FOOTHILL FOCUS

Number 11 DECEMBER 2008 Volume 16

A Steady Beatfrom the drummer in a worship band pulls all the other instruments

together and lays a foundation for the making of beautiful music. During our 40 day journey with the Shepherd, many found that rhythm in the daily reading of the StressBusters book laid a foundation for spiritual growth. During the second week of our 40 days, we studied the way that sabbath rest gives a rhythm to our weekly life and brings all the many and varied activities of our lives into balance.

For centuries, the Christian church has followed the wisdom of such rhythms not only within the sabbath-marked week, but also in the rhythm of the worship year. So we come to the beginning of another yearly worship cycle with the start of the Advent season on November 30th. The annual cycle is based on the stories of Jesus' life. It begins on its first Sunday with the end of the world as Jesus comes again and then jumps back to stories of John the Baptist, Elizabeth, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus in the familiar Christmas stories. Matched with the New Testament stories are the prophetic passages that promised Jesus coming. It's a transforming experience to live into the rhythm of Jesus' life.

You may wish to continue the daily reading rhythm that you found by using the StressBusters book, by picking up an Advent devotional or a Daily Bread. It will bring balance and growth into your life.

 

Christmas Program The Candle In The Window Sunday, December 14, 10:30 a.m.

St. Lucia Day With Swedish Brunch! Sunday, December 21, Noon

 

Wednesday, December 24 - Christmas Eve Day Service at 7:30

p.m. A special time to celebrate Christ's birth. Sing the carols and hear the great story. Bring family and friends. Childcare will be provided.

Thursday, December 25 -A Service of Communion celebrating Jesus' incarnation, 10:00 a.m. Come and sing your favorite Christmas songs and enter into the story of God's salvation plan throughout history.

Sunday, December 28 -A Service of Lessons and Carols, 10:30

a.m. Come and sing your favorite Christmas songs and enter into the story of God's salvation plan throughout history.

DECEMBER WORSHIP/PREACHING -On November 30th we entered the Season of Advent. During December we will listen to the ancient prophets speak of the promises ofGod's rescue and restoration of mankind through the Messiah, His Son.

Dec. 7 - Isaiah 40.1-11 -"Make My Life Easy!" - Jim GDec. 14 - Christmas ProgramDec. 21 - Isaiah 61.1-11 -"Keeping Campaign Promises" - Jim GDec. 24 - Christmas Eve Candlelight Service at 7:30 p.m.Dec. 25 - Christmas Communion at 10:00 a.m.

BLESSING OF A CHILD: Nathan Santiago Pech, son of Andres & Renee Pech was dedicated to the Lord on November 2, 2008 with his grandparents, Hilda, John, and Gayle,present with Andres and Renee. Pray for Nathan and the family and bless him each time yousee him with the grace of our Lord.

CELEBRATION OF A MARRIAGE: Shaun Saville and Julie Jaynes, daughter ofBob & Marylou Jaynes, were united in marriage on November 15, 2008 in San Diego on abeautiful afternoon overlooking the Pacific Ocean from the campus of Point Loma NazareneUniversity. Pastor Gaderlund officiated. Pray God's blessing on Shaun and Julie as they begin this journey of life together.

CONGREGATIONAL CONVERSATIONS ON THE CONSTITUTIONAL BY-LAWS

had a second installment on November 9th when the subject of the Leadership Team was discussed. We got some valuable response and recommendations about an optimum number ofLeadership Team members and terms of office. We've let the "jello" language harden a little,but are waiting until after our Ministry Team discussions on November 23rd to finalize concepts and language in Articles 2 & 3. Even if you missed the two November meetings, it isnot too late to give feedback to the review committee, write a note or talk to committee members: Marilyn Smith, Mark Liedstrand, or Jim Gaderlund. Our next conversation will be on January 11th at 6:30 p.m. in the Fireside Room. Come and give insights into Articles 5&6 -Standing Committees and Congregational Meetings.

Women's Bible Study

Women's Bible Study is on Wednesday mornings at 9:45 am. We are studying Hebrews this year, ably lead by Marian Ecklund and supported by Nancy Baldwinson. We will not be meeting on December 24 or 31 due to the holidays.

Women's Lunch Bunch

We will not be meeting for lunch in December or January due to holiday activities. We'll see you again at the Country Gourmet in Sunnyvale on the first Thursday of February at 11:30 am, the 5th, 2009. Please call Ona Avent (408-984-7625) for more information.

Stretch Yoga Class

We continue our Stretch Yoga class on Wednesdays at Noon during the winter, except we won't be meeting on December 24 or 31 due to the holidays. Call Kay Roberts (408-2557817) for more information.

Men's Lunch

Men of Foothill, please join us for lunch and informal conversation onThursday, December 11 at Noon. (Note that this is a week later than our usual monthly lunch) We'll be looking for you at Brian's Restaurant in Los Altos in the Rancho Shopping Center on Foothill and Magdalena. Please call Jim Gaderlund at 650.967.7447 with any questions. We won't meet in January, but will resume on February. 5th.

Stewardship Report as of 11/18/08 (fiscal Year 7/1/08 thru 6/30/09)General Budget: $ 98,127 General Expenditures: $ 95,374 General Income: $ 91,213

COVENANT WORLD RELIEF

"Low overhead, thoughtful collaboration, and income from long-invested funds have enabled Covenant World Relief to distribute 95 cents of every dollar to the poorest of the poor. That overhead isfar less than many other organizations."

CWR actually functions similar to our Foothill Covenant Love Offering. The it gives is extended inChrist's name, generally church to church.

Working with international partners who operate in areas served by CWR has helped to keep costslow and dollars to be used more effectively.

If you haven't yet made your contribution to Covenant World Relief's fall 2008 offering there is stillan opportunity. Bring your soup can bank to the church office or write a check designated: CWRand place it in the Sunday's offering. Join together with other Covenanters to do this great work.

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Part of a Larger Family

Breaking news: As of today, Tuesday, November 18, the general status is "calm" in relation to thewildfire activity in Southern Calfornia specifically in areas where we have churches, Santa Barbaraand Orange. On behalf of our colleagues in those areas, I express gratitude for your prayers and request continued prayers for the "reestablishing" process for those who have lost homes. To date, the report is 12 families losing homes who attend Montecito Covenant Church and 3 families and 2 singles from Ocean Hills Covenant Church. Many of these persons were connected with WestmontCollege. No losses were sustained by congregants of River 47 Church in Orange, but there were“close calls” says Pastor Frank Riley.

We have established a general Santa Barbara Wildfire Assistance Fund that will be administered byAllan Anderson, Business Manager of Ocean Hills, and their mission team to assist those in need inthat area. Any donations can be made directly to the Wildfire Assistance Fund and sent to Allan Anderson % Ocean Hills Covenant Church, 821 State Street, Suite B, Santa Barbara, CA 93101.

Thank you again for your support for our brothers and sisters in Christ during a difficult time.

Keep up to date on what God is doing in our larger church family. Visit the web sites for our Pacific Southwest Conference at www.pswc.org and for the Evangelical Covenant at www.covchurch.org. Each site has current news in churches and ministries around the Covenant. To have the news sent to you, subscribe toNewswire by going to the home page on the Covenant web site and looking for thelink on the right side of the screen.