November_26_Tie_That_Binds
Transcription
November_26_Tie_That_Binds
First Christian Church, 402 E. Noble Ave, Guthrie, OK 73044 Notes from Cathy November Giving $50,000 $45,000 $40,000 $35,000 $30,000 $25,000 $20,000 $15,000 $10,000 $5,000 $0 Monthly Budgeted Giving Budgeted Giving P.S. On Nov. 29 there will be a tree-lighting in downtown Guthrie following the Parade of Lights. We are having a “flash mob” there to sing the Hallelujah Chorus at 6:30. If you would like to join us for this flash mob style sing-along we would welcome both you and your voice. Just be there at 6:20 to get your music if you will need it. Should be a great time! Our choir is participating and so are many others from choirs all over town. Hopefully our Betty Foster will be announced as the Territorial Governor. See you there! Sunday Worship 332 Sunday School 76 Children-30 Youth-5 Adult-41 Communion to Shut-Ins19 Budget Receipts 11/23/14 $4,941 Amount Budgeted per week $9,298 Amount Budgeted to date $437,002 Budget Receipts to date $432,796 Budget Expenses to date $400,475 Actual Giving Good Day! I hope you have a wonderful Thanksgiving with your family and friends. Warning!!! After dinner do not take your shoes off and relax because someone may take one of your shoes and hide it. You never know who you can trust. I felt a little like Cinderella last Sunday when Dennis stole and then returned my high heel. How funny was that? I am excited about this year’s advent season. Our first Sunday of Advent is the “Hanging of the Greens Ceremony”. This is always a great celebration as it announces the Season of Light. Some of our Christmas decorations will be up and some will be affixed into place as we sing carols of the season. This Sunday you will get to hear one of my favorite solos, “Gabriel’s Message.” Jerry Rucker is going to sing it accompanied by Marla Belcher. The choir will sing “People Wait,” a song that prompts us to reflect upon the process of waiting. Waiting is exactly what this Season of Anticipation is all about. The Handbells will begin advent with “Shepherds Awake.” I was so proud of our choirs on Sunday evening at First Southern Baptist Church. What a wonderful worship service we had! Our handbells carried all their equipment and set it up over there in the rain. Then they had to bring it all back and set it up at our church. What stories they can tell their grandchildren! (And believe me, they will) Everyone sounded just a great as they did last Sunday morning. We had a lot of our people at the service too! What great support for Dennis and the choirs! I look forward to seeing you after your tryptophan nap this Thursday! Do not get trampled in the Black Friday rush. Plan to be at church and enjoy the beginning of this Most Wonderful Time of the Year! Blessings, Cathy The Tie That Binds (USPS 577280) is published weekly except for the last week of December by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). POSTMASTER: Please send address changes to First Christian Church, 402 East Noble Avenue, Guthrie, OK 73044 Periodical Postage Paid at Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044 402 East Noble Avenue Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044 www.fccguthrie.org (405) 282-4080 Fax (405) 282-4088 DIAL-A-DEVOTION: 282-8515 DR. DENNIS CLARK, Senior Pastor KAREN ALLEN, Minister of Christian Education We are a family of faith sharing God’s love by reaching out, touching lives and building relationships. Dennis’ Diary: Binds “Bless Others This Thanksgiving!” November 26, 2014 Volume 50, No. 47 As most of you know two of my most influential sources of my preaching have been Dr. Fred Craddock, (my retired Professor of Preaching) and the Peanuts Comic Strips. Both sources have touched so many lives with their message. As we prepare for our celebration of Thanksgiving think about ways you can express “thanks” by helping others. It’s been years, but I remember Fred Craddock telling of the time he attended a conference on hunger. Influential, knowledgeable speakers had been brought in from all over to talk on the subject. Near the end of the conference, Fred says, a young, willowy woman