Pasadena PrimeTime. PazNaz News. Keeping the Sabbath. In this Issue. Pasadena PrimeTime. PazNaz News

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2 Pasadena PrimeTime A Summer of Activities with Pasadena PrimeTime A wonderful group of men and women make up the Pasadena PrimeTime Ministry at PazNaz. The month of July would be a terrific time for YOU to meet new friends and come along for the PrimeTime Choice Pastor Ridge Ireland rireland@paznaz.org PrimeTimers at Catalina Island activities. On Tuesday, July 7, there will be a trip to Catalina Island. On Thursday, July 16, the group is off to the Nethercutt Museum and America s Blind Dog Training School. Lastly, on Tuesday, July 28, the group will go on an educational tour at NASA s Jet Propulsion Laboratory. It s not too late! There s still time to sign up for the Alaskan Cruise with the Toler Brothers on August 15-22, For more information about the activities for the remainder of 2009, stop by the Guest Services/ PrimeTime office on Sunday or Monday through Thursday during the week. - Pastor Ridge Ireland PazNaz News Missionary Chapters in July Prescott/Ragains Chapter Tuesday, July 21, 6:00 pm Gilmore Hall, South Program: Larry Webb / Work & Witness Trip Pat Johnston / NMI Highlights Potluck Reservations: Margaret Street or Fran Walling Schendel Chapter Not meeting this month In this Issue Keeping the Sabbath Pastor Scott Daniels discusses the importance of taking a weekly Sabbath rest and why everyone needs to find ways to build in times of renewal both physically and spiritually. 6 Happenings is a magazine publication of First Church of the Nazarene of Pasadena (PazNaz). It is designed to highlight the Church s ministries and activities. For a complete overview of PazNaz, beliefs, and ministries, please visit the website at HAPPENINGS Issue #52 July 2009 The Magazine of PazNaz 3700 East Sierra Madre Boulevard Pasadena, California Fax: Pasadena PrimeTime PazNaz News In His Image: Special Needs Ministries Student Ministries An Article from the Pastor Early Childhood Ministries Childhood Ministries Women s Ministries Chinese Ministries Worship and Celebration Arts

3 In His Image: Special Needs Ministries Pastor Julie Keith A group from In His Image serves at Church in the Park. The Special Needs Ministry, In His Image, is blessed to have so many great volunteers and family members who invest in the lives of children and adults on a regular basis. This important and vital ministry would not be possible without all of you. This month I would like to highlight three of these great individuals. A huge thank you goes out to Nicole Johnson. Nicole graciously came and taught during the month of May in In His Image s specialized classroom while Liesal and Jonathan, the lead teachers, were on Children s Classes Sundays at 9:15 am and 10:30 am Inclusion Classes Students have the opportunity to participate in a classroom with their peers. A volunteer will be assigned to children or youth who need assistance based on availability of volunteers. Contact Pastor Julie Keith for inclusion placement. Special Education Classroom Rooms 122 & 123, Arms Hall These classrooms use an adapted Bible curriculum for special needs children. Participants learn in a safe and supportive environment geared towards their own special needs. Oasis Adult Ministry Sundays at 9:15 am Wednesdays at 7:00 pm Room 115, Lower Sanctuary Oasis is a time of fellowship, Bible study, and connection for teens and adults with special needs. Please come, bring a friend, and study the parables of Jesus. vacation. Thank you for loving the children and their families who are a part of this class. A familiar face in a new Nicole Johnson position Robin Lammers will be stepping into the Classroom Manager role in Room 123, Arms Hall during the Sunday School hour beginning July 5 and continuing through the summer. Robin and her therapy dog, Mikey, will continue to serve bi-weekly during 10:30 service. Welcome, Robin, to this new role. Please join me in welcoming Alex (George) Lazo. Alex is from San Jose, California and is working toward becoming a Alex Lazo Robin Lammers therapist. He graduated from F u l l e r Theological Seminary in June with his Master s Degree in Cross Cultural Studies. Part of the conditions of this degree require an internship. Alex has chosen to fulfill this requirement by serving with the Special Needs Ministry, In His Image, this summer. He began in June and will be here through the middle of September. Alex has been involved in working with special needs children and youth in many different capacities. He served as a camp counselor with Camp Care Special Education Camp in Reno, Nevada, for four summers while working on his undergraduate