Volume 18, Number 4 Wednesday, March 1, 2017

Inside this Issue ….

Lent at EDCC

Chili Cook-Off Winners

Upcoming Events

Sanders Fellowship

March Birthdays

Joys and Concerns

Memorial Gifts

Photos of Past Events

Sunday Services

8:30 am — Chapel

10:50 am — Sanctuary

www.edcc.org

March 5, 2016

Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes

Preaching

Sermon Title

“Jesus Calls Us to Step Away”

Scripture

Matthew 4:1-11

March 12, 2017

Rev. Deborah Morgan-Stokes

Preaching

Sermon Title

“Jesus Calls Us to Come & See”

Scripture John 1:35-42

In my last newsletter article, I talked about the ways we can welcome babies and families into our congregation. Our nest installment is how to welcome children into worship.

WHY WE WELCOME LITTLE CHILDREN TO WORSHIP… As more mature Christians, we promise to help nurture those at the beginning of their faith journey. Not to do so would be like sitting down to a family meal but excluding the kids. Sure their manners might be far from elegant, but we welcome them because they are part of the family. Being with family is how we learn to be family. Worship is no different. Young people giggle, they poke, they ask questions and they swing their legs because they are young children. Children learn about worship and how to participate by experience, by how they are welcomed into the community, by what they see big people doing.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ADULTS WITH CHILDREN

· When possible, arrive in time to find a good place to sit. Let them sit next to the aisle or in the front pews. Even let them stand on the pew next to you so that they can see.

· Tell them before worship starts what will happen in worship. Show them the parts of the service where they have an active role, and the parts where we all listen or watch others quietly.

· Take advantage of the worship supplies and materials available at the door when you arrive, and bring them to your seat. Return bags and supplies to their place when you leave.

· Worship with your child, guiding her or him through the service so they can feel what it is like to worship together. Its ok to whisper occasionally to answer questions.

· Worship at home through saying Table Grace together, or Bedtime Prayers, or even, “God bless you.” Ask your kids questions about how they noticed God’s love in their day, and how they shared in it.

· Remember that sometimes children just plain need to run around and play. That’s why we provide a bright and safe Nursery space for your young child at any time during worship.

SUGGESTIONS FOR ADULTS WITHOUT CHILDREN

· Be helpful to parents of small children by not making them feel awkward or unwanted.

· Acknowledge children by smiling, or nodding in their direction, to show your appreciation of them.

· Make a child’s presence a part of your worship by inviting their family to sit next to you, praying for them, taking an interest in them.

· Make a special point of greeting them when everyone else is greeting.

· Find a young child before or after the service, make eye contact, introduce yourself, tell them you are glad to see them and will be looking for them next week. You might just be the reason that family returns.

(adapted with gratitude from pew insert by Gloria Dei Lutheran Church, St. Paul, MN)

Rev. Allison

From Our Minister of Children & Youth

EAST DALLAS CHRISTIAN CHURCH

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Throughout the season of Lent we will be opening our ears to hear

Jesus’ Call to each one of us as individuals and as a congregation in

mission. We are all invited to explore Christ’s call for us several

ways: through Sunday morning worship and through weekday

study fellowship.

Worship in Lent: Please join us in reading the scr iptures ahead

of time!

March 1 ASH WEDNESDAY SERVICE

at Grace United Methodist - 7:00 pm

March 5 Jesus Calls Us to Step Away Matthew 4:1-11

March 12 Jesus Calls Us to Come and See John 1:35-42

March 19 Jesus Calls Us to Repent John 4:5-42

March 26 Jesus Calls Us to See John 9

April 2 Jesus Calls Us to Care John 11

April 9 Jesus Calls Us to Follow Matthew 21:1-11

Palm Sunday

April 14 Jesus Calls Us to “Stay With Me”

Good Friday Concert and Worship

April 16 Jesus Calls us to Rise John 21:1-18 Easter Sunday

Lenten Studies Jesus is Calling East Dallas Christian Church

A Discernment Process for our Future

Wednesday nights: 6:00 pm Brown Bag dinner

6:30 pm Study

March 8, 15, 22, 29, April 5

Lent is a forty day season in the church year prior to Easter. It has been celebrated throughout the centuries and across the Christian denominations. It is traditionally a time of self-examination and reflection upon the life of Jesus. During this time, some people fast regularly while others read devo-tional materials. I have had several practices over the years that have deepen the meaning and time of Lent. For the last several years, I have made it a practice to take a picture each day of something that reminds me of Jesus. Sometimes I would write a few lines to go along with the image. To the right, you will see two such examples. This year, East Dallas Christian Church invites you to participate in this practice. EDCC has a closed group on its Facebook page. We ask that you post a picture to the group of something that you see that is meaningful to you. We will provide prompts for the week if that helps your spiritual practice. At the end of the week Rev. Allison will collect some of the pictures and thoughts to have available at the Sunday services. If you are not a member of the Facebook group, search “EDCC Group” and request to join. As we journey towards the cross and Easter, may it be a deeply meaningful time together. Chaplain Sherry Shanks

Twigs from a crown of thorns opening a Cross seeing through a shadowed brokenness.

