The Chalice

CONNECTIONA publication of First Christian Church of Edmond, OK

Vol. 2 No. 34 August 26, 2010

What Is The Secret? by Rev. Chris Shorow, Senior Minister

Don’t you just love a good secret? I know that it can be exciting to find out something previously un-known. Finding out the identity of Deep Throat was a huge deal

for me, as I’d been wondering about that for over 30 years! That’s why I was fascinated by an article I read about the secret recipe for Coca-Cola. It seems that only a few executives of Coke know the recipe and everyone else is kept in the dark. It is a closely guarded trade secret. There is a huge burden placed on anyone who knows the formula not to tell. I think the same may be true for Kentucky Fried Chicken, but Coke makes a bigger deal out of it. The

formula was invented by a man named John Pemberton after the Civil War. He, like many other wounded Civil War veterans, had become addicted to the morphine they gave him for the pain. He developed Coke as a cure for his addiction, and he also cited many other health benefits of the drink. I guess Coke would have helped with his ad-diction, since it used the coca plant, and thus had a small amount of cocaine in it. Since Pemberton’s days the “formula” has taken on a life of its own and become a closely guarded secret. I think the secrecy makes it more intriguing for the rest of us and adds some sort of mystique about Coke. The truth is, we could find out the secret formula and it wouldn’t make much difference to us, as long as we still like the taste. Secrets really aren’t that big a deal when they become known. A woman in the church’s husband died after they had been married for 57 years.

Sermon Series and Small Group Study Begin in SeptemberStress. Anxiety. Fear. These words capture the state of mind of many in America today. In the past few years, we have witnessed dramatic market losses, the collapse of the world’s largest insurance company, and many have lost their job or know someone dear to them that has. We are stressed about the economy and our personal finances. We are worried about providing for our family’s needs. Beginning September 12, join us in worship for a four week sermon series entitled Enough: Discovering Joy Through Simplicity and Generosity. During this time, we will explore what the Bible teaches us about financial management. We’ll hear stories from others regarding personal challenges. We will offer practical tools to use to assess your situation and develop a financial plan with biblical foundation. A small group study of the ENOUGH book will meet on Wednesday evenings. Led by Rev. Dr. Jerry Black and Bob Bennett, the study will lead to the discovery of joy, purpose, and real life compensation through simplicity and generosity. (register for study online at fccedmond.org/unite) We hope you will join us during this series as we look at managing our financial resources and truly experiencing simplicity, generosity, and joy.

Everyone around them knew how close they had been and what a difficult time this would be for his widowed bride. However, she resumed many of her normal activities and continued to reach out to her friends and family. How did she respond to such a loss with the grace and dignity that she demonstrated to her friends? One of her friends asked her, “What is the secret to your happiness?” Her reply was insightful. “No secret. My relationship with God through Jesus Christ gives me a peace that passes understanding. And it’s a relationship I’ve worked on all of my life.” Isn’t it nice to know that there is no se-cret to our faith? Cultivating a relationship with Christ through prayer, study and wor-ship gives us a peace that is not a secret. It is life-giving and life-changing. Maybe we should market that peace as come closely guarded trade secret. People might be more willing to check it out. Or maybe we should simply live lives that at-test to that peace in our lives. That would make it so much easier for all of us..

Schedule of Events:Wednesday, September 8 Small-Group Study BeginsSunday, September 12 Sermon: When Dreams Become NightmaresSunday, September 19 Sermon: Wisdom and FinanceSunday, September 26 Sermon: Cultivating Contentment Wednesday, September 29 Small-Group Study Ends

Sunday, October 3 World Communion Sunday Sermon: Defined by Generosity 9:30 AM Sunday School 10:45 AM Combined Worship 12:00 PM Gratitude Luncheon

Whiz Kids is a faith-based, one-on-one volunteer tutoring/mentoring program that focuses on students who live in areas which have some of the highest drop-out rates and lowest socioeco-nomic levels in Oklahoma City. First Christian, partners with Our Lord’s

• 5:00-6:00 A Study of the Prophetsled by Rev. Chris Shorow - Room 116 “Our society is sick. We’ve turned away from God and we are going down the tubes!” Sound familiar? No, not Glenn Beck, those words have been spoken countless times by Old Testament prophets. Our Bible study this semester will focus on prophets and their mission, ministry and words for us today. Glancing at the major prophets, we will also look at the wisdom of the 12 minor prophets. We will explore how they delivered their words, and compare them with how we are prophetic in today’s world. Can we be prophetic and yet have a civil dialogue?

On Wednesday evenings during the school year our children, students and adults UNITE for dinner, learning and fellowship. In a culture that is increasingly individualistic and private, we are called as Christians to connect, grow, serve and care together. UNITE provides a place to experience lasting connections and a place to grow in our faith.

Children 3yrs old through 5th grade will be on a “Journey With Jesus” discovering where Jesus went, what Jesus taught, and how it is relevant today. So, grab your passport! 5:00 Music 5:30 Cherub Choir (preschool)6:00 Check-In/Dinner 6:30 Small Groups7:30 Check-Out

Come UNITE with us beginning Wednesday, September 8. REGISTER and VOLUNTEER now @ fccedmond.org/unite

Options for Adults

Children’s Schedule• 6:30 - 7:30 ENOUGH: Discovering Joy Through Simplicty and Generosityled by Rev. Jerry Black and Bob Bennett September 8, 15, 22 and 29Come discover joy, purpose, and real life compensation through simplicity and generosity. We will use the ENOUGH book by Rev. Adam Hamilton. Cost: $10. Please pre-register @ fccedmond.org/unite or call Iris Jordan @ 341-3544.

• 6:30 - 7:30 New Testament Study - Continuesled by Rev. Jerry Black October 6-December 8 he will be continuing his Introduc-tion to the New Testament. This semester features the letters of Paul, Peter, John, and others our course text is the same as last semester’s text: Dennis E. Smith’s “Chalice Introduction to the New Testament.” Books are $29, needed only for new enrollees and pre-orders are needed by September 22 - register @ fccedmond.org.unite or call Iris Jordan @ 341-3544.

• 7:30–8:45 Chancel Choirled by Diane Ball - Sanctuary(Nursery Available) Our Chancel Choir offers musical gifts throughout the year in worship services and on special occasions.

• $3.50 per person/weekly• $42 per semester/per person• $12.50 weekly (family of 4+)• $150 semester price (family of 4+)

Community Church and Holy Temple Baptist Church in Oklahoma City, tutor-ing students from Martin Luther King Elementary. Whiz Kids meets at 5:30 on Tuesday evenings at Holy Temple, where we share

a meal with the students, spend tutor-ing/mentoring time together and then finish with a brief club time. If you have an interest in participating in this wonderfully fulfilling ministry, contact Linda Quade at 341-1618 or 408-8123.

Make A Difference in A Child’s Life - Be a Whiz Kids TutorBy Linda Quade, FCC’s Whiz Kids Coordinator

Meal Payment Options

Students ScheduleThis year we will be challenging students to “Claim It!” Claim what you might ask? Well, come and find out! 5:30 Girls Ensemble 5:45 Dinner 6:30 Worship 7:15 Small Group Bible Study 8:00 Done!

Dates We Will Meet September 8, 15, 22, 29 October 6, 13, 27 November 3, 10, 17 December 1, 8

Eat Pringles? Save Your Cans! Our children will be using them for a craft during UNITE. We will be col-lecting them until September 22nd. They can be dropped off in my office or the workroom.

Thank you for your help! Anna Lisa Stanley, Director of Children’s Ministry

Happy Birthday!8/29 Alexandria Peters, Allen Terry8/30 JoDahl Creech, Leah Danley, Carol Hawkins8/31 Dot Hammond, Gayle Smith9/1 Kathrynn Cavanaugh, Max Speegle9/2 Olivia Agosta, Rodney Helms, Marc Pate9/3 Jan Cowling, Laura Kysar, Jim Turner 9/4 Taylor Grant, Traci Sarani9/5 Jay Biby, Peyton Mabry, Lindy Rahhal, John Timmons, Jim Williams

Omelet & Pancake BreakfastSunday, August 29

9:30-12:30The membership fellowship crew

is ready to make your made-to-order omelet, and some very colorful

pancakes this Sunday! So join your FCC family in Fellowship Hall for a

delicious breakfast. Want to Help? Contact Jennifer Shipley at 359-1544

or ship4osu@aol.com

Disciplecise - Week 15 Tres Rios Area El Paso, TexasAre you keeping up with Disciple-cise Dawg? This week he has stopped chasing Horned Frogs and moved on to El Paso. Texas after traveling 600 miles (it’s a long way to El Paso from Ft. Worth!) It will take you 360 minutes of exercise to reach the Tres Rios region. The Tres Rios Area is one of eight areas in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the Southwest. It currently is made up of 29 churches throughout New Mexico and West Texas. These churches strive to serve God in an ever-changing multi-cultural setting. Similar to our own region, it sponsors mens’ retreats and summer camps.

Check out the fun we had with Jahruba and at our Children’s Ministry Fair! Pictures now online @

fccedmond.org/pictures or click the flickr button on our site to see all our photo albums. Kudos to Frank Gresh and Susan Huffer for more fabulousphotography!

Sign-Up Begins for Follies 2010The 4th annual FCC Follies and Chili Cook-off is coming Sunday, September 26th!! Start working on your acts and dig out your favorite chili recipe. Register this Sunday in the Rotunda or online at fccedmond.org/follies

Prayers of the PeopleOUR PRAYERS FOR THOSE IN THE HOSPITAL Chuck Hague (Suzanne Allison’s brother), VA Hospital

OTHERS IN NEED OF PRAYER Pauline Rahhal, Chelyne Barney (Marjorie Anderson’s daughter-in-law), Ann Douthitt (Duke Douthitt’s mom), Josh Harlin (Reta Clopton’s son), Laura Kysar, Les Lee, Eric Koegel, Garry Sloan (former FCC minister of music), Bart & Jennifer Rodr, Lorelle Watts, Sharon Luton (Susan Black’s cousin), Ed Berry, Taylor Wheeler, Hank Thomas (Randy Thomas’ brother)

OUR SYMPATHY AND PRAYERS To Marc & Kandi Pate in the death of Kandi’s mother, Dolores Jepsen, on August 18. Services were held August 23 in Fletcher, OK.

CELEBRATING THE GIFT OF A NEW LIFE Abigail Faith Peterson, born August 18 in Tyler, TX. Grandparents are Jim & Nancy Hays.

The Chalice CONNECTIONShelley Regan, Editor

sregan@fccedmond.orgRead News Online

@ fccedmond.org/newsSubmit Articles to

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(USPS 210-360) is published weekly (except weeks of New Year’s Day and Christmas Day). Periodicals postage paid by First Christian Church, 201 E. Second, Edmond, OK 73034-456 POSTMASTER: Send address changes to The Chalice CONNECTION, PO Box 3548, Edmond, OK 73083

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Worshipat First Christian 8:15, 9 & 11am

August 29, 2010Message: Rev. Chris ShorowScripture: Luke 14:7-14

September 5, 2010Message: Rev. Dr. Jerry Black Scripture: Psalm 139;1-6

The Classics

Texas Adventure September 27-28Join us for a tour of the new Dallas Cowboysstadium, the BEP’s Western Currency Facility, and Texas Motor Speedway. The price is $229 and includes transportation by motor coach, overnight lodging, one dinner and lunch.For information and reservations call: Winnie Hall 341-4297 or Ellen Chitwood 341-2859.

Dallas Cowboys Stadium: The room will be filled with oooohs and aaaaahs as we venture through the amazing new three-million square foot stadium which boasts to be the most spectacular with unbelievable state of the art designs.

Bureau of Ingraving and Printing - Western Currency Facility: You will see billions of dollars being printed as you walk along an enclosed elevatedwalkway suspended over the production floor!

Texas Motor Speedway: Our tour will include a stop on the luxury suite level where we will get a birds-eye view of more than 150,000 seats and the 1,500 acres that make up one of the worlds’ largest and most modern sports facilities.