First Christian Church Embracing Erie some Assembly required Sunday begins with Book Study at 8:00a then Morning Worship at 9:30a. Followed by a short Fellowship time. First Christian Church 703 West State Street, Erie, KS 66733 (620) 244-5353 Our Vision: - To be a church of 2 nd Chances. Our Mission: - The purpose of this church shall be as revealed in God s Holy Word. - To guide people to faith in Jesus Christ. - Through active mission and ministry together, help people grow in the grace and knowledge of Christ. - To work for the Spiritual unity of all Christians. Church: ErieFirstChristian@att.net : PastorPaulElliott@att.net Check out our website: w w w. E r i e F i r s t C h r i s t i a n. o r g March 2015 Pastor s Window "Life is not a game. It's a test" "Because (Jesus) Himself was tested by what He suffered, He is able to help those who are being tested." - Hebrews 2:18 I grew up in a family that loved board games. Monopoly was popular in our house, and Life and Clue. My mother, the musician, artist and avid mystery fiction reader, was killer at Clue. I would still be organizing my thoughts on the little clue sheet when she would correctly guess who the murderer was, in which room, with the right murder weapon. When my own child [Megan] was little we also played board games, first Candy Land and, as she got older, Risk and Monopoly. Then there were the video games. We were all tempted to think of life as a game, a series of challenges to be mastered and problems to be solved. That is Page 1 of 5
how much of the world still sees life. But I think a more accurate metaphor for life is "a test." On our faith journey we face constant tests, tests of character and courage, tests of faith, hope and love. I look back on my life so far and see some tests I have met well and some I have failed at miserably. I know that God's unconditional love for us means my relationship with God does not depend on passing all the tests. At the same time I know from the Bible that tests accompany critical times of vocation and identity. So I know they are important; unlike a game, there is no reset button, no "do over." I take comfort that Jesus, who passed all the tests, [as shown in Mark] knows what we go through, and "is able to help those who are being tested." This is the assurance we have as we walk again from Lent to East and beyond. Prayer Lord Jesus, help us meet the tests that come to us in our life journey as we walk with you in Lent to Easter and beyond. Amen Peace In Christ, Casual Sunday 1 st Sunday of each month! Sun, March 1 st is Casual Sunday Service and we welcome all to come as you are to Praise & Worship. We will also celebrate March birthdays and anniversaries! Passage into Discipleship G u i d e t o B a p t i s m Starting Sunday March 1 st for six Sundays I will be offering a class following morning worship on Discipleship and what it means. In this we will be discussing: Why are we baptized, and the BIG 6 C s Confession Contrition Covenant Connection Community and Church. In each meeting we will take one of the BIG 6 C s and not only discuss it, but we will have an experiential piece as well. So one will have the opportunity to know how each feels and fits into lives. This for all age groups, singles, couples, and families who wish to look deeper into discipleship. This is also for anyone whether part of our church or not, whether they have attended church or not. This is for everyone, please come. In Discipleship The Scholarship Committee is asking for your help in rebuilding the scholarship fund. The money previously has come from the interest on CDs, but the rates have dropped and therefore, we are getting less money. We would appreciate any amount you can give so that we can continue to give scholarship to the young people when they go to college. There is a basket on the table in the fellowship hall. Thanks! Page 2 of 5
Prayer List Please take time to pray for those listed below: Ralph Baldwin, Pam Harris, Tim Zollars, Cindy Trenhaile, Earl Schoenhofer, Leon Teeters, Austin Durbin, Crissy Kyser, Helen Frame, Dena McCoy, Nadine Simmons, April Semrad, Lavon Hoppas, Jerry Queen, Mary Anna Jenkins, Gladys Miller, Nancy (Dunham) Greenwood, Wanda Lee Shaw, Cliff Hester, Ralph Watkins, Raeme Lee Mullen, Carolyn Warford, Sandy Hizey, Patricia Gladson, Nadine Simmons, Kathy McKinney, Alan Cox, Larry Botts, Kenny & Jenene Lapke, Wendell Hammans, Joe Marshall, Judy Vogts, Carol Harris, Bernice Breiner, Don Miller, Freda Graver, Cheryll Lee, Dixie Cardwell, Russell Long, Corbin Pierce, Tom Burress, Corenne Simmons Addresses: Steve and Nancy Greenwood, 14441 Corallin Dr., Chesterfield, Mo. 63017 Freda Graver, Wilshire @ Lakewood, 600 NE Meadowview Dr., Room #614, Lee's Summit, Mo 64064 Gale & Raeme Lee are both at PMRV 242 Carroll St., St. Paul, KS 66771 Youth Group Thursdays at 3:30p!! Currently our Youth Group is staying steady with 6-8 kids each week. We watched a Veggie Tale movie last week about following directions. We are starting to prepare for Saint Patrick's Day. The kids seem to enjoy the crafts we do each week, but I know they are anxiously waiting for warm weather, as am I. Jessica Letterman Attendance / offering 2 0 1 5 B u d g e t w e e k l y n e e d 189 4. 6 8 F e d 2 0 1 5 M o r n i n g W o r s h i p B u d g e t O f f e r i n g 1 47 2 2 7 8. 4 1 8 52 6 0 6. 3 4 15 56 1 6 7 8. 2 5 2 2 4 9 1 5 7 7. 3 9 Helping each other in the name of Jesus The Thrift Store is at 403 S. Main. Erie They re open 9a Noon on Wed, Fri. and Sat. Volunteers Needed!! Camp Work Days!! Work days at Camp Tawakoni are March 25-28 and May 21-23. Work days are for anyone willing to work and get a little dirty. Male or female, and any young person willing to work, no playing. Notify Vern Failor at 785-272- 6102 or 785-231-3960, if you are going, so he can have a place for you to sleep and food to eat. Click here for more info: http://www.kansasdisciples.org/opportunities.html Page 3 of 5
Camp Counselor Training Summer church camp doesn t happen without enough qualified, dedicated adults who give their time to make a difference in the lives of children and youth. If you want to make a difference like this, we want to help you do that! Camp counselor training will take place this spring at Great Bend First Christian Church on March 21 and at camp on March 28. Same program, two dates, two places, 9:30 a.m. 3:00 p.m. Seasoned counselors will lead the training. Like us on Facebook and watch for more information there, here in the Mini, and by email. Interested? Contact Steve Martin at smartin@kansasdisciples.org. Camp Interns Summer Camp Interns @ Tawakoni Camp interns are vital to the functioning of our summer camp program! College students, at least 2 years past high school, can make a difference for more than 500 campers in just a few weeks. This is a paid internship, with college scholarship money and a weekly stipend in addition to room and board. Get all the details and apply here, before March 1: Intern decisions are made by the end of March. God s Chisel Becoming God s Masterpiece A discussion group/study by the Skit Guys God views us as being His original masterpiece. We weren t hastily thrown together... No, God thought about you and still thinks about you everything in your past, everything in your future, all the baggage and all the beauty. Everything that makes you...well, you. Get ready to embark on a journey of chiseling out the dead weight in your life. Sometimes it can be painful, sometimes it ll make you laugh. But through it all, you can rest assured that God is always refining His masterpiece, His poem, His workmanship, You. This study or conversation is a challenging and yet at times funny look at ourselves and how God continues to work on and with us. If you are interested the study material it is free. The books are on the table in the parlor all you need to do is take one. It is my hope to open a conversation about being God s master piece. Yes this could be a conversation/study for all ages young and not so young that want to be God s master piece (have a better life). A signup sheet will be on the table in the fellowship area and start date, place and time will be set by those signed up and interested. See You There! Page 4 of 5
SE District Assembly. Coming - Sunday, March 22! Workshops, Fellowship, Friendships! More Information? Call Steve Martin at 785-266-2914 smartin@kansasdisciples.org First Christian Church, 102 N. Grant St. - Chanute WORKSHOP SCHEDULE 2:00 Registration 2:30 Session 1 3:30 -- Break 3:45 Session 2 5:00 Supper, Fellowship and Closing Worship Outreach: Getting Outside, Beyond the Church Walls! Three Workshop Options (participants may attend only 2) 1) Mission: The WHY and HOW of Mission - Pat Nixon Pat has been able to lead a number of mission and outreach efforts and has some practical things to think about. His experience has proven that those who engage in mission find a greater understanding of what it means to be an active Christian in this age. Also, congregations who focus on outreach tend to be more healthy. 2) A Church for All Generations - Panel Discussion led by Erie FCC Members Members at Erie FCC have studied a book which has challenged some assumptions about generational differences in church, and has led to a growing appreciation for a multi-generational congregation. Chad Dozier, Mark and Di Watkins, Jon and Carol Stephens, Don Janssen and Paul Elliott will lead the conversation. 3) Finding Shalom A Pre-mission Assessment - Tom Eastman Is your spiritual cup empty? Do you feel like you are not able to keep your own life on track let alone finding enough inspiration to help someone else? Jesus said that he comes to give life and that life is to be abundant. In this workshop we will explore why our daily patterns of life block the pathways to abundance, and if we are starving, how in God s Holy name can we feed someone else? $7 Registration Fee includes barbeque supper! Reservations due March 12 Register by calling FCC, 620-431-3758 OR send Email firstchristianc@cableone.net Men s group Men of our church look forward to the month of March. We meet the first Monday (2 nd ) at 6:00 pm with a meal followed with a Bible study. We are starting the book of Hebrews in this meeting. The second meeting is 3 rd Monday (23 rd ) starting at 6:30 pm for continued study of the Bible. We enjoyed the month of February with our valentine dinner for the ladies of our church. We really think the ladies did appreciate the meal that was provided to them. We had approximately 50 people for this celebration. We ask that all men of the church come and participate in our group. District men s meeting will be on March 30 th in Chanute. When weather is better we will be working on some mission projects. Keep up the good work men. OTHER FUNCTIONS IN MARCH Spiritual Retreat will be at Great Bend. This is great retreat and reflections time. March 19 thru 21. Work Days at our camp March 26 thru 28. Page 5 of 5