Welcome Our Newest Member

Ernest (Ernie) Wheatley came forward last Sunday to place his

membership. Ernie is Bill Wheatley’s brother, and Jill Foster’s
uncle. He has been staying with Bill recently as he recovers from
illness and injury. Though once he returns to his home in Haci-
enda Heights, Ernie will only see us a few times a year, he has
felt so warmly welcomed that he wanted to be an official part of
our community. But for however long or however often, we are
certainly pleased to be his church home! (Ernie’s contact infor-
mation will be included in our soon-to-be-published directory up-
date.)

Lent Prayer Wall, Version 2011

As we did last year, we have prayer walls up, both in the Narthex,
and in front of the Communion Table. Prayer requests can be
written on paper, rolled, and slipped in the wall. They will be
collected, and lifted up at our Tuesday Prayer meetings, and else-
where. Thanks to Youth Adventure for the enthusiasm, and to
Dave Marvin for making it happen!

Page 1 March 17, 2011

 Disciples Women’s Ministry
The next Disciple Women’s luncheon will be held on Sunday, March 27th. A
friend of Janet Wysong, Kathleen Knowles, will be our speaker and she will
share memories of her trip to Malai, Africa. She will tell us how she was
touched by the children there, and hopefully bring pictures to share. The
lunch will be lovingly prepared by the Faith Group and will be “A Little Bit of Heaven”
and will have an Irish flare in honor of St. Patrick’s Day. Hope to see you all at the
luncheon.

Convocation Report: The women of FCC Torrance had a wonderful 24

hours at Convocation this weekend in Orange. We were blessed to partici-
pate in wonderful gathering times, which featured beautiful music and a
passionate keynote speaker in Amy Gopp. We were able to enjoy each other’s com-
pany at mealtime as well as at our Friday night Pajama Party where everyone strut-
ted their stuff at our own “Parade of Slippers”.

Many of our women were an active part of this event and it did us proud
to watch Sakura run around with her clipboard to make sure everything
was in order for the workshops. We watched as our men, Bill, John and
Jimmy helped with the sound and visuals and gave them a big cheer
any time they went up to fix the mikes. Dorie and Janet were the stars
of a skit and we were moved every time they were up on stage. Anna guided the
young guides, which included Meghan and Cody Anne who both did us proud with
their helpful smiles and cheerful attitudes. Chery and Amanda and Dorie manned the
Bras for a Cause booth and raised upwards of $500 for cancer research. I hope I
didn’t leave anyone out, but suffice it to say we were an important part of the leader-
ship for this event. To steal a phrase…it was another fine example of leadership
from the women of FCC Torrance!

Loch Leven Retreat: Please note that our church retreat has had to be
rescheduled from our original May date due to a conflict with Relay For
Life. We are now scheduled to gather together at Loch Leven the week-
end of June 3-5, 2011. You will be able to join Pastor Steve and Pastor
Ted as they lead us in activities and worship experiences that will be appropriate for
all ages, from the young to the old. There will also be plenty of time for relaxation,
singing, walking, crafts and S’mores around the campfire. Please mark your calen-
dars and look for more details to come. Jill Foster or Samantha Lubrani can answer
any questions you have now.

Page 2
 Endowment Fund Update
Retirement Assets can be a Tax Burden
A retirement account, such as an IRA, 401(k), or 403(b), often comprises a large portion of
a person’s wealth. Yet did you know they are the most heavily taxed — and a perfect instru-
ment for making a charitable gift at death?
The way in which you distribute the assets in your retirement accounts can reflect your faith
and values. By naming First Christian Church, Torrance, as beneficiary of your retirement
account, you can pass on assets you no longer can use, and spare your estate the tax burden
affiliated with these plans.
Simply ask the manager of your account to send you a beneficiary designation form, and
complete it with the proper legal name of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Tor-
rance. Doing so allows the funds to pass tax-free.
Remember to consult your financial advisors on the ramifications of this decision since indi-
vidual circumstances vary.
If you’d like to learn more about how you can help our church through retirement plan as-
sets, contact the Christian Church Foundation, which is the general ministry of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) designed to help church members create a lasting legacy
through planned gifts. Foundation development officers are ordained or licensed clergy who
understand the church, financial matters and stewardship. To speak to one, call (800) 668-
8016.
The Endowment Fund Committee would like to thank and acknowledge recent gifts to our Church’s
Endowment Fund:

From June Perkins in memory of Sharon Dexter

From Stella McGinnis in memory of Sharon Dexter
From Doug and Cheryl Crawford in memory of Jack and Cynthia Cox and Annabelle Brown
From Shirley Brummett in memory of Sharon Dexter
From Ruth Perry in memory of Sharon Dexter
From Steve and Ruth Tooker in memory of Marion Casey
From Phyllis King
From the Disciples Women’s Love Group in memory of Sharon Dexter

As of January 1, there is $142,473 in two Funds managed by the Christian Church Foundation in
Indianapolis, and $51,470 in CDs.
We hope you will remember our Church’s Endowment Fund in your estate planning, and/or as a
way to honor and recognize a birthday, graduation, anniversary, etc., for someone special. Simply
indicate that you wish the gift to go to the Endowment Fund.
Informational brochures are available in the narthex and pews. A link on the Church’s website also
has information about the Fund.
If you have any questions, please contact one of the directors listed below.

Betsy Galyardt Jack Perry Francisco Sanchez Andrea Whobrey Doris Wilson

Page 3
 Estate Items for Free!
Anyone interested in a Maple bedroom piece, floral six foot sleeper couch, end ta-
bles, coffee tables and lamps please contact Diana Sencerbox (310) 534-0818.

With Sympathy
Judy Rickabaugh’s sister, Pat Fowler, died earlier this month, in Northern California, of can-
cer.

Shirley Woodman’s friend, Haley Rider Thomas died of cancer earlier this month. Her hus-
band Rob died four years ago; they are survived by a son, Connor, 19, and a daughter, Shea,
12.

Lilian Asomugha’s brother Dennis died in Henderson, NV, after a long struggle. Services
were held both here and there on March 11 and 12.

Lee Sebaugh’s brother died March 15 after a long illness. Their family is in our prayers.

Former member Bruce Fryman’s son, James Fryman, has died in Indianapolis. Services will
be held here, but time and date are pending.

Paul Gross, recently baptized by Ted Oden at Westchester, has died after a struggle with can-
cer.

Oh, give us pleasure in the flowers to-day;

And give us not to think so far away
As the uncertain harvest; keep us here
All simply in the springing of the year.
Oh, give us pleasure in the orchard white,
Like nothing else by day, like ghosts by night;
And make us happy in the happy bees,
The swarm dilating round the perfect trees.
And make us happy in the darting bird
That suddenly above the bees is heard,
The meteor that thrusts in with needle bill,
And off a blossom in mid air stands still.
For this is love and nothing else is love,
The which it is reserved for God above
To sanctify to what far ends He will,
But which it only needs that we fulfil.

Page 4
 CHURCH FAMILY PRAYERS & CONCERNS
In the hospital: Debbie Galyardt (Grant’s sister) is in the hospital with pneumonia and
other complications… Terry Linehan’s mother is home, but her father has been hospital-
ized with medication complications… Annette Carew (Stan’s stepmother) continues in the
hospital with complications from pneumonia.

Out of the hospital: Ed Gherna (Mary Matson’s father) continues on hospice at a Board
& Care, where he is, all things considered, in good spirits… Trevor Bise is home after be-
ing hospitalized with an intestinal virus; his grandmother, Joan, is recovering from surgery,
and his uncle, David, is being treated for heart problems… Morrie Gober is home where
he continues treatment for emphysema… Justin Grant (the son of our new custodian, Tom
Grant) is home after treatment for a serious infection. Camelia Olloque’s niece Lily came
home on March 15th. She is weighing 5lbs. and is 19 inches long.

Continuing Treatment: Linda Houston is doing better after a bout with pneumonia…Bob
Schnepp is doing well after outpatient shoulder surgery…Paul Crossman continues to
weaken since his stroke… Bonnie Reniff’s recovery from surgery is taking longer than
hoped…Dolly Barnbeck may need eye surgery…Arly Jahn is still waiting for a procedure
to help with pancreatic stones…Frances Marshall’s daughter, Ann, is scheduled for sur-
gery on March 18…Chery Carew’s brother, David, continues treatment for emphysema.
Doctors have also detected suspicious spots on his lung…Lisa Roberts asks prayer for her
grandfather in St. Louis.

Battling cancer: Milly Raper’s daughter will be having surgery for thyroid cancer…
Shawn Knutsen (Kelly Rogers’s sister)…Linda Houston’s friend, Joyce Eiges…Vi Fietz
(Steve’s stepmother)…Pat Patterson (Doreen Jackson’s friend) is undergoing chemo and
radiation… Tests show Asher, the young son of Larry Campbell cousin does not have leu-
kemia, as previously reported here.