got up to speak. Her long straight hair fell down her back, almost to her waist. She carried a legal pad to the podium and began reading. At first, Craddock says, he couldn’t follow what she was saying. Eventually, it dawned on him, as it did all the other listeners. She was reading the same sentence over and over, each time in a different language. Finally, at the very end, she spoke the sentence in English. All the time she was saying, “Mommy, I’m hungry. Mommy, I’m hungry.” She was the most powerful speaker of the entire conference, Craddock says. As least, she had the most impact on him. As he and his group drove back to Atlanta, alongside the highway he read a billboard he had seen numerous times. Before, he had hardly even noticed it. This time he did. It said, “All You Can Eat Buffet, $4.99.” This time, Craddock says, that message seemed to him to be obscene. One of my favorite cartoons of all time is one from the Peanuts Ministry Opportunities for the week comic strip. In this particular one, Snoopy is sitting in the doorway TUESDAY, November 25 of his dog house shivering violently during a winter storm. You 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool – Charlie Brown Feast can see that it is near Christmas time by the decorations on the dog house. Charlie Brown and Lucy are walking by – all bundled WEDNESDAY, November 26 up and warm as toast. They offer a greeting, “Be of good cheer, 11:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting Snoopy,” Charlie Brown says. “Yes, be of good cheer,” Lucy replies. THURSDAY, November 27 And they keep on walking as Snoopy sits there with chattering Happy Thanksgiving teeth. Office Closed This message of the cartoon was powerful. The most noxious No MDO/Preschool lifestyle of all is when compassionate words come from a careless FRIDAY, November 28 heart. Snoopy would no doubt prefer a blanket over a greeting. A 11 a.m. – Decorate for Advent compassionate heart is a reflection of the heart of God. SUNDAY, November 30 Read the passage in James 2:14-17 and you will find a Biblical 8:30 a.m. – Celebration Service basis for both illustrations. As I stated Sunday most of us have everything we need but maybe not everything we want. This 9:30 a.m. – Sunday School for all ages Thanksgiving let’s focus on our blessings and make sure that we 10:30 a.m. – Worship Service DO something to bless others. 11:45 a.m. – 2 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Program Have a blessed Thanksgiving! Gratefully, Practice Dennis 11:45 a.m. – Mission Camp Planning Meeting P.S. This Sunday is our annual Hanging of the Greens as we begin 2 p.m. – Family Advent Event the Advent Season! Hospitalized at this time: Marilyn Walter, Bill Wagoner and Maxine Yost. We pray for our church family: Myrna Laughlin, Marilyn Irby, Jim Willbanks, Fern Brouchoud, Phil Morrow, Flo Olds, Ruth Ellis, Ada Dilley, Wayne Bennett, Don Bross, Gene Reed, Joan Jones, Viola Dilley, Kathleen Olds Elliott, Ann Geisler, Karen Yancey and Joyce CarterEitson. We pray for our friends and family: the family of Farrah Love Sinclair, the apartment fire victims, Pauline Evans, Kay Webb, Rev. John MacLemore, Carolyn MacLemore, Vivian Bradshaw, Madison Dilbeck, Linda Calvert, Frank Saxton, John Gathers, Joy Kursel, Grace Nelson, Tima Krausse, Norma Cook, Ruth Raymond, Jack Thompson, Toni Blatizar, Sharen Bowers, Brian Vincent, Glenda McKeever, Ashlee Townsend, Glenda Fournier, Taylor Rocheleau, John Krausse, Gary Clay, Jack Bond, Donnie Savory, Donna Jo Carrillo, Earl Johnson, Sherry Hall, Rhonda Lovelace and Hollie Chappell. Our military overseas: Jeremy Wilson and Tauren Sampson. The church we are praying for this week: Mustang Christian Church and their pastor, Jason Williams. All classes were busy last week preparing for our annual "Charlie Brown Thanksgiving Feast" which was held on Tues. Nov. 25 in Fellowship Hall. The focus of this feast is to give gratitude for all that we have today and realize that it is enough, when we are surrounded by the love of God, family and friends. Happy Thanksgiving! Our preschool class enjoyed their first field trip last Thurs. to the Children's Museum