March 4, 2020

Volume 57, Number 36

First Christian Church 3501 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903

Office: (479) 783-1139

Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday

Church Staff

Dianna Jackson Director of Music Ministry Mary Beth Oliver Organist Barbara Brown Secretary Pam Shelby Financial Secretary Randy Alexander Custodian Patience Hudlow Nursery Coordinator Lesley Fleming Nursery Attendant Rev. Howard Marshall Pastor Emeritus Rev. Randy Jay Pastor Emeritus

“Where Do You See the Face of God?” Genesis 33:1-11

The life one lives with God and the life one lives with other human beings are two sides of the same coin. They affect each other in deep and profound ways; what happens in one relationship has effects for good or evil on the other. Life with other humans cannot truly be lived out in isola-tion from God if we are to be what the Creator intended us to be.

Our text for this Sunday underscores this truth. In and through Esau, God works to fulfill the promises of life and goodness on behalf of Jacob as they encounter one another in what at first appeared to be a deadly confrontation. In a moment of rec-onciliation and forgiveness, Jacob experi-ences the graciousness of God, this time through the face of his brother: “for truly to see your face is like seeing the face of God.” Is it possible that we could see the face of God in others, even those we dislike or find unacceptable? I think this is a major challenge for all of us in today’s world. It’s a big subject to be sure, but perhaps we can dis-cover some new insights in our worship this Sunday. I look forward to being with you. Jim Johnson

PARTY FOOD POTLUCK—Sunday, March 15

Our congregation has the exceptional opportunity to wish our be-loved Priscilla Soniyyah "Sonna" B. Key farewell as she fulfills God's call to minister to Parkway Christian Church in Springfield, IL. On March 15 we will gather after worship service in Disciples Hall to celebrate and collect a love offering. Please bring your favorite party food dish and let Sonna know how much she means to us. We want to send her off with our love and best wishes as she begins this new life adventure in ministry.

Acts of Kindness

Community Outreach has placed a shamrock tree in the narthex for the month of March. Each shamrock has an act of kindness on the back. The congregation is invited to take a shamrock and fulfill the act printed on the back. Some of the shamrocks simply say: “I am going to...”, and you can decide what your act of kindness will be. Others are specific to kids. Once you fulfill the act, bring the shamrock back to the tree for others to choose. Enjoy spreading kindness!

Cabinet & Ministries Meet

Sunday, March 8

6:00 pm: Called Board Meeting (prior to cabinet meeting) with Cabinet Meeting immediately following the board meeting (in the

Chapel, Administration Building)

6:45 pm: Ministries (in various rooms)

Chairs: Please contact your people and let them know where/when your Ministry will meet.

Sunday, March 15

Called Congregational Meeting at the conclusion of worship

BEANS AND BINGO DINNER MARCH 11

Membership Ministry is hosting a bean, cornbread, and gumbo dinner on March 11 at 5:30 pm. Please bring a small gift to add to our col-lection of prizes for the Bingo win-ners. We will eat from 5:30 to 6:00 then play bingo until the last prize is won. Please join us for good food and a family fun time.

Church Women United

Church Women United will meet Friday, March 6, at Ninth Street Baptist Church, 1023 North 9th Street. The program will celebrate World Day of Prayer. 9:30 am Registration 10:00 am Program

Volume 57, Number 36 Page 2

Fort Smith Disciple (USPS 206-080) published weekly by First Christian Church,3501 Rogers Ave., Fort Smith AR 72903-2961.

Periodical postage paid at Fort Smith, AR. POSTMASTER: Please submit address changes to

FORT SMITH DISCIPLE, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903-2961

March 8

Rev. Dr. Jim Johnson “Where Do You See the Face of God?”

Genesis 33:1-11

Elders Jack Jackson II and Regina Respess Deacon Jesse Bailey Prepare Communion Greta Pryor Greeters Jesse Bailey, Dwayne Pryor, Greta Pryor Worship Leader Danny Lynch

Elder of the Month Danny Lynch-479-719-8759

Church Calendar

Sunday, March 8 8:30 am Mission Café 9:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship (Sanctuary) 3:30 pm Disciples Bells 5:00 pm Jubilation Bells 5-7:00 pm Youth Fellowship 6:00 pm Called Board Meeting Cabinet Meeting (following board

meeting) 6:45 pm Ministry Teams Meet Monday, March 9 9:30 am-12:30pm Hope Campus Tuesday, March 10 9:00 am Staff Meeting 10:00 am Group 1 (Barton Stone Room) 11:30 am Lunch Bunch Larry’s Pizza (6400 Hwy. 71 S) 1:00 pm Group 2 (Parlor) 6:00 pm Group 3 (Barton Stone Room) Wednesday, March 11 10:00 am Prime Time Bells 4:15 pm Children’s Chimes 5:30 pm Beans and Bingo 7:00 pm Chancel Choir

For the Record – March 1

Operating Receipts .................. Endowment ............................. Monthly Budgeted Needs ............................

$20,543.58 510.00

29,118.21

Concern of the Community

Gesine Fowler, Mary Beth Oliver's mother, has been a patient at Baptist Health since last Thursday after falling at home which caused a hip fracture. She will be admitted to Methodist Village for rehabilitation sometime this week.

Van Driver

The van driver for March is Tim Randolph, 479-462-1712.

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

In Memory of Gwen Long by Mae Harris; Hardie & Ginger Jefferies

In Memory of Marlene Rhodes by Mae Harris; Hardie & Ginger Jefferies

In Memory of Dean Randolph, Jr. by Mae Harris; Hardie & Ginger Jefferies

Book Club Meets Soon

FCC Book Club will meet on Tuesday, March 17, in the Barton Stone Room at 10:00 am. We will discuss the book Before We Were Yours by Lisa Wingate. This book is in our Church Library.

On Saturday, three Blue Atlas Cedar trees were plant-ed on the south side of the building. These trees have silvery blue needles and can grow up to 60 feet tall! The tree planting crew consisted of the Pryors, Warrens and Williamsons. Mulch for the project was donated by Dewayne and Greta Pryor. The three trees were a gift from Hardie & Ginger Jefferies, John & Vicki Warren, David & Kristi Williamson.

Guest Pastors

March 8 Rev. Dr. Jim Johnson March 15 Rev. Soniyyah “Sonna” B. Key March 22 Rev. Dr. Jim Johnson