The Chalice CONNECTION A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OKSpiritual Pruning By Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister Vol. 3 No. 7 March 3, 2011 As I write, there is a crew at my house trimming some of the trees in our yard. I can’t be there to watch, as the trimming makes me nervous. I grew up in Oregon, where trees are plentiful and somewhat sacred. Although there are many tree farms, we didn’t take the cutting down of trees lightly. So when they said we had to “take out a tree,” I winced. The house will look pretty bare soon without all that tree growth around. It may be painful to look at today, however, I know it’s for the best. It will make for healthier trees in the future and t he pruning will help them to grow. I felt the same way about the trees that were cut down at the church, but it looks so much better now, I realize that the initial cutting was important. Jesus talked about pruning. He knew that cutting back was essential to the future of the plant. The dead part had to be cut away to allow for new growth. And he compared it to our spiritual lives. We must cut out some things in our lives to allow for new growth. That’s what the season of Lent is all about. As we enter the 40 day preparation for Easter beginning on Ash Wednesday, March 9, we are entering a period of “spiritual pruning.” Traditionally we give up something for that time to mark our spiritual discipline. But it doesn’t have to be giving up something, it can be any spiritual discipline that helps us to growlike picking up a new habit ofreading scripture, praying, reaching out to someone else, or helping a neighbor. Consider how you may use this Lenten season to grow spiritually. And pray for my trees! The Season of Lent: March 9April 23, 2011 Lenten Bible Study and Devotions Available Lent is a season of soul-searching and repentance. It is a season for reflection. Lent originated in the very earliest days of the Church as a preparatory time for Easter, when the faithful rededicated themselves and when converts were instructed in the faith and prepared for baptism. By observing the forty days of Lent, we imitate Jesus’ withdrawal into the wilderness for forty days. The General Ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) are inviting all Disciples on a journey for the 40 Days of Lent. Two special opportunities to deepen your faith and further understand the work and witness of our General Ministries have been created. You can sign-up to receive a daily Lenten devotion, story or prayer in your email, beginning March 9! You can also download a Lenten Bible study written by Dr. Richard Lowery. Log on to fccedmond.org/lent to sign up for the daily devotionals or to download a PDF copy of the Bible study. Additional copies of the Bible study available at the Welcome Center. Dr. Lowery is an adjunct professor of Hebrew Bible at Lexington Theological Seminary. Lowery is married to the General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins. He has taught courses Biblical Studies at Phillips University, Yale Divinity School, and served 17 years as Professor of Hebrew Bible at Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa, OK. He presently lives in Indianapolis where he works in research, writing, and teaching.
This document is posted to help you gain knowledge. Please leave a comment to let me know what you think about it! Share it to your friends and learn new things together.
Summer Church Camp is filled with fun activities, Bible study, and adventure to build
riendships and memories that last a lifetime.
First Christian offers partial scholarships to member campers. Campers register for
camps based on GRADE COMPLETED by June 2011. To learn more, including campprices, early bird discounts, and for a registration form go to www.fccedmond.org/camp or
ask Greg, Mark, Anna Lisa the next time you are at church!
The following camps are available:n Chi Rho 1 (grades 6-8) June 6-10 n Discovery (grades 1-3) June 24-26 n CYF (grades 9-12) Junen Junior 1 (grades 4-5) June 27-July 1n Chi Rho 2 (grades 6-8) July 18-23 n Junior 2 (grades 4-5) July 18-22
What Are You Doing This Summer?
Consider These OpportunitiesFirst Christian Church Family CampEstes Park, Colorado - June 26-July 2, 2011Sign up NOW for FCC’s Family Camp! There are just a few spots left for this
adventure - June 26 thru July 2, 2011. To sign up - drop by the table in the rotunda on
Sunday morning and pick up an info packet, or log on to fccedmond.org/familycamp
Questions? Contact Susan Huffer at 340-1619.
General Assembly of Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)Nashville, Tennessee - July 9-13Disciples will gather for the 2011 General Assembly in Nashville, TN, July 9-13, with thetheme “Tell It!” based on Deuteronomy 6:1-12, reminding Disciples to tell the Good News of
God’s healing love to world.
First Christian’s Student Ministry summer musical mission trip participants are traveling
to General Assembly, where they will learn, grow and participate in worship, sharing
their gift of song. Rev. Greg Bunton, Mark Taylor and sponsors will also participate in the
Assembly activities and come back eager to “Tell It!”
