FCC CHOIR CHRISTMAS LETTERS TOUCHED HEARTS gofcc • Thank you for blessing us with your testimonies of how Jesus has transformed your lives & for the "as always" wonderful music ministry. news nd 3 Edition Dec. 29, 2013 FCC WORSHIP FAMILY SERVICE JOYOUS CHRISTMAS Pastor Doug Ingebretsen - reads the Christmas Story to FCC children. • • "Christmas Letters" was amazing. The personal letters were powerful; the choir "acting" was refreshing. I have never been so moved. I have never seen anything like this KIMBER HILLS ACADEMY before!!! • Thank you Joanne and choir for a personal, God - glorifying Christmas program. So appreciate CHRISTMAS STORY STAGE PRODUCTION your gift to Jesus, PTL. • Great blessing. I love the setting and "homey" feeling. Such a Small King brought tears to my eyes. The vision of Jesus being born on the most miraculous morning was vivid as the choir sang. The testimonies were very powerful. Kindergarten - performs. Kimber Hills Academy - school band performs. • Loved it. Best church ever. I can't FCC FAMILY church. • Thank you for sharing how our Heavenly Father has touched your lives. All honor and praises are His- Forever and ever; Amen ADVENT CANDLES SCRIPTURE READINGS wait to be more involved. Love this Shaleen Sandhu - featured. • Nancy, Joshua, & Roman Estrada The show was amazing. I loved the personal touch it gave by reading letters, how it was theatrical and kept the congregation involved. • Loved, loved the Christmas Letter to Jesus. It was so personal and touching. Love the Sandy Hook video. PTL Jesus Reigns Supreme over everything. Rousing finale - closes. For more news about KHA ask for the KHA newsletter - THE HOWL. Contact [email protected] FCC FAMILY REMEMBERING DOUG CATTANEO Pastor Sherman Williams Founding Pastor As most of you know, Doug Cattaneo, long-time FCC member and major minister in the Production/ Technical areas of our worship services and special events, went to be with Jesus on November 22, 2013. Roman Catholic and he was aware of Christ’s death on the cross but he wanted to understand what the meaning of having a personal relationship with Jesus Christ was all about. We spent the next couple hours reading a whole lot of Scriptures and then he was ready and he prayed to commit his entire life to the Lord Jesus Christ. These days, as I look back at that Audio Booth, I fully expect to see my close friend and minister, Doug Cattaneo. As I look up into the Production Booth, he should be there!!! He’s always been there for me and so many of the others of you as well. And even though he’s not here physically, I believe he is here in spirit. And I’m confident that DOUG would want me to urge each of you to be sure of your eternal destiny in Heaven - as he was certain of his eternal destiny. We miss you and love you, Doug. The work you did for the Kingdom of Christ goes on for eternity. We will see you soon - - we have that SURE HOPE. Doug Cattaneo - Faithful FCC minister When I think of my brother Doug these are descriptors that come to me: faithful, loyal, servant, understated sense of humor though a bit sarcastic, loving, tenderhearted, devout, simple faith in Jesus and in God’s plan. On one hand, he was a big teddy bear, but sometimes he could be very gruff. Let me take you back to when Marti & I were part of the beginning of FCC in 1973. His wife, Ruthie, started attending our worship services at Mission San Jose High School in 1974. She told us about her husband, Doug. He came to some of the musicals the church presented, and shortly after one of those programs, he made an appointment with me. He came into my office and sat down and told me that he was a devout Courtney Wong - scores. Jan 7 at Home against Redwood Christian Boys 3:30; Girls 4:45 Jan 9 at Home against Chinese Christian Girls 3:30 Boys 4:45 Jan 16 at Home against Milpitas Christian Girls 3:30; Boys 4:45 FCC WORSHIP BIRTHDAY GIFT TO BABY JESUS 2013 KIMBER HILLS ACADEMY NOTE FROM THE PRINCIPAL’S OFFICE. JACK BRANDT - FCC’S Transition Lead Pastor. Stephanie Louie - KHA principal. KHA BASKETBALL SEASON has started!!! Come and support our teams!!! The schedule is listed here, but it is subject to change. Pastor Jack reminds us that we have an opportunity at Christmas to make a year-end, tax deductible donation to FCC designated a Birthday Gift to Baby Jesus. This year, gifts will go to Kimber Hills Academy DISCOVERY scholarships and toward a new FCC informational sign on Mission Blvd. Pastor Jack hinted that the new sign would have his picture on it - BUT he assured us that he was only joking. To give to this program use the envelope in today’s Sunday program- or you may find FCC GIVING @ gofcc.org CITYSERVE HEARTY HARVEST A BLESSING TO MANY FCC REPORT: Through CityServe’s Compassion Network, FCC contributed Thanksgiving groceries to 35 families. In total, CityServe’s “Hearty Harvest” program provided Thanksgiving groceries and turkeys for over SEVEN HUNDRED families in need in the Tri-City area! FCC members not only donated groceries, but volunteered at the CN office to hand groceries to families. Sue O’Neil and Carol Hardin coordinated FCC participation. Ask to be placed on CN’s e-blast with weekly opportunities to serve - at [email protected] FCC TRANSITION ELDERS ACTIVATE STATEGY TASK FORCE Communities – The Rise of the PostCongregational Church by Reggie McNeal. Both of these books have led the Elders to believe that FCC should have more emphasis on small groups in the future -focused on impacting our community through outreach. Having completed review of these two books, the SPTF is now in a critical stage of defining the emerging vision for FCC. The group is prayerfully considering what God wants for FCC going forward and trying to bring their unique gifts and perspectives to the meetings, while allowing God to speak into their hearts about His desires for His/our church family. We ask you to pray for the SPTF as it continues to meet each Sunday afternoon from 3-5 pm. The team members are Karen Borden, Matt Bromley, Alan Cai, Benji Craig, Ted Fong, Rich