The Christian Builder

June 26, 2014 A weekly publication of First Christian Church Midland Volume 58 No. 25

www.fccmidland.org ● 1301 W. Louisiana Ave., Midland, Texas 79701 ● 432.682.2541

Church Calendar

Sunday, June 29 Grand Beginnings Arrives 9am Contemporary Worship 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Service 6:30pm Patriotic Musical Ice Cream Social Mission Trip Send Off Monday, June 30 9:30am Staff Meeting Tuesday, July 1 10am Mommy & Me 7:30pm Boy Scouts Wednesday, July 2 7am Men’s Prayer Breakfast 5:30pm Breaking Bread Thursday, July 3 10am R.A.K. Club Friday, July 4 Office Closed Sunday, July 6 8’ers Campers Depart 10am Sunday School 11am Traditional Service

Join Us This Sunday, June 29th at 6:30pm for Our Patriotic Musical

“It’s America” The Songs We Sing...The Land We Love.

Summertime brings about the opportunity to celebrate several special days (Memorial Day, Flag Day, Independence Day) that honor our freedoms, our country, out veterans (past and present), and others who serve our nation. One of the ways we do this is with glorious

patriotic music! We invite you to come and enjoy our Sanctuary Choir and soloists this Sunday, June 29, at 6:30pm in the Sanctuary.

Music will include “A Tribute to George M.Cohan,” “Salute to the Armed Forces”, and the ever-popular “Battle Hymn of the Republic”. Invite your friends to be present as we honor those who have helped

to make our country great!

We will also commission our Mission Trip Team.

Please join us after the program for Ice Cream. Bring your favorite

homemade or store bought ice cream to share with others. Childcare will be provided for children ages 0-2 years.

July Means Summer Schedule!

Beginning next Sunday, all Sundays in July will be single service Sundays. Many of our folks travel during summer and between July 4 holiday weekend and other events, our church is best served by consolidating into one combined worship.

We did this last year and it was very successful. Spread the word to church family and friends about the schedule change for July.

Schedule for July: 10 am Sunday School

11 am Combined Worship

Two worship service format will resume in August.

Page 2 The Builder, First Christian Church

Thoughts… Rev. Mike Hunter Senior Minister

Pay attention: every bush is burning. Leonard Sweet, Nudge

Sweet’s book Nudge is among my most referenced these days. He was willing to

take the “good old days” language of church and evangelism and reinvent them

to be effective in today’s world. Since 1965 isn’t coming back, that’s a good

thing!

The short quote captures his premise…every bush in burning. The metaphor comes from the Moses story,

how a burning bush changed his life.

Sweet contends that bush burning isn’t just in the past…God places burning bushes in our path all the time.

Sometimes we see them, sometimes we miss them.

Our goal is to grow in our capacity to see those bushes.

There’ve been a lot of them lately, from hospital rooms, to choir rehearsals, to VBS experiences and more.

Our visitor traffic is off the charts and in recent weeks we’ve had additions and I think more are on the horizon.

The Children’s Learning Center is full of burning bush stories, from how this opportunity was formed to how

the path is being made clear for how this ministry will begin, now, as a part of FCC. Several families connected to the

CLC were part of VBS. Many of those have already attended worship.

Do you see that bush burning?

Our only job as church is to nudge those around us.

Did you see that? God stuff is happening here!

You can’t nudge someone else to see it until you see it for yourself.

I think the words of Jesus are appropriate:

Pay attention…something good is happening.

When she had said this, she turned around and saw Jesus standing there,

but she did not know that it was Jesus. John 20:14

This Week’s

Sermon:

No More Southern Hospitality

Matt 10:40-42

Mike Hunter’s Sunday School

Class

10am - Montgomery Room

Topic: Creation 3: Flood to Abraham

Church Sermon

Videos Are Available Online

Our website has been updated. You can now see sermon videos. Spread the word!

www.fccmidland.org

Page 3 The Builder, First Christian Church

Memorial Food Pantry

The blue tubs are in the sanctuary narthex every week. Protein, canned goods, rice and beans are always needed.

