FirstChristianChurch1208WalnutLamar,Mo64759417-682-2118StaffEmailAddresses:LeadMinister: DruAshwell

dru@fcclamar.org417-593-2756

Assoc.Minister: MikeGage mike@fcclamar.org

417-214-4897Youth/Assoc.Minister: StonyCapehart stony@fcclamar.org

918-671-3211Children/Assoc.Minister: EvanClements evan@fcclamar.org 417-214-2835Sec.ofMinistryEnhancement: TamaraMyers tamara@fcclamar.orgSec./Receptionist: TulaIrwin tula@fcclamar.orgFinancialSecretary: BillLisle bill@fcclamar.orgChairmanoftheElders:MattBunton:417-214-2085ChairmanoftheBoard:ScottParker:417-214-7721

December 10, 2019 Volume 56 Number 50

HumorforYourWeek

“Acheerfulheartisgoodmedicine...”Proverbs17:22

ThisWeekinHistory

“Foreverythingthatwaswritteninthepastwaswrittentoteachus...”Romans15:4(see1Cor.10:11also)

Dec.9,1965-CharlieBrownChristmasisbroadcastforthefirsttimeontelevision.Thepopularanimated

musicalspecialaboutChristmaswasbased

onCharlesM.Schulz'scomicstripcalled

Peanuts.Thespecialwascriticallyacclaimedasatellingcommentaryonthelossofthe

spiritofChristmasamongAmericans.Itis

nowscreenedeveryyearatChristmastime

aroundtheworld.

12ThingsaMinisterCannotDobyChuckLawless

Thereare12thingsachurchministercannotdo–eventhoughministersare,inmyjudgment,

amazingpeople.TheyfaithfullyserveSundayafterSunday,oftenwithnodesireforrecognitionor

fame.Infaith,theycandomanythings—buthereare12thingsachurchministercannotdo…

1. Readminds.Everybodyknowsthat,butmanychurchmembersholdministersaccountable

forunstatedexpectations.

2. Beeverywhere.Nohumanbeingcanbeeveryplaceatonce,yetsomemembersstillgetangry

whenministershavetosay“No.”

3. Changehearts.OnlyGodcandothat.

4. Knoweverything.Mostministersstudyhard,butnobodycananswereveryquestion

somebodyasks.

5. Pleaseeverybody.EvenJesuscouldn’tdothat.

6. Livesinlessly.Nobodycan.Includingyou.Andme.We’reallsinners.

7. Growchurches.Ifthechurchdoesgrow,it’sbecauseGoddoesit.

8. Multiplydollars.

9. Escapemistakes.Allofuswillmessupsometime,oftenunintentionallyandeven

unknowingly.

10. Avoidfavoritism.Ministersserveeverybody,buthavingbetter(andbest)friendsisnatural.

11. Revealeverything.Nomatterhowmuchyoumaywanttoknowthedetails,ministersmaynot

beinapositiontotellyou.

12. Ignoresin.Ministersmustaddressthisissue,evenwhenit’snotpopular.

Sayaprayerforyourministerstoday.Theyhaveatoughjob.

Dr.ChuckLawlessservesasProfessorofEvangelismandMissionsandDeanofGraduateStudiesatSoutheasternSeminary.

Family Christmas Pictures Needed!

We are in need of your family Christmas pictures for a project for Christmas Eve.

These pictures can be of yourself, your kids, your grandkids, or family. You can either

email them to the office (tamara@fcclamar.org) or bring them to the

office and Tamara can scan them for you BY DECEMBER 15TH!

Thank you so much for your help!

THIS WEEK AT FCC…

Tuesday, December 10: 9:00 am – Coffee & Conversation – Open to all women – Fellowship Hall 12:00 – 8:00 pm – FCC bell ringing for Salvation army (if you signed up, please check your time) 6:00 pm – Hospice Compassus Grief Support group –

Foyer After school Bible Study for 5th grade with Evan

Wednesday, December 11: 5:00 pm – Senior LIFE Group continues the study,

“Searching for a King” in the Overflow 6:00 pm – Supper @ Six – Fellowship Hall 6:00 pm – JH & HS youth to Thiebaud Aud. Return time 8:30 pm 6:45 pm – Fun With Music for ages 2-3 (Room 103) 6:45 pm – Joyful Noise for ages 4 & Kind. (Room 101) 6:45 pm – Grow Groups for 1st-5th grade (Upstairs Children’s

