“Welcoming Everyone, Serving in God’s Love”
REFLECTIONS
I am excited for what 2015 has in store for Laguna Country UMC. In November we began a search
for people to fill the positions of Director of Adult Programming and Director of Events and Communication. I am pleased to announce the Staff Parish Relations Committee has hired Brenda Cowdrey to be the Director of Events and Communication (See article below). Brenda brings a wealth of
experience and contacts to the position. I am excited about Brenda joining our staff. We will formally introduce Brenda to the congregation in worship on February 1.
The first of the year brought some changes in the leadership of the church. Liz Heacock is the new
Council Chair., Kelly LaFee moves from Council Chair to the Chair of Staff Parish Relations Committee (SPRC). Brian Holmes will be the new Treasurer. Loretta Doyle is the new Chair of the Missions/Outreach Committee. I want to personally thank Jack Hammen for his service as the Chair of
the SPRC . I am grateful for Jack’s leadership during the time of transition. He was a tremendous
help to me as I began my ministry with you. I also want to say thank you to Brenda Roa for her service as the Missions/Outreach Chair and to Brian Holmes for his service on Trustees.
With the addition of Brenda to our team and the strong lay leadership, I am looking forward to an exciting year.
WELCOME BRENDA COWDREY
It is a pleasure to welcome Brenda Cowdrey to the staff of Laguna Country UMC as the Director of
Events and Communication. Brenda will be responsible for planning and developing intergenerational events and activities, and publicizing them in the church and community.
Brenda is no stranger to LCUMC, she attended the church with her family growing up, is married to
Darren Cowdrey, whose father, Steve Cowdrey, was an associate pastor here in the 1980’s. Brenda
brings a wealth of experience and contacts to this position. She has been the Activities Director for
Granny’s Place Board and Care, and for the past seven years she has worked for Vintage Senior
Living as a hairdresser, where she has also organized a number of activities. She is a State Certified Activities Director and State Certified in Dementia Care. Brenda has a great deal of experience
in working in churches. She managed the kitchen for Bethany UMC in Texas, Coordinated
Women’s retreats and was trained as a Christcare Leader at San Ramon Valley UMC. She has also
been involved in the family ministries at Shepherd of the Hills and Good Shepherd UMC’s.
Brenda is married to Darren Cowdrey who is the pastor at Good Shepherd UMC in Westminster.
They have two children Joseph 19 and Miranda 17.
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LCUMC - Viewpoint
February 2015
Church News
Prayers - keep the following church family and friends in your prayers Roger Freeman, Cay & Paul
McCracken, Donna Huntington, Bill Piper, Mitzi Griffith, Bea Rogers and all our church family.
Mark your calendars for Saturday, February 14th for our Celebration of Love event in Ficklin Hall.
We will begin at 4:30 PM with a Photo Reception with appetizers and sparkling Cider. Everyone
attending is encouraged to bring a wedding photo for display, even those whose spouse is now in
heaven, so we can have fun guessing who is who! A photographer will also be on hand to snap
some new photos. Reverend Doug Williams will preside over a Renewal of Vows Ceremony beginning at 5:00 PM. A dinner of Tossed Salad, Meat or Vegetarian Lasagna, Roasted Vegetables,
Garlic Bread and a Napoleon filled with Vanilla Custard and Strawberries will be served following
the renewal of vows. Whether you are celebrating a past, current, or future love, we hope to see
you there! The ticket price for dinner is $18.00 per person with Joe Vieyra Catering. Checks should
be made out to Laguna Country and Fellowship should be written in the memo line. Please contact
Sharon Holmes at 949-380-4833 / [email protected] or the church office at 949-837-3414 to
make your reservations. Ticket Sales continue each Sunday; FINAL reservations need to be made
by Sunday, February 8th. Lent Begins on Wednesday Feb. 18th on Ash Wednesday. Come
and feast before the fast begins!