Approximately 250 families are helped each month. We also need volunteers on Tuesdays at 1pm to help unload the truck,

and Wednesdays from 1-3pm to help distribute food to clients.

Thank You for

worshipping

with us!

Attendance June 22, 2014

Sunday Worship Contemporary 27 Total 27

Traditional 130 Children’s Church 25 Nursery 5 Total 160

Combined Total 187

Thank You For A Successful Church Blood Drive Thank you to all those who made a difference in our community this

past Sunday. The Church Blood Drive went very well; we had 12 donors and 18 products.

The next Blood Drive is scheduled for Oct. 26th, 2014.

Visitors

June 22, 2014

Megan Alexander

Jacob & Nathan Bell

Susan Bickham

Katie Crabtree

Cecilio & Christian Flores

Keith, Sharna & Ethan Gibbons

Chris & Kennedy Giese

The Hernandez Family

Logan Hillman

June Jarrett

The Little Family

Noah Markham

Roni & Colton Manley

Dianne Mills

Mason Perkins

Pat, Nicholas & Aidan Ramsey

The Rubio Family

Loyd Sanders

Todd, Stephanie & Kobi Strickland

Lauren Sullivan

The Tercero Family

Stephen Thompson

Bernice Varner

Macie White

Art & Carla Wilson

Page 4 The Builder, First Christian Church

Ponderings… Rev. Paula Brooks Associate Minister

Children’s Activities

Sunday School Topic: Parable of the Mustard Seed Focus: God makes the smallest faith grow wildly. Scripture: Matthew 13:31-32

Children’s Church Topic: Steps to Baptism Leader 9am Ingrid Miller/ Jennifer Cooper 11am The Jones Family

Summer Activities R.A.K. Club (Random Acts of Kindness) – R.A.K. Club is for children ages 4-completed 5th grade. Join each Thursday from 10:00-12:00 in the Kid Cave as we share in acts of kindness. Mommy & Me - a summer program for moms and their little ones – Tuesday, July 1, 10:00am in the nursery.

Adult Sunday School Studies

Mixed Blessings - Room 102 Scripture: Matt 10:40-42 Leader: Bill Bucy

2 Chronicles 7:14 - Room - Library Topic: Jesus the Savior Scripture: Mark 11-16 Leader: Members of Class

Fellowship - Room 307 Topic: Servants of God Focus: Joshua: Obedience & Peace Scripture: Joshua 13-21 Leader: Jim Mauldin

Genesis - Room 107 Topic: “Treating Everyone Equally” Scripture: James 2:1-13 Leader: Jerry Floyd

To simply say “Thank You!” to all of you that helped VBS 2014 Weird Animals be a huge success doesn’t seem to be enough. These words simply cannot describe the deep gratitude I have for each of you as you gave of your time and energy to all the children and our guests that attended VBS.

Not only was our campus each night filled with the joy, excitement, laughter and anticipation of children as well as adults, our gym was filled Friday night with approximately 300 people - families coming to experience our closing and enjoy delicious burgers.

Below are just a few snapshots of our week. Be prepared because we are already planning VBS 2015. You don’t want to miss it! In loving partnership,

Lectionary Scriptures

June 29, 2014

Genesis 22:1-14; Psalm 13; Romans 6:12-23;

Matthew 10:40-42

Page 5 The Builder, First Christian Church

Elder - On Call

Sandy Faulkner 6/22 - 6/28

Ray Berry 6/29 - 7/5

Online Giving

You can now give to FCC through our website!

You can make a one-time donation, pay the fees for a

children's or youth event, or set up recurring donations.

Online giving is convenient, safe, easy to track, and easy to

schedule on a regular basis.

