From the Senior Minister...
SUPER BOWL AND
SCOUT SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 1ST
ONE SERVICE ONLY
11 A.M. (Sunday School as usual, 10 a.m.)
We will join together for a great Sunday of
worship. In that hour, we will recognize the out-
standing scouting ministry we have here at First
Christian Church (Girls, Boys, Cub, Venture).
“MOVE IN WEEK” SCHEDULE
We are tentatively scheduled to get the keys to our
new building on Monday, February 2nd. Beginning
that week, we will move into our new building in
what we pray is an orderly fashion. More informa-
tion will be coming soon as to specifics of when we
could use your help in the process. As you can see
from the calendar, we plan to worship in our new
(continued on page 5)
UPCOMING
FCC CALENDAR
Wednesday, January 21st, 6 p.m. - Board Meeting
in the Choir Room (see Agenda, page 2)
Saturday, January 24th, 9 a.m. - Elders/Deacons
Retreat (sanctuary/chapel)
Sunday, January 25th, 10 a.m. - Congregational
Meeting in the sanctuary
Sunday, February 1st - Super Bowl & Scout
Sunday - one service only at 11 a.m. (see article,
page 1)
Monday, February 2nd - beginning of “move in
week” (see article, page 1)
Wednesday, February 4th, 6 p.m. - Cabinet
meeting
Sunday, February 8th - begin our concurrent
worship schedule (see page 2)
February 18th - Ash Wednesday. Receive ashes
and take Communion in the sanctuary, 11:30 a.m.
-1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.
Sunday, March 22nd - “Launch” (Grand Opening)
at FCC!
MISSION: To speak and live for Christ in our community and world. VISION: To be a worshipping community in which all people
At First Christian Church…
We believe God wants to transform our lives individually and collectively for His purpose. In everything we do, we speak and live for Christ. The way we do that is simply to take God’s love and our God given gifts and talents into the world to make a difference. We gather on Sundays to worship and refuel.
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - Tyler, Texas www.fcctyler.org January 21, 2015 Vol. 58 No. 2
2
CONCURRENT SCHEDULE
Beginning Sunday, February 8th, we will be
following our new Sunday schedule:
9:30 - Worship (Traditional in the sanctuary;
Contemporary in our new worship
space)
10:30 - Gathering in Disciples Hall
10:45 - Sunday School for all ages
As you have read elsewhere, the February
8th schedule does not include Sunday School as
we will have a dedication of our new building,
tours, etc. Plus, we will add a celebration
of our 125th anniversary as a congregation and
ministry in Tyler, Texas. Sunday School, at its
new time, will resume February 15th.
DEDICATION SUNDAY
FEBRUARY 8TH
The schedule for Sunday, February 8th, is as
follows:
9:30 - Worship in both venues
10:30 - Dedication and 125th Anniversary
Celebration
We will offer tours of the building and finger foods. A good time will be had by all. Come be a part of your
church family. We anticipate there being quite a few “bugs” to work out in the early weeks, but I encourage
you to invite friends to come with you. We have dedicated Sunday, March 22nd, as our “launch” date in which
we will invite hundreds of people from the community.
AGENDA FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
GENERAL BOARD MEETING
JANUARY 21, 2015
6 P.M.
I. Invocation
II. Roll Call
III. Approval of Minutes
IV. Nominating Committee Report
V. Finance Report
a. Treasurer’s Report
b. 2015 Budget Update
VI. By-Laws Committee
a. Summary Presentation of Policies
VII. Announcements
1) Board meeting minutes reading committee
a. Congregational meeting minutes reading
committee
b. Construction Committee Additions
c. Congregational Meeting January 25, 2015
VIII. Ministers’ Reports
IX. Benediction
X. Adjourn
**The meeting is open to all church members.
FCC FAMILIES: IT’S ALMOST HERE!!
The big building shift, and the big program shifts that come with it, start February 8th. Concurrent worship
services will begin at 9:30 that morning…and every Sunday after!
Know that you can choose our more traditional or more contemporary service, or switch between the two,
and we’ve got a plan for your children.
Children’s Church is getting a makeover but will be a constant in the new building, pulling children ages
3 - 2nd grade from BOTH services to meet together in the children’s wing.
