CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 5 No. 6 February 14, 2013

The Chalice

40 Days of Compassion Starts

By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister 40 Days of Compassion is now here! Ash Wednesday was the first day of our Lenten season, the 40 days of preparation for Easter. And we are in the full swing of our own 40 days of compassion. Every day during this period we will highlight an outreach ministry of our church and we invite you to participate in all or even just some of the events. If you havent yet picked up a calendar from our table in the Rotunda, you can view the calendar of events on our website. There are some wonderful projects for you to join in and wonderful learning opportunities about the great work that takes place in the name of Jesus Christ through our church family. We certainly have some dedicated and inspiring volunteers reaching out to others. I challenge each of you to participate in this 40 Days of Compassion for your Lenten discipline. Historically, Christians throughout the ages have given something up for the period of Lent so that they will be able to celebrate a true resurrection, both the resurrection of Jesus and the resurrection in their own lives. This year, taking on some compassionate outreach would be a great way to welcome the resurrection into your life and the lives of others in need. During our worship services throughout Lent we will be focusing on the Beatitudes from the 5th chapter of Matthew. Jesus gives a list of those who are blessed, or the word is even translated as happy. For our Ash Wednesday service we recognized the blessed as those who mourn. This type of blessing comes to both those who mourn and those who reach out to mourners. The same is true of our compassion. We are equally blessed as we reach out to others, as they are blessed by our actions. This Sunday we welcome Rev. Johnny Wray, former Director of our Week of Compassion ministry through the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Many of you know Johnny and have enjoyed his stories, his humor and the inspiring message of hope that he bring through this vital ministry that we all share. Hell be preaching all three services, so come and be blessed on Sunday! And let us be blessed and be a blessing as we journey through lent with 40 Days of Compassion.

Ash Wednesday marked the beginning of our Lenten season, the 40 days of preparation for Easter. This year we have begun our Lenten theme and its called 40 Days of Compassion. 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 of compassion? Come by the 40 Days of Compassion table on Sunday in the rotunda and see all of the opportunities still available for serving 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!

First Christian is a growing, vibrant, busy community of believers. Its amazing to see how much goes on in our church each day and each week. As we continue to grow, our volunteer leaders and staff need a better tool to organize and communicate with our members and all the various groups in the church. Plus, in both the reNew and Focus groups we heard you say that the Church needs to improve communications. Thats why weve launched the hub. Its a way for us to communicate, collaborate and manage the vibrant community that our church has become. Its all about making sure that our leaders and staff can spend less time on administration and devote more time to mission being the hands and feet of Christ in our community. Building community is exactly what we had in mind as we searched for this tool. Weve all experienced the frustration of not knowing the time and date for a specific event, or not having a church directory at our fingertips to look up phone numbers or email addresses, or wondering what the serving schedule is for the month. Not only are we now able to access an online directory of contact information for church friends, the hub online community allows us to keep track of groups, classes, giving, and keep current events listed all in one place! Beginning next Sunday, members of the hub and Communications Ministry team will be visiting Sunday School classes to answer questions and provide a brief demonstration of some of the basic features of the hub. If you are already a member of a class, you will receive an email notice of the date our team will visit. If you do not attend a Sunday School class, this is a great time to visit one and find another place to connect in our community! If youll miss one of the class presentations, we will also offer an open forum for anyone interested on Sunday, March 17 at 10:00 a.m. in classroom 113. Email us at hub@fccedmond.org if you have questions about using this online tool to build community.

Job Openings at First Christian Church

Child Care Center Director
The Search Committee for the FCCE Child Care Center Director is searching for a permanent Director for the Child Care Center. If you know someone who might be interested in the position, copies of the job description are available at www.fccedmond.org/jobs Resumes can be submitted to jobs@fccedmond.org through February 15, 2013.

Childrens Minister/Director of Childrens Ministries

FCC is looking for a full-time Childrens Minister (or Director of Childrens Ministries if you are not ordained or licensed) who loves children! Announcements regarding the availability of the position are being posted this week. If you know someone who might be interested in the position, copies of the job description will be available at www. fccedmond.org/jobs Resumes can be submitted to jobs@fccedmond.org through February 22, 2013.

