The Chalice A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OKCONNECTION Celebrate Scouting! By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister Vol. 4 No. 4 February 2, 2012 One ofthe joys ofserving this congregation is seeing First Christian’s commitment to serving its community. Years ago in a long- range planning session, the church made the intentional decision to remain a downtown church, just as many other churches were headed to the “greener pastures” on the outs kirts of town . The wise decision was made to purchase some land around our church to make room for expansion and more ministry in the future. That is a s olid commitment. Serving the community sounds great, but in reality it is very difficult. That’s why many churches choose not to open their buildings to as many groups as we do. We have a constant flow of schools, community groups, outreach organizations, non-profits and self-help groups that come in and out of our building on a daily basis. Issues of security, space usage, clean- up, parking—all come into play when scheduling gro ups. Even though it can be challenging, we have honored our commitment t o serving E dmond. I’m proud to say that I get calls from Edmond leadership on a regular basis requesting to use our facilities. They know to call us first, because we are trying to build community in our city. Building community is what our ministry is all about. Touching lives, both inside and outside the church reflects the ministry of Jesu s Christ. Reaching out to those in need, in different ways, shows our commitment to God’s kingdom. This Sunday, we celebrate another long-term community project of our church. Our Boy Scout Troop 479 was started 50 years ago by our own Gifford Parkhurst. His vision in e stablishing th is wonderful ministry has touched the lives of so many boys and men over the years. You may not be aware of how vital this group is - they don’t meet on Sunday, but if you come on Monday nights, you can see Scouts everywhere! Sunday we will recognize all of the Scouts who have gone through our program, a nd Gifford Parkhurst. Jack Smith, Alan Simpson and Bruce Jackson (our preacher for the day) have invited former Scoutmasters and Eagle Scouts back for this wonderful tribute to a group that creates community, fosters good citizenship and reaches out to our world. Thanks t o everyone involved. And thanks to you, First Christian, for your commitment to reaching out. By its very definition, a “sanctuary” is a place of refuge and protection where people feel both welcome and safe. In practice, churches struggle with what it means to have open doors yet provide a sense of security for those welcome inside. We want to be a church that provides security, not only for our church families but for our staff as well. While we think “bad things would never happen in our church,” the facts, stories and statistics show that institutions of faith are experiencing loss and face the same dangers as other areas of our culture. And we are no exception. In recent weeks, we have had two thefts and have become aware of other potential concerns. So now our church is moving forward in faith with some new and responsible procedures: Our main entry front doors (facing Second Street parking lot) have cameras for electronic monitoring and controlled intercom access during weekday business hours. When you arrive, push the outside call button to gain access. A volunteer or staff person will acknowledge your presence and release the door latch from their desk. A key fob entry system has been installed on the east door directly across the sidewalk from the west side of our Family Life Center. This door is now limited by fob access during child care center hours (6:30 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday). These steps will ensure someone on staff has knowledge of people entering the facility. While these steps create additional work and a potential inconvenience, we believe these measures are reasonable, prudent, and a natural progression to ensure safety for the children of the child care center, our staff and our membership. Providing a Sense of Security By Frank Gresh, Board Moderator and Robbi Kinnaird, Board Moderator-Elect
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK
CONNECTION
Celebrate Scouting!By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
Vol. 4 No. 4 February 2, 2012
One of the joys of serving thiscongregationis seeing FirstChristian’scommitmentto serving itscommunity.
Years agoin a long-
range planning session, the church madethe intentional decision to remain adowntown church, just as many otherchurches were headed to the “greenerpastures” on the outskirts of town. Thewise decision was made to purchasesome land around our church to makeroom for expansion and more ministry inthe future. That is a solid commitment.
Serving the community soundsgreat, but in reality it is very difficult.That’s why many churches choosenot to open their buildings to as manygroups as we do. We have a constant
flow of schools, community groups,outreach organizations, non-profitsand self-help groups that come in andout of our building on a daily basis.Issues of security, space usage, clean-up, parking—all come into play whenscheduling groups. Even though it canbe challenging, we have honored ourcommitment to serving Edmond. I’mproud to say that I get calls from Edmondleadership on a regular basis requestingto use our facilities. They know to callus first, because we are trying to buildcommunity in our city.
Building community is what ourministry is all about. Touching lives, bothinside and outside the church reflects theministry of Jesus Christ. Reaching out tothose in need, in different ways, showsour commitment to God’s kingdom.
This Sunday, we celebrate anotherlong-term community project of ourchurch. Our Boy Scout Troop 479 wasstarted 50 years ago by our own GiffordParkhurst. His vision in establishing this
wonderful ministry has touched the livesof so many boys and men over the years.