in Edmond. It was just right for a first outing and they had a great time. Ms. Betty Memorials and Special Gifts We would like to thank the following individuals and families for their generous donations. Bereavement Fund In Memory of Bion & Betty Acton By Carl & Diane Biggs Building Fund In Memory of Bion Acton By Clifton & Sara Jane Chappell Seamans Christmas Fund In Honor of Karen Seamans’ Birthday By KC & Linda Griffin On Sunday, Ron Owen came forward to join our church. Ron is retired from IBM and lives at 1409 N. Canyon Way. His phone number is 1-817-301-3125. Please join us in making Ron feel welcome to First Christian Church! Memorial Fund In Memory of Phyllis Odom, Sharon Waner, Bion Acton, Wayman Momsen & Glen Elston By Rick & Susan Martin ADULTS NEEDED!! Help us make this successful for our community, our church, our youth… We are holding a short planning meeting: Sunday, Nov 30 @ 11:45 a.m. For more information contact Jeff Ball or Staci Carey. Welcome to the Family of God! Andrew and Matthew Brock were baptized at the 8:30 service on Sunday. Andrew is in the 3rd grade and Matthew is in the 5th. Both boys enjoy riding horses and are the sons of Frank and Shari Bross. Congratulations, to both of them! Decorate for Advent Join the Worship Team on Friday, November 28 at 11 a.m. We will be decorating the sanctuary for the upcoming Advent Season. If you would like to help, we would love to have you there! Welcome Ron Owen! On Sunday Brock Parker was baptized on his 13th birthday! Brock is in the 7th grade and enjoys playing soccer. Brock is the son of Jamie and Stacey Johnston and Keith Parker. Congratulations, Brock! Keeping Up With Karen Last week I was working on my offertory/communion thought for the 8:30 service and both of my kids happened to be nearby. I asked them, when you think of Thanksgiving, what do you think of? My youngest blurts out “Jesus!” To put it in context, we happened to be at the church at the time, so obviously any question that requires thought, the right answer is “Jesus!” I turned to my oldest and said, “I like his answer but let’s think a little bit more, what do you think of when you think of Thanksgiving?” Alex says “Pilgrims, turkey, the Mayflower…” and the history lesson continued. I guess I can be thankful that he’s been paying attention in History class! It’s funny what kids pick up on and when I was expecting answers like family, friends, food, clothing, I got polar opposite answers. I received the perfect answer – Jesus and a history lesson. On Monday morning, I found a picture of a turkey in my office that the kids had made in Kid’s Worship. The middle of the turkey said “I am thankful for…” and on it the feathers said “mom and dad, God, family and turkey.” I guess maybe I just asked the wrong question and I should be thankful for our Kid’s Worship teachers who know how to get the most out of my kids each Sunday morning! At Sunday evening’s Community Thanksgiving service, Gary Weeks read Psalm 100 and within it is this verse: “Enter his gates with thanksgiving and his courts with praise; give thanks to him and praise his name.” I hope you find a way to praise Him this week and everyday because whether you are thankful for Jesus, pilgrims, turkey, your parents, friends, pets or whatever rests on your mind we can always find something to celebrate. Have a joyous holiday and we’ll see you Sunday as we begin Advent! Karen Next week we will begin our Advent study. We will discuss God's Christmas Promises as we learn about God's promise to Mary in Luke 1:26-33. We will also have our Angel Tree Christmas store set up for Kid's Worship and Kid's Worship Extra kids to shop this Sunday, November 30th and next Sunday Dec. 7th. We are partnering with our youth group to help reach even more kids through the ministry that Angel Tree provides. If your children would like to help with Angel Tree, please send them with anywhere from $1-$10 to shop in our Angel Tree store during Kid's Worship and Kid's Worship Extra. The gifts purchased for these children in our community will be sent to them on behalf of their parents who are incarcerated. This is a wonderful opportunity for our children to learn about giving as they support this important ministry that Angel Tree provides. Sunday, November 30 ADVENT CANDLE LIGHTERS The Janik Family KID’S WORSHIP Tyler and Amanda Shipley KIDS WORSHIP HELPER Charity McPeek and Carissa Redman KID’S WORSHIP EXTRA Tyler Shipley CHILDREN’S MOMENT Jessica Eaves SCRIPTURE READER Lauren Parker JR. DIACONATE Morgan Hanna and Lauren Parker ELDERS 8:30 – Dave Williams 10:30 – AJ Griffin and Linda Holtz COMMUNION TO SHUT-INS Philip Moseley, Dave Williams and Babs Gumerson COMMUNION PREPARATION Tyler and Amanda Shipley DIACONATE (Please wear nametags when serving) Jason and Kara Barton, Christy Chennault, Jason Eaves, Andrew and Natalie Hardin, Debbie* Hubbard, Stan Wieczorek, Tommy and Lori Payne, Tyler and Amanda Shipley * Denotes team captain USHERS Dale Frey, Shawn Mason and Sammy LeGrande GREETERS Anna Frey, Penny Gooch, Carol Husmann, Clara Ketch BREAD MINISTRY Janie Carey and Ada Belle Elder NURSERY HELPERS Kacie Carey, Alex Griffin and Reagan Griffin SOUND John Allen VIDEO MINISTRY DELIVERY Susie Janik Family Advent Christmas Event Sunday, Nov. 30 @ 2 p.m. Cost is $10/family to help offset the cost of supplies. We will be taking our Congregational Photo following the 10:30 service Dec. 7. There will only be one service that day due to the Christmas Cantata. Dear Dennis, Karen and church family, Thank you once again, for being there in our family’s time of need. We appreciate your heartfelt prayers throughout our sweet Madison’s surgery. The basket of special goodies was both beautiful and came in handy! Dennis, you are such a comfort to Madison and our entire family. Thank you for praying with us and staying during the entire ordeal! Madison is doing awesome! Each one of you hold a special place in our hearts. With God’s Love, Carol & Jonathan Allen, Frances Macrory & The Dilbeck Family Buying a beautiful poinsettia in memory or in honor of your loved one is a wonderful tradition that many people enjoy participating in each year. If you would like to purchase a Children’s poinsettia please fill the form Christmas Program out located in your bulletin on Sunday and mark your checks accordingly. Followed by a tasting party They are only $12! with a special guest! Dec. 14 6:30 p.m. Ministry Team Updates: The Outreach Team meeting was held on Wednesday, November 19. In attendance were Karen Allen, Telena Hawkins, Lori Payne, Logan Payne, Pam Williams, Susie Janik, Holly Evers and Jessica Eaves. We placed tags on stockings for the stocking drive for underprivileged students in our community. We made plans for Random Acts of Kindness week, which will be February 15-21. We also planned our first Mission Sunday meeting, which will be held on Monday, January 21 at 7 p.m. The Christian Education Team met last Wednesday, November 19 and discussed the following: •Family Advent Event (which will be held this Sunday Nov. 30) •Christmas Program Practices (Christmas Program is Dec. 14 at 6:30) •Birthday Party for Jesus (This is a celebration for Kid's Worship and Kid's Worship Extra kids on December 21 during the 10:30 service. Following the service we will have a birthday cake for Jesus to celebrate His birthday as a congregation) •Christmas Eve Service (our theme this year is "A Night Like No Other") •Amanda and Tyler gave the Children's Minister report •Staci gave the Youth Leader's Report •Ms. Betty gave the MDO and Nursery Childcare Ministries Reports •Proposed the Nursery Coordinator and MDO position plan and job description •Discussed having a reception for Ms. Betty on Jan. 7 at 6 p.m. Members in attendance included: Karen Allen, Shana Bench, Tiffany Ingram, Katie Young, Betty Egelston, Staci Carey, Tyler Shipley, and Amanda Shipley. Our Next Christian Ed Meeting will be December 17 at 5:30! Birthdays 1- LaHonda Ball Betty Hamilton Betsy Ball Tammy Severson 2- Brooke Benson 3- Viola Dilley Doug Pierson 4- Keith Young Darl Doles Liz Hinton 5- Robert Dewart 6- Maxine Ball Shannon Thompson Jason Canning Teresa Russell Dan Russell Lisa Sperry 7- Juanita Plagg Frances Macrory 8- Josh Russell 9- Nicholas Pepper Robert Storm Lawrence Coburn