12-19-14 Monthly Newsletter - January

Be
Connected
Believe. Belong. Become.
First Christian Church
6630 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68132
402-558-1939
January 2015
Christmas Eve
Candlelight Service
December 24 at 7:30pm
Join us in our beautifully decorated
sanctuary on Christmas Eve. We will
sing Christmas carols, listen to our
talented choir, hear the scriptures
that detail Jesus’ birth, pray together,
break bread together and light and raise our
candle to Silent Night. You will be blessed. And it
will be the best gift you receive this year.
Cultivating Habits
New Sermon Series
Carols and Lessons
Unity Service 10:00am
December 28
Join us the Sunday after
Christmas, December 28, at
10:00am in the Sanctuary for a
service of Carols and Lessons.
We will have lessons taught to
us by Rev. Arlene Johnson,
Fred Goodhew, Gina Simpson
and Lisa Hild. There will also be
a time for people to call out their
favorite Christmas Carol found
in the hymnal, which the entire
congregation will be invited to
sing together.
As we begin a new year, we will be challenged to cultivate
better habits that will enrich our Christian faith. During the
entire month of January we will focus on four particular
habits.
January 4
We will engage in the practice of opening up our Bibles regularly for devotions.
January 11
We will be asked to consider just how important it is for us to
say grace before a meal.
In this Issue
Sunday Worship Schedule
“A Becoming Word”
January 18
Church Family News
We will be offered the opportunity to take up the ancient practice What’s Happening at FCC
of lighting a candle.
Looking Ahead at FCC
January 25
A Look Back at FCC
We will be asked to count our blessings.
Updates & Reminders
...continued on next page Worship Assistant Schedule
Sunday Worship Schedule
Traditional Worship - Chapel……………………………8:00 a.m.
Contemporary Worship/FaithPoint - Sanctuary……….9:00 a.m.
Adult Sunday School Classes:
Victory Class & Lamplighters.………………….……9:30 a.m.
Seekers, “Coffee & Conversation”.…………...…...10:00 a.m.
Homebuilders, & 20-Something's …………….…...10:00 a.m.
Sunday School for Kids - Joy Street ………………….10:00 a.m.
Traditional Worship - Sanctuary………….…….……...11:00 a.m.
Church Staff
Average Attendance in December (1st 2 weeks)
Worship Services - 197
Pastoral Staff
Senior Minister
Rev. Joshua Sawyer
[email protected]
Interim Assoc. Min. Rev. Arlene Johnson
[email protected]
Support Staff
Cultivating Habits. . .continued
Each habit coincides with a time of the day, so that you can find
a habit that fits your busy schedule. People will be invited to
practice each habit wherever they feel comfortable at the same
time; so that we may know that though we our dispersed
geographically we are united in spirit.
Bookkeeper
Kathie Wilmot
[email protected]
Maintenance Engineer
Church Office Closed for
Christmas Day and
New Year’s Day Holidays
Brian Rainey
Nursery Coordinator
Ruth Patterson
[email protected]
Because of the Christmas Day & New Year’s
Day holidays and staff vacations, the church
office will be closed all day on
Office Manager
Lynn Cooper
[email protected]
Thursday, December 25th,
Friday December 26th,
Thursday, January 1st and
Friday, January 2nd.
Youth Director
Randy Parker
[email protected]
Music Staff
Co-Organist
Gina Simpson
Co-Organist
Ann Spangler
Living Water Band Director Kelly Deloske
Manna Band Director
Lisa Hild
Music Director
Fred Goodhew
.
Church Office Hours:
9:00 - 12:00 and 1:00 - 4:00 Mon-Fri
Church Phone:
402-558-1939
Church Website:
firstchristian-omaha.org
Church Email:
[email protected]
Sunday School - 60
Staff Vacation / No Newsletter
December 26th or January 2nd
Pastor Josh will be out of the office and away on paternity
leave from December 25th thru Saturday, January 3rd.
Our Office Manger, Lynn Cooper will be out of the office and
away on vacation from December 25th through January 4th.
Because of her absence, there will not be a newsletter
published on either December 26th or on January 2nd. There
will also be limited office coverage during those days.
If you have news to share in the January 9th
newsletter, please email it into the church
office as soon as possible, but no later than
9:00am on Monday, January 5th.
Thank You.
