CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 10 March 15, 2012

The Chalice

To Save A Life
In January of this year, three young men from the community of Edmond committed suicide. Many of our students were affected by these suicides, even those who didnt know them personally. And how could they not be affected? How could this news not touch us as the body of Christ? In response to these suicides, our students have begun a 7-week study series called, To Save A Life. It is based on the movie To Save A Life, and deals with the many issues our students struggle with on a daily basis. It is a powerful movie, one that I would encourage everyone to get their hands on and watch. Just make sure to have plenty of tissue nearby! And when you do watch it, dont fall into the trap of thinking that because we live in Edmond that our students dont deal with what is portrayed in the film. Because believe me, they do! One of the prevalent issues in the movie, and in our community, is the issue of bullying. This also happens to be the topic of study that our International Affairs Students (IAS) have chosen for

By Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister

their upcoming trip, March 16-24. While on the trip our students will be visiting the Holocaust Museum, meeting with the U.S. Department of Education and their office of Safe Schools, speaking with Senator Coburn and Congressman Lankford, attending a presentation at the National Council of Churches, and learning from Izzy Kalman, the founder of Bullies to Buddies. And this is only a small amount of what they will experience while in Washington D.C. and New York City. Because your support makes this opportunity possible for our students, we want you to be a part of our trip as well. We invite you to follow our blog at www.fccedmond.org/ias or on Twitter @fccedmondyouth or if you dont have a Twitter account you can have our tweets sent as text messages to your phone! Just text follow @fccedmondyouth to 40404. (Important: make sure that you leave a space between the word follow and the @ sign.) Please pray for Hallie Ball, Allyson Cain, Josh Biby, and Trevor Gibson, along with Greg and Julie Bunton as they travel next week. And please keep all of our students in your prayers as we journey through the To Save A Life study. God is doing some mighty big things in the lives of our students and our ministry!

Support Our International Affairs Students!

Follow their travel adventures one (or all!) of the following ways: Subscribe to the IAS blog at www.fccedmond.org/ias Follow IAS on Twitter @fccedmondyouth Or, if you dont have a Twitter account, you can have their tweets sent as text messages to your phone! Just text follow @fccedmondyouth to 40404. (Be sure to leave a space between the word follow and the @ sign.)

Continuing our Sermon Series

March 18 Getting real - the power of acceptance March 25 Growing up - the process of change

Join Us!

Adult Education Dinner

Sunday, March 25 ~ 6 PM ~ Fellowship Hall
Please join us as we seek involvement, direction, intentional faith development and growth through Adult Education at First Christian Church of Edmond. All are welcome to join the search! Mark your calendars and please RSVP by March 22 to Don Wiechmann at DWiechmann@bokf.com or call Iris Muno Jordan at 341-3544.

Easter Sunday April 8 Palm Sunday April 1

8:15am Chapel Service 9am Contemporary Service 10:30am Liturgy of the Palms & Palm Parade Shannon Miller Park

Maundy Thursday April 5

7pm Service of Holy Communion
Our Maundy Thursday service will provide a powerful worship setting in which members of the 2012 Pastors Class will celebrate their first communion. Come share in the wonder of Christs first Holy Communion and encounter the Bread and Cup in new and familiar ways!

8:15am Chapel Service 9am Contemporary Service 11am Easter Cantata

On Easter Sunday, SPROUTS childrens worship will not meet during the 9am and 11am services. We invite your children to worship with you!

Join us for an ecumenical gathering with St. Marys Episcopal Church. Our brief liturgy will be followed by a palm parade, returning to our Sanctuary for the 11am service.

11am Traditional Service

Members of the 2012 Pastors Class will be bapitzed during this service. (Parents: Sprouts will not meet for the 11am service.)

Come to EASTER BREAKFAST from 8:30-11am Fellowship Hall

Enjoy an special breakfast with your church family before you go to worship or Sunday School! Hosted by Membership Ministries

Sign Up Continues for Easter Prayer Vigil

Jesus looked toward heaven and prayed. (John 17:1) The Elders of First Christian Edmond invite you to take part in one of the most important traditions we celebrate each yearour Annual Easter Prayer Vigil. Families or individuals may select a time and sign up on our Prayer Vigil sign-up board in the Rotunda. Times begin at 7pm Good Friday, April 6, and conclude at 6am on Easter Sunday morning, April 8. We invite you to join our family of faith as we continue the legacy of praying begun long ago by our Savior. Come and pray! Do you or a loved one need prayer? Please share your prayer concerns with us. Contact Rev. Jerry Black at 341-3544, ext. 109 or by email jblack@fccedmond.org

Kids! Join us for the Annual Easter Egg Hunt at 10:20am FCC Playgrounds
The Annual Easter Egg Hunt for ages 3 through 4th grade will be held on our FCC Playgrounds. Bring a basket and a friend! Hosted by the 2012 Pastors Class

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Joan Grant, Parcway Rehab THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Charlie Young, Vernon Conaway, Jim Hays, Bob Shoffner (Cathy Justices stepdad), Linda Burke, Bob Bennett, Edna Blunk, Loretta Parks, Tommy Atchison, Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owens daughter), Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom) OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Jeff & Michelle Fritz on the passing of Michelles father, David Gilmore, Sr., of Irving, TX, on February 5. Services were held on February 8 in Irving, TX.

