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Fort Smith

Disciple

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

 

  3501 Rogers Avenue , Fort Smith 72903

Phone:    479/783-1139

Fax:    479/782-4787

e-mail: fccdoc@swbell.net

Web page: www.fccdoc.org

 

Mission Statement:

The mission of First Christian Church, Fort Smith AR is to lift up Jesus the Christ by:

  Enabling spiritual growth and deepened commitment, both individually and corporately;

  Developing a church family/community that is accepting and encouraging;  

  Serving our community and the world through spiritual, physical, and emotional support; and

  Reaching out in His name to the unchurched in our community.

 

Volume 44, Number 46a  _>_  _>_  _>_  _>_  _>_  _>_  May 14 , 2008

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The Staff

Rev. Randy Jay   --  Senior Minister  

Rev. Brad Kidder, Sr. -- Pastoral Care

Lance McReynolds  - Director of Christian Education and Youth

Jeremy S. Adcock   --  Organist  

Dianna Jackson   --  Director of Music Ministry

Marion Marshall   --  Financial Secretary

Margot Mundy   --Secretary

Randy Alexander   --  Custodian  

Alice Stoner -- Nursery Coordinator

 

 

 

Lectionary Readings

for the week of May 18

Genesis 1.1-2.4a

Psalm 8

2 Corinthians 13.11-13

Matthew 28.16-20

Regular Sunday Schedule

8:30 am: Early Worship (casual)

9:30 am: Sunday School Classes

10:45 am: Sanctuary Worship

 

c May 18—Commitment Sunday d

   By now you should have received a letter from Allen Marshall, chair of our Stewardship Ministry and our stewardship education program for this year... “First Fruits”. Enclosed was a commitment card we’re asking you to bring this Sunday to place in the offering plate at the appropriate time as an act of dedication to not only insure the future ministries of First Christian Church, Ft. Smith, but also as an act of faith as stewards of God’s gifts.

   Please read Howard Marshall’s article on the next page. Deuteronomy 26 instructed the Israelite community to set aside the “first fruits” to care for others in their community, even the strangers, aliens and foreigners. This was their response not only for the needs of the survival of their community but also a response of gratitude. We have much to be grateful for and what a privilege to be able to give to God and the church in this way.

   Pray with your families about what your commitment will be as we begin the new church year on July 1. Don’t forget the Victory Dinner this Sunday at 6 pm! It has become our best-attended fellowship event of the year with fried catfish and all the trimmings. And it’s on the house! Come share in the joy of our Christian family as we celebrate the conclusion of our stewardship program.

 

God’s Big Backyard!

   Vacation Bible School will be June 9-13, 5:30-8 pm.  Each night children will be served a kid friendly meal at 5:30, then will enter the “Backyard” where kids have a blast serving Jesus.  This VBS is all about learning to serve — serve our families, friends, neighbors, community, and Jesus.  Each evening will be filled with bible stories, songs, crafts, and working on service projects. There will be registrations forms in the narthex this Sunday. 

   Sign up and join us for all the fun.  If you can help with VBS call Lance. (Jr. High and High School youth are welcome to help.)

 

Catfish Dinner this Sunday at 6 pm!

Bring your family and friends.

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Pastoral Concerns

_ We send our sympathies to Duff Taylor and family on the death of his father, Robert Taylor. The memorial service was held early this week.

_ Dewaine Moncier continues rehab at HealthSouth. It’s been a long recovery process as he was initially admitted to Sparks on January 1. Our thoughts and prayers are with him and with Mary Ann.

_ Reba Irons returned home to Fianna Hills Nursing Center following a lengthy stay at St. Edwards/Mercy.

_ Many of you have expressed concern for Ryan Payne, Connie’s son, who suffered a seizure after late worship last Sunday. He was taken to St. Ed’s ER where tests were done and was released; further tests are pending.

 

MEMORIALS: We gratefully acknowledge the following gifts, given as a thoughtful expression of sympathy and of care…

_ In Memory of Joe Allen - by Doris Gravley, Allen & Mary Nelle Hales 

 

Thank You!, FCC

   Dearest Church Family, I wish to thank all of you for your prayers during my dad’s illness. I wish to thank everyone for their kind words of sympathy. I was so moved by your out-pouring of love. I received so many cards which was very uplifting to me and to my family.

   Thank You All Very Much; We love our church family,

   Deborah, Ryan & Anna Scherff

 

 

 

   Our thanks to the Warren Family for their work on the property a week ago and special thanks to John for spraying the campus, and

   Further thanks to Disciples Men who helped clean up the storage building.

 

First Fruits”

Stewardship Education and Commitment Program

 

ENTER INTO THE JOY

 

   In the 25th chapter of Matthew’s Gospel is Jesus’ parable of the “Talents”. When the three servants are called by their Master to an accounting, the two servants who had been faithful in their stewardship of their Master’s property heard these words from the Master: “Well done, good and faithful servant; you have been faithful over a little, I will set you over much; enter into the joy of your Master.” (Matt. 25.20-23)

 

   The key works are not “I will set you over much”. This may, or may not, mean increased resources and financial gain; the key words are “Enter into the joy of your Master”. Joy is the result of faithfulness.

