CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 31, August 9, 2012

The Chalice

Looking Forward
By Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Childrens Ministry
As most of you know, I will be leaving my muchloved position as Director of Childrens Ministry at the end of the month. While I am sad about leaving so many wonderful projects, I am excited about becoming refocused. Chris has written about distractions and refocusing in the last two Chalice articles. I believe that when we are praying for and seeking the will of God, we will be able to focus. God will show us how to simplify and strip away all the distractions that cause us to lose our way and our truths. The same is true of our ministries. It is my prayer for the church, the Childrens Education Committee, and for the children that we minister with, that we not lose our focus. We must not forget that we minister and worship WITH children, not TO children. We must not forget to respect children for who they are, not the adults they will become. We must invite children into all aspects of church, make them feel welcome. We must remain focused. In the Worship Center (Children Worship and Wonder room) downstairs in the church basement, we have a Focus Shelf. The shelf is centered on the wall across from where the children enter the worship center. By its structure, it reminds us of the Trinity God the Holy Spirit (the Christ Candle), God Incarnate (The Nativity), and God who nurtures and sustains us (the Good Shepherd). How appropriate that it is called a Focus Shelf. One of the things I look forward to focusing on, as I transition back into lay-leadership, is dedicating myself to the new Children Worship and Wonder program. It is one of my great joys! The program will begin August 26 with a Child/Parent Orientation session during the 11:00 worship service for ages 3 through the 1st Grade. I look forward to this new adventure with you all.

Interim Director of Childrens Ministry Sought

The Personnel Committee of First Christian Church of Edmond is currently accepting applications from individuals who are interested in filling a long-term role (6 to 12 months) as Full-Time Interim Director of Childrens Ministry. Interested applicants should submit a letter of interest and a resume to jobs@fccedmond.org or mail them to First Christian Church, ATTN: Greg Bunton, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK, 73083 no later than August 27, 2012. Please NOTE: The selected Interim Director will not be considered as a candidate for the permanent position when that application process begins in 2013.

Focusing on Our Future

Sunday, August 19
(in Fellowship Hall)

Promotion Sunday is August 12!

ALL children ages 3 years through 5th grade will be promoted to their new Sunday school class on Sunday, August 12. Also, our incoming and new first graders will get their Bibles, courtesy of Disciples Women. We hope to see you this Sunday in Sunday school!

9:30 Common Sunday School 10:45 Unified Worship

Read more about this in the article on page 2 - Its Time to Focus

Its Time to Focus

Remember the great work that was done last summer during our ReNew process? We identified our core values and dared to dream and imagine the future of First Christian Church. Now it is time to take the next step and discern those dreams and Gods plan for our church it is time to Focus. We have hired Rev. Dr. Richard Dick Hamm as a consultant to help us with this process and he, along with our church staff and Focus Team have been busy compiling information regarding our congregation and community. Dick will present a preliminary analysis of this information on Sunday, August 19, in a Common Sunday School at 9:30 a.m. to be followed by a Unified Worship Service at 10:45 a.m. Our Focus will be on Gods plan to expand our core values over the next five years. To discern the direction He is calling us to take. For this process to be effective, we need as much input and participation as possible from the entire congregation. Our goal is to have 40 small groups of three, Prayer Triads, who will get together to pray, discuss specific topics, and to listen to Gods will for our church. Our Focus Team will then compile the results of the Prayer Triad discussions, present the findings to the congregation for review and critique; and, with Dicks help, come up with a step-by-step plan to take us from the present to the future. This strategic plan will guide us month-by-month from here to there and be updated every few months as we learn and gain experience. Dick will also stay in touch for at least a year, offering resources and holding us accountable in our progress. As you can see, this is a comprehensive process that allows each of us a wonderful opportunity to be a part of the future of First Christian Church and its ministries and growth. Please plan to attend Sunday, August 19 and to join our congregation as we Focus on the Future of First Christian Church. If you have any questions, please contact one of our Focus Team members: Billy Harrison, Co-moderator Brenda Peterson, Co-moderator Brian Cavanaugh Ellen Chitwood Molly Haley Bruce Jackson Terry Kerr Robbi Kinnaird Molly Larrison Warren Sheperd Bethany Shipley Wayne Warner

WE NEED

Sponsored by FCC Outreach Ministries through the Rolling Green Collaborative

BlOck PaRTY!
When & Where?
This Saturday, August 11 from 5-8 pm, at FCCs Family Life Center!

YOU FOR THE Back-TO-scHOOl

(Rolling Green residents pre-register through the Rolling Green Office)

What Can YOU Do? How Can YOU Help?

