The Chalice

A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

201 East Second Street , Edmond Oklahoma 73034

Vol. 2 No. 11 March 18, 2010

Are You Smarter than a Fifth Stories

Grader?—Confession
Rev. Dr. Jerry W. Black
Did you hear about
the church that had
hot air, sanitary
hand dryers installed
in each of the
church’s restrooms?
A few weeks later,
they were gone.
When the pastor was asked by the Church
Property Moderator if he knew what had
happened to them, he confessed. “Yes, I
removed them.” “Well, for what reason?”
queried the Moderator. “Well,” said the
pastor, “they worked just fine—as you
know. But it was the sign placed next to
them that bothered me—you know, the
one that read: “For a sample of this week's
sermon, push the button."
Well, that’s one kind of confession, isn’t
it? But in this week’s journey with our
Pastor’s Class and our series of sermons on
“Are You Smarter than a Fifth Grader?” we
will not only look at this kind of confession,
but the confession of faith. The latter is as
important as the former, for it forms the
core of our religious convictions.
In his letter to the Corinthians, Paul
wrote: “For I handed on to you as of first
importance what I in turn had received: that
Christ died for our sins in accordance with
the scriptures, that he was buried, and that
he was raised on the third day…” (I
Corinthians 15:3-4, italics mine). Here then
is the essence of our faith. Christ is our
living Savior. He died for us. But by the
majestic work of God, he is alive. That
conviction is of first importance to those of
us who call ourselves “Christian.”
In making our confession then, we
reduce these truths to a simple statement:
“Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and
our personal Lord and Savior.”
It is to this confession that our Pastor’s
Class comes this Sunday. Join us in
supporting this stop on their road to baptism
while recalling and celebrating our own.
of Faith:
Final Lenten
Lunch
Wednesday
March 24, 12 to 1pm
Every life is a unique, invaluable story.
God speaks to us in our stories.
Remembering our stories creates
community and future.
We conclude our Lenten Lunch series
on “Story” with Jeanne Peterson,
next Wednesday March 24.
Jeanne will help us consider the value
of remembering and sharing our own
stories. Join us for a simple lunch of
soup and bread, followed by Jeanne’s
presentation.

Join us in Prayer
Jesus often withdrew to lonely places and prayed. (Luke 5:16)
…..One of those days Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent
the night praying to God. (Luke 6:12)

Have you ever had “one of those days?” The kind of day when nothing seems to go
smoothly and there are stressors at every turn? As you can tell by the verses
above—Jesus experienced “those days’” just like us. You can tell what he did to
improve his circumstances. He knew going to God in prayer was the one thing that
would help him to stay balanced and give him the strength and wisdom to know how
best to fulfill his mission.
Our Easter Prayer Vigil is held during the final hours leading from Good Friday to
Easter Morning, and is a time set apart to pray for the needs of our church family.
The Elders of First Christian invite you to select a time and sign up on the Prayer Vigil
board in the rotunda. You may also share your prayer requests for our prayer list
with Rev. Jerry Black at jblack@fccedmond.org or 341-3544, ext 19.
Security Volunteers Needed for Prayer Vigil: We have just a few slots left to fill. Any member who is interested in
helping provide this simple service may contact Mark Mades at 341-1852.
 Annual Easter Brunch
Plans Underway
By Jenny Shipley, Membership Ministry