Abigail Johnston Yancey Ingram 11- Jackson Walters Carol Barnes Kelsey Farley 12- Jane Weeks Kathryn McGee 13- Charles Phillips Natalie Russell 14- Kim Greer 15- Ruth Camerer Easton Plagg Dale Frey 16- Karen Bock Mekaila Carey Alexis Severson Lori Payne 17- Carol Allen 18- Jason Walters Kim Betchan Alan Schroeder 19- Colter Morey 20- Doug Powell Destiny Morrow 21- Tanner Ball 22- Kaydence Smith 23- Krista Smith 24- Joann LeGrande 25- Deannie Young Trenton Sperry Laing Morey Sophia Hood 26- Chris Collins 27- Denise Shoun Tyler Davison Tommy Payne 29- Cynthia Baker 30- Kyndal Carey 31- Megan Eaves Happy Anniversary 4- Justin & Lindsay Mays 6- Ryan & Julie Wiss 7- Hank & Debbie Hubbard 13- Randy & Karen Bock 14- Jim & Terri McNulty 17- David & Ellie Ball 18- Randy & Kim Thomas 20- LeRoy and Carol Barnes 24- Eldon & Shirley Waner 26- Larry & Nancy Stinchcomb Josh & Cynthia Russell 27- Bob & Sharon Davis Jim & Betty Ethridge 28- Richard & Marilyn Walter Charles & Maxine Ball 30- Nick & Kaylee Abbott 31- Nick & Shana Bench 402 E. Noble, Guthrie, Oklahoma 73044 (405) 282-4080 Website: www.fccguthrie.org First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Email – Office (secretary) fccdocguthrieok@coxinet.net Dennis: Dclark@coxinet.net Karen: Karenkallen@cox.net Shana: Shanabench@coxinet.net Cathy: cclark1951@gmail.com Betty: missbetty_57@yahoo.com Staci: stacicarey_chin@yahoo.com Jeff: jball4@cox.net Tyler Shipley: t.shipley19@att.net Amanda Shipley: a.shipley03@gmail.com December 2014 Sun Mon Tues Wed Thurs Fri Sat Repeating Sunday Events: (unless otherwise indicated) 8:30 a.m. Celebration Service 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 9:30 a.m. Handbell Rehearsal 10:30 a.m. Worship Service 6 p.m. Youth 1 Ezekiel 40-41; 2 Peter 3 6 p.m. – Small Group – The Daniel Plan 7 Daniel 5-7; 2 John No 8:30 Service 10:30 a.m. – Christmas Cantata 11:45 a.m. – Congregational Photo 11:45 a.m. – Christmas Program Rehearsal Noon – 4 p.m. – Angel Tree Shopping - Youth 14 Joel; Revelation 5 Congregational Meeting 11:45 a.m. – Christmas Program Rehearsal Noon – Heart-to-Heart Christmas Party 6:30 p.m. – Children’s Christmas Program Followed by Tasting Party 21 Micah 4-5; Revelation 12 Christmas Sunday 28 Zechariah 5-8; Revelation 19 Dennis’ last Sunday Baby Dedication Noon – 3 p.m. – Retirement Celebration 8 Daniel 8-10; 3 John 6 p.m. – Small Group – The Daniel Plan 15 Amos 1-3; Revelation 6 6 p.m. – Small Group – The Daniel Plan 22 Micah 6-7; Revelation 13 2 Ezekiel 42-44; 1 John 1 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool 3:30 p.m. – Campfire 6 p.m. – Worship Team Meeting 6:30 p.m. – Stewardship Meeting 9 Daniel 11-12; Jude 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool 3:30 p.m. - Campfire 16 Amos 4-6; Revelation 7 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool 3:30 p.m. - Campfire 23 Nahum; Revelation 14 6 p.m. – Small Group – The Daniel Plan 29 Zechariah 9-12; Revelation 20 6 p.m. – Small Group – The Daniel Plan 3 Ezekiel 45-46; 1 John 2 11:30 a.m. – Staff Meeting 6:30 p.m. – Choir Rehearsal 6:30 p.m. – Women’s Small Group 7 p.m. – Property Team Meeting 10 Hosea 1-4; Revelation 1 8:15 a.m. – Disciples Women to Regional Food Bank 6:15 p.m. – Elders Meeting 6:30 p.m. – Choir Rehearsal 7 p.m. – Board Meeting 17 Amos 7-9; Revelation 8 5:30 p.m. – Christian Education Team Christmas Party 24 Habakkuk; Revelation 15 Christmas Eve 6 p.m. – Family Service 10 p.m. – Candlelight Service 30 Zechariah 13-14; Revelation 21 9 a.m. – CPR Training 31 Malachi; Revelation 22 4 Ezekiel 47-48; 1 John 3 5 Daniel 1-2; 1 John 4 6 Daniel 3-4; 1 John 5 13 Hosea 12-14; Revelation 4 20 Micah 1-3; Revelation 11 27 Zechariah 1-4; Revelation 18 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool 11 Hosea 5-8; Revelation 2 Hosea 9-11; Revelation 3 12 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool 2 p.m. – Retired Fellowship Lights Tour – Amish Restaurant and Rhema Bible College 18 Obadiah; Revelation 9 8:30 a.m. – MDO/Preschool 6:30 p.m. – Childcare Training 25 Zephaniah; Revelation 16 19 Jonah; Revelation 10 6:30 p.m. – Staff Christmas Party 26 Haggai; Revelation 17 Office Closed