Summer Internships Available for Student and Childrens Ministries

The Childrens and Youth Education Committees are pleased to announce its summer internship program for Childrens Ministries (ages birth-5th grade) and Student Ministries (grades 6-12). The ! help internship is open to college students that grew up at First Christian Church of Edmond and participated I can in the Children and Youth programs. The purpose of the internship is as follows: n To provide our college students the opportunity to give back to the church and programs that nurtured them as children and teenagers n 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. n 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 up to 3 interns for the summer. If you are interested in finding out more about these internships, or want to apply for one of them, go to www.fccedmond.org/internship Application deadline is March 31. Selected interns will be notified by Sunday, April 14.

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Randy Clark, 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 Chuck Beason in the death of his brother, Robert Bob Beason, on February 5. Services were held on Saturday, February 9 at Bible Baptist Church in Alva, OK AND TO Steve & Charla Allison in the death of Charlas grandmother, Thelma Eckenrode, on February 9. Services were held on Tuesday, February 12 in OKC AND TO Jerry and Susan Black in the death of their dear friend, Carol Shulse, on February 10. Services will be held in TX AND TO Gary & Reta Clopton in the death of Retas brother, Larry Hicks, on February 11. Services are pending. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Colton Alan Matthews born February 7 to Kris & Chelsey Matthews. Grandparents are Dyke & Geri Moffatt.

Happy Birthday!
2/17 Kim Ewers, Trevor Gibson, Tana Stufflebean, Tommy Atchison, Isaac Hast, Lydia Ruben 2/18 Nancy Goosen, Lily Stuckey, Kelsey Murray, Kacy VanOsdol, Adaya Price, Asher Jewell 2/19 Al Jantz, Tara Thornton, 2/20 Lisa Grant, Michael Grant, Jr., Michelle Ward, Terry Kerr 2/21 Marilyn Rippee, Andrew Woods, Martha Jacobs 2/22 Keith Smith, London Carrington, Jim Quade 2/23 Cindy Belardo, Chelsey Matthews, Ross Herndon 2/24 Emily Shipley, Lori Nordstrom, Mark Mades, Ola Drennon, Carter Coleman

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.

Save The Dates

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

Sunday, February 24

Have the Gift of Gab and a Smile? Be a Door Greeter!

Sunday, April 7

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. If you are interested in finding out more about being a greeter, contact Randy Huston at rc.huston@att.net. A sign-up sheet will also be available in the rotunda this Sunday, February 17. Thank you! Your Evangelism Ministry Team

Friday, June 21

EVERY PENNY COUNTS

Collect pennies for the kids of FCC! The children have started a penny drive during the 40 Days of Compassion for Lent. Our pennies will be going to the Week of Compassion - the relief, refugee and development mission fund of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The children will be collecting them throughout the 40 Days, so if you have extra pennies, find a child! They will be glad to take them because EVERY PENNY COUNTS.

Sunday, February 17 5:30 pm Room 116

All are welcome to attend.

FCC Board Meeting

Come to the IAS Bean Dinner!

Sunday, February 24, 10 am - 1pm

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
February 17, 2013 1st Sunday of Lent

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

February 24, 2013 2nd Sunday of Lent

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Matthew 5:3

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. Please join us anytime 10 am to 1 pm on Sunday, February 24, for beans, cornbread, slaw and fellowship. Thank you!

Dodgeball Tournament on Sunday, March 3

Join the Fun AND Make a Difference in the Life of a Child!
On Sunday, March 3, the youth of First Christian Church will be holding their annual Dodgeball Tournament to support their World Vision child in Africa. The event is a round robin style tournament, allowing all teams to play each other. No one is eliminated! It will be held in the FLC beginning at 1:00 p.m. Cost to play is only $5.00 per person. This tournament is not just for the youth, but adults as well. We encourage you to get a team together and register. Put a team together from your Sunday school class or rally the neighbors for a team! We dont care how you do it, just find 6-8 willing adults and register! You can register at www.fccedmond.org/dodgeball as an individual or as a team. Registration deadline is Sunday, February 24.

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

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