BFCC e-Caller September 2017

PASTORAL PONDERINGS

It is good to be back home! As I stepped into the office on Tuesday morning I was greeted with Welcome Back signs, wonderful cards, and an expandable table that actually works! Thanks so much for all who contributed to the warm welcome. And thanks so much to all who did extra work while I was away, thus ensuring that the ministry of Bedford-First Christian continues whether or not the Pastor is present. It is, after all, not my ministry or yours but the ministry of Jesus Christ in which we all participate.

Traveling as far west as Boise, Idaho (where Helen’s sister lives), and then gradually making our way back East by car, Helen and I couldn’t help but have a renewed appreciation for the beauty of the land. Beauty takes many different forms. I’m drawn equally to the austere beauty of Utah’s high desert, the majestic beauty of Colorado’s Rocky Mountains, and the lush, green, rolling hills of Iowa. There are varieties of beauty, but each type calls forth a similar joy from my heart.

David Brooks makes the point in a recent New York Times article that perhaps our badly divided nation would find some healing if we all got closer to the land. I agree. I have friends and relatives in Nebraska, for example, with whom I disagree on many of the issues facing the United States right now. But we share a love of the land that our pioneer forbearers settled and worked. And the strong bond provides common ground upon which differences can be discussed and worked through. The land, after all, is the Lord’s. And we are the Lord’s; all of us. And we are all rooted and grounded in God’s love, as that love is manifested in green fields, Great Plains, Rocky Mountains and Christian community. When we get in touch with our common roots, we are likely to discover that there is far more that binds us together than whatever it might be that drives us apart.

On Sunday, August 20, Helen and I, and Helen’s parents, worshiped near Boulder, Colorado with the congregation that Helen’s dad served from 1957 to 1966. The last song that we sang that Sunday was This Land Is Your Land. It’s not a hymn, of course – at least, not one in the traditional sense of the word – and yet it is a sort of hymn after all. I offer it to you in the hope that singing it may serve as a salve upon our nation’s wounds.

This land is your land, this land is my land. From California to the New York islands. From the redwood forest to the Gulf Stream waters, This land was made for you and me.

Blessings! Pastor Bruce

Church Office Closed

In observance of Labor Day, the church office will be closed on Monday, September 4. We will reopen on Tuesday, September 5 at the regular time.

Auditions Open to Area Singers for

Bloomington Chamber Singers

Bloomington Chamber Singers, the

area's premier vocal ensemble, will

hold auditions Tuesday, September 5th

and Tuesday, September 12, from

5:30 pm to 6:45 pm at the Unitarian Universalist

Church, 2120 North Fee Lane, Bloomington, IN 47408.

BCS, a 48-voice mixed chorus, is open by audition to

experienced choral singers of all ages. Openings are

available in all sections. Additional information about

auditions, including signups for audition times, contact

information, and upcoming concert repertoire can be

found on the organization’s website:

www.chambersingers.info

Church Planning Retreat

On Saturday, September 9, from 9 am to noon, the chairs and all of the

members of the various ministries of our congregation will gather at Camp

for worship, fellowship, program planning and scheduling events. There will

be time for each ministry to meet separately and do its own planning for the

church year, and time when everyone will come together, talk about the

events that they’ve planned, and compile a common church calendar. We

look forward to seeing you there.

Disciples Women's Fellowship

Monday, September 11, starting at 7:00 p.m. We will gather in the Parlor

to discuss business and have a short devotion by Cathy Allman. Then it’s

off to the Fellowship Hall to enjoy some light refreshments prepared by

Bev Wray, Donna Myers and Treva Hooten. All women are invited to enjoy

this wonderful time of fellowship and bring a friend with you.

In Honor We are thrilled with the news that the nursery at St. Vincent-Dunn Hospital has been renamed in honor of our own Dr. George Sorrells!

What a fitting tribute to one who has labored for so many decades to care for the children of our Bedford community. Congratulations, Doc!

