CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 32 September 1, 2011

The Chalice

Laity Sunday: A Service of Renewal

As we look forward to Laity Sunday on September 4, it seems appropriate that, on the Sunday our staff rests, we take the opportunity to revisit and celebrate our Summer of Renewal. After all, that is how our grand experiment began, with recognition that rest and reflection can renew our spirit and be a springboard to personal growth and improvement. Isaiah 43:19 Behold, I am doing a new thing, now it springs forth. Amen. A few short months ago our congregation was thrilled to learn that our plan for Chris Shorow (and his family) to take a well-earned sabbatical would be supported by a $50,000 grant from the Eli Lilly Foundation. One of the requirements of the grant was that the congregation engage in a sabbatical/ renewal program during Chriss absence. I dont know about you, but Ive been conditioned to expect very little from activities like these those required by a distant third party as a minor condition to receive a grant. I began the process of planning for our summer program with more apprehension (are we really going to alter the Sunday School and Worship schedules?!?!) than excitement. Somewhere between those thoughts and our Summer of Renewal, something magical happened. Creative staff and committed members of the Renewal Task Force designed a program to renew our spirit and challenge us to grow and improve individually and as a congregation. Reflection, conversations, time together, and leaving behind our habits and patterns for a few weeks were the tools for spiritual and congregational growth. For many of us, those were enjoyable deviations from our normal routine opportunities to visit with close friends and church acquaintances alike in a spirit of friendship and shared purpose. For others, and for our congregation, those conversations may lead to lasting growth and improvement, new programs and ideas, and a shared desire for more opportunities to spend time and worship together. For me, the summer was a time of energy, passion, and opportunity. Ive never been a part of a project with a staff so creative and excited, a group of lay leaders so committed and enthusiastic,

By Craig Adkins, Board Moderator and reNEW Task Force Member

and a congregation so willing to try something new and different. This Summer of Renewal changed what I believe is possible at First Christian. As we transition from our Sabbatical Summer of Renewal into a new Fall semester, please join us this Sunday for a Service of Renewal. Remember that Sunday School will meet at 9:30 A.M. and our unified Service will begin at 10:45 A.M. Philippians 4:8 Whatever is true, whatever is honorable, whatever is just, whatever is pure, whatever is pleasing, whatever is commendable. If there is any excellence and if there is anything worthy of praise, think about these things.

On Wednesday evenings during the school year our children, students and adults UNITE for dinner, learning and fellowship. In a culture that is increasingly individualistic and private, we are called as Christians to connect, grow, serve and care together. UNITE provides a place to experience lasting connections and a place to grow in our faith.

Come UNITE with us beginning Wednesday, September 7. REGISTER now at www.fccedmond.org/unite

Evening Options for Adults:

5:00-6:00 An Exploration of Faith
led by Rev. Chris Shorow - Room 116
This will be an interesting experimental class. Many people have approached me wanting to discuss serious matters of faith, what they believe and what the Bible says about some of these topics. So, Im offering this course for them. Well start with a broad overview of scripture and how it came about and what it means to us. How does scripture inform our faith? We will look at questions likeWhat is heaven? What is Hell? Why do bad things happen to good people? The next part of the course will be a dialogue where you will ask your own burning question and well explore it as a class. With a good look at scripture, our faith, and church history, we will be able to more confidently tell the story of our own faith.

Dates We Will Meet

September 7, 14, 21, 28 October 5, 12, 26 November 2, 9, 16, 30 December 7 (Youth only)

Meal Payment Options

$3.50 per person/weekly $38.50 per semester/per person $12.50 weekly (family of 4+) $137.50 semester price (family of 4+)

6:30 - 7:30 Serving from the Heart

led by Rev. Jerry Black - Room 116
Gods plan for the church calls each member of the body of Christ to play a vital role, one in which we find joy and fulfillment. That happens when we serve in a role that matches our unique talents and abilitiesgifts that come from the Spirit of God. Dr. Jerry Blacks Fall Unite Course, Serving from the Heart, will examine in some detail the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and the enhanced capacity to serve. The cost of the participant notebook is $16. Please register online @ www.fccedmond.org/unite or by calling Iris Jordan, 341-3544.

Students Schedule
This semester we will experience a Worship Feast and our study focus will be on the many ways in which we are invited into the presence of the Holy!
5:30 5:45 6:30 7:15 8:00 Girls Ensemble Dinner Worship Small Group Bible Study Done!

7:308:45 Chancel Choir

led by Diane Ball - Sanctuary
(Nursery/Childcare Available) Our Chancel Choir offers musical gifts throughout the year in worship services and on special occasions.

