2By Mattie Wesson

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First Christian Church, 100 Water Street, PO Box 367, Belton, TX 76513 http://fccbelton.org fccbeltoninfo@yahoo.com 254.939.3483

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

It is Christ Jesus who died, who was raised from the

dead, who is at the right hand of God, and who

himself intercedes for us. Romans 8:34

Pastor’s Corner

April 2015

1

Good Friday Service Easter Brunch DWM Meeting BOCCC Meal Elders’ Meeting Salad Kings Newsletter Deadline Bible Study

April 3 April 5 April 7 April 9 April 12 April 20 April 26

Wednesdays at 6 PM

April begins with the somber days of Holy Week. This yearly occasion for remembering

and celebrating, contemplating what Maundy Thursday represents, and what Good Friday

means, and what Easter inspires in us. And perhaps no words are more hopeful and

encouraging than Paul’s profound and sublime sermon in the middle of his letter to the

Romans, chapters 5-8- a passage called the high point of the Bible- which ends with this

famous believers’ affirmation that, “neither death nor life, nor angels or principalities or

powers, nor things present or things to come; not height or depth or anything else in all

creation, can separate us from the love of God in Christ Jesus our Lord.” For one old

preacher it meant this:

What a powerful word of hope to suffering people. Is there someone who speaks evil of

you? God is on your side. Has the world gone all wrong, and does it try to beat you down?

Jesus died, and was raised up, and right now is pleading for you with the Father. What

powerful thing or person can come between Christ's love and us? There are no natural

disasters, no class divisions, no diseases or revolutions that can separate us from Christ's

love. Such things may draw us into fearing, but nothing can pull us out of the strong and

secure hold of his loving arms. Whether we live or die in our trials, he is with us. If friends

desert us, or treat us unjustly, he is with us. If the future looks bleak, or if we can’t see light

in a present despair, he is with us. So called fate, or bad luck, or destiny, can’t take him

away; evil is no match for his might. He is still with us. There is no power greater than his

love. There is no hope more solid than our victory in the midst of all things, through his

love. Mike

Save the date

Saturday May 30

Cedarbrake Renewal Center

Hwy 317 in Belton

Guest Facilitator

Rev. Katie Alexander

Minister in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), keynote speaker, talk radio host, child of God.

There will be a morning and afternoon workshop, lunch, and time for meditation and walking the labyrinth, fun

and fellowship.

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First Christian Church

As I write this we’re about to begin Holy Week. The children have discussed the Last Supper and understand

the sacrament of Holy Communion and the words of institution. They’re ready to bring the palm leaves into

the sanctuary on Palm Sunday and shout Hosannas to Jesus. As you would expect, Children’s Sunday school

has spent the last few weeks preparing our children for Easter, so they realize how important the events

leading up to the crucifixion and the resurrection are to our faith and salvation. As we talked about Jesus

praying in the Garden of Gethsemane, we emphasized how important it is to pray during difficult times and to

follow God’s will. Although Jesus was only thirty-three and didn’t want to die, he chose to do that because he

loved us so much and it was part of God’s plan to lead us to heaven.

As we discussed Palm Sunday, we said the day marks the beginning of the last week Jesus was alive, and he

knew that when he entered Jerusalem on the donkey. But as our Lord entered the city, the people were happy

to see him. Because there is no children’s Sunday school on Easter Sunday, we’ll review the crucifixion,

burial, and resurrection story on Sunday, April 12. We’ll mention that the Easter egg is the symbol of new

life, and that the empty tomb is also the symbol of new life. We’ll make a story cross to remind ourselves

that Jesus lived, died, and was raised from the dead, and that the Christ lives forever. Hallelujah!

Our April studies will conclude with the stories of (doubting) Thomas and the breakfast on the beach. We’ll

use the latter story to discuss how Jesus is with us now and always, even as we do ordinary things, as when

the disciples, who were fishermen, went fishing.

Kern will lead an on-going activity this month, teaching the children the colors of faith. The children will

make bracelets, using different colored beads. Each week they will add a color or two, learning the religious

significance of each.

