A NOTE FROM PASTOR ANDY...

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(Disciples of Christ)

301 North Third Avenue, Durant, Ok 74701 D

ISC

IPL

E N

EW

SL

ETTE

R

F

ir

st

C

hr

is

tia

n C

hu

rc

h (

Dis

cip

le

s o

f C

hr

is

t)

OCTOBER

2018

Dear Friends,

We’re halfway or so through our Sunday series on Disciples identity, which has been shaped by the words to the Preamble to

the Design of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). You can find the words to the Preamble on our church website:

https://www.durantfcc.com/page/beliefs. We have learned about what some of the clauses in the Preamble mean: We confess that Jesus is the Christ; we accept our mission of witness and service; we rejoice in God’s covenant of love; which binds us to God and to one another; we are

joined together in discipleship. Over the next three Sundays we will focus on the remaining clauses;

At the Table of the Lord we celebrate with thanksgiving the saving acts and presence of Christ. Within the universal church we receive the gift of ministry and the light of scripture. In the bonds of Christian faith we yield ourselves to God that we may serve the One whose kingdom has no end.

Blessing, glory and honor be to God forever. Amen.

_________________________________________________

This fall we have lots of opportunities to be involved in our community and to share our witness of God’s love for all people. Please make not of the following events—I hope you will come out and support them, showing your First Christian Church

pride.

Light of Hope homeless shelter fundraiser: Lip Sync Battle and Costume Contest, October 6 at 6:00 pm at Du-

rant’s Market Square. Durant’s FCC is providing one of the prizes!

Blessing of the Animals, jointly sponsored by FCC, St. John’s and Our Saviour’s, Lutheran, October 7 at 3:00

pm at the Boys’ and Girls’ Club.

Southeasterns’ Music Art Series presents the St. Louis Brass, October 7 at 7:30 pm at FCC; reception follow-

ing in FCC’s Nan-Berry Hall.

Homecoming Parade—see Dell for more information, October 11 (line up at 6:00 pm)

FCC’s Vocal Scholar, Kristen Simpson’s senior voice recital, October 30 at 7:30 pm at FCC.

FCC’s Vocal Scholar, Haley Moore’s senior voice recital, November 1 at 7:30 pm at FCC.

Courtney Miles’ senior voice recital, November 9 at 7:30 pm at FCC.

Ally Thomas’ senior voice recital, November 9 at 7:30 pm at FCC.

Southeastern Chorale concert, November 12 at 7:30 pm at FCC.

City Thanksgiving Service, November 18, time TBA, at First Presbyterian Church, Rev. Shelton preaching.

(offering supports Durant Ministerial Alliance’s voucher program for the needy)

Durant Christmas Parade—see Dell for more information, December 4 at 7:00 pm.

In Christ,

Andy

CALENDAR OF EVENTS

MOMENTS FOR FELLOWSHIP …

FCC MEALS ON WHEELS….were rolling again September 24th thru Friday, 28th. What a great crew of dedicated ladies we have. Thanks so much to Ann Vickers and her friend, Kathy Ingram; Judy Williams, Vivian Guarnera, Modra Bockmann, Mecy Barker, Jean McLain, Jane Haw-thorne, Cindy Kirkpatrick and Leslie Mowles, joined by Ethan and Pack-ard ((you have been missed). This ener-getic group knows how to help keep the people fed, and you are appreci-ated so very much. We are grateful for your kindness and your dedica-tion. Many thanks and God bless, Charlene Tucker.

CWF/Rebekahs’ Salad Supper Big

Success...with our special guests, the “Handbell Choir”. They dis-missed their weekly rehearsal early so they could join us for supper. Everyone enjoyed the wonderful dishes provided and visiting with each other. Some of our guests com-mented “perhaps they could visit the Rebekahs every month for sup-per”!! Our new yearbooks were distributed—additional books will be available in the front foyer or in the church office. All ladies of the church are invited to attend on the second Monday night of every month at 7:00 pm in Fellowship Hall.

A.J. Redman...is still fighting his back problems. He’s had an injection but mom says it hasn’t helped much with the pain. They now have an appointment to do surgery on October 15—please continue to lifthim up in your daily prayers for his comfort and a complete and speedy recovery.

Vocal Scholars Request Pray-

ers For...Kat, their friend at Southeastern, who has been hav-ing seizures.

Guests Request Prayers…. For their grandfather, Vick, who will be having brain surgery this week.

Please hold Kat and Vick in your daily prayers.

