CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 3 No. 21 June 9, 2011

The Chalice

Fan the Flame

This Sunday, June 12, is Pentecost Sunday. It is the day we celebrate the gift of the Holy Spirit in the world and in our lives, and it just so happens to be my absolute favorite celebration of the Christian year! Wind, fire, speaking in tongues! Now thats a God moment! I enjoy Pentecost because it engages all of the senses, and when the Spirit blows through, nothing, and no one, is left untouched. So was the case for the Apostles on that Pentecost when the Spirit fell like tongues of fire upon

Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries

them. They were changed; transformed. They had new life breathed into them, and that new life gave them the power to transform others. And that they did! They fanned the flame of the Spirit that was given to them, and that flame became a wildfire that swept through all those gathered, transforming hearts and lives! Pentecost is also the birthday of the church. It is now, with the help of the Spirit, that the Apostles begin reaching out with the good news of Jesus Christ to all who would listen. Faith communities began to be built, churches were started, and the wildfire continued to spread. It has now been over 2000 years since that life changing Pentecost, and the Spirit is still moving; the good news is still being spread, lives are still being changed. We are witness to that. If you were present at our 9:15 table conversations this past Sunday, you can attest to the movement of the Spirit. And if you came to worship, you couldnt help but feel the powerful presence of God. First Christian Church of Edmond is alive with the Spirit! Just like the Pentecost the Apostles experienced, this Pentecost Sunday promises to engage our senses. Come, hear the voice of God, feel the warmth of the Spirit, and see what the life changing power of the risen Christ is doing! Come, fan the flame with us!

Life On The Edge

Rev. Greg Bunton, Associate Minister of Student Ministries

Our Sunday Morning Schedule for June 12, 19 and 26

Each Sunday morning at 9:15, we will gather around round tables in Fellowship Hall to share our stories.

9:15am: Table Conversations

10:45am: Unified Worship

Our Table Conversations experience will be followed by a fellowship gathering, hosted by Membership Ministries. Children in 3rd through 5th grade will take part in the June 12 Table Conversations. 6th through 12th grade will join each week.
www.fccedmond.org/renew

Summer is here, which means another great mission trip is just around the corner. Our students and sponsors have been preparing since January for the trip, and now we are only weeks away from departure! This year our students are participating in a musical tour. 28 students, 12 adults, and 3 college interns will spend two weeks on the road traveling across the country sharing the musical, Life on the Edge, with churches in Missouri, Tennessee, Kentucky, Illinois, Iowa, Kansas, and Oklahoma! While on the road, we will also spend 5 days in Nashville at the General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), and will perform at the youth assembly

as well as sing in an all-assembly choir for closing worship. Join us Sunday, June 19, when our students will be sharing a piece of music from the show during our unified worship, and on Wednesday, July 20, when they will offer the entire musical as their homecoming performance. We thank you for your support of our fundraisers that have made this trip possible, and we invite you to begin praying for our students and our trip. We leave on Wednesday, July 6 and return on Wednesday, July 20. We look forward to the ministry that lies ahead, and we cant wait to share our musical with you when we return!

Hurry and Sign Up NOW! Monday, June 13 - Thursday, June 16 Dinner is from 6:00 to 6:30pm and VBS lasts until 8:45 PM Children ages Preschool (must be diaper independent!) through 5th Grade

Are you ready for the Adventure?

and Rowdy Wrap-up celebrations... all with their Bamboo Crew! Come join the fun! If you have questions or are unsure what you are doing contact our directors.

Please Pray for VBS Leaders, Volunteers and

that a childs life might be touched by our efforts!

Volunteers:

$15 includes a CD and t-shirt (while they last) at www.fccedmond.org/vbs Time is running out! Register Now!

Registration

We are still in need of a Preschool Bible Adventure Story Teller! Will YOU step up and make a difference?

URGENT!

Contact our Directors Shannon Medley ssill@mindspring.com Courtney Moeller asadator@live.com Anna Lisa Stanley astanley@fccedmond.org

Questions?

At PandaMania, kids will discover that God is wild about them! Kids will experience Party Time Sing and Play, Wild Bible Adventures, Crazy Crafts and Missions, Bamboo Blast Games

Experience:

Giant Decorating Party!

Saturday, June 11 9am - 2pm Childcare and lunch will be provided. Come join us as we transform the building into PandaMania!

Meet the Childrens Summer Sunday School Teachers!

Childrens Summer Sunday School Schedule:
June 5-26 - Sunday School 9:15-10:15 Age 3 - 2nd Grade will meet in their regular classrooms June 12: 3rd, 4th, & 5th grades will meet in the Fellowship Hall as part of the re:New process. June 19 & 26: All ages meet in their regular classrooms July 3-August 7 Sunday School 10:00-10:50 All ages meet in their regular classrooms Melissa & Kacy VanOsdol - 3s, 4s, & PreK Jill Wilburn - 3s, 4s, & PreK Kristen Caluag - 3s, 4s, & PreK Jennifer King - Kindergarden & 1st Grade Chrisha & Ryan McGann - Kindergarden & 1st Grade Cole Stanley - 2nd Grade James Kerr - 2nd Grade Julie Bunton - 2nd Grade Nancee Roberson - 3rd & 4th Grade Sharon Mullins - 3rd & 4th Grade Larry Mullins - 3rd & 4th Grade

Prayers of the People

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Virginia ONiel, Kathy Lee, Reese Gates. Cathy Justice, Reta Clopton, Shirley Strasburg, Jill Wilburn, Margaret Hall, John Werhun, Phil Fraim, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom), Carol Sterling, Rose Marie McKee, Mary Lou Womble, Barbara Hall, Bert Lindsay (Donna Clarks dad), Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akins sister), Bill Hamilton, Joe Samuels, Bart Rodr, Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitts mom), Sharon Luton (Susan Blacks cousin), Ed Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas brother) OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Dennis & Alicia Galyon in the passing of Dennis dad, Merle Galyon, on May 30. Services were held in Wichita, KS, on June 2 AND to Ruth Mundy in the passing of her husband, Walter Johnson (John) Munday, of Jacksonville, FL, on June 3. A memorial service will be held on Saturday, June 11 in Jacksonville, FL

Happy Birthday!
6/12 Lily Percival, Evelyn Robinson, Crystal Vazquez 6/13 Broderick Bunton, Jacob FineThomas, Connie Huston, Kyle Maxwell, Linda Quade 6/14 Carla Clark 6/15 Michelle Hoppe, John Meadows 6/16 Ken Kysar, Sherry Parks, Judy Shaffstall 6/17 Hub Caldwell, Don Hiebert 6/19 Hallie Ball, Josh Biby, Amy Booher, Mariah Danley, Andy Eischeid, Marilyn Noles

Freedom Fest 2011

Few things are more exciting than Independence Day. Celebrating the 4th of July and the Declaration of Independence is one of the hallmark events of any calendar year. Firework displays, musical concerts, parades, and family gatherings typify our cherished, patriotic, and national spirit. And our church family is no exception to this spirit. So, in conjunction with the Edmond Liberty Fest Parade on July the 4th, 2011, we will continue our First Christian Church tradition of celebrating Freedom Festthe free distribution of hot dogs, chips, water, and watermelon to parade attendees. This wonderful event affords us the perfect opportunity to partner with our community in serving others and to demonstrate our deep commitment to radical hospitality. Join us on this day of national patriotism, community celebration, and grand moment of faith in action. Sign-up this Sunday at the table display in the rotunda or online at fccedmond.org/freedomfest to serve with us and/or make donations. Your Evangelism Ministry Team

ConGRADulations College Graduates!

Sarah Combs Daughter of John Combs and Donna Combs Master of Divinity Vanderbilt University

Its not too late to purchase a TLC Greenhouse gift card! Available for $20 each. All proceeds support Student Ministries Show your garden some love! Contact Sherry Parks at 471-4354

Its Time To Get Your Garden Growing Again!

The First Christian Church Child Care Center has a few spots remaining in our Private Kindergarten class for the 20112012 school year. We offer a full day program with a certified teacher and a faith based curriculum. If you are interested, please contact the Child Care Center office at 341-2626.

Sabbatical Plan Information Contacts

Worship

at First Christian

Loree Rice Pastoral Relations Committee Chair rice50@sbcglobal.net (405) 341-3710 Frank Gresh Moderator-Elect of the Board frank@frankgresh.com (405) 417-1977 Our Senior Minister, Rev. Chris Shorow, is currently on sabbatical. He began his sabbatical on May 20. It concludes on September 5, 2011. A sabbatical plan, including a list of job responsibilities and contact information, has been prepared and reviewed by the Personnel Committee, Chriss Pastoral Relations Committee, and the staff. Information from those plans has been included in a Sabbatical Guide which isavailable at our Welcome Center or online at www.fccedmond.org/sabbatical. The churchs office staff can help you get in touch with the appropriate contact person. Call (405) 341-3544 for assistance. To give us a small glimpse into his sabbatical experiences and the Shorow family travels, Chris will blog occassionally and post pictures at www.fccedmond.org/ chriscrossings.

Table Conversations at 9:15 Unified Worship at 10:45

June 12, 2011 Pentecost

Message: Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Acts 2:1-21

June 19, 2011 Fathers Day

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Mark 1:16-20

The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editor sregan@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org

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