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The Chalice

CONNECTIONA publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

A Gift That Doesnt Break?Knowing We Are All Children of GodBy Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister

As wecontinue

the AdventjourneyintoChristmas,we focuson ourtheme in

worship, Gifts That Wont Break.I invite you to think about those lastinggifts we give to one another, not just atChristmas, but throughout the year.

November 29 was a special day.It was the feast of Dorothy Day on theCatholic calendar. Dorothy Day hasalways been a favorite of mine as shewas a true social revolutionarythrough the 20th century. Born in1897, Day was a tireless worker forthe poor and outcast until her death(on Nov. 29) in 1980.

Founder of the Catholic Workermovement, one of the major

contributions of this movement wasthe establishment of houses for thepoor and needy. Begun in the midstof the Depression, these communityhomes were soon overflowing withthose who needed food and shelter.And Day invited them to stay in thesehomes for as long as they needed tobe there with no questions asked. Thistype of open invitation drew muchcriticism from those around her.

These werent the deservingpoor, it was sometimes objected, butdrunkards and good-for-nothings. Avisiting social worker asked Day howlong the clients were permitted tostay. We let them stay forever, Dayanswered with a fierce look in her eye.They live with us, they die with us,and we give them a Christian burial.

Once they are taken in, they becomemembers of the family. Or rather the

were always members of the family.They are our brothers and sisters inChrist. This quote came from JimForest, writing on the Catholic Workwebsite. You might want to get a copof Days autobiography, The LongLoneliness. It is an inspiring and veryhonest account of a life inspired byJesus and his ministry to the least othese.

Days vision of reaching out toembrace those in need has beencarried on by many, including our owBreakfast on Boulevard. Im not surethat Day inspired this ministry, butI am sure that it continues reachingout to many with no questions askedrealizing that we are all children ofGod. A true gift that doesnt break!

Vol. 2 No. 48 December 2, 2010

Discover First Christian!Sunday, December 5 at 10am in Room 11

Have you been thinking about becoming a member of Fir

Christian? We invite you to join members of our staff and

members of the church for an event we call

Discover First Christian. This informal gathering

provides an opportunity for us to get to know you, and fo

you to get to know a little more about us. Its a great place

have your questions answered. So whether youre brand n

or have been attending a while, wed love to have you joi

us for coffee, juice, donuts and fellowship.

Please let us know you are coming. Contact Iris Jordan a

ijordan@fccedmond.org or 341-3544, ext. 20.

Ministry Opportunity

Share Your Smile!A personal greeting is a vital part of every worship event at First

Christian Church. But Christmas Eve worship is such a special

experience, that we usually have a significant number of first time

guests. Your Evangelism Ministry Team invites you to participate

in greeting and welcoming these guests to our Christmas Eve

celebration. On this special night, we provide three opportunities

for worship: a 5:30 pm childrens worship, a 7 pm candle light

service and an 11 pm candle light service. Contact Darcy

Biby at DBiby@lancome-usa.com or Jerry Black at 341-3544

or jblack@fccedmond.org. Thank you for sharing in this vital

ministry and for providing a positive, first impression of our First

Christian faith family. ~YourEvangelismMinistryTeam

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Childrens Christmas MusicalSunday, December 5 - 6:30pmJoin the All-Star cast of First Christian as

the children present their musical Star

ofWondercreated by Dave Clark andJayme Thompson. Along the way to

witness the Star of Wonder, youll meet

such luminaries as Super Star, ShootingStar, Lucky Star, Falling Star, Rock Star,

the North Star, and a constellation of

stars as they anxiously watch the biggest

announcement in history unfold the birth

of Jesus! Enjoy this Christmas gift to you

from the children of First Christian, and

afterwards stay for a reception of cookies

and hot chocolate. (nurseryprovided)

Community ChoraleChristmas Concert

Saturday, December 11 - 7:30pmEdmond Community Chorale performing

the first three parts of Christmas Oratorio

(Weihnachts-Oratorium), by Johann

Sebastian Bach. Dr. Karl Nelson, Artistic

Director of the Edmond Community

Chorale and Director of Choral Studies

at the University of Central Oklahoma

conducting. They will be joined by the

University of Central Oklahoma Concert

Chorale, Cantilena Womens Chorus and

a full orchestra. Soloists: Barbara Streets,

Roxane LaCombe, Nicholas Saverine, Mark

Lundholm, and Kevin Eckard. The work

will be performed in its original language,

German, and English supertitles will be

projected. This masterwork celebrates the

birth of Jesus Christ through the music of J.