Separated from loved ones: Sakura Koontz reports that family members in Japan have
earthquake damage, and no power, but all are safe.
Anne Beecher has finally heard news of a elderly friend who was moved from Christ-
church, NZ, after the earthquake… Brandon Matson, stationed with the Army in
Iraq….Sarah Iannucci’s mother in the Philippines continues to need prayer.

Page 5
 March 2011 (Revised
Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thur
WORSHIP SERVICES
8:30 and 10:30 am
Sunday School 9:30 am
1 2

6 7 8 9

13 14 15 16
Love Group 9:30 Lent Small Group 10:00
Daylight Savings
Newsletter Faith Group 1:30 Prayer Shawl 2:00
Spring Forward
Lent Small Group Prayer Meeting 5:45 Elders 7:00 Lent Sm
Lent Small Group Choir 7:00
7:00 p.m. Prayer Shawl 7:00 7:00
7:00 p.m. Lent Small Group 7:00

20 21 22 23
Spring Fling
Ice Cream Fundraiser Lent Small Group 10:00
Prayer Meeting 5:45
His Hands Lent Small Group Prayer Shawl 2:00 Lent Sm
Prayer Shawl 7:00
12:00 7:00 p.m. Choir 7:00 7:00
Lent Small Group Lent Small Group 7:00
7:00 p.m.

27 28 29 30
Feed The Hungry Sunday
Disciple Women’s Lunch
Prayer Meeting 5:45 Lent Small Group
12:00 Newsletter
Prayer Shawl 7:00 10:00 a.m. Lent Sm
Lent Small Group Lent Small Group
Choir 7:00 7:00
7:00 p.m. 7:00 p.m. Lent Small Group 7:00
Page 6
d)
rsday Friday Saturday

March Birthdays
Mary Ibe (1)
Linda Gilmore (2)
Dottie Taggart (3)
3 4 5 Hilda Coleman (4)
Gail Grove (5)
Gene Jackson (5)
Virginia Gober (6)
Wally Sandberg (6)
Kurt Nelson (9)
Ruth Morrison (10)
10 11 12 Terry Linehan (15)
Lois Sherwood (17)
Haley Noble (20)
Emma Hernandez (22)
Katie Redderson (22)
Orlando Martinez (24)
Charlene Bowring (26)
Kristin Karlin (28)
Ziggy Wilk (28)
Lois Sherwood (29)
17 18 19 Ruth Perry (29)
Glenn Singleton (30)
Men’s Breakfast Kel Henderson (30)
Mandy Fontaine (30)
8:30 a.m.
mall Group Lilian Asomugha (31)
Lent Small Group
0 p.m.
10:00 a.m.

24 25 26

mall Group Lent Small Group

0 p.m. 10:00 a.m.

31

ANNIVERSARIES
Raymond & Donna Stent (18)
mall Group John & Anne Beecher (20)
0 p.m.

Page 7
 Education Notes & News
“A Prayer for Us”—New Small Group Series on the Lord’s Prayer
Please keep our Lent Series groups and facilitators in your prayers:
Sunday afternoon Shirley Woodman leading Youth Adventure
Sunday evening Larry & Peggy Campbell
Monday evening Steve & Janie Fietz
Wednesday morning Steve Fietz & Susan Babcock
Wednesday evening Doug Crawford, Don & Sue Zukas
Thursday evening Lynne Redderson & Chery Carew
Saturday morning Frank Mitchell

Tuesday Prayer Meeting Continues

Each Tuesday evening at 5:45, a group gathers in our sanctuary to lift up prayers for one an-
other, on behalf of loved ones, the ministry of the church, and the needs of the world. It is a
simple time of focus where some pray aloud, others silently. All are welcome —and every-
one with a need is encouraged to submit prayer requests.

Habitat for Humanity – “Building on Faith”

We have been invited to participate in Habitat for Humanity’s local building project through
the season of Lent. From Ash Wednesday to Good Friday (March 9 through April 22) Habi-
tat will be remodeling homes for two deserving families in Lynwood.

For more information, check with Pastor Steve, or call Chris Untiet at 310-323-4663, ext 129,
or write to him at chrisu@habitatla.org.

Page 8
Religion in the World:
U.S. Muslims & Christians Condemn the Murder of Shahbaz Bhatti
U.S. Muslims were among the leading voices of condemnation following the assassi-
nation in Pakistan of Shahbaz Bhatti, the only Christian member of Pakistan's federal
cabinet. Bhatti was shot dead in his car March 2 by assailants identifying themselves
as "Taliban al Qaeda Punjab."

