CONNECTION

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 4 No. 12 March 29, 2012

The Chalice

A Defining Moment
By Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate Minister
Baptism. It is one of those grand moments in our faith journey; a moment when we most fully connect to the church, the body of Christ, the community of faith. It is a moment special beyond words. It is sacred. Somewhere between the Dead Sea and the Sea of Galilee, Jesus stepped into the Jordan River with John the Baptist and was baptized (Mark 1:9-11). It was his commissioning momentthe beginning of his ministry and work; the start of his journey to the cross. So in our baptism we are re-enacting his baptism. It is our commissioning moment. We are affirming our faith in Christ and proclaiming him to be the Son of the living God, our Lord and Savior. And we are affirming our commitment to a Christ-like ministry and service. According to Paul, our baptism is also the dramatic portrayal of Jesus burial and resurrection (Romans 6:3-4). It is that defining moment when we die with Christ and emerge a renewed beingsymbolically and powerfully. This Sunday, Palm Sunday, 18 Pastors Class participants will join our church-wide palm processional from Shannon Miller Park to the Rotunda, into the sanctuary, and on to the waters of their baptism. They will affirm their confession of Christ, their eagerness to most fully connect with the family of faith, and their commitment to a life of ministry and service. It is their sacred moment. Please join them for this grand sacrament and encourage them in their faith journey. In the process, take time to reflect on your own baptism. Recall it from memory or the stories of your family at the moment of your christening. Remember and celebrate. Hosanna! Blessed is the one who comes in the name of the Lord (John 12:13).

Easter Offering Equips Disciples General Ministries

To feed my sheep means to trust God and to equip the church to celebrate and promote Gods mission in the world. Leading the church, caring for its needs, feeding Jesuss sheep, is grounded in the churchs most basic calling and work: to live a life of faith in God, to trust in Gods abundance and not surrender to the fear of not having enough, to use Gods gifts wisely, to share them generously, and to proclaim the gospel to a hurting world. The General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) feed the sheep of Jesus by helping congregations use financial resources and facilities wisely, helping them plan for the future, by providing secure pensions for church workers and quality health care, by providing emergency assistance in times of disaster, by educating leaders, by helping new churches start and existing churches transform. In all of these ways, through our Easter Offering to Disciples Mission Fund, we love Christ by feeding his sheep. Join us and Disciples around the country on Sunday, April 8 as we support the 2012 Easter Offering.

Congratulations to the 2012 Pastors Class!

Evelyn Grace Baker Emily Nicole Gresh Abby Lorraine Kerr Emily Helynne Tompkins Tyler Talmadge Black Ryan Forrest Danley Jacob Emerson Fine-Thomas Conner Lee Kious Jackson Bridger Moffatt Jesse Coston Raines Peyton David Roberson Zachary Thomas Rodr Andrew Steven Rowley William Davis Shorow Caleb Bek Stanley Jacob Michael Weaver Zachary Jackson Winter James Midland Reeves Wynn

Easter Sunday April 8

8:15am Chapel Service 9am Contemporary Service

Palm Sunday - April 1

8:15am Chapel Service 9am Contemporary Service 10:30am Liturgy of the Palms & Palm Parade

11am Easter Cantata

Who Is This King?
An Easter Cantata written by Lloyd Larson & Joseph M. Martin Those who witnessed the life and ministry of Jesus were consistently mixed in their verdicts about who He was. Join us as we proclaim Jesus the risen and living King! Performed by our Chancel Choir Accompanied by a 22 piece orchestra Greg Bunton, Narrator
(PARENTS: On Easter Sunday, SPROUTS childrens worship will NOT meet during the 9am and 11am services. We invite your children to worship with you!)

11am Traditional Service

Maundy Thursday - April 5

7pm Service of Holy Communion

EASTER BREAKFAST
Served 8:30-11am
Enjoy an special breakfast in Fellowship Hall with your church family before you go to worship or Sunday School! Hosted by Membership Ministries

He went up on a mountainside by himself to pray. Matthew 14:23

Our Easter Prayer Vigil is a held during the final hours leading from Good Friday to Easter morning and is a time set apart to pray for the needs of our church family, our community and the world. Our Elders organize this event annually, and many people will be praying during these hours.

