July 26, 2009 Chalice Connection

The Chalice

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

Vol. 1 No. 3

July 16, 2009

Searching For God in Tragedy Minister’s Message by Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister I heard an interview recently with Rabbi Harold Kushner, the author of When Bad Things Happen to Good People. He was quick to point out the title of his book was When bad things happen, not Why bad things happen. He said that is the mistake people make most often about his book, and most often in life--assuming that “Why?” is the question. We can guarantee bad things will happen to all of us. We can’t guarantee the question “Why?” will ever be answered. We can’t know the mind of God. Job questioned God and God’s answer was, “Where were you when I created the hippopotamus?” How can we know God’s mind? How can we know why something happened? But we certainly can drive ourselves crazy asking why. The strength of our faith lies not in the answer to the question, “Why?” but in the presence of a God who cares for us in the midst of our pain and suffering. Jesus knew that. When his friend John the Baptist was brutally beheaded by Herod, his response was to retreat to a quiet place and listen for the healing words of God. Jesus often retreated to quiet places in the mountains or by the beach to listen carefully for God’s voice and to “recharge his batteries” and his life. It certainly gave him the strength to face all the challenges that his ministry would encounter—even the trip to the cross. Maybe we need to take a clue from Jesus’ actions in the face of tragedy—and search for God in the quiet places in our life.

School Supply Drive Underway

Support BLOCK PARTY ‘09! It is almost time to stock up on supplies for school. For those with limited income this is a difficulty. But you can help those in need during our annual school supply drive. We provide free school supplies to disadvantaged children and youth in NE OKC, and the children of patrons of Breakfast on Boulevard. Backpacks of supplies will be given during “BLOCK PARTY ‘09!” A free event on Saturday, August 8, 10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m. featuring: carnival games, food, entertainment and more on the grounds of Holy Temple Baptist, Quayle United Methodist, and NE Church of Christ.

Want to help? Our BlockParty display in the rotunda is the spot to sign-up as a volunteer, see a list of supplies needed, and drop off donations by August 2.

Buy An Extra: When doing your shopping, pick up an extra backpack or some school supplies to help a child in need. Thank you for helping make a difference.

Questions? Contact Lori Fuller at [email protected] or 751-5658.

Summer Sunday School for for Adults Adults Sunday Mornings 10am in the Chapel July 19 Rev. Charles Hattendorf, Regional Associate Minister Caimante, a grass roots organization helping the children of Boca Chica, Dominican Republic. Read more at www.globalministries.org/lac/ projects/caminante.html July 26 Rev. Chris Shorow, Rev. Jerry Black and our 2009 General Assembly Delegates Every two years at the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) delegates consider a variety of business items including financial reports, ministry plans and “Sense of the Assembly Resolutions.” Following the 2007 General Assembly, FCC Edmond assembled a task force to study the resolution process. With the help of Sharon Watkins, our General Minister/President, and the General church, which also assembled a task force and received input from our group, a new resolution to end the resolution process has been approved by the General Board and will be voted on at the 2009 General Assembly. Our Summer Sunday School session will look at this and other resolutions on the docket with many of our delegates in attendance.

Prayers of the People OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Ed Berry, Edmond Hospital; Judy Joy, Baptist Hospital OTHERS IN NEED OF PRAYER Dana Shadid, Phil Rehrig (Glo Rehrig’s son), Monica Henthorn (Bob & Barbara Henthorn’s granddaughter-in-law), Roger Stilwell, Dave Watts, Gayle Smith, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams’ mom), Lawrence Bunton (Greg’s dad), Greg Burgess, Judy Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’

Happy Birthday! 7/19 Hayden Dilg, Courtney Mathews, Miles Young 7/20 Gary Engel, Grace Helms, Mike Knox, Carly Myrick 7/21 Becky Garrett, Becky Goza, Gabriel Robertson

brother), Teresa Finley, Dorothy Taylor, Cynthia David (George & Winnie Hall’s daughter), Hurshell Wright (Patrick Wright’s dad), Margaret Basso (Anne Stone’s

7/22 Bennett Fuller, Greg Hunt, Mike Prince, Dan McNickle

sister), Patrick Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s brother), Eric & Penny Koegel, Alyssa Baker.

