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The Chalice

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

CONNECTIONVol. 4 No. 44 November 8, 2012

Once upon atime I lived inthe small city ofMacon, Georgia.Macon had

about 75,000residents at thetime, but seemed

like a much smaller town. When I firstarrived there, I could walk incognitoanywhere I wanted, being a strangerin a strange land. But as I got to knowthe people of the town, it became moredifficult to do anything in private. In fact,by the time I left Macon, I couldnt goanywhere without seeing someone I knew.

There is something safe about livingin anonymity. Going places where you

wont be recognized and doing thingsthat no one else will care about gives us acertain freedom. But it also has its risks.

Once in Macon, a restaurant openedup a few miles outside of town. The drawto this restaurant was topless waitresses. It

was quite popular in its early days (I amtold) until a local church and its pastor

began to hang out in the parking lot andtake pictures of the license plates andcars that were parked there. Then, oncea week in the Macon Telegraph, they

would take out a full-page ad showing all

those pictures from the previous week.Strangely enough, the restaurant suffereda downturn and eventually closed. Whenanonymity was gone, people didnt daredo what might be seen as bad.

Living in community is much moredifficult than living in anonymity. Beingresponsible to, and for, one another bringsall new complications to our lives. And itbrings great blessing as well. As we reachout to one another, getting rid of the cloakof anonymity, we take on the problemsand challenges that each of us face. In that

way we bless one another.Its just like Jesus said when asked

who is our neighbor. Our neighbor isanyone in need. In fact, there are nostrangers in our world, only friends wehave yet to meet.

One time Beth and I went to dinnerwith some friends in Macon. While there,

we met a wonderful couple who wouldbecome some of our closest friends. We

wondered where they had been for all thtime we had lived in Macon. Turns out,they lived a block away from us and wen

to all the same places we frequentedrestaurants, grocery stores, video stores,etc. And we probably saw them on adaily basis. But it was only after we hadmet them and realized how wonderfulthey were that we recognized them out inpublic. I wonder how many other peoplare like that in our worldswonderfulpeople waiting to be recognized.

I recall Jesus response to those whodidnt recognize himWhen did wesee you hungry, or naked or sick or inprison? He simply said, When you doit to the least of these, you do it to me.Maybe if we open our eyes to thosearound us, well see the risen Christ inour midst, and that veil of anonymity wilbe lifted and we can be Gods childrentogether.

Who Is Our Neighbor?By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister

Serving with Open Hands

Operation Christmas Child Project in Full Swing!By Rev. Greg Bunton

As Christmas draws near, people from our church and the Edmond community are busy filling shoeboxewith gifts of toys, combs, toothbrushes, hard candies and other goodies for children around the worldfor Operation Christmas Child. As a favorite hands on mission project of First Christian Church, we haveagreed again to be an official drop off location during National Collection Week, November 12-18. We whave LOTS of shoeboxes (thousands) filled with Christmas gifts coming into our facility on these days!

We still need LOTS of help to receive shoe boxes and help pack them into shipping boxes. If you canspare a few hours, we could use your cheerful assistance as we provide a hospitable, convenient locationthe community for donors to bring their shoeboxes full of gifts!

You can sign up online now by logging on to www.fccedmond.org and clicking on the OperationChristmas Child slide. It will take you to an online sign-up sheet at We Join In. Or type this address intoyour web browser and go straight to the sign up http://www.wejoinin.com/sheets/lnnjd

Come serve as cheerful greeter, help unload shoe boxes from vehicles, carefully package the gifts intoshipping boxes, and track valuable ministry data. If you have any questions about Operation Christmas

Child and our church involvement in this ministry, please contact Michele Schlough at 844-3214.

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FOCUS: Seeing Gods Vison for First Christian

If you have more questions about the Focus visioning process, please feel free to contact any member ofour Focus Team:

Brenda Peterson, Co-Moderator Billy Harrison, Co-Moderator

With: Brian Cavanaugh, Ellen Chitwood, Molly Haley, Robbi Kinnaird, Terry Kerr, Molly Larrison,Wayne Shepherd, Bethany Shipley and Wayne Warner

Our prayer triads are currently meeting for 90 days of Prayer and Discernment, as aninitial step towards developing a strategic plan for ministry in the coming years.

