CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 42 November 22, 2011

The Chalice

I Can Only Wonder

By Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries
Each year as we begin the Advent season, the students of First Christian lead us in our annual Hanging of the Greens worship service. It is a wonderful time to prepare our hearts, minds, and worship space for the coming of the Christ child. As many of you know, it has become tradition for me to write a Christmas song for the service. And this year the tradition continues! I offer you this sneak peek in hopes that it may spark your imagination. The opening verse says: Christmas time is here again, the season has begun, to sing the songs and to celebrate the birth of Christ the Son. And every year as I think about the story Ive been told, I often wonder about those things that I just dont know. Do you ever wonder? Do you ever think about those things that we just dont know? For example, have you ever wondered how many shepherds were in the field that night? Did they all go to see Jesus, or did they draw straws? If they all went, then who watched the sheep? Or maybe they took all the sheep with them! Who knows? Christmas is a time of wonder. There are a lot of things we dont know, but thats o.k. We dont always need to have an answer. Thats what makes Christmas so amazing! Our Advent theme for this year is The Wonder of Christmas. We invite you to wonder with us as we journey together to Bethlehem. It will be an amazing journey, I promise! Our journey begins this Sunday morning in worship, and then we invite you to come back for our annual Hanging of the Greens service and tasting party! The service is at 6:30 p.m. And dont forget to bring your favorite holiday treat to share!

Share the Wonder of Christmas!

One of the most common traditions of the Christmas season is the giving and receiving of gifts. We spend endless amounts of time searching for that perfect gift to give to that special someone a gift with meaning. If you are looking for that perfect gift, then look no further. This year, in conjunction with our Advent theme, First Christian Church will once again be offering an Alternative Christmas Market. However, rather than offering multiple gift options, we will have one simple focus our children! Hopefully by now you have heard that our Childrens Ministry is moving in a new direction with the faith formation of our children. In the coming year they will begin to offer Children Worship and Wonder. This ministry uses a sensory-motor style of storytelling as a primary means for encountering God, so God is experienced, not just learned about. Children participate in worship practices and hear Bible stories in a way that allows them to enter into the stories and form responses out of their own life experiences. Our Advent theme this year is, The Wonder of Christmas, and our worship staff has asked the Worship and Wonder storytellers to offer a Wonder moment during worship each of the four Sundays in Advent, plus Christmas morning. These moments, coupled with our Advent liturgy and sermon series, will allow all of us the opportunity to encounter God in a very real and powerful way! In the year to come the Childrens Ministry will be creating a worship space dedicated to Children Worship and Wonder. And because our children are a

gift to us, the Outreach ministry of FCC is pleased to support the faith formation of our children through our Alternative Gift Market. This year we invite you to Share the Wonder by purchasing a story or book , for Children Worship and Wonder, or simply making a donation to the ministry. You can stop by the display table in the Rotunda to see the available gift options. When you purchase a story, book, or make a donation, you will receive a greeting card and envelope to give to your gift recipients. Inside the card there will be a message explaining the gift that was given in their honor. It will truly be a gift with meaning! May God bless us this Advent season as we honor the birth of the Christ Child through The Wonder of Christmas.

The

Wonder
of Christmas
Edmond Community Chorale (ECC) Christmas Concert
Tuesday, December 6 - 7:30pm

It may be hard to believe, but Advent is here! The Christmas season is fast upon us and Advent is our time of preparation. As we prepare in our worship, this year we are focusing on The Wonder of Christmas. The theme goes along with our new childrens program of Children Worship and Wonder. We will see Christmas through the eyes of our children who view the world in wonder. We will wonder with the prophets, Mary and Joseph, the Wise Men, the shepherds and finally with the baby Jesus. If you wonder about the Christmas experience, come and join us as we wonder at the miracles of God. Rev. Chris Shorow
there is hope in the midst of darkness. Come, light a candle, and experience Gods love at our Service of Remembrance. Our healing prayer ministers will be on hand to fashion a prayer for your needs, and Rev. Chris Shorow will offer a meditation.