CHURCH FAMILY NEWS
Prayer Chain
If you know someone who needs to be added
to or removed from the Prayer Chain,
please call Jan Schenck at 402-339-0634
Please Pray For
Church Family: Kelly Deloske, Lillian Huddleston Lana Pleak and Rip
Van Winkle
Family & Friends: Brooke Dahlkoetter and Heidi Hermanson
Hospital Patients: Mary Ann Sorensen
Larger Church Family: Our Interim Regional Minister, Dr. James
Gordon our General Minister and President, Rev. Dr. Sharon Watkins
and the Christian Church in Nebraska and the Nebraska Regional
Staff
This Week’s Honored Shut-In: Mary Jo Colson
Taking Down The Greens
The Ministry of Nurture would like to thank everyone who helped
with the Hanging of the Greens this year. It went smoothly and as
the old proverbs says, “Many hands make light work.” The church is
beautiful thanks to all your help.
Now, we need your hands once again
in the Taking Down of the Greens.
Please plan to help out on Sunday,
January 4, 2015 following the 11:00am
worship service. If we have many hands
the work will be light. All of our hands
are needed so our beautiful decorations
will be available for us next year.
Thank You!
~ The Ministry of Nurture
January Birthdays
Marge Welsch
02
Brent Weeks
03
Sue Humphrey
04
Joe Dodd
05
James Mayfield
08
Linda Allen-Portillo
09
Pat Hotchkiss
13
Ken Shimek
13
Daniel Bussell
14
Janae Shimek
15
Mary Jo Colson
16
Braden West
18
Lois Arnold
19
Allycin Hild
19
Paul Welsch
20
Margaret Oltman
24
Chip Mackenzie
25
Noel Stoddard
25
Larry Moore
26
Emily Osborn
28
Kristina Parsons
28
Megan McMurry
29
Thank You!
We send out at big THANK YOU to Jo Jenson, Sue Humphrey
and Angie Frey for the AWSOME Children’s Christmas
Program last Sunday. Please watch for a story and
pictures in an upcoming newsletter. And a special
thanks to all who helped with the Fellowship
Tea after the program.
The Sewing Group
December 23 Meeting - CANCELLED
The Sewing Group has had to cancel their activities for the month of December. But be
sure to look for more information in this newsletter about what they’re up to in January
and February and how you can help. Please contact Jennie Angle at 402-614-0864
or by email at [email protected] if you have any questions.
What’s Happening at FCC - December
Poinsettias
Christmas Special Offering
We’d like to thank everyone who purchased
a poinsettia to help make our place of worship
even more lovely. The poinsettias will be displayed
in the sanctuary and around the church beginning
Sunday, December 21 as well as for our Christmas
Eve Service. Some of these beautiful plants will be
delivered to our Shut-Ins when we go caroling on the
21st. The plants that you’ve order may be taken home
following the Christmas Eve service or on Sunday,
December 28.
Each year the Outreach Committee selects
specific special offerings to highlight to our
congregation. The Christmas special offering is
a very important offering as the funds raised
through this offering go towards our regional
ministries. Regional ministries exist to cultivate
growth in congregations by demonstrating true
community, deep Christian spirituality, and a
passion for justice, as called for in Micah 6:8.
Regions also educate, empower congregations
to become healthy and vital living witnesses to
the love, justice and grace of
God through Jesus Christ, as is
called for in Acts 2:43-47. This
year's special offering will be
highlighted on December 21 at
all three services.
Advent
Our theme for Advent is Gifts Of The
Season. We’ll be looking at the traditional
time tested gifts of the season: hope,
peace, joy and love. We’ll retell the old,
old stories. Sing carols and hymns and
songs of our communal longing for one to
come forth that we may call Emmanuel,
God with us.
Dec. 21
Gifts of the Season: Love
Samuel 7:1-11, 16 and Luke 1:47-55
Dec. 24
Christmas Eve Candle Light Service at 7:30 p.m.
Gifts of the Season: Jesus Christ
Book Group
For Advent, the Book Group encourages you to
read The Next Door Savior by Max Lucado. This
book draws us to a Savior who is as approachable as a next-door neighbor, yet holy enough to
save humanity. Please join us in the
discussion on December 30 at
7:00pm at the home of Charlene
Wozny, 6318 N 105th Avenue.
Meals for Kelly
As a church family we would like to help Kelly Deloske
by providing 2-3 home cooked meals a week through
the New Year.
The meal may be frozen and brought to the church on
Sunday, so that Kelly can take the meals home with her
for the week. A note with a prayer would be a most
welcomed addition.
Meals delivered Dec. 21
for the week of Dec. 21-27
Meals delivered Dec. 28
for the week of Dec. 28-Jan 3
If you would be willing to provide a
meal or two or three for Kelly and
her family, please contact Lisa Hild
at [email protected]
Christmas Caroling
One of the most joyous activities of this Advent
season is caroling to our shut-ins. On Dec. 21
we’ll have two groups go caroling.