You may not be aware of how vital thisgroup is - they don’t meet on Sunday,but if you come on Monday nights, youcan see Scouts everywhere!
Sunday we will recognize all of theScouts who have gone through ourprogram, and Gifford Parkhurst. JackSmith, Alan Simpson and Bruce Jackson(our preacher for the day) have invitedformer Scoutmasters and Eagle Scoutsback for this wonderful tribute to a groupthat creates community, fosters goodcitizenship and reaches out to our world.Thanks to everyone involved. Andthanks to you, First Christian, for yourcommitment to reaching out.
By its very definition, a “sanctuary” is a place of refuge and protection where people feel both welcome and safe. In practice,
churches struggle with what it means to have open doors yet provide a sense of security for those welcome inside. We want to be achurch that provides security, not only for our church families but for our staff as well.While we think “bad things would never happen in our church,” the facts, stories and statistics show that institutions of faith are
experiencing loss and face the same dangers as other areas of our culture. And we are no exception. In recent weeks, we have hadtwo thefts and have become aware of other potential concerns. So now our church is moving forward in faith with some new andresponsible procedures:
Our main entry front doors (facing Second Street parking lot) have cameras for electronic monitoring and controlledintercom access during weekday business hours. When you arrive, push the outside call button to gain access. A volunteeror staff person will acknowledge your presence and release the door latch from their desk.A key fob entry system has been installed on the east door directly across the sidewalk from the west side of our FamilyLife Center. This door is now limited by fob access during child care center hours (6:30 am-6 pm, Monday-Friday).
These steps will ensure someone on staff has knowledge of people entering the facility. While these steps create additional workand a potential inconvenience, we believe these measures are reasonable, prudent, and a natural progression to ensure safety for
the children of the child care center, our staff and our membership.
Providing a Sense of SecurityBy Frank Gresh, Board Moderator and Robbi Kinnaird, Board Moderator-Elect
Don’t Forget To Pick Up Your Subs!Student Ministry Super Bowl Sub SaleWe will have subs ready this Sunday for the Superbowl! If you pre-ordered be sure topick up your sub, chips, soda and brownie.
If you didn’t pre-order, and are craving a delicious deal, you may still drop by topurchase a sub sandwich and all the fixins plus a bag of chips, a canned soda or bottled water, and a delicious homemade browniefor just $6! We are making a few extras (first come, first served) so you can relax and enjoy the game with good food in hand.Proceeds from sub sales support student mission trips and activities. Thanks for supporting our students!
What Are Your Summer Travel Plans?
How About Coming to FCC’sAnnual Family Camp in Estes Park?Join us this year in beautiful Estes Park Colorado June 24 thru June 30th for Family Camp .Come experience what everyone is talking about! There is something for everyone. Whether yourfamily is one or ten you are welcome to join the fun.
To learn more you can pick up an information packet from the Family Camp table in therotunda, or download a pdf from our website at www.fccedmond.org/family camp
The activities at Family Camp are endless: hiking, white water rafting, golfing, crafting, tennis,skateboarding, fishing, rock climbing, star gazing ,and horseback riding. There is also a chance tozip line 800 ft through the mountains. In the evenings, we go to movies, shop and of course joinone another for a friendly game of Nerts and other games.
If you have any questions, please contact Susan Huffer at 623-2185.
What comes to mind when you think of the church season of Lent? Maybe givingsomething up—like chocolate?
This year, we invite you to join us fora unique study called “Chocolate for Lent” and prepare for Easter in a waythat both honors the spiritual disciplineof sacrifice and denial, and adds to yourspiritual growth through self-giving,
acceptance and conversion. The 5-week course is part Bible study and part film discussion group inspired by the 2000 AcademyAward nominated film Chocolat . The movie tells the story of a single mother and her daughter who move to a small, repressed andisolated French village and open a chocolate shop across the street from a church during Lent. The mother proceeds to transform thelives of all she meets.
Reflecting on clips from the film and passages from Scripture, our study will explore• the power of giving• welcoming the stranger;• accepting difference;• change and growth.
This study will be offered through some of our Sunday school classes February 26 through April 1. Also, Rev. Chris Shorow willlead a lunch-time discussion group of the book on Wednesdays, February 29 through March 28.
