CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 40, October 11, 2012

The Chalice

Celebrating the Gift

By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
As a young clergyman, the very last thing I wanted to talk about was stewardship, because I so narrowly defined it as money. And even though I had been raised with a deep tradition (and conviction) that tithing was a joy, I didnt like talking about itthat is, until I began to see things a bit more honestly, realistically, and biblically. In this, I am still learning. Our recent guest, Bruce Barkhauer, challenged us to revisit Deuteronomy 26:1-11. I did. Rereading that text reminded me once again that giving is a celebration of the bounty God has given us. As Bruce said, Its not a tax, but an act of worship so that everybody, even the aliens, widows, and orphans, can come to the Table and be blessed. While Susan and I were away last week, we still celebrated with you. We made recommitments of our life and service to you and to God, AND we made our pledge early. We celebrated with you the bounty God has given us and the willingness to share with others; to make ministry possible; and to touch many hearts with the love and grace of God. Because of our extravagant generosity, children will continue to worship and wonder. They will find a place of safety

Discover First Christian

for child care. Young people will grow in Sunday, October 14 the grace of God and service. Christian 10:00 AM education for adults will continue. OutFellowship Hall reach to the needy in our community Have you been thinking about joining and around the world will be enhanced. First Christian? This is your opportunity to Radical hospitality will thrive. Passionate come meet some of our staff and members, worship will be the norm. So, thank you for seeing with us the learn about our history, our mission and our incalculable value in gifts of time, comministries and have your questions about mitment, service, and money. We are First Christian Church answered. obviously going to enhance the already, We look forward to seeing YOU! unbelievable, 65,000 hours of annual volunteer giving. And my hunch is, we are going to exceed previous pledge levels. The pledges consecrated last week, for example, already exceed $710,000 for general ministries and $231,000 for the Building Fund/debt abatement. So, 2013 is clearly going to be another phenomenal year for the most dynamic ministry and work. Thank you! For those of you still wanting to serve or give, let any one of our church leaders know your desire. And if you have not made your pledge of dollars for next year, remember that it is a celebration of Gods bounty and that your commitOur pets give us glimpses of God ments were also included in the Consecrathrough their complete trust, joy in tion Service last week. Make your pledge being with us, unconditional love, today so that we can more readily see the and faithfulness. Join Shirley Brown possibilities for touching hearts in 2013. and Rev. Greg Bunton for our annual May God continue to bless our shared Pet Blessing, Sunday, October 14 at 2:00 responses to the most unbelievable gift of p.m. on the front lawn. Please bring your life, love, and grace. In the name of Jesus pet on a leash or in a carrier. the Christ, amen.

All Creatures Great and Small Pet Blessing

Sunday, November 4

Each year First Christian participates in the Church World Service CROP Hunger Walk. Money raised from the CROP Walk helps fight hunger around the world, as well as in our own community. A portion of the money raised will support Breakfast on Boulevard, Mobile Meals, The Hope Center, and Samaritan House. This year the CROP walk is on Sunday, November 4. Everyone is invited to join us as we have fun while making a difference for those who are hungry! Stop by the table in the Rotunda on Sunday October 14 or 21 and pick up a walker packet, or simply make a donation! Then join us at Mitch Park on Sunday, November 4, for the walk. Registration begins at 1:00 and the walk begins at 2:00. Hope to see you there! ~ Your Outreach Ministry Team

by Scott Peters I grew up believing in God and owe so much to my parents for giving me the foundation of faith. As I got older and began building my career, things began to change I always believed in God, but I trusted in money I trusted that money would provide security if I had enough of these, I would be able to provide for my family. At first I was a casual giver when the offering plate came around, I dug into my pocket and pulled out a $5, $10, $20 depending on how secure I felt that Sunday. I eventually moved to planned giving. Each month I would sit down and make a list of all my financial responsibilities and plans for savings, house payments, utility bills, life insurance monthly installments, kids college savings plans, car payments, credit card payments and yes my church contributions my line item for church contributions fell somewhere in the middle I

