The Chalice

CONNECTION
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

Vol. 3 No. 19 May 26, 2011

We Remember
Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries
Memories – it’s Memories have a tendency to do that, doing so filled with the knowledge that
amazing how even during the most difficult times of our Christ is with us!
much energy lives. I think back on the many times I Come join us this Memorial Day Sunday
springs forth have worked with families who have lost as “We Remember,” and celebrate the life
from memories loved ones. During the funeral planning giving Spirit of God that heals, renews,
and how many process we intentionally lead the family and unites. We then invite you to come
emotions they in a time of sharing. It is their time to back each week in June for a time of
invoke. This remember their experiences together and congregation renewal. Remember, there
past week I tell stories. We laugh together, cry, and is only ONE Sunday school hour and
was meeting laugh some more. Sharing our stories ONE unified worship during June. Join
with the trip sponsors that will be going brings healing. They help us through the us in the fellowship hall at 9:15 for round
on the summer mission trip. As we were difficult times and they give us a renewed table discussions that are sure to touch
talking through plans for the trip, we kept sense of hope for the future. your heart and soul, and then worship
remembering past trips and sharing stories. Jesus himself asks us to remember – to with us at 10:45 as together we celebrate
We laughed a lot! And the more stories remember him, and to remember that our awesome God!
we shared, the more the room became he is always with us, “even to the end
filled with a positive energy – an energy of the age.” As a congregation we are
that united us as a team, renewed our heeding the commandment of Christ
spirits, and reminded us of our calling to and embarking on our own journey of
ministry. remembrance and renewal, and we are

“Look for the Silver Lining” Our Sunday Morning

By Don Wiechman
Schedule for
That phrase, “look for the silver lining,” of course, the ReNew experience presents June 5, 12, 19 and 26
has been repeated often through the a special occasion to mine the silver, lining
years. It even served as a movie song title and all, gold, platinum, diamonds and all 9:15am: “Table Conversations”
for Judy Garland in the forties (no, I didn’t the gems of our shared moments, whether Each Sunday morning at 9:15, we
know that, but Google did). Some might we have been at FCC 7 days, 7 months will gather around round tables in
feel today, though, that the saying has or 70 years. Our June tables promise to Fellowship Hall to share our stories.
become a trite cliché. unfold countless success stories that can 10:45am: Unified Worship
Cliché or no, the phrase has life yet. It be the building blocks for the revitalized
applies directly to FCC Edmond and the Church to come. Our “Table Conversations”
ReNew Process that is set to take place at We hope that you will be there for all, experience will be followed by a
the Church on the upcoming four Sundays or at least parts, of the sessions to share in fellowship gathering, hosted by
in June (June 5, 12, 19, 26). And we think this exciting give and take of joys recalled, Membership Ministries. Children in
and hope that the silver will be broader dreams dreamed and possibilities that the 3rd through 5th grade will take
and deeper than only the lining you can Lord has in store for all of us. part in the June 5 and 12 “Table
see from outside looking in. See you in June. Bring all your Conversations.” 6th through 12th
Instead of bemoaning Church imagination and creativity. We will need grade will join in all four weeks.
inadequacies, underfunded initiatives or every bit. www.fccedmond.org/renew
skewed priorities, hypothetically speaking
Are you ready for Experience:
At PandaMania, kids will discover
Donations Needed!
Can you donate or loan supplies for
the Adventure? that God is wild about them! Kids will PandaMania? Stop by the registration
Hurry and Sign Up NOW! experience Party Time Sing and Play, table in the rotunda and “Pick A
Monday, June 13 - Thursday, June 16 Wild Bible Adventures, Crazy Crafts Panda” from our donation board.
Dinner is from 6:00 to 6:30pm and and Missions, Bamboo Blast Games If you already have some supplies,
VBS lasts until 8:45 PM and Rowdy Wrap-up celebrations... please bring those materials to the
Children ages Preschool (must be all with their Bamboo Crew! church by June 3rd.
diaper independent!) through 5th Grade Come join the fun!
Questions?
Registration Volunteer: Contact Courtney Moeller at
$10 through May 31 ($15 after June 1) and If you have offered to volunteer, please [email protected] or
includes a CD and t-shirt (while they stop by the Volunteer Information Shannon Medley at
last) at www.fccedmond.org/vbs Meeting on June 5 at noon, Rm 112. [email protected]

