First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
120 N. McArthur Macomb, Illinois
(309) 837-6473
December 19, 2013
Newsletter
Candelight Service
December 24, 2013
6:00 P.M.
We will be holding our annual Candlelight Christmas Eve service this year on December 24 at 6:00 pm. Please mark this date and time on your calendar and plan to bring your friends, neighbors and family to this celebration service.
KELLY'S KORNER
Love is one of those crazy words. We use it often, maybe too often. We speak of loving our family and friends. In the next breath we might talk about how much we love french fries or coffee. How much do we love commercials and movies and television shows? And then we have the audacity to talk about our love for the divine. In varying degrees, maybe we do love these people and things. I am hopeful my love of God and family and friends is at a higher degree than my love of food and entertainment.
Consider these words from some very bright people:
I have found the paradox, that if you love until it hurts, there can be no more hurt, only more love.
Mother Theresa
Being deeply loved by someone gives you strength, while loving someone deeply gives you courage.
Lao Tzu
If you have never known the power of God's love, then maybe it is because you have never asked to know it - I mean really asked, expecting an answer.
Frederich Buechner
As we approach this last Sunday of Advent, the day we dare speak the word love, may we have the courage and strength to really ask the question so that there will be no more hurt—only more love.
Peace (and love) , Kelly
Sermon Date |
Sermon Title |
Scripture |
|---|---|---|
December 22 , 2013 |
The Gift of Love |
Matthew 1:18-25 |
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING REPORT
The congregational meeting on December 15, 2013, was successful and discussed:
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Approval of Slate of Officers presented by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Church Board.
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Approval of the 2014 Budget as recommended by the Board of Trustees and approved by the Church Board.
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Approval of a recommendation by the Property Committee, based on Capital Campaign contributions in hand, to start projects of Gutters and Flashing, Outdoor Signage, and Youth Space (totaling $70,000).
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Approval of a resolution, approved by the Trustees and Church Board, that the trustees be allowed to pursue/secure financing to begin progress toward our other Capital Campaign projects.
All items were approved unanimously by the congregation. Thanks to everyone who stayed after church for this important meeting. As the result of our Capital Campaign drive and the activities planned by the Departments, we have a very busy year ahead. The approval of the above items provides the means to get started immediately. FCC members are so generous of time, talent and treasure! Thus, with God’s blessings, we are ready to begin the New Year.
Betty Sherwood Board Chair
Special Olympics Secret Santa Christmas Party
What a special time of food, fellowship, music, games, gifts and Santa! Despite a brewing snowstorm, 43 per-sons, including 18 Special Olympics athletes, attended the Secret Santa Christmas party last Friday evening.
Thanks go to committee members Roselyn Chown, Jean Moore, Jan & Dean Rockwell, and Nita Burg, who helped plan and carry out this event; Mike Drake, who went above and beyond as van driver on snowy streets; Jonelle Schauble, who was a great resource and served as our contact person with the athletes; Rev. Ingersoll, who made the games such a fun activity; and Bev Drake, who helped with the kitchen cleanup.
Most of all, thanks to those of you who took a name (or more than one) from the angel tree and gave of your time and resources to provide a merrier Christmas for our Special Olympians. They all had a great time!
Blessings to all of you!
Rod Burg, Chair
Christian Action & Outreach
New Member
Mrs. Elizabeth Burton has indicated her desire to join First Christian Church and made it public on December 8.
“Liz” is a retired 5th-6th grade math/science teacher. She taught at VIT for 34.5 yrs. She is a widow and has two children - a son who lives in Good Hope and a daughter in Georgia. She is the proud grandmother of a grandson.
Liz likes to read, garden and travel.
Please make her feel welcome as you meet her in various ways around the church.
Host Fellowship Time!
It’s time to think about hosting the Coffee Fellowship Time each Sunday morning at 10:00 a.m. in the Parlor.
This is an opportunity to “catch up”, make new friends, meet new members, etc.
You will need to make coffee and set out punch which is furnished by the church. Bring a treat that you made or bought.
And then clean up the mess!
Please think about serving in this important ministry of our church and sign up on the sheet posted on the Bulletin Board in the Parlor.
Thank You Notes
Dear FCC of Macomb:
Thank you for the generous support I am receiving from the endowed scholarship. I am proud to receive this scholarship and will work to be successful in the classroom and the Culver-Stockton College community.
Emma Bozarth
Dear Trustees:
I am writing to express my sincere gratitude to you for making the FCC Scholarship possible. I was thrilled to learn of my selection for this honor, and I am deeply appreciative of y our support.