S. Bach. Admission is free, donations will

be accepted. There is a reception following.

FCC members singing: Betsy Jones and

Mark Parkhurst

Christmas CantataSunday, December 12 - 6:30pmThe cantata, NightoftheFathers

Loveby Pepper Choplin, skillfully guides

the listener through the Christmas story as

though hearing it again for the first time.

Join the Chancel Choir, along with the

choir from Peace Lutheran, to revisit the

mystery, awe and excitement of the night

of Christs birth that happened so long

ago. This cantata expresses the essence of

Christmas as well as the ultimate gift thatwont break: the gift of the Fathers love.

We will share a reception with our friends

from Peace Lutheran Church afterwards.

(nurseryprovided)

Candlelight Service ofRemembranceSunday, December 19 - 6:30pmFor many this is a difficult season of the

year, especially if you have lost a loved one.

But there is hope in the midst of darkness.

Come, light a candle of remembrance, and

experience Gods love at our Service of

Remembrance. Our healing prayer ministe

will be on hand to fashion a prayer for you

needs, and Rev. Chris Shorow will offer a

meditation.

Childrens Christmas EveServiceFriday, December 24 5:30pmThe Gospel will come alive with the help o

our children in a narrative re-telling of the

birth of Jesus. This abbreviated, family-

oriented worship service includes familiar

Christmas hymns. Children (ages 3 throug

2nd grade) may select a costume at 5pm

and participate in the Nativity story!

Candlelight Christmas EveServices Friday, December 24 - 7 & 11pmJoin us as we anticipate the day of our

Saviors birth! The 7pm Christmas Eveservice will feature beautiful music, scrip-

ture readings, and the lighting of the Chris

Candle. The 11pm service will feature a

serene, simplified candlelight service with

carols, the Chancel Choir, and scripture.

The service ends in candlelight with the

bells tolling the midnight hour, marking th

arrival of Christmas Day.

(NonurseryonChristmasEve)

As Christians we are called to prepare for the coming of Christ during the season called Advent. It is a time of preparation, and for slowing

down. This Advent we will be focusing our worship on the Gifts That Wont Break.

What are those gifts? They are those gifts that cannot be lost, that never go out of style, and that are independent of the chances and

changes of life. They are the gifts that have been graciously given by God. The gifts we share which bring hope, joy, love and peace to fam

ily, community, and world. These true gifts of the Advent season - hope, joy, love, and peace- have a permanence that speaks to genera-

tions of children past, present, and future.

We invite you to join us for one or more of the events youll find listed here. Bring your family, and friends and come as we bless eac

other with reminders of what this Advent season is aboutexpectation that God is going to be among us to help us in the work of trans-

forming ourselves and our communities with hope, joy, love and peace. Rev. Chris Shorow

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Christmas Cookie ExchangeThe Mary Group of Disciple Women will meet at the

home of Debi Taylor for a Christmas CookieExchange, Thursday, December 9 from 5:30-7:00pm.

Bring 2-3 dozen homemade or store-bought cookies andjoin us for light appetizers as we ENCOURAGE one an-other during this joyous holiday season. Contact Debi

at 340-5956 for directions. Hope to see you there!

ChildrensMusicalDressRehearsalParents please dont forget the mandatory dress rehearsal for Star of Wonder is

Saturday, December 4th, from 9:30-11:30 a.m.If your child has a speaking part and needs

o put on a microphone, or needs to put on a costume other than the star t-shirt, please

arrive at 9:15 so that we can begin our rehearsal on time.) Questions?Contact Diane Ball

at 341-3544, or dball@fccedmond.org.

ATTENTION PARENTS: There is a cookie reception following the musical. Please bring

TWO DOZEN cookies (homemade or store bought) to share with the congregation. You

can leave them in the Fellowship Hall prior to the performance, or drop off on Saturday

morning. Thanks so much!

