CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 49 December 22, 2011

The Chalice

Jesus Bring Hope

By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
This last Sunday we had our service of remembrance. Seems strange to some that we would have such a somber service in the midst of the joy of this season. And yet, those of us who attended the service provided by our healing prayer ministers felt the joy of the season, even in the midst of sorrow. The message of the service is that even though we may be hurting this Christmas season, Jesus was born for that reason. His birth gives hope to the hopeless and comfort to the sorrowful. I found a wonderful poem written by Steve Parker this year that describes this well. Had the stable been already full of wealth and matter there would not have been a place for wisdoms gifts carried at such pain by these all scarred and battered from the ride across jagged mountains and the plain. Had the barn been warmed by hearth, there never would have been such animal sweetness in the air, all full of hay and breath. Had celestial music brought its golden word, the human story played upon the shepherds pipe was something Mary would never have heard. God fit Gods self to human form to feel our cold and show us how to heal it, and yet, to us it fell to warm the moment of His birth with music of our making and the gifts of Earth. Let us celebrate the birth of a Savior who knows cold and pain and brings us healing.

Joy to the World

Christmas EveDecember 24 Saturday, 2011

5:30pm - Childrens Service

Christmas Eve

Three Services

We Invite You To Worship With Us On

Christmas Morning Sunday, December 25

10:45am Unified Worship Service
10:00AM - Enjoy Cookies & Milk for Santa during Coffee Fellowship 10:30AM - Nursery begins No Sunday school or SPROUTS Children Worship on Christmas Day Dress casual if you wish, enjoy Cookies & Milk for Santa during Coffee fellowship, and experience spiritual refreshment in worship before returning to your own festivities.

The Gospel will come alive with the help of our children in a narrative re-telling of the birth of Jesus. This abbreviated, family-oriented worship service includes familiar Christmas hymns. Children (ages 3 through 2nd grade) may select a costume at 5pm and participate in the Nativity story!

7 & 11pm - Candlelight Services

The 7pm Christmas Eve service will feature beautiful music, scripture readings, and the lighting of the Christ Candle. The 11pm service will feature a serene, simplified candlelight service with carols, the Chancel Choir, and scripture. The service ends in candlelight with the bells tolling the midnight hour, marking the arrival of Christmas Day. (No nursery on Christmas Eve)

Join us on Wednesday nights during the school

year for food, fellowship, learning and fun! Adults, children and youth - can UNITE for a delicious, reasonably priced meal, share meaningful conversation and experience faith development in one of our classes or small groups. UNITE is a place to grow in your faith and form lasting relationships... in a relaxed and welcoming environment. Join us for dinner at 6:00 pm - everyone is invited!

Come UNITE with us beginning Wednesday, January 11. REGISTER now at www.fccedmond.org/unite Winter/Spring Dates
January 11, 18, 25 February 1, 8, 15, 22, 29 March 7, 14, 28 April 4, 11, 18, 25 May 2 (Youth only)

Meal Payment Options

$3.50 per person/weekly $50.00 per semester/per person $12.50 weekly (family of 4+) $180.00 semester price (family of 4+)

Students Schedule
This semester, the youth will continue to experience a Worship Feast with a new style of worship presented weekly. Our study focus will be on the many ways we are invited into the presence of the Holy! 5:30 Girls Ensemble 5:45 Dinner 6:30 Worship 7:15 Small Group Bible Study 8:00 Done!

Evening Options for Adults:

5:00-6:00 An Exploration of the History of Theology
led by Rev. Chris Shorow - Room 116
This semester we will be exploring some of the history of theology. Well be looking at some of the great ideas and debates that have shaped Christianity and our faith through the years. Although it sounds a little dry, it will be very lively and entertaining, as these issues have been debated in church for centuries. Included will be issues like the Trinity, who was and is Jesus, the Holy Spirit and what must I do to achieve eternal life. Some of the history of the Church and how we have ended up with the church we have today will be explored. Come with your questions and see if we can answer them!

Childrens Schedule
Children 3yrs old through 5th grade will experience Vertical Edge - where kids will be challenged to live on the vertical edge by working for God. Work willingly at whatever you do. - Colossians 3:23 5:00 Music/Instruments (K-5th) (in the MusicRoom/Room 113) 5:30 Cherub Choir (PreK) (in Room 115) 6:00 Check-In/Dinner 6:30 Large Group Gathering (in the Sanctuary) 7:00 Small Groups 7:30 Check-Out/Pick up

6:30 - 7:30 Spiritual Practices: The Path to Joy

led by Rev. Jerry Black - Room 116
D. Elton Trueblood once observed: The greatest problems of our time are not technological, political or economic, The greatest problems are moral and spiritual, Perhaps then, there is a path to a deeper moral and spiritual character, and this course is a look at some practical steps on just such a path. Spiritual practices are actions and activities that enhance our relationship with God, the universe, Gods people, and our true selves. Join us as we explore the wonder of meditation, prayer, fasting, Bible study, solitude, confession, and worshipto name just a few of the steps on this journey. The textbook is Richard J. Fosters Celebration of Discipline. The cost for the textbook is $13.00. Please register online @ www.fccedmond.org/unite or call Iris Jordan at (405) 341-3544.

7:308:45 Chancel Choir

led by Diane Ball - Sanctuary
(Nursery/Childcare Available) Our Chancel Choir offers musical gifts throughout the year in worship services and on special occasions. Join them!

