The Stillwater

It is the mission of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Stillwater to be the church of Jesus Christ in the world. We do so by developing DISCIPLESHIP, Enabling OUTREACH, and embodying COMMUNITY in our lives together.

Christian
Volume 2013 | May 14

This Sunday is Commissioning Sunday We encourage everyone who is participating in the churchs summer activities: camps, Jamaica Mission Trip(s), conferences, etc. to attend one of our worship services this Sunday, May 19th. It is important that as your sending community you know that you are encouraged, supported, and prayed for, as you go about these important things. Foreign Language Speakers/Readers needed May 19th FCC Worship Team needs participants who speak/read a language other than English for Pentecost, May 19th. Please contact Nancy Trench by calling or texting her at 405-269-3026 or email at nancyjtrench@gmail.com. Please Donate Old Luggage For Jamaica Mission Trip! So many of our church have already played an incredible role in the Jamaica Mission experience. There are still more ways to be involved for those willing and able to help: we need luggage! Lots of luggage! It is used to carry all of the groups supplies to Jamaica and will be left there. So, please check your closets. If you have luggage that could be contributed, bring it to the church. Last time we made this trip, we collected 70 pieces of luggage. This is a HUGE contribution to our efforts and one of the ways that you can be involved in our mission. Mowers Needed! Sign up in the office to help with summer maintenance of the church property. Equipment provided. Schedule for Senior Sunday, May 26th 9:00 Sunday School Classes 10:00 Meet and Greet the Grads/Caf Bisto 10:30 Combined Worship Service Luncheon for graduates, their families, and friends to follow Thank You for Another Wonderful May Luncheon The CWF would like to express sincere thanks to Owen Cayton, Sondra and Rick Ladd, Leola Thiemann and Tracy Freeman for their most generous help with our May Luncheon. We also thank the beautiful models from our church, Sondra Ladd, Keri Bruce, Linda Apman, Julia Bollinger, Judy Bettis, Marie Hesser, and all of the Elite Repeat volunteers and managers for such a beautiful and fun style show. Thanks also to Judith Elliott, Jodelle Stout, Ruth Sturgeon, Pat Ward and Shirley Brownlee plus all the ladies who helped set tables, served coffee and helped as hostesses. It was a successful and truly enjoyable event. My thanks to all who assisted. Jo Ann Seamans

Have you Wondered about the beautiful draped banners in the Sanctuary? Volunteers have been adding a colorful banner each week of Easter to help us celebrate the season.

Mark Your Calendar

May 26 Senior Sunday, Family Movie Night June 2 Kids Own Worship Returns June 3-9 Camp Dry Gulch

Please Note: The Church Office hours this week are Tracys hours, Monday - Friday from 9am to 3pm, as Leola is on vacation this week and Owen is attending the Festival of Homiletics (Preachers Convention) this week.

Join us this Sunday for Owen Caytons Message, Power Source based on John 3:1-12 and Acts 2:1-21 Traditional 9:00am Sunday School 10:10 Contemporary 11:10

