Good News for Your Faith Journey
|
|
|
|
|
|
Greetings!
We’ve been talking about stewardship for the last two weeks, and now the stewardship campaign comes to a climax when everyone has an opportunity to make commitments for the coming year. On Sunday, each person or household will have an opportunity to walk down the center aisle and place a commitment card and a time & talent card on the communion table.
You have an opportunity to make a commitment to join God in expressing God’s love for the world and for our neighbors through this congregation. The church is by no means the only place in the world through which God is active. Indeed, the best Christian theology has a doctrine called “omnipresence” which sees God active in all times and places. One of the distinctive works of the church is to help us identify God’s purposes and where God is working with people and nature to put them into place. But God is active in this congregation, and you and I have an opportunity to make a commitment to join God in this work.
We can make a commitment of time. We can make a commitment of talent or ability. We can make a commitment of money. We can make a commitment of other resources.
How much of your time are you willing to give to increase love of God and love of neighbor on the way to a new world? What talents do you have that can express love for God and love for neighbor while contributing to such a world? How many dollars is love of God and love of neighbor worth? What other resources might you have? I confess that I have a limited imagination when it comes to other resources. I would love to be surprised at ways to love God and neighbor that have not even crossed the screen of my mind.
Jesus’ teaching to love God with our entire being and our neighbor as ourself asks us to think about the spirit in which we make these commitments. I imagine two young people in separate yards raking the spectacular fall leaves. Raking. Raking. Raking. Each has made a commitment of time and energy.
One of them is raking because the parents gave the command. “Rake . . . or else.” To this young person, the rake is dead weight and the leaves might as well be made of lead, and the person impatiently imagines the leaves piled in the compost pit and ready to turn brown.
The other young person volunteered to rake out of gratitude for the love that fills the house, the sensitivity, the compassion, the support. To this young person, the rake is light, the leaves almost weightless, and their color is spectacular.
As the moment arrives for making our commitments, I hope you will remember what God has done and continues to do for us through creation, through Jesus, and through the church. I hope you will feel the love that fills this house, and will respond accordingly.
Peace,
Dale
|
|
Reconciliation Study Wraps Up this Wednesday
Please join us for the final part of our conversation inspired by our Reconciliation Offering, 6:00-7:00 p.m. Wednesday October 25th. We are meeting in Unity Hall.
“The Special Offering is used to fund our Church’s mission imperative to become an pro-reconciling and anti-racist church utilizing experiential education, inclusive worship and intentional dialogue. Our efforts to promote healing, relationship and restoration in the whole family of God are enlivened by funds from this offering. Through it we are able to provide programs for leadership development, curriculum for dialogue and learning, and partnerships within the Church and our communities. Recent events have reignited the conversation about human brokenness evidenced in the sin of racism and perpetuated in our institutional structures and systems. Your generous giving to Reconciliation Ministry is transforming lives and strengthening Christ’s witness in the world showing that we love one another, even as Christ continues to love us!” (From Disciples Reconciliation Ministry).
As followers of Jesus Christ, we recognize racism as a spiritual and theological dilemma as well as a social evil. The dilemma centers around all people’s identity as children of God - racism denies the identity of some and when we diminish the identity of some, then we diminish the identity of all. Our tradition, the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), celebrates the Welcome Table as having a place for everyone. In 2001, the General Assembly embraced a commitment to become a Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racist church. Regions have been encouraged to take on a leading role in this priority for our denomination. The Kansas Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) has embraced a commitment to lead in this area. Beginning this year, the Kansas Region has provided and required clergy to attend anti-racism boundaries training.
We’ve witnessed the tumult in various communities across the country in recent months and years. We’ve been shocked by the news reports of racial slurs at a Habitat for Humanity build site in our own community. In light of these events, our elders recommended that we engage our congregation in a conversation around racism and our Disciples commitment to become a Pro-Reconciliation/Anti-Racist church. The format of the conversation will be built around the World Cafe model so as to encourage conversation in smaller groups as well as larger group sharing. It will be helpful for room setup if we know you plan to attend, you can call the church office or email to let us know you plan to attend.
I look forward to this time of conversation and opportunity for each and all of us to live out our identity as children of God.
|
|
Youth Group and Bells
Youth & Bells Sunday afternoon program – Sunday, October 29
Youth Group and Bells
JYF youth group
(2nd to 5th grade)-
No Youth Group or Chimes
Chi Rho/ CYF
(6th to 12th grade)-
11:00 am to 1:30 pm Serve lunch @ Rescue Mission
Bells @ 10:10 am
Bring $ for lunch
No afternoon youth groups
|
|
Fall Festival This Sunday!
|
|
First Christian Church’s Kid’s Choir
Ages: 3 year-old to 5
th
grade
Shine will continue meeting this Wednesday, Oct.18 from 6:00 to 7:15 pm in the sanctuary basement. If you have any questions please call Donna Schultz, Associate Minister for Children & Youth, in the church office at 272-4290 or at 230-2339.
Wednesdays – Oct. 25
Wednesdays – Nov. 1, 8, 15, 29
(No Wednesday night practice on Thanksgiving week – Nov. 22.)
Wednesday – Dec. 6
Saturday Rehearsal – Dec. 9
10:00 am to 12:00 noon
Sunday Evening Program – Dec. 10 at 6 pm
|
|
From Sack Lunch Ministry
SACK LUNCH MINISTRY HIGHLIGHTS...
Each Sunday of the month, some 80 volunteers give their time to either make sandwiches, sack, or deliver and serve noon meals to residents at the Rescue Mission/Hope House. To have supplies to make 150 sandwiches weekly, current donations of granola bars, individual size fruit cups and chips are always appreciated. Any donations for these items can be brought to the church between the hours of 8-3, Monday thru Friday.
Please call Jan Keeler for more information if desired at 249-1790.
Thanks for supporting this meaningful ministry!
|
|
Parent Group Opportunity on Wednesday Nights
Next Meeting: Wednesday, October 25th
Time: 6:00 to 7:00 pm
Place: First Christian Church Adult Center
Parenting is challenging. The pressures of work and the frantic pace of our culture can create anxiety and fatigue. Many of us may question whether we are doing this thing called “parenting” right. Parents want to become more effective, but they aren’t sure how. Our parent group is a time each week for us to gather and be a resource for each other. Parents helping parents. We will utilize the book "Parenting" by Cheryl Reames and also share ideas for discussion from the TV Series "This is Us." We will grow our abilities of leadership, support and nurture for our families together. If you have questions please contact Liesel Fink at 785-249-0081
|
|
Upcoming Prayer Shawl Meeting!
The prayer shawl ministry will have be meeting on Saturday, November 4th at 10:00 am in the church conference room. Please feel free to join during this time!
|
|
Kansas Disciple Women Goodie Sale
KDW sold chocolate, cocoa, coffees and tea at the recent retreat but we still have leftover goodies. If you are interested in purchasing, please contact Barb Runge at 478-4480 or by email at runge2@cox.net
COFFEE $12.00
18 Organic Decaffeinated
17 Organic French Roast
12 Organic Mild Body and Soul)
TEAS $5.00
Green Tea and Rooibos – one each
COCOA $9.00
2- 8 oz. canisters
CHOCOLATE BARS $4.00
28 Dark Chocolate with Caramel Crunch and Sea Salt
24 Dark Chocolate with Almonds
31 Milk Chocolate with Caramel Crunch and Sea Salt
10 Milk Chocolate
2 Extra Dark Panama Chocolate
|
|
…bookmarks from your library…
Erik Larson writes real life murders as compelling as fiction killers—even reads better than fiction!
THE DEVIL IN THE WHITE CITY describes the “Chicago World’s Fair in 1893 when electricity was new and the fair glowed with all its lights drawing thousands of people—but some young ladies disappeared.
IN THE GARDEN OF THE BEASTS, love terror and an American family in Hitler’s Berlin. The author shows how Hitler rose to power in l933 at the same time an American diplomat with his young family were dispatched to Berlin to be the first ambassador to Hitler’s Germany. Can he get his family out of Berlin?
DEAD WAKE: The Last Crossing of the Lusitania. One of the great transatlantic “greyhounds”…..the Lusitania was a luxury ocean liner sailing from America to Great Britain.
The reader gets to know the passengers and also the Captain who is not aware of the
U-20 German submarine following them!
|
|
Interfaith Thanksgiving Service
|
|
October is First Christian Church's Month at Doorstep!
How You Can Help...
-Volunteer in the Clothing Room on ANY Wednesday during the month of October. You will assist clients with clothing needs, sort and organize donated clothing.
(8:45 am - 2:00 pm)
-Volunteer in the Clothing Room on Monday, October 9th between 8:45 am and
2:00 pm sorting donations.
