| A Message From Greg  "When writer Paul Wilkes helped start a ministry to the poor and homeless in Brooklyn supporters discussed whether they should use some criteria to identify the truly needy. Wilkes's spontaneous response was: "Just that they come to us, literally begging, says enough. Let's not humiliate them further. I didn't see Christ applying a means test. We're not going to either." (Christian Century excerpted from 'In Due Season') Those few words are simple and profound, but there is also another dilemma. Everyone who has been involved in trying to help those who are needy knows the problem all too well. Not everyone comes begging, a few come to scam. So the test, if there is one, is not necessarily about whether the person is in need. It is about whether that person can be trusted. Is his or her story of need true? Of course the person who hears the story wants to make sure the assistance being given is going to be used for the stated purpose: bus ticket, food, diapers, medicine, utilities, etc. So the test is really not about need. It is about trust. While there are things that are helpful in trying to discern (read test) whether somebody is being truthful, the reality is that at the point of decision you have to have faith that in some way God is working in that moment. Giving is always an act of faith and God always has a lot of faith in us. Otherwise God would not have given us so much through Jesus Christ. Do we disappoint God? Surely we do, but God continues to be faithful. God continues to give to us through Christ. Can we do any less? God Bless You! See you Sunday! Peace, Greg |
Scripture of the Month: 1 Joh: 20
Scripture of the Month
Matthew 5:15,16
Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house.
|
|
Jim's Jots
This is the last issue of the Visitor for this program year. Did you know that the Church's program year begins on July 1 and runs through June 30th ? That means that at the next Board Meeting and the next Congregational Meeting we will be electing new officers for the coming year. So I wish to take this opportunity to thank the people who have been leading our ministries over the past year. They are too many to list everyone here, but their continuing efforts are what keeps First Christian Church active and growing in our missions and ministries.
I wish to note two people who are completing their terms in service to our Church. Steve Henry will be stepping down as chair of the Stewardship and Finance Committee after leading the church for the past few years through some financially interesting (that is, challenging) times. Cindy Garvey will be completing her term as Board Secretary; she did an excellent job in that role just as she did as our Parliamentarian. I have greatly appreciated their time and efforts! I encourage each of us to personally thank them for their service to First Christian Church!
We are still in the process of forming an ad-hoc 2020 Visioning Team to look at what we wish First Christian Church to look like in five years and beyond, and to make recommendations to the Board and to our various ministries in order to guide them in that direction. The scope of this project is to look at the current processes (in all of our ministries) and to imagine how we want them to look in the year 2020. We will need a wide cross section of our congregation to develop and consider our best options. If you are interested and would like to assist this project, please let me know.
James Rybka, Chair of the Board and Congregation
|
|
Thank You
Thank you to everyone for your prayers, cards, calls and emails. I so appreciate each of you!
Cindy Lindstrom
I broke my hip February 16th. Thank you to Rev. Greg, Kathy Stirlen, Sandie Hauser, Debra Prewett and Madison Bradshaw. Several brought food when I got home. Many cards and prayers were sent!
Donna Adams
A special thank you for your prayers, your cards, concern and visits during my recovery from recent knee replacement. It is a joy to be apart of a caring church family at First Christian.
Clara Goldberg
Property committee would like to thank:
Steve and Carolyn Henry for their donation of flowers near the sanctuary entrance. Steve Henry for edging the sidewalk. Don Kohler for his annual donation of mulch and spraying the weeds in the parking lot island.
Dear Members of First Christian Church,
Thank you for the generous gift cards to local restaurants. They have eased the burdens of preparing meals while I have felt so ill. The prayers, concerns, thoughts, cards, and acts of kindness to our family have been a great gift that has meant so much!
Sincerely, Cheryl, Joe, Christina & Joshua Tully
Memorial
The following memorials have been received for Bill Martin from Roy & Miriam Parris; the Phil Martin family; Patricia Martin and Jean Davis and Adrienna Davis.
|
Food Pantry
Workers are needed for June 16th & 17th from 11:45am-3pm at 14th St. and Tippecanoe St. We are accepting food and monetary donations in July.
JUBILEE
SALE!!! SALE!!
