The Messenger of the First Christian Church 2/5/15, 11:30 AM

February 2015 The Messenger A Communication Ministry of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Edwardsville, Illinois

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Lent: Season of Opportunity 310 S. Main Street Edwardsville, IL 62234 The season of Lent is a forty day period leading up to Holy Week and Easter. It is a time replete with opportunities for spiritual growth. We are Sundays ~ invited to make use of this season to prepare ourself to encounter the 9:00am ~ Traditional risen Lord on Easter morning. Worship Service 10:30am ~ Contemporary For some, Lent will be a time of giving up and for Worship Service others a time of taking on. Some years, our life Phone: (618) 656-7498 includes obstacles that prevent us from Fax: (618) 656-3082 experiencing God as fully as we could. Giving something up helps to focus us on what is important, ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ to look past that which is in the way.

Rev. Dr. James Brooks, Taking something on is another way to walk the path Lead Minister, to Easter. Many a pilgrim will take on a new routine, [email protected] new spiritual discipline, prayer time. We often strengthen relationships through a new exercise. Rev. Jeff Wrigley, Youth & Children's Minister, First Christian Church offers many opportunities for you during Lent. A [email protected] Lent Devotional booklet is available for free. You can pick your copy this Sunday at church. On Sundays during Lent, we will include a corporate ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ act of confession and assurance to focus our worship life. On Saturday mornings, we will host a yoga class with a theme of renewing the spirt as Visit our website! well as the mind and body. Link to Calendar You could allow the calendar to bring Easter to you. Or, you could take a ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ step to begin your own journey toward Easter. Easter will be a more bright and beautiful experience if you take that step. Want more ideas ... February Anniversaries send me a note: [email protected]

Greg & Kristin Schutz 6 Vince & Lillie Noto 13 Harry & Evlyn McQuinn 21 Youth Group Mission Trip Steve & Rae Ellsworth 22 The youth group will be going on their annual mission trip February 13th- February Birthdays 16th. This year we will be staying at the National Avenue Christian Church in Springfield, Missouri. Steve Ellsworth 3 Mark Speciale 4 Our annual mission trip is an incredible experience that opens eyes, Martha Morrow 5 softens hearts and empowers us to serve others. These Chloe Luster 9 mission trips bring our group together. When we ride Marilyn McCall 10 together, eat together, play together, and serve together Bethany Sitton 10 it bonds us together. We hope that our trips together https://ui.constantcontact.com/visualeditor/visual_editor_preview.jsp?agent.uid=1119710336631&format=html&printFrame=true Page 1 of 7 The Messenger of the First Christian Church 2/5/15, 11:30 AM

Clint Coultas 12 build a stronger desire to serve and worship God. Rae Ellsworth 13 LaVerne Hall 13 We will be leaving the church on Friday at 6pm and will return on Monday Allyson Ayers 16 around 4pm. A more detailed itinerary will be out very soon. Please let Marty DeWitt 18 me know if your youth will be able to attend this mission trip. We will also Rich Wetzel 22 need a couple more adults to join us. Please contact Jeff Wrigley at Mary West 25 [email protected] or 618-972-9772. Amy Linss 27 Helena Woods 28 Kevin Acra 29 Week of Compassion Special Offering, February 15th ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ and 22nd

Washington and Tupelo: A Single Weekend Changes Thank you.... Thank you to everyone who made Everything It was a lesson in vulnerability, and a lesson in just how connected we are donations to the hat and mitten tree in the Fellowship Hall. We as the body of Christ. collected 52 pair of gloves, 36 hats, 15 ear warmer headbands, 1 scarf, In late spring 2014, in a single weekend, First Christian Church, Tupelo, and 2 fleece throws! All items will Mississippi, and First Christian Church, Washington, North Carolina, were both destroyed. A tornado ripped through Tupelo, destroying residences, be delivered to the Glen-Ed Pantry. You all are amazing! businesses, and of course, First Christian Church. Members of First Christian Washington were also impacted by a tornado, and then lost Thanks, Melanie Herndon their historic sanctuary to fire just days later. Education Committee Chair Two communities impacted; two historic congregations lost. But that isn't the end of the story.