I am currently majoring in Recreation, Park and Tourism Administration with the hope of working with children. The financial assistance you provided will be a great help to me in paying my educational expenses, and it will allow me to concentrate more of my time for studying.
I promise you I will work very hard and eventually be able to give back to others.
Samantha Wilson
To the FCC Youth Group:
Thanks so much for the midterm survival kit. I passed all of my exams with an “A”. I hope all is going well. Miss you guys!
Emma Bozarth
To the FCC Youth Group:
Thanks for my midterm survival kit. I put it to good use.
Samantha Wilson
More Thanks
Carolee and Stan Sellers report that the goal for the Washington School children of 530 stuffed animals was met last weekend. The animals were delivered to the school on Thursday, December 19 and distributed to children affected by the recent tornado that destroyed so much of that community.
They want to extend their heartfelt thanks to the members of the FCC congregation for all their support of this ministry. FCC provided 100 of the needed stuffed animals! (Not bad for a week’s notice.)
This is part of an on-going ministry that has been in effect for 10 years. Anyone who has stuffed toys that they would still like to contribute can bring them to the church and they will be the “base” for next year’s supply. Stan and Carolee have provided stuffed toys for the Macomb schools (747 this year), Sandyhook Elementary (600) after the shooting there and now for the Washington school children (530). This is all done through donations of people like our congregation and the support of Aramark Foods.
God bless you for your willingness to share.
Joyce Randall would like to thank the Disciple Women for their hard work on making the Silent Auction, candy sale and the Christmas salad luncheon all huge successes.
At the “Festival of the Creche” luncheon, the tables were beautifully decorated and everyone enjoyed themselves. Thank-yous have been received from First Baptist, Macomb and First Christian, Rushville relating their wonderful experience in sharing our crèches and fellowshipping together.
The Membership Committee thanks everyone who brought cookies for the Cookie Exchange last Sunday! Lots of cookies to trade around!
Thank you to the Disciple Women for the delivery of cookies and a poinsettia. I really miss being with you at worship each week.
Jean Sweeney
Thank you to the youth and children, accompanied by the Ingersolls, for caroling at Grand Prairie. We enjoyed listening!
Arlene , Zola and Katie
Sunday, December 22, 2013
Fourth Sunday of Advent
Sermon Title:
The Gift of Love
Scripture:
Matthew 1:18-25
Lectionary Readings:
Isaiah 7:10-16
Psalm 80:1-7, 17-19
Romans 1:1-7
SERVING THIS WEEK OF December 22, 2013
Worship Leader:
Shannon Reed
Elders:
Char Carden (bread); Tim Adams (cup)
Diaconate:
Floor:
Josh Butcher, Karen Chatterton, Judy Graves, Roselyn Chown, Jack McKinnon, Ron Vaughn
Balcony:
Collin Reed, Shannon Reed, Jeanna Montgomery
Preparatory:
Phyllis Shields, Barbara Markley, Cindy Moon
Greeters:
Front
LouAnn Herriman
Central East
Karen Chatterton
Balcony South
Jeanna Montgomery
Elevator:
Les Herriman
Sanctuary Superintendent(s):
Jeff & Teresa Bennett
Soundboard Tech:
Eric Reed
Children's Moment:
Children's Church:
Coffee Fellowship Time:
Jonelle Schauble
Hospital Caller(s):
Mike Drake
Sunday Morning Office Staff:
Bev Drake
Finacial Escort
Rachel Bliven
Weekly Calendar
Sunday, December 22
Bob Sherwood opens/closes church
Jim Schauble drive(s) the van
8:30 AM Prayer Group
9:00 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship
10:30 AM Worship
Monday, December 23
5:30 PM Evangelism
6:00 PM Stephen Ministers
6:00 PM Worship
7:00 PM Elders
Tuesday, December 24
6:00 PM Christmas Eve Service
Sunday, December 29
Eric Reed opens/closes church
Eric Reed drive(s) the van
8:30 AM Prayer Group
9:00 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship
10:30 AM Worship
Saturday, January 4
7:00 AM Disciple Men @
Macomb Family Diner
Sunday, January 5
Rod Burg opens/closes church
Rod/Nita Burg drive(s) the van
8:30 AM Prayer Group
9:00 AM Sunday School
10:00 AM Coffee Fellowship
10:30 AM Worship
1:30 PM Shut-in Communion
Elders: Janet Shank
Chris Zimmerman
Birthdays and Anniversaries
22 Katie Baugher
23 Connie Workman