the christian builder - clover...

The Christian Builder April 20, 2017

A weekly publication of First Christian Church Midland Volume 61 No. 16

www.fccmidland.org ● 1301 W. Louisiana Ave., Midland, Texas 79701 ● 432.682.2541

Sunday, April 23 Youth Sunday 10am Sunday School 11am Combined Worship 5pm Stephens Ministry 5pm CELEBRATE 5pm SOLID Monday, April 24 9:30am Staff Meeting Tuesday, April 25 1:15pm Food Pantry Stocking 6pm CLC Program 7:30pm Boy Scouts Rm 105 Wednesday, April 26 7am Men’s Prayer Breakfast 12:30pm Food Pantry 5:30pm Breaking Bread 6pm Elder Meeting 7pm Choir

Friday, April 28 5pm Children's Mission Trip Saturday April 29 8am CIA House 6pm Children’s Mission Returns Sunday, April 30 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Worship 5pm Stephens Ministry 5pm CELEBRATE 5pm SOLID

CHRISTMAS – IN – ACTION WHEN: APRIL 22 2017

SATURDAY 8 AM THROUGH

APRIL 29 2017 SATURDAY 8 AM

Thank you for your journey with us through Lent to Easter!

While there are significant numbers to measure the successes connected with our Lenten

journey, and numbers matter, they are not the whole story.

Yes, we had great crowds throughout the season and several Sundays the attendance neared

300. Easter Sunday we celebrated 8 baptisms, and at the Egg Hunt over 150 new visitor

contacts gave us information so we can tell them about VBS and other church invitations.

That doesn’t count the several hundred return guests.

But I also saw members of every demographic and church history join together to serve, to share, to lead, to invite and

more! I overheard one church member answer the why does FCC do this (egg hunt) question with their own narrative.

Among the phrases that church member used: our church is open and welcoming…this is our gift to the

neighborhood…we do church outside the walls of the church buildings…this is what God’s love looks like.

Both the guest and the church member were smiling the whole time that conversations was taking place…and I was

smiling, too.

We had cooperative help from the City of Midland to dry out the park. We had donations of eggs from folks not even

directly connected to the church. We had community partners present because they too see the importance of going

where the people are.

It was a powerful weekend…and all Lent long.

I looked at one man standing at the hot dog table on Saturday for a very long time, scanning everything in view. I

wondered if he had lost something or if the food had a quality issue of some kind. In the next minute, he engaged in

conversation with a church member working there as he explained he was looking for the prices…he wanted to know

the cost of a hotdog.

The church member smiled and said they’re free, they were our gift. I think he took two.

In the breaking of bread in the form of a hot dog and bun, we were the face of Christ in that moment.

Priceless.

The table we remember and the table we share on Sunday must also be shared in the community or it isn’t much table

at all. The table comes in loaf and cup, in invitation and welcome, and even a cup of water and an ordinary hot dog.

Jesus did it with loaves and fishes in a place that my imagination thinks may have looked a lot like Hill Park.

Where the next table station for FCC? I can’t wait!

The Builder, First Christian Church

Thoughts… Rev. Mike Hunter Senior Minister

Bible Study

Topic: The Last Week

What the Gospels Really Teach About Jesus’ Final Days In Jerusalem

Marcus Borg & John Dominic Crossan

This Sunday: Thursday

Leader: Rev. Mike Hunter

This Week’s Sermon

Youth Sunday

Christ has risen! What a glorious announcement! As a church family and Christian

community, we have gathered to celebrate the resurrection of Christ! Hallelujah!

Last night I came across a preacher who was reflecting on Jesus' final words, "It is

finished…" Notice, Jesus never said I am finished.

“When he had received the drink, Jesus said, "It is finished." With that, he bowed his head

and gave up his spirit.” John 19:30

I believe that Jesus understood that the cross was the start of a new beginning. I believe that Jesus knew the

resurrection was coming, and that through his sacrifice, new life would emerge. With that said, let us not forget the

message of Sunday. Mike said, "The resurrection is a footnote in history unless we are willing to do something about

it."

So, what is it Church? When Jesus gathered with his disciple’s in the days following his crucifixion and resurrection

he breathed the holy spirit into them.

“Again Jesus said, ‘Peace be with you! As God has sent me, I am sending you.’ And with that he breathed on them

and said, “Receive the Holy Spirit.” John 20:21-22

How is Christ breath surrounding you as you are charged to do ministry? How are you living out the message of the

gospel, the truth of God's gift of love? What's next for you?

We live in the year of the resurrection. We are truth givers, with good news to proclaim!


Topics… Rev. T.J. Shoop-York Associate Minister


Elder - On Call

4/16-4/22 George Cooper

4/23-4/29 Tom Jones

Lectionary Scriptures

April 23

Acts 2:14a, 22-32 Psalm 16:1 Peter 1:3-9

John 20:19-31

Disciples Food Pantry April 12, 2017

Families served 66

Total People 248

We continue to rejoice that resources for this

ministry are available.

Church Bulletin Board


Easter Egg Hunts at the CLC.


Special Notes: Our joys, concerns and deepest

needs are already on God’s heart long before we put them to paper.

…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him. Matthew 6:8

Birthday’s

4/3 Mike Harrison

4/5 Adam Bourland

4/7 B.H. Spaw

4/9 Brenda Harrison

4/11 Carolyn Jones

4/12 Rebecca Bell

4/13 Susie Edwards

4/14 Jackie Hendricks

4/17 Tommy Wells

4/18 Jim Burnett

4/18 Jack Campbell

4/18 Margarita Gonzalez

4/19 Jessica Garrett

4/19 Ambrey Stone

4/20 Carter Chandler

4/20 Lisa Kilborn

4/22 Emily Fentem

4/23 Morgan Brown

4/25 Christian Flores

4/26 Kelly Cook

4/26 Brooke Ellis

4/26 Jerry Watson

4/27 Clint Hurst

4/28 Pat Vincent

4/28 Jade Young

4/29 Billy Griffin

Anniversaries 4/6 Ernie & Victoria Gilkerson

4/13 Del & Cathie Windle

4/21 Jerry & Susie Edwards

4/24 Ben & Megan Best

Prayers & Praises Those in need of prayer: June Jarrett Helen Estes Faye Casey Ray & Doris Stewart Robert Crudgingtion Dolores Hodges Clint Hurst Roberta Hurt Bill Schneider Sheila Crudgington Bill Griffin Johnny Espino Doris Stewart Mary Mauldin George Head Bruce Stanley Bill & Char Womack

Military: Joe Henderson - son of Holly Moore Nicky Miller - son of Vicki Miller Kinder McCullough-daughter of Bill & Kelley McCullough

Families/Friends beyond FCC: Sandi Nobles & Family -friend of Ginny Estes Kairos Conde – nephew of Olivia Espino Megan Flores & Family – friend of Khrysti Bair

Jay Cooper – nephew of Cecil & Betty Odom Gale Demlow- sister to Lois Lehtinen Kimber Brown- granddaughter of Lyn Brown Joyce Watkins- mother of Judy Spruell Oscar Garcia – brother of Amparo Olguin Sherri Ladd – daughter-in-law of Butch & Sherry Family of George Capps – cousin of Sara Cranford Mary Elizabeth Droddy - sister of Sara Cranford Jim Truitt- friend of Peggy Jones Bill Bowlin – brother of Mary Lightfoot Ray Ann Zant-Sister to Lyn Brown & Freda Kinsey Ferell Powell- friend of Sharon & Bill Boyd Linda Odell-mother of Jeweli Flores Jessa Davis – grand daughter of Nell Coats Herb Miller – Disciples Minister known to many Family of Vicki Williams – Bea Lea Somerville Dustin Davis – grandson of Nell Coat Richard Smith – son-in-law of Ray Stewart Ed Shelton – nephew of Scotty Alcorn Joe Langford – father of Carol Cook Martha Pollock – friend of Sara Cranford

Please inform the church office if you or a loved one are admitted into a hospital, so we may be there for you & your family.

For submission to prayer list contact any staff, submit via web, or e-mail [email protected]

The Christian Builder First Christian Church 1301 W. Louisiana Ave. Midland, TX 79701

432.682.2541

www.fccmidland.org April 20, 2017

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