THE ROSELEAF

Happy
THE ROSELEAF
NEWSLETTER OF THE ROSEWOOD UNITED METHODIST CHURCH
Where the Gospel and the Love of Christ are at Work…
NOVEMBER 2012
4101 W. Rosewood Avenue, Los Angeles CA 90004
‘PRACTICING EXTRAVAGANT
GENEROSITY’ STEWARDSHIP
CAMPAIGN – OCTOBER 2012
PREPARATIONS FOR DEC. 8
‘UNDER THE TREE’
EVENT ARE UNDERWAY
At Rosewood month of October was Stewardship
month. This year we studied together Practicing
Extravagant Generosity; Daily Reading on the
Grace of Giving by Robert Schnase. Every Sunday,
we read a chapter and allowed the chapter to live in
our hearts and speak to minds; so that each of us
understands the meaning and purpose of our giving.
Schnase says “Giving helps us become what God
want us to be. Giving is not merely about the
church’s need for money but about the Christian’s
need to grow in generosity. Generosity is a fruit of the
Spirit, a sign of our spiritual growth. God uses our
giving to change the world for God’s purposes and
God uses our giving to reconfigure our interior lives
and to change us!”
Planning and preparation for the forthcoming Under
The Tree (UTT) Outreach ministry are underway.
The UTT event will be held on Saturday, December
8, 2012, and will be staged “under the tree” at the
front lawn of the Rosewood United Methodist
Church, as well as within the church facilities as it has
been the tradition.
Work and area committees have been organized as
workers and volunteers have been delegated the
different tasks and assignments to stage the second
part of this bi-annual community outreach event of
the church.
The Rosewood Revitalization Group (RRG) will be
partnering again with RUMC and will be assisting in
the planning, logistics and the organization of the
event. The church’s Food Distribution Program, the
Neighborhood Immigration Clinic (formerly JFON),
along with our other partners and community service
providers from past UTTs, will also be on hand to
participate in the event.
Giving to me is an opportunity to share what God
has given to me. Giving monetarily is a small piece of
me; I also try to give to God and my community in
other ways. I celebrate relationships; caring for one
another. Advocating justice for those we cannot voice
their needs. Caring for our environment is another
way to honor God who created all things beautiful for
our enjoyment.
The organizing committee urges other church
members to volunteer and help out with this effort.
Please contact Ellen Stalians (UTT overall cocoordinator), assistants Esther Tuazon and Lynnville
Asis, Lita Fajardo – the church admin assistant, Ding
Lapus, Patsy Sapinoso, or Chip Aquino.
We call it Stewardship because it is about taking care
of God’s business. It is about caring for things that
God entrusted to us. Our own ministry at Rosewood
is a trust. We inherited what we have from generous
people and we want to do our best so that future
generations can inherit from us and cherish just like
we did. Schnase reminds us that “each of us has
another and larger calling as well, and that is to give
seeds wings so that the good we do and the difference
we make extend beyond our sight and beyond our
time. Each of us has been formed by the influences of
(Continued on page 3)
--- TOWN HALL MEETING --Nov 11, 1:30 p.m. All are invited to attend Rosewood
United Methodist Church Town Hall Meeting in the
Fellowship Hall. You are free to ask any questions for
clarity to enhance our mission and ministries.
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REFOCUSING OUR SPIRITUAL LENSES
by Rev. Dr. David Jamir
Dear Members and Friends of the Rosewood United Methodist Church:
The grace and peace of the Lord be with you. Ruth Evans, Lita Fajardo and I want to thank all of
you for your participation in the annual Rosewood UMC stewardship month. I also thank all our
small group facilitators for your commitment.
I have learned that I am never too old or late to learn something new about the stewardship of life. This is
indeed a lifelong process. As long as I have life and Jesus still means something concrete to me; I have to deal
with my ethical and spiritual responsibility, namely, ‘how do I share and give what the Lord has given me?’ So,
I give thankfully.
I am confident that we have done better than last year. Once I have the full commitment report from finance I
will let you know. It is my earnest desire to be transparent with our finances whether we have enough or are
behind paying our bills. I want us to be accountable to one another; in doing so, I know the Lord will bless us
extravagantly.
A word to those who did not turn-in their commitment card; please don’t feel that you have missed your
opportunity because you had to work. I would encourage you that when you are ready, please feel free to drop
your commitment card into the offering plate.
Now a question of clarity for all: we give to God because God gave all for our sake. We give to God to continue
what God has started by “loving the world” and drawing people closer to God. This is our mission as a
congregation. We cannot be church without purposeful mission. Let me share with you some thoughts from
Bishop Robert Schnase “Over the years I learned that this matter of giving back a tenth of income, tithing, was
not just unique to the church we attended. Actually most cultures experienced a similar standard: Arabians,
Persians, Carthaginians, Greeks, Lydians, Romans, Assyrians, Mohamedans, Babylonians . . . but, so what?
That wasn’t really relevant to me in my particular and unique circumstances. Then I learned that other faith
communities had the same expectation about tithing: Baptists, Church of Christ, Pentecostals, Lutherans,
Assembly of God, Presbyterians, Church of God, Episcopalians, Roman Catholics.”
So, you see church members and friends of the church have always
given generously in order for us to do greater mission, whether they are
local or global. This is one way we keep God’s mission of love alive.
