the christian builder - clover...

The Christian Builder

March 7, 2013

A weekly publication of First Christian Church Midland Volume 57 No.10

Church Calendar

Sunday, March 10 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Worship 10pm Youth Winter Retreat Departs Tuesday, March 12 9:30am Concerns 7pm PDAP 7:30pm Boy Scouts Wednesday, March 13 5:30pm Breaking Bread 6:30pm Choir Rehearsal Friday, March 15 10am Youth Winter Retreat Return Saturday, March 16 8:30-12pm Church Work Day Sunday, March 17 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Worship 5-7pm Pastor’s Class 5-7pm CELEBRATE (Children) 5-7pm SOLID (Youth)

www.fccmidland.org ● 1301 W. Louisiana, Midland, Texas, 79701 ● (432) 682-2541

Water Well Needed for Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat

A new water well is one of the major items on the "Wish List" for LBCR. The estimated cost for a new well and equipment to service the camp is from $27,500 to $30,000.

A local Midland businessman has offered a Challenge Pledge of up to $15,000 to be matched by the Central Area for the completion of this improvement for LBCR. This offer is good until June 1, 2013. Please consider this opportunity to help improve LBCR for our children, both for the near and long term.

Any questions please call Mike Nance at 432-425-3997 or Traci Hall, Camp Administrator at 325-784-2541

Remember to set your clocks ahead one hour

The Builder, First Christian Church

Thoughts… Rev. Mike Hunter Senior Minister

Life check: do you measure by what has been or what could be? It’s really a trick question, because I believe the healthy answer is both. Two funerals this week were filled with the healthy. Remembering the gifts and graces of lives well lived and their influence on the generations that followed…the church they touched…those carrying forward their

legacies…were both remembering what has been AND what can be.

The very deepest and most significant understandings of the Christian faith are also both. What God has done on our behalf and how we will live out that grace gift so that others can see God in us. What has been. What can be. Healthy both.

But we’re not always healthy.

Unwise it would be to consider what could be without a connection to the history of what has been, past success and failure. Counting the cost is how scripture explains it. Unwise, foolish, scripture describes moving forward is just such a way.

I often define it as chasing the worthy. I cannot tell you how many times individuals and organizations (churches, too) launch into some worthwhile endeavor less than fully prepared because the could be got way out ahead of what has been. Individualism in our culture, doing our own thing, is fraught with this worthy to me thought. Folks going in many directions, often disconnected from the core, is often the result. Over time, you can forget the main mission. I recently had one organization describe their pursuit of worth as building the airplane while flying.

I don’t think I want to travel with them!

Closer to home, I’ve led perhaps a dozen impromptu tours through our construction zone thus far, and folks are self-revealing in how they measure.

For many, as they look around they see the potential, the conceptual future, the reasons why we are doing this project. For others, they cannot help but see the space as it was. What happened to that wall? Where did (fill in the blank with some past specific here) go? How will we do what we used to do when the space was different? Did you ask so-and-so if you could move that?

What was is important. We should never lose our connection with the past. But we should remember the very best of what most of us cherish from our past, especially in the church, was at one moment, someone’s best thought of what could be.

A balanced approach to holding one and seeking the other is the true healthy.

How healthy are you?

What has been…what could be…how do you measure?

Consider a spiritual exercise during Lent to monitor how you measure, for just one day.


March 3, 2013

Contemporary Worship 50 Children’s Church 6 Total 56

Traditional Worship 103 Children’s Church 9 Nursery 3 Total 115 Combined Total 171

Sunday School Nursery 3 Children 8 Youth 17 Adult 59 Total 87

Musings… Rev. Cory Glover Associate Minister

Visitors Corner March 3, 2013

Attendance

Thanks for Thanks for Thanks for Thanks for

worshipping worshipping worshipping worshipping

with us!with us!with us!with us!

Upcoming Youth EventsUpcoming Youth EventsUpcoming Youth EventsUpcoming Youth Events

• March 10-15 - Youth Winter Retreat • March 17 - SOLID 5-7pm • April 7 - Youth Sunday • April 19-21 - CYF Spring Rally

Jenice Barella Morgan Brown

Cecilio & Christian Flores Mycah Glover

Suzanne Gonzalez Rob, Hayley & Zane Helms

Michelle, Kristen, Kathe & Katie Hepfer

Sarah & Emma Johnson Shelley, Lindsey & Garrett

McGlothlin Johnna Morgan Curtis Pechacek

Crystal Perez Juliana Pontes Joel Ramirez

Jennifer, Nic & Aidan Ramsey Robert Staib

Art & Carla Wilson

By the time you read this, we will be a few short days away from Winter Retreat 2013! The anticipation is already building. Our youth and sponsors are excited about

everything they will experience through community, spirituality, adventure, and some gorgeous scenery!

You have already been overwhelmingly supportive of this trip. For that, we are truly grateful. Yet, many have asked how they might help us.

So, here are some ways for you to engage with Winter Retreat 2013:

1) Pray! Start praying now for safe travels and open hearts. It's no secret that special things happen in our faith during moments like this. I've made it well known that we are not in the travel business, but we are in the transformation business. Change of pace + change of place = change of perspective. Pray for transformation to happen.

