September 2        6:30p     AWANA Info./Recruitment Night

September 5        7:00a     Yard Sale for India Mission

September 5        7:00p     Hindi Language Lessons

September 6        5:30p     Fall Festival Planning Meeting

September 9        6:30p     AWANA Leaders Training

September 12      9:30a     Women’s Ministries Meeting

September 13      7:00p     Prayer for India Mission

September 19      6:00p     Men’s “No Greens” Dinner

September 20      4:00p     Leadership Community Meeting

September 20      6:00p     Grudem Study

September 27      6:00p     Glory Gates Quartet Concert

September 28      6:30p     Mug ’n’ Muffin Night  

Service Time Change
Our service time changes this month.  Our new schedule is:
  9:00am - Discipleship/Sunday School (for all ages)
10:00am - Continental Breakfast
10:30am - Worship

Children’s House News!
Children’s House Preschool is opening an Infant Center this month.  They are accepting infants from 6 weeks to 2 years of age.  Spread the word.

Looking for a Few Good Men/Women
Make a difference in the lives of children.  Come to our AWANA information night on  Wednesday, September 2nd, at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room.  Wondering what it’s all about?  Come find out.

Yard Sale!
We are raising funds for the upcoming mission trip to Siliguri.  Please bring donated items to the grassy area in front of Children's House on Friday night, September 4th, after 6pm.  Please price and display your items on the tables.  The yard sale will be Saturday, September 5th, from 7am-2pm.  Come and find hidden treasures!

Grudem Study
This month’s study will cover chapters 28-29, Christ's Resurrection to be Prophet, Priest and King.  We will meet on Sunday, September 20th, at 6pm.

QBM
Please be aware that our Quarterly Business Meeting will be held on Sunday, October 25th, at 6pm.  Dinner for donation at 5pm.

Children’s Art Festival
All are invited to view artwork created by the children of TACC.  The “Fruit of the Spirit” artwork will be on display in the sanctuary on Sunday, September 20th.

Fall Festival
Our Fall Festival Outreach is just a short time away.  Christie Runion (ext. 236) is looking for a committee of folks to help make the Fall Festival a purposeful outreach.  Come to a brainstorming dinner meeting on Sunday, September 6th, 5:30pm at Christie’s house.  Whether you are able to attend this brainstorming meeting or not, please call to volunteer.  More details to follow.

Taft Avenue Partner School
Taft Partner School offers a blend between private school and independent studies.  There is a lot of parent involvement, but the curriculum, grading and teaching is done in a small environment by Christ-loving teachers.  This is a great place for those who need one-on-one attention and more accountability.  We are here to nurture and  strengthen your students academically and spiritually.  Let us know if we can help your family or visit our website at www.TaftPartnerSchool.com.

Glory Gates Quartet Concert
Join us for another great time with the Glory Gates Quartet on Sunday, September 27th, at 6pm in the Worship Center.

12 mostly random thoughts on evangelism...

1. Experience is the best teacher.  Become “nike-fied” – just do it.

2. Deep spirituality is the best motivator.  You have something that others don’t have.  “Evangelism, instead of being technical specialties modeled on rhetorical styles, sales, and marketing models imported from the outside, ought to be everyday endeavors, the natural result of thinking and living as we do….  Witness isn’t a method or technique.  It’s the sum total of our expression, what we say and what we don’t, what we do, who we help, and who we harm.  Our actions and reactions, taken as a whole, constitute a message to the world we live in… all it takes to be a witness is a willingness to come forward and reveal what you know…”  J. Mark Bertrand.

3. Humility is the best attitude.  God approached me.  I would never have considered Him had He not considered me.  The bent over woman in Luke 13 is a good example.  Jesus calls her.  John 6 is clear.  Non-believers will never listen to arrogance.  Condescension never works.

4. Preparation is good.  Read the suggested book list on our web site under evangelism – especially The Unexpected Adventure.  I have copies in my office for $10.

5. Clarity is essential.  Learn the gospel essentials.  Learn how to share the gospel essentials.  1 Corinthians 15:1-6; 2 Corinthians 4:4-6.