We’ll follow our existing “breakout” model – where children enter worship with their families, participate
in the opening of worship, leave the service for the duration of the message, and return to the same worship
service they left before the end of that service.
Please give us some grace as we work out the kinks in the first few weeks – practicing the logistics of
moving children from two different spaces at slightly different times, and getting them back.
Look for more information and guidance from the Children’s and Welcome teams, also, as we establish
our new computer check-in system in Disciples Hall before and after worship.
We have great plans for our little people…and we ask the opportunity to show you and experience
with you what we have in development. Come see what’s up, at both the 9:30 and 10:45 hours, starting
in February. God is up to something BIG, indeed!
-Ginger Brandt
3
P.A.T.H. (People Attempting
To Help) has regular weekly
needs in receptions, casework
and the food pantry. If you
can help, call Rodd Moffett,
Volunteer Coordinator at
903-617-2817.
www.TylerPATH.org
NEW CONTEMPORARY
ORDER OF WORSHIP
Dear FCC,
As we move into the new worship space, the Contemporary Worship
Team would like to inform you of some changes you will encounter regard-
ing our worship experience. Below is the order, as well as an explanation of
our new format for prayer and Communion.
New Order of Worship:
Gathering
Songs
Sharing of Peace
Prayer
Special Music
Message
Table Invitation
Song
Announcements & Offering Moment
Sending out
The time of prayer will consist of a dedicated moment when everyone is
invited to come forward and light a candle as a symbol of their prayer. Once
the candles have been lit, the pastoral prayer will begin, concluding with the
Lord’s Prayer.
Communion will be served in a manner that is best described as “family
style”. Everyone will have the opportunity to come forward to one of the
two stations on the sides of the stage and serve each other at the station. If
you come forward as an individual, a Deacon will be prepared to serve you.
May we open our hearts, our spirits, and our minds as we enter into this
new era at First Christian Church. These are exciting times, and we cannot
wait to see what God has in store!
Serving Christ with You All,
The Contemporary Worship Team
Dave & Lisa Hill, Co-chairs Dave Maland
Angie Billings Rob Mason
Stephanie Born Buster Sartain
Karen Bradford Jennifer Wills
Rob Bradford Ginger Brandt (ex-officio)
Holly Burke Robert Goodrich (ex-officio)
Adult Sunday School
Believers Class
Rob Bradford
Job
Disciples Class
Mary Waldrop
1/25
"We Pray for One Another"
James 5:13 - 18
2/1
"Feasting and Fasting"
Daniel 1:5, 8 - 17;
Matthew 6:16 - 18
Seekers Class
Jackie Littleton
Cana
“Experiencing the
Words of Jesus”
The Choir/Forum Class
Troy Smith
Genesis Class
“Current Issues”, using the
Rob Bell NOOMA Series.
Koinonia Class
Michael Lewis
Café Class Study in conjunction with
our Children’s Ministry
CONGREGATIONAL MEETING
SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH, 10 A.M.
We will consider approval of the 2015 budget and the revised bylaws.
4
Chris,
I could not let your anniversary of coming to FCC Tyler pass without a personal note of thanks for
your shepherding and service. But the events of yesterday have made me rethink the direction of my comments
and reflect on an important aspect of your stewardship of the "Big Chair" during these past seven years.
One of the continuing challenges of being the Senior Minister of FCC Tyler is the number of current and
former clergy that routinely occupy our pews. From the beloved Loyal Northcutt, Ralph and Mary Maxine
Palmer, Sydney Spain, and Tom Tucker to Earl Gibbs, Bruce Harper, George Richardson, Oden Latham and
Rob Bradford, our congregation has always had men and women whose Spirit Driven lives have enriched
our congregation and given us unique perspectives on the role that discipleship can play.
But these assets come with a price. They are indeed experienced and trained shepherds in their own right
and occasionally during our thirty plus years in attendance we have seen conflicts both large and small
between those well intentioned personalities and the individual then sitting in the "Big Chair."
Relatively early in your tenure, Earl returned to a congregation that he served well and that revered his
leadership. Not only did you make him welcome, but when the time came to celebrate his life, you opened the
pulpit to several of those that had served our congregation under his direction. At the time, I realized that you
were more than willing to take risks to do the right thing with respect to honoring and loving those that had
served and loved this community of faith or the families that they touched.
