CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 47 November 29, 2012

The Chalice

Lets Run Away

Im tired! Its been a very busy fall, not only in the life of the church and our student ministries, but in the life of my family as well. As you know, Julies mother, Kathy Badger, passed away at the end of October. We traveled to Wyoming to spend the last week of her life together as family. It was a blessing to be there, through the ups and downs, and at the moment of her re-birth. We returned last week for Thanksgiving, and for a beautiful memorial service celebrating Kathys life. Again our trip was filled with ups and downs, and Thanksgiving just wasnt the same

By Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries

without her. A place at the table was empty, and that emptiness weighed heavily on our hearts. Needless to say, the past few months have been a whirlwind of emotions, and now we are back into the constant grind of life. I am tired. My wife is tired. We are all tired. Recently Julie said she wished she could just run away for a while. You know what darling, thats not a bad idea. In fact, I know just the place. Lets run away to Bethlehem! I know, you may have been thinking somewhere more tropical with little umbrellas in the drinks, but what better place to find rest for our souls and strength for the journey than in the place where hope was born? Hope! Thats what Bethlehem has to offer. And in hope we find peace, resting assured of Gods great love for us. The hope of Bethlehem is found in our scripture for this Sunday, By the tender mercy of our God, the dawn from on high will break upon us, to give light to those who sit in darkness and in the shadow of death, to guide our feet into the way of peace. We all need to run away to Bethlehem! In the midst of the constant grind of life, the roller coaster of emotions, the weariness of each day, we need the hope, peace, love, and joy that only Bethlehem can offer. Come on, lets run away to Bethlehem!

Are you looking for a way to plug in or serve your church? Breakfast on Boulevard is a wonderful Edmond ministry held weekday mornings here at First Christian Church. Each year, BOB sees greater amounts of people through its doors plus costs for food and supplies are higher (on average 10% higher than last year). Our 2012 year-to-date expenses are $9000 higher than the year-to-date revenues. BOB needs your generous continued support - both with donations and with volunteering your time. If you would like to make a donation, you can make your check payable to FCC and mark B.O.B. in the memo line. If you would like to volunteer weekdays from 5:30 - 7:30 am, contact Mickey Stufflebean at 341-4742.

A Ministry in Need

Breakfast on Boulevard

The Advent season is a time to ready ourselves for the true gifts that Christ brings to us: hope, peace, love and joy. We invite you to join us this Advent as we journey Back to Bethlehem and recover the simple gifts of the season. Take part in any of the following special programs and worship experiences. Invite a friend to journey with us as we experience hope, peace, love and joy! Childrens Christmas Musical Once Upon a Christmas Light

Advent Schedule

Hanging of the Greens and Tasting Party

Sunday, December 2 - 6:30 pm Our student ministries annually prepares this unique service which shares the meaning of traditional symbols of the holidays: wreaths, garlands and Christmas trees as we sing classic carols, and hear Gods word. Younger children will have the opportunity to help decorate our Childrens Christmas tree during part of this family-oriented service. Our annual Tasting Party, hosted by Membership Ministries, follows the service. Everyone is invited to bring a favorite hoilday appetizer, dessert, or candy to share!

Sunday, December 9 - 6:30 pm Join the All-Star cast of First Christian as the children present the musical Once Upon a Christmas Light. It is the very first Christmas Eve ever when Super Nova and Grandioso, the heads of Galaxy Productions, appear and make an announcement. They have heard on the Greatest Authority that this is the night our Holy Savior will be born. They launch a star search to determine which star is worthy of lighting the sky above the manger. After dramatic twists and turns, we all learn we can be the brightest and the best through Gods love & light. Enjoy this Christmas gift from the children of First Christian, and stay for cookies & milk! (Nursery provided)