My Personal Story of Stewardship

was committed to giving to church, but God often got my leftovers As I began to read and learn more about stewardship and what it means - I began to draw closer to God, closer to Jesus. I began to discover what it means to put God first. I learned that God wants us to prosper; he wants to bless our lives. Why? So we can bless others. The key to prosperity is the presence of the Lord, the key to the presence of the Lord is obedience, the key to obedience is through faith and the key to faith is hearing the word of God. Let me reverse that order so you know how I progressed -- as I learned more about the word of God, my faith grew, as my faith grew I became more obedient, as I became more obedient I found myself in the presence of the Lord and the more I was in the presence of the Lord the more prosperous my life became. Thats not to say that everything goes on without troubles, but that the Lord walks with me through those troubles. I learned that the Bible is very clear on tithing its the only topic in the bible where God says test me on this the purpose of tithing teaches us how to put the Lord first in our lives. We are to give to God the first and best of what we earn. What we do first with our money shows what we value most. Giving the first part of our paycheck to God immediately focuses our attention on him. When we give our first to God, he blesses the rest. Now Im proud to report that God is at the top of the list of financial responsibilities. God doesnt get our leftovers any more. Once Amy and I began to give sacrificially to God, to tithe to God, God has given us so much more in return. He blesses the rest. When you pursue a relationship with Jesus you become Extravagantly Generous. You look for ways to help others. Some of my friends have seen the change in me. God is moving in the best of ways in my life.

Children and Youth Experience 90 Days of Prayer and Discernment

by Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries
As you know, First Christian is currently in the middle of 90 days of prayer and discernment. Many of our adults have joined prayer triads, and these triads are gathering for a total of 7 times over the next 90 days to pray, study, share with one another, and listen to the spirit so that we may gain a clear vision of Gods call for First Christian Church. Our children and youth are an important part of the church, and we didnt want them to be left out of the prayer and discernment process! So, over the next 7 weeks, our youth and children will be having their own intergenerational time of learning, listening, and reflecting. A simple curriculum has been developed for children grades K-5 based on the 7 scriptures that the adult triads are using during their time of reflection. These studies will be offered during the Sunday school hour for a series of 7 weeks, beginning Sunday, October 14 and ending Sunday, November 28. A team of 14 high school students will teach these lessons while being assisted by other youth members. Children will remain in their normal Sunday school classroom and the youth teachers and assistants will come to them! The curriculum is designed to give our children and youth an opportunity to interact with one another, demonstrating what it means to be the body of Christ, and provide an opportunity for children and youth to learn about themselves, the church, and their important place within the body of Christ. It is going to be an exciting 7 weeks! As we begin this journey, I invite you to pray for our children and youth, and our student leaders Jessica Werhun, Haley Felix, Brighton Godwin, Hallie Ball, Jenna Fritz, Allyson Cain, Jake Blevins, Madi Huffer, Lydia Ruben, Sara Raines, Mitchem Ernst, Joey Biby, Quinton Conaway, and Travis Christensen.

Prayers of the People Happy Birthday!

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Roy Jackson at Mercy THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Donna Clark, Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law), Wayne Warner, Debbie Gragg, Neal Hunt, Patsy Corrigan, Jim Hays, Bob Jennings, Jason Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Jerri Jones, Rose Marie McKee, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Ariana Cristina Duller born September 30 to Matthew & Regina Duller. Grandparents are Peter & Alba Duller. OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO Jennifer Rodr & Family in the death of her husband, Bart, on October 5. Services were held on October 9 at FCC-Edmond. 10/14 Wayne Davis, Judy Griffis, Averi Haley, Jennifer Humphrey, James Justice, Ann Maxwell, Mark Parkhurst, Glen Smith 10/15 Clella Adams, Ali Fitzgerald, Tonya Fondren, Beth Hall, Shea Heinlein, Emily King, Kegan Reneau, Steve Rowley 10/16 Gene Burleson, Belinda Davis, Sarah Juhl 10/17 Martha Fields, Jake Hicks, Maxine Kerr, Shelley Ryland, Jerry Tipton, Paul Walters 10/18 Marcy Williams 10/19 Brenda Dodson 10/21 Sue Archer, Carter Cain, Gary Cauthen, Ann Crandall, Nancy Gallop, Mark Nash

