A new heart I will give you, and a new spirit I will put within you
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A Publication of First Christian Church of North Hollywood
A Congregation of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Rev. Dr. Robert M. Bock, Senior Pastor
Jennifer Le’au, Director of Children’s Ministries
Jeremy Gillett, Director of Youth Ministries
Alfredo Gomez & Loydi Rivas Gomez, Pastors, Spanish Speaking Congregation
Volume LXIII No. 80 January 13, 2021
A new heart
I will give you,
and a new spirit
I will put within you
EZ EK IEL 36:26
JOIN US ONLINE FOR WORSHIP EACH SUNDAY AT 10AM - PLUS GROUPS,
STUDIES, SPECIAL EVENTS, GAME NIGHTS AND MORE — WWW.FCCNH.ORG
Page 2 January 13, 2021 First Christian News
Some of you know that Bob has been experiencing
pain in his right leg for quite some time. The neurologist
thought it was because he was spending too many hours
a day sitting at the computer. The oncologist thought
the neuropathy was due to the Chemotherapy medica-
Below is a reprint of Pastor Bob’s nightly tion that he takes to keep his cancer in remission. By
epistle on January 11, 2021 for those who
mid-November Bob just wanted to get an epidural to
may have missed the emailed version.
relieve the pain so we went to an orthopedist who spe-
Good evening church family and friends, cializes in those. After an x-ray, he thought that Bob had
Tonight, Bob asked me if I would write the Nightly two choices: 1) back surgery or 2) increase the pain med-
Epistle and I said that I would be happy to do so. First ications. Neither one sounded like an acceptable option!
of all, Bob and I hope that you all had a wonderful New With the world of covid, the orthopedist did not feel
Year’s, even though it surely was a different one. We are it was safe for Bob to get an injection/epidural in a sur-
all grateful that 2021 is here and are continually praying gery center. So, I asked for a prescription to get an MRI
for peace, harmony and an abundance of love and un- done so we could see more in detail what was going on.
derstanding in the world. The day before Thanksgiving he had an MRI, and the
My Grandmother used to always say “Not com- Monday following we were told by the orthopedist that
plaining, just explaining”, and as I write this update, her he had a small mass that was pressing on his nerve and
words are running through my head! As most of you causing the excruciating pain that was radiating from
know, Bob does not like to complain, and he has usually his hip, down his right leg and into his foot. Ugg… that
kept his pains or challenges (as we are trying to look at was not the news we had at all expected to hear, but we
them) to himself. He never wants to worry anyone, and were grateful that we now knew what we were dealing
he always says that there are people who have it much with. It took several weeks to get a virtual appointment
worse than he does. But, since many of you have obvi- with a Spine specialist; meanwhile Bob continued to be
ously wondered why the nightly letters were absent for in incredible pain (and continued to fake it well!). On
over a week, I thought (with Bob’s permission) I would the 23rd of December, we were told by the Spine spe-
give you the “Cliff’s Notes” version of what has been cialist that surgery could easily remove the mass, but he
going on these past several months. wanted to talk with our oncologist first. On Christmas
The church office will be closed on
Monday, January 18th in observance of
the Martin Luther King Jr. Day holiday.
First Christian News January 13, 2021 Page 3
Eve we got a call from a Radiologist who advised us that We want you to know how much we both appreciate
after the two doctors consulted, they decided radiation your love and prayers and know that your good thoughts
would be a safer way to go in the environment we are will get him through the radiation and PT with flying
in now. The Radiologist assured us that whether or not colors. Thank you.
the mass was cancerous (we still do not know) the radi- Our dear friend, Cathy, has continued to send
ation would eliminate it completely in 10 treatments. in wonderful cartoons these past few weeks, and Bob
And, once the mass is gone, the nerve will no longer be will be sharing them with you in the upcoming Epis-
pinched, and the pain will go away. He also said that the tles. Also, many of you continue to send cartoons and
mobility in Bob’s right leg will come back once the mass charming sayings that will be incorporated into the
is gone. So, on the 30th of December Bob got “mapped” nightly letters again. So, please keep them coming. And,
for radiation and on New Year’s Eve got the good news on a personal note, I want to sincerely apologize for not
that they would be able to start radiation on Monday, getting our Christmas cards out this year! Truthfully,
January 4. How’s that for the start of a New Year? Bob they are still sitting in piles in the family room, but it
got through the first five treatments well, except for ex- doesn’t look like I am going to get to them. Please just
periencing some of the typical side effects of radiation. know how much I love and appreciate all of you, 365
This week he will resume them on Wednesday and will days a year, and how deeply we both feel your support.
hopefully be done with them on Tuesday the 20th. He Your prayers make a huge difference and we are so grate-
will have to do some physical therapy to increase his ful for them… and you!
strength in the leg, but he will gladly do so ASAP! With love,
Yikes… that was a longer explanation that I planned! Peggy (and “Pastor” Bob)
Page 4 January 13, 2021 First Christian News
A Fighting Spirit relate to a Firefighter’s commitment, which is under-
standable. I am reminded of the Apostle Paul and Barn-
I greet you in the Wonderful Magnificent name of abas and how persistent they were in preaching the
our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. Good News, considering the cost to themselves to be
Twenty years ago I was quite confused as to why nothing in comparison with obedience to Christ. They
firefighters from around the country were traveling in had just narrowly escaped being stoned to death in
enormous numbers to what some might call certain Iconium. The Jews from Antioch and Iconium tracked
death. I would imagine these firefighters had families, Paul down, stoned him, and left him for dead. But Paul
career goals, dreams, and/or aspirations that they one got up and went back into the city to preach the Good
day hoped to achieve. Moreover, why did they put their News. That’s commitment! Being a Disciple of Christ
personal journeys aside and put the well being of strang- calls for total commitment. As Christians, we no longer
ers as a top priority? Maybe it was their calling? Maybe belong to ourselves but to our Lord, for whom we are
it was their sense of patriotism? Maybe it was their ethi- called to suffer.
cal duty as outlined in the National Firefighters Code of As Christians, we can no longer say to the Afri-
Ethical Conduct; part which reads- “As
members of the Fire Service, we share
a responsibility to project an ethical
character of professionalism, integrity,
compassion, loyalty and honesty in all
that we do, all of the time. Never dis-
criminate on the basis of race, religion,
color, creed, age, marital status, nation-
al origin, ancestry, gender, sexual pref-
erence, medical condition or handicap.
The main purpose of the job is to save
life, reduce risk, provide humanitarian
services and protect the environment in
the most competent and effective man-
ner.” I don’t know the full reason they
respond time and time again, all I know
is that they do respond. They go above
and beyond the call of duty. That’s a liv-
ing active commitment!
Some of us might not be able to
First Christian News January 13, 2021 Page 5
can-American community in our country that “We feel road, he doesn’t need motivation to speed him up. What he
bad about your struggle but there is nothing more we needs is education to turn him around.
can do”, because lukewarm acceptance is much more Dr. King said, Injustice anywhere is a threat to justice
bewildering than outright rejection. We are once again everywhere.
stunned like we were 20 years ago when we saw the If those words aren’t poignant enough... maybe we
senseless violence on September 11, perhaps feeling should follow the actions of our Lord and Savior Jesus
overwhelmed and feeling like we can’t do anything. It’s Christ who saved a wretch like you and me. He died to
time to activate our Firefighters’ spirits. It’s time to acti- set our souls free! FCCNH, how do we hold ourselves
vate our Apostle Paul and Barnabas spirits. It is time to accountable to what Jesus has called us to do? Let’s pray
activate our Disciple of Christ calling. and think about how we as individuals and as a church
Abraham Lincoln said, This nation cannot survive family can make a difference in the fight for justice for all.
half slave and half free.
Thomas Jefferson said, We hold these truths to be self With Love
evident, that all men are created equal. Jeremy Gillett
Jim Rohn said, If someone is going down the wrong Director of Youth Ministries
10:00 am (PT) tuesday morning
zoom bible study
JOIN ZOOM MEETING AT:
www.us02web.zoom.us/j/87441338629?pwd=REZ2ME0zL0hLcE9WbGxqOTU4b0hNdz09
MEETING ID: 874 4133 8629 PASSCODE: B24253
ONE TAP MOBILE
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MEETING ID: 874 4133 8629 PASSCODE: 946157
OR FIND YOUR LOCAL NUMBER AT: www.us02web.zoom.us/u/kAb0e2wC8
Page 6 January 13, 2021 First Christian News
FAMILY
6:30PM TUESDAYS GAME NIGHT
VIA ZOOM SUNDAYS . 4PM ON ZOOM!
EMAIL JASON PETERSON AT Fun and prizes for the winners
to join in the fun, email
MEMBERSHIP@FCCNH.ORG Jason Peterson at
TO JOIN IN ON THE FUN membership@fccnh.org
WOMEN to WOMEN
WEEKLY MEN’S GROUP Online Women’s Group
MEETS SATURDAYS • 8:00 AM Meets Fridays via Zoom • 8:00 pm
Interested? Hosted by: Sheryl Fitzpatrick, Jenny Harris
Trudie Kirkland, and Diane O’Brien
For Zoom info contact: For info email: W2W.FCCNH@gmail.com
MenOnCorner@gmail.com (ALL CAPS - Case sensitive)
First Christian News January 13, 2021 Page 7
BY WAY OF REPORT CHURCH STAFF
Week of Sunday, January 10, 2021_________ Robert M. Bock
Senior Pastor
Total General Offering $6,840.00 Alfredo Gomez
Pastor, Spanish Speaking Congregation
Human Needs $20.00
Jennifer Le’au
Director of Children’s Ministries
Credit Card Offerings 1/6/21-1/12/21_____ Jeremy Gillett
Director of Youth Ministries
General Offering $1,996.67
Tyana Parr
Director of Children’s/Youth Choirs
David Rigsby
Music Director/Organist
Christine Karasseferian
Director of Finance
Chris Carson
Church Administrator
Gabriela Dorantes
Administrative Assistant
Glenda Morgan Brown
Administrative Assistant
Terri Burton
Did you know a percentage of Church Publications
your online purchases can be a Michele Amundsen
donation to FCCNH? Wedding Director
Elmer Maldonado
Check out our website (www.fccnh.org) and
Building & Grounds Superintendent
click on the Donate or Vendor button at the top
Miriam Mancilla
of the page and select “First Christian Church Director of Christian Nursery School
of North Hollywood” as your designated charity.
Greg Kirkland
Media Director
PUBLICATION
DEADLINES VOLUNTEER STAFF
Jacob Beam, Craig Brooks, Tom Louie, Susan Marble,
Jeff McFadden, Denise Ovaldson, Tiffany Tapp
Sound Technicians
FCCNH NEWSLETTER Luis Oliart
DEADLINE IS MIDNIGHT SUNDAY Security
PLEASE SUBMIT ARTICLES VIA EMAIL TO: IN MEMORIAM
terrib@fccnh.org or terriburton@gmail.com Earle Immel
Minister of Music Emeritus
Articles can also be delivered to the office Merle E. Fish, Jr.
Monday thru Friday, 9am to 5pm. Minister EmeritusFirst
F C
irst
Christian
C
News
N
hristian Hhurch of orth ollywood
A Congregation of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ)
4390 Colfax Avenue
North Hollywood, CA 91604 - 2898
THINK GREEN! PLEASE RECYCLE!
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First Christian Church of North Hollywood
818/763-8218 • FAX 818/763-8457
Web Site: www.fccnh.org
email: fccnh@earthlink.net
Pastor & Senior Editor Robert M. Bock
Proofreading Glenda Morgan Brown
Art Direction Terri Burton
Production Services Byron Armantrout
Emeritus
Mary Ann Steuterman Billie Kline
Lillian Carlson Heather Kenney
Margaret Defibaugh Cathy Melendez
Fern Donald Chuck Mont
Jean Johnson Wanda Kanoy
Helen Scarna Kay Smith
Betty Van Zanten Shirley McClure
Deborah Wheeler Virginia Stebbins
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