one last time · larkin rucker davis susan clark the family of mari jim brewster anne hubbard john...

Our Mission

To be and to share the Good News of Jesus Christ,

witnessing, loving and serving from our doorsteps “to

the ends of the earth.” (Acts 1:8)

I’m thankful for one last experience on the old screened

in back porch at Sunset Beach. I’m grateful to Father

for allowing us time and pleasure and relaxation for so

many years. I’m overjoyed with the memories that we’ve

made and the vivid memories that are etched in our

minds. So why would I think of anything less than the

goodness and blessing that God has afforded us? I’m

ecstatic when I stop to think of the blessing that the Lord

has granted us. So why not focus on what is true and

noble? Why would I not fix myself on what is right and

pure and lovely? There is a plenty to be admired and

there is much that is excellent and praise worthy if I will

just think about such things.

So with that said, I can’t wait to see what’s next!

The Lord bless you and find you well and in His warm

embrace.

Shalom Y’all!

Our Vision

To be a faithful, growing church that demonstrates true

community, deep Christian spirituality and a passion

for justice. (Micah 6:8)

I’ve written my Pastor’s note from many different places

throughout the years, but there will never be another back

porch writing session from Sunset Beach, NC I guess.

Well, at least not from 404 Live Oak Drive. That back

porch easily became my favorite writing spot. I loved to

get up early in the morning and just listen for the Lord

and without fail, every time through the old pine trees and

the dew burning off the ground from the warm sunshine

and the sounds of Father’s creation coming to life, I

would hear from Him. I think I’ve told you before it’s the

one place on the planet that makes my blood pressure

drop 50 points. Well, last Saturday morning may have

been my last back porch session.

We’ve sold the old place and it has brought our family

and friends loads of fun. You know we’ve watched our

kids grow up at Sunset Beach, NC and grow up they did.

With busy adult kids now and Jess and I with somewhat

busy schedules ourselves, we’ve just not had the flexibility

to go south as we once had and it just seemed the right

time to put the old place up for sale. Thankfully we sold it

to our neighbor and got exactly what we were asking. But

I have to admit, it’s a little bit of a bitter sweet feeling. I

walked out on the back porch for the very last time on

Saturday and ducked my head to keep from hitting it on

the top of the door facing. I did that the first time I walked

on that porch almost twenty years ago and bloodied my

head, but I never ran into that issue again. So I guess I’m

saying I’ve ducked through that door for the very last

time.

If life has taught me anything, and trust me it has and

continues to everyday, if I will just pay attention, life has

taught me that things will change and must change.

Change is one of those most dreaded things for most of us

actually, but change is not always bad, but it is always

different. I’m trying to be better prepared for change as I

get a little greyer and a little older and set in my ways. But

it has been these words of God that have helped me to

cope with the inevitable, that is change. “Finally, brothers,

whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,

whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is

admirable--if anything is excellent or praiseworthy--think

about such things.” Philippians 4:8

I wonder, am I the only one that struggles to think about

truth and nobility, and whatever is right? Am I the only

fella that seems to find it hard to put focus on what is pure

and lovely and admirable? I do want to focus on the things

that are excellent and praiseworthy, but I’m just not that

intentional. I have a tendency of getting caught up in the

mundane and the yuck of life. Sometimes it’s just hard to

focus on the positives when it seems that you are overrun

with negative. But that’s where I’m wrong and I need to

call it as it is. Satan wants to keep me down and keep me

in the pit of life and Abba has given way out of the pit and

granted free passage if I only trust in Him. But not just

trust for my eternal salvation, but trust Him for the air I

breathe and the life experience I am afforded. To live life

to the full and find true freedom that is in Christ and Him

alone, if only I will.

