Personally from the Pastor

What Shall We Bring? Televangelists I’ve heard have used several approaches to ask for money. Here are two. Both are out and out blasphemy! False motivator #1—you will get back more than you give. False motivator #2—you should give money to prove your devotion to God and avoid hell. I strongly reject these two approaches! But, I’ve heard tell of similar approaches used by some churches too. Something about you tells me that I shouldn’t have to say anything to you at all about giving to God through First Christian. We have heard heartfelt testimonies in worship about what this church means. “The Elders prayed with me in the hospital.” “This church reached out to me and mine in a big, loving way…” “I’m so happy to be part of a church that doesn’t judge people in need—but lends them a hand.” Yes, you already recognize what is different about the way we do things at First Christian, and so your support will flow naturally from that deep respect and love. Maybe you give because you can imagine what would be different in your life if this church did not exist, Jesus On the Go did not exist, the Disciples Women had no place to meet, Light the World did not exist, and the choir and Praise band had no place to lead us in singing. There are two places in Claremore that offer a free hot supper every week to anyone who walks in the door. One of those places is the Family Life Center of First Christian Church. Imagine that First Christian wasn’t here, and then ask yourself honestly if it would make any difference.

If your answer is, “Yes, it would make a difference, and not a good one;” then you’re saying, “It matters to me that this church is here.” Then you ought to support it—not out of guilt, but out of joyful commitment. We are doing a world of good around here. We are not just a church that pays to keep the lights on and the doors open. Of course, we must do this in order to do all the other good and wonderful things. Yes, truly Christian things! So, make your plan to bring something to God through the church in 2019. It is time to start planning our ministries for next year. You may have already received an envelope in your mailbox. Inside you’ll find an explanation of some good things First Christian has done in 2018 with what you have brought to God. It also explains what we plan to do with our offerings in the coming year. Then, you’ll be asked to plan what you can bring to God in 2019. Of course, that must be based on your financial assets and obligations. (Let me repeat what I have said for years: I don’t know what anyone gives to God through the church.) When you’ve turned in your Estimate of Giving card, then a picture of our combined financial support can be formed. That support is absolutely essential to help our church impact God’s world for good in 2019! In Christian love, PS. Some of the above was guided by words of Pastor Robin Meyers, for whom I am grateful.

200 E. 5TH St., Claremore (918) 341-1199 November 1, 2018 fccclaremore.org

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Newsletter

We Celebrate Generosity!

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

*$177.25 Jesus On the Go (J.O.G.) for random acts of kindness in the name of Jesus. *$164.00 Light The World (LTW) to help families with utilities and lodging. *$145.00 in Special Offerings to help bring life, love and learning through the general ministries of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). *$100.00 budgeted and 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

2018 YTD Outreach Total: $5,687.25

Please note: To keep our doors open, our intended ministries fully funded, and our devoted staff paid, our weekly Sunday offerings must average $4,877. In October, our weekly Sunday offerings averaged $4,139.21.

Light The sermon topic for Nov. 11 is on "light". Bring your favorite original photo, lamp, drawing, poem, painting, or sculpture of light to be displayed around the sanctu-ary on that Sunday as part of your participation in the worship service for that day. If you have a favorite poem, story, movie, play, song, or book about light, let Julie or Susan know and those will be displayed together along with the original pieces people bring. Come to church a little early so you can have it displayed or drop it off with Susan earlier in the week. Take it home with you after the service ends. If you have original digitized images of "light" you wish to share, send them to Julie Ketcher (ketcher@cox.net) and she will try to incorporate them into the power point images throughout the service. Thank you.

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.

If you wish to have an article or announcement placed in the next newsletter, you may email it to the church office at fccaa@sbcglobal.net no later than the 25th each month.

Dear Friends of Redeemer

Just a short note of sincere thanks for the great hospitality you’ve shown the members of Redeemer Lutheran Church by making your fellowship hall and kitchen available to us for our Consecration Dinner on October 14. Without your generosity toward us we could never have made this event happen. Hopefully, we won’t have to ask for this favor again, since our new fellow-ship hall/education center is well underway. Hopefully, you’ll never have to ask us to return the favor, but if that should become necessary, I’m sure we would do what needs to be done for our very, very good Christian friends.

In Christian love, The Congregation of Mary Jo Rostek Redeemer Lutheran Church Stewardship Director

Don’t Miss Our All Church Thanksgiving Lunch-eon November 11!

Bring your favorite side dish or dessert to share with the church family after worship on November 11. Your guests are very welcome to join us in our very welcoming Family Life Center! The turkey, rolls, and drink will be provided. Turkeys will be donated. Can you cook one? Or can you bring a big ol’ pan of dressing? Then please contact Amanda Tobey 918.407.9271 today! We’re grateful to our dedicated Church Life Ministry Team and helpers who will join them to prepare for this great table time. Tables will be set up on Saturday, November 10. Others who can help with prep and clean-up are appreciated too.

