From the Associate Minister...

“St. Francis told us that we must

regard the poor as sacramental. He

taught us to believe that if we have eyes

to see, every time we look into the eyes

of the poor and the oppressed, we will have the eerie

awareness that Christ is staring back at us.”

As we move into the season where our hearts

yearn to give more, I want to take this moment to

inform you about the new opportunity we have with

Salvation Army. This past Sunday, we had a group

of 25 people from the church (youth and adults) that

helped serve dinner at the Salvation Army. Several

helped in the serving line, while the rest of us helped

out with drinks, cleaning, and other aspects. (Percy

Wang provided music!) This is now an ongoing

opportunity for FCC the last Sunday of every month.

We depart FCC around 3:30 p.m. and wrap up there

around 5:45.

I’m a firm believer in God presenting “doors” in

our lives where we can choose to enter or not. The

door God presented to my family that lead to us

coming into your lives has been nothing short of

(continued on page 2)

NIGHT OF NATIVITY

FRIDAY, DECEMBER 5TH, 7 P.M.

FCC SANCTUARY

Kick off the holiday season with “Night of

Nativity” Friday night! This event will combine

drama, dance and musical performances by our FCC

children, under the direction of Ann Russell, and by

performers from On Stage Dance Academy, under

the direction of Patti Patterson. The performance

will also include soloist Grace Johnson, a doctoral

student in music performance.

The Fine Arts and Children’s Ministry Teams

encourage everyone to come out and “kick off” the

Christmas season with us. We will provide some-

thing in every flavor of holiday cheer – from humor-

ous moments with the animals present for Jesus’

birth to classic songs of the season, including Ave

Maria and Silent Night.

MISSION: To speak and live for Christ in our community and world. VISION: To be a worshipping community in which all people

At First Christian Church…

We believe God wants to transform our lives individually and collectively for His purpose. In everything we do, we speak and live for Christ. The way we do that is simply to take God’s love and our God given gifts and talents into the world to make a difference. We gather on Sundays to worship and refuel.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - Tyler, Texas www.fcctyler.org December 3, 2014 Vol. 57 No. 25

2

BOARD MEETING Wednesday, December 10th, 6 p.m. in the Choir Room

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Sunday, December 14th, 10 a.m. in the sanctuary

Please prepare yourself for one of the most important things we do as a

Board and as a congregation as we consider our annual church budget. We

have an exciting year ahead of us as we open our new facilities to our commu-

nity, our hurting world, and a seeking generation of people. Board meetings

are open to any interested person. We plan for there to be enough time after

the congregational meeting for everyone to enjoy their Sunday School classes.

From the Associate Minister (continued from page 1)

beautiful. I believe the door that God has presented for us to serve at Salva-

tion Army can be something amazing, too. I encourage you to come and serve

with us not only during this Christmas season, but on a regular basis. Spots

will be limited to about 15 people, so please contact me if you are interested

(robert@fcctytler.org).

Serving Christ with You, Robert

Adult Sunday School

Believers Class

Rob Bradford

“Convictions”

by Marcus Borg

Disciples Class

December 7th

Harfon Kemp

December 14th

Mary Waldrop

Cana

“The Life I Have

Always Wanted”

Seekers Class

Jackie Littleton

The Choir/Forum Class

Troy Smith

Genesis Class

“Current Issues”, using the

Rob Bell NOOMA Series.

Koinonia Class

Michael Lewis

Café Class Study in conjunction with

our Children’s Ministry

COMING UP:

Christmas Eve Services, Wednesday, December 24th, 5 and 11 p.m.

As of today, our move in date will be the week of January 19th. On

Sunday, January 25th, we’re planning a dedication and on Sunday,

February 22nd, a grand opening of sorts at which time we can invite

everyone we know in our community to come and see what God is

doing in this place. In the meantime, make plans to be part of our

big move the week of January 19th. Also, know that some of the

furniture we will be enjoying at our new, renovated spaces will

require some assembly and we would be happy for any of you to

come and help in that process as those deliveries arrive.

We will receive a special Christmas Offering on

Sunday, December 21st. This offering goes toward

our regional ministry thru the Christian Church in the

Southwest.

DEBORAH CIRCLE MEETING

MONDAY, DECEMBER 8TH

We will carpool to Carol Hardage's home. Bring

your favorite dish (if bringing a dessert, please let

Carol know—903-882-8652). We will meet in the

church parking lot near Cotton Patch at 10:00 a.m.

Our study will be A Christmas Story given by

Elizabeth Spain.

Come join in the fun!

Merry Christmas!

