This is the kind of community we are continuing to build here at FAPC. High expectations of each other and high commitment to one another are two of the key elements that Christ uses to build His church.

Revitalized and growing churches here in the US have high expectations of their members. Our New Members/RE-Members gathering on Sunday afternoon/evening on January 31, 2016 from 4:30-7:30 p.m. (with a light dinner) is designed to build our church-family unity. We’ll be focusing on our vision, doctrine, expectations, attitudes and commitments that can cause our church to thrive.

Please mark your calendars now! This is for new members (age 16 & older) and for all our members who truly want to function as members of our church. You’re are important to our church and your formal commitment as a vital member can play a key role in our experiencing the vibrant life of Christ here at FAPC.

Take the Bible Reading Plan on the inside of this issue and get started. Consider asking a friend or two to begin praying with you. Make the New Members/RE-Members class a priority on your calendar and we’ll see 2016 be a year of flourishing growth together!

Sossy & I want to wish you a Merry Christmas and a happy and g r a c e - f i l l e d New Year!

Being a part of a family is a GREAT experience…sometimes.

Having a home where we are accepted as we are, even when we’re not our best, knowing we have a welcome even when it’s inconvenient, truly being missed when we’re not there—these are some of the gifts of family.

But… on the heels of our family celebrations over the last six weeks, what do you think? How was Thanksgiving? How about your Christmas gathering? New Year’s? I hate to say it, but sometimes our families bring out “less than the best” in us, don’t they?

It’s the same in the church family too. Sometimes there is nothing better than knowing that you have a family with which to worship, a group with whom we can share our lives, people that can truly know us and still accept us. But there are other times…

That’s why the Apostle Paul writes what he does. If it’s challenging to be godly and loving within our families, a community of people from diverse backgrounds presents even more complex obstacles. Humility and gentleness matters. Patience, forbearance and forgiveness are vital for a family or church to thrive.

What do all these qualities have in common?

They demand commitment, a high commitment to maintaining relationships even when it’s inconvenient or uncomfortable. The Holy Spirit unites each one of us in the Body of Christ when Christ captures our hearts, but then we spend the rest of our lives trying to maintain that unity within the community we call “church”.

mosaixJan 2016

A publication ofFirst Armenian Presbyterian Church

Vol. 2:1Love God. Love Others. Make Disciples.

I urge you to live a life worthy of the calling you have received. Be completely humble and gentle; be patient, bearing with one another in love. Make every effort to keep the unity of the Spirit through the bod of peace. There is one body and one Spirit, just as you were called to one hope when you were called; one Lord, one faith, one baptism; one God and Father of all, who is overall and through all and in all. Ephesians 4:1-6

Badveli Greg

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Keep Discipline on TrackShepherding your children is a big responsibility. To avoid feeling overwhelmed, remember these tips for establishing an approach to discipline:•Keep it simple—make sure your kids understand each rule.•Keep it consistent—don’t ignore misbehavior when you’re tired or busy.•Keep it fair—make sure the rules apply to everyone.•Keep it fresh—review rules regularly and adapt discipline methods as your children grow.

Above all, remember: Jesus will help you shape your children. Pray about any discipline challenges. Ask Jesus to give your kids obedient hearts and a desire to always follow him. Try these ideas for discussing discipline as a family:

Simon Says: Play Simon says with younger children, giving everyone a chance to be Simon. Then discuss what it’s like to give orders and to be obeyed. Also talk about what makes following instructions easy or difficult.

The Right Recipe: Mix the ingredients from a simple biscuit recipe. As you add ingredients, discuss the importance of following the instructions and the effects of leaving an ingredient out; for example, biscuits made without baking powder are flat and dense. Read 2 Peter 1:5-8. Ask: “What ‘ingredients’ does God want us to have? Why is it important to follow God’s instructions for our lives?

NO SUNDAY SCHOOL

12.27.15Starting January 3, 2016

Sunday School willbegin with Worship

NEW START TIME: 9:37AM.

What ingredient can you add to your life this week?”

Three Strikes: As a family, attend local sporting events and look for ways players follow or break various rules. Afterward, discuss misbehavior and its consequences in sports and in life. Share ways that athletes—and other people—can learn and grow from their mistakes.

Rule Roulette: Play cards or board games as a family, but take turns setting new rules. Talk about what it’s like to remember all the changing rules. Discuss why it’s helpful for rules to remain constant. Then brainstorm times it might be good for rules to be changed.

Jericho Obedience: Create a circular wall with building blocks, cartons, or boxes. Say: “God told Joshua and his men to march around Jericho for six days. Let’s march!” Count aloud as you march around the wall six times. Stop and say: “On the seventh day, God had them march around the city one more time and give a loud shout.” March around the walls once more, shout together, and topple the wall. Discuss what happened when Joshua obeyed God—and what happens when we obey God.

