The Chalice A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OKVol. 3 No. 33 September 8, 2011 CONNECTION The New re:NEW NormalBy Frank Gresh, Board Moderator-Elect and reNEW Task Force Member I just got home and sat down to write this after our experience at church today for Laity Sunday. First off, all I can say is wow. What an amazing service. As I stood in front of our congregation this morning, I felt the energy and the affirmation from all of you. This is a renewed congregation, a congregation of disciples moving forward to be the hands and feet of Christ. We have set a new normal, or should that be a re:NEW normal, for everything we do! During our summer of renewal we discovered we are a congregation that und- estands what it means to have open minds, hearts, doors, hands, and most importantly an open table. We embraced change and varied both our worship schedule and our preaching styles. In doing so, we found out what passionate worship can mean in this congregation. A new normal in worship has emerged! Several people have remarked to me, as well as other members of the re:NEW task force and to our staff that worship this summer seemed to be very intentional. Everything we did tied tightly with our messages and themes. For instance on Pentecost Sunday, we experienced the passion of the Holy Spirit moving through us as the choir sang “You Can’t Have Church ‘til The Holy Ghost Shows Up” and Rev. Greg Bunton shared the message “Fan the Flame.” Many people remarked afterward how well everything tied together in the service; the music, the scriptures, the sermon, the prayers, everything worked together to tell our story of Pentecost that Sunday. What you might not know is how much intentional preparation went in to that service. Working with both the Chan- cel Choir and the Praise Band to coordinate music, extra rehearsals, meetings with the tech crew, the list could go on. All of these various elements came together because of some very intentional worship planning. Every service in June was planned to tie with themes from our table conversa- tions. In late July and August our worship planning moved on to align with a book called “Five Practices of FruitfulCongregations”which helps us clearly define our core values and will help our ministers and Stewardship ministry define our annual campaign. We learn from this book that vibrant, fruitful, thriving congregations offer passionate worship that connects people to God and to one another. Research shows that churches who provide meaningful and passionate worship experiences have a common trait - intentional worship plan- ning - which is just one element of our re:NEW normal. As we wrap up a summer of renewal, we reflect on our worship experiences, intentional worship planning sessions, and your feedback to see some wonderful lessons learned: •member ss ensedah eightened en erg yinworshipandappreciatedthewayswewereabletoincorporatesomeofwhatwelearnedduringtherenewalconversationsintotheservices•off eri ngour be sttoGod inwo rsh ipisexhilaratingandrenewing,andcancallforthunrecognizedgifts •planni ngawors hipse rvi cewithexcel- lenceishardwork,requiresteamworkandistimeconsuming•af ewtho ugh tfu l,del iberat ea nddis - cretechangescreatefar-reachingeffects • commongroundinwor shipi smuchmoreabundantthandifferenceswemighthaveimagined Something else we heard loud and clear during the table conversations, hall- way conversations, and in the communica- tions forms attached to your bulletins you filled out, is that you loved the diversity in preaching. Not only in who brought the message, but the style in which it was offered. By rotating between Jerry and Greg, each minister had more time to be intentional in preparing their message to tie to all aspects of the service. This diversity in preaching and excellence in worship has been well received by our congrega- tion. We have both defined and embraced a new normal for worship. As we begin to welcome Chris back from his much- deserved sabbatical, we will add to the diversity in preaching. So, what does this mean moving forward? As Larry Ball mentioned in the service this week, Chris is returning home to a renewed congregation. There are many new and creative ideas born in the dreams of our congregation this sum- mer. Some ideas revolve around how we can create even more passionate worship experiences. Experiences like the one we had today (Laity Sunday), or on Pentecost. Changes to the way we do announcements and minutes for mission, changes in how we plan for those services, and changes in ways the messages are delivered. Together we will be intentional about enhancing our worship life in this re:NEW normal. This will be explored through intentional planning of worship, incorpo- rating suggestions from the June renewal conversations, modifying our schedule occasionally, and finding ways to engage children and youth in creative worship leadership roles. On behalf of the re:NEW task force, we thank you for your thoughts, dreams, and commitment. We look forward to the future God has in store for us in our l l l l l re:NEW normal!
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• 5:00-6:00 An Exploration of Faithed by Rev. Chris Shorow - Room 116 This will be an interesting experimental class. Many people have approached mewanting to discuss serious matters of faith, what they believe and what the Bibleays about some of these topics. So, I’m offering this course for them. We’ll start
with a broad overview of scripture and how it came about and what it means tous. How does scripture inform our faith? We will look at questions like—What isheaven? What is Hell? Why do bad things happen to good people? The next partof the course will be a dialogue where you will ask your own burning questionand we’ll explore it as a class. With a good look at scripture, our faith, and churchhistory, we will be able to more condently tell the story of our own faith.
• 6:30 - 7:30 Serving from the Hearted by Rev. Jerry Black - Room 116God’s plan for the church calls each member of the body of Christ to play a vitalrole, one in which we nd joy and fulllment. That happens when we serve in arole that matches our unique talents and abilities—gifts that come from the Spirit
of God. Dr. Jerry Black’s Fall Unite Course, Serving from the Heart, will examinen some detail the nature and work of the Holy Spirit, spiritual gifts, and theenhanced capacity to serve. The cost of the participant notebook is $16. Pleaseregister online @ www.fccedmond.org/unite or by calling Iris Jordan, 341-3544.
