| Date | Viewing-optimized | Print-optimized |
|---|---|---|
| July 1, 2008 | en07-01-08.htm | enl07-01-08.pdf |
| June 24, 2008 | en06-24-08.htm | enl06-24-08.pdf |
| June 17, 2008 | en06-17-08.htm | enl06-17-08.pdf |
| June 10, 2008 | en06-10-08.htm | enl06-10-08.pdf |
| June 3, 2008 | en06-03-08.htm | enl06-03-08.pdf |
To subscribe/unsubscribe e-mail delivery,
e-mail: editor (at) firstchristianstillwater (dot) org
To subscribe/unsubscribe postal mail delivery, same e-mail, or phone
Dana 372-7722
To enroll/disenroll in the prayer chain, e-mail Joy Evans: conradjoyevans (at) yahoo (dot) com
Print-formatted version of the newsletter for July 1, 2008 (uses Adobe Reader)
Children, PreK-5th grades, will discover Jesus' miraculous power through Bible study, Music, Crafts, and Activities. Registration forms are available in the church office throughout the week and in the narthex on Sundays, or download Registration Form here.
The Outreach Committee of the Disciple Development Department is excited to announce that 2008 will be the 10th year for our congregation to once again help meet the needs of many children from low-income families as they prepare to return to school this fall.
Last year we helped 89 kids and expect to see a greater need this year. Applications for families in need are available in the church office throughout the week and in the narthex on Sundays. We must have a new application submitted for each family needing assistance.
Monetary donations may be made by indicating "Christmas in July" on the memo part of your check or envelope. Volunteers are also needed to assist the families with shopping. To volunteer, complete the form available in this Sunday's bulletin or contact coordinator Kimber Taylor at 612-3696 or havasuwatergirl(at)yahoo(dot)com, or Kim Hall at 624-7475 or khall_29(at)yahoo(dot)com, or Kelly Arrington at 372-8469 or karri(at)okcareertech(dot)org
Every night as the kids go to bed, Lori and I have a routine with them: they take a bath, put on their pajamas, we read a few stories, we pray and we sing. Most often we do this together. One evening Lori, who is a source of wisdom and an example of faithfulness to me, prayed this really great, really simple prayer. In it she asked God, "Help us find at least one way to show your love to somebody tomorrow." That's discipleship! Isn't that the way we should live our lives as Christians, looking for opportunities to share God's love with the people we encounter in the world. They are all around us and they present themselves to us all the time if we are only open to them.
I have a friend, a good, strong, faithful member of a church, who was in the bookstore one day and was approached by a woman. The woman asked my friend if she should buy a Bible Commentary or a Bible Dictionary. My friend, not being real sure, after talking with the woman helped her decide on a Bible Commentary. When my friend relayed this story to me, I asked, "Did you talk to her? Did you invite her to Bible study? Did you share your faith with her? Did you find out anything about her?" To which my friend responded, "It never occurred to me."
On the positive side, this past week Kenda Baker saw an example of this kind of discipleship enacted by two of our youth. We were in the morning worship seated in the balcony – we had been running a bit behind and the seats on the floor were full. During worship, up behind and to the side of us a little, there seemed to be this constant ruckus. The ruckus was being caused by a group of boys picking on another boy. Kendas motherly instincts were aroused and she gave them the, "Stop it!" and worked her way into the mother's glare (or as I would call it, the "eye of doom" – it would have worked on me). All of this had the effect of a drop of rain in the desert. The boys then started moving (not so quietly) away from the other boy and throwing things at him. Finally, when it seemed that nothing could be done to end the ridicule or the noise, Erika Schaecher and Maddi Young, two fairly soft-spoken girls, went over to the boy and asked him to come sit with them. He did, and the noise stopped!
Sometimes the opportunities aren't this obvious. Then again, it wasn't obvious to my friend. In addition, Erika and Maddi seemed to be the only ones who seized the opportunity in a way that shared God's love for this young man – all the rest of us could do was observe, "WOW!" The opportunities are there. Let our prayer be, "God, help me to find at least one way to show your love to somebody tomorrow." Then let us be alert for God to lead us.
