A Note From Pastor Ben
Dear Friends,
Thanksgiving just may be my favorite holiday of the year. For one thing, it involves a meal—not just eating (which would be good enough) but an event. People gather with family and friends and sometimes with strangers to break bread in a way that is meaningful.
The other reason I love Thanksgiving is that it asks us to do something spiritually beneficial. Thanksgiving asks us to give thanks. To remember the goodness of life, and blessings of God and to be grateful.
The spiritual benefits of giving thanks are not just to be found in the warm feeling we have when we think happy thoughts. Gratitude is the opposite of greed, and greed, in all of its forms, makes us miserable. When we are greedy we never are satisfied. Greed keeps us from contentment by mocking us for what we don’t have. Greed causes us to look inward so that we don’t see the blessings that have been bestowed upon us.
But gratitude is the antidote to greed. When we are grateful we remember that have enough—and usually more than enough—to be happy. When we give thanks we are able to see beyond ourselves to discover the needs of those who are less fortunate. When we give thanks we are more prepared to be generous with the bounty God gives to us.
So take advantage of the gift that is Thanksgiving. Be thankful, and with gratitude in you hears be generous. While you’re at it, enjoy a happy thanksgiving meal.
Peace Be With You,
Ben
Big Changes to our Website!
Peg Nickl, Office Administrator
The Foothill Presbyterian Church website foothillpc.org has a great new look. Thanks to the Music Series for purchasing web publishing software, and to Carol Tillman for getting the project started. We still have additional information we plan to add, so check back often to see how we're progressing.
Each week we will publish a video of Sunday's sermon and a PDF file of the Sunday bulletin under Information/Worship and Sermons. Upcoming events and activities can be found under Information/Events. The Music Series has it's own page complete with concert announcements and calendar. We've also updated the Preschool page to include more detailed enrollment information, a daily schedule, and a link to the Preschool Newsletter. The church calendar can be found under Home/Event Calendar and Information/Calendar.
Please feel free to give me your feedback. It's important that the site be a useful tool for the members of the Foothill Community as well as an invitation for people seeking a church. We're interested in all feed back, so let us know what you think can be improved, if anything doesn't work for you, and of course what you like about the new site. Send me an email, give me a call, or stop by the office. I'm happy to give personal tours of the site.
Nancy and Bill Leonard, Event Chairmen
THANK YOU!!! Thank you!! To all the volunteers who made the 2011 Halloween Festival for the children of the church and the children of the neighborhood a success. The Festival took place on the Saturday before Halloween from 6 to 8 pm and was attended by at least 175 young children and their parents.
Hours of planning, set up and take down honors go to Peg Nickl, Rene’ Banks, Harvey LeValley, Herb and Jan Miller, Greg Hill, Jerry Siegfried and Nancy and Bill Leonard.
Gay Southwell and Kathy Havis-Faler greeted our guests.
Darlene Ristrim, Joyce Banks, Pat Heisey, Nancy Rubio and Jane Wallace kept the hot dogs, chips and drinks rolling.
Trick or Treat Doors were manned by Virginia Siegfried, Don Village and Nikki Guzzetta and friend.
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| Pastor Ben does magic tricks for a group of trick-or-treaters |
Tine Ude made and gave out popcorn.
Games were led by Eileen Parks, Jan Miller, Rene’ Banks, Ronn Ealy and Dana and Ben Marino.
Airbrush tattoo artist was Herb Miller and Face Painter was Donna Guzzetta.
Anna Ealy manned the crafts in the Enchanted House and Peg Nickl created balloon concoctions to delight little trick or treaters.
Anne Daniel was the candy queen making sure adequate supplies of sweets were everywhere while Ben Daniel transformed from pastor to illusionist.
Jerry Siegfried and Darlene Siegfried provided wagon rides around the back field.
And, of course, thanks to Jazzercise participants and all the church family who dropped off candy.
The Semibreve
Jay Jordana, Director of Music Ministries
KODÁLY SUMMER INSTITUTE vs. SUMMER FUN AND FROLICK.
(Who won?)