EVERYONE is invited to share this

meal with the church family!
No cooking. No waiting in long restaurant
Palm Sunday, March 28 lines. We will serve from 10am to 1pm in
8:15 Traditional Worship - Chapel Fellowship Hall. The suggested contribution
is $6 for adults, $3 for children.
9am Contemporary Worship - Sanctuary
Plan to attend? Please help us prepare
10:30am Liturgy of the Palms & Palm Parade - Shannon Miller Park
adequate food by letting us know. Three
Join us for an ecumenical gathering with St. Mary’s Episcopal Church. Our brief liturgy will be
convenient methods:
followed by a palm parade, returning to our Sanctuary in time for the 11am service.
1) Connection Form from your
11am Traditional Worship - Sanctuary worship bulletin
Members of the 2010 Pastor’s Class will be bapitzed during this service. 2) Online reservation form at
fccedmond.org/easter-brunch
Maundy Thursday Service 3) Email your name and number
7pm April 1, 2010 “The Last Supper—a Musical Drama” attending Easter Brunch to
adapted by Dr. Jerry Black from Ruth Elaine Schram’s, “The Living Last Supper” ijordan@fccedmond.org
The last meal Jesus shared with his disciples will “come to life” in dramatic fashion as that We look forward to sharing a delcious meal
momentous gathering is reenacted and blended with heart stirring music. with you on Easter Sunday!
Members of the 2010 Pastor’s Class will celebrate their first communion at the same table
shared by “Jesus and the disciples.” Come. Encounter the Bread and Cup in a Would you like to help? Contact Jenny
Shipley at 359-1544 or Trish Thomas at
refreshing new context while encouraging our First Communers.
478-8590 to pick a shift or two, or sign up
online at fccedmond.org/easter-brunch
Good Friday, April 2 Take your pick of one of three shifts:
34-Hour Easter Prayer Vigil - Begins at 7pm (see article on pg. 1) 8 to 10 = Preparation
10 to 12=Kitchen Crew/Servers
11:30 to 1:30=Clean-Up
Easter Sunday, April 4
Four glorious services will celebrate the resurrection of our Lord!
6:45am - Sunrise Service - Chapel
8:15am - Traditional Worship - Chapel
9am - Contemporary Worship - Sanctuary
Easter
11:00 a.m. Cantata and Communion Service
Walking the last days of Jesus’ earthly life, Praise the God of Resurrection is a
Lilies Still
moving reminder of the power of the Living God. Composer Lloyd Larson states Available
“The cantata traverses the breadth of human emotion found in the passion story of You still have time to
our Lord. From joyous hosannas, to hours of solitude and rejection, to glorious help us bring the beauty
alleluias, the pervading theme is that ultimately God is in control.” of Easter into our
worship spaces with beautiful white Easter
Please join the Chancel Choir, along with a 24 piece orchestra, at the 11:00 service
lilies symbolizing new life and the
on Easter Sunday as they present this heartwarming cantata. resurrection of Jesus Christ.
You may share a lily in honor or in memory
Easter Brunch Hosted by Membership Ministries (see article above) of a loved one. Each plant is $15. We offer
three convenient ways to place your order:

1) Online at fccedmond.org/lilies
2) Complete an order form from Sunday’s
Bring a basket and a smile! worship bulletin or
3) Contact Iris Jordan at 341-3544, ext. 20
11am Toddler-4yrs Sales of Easter Lilies help fund youth summer
11:15am K-3rd Grade mission experiences. We thank you for your
on the FCC Playgrounds support! Rev. Greg Bunton
(1st & Jackson)
 Prayers of the People Happy Birthday!
3/21 Colin Bell, Taylor Holland, Nick Jackson
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL 3/22 Danette Farrah, Seth Fieth, Mike Griffin,
Joan Grant (Mike Grant’s mom) Parcway Rehab Robert Hendershot, Betsie Polk, Ellie Robertson,
Hospital; Jeff Stephens, OU Medical Center, Velta Mary Lou Smith, Helen Williams
Stringer (Virginia O’Niel’s sister) 3/23 Payden McGann, Rose Marie McKee,
Alissa Meadows
OTHERS IN NEED OF PRAYER Teddi Owen, Bart Rodr, Craig Stuke (Paul Stuke’s 3/24 Charlie Brown, Barbara Henthorn,
dad), Sandy Essler (Linda Wilmoth’s mom), James Winn, Sr. (James Winn, Jr’s dad), Cameron Woods
John Street (Madelynn Bartley’s dad), Elaine Bond (Glenda Bond’s mom), Pauline 3/25 Alyssa Banuet, Annalee Crosser, Megan
Rahhal, Jerri Dillon, Eunice Wilson, Bev Schmoyer, Les Lee, Ed Berry, Taylor Wheeler, Fine-Thomas, Cheryl Stratton
Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother), Patrick Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s brother) 3/26 Bill Medley
3/27 Rebecca Barker, Ashley Brecht, Anthony
Thank You! for some Pre-Spring Cleaning Hamilton, Melissa Hendricks, Lisa Yost
A huge round of applause goes to Julie Bunton, Lori Fuller, Sherry Parks, Geri
Moffatt, Iris Jordan and Jeff Williams for tackling the job of cleaning out many
of our classroom closets and storage areas. It is delightful to have newly
designated storage areas and new shelving for worship committee seasonal
decor, and a new space for props and backdrops! Kudos for all of the hours
you dedicated to hauling, sorting, purging, organizing and getting dusty
so we can be better stewards of both spaces and supplies!

Breakfast on Boulevard Needs Volunteers!

Make a difference in the life of someone who is hungry!
If you would like to help us cook and serve a hot breakfast and
a sack lunch to the hungry of Edmond, please contact
Judy Griffis at 348-1443 or Mickey Stufflebean at 341-4742.

College Summer Internship Program Please keep the following people in your
prayers as they continue their International
A Summer Internship Program is open to our college students that grew up at First
Affairs Seminar in Washington, D.C. and
Christian Church of Edmond and participated in its Student Ministries. The purpose of
New York City through this Saturday:
the internship is as follows:
1. To provide our college students the opportunity to give back to the Church and Lyndsay Parks, Alyssa Baker, Jordan Thomas,
Student Ministry that nurtured them as teenagers. 2. To provide the opportunity to be Lucas Peterson, Tyler Gibson, and Greg and
a positive role model to our teenagers and in the life of our Student Ministry. Julie Bunton. You can read their their trip
3. To provide the opportunity for our college students to flex their leadership muscles BLOG and view their pictures at
in a positive environment. Interested students should fill out the online application at www.fccedmond.org/ias
fccedmond.org/internship by Wednesday, April 14. Interns will be selected and
notified by Wednesday, April 28.

Please join us for a

Summer Camp Information Now Available Wedding shower for
Camp registration forms can be picked up at the Welcome Desk or
downloaded online at fccedmond.org/camp Brandy Moyers
Registration form deadline to Carol Schwabe: April 25, 2010. (After April 25,
please mail forms to the address on the registration form.) & Andrew Penland
2pm - Fellowship Hall
Saturday, March 27
Save these dates for
Vacation Bible School! The couple is registered at Dillards
and Bed, Bath & Beyond
June 14-17 from 6 to 8:30 pm Hostesses Charla Allison, Janet Caldwell,
Registration Begins May 2. To volunteer contact Donna Combs, Jamie Gable, Robbi
Julie Bunton juliebunton@cox.net or Kinnaird, Laura Rankin, Jennifer Shipley
Carol Schwabe cschwabe@fccedmond.org & Trish Thomas

Worship
at First Christian 8:15, 9 & 11am
March 21, 2010
Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black
Scripture: Matthew 16:13-17
Palm Sunday
March 28, 2010
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow
Scripture: Luke 19:29-40
Pastors’ Class Baptisms
The Chalice CONNECTION
Shelley Regan, Editor
sregan@fccedmond.org
submit or read news online
@ fccedmond.org/news
USPS 210-360
Edmond, OK
Postage Paid
Periodicals
Join the EASTER CROSS WITNESS Initiative
By Max Crandall, Elder
The Easter Cross Witness gives disciples of Christ an opportunity during the
Easter Season to witness to the Risen Christ. A cross is placed in your lawn,
blank side out on Palm Sunday and is turned around on Easter Sunday morning
to declare, “He is Risen…And It is Finished.”
This is a nationwide initiative that began in 1984 and took it’s premise from
the crosses of the World War II cemetery in Normandy, France. It has now
grown into a powerful community witness, growing each year to over 29
denominations and more expected this Easter.
We first learned of this last year and joined in the effort a little late but did
have over 60 crosses displayed. We got started earlier this year, anticipating
more of us would want to participate in this growing program of faith and have
secured 200 crosses for us to purchase and display. I learned it is quite a
satisfying experience which I recommend to all of us. Last year there were
some 3000 crosses displayed in the Oklahoma City area and they are hoping
that number will grow to 10,000 this year. So, I suggest we all support this
endeavor; what a wonderful, quiet but very profound way to express our
Christian faith in Lord Jesus.
The cost of $5.00 per cross is minimal and
we are asking each of us to purchase our own
so we don’t bother the budget. Your cross can
be saved and used again next year, as we’ve
done from last year. We will have a table with
the crosses in the rotunda the next two
Sundays for your purchases. And we hope we
run out so that we need to purchase more;
please join in! Let us proclaim our faith to our
neighbors and beyond!
CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083
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