degree, which he received from the University of California, Davis in He has also interned with the Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders Institute in Sacramento, California. Alex has served as a youth leader developing curriculum and programs for the YMCA of Santa Clara Valley in San Jose. During the past year Alex has served as a one-on-one buddy for a young man with autism so the young man is able to participate in the youth group here at PazNaz. Welcome Alex. Last month several members from Oasis, PazNaz's Special Needs adult group, served at Church in the Park. This was a great opportunity to be involved in serving the community. It was a great experience for all and plans are being made to serve more often. Thank you, Pastor Selena, for this opportunity. - Pastor Julie Keith 3

4 Student Ministries Pastor Keegan Lenker All Youth Beach Day Thursday, July 2, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Cost is $5 plus extra cash for lunch. Students and ministry staff will enjoy a day of fun in Santa Monica. Sign up in the Student Ministries Office. LA District Jr. High Camp Emmanuel Heights, July 6-10 Cost is $225 LA District Sr. High Camp Pine Summit, Big Bear Lake July 20-24, Cost is $270 For more camp information, please contact PazNaz Student Ministries. All Youth Beach Day Thursday, July 20, 9:00 am-5:00 pm Cost is $5 plus extra cash for lunch. Students and ministry staff will enjoy a day of fun at Sunset Beach. Sign up in the Student Ministries Office. Weekly Activities Sundays Student Worship - 9:15-10:15 am Room 134, Meguiar Youth Center College Class - 9:15-10:15 am Room 149 B, Reed Hall Wednesdays Evening Activities - 7:00-8:15 pm Sr. High Room 134, Meguiar Youth Center Jr. High Room 132, Meguiar Youth Center 4 When I was a little kid, I used to watch those hidden camera blooper shows that put people in awkward situations and caused them embarrassment to the enjoyment of the onlooker. One such scenario occurred in a dessert café where the worker behind the counter was told to only sell one specific dessert. Whenever a customer wanted something else, he was told to say they were out of it even though there was plenty to serve. Upon paying for the specific dessert, the clerk was told to give incorrect change to make the situation even more tense than it already was. As you can imagine, most people got all worked up. And the audience laughed. One guy refused to get flustered and remained composed the entire time. No matter what the clerk tried, the man remained calm. At the end of the prank, when the clerk revealed what was going on, the man merely said, I don t let stuff rent space in my head. When I googled rent space in head, I got over 2 million hits on that phrase alone. In my Christian journey, there are things that sometimes rent space in my head as to how it relates in my individual journey with Christ. Sometimes it s scriptural, other times it s cultural, other times personal, etc. I m not sure what is renting space in your head these days, but I thought I d share a few things in hopes that it may get some dialogue going between you and a group or another person you are walking your journey of faith alongside. Here they are: Is my life so comfortable that I ve left no room for dependence upon God? In what areas in my life right now is there a sense of dependence upon God? What experiences have I had in the last month that have helped shape my journey with Christ? If my whole spirit, soul, and body needs to be kept sound and blameless, what is the difference between spirit and soul and should I exercise more or eat better than I do? What needs to be sacrificed in my life right now to leave room for more of Christ? - Pastor Keegz

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6 An Article from the Pastor... As I have been preparing for the series on Dollars and Saints, I have been deeply convicted again by the importance of Sabbath for the people of God. Of all the economic codes Israel followed, keeping Sabbath and observing the Sabbatical year were the first and primary laws that shaped their life together. 6 Sometimes following the Sabbath became legalist almost to the point of humor. Volumes of rabbinical literature were devoted to precisely how much work a person could do on the seventh day without violating the keeping of Sabbath. For example, long debates are written over the question, If your mule falls into a ditch on the Sabbath, are you allowed to get him out? It is clear from the ministry of Jesus especially texts like Mark 2:27 that he is not interested in his people getting caught up in legalistic Sabbath observance, but at the same time his disciples