Notice of AnnualCongregational Meeting

Sunday, December 12following each worship service

Purpose: To vote on nominatedleaders and budget for 2011,

along with proposedmodications to our bylaws.

Log on towww.fccedmond.org/meetin

to preview the leader ballot,

budget ballot andrevisions to bylaws.

Questions? Contact Billy HarrisoBoard Moderator at 348-6898.

Did You Forget Your Butter Braids?f you ordered Butter Braids but have not picked them up, they are labeled and stored

n the Kids Club freezer in the church kitchen. Questions? Contact Robbi Kinnaird atrobbi@kinnaird.com or 340-2427.

Prayers of the PeopleOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL

Jeff Stephens, OU Medical Center

THOSE IN NEED OF PRAYER Betsy Jones, Bart Rodr, EuniceWilson, Belinda Davis, Barbara Henthorn, Joyce McNickle, London Carrington, Eric Koegel,Bob Stafford, Teddi Long-Owen, Ralph Eastwood (Jackie Staffords dad), Ann DouthittDuke Douthitts mom), Sharon Luton (Susan Blacks cousin), Ed Berry, Hank ThomasRandy Thomas brother)

CONGRATULATIONS To Lyn and Astrid Rice on their marriage on November 19th. Thecouple resides in New York. Parents of the groom are Earl and Loree Rice.

OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Sherry Parks in the recent passing of her brother, TerryTrout, in Georgia. Services are pending.

Happy Birthday!12/5 Rodney Cave, Jason Juhl

12/6 Adam Clark, Audra Stone, JamieWerhun

12/7 Julie Holliman, Foster Johnson,

Dana Theobald

12/8 Matthew Rahhal

12/9 Cindy Enix, Sue Sestak12/10 Joshua Jones, Kimberly Kerr, Loga

Turner12/11 Gina Baldridge, Robbie Shaw12/12 Sue Fraim

Donate your gently used coats and givethe gift of warmth!If you have an extra coat or jacket hanging in your closet,

please consider donating it for Breakfast on Boulevard

patrons. We are accepting coats for all ages and all sizes.

Bring them to the main workroom of the church offices,

and we will pass them along to someone in need. Thank

you for your generosity.Breakfast on Boulevard coordinators Our Gratitude ForYour Support!I want to thank everyone who

participated in helping with

the Edmond Community

Thanksgiving Dinner, whether

it was through prayer, financial

support, donating food, or

volunteering to help serve. I was

overwhelmed by the outpouring o

love our church has. You are truly

the hands and feet of Christ.

SteveAllis

OutreachMinistryModerat

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The Chalice CONNECTION

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Worshipat First Christian8:15, 9 & 11am2nd Sunday of AdventDecember 5, 2010Message: Rev. Chris ShorowTheme: JoyScripture: Luke 2:15-20

3rd Sunday of AdventDecember 12, 2010Message: Rev. Chris ShorowTheme: LoveScripture: Luke 2:1-14

Give Something That LastsPeace, Hope, Love and Joy!Are you seeking a way to simplify your Christmas gift giving, and share gifts thathonor the birth of Christ? If you would like to share gifts that continue the work ofChrist in our world, we invite you to give Christmas Gifts That Wont Break.

Our Outreach Ministry is offering an alternative gift market providing you with

alternative gifts that truly bring Hope to the world! With an Alternative Christmas giyou honor your loved ones and make a difference in the lives of people around theworld at the same time. Alternative Christmas Gifts dont get returned because therecipient already has one. Theyre perfect for the person who has everything andare sure to bring smiles to the gift recipient and to the faces of those who receive thebenefit of your generosity.

Stop by the gift market table in the rotunda and look through the gift catalog.Inside you will find hope-giving projects such as Infant Crisis Services, RefugeFellowship, and Global Ministries. When you purchase a gift you will receive agreeting card and envelope to give to your gift receipients. Inside the card there willbe a message conveying the gift of hope and details of the goodness you have donein their name. So join us in responding to the needs of the world, by giving your

friends - and those inneed - ChristmasGifts That Wont

Break!