3

DOUGH NIGHT AT

DOUBLEDAVE’S PIZZAWORKS

5201 South Broadway Tuesday, December 9th, 5-10 p.m.

10% of Dough Night proceeds will be

donated to Boy Scout Troop 335

DoubleDave’s Pizzaworks is sponsoring Dough

Night at the Tyler location. For all purchases made

by our families, 10% will be donated back to our

organization (includes sales in the restaurant and

take-out and delivery). Simply mention that you are

with the above organization and we will be given

credit. Not valid with other offers.

Ramey Elementary School

First Christian Church is excited to be

in a new community partnership with

Ramey Elementary School.

Our mission is to share Christ’s love through serving the students, parents, and staff of this great school

through volunteer service, donations, teacher appreciation, prayer, and other needs they may have. This

Christmas we will begin pooling our efforts to start a UNIFORM CLOSET for the students. Clothing items

needed are:

Khaki and Navy pants and long shorts in all children’s sizes.

Short sleeve knit “polo” shirts in navy blue, green, white, and yellow in children’s size S, M, L and XL

as well as S and M in adult’s sizes.

Belts in black and brown.

Winter coats, jackets, and sweaters are always needed as well!

Volunteers are needed on a weekly or monthly basis to read with small groups of students. The school

counselor has supplied a list of 45 minute time slots throughout the week where they could most use our help.

Please contact Lisa Pulliam (903) 830-5303 if you are interested in contributing to Ramey’s uniform closet

this Christmas or volunteering your time with some children who are eager to learn to read.

THANK YOU

Dear Friends,

I can never thank you enough for all your kindnesses that helped me “walk through” the darkest days of my life.

Your prayers, the many cards, notes and phone calls, all those who made the trip to Ralph’s memorial service, and

those who came for visits afterwards. There are no words to describe how meaningful all of that was to Ralph and the

girls, as well as me. We felt God’s presence through you. I will always treasure my memories of you, dear friends, and

I will appreciate all you did for us. Bless you.

Love, Mary Maxine Palmer

NAMETAGS

FCC is getting

new nametags!

Call and sign up

to get yours.

Nametags are free through December

21st. We want all of our regular

attendees and active participants of

First Christian Church to have a

nametag so we can welcome new

people to our campus in 2015.

DECEMBER

DEACONS

9:00 A.M.

Jan Copas, Larry Davis, Linda Davis,

Randy Perry, Vickie Perry, Mike Sword,

Debbie Sword*.

11:00 A.M.

Chris Burke, Holly Burke, Eddie Francis,

Nace Heard, Charles Hesse, Nancy

Lowell, Jim Lowell*

*Team Leaders

4

Poinsettia Order Form

Our chancel area will be decorated with poinset-tias for the Christmas season. Individuals, families or Sunday School classes are encouraged to purchase a poinsettia ($10) in memory or in honor of loved ones. The deadline to purchase a poinsettia is Monday, December 15th. Please fill out and return this form to the church office as quickly as possible in order to assure time to get your name and honoree in the printed list of donations.

[ ] I'll pick up my poinsettia after Christmas Eve services on Dec. 24th or the following Sunday. [ ] Please give my poinsettia to the sick, shut-ins, or someone in need of a little bit of extra love.

Given by:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

In Honor of:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

In Memory of:

___________________________________________

___________________________________________

Number requested.

_____________

THANK YOU… “Thank you” is not adequate for

all your prayers, cards and food

brought to us when I had surgery. I

am truly overwhelmed by my FCC

church family for all you did while I

have been recuperating.

Don has been a wonderful, caring

fellow and took good care of me.

Thanks again for all you did for us.

In Christ, Glenda Cooper

THANK YOU...

We wish to thank our church

family for the many expressions of

sympathy and condolence offered

upon the passing of Kaye's mother,

Vera Taylor. Your support during

the past eleven years made all the

difference.

Sincerely,

Kaye, Larry, Lloyd and Will Kraus

HOW CAN I SERVE AT FCC THIS WEEK?

1) Help reset the front of the sanctuary Friday night, December 5th

at 8 p.m., after "Night of Nativity."

2) Be a greeter for Mother's Day Out any weekday morning 8:15-

8:45. (contact Carolyn Wallace—903-581-7936).

3) Read with the children of Ramey Elementary School (contact

Lisa Pulliam—903-830-5303).

4) Organize and recruit some carolers to sing from the corner of

the Loop and Broadway one evening.

5) Pick up trash around our campus.

WORSHIP FLOWERS

AVAILABLE DATES:

JANUARY 4TH & 11TH

If you would like to provide

flowers in memory or honor of

someone or something special,

please call the church office

(561-8138).

5

Happy Birthday!!

12/8 Oden Latham

Nick Tutt

12/10 Beverly Wood

12/11 Linda Rozell

Tyler Acker

12/13 Mike Hill

12/14 Christopher Knight

Darrell Jones

Gene Diedrick

12/15 Robert Pulliam

12/16 Jay Russell

12/17 Neal Asher

Noah Neal

12/18 Jules Tinsley

Richard Perryman

12/19 Hank Bryant

12/20 Larry Lipscomb

Happy Anniversary!!