7 Pastor T. Scott Daniels should not miss out on the benefits of being a Sabbath people. What are the benefits of Sabbath that God s people should not miss out on even today? Obviously the first benefit of becoming a Sabbath people is rest. The blessing of Sabbath is the recognition that humans were not created to go at full speed without eventually breaking down. Everyone has to find ways to build in times of renewal physically and spiritually. For many people not even their rest is restful. This is the season for people to take vacations. Often vacations are scheduled so that families can have great experiences together or see part of the world they ve never seen before. But if some of your family vacations are like mine, after scheduling activity after activity, I need a vacation from my vacation. That s not Sabbath. It is not a bad thing for individuals and families to plan great experiences together, but it doesn t take the place of trying to find a systematic way of periodically resting and renewing life. How many physical and psychological ailments are only exacerbated for people because they never take the time they need to be still and quiet with the Lord and with themselves and just rest? A second benefit of Sabbath is freedom from worry. One of the key components of observing Sabbath is the commitment to not labor 24/7 but to trust that God will provide without having to work ourselves into the grave. It is this sense of trust that God desires to be one of the primary qualities or characteristics of his people. Trust in God that leads to freedom from worry is one of the major components of the teaching of Jesus. Therefore, I tell you, do not worry about your life, what you will eat or what you will drink, or about your body, what you will wear. Is not life more than food, and the body more than clothing? Look at the birds of the air; they neither sow nor reap nor gather into barns, and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not of more value than they? And can any of you by worrying add a single hour to your span of life? And why do you worry about clothing? Consider the lilies of the field, how they grow; they neither toil nor spin, yet I tell you, even Solomon in all his glory was not clothed like one of these. But if God so clothes the grass of the field, which is alive today and tomorrow is thrown into the oven, will he not much more clothe you you of little faith? Therefore do not worry, saying, What will we eat? or What will we drink? or What will we wear? For it is the Gentiles who strive for all these things; and indeed your heavenly Father knows that you need all these things. But strive first for the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. (Matt 6) Notice that Jesus defines worry as a quality of the Gentiles. To be part of the people of God is to live in trust that God will supply daily bread. To live free of worry may mean that we have to lower our expectations away from the consumerism that drives the need for more food, more clothes, etc. I have recently been revisiting former PazNaz pastor Earl Lee s great little book The Cycle of Victorious Living. Pastor Lee begins his book by reminding believers that fret is always the exit ramp away from victorious living. To keep Sabbath is to trust God. Finally, keeping Sabbath is also about being community. In the Torah, Sabbath observance is always paired with taking care of one another. One of the reasons the people of God rest is so that they can be together and care for one another in the presence of the Lord. Perhaps the closest practice the modern church has that models the original Sabbath are potluck dinners. There s an old joke that says, You will know who the Nazarenes are (the joke actually works with almost all denominations) because they will be the people carrying casserole dishes. The idea of the potluck dinner was that each person could come with what they have no matter how little or how much and share in the bounty of the community. At the Sabbath table everyone shares equally in the rest of the Lord and in the love of God s people. I love to drive down Beverly Boulevard on a Friday night and see all of the orthodox Jews dressed in black walking to temple together at the beginning of Sabbath. They are easily recognizable to the world because of the way they honor the Sabbath. I m not sure that Jesus wants his disciples today to observe Sabbath with those kinds of regulations, but I do believe that rest, trust, and the love of the community are still the Sabbath markers that identify the people of God. The Body of Christ must find systematic ways to renew, to have faith, and to care for each other. So find your Sabbath rest. You were not made to have to legalistically follow the Sabbath, but God has made the Sabbath as a blessing for you. - Pastor T. Scott Daniels The blessing of Sabbath is the recognition that humans were not created to go at full speed without eventually breaking down. Everyone has to find ways to build in times of renewal physically and spiritually. 7