May God’s peace be with you today and always, Cindy

The Upper Room

From the Board President’s Desk Kirk Wallace

Hello everyone, I’d like to start out by saying thanks to all that attended the Board meeting held Sunday,

March 22. Our church has taken on a new make-over. With the new carpet, floors, and lighting, a new feel to

our church seems to abound. Thanks to all who took part in helping achieve this task. As we all know doing

the work, and making decisions on the business aspect of our beloved church, can sometimes be difficult. I

would like to express that when decisions are made, the congregation in whole is taken in consideration, and

input from all is put on the table. I thank God for all the support I’ve received from the elders and fellow board

members. I can see their love for our church in their actions, as well in the words they speak. I know our

dreams of our new Church, sometimes seem to be only a dream, but dreams do come true. I believe God has

his vision, and he will always see to our needs, as long as we continue to pray, and look for ways to help

ourselves. Thanks for all the help you give to make First Christian Church of Belton, the Church it is today,

and the hope of the Church it will be tomorrow. Kirk

Page 3 First Christian Church

DWM Circle By Cindy Capps

April is a wonderful time! The first full

month of spring is here. The winter weather is

winding down, and we celebrate new beginnings.

So it is with our Disciples Women! Please come to

our very important Tuesday, April 7 meeting, at 6

pm, in our newly remodeled fellowship hall! We’ll

wrap up this year’s events and begin looking

forward to next year.

At this meeting, we’ll have the privilege of

dispersing the money we raised this year to the

many deserving ministries we sponsor. Between

now and then, please prayerfully consider how you

believe our gifts should be divided. Last year we

gave away $3,000, and we’re on target to share

about that much again this year. Hallelujah!

Amy and Mattie are preparing a slate of new

officers for the coming year. They’ll present them

at our meeting, so come ready to decide who our

new leaders will be, as we elect our President, vice-

president, secretary, and treasurer for 2015-2016.

Cindy and Kern will host the meal that evening, and

Karen will give our devotional.

On Thursday, April 9, we’ll provide our

quarterly meal to the volunteers at the Body of

Christ Clinic. We’ll finalize the details for this Frito

pie supper at our meeting, as well. Thanks to all of

you who helped with the church-wide garage sale at

the Bell County Expo last month. We certainly stay

busy.

We’ll begin April with Holy Week and have

our Easter morning fellowship brunch on

Sunday, April 5. The breakfast begins at 9:30.

Charlene and Marilyn are co-hosting; please help

me guide the children to their Easter baskets, which

will have their names on them. What a wonderful

way to gather together and celebrate our Savior’s

loving gift of salvation.

CHURCH WOMEN

OF THE TEMPLE AREA

INVITES

All ladies and gentlemen of the

Community to attend the

ANNUAL SILVER TEA

Thursday, April 16, 2015

2:00 PM to 4:00 PM

UMHB Musick Alumni Center and Museum

At the Parker House on the Campus of UMHB

508 West Martin Luther King Street

Parking is available in the lot across the street

from the Meyers Christian Studies Building

908 Martin Luther King Street

The FUMC-Belton bus will shuttle persons from

the lot to the Alumni Center

A bus from the First Baptist Church-Temple will

shuttle persons from their parking lot

8015 West Adams Avenue Pick up time is 2:30 pm. The bus will return at 3:30 pm

A Love Offering will be accepted to benefit:

Churches Touching Lives for Christ

Helping Hands Ministry of Belton

Central Texas Youth Services Bureau

Central Texas 4C, Inc.

CHURCH BOARD MATTERS We need to close the books on fiscal year 2014-15

by June 30. Anyone desiring refunds for donations

made toward the land purchase must submit a

written request with proof of donations (copies of

cancelled checks. etc.) by May 31. Funds from the

land sale are already being used for repairs here,

and being set aside to support the continuing vision

and ministry of First Christian Church of Belton.

Call Kirk Wallace, Board President, with any

questions.