The first group will leave following the 9:00am
service and return around noon. The second
group will leave following the 11:00am service
and return around 2:00pm. A light lunch will be
served for the carolers.
If you would like to join us but did not sign-up,
please call the church office 402-558-1939
BEFORE 3:30pm on Friday the 19th.
What’s Happening at FCC - January...
Chili Feed
The Sewing Group Needs You!
Please plan to join the Youth Group from 10:00am
to 1:00pm on Sunday, January 11th for a Chili
Feed Fundraiser.
Come help us as we make shorts for the boys in
the third world countries. We will also be making
Pocket Prayer Quilts. No sewing experience is
necessary. You can help by cutting fabric, picking
out the fabric pieces for the quilt blocks, pinning,
ironing, or "stuffing" the pocket quilts. We’ll meet
on Tuesday, January 27th 7:00pm in the Lamplighters classroom (room 210). Everyone
is welcome! And, men, that includes
you! Contact Jennie Angle at
402-614-0864 or [email protected]
if you have any questions.
We will have two kinds of chili, cornbread and
some cool drinks to wash it down. The Youth are
raising money for summer camps at Kamp Kaleo
and to help with expenses when
they travel to Columbus, Ohio
to attend the DOC General
Assembly in July of 2015.
Roots and Wings
Roots and Wings will return on Friday,
January 9 at 6:00pm. All children in
grades 4-6 are welcome to attend
along with their parents. The night will begin with a
meal in the Fellowship Hall. Afterwards we will
worship together in the Chapel. Then the parents
will go off for dessert, while the children stay
behind for dessert, discussion and games with
Pastor Josh, Ms. Lizz and Ms. ReAnna. Please
email Josh [email protected] if you
have any questions.
Rachel Women
All women are invited to join the Rachel Women for
their Thursday, January 8th gathering. We will meet
at 10:00am in the church parlor with Jan Dean and
Jan Schenck serving as our hostesses. Barbara
MacNeill will continue our study on women of the
Bible and how we can relate our Christian lives to
their biblical experiences. We will be preparing our
hearts for giving of ourselves in 2015, where we are
needed in our church, community and the world.
During the Christmas season we gave to the our
own church staff, the Omaha Food Bank,
Kamp Kaleo’s Storm Shelter Fund, the
Heart Ministry Center and the Sienna
Francis House. We give thanks that
we can be of service to our Lord!
Book Group
Barb Tentinger will host the Book Group discussion
on January 29 to discuss the book Take Me With
You by Catherine Hyde. In this book, a teacher is
making his annual summer trip to Yellowstone, but
this year with his son's ashes. An unexpected twist
of fate lands him with two extra
passengers, two half-orphans, for
his journey.
Book Group Reading List for 2015
Jan. 29
Take Me with You, by Catherine Hyde
Feb. 26
19th Wife, by David Ebershoff
(available from the Omaha Public Library)
Mar. 26
City of Tranquil Light, by Bo Caldwell
Apr. 29
Sweet By and By, by Todd Johnson
(available from the Omaha Public Library)
May 28
Fall of Marigolds, by Susan Meissner
Nursery News
I read different and unique Christmas stories to the kids the month of December. I continue to bring
in a few clothes and toys to add to the nursery supply. Snacks for January will be Cheerios and
Raspberry filled frosted mini wheats. I think the New Year will be a good time to mix snacks up with
graham crackers, goldfish, and pretzels. Hope everyone had and awesome holiday season.
~Ruth Patterson, Nursery Coordinator
What’s Happening at FCC - January
Youth News
The Youth will be
participating in a Lock-In on Saturday and Sunday,
January 3 and 4. We may go bowling & make pizzas
at the church. On Sunday, January 11 we plan to
hold a Chili Feed during and after worship times.
This will be another one of our fundraisers for our
upcoming Youth activities.
On Monday, January 19, Martin Luther King Day,
we plan to work at the Heart Ministry Center.
Stir
Our Stir worship service will return on Wednesday,
January 7 at 6:30pm in the Fellowship Hall. We will
be joined by three homosexual artist who have
been asked to create artistic pieces in response to
a series of biblical passages that have been interpreted to tell gay and lesbians that they are living
outside of God’s will.
(Note: There will not be a Stir service in February)
Looking Ahead at FCC - February
Roots and Wings
Rachel Women
All children and parents of our 4-6th
graders please make sure to mark your
calendars for our February gathering
on Friday the 13th at 6:00pm. There will be food
and games and fun and worship. Kids, your friends
are always welcome. Childcare can be set up by
contacting Josh at [email protected].
