Christian Courier
F irst Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)
March 27, 2010 Intimate moments on the Jerusalem journey
Inside the Courier:
As a young colt nervously stamps
! A Look at the Brite the dust and jerks against the lead,
Side, page 2 cloaks are quickly thrown onto his
• Mission Notes,    
back. And then, the strong arms of
page 3 the disciples set Jesus on the colt.
Jesus does not climb up alone, ac-
• Board Notes, page 3 cording to Luke; he places his life in
• April Calendar
the hands of his friends as he faces
page 4 the road into Jerusalem.
For the disciples to set Jesus on the
• FCC news briefs,
page 5 colt requires getting close to the
Teacher, to grasp an arm or brace a
shoulder. It means being close
On the Web:
enough to feel Jesus’ breath on their
fccminneapolis.org skin, close enough to smell the sweat
on his cloak. At least one friend will
Pastor Brite’s Lenten  be to Jesus’ back< others will be eye-
Blog
level, looking him square in the face.
Deb Murphy on “The 
Sacred on the
Street” exhibit
Palm Sunday, M arch 28 E aster Sunday, A pril 4
10:30 Worship Service
M aundy T hursday, A pril 1
":$0 Pastor’s Soup Supper
6:30 Communion and foot-washing
service
For Jesus, once he enters the city, there
will be many intimate moments of dis-
cipleship. There will be bread-breaking
and wine-sharing. There will be foot-
washing and truth-telling. And at what
would appear to many as the end of the
road, there will be time once again for a
few to put their hands under his arms and
their faces to his face as they set him down
from the Cross. Intimate moments, all.
The Christian’s Aourney to Jerusalem
and beyond calls for extraordinary acts of
intimacy. Discipleship requires vulnera-
bility, closeness, and a willingness to lean
in the direction of others. In this Lent, may
we give thanks to God for those who stand
ready to love us.
by Pamela D. Hawkins,
in Disciplines, 2010
Prayer V igil, A pril 1-2
7:30 B Midnight B prayer in sanctuary
Midnight B 9 am B prayer at home
9 am B 3 pmCprayer in sanctuary
Good F riday, A pril 2
7 pm Good Friday Service
8:15 Sunrise Service
9:00 Continental Breakfast
9:15 Church School Classes
10:30 Worship Service
 March 27, 2010
Page 2

A Look at the Brite Side

Seeing the ministry of Jesus in everyday acts

The spiritual experience of Lent- I’m supposed to learn through the

Pastor Bob Brite
Daily life can be a symbolic walk
with Christ when we work at it
Leading-into-Holy-Week is
meant to be a journey of our
souls through the ministry, cruci-
fixion, and resurrection of Jesus.
What I’ve found helpful over the
years is to try to see the ministry
of Jesus in everyday little acts,
and the crucifixion and resurrec-
tion of Jesus in the same.
As I told my new outside-the-
church bible study a few weeks
ago, everybody lives daily with
wounds/pain and everybody lives
daily with joys. What happens in
the spiritual walk with Jesus is
that the former become little cru-
cifixion experiences and the latter
become little resurrection expe-
riences; I try to reflect on what
pains and for what I’m supposed
to give thanks in the joys. What
this does is to put ourselves in the
place of Jesus. Daily life can be
a symbolic walk with Christ
when we work at it, and Christian
experience is supposed to be that
way anyway. The not-so-old tru-
ism of asking oneself, “What
would Jesus doK” really works if
we work at it.
As we head towards Holy Week
next week, try to put into each
day as many WWJD’s as you
can.
I’d like to see YOU on (Palm and
Easter) Sunday!
Bob

