Connection: Cherishing The Moment

CONNECTION
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 41, October 18, 2012
The Chalice
Cherishing the Moment

By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
Many of you know I just returned from a trip to Italy with some wonderful friends from our church family. We had a great experience seeing many of the wonderful sights of Rome, Florence and many villages in between. While gazing at some of the most amazing art treasures in the world, I was struck by the number of people who were taking pictures. In fact they were so intent on getting the right shot, Im not sure they took the time to appreciate the beauty of the moment. Whether facing the beautiful sculpture of Michelangelos David, or his Sistine Chapel; marveling at Berninis Ecstasy of St. Teresa, or Caravaggios wonderful painting masterpieces, few of the tourists seemed to be taking in the moment. They were recording it in their cameras to look at later. Now, dont think that I have a problem with pictures. They are great momentos to have of times past. I cherish many of the photos I have of loved ones through the years. But they cannot replace the time that I had with those people. I read a great piece in Scott Kinnairds blog by Fred LaMotte: What were you thinking in that moment when you first gazed into the Grand Canyon? What were you thinking when you looked up and saw a shooting star? What were you thinking when you heard the most perfect musical passage, when you closed your eyes and tasted the most exquisite dish any chef ever concocted? What were you thinking that first moment you gazed into the face of your newborn baby? In that moment, of course, you were not thinking anything at all. The subject and object were completely merged, yet you were aware of bliss deep within. And that moment was the end of time, the end of all conflict and seeking. It was the answer, because no question arose. True enough. Those moments are gifts from God. And they are precious gifts. This moment is all that God has given us. We need to appreciate it, enjoy it and cherish those around us, whom we are fortunate to have in our lives. Rather than concentrating on taking a photo of that time, let us take a snapshot on our souls. Be thankful. See you on Sunday as we cherish our time together.
Sunday, November 4
Each year First Christian participates in the Church World Service CROP Hunger Walk. Money raised from the CROP Walk helps fight hunger around the world, as well as in our own community. A portion of the money raised will support Breakfast on Boulevard, Mobile Meals, The Hope Center, and Samaritan House. This year the CROP walk is on Sunday, November 4. Everyone is invited to join us as we have fun while making a difference for those who are hungry! Stop by the table in the Rotunda on Sunday October 21 and pick up a walker packet, or simply make a donation! Then join us at Mitch Park on Sunday, November 4, for the walk. Registration begins at 1:00 and the walk begins at 2:00. Hope to see you there! - Your Outreach Ministry Team
FROZEN PASTRIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

The FCC youth are selling yummy Butter Braids, Tea Rings & Swirls in a variety of flavors now through October 28 for $12.00 each. These frozen pastries bake up warm and fluffy and have delicious fruit fillings. They make great holiday gifts and excellent morning treats. Delivery will be the week of November 12th-15th. To place your order to be delivered before the holidays, see a youth at the Rotunda display table on Sunday morning or contact Diane Ball at 341-3544 or [email protected] All proceeds benefit the FCC youth mission fund. And, as always, if you dont want to purchase but still want to support our efforts, donations are gladly accepted and greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Order Deadline is Sunday, October 28
Candlelight Service of Remembrance

November 4 - 3pm
by Shirley Brown For some of us, Thanksgiving and Christmas are not times of celebration. The holiday season is filled with sadness due to loss. Our hearts are heavy now that there will be one less face for the holidays this year. It can be very difficult to celebrate the joy of Thanksgiving and Christmas in the midst of grief. If this is where you are this year, please join us for our Candlelight Service of Remembrance. This quiet, reflective service offers a time to acknowledge the pain of grief and look quietly for hope in our darkness. Rev. Dr. Jerry Black will offer the message, and, Prayer Ministers will be on hand to fashion personal prayers for your specific needs if you wish. Please join us for this beautifully touching service.
All Unite Families: We will UNITE on Halloween
On Wednesday, October 31, all adults, youth and children are encouraged to wear their costumes! Children: We will have the same schedule as usual, except we will dismiss for the night at 7pm, after large group time in the Sanctuary. We will not have small group. Parents: When the children come out of the Sanctuary, the youth will be there with candy for the children - so the children can trick or treat! Bring a bag or sack for treats! Students (Grades 6-12): We will be dressing up in costumes for UNITE! We will have dinner at 6pm in the FLC. Bring a bag of Halloween Candy - after dinner our youth will gather outside the Sanctuary so our children can trick or treat! After trick or treating, our students will gather on the front lawn of the church for a Dance Party until 8pm. Join us for a fun-filled, safe evening!
Whats Coming Up? Current and Upcoming Events