Giving must not be understood as a job, but opportunity to serve the
world that God intensely love. So, thank you for all that you have given
and committed to give in the future. We are better today because we
gave to God’s mission.
Pastor David
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CHURCH SEASONS IN NOVEMBER
The Christian Calendar is made up of seven seasons and 12 special Sundays or other days. The seasons of the year are centered
around the birth, life, death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, the sending of the Holy Spirit to the Church, and our
part in the Kingdom of God. Special Sundays and other days within the Christian Year serve as times to celebrate particular
events of importance to us as Methodist Christians. Different seasons of the Christian Year have liturgical colors and other
symbols associated with them to remind us of the meaning of the season.
*The month of November is in Ordinary Time/Kingdomtide.
November 4, 2012 – ALL SAINT’S SUNDAY (U.M. Calendar) --- DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME ENDS
November 18, 2012 – THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
November 22, 2012 – THANKSGIVING DAY
Ordinary Time/KINGDOMTIDE -- Some United Methodists call the season after Pentecost “Kingdomtide” to
emphasize Jesus’ teaching about the kingdom of God. This period is also referred to as “Ordinary Time” which
are the Sundays between the two great Christological cycles of Advent-Christmas-Epiphany and of Lent-EasterPentecost. The shorter period of Ordinary time between Epiphany and Lent (Ash Wednesday) is designated as
“Sundays after Epiphany”. The longer period between Pentecost and Advent is designated as “Sundays after
Pentecost”, or Kingdomtide. The symbol for Kingdomtide is a Triangle, signifying the Trinity (God as Father,
Son, and Holy Spirit). (Green vestments)
December 2, 20112 - FIRST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
ADVENT – (December 2 - December 24, 2011) - Means Coming, or Arrival (from the Latin word
adventus, meaning "coming"), the period of expectant waiting and preparation for the celebration of the
Nativity of Jesus; in other words, the period immediately before Christmas. It is the beginning of the church year
2012-2013; the 4th Sunday before Christmas. We light one of 5 candles each week on the Advent Wreath to count
down the time to Jesus birth, the 5th candle being Christmas Eve. (Purple or Blue vestments)
(Continued from page 1… Practicing Extravagant Generosity…))
countless people-friends, coworkers, mentors, teachers, coaches, neighbors, pastors, youth sponsors, scout leaders,
colleagues, confidants-who have contributed far beyond their own small circles. Through their generosity, time,
effort, and love, they have changed us, and changed the world, by intentionally providing a legacy that extends far
and wide.”
For us at Rosewood Oct 28 we made a personal commitment to support our ministries here and global. In our
commitment we also made an intentional covenant with God and with one another that we will keep God’s vision
and mission alive through this church where we worship. We want to outshine for the Lord. We are indeed
responsible for what we do here. May God continue to teach us to be humble and caring; and be servant to one
another. – by Pastor David.
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Under
The Tree
A Community Outreach Event
December 8, 2012 (Saturday)
10 am to 2 pm
* Health Screening
* Job and Community Resources
* Legal Consultation
* Free Lunch & Food Distribution
BE A WINNER FREE PRIZE RAFFLE
@ ROSEWOOD UMC Lawn
4101 W. Rosewood Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90004
www.rosewoodumc.com
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RUMC NURSERY ROOM PROJECT --
Cash donations to date – Susan Dizon, Naila Lapus
Rosewood families have been blessed with a bounty
of babies in the last 2-3 years. The need to enable the
parents and their babies/toddlers to worship with the
congregation became increasingly evident. In
response to this need, cash and in-kind donations
came in from members and finally, the Nursery
Room project is now almost complete.
--Baby-changers have been installed in two places:
1) Handicapped Restroom on 1st floor,
2) East wall of Kitchenette on 2nd floor.
-- The walls and ceilings in both the nursery and
kitchenette have fresh coats of paint.
-- The Nursery Room carpet was steam-cleaned
with anti-slip rubber floor matting enhancements
-- The kitchenette was refurbished with a new sink,
new countertops, new flooring, new shelves and
new under-the-sink cabinets.
Our thanks to the following members for sharing
their blessings:
Labor and materials – Kevin and Grace Lapus
Microwave and room divider – Jean Lacerna
Refrigerator – Pearl Flores
Two (2) TV/wall monitors/brackets to broadcast the
ongoing service – Methodist Men c/o Jojo Flores
Trash can - Jun & Cynthia Olympia
Two (2) Baby changers, floor matting, toys – Kevin
Cash donations are still welcome to steam clean the
fabric chairs.
and Grace Lapus
New Nursery Room and adjoining utility kitchen
I RECYCLE! DO YOU?
recycled where you live? Will you recycle at home
and at work? Will you talk to your children, friends
and neighbors about recycling? It’s simple to start the
conversation. Just say, “I recycle… Do you?’
AMERICA RECYCLES DAY on Nov. 15
Everyday, people across America recycle. We hope
that you are one of those people. Did you recycle
yesterday? Have you recycled yet today?
WE NEED YOU! The United Methodist Men
need your assistance for their recycling
operations to help raise funds for the different
ministries and need areas of the church.