Christmas Cantata Lead Me Back to Bethlehem

Sunday, December 16 - 6:30 pm The cantata, Lead Me Back to Bethlehem by Pepper Choplin, will be performed by our own FCC Chancel Choir along with Peace Lutheran Church. Through this cantata may the spirit lead you back to Bethlehem to experience the miracle of the childs birth, the joy of the shepherds, the mystery of the star and the ones who followed it. After the cantata, please join us for a reception with our friends from Peace Lutheran Church. (Nursery provided)

Childrens Christmas Eve Service

Youth Snowball Celebration

Snowball 2012 - Christmas in Candyland Friday, December 7 - 6 to 10 pm All FCC students, 6th through 12th grade, are invited to the 17th annual Snowball Celebration event! Tickets are $15.00 and you need to register by December 2 at: fccedmond.org/snowball

Monday, December 24 - 5:30 pm The Gospel will come alive with the help of our children in a narrative re-telling of the birth of Jesus. This abbreviated, family-oriented worship service includes familiar Christmas hymns. Children (ages 3 through 2nd grade) may select a costume at 5pm and participate in the Nativity story!

Candlelight Christmas Eve Services

Monday, December 24 - 7 and 11 pm Join us as we anticipate the day of our Saviors birth! The 7 pm Christmas Eve service will feature beautiful music, scripture readings, and the lighting of the Christ Candle. The 11 pm service will feature a serene, simplified candlelight service with carols, the Chancel Choir, and scripture. The service ends in candlelight with bells tolling the midnight hour, marking the arrival of Christmas Day. (No nursery on Christmas Eve)

Each year we decorate our worship spaces for Advent with beautiful poinsettias. For just $15, you can purchase a poinsettia in honor or in memory of a loved one. There are three ways to place your order: 1) Order forms in worship bulletins through Sunday, December 9 2) Order online at www.fccedmond.org/poinsettia 3) Call Iris Jordan at 341-3544 Orders must be received by Sunday, December 9. If you purchase poinsettias to take home, you may pick them up on Sunday, December 16. All proceeds benefit the youth mission fund.

Purchase Poinsettias Help Decorate for Advent!

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Belinda Davis, Nita Shipley (Kathy Kerrs mom), Tom Cowling, Charlie Brown, Joy Quinn, Samantha Branscum (Michelle Fritzs sister), Joan Grant, Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law), Lori Snider (Loretta Parks daughter), Terra Conlin (Sid & Thadda Grooms daughter), Jason Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Rose Marie McKee, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO Bob & Barbara Henthorn in the death of Barbaras brother, Victor Searle of Tokyo, Japan, on November 22. Services will be held on December 2 in Tokyo AND TO Jennifer Loper & Family in the death her mother, Jerri Jones, on November 23. Services were held on Wednesday, November 28 at First Christian Church - Edmond. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Molly Marie VanOsdol born November 24 to Kody & Lauren VanOsdol. Grandparents are Kelly & Sherrye VanOsdol. Thanks to all who have given their time and effort in providing 163 beautiful Christmas stockings for our Troops! God Bless you for blessing others! Becky Winn and The Blue Star Mothers of Edmond

Happy Birthday!
12/2 Pat Coker, Sharon Mullins, Niles Jackson, Kaitlyn Wood, Sharie Wilkin, Martha Puryear 12/3 Allan Booher, Tyler Gibson, Heather Fieth 12/4 Ryan Stafford, Alba Duller, Russell Kious, Gary Stinson 12/5 Jason Juhl 12/6 Audra Stone, Luci Perdue, Jamie Werhun 12/7 Emily Bare, Dana Theobald, Julie Holliman, Foster Johnson 12/8 Jill Wilburn, Matthew Rahhal 12/9 Sue Sestak, Elli Young

Board Establishes No Weapons Policy

by Rev. Chris Shorow On November 18, 2012, the church Board unanimously voted to post signs on all doors of the church stating that weapons are not permitted in church buildings. After the passage of the open carry law, the Board wanted to clarify the official policy of the church. Signs prohibiting weapons are currently posted on the Family Life Center and in the Child Care Center wing, in accordance with DHS regulations. Since we have a Child Care Center where children are cared for, weapons are not permitted in those areas, as is the case in schools. To be consistent throughout our church facility and to protect those entering the Child Care Center, weapons, either concealed or opencarry, are not permitted in church buildings. This does not apply to Law Enforcement officers who carry weapons as a part of their job. The Board wanted to publicize this policy so that any well-intentioned member would not violate our policy. The Board is currently exploring consistent signage options.

