CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 28 July 28, 2011

The Chalice

Making A Difference
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister Open Doors, Open Arms, Open Hands, Open Hearts, Open Minds, and Open Table: These are the recurring themes from our Table conversations in June. They are the essentials of our First Christian DNAour core values and convictions. We are both blessed and proud to be a community that welcomes the stranger, embraces diversity, and responds to human need, here and around the world. Almost a quarter of million dollars flows directly through this church each year to provide back packs and school supplies to children, care packages to soldiers, Christmas boxes to the underprivileged, free breakfasts and lunches to the hungry, assistance to families in times of personal crisis, tutoring for the educationally challenged, and direct support for a host of other, life altering missions here and around the world. One of the local mission projects in which we have been privileged to participate and share with other Disciple churches in the Central Area is the Refuge Fellowship. It is a Monday evening meal and a worship gathering for the homeless in the Downtown Oklahoma City Library. What started just a couple of years ago as a handful of people now serves as many as 120 homeless in one evening, including some families with children. This awesome ministry meets such a critical need that it has already outgrown its dedicated space within the Library. This Sunday, we welcome the Rev. Noel Haley Gray to our pulpit. She is a recent graduate of Phillips Theological Seminary, a newly credentialed Disciples clergy, a second year student in Clinical Pastoral Education through Baptist Integris Hospital, and the visionary who birthed the Refuge Fellowship. Noel is not only the one who saw the need, but continues to give this ministry her dedicated and compassionate leadership. Join us in worship this Sunday and experience once again the importance of our commitment to radical hospitality.

Sunday July 31
Come JUMP into a new year of Childrens Ministry!
Children...bring your WHOLE family!
Parents...Come explore the ways YOU can share your gifts with our Childrens Ministry. We cant do this alone! We have many ways to serve - there is something for everyone to do.

in the Family Life Center J Face Painting! J Bounce Houses! J Kona Ice SnoCones! JPrizes! JPizza!

11am to 1pm

Sponsored by FCC Outreach Ministries through the Rolling Green Collaborative

Block PaRtY!
When & Where? What?

Back to School

on the lawn south of the Rolling Green Apartments (400 E. Danforth Road) Rolling Green residents will pre-register to get a Block Party wristband & giveaway vouchers through the Rolling Green Office

Saturday, August 6, from 10 am to 2 pm,

* Free School Supplies for RG Students * Free Shoes for RG Students * Free Haircuts for Students (provided by Paul Mitchell School of Hair Design)
(pack of basic cleaning supplies & hygiene items per apt.)

* Free Care Kits * Drinks!

* Volunteer to work at the party! * Purchase and donate school supplies! * Donate funds to purchase shoes!
Block Party display in the rotunda on Sunday.
fccedmond.org/blockparty or drop by the

Help Love Our Neighbors!

PLUS * Food!

You can sign up or donate online at

* 200 boxes - Tissues, 200 Ct. 100 boxes - Colored Pencils, 12 Ct. * * 100 reams -8.5 x 11 White Copy Paper * 100 - 8oz. pump bottles - Hand Sanitizer 500 - Glue Sticks * 100 containers Clorox Wipes * * 50 Backpacks * 100 boxes Sandwich baggies 100 pkgs each - wide & thin tip, 10 ct. Crayola Classic * Waterbased Markers 50 each Black & Blue/non-toxic Dry Erase Markers *

What is Needed?

* Inflatable Games!

MINISTRY

First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

SAVE the DATES!

Sunday, August 14th at 12:30 p.m. Chitwood Park Pavilion (West 1st street and Story - 1 block east of Kelly, 2 blocks north of Edmond Road) The Music Committee would like to invite ALL who have participated in the various music programs at FCCE (including special music and cantatas), along with their families, to enjoy a day of Fun, Food, and Fellowship! Fried chicken, drinks, and tableware will be provided. Please bring a side dish or dessert to share. PLEASE RSVP to Diane Ball at 341-3544 ex. 25; or [email protected]

Saturday, August 13th from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Have you ever wondered what it would be like to sing with the choir at First Christian? Come try it out! Join the fun at a choir retreat to see an overview of the upcoming fall music and meet the other choir members. Lets gather for donuts first and then well sing together through the music. (Childcare will be provided) Cant make it to the retreat? Thats ok! Join us for our first fall rehearsal on Wednesday, August 17 from 7:30-8:45 p.m. Questions? Contact Diane Ball at 341-3544 ext. 25; or [email protected]

