August 13, 2009 Chalice Connection

The Chalice

A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 201 East Second Street , Edmond Oklahoma 73034

Vol. 1 No. 7

August 13, 2009

Assembly Is Like A Family Reunion! Minister’s Message by Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister I just got back to Oklahoma this week from our General Assembly in Indianapolis. The week in Indy was a wonderful celebration of our church and its ministries. The General Assembly is more like a giant family reunion than a convention. Brothers and sisters gather from all around our nation to celebrate our unity in Jesus Christ and around the Lord’s Table. The worship services are moving while reflecting the diversity of our church. It is an awesome experience to gather with 6,000 other Disciples to sing, worship and study together.

It was an even better experience to share with others from FCC Edmond. Also attending the Assembly from our church family were Bernie and Joyce McNickle, Dave and Lorelle Watts, Randy and Carla Clark, Jerry and Susan Black and Greg and Julie Bunton—along with Kayla and Brody. It was great to hear how much our “delegation” enjoyed the Assembly. Randy Clark has already made plans to attend the 2011 Assembly in Nashville, TN. I encourage you to ask any of our church members who attended the Assembly about their experience. I’m sure you’ll hear many exciting things. Meanwhile, let us celebrate our common ministries—and our faith in Jesus Christ.

Pancakes & Omelets Back to School Breakfast Sunday, August 23rd, 9:30 – 12:30

Come enjoy some of the most colorful pancakes you could ask for and dine at tables decorated in your school colors. Terry Kerr and Duke Douthitt will be flipping pancakes that pancake-lovers will flip for! Jenny Shipley is decorating tables in school colors – purple for those Hornfrogs, orange for OSU, and red for OU, and all the Edmond school’s colors too! The Membership Fellowship crew will prepare made-to-order omelets, pancakes and all the trimmings. So join your FCC family in the Fellowship Hall. Serving 9:30 to 12:30. Volunteers are still needed. To volunteer for a time slot, please contact Jenny Shipley (359-1544) or Kathy Kerr (348-7764 or [email protected]).

CONCERT Sunday, August 30 7:00PM in the Sanctuary

Come Hear Our Own

Glenn Sulley & David Sisson

Greg Bunton

Help Us Support The Fall 2009 Habitat for Humanity UNITY Build! A combined project of Central Oklahoma Disciples of Christ, Independent Christian Churches & Churches of Christ

Cookie Reception After the Concert...Yum!

Making A Difference

One Shoebox and Child At A Time! Operation Christmas Child brings joy and hope to children in desperate situations around the world through gift-filled shoe boxes and the Good News of God’s love. Since 1993, more than 61 million shoe boxes have been packed, shipped, and delivered across the globe. People of all ages can be involved in this simple, hands-on mission project that focuses on the true meaning of Christmas—Jesus Christ and makes a difference in the lives of children. This year, FCC will become a relay center for Operation Christmas Child, an affiliate of Samaritan’s Purse. Long a project of our own Michelle

Schlough, and the Challenger’s Sunday School Class, the scope of our involvement will expand this year! We will collect filled shoeboxes the week of Novembe4r 16-22. Michele Schlough wil be the relay center co-coordinator. This is a great opportunity for families to get involved by filling shoeboxes for children who would otherwise get nothing for Christmas. Each box will also be given a booklet, in the children’s own language, called “The Greatest Gift.” The book tells of Jesus’ love and sacrifice. The children share the Good News with extended

A Report from the Finance Committee Through July of this year, the General Fund Revenues are 101% of Year to Date Budget and our General Fund Expenses are 96% of Year to Date Budget. All Ministries Expenses are at or below Year To Date Budget. The Building Fund Revenues and Building Fund Expenses (Mortgage Payments) are essentially equal Year To Date. However, Building Fund Revenue is 90% of Building Fund Pledges. Following are the July 31 Year To Date Revenue and Expense summaries.

Revenue Expense Excess/(Shortfall)

General Fund Actual $594,613.16 $564,398.33 $30,214.83

Building Fund Actual $160,384.85 $159,104.96 $1,279.89

Remember to note on your checks or envelopes to which church accounts you want your contribution credited.

families and there is a reported decision rate of 40% to follow Christ. We will hold a packing party on August 19, from 9am to 2pm at FCC. You are welcome to stop in anytime during the party. People come and go. Please bring a few items to put in the shoeboxes such as small toys, ball caps, new underwear, flashlights and batteries. There will be wrapped boxes to fill or you can bring a box already filled. We will hold at least one party each month through November. OCC pamphlets are available in the Fellowship Hall or you can log on to www.samaritanspurse.org and select Operation Christmas Child.

Discover Discover First Christian Christian First Sunday, August 23 10am in Room 113 Have you been thinking about becoming a member of First Christian? Or would you like to learn ways you can get connected, and make a difference? Join us for “Discover First Christian” an informal gathering, where you can meet some of our staff and members and have questions answered. Whether you’re brandnew or have been attending a long time, we’d love to have you join us in Making a Difference in the community and God’s world.

Prayers of the People THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Ed Berry and Gladys Dronberger in Mercy THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Daneen Gambrell, Leo Webster, Joan Grant (Mike Grant’s mom), Rick Henthorn, Barbara Hall, Richard Cutter, Pat Farley, Ed Penland, Dana Shadid, Phil Rehrig (Glo Rehrig’s son), Gayle Smith, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams’ mom), Lawrence Bunton (Greg’s dad), Judy Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother), Teresa Finley, Dorothy Taylor, Cynthia David (George & Winnie Hall’s daughter), Hurshell Wright (Patrick Wright’s dad), Margaret Basso (Anne Stone’s sister), Patrick Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s brother), Eric & Penny Koegel, Alyssa Baker OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to the family and friends of Gary Carson who

Happy Birthday! 8/16 Chris Houts, Michele Martin, Jessica Renz, Charles Weddle 8/17 Vicki Thorpe 8/18 Trent Lagasse 8/19Steve Allison, Sarah Beck, Naomi Harp, Margaret Hostetter, Charlie Young 8/20 Jackie Booher, Bob Griffis, Trevor Schmoyer, Jake Wilkins 8/21 Suzann Allison, Lonetta Crown, Steve Hall, Nina Mangano, Sandy Mitchell, Karla Rowley 8/22 Hunter Steuart, Chris Stone 8/23 Donna Clark, Kimberli Engel, Kay Mades, Bonnie Smith

passed away on August 10. His funeral was held at FCC on August 13 and was conducted by Rev. Kevin Adams and Rev. Chris Shorow.

Choir Retreat This Sunday August 16

Won’t You Join Us? If you have ever thought about singing with the chancel choir, now is the perfect time to start. Please join me for a choir retreat to see an overview of the music that we will be sharing in the fall. The retreat will be held on Sunday afternoon, August 16th. Lunch will be served from 12:15-1:00 in the Fellowship Hall, then we will move to the Sanctuary to sing from 1:00-4:00. Childcare will be provided upon request. Can’t make it to the retreat? No problem! Choir rehearsals will resume on Wednesday, August 19th, from 7:30-8:45 in the Sanctuary. Childcare is always available on Wednesday evenings. Questions? Please contact me at [email protected] or 341-3544 ex.25 Blessings ~ Diane Ball, Minister of Music

Join The Fun!

Cub “Scout Nite” Monday. August 24 6:30pm Fellowship Hall Welcome 1st through 4th graders - come register for Cub Scouts! Questions: Contact Kassie Beers @ 341-8290

Dive In

To Student Ministries  Sunday,

August 16

10:00am Youth Café & Classes – FLC Promotion Sunday - welcome new 6th graders! 6-10:00pm 14th Annual DIVE-IN at Bob & Phoebe Eaton’s house, 2801 Still Meadow. Don’t miss this annual party for you and your family! Bring meat to throw on the grill and a side dish to share with everyone...don’t forget your swimsuit! Last chance to sign-up for Zoo Friends!

 Sunday,

August 23

10:00am Youth Café & Classes – FLC Zoo Friends after church!

at First Christian 8:15, 9 & 11AM August 16 - Promotion Sunday Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Mark 7:1-8 August 23 -Message: Youth Sharing Week of Compassion Mission Work Trip Experiences

Last Session of Summer Sunday School for Adults 10am in the Chapel Aug 16 General Assembly Report

The Chalice CONNECTION Shelley Regan, Editor [email protected]

A Huge Thank You to all those who made contributions in any form to the 2009 Block Party and who spent any part of Saturday, August 8 working as a volunteer. Whether you organized back packs, served food, prepared snow-cones, or managed games, your efforts made for an awesome day of ministry and love. Over 2,000 back packs filled with school supplies were given to the children of families in Northeast Oklahoma City. That’s just good stuff. Our special thanks for that one, wonderfully generous, dollar donation, the music of our worship band, Frank Gresh for the sound system support, Iris Jordan for her administrative support, Lori Fuller for her unbelievable, year after year commitment to this fantastic ministry and work, Steve Allison for his coordination of the volunteers, the inflatables, the bus, and details too numerous to enumerate. Your Outreach Ministry Team and your Church Family

(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Year's Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-4561. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083

Worship

You Put SMILES on Children’s Faces - Thanks!

Periodicals Postage Paid Edmond, OK USPS 210-360