Owen Cayton, Senior Minister

The Care and Feeding of A Candle

pastor@fcc-stillwater.org

Sondra Ladd, Children/Youth Ministry Director youth@fcc-stillwater.org

CH ILDR EN & YO UTH MI NISTR Y NEWS

One of the first funerals I provided the leadership for after my ordination was a young (relatively) man. He had been on the search committee that had brought me to First Christian Church in South Bend. I arrived at the church in February; in March he called me from his winter residence in San Diego to let me know that he had something going on the doctors couldnt quite nail down; he was diagnosed with Pancreatic Cancer in April; and died in early June. It was devastating for his daughters, both of whom had just been married and one a new mother. Yet, they were clear in their desire that Larrys life was one to be celebrated, so his funeral would be a celebration. As the service began, we sang together #2 in the Chalice Hymnal: Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee. Certainly there were tears in the service, but there was also laughter and joy as we thanked God for the gift of life. Not everyone is ready to sing Joyful, Joyful We Adore Thee at a funeral, and that is understandable. As a worship service, however, congregational song is very appropriate as a part of a funeral. We express so much of our experience in the beauty of song. Recently, at Anna Herrings memorial service the family was held in the praises of God as the congregation sang while they entered and left the sanctuary. It was a marvelous thing and, I hope, healing in some way. The language that is used to talk about what happens in worship is liturgy. The word liturgy means The work of the people. Funerals are enhanced by the participation of the congregation not only in song and prayer, but also in leading. In my experience, funerals that have multiple people leading parts of the service family, members of the congregation, or other ministers tend to express a larger experience of gratitude and memory. Finally, and I know that it is not something typically done at this church, but another element of worship that is appropriate at a funeral is the celebration of the Lords Supper. At a funeral, communion reminds us of our ongoing connection to the saints of the past. By Gods grace we are all present at the table with Jesus as host. It is a connection that is remade every Sunday as Christ invites us all, past, present, and future to join him there at the table. Shalom, Pastor Owen
The Stillwater Christian is a weekly publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The deadline for articles each week is 1pm Monday. Tracy Freeman, Editor editor@fcc-stillwater.org Church Office Phone: 405.372.7722 Fax: 405.372.7726 Find The Stillwater Christian and more information at www.fcc-stillwater.org Send prayer requests and general email to office@fcc-stillwater.org

Commissioning Sunday, May 19th Everyone who will be participating in summer camps, conferences or mission trips is asked to attend one (9:00 or 11:10) of the worship services. We will be commissioning all participants during both services. A prayer partner table will be set up in the Narthex. Last year we assigned participants to members and asked for prayer, but we failed to assimilate a list of who was praying for who. This year we would like to make certain we know who you are praying for, so that they can submit any requests, praise or thanksgiving. If you would be willing to join our efforts in this powerful way please make sure and stop by the table and sign up. Thanks! Senior Sunday, May 26th The Class of 2013 will be honored in one combined service. Sunday School classes will meet at 9:00 followed by a meet and greet time in Small Fellowship Hall. The worship service will begin at 10:30 followed by a luncheon for graduates, their families, and friends. Note to Seniors: Sondra is in need of a couple of things from each of you 1) 8-10 pictures for the slideshow presentation; 2) an approximate number of family and friends who will be attending the luncheon following the service - if you havent already submitted those things please do so ASAP!!! Jamaica Mission Team Event, June 9th We really need all team members present if you are unable to attend contact Sondra Ladd immediately. Group 1 2:00-3:00 Group 2 3:00-4:00. Final Worship and Wonder May 19th This week will be the final Childrens Worship and Wonder session. On May 26th children are encouraged to participate in the combined service in honor of the graduates. Then on June 2nd, Kids Own Worship will kick off in the Youth room. FAMILY MOVIE NIGHT, May 26th FCC will be hosting a family movie night, complete with snacks. Bring a folding chair or blanket and all the friends and neighbors you can round up! The movie will begin at 7:00 in Williams Hall.

Facts & Figures for May 12, 2013

Attendance (114 & 140)...254 Sunday School....83 General Fund Receipts.$7,526.00 Capital Fund Receipts..$330.00 Loose Offering/Sunday School...$134.00 Project Funds Receipts.$4,912.00 Facts & Figures as of April 30, 2013 YTD Budget Receipts...$149,553.29 YTD Budget Expenses.....$149,565.83 Net Receipts over Expenses.(12.54) Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer, dkwsmith@suddenlink.net

Happy Birthday to: 5/15 Tracy Freeman 5/16 Rena Carrier 5/18 Rick Ladd 5/20 Katy Croft, Ashley Ladd 5/21 Kristi Clark Happy Anniversary to: 5/17 Heath and Ashley Bowman 5/19 Mel and Mariann Miller