Big Fish Tail: Form a line with each person holding on to the waist of the person ahead of him or her. Have the line walk in a “swishing” motion like a big fish while the person at the head of the line tries to tag the person at the tail. Switch roles and play several rounds. Afterward, read Jonah 1:1-3 and Jonah 2:1. Discuss how Jonah disobeyed God and tried to get away from him and what happened when Jonah turned back to God.

“No discipline is enjoyable while it is happening—it’s painful!But afterward there will be a peaceful harvest of right livingfor those who are trained in this way.” Hebrews 12:11

Excerpts “Keep Discipline on Track,” “Culture Trends,” & “Media Madness,” are taken from E-Newsletter, Parenting Christian Kids.

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Important Dates Junior High,High School, & College

Junior High & Senior High: Sundays - 12:30-3:00PM @ FAPC. Program description: junior high and high school students will combine for lunch and group games; then we will separate the two groups for an age appropriate bible study.

College Ministries: Two separate lunchtime bible studies will be held on the campus of Fresno State and Clovis Community College. Check with Badveli Phil for details.

Scripture MemorizationSchedule for the Fall/Winter

Scripture memorization goals have been set up for each age/grade level. The Adults are asked to participate as well. When a student has shown that they have memorized their designated scripture, their name/picture will be posted on the Scripture Tree of Hall of Fame and will be invited to “Ice Cream With Badveli”.

Ages 2/3: Acts 16:31Pre K/K: John 3:16Grades 1-2: The Lord’s Prayer Grades 3-5: Psalm 23Junior High: Books of the Bible High School: 1 John 4:7-11 Women: (Beatitudes) Matthew 5:3-10 Men: Deuteronomy 6:4-13; 4:7-8

Change for SyriaOur Sunday School classes are saving their change and depositing it in our Change for Syria water jug. We recently heard the supply of water has been cut off in Aleppo, Syria and we are

hoping that we can make a difference in the lives of the Syrian children. Donating change is open for all of our church family. The jug is located at the entrance of the Sunday School building. Please consider helping.

Culture & TrendsMedia Saturation: In a large-scale study, Common Sense Media found that preteens use media an average of six hours per day and teens an average of nine hours per day, not including time spent on schoolwork. Media use includes activities such as playing video games, using social media, listening to music, reading, and more. (commonsensemedia.org)

Too Much Too Soon: The pressure to advance children academically at earlier ages may be having a negative effect, according to Professor Stephen Camarata of Vanderbilt University School of Medicine. As a result, “schoolwork” in the home and in preschools is replacing commonsense, intuitive time for nurturing young children. (washingtonpost.com)

Media MadnessMOVIETitle: Kung Fu Panda 3Genre: Animation, Action, AdventureRating: PGCast: Jack Black, Angelina Jolie, Dustin Hoffman, Jackie ChanSynopsis: Po’s long-lost father shows up, and the duo heads out to find the hidden community of pandas. But when a powerful enemy sweeps across the country, Po must train his panda brethren to fight for their lives. This proves to be just as difficult as it sounds.Our Take: The Kung Fu Panda franchise has been exceedingly clever and funny. We love its messages about the power of teamwork and that we can’t judge people (or pandas) by their outward appearances. Hopefully, this most recent addition will stay true to that form. They often team up with big names in contemporary Christian music, including tobyMac and Britt Nicole. Capital K Kings’ self-titled first album entered the Billboard charts at number five. Now that they’re better known, their new album will likely go even higher. Our Take: Kids love the high-energy music, and there aren’t many Christian dance bands out there, so these guys certainly fill a void. Their lyrics may not plumb theological depths, but they don’t shy away from sharing their faith, either.

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Family Life

Mommy & Me GroupAttention mothers with children up through

elementary age, join us on Fridays 10AM in the Nursery for singing, snacking, and a

study through the book “God’s Wisdom for a Mother’s Heart” by Bobbie Wolgemuth, led by Sossy Haroutunian and Tamar Mekredijian.

For more questions, please email tam.abadj@gmail.com.

The next meeting date is Jan 8, 2016.

The Food Pantry is LOW!!!!

Our food pantry is IN NEED of the following items ONLY: pasta, pasta sauce, rice, mashed potatoes, mac & cheese, canned fruits, canned corn, pinto or kidney beans, canned chicken or tuna, soups, & cereal.Thank you for your generosity in contributing

to this important ministry!

Avedis Raffi Kachadourian, son of Ralph and Clarice Kachadourian, attained the rank of Eagle Scout in June 2015. Avedis is a member of Boy Scouts of America Troop 130 and has served as Senior Patrol Leader and Junior Assistant Scoutmaster. As his

Eagle Scout Service Project, Avedis designed and constructed a special throne chair that is being used to honor and recognize the women who complete the Evangel Home’s Community Connection and GARDEN Graduate Programs.

