CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 5 No. 12 March 28, 2013

The Chalice

With Fear and Great Joy

By Rev. Greg Bunton Associate Minister of Student Ministries
Well, its my last week on staff at First Christian of Edmond. Its my last news article, my last staff meeting, my last Unite, my last Holy Week, my last, my last, my last - as a staff member of FCC, that is. And after 17 years, it feels so strange. I am sitting in my office writing this, and my office is empty. Im not even using my own computer, because it is gone. Im sitting ON my desk, using a laptop that is oddly mounted to a rolling cart! My car is already in Colorado, as is my office and 3/4 of my clothing. Our house is almost empty. Lots of bare walls, carpet indentations, and boxes randomly stacked here and there. Its weird. All this emptiness. Its scary and exciting all at the same time. Have you ever had that feeling? Fear and joy at the same time? This week is Holy Week, it is a week of both fear and great joy. Its a roller coaster of emotions for Jesus and his followers. A triumphal entry into Jerusalem, a last supper, an arrest, trial, and crucifixtion, and then the emptiness. And its the empitness that brings both fear and great joy. Thats what the Gospel of Matthew tells us. The 2 Marys go to the tomb early Sunday morning and are suprised to find it emtpy! An angel tells them that Jesus has risen from the dead, he is not here. And then Matthew tells us that they run, with fear and great joy to tell his disciples what they have seen and heard. The emptiness was scary for them, for they didnt know what had happened or what to expect. But at the same time, that emptiness brought them great joy, because they knew something great had happened and they were filled with hopeful expection! I am caught in the fear and great joy of my emptiness. Its scary to leave after 17 years, but what an amazing opportunity to continue in minstry. Like I said, this is my last week as a staff member of FCC, not as a minister of the Gospel and a member of the body of Christ. And it is the miracle of Easter that reminds me that the dark, frightening, emptiness of the tomb has been overcome. Death has been defeated! And so in the midst of my fear, I am filled with hopeful expection. For me, my family, and for you - the faith community of First Christian Church. We are resurrection people, so lets run with fear and great joy and proclaim the good news! Rise and shine, for our light has come. Christ has risen; he has risen indeed!

8:15am Chapel Service 9am Contemporary Service 11am Traditional Service

On Easter Sunday, the Children Worship & Wonder story will be told during the 11am service. We invite your children to worship with you in the Sanctuary!

EASTER BREAKFAST
8:30-10:30am Fellowship Hall
Enjoy an special breakfast with your church family before worship or Sunday School! Hosted by Membership Ministries
Parents of Children: Due to scheduling conflicts, there will be NO Easter Egg Hunt as previously advertised. If you have questions, contact Michelle Fritz.

2013 EASTER OFFERING

I came that they may have life, and have it abundantly. (John 10:10b)
The Easter Offering of the Disciples Mission Fund supports the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Your financial gifts help sustain ministries that faithfully serve communities around the world. Please give generously this Sunday, March 31, as we seek to walk with others in Gods abundance. Your gifts make a difference!

Since October 2012, a small group of Disciples from across the state have been working together. They call themselves The Listening Team. Their only task - just as one might imagine - is to simply LISTEN. There is a lot of change happening within the pastoral leadership of the Region, and, before any decisions about the future are made, the Regional Board wants to hear from YOU. First Christian Church of Edmond is hosting a Regional Listening Session on Sunday, April 14, at 4 PM in Room 116. Please plan to join FCC and the Regional Board in a listening session to discover what we think makes our region great! For more information on this process, go to www.okdisciples.org/listen

Sunday, April 14th, from 4 to 5 PM Room 116

Regional Listening Session

FaithLife Connections Event

Saturday, April 20, from 9 AM to 3 PM Room 116
Featuring Dr. Joe Bessler Robert Travis Peake Associate Professor of Theology at Phillips Theological Seminary A FaithLife Connections (FLC) event will be held at First Christian Edmond on Saturday, April 20, from 9 AM to 3 PM. FaithLife Connections is an ongoing lecture/conversation series offering a forum for participants to explore faith values in daily life. This presentation, by Dr. Joe Bessler, is called Exploring the Intersections Of Religion and Politics. It will explore the intersection of religion and politics by noticing how major political speeches are structured in ways that overlap with the structure and topics of Christian faith and theology. Well consider several explanations for why that overlap exists. By exploring these overlapping connections and tensions between the religious and the political, lay leaders will see better the importance of distinguishing our religious convictions from our political commitments. Anyone, who seeks to make connections between faith matters and daily life, is welcome to attend. For more information or to register, visit www.ptstulsa.edu/faithlifeconnections or call (918) 610-8303.

Exploring the Intersections of Religion and Politics

Circle of Compassion
Dinner and Auction
As First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), we continually seek ways to serve others both within our own community and beyond. One of the ministries we support is Week of Compassion (WOC). (WOC is the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). WOC seeks to equip and empower disciples to alleviate the suffering of others through disaster response, humanitarian aid, sustainable development and promotions of mission opportunities.) Week of Compassion has challenged Disciples Churches to become a part of the Circle of Compassion - 100 Disciples Churches to raise $10,000 for the endowment fund for Week of Compassion. First Christian Church of Edmond has accepted this challenge! First Christian Edmond is hosting a dinner and an auction event on Sunday, April 28, in the Family Life Center to support the Circle of Compassion endeavor. Please join us on Sunday, April 28, at noon for a delicious lunch. After lunch, we will be auctioning off some great items! Come check it out! You can reserve your spot at the table in the rotunda or contact Iris Muno Jordan at 341-3544, ext. 110.

