FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER | JULY 15, 2020

Koinonia focus

The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Perry is a family that finds ways of

supporting growth through the connection of worship and the compassionate care of

our church members and community.

Serving Schedule

Servers for July 19, 2020

Elders: Norma Hughes, Fred LeValley

Worship Leader: Jay DeBord

8:15 Deacons: Cecil Loveless, Freddie Nichols

10:30 Deacons: Marilyn Branen, David Frazier, Robbie Frazier, Shelley Hawkins

Communion Preparation: Cindy St. Clair

Servers for July 26, 2020

Elders: Sue Klingaman, Jim Sim

Worship Leader: Johnny Fuller

8:15 Deacons: Diana & Nicole Noteware

10:30 Deacons: Matt & Kassy Groom, Levi Karcher, Matt Klinglesmith

Communion Preparation: Cindy St. Clair

Homebound: Sally Frazier, Arlie Goforth

Reports

June 29, 2020 Deposits

General Fund $2,460.00

June 30, 2020

General Fund

(Givelify) $192.99

July 13, 2020

General Fund $2,187.00

Service Attendance

July 5, 2020 July 12, 2020

8:15 Service 34 35

10:30 Service 59 40

Josh’s Jottings (photo by Bruno Glatsch)

The snow packed peaks of the mountains be-

fore him seemed to be calling him home. You could

almost make out the outline of the trees as these

sharp, pointed triangles of green everywhere. There

was almost a moment where he thought he could

smell the evergreen trees from this distance. He

was probably a good three days ride away on the

back of this horse, but he could almost see his place

in his mind’s eye. He knew that the journey was a

rough and arduous one. There would be rivers to

cross, slopes to trudge up, and last but not least,

there was the issue of all the gear he had brought

with him. He could still see the cabin though, in his

mind, perfectly nuzzled against the side of the

mountain. It was as if God started down the top of

the steep mountain, cleared a perfectly level place

and sat down and admired all that had been created.

Then it seemed as though God decided to surround

it with trees to protect the clearing from the harsh

winds that high up the mountain. The man liked to

refer to it as purgatory. It was this liminal space be-

tween the world above and the world below. He

sometimes imagined that might have been the in-

spiration for all those Greek and Roman Gods talk-

ing about Mount Olympus and the like. There was

only one way in and only one way out.

His cabin though, his “palace” sat just below

the level of the clouds. The weather never got too

hot or too cold, it was just right. It was his safe

place and no matter what anyone did. No matter if

the world was totally on fire, this was his sanctuary.

This was his place of solitude and comfort…even if

it was all in his head.

He had learned a long time ago that in the

middle of his prayer time every morning that he

had to create a place to escape the monotony of the

world that he found himself in behind the cubicle

jungle that his education had afforded him. He had

to create a “sanctuary” of sorts so that his mind did-

n’t wander and dwell on the world around him. So

every morning the young man would light a candle,

take a deep breath, put his head phones on and

open his bible to Psalms and read...

Psalms 16 says; “Protect me, O God, for in

you I take refuge.

I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;

I have no good apart from you.’

As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,

in whom is all my delight.

Those who choose another god multiply their sor-

rows;

their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out

or take their names upon my lips.

The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;

you hold my lot.

The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant

places;

I have a goodly heritage.

I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;

in the night also my heart instructs me.

I keep the Lord always before me;

because he is at my right hand, I shall not be

moved.

Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;

my body also rests secure.

For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your

faithful one see the Pit.

You show me the path of life.

In your presence there is fullness of joy;

in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.

How often do you take time to find the beau-

ty in the world surrounding you? Do you have to

create a “safe” place in your mind in order to be in

the loving embrace of the creator?

Three months...that’s the amount of time I

mentally, spiritually, and physically can go without

some sort of break. I have found that in order to

make it that long I have to keep up my spiritual

disciplines of prayer and bible reading. I practice

deep relaxation and meditation practices. I try very

hard to do something that physically pushes me so

that I can put the built up anxious energy that

comes with the calling of being a minister into

something productive. In the times before Perry, I

would go out into my wood shop and make some-

thing out of nothing, ride my motorcycle, go to the

gym, or just do something on the never ending list

of things that we should do like build a fence,

etc.... However I have found that if I don’t escape

and spend three days in silence, writing, and medi-

tating I start to backslide into old habits. My old

habits usually entailed not being able to sleep, not

turning off my brain enough to rest, or the kicker,

constantly feeling as though I have not done

enough for the congregation that I have been called

to serve.

I only share these moments with you be-

cause I think a lot of us are “overfunctioning” at

the moment and it is important to take a moment

and breathe. Find your safe place and just breathe.

God is in control and we just have to slow down

long enough to feel God’s presence and recognize

God’s love in spite of ourselves.

Shalom,

Joshua Bell

Children and Youth Ministry Becoming disciples of Jesus though connecting with the word, each other, and the

community by then serving as Jesus’ disciples.

Hello, everyone! Here is what is go-

ing on with Christian Education:

Vacation Bible School

Vacation Bible School is next week.

We are currently in the process of

decorating for VBS from 2-4pm eve-

ry day. We could really use your

help. We will meet in the Big Room.

If you can come, please come. We

are taking extreme precautions

with VBS this year. Transportation

will no longer be provided due to

safety concerns. We are excited for

a fun week!

Promotion Sunday

On August 16, we will be celebrat-

ing our kids by promoting them in

Sunday School during the 10:30am

worship service. More on that in the

coming weeks.

5th-6th Grade Hangout

The 5th-6th graders will be this

Sunday, July 19 from 4-5pm in the

Big Room. We will be masks are en-

couraged, but not required. Its

sports team night, so dress up! Best

dressed gets a prize! Bring a friend

and a Bible, get a prize! Come join

us for games, a craft, and more!

Disciple’s Kids: Tentatively start-

ing September 9th. More infor-

mation coming soon

Prayers appreciated!

Sara

Rev. Joshua Bell Senior Minister 620/491-3488

Sara Halpin Director of Christian Education & Youth

Shiloah Kennedy Administrative Assistant

Paula Shryock Director of Music

Nancy Wells Organist

Sharon Worrell Custodian

CHURCH OFFICE

(580) 336-4576

perryokfcc@gmail.com

Monday - Friday

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

SUNDAY SERVICES

8:15am or 10:30am

SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15am

Recurring Events

• Board Meetings 2nd Wednesday monthly

7pm

• Church Services Sundays 8:15 & 10:30AM,

Sunday School 9:15AM

• Cross Trainers A Tuesdays at 9AM

• Cross Trainers B Wednesdays at 6:30PM

• Discipleship Meetings 2nd Tuesday monthly

6PM

• Youth Group Sundays 5PM-7PM

• Youth Bible Study Wednesdays at 5:30PM

• 5th & 6th grade hang-out 4:00-5 PM 2nd

Sunday each month

At-A-Glance

Reopening the Church Build-

ing: Phase 3—July 19th

Vacation Bible School: July 20

-24 5:30-8:00 PM

Sign up sheet now available in

the foyer for after service

clean up. We need people to

help clean the sanctuary after

each service.

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