FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - Tyler, Texas www.fcctyler.org August 1, 2018 Vol. 61 No. 8

FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER

I am putting together a second annual neighborhood gathering. Homemade

ice cream, cookies, sweet tea—we can’t miss! All it will take is few text mes-

sages and the ringing of a few doorbells…and they will come. A good time will

be had by all. I got the idea for the first annual neighborhood gathering when

a new neighbor moved in next door. I thought, “I bet she’d like to meet some

of her new neighbors. In fact, I bet we all would like to meet our neighbors.”

From the response, you would think I had changed the world. And, I guess in a

very small way, I did.

My wife, Lisa, read a Jen Hatmaker book in which Jen writes about the tur-

quoise table she has in her front yard specifically for the purpose of drawing

neighbors to impromptu gatherings. I just started reading Bob Goff’s new book

“Everybody Always.” He tells some hilarious stories of his efforts to get his

neighbors together.

I don’t know why, but all this really resonates with me. Is it because my family of

6 is now down to 3 of us at home? Maybe. Is it because I moved around a lot

as a child, so I know what it’s like to be new in town? Probably.

Even more so, it may be because Jesus talked a lot about loving our neighbors.

Of course, he doesn’t limit “neighbors” to those who. . .Continued on page 6.

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT

I love our church. I love that we are

always looking for ways to help in

our community and world. Want to

help FCC pull off our biggest ministry offering to the community? It’s not too

late to be part of the Global Leadership Summit. I would love it if you would

register to attend. Check out our videos at www.fcctyler.org. In between ses-

sions, you can be a helpful, volunteer host while still gaining from the Summit

experience as well. For those affiliated with FCC, cost to attend is $44 for first

time attendees; $89 for repeat attendees. Contact Tricia Anderson in the

church office (tricia@fcctyler.org 903-561-8138) to get these prices (online regis-

trations and registrations for people outside our church family are priced differ-

ently). We may have some complementary tickets available if money is keep-

ing you from attending.

. . .Continued on page 6.

JOYS & CONCERNS

Welcome Fresh Faces…

Cherie Allen, Lynn Pinkerton,

and Travis Boles & Erin Irvin

and their daughter Kingsley.

We’re past the half-way

point at 58 out our goal of

100 “Fresh Faces!”

Congratulations to proud

grandparents Rev. Ron &

Tayne Byrd, and parents

Rev. Jordan & Stevie Byrd on

the birth of their son Asher

Byrd on July 11. Asher came

in measuring 8lbs. 9oz. And

20.5 inches.

What a joy to have Bill

Hughes back with us for wor-

ship after a long health bat-

tle. If you time it right, he may

even greet you at the front

door!

In our prayers: Ernestine

Anderson, Otto Berndt, Amy

Bush, Nancy Grant, Charlotte

Halbert, James Hardage,

Capie Long, Sam Patriacca,

Patti Patterson, Sid Spain,

Mary Waldrop, and Paul

Weskamp

and our friends: Jennifer Dio-

tallevis, Deane Fox, Mike

Guggenbickler, Albert Hill,

Sheldon Johnson, Adan

Keener, and Nova Runte

1

2

SIGN UP FOR A FRESH NEW

WOMEN’S STUDY

Before the “Me Too” Movement, there was Esther.

Come be a part the next FCC BSI (Bible Study Investi-

gation) of the Old Testament story of Esther—a 10 week

study based on Esther: It’s Tough Being a Woman by

Beth Moore.

Esther, while a queen, lived as an outsider in a hostile

environment. If you’ve ever felt inadequate, threat-

ened, or pushed into situations that seemed overpow-

ering, this is the study for you. Just as it was tough being

a woman in Esther’s day, it’s tough today.

Learn lessons about faith, hope, providence, and deliv-

erance to equip you in living courageously “for a time

such as this.”

NEWSLETTER NEWS Same content, different delivery, better Stewardship

By the fact that you are reading this article, we know

we all love our Newsletter! Nothing creates more

phone calls to the office, than when the Newsletter

gets held up. Since “bulk mail” through the postal ser-

vice is sometimes held back for as many as 10 business

days, this fall FCC will be experimenting with a new

plan for delivering the Newsletter.

