In this issue... First Christian Church December 18, 2015 East Moline, Illinois Volume 40, Number 11

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1 First Christian Church th Street East Moline, IL In this issue...! The 24 th annual Knoll News Christmas carol!! Reminders of upcoming Christmas opportunities! A Helmets of Hope ministry update! Core and More Bible study six sessions away from end! A review of Common Table 2015! An important congregational event coming in January; save the date! Great facilities improvements to celebrate! Two seasonal collections! This and more in your KNOLL NEWS! Published by: First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) On the Web: Phone: (309) Editor: Bill Coley First Christian Church December 18, 2015 East Moline, Illinois Volume 40, Number 11

2 And from Bill... For the last 21 months I have made my own yogurt. Every days I gather the needed ingredients, pans, and accessories for a process that takes two hours from stove top to yogurt maker, eight-plus hours in the maker, six hours in the refrigerator, and another two hours to drain the whey from the finished product to produce Greek yogurt. For the first eighteen months of my career as a yogurt maker, I was excited. I always anticipated being able to pull out the needed machine(s), pans, and kitchen gadgets. Those were the halcyon days of my yogurt career, a perfect conflation of dietary preference and personal geekiness that resulted in great satisfaction with the completion of each new batch. But something has changed. I still make yogurt - a gallon of milk at a time - but the luster of the experience has diminished, perhaps even disappeared. It s become something of a chore to shepherd the warming milk through its receipt of yogurt starter and into the warm embrace of the maker machine. It s no longer so satisfying that when the finished yogurt has cooled, I have to move it through filters to get rid of the whey, and then package the thickened final product in individual jars. What s happened? I m not sure other than that the process has become routine, predictable, unsurprising, more of a chore than an opportunity. Every step of the process, from opening the fridge to pull out the milk to closing the fridge having successfully created 11 new servings, is the same every time. I use the same stove top burner, the same pans, even the same probe socket on my two socket kitchen We can lose interest, lose enthusiasm, and lose passion. We can get bored! by Bill Coley thermometer. I am no longer surprised, which means I m probably getting bored. The season of Christmas can get similarly boring. Every year we send and receive cards from the same basic mailing list, give and receive gifts from the same basic family and friend clientele, and attend to the same basic spiritual itinerary. From one observance of the season to the next, little changes... which often results in little changing about us. We can lose interest, lose enthusiasm, and lose passion. We can get bored! An encounter which at one time in our lives produced joy, can become ritual-filled with practices and traditions, but devoid of spiritual consequence. We can run through motions, take care of the churchly business when our schedule, health, or energy levels allow, and empty into their mandated locations around the house the box of decorations we have maintained for years. But Christmas may no longer be the celebration of God s deliverance that it once was. What to do? Remember that celebrating the birth of Jesus, like making yogurt, is at heart a creative process, not a practiced one. Every year we have a chance to experience new evidence of God s enormous love for us - not evidence of a relic faith we used to own. But in order to experience that love, we have to do the work as I have to do all the things I do to make yogurt. Without our involvement, without our engagement in worship, in prayer, in connection with other believers, something will be missing. Jesus waits for you. I encourage you to join us as we go to meet him. N e w s Y o u C a n U s e Common Table ministry: The future is on the table! During 2015 several churches located in the United Township High School area, including ours, fashioned a series of four potluck meals, the purpose of which was to bridge divides that afflict not only churches but our country divides along racial, denominational, and even neighborhood differences. Our church was the site of the first meal, in January. Subsequent events were held June, October, and December. The potlucks brought together around tables of food and fun people who typically don t spend a lot of time together. The results were encouraging first steps. In 2016 we expect to expand our Common Table ministries. We will create common mission projects - ways for the people of our churches to work together, not just eat together, in the name of Jesus. You can help us cast the vision for the new year by attending a casual potluck and planning session that is scheduled for Thursday, January 28, from 6:00-8:00 p.m. Our church will be the site of the meal. Look for a sign up sheet at Mission Central coming early next month. Last call for two seasonal collections A long-standing tradition in our congregation s ministry is a collection of seasonal clothing hats, gloves, mittens, scarves, etc) that we donate to the Salvation Army for distribution to persons in need. We encourage you to place your donations on the collection tree that now stands in church lobby just inside the main entrance. A second long-standing seasonal tradition is our collection of gifts for the newborns whose families are served by a local pregnancy services agency. Through the first Sunday in January deposit your donations of any of the following items in the manger posted in the lobby: terrycloth & blanket sleepers (newborn to 18 months); cloth diapers; diaper pins; undershirts or onesies; outfits; sweaters; hooded bath towels; changing pads; baby wipes; disposable diapers; plastic pants; blankets & receiving blankets; new bottles & pacifiers; bibs; socks & booties; toys Last call for caroling This is your final invitation to join our Christmas caroling team as it travels around town to deliver the season s message in song to homebound and care center residents. The journey will begin at the church at 2:00 p.m. on Saturday, December 19. We will make several stops, so wear comfortable shoes and outerwear appropriate for the day s weather, which at press time is predicted to be sunny and in the mid 30s.

3 N e w s Y o u C a n U s e N e w s Y o u C a n U s e Helmets of Hope ministry completes initial supply deliveries Thanks to three major fundraisers (a rummage sale, a River Bandits baseball game, and a Mallard Hockey game) and great financial support from both people in our church and in the community (e.g, VFW post 1303 in Rock Island donated $250 ) we have completed the creation and delivery of 100 initial cleaning supply allotments 90 to the VA s Homeless Veterans Outreach Center in Rock Island and 10 to the VALOR program in Davenport. Initial supply allotments contain hardware items such as a laundry basket, a mop and bucket, and a toilet brush, as well as consumable items such as all-purpose cleaners and laundry detergent. Going forward, vets served by the Helmets ministry will be able to receive refills on supplies as they run out because we will provide an inventory of supplies to the two distribution locations. Helmets of Hope is our congregation s outreach to recently homeless veterans who, with the help of VA housing assistance, have moved into housing of their own either on a longer-term (VA Outreach Center) or short term (VALOR program) basis. Thank you for your support of the ministry. Your donations are always welcome, as is your involvement on the Helmets of Hope ministry team. Express your interest on the 2016 ministry claim form, a copy of which is included in this newsletter. Save the date! Save January 30 on your calendar for an important congregational event about which you will receive complete information in the early weeks of January. Newsletter cover unveils 24 th annual Christmas carol This month s newsletter presents the 24th annual Knoll News Christmas carol, a tradition we started way back in December 1992, when we published original lyrics to the tune of the classic seasonal song, Jingle Bells. All 24 carols are (or will soon be) available on our church s website. We encourage you to take in this unique addition to our newsletter, especially since the series will end with next year s silver anniversary carol. Join us for Christmas Eve worship In recent years, we ve expanded the definition of worship for the special days of Lent (before Easter) and Advent (before Christmas) to include unique experiences whose aim is to reinforce important spiritual truths. For this year s Christmas eve worship we will focus on the characters of the Christmas story from Elizabeth and Zechariah, to the shepherds and wise men, and of course, Mary, Joseph, and Jesus for help with our own spiritual journeys. Christmas is ultimately a journey to both a physical space (a manger) and a spiritual place (in the company of the one we worship as Lord). Come continue your journey with us on Thursday, December 24, at 7:00 p.m. Celebrate our building improvements We praise God for several improvements we have recently made to our grounds and facilities. We cleared dead and volunteer trees and brush We repaired a significant hole in the west basement wall We replaced the sidewalk that leads to our building s north entrance We added gutters to the north side of the building and replaced the gutters on the east side, the result of which should be dramatically improved walking conditions on north side this winter Significant financial gifts made these much-needed improvements possible. We praise God for the generosity of those who bless our ministry with their gifts, both in their active years in our church and as part of their estate planning. In addition, we thank Jim Ledbetter for his leadership and vision in arranging and implementing these improvements. Even better is the news that we re not done yet. We have ambitious visions for improving our facilities in Stay tuned and stay involved! In Brief... Congregational meeting this Sunday This Sunday (December 20) is the date of our annual congregational meeting at which we will consider our church s budget for the coming year, as well as a slate of nominees to serve in financial offices and as board members at large. The meeting is important not only for its administrative purposes - to decide whether to approve items and elect people - but also for the powerful message that is delivered when as a church body we make decisions. As members of the Body of Christ, all of us are important. Help remind us all of that fact by staying for the meeting following worship on Sunday.

4 U p d a t e s Participation report Here we report weekly participation numbers for worship and our Sunday groups. We look forward to the increases of these numbers as the transformation of our church continues. Date Sunday Worship Sunday Groups November November December December Finances through November 2015 Income $55, Expenses $60, Were income on pace w/2015 budget $64, Recent Concerns Terri Grove - in St Francis Medical Center in Peoria following removal of part of her trachea Homebound Ethel Dawson th St. Ct. East Moline Fran Littlewood - Rosewood Care Ctr - rm 219, Moline Ann White - Illini Restorative Care - rm. 26, Silvis Financial Situation We continue to face a curious and significant financial challenge. As a congregation we re involved in multiple ministries. We offer a wide variety of ways to participate in what God is doing through our church. Seemingly every month there is a way for people to be involved. Our Helmets of Hope ministry is a unique addition to the Quad Cities landscape. Yet, despite our wide ranging involvements and opportunities, our financial realities require our faithful and prayerful attention. We encourage you to pray for God s leading regarding your personal involvement in our congregational response to the current needs. Serving in January... Welcome Team: Marsha Jones Communion Prayers: Bev Hartman Preparing Communion: Suzie Guthrie PraiseLand Team: The PraiseLand team LifeSOUNDS: Shari Coley Serving Communion: Dawn Dumoulin, Deb Langley Providing Childcare: Deb Langley /Bonnie Thompson / Marsha Jones / Dawn Dumoulin January Birthdays Walter Cark Arrianna Warren-Mendoza Shari Coley Eula Mae Clark Deb Langley REMINDER: We can't tell people about your birthday or anniversary unless you tell us. Contact the church office with your information. Celebrating Colleen Kannenberg When Colleen Kannenberg died on November 24, Darry lost a 40 year friend and marriage partner, Jared lost his mother whom his love for was always on display, Braeden, Audriana, and Aria lost their very proud grandma, and our church lost a lady who served admirably as elder, choir director, and board moderator, among others. But to write about Colleen in terms of what we all lost is to miss the point. She lived with passion and resolve. She thought deeply about issues and cared about people. Her loyalties were obvious and intense. She lived with a clear sense of right and wrong, as well as her calling to to advocate for one and fight against the other. We celebrate what we found in Colleen s life as we await a memorial service tentatively scheduled for January 18 at our church.

5 N e w s Y o u C a n U s e N e w s Y o u C a n U s e 2016 ministry claim form identifies ministries for the new year Included in this newsletter is a copy of the 2016 ministry claim form, the sheet on which you can identify the specific way(s) you plan to be involved in our church s ministry in The form is important for multiple reasons: 1) It helps us create a schedule of Sunday morning ministry volunteers, tasks such as the Welcome Team, praying at the communion table, and setting up the communion trays before worship. Without the names of volunteers culled from the ministry claim form, we have no way knowing who s willing to serve. 2) The form helps us decide which ministries will be viable and which won t be. Some events or opportunities we offer aren t very popular. The sooner we know that, the sooner we can adjust our planning. 3) The form helps you focus on your place in our congregation. How is God calling you to serve? How will you live out your faith in our church? The form is not a contract, of course, but it is important nonetheless. Please fill yours out and turn it in to the church office as soon as possible so that we can plan for the new year accordingly. Celebrating Lois Tallman Lois Tallman died much as she lived, at least during her many years in the Quad Cities: quietly and at home. In the years before her move here, Lois made frequent visits to the area to visit her sisters, including Ann White, so it was not much of an adjustment for her to get used to the area when she made the move permanent. She brought with her a gentle, homespun, soft-spoken manner with which she gladly welcomed guests to her home. Her simple lifestyle spoke volumes about her down-to-earth priorities. In recent years, health issues kept her from worshiping with us, but today she joins the angels in praise to the God she trusted. We thank God for her life. A timeless story 8 That night there were shepherds staying in the fields nearby, guarding their flocks of sheep. 9 Suddenly, an angel of the Lord appeared among them, and the radiance of the Lord s glory surrounded them. They were terrified, 10 but the angel reassured them. Don t be afraid! he said. I bring you good news that will bring great joy to all people. 11 The Savior yes, the Messiah, the Lord has been born today in Bethlehem, the city of David! 12 And you will recognize him by this sign: You will find a baby wrapped snugly in strips of cloth, lying in a manger. 13 Suddenly, the angel was joined by a vast host of others the armies of heaven praising God and saying, 14 Glory to God in highest heaven,and peace on earth to those with whom God is pleased. Luke (NLT) Core and More Bible study down to its final six sessions In August 2011, we held the first session of what we called the Core and More Bible Study group, an ambitious effort to explore the entire Bible - Genesis through Revelation - in search of notable content and big picture themes that connect material written hundreds of years apart. In February, four and a half years after it began, the Core and More group will complete its biblical review, holding its 188th hour-long session, equivalent to a church group talking about the Bible for nearly eight straight days without a break. The group is now in its final scheduled break of its journey, and will resume, with the book of Revelation, on January 12. The group will hold a celebratory dinner in February. We give thanks for this group, which, we cautiously contend, is probably unlike any Bible study going on anywhere in the country. Every chapter; every Bible book; 188 sessions; 4-1/2 years. Praise God! P.S. And a new kind of Bible study is coming in 2016: compact, four week studies that will be held every other month beginning in the spring on topics such as summary introductions to the Old and New Testaments, and how to study and interpret the Bible. You ll be able to express your interest in these short term studies at Mission Central after the Core and More group concludes its work. [And see the new Generations group s seven week introduction to the Bible, in this page s sidebar.] A new Bible study comes to a Generations group Our two adult Sunday groups, known collectively as Generations groups, decide for themselves the focus of their efforts. One group has chosen a variety of topics over the years, while the other group has focused primarily on Bible study based on the weekly set of Scripture readings known as the Common Lectionary. Beginning early next year, the topical group will offer a seven week introduction to the Bible - its history, content, and meaning - called Your Bible: The Study Begins. The study guide will cost $12, and will be available for ordering in mid-tolate January. This study will serve as a brief but informative introduction to the Bible that will equip you for further study. More info coming!

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8 Ministry Donations We thank God for the donations in support of our congregation s ministries given by the following people. We celebrate the lives of the people honored and remembered by those donations. (If you want to donate so as to remember and/or honor the people of your life, direct your donations to the church office. We will add your information to the donor list projected during worship and posted on our website.) Given by: To Honor or Remember: THIS PAGE INTENTIONALLY BLANK Carol Burns (mother) Tom Burns (brother) Shari & Bill Coley Bob, Terri, Tina, and Todd Grove Louise & Bob Hellstrom Marsha & Jim Jones Marlowe & Carl McSparin and family Colleen Kannenberg Shari's parents: Nancy Mee; Don Mee Bill's parents: Arlene & Fred Coley Shirley Grove Bill; Grace; and our parents Our parents and other family and friends who have passed Floyd (Jake) & Veryl (Toddy) Jacobs; Karen and Erin Anderson