The Christian Builder

March 28, 2013

A weekly publication of First Christian Church Midland Volume 57 No.13

Church Calendar

Friday, March 29 Good Friday-Office Closed 9pm Prayer Vigil Ends

Saturday, March 30 10:30-1pm Easter Eggstravaganza

Sunday, March 31 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Worship

Tuesday, April 2 4-10pm SHARE Support Group 7pm PDAP 7:30pm Boy Scouts

Wednesday, April 3 7am Men’s Prayer Breakfast 6pm Executive Meeting

Sunday, April 7 Youth Sunday 10am Sunday School 11am Combined Worship 5-7pm CELEBRATE 5-7pm SOLID

www.fccmidland.org ● 1301 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas, 79701 ● (432) 682-2541

Special Easter Offering

The Easter Offering of the Disciple Mission Fund supports the general

ministries of the Christian Church - the Church in the world! Your financial gifts

help sustain the missional outreach ministries that faithfully serve individuals and

communities around the world. This Year’s offerings will bereceived on Sunday, March 31.

It’s Almost Here!

Easter Eggstravaganza and KidlinK 2013 is just around the corner. We are gearing up for the best one ever! Come and join us at 10:30AM on Saturday, March 30th at Hill Park. First Christian Church will be providing free hot dogs, a Jumper, tons of activities, and of course

egg hunts! We are also excited about all of the community organizations that will be represented there! You don’t want to

miss out on all the fun and excitement!

Contemporary Worship 9 AMContemporary Worship 9 AM Sunday School 10 AMSunday School 10 AM Traditional Worship 11 AMTraditional Worship 11 AM

Page 2 The Builder, First Christian Church

Welcome Our Newest Members!

Katie Hepfer

Katie joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by

Profession of Faith.

Jakob Vines

Jakob joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by

Profession of Faith.

Layne Banks

Layne joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by

Profession of Faith.

Luke Bourland

Luke joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by

Profession of Faith.

Kylar Mills

Kylar joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by

Profession of Faith.

Kathe Hepfer

Kathe joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by

Profession of Faith.

Michelle Hepfer

Michelle joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by transfer

of membership

Kristen Hepfer

Kristen joined on Sunday, March 24, 2013 by transfer

of membership

Below are the newest members of First Christian Church. Six of the children will be baptized on Easter Sunday during the Traditional Worship Service. They are pictured with their mentors who walked them

through the Pastor’s Class, led by Reverend Paula Brooks.

Page 3 The Builder, First Christian Church

March 24, 2013

Traditional Worship 190 Children’s Church 14 Nursery 5 Total 209

Sunday School Nursery 3 Children 20 Youth 18 Adult 83 Total 124

Visitors Corner March 24, 2013

Attendance

Thanks for Thanks for Thanks for Thanks for

worshipping worshipping worshipping worshipping

with us!with us!with us!with us!

This Week’s Sermon

Easter-Never Let Go John 20:1-18

Find previous sermons at

www.fccmidland.org

The old fingers are having trouble connecting with the keyboard today to spell out the words that describe my feelings. I am pondering, with care, those last seven days in the life

of Jesus. I am trying to find the vocabulary to express what happened on that Easter morning centuries ago. How do I give voice to the most precious gift of the ages? What yardstick do I use to take measure of the powerful mercy of God? How do I make the message personal and new, all over again?

The exciting victories of March Madness Basketball are but a speck compared to the Master whose resurrection wins victory in the Tournament of Life. Sports may get a lot of press this week, but no one will ever top the events of the cross, the experience of the tomb and no one can ever trump the gift discovered that first Easter morning.

More important than his birth are the words:

“He is not here. He has risen!”

Seven words. Volumes of meaning.

Will you share these seven words with someone this week? How long can seven words take? What difference can the sharing make?

Be here Sunday to celebrate seven words…and bring someone with you!

Thoughts… Rev. Mike Hunter Senior Minister

Dawn Belizaire Morgan & Linda Brown

Ann, Franklin & Ryan Davis Madison Doerfer

Donna Hill Chris & Joan Huff

Jennifer & Sarah Johnson Gerri Lowe

Roni & Colton Manley Shelley, Lindsey & Garrett

McGlothlin Dianne Mills

Ashton Naumon Brianna Parrino Curtis Pechacek

Nic & Aidan Ramsey James & Dorothy Reynolds

June Ross Arietta Smith Robert Staib

Todd, Stephanie & Kobi Strickland Maxi Teuschl

Art & Carla Wilson

Page 4 The Builder, First Christian Church

Anniversaries 4/6 - Ernie & Victoria Gilkerson

Birthdays

3/29 Bob Parsley

3/30 Joe Gassie

3/31 Gretchen Parsley Gary Thompson

4/1 James Early

4/2 Billie Hightower

4/3 Mike Harrison

4/4 Jean Ann Hettler

Ponderings… Rev. Paula Brooks Associate Minister

We have been on a journey for several weeks. It started with Ash Wednesday. We have experienced Palm Sunday as we remembered Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem. Thursday evening, Maundy Thursday, we had the blessing

of gathering around the table and participating in a Seder meal as we recalled that last night that Jesus spent with His disciples. Good Friday will be a day of prayer and reflection. On Saturday we will all gather at Hill Park for our 4th Easter Eggstravaganza and enjoy the sights and sounds of many children! It has been a full Season of Lent as we have prepared for Holy Week leading us to Easter Sunday – the day we celebrate the resurrection of Jesus Christ. Come and join us as we celebrate that joyous resurrection and proclaim “He is not here; He has risen!”

