Why not give your Christmas season an inspirational start by attending a free choir concert at Bardsdale Church? The Bardsdale Church Chancel Choir continues a tradition of over 50 years with this Christmas Vespers Concert on Sunday, December 5th at 5:00 p.m.

The program will feature a delightful variety of choir pieces, with some classical selections, a couple of ancient melodies and some upbeat, modern compositions. Some pieces will include brass or woodwind instrumentals, and the custom-built Schoenstein pipe organ will be featured as well.

The church’s sanctuary is over 100 years old, and is listed in the Ventura County Historical register. Three large stained-glass windows decorate the church, and provide a historical setting for this traditional program. [Take A Street (Hwy. 23) south to Elkins Golf Course, the follow the right curve onto Bardsdale Avenue. Proceed straight on Bardsdale Avenue less than one mile to the church. For more information, call 524-2070.]

This year’s chorus will include about 20 local musicians, including some from other churches and Bardsdale Church choir alumni. Following the one-hour program, there will be a reception in the church’s fellowship hall. This program promises to be an inspirational way to kick off your Christmas season!

The Bardsdale United Methodist Church Bell ringers, the Orange Pealers, are having their annual exciting Christmas program on Saturday, December 11, 2010, at five pm, in Le Bard Hall. The hall is located at the church, on 1498 Bardsdale Avenue. The festive agenda includes dinner and dessert. This interactive Christmas program features an opportunity for the audience to ring and sing carols, as well as listen to a mini concert given by the Orange Pealers. The suggested donation is ten dollars for individuals, and an all inclusive twenty five dollars for families. You may call either the church office (524-2070) or Marcia Heerema (524-3674), director, for reservations. You may also purchase tickets at the door, but seating is limited.

Be sure to come by the tree farm in front of the church for the best freshly cut Oregon Douglas or Noble Fir tree. Prices are so reasonable and you will not only benefit the parish, you will enjoy the scent of a fresh Christmas tree. Open December 1st, corner Hwy 126 and C Street.

Written By Jan Markell
November 23, 2010

Political correctness is causing us to cave once again. Robert Spencer, Islamic expert, writes that in this whole TSA examination fiasco, what might be being missed is that the Council on American-Islamic Relations (CAIR) is demanding that Muslim women must only have a pat-down on the head and neck. The full body scans violate Islamic law. They violate common sense for all who are being subjected to the pat downs, but the only ones getting any attention are, of course, the Muslims. They denounce something, and all of our political leaders react -- often in their favor.

Spencer says, "There are plenty of reasons to oppose naked body scanners and the recent groping incidents, but this response to Muslims from Hamas-linked CAIR exposes its Islamic supremacist agenda like nothing else does. The scanners, and the whole TSA security apparatus, exist in the first place because of Islamic jihad terrorists, and now CAIR is demanding an exemption from such scanning for the very group from which comes the subgroup that made it necessary. In CAIR's world, the one group that would be subjected to lighter airport security checks than any other group would be Muslims. And that would in turn make things easier than ever for jihad terrorists. Surely that can't be CAIR's objective, now, can it?"

Moving on to mandatory CONTINUED »

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - The annual Santa Lucia Festival will be held at 10:10 a.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in Samuelson Chapel at California Lutheran University.

The dramatic Swedish ceremony, which has been part of the 50-year-old university’s holiday celebrations since its early years, pays homage to the Christian martyr who died at the stake on Dec. 13, 304 A.D. She symbolizes the spirit of a centuries-old legend of Christian service. Swedish immigrants brought the tradition to America.

CLU’s students select five female and five male representatives whom they think best represent the Christian attributes of faith, hope, charity and compassion demonstrated by Santa Lucia from among their peers. Lucia, her attendants and their escorts will enter to an ancient hymn and read an adaptation of the legend and then the attendants will light the candles in Lucia’s crown.

The Office of Campus Ministry and the Scandinavian American Cultural and Historical Foundation are sponsoring the free event.

The chapel is located near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. For more information, call the Office of Campus Ministry at (805) 493-3228.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. – The community is invited to California Lutheran University’s eighth annual Hanukkah Celebration from 4:30 to 6:30 p.m. Wednesday, Dec. 8, in the Student Union Building.

CLU’s observance of the Jewish Festival of Lights begins at sundown with the lighting of the candles on the menorah. Guests can join faculty, staff and students in enjoying music, dreidel games and Hanukkah food such as latkes and jelly doughnuts.

Every year for eight days between the end of November and the end of December, Jewish people around the world celebrate Hanukkah to commemorate the rededication of the Holy Temple in Jerusalem after the Jews defeated the Syrians and won their religious freedom. Hanukkah is commonly referred to as the Festival of Lights because, following their victory, the Jews cleansed and purified the temple, and rekindled the menorah, a series of candles that symbolizes God's divine presence. Although it only held enough oil to burn a single day, the menorah burned for eight days.
The Student Union Building is located on the north side of Memorial Parkway in Thousand Oaks. Parking is available in the lot at the corner of Memorial and Mountclef Boulevard.