7/23 Dee Ann Anderson, Chandler Radford

CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Gabrial Lynne and Sophia Grace Schulthies, born July 10 to Kathryn Schulthies. Proud Uncle and Aunt are Randy and Carla Clark. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Caleb Joseph Winterscheidt, born July 8 to Brian & Kathryn Winterscheidt. Proud Great-Grandfather is Gifford Parkhurst & Uncle Mark Parkhurst.

Through the first half of the year, our General Fund revenues are greater than Year To Date Budget. General Fund Pledged Offering and NonPledged Offering are 101% and 104% of Year To Date Budget respectively. Building Fund Revenues are only 95% of Year to Date Pledged, but are in excess of our Year To Date mortgage payments. Thank you for your excellent Stewardship the first half of 2009. Following are the June 30 Revenue and Expense summaries.

General Fund

Building Fund

Actual

Actual

Revenue

$511,654.77

$144,704.24

Expense

$462,378.22

$136,375.68

Excess/(Shortfall)

$ 49,276.55

$

8,328.56

7/24

Janet Shepard, Katie Taylor

7/25 Emily Adams, Stewart Beasley, Darcy Biby, Zachary Rodr, Dollie Smith, Elaine Warner, Betty Ethridge

Youth Ministry  Friday, July 17 1-4pm Summer Swim Party @ Bunton’s 921 E. 11th Street  Sunday, July 19 6:30am Middle School Mission Trip leaves for Lake Charles 10:00am Youth Café & Classes – FLC  Saturday, July 25 Middle School Mission Trip returns from Lake Charles  Sunday, July 26 10:00am Youth Café & Classes – FLC Omniplex/IMAX Cancelled  Wednesday, July 29 6-7:30pm Summer Bible Study – FLC

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

 Friday, July 31 1-4pm Summer Swim Party @ Kinnaird’s, 1600 S Coltrane

Coupon Class Continues - It’s Not Too Late to Join Us!

FCC Seeks Caring Nursery Staff

If you would like to learn ways to stretch your grocery dollars and save up to $250, you can join Erin Robertson’s informative class the next two Wednesday evenings July 22 and 29, at 7pm in Room 117. The class is FREE. You will also learn about Crest, Homeland, Target, Wal-Mart, CVS, and Walgreen’s coupon and rebate policies. Register with Iris Jordan at 341-3544 or email her at [email protected].

Sunday mornings and Wednesday evenings. Must be 18 or older and CPR certified. Contact Jamie Wedlake: [email protected].

Let’s Build Another Habitat House!

Worship

Disciples, Independent Christian Churches & Churches of Christ

at First Christian

We are partnering with churches across central Oklahoma to build a Habitat for Humanity home at Hope Crossing, N.E. 63rd and Kelly. The build is scheduled for September 26 through October 17, 2009. Our partners come from Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Independent Christian, and Churches of Christ congregation - the three expressions of the Stone-Campbell movement.

July 26 - 8:15, 9 & 11 Message: Rev. Chris Shorow

Set UNITY BUILD September 26-October 17

Scripture: John 6:16-21

Laity Sunday

The Chalice CONNECTION Shelley Regan, Editor [email protected] SUBMIT CONTENT www.fccedmond.org/news

Pick up a “Habitat Bank” from our Habitat display in the church rotunda and save the money you might normally spend on coffee, tea, sodas, and snacks during a given day. If you spend only $2 a day for such treats, in one month you will have more than enough money to pay for one square foot of the Habitat Home ($57/square foot). If you prefer you can make a check payable to FCC and mark Habitat Build on the memo line. We appreciate your prayerful consideration of supporting this worthy cause. ~ Your Outreach Ministry Team

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August 2 - 8:15, 9 & 11

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