Interfaith Tour For Adults and Young Adults October 21 - 1:00pm
The Oklahoma Conference of Churches is pleased to announce that the Religions United Committee is conducting an Interfaith Tour for adults and young adults on October 21. This additional tour is by popular request, following OCCs highly successful annual Interfaith Youth Tours. Visit Muslim, Christian and Jewish houses of worship and learn about their faith, customs, and traditions. Check-in will begin at 1:00pm at the Masjid An-Nasr Mosque (3815 N. St. Clair Ave., OKC 73112). Tour will conclude by 5:30pm. Transportation and snacks are included with your $15 registration fee. To register, call 525-2928.
Oklahoma Conference of Churches Annual Dinner
November 8 - 5:30pm
The Annual Dinner will be held November 8, 2012 in downtown Oklahoma City at the Petroleum Club. Special guest speaker will be Mr. Kirk Smalley of Stand For The Silent. Mr. Smalley will share a very personal and moving presentation about school bullying. Kirk and his wife, Laura, reside near Stillwater, OK, and since May 2010, they have shared their message with over 580,000 kids across our nation. Their story is featured in Director Lee Hirschs feature film, Bully. Dr. Tabbernee will also be sharing the progress and vision of The Oklahoma Conference of Churches. Your donation of $30 will include dinner, entertainment, and this informative program. You can sign up at on the OCC website at http://okchurches.org/upcoming-events/
Celebrating 40 Years of Service
November 17 - 12:30pm
Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell, will retire December of 2012. The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma has planned a celebration of Toms regional ministry and work. The celebration will be held on Saturday, November 17 at Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond. Please RSVP by Friday, November 9, as seating is limited. Lunch reservations are $20 per person. To make reservations, call Jean Scott Gauldin at 528-3577 or email [email protected]
Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Larry Hays (Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law) at OU Med Center-Presby Tower THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Donna Clark, Wayne Warner, Neal Hunt, Patsy Corrigan, Jim Hays, Jason Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Jerri Jones, Rose Marie McKee, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS TO Richard and Teresa Finley & Family in the death of Richards dad, Drew Finley Jr., on October 14. Services were held on October 17 at Epworth Villas Chapel AND TO Jo Jackson in the death of her husband, Roy Jackson, on October 16. Services will be held on Friday, October 19 at 10am at FCC-Edmonds Chapel AND TO Zach Gragg & Family on the death of his mother, Debbie Gragg, on October 15. Services will be held on Friday, October 19 at 2pm at FCC-Edmonds Sanctuary AND TO Carol Jennings, Eric and Amanda Jennings & Family in the death of their husband and father, Bob Jennings, on October 16. Memorial services pending. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Draden Asher Thompson born October 16 to Paul & Ashlee Thompson. Grandmother is Pam Fraim, Great Grandmother is Sue Fraim and Great Aunt is Kay Sullins. CONGRATULATIONS to Robert Louis Webster & Annamarie Dyanne Stiffler in their marriage October 16 at Hafer Park in Edmond. The mother of the bride is Karri Smith.
Happy Birthday!
10/21 Sue Archer, Carter Cain, Gary Cauthen, Ann Crandall, Nancy Gallop, Mark Nash 10/22 Mike Felice, Julie Lowder, Kay Sullins, Lane Tompkins, Linda Weddle 10/23 Ali Haley, Jenni Hast, Nathan Wilburn 10/24 Richard Finley, Devin Giddens 10/25 Mattie Huff 10/26 Lynn Daylor, Viginia Hiebert, Teddi Owen, Sara Shipley, Russell Stafford 10/27 Amy Quade, Terri Turner 10/28 Susie Arn, Benny Christensen
Can You Sew or Quilt?

We have two opportunities for you to share your wonderful gift with others: Quilts for Newborns in Need: Founded upon Christian principles of love and acceptance, Newborns in Need has provided essential items without charge to those in need since 1992. The last month or so, many of you prayed in color on some quilting squares. Now we are looking for some volunteers to sew & quilt those together. If you would like to help, call Janet Helms at 921-0572. Stockings for Our Troops: Many of our troops will not be home for Christmas, so, the Blue Star Mothers of Edmond is asking for Christmas Stockings. The goal is 100 Christmas Stockings for our troops by December 1. Can you help? If you can sew or if you are able to purchase stockings, call Becky Winn at 532-5150.
Parents of Children: This Sunday, and the next few Sundays, children ages 3-5th grade are invited to decorate boxes for Operation Christmas Child during the 9am Worship Service. This will be an Open Hands project for the children to participate. The children will be dismissed at the beginning of service; Ms. Michelle will take them to the Fellowship Hall. There will be supplies provided, but please feel free bring Christmas stickers and other items they would like to use.
Financial Report
Through three fourths of Budget Year 2012, General fund revenues continue to be ahead of general fund budget. Year-to-date pledge giving is 102.8% of year-to-date pledge budget and year-to-date non-pledge giving is 110.1% of year-todate non-pledge budget. General Fund Expenses are 96.1% of year-to-date budget. Building fund revenue year-to-date is 92.1% of year-to-date building fund pledges. A significant building fund gift/payment against mortgage principal was received in September - Thank You! Year-to-date (YTD), through September 30, 2012, revenue and expenses are: General Fund Building Fund YTD Actual YTD Actual Revenue $840,899.51 $187,541.99 Expense $825,293.42 $204,563.52 Excess/(Shortfall) $15,606.08 ($17,021.53) Remember to please note on your checks or envelopes which accounts you want your contribution credited.
from the Finance Committee
Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am
at First Christian
October 21, 2012
If your child, or grandchild, would like to participate in this years childrens musical Once Upon A Christmas Light, please be sure that they come to rehearsals on Wednesday evenings from 5:00-6:00 pm during Unite. Rehearsals have begun! Contact Diane Ball at [email protected] or Michele Fritz at mfritz@ fccedmond.org or call them at 341-3544 with any questions.
Childrens Christmas Musical
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Matthew 16:13-19 Theme: Build My Church
Christmas Cantata
October 28, 2012
Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Ephesians 4:25-5:2 Theme: Church As A Body
Do you love to sing, but dont have time to sing with the adult choir every Sunday? Come learn this years cantata, Lead Me Back To Bethlehem by Pepper Choplin. Join the Chancel Choir for this short time commitment. Rehearsals begin Wednesday, October 10th, at 7:00 pm in the sanctuary. Questions? Contact Diane Ball at (405) 341-3544 or at [email protected]
The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editor [email protected] Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to [email protected]
Classics Off To Branson - October 23-25, 2012!

This trip includes three great shows: 3 Red Neck Tenors, The Duttons,and the musical production Joseph; and, two great dinners at The Great American Chicken House and the Keeter Center. Come join the Classics for a fun-filled trip! The cost is $389 (2-person occupancy) and includes transportation, two nights lodging, plus all meals and attractions. For information and reservations, call Winnie Hall at 405-341-4297 or Ellen Chitwood at 405-341-2859.
(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Years Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083
Periodicals Postage Paid Edmond, OK USPS 210-360

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CONNECTION

Cherishing the Moment

FROZEN PASTRIES FOR THE HOLIDAYS

Order Deadline is Sunday, October 28

Candlelight Service of Remembrance

All Unite Families: We will UNITE on Halloween

Whats Coming Up? Current and Upcoming Events

Oklahoma Conference of Churches Annual Dinner

Celebrating 40 Years of Service

Prayers of the People

Can You Sew or Quilt?

from the Finance Committee

Childrens Christmas Musical

October 28, 2012

The Chalice CONNECTION

Classics Off To Branson - October 23-25, 2012!

Periodicals Postage Paid Edmond, OK USPS 210-360

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