First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) The First Word

Transcription

1 First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) The First Word Pastor s Pen May 22, 2017 Out of Control (Mark 4:34-41) Throughout the history of the Church, many a Christian who has read and heard about God s miracles develop such an affection for these stories that it brings them pleasure for the rest of their days. That s what the story of a miracle does. It strengthens faith through the pleasure of just remembering it. We could also say that a miracle is one of those times when things get out of control in a good way. God interrupts our orderly existence with something that doesn t fit our notions of orderliness. We need those moments in our memories for when things go out of control in a bad way. For each of us, there comes a day when we feel like our lives have been hijacked by bad news. We go along day after day doing our best. The years go by, and we begin to think that we re in control of our lives, that things will turn out okay. We just need to do our best. Then one day everything changes for the worst. Yes, one moment we feel in control of our lives and in the next we feel trapped inside a car zooming down a highway with no brakes. There have been times when I ve said, I think I ve lost control of my life. I ve heard others say it. But the reality is, you can t lose something you never really had. I know I was never really in control. What I have lost, when things go bad, is the illusion that I was in control. It s a hard lesson to learn. We humans come with built in limitations. We can t walk on the sea. We can t fly. We can t undo tragedy. We can t control what happens to us. What we can do is to choose how we will react when the bad times come. The Bible gives us some help with that. For instance, in Mark s gospel, when Jesus and his disciples are out on the sea and a storm comes up, the disciples are terrified. Jesus is sleeping. They wake him up and scold him for not caring that they are about to die. Jesus gets up, stretches, and says, You still don t get it, do you? You don t need to be afraid. You just need faith. Or take the story right after that. Jairus, a leader of the synagogue, falls at Jesus feet. He too is suffering from something he can t control, the mortal illness of his daughter. Come and heal my girl, he begs Jesus, so she can live. Then the worst that can happen happens. Word comes

2 that she is dead. Jesus says to this devastated father, Don t be afraid. Just have faith. Only two things: don t be afraid and have faith. And this isn t just a word for Jairus or for the disciples in the storm. It s a word for us. It s a word for us when we have our noses smashed up against the things in life we can t control. We want to control our lives and we d like to control God. If we controlled God, we could get a miracle when we need one. But these miracle stories are not about control. They are stories about what God is like and how God acts. Mark wrote the stories down so that we would know that Jesus was no ordinary man. Mark wanted people to have faith so they would have faith to function when things got out of control. Mark wanted them to know that when Jesus is gone he still has the power to still the storms of our lives and raise us out of a living death to life again. We have two choices. Either we can be afraid or we can have faith. And, of course, it s never that easy. Frederick Buechner was right when he said, miracles do not cause us to believe so much as believing brings forth miracles. Indeed, when we believe, we begin to find God in things as ordinary as each other and the world around us. That s possible even when things are bad. When we give up the illusion of control then we can better see God s out-of-control grace. Yes dear ones, faith is strengthened through the pleasure that comes from remembering the miracle stories. But not just that. When we choose faith over control, we have a much better chance of experiencing those miracles of God s grace all around us right now. May it be so, for you, and for me. Peace, Passion and Purpose Pastor Mark REMEMBER: SPECIAL WORSHIP GATHERING Second Sunday of Each 1:30 Broadview Assisted Living Facility. Come and join us!! You Will Have an Awesome Time VISITORS: L. Shirley Kelly Be sure to say Hi to all of our visitors each Sunday! Make them feel Welcome!!

3 ATTENTION! ATTENTION! Articles for our next church newsletter will be due on Monday, June 19th. Please sure to have your articles in no later than 9 am on that day! REGIONAL NEWS & RETREATS & CAMPS & SCHOLARSHIPS BEACH CAMP, JR. CAMP, CHI RHO, CYF CONF, GENESIS & DISCOVERY CAMP JUNE 1ST 25TH * * * See Church Bulletin Board or Call the Church Office for more information on the above events!! * * * WELCOME TO ALL OUR NEW CHURCH MEMBERS William (Bill) & Donna Easterling We re Very Glad You are Here Growing in Faith Together Congratulations to Carl & Betty Neels Carl, Betty, Willow, Aspen, Magnolia and Hawthorn will welcome a new baby into their lives in October! CHRISTIAN CREATIVE FELLOWSHIP At our last meeting in May we had a great turn-out. In June we will continue to create beautiful lawn & house statues out of dishes, and we would love for you to join us. This is a great way to meet others and enjoy fellowship together. We meet on the 3rd Tuesday of each 10:00 AM in Bogan Hall. We look forward to seeing you then! Peace and Love in Christ Always Darla

