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The Chalice

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK 

Vol. 3 No. 33 September 8, 2011

CONNECTION

The New re:NEW Normal By 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 importantlyan 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 thepassion 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 Fruitful 

Congregations”  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 showsthat 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:

• memberssensedaheightenedenergy

inworshipandappreciatedtheways

wewereabletoincorporatesomeofwhatwelearnedduringtherenewal

conversationsintotheservices

• offeringourbesttoGodinworshipis

exhilaratingandrenewing,andcan

callforthunrecognizedgifts

• planningaworshipservicewithexcel-

lenceishardwork,requiresteamwork

andistimeconsuming 

• afewthoughtful,deliberateanddis-

cretechangescreatefar-reachingeffects

• commongroundinworshipismuch

moreabundantthandifferenceswe

mighthaveimagined

Something else we heard loud and

clear during the table conversations, hal

 way conversations, and in the communi

tions forms attached to your bulletins yo

filled out, is that you loved the diversity

in preaching. Not only in who brought

the message, but the style in which it wa

offered. By rotating between Jerry and

Greg, each minister had more time to be

intentional in preparing their message to

to all aspects of the service. This diversit

in preaching and excellence in worship

has been well received by our congrega-

tion. We have both defined and embrac

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 hom

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 w

can create even more passionate worshi

experiences. Experiences like the one w

had today (Laity Sunday), or on Pentec

Changes to the way we do announceme

and minutes for mission, changes in how

 we plan for those services, and changes

 ways the messages are delivered.

Together we will be intentional abou

enhancing our worship life in this re:NE

normal. This will be explored through

intentional planning of worship, incorpo

rating suggestions from the June renewa

conversations, modifying our schedule

occasionally, and finding ways to engag

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

5:30 Girls Ensemble

5:45 Dinner

6:30 Worship

7:15 Small Group Bible Study

8:00 Done!

UNITE DatesSeptember 14, 21, 28October 5, 12, 26November 2, 9, 16, 30December 7 (Youth only)

Student’s Schedule

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.

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Classics Tour of Fort Sill 

with Rev. Jerry Black

Thursday, October 6Come on a personal visit

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

September 25 Bucket Lists: Vision and Hope are

Inspirations of the HEART

October 2 Declaration of the HEART 

9:30 Sunday School10:45 UNIFIED Worship12:00 GRATITUDE Lunch

Make Reservations for Lunch online at www.fccedmond.org/generosity

Special Schedule Oct. 2

This Sunday, September 11 we beginour special churchwide emphasis

Extravagan

Generosit

The Heart of Givi

You will not want to miss even oneof the next four Sundays planned, as we

explore and celebrate matters of our hear

 

The Heart of Giving

Have you had a chance to see thethe outcomes of re:NEW?

Check out the Themes & Dreams

booklet online!fccedmond.org/renew

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The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editorsregan@fccedmond.org

Read News Online@ fccedmond.org/news

Submit Articles tonews@fccedmond.org

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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.

service may be picked up in the “new

location in the children’s education

building.

As a reminder, we welcome

children ages 3 (and diaper

independent) to age 5 in our Sprouts

children’s worship. It is our hope tha

children ages 6 and older will stay an

participate in worship with their famil

Children ages 2 and younger are also

 welcome in worship or in our church

nursery.

If you have questions, please do no

hesitate to contact Anna Lisa Stanley

astanley@fccedmond.org or 341-354

ext. 106.

Sprouts Children’s Worship

has Bloomed!by Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Children’s MinistryWorship

8:15, 9 & 11amSeptember 11, 2011Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black

& Rev. Greg Bunton

Scripture: Matthew 6:19-21 &I Timothy 6:17-19THEME: Ministry Flows Fromthe HeartSeptember 18, 2011Message: Rev. Chris Shorow 

Rev. Dr. Jerry BlackScripture: John 13:34-35 &

Deuteronomy 6:3-6THEME: Relationships are Mattersof the Heart