Come join the ladies of the Rachel Women on
Thursday, February 12, at 10:00am in the Church
Parlor. Jane Arnold and Patty Squier will be the
hostesses. More information about our study will be
coming! We would love to see you and
have you share our study, devotions,
lively discussion and have “a cup of
coffee” with us!
Book Group
Sewing Group
The First Christian Book Group will be reading The
19th Wife by David Ebershoff. We will gather for
discussion Thursday, February 26th. The time and
location will be determined at a later date. There
will be 10 copies available from the
Omaha Library. Please contact Barb
MacNeill as soon as possible if you
would like to use one.
The Sewing Group will continue to work on the
Pocket Prayer Quilts and the shorts for the boys
(to go with the pillowcase dresses). You don't
have to have sewing experience to be able to
help out! If you are a quilter and have fabric in
your stash that you no longer want or need, we
could use it for the Pocket Prayer Quilts. Please
make sure that they are no smaller than a 2.5"
square, and you can leave it at the Volunteer
Desk at the church and
mark it for the “Sewing
Group”. If you have any
questions, contact
Jennie Angle at
402-614-0864 or
[email protected]
Youth News
In February the Youth will have their usual Super
Bowl party featuring menu items from the two
teams. This year we will also be doing a food drive
at that time. Look for more details, how you can
help, as we get closer to the super bowl.
Pocket Prayer Quilt
Stir Service
&
Please note that we will not be holding a Stir
Worship Service during the month of February.
Looking Ahead at FCC - February
“SAVE THE DATE”
Be sure to mark your calendars for these upcoming events – You won’t want to miss them!
02-01
02-08
02-12
02-13
02-15
02-22
Youth Group Super Bowl Party
Youth Group Work at Food Pantry
Rachel Women
Roots & Wings
Youth Group Service Work Day
Youth Group Food to Homeless
02-24
02-25
02-26
02-27
02-28
Sewing Group
Elder’s Meeting
Book Group
Youth Group – Acquire The Fire
Ministry of Outreach Meeting
Looking Back at FCC - December
Hanging of the Greens
~ 2014 ~
Looking Back at FCC . . .
Elves Gift Wrapping for CrossOver Prison Ministries
~ 2014 ~
Youth News
The Youth had a successful Pancake
Fundraiser in December. We want
to thank all of who came out to
enjoy some pancakes and help our youth raise
money (almost $400) for their summer trips and
Mission Work
We had a white elephant Christmas party
on December 21st. The white elephant
party gifts are always a blast, with a
nice mix of thoughtful and silly presents.
Kamp Kaleo to Celebrate
50th Anniversary
Saturday, May 2, 2015 is the day of Kamp Kaleo’s
50th Anniversary Celebration. Details on activities,
accommodations, and reservations will follow at a
later date. If you have stories & pictures that you
would be willing to share, or if you have information
concerning alumnae/leaders/counselors who are
part of the Kaleo history, contact Janet Domeier at
[email protected] or mail the information to
her at 910 Rosewood Drive, Lincoln, NE 68510.
Year Book Recognizes Nebraska Congregations
(excerpt taken from the Nebraska Christian December 16, 2014)
The Year Book & Directory of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) lists the congregations that have
reported the largest number of baptisms, membership additions and Disciples Mission Fund contributions
during the previous year. Nebraska congregations recognized in the 2014 Year Book include:
Congregations with 1-50 participating members:
United Baptist-Christian Church, Wilsonville—Six (6) baptisms.
Congregations with 51-100 participating members:
First Christian Church, Weeping Water—Twenty-five (25) baptisms and twenty-nine (29) additions.
First Christian Church, Pawnee City—Twenty (20) additions.
First Christian Church, Aurora—Ten (10) baptisms.
Faith Christian Church, Omaha—$19,339 in DMF contributions (1st in churches of 51-100 partic. mbrs).
First Christian Church, Minden—$2,921 in DMF contributions from Christian Women’s Fellowship.
Congregations with 101-250 participating members:
Southview Christian Church, Lincoln—Twenty-six (26) additions.
First Christian Church, Lincoln—$2,367 in DMF contributions from Christian Women’s Fellowship.
Congratulations to each of these congregations and fellowship groups.
Thank you for representing our regional church so well!