CLU’s Office of Multicultural Programs and International Student Services and Hillel Club are sponsoring the free event. For more information, call the Multicultural Programs office at (805) 493-3489.

To All High School Youth, Come and join us on Tuesday Nights for Prayer, Make New Friends and enjoy a Cup of Noodles. Bring a friend we meet Every Tuesday from 6:00pm to 8:00pm at the Pastoral Center. For information on Youth Ministry please call our Youth Minister Vidal Morales at 524-4408.

Our presentor is Rev. Dr. Gerald M. Fitzgerald, of our own community. He has applied his trade artfully as a pastoral counselor by "causing compassion in the community, especially in diverse settings." He will speak on the truth and reconciliation work over Northern Ireland's many years of civil strife. Various communication technologies amongst varied communites have proved important and this has led him to mine important resources from the folk traditions of his native Ireland.

At the November meeting of Ebell he will speak about the transformative power of applied folk art, with special reference to theater, music and childhood artful agricultural experiences among rural Irish relatives.

For reservation for the 12:30 luncheon on the 23rd, please call Lavonne Deeter at 895-524-2090, cost $12.00, or for the program only reservation fee $10.00, which starts at 2:00PM. Location The Veterans Memorial Building, 511 Second Street,Fillmore.

For membership to Fillmore Ebell Club, call Melodie Stitch call 805-1400.

We are accepting Registration for Jr. High Ministry 7th and 8th grade.

Our 7th and 8th grade Ministry Nights begin on Wednesday November 17th.

All classes will be on Wednesdays from 6:00pm to 7:30pm. If you would like to register your child or receive information on our Program, please contact our Youth Minister Vidal Morales at the Pastoral Center 524-4408.

Colleen Severson will be the guest speaker at the Assemble of God Church on Nov. 14, in the 10 am service. Parents come and bring your children. Colleen has a great love for the youth of today. The Church is located at 703 Central Ave. on the corner of Central & 3rd St.

Colleen is director of Chi Alpha @ UCSB. This new role has challenged and stretched her and her passion for God deepens as she relies on Him to impact university students with the love of Jesus. Colleen is happily married to Tod and they have three boys.

...followed by a “Dessert Pot Luck” for everyone to enjoy.

We are excited to let everyone know that Father Artur will celebrate a monthly Children’s Mass on the second Sunday of the Month. All parish children especially our First Communion children are asked to attend this monthly Mass with their parents.

Fr Barney has requested that we organize a different social after the Mass so that everyone can get together and meet new friends and that the proceeds go to the catechism fund.

Our first social is going to be a dessert pot luck. All Catechism Parents are asked to please bring a favorite home made dessert (in a disposal container) or a dozen doughnuts for the social. Before Mass begins, please drop off the desserts at the tables. After Mass Coffee, Juice and the Dessert Pot Luck” will be served.

A donation box will be set out and all proceeds will go into our Children’s Catechism Program. Everyone is encouraged to participate in the Mass and social.

We are looking for some ideas for the December social. Please See Fr Art or Michael. Thank you!

Dozens of retired military chaplains say that serving both God and the U.S. armed forces will become impossible for chaplains whose faiths consider homosexuality a sin if the "don't ask, don't tell" policy is thrown out.

If a chaplain preaches against homosexuality, he could conceivably be disciplined as a bigot under the military's nondiscrimination policy, the retired chaplains say. The Pentagon, however, says chaplains' religious beliefs and their need to express them will be respected.

Clergy would be... http://blackchristiannews.com/news/2010/10/dozens-of-retired-military-ch...

http://www.charter.net/video/play/358767/genres/news

Once again the Bardsdale United Methodist Women will be hosting their annual Thanksgiving Luncheon on Thursday, November 11, at 12 noon in LeBard Hall.

The buffet-style meal will feature the holiday menu of turkey and dressing, mashed and sweet potatoes, green beans, jello salad, fresh fruit and, of course, pumpkin pie.

To acknowledge our veterans, Edward (Ted) Villanueva will be a guest speaker.

He was commissioned in 1995 as a graduate of the U.S. Air Force Officer Training School, Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Shortly after, he began and completed the year-long Specialized Undergraduate Navigator Training in Randolph AFB, Texas. His flying experience includes operational assignments in the E-3 Airborne Warning and Control System (AWACS) aircraft. He has over 3000 flying hours in the E-3 aircraft and has served in Operations Southern Watch, Northern Watch, Noble Eagle, Enduring Freedom and Iraqi Freedom.

The cost of this festive and tasty meal is $12 per person. Take-outs are also available.

The church is located at 1498 Bardsdale Avenue.

