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Where the Grace of God Awaits You!
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Midweek Update for March 15
Coming Soon at FCC

Today

5:30 p.m.
Lenten Dinner
6:15 p.m.
Eventide Lenten Worship
6:45 p.m.
Choir Practice
7:00 p.m.
Easter Cantata Practice

Sunday, March 19
9:00 a.m.
Sunday School 
10:15 a.m.
Morning Worship
5:00 p.m. 
Children & Youth

Monday - Thursday 
9:30 a.m. - 1: 30 p.m.
The Adventure Nook Preschool & MDO

Monday, March 20
7:00 a.m. 
Men's Bible Study
6:30 p.m.
Mission Council

Tuesday, March 21
10:00 a.m.
Ladies Bible Study
Prayer Requests 
Prayer requests are
regularly shared 
through our
CareLine telephone 
messages. To share
a prayer request or
to add a telephone
number to receive
CareLine messages,
please email the
church office
or call
991-5000. 
PRAYERS OF THE PEOPLE
 
Prayers for Health & Healing:
Martha Johnson
Mary Nelson
Ron Owens
Nickey Rudd
 
Prayers for Those Receiving Long-Term Medical Care:
Jane Belcher

Janet Clark
Marlene Dillon
David Hamilton
Kathie Owens
Susan Smith


Prayers for Those who Mourn:
The family of Dotsy Kennedy.  Dotsy passed away on Sunday, March 12.  A private memorial service for immediate family will be held in the prayer garden on Saturday.
Sunday Servants for March 19

Elders on Call
June Pryor
Joye Taylor

Deacons
Barbara Carpenter
Carl Crosby
Linda Crosby
Bob Lamb
Janice Lamb
Scott Long
William Mee
Jim Perkins
Bebe Randell
Ginny White

Preparer
Ashley Chester & June Pryor

Sunday School Greeter
Steve Pasky

Worship Greeters (Door)
Shine & Virginia Guthrie

Sanctuary Greeter
Barbara Wyrosdick

Acolytes
Addy & Emma Taylor
 
Children’s Worship & Wonder 
Storyteller:

Ashley Chester
Greeters:
Jennifer Powell
Linnea & Kallie Blakemore

Nursery Volunteer
Eliza Blankenship
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LENTEN SERMON SERIES

When you hear the number forty, as in the forty days of Lent, your mind might start connecting some dots.  Forty days and forty nights of flooding rain, until all signs of life were gone.   The Israelites, freed from captivity but stuck wandering in the desert wilderness for forty years.  Moses up on Mt. Sinai, fasting for forty days and forty nights, until finally he descended the mountain with the ten commandments.  Elijah, who had a good meal and then traveled forty days and forty nights until he reached Mt. Horeb.  Jonah walking the streets of Nineveh, proclaiming God’s message that they had only forty days to repent.  Outside of the number forty, the common denominator in all these stories is wilderness, literal or figurative.  The wilderness is a desolated place.  Wilderness gives us a sense of the absence of God.  The wilderness is that place where our faith is challenged, and our discipleship grows.  This Lenten season, we will wander through some of the wilderness stories in scripture, seeking God's direction for our lives.  Join us on Sunday mornings throughout Lent for our latest sermon series, "Into the Wilderness."

Audio recordings of recent sermons are available to stream or download here.

Lenten Supper and Worship Series

We invite you to make worship a priority this Lenten season by attending Eventide, our Lenten supper and worship services on Wednesday nights (continuing March 15, 22, and April 5). Following supper at 5:30 PM,  we will worship in the sanctuary at  6:15 PM. Worship will feature singing, interactive prayers, reflections on scripture, and communion. We will receive donations to offset the cost of meals. Come join us for this special time of devotion and worship.

Recommendations for Congregational Leadership
 
As defined in the Constitution and Bylaws, the Nominating Committee has started the process of identifying candidates for congregational leadership positions to be presented to the congregation for approval at our annual congregational meeting. As you may be aware, many of these positions have changed as we transition to the new Constitution and Bylaws effective July 1st. We would like to provide the opportunity for members of the congregation to offer input into the nomination process. The elected positions under consideration under the new Constitution and Bylaws are:
  • Moderator-Elect
  • Secretary
  • Treasurer
  • 3 Trustees
  • Discipleship Mission Chair
  • Connections Mission Chair
  • Outreach Mission Chair
  • Ministry Support Mission Chair
  • Deacons for the Class of 2020 (Deacons whose service ends June 30, 2020)
If you have any recommendations for any of these positions or any questions regarding any position, please feel free to contact the church office or any member of the Nominating Committee. The Nominating Committee members are: Darren Williamson, Ann Langley, Linda Browning, Deb Carpenter, Jim Baxter, Art Varvoutis, and Joshua Berry

New Pastoral Care Team

We are pleased to announce the creation of a new Pastoral Care Team for First Christian Church.  This small group of dedicated church leaders will work with our ministers, Elders, and congregation in a continuing process to care for all members of our church community.  Specifically, the Pastoral Care Team will partner with our ministers to visit the ill at home or in the hospital, support those going through a life crisis, maintain contact with those unable to attend church due to a short-term illness or disability, support friends and family involved in care giving, and comfort the bereaved.
 