6. We are witnesses to Jesus.  Knowing Him will result in telling others about Him.   We  won’t  be  able to  hold  it  in,  Jeremiah
20:29.  And it is about Him – not church, not you, not that other church, not the crusades, not the health care discussion, not the war in __________ (you fill in the blank).  You get my point.

7. We must pray for opportunities.  Some believers have gone months without sharing their faith.  Ask God to bring people to you.

8. We must look for opportunities.  And they are abundant.  The average non-believer is much more willing to talk about spiritual matters than the average believer is willing to talk about spiritual matters.  Boldness is needed.  The setting will never be perfect.  Just go for it!

9. Love people.  Random acts of compassion and kindness – even to strangers.  It will open up a new world for you.

10. Yes, learn a system, but witnessing isn’t a system.  “What is witness if not unrestrained expression, a desire to share what one knows without regard to setting or propriety?”  J. Mark Bertrand.

11. Learn to listen and ask questions – and not just the questions to trap them in their worldview.  Be interested in them as a person. 

12. You will never lead someone to Christ, or argue them, or love them, or persuade them.  Unless the Spirit of God opens their life by the miracle of regeneration they will never get it.  They’ll never see the holiness of God or the incredible grace of forgiveness in Jesus.  God may use you but He does all the work.  Good thing too; that kind of work is god-like.

Meet TACC members, Bill and Carrie Williams.  Bill was born in Los Angeles and Carrie, right next door, in Pasadena.  They were raised in the area and both went to Rosemead High School, but did not know each other while attending there.  They met on a blind date.  One of Carrie’s co-workers at Penny’s was dating Bill’s friend.  The rest is history.  They were married in 1972.  Bill has two siblings and Carrie a sister.  They have 3 sons; the youngest, Michael, went to be with the Lord in 2008.  They also have 4 grandchildren.  After college Bill worked for Rainbird and after several years started his own contracting business from 1975-2001.  Because of the constant care he gave to Michael the last several years, he retired from his business and did part-time work at several different places.  In 2006 he started up his own business again.  Carrie has worked part-time at Cerro Villa Jr. High School, was Director of Children’s Ministries, President of Women’s Ministries several times, and is the current TACC Wedding Coordinator and  Prayer Chain  Coordinator.   Bill  and Carrie  host  a  small  group in  their  home  and  Bill has  a  small prayer group.  The two of them have been the most outstanding parents, constantly at Michael’s side for 17 years, showering him with love and care, as they do their other two boys and grandchildren.  Michael was an inspiration to everyone who saw him.  He was always smiling and giving the “Hi” sign and saying he would be with Jesus one day.

Children's Ministries

Wanted: Art entries for Art Festival.  Parents, encourage the creative juices in your kids!  Kids, get going on your art projects at home illustrating fruits of the Spirit.  See the church website for more info. or call Christie Runion.  We need lots and lots of artistic entries.  Let’s make this a fantastic first Art Festival!

Adults & kids are also needed to help set up the art on Friday, September 18th, at 10am in the sanctuary.  Please call Christie Runion (ext. 236) to volunteer.

Children’s Choir (kindergarten through 6th grade) will resume on September 13th at 9am in the Choir Room, upstairs in the sanctuary.

AWANA begins on Wednesday, September 16th, at 6:30pm!  Look in the mail for your registration or come to the Children’s Ministries table on Sunday morning. 

Affordable family dinner is served before each AWANA club beginning at 5:45pm.  Children must be accompanied by a parent.  Outreach is easy when you invite your family, friends, classmates & neighbors to dine with you at the “Taft Avenue Fireside Café”.

AWANA is a Scripture memorization club for kids age 3 to 6th grade.  You can pick up an AWANA flyer to hand out as an invitation for friends at the Children’s Ministries table on Sunday mornings.

Women's Ministries

Women's Ministries cookbooks from last season are now available at the low cost of $5.00 (originally $10.00).  Visit the Flower Cart on Sunday mornings.

Women's Ministries meeting on Saturday, September 12th, at 9:30am in the Fireside Room.