Dollars and Cents - When I first started coming to LCUMC, the bulletin read; "donuts and coffee are
not free, donuts are .50 cents and coffee is .50 cents". I would truly like to remove the donation basket altogether, but alas, our budget does not allow me to do so. Next time you are making a donation to the Fellowship Committee, please consider the following: in order to provide you with refreshments, I must purchase coffee, coffee filters, cups, sugar and sweeteners, cream, flavorings, stir
sticks, lemonade, cold beverage cups, plates, eating utensils, napkins, and food items to satisfy a
diversity of tastes and dietary needs. Donuts alone cost $32.00 per week and some weeks there
are only $20 in donations, sometimes more, sometimes less. In addition to the weekly fellowship
hour, we have dinners and the ticket price has yet to cover the entire cost of the event. Some members of LCUMC have generously donated items to the fellowship coffee hour or have provided all the
food items for a particular week and your assistance is much appreciated. Please consider providing the refreshments for a week or making a donation to the Fellowship Committee to help us cover
some more of the cost. Checks can be made out LCUMC with Fellowship Committee written in the
memo. If you have any questions or comments, please contact me at [email protected] or
949-380-4833. Sharon Holmes, Fellowship Committee Chair.
Liturgists for February and March
February 1
Mary Decker
March 1
Pendra LaFee
February 8
Anna McDonald
March 8
Litiana McRoberts
February 15
Laura Daillak
March 15
Darren Espinosa
February 18
TBD
March 22
Joy O’Connor
February 22
Sharon Holmes
March 29
Hanne Booth
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LLCCUUMMCC - - VVi ei ewwppooi ni nt t
February 2015
February Sermon Themes
February 1
I Am The Path Mark 1:21-28 At the outset of his ministry, Jesus teaches in the
synagogue at Capernaum and casts out an unclean spirit from a man who confronts
him there. The crowds marvel that he teaches with such authority, and that even the
unclean spirits obey him.
February 8
The Lord Is Near Isaiah 40:21-31 God does not faint or grow weary. Those who
wait on God will renew their strength and mount up with wings like eagles. Mark
1:29-39 Jesus heals Simon’s mother-in-law and then heals many others who are in
great need.
February 15
Listen To Him Mark 9:2-9 Jesus takes Peter, James, and John to the top of a
mountain where he is miraculously transfigured before them, and a voice from the
heavens exclaims, “This is my Son, the Beloved, listen to him.”
February 18
Sackcloth and Ashes -- Ash Wednesday Joel 2;1-2, 12-17 God’s prophet calls
the people of Israel
to a great day of national repentance in preparation for the
day of the Lord’s coming. Matthew 6;1-6, 16-21 Jesus gives directives on true
repentance, advising that when we repent we are not to “look dismal” but rather to
repent in joyful obedience to the righteousness of God.
February 22
God Will Be Our Home Genesis 9:8-17 In the covenant with Noah, God renewed
the blessing that had been given at creation, and promised that all life would never
be obliterated by floodwaters. The sign of God's covenant was the rainbow.
LOVING CRAFTERS OF LAGUNA COUNTRY UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Do you enjoy being with others while working on creative projects? Well, the Loving Crafters would
“Love” for you to become a part of this newly formed group. The primary purpose of the Loving
Crafters is to craft items such as prayer shawls, lap robes, caps, hats, baby blankets, shelter doggie
sweaters, and other crotchet and knitted items for the needy in our community. The group also plans
to continue to create craft items and delicious baked goods for sale periodically throughout the
coming year(s) to earn needed money for supplies so that we can continue to support mission projects of LCUMC and area Care Facilities of all types.
Come join the Loving Crafters in the LCUMC Sun Room each Monday from 1:00 to 3:30 pm. Have
fun visiting, laughing, and crafting while creating for the needy.
If you have any questions regarding the LOVING CRAFTERS, you may contact Diane Mayfield, 719
-325-6509: Ann McDonald, 949-355-2308 or Bernice Traynor 949-427-3317.
Diane Mayfield, Chairperson
The Way – Lenten Study
Adam Hamilton’s book The Way will be our resource for this year’s Lenten Study. Like
Not A Silent Night, Hamilton uses historical information, archaeological data and the biblical story to trace the ministry of Jesus. Following in the footsteps of Jesus from his baptism, to the temptations, to the heart of his ministry, we will get a better understanding of
those that led to his crucifixion.
Join us Sunday mornings, beginning February 22 at 11:00 in the Sun Room.
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LCUMC - Viewpoint
February 2015
DIAL - A - DEVOTION
(949) 837-5433
Schedule for February 2015
Continue to dial in for a different inspirational message each and every day presented by members of our church.
