SAFE TO BE REAL - Garden Grove Church of the Nazarene

April 30, 2015
Volume 49, Issue 5
Garden Grove Church of the Nazarene
13411 Euclid Street Garden Grove CA 92843
(714) 534-5770 church-office@ggnaz.org www.ggnaz.org
S AFE
TO BE
Hi Friends!
My mind has been
dwelling on the issue
of safety because
of recent events in our lives together at GGNAZ. An attempted
theft and the related vandalism is
a relatively minor incident. It’s a
temporary headache and crisis
that passed before many knew
much of the specifics. Appropriate action and reaction for repair
and prevention can be taken
quickly in those types of situations.
But there are bigger safety issues in the church than physical
theft. It’s caused me to mull over
some more important questions.
Is the church a safe place to be
a real person? We could have a
theological dialogue about that
and nothing productive would
come from it. But there’s something we can say that most of us
would agree on, “people are
messy.” A spiritual community,
a church, can be destroyed and
disabled when even a small
amount of people take pleasure
in spreading gossip about other
people’s lives. The Scripture
speaks very strongly about it.
There are six things the LORD
hates, seven that are detestable
to him: haughty eyes, a lying
R EAL
tongue, hands that shed
innocent blood, a heart that
devises wicked schemes,
feet that are quick to rush into evil, a false witness who
pours out lies and a man
who stirs up dissension
among brothers. (Proverbs
6:16-19)
of your mouths, but only what is
helpful for building others up
according to their needs, that it
may benefit those who listen.”
Encouraging someone in their
mess isn’t condoning it; it’s just
giving them love anyway. Hopefully you have people in your
life who do that for you.
Here’s what I find remarkable.
Lying and stirring up trouble
among brothers is in the
same list as murder. Solomon
hated it so much and was
convinced that God hated it
as well that he brought up
twice, if not three times in the
same paragraph! You can
justify gossip any way you
choose, but I’m afraid it won’t
pass God’s judgment. To
know that somebody’s life is
messy is like knowing the
traffic is bad at rush hour. It’s
obvious and a well-known
fact, it’s not worth bringing up
to others. If they truly care
about and know an individual,
they already know.
Being a safe place for people to
be real is important because we
will live with very surface relationships without it. When a
church or any social group is
safe, people can start to share
their real selves and we can
begin to help each other. God
formed the Church to be his
change agents armed with the
most powerful message in history. But if the members of the
body can’t be safe with each
other we’re simply a semidysfunctional social club. I hope
you’re not interested in that.
We’ve got great and fulfilling
work to do for our Lord!
So what do you do? Build
people up, be an encourager
and accept people with all of
their messiness. Paul says in
Ephesians 4, “Do not let any
unwholesome talk come out
Let’s serve Him together,
Pastor Dan
BOARD M EETINGS - M AY 2 0 1 5
Church Board - Tuesday, May 12 at 7:00 p.m.
Discipleship Board - Thursday, May 21 at 7:00 p.m.
Both of these boards meet in the fellowship hall. If you are on one of them, please call the church office before 3:00 p.m. that day, if you will be unable to attend your meeting
2015 D
M
A
6
L EARN, SHARE, C ONNECT
7
District Assembly will be held
at Cerritos Crossroads Multinational Church (12229 E. Del
Amo Blvd., Cerritos 90703).
Everyone is invited to attend
Assembly. Only official delegates may participate in the voting.
Opening Service
Wednesday, May 6 at 7:00 p.m.
Business Sessions
Thursday, May 7 at 8:30 a.m.
Elected delegates and ex-officio
delegates are obligated to attend
Saturday Business Sessions.
Ordination Service
Thursday, May 7 at 7:00 p.m.
Pastor Tony Falealili of our
Huddle Christian Fellowship will
be ordained this year. There will
be a reception in honor of those
being ordained following this
service.
Mike McHargue ................. 03
Alexandra Vargas .............. 05
Eileen Gibbs ...................... 10
Avalon Alves ..................... 12
Blanca Craig ...................... 12
Dave Kindell ...................... 15
Pedro Juarez ..................... 19
Erma Erhart ....................... 23
Loveta Ravize ................... 23
Ashley Guardado............... 28
John & Sharrill Johnson .... 13
Mike & Maria Winship........ 18
Keeping Our Data Current
If we missed your birthday or
anniversary, please contact the
church office. Also, if you have
changed your phone number
or email address please inform
the church office.
Sundays at 9:00 a.m.
Children’s and youth classes
are grouped by age or school
grade. Ask a greeter where your
child’s group meets.
Adults:
College & Career meet above
the fellowship hall—last room on
the west side.
The Friendship Class which uses the Nazarene curriculum and
The Books of the Bible Class
meet in the fellowship hall.
Tuesdays at 7:00 p.m.
“Champions” Men's Life
Group meets above the fellowship hall on the east side.
Wednesdays at 7:00 p.m.
Adult Bible Study led by Pastor Dan meets in the fellowship
hall. College/Career meets
above the fellowship hall on the
west end.
Teens meet with Pastor Gina
in the youth center.
GGN AZ YOUTH MINISTRIES
Come to Me, all
who are weary and
heavy-laden, and I
will give you rest.
Take My yoke upon
you and learn from Me, for I am
gentle and humble in heart, and
you will find rest for your souls.
For My yoke is easy and My
burden is light.
- Matthew 11:28-30 (NASB)
School is starting to come to an
end. Some school years are
finishing in May, while others
are finishing in June. During
this busy time of make-up work
and summer preparation, don't
you can move past your
past.
forget to make time for God.