Mission Corner…

Family Promise. Quarterly, help needed . We partner with North A Church of Christ by providing overnight hosts. 2-4 families are in the program at any given time. Memorial Food Pantry (Ongoing) The blue tubs are in the sanctuary narthex every week. Protein, canned goods, rice and beans are always needed. Approximately 250 families are helped each month. We also need volunteers on Tuesdays at 1pm to help unload the truck, and Wednesdays from 1-3pm to help distribute food to clients. Breaking Bread Kitchen (Monthly) Members take a rotational turn with others in the community serving a daily evening meal. Volunteers are currently needed to help out, if you are interested please contact Martha Petraitis at mkpetraitis@gmail.com.

Mission Team to Depart This Week TJ is leading a group from our church to join hundreds of Disciple Youth from around the region in the Mission Trip 2014. This is the 3 year and over 350 youth and adults are joining forces to make this one of the largest mission trips yet. They are going to the tornado affected areas of Oklahoma to help repair and rebuild. Our church has been one of the founding congregations in this new experience and the result has been tremendous. The numbers had to be capped due to logistics and there is talk of expansion into two mission teams for next year. FCC Midland can be proud not only of the fact that we send youth and adult sponsors on this worthy mission trip, but that our congregation helped found this new, grass-roots, and hands-on ministry. Tell someone about what your church is doing beyond these walls!

DSM Team To Pray For Is:

Adult Sponsors: TJ York, Khrysti Bair, Martha Petraitis

Dalton Alexander

Jared Campbell

Chandler Carter

Josh Carnett

John Ross Espino

Christian Flores

Taylor Hamilton

Kristen Hepfer

Dusty Hopper

Sarah Jones

Delaney Kilgore

Shelby Mann

Collin McCullough

Nathan Ross

Remy Tercero

Lanette Valero

Blake Woods

Page 6 The Builder, First Christian Church

Church Bulletin Board

Birthdays

6/27 Lu Ann Morgan 6/28 David Cook 6/28 Becky Anderson 6/30 Karen Rucker 7/1 Bruce Stanley 7/1 Diane Klancher 7/2 Mick Denny 7/2 John Hicks

Anniversaries

6/28 Sandy & Diane Faulkner 6/28 Tom & Marilyn Friday 6/28 Doug & Sandra Wills 6/30 Todd & DeAnn Stanley 7/1 David & Heather McNeely 7/3 Jake & Judy Spruell

Children’s Summer Activities R.A.K. Club (Random Acts of Kindness) – We will meet Thursday, July 3, at 10:00am in Kid Cave. Mommy & Me - a summer program for moms and their little ones – Tuesday, July 1, 10:00am in the nursery. Come and join us for a devotional time while the little enjoy each other.

2014 Summer Events

6/29 6:30pm Patriotic Musical/Ice Cream Social; Mission Trip Com missioning 6/30-7/5 Youth Mission Trip, Oklahoma City, Ok. 7/6-12 8’ers Camp, Athens 7/7-7/11 JYF Camp, LBCR All Sundays in July 10am Sunday School 11am Combined Worship Service.

Page 7 The Builder, First Christian Church

Website Don’t forget to check out our

website (www.fccmidland.org) for news, publications, and

previous sermons!

Prayer Room Social Media

Become a friend of ours on Facebook and “Like” us.

www.facebook.com/fccmidland

Follow us on Twitter (@fccmidland)

E-mail Provider

Please be sure that your e-mail provider accepts e-mails from

fccmidland.org. We have had several e-mails sent

back to us, and solving the problem would help us get

accurate and up-to-date information to you.

Check out FCC’s Children’s page on Facebook and “Like” us.

www.facebook.com/fcccm

Special Notes: Prayer list names are renewed every three weeks as we seek to keep the list as current as possible and

allow space for new requests. Our joys, concerns

and deepest needs are already on God’s heart long before

we put them to paper.

…for your Father knows what you need before you ask him.

