The Chalice

A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

201 East Second Street , Edmond Oklahoma 73034

Vol. 1 No. 20 November 12, 2009

To Cry or Not To Cry

by Rev. Chris Shorow Senior Minister

After our service on November 1, All-Saints Day, a member of

the church approached me and said that he almost cried
during the service. I didn’t know if that was supposed to be
good or bad for him, so I asked why he “almost” cried. He
said that he’d been taught all of his life that men were never
suppose to cry, so that, for him, to almost cry was a big deal.
I wonder what is wrong with crying. It represents a deep
emotional connection for all of us. When something makes us cry it means that
we care deeply about that thing. I would hate to think that we live our lives
unconnected to anything, especially those people that mean so much to us in
our lives. Each year, several churches in Edmond
A friend of mine, David Cobb, wrote these words: “Resistant to tears, it said combine efforts to host a Community
on the side of the box. I was in a hospital room, sitting quietly while the person I Thanksgiving Dinner. This shared meal
had gone to visit was resting. I was looking around the room, reading everything is for anyone, but provides a special
my eyes rested upon - wash hands, no smoking, oxygen in use, put biological sense of community for singles, lonely
waste here, this room furnished in memory of so and so, and then this box, a box college students, homebound, those far
of latex gloves that health technicians now use whenever they are going to touch from home and others. Last year, over
3000 meals were served.
your body to protect them and you from diseases. I could see a few of the thin
The 2009 dinner will be held
gloves protruding out of the box, and on the side these words - resistant to tears.
Thursday, Nov. 26, 11am to 3pm
I pondered for a few minutes why it would be important for glove to be resistant at the University of Central
to tears, what is it that tears have in them that makes them things to be Oklahoma in the George Nigh
protected from, when suddenly it dawned on me - the box said resistant to Center.
TEARS.”
I wonder what a life “resistant to tears” would be like. Not that we have to First Christian plays an active
cry all the time, but perhaps our compassion for others should make us care role in supporting the dinner.
enough to “almost” cry. I think God loves us enough to shed tears for us as well. There are several ways you can get
Maybe we should do that for one another. involved: 1) Donate food items
2) Contribute money to purchase food
3) Volunteer to work prior to the
event, or on Thanksgiving day
Join us for a packing party for Operation
Christmas Child with KLOVE radio station,
88.9 here for a LIVE broadcast! Specific details can be found at
www.fccedmond.org/thanksgiving
Ready, Set, Pack! Please bring a few small items like:
soap, toothbrushes, hard candy, children’s or at the Thanksgiving Dinner display
in the church rotunda.
Operation Christmas Child T-shirts, or caps, balls, dolls, matchbox
cars, flashlights, or almost any item small
Packing Party enough to fit in a shoebox as long as it is
child appropriate and non-perishable.
Questions? Contact Sherrye VanOsdol,
Outreach Ministry Moderator
Friday, November 13, 5pm The shoeboxes go to children in orphan- at 478-5287.
ages, churches, schools, or hospitals
Fellowship Hall around the world. Contact Michele
Schlough at 844-3214 with questions.
Come-N-Go
 Prayers of the People
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL
Happy Birthday!
Madge Goodrich in Edmond Specialty 11/15 Diana Crawford
11/16 Carrie Akin
OTHERS IN NEED OF PRAYER Wayne Warner, Dian Sill,
11/17 Andrew Anderson, John Rahhal
Terry Cronkite (Glenda Adams’ brother), Louise Weeden
(Judy Bennett’s mom), Linda Speegle, Judy Metcalf, Jim Roberts (Jeri Dillon’s dad), Ed 11/18 Judy Bennett, Roger Enix, Kathy
Berry, Phil Rehrig (Glo Rehrig’s son), Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother), Margaret Lee
Basso (Anne Stone’s sister), Patrick Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s brother) 11/19 Linda Burke, Colin McGann,
Carson Mullins
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to the family of Belinda Davis in the death of Ron
11/20 Ellen Chitwood, Reta Clopton,
Davis, who passed away November 9. Services in Huntsville, AR on November 14.
Earlee Daniel, Scott Powell
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to the family of Dorothy Taylor, who passed away 11/21 Brian Haley, Jennifer Penland
November 11. Services are pending. 11/22 Dallas Billing, Marcella Halliday

Tea Rings & Swirl Pastries Have Arrived

Just in time for the holidays. You may pick-up your orders of frozen tea rings & swirl pastries on Wednesday evening,
November 18 between 5pm-8pm or on Sunday morning, November 22, in the church rotunda. Thank you to all who
helped support this youth fundraiser.

Mark Your Calendars Now For

Discover First Christian
Sunday, December 6 at 10am - Fellowship Hall-West
Have you been thinking about becoming a member of First Christian? 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 brand new or
have been attending a while, we’d love to have you join us for coffee, juice,
donuts and fellowship.
Help decorate the
Norman Rockwell paints a lovely portrait of the family that chapel and sanctuary
has gathered around a Thanksgiving Dinner table. As we
make our plans to gather, let us not forget that we are family for the Advent season!
and that many guests will join us during this season around Purchase poinsettias for $15 each.
the Lord’s table to share in the meal of thanksgiving Christ has
Three convenient methods of
prepared for us. Let us make our church home warm and
welcoming. Let us embrace our guests with a friendly smile, a ordering are available:
1) Order forms will be in worship bulletins
warm hand shake, and a spirit of gratitude.
through Sunday, Nov. 15
2) Order online at www.fccedmond.org/
Join the Classics for their poinsettia
Holiday Branson Trip, December 3-5 3) Call Iris Jordan at 341-3544, ext. 20.
More information is online at fccedmond.org/classics or call Orders must be placed by Wednesday,
Winnie Hall at 341-341-4297 or Ellen Chitwood at 341-2859. November 18. If you purchase poinsettias
to take home, they will be available on
Looking ahead to 2010: Sunday, November 29. Money raised
The Classics will enjoy an afternoon in Bricktown on January 14 with lunch at from the sale of poinsettias helps fund
Abuelo’s followed by a tour of the “Banjo Museum” in Bricktown. More the youth summer mission trip.
information on this fun day coming soon!
 “The Lights
of Christmas”
Worship Annual Advent Art Project Now
at First Christian Underway!
8:15, 9 & 11am
Children are invited to join our annual tradition of drawing art for the Advent season.
November 15 From the entries received, we will select some as cover art for our worship bulletins and
special services during the season of Advent. Advent Art will be accepted now through
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow November 22 at noon.
Scripture: John 20:19-25 Log on to www.fccedmond.org/adventart to print the art entry template form, or pick
up a copy from the Welcome Desk or during Unite. Children through 5th grade may
submit their color artwork on white paperstock.
November 22
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Have your child create artwork around the theme, “The Lights of Christmas.”
Scripture: Luke 14:34-35 Additional inspiration for art could include: “Hope,” “Peace,” “Joy” and
“Love” or “Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior” or “Season of Wonder”

The Chalice CONNECTION Please include first and last name plus age or grade, on the art entry template. Submit
completed artwork to Carol Schwabe, Children’s Minister no later than Sunday, November
Shelley Regan, Editor
22 at noon. Contact [email protected] with questions.
[email protected]
submit or read news online @ If your child’s art entry is selected as an Advent bulletin cover, you will be notified of the
fccedmond.org/news artwork selection during the week of November 23. Original artwork will be placed on
display in the Fellowship Hall through January 3 and may be picked up after that time.

CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083

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