Hanging of the Greens & Tasting Party

Sunday, November 27 - 6:30pm

Our student ministries annually prepares this unique service which shares the meaning of traditional holiday symbols: wreaths and Christmas trees, as we sing carols, and hear Gods word. Younger children may help decorate our Childrens Christmas tree during this family-oriented service. Our annual Tasting Party, hosted by Membership Ministries, follows the service. Bring your favorite holiday dessert, candy or appetizer to share. (Infant nursery provided)

Youth Snowball Celebration

Snowball 2011 - Hillbilly Holiday!
Friday, December 2 - 6 to 10pm

ECC will perform holiday music featuring the Vivaldis Gloria, Vaughan Williams O Clap Your Hands and Holsts Christmas Day, conducted by Dr. Karl Nelson, Artistic Director of the ECC and Director of Choral Studies at the UCO. The ECC will be joined by soloists from UCO. Celebrate the holiday season with these master composers and much more. The performance will be held in the Sanctuary on Tuesday, December 6, at 7:30 p.m. Admission is free, donations will be accepted. FCC members singing: Terry Earnheart, Betsy Jones, Mark Parkhurst, Bev Schmoyer.

Childrens Christmas Eve Service

Saturday, December 24 - 5:30pm

The Gospel will come alive with the help of our children in a narrative re-telling of the birth of Jesus. This abbreviated, familyoriented worship service includes familiar Christmas hymns. Children (ages 3 through 2nd grade) may select a costume at 5pm and participate in the Nativity story!

Candlelight Christmas Eve Services

Saturday, December 24 - 7 & 11pm

All FCC students 6th - 12th grade are invited to the 16th annual Snowball Celebration. Tickets $15 - on sale through November 27. Register at www.fccedmond.org/snowball

Christmas Cantata

Sunday, December 11 - 6:30pm

Childrens Christmas Musical

Sunday, December 4 - 6:30pm

The Childrens Musical this year is The Light Before Christmas by Dave Clark and Jayme Thompson. Join Beaker and the gang as they prepare for their Science class Christmas party. Through decorating the classroom, lighting the tree and some lessons from their teacher, the children begin to understand more fully why we celebrate Christmas and how the Light before Candlelight Service of Remembrance Christmas was, and is, Jesus Christ. Enjoy Sunday, December 18 - 6:30pm this Christmas gift from the children of First For many this is a difficult season of the year, Christian, and afterwards stay for a cookies especially if you have lost a loved one. But and hot chocolate. (Infant nursery provided)

Tapestry of Light - a Celtic Christmas Celebration by Joseph M. Martin is a cantata overflowing with hope and light. From seasonal songs that lift spirits to quiet carols of reflection and peace, this work is filled with the music of grace. The Peace Lutheran Church choir will join their voices with the FCC Chancel Choir again this year, and the cantata will be accompanied by a consort of instruments (violin, cello, flute, percussion and piano) for a Celtic flair. After, we will share a reception with our friends from Peace Lutheran Church. (Nursery provided)

Join us as we anticipate the day of our Saviors birth! The 7pm Christmas Eve service will feature beautiful music, scripture readings, and the lighting of the Christ Candle. The 11pm service will feature a serene, simplified candlelight service with carols, the Chancel Choir, and scripture. The service ends in candlelight with the bells tolling the midnight hour, marking the arrival of Christmas Day. (No nursery on Christmas Eve)

Christmas Morning

Sunday, December 25 - 10:45am Unified Worship Service

Enjoy Cookies & Milk for Santa during Coffee Fellowship at 10am. Nursery begins at 10:30am. (No Sunday school and no Sprouts on Christmas Day)

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Shirley Strasburg, Bart Rodr, John Stone, Loree Stubbs (Jennifer Shipleys mom), Virginia ONiel, Ron Brumback, Barbara Thornton, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), J.W. Michael, Ed Berry, Joan Grant, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams mom), Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Barbara Hall CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Madeleine Mae Koser born November 14 to Ben & Julie Koser. Grandmother is Gay Gauldin.