NBA XPLOR is a 10-month

service residency opportunity for young adults ages 21-30,

with the purpose of empowering young adults to discern and develop a “heart for care” as they live together in simple community, engage in direct service and justice work, engage in leadership development, and discern

their vocational calls to honor the various communities they

are called to serve. Our own Ashlyn Reynolds is participating in this program

and appreciates your prayers. She also would love to

receive cards and letters from her church family. Her contact info is:

Ashlyn Reynolds 733 Union Blvd

St. Louis, MO 63108

Barbara Roach says, “Thanks to Pastor Bruce, Elders and Church members for prayers , concerns and cards during my illness and treatments.” She and her great grandson, Chase, have both been through a rough time but are now both doing much better. Chase will be 4 years old on September 18. Barbara concludes, “God has been a great healer for me…Prayers and cards from you all are helpful.” We do indeed worship an awesome God who heals our afflictions (Psalm 103:3).

September

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1 2

3 4 5 6 7 8 9

10 11 12 13 14 15 16

17 18 19 20 21 22 23

24 25 26 27 28 29 30

10:30 am

Worship and Picnic

Camp Bedford

9:30 am Sunday

School

10:30 am Worship

11:00 am

Children’s Church

8:45 am Elder’s

Meeting

9:30 am Sunday

School

10:30 Worship

Special “Week of

Compassion”

Offering for

Hurricane Harvey

6:00 pm Worship

Committee Mtg

7:00 pm

Outreach

Committee Mtg

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

9:30 am Sunday

School

10:30 am Worship

11:00 am Children’s

Church

1:00 pm Homebound

Communion

6:00 pm

Board Meeting

9:00 am Church

Planning Retreat -

Camp Bedford

Packaged Foods

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

3:30 pm - 5:30 pm

Church Office

Closed

Women’s

Fellowship 7:00 pm

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

6:15 pm - 7:30 pm

Please let our office know if we don’t have your birthday.

September 9/1 Bonnie Duncan 9/3 Carla Wade 9/4 Francena Beasley 9/4 Christa Tahere 9/5 Bill Crane 9/5 Cameron Holbrook 9/5 Alexander Reynolds 9/6 Mike Dixon 9/6 Francis Stone 9/11 Leona Jones 9/13 Alex Jones 9/16 Lee Waltz 9/17 Bonnie Blackwell 9/22 Carol Mifflin 9/24 Georgeann Ruland 9/26 Brian Blackwell 9/27 Beth Joyner 9/27 Rosalie More

Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you,

Happy Birthday dear friends, Happy Birthday to you.

SERVING SCHEDULE: September

Elders: Gary Ochs Treva Olson

Deacons: *Mitzi Flynn *Carol Mifflin John George Bonnie Duncan Melissa Wilkerson Beth Joyner

If you cannot serve, please contact another Deacon

and arrange to trade dates.

Deacons marked with * are scheduled to assist the Elders with

Homebound Communion on the third Sunday

of each month.

*September: Helen Merchant

JoAnn George Carol Mifflin

*October: Carolyn Tumey Sally Allen Merian Jones

*If you are unable to be a greeter, please find a

replacement and arrange to trade dates.

Opportunities to Serve Would you like to greet friends at the door?

How about sharing your thoughts with the children during the Children’s message? Could you answer questions and share information at the

Welcome Center? Would you enjoy being a Worship Leader during Sunday Morning

Worship?

Could you bring goodies for the Hospitality Table? It can be donuts, bagels, pastries, fruit, etc.

These are just a few of the opportunities available to serve your church and church family. If you are interested in helping out in any of the areas above,

please stop by the Welcome Center table to sign up.

October

Elders: Karen Anderson Pat Bennett

Deacons: *Dave Cox *Sally Allen Bill McFadden Bev McFadden Beverly Wray Mike Dixon