1-Feb
Jane Cohen
16-Feb
Bette Ring
1-Mar
Verla Bateman
2-Feb
Teri Lancey
17-Feb
Litiana McRoberts
2-Mar
Marisol Richardson
3-Feb
Mary Lutke
18-Feb
Tim Lancey
3-Mar
Glenn Miller
4-Feb
Verla Bateman
19-Feb
Joy McBee
4-Mar
Laurabell Urick
5-Feb
Marisol Richardson
20-Feb
Dick Obermayer
5-Mar
Joy O’Connor
6-Feb
Glenn Miller
21-Feb
Diane Mayfield
6-Mar
Phyllis Freeman
7-Feb
Laurabell Urick
22-Feb
Mary Lutke
7-Mar
Virginia Miller
8-Feb
Phyllis Freeman
23-Feb
Ivy Powell
8-Mar
Bobbie Babbage
9-Feb
Joy O’Connor
24-Feb
Sharon Holmes
9-Mar
Liz Heacock
10-Feb
Virginia Miller
25-Feb
Marilyn Nicolas
10-Mar
Laura Daillak
11-Feb
Bobbie Babbage
26-Feb
Jane Cohen
11-Mar
Bebe Shaddock
12-Feb
Liz Heacock
27-Feb
Teri Lancey
12-Mar
LaFee Family
13-Feb
Laura Daillak
28-Feb
Myra Bouck
13-Mar
Bette Ring
14-Feb
Bebe Shaddock
14-Mar
Litiana McRoberts
15-Feb
LaFee Family
15-Mar
Tim Lancey
Happy Anniversary to Michael & Laura Daillak celebrating on the 8th, Barry & Shelly Torgerson
celebrating on the 12th, Charlie & Loretta Doyle celebrating on the 17th, Dave & Liska Blodgett celebrating on the 18th and Dick & Kay Obermayer celebrating on the 28th.
Non
Non--Competitive Bridge
Join friends for a game of bridge on Monday, February 9, 2015, at 12:30 p.m. in the
Wesley Room at Church. Call Jane Lawson at (949) 470-4804 by Friday, February 6, to
reserve a place. All bridge players are welcome.
The Upper Room
The Upper Room devotional is available in the Narthex at the cost of $1. If you wish to start receiving your daily Upper Room devotional by e-mail, you can go to www.upperroom.org/devotional/email
and sign up. There is no cost for this on-line service.
Prayer Chain - If you, or someone you know, has a prayer concern and asks to be placed
on the Prayer Chain, please submit those prayer requests through the church office. This way the
Pastor is aware if a pastoral visit is needed. The church secretary will contact Laurabell Urick who
will send out an email to the email participants. If you would like to participate as an email prayer
partner let the office know - 837-3414.
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LCUMC - Viewpoint
February 2015
LCUMC Missions and Outreach Committee 2014 Year End Report
Thank you for your gifts of time, goods and money during 2014. Your generosity facilitated the Missions & Outreach Committee to help those in need locally and worldwide. Your donations supported: UMCOR ($2,429 : One Great Hour of Sharing for operational expenses & $5,000 to Imagine
No More Malaria providing 500 mosquito nets); California-Pacific Conference of United Methodist Church ($2,000 in support of missionary, Dr. Elma Jocson); South County Outreach
(countless volunteer hours at the Food Bank and food donations, birthday parties for 30 children
plus families, $875 provided Thanksgiving and Christmas Dinner groceries for 12 families consisting
of 35 adults & children with $1225 for Christmas gifts ($35 Target gift cards), and $2,000 to support
SCO’s mission to prevent hunger and homelessness, helping people help themselves; Isaiah
House : volunteers provided 160 hot breakfasts meals & fellowship to homeless. In addition Pastor Jacobson was reimbursed about $140 monthly for his personal expenses supporting the Isaiah
House to be a community seeking God and living with the poor; and Bags of Hope to feed the
needy & provide community resource information . About 10-15 Bags of Hope were given monthly
for distribution to those in need in our community. I personally want to thank the Mission & Outreach committee members for their support of this committee thru their wisdom, time, donations and
commitment to meet God’s commission to serve those in need.