Worship Assistants
Acolytes:
Dec 21: 9:00 – The Hoesing Family
11:00 – The Wozny Family
Dec 28: 10:00 – Davis Family
Children's Sermon:
Dec 21: Josh Sawyer
Dec 28: Arlene Johnson
Church Opener / Closer:
Dec: Fred Goodhew / Brian & Deana Rainey
Jan: Fred Goodhew / Shain Humphrey
Deacons:
Dec 21:
8:00 – Chris Martin and John Martin
9:00 – Lois Green, Lisa Hild, Chip & Mary Ellen
Mackenzie
11:00 – Joe & Sheri Dodd, Malusi Makalima,
Carol McMorris-Smith
Dec 28:
10:00 – Jenna Hoesing, Clara Parker, Levi
Parker, Faith Rolfsen
Elders: Chapel/FaithPoint/Sanct; Comm Call
Dec 21: Barb Tentinger/Dale Wagner/Charlene
Wozny/Ann Spangler; Barb MacNeill
Dec 28: None/None/Ken Shimek/Arlan Rolfsen;
Jim Wilmot
FaithPoint Worship Leaders:
Dec 21: Michael Frey
Dec 28: None - Unity Service
Greeters:
Dec 21: 9:00: East – Jerry & Mary Steele
West – Frank Jenson
11:00: East – Jerry & Mary Steele
West – Mary Wolcott-Breci
Dec 28: 10:00: East – Jerry & Mary Steele
West – Frank Jenson
Holy Grounds Gathering Place Hosts:
Dec: Mark & Linda Trant
Jan: Faith Rolfsen
Lectors:
Dec 21: Zoe Christensen-Warnhoff
Dec 28: Debbie Davis
Organ Chime Ringer:
Dec 21: Connor Parker
Dec 28: Eli Davis
Van Schedule: Driver/Escort/Caller:
Dec 21:
E – Joe Dodd/Sheri Dodd/Marcella Bumann
L – Clara Parker/Dalton Parker/Marcella Bumann
Dec 28:
E – Trey Warnhoff/Allen Mittan/Mildred Hartsell
L – Tim Barry/Arlan Rolfsen/Mildred Hartsell
Please remember to notify the church office at
402-558-1939 if you or someone you know is in the
hospital.
Due to patient privacy laws, the hospital will no
longer notify us.
Thank You!
Directory Update Reminder…
To help us keep our records current and up to date,
and to help reduce our postage
costs, please be sure to let the
church office know if you have a
new or a change in your address,
phone number or email address.
Thank you for your help.
A Christmas Story – Featuring Angie Frey
Do you love the holiday class "A Christmas Story"?
The Christmas spirit is served up with heartfelt warmth
and hilarity in 1940's Indiana. The Rose Theatre is
presenting this beloved family favorite for their holiday
musical presentation this year. The show runs Dec. 5th
through Dec. 28th, and our own Angela Jenson Frey of
our FaithPoint band will be portraying the doting mother
to 9 year-old Ralphie and his little brother, Randy.
Remember that Red Ryder BB Gun, the frozen flagpole, dinner at a Chinese restaurant on Christmas, and
the leg lamp catastrophe.
I triple-dog dare you to unwrap a more entertaining gift
this holiday season. And if you mention that you know
Angela and ask for the cast price, you will get a discount on your tickets to a whole lot of singing, dancing,
and fun!
The Rose Theatre is Omaha's beautiful children's
theatre at 2001 Farnam in downtown Omaha. The
number for reservations is: 402-345-4849, but hurry!
Tickets are selling fast!
Dates:
Friday, December 19 at 7 P.M.
Saturday, December 20 at 2 P.M.
Sunday, December 21 at 2 P.M.
Friday, December 26 at 7 P.M.
Saturday, December 27 at 2 and 7 P.M.
Sunday, December 28 at 2 P.M.
First Christian Church
6630 Dodge Street
Omaha, NE 68132-2794
Web site: firstchristian-omaha.org
e-mail: [email protected]
FIRST CLASS
Return Service Requested
NEWSLETTER SCHEDULE
The First Christian Church newsletter will be published monthly and supplemented with
weekly updates and reminders. For those of you who do not receive your weekly updates by
email, there will be a printed update for you to pick up in the Holy Grounds Gathering Place as
well as in the narthex outside of the Chapel. The schedule for the monthly newsletter for
the upcoming months will be:
**Submission Deadline
February Newsletter - Jan. 22
March Newsletter - Feb. 19
Publication Date
January 28
February 25
**Assigned newsletter articles or story ideas may be emailed to the church office at
[email protected]. Because the newsletters will be printed monthly, it
is imperative that if you have information to share in that publication, that it be emailed
to the church office no later than the Submission Deadline shown above.