July 2010

Calendar

 

 

 

Happy Birthday To

 

1

Patrick Casady

Esala Wueschner

7

Faith Mackenzie Thomas

19

Jane Lechner

2

Floyd McClellan

 

Rylee Gicante

20

Kerstin Wallace

 

Barbara Meeker

8

Alyson Willer

21

Maynard Newell

 

Lucille Savage

10

Penny Marburger

24

Jack Guiter

3

Brian Drummond

11

Joann Billings

25

Joseph Taylor

4

Kenneth Kirkpatrick

13

Doug White

27

Marilyn Barnes

5

Michelle Tarrence

 

Lona Cram

29

Chandler Stansberry

6

Beth Austin

17

Ferol Chisman

30

Mardy White

7

Carolyn Martin

17

Diane Sneller

 

Mekayla Rose Simmons

 

Dean Prough

18

Dayton Belloma

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Events

Youth

 

 

 

 Serving Schedules

 

 

 

       

                                                           

 

   

 

 

THE PASTOR’S SCRIPTURES FOR

 July ARE:

 

July 4  Romans 13:1-10

July 11  Judges 21:25

July 18  Jeremiah 18:1-16

July 25  Vacation Guest Speaker

 

Text Box: 2009 SCHOOL FOR CONGREGATIONAL LEARNING “Spirit: Past, Present, and Future”   Saturday, August 29  8:30 AM—4:15 PM Valley Southwoods Freshman High School West Des Moines, IA     The 2009 School for Congregational Learning will focus on congregational transformation as we welcome our former General Minister and President, Dr. Richard Hamm as keynote speaker and workshop leader.  Dr. Hamm has written, spoken and consulted extensively on the subject of church renewal and transformation.  He is currently Executive Administrator of Christian Churches Together, an organization focused on enabling churches and national Christian organizations to grow closer together in Christ.  In addition to the keynote message and over 40 workshops on various aspects of congregational transformation and ministry, the School for Congregational Learning will also include inspiring worship and opportunities for networking with members of other Disciples congregations in the Upper Midwest Region.   The registration fee for this event is just $30 which includes lunch and a light continental breakfast during registration time (8:15—8:30 AM).  A complete list of workshops and registration forms are available in the church office (also online at www.uppermidwestcc.org).  Free child care is available at West Des Moines Christian Church which is located near the high school.  Participants are encouraged to dress casually and wear good walking shoes.  There is a lot of walking to some of the classrooms.    This event is not just for church leaders, but for all Christians who hear the call of Jesus Christ in their lives and who seek to live faithfully as servants of Jesus Christ.  There is something for everyone!

Outreach

Let's BE, DO, and TELL the Good News of Jesus Christ!  The summer months are both busy and relaxing at the same time.  However, for many, the difficulties throughout the rest of the year are still there during the summer.  The needs of the families in our community are still important.  Let's DO the Good News by donating money to the Salvation Army.  Two ways in which financial support is needed are for summer camps and meals/food at the center.  We can BE the Good News by calling on our elderly neighbors during the warm days and checking to make sure they are comfortable.  Rev. Adam Frieberg, the Regional Minister for Communication, is requesting our help with the communication model for the Disciples Church.  He is asking us to TELL the Good News in the form of our stories.  We can send him stories of how the Spirit moves in our community so other Disciples can hear what is going well in our ministries.  Let's BE, DO, and TELL the Good News of Jesus Christ!

 

Text Box: GENERAL ASSEMBLY OF THE CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) “… for the Healing of the Nations”   Wednesday July 29—Sunday August 2 Indianapolis, Indiana     The theme for this year’s General Assembly comes from Revelation 22:1-5 (a vision of God’s wholeness and the healing of our fragmented world) and it relates directly to our newly stated Disciples Identity—”We are Disciples of Christ, a movement for wholeness in a fragmented world.  As part of the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table as God has welcomed us.”  Through this theme, we express our hope to participate in God’s healing and ultimate redemption of the world.  In worship, we will focus on our journey back to God’s created wholeness.  In an Assembly-wide conversation (“the Wholeness Café”), we will focus on our future together as a movement for wholeness in the world.  Then through the closing All-Assembly festival and communion service, we will focus on extending our witness to the world.   In preparation for the Assembly, General Minister and President Sharon Watkins has invited all Disciples to “pray now and without ceasing” for God’s leading in this momentous gathering of Disciples.  Featured speakers for worship will be Cynthia Hale, Ray of Hope Christian Church, Atlanta, GA; Doug Skinner, Northway Christian Church, Dallas, TX; Sharon Watkins; and Frank Thomas, Mississippi Boulevard Christian Church, Memphis, TN.  In addition to worship, workshops on a variety of issues of interest to local congregations will be offered; reports from the General Units of the church will be heard; and items for discussion and action by the Assembly and the whole church will be offered.  A docket of business items on CD is available in our church office.    Pastor Gary and Diane Sneller will be attending General Assembly this year.