We are excited to share a sampling of the kind of dialogue that is occurring in ourprayer triads so far (this is a VERY small sampling as there are more than 40 triadsmeeting).

Most triads are still in the first half their sessions, so much of the conversation focuseson current program and ministry. Later sessions will begin laying out more clues to Godsvision for us as a congregation. Please keep these triads in your prayers!

We appreciate having 3 very unique ministers with 3 very

unique styles that complement each other.

We feel that Mission and Service is central to who we are

We need to devise a way to offer a variety of means forpeople to become connected to others in the church. This

would involve a variety of activities on many days of the

week.

The church process of summer of 2011 (ReNEW) was a

great tool of bringing all members together from the church

and allowing them a chance to be heard and participate infuture of their church.

There could be a way to develop a pool or list of membersthat have an interest in serving in certain capacities and/or

who also have certain gifts that they could offer to the church

and then when the church is looking for leaders or committee

positions, ..they could look to this list and find possiblecandidates to fill the position.

Communicatecommunicate communicate

Our church family is united in faith and service to Christ

and provides a support system in a secular world, even as

we participate in outreach programs to that world. Although

we are called to be in the world, witnessing to others, it isimportant to surround ourselves with Christian friends to keep

us grounded, for accountability, and to prevent us from being

of the world.

Although, traditionally a church has 25% of its members

who do all the work, our congregation seems to be involvi

more of its members. Means of improving the percentage

participation should be pursued. Many people are willing

volunteer --- they just need to be asked.

Need for cross generational relationshipsNeed t

organize formalized mingle coffee time where individuals

can visit and share in an informal settingNeed

something beyond Sunday school to maintain and develop

existing and new relationshipsNeed more open and

welcoming environment in the rotunda

We feel our congregation does a fair job at attracting

people. Some of the things that make our congregationattractive are: our web site, the location, grounds and the

variety of service styles. We stated that we did a better job

at attracting people than getting them connected. We don

have a good program to help them have the tools or desirto be leaders.

While the children and youth are wonderfully supported,

there seems to be a lack in programs supporting their

parents. Classes could cover a variety of life topics; such

as finances, parenting, marriage strengthening, spiritual

development, balancing work with raising a family, etc.

Everyone has a gift and everyones gift is useful. Our

discussion here centered on the issue that many people

dont know his/her gift(s).

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Butter Braids Are OnThe Way!

If you ordered a butter braid pastry,you can pick up your order on MondaNovember 12 between 5:30 and 8:00

p.m. in the rotunda. These arrive froze- dont delay, so your pastries will notthaw! Questions? Contact Diane Ball:406-8628 or dball@fccedmond.org

Childrens ChristmasMusicalSunday, December 9

Our Childrens Christmas Musical willbe held Sunday, December 9, at 6:30p.m. in the Sanctuary. If your child, orgrandchild, would like to participatein this years musical Once Upon AChristmas Light, please be sure thatthey come to rehearsals on Wednesdaevenings from 5:00-6:00 pm duringUnite. Rehearsals have begun!

Attention Parents: There will alsobe a mandatory dress rehearsal onSaturday, December 8!

Contact Diane Ball or MichelleFritz at 341-3544 or email them atdball@fccedmond.orgor

mfritz@fccedmond.org

Share With Open Hands!Donate Items For Hurricane VictimsBy Rev. Greg Bunton

One week after Hurricane Sandy, thousands of people are still homeless and withoutpower. Still others are sitting in line for gasoline or waiting for roads to be reopened so

they can assess damage to their homes. If you are seeking a way to share hope withvictims of the storm, please join us as we partner with the University of Central Okla-homa Volunteer & Service Learning Center to collect items for Church World Service.These students will be creating clean-up and hygiene kits in cooperation with ChurchWorld Service, who will distribute the kits to those who were impacted by the storm.

Simply select one or more items from the following list and drop them off no laterthan noon on Friday, November 16 at either the Nigh University Center, room 212, orthe collection box in the church rotunda.