The Islamic Society of North America (ISNA) said it was "outraged" by the brutal mur-
der of Bhatti, who was Minister of Minorities in the Pakistan government. Bhatti had
quietly challenged Pakistan's blasphemy law, which he said was "being misused to
victimize the innocent people of Pakistan." ISNA called on the Pakistani government
to repudiate any law or action that infringes upon the ability of any person to freely
practice their religion in Pakistan. ISNA also urged Muslim scholars in Pakistan as
well as ordinary Muslims to speak out against these unjustified killings and the mis-
use of blasphemy laws.

The Rev. Dr. Michael Kinnamon, general secretary of the National Council of
Churches and a minister of the Christian Church (Disciple s of Christ), also ex-
pressed outrage at the attack. "Shahbaz Bhatti was a courageous advocate of Chris-
tians and other minorities in Pakistan," Kinnamon said.

Feed The Hungry Sunday

Our next Feed The Hungry Sunday is March 27th. This ministry of our church has
been a huge success. Thank you to Dave Marvin who continues to put the donated
items in the sanctuary for God’s blessing. Your faithful donations of canned tuna,
soups, canned fruits and vegetables, boxed pasta have made it possible to help feed
needy families around the South Bay. Meals are served everyday from 8:00 to 10:00
a.m. Dave and his staff from His House continue to thank you for your love and sup-
port.

Page 9
Upcoming Sunday Messages
March 20— “Waiting for Reign” (Matthew 6:10, Luke 17:20-21, Romans 14:16-19 )
Moving to the second phrase of the Lord’s Prayer, we explore what it means to hope for
God’s kingdom, and to pray that God’s will would be done “on earth as in heaven.” What
are we really waiting for, and what are we to do while we wait?

March 27— “Manna Live” (Matthew 6:11, Exodus 16:11-31)

How is the biblical definition of “daily bread” similar to, or different from, our own? And
what might it mean that we pray for our daily bread, not just mine?

April 3— “The Gospel According to Roy Orbison (Mercy!)” (Matthew 6:12, Luke 6:36-38)
How is forgiveness also a daily need? And how is our willingness to offer forgiveness
woven together with our ability to receive it?

April 10— “Pop Quiz or Final Exam?” (Matthew 6:13, Matthew 4:1-10)
Is being tempted the same thing as being tested? Who really gives the test, and what does it
mean to be delivered?

Wednesday Morning Bible Study

Our Wednesday morning study group has joined in our Lent Series on the Lord’s Prayer.
We are meeting from 10:15 to 11:30 (to accommodate schedules) in the Choir Room.

Adult Sunday Class—Another Series from David Matson

Dr. David Matson continues our series on interpreting the death of Jesus through March 27.
One need not have come to earlier classes to get value from remaining sessions. The class
meets Sunday mornings in Room 7 at 9:30. All are welcome!
Page 10
 Footnotes
It is such a helpless feeling to watch the news in times like these. Civil war in Libya
and dramatic upheavals elsewhere in the Arab world, debates and demonstrations
about budgets here in the states, and, most recently, earthquakes, one after the other in
New Zealand, and now the multiple devastations in Japan. We see the suffering, but
we feel helpless. What can we do?

To be straight about it, this is a time to give. Alone, it’s too much for you or me to
correct. Together we have impact. Alone, we’re on this side of the Pacific, and the
suffering is on the other. Collectively, we can leap oceans.

One of the best ways to make that leap of faith is through gifts to Week of Compas-
sion, the Disciples’ emergency relief agency. Week of Compassion has already re-
sponded to our primary partner there, the United Church of Christ in Japan, with an
initial emergency response grant, and will continue to be in close touch with them as
they respond to this devastating tragedy. Gifts can be directed for the Japanese earth-
quake, or for any other place of suffering and tragedy. We work with local agencies,
so our help continues even when the media attention moves on.

And this is not a time to diminish the power of prayer. Prayer helps clarify what
we can do—and, by the way, what’s also out of our hands. And prayer unleashes a
power that I’ve given up trying to explain. It’s not a power that’s under my control, it
doesn’t move as I see fit. But it moves—it leaps oceans, it crosses the swamps of
doubt, it bridges islands of suffering. I don’t know the physics of it. But I believe it
does.

Shalom, Steve

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

Next Newsletter articles need to be at the church office by March 28, 2011
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
9:00 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 - Amanda Ruhs
Dorie Hernandez
The Christian Messenger

Officers
TIME VALUE DATA

Chair - Chery Carew

2930 El Dorado Street

DO NOT DELAY
First Christian Church

Torrance, CA 90503

EXPEDITE

Vice Chair - Jerry Jonas

Treasurer– Jimmy Koontz
Financial Secretary - Charlotte Sandberg
Clerk– Angie Ahumada

Page 12