The Annual Easter Egg Hunt for ages 3 through 4th grade will be held Easter Morning on our playgrounds. Children should meet in their classrooms - Sunday Need Prayer? Please let us know how we can pray for School teachers will you, or a loved one, by sharing your prayer concerns with us. These will be made available to the prayer vigil participants. Simply write your prayer concern on the back escort their classes to the appropriate of your Connection Form in worship this coming Sunday, or email or call Rev. Jerry playground for the HUNT! Bring a Black early next week at jblack@fccedmond.org or 341-3544. basket and a friend! Hosted by the 2012 Pastors Class

Childrens Easter Egg Hunt - Easter Sunday, April 8 at 10:20am

Prayers of the People

OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Joan Grant, Parcway Rehab THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Dale Jones, Marcy Williams, Charlie Young, Vernon Conaway, Jim Hays, Edna Blunk, Loretta Parks, Tommy Atchison, Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owens daughter), Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaks mom)

Happy Birthday!
4/2 4/3 4/4 4/5 4/6 4/7 Delaney Ernst, Megan Sanford Anna Hall, Lindsay Hanna, Byron Lofton, Paul Preslar Josh Franklin, Claire Linville, Brian Wilburn Janell Lee, Brenda Peterson, Leslie Smith Ryan Bowers, Penny Dilg, Trish Thomas Anna Felix, Hannah OMeara

Help Us Make A Great First Impression!

Be A Welcome Desk Host

What do our guests experience when they call the church on Sunday morning? A friendly good morning! and people eager to answer the simple question what time does your service start? Our Welcome Center desk team answers calls throughout the morning, taking calls on subjects ranging from service times to crisises. In this way we are able to convey messages to staff and members, and we show a friendly, hospitable face to callers. This same team answers questions about the church, where to find classes, and helps us make a great first impression! If you have the gifts of making people feel welcome, and a broad knowledge of our ministries, we would welcome you to our team! Welcome Center desk volunteers are needed on Sunday mornings to share information with our guests, answer questions about our church, answer the phone and take messages. We currently have two vacancies to fill. The 2nd Sunday of each month from 11:00am to Noon, and the 4th Sunday of each month from 10:00-11:00am. This duty will last from April, 2012 through December, 2012. This is a wonderful ministry to be a part of at First Christian Church, and many blessings are attached to it. If you are interested in learning more or signing up, please call Gayle Smith at 348-1357.

Join Us for a Shower Honoring

Rachel Parks
Saturday, April 7 2 to 4pm
Rachel is registered at Macys, Williams-Sonoma, and Target Hosted by Charla Allison, Jennifer Cain, Donna Combs, Robbi Kinnaird, Brenda Peterson, Trish Thomas and Sherrye VanOsdol

Support Our Troops!

The Blue Star Mothers of Edmond have received requests from our Troops, for the new, dark colored pillowcases, and their favorite snack beef jerky. Let us show our appreciation and support to our Troops by donating. Lets Fill The Box in the Fellowship Hall, during the months of April and May. We will be hosting a Blue Star PACK for 500+ troops in June. Thank you, Becky Winn for the Blue Star Mothers of Edmond

Save These Dates for Saving Lives at FCC Edmond!

Give Blood Sunday, April 29 Sunday, September 23 Sunday, December 30

You still have time to honor the memory of a loved one by sharing a lily with your church family. Place your order by Sunday, April 1 - each plant is $15. Three easy ways to order: 1) Complete an online form at www.fccedmond.org/lilies OR 2) Complete an order form found in worship bulletins OR 3) Contact Iris Muno Jordan at 341-3544, ext. 110. Sales of Easter Lilies help fund youth summer mission trips and other youth projects. Thanks for your support!

Last Chance to Order Easter Lilies!

All blood drives will be held from 8:30am to 12:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. Make plans to support our hospital patients with your gift of life through the Oklahoma Blood Institute.

Ready for Spring Planting?

Worship
8:15, 9 & 11am

at First Christian
April 1, 2012 Palm Sunday

You can buy $20 TLC Greenhouse gift cards from our students, now through May 6. Your purchase will help support our youth mission trips. The TLC cards are good for all plants, trees, fertilizer and soil. to help you get your garden growing this spring! (excludes landscaping services) Easy to purchase on Sundays and Wednesday evenings. Contact Missy Blevins at 833-1115 with questions.

Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Rev. Greg Bunton Scripture: Mark 11:1-11

Save these dates for Vacation Bible School ... June 11-14
Dinner from 6:00 to 6:30pm VBS from 6:30 to 8:45pm Online registration begins April 15

April 8, 2012 Easter Sunday

Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Rev. Chris Shorow

The Chalice CONNECTION

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

Last Chance to Sign Up for Family Camp!

Would you like to enjoy the beauty of the Colorado Rockies and spend time with wonderful First Christian Church friends? There are a few spots remaining at our annual Family Camp which will be held June 24 - 30 in Estes Park at the YMCA of the Rockies. Details online at www.fccedmond.org/familycamp - contact Susan Huffer at 623-2185 by Monday, April 2 if you would like to attend.

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