Interested in donating fleece for the Jubilee Christmas blankets? The fleece is on sale at Joann Fabric beginning the 17th of May thru June 6th. It is 60% off. For a short time, with a coupon there is an additional 20% off. I have 60 blankets completed and need an additional 40. To make a blanket, I need 2 yards of print and 2 yards of solid. I thank you for your help and support in making Jubilee Christmas at First Christian Church a location that needy families are so thankful for the wonderful gifts they receive for their children from us. Any questions, please contact me. Sandie Hauser
Norm & Cay Long's 50th Wedding Anniversary
The children of Norman and Cay Long happily announce the 50th wedding anniversary of their parents on June 14, 2015 in Lafayette, Indiana. Norm and Cay were married at Union Christian Church in Franklin, Indiana on June 18, 1965. Both are retired; Norman from the Purdue Cooperative Extension Service and Cay from teaching Home Economics at Ball State University and for TSC Schools. They have four children: daughter Christinia George (husband Roger) of Marietta, Georgia; son Charles (wife Robin) of Sellersburg, Indiana; daughter Cathy Colbert of Las Vegas, Nevada; and daughter Carrie (fianc? Torrey Vogel) of Los Angeles, California. They are blessed with six grandchildren: Alex, Sarah and Emma Long, Tejas, Diya and Preet George.
Their children would be honored if you would join them in celebrating this treasured milestone at their open house and renewal of vows on Sunday, June 14, 2015 beginning at 2:00pm at First Christian Church, at the corner of Sixth and North Streets in downtown Lafayette, Indiana. They request no gifts, just your presence, cards or notes of favorite memories.
|
|
|
Diaconates for
June, 2015
June 7th
First Service
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Mary Sego
Serving: Daryl Killian
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Howell & Dawn Ramey
Second Service
Team Leader: Kathy Stirlen
Serving: Missi Findley
Serving: Shawn Findley
Serving: Linda Brammell
Serving: Richard Shaw
Set Up & Clean Up: Linda Brammell & Richard Shaw
June 14th
First Service
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Mary Sego
Serving: Daryl Killian
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Mary Sego & Daryl Killian
Second Service
Team Leader: Dave Schluttenhofer
Serving: Paula Floyd
Serving: Letcher Floyd
Serving: Crystal Cover
Serving: Kathy Carmichael
Set Up & Clean Up:
Paula Floyd & Letcher Floyd
June 21st
First Service
Team Leader: Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Mary Sego
Serving: Daryl Killian
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Howell & Dawn Ramey
Second Service
Team Leader: Kathy Stirlen
Serving: Joyce Hamilton
Serving: Gordon Hamilton
Serving: Susie Nelson
Serving: Mike Nelson
Set Up & Clean Up: Susie & Mike Nelson
June 28th
First Service
Team Leader:Howell
Serving: Howell
Serving: Mary Sego
Serving: Daryl Killian
Serving: Dawn Ramey
Set Up & Clean Up: Mary Sego & Daryl Killian
Second Service
Team Leader: Sue Dismore
Serving: Kathy Kremer
Serving: Gery Kremer
Serving: Harriet Beeler
Serving: Richard Shaw
Set Up & Clean Up: Harriet Beeler & Richard Shaw
|
|
 |
|
MOSEY DOWN BROADWAY
CWF General Meeting with installation of officers. Appetizers and light dessert will be served. (Free will offering)
Musical Program By: Jeff Goodspeed & Barry Kemble
Location: Fellowship Hall FCC downtown
When: Wednesday, June 10th @6pm
Who: Everyone is welcome!
Please come and enjoy! Sign up at church or call Harriet Beeler at 765-538-3218. Hosted by: Ruth Circle
|
Rachel Circle hosted a wonderful Fashion Show on Wednesday, May 6 in the Fellowship Hall, attended by approximately 75 people. Models were mostly from the Rachel Circle and featured all age groups. They did an outstanding job and had a fun time showing the latest fashions. Clothing was provided by Christopher and Banks located in the mall and Cato's, located near the mall. Christopher and Bank's manager also attended to narrate. In addition, Chico's of West Lafayette sent two young women who demonstrated many ways to wear scarves as accessories.
The Fashion Show was preceded by an elegant Salad Bar, Potato Bar, and Dessert Bar. There were many women present as guests of our church members.
