Embed Size (px)
Citation preview
THIS WEEK AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH For the week of December 19, 2018
Dear Friends,
On Sunday the children presented their Christmas program. This is always a fun time. It’s nice to see the younger ones up front. Inevitably there is a shepherd, or in our case a toddler Jesus, who steals the show. It is fun to see the kids from year to year and watch how they are growing up. And it is nice to hear the Christmas story in their voices.
This year I was especially taken with what was unique about our Christmas program. This wasn’t so much about the tinsel-haloed angels and bath-robed wise people up front but more about the things that were less noticeable to the average worshipper. This year our program was written by Spencer Thomas, one of our 7th graders. And not only did he have a few great lines to make us laugh, but he paid attention to the realities of the story that are often neglected, like the fact that Jesus would have been a toddler by the time of the magi’s visit. And he wasn’t the only youth who was involved. Kalea Seaton was at the piano accompanying the children’s singing. Cameron Michel was at the A/V booth, running the projection for the service. And this isn’t just about having talented kids (although we do). This says something about who we are as a congregation.
It is no small deal that here at First Christian young people are given opportunities to lead in ways that are often reserved for adults. It is no small deal that young people are trusted with these responsibilities.
Just the other day I was again saying to someone how important it is that church offers intergenerational experiences. You have likely heard me say this before. In a world where we are more and more divided into demographic and interest groups, there are fewer places where unrelated adults and children come to know each other, build friendships, and work side by side. Church can be one of those and FCC, you are proving that week after week. Yes, there are challenges to creating meaningful experiences for people from 1 to 101, but the challenges are so worth it. Thanks for being a community that knows this!
I look forward to seeing you Sunday,
Jill
A Note From Your Pastor
You Are Invited to join
the Michel Family
at their home on
Christmas Eve
Don’t have other plans after worship? Please join
us for a bowl of soup, goodies and conversation.
RSVP to Jill at [email protected] or by
calling 319-337-4181 or 417-439-7391.
This will be the last newsletter of 2018. Watch for the next one on January 2, 2019.
Coming in January: Pot Luck Jam
Join others who love music for a shared meal and
time of playing/singing together on Sat, January 12
from 5:30 - 8pm. Music will begin about 6/6:15 pm
and each person is invited to bring 25 paper copies of
one or more favorite familiar songs- preferably with
chord symbols, lyrics and at least a vocal melody line-
to share with everyone. There will be a few songs
already printed up and ready to go. Bring the
instruments you play and enjoy music together.
The Personnel Committee invites you to contribute to staff Christmas gifts. Donations of any size are welcome
and can be placed in the offering plate Sunday, Dec 23 with “Staff Gifts” noted on the envelope or memo line.
This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018
Advent, Christmas and Beyond...
Christmas is nearing. And it is easy for our faith to get lost in the shuffle of all the other joys and demands of the season. I hope as you are making your plans, you are including worship and other experiences at First Christian. Not only do we get to be together (which is a joy in itself) but we get to take some time out, breathe in the promises of God’s love, and pause to experience the light of Christ. So, please join us and bring your family and friends. Here are some of the details: Sunday, December 23 Intergenerational Sunday School - we will gather in Fellowship Hall at 9am and have the
opportunity to remember the Christmas story and create nativities to take home. We will worship together at 10am as we light the candle of love and draw nearer to
Christmas. Monday, December 24 Christmas Eve Candlelight Worship will be at 7pm. Join us and bring family and friends for
a service of story and song, candlelight and communion. Our Christmas Eve offering will go to support the work of Table to Table, a Johnson County
food rescue organization that picks up food that would otherwise go to waste and delivers it to those who can use it.
Don’t have other plans after worship? You are invited to the Michel home. Join Jill, Jim, Cameron and Teegan for a light meal and conversation. RSVP information is on page 1 of this newsletter.
Sunday, December 30 No Sunday School today. Join us for Brunch and Worship. A light brunch will begin being served at 9:30am and
continue to be served as worship begins. Worship will take place at 10am in Fellowship Hall. Together we sing favorite Christmas songs and explore the meaning behind the visitors who greeted young Jesus.
Sunday, January 6, 2019 Sunday School classes will be back in session at the regular 9am time. Adults are invited to a
single session class, “Spiritual Practices for the New Year.” Children and youth will resume their regular classes.
This is Epiphany Sunday. We will explore what happens in our world when the light breaks through.
Sunday, January 13 A four week class “Disciples Identity” will begin today during the Sunday School hour
(9am). This class, led by Laura Kittrell, Kara Seaton and Melea White, will explore the history and beliefs of Disciples and what it means to be part of a Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) today. This is for both those new to our denomination as well as those who have spent a lifetime with their faith being nurtured in Disciples churches.
This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018
UPCOMING EVENTS
Sunday, December 23, 2018
Scripture: Luke 1:46-55 Sermon: The Kin-dom: It’s Upside Down
Sunday, December 30, 2018
Scripture: Luke 2:8-20 & Matt 2:1-12 Sermon: Flying Saucers & Pot Luck Dinners
Wednesday Bible Study meets at
12:30pm each week.
December 19 - Isaiah 60:1-6
December 26 - No Bible Study
January 2 - Luke 3:15-17, 21-22
Food Pantry Focus:
Baby Food
We will collect Baby Food throughout the month of December for the Coralville Food Pantry.
DECEMBER BOOK CLUB
The FCC Book Club's next book is
Reading with Patrick by Michelle Kuo. Ms.
Kuo tells the true story of connecting with a student, and
then connecting again when he goes to prison. Book
Club is at Eunice Welsh's house, 84 Penfro, at 7 p.m. on
Thursday, December 20.
Upcoming Faith Formation
Opportunities
December 23: We will share an intergenerational
activity with the opportunity for you to create your
own nativity for your home.
December 30: There will be no Sunday School.
We will only have worship this day.
January 6: Classes for children and youth will be
back in session. Adults are invited to a one session
class titled, “Spiritual Practices for the New Year.”
January 13 - February 3: Adults are invited to join
Kara Seaton, Laura Kittrell and Melea White who
will be co-teaching a four week class on “Disciples
Identity.” Whether you are a long time member of
the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) or new to
this congregation and denomination, you are
invited to come and learn more about who we are.
“FILL THE ARK” Project Update -
Animals for Christmas
We have raised $4,240 toward our goal to “fill the
ark”! There are about a dozen envelopes left on the
gift tree (ranging from $20—$50). You can do this as
a donation or as a gift for a loved one. Gift cards are
available to send to those for whom this is a gift. Pick
what you want to give, put your $ in the envelope
(checks made to FCC), and place it in the offering
plate or return to the office.
Please return envelopes by December 23rd.
All Ladies Are Invited…
Join others from First Christian for food
and conversation on Thursday,
December 20 at 5:30pm. This month’s
outing will be to Texas Roadhouse.
Questions? Contact Sharon Pickens.
Children & Youth
Soon 2019 will be here. Be watching for a
new schedule with activities for children,
youth and families to come out in early January.
This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018
Children’s Christmas Program
December 16, 2018
This Week at First Christian Church December 19, 2018
Angels have been placed on our “Tree of Memories”
to remember these loved ones...
The Thomas Family In memory of Hideko King
Stephen Dunham & Lora Morgan Dunham In memory of Everett & Dorothy Dunham
In memory of Emily Palmer-Dunham
In memory of Edythe Benson
In memory of Duane Benson
Terry & Laurie Dahms In memory of Eric C. Dahms
Edward Hansen In memory of Matt Hansen
Diane Hertel In memory of Joy Blair
In memory of Ron Hertel
The Michel Family In memory of Spencer Nicodemus
John & Nancy McKinstry In memory Jim & Blanche McKinstry
Steve, Tara, Gabe & Ava Clark In memory of Keith Noard
In memory of John Clark
Sheree & Frank Williams In memory of Teresa Heger
Mike & Lindsey Schluckebier In memory of Merle & Ila Schluckebier
In memory of Esther Arenz
In memory of Bill & Marge Albert
In memory of John & Jeanne Parr
Carla Melby-Oetken In memory of George Melby
The Coobs Family In memory of Dalene Howard
In memory of Mark Morgan
In memory of Ed Coobs
Ruth Ebersole In memory of Del Ebersole
Anna & Carolyn Boerner In memory of Fred, Sarah & Arthur Boerner
Beth Pelton In memory of John Pelton
In memory of John & Helen Ford
In memory of Charles & Rosanna Pelton
Nancy Ream In memory of Lois Ream
Laura Kittrell In memory of Bette Klein
The Jensen-Fitzpatrick Family In memory of Yvonne Jensen
In memory of Beth Fitzpatrick Peters
In memory of Mike Fitzpatrick
Sharon Sass & Vinnie Risden In memory of Vince Risden
The Samuel/John Family In memory of L.C. Samuel
Mark & Becky Hall In memory of Keener Adam Hall, Jr.
December 2018 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
8-Amy & Rick Elliott
20-Marilyn &
Delbert Gilmore
21-Sherry & Roger
Child
30-Jill & Finn
Meadows
31-Erika & Sara
Riggs
31-Teresa Messlein &
James Martin
1
IA Rockets Pies
10 AM –8 PM
2 3 4 5 6 7 8
9 10 11 12 13 14 15
16 17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Sunday School 9 AM
Worship 10 AM
Bell Choir 11:30 PM
Troop 2000 7 PM
24
Worship 7 PM
25 26
NO Bible Study
No Chess Club
27 28 29
30
NO Sunday School
Worship/Brunch 10
Bell Choir 2:30 PM
Troop 2000 7 PM
No Pot-Luck
31
New Years Eve
4-Alana Seaton
6-Jan Jensen
11-Emily Klein
12-Tom Klein
14-Brooklyn Mohr
17-Emily Greathouse
17-Finn Meadows
19-Beth Pelton
21-Kristin
Greathouse
27-Ruth L. Potter
Office Closed
BIRTHDAYS
ANNIVERSARIES
January 2019 Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
3-Jan Ricklefs
4-Kaitlyn Rohm
6-Nolan Vibhakar
12-Rachel Samuel
13-Kianna Haslett-
Tomova
14-Jim Michel
18-Hailey Rohm
22-Oliver
Schluckebier
24-David Klein
27-Grace Hall
28-Isaac Samuel
1 2
Bible Study 12:30
Strings & Singers
7 PM
3 Stewardship &
Finance mtg 1:30 PM
4 5
6
Sunday School 9 AM
Worship 10 AM
Un-decorate
Sanctuary 11:15 AM
Nominating Comm
11:15 AM
Troop 2000 7 PM
7 8
Staff Mtg 10 AM
Child Protection 5:30
BOARD MTG
7 PM
9
Bible Study 12:30
10
Arrow Chapter 7 PM
11 12
FCC Pot-Luck
Jam Session
5:30 PM
13
Sunday School 9 AM
Worship 10 AM
14 15 16
Bible Study 12:30
Chess Club 3:15
Strings & Singers
17 18 19
Birthdays:
Office Closed
Office Closed
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
900 LINCOLNSHIRE PLACE
CORALVILLE, IA 52241-3615
Sunday Services:
9 AM Sunday School
10 AM Church Service
11 AM Coffee/Fellowship
Church Office Hours:
Monday thru Friday 9AM to 1PM
Phone #: 319-337-4181
Staff:
Pastor: Rev. Jill Cameron Michel
(home) 319-665-2276 (cell) 417-439-7391
Office Administrator: Peggy Bothell
Music Director: Laura Kittrell
Director of Christian Formation: Kara Seaton
Janitorial: Michael Hull
The children singing in the Christmas
program on Sunday.