Pray for His strength and
endurance to finish your
course work.

Listen for His direction of
what to do this summer,
through Bible reading and
spending time with His family.

Take time to rest in God's
presence, alone and without the distractions of technology.

Turn away and let go of the
areas where you have fallen short and accept God's
grace and forgiveness so
Church Office: (714) 534-5770

Celebrate the growth you
have had and continue in
your good habits.

Turn to God and find peace
knowing He is with you.
Youth Events
Stay posted for all the great
events going on around the
church. The youth ministry is
going to join the rest of our
church this month. In June we
will have a Movie Marathon.
Church Email: church-office@ggnaz.org
WORSHIP M INISTRIES
STAFF AND MINISTRY LEADERS
If you are interested in participating on the
Praise Team or assisting in the sound
booth please contact Michelle Ruth.
Rev. Dan Keeton - Lead Pastor
(pastordan@ggnaz.org)
Pastor Tony Falealili
The Huddle Pastor
Pastor Magied
Interim Arabic Pastor
A M UST TO WORK WITH KIDS OR T EENS
Child/Teen/Teacher Safety
Thursday, May 28
We will again be offering our
mandated safety course for all
persons that work with children
and teens. This will take place
in the
sanctuary and fellowship hall beginning at 7:00 p.m.
This is required for all persons
that work with children
and teenagers in all of our
congregations.
We take this responsibility
very seriously, to make
sure our physical campus
and personnel are as safe
as we can make them. If
you have questions,
please contact Pastor Pat.
Rev. Noé and Sherly Guevara
Hispanic Pastors
Pastor Gina Anson - Youth Ministries
(pastorginaanson@yahoo.com)
Pat McHargue - Children's Ministries
(pat4kids@ggnaz.org)
Debbie Kindell - Office Manager
(church-office@ggnaz.org)
Michelle Ruth - Women’s Ministries
and Worship Ministries
(women@ggnaz.org)
Deborah Johnson - Missions
C HILDREN’ S M INISTRIES
Kids’ Kamp
Sunday Mornings
Join us for Sunday
school Sunday mornings at 9:00. Pre K Grade 2 meet downstairs.
Grades 3 - 6 meets upstairs in
the Children’s Department
rooms.
Children’s Church
We are continuing our study on
the Armor of God, based on
Ephesians 6.
Preschool kids have a separate
lesson with Donna Alves.
Caravan
Caravan is our Nazarene scouting program for children. We
meet most Sunday nights at
5:00 in the fellowship hall.
NOTE: Round Up Family
Camping (Garden Grove only)
will be held June 5-7. Contact
Pastor Pat for details.
Anaheim District Kids’ Kamp
will be held July 6-10, 2015.
Cost is $305. We need help
with transportation, and prayer warriors for our kids and
the camp. Parents can help
earn camp scholarships by
working our fireworks booth
in July. If you can help sponsor a child financially and/or
in prayer, contact Pastor Pat.
Vacation Bible School
VBS will be held August 3-7,
from 6:30-8:30 p.m. This is a
terrific opportunity to have a
positive impact on our community and in the
lives of our children and their families. Our theme
this year is Home
Town Nazareth.
We will transport
Church Office: (714) 534-5770
kids back to Nazareth where
they'll learn firsthand what it
was like when Jesus was a kid.
We need help in set design/
construction, teachers, crafts,
games, snacks, photography,
registration. Come join the
fun! Contact Pastor Pat for
information or to sign up.
Pat’s Thoughts
The summer months are coming up and so are several
awesome opportunities for
children to experience Jesus’
love in unique ways: Kids’
Kamp and Vacation Bible
School. Please join me in
prayer for our children, and
how you may participate in
helping kids know and experience His amazing love and
grace.
Church Email: church-office@ggnaz.org
WOMEN’ S M INISTRIES
Your Talents,
His Calling
But as God has
distributed to every man, as
the Lord has called every one,
so let him walk.
—1 Corinthians 7:17
Every believer has an assortment of gifts and talents. In
John 15:16, Jesus said, “You
did not choose Me, but I chose
you and appointed you that
you should go and bear fruit,
and that your fruit should remain, that whatever you ask
the Father in My name He may
give you.”
It is terribly important that you
heed God’s calling by discovering and developing your talents
and your spiritual gifts. If you
seek to make a difference –
and if you seek to bear eternal
fruit – you must discover your
gifts and begin using them for
the glory of God.
Have you found your special
calling? If not, keep searching
and keep praying until you find
it. God has important work for
you to do, and the time to