Each year, recycling keeps more than half of
California’s trash out of landfills. When we recycle,
we save energy, conserve natural resources, and create
jobs. When we landfill, we put a lot of good
resources to waste.
Please pre-sort your ‘recyclables’
by: 1). cans (soda, beer, etc.);
\2).
clear plastic
containers
(sodas/colas,
drinking
water,
Gatorade, Snapple, etc.); Please remove all
caps. Kindly help the UMM by pre-sorting out
the recyclable items above before bringing them
to church. UMM volunteers have been sorting
recyclables mixed with trash and unsanitary
items which makes it quite an unbearable task.
We thank you for your kind support!!!
When you recycle, you make a simple choice that
makes a big difference. For example, recycling just
one aluminum pop can saves enough electricity to
power a flat screen TV for three hours.
This fall, we will observe America Recycles Day on
November 15. What will you do this ‘America
Recycles Day’? Will you learn exactly what can be
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FINANCE AND STEWARDSHIP CORNER
for all time. Jesus urges us to have faith because God
has concern even for the lowliest form of life. It is a
natural inspiration inmost of us to wish to have a
better home, better car, and then imagine how much
better life would be by our possession of these better
things. But Jesus said, "A man’s life does not consist
in the abundance of his possessions." So, there is no
guarantee that life would be better even if we have
abundance of material things. We should take heed
lest the worthless things in life crowd out the
worthwhile things. We are to seek God’s kingdom
first before we seek material things. God knows that
we need these things, such as food to eat and drink.
And, if we seek God’s kingdom first, we won’t have
too much anxieties about things we will need.
TREASURES IN HEAVEN
by Col. Jaime Sibayan Piopongco*
delivered on Sunday, June 15, 1986 - RUMC
Luke 12:31-34 - Several times in the past, I have
stood before this congregation, mainly to talk on
stewardship, and on the needs of our church for your
financial support. Never did I attempt to deliver a
sermon- because I feel as I do now, that I am
inadequate and unworthy to talk about the kingdom
of God before worthier and more upright persons
such as we have at Rosewood.
Let me tell you the story about Peter, who together
with some disciples of Jesus were on their way to the
Sea of Galilee. Jesus was with them. Knowing that
they were yet miles away from their destination, Jesus
told the disciples to pick up three stones each. All the
disciples complied but Peter, impetuous and
impulsive, as usual picked the three smallest stones.
Then they proceeded towards the sea of Galilee.
When it was time for lunch, Jesus told the disciples to
take hold of their stones which was turned to bread.
After lunch, Peter was the hungriest of the disciples.
Jesus warns his followers - that means us - that we
should choose carefully the values by which we live.
Life is compared to the gathering of wealth, and a
choice confronts us: treasures on earth or treasures in
heaven. Treasures on earth is beset by risks and could
be lost or stolen. When we die, we must have to leave
our possessions. We can’t take it with us to the grave.
In His teachings, Jesus explains to us what the nature
of God is, and that of man as well. He tells us about
the meaning of life and death. He shows us why we
make mistakes, why we fall into temptation, why we
become sick and poor. What is most important of all,
He tells how these evils may be overcome, and how
we may bring health, happiness, and true prosperity
into our lives and into the lives of others, should they
have a desire to want them also. Briefly, most of His
teachings provide a practical method for the development of the soul, and for the shaping of our lives
& destinies into the things that we wish them to be.
Our material possessions, time, talent, skill, love,
faith, and everything we have are trusts given to us by
God. We are just his stewards over these things. And
as God’s stewards, we should manage these gifts, so
that we find fulfillment for our lives and for our
community, in ways that would maximize their
usefulness and facilitate life-giving and beneficial
results. Our Lord Jesus Christ cautioned those who
would follow him to be watchful, and be ready to give
an accounting for what has been entrusted to them.
(Continued on page 7)
Consider what Jesus said in out text, "Seek ye first the
kingdom of God; and all these things shall be added
unto you." Jesus as the revealer of the will and
providence of God, proclaims in an absolute way
God’s actual demand upon mankind, at all times and
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(Continued from page 6)
we reflect and confess that a meagerness of soul has
matched our acquisition and enjoyment of these
material possessions? Many of us have made futile
attempt to find satisfaction, only to discover with the
prodigal son, that life is not so satisfying on the purely
material level. Things of themselves, do not make for
happiness, but they add greatly to it, provided that
they are accompanied by those spiritual qualities that
feed the soul, as well as they body.
Material possessions offer no security against the
uncertainties of life. So, we should consider the reality
that God exists, and He has dominion over our lives
and our possessions. We have no ultimate security
except in God, and in everything, God has the final
say. But, there is another kind of treasure. We can
possess another kind of riches – riches which render
earthly possessions unimportant. We must be rich
toward God, or our treasure should be in heaven. A
recognized way of storing treasure in heaven is by
using our possessions wisely, by sharing them with
the poor. There are other treasures which could be
reserved for us in heaven: truth, love, faith and
others, which cannot be lost or stolen.
Let me continue the story about Peter. Proceeding to
the Sea of Galilee, Jesus told the disciples to get one
stone each. All the disciples got their stone, but Peter
because of his past disappointment, selected and
carried the biggest stone he could get. As soon as they
reached the shore of Galilee, Jesus told the disciples
that whoever could throw their stone the farthest
would get the biggest blessing. Peter again got the
smallest blessing.
