The Christian Builder
March 17, 2016 A weekly publication of First Christian Church Midland Volume 60 No. 11
Sunday, March 20 Palm Sunday 10am Sunday School 11am Combined Worship Choir Musical 5pm CELEBRATE 5pm SOLID
Monday, March 21 9:30am Staff Meeting
Tuesday, March 22 12:30pm Food Pantry Delivery 6:30pm Cub Scouts FLC 7:30pm Boy Scouts, Rm 105
Wednesday, March 23 7am Men’s Prayer Breakfast 12:30pm Food Pantry 5:30pm Breaking Bread 7pm Choir Rehearsal
Thursday, March 17 7pm Maundy Thursday Combined Worship at Memorial Christian Church
Friday, March 18 Office Closed
Saturday, March 26 10:30am Easter Eggstravaganza
Sunday, March 27 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Easter Brunch 11am Traditional Worship
www.fccmidland.org ● 1301 W. Louisiana Ave., Midland, Texas 79701 ● 432.682.2541
CHURCH CALENDAR
Page 2 The Builder, First Christian Church
I was asked by my Rotary Club to give a classification talk this past Tuesday.
The intent is for members from different segments of our community to tell
about themselves and what they do. The catch is they have guidelines that
stress these speakers shouldn’t talk about politics or faith or your individual
church. How awkward is that, for a minister to talk about himself without
talking about himself.
So this is what I said…
You know who I am and what I do. I’m not supposed to say religion or church.
So let’s go about this another way:
I grew up the son of a sharecropper on a working cotton farm. So I experienced the very definition of nonprofit, lived
in several boom and bust cycles, watched the dirt blow more than it ever does here and through all that captured the
need of faith to guide. That has served me well in all things.
My mom went to college the same year I did, graduated, and became a nurse and later a hospital administrator. I
learned from her that can’t and won’t should be in no one’s vocabulary. From her, I learned that why you do
something is more important than what you do. Making a life is worth more than making a living. People who make
a well lived life don’t wind up in my office. Those that work too hard at making a living often do wind up in my
office.
I had a very successful athletic career at a very small high school. No stars, no height, no speed…just 11 young
people willing to work as a team. In the early seventies, we were Hoosiers before that movie was ever made. That
kind of team concept translates well into what I do now. I spend a lot of time coaching people to be part of
something bigger than themselves. That may be both the hardest and most important lesson we all need to constantly
engage.
About 10 years into my officiating career, on an off weekend I picked up a sub assignment for the small consolidated
East Texas School of Carlisle. I was told it was homecoming. When we officials arrived the cheerleaders had
already decorated the small home stands with banners about the Carlisle “dozen”. We didn’t know what that meant.
It came time for the teams to come out of the locker room for the game and the opponents were two divisions larger.
Scores of opposing players and coaches poured out. Then the home team. Only 11 players ran out. And then after an
awkward delay, one more player came out…on crutches and a full leg brace, slowing dragging towards the sidelines.
For four quarters I watched the undermanned team play heroically against all odds, players switching jerseys
between offense and defense, team members helping the changes. Finally a player got hurt and the crutches were
dropped and the 12th hobbled player gimped in as a replacement. He got killed on every play. At the whistle instead
of running back to the huddle, his teammates ran to him, picked him up, carried him to the huddle, called the play
and then carried him to his position. Over and over this happened. The pounding didn’t stop. Finally the injured
player was hurt again and couldn’t be picked up. I went over to him, called an injury timeout and I said he would
have to leave the game.
He looked up at me through his helmet, sweat and dirt and tears staining his face. Ref. You can’t take me out.
There’s no one to take my place.
And I didn’t take him out. The small town rallied around him. They picked him up and the pounding continued to the
final whistle. It was painful to watch and yet I was proud to be a small part of it. It was one of a very few times that I
lingered on the field after the game to shake a players hand.
I’d like to tell you they won the game. It was close, but they didn’t win the score. They won in every other way.
And that is what I hope to do, that’s what I get to do, every day. Be part of a group of people bigger than individuals
who pick others up, leave no one out, and don’t accept can’t or won’t as acceptable answers.
