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The Chalice

A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

CONNECTION

Give Up NegativityBy Rev. Chris Shorow, Associate Minister

Vol. 4 No. 9 March 8, 2012

This Lent we

have decided

to explore the

gifts of God

and instead

of givingsomething up,

we might take

something on.

Our study of

the movie,

Chocolat, has led many to see that true

preparation for Easter may involve

enjoying the blessings of God and seeing

the beauty that is all around us, maybe

even indulging in a little chocolate.

However, if you have decided to give

something up, that is just fine. There are

many things that we need to give up inour lives and disciplining yourself is not a

bad thing to do. I do have a suggestion.

I just read an article on a minister in

Kansas City, Rev. Will Bowen, who had

an epiphany in the shower. He decided

that too many people in his church

were complaining. He said they were

complaining about trivial things like

what was being served at the coffee bar,

the color of the new pew pads and the

song they sang in service last week.

Hed had enough.

So he ordered some little purplebracelets with No-Complaints written

on it and invited members of his church to

take a pledge: to swear off complaining,

criticizing, gossiping or using sarcasm for

21 straight days. People who signed up

agreed to wear the bracelets as a reminder

and if they catch themselves complaining,

they had to switch the bracelet to the

other wrist and start all over again.Sounds easy, right? Not really.

Rev. Bowen said it took him three and

one-half months to complete his 21 days.

Some have taken over seven months.

It seems that stopping the complaints is

much harder than we thought.

Right away the bracelets became

a hit. They have sold over 126,000 of

them. Rev. Bowen believes that stopping

the complaining is similar to anger

management. You catch yourself not

articulating these negative thoughts that

are in your head and because theres noplace for that flow, they tend to dry up.

An intriguing thought.

I wonder what our lives would look

like if we intentionally gave up all of the

negativity that we generate. I tried for

just a few hours today to see how many

negative thoughts enter my headand

Im not proud of how many there were.

Perhaps we need to fill ourselves with the

joy and love of Christ and crowd out the

negative.

Im not sure Im ready for a 21-day

challenge, but being aware of my darkside is a great reminder to let Gods love

flow through me. A good reminder for this

Lenten season.

This year, we are exploring a Lenten

study, Chocolate for Lent. Comexperience the season of Lent and

see that it is more than just giving up

something.This study uses the film

Chocolat, coupled with scriptures, t

create a space for deeper insights int

self-discipline, self-giving, conversion

and accepting the stranger.

You can still join the ongoing

Chocolate for Lent study with

one of the following classes:

9:30 am: Challengers (Rm 116)

9:30 am: Seekers (Rm 113)

10:00 am: Christian Issues (Rm 125

10:00 am: Compadres (Rm 117)

10:00 am: Cornerstones (Rm 220)

10:00 am: Knot-Nots (Rm 130)

10:00 am: Pioneers (Rm 114)

This Lenten study will run from

February 26 - March 25.

Chocolate for Lent

Sermon Series

March 11Getting wise - the possibility of chang

March 18Getting real - the power of acceptanc

March 25Growing up - the process of change

Daylight Savings Time

begins this weekend!

Be sure to set your clocks an hour ahead

before you go to sleep on Saturday night -

so you make it to church on time this

Sunday, March 11!

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When have you experienced significant

faith formation? What contribution do you

see yourself making to the church as you

grow spiritually? What type of learning

environment best suites your personal

faith development?

These are a few of the questions to

be discussed at the Adult EducationDinner, Sunday, March 25th at

6:00pm in the Fellowship Hall. While

we each have different ideas and waysof learning and growing outside of

worship, like Don mentioned last week,

as Christians, no matter what form it

takes, we grow together in community.

We seek together and through being

intentional, or putting forth a deliberate

effort and purposeful action, we grow in

our knowledge and love of God.

