The Chalice
CONNECTION A publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK Vol. 2 No. 34 August 26, 2010
What Is The Secret? by Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister
Don’t you just love a good secret? I know that it can be exciting to find out something previously unknown. Finding out the identity of Deep Throat was a huge deal for me, as I’d been wondering about that for over 30 years! That’s why I was fascinated by an article I read about the secret recipe for Coca-Cola. It seems that only a few executives of Coke know the recipe and everyone else is kept in the dark. It is a closely guarded trade secret. There is a huge burden placed on anyone who knows the formula not to tell. I think the same may be true for Kentucky Fried Chicken, but Coke makes a bigger deal out of it. The
formula was invented by a man named John Pemberton after the Civil War. He, like many other wounded Civil War veterans, had become addicted to the morphine they gave him for the pain. He developed Coke as a cure for his addiction, and he also cited many other health benefits of the drink. I guess Coke would have helped with his addiction, since it used the coca plant, and thus had a small amount of cocaine in it. Since Pemberton’s days the “formula” has taken on a life of its own and become a closely guarded secret. I think the secrecy makes it more intriguing for the rest of us and adds some sort of mystique about Coke. The truth is, we could find out the secret formula and it wouldn’t make much difference to us, as long as we still like the taste. Secrets really aren’t that big a deal when they become known. A woman in the church’s husband died after they had been married for 57 years.
Everyone around them knew how close they had been and what a difficult time this would be for his widowed bride. However, she resumed many of her normal activities and continued to reach out to her friends and family. How did she respond to such a loss with the grace and dignity that she demonstrated to her friends? One of her friends asked her, “What is the secret to your happiness?” Her reply was insightful. “No secret. My relationship with God through Jesus Christ gives me a peace that passes understanding. And it’s a relationship I’ve worked on all of my life.” Isn’t it nice to know that there is no secret to our faith? Cultivating a relationship with Christ through prayer, study and worship gives us a peace that is not a secret. It is life-giving and life-changing. Maybe we should market that peace as come closely guarded trade secret. People might be more willing to check it out. Or maybe we should simply live lives that attest to that peace in our lives. That would make it so much easier for all of us.
.
Sermon Series and Small Group Study Begin in September Stress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture the state of mind of many in America today. In the past few years, we have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world’s largest insurance company, and many have lost their job or know someone dear to them that has. We are stressed about the economy and our personal finances. We are worried about providing for our family’s needs. Beginning September 12, join us in worship for a four week sermon series entitled Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. During this time, we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management. We’ll hear stories from others regarding personal challenges. We will offer practical tools to use to assess your situation and develop a financial plan with biblical foundation. A small group study of the ENOUGH book will meet on Wednesday evenings. Led by Rev. Dr. Jerry Black and Bob Bennett, the study will lead to the discovery of joy, purpose, and real life compensation through simplicity and generosity. (register for study online at fccedmond.org/unite) We hope you will join us during this series as we look at managing our financial resources and truly experiencing simplicity, generosity, and joy.
Schedule of Events: Wednesday, September 8 Sunday, September 12 Sunday, September 19 Sunday, September 26 Wednesday, September 29
Small-Group Study Begins Sermon: When Dreams Become Nightmares Sermon: Wisdom and Finance Sermon: Cultivating Contentment Small-Group Study Ends
Sunday, October 3
World Communion Sunday Sermon: Defined by Generosity 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Combined Worship 12:00 PM Gratitude Luncheon
On Wednesday evenings during the school year our children, students and adults UNITE for dinner, learning and fellowship. In a culture that is increasingly individualistic and private, we are called as Christians to connect, grow, serve and care together. UNITE provides a place to experience lasting connections and a place to grow in our faith.
Come UNITE with us beginning Wednesday, September 8. REGISTER and VOLUNTEER now @ fccedmond.org/unite Dates We Will Meet Options for Adults
• 5:00-6:00 A Study of the Prophets led by Rev. Chris Shorow - Room 116
“Our society is sick. We’ve turned away from God and we are going down the tubes!” Sound familiar? No, not Glenn Beck, those words have been spoken countless times by Old Testament prophets. Our Bible study this semester will focus on prophets and their mission, ministry and words for us today. Glancing at the major prophets, we will also look at the wisdom of the 12 minor prophets. We will explore how they delivered their words, and compare them with how we are prophetic in today’s world. Can we be prophetic and yet have a civil dialogue?
• 6:30 - 7:30 ENOUGH: Discovering Joy Through Simplicty and Generosity led by Rev. Jerry Black and Bob Bennett September 8, 15, 22 and 29 Come discover joy, purpose, and real life compensation through simplicity and generosity. We will use the ENOUGH book by Rev. Adam Hamilton. Cost: $10. Please pre-register @ fccedmond.org/unite or call Iris Jordan @ 341-3544.
• 6:30 - 7:30 New Testament Study - Continues led by Rev. Jerry Black October 6-December 8 he will be continuing his Introduction to the New Testament. This semester features the letters of Paul, Peter, John, and others our course text is the same as last semester’s text: Dennis E. Smith’s “Chalice Introduction to the New Testament.” Books are $29, needed only for new enrollees and pre-orders are needed by September 22 - register @ fccedmond.org. unite or call Iris Jordan @ 341-3544.
• 7:30–8:45 Chancel Choir led by Diane Ball - Sanctuary (Nursery Available) Our Chancel Choir offers musical gifts throughout the year in worship services and on special occasions.