 

We recently celebrated Pentecost. It is the great festival that marks the birth of the Christian church by the power of the Holy Spirit.  Pentecost means "fiftieth day" and is celebrated fifty days after Easter. It is sometimes referred to as the third mega-festival of the Christian Faith.

  We are now in the longest season of the church year. This is the non-festival portion of the liturgical calendar during which the church stresses vocation, evangelism, missions, stewardship, almsgiving, and other works of mercy and charity as ways in which Christ empowers us by His grace to share the Gospel with others.  Hopefully by now your no longer against that big “E” word. So let’s all call this “our evangelism” time. And let’s see if we can grow the church in this time.

 

We’ll start with – evangelism step 1

Friendliness: It’s Free!


  Cindy has moved to a different city. She walks into the coffee shop near her home and immediately hears, “Hello! How can I help you?” She joins a local gym and every time she walks in the door she’s cheerfully greeted by name. Cindy visits the video rental place and the staff there call out, “Hi! What can I help you find today?” before she’s even three steps in the door. She walks into a church a few blocks away and…no one notices. Why?

 

Buying Friendliness?

 

  People in many industries and professions learn how to be friendly. They take courses, read books, or work with coaches to help them become friendlier. They’re actually paying money to learn how to be friendlier! It helps them do their job better and get better results. A friendly sales person brings in higher sales. A friendly waiter gets better tips. Companies know that when their staff demonstrates friendly behavior, the customer satisfaction rates improve. Being friendly makes a difference.

The Friendliest Place in Town…or Is It?

 

  So why don’t we put as much importance on friendship in the church? After all, it should be the friendliest place in town! We have the best news (Acts 20:24, Ephesians 3:6), have experienced the greatest love of all (John 3:16, 1 John 4:9-12), and have been told to spread that to everyone in the world (Matthew 28:19-20)! In fact, in John 13:35 Jesus says everyone will know we’re his followers by our love. Not by our bumper stickers, by our shiny new buildings, or by our clean nurseries. By our love.

  First Christian Church, Ottumwa, has had visitors this spring. How do we measure up?  Are they coming back. Have you visited with them? Do you know their names?

On the first Sunday of the month, have you invited them to join us downstairs after church for fellowship?

YOUR CHALLENGE :

Grab your Bible and look up these passages:

·          Acts 20:24

·          Ephesians 3:6

·          John 3:16

·          1 John 4:9-12

·          Matthew 28:19-20

  John 13:35

Reflect on them. Pray about them. Consider what God is telling you through His Word. (excerpts from State of the Church).

 

Ardyce Ragen

Evangelism  Team Leader

Children age 4 through 5th Grade will voyage into outer space praising God this summer at Galactic Blast Vacation Bible School 2010. Through daily classes and activities, kids will see outer space like never before, gain a new perspective on our planet Earth, and learn easy "green" earth tips they can practice at home. This cosmic combination of faith and fun will help every child develop a personal relationship with God through Jesus Christ.  Blast-off will be Monday through Thursday at 5:15 pm with a light supper followed by exciting adventures in Bible discovery (stories and science experiments), singing, crafts, recreation and a visit with Astronaut Galileo the Gorilla.  Kids will touch back down at 7:45 pm and go home for the night.

 

  On the Day 1 Mission (Monday), children will learn about the Creation of the Universe.  The Day 2 Mission (Tuesday) will focus on Elijah at Mt. Horeb.  On the Day 3 Mission (Wednesday), children will meet a blind beggar at Jericho.  And on the Day 4 Mission (Thursday), children will walk with two disciples of Jesus on the road to Emmaus.  Throughout the week, children will learn that God is Wonderful, Incredible, Magnificent, and Awesome!

 

  Community Vacation Bible School will be held this year at First United Methodist Church, 202 E. 4th Street.  Other churches sponsoring Community Bible School this year are Wesley United Methodist, Willard Street United Methodist, First Christian Church and Davis Street Christian Church. The registration fee is $10.00/child or just $15.00/family.  Please return registration forms by July 6.  For more information, please contact Sarah Simmons, Lorrie Giltner or the church office. 

 

“Let everything that breathes praise the Lord!”  Psalm 150:6

 

 

 

 WELCOME OUR NEW MEMBERS

 

Roger & Nancy Miller,  310 East 5th , Ottumwa , IA 52501-2715.  Please add them to your directory.

