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You Are Welcome Here! Phone: (719) 633-8888—Fax: (719) 633-8832—Prayer Phone: (719) 635-4000—www.firstchristiancos.org

First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ )

16 East Platte Avenue

Colorado Springs, CO 80903

INSIDE

Annual Congre-gational Meeting

Small Groups

Flapjacks

General Assembly

Notes

Celebration

Addie’s Kitchen

ESM

The Compassion Hall

Women’s Retreat

Game Night

Women’s Ministry

Letter

July Birthdays

Feed My Starving Children

Thank You’s

Church Picnic

May Income and Expenses

Congratulations

VBS

Worship Hours Sunday Worship Service @ 8:15 & 11:00 a.m. - Sunday School @ 9:30 a.m.

June 22, 2011

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FCC is on Facebook! Look for us there and add your name to those who "like" us! You can also follow FCC on Twitter at fcccos

It says it right there in the Bible: Make a joyful noise: “O come, let us sing

unto the LORD: let us make a joyful

noise to the rock of our salvation.

Let us come before God’s presence

with thanksgiving, and make a joyful

noise unto the Lord” (Psalm 95). In fact, the phrase “sing unto the Lord” oc-curs over thirty times in the Bible. But what we need to notice is that that phrase is the reason for our joyful noise. For, after all, we can find plenty of plain ol’ noise all around us. We can even contribute to that noise; I know I sometimes have done so! There is the noise of our hyper-individualistic culture that offers in a hundred ways the non-Christian message that “looking out for number one” is job one; there is the noise of consumerism that tells you in a thousand ways that your first job is to spend money and accumulate stuff; there is the noise of suspiciousness of others and assuming the worst about others from the get-go that so dispirits and cheapens our common civic life.

And so we need to be re-minded: As Christians, job one for us is NOT any of these things, but it is indeed to make a joyful noise “unto the Lord.” And the most important way we do that week by week by week is when we gather together in worship. It is the place, the time, where we get our bearings, renew our hope, find and re-find our deepest satisfaction. More-over, if we are to truly focus our “joyful noise” upon the God who has given us life, who has given us purpose, who has shown us life eternal, who reminds us that we are not just a collection of self-seeking individuals but a community, who always thankfully challenges us to widen our empathies and imaginations then we

are going to need good “noisemakers,” as it were, to help us! As previously announced, your Spiritual Development (Worship and Music Team) made the decision to purchase just such a beautiful “joyful noisemaker” in the

Joyful Noisemakers

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Chalice Hymnal (and its companion piece full of excellent contemporary songs, Chalice Praise). (And actually, this is really a re-affirmation of a decision from over a decade ago - but at that time the Chalice Hymnal was not available in sufficient quantities in sufficient time). How can you help? You can give to help make these “joyful noisemakers” a reality! What’s our goal? Ten Thousand Dollars. This will al-low us to purchase the Chalice Hymnal (which will be the first priority) and Chalice Praise in sufficient quantities. Here’s the very good news: Due to some generous “advance gifts,” we already have a little over six-thousand

dollars towards this goal! How much should you give? Well, there are no “should’s” here; give whatever you can to help in this joyful noise-making project! But here are a few facts: -- Each “regular pew edition” of the Chal-

ice Hymnal costs about $19.00 (including shipping)

-- Each copy of Chalice Praise costs about $12.00

So.... -- Maybe you would like to donate the

amount that equals the number of hym-nals your family uses on a Sunday.

-- Or, maybe you’d like to donate an amount that represents the number of hymnals your family used on Sunday when you were a child.

-- How about donating the cost of one hymnal on each of the Sundays you are in worship this summer?