Wing) 6:45 pm – Women’s Bible Study – Room 232 6:45 pm – Peak of the Week – Fellowship Hall – Studying

Revelation 6:45 pm – Come as UR LIFE Group – Overflow 6:45 pm – Sign Language Class - Auditorium

Thursday, December 12: 12:00 pm – Men’s Group meet at El Charco 7:00 pm – Board Meeting

Saturday, December 14: 7:00 am – Men’s Breakfast 2:00 – 4:00 pm – Graduation Celebration for Isabella

Hagen – FCC Fellowship Hall 5:15 pm – S.P.L.A.S.H. – Chicken Annies

THANK YOU… The family of Lee Hagins wishes to express our heartfelt appreciation for the prayers, cards, flowers, food, St. Jude donations and visits during Lee’s passing. Thank you to Donita, Dorothy and Jo who prepared the family dinner and Mike for giving us peace and comfort at this difficult time. God’s Blessings to each of you. Linda Hagins Gene & Beverly Hagins Lonnie & Pat Hagins I want to thank all the Ladies who gave the widow women a “great” day. The fellowship hall was beautiful. The food was delicious, and Leila’s candy good as always. Thank you again ladies, you are very much loved. Clyta Whitley

A little peek at our Annual Widows’ Tea

December 6, 2019

Sunday, December 15, 2019 – Morning Worship Lord’s Table:

8:00 am: Mike Bunton – Matt Bunton 10:30 am: Steve Slinker – Mark Clements

AM Benediction: 8:00 am: Terry Cook 10:30 am: Steve Gilkey

Sound: Val Kelsey – Candy Hill

Projection: D’Shane Milligan Communion Preparation: Kevin & Gina Little Communion Delivery:

A) Bruce Kelsey – Steve Slinker B) Kirk Campbell – Lendon Blanchard

Van Drivers: Jesse Irwin – Mark Myers

Nursery: 8:00 am: Luke & Michelle White 9:15 am: Teresa Shelton – Tammy Morrison 10:30 am: LeAnn Ashwell

Toddler Worship: 8:00 am: Michelle White 9:15 am: Kent & Dana Slinker 10:30 am: Cinda Miller – Jolene Standley

Beginner Worship: 8:00 am: Michelle White 9:15 am: Cheryl Nims – Tula Irwin 10:30 am: Ron & Emma Bennett

Junior Worship: 1st-3rd – Mike & Beverly Smith 4th & 5th – Stony Capehart Money Counters: Kevin Little – Darren Morrison Elders on Call for December:

Phil VanKirk – Matt Bunton

Youth Christmas Party Dec. 18th

6:00pm to 8:00pm This year’s gift to exchange will be mugs/waterbottles! Theyhave to beunder$10,wrapped, andclean(both without dirt and without anything “dirty” J)!Please bring agift and food!!Any party treator party snackwill work(cookies, partymix, dips, etc…).Drinks will beprovided!

BELIEVE 2020 Jan.24th–25th6th–8thGrade

Registrationformsareout!Spaceislimited!Sign-updeadlineisJan.8th!Costis$35+2meals!Thecostincludes:

ConferenceHotelRoom2Meals

Don’tmissout!Sign-upnow!

PASSITON!Over the next few weeks in Jr.

Worship we will be embarking on a journey to find a “treasure” with our

very own shepherd! This week we searched high and low and found him

hanging on a light in a classroom. Along with him was a card with Psalm 119:105 written on it. We were reminded that God’s word

is a lamp to our feet and a light to our path. It is easy to lose direction in the crazy Christmas season, but we know that God’s word will always guide us. If you are interested in getting your

own “shepherd” for this journey at home, you can pick one up at www.theshepherdstreasure.com. We are looking forward to

continuing our journey next week!

Youcangiveonline,anywhere,anytimebyusingtheQRcodeorfollowthelinkonourwebsite,fcclamar.org.Wewillcontinuetoacceptcashandchecksasalways.Youmayalsobeabletosetupreoccurringgivingwithyourbanktogivewithnofees.

