Where in the World…???

Where did you spend your time this summer? How did it go?  Inquiring minds want to know!

Send a photo of something about your summer (a trip? a job? a sport? a hobby?) to Gery Deaver   - or drop it off at the church office.  On Sunday evening, September 21, we will have fun guessing who/what/where about each picture.  Supper will be a baked potato bar with all the fixings.

Come one, Come all! WHAT:   Baked Potato Supper and Guessing Game WHERE:   Fellowship Hall WHEN:   5:00 pm, Sunday, September 21

Please get your photo to Gery by September 10.

TGIF – Friday, October 3

The annual “Thank God It’s Friday” luncheon served to Cedar Falls High School students, staff and teachers will be Friday, October 3.

Gary and Carolyn Chambers have agreed to coordinate this event.  Everyone’s help is needed to provide food for the 800 – 900 people served over the lunch hour.

Here’s what you can begin doing now:

1. Name brand pop is served for lunch.  Watch the sales and purchase pop for TGIF.  We will need 60 – 12 can cartons.

2. Water is also served.  We need 16 cases of 12 bottles each.

3. Homemade cookies and bars are served.  We need 75 dozen!  Perhaps making and freezing treats NOW gets us to that number more easily.

4. Helpers are a MUST.  People are needed for set up, cooking, serving, and well as take down.

The sign up sheets will be posted this Sunday, September 7.  Please indicate your help! 

   Good food!

Good fun!

Good neighbors!!

 

Thursday Bible Study

The mid-week Bible Study will begin on Thursday, September 25 at 9:30 AM in the church library. From our study of the Book of Acts we encountered several churches that Paul was a significant part of starting as well as sustaining their ministry. A five week study of Paul’s letter to the Ephesians will be the next study by building on words from Paul’s exhortation to the Ephesian elders from Acts 20. Ephesians is an influential statement on Christian discipleship and embodies a vision of reconciliation, peace and human unity that is accomplished through Christ’s obedient death on the cross.

The study will be spirited as conversation will engage us not only in what the words meant for the early church but encourage us to explore our faithfulness in today’s world. There is prayer as well as study to be found on Thursday morning’s in the Church Library. The coffee pot is on. Bring your Bible and join the conversation!
 

The First Readers Book Club  By Connie Deaver, Facilitator

Thank you to Harriett Hahn for hosting the August gathering and for the “theme” refreshments complete with circus popcorn and nuts.  I believe the group would unanimously recommend the book “Water for Elephants” to you to read.

Here is a tentative schedule for the First Readers Book Club for the next few months:

   September 25: “Gilead” by Robinson

Meeting to be held at the Cedar Falls Library.  I hope to have books available on Sunday, Sept. 7.

   October 23: “Glass Castle” by Walls

   November 20: “While I Was Gone” by Miller

   December 8: Holiday dinner out and book exchange.

More details will come later. ÿ
 

Blanket Sunday – September 28, 2008

"A Rainbow of Caring" is the mission project of Church World Service which pro-vides more than $3.7 million to help people in some 80 nations, including the United States, through the Tools and Blankets program. Sunday, September 28, our congregation will have an opportunity to build "A Rainbow of Caring" through our special gifts received on Blanket Sunday. Here are some examples of what the gifts can do:
	$25 can provide warm blankets for five refugee children
$57 can provide a wheelbarrow, hoe, shovel and rake for a rural family
	$100 can supply nets and other equipment for a village fishing cooperative
$172 can buy a Family Shelter Kit (a family sized tent, ground cloth, plastic sheeting, two poles, and four blankets.
	$300 can pay secondary school tuition for an AIDS orphan or other vulnerable child
$1,000 can pay for a village water system
Providing the right tool at the right time can make a world of difference in the lives of children and families faced with an emergency, or struggling to keep food on the table. When disaster strikes, Church World Service responds immediately, both overseas and here at home. There's no end to the work to be done. Consider a generous gift on Blanket Sunday and help us wrap the world in our love.