Brothers and sisters: The issue cannot be avoided,
and a choice must be made by all of us: should it be
earthly wealth or heavenly wealth? Let me recall the
story of King Midas, who was obsessed by an
excessive desire for gold. So great was his desire that
he prayed that everything he touched might be turned
into gold, and according to the story, his prayer was
answered. Unfortunately, it was answered to his great
sorrow because everything he touched including his
food, turned into gold. Gold by itself he was to learn
could not nourish and sustain his body, mind or his
soul. So he suffered starvation physically, mentally
and spiritually.
There is another story of a man of determination and
strength, but had no moral principles, who devoted all
his energies to becoming rich. He became rich but,
because of undernourishment, was skin and bones. In
his mad endeavor to amass wealth, he paid no
attention to building his soul. His wealth possessed
him. Money was his god. He believed that he could
win the love and respect of his wife and children, with
his riches - rather than himself. So, when divorce
broke up the home, what was left was a broken old
man surrounded by his wealth, and by things his
money had bought, but bereft of the love and respect,
and the companionship of wife and children. To the
day of his death, he was unable to explain why his
wealth had failed to secure for him, the love and
affection of his family. He got what he went after wealth; but he was to learn that there are values in life,
which cannot be bought by money. He learned that
an undernourished soul in a plump body does not
make for happiness or enduring peace of mind.
The story of the prodigal son represents another truth
to exemplify our topic. It was not because the prayer
of the prodigal son was answered that he got into
trouble. It was because he got what his heart desired,
that he finally faced disaster. His father gave him his
inheritance, which he squandered in riotous living. He
found himself in dire need when the abundance of
things gave out. Like every man who has an
abundance of things but nothing of soul, the prodigal
son needed more than anything else to hear and, to
heed the words of Jesus Christ, who said, "Lay not up
for yourselves treasures upon the earth, where moth
and rust doth consume, and where thieves break
through and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures
in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth consume
and where thieves do not break through nor steal."
In conclusion, many of us need to learn a lesson: it
makes a difference whether we have an abundance of
things on earth or in heaven. To possess much goods
on earth is to have an abundance of things and
nothing less, whereas, to have a sufficiency of things
in heaven is not only to possess those things but also
to have God’s love and the consciousness of his
nearness, and the joy of his fellowship, too. Amen.
We, who have chosen to adopt this blessed country as
our own, are witnesses to the excessive quantity of
material possessions, mainly food, the like of which
even the potentates and rulers of past generations, did
not dare to dream of, could boast - that abundance of
such things, is our opportunity to enjoy. But, could
(* the late husband of Mommy Beth Piopongco and
a former member and officer of Rosewood UMC.)
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hired by a CVS pharmacy here in Los Angeles, while
Cesar is now working in an electrical company close
to their home in Cerritos. Truly God’s mercies and
plans come in His time. Praise and Glory be to God!
CONGRATULATIONS! – To Chloe Aquino who
is now a member of the Colburn Youth Orchestra –
one of the most prestigious youth orchestras in
California and on the west coast. Also to Lian
Aquino who earned a seat with the cello section of
the prestigious CS Fullerton Symphony Orchestra
under the baton of Maestro Kimo Furumoto. She is
also the only freshman in the Music Department to
participate in the chamber music series program.
POTPOURRI ... ABOUT OUR
MEMBERS...ANNOUNCEMENTS…ATBP
-- By Lita Fajardo, Roseleaf Co-Editor
THE BIG 7-0 -- Pearl Flores celebrated
her 70th birthday last Saturday with a
thanksgiving service here at Rosewood
UMC which was ministered by Pastor
David. Her children, Jojo and Sean, and
grandchildren, Amy Manacop, Pastor
Mark, and some others, shared heartwarming stories
and attributes about Pearl. Also, a few of Pearl’s coworkers were present and paid tribute to her and
attested that she is a Christian woman with a grateful
and compassionate heart. During the reception at the
Fellowship Hall Pearl was roasted by her sisters Remi
and Bella, Roy and friends such as Emilie, Ruth,
Ding, Naila,
PRAYERS, PRAYERS -- Let us lift Jean Borje de
Guzman in our prayers. She is home now resting
after being confined at the Hollywood Presbyterian
Memorial Hospital (Rm. 1018) for over a week where
she underwent several diagnostic tests and
procedures.
TRAVEL MERCIES -- Mommy Beth Piopongco
is heading home to the Philippines on Sunday,
November 11. She and her late husband, Daddy
Jimmy had built a church and a retreat center in
Tanay, Rizal where the membership is now very
active thriving. She wanted so much to stay and be
with the people of their church “God is calling me to
go”, as Mommy would fondly say.
–- Christine
Aquino gave
birth to Parker Alexis Marcelo Aquino, on October
14 at the Huntington Memorial Hospital in South
Pasadena. For a bonnie and
cuddly baby girl, Parker
weighed a hefty 6 pounds
and 14 ounces at birth.
Delivery had to go
caesarian after an extended
labor period. Proud father
Albert was at the hospital
nursery to receive the Aquino, Lapus and Marcelo
families (despite all of them coming after visiting
hours  ). We thank God for Parker’s arrival and for
Christine’s safe delivery.