Make A Difference in A Child’s Life - Be a Whiz Kids Tutor By Linda Quade, FCC’s Whiz Kids Coordinator Whiz Kids is a faith-based, one-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program that focuses on students who live in areas which have some of the highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeconomic levels in Oklahoma City. First Christian, partners with Our Lord’s
Community Church and Holy Temple Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, tutoring students from Martin Luther King Elementary. Whiz Kids meets at 5:30 on Tuesday evenings at Holy Temple, where we share
September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 13, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8
Meal Payment Options • • • •
$3.50 per person/weekly $42 per semester/per person $12.50 weekly (family of 4+) $150 semester price (family of 4+)
Children’s Schedule Children 3yrs old through 5th grade will be on a “Journey With Jesus” discovering where Jesus went, what Jesus taught, and how it is relevant today. So, grab your passport! 5:00 Music 5:30 Cherub Choir (preschool) 6:00 Check-In/Dinner 6:30 Small Groups 7:30 Check-Out
Students Schedule This year we will be challenging students to “Claim It!” Claim what you might ask? Well, come and find out! 5:30 Girls Ensemble 5:45 Dinner 6:30 Worship 7:15 Small Group Bible Study 8:00 Done! a meal with the students, spend tutoring/mentoring time together and then finish with a brief club time. If you have an interest in participating in this wonderfully fulfilling ministry, contact Linda Quade at 341-1618 or 408-8123.
Prayers of the People OUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Chuck Hague (Suzanne Allison’s brother), VA Hospital OTHERS IN NEED OF PRAYER Pauline Rahhal, Chelyne Barney (Marjorie Anderson’s daughter-in-law), Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s mom), Josh Harlin (Reta Clopton’s son), Laura Kysar, Les Lee, Eric Koegel, Garry Sloan (former FCC minister of music), Bart & Jennifer Rodr, Lorelle Watts, Sharon Luton (Susan Black’s cousin), Ed Berry, Taylor Wheeler, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother) OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Marc & Kandi Pate in the death of Kandi’s mother, Dolores Jepsen, on August 18. Services were held August 23 in Fletcher, OK. CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Abigail Faith Peterson, born August 18 in Tyler, TX. Grandparents are Jim & Nancy Hays.
Happy Birthday! 8/29 Alexandria Peters, Allen Terry 8/30 JoDahl Creech, Leah Danley, Carol Hawkins 8/31 Dot Hammond, Gayle Smith 9/1 Kathrynn Cavanaugh, Max Speegle 9/2 Olivia Agosta, Rodney Helms, Marc Pate 9/3 Jan Cowling, Laura Kysar, Jim Turner 9/4 Taylor Grant, Traci Sarani 9/5 Jay Biby, Peyton Mabry, Lindy Rahhal, John Timmons, Jim Williams
Disciplecise - Week 15 Tres Rios Area El Paso, Texas
Are you keeping up with Disciple-cise Dawg? This week he has stopped chasing Horned Frogs and moved on to El Paso. Texas after traveling 600 miles (it’s a long way to El Paso from Ft. Worth!) It will take you 360 minutes of exercise to reach the Tres Rios region. The Tres Rios Area is one of eight areas in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. It currently is made up of 29 churches throughout New Mexico and West Texas. These churches strive to serve God in an ever-changing multi-cultural setting. Similar to our own region, it sponsors mens’ retreats and summer camps.
Omelet & Pancake Breakfast Sunday, August 29 9:30-12:30
Check out the fun we had with Jahruba and at our Children’s Ministry Fair! Pictures now online @
fccedmond.org/pictures
or click the flickr button on our site to see all our photo albums. Kudos to Frank Gresh and Susan Huffer for more fabulous photography!
Sign-Up Begins for Follies 2010 The 4th annual FCC Follies and Chili Cook-off is coming Sunday, September 26th!! Start working on your acts and dig out your favorite chili recipe. Register this Sunday in the Rotunda or online at fccedmond.org/follies
The membership fellowship crew is ready to make your made-to-order omelet, and some very colorful pancakes this Sunday! So join your FCC family in Fellowship Hall for a delicious breakfast. Want to Help? Contact Jennifer Shipley at 359-1544 or ship4osu@aol.com
Eat Pringles? Save Your Cans! Our children will be using them for a craft during UNITE. We will be collecting them until September 22nd. They can be dropped off in my office or the workroom. Thank you for your help! Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Children’s Ministry
The Classics Worship
at First Christian 8:15, 9 & 11am
August 29, 2010 Message: Rev. Chris Shorow Scripture: Luke 14:7-14
September 5, 2010 Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Psalm 139;1-6
Texas Adventure September 27-28
Join us for a tour of the new Dallas Cowboys stadium, the BEP’s Western Currency Facility, and Texas Motor Speedway. The price is $229 and includes transportation by motor coach, overnight lodging, one dinner and lunch. For information and reservations call: Winnie Hall 341-4297 or Ellen Chitwood 341-2859.
Dallas Cowboys Stadium: The room will be filled with oooohs and aaaaahs as
Shelley Regan, Editor sregan@fccedmond.org Read News Online @ fccedmond.org/news Submit Articles to news@fccedmond.org
Bureau of Ingraving and Printing - Western Currency Facility: You will see billions of dollars being printed as you walk along an enclosed elevated walkway suspended over the production floor!
Texas Motor Speedway: Our tour will include a stop on the luxury suite level
where we will get a birds-eye view of more than 150,000 seats and the 1,500 acres that make up one of the worlds’ largest and most modern sports facilities.
(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Year’s Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083
The Chalice CONNECTION
we venture through the amazing new three-million square foot stadium which boasts to be the most spectacular with unbelievable state of the art designs.
Periodicals Postage Paid Edmond, OK USPC 210-360