 

   Jesus experienced, and had some significant things to say concerning joy. He was not talking about “”happiness”. We all experience “happy moments” and “happy days”, but the circumstances of life alter and eliminate “happy” feelings. When Jesus spoke of joy, He was talking of something much deeper, fuller and continual than happiness.

 

   Please read John 15.1-11 and note particularly the last sentence (vs. 11) — “these things I have spoken to you that my joy may be in you, and that your joy may be full.” There is a deep, abiding joy that comes with faithfulness.

 

   This Sunday when you make your commitment to God by placing your commitment card in the offering plate, and through the year as you faithfully keep that commitment, it is possible that your spirit will hear the echo of the words: “Well done, good and faithful servant,…enter into the joy of your Master.”

---Howard Marshall, Minister Emeritus

 

Announcing Called Meetings

 

  Our annual called congregational meeting is set for June 1 after late worship when the congregation will vote on the slate of nominees for new board members, including a trustee, five elders and at least fifteen deacons. This will be brief.

   Additionally, our called June board meeting is set for Sunday,

June 8 at 6 pm in the chapel. Its purpose is to vote on the proposed budget for the new year and the new board officers.

   Please mark these important dates on your calendar.

 

Remember to welcome

Natalie Trent,

our guest organist

at worship this Sunday.

 

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Tawni Marshall

and David Marshall

request the honor of your presence

at their marriage on Saturday, May 31

at 3 pm in the Sanctuary.

 

 

 

 

LOVE GRUB Report

LOVE GRUB, our outreach meal program for shut-ins, had a successful year with 58 people experiencing the loving care of our FCC family. We cooked and served meals from September though May.

Our Love Grub Committee spent $155.11 of the $1,130.44 budget, leaving a balance of $995.33 for next year’s committee members. Many thank you notes and one donation were received from the recipients of the meals

 

 

 

 

Baseball Game Outing

On Thursday, May 22, we’ll be traveling to Springdale to watch the Naturals’ professional baseball team play. This is open to any and all and will be a fun trip.

We’re working on getting some free tickets and it’s $1 hot dog night. Call the office to reserve your spot. We will leave around 5:15 pm for the 7 pm game.

 

 

 

Share & Care

During the summer school break, the Clearinghouse’s Backpack for Kids food program continues. Please contribute individually wrapped snack foods to build up the supply for this program:

applesauce, breakfast bars, pudding or jello, crackers with cheese or peanut butter, snack cakes, etc.

Drop off your donations in the white box opposite the church office in the administration building.

 

¯ Dianna’s Notes ¯

¯ Disciples Bells will ring on May 18; please meet promptly at 9 am to rehearse Processional Rondo and also Softly and Tenderly (for June). We will not rehearse on Commitment Sunday afternoon.

Volunteers for May 18

Acolytes

Hannah Bicknell & Blythe Taylor 

Worship Leader

Danny Lynch

Junior Deacons

Karen Ricketts & Morgen Fuller

Van Drivers

Susan Randolph

Please find your own replacement

if you cannot serve.

Church Calendar 

Sunday, May 18

Commitment Sunday

9 am: Prepare with Prayer

5 pm: Caller Team C

6 pm: Fish Fry Victory Dinner, Board Meeting

follows

Monday, May 19

9 am: Staff Meeting

10 am: Morning Bible Study (last meeting before summer break)

5:45 pm: Personnel

Wednesday, May 21

7 pm: Chancel Choir

4 pm: Nominating Committee

 

Thursday, May 22

5:15 pm: Depart for Naturals’ ball game

 

 

For the Record - May 18

 

Operating:           Sunday                  $     7,534.35

                                To date                  $   21,383.97

Building Fund: Sunday   $     1,365.00

                                To date                  $     3,935.00

Pentecost Offering: Sunday              $        587.00

                                To date                  $     1,900.00

 

 

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SUMMER CAMP DATES & Fees

June 15-21 CYF Conference- $125 (The church pays the other half of the camp fees for church members.)

June 21-22 Discovery Camp Grades K-2-$40

June 22-25 JYF Camp Grades 3-5-$95

June 25-29 CHI RHO Camp Grades 6-8-$100

July 6-12 Fis2h Camp Completed 9th grade-$130

Make checks out to Great River Region.

All registrations / fees are due to the church office by Friday, May 16.

Forms are available in the office or online at www.grrcc.org.

 

Vacation Bible School - VBS will be June 9-13. This year we will have an evening VBS, beginning at 5:30pm.  Our theme is “God’s Big Backyard”. Volunteers are needed; contact Lance if you can help. We are inviting the whole family to participate in a “Backyard Bar-B-Que” on June 13 for the closing ceremony.

 

the CENTER – Youth groups will not meet this Sunday. Youth are encouraged to attend the Fish Fry Victory Dinner with their families.

   Last Sunday our graduates were recognized during late worship.  Congratulations to Hannah Jay, Ryan Scherff, Brad Jones, and Alex Marshall. Also recognized were Rachel Trent Trimble (Master’s in Spanish, UA), Jose Villarrubia (UAFS Nursing Program), and Jordan Weiler (BS Computer Science, UA). 

      ---Lance

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