Light glimmered in the beyond Life golden in hope.

A Rain lily, a heirloom plant, which blooms only after it rains. Resurrection after the storm.

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EDCC is starting a Walk/Run group beginning Saturday March 4th at 8:00 am. We will begin meeting at the North end of the Aboretum Village parking lot at: 7331 Gaston Ave. The run/walks length and pace will be determined by the participants. We will meet for 6 weeks. If you have any questions please contact Bill Mantz @ 214.577.1200.

The Chili Cook-Off was a “Tasteful” Event! I would like to thank everyone who helped make this a successful event, including those with entries, all that voted with your dollars, all others that helped pull this off. We were happy to have 19 entries this year. Congratulations to the following winners: Most Unusual: Eric Hendrickson, Honorable Mention: Rhys McRaney for “Saltines”, 3rd Place: Sherry Shanks, 2nd Place: Janie Autz and the big winner of the day, 1st place went to Syd Singer for his “Oh No, It Has Beans” chili!. The best part, because of your generosity and support, Disciples Men raised $634. Greg Byrne, President, Disciples Men

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by Judy Garrett

February 12 After our music service with familiar hymns chosen by Carol Hooten, we celebrated having Larry McCoy in class! Ann Sanders reported that Wes is still in rehab, but he sends his thanks for the cards, prayers, and visits. We heard that Bettie Queen is doing better, and Betty Counts is back home after a car wreck sent her to rehab. Our healing wishes and prayers go out to our members facing challenges. Owen Hooten gave a prayer of thanks for all our members – those present, and those who aren’t able to be with us.

Todd Kappelman’s lesson from Galatians 4:8-20 told us of Paul’s challenges as he tried to convince people to give up wor-shipping things instead of worshipping God. An idol would be anything that gets in the way of serving God. Todd advised us to pray more and listen more. Even when we in today’s world don’t agree, we can accept each other with love.

President Paula Holland concluded class with the following saying: Love is never having to say you’re sorry. Marriage is never having a chance to say anything!

February 19 With the Hootens out of town, our music service was led beautifully by Akiko Nakahara and Kristal Milazzo. From our church’s Chalice Hymnal, we heard “A Prayer for the Nation” which asks God for justice and peace in our land. Ann Sanders informed us that Wes was still in rehab, having both good and bad days. We were able to begin birthday celebration for Betty Nyenhuis who was in class today. We send happy birthday wishes to Joe Zerda, Wes Sanders, and Sally Queen – all who have their special days this upcoming week.

Continuing our study of Galatians in chapter 5, verses 1 through 17, Joe Milazzo gave us an interesting picture of Paul who wasn’t perfect, but gave lots of advice. Paul wrote that the Holy Spirit is in our community and in us. In this selection, Paul encourages people to put their faith in Christ instead of following customs of their community. He said that we should follow the Law of Love – You shall love your neighbor as yourself. We should be slaves to one another, focusing on coexistence with mutual respect. We are bound to one another in love.

Paula Holland ended class with two messages: The Bingo Bash was a huge success, and her thought for the day – One thing you can give and still keep is your word.

February 26 After our song service chosen and played by Carol Hooten, we celebrated having the Cannons in class accompanied by Cynthia and Paula. Our birthday wishes go out to Bettie Queen this week. Ann Sanders reported that Wes remains in rehab, and he appreciated the birthday cards, calls and visitors. Betty Counts is doing all right, but still doesn't have a car. And the Hartmans continue with therapy and doctors.

Today was the last day that our lessons will be based on a textbook. Todd and Joe will begin our study of Genesis over the next few weeks. Todd's lesson today was based on Galatians 5:18 through 6:10 where Paul urges the Galatians to bear one another's burdens as part of fulfilling the law of Christ. Todd made it clear that even though we make mistakes, we are still promised eternal life. We can also have heaven on earth if we choose to follow God's laws and take care of each other.

President Paula's message today: Every family tree produces some nuts!

