CONNECTION
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 14 April 12, 2012
The Chalice
Being “An Easter People”
By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
Wasn’t our Easter celebration fantastic?! The choir’s cantata was so inspirational that many of us were moved to tears. We had a full house at all of our services— sorry for those who had to find a parking place and then a seat. I, for one, love overcrowding problems, but it is still a pain for those who have to walk a long way. The whole mood of the day was joyous—from our wonderful breakfast celebration to the Easter egg hunt for the kids—all joined in sharing the blessings of God. We were able to work in a little chocolate into the day—thanks so much for the chocolate fountain! The fear I have now is that we will move on and forget about Easter. We’ll forget the blessings, the joy and new life we have on this wonderful day. The great writer Barbara Johnson has said that we are an Easter people living in a Good Friday world. As we look around at all the tragedy that happens around us—Syria, Iraq, Afghanistan or tornadoes in our own state—we realize how much Easter means to us as Christians. One way we are claiming our status as Easter people is to continue to recognize God’s blessings. This Sunday we will recognize Holy Humor Sunday. Traditionally it has been the Sunday when the Church acknowledged the greatest joke ever played on the world—God conquered death through the resurrection. So the Sunday after Easter was spent telling jokes. We will continue that tradition. And then starting April 22, Children’s Sunday, we will begin a five-week emphasis on 29 Gifts. 29 Gifts is a book by Cami Walker, detailing her struggle with addiction, MS and other health problems. She is guided by a friend to begin a 29-day process of giving away a gift a day. At the end of her 29 days she says she became a new person. Giving changed her life, and her health. We will encourage you to go on this journey as well and see how giving can not only change your life, but give you a new perspective—perhaps a look through the eyes of the Kingdom of God. I think we’ll be able to keep a fresh emphasis on being an Easter people, after all, we don’t want to forget!
Worship @ 7pm
On Wednesday, April 25, the Youth of FCC are sponsoring an “Agape Feast” and Community Worship. Students, grades 6-12, are encouraged to invite other students from their schools to the Wednesday night dinner... even other church youth groups are welcome! All ages (including YOU) - are invited to come into the Sanctuary for a Community Worship. The worship leaders for the evening will be Christian recording artists Shane and Shane www.shaneandshane.com Do you know a student (6-12 grade)? Encourage them to attend: Agape Feast, April 25, 6 pm Community Worship, 7 pm Don’t Miss This Powerful Evening!
Introducing the...
29 Gifts/29 Days Ambassadors!
Beginning Sunday, April 22 we will enter into a special sermon series called “29 Gifts/29 Days.” The children of our church are leading us in this series, as they are creating some videos for our worship experiences on the 22nd, and beyond. The children will present our 11:00am service that day, taking the leadership in all parts fo the service. The youth will also participate in this series as they present Youth Sunday on May 6 in the 9:00 and 11:00 worship services. The series will continue through May 20, with each week focusing on a different theme. During our 29 days of giving you will see a group of 29 Ambassadors who have committed to participate in the challenge themselves. These 29 Ambassadors will be assisting with some special giveaways and will help us all connect to the joy and grace of giving. Six people are taking creative leadership roles on a planning team. Twentythree others will join them as ambassadors. We want to introduce you to those people now, and encourage you to thank them for their leadership. 29 Gifts/29 Days “Creative Planning Team” Bruce Jackson Desi Stout Jana Huff Cole Stanley Andrew Harris Bethany Shipley Other Amabassadors Emily Gresh Traci Young James Kerr Bill Allison Boston Harris Diana Frank Zoey Lee Chloe Stout
Mattie Huff David Smith Mark Parkhurst Sue Fraim George Wilkenson Brian Kilpatrick Kelly Black Tyler Black
Audrey Stanley Linda Dunlap Lori Fuller Lindsay Parks Quinton Conaway Delaney Ernst Winnie Hall
Join our rehearsals for...
hildren’s C S und ay
April 22, 2012 Hey Kids! Come Join In!
Give Blood! Be a Lifesaving Donor!
Sunday, April 29
All blood drives will be held from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Make plans to support our hospital patients with your gift of life through the Oklahoma Blood Institute.
Our children ages Pre K - 5th grade will lead us in worship on Children’s Sunday, April 22. If your child is interested in participating, be sure to bring them to music rehearsals on Wednesday, April 18, at 5pm (K-5th grade) or 5:30pm (Pre-K). Call or email Anna Lisa at 341-3544, ext 106 or
[email protected], for questions.
