Pastoral Ponderings Brothers and Sisters, Four years ago we re-launched a church softball team. The request was made to me in the receiving line following Sunday morning worship. I responded with enthusiasm. Our on field performance the first few years was a little rough. There were a few highlights, but most of it was bad news bears. Still, we had a lot of fun despite the long innings and consistent losses. But, our long-time fans slowly began seeing hints of improvement. We went from being miserable to only periodically painful. This year we feared the season might be canceled by the pandemic. Understandably, Jefferson City Parks & Recreation had to delay the start, but word soon came down that we would be playing. Practices were organized and something strange happened: we looked pretty good. We started to whisper: "we might actually win." Those hopes have been realized. We have begun our season 2-0! By the time you read this, a third victory may be added to the tally. I am fervently praying more will follow. Granted, we are still in D League. We probably aren't ready for stiffer competition. There's also nothing at stake. Nothing of importance hinges on whether we win or lose, but despite little being on the line there is great meaning to our effort. Here is a community of over 20 folks, all connected to the church, gathering together in common activity. We are encouraging each other and celebrating together. If a loss comes our way, then we will mourn together and pick each other up. People whose paths might not otherwise cross have been brought together in the dugout because of FCC. Friendships are forming and deepening. There's actually a lot to sports that looks like religion. John Sexton, the former president of New York University, writes in his book Baseball as a Road to God that, "conversion is not for the faint of heart. It is a difficult process, requiring effort and perseverance." He could easily be talking about our team's journey from failure to a modicum of success, or he could be describing the life of faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ. Whether supporting each other as followers of Jesus or as players on a softball team, we need each other to bring out the best in ourselves. I look better when our first baseman (or first basewoman) digs one of my errant throws out of the dirt to transform an error into an out. I also look better when a fellow Christian challenges me to see Jesus in ways that alter my perceptions or to use my talents in ways that are edifying to the church community's witness to the Gospel. Church is a team sport. The conversion through coming to know Jesus better and following him with our lives is not for the faint of heart. That difficult process, requiring effort and perseverance, is only possible because we are there to speak God's life and wisdom to each other along the way. And when I metaphorically look around FCC, I am amazed by the talent on our proverbial field. (continued pg 3) 327 East Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101-3003 (573-636-5157) June 17, 2020 VOL. 76, ISSUE 13
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Transcript
Pastoral Ponderings
Brothers and Sisters,
Four years ago we re-launched a church softball team.
The request was made to me in the receiving line following Sunday morning worship. I responded with enthusiasm.
Our on field performance the first few years was a little rough. There were a few highlights, but most of it was bad news
bears. Still, we had a lot of fun despite the long innings and consistent losses.
But, our long-time fans slowly began seeing hints of improvement. We went from being miserable to only periodically
painful.
This year we feared the season might be canceled by the pandemic. Understandably, Jefferson City Parks & Recreation
had to delay the start, but word soon came down that we would be playing. Practices were organized and something
strange happened: we looked pretty good. We started to whisper: "we might actually win."
Those hopes have been realized. We have begun our season 2-0! By the time you read this, a third victory may be added
to the tally. I am fervently praying more will follow.
Granted, we are still in D League. We probably aren't ready for stiffer competition. There's also nothing at stake. Nothing
of importance hinges on whether we win or lose, but despite little being on the line there is great meaning to our effort.
Here is a community of over 20 folks, all connected to the church, gathering together in common activity. We are
encouraging each other and celebrating together. If a loss comes our way, then we will mourn together and pick each
other up. People whose paths might not otherwise cross have been brought together in the dugout because of FCC.
Friendships are forming and deepening.
There's actually a lot to sports that looks like religion. John Sexton, the former president of New York University, writes in
his book Baseball as a Road to God that, "conversion is not for the faint of heart. It is a difficult process, requiring effort
and perseverance." He could easily be talking about our team's journey from failure to a modicum of success, or he
could be describing the life of faith as a disciple of Jesus Christ.