We will continue to encourage anyone who can re-

ceive the Newsletter by email to do so (free and im-

mediate delivery). Those of you who love your paper

copy (or who do not have email access) will have sev-

eral options: 1) pick up a copy at the church on the

Sunday nearest the first of the month, 2) our shut in/

homebound members can receive a copy from one

of our visiting Elders/members, or 3) others may re-

ceive the Newsletter via first class mail. We believe

these changes will improve the timeliness of our news-

letters, will save us time and money administratively,

and will help us to be the best stewards we can be.

Thank you in advance for your willingness to adjust…

again, “same content, different delivery, better Stew-

ardship.”

CHURCH FAMILY NEWS

Congrats to Taylor Rapp, who was recently awarded

a HELM fellowship for her 4 years of undergraduate

study! HELM is Higher Education & Leadership Minis-

tries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

The Leadership Fellows Program that accepted Tay-

lor and just 8 others for this year’s cohort, brings to-

gether a group of outstanding Disciples students

who have each covenanted with the Christian

Church (Disciples of Christ) to use their undergradu-

ate education to prepare

for lay or clergy church

leadership.

This year’s cohort is joined

by 21 returning Fellows, all

of whom come together in

a different city for Fall Re-

treat, once a year. And

who interact via assign-

ments with a special focus

for each undergraduate

year. In the third year of

their fellowship, each co-

hort is given an interna-

tional travel experience led

by HELM.

FCC SUMMER SOCIALS

My, we’re having a fine time together! The crowd at our

3 socials so far has not been the same once – but every

time we’ve gathered, communal laughs have been

shared.

We’ve visited Kiepersol Winery and seen both a summer

action movie and a thoughtful biopic. Just after press

deadline, we’re heading to FRESH for a meal on the

patio and some music from The Tuxedo Cats.

This month on August 2, we’ve got a matinee movie

that’s one of Dr. P’s favorites, The Prince of Egypt (Rev.

Ginger hasn’t seen it yet and can’t wait to see what the

fuss is about.) Then on August 9, an evening out at True

Vine – bring the kids; bring the pets; bring the lawn

chairs for a relaxing, free-wheeling group conversation

that may start with our day’s experiences at Global

Leadership Summit but will end up wherever the group

takes it.

Good times and belly laughs are sure to ensue!

Taylor Rapp on the

Youth Mission Trip at

Heifer Ranch.

3

SUMMER GIVING

While you are out having fun in the sun, don’t forget

your church! Make arrangements now to give elec-

tronically through your bank or through the church’s

automatic draft system, so that while you are away,

our ministry of speaking and living for Christ moves

forward full steam.

JOURNEYS OF PAUL TRIP:

OCTOBER 15-25, 2019

Dear Friends,

You are invited to join Lisa and me on the trip of a

lifetime as we follow the journeys of the Apostle Paul

around Greece and the Aegean Sea. Come and ex-

plore some of the most fascinating sites in all of secu-

lar and sacred history. Our leisure time will be spent in

Athens, where Christianity and democracy devel-

oped, and where great philosophers discussed the

nature of human existence. You will be inspired by

the opportunities for faith, learning, history, architec-

ture and…relaxation.

Three nights and four days, we will spend aboard a

cruise ship sailing the blue-green waters of the Ae-

gean Sea visiting numerous ports. Cost is $3899/

person, so start saving up. Interested? Email

chris@fcctyler.org or call the church office (903-561-

8138) and ask for a brochure.

We will have a brief informational meeting on Sun-

day, August 5 at noon in Disciples Hall. If you have

any interest at all, please come learn more about our

trip.

Blessings,

Chris Pulliam

P.S. Many of you have asked about another trip to

the Holy Land. Mark your calendars for Spring 2021.

ADULT DAY CARE

Want to be part of the start of something amazing? I

am looking for someone (or a group of “someones”) to

look into creating an FCC Adult Day Care. I know FCC

has numerous people (both clients and caregivers)

who would benefit from such a ministry; many more

from our community would benefit as well. I’m thinking

10am—2pm, 1-3 days a week in our CLC Conference

Room.