They did warn us. They did say that it was going to be very intense. They even recommended not planning on scheduling other events within those three weeks. It was going to be complete immersion – no less than that. I thought to myself: “Yeah, yeah, I’ve been busy before. It’ll be cake.” Well, what Holy Names University couldn’t quite capture or adequately describe was how truly grueling, mind-numbingly stressful, and supremely humbling the whole experience would be. In hindsight, I can say that I’m so glad that I made the decision to take three weeks off from Foothill.
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Every day at the Kodály Summer Institute, from 8:30 am – 4:00 PM, five days a week, was like boot camp: My schedule started with choral conducting (my favorite!) where students chose pieces from a wide selection of significant choral literature to conduct in front of the class. This was followed by music theory where we did music dictation, sight reading/singing, singing and playing (on the piano) in canon with one’s self. We were asked to do things that… well, let’s just say that it’s amazing what the human mind can do and learn in a very short period of time. I think I used brain cells that I didn’t even think I had! This class was then followed by choir where we got to sing great literature. Then there was a forty-five minute lunch break (our only one!). Classes then resumed with pedagogy where we learned Kodály teaching methods and techniques. Finally, the day ended with practicum where we demonstrated what we learned in the previous day’s practicum class. Through all of this, and regardless of the challenge, I was in great company. Surrounded by fellow professional musicians and educators who were highly skilled and talented, I took comfort in the fact that we were supporting each other through the learning process, and I guess in the grand scheme of things, we were working together to maintain the integrity and respectability of the teaching profession. Then even more significant was the fact that we were all taught and nurtured by an amazing faculty who were masters in their own right from different parts of the world. Central to this was an amazing musician, conductor, and educator László Matos who teaches in the best music university in Europe, the Liszt Ferenc Academy of Music in Budapest, Hungary. I was especially grateful and lucky that he chose me to conduct in the final concert. It was great working with him. I learned so much. We were all very fortunate indeed!
After those three weeks, I thought: “Yes, I get my life back!” However, I look back and think: Yes, it was stressful. Yes, it was exhausting, but it was also supremely rewarding because I walked away from those three weeks learning so much about the Kodály system, about other people and myself.
I’d like to thank the Session and Ben Daniel for their continued support of my professional growth and development. The Summer Institute was truly an invaluable experience for which I will always be grateful.
NOVEMBER OFFERINGS
Pusaka Sunda – CD Release Concert!
Sunday, November 6th, 3 PM
Pusaka Sunda, a 10-instrument gamelan degung group, under the direction of master suling bamboo flute player, Burhan Sukarma, will present a concert of traditional and contemporary music of West Java, Indonesia. Since 1988, Pusaka Sunda has performed frequently throughout the Bay Area and beyond. www.pusakasunda.org
South Bay Philharmonic
Friday, November 11th, 7:30 PM
This concert will feature Carl Nielsen's Symphony No. 3, Movt. IV, the U.S. premiere of Ludolf Nielsen's Symphony No. 3, Movt. I, Edvard Grieg's, Symphonic Dances, Movt. I, II, and IV. www.southbayphilharmonic.org
Suggested Donation $10 per person/concert
Read More
DECEMBER SNEAK PEAK
The 11th Annual Festival of Carols
Friday, December 9th, 7 PM
This year will feature some of Foothill’s ensembles and resident musicians as well as special guests Voices of the Valley, Prime Time and others. Bring your family and friends. We promise it won’t be three hours long
Suggested Donation: Non-perishable food items will benefit the Lord’s Pantry to help those in need. Thank you.
VIVALDI’S GLORIA
What a glorious experience it was! Thank you so much to the choir, the soloists, and all the other musicians who made this event possible. More importantly, we would like to thank the donors to the Psalm 150 fund who made this experience possible. We are so blessed to have had a generous resource to allow us to hire an orchestra, singers, and soloists to join our choir to enhance our worship experience in this way.
Update: Because of this event’s success, the donors donated an additional $7,000 to the Psalm 150 fund. Our gratitude is beyond expression. Thank you.
WHAT’S UP IN THE HOOD?