Give Christmas Gifts That Change Lives!

One of the most common traditions of the Christmas season is the giving and receiving of gifts. Each year, millions of dollars are spent fulfilling the wishes of young and old alike. From toys to clothes, to the latest electronic gadgets; we spend in hopes of giving the perfect gift to that someone we love. And for many, finding the right gift means crowded shopping malls and long checkout lines, and the busyness of the Christmas season often leads to increased financial anxiety and personal stress. Isnt it ironic how unpeaceful the season of peace can be? This year, the Outreach Ministry Team of First Christian Church of Edmond invites you to simplify your Christmas giving by going Back to Bethlehem and sharing the true gifts of Christmas hope, joy, peace, and love. Our Alternative Gift Market will be open each Sunday morning, beginning December 2. With an Alternative Christmas gift, you honor your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of people around the world at the same time. Alternative gifts dont get returned because the recipient already has one. Theyre perfect for the person who has everything and are sure to bring smiles to the gift recipient and to the faces of those who receive the benefit of your generosity. And there are no crowded malls or long checkout lines! Its stress free, the way Christmas should be! Following the example of the wise men, we will offer three simple gifts - sheep, goats, and blankets. These gifts remind us of Jesus humble birth in a stable; surrounded by animals and wrapped in bands of cloth. And these gifts bring hope to the world! Sheep and goats will be sent through the charity World Vision, while blankets will be sent to people in need through Church World Service. So avoid the malls and share hope, joy, peace and love this Christmas.

The Good News of Operation Christmas Child

By Michele Schlough, Relay Center Coordinator

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
December 2, 2012 First Sunday of Advent
Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Luke 1:67-79

December 9, 2012 Second Sunday of Advent

Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Luke 2:1-7

The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editor sregan@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org

Thank you to everyone who has helped with our Operation Chistmas Child outreach project this year. Everyone from those who worked at packing parties since April, to those who donated items, money, TIME, and prayers. As an official shoe box collection location, we had a lot of volunteer support each day of collection week, November 12 through 19. This saved me so much walking - thank you! Thanks to staff who sent a volunteer list out to the whole congregation. That was something I could never have accomplished on my own. Thank you, also to Michelle Fritz for involving our children in decorating the plain white boxes which were donated. Its wonderful to have all ages participating in this ministry! We stored the boxes and other supplies in a donated space at Extra Space Storage Unit. ($115 per month donation) We have turned the unit back to them as of Nov 19, but will probably need it again in April or May. During Collection Week, we had at least 2-4 volunteers, besides myself, every hour we were open. We were officially open about 56 hours from Sunday, Nov 11 through Monday, Nov 19. That means at least 224 volunteer hours besides my 60+ for this week alone! During the year we have put in more than 100 hours with packing parties, sorting items, buying items, and wrapping boxes, etc. I want to especially recognize David Larrison and Anita Wilson without whose help I would not be able to continue this program. They were there almost all the time. Thanks also to Sarah Denny who spends most of her days wrapping boxes for us, she is 86 and has wrapped thousands of boxes over the years. From FCC alone we were able to fill over 600 boxes with items donated and items bought with donated money. The final count of shoeboxes collected from FCC and the community is 2,274 boxes! That is an increase of 118 boxes from last year. I know that God blesses this program and that so many children will be blessed by hearing the Good News of Jesus Christ. If, as they claim, there is a 40% decision rate for Christ we have just adopted about 900 new Christians into the family of God! This year, Samaritans Purse will be giving out the 100 millionth box since the beginning of this program in 1993. God bless everyone and have a blessed Christmas!

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