• 7:30–8:45 Chancel Choired by Diane Ball - SanctuaryNursery/Childcare Available) Our Chancel Choir offers musical gifts throughouthe year in worship services and on special occasions.
Children 3yrs old through 5th grade wfocus on “Extreme Makeover: Redesig
Attitudes”. This program is an excitinprogram based on Philippians 2:5. “Hathe same attitude that Christ Jesus had
5:00 Music/Instruments (K-5th)
(MusicRoom/Room 113)
5:30 Cherub Choir (PreK) (Room 115
6:00 Check-In/Dinner
6:30 Large Group Gathering (Sanctu
7:00 Small Groups
7:30 Check-Out/Pick up
REGISTER now at
www.fccedmond.org/unite
UNITE Options for Adults:
Children’s Schedule
This semester we will experience a“Worship Feast” and our study focus
be on the many ways in which we arinvited into the presence of the Holy
Join Disciples Women in Caring For Babies!Infant Crisis Services Selected as Fall Service Project By LaVerne Fry
It is hard to imagine that there are babies and toddlers who go to bed hungry in our midst, yet it happens every day righhere in central Oklahoma. This fall, in effort to help alleviate that hunger, First Christian Disciple Women groups will becollecting funds to support the work of Infant Crisis Services in Oklahoma City.
Whether or not you are an active part of any of our Disciples Women groups, you can still join efforts with us as wesupport the mission of Infant Crisis Services. This agency serves more than 1,000 babies and toddlers in central Okla-homa each month. They supply life-sustaining formula and food as well as diapers and clothing for babies and toddlersn times of crisis. They bridge the gaps that occur during critical times in a baby’s development and because governmenprograms like WIC and DHS don’t provide diapers or medically prescribed formulas.
DW members can give money through their individual groups. If you are not a part of a Disciples Women group, yo
can donate through the church office. Infant Crisis Services will greatly appreciate all donations.
to Ft. Sill with Jerry as our host.You’ll need to bring a photo ID for
Base entry, and be sure to wearCOMFY Walking Shoes!
Contact Winnie Hall to reserve your spot - 341-4297. Payment due soon!
5th Annual“FCC Follies”
Sunday, October 9
5:30 Chili Cook-Off (in the Fellowship Hall)
6:30 Variety Show(in the Sanctuary)
Register your act now!fccedmond.org/follies
Happy Birthday!9/11 Neil Helms, Jerri Jones, Ally Nash
Caitlyn Turner, Sherrye VanOsdol
9/12 Gladys Dronberger, Bob Gallop,Joan Grant, Joy Hunt
9/14 James Kerr IV, Molly Ann Mabry,
Jacob Weaver
9/15 Jan Harrison, J.W. Michael, Parke
Mullins
9/16 Colton Lagasse, Fern Rice9/18 Boston Harris, Tommie Inman,
Max Moore, Sharon Mugg
Prayers of the PeopleOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL
Alice Birdsong, Mercy (Charlanne Johnson’s mom);Bart Rodr, Baptist Integris
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Dana Theobald, Joe Samuels, Shirley Brown, MaxineKerr, Tommy Atchison, Joan Grant, Charlie Young, Bill & Mary Lou Womble,Rex Swanson (former member), Roy Jackson, Virginia O’Niel, Nita Williams (Jeff Williams’ mom), John Werhun, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciak’s mom), Rose MarieMcKee, Barbara Hall, Dona Lee Denton (Carrie Akin’s sister), Ed Berry
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To JoAnn Adams in the passing of her husband,Harold Adams, on September 3. A memorial service will be held Saturday,September 10 at 11am in the FCC Chapel AND to Gay Gauldin in the passing of herfather, John Michael, on September 7. Services pending.
Sermon Series
September 11 EKG: Ministry Flows from the HEART
September 18 The Art of Love: A Matter of the HEART
( U S P S 2 1 0 - 3 6 0 ) i s p u b l i s h e d w e e k l y ( e x c e p t w e e k s
o f N e w Y e a r ’ s D a y a n d C h r i s t m a s D a y ) . P e r i o d i c a l s p o s t a g e p a i d b y F i r s t C h r i s t i a n C h u r c h , 2 0 1 E . S e c o n d , E d m o n d , O K 7 3 0 3 4 - 4 5 6 P O S T M A S T E R : S e n d a d d r e s s c h a n g e s t o T h e C h a l i c e C O N N E C T I O N , P O B o x 3 5 4 8 , E d m o n d , O K 7 3 0 8 3
P e r i o d i c a l s P o s t a g e P a i d E d m o n d , O K U S P S 2 1 0 - 3 6 0
I hope your new
school year has
gotten of to a
wonderful start.Our Sprouts
Children’s Worship
sure has and we have grown! We have
been blessed to see so many new faces
and make so many new friends.
Because we have grown, we are
changing our location for the time being.
(Most likely this will be a temporary
location. We will keep you informed.)
Your child will still have some play time
in the gym or outside on the playground
when the weather is good.
Sprouts will now have their snack
and bible lesson in the Sunday school
classroom located at the crossroads of
the hallways in the Children’s Education
Building. Look for the Sprouts sign!
Following the 9:00 a.m. worship
service, children will be greeted by th
Sunday school teacher and escorted
to their Sunday school classroom.Children attending the 11:00 a.m.