CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 35 September 29, 2011

The Chalice

Extravagant GENEROSITY
The Heart of Giving
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
In his book, Five Practices of Fruitful Living, Robert Schnase writes: Through the practice of Radical Hospitality, we receive God and invite Gods love into our lives. By practicing Passionate Worship, we love God in return; God shapes our hearts and minds as we begin to see the world through Gods eyes. We cooperate with the Holy Spirit in our own spiritual growth as we practice Intentional Faith Development. God calls us to make a difference in the lives of others, and we practice Risk-Taking Mission and Service. And at some point in our following of Christ, we realize all that we are comes from God and belongs to God; this leads us to the practice of Extravagant Generosity. (p. 116, emphases mine) Since we discovered this summer that these practices so beautifully describe our core values, we have intentionally set our annual pledge campaign in the language and spirit of Extravagant Generosity: The Heart of Giving. Following the Old Testament practice of giving to God the first and best of our life harvest and the New Testament emphasis of Jesus in giving with the spirit of the poor widow, we have been reminded that it is in giving, rather than getting, that we truly become the people God wants us to be. In this brief journey, I have been privileged to hear some of your personal giving discoveries. These have often been subtle, but rich and powerful storieschilling, inspiring; and life changing stories. For this sharing, I am more than grateful and more than just a bit awed. I am inspired. As we come together on this World Communion Sunday and to the end of this years campaign, may every one of us willingly commit to give from the heart. All we have is a gift from Gods heart to ours. How we give in turn, reflects our heart for God. If you havent already, fill out your 2012 Commitment Card, bring it with you this Sunday (or use an extra provided in the pews) and place it before the altar as you come to the Table for communion. Together, we will ask God to consecrate and bless our gifts and our collective heart of giving. Then we will join in a lunch celebration for the extravagant generosity demonstrated this day and officially welcome the Shorows home. Remember the time change: a common Sunday School hour at 9:30 am and Unified Worship at 10:45 am. Lunch and Chris sabbatical report will follow. See you then!

Have you stopped by the Extravagant Generosity display in the rotunda to pick up your Prayer Calendar and your GENEROSITY wristband? Have you stopped to read the wonderful heart card display on the West wall of the Fellowship Hall? Have you received your Extravagant Generosity magazine mailing? (If not, check the rotunda table!)

SPROUTS Parents: There will be no Sprouts for the Unified Worship at 10:45 a.m. this Sunday, October 2nd. We welcome all Sprouts to join us in the Sanctuary for worship! Thank you, Anna Lisa Stanley

Everyone should give whatever they have decided in their heart. They shouldnt give with hesitation or because of pressure. God loves a cheerful giver. (2 Corinthians 9:7, CEB) When we love God, we know that God gives and gives extravagantly. So, when we value the things God values, we are compelled to do the most we possibly can, even when it is difficult. We are inspired by Gods giving to give like God extravagantly, of ourselves, our time, our money and our energy. The habit of giving enriches us and opens our hearts for greater service and blessings. God doesnt need our money; God wants our hearts. Giving is a heart decision. We hope you have decided how you will support the ministries of First Christian in the coming year. A Commitment to Give Card was mailed to you, along with a publication showing some of the ways our extravagant generosity is changing lives in our community and in Gods worship. Have you completed your card? Your commitment enables the church to implement ministries throughout the year. Giving calls us to put our trust in God as we give away resources we think we need. Bring your completed Commitment Card to church this Sunday where we will hand them in as a united church family. How extravagantly generous that will be!

Dont Miss Gratitude Sunday, 2011

9:30am Sunday School 10:45 Unified Worship 12:00 FREE Gratitude Lunch! Shorow Sabbatical Presentation following lunch

Our Schedule this Sunday, October 2

With Open Minds

Interfaith Tour Offered Glimpse of Religious Diversity

Dont Miss The 5th Annual

By Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries

Last Sunday 30 students and five adult sponsors from First Christian had the opportunity to participate in the 2011 Interfaith Youth Tour. The event was sponsored by the Oklahoma Conference of Churches, and was designed to educate students about the Muslim, Jewish and Orthodox Christian faiths. Our tour helped build bridges of understanding between different faith traditions, by providing a glimpse into our neighbors tradtions, beliefs and beautiful spaces of worship. We visited the Islamic Society of Greater Oklahoma Citys Mosque, Temple Bnai Israel, and St. George Greek Orthodox Church. There were about 150 other students and sponsors on the tour with us, including students from each faith represented on the tour along with fellow Disciples of Christ from New Covenant Christian and Western Oaks Christian in OKC, First Christian of Yukon and Central Christian in Enid. There is so much misunderstanding out there, and this was a great learning opportunity, particularly in light of everything that has gone on in this country over the last 10 years. It was a great way for students of different faith backgrounds to come together and learn from one another.