Interested? Contact Chris Pulliam (chris@fcctyler.org)

or 903-561-8138.

PLAN TO FEED YOUR FAITH

This fall, FCC’s Adult Ministry team will once again

bring Stalcup School of Theology for the Laity to Ty-

ler. Our Stalcup event is the only one in the series

outside Dallas/ Fort Worth. Each Stalcup “school

day” is led by a Brite Divinity School faculty member,

speaking on a topic of personal interest, for anyone

who’d like to participate in a series of talks.

Our guest faculty is Nancy Ramsay, Professor of Pas-

toral Theology and Pastoral Care, presenting on

“Graceful Improvisation: Faith Resources and Per-

spectives for Experiences of Aging.” For more on

Nancy’s topic and approach, here’s her description

of the day. “We Christians affirm that ours is a good

and finite life. Let’s engage that paradox together.

We will explore how our faith and scriptures offer us

important insights about aging well, that can help us

improvise more gracefully responses to experiences

of aging in a good and finite life. “We’ll consider

how experiences of aging across our lifespan shape

our own sense of self, our experience in families and

friendship circles, and the experience and ministry of

congregations. We’ll also look at the ways our faith

may help us resist the ways ageism insinuates our

lives in church and culture.”

This one-day event is more than a class lecture – it’s

actually a series of shorter talks interspaced with light

breakfast, boxed lunch and breaks. It runs 9:00 a.m.

to 1:45 p.m. on Sat. Oct 27. Save the date for

Stalcup now – and look for registration forms in the

next month.

Also we’re looking for new possibilities for Feed Your

Faith events! If you have a speaker or musical talent

you’d like to hear from at First Tyler, please let Adult

Ministries know! We’re interested in hosting or co-

hosting more events that feed adult faith – whether

through intellect or heart, learning or simply experi-

encing something powerfully good, together.

You can pass along name/ band/ performer sug-

gestions to Rev. Ginger Brandt, Rachel Mason or Kyle

Smith.

4

1

-8am -

Breakfast &

Bible Study

-9am - Children’s

Wonderful

Wednesdays

-9:30am - Greek

Class

-7pm - Men’s

Basketball

2

FCC Movie

Social, Prince of

Egypt, 9:45am

-9am - Youth

Terrific Thursdays

3

4

5

-10:45am -

Guests &

Newcomers

Brunch

-4pm - Youth

-12pm - Greece

Trip Info Meeting

6

-11am -

Deborah Circle

Lunch

7

-8:30am - Time to

Pray

-9am - Staff

Meeting

8

-8am -

Breakfast &

Bible Study

-9am - Children’s

Wonderful

Wednesdays

-9:30am - Greek

Class

-6pm - GLS Vol-

unteer Meeting

-7pm - Men’s

Basketball

9

FCC Social @

True Vine,

6:30pm

10 11

12

-10:40am -

Congregational

Meeting

-11:55am - Elder’s

Meeting

-4pm - Youth

13 14

-8:30am - Time to

Pray

-9am - Staff

Meeting

15

-8am -

Breakfast &

Bible Study

-9am - Children’s

Wonderful

Wednesdays

-9:30am - Greek

Class

-3pm - Worship

Staff Meeting

-7pm - Men’s

Basketball

16

-9am - Youth

Terrific Thursdays

17 18

-10am - Praise

Team Auditions

19

-4pm - Youth

20

MDO open M-F,

8:30-2:30pm

21

-8:30am - Time to

Pray

-9am - Staff

Meeting

22

-8am -

Breakfast &

Bible Study

-9:30am - Greek

Class

-7pm - Men’s

Basketball

23

24 25

26

All Church Lunch,

11:50am

-4pm - Youth

27

28

-8:30am - Time to

Pray

-9am - Staff

Meeting

29

-8am -

Breakfast &

Bible Study

-9:30am - Greek

Class

-7pm - Men’s

Basketball

-6pm - Women’s

Bible Study

30 31

First Christian Church Calendar

AUGUST 2018

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

Church Office CLOSED for GLS

MOTHER’S DAY OUT CLOSED

5

COMING UP AT FCC…

Thursday, August 2—FCC Movie Social,

Prince of Egypt: Join us at Studio Movie

Grill. Meet at 9:45am; the movie starts

at 10am.