Many, many thanks to Dee Chitty and Donna Adams who did much of the planning and to the following people who prepared food, served, and helped with setting up and cleanup: Deb Prewett, Sandie Hauser, Mary Mosson, Deidre Chitty, Jane Rubesch, Cindy Garvey, Pat Smith, Alena Chitty, Larry, Robin Sturgeon, Gloria Sturgeon, Madison Bradshaw, Carolyn Weedon, Susan Lysack, Max Rubesch, Jennie Washington, Kathy Stirlin. and Jane Rubesch's daughter and son.
In addition, there was a silent auction with about 8 different baskets of items that served as a fundraiser for Cheryl Tully's cancer related expenses.
It was a fun and informative evening enjoyed by all. We are very appreciative of all the work done by Rachel Circle.
Carolyn Henry
CWF President
|
Pastoral Care News:
Last week Jim and I had the opportunity to visit 99 year-old Mary Coon, who has an apartment in Assisted Living and University Place until the end of the month, when she'll be moving to Connecticut to be closer to her son. Mary cheerfully told us about the First Christian folks who have been to visit her, and how much joy that gave her. It was a joy for me to hear that - that the church had a presence in her life, even though Mary could not make it to the building itself anymore. We have many more folks like Mary out there, folks who can not make it to church, folks who made contributions of their time, talents and treasure to keep First Christian available to all of us who attend in the now.
It would be great if each and every person who can't make it to church can receive a visit. Please consider serving as a pastoral caregiver. The responsibility is visiting someone once a month, and attending our meeting on the second Tuesday of the month. Please pray about this important ministry.
Respectfully submitted,
Jan Rybka, Chair
|
Please keep in your prayers: Creasy Springs Lois Roberts, Cindy Lindstrom, Mary Lou Curtis, Mary Coon, Betty Mowery-Westminster C3110, Mary Bogan, Kathy Stirlen, Donna Adams, Chery Tully & family, Jeanne Dible, Harriett McDowell, Jim Sipple, Edith Sipple-Wesley Manor, Don Smith, Wanda Sharp-Pneumonia, Ann & Bob Prather, Barb Fisher, Marty Jackson, Verne & Rosemary Comer, Marilyn Galloway, Martha Oliver, Mary Goodwin, JuneBrummett, Harry & Marian Dillon-Jan Rybka's parents, Al - Sandy Hauser's step father-in-law,
Our condolences to the family of Russ Graefnitz who passed away on May 21st.
Our condolences to Jane Rubesch and family on the death of her brother, Orville Roe.
|
Kids Club (K-5th grade)
Michelle Schluttenhofer
Michelle.Schluttenhofer@fcclaf.org
June 7-9th VBS!! At Amelia Earhart from 5:30-8pm
June 14th Bowling at Arrowhead Bowling Alley
@12:30pm Meet there! Cost: $10
June 21st Father's Day! NO KIDS CLUB
June 28th Kids Club 5:30-7pm (Downtown)
July 5th Kids Club 5:30-7pm (Downtown)
(Only 1 meeting in July!)
VBS is June 7, 8 & 9 at Amelia Earhart School from 5:30-8pm. Registration will be May 24th during both services. You can also register by sending me a message at mperk71@gmail.com. There will be a light dinner served on the 7th & 8th. On the 9th we will have a "Family Night" with dinner, games, big bounce and lots of fun!)
|
Michelle.Schluttenhofer@fcclaf.org
June 7th Graduation Recognition all services! If you
have a grad please contact the office at
742-4058 so we can recognize their
achievement!
June 7-9th VBS!! At Amelia Earhart from 5:30-8pm
(Please sign up to be a leader or help with
one of the sports.)
June 14th Bowling at Arrowhead Bowling Alley at
12:30pm. Meet there! Cost: $10
June 21st Father's Day! NO YOUTH MTG!
June 28th Youth group mtg 5:30-7pm (Downtown)
July 5th Youth group mtg 5:30-7pm (Downtown)
July 13-18th CROSS camp at Barbee!!
July 26th Youth group mtg 5:30-7pm (Downtown)
We would like to wish our campers a spirit-filled week at camp! May God bless you with safety, spiritual-growth and making great new friends! Our campers this year are Alexis Bradshaw, James Sanders, John & Adam Schluttenhofer. If you would like to sponsor one of them or give an offering to offset the cost of camp please make a check out to First Christian and put "camp" in the memo section. Camp cost is $300 per camper. Thank you!
|
 |
|
329 North 6th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901
|
|
|
|
|