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If you have a birthday in MARCH and don’t see your name

call the church office (214.824.8185) YOU are important to us!

MARCH

BIRTHDAYS Alecia Jackson 1st

Bettie Queen 2nd

Vicky Shannon 2nd

Betty Vasquez 5th

Nicole McRaney 6th

Marilyn Hearne 7th

John Wrench 7th

Maria Chavez 8th

Kim Jackson 8th

Michael Sanders 8th

Helen Meadows 9th

Ruth Miller 10th

Wayne McClellan 11th

Dorothy Hopkins 12th

Sharon Kilpatrick 12th

Hunter Banks 15th

Pat Paulson 15th

Jeff Evans 17th

Ron Somers-Clark 18th

Glenn Toney 19th

Miguel Fuentes 20th

Fred Gleber 22nd

Janie Autz 22nd

Mike French 23rd

Virginia Zerda 23rd

Cynthia Cannon 24th

Luis Godinez 24th

Keith Critcher 26th

Maria Hartman 26th

Ira Jackson 28th

Steve Lilley 29th

Rev. Nathan Hill Melissa Langley

Jay Longan

Paula LeJay Leo Pena

Angela Samara

Leslie Darely Cynthia Vasquez

Antonio Calderon

Sunday, March 12, 2017 Sunday, March 5, 2017

Visitors February 26, 2017

Presiding Marvin Kuers

Cup Ken Kuesel

Loaf Dan Busdiecker

Chapel Julia Laxson

Fowler Doug Lueckemeyer

Preparation Susan Halyburton

Janis Grey Visitors February 19, 2017

Charlie Byrkit David & Sharon Byrkit

Brandon & Lacie Jefferson

Liese Sherwood-Fabre Penny Steley

Cynthia Vasquez

Serving Schedules

Presiding Kevin Kilpatrick

Cup Marvin Kuers

Loaf Ken Kuesel

Chapel Dan Busdiecker

Fowler Julia Laxson

Preparation Bill Mantz Brett Powell

Celebrating and giving thanks for:

Celebrating and giving thanks for all our children and youth including Lauren Baker and Leslie Hogue

Our young adults away at college or in town including Austin Hogue

Ordination of Rev. Charles Gnanamuthu

Rev. Charles’s lay training committee: Ron Somers-Clark, Julie Alexander, Ann Sanders, Jules Martinez

Marvin Kuers-thank you !

Welcoming Caroline Hamilton Arnold from Week of Compassion to our pulpit

Pastor’s Class meets for next 7 weeks

World Missions Sunday presentations from Mike and Allison Herrold, Marilyn Hearne, Patricia Maples

Rev. Terri Owens, candidate for General Minister and President of Christian Church, Disciples of Christ

Each Tuesday from 7-9 a.m., EDCC elders gather for prayer. From wherever you may be during this time period, the elders invite you to join them in prayer, using this prayer list or your own.

Pray for Those In our Church Family:

For Ongoing Concerns In our Congregation, including:

Helen Meadows

For Ongoing Concerns Outside our Congregation, including:

Prayers for Our Police Department and Military For Our Limited Activity Members, including:

Paul Parker

For Those Serving in the Military, especially:

Daniel Webster

For Our Ministries, including:

Vocal Arts

For Those serving our world, including:

Pastor Alex and the people of Malawi

For Those Seeking Employment

Answered Prayers!

God is at work at EDCC

Outside our Congregation:

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February 26, 2017

In Memory of Ruth Campbell Bob & Marcille McKelvy - Undesignated

In Memory of Jerry Davis The NOW Class - Concert Series

In Memory of Seiji & Kumiko Nakahara Henry & Akiko Nakahara - Concert Series

In Honor of Gerry Fagg Sherry Flint - Undesignated

Seasonal Illnesses

Wes and Ann Sanders

Joe Stalcup

Greg, Cherrilane and Anabelle Blackburn

Family of Martha Hanson

Joanne Wilson

Gay Brown

Robbie Brawner

Charles Gnanamuthu

Toni Cline

Chris Marshall

Marc Carden

Pat Ruddell

John Ortman

June Scruggs

J.T. Crocker

Rick Faucett

Sammy Adair

Fair Colvin

Debbie Petty

Family of Hazel Burks

Susie Rodriguez Emily Beus

Family of Bill Paxton

Jane and Felix Davis

629 N. Peak Street Dallas, TX 75246

Ordination

Rose Blatch

Elaine Byrkit, Christine Byrkit, Allison Herrold,

Sharon Stupp and Kevin Prouix

&