A Message From Greg 
    
There are several things our congregation has to celebrate in this season of Thanksgiving:
  • Foods Resource Bank:  We have partnered with Oxford United Methodist Church on FRB projects every year since 2007.  Since that time our partnership has raised $218,164.31.  That money has been split evenly between the two churches enabling First Christian Church to contribute $109,082.16 to sustainable agricultural growing projects in Kenya and for the last several years in the Congo.  Oxford has contributed there share to various growing projects around the world.  It has been a blessed partnership.  Larry and Cheryl Winger have been key participants and their donation of land and their farming skills have been central to the overwhelmingly positive results we have experience.  God has richly blessed both churches and we thank God for the opportunity to serve others through this amazing ministry.  This year we will be sending our share of $8,720.79 to our denomination's Week of Compassion ministry with instructions to use it to support a Foods Resource Bank Project in the Congo.
  • Our Stewardship Emphasis concluded earlier this month and again we have much to be thankful for.  We are projecting income in 2016 of $504,270 which will enable us to fully fund our budget for the coming year.  Also our giving this year, 2015, has been outstanding and we should finish this year in good financial shape.  Thank you for responding to God's call in your life to support the ministry of Jesus Christ through your contributions to First Christian.  As we recounted over the last several weeks God is using our ministry in service to Christ to make a difference from our 'doorstep to the ends of the earth.'
  • Joint Worship:  I excited to let you know that this Advent Season on Sunday December 20th First Christian Church, First Baptist Church, and Congress Street United Methodist will be joining together in worship to present a Christmas musical.  Our music director Jeff Goodspeed will be directing a choir of over 30 people accompanied by an orchestra of close to dozen musicians.  We will be worshipping in First Baptist's sanctuary this year.  The service will begin at 10:30 am.  Prior to that service we will have a Communion service in our sanctuary a 9:45 am.  That service will conclude at 10:15 and those who attend that service will make their way up the hill to First Baptist for a celebration of Christ's birth through word and music.
  • Winter Schedule:  For number of years prior to my coming to First Christian the church operated on a different schedule during the winter months.  Given the harshness of our most recent winters and the concern for the safety of our membership I recommended to the Worship Committee that it might be wise to try that winter schedule again.  The Worship Committee agreed that it would be worthwhile to have a trail period this winter using a different schedule.  Several things were noted as part of that discussion:  Our attendance during the months of January and February typically drops about 20% to as much as %30.  Winter darkness, bitter cold, and the number of 'snow birds' we have were some of the reasons mentioned for the decline during the winter.  During the most severe winter days our attendance has sometimes dropped almost 75%.  It was noted that having one service during which all of us gather could greatly enhance our experience of worship.  It was also noted that four of the Sundays during the proposed schedule change are Sundays on which already have only one service.  So what is the schedule change?  Beginning December 27th, the Sunday after Christmas, (a Sunday on which we have traditionally had one worship service) we would begin the winter schedule.  Our worship time would be 10:00 am.  We would maintain the 10:00 am one worship schedule until Easter Sunday March 27th.  We would resume our two service schedule on that day worshipping at 8:00 am and 10:15 am.  We would maintain that schedule until we evaluate the winter schedule trial sometime during the fall to determine whether we would want to again go to a winter schedule in 2017.  Sunday School would continue to start at 9:00 am throughout the winter schedule.  The Southside worship will remain unchanged.  They will continue with fellowship at 10:30 am and worship at 11:00am.  
  • November 29th marks the beginning of the Advent season.  We will celebrate that beginning with 'Hanging of the Greens.'  On that Sunday as has been our custom in the past we will have one worship service at the downtown location at 10:15 am.  Southside will meet as regularly scheduled.
     Advent will again be a busy and blessed time for our church with the Lafayette Christmas Parade, Jubilee Christmas, The Mitten Tree Dedication, and two worship services on Christmas Eve we have much to look forward to and much to give thanks for.  My hope and prayer is that you will have a blessed Thanksgiving and that Advent with all its reminders of what God has done for this world through the birth of His Son and our Savior will be for you grace filled!  God Bless You! See You Sunday!
Peace, Greg      

                                          Scripture of the Month 
John 1: 14
The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us.  We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.  