Monday, August 6—Deborah Circle will

meet for lunch at 11am at the Pot-

pourri House.

Wednesday, August 8—GLS Volunteers

Meeting: We will meet at 6pm for last

minute preparations and to share a

meal.

Thursday, August 9—FCC Social @ True

Vine: Come hang out with your FCC

family for a casual evening. Meet us at

6:30pm.

Thurs-Fri, August 9-10: Global Leader-

ship Summit: The Church Office will be

CLOSED to attend GLS. (For registration

information see page 1)

August 13-17—MDO CLOSED: Mother’s

Day Out will be closed for a short sum-

mer break before the 2018-2019 school

year. MDO will reopen Aug. 20. (See

page 7.)

Saturday, August 18—Praise Team

Auditions: Calling all interested vocals,

musicians, and AVL techs! Contempo-

rary Worship is in need of extra talent.

If you’re interested in lending your

abilities to the church for the glory of

God, join us from 10am-12pm.

Sunday, August 26—All Church Lunch-

eon: Please join us after Sunday School

for a church-wide luncheon in Disci-

ples Hall at 11:50am.

Wednesday, August 29—Women’s Bi-

ble Study: (see page 2)

FLORAL DEDICATIONS You may request to donate and dedi-

cate Sunday flowers with April Stiles at

april@fcctyler.org or 903-561-8138. Each

arrangement costs $50. Open dates:

Aug. 5, 12, & 19, Sept. 2, 16, & 23

AUGUST 5, 2018

AUGUST 12, 2018

AUGUST 19, 2018

AUGUST 26, 2018

Traditional

Ginger Brandt

Lisa Hill, Rachel Mason

Contemporary

Chris Pulliam

Joe Francis

WORSHIP LEADER SCHEDULE

Traditional

Chris Pulliam

Margaret Rapp, Eddie Francis

Contemporary

David Christman

Angie Billings

Traditional

Chris Pulliam

Ann Russell, Harfon Kemp

Contemporary

Ginger Brandt

Amy Anderson

HAPPY BIRTHDAY!! 8/1 Sam Patriacca

8/2 Evelyn Bochow

Margaret Neill

8/3 Tony Bolton

8/4 Brennan Christman

8/5 Amy Anderson

Kate Patterson

Regan Patterson

8/7 Ann Russell

8/8 Carole Smith

Kathy Tinsley

8/9 Ginger Brandt

Henry Burch

8/11 Stella Flowers

Janet Stephenson

8/12 Lisa Gardner

8/13 Jim Barry

Janet Simnods

8/16 Don Autrey

Laura Hedrick

8/17 Linda Dorsey

8/18 Martha Boyd

Elizabeth Offord

8/22 Brittany James

Jeff Milslagle

8/25 Mary Burch

Tiffany Damskov

Charles Hesse

8/26 Bill Dippery

8/27 Percy Wang

8/28 Sherry Hyman

Tony Mourelatos

Greg Nance

8/30 Avery Baber

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY!! 8/2 David & Krista

Christman

8/8 David & Libby Lowry

8/9 Larry & Brenda Gilliam

8/10 Mike & Kerry Jones

8/18 Todd & Karen Tutt

8/19 David & Suzi

Teegarden

8/23 Ken & Reba Smith

8/25 Bill & Rosemary Cable

Monty & Cheryl Nixon

8/31 Jerry &Lorene Sparks

Traditional

Chris Pulliam

Larry Gilliam, Marjorie Mustard

Contemporary

Ginger Brandt

Delisa Heard

6

WHAT’S UP WITH CONTEMPORARY

WORSHIP?

Our latest worship series, The Stories We Tell, has

brought in content from popular books, movies, TV

and songs. We’re extending the series through Aug 5,

and we’re working on a resource list of things we min-

isters have cited throughout.

This series’ premise, laid out in a July 1 sermon, is that

God can be found in the breadth and width of hu-

manity’s creativity -- not just in the expressions labeled

“sacred” by the church. What makes a “secular”

story preach to us are the eyes we bring to the

thing. And we’re further training our vision to connect

good story to God.

