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YEAR 2019 ISSUE 20 MAY 14, 2019
A “MOTHER’S HEART” by Rev. Jack Mullins
Tuesday, May 14 6:30pm Living the Questions
Wednesday, May 15 6:00pm Faith & Food
Sunday, May 19 12:00pm EnVision Board Mtg 5:30pm Fellowship 6:00pm Worship
Tuesday, May 21 6:30pm Living the Questions
For those who revel in catching the preacher making a mistake (which, trust me, isn’t that hard to do), it was pointed out that Sunday, I “misspoke” and used the name of Harriet Beecher Stowe, when I intended to identify Julia Ward Howe as the author of “The Battle Hymn of the Republic” and one of the earliest advocates for the establishment of “Mother’s Day”. I have no defense, but please allow me to point out that both were women, they were more or less contemporaries, both are renowned and the last three letters of each of their last names were “owe”.jm
BEES!!! We have Bees!!! If you’ve been to the playground, between the building and the playground you may have noticed a few bees flying around. We have a beehive in the wall of my office!
We had a beekeeper out on Monday. Two, actually and they both began their conversations with "uggghhhh! That's quite a swarm! That's going to be in your wall, ya' know?" The keeper who will be doing the job will be out at lunch on Wednesday with her heat-sensing camera to pinpoint the actual location of the hive in the wall.
When we arrange for the actual removal to take place, they will have to seal the office, and cut into the wall to remove the bees and the hive. I'm not sure what this will require in preparation of my office for the actual bees' removal. They will create the hole, and we will have to repair it.
That's what I know. We will keep you informed for those who are curious, those who may be allergic or simply want to avoid getting stung! Please be aware that the bees seem to be the most active in the late afternoon, as the “harvesters” are returning to the hive, so there are many swarmed up. Be careful, and like bears, “Don’t poke the bees!”
Tuesday, May 14 6:45pm Living the Questions (Harvest House) 7:00pm EmPowHer Disciples Women (Gathering Area)
Wednesday, May 15 6:00pm Wednesday Night Live (Fellowship Hall) 7:00pm Faith & Food Discussion Group (Parlor) 7:00pm Choir Rehearsal (Choir Room)
Sunday, May 19
9:30am Sunday School 10:50am Worship (Sanctuary) 12:00pm EnVision Board Meeting (Fellowship Hall) 12:00pm Nominating Committee (Parlor) 5:30pm EnVision Fellowship (Fellowship Hall) 6:00pm The Table: EnVision Worship (Fellowship Hall)
Tuesday, May 21 6:45pm Living the Questions (Harvest House)
MAY 14, 2019 2 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Rory Duncan—May 11
Charlotte Nabors—May 14
Barbara Anderson—May 17
Bill Farris—May 18
Henrietta Lehman—May 20
Doris Laing—May 20
Karen Fry—May 23
Charlie Johnson—May 30
Disciples Women EmPowHer group will
meet Tuesday, May 14
at 7:00pm in the Gathering Area
for Bible Study & Fellowship
The study this month is on The Mustard Seed, Mark 4:30-32,
Matthew 13:31-32, and Luke 13:18-19.
www.fccdenton.org/calendar
Don’t forget! BLOOD DRIVE
Sunday, May 19
10am—1pm
Call the church office to
make your appointment
Please wear your nametag at church!
If you need a nametag, please come
by the church office
NOMINATING COMMITTEE Members of the Nominating Committee will meet immediately following the 10:50 worship service on Sunday, May 19th in the Parlor. Please make plans to attend and let Susan Phillips know if you are not going to be available.
MAY 14, 2019 3 FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
DISCIPLES WOMEN REGIONAL ASSEMBLY by Linda Morrow
The Disciples Women of the Southwest Region will meet this year in Kerrville. The dates are June 21st-23rd. The theme is “What Does The Lord Require of You?” Micah 6:8. The Assembly is being held at Inn of the Hills Hotel and Conference Center in Kerrville. Rooms are $109 plus tax/night and reservations number is 800-292-5690. The cost of the retreat is $125 if you register by June 1st. That fee includes the evening meal on Friday and noon meal on Saturday. Breakfast on Saturday will be at FCC Kerrville. (Breakfast is not served at the hotel). The evening meal Saturday is on your own and the assembly ends after worship on Sunday morning. You may go to ccsw.org/disciples-women and register. You should call for rooms soon.
