The Christian Builder March 9, 2017

Transcription

1 The Christian Builder March 9, 2017 A weekly publication of First Christian Church Midland Volume 61 No W. Louisiana Ave., Midland, Texas Special Lenten/Easter Services March 12 Reset March 19 Hydrate March 26 Children's Sunday Redefine 11am Combined Worship April 2 Dead End 11am Combined Worship T.J. & Heather s Wedding Blessing & Luncheon April 9 Palm Sunday 11am Combined Worship Sanctuary Choir Musical April 13 Maundy Thursday 7pm Communion Service April 15 Easter Eggstravaganza 10:30am Hill Park April 16 Easter Regular scheduled services Easter Brunch 10am Sunday, March 12 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Worship Monday, March 13 9:30am Staff Meeting Tuesday, March 14 9:30am Concerns 1:15pm Food Pantry Stocking 7:30pm Boy Scouts Rm 105 Wednesday, March 15 7am Men s Prayer Breakfast 12:30pm Food Pantry 1pm Bridge Parlor 7pm Choir Rehearsal Sunday, March 19 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Worship

2 Page 2 Thoughts Rev. Mike Hunter Senior Minister Wisdom is needed to both manage and extend influence. Ed Stetzer Over the years, I have found that it is both a tremendous opportunity and responsibility to be a person of faith and to use that faith as a positive influence. Sadly, some use their faith influence negatively or punitively. Maybe I ll talk about that on another day. Maybe not. The world has more than enough negative voices these days. Faith is highly complex and for most of us, extremely personal. Faith often has delicate layers, handed down to us by someone dear to us. I confess I may at times hold onto how I received a cherished faithful lesson more than the lesson itself. Among the many reasons I love First Christian Church and the Disciples of Christ as a denomination is we allow each person to hold their faith as their own. We understand and seek the treasured nuance of unity rather than uniformity. Our founders said we shouldn t hold onto anything that divides. We should strive for unity, and that unity should encourage individual interpretation, and offer charity in all things. That kind of influence, of acceptance and openness is vitally needed. That s why I think our influence of welcome, of individual interpretation and charity for others is vitally important in this moment in our culture and in this community. Among your God-given gifts is your influence. You are using it wisely and timely. Responding well in the practice of our faith may be among the most Christian thing we could do. Responding well is how your influence for good will grow. People are noticing your positive influence, FCC! Keep on! This Week s Sermon Boot Camp for the Soul Series Reset Scripture Genesis 12:1-4a John 3:1-9 Bible Study Topic: The Last Week What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus Final Days In Jerusalem Marcus Borg & John Dominic Crossan This Sunday: Tuesday Part 2 Leader: Rev. Mike Hunter

3 Page 3 Topics Rev. T.J. York Associate Minister It is finally happing; I am getting married on March 19!!! I have been overwhelmed by the love and support that this church has shown Heather and me, we cannot wait to start our lives together in Midland. As I think about all the changes that are happening in my life, I cannot help but think about how God is at work in the church. Over the last four years this church has seen great changes. God has been working and moving in amazing ways. But God is not done! As fast as my life is changing, the life of the church keeps changing. There is work yet to be done. We all have a role to play in moving the church forward. This is an exciting time for us. It is my prayer that we, as a church, welcome change and together may we keep doing amazing things!