Our new Pastoral Care Team members are Jim Baxter, Clarissa Harms, Marian Moon, June Pryor, and Joye Taylor. They have received several hours of training, and are ready to begin their work.  As needs arise in our church family, these team members and the pastors will work together to provide appropriate care and support.
 
Dear church family,

We have been enrolling students for the fall! The classes are filling up nicely! We have also welcomed 7 new friends to The Adventure Nook this semester. 

We love having visitors at school.  If anyone of you would like to read or have another talent you would like to share with us just let me know. We also welcome you just to stop by for a visit if you are over this way and have the time.

We are always busy at school.  Our three and four-year old classes are working hard on special gifts for their Dads and we will honor them with Donuts for Dads on the 21st.

We are also working on our program for the art and music show which will be on April 20 at 6:30. We would love for you to come and see our children perform in the sanctuary and enjoy their lovely artwork. 

Thanks for all the love and support you show T.A.N.!

May God bless you!
Debbie

RESCHEDULED

THURSDAY, MARCH 23

9:30 am - 2:30 pm

Due to the freezing temperatures, we are rescheduling the American Village trip until next week - it's not too late to sign up if you'd like to join us!

The American Village hosts a Festival of Tulips in the Spring. Join us for a day at the village, you can pick your own tulips, tour the grounds and we'll have lunch too (cost not included). Space is limited. To register email Robin. Cost of the trip is $10, payable the day of the trip.

Congratulations on the birth of Logan Pratt Carter, born on March 8, weighing in at 8lbs 7oz and 21 inches long.  The proud parents are Sarah and Jonathan Carter.  Logan is the grandson of Tammy O'Sheilds and the great-grandson of Carolyn Goodall.

Congratulations to Chris Whitehead

Former church member Chris Whitehead is now serving as the pastor of Azalea Hills Christian Church in Mobile, and will be ordained into Christian ministry this Sunday, March 19.  Rev. Troy Tatum will be preaching the ordination service and representing First Christian Church.  Congratulations to Chris on this affirmation of his calling and ministry! 

*Please note: with Troy in Mobile for Chris's ordination, Robin Blakemore will preach and lead worship for us this Sunday.
This Week:
Join us Sunday evenings from 5:00 - 6:30 pm.  Activities for ages 3 years - 5th grade include music, games, stories, and crafts.
                               
This Week:
Join us Sundays from 5:00-7:00 pm for 6th -12th grade. Each week we'll share supper, games, bible study, conversation, and faith!
MISSION COUNCIL
The Mission Council will meet on Monday, March 20 at 6:30 p.m.  
The coat drive will be coming up again this Fall and the clearance sales are going on now.  We will be concentrating on new or gently used hoodies and sweatshirts for women and children.
The Easter Hydrangea sign up sheet is in the narthex.  If you would like to purchase an Hydrangea in honor or memory of a loved one.

The cost is $21.50 per plant and the deadline for purchasing an Hydrangea is Sunday, April 9.
Now Hiring
First Christian Church is actively seeking to fill two staff positions.  We are searching for an additional paid nursery worker for Sunday mornings. Interested applicants should contact Robin Blakemore.  We are also searching for a music director.  More information about the music director position, including how to apply, is available here.
March Church Calendar & Serving Schedule
Please click here to download the March calendar and schedule. Printed copies will also be available in the narthex on Sunday.
Electronic Giving:
Fast, Easy, & Secure

We respond to the Good News of God's love by joyfully bringing our tithes and offerings to God, and giving online is a fast, secure, and easy way to do just that.  You can even schedule your offering for carefree, automatic withdrawal.

To create a secure login and schedule a recurring gift, please click here.

To login to your existing profile, please click here.

For help and more information, please click here.

Thank you for considering this option for giving, and thank you for your generosity and support of what God is doing at First Christian Church!
Copyright © 2017 First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Birmingham, Alabama, All rights reserved.


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