In our prayers We pray in with joy for the birth of James W ayne T ucker, son of E laine
and Ben T ucker and also for the baby born to Jennifer Redmond’s niece
Gracious God, we A my; in thanksgiving that John T akekawa has regained his health; in gra-
lift up these persons titude to Bill Stump and all the choir members and musicians for the
in our prayers, ask- beautiful music we have heard in worship during Lent; in concern for those
ing the blessing of dealing with health issues including M argaret C lausen and those taking
your Grace and out- cancer treatments, including David Pyles, former member K ay V an
pouring of your Love Dyke’s granddaughter Jeanette and Jennifer Redmond’s niece A my; for
upon them. all those who are homebound including E laine G lore, Dorothy W ilkins
and K athy Merkel’s in-laws, Amen.
 Christian Courier
Getting’ Dirty for Jesus:  Mission Project Notes
Knit, Purl, Pray
In my last column, I asked
people who are passionate about
mission to share your ideas with
me. Around the same time, long-
time member Dorothy Stegner
came forward and shared what she
has been doing to be church out-
side the walls of First Christian:
making prayer shawls for home-
bound members of our communi-
ty.
Dorothy Stegner with four of her prayer
shawls.
She notes that she is committed
to this ministry. Dorothy recently
gave a prayer shawl to a new
member.
When I came over recently to
take a picture of Dorothy with
some her shawls, she noted that
there were some flaws. “On those
days,” she said, “I was the one
who needed prayer.”
Recently, Dorothy shared in an
email that others are working with
her in making prayer shawls and
that two recipients were especially
grateful for these handmade gifts
of love.
This is the sort of "spiritual en-
trepreneurship" that is needed in
the ongoing transformation of
Board Notes
At the March meeting of
FCC’s General Board, com-
mittee chairs and pastors gave
updates on their work and
plans. Sixteen people at-
tended the March 16 meeting.
Highlights from Board busi-
First Christian. We need others ness include the following:
who feel called to use their talents  Warren Westphal an-
and skills to be the church nounced that FCC’s refugee
throughout the week to be able to ministry is being renewed,
freely heed the call and be sup- with the goal of sponsoring
ported with our thoughts and a refugee family in the near
prayers. future. Plans are underway
The pastoral staff is working with to publicize this project, and
the Elders and the Deacons to to contact other area Dis-
make sure the shawls get to home- ciple churches about joining
bound members. Dorothy is look- in the ministry.
ing for others of all ages who  The fuel in the alternate fuel
might be interested in joining her tank has been tested and is
in this ministry. now being used. The tank
will also be cleaned, and a
If interested, please contact As- new fuel supply will be pur-
sociate Pastor Dennis Sanders at chased soon. Pastor Bob
associatepastor@fccminneapolis.org says, “Pray for lower fuel
or call the church. prices!”
Praise God for Dorothy and her  The Worship Committee
effort to be church! has made a change in the
pre-worship service sche-
Dennis Sanders
dule. The deacons, elders
Associate Pastor for Diversity and
and worship leader are all to
Mission
meet with the choir at 10:25
for pre-service prayer.
It’s Not Too Late! 
Donations to the March Food
share Drive can be made on Palm
Sunday, March 28. You can
drop off your non-perishable
food item in the Big Barrel in the
narthex, or put contributions in
the offering plates Tmark “food-
shelf” on the check memo lineU.
Page 4 March 27, 2010
Regular Worship Hours
9:15 Church School Classes
April, 2010
10:30 Worship
First Christian Church
11:45 Fellowship Time in Lounge

  1 Maundy Thurs. 2 3
      9 am Handcrafters Good Friday 9 am- Men’s 
  5:30 Pastor’s Soup 9 am – 3 pm Group
  Supper Prayer Vigil 9:30 Downtown
6:30 Maundy 7 pm Good Grief Group 
Thursday ser- Friday Ser-
vice  vice
4 5 6 7 8 9 10
Easter Sunday 8 pm- AA   9:00 am Nikkei 9 am Handcrafters   9 am- Men’s 
8:15 Sunrise   6:00 Lectionary   Group
Service Bible Study 9:30 Downtown
9:00 Breakfast 6:30 Bell Choir Grief Group
10:30 Worship 7:00 Prayer  
Service 7:45 Chancel
Choir
 
11 12 13 14 15 16 17
7 pm Book 12 n Disciples 5:30 Finance 9 am Handcrafters 9 – 3 Elder’s 
Club at Ministers mtg Committee   7:30 Christian Retreat (@
Westphal’s 7 pm Property 6:00 Lectionary 7 pm Carter Circle League Hillestads)
8 pm AA  Committee  Bible Study @ Wolverton’s  9 am- Men’s 
6:30 Bell Choir Group
7 pm Prayer 9:30 Downtown
7:45 Chancel Grief Group
Choir 10am Laura
  Lynne/ Naomi
Circle
6 pm Dinner for
St. Stephens
shelter
 
18 19 20 21 22 23 24
Food Pantry 8 pm AA 9 am Mpls. Re- 9:00 am Nikkei 9 am Handcrafters    9 am- Men’s 
Sunday   tired Teachers 6:00 Lectionary Group
11:45a Elders   7 pm FCC Board Bible Study 9:30 Downtown
Meeting Meeting 6:30 Bell Choir Grief Group
    7 pm Prayer  
7:45 Chancel Choir 
25 26 27 29 29 30
8 pm AA 6:00 Lectionary 9 am Handcrafters
Bible Study
6:30 Bell Choir
7:45 Chancel Choir

Elders Worship Leader Bus Driver Diaconate Greeters

Apr. 4 Ann Wolverton (a) Martha Harris Mike Morgan Even Team Ardie Armstrong,
Skip Wolverton (p) 612-926- 9384 Shirley Drane
Apr. 11 Dean Creighton (p) Don Cain Mike Hesano Even Team Karen Kandik
Barb Creighton (a) 651-645-6758
Apr. 18 Val Dunham (p) Jennifer Redmond Gary Hesser Even Team Martha Harris
Ardie Armstrong (a) 612-721-4995

Apr. 25 Mike Brady (p) Pat Carter Mike Morgan Even Team Valerie Dunham
Janice Brady (a)

