Thirteen was a lucky number on October 17, for that is how many of us gathered in Coco's private side room for a meal and some lively conversation. Afterwards, we enjoyed Canyon Theatre Guild's Phantom, a musical retelling of the Paris opera "ghost" tale, melodic and melodramatic at the same time. Inventive sets and fine costuming created the 1890's city well, and when Act II was over, we all agreed that it was a "grand night for singing."

Our November 6th Glendale theatre evening was a fun-filled one. Our leisurely ninety minute meal at Damian's was a treat, especially the shared eight layer orange cream cake! Then came Wilde's "The Importance of Being Earnest." A real hoot with zany situations and outrageous dialogue delivered straight faced. And, of course, with two principal characters needing to be Earnest though neither was. In the end, everyone lived happily ever after, and we even learned the identity of the baby in the handbag! Funny!

Our March 1 outing found twelve of us enjoying a potluck dinner together, food delicious and plentiful, conversation lively and warm. The SCV Regional Theatre production of “Man of La Mancha” featured some fine renditions of familiar melodies and performances that brought both chuckles and moist eyes. The best part, though, was having time to get to know others in our church family better, our fellowship bringing us closer to each other and Him.

Our murder mystery evening was an enjoyable time for all who went. Vanpooling gave us plenty of time to visit and get to know one another better. Conversations continued over an early dinner at Damon’s, a restaurant only steps away from the theatre. Sharing good food and good company made the meal memorable. After a ‘round the block stroll, it was time to enter the Glendale Centre Theatre for Agatha Christie’s “The Mousetrap.” An enthusiastic cast made this a classic whodunit, with its typical Christie surprise revelation of the murderer at its climax, fun to watch.

Our day at the St Andrew's Abbey Fall Festival on Saturday, Sepember 29 was fun for all who went. We praised God in the chapel, browsed the religious books, laughed over the variety of ceramic angels the monks make (including a biker angel that reminded all of us of Pastor Mac!), picked up some ideas to use at the craft's stalls, hiked along the path tracing the events of Jesus passion and death, and enjoyed a wonderful meal together. The weather was cool and delightful in Valyermo, and we left feeling that we'd like to return for a retreat some time.

On June 16 we visited The Nethercutt Collection in Sylmar. Our free tour of the collection's one hundred classic cars included a vintage Duesenberg, Packard, Pierce Arrow, and Rolls Royce, all displayed in the elegant San Sylmar building. Our tour continued in the Mechanical Musical Instrument collection where we enjoyed the sounds of a Wurlitzer theatre pipe organ, a nickelodeon, and even a tiny musical pocket watch among others. After leaving the Nethercutt, we returned to Santa Clarita for dinner at a local restaurant.

"Oklahoma" was a foot-stomping success at the Canyon Theatre on Saturday, April 29. Replete with a delectable meal highlighted by Bev Maier's lasagna and Linda Fox's Tre Leches cake, we enjoyed Rogers and Hammerstein's tuneful melodies and the high-stepping dancing of the talented cast, including Bethlehem's own Jack Matson as Slim. The Theatre Guild has a great slate of plays lined up for next season so we will definitely schedule an another local theatre evening at least once next year.

Our Bye-Bye, Birdie evening brought smiles to the faces of the seven who attended our latest event on Saturday, March 24. A potluck dinner gave us a chance to relax, visit, enjoy friendly conversation, and eat some delicious food. Those of you who have never tasted one of Bev's "everything goes in" salads or one of Linda's finger-lickin’ good cakes don't know what you’re missing! Then it was off to Canyon Theatre's rollicking production of Birdie, a trip down memory lane with tunes like "One Special Boy," "Put on a Happy Face," and the Elvis impersonating "One Last Kiss." Bethlehem's own Jack Matson did a number of speedy costume changes and played a trio of supporting roles that added to our enjoyment. All in all, it was a lovely evening of friends and fellowship.

Our Santa Clarita Pride Week clean-up day at church was a rousing success. Three adults and sixteen young people pulled up dandelions in the lawn, crawled under bushes and tramped the “back forty” and scoured the campus to pick up trash, washed the folding chairs in rooms five and six as well as the tables in the Mizpah and junior high rooms. Phew! We worked hard, but seeing full bags of trash and a litter free campus was worth our efforts.

A beautiful fall day, a reverent worship service with harp accompaniment, a yummy lunch on the shady patio of Café Vincent, tablefuls of ceramic crosses and angels of every description and Christmas decorations, a bookstore bursting with religious art and music, and colorful craft booths marked Saturday, September 24 as our group traveled to the annual Fall Festival at St. Andrew’s Abbey in Valyermo.

Seventeen of us enjoyed our Patio Potluck on Saturday, August 27, thanks to gracious hosts Tom and Jeanette Anderson. After yummy spring rolls and veggie pizza appetizers, our buffet table groaned with tempting salads and main dishes. No one went home hungry. Later we relaxed in the peaceful park-like setting of the Anderson’s garden where good converation and warm fellowship graced the balmy summer night. Altogether it was lovely evening for all of us.

Agua Dulce Vineyards played host to a group of us on June 18th. First we tasted our way through a Sauvignon Blanc and a Chardonnay before Agua Dulce’s knowledgeable Gerard led us on an interesting tour of the vineyard, both inside and out. Next after we sampled a Merlot, a Syrah, and a Zinfandel, a dessert Muscat brought our tasting to a sweet end. Dinner and conversation at nearby Maria Bonita’s capped the day perfectly.

Our April 16 activity began at 6 pm when twelve of us gathered at the Lund home for a delicious potluck supper. Many are still talking about Jeanette Anderson's pretzel salad and Charlotte Nash's chocolate cheesecake! Well-fed and replete, we car-pooled to Old Town Newhall for Canyon Theatre Guild’s production of the musical comedy Guys and Dolls. Great performances, wonderful songs, high-steppin’ dance routines, and Bethlehem’s own Jack Matson as a bandsman from the Save the Souls Mission kept us entertained.

Our dinner and theatre evening on March 19 was a treat. Dinner at Macaroni Grill started the evening. Twelve of us enjoyed pasta and conversation. Then a short drive brought us to COC’s new Vital Express Center for Neil Simon’s Rumors. A beautiful set and a great cast made this comedy a winner. Just when the screwball plot seemed to even out, Simon’s charcters threw another monkeywrench into the mix. Watching eight people try to salvage a party and, at the same time, figure out what happened to their never-seen hosts kept us all laughing. What a great way to spend a Saturday night with Bethlehem friends!

Our second event, our Pasadena Rose Bowl evening at the Billy Graham Crusade on November 19, was an exciting worship experience. As the Rose Bowl filled, we heard groups shouting back and forth across the stadium, "We love Jesus; yes we do. We love Jesus. How 'bout you?" Cheers for Jesus! How cool is that? Being with more than 60,000 people praising God and singing, "Here I am to worship. Here I am to bow down. Here I am to say, 'You are my God!'" was incredibly uplifting. All of us who went came away on a spiritual high.

Our first event, a dinner and theatre evening on October 16, 2004, was great fun. Lively conversation 'round our table during an Italian meal at Giavanna's preceded Canyon Theatre Guild's funny production of "Forbidden Planet" with some great moves and singing by an enthusiastic cast. All in all, a smile-a-thon Saturday night that had everyone saying, "What a great evening!"

If you have any suggestions about an event you would like to see our Fellowship Ministry host, please contact Don and Dianna Lund at 296-8463.