The Church

Visitor Volume 77 Issue 2 March 2, 2017

3401 Santa Fe Corpus Christi, TX 78411

Phone: 361-854-3044 Fax: 361-854-3062

www.fcc-cc.org

Sunday Schedule

Church School 9:15 a.m. Worship

10:30 a.m.

Staff

Senior Minister Rev. Rusty Wright pastor@fcc-cc.org

Church Coordinator Linda Butler

coordinator@fcc.cc.org

Financial Assistant Mary Grimsbo

finance@fcc-cc.org

Day School dayschool@fcc-cc.org

361-854-1241 Fax: 361-8543062

By the time you read this, we will be in the season of Lent and, as always, we began this 40 day journey to Easter with an Ash Wednesday service. Now, I know many Protestants believe that Ash Wednesday is more of a “Catholic thing” but I believe it can be a very illuminating and humbling experience for everyone and that it truly sets the mood for the events surrounding Easter. It is a somber service during which we are asked to reflect on many things— the times when we fall short of what God intends us to be, our need to repent, and our mortality. Of course, many of us don’t like to think about any of those aspects of our lives. In fact, I think most of us actually try to ignore these Ash Wednesday reminders, especially the last one— that we will die. Because, a lot of us probably still think like we did when we were teenagers, that we are invincible and we will live forever. Of course, we won’t. As we are reminded on Ash Wednesday, “for ashes we are and to ashes we shall return.” Again, because Ash Wednesday is a seen as a Catholic thing for many Protestant, many of us don’t feel the need to receive ashes on our foreheads, refrain from eating meat on Friday or give something up for Lent, or fast. But, as I said in an Ash Wednesday devotional a couple of years ago, I believe we could all benefit from a little fasting, not necessarily from chocolate or beer or some other guilty pleasure, but from the things in our lives that really matter, things that will make a difference to more than just our personal lives. So, maybe we should follow the lead of Rev. Ann Fontaine and begin a fast… and a feast:

A fast from judgment and a feast on compassion

A fast from greed and a feast on generosity

A fast from fear and a feast on peace

A fast from lies and a feast on truth

A fast from gossip and a feast on praise

A fast from anxiety and a feast on patience

A fast from cruelty and a feast on kindness

A fast from discontent and a feast on gratitude

A fast from noise and a feast on silence

A fast from discouragement and a feast on hope

A fast from hatred and feast and a feast on love

You see, giving up things like chocolate or beer only helps you and your relationship with God. But, giving up these other destructive parts of our lives can help others on their journeys as well. Fasting for Lent is not just a Catholic thing, it’s a Christian thing. So, what kind of guilty pleasure will you give up to help yourself, and what kindness will you embrace to help others?

Shalom and Presence,

Rusty

THIS OLD HOUSE

MARCH 2017

“Spring is sprung, the grass is riz, I wonder where the birdie is? The bird is on the wing.

Absurd……………..the wing is on the bird!

Having no idea of where I got that, it is an intro to getting our church proper-ty ready for spring. The landscaping will proceed as soon as we get into the planting schedule. The Ministry Council has approved that spending, and we thank those who have dedicated their $$ to Property!!

Our members cannot do some of this work.

Meanwhile……

The Courtyard project is about complete as carried out by our Ministry members. This was tough work getting mesquite and vines carried out to the street for city pickup. That took sweat from 2 ½ Pillingers and Barry Whelan.

Judith was to ask Tom if he could make an exact dimension drawing for wooden steps in the Courtyard so that said steps can be constructed (bonus for the small people and adults who do not enjoy that huge stepdown)!

The front exterior lighting of the entry to the Sanctuary and the stained glass windows has been accom-plished primarily by Barry Whelan…it took a flagpole lift to get up to the towers.

*We have new signs for the trees dedicated to Don Tuttle and Ruth Beal thanx to Rev. Bird.

*We understand the Baptism “pond” will get a new heater soon. Right now, brrrrr…..

*The walkway lighting is in limbo.

