First Christian Church Good News May 15, 2019 Identify, Intercede, Invest, and Invite This June will be the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from the Nazis during World War II. My late great Uncle Juman (my Grandmother Johnson’s brother) landed on the beach in the first wave and miraculously survived. As I do around all of our military holidays, I have been reading about events that precipitated us having those holidays. This one in particular caught my attention. I hope in telling it I do it justice. The little 11th-century church in the village of Angoville-au-Plain is a place so small and innocuous that most people blow right by it on their way to tour the invasion beaches. In the early morning hours of D-Day, thousands of U.S. paratroopers were scattered across Normandy, and this small crossroad village became hotly contested territory. As the wounded began to cry for help, two medics from the 101st Airborne Division, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore, looked to set up an aid station and the village church seemed to be the best available option. They set about gathering the wounded from both sides into the church using a hand- cart and wheelbarrow they found, often exposing themselves to enemy fire in the process. They used the pews of the church as hospital beds. It is said by those who have visited that those wooden pews are still in use and that continue to show the stains of blood where those wounded were treated. The medics tended the wounded for three days straight with no break and no sleep, short on supplies and under constant fire, but they saved some 80 lives in the sanctuary of this little church. Many other lives would be birthed into the future families of those whom they saved. The pews that had been built for saving souls became the place where people broken by conflict and pain found salvation of their bodies as well. It occurred to me that Wright and Moore were doing the ultimate form of ministry in that holy place. They had been baptized by fire and ordained by duty to continue their work. They were priests officiating over a sacrament of broken bodies and shed blood. Their tireless work revealed a much deeper truth about what the church is about — a hospital for broken people, no matter their “side.” These priestly medics seemed to understand this instinctively to the point at which even their enemies recog- nized the importance of the mission. They were being the church, not just using one for an aid station. I loved that the people of this little church didn’t fix the holes, patch up the floor, or scrub down the pews after the war. The missing pieces of stone on the walls that were taken off by bullets and shrapnel haven ’t been patched over. They did replace the windows, but with a tribute to these two medics who became saints. This holy place is now a monument to the kind of church God has called his church to be: a place with some battle scars but also a place where the wounded find shelter, healing and hope; a place where spiritual-medics are willing to sacrifice themselves to tend to those in need. May it be so with us! Receiving Grace, Sharing Grace, Living Gracefully, Dr. Jeff
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First Christian Church Good News May 15, 2019
Identify, Intercede, Invest, and Invite
This June will be the 75th anniversary of D-Day, when the Allies stormed the beaches of Normandy to liberate Europe from the Nazis during World War II. My late great Uncle Juman (my Grandmother Johnson’s brother) landed on the beach in the first wave and miraculously survived. As I do around all of our military holidays, I have been reading about events that precipitated us having those holidays. This one in particular caught my attention. I hope in telling it I do it justice.
The little 11th-century church in the village of Angoville-au-Plain is a place so small and innocuous that most people blow right by it on their way to tour the invasion beaches. In the early morning hours of D-Day, thousands of U.S. paratroopers were scattered across Normandy, and this small crossroad village became hotly contested territory. As the wounded began to cry for help, two medics from the 101st Airborne Division, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore, looked to set up an aid station and the village church seemed to be the best available option. They set about gathering the wounded from both sides into the church using a hand-cart and wheelbarrow they found, often exposing themselves to enemy fire in the process. They used the pews of the church as hospital beds. It is said by those who have visited that those wooden pews are still in use and that continue to show the stains of blood where those wounded were treated.
The medics tended the wounded for three days straight with no break and no sleep, short on supplies and under constant fire, but they saved some 80 lives in the sanctuary of this little church. Many other lives would be birthed into the future families of those whom they saved. The pews that had been built for saving souls became the place where people broken by conflict and pain found salvation of their bodies as well.
It occurred to me that Wright and Moore were doing the ultimate form of ministry in that holy place. They had been baptized by fire and ordained by duty to continue their work. They were priests officiating over a sacrament of broken bodies and shed blood. Their tireless work revealed a much deeper truth about what the church is about — a hospital for broken people, no matter their “side.” These priestly medics seemed to understand this instinctively to the point at which even their enemies recog-nized the importance of the mission. They were being the church, not just using one for an aid station.
I loved that the people of this little church didn’t fix the holes, patch up the floor, or scrub down the pews after the war. The missing pieces of stone on the walls that were taken off by bullets and shrapnel haven’t been patched over. They did replace the windows, but with a tribute to these two medics who became saints. This holy place is now a monument to the kind of church God has called his church to be: a place with some battle scars but also a place where the wounded find shelter, healing and hope; a place where spiritual-medics are willing to sacrifice themselves to tend to those in need. May it be so with us!
Receiving Grace, Sharing Grace, Living Gracefully,
Dr. Jeff
Elder Serving Schedule
Prayer
Communion
Offertory
Scripture
June 2
Pastor
Neal Click
Mike Woody
Kayla Click
June 9
Pastor
David Hawley
Brad Blankenship
Robert Brady
June 16
Pastor
Rick Coulter
Neal Click
Paul Hennen
June 23
Pastor
Brad Blankenship\
Neal Click
Kelly Spiegel
Schedule
Ericka Drieselman 5/26
Amy Doyle 6/2
TBD 6/9
Morgan Helm 6/16
Beth Spindle 6/23
Betty Fulenchek 6/30
Schedule
Melinda Parker 6/2
Rochelle Cottingame 6/9
Vicki Woody 6/16
Kathy Hawley 6/22
Rebecca Parker 6/30
Sunday School opportunities:
Nursery- Mae and a volunteer are available every Sunday
morning starting at 9am for ages 0-3
6 yrs old—5th grade Meet in next to Kingdom Kids.
Taught by Angi Latham using Lifeway Bible Studies For
Life.
6th-12th grade– Discussion of Biblical views of current
world events.
Youngish Adults– This class meets across from the
pastors office. This class is led by Rev. Edwin Clark
Men’s Class– Library– Men's Sunday School Class will begin the
study in the book of Luke. Neal Click will lead this discussion.
Fellowship Class- This is an Elder Led group in a NIV Bible
Study.
Ladies Bible and Coffee Class- Karol Livingston facilitates
this class. “Ladies Bible & Coffee Class” are listening to Lisa
Harper
The youth Sunday School classes have a flexible start of 9:30
to allow families extra time on Sunday mornings.
Needed: K-2nd Sunday School Teacher
See Angi Latham for more details...
Wanted: At least 15 New Members/Families
to take Directory Pictures
Reward: Free 8X10 and New Updated
Church Directory for all who take pictures
$5 Updated Directory for those who do not take
picture.
Sponsored by the Minister Alliance
for all who are interested
David Spindle 6/12
Cali Ramos 6/14
Jacob Rolen 6/21
Jack Lilley 6/26
True Options Pregnancy Center
annual Baby Bottle Campaign
Starts Mother’s Day, May 13 Pick up a
baby bottle at the back of the Sanctuary
and fill with monetary donations. Return
to the baby stroller at back of Sanctuary
by Father’s Day, June 16. Their goal is to
make it even better than last year!
Buzz & Linda Beckelman 6/1
Gary & Nicole Tabor 6/3
David & Kathy Hawley 6/11
Jerry & Cornelia Hensley 6/15
Summer Splash
Summer Splash is our annual summer women's event where we gather for
worship, an inspiring message from our guest speaker, and fun-filled after-party
for you and all your girlfriends. June 4 @ 7:00 pm - 9:00 pm
5th Sunday
Churchwide
Breakfast
June 30th at
9am
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