To Robert and Venus Lu
for their generous gift to
our church. Your faithful
support to the missions
and ministry of Rosewood
UMC is much appreciated.
To Alvin and Jennifer Naguit and Ellen Stalians for
the coffee, creamer and sugar for our fellowship hour
after worship.
To Emilie C. Baradi and Jean Lacerna for taking
charge in the church office while the secretary, Lita
Fajardo is on vacation.
WELCOME BACK -- Linda Adamos arrived last
Friday, October 26, just before Hurricane Sandy
touchdown the east coast last week. Tired but happy
and a firsthand trip to Turkey and Greece where Paul
the Apostle journeyed and proclaimed the good news.
And to Arturo Rivera for
his one week substitution in
the parking premises at
Rosewood Garden in the
absence of Ver Fajardo.
BLESSINGS OF EMPLOYMENT -- Thanks Be
to God for His blessing of job opportunities for
Joshua Ramos and Cesar Cacanindin. Joshua was
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NOVEMBER
Pastor Egay Refuerzo, Zenaida Tumangan, Beth
Piopongco, Christie Manacop, Lucas Jimeno,
Rebecca Rivera, Katie Gaitanou, Cion Caballero,
Bonifacio Romano, Jean Lacerna, Perla Pasilong,
Aurelio and Leonor Brazal, Connie Baradi, Amado
Umaguing, Robin Ramirez, Pastor Roy Padilla and
Pastor Danny Lacanilao.
CELEBRANTS
Birthdays
1 – Rae Mirandilla
5 - Melston Baradi
6 - Rebecca Rivera
7 – Chris Flores
13 – Ellen and Kane Stalians, Karen Karapetyan
14 – Khalid Velasco
15 – Christian Angelo Velicaria
16 – Bella Caballero, Roda Damian, Ethan Wong
17 – Keila Belle Kurihara, Lita Fajardo
18 – Kacey Shiloh Dumlao Lapus
19 – Adelaida Angeles
20 – Bryan Macadangdang
22 – Johann Parungao,
Jojo Gaviola
23 – Kevin Lapus
25 – John Corpuz, Jocelyn Velicaria
27 - Lito Laciste, Justine Grace Mendoza
29 – Cynthia Velicaria
30 – Andrew Bandong
b). Friends and Relatives of Members:
Annie Anson, Angie Tan Jocson,Felipe and Hilda
Galang, Ma. Corazon Reyes, Ronnie Mendoza,
Precioso Salvador, Jr., Florante
and Pedro Katigbak, Girlie Paray,
Gale, Corazon Alfonso, Joe T.
Mendoza, Nieves Antonino, Luz
M. Rosco, Carmen Aguas, Editha Lopez, Steve and
Grace Weltman, Imelda S. Bawas, Isabel
Rodriguez, Romy & Araceli Requentin, Gerardo
Bauzon,Edward Greenwell, Marites Camiso,
Georgia Gaitanou, Rodney Evans, Gina Arias,
Maria Villaflor, Eliseo Cunanan, Elizabeth
Verniere, Rachel Soliven, Christina Ignacio, Victor
Gecha, Milagros Nunag, Mat Armonio, Fiona
Molina, Raymond Webster Sr., Lynnette Nolan,
Sabio Family, Christa Wilburn, Bianca Burwell,
Renato Romano, John Catanes, Ebbie Aquino.
For Protection, Guidance and Comfort:
Elaine Wilburn,Benjie Davis, Preseli Laciste, Ed
and Cecil Manacop, Evelyn Manacop, Reuel de
Guzman, Thelma Magat, Abby Buencamino, Frank
and Jasmin Jimeno, Carla Manacop, Joanne Adolfo,
Roda, Nadine and Adrian Concepcion, Philip
Damian, Don Wilburn, Jr., Oscar Flores
Anniversaries
November 1 – Kevin and Grace Lapus – 3rd
November 16 - Aurelio & Leonor Brazal – 65th
November 22 - Fil and Patsy Sapinoso – 40th
d. For Job Opportunity:
Rizza Bandong, Chip Aquino
From Los Angeles District Covenant Prayer
Circle for November 2012:
In Our
HEARTS
November 4 – Pacific Palisades Community
United Methodist Church
November 11 – Pico Rivera United Methodist
Church
November 18 – Santa Monica 1st United Methodist
Church and the Upward Bound
House
November 25 – The Church in Ocean Park and the
Ocean Park Community Center
and in our
PRAYERS…
For Healing and Recovery:
a). Within the Church Community:
Julie Olivar, Jean Borje de Guzman, Estela Baradi,
Tong Wong, Andrew Bandong, Venancio Manacop,
Vicky Canlas, Rae Mirandilla, Ruth Manacop,
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COMING UP - ON OUR CHURCH
CALENDAR for NOVEMBER
NOVEMBER 1, THUR. (MANILA) - ALL SAINTS DAY
‘TODOS LOS SANTOS’; ‘UNDAS’ (PHILIPPINE HOLIDAY)
RUMC COMMUNITY OUTREACH MINISTRIES:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 4 - 23RD SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
DAYLIGHT SAVING TIME ENDS (‘FALL BACK’)
Let us continue to reach out to the less
fortunate brethren in our community
--- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 6, TUESDAY – ELECTION DAY
RUMC SOCIAL HALL WILL BE USED AS POLLING PLACE
November 16, Friday, 1:00 pm --- Food Distribution @ Rosewood UMC
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 10 AND 17, SAT. ,9:00 - 11:00 AM
BREAKFAST WITH THE PASTOR
FAITH CONVERSATION ABOUT CHURCH MEMBERSHIP
December 7, Friday, 1:00 pm --- Food Distribution @ Rosewood Gardens
Community Center
--- ---------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 11 – 24TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
VETERANS DAY
ORGAN AND TISSUE DONOR SUNDAY
December 1, Sat., - 10 am to 1 pm
Neighborhood Immigration Clinic @ Chapel
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 16, FRI., 1:00 PM – FOOD DISTRIBUTION
@ ROSEWOOD UMC SOCIAL HALL
7:00 PM – MASIGASIG BIBLE STUDY
JOE AND LOU DIAZ RESIDENCE
15071 CERECITA DRIVE, WHITTIER
December 8 - 10 am to 3:00 pm
Under The Tree @ the Front Lawn
and in the Church Facilities
---------------------------------------------------------------- ----------------------------NOVEMBER 18, 11 AM - THANKSGIVING SUNDAY
BIBLE SUNDAY - 25TH SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
NATIONAL BIBLE WEEK NOV. 11 TO THE 24TH
-------------------------------------------------------------------------------------
NOVEMBER 22, THUR. - THANKSGIVING DAY!
SUNDAY SCHOOL SCHEDULE:
“That my heart may sing to you and not be silent.
O Lord my God, I will give you thanks for ever.”
Psalm 30:12
Adult English ---- 10:00 am --------Lita Fajardo
Contemporary Youth Bible Study ---1:30 pm
Leaders ------------ Kevin and Grace Lapus
Children -- 11:15 am:
Nursery and Kinder------Rizza Bandong, Edilyn
Ramos, Michael and Ederlyn Wandag
Grade 1 and 2 ---------------------- Bubbles Abrena
Grades 3 & 4 --------------------------Ellen Stalians
Grades 5 and 6-------------------------Levita Lopez
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NOVEMBER 25– LAST SUNDAY AFTER PENTECOST
CHRIST THE KING/REIGN OF CHRIST SUNDAY
UNITED METHODIST STUDENT DAY
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DECEMBER 1, SATURDAY @ 9:00 AM
“HANGING OF THE GREENS”
DECORATION, PREPARATION
FOR THE ADVENT SEASON
* NEIGHBORHOOD IMMIGRATION CLINIC
9:00 AM TO 1:00 PM AT THE CHAPEL
Sunday School Superintendent--------Naila Lapus
Christian Education Chairperson----Jean Lacerna
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DECEMBER 2 - 1ST SUNDAY OF ADVENT
CHRISTMAS TIME IS HERE!!!!
Pilipino Bible Study & Fellowship
Tuesday, 6:30 pm
“PREPARE IN THE DESERT A HIGHWAY…”
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English Bible Study & Fellowship
Thursday, 10:30 am
Teacher: Linda Adamos
DECEMBER 8, SAT., 10:00 AM TO 3:00 PM
UNDER THE TREE
OUTREACH MINISTRY
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Paradigm of the Lost
(A Poem by Perry Marciano)
1
6
Who am I, why am I; what am I for?
Before I am, I was not; wherefore was I?
Now I am. I exist. What for that I am?
I am now, but shortly after, I am not.
Wherefore am I when I am no more?
I know my coming was set for, not by chance;
For if not, vanity shall be my reason for being.
Then shall I be consumed by nothingness;
Thrown into the mills of time, turned to nil;
Not leaving any mark, a print, nor a grave.
2
7
Now I am but later am not, did it matter?
Being that I am now what then is it for?
I don’t’ even know where I came from.
Neither I know the reason why I am;
Yet I sense a being, an awareness of me.
I dealt with the world, for all it may give;
To find myself amidst the struggles of men;
I laughed, shed tears, rose up and fell down;
But all are fancy parts and bits of my existence;
They failed to make me for what I should be.
3
8
Whereupon shall I carve my name?
To whom shall I witness my existence?
My good deeds, whom shall I present them?
My faults and misdeeds await retribution,
To whose court shall I surrender them?
Aimlessly, I searched the other side of me;
The part of me that barely existed with me;
There I found my soul long abandoned, in pain;
Crying haplessly, reaching out for my hands;
Like an orphan happy to see her mother again.
4
9
I am now in the strange world of mortals.
I was formed, molded from its dust.
Flesh, bones and blood I am composed of;
Yet I feel I am more than a bunch of flesh;
More than the breath of time and space.
Thereupon, I saw myself in my soul, the true me.
My spirit rejoiced; for at last I have found myself!
I looked up at my Maker, gently smiling at me;
Stretching His arms in a welcoming gesture;
5
10
Was I sent to find the meaning of me?
To discover the mystery of what I am?
Yet, my coming was without a blueprint;
But I sense in me a being, a living soul.
A right to claim what I was created to be.
Now, I know who I am, and why I am here for;
The world was made especially, purposely for me;
To make or break me; yet how fortunate I am;
To find myself amidst the distractions of life;
And found my Maker, Redeemer, and my God!
“My precious child, welcome to my Kingdom”.
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NOVEMBER HOLIDAYS
Veterans Day is an annual American holiday honoring military veterans. Both a federal holiday and a state
holiday in all states, it is usually observed on November 11. However, if it occurs on a Sunday then the following
Monday is designated for holiday leave, and if it occurs Saturday then either Saturday or Friday may be so
designated. It is also celebrated as Armistice Day or Remembrance Day in other parts of the world, falling on
November 11, the anniversary of the signing of the Armistice that ended World War I (major hostilities of World
War I were formally ended at the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918 with the German signing of
the Armistice.)
The holiday is commonly printed as Veteran's Day or Veterans' Day in calendars and advertisements. While these
spellings are grammatically acceptable, the United States government has declared that the attributive (no
apostrophe) rather than the possessive case is the official spelling.
Thanksgiving or Thanksgiving Day, celebrated on the fourth Thursday in November, has officially been an
annual tradition in the U.S. since 1863, when during the Civil War, President Abraham Lincoln proclaimed a
national day of thanksgiving to be celebrated on Thursday, November 26. As a federal and popular holiday in the
U.S., Thanksgiving is one of the "big six" major holidays of the year (along with Christmas, New Year’s Day,
Memorial Day, Fourth of July, and Labor Day). Together with Christmas and the New Year, Thanksgiving is a part
of the broader ‘holiday season’.
The event that Americans commonly call the "First Thanksgiving" was celebrated to give thanks to the Native
Americans for helping the Pilgrims of the Plymouth Colony survive their first brutal winter in New England. The
first Thanksgiving feast lasted three days, providing
enough food for 53 pilgrims and 90 Native
Americans. The feast consisted of fish, (cod, eels, and
bass) and shellfish (clams, lobster, and mussels), wild
fowl (ducks, geese, swans, and turkey), venison,
berries, and fruit, vegetables (peas, pumpkin, beetroot
and possibly, wild or cultivated onion), harvest grains
(barley and wheat), and the Three Sisters -- beans,
dried Indian maize or corn, and squash. The New
England colonists were accustomed to regularly
celebrating thanksgivings"— days of prayer thanking
God for blessings such as military victory or the end
of a drought.*
The First Thanksgiving at Plymouth by Brownscombe
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STEWARDSHIP CAMPAIGN -
13
Practicing Extravagant Generosity
THANKSGIVING CORNER
Giving Thanks for a Committed Life
BE THANKFUL
A Prayer by Martin Luther King
Be thankful that you don't already have everything
you desire.
If you did, what would there be to look forward to?
Be thankful when you don't know something,
for it gives you the opportunity to learn.
O God, our heavenly Father, we thank thee for this
golden privilege to worship thee, the only true God
of the universe. We come to thee today grateful that
thou hast kept us through the long night of the past
and ushered us into the challenge of the present and
the bright hope of the future. We are mindful, O
God, that man cannot save himself, for man is not
the measure of things and humanity is not God.
Be thankful for the difficult times. During those
times you grow.
Be thankful for your limitations, because they give
you opportunities for improvement.
Be thankful for each new challenge, because it will
build your strength and character.
Bound by our chains of sin and finiteness, we know
we need a savior. We thank thee, O God, for the
spiritual nature of man. We are in nature but we live
above nature. Help us never to let anyone or any
condition pull us so low as to cause us to hate. Give
us the strength to love our enemies and do good to
those who despitefully use us and persecute us.
Be thankful for your mistakes. They will teach you
valuable lessons.
Be thankful when you're tired and weary, because it
means you've made a difference.
It's easy to be thankful for the good things.
A life of rich fulfillment comes to those who are
also thankful for the setbacks.
Gratitude can turn a negative
into a positive.
Find a way to be thankful for
your troubles, and they can
become your blessings.
We thank thee for thy Church, founded upon the
Word, that challenges us to do more than sing and
pray, but go out and work as though the very
answer to our prayers depended on us and not upon
thee. Then, finally, help us to realize that man was
created to shine like the stars and live on through all
eternity.
Author unknown
Keep us, we pray, in perfect peace, help us to walk
together, pray together, sing together, and live
together until that day when all of God's children—
Black, White, Red, and Yellow—will rejoice in one
common band of humanity in the kingdom of our
Lord and of our God, we pray. Amen.
DESPARATE MAN -- It's the day before
Thanksgiving, and the butcher is just locking up when
a man begins pounding on the front door.
Man: Please let me in. I forgot to buy a turkey, and
my wife will kill me if I don't come home with one."
Butcher: Okay, let me see what I have left.
(He goes into the freezer and discovers that there's
only one scrawny turkey left. He brings it out to show
the man).
Butcher: Well, here’s what’s left…
Man: That one is too skinny. What else have you got?
The butcher takes the bird back into the freezer and
waits a few minutes and brings the same turkey back
out to the man.
Man: Oh, no, no… that one doesn't look any better.
You better just give me both of them!
