THIS WEEK AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

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1 THIS WEEK AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH For the week of December 19, 2018 Dear Friends, A Note From Your Pastor On Sunday the children presented their Christmas program. This is always a fun time. It s nice to see the younger ones up front. Inevitably there is a shepherd, or in our case a toddler Jesus, who steals the show. It is fun to see the kids from year to year and watch how they are growing up. And it is nice to hear the Christmas story in their voices. This year I was especially taken with what was unique about our Christmas program. This wasn t so much about the tinsel-haloed angels and bath-robed wise people up front but more about the things that were less noticeable to the average worshipper. This year our program was written by Spencer Thomas, one of our 7th graders. And not only did he have a few great lines to make us laugh, but he paid attention to the realities of the story that are often neglected, like the fact that Jesus would have been a toddler by the time of the magi s visit. And he wasn t the only youth who was involved. Kalea Seaton was at the piano accompanying the children s singing. Cameron Michel was at the A/V booth, running the projection for the service. And this isn t just about having talented kids (although we do). This says something about who we are as a congregation. It is no small deal that here at First Christian young people are given opportunities to lead in ways that are often reserved for adults. It is no small deal that young people are trusted with these responsibilities. Just the other day I was again saying to someone how important it is that church offers intergenerational experiences. You have likely heard me say this before. In a world where we are more and more divided into demographic and interest groups, there are fewer places where unrelated adults and children come to know each other, build friendships, and work side by side. Church can be one of those and FCC, you are proving that week after week. Yes, there are challenges to creating meaningful experiences for people from 1 to 101, but the challenges are so worth it. Thanks for being a community that knows this! I look forward to seeing you Sunday, Jill The Personnel Committee invites you to contribute to staff Christmas gifts. Donations of any size are welcome and can be placed in the offering plate Sunday, Dec 23 with Staff Gifts noted on the envelope or memo line. This will be the last newsletter of Watch for the next one on January 2, You Are Invited to join the Michel Family at their home on Christmas Eve Don t have other plans after worship? Please join us for a bowl of soup, goodies and conversation. RSVP to Jill at icdisciple.pastor@gmail.com or by calling or Coming in January: Pot Luck Jam Join others who love music for a shared meal and time of playing/singing together on Sat, January 12 from 5:30-8pm. Music will begin about 6/6:15 pm and each person is invited to bring 25 paper copies of one or more favorite familiar songs- preferably with chord symbols, lyrics and at least a vocal melody lineto share with everyone. There will be a few songs already printed up and ready to go. Bring the instruments you play and enjoy music together.

2 This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018 Advent, Christmas and Beyond... Christmas is nearing. And it is easy for our faith to get lost in the shuffle of all the other joys and demands of the season. I hope as you are making your plans, you are including worship and other experiences at First Christian. Not only do we get to be together (which is a joy in itself) but we get to take some time out, breathe in the promises of God s love, and pause to experience the light of Christ. So, please join us and bring your family and friends. Here are some of the details: Sunday, December 23 Intergenerational Sunday School - we will gather in Fellowship Hall at 9am and have the opportunity to remember the Christmas story and create nativities to take home. We will worship together at 10am as we light the candle of love and draw nearer to Christmas. Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship will be at 7pm. Join us and bring family and friends for a service of story and song, candlelight and communion. Our Christmas Eve offering will go to support the work of Table to Table, a Johnson County food rescue organization that picks up food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to those who can use it. Don t have other plans after worship? You are invited to the Michel home. Join Jill, Jim, Cameron and Teegan for a light meal and conversation. RSVP information is on page 1 of this newsletter. Sunday, December 30 No Sunday School today. Join us for Brunch and Worship. A light brunch will begin being served at 9:30am and continue to be served as worship begins. Worship will take place at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Together we sing favorite Christmas songs and explore the meaning behind the visitors who greeted young Jesus. Sunday, January 6, 2019 Sunday School classes will be back in session at the regular 9am time. Adults are invited to a single session class, Spiritual Practices for the New Year. Children and youth will resume their regular classes. This is Epiphany Sunday. We will explore what happens in our world when the light breaks through. Sunday, January 13 A four week class Disciples Identity will begin today during the Sunday School hour (9am). This class, led by Laura Kittrell, Kara Seaton and Melea White, will explore the history and beliefs of Disciples and what it means to be part of a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) today. This is for both those new to our denomination as well as those who have spent a lifetime with their faith being nurtured in Disciples churches.

3 This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018 UPCOMING EVENTS Wednesday Bible Study meets at 12:30pm each week. December 19 - Isaiah 60:1-6 December 26 - No Bible Study January 2 - Luke 3:15-17, All Ladies Are Invited Join others from First Christian for food and conversation on Thursday, December 20 at 5:30pm. This month s outing will be to Texas Roadhouse. Questions? Contact Sharon Pickens. DECEMBER BOOK CLUB The FCC Book Club's next book is Reading with Patrick by Michelle Kuo. Ms. Kuo tells the true story of connecting with a student, and then connecting again when he goes to prison. Book Club is at Eunice Welsh's house, 84 Penfro, at 7 p.m. on Thursday, December 20. Food Pantry Focus: Baby Food We will collect Baby Food throughout the month of December for the Coralville Food Pantry. Children & Youth Soon 2019 will be here. Be watching for a new schedule with activities for children, youth and families to come out in early January. Upcoming Faith Formation Opportunities December 23: We will share an intergenerational activity with the opportunity for you to create your own nativity for your home. December 30: There will be no Sunday School. We will only have worship this day. January 6: Classes for children and youth will be back in session. Adults are invited to a one session class titled, Spiritual Practices for the New Year. January 13 - February 3: Adults are invited to join Kara Seaton, Laura Kittrell and Melea White who will be co-teaching a four week class on Disciples Identity. Whether you are a long time member of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or new to this congregation and denomination, you are invited to come and learn more about who we are. FILL THE ARK Project Update Animals for Christmas We have raised $4,240 toward our goal to fill the ark! There are about a dozen envelopes left on the gift tree (ranging from $20 $50). You can do this as a donation or as a gift for a loved one. Gift cards are available to send to those for whom this is a gift. Pick what you want to give, put your $ in the envelope (checks made to FCC), and place it in the offering plate or return to the office. Please return envelopes by December 23rd. Sunday, December 23, 2018 Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 Sermon: The Kin-dom: It s Upside Down Sunday, December 30, 2018 Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 & Matt 2:1-12 Sermon: Flying Saucers & Pot Luck Dinners

4 This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018 Children s Christmas Program December 16, 2018

5 This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018 Angels have been placed on our Tree of Memories to remember these loved ones... The Thomas Family Stephen Dunham & Lora Morgan Dunham Terry & Laurie Dahms Edward Hansen Diane Hertel The Michel Family John & Nancy McKinstry Steve, Tara, Gabe & Ava Clark Sheree & Frank Williams Mike & Lindsey Schluckebier Carla Melby-Oetken The Coobs Family Ruth Ebersole Anna & Carolyn Boerner Beth Pelton Nancy Ream Laura Kittrell The Jensen-Fitzpatrick Family Sharon Sass & Vinnie Risden The Samuel/John Family Mark & Becky Hall In memory of Hideko King In memory of Everett & Dorothy Dunham In memory of Emily Palmer-Dunham In memory of Edythe Benson In memory of Duane Benson In memory of Eric C. Dahms In memory of Matt Hansen In memory of Joy Blair In memory of Ron Hertel In memory of Spencer Nicodemus In memory Jim & Blanche McKinstry In memory of Keith Noard In memory of John Clark In memory of Teresa Heger In memory of Merle & Ila Schluckebier In memory of Esther Arenz In memory of Bill & Marge Albert In memory of John & Jeanne Parr In memory of George Melby In memory of Dalene Howard In memory of Mark Morgan In memory of Ed Coobs In memory of Del Ebersole In memory of Fred, Sarah & Arthur Boerner In memory of John Pelton In memory of John & Helen Ford In memory of Charles & Rosanna Pelton In memory of Lois Ream In memory of Bette Klein In memory of Yvonne Jensen In memory of Beth Fitzpatrick Peters In memory of Mike Fitzpatrick In memory of Vince Risden In memory of L.C. Samuel In memory of Keener Adam Hall, Jr.

6 December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 8-Amy & Rick Elliott 20-Marilyn & Delbert Gilmore 21-Sherry & Roger Child 30-Jill & Finn Meadows 31-Erika & Sara Riggs 31-Teresa Messlein & James Martin 1 IA Rockets Pies 10 AM 8 PM Sunday School 9 AM Worship 10 AM Bell Choir 11:30 PM Troop PM 30 NO Sunday School Worship/Brunch 10 Bell Choir 2:30 PM Troop PM No Pot-Luck ANNIVERSARIES Worship 7 PM 31 New Years Eve Office Closed NO Bible Study No Chess Club 4-Alana Seaton 6-Jan Jensen 11-Emily Klein 12-Tom Klein 14-Brooklyn Mohr 17-Emily Greathouse BIRTHDAYS Office Closed 17-Finn Meadows 19-Beth Pelton 21-Kristin Greathouse 27-Ruth L. Potter January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 3-Jan Ricklefs 4-Kaitlyn Rohm 6-Nolan Vibhakar 12-Rachel Samuel 13-Kianna Haslett- Tomova 14-Jim Michel 6 Sunday School 9 AM Worship 10 AM Un-decorate Sanctuary 11:15 AM Nominating Comm 11:15 AM Troop PM 13 Sunday School 9 AM Worship 10 AM Birthdays: 18-Hailey Rohm 22-Oliver Schluckebier 24-David Klein 27-Grace Hall 28-Isaac Samuel Office Closed Staff Mtg 10 AM Child Protection 5:30 BOARD MTG 7 PM Bible Study 12:30 Strings & Singers 7 PM 9 Bible Study 12: Bible Study 12:30 Chess Club 3:15 3 Stewardship & Finance mtg 1:30 PM 10 Arrow Chapter 7 PM FCC Pot-Luck Jam Session 5:30 PM

7 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) 900 LINCOLNSHIRE PLACE CORALVILLE, IA Sunday Services: 9 AM Sunday School 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) icdisciple.pastor@gmail.com Office Administrator: Peggy Bothell icdisciple.sec@gmail.com Music Director: Laura Kittrell icdisciple.music@gmail.com The children singing in the Christmas program on Sunday. Director of Christian Formation: Kara Seaton icdisciple.kids@gmail.com Janitorial: Michael Hull m.hull84@yahoo.com