* We NEED Volunteers to work at the party! * Donate funds to purchase shoes!
We need your help! There are still many open spots - please show our neighbors the generous and giving spirit of First Christian Church Edmond and volunteer for an hour or two! You can donate online at fccedmond.org/blockparty or drop by the Block Party from 5-8 and we will find a place for you!

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Chris Gibson, Deaconess; Bob Jennings, OU Medical Center - Edmond THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Bob Jennings, Jason Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Judy Joy, Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law), Jim Hays, Haynes Phillips (Anna Lisa Stanleys dad), Jerri Jones, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Kim Klaus and family in the passing of her mother, Jane Martin, on August 2. Services will be Friday, August 10 at 11:30am at the Faith Bible Church in Edmond AND to Robyn Young Bond & Karri Young and Greg & Lynn Burgess in the passing of their father, Charlie Young, on August 2. Also remember extended family members and long-time care-givers Mildred Lehman and Angie Wilson. Services were held Monday, August 6 at FCC-Edmond. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Andre Henry Kirkland born July 30 to Steve & Holly Kirkland. Great grandmother is Gloria Rehrig AND Eleanor Gail Burgess born August 7. Grandparents are Greg & Lynn Burgess.

Happy Birthday!
8/12 Kristen Hall, Les Hastings 8/13 Katie Pierce, Kylee Stone 8/14 Claire Douthitt, Chris Gibson, Alex Hall, Joseph Mecoy, Delaney Nash, Karri Smith, Steve Theobald 8/15 Blake Ruben 8/16 Ivan Coco, Michele Koopman, Cassie Miller, Cathy Stephens, Charles Weddle, Jr. 8/17 Lillian Lee, Vicki Thorpe 8/18 Trent Lagasse 8/19 Steve Allison, Naomi Harp, Fred Hepler, Margaret Hostetter

Operation Christmas Child Packing Party

Wednesday, August 15 9 am to Noon Come and go!

Questions? Call Michele Schlough at 844-3214. Thank you!

Looking for Donations...Can You Help?

We would appreciate donations or loans of the following items: Donate or loan embroidery hoops - any size Donate yarn and embroidery floss - any color Donate felt squares - any color Do you do needlework, weave, quilt or sew? Let us know! Email sregan@fccedmond.org We are asking for all donations to be left in the box in the church workroom, room 101, by August 15. These donations will be used for creative projects - decorations and childrens crafts - for our annual Gratitude lunch and Annual Campaign. Thank you for your help!

Child and Parent Orientation

During the 11:00 a.m. service come see what is it all about!

Children Worship & Wonder

Sunday, August 26

Unite Small Group Teachers Needed!

Have you ever wondered where can you serve? In order to keep this vital ministry running successfully - Unite Small Group Teachers are still needed! If you are available on Wednesdays beginning at 6:30 pm and LOVE to teach, please contact Anna Lisa Stanley at 341-3544. Thank you! This year, all Wednesday UNITE activities (includes dinner, worship and small group classes) for children, youth, and adults begin Wednesday, September 12th! Fall UNITE dates will run from September 12 through December 5. There will be no UNITE events on October 10th (Fall break) or November 21 (Thanksgiving break). Additional registration information is coming soon - watch for it!

Edmonds Hope Center Seeking Volunteers

The HOPE Center of Edmond works to provide assistance to members of the Edmond community by providing food, clothing, household items and financial assistance (rent and utilities) - and they need volunteers! Volunteers work in 2-3 hour shifts, once a week. Areas in need include the Food Pantry and the Clothing Closet. If you are interested, contact Cheryl Woods at 348-1340.

Mark Your Calendars!

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
August 12, 2012

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Greg Bunton Theme: Visioning Scripture: Luke 18:35-43

Join the Womens Connections Bible Study group for this 8-session study! This study looks at the implications of our faith and will inspire you to put your faith into action in practical ways.
Session 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Monday 7:00-9:00 pm Aug 27 Sep 10 Sep 24 Oct 8 Oct 22 Nov 5 Nov 19 Dec 3 Thursday 9:30-11:30 am Aug 30 Sep 13 Sep 27 Oct 11 Oct 25 Nov 8 Nov 29 Dec 13

August 19, 2012

Common SS Hour - 9:30 AM (FH) Unified Service - 10:45 AM
Guest Minister: Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm Theme: Visioning Scripture: John 5:2-9

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Want to sign up? Call Jenny Wiechmann at 340-3816 (for Monday evenings) -or- Tana Stufflebean at 341-4742 (for Thursday mornings) -or- see Iris Muno Jordan in the church office. Books are $18. Make checks payable to FCC and note Connections Bible Study.

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