Thoughts… Rev. Mike Hunter Senior Minister
Page 3 The Builder, First Christian Church
Visitors
March 13, 2016
Keith & Sharna Gibbons Zach & Shawna Kilborn
Mady Mapp Nic & Aidan Ramsey
Tyler Swinson Sharon Bessire Bilbrey Family Brown Family
Carter Family
Lana Cooley
Cindy Ellis Elliott Espino Family
Nita Fradenburg Suzanne Gonzalez
Heather Johnson & Family
Joey Johnson & Family
Cassidy Jones Mark Kimball
Lastoka Family Jimmie Munn
Jiovanni Natera Byrlene Paulsen
H.A. Tuck Sawyer Witte
Attendance
March 13, 2016
Worship Service Contemporary 71 Total 71
Worship Service Traditional 133 Nursery 3 Children’s Church 17 Total 153
Total 224
Sunday School Nursery 3 Children 20 Youth 16 Adult 68 Total 107
On Sunday, March 27 part of our Easter Celebration is to gather and share in a meal. We will be having an Easter Brunch at 10am (will take the place of Sunday School).
On the menu is Breakfast Casserole, Breads/Muffins and Fruit. If you would like to
bring an item please contact Vicki Rymal at 349-6980 or at [email protected]..
Stephen Ministry
There will be an Introductory Workshop about Stephen
Ministry on Saturday, April 30, 2016 at Christ Church
Anglican, 5501 N. Midkiff, Midland from 9-1 pm. Lunch is
provided. If you are interested in Stephen Ministry this Introductory
Workshop is for you. At the Stephen Ministry Introductory Workshop,
you’ll find out how Stephen Ministry works, discover the impact it has in
people’s lives, experience a sample of Stephen Minister training, and learn
how to bring Stephen Ministry to your congregation.
To attend, contact Tom Jones 553-5456 or Mike Hunter 682-2541.
Easter Eggstravaganza is less than 2 weeks
away.
The candy/toy filled eggs are “rolling” in.
We are right at 10,000. We have a couple of
1,000 or so that need to be filled. If you
would like to volunteer, we have the
‘fillings’.
Activities have been planned. The inflatable jumpers have been reserved.
Generators have been secured (if you have a generator that we could use,
please let us know). Signs have been put up at each corner of Hill Park
advertising this event. So what more do we need to do to make this the best
“Easter Eggstravaganza Ever”? We need YOU!
You can come and join us for an exciting adventure as we reach out to the
children and their families in our neighborhood and our community. You
can be a part of one of the following activities: face painting, crafts, musical
chairs, taking pictures, sharing/telling the Easter Story, overlooking an
inflatable jumper, registration, cooking/serving hot dogs and drinks. Or you
can help set up and or tear down. You can be a greeter and walk around the
park greeting our visitors and sharing with them the wonderful things that
are taking place at FCC and invite them to join us for church on Sunday.
Invite the children in your neighborhood or the children of those that you
work with.
There is something for everyone of all ages to help make this an
unforgettable experience for all who attend.
REMEMBER – it’s Saturday, March 26, 10:30am – 1pm at Hill Park! Don’t
miss out on the adventure! Come and join us!
Page 4 The Builder, First Christian Church
Ponderings… Rev. Paula Brooks Associate Minister
Adult Sunday School Studies
Mixed Blessings - Room 102 Topic: How Jesus Became God Leader: Bill Bucy
2 Chronicles 7:14 - Library Topic: Twelve Unlikely Heroes Leader: Lisa Kilborn
Genesis - Parlor Topic: Scripture: Leader:
Fellowship - Room 307 Topic: Conflict in Jerusalem Part 1 Scripture: Matthew 21 Leader: Jim Mauldin
Young Disciples-Room 201 Topic: Betrayed & Arrested Scripture: John 18 Leader: Paula Brooks
Children’s Activities
Sunday School 10am Join us this Sunday for a special lesson about Palm Sunday.
Children's Church Topic: Lent 6: Triumphant Entry
Celebrate Grades K-5 5-7pm Join us at 5pm this Sunday for special Easter Activities.
Church Bulletin Board
Lectionary Scriptures
March 20, 2016
Psalm 118:1-2, 19-29
Luke 19:28-40
Page 5 The Builder, First Christian Church
Elder - On Call
3/13-3/20 Lisa Kilborn 3/20 Fred Schwiening
Online Giving
You can now give to FCC through our website! You can make a one-time donation, pay the fees for a children's or youth event, or set up recurring donations.