Matthew 6:8

Please inform the church office if you or a loved one

are admitted into a hospital, so we may be there for you &

your family.

For submission to prayer list contact any staff, submit via web,

or e-mail prayerchain@fccmidland.org

Those in need of prayer:

Cheba Bianchi Roberta Hurt Gary Beckner Mary Mauldin John Midkiff Erlene Thomas George & Dee Head Mike & Brenda Nance Bruce Stanley Bill & Char Womack Blanche Alcorn Those in extended/long term care: Mary Ellis Nancy Gill Jerry Johnson Jackie Hanna Charlotte Millican Keith Somerville Dorothy Wadley Military: Joe Henderson - son of Holly Moore Nicky Miller - son of Vicki Miller Damon Darnell - grandson of Doris Miller Families/Friends beyond FCC: Sandy Davis – friend of Polly Hedrick The Family of David Alldredge – friend of Kelly Cook Martha Belden – granddaughter of Enid Davis Karen Martin – friend of Doris Miller Betty Harvell – Sara Cranford Louella Cranford Smith – aunt of Mark Cranford Randy Quimby – uncle of Lynda Terry Nick Bazaldua – grandson-in-law of Doris Miller Nieta Stephenson – mother of Mike Stephenson & Michelle Hepfer Fred McCown – The Espino’s Albert Valero – husband of Tere Valero Wayne Cranford – cousin of Mark Cranford Kevin Denny – son of Mick Denny John Barrett – brother in law of Mike & Enid Hunter The Bill Kemp Family – friend of Sara Cranford Eulalia Bird – aunt of Kay Hill Bobby Beckner – son of Gary & Janice Beckner Matt Vann – friend of Mark Cranford George Koehl – friend of Sharon Jones Charles Pechacek – father of Curtis Pechacek BJ Cranford – brother of Mark Cranford Daniel Odom – friend of Darla Fisher Pete Herndon – nephew of Vicki Miller David Alldredge – friend of Kelly Cook Joe Langford – father of Carol Cook Martha Pollock – friend of Sara Cranford Liz Hickerson – friend of Leslie Vines Barry Hardaway – brother of Erich Hardaway Abbye Irons – friend of Steve Vaughan Blake Woods – friend of John Ross Walker Hughes – grandson of Steve & Lucille Vaughan Charles Lout – friend of George & Dee Head Brenda Bradshaw – friend of Lucille Vaughan Jo Smith – daughter-in-law of Donna Lathrop Tom Hewitt - brother of Anne Schwiening Kim Walters - foster daughter of Diane Bailey Fisher Families/Friends beyond FCC in long term care: Sonya Hopkins - friend of Kelley McCullough

For submission to prayer list contact any staff, submit via web, or e-mail prayerchain@fccmidland.org

The Christian Builder First Christian Church 1301 W. Louisiana Ave. Midland, TX 79701

432.682.2541

www.fccmidland.org June 26, 2014

CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED

Non-Profit Org US Postage

Paid Midland, TX 79711

Permit No. 145

Wow! What an intense three weeks it has been. The Children’s Learning Center has arrived at First Christian Church. We feel very honored and blessed to be a part of this congregation. On May 28th , the movers came bright and early ready to move our entire school to our new home! Two days and nine truck loads later we arrived. We have been busy organizing, unpacking and preparing for the new school year. We will have about 164 children daily on campus with 27 teachers and staff. You have probably noticed some cosmetic changes already with the addition of the play area and the fencing. They are currently installing a new fire alarm system which should be

complete soon. We are working in the classrooms getting everything ready to go for September 2nd. God has led us through this journey and continues to guide us in all we do. We are so excited to be able to continue our school ministry and to establish an awesome partnership working hand and hand with First Christian Church. Thank you, FCC staff and congregation, for your generosity in allowing the CLC to become a part of you! Come by and see us, we would love to give you a tour and show you what will be happening in the near future. Blessings, Sandra