Thelma Bristol.......................................... Feb 02
Yvonne Langley ....................................... Feb 03
Kallyn Cowie ............................................ Feb 03
Laurabell Urick......................................... Feb 05
Eduardo Capulong................................... Feb 06
Bill Piper .................................................. Feb 07
Teri Lancey .............................................. Feb 09
Pam Selawski .......................................... Feb 09
Catherine Decker..................................... Feb 10
Kelsey Jacobs ......................................... Feb 10
Erin Selawski ........................................... Feb 11
Bobbie Cowie .......................................... Feb 13
Barry Torgerson....................................... Feb 16
Sophia Camunag ..................................... Feb 19
Kennedy Cowie ....................................... Feb 21
Seth Granadosin...................................... Feb 21
Hazel Beilby............................................. Feb 23
Chris Bouck ............................................. Feb 23
Audrey Comport ...................................... Feb 25
Emma Nery.............................................. Feb 25
Joan Macnab ........................................... Feb 26
Alice Gordon ............................................ Feb 28
“Work hard and cheerfully at whatever you do,
as though you were working for the Lord
rather than for people.”
Colossians 3:23
God, I want to thank You today for giving me
meaningful and fulfilling work to do. Help me
to see Your ultimate purpose and experience
and Your joy in even the most ordinary aspects of my work. In Jesus’ Name. Amen.
(from Joel & Victoria Osteen)
Special Dates
 African-American History Month
 Boy Scout Sunday - Feb 8
 Celebration of Love - Feb 14
 Transfiguration of the Lord - Feb 15
 Lana Maria baptism w/ lunch afterwards
 Ash Wednesday - Feb 18
 First Sunday in Lent - Feb 22
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LC
LU
CM
UM
C C- -V iVeiw
ew
po
pioni tn t
F e b r u a r y 2F
0e1b5r u a r y 2 0 1 5
February
Sunday
Monday
Tuesday
Wednesday
Thursday
Friday
Saturday
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
7:45 AM Tellers
9:30 AM Prayer
Group
10:00 AM SPRC
Meeting
9:30 AM UMW
Executive Board
Meeting
10:30 AM Glory Bell
Rehearsal
3:00 PM "Tell Your
Story"
14
9:30 AM Worship &
Nursery Care 0-4
Years
1:00 PM Loving Crafters
2:00 PM Bible Study
5:00 PM Choir Re10:30 AM Fellowship hearsal
Time
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Practice
11:00 AM Adult Sunday School
8
9
10
11
12
13
8:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
7:45 AM Tellers
9:30 AM Prayer
Group
2:00 PM Bible Study
9:30 AM UMW Unit
Meeting
10:30 AM Glory Bell
Rehearsal
9:30 AM Worship &
Nursery Care 0-4
Years
12:30 PM NonCompetitive Bridge
4:30 PM Celebration
of Love
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Practice
1:00 PM Loving Craf10:30 AM Fellowship ters
Time
5:00 PM Choir Re11:00 AM Adult Sun- hearsal
day School
7:00 PM Trustees
Meeting
15
8:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
9:30 AM & Nursery
Care 0-4 Years
16 President’s 17
Day-office
9:30 AM Prayer
closed
Group
7:45 AM Tellers
18
Ash
Wednesday
2:00 PM Bible Study
1:00 PM Loving Craf10:30 AM Fellowship ters
Time
5:00 PM Missions/
Outreach Committee
5:00 PM Choir Re11:00 AM Adult Sunhearsal
day School
19
20
21
9:30 AM Worship
/Music Committee
Meeting
10:30 AM Glory Bell
Rehearsal
9:00 AM LWUM
Foundation Board
Meeting
28
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Practice
7:00 PM Ash
Wednesday Service
22
23
24
25
26
27
8:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
7:45 AM Tellers
9:30 AM Prayer
Group
2:00 PM Bible Study
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Practice
10:30 AM Glory Bell
Rehearsal
9:30 AM Worship &
Nursery Care 0-4
Years
1:00 PM Loving Craf6:30 PM WC
1:30 PM UMW Readters
ing Group
5:00 PM Choir Re10:30 AM Fellowship hearsal
Time
7:00 PM Church
11:00 AM Adult Sun- Council Meeting
day School –Lenten
Study Begins
1
2
3
4
5
6
8:30 AM Choir Rehearsal
7:45 AM Tellers
9:30 AM Prayer
Group
10:00 AM SPRC
Meeting
9:30 AM UMW Executive Board Meeting
10:30 AM Glory Bell
Rehearsal
9:30 AM Worship &
Nursery Care 0-4
Years
1:00 PM Loving Crafters
5:00 PM Choir Re10:30 AM Fellowship hearsal
Time
11:00 AM Adult Sunday School
2:00 PM Bible Study
7:00 PM Chancel
Choir Practice
7
February 2015
LCUMC - Viewpoint
Page 7
UMW PROGRAM -- UMW programs are not for UMW members and women only so we'd like to
extend an invitation to anyone who is interested in learning more about our program topic. New for
2015 is that we will have the program prior to the business meeting. We welcome you to attend the business meeting if you wish to do so to learn more about what your UMW unit does
for the church, the community and the world. The meeting is Thursday February 12th at 9:30
AM in the Sun Room. Loretta Doyle will be giving us the program called Knots of Love.