One Last Time

Prayer Requests

SHUT INS June Turner Ruth Shields Margaret Goodwin Marilyn Hypes Donnie Hypes

ONGOING HEALTH CONCERNS Logan Hawks Evelyn Wickham Eunice Cooper Glenn Kersey Matt Selbee Lois Gibson Marie Boerboom Shannon Neal Pat Hartley Jeff Russell

HEALTH CONCERNS Mrs. J.W. Newton Carolyn Hines Grat Shawver Dalia Vidot Dennis Huber Justin Falconi Lanny Basham Phillip Craighead Fred Haller Sarah Haller Nancy Neal Catherine Gillespie Dee Shoemaker Florence Neal Christine Perdue Fonda Morgan Barbara Sizemore Vicki Steele Ree Fowler Carol Fowler Larkin Rucker Susan Clark Jim Brewster

John Kettleheck Eddie Williams Betty Williams Janet Lockheart Buck Sowers Louisa Sowers Hal Gusler

CANCER CONCERNS Jim Russell JD Turner Brenda Kidd Brian Chumbly Louise McVey Nancy Tabor Carol Stafford Joyce Farmer Analyn Lily Bernard Atwood George Smith Lori Yost Moss Shirley Harless Zack Carter Sharon Gibson Karen Hoops Simon Angela Robinette Zack Williams Kristen Caudill Lori Johnston Patricia Miller Lindsay Varney Wayne Walker Harry Hancock Samuel B. Wells Danny Neely Mary Clark Cassidy Lisa Myles Glenn Shoemaker Catherine Smith

BEREAVEMENT The family of Jimmie Davis The Family of Mari Anne Hubbard

NON-HEALTH RELATED REQUEST Randy & Jan Bailey Retha Smith & Family Our Pastor Our Country Tim & April Scott BCC Congregation FCC Congregation Bluefield WV P.D. FCC Princeton Brandy Smith Tara McCarty

Celebrate Recovery Every Thursday at 6:00PM

Contact Gery Piluso at 304-320-8566

for more information.

Matthew 18:21-35

Hello family,

IT'S A GREAT DAY FOR A GREAT DAY! I hope

you believed that as you read it. If not go back and

read it again. The world we live in can sometimes try

get us down, but take heart! The God we serve has

overcome the world.

Youth announcements

October 1st- split Sunday School starts for youth pre

k- middle school. It consists of 3 separate classes

tailored to age level. We are in need of substitute

teachers. See Darius or Sarah if interested.

October- Christmas play practice begins dates and

times TBD...If interested in working with the youth

Christmas program see Darius or Sarah.

October 28th- Fall festival for youth time 11AM—

2PM.

If you have an interest in serving the youth there are

many opportunities available. I am excited about

what God is doing in this place! He is moving and the

kids are learning. God is so faithful to us and my

prayer is that we can be just as faithful to Him.

God bless you,

Darius

Youth News

We are just on the threshold of autumn and it seems that summer simply has fled. Choir practice has started and we will soon begin preparation for that loveliest of seasons, Christmas. If you have thought of singing with the choir, now is the time to start! New voices are always welcome.

Music at First Christian will resume in October with Dr. Alexa Schlimmer and Dr. John Moir in a joint recital of vocal music.

A Postcard from Italy will be the theme of our November concert, and will feature participants of the InterHarmony Festival this past July. It was such a wonderful and fruitful time. I was blessed to able to teach six pianists from USA, Brazil, and Taiwan and coached a violin, cello and piano trio from Taiwan. I also played in one of the faculty showcase concerts and taught a masterclass. Joao William, had been in a series of classes that I taught in the Amazon region of Brazil in 2003 and 2004. At that time he was 15. He discovered I would be in Italy at the festival and with some sponsorship and personal sacrifice was able to attend. I must confess that seeing him all grown up and playing so well brought tears. To be able to share knowledge, and help build the lives of the students was a true blessing. The work was intense but inspiring, starting at 9am and continuing often until midnight. The fellowship and food made it all worthwhile.

In December we have our Christmas Concert with FCC Choir and musicians from the Greater Area as Craig Hammond is fond of calling it.

