Facts & Figures for May 22, 2011
The Stillwater Christian
Nonprofit Organization
Attendance (115 and 163)...................................278
US POSTAGE PAID
Sunday School………………....………..…...…127
Permit No. 280
Stillwater, OK
General Fund Receipts……......................$3,317.00
Capital Fund Receipts..................................$215.00
Loose Offering/Sunday School…....…...….$631.44
Non-Budget Funds Receipts…..….….......$6,500.10
2011 Facts & Figures as of April 30, 2011
YTD Budget Receipts……......…….....$173,410.89
YTD Budget Expenses…….....…….....$171,462.04
Net Receipts over Expenses……..........…$1,948.85
Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer,
dkwsmith@suddenlink.net
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The Stillwater Christian is a weekly publication of
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Tracy Freeman, Editor editor@fcc-stillwater.org
Church Office Phone: 405.372.7722
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Volume 2011 May 24
In This Issue Official Board Meeting
Announcements 1
Our next board meeting is Thursday night, May 26th at 7:00pm.
Everyone is encouraged and welcome to attend.
Snapshots From 2
Sondra
Reception Honoring Don Gibson, June 26
Children and There will be a reception honoring Don and Saramae Gibson on the 26th of June
3
Youth
for his year of service as our Interim Associate Minister. Please consider giving
Facts & Figures 4 Don and Saramae a card to express your appreciation of his work. You may bring
the card to the office and we will hold onto it until reception. If you would like to
help with this event, please contact Sandi Ireland.
Vision Team Drafting New Vision Statement
The first version of the vision statement is: First Christian Church-Stillwater is com-
mitted to being a welcoming, friendly, supportive and caring, Christ-Centered Church,
with its focus on spiritual development, evangelism, outreach and mission work; local
and worldwide.
The vision statement should incorporate the church’s mission to develop discipleship, enable out-
reach, and embody community.
Please review these statements and let us know what you think. You may send your responses to
editor@fcc-stillwater.org and Tracy will compile responses for the vision team.
Christmas in July 2011
For the past 11 years, First Christian Church-Stillwater has sponsored 'Christmas in
July', a program to help families in need pay for their children's school supplies. If
you would like to help with this program, designate your gift for Christmas in
July. Mission camp youth will once again help the families shop for supplies. Adult
volunteers may be needed to help transport families or as support for the youth while
shopping. Please let Kimber Taylor, Cara Beer or Kim Hall know if you are inter-
ested in helping.
Week of Compassion Working in Joplin, MO
Week of Compassion (WoC) staff have been in contact with the local congregations. South Joplin
Christian Church was damaged and several members have been effected. First Christian Church of
Joplin, MO is acting as an emergency shelter until the local university is able to take over and sev-
eral of their members were effected. FCC, Joplin is also the drop off point for supplies. Please be
in prayer for their efforts there. Please visit their website at www.weekofcompassion.org.
Join us this Sunday for Owen Cayton’s Message;
“ Love More” based on John 14:15-21 and Acts 17:22-31
Traditional 9:00am · Sunday School 10:10 · Contemporary 11:10
 Snapshots from Sondra
Children/Youth Ministry Director youth@fcc-stillwater.org
My pastoral licensing course for this semester was “Old Testament.” Our assign-
ments, besides reading the Old Testament, was to read an Old Testament Commentary;
complete an Old Testament Workbook; and write a sermon on a passage from the Old
Testament. Those tasks alone would have filled many hours of the past three months.
In addition, I was charged with putting together the service honoring our High School
graduates. Also, mission camp registrations were due May 1, and have been trickling in
for weeks. Once mission camp registration numbers are confirmed is when the REAL
work begins. I could go on and on, but you already get the point. I have barely had time to
breathe.
I don’t get the opportunity to keep my granddaughter nearly as much as I would like.
Ashley’s birthday was this weekend, and so when they asked if Eisley could spend the
night we were not about to refuse the opportunity. I had classes in Midwest City, but Rick,
Cassidy and Eisley all came along. We reserved a room at the Embassy Suites and while I
was in class they spent time visiting with Justin and touring the OKC Zoo.
I pray the Senior service was as much a blessing to those who attended as it was to
me. FCC is always blessed with amazing young people and celebrating their accomplish-
ments along with their families is one of the highlights as youth director. I couldn’t col-
lapse after the service because we had youth group last night. I had hoped to take this
week off; however, that isn’t going to happen. I have two budget meetings this week; staff
meeting on Thursday and mission camp details still require attention.
I may sound like I’m whining and complaining but that is not the case. I love what I
do, and I’ve learned though the years to take advantage of opportunities for rest and re-
laxation. Those opportunities do present themselves; you just have to be watchful and
ready. I came across this quote in the corner of my lectionary calendar today “Heaven will
come, but for now it is the ordinary moments that make up life, that make it so rich in
memories and relationships.” The members of this congregation were not concerned about
the end of the world last week. We know that heaven will come. According to the Bible,
the when is not known to man. I, for one, do need the reminder to make the best of the or-
dinary moments, not to get so busy in the tasks of life. I forget to live life to the fullest.
I have no doubt that my schedule is not much different than any of yours. We are all
busy, we are all occasionally overwhelmed. Please heed the reminder that what makes life
so rich in memories and relationships are the ordinary moments. Make the best of your
time; live, laugh, love, celebrate. We’re all still here, we still have time. Maybe the events
of last week can serve as more than material for jokes, maybe it can serve as a much
needed reminder to make the best of the time we have – no one knows what tomorrow
may bring.
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Sondra Ladd, Children/Youth Ministry Director youth@fcc-stillwater.org
No Children’s Worship and Wonder Sunday, May 29th
Children are encouraged to attend regular worship services with their par-
ents.
June 5th Last Worship & Wonder for this session.
All children are encouraged to attend this final session. Worship folders will
be distributed to participants. During the Summer, children will meet in the
sanctuary for worship and dismiss together after the Old Testament scripture
to the upstairs youth room and then return to worship in time for communion.
BOATS STILL NEEDED FOR MISSION CAMP!
300 participants are currently registered for mission camp. We will have 25 small groups which
will be participating in lake activities on Monday, July 25th from 10-4 at Lake Carl Blackwell. If
you have a boat or jet skis and would be willing to help us with lake activities, PLEASE contact
Sondra Ladd immediately. We currently have three boats, drivers and riders and are in need of
at least three additional water craft/drivers.
GUYS TRIP/GALS WEEKEND - Friday and Saturday, June 10th-11th
All Chi Rho and CYF youth are invited. Cost is $10 and that includes everything. This is a cele-
bration of our year of youth and an opportunity to enjoy a little quality time together. Parents are
invited to attend, but attendance is not required in order for youth to participate. HOWEVER,
IT IS VERY IMPORTANT THAT REGISTRATON FEES BE TURNED IN NO LATER
THAN SUNDAY, JUNE 5TH. We need to be aware of adult attendance and transportation
needs. Please let us know if you plan to attend in order to help us make this the best event possi-
ble.
CONNECT BIBLE AND CHALLENGE
Meetings have concluded for this year, however all youth are encouraged to attend Sunday
School throughout the summer. Sondra Ladd will be teaching beginning Sunday, June 5th and
she really wants to see your beautiful faces every week.
Mission Camp Planning Meeting - June 26th
Mark your calendars now for a Mission Camp Volunteers Meeting, Sunday, June 26th, im-
mediately following the Contemporary Service. ALL MISSION CAMP VOLUNTEERS
are encouraged to attend. Pizza will be served and important details will be discussed.
Please make plans now to be involved with this exciting event!