The Chalice
A publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
201 East Second Street , Edmond Oklahoma 73034
Vol. 1 No. 23 December 3, 2009
Seeking Peace
by Rev. Chris Shorow,
Senior Minister
Our Advent themes of
hope, peace, joy and love
continue for the season
and this Sunday we
celebrate peace. It is somewhat strange to
be celebrating peace when there are
thousands of soldiers overseas fighting for
us at this very moment. Most of us know
someone, or have a loved one, who is in
Iraq or Afghanistan for whom peace is a
dream.
Or is it? Certainly peace is not coming
to that area tomorrow, but the peace we
Edmond Community Chorale Christmas Concert
Saturday, December 5 - 7:30pm
ECC will be performing Mass of the Children
by John Rutter, Czech Carols, and other
holiday favorites. Featuring the Sequoyah
Middle School Chorus, and the Jubiliate
Singers from Young Chorus of Central
Oklahoma. Those singing from FCC will be:
Betsy Jones, Mark Parkhurst, Carla & Randy
Clark, Terry Earnheart, Devione Harris and
Beverly Schmoyer. Reception following. Free
admission ~ love offering taken.
Children’s Christmas Musical
Sunday, December 6 - 6:30pm
Join the children of First Christian as they
present “Shepherds, Sheep and a Savior” by
Ed Kee. Shepherds may have been at the
bottom of the social ladder in Bethlehem, but
God chose them to be the first ones to see the
Savior. This is their story - what they heard
and what they saw that marvelous night
when God came to dwell with men. Enjoy
this gift to you from the children of First
Christian, and stay for cookies & hot choco-
late afterwards. (Nursery available)
celebrate at Christmas time is a different
sort of peace. Followers of Jesus rarely
have seen peace in our world. But the
peace of God that passes all understanding
can still reside in our souls. The world
outside may be full of sorrow and pain, but
we can know God’s peace.
We know that kind of peace from the
first Christmas. After Jesus’ birth, Herod
ordered all children under the age of two in
the area around Bethlehem be killed. Surely
a move like that would destroy any prospect
of peace. It did not. Jesus’ birth brought a
new-found sense of peace that stilled the
souls of even the most disturbed.
Today, many are hurting in our world.
Lost jobs and a tough economy are filling
Youth Snowball Celebration
“A Night At The Oscars”
Saturday, December 12 - 6 to 10pm
All FCC Youth 6th thru 12th grade are invited
to the 14th annual Snowball
Celebration dinner and dance. Tickets $15 -
on sale thru Dec. 6.
Christmas Cantata
Sunday, December 13 - 6:30 pm
The Chancel Choir, along with Peace Lutheran
Church, invite you to celebrate the miracle of
Christmas as they present the cantata “Season
of Wonders” by Joseph M. Martin. When we
ponder the miracles surrounding the birth of
Jesus, we discover in abundance the lavish
character of God’s love. In the experience of
this work, may you draw close to the manger
and open your heart to the unexpected
glories of this season of wonders. Enjoy the
cantata and stay for a reception with our
friends from Peace Lutheran afterwards.
(Nursery available)
Breakfast on Boulevard and increasing the
demands for assistance from our church.
We have helped many, but there are many
more to help, even in our own congregation.
Our Minister’s Discretionary Fund allows us
to reach out in Christ’s name to those who
are hurting this season. The fund is running
low, so if you have an extra blessing to
share this season, please give your gift to
Karla in the church office and mark it down
for the Minister’s Discretionary Fund. Your
gift will bless others this season.
If you are searching for peace, come
and join us on Sunday to hear God’s
message of peace in the midst of turmoil.
It is a wonderful gift to receive this
Christmas.
Candlelight Service of Remembrance
Sunday, December 20 - 6:30pm
Advent also reminds us of the “in between
times,” when we’re stuck and not sure
where to go. For many this is a difficult
season of the year, especially if you have
lost a loved one. But there is hope in the
midst of darkness. Come, light a candle of
remembrance, or simply bathe yourself in
the warm glow of God’s love. Our healing
prayer ministers will be on hand to fashion
a prayer for your needs, and Rev. Chris
Shorow will offer a meditation.
Christmas Eve Services
Thursday, December 24
Children’s Christmas Eve Service
5:30pm
Candlelight Christmas Eve Services
7 and 11pm
(Nursery for infants available during 7pm
service only)
 Prayers of the People Happy Birthday!
12/6 Ryan Bratcher, Adam Clark, Marj Pizer,
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Sandy Prewitt, Audra Stone
Ed Berry in Oklahoma Heart; Madge Goodrich in Edmond 12/7 Maggie Ford, Julie Holliman, Foster
Specialty Johnson, Dana Theobald
12/8 Matthew Rahhal
OTHERS IN NEED OF PRAYER Eric Koegel, Will Harris, 12/9 Barbara Boggs, Cindy Enix, Marsha
Wayne Warner, Terry Cronkite (Glenda Adams’ brother), Louise Weeden (Judy Bennett’s Gray, Sue Sestak
mom), Jim Roberts (Jeri Dillon’s dad), Phil Rehrig (Glo Rehrig’s son), Hank Thomas 12/10 Joshua Jones, Kimberly Kerr, Logan
Turner
(Randy Thomas’ brother),Patrick Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s brother)
12/11 Robbie Shaw
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to the family of Rose Marie McKee in the death of 12/12 Sue Fram, Megan French
Jack McKee, who passed away November 24. Services held Friday in Buffalo, OK, with a 12/13 Terry Bernard, Clarity Farrah, Gary
memorial in Edmond on Monday. McGann, Colby Myrick

OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to the family of Bernie & Joyce McNickle in the death Notice of Congregational Meeting
of their daughter-in-law’s brother, Terry Judd, who passed away November 24.
Sunday, December 6
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS to the family of Clint & Anne Stone in the death of Held immediately following
Anne’s sister, Margaret Basso, who passed away on November 28. Services were held on each worship service
Tuesday in Kansas City, MO. Purpose: To vote on the proposed slate
of 2010 nominted leadership and 2010
proposed budget.

You Can Still Purchase Poinsettias!

We have extras! Drop by the table in the rotunda and purchase a poinsettia for your
home, office or a friend for just $15 and help support student ministries.

Come to Discover First Christian! Congress Authorizes

Sunday, December 6 at 10am Fellowship Hall-West IRA Gifts by Donors
Have you been thinking about becoming a member of First Christian? Would you like to learn
ways you can get connected and make a difference? We invite you to join members of our Over Age 70½
staff and members of the church for an event we call “Discover First Christian.” This informal On October 3, 2008, as part of the
gathering provides an opportunity for us to get to know you, and for you to get to know a Emergency Economic Stabilization Act of
little more about us. Whether you’re brand new or have been attending a while, we’d love to 2008, new Federal tax legislation took effect
have you join us. We’ll have coffee, juice and some donuts for you, too! permitting donors over age 70½ to make
charitable distributions from their IRAs. This
Many In Need ~ Lots of Opportunities to Sponsor Families This Christmas is the same law in effect since 2006 which
Over 400 familes have applied for assistance with Christmas through the HOPE Center this allowed many seniors to use unneeded
year. If you, your Sunday School class, or your small group would be willing to sponsor a distributions from their IRAs to make
family, contact the HOPE Center at 348-1340. charitable donations.
Up to $100,000 can be given in this
manner. Donors save taxes on IRA
Invite a Friend distributions to qualified charities as gift
We gather each week for many reasons, but within the solitude and celebration of worship, amounts are not included in the donor’s
our lives are changed. They are enriched. As we rush around this Christmas season shopping income. (Because of this benefit, no
for the perfect gift, let us give the gift that keeps on giving. Invite a loved one, a friend, or charitable income tax deduction is available.)
that new acquaintance to share with us in the worship experiences of Advent and Christmas! These gifts can take the place of required
minimum distributions that would otherwise
be taxed. Such gifts can also relieve tax
The “Holiday Heroes” thank you again First Christian! penalties that affect high income taxpayers,
With your help and beautiful handmade stockings, 492 boxes were packed and sent to our including loss of AMT exemptions and
troops. I know they will be thrilled to open something from home for Christmas. Merry reductions in itemized deductions and
Christmas and have a Blessed New Year. from the Blue Star Mothers of Edmond and Becky Winn personal exemptions. In some cases IRA
gifts may reduce income taxes on Social
The Parish Nurses will be offering a Security benefits. Please consult your tax
FREE BLOOD PRESSURE CHECK-UP advisor for more information. by Rob
Sunday, December 6 from 9am to 11am in Fellowship-Hall Ryland, Stewardship Education Moderator

Worship
at First Christian 8:15, 9 & 11am
December 6
2nd Sunday of Advent
“The Light of Peace”
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow
Scripture: Matthew 2:16-23
December 13
3rd Sunday of Advent
“The Light of Joy”
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow
Scripture: Matthew 2:1-6
NOTE: There Will Be ONE
COMBINED Worship Service
Sunday, December 27 at 10AM
The Chalice CONNECTION
Shelley Regan, Editor
sregan@fccedmond.org
submit or read news online @
fccedmond.org/news
USPS 210-360
Edmond, OK
Postage Paid
Periodicals
Celebrating “A Mouse in God’s House”
by FCC’s Own Cherri Steele!
First Christian Church celebrates the publishing of another fine
children’s book by “our own,” Cherrie Steele! Children and their
parents are invited to attend a reading of her new book:
A Mouse in God’s House during Sprouts Children’s
Worship on Sunday, December 13 during the 9:00 and
11:00 worship services.
"Pushing books off a desk, nibbling on cookie crumbs,
and playing hide and seek are all in a day's work for
Bartholomew the church mouse. Bartholomew wants to serve
God, but just can't seem to get it right—or so he thinks.
Adventures abound as Bartholomew learns that serving God
may be just a blessing away, when a young girl discovers A
Mouse in God's House.
You can pre-order a personalized copy of the book on
Sunday, December 6th through Children’s Minister Carol
Schwabe. Please make checks payable to Cheryl Steele.
All pre-ordered copies will be distributed on December 13 in
time for Christmas giving! Reach Carol Schwabe at
cschwabe@fccedmond.org. Order forms are available at
the Welcome Center in the rotunda. Cherri will deliver books
on December 13, during Sprouts Children’s Worship. Gift
wrap is available!
CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083
4561. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice
First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-
Year's Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by
(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New