As of last week, I began using the Kodály system to teach music literacy to the students of Foothill Christian Pre-school. What this means is that every Thursday morning, the children and I engage in song games to make and learn about music. This is possible because the Kodály system of education uses folk songs to impart music theory to the children. It is a fun way to teach music literacy. For more information about the Kodály system, check out http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kod%C3%A1ly_Method
I’m grateful to Trisha Trahan for this musical collaboration. It’s been fun!
NOVEMBER TIDBIT
What is the third partial in the harmonic series? Explain.
Hint: If you cut a piece of string in half (and another and so on), what specifically happens to the sound?
Please email me your complete response. If yours is correct, you get to choose the closing hymn of the final worship service this month. First one to let me know the correct answer gets the prize! Hurry!
Congratulations to Kenny BehlenKenny Behlen (Shirley Riley's grandson and Maureen Riley-Behlen's son) achieved the rank of Eagle Scout from Troop 13 on October 23.
Kenny built a new bench in the courtyard in memory of his grandfather, Mel Riley. He also sanded and re-stained the three benches in and near the courtyard, moved a sprinkler and landscaping, and laid flagstone in the front of the new bench.
*Bible Lesson*
Chapel Day with Pastor Ben
Wednesday, November 2
*Spiritual Message is Helping*
Help others that are in need; don't just wish them well.
James2:15-16
Give, and it will be given to you.
Good measure, pressed down, shaken together,
running over, will be put into your lap.
For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.
Luke 6:38
*Special Days in November*
Every Thursday- Music day with Jay Jordana
(Kodaly Method, The Child-development approach to music)
11/18 School Portrait Day
11/22 Thanksgiving Potluck Lunch
11/29-12/5 Scholastic Book Fair
Join Gina del Rosario-Fontela in the Mission to wipe out blood cancer.
To make a donation, go to
http://pages.teamintraining.org/sf/BigSurHM11/gdelroaryh
Gina del Rosario is raising funds on behalf of Roxie Banks.
For more information contact René Banks.
Sunday, November 6
Rain Ponchos and Umbrellas for the Homeless
It's bad enough that there are so many people living on our streets without income or homes. It's much worse, unbelievably awful, when it rains and these brothers and sisters of ours get wet.
For nearly ten years the Presbytery, through its churches, has purchased over 50,000 rain ponchos for homeless people. The Presbytery needs your help to distribute rain ponchos and umbrellas to these people they call "outdoor citizens".
A donation bin is located inside the narthex door next to the Lord's pantry bin. Deadline for this collection is Wednesday, November 16th.
If you prefer to make a financial donation, please make your check payable to FPC and write "ponchos" in the memo.
The Lord’s Pantry HolidayFood Drive
The Lord’s Pantry will be feeding 500 families for Thanksgiving, in addition to the 30-65 families they help feed everyday. The following is a list of items needed for the Holiday Meal Packages.
We will begin collecting frozen turkeys November 13th
The Lord’s Pantry will be feeding 500 families for Thanksgiving, in addition to the 30-65 families they help feed everyday. The following is a list of items needed for the Holiday Meal Packages.
We will begin collecting frozen turkeys November 13th
Meat
Whole Chicken
Whole Chicken
Ham
Turkeys
Produce
Potatoes
Carrots
Apples
Oranges
What is Needed Most
Cranberry Sauce
Canned Pumpkin
Packaged Gravy Mix
Stuffing Mix
Stove Top Stuffing
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Canned or Packaged Broth
Canned Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Large Paper Grocery Bags
They also need volunteers to help pack and distribute the food.
Sunday, November 20, beginning at Noon
Move food to Luther Hall and bag
Monday, November 21
9AM-11AM Set up & 11AM to 3PM Distribute
Tuesday, November 22
9AM-11AM Set up & 11AM to 3PM Distribute
Wednesday, November 23
9AM-11AM Set up & 11AM to 3PM Distribute
beginning at 3PM Clean up
Contact Martha Perez to volunteer, 408-258-7563.
60 Toys for 4 year old girls and boys.
This year we are helping 30 little girls and 30 little boys to have a Merry Christmas.