12/8 Dale & Susan Barton

Darrell & Mary Lou

Jones

12/13 Bill & Rosemary

Power

12/15 Ricky & Kay Davis

www.TylerPATH.org

"Helping those in need find their

way."

P.A.T.H. (People Attempt-

ing To Help) has regular

weekly needs in receptions,

casework and the food pantry.

If you can help, call Rodd

Moffett, Volunteer Coordinator

at 903-617-2817.

A BIG THANK YOU… ...to all who stayed after the Thanksgiving Banquet and helped decorate

the church for Advent. Also, many thanks to the ladies who came several

days before and "fluffed" the bows, wreaths and garlands to get them

ready to hang.

The church looks beautiful, thanks to all the effort and hard work of

the congregation. May every one of you be blessed beyond measure this

Christmas season.

The Worship Committee

John Mustard and David

Anderson hang a Christmas

Banner.

Dana Owen and Dave Maland

decorating the Crismon Tree.

We served 300 at this year’s Thanksgiving Banquet. Many thanks to

our Outreach Ministry Team for the delicious meal...and to you for

your gifts toward Disciples Crossing (our camp in Athens).

WORSHIP DECEMBER 7, 2014

Rev. Ginger Brandt preaching

9:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship

Elders: Kelly Lea, Don Cooper Elders: Dale Crawford, Brenda Gilliam

WORSHIP DECEMBER 14, 2014

Dr. Chris Pulliam preaching 9:00 a.m. Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship

Deacon Team Leaders: Debbie Sword, Jim Lowell

ATTENDANCE

November 23rd

11:00 a.m. - 301

Sunday School - 152

November 30th \

9:00 a.m. - 116

11:00 a.m. - 106

Total Worship - 222

Sunday School - 139

Church Calendar

Sunday, December 7th

9:00 AM - Traditional Worship

10:00 AM - Sunday School

11:00 AM - Contemporary Worship

12:00 PM - Outreach

Youth Ministries

3:00 PM - Jr. High

4:00 PM - Open gym

5:00 PM - Sr. High

Monday, December 8th 10:00 AM - Deborah Circle

6:00 PM - Greek Class

Tuesday, December 9th

6:00 PM - Handbell rehearsal

7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday, December 10th 8:00 AM - Breakfast/Bible Study

6:00 PM - Board Meeting

7:00 PM - Men’s basketball (CLC)

Thursday, December 11th

7:05 AM - R2D2 Men’s Study

6:30 PM - Praise Band rehearsal

Sunday, December 14th

9:00 AM - Traditional Worship

10:00 AM - Congregational Mtg./

Sunday School

11:00 AM - Contemporary Worship

Youth Ministry

3:00 PM - Jr. High

4:00 PM - Open gym

5:00 PM - Sr. High

6

Joys & Concerns

Congratulations to Buster and Pam Sartain on the birth of their

grandson, Kamden Sage Herren, last week.

We extend our sympathy to the friends and family of C.C. (Pinky) Baker.

Services were held Wednesday. Our sympathies also go out to the friends

and family of Jean Burney, who passed away December 1st, and to Chris

and Ginger Faulk on the passing of Chris’ brother-in-law, Jim Padden.

Keep these members and their families in our prayers: Ron Brazzel,

Hank Bryant, Connor Burke, Richard Davis, Eva Denson, Sue Frye,

Brenda Gilliam, Don Gunter, Jordan Holthus, Robert Patterson, Nina Sue

Thorndike...and our friends: the Kenneth Bates family, David Byers, Jim

& Linda Denson, Natalie Graves, Shelly Thompson Lynch, Mary Padden,

Chelsey Watts, Frances Frye Williamson, and John Wills.

Christian Fellowship First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway Tyler, Texas 75701

(903) 561-8138 Website: www.fcctyler.org

E-mail: FirstChristian@fcctyler.org

Christian Fellowship (USPS 559960) Published bi-weekly by First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701 Periodical Postage paid at Tyler TX

POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701-8721

YEAR-END GIVING

Thank you all for your generosity. For those who would like to make

special year-end gifts, please have them in the office by 5 p.m. Wednes-

day, December 31st, or if by mail, your letter must be postmarked by

December 31st.

SERMON SERIES CONTINUES Our Advent message series, “Not a Silent Night,” continues this

Sunday. In the second installment, we visit Mary at the crucifixion of

her son. We won’t stay in the moment of Calvary, but we will link it to

Christmas, seeing how very connected Jesus’ birth and death are in His

role as “salvation, light and glory.” This message, “The Piercing of

Mary’s Soul,” springs from Adam Hamilton’s book and the text

Luke 2:27-35.