CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 3 January 26, 2012

The Chalice

The Faith We Sing

As a life long member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), I have come to recognize and appreciate the importance of music in worship. Music calls us to worship, it prepares us for prayer, it proclaims our faith, and it leads us to the table. Even if we are not singing, just listening, music helps bring us into the presence of the Holy. It would be hard to imagine a worship experience without any music! Choosing music is difficult. Some like traditional hymns, others like more contemporary choruses. Some like the organ, some the piano, others a guitar, and some no instruments at all. Some prefer to sing out loud, others simply like to listen. Its hard to please everyone! And so we currently have 3 worship services that offer different music options and styles. But no matter what you prefer, or what service you attend, the commonality is that music is important to the worship of God.

By Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries

This week, as we conclude the exploration of our Disciples heritage, we will be celebrating the diversity of music that brings us together. And to do so, we will be changing things up slightly. All 3 services will be filled with a variety of music. Some music will be traditional, some contemporary. Some songs will invite us to join in and sing together, some will offer us the opportunity to simply be in the presence of God. Some music was written by classical musicians, and some by Disciples ministers and church members (even some here in our own congregation). Even our children and youth will be sharing music! And through the variety of our music, we will be living out one of our early Disciples principles We protect unity through diversity. We invite you to come and celebrate with us as we give thanks for the gift of music and its ability to lead us in worship.
First Christian Church of Edmond Presents

A Celebration Of
4:00pm Sunday, January 29
Upon the Retirement of Chris J. Westhof III, Organist

Celebrating 50 Years of Scouting at FCC!

Sunday, February 5, 2011
Weve invited all the Eagle Scouts and former scoutmasters to come for worship and will have a celebration during the coffee hour starting at 10:00 a.m. Bruce Jackson will share our morning message, and other Eagle Scouts and scoutmasters will participate in our worship services. We will honor Gifford Parkhurst who started troup 479 a mere 50 years ago! Join us as we lift up the wonderful relationship between scouts and our church, another way we reach out to the communityopen doors, hearts, minds and tents!

Special Treats at Retirement Recital and Reception

Join us for A Celebration of Music this coming Sunday, January 29, beginning at 4:00 p.m. FCC will be treated to a unique organ recital where six accomplished recitalists will perform well known fiery toccatas, as well as quiet and contemplative tonal poems. Our chancel choir will perform When I Survey the Wondrous Cross. And there is a very special surprise that everyone will enjoy. Following the recital, a reception will feature finger foods and desserts.

Four Summer Internships Available!

One for Childrens Education - Three for Student Ministries
By Greg Bunton & Anna Lisa Stanley
The Childrens and Youth Education Committees are pleased to announce two summer internship programs for Childrens Ministries (ages birth-5th grade) and Student Ministries (grades 6-12). These internships are open to college students that grew up at First Christian Church of Edmond and participated in the Children and Youth programs. The purpose of the internships is as follows. 1. To provide our college students the opportunity to give back to the church and program that nurtured them as children and teenagers 2. To provide the opportunity to be a positive role model to our children and youth, and to the life of our Children and Student Ministries. 3. To provide the opportunity for our college students to hone their leadership skills as they help to plan and implement various programs and ministries. The Childrens Education Committee will be hiring one intern for the summer, and the Youth Education Committee will be hiring three interns for the summer. If you are interested in finding out more, or want to apply, go to www.fccedmond. org/internship and complete the online process. Application deadline is Sunday, March 25. Interns will be selected and notified by Sunday, April 15.

Mark your Calendars!

Family Camp 2012

Join us this year in beautiful Estes Park Colorado June 24 thru June 30th for Family Camp. Come experience what everyone is talking about! There is something for everyone. The information packets will be available in Rotunda on Sunday. The activities are endless: hiking, white water rafting, golfing, crafting, tennis, skateboarding, fishing, rock climbing, star gazing ,and horseback riding. There is also a chance to zip line 800 ft through the mountains. In the evenings, we go to movies, shop and of course join one another for a friendly game of Nerts and other games. If you have any questions, please contact Susan Huffer at 623-2185.

Connections Womens Bible Study

Covenant: Gods Enduring Promises by Kay Arthur

Trust issues develop because people fail us. But Gods Word never fails. Women of all ages are invited to join us for Kay Arthurs Covenant: Gods Enduring Promises. This 8-session Bible study will teach you seek and find, and come to appreciate the exciting, encouraging and lifechanging truths of the covenants of God.

Monday Evenings 7:00 to 9:00pm Beginning January 30

Thursday Mornings 9:30 to 11:30am Beginning January 26

Books $17 (supports costs of class DVD)

Sign up and pick up books from Iris Muno Jordan in Pastoral Office - Room 127 or contact Jenny Wiechmann at 340-3816 (for Mon. evenings) or Tana Stufflebean at 341-4742 (for Thurs. mornings).

Super Bowl Sub Sandwiches On Sale!

