FOCUS

First Baptist Church, Chico 850 Palmetto Avenue Chico, CA 95926 530-343-3446 Monthly Newsletter Vol. 30, No.9- Oct 2011
We are a richly varied church community celebrating the grace of God through worship, through encouraging spiritual growth, and by living as reminders of Gods loving presence in our world.

ne of my favorite authors is Rachel Naomi Remen. Shes the Clinical Professor of Family and Community Medicine at the UCSF School of Medicine, a gifted writer, and one of the earliest pioneers in the mind/body holistic health movement and the first to recognize the role of the spirit in health and the recovery from illness. In her book, Kitchen Table Wisdom, she talks of being invited to a day-long masters class with Dr. Carl Rogers, a pioneering humanistic psychotherapist. She tells of her initial low opinion of Dr. Rogers, thinking that he simply sat in front of his patients, said little, and did even less. She thought Rogerss approach to therapy was a deplorable lowering of standards. But she attended the class.

what will allow his healing to begin. During the demonstration that followed, Rogers didnt say a word, but the young volunteer was profoundly touched. Rogerss unconditional acceptance allowed the volunteer to remove mask after mask and find healing. As I read this story from Dr. Remen, I thought of our congregation in regards to what Rogers told himself before he began each session. There is no experience that this man has that I cannot share with him, no fear that I cannot understand, no suffering that I cannot care about, because I too am human. Now we dont have the intuitive skills of Carl Rogers, one of the great therapists of our time. We dont have his training, his skill, his experience. But at the same time, we have the presence of the Holy Spirit with us to enable us to listen to one another, and accept one another for who we are. That essentially is what Rogers taught Remens and her classmates. Acceptance through listening. We, as Gods people, can do that. We dont have to be a congregation of 1,000 to say, I am enough. Through Gods Spirit, We are enough. I believe this. God can use us because through God, we are enough.

During the class, Rogers talked about his therapeutic approach, which he called Unconditional Positive Regard. Remen tells what happens when Rogers demonstrated his approach with a young volunteer from the class. The volunteer and Rogers sat facing each other, and Rogers was quiet for a few moments. Remen then says: Rogers began to speak. Before every session I take a moment to remember my humanity, he told us. There is no experience that this man has that I cannot share with him, no fear that I cannot understand, no suffering that I cannot care about, because I too am human. No matter how deep his wound, he does not need to be ashamed in front of me. I too am vulnerable. And because of this I am enough. Whatever his story, he no longer needs to be alone with it. This is

First Baptist Church, Chico 850 Palmetto Avenue Chico, CA 95926 530-343-3446 www.chicofirstbaptist.org RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

E-Mail:fbcofficechico@sbcglobal.net Every Member a Minister Rev. Ted Sandberg D. Min.

MARK

YOUR

CALENDAR

Saturday, Oct 8 - ABW Board Meeting Sunday, Oct 9 - Spiritual Practice Class Oct 13-15 -Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches Sunday, Oct 16 - Quarterly Business Meeting FOCUS Articles due in office Friday Oct 21

Expediters: Joyce Shannon, Louise Logue, Evelyn Cash, Marta Torres *THANK YOU*

OCTOBER
Date October 2 Communion Worship Leader: Communion Servers: October 9 Worship Leader: October 16 Worship Leader: October 23 Worship Leader: October 30 Worship Leader:

CALENDAR
Sermon Text

Sermon Title

Returning Gods Fruit Matthew 21:33-46 Sue Rychtera Betty Hannis, Joan Hannis Gerfen,Terre Reynolds, Laura Sederberg An Invitation to a Banquet Alesia Bouvet In the Image of God Gayle Reynolds The Greatest Commandment? Forget That! Doris Arbuckle Giving Burdens to Others Margaret Ballinger ADULT DISCUSSION CLASS Sunday Mornings at 9:15 am with Shirley Stanley and Jerry Fogle. Presently in a video series Jesus in the New Testament (In Mark) Coffee and Donuts provided. Matthew 22:1-14

Matthew 22:15-22

Matthew 22:34-46

Matthew 23:1-12

October
*Joyce Shannon 10/5, *Allen Johnson 10/7, *Jelean Beninga (Nelson)10/7, *Ann Clark 10/9 *Dana Carper 10/15, *Jeanette Johnson 10/15 *Tracy Rychtera 10/16, *Jerry Rychtera 10/19 *Lou Racette 10/22, *James Stratton 10/24 *Alesia Bouvet 10/26, *Bernice Sherrill 10/27 *Dolly Skinner 10/29, *Roger Carper 10/29

Our Prayer Li.s.t . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .

Chico First Baptist Family Continue to Pray for:
The WAR in Iraq and Afghanistan FRIENDS WITH CANCER: FERN MORGAN - mother of friend of Terre Reynolds; FRANK JAMES - Mary Jane Bowsers friend, esophageal cancer; MARGARET BALLINGERS SISTER - remains on chemotherapy; CANDACE - Jill Ramseys friend, ovarian cancer; CHERYL DEAN - Evelyn Cashs cousin, bone cancer; ERIKA LUCKETT - singer friend of Terre & Laura, ovarian cancer, chemotherapy; CAROL LOCASTRO - Carrie Nevins in-law, cancer; Denice - Jill Ramseys sister, breast cancer; ******** SHIRLEY SMITH: Has Parkinsons and Palsy SP; AMY: Ed Hightowers daughter - Parkinsons disease; RICK: Jill Ramseys cousin - received kidney transplant; CORA RAE HUBBARD: September surgery; ELIZABETH FUNK - health concerns; MARY JANE BOWSER: Broke her wrist; CAL RAINEY: Recovering from surgery; LILLIAN WENDORF: recovering from surgery. ******** REMEMBER IN PRAYER: Courtyard at Little Chico Creek: HELEN WALLACE The Inn at the Terraces : EDITH MCCONNELL Roses & Ivy Elder Care Center: DOLLY SKINNER Roseleaf Senior Care: PAULA JOHNSON Feather River Canyon Home: ELAINE HERRINGTON Twin Oaks Care Center: LOU HAYES MILITARY : JASON WILLIAMS - Ed Hightowers step grandson WILL DUNHAM - Doris Arbuckles grandson JOSEPH STEWART - Afghanistan DAN GERFEN- Joan Hannis Gerfens son deployed to Afghanistan

*************************************************** DEE BREDON: Died on September 23, her funeral was held on September 29, at First Baptist Church. Please remember her husband Arnie, her son Pete, and her family and friends.

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*If there are names that can or should be removed please contact Ted or Carol in the office at 343-3446*

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Attitude of Gratitude

What finally counts is not what biblical texts or church doctrines tell us we may believe but what humanity, reason, justice, and Christs love tell us we ought to believe.

An Attitude of Gratitude *A list of the items posted on the Banner in the Narthex*
My Savior My Christian Parents Children and Grandchildren I didnt expect us to have. My Christian friends throughout my life. My memories are full and I am very grateful. Grateful for Lena White and Anne Wheelock. I am so proud of how long we have worked to support the homeless, before the Torres Shelter was opened and today. We are grateful for those who roll bandages. Thankful for Choirs. I am grateful for Helen Kinnees work for peace, in our community and now the peace library in her honor. I am grateful for the 500 quilt blocks Margaret Ballinger cut. That will make many quilts. I am grateful for my friends and family because they are so supportive. I am grateful to be alive. I am grateful for God, Jesus, Ted and Cheri. I am grateful for my church family, and my family. I am grateful for friends and freedom. I am grateful for more than nine months of fairly good health since my heart attack. I am grateful for faith, family and friends.

Joy:

Congratulations:

To Caroline Latham, Caroline auditioned for, and was appointed the concertmaster of the Sacramento Youth Symphony's Premiere Orchestra. This is the top youth symphony orchestra in Northern California, drawing talented young musicians from as far away as Redding, Reno, Modesto, and East Bay communities. This is a singular honor for her, given the talent of the other applicants. Her parents, of course, are extremely proud.....

Joy:

Congratulations, On September 14th Betty and Delbert Hannis celebrated th their 65 Wedding Anniversery.

A Special thanks: To all that have given of their time to serve at the Torres Shelter

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Spiritual Practices Series: October 9: Pattern and Creativity: A Sampling of Prayer Practices, both ancient and fresh. November 13: Growing through Grief: Letting go and staying connected through the losses of life. This is an ongoing series of self-contained classes on spiritual practices offered by First Baptist Church of Chico, 850 Palmetto Ave. You are also invited to bring your sack lunch to eat together at 11:45 AM. Drinks and dessert provided. The class is taught by the Rev. Sandi John, Pastoral Counselor. For more information please call Sandi at 809-0409 or the church office at 343-3446. All are welcome!

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EVERGREEN ASSOCIATION
OF AMERICAN BAPTIST CHURCHES Do this and you will live! Luke 10:28b Eighth Annual Meeting Evergreen Association of American Baptist Churches Seattle First Baptist Church 1111 Harvard Avenue, Seattle, WA 98122 October 13-15, 2011 Speaker: The Rev. Florence Li American Baptist Home Mission Societies Asian Strategist

ABW Womens Ministries Bible Book for October: Joshua

AB Women's Ministries News! Hope you have enjoyed your first Circle meeting of the new year. We will be having a Board meeting on October 8th, at 10 AM in the Church Library.