Here are some thoughts on personal

faith development and the direction of

Adult Education:

Through the years, First Christian

Church has sponsored visiting speakers

and experts on comparative religions. I

believe learning about different cultures

and faith traditions is not only interesting,

but can also help us be more effective

Christians. Learning how other people

think helps us understand our own beliefs

better and makes us more accessible to

those who may need our help.

- Scott KinnairdI believe the church can play a vital

role in educating adults in creative and

thought-provoking ways to nurture our

Open Minds. I would love to see guest

speakers followed by round table

discussions as well as retreats and

workshops centered around social and

biblical issues. Phillips Theological

Seminary has a wealth of resources to

facilitate these kinds of events as well as

others in our own church, Edmond, and

Oklahoma City communities.

- Christin Adkins

Teaching can be an art, and every

teacher has their own way of approachin

a subject. How many of you had a teach

that made a difference in your life? We

realize that an effective teacher can mak

learning enjoyable. What can we do to

discover, nurture and support these type

of people in our church?- Kelly VanOsdol Please join us as we seek involveme

direction, intentional faith developmentand growth through Adult Education atFirst Christian Church of Edmond. All awelcome to join the search! Mark yourcalendars and please RSVP by March 2to Don Wiechmann at DWiechmann@bokf.com or call Iris Muno Jordan at341-3544.

Seeking Intentional Faith DevelopmentOpening our Minds through Adult Education

By Margaret Hall, Moderator of Education

Join the fun in Fellowship Hall:

March 15, April 19 and May 17

The packing parties begin at 9 am and last until just after lunor when the work is done for the day. Come and go as youneed. Drop in for an hour or a few minutes. Bring your luncdrinks will be provided!

Also, please feel free to bring in small items, empty shoe-boxes, wrapping paper or tape...anything you may have savand thought, I meant to give this to Operation Christmas Clast year.

Because of people like you, OCC sent out over 8 millionboxes last year. FCC of Edmond packed and collected 2,156boxes in 2011! Check out www.samaritanspurse.organd clicon OCC for more info.

Join us for a time of fun and blessings! Questions? Conta

Michelle Schlough at (405) 844-3214.

Bring the beauty of Easter

into our worship spaces

with beautiful white Easter

lilies! These beautiful flowers

symbolize new life and the

resurrection of Jesus Christ.

Honor the memory of a loved one by sharing a lily

with your church family. Each plant is $15 and lilies will be

available for purchase through April 1.

There are three ways you can order an Easter lily:

1) Complete an online form at www.fccedmond.org/lilies

2) Complete an order form found in worship bulletins, or,

3) Contact Iris Muno Jordan at 341-3544, ext. 110.

Sales of Easter Lilies help fund youth summer mission trips

and other youth projects. Thanks for your support!

Celebrate Memoriesof Loved Oneswith an

Easter Lily

Dates Set for

Packing Partiefor OperationChristmas Child

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Prayers of the PeopleOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Joan Grant,Parcway Rehab

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Charlie Young, VernonConaway, Jim Hays, Deneen Gambrell, Linda Burke, Bob

Bennett, Edna Blunk, Loretta Parks, Tommy Atchison, Temple Thigpen (Teddi Owensdaughter), Roy Jackson, Rose Marie McKee, Bart Rodr, Virginia ONiel, Cynthia David(Winnie Halls daughter), Ed Berry, Bill & Mary Lou Womble, Naomi Bell (Karen Walenciaksmom)

OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Sue Archer & Family on the passing of her husband, Bob.Services were held on March 7 at FCC AND to David Hill & Family on the passing of hiswife, Patricia. Services were held on March 7 at FCC AND to Roger & Kathy Stilwell on thepassing of Rogers step-mother, Nadine Stilwell. Services were held on March 3 in OKC.

Happy Birthday!3/11 Barbara Pope, Rachel VanOsdo

Pat Wathen

3/12 Florine Shirley

3/13 Brad Bowers, Bill Parks

3/14 Edna Blunk, Addy Bowers,

Wayne Haigler, Karl Holliman

3/15 Ashley Bernhardt, Becky Hurst

Timi Moffatt, Taylor Mullins,

Tracie Rivera, Sydney Snow

3/16 Kandi Pate, Chris Shorow,

David Watts, Isabelle Young

3/17 Stacy Luton

3/18 Ura Lee Denson, Shirley McCla

Steve Suarez

Save the DateJune 11-14, 2012

Vacation Bible School will behere before we know it!This years VBS theme:

Babylon: Daniels Couragein Captivity.

Again this year, VBS will beheld in the evenings Monday

through Thursday. Registration

begins in May.

Come on a Trip to

Crystal Bridgeswith The Classics!

Thursday, March 29

Take a trip to Bentonville, Arkansas,

with The Classics! We will eat a lunchand take a tour of the Crystal Bridges

Art Museum - a modern art museum

that was gifted to Northwest Arkansas

by the Alice Walton and the Walton Family.

We will arrive in time to have lunch in the museum restaurant, Eleven. Following

lunch, you have a choice of a guided tour or a self-guided tour of the museum and its

grounds. The trail and observation deck offer a great overview of the grounds as well as

provide a continuation of the blending of architecture, art and nature.

We will depart back to Oklahoma City late afternoon on the same day, returning

early evening. The price is $89.00 and includes transportation, lunch and a guided tour.

Reserve your spot now by contacting Winnie Hall at 341-4297.

We would be pleased if you would join us

for a Wedding Shower honoring:

Ms. Sarah Penlandancee of

Mr. Dane Wilber

Sunday, March 11th, 2012,from 2:00 to 4:00 PM, Fellowship Hall

Hosted by Trish Thomas, Christi Eischeid, Janet Caldwell, Jamie Gable,

Jenny Shipley, Robbi Kinnaird, Tana Stufebean and Charla Allison

Calling All

Pancake Chefs...

We Need You!Help us with our annual Easter

breakfast by signing up to make

pancakes! Contact Amanda Stuke

to sign up at 285-2937 or email

amstuke@fsamail.com

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The Chalice CONNECTION

Shelley Regan, Editorsregan@fccedmond.orgRead News Online

@ fccedmond.org/newsSubmit Articles to

news@fccedmond.org

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WorshipMarch 11, 2012

3rdSunday in LentMessage: Rev. Greg Bunton

Rev. Dr. Jerry BlackTheme: Getting Wise: The Possibility

of ChangeScripture: Matthew 12:1-12

March 18, 20124th Sunday in LentMessage: Rev. Chris Shorow

Rev. Dr. Jerry BlackTheme: Getting Real: The Power of

AcceptanceScripture: John 4:4-26

Four internship spots are available to college students tha

grew up at First Christian Church of Edmond and participate

in our Childrens and Student Ministries programs. TheChildrens Education Committee is hiring one intern, and

Student Ministries is hiring three interns for the summer.

Read more and apply online by Sunday, March 25, 2012

www.fccedmond.org/internship. All interns will be selected an

notified by Sunday, April 15. Get your application in now!

Summer Interships AvailableBy Greg Bunton & Anna Lisa Stanley

Summer Church Camp - the Place To Be!Find the warmth of God at Summer Church Camp! Summer Camp is filled with funactivities, Bible study, and adventure that will build close friendships, create warmmemories that will last a lifetime, and strengthen spirits to withstand lifes storms.

The following camps are available:

Chi Rho 1 (grades 6-8) June 4-9 Junior 1 (grades 4-5) June 4-8

Discovery (grades 1-3) June 22-24 Junior 2 (grades 4-5) June 25-29CYF (grades 9-12) June 25-30 Chi Rho 2 (grades 6-8) July 9-14

First Christian offers partial scholarships to campers that are members. Campersregister for camps based on GRADE COMPLETED by June 2012. To learn more,including camp prices, early bird discounts, registration dates, and for a camper registratform, go towww.fccedmond.org/camp

at 8:15, 9& 11am