Emergency Clean-up Bucket Items Five-gallon bucket with re-sealable lid Scouring pads Seven sponges, assorted sizes Scrub brush Unopened 50-78 oz. box dry laundry detergent Unopened 12 oz. bottle of liquid concentrated household cleaner (like Lysol) Unopened 25 oz. bottle liquid disinfectant dish soap (like Dawn) Dust masks Latexgloves (like Playtex) Work gloves 28-bag roll of heavy-duty trash bags (30-45 gallon)

Hygiene Kit: Hand towel measuring approximately 16 x 28 (no fingertip or bath towels) Washcloths Wide-tooth comb Nail clippers

Bar of soap (bath size in wrapper) Toothbrush (in original packaging) Standard size Band-AidsWhat a wonderful opportunity to partner with the Edmond community in sharing withopen hands!

Prayers of the PeopleTHOSE IN NEED OF PRAYERTom Cowling,Larry Hays(Dyke Moffatts brother-in-law), Jay ONiel (VirginaONiels son), Lori Snider (Loretta Parks daughter),Terra Conlin (Sid & Thadda Grooms daughter), Jason

Scheer (Larry & Judy Freemans son), Jerri Jones, Rose Marie McKee, Virginia ONiel,Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble

Happy Birthday!11/11 Sonni Adams, Brian Carroll, Ave

Miller, Chloe Stout, Jim Thorpe

11/12 Judy Farley, Janet Helms, FeliciaJones, Glo Rehrig, Barbara Shaw

11/13 Brian Kilpatrick, Lorelle Watts,Bill White

11/14 Demaris Burleson, Sherilyn ClarJill Ferrell, Winnie Hall, JoyceMcNickle, Todd Ward

11/15 Mark Taylor, Chris Webb11/16 Carrie Akin11/17 Andrew Anderson, John Rahhal11/18 Judy Bennett, Kathy Lee

BOB Needs Volunteers!Would you like to serve? Through Breakfast on Boulevard (BOB), First ChristianChurch helps feed the hungry of the Edmond community, Monday through Fridaymornings. Volunteers are needed to set up, cook, serve, prepare, and clean up from5:30 to 7:30 a.m.

If you would like to volunteer on a rotational basis, contact Judy Griffis at (405)348-1443 or Mickey Stufflebean at (405) 341-4742.

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The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editorsregan@fccedmond.orgRead News Online

@ fccedmond.org/newsSubmit Articles to

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Regional Minister, Rev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewell RetiresCelebrating 40 Years of Service ~ November 17 - 12:30pm

The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma has planned a celebration ofRev. Dr. Thomas R. Jewells regional ministry and work. The celebration will be held oSaturday, November 17 at Southern Hills Christian Church in Edmond. Please RSVPby Friday, November 9, as seating is limited. Lunch reservations are $20 per person

To make reservations, call Jean Scott Gauldin at 528-3577

or emailjscottgauldin@okdisciples.org

Edmond Community Thanksgiving DinnerThursday, November 22, 11a.m. to 3p.m.

University of Central Oklahoma at the UCO BallroomEach year, several churches in Edmond combine efforts to host a Community Thanksgiv

Dinner. This shared meal is for anyone, but provides a special sense of communityfor singles, college students, those far from family members, and others. Hundreds of

volunteers are needed to prep the food prior to Thanksgiving Day, and, on ThanksgivinDay - prepare food, serve the food and clean up afterward. Drop by the Rotunda display

complete a volunteer form. For Home Delivery, please call 341-3602, ext. 130.

Worshipat First Christian8:15, 9 & 11am

November 11, 2012Message: Rev. Chris Shorow

Rev. Dr. Jerry BlackScripture: Exodus 18:12-27

November 18, 2012Message: Mark Taylor

Rev. Chris ShorowScripture: James 2:1-13

Want Some Pizza? Try Papa Dinos!When a member of First Christian Church orders from Papa Dinos Pizza & Grill, andmentions FCC, Papa Dinos gives 10% of all sales back to FCC! You can dine in, ordertake out or have it delivered - just be sure to inform the cashier that you are with FCC.Papa Dinos will catalog each sale for our church, and, at the end of every month, total thsales and write a check to FCC for 10% of the total amount spent by our members. Whagreat way to give back! Call Papa Dinos at (405) 341-4447.