September Newsletter

A Message From Greg

How do you define when summer is over? Some of us might answer September 22 nd . That is the official beginning of fall. Others may say after Labor Day, the unofficial end of summer. Still others, and most of them would be students and teachers, would answer early August. Our local school systems and colleges have opened their doors and have welcomed students back to school thus ending their 'summer.' Keep our community's schools, students, and teachers in your prayers as the new school year begins. Our prayer and hope is that it will be safe and productive year for everyone.

As summer draws to a close, however that closure is defined, our church is beginning to look toward the fall and all the activity and opportunity it will bring. As your routine changes with the change in seasons keep the church in your prayers and make the church's ministry part of your plans. God Bless You! See you Sunday! Peace, Greg

Scripture of the Month

Psalm 46:1

God is our refuge and strength, A very present help in trouble.

GOD CONVERSATIONS

Join us for our conversations around Adam Hamilton's book "Half Truths." God helps those who help themselves and other things the Bible doesn't say. We will be starting on September 7th at 6:30pm.

Gods Ways - by John Prewett

Oh! For the Good Ole Days! Churches like ours were filled with people going to worship. The ministries were many and very active. No, we are NOT as we were in the "Good Ole Days".

What we ARE now, is different, that is, smaller and less active than yesteryear. Personally, I believe that, while not the same, we still have a very spiritual and action-oriented church. It is important that we know and understand why we have the "church" and what meaning that it has in our lives. I could go on about this, but I think the Apostle Paul does a much better job. Please read the Book of Ephesians again. Read it slowly, let the Holy Spirit guide your thoughts. I also like study bibles as well, which shed light on concordance and the historical context. There is also a book written by Joshua Harris titled " Why Church Matters". I think it would be a good read as it relates to the church, i.e., The Body of Christ.

The text above gives us enlightenment on how we understand church, not only to help us, but to help enable us to reach the unchurched or the "I'm spiritual, but not religious" folks we encounter.

See you Sundays in our "Body of Christ". God loves you all and so do I.

Memorials

Lois Roberts from Lou & Marsha Hill, Ron & Sonja Weigand

Mildred Brooks from Patty Spiehler and family, J erry & Linda Day, Dick & Joyce Wiegand

Mildred Brooks from Vera Lannerd, Jerry & Linda Day, Dick & Joyce Wiegand, Marilyn Korn

A gift has been given to the FCC Music Fund from Crawfordsville First Christian Church in honor of Rev. Brian Nelson and his role as Transitional Minister for the past 8 months.

PLEASE KEEP IN YOUR PRAYERS:

(new requests in bold)

HOSPITAL : No one at this time.

REHAB: No one at this time.

NURSING HOME/HOMEBOUND:

St Anthony's: Lynn Mann, Martha Oliver; University Place: Don Smith;

Fowler Apts #514 Sue England - having health issues; Cumberland Pointe: Harriett McDowell, Vera Idle # 206;

Signature Healthcare: Mary Bogan- broken hip GreenTree: Suzie Mounts

Rosewalk Commons: Vernetta Lynn; Verne & Rosemary Comer St. Mary's: Jim Sipple - #114

Westminster: Frances Britt

At Home: Jeanne Dible, Marilyn Galloway; Ruby Ward at home of son, Marcus Haley 8415 Turner Rd. West Point, IN 47992, Becky Britt at 2106 S. 7th St. Lafayette 47905

CONGREGATIONAL PRAYER REQUESTS:

Loretta Lowe - Louise McDole's niece - cancer, Barbara Jones - Louise McDole's sister - pulmonary fibrosis,

Ami - friend and client of Sandie Hauser - uterus cancer,

Rhiannon Garvey in relocation back to Lafayette,

Virgene Skiver, Rachel Roudebush, Norma Doremire who has relocated to Oregon with her daughter who lives out there. This will be a permanent move.

Pastoral Care News

We are having a special meeting on Wednesday, September 14. The Pastoral Care group will be having a brown bag lunch at Centennial Park at noon. Kathy Stirlen will be bringing her dog Tater Bean, who has been going through training to become a visiting dog at nursing homes. Kathy will be sharing the story of Tater Bean's training, as well as what she has learned from the training experience.

Please join us if you are interested and bring your lunch! If it is raining we'll find a room in the church to gather!

We have a super pastoral caregivers group here at FCC. If you would be interested in doing visiting please let me know! Blessings, Jan Rybka

Technical Arts

The Technical Arts team needs a hand (or two)!

We have a small talented team, and need more hands to help us to spread the good news. We especially need help at the 8:00 AM Sunday worship service. This ministry requires some technical skills (but not a lot, really), a feel for the flow of the worship service (so you can turn the right mic on at the right time), and an attention span that lasts through the service (younger children may not be able to stay on task for an hour). If you enjoy pushing buttons, then you may wish to help us by volunteering to help us at the sound board ! If you are interested in helping the Church in a new way, or have any questions please contact Jim Rybka or even better, come up to the balcony any Sunday morning to see what we do and how you can help us!

