CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 5 No. 5 February 7, 2013

The Chalice

Lace Up Our Boots

By Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries
Our scripture text for this Sunday is one of my favorites! Its the transfiguration of Jesus! Maybe you have heard the story before... Peter, James, and John are out hiking with Jesus and they find themselves on the top of a beautiful mountain. Im sure they were in awe of the view from the top! And while they are there, something incredible happens - Moses and Elijah (who have been dead for MANY years) make a guest appearance, the clothes Jesus is wearing turn dazzling white, and the voice of God resonates from the mountain and across the valley, This is my son, whom I have chosen; listen to him. Wow! What an event to witness! What an event to remember! And what do Peter, James, and John want to do after experiencing the powerful presence of God and the transforming touch of Jesus? They want to build a monument to commemorate the event! They want to have a place where others can come and experience it too! Its not a bad thing. After all, their intentions are good - they want to share their experience of God with others. They want others to know the transforming power of Jesus. But they are going about it a little backwards. By building monuments on the mountain, they are expecting people to come to them. Its like the line in the Kevin Costner movie Field of Dreams, If you build it, they will come. But Jesus reminds them, and reminds us, that a) the powerful presence of God cannot be contained, and b) the Gospel message is to be taken to the people, not the other way around. They dont build monuments on the mountain for people to come to them. Instead, they make the hike back down to the valley where life is lived and bring the the good news of Jesus Christ with them they take it to the people! I think we need to be reminded of that from time to time. We can have a great church building, wonderful worship services, a great education ministry for children, youth, and young adults. The list could go on and on. And there is some great transformation that takes place on our little part of the mountain! But we cant stay put, we cant remain in one place and expect people to come to us - we must be going to them; reaching out in in the name of Jesus into the valleys of life. Thats when the transforming power of Jesus truly becomes life changing! As First Christian Church prepares to unveil its future story, as we make a strategic plan for ministry over the next 5-7 years, as we embrace our call to be in ministry together, we must not settle in on our mountain. We must lace up our hiking boots and head into the valley - go out into the streets as Jesus teaches us to do, and bring the gospel to them! Thats transformation!

Ash Wednesday, February 13, marks the beginning of our Lenten season, the 40 days of preparation for Easter. This year we are having 40 Days of Compassion as our Lenten theme. Every day for the 40 days of Lent we will have an outreach project that you can participate in to prepare for the miracle of Easter. What better way to celebrate the Resurrection than to give new life and hope to others through our volunteer efforts? So, next Wednesday we invite you to come and experience Breakfast on Boulevard here at our church. Three volunteers can sign up each Wednesday to come and help serve breakfast to our community. Mickey Stufflebean will lead you there, starting at 5:30 am to let you see what this vital ministry does in our community. Then on Valentines Day, Thursday, February 14, we will have a Valentines Day party for the children in our Child Care Center. Come, bring some festive cookies and help these blessed little ones make cards for their loved ones. The fun begins at 11:00 and we will be finished by 1:00. Come for all or part of the party and feel free just to drop by and see what is happening. There is no better way to feel the love on Valentines Day than to help a child. This is also an opportunity to see the wonderful work that goes on each day at our Child Care Center, a vital outreach program for our community. Come by the 40 Days of Compassion table on Sunday in the rotunda and see all of the opportunities coming up during our 40 Days. The calendar is also available on our website. Challenge yourself this Lent to make it to at least one event every week during our 40 Days!

Making it easier to communicate and connect with one another.

First Christian invites all members to join the hub, our new online tool which allows you to securely connect, encourage and communicate with each other! One of the great features within the hub is secure access to your giving records. the hub offers controlled access to your personal giving statement, which you can access by logging in to your profile. Once logged in, follow these steps to view and print your giving statement for 2012: n Click Go to My Profile n Select the Financial tab n Choose Family n Select Giving Statement n Choose Last Year from the Quick Date Range pulldown n Select Deductible Only n Click Create If you have any questions about your giving statement, please contact Karla Mahan at kmahan@ fccedmond.org or 341-3544. If you have not yet signed up to join the hub, you will need to login first in order to have access to view and print your giving statement. If you need to sign up, follow these steps to join: n Click the hub logo from the church website, www.fccedmond.org n At the login screen, click Sign Up n Complete your name and email fields n Click submit You will receive a login activation email with your new username and a link where you can login. If you have any questions about using the hub, please email us at hub@fccedmond. org Join your FCC friends today - get in the hub!

Join us on Sunday, February 24!

International Affairs Seminar and Bean Dinner... The Tradition Continues

The International Affairs Seminar, or I.A.S., is a study trip to Washington D.C. and New York City that exposes student participants to a larger worldview and challenges them to gain an understanding of their responsibility as Christians in our world today. It is a trip where faith, politics, and global issues come head to head, igniting deep discussion and transforming lives. I.A.S. opens eyes, changes minds, and touches hearts! Each year we host the annual IAS Bean Dinner to raise funds to help support this trip. Although this is an off year, it is important to begin raising funds for the IAS trip happening in 2014. Due to the generous donations of our church community, traditionally the Bean Dinner has raised between $600 and $1900. Please join us anytime between 10 a.m. and 1 p.m. on Sunday, February 24, for beans, cornbread, slaw and fellowship, and know that you are part of sustaining a very special event in the life of the youth of First Christian of Edmond! Thank you!