Ellen Sarkisian Chesnut will be the special guest speaker at the February 9 dinner meeting of the FAPC Men's Fellowship. A native of Mosul, Iraq, Ellen was educated in the schools of San Francisco and is an accomplished printmaker and artist. She is the author of the

acclaimed new volume, "Deli Sarkis: The Scars he Carried--A Daughter Confronts the Armenian Genocide and Tells Her Father's Story." Ellen is a cousin of Dr. Dennis Shamlian.

Please note for any donations intended for 2015 giving must be dated and postmarked no later than Dec 31st for a 2015 credit. Any donations received after that date will be credited towards 2016.

New Members/Re-Members Class(with a light dinner)Jan 31, 4:30-7:30pm

Please confirm your attendance with the office.

Louie Cordova Flores, Sexton of FAPC for two decades – passed away in Fresno on November 29, one day after his 77th birthday. A native of Firebaugh, Louie received his schooling at Columbia and Franklin Elementary Schools and Edison High School in Fresno. After working for Swift & Company, Community Medical Centers, and a local health club, Louie joined the ministry team of FAPC on May 14, 1984. During his tenure, Louie prepared the buildings and grounds of the church campus for more than 7,000 worship services, Sunday School sessions, Bible studies, choir rehearsals, fellowship gatherings, weddings, and funerals. On Louie’s final Sunday, January 25, 2004, the Fidelis Women’s Society hosted a fellowship reception in his honor, Governor Schwarzenegger transmitted a proclamation of commendation, and then-

State Assemblyman Juan Arambula offered personal congratulations for Louie’s ministry and service. Louie was preceded in death by his parents, Frank and Amelia Flores, and his daughter, Rose. He is survived by his dear wife of 58 years, Helen; sons Steven and Louis Samuel; daughters-in-law Olympia and Jeanette; seven grandchildren, and nine great-grandchildren.

Our Condolences:

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On Sunday, December 13 our Sunday School thespians taught a packed sanctuary the true meaning of Christmas.

When the mayor cancels the annual Christmas pageant on Main Street, the kids take matters into their own hands to make sure the show will go on! They go caroling to ask the townspeople for support and quickly learn that pretty, shiny lights and decorations on the outside of a house do not mean that true believers live inside. By sheer persistence, and some beautiful singing, the kids change the mayor’s heart and put on the Christmas pageant!

Our children (and adults) did a wonderful job in this play! They were animated, enthusiastic and so professional in their acting and singing. The set looked amazing and felt like a real town square. And what a fantastic turnout of our Angel Tree families! We all enjoyed a special dinner and fellowship after the play.

Special thanks to our directors Arpi Keledjian, Nelda Baker, and Janie Bedrosian, and to all who helped with the production of the play and the dinner afterwards. What a blessing it was to our church family and community!

Family Life

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Family LifeSpotlight on our Nursery AttendantThe Session is pleased to announce the appointment of Kristen Richina as Attendant of FAPC Nursery. She succeeds Jenna Gavroian, who relocated to the southeastern United States in the Spring of 2015. Kristen shares her faith journey in this way:

“I’ve had the pleasure of calling Fresno my home town. As I’ve come and gone through the years it seems that I always find my way back to Fresno. I attended [the University of California at San Diego] where I received my BA in Communication. After college, I felt a tug on my heart to be doing something more than just going and getting a job. I wasn’t ready to conform to the constructions that our world had placed on me, I wanted something more. (Thankfully, I had the complete support of my loving parents who allowed for this exploration!) Through lots of prayer and counsel I made the decision to join the Peace Corps. For two in a half years I lived in eastern Europe in Albania. It was there that my world began to become so clear. When you’re forced to learn a new language, culture and norms, I feel you have no other choice, but to surrender to the One on the Throne. I was a health volunteer in a town called Fier. It was through the work that I began to see how vital a skill set was to reach people. Through my work in that city -- from assisting in the maternity hospital, teaching courses to the elders about hypertension, leading city walks for domestic abuse awareness -- I realized I wanted to be a nurse. I’m currently in nursing school and working for a family friend’s real estate company in Sanger. I attend [BIble Study Fellowship] currently where we are studying the book of Revelation. I’m involved in Fresno Rescue Mission where I’ve been blessed with a Mentee. And I attend the Well Community Church.

My love for children is something that has fueled my life since I can remember. I was asked by Dominic and Shara Tirapelle if I would be interested in being involved in FAPC. There was no hesitation! We’re all called to be doing God’s work and this is where I know without a doubt the Lord has called me to be. I’m thankful to them because I have to tell you that I look forward to my Sunday mornings with these children. I thank all the parents out there for allowing me to watch over your children, I’m extremely blessed by the little ones. Please come say Hi!”