The Youth of First Christian Church are selling Sub Sandwiches for Super Bowl Sunday. Students will be taking orders through February 5 for 6-inch sub sandwiches for $6 a piece. Your order is then available for pick up the morning of the BIG GAME. This Sunday, stop by the rotunda to place your order and sandwich preference. You can choose from ham, turkey, roast beef, cheese, and all the fixings plus a bag of chips, a canned soda or bottled water, and a delicious homemade brownie. Proceeds from the sale support ongoing youth mission trips and activities. If you are not able to put your order in on Sunday, you can also stop by during the week and fill out an order form, or order online at: www.fccedmond.org/subsales As always, the support and prayers from the church family are instrumental in all the youth endeavors. Its teamwork that makes for a winning team!

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Loretta Parks, Tommy Atchison, Dale Hampton, Peggy Thies (Sandy Mitchells mom), Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owens daughter), Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Florine Shirley, Judy Joy, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom) OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Paula Bailey and family on the passing of her uncle, LeRoy DuPree, on January 24 in Fillmore, OK. Services are pending.

Happy Birthday!
1/29 Emily Marsh 1/30 Patsy Corrigan, Tracy Hastings 1/31 Doyle OHagan, Kyle Polk, Carl Hutton 2/1 Channing Crull, Tom Noles, Jennifer Schmitz 2/2 Dylan Cummings, Callie Schmitz 2/3 Hayden Fuller, Larry Griffin, Avery Hendricks, Lucas Peterson 2/4 Jennifer McGrew, Madison OMeara, Angie Percival, Dennis Weaver 2/5 Lu Cunningham, Christi Eischeid, Nancy Gaines

Thanks For Another Successful IAS Bean Dinner!

Once again our church family has responded generously to help support participation of some of our youth in the International Affairs Seminar (IAS). As a reminder, IAS is a trip to Washington, D.C. and New York City which exposes the participants to a larger world view with a focus on Christian responsibility in the world. The youth visit Congressional representatives, other government officials, foreign embassies and the United Nations; they are briefed by the State Department and political activist groups; they worship at National City Christian Church; and they enjoy sight-seeing and usually a Broadway musical. The youth who will participate in this event this year and in future years appreciate the great support offered by our congregation at the Bean Dinner on January 22. The total donations of $1807.15 once again demonstrated the generosity of our faith community in supporting this activity and will help offset the expense of this opportunity for our youth and their families. Thanks for the success of this event are also directed to Bob Steele for helping with preparation, other members of the Compadres Sunday School Class, Julie Bunton and the parents of this years participating youth for preparing, setting up, serving and cleaning up, and to all those who helped Sherrye VanOsdol, and Tana Stufflebean in supplying brownies. Please patronize the following local merchants to thank them for their donations to support this activity: WalMart Supercenter (I-35 & 15th), SAMs (Memorial & Penn), Walmart SuperCenter (Danforth & Santa Fe), Walmart Neighborhood Market (164th & Western), Homeland (33rd Street), Homeland (Bryant & Danforth), WalMart Neighborhood Market (2nd Street) and Homeland (Santa Fe & Edmond Road). Due to their generosity ALL of the donations will go toward offsetting the cost of this experience for our youth.

Pick Up A Good Book!

The library committee would like to let you know that new books have been placed in the church library. One is a brand new book entitled Helping Those in Grief by Norma Wright. Others include a set of dontaed young adult books along with two donted boxes of books which are duplicates from the library of First Presbyterian Church. Stop by and check out a book to enjoy!

More than 20 years ago, the Souper Bowl of Caring began with a simple prayer: Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help us to be mindful of those without even a bowl of soup to eat. Since that day, more than $81 million has been raised for local hunger relief organizations through Souper Bowl of Caring. Be part of this movement that is sharing Gods love with those in need. Please give generously on Super Bowl Sunday as the Cornerstone Sunday School class works to TACKLE HUNGER! They will hold soup pots at the doors raising money that will go directly to support Breakfast on Boulevard.

Thinking About Joining First Christian? Have Questions? Come Get Answers at

Discover First Christian!

10:00 am Sunday, February 12 in Fellowship Hall West Come meet some of our staff, a few members and share coffee and conversation.

Worship

January 29, 2012 Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: Disciples Heritage: Diversity of Worship & Music

February 5, 2012 Message: Bruce Jackson Theme: Boy Scout Sunday Scripture: Isaiah 40:21-31

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Come to the Regional Churchs 20th Annual Leadership Training School on Saturday, February 4th from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm at First Christian Church, Oklahoma City! Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm, former General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will give the keynote address as part of the LTS opening worship at 9:00 am. Dr. Hamm will teach two classes and will speak at a luncheon at 1:00 p.m. following LTS. Luncheon reservations are required and must be in by January 23rd. First Christian has paid registration for anyone from our congregation who wishes to attend. To see a complete list of classes offered at LTS, log on to our website at www. fccedmond.org/lts OR visit the Regional Church website: www.okdisciples.org OR call 528-3577.

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