We will be having a grand celebration on Sunday May 6th that we hope everyone will be able to attend! We will begin with our 10 a.m. worship service to be held upstairs in Alden Hall, led by our Aspire music team and the Rev. Andy Schwiebert!! It will give all of us a chance to experience Aspire together. After the worship service, everyone is invited down to the parlors for our Annual Luncheon and Spring Boutique. This year it will feature the same fabulous food and new silent auction items. The centerpiece of the day will also include our energetic auction, led by the effervescent Brian Brookey!!! This is our premiere fund-raiser of the year and is also a really fun time. Please plan to attend, bring a couple of friends, and your checkbook!! We have several NEW auction items this year as well as some of your favorites from past years!!! The kids’ auction will take place separately this year but will be equally as fun for the younger set. Thanks to Grace Rinck and Lu Burd for all their planning again this year. See you on May 6th!!!
For more information, 2012 Church Auction Flyer 2012 #.

Please join a special (a)Spire gathering
Sunday April 29th from 1:00 to 2:00 pm
featuring a moving project by artist Jennifer Lanski &
guest music by Johanna Chase. Then, following worship
from 2:15 to 3:00 pm, join a conversation with Lanski.

In the Bible (John 10:11–18), Jesus says he is the “Good Shepherd;” the one who lays down his life for his sheep. On Sunday April 29th, during the 1:00 pm (a)Spire worship gathering we’ll reflect on the image of the Good Shepherd in relation to the American Dream:
• The short sermon will ask, “For what—or for whom—do you lay down your life?”
• Jennifer Lanski will explain and reflect on her art project, American Dream.
• We will spend some time, individually, with a few drawings from the project.
• Special guest musician Johanna Chase will play original music and lead other songs on the theme.

Jennifer Lanski received a Master of Fine Arts degree from Otis College of Art & Design, and her work has been featured in exhibitions nationally and internationally. She has an upcoming exhibit in May at the Orange County Center for Contemporary Art. In her project “American Dream,” Jennifer depicts 50 homes—one in each state—that have been on the market near a Target or Walmart. Beneath each drawing, Jennifer has written the number of hours of minimum-wage labor it would take to earn the amount of money equal to the asking price of the home.

Folk-rock singer and songstress, Johanna Chase (full bio) uses the arts of music and storytelling to share ideas of empathy, community, and humility with others. Framed in feminist perspective and abstract biblical poetics, her lyrics are deeply personal and rigorously political-distinguishing her as an honest and passionate artist.

For years FCC has supported the organization Progressive Christians Uniting (PCU). This May our Peace and Justice committee has invited PCU’s Executive Director, Rev. Peter Laarman, to speak in worship and hold a forum afterwards. PCU has invited prominent progressive Christian speaker and author Diana Butler Bass to speak on 4/29 at the Hollywood United Methodist Church at as part of their annual fundraising efforts. Tickets are $40 for individuals, $70 for couples, and $20 for students. Please join Andy Schwiebert (who recently joined the board of PCU) and others to hear Diana Butler Bass speak about her new book,Christianity After Religion?? Her book explores what the national decline in the mainline protestant church (and others) means, and what positive new changes are afoot with new expressions of Christianity, among them, the emergent church.

10 a.m. worship in our sanctuary with choir, special music of violin and bassoon, and several new members joining our church. Rev. Marlene Pomeroy preaching. Bring a flower for our Easter living cross by 9:35 in the narthex.

This is a very full and busy Palm Sunday this year! In addition to hearing the story of Jesus entering into Jerusalem for the final week of his life, we will be celebrating several other people and events! We are celebrating Lurline Brown on her birthday with a cake after worship. You are all encouraged to bring her a birthday card and offer her a hug. Her adoptive grandsons Jacob and Joseph will be playing music during the worship service that day in honor of her. After worship the Membership Ministry is hosting a wonderful homemade soup and sandwich luncheon (special kids’ meal as well) for a fee. All proceeds will go towards our general church budget. Christian Nurture Ministry is sponsoring a festival after lunch replete with intergenerational crafts and an Easter egg hunt for younger children (bring your basket!). Come join in the many festivities this Sunday!

Join us after worship December 4 at 11:30 am for the annual Advent Festival in the parlors! There will be crafts for the kids, tree decoration and an Advent quiz contest for the adults. Lunch will be provided, for which a donation will be solicited (suggested donation $5 per kids, $7 per adult with a maximum of $20 per family). Join us for this opportunity to kick off the Advent and Christmas seasons! Sponsored by the Christian Nurture Ministry.

Saturday December 10th
7:30 p.m. Pasadena Master Chorale “Home for the Holidays”Concert in our sanctuary. $22 admission at pasadenamasterchorale.org

Sunday December 11th
10:00 a.m. worship in sanctuary
Guest harpist
Rev. Marlene Pomeroy preaching
11:30-1:00 The Bakery and Treasure Table in parlors. Goodies, lunch and specialty items for sale for those on your Christmas list. Click 2011 Bakery
1:30 p.m. (a)Spire worship in Alden Hall (3rdfloor)

Sunday December 18th
10:00 a.m. worship in sanctuary, Rev. Jake Pomeroy preaching.
Featuring our Children’s Christmas Pageant which tells the story of the birth of Jesus in word and song. Potluck lunch to follow in our parlors after worship.

Saturday December 24th
Christmas Eve Candlelight Service
7:00 p.m. in our sanctuary.
We will celebrate the birth of Christ with: carols, music, and stories. Featuring our Chancel Choir and Bell Choir. Rev. Marlene Pomeroy preaching.
Wassail Bowl follows service in parlor.