Strong Armor for Weak Sheep

- Part 3

Ephesians 6:16-17

Our Records for the Week

This Week Last Week Sunday School – 163 161 First Service – 116 106 Second Service – 251 210 Total – 367 316 Offering - $10,543.16 $20,201.90 Weekly Budget for 2019 - $11,474.81

The lost & sick Emma Bennett traveling home for Christmas Our Country & our Leaders David & Susan (siblings of Nancy Jolly) Aaron Fowler Emily – Prayers of protection (niece of Chris Hanna)

Richard Smith – Surgery (cousin of Linda Mitchell) Betty Jo Smith – Fall (sister of Dwain Rutledge) Larry Smith – Kidney cancer Landin Myers – Quick healing after leg surgery Heather Clark – Radiation (sister of Amanda Beers) Ashley Klotz – Chemo (sister of Amanda Beers) Lonnie Beisley – ALS (uncle of Amanda Beers) Joe Brundige – Healing from recent stroke Tom Reed – Continued healing MaryAnn Winkler – Upcoming surgery Connie Smith – Surgery recovery Aaron Satterfield – Surgery recovery Pansy & Ted - Health issues (sister & brother in law of

Frances Hill)

Please pray for…

Health prayers…

Sympathy… You are cordially invited to a Graduation Celebration

in Honor of

Isabella Hagen

Saturday, December 14 2:00 – 4:00 pm

FCC Fellowship Hall as she celebrates her Graduation from

Pittsburgh State University

The Butler family – Loss of Betty Butler The White family – Loss of Keith White

Phone: 417.682.2118 Fax: 417.682.2163 Email: office@fcclamar.org Website: www.fcclamar.org

WORSHIP TIMES SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15 am Sunday: 8:00 am & 10:30 am Chapel: 5:00 pm

Small Groups Call the office to find Sunday School Classes out Where and when LIFE Groups these groups meet! Elective Classes 417.682.2118 Men’s Groups Women’s Bible Study

LamarChristianNewsIspublishedweeklyby

FIRSTCHRISTIANCHURCH1208Walnut,Lamar,Missouri64759

2ndClassPostagePaid(USPS-5855400)417.682.2118–phone417.682.2163–fax

First Christian Church 1208 Walnut Lamar, Mo 64759

A Farewell from Alec Sheets, With our final Sunday together approaching, it is time for my last article. Since God has yet to bless me with the skill of goodbyes, I will try to include my thankfulness with some of my favorite memories from the semester. I hope this blesses you as it has blessed me already. I remember walking into the building the first time, greeted with a very loud, ”HEY! You’re not supposed to be here!” which was a warm welcome, to say the least. This was my fault, however, because I showed up a week early. I did not apologize though, I was simply excited to get the chance to begin a relationship with a new church family… and this semester has not disappointed in the slightest. I remember the first youth event I got the chance to attend. It was amazing! We ran all over town and made a bunch of goofy videos, my goofy self with even goofier middle schoolers! Most of them still call me “Brock” from that. I love it. The second youth event was also amazing, except for my stunning ability to injure myself… and it just had to be in front of President Proctor!! *Sigh. That will forever be sermon material. What more should I say? The memories are now flooding in with too little space to write! I remember having the honor of spending time in many of your homes, watching games together (Go Chiefs!), all the while hearing about the rich history of family and faith that has come from Lamar. And I have seen it too--a living history. I remember our Sundays together, however few they feel to me now. I loved the chances to worship with you, or the small conversations about life that happened in the hallways and in the kitchen. I remember the two Sundays where I was allowed to preach from the Word, both of which are special memories to me, which I cherish deeply. And I remember the chance to teach in your Sunday school classes.

But each of those Sundays left me asking, “who is teaching who; who is preaching to who?” While I came and spoke with whatever little wisdom and eloquence I have, I left having been taught—each of you were a sermon more eloquent than could ever be proclaimed from any pulpit. Because you are the lives-well-lived, built upon the grace and truth of Christ, and as a young pastor to be, I needed to see that. Thank you.

I remember… I remember… I remember… I will remember you, and I thank you for being a part of my story and allowing me to be a part of yours. As Paul simply ends his letter in 1 Corinthians, so do I want to end this:

The grace of the Lord Jesus be with you. My love to all of you in Christ Jesus. Amen.