Circle Meetings: Charity Circle Hope Circle Lauren Bethell Circle

(October 18th) Country Waffle Louises House 10:00 am 7:00 pm 6:30 pm

Hope Circle wants to invite you to join us on Saturday mornings at 9:00 AM in the Social Hall for a little bit of fun. We are going to exercise together with Richard Simmons, and anyone else who makes exercising fun. This is low key, everyone at their own pace. We are not professionals, just some ladies wanting to keep moving.

Sunday

Monday

Tuesday

Wednesday

Thursday

Friday
1

Saturday

October 2011
World Mission Offering Flowers for the Month Provided by church members
2 3 4 5 6 7 8*ABW Board Meeting 10 am

Communion

*Pastor/Staff 5:30 *Evangel/Mem ber 6:30

*Worship11am Country Waffle *Stewardship 6pm

Communication 9am Choir 6 pm

*J. Fogle

*3:30 Prop management

9 Spiritual Class Rev. Sandi John 12-1 *J. Rychtera

10

11 Christian Education 6:30pm Gov. Board 7pm

12 CAIC 11:45 am

13 Evergreen Annual Meeting Choir 6 pm

14 Evergreen Annual Meeting

15

*Evergreen meeting

*Childrens choir 8-1:30pm)

16 *Qtrly mtg
*Missions/Social TorresShelter even meal *Childrens Choir (12:30-3:30)

17

18

19

20

21 FOCUS deadline

22 Social Hall reserved D.L. 11-2pm)

CIRCLES

Evergreen mtg 23*C. Hightower 24 25 Missions/Social 5:15 F.O.R. 7 pm26 26 27 Choir 6 pm 28

29

30 *J. Brandstatt

31

Founder and Director of Chicos Rose Scott School, Cindy Carlson has a knack for helping children develop their unique gifts. Her specialty is fostering a nurturing and creative learning environment geared for children who deal with the challenges of ADHD, high-functioning autism and other special needs... and giftedness. Texas-born, raised in California, Cindy attended high school in Los Angeles. She moved to Westwood, CA in Lassen County at age 18 to attend Lassen College - a life changing experience she recalls with fondness: The teachers there saw academic potential in me that I didnt even see. They encouraged that potential and helped me find my path. Nobody had ever done this for me, it changed me in a big way. Motivated by her first-hand experience of the effects of a nurturing educational environment, Cindy embarked upon her life long study and application of alternative forms of education. She realized how we teach is as or more important than what we teach. In 1975 Cindy moved to Chico to attend CSU, Chico. She participated in the Community Action Volunteers in Education program as an elementary school tutor working with blind children, in Big Brothers Big Sisters, and at Napa and Sonoma State Hospitals with children with physical, mental and emotional challenges. A participiant in the Tri-placement Credential Program, Cindys student teaching took place in Hooker Oak Schools open-structured classrooms for grades K-6th. Post-graduation, Cindy taught Kindergarten, 1st and 2nd grades for 15 years in Paradise, CA. She married and had two children, her son Jesse, a recent University of Hawaii graduate, and her daughter Meghan, currently attending CSU -- her thesis centered on fostering student success utilizing multiple intelligence theory. She taught workshops on the topic nationwide for four years. As Cindy focused her work on children with ADHD, learning disabilities and giftedness, she saw a connection between those traits and maintains that a high percentage of ADHD children are simultaneously gifted. They also tend to be visual and kinesthetic learners. Something else dawned on Cindy: It became obvious I had ADD, a diagnosis that was later confirmed. She founded Rose Scott School in 2008, through both the encouragement of her son, for kids like me, and parents of her coaching students. As an academic and life skills coach, her work with college students with learning disabilities has led to around 15 of those students becoming Rose Scott School peer volunteers. She says, The kids love it, and it builds the college students self -esteem. It is like a multi-level mentoring program, I mentor the college students, and the college students mentor the kids. Cindy is now also supervising a CSU Chico Recreation Therapy intern at the school. As Sheri Nelson, parent of Rose Scott School 7th grader puts it, Cindy has an amazing gift to connect with kids in a way that motivates them to want to learn and to be successful, even when they havent been successful in past classroom situations. She encourages all kids to accept each other for who they are. From: The Be the Change section of the North State Parent Magazine, September 2010