FCC Newsletter 11/22/11
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SEnnsFCC Newsletter 11/22/11
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SEnnsNonprofit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Stillwater, OK Permit No.
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Facts & Figures for November 20, 2011 Attendance (146 and 171)...........................317 Sunday School........141 General Fund Receipts..............$3,000.00 Capital Fund Receipts.....................$11,020.00 Loose Offering/Sunday School......$607.32 Non-Budget Funds Receipts...$5,168.91 2011 Facts & Figures as of Oct. 31, 2011 YTD Budget Receipts.........$399,840.33 YTD Budget Expenses.......$409,098.50 Net Receipts over Expenses.......($9,258.50) Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer, [email protected]
The Stillwater Christian
Volume 2011 In This Issue
Announcements Snapshots from Sondra Children and Youth Birthdays & Anniversaries Facts & Figures 1 2 3 3 4
November 22
Advent Devotionals Are In!
As a tool to help you celebrate Advent at home, the Oklahoma Disciples of Christ has prepared an Advent guide for personal or family use. You may get it off the website or you may get a hard copy from the church office.
Budget 2012 Approval Process Underway
On November 17th, the Board approved the Trustees recommended budget for 2012, as listed below. The congregation will vote on the recommended budget on Sunday, Dec. 4th after both services. More information is available on the FCC website, under Members.
FCC
Dec. 11th 8am - 1pm Call Jim Baker for an appt. Thanks so much to Sandi Ireland for making the beautiful orange and black bows we were able to proudly display around the property for Mondays Memorial Service.
Recommended Budget for 2012 November 9, 2011 INCOME
Pledged Receipts Non-pledged Receipts Other Receipts Parking Income (from 2011) Reserve Funds TOTAL 360,503 59,831 16,378 20,000 12,965 469,677
EXPENSES
Administration Disciple Development Elders Trustees Worship and Welcome TOTAL 106,365 45,869 500 308,043 8,900 469,677
Hanging of the Greens Service, November 27
Join us on Sunday Night at 7:00pm for our annual Hanging of the Greens service. We will be preparing for the Advent season with a meaningful service, followed by the Tasting Party. At the tasting party, everyone brings a holiday treat to share, such as cookies, dips, breads, etc. It is such a beloved tradition and wonderful time of fellowship.
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Of Stillwater, OK, Inc. 411 W. Mathews Ave. Stillwater, OK 74075-7517
ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED
Caroling Around the Prayer Tree, Sunday Morning
On Sunday morning at 10:45, the children will be gathering in the Sanctuary around the Prayer Tree for prayer and songs. Adults are invited and encouraged to attend as well. Poinsettia Orders Begin Sunday Order a poinsettia to honor a loved one. The flowers will be placed in the Sanctuary on Sunday December 11th and 18th. Deadline for ordering is December 4th. Order forms will be in the Sunday bulletins and the office.
Join us this Sunday for Owen Caytons Message, GROWING in faith and hope based on Mark 13:24-37 and 1 Cor. 1:1-9 Traditional 9:00am Sunday School 10:10 Contemporary 11:10
The Stillwater Christian is a weekly publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The deadline for articles each week is 1pm Monday. Tracy Freeman, Editor [email protected] Church Office Phone: 405.372.7722 Fax: 405.372.7726 Find The Stillwater Christian and more information at www.fcc-stillwater.org
Send prayer requests and general email to [email protected]
Snapshots from Sondra
Children/Youth Ministry Director [email protected]
CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS
Sondra Ladd, Children/Youth Ministry Director [email protected]
Consider the works of God; For who can make straight what He has made crooked? In the day of prosperity be joyful, But in the day of adversity consider: Surely God has appointed the one as well as the other; so that man can find out nothing that will come after him. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 At an amusement park once, I noticed one of the young men from our group sitting at each roller coaster and waiting while the rest of the group rode. I asked him to ride with me, and he replied No, I dont like roller coasters. I asked if he had ever ridden, and his answer was no. With much prompting, I encouraged him to ride with me. He did, and Im certain he didnt enjoy it. But there was a sense of accomplishment when we were done. He had faced a fear and overcome. Recently, he reminded me of that experience, and said he thought he understood why I persuaded him to ride. He was going through a rough patch in life and he could relate to the experience. He was facing circumstances beyond his control, and it was frightening and sickening. However, he felt that if he could ride it, then in the end he might gain some understanding and would gain a sense of accomplishment. How do we make straight that which is crooked? Life often feels like a roller coaster ride and we all react in different ways. Some raise their arms and enjoy the wind in their face. Many scream at the top of their lungs. Others feel sick to their stomach, and look for the easy exit. Regardless of how we experience the ride, the fact remains - you dont straighten the crooked path. Stillwater faced another tragedy last week with the loss of lives that were public and prominent. These losses were felt by many and were great. These incredible people had impacted lives in powerful and positive ways. Owen, in his sermon Sunday, said that there are those less public who face losses that are equally as devastating. That empty seat at the Thanksgiving table is every bit as empty, and the hole left in the heart of a loved one is just as hurtful. Amidst the pain of the recent tragedy, I have heard numerous comments about coming together, community, lessons learned and lessons applied. For most, the answers to why? will not come until they stand before God. But the answer to what? is right in our face. What happens when a person faces difficulty and is knocked down, but not out? What happens when a community or an individual faces the ups and downs of life all the way to the end and overcomes? Others watch, some receive hope, still others receive the strength to endure the ride knowing that those who have gone before have set the standard and revealed the way. Ecclesiastes 7:13-14 in the Message says, Take a good look at Gods work. Who could simplify and reduce Creations curves and angles to a plain straight line? On a good day, enjoy yourself; on a bad day examine your conscience. God arranges for both kinds of days so that we wont take anything for granted. Life isnt easy and the reality is that no one knows what tomorrow will bring. May we rejoice and celebrate together the mountain tops. May we gain understanding and insight in the valleys. May we always know that we are NEVER alone in the good times and the bad. May we support and encourage one another. May we each feel the presence of God through the love of others. Most of all, may we all learn never to take anything for granted. Together we ride, together we overcome.
The Story Teller Sunday will be Lori Krase-Cayton and helpers are Ryan Parker and Jenna Baker. Parking Volunteers This Week: Dec. 3, 3:00-7:00 Football: (no parking spaces available, someone must drop you off and pick you up). Ryan Parker, Ashley Ward, Julianne Hall, Zach Gregory, Audrey Memmott, and Nathan Chaffin. Dec. 4 3:00-5:00 Basketball: Bruce family, Gunkel family, Sarah and Mike All children and youth are encouraged to join us for the Hanging of the Greens, this Sunday at 7pm. There are parts for all ages. They are: All children will be placing Chrismons on the tree 1st and under will be ringing bells 2nd-5th grade will be helping to place nativity figures Chi Rho youth will be placing poinsettias CYF will be lighting candles in the windows. Four CYF youth will be participating in the reading. Everyone is asked to bring a goodie or snack to enjoy during the Tasting Party following the Hanging of the Greens. We will be leaving Friday, Dec. 9th at 4:00 sharp. You are welcome to bring snacks, reading materials and phones. Make sure and pack EXTRA WARM CLOTHING, (we have limited space as there is a full crew going, so please bring a SMALL overnight bag that can be tucked under the seat). You only need toiletries, WARM comfortable clothing, and money for a couple of fast food stops.
Hanging of the Greens
CYF Mystery Trip
This weeks clue:
*27 on a boat, in a winter wonderland and lighting up the night. Where could that be? Hhhhmmmmm. We will meet at 5:00pm in the FCC youth room. ALL INTERESTED PARTICIPANTS MUST ATTEND.
Happy Birthday to: 11/23 Mitsi Andrews, Don Mitchell; 11/24 Michael Varnum; 11/25 Fern Hesser; 11/27 Ruby Quinn, Patsy Walding; 11/28 Tatum Sefcik; 11/29 Rick Hendricks, Merrilyn Irby, Phyllis Ikard Happy Anniversary to: 11/27 Jim and Sue Baker, Gayle and Pat Ward; 11/28 Eddie and Susan Bigheart