Hi, I’m Barbara,
I love alcoholics and drug addicts who are struggling to recover. THERE IS HOPE! I am blessed to be able to see hope spark, then smolder and burst into flame within people whom no one else but another alcoholic or drug addict can help. I am uniquely qualified to help people who are often considered hopeless, and most of the time, hopeless, is accurate in describing what I was before I recovered.

I found God first and then the 12– Steps of Alcoholic’s Anonymous was the way to break those chains that held me down...as does with so many people.

This 12-Step Program does not just help people with drug or alcohol addictions, it can help with any addiction– with relationships, food, shopping….

Today God is charge of my life– NOT ME! What a relief!

“I cried out, “I’m slipping! And Your unfailing love, O Lord, supported me.” -Psalm 94:18

God will forgive you through Jesus. You cannot change your past or your personality, but you can change your attitude. Most addicts want to remain anonymous, but I want to shout it out and show what the Lord Jesus Christ has done for me. Because of God and my 12– Step Program, my life has changed and my spirit, mind and body is whole!

New session starts on Wednesday, Nov. 3rd, 6:30 pm at Faith Community Church, 355 D Street, Fillmore,Ca. 524-5564

This is one of the most beautiful and meaningful streaming videos ever created. You will want to keep it as a cherished treasure. Be sure your speakers are on.

http://www.andiesisle.com/creation/magnificent.html

A Christmas Boutique will be held on Saturday, Nov. 6th from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. at St. Paul’s/Emmanuel Church in Santa Paula. Christmas crafts, gifts for all occasions and many lovely treasures will be on display in the Parish Hall located at 117 N. 7th Street, Santa Paula, California. Proceeds from the sale will benefit the programs and ministries of the church. For information please call Mary Dybvig 805-659-3668.

Rev. Richard A. Nelson, 1975 alumnus of CLU and chair of the board of directors of Lutheran World Relief.

THOUSAND OAKS, CA. - California Lutheran University will highlight its mission of educating leaders for a global society who are committed to service and justice during Founders Day Convocation at 10 a.m. Friday, Oct. 22, in Samuelson Chapel.

The Rev. Richard A. Nelson, a 1975 alumnus of CLU and chair of the board of directors of Lutheran World Relief (LWR) will speak on “Fulfilling Our Promise: Service to the World.”

The senior pastor of Central Lutheran Church in Minneapolis, Nelson joined the LWR board in 2008. The international nonprofit organization works to end poverty and injustice by empowering impoverished communities to help themselves. The 65-year-old organization is a ministry of the Evangelical Lutheran Church in America (ELCA), The Lutheran Church-Missouri Synod, parish groups and individuals.

Nelson has served in leadership positions in the church as well as with the YMCA, Kalispell Regional Hospital and an organization committed to ending homelessness in Minnesota. He has worked in parish ministry for 30 years, serving five parishes in five synods of the ELCA. Nelson, who earned a bachelor’s degree in drama and a teaching credential from CLU, is a frequent guest speaker and workshop leader at youth gatherings, evangelism conferences and women’s events throughout the country. He earned a master’s in divinity from Luther Seminary and is slated to earn a Doctor of Ministry degree in leadership from the seminary in spring. He has served as adjunct faculty for Pacific Lutheran Theological Seminary.

During the service, Marv Soiland of Santa Rosa will be honored as the recipient as the Christus Award for his contributions to higher education in the ELCA. In addition, members of the university’s Board of Regents and Convocation will be commissioned.

The annual Founders Day Convocation is an opportunity to give thanks for CLU’s heritage and pray for its continued success. The 2010 Founders Day observance takes on special meaning as the university is celebrating its 50th anniversary.

The event is free and open to the public. The chapel is located near the corner of Olsen Road and Campus Drive in Thousand Oaks. Additional parking is available in the lots at the corner of Olsen and Mountclef Boulevard. For more information, call the Church Relations Office at (805) 493-3936.

We are about to begin the first full week of our 40 Days for Life, tomorrow, and you are invited to join us in prayer and fasting to end abortion! If you would like to pray at the vigil, at Planned Parenthood on Ralston in Ventura, from 7am to 7pm, 7 days a week, visit our web site to sign up on the schedule: www.40daysforlife.com/ventura, (or just come by).

Our schedule is starting to look a little more healthy! We have some terrific groups coming to pray, including the Santa Clara Legion of Mary, Sacred Heart's Blue Army, Knights of Columbus, Thomas Aquinas College students (wonderfully organized by Chrissy Van Schoick!!), Community Presbyterian Church, and a multi-parish group praying the rosary in Spanish! Check the schedule to see what will work for you - you are always welcome to join an existing group, or come with your own family or group. We need you!

The 40 Days for Life Mass was well attended; we were blessed to have both Fr. Bob Garon and Fr. Paul Raftery concelebrate. A big thank you to Mrs. Marya Krestyn and her choir who provided beautiful music, and thank you also to our sacristan and altar servers. God bless you all for helping to start our 40 Days the most wonderful way possible!