Nonprofit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Stillwater, OK Permit No.

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Facts & Figures for September 11, 2011 Attendance (155 and 120)...........................275 Sunday School.....143 General Fund Receipts..............$7,912.10 Capital Fund Receipts.......................$1,463.00 Loose Offering/Sunday School......$190.00 Non-Budget Funds Receipts......$1,329.00 2011 Facts & Figures as of July 31, 2011 YTD Budget Receipts.........$292,394.43 YTD Budget Expenses.......$290,681.35 Net Receipts over Expenses......$1,713.08 Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer, dkwsmith@suddenlink.net

The Stillwater Christian

Volume 2011 In This Issue
Announcements Care and Feeding Of a Candle Children and Youth Birthdays & Anniversaries Facts & Figures 1 2 3 3 4

September 13 On Sunday, August 28th, Stephen and Stephanie Luster joined with First Christian Church during the 11:10 worship service. Steve and Stephanie were married on June 18th this year. They both grew up in the area, and even went to the same high school. Stephen is the owner of Stillwater Commercial Glass. At times, they are joined by Stephanies granddaughter Abby. Take a moment and say hello and welcome Steve and Stephanie to First Christian Church!

Welcome Stephen and Stephanie Luster!

Anyone interested in walking or financially supporting CROP Walk, please call Kim Hall at 614-5611 or the church office at 372-7722. If you would be willing to help supply desserts for the weekly Wednesday High School lunch from time to time, please contact Sondra Ladd. We have had an average of 50 high school students attending each week and expect those numbers to increase. A donation of a batch of cookies, brownies, a sheet cake, or anything sweet is appreciated. Store bought items are also accepted. Come on out to Orange Leaf on Sept 27 between 3:30 and 7:30 and proceeds will benefit the FCC Preschool/CDO program.

Stillwater CROP Walk, Oct. 2, 2011

HELP! Need Bakers!

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Of Stillwater, OK, Inc. 411 W. Mathews Ave. Stillwater, OK 74075-7517

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

WNF Menu for Sept. 14 Adults: Chef Salad, wheat rolls, and pickle spears Kids: Roll up sandwiches, string cheese, pickle spears Dessert: Chocolate caramel popcorn

FCC Preschool Fundraiser

The Stillwater Christian is a weekly publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The deadline for articles each week is 1pm Monday. Tracy Freeman, Editor editor@fcc-stillwater.org Church Office Phone: 405.372.7722 Fax: 405.372.7726 Find The Stillwater Christian and more information at www.fcc-stillwater.org

Chris Firey would like to begin scheduling special music in the Contemporary Service. Do you have a talent youd like to share? Do you know somebody with a talent to share? Contact Chris at Christopher.firey@okstate.edu for more information.

Contemporary Service Needs Talent

Thank you to everyone for your notes and prayers during my sons recent transplant and recovery. - Rose McKeown

Send prayer requests and general email to office@fcc-stillwater.org

Join us this Sunday for Owen Caytons Message, Harvest Aplenty based on Psalm 116 and Matthew 13:1-9 Traditional 9:00am Sunday School 10:10 Contemporary 11:10