Childrens Schedule
Children 3yrs old through 5th grade will focus on Extreme Makeover: Redesigned Attitudes. This program is an exciting program based on Philippians 2:5. Have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had.
5:00 5:30 6:00 6:30 7:00 7:30 Music/Instruments (K-5th) (MusicRoom/Room 113) Cherub Choir (PreK) (Room 115) Check-In/Dinner Large Group Gathering (Sanctuary) Small Groups Check-Out/Pick up

Unite Parents:
(Children 3 years old through 5th grade)
Get your kids ready for an Extreme Makeover! Download the music for our Wednesday night program at www.grouppublishing.com: > Childrens Ministry > Music > MP3 downloads > Living Inside Out: Fall 2011 song downloads

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Alice Birdsong, Mercy (Charlanne Johnsons mom), Joe Samuels, Norman Regional THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Maxine Kerr, Bart Rodr, Tommy Atchison, Joan Grant, Charlie Young, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Rex Swanson (former member), Roy Jackson, Virginia ONiel, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams mom), John Werhun, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Rose Marie McKee, Barbara Hall, Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akins sister), Ed Berry CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE John Abram Augustus Mahan born August 26 to Matt & Lenne Mahan. Grandparents are J.C. & Karla Mahan.

Happy Birthday!
9/4 Taylor Grant, Traci Sarani, Rachel Wood 9/5 Jay Biby, Peyton Mabry, Lindy Rahhal, Jim Williams 9/6 John A. Hammond, Marissa Kosir, Matthew Mitchell, Aidan Polk, Kimberly Woods 9/7 Scott Anthony, Randy Clark 9/8 Julie Bunton, Bob Eaton, Jason Jones, Richard Randolph 9/9 Nancy Hays, Geri Moffatt, Steve Percival, William Shorow 9/10 Carla Felix, Sydney Hammond, Timothy Linville, Chance Meadows, Loretta Parks, Madelyn Ryland 9/11 Neil Helms, Jerri Jones, Ally Nash, Caitlyn Turner, Sherrye VanOsdol

Thank YOU!
Kay Burks Linda Burrows Robert Coleman Campbell Coleman Sandy Cook Karen Endicott April Gaddy Robin Gaddy Kristen Hall Chloe Houk

I would like to take this opportunity to thank all of the following helpers for blessing us with their hard work over the last several weekends during the repainting of the Childrens Education Building. Robbi Kinnaird Jack Kinnaird Janell Lee Zoey Lee Charnele Lewis Jennifer London Caleb Mahan Karla Mahan Amanda McDaniel Jennifer McGrew Tammie McHone Bonnie Miller Jeremy Miller Michael Miller Nathan Miller Alex Peters Amy Peters Kayla Nickel Melissa Scroggins Paxton Shorow Anna Lisa Stanley Audrey Stanley Caleb Stanley Cole Stanley

~ Blessings, Christina Wodarski Director, FCCCCC

Save The Date!

Sunday, October 9 5th Annual FCC Follies
5:30 Chili Cook-Off (in the Fellowship Hall) 6:30 Variety Show (in the Sanctuary)
More information to follow!

Sprouts Childrens Worship has Bloomed!

by Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Childrens Ministry
I hope your new school year has gotten of to a wonderful start. Our Sprouts Childrens Worship sure has and we have grown! We have been blessed to see so many new faces and make so many new friends. Because we have grown, we are changing our location for the time being. (Most likely this will be a temporary location. We will keep you informed.) Your child will still have some play time in the gym or outside on the playground when the weather is good. Beginning Sunday, September 4th, Sprouts will have their snack and bible lesson in the Sunday school classroom located at the crossroads of the hallways in the Childrens Education Building. Look for the Sprouts sign! Following the 9:00 a.m. worship service, children will be greeted by their Sunday school teacher and escorted to their Sunday school classroom. Children attending the 11:00 a.m. service may be picked up in the new location in the childrens education building. As a reminder, we welcome children ages 3 (and diaper independent) to age 5 in our Sprouts childrens worship. It is our hope that children ages 6 and older will stay and participate in worship with their families. Children ages 2 and younger are also welcome in worship or in our church nursery. If you have questions, please do not hesitate to contact Anna Lisa Stanley at astanley@fccedmond.org or 341-3544 ext. 106.

Thursday, October 6 Classics to Tour Fort Sill

A Special Treat with Rev. Jerry Black!
Come on a personal visit to Ft. Sill with Jerry as our host. With Jerrys connections, we plan to visit this military training center on Thursday, October 6. Mark it on your calendar! Contact Winnie Hall to
reserve your spot - 341-4297.

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
September 4, 2011 Laity Sunday UNIFIED WORSHIP 10:45am Message: ReNEW Task Force & Friends Scripture: Phil 4:8 & Isaiah 43:19 September 11, 2011 Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black & Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Matthew 6:21 Theme: EKG: Ministry Flows From the Heart

Sixteen weeks ago, our Senior Minister Chris Shorow, and September 7, 2011 his family - Beth, Paxton, William, and Clark - began a well deserved sabbatical journey a time for rest, travel, and renewal. Through the wonderful technology of blogging, we have followed their adventures and travel. Now, they are home - back in Edmond, Oklahoma! Lets celebrate their safe return and their summer discoveries. Welcome home, Shorow family!

Welcome Home!

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

New Phone System with NEW Extensions!

Our phone system has been replaced! The main number, 405-341-3544, remains the same, however the office staff has new extensions. The new extension numbers are listed below for reference: Chris - 112 Shelley - 102 Greg - 105 Karla - 107 Iris - 110 Jennifer - 103 Anna Lisa - 106 Jerry - 109 Mark - 111 Diane - 115

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