Interfaith Tour For Adults and Young Adults

The Oklahoma Conference of Churches is pleased to announce that the Religions United Committee is conducting an Interfaith Tour for adults and young adults on October 21. This additional tour is by popular request, following OCCs highly successful annual Interfaith Youth Tours. Visit Muslim, Christian, Jewish houses of worship and learn about their faith, customs, and traditions. Masjid An-Nasr Mosque, 3815 N. St. Clair Ave., OKC 73112 St. Elijah Orthodox Church, 15000 N. May Ave., OKC 73134 Emmanuel Synagogue, 900 N.W. 47th St., OKC 73118 Check-in will begin at 1:00pm at the mosque. Tour will conclude by 5:30pm. Transportation and snacks are included with your $15 registration fee. To register, call 525-2928.

The Interfaith Tour for Adults will include visits to

An Evening With Author Brian McLaren In the bizarre and hostile state of our religious communities these days, how should Christians, members of the worlds largest religion, treat members of other religions? If we maintain an us vs. them attitude, or make conversion the price of love and fellowship, we fuel mutual misunderstanding and hostility. In his book Why Did Jesus, Moses, The Buddha and Mohammed Cross the Road: Christian Identity In A MultiFaith World, widely acclaimed author and speaker Brian McLaren proposes a third alternative to these options, one built on benevolence and solidarity rather than rivalry and hostility. Join with others interested in the state of our world and faith to listen to a lecture about this new book: Address, Q`s and A`s, and book signing Friday, October 12, 2012 7:00 P. M. Mayflower Congregational Church 3901 NW 63rd Street, Oklahoma City Registration Fee is $10.00 (Pay at the door). (You will receive materials valued at $20.00) Time magazine named author and pastor Brian McLaren one of the 25 most influential evangelicals in America. McLaren has written more than 20 books, and he is a principal figure in the Emerging Church.

Christian Identity In A Multifaith World

If your child, or grandchild, would like to participate in this years childrens musical Once Upon A Christmas Light, please be sure that they come to rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 5:00-6:00 pm during Unite. Rehearsals have begun! Contact Diane Ball at dball@fccedmond. org or Michele Fritz at mfritz@fccedmond. org or call them at 341-3544 with any questions.

Childrens Christmas Musical

Christmas Cantata

Do you love to sing, but dont have time to sing with the adult choir every Sunday? Come learn this years cantata, Lead Me Back To Bethlehem by Pepper Choplin. Join the Chancel Choir for this short time commitment. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, October 10th, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Questions? Contact Diane Ball at (405) 341-3544 or at dball@ fccedmond.org

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

Operation Christmas Child Packing Party Thursday, October 18

Our next packing party will be held on October 18. So gather small items from the house or pick up one item each time you go shopping. We need items such as: bars of soap, toothbrushes, socks, hard candy, small toys You can bring the items to Karla during the week or drop them off in the Challengers Sunday School room on any Sunday. Please mark OCC on the bag. This year we hope to top last years total collection of 2100 boxes from all sources including our own support. Collection week will begin on November 12th. We will have an area set up in Fellowship Hall for you to bring in filled boxes and have the opportunity to fill more. There are empty boxes in Fellowship Hall NOW! You are welcome to pick up one or more of these boxes, fill it and return! There will be a sign up sheet the 1st and 2nd Sundays of November for volunteers to help during the week with receiving shoeboxes from individuals and churches. Please stop by and pick up a time that you can come in for a couple of hours. Contact Michele Schlough at 844-3214 with questions.

at First Christian
October 14, 2012
Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Jeremiah 29:10-14 Theme: Future with Hope

October 21, 2012

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Matthew 16:13-28 Theme: Build My Church

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

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