Ascension (May 30) is the day when we remember Jesus’ return to heaven after his resurrection, and Pentecost (June 9) is when we celebrate the outpouring of the Holy Spirit on Jesus’ disciples - often known as the ‘birthday of the Church’. The nine days between these two key celebrations offer us an opportunity for prayer and reflection as we long for that gift of the Holy Spirit for ourselves and our communities.
In the time between Ascension and Pentecost, we will invite you to pray with us, “Thy Kingdom Come” - that the Holy Spirit would come and bless and challenge us to witness to God’s life-changing work and to discover new habits and ways of praying to God, that those whom you know might come to know Jesus.
by Your Outreach Ministry Team
Our Outreach collection for the month of May for the Denton Community Food enter is toddler foods, easy to eat and chew, found in the baby food aisle of your local store. Many foods are now packaged in "tubes", so keep your eyes open. Remember that your cash donation to the Food Center can bring a return of up to eight times your donation! Kraft Mac 'n Cheese is also acceptable. Looking ahead, in the month of June, as well as our regular Food Center collection, we will begin collecting cash to donate to Denton Interfaith Ministries, for their back-to-school Apple Tree Program for registered families. We will have our cute little lighted tree up in The Gathering Area, and for every $50.00 collected we will add an "apple" to our tree. Let's work towards a bountiful "harvest" to turn over to Denton Interfaith! And: THANK YOU ALL SO much for all you do for our wider community!
May 12–18
It's the perfect time to commit to taking steps for a healthier you! Where are you on your health journey, and where do you want to go? Health is a lifelong journey. It's personal. It's unique. It's yours! This National Women's Health Week, commit to working on healthy goals for a healthier you!
www.womenshealth.gov
#FindYourHealth #NWHW
https://disciples.org/congregations/texas-church-conducts-survey-to-better-serve-community/
WE MADE THE NEWS! by Russell VanHoose
Last month, Jack and I were contacted by a reporter with the Disciples News Service, a service of the national church that distributes a weekly e-mail news briefs of events and information about the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). She stated that she had heard about the survey we introduced to the community to get some feedback on people’s attitude to church in general. She wrote a very nice article which you can read by clicking on “Read More” under the article preview to the left or by typing in the address below. When you visit the article, I encourage you to read the comments left by others and leave a comment of your own.
It’s great to have this kind of publicity for the church!
T H E F A M I L Y A T W O R S H I P A N D S E R V I C E
ATTENDANCE
May 12 Sanctuary Attendance 75 Nursery Attendance 1 EnVision Worship 14 Total Attendance 90
STEWARDSHIP
May 12
General Fund Income Pledges & Checks $4,417.66 Loose Offering $111.01 Building Use $900.00
Total for General Fund Received $5,428.67
Special Funds (Not for General Fund) Denton Community Food Center $105.00 Building Maintenance $0.50 Camp Scholarships $700.00
Total for Special Funds $805.50
TOTAL SUNDAY OFFERING $6,234.17
4 MAY 14, 2019
THOSE FIGHTING CANCER Marian Baumgartner; Ed Burnett; Brian Fry; Allison Fry-Roettger; Peggy Funderburke; Heston Goggins; Lisa Gohlke; Betsy Holt Johnson; Don Howe; Barbara Hughes; Connie Pack Stonebraker; Sue Quinney; Ron Trow; Roy Watson; Steve Watson; Diane Youden
CONTINUING CONCERNS
Barbara Anderson, the family of J Cantwell; Fred Coffey; Tara Collazo; the Danna Dunlap Family; Lori Easley; Bill Farris; the family of Jinx Ferris; the Goggins Family; Gene Gohlke; Gina Gohlke-Wicker; Mylah Harp; Dale & Janet Heaton; friends & Family of Dakota Judkins; Dorothy Koone; the family of Rubi Lara; Pat Martin; Jim Massoud; the family of Jim Richardson; Russell Robertson; Kenny Smith; Wendy Smith; the family of Marc Tellepen; Skip Wright; the residents of Alton & Franklin, Texas; the people of Sri Lanka; those traveling this week; our EnVision Ministry; the last, least, & lost of our community.
