CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 29 August 11, 2011

The Chalice

Passionate Worship
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
When the people of Israel had crossed the Red Sea and the armies of their oppressors had been plunged beneath, a period of intense persecution and abuse came to an abrupt end, and the people found a new appreciation for the majesty and character of God. The most natural thing in the world was for them to stand in utter awe. But when the events of that day had been thoroughly absorbed, the next most obvious took overexpressions of joy and thanksgiving. We call them worship. So the people sang and honored God: The LORD is my strength and my might; the Lord has become my salvation; the Lord is my God; I will praise and exalt God (Exodus 15:2). I doubt that any of us would question the passion with which that song was sung nor the intent or focus. It was an ardent expression of relief and gratitude. And therein is the key to passionate worship. It is both a personal and corporate sense of awe ignited by the majesty and character of God. It is the most natural response of hearts transformed by the love and grace of God; transformed by the daily experience of being delivered from ourselves and those challenging, oppressive even, forces of life. It is the song of victory and the dance of tribute. In our June discoveries, we found worshipthe Open Tableto be a core value of our life together. And at the heart of our worship, is our passion for the Table. In baptism, we make our covenant with God and in communion we renew that covenant. It is the defining moment of who we arethe loved, graced, gifted, vitalized, and grateful people of God. In the words of Henry Nouwen, worship is the ardent desire to dwell in Gods presence, to listen to Gods voice, to look at Gods beauty, to touch Gods incarnate Word and to taste fully Gods infinite goodness. (Henri Nouwen, In the Name of Jesus: Reflections on Christian Leadership, New York: Crossroad, 1993, p. 29). Join us this Sunday for yet another expression of passionate worship. Amen.
Sunday, August 14
of Edmond, OK MINISTRY First Christian Church

Curious about singing with the choir at First Christian? Come try it out! Join the fun at a choir retreat. Meet the other choir members. See an overview of the upcoming fall music. (Childcare provided) Cant make it to the retreat? Join us for our first fall rehearsal Wednesday, August 17 7:30-8:45pm. Questions? Contact Diane Ball at 341-3544 ext. 25; or dball@fccedmond.org

Saturday, August 13th from 9:00 a.m. -12:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall

CHOIR RETREAT

MUSIC MINISTRY PICNIC

Sunday, August 14th at 12:30 p.m. Chitwood Park Pavilion

OPEN TABLE Passionate Worship

Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Sunday, August 21

OPEN MINDS Intentional Faith Development

Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend Sunday, August 28

The Music Committee would like to invite ALL who have participated in the various music programs at FCCE (including special music and cantatas), along with their families, to enjoy a day of Fun, Food, and Fellowship! Fried chicken, drinks, and tableware provided. Bring a side dish or dessert. to Diane Ball at 341-3544 ext. 25; or dball@fccedmond.org

OPEN HANDS Risk-Taking Mission & Service

Rev. Greg Bunton

PLEASE RSVP

August 14 is

Promotion Sunday!
This Sunday at 10:00 a.m., we invite ALL children ages 3 years through 5th Grade to the Chapel for a special promotion into a new Sunday school class and a new year in Childrens Ministry. Children will have an opportunity to meet their new teachers, be shown their classrooms, and get to know or be reintroduced to their church buddies. Also, new 1st graders will receive their bibles, courtesy of Disciples Women. Help support your childs faith development bring them to Sunday school!

URGENT NEED
A new semester of Sunday school starts this Sunday and we are still in need of a Kindergarten Sunday school teacher! Please dont assume that someone will step up for you. Contact Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Childrens Ministries, at astanley@fccedmond.org or 341-3544, ext. 14.

Welcome Home Soon!

Senior Minister Rev. Chris Shorow is currently on sabbatical and returns to the office on Tuesday, September 6. Mark your calendars - we will welcome back the Shorow Family on Sunday, September 11, during worship, and, a welcome back dinner will be held Sunday, October 2.

Sabbatical Plan Contacts:

Loree Rice Pastoral Relations Committee Chair rice50@sbcglobal.net (405) 341-3710 Frank Gresh Moderator-Elect of the Board frank@frankgresh.com (405) 417-1977