Whether supporting each other as followers of Jesus or as players on a softball team, we need each other to bring out
the best in ourselves. I look better when our first baseman (or first basewoman) digs one of my errant throws out of the
dirt to transform an error into an out. I also look better when a fellow Christian challenges me to see Jesus in ways that
alter my perceptions or to use my talents in ways that are edifying to the church community's witness to the Gospel.
Church is a team sport. The conversion through coming to know Jesus better and following him with our lives is not for
the faint of heart. That difficult process, requiring effort and perseverance, is only possible because we are there to speak
God's life and wisdom to each other along the way. And when I metaphorically look around FCC, I am amazed by the
talent on our proverbial field. (continued pg 3)
327 East Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 -3003 (573-636-5157)
June 17, 2020 VOL. 76, ISSUE 13
O UR CHURCH FAMILY
We pray for these
Beverly Anderson, Reba Brandenburg, Jim Eichelberger,
Quinnley Frye, John Griffith, Norma Hasselman,
Jeanette Hickman, Shirley Jarrett, Harold Libbert,
Virginia Lister, June Millard, Vivian Murphy, Ken Osman,
Jackie Possinger, Joe Robey, Jessie Schell, Betty
Schramm, Marguerite Smith, Pat Strader, Barbara
Walker, Jerry West, Loise White, Sharon Williams,
Janice Wood, Doris Yelton, Jean Zimmerman
Individuals will be kept on our prayer list for four weeks at a time.
At the end of four weeks, please give Kathy a call at 573.636.5157 or
Mid-America Updates: http://www.mid-americadisciples.org/newsletter-signup/ Disciples News Service Updates: http://disciples.org/dns/subscribe -to-dns/
“The Church Bell” (UPS 110-580) by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Jefferson City, Missouri, is published bi-weekly and there is no issue the week between Christmas and New Year’s Day. Periodicals paid at Jefferson City, Missouri. POSTMASTER: Send address changes to Editor/Church Secretary, First Christian Church, 327 East Capitol Avenue, Jefferson City, Missouri 65101.
Gluten-free Communion Bread is now
available on the communion trays
in paper cups.
Financial Records and Questions Questions related to giving and church finances should be sent to Carol Kaylor at [email protected]. We have
contracted with CALD services, a local accounting firm specializing in religious non-profits, to provide these critical functions.
Who Are We? We call ourselves Disciples, a community of believers who follow Jesus by
worshiping God, growing in faith, and serving all in need. Bound to each other in Christ’s love,
we discover our life together through sharing life with the world.
CONTACT US AT 327 East Capitol Avenue Jefferson City, Missouri 65101 Phone: (573) 636-5157 Fax: (573) 893-5608 firstchristianjcmo.org
AFTER HOURS EMERGENCIES: Please contact Rev. Underwood at 815-303-1990 Non-emergency church-related items after working hours, Monday thru Friday 8AM to 5PM, we have voice mail. Please feel free to call the church (573-636-5157) at any time and leave a message. NOTE: IF YOU LEAVE A MESSAGE ON THE ANSWERING MACHINE ON FRIDAY (AFTER 5PM), SATURDAY, OR SUNDAY, IT WILL NOT BE CHECKED UNTIL MONDAY
MORNING. THANK YOU.
The next Church Bell will
be sent July 1, 2020.
(Articles are due by noon
the Monday before)
PLEASE HELP KEEP THE CHURCH OFFICE UP -TO-DATE!
Be sure to give the office any updates of your
address, emails and/or phone numbers.
Buy groceries….help support youth ministry!
Sign up for a Community Card at Schnuck’s grocery store
Here’s what you can do:
Pick up a Community Card at Schnucks or at FCC.
Call 1-800-931-6258 to activate your group I.D. #500015450
Use your Community Card when you buy groceries
You may also give online at firstchristianjcmo.org/donate