Autumn is in the Air

Can you hear the soft voices of happy women, smell the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and feel the sense of anticipation in the air?  It is time for Disciples Women to begin a new year of Bible study, fellowship, fun and service.

On Monday, September 15, at 7:00 PM, Lydia Circle will meet in the church library hosted by Marilyn Miller. Pastor Liz will present the lesson from the book, "For God So Loved the World".

On Tuesday, September 16, the Esther Circle will meet in the home of Pat McGraw at 1:00 PM. Pat Vanderwerf will present the lesson from a book entitled, "God's Purpose for Our Life".

All women are invited to attend the Circle that best fits their schedule. We have a time of sharing joys and concerns, of study based on Biblical teachings, and of fellowship and dessert. We will be doing a service project to be announced later in the year.
 

Attention all CYF & Chi Rho... We are Beginning...            a new year of Fellowship                a new year of Friendships                        a new year of Ministry...

Join us on Wednesdays at 5 PM in the fellowship hall at church.  You will be fed – your stomachs will be full, your minds will be filled in thought provoking conversations, and your hearts will overflow with joy!  Join the new year of CYF and CHI RHO!

Wrap Them in Prayer

Do you have family, friend or neighbor who has been impacted by illness, depression, the recent weather disasters or someone that just needs to know you care? A Prayer Shawl will wrap that person in the prayers of our church family. Please feel free to share this gift of love and support. Prayer Shawls and note cards are available on the narthex table opposite the office door.

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Fill the Pantry

May 7, 2008: Food needs continue to be met through the Emergency Food Pantry.  If you would like to help keep the shelves stocked here are items needed at this time: ü      Soups and Stews ü      Canned meat: tuna, chicken, turkey, salmon ü      Canned vegetables: peas, corn, carrots, beans ü      Boxed skillet meals, pizza mixes and spaghetti dinners ü      Canned fruit ü      Cereal, pancake mix, syrup, toaster pastries, fruit juice ü      Pudding and jello ü      Peanut butter and Jelly ü      Spaghetti and spaghetti sauce ü      Dry milk, minute rice and potato flakes            Thank you for your continuing donations to this important outreach ministry to people in the Cedar Valley.  Jeanna Newcomb, Pantry Coordinator

Monetary gifts may be made to the Emergency Pantry by noting on the memo line of a check “Emergency Pantry.”

Thanks for your help in helping us reach out in Jesus’ love.

2008 Flower Calendar

The flower calendar for 2008 is been posted in the narthex. Sign up for a date to share flowers with your church family. Celebrate or commemorate a special date or give flowers “just because you want to.”

The church office will make a reminder call during the week preceding your scheduled date. Flowers can be ordered by the office from Bancroft Florist or you can order them from the florist of your choice. Flowers from your own garden are also welcome. Please call the church office if you have a question.
 

Acts of Service - Opportunities to Serve

In the narthex every Sunday are many opportunities to become actively involved in the ministry and service of First Christian Church.  Among those opportunities are communion preparation, serving communion during worship, lighting the candles before worship and extending a hand of fellowship as worshippers arrive on Sunday mornings.  If you have questions, please call Mary Jo Woody, Stephanie Weaver, Penny Lowman or the church office.

39’ers Plan for 2008   by Pat McGraw & Harriet Hahn

Reader X-Change

Share the good books you have read! A shelf in the library has been designated for this "Reader X-Change." Place on the shelf any book you would like to offer to others. Add a note about it for the next reader, if you like. When you take a book, drop $1 in the blue "Reader X -Change" box.

Labels for Woodhaven  

The Campbell’s Soup Company has made a change in the Labels for Education program. Rather than collecting the front label portion, Campbell’s will now only take the UPC bar-codes. A listing of what food items apply and also a collection box is located on the table in the narthex. If you have been saving the front labels, bring them in as soon as possible. A final shipment of front labels will be sent the first week of November. Disciple Women collects the labels to support Woodhaven, a home in Columbia, MO, which serves persons with developmental disabilities.

Please keep those Campbell’s UPC barcodes coming!  (Remember, we no longer take front labels!)  And for those in Midwestern states, we collect Best Choice UPC barcodes also.