Let's Name Our New Children's Area! This quiet area in our sanctuary is open for the supervised use of children ages birth to 5 years. Care-givers and children may stay there for the entire service. Others may want to come and go during worship Will you help us give this special welcoming space a name? Please call in or send your suggestions to 918.341.1199 or fccaa@sbcglobal.net. Thank you!

Worship Ministry Team will be getting out and dust-ing off the Christmas wreath, trees, bows on Sunday, November 25 after worship time. We need help. Please plan on staying after church on that Sunday. Loretta Pool, Worship Ministry

The bell ringing season starts each November and runs through Christmas Eve. Volunteers are the difference between an empty kettle and one that raises about $30/hr – enough to provide a family with two bags of groceries, or shelter an individual for a night.

First Christian Church has been proud bell ringers for several years. This year we will ring bells at Reasors, and we are scheduled for two days. We need volunteers to ring bells on: Monday, Dec 10 from 9 am - 6 pm Friday, Dec 14 from 9 am - 2 pm.

Sign-up sheets will be available Nov 18. Please contact Katy Galusha-White or Pastor Charles if you have any questions.

All Saints’ Day, also called All Hallows’ Day, Hallowmas, or Feast of All Saints, in the Christian church, a day commemorating all the saints of the church, both known and unknown, who have attained heaven. We will honor our church family members who have passed on November 4 with a Service of Abiding Memory.

Day Group

Work Day: Thursday, Nov 15 @ 9 am

Friday, November 16 Bake Sale and Bazaar 10 am - 2 pm

Lunch served 11 am - 1 pm

No meeting this month

Rachel Group

Thursday, November 15 7:00 pm

Hostess: at Sherri Book’s home

Service Project: College Student Gift Boxes Any help you can give with the fundraiser will be greatly appreciated.

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Cancer Patients - Arleigh Williams, Maria Eubanks, Janet Newman, Tonia Robinson, Henry Gonzales, Dorothy Harris, Elizabeth Upshaw

Health Concerns - Darrell Low recovering from surgery; Robby Ellison was in hospital; Mary Beth Murray (Dee Dee Clark’s sister) answers when she goes back to oncologist; Joe Mitchell (friend of Diane Forst) recovering from surgery; Russ Riffle recovering from infection; Evelyn (Gale Mullen’s great grand-daughter) unable to see right now; Jordan (Gail Mullen’s great granddaughter) recovering from surgery on her hand Symapthy for the family of Sandra Dodson, Sharon Stratton, Ola Mae Klass (family neighbor of Jim Kotoff), Vonnie Kirk (friend of Amanda Catalano)

*ELDERS SERVING - NOVEMBER 2018

DATE

STANDING ELDER (Serving Claremore, Brookfield & Wood

Manor Nursing Homes)

SERVING & PRAYER ELDER

(Serving Homebound / Hospitals)

Nov 4 Trudy Hedgpath Sean Robinson

Nov 11 Jerry Book Trudy Hedgpath

Nov 18 Janet Edge Jerry Book

Nov 25 Greg Smith Renee Smith

*DIACONATE SCHEDULE - NOVEMBER 2018

DATE SERVING

COMMUNION & GREETING SHEPHERD,

PREPARE & CLEAN-UP

Nov 4 Cliff & Charlotte Johnson, Steve Pool, Jennifer Swinney, Jim Watkins, Megan Robinson

Cliff & Charlotte Johnson

Nov 11 Cathie Riley, Linda Womack, Kenneth Hutchins, Lynne Dosch, Amanda tobey, Krisalynn Mathis

Cathie Riley Linda Womack

Nov 18 Larry & Kay Livingston, Diane Forst, Steve Pool, Jennifer Swinney, Barry Clark

Larry & Kay Livingston

Nov 25 Don & Beverly Wofford, Cliff & Charlotte Johnson, Cathie Riley, Jim Watkins

Don & 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

Nov 4 Amanda Tobey

Nov 11 Diane Forst

Nov 18 Don & Beverly Wofford

Nov 25 Amanda Tobey

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 VACANT, Youth Director Susan Kotoff, Secretary ________________________________ Sean Robinson, Interim Music Director Ray Teakell, Accompanist ________________________________ RETURN SERVICE REQUESTED

November

OFFICE HOURS Monday - Friday

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

FAITHFUL FINANCES October 2018 YTD

Total Offerings and Other Income for Daily Ministries Expenses

16,556.82 183,109.65

Total Daily Ministries Expenses 16,499.80 181,234.09

Net Income (Loss) 57.02 1,875.56

Needed for Budget 19,510.64 209,739.38

Budget Excess (Shortfall) (2,953.82) (26,629.73)

2 June Mayberry 9 Christine Pool 20 Rachel Kotoff

4 Loretta Pool 14 Wilma Roosa 20 Oilen Taber

5 Ronald Musser 14 Nan Jones 25 Julia Morrison

6 Ernest Green 18 Ann Schermer 26 Barbara Strickland

6 Arlene Fugate 19 Sally Marlar 26 Philip Smith

6 Susan McCoy 19 Connie Porterfield 27 Lucy Franklin

9 Brandon Pool 20 Linda Biard