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Randy Clark, McBride Orthopedic Hospital THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Gabe Wiechmann (Don & Jenny Wiechmanns son), Ed Berry, Loree Rice, Dale Wehr (Connie LaRues brother), Judy Joy, Bob Gallop, Phyllis Jarrett, Gayle Jones (Jennifer Cains mom), Jean Troutman (Carol Sterlings mom), Samantha Branscum (Michelle Fritzs sister), Lori Snider (Loretta Parks daughter), Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Bill & Mary Lou Womble OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO Robert & Karla Rowley in the death of Roberts father, George Rowley, Jr., on January 31. Services were held on Thursday, February 7 at FCC-Edmond AND TO Phil Spurlin in the death of his father, Marion George Spurlin, on January 25. Services were held in Plano, TX. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Guinnevere OHagan born February 4 to Doyle & Jennifer OHagan. Grandparents are Dyke & Geri Moffatt.

Happy Birthday!
2/10 Jimmy Wood, Brad Burleson, Mary Foreman, Randy Wilson, Misty Simon, Annamarie Webster, Karen Cowger, Greg Crosser, Will Mecoy, Karen Anderson, Jonathan Nordstrom 2/11 Mildred Lehman, Colton Sulley 2/12 Kyle Vazquez, Emily Overocker, Zach Hansen 2/13 Sara Raines, Zane Raines, Carter Raines, Grace King, Sara OHagan, Marisue Haigler, Margaret Kysar, Desi Stout 2/14 Kathy Kerr, Hallie Hanna, Tyler Goza, Bill Womble, Alaina Morton, Linda Speegle 2/15 Randy Thomas, Steve Novakowski, Paul Stuke, Helen Myers 2/16 Barbara Lea, Laura Harris, Sarah Douthitt, John Stone 2/17 Kim Ewers, Trevor Gibson, Tana Stufflebean, Tommy Atchison, Isaac Hast, Lydia Ruben

Search for Child Care Center Director

The Search Committee for the FCCE Child Care Center Director has begun the search for a permanent Director for the Child Care Center. Announcements regarding the availability of the position are being posted this week and applications will be accepted through February 15, 2013. If you know someone who might be interested in the position, copies of the announcement and the job description will be available from the Church office and at www.fccedmond.org/jobs Send resumes to jobs@fccedmond.org or mail to FCCE, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083 ATTN: Child Care Director Search Committee.

Need A Ride To Worship?

A New Bus Ministry Started
First Christian Church has hired a driver to pick up those who are no longer capable of driving to Sunday morning worship or Sunday school. If you would like a ride to and from church on Sunday mornings, please contact Terry Kerr at (405) 659-9855 to arrange this service. Each week you will be contacted on Saturday to confirm your ride for the following day. This new ministry is funded by a donor, however, donations are still welcome. Make checks payable to FCC and note Bus Ministry in the memo line.

Would You Like to Be a Door Greeter?

Providing hospitality to members and guests is one of the most important ministries of our church. It requires just the willingness to devote a few minutes each month, share a warm, cordial, welcoming smile, and provide the most basic information about our church and the location of services. Should you have the gift and passion for this ministry, let Randy Huston know at rc.huston@att.net. A sign-up sheet will also be available in the rotunda Sunday, February 10 and Sunday, February 17. Thank you! Your Evangelism (Open Doors) Ministry Team

EVERY PENNY COUNTS

The children of FCC will be having a penny drive during the 40 days of Compassion. Our pennies will be going to the Week of Compassion. The children will be collecting them throughout the 40 days of compassion, so if you have extra pennies, just find a child and they will be glad to take them because EVERY PENNY COUNTS.

Thank you!

Souper Bowl of Caring collections were $929.86. Thank you to all who helped the Cornerstone Sunday School Class TACKLE HUNGER! All donations will support Breakfast on Boulevard!

Thank you!

The Super Bowl Subs fundraiser brought in $1,472.00 for Student Ministries - what a blessing! Many thanks to everyone who purchased a sandwich, made a donation, baked brownies, assembled subs and helped out...thank you for supporting our students!

Spring Womens Connections Bible Study

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
February 10, 2013

Studying Nehemiah: A Heart That Can Break

by Kelly Minter This 7-session study looks at Nehemiahs desire to help others. Learn to see the needs around you and become inspired to listen to what God has put into your heart to do. Classes offered Monday evenings at 7 pm beginning February 11 and Thursday mornings at 9:30 am beginning February 14. Books are $16 and available in the Pastoral Office or at the introductory classes. For more information or to sign up NOW, please contact Jenny Wiechmann at 340-3816 or Tana Stufflebean at 341-4742.

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Luke 9:28-36

February 17, 2013

Guest Minister: Rev. Johnny Wray Scripture: Luke 14:15-24

Sunday, February 24

Mark These Dates On Your Calendar!

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Childrens Worship and Wonder Greeter Training at 12:15 pm in the CW&W Center in the basement. If you are interested in becoming a CW&W Greeter, please contact Michelle Fritz at mfritz@fccedmond.org

Sunday, April 7 Friday, June 21

Join the Classics on an outing to the Armstrong Auditorium to see the Byron Berline Band, with FCCs own Greg Burgess! First Christians Annual Golf Tournament will be held at Kickingbird Golf Course beginning at 1 pm.

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