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Peggy Thies (Sandy Mitchells mom), Kathy Badger (Julie Buntons mom), Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owens daughter), Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Florine Shirley, Judy Joy, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed & Judy Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams mom), Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Maridale Hamilton Bitterfield

Happy Birthday!
12/25 Andrew Harris 12/26 Shirley Hopper, Diana Lee 12/27 Genny Adamson, Ann Baccus, Dylan Fieth, Wendy Hanson, Sally Leonard, Betty Winn 12/28 Bart Rodr, Brenda Spence, Clint Stone 12/29 Haden Ayers, Melva Davis, Lisa Lunsford, Jake Privette, Bob Steele, John T. Stone 12/30 Jakob Griffith, Alan Shepard, Kody VanOsdol 12/31 Velia Deal, Roger Quinn, Carol Schwabe, Jordan Thomas 1/1 Tatum Fondren, Michele Schlough, Sharron Suarez 1/2 Madi Huffer, Charmei Coleman 1/3 William Carson, John Mabry, Kathi DeSpain, Gary Bartley 1/5 Jennifer Rodr, R.D. Neal, Judy Joy, Shirley Michael 1/6 Jimmy King 1/7 Lori Fuler, Laird Williams, Tim Clark, Katelyn King, Heather Galyon, Carolyn Gilbreath, Tom Cowling 1/8 Grant Linville, Bob Stafford, Matthew Dowell, Sarah Dowell, Teresa Malzahn, Angela Giddens, Madelynn Bartley 1/9 Michael Sanford, Connie Westhof, Jake Theobald, Becky Winn, Mike Grant 1/10 Jo Anne Hatley, Bill Dobson, George Hall, Kate Kerr, Kelly Black 1/11 George Hauser, Kathy Thomas 1/12 Cherrie Steele, Taylor Adams 1/13 Gifford Parkhurst, Garrett Thomas 1/14 Barry Rice, Vicki Snow 1/15 John Werhun, Kayla Allison

2011 Christmas Offering - for B.O.B & HOPE Center

The Christmas offering taken at the Christmas Eve Services will be shared with Breakfast on Boulevard and the HOPE Center of Edmond. Prayerfully consider donating to meet the needs of others. Winter time places greater demands on both the HOPE Center and Breakfast on Boulevard. Its been a record breaking year for B.O.B., where we will serve almost 24,000 meals by years end. These meals will cost $51,000, which is a 19% increase from 2010. With the rising cost of putting food on the family table, and the current state of our economy, the need for this vital ministry to the community continues to increase. Your support is needed now more than ever!

Sharing Gifts

2012 Elders and Deacons Training

Elders and Deacons are encouraged to attend a combined orientation and communion training session at 6:30pm on Sunday, January 8, 2012. We will gather in the sanctuary. Please let us know if you will be unable to attend. Elders, please reply to Greg Hall, Moderator of the Elders (gregorythall@aol.com) and Deacons, please reply to Geri Moffatt (gerimoffatt@cox.net) or Dyke Moffatt (hdmoffatt@sbcglobal.net) co-Moderators of the Deacons. Thank you!

Happy Holidays - Happy New Year!

The Church Offices are closed for the Christmas holiday on Monday and Tuesday, December 26 and 27. They will also be closed for the New Year holiday on Monday, January 2. The Chalice Connection takes a regularly scheduled break the last week of December and the first week of January. Publication resumes Thursday, January 12.

Is your mailbox overflowing with catalogs and junk mail?

Did you know that our church has a paper recycling program called Paper Retriver? Its a simple way to help raise funds for student ministries while taking up less space in the landfill. You can recycle all of your newspaper, magazines, shopping catalogs, office and school papers and mail 24 hours/7 days a week right here in our green and yellow bin which is located in our Jackson Street parking lot (behind the drycleaners). This is an easy way for you to recycle your paper every week and help us raise money for student ministries! So find a box, put it in a convenient place in your home, fill it with junk mail, magazines, mail, and newspapers, then bring it with you to church and drop in the the green and yellow bin. (no cardboard or phone books, please) We thank you for your continued support of this important fundraising effort!

Worship

Begin the New Year in Church!

10:45am Unified Worship Service
10:00AM - Enjoy SNOWBALLS for Breakfast!and warm up during Coffee Fellowship with hot chocolate and a variety of donut holes! 10:30AM - Nursery begins No Sunday school or SPROUTS Children Worship on New Years Day

December 25, 2011 Christmas Day Unified Worship - 10:45am

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: The Wonder of Christmas Meeting the Christ Child Scripture: Luke 2:15b-16

January 1, 2011 New Years Day Unified Worship - 10:45am

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Theme: Making Something New Scripture: Isaiah 43:18-21

Come as casual as you wish... Children - Come to Church in Your PAJAMAS!

On the of the fun things that came out of the summer RENEW conversations came from our children - to have a Pajama Sunday! We value all voices, big and small, and have selected New Years Day as the time to celebrate this idea from the children. Children are invited to wear their pajamas to church, and everyone is welcome to dress in sweatshirts or other relaxed clothes as we usher in the New Year together, share communion and lift our voices in praise to God. What are Snowballs for Breakfast? The Membership Committee is hosting a special coffee bar on New Years Day with breakfast fun featuring a variety of donut holes, hot chocolate and candy canes!

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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