If you’re open to recommendations – media we’ve

found meaningful and worthwhile in our own lives –

look for the list as a handout in the foyer and in Disci-

ples Hall, on the console table just to the left of the

coffee bar.

Also! We’re recruiting laity (that just means,

“you!” Anyone who attends church and isn’t a minis-

ter counts as “laity”) for a few new and developing

jobs, to keep our space pristine and our worship rich

and inviting. We can use:

UPKEEP CREW – folks to show up once a month and

walk the room, addressing things like spills on

chairs, candle wax on carpet, light dusting,

straightening chairs, etc.

CREATIVE CREW – folks who’ll know sermon series

ahead of time and offer ideas/ execute ideas for

visual props that relate to our topics or themes.

PRAYER VOLUNTEERS – folks willing to stay a few

minutes late occasional Sundays, standing up front

after worship as a volunteer ready to pray with

anyone in need.

FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER, continued from

page 1

...live nearby, but neither does Jesus want us to ex-

clude those who live nearby from his calling to love.

With our garage door openers, lawn services, and

cell phones, too many of us find it easy to avoid our

neighbors altogether. Not good…if we are called to

love our neighbors, we first will need to meet them.

I challenge you to be “that person” in your neighbor-

hood who dares to get everyone together. If you do,

be prepared to ask lots of questions (good) as op-

posed to doing all the talking (not good). The way life

gets lived out today, we seem to have an endless

supply of things that divide us. Yet, in John 17, Jesus

prays for us (all of humanity, even neighbors) that we

will be one.

As Bob Goff writes, “I’ve spent my whole life trying to

make my faith easy. The truth is, it’s not….What I’m

trying to do now is make my faith simple.” Sure, it’s

easier not to love my neighbors (I have an entire con-

gregation to love), but being kind to my neighbors

certainly is a simple way to do what Jesus calls us to

do. Try it. It’s simple.

Your Friend and Pastor,

Chris Pulliam

GLOBAL LEADERSHIP SUMMIT, continued from

page 1

A number of you will want to help without registering,

we could use your help as well. Wayne and Teresa

Aaron are in charge of all our volunteers. They have a

solid team in place, but if you wish to help, they may

be able to find a place for you.

We will gather for our volunteer meeting/dinner

Wednesday, Aug 8 @ 6 p.m. in CLC. We will enjoy

some food, then make our final preparations…and

pray for an inspirational event.

All day Thursday and Friday, August 9-10, I covet your

prayers for this year’s GLS…for those who will attend

from our church and from beyond our church family,

for those who will speak, for the AC to work well both

days, and for the satellite signal to be strong through-

out. Those in attendance are seeking a word from

the Lord (Jan Younger received “a word” last year…

and now she’s a missionary in Ecuador!). Most of us

won’t “go that big,” but God is up to big things in our

world, and we can be a part.

Thank you for your generosity in making this great

event available to our community once again.

Your Friend and Pastor,

Chris Pulliam

Hello Everyone,

It has been a busy few

weeks! The youth

went on their mission

trip to Heifer Ranch in

Perryville, Arkansas

and had a wonderful

time. You can ask

them for more about their trip and check out our Face-

book page to see many pictures from our trip.

The following week, I attended the Christian Youth Lead-

ership Summit in Brownwood along with Cherie James

and Christopher Knight. It was wonderful to connect with

youth and youth sponsors from all over the Southwest re-

gion and share dreams and plans for the future of our

camps. It is inspiring to see all those youth take on these

leadership positions.

Our Children’s Ministry’s Wonderful Wednesdays will kick

off on August 1, and we have two more planned on Au-

gust 8 and 15. Children from kindergarten through 5th

grade are welcome. We’ll hang out from 9am-2pm, for

crafts, games, snacks, and fellowship.

Christian Education Sunday will also be at the end of the

month on August 26. There will be an All Church Lunch-

eon to follow.

As we get ready for new school year, starting August 20

for Tyler ISD, and August 21 for Whitehouse ISD, keep our

children and youth in your prayers.