A couple of other things: We will carefully track and then appropriately memorialize every gift that is in honor or memory of someone. Do you have a friend or family mem-ber who helped teach you how to love God and neighbor? A gift in their honor or memory would be a superb gift. Is there a minister in this church’s history or another in your life whom you’d like to honor? What a lovely ges-ture! Your imagination is the only limit. (Now, of course, donations do not need to be given in memory or in honor of anyone; you are most welcome to make a gift for the overall pro-ject!) We plan to place our order in August, so let’s make July our month of seeking to make this possible. Make your checks out to First Christian Church with a memo “Chalice Hymnal/Praise.” Place those in the offering plate, mail/bring to the church Bookkeeper Diana Serna’s atten-tion, or give to any of the Spiritual Develop-ment (Worship and Music Team) members: Chris Straka, Katie Kjeldsen-Tullis, Amanda Harders, Mike Hatler, Nancy Lingbloom. Don’t quite have the money right now? You can make a pledge for payment by August 31. Any other questions? Contact me or Chris Straka. “Make a joyful noise to the Lord, all the earth!” Here in our little corner of that earth Sunday by Sunday we seek to do just that. The Chalice books will help us make that noise even better, even more faithfully, with even more beautiful and fitting “joyful noise.” Won’t you join me in giving? Pastor Chuck Blaisdell

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"Moderator, Bruce E. Smith, has called for the Congregation Annual Meeting to occur June 26, 2011, following the 11:00am worship ser-vice. The purpose of the meeting is to elect officers for the coming year, wrap up the just ending year and hear of the hope for our con-gregation in the coming year(s). The congregation is invited to bring a "covered dish" to share in a "pot luck" lunch. The lunch will pre-cede the meeting."

Several small group activities are ongoing and information about them may be found on the Church

web-page. The last several weeks there have been sign-up sheets on the tables during Chat & Cof-

fee to provide an opportunity for identifying and generating more small groups. There is enough in-

terest to start a mid-week walking group, probably in the morning to avoid the heat, a “game-night”

group that met for the first time the evening of the 19th, a weekend walking group, a Socrates Café,

possibly spiritual skepticism as mentioned in Pastor Chuck’s sermon last Sunday, and a fly fishing/

fishing group. If you have interest in being a member of any of these groups let me know and I will

be sure you are put in contact with those that have already expressed interest. These groups need

to have leaders indentified and choose meeting times. Those interested will be contacted to set up a

time for getting more organized.

Small Groups Norman Heimer (norman@firstchristiancos.org)

Flapjacks for Greenbacks a big hit for Elders Fund Pancakes and sausages were flying out of the kitchen earlier this month as the Elders hosted their first of three fund raising breakfasts this sum-mer. The Elders Fund exists for church members and friends of the church as a last resort for times of crisis or financial emergency involving health, food or shelter. The fund is supported by donations from individual dona-tions and special fund raising events such as the breakfasts. Pancake lov-ers contributed $750 in June. The next breakfast will be held on July 10. Thanks to all the Elders who volunteered and everyone who contributed so generously. Chris Straka, Flapjack whipcracker

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Notes by Ray Killian

“On Pentecost Sunday, June 12, three of our youth – Cheyenne Parker, Cameron Mackin, and Cheyenne Erickson -- were baptized as a result of some great teamwork. With the leadership and assistance of the Children’s Train Steering Team – Jan Haley, Marsha Bishop, and Laura Hatler - we initiated a six week course from Easter through Pentecost using Passage to Discipleship as the primary written resource. Baptism has its roots in the Old Testament practice of ceremonially wash-ing what had become unclean through disease, sin, or other cause (Leviticus. 14:1-9; 16:24-30; 17:15-16). Christian water baptism signifies the cleansing of the person from sin and incorpora-tion into the new community of faith. The church may baptize by pouring, immersion, or the sprinkling of water (Rom. 6:3-4; Col. 2:12; Acts 2:17; Tit. 3:5-7). Scripture also refers to baptism as a pledge to God (1 Pet. 3:21) and as a commitment to faithfulness and ministry (Rom. 6:1-11). Jesus' own baptism can be seen in the light of this pledge. In the New Testament, baptism follows a person's faith and is the sign of God’s faithfulness with God’s people – baptism is the symbol of God’s love that is with us from and even before our birth and which is lived out through a Christian community, where friends and family teach us about that love. Indeed in the case of these baptisms, this was a church-wide effort: Pastor Chuck, Youth Ministry Team Leader Nate Thrasher, Marsha Bishop., Don Sarton and I taught Sunday classes, and Chris Straka, Lenna Fajerman, and Carol Pollard served as mentors for these youth. They met and chat-ted with the youth about the baptism materials, coming up with church projects, and just getting to know one another; this was a wonderful expression of the overarching concern we share for each other here at First Christian. In addition, prayer shawls were made a distributed to these youth by the Girlfriends Unlimited knitting group, further symbolizing the kindness and concern that we show for one another. I am so grateful to be a part of such a church family. Vacation Bible School volunteers are needed. Would you like to assist and plug into the wonderful work of helping our children grow in their faith? We will be joining with Grace Episcopal Church, our long-time friends down Tejon Street. Please sign up at the wooden table near the Fellowship Hall.

CELEBRATION!

You are invited to a reception honoring Bill and Dorothy Bowles

60 years of both marriage and ministry!

Saturday, July 2, 2011 2:00 – 4:00 PM

Central Christian Church 1st and West Central Avenue

Arkansas City, Kansas

They request no gifts, but would love to hear from you. Cards, notes and memories for the book Can be dropped off that day or sent to

1308 North A Arkansas City, KS 67005

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Addie’s Kitchen by Addie Sale

Freezer Meals We had an awesome time on Saturday. There were 22 people in the kitchen to make the Freezer Meals. We’ve stocked the freezer downstairs with meals for the summer. Let the office know if you need meals to donate. We’ll take a break for the summer since people will be vacationing, etc. We will start back up in the fall. Watch for news in the Visitor and at church! Have a great summer! Addie

Despite the generous and on-going donations from our many supporters especially the monthly in-gatherings of food by our founding churches, our food pantry is cur-rently experiencing drought! Our shelves are getting emptier every day and the need continues to grow. During the last ten days, ESM has filled approximately 107 emergency food orders for families, whose average size is four. We are seeking do-nations of all canned goods, but especially canned soups (cream of mushroom, to-mato, chicken noodle); peanut butter; jelly; canned, diced tomatoes; pork & beans; and tuna fish. Donations can be dropped off at ESM, Monday through Fri-

day, 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. If you have any questions, please call Christine at 228-6781. On behalf our staff and volunteers, but especially our clients, thank you for your continued and gen-erous support!

Christine A. Bucher

Administrative Manager

Ecumenical Social Ministries

201 N. Weber Street, Colorado Springs, CO 80903

The Compassion Hall of Fame at General Assembly Week of Compassion is taking over the Country Music Hall of Fame. That’s right! At this year’s

General Assembly, on Sunday, July 10th, we will be hosting our very own “Compassion Hall of

Fame,” an evening of celebrating with our valued partners, enjoying light fare and great music

together.

You can also enjoy a special concert benefiting Week of Compassion on the same evening from 7-8:30 and return for more opportunities to celebrate and meet some of the many inductees to

the Compassion Hall of Fame. To buy your tickets, find out about Week of Compassion related workshops and other events, We hope to see many of you at General Assembly in Nashville! If you’ve never been to Nashville, prepare to be delighted! Nashville is a dynamic, diverse, and vibrant community. Because it is the Music City, Week of Compassion is excited to host our event at the beautiful Country Music Hall of Fame. Trust us: even if you are not a country music fan, you will fall in love with this museum! It is an extraordinary and unique expres-sion of our country’s history through music. If you were to come as a tourist to Nashville and were to buy a ticket to the Hall of Fame, you’d pay between $22 and $30 for a ticket. But the tickets to our Week of Compassion Open House at the Hall of Fame are $25! So, come, experience the Country Music Hall of Fame and, at the same time, visit our Compassion Hall of Fame! You will have full access to the entire Hall of Fame!

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Calling all CRMR Women!!!! An URGENT message

It's so easy for things to slip by in the summer

and very few of us are thinking about September, but if you plan to attend Women's Renewal this year, you need to sign up by JULY 1st!!! We are looking forward to our new location. Glen Eyrie is beautiful and offers many walking trails, areas for meditation and access to the Colorado Springs area. Because of the retreat cen-ter requirements, this is a non-negotiable dead-line. José Morales (CRMR Transitional Regional Minister and all-round good guy) will be the keynoter Friday and Saturday nights, so this is an event you will want to attend! Don't forget:

JULY 1, 2011, is the Registration Deadline

for Women's Renewal!

It is a mini vacation so get your passport ready! This year at CRMR Women’s retreat, we will take a travel themed weekend and

explore each of the seven continents. While at each place we will explore the wonders of a woman's heart, such as: ―I wonder if I matter to God or ―I wonder where God is when life is hard.