CWF

  CWF will meet 12:00 pm  Monday, July 19.  Fellowship and Cookout at Marilyn Barnes  -  409 Cory Drive.  Devotion/Prayer:  Gretchen Larson and Program/Worship:  Martha Archer.

   From the Stewardship/Finance Committee:

To All First Christian Church Members and Friends:

   With the church business year ending on 30 June, the Committee would like to take this opportunity to thank all for their support throughout the past year. We send a thank you to all who have turned in their pledges and also to those who will complete the process in the near future. Doing so allows the Committee to better plan for the future year and make better projections as to our financial status. However, to those who do not pledge in the formal planning process, we say thank you also for you pledges and gifts. They are also most important and greatly needed to complete the process of Stewardship.

  The Committee would also like, to thank all who give of their time and talents in support of the programs which allow FCC to do Gods work in the community and surrounding area. This truly promotes Discipleship and spreads His word.

  Thank you for a great past year and an upcoming 2010-2011.

 Stewardship/Finance Committee,

Marjorie Reeves, Brenda Scott, Linda McClellan, Carolyn Martin, Wylie McClellan

  

+Christian Symbols+

Why a fish?

  One of the most significant statements the early Christians used was “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, savior.”  Because Greek was the universal language then (the New Testament books were written in Greek), Christians often said and wrote, “Jesus Christ, God’s Son, Savior” in Greek.  That phrase , if printed as an acrostic (using the first letter of each word), looks like this:

 

I = Jesus

CH = Christ (anointed)

TH = God

U = Son

S = Savior

 

  The acrostic forms the word ICHTHUS, which is Greek for fish.  If Christians needed to know where to gather for worship, they could look for a fish and perhaps an arrow pointing in the right direction.  Persecuted Christians, seeing a fish on the door of a home or business, knew it was a safe place occupied by fellow Christians.

 

 

 

Thanks to all who supported me during my surgery and rehab with prayers, personal visits and cards.  I’m still in the process of healing which will take more time.  Your concern is much appreciated.

 

Cynthia Rupe

 

COMMUNITY SERVICE

ECUMENICAL LORD’S CUPBOARD - Vernon Trucano is the new president of the Ecumenical Lord’s Cupboard.  Please bring items for the Ecumenical Lord’s Cupboard the first two Sundays in July (July 4th and July 11th).  Current needs:  cereal, instant potatoes, ivory soap, jelly.

Monetary donations are always welcome and may be handed to Martha Archer or Marilyn Bradfield any time.

   .                                 Animation Food Drive Box with Can of Soup

 

 

MEMBERSHIP/EVANGELISM COMMITTEE

On Sunday Morning

 

 It is always hard to know what to say or do when you see a visitor at church. Here are a few suggestions of what to say or do. These were taken from "The Voice" of the Faith United Church of Christ in Williamsville, N.Y.

1. Introduce yourself and say, "I don't believe we've met, have we?" This helps solve the problem of greeting unrecognized fellow members and starting a conversation.

2. If the person is a visitor, ask, What brings you to our church today?" This will help provide information to you and be a service as to how the church may help.

3. At some point in the conversation, you might want to state in one sentence what you most appreciate about your church, such as, "I really like this church because - - -"

4. If it can be done graciously, introduce the visitor to someone else, whom you may know shares some common interest with the person you just met.

5. Don't forget to invite the visitor to return or attend another service of the church. Remember: We are all interested, loving, and caring individuals who can greet some one each week and make them feel welcome.

 

The rest of the time

The Evangelism committee is asking each of us to make a gift of our time.  This includes, but is not limited to, phoning, visiting, or sending a card to someone. It is also requested that those taking the time to contact someone provide the information to the Evangelism committee.  Click here to complete the  form on line.

Also possibly of interest to all members is the amount of volunteer time our members provide in the community. On the back of the "pink cards" please let us know the type and amount of time that you provide. We will compile this and place it in the Caller at a later date.

 

FRIEND TO FRIEND –

Stop by the Library following Sunday church service to get a name for the Friend to Friend program. There is a sheet with names to visit – just sign your name after person(s) you plan to visit sometime during this week. If you made some visits during the past week, please indicate who you visited so we can make sure everyone on the sheet gets visited at least once or twice a month.

Please fill out a pink card found in the pew pockets and place it in the offering tray or turn it into the church office, or use the on-line card so we can insure that all our homebound members are being visited. 

HELP NEEDED...If you would be able to join a list of persons who could pick up one of our members for Sunday School and Church on a rotating schedule, please call the Church Office.  The frequency of scheduling for each driver depends on how many are willing to help.  Thank you!

 

No one reported in the hospital as of

 

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