Have a great September and let us make music together for Our Father.

Music News

To order sanctuary flowers please call Martha Royall at 304-327-8444

Flowers are $25.00

August 2017

First Christian Church

Financial Information for August 2017

Month-to-date Year-to-date

Total offerings and other sources $ 16,978.25 $ 134,349.93

Total expenses 17,097.44 133,189.85

Excess (deficit) of offerings to expenses (119.19) 1,160.08

Transfers from (to) savings 3,000 3,000

Increase (decrease) $ 2,880.81 $ 4,160.08

Balances on hand August 31, 2017:

General Fund $ 2,333.02

Memorial and Special Gifts 13,782.60

Property Repairs and Replacement 342.63

Scholarship 2,262.67

Bequested Funds and other savings 78,918.45

Total $ 97,639,37

Treasurer’s Report

Below is the financial report for August 2017. God

is good…. All of the time! Praise God for His faithfulness to His church! Praise God for each of

you and your faithfulness to the ministries at FCC. This month we had to make a transfer of $3,000 from invested savings to cover a short fall of

offerings to expenses. Let us always be mindful to return to God’s storehouse a portion of the many

gifts he has so richly bestowed upon us all. I am so appreciative for your faithfulness to God’s work in

this place and our community.

As a reminder, please continue to check for

LIGHTS, RUNNING TOILETS, A/C OR

HEAT, etc. following all meetings at the church.

Don’t assume someone else will lock up or turn

off. This really helps to hold down utility costs.

Also, if you become aware of maintenance issues with the property, please bring it to the attention of

the Property Ministry Team (Co-chairmen, George Birkelbach and Scott Collier) or the church office.

Delayed repairs can be more expensive than when they are caught early.

Our Church is truly blessed!

Mary Anne Musser, Treasurer

October 2017

SUN MON TUE WED THU FRI SAT

1

*BCC Worship 9:00AM

*Sunday School 10:00AM

*FCC Worship 11:00AM

*Celebrate Recovery Step Study’s 6:00PM

*Youth 7:00PM—8:00PM

2

*Boy Scouts 7:00PM

3

*Prayer Meeting 6:15PM

*Bible Study 7:00PM

*BCC Praise Team 6:30PM

4

*Breakfast at TBA 7:30AM

*FCC Praise Band Practice 6:00PM

*FCC Choir Practice 7:00PM

5

*Jonathan Matthews

*Men’s Prayer Meeting 7:30AM

*Celebrate Recovery 6:00PM

6 7

8

*BCC Worship 9:00AM





9

*Boy Scouts 7:00PM

10


*Bible Study 7:00PM


11


* W.O.W. Wednesday 5:30PM



12



13 14

15

*Lois Mullins

*BCC Worship 9:00AM





16

*Boy Scouts 7:00PM

17


*Bible Study 7:00PM


18

*Karen Copolo




19



20

*Newsletter Submissions Due

21

22

*BCC Worship 9:00AM





23

*Boy Scouts 7:00PM

24


*Bible Study 7:00PM


25

**Breakfast at TBA 7:30AM

*Newsletter Assembly & Mailing 10:00AM

* W.O.W. Wednesday 5:30PM



26

*Johnny Francisco

*Jim Russell



27 28

*Larry Peters

*Sarah Smith

29

*BCC Worship 9:00AM





30

Boy Scouts 7:00PM

31

*Alex Peters


*Bible Study 7:00PM


Birthdays Anniversaries

For birthday/anniversary additions/changes please notify Sarah

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If you have any questions concerning youth

events please contact Darius Carper, Youth Minister [email protected] or 304.800.3774 or

Sarah Neal, Youth Mentor [email protected] or 304.910.9933

Sunday Youth Night 7:00PM—8:00PM

Wednesday

5:30-6:30 PM WOW October 11 & 25

*Youth Outreach Ministry

one last time · larkin rucker davis susan clark the family of mari jim brewster anne hubbard john...

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