More details are available at our website www.nbawoodhaven.org.

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New Service Project -

The Disciples Women of First Christian Church will be collecting Campbell’s soup labels for the NBA facility of Woodhaven in Columbia, Missouri. 

NBA Woodhaven is a not-for-profit organization that serves men and women living with developmental disabilities. Woodhaven serves individuals ranging in age from 19 – 70 in 45 homes and apartments throughout Columbia.  Inclusion is a large part of Woodhaven’s pro-gram and the individuals are active members of the community.  They provide opportunities for God’s resources to get into the lives of God’s people.

For over 20 years, NBA Woodhaven has participated in the Campbell’s Soup Labels-for-Education program.  During that time, churches, CWF groups and many individuals have provided enough labels so Woodhaven could acquire four 15-passenger, handicapped accessible vans.  While Campbell’s Soup is no longer offering the vans, they will help “purchase” more needed items for the men and women served by Woodhaven.  Computers, microwave ovens, emergency radios, flashlights with fluorescent lamps, and alarm sirens can all be “purchased” with your donated labels.

A full list of eligible labels will be distributed at the Disciples Women Circle meetings in April and is posted on the narthex bulletin board.  A container will be placed in the narthex to receive your labels.  Thank you!
 

Borrowing from the Church

Lots of items will be borrowed from the church this season for garage sales, receptions, family dinners, etc.  It is important to check with the church office before borrowing tables to make sure there is not a church event at the same time.  It is also important to return items in a timely fashion.  Sign up sheets are in the kitchen.  Restrictions are also listed on these sheets.  Thanks for your cooperation.

Important:  White tables may not leave the building!  There are several of the old-style tables that may be checked out for home use.

Cedar Falls Community Meal

This Community Outreach Meal is served at First United Methodist Church each Tuesday. Our church participates during months with “5th Tuesdays.” Sign up in the narthex to donate cakes, prepare, serve and clean up the meal.

A Calling Ministry

Home Calling Ambassadors are a group of people who make “home visits.” This calling ministry enables home-bound and nursing home people to remain connected and a part of the total ministry of First Christian Church. There is an opportunity for you to join the calling team. Are you willing to reach out and touch someone’s life? If so, call the church office or contact Darlene Cannon.

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Websites for Disciple Women

Want to know what’s going on with Disciples Women?  Check these websites often for resources, information, contacts and events:    www.discipleswomen.org  and  www.dreamonsisters.com

On Vacation ?

Remember to check the website  www.cedarfallsdisciples.org while you are away for current news of the congregation. ÿ

 

If You Don’t Do It, Who Will?

If you get it out, put it away
   (in its rightful place, please);

If you open it, close it;

If you spill it, wipe it up;

If it boils over, clean it up;

If it’s dirty, wash it;

If it can be recycled,
put it in the recycling bins;

If you break it or it needs fixing,
tell the office;

If you use the last one, tell the office
(or the LOGOS Kitchen Steward)

If you unlock it, lock it;

If you are the last one out,
turn off the lights and lock the doors.

If we all do our share,
our building will reflect our care!

Have you heard it all before?  Maybe your mother or dad said something similar to you when you were growing up.  However redundant, it is true. We all need to take responsibility for our building.  We cannot expect “someone else” to pick up after us. Who picks up the bulletin left in the pew?  Who tosses the used coffee cups in the trash and empties the half-full pop cans? Who wipes up the kitchen counters when something is spilled?  And the list goes on and on…

If we all do our share,
our building will reflect our care!

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First Christian Church Mission Statement

In response to the love of God through Jesus Christ, we of First Christian Church, Cedar Falls, seek...

U    To proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ in word and deed;

U    To gather as a community of faith to worship God with reverence, joy and beauty;

U    To nourish personal faith and commitment through study, prayer, fellowship and service;

U    To be a caring community of faith working with God's love for human dignity and justice in our neighborhood and around the world; To give visible expression to the oneness of Christ’s Church