FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

NEWSLETTER

200 E. 5TH

St. Claremore, Oklahoma (918) 341-1199 Vol. 10 No. 8 74017 August 1, 2017

Personally from the Pastor

Invitation to Conversations

That Really Matter “…Listen as if you can’t always tell what the truth is. Listen as if you might be wrong, especially if you know you’re right. Listen as if you were willing to take the risk of growing beyond your righteousness. Listen as if love mattered.” --How to Tell the Truth, by Paul Williams. “Truth is a conversation about things that matter, conducted with passion and disci-pline. “Truth is communal. “If you want to be in on the truth, you have to be part of the conversation. “The conclusions are the husks of yester-day’s conversations. “We find common ground with people in the church as we go deeper into the stories about their religious formation. “Pot luck suppers help people of different understandings learn about each other and create circles of trust. “The higher we go up the abstraction ladder, the less agreement we will have. “We must dig deeper wells until we find the living water that feeds/fills all our wells. “The lower common denominators of life are where we find our connections. “Open and honest questions truly want to find out something of the Other’s deepest truth. “The more you know about a person—the less likely you will hate her or him. “What would it take for you to feel safe enough to tell your truth? “What is the truth you need to tell?

“What’s the cost of speaking up and telling your truth? “What consequences do you fear if you tell the truth? “What might the possibilities be for person-al change, growth, liberation when you speak your words?” These are some discoveries/questions I jotted down exactly one year ago this week in the journal lovingly given me by the church family at the start of my sabbatical. (I would dearly love to thank the one whose idea it was!) I humbly offer them to you in the name of Jesus. I hope they encourage you to take part in some church conversations that matter. In July we offered ideas about the life and ministry of the church. I know they will lead us into conversations that truly matter—conversations that will spur us into Spirit-led action to be effectively faithful disciples of Christ. I pray you will receive and respond to the Spirit’s call to take part in some church conversations that really matter. Exactly one year ago this week, Laurel and I were very grateful to experience the spiritual high point of my sabbatical. We participated in Habits of the Heart for Healthy Congregations: Liberating the Voice of Courage. We and the other religious servants present in Chicago were led by a remarkable Christian named Parker Palmer. Glad to be your pastor,

The newsletter and upcoming events may be viewed

on the church website at claremoredisciples.com

When the need for an urgent prayer arises, the prayer chain is called to action. The chain operates mostly by email, though requests can be called in as well. By calling in or emailing a request, it can be sent out within a matter of minutes. You may send in your requests by calling 918-341-1199 or email fccaa@sbcglobal.net.

Ron Musser Virginia Phillips Faye Fuller Julie Weaver Gayle Orf Marilyn Bohlender Stephanie Sandoval Brooks Keenze Eloise Wright LeaAnn Allen Tegan & Kiera Crum Niki Latendresse David & Cheryl Semkoff Gary Johnson Josh & Jess Madden Twyla Overton Jared & Chelsie Semkoff Janet Ray Weaver Jolynn Robinson Julie Emma

Noon - August 25

Church Family Life Ministry

Presents

Sunday August 27th at 3:00PM in the Family Life Center

Come join in the fun at the church Talent Show or Gong Show, we are not sure which. We are looking for participants to dazzle and entertain us! Not sure what constitutes talent? Well, neither do we. Consider talents such as song, dance, music, skits and comedy that you have been hiding and share them with your church family! If you are courageous enough preform a solo or duos, or find a group of folks to perform with you. We hope to see talent from Adult and Children’s Sunday School Classes, Ministry Teams and the Youth Group. Sign-up sheet will be at the Donut Table begin-ning July 30th Audience please bring a dessert to share and be prepared to have some fun!

Disciples Women’s Cookbook

Have you ever been at a FCC potluck dinner, had a

wonderful casserole, salad or dessert and ask the lady

who provided the dish for her recipe? She explained

“It is in the DW church cookbook”. Oh my!!! If

you were not a member at that time or just failed to

purchase a cookbook at that time, HERE IS YOUR

CHANCE! The DW ladies are talking about reprint-

ing our current cookbook, even adding some new

recipes. If you would be interested in purchasing a

cookbook, for yourself, or even as a gift since the

holiday season is fast approaching please contact

Lynne Dosch 918-728-4396. A price has not been

discussed at this time that will be determined before

final approval to reprint.