We send our love and sympathy to the Brian Silver family on his recent death. Pastor Andy conducted his services here on Thursday, 20th. It was a great service—very uplifting and very well attended. It was al-most like “old home week” with all his fraternity brothers and all those that returned for it.

John Bockmann is regaining his strength slowly. He and Modra are planning another trip to his oncolo-gist in Arkansas this week. Contin-ue to keep him in your daily pray-ers that he will receive good news from all his tests. They are so ap-preciative of FCC’s love and sup-port at this time.

Maudie Anderson...remains in Calera Manor, #408. She welcomes your visits and cards. Her smiling face is missed by all of us.

Ann Flanagan… is slowly recu-perating from her recent knee sur-gery. Home Health is providing her with weekly rehab and from all we hear, she is doing very well. She looks forward to returning to church and also to your cards, notes and phone calls.

SUNSHINE SCHOOL….opened up classes last week and their enrollment is completely full with several still try-ing to enroll children. Administrators, Ms. Marilyn and Ms. Stacy have already hired a second new teacher to help take care of the overload. We are so proud of all our S.S. teachers and the reputation they are building for our Mothers’ Day Out program here at FCC.

Sweet Little Ducks all in a Row!!!

***PLEASE NOTE: If you are the

last to leave a room, don’t forget

to turn off all lights. Many have

been found left on after several

days. Thank you, Thunder Alley...has once again

resumed meeting upstairs on

Tuesday evenings at 6:00 pm.

They so look forward to getting

together for their fellowship even-

ing. If you would like to volun-

teer to prepare a snack supper for

this group, a sign-up sheet is in

the front foyer. Contact Mike Al-

len for more info.

ENJOY THE RAIN….remember those 100 degree days when we wished we had it? Our lawns and shrubs are so lush and gorgeous now from all of it. Keep those prayers coming for this wet stuff.

D ISCIPLE N E W SLE TTE R

IN OUR SHARED PRAYERS

Maudie Anderson

Calera Manor, #408, P. O. Box 367, Calera 74730

Joyce Bennett

John Bockmann

Caden Choate

Dr. Ken Elder

5023 W. 2nd, Stillwater 74074

Ann Flanagan

Dr. J. M. Gaskin

G.P. Gentry

Edith Peratta

A.J. Redman

Rosemary and Wallace Riddle

Andy’s mother, Ruth Shelton

Brian Silver family

Jean Sims

Glenna Wright

OCTOBER, 2018

ELDERS SERVING AT THE TABLE

10-07 J. Redman, Corbett

10-14 E. Redman, McLain

10-21 C. Kirkpatrick, Lowrance

10-28 McLain, E. Redman

COMMUNION PREPARATION

Dessie, Gisela

HEAD USHER

Ted Kirkpatrick

St. Louis Brass Concert to perform at FCC….

SOSU is in the process of renovating their Little Theatre and has requested FCC to allow them to host several of their con-certs here in our sanctuary; the first of which will be their St. Louis Brass Concert on Sunday evening, October 7th at 7:30 pm. The CWF/Rebekahs have graciously volunteered to plan and serve a reception immediately following this concert in Fellowship Hall.

Several other events have also been scheduled here, however, this is the only one where a reception will be held. Several of our vocal scholars will be holding their senior music recitals here at FCC during this period. Exciting things are beginning to happen here at FCC-Advent season is not far off and we will be decorating the church sanc-tuary for the holidays on Sunday, November 25th immediately following worship service. Sandwiches will be provided to all the workers. Please check out Pastor Andy’s page to see all that will be taking place and find how you can fit into this schedule. Everyone is welcome to help and NEEDED!

Dr. Kenneth Elder and Dr. Jane Elder will be honored as Distinguished Former Faculty of Southeastern Okla-homa State University at a banquet on Friday, October 12th, as part of the SOSU homecoming events. We are so happy and proud of our friends, and we wish them the very best.

They were long time members here at FCC. Ken was a lifetime Elder and served as Moderator of our Board. They have two daughters, Kathy Elder Thomas, who lives in Stillwater with husband, Steve, and two chil-dren, Evan and Claire, is a Special District Judge in Payne County; and Jennifer Pregter, who lives in the Dallas area with husband Bryan and their three chil-dren, Nick, Sean, and Evie, is a CPA.

They are very special to all of us here at FCC and we love and miss them very much.

FALL BREAK FOR DURANT PUBLIC SCHOOLS

Durant Public Schools will be dismissed for

Fall Break October 16th —19th

No Thunder Alley on Tuesday

No Sunshine School on Wednesday

301 North Third Avenue

Durant, OK 74701-4211

COME GROW

WITH US!