4 Page 6 Adult Sunday School 2 Chronicles 7:14 - Library Topic: Angels Standing Guard Leader: Members of the Class Fellowship - Room 307 Topic: The Divine Teacher Scripture: John 3:1-15 Leader: Jim Mauldin Young Disciples Room 106 Topic: Experiencing God Love & God s Invitation Scripture: Various Scriptures Leader: Paula Brooks Genesis - Parlor Topic: From Rock to Stumbling Block Scripture: Matthew 16:21-28 Leader: Tom Jones Children s Activities Sunday School Classes for ages 3 through grade 5 are offered in the Children s Building. Join us at 10 as together we grow in our faith. Children s Church Topic: Lent 2 Escape to Egypt CELEBRATE No CELEBRATE Sunday March 12 or 19 Have a great and blessed Spring Break Visitors March 5, 2017 Lacey Bavousett Kim Bezinque Frances Buzard Chaney Coffman Dziuk Family Sandy Emmerson Estrada Family Nita Fradenburg Jennifer Gehami Glover Family Stephen & Rose Huskey Parker Killian Kubacak Family Dan Linebarger Deborah Lucas Payne Morris Jiovanni Natera Martin & Cheryl Ramirez Mike & Kelly Turner Meaghan Villa & Charley Wilkinson Warsaw Family Contemporary 57 Children's Church 8 Total 65 Sunday Attendance March 5, 2017 Online Giving Traditional 152 Children s Church 6 Nursery 7 Total 171 Total 236 You can now give to FCC through our website! You can make a one time donation, pay the fees for a children's or youth event, or set up recurring donations. Online giving is convenient, safe, easy to track, and easy to schedule on a regular basis. Disciples Food Pantry March 8, 2017 Families served 107 Total People 453 We continue to rejoice that Resources for this ministry Are available

5 Page 4 We have come to the end of the Epiphany Season and the Season of Lent has begun. During Lent everyone strives to either give something up or take on something new for the next 40 days. It is meant to help us keep a devout and holy Lent. Traditionally it involves giving up certain things and taking on certain things in order to strengthen our spiritual will power and to bring us closer to God and to His will for our lives. This year I m trying something new that was given to me by a friend. I have shared it on facebook and in a few other places but I want to share it with you. Fast from criticism and feast on praise Fast from self-pity and feast on joy Fast from ill-temper and feast on peace Fast from resentment and feast on contentment Fast from jealousy and feast on love Fast from pride and feast on humility Fast from selfishness and feast on service Fast from fear and feast on faith In addition, try praying this short verse several times a day: Create in me a clean heart, O God, and renew a right spirit within me. (Psalm 51:11) My prayer in doing this exercise over the next several weeks that after Lent is over I will continue to feast. My this Lenten season be spiritually enriched for you as we journey towards Easter. In loving partnership, Ponderings Rev. Paula Brooks Associate Minister Up & Coming Children s Activities Sunday March 12 & 19 NO CELEBRATE Friday, March 24 Girls Night Out (grades 3-5) 6-8pm Saturday, March 25 Little Playdates (Preschool Age) 10-11:30am Girls Just Wanna Have Fun (grades K-2) 1-2:30pm Sunday, March 26 Children s Sunday Pastor s Class 2017 Has Begun Pastor s Class met for the first time this past Sunday. We have 5 children on this journey with their Elder mentors walking beside them as they prepare to make their Profession of Faith on Palm Sunday and be Baptized on Easter Sunday. We spent time during our first meeting getting to know one another. It was uplifting and heart warming watching these children begin to build a relationship with some of our Elders. It will be a journey filled with blessings!

6 Page 5 Church Bulletin Board FCC Welcomes New Members David and Terry Perry and Garland and Jan Lamb have joined First Christian Church by Transfer of Membership. We are blessed in having them become a part of our church family. Welcome to FCC! David and Terry Perry Garland and Jan Lamb 15,000 Filled Eggs Needed for Eggstravaganza WE CAN DO THIS!!!! It s hard to believe but it s time to get those eggs and get them filled for our 8 th Easter Eggstravaganza at Hill Park. The big day is Saturday, April 15! Last year we had 1,600+ to attend and close to 15,000 eggs. 350 filled eggs have already been donated. We have several thousand that need to be filled. Bring your filled eggs or fillers for eggs to the church office. Let s start buying and stuffing eggs TODAY! Our goal is 15,000 eggs! We can do this! Anything is possible! Children/youth events for the summer. All camp registrations deadlines are May 1st June 9-11 June June June Grand Beginnings at Ceta Glen Children age 4 thru completed grade 3 accompanied by an adult Summer Camp at LBCR Grades 6-12 Vacation Bible School JYF Camp at LBCR Grades 3-5 June 25-July 1 Eighters Camp at Athens July Mission Trip in Fort Worth Grades 6-12 $50 Deposit Due March 15

