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The Heritage Newsletter

Vol. 129.6 “We Are the People of Open Hearts, Open Minds, Open Doors” Dec. 2015 / Jan. 2016

A Bimonthly Newsletter of First United Methodist Church of National City

Pastor’s Report 2015-2016 Church Conference

First United Methodist Church of National City

It is my joy to report that National City FUMC has been a faithful and fruitful congregation in 2015, as always. Surrounded by your tremendous love, blessings, and support as your Pastor who celebrates 8 years here, I am so grateful to God for our wonderful congregation. We will continue to be faithful together as we accomplish our mission of “making disciples of Jesus Christ for the transformation of the world.”

We are excited to witness that all our ministries are actively engaging in various ways, and I thank each and every one of the ministry leaders and their members. In particular, the small group ministries (“Circuits”) are blooming and our Young Adult / College ministries are thriving with a team of committed young leaders. Thanks to the Young Adult Leadership Team for planning and initiating an All Church Retreat next year.

The highlight of this year was the celebration of our 130th Church Anniversary with our Bishop Minerva Carcano. We give thanks to God for this special milestone, as we continue to engage in our mission and outreach to bring more souls to Christ. We continue to grow not only numerically, but also spiritually. One of the most challenging long-term projects for the congregation is to install air conditioning systems for the sanctuary and Sunday School rooms. We are still in the process of raising funds for this necessary and ongoing project.

My Continuing Education in 2015 includes: (1) Pastor’s Day hosted by Point Loma Nazarene University on 2/13, a great opportunity for clergy fellowship and learning on how to be a better pastor; (2) District Worship Festivals at FUMC San Diego and Normal Heights UMC on 3/7, experiencing traditional and contemporary worship services with key lay leaders and honoring retired pastors from South District, which strengthened my ministry’s worship settings; (3) monthly South Bay UMC Clergy Gatherings, sharing fellowship with clergy colleagues and being connected with South Bay UMCs; and (4) Conference Clergy Convocation on 9/15–9/17, learning, experiencing, and sharing with conference clergy members.

In 2016, I invite the congregation to adapt a new acronym, “H.O.P.E.,” in order to carry out our mission in a new and more efficient way. This

Pastor J.T. Kim

(Continued on page 7)

&

The following is Pastor Kim’s Pastoral Report that was presented to the 2015-2016 Church Conference on November 29, 2015:

Nactionalcityfumc.org

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First United Methodist Church of National City (619) 477-2741

FAX (619) 477-1435 E-Mail:

office@nationalcityfumc.org Web:

nationalcityfumc.org

Rev. Ji Tai Kim, Pastor pastor@nationalcityfumc.org

Office Hours: Monday thru Thursday

9:00 am—2:00 pm

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Staff

Rosario Pangilinan Choir Director

Noemi Villanueva Organist

Lorena Pangilinan Administrative Assistant

Hillary & Edgar Manalac Youth Directors

Ruben Manacop Custodian

Rosalie Pableo Nursery Coordinator

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Sunday Schedule:

9 a.m. Adult Sunday School (English and Pilipino)

10 a.m. Worship Service

Children's Sunday School

11:30 a.m. Coffee Fellowship

Chancel Choir Committee Meetings

 

The Heritage BI-MONTHLY

NEWSLETTER PUBLISHED BY

FIRST UNITED METHODIST CHURCH

242 E. 8th Street National City, CA 91950-2298

All materials must be received by the 15th of the month. We

reserve the right to edit submitted materials.

First United Methodist Church of National City strives to be a faithful and fruitful congregation through the practices of:

Passionate Worship Radical Hospitality

Intentional Faith Development Extravagant Generosity

Risk-Taking Mission & Service.

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December 2015 & January 2016 Anniversaries

Blessings to you!!! 