To prepare for the study we will offer an all-church viewing of the film Chocolat on Sunday, February 12 at 4pm. The Cornerstone Sunday school class will host the movie afternoon and provide us with popcorn, beverages and some deliciouschocolate. Childcare available by reservation for children 5th grade and younger. Ages 3 and over will be viewing the 1971 version of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory! Make childcare reservations online at www.fccedmond.org/lent
Five weeks of sermons will explore scriptures related to these themes of the film and study . Our Easter celebrationwill conclude with, what else, chocolate! So take up “Chocolate for Lent” this year—without guilt—and grow in faith together!
The Children’s and Youth Education Committees are pleased to announce two summerinternship programs for Children’s Ministries (ages birth-5th grade) and StudentMinistries (grades 6-12)...offering a total of four internship spots!
These internships are open to college students that grew up at First Christian Churchof Edmond and participated in the Children and Youth programs.
The purpose of the internships is as follows:
1. To provide our college students the opportunity to give back to the church and theprogram that nurtured them as children and teenagers
2. To provide the opportunity to be a positive role model to our children and youth,and to the life of our Children and Student Ministries.
3. To provide the opportunity for our college students to hone their leadership skills asthey help to plan and implement various programs and ministries.
The Children’s Education Committee will be hiring one intern for the summer, andthe Youth Education Committee will be hiring three interns for the summer.
If you are interested in finding out more, or if you would like to apply, please goto www.fccedmond.org/internship and complete the online process. The applicationdeadline is Sunday, March 25, 2012. Interns will be selected and notified by Sunday,
April 15, 2012.
Four Summer Internships Available!One for Children’s Education & Three for Student MinistriesBy Greg Bunton & Anna Lisa Stanley
Thinking About Joining First Christian?Do You Have Questions for Us?
Come Get Answers at
Discover First Christian!Sunday, February 12 @ 10 am
in Fellowship Hall West
Meet some of our staff; meet a few members;share coffee and some great conversation.
More than 20 years ago, the SouperBowl of Caring began with a simple
prayer: “Lord, as we enjoy the Super Bowl football game, help usto be mindful of those without even
a bowl of soup to eat.”
Since that day, more than $81 millionhas been raised for local hunger relief organizations through Souper Bowlof Caring. Be part of this movement
that is sharing God’s love with those in need.
Our Cornerstone Sunday School classleads this annual effort to TACKLEHUNGER in our community. Since
2004, they have collected over $6000for Breakfast on Boulevard throughthis simple gesture. They hope you will continue to give generously on
Super Bowl Sunday 2012.Members of the class will be holding
soup pots at the doors following worship on February 5 and all monies
raised will go directly to supportBreakfast on Boulevard.
Happy Birthday!2/5 Lu Cunningham, Christi Eischeid,
Prayers of the PeopleTHOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Cooper Kious, Edna Blunk, Loretta Parks, TommyAtchison, Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owen’s daughter),Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia
O’Niel, Cynthia David (Winnie Hall’s daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary LouWomble, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciak’s mom)
( U S P S 2 1 0 - 3 6 0 ) i s p u b l i s h e d w e e k l y ( e x c e p t w e e k s
o f N e w Y e a r ’ s D a y a n d C h r i s t m a s D a y ) . P e r i o d i c a l s p o s t a g e p a i d b y F i r s t C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h , 2 0 1 E . S e c o n d , E d m o n d , O K 7 3 0 3 4 - 4 5 6 P O S T M A S T E R : S e n d a d d r e s s c h a n g e s t o T h e C h a l i c e C O N N E C T I O N , P O B o x 3 5 4 8 , E d m o n d , O K 7 3 0 8 3
P e r i o d i c a l s P o s t a g e P a i d E d m o n d , O K U S P S 2 1 0 - 3 6 0
Come to the Regional Church’s 20th Annual Leadership Training School onSaturday, February 4th from 8:30 am to 12:45 pm at First Christian Church,Oklahoma City! Rev. Dr. Richard Hamm, former General Minister and President of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), will give the keynote address as part of the LTSopening worship at 9:00 am. Dr. Hamm will teach two classes and will speak at a luncheonat 1:00 p.m. following LTS. Luncheon reservations are required and must be in by January23rd. First Christian has paid registration for anyone from our congregation who wishesto attend. To see a complete list of classes offered at LTS, log on to our website at www.
fccedmond.org/lts OR visit the Regional Church website: www.okdisciples.org OR call 528-3577.
WorshipFebruary 5, 2012Message: Bruce JacksonTheme: Boy Scout SundayScripture: Isaiah 40:28-31
February 12, 2012Message: Rev. Greg Bunton
Rev. Chris Shorow Theme: Love: God’s Love Is Like...Scripture: 1 John 4:7-16