7 Page 7 Birthday s 3/1 Roberta Hurt 3/2 Marco Cardozo 3/3 Jim Morris 3/5 Mary Lightfoot 3/6 Josh Carnett 3/6 Judy Spruell 3/10 Marilyn Craig 3/10 Chris Reynolds 3/10 Jo Sneed 3/11 Kinder McCullough 3/12 Clyde Kinsey 3/12 Betty Whitmire 3/13 Enid Hunter 3/13 Louise Jones 3/15 Dan O Grady 3/15 Bill Terry 3/16 John Schnable 3/17 Kay Hill 3/17 Francisco Cardozo 3/19 Michael Landrum 3/19 Grace Young 3/20 Teresa Griffin 3/22 Brecken Hattenbach 3/23 Spencer Armour 3/23 David Davis 3/23 Nicholas Harrison 3/23 Fred Yates 3/24 Mike Stephenson 3/30 Joe Gassie 3/31 Gary Thompson Anniversaries 3/4 Roy & Jeannine Hurst 3/12 Zach & Shawna Kilborn 3/15 Charlie & Lu Ann Morgan 3/17 Beau & Barbara Estes 3/17 Joe Gassie & Pat Vincent 3/17 Wayne & Pam Young 3/18 Tom & Kay Hill 3/19 B. H. & Pat Spaw 3/21 Jon Aaron & Magen House 3/22 Ken & Catherine Jo Sneed 3/25 Johnny & Charla Espino Elder - On Call 3/5-3/11 Jana Floyd 3/12-3/18 Brenda Morris Lectionary Scriptures March 12 Genesis 12:1-4a Psalm 121 Romans 4:1-5, John 3:1-17 or Matthew 17:1-9 Prayers & Praises Those in need of prayer: June Jarrett Eveline McCuan Helen Estes Faye Casey Ray & Doris Stewart Robert Crudgingtion Dolores Hodges Clint Hurst Roberta Hurt Bill Schneider Sheila Crudgington Bill Griffin Johnny Espino Doris Stewart Mary Mauldin George Head Bruce Stanley Bill & Char Womack Special Notes: Our joys, concerns and deepest needs are already on God s heart long before we put them to paper. for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8 Military: Joe Henderson - son of Holly Moore Nicky Miller - son of Vicki Miller Kinder McCullough-daughter of Bill & Kelley McCullough Melissa Bianchi-daughter of Andrew Bianchi/Serving at Guantanamo Bay Families/Friends beyond FCC: Jay Cooper nephew of Cecil & Betty Odom Gale Demlow- sister to Lois Lehtinen Kimber Brown- granddaughter of Lyn Brown Jack Hunsucker- son-in-law to Betty Whitmire Joyce Watkins- mother of Judy Spruell Oscar Garcia brother of Amparo Olguin Gaylon Edwards cousin of Judy Hunnicutt Sherri Ladd daughter-in-law of Butch & Sherry Family of George Capps cousin of Sara Cranford Mary Elizabeth Droddy - sister of Sara Cranford Jim Truitt- friend of Peggy Jones Bill Bowlin brother of Mary Lightfoot Ray Ann Zant-Sister to Lyn Brown & Freda Kinsey Joann Scott mother of Carol Thompson Alma Thompson mother of Gary Thompson Will Wright- nephew of Joe Wright Ferell Powell- friend of Sharon & Bill Boyd Linda Odell-mother of Jeweli Flores Jessa Davis grand daughter of Nell Coats Herb Miller Disciples Minister known to many Family of Vicki Williams Bea Lea Somerville Dustin Davis grandson of Nell Coat Richard Smith son-in-law of Ray Stewart Marcia Chandler friend of Ray Stewart Melissa Thompson daughter-in-law of Gary & Carol Thompson Ed Shelton nephew of Scotty Alcorn Joe Langford father of Carol Cook Martha Pollock friend of Sara Cranford Please inform the church office if you or a loved one are admitted into a hospital, so we may be there for you & your family. For submission to prayer list contact any staff, submit via web, or prayerchain@fccmidland.org

8 March 9, 2017 The Christian Builder First Christian Church 1301 W. Louisiana Ave. Midland, TX Non-Profit Org US Postage Paid Midland, TX Permit No. 145 ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED