The Chalice

CONNECTION
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

Vol. 2 No. 44 November 4, 2010

God’s Grace Offers Real Hope

By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
Election Day has mercifully come and gone. I, for one, am glad that it is over. It means the
end of annoying phone calls, negative attack ads and rude behavior—on the part of can-
didates on all sides. It is very disappointing to see many of our current and future leaders
behaving so poorly.
Now I don’t say this as an endorsement of any particular candidates. In fact, you won’t
hear me touting one side or the other. Is it because I don’t care or, worse yet, don’t know
anything about politics? No. I was a political science major in college and I used to keep up
with everything political. I was a real political junkie. Those days are over, tempered mainly
by the fact that I got a little disillusioned with the political process. After going through several
campaigns that gave me great hope for some positive change, I became jaded and realized,
or so I thought, that very little actually changes.
That’s why I went to the church. In church, I saw real hope for change. I saw individuals
overcome their past and become loving, caring people. I saw alcoholics and drug addicts overcome powerful addictions
to become “brand new.” I saw people with no hope suddenly begin to live life anew, fresh with hope. And I saw people
that cared only for themselves reaching out to the least of these.
Inspiring? Yes. Also, frustrating, sad, anger-producing and downright disheartening at times. The church certainly
isn’t any more perfect than our political system. But it does have one advantage—God’s grace. And the continued love
of a Savior. I’ll vote for that any day of the week.
See you at the polls.

Each year, several churches in Edmond combine efforts to

host a Community Thanksgiving Dinner. This shared meal
is for anyone, but provides a special sense of community
for singles, lonely college students, those far from family
members, and others.

The 2010 dinner will be held Thursday, November 26

from 11am to 3pm at the University of Central Oklahoma
in the George Nigh Center.

First Christian plays an active role in supporting this dinner.

There are several ways for you to be involved.
1) Donate food items (display of items needed in rotunda)
2) Contribute money to purchase food
3) Volunteer to work prior to the event, or on Thanksgiving

More details, and a volunteer registration form link, are

online at www.fccedmond.org/thanksgiving or drop by the
display table in the rotunda.
 Sharing Warmth and Hope
Disciple Women
On Sunday, November 14 you have an opportunity to share the gift of
warmth and hope with someone in need. A gift of $5 will purchase a warm
blanket through our BLANKET Sunday offering.
For many years, our Disciple Women groups have encouraged par-
ticipation in the BLANKETS+ program of Church World Service, an agency
who reaches out to neighbors in need near and far--not with a hand out, but
a hand up. In the face of a disaster, people need blankets--and much more.
They need shelter, food, and safe water. And as the recovery process un-
folds, they need tools and training in how to prepare for future disasters, and
other resources to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods. First Christian
partners with Church World Service through the Blankets+ program, the CROP Hunger Walk, and following the earthquake in
Haiti we filled Church World Service relief kits. So, if you’re looking to help build a better world—a world were there’s enough
for all—please give generously to the Blanket Sunday offering.

UCO Students Raise Awareness and Money for B.O.B.

We celebrate and give thanks for the
196 University of Central Oklahoma
students who recently raised awareness
about the millions of people throughout
the world who go without food, clothing
and housing. These students braved the
elements as they lived in “shacks” for
nearly a week during Central’s annual
Shack-a-Thon event, Oct. 24-27, as a
part of Poverty Awareness Week on
campus.
Student teams lived in “shacks” built
from cardboard around Broncho Lake,
panhandling for change and working
with limited resources, giving the cam-
pus community a glimpse at how the
homeless population lives.
“It is important to have awareness-
raising events such as Shack-a-Thon to
remind students, who are sometimes
insulated against the stark reality of
poverty, that it exists right in our com-
munity,” said Lyndsay Holder, direc-
tor of Central’s Volunteer and Service
Learning Center.
In total, 34 teams participated with
196 students braving the cold October
nights to raise $2,079.74 for Breakfast
on Boulevard. Thank you!
Mickey Stufflebean shared the story
of Breakfast on Boulevard with the
Shack-a-Thon teams on Sunday, Octo-
ber 24. They learned we served approxi-
mately 23,600 meals in 2009 at a cost
of $44,000, and they learned they were
making a difference by sharing their
time and money with B.O.B. Good job!

Operation Christmas Child Packing Party with K-Love - Saturday Nov. 6

We are excited to host another Opera-
tion Christmas Child Packing Party on
Saturday, November 6. KLOVE radio
station, 88.9 will join us, and do a live
broadcast. Everyone is invited! Children
LOVE to pack the shoeboxes so bring
your children or grandchildren to join
the fun. We will meet in Fellowship Hall
from 1 to 4p.m. You can come and go
anytime.
Please bring cookies to share -
KLOVE is providing beverages! There
will be a fun surprise give to each person
who packs a shoebox.
We fill the shoeboxes with small
items such as: soap, toothbrushes, hard
candy, children’s T-shirts, or caps, balls,
dolls, matchbox cars, flashlights, or
almost any item small enough to fit in a to pack boxes in cartons. There will be a
shoebox as long as it is child appropri- sign up sheet at the Operation Christnas
ate and non-perishable. The shoeboxes Child table starting this sunday for shifts.
go to children in orphanages, churches, If you can help during the week of Nov.
schools, or hospitals around the world. 15-22, or would like more information
A booklet in the child’s own language as to how your children can fill a box for
titled “The Greatest Gift”, accompanies a needy child, please contact Michele
each box. This booklet tells of Jesus’ Schlough at 844-3214.
love and sacrifice for each of them.
The children share the Good News
with extended families. Samaritan’s
Purse has reported a 40% decision
rate from the shoebox gifts. As a
relay center, FCC will be accepting
filled shoeboxes from other church-
es and families throughout the week
of November 15-22. We are going
to need help throughout the week
 Prayers of the People Happy Birthday!
11/8 Taylor Chadwick
OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL 11/9 Mikayla Bunton, Kelly VanOsdol
London Carrington, Childrens Hospital-OU 11/10 Lyndsey Luschen, Jackie Stafford,
Wayne Warner
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Eric Koegel, Eunice Wilson, Dan McNickle, 11/11 Sonni Adams, Brian Carroll, Chloe
Bob Stafford, Teddi Long-Owen, Mary Kate Heath, Ralph Eastwood Stout, Jim Thorpe
(Jackie Stafford’s dad), Jeff Stephens, Dorothy Bryan, Chuck Hague 11/12 Judy Farley, Janet Helms, Glo
(Suzanne Allison’s brother), Chelyne Barney (Marjorie Anderson’s Rehrig, Barbara Shaw
daughter-in-law), Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s mom), Bart & Jennifer 11/13 Gary Wallace, Lorelle Watts
Rodr, Sharon Luton (Susan Black’s cousin), Ed Berry, Hank Thomas 11/14 Demaris Burleson, Sherilyn Clark,
(Randy Thomas’ brother) Courtney Enix, Jill Ferrell, Winnie
Hall, Tim McCall, Joyce McNickle,
Todd Ward
Attention Members
Comet Cleaner’s Parking Lot Changes
Please be aware that the parking lot just east of the church is now less
available for our use. Comet Cleaners, who leases our building, will soon
open for business. Obviously, some parking spaces in front of the building
will be reserved. Please respect the needs of those who lease this space and
those who use the cleaner’s services. Do not block the drive through or park
in those reserved spaces. You may continue to use the unmarked spaces.
We have been privileged to use all of this parking lot for some time, but now
must make some usage adjustments—even on Wednesday nights. Thank
you for respecting these changes.
Purchase Poinsettias
If you have any questions, please contact our Business Administrator, To Help Us Decorate
Karla Mahan at 341-3544, ext. 14 or kmahan@fccedmond.org or Billy
Harrison, Board Moderator at billy.harrison@intrustbank.com. For Advent!
Each year we decorate our wor-
ship spaces for Advent with beauti-
Children’s Advent Art Project Underway! ful poinsettias. For just $15 you can
purchase a poinsettia in honor or
Every Child Invited to Create Art! or in memory of a loved one. there
are three simply ways to place your
Each year, children 3 years through 5th grade, are invited to create works of art order:
about the Christmas Story and the birth of our Savior. This year a special Advent 1) Order forms in worship bulletins
Art Gallery will be on display throughout the season of Advent. Children will through Sunday, November 14
have the opportunity to create art during UNITE on 2) Order online at
Wednesday, November 10. If your child would like www.fccedmond.org/poinsettia
to participate in the Advent Art Gallery, but will not 3) Call Iris Jordan at 341-3544
be at UNITE on the 10th, simply log on to www. Orders must be received by Wednes-
fccedmond.org/adventart to print the art entry day, November 17.
template form. Or, you may pick up a form from If you purchase poinsettias to
Anna Lisa Stanley, our Children’s Minister. Be sure take home, they will be available for
to include first and last names, plus age or grade. pick up on Sunday, November 28. All
Submit art to Anna Lisa Stanley, Children’s Minister proceeds benefit the FCC youth mis-
no later than November 17. We look forward to sion fund and youth room remodel
viewing their creations during the season of Advent! project.
 Join The Classics for a
Holiday Trip to Branson!
Worship Join us November 30 through December
at First Christian 2 for a fun filled trip to Branson! We will
8:15, 9 & 11am depart on November 30 and spend the
travel day enjoying refreshments, relax-
November 7, 2010 ing and visiting with fellow travelers. We’ll
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow arrive in Branson late afternoon in time
Scripture: Haggai 2:1-9 for some R&R before departing for an
included dinner at Fall Creek Steak House. Our first show is Jim Stafford, critically
acclaimed as the “Victor Borge of the Guitar.” He combines hysterical comedy
November 14, 2010
with masterful performances on the classical guitar and heart-warming stories of the
Message: Rev. Chris Shorow human spirit.
Scripture: Luke 21:5-19 The next day we’ll enjoy a continental breakfast at our hotel, and then
spend the morning with the Twelve Irish Tenors. In the afternoon we’ll enjoy
time at Branson Landing and Old Town. Our evening dinner will be at the Keeter
The Chalice CONNECTION Center and the evening show will be Pierce Arrow. From the World’s lowest bass
Shelley Regan, Editor singers, to masterful harmonies, and the funniest comedian in town, these gentle-
sregan@fccedmond.org men truly love what they do and it shows. We’ll enjoy a leisurly breakfast before
Read News Online heading back to Edmond.
@ fccedmond.org/news The trip is $369 per person, based on double occupancy. Price includes
Submit Articles to transportation, two nights loding, all meals and attractions as indicated. Final
news@fccedmond.org payment is due Friday, november 12. For more information and reservations call
Winnie Hall at 341-4297 or Ellen Chitwood at 341-2859.

Edmond, OK 73083
USPC 210-360 changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548,
Edmond, OK Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address
Postage Paid postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second,
Periodicals of New Year’s Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals
(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks