This Week at First Christian Church

Transcription

1 This Week at First Christian Church For the week of May 23, 2018 A Note from Your Pastor Dear Friends, This past Sunday was Pentecost. We often call Pentecost the birthday of the church, but it is so much more than that. When we read the Pentecost story we see a church where the cultural divisions of male and female, free and slave lose their strength as the Christian community chooses an egalitarian way. When we read the Pentecost story we see a church made up of people who are very different from one another, who don t lose their distinction (it s not that they all start speaking one language, rather they can all understand in their native languages) but who come together for a common purpose amidst their diversity. When we read the Pentecost story we see a church called to be prophetic and to listen even to unexpected voices who are telling God s truth in their midst. Pentecost is too often overlooked on the Christian calendar. Especially as it comes at a busy time of year amidst graduations, holiday weekends, and the beginning of summer schedules, we so easily often slip by it and forget to realize its importance. And yet, Pentecost is not to be neglected. After all, the meaning of Pentecost wasn t just for the early church, but calls us back to who we, as Christian community, are intended to be. Over the next several weeks we plan to leave the sanctuary dressed for Pentecost. It is my hope that the reds and oranges, the fabrics that seem to move in the breeze, will be reminders that the Spirit continues to move among us and continues to call us to be a community of hope and joy where all are included and where all voices matter. Hope to see you Sunday! Jill Remember: We are on summer break from Sunday School. One Sunday a month we will have a Hunger Forum and activities for the kids at 9am. Mark your calendars now for June 17 and July 15 (August date TBD). Thank you! Thanks to each of you who participated in Sunday s Offering of Letters. We have 32 letters ready to be carried to our senators in Washington. If you took your notecard home with you to work on your letter, please bring it back to the church by Sunday, May 27. If you didn t get a chance to write a letter or were absent on Sunday, a table with notecards and sample letters will be at the back of the sanctuary one more Sunday. And remember, you can use the sample letter for a guide or write your own. A special Thank You to our volunteers who have been leaders in faith formation over the past year. They committed to teaching Sunday School, leading Youth Group and Spiritual Life Groups and faithfully served on a monthly or weekly basis, to share the love of God and teachings of Jesus with many. When you see them, please thank them for sharing their gifts with our children, youth, and adults! Children s Sunday School: Tricia Coobs, Maggie Keyser, Lindsey Schluckebier, and Brenda Powell. Youth Group Leaders: Jay Thomas, Cory Coobs and Brian Fleck Intergenerational and Adult Classes, Spiritual Life Groups: Bob & Rachel Bogs, Sara Riggs, Jen Knights, Nancy Richards, Beth Pelton, Julie Fitzpatrick, Jay Thomas, Marcus Seaton, Diane Hertel and Carol Mertens.

2 This Week at First Christian Church May 23, 2018 UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday Bible Study meets at 12:30pm each week. FCC BOOK CLUB May 23 - I Samuel 3:1-20 May 30 - I Samuel 8:4-20 On May 24 at 7 p.m., the FCC Book Club will meet at Martha Melton's house, 747 Keswick, to discuss Jodi Picoult's novel, Small Great Things. In this story, Ruth, an African- American nurse, is accused of not properly tending the child of a white supremacist couple. Please join us. Pentecost Offering On Sunday, May 27 we will receive the Pentecost Offering. This is one of six annual special offerings in Disciples congregations. The Pentecost Offering goes to support new church development. Half of the offering stays in our region to support local new congregations; the other half goes to support the training of new church pastors. May Potluck Sunday Our May Potluck is Memorial Day weekend (May 27). In light of this, we are inviting you to prepare a dish that was a favorite from a parent, grandparent, or other person you are remembering that weekend. You might even label your dish with whose and what it is (such as: Grandma Laura s Corn and Noodle Casserole). Handbells will rehearse on Sunday, May 27 at 2:00pm. New members are always welcome! Memorial Day Holiday Remember, the office will be closed for the Memorial Day holiday on Monday, May 28. Staff will return on Tuesday, May 29. Register Online Now! June 10-14, :30 pm Family Meal, 6:00-8:00 pm Program (For children who will be entering Pre K 6th Grade in August) Get ready for this year s VBS where kids will enjoy hands on activities, science, music, drama, crafts, games and more while they discover that they can trust God to be with them through anything! Join us and invite a friend! *Are you available to volunteer during this exciting week? There are still a few openings left! Contact icdisciple.kids@gmail.com for more information

3 This Week at First Christian Church May 23, 2018 The following note along with a gift of kolaches (which were enjoyed Sunday) came from Our Lord s Church and Patricia and Dennis Arnold: Members of First Christian Church, Thank you so much for the use of your kitchen to make kolaches. Your generosity and kindness are shining brightly. If you are wanting to eat out on Wednesday, June 6, make your way to Hudson s. 15% of the sales that evening will be donated to CROP. Eat dinner and help those who are hungry. Mental Health First Aid Training offered... June 7 and 14, 12:30 5:30pm at the Iowa City Senior Center. This free class will help you be prepared to identify signs and symptoms of mental health illness and crisis and help people connect with needed resources. For more information or to register call or click here. Food, Faith, and Climate: Connecting the Dots Join Interfaith Power & Light s Workshop to learn how our food practices contribute to climate change, and how our faith traditions call us to respond with practical solutions. We will look at our own food practices and create a plan for more climate-friendly choices. Saturday, June 23, 2018 from 9:30-11:30am. Doors open at 9am. Come early for coffee and to browse the tables of local food resources. The workshop takes place at First United Methodist Church (214 E. Jefferson St., Iowa City). It is free thanks to Iowa City Community Partnership Climate Action fund. Register at Registration required. Scripture: Romans 8:12-17 Sunday, May 27, 2018 Sermon: You Are A Child of God MEMORIAL DAY Over the years, Memorial Day has become a big holiday weekend. It s now the unofficial start of summer, rather than a day of tribute to the departed it was originally meant to be. Even if we plan fun events for Memorial Day weekend, it s important to stop long enough to bow our heads and pay respect to our departed loved ones especially those who fell in battle while helping preserve America s liberties. Let us take time to make the pilgrimage to various cemeteries and pause long enough to say, Thank you, Father, for these special lives, for sacrifices made and for friendships we have shared.

4 This Week at First Christian Church May 23, 2018 First Christian Church will participate in Iowa City Pride June 16, 2018 in downtown Iowa City First Christian Church is an inclusive community and LGBTQIA+ friendly place in the Iowa City/Coralville area. First Christian Church has intentionally blurred the lines between visitor, participant, and member to make it clear we value every person who is involved with our congregation. We share God's love and the good news of God's grace with all persons through daily acts of justice, mercy, and love. All are welcome at First Christian Church. Save the Date: June 16, :00 AM 5:00 PM. The Mission & Witness Committee s Pride Subcommittee will provide more information later in May. Contact Vern Duba, Pride subcommittee chair, if you have questions before then at or vernduba@gmail.com. We will march/ride in the parade and staff an informational welcome booth on the Ped Mall. Annual Pride Parade 1:00 PM College Green Park We need volunteers to carry the banner and march with the group. We will have a vehicle for those who wish to participate but not walk. Ped Mall Festival Booth Noon - 5:00 PM downtown Iowa City The First Christian Church booth will be on the street (Washington in front of The Englert or on Linn between Washington and Iowa). We will give way promotional materials, treats, and stickers. We need volunteers for the following opportunities. You may sign up for more than one slot. Staff the booth Hand out promotional materials, answer questions, and serve treats. 11:00 Noon (Set up) Noon 5:00 PM (five 1-hour shifts) Make Music/Sing Along Bring your guitar, your drum, your tambourine, your kazoo. Bring your voice! Noon 1:00 PM and 2:00-5:00 PM (four 1-hour shifts) Donate Treats (attendance not required) We need individually wrapped candies, cookies, brownies, etc. Donate at the Church by June 10 or call to arrange for pick up at your home. Donate Cash (attendance not required) Donations of cash will off-set the fee for booth rental and registration. Donate at the Church any time.

5 May 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 25-Kevin Keyser 27-Rebecca Clark 28-Violer White-Haar 29-Jill Cameron Michel 31-Jen Knights 1 2 Bible Study 12:30 PM Elders Mtg. 6 PM 3 Executive /Agenda Mtg 5:30 PM 4 5 Youth to Cedar Rapids Theatre PENTECOST Sunday School 9 AM Youth Group 11:30 AM By-Laws 11:30 AM Handbells 2 PM Pack PM Venturing Crew 6 PM Troop PM 27 NO Sunday School 9A POT-LUCK 11:15 AM Handbells 2 PM Troop PM BIRTHDAYS: Hannah Circle 1 PM 28 MEMORIAL DAY FCC Office CLOSED due to holiday Staff Mtg 10 AM Bible Study 12:30 PM 7 PM Bible Study 12:30 PM Women Clergy 10 AM Love-A-Lot Graduation 6 PM FCC Book Melton s, Small Great Things 7 PM 31 Mission & Witness 10:30 AM June 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3 9 AM Elders Mtg 11:30 Pat Arnold-Piano Recital 3 PM 10 9 AM By-Laws 11:30 AM Bell Choir 2 PM 4 5 Staff Mtg 10 AM S&F Mtg 1 PM 6 NO Bible Study Clergy FCC 12 PM HHPS Mtg 5:30 PM 7 PM Bible Study 12:30 7 Executive Board/ Agenda 5:30 PM VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL JUNE 10 THRU JUNE VBS Set-Up PRIDEFEST, IC 11 AM Set up 12:-5 PM Booth 1 PM Parade VBS Clean-Up

6 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 900 LINCOLNSHIRE PLACE CORALVILLE, IA Sunday Services: 10 AM Church Service 11 AM Coffee/Fellowship Church Office Hours: Monday thru Friday 9AM to 1PM Phone #: Staff: Pastor: Rev. Jill Cameron Michel (home) (cell) Office Administrator: Peggy Bothell Music Director: Laura Kittrell Director of Christian Formation : Kara Seaton Janitorial: Michael Hull icdisciple.kids@gmail.com m.hull84@yahoo.com