January 24, 2017 vol. 18, issue 04 Join us January 29 for Sunday Service at 10:00 a.m. 10:00 a.m. - Service () After Service - Adult Education: Life s Last 5:30 p.m. - Stone (prep at 3:30) Called to Serve Elders: Steve Herb, Bruce Cotton Home Communion: Susan Latham Preparing Deacons: Allan Doerksen, Bob Young Serving Deacons: *Rick Olsen, Sandy Landis, Charlene Lincoln, Tricia Martin Coffee Cart and Snack: Tricia Martin Flowers: na Greeter: Karen Griswold Sunday Worship Accessibility Hearing assistance devices, large print bulletins and hymnals are available. Stone Soup Meal Count Tuesday, 1/17-140 Saturday, 1/21-na Sunday, 1/22-119 Staff Rev. Matt Gordon... Senior Minister Matthew Clark...Choir Director Eric Qian... Pianist Charlene Lincoln...Church Secretary Jill Shinkawa...Communications Manager Kevin Weaver... Paladin Lucas Teeter...Disciples House Resident Advisor Christa Schemeder...Director of Youth Ministry Men s Shelter Volunteers Needed: February 17-19 We are sharing a week with First Presbyterian Church to help host men at the overnight shelter. We need people to be food preparers/servers, 6:30-8:30 p.m.; we need people to be greeters and bag checkers, 6:30-11:00 p.m. (can be split into shifts); an upstairs supervisor, 6:30-11:00 p.m. (can be split into shifts); and we need an overnight sleeper. Please contact Matt if you can help out. Thanks in advance! Congregational Meeting - Budget Approved Top: The budget was approved! Top left: Christa introduced herself as our new Director of Youth Ministry by way of Sunday s sermon. Left: Lucas, our Resident Advisor, talked about Disciples House. Above: Christa recalled a time when she was in youth group being led by Lynnie.
Matt s Minute Thank You for Your Commitment to First Christian Church. Because of you, we are entering 2017 with hope and optimism. Because of you we have a surplus budget. Because of you, we are able to hire a part-time youth director. Thank you. Thank you for your prayers. Thank you for your time. Thank you for your generosity. Thank you for your ideas. Thank you for saying yes to First Christian Church. You could choose to spend your time and your money in many places, but you choose First Christian Church. For all of this, we give you thanks. I see many of you who do not simply believe in the church, but have faith in the church. Let me explain. There is a fundamental difference between belief and faith. I can believe in something, but not have faith in it. I can have faith In the next several weeks, Disciples congregations across the United States and Canada will be taking up the special offering to support Week of Compassion. This year s theme is You are here and represents the way that your partnership puts you on the ground when Week of Compassion is called. By giving to Week of Compassion, you are present with communities and families when they go through a disaster that changes their life completely. You are here, in the heart of the work being done every day in Jesus s name. You are here. You are here with the refugees, with families building schools for their children, with communities rebuilding after hurricanes and earthquakes, with women becoming economically independent for the first time. You are here. Even when the world has moved on, when the press has left, when the story has been written, it is easy to say we were there. But, the work of sustainability, empowerment, and in something and while I may have occasional doubts, I must believe in it also. Too often the church is guilty of building up the doctrines of belief and neglecting the necessity of faith. I can believe something exists and even believe in its power and importance, but not have faith in it. Faith is about action. Faith is about how we live, breathe and move in the world. Faith is belief turned into action. This Sunday s message will continue this theme of exploring the difference between belief and faith. The Scripture verse is from Micah 6 which includes an often quoted verse: What does the Lord require of you? To do justice, to love mercy and walk humbly with your God. I hope to see you there! Peace, Pastor Matt Week of Compassion Special Offering - February 19-26 Rev. Matt Gordon Senior Minister Church phone: 541-753.2671 Email: matt@heartofcorvallis.org Open Office Hours: Mondays: 9:00 a.m. - 1:00 p.m. Tuesdays: 1:00 p.m. - -4:00 p.m. Sermons Online http://heartofcorvallis.org/recentsermons/ justice-building is not complete. So, we are here, still doing the long-term work. Through your support to Week of Compassion, in 2016 alone, we were present in many places where communities were impacted by disaster, Relying on the spirit and story of the gospels, First Christian Church is supported primarily by donations. There is no charge for any event. We rely on freely given offerings to support our various ministries and opportunities. Your contributions and gifts allow us to continue to be a radically inclusive, justice-driven community of faith every day of the week. Thank you in advance for your gifts.
In Sunday School From Emily, Vicki, and Leah A couple of Sundays ago in Sunday School we celebrated Epiphany. We made crowns, dressed up as kings, and read a story about el Día de Los Reyes, or Three Kings Day. Then we went on a journey around the church, following stars, that led us to the baby Jesus, where we sang Away in the Manger. We left our shoes in the room where we had found the baby Jesus in hopes that the Three Kings might come and leave a present in our shoes while we were away. Leaving one s shoes out overnight for the Three Kings to fill with presents is part of the tradition of Three Kings Day. Then we went into another room and ate rosca de Reyes or King Cake. When we returned to our shoes the Three Kings had indeed left us a present of gold coins in our shoes! In Our Prayers Jim Stinson will have surgery to manage his chronic back pain. Prayers for a positive outcome and continued prayers for the Stinsons. Cherie is doing great! Continued prayers for the Reynolds. Roger Weaver and his family Bill Baird s brother-in-law, had hip surgery Alice Kelling s sister, Elizabeth, is recovering from a mild stroke Mark Thayer is getting better everyday. Thank you for your prayers. Thayer family Leslie Smith and daughter are going through family difficulties Marcene Stuart Viv Ellsworth Teanna McMahan Lynnie Evans and family Joyce Miller For our country and leaders Adult Education - Life s Last Adult Education: Life s Last - Learning about decisions available to us. The Conversation Project is program designed to help facilitate conversations about end of life care which honestly should start around the kitchen table instead of the bed in ICU. This class goes beyond the simple (simple?) filling out an advanced directive to really guiding your decision makers in making the choices you would make if you are unable to speak for yourself. This workshop would be appropriate for people in the last quarter of their lives, but also with people whose loved ones might soon be facing aging concerns. We will meet in room 35 (upstairs) on January 29, after worship service. Facilitator is Christy Wright, a long term certified hospice and palliative nurse. Snacks will be available. Come join us as we learn! Quote for the week: A child can teach an adult three things: to be happy for no reason, to always be busy with something, and to know how to demand with all his might that which he desires. -Paulo Coelho Four s of Life 60 and older Age 40-59 Fourth Third First Second Age 0-19 Age 20-39
Looking Ahead January 26 7:00 p.m.-women s Dessert at the Doerksens January 29 Adult Education: Life s Last February 3 10:00 am-due Knots work meeting 1:00 pm-due Knots Appreciation Tea February 5 Short Deacon/Elder Meeting 12-2 pm-deacon/elder Lunch at Los 3 Reales February 12 Life s Last February 13 7:00 pm-finance Cabinet February 14 1:00 pm-women s luncheon at Applebee s February 17-19 Men s Cold Weather Shelter -FCC volunteer nights February 20 President s Day-Church office is closed 7:00 pm-program Cabinet February 26 Life s Last March 1 Ash Wednesday March 14 7:00 pm-finance Cabinet March 21 7:00 pm-program Cabinet Birthdays 1/24 - Viv Ellsworth, Kevin Weaver 1/25 - Don Baarstad 1/27 - Steve Cline 1/28 - Charles Brunner Tom Garbacik Rick Olsen 1/30 - Nami Choe Anniversaries 1/26 - Lisa Luthy and Ely Kimberlin What s Happening Women s Dessert, Topic: HELP-Homeless Employment Launching Project Women get together on Thursday, January 26 at 7:00 p.m. at Pamella Doerksen s, 2210 NW Elmwood Dr. Sherry Sisson will present information on the Homeless Employment Launching Project (HELP). Sherry is involved and excited about this project. Her enthusiasm is contagious! Due Knots and Ladies Day Out Appreciation Tea Friday, February 3 (note different day and time) 10 a.m.-1 p.m. work tying quilts. Also, Celebration of Due Knots Craft Fair success 1-2:30 p.m., in Room 35 (upstairs) If you have helped us in any way, you are welcome. We celebrate you and the inspirations all of you give to us as we make and tie quilts to be sold and given to the needy children in Corvallis. Come chat and take tea with us as we relax after our work party! Deacon/Elder Meeting On Sunday, February 5, after service there will be a short Deacon/Elder meeting then, starting around noon, we will have a lunch together at Los 3 Reales, 1110 NE 2nd St, Corvallis, OR. Hope to see you there! Women s Luncheon The women s luncheon is scheduled for February 14 at Applebee s at 1:00 p.m. We had 8 women at our December luncheon. We hope you can join us in February. Volunteers Needed at the Men s Cold Weather Shelter February 17-19, we need volunteers to help with various jobs and shifts at the Men s Cold Weather Shelter. Contact Matt for more information or if you would like to help out. Announcements Gathering on the River at Belknap Hot Springs Looking ahead to an enjoyable three nights at the Gathering on the River at Belknap Hot Springs Resort? This is an all-church event that adds fun, connection to church family, and relaxation. Dates: June 29 to July 2, 2017. Put this date on your calendar in red! Registration starts in February. Disciples House Dinners We are looking for people to provide Sunday night meals for Disciples House. Dinners should be ready around 6:00 p.m. and serve 15 people. Monetary donations are also appreciated to defer the costs of providing food. Note on your check Disciples House Dinners. Contact Amy Berry (berryland4@msn.com) with questions or to sign up. There will also be a sign up sheet in the narthex. Around Town The Taizé Prayer Service Taize services are held on the first Sunday of the month through June. Future services in 2017: 2/5, 3/5, 4/2, 5/7, 6/4, at the Episcopal Church of the Good Samaritan. This ecumenical service, led by the Corvallis Taizé Ensemble, includes meditative singing, short readings, and a quiet time for prayer. Any questions, contact Kathy, 541-753-2528, kathyfarnsworth@comcast.net
22 10 am-folk Worship, no Sunday School Congregational Meeting 29 Adult Education 23 24 11 am-craft Fair Meeting (3:30 30 31 (3:30 January/February Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday 25 1 February 26 7:00 pm- Women s Dessert at the Doerksens 27 28 2 3 10 am-due Knots work meeting 1 pm-due Knots Appreciation Tea 4 5 Deacon/Elder Meeting, 12-2 pm-lunch 6 7 3:30 pm-fcc turn to prep/serve Stone Soup (3:30 8 9 10 11 12 Adult Education 13 7 pm-finance Cabinet 14 1 pm-women s Luncheon at Applebee s (3:30 15 16 17 Volunteer at Men s Cold Weather Shelter 18 Volunteer at Men s Cold Weather Shelter 19 Volunteer at Men s Cold Weather Shelter 20 President s Day- Church office closed 7 pm-program Cabinet 21 (3:30 22 23 24 25
First Christian Church 602 SW Madison Avenue Corvallis, Oregon 97333-4515 RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED Our Vision The First Christian Church of Corvallis is a diverse inclusive community providing a living witness to the compassionate Christ. From our central location in the heart of Corvallis, we seek out, develop, and support ministries to meet the human needs for physical and spiritual wholeness. On the basis of our Disciple heritage, we embrace the ecumenical movement, develop lay leadership, and promote intellectual freedom in the pursuit of truth. All are welcome to participate. Inclusivity is one of our most important values. Help us save paper, postage and money - receive the newsletter electronically. Send an email to jill@heartofcorvallis.org and put Subscribe Dispatch as the subject. If you are not receiving the Disciples Dispatch please inform the church office. Please recycle this newsletter.