2) Cookies! I've never met a teenager who didn't like cookies...usually lots of them. If you are a person who shows your love and affection through baked goods, we'd love for you to love on us! We have a very long bus ride ahead of us on Sunday, so feel free to bring some snacks and goodies on Sunday morning to worship!

3) Seek God! While on the mountain, we will be exploring the theme of "Be the Change", based on the famous Gandhi quote. We'll be looking for ways to Be the Change in our lives, communities, and the world around us. You can join us in that exploration! Join us in seeking God for new ways we can be challenged to grow in service this Lent.

4) Pray! You can never have enough of that.

Did I mention cookies?


Anniversaries 3/12 - Charles & Lu Ann Morgan

Birthdays

3/9 Mycah Glover

3/10 Jo Sneed Chris Reynolds Susan Bickham

3/11 Dorcas Walton Randy Hicklin Kinder McCullough

3/12 Marty Gregory

3/13 Enid Hunter Louise Jones

3/14 Phil McKown

3/15 Bill Terry Dan O’Grady Nicholas Scarafile Kobi Strickland Natalie Morgan

Ponderings… Rev. Paula Brooks Associate Minister

Pastor’s Class is well underway! We have had 2 classes so far with 2 remaining.

One important aspect of Pastor’s Class is that each child is paired with an Elder who serves as their Mentor during this process. That Elder attends each class, spends time with them outside of class time, sends them notes in the mail, stands with them when they make

their Profession of Faith, and is present when they are baptized. As each week goes by, their relationships grow and bloom and even continues as the process comes to an end, and as the child grows in his/her relationship with Jesus Christ.

During my years of ministry, I have been a part of many Pastor’s Classes, each exceptional in its own way. This past Sunday we gathered for the second time and the children got to meet their Elder Mentors. As they spent time getting to know one another the atmosphere was filled with excitement and a little nervous chatter. The bonding between mentor and child quickly took place as they began to learn about each other. I quietly sat and listened as they spent time sharing. I believe without a doubt that over the next five weeks that the bonding that has already begun will grow stronger and stronger and that life long relationships will form.

I am honored, blessed and privileged to be a part of this process. I am thankful for those Sunday School teachers who have already been guiding our children as they form that foundation of faith. I am thankful for the Elders who are playing a special role in the lives of these children. I am thankful for parents who long for their children to know and love God with all their heart, soul and mind and to have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ. And I am thankful for this church family who offers their love, support and most importantly of all their prayers as we travel this journey.

I am looking forward to Easter with great anticipation. However, I’m going to travel slow and be careful so that I don’t miss any of the signs along the way.

In loving partnership,

Luke Bourland Dave Burgard

Katie Hepfer Brenda Nance

Jakob Vines Mike Nance

Kylar Mills Jill Wright

Layne Banks Jo Sneed

Katie Hepfer Twana Evers

Kristen Hepfer Doris Miller


Lectionary Scriptures

March 10, 2013

Joshua 5:9-12; Psalm 32; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21;

Luke 15:1-3, 11b-21

Elder - On - Call

3/3 - 3/9 Tim Miller

Church Bulletin Board

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 and safe, easy to track, and easy to

schedule on a regular basis.

This Week’s Sermon

Inappropriately Elevated Letting Go of Idolatry

Mark 11:15-19

New Address

Hazel Somerville has moved to Manor Park Rehab Center Room 301 A

2200 N Loop 250 W. Midland, TX

CongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulationsCongratulations

A great big welcome to Alexander Frank Bianchi. Alexander was born on March 3, 2013, weighing in at 6 lb. 11 oz. and 18” long.

Alexander is the son of Andy & Sue Bianchi. Proud grandparents are Andrew & Cheba Bianchi who quickly traveled to California to meet their new grandson.

Our Deepest SympathyOur Deepest SympathyOur Deepest SympathyOur Deepest Sympathy

We extend our heartfelt sympathy and prayers to the following family who have

recently lost a loved one:

The Family of A.J. Weatherl…….A. J. passed away on Thursday, February 28, 2013 in Midland, TX. Memorial services were held Monday, March 4, 2013 at Nalley Pickle &

Welch Funeral Home in Midland, TX. A. J. is the father of Kathleen Scarafile, grandfather of Ross Crawford & Nickolas Scarafile & great grandfather of Wyatt Crawford. Please keep

A. J.’s family in your prayers.

The Family of Jerry Sloan – Jerry passed away Saturday, March 2, 2013 in Dallas, TX.

Memorial Services were held Wednesday, March 6, 2013, at First Christian Church

in Midland, TX.