8 Early Childhood Ministries Pastor Eleanor Blosser Volunteer of the Month: Roger Johnson 8 Roger Johnson has been volunteering in the PazNaz Nursery for years. When his Sunday school class (the YR Class) heard about this, someone got out a clipboard and sent it around the room of adults, having them sign up to help in the nursery also, joining Roger s example of volunteering. If Roger is helping this way, so can we! What a great inspiration Roger has been. Roger continues, I came to work in the nursery when the call for assistance came out several years ago. I enjoy coming across the kids I ve worked with in the nursery over the years, and see them as they grow up in the church. Roger has been married to his wife Lori for 26 years. They have two children: their son Matthew is married and is a second lieutenant in the Air Force; their daughter Meagan recently graduated from junior college and will be attending UC Santa Barbara in the fall. Roger came to know the Lord at an early age. He grew up attending the Temple City Church of the Nazarene. He says, I gave my life to Christ at the age of eight at a revival service at the church. Then, I brought my family to PazNaz about 12 years ago to participate in the youth activities. Roger doesn t limit his service at PazNaz to the Early Childhood Department, he also helps out as a church van driver and as a Church in the Park worker. Thank you, Roger, for serving so faithfully in the church. Roger and Lori Johnson - Pastor Eleanor Blosser Kid s Night Out Kid s Night Out will be on Saturday, July 11, from 5:00 10:00 pm, this month. Register at the Women s Ministry Cart on Sunday or in the PazNaz office by July 8. Kid s Night Out will usually be the first Saturday night of each month, except if it s a holiday weekend. For more information, you can contact Pastor Eleanor. Nursery News Precious-Julez Victoria Gillette was born May 11 to Melody Gillette. Ethan Robert St Clair was born May 20 to Brent and Janelle St Clair. Crazy Hat Day July 12 Early Childhood children and volunteers: It s time to wear your craziest hats on Sunday, July 12. There will be class parades. Join the fun! Child Dedications - July 12 This month Nathan Ari Lopez, Kaila Elizabeth Khoury, Mason Michael Ford, Alexander Anil Gopala, Sarala Gowri Gopala, and Rohan Joshua Gopala will be dedicated to the Lord. Contact Pastor Eleanor for information about having your child dedicated. Bible Explorers on Wednesday Preschool to Kindergarten-aged children are invited to an exciting time of exploring God s Word. Every Wednesday night, the explorers (wearing pith helmets and holding little flashlights) set out to find some hidden items on the patio. Come to Room 227, Arms Hall at 7:00 pm and join the fun. There will be Bible songs, stories, crafts, and games.

9 Children s Ministries Pastor Matt Schilz mattschilz@paznaz.org Funday Mondays (and a Tuesday) Join PazNaz Kidz this summer for six weeks of events that will be filled with fun with all your friends. You can sign up for the events by grabbing a registration brochure in the roundabouts on campus or by going to the Children s Ministries page on the website, and printing out a brochure. If you sign up for all six activities this summer, there is a $10 discount. Take a look at what s in store and sign up today! Ultrazone - Monday, July 6 10:00 am-3:30 pm, Cost is $25 Grab your friends and battle it up together in fun-filled team play missions. The cost includes unlimited missions for 3 hours, pizza, drinks, and a dessert. Transportation and lunch is provided for the day. Meet the group in the PazNaz lower parking lot. Please note, video game play is not included in the price. Griffith Observatory - Tuesday, July 21 11:00 am-4:00 pm, Cost is $10 Enjoy a day at the Observatory and learn more about the universe that God created through a tour, exhibits, and a movie. Transportation is provided for this event. You can meet the group in the PazNaz lower parking lot. Please have your child bring a lunch. G 3 at PazNaz - Monday, July 27 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Cost is $10 This week it s Games! Games! Games! at PazNaz. Come hang out at PazNaz for a day filled with board games, gym games, video games, and movies! There will be food, snacks, and drinks for all in attendance. Meet the group in Room 102, Lower Sanctuary. Lunch will be provided. Bowling - Monday, August 3 10:00 am-1:30 pm, Cost is $15 Come enjoy a few games of bowling with your