-Volunteer at Doorstep's Dovetail Shoppe on any Saturday in October from 2 pm- 4 pm
(234-3004)
Contact Doorstep at 357-5341 with questions or to volunteer!
|
|
Doorstep Newsletter Article October 2017
Fall is here! What a beautiful time of year, and the beginning of the holiday season!
Doorstep’s Fall Fundraiser is Tamales & Cinnamon Rolls this year. We are taking orders September 30th through October 15th. The Cinnamon Rolls with cream cheese icing (6 pack) are $9. These are perfect for the upcoming holidays! The Tamales come in pork or beef (6 pack) are $13. These will be individually wrapped and frozen. You just have to heat and eat! You can pick up your orders the weekend of November 3rd from your Doorstep representative. Our Fall fundraiser helps with client needs, operating expenses in the last quarter of the year, and with our Christmas Store for adopted families. Get your orders in and don’t miss out on these yummy treats!
Also, keep an eye on school supplies and back packs as they go on Clearance! Doorstep gives school supplies to the school aged children we adopt at Christmas. Pick up some great bargains, and help us restock these children for the second half of the school year! We are also low on toys for the Christmas Store, if you can help out we would appreciate it!
Doorstep is open for donations Monday – Friday from 8am – 3pm. We are located at 1119 SW 10th Avenue (10th & Buchanan).
|
|
AmazonSmile
Did you know that First Christian Church has a unique AmazonSmile link that makes it easier for people to find and support your organization?
What is my organization's unique link?
What does my unique link do?
When customers click on your organization's unique link, they skip the process to search for a charity to support among over 1 million eligible charities. Instead, they're taken to
smile.amazon.com
and are automatically asked if they want to support First Christian Church.
Can I just tell supporters to search for my charity at smile.
amazon.com
?
Yes. However, that makes it harder for your supporters to find and select your organization. There are over 1 million eligible charities, and customers may end up picking a different organization during the selection process. Sharing your charity link increases the likelihood that customers will select your charity before they start shopping.
Do my supporters have to click on my charity's AmazonSmile link every time they shop?
No. Once customers select your organization, you will receive 0.5% of the price of all their eligible
smile.amazon.com
purchases, regardless of whether they use your unique AmazonSmile link to return to the site. However, we recommend that you ask your supporters to bookmark and use your link so they don't accidentally shop at www.
amazon.com
instead of
smile.amazon.com
. Only purchases made at
smile.amazon.com
are eligible for donations.
What do customers that have already selected a charity see when they click on my organization's unique link?
If someone is already supporting your organization and they click on your unique link, they will simply be taken to
smile.amazon.com
so they can start shopping. They do not have to re-select your charity. If someone supporting a different charity clicks on your charity link, they are asked if they'd like to switch to support your organization.
|
|
Prayer Concerns
We invite you to use the following prayer or one of your own desire as you offer prayers for those listed in our prayer concerns.
O God, source of love and compassion in the sufferings of all your children, we offer our compassion also for the hungry, and the sick in body, mind, or heart, the depressed and the lonely, all living in fear and under stress, all stricken with grief, the unemployed and the rejected, and those burning with hatred. Strengthen us to work for their healing and inspire us to build with you the kingdom of love where none shall cause suffering to others and all be caring, loving children of yours. Our compassionate, all-embracing God, ever present, ever love, never failing, we pray to you. Amen. (Adapted from Chalice Worship #363 p. 343).
|
|
|
PRAYER CONCERNS, October 25th, 2017
Health Concerns:
John Achten, Gail Alderson, Inez Aldrich, Debbie Collins, Anita Dietz, Ralph Evans, Joe Gilliland, Alma Greenaway, Vickey Howard, Harold Johnson, Steve Martin, Peg Noble, Aunalee Parmely, Geri Robins, Don Rumage, Connie Skinner, Nancy Stone, Shirley Williams, Walt Wofford, David Woods
Cancer Patients:
Teresa Agee, Bob Bingham, Shirley Bingham, Shirley Evans, Steve Hansen, LaJonna Johnson, Jake Lewis, Sherrie Mattox, Janice McAbee, Mary Mentock, Cheri Moon, Ellen Myzer, Kim Rea, Diane Taylor, Cheryl Tuckwin, Clarke Williams, Laurie Wilson
Keep these people in your prayers:
Regional Staff, Christian Church in Kansas; Rev. Teresa Hord Owens , General Minister/President, Christian Church (Disciples); those serving in the military; those traveling; those seeking employment and families who are struggling.
