CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 28, July 19, 2012

The Chalice

Discerning the Will of God

By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
Discernment. It is one of the great challenges of life. Its about questions like What am I going to be when I grow up? and What is God calling me to do? For the church, its Whats God calling us to be and do in this place and time? And though some of the answers are clear, like that found in the Great Commission (Matthew 28:19, 20), others are not. Neither the city of Edmond nor First Christian was present for verbal instructions from the first century Jesus. And neither looks like it did 10, 20, 50, or 100 years ago. Both have changedand are changing. The church and its mission are dynamic and must always change to meet evolving needs. So, what is God calling us to be and do over the next five to seven years? Is it different from who we are and what we are doing? Is it different from the core values we discovered in the re:NEW process last year, or is it unchanged? Are the dreams from that process merely our dreams, or are they the dreams God has for us? How do we know? And which are imminently important? Well, the answers are in that process called discernment. And that is precisely where we are headed this summer and fallthe process of discerning Gods specific call to and for us, envisioning what our ministries need to be five, even seven years out, and setting forth a strategy for achieving those ministries. In short, we are about completing what we began last year in re:NEW. Please pray for these individuals who have agreed to serve as our Vision Team, working with Rev. Dr. Dick Hamm, our consultant, coach, and guide, and leading us into an intentional process of discernment and strategic planning: Billy Harrison, Co-Moderator Brenda Peterson, Co-Moderator Molly Larrison Bruce Jackson Paul Gaines Molly Haley Robbi Kinnaird, Board Moderator Elect Terry Kerr Warren Shepherd Brian Cavanaugh Ellen Chitwood Bethany Shipley And visit with them frequently, keeping them informed as to your thoughts and insights; revelations and inspirations.

A Farewell Letter to the Congregation

by Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Childrens Ministry
Dear Friends, both little and bigBy now, you may know that as of August 9, 2012, I will no longer be serving as your Director of Childrens Ministries. This was an extremely hard decision to make, but after much prayer and consideration; Cole and I believe it is the right decision for our family at this time. During my time as Director, I have tried to cast the vision that children are not meant to be objects of our ministries, but members of our community of faith. Children are not the future of the church, but the present. Serving as the Childrens Director at First Christian has been a time of tremendous growth, great learning and a blessing in my life. Thank you for the honor and privilege of allowing me to serve in this role the past two years. I look forward to transitioning back into lay leadership for children; especially to the ways I can serve with the new Children Worship and Wonder program which begins August 26. God bless.

Sponsored by FCC Outreach Ministries through the Rolling Green Collaborative at First Christian - Family Life Center! Rolling Green residents will pre-register through the Rolling Green Office.

Block PaRtY!
When & Where? Saturday, August 11, 5-8 pm, Block Party 2012 Offers Residents of Rolling Green:

Back to School

* Free School Supplies & Shoes for RG Students * Free Haircuts for RG Students & Residents
What Can YOU Do? How Can YOU Help?
PLUS: * Food! * Drinks! * Games!

* Free Apartment Care Kits (basic cleaning supplies & hygiene items)
* Volunteer to work at the party! * Purchase school supplies! * Donate school supplies! * Donate funds to purchase shoes! You can sign up or donate online at fccedmond.org/blockparty or drop by the Block Party display in the Rotunda.

Winter Family Camp Plans Underway!

By Susan Huffer, Family Camp coordinator
There are a few more spots available for FCCs Winter Family Camp! Family Camp is scheduled for December 30, 2012 thru January 4, 2013. We will be staying at Snow Mountain Ranch, a Y Camp in Granby, Colorado. There will be something for everyone! You can ski, snowboard, ice skate, tube or cross country ski. There is also a place to ski bike and to snowmobile. Winter Park is a great place to shop and to enjoy the mountains. You will be able to choose between skiing at Winter Park and/or Sol Vista. There are only 4 rooms remaining! Call quickly! Pick up a trip packet at the table in the Rotunda, or call Susan Huffer at 623-2185.