Through Week of Compassion, Disciples from across North America responded-quickly. Week of Compassion sent grants from its Compassion in Action fund immediately to help affected families at both churches, and on top of solidarity grants sent to each church from the Compassion in Action fund, Week of Compassion helped direct designated gifts to both Washington and Tupelo, providing resources for their interim needs and rebuilding.

Through Week of Compassion, Disciples work to make sure there is a fair balance-through our prayers, our hopes, and our resources.

Your "Week of Compassion" offering makes a difference here and around the globe! For more information ... http://www.weekofcompassion.org

Dear Christmas Friend: Christmas is a special time of year for Oasis. Because of you generous gifts, donations, and contributions more than 248 women and children have enjoyed a happier holiday season and were able to celebrate in safety. These families are truly appreciative and so are the volunteers and staff, who have been able to share the joy, love and Christmas spirit that you have made possible. You might have given money, food, clothing, toys, or your time, but with each gift you gave you helped create a loving memory for Land Acquisition Nearly Complete the women and children of our

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community who have been Our congregation has nearly completed the process of acquiring the suffering the effects of domestic property at 117 West Linden Street. Our Board of Directors called violence. together a team to explore the purchase. After negotiating with the land Oasis provides free help and owner, a proposal was brought to the Board. The Board approved the support with safe shelter, purchase and sent its recommendation to the congregation. The advocacy, food, transportation, and congregation approved the purchase, by vote, on January 11, 2015. Our referrals to those in crisis. Our Trustees will sign to complete the purchase at a closing on Friday, families come to Oasis to share in February 6th. We will have a Capital Fund Campaign beginning late the peace, personal safety and February to pay off the loan taken to purchase the property. This is land growth opportunities we have purchase is a sign of our vibrancy as a congregation and of our offered since 1978. investment into the future generations who will learn of Jesus' love We appreciate your support of because of our congregation's ministry. Many thanks to the many who Oasis, our Christmas program, and have worked diligently to make this happen, especially you who will join the women, children and men we me in offering of your financial resources to pay for this purchase. serve. Your gift was very much ~ Dr. Brooks appreciated. Sincerely, Georgia Bratton, Board Member Commissioned Ministers Affirmed Margarette Trushel, Executive Director It is our joy to announce that Rev. Jeff Wrigley and Rev. Russell Alexander have been affirmed as Commissioned Ministers for another

year of service. In our tradition, Commissioned Ministers are affirmed for Dear James & members of FCC, one year in a specific ministry. Rev. Wrigley is commissioned as our I am inspired by you and your total Youth and Children's Minister. Rev. Alexander is commissioned as 2014 contribution to Hope minister of our sister church in Bonne Terre, MO. Commissioned partnership of $900. ministers continually work on 16 proficiencies of ministry. It is such a Thank you for being one of my blessing that these two members of our congregation offer their gifts and inspirations (and really for all our talents to the church. Please take the opportunity to congratulate each staff) as we look to the months on their affirmation. ahead with excitement and anticipation for another great year of ministry with Disciples leaders and congregations. Youth Group Schedule Sincerely, Ellen L. Mitchell, CFRE February 1 No Meeting - Souperbowl Vice President & Corporate Secretary 8 Meeting 5:30pm - 7:00pm 13-16 Mission Trip

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ 22 Meeting 5:30pm - 7:00pm

Have you remembered your church March 1 Meeting 5:30pm - 7:00pm in your will? Through the 8 Meeting 5:30pm - 7:00pm Permanent Fund, you can provide a lasting legacy. For more 15 Meeting 5:30pm - 7:00pm information: [email protected] 22 Meeting 5:30pm - 7:00pm 28 Spaghetti Dinner Charity ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ Fundraiser 4:00pm - 7:00pm HAVE A PRAYER REQUEST?

http://fccedwardsville.org/#/contact- us/prayer-requests Recommended Read: The Reason

"My ideas of love were only shadows compared to this painfully bright, shining, true love that fell all around me." This is one of a multitude of inspiring lines from Lacey Sturm's book, The Reason: how I discovered a life worth living. A book that I passionately recommend you read.

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I first encountered Lacey's voice in her role as the lead singer of the Christian band, Flyleaf. Though I never saw her perform live with the band (I was able to see the band start their first tour without her), I have enjoyed their music and her voice for years. Their music videos are amazing.