God Bless

Rev. David Christman

7

&

We are almost at

the end of our sum-

mer schedule and I

am wondering

where the time has

gone! We’ve had so

much fun playing,

learning, and splash-

ing in the water that I didn’t realize it’s almost time

for the Fall schedule to begin.

We have 1 new teacher and 3 new substitute teach-

ers this summer. We welcome them with open arms

as we have been praying for help for a while. It

takes special people to do what teachers do, so

praises to ALL of the teachers, old and new for all

they do and will continue to do this upcoming

school year.

As for the rest of summer, we will celebrate another

Splash Day on the last day of our summer schedule,

August 9. We will be closed August 13-17, for a short

break. We will spend some time cleaning and spruc-

ing up the Education Wing, as well as enjoy a few

WELL-DESERVED days off for pure rest. The 2018-2019

school year will begin Monday, August 20.

We would also like to introduce and welcome our

new Preschool teacher, Mrs. Laura Rackley! She and

her husband Caleb are members here at First Chris-

tian Church, and we are so excited about what she

has to offer our school. We have 8 children enrolled

so far and we are looking for 4 more to complete

our class. If you know of someone who is looking for

a FANTASTIC program for their child or children, have

them contact me at 903-581-7936 or come down

and see me. The Preschool schedule this year will be

Tuesday and Thursday from 8:30am to 2:30pm.

If y’all get bored, just come down and play with us

for a while!

Carolyn Wallace,

MDO Director

FCC Youth on their Mission Trip at Heifer Ranch. MDO children having Splash Day fun.

8

Christian Fellowship First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway Tyler, Texas 75701

(903) 561-8138 Website: www.fcctyler.org

E-mail: FirstChristian@fcctyler.org

Christian Fellowship (USPS 559960) Published monthly by First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701 Periodical Postage paid at Tyler TX

POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701-8721

AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH…

We believe God wants to transform our lives individually

and collectively for His sake. In everything we do, we

speak and live for Christ.

How we do that is we take God’s love and our God

given gifts and talents out into the world to make a difference. On

Sunday we gather to worship and refuel. Want to be a part?

MISSION: To speak and live for Christ in our community and world.

VISION: To be a worshipping community in which all people are

transformed through the love of Jesus Christ.

NEXT NEWSLETTER

PRINTING: AUGUST 27!

If you would like to include an

article or advertisement in the

September Newsletter, please

send info to April at

april@fcctyler.org by AUGUST 17

ITEMS OF INTEREST

SERMONS IN PRINT:

Having trouble hearing the mes-

sage? Pick up a paper copy of

the Sunday sermons at the horse-

shoe table in the narthex. Pick

one up for a friend too!

YEAR TO BE SEEN:

If you haven’t already done so,

take a picture of you and your

family at our picture station by the

grand piano in Disciples Hall for

our pictoral directory. Send your

pictures to

receptionist@fcctyler.org.

GUESTS & NEWCOMERS BRUNCH:

Our next Brunch will be August 5

at 10:45am in the library area.

Think now about whom you can

invite, then bring him/her with you

to the Brunch on August 5.

REGIONAL ASSEMBLY FOR THE

CHRISTIAN CHURCH IN THE

SOUTHWEST:

The next meeting will be Nov. 2-4,

2018 in Austin , TX. More details to

come.

OPEN ARMS CHRISTIAN CHURCH:

Our prayerful support is with our

Tyler/Whitehouse fellow DOC

church that has called Rev.

Vanessa Bostick as their minister.

THANK YOU, FCC

Our flower beds are looking

pretty neat. A special thanks

to our “Mulch Team” who

spent a recent hot, humid Sat-

urday morning beautifying our

campus! We appreciate your

hard work and dedication to

our church.

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING,

SUNDAY, AUGUST 12

Please join us on this Sunday, Aug 12, at 10:40am in Disciples Hall. We

will consider a proposal for our Harvest monies.

1. Electronic outdoor sign

2. Visit and program by James Saba (our Holy Land guide)

3. Contract with videographer & YouTube guru, Travis Boles

4. Reallocating monies to our “Maintenance Sinking Fund”