Our Deepest SympathyOur Deepest SympathyOur Deepest SympathyOur Deepest Sympathy

We extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayer to the following family who has

recently lost a loved one:

The Family of Clarese Gough…….Clarese passed away on Wednesday, 27, 2013 in Midland, TX. Memorial services are being planned for Saturday, March 30, 2013 in Monahans, TX.

Clarese is the mother of Jeannie Gough & Janice Beckner. Please keep the Gough & Beckner

families in your prayers.

Page 5 The Builder, First Christian Church

Lectionary Scriptures

March 31, 2013

Acts 10:34-43; Isaiah 65:17-25; Psalm 118:1-2, 14-24;

I Corinthians 15:19-26; Acts 10:34-43; John 20:1-18;

Luke 24:1-12

Elder - On - Call

3/31 - 4/6 Tom Jones

Online Giving

You can now give to FCC through our website!

You can make a one-time donation, pay the fees for a

children's or youth event, or set up recurring donations.

Online giving is convenient and safe, easy to track, and easy to

schedule on a regular basis.

"Accepting the reality of our broken, flawed lives is the beginning of spirituality not because the spiritual life will remove our flaws but because we let go of seeking perfection and, instead, seek God, the one who is

present in the tangledness of our lives. ” - Mike Yaconelli

The resurrection of Jesus marked the triumph of God over evil and death…it marked a fundamental change in the relationship between God and humanity.

Paul writes in Romans that, because of the resurrection, “We have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ”. And because death is dead, there is a new world of new possibilities for all of humanity.

There are actually two parts to the Jesus resurrection story...

There is God’s wondrous act of raising Jesus Christ from the bonds of death. Once and for all.

But there is also a human contribution. In the Easter resurrection story, all the gospels emphasize the very early morning arrival of the first persons to Jesus’ tomb. These disciples became the second act in the resurrection drama. The women who thought they had come to dress and bind a corpse instead became the first witnesses and broadcasters of Jesus’ return to life.

While Jesus’ triumph over death was once-and-for-all, the second act of resurrection is a never-ending act. The role of the witnesses continues over and over again. It comes anew every time we bear witnesses.

Being compassionate and generous and merciful. Serving the people around us. Listening to someone’s hurts over coffee. Speaking a kind word. Forgiving. Sharing our resources. Caring for the orphans and the widows and the least of these.

Acts 4 tell us that, “with great power, they continued to testify to the

resurrection of the Lord Jesus. And God’s grace was so powerfully at work in them all that there were no needy persons among them.”

The earliest Christians practiced resurrection daily.

May resurrection become a daily occurrence in the midst of our messy, broken lives and much more than just a holiday once a year...

Musings… Rev. Cory Glover Associate Minister

Upcoming Youth EventsUpcoming Youth EventsUpcoming Youth EventsUpcoming Youth Events

• April 7 - Youth Sunday • April 7 - SOLID 5-7pm • April 19-21 - CYF Spring Rally

Page 6 The Builder, First Christian Church

Church Bulletin Board Adult Sunday School Studies

Mixed Blessings/Pairs & Spares Room 301 Topic: Sunday’s Scripture

II Chronicles 7:14 Room 302 Topic: Light of the World Scripture: John 8:12-59 Leader: Class Members

Genesis Topic: Come to the Well - Abiding In God’s Love Scripture: John 15:9 Leader: Paula Brooks

Fellowship Topic: Women of the Old Testament - Dinah Scripture: Genesis 34 Leader: Jim Mauldin

Mike Hunter’s Class Topic: Letting Go and Letting God Scripture: Lenten Devotional as guide Leader: Mike Hunter

Children’s Activities for Sunday,

March 31, 2013

Sunday School Lesson: Lent 6 - Journey to the Cross Jesus Came Back to Life Leader: Jill Wright Children’s Church Topic: Easter Story

CELEBRATE Will not meet this week. We will resume our regular schedule next Sunday, April 7th at 5pm.

Calling all FCC Ladies!

Central Area Ladies Retreat “When Life Gives You Lemons”

April 5th-7th, 2013 Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat

For more information about the retreat please go to

www.centralareawomensretreat.com

Memorial Food Pantry

Put us on your grocery list! Winter food focus is peanut butter and jelly.

