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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. |
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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, March 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.
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Church Office to Close at Noon Today
The church office will close at noon today. Troy and Robin are attending a colleague group meeting at Madison Christian Church and Chris McCayna will be out of the office. If you have an emergency please use the on-call clergy line, (205) 295-6708.
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April 9 - Palm Sunday
10:15 AM - Palm Sunday Worship
We will celebrate Jesus’ triumphal entry into Jerusalem with special music and the traditional procession of palms. Children of any age are invited to meet in the library at 10 to receive palms and line up for the processional.
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April 13 - Maundy Thursday
6:30 - Maundy Thursday Seder Meal
Join us for a Seder meal as we remember Jesus and the disciples gathered around the table for the Last Supper. We will journey together through the Passover story, exploring the symbolism and tradition of this sacred meal.
9 - Prayer Vigil Begins
Following our Maundy Thursday worship service, we will begin a 24-hour prayer vigil. Please sign-up in the narthex or contact the church office if you would like to participate in this meaningful tradition. |
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April 14 - Good Friday
9 PM - Prayer Vigil Ends |
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April 16- Easter Sunday
8 AM - Outdoor Worship
Join us as we celebrate the first light of Easter with a simple outdoor worship service in the prayer garden at First Christian Church. Following worship, a continental breakfast will be served in the fellowship hall.
10:15 AM - Easter Worship
Join us in worship for this holiest of days as we sing, tell, and hear the good news of Christ’s resurrection.
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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.
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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
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Dear Church Family,
Spring is here and the weather feels like it too! We are blessed this week with wonderful weather. These are the type of days we love at The Adventure Nook. It allows the students a lot of outside time on our playground for our students.
We welcomed our 4K Dads and 3K Dads on Tuesday with Donuts for Dads. It was a fun time for all. It is a special time when our Dads come to school.
We will be off next week for our spring break. We pray for a safe and fun time for all.
Thanks once again, for all your love and support.
May God bless you!
Debbie
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THURSDAY, MARCH 23
9:30 am - 2:30 pm
The American Village hosts a Festival of Tulips in the Spring. Join us tomorrow 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.
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God's Promise
KID-led worship
Our children are preparing to lead worship on Sunday, April 23! Join us April 2 at 5:00 pm to be a part of this amazing opportunity!
We will not meet this Sunday, March 26. Enjoy your Spring Break!
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We will not meet this Sunday, March 26. Enjoy your Spring Break!
Youth Mission Dinner
Sunday, April 30
5:00 pm
Mark your calendars now for this fun night of food, music, and comedy - you don't want to miss it!
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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.
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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.
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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. |
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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.
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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.
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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!
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