Online giving is convenient, safe, easy to track, and easy to schedule on a regular basis.
FCC Welcomes New Members On Sunday, March 13, Bill and Lea Ann Schneider and Julio Rodriguez joined FCC by transfer of membership.
We are blessed in having them become a part of our church family.
Page 6 The Builder, First Christian Church
3/15 Dan O’Grady
3/15 Bill Terry
3/16 John Schnable
3/17 Kay Hill
3/19 Grace Young
3/19 Francisco Cardozo
3/20 Teresa Griffin
3/21 Tim Sneed
3/22 Paul Haden
3/23 Spencer Armour
3/23 David Davis
3/23 Fred Yates
3/23 Nicholas Harrison
3/24 Mike Stephenson
3/30 Joe Gassie
3/31 David McGehee
3/31 Gary Thompson
3/17 Beau & Barbara Estes
3/17 Joe Gassie & Pat Vincent
3/17 Wayne & Pam Young
3/18 Paul & Terri Haden
3/18 Tom & Kay Hill
3/21 Jon Aaron & Magen House
3/25 Ken & Jo Sneed
3/25 Johnny & Charla Espino
Page 7 The Builder, First Christian Church
Website & You Tube
Don’t forget our website (www.fccmidland.org) for news, publications,
and You Tube for previous sermons!
Social Media
Become a friend of ours on Facebook and “Like” us.
www.facebook.com/fccmidland
www.facebook.com/fcccm
E-mail Provider
Please be sure that your e-mail provider accepts e-mails from
fccmidland.org. We have had several e-mails sent
back to us, and solving the problem would help us get
accurate and up-to-date information to you.
Also check out FCC’s Children’s, Youth & Children’s Learning
Center pages on Facebook and “Like” us.
Follow us on Twitter (@fccmidland)
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
Prayer’s & Praises
Those in need of prayer: Bill Griffin Pat Howard June Jarrett Jerry Johnson Johnny Espino Doris Stewart Mary Mauldin John & Mary Lou Midkiff Erlene Thomas George Head Bruce Stanley Bill & Char Womack
Military: Joe Henderson - son of Holly Moore Nicky Miller - son of Vicki Miller
Families/Friends beyond FCC: Kimberly Smith & Family – Bea Lea Somerville Vickie Williams & Family – Bea Lea Somerville Anetta Arnett – mother of Garry Arnett Family of Kirby Collier – Jill Wright Bob Black Family – Janice Courtney Anderson Family – Janice Courtney Vark Family – Janice Courtney Shannon Midkiff – John & Mary Lou Midlkiff & Janie Slagle
Martha Belden – granddaughter of Enid Davis Barbara Brown – Dolores Hodges sister Jay Zumwalt – brother-in-law of Stephen & Betty Forbes Trent Hawthorne- great-nephew of Austella Berry Dustin Davis – grandson of Nell Coats Donna McAdams – friend of Patty Walsh John McCuan – brother of Patty Walsh Charlie Younger – friend of Dean Rucker Richard Smith – son-in-law of Ray Stewart Marcia Chandler – friend of Ray Stewart Austin Millican – friend of Vicki Rymal Patrick Mauldin – son of Jim Mauldin Melissa Thompson – daughter-in-law of Gary & Carol Thompson Father of Sean McCarthy – co worker of Bob Rymal Pam Ruffin – friend of Mary Beth Corbett Dennis Blevins – friend of Mary Beth Corbett Ed Shelton – nephew of Scotty Alcorn Janice Smith – sister-in-law of Eveline Smith McCuan George Capps – cousin of Sara Cranford Randy Quimby – uncle of Lynda Terry Nieta Stephenson – mother of Mike Stephenson & Michelle Hepfer Joe Langford – father of Carol Cook Martha Pollock – friend of Sara Cranford Liz Hickerson – friend of Leslie Vines Abbye Irons – friend of Steve Vaughan Walker Hughes – grandson of Steve & Lucille Vaughan Brenda Bradshaw – friend of Lucille Vaughan Jo Smith – daughter-in-law of Donna Lathrop Tom Hewitt - brother of Anne Schwiening 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 March 17, 2016
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