We also need volunteers on Tuesdays at 1:45 to help unload the truck and Wednesdays from 1-3 to help distribute food to clients.

Youth Sunday April 7th

Make plans to join us Sunday, April 7th, for Youth Sunday! This is our annual service where the youth of the church will lead us in worship, sacrament, and preaching. On this Sunday, we will have Sunday School at 10:00am and a combined youth-led worship service at 11am in the Family Life Center.

Come support our youth!

Christians in Action (CIA) Workday

April 2oth

Our annual workday for CIA will take place on Saturday, April 20th, from 9:00 to 5:00 PM. Adult,

children, and youth of all ages and ability levels are invited to come join us for this day of service in our community together as a church family. We will be working at 1807 W Kentucky. Lunch will be provided. Work will continue through April 27th for those who might have extra time to give to this project. For questions, please contact Jim Morris.

Make plans now to join us!

Page 7 The Builder, First Christian Church

Website Don’t forget to check out our

website (www.fccmidland.org) for news, publications, and

previous sermons!

Prayer Room Social Media

Become a friend of ours on Facebook and “Like” us.

www.facebook.com/fccmidland

Follow us on Twitter (@fccmidland)

E-mail Provider

Please be sure that your e-mail provider accepts e-mails from

fccmidland.org. We have had several e-mails sent

back to us, and solving the problem would help us get

accurate and up-to-date information to you.

Special Note: Prayer list names are renewed every three weeks as we seek to keep the list as current as possible and

allow space for new requests. Our joys, concerns

and deepest needs are already on God’s heart long before

we put them to paper.

…for your Father knows what

you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8

Chapel Lock Box Code #1301

Check out FCC’s Children’s page on Facebook and “Like” us

www.facebook.com/fcccm

Those is the hospital: Hazel Somerville –Manor Park Those in need of prayer: The Family of Clarese Gough Brittney Gordon Julie Stephenson Pat Kirk Pat Pickle Mike Nance Dee Head Bruce Stanley Bill & Char Womack Judy Spruell Curtis Pechacek Those in extended/long term care: Blanche Alcorn H.G. Bedford Nancy Gill Jerry Johnson Jackie Hanna Charlotte Millican Keith Somerville Mary Jane Strobel Dorothy Wadley Military: Trevor Forbes - son of Stephen & Betty Forbes Joe Henderson - son of Holly Moore Nicky Miller - son of Vicki Miller Damon Darnell - grandson of Floyd & Doris Miller Bennett Dobbs - extended family of the Espino’s Eric Schuff - extended family of the Espino’s Families/Friends beyond FCC: The Family of Nancy Cranford – sister-in-law of Mark Cranford Abbye Irons – friend of Steve Vaughan Ava Bazaldu – great granddaughter of Floyd & Doris Miller Ian Carr – grandson of Dorothy Carr Blake Woods – friend of John Ross Walker Hughes – grandson of Steve & Lucille Vaughan The Hickey Family – Sara Cranford Debby Leach Wallace – friend of Betty Conly Pete Herndon – nephew of Vicki Miller The De Lucas Family – Sara Cranford Charles Lout – friend of George & Dee Head Brenda Bradshaw – friend of Lucille Vaughan Corinne Sandifer – granddaughter of Huey & Kristina Sandifer Kerry Arnett – brother of Garry Arnett Phyllis Knauff – aunt of Kristina Sandifer Jo Smith – daughter-in-law of Donna Lathrop Tom Hewitt - brother of Anne Schwiening Sherry Harrington - friend of Jake Spruell Kim Walters - foster daughter of Diane Bailey Fisher Teena Atchley - friend of Kay Hill Families/Friends beyond FCC in long term care: Stan Wigley & family - friends of LuAnn Morgan Lori Hays - cousin of Mary Anne Benton Sonya Hopkins - friend of Kelley McCullough

For submission to prayer list contact the staff Or submit via web, or e-mail

prayerchain@fccmidland.org

The Christian BuilderThe Christian BuilderThe Christian BuilderThe Christian Builder First Christian Church 1301 W. Louisiana Ave Midland, TX 79701

432-682-2541

online at: www.fccmidland.org March 28, 2013

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org US Postage

Paid Midland, TX 79711

Permit No. 145

We will depart FCC Midland at 4:0o PM on Friday and return We will depart FCC Midland at 4:0o PM on Friday and return around 3:00 PM on Sunday. Registration forms can be found around 3:00 PM on Sunday. Registration forms can be found

in the church office or online at www.fccmidland.org. All in the church office or online at www.fccmidland.org. All participants need to bring clothing, bedding, towel and toiletries, participants need to bring clothing, bedding, towel and toiletries,

bible, pen and notebook, offering money, and a great attitude. bible, pen and notebook, offering money, and a great attitude.

CYF Spring Rally April 19-21

$75 if registered by April 4th

$90 if registered after April 4th