Our Senior Minister, Rev. Chris Shorow,

is currently on sabbatical. He began his
sabbatical this past week, on May 20. It
concludes on September 5, 2011.
A sabbatical plan, including a list
of job responsibilities and contact
information, has been prepared and
reviewed by the Personnel Committee,
Chris’s Pastoral Relations Committee,
and the staff.
Information from those plans has
been included in a Sabbatical Guide
which is now available at our Welcome
Center or online at www.fccedmond.
org/sabbatical.
The church’s office staff can help
you get in touch with the appropriate
contact person. Call (405) 341-3544 for
assistance.
Sabbatical Plan Information Contacts To give us a small glimpse into
Loree Rice Frank Gresh his sabbatical experiences and the
Pastoral Relations Committee Chair Moderator-Elect of the Board Shorow family travels, Chris will blog
[email protected] [email protected] occassionally and post pictures at
(405) 341-3710 (405) 417-1977 www.fccedmond.org/chriscrossings.
 Prayers of the People Happy Birthday!
5/29 Bob Archer, Jonna Emmons, Clark
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Shorow
Judy Joy, Baptist 5/30 Camille Caldwell, Lauren Fathree,
Dave Murray, Ashley Schwartz
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Margaret Hall, Austin Keel,
5/31 Helon Hamm, Jennifer King
John Werhun, Phil Fraim, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciak’s mom), Carol Sterling, Mary
Lou Womble, Barbara Hall, Bert Lindsay (Donna Clark’s dad), Debbie Gragg, Cathy 6/1 Emily Aust, Chase Carrington,
Justice, Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akin’s sister), Bill Hamilton, Joe Samuels, Eric Koegel, Dan Clark, Sandy Clark, Andrew
Bart Rodr, Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s mom), Sharon Luton (Susan Black’s cousin), Cummings, Kellie Greenhaw,
Ed Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother) Sherry Kious
6/2 Caitlin Aust, Alyssa Baker, Mignon
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Cole and Anna Lisa Stanley in the passing of Cole’s Denyer, Lily Kosir, Melissa Simpson
grandfather, Dale Stanley, on May 19. Services were held May 23 in Earlham, IA. 6/3 Mike Adkins, Nicholas Cave, Bill
Eischeid, Victoria Harrison, Susan
Huffer, Charles Schlough
6/4 Marjorie Anderson, J.C. Barr, Bill
Hats Off to Our LaRue, Harriba Tienabeso
6/5 Marilynn Brown, Carl Hawkins
College Graduates!
J. Wesley Combs Bob Grant The First Christian Church
Son of Donna Combs and John Combs BA General Studies - Education & Child Care Center has a few
BS Aerospace and Mechanical Professional Studies spots remaining in our Private
Engineering University of Central Oklahoma
Kindergarten class for the
Oklahoma State University
2011-2012 school year.
We offer a full day program
Thank You to our with a certified teacher and a
faith based curriculum.
Summer Sunday School Teachers! If you are interested, please
Thank you to those that answered the call and will be leading our children contact the Child Care Center
in Sunday School for the summer months: office at 341-2626.
Melissa & Kacy VanOsdol, Jill Willburn, Kristen Caluag, Jennifer King,
Chrisha & Ryan McGann, Cole Stanley, Julie Bunton, Nancee Roberson, Larry
& Sharon Mullins, Kay Sullins, Kim Kerr, Steve Peterson and Mike O’Meara

The FCC History Committee announces publishing of

The History of First Christian Church, The First Decade of the
Second Century, 1999-2009.
Samples are available at a table in the rotunda, where you may
place your order. The beautifully rendered edition is only $5, payable
when you order. Sign up for your copy, now through May 29.

Mr. and Mrs. Mack Mitchell

request the honor of your presence at the marriage of their daughter
We Have More
Alee Anne Mitchell
to TLC Greenhouse Cards!
Adam Dean Gossen It’s not too late to purchase a TLC
Greenhouse gift card from our
son of Mr. and Mrs. Alden Gossen students! Available for $20 each
Saturday, May 28 at 6:30pm, First Christian Church of Edmond Contact Sherry Parks
*Reception following, by invitation only at 471-4354
 Last Sunday, Joplin, Missouri, was struck by a massive
tornado. Reports indicate there were at least 122
fatalities, 2000 buildings damaged or destroyed, and
many more people still missing. St. John’s Regional
Medical Center was also hit, and is currently unable to
Worship offer medical services.
Week of Compassion has been in contact with local
at First Christian churches. First Christian Church of Joplin is operating
8:15, 9 & 11am as a drop-off point for supplies for those affected by the
tornado.
May 29, 2011 How can you help? For now, the best way that you can respond is to “Pray, Pay,
Message: Rev. Greg Bunton and Stay”: pray for all of those affected, that they might find healing, hope, and
Scripture: John 14:25-27 support. Provide a donation to Week of Compassion’s response fund, which will go
to meet immediate needs and long-term recovery initiatives. Finally, wait for more
information on opportunities to lend a hand.
June 5, 2011 For more information visit www.weekofcompassion.org
Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black
Scripture: Matthew 13:45-46
One last chance to have your picture taken!
Communications Ministry Team members will be on hand
Sunday, June 5, in the rotunda at these times:
The Chalice CONNECTION 8:45 - 9:15 am
Shelley Regan, Editor 10:15 - 10:45 am
11:45 am - 12:15 pm
[email protected]
Make sure YOU are pictured in our new church photo album! If
Read News Online
you haven’t had your picture taken and can’t make it on the 5th, submit a photo via
@ fccedmond.org/news email to [email protected] by June 6 (Please include a photo release if submitting
Submit Articles to a professional portrait).
[email protected] Questions? Contact Mark Taylor at [email protected] or 341-3544, ext. 21.

Edmond, OK 73083
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