Our sympathy and prayers are extended to Betty McCollough on the death of her son, Harry Moberly.
Our thoughts and prayers are with the girls who were kidnapped from their school in Chibok, Nigeria by Boko Haram in 2014.
In order to keep our prayer list updated, we will be leaving health concerns on the list for one month.Please notify us when a name needs removed or needs to remain for another month.
Please contact the church office if you have pastoral care needs.
|
|
Technology Update
If you see a blank in the technology (sound, lights or power point) list on Sunday morning, that means there is no one assigned to that task on that Sunday. So your help is needed to fill these places. There is a small amount of training you would need, but anyone can learn. For assistance in learning to support the Technology Ministry please contact Vern Failor at 272-6102 or
vlfailor@gmail.com
|
|
Sunday Servants, October 29, 2017
Elder at the Table: Stephanie Switzky
Ministry of the Table: Jo McHenry
Counters: Sandi Reesor & Meredith Sonderegger
Fellowship Time: Joy
8:45 am
Greeters: Roger & Glenda Yocom
Sound: Paxton Jones
Lighting: Vern Failor
PowerPoint:
Ushers: David & Gayle Steinbach
Welcome: Glenda Yocom
Greeting Elder: Penny McCoy
Diaconate Team
#
4: Connie Brown, Janie & Paxton Jones, Jeanine Mott*, Joe Sittenauer, Roger & Glenda Yocom
11:10 am
Candle Lighters: Rogan Oller
Greeters: Tim & Shelly Lozzi
Sound: Greg Williams
Lighting: Ken Price
PowerPoint: Andrew Howard
Ushers: Becky Stauffer & Katie Weed
Welcome: Vickie Burns
Greeting Elder: Larry McDaniel
Diaconate Team
#4: Tim & Shelly Lozzi,
Brian & BJ Mays, Gail Fox, Jamey Kendall, *Larry & Sandy McDaniel
Kid's Worship: Donna Schultz & Scott Howard
|
|
Upcoming Dates
Wednesday, October 25th
9:00 am-2:00 pm Doorstep Volunteers
9:30 am Disciple Women Service Group, Fellowship Hall Sec. 2
6:00 pm Reconciliation Study,
Unity Hall
6:00 pm Just Move It, Builders Rm
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Parenting Group, Young Adult Rm.
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Shine, Sanctuary & Basement
7:00 pm Centering Prayer, Chapel
Thursday, October 26th
6:30 am Elders, Chapel
10:45 am Child Care Center Chapel, Sanctuary
11:00 am Words of Faith, Adult Center
5:45 pm Al-anon, Fellowship Hall Sec. 3
6:00 pm Book Club, Adult Center
6:15 pm Choir, Sanctuary
7:00 pm Worship Team, Sanctuary
Saturday, October 28th
9:00 am - 3:00 pm Project Linus Blanket Drive, Fellowship Hall
Sunday, October 29th
Fall Festival during Sunday School Hour
Looking Ahead
Monday, October 30th
10:00 am Staff Meeting, Conference Rm.
6:45 pm Boy Scouts
Tuesday, October 31st
5:30 pm Circles
Wednesday, November 1st
5:30 pm Disciple Women Executive Board Meeting, Adult Center
6:00 pm Faith & Film, Blackbird Cafe
6:00 pm Just Move It, Builders Rm
6:00 pm - 7:00 pm Parenting Group, Young Adult Rm.
6:00 pm - 7:15 pm Shine, Sanctuary & Basement
7:00 pm Centering Prayer, Chapel
Thursday, November 2nd
6:30 am Elders, Chapel
10:45 am Child Care Center Chapel, Sanctuary
11:00 am Words of Faith, Adult Center
5:45 pm Al-anon, Fellowship Hall Sec. 3
6:00 pm Bunko, Library
6:15 pm Choir, Sanctuary
7:00 pm Worship Team, Sanctuary
|
|
Contacts
Senior Minister
Congregational Care
Children & Youth
Interim Director, FCC Child Care Center
Tim Smale
Organist
Debby Martin
Chimes & Bells Director
Tiffany Rea
Director of Worship Arts
Becky Coffman
Nursery Supervisor
Becky Stauffer
Parish Nurse
Office Manager
First Christian Church Board
|
|
|
|
|
|
|