Mug 'n' Muffin Night: Join us for our first event of the season.  Our theme will be "Can You Hear Me Now?"  We'll get together on Monday, September 28th, at 6:30pm in the Fireside Room.  Sign up at the Flower Cart on Sunday morning. 

ADIVASI:  We look forward to becoming more connected to our new Christian brethren in Siliguri, India.  Our TACC Team prepares to return in October for personal fellowship and discipleship with new believers in the village of Tahargumguma now under the guiding hand of Pastor Rubin whom we are supporting.  The team plans to go out to other villages to engage in evangelism as the Lord opens new doors.  The team members thus far committed to this trip are: Chuck Stevenson, Mary Beth Ramlo, Sofia Meier, Pam Alexander, Gary Meier, Steve Hicks and Pastor Bob will join them from Burma.  This group will be going as our representatives to broaden our inter-relational continuum with these new and maturing Christians.  They will leave the U.S. on October 9th, arrive in Siliguri on the 11th and return to Orange on October 19th.  They are asking for our firm prayer support in the many contingencies that are connected to such a trip.  Pray for wisdom, Godly directed discernment in each activity, safety in travel, baggage arrival, and good health throughout their travels.  Also be praying for the necessary financial funding needed for each member of the team.  The team will hold various fund-raising activities supported by the church family.  Specified gift donations would be greatly appreciated.  One major goal is to be able to take adequate funds to sponsor a new Adivasi pastor.  Their desire is to go as Paul reports in 2 Cor. 2:14-15… “that now wherever we go he (Christ) uses us to tell others about the Lord and spread the Gospel like sweet perfume” (NLT).  Look for, and participate in, the activities that will be occurring throughout September to make this a successful trip and an enriching missional experience for our entire church family.

PROCLAIM INTERNATIONAL:  Peter and Jennifer Joneleit have now returned to Germany where they will be focusing more on local ministries in the country.  This will hopefully lead to a church plant through the local church.  The Joneleits will continue with Proclaim and will still do other ministries and some tours, but that will no longer be their primary focus.  Baby Eleanor’s entrance to the family was a bit tenuous and she had to spend a little extra time in the hospital, but she is now home, and at last report, doing well.  The family expresses their appreciation for the financial support we provide but request that we keep our commitment to pray for them on a regular basis.  Those requests

include: continual spiritual growth in Christlikeness, great physical
health, strength and safety, effective evangelism, a healthy marriage, and close relationships with ministry partners.

For several years we have supported INDIA NATIONAL INLAND MISSION founded and directed by Paul and Annie Pillai.  God has used this umbrella organization to train and send out native missionaries representing 47 distinctly different South Asian people groups through their Grace Center education facility.  These graduates will be working with Hindus, Muslims, Buddhists and Sikhs among other indigenous people of India.  We also praise God for the 40 years of graduates of Grace Bible College and Cohen Seminary spread all over India doing a great work of spreading the gospel and making disciples for Christ.  Today these graduates number over 5600.  Pastor Pillai states, “This ancient land of India is passing through unprecedented political and economic changes.  In the midst of these secular transitions, and despite all the constant opposition from the demon worshippers in this land, we should never forget the fact that the proclamation of the gospel only will liberate this land.  The hope and freedom found in the first century simple gospel of Jesus Christ alone can reverse the curse of demonic practices such as the inhuman practice of caste system, superstition, child marriages, and the worship of decaying idols made of wood and clay.  Fervent prayers of the righteous are needed for the protection of those proclaiming the message.  Complacency is perhaps one of the greatest tactics of the enemy against Christians and we are well aware of its heartbreaking outcome.”  Go to the Missions table and pick up this latest newsletter from Pastor Pillai to help guide you in your support for this many faceted work of God in the land of India.

The following is a quote that touched me greatly: “God loves the common people. He does not ask that we be great in the sight of the world, but only that we use the time, talent, and treasure which He has given us for the good of others and for His glory.  Andrew (the disciple) had three opportunities to serve as a contact man for Christ and took advantage of all three” (John 1:41, John 6:8, John 12:21,22).  Let us continue to be faithful contact people through the various missionary opportunities established by the leadership of our church family.