But you have also invited Ron Bird, Paul Powell and Bishop Strickland to minister to our community and
congregation from the pulpit when appropriate. It is one of the aspects of Holy Week that I have always loved,
but you seemingly are willing to practice it all year long and we all benefit from that generosity.
Recently, when celebrating the life of Marcia Drake, you again displayed this unique generosity in
allowing Richard Dye and Fr. Josh Whitfield to return to a sanctuary that was special in their lives to honor
our congregation and the role we had played in their lives and the life of their mother-in-law and grand-
mother, Marcia. I was touched, as I am sure others were, by their expressions of gratitude to you for the
opportunity to play the major roles in the service, even when you had a long and personal relationship with
the woman whose life we recognized.
Josh made much of the special role that FCC Tyler has played and continues to play in spreading
the Good News of Jesus Christ at the corner of Broadway and Loop 323. If we are to take our ecumenical be-
liefs seriously, then he is every bit the "Timothy" that David Mallory, Barbara Morgan or Micah Hunter are.
Chris, you get it!!!! Your pastorate continues a wonderful tradition of faithful leadership and service as
Senior Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Tyler...I am proud to call you pastor and
friend. May God continue to bless your Ministry with and through our congregation for many years to come.
Tom DeWitt
IF IT’S OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW,
MDO COULD SURE USE YOU!
CHURCH FAMILIES: As you clean out closets and organize children’s spaces in the new year –time to
make room for those Christmas toys! Mother’s Day Out has a few requests. Our FCC MDO program has
certain toy needs you might meet, with things you have but no longer need.
If you have any very gently used toys in the following categories, we would love to receive your dona-
tions over the next 3 weeks. We need them to help outfit our new rooms, and we ask that you drop off items
at the CLC coffee bar during MDO hours (8:30-2:30 M-F), or in the church office anytime.
Fisher Price Little Peoples figurines and play sets (esp. farm animals and people)
My Little Pony figures or play sets
Duplo-sized building blocks (toddler-sized Legos)
Wooden puzzles; infant books & toys (0-1year)
Thomas the Tank Engine magnetic train pieces or play table pieces (we have tracks, but fewer trains!)
Indoor/Outdoor balls of all sizes
Magnetic alphabet & numbers
Manipulatives (sorting)
Flannel board stories
5
Happy Birthday!!
1/26 Woody Flowers
1/28 Mark Randall
1/29 Don Simmons
Ombra Hughes
Mery Vargas
Barbara Diedrick
1/30 Harold Kidd
David Lowry
Sue Fitzgerald
2/1 Jan Copas
Jackie Rollins
Jim Lowell
2/3 Christian Adusei
Sidney Spain
2/4 Jerry Fitzgerald
2/5 Adlyn Smith
Richard Davis
2/6 Spencer Cotton
Bill Power
2/7 Linda Hart
Larry Davis
2/8 James McDonald
Larry Gilliam
2/9 Evelyn Babb
Terry Cockrum
2/10 Jared Cockrum
Joyce Churchill
2/14 Keagan Tijerina
Joanne Archer
Dixi Clay
Happy Anniversary!!
1/29 Bill & Ombra
Hughes
1/31 Chris & Holly Burke
2/6 Jon & Tiffany Honea
Exercise Your Brain Every Monday Night!
Learning Biblical Greek is as easy...as Alpha,
Beta, Gamma! First Year Greek Class
begins February 2nd, 5-6 p.m.
Second Year Greek Class continues, 6-7 p.m.
Meet in the Seekers’ Classroom
Contact Jackie Littleton for more information
(903-534-4677)
YOUTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JANUARY
Friday, January 30th - Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat - $45 per person
Saturday, January 31st - East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Road ,
8:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.
ITEMS OF INTEREST:
Monday, February 2nd, 9:30 a.m. - Deborah Circle
Wednesday, February 4th - Cabinet meeting, 6 p.m. (Plan to stay
for a while as we will be setting goals for our church).