December 2015 & January 2016 Birthdays 12/1 Ruben Manacop 12/2 Hillary Manalac 12/5 Alan Pangilinan 12/6 Adoracion Adamos, Dorothy Valdez 12/7 Wenzel Ablola 12/8 Purie Lee 12/9 Mariel Sarah Rabina 12/10 Arlene Balan, Angelo Cudal, Dannie Gonzales 12/11 Michael Cabradilla 12/12 Jared Nathaniel Mishenko 12/13 Grace Pangan 12/15 Ellison Alegre 12/16 Charissa Danan, Mark Anthony Ramirez, Jazelle Zabala 12/17 Elsa Nicolas, Daisy Bisarra, Tess Malit 12/18 Alvin Lloyd Gambito, Oberlyn Angel Gambito, Karlyn Malit, Thelma Metzger 12/19 Sydelle Arcetio 12/20 James Nilo 12/21 Micah Kingston Kollmeyer, Clyde Villanueva 12/22 Racquel Riingen 12/23 T.J. Gacayan, Claudine Kollmeyer 12/24 Myrhon Briones Jr., Merilou Manalac 12/25 Christine Carino, Oscar Gambit, Raynard Salapio 12/26 Homer Castillo 12/27 Edward Alegre, Wren Buna 12/28 Joshua Celestino, Herschel Macale 12/29 Elvira Danan 12/30 Angelo Gobaleza, Gerry Hoffman

12/31 Kiersten Lee Aviles 1/1 Sonny Rabina, Aida Zabala 1/2 Jahzel Montalla 1/4 Julian Almonte, Rev. Harry Pak 1/5 Florianne Arce, Natalie Ileto 1/8 Wana Bernales, Mildred Bowman, Erlinda Casuco, Mimi Eclevia, Aiden Ortega, Mark Padrigo 1/9 Robinson Castillo, James Doyle, Nedie Sicat, Bryan Pangilinan 1/10 Julius Navarro, Patrick Pajarillaga, Camille Taylor, Rowena Zapata 1/11 Geraldine Ocamoto, Ian Pajo, Linda Pajo 1/14 Alfredo Biteng III, Madona Ileto 1/15 Arlene Castillo, Jecy Marie Galang, Khamyah Rockett, Ernestine Beth Testado 1/16 Ellyne Alegre, Zermainne Carpizo, Dexter Morris 1/17 Linda Fontillas, Leonila Joco, Howell Ablola 1/18 Darwin Pecson 1/19 Kendrick John Elegido 1/20 Edith Montefalcon, Sebastian Pancho 1/22 Gabrielle Ayson 1/24 Donald Faas, Karina Lopez 1/25 Rev. Jeanelle Ablola 1/26 Alfred Borromeo, Janmar Ramirez, Laurie St.Gean 1/27 Jennifer Bowers, Marino Frontino 1/29 Gerald Briones 1/31 Malisa Marzocca

12/5 Tino & Brenda Montalla 12/5 Sonny & Liza Rabina 12/9 Nolan & Pinky Oreas 12/15 Christian & Manilyn Danan 12/18 John & Doris Salini 12/23 Rodrigo & Cristina Galang 12/24 Myrhon & Marynel Briones 12/31 Jun & Geraldine Angeles

1/2 Marcelino & Corazon Ramirez 1/3 Elmer & Jerelyn Delacruz 1/5 Alfredo & Miriam Borromeo 1/6 Ruben & Faith Manacop, Genesis & Gereen Ayson 1/21 Ben & Sarah Richardson 1/23 Jessie & Grace Pangan

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Let Go and Let God

When I was 3 ½ years old, my family emigrated to the United States in search of a better life. Dad was in the Navy and Mom was a Nurse. We did not know anyone when we first arrived, but we had a place to stay. I remember my mother telling me I needed to learn and speak English as soon as possible because my playmates/classmates could not understand Tagalog. For this reason, I lost my ability to converse in Tagalog with my parents.

I imagine traveling overseas with a pregnant wife and two young kids must have been difficult. The journey was long and arduous. The future was uncertain. We were leaving all things familiar and relocating to a “foreign country.” I am assured my parents and other family members were anxious and apprehensive about our move. However, my parents were determined to succeed. They believed that God was watching over us as we learned to adjust in our new environment. It is more than 50 years later, and I am happy to say our families assimilated nicely to this country.