begin that work is now.
- From Jesus Our Great Hope
by Criswell Freeman
Ladies’ Luncheon
Finding Beauty in Brokenness
This year’s luncheon will be on
May 17. Doors open at 11:00
a.m. The food will be catered by
Inka Mama’s (Peruvian cuisine).
Tickets available to purchase
until May 11, 2015:
Adults $17, Kids $10
(12 and under).
Secret Pals
Remember the reveal is at the
Ladies’ Luncheon May 17. Bring
your pal’s final gift and always
pray for her. If you are interested in participating in Secret Pals
please see Michelle Ruth the
day of the luncheon. Forms will
be due on May 31.
Book Club
Our next meeting will be on Saturday, June 20 to discuss our
current selection, Voice in the
Wind by Francine Rivers.
of Christ---to battle the immorality of the crumbling culture
around her. Torn by her love
for a handsome aristocrat,
Hadassah clings to
faith in a living God
for deliverance from
the forces of decadent Rome.”
Craft Days
If you want to work on crafts
that you have begun, start a
new project, learn a craft or
just come and fellowship then
this is where you want to be.
We will meet in the fellowship
hall from 10:00 a.m. until 4:00
p.m. on Saturday, June 27
and July 25. For more information, contact Michelle Ruth
Craft Fair
Mark your calendars and
start saving up. We are having a Craft Fair on September
26 at 10:00 a.m.
There will be handmade crafts
for sale and a bake sale. You
won’t want to miss it.
“A Jewish slave girl uses the only weapon she has---the gospel
N M I ( N AZARENE M ISSIONS
Napal Earthquake
The massive destruction has created a catastrophe. But among
the devastation there are hopeful numbers, too.
In Nepal, there are there are
356 Nazarene churches and
church plants consisting of
8,477 Nazarene members.
Local churches in Nepal are
working with Nazarene Com-
passionate Ministries staff to
assess and meet the immediate needs of children, families, and communities who
have been affected. We are
also working with a trusted
partner to provide medical
care.
This annual event is to honor
those who read or listened to
our NMI books. We will be ordering our 2015-2016 NMI
books soon. We will let you
know when they arrive so you
can start reading your way to
that free ice cream next year.
–Nazarene Compassionate
Ministries
The 2014-2015 church year
has ended and the new year
has begun. We look forward
to great things being accomplished through the church for
His kingdom.
Here at Home
We had a wonderful ice cream
social on Sunday, April 26.
Church Office: (714) 534-5770
Church Email: church-office@ggnaz.org
OUR REGULAR WEEKLY SCHEDULE
D ISTRICT S D M I B ANQUET
This great event is to celebrate
and honor all those who are
Sunday school teachers and
Disciple-makers in the Local
Church.
Come casual and ready to enjoy great fellowship and all
your favorite Fair Foods as it is
a CIRCUS THEMED EVENT!
It will be on May 18, 6:30 p.m.
at Anaheim First. Cost is $15
per person. Contact Pastor Pat
ASAP, if you want to attend.
Sunday
Hispanic Prayer ......... 7:30 p.m.
Sunday School .......... 9:00 a.m.
Hispanic Study .......... 9:00 a.m. Wednesday
Morning Worship ..... 10:00 a.m. Adult Bible Study ....... 7:00 p.m.
Hispanic Worship ... 10:00 a.m. Huddle Bible Study .... 7:00 p.m.
Arabic Worship ....... 12:00 noon Teen Study/activity .... 7:00 p.m.
Caravan..................... 5:00 p.m. College Bible Study ... 7:00 p.m.
The Huddle Study ..... 4:30 p.m. Worship Music ........... 7:00 p.m.
Huddle Worship ......... 5:00 p.m. Friday
Hispanic PM Service .... 5:00 p.m. Huddle Rehearsal ....... 6:30 p.m.
Hispanic Study .......... 7:00 p.m.
Tuesday
Men’s Life Group ....... 7:00 p.m. Arabic Study .............. 7:00 p.m.
If not specified, the times listed above apply to the
English congregation.
M A Y
SUNDAY
MONDAY
TUESDAY
2 01 5
WEDNESDAY
THURSDAY
FRIDAY
1.
2.
Lunches for the
Homeless
9:30AM
3.
MOTHER’S DAY
NMI Convention
@ Ontario First
8:30AM
4.
5.
6.
7.
8.
9.
11.
12.
13.
14.
15.
16.
NMI Council
Meeting 6:30PM
BABY DAY
10.
SATURDAY
Women’s
Church Board
Ministries Meeting Meeting 7:00PM
6:30PM
District
Assembly
Service 7:00PM
District Assembly
Business Session
8:30AM
Ordination Service
7:00PM
Farmer’s
Market 9:00AM
Ladies’ Luncheon
11:00AM
Hispanic Watch Night
8:00PM
17.
18.
19.
20.
21.
22.
23.
24.
25.
26.
27.
28.
29.
30.
District
SDMI Banquet
6:30PM
MEMORIAL DAY
31.
Discipleship
Board Meeting
7:00PM
Child Safety
Seminar 7:00PM
This calendar reflects special events for the month as
well as new studies, group meetings, or services.
Church Office: (714) 534-5770
Church Email: church-office@ggnaz.org