CHOIR RETREAT

MUSIC MINISTRY PICNIC

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Travis Christensen, Rex Swanson (former member), Roy Jackson, Willa Hill, Lori Fuller, Virginia ONiel, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams mom), John Werhun, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Rose Marie McKee, Barbara Hall, Bert Lindsay (Donna Clarks dad), Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akins sister), Bill Hamilton, Joe Samuels, Bart Rodr, Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitts mom), Ed Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas brother) OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Gary & Reta Clopton in passing of Garys dad, Ray E. Clopton, who passed away on July 24. Services were held on July 27 in Del City. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Charlotte Gail Larrison born July 14 to James & Molly Larrison. Grandfather is David Larrison AND Vincent Bray Bisher born July 17 to Nora Bray & Tyler Bisher of Edmond. Grandmother is Susan Bray, former member, living in Loveland, CO.

Happy Birthday!
7/31 8/1 8/2 8/3 8/4 8/5 8/6 8/7 Scott Rankin, Cole Stanley Jett Humphrey, Cooper Reid Bill Allison, Shari Brecht, Diane King, Virginia ONiel Don DeSpain, Kelsey Gable Wes Combs, Debby Gresh, Rob Ryland, Gigi Schwabe Jared Allison, Terri Dunn, Greg Hall, Judy Metcalf, Erin Robertson, Lyla Vazquez Steve Blevins, David Spence, Steve Wilson Zoey Lee

In this hot weather do you need an indoor project? Lets think about Christmas. Are you ready to make (or purchase) some more Christmas stockings for our Troops? Get out your material (any klnd will do) and Get Ready, Get Set, Go! You did a great job last year, so stay inside during this hot weather and keep your hands busy crafting something which will bring joy to the Troops! ~ Thank you, Becky Winn, with the Edmond Blue Star Mothers

Join the Classics for

Gospelfest
$35 per person Moore First Baptist Church Tuesday, August 2 9am to 4:30pm

Good Food! Gospel Music! Comedy! Door Prizes!

August 14 is

Call today to sign-up! Ellen Chitwood 341-2859 or Winnie Hall 341-4297

Promotion Sunday!
On Sunday, August 14 at 10:00 a.m., we invite ALL children ages 3 years through 5th Grade to the Chapel for a special promotion into a new Sunday school class and a new year in Childrens Ministry. Children will have an opportunity to meet their new teachers, be shown their classrooms, and get to know or be reintroduced to their church buddies. Also, our new 1st graders will receive their bibles, courtesy of Disciples Women. Help support your childs faith development - Bring them to Sunday school!

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
July 31, 2011
Message: Rev. Noel Haley Gray

August 7, 2011
Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Matthew 25:31-40 Theme: Radical Hospitality

The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editor [email protected] Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to [email protected]

Ladies - Join us for a great opportunity to study Gods word, grow spiritually and fellowship with one another. Come experience the greatness and power of God in the study of: Here & Now - There & Then: A Lecture Series on Revelation by Beth Moore. This eleven session study of Revelation will light a fire in our spirits! This study allows you to reaffirm your beliefs as well as broaden your understanding and perhaps arrive at new conclusions. Beth Moore presents many points of view. Our facilitators are Jenny Wiechmann (Monday evenings) and Tana Stufflebean (Thursday mornings). Please join us in room 116 at FCCE as we learn, worship & embrace the promises of God. Jenny Wiechmann Tana Stufflebean The cost is $12. Please make Monday Thursday checks to First Christian Church Session 7:00-9:00 pm 9:30-11:30 am and note Connections Bible Study 1 Aug 15 Aug 18 on the memo line. Scholarships are 2 Aug 29 Aug 25 available for books & childcare upon 3 Sep 12 Sep 8 request. Want to sign-up? Call 4 Sep 26 Sep 22 Jenny Wiechmann at 340-3816 (for 5 Oct 3 Oct 6 Mon. evenings) or Tana Stufflebean 6 Oct 17 Oct 17 7 at 341-4742 (for Thurs. mornings) or Oct 24 Oct 27 8 Nov 7 Nov 3 see Iris Muno Jordan in the Pastoral 9 Nov 21 Nov 17 Pastoral Office Room 127 and 10 Dec 5 Dec 1 sign-up on the list. 11 Dec 12 Dec 8

Next Womens CONNECTIONS Bible Study!

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