Happy Birthday!
3/18 Ura Lee Denson, Shirley McClain, Steve Suarez 3/19 Jacky Anderson, Jr., Jacob Hall 3/20 Vern Lawson 3/21 Nick Jackson, Jake VanOsdol 3/22 Danette Farrah, Robert Hendershot, Betsie Polk, Ellie Robertson, Mary Lou Smith, Helen Williams 3/23 John Humphrey, Payden McGann, Rose Marie McKee, Alissa Meadows 3/24 Charlie Brown, Adam Gossen, Barbara Henthorn, Cassidy Thornton, Cameron Woods 3/25 Alyssa Banuet, Rebecca Coil, Annalee Crosser, Megan FineThomas

Friends University presents

Singing Quakers
2012 Concert Tour
Friday, March 16 at 7pm
at First Christian Church Edmond
Cindy Blasdel, Accompanist

Dr. Mark Bartel, Conductor

Financial Report
from the Finance Committee Through February, the General Fund Revenues are 72% of Year to Date Budget. This is significantly behind 2011 General Fund at the same time last year. Yearto-Date Pledged Giving is 62% and Non Pledged Giving is 129% of Budget. Perhaps now is the time to see where you are with your pledged giving. If you are unsure, simply contact Karla Mahan in the church office at 341-3544. With a renewed effort we can stay current and continue to fund the vital ministries of Jesus Christ to which we are called. General Fund Expenses are 82% of Year to Date Budget. Building Fund Revenues continue to be very strong for the first two months of 2012 with both months being well ahead of the mortgage payment. The Year to Date (YTD), through February 29, 2012, Revenue and Expenses are: General Fund YTD Actual $136,480.53 $154,642.90 ($18,162.37) Building Fund YTD Actual $94,661.07 $45,458.56 $49,202.51

Lilies on Sale Now

Bring the beauty of Easter into our worship spaces with white Easter lilies! These flowers symbolize new life and the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Honor the memory of a loved one by sharing a lily with your church family. Each plant is $15 and lilies will be available for purchase through April 1.

There are three ways you can order an Easter lily:

1) Complete an online form at www.fccedmond.org/lilies 2) Complete an order form found in worship bulletins, or, 3) Contact Iris Muno Jordan at 341-3544, ext. 110.

Revenue Expense Excess/(Shortfall)

Please remember to note on your checks or envelopes to which church accounts you want your contribution credited.

Sales of Easter Lilies help fund youth summer mission trips and other youth projects. Thanks for your support!

Join The Classics for a trip to

Worship
March 18, 2012 4th Sunday in Lent

at 8:15, 9 & 11am

Crystal Bridges!
Thursday, March 29
Take a trip to Bentonville, Arkansas, with The Classics! We will eat a lunch at Eleven, the museums restaurant, and take a tour of the Crystal Bridges Art Museum & its grounds. We will depart back to Oklahoma City late afternoon on the same day, returning early evening. The price is $89.00 and includes transportation, lunch and a guided tour. Reserve your spot now by contacting Winnie Hall at 341-4297.

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Theme: Getting Real: The Power of Acceptance Scripture: John 4:4-26

March 25, 2012 5th Sunday in Lent

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: Giving Up: The Process of Change Scripture: Matthew 18:1-3

Regional Assembly Scheduled

Thursday, Friday and Saturday, April 26-28
The Regional Assembly of the Christian Church in Oklahoma will be held April 26-28 at First Christian Church of Duncan. Worship, workshops and study sessions will center on scripture: John 1:1. Rev. Dr. Michael Mooty, Senior Minister of Central Christian Church, Lexington, KY, and former moderator of the Christian Church (DOC) in the US and Canada, will preach Thursday and Friday. Regional Pastor Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell will preach on Saturday. Faculty of Phillips Theological Seminary will present workshops, including: The Gospel of John by Dr. Brandon Scott; Rev. The Book of Genesis by Dr. Lisa Davison; and a workshop of Spirituality by Rev. Mady Fraser. Registration forms available at the Welcome Center in the rotunda.

The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editor sregan@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org

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