We’ll find the answer to each of these questions in the Bible and discover more of God’s amazing love for us.

Pat Donahoo, our new Executive Director of Disciples Women, from Indi-anapolis, will be leading us in worship on Sunday morning. How exciting to have these dynamic people join us.

JULY 1, 2011, is the Registration Deadline for Women's Renewal!

GAME NIGHT AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH If you love playing games and would like to get better acquainted with FCC members, we’re holding a Game Night on Sunday evenings in the Fellowship Hall. Bring your favorite table or board game and a snack to share, and we’ll enjoy each other’s company for a couple of hours. You may sign up in the Fel-lowship Hall and let us know you’re coming, or just show up. July date to be announced.

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WOMEN’S MINISTRY AT FCCWOMEN’S MINISTRY AT FCCWOMEN’S MINISTRY AT FCCWOMEN’S MINISTRY AT FCC

We BEFRIEND women, so they feel like they BELONG. Then they will be open to hear about

what we BELIEVE, which will open their hearts to BECOME someone different … a fol-

lower of Jesus! To complete the circle, we want women to BEFRIEND others, and help them

BELONG, too.

Small groups for women are going strong at FCC. Keep an eye on the bulletins and website for up-dates. Also read the new women’s newsletter, “THE SPICE a taste of what’s happening for women” to keep up on what’s happening here at FCC. Join us for all the fun!

Please check bulletin boards for any changes

1st and 3rd Thursdays See you in

September TOTS (Time Out Together) Parents Group

Every Thursday 12:00 PM Tai Chi. Contact Bev Olson for more information

2nd and 4th Thursdays 9:30 AM Quilting Group in Room 210. Come join the fun! All skill levels are welcome.

Wednesday, July 6 11:00 AM Prayer Shawl Ministry at FCC meets in the Parlor for prayer and fellowship. Shawls are created and given to console those who are grieving, comfort those who are ill, bring hope to those in despair and to celebrate life and its milestones. Donations to purchase yarn are welcome.

Saturday, July 30

1:00 PM Piece Makers will continue the table runner, Holiday or Not Quilt As You Go. It will take multiple classes to finish. We will discuss Bargello Quilts for the fall. Get pattern & supply list from Sue Hesser.

Saturday, July TBD 9:30 AM Card Sharks will make a scrapbook page and a Birthday card. $5.00. RSVP with Sara Strawderman

Saturday, July TBD 9:30 AM Jewels of the Aisle will make some easy jewelry projects. Kits available. RSVP with Malissa Mackin

Saturday, July TBD 9:30 AM Treasure’s By Hand Want to try something different? Bring your ideas and suggestions. RSVP Lenna Fajerman or Jan Haley

July Birthday Luncheon TBD Red Hatters meet one day a month for lunch & social time. Ladies having birthdays that month pick the place & day. All la-dies 50 and over welcome. Wear Red Hats & Purple outfits.

Groups taking a break See you in

September Dough Girls, Rebekah’s and Searchers, Addie’s Kitchen

Sunday, July 10 12:15 PM UFO Day—Unfinished Objects Day in Fellowship Hall—Pot Luck. Bring a craft you need to finish and a dish to share.

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Larry Bates 7/2 Pam Briggs 7/2 Delphine Morrison 7/2 Gene Brink 7/3 Shawn Pedigo 7/4 Jacob Rush 7/4 John Woods 7/5 Jack Lingbloom 7/6 Charles Haley 7/8 Heidi Hock 7/8 Becky Erickson 7/9 Lowell Olson 7/10 Sierra Woelk 7/10

Devon Hawkins 7/11 Ken Howard 7/12 Eli Schauermann 7/12 Sam Straka 7/12 Bena Bond 7/13 Dominick Seltzer 7/13 Lauren Wells 7/13 Emily Culbertson 7/14 Bus Hoyt 7/14 Martha Ficklin 7/16 Mike Wilson 7/17 Cheyenne Erickson 7/19 Todd Johnson 7/19

Kelsey Sale 7/19 Jeff George 7/21 Calla Urban 7/22 Carroll Bloomquist 7/23 Charles Haley 7/24 Sharon Littrell 7/24 Tiffany Roberts 7/24 Joyce Cline 7/25 Jane Hodges 7/25 Leland Langston 7/26 Jewel Bates 7/27 Nanette Campbell 7/27 Susan Dodd 7/29

JulyJulyJulyJuly Birthdays

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Our sincerest thanks for your sympathetic words, prayers, donations, and support at a time when we needed it most. We miss Don with all our hearts, but your kindness has helped us through….The family of Don Postlethwaite I would like to thank the church for all the birthday cards, emails and phone calls I received on this special birthday. Thank you for sharing this celebration at Chat ‘n Coffee with the wonderful cake provided by my family. Melba Mayall

Dear Church Friends: I appreciated so much the gift of my cranberry red prayer shawl. It was a comfort while spending 4 weeks in the Center Rehab facility. Also appreciated the visits and encouraging cards. It is so wonderful being back at home and being able to jump in my car on Sunday mornings and join all of you in worship. I am truly blessed and gain-ing strength daily. Sincerely Joan Strating

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Broken Leg?? Recent surgery?? Need a crutch, walker, shower seat?

The church has a medical equipment lending room with equipment available for short term or even longer term use as necessary. To use the equipment check with Laura Patino and she will help you get what you need. Use it as long as you need it and then return it to the church. The following is a list of items available at this time. If you have donations for the room please check with Kathe in the office to see if your items are needed.

MEDICAL ROOM INVENTORY AMOUNT ARTICLE

1 Wheelchair with left foot rest missing 9 Walkers (2 are wheeled w/seats) 3 Canes 5 Sets Crutches (1 w/new under arm pads) 2 Handicap Shower Seat 1 Bed Pan 1 Wheelchair Transfer Type/Red 1 Bed Rail 1 Transfer Board 1 High-rise Toilet Insert 1 Toilet Bars 1 Lumbar Cushion

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May Y-T-D

Contributions $32,105 $136,793

Facility $3,160 $9,834

Tejon Property Receipts $3,608 $18,197

Copy Charges $103 $892

Total Income $38,976 $165,716

Less: Expenses <$37,419> <$177,670>

Net Income/<Loss> $1,557 <$11,954>

Transfer to Reserve 0 $5,000

Adjusted income/<Loss> $1,557 <$6,954>

Special Offerings—WOC $170

Easter $125

Designated Donations $1,554

May 2011 Income & Expenses

Tennyson Center at Colorado Christian Home Chapstick Sunscreen SPF 50 Water Balloons

ESM Ketchup/Mustard/Mayo

Wish List for June

"Thanks so much to Gene Cohrs for the beautiful guest book stand in the north end of the narthex which replaced the old and falling-apart one!"

~ Congratulations to Ed and Lillian Wilson

on their 70th Wedding Anniversary.~

Rev. Charles (Chuck) Blaisdell

Senior Pastor Ray Killian Director of Music, Children’s Ministry Carol Wilson

Organist/Pastoral Visitor/Concert Series Nate Thrasher

Youth Ministry Team Leader Kathe Petersen

Administrative Assistant Diana Serna

Bookkeeper/Wedding Coordinator Mon., Tues., Wed. 8:30 a.m. to 1:30 p.m. Norman Heimer

Coordinator of Small Group Ministries Laura Patino

Custodian 7:15 a.m.-3:15p.m. M-T; Sunday a.m.

Office Hours Mon–Thurs 9-5:00 p.m. Friday—9–2:00 p.m.

CHURCH STAFF

First Christian ChurchFirst Christian ChurchFirst Christian ChurchFirst Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)(Disciples of Christ)(Disciples of Christ)(Disciples of Christ)

16 E Platte Avenue Colorado Springs, CO 80903 www.firstchristiancos.org

NON-PROFIT ORG. U.S. POSTAGE PAID

COLO.SPRINGS, CO 80903 PERMIT NO. 864

Grace Episcopal and First Christian

are teaming up again this year for

Vacation Bible School! June 27-30 from 5:30-7:30

at Grace Episcopal

Children 4-12 are invited to come and learn about

Esther, Daniel and Joshua!

There will be a VBS Family Kick-Off Barbeque Monday night June 27th.

A simple supper will be offered each night at 5:00pm

for campers and families (donations accepted).

Bible Hero Adventures each night! VBS cost $10.00 per camper or $25.00 per family.

If you would like to volunteer or register please call

Helen Hazelton 229-5791or email helenhazelton@msn.com