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Kathy Lee, OU Medical Center - Edmond THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Rex Swanson (former member), Roy Jackson, Willa Hill, Virginia ONiel, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams mom), John Werhun, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Rose Marie McKee, Barbara Hall, Bert Lindsay (Donna Clarks dad), Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akins sister), Joe Samuels, Bart Rodr, Ed Berry OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Wayne and Melva Davis in the passing of Waynes mother, Jere Davis, on August 2. Services were held on August 6 AND to Steve and Judy Joy in the passing of Judys brother, Hugh Skip Williams, of Williamsburg, VA, on August 7. Services pending AND to Adam & Alee Gossen in the passing of Adams cousin, Jered Ewy, while serving in Afghanistan. Services were held on August 10. In this hot weather do you need an indoor project? Lets think about Christmas. Are you ready to make (or purchase) some more Christmas stockings for our Troops? Get out your material (any klnd will do) and Get Ready, Get Set, Go! You did a great job last year, so stay inside during this hot weather and keep your hands busy crafting something which will bring joy to the Troops! ~ Thank you, Becky Winn, with the Edmond Blue Star Mothers

Happy Birthday!
8/14 Claire Douthitt, Chris Gibson, Alex Hall, Joseph Mecoy, Delaney Nash, Karri Smith, Steve Theobald 8/16 Ivan Coco, Michele Martin, Jessica Renz, Cathy Stephens, Charles Weddle, Jr. 8/17 Vicki Thorpe 8/18 Trent Lagasse 8/19 Steve Allison, Naomi Harp, Fred Hepler, Margaret Hostetter, Charlie Young 8/20 Jackie Booher, Bob Griffis, Trevor Schmoyer, Jake Wilkins, Russ Wood 8/21 Suzann Allison, Steve Hall, Amanda Jennings, Sandy Mitchell, Karla Rowley

Womens CONNECTIONS Bible Study

Here & Now - There & Then: A Lecture Series on Revelation
This eleven session study of Revelation by Beth Moore will light a fire in our spirits! Her study allows you to reaffirm your beliefs as well as broaden your understanding and perhaps arrive at new conclusions. Please join facilitators Jenny Wiechmann (Monday evenings) or Tana Stufflebean (Thursday mornings) in Rm 116 at FCCE to learn, worship & embrace the promises of God. Checks ($12) can be made Jenny Wiechmann Tana Stufflebean payable to FCC and note Monday Thursday Connections Bible Study on Session 7:00-9:00 pm 9:30-11:30 am the memo line. Scholarships 1 Aug 15 Aug 18 available for books & 2 Aug 29 Aug 25 childcare upon request.

Save The Date! Classics to Tour Ft. Sill Thursday, October 6

A Special Treat with our own Rev. Jerry Black!
This will be a personal visit to Ft. Sill with Jerry as our host and tour guide. With Jerrys connections, we plan to visit this military training center for so many of our U.S. service men and women. Put Thursday, October 6, on your calendar! More information to follow in a future Chalice Connection.

Want to sign-up?

Call Jenny Wiechmann at 340-3816 (for Mon. evenings) or Tana Stufflebean at 3414742 (for Thurs. mornings) or see Iris Muno Jordan in the Pastoral Office (Rm 127) and sign-up on the list.

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Sep 12 Sep 26 Oct 3 Oct 17 Oct 24 Nov 7 Nov 21 Dec 5 Dec 12

Sep 8 Sep 22 Oct 6 Oct 13 Oct 27 Nov 3 Nov 17 Dec 1 Dec 8

Financial Report Worship

8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
August 14, 2011
Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Luke 10:27 & Romans 12:1-2 Theme: Passionate Worship

August 21, 2011

Message: Dr. Gary Peluso-Verdend Scripture: Romans 11:33-12:2 Theme: Intentional Faith Development

Through July, our General Fund Revenues are 101.6% of Year to Date Budget and our General Fund Expenses are 95.0% of Year to Date Budget. 2010 Pledged Offering is 103.9% of Year to Date Budget, which is 13.8% greater than 2010. Non-Pledged Offering is 101.2% of Year to Date Budget. 2011 Building Fund Revenues were strong in July, aided by two significant gifts. Thank you. The Year to Date (YTD), through July 31, 2011, Revenue and Expenses are shown below. General Fund Building Fund YTD Actual YTD Actual Revenue $636,095.14 $151,915.77 Expense $593,915.23 $159,104.96 Excess/(Shortfall) $42,179.91 <$7,189.19> Please remember to note on your checks or envelopes to which church accounts you want your contribution credited.

from the Finance Committee

The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editor sregan@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org

PLEASE NOTE!

On August 10, our phone system sustained damage during the severe storms. Our existing system is scheduled to be replaced some time within the next two weeks. Until that time, we DO NOT have access to voicemail (cannot leave a voicemail and cannot retrieve voicemail). The after hours answering system will also be unavailable during this time. Questions? Contact Karla Mahan at kmahan@fccedmond.org

(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Years Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083

Periodicals Postage Paid Edmond, OK USPS 210-360