Prayers of the People
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Joan Grant, Parcway Rehab THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Dale Jones, Marcy Williams, Charlie Young, Vernon Conaway, Jim Hays, Edna Blunk, Loretta Parks, Tommy Atchison, Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owen’s daughter), Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia O’Niel, Cynthia David (Winnie Hall’s daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciak’s mom) CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Emmie Ann Rychecky born April 5 to Thom & Natalie Rychecky. Grandparents are Gary & Marian Bates.
Happy Birthday!
4/15 Carol Sterling 4/16 Jennifer O’Hagan, Anne Stone 4/17 Missy Blevins, Jeanie Clough, Linda Fieth, Roger Stilwell 4/18 Austin Keel, Sage O’Hagan, Jill Raines 4/19 Madison Gengler, Sophie Percival, Lorenzo Rivera 4/20 JoAnn Adams, Doug Lagasse, Chrisha McGann 4/21 Adam Jewell
Raise Your Hand...
If YOU Want To Be A Welcome Desk Host
How Does Your Garden Grow?
The Youth are selling $20 TLC Greenhouse gift cards now through May 6. The TLC cards are good for all plants, trees, fertilizer and soil to help you get your garden growing this spring! (excludes landscaping services). Your purchase will help support our youth mission trips. The cards are easy to purchase on Sundays, in the rotunda, and on Wednesday evenings - pick up yours today! Contact Missy Blevins at 833-1115 with questions.
Can YOU smile and give a friendly “good morning”? Can you answer the simple question “what time does your service start?” On Sunday Mornings, our Welcome Center desk team answers calls, takes messages, greets people and points them in the right direction. This same team answers questions about the church, where to find classes, and helps us make a great first impression! If you have the gifts of making people feel welcome, and a broad knowledge of our ministries, we would welcome you to our team! Welcome Center desk volunteers are needed on Sunday mornings - we currently have two vacancies to fill: the 2nd Sunday of each month from 11:00am to Noon, and the 4th Sunday of each month from 10:0011:00am. This duty will last from April, 2012 through December, 2012. This is a wonderful ministry to be a part of at First Christian Church, and many blessings are attached to it. If you are interested in learning more or signing up, please call Gayle Smith at 348-1357.
Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Oklahoma Featuring FCC Edmond’s Own Praise Band!
Thursday - Saturday, April 26 - 28
The Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Oklahoma will be held April 26-28 at First Christian Church of Duncan. Worship, workshops and study sessions will center on scripture: John 1:1. FCC Edmond’s own Praise Band will be performing at the 1:30 pm worship service on Saturday, April 28! Rev. Dr. Michael Mooty, Senior Minister of Central Christian Church, Lexington, KY, and former moderator of the Christian Church (DOC) in the US and Canada, will preach Thursday and Friday. Regional Pastor Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell will preach on Saturday. Faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary will present workshops. Registration forms available at the Welcome Center in the rotunda or online at: http://www.okdisciples.org/Events/reg-assembly2012.pdf
Save the Date!
FCC’s Annual Golf T ournament
Friday, June 15
Kickingbird Golf Club There will be an $80 Entry Fee. To sign up or if you have questions - contact Bob Stafford at 359-8900 or
[email protected]
The Classics Take a
Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am
at First Christian
April 15, 2012 Holy Humor Sunday
“Little Lambs and Peppers” Trip!
On Thursday, May 3 the Classics have a unique tour planned to Blanchard and Comanche, Oklahoma. The days gets off to a “chili” start...chili peppers that is, with a tour of Matador Processors Pepper Plant in Blanchard. This production facility creates taste tempting Chili Rellenos and other itmes which are shipped all across the US and overseas. Matador takes great pride in taking the Chili Relleno from field to finish. The next stop is KS&A Orchards in Comanche, OK where the McGarr’s will share their facinating story of how they ended up in Oklahoma from Alaska! We will be transported by wagon into the pecan orchard where a brisket lunch will be served by their chuck wagon crew. After a hardy lunch our tour of the ranch will include petting sheep, the opportunity to try our hand at milking, snapping some pictures of their many (approx. 300) little lambs, and sampling blue cheese from the factory and shopping in their gift shop. We will return to Edmond late afternoon with our own stories of Little Lambs and Peppers and the exciting things we saw and learned. The cost is $69 per person and includes transportation, chuckwagon lunch, tours of Matador Processing and KS&A Orchards. To make your reservation call Winnie Hall at 341-4297 or Ellen Chitwood at 341-2859.
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Matthew 13:10-18
April 22, 2012 Children’s Sunday
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Greg Bunton Theme: 29 Gifts: The Gift of Self Scripture: Luke 6:38
The Chalice CONNECTION
Shelley Regan, Editor
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