Archive for the ‘Pastor's Blog’ Category
Posted on January 26, 2010 - by genes
AFCC Provides Lifeline to Haiti
Thank You!
AFCC’s special offering to help with relief efforts in Haiti has raised $4,345, all of which has gone to Lifeline Christian Mission.
Our gifts will be used by them to provide various types of relief for the many homeless and hurt Haitian Christians associated with their churches, orphanages, schools and workshops. Lifeline Christian Mission is a well-respected ministry with whom I have had personal, on-site experience.
To stay informed with the challenges that our Haitian brothers and sisters are facing, use the Lifeline link printed here.
GRS
Posted on January 19, 2010 - by genes
AFCC Provides Haitian Relief
Like most of the world, AFCC is concerned about providing help for those impacted by the recent earthquake in Haiti. To me, this tragedy is somewhat personal since I have spent time working in Haiti with Christian churches, orphanages, workshops and schools associated with Lifeline Christian Mission. 
As you can see with this photo, one of the schools I worked at will not be using this class room any time soon.
Of course, the more pressing need is that of providing essential food, shelter and medical supplies to the hundreds of thousands who are displaced by this event. Since speaking about this on Sunday, I have learned that, in addition to many homes of the Haitian Christians associated with Lifeline, schools, churches and other community buildings have also been destroyed. People I worked with are hurt, homeless, seperated from their families and missing.
The donations that AFCC collects will go immediately to Lifeline Christian Mission, the organization with whom I worked while in Haiti. This is a well respected organization that will wisely use every gift they receive for disaster relief. To donate through AFCC, just mark your check or offering with Haiti and we will make sure it gets to the right place.
If you would like to keep up with reports on the conditions of our Christian family in Haiti , as well as Lifeline’s relief effort and special needs, just use the following link:
Posted on January 5, 2010 - by genes
Bible Reading in 2010
Although I always provide a Bible reading book mark each month for those who are looking for a systematized approach to their daily devotions, I have not placed a big emphasis on that program for the last couple of years. However, 2010’s planned reading is one that I would highly recommend you follow. While this year’s plan will not have you read every book in the Bible, it will take the reader through all of Old Testament history, as well as through every New Testament book. Additionally, for the most part, every book is read in chronological order, which helps the reader better understand the sweep of Biblical history and thought. Consequently, it is an easier read for most people, helping them stay faithful to a daily reading schedule. I can think of few things that will be more beneficial to you in the New Year than spending time each day in God’s word.
In case you need help in taking on this daily Bible read, here are a couple of suggestions that might make it easier for you.
1. Did you know that the daily reading section is available on the church website? If you can access the website by computer or cell
phone, the daily text will be waiting right there for you any time you want it.
2. Just for something different, have you ever considered listening to the Bible instead of reading it? Sometimes it is rather refreshing to listen to an entire book as a professional reads it on tape. (Particularly those sections with hard to pronounce names!) I have 3
different versions of the Bible on tape and enjoy augmenting, from time to time, my reading schedule with one or all of them. There are a host of versions available as discs or downloads. This year, I am listening to some of the books as presented by “The Word of Promise” edition, in NKJV. Given the large cast of award winning actors and musicians that worked on that production, it is a particularly fine listening experience that helps me visualize the Bible message in new ways.
I don’t care how you surround yourself with God’s word as long as you
do just that in 2010.
GRS
Posted on December 25, 2009 - by genes
Merry Christmas
Christmas with the AFCC family is always very enjoyable for me. Given the fact that our congregation comes from so many different places, it means all of us can share a wide variety of traditions that celebrate the birth of Christ.
But, whether our celebrations are simple,
or formal, in English or in Spanish,
it is a wonderful thing to be a part of a caring family that knows the importance of acknowledging God’s special gift of love. Best wishes to all of you for a wonderful Christmas celebration. GRS
Posted on December 22, 2009 - by genes
Out With the Old, In With the New
This is another AFCC tradition – Once the holiday events are over and church programs grind to a halt for family Christmas and New Year’s celebrations, a crew of church elves goes into the kitchen and really cleans house. (You might be surprised to learn what can accumulate in a church refrigerator if aggressive action doesn’t take place every so often!) While that regular clean up did recently take place, this year, it extended past the kitchen and into the pantry.
In fact, using memorial money from the Thelma Goodwin Fund, the church pantry got a complete overhaul. The original, permanent, wooden shelves were replaced with adjustable restaurant versions, the fluorescent green walls were painted with a scrubbable white enamel and several unusable items, that just took up space, were sent on to a better place. Hank demonstrates, in this photo, that it’s actually fairly easy now to find just what you want in this well organized space. Thelma Goodwin, who logged many an hour in the church kitchen, would have been thrilled to see the improvement. Thank You to all who helped make this possible. GRS
Posted on December 20, 2009 - by genes
A Nice Tradition
It started a few years ago when some of our children were standing around after the service on the Sunday before Christmas, looking particularly nice in their Christmas outfits. Someone thought to make a Kodak moment … which was repeated the next year, etc. Now, we have one of those well established, informal, traditions going that has documented, in several installments, the growth of our children. It is always fun to see who gathers on the steps to make a memory. While I do enjoy looking at the children, I can’t help but also notice that some of their parents, just like them, grew up in this church. Others started coming while students in college. Some met at AFCC, others married here and then stayed. A few picked this church after starting their families, because of the value we place on children and our commitment to support them as parents. It is a great thing to be a part of an ever expanding Christian family where all of us, regardless of age, can forge relationships that will be a blessing to us for the rest of our lives. Next year’s photo will be taken December 19, 2010. New children are always welcome as there is plenty of room on the steps! GRS
Posted on December 17, 2009 - by genes
Appreciation Brunches Continue
While all four of the elementary schools AFCC is honoring this month with teacher appreciation brunches and gifts, are geographically close to the church, Benjamin Franklin is just one block away.