Thursday, February 5th - E Circle, 6:30 p.m. in the Seekers
classroom
It is time to sign up for FCC's 2015 Dinner
with Friends. Dinner with Friends is a program
that engages groups of 6-8 people, allowing
them to get together monthly or bi-monthly at
either a restaurant or at a group member's home
to enjoy food and fellowship. This allows us an
opportunity to get to know others in a relaxed,
friendly environment. We encourage everyone
who worships at FCC to participate. It is such a
great way for new members, old members, regu-
lar attendees, and visitors to meet new people
and get to know others better.
Sign up this Sunday in the church entry or in the church office during the
week, or call the church receptionist any weekday morning to sign up (561-
8138). If you have any questions, contact Margaret Rapp at (903) 253-4410
or Linda Davis at (903) 894-6869.
FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER (continued from page 1)
spaces on Sunday, February 8th, so we will need help
getting everything ready to go.
Your Friend and Pastor,
Chris
FEBRUARY DEACONS
Peter Roach Matt Anderson
Lydia Dougay Percy Wang
David Rozell Ying Ying Yang
Linda Rozell Otto Berndt
Harfon Kemp
Wayne Aaron, Team Leader
WORSHIP JANUARY 25, 2015
Rev. Robert Goodrich preaching
9:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship
Elders: Chris & Ginger Faulk Elders: Al & Sheila Matson
WORSHIP FEBRUARY 1, 2015
Dr. Chris Pulliam preaching 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - One Worship Service
Deacon Team Leader: Wayne Aaron
ATTENDANCE
January 11th
9:00 a.m. - 101
11:00 a.m. - 103
Total Worship - 204
Sunday School - 131
January 18th
9:00 a.m. - 154
11:00 a.m. - 128
Total Worship - 282
Sunday School - 168
Church Calendar
Sunday, January 25th
9:00 AM - Traditional Worship
10:00 AM - Congregational Mtg.
11:00 AM - Contemporary Worship
12:00 PM - Evangelism Min. Team
Youth Ministries
3:00 PM - Jr. High
4:00 PM - Open Gym
5:00 PM - Sr. High
Monday, January 26th
10:00 AM - DWM Leaders Meeting
6:00 PM - Greek Class
Tuesday, January 27th
7:00 AM - Elders breakfast
6:00 PM - Handbell rehearsal
7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal
Wednesday, January 28th 8:00 AM - Breakfast/Bible Study
Thursday, January 29th
7:05 AM - R2D2 Men’s Study
6:30 PM - Praise Band Rehearsal
Friday, January 30th
Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat
Saturday, January 31st
8:30 AM - Youth to E. TX Food
Bank
Sunday, February 1st
10:00 AM - Sunday School
11:00 AM - All-Church Worship
12:00 PM - Youth Ministry
6
Joys & Concerns
We extend our sympathies to Merlin & Capie Long on the passing of
his aunt, Juanita Bailey, January 15th.
Keep these members and their families in our prayers: Sue Gillian,
Gladys Howard, Rosemary Jackson, Jerry Murphy, Robert Patterson...and
our friends: James Cockrell, Becky Gillespie, Mack Lambert, Mary
Padden, Ben Pulliam, Carly Wallace, Chelsey Watts, and Jack Welch.
Christian Fellowship First Christian Church
4202 S. Broadway Tyler, Texas 75701
(903) 561-8138 Website: www.fcctyler.org
E-mail: [email protected]
Christian Fellowship (USPS 559960) Published bi-weekly by First Christian Church
4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701 Periodical Postage paid at Tyler TX
POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP
4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701-8721
THANKS…
A great big THANK YOU!! to the Genesis Sunday School Class and
other attendees of the Contemporary Service for "Undecking the Halls"
on Sunday, January 4th.
Those of us who arrived at 1:00 were pleasantly surprised by your
efforts. Thank you, too, to those who came at 1:00 to finish dismantling
items in the CLC.
We all owe our custodian, Alan, many thanks for taking all boxes, etc.
to the storage area in the garage.
Again, thank you and may this new year bring you God's many blessings.
The 2014 Worship Ministry Teams
End of the Year Financial Statements are Ready!
Statements are available in the Finance Office during the week
or after worship this Sunday. Or you can request an electronic copy
by emailing Tricia ([email protected]) or by going online.