*Perhaps the biggest “ugly” is our doors. We have polka-dot paint on doors after holes were filled and pri-mer paint was dabbed on. We are pursuing bids for the work of painting and installing kick plates on the damaged doors. This is a difficult job to schedule because paint and small children and adults in and out do not go together….

*Worth mentioning: the scout hut is not being used and is an eyesore for the public that enters thru the doors to Fellowship Hall. We feel it could be sprayed with stain for a much better look.

Would anyone like to fund that project??

*While I am at it, some concrete benches are damaged where the children play in the Courtyard. Would you fund that? And the drinking fountain is not working without leaking and the crud under the faucet is aw-ful. How ‘bout that one?

We appreciate that you notice some things being done and that is all the thanx we need. But I ask all of you to drive all the way around the church block, and survey what townspeople see that reflects poorly on us. We hope to get some things accomplished by Easter.

Nan Pillinger- Property Ministry

Property Ministry

Attendance for February 5-26:

512

STEWARDSHIP REPORT for

January 2017

Pledged Income: $29,075.33

Non-pledged Income: $9,424.61

Total Income: $38,499.94

Expenses: $26,265.42

Month Net GAIN: $12,234.52

YTD Net GAIN: $12,234.52

Please welcome Denise Adams into the FCC

Church Family. Denise has been attending since Boar’s

Head weekend and joined our church family Sunday,

February 19. Her address is 4801 Everhart Rd # 6632,

Corpus Christi, TX 78411 and her phone number is 361-

960-6078 and email address is

deniseofcourse@gmail.com.

On Sunday, February 26, another family joined the FCC Church Family. Please

welcome Marc & Valerie Hernandez and daughter Ginger. Their address is 901 S.

Navigation Blvd., Apt 5205, Corpus Christi, TX 78405-4017. The phone number is

361-946-6295 and the email address is valere1115@yahoo.com.

Lenten Devotionals

Again this year we are asking you to reach into yourself, search your soul and write a devotion for the Lenten Season.

Please submit the devotions as soon as possible as the Lenten Season has already begun. One devotional will be sent out by email Monday through Thursday and then on Friday two devotional will be sent out — one for Friday and one for Saturday.

Diamond Disciples’ Spring Luncheon

The Spring luncheon for our Diamond Disciples will be held on Sunday,

April 2, immediately following the service in the Parlor. This luncheon is for

our folks that are 75 years or more and their guests. The invitations will be

sent out soon so watch for it to arrive in the mail. If you are Diamond Disciple

and you do not receive an invitation by March 20th, please call the church

office. It may be that we do not have your birthday in our records.

This luncheon is sponsored by the Pastoral Care Team and they would

like you to come enjoy the food, the fun and fellowship with your

contemporaries.

Pastor’s Class(es) Forming

Ash Wednesday is March 1. It is the first day of Lent and the

traditional time for churches to offer classes for people considering baptism.

Pastor Rusty has been approached by several people considering taking this

next step on their journey of faith, so he will be leading a Pastor’s Class

beginning Sunday, March 5, for anyone wishing to learn more about church

membership and what it means to be baptized into the Body of Christ.

However, the Sunday Pastor’s Class is primarily for kids, so any adults wishing to find out more about baptism

should contact Pastor Rusty so a class designed for them can be scheduled as well. If you are interested or

would like more information, please contact Pastor Rusty or call the church office at 854-3044.

It’s All About the Kids

Day School News

Youth News Continued . . .

Registration Dates

The Day School will have in-house

registration beginning February 27—March 3.

Beginning on March 6, registration will be open to

the public. If you have a child or grandchild or a

friend who has a child, please pass this information

on to them. Have them call the Day School Office

at 361-854-1241.

Recognition Sunday

Sunday, March 26, will be

Day School Recognition Sunday. Please join us on

that Sunday to recognize the students, teachers

and other staff & volunteers. Everyone will have an

opportunity to make a donation to the Day School

Scholarship Fund as well.

Help with the Guatemalan Youth Mission Trip

To the First Christian Church Family;

I cannot say and express how overwhelmed with joy I am to see how our congregational family here at

First Christian has pulled together to help support our youth on this mission trip to Guatemala this summer.

So many of you have come to me and have asked how you can help. Along with your financial and prayer

support there are a few other ways that I can think of as to how you can help with this youth mission trip.

You can help us develop ideas for fundraising; not only ideas; but as well with the implementation of

these ideas.

Donate your American Airlines Reward Miles

Getting the word out!!

If you can help in any of these ways, please feel free to contact me here at the Church. As well, if you have

other ideas that I have not mentioned, please come and see me. The people of First Christian have a wealth

of knowledge and experience that is vital to our youth and without you, our youth cannot accomplish the

dreams that have birthed in their hearts.

In Christ Love,

David A. Bartlett, Youth Pastor

Chili Bowl

The Chili Bowl was a big success again this year. Richard Katz won the coveted

“Golden Spoon” Award. The Chili Bowl brought in over $450. All the proceeds are

designated to help fund the Mission this summer. Thank you to everyone that

participated and to those who helped make this such a big success!!!

The Month of March Serving Schedule

Elders Serving at the Table

Mar 5 Bob Jackson, Terry Klinger

Mar 12 David Getz, Pat Getz

Mar 19 Richard Crews, David Shell

Mar 26 Rick Ott, Brenda Shell

Communion Servers

Allen & Shirley Lowe

Acolytes

Mar 5 Henry Sepulveda, Victoria Sepulveda

Mar 12 Darrian Garrett, Tucker Garrett

Mar 19 Kay Grivich, Faith Snapka

Mar 26 Avery Morgenroth, Madeline Wright

Ushers & Greeters

Billy Dean, Delbert Isley

Flower Delivery

Mar 7 Jeanene Hummell

Mar 14 Molly Bates

Mar 21 Lucille Morris

Mar 28 Ann Nabours-Palacino

Cookie Ministry

Bakers:

Mar 6 Beth Hoekje

Mar 20 Jeanene Hummell

Delivery:

Mar 6 Lucille Morris

Mar 13 Nan Pillinger

Mar 20 Dan & Lisa Sheppard

Mar 27 Alice Sutherland

Communion Preparation

Preparing: Kelle Clark

Clean Up: Kelle Clark

FROM THE MAIL BAG . . .

Julie & Terry Klinger would like to thank our FCC family for all the thoughts and prayers during Ruby Chamberlains illness and hospice care, we very much appreciate Pastor Rusty’s and Pastor TJ’s numerous visits at Ruby’s bedside the past 3 months.

“Thank you so much for all of your phone calls, prayers and cards when I had my knee surgery and again when my husband, Kent, just had his TIA. We certainly felt the prayers being prayed for us. Again thank you to my FCC family.” — Linda Butler

We received a note from Chris Hoover giving us her new address and phone number. She has just most recently moved to Oklahoma. Her new address is 2709 Danforth Road, Edmond, OK 73034 and her phone number is 405-562-3778.

Family of Ruby Chamberlain,

Family of Bob Sallee

David Holloway, Dorothy Klinger, Patricia Bibbs, Lloyd Holmes, Christy Dean, Jo Haggard, Beth

Hoekje, Judy Hampton, David & Nancy Dow, June Pearce, Chris Hoover, Dee Stalter, Eunice Dunn, Melba

Adkins, Brooks Garrett (all at home)

Lois Chesney (Holmgren) Jack Green (Harbor Place)

Vaughn Bowen (Trinity Towers) Doris Williams (Homewood)

Chris Hoover (Edmond, OK) Irene Moore (Round Rock)

Ruth Beal (Lubbock, TX) Betty Clark (Spring, TX)

Remember in Prayer . . .

Prayer Hotline

361-855-9562

“Prayer is the key to

heaven, but faith unlocks the

door.” —Robert Sande

March

Celebrations

Happy Anniver-

04 Drew & Judie Terry

10 John & Debbie Brooker

17 Vinay & Rosie Dulip

Birthday Wishes For . . .