Now imagine, Mary and Joseph traveling to a foreign country, much like I did (Luke 2: 4,5, Matthew 1:18-25, NRSV). Mary was at term and ready to give birth. She rode on the back of a donkey for days. They did not know anyone nor did they have a place to stay. Yet as the birth of Jesus was foretold, Mary believed God would take care of all their needs, “For nothing will be impossible with God” (Luke 1:37 NRSV).

As this year comes to a close, and you reflect on the events of the past year, what adversities did you encounter along the way? How did you handle the situation? What was the outcome?

Proverbs 3:5-6 says, “Trust in the Lord with all your heart and do not rely on your insight. In all your ways acknowledge him, and he will make straight your paths (NRSV).” In Psalm 55:22, the bible also says, “Cast your cares on the LORD and He will sustain you; He will never let the righteous be shaken (NSRV).”

We must learn to let go and let God take control in every situation. When we allow God to take over situations we cannot handle, He answers our needs which bring us peace and contentment even when the path is difficult. “Father into your hands I commend my spirit (Luke 23:46 NRSV).” Is there anything better?

Peace and Blessings to all. It was a pleasure serving you as your Lay Leader. ~Lynn Buenviaje

Lynn Buenviaje

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Christmas Tea 2015 Everyone is invited to the annual Christmas Tea hosted by United Methodist Women. The program will highlight the K-6 Sunday School classes who will present “Christmas Around the World”. Save the date, Saturday, December 12, at 2:00 pm. “Yummy” refreshments will be served.

UMW Calendar

December 12, Saturday Annual UMW Christmas Tea at 2:00 a.m. January 12, Thursday Sunbeam Circle at 11:00 a.m. inside the Fellowship Hall

January 14, Tuesday Happy Angels at 11:00 a.m. January 16, Saturday Susanna Wesley Circle. January 31, Sunday United Methodist Women Sunday

ADOPT-A-FAMILY

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“H.O.P.E.” is developed by Discipleship Ministries of the United Methodist Church for local churches. These are: “H” (Hospitality) – Reaching out and receiving new people; “O” (Offer Christ) – Offering opportunities to make a commitment to Christ; “P” (Purpose) – Growing in the faith through participation in the means of grace; and “E” (Engagement) – Engaging in acts of service helping to transform our surrounding community.

Thank you so much for being an amazing congregation. I am confident that as we give thanks to God for the past 130 years of worship and ministry in God’s steadfast love, God will work faithfully with us and through us for His kingdom for the next 130 years and beyond! Thanks be to God!

The Rev. Ji Tai Kim, Pastor

December 6 TBA December 13 Herschel Macale December 20 Ben Richardson December 27 Shirley Ferrill January 4 TBA January 11 Dr. Jim Doyle January 18 TBA January 25 TBA

December 6 Mariel & Marinelle Rabina December 13 Annabelle & Bryanne Pangilinan December 20 Kyle & Patrick Pajarillaga December 27 Hannah & Emma Barrow January 3 TBA

January 10 TBA

January 17 TBA

January 24 TBA

January 31 TBA

Communion Stewards December: James & Lynn Buenviaje January: Robert & Jenny Silvino

To Be Announced

(Continued from page 1)

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Chula Vista CA 91910

First United Methodist Church 242 E. 8th Street National City, CA 91950-2298

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FIND US: “First United Methodist Church of National City”

Tuesday, Dec. 8, 6:00 p.m. Simbang Gabi #1: Hosted by Youth/Children

Wednesday, Dec. 9, 6:00 p.m. Simbang Gabi #2: Hosted by Senior Adult Ministry

Thursday, Dec. 10, 6:30 p.m. Simbang Gabi #3: Hosted by Chancel Choir and Young Adults

Sunday, Dec. 20, 10:00 a.m. Youth Sunday and Youth Talent Show

Wednesday, Dec. 24, 7:00 p.m. Christmas Eve Candlelight Service

Wednesday, Dec. 31, 7L00 p.m. New Year’s Eve Service