Shalom, Pastor Owen
PS – How are you coming on your homework: Find at least two people in the Bible who argued with or questioned God, and find someone who won the argument.
... Burl and Rena Carrier as they mourn the loss of Burl's brother Wayne Carrier. Services were Monday in Oklahoma City.
... family and friends of Martha-Naomi member Nancy Roberts. Owen Cayton will officiate services Thursday at 10:30am at Strode's Funeral Home.
Sondra Ladd, Director of
Children's & Youth Ministry
E-mail: sondra (at) firstchristianstillwater (dot) org
Our week of Student Life Camp, Lake of the Ozarks, was a definite success. 5 adult sponsors and 25 Chi Rho youth attended. We left at 6am Monday morning and arrived at camp Monday afternoon. Our time at camp consisted of dynamic worship services, including praise and worship songs led by Donald Butler and services led by Thomas Young, small group sessions mixed with youth from other groups, recreation activities and competitions, free time and church group sessions held with our own group. The speaker and small group leaders challenged us and our small group sessions were filled with great question and answer times, allowing us to talk and think about what and why we believe.
Our youth were fantastic! They were well behaved and great representatives of our community and our church. We received comments from small group leaders, waitresses and others about their excellent behavior. We were so proud of them and you should be as well.
The youth were so blessed to have sponsors travel with them that love and care about them in every way possible. Kenda Baker took care of any medical needs. She loves our kids and takes such good care of each one. Michelle Schaecher is a school counselor and her expertise in talking with and understanding kids and problem resolution is such a valuable asset second only to her love and compassion for each and every youth. It was a huge blessing to have Michael Elliott with us as a great leader and excellent example for all of our youth. It seems like just yesterday that Michael was a member of youth group and attending these trips as a participant. It was also a huge blessing to have Owen along. Our time together allowed him to get to know the kids as well as allowing the kids to get to know him. They have already formed strong bonds and our kids know that the shepherd of this church loves and cares for them.
My goal for this trip was that each individual grow spiritually, strengthening his/her faith in order to serve Christ and others more effectively. I believe that goal was accomplished. We were where we were supposed to be and that God was faithful in helping us raise up a generation of young people strong in their love and faith and working in unity to fulfill His purposes.
PHOTOS from our trip will be available on our church website, www.fcc-stw.org
Love, Sondra
| Attendance: (146 & 201) | 347 |
| Sunday School | 153 |
| General Fund Receipts | $3,715.00 |
| Capital Fund Receipts | $80.00 |
| Sunday School & Loose Offering | $223.09 |
| Non-budget Funds Receipts | $866.00 |
| YTD Budget Receipts | $221,290.74 |
| YTD Budget Expenses | $205,736.08 |
| Net Receipts over Expenses | $15,554.66 |
Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer, kaysmith (at) firstchristianstillwater (dot) org
COCAA's needs for the month of July are peanut butter, jelly, packaged spaghetti, spaghetti sauce, macaroni and cheese, and canned chili.
Our congregation is asked to pray for the church indicated for that
particular week.
June 29: Oklahoma City - Western Oaks
July 6: Oklahoma City - Wildwood
Join us this Sunday for Associate Minister
Rick Hendricks' message
"On Freedom's Ground" based on the text
Isaiah 58:6-12.
Traditional Worship - 9:00am
Sunday School - 10:10am
Contemporary Worship - 11:10am
The Stillwater Christian is a weekly publication of First Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ).
The deadline for articles each week is 1pm Monday.
Dana Craig, editor (at) firstchristianstillwater (dot) org
Church Office Phone: (405)372-7722
Fax: (405)372-7726
The Stillwater Christian and other information
about our church is available at
www.fcc-stw.org
Send prayer requests and general email to
firstchristianstill (at) firstchristianstillwater (dot) org