Please make a donation of a toy or gift item between now and Sunday December 18th. The Lord’s pantry will give these gifts to the children of their client families.
Keep on eye on sale and clearance items each time you go to the store. We need toys, books, puzzles, art supplies, dress up items and games. Even the smallest gift will make a huge difference to a child that may otherwise receive no presents this year.
Turkeys
Produce
Potatoes
Carrots
Apples
Oranges
What is Needed Most
Cranberry Sauce
Canned Pumpkin
Packaged Gravy Mix
Stuffing Mix
Stove Top Stuffing
Canned Sweet Potatoes
Canned or Packaged Broth
Canned Vegetables
Canned Fruit
Large Paper Grocery Bags
They also need volunteers to help pack and distribute the food.
Sunday, November 20, beginning at Noon
Move food to Luther Hall and bag
Monday, November 21
9AM-11AM Set up & 11AM to 3PM Distribute
Tuesday, November 22
9AM-11AM Set up & 11AM to 3PM Distribute
Wednesday, November 23
9AM-11AM Set up & 11AM to 3PM Distribute
beginning at 3PM Clean up
Contact Martha Perez to volunteer, 408-258-7563.
60 Toys for 4 year old girls and boys.
This year we are helping 30 little girls and 30 little boys to have a Merry Christmas.
Please make a donation of a toy or gift item between now and Sunday December 18th. The Lord’s pantry will give these gifts to the children of their client families.
Keep on eye on sale and clearance items each time you go to the store. We need toys, books, puzzles, art supplies, dress up items and games. Even the smallest gift will make a huge difference to a child that may otherwise receive no presents this year.
Worship Opportunities
Please sign up to be a greeter, to serve coffee hour, or to bring flowers. These jobs are very important to the Sunday fellowship of our church.
We especially need people for coffee hour. It’s not hard, just bring in some treats and brew some coffee. If you need help, just ask.
Flowers and Coffee Hour are also a wonderful way to share your
special days, like birthdays and anniversaries, with your church family. Dedications can be included in the Sunday bulletin. Sign up sheets are posted just inside the narthex door.
Please sign up to be a greeter, to serve coffee hour, or to bring flowers. These jobs are very important to the Sunday fellowship of our church.
We especially need people for coffee hour. It’s not hard, just bring in some treats and brew some coffee. If you need help, just ask.
Flowers and Coffee Hour are also a wonderful way to share your
special days, like birthdays and anniversaries, with your church family. Dedications can be included in the Sunday bulletin. Sign up sheets are posted just inside the narthex door.
Family Camp Kids Program
Peg Nickl
Over Family Camp weekend our kids learned about charity and the importance of giving. They learned about Heifer® International and as a group decided to collect enough money to buy bees, chicks, and a sheep.
They chose bees to provide honey and wax to sell, chicks for eggs to eat and sell, and a sheep to provide milk and warm wool.
The kids decorated shipping tubes to use as collection banks. They also decorated a really big tube to let everyone at Foothill know what they are trying to accomplish.
Please look for the Heifer® display in the narthex and help the kids meet their goal of $170.00.
Peg Nickl
Over Family Camp weekend our kids learned about charity and the importance of giving. They learned about Heifer® International and as a group decided to collect enough money to buy bees, chicks, and a sheep.
They chose bees to provide honey and wax to sell, chicks for eggs to eat and sell, and a sheep to provide milk and warm wool.
The kids decorated shipping tubes to use as collection banks. They also decorated a really big tube to let everyone at Foothill know what they are trying to accomplish.
Please look for the Heifer® display in the narthex and help the kids meet their goal of $170.00.
The Life of a Seminary Student & Chaplain
Maxine MillenderWhen facing a crisis, trust God and move forward-D. De Haan
During the month of September, I worked a total of 13 nights. This month was filled with many different kinds of crises that have been extremely emotional for staff and me. I had a baby death (1), 2 code blues and both ended in death, crisis calls (6), trauma calls (4), motor vehicle accidents (4), stabbing (2), assaults (1), 1 gun- shot that ended in death, strokes (3), sexual assault (1), full arrest (1), drinking (1), falls (4), domestic abuse(1), burns (1), football injuries (3), and a resuscitated arrest (1) that ended in death. Ages of patients varied from 14 yrs to 65. When the young patients come in without their parents, I spent a lot more time with them because they are scared and anxious.