Hong, Christy Ingebretsen, Cezanne Ma, Jay Park, Ken Petersen and Sherman Williams. SMALL GROUPS DEEP PERSONAL SPIRITUAL SUPPORT Doug Chun - FCC Elder; and Pastor Sherman Williams (SPTF). What does Jesus want Fremont Community Church to look like in 5 years? What should be the strategy to achieve those goals? These two questions have major implications on the right choice for FCC’s next Lead Minister and are the focus of the Strategic Planning Task Force. The Elders have asked the SPTF to present a vision statement which will be used as the foundation for our Lead Minister search. The Task Force has been meeting each Sunday afternoon this month and discussing The Complete Wineskin by Harold Eberle, and Missional Pastor Rich Hong Here at FCC we have more than 20 small groups meeting regularly to meet to discuss spiritual and personal matters in a more intimate setting. Small group ministry meets the individual's need for communal life that transcends Sunday worship times and official gatherings. It's a place where we can share and support each other at deeper levels that could never be achieved in large gatherings. We provide a list of current groups and contact information for them, in the atrium. We encourage you to contact the small group leaders, however to help you in your search - gofcc news will be publishing articles featuring small groups - to let you know what God is doing in the life of each small group. FCC CAMPUS PRAYER WALKS SUNDAY MORNINGS All the way back in 1977, when our church family was worshipping at Mission San Jose High School, some of our faithful members exhibited great faith that God wanted us to have our own property on these 10 acres (called Kimber Farms at the time). So they sought God's MIGHTY HAND by following Joshua's example when he led his army in acquiring Jericho by walking around the perimeter of the city. Like Joshua, these faithful established prayer walks around this vacant property claiming it for Christ's Kingdom. Within a year, God had miraculously given us this prime property. Today, as we find ourselves in a time of transition in leadership and mission, we again seek God's MIGHTY HAND through prayer walks. For several months Pastor Sherman and Marti have been leading a small group on Sunday mornings from 8 to 8:30 am, walking the FCC campus and praying not only for all the people that will be entering the property and facilities for the day, but for God to lead our church in the direction He wants us to take for the future, and thus, the selection of a new Lead Minister. You are invited to join Pastor Sherman & Marti at the office entrance to FCC at 8 am each Sunday. Come every Sunday or once in a while. But be on time as they start right at 8 A.M.!!! Contact: Pastor Sherman @ swilliams@gofcc CITYSERVE FCC MISSIONS FCC UNDERCOVER WINTER RELIEF HOMELESS SHELTER GUATAMALA MISSION TRIP DISCOVERING OUR MINISTRIES We have many FCC ministries that extend CHRIST beyond the walls of the church. Here are examples: RIGHT TRACK PROGRAM: Winter is here and we’ve had temperatures drop below freezing in the tri-city area. Homeless shelters are full and often take women and children first. This leaves an acute need to help homeless men get in out of the cold nights. The Right Track program was established by CityServe last year with an endorsement from the City of Fremont. The program runs December - March and helps men who are on the “right track”. PATRICK ALLEN RON GEISS - Mission report CHRISTINE BEITCH - Director of Cityserve’s Compassion Network. Christine has recently screened five homeless men who are on the road to reestablishing themselves in the community. These men are looking for jobs, but have been caught short by the weather, living outside in the devastating cold. This program provides a warm place to sleep and an evening meal. During the day, the men continue their job search and meet with a life coach to journal personal progress. The men are currently sleeping at South Bay Community Church where they are monitored overnight by a program manager. Meals are provided by volunteer CityServe church members. There are several dates open to provide a meal for the five men and supervisor. Contact Sue O’Neil, FCC liaison to Compassion Network. [email protected] We went to Guatemala to partner with Pastor Victor’s church in San Raymundo; helping them with a 3 day Vacation Bible School (VBS). rd This was the 3 year we have worked with the church and each year the local church body is more involved. The local church has very few resources as unemployment is well over 50% so we bring all supplies for VBS. As I reflect on Guatemala let me share three things that impacted rd me… The Kids: By the 3 day of VBS we had over 200 kids attend and they have a heart for worship. Worship: During the praise and worship the anointing of the Holy Spirit filled the church. Jesus said in Matthew 22:13 “My house will be called a house of prayer.” Our partner church in San Raymundo is a house of prayer. Cold Showers: Each morning I would go outdoors to the shower and take a cold shower. I was overwhelmed by how much we take for granted here in America. The love we received from the people of the church was overwhelming. I ask you to prayerfully consider going on a mission’s trip. It is life changing. Yes, you’ve seen Patrick playing guitar in FCC worship… but did you know that on Sundays he joins an FCC Small Group ministry at Hillside Senior Care on Mission Blvd.? The residents love his original Christian songs, but they love Patrick because he returns during the week to simply visit. At Hillside, Patrick shines Christ into many faiths and faith challenging situations. JESSICA CRAIG Yes, Jessica is Finance Manager at FCC, but did you know that she ministers to children in foster care? Through her ministry, FCC just donated 50 brand-new coats to foster children. Jessica says “We also collected $750 in gift card donations for the Alameda Foster Parent Association! Thank you FCC for your generous giving to children in need -- and to Jesus Himself.”