Source: Harold A. Carter's Prayer Tradition of Black
People (1985)
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UNITED METHODIST QUESTIONS
UNITED METHODIST ANSWERS
EXPLORING CHRISTIAN FAITH By F. Belton Joyner
8. BIBLE
43. What is the Bible’s authority?
The Bible's authority comes fro God. United Methodists (along with almost all Christian
communions) believe that God chose to reveal God's very self by inspiring writers to
record accounts of God's movement in, through, and in spite of God's people. The church
in prayerful reflection identified those written sources which were consistent with the
apostolic faith. For United Methodists, the canon (literally, measuring stick, but here
meaning the authorized Scriptures) consists of thirty-nine books of the Old Testament
and twenty-seven books of the New Testament. For Christians, Jesus Christ--the Word
became flesh (John 1:14)---is the lens through which to look at the Bible.
Although he read voraciously, John Wesley claimed to be " a man of one Book." That view established firm
roots for the centrality of Scripture in Methodist life and thought. The Evangelical United Brethren cousins have
been no less clear about the Bible: "the true rule and guide for faith and practice" (Confession of Faith, article
IV). (See 2 Tim. 3:16.)
The most important thing about the Bible is that it contains all we need to know in order to be saved (article V,
Articles of Religion; article IV, Confession of Faith). In effect, the principle is "If is ain't in the Book, don't
worry about it, leastways in terms of salvation."
United Methodists do not agree on how to study the Bible (see question 46).
Persons might read the same passage and come to diametrically opposed views.
Does this mean that one is right and the other wrong? Perhaps, sometimes, it
does, but more often it means that God has more to reveal to us than any one of
us can grasp (2 Tim. 2:14). In order to hear God, we need each other! Surely the
God who inspired poetry (The Psalms), law (Leviticus), history (Exodus), story
(Ruth), letters (Romans), Gospels (Matthew), legend (Genesis); admonition
(Obadiah); and imagery (Revelation) has recognized that the One Story, One
Truth, One Love, One Grace, One Word has many shapes. All of this just so we
can be saved through Jesus Christ!
Come, Holy Ghost (for moved by thee the prophets wrote and spoke), unlock
the truth, thyself the key, unseal the sacred book.
Another question: What is the salvation story revealed in the Bible?
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UNITED METHODIST
CHURCH
SOCIAL CREED 2008
United Methodist Church Social Creed 2008
We believe in God, Creator of the world; and in
Jesus Christ, the Redeemer of creation. We believe in
the Holy Spirit, through whom we acknowledge
God’s gifts, and we repent of our sin in misusing
these gifts to idolatrous ends.
Important Dates in the History of
the United Methodist Social Creed
1907 Methodist Episcopal Church leaders Herbert Welch,
Harry F. Ward, Worth Tippy, Elbert Robb Zaring, and
Frank Mason North call a meeting in Washington’s
Ebbitt House to found a “Methodist League for Social
Service,” patterned after the Wesleyan Methodist Union
for Social Service in England. On December 3, 25 people
found the Methodist Federation for Social Service
(MFSS), electing Herbert Welch as president. The next
day the group is received by President Theodore
Roosevelt in the White House.
1908 MFSS members author & secure adoption of the 1st
Social Creed by the M.E. General Conference, as well as
formal recognition of MFSS itself. Over 1000 attend a
MFSS information meeting during General Conference.
1909 United Brethren in Christ Church adopts a social
creed.
1914 The Methodist Episcopal Church - South, adopts a
social creed much like that of the Methodist Episcopal
Church.
1916 The Methodist Protestant Church adopts the social
creed of the Methodist Episcopal Church
1972 Following the 1968 union of the Methodist Church
and the Evangelical United Brethren Church, the General
Board of Church and Society is created; General
Conference adopts Social Principles.
We affirm the natural world as God’s handiwork
and dedicate ourselves to its preservation,
enhancement, and faithful use by humankind.
We joyfully receive for ourselves and others the
blessings of community, sexuality, marriage, and
the family.
We commit ourselves to the rights of men, women,
children, youth, young adults, the aging, and people
with disabilities; to improvement of the quality of
life; and to the rights and dignity of all persons.
We believe in the right and duty of persons to work
for the glory of God and the good of themselves and
others and in the protection of their welfare in so
doing; in the rights to property as a trust from God,
collective bargaining, and responsible consumption;
and in the elimination of economic and social
distress.
We dedicate ourselves to peace throughout the
world, to the rule of justice and law among nations,
and to individual freedom for all people of the
world.
We believe in the present and final triumph of God’s
Word in human affairs and gladly accept our
commission to manifest the life of the gospel in the
world. Amen.
ROSEWOOD UNITED
METHODIST CHURCH
From The Book of Discipline of The United Methodist
Church – 2008. Copyright 2008 by The United Methodist
Publishing House. Used by permission.
4101 W. Rosewood Avenue
Los Angeles, California 90004
Tel: (323) 662-1194 Fax: (323) 662-6648
E-mail: [email protected]
Website: www.rosewoodumc.com
Office Days/Hours:
Monday to Friday, 8:00 AM – 4:00 PM
Bishop Minerva G. Carcano, Resident Bishop
Rev. Dr. Kathy M. Wilborn, District Superintendent
Rev. Dr. David Meren Jamir, Senior Pastor
Romulo “Roy” Padilla, Pilipino Ministry
Nolita “Lita” Fajardo, Administrative Assistant
Erich Parungao, Choir Director
Morris Villarosa, Pianist/Organist
Vergilio “Ver” Fajardo, Custodian
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