We remember the following friends and loved ones in our prayers: Francena Beasley & Family, Bonnie Blackwell, Randy Brady, Don "Leroy" Briscoe, June Briscoe, Richard Briscoe, Bill Bunch, Bob Bunch, David Bunch, Dawson Bunch, Debbie Burgess, Jerry Byrd, Gloria Canada, Westin Clausen, Jackie Cochran, Gaye Conner, Janet Cooper, Mary Cordeiro, John W. Cox, Bob Crafton, Janet Cunningham, Matthew Drude, Dyan Duncan, Danny Dyke, Aaron Evans, Vivian Fishel, John Flynn, Becky & Jerry Francis, Eileen Gage, Dawna Gee, Julanna Hornocker, Walter Howell, Carolyn Johnson, Kimberly Johnson, Stephanie Johnson, Bill Jones, Rebecca Kay, Kim Kern, Rebecca Lawrance, Alan Lewis, Maggie B. Lewis, Daven Lindley, Bev Lockhart, George Lockhart, Josh Love, Tim Lubinski, Phil Marlott, Michael Martin, Ashley Maxwell, Averi McArtor, Patricia McClure, Shirley McMunn, Laverne Meadows, Jan Merchant, Judy Merchant, Bill Miller, Frank Miller, Mariah Mills, Harmony Mosier, Greg Musol, Marilyn Olson, Cynthia Palmer, Ross Pentzer, Kathy Philpot, Karen Pittman, Ashlyn Reynolds, Chase Loran Roach, Barbara Roach, Pat Robbins, Chuck Robbins, Lydia Roberson, Guy Rumsey, Josie Sargent, Jim Sears, Kim Short, Curt Sherrill, Ruby Sides, Naomi Sides, Natalie Sides, Nelson Sides, Janell Sides, Nora Sides, Dick Sides, Dee Sivey, Bryan Smith, Janet Smith, Lexi Smith, LaVerne Speer, Julie Spicer, April Stapp, Dorothy Stone, Nancy Strunk, Gene Swain, Candace Sykes, Megan Tincher, Don Tirey, Jim Tomes, Geo Tullette, Sharon Waggoner, Jimmy Waggoner, Betty Wagoner, Carol Wieneke, Jerene Wigley, Matt & Heather Wilson, Maurice & Marge Wilson, Morris Wilson, Emily Wingo, Renee Worthington, Trent Wykoff. Those unable to be with us in Worship: Bob Bunch, Jacob Householder, John and Ellie Grissom, Marilyn Olson, Rosalie Roberts, Warren Smith, Jimmy Waggoner. Those away from home serving the church, in military and civil service, for education and work.

Please advise Elder Jack Maxwell, or the church office of any new prayer concerns, corrections or updates.

A Morning Prayer: God of all creation, you made the hands that stirred unthinking at the start of this day. As the hours slip by, help me to be more mindful of the good they might do: in the greetings they might offer, in the burdens they might bear, in the worry they might soothe. Prompt me to keep them open— not clinging to what you have entrusted but freely offering, freely receiving, in response to this day’s needs. May each small motion be a sign of trust, a reminder that my life is in your hands. Amen. An Evening Prayer: God of every beginning, every ending, as I remember the faces I saw this day, in moments ordinary and extraordinary— as I recall reports of hardship far away— help me to recognize family forgotten by my heart, sisters and brothers entrusted to me. As I rest this night in your care, mend my courage and fire my imagination, that I might be truly useful to you. Plant me where you need me, in the name of the Christ. Amen.

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1101 15th Street - Bedford, Indiana - 47421 - 812-275-4497

We are Disciples of Christ,

A movement for wholeness in a fragmented world. As part of

the one body of Christ, we welcome all to the Lord’s Table

as God has welcomed us.

*Disciples of Christ Statement of Identity

CHURCH OFFICE HOURS:

Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday: 8:00 am-4:00 pm

Closed 12-12:30 for Lunch

PASTOR BRUCE’S OFFICE HOURS:

Tuesday and Wednesday: 9:00 am - 12:00 pm

CUSTODIAN’S HOURS:

Monday - Friday: 8:00 am - 12:00 pm

SOCIAL MEDIA

Web Page: www.firstccbedford.org

Facebook: First Christian Church Bedford - DOC

Camp Facebook: Bedford Christian Camp

CHURCH STAFF:

Pastor: Rev. Bruce Ervin

E-Mail: pastor@firstccbedford.org

Music Ministry: Choir Director: Christa Tahere

E-Mail: christa.tahere@me.com

Organist: Mary Ruth Yates

Administrative Assistant: Mitzi Flynn

E-Mail: office@firstccbedford.org

Custodian: Steve Harrell

UPCOMING WORSHIP READINGS

Sept. 3: Romans 12:9-21 Theme: The Higher Righteousness Sept. 10: Worship and Lunch at Camp Sept. 17: Romans 14:1-12 Theme: To Judge or Not To Judge Sept. 24: Matthew 20:1-16 Theme: The Work of Grace

Come Worship With Us!

Sunday School 9:30 am

Worship Service 10:30 am