Join FCC Edmonds Operation Christmas Child project by donating small gift items AND by coming to one of our upcoming Packing Parties! We have three packing parties scheduled - August 15, September 30 and October 18. We meet from 9 am to Noon - can come and go as you need. Gather some small items: toys, hard candy, toothbrushes, toothpaste, bar soap, combs, washcloths, lollipops, mints, dolls, sunglasses, ball caps, hair clips, stuffed animals, yo-yos, etc. We also need shoe boxes and small clothing items for ages 2 through 14. Bring the items to the church office or drop them off in the Challengers Sunday School room. Please mark OCC on the bag. Thank You! If you have questions, please call Michele Schlough at 844-3214.

Operation Christmas Child

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER
Jane Martin, Don DeSpain, Jason Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Leinda Parson (Linda Dunlaps daughter), Judy Joy, Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law), Jim Hays, Haynes Phillips (Anna Lisa Stanleys dad), Jerri Jones, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble

Happy Birthday!
7/22 Bennett Fuller, Greg Hunt, Ryan McGann, Dan McNickle, Caroline Medley, Mike Prince 7/23 Dee Ann Anderson, Nina Daylor, Norma Jean Kirsch, Lauren VanOsdol 7/24 Janet Shepard 7/25 Emily Adams, Darcy Biby, Zachary Rodr, Dollie Smith, Elaine Warner 7/26 Destiny Banuet, Paul Dodson 7/27 Brian Cain, Terry Dillon 7/28 Colton Carrington, Cathi Carroll, Gary Clopton, Emy Lawson, Gail Webster 7/29 Ed Walker

Mark Your Calendars! Save the Dates!

JUMP!: This year, JUMP! will be held on Sunday, August 5th, from 11am to 1pm, at the Family Life Center. Childrens Ministry holds this annual event for parents wanting to get more involved! There will be all kinds of things for the kids to do - bring the entire family! Come join in the fun! UNITE: This year, all Wednesday UNITE activities (dinner, worship and small group classes) for children, youth, and adults begin Wednesday, September 12th! Additional registration information coming soon - watch for it!

Travel with The Classics!

The Classics will take another tour of Peppers Ranch to see the progress and recent improvements to the ranch which has been rebuilt after a tornado last year. Peppers Ranch sustained major property damage by a tornado that swept through Logan County on May 24, 2011. Peppers Ranch, which sits on 200+ acres north of Guthrie and west of Edmond, is a long-term residential care facility that provides quality, planned care for foster families. FCCEs own Jim Quade is the new Executive Director! The Classics will also tour Edmonds own Armstrong Auditorium. Armstrong Auditorium is a spectacular concert venue with a 5-star class rating in Central Oklahoma. It currently houses an exhibit called Seals of Jeremiahs Captors Discovered, showing some of the most significant archaeological artifacts ever discovered in Jerusalem. The actual event date has yet to be determined however watch The Chalice Connection for more details. Please call Winnie Hall if you are interested in this opportunity, or, for questions, at 341-4297.

Peppers Ranch & Armstong Auditorium

Can You Help?

Creative projects - decorations and childrens crafts - are being planned for our annual gratitude celebration and annual campaign season. We would appreciate donations or loans of some crafty items. Can you help us out? Donate or loan embroidery hoops - any size Donate yarn and embroidery floss - any color Do you do needlework, weave, quilt or sew? Let us know! We are asking for all donations to be left in the box in the church workroom, room 101, by August 15. Thank you!

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

Looking for a Chance to Serve? Three GREAT Opportunities for YOU!

Breakfast on Boulevard Needs Grocery Buyers!
BOB is in need of a special someone to assist with purchasing the groceries each week - on a rotational-basis! We currently have 8 volunteers who take turns doing the shopping, using a grocery list prepared by another volunteer. If you would like to serve as a grocery buyer, please contact Mickey Stufflebean at 341-4742. Thanks!

at First Christian
July 22, 2012
Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: Heroes of the Bible: Caleb - Trust in God Scripture: Numbers 13:30-33

July 29, 2012

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Theme: Heroes of the Bible: Naaman - Outsider Faith Scripture: 2 Kings 5:10-14

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Unite Needs a Grocery Shopper and a Chef!

In order to keep this vital First Christian Church ministry running successfully for all of our families - Unite NEEDS a chef and a grocery shopper! Menus are already chosen - we just need some wonderful volunteers to help out. If you are available to shop for groceries - or - if you are available on Wednesdays beginning at 4 pm and LOVE to cook, please contact Anna Lisa Stanley at 341-3544. Thank you!

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