Read through the Bible in a Year

Have you ever read the entire Bible all the way through? By committing just 20-30 minutes a day you can use the following daily reading plan to help you do just that in one year. The abbreviations used here are explained in the front of the Bible. Begin today and discover the riches of God’s Word!

We Celebrate Generosity!

We celebrate these July worship offerings supporting ministries and missions beyond our congregation!

*$132.00 Jesus On the Go (J.O.G.) for random acts of kindness *$349.00 Light The World (LTW) to help families with utilities and lodging. *$ 0.00 in Special Offerings to help bring life, love and learning through the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). *$ 51.00 designated by givers to support these five ministries and missions beyond our congregation. * Disciples Mission Fund * Christian Church in Oklahoma * Northeast Area Churches of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in Oklahoma (NEACCO) * Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa * Camp Christian

YTD Outreach Total: $5,518.50

Please note: To keep our doors open, our intended ministries fully funded, and our devoted staff paid, our weekly Sunday offerings must average $5,157. In July, our weekly Sunday offerings averaged $4,227.

General Assembly of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) elects Teresa Hord Owens as first African-American woman to lead the denomination

Rev. Teresa “Terri” Hord Owens was elected on July 9 to serve as the General Minister and President of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. She is the first African-American to hold this post and the second woman to lead the denomi-nation. She is currently pastor of a predominately white congregation in the Chicago area. Hord Owens’ resume includes more than 20 years in corporate America leading diverse teams in data management before she entered seminary. For the last 15 years, she has been the dean of students at the University of Chicago Divinity School, shepherding a varied student body in both background and theology. “We need to stop demonizing differences as deficiencies,” Hord Owens says. “We should seek to understand, to work through our differences in priorities, opinions, methods, and goals. This will not be easy, but imagine what an example this will be for the world if we can bridge the gaps in politics, identity, geography and theology.” Hord Owens’ term is six years with an option for re-election in 2023 for an additional six-year term. The election of Hord Owens follows the 12-year tenure of the Rev. Sharon E. Watkins, who was the first female to lead a mainline denomination in the United States upon her election in 2005.

Disciples Women

General and Day Groups

Thursday, August 20 11:30 Executive Meeting

Noon $2 Luncheon Hostess: Group 1

Service Project: $300 School Supplies at FUMC Officers: Please be available at 11:30 to discuss the schedule for fundraisers and months with 5 Thursdays, so Susan can reserve the times for us. Rachel Group will resume in September.

Backpack Blessing

For all of our students Pre-School through College, there will be a Backpack Blessing during worship Sunday, August 13. Bring your bag or backpack and receive a blessing and a small gift to encourage you as you begin another school year.

Back To Sunday School Breakfast Bash

Back to Sunday School Breakfast Bash!! On August 27, during the Sunday School hour, our youth and adult Sunday School classes will host an open house and Breakfast Scavenger Hunt. It promises to be lots of fun and very yummy! The teachers will be present to answer questions. If you have not attended Sunday School in a while, or ever, this is a perfect opportunity to get acquainted or reacquainted! Our young students, Pre-School through 5th grade, will be participating in a One Room Sunday School this year. Jennifer Swinney will teach the class. Other classes remain the same.

Teacher Appreciation

Teacher Appreciation will be held during worship on August 27. Teachers being honored are:

Laurel Ragland-Worship and Wonder Pastor Charles Ragland-Faithways Forum (Trudy Hedgpath-substitute) Christine Pool-Nursery Jennifer Swinney- Pre-school through 2nd

John Franklin- Come Join Us (Bill Smith and Jerry Book-substitutes) Ann Smith-3rd -5th

(Cinda Franklin-substitute) Josh Linton-Chi Rho and CYF Mary Fry and Carol Low-Kingdom Builders

J. M. Davis Memorial Scholarship

Members of our church family comprise the committee that oversees the J. M. Davis Memorial Scholarship Fund. Preference for awarding the scholarship will be given according to the following order:

1. active members of our church who will be attending Phillips Theological Seminary, Tulsa

2. active member of our church who will be attending another accredited college or university affiliated with the Division of Higher Education of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ).