4 OUR MILITARY AND THEIR FAMILIES - Stationed in the United States: Sgt. Ryan Lynn, his wife, Courtney & children Lt. Colonel Andy Paynter, his wife, Kristy & children Senior Chief Richard Sage May God Bless Them and Our Country PLEASE PRAY FOR Our law enforcement officers that have died; and, those that continue to protect us. God s protection for all Christians. Traveling mercies for all our travelers Newly Lifted Up: Pastor Mark prayers for healing Dick Phelps continued healing following surgery Lynne Vanderhoff prayers - recovering from surgery Elise Kearney continued prayers Nicole Tubbs continued prayers Mark Stubbs prayers (cancer nephew-in-law of Diana DePury) Gayle Reeves prayers (health issues grandmother of Betty Neels) Connie & Cari continued prayers (girls of Jim Kelly) Robin Hutton prayers (cancer son of Rosalyn Hutton) Jane Brandon prayers (sister of Lonnie Jones) Tirra Clark prayers (cancer friend of Kathy P.) Betty prayers for healing (neighbor of Stephanie Dickens) Bill & Edna Scheller prayers for healing (neighbors of Randee Hartley) Dick Roberts continued prayers Dan McMillan prayers (health problems son- in-law of Don M.) Mildred Netzer/Rita Baird - prayers for strength and healing Family of Carrel Robinson continued prayers for comfort & strength Pam Brown & Family continued prayers for comfort & strength Harold Ferguson continued prayers for healing (uncle of Regina Ingram) Courtney Lynn & Son - prayers Brittany continued healing following surgery (granddaughter of Roberta J.) Nancy Brown prayers for healing (friend of Randee H.) Daniel Stanwood prayers (cancer cousin of Randee H.)

5 We Continue to Lift Up: Jim Kelly Cary & Sara Reeves Marina Hinojosa Louise Nowlin Clara Moore Harley & Colleen Olsen Linda Ingram Carol Ingram Regina Ingram David & Darlene McClendon Rufus Blue Jack & Franziska Templeton & Rev. Tom Stephenson We Remember Our Shut Ins: Betty Kellar, Catherine Butera, George C. Warren, Mary Helen Neely & John McDonald JOYS Ruth Tubbs successful procedure Louise Nowlin answered prayers doing much better following a fall For all the many blessings that we have been given by our Lord & Savior, Jesus Christ WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP HOURS 10:00 am - Sunday School 11:00 am - Traditional Worship 12:00pm Fellowship ATTENDANCE WORSHIP SUNDAY SCHOOL SPECIAL OCCASSION APRIL 23RD APRIL 30TH MAY 7TH MAY 14TH Mother s Day MAY 21ST HAPPY FATHER S DAY JUNE 18TH To all the wonderful fathers in our congregation!! We are so blessed to have so many godly men representing our church!

6 Children s Hour of Worship Starting in June, on the 4th Sunday of the month there will be NO CHOW so that the children can worship with everyone in Big Church. Nursery will be provided for children 5 and under. Christian Education Committee SENIOR ADULT LUNCHEON: TAKES SUMMER BREAK! May was our last luncheon until September. I would like to say Thank You for the continuous support of: Lynne Vanderhoff (reservations), Shirley Jones (check-in & $$ collections), Jerrie Dunlap (table set-ups and year round table decorations), Martha Heckman and Marcy Reese (preparation & cleanup); and last but not least, Kathy Phelps and all the others (that jumped in wherever needed). Without these volunteers AND our attending Seniors this program might not exist. I wish for you a blessed and fun filled summer! Linda Fields PENTECOST SUNDAY BIRTHDAY BASH ON JUNE 4TH, NOON! MARK YOUR CALENDARS!! Each year we celebrate the birth of the Christian Church and also the birthday of all of our members and friends here at First Christian Church. The Membership Committee hosts this birthday celebration with a cake; and everyone is invited to stop by Bogan Hall after the worship service on June 4th. Hope to see you there. Please wear red!! SINGLES GROUP PICNIC IN BOGAN HALL JUNE 10TH, 11:30 AM Some time ago, the Singles gave up fighting bad weather, bugs, charcoal fires and finding a good location! We now picnic in air conditioning, with clean facilities, ice and running water! The host for the June picnic is Linda Fields and she requests you sign-up next to the specific item you would like to bring. The sign-up sheet is posted in Bogan Hall and helps to ensure we have a variety of food to choose from. Our Singles group is really a fellowship group that allows for those of us that happen to live alone by circumstances or by choice to dine out with others. Our average age qualifies us as a senior group, but all singles are welcome. For more info on the Singles Group activities please contact our Program Coordinator, Leta Perkins

7 VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL (Save the Dates) The theme for this year is SUBMERGED!! Vacation Bible School is just around the corner, so be sure and save these dates! June 17 & 24th Come help us paint the decorations any time between 10 AM 1 PM July 1st Come help us paint the decorations any time between 10 AM 1 PM July 15th Decorate the Church 9 AM July 16th Vacation Bible School 2 PM July 17-21st Vacation Bible School from 5:15 8:30 PM YOUTH NEWS!! You made it! Way to go! School is out for the summer! To celebrate we will have an ice cream sundae party and watch a movie after church on June 11th. A BIG Congratulations to Wesley Rivazfar on graduating high school. He s got a great career ahead in welding and I know we re all very proud of him! I m looking forward to a busy, yet fun summer ahead. We ll have some youth get togethers and work days, VBS prep days and VBS, and church camp. Of course, we will have Sunday School and church activities throughout the summer. Beginning June 25, we will be instituting Family Worship Sunday which will be the last Sunday of each month and will take the place of 5th Sunday. A letter will be going out to each family about our new practice. I hope to see you and your friends soon! Have a fun and safe summer! Peace and Love, Ms. Michele

8 Christian Singles Meet When: Saturday, June 10th 11:30 AM Where: Here for Church Picnic Who s Invited: You Are Why: For Fun, Fellowship RSVP To: Linda