Also remember in prayer: Margie Davis; Joyce Guild; Belva Hennen; Jack and Donna Smith
IN MILITARY SERVICE Marine Corps Sgt. Cody Pensabene; Marine Corps Sgt. Anthony Lara
T H E F A M I L Y A T P R A Y E R
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Please let us know how we can pray for you by visiting www.fccdenton.org/prayer-request
SERVING SCHEDULE
May 19
Worship Leader: Kevin Deal
Elders: Bread: Linda Morrow Cup: Joe Smith
Home Communion List 1: Amy Storey
List 2: Deanna Deal
Diaconate Serving: Max Gregory Pam Gregory Marianne Burns Eric Burns
Prepare: Sidney Fry
Clean Up: Susan Phillips
Greeter / Side Entry: Doris Laing
Counters: Doris Laing
Jacque Walston
If you are unable to serve, please make arrangements to have someone fill in.
THIS WEEK’S PRAYER FOCUS
Those who mother
Creator of us all, thank you for those who mother us.
Thank you that they give us life and nurture us. Thank
you that they give us faith, helping us to know you
and to know Jesus and his ways. Bless each of those
who mother us with the graces they need. Help them
to feel precious in your eyes today and to know that
we love them. Give them strength and courage,
compassion and peace. Bless them this day with your
love.
AMEN.
Behold, how good and
pleasant it is when we
all dwell in unity!
ENVISION BOARD MEETING
The official board of EnVision will immediately following morning worship at 12 noon on Sunday, May 19th in the Fellowship Hall.
Board members, please make plans to attend. A light lunch will be served.
THIS WEEK
AT THE TABLE
On Sunday, May 19th the EnVision
Community will meet for
Fellowship at 5:30pm and Worship
at 6:00pm.
GOD IS BEYOND GENDER by Rev. Russell VanHoose+
A weekly publication of the EnVision Community at First Christian Church of Denton May 14, 2019
May 5
Adult Attendance 14 Youth Attendance 0 Total Attendance 14
General Fund Offering $150.00 Total Collected $150.00
May 14 at 6:30pm
Harvest House The Bible never used the feminine gender for God, and never called God “mother,” but in an ancient patriarchal culture it is not surprising that the ancient Hebrews used masculine pronouns for God. But I don’t think that was to suggest that God has a masculine gender. The Old Testament’s refusal to call God “mother” was an attempt to emphasize God’s transcendence over Mother Nature and to steer away from the ancient goddess religions that over-emphasized divine immanence in nature.
However, calling God “father” was not a glorification of human fathers or males. The Old Testament consistently merged the images and metaphors of the fatherly God with motherly compassion and love. Here are just a few examples from the Book of Isaiah…
“For a long time I [God] have kept silent, I have been quiet and held myself back. But now, like a woman in childbirth, I cry out, I gasp and pant.” (Isa. 42:14)
“As a mother comforts her child, so will I [God] comfort you; and you will be comforted over Jerusalem.” (Isa. 66:13)
“Can a mother forget the baby at her breast and have no compassion on the child she has borne? Though she may forget, I [God] will not forget you!” (Isa. 49:15)
While feminine or maternal traits say something true about God and about our experience with God, God is beyond gender. The gender pronouns we use are simply metaphors to help us understand a God who is always beyond our full understanding. Lynn Japinga, in her book Feminism and Christianity: An Essential Guide, reminds us that “language about God should help us to understand and encounter God, but we should not confuse the reality of God with the limits of our language.”
This week, I encourage you to think about God in the opposite gender from the way you normally think about God. See if it brings new insights into the nature of God for you.
THY KINGDOM COME
Later this month, we will observe “Thy Kingdom Come,” a nine day time of prayer during which you are invited to discover new habits and ways of praying to God, that those whom you know might come to know Jesus.
Pastor Rev. Jack Mullins 972-563-6244 [email protected]
EnVision Community Minister Rev. Russell VanHoose 940-536-3384 [email protected]
Music Minister Mark Graham 940-566-4990 [email protected]
Children’s Resource Coordinator Khaleigh Hopkins 940-435-5078 [email protected]
Office Administrator Russell VanHoose 940-566-4990 [email protected]
Custodian Richard Myer
Nursery Staff Allie Smith Rubi Lara
C H U R C H S T A F F
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF DENTON 1203 Fulton Street
Denton, Texas 76201
Phone: (940) 566-4990
www.fccdenton.org
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
OF DENTON
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