Love,Kristen Richina

Dr. Vahram L. Shemmassian, past Principal of the FAPC Saturday Armenian School, has published a new volume, “The Musa Dagh Armenians: A Socioeconomic and Cultural History, 1919-1939.” Dr. Shemmassian is a Professor in the Department of Modern and Classical Languages and Literatures at California State University, Northridge and is Director of the CSUN Armenian Studies Program.

His new work deals with the social, economic, and cultural life in Musa Dagh between the two World Wars and is a publication of the Haigazian University Press in Beirut. For ordering information, please contact Dr. Shemmassian at: shemmassian@yahoo.com.

The FAPC Men’s Fellowship closed out the 2015 Church Year with an Advent Season Dinner in the Fellowship Hall on December 8. Elder Edward Esajian served as Master of Ceremonies, Badveli Greg Haroutunian delivered the invocation, and Elder Steven M. Vartabedian led Christmas Caroling with piano accompaniment by Robert Barsoian. Coach Robert Fraley -- retired Director of Track and Field at California State University, Fresno -- was the keynote speaker. A longtime supporter of the Fellowship of Christian Athletes, Coach Fraley is current President of the North American Pole Vault Association and co-author, with his grandson Trevor Groom, of the new inspirational journal, “Searching for Victory.”

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Tommy Allen spent the first 17 years of his life in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and, during those years, almost never attended a church and had no clue with regard to Christianity until some friends invited to a Young Life camp where he heard

and embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ. In the summer of 1984, he entered the US Army and spent nearly four years serving as an Airborne Ranger with the 1st Bn. (Ranger) 75th Infantry.

Tommy has a B.A. in English from Florida State University and a Master of Divinity degree from Reformed Theological Seminary. Currently, Tommy and his wife, Judy, live in Kent, WA where he serves as the Sr. Pastor of First Evangelical Presbyterian Church. They have three adult daughters: Abby and Flannery, both of whom will graduate from Whitworth University in Spokane, WA and Mercy, a soldier in the US Army currently training to be a Farsi linguist.

2016 Men’s Retreat“The Fight”

Feb 26-28, 2016Hartland Christian Camp

The FAPC Friday Men’s Bible Study group rounded out the 2015 Church Year with a celebration luncheon at Marian’s Mexican Restaurant on December 18. The Bible Study resumes at 12:10 p.m. on January 8 in the Fireside Room Kitchen. Senior Pastor Greg Haroutunian is the discussion leader and the New Testament topic of study of 2 Timothy. Men of all ages are welcome to attend the weekly luncheon and study. To be placed on the Study Group E-List, please contact Administrator Suzy Artemyan at 237-6638 or administration@fapc.net.

Deacons:

430 S. 1st St Fresno, CA 93702

Nonprofit Org.US Postage

PAIDFresno, CA

Permit No. 398

Address Service Requested

Upcoming Special EventsNO SUNDAY SCHOOL Dec 27Joint Worship Service/Communion Jan 3Christmas Carolling at Armenian Home Jan 3Joint Worship Service Jan 17New Members/Re-Members Class Jan 31Joint Worship Service Jan 31Vartanantz Worship Service at St. Paul’s Armenian Church Feb 4Joint Worship Service/Communion Feb 7Joint Worship Service Feb 21Annual Men’s Retreat Feb 26-28Joint Worship Service/Communion Mar 6Palm Sunday Mar 20Easter Sunday & Breakfast Mar 27

Teaching Elders:

Staff:Suzy Artemyan, Church AdministratorJane Bedrosian, Music MinistryJonathan Harrison, MediaRichard Cencibaugh, Interim Organist/PianistVera Darakjian, Armenian Ministries PianistKristen Richina, Nursery AttendantSusan Ruiz, Custodian

Church Office:8:30 a.m.–4:30 p.m.

(M - F)P: 559.237.6638F: 559.237.9526

E: fapc@fapc.net

Kenneth Bedrosian, Jayson Emerian, Ed Esajian, Krikor Kalayjian,Paul Koligian, Fernando Rubio, Dennis Shamlian, Dan Sivas.

Maral Afarian, David Avakian, Richard Bittikofer, Vera Darakjian, Silva Esajian, Keith Harrison, Maria Kalayjian, Kohar Kojayan, Bob Mangasarian, Anto Sakayan, Rita Shamlian, Varvara Sivas, Sonia Yemenjian.

Rev. Greg Haroutunian, Senior Pastor (badveli@fapc.net)Rev. Mgo Mekredijian, Associate Pastor (associate@fapc.net)Rev. Phil Garo, Jr., Associate Pastor of Christian Education (pgaro@fapc.net)

Mosaix submissions are due by the

15th of the month.Please e-mail

information toadministration@fapc.net.

Ruling Elders: