s for waffles.
Sunday, May 30
No youth groups due to holiday weekend.

Feed The Hungry Sunday

Our next Feed The Hungry Sunday is May 23. You have been so faithful in provid-
ing the non-perishable food items for His House. With your help we are able to feed
many of the less fortunate that come to His House in Torrance seeking food for their
families. Here are some food suggestions: canned tuna or chicken, canned vegeta-
bles, boxed juices, canned fruit, granola bars, cereal, pasta, canned soups, cup of
noodles and pudding cups.

Expanding the Table is the theme for the Pentecost Offer-

ing. By supporting the Pentecost Offering you are expand-
ing the efforts of the New Church Movement.

Because of the Disciples’ New Church movement, 657

new churches have started since 2001, more than 42,000
new Disciples have been reached, and the momentum continues to grow. The goal for Disci-
ples is to start 1,000 new churches by 2020. All of this is made possible with the support of
the Pentecost Offering, which we will receive on May 16 and 23.

Money collected through the Pentecost Offering is evenly divided between New Church Min-
istry, where it is used to support the wider church in recruitment, training and coaching of
new church planters—and our own Pacific Southwest Region, which uses its portion to di-
rectly help meet the needs of new congregations right here in our area.

For more information about the Pentecost Offering, call Rick Morse, vice president of New
Church Ministry at 800.274.1883. You can also visit the New Church Ministry website at
www.newchurchministry.org.

Page 9
Upcoming Sermons
May 16 – “Jesus’ Best Friend?” (John 20:30-31; 21:20-25)
The Gospel According to John never mentions the disciple we know as John by name. In-
stead, he is called “the disciple whom Jesus loved” or “The Beloved Disciple.” Does this
mean Jesus had favorites? What does this disciple’s “beloved” place in the church tell us
about ourselves?
May 23 – Pentecost Sunday (Galen Goben preaching)
It is our pleasure to welcome Galen Goben back to our pulpit to help us celebrate Pentecost
while Steve is at our rescheduled church retreat. Galen was a significant presence in our
congregation when we were between pastors. He is a chaplain with Forest Lawn.
May 30 – “Called to…What?” (Ted Oden preaching)
Pastor Ted Oden will be preaching while Steve Fietz is on vacation. Ted will be inviting us
to consider what it means to “work out our salvation” together, including the importance of
being able to have a safe place to share our vulnerability.
June 6 – “Creation for Ovation” (Genesis 1:1-2:4a)
We begin a series on Genesis—the book of beginnings—where else, but at the beginning.
How are we to understand the language of creation: its rhythms and order, its poetry and
prose? And how does the language of literate worship rise above the language of literal
fact?
June 13 – “Creation for Relation” (Genesis 2:4b-25)
The second creation story differs from the first in tone, language, and order—and yet it of-
fers a beautiful balance to the worshipful language of chapter one, and dramatizes a differ-
ent facet of human purpose.
Sermons on line
Miss a Sunday? You can access past sermons on our church website
(www.fcctorrance.org). Click on Worship Media, then on the title or date of the sermon.
Let us know if you’re listening, and thank Jimmy Koontz for helping us to provide this ser-
vice!

Adult Sunday Class

This class is a lively forum where all views and questions are welcome, as are all learning-
levels—we have new Christians, long-time Bible students and everyone in between. It is a
very welcoming group for new participants, with new topics every few weeks.
On May 15, David Matson is finishing his series on three approaches to the question “Is
Christianity the Only True Religion?”
Our Adult Sunday Class meets in Classroom 7 at 9:30 am every Sunday morning.
Page 10
 Footnotes
There were, it turned out, twelve of them, coming north on Maple, but on the east side-
walk. How they got on the far side of the street from the marsh, I don’t know. But
there they were: a mallard momma and her eleven baby ducks. Eleven (I had to count
several times) downy yellow and brown balls with useless little wings. A bumbling,
loyal clutch, but so vulnerable—the smallest twig or pebble inevitably sent one or two
sprawling down, then bouncing up.

I watched them pass, having the odd thought that they were
headed for the crosswalk at Del Amo Plaza—as though
ducks would, should or could find traffic laws helpful. But
no—well before the light, Momma plopped over the curb,
and turned to incite her brood into jaywalking. They all
dutifully fell off into the gutter, and the family turned west,
toward the marsh, and across four lanes.
What could I do? An obviously nice woman in a white sta-
tion wagon had already stopped for them. We mouthed
“thank you” to one another, and I followed the ducky band
out into the street. Fortunately few cars came along, and
not an avianocidal maniac among them. Safely on the opposite side, I coaxed momma
and her little fuzzies north to the wheelchair cut at the corner, and walked along the
marsh fence with them until she found the right place for them to, uh, duck under.
This being the pastor’s column, I guess I’m supposed to have a lesson or a moral here.
But all I can think is “This was so cool” and “I want to share this story.” Hmmmm.

Shalom, Steve
Home phone: 310-212-5950 email: steefeets@hotmail.com

Pastor's Vacation
Steve and Janie Fietz will be at our church retreat on Sunday, May 23, than on vaca-
tion through June 4.

We are happy to welcome Galen Goben back to our pulpit to preach on May 23. Our
own pastor Ted will bring the message on May 30. Both will be well worth hearing!

Next Newsletter articles need to be at the church office by May 24, 2010
Page 11
 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
Or Current Resident

For birth through age 3 during Sunday School

and Contemporary & 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 - Kim Larson
Dorie Hernandez
The Christian Messenger

Officers
TIME VALUE DATA

Chair - Doug Crawford

2930 El Dorado Street

DO NOT DELAY
First Christian Church

Torrance, CA 90503

EXPEDITE

Vice Chair - Don Zukas

Treasurer– Bill Wysong
Financial Secretary - Charlotte Sandberg
Clerk– Angie Ahumada

Page 12