Happy Birthday!
11/27 Travis Christensen, Sharon Cutter, Dale Hampton, Opal McGough, Garrett OMeara, Derek Price, Jo Ann Prince, Thomas Spurrier 11/28 Shirley Cox, Diana Frank, Barbara Hall, Ibiera Tienabeso 11/29 Bill Cather 12/1 Louis Brigham, Robert Hall 12/2 Pat Coker, Niles Jackson, Martha Puryear, Sharie Wilkins, Kaitlyn Wood 12/3 Allan Booher, Tyler Gibson 12/4 Alba Duller, Russell Kious, Rachel Luschen

Want to get more involved? Are You Considering Membership?

Discover First Christian!

Sunday, December 4, at 10:00 AM in Fellowship Hall North We invite you to come and meet some of our staff and members, learn about our history, our mission and our ministries.

Come to

Notice of Annual Congregational Meeting

following each worship service

Sunday, December 11

Looking for a place to spend Thanksgiving?

Volunteer to Be a Part of the

Thursday, Nov. 24, 11am - 3pm UCO - George Nigh Center

Volunteers - call 340-0691, ext. 343

Edmond Community Thanksgiving Dinner

Purpose: To vote on nominated leaders and budget for 2012, along with proposed modifications to our bylaws. Log on to www.fccedmond.org/meeting to preview the leader ballot, budget ballot and revisions to bylaws. Questions? Contact Craig Adkins, Board Moderator, at 285-6859, or Frank Gresh, Board Moderator Elect, at 844-9120.

FCC Pictorials and Wordle Apparel for Sale!

You can purchase a color copy of the FCC Pictorial for $5 at the table in Fellowship Hall or pick up a code and download a free copy. Weve also designed a variety of wordle apparel you can purchase. As you can see above - a wordle is a bit of word art that includes key words from our summer reNEW conversations. Items for sale include t-shirts, long-sleeve shirts, hoodies, sweatshirts and 1/4 zip fleece tops. They range in price from $12 to $25. Purchase a shirt or sweatshirt at the table in Fellowship Hall this Sunday wear one and share the good words of First Christian Edmond!

There will be a NEW location for Sprouts starting this Sunday, November 27. Children attending the 11am service may be picked up in Room 131, the room behind the chapel. (After the 9am worship service, children will be escorted to their Sunday School classroom by their teachers.) Sprouts welcomes children ages 3 to 5; children 6 and older are welcome to participate in worship with their families! Thank you, Anna Lisa Stanley

Attention SPROUTS Parents:

Help Those in Need Worship

November 27, 2011
1st Sunday of Advent Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: The Wonder of Christmas - The Prophets Show the Way to Bethlehem Scripture: Isaiah 9:2b-6

December 4, 2011

2nd Sunday of Advent Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Theme: The Wonder of Christmas - Mary & Joseph Show the Way to Bethlehem Scripture: Luke 2:1-5

We are collecting sleeping bags, pillow cases and coats to distribute to the homeless of OKC through our partnership with Refuge Fellowship Church in December. If you would like to donate any of these items - coats, sleeping bags or extra pillowcases (so we can make nap sacks for the sleeping bags), drop them in the box in the rotunda. We will be collecting them through Sunday, December 11. May those of us who are blessed to have shelter and the right clothing to keep us warm, share with open hands! Questions? Contact Rev. Greg Bunton at 351-3544 or gbunton@fccedmond.org.

Purchase Poinsettias - Decorate For Advent

Each year we decorate our worship spaces for Advent with poinsettias. For just $15, you can purchase a poinsettia in honor of or in memory of a loved one. Heres how to order: fill out a form (in the Sunday worship bulletins), order online at www.fccedmond.org/poinsettia, or call Iris Jordan at 341-3544. Orders must be received by Sunday, December 4. If you purchase poinsettias to take home, they will be available for pick up on Sunday, December 11. All proceeds benefit the FCC youth mission fund.

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Come Decorate Together - We need you!

We invite everyone to help decorate for Christmas on Sunday, November 27, after the 11am service. All decorations provided! Just show up and join the fun!

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