The Care and Feeding of A Candle

Owen Cayton, Senior Minister pastor@fcc-stillwater.org Last week I began to frame a conversation about the subject of suffering, and indirectly evil, as it relates to God. Lets begin this week by talking some about pain as a stepping stone to a larger conversation. Pain is not entirely a bad thing. Pain is a signal that something is wrong. If one could not feel the pain of an empty stomach to know that we were hungry, we would starve to death. Likewise, if one could not feel the sting of a cut, it would be possible to bleed to death without knowing something was wrong. Pain is a signal that something is wrong, and in many cases we ignore it to our peril. Not long ago, I experienced headaches on a regular basis. I thought those headaches were a result of allergies and sinus congestion. However, when I went to the doctor on unrelated matters, it was revealed that my blood pressure was a little high, which can, of course, lead to larger more devastating problems. With this information, I can make some changes: take the right medication, monitor my blood pressure, adjust my diet and exercise more. Just because pain plays a role in our life and health doesnt mean that we ought not to be sympathetic when others experience pain. Indeed, our experience of pain ought to create in us a desire to alleviate the pain of others. We ought to wince when we see another get hurt and, depending upon the seriousness, rush to their aid! In the same way we ought to have compassion with those who experience ongoing and chronic pain. There is a difference between ones tummy rumbling because a meal was missed and the pain experienced by someone who has a daily struggle to find food, even though their pain stems from the same place. God has made a universe in which creatures act upon each other. Things collide, things cut, and things hurt. A knife dropped on a foot will cut. A toe stubbed on the leg of a coffee table will hurt. On a larger scale, the beauty of the cosmic ballet that allows Earth to orbit the sun, tilting back and forth on its axis, creating seasons and allowing for life to exist, also can create the conditions in which tornados, hurricanes, and floods occur. To say that God has made a universe in which tornados happen (sharp edges cut, toes get stubbed, etc.) is much different than saying, God caused the tornado to devastate Joplin. Continue to think about and struggle with these things! Shalom, Pastor Owen

CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

Sondra Ladd, Children/Youth Ministry Director youth@fcc-stillwater.org WNF: Hometown Nazareth WNF continues for ALL AGES. Every week will offer new and exciting opportunities for fun and fellowship with our FCC family. Its not too late to join in on the action. Dinner is served from 5:30 until 6:15. Then, tribes will travel around through Fun and Games, Marys House and the Market Place. Come and see for yourself what Hometown Nazareth is all about. New Sunday School Series for Chi Rho and CYF Indescribable is the Sunday School series that Chi Rho and CYF youth will be studying. All youth are encouraged to attend. Sunday Night Chi Rho and CYF Activities Chi Rho and CYF youth will be meeting this Sunday from 5:00pm until 7:00pm for Freshman initiation. Come and welcome our 6th and 9th grade students into Chi Rho and CYF. CONNECT CAMPOUT Sept. 24th and 25th This campout is going to be the closest thing to time travel yet; so saddle up and get ready to roll back in time! I am pretty sure at the pace most families keep, EVERYONE could use a little time to unwind and remember what is really important. SO.we are inviting parents to come along on this adventure. (It is not mandatory for parents to attend in order for youth to participate). I absolutely guarantee that everyone who comes will remember this outing for a very long time. Cost: $10 per person is needed to reserve space. TICKETS MUST BE ORDERED IN ADVANCE. Each person also needs to bring approximately $15 for snacks and drinks. When: We leave Saturday at noon, so bring a sack lunch to eat along the way. We will return home late Sunday afternoon/early Sunday evening. More info: Meals will be provided. We will be camping outdoors, so plan to sleep in the open air or in a tent. Dont let that discourage you, this will be a weekend to remember. Deadline: Registration MUST BE MADE NO LATER THAN SUNDAY, Sep. 18th. Football Parking If you have not currently signed up for football parking, NOW is the time to do so. All active children and youth at First Christian Church are asked to volunteer for 8 hours of parking. Funds raised help support childrens and youth ministry activities at FCC. All youth in 8th grade and under are asked to be accompanied by a parent. There are only four remaining games, so contact Sondra ASAP to sign up for the spot that best fits your schedule.

Happy Birthday to: 9/14 Steve Armbruster, Stacy Gunkel, Andrew Sapp; 9/15 Don Hutchison; 9/16 Natalie Fieldsend, Cathy Miller; 9/17 Maggie Bryant; 9/18 Wade Watkins; 9/19 Nancy Rogers, Mary McFarlin, Bonnie OBrien; 9/20 Matt Arrington, Paul Haxton Happy Anniversary to: 9/17 Craig and Leila Beeby; 9/19 Robert and Debbie Hollis