 Jim Jots 
     Pastor Greg has often said that we are a welcoming congregation and has challenged us to be more invitational so we can be even more welcoming to more people.  He is right.  And here is another way to be invitational! We have many and various activities happening throughout the year and many of these activities may be of interest to the Lafayette community.  Wouldn't it be great if the Lafayette community knew about these activities?  Wouldn't it be greater if the Lafayette community began looking at our Church as a center of community activity in downtown Lafayette?
     We can make that happen by submitting our activities to the "Things To Do" section of the Journal & Courier.  We have many events, such as: the Christmas or Easter Cantatas, the Purduettes, the Holy Cowgirls, Mitten Tree, Rummage Sale, a special meeting of the Men's or CWF groups (like Hawaiian Night or Mosey Down Main Street), a new adult Sunday School program, ... .  Did you realize that we have so many events that may be of community interest?  Let's invite our neighbors to join us! 
     I believe that this posting should be done by someone who is a part of the activity so that the details are correct and it gets done in a timely manner .  So if you are leading a group that is having an event that may be of community interest, please consider contacting the Journal & Courier.  It is done through this link: http://lafayette.planetdiscover.com/localevents/100 .  Michelle has used this link and said that it is easy to use.  She or I would be willing to help you if you need assistance.  Let's become a more invitational Church starting with this Holiday season and throughout the coming new year !
     
      Reminder to the Congregation: Love Gifts for Pastors 
This is a reminder to our congregation that one of our holiday traditions is to collect a Love Gift to present to our Pastors to express our appreciation for their support to us throughout this past year.  If you wish to contribute towards a Love Gift for either Pastor Greg or Pastor Nancy, please drop your gift either at the Office or into the offering plate on Sunday.  Clearly mark your check (or the envelope) with "Love Gift" and the name of the pastor that it is designated for; if you wish to give to both pastors just write "Love Gift" with no other designation and it will be split evenly between both pastors.  
We will collect Love Gifts until Sunday, December 13, and plan on presenting these gifts to our pastors on the following Sunday, December 20th, the last Sunday before Christmas.  
       Jim Rybka, Chair of the Board and Congregation

Please keep in your prayers: 
Bob Prather: in process of moving back to Seton Indpls,  Ron Smith, Joyce Bryant, Don Smith       Becky Britt, Walter Colburn, Harriett McDowell,  Barb Aubry - friend of Debra Goonen's sister - signs of cancer, Cindy Lindstrom,       Shirley Ellsworth,  Westminster Health Center:Fran Britt - Room 25 Becky's mom ,Signature:  Mary Bogan, Joyce Bryant,  Betty Mowery Westminster C3110      Cheryl Tully & family, Sue England - Fowler Apts # 514,  Jeanne Dible,           Jim Sipple - hospice, Edith Sipple - Wesley Manor,Verne & Rosemary Comer,  Ann & Bob Prather, Barb & Charlie Fisher, the Springs - friends of Daryl Killian, Marilyn Galloway,  Mary Goodwin, June Brummett, June Petit, Denise Webb, cancer - sister of Carla Reeves,  Tom Strahlem - Susie Nelson's son, Loretta Lowe- niece of Louise McDole - cancer      Martha Oliver, Carol Bunker - hospice - friend of Daryl Killian,  Caroline Richardson, niece of Don Lindstrom, 6 months old - possible kidney issues
Pastoral Caregivers News
As we get busy during the Advent season, let each of us take some time to remember those FCC folks who can no longer make it to church as they are either homebound or in nursing homes. Beginning the second Sunday of advent, Pastoral Care will provide a list of these folks, along with their addresses. Please consider adding them to your Christmas card list!
 Michelle Schluttenhofer
           Michelle.Schluttenhofer@fcclaf.org
Dec. 6th      Lafayette Christmas Parade 2pm downtown.  
                   We will meet at the church at noon for lunch then
                   we will decorate the float.  We will leave the                              church at 1:15pm to  line up!
Dec. 10th    Set up the Toy Room for Jubilee.  Meet
                   downtown  at 6pm.  Pizza provided!
Dec. 12th    Help with Jubilee Celebration @ noon!
Dec. 12th    Ring the bells for the Salvation Army!  
                   We meet  in front of JCPenny's (inside) 
                   from 4-6pm.
Dec. 13th    Mitten Tree Celebration downtown 5pm.
Dec. 20th    Youth Group Mtg from 5:30-7pm
                    CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!
Dec. 27th    NO Youth Mtg!
Jan. 3rd       Game Night at Pizza King 4:30-6pm. 
                   (18th St. & Veterans' Mem.) Bring a friend!