Did you know that our Worship Services are recorded and easily available to you in a few different ways. In the entry area to the church there is a box that has CDs from past services. If you cannot find the one you seek, let us know and we can get you another copy. You can also find copies of the sermons at the First Christian Church website. You will find them in the Sermon Archive in the Media Center, http://www.fcclaf.org/#/media-center . Click on the one that you wish to hear, sit back, and enjoy it in the comfort of your easy chair.

Jim Rybka, Chair of Technical Arts

Hearing Loop Grant

We are pleased to announce that First Christian Church will receive a grant from the Community Foundation of Greater Lafayette towards the purchase and installation of a hearing loop in the Sanctuary. If you have a hearing aid with a telecoil coil (t coil), then you will soon be able to pick up the sound of the Sunday worship services in your own hearing device !

The amount of the grant is $7,639. We expect that there may be additional expenses of about $1,500 that the grant will not cover. Any contributions to defray this expense would be greatly appreciated. The installation should be completed within the next 90 days; we'll let you know when it is ready to use. Jim Rybka, Chair of Tech Arts

September Diaconates

Sept. 4th

1st Service

Team Leader: Quil Standiford

Serving: Joan Standiford

Serving: Sally Brunger

Serving: Mary Sego

Serving: Daryl Killian

Set Up & Clean Up: Joan Standiford & Sally Brunger

2nd Service

Team Leader: Donna Adams

Serving: Carolyn Weedon

Serving: Crystal Cover

Serving: Christina Tully

Serving: Josh Tully

Set Up & Clean Up: Carolyn Weedon & Crystal Cover

Sept. 11th

1st Service

Team Leader: Quil Standiford

Serving: Joan Standiford

Serving: Sally Brunger

Serving: Mary Sego

Serving: Daryl Killian

Set Up & Clean Up: Mary Sego & Daryl Killian

2nd Service

Team Leader: Dave Schluttenhofer

Serving: Carolyn Kanehe

Serving: Roberta Pilotte

Serving: Suzie Kelsey

Serving: Dave Kelsey

Set Up & Clean Up: Carolyn Kanehe & Roberta Pilotte

Sept. 18th

1st Service

Team Leader: Quil Standiford

Serving: Joan Standiford

Serving: Sally Brunger

Serving: Mary Sego

Serving: Daryl Killian

Set Up Clean Up: Joan Standiford & Sally Brunger

2nd Service

Team Leader: Kathy Stirlen

Serving: Juanita Hobaugh

Serving: Roberta Pilotte

Serving: Melanie Davis

Serving: Michael Davis

Set Up & Clean Up: Melanie & Michael Davis

Sept. 25th

1st Service

Team Leader: Quil Standiford

Serving: Joan Standiford

Serving: Sally Brunger

Serving: Mary Sego

Serving: Daryl Killian

Set Up & Clean Up: Mary Sego & Daryl Killian

2nd Service

Team Leader: Donna Adams

Serving: Harriet Beeler

Serving: Robin Sturgeon

Serving: Larry Sturgeon

Serving: Greg Smith

Set Up & Clean Up: Robin Sturgeon & Larry Sturgeon

It's not to early to be thinking about Jubilee Christmas. This is definitely one place we can all share our riches with those who have little. At this time I am looking for several people to sew some stockings. We will need around 100 stockings so each child will receive one at Christmas. If you are willing to sew some, please contact me and I will get the pattern and fabric to you. It is also time to start watching for food items on sale to fill the baskets again this year. Please contact me at 427-2672. Thanks for all your help and support with this rewarding mission. Sandie Hauser

Kids Club (K-5th grade)

Sept. 4th Kids Club in Fellowship Hall from 5-6:30pm! Pizza,

devotion and games! Bring a friend!

Sept. 18th Join us for the "Hunger Hike". We will meet on the steps at Riehle Plaza

at 1:30pm.

Sept. 25th Bowling at Arrowhead Bowling Alley @12:30pm! Cost:6

Sept. 4th Youth Mtg in Fellowship Hall from 5-6:30pm.

Sept. 11th NO YOUTH MTG

Sept. 18th Join us for the Hunger Hike!

Sept. 25th Bowling at Arrowhead Bowling Alley @12:30pm. Cost:$6

We will have a team walking in the Hunger Hike on September 18th! We meet on the steps of Riehle Plaza at 1:30pm. The walk begins at 2pm. Donations can be turned in the day of the walk. Contact Michelle with any questions at 765-742-4058. This is open to EVERYONE! Come and walk with us!