Church Bulletin Board Adult Sunday School Studies

Mixed Blessings/Pairs & Spares Room 301 Topic: Sunday’s Scripture

II Chronicles 7:14 Room 302 Topic: Jesus: God’s Truth Revealed in Christ Scripture: John 7:1-24 Leader: Class Members

Genesis Topic: Come to the Well Redefining Prayer part 2 Scripture: Genesis 24& 25:19-28 Leader: Paula Brooks

Fellowship Topic: Women of the Old Testament - Rebekah Scripture: Genesis 16 & 21:1-21 Leader: Jim Mauldin

Mike Hunter’s Class Topic: Golden Calves and Sacred Cows Scripture: Lenten Devotional as guide Leader: Mike Hunter

Children’s Activities for Sunday,

March 10, 2013

Sunday School Lesson: Lent 4: Jesus Shows Us What God is Like Leader: Pam Young Children’s Church Topic: Lent 4 - Transfiguration

CELEBRATE There will be no CELEBRATE or Pastor’s Class this Sunday. Both will resume next Sunday, March 17, at the regular scheduled time.

Calling all FCC Ladies!

Central Area Ladies Retreat

“When Life Gives You Lemons”

April 5th-7th, 2013 Lake Brownwood Christian Retreat

For more information about the retreat please go to

www.centralareawomensretreat.com

Memorial Food Pantry

Put us on your grocery list! Winter food focus is peanut butter and jelly.

We also need volunteers on Tuesdays at 1:45 to help unload the truck and Wednesdays from 1-3 to help distribute food to clients.

Church Work Day

We will be having a church work day Saturday, March 9th from 8:30-12:oo. Our planned projects are to replace lights in Gym, clean out rain gutters, remove water fountains, some painting, and make NE flower beds more pleasing to the eye.

All Are Invited to an “Egg Stuffing” Party

The Genesis Sunday School Class & friends will be gathering at Michael’s on Thursday, March 21, 2013 at 6:30 for food, fellowship & fun as we stuff Easter Eggs for the Eggstravaganza. If you would like to join us we ask that you bring a bag of candy and/or items to place in the eggs. All are invited to come and join us for a fun filled evening. We have many, many, many eggs to fill.


Website Don’t forget to check out our

website (www.fccmidland.org) for news, publications, and

previous sermons!

Prayer Room Social Media

Become a friend of ours on Facebook and “Like” us.

www.facebook.com/fccmidland

Follow us on Twitter (@fccmidland)

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.

Special Note: Prayer list names are renewed every three weeks as we seek to keep the list as current as possible and

allow space for new requests. 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

Chapel Lock Box Code #1301

Check out FCC’s Children’s page on Facebook and “Like” us

www.facebook.com/fcccm

Those is the hospital: Hazel Somerville –Manor Park Rehab Michelle Helms - MMH Those in need of prayer: Pat Kirk Faye Casey Pat Pickle Mike Nance Dee Head Bruce Stanley Bill & Char Womack Judy Spruell Curtis Pechacek Those in extended/long term care: Blanche Alcorn H.G. Bedford Nancy Gill Clarese Gough - mother of Jeannie Gough & Janice Beckner Jerry Johnson Jackie Hanna Charlotte Millican Keith Somerville Mary Jane Strobel Dorothy Wadley Military: Trevor Forbes - son of Stephen & Betty Forbes Joe Henderson - son of Holly Moore Nicky Miller - son of Vicki Miller Damon Darnell - grandson of Floyd & Doris Miller Bennett Dobbs - extended family of the Espino’s Eric Schuff - extended family of the Espino’s Families/Friends beyond FCC: Ava Bazaldu – great granddaughter of Floyd & Doris Miller The Family of Lee Wise – Enid Davis Ian Carr – grandson of Dorothy Carr Blake Woods – friend of John Ross Walker Hughes – grandson of Steve & Lucille Vaughan The Hickey Family – Sara Cranford Debby Leach Wallace – friend of Betty Conly Pete Herndon – nephew of Vicki Miller The De Lucas Family – Sara Cranford Nancy Cranford – sister-in-law of Mark Cranford Charles Lout – friend of George & Dee Head Brenda Bradshaw – friend of Lucille Vaughan Corinne Sandifer – granddaughter of Huey & Kristina Sandifer Kerry Arnett – brother of Garry Arnett Carl Oliver – friend of Dorothy Wadley Phyllis Knauff – aunt of Kristina Sandifer Jo Smith – daughter-in-law of Donna Lathrop Tom Hewitt - brother of Anne Schwiening Sherry Harrington - friend of Jake Spruell Kim Walters - foster daughter of Diane Bailey Fisher Teena Atchley - friend of Kay Hill Families/Friends beyond FCC in long term care: Stan Wigley & family - friends of LuAnn Morgan Lori Hays - cousin of Mary Anne Benton Sonya Hopkins - friend of Kelley McCullough

For submission to prayer list contact the staff Or submit via web, or e-mail

[email protected]

The Christian BuilderThe Christian BuilderThe Christian BuilderThe Christian Builder First Christian Church 1301 W. Louisiana Ave Midland, TX 79701

432-682-2541

online at: www.fccmidland.org March 7, 2013

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org US Postage

Paid Midland, TX 79711

Permit No. 145

Save the Date and Get Involved!

We are in need of already filled Easter Eggs and bags of candy!We are in need of already filled Easter Eggs and bags of candy!

You can drop them by the church office or bring them to worship.You can drop them by the church office or bring them to worship.

the christian builder - clover...

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