Diaconates for

December, 2015

 

December 6th

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: Donna Adams

Serving: Sue Dismore

Serving: Missi Findley

Serving: Shawn Findley

Serving: Alexis Bradshaw

Set Up & Clean Up:

Sue Dismore & Alexis Bradshaw

 

December 13th

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: Kathy Kremer

Serving: Gery Kremer

Serving: Melanie Davis

Serving: Michael Davis

Set Up & Clean Up:

Kathy & Gery Kremer

 

December 20th

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: Linda Brammell

Serving: Crystal Cover

Serving: Susie Nelson

Serving: Michael Nelson

Set Up & Clean Up: Linda Brammell & Crystal Cover

 

December 27th

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: Lytta Turner 

Serving: Harriet Beeler

Serving: Brittney Feeney

Serving: Paula Floyd

Serving: Letcher Floyd

Set Up & Clean Up: Paula & Letcher Floyd
Kids Club (K-5th grade)
Michelle Schluttenhofer
Dec. 6th      Lafayette Christmas Parade 2pm downtown.  We will meet at the church at noon
                    for lunch then we will decorate the float.  We will leave the church at 1:15pm to
                    line up!
Dec. 10th    Set up the Toy Room for Jubilee.  Meet downtown  at 6pm.  Pizza provided!
Dec. 12th    Ring the bells for the Salvation Army!  We meet  in front of JCPenny's (inside)
                   from 4-6pm.
Dec. 13th    Mitten Tree Celebration downtown 5pm.
Dec. 20th    Kids Club downtown from 5:30-7pm  CHRISTMAS CELEBRATION!
Dec. 27th     NO KIDS CLUB!
Jan. 3rd        Game Night at Pizza King 4:30-6pm. 
                    (18th St. & Veterans' Mem.) Bring a friend!




Jeffrey Goodspeed

The Music Ministry has been in summer break mode, but we look forward  to a return to regular rehearsals for the Chancel Choir and Handbell  Choir on  August 27 . Several new folks got involved last season, and I  invite you to continue the trend and make music with us!  All singers,
instrumentalists, actors, dancers and anyone who thinks they have  rhythm are welcome!  Don't miss our monthly  Sunday  music events through the rest of 2015!
*December 20       Christmas cantata ( 10:30am ) We will have a communion service at FCC at 9:45am then walk to First Baptist for the cantata. 

 
Where: Fellowship Hall  
When: December 12th
Brunch Time: 10:30am
Jubilee Christmas Starts at NOON
Please sign up to be apart of this fun and rewarding day! 
 (Sign up in the Gathering Place)

Food suggestions for the food baskets: mac & cheese, boxed potatoes, pasta, rice, noodles, tuna, spam, pop tarts, paper towels, hamburger helper
Any boxed or packaged foods.

Toy suggestions from parents: American me doll, craft kits, dolls, Batman, bat mobile car, books, Lego's, Doc McStuffins, Sophia, puzzles, action figures, Play Station 3 games, remote control cars, Turtles, basketballs, Easy Bake Ovens, Barbie's, Ken doll, cars, Minions, any sports, Frozen, spirograph, Shopkins, super heroes, Princess, rattles, Sponge Bob, paw patrol, Mickey Mouse
The most popular items were dolls, Barbie dolls and accessories, Lego's, remote control cars, sports items and crafts.

We still need $2,200.00 to buy hams, gift cards, Bibles and food for the baskets.  If you would like to donate please make a check out to First Christian Church and put Jubilee in the memo section of your check.  Thank you!
 
First Christian Church | office@fcclaf.org | http://www.fcclaf.org
329 North 6th Street
Lafayette, IN 47901