Picking up her first book, I wondered if she would write as well as she sang, could she

author a book as well as she penned a

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ lyric. Within a few pages, her talent was obvious. Her writing style is very balanced and mature in her dealing with subject Pastor's Class: To prepare for matter that is quite profound. This book baptisms on Easter, Dr. Brooks will read as if she were talking to me over a offer a class that will meet every cup of coffee or glass of wine. other week starting February 8th,

for 4 class sessions that gather at You should read this book for its message 5:30pm on Sundays for an hour. If and model. I do not agree with every theological statement Lacey you have questions or wish to see makes. I share deeply her love for God and God's people. I am inspired a copy, please let me know. If you by Lacey's ability to be vulnerable about her life and passionate about or someone you know wishes to God's love. As she shared how God has worked in her life, I readily participate in the class, please recalled moments when I feel close to God and craved more. contact the church office or mark You will be blessed if you read this book. your Welcome Card.

(quote from page 112) ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

Memorial Funds Serving Well

Through the generosity of our members and friends, we often remember our ancestors through gifts to the Memorial Fund. A list of those remembered can be found in the Narthex. The Memorial Committee recently approved the expenditure of some Memorial Funds. Two new communion chalices and patens where purchased to replace some that have broken over the years. A case of Bibles were purchased to give to anyone, member or visitor, who would like a Bible. Finally, a new wireless microphone was purchase for Dr. Brooks to use while preaching. This replaces a microphone that was purchased 15-20 years ago. Our thanks to the Memorial Committee, and especially to those who have contributed to the Memorial Fund, for the purchase of these items.

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A Fond Farewell

After a dozen years, we bid a fond farewell to Steve Hoover. He has blessed our contemporary worship service in his role as keyboardist. He arranged the version of "Joy to the World" that our music ministries and congregation sing at the Christmas Eve Service. Steve's last Sunday was January 25th and we honored him with a reception after the 10:30am service. We wish him well has he writes the next chapters of his career which will include more traveling.

Letter from Edwardsville Township

The Youth Memorial honors Susan Ann Stille, daughter of Township Supervisor Robert C. Stille, who tragically passed away in 1989. The memorial also provides a place to memorialize other young Edwardsville ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ residents who have sadly passed away. The cost of the engraving is $260.00, which is shared equally between the Township and those Christian Crafters requesting engraving.

God made us all creative in many The guidelines for the memorial are as follows: the youth must have different ways. Our women seeing attended school for a minimum of one year in Edwardsville Township or a a need to help others came school within the Edwardsville School District #7; the maximum age at together to use those God given the time of death is 25 years old; the death must have occurred after gifts to make fleece blankets, January 1, 1989; and any variance from the above criteria's must be prayer shawls, crochet and knit approved by the Edwardsville Township Supervisor. baby hats , sweaters and other creative items for St. Louis Together, let us help those who are grieving find a place to honor and Children's Hospital at Barns and remember their loved ones. To have the name of a loved one included SSM Cardinal Glennon Children's on the Memorial, individuals or families must complete the application in Medical Center. In the last two the provided brochures and return the application to Edwardsville months we have sent 19 fleece Township for consideration.

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blankets, 160 mesh bands, 36 baby hats, 30 baby blankets with The Susan Ann Stille Youth Memorial is located in the beautiful Robert C. matching hats, and 32 baby hats to Stille Edwardsville Township Community Park at 6368 Center Grove SSM Cardinal Glennon. Road in Edwardsville. Respectfully submitted, Christian Crafters Sincerely,

Frank Miles, M.P.A. Township Supervisor

The information brochures are located in the Narthex.

Picture shows a sample of a Souper Bowl of Caring Luncheon fleece blanket, a baby blanket Sunday, February 1, 2015 with matching hat and mesh bands.

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The Discernment Team continues to meet. It was discussed at a recent Saturday Retreat that the discernment report will be presented to the FCC Board this Spring. The date and time will be announced at the next Board meeting. Thanks to all who have aided in this process.

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Board Meeting March 24, 2015

Congregational Meeting April 19, 2015

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Ash Wednesday: February 18

Join us at 7:00pm on Wednesday February 18th for worship, communion and ashes as we celebrate the beginning of Lent. Lent: a time of preparation for Easter. Many of us will give something up for Lent or take on a spiritual discipline such as yoga or engaging a devotional book. Let's begin the season with worship together!

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First Christian Church | 310 South Main Street | Edwardsville | IL | 62234

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