CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 34, August 30, 2012

The Chalice

The Real Work

I had a full agenda for my day yesterday. Many pressing issues were on my to do list for the day. And the day started out full of hope of getting most of those things done. However, as I went through the day, interruptions were more the norm than the exception. I say interruptions but what they really should be called are opportunities for ministry. A random phone call led to a meaningful conversation with someone going through difficult times. An unexpected visitor to my office needed time to talk about some issues they were struggling with. Tears flowed throughout the day, becoming healing streams for me and for those with whom I spoke. It turns out that at the end of the day

By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister

I still had a long list of to dos. I have to get those done, but I certainly dont look at my day as a failure. In fact, I see it as a great blessing. Despite my well-laid plans, I think God had other things in store for me. Real ministry and real issues that needed attention. Oh, my to do list is still a priority, but it has been put into perspective. Sometimes the side tracks of life are just where we need to be. Its a question we often ask ourselves in our personal lives and in our life as a church family. Where is God calling us to be? What are we supposed to be doing? I think to answer those questions requires many hours on our knees in prayer. How do we hear Gods voice if we dont listen? Prayer is a wonderful opportunity to open ourselves up to the direction God would like for us to take. Sometimes, like the Pharisees, when we are so certain about the path we are

supposed to take, we are on the wrong track. God has someplace else we need to be. It reminds me of a wonderful prayer by one of my favorite poets, Wendell Berry. The Real Work goes like this: It may be that when we no longer know what to do we have come to our real work, and that when we no longer know which way to go we have come to our real journey. The mind that is not baffled is not employed. The impeded stream is the one that sings. Part of our quest as a church family to hear Gods direction involves our upcoming 90 Days of Prayer and Discernment. We will divide into groups of three and pray, share and listen for Gods voice together. I invite you to be a part of this lifegiving process as we listen carefully. You can get more information on this journey both on our website and at church on Sunday.

Prayer Triads Forming by Bruce Jackson

We spent a lot of time last Summer in our re:NEW process to find our churchs core values. Our challenge since has been to figure out the best way to put those core values into practice. One of the first needs we identified during the process was for more small groups within the church. One of the ways were introducing more small groups is the prayer triads were putting together for this fall. Prayer triad sounds technical, but its a pretty simple idea. Three people, committing to seven sessions, lasting 60-90 minutes over a ten week period. Each session contains bible reading, prayer, and reflection on specific questions on where God is leading us as a congregation. Seven to ten hours is a pretty big commitment, but the payback we receive - both individually and as a congregation - is going to be amazing! Imagine whats going to come out of 120 people taking the time to listen to what God has to say to us. On the one hand, Im a little intimidated at the thought of that much time spent in prayer (with other people there!) and reflection. On the other hand, as we see the same answers repeatedly coming from different groups we start to discern, not our own words, but Gods word for us. Being secure in the knowledge were moving the kingdom of God forward is a pretty exciting prospect. We have a six-page document posted on our web site that goes into more detail about the format and purpose of the triads. If youve already signed up to be part of a prayer triad, you should read it to see what youre getting into. If you havent, you should read it to see what you should be getting into. The bottom line is, everyone should check it out. Even if youre not ready to sign up for a prayer triad, its important that everyone in the congregation knows what were trying to accomplish with them. The links for both the PDF document and to sign up for a prayer triad are at www.fccedmond.org/focus. Read through the document, and track down any of the focus team members to answer any questions you have. Im eager to get the process started, but even more eager to see the results!

Extravagant

GENEROSITY: One Gift TOUCHES Many Hearts!

Annual C ampaign Schedule of Activities

September 16 - October 7
Praying in COLOR

Week 1: Gratitude Sunday, Sept 16 Week 2: Sunday, September 23

Made To Be Generous
9:30 Sunday School with Rev. Bruce Barkhauer

Weaving a Church Community

10:45 Unified Worship with Rev. Barkhauer

10:00 Unified Sunday School Workshop for All in Fellowship Hall

Free!

(Register at www.fccedmond.org/gratitude)

12:00 Gratitude Lunch

REEL THEOLOGY exploring faith in film

10:00 Optional Sunday School Workshop for All in Fellowship Hall
REEL Thelology will meet the last two weeks of our Extravagant Generosity series. Larry and Sharon Mullins will lead these forums, pairing weekly worship themes to film clips. On September 30, to illustrate the importance of mentoring, particularly as it concerns reaching out to other generations and those that might seem different than us, we will explore clips from Finding Forrester and other classic films. On October 7, to illustrate the power of touch, and reaching out to others, we will discuss film clips from such classics as Ghandi. Each lesson will be interactive, engaging, and hopefully provocative as it concerns the importance of reaching out to each other and the larger community, both those close to home as well as those around the world. An optional faith forum for adults of all ages. Sunday School classes are welcome, or may meet as scheduled.

Weeks 3 & 4: Sundays, September 30 & October 7 PRAYING for Our Campaign
Weeks 1 - 4
We invite your prayers as we seek the resources to fund various ministries in the coming year. A quiet Prayer Room will be available in the Upper Room (above the chapel). This space is for those who wish to pray privately in sacred space. Printed prayer guides will be available to support your prayer time.

Need help communicating with God? Maybe you love color. Maybe you are a visual or kinesthetic learner, a distractable or impatient soul, or a word-weary pray-er? Perhaps you struggle with a short attention span? But still you hunger to communicate with God. This new prayer form offers tools for a sensory prayer experience. Led by Anna Lisa Stanley & Janet Helms. Everyone is welcome! All Sunday School classes are encouraged to join.