By the time the teacher’s gathered in their meeting space for their 7:30AM meeting, a group of AFCC volunteers had already set up a great Christmas Brunch. Of course, many other AFCC volunteers, not pictured, also made contributions to the four brunches being held this week by cooking, doing event clean up and through cash donations which the Neighborhood Engagement Ministry Team utilized for this project.
As most teachers quickly took advantage of the goodies, one stopped long enough to open the card and gift of tea, coffee and coca supplies for the staff break room that AFCC sent along with the brunch. All this was followed with the distribution of Our Kids Our Schools tote bags.
All of us should be particularly proud of Benjamin Franklin Elementary school as it was just recognized by Orange County as one of our Outstanding Elementary Schools.
This honor was prompted by the fact that test scores for Ben Franklin just hit the 804 mark – a significant increase that reflects all the hard work of the entire staff. That made today’s celebration even more note worthy. Congratulations to every one at Ben Franklin.
Posted on December 16, 2009 - by genes
Teacher Appreciation Brunches Begin
Teachers at Olive elementary school began gathering early on Wednesday morning to take advantage of the holiday brunch provided by AFCC as a token of our appreciation for all their hard work. By 7:30 the whole staff had gathered to receive their gifts
In addition to a lovely brunch for all school employees, an Our KIds Our Schools tote bag for each teacher, held by Becky, and a large box of coffee, tea and cocoa inserts for last year’s gift of a break room hot water dispenser, comprised this year’s gift. All of these appreciation gifts were provided through the generosity of AFCC and the hard work of the Neighborhood Engagement Management Team. Three more schools will also be honored later in the week.
e
Posted on December 15, 2009 - by genes
A Complete Cast of Characters
It takes a lot of people to mount and sustain three nights of Madrigal performances at AFCC. Each is to be commended. Although not every one wears a costume at the madrigals – there are more behind the scenes than in full site – the following list illustrates the wide range of hands that went into making this year’s production a great success. I believe the proper comment, concerning all their efforts is: Huzzah!
Choir
Wade Terry, Merrilee Robinson, Steven Sandy, Kris Barnett, James Shields, Tammy Shields, Dan Ahlberg, Arlene Bumgarner, Stephen Richardson, Tamsen Murray, Becky Ahlberg, Rick Terry, Eric Ahlberg, Larry Balden, Penny Balden, Penny Bercot, Roman Bercot, Debbie Franklin, Megan Franklin, Sassanda Gutierrez, Dan Little, Lisa Luckey, Kristi McCardell, Leslie Mitchell, Amy Beth Pierce, Decedra Pompa, Matt Richardson, Carole Shelby, Kristin Shelby, Marsha Shepherd, Sarah Steele, Barbara Terry, Rebecca Vaughn, Cassandra Whitsett, Cindy Wickstrom, , Janet Zahl, Merton Zahl
Cooks, Servers, Costumes, Green Room & Misc.
Brian Mitchell, Nicole Baughman, Ann Shepherd, Summer Hall, Enrique Avila, Jr., Grace Bernal, Shawna Coan, Sarah Franklin, Summer Hall, Jakob Imbrogno, Heather Terry, Connie Logue, Jeremy Wilson, Josh Logue, MarLynn Taylor, Valerie Sabourin, Nathan & Mitzi Shockley, Gustavo, Maria, Karina, Gloria Melchor, Hank Rodriquez, Susan Madrigal, Bethany Ahlberg, Jason & Brittany McCabe, Donna Merry, Mimi Mouissat, Mike & Laure Close, Jesse Pompa, Teresa Edgington, Kristiana Rodriguez, Walt & Carol Hooper, Bruce & Mickie Burmaster, John & Lynn Bradley, Glen Gaerte, Ken & Marie Mason, Andrew McCardell, Mark & Spencer Taylor, Matt Barnett,Fabian & Rosaura Navejas, Elaine Richardson, Mary Little, Dan Coan, Tim Gooszen, Bette Krueger, Alanah Krueger, Courtney McCardell, Ruby Keyes, Betty Laughlin, Jerry Lynn, Don & Florence Russell, Caroline Shelby, Alice Whitthauer
Posted on December 13, 2009 - by genes
Dining With Royalty
Over 400 people dined with royalty this weekend at AFCC. No, in spite of what you may have heard, it wasn’t a visit from Prince Charles and Camilla. This royal occasion was all about the birth of the true king who reigns forever. Yes, it was set within the pageantry of a medieval court in all its finery. However, the real star of the production was Jesus, the Christmas King who came to save His people from their sins.
Over a hundred volunteers from AFCC worked months to prepare and present this special program. Everyone did a great job and are to be commended for their service! While I am waiting on the official court photographer (who has a good wide angle lens) to send in his cast photo, I will share a couple more photos that document the visual atmosphere that greeted all those who joined the King and his court for this year’s Madrigal Performances.
It was a setting in which one could truly say, with no eternal qualifications: Long live the King!