Happy birthday!! We hope your day is filled with lots of love and laughter! May all of your birthday wishes come true. God Bless!
1 Lynn Hendricks
2 Alex Lorenzen
5 Teresa Stefanoff
9 Doug Herzog
11 Jordan Groom
16 Sara Wadia
18 Beverly Schutte
21 Breanna Kolodziej
21 Steven Flowers
23 Paul McPherson
23 Judy Thorndyke
27 Christine Paschal
The September 11th National Day of Service and Remembrance is the culmination of efforts originally launched in 2002 by the 9/11 nonprofit MyGoodDeed with wide support by the 9/11 community and leading national service organizations. This effort first established the inspiring tradition of engaging in charitable service on 9/11 as an annual and forward-looking tribute to the 9/11 victims, survivors, and those who rose up in service in response to the attacks.
In 2009, Congress designated September 11th as a National Day of Service and Remembrance under bipartisan federal law, and charged the Corporation for National and Community Service with helping to support this effort across the country.
On the anniversary of the September 11th attacks, Americans will unite in service in the same remarkable way that so many came together following the attacks.
As in years past, it is anticipated that there will be service and remembrance activities in all 50 states, at which there will be opportunities for hundreds of thousands of volunteers to paint and refurbish homes, run food drives, spruce up schools, reclaim neighborhoods, and support and honor veterans, soldiers, military families, and first responders.
I would encourage you to make time to give of your self in service to others on 9/11 and remember those who perished that day. And then in the spirit of faithfulness and humility, make selfless service a year-round habit, as we seek to follow in Christ’s steps.
Blessings,
Karen
Congratulations & Happy Anniversary to Our August Couples!
Sending anniversary congratulations and best wishes for the years ahead to all those celebrating wedding anniversaries.
8 Eddie & Vanessa Rios
20 Greg & Karen Davis
24 Bob & Bonnie Deering
31 Mary & Bob Dubois
Life can be hectic, and we can become distracted by many things – including those very things that are designed to “simply” our lives, i.e. electronic devices. Despite the fact that society has advanced, making time to communicate with others is still as essential now as it was 2,000 years ago. As summer winds down and children are heading back to school, and families get back to routines, it is important to make maintaining good communication a priority. With slight wording modifications, these questions can work with children of all ages, and with some adaptation, can also be appropriate for conversation with a spouse or another adult family member.
1. Tell me about a moment today when you felt excited about what you were learning.
2. Think about what you learned and did in school today. What’s something you’d like to know more about? What’s a question you have that came from your learning today?
3. Were there any times today when you felt disrespected by anyone? Tell me about those moments.
4. Were there times today when you felt that one of your classmates demonstrated care for you?
5. Were there any moments today when you felt proud of yourself?
6. Tell me about a conversation you had with a classmate or friend that you enjoyed.
7. What was challenging about your day?
8. What do you appreciate about your day?
9. What did you learn about yourself today?
10. What are you looking forward to tomorrow?
11. Is there a question you wish I’d ask you about your day?
Take time to turn off electronic devices and have a conversation with those around you. It will be good for you (& them). It is a great opportunity to learn something about your family and friends, and about yourself. And remember to talk with God as well. God is listening and wants to offer each of us hope, joy and peace.
Literally hundreds of children, adults and eager supporters came to see the artwork on display, listen to music and learn more about the FCCG-Art Academy. Many thanks to the teachers and volunteers that helped to make the night a huge success. Watch the FCCG website for the next session of classes.
Congratulations & Happy Anniversary to Our July Couples!
Sending anniversary congratulations and best wishes for the years ahead to all those celebrating wedding anniversaries.
25 Ella & Gary Peterson
27 Jordan & John Groom
It is for freedom that Christ has set us free. Stand firm, then, and do not let yourselves be burdened again by a yoke of slavery. Galatians 5:1
The Fourth of July—also known as Independence Day or July 4th—has been a federal holiday in the United States since 1941, but the tradition of Independence Day celebrations goes back to the 18th century and the American Revolution. On July 2nd, 1776, the Continental Congress voted in favor of independence, and two days later delegates from the 13 colonies adopted the Declaration of Independence, a historic document drafted by Thomas Jefferson. From 1776 to the present day, July 4th has been celebrated as the birth of American independence, with festivities ranging from fireworks, parades and concerts to more casual family gatherings and barbecues.
On July 4 we celebrate our independence as a nation. We make a point to remember and let others know that we celebrate our freedom. The passage from Galatians reminds us of our freedom in Christ. No longer slaves to the law, but free in the Spirit.
The apostle Paul reminds us that we are no longer slaves but children of God because of Jesus Christ. A child is a word that describes the relationship. We are in a free relationship with Christ. We are heirs to the inheritance of God’s kingdom. We are on the receiving end, not the taking end. This is the good news of the gospel. Eugene Peterson writes: “Receive is a freedom word. Take is not. To receive is to accept what the divine provides for us. To take is to plunder whatever is not nailed down. To receive is to do what children do in the family. To take is to do what pirates do on the high seas … The difference between receiving and taking is deeply interior. It has to do with disposition of spirit, an act of faith, an openness to God. Outwardly similar, even identical, physical actions constitute both taking and receiving … But the similarities are all on the surface; by observing context and continuities we can easily distinguish taking, with all its ambitious assertion and prideful aggrandizement, from receiving, with all its grateful acceptance and humble receptivity.”
Let us celebrate this month our independence as a nation, but more importantly, may we receive the freedom and grace given to us by God. May we use our freedom wisely to promote the well-being of all God’s children, and to be good stewards of God’s creation.
Happy Independence,
Karen
“And on the seventh day God finished his work that he had done, and he rested on the seventh day from all his work that he had done. So God blessed the seventh day and made it holy, because on it God rested from all his work that he had done in creation.” – Genesis 2: 2-3
“Then, because so many people were coming and going that they did not even have a chance to eat, he said to them, ‘Come with me by yourselves to a quiet place and get some rest.’ So they went away by themselves in a boat to a solitary place.” -Mark 6: 30-32 We can find several examples in scripture where God has sanctioned recreation; there is no need to feel guilty for times focused on enjoyment—this is part of God’s plan. (Yay!) And besides being part of a divine plan, recreation/vacation/ relaxation is good for your health! It has been reported that chronic stress takes its toll in part on our body’s ability to resist infection, maintain vital functions, and even ability to avoid injury. When you’re stressed out and tired, you are more likely to become ill, your arteries take a beating, and you’re more likely to have an accident. Your sleep will suffer, you won’t digest your food as well, and even the genetic material in the cells of your body may start to become altered in a bad way. Mentally, not only do you become more irritable, depressed, and anxious, but your memory will become worse and you’ll make poorer decisions. You’ll also be less fun to be with, causing you to become more isolated, lonely, and depressed. So, each of us needs a constructive, positive way to deal with stress, whether it be exercise, a hobby, or just some “R & R.” In addition to having some routine way to deal with stress, vacations have the potential to break into the stress cycle. We emerge from a “successful” vacation (not the National Lampoon style vacation) feeling ready to take on the world again. We gain perspective on our problems, get to relax with our families and friends, and get a break from our usual routines. Even if you don’t have the time or resources to go on a trip, a “staycation” where you don’t venture further than your state, town or city, or even neighborhood, can also be relaxing and rejuvenating if it helps you to “take a break” from your normal routine and get a new perspective. So, as we enjoy the summer days of more sunshine and breaks from school and routines, make sure to plan opportunities for fun, relaxation and recreation. You will be glad you did.
Enjoying fun in the sun,
Karen
First Christian Church of Glendora began meeting in the community in the early 1880’s. In 1885, the church was chartered and in 1887 the congregation built its first building on Wabash and Bennett. In 1922, the congregation set in place the cornerstone on their current “home” on the corner of Glendora and Bennett.
This iconic 100 year old building is home to Sunday worship, hundreds of children and adults who gather to learn art and experience hope at our Fine Arts Academy, Cub Scout Pack 482, a Narcotics Anonymous group, and many other community activities and events. From serving as a Red Cross shelter during the floods of 1969 that destroyed homes and hillsides, to being a gathering place for blood drives, food drives, annual parades and activities like the Train Show and Empty Bowls, FCCG has gladly and humbly opened our doors to the community.
As FCCG continues to open its doors to the community and expand our Arts Center, there are repairs and improvements that we would like to make to our building. To accomplish all of this, we are applying for matching grant funds and reaching out to the community to invite others to contribute to this Capital Campaign.
In applying for matching grant funds, the funding organizations look to the support and participation of the requesting organization. This is where YOU come in, we would love to have community support and participation. If you have been blessed by a program at FCCG, we invite you to participate in this campaign. No gift is too small.
Thank you for your consideration of contributing, as together we embrace the future and celebrate our past.
Happy birthday!! We hope your day is filled with lots of love and laughter! May all of your birthday wishes come true. God Bless!
1 Bonnie Deering
4 Gary Peterson
6 Woodrow Hendricks
18 Shawnee Lopez
19 David Mason
25 Vincent Hendricks
29 John Groom
Congratulations & Happy Anniversary to Our May Couples!
Sending anniversary congratulations and best wishes for the years ahead to all those celebrating wedding anniversaries.
2 Stephen & Phyllis Lopez