The Stillwater

It is the mission of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Stillwater to be the church of Jesus Christ in the world. We do so by developing DISCIPLESHIP, enabling OUTREACH, and embodying COMMUNITY in our lives together.

Christian
Volume 2013 | March 20

Spring Break Week Owen is out of the office this week. We will not have Thrive! tonight. Sondra Ladd is available all week, and if you have any pastoral needs, please feel free to also contact Nancy Crenshaw or Keri Bruce, the Elders Co-Chairs. Sign Up for the Prayer Vigil One of our most beloved traditions is our annual 24 hr prayer vigil which begins on noon of Good Friday and continues until noon on Saturday in the Sanctuary and also in our homes. It is a special opportunity to pray. This year Nancy Trench will set up prayer stations around the sanctuary to aid you in your prayer, if you are interested. The sign up sheets for praying at church and also at home are available in the narthex. Sign up now! March 24 March 24-29 March 27 March 29-30 March 31 Holy Week Schedule Palm Sunday, regular schedule Noon service at St. Francis Catholic Church Wed Night Dinner and Holy Week Service Friday noon to Saturday noon Good Friday Prayer Vigil Easter! 7am Sunrise Service 9am and 11:10 am Worship 10am Easter Egg Hunt and Brunch

Thank You, Church Family, for your many prayers and for the lovely cards and phone calls. We felt your concern everyday and felt blessed. We will be home soon. Many thanks and much love. ~Marie and Ival Hesser

Shredding Day, March 30th 10:00am-12:00pm We will have a shredding service at FCC on Sat. March 30th from 10am to noon. Feel free to bring anything from home that you need shredded and it will be done for free. You do not need to remove paper clips or staples. Be The Church: Nonprofit Focus Stillwater Mission of Hope Mission: Specializes in programs to assist homeless individuals and families to become self-sufficient. Services: Provides supportive housing, food, comprehensive case management, and life skills training. To volunteer as part of the team working on a project at the Mission of Hope, contact Laura Sharp at 377-2221 or laura.sharp@okdhs.org. Community Garden Set to Begin! Interested in vegetable gardening this Spring? The Outreach Dept. has reserved a garden plot at the Stillwater Community Garden. The ground has been broken and seeds, tools, and water are provided. Sherry Tipps will lead, and we just need people to tend the garden and then share the harvest. The garden is located behind the First Church of the Nazarene, 1023 E. Will Rogers Dr. The first workday is Sunday, April 7th, from 2-4. Call Jan or Gene Wilson at 564-0289 if interested, or call the church office.

Mark Your Calendar

March 29 Good Friday March 31 Easter April 4-5 CWF Spring Rummage Sale April 7 Childrens Musical Sunday April 20-21 Bruce Barkhauer Visit April 20-28 Be The Church

Outreach Corner
FCC is one of 31 churches and 24 non-profits in town that are affiliated with Stillwater C.A.R.E.S., a non-profit organization with the goals of "collaboration, synchronization, and transformation" in our community. One component of the Stillwater CARES' plan is to coordinate client information through the establishment of a computerized community case management system called MPOWR. The outcome will be the best use of community resources by avoiding fraudulent requests for and duplication of services. FCC's Helping Hands fund distribution and other outreach missions could benefit from these collaborative programs. They offer a better way to end the cycle of poverty among our citizens. Stay tuned for further information about this opportunity. You may email or call Leila Beeby, Outreach Coordinator, at leila.beeby@sbcglobal.net with any questions or concerns.

Join us this Sunday for Owen Caytons Message, If Only... based on selections from Luke 22 and 23 Traditional 9:00am Sunday School 10:10 Contemporary 11:10

