MEN’S PANCAKE BREAKFAST
“WOMEN ARE INVITED”
Ladies!!! You are invited to join the Men’s Pancake Breakfast on Saturday, May 14th at 8:00 a.m. In recognition of Mother’s Day, each year the men invite the ladies to join them. The men will be preparing, serving, AND cleaning up! Please be sure to let Jim Reed know if you are planning to attend.
CHURCH MICE AT FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
There has been a great deal of “mice” activity in recent days. On April 9th and workday and general clean-up was accomplished by James Gazaway, Glen and Martha Heckman, Mike and Nancy Holcomb, Joe Humerickhouse, Kathy Phelps, Jim and Segie Reed, and Leroy Rigby. Joe Humerickhouse placed four new pavers in the Memorial Garden. Nancy Holcomb spent several hours pressure washing bricks! Elena Smyers was seen weeding, and Jim and Segie Reed staked plants. Great thanks to all who serve our church in this way.
EASTER EGG HUNT AND PARTY
Dan and Haley Brown
Christian Education
We had a wonderful Easter party and Egg Hunt for the children this year. We had over 35 children participate in the festivities. We had crafts, games, snacks, an egg hunt, and, of course, prizes and goodie bags for the children. We could not have done it without the help and support of our congregation. Thanks to everyone who donated candy and/or toys for the party. Special thanks to Pastor Gazaway who gave a memorable presentation of the Easter story to the eager children. We would also like to thank Kathy Phelps for providing the beautiful cake and cupcakes. Many thanks to those who assisted with the party: Sharon Oakes, Jerrie Dunlap, Michele Panici, Ashley Panici, and Kathy Phelps. This was a great opportunity to reach out to the children in our community and share the love of Jesus!
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UPCOMING YOUTH EVENTS
VACATION BIBLE SCHOOL 2011
Shake It Up Cafe: Where Kids Carry Out God's Recipe
Get ready for another exciting VBS adventure this summer! This year's theme, Shake It Up Cafe: Where Kids Carry Out God's Recipe, is an energizing, Bible-based program that will give children a recipe for living out God's Word. This curriculum will offer the children opportunities to celebrate biblical festivals from both the Old Testament and New Testament, all while having fun in an exciting restaurant and kitchen themed environment! The children will learn five "secret ingredients" that help them to understand key steps they can take to live as followers of God. We are excited about this year's theme for VBS. We are in need of "chefs" with a specialty of serving up the Word of God to children!
Would you like to spend a week at Shake It Up Cafe teaching kids the secret ingredients for being a follower of God? At Shake It Up Cafe, we will celebrate biblical festivals through dramas, crafts, games, science activities, music and hours of fun! Please contact Haley Brown at haleydyanb@yahoo.com or 850-607-9096.
UPCOMING RETREAT
“Being Beloved: Young Adult Spirituality & Sexuality
May 15 – May 20, 2011
Retreat on beautiful Lake Martin. Registration is $60.00 and includes lodging and meals. Space is limited so please register early to reserve your space. Registration and fee MUST be postmarked by May 9, 2011. Directions and refund policy is listed on the back of the registration form. See bulletin board for registration form.
JYF
We won’t have our regular meeting for May so that we can honor our Mothers and Grandmothers. We are planning a summer kick-off party after school is out. We’ll get together for fun events during the summer, but won’t have regular youth meetings again until fall.
VOLUNTEERS NEEDED
Parents and potential helpers: We need your hands, hearts, skills, passion, energy, and leadership in our Youth Program. Step out of your comfort zone and jump in. Come make a difference in the life of a young person!
Want to volunteer? Requirements: A love for God and a passion for children. Opportunities for every schedule. We have many ways that you can minister to children in a time frame that will work for you. You will not be alone. You’ll be supported by other volunteers and the Youth Director. There will be training provided. Please contact the Youth Director, Michele Panici, who will talk with you more about volunteer opportunities.
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FELLOWSHIP HOSTS NEEDED
Fellowship hosts are needed for May 1, 8, and 15th. Please sign up in Bogan Hall if you can help in this ministry.
MEMBERSHIP ROLLS
The Membership Committee and the Church Clerk have been trying to reestablish contact with many members who are listed on the official membership rolls. A verification of status letter was sent out in an attempt to determine if they wished to remain an active member. We were happy to make contact with about 25 members, but for others our letters came back due to an invalid address. Sadly, we received no response to many of the letters.
The committee and clerk are aware that some of you may still be in touch with some of our lost lambs and are hoping you will take a few moments to look over a list that will be posted on the bulletin board as you enter Bogan Hall. If you have current information, please provide it to Betty Miller, Jerrie Dunlap or Linda Fields and we will attempt to contact them again. Thank you for your help.
LENTEN MID-WEEK SERIES A HUGH SUCCESS
The Worship Committee would like to extend their thanks to Pastor Gazaway for his presentation and coordination of the “speakers” for the Lenten series this year! And the Membership Committee would like to thank all the members and friends that shared their pots of soup, bread and/or desserts with everyone.