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Early Saturday morning (Sept 3rd), three young men (22-24 yrs) were air lifted to the hospital because they fell from a 3rd floor balcony. They had gone to a house party, went outside for some fresh air, the bolts which normally hold it, let go. When they first arrived, they were talking but then shock set in. The Doctors had our x-ray people taking many x-rays in order to determine the extent of damage to their bodies. One of then had to be intubated to help him breath, one was in a very high level of pain because he landed feet first, and another one was scared he was going to die. At times like this when parents have not arrived, it is important to reassure them their parents have been notified, are en-route, and also let them know I will not leave them.Their parents had been notified by police and this gave me the opportunity to spend time with each of them. When the parents arrived and were informed by me they could not go in, they were not happy. After 40 minutes they were allowed to go in. They asked so many questions of their sons that I had to escort them to the family waiting room. I asked the Doctor to visit with them to give medical updates. Sometimes family members don’t understand that when too many questions are asked or they remain too long with the patient, it can cause the patient to be more anxious. After the Doctor left I spent time with the immediate family to explain why it is sometimes best to let the RNs and Doctors complete their assessment and then receive an update. After being on our trauma floor for several days and many operations, they were sent to a regular floor and have been discharged to recover at their homes.
Before midnight on Wednesday (9/28), a young man (20 yrs) was brought in because he had been shot. Someone brought him to a medical center and left him and he was airlifted to the hospital. The police arrived, had already spoken to his Mom but did not have a suspect in custody. His aunt arrived, called her sister and we spoke, and gave me verbal consent that her sister could receive medical information (policemen had given me her name). He was rushed to OR, his Dad arrived and in the midst of meeting him, OR called me to inform me the patient had died. He was shot in the chest and neck and according to the Doctor, the gun shots were meant to kill him. When I brought immediate family to the OR waiting room, the Doctor came out to inform them he tried everything but could not medically save him, he was so sorry, and the medical examiner would be called. The patient’s Mom was on the East coast for business but was able to get an emergency flight that morning. I had to inform the family they would be able to see him but not touch him. His immediate family included his three young sisters and one brother. When I brought his girlfriend and friends to see him, they all sobbed and some passed out. The Father pleaded with me to keep his body at the hospital until his spouse arrived but I had to explain that we had to call the medical examiner and jurisdiction would belong to them and all conversations would be channeled through them. This was extremely emotional and I spent about 4 hours with the family, friends, police, crime unit, and medical examiner.
All of the football players brought in for head injuries were released after being in our ER for several hours of observation. The young lady who had gone to a party and drank too much was released after 6 hours. A young man (14 yrs) came in with burns on his chest and was in a lot of pain; his parents came with him but only wanted me to pray with them. They did not want to discuss anything. The young lady who came to the hospital for sexual assault had gone home, showered, put on fresh clothes, and left the evidence at home. We had our policemen talk to her and take a statement. She did not want to speak to the Chaplain.
I continue to thank God for the wonderful call of being a Chaplain. It is a blessing to be present for a patient and their family and be there at their lowest point. I am a servant to them!
Seminary status
The first exam (6 pages) has been completed, research books have been received, and I have yet to start reading them. I am fortunate that one of the writers is a Professor in a Christian college and has agreed to let me interview him by phone. It is due the 2nd week in November and this will come quickly. My church has voted to support my ordination service, which is tentatively scheduled for late April.
Thank you so much for your continued prayers.
~ to be continued~
Worry is pulling tomorrow’s CLOUDS over today’s SUNSHINE-Adrian Rogers
Foothill Fellowship Lunch
Wednesday, November 30th
11:30AM @ Denny's
Capitol Ave & Berryessa Road
Fiber Arts Group
meets every 1st & 2nd Saturday
in Room 9 at 10AM.
All are welcome.
Men's Breakfast
First Saturday of the Month
8:30AM