Snapshots from Sondra

Earlier this month I was presented with the opportunity to preach in my home church in Tonkawa. I served as a youth minister at that church for 15+ years, led numerous youth and childrens services and often played a role in worship. But this was the first time I had the opportunity to share a message there. It was a wonderful day. I was able to visit with old friends and family, many of whom I have not seen in a long time. It was nice to be there and to see the many ways God has been at work since I have been gone. They have accomplished so many things. So many improvements have taken place, and it was wonderful to see and experience it all first hand. Tonkawa is home to Northern Oklahoma College. The church has converted the old fellowship hall into a worship center geared to a more contemporary style of worship. It has a warehouse style feel with a set up for a large praise band, lots of seating and a very contemporary dcor. Their traditional service is more comparable to our Contemporary service. There were lots of familiar faces, but also lots of new faces which is a great thing to see. I originally planned to take the youth with me. They LOVE road trips and there is a cheap Chinese food place between here and there that many of them enjoy. As it got closer I realized how many of them already had responsibilities in worship HERE. Matt Arrington and Gage Baker were playing in the praise band, Ryan Parker was running the computer, Courtney Andrews was reading scripture, Jenna Baker was helping with Worship and Wonder and Ashley Ward was teaching PreK/K Sunday School. (I might have left out some, so sorry if I did.) After I realized so many were involved, I sent out a text letting them know that HERE is where I would rather them be. I was thrilled that so many of them were involved and had those responsibilities. When I got to Tonkawa, one of the young ladies approached me and said she was so sorry that she wouldnt be in the service, but she was leading Childrens Church. I had taught her in Sunday School from 1-5 grade. The entire situation made me aware that we all often overlook such amazing blessings. It was great to be home. It was wonderful to share a message with family and friends. I appreciated being given the opportunity, but the best part of the day had NOTHING to do with me; it was watching such amazing young people plugging into their own ministries. My prayer for you today is that you also find blessings hiding in unexpected places. Have a wonderful week. 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 Send prayer requests and general email to office@fcc-stillwater.org

CH ILDR EN & YO UTH MI NISTR Y NEWS

Sondra Ladd, Children/Youth Ministry Director

youth@fcc-stillwater.org

Tamie Ward will be the Worship and Wonder story teller this week. Sondra is in the Office This Week Sondra will be in the youth office throughout Spring Break. For those of you spending time in Stillwater, friendly visits are always welcome! Youth Connect Sunday Night Youth will be stuffing eggs for the Easter egg hunt on Sunday night. Mission Camp: El Reno Deposits Due April 1st Youth 8-12 grade will be attending Mission El Reno, July 22-26. $75 deposits and registration forms are due April 1st. Prodigal Clown Rehearsal Schedule and Info Spring Break - no rehearsal March 27 5:00 Rehearsal April 3rd 4:00-6:00 You Can Be Clean - Water Day/ Rehearsal April 5 4:00 Rehearsal and Zoo Snooze April 7 10:30 Performance Cast T-shirts $10/person, due April 3rd Zoo Snooze $20 per student, $10 per adult includes pre-trip pizza, zoo admission and program, snacks, and breakfast. Due April 3rd.

Special Stewardship Presentation April 20th 9:30 All Are Invited Everyone is encouraged to take advantage of a special opportunity on Saturday morning, April 20th. Rev. Bruce Barkhauer, a Disciples of Christ minister and Director of the Center for Faith and Giving, will present a stimulating workshop covering the scriptural and spiritual foundations of stewardship. This is NOT a pass-the-plate event, but rather Bruce will help us better understand stewardship as a faith discipline that can be integrated into the life and mission of the church. Well conclude no later than 12:30. Questions? Contact Ron Elliott

Facts & Figures for March 17, 2013

Attendance (98 and 76).......174 Sunday School........86 General Fund Receipts.$6,394.00 Capital Fund Receipts.....$270.00 Loose Offering/Sunday School.....$56.00 Project Funds Receipts........$2,140.00 Preliminary Facts & Figures as of February 28, 2013 YTD Budget Receipts.....$73,507.61 YTD Budget Expenses...$78,636.10 Net Receipts over Expenses.($5,128.49) Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer, dkwsmith@suddenlink.net

Happy Birthday to: 3/20 Sonny Apman 3/21 Cathey Cates, Makayla Levings 3/22 Sheri Gumm, Charles Rogers 3/23 Dayln Gunkel; Vera Bilyeu 3/24 Emily Fry 3/25 Wes Andrews, Bob Michalski, Edna Shebeck 3/26 Austin Gilmore, Carly Hart