The UMW Executive Board meeting is Thursday, Feb. 5th at 9:30 AM in the Wesley Room.
UMW Reading Group -
Fourteen UMW members signed up for the Reading Group for
the coming year. It is not too late to come and join reading and discussing books from the UMW
Reading List. We meet on the 4th Tuesday of each month. This month is February 24th @ 1:30 PM
in the Wesley Room. The selection group were able to buy 19 books that are not currently in the
Orange County Library for their book bag. As you can see, there is a wide selection of books to
read and enjoy. Contact Myra Bouck for additional information/ 949 586-8563.
A big thank you to all of the UMW members who contributed to the success of our UMW
Sunday. Mary Decker who was instrumental in planning the service; Lillyan Swayne –
worship coordinator; Marilyn Nicolas – acolyte; Mary Lutke, Jeanne Anderson, Jane Lawson and Mary Smith – ushers; Joy O’Connor, Brenda Roa, Pendra LaFee and Anna McDonald –
sharing the stories of Women of Faith. M. Eloise Boortz, President
Commandment #11
During the 17th century, an archbishop traveling through Scotland met theologian Samuel Rutherford but kept his identity secret. Rutherford invited the man to stay with him. When Mrs. Rutherford
gathered the servants on Saturday to prepare for worship the next day, the guest joined in and was
asked a basic question: ”How many commandments are there?”
When the guest replied “11,” Mrs. Rutherford said, “What a shame it is for you, a man with gray
hairs, in a Christian country, not to know how many commandments there are!”
The next morning, Rev. Rutherford went out in the woods to pray and heard his guest doing likewise. When he discovered the archbishop’s identity, Rutherford invited him to preach that morning.
The archbishop’s topic? The 11th commandment, based on Jesus’ words in John 13:34 - “A new
commandment I give to you, that you love one another” (ESV).
“How sweet are your words to my taste, sweeter than honey to my mouth!” (Psalm 119:103)
Recently I was confronted with this question: If you fed yourself with food the way you feed
yourself with God’s Word, would you still be alive? It gave me pause. Do I eat enough spiritually? - feast regularly enough on Scripture to keep up my energy and the health of my soul?
Do I eat nutritiously? - take in a balanced meal of law and gospel, comfort and commandments,
prophecy and promise? Do I pass up spiritual junk food? - set aside empty calories that lead to disease, in order to hunger for what truly gives life? Do I drink enough Living Water to avoid faith dehydration? And once in a while, do I splurge on dessert - savor the sweetness and joy of belonging at
God’s table? What abundance God sets before us. May we never skip a “meal”! By Heidi Mann
February 2015
LCUMC - Viewpoint
Page 8
LCUMC Staff
Staff Email
Rev. Doug Williams
[email protected]
Jay Yoon
Financial Secretary
[email protected]
Lizbeth Heacock
Secretary
[email protected]
Richard Warne
Choir Director
c/o [email protected]
Vacant
Nursery Director
c/o [email protected]
“What can you do?”
Paul Smith (1921-2007) dug deep to summon incredible gifts of creativity and perseverance. Born
with severe cerebral palsy, he started making art at age 11 on an old typewriter. Steadying one
hand with the other so he could use one finger to make one deliberate keystroke at a time, he typed
symbols, such as # and @, using a black or colored ribbon. In this painstaking way, he “painted”
stunningly detailed pictures. In a TV report from 2004 (search “Typewriter Artist” on YouTube), a
friend says Smith found joy in being creative, and saw that as his life’s purpose. When someone
would say, “I could never do that,” the artist would answer, “What can you do?”
Whatever our challenges, God has given us all gifts to share with the world. Perhaps you can’t
“paint” pictures with a typewriter...but what can you do? Do it!
24442 Moulton Parkway
Laguna Woods, CA 92637-3362
Phone:
Fax:
Email:
Web:
(949) 837-3414
(949) 837-3428
[email protected]
www.lagunacountryumc.org
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