CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 26, July 5, 2012

The Chalice

The Things We Do For Love

By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
Jennifer Humphrey passed along a wonderful piece she found somewhere on the internet. Its from Jason Good, who is obviously a new parent. He has compiled a list of things that he cant believe that he has done since having children. You know, no matter how hard you try to explain these things to new parents, they still sound outlandishlike something I would never do. But it is amazing the crazy things you find that youve donelike: -Butter a piece of toast while going to the bathroom -Brush someones teeth against their will -Blow on food while its in someone elses mouth. -Help someone else blow on food while its in someone elses mouth. -Eat food that has fallen out of someone elses mouth. -Eat food youve found on the floor. -Eat food you found on the mantle. -Eat candy you found in a shoe. -Visit a psychiatrist. -Wipe someones nose with your bare hand. -Let somebody throw up in your bare hand. -Eat baby food. -Blame passing gas on a child. -Get someone dressed while youre in the shower. -Pass out from blowing up a kiddie pool. -Cut up a grape. -Almost agree to cut up a raisin. -Pretend to enjoy the flavor of a prune. -Ask someone why their hair smells like Gogurt. -Ask someone why their hair smells like your antiperspirant. -Put someone elses toenail clippings in your pocket. -Let someone watch you go to the bathroom while they stare blankly eating a popsicle. What a list! I wonder why people do those crazy things? I think I know. Its called love. Sacrificial love. A love that goes way beyond the ordinary and does unthinkable things. Its the kind of love God has for us, and the kind of love were called to have for one another. When you care so deeply for someone elselike a childyoull do incredible things for them. So Im not looking to have you throw up in my bare handsbut if you need to, I need to be there. Jesus Christ calls us to a higher love, and doing things we never thought we could or would do for one another.

We Survived!
Family Camp 2012
As Don Wiechmann reminded us in our closing worship, Family Camp 2012 posed more than a few challengessome personal and some collectiveand some that left us pondering once again the question: is the glass half empty or half full? The Petersons, for example, arrived at the camp firstwell, sort of... They got into Estes Park on Saturday only to find smoke throughout the town and the road to the camp closed, possibly until the next day. So they quickly got a room in town and became our on-sight, Family Camp, fireside reporters. Fortunately, the fires were quickly contained, though not before consuming some 21 homes. When the Sparks/Godwins arrived a bit later, they were toldquite thankfullythat the road would be open by dark. It had been closed for the safety of the helicopters flying in to drop water on the fires. So, half empty, or half full? In Manitiou Springs, however, it was a very different

story. Those fires continued to spread and pose a serious danger to the entire community. At 2:00 a.m. on Sunday morning, the Kinnairds, Koopmans and Mecoys were awakened by a loud knock at the door. It was time to evacuateand figure out what to do until the start of camp much later in the day.
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Family Camp 2012 - continued from page one

Thankfully, by Sunday evening, all registered campers had reached Estes Park and were safely in their rooms. Half empty, or half full? As with all good traditions, some things must change. And because of the obvious threat of wild fires, the annual Smores campfire had to be cancelled. Bummer! But the death of one thing gives life to another and this year, the annual Smores event gave way to ice cream and birthday cake (in honor of Josh and Joey Biby). Half empty, or half full? Then its Monday, the first full day of Family Camp 2012. And once again, tradition meets with change. A large group left early for the annual first day, family hike. But the one vital roadway to the trailhead was under construction and closed to all traffic except shuttle buses. And the demand for those shuttles was so intense, that the turn around time was well, lets just say, longer than the average set of fast food, remote control addicts like us could takeor did. We quickly x-ed this site off our bucket list and headed off for other happier (and more accessible) trails. Half empty, or half full? So, one day it was fires and the next it was road construction. Maybe things would improve on Tuesday. Not! More fires and the white water rafting trip was canceled. The canyon northwest of Ft. Collins, was still engulfed in a massive fire, which eventually destroyed more than 250 homes. So, it was another day to be creative. And what place could be more inviting for creativity than the Rocky Mountains? Half empty, or half full? Wednesday came with yet another, fire ban driven cancelationthe annual Horseback ride and breakfast. But not all was lost. The ride itself was still on. It was just reduced to two hours, no cookout breakfast, and a little reroute through Moraine Park. Meanwhile, the fishermen headed off for a day of fly fishing. The hike was shorter, but challenging. And the fish were plentiful. They just didnt seem too anxious to cooperate in being caught. Really more trees and rocks were caught than fish. But so what? The setting was refreshingly beautiful. Half empty, or half full? We capped off this day with the annual Family Fun Night. It was gocarts, water boats, bumper boats, putt-putt golf, and a youth camper favoritewater balloon fight. Even Don and Mishelleen Mecoy got in on this action. They represented the parents beautifully. And though the rains had finally come in the afternoon refreshing the spirits of all and cooling the temperatures significantly, they broke just in time for all of the fruhaha (yea!). Of course, they