FCC FOLLIES & CHILI COOK-OFF

Sunday, October 9
Our old fashioned chili cook-off and Follies talent show is tasty and entertaining fun! Bring your best chili and enter it in the annual chili cookoff which begins at 5:30 p.m. in the Fellowship Hall. No chili recipe? No problem! Bring a finger food or dessert to share. At 6:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary, enjoy an evening of FREE entertainment featuring some of the best talent in Edmond..our own FCC members! Register your Follies act and your pot of chili this Sunday at the Follies display in the rotunda, or online at www.fccedmond.org/follies Questions? Contact Diane Ball at 341-3544, ex. 115; dball@fccedmond.org

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Lucas Peterson, Ed Berry, Bart Rodr, Eldred Jennings (Janet Helms dad), Shirley Brown, Kathy Badger (Julie Buntons mom), Lura Wilson (Paula Baileys mom), Alice Birdsong (Charlanne Johnsons mom), Joe Samuels, Joan Grant, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Roy Jackson, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams mom), Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Rose Marie McKee, Barbara Hall OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Marcy Williams in the passing of her aunt, Nanette Rutherford, on September 22. Services were held September 27 in Tahlequah.

Happy Birthday!
10/2 Raya Carpenter, Cooper Coil, Loretta Dodd, Barbara George, Kelly Jackson, Dante Little, Mason Marsh, Lorene Wilkinson 10/3 Christin Baker, Paxton Shorow 10/4 Clay Carson, Aubrey Hammond, Meredith Sanford, Dorothy Sisson 10/5 Scott Kinnaird, Larry Perdue, Anna Regan, Madison Young 10/6 Steffanie Ward 10/7 Courtney Chism-Moeller, Kyle Malzahn, Staci Nash, Amanda Stuke, Isaac VanOsdol 10/8 Bob Crull, Gary Owen, Conner Schmitz, Cooper Sulley, Danielle Sulley 10/9 Barry Black, Quinton Conaway, Matthew Farley, Conner Kious, Coy Parsley, Patsy Ruble, Glenn Sulley

A Thank You to the History Committee

As the self-appointed chair of the History Update Committee, I want to thank personally the members of that committee for their hard work and huge time commitment to write and publish The History of First Christian Church: The First Decade of the Second Century 1999-2009. Four members of the original History Committee returned to work on the update: Shirley Brown, Carlita Walters, Chris Westhof, and myself. Fortunately, when I asked Sue Archer and Jack Warner to replace Tony Stump and Vieva Yoesting, they readily agreed. I want also to thank the many members of the congregation who graciously shared the information in the book. They are acknowledged individually in the Sources section at the end of each chapter. And special thanks go to Shelley Regan, Mark Taylor, and Chris and Connie Westhof for producing the finished product.

by Loree M. Rice

Are You Considering Membership?

Discover First Christian

Sunday, October 9 10:00 AM in Fellowship Hall Meet some of our staff and members, learn about our history, our mission and our ministries.

Join us for

Lets Spread the JOY!

Help Fill and Pack Shoeboxes for Operation Christmas Child
Our next packing party for Operation Christmas Child will be Wednesday, October 12, from 9 AM to 12 PM. These boxes will find their way into the hands of children who would otherwise get nothing for Christmas. We would love to receive any of the following items. l HARD candy (individually wrapped) l toothpaste l combs or brushes l stuffed animals l small items of clothing l small toys l flip flops l shoe boxes Questions? Contact Michele Schlough at 844-3214 with questions.

Tour with the CLASSICS to Fort Sill!

Thursday, October 6
Join us on a visit to Ft. Sill with Rev. Jerry Black as our host! Youll need to bring a photo ID for Base entry. Wear COMFY Walking Shoes! Contact Winnie Hall at 341-4297. Payment due soon!

Two Opportunities To Serve with

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

Open Hands

at First Christian
October 2, 2011 UNIFIED Worship @ 10:30am Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: II Corinthians 9:6-12 Theme: Declarations of Your Heart - Extravagant Generosity October 9, 2011 Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black & Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Mark 9:2-8 Theme: When God Speaks

Childrens Disaster Services Volunteer Workshop

C.R.I.S.P.

Community Responding to International Students Program

U.C.O., Fall Semester
This program is designed to join families in the community with international students from the University of Central Oklahoma (UCO). These families spend time with an international student to learn from each others culture and to appreciate the diversity. Additionally, this is an opportunity for international students to experience the American lifestyle and the comforts of a family. CRISP is a one semester commitment and does not involve the student living with the family. Families commit to spending time with their assigned student at least once a month. Simply having the student over for a family meal is a popular activity. We desire to give these students the chance to feel the comfort of a home away from home. If interested, contact Brandon Lehman at 405.974.2448; blehman@uco.edu

Tulsa @ Bethany Christian Church November 4 & 5

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Are you looking for a meaningful way to help children and families after disasters? Do you have a warm heart, patience, team spirit, a sense of adventure, and time to give? If so, consider becoming a Childrens Disaster Services Volunteer. Childrens Disaster Services, a Church of the Brethren Ministry, trains and certifies volunteers for specialized child care after disasters. They provide a safe environment and comforting presence for children impacted by traumatic events. If you are interested in becoming a CDS volunteer, a training workshop will be held in Tulsa on November 4-5, 2011, 5:00 p.m. Friday till 7:30 p.m. Saturday. Questions? Contact Myrna Jones at 918.749.6612 or 918.688.0240; myrnajj@att.net

(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Years Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083

Periodicals Postage Paid Edmond, OK USPS 210-360