friends. The cost includes shoe rental, games, pizza, and drinks. Meet the group at Bowling Square located at 1020 South Baldwin Avenue, Arcadia, California for a day of bowling and pizza! Lunch will be provided but transportation will not be provided to or from the bowling alley. Camp H Monday, August 10 10:00 am-2:00 pm, Cost is $10 Come out for the ultimate in water fun with a 33 giant inflatable slip-nslide, water games, and rock slide. Bring your squirt guns, water toys, and goggles! Camp H 2 0 is located at 601 East Orange Grove Avenue, Sierra Madre, California Lunch will be provided but transportation is not provided. Please make sure you apply sunscreen before you come! Family Worship Time It s that time again. PazNaz will be having Family Worship Time on Saturday night, July 25, and Sunday morning, July 26. Parents, please make sure you come pick up your children after the Sunday School hour and before the 10:30 am service on Sunday morning. Your children will be worshiping with you this week. Wacky Wednesday Evenings Now through September 2 from 7:00-8:30 pm Wednesday evenings this summer are going to be WILD as PazNaz Kidz learn about God s people, who followed God even when God gave them weird and wacky things to do. They ll hear the stories of biblical heroes such as Noah, Joshua, Gideon, and Samson. Mix these stories with wacky games and activities, and you have a recipe for summer madness at PazNaz. You will want your children to wear clothes that can get a little messy as they will participate in relays and games that may include chocolate syrup, shaving cream, etc. 9

10 Women s Ministries Director of Women s Ministries: Debbie Daniels ddaniels@paznaz.org Have some time to SPARE? Then spend the summer with Girlfriends! 10 Summer Bible Study Wednesdays In July Join the ladies of PazNaz on Wednesdays this summer for a Bible Study with video lessons featuring popular Christian author and humorist Liz Curtis Higgs. The study is offered July 1, 8, 22, and 29 in the mornings from 9:30-11:00 am or in the evenings from 7:00-8:30 pm. For more information contact Debbie Wong at (for am study) or Phyllis Utterback at (for pm study). FREE childcare will be provided with RSVP to Debbie Hammock at FUN:101 Thursday Nights This Summer Bowling - July 2 Can you "spare" some time this summer to get together with girlfriends? Join the women of PazNaz as Fun 101 goes bowling. On July 2, from 2:00-4:00 pm, join us at the AMF Bowling Square Lanes at 1020 South Baldwin Ave, Arcadia for bowling. The $9 includes 2 hours of bowling, shoe rental, popcorn, soda, dessert, and connecting time with other women in the community. To RSVP contact Debbie Wong at debbie@debbiewong.net or FREE childcare will be provided from 1:30-4:30 pm at the PazNaz campus with RSVP to Debbie Hammock at Pool Day - July 16 Want some time to relax by the pool with girlfriends? Here is your chance! Debbie Daniels is hosting a ladies day of swimming and laying out poolside at her home. On July 16, from 2:00-4:00 pm come to 625 West Hillcrest in Monrovia for some summer sun. To RSVP contact Debbie Daniels at ddaniels@paznaz.org or FREE childcare will be provided from 1:30-4:30 pm at the PazNaz campus with RSVP to Debbie Hammock at Bunco Night - July 30 PazNaz ladies are putting on their game face for a night of Bunco on Thursday, July 30, from 6:00-8:00 pm. Lisa Vitko is hosting this FUN101 event at her home. Bring a dessert or snack to share or just bring yourself! The address is 9543 Broadway Unit 6, in Temple City. To RSVP contact Lisa Vitko at FREE childcare will be provided from 5:30-8:30 pm at the PazNaz campus with RSVP to Debbie Hammock at Decoupage Craft - August 13 Put on your creative caps and role up your sleeves ladies it s time to do some crafts! Join the women of PazNaz as they create elegant decoupage mirrors. The cost is only $5 and NO artistic ability is needed! Not only do you get to take home your design, the night will be filled with laughter and a great time with girlfriends. Join us August 13, from 6:00-8:00 pm in Gilmore Hall. Bring a dessert or snack to share or just bring yourself! RSVP to Nicole Johnson by August 10 at nicolemosaics@gmail.com or FREE childcare will be provided from 6:00-8:00 pm with RSVP to Debbie Hammock at Toddler Time Summer Outings Mondays and Tuesdays In July Tuesday, July 7, 10:00 am at the Natural History Museum, Los Angeles. Free entry. Parking is approximately $8.00. Monday, July 13, 10:00 am Backyard Outing. Call Debbie Hammock at for address. Monday, July 20, 10:00 am at the Underwood Family Farm, Moorpark. $3.00 per person Kids under 2 are free. Tuesday, July 28, 10:00 am at Dockweiler Beach, El Segundo. $7.00 for parking. Free street parking is available.