Sunday, April 28, at 12 PM Family Life Center

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Virginia ONiel in Bellevue Rehab Center; Betsy Jones in Mercy Rehab Hospital THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Nancy Gallop, Gabe Wiechmann (Don & Jenny Wiechmanns son), Loree Rice, Dale Wehr (Connie LaRues brother), Judy Joy, Phyllis Jarrett, Gayle Jones (Jennifer Cains mom), Lori Snider (Loretta Parks daughter), Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Bill & Mary Lou Womble Dear Friends, Many of you in our church family have expressed concern about John Werhun and his ongoing battle with cancer. I know the best way to stay informed is to sign up for their website updates at www.mylifeline.org/johnwerhun They keep all friends and family updated with the most current news. And I want to thank everyone who wants to reach out and do something for them. Right now they are doing well and dont need anything, but if youd like to help in the future, be on the lookout on their website and they will let you know how you can help. John and his family are facing this battle with inspirational courage and a rock-solid faith. They truly are an inspiration. One thing you can do to help them is to make their church home a place of peace. That means you are encouraged not to look at them with puppy-dog eyes and tell them you are sorry about their situation, but to approach them celebrating life and all that it offers. Have a positive attitude, like they do, and enjoy the gift of life God has given us! Thank you, Chris Shorow

Happy Birthday!
3/31 4/2 4/3 4/4 4/5 4/6 4/7 Campbell Coleman, Stacy Storey M.C. Weber, Megan Sanford, Delaney Ernst Anna Hall, Wendy Hagy, Lindsay Hanna, Byron Lofton, Paul Preslar Claire Linville, Emory Beasley, Brian Wilburn Janell Lee, Leslie Smith, Brenda Peterson, Emmie Rychecky Trish Thomas, Alice Broadrick, Penny Dilg, Ryan Bowers Anna Felix, Hannah OMeara

Join Us for a Wedding Shower Honoring

Elizabeth Beason
Sunday, April 7 2 PM, Fellowship Hall
Elizabeth is registered at Target and Bed, Bath & Beyond Hostesses are Laura Kyser, Margaret Kyser, Kay Mades, Laura Qamoos and Sherrye VanOsdol

If you ordered an Easter lily and would like to take it home, you may pick it up this Sunday, March 31, after the 11 AM worship service. The Youth of FCC thank you! We wrap up our 40 Days of Compassion with these final events: Friday, March 29 - Water for All Educate yourself on water resources. Go to the Week of Compassion website and read about creative ways to raise money for water distribution at www.weekofcompassion.org Today Through Sunday, March 31 Every Penny Counts! The children of FCC are still collecting money for their penny drive. If you have extra pennies (or any change at all), find a child and they will be glad to take them for you...because every penny counts!

Pick Up Your Easter Lily!

Discover First Christian

Sunday, April 7 10 AM Fellowship Hall
Have you been thinking about joining First Christian? This is your opportunity to come meet some of our staff and members, learn about our history, our mission and our ministries and have your questions about First Christian Church of Edmond answered for you. Come join us! We look forward to seeing YOU!

Thank you for your dedication to our 40 Days of Compassion campaign!

The Childrens and Youth Education Committees are looking for summer interns. The internships are open to college students that grew up at First Christian Church of Edmond and participated in the Children and Youth programs. If you are interested, go to www.fccedmond.org/internship Application deadline is March 31.

Summer Internships - Last Chance to Apply!

Register for Summer Camp!

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
March 31, 2013 Easter Sunday

Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: John 20:1-18

April 7, 2013 Holy Humor Sunday

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Psalm 126

Summer Church Camp is filled with fun activities, Bible study, and adventure! This year, campers are registered ONLINE for camps based on GRADE COMPLETED by June 2013. Again, FCC offers partial scholarships to campers that are members. How do you register your child? Here are the steps: 1) Register online at: www.fccedmond.org/camp 2) You will receive a confirmation email which will include the health forms that need to be completed and returned to FCC. 3) You will return the completed forms to FCC, attn: Jennifer Humphrey, along with the payment - within 10 days of signing your camper up! Earlybird Rates: Now - April 15; Regular Rates: April 16 - May 12. For anyone who registers online by April 15, you will receive an additional $35 off of your rate (thanks to the Regions Mens Ministry Leave No Child Behind.)

The Chalice CONNECTION

Jennifer Humphrey, Editor jhumphrey@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org

The following camps are available: CAMP LOCATION

RATES (Earlybird/Regular)

DATES

Chi Rho, grades 6-8 (Oakrige Camp, Anadarko) $300/$350 June 3-7 Kid-N-Kin*, grades 1-2 (Camp Christian, Chouteau) $170/$200 June 6-9 (*Kid-N-Kin is grade 1 & 2 plus an adult family member attending camp.) Discovery, grades 2-3 (Central Camp, Guthrie) $180/$200 June 7-9 Junior, grades 4-5 (Central Camp, Guthrie) $295/$335 June 17-21 CYF, grades 9-12 (Central Camp, Guthrie) $295/$335 June 24-28

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