3. active member of our church who will be attending another accredited college or university.

Those interested in the scholarship may come by the church office for an application form. Its accrued value is about $1,000.

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Cancer Patients - Arleigh Williams, Mark Newman, Shondra Shultz, Donna Moore, Maria Eubanks, Patsy Gunter, Lillian Johnson, Donna Weaver, Maurice Colpitts, Lonnie Butler; Solon Wright Health Concerns - Sandra Yost recovering from outpatient surgery; Maddie Tah recovering from a car accident; Edward Vaughn (Red Vaughn’s son) recovering from surgery; John Reid (friend of Diane Forst) in a motorcycle accident Praises - Ledger (Ron & Sandra Yost’s great grandson) hole in heart closed

*ELDERS SERVING - AUG 2017

DATE

STANDING ELDER (Serving Claremore, Brookfield & Wood

Manor Nursing Homes)

SERVING & PRAYER ELDER

(Serving Homebound / Hospitals)

Aug 6 Sean Robinson Trudy Hedgpath

Aug 13 Trudy Hedgpath Sean Robinson

Aug 20 Loretta Pool Trudy Hedgpath

Aug 27 Janet Edge Loretta Pool

*DIACONATE SCHEDULE - AUG 2017

DATE SERVING

COMMUNION & GREETING SHEPHERD,

PREPARE & CLEAN-UP

Aug 6 Dee Dee Clark, Morgan Bohlender, John & Cinda Franklin, Steve Pool, Jennifer Swinney

Dee Dee Clark Morgan Bohlender

Aug 13 Kenneth Hutchins, Sara Masters, Katy Galusha-White, Aiden James, Megan Robinson, Linda Womack

Kenneth Hutchins Sara Masters

Aug 20 Ron & Sandra Yost, Amanda & Tava Tobey, Gene & Peg Dary

Ron & Sandra Yost

Aug 27 Diane Forst, Beverly Wofford, Larry & Kay Livingston, Cliff & Charlotte Johnson

Diane Forst Beverly Wofford

*If you are unable to serve on your scheduled day, please notify the office once a replacement has been found so we can update who is serving on the bulletin.

DONUT DUTY

Aug 6 Jim Kotoff

Aug 13 Amanda Tobey

Aug 20 Morgan Bohlender

Aug 27 Diane Forst

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH NON-PROFIT ORG (Disciples of Christ) U.S. POSTAGE PAID 200 E 5

th St CLAREMORE, OKLAHOMA

Claremore, OK 74017 PERMIT NO 48 Rev. Charles Ragland, Pastor Josh Linton, Youth Director Susan Kotoff, Secretary ________________________________ Sean Robinson, Interim Music Director Ray Teakell, Accompanist ________________________________ RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

August

OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday

8:30 a.m. - 12:00 Noon 1:00 p.m. - 4:30 p.m.

FAITHFUL FINANCES July 2017 YTD

Total Offerings and Other Income for Daily Ministries Expenses

21,136.25 132,947.95

Total Daily Ministries Expenses 19,293.51 130,797.13

Net Income (Loss) 1,842.74 2,150.82

Needed for Budget (including Outreach Ministries)

25,892.53 160,395.11

Budget Excess (Shortfall) (4,756.28) (27,447.16)

3 Kay Livingston 20 Darci Browning 26 Jim Kotoff

4 Jack Hisaw 21 Gail Mullen 26 Michelle Grimmer

6 Sally Clark 23 Katherine Roberts 27 Russ Riffle

10 Trenton Tobey 23 Amanda Tobey 27 Sandra Dodson

11 Ed Crum 24 Neva Wilhide 30 Patsy Melton

16 Jeanette Strope 25 Morgan Bohlender 30 Nanette Smith

19 Nila Nuttle