General Assembly offers a wide range of learning opportunities, with a special focus
on equipping congregations for mission and ministry, including 50 Different ResourceGroups - 1 to 2.5-hour workshops on variety topics: Justice, Leadership, Mission, Spiritual
Disciplines and Vital Congregations. Have questions about General Assembly? If you are
interested in learning more about this opportunity, you can contact Rev. Chris Shorow at
1905 CookbookFood for Body and SouThe Edmond Christian Church Ladies ASociety compiled their favorite recipesin 1905. One hundred years later, JudySteiger Howard was rummaging throua bin in an antique store and came acrthat recipe book.
Those recipes and many of the womstories live on in Howard’s new book,“1905 Cookbook - Food for Body and SoThis cookbook makes a great gift foranyone passionate about food, family afellowship with heartwarming pioneerstories, 200 vintage photos and 300 tanlizing recipes.
Howard believes in giving back andbecause our church ladies became theinspiration for her - she is offering thebooks for $14.95 with all the proceedsgoing to Breakfast on Boulevard.
If you are interested, please see Karla
Mahan or Kay Mades.
Happy Birthday!3/6 Doris Dowell, Davis Ernst, Jonath
Jones, Loree Rice, Donna Smith
3/7 Forrest Danley, Beau Schwabe,Warren Shepherd
3/8 Robert Fields, Henry Pearce, Jack
Privette, Jesse Raines
3/9 Becky Adams, Teresa Fritz
Combs, Matt Holliman, Tara
Linville, Aubrey McClendon
3/10 Braxton Coil, Alicia Galyon, Vicki
Grin, Dane Malzahn, Brooke
Medley, Dene Smith3/11 Barbara Pope, Pam Timmons,
Rachel VanOsdol, Pat Wathen
3/12 Randy Adams, Florine Shirley3/13 Brad Bowers, Bill Parks
Prayers of the PeopleOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL
Jean Barnes, Mercy; Joe Samuels, OU-Edmond; Jim Hayes,Baptist
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Don Barnes, Eric Koegel, George Gilbreath, Larry Scott,Joan Grant, Phil Fraim, Bob Bennett, Ola Drennon, Teddi Long-Owen, Bob Earl, JeriBrigham, Mary Lou Womble, Jeff Stephens, Larry Grin, Wayne Wilson (TracyTurner’s dad), Kay Burks, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Ralph Greenwood (JackieStafford’s dad), Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s mom), Sharon Luton (Susan Black’scousin), Ed Berry, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother)
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Jamie Gable and Jennifer Schmitz in the passingof their grandmother, Bernice Bolling, on February 26. Services were held Wednesday,March 2 in Midwest City.
CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Parker Eloice Whitney, born February 23 toBlake & Lauren Whitney of Dallas, TX. Proud Grandparents are Billy & Jan Harrison.
Hey Kids - Come Join In!Our children ages Pre K – 5th grade will lead us in worship on Children’s Sunday,
March 27th. If your child is interested in participating be sure to bring them to music
rehearsals on Wednesdays, March 6 and 23.
Schedule:
5:00 K-5th Grade Music 5:30 Pre K Music
6:00 Dinner 6:30-7:30 Rehearse
Questions? Call or email Anna Lisa 341-3544, ext. 14 or [email protected]
of New Year’s Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083
PeriodicalsPostage PaidEdmond, OKUSPC 210-360
Worshipat First Christian8:15, 9 & 11am
March 6, 2011Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: John 13:2b-6
March 13, 2011Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Psalm 147:1-6
“The Economicsof Happiness” Premiere Film ScreeningFriday, March 11, 2011 - 7:30Meinders School of Business Kerr
McGee Auditorium, OCUNW 27th St. & McKinley AvenueA new film, “The Economics of Happi-
ness,” says our spiritual satisfaction, our
sense of security, our joy, derive from our
deep connections with others and our nat
ral environment. It also states globalizatio
destroys security by undermining com-
munity, subordinating local connections t
the dictates of distant profits and creating dissatisfaction by replacing local cultures with
consumer culture. View the movie trailer online www.theeconomicsofhappiness.orgVicky Rose, daughter of Bernie and Joyce McNickle, has helped assemble an out-
standing panel to spark provocative conversation and dialogue following the film screen-
ing. Rev. Chris Shorow will be part of the panel. Other invited panelist include a banker,
physician, a sociologist and an expert on finance. This wide range of perspectives should
ensure a lively discussion. Each panelist will offer a brief comment on the film, leaving
time for dialogue among the panelists and Q&A from the audience.Hosted by Transition OKC - Sponsored by Oklahoma City University (OCU),