wouldnt have stopped the water balloon fight anyway. But what brief showers fell in the evening, did make for some havoc on the go-cart track. It just wasnt enough to keep Margaret Hall from ruling the course. Half empty, or half full? Thursday morning, some hikers headed out for Blue Lake with a few making a Polar Bear Plunge. And if you can believe it, they were even caught in a fast and quick hail storm while making their way back down the trail. Some fun, huh? Half empty, or half full? By Friday, the Mecoys had had two flat tires, the Wiechmanns had lost a water pump, and Jerry had visited the local dentist for the replacement of a crown. But everything was replaced. So, half empty, or half full? Ok, so everything didnt go as planned. But spirits never seemed deterred. Everyone kept smiling, determined to enjoy every moment of a grand place and time. When the older children and teenagers were not participating in some scheduled event, they were swimming, playing basketball, putt-putt, volleyball, or tennis. In the evenings, it was a mix of children, youth, and adults playing cards or games. We laughed out loud and enjoyed lots of fun together. Half empty, or half full? We had six new families join us this year. The Wood Family roomed across the hall from us. By the end of the week, I felt like we had been friends forever. If they had not joined us on this trip, I might never have had gotten to know them this well. This was Sue Archer and her familys first time for summer camp, though she was one of the first brave souls to join our first Winter Family Camp! Bill and Mignon Denyer were with us for the first time. I had a great fun talking with them on the back patio. Robin Pierces sister Tracy Nester and her daughter were also first timers, along with Sue Hite, friend of Linda Burrows, and, the Belardo Family. So, half empty, or half full? Well, just listen to some of the survey comments: Great week. Loved it. Good time was had by all. I love the back porch. LOVE FAMILY CAMP. Thanks for making it so special and giving my family memories that will last forever. Wonderful week. Obviously, more than half full. When we gathered for our closing service, Ellen and Ann reminded us that we are a family made one in Christ. Clearly, our glass is more than half full. So yes Don, the experience of this week, in spite of its unusual challenges, was of a cup more than half full. Until next year in the mountains Susan Huffer, Family Camp Coordinator and Jerry Black

Prayers of the People Happy Birthday!

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Dale Hampton (Dot Hammonds brother) 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), Warren Hill, Jerri Jones, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble

7/8 Phyllis Jarrett 7/9 Katherine Adkins, Chris Westhof 7/10 Carson Crull, Shirley Davis, Kelly Jones, Don Keel 7/11 Huner Marsh, Joy Patton 7/12 Susan Barker, Will Harris, Jaxon Humphrey 7/13 Garry George, Dyke Moffatt 7/14 Scott Foreman, Charlotte Larrison, Jeff Stephens 7/15 Abigail Agosta, Charla Allison, Bruce Jackson, Dale Reeder

Thank You from BABYLON!

What a great VBS adventure we had in Babylon; telling city dwellers and shop keepers about our one true God!!! We were even lucky enough to meet Daniel and learn about his Courage in Captivity. During the week, our children raised enough money to provide 31 mosquito nets to children in Mali to help wipe out Malaria. Kids and adults alike were blessed many times over by our VBS experience. Amy Peters and Desi Stout put an amazing team of people together to lead and minister with our children. Thanks for taking this overwhelming task on and making it happen! Special thanks go out to Jennifer Humphrey, Addy Bowers, and the entire FCC staff. Also, thank you, the church for donating and loaning items to bring bible stories to life. We say THANK YOU! to all of our leaders listed below and on the back page - as you can see, there were MANY! And all those who prayed for a successful VBS or who may have inadvertently been left off this list - thank you, also! Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Childrens Ministry Molly Haley Addy Bowers Kayla Clark Camille Caldwell Greg Bunton Cole Stanley Frank Gresh Debby Gresh Mitchem Ernst Amy Roberts Letitia Anthony Conner Swearingen Angie Percival Caleb Swearingen Will Mecoy Mac Mecoy Mishelleen Mecoy Janet Helms Neil Helms Caleb Stanley Sally Leonard Suzanne Allison Karlee Meadows Emily Gresh Sherrye VanOsdol Peter Gaddy Kassie Johnson Emily Thompkins Caroline Judd Shannon Medley Jill Wilburn Melissa Hendricks Jennifer Schmitz Janet Caldwell Julie Bunton Sarah Raines Carter Raines Sebastian Gomez Chrisha McGann Melissa VanOsdol Kim Kerr Amy Hepler Dennis Gallop Mark Taylor Jennifer Humphrey Shelley Regan Iris Jordan Karla Mahan Jeff Williams Quinton Conaway Jennifer Hunt Jennifer McGrew Cameron Woods Kayla Bunton Sarah Rogers Thomas Spurrier Janell Duncan Greyson Ernst Sarah Douthitt Delaney Ernst Lee Christensen Jessica Shelton Cassie Miller Chad Miller

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
July 8, 2012
Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: Heroes of the Bible: Nehemiah - Restoration from Chaos Scripture: Nehemiah 2:17-20

July 15, 2012

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Greg Bunton Theme: Heroes of the Bible: Ruth - Using Your Resources Scripture: Ruth 2:8-13

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Kacy VanOsdol Abby Kerr Jake Kerr Hallie Ball Jessica Werhun Wendy Hanson Steve Hanson Tyler Black Colton Carrington Neil Helms Joey Biby Luke Case Stacy Nash Michelle Schlough

Travis Christensen Benny Christensen Sarah Lindley Tana Stufflebean Shannon Smith Darrin Smith Jill Raines Charla Allison Kay Sullins Lynn Burgess Kay Mades Randle Lee Jesse Parmer

Scott Peters Jimmy King Greg Hunt Jaxon Humphrey Scott Johnson Carter Cain Ryan McGann Brian Haley Brandon Bright Christian Swearingen Missy Blevins Alison Ernst Robbi Kinnaird Shala Kosir London Carrington

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