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The Chalice
A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK
CONNECTIONVol. 4 No. 21, May 31, 2012
A Journey to BabylonBy Rev. Dr. Jerry Black, Associate
Minister
When the order of worship was
changed last summer placing the
Lords Supper after the sermon, it was
intended to make it a natural response
to the service of word (call to worship,
prayer, music, scripture, and sermon).
Everything in worship then, would
point to the table and our response to
the gift received from the table. Thischange in worship order
has been
wonderfully received.
But, at the same time of this
change, and for several reasons, the
Doxology was removed from the
order. For some period of time, this
change was also accepted. But after a
while it became a point of contention,
especially for those who worship at 8:15.
After much discussion, the worship
committee advised the ministers that
the decision to reinstate or not reinstate
the Doxology was ultimately theirs
to make. But it was noted that the
Doxology could be reinstated and
performed in a number of different
styles that would continue to enhance
the flow and spirit of worship. Specifi-cally, the committee
referred to an a
capella performance of the Doxology
as used in a recent visit by the Friends
University Choir in the blessing before
their evening meal. It was beautifully
reverent.
So, the staff chose to reinstate the
Doxology using that spirit of rever-
ence in the 8:15 worship. The response
has been mixed, and to say the least,
at times quite colorful. It is the com-
mittees prayer and challenge that
changes to worship be accepted in the
same spirit of reverence as they are
thoughtfully and intentionally intro-
duced. Member comments are always
welcomed, and hopefully, helpful.
However, inappropriate language,inconsiderate personal remarks,
and
attacks on church staff are detrimental
to providing meaningful, passionate
worship.
Let us prayerfully work and
worship together, remembering
that worship is about God. It is about
honoring God and responding to
Gods gift of love and grace.
Isnt it amazing
how often our
greatest dis-
coveries come
as a result ofsome difficulty
or unpleasant
experience
be that the challenge of looking for a
new job, finding a new home, moving,
changing schools, completing an un-
wanted project, taking a board exam,
or dealing with grief over some sig-
nificant loss? These are unwelcomed,
uninvited moments. And yet, they are
lifes proving
ground for strength of character and
personal confidence.
Such moments have always been
part of Gods world. For the people
of Judah, the Babylonian Crisis forexample was nothing short of
devastat-
ing. It was demoralizing, dispiriting
overwhelming. But through this crisis,
the people learned that God was not
confined to their Temple in Jerusalem.
God was with them right there in Baby-
lon. God had not abandoned them.
As a result then of this catastrophic
event, they came to a whole new level
of trust in God and strength of corpo-
rate character.
This Sunday, we will begin a serie
of sermons intended to parallel the
themes of our childrens study in Vaca
tion Bible School. Throughout the
month of June, we will discover withDaniel and his friends, that
God is wit
us in the Babylons of our livestimes
of change, moments of anxiety and
fear, loneliness, and feelings of aban-
donment, and bringing us refreshingly
to a spirit of thanksgiving..
Join us each Sunday for this
journey with our children to Babylon
and some remarkable discoveries with
Daniel and his friends.
A Worship Committee Update
The Worship Committee
Connie Westhof, Moderator
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You still have a chance to help with VBS!Be a Kitchen Helper
during VBS (4:00 p.m.-7:00 p.m.)
Help with SET-UP! Saturday June 9th from 9:00 a.m. -
NoonChildcare and lunch provided
DONATE! We still need brown paper grocery bags and old
(non-returnable) stuffedanimals. These donations, along with any
items you signed up to bring, can be
delivered on Sunday or Monday to the north end of Fellowship
Hall.
Thank you!
Its summer and you know what that meansVBS! Vacation Bible
School looks nothing like it did when I was young. We made
popsicle stick crafts, sang The B-I-B-L-E, yes thats the book
for me!, and if we were really lucky, we got snow cones on thelast
day. All good times and great memories, but the Vacation Bible
Schools our children get to experience today are filled with
intentional messages that they can use every single day of the
young lives. This year, our focus is on Daniel. Here is a look at
ourday-to-day study:
Day 1 - When things change, God is with you. Enemies capture
Daniel and his friends and take them to Babylon.Day 2 - When youre
afraid, God is with you. Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego survive a
fiery furnace.
Day 3 - When youre lonely, God is with you. Daniel prays, even
though it means he might get into trouble.
Day 4 - When youre thankful, God is with you. God saves Daniel
from the lions.
I think that one of the most exciting things about Vacation
Bible School, is that the children not only have fun and encounter
God
but they get to experience their entire church family in action.
Everyone can participate in VBS and when we come together,AWESOME
things happen!
If you havent signed up to help but would like to, there is
always room. Please contact Amy Peters or Desi Stout for more
information. If you are unavailable to help, please remember
this summers VBS, the leaders, and kids in prayer. If you still
need
to register, please do so online at www.fccedmond.org/vbs or on
the first evening of VBS - June 11th at 5:30 p.m.
Vacation BibleSchool
Monday thruThursday,
June 11 - 146:00 to 8:45 pm$10 per person
Includes a T-shirt,CD and Family
Style Dinner
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During VBS our Children Will Take On AnImportant Mission Project
With Operation Kid-to-KidEach year our children experience a
meaningful service project during VBS that changes theirhearts as
they reach out and help change the world! This year we are joining
with other VBS
churches to meet the goal of providing more than 1 mission
specially treated mosquito bed netsto at-risk kids in the African
nation of Mali, where Malaria is the leading cause of death in
chil-
dren under 5. Our childrens donations will help provide
specially treated, life-saving mosquitonets to keep these deadly
insects out - protecting children and families while they
sleep.
The Facts:n Malaria is a mosquito-borne deadly disease. n 250
million cases of malaria are reported every year.Nearly 1 million
people die from malaria every year. n Every 30 seconds, a child
dies from malaria.n Its preventatble! n One $6 net can protect two
children for up to four years.
So send a donation (however big or small) with your child to VBS
to help purchase nets for the children in Mali. Together, lets
hel
SQUASH Malaria in Mali!
Prayers of the PeopleOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITALLarry
Hays - OU Medical Center - Presby Tower (DykeMoffatts
brother-in-law); Leola Casey, Mercy; Leinda Parson- St. Anthonys
(Linda Dunlaps daughter),
THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYERJim Hays, Debby Gresh, Haynes Phillips
(Anna Lisa Stanleysdad), Warren Hill, Jerri Jones, Bart Rodr,
Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David (Winnie Hallsdaughter), Ed Berry,
Bill & Mary Lou Womble
OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Greg & Linda Hall on the passing
of Lindas step-dad,Bill Pazder, on May 28. Services were pending.
AND TO Diane King on the passing of hernephew, David Yancey, on May
27. Services were held on Thursday, May 31 at MemorialPark
Cemetery. AND TO Robert Hall in the death of his step-father, Jim
Johnson on May 29.Services will be held Saturday, June 2 at
Southern Hills Baptist Church in Oklahoma City.
Happy Birthday!6/3 Mike Adkins, Bill Eischeid, Victori
Harrison, Susan Huffer, Charles
Schlough6/4 Marjorie Anderson, J.C. Barr, Bill
Larue, Harriba Tienabeso6/5 Marilynn Brown, Carl Hawkins6/6 Paul
Gaines, Claire Patton, Robin
Pierce6/7 Dorothy Mason, Steve Peterson,
Bethany Shipley, Anita Wilson6/8 Hannah Daylor6/9 Haley Felix,
Fran Hauser, Carol
Jennings, David Penland, NancyScott
6/10 Brynn Burleson, John Combs, AnnDouthitt, Kory VanOsdol
Its Not Too Late To Share AGIFT of HOPE With the HOPE
CENTER!Each month, the HOPE Center feeds about 550 families who
areunable to provide food and other needed items for themselves
and
their children some of these families may attend our church.The
last few years have brought high unemployment, high gas
prices and high food cost to their clients. The cost to the
HOPECenter to provide food has increased more than 20%. Demand is
tremendous!
Our Outreach Ministry team invites you to help us extend the
GIFT OF HOPE with those in need bybringing some much needed items
for the HOPE Center!
Through Sunday, June 3, we are collecting the following items:
peanut butter,jelly, cereal, boxed dinners, canned fruit, canned
meat, and hygiene items. Pleasefill a grocery sack and drop it off
Sunday at the HOPE Chest display in the rotunda.
