First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) All are WELCOME First News October 2017 3105 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, TX 78666 ~ 512.396.1926 ~ www.fcc-sm.org ~ [email protected]Important Dates in October October 1, Sunday: Blessing of the Animals, 5:00 PM Youth activity—Hondo Corn Maize October 2, Monday: Property Committee meeting, 7:00 PM October 6-8: Women’s Retreat October 7, Saturday: Male Call, 8:00 AM October 8, Sunday: Shepherd Group Leaders meeting & Youth Funraiser Lunch October 9, Monday: Finance Committee meeting, 6:00 PM October 10, Tuesday: Christian Education Committee meeting, 6:00 PM Butterfly Group, 7:00 PM October 12, Thursday: Membership Committee meeting, 2:00 PM October 15, Sunday: Potluck Lunch and Chili Cook Off, 11:45 AM October 22, Sunday: Worship Committee meeting, 11:45 AM October 29, Sunday: Youth Worship (Super Hero with costumes) Trunk or Treat at Mendez Elementary, 4:00 - 6:00 PM What Shall I Wear? Fall is here. You can feel it in the air. Cooler nights, more rain, there is even a different scent in the air. I enjoy the changing season, the more moderate temperatures, and the fall colors. I grew up in Michigan. In that northern climate when seasons change you change your wardrobe to match. So, you put away your T-shirts, shorts, sandals, and you pull out your corduroys and sweaters. Physical season changes have their spiritual counterpart, and we must prepare for those changes as well. Jesus chided the people of his day, saying, ““When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:2-3 (NIV) In the Hebrew Bible, in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 it observes that for everything there is a season: We know our physical season: fall colors, trick or treat, all the rest. What about our spiritual season? Is this a time to weep or a time to laugh? A time to tear down or a time to build? Here is the Apostle Paul’s advice: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” --Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV) What shall I wear in this season? Nothing less than the “whole armor of God”! In this time of fake news and alternative facts, we must rise above the fog. And put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. – Ephesians 6:10-17 Our struggle is not with wind and rain, it is with deceit and exploitation and arrogance. We put on Christ for protection. We fight back with integrity and faith and compassion. It is the season of the Spirit! There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens: a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance, a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing, a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away, a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak, a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
October 1, Sunday: Blessing of the Animals, 5:00 PM Youth activity—Hondo Corn Maize
October 2, Monday: Property Committee meeting, 7:00 PM
October 6-8: Women’s Retreat
October 7, Saturday: Male Call, 8:00 AM
October 8, Sunday: Shepherd Group Leaders meeting & Youth Funraiser Lunch
October 9, Monday: Finance Committee meeting, 6:00 PM
October 10, Tuesday: Christian Education Committee meeting, 6:00 PM Butterfly Group, 7:00 PM
October 12, Thursday: Membership Committee meeting, 2:00 PM
October 15, Sunday: Potluck Lunch and Chili Cook Off, 11:45 AM
October 22, Sunday: Worship Committee meeting, 11:45 AM
October 29, Sunday: Youth Worship (Super Hero with costumes) Trunk or Treat at Mendez Elementary, 4:00 - 6:00 PM
What Shall I Wear? Fall is here. You can feel it in the air. Cooler nights, more rain, there is even a different scent in the air. I enjoy the changing season, the more moderate temperatures, and the fall colors.
I grew up in Michigan. In that northern climate when seasons change you change your wardrobe to match. So, you put away your T-shirts, shorts, sandals, and you pull out your corduroys and sweaters.
Physical season changes have their spiritual counterpart, and we must prepare for those changes as well. Jesus chided the people of his day, saying, ““When evening comes, you say, ‘It will be fair weather, for the sky is red,’ 3 and in the morning, ‘Today it will be stormy, for the sky is red and overcast.’ You know how to interpret the appearance of the sky, but you cannot interpret the signs of the times.” Matthew 16:2-3 (NIV) In the Hebrew Bible, in Ecclesiastes 3:1-8 it observes that for everything there is a season:
We know our physical season: fall colors, trick or treat, all the rest. What about our spiritual season? Is this a time to weep or a time to laugh? A time to tear down or a time to build? Here is the Apostle Paul’s advice: “Be very careful, then, how you live—not as unwise but as wise, making the most of every opportunity, because the days are evil.” --Ephesians 5:15-16 (NIV)
What shall I wear in this season? Nothing less than the “whole armor of God”! In this time of fake news and alternative facts, we must rise above the fog. And put on the belt of truth, the breastplate of righteousness, shoes of peace, the shield of faith, the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God. –Ephesians 6:10-17
Our struggle is not with wind and rain, it is with deceit and exploitation and arrogance. We put on Christ for protection. We fight back with integrity and faith and compassion. It is the season of the Spirit!
There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens:
a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot,
a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build,
a time to weep and a time to laugh, a time to mourn and a time to dance,
a time to scatter stones and a time to gather them, a time to embrace and a time to refrain from embracing,
a time to search and a time to give up, a time to keep and a time to throw away,
a time to tear and a time to mend, a time to be silent and a time to speak,
a time to love and a time to hate, a time for war and a time for peace.
First Christian Church in San Marcos is one of the founding churches of the ecumenical campus ministry at Texas State University which is now called, United Campus Ministry. (www.ucmtxstate.org) We are in partnership with the United Methodist, Presbyterian, and United Church of Christ churches. This year we have a new Campus Minister, Rev. Todd Salmi. Also, this year, for the first time we have a graduate intern, Mar-shall Breedlove, working with the students.
Texas State has about 42,000 students, most of whom have no church affiliation. However, they do have the need to be cared for, nurtured, fed, & given opportunities to experience the love of God and the validity of faith that gives them direction, comfort and meaning.
How we can help: 1. Our church includes a small contribution to the ministry as part of our outreach budget. 2. Individual donations can be made online at the address above. One easy and popular
way to give is the “Club of 21”, which allows you to make an automatic donation of $21 each month.
3. Every Monday UCM churches & Christ Chapel provide lunch to about 150 students. 4. Adopt a student! As we become involved with new students this year, consider giving
one of them meals and time in your home. 5. Host dinners for a group of students. Check with Marshall for scheduling. 6. Be prepared to help as we learn about activities and needs for students this year.
The Celebration Bags for each student at Mendez Elemen-tary have been revised for the upcoming 2017-18 school year. Not only has the bag itself changed, but it will now be filled with a pencil, an eraser, candy, a small bag of Goldfish crackers and a coupon for a free book that each student can choose from a newly created "Mendez Book Box."
How can you help?
Please bring: bags of individually wrapped pieces of candy (No Nuts or Peanut Butter, please), small, snack size bags of Goldfish crackers or make a monetary con-tribution. Your support and contributions will ensure the continuation of this outreach program.
You won't want to miss our Potluck Lunch this month!
On October 15, we will be hosting our 3rd Annual Chili Cook Off. Please join us after worship for chili tasting and voting, and then stay to enjoy our Potluck Lunch. We will be serving CHILI! If you would like to enter the Chili Cook Off, please fill out an entry form found on the Education table in the narthex. Return completed entry forms to the "Turn In" basket, the office, or Teri Stapp by October 8. Wayman Mullins is our reigning Chili Champion for the past 2 years - I wonder who will win THIS year?
Since this is a scheduled Potluck Lunch,
please bring a dish to share!
We Need Pumpkins!
The United Campus Ministry, along with Christ Chapel, will be having a pumpkin carving party on Thursday, October 26th. We will eat Halloween themed foods, have a pumpkin carving/decorating contest, and watch silly
"scary" movies.
What we need is pumpkins, painting supplies and carving kits. Pumpkins of all sizes are accepted and we are hoping to get AT LEAST 20 pumpkins and 10 carving kits from First Christian Church - San Marcos.
Also, If you would like to donate battery powered tea lights, that would be a well received bonus! Can't use real can-dles because of the no-fire policies in most dorms and
apartments.
For more information contact Marshall Breedlove at 512-618-9261
Our Chancel Choir is about to begin work on our Christmas Cantata, Unto Us A Child Is Born, arranged by Ronn Huff.
We are scheduled to sing this music on Sunday, December 17. Also, our Chancel Ringers will be playing Prelude Music.
If you are interested in joining us for this wonderful collection of music, please talk to Janey following services OR you may write to her at: [email protected].
Connecting… Caring… Sharing… Growing… Report from Gael Thompson , FCC Adult Education Coordinator
Our adult classes are off to a great start. New members are always welcome:
Covenants with God: Studies in the Old and New Testaments with Linda Vetters in the Parlor
Making Sense of the Bible by Adam Hamilton: Book study with Rev. Gregory Ross and Marshall Breedlove for October sessions, in the Chapel.
Thriving Families Now: Discussions on effective communication in our families, led by Gael Thompson, LPC, Oct. 1, 8, 15, in the Chapel area
classroom. Next we will have the gift of a guest leader, Tucker Blythe, principal of the Master’s School, in learning how to build a solid family faith foundation, Oct. 22, 29 and Nov. 5. We will finish our study with another guest leader, Rev. Todd Salmi, UCM campus minister, looking at how to cultivate faith in our teens that lasts into college and beyond. Any-one involved with children will benefit from this study. Come support our guest leaders and one another as we share the joy of raising children.
Notes to the Congregation
From the Parent Liaison for Mendez Elementary
On Sunday, October 29 from 4:00 to 6:00 pm, First Christian Church, First Presbyterian and the Unitarian Church will be
sponsoring a “Trunk or Treat” event at Mendez Elementary. Each church is being asked to bring Capri Suns & bottled water.
If you would like to participate by decorating your car’s trunk and hand out treats, please come by 4:00 pm. There will be a
COSTUME PARADE at 5:15 pm. The “Trunk or Treat” will be from 5:30 to 6:00 pm. Other activities to be offered are:
NOISE SHAKERS; FACE PAINTING; BEAN BAG TOSS; AND PUMPKIN SLIME.
For more information please contact Shawn Colson at 512-757-2521 or email at [email protected]
Lay Leaders
Oct. 1 — Rustyn Colson
Oct. 8 — W. C. Carson
Oct. 15 — David Voight
Oct. 22 — Olga Gerhart
Oct. 29 — Youth
October Serving Schedule
October Anniversaries
David & Sherryn Voight October 2
Patrick & Rita McGuire October 7
Scott & Loretta Mann October 17
Jaime & Ashley Herrera October 20
Robert & Susan Updegrove October 20
Michael & Marti Poth October 25
October Birthdays
Maddie Mann October 1
Gary Swenson October 3
Judy Ritchie October 4
Mary Williams October 5
Jim Davis October 7
Linda Ross October 9
Philip White October 9
Joye Blankenship October 10
Jo Ann Carson October 13
Debby French October 17
Austen McGowan October 18
Ashley Stone October 19
Susan Updegrove October 20
Mac Daniel Howard October 23
Randy McLendon October 24
Denise Ralph October 28
Cecilia Pena October 30
Stephanie Haverda October 30
We continually update the church membership database. If you find an error in a birthday or anniversary date or if you are left off the list, we offer our sincerest apologies. Please email [email protected] or contact the church office.
Oct. 1—Intinction
Elders: Chase Stapp Teri Stapp Brad French
Deacons: J. P. Bach Mikka Bach Carl Adkins Beth Elam
Communion: Tory Carpenter
Oct. 8
Elders: Don Harmon Margie Harmon
Deacons: Mac Howard Mattie Howard Mac Daniel Howard Wayne Fowler
Communion: Karen McGowan
Oct. 15—Intinction
Elders: Chris Hansen Jerry Weidman Linda Vetters
Deacons: Rita Buchanan Randy McClendon Beth Elam Kay Quinton
Communion: Olivia Gerhart
Oct. 22
Elders: Brad French Crystal Baker
Deacons: Jerry Thompson Gael Thompson Jason Karlik Stephanie Karlik
Communion: Bonnie Whittington
Children’s Sermon
Oct. 1 — Mattie Howard
Oct. 8 — Marshall Breedlove
Oct. 15 — Teri Stapp
Oct. 22 — Gregory Ross
Oct. 29 — Youth
Oct. 29 Elders: Wayman Mullins Louise Mullins
Deacons: Rustyn Colson Shawn Colson Kelsey Schmitz Ian McGuire