11 Chinese Ministries Pastor Darwin Ng An Update from Pastor Darwin Ng It has been awhile since I wrote anything for the Happenings. I d like to share with you the overall development of the Chinese Ministry since my last contribution to this publication. As the song goes, let s start from the very beginning. The Chinese Ministry has been with PazNaz for about 5 years. It shadows the 10:30 am service, worshipping in Lee Chapel, and has it s own adult Sunday School class at 9:15 am. The Chinese Ministry is a Cantonese speaking group with the majority of the people coming from Hong Kong. The children and youth from this Ministry join the English church in their respective departments each week. Every Sunday after church, there is a group that enjoys a lunch fellowship in Gilmore Hall, South. There are now about 60 regular worshippers each week. This includes the family fellowship, a parenting group, a cooking class, a Women s Fellowship, and a Men s Group. Every Saturday night, the group hosts a ping pong and family night in the gym. All are welcome to join in on the fun. The Chinese Prime Time group (ages 55 and older) has its lunch meeting and outings on the first Friday of the month. So far they have visited the Huntington Library, Getty Villa, and the Farmer s Market in Mid-Wilshire. The next stop is going to be Solvang. See the calendar on the PazNaz website under International Ministries for details on all upcoming activities. On Memorial Day, more than 50 people went hiking in the Monrovia Canyon. The weather was nice and cool. After an easy hike, they arrived at the waterfall and the trail guide informed the group that the waterfall runs year round! On May 30, Pastor Tim Tin came as a guest speaker at the first ever evangelistic outreach for the Chinese Ministry (The major event last year with Christopher Yuan was a joint effort with many other churches). Pastor Tim is also a kung fu master. He performed a kung fu demonstration with a sword, a staff, and a spear. He choreographed all his own moves, explaining that kung fu is an original Chinese military exercise, but later on, it was usurped by Chinese folk religions and the two became almost inseparable. He also spoke on where God had revealed himself in the Chinese language and culture. He spoke for almost two hours and his daughter, Eunice, played a Chinese stringed instrument, the Zheng, to the delight of all in attendance. Close to 150 people came, including some who had never attended church before. On July 24-26, the Chinese congregation will have its all church retreat. The theme is Experiencing God and the speaker will be Dr. Hing Wong, a professor at Logos Evangelical Seminary in El Monte. The speaker for the youth will be Sarah Yang, a young lady who left the lesbian lifestyle and devil worship and is now touring the West Coast and Asia to help youth find God and live a holy life. The Chinese Ministry recently started an outreach to the Chinese students at Pasadena City College in partnership with International Student Inc., a ministry partner of PazNaz. Some of the students have been coming regularly to the Saturday night gathering to play basketball. I am currently seeking host families from PazNaz to welcome these young students from Asia, but I will share more about that next time. All in all, the Chinese ministry has been blessed in many ways. Being a part of PazNaz has been a wonderful experience. The group covets your prayers as they continue to partner together for his Kingdom, building a multi-cultural and multi-ethnic church that will help PazNaz as a whole fulfill the Great Commission in reaching all the nations that have taken up residence in Los Angeles. - Pastor Darwin Ng Child Dedications This past month seven children from the Chinese Congregation were dedicated to the Lord. PazNaz would like to congratulate the families of Erin Johanna Hung, Sophie Sum Wan Ng, Tania TinYan Ng, Charmaine Tsz Ching Ng, Ivy Sin-yi So, Derek Ding-him So, and Michelle Ou who were all dedicated Sunday, June 14. You can contact Pastor Eleanor Blosser for information about having your child dedicated to the Lord. 11

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