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First Christian Church

Lectionary Readings

April 2015

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Sunday Schedule

9:30am Sunday School

10:15 Choir Warmup 10:30am Fellowship 11:00am Worship 12:15 Choir Practice

1

6:00 pm Bible Study

2

3 Good Friday Service 6PM

4

5 HE IS RISEN!

Easter Brunch 9:30 AM

Service 11 AM

6

7 DWM 6:00 PM Fellowship Hall

8 6:00pm Bible Study

9

10

11

12

Elders’ Meeting

8:30 AM

13

14 15 6:00pm Bible Study

16 CWTA Annual Silver Tea – UMHB 2-4 PM

17

18

19

20 Salad Kings

6:00 PM

21 22 6:00pm Bible Study

23 24

25

26

27

28

29

6:00pm Bible Study

New Year’s Eve

30

April 5 April 12 April 19 April 26

Acts 10:34-43 or Isaiah 25:6-9

Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24 1 Corinthians 15:1-11 or

Acts 10:34-43 John 20:1-18 0r Mark 16:1-8

Acts 4:32-35 Psalm 133

1 John 1:1-2:2 John 20:19-31

Acts 3:12-19 Psalm 4

1 John 3:1-7 Luke 24:36b-48

Acts 4:5-12 Psalm 23

1 John 3:16-24 John 10:11-18

Happy 1 Aleshia Mains

5 Trystan Barton

Birthday! 17 Priscilla Farr

18 Kay Korsmo

Page 5 First Christian Church

April 2015 Service Calendar

Prayer Requests

Bill Ankenbauer Lee Banks

David and Rita Bartlett Jeannine Blair

Lida Boland Virginia Carden Kate Carrigan

Gladys Cockrum Marlene Eastman

Dayna/Jeremiah Ebeling Jabe Evans and Family

Mary H

Debbie Hamner Mary Harris

Lois andPete Helmitz Eva Higgs

Susan Johnston Dan Kipping

Joyce Klutts Long Rachel Korsmo Ellen Leinfelder

E. J. Malone

Dwain and Jane McDonald

Rick Montgomery John Parazinski Kathy Pavlica Ovella Phillips

Margrit R. Bonnie Ricker

Faye Ritter Debra Roberts

Juanita Rodriguez & Family Doris Sanders

Bob and Joan Savage

Shirley Linda Schumann

Joyce Spindle Morgan Sthele

Christy Templeton Marilyn Van Schoelandt

Jan Tucker Faye Washington Mattie Wesson Debbie Whitson

Elsie York

April 5

April 12 April 19 April 26

Communion Elder Sharon Moore Cindy Capps Amy Larson Cindy Capps

Offertory Elder Amy Larson Mattie Wesson Kurt Gruver Amy Larson

Early Deacon Cindy Capps Cindy Capps Cindy Capps Cindy Capps

Deacon 1 Mylessa Wheeler Mylessa Wheeler Mylessa Wheeler Mylessa Wheeler

Deacon 2 Judy Wallace Kay Korsmo Cindy Capps Judy Wallace

Deacon 3 Terri Holwerda Tom Korsmo LaQuita Gruver LaQuita Gruver

Deacon 4 Derek Smith Judy Wallace Diane Pressley Diane Pressley

Communion Preparation

Judy Wallace Judy Wallace Mattie Wesson Judy Wallace

Greeter Priscilla Farr Mike & Penny Adams Mattie Wesson Mattie Wesson

Refreshments

Mattie & Diane Cindy Capps Judy Wallace

Acolyte John Averill Michael Averill John Averill Michael Averill

Children’s Moment

Jaime Wheeler Pastor Mike Jaime Wheeler Pastor Mike

Worship Leader Terri Holwerda Mattie Wesson LaQuita Gruver Kurt Gruver

First Christian Church

100 Water Street, PO Box 367

Belton, TX 76513

Phone:

(254) 939-3483

E-Mail:

fccbelton100@sbcglobal.net

fccbeltoninfo@yahoo.com

We’re on the Web!

Visit us at:

fccbelton.org

Pastor…Reverend Michael Dunson Choir Director/Pianist…Marilyn VanSchoelandt

Song Leader…Amy Larson Media Team…Dusty Smith and Mylessa Wheeler

Nursery Attendant…Jaime Wheeler Ministry Assistant…Sandra Robinson

First Christian Church

PO Box 367 Belton, TX 76513

Customer Name

Street Address

City, ST ZIP Code

“It is hard for a free fish to understand what is happening to a hooked

fish.”

Karl A. Menninger

Come and See