MYSTERY SOLVED
Your Sr. Adult program coordinator has to apologize for the “Sweet Harmony Grits” not being at the April luncheon last week. It appears I thought “The Girls” were coming in April and they thought they were coming in May. I’m going to claim a double excuse (blond and senior moments) for the mix up; but am happy to report that they will appear at the May luncheon!! Linda Fields
CHURCH BY-LAWS BEING REVIEWED
At the April 11th church board meeting, Chairman Ken Smyers requested the board members review the current by-laws before the next meeting. On April 12th, Board Secretary, Linda Fields, placed a double spaced copy of the current by-laws containing the two approved amendments (which added associate members and changed the number of board meetings) in each of the board member boxes. After the review, the Board would vote on any change to the by-laws, the proposed changes would be published later this year, and then the congregation would be asked to vote on the changes - possibly at the October congregational meeting if the review and Board voting is completed.
BE SURE TO WELCOME OUR NEWEST MEMBERS
SHIRLEY JONES stepped forward on April 17th, 2011 to transfer in her membership. Shirley and her husband Lonnie have been attending church services for several weeks and they joined in on the Lenten services and April’s Sr. Adult Luncheon.
BARBARA GABRIEL stepped forward on April 17th, 2011 to transfer in her membership. Barbara has been serving as our interim choir director for several months and had filled in for Richard Jernigan before he left. Since that time, Barbara has accepted the position as Choir Director, and we sincerely wish her the best.
Shirley Jones Barbara Gabriel
The Membership Committee would like to extend a warm welcome to Shirley Jones and Barbara Gabriel and pray as they continue their personal spiritual journeys toward our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, will be fulfilled here at First Christian.
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SLOW DOWN - STOP
CHECK TO SEE IF DOORS ARE
“SECURED/LATCHED/LOCKED”
Every so often we find an outside door that is not locked, or the door is locked, looks closed- but the lock did not catch to secure the door!! Our doors have automatic closers that do not always close and lock the doors securely. Be sure to push the doors to ensure that they are locked.
The church has received a report that some youth have been seen testing the door handles. So it is up to all of us to verify that all doors are secured when we leave the church.
Many of you may know the Deacons try to secure the building at the end of traditional service/fellowship, but they may leave before the last person, group or committee leaves for the day. They may have done their job only to have someone else leave the building later in the day.
There are numerous persons with keys who come and go all times of day and evening. Be sure to check all doors when you leave (e.g., while your meeting may be in Bogan Hall someone may leave by another door).
If you are inside, push on the frame (not the handle). If it opens, pull it shut and try again. If it still pushes open then the door is not locked.
If you are outside, pull on the handle. If it opens, push it shut and try again. If it still pulls open, the door is not locked.
When checking the main entrance, test all four (4) door panels.
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We Worship Him
|
ATTENDANCE
|
Apr
3
|
Apr
10
|
Apr
17
|
|
Sunday School
|
35
|
39
|
47
|
|
Contemporary
|
19
|
16
|
26
|
|
Traditional
|
78
|
91
|
82
|
|
STEWARDSHIP SUMMARY REPORT
|
|
-- ON GENERAL FUND –
|
|
|
Balance Forward
|
12/31/2010
|
3,537.56
|
|
JAN/
FEB
|
Tithes / Offering
|
|
30,512.40
|
|
Gifts to Gen. Fund
|
|
519.49
|
|
Operating Expenses
|
|
-29,577.80
|
|
Ending Balance
|
2/28/2011
|
4,991.65
|
|
MAR
|
Tithes / Offering
|
3/31/2011
|
15,176.70
|
|
Gifts to Gen. Fund
|
336.86
|
|
Operating Expenses
|
-16,461.59
|
|
Ending Balance
|
4,043.62
|
|
APR
|
1st Day Expenses
|
|
-2,007.54
|
|
General Fund Balance
|
4/1/2011
|
2,036.08
|
APRIL
WORSHIP AND COMMUNION LEADERS
24th – Bill Oakes, Worship–Sharon Oakes, Communion
EASTER SUNRISE SERVICE
April 24th at 6:15 AM
Continental Breakfast to Follow
APRIL SERMONS
April 24th – Easter Sunrise Service
April 24th – Easter Sunday
“Yesterday, Today, and Tomorrow”
Matthew 28:1-10
WORSHIP AND FELLOWSHIP HOURS
9:00 AM - Contemporary Service
10:00 AM - Sunday school
11:00 AM - Traditional Worship
12:00 AM - Fellowship Hour
6:30 PM - Sunday Evening Study
WELCOME TO OUR NEW
CHOIR DIRECTOR
We would like to extend a warm welcome to our new choir director, Barbara Gabriel. Barb has been serving as interim choir director since Richard Jernigan left and we are excited to have her on our staff. We welcome her and hope she will be blessed by her ministry.
TRUMPETER
Trumpet form of Easter Lily,
Though your silent all day long,
Still you send your spring time message
Clearly as if played in song.
You are saying, “He is risen,
Clothed in shining raiment white,
As my flowering grew from darkness
To the radiance of the light.”
Trumpet form of Easter lily,
Symbol of new life and spring,
Form of beauty, but you’re treasured,
For the message that you bring.
by Evelyn Reiser