Christian Courier
FCC News in Brief
Change in Sunday morning schedule
Before worship each Sunday, the morning’s eld-
ers, deacons and worship leader are asked to gath-
er in the choir room at 10:25 for a prayer led by the
Presiding Elder. The Worship Committee made this
adjustment for Sunday morning worship preparation
beginning March, 2010.
Book Group News!
We have chosen our next books for discussion.
Join us! Even if you want to come for just one book,
you'll be back when you see the fun that we have!
All meetings are at 7 pm at Karen Westphal's home
EXCEPT for June when we meet at Sebastian Joe's
in Linden Hills!
April 12: The Latehomecomer: A H mong F amily
Memoir, Kao Kalin Yang
May 17: The Postmistress, Sarah Blake
June 7 : Strength in What Remains, Tracy Kidder
Spring Share-the-Care coming
The property committee is planning a Spring
Share-the-Care for sharing maintenance chores at the
church:
Saturday, May 22, 2010
9:00 A.M. until 1:00 P.M.
There will be snacks available and great fellowship!
Congratulations are in order . . .
A lan Plantikow, son Karen Plantikow, was mar-
ried to L aurie T rousil on March 6. Their wedding
was held in Jamaica. Congratulations to Alan and
Laurie, and to Karen!
K arin Wolverton, daughter Skip and Ann Wolver-
ton recently sang the role of Musetta in the Minneso-
ta Opera’s production of “La Boehme.” Several
members of the congregation attended performances,
and Karin got strong reviews in local papers. Con-
gratulations to the Wolvertons!
Page 5
Barbara Dean joins congregation
Barbara and Willian Dean
Barbara Dean joined the FCC congregation on
Sunday, March 21. Her husband William Dean
has been a member for many years, as was his
mother Bernice Dean and his cousin Corinne
Cates. Barbara and William live in Arden Hills.
Refugee experience movie
During Fellowship Hour on Sunday, March 28,
take your coffee and treats into the choir room to
see a brief but stirring movie about refugee fami-
lies.
FCC has sponsored four refugee families in the
past, and plans are underway to sponsor another
family in the near future. This movie will whet
your interest and answer some questions about this
ministry.
Quadrennial Registration open
Disciples women are making plans to gather for
worship, study and mission June 23-27 in Green-
sboro, N.C., for the 14th Quadrennial Assembly.
The theme of this year’s Wuadrennial is “Awake,
Awake.”
But remember to register soon to take advantage
of registration discounts. The early rate of $375
will end March 31. On April 1, registration will
cost $400.
 Bi-Weekly Calendar Reflections on the Word
from readings for Maundy Thurs.
Sunday Worship at 10:30 am
Before Worship (9:15 am): “By this everyone will know that
Art of the Covenant Class Hearthstone/Adults Class you are my disciples, if you have
Bible Study Class Prayer Circle love for one another.” --John 13:35
After worship: Fellowship Hour 11:45 am The outward mark of discipleship
of Jesus is love, not theology, not
This Week at FCC Next Week at FCC
Sunday, M arch 28
piety, not knowledge, nor some
Palm Sunday Service 10:30 am Wednesday, A pril 7 self- or other-imposed threshold of
Nikkei 9 am being nice or good. Oh my. Love?
Wednesday, M arch 31 Lectionary Bible Study 6 pm
Lectionary Study group 6 pm Bell Choir 6:30 pm For one another? So easy to say,
Bell Choir 6:30 pm Prayer 7 pm yet often so hard to do. What do
Prayer 7 pm
Chancel Choir 7:45 pm
Chancel Choir 7:45 pm you do to show love for others?
T hursday, A pril 8 Especially those who are hard to
T hursday, A pril 1 Handcrafters 9 am
Handcrafters 9 an love? Would you wash their feet?
Soup Supper 5:30 pm Sat., A pril 10 In this time of journeying to the
M aundy T hursday Men’s Group 9 am cross, be open to finding one new
service 6:30 pm Downtown Grief Group 9:30 am
Prayer Vigil begins 7:30 way to let love lead.

F riday, A pril 2 Loving God, show us ways to love

Prayer Vigil 9 am B 3pm
Good F riday Service 7 pm
one another that might not be ob-
vious to us. For in so doing, we
Saturday, A pril 3
Men’s Group 9 am follow your way for us. Amen.
Downtown Grief Group 9:30 am
--Chris Wogaman

F I RST C H R IST I A N C H U R C H
A Thoughtful Church in the O F M I N N E A P O L IS
Heart of the City (D ISC IP L ES O F C H R IST)
M inistry T eam 2201 1st Avenue South
A ll M embers of the Congregation Minneapolis, MN 55404
Robert B rite, Interim Minister
Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversi-
A ddress Service Requested
ty and Mission
C hris Wogaman, Office Manager
Bill Stump, Director of Music
Rick Bowman, Building Manager
James Barnett, Pianist
Serena C arlson, Nursery Attendant
M artha H ar ris, Courier Editor
Telephone: 612.870.1868
Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984
www.fccminneapolis.org
E-mail: fcc-mpls@qwest.net
Fax: 612.870.1860

Christian Courier is published bi-

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