3 Nan Pillinger

3 Henry Sepulveda, III

4 Dan Evans

5 Phyllis Taylor

9 Jack D. Green

10 Judith Whitlock

14 Darrian Garrett

17 Sam Houston Allred

20 Bud Sutphin

20 Stella Beck

22 Beth Ott

26 Eunice Dunn

26 Ruth Beal

26 Dee Stalter

29 Sue Haxton

Editor’s Note: If your birthday or anniversary is not on our list, we may not have it in the church records. Please either call or email the church office with the information — 854-3044 or coordinator@fcc-cc.org

Calendar

Wed, Mar 1 ASH WEDNESDAY 9:00 a.m. Tippi Toes 10:30 a.m. Karate 6:30 p.m. Ash Wednesday Service 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Thurs, Mar 2 10:30 a.m. Day School Chapel 6:00 p.m. Praise Team 6:30 p.m. Handbells 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi 7:40 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:00 p.m. AA

Fri, Mar 3 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi

Sat, Mar 4 12:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Sun, Mar 5 8:00 a.m. Music Dept Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Sunday Classes 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Youth Hand Chimes 4:30 p.m. Youth Group 8:00 p.m. AA

Mon, Mar 6 5:30 p.m. AIR Group Tues, Mar 7 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi 6:30m p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi 8:00 p.m. AA

Wed, Mar 8 9:00 a.m. Tippi Toes 10:30 a.m. Karate 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Thurs, Mar 9 9:00 a.m. Music Club 10:30 a.m. Day School Chapel 6:00 p.m. Praise Team 6:40 p.m. Handbells 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:00 p.m. AA Fri, Mar 10 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi

Sat, Mar 11 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi

Sun, Mar 12 DAYLIGHT SAVINGS TIME BEGINS 8:00 a.m. Music Dept Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Sunday Classes 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Youth Handchimes 11:45 a.m. Elders’ Meeting 4:30 p.m. Youth Group 8:00 p.m. AA

Mon, Mar 13 5:30 p.m. AIR

Tues, Mar 14 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi 8:00 p.m. AA

Wed, Mar 15 9:00 a.m. Tippi Toes 10:30 a.m. Karata 11:00 a.m. Cluster Meeting 6:30 p.m. Ministry Council 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi

March 1 — 18

Thurs, Mar 16 10:30 a.m. Day School Chapel 6:00 p.m. Praise Team 6:40 p.m. Handbells 7:00 p.m. Victims Survivors Support Group 7:40 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:00 p.m. AA

Fri, Mar 17 St Patrick’s Day 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi

Sat, Mar 18 12:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Sun, Mar 19 8:00 a.m. Music Dept Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Sunday Classes 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Youth Handchimes 4:30 p.m. Youth Group 8:00 p.m. AA

Mon, Mar 20 9:00 a.m. Las Donas 5:30 p.m. AIR Group 6:30 p.m. Property Ministry 7:00 p.m. Santa Fe Town Homes HOA Meeting

Tues, Mar 21 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi 8:00 p.m. AA

Wed, Mar 22 9:00 a.m. Tippi Toes 10:30 a.m. Karate 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Thurs, Mar 23 9:00 a.m. Music Club 10:30 a.m. Day School Chapel 6:00 p.m. Praise Team 6:40 p.m. Handbells 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:00 p.m. AA

Fri, Mar 24 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi 1:00 p.m. DAR Sat, Mar 25 1:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Sun, Mar 26 8:00 a.m. Music Dept Rehearsal 9:15 a.m. Sunday Classes 10:30 a.m. Worship 11:30 a.m. Youth Handchimes 4:30 p.m. Youth Group 8:00 p.m. AA Mon, Mar 27 5:30 p.m. AIR 5:30 p.m. Day School Committee

Tues, Mar 28 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi 6:30 p.m. Bible Study 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi 8:00 p.m. AA

Wed, Mar 29 9:00 a.m. Tippi Toes 10:30 a.m. Karate 7:00 p.m. Tai Chi

Thurs, Mar 30 10:30 a.m. Day School Chapel 6:00 p.m. Praise Team 6:40 p.m. Handbells 7:30 p.m. Chancel Choir 8:00 p.m. AA

Fri, Mar 31 9:00 a.m. Tai Chi

Calendar

March 19 — 31

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