Weeks 3 & 4

Find yourself easily distracted when you pray? Come try a method called Praying in Color. On Sundays, September 30 and October 7, an interactive prayer space will be open throughout the morning in Room 117. Children, youth, adults - individuals and families alike - are encouraged to come experience the Praying in Color method of prayer.

DONT FORGET!

Register for the FREE September 16th Gratitude Luncheon at the table in the rotunda - or - online at www.fccedmond.org/gratitude

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Jim Hays, George Hall, Bob Jennings, Jason Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Judy Joy, Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brotherin-law), Jerri Jones, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble

Happy Birthday!
9/2 9/3 9/4 9/5 9/6 9/7 9/8 9/9 Olivia Agosta, Marc Pate Jan Cowling, Laura Kysar, Jim Turner Taylor Grant, Traci Sarani, Rachel Wood Jay Biby, Peyton Mabry, Lindy Rahhal, Jeannie Reese, Jim Williams John A. Hammond, Marissa Kosir, Matthew Mitchell, Aidan Polk, Kimberly Woods Scott Anthony, Randy Clark, Sandra Moore Julie Bunton, Bob Eaton, Jason Jones, Richard Randolph Nancy Hays, Kassi Johnson, Geri Moffatt, Steve Percival, William Shorow

Neil & Janet Helms. with Blake & Alaina Morton,

for the

Please join

Sunday, September 2 4 pm in the First Christian Church Chapel

Reception immediately following at the Helms residence.

Tara Baker & Drew Thornton

Wedding of

Seeking Interim Directors of Childrens Ministry

Do you LOVE kids? This is for YOU! The Personnel Committee of First Christian Church Edmond is currently looking for two gifted individuals to share a flexible, part-time position (10 hours each, weekly, for a period of 6 to 8 months) as Interim Co-Directors of Childrens Ministry. Interested applicants should contact Greg Bunton at 341-3544, ext. 105.

PARENTS: Date Change!

Children Worship & Wonder

CHILD AND PARENT ORIENTATION
SUNDAY, SEPTEMBER 2 The orientation for CW&W is this Sunday, September 2, during the 11:00 a.m. worship service. Parents - come with your child to experience what it is all about!

Tour Peppers Ranch & Armstong Auditorium

Tuesday, September 11
Travel with The Classics!
On Tuesday, September 11, 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 take another tour of 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. Please call Winnie Hall if you are interested in this opportunity, or for questions, at 341-4297.

SAVE THE DATE!! Sunday, October 7th

The 6th Annual FCC FOLLIES & CHILI COOK-OFF
Find that prize-winning chili recipe and start working on your act now... more details will follow soon! Questions? Contact Diane Ball at dball@fccedmond.org or 341-3544, ext.115.

Everyone - Join us on Wednesday nights during the school year!

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
September 2, 2012

Evening Options for Adults: 5:00 - 6:00 Adult Bible Study Group: led by Rev. Chris Shorow - Room 116 6:20 - 7:15 After the New Testament Study: led by Rev. Dr. Jerry Black - Room 116

Starts Wednesday, September 12. REGISTER now at www.fccedmond.org/unite

In this course, we will use 30 minute lectures by Bart D. Ehrman to examine early writings and their impact on the church. Note: As choir is moving to 7 pm, this class begins at 6:20 pm, allowing interested members to watch the 30 minute video lectures. Class discussion & content clarification will follow.

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Greg Bunton Theme: Prayer - The Lords Prayer Scripture: Matthew 6:9-13

7:00 - 8:15 Chancel Choir: led by Diane Ball - Sanctuary

(Nursery/Childcare Available) Our Chancel Choir offers musical gifts throughout the year in the 11 am worship service and on special occasions. Come share your gift of song!

Students Schedule Students purchase a copy of The Story (Teen Edition) by Max Lucado and

September 9, 2012

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: Prayer Scripture: John 17:20-23

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

take the challenge! This will have you reading a condensed version of the entire Bible and will give deeper meaning to The Story (& your place in it)! Books are $10. For more, go to www.fccedmond.org/thestory 5:30 Girls Ensemble 6:30 Worship 5:45 Dinner 7:15 Small Group Bible Study 8:00 Done! Childrens Schedule Children ages 3 to 5th grade will experience 3 themes this Fall: (1) Star Quest! - God is the King over all the earth. - Psalm 47:7 (2) Wilderness Trail - Respect everyone. - 1 Peter 2:17 & (3) Heroes - Be strong and courageous. - Joshua 1:9 5:00 Music/Instruments (K-5th) (Music, Rm 113) 6:30 Large Group (Sanctuary) 5:30 Cherub Choir (PreK) (Rm 115) 7:00 Small Groups 6:00 Check-In/Dinner 7:30 Check-Out/Pick up

Sign up for UNITE in the Rotunda - or - online at www.fccedmond.org/unite

BR I D G ES: Christians Connecting with Muslims Study

Starts Wednesday, Sept. 5, 6:30 PM Learn of our Muslim neighbors through the eyes of

Jesus. Bridges, a 7-week study, focuses on the similarities of Christianity & Islam - building a bridge between them. Mona Ernst, raised a Muslim & now a Christian, will teach. Sign up at the rotunda display. Questions? Call Kelly VanOsdol at 341-0922.

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