From the Senior Minister...

SUPER BOWL AND

SCOUT SUNDAY

FEBRUARY 1ST

ONE SERVICE ONLY

11 A.M. (Sunday School as usual, 10 a.m.)

We will join together for a great Sunday of

worship. In that hour, we will recognize the out-

standing scouting ministry we have here at First

Christian Church (Girls, Boys, Cub, Venture).

“MOVE IN WEEK” SCHEDULE

We are tentatively scheduled to get the keys to our

new building on Monday, February 2nd. Beginning

that week, we will move into our new building in

what we pray is an orderly fashion. More informa-

tion will be coming soon as to specifics of when we

could use your help in the process. As you can see

from the calendar, we plan to worship in our new

(continued on page 5)

UPCOMING

FCC CALENDAR

Wednesday, January 21st, 6 p.m. - Board Meeting

in the Choir Room (see Agenda, page 2)

Saturday, January 24th, 9 a.m. - Elders/Deacons

Retreat (sanctuary/chapel)

Sunday, January 25th, 10 a.m. - Congregational

Meeting in the sanctuary

Sunday, February 1st - Super Bowl & Scout

Sunday - one service only at 11 a.m. (see article,

page 1)

Monday, February 2nd - beginning of “move in

week” (see article, page 1)

Wednesday, February 4th, 6 p.m. - Cabinet

meeting

Sunday, February 8th - begin our concurrent

worship schedule (see page 2)

February 18th - Ash Wednesday. Receive ashes

and take Communion in the sanctuary, 11:30 a.m.

-1 p.m. or 5:30 p.m.-6:30 p.m.

Sunday, March 22nd - “Launch” (Grand Opening)

at FCC!

MISSION: To speak and live for Christ in our community and world. VISION: To be a worshipping community in which all people

At First Christian Church…

We believe God wants to transform our lives individually and collectively for His purpose. In everything we do, we speak and live for Christ. The way we do that is simply to take God’s love and our God given gifts and talents into the world to make a difference. We gather on Sundays to worship and refuel.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH - Tyler, Texas www.fcctyler.org January 21, 2015 Vol. 58 No. 2

2

CONCURRENT SCHEDULE

Beginning Sunday, February 8th, we will be

following our new Sunday schedule:

9:30 - Worship (Traditional in the sanctuary;

Contemporary in our new worship

space)

10:30 - Gathering in Disciples Hall

10:45 - Sunday School for all ages

As you have read elsewhere, the February

8th schedule does not include Sunday School as

we will have a dedication of our new building,

tours, etc. Plus, we will add a celebration

of our 125th anniversary as a congregation and

ministry in Tyler, Texas. Sunday School, at its

new time, will resume February 15th.

DEDICATION SUNDAY

FEBRUARY 8TH

The schedule for Sunday, February 8th, is as

follows:

9:30 - Worship in both venues

10:30 - Dedication and 125th Anniversary

Celebration

We will offer tours of the building and finger foods. A good time will be had by all. Come be a part of your

church family. We anticipate there being quite a few “bugs” to work out in the early weeks, but I encourage

you to invite friends to come with you. We have dedicated Sunday, March 22nd, as our “launch” date in which

we will invite hundreds of people from the community.

AGENDA FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

GENERAL BOARD MEETING

JANUARY 21, 2015

6 P.M.

I. Invocation

II. Roll Call

III. Approval of Minutes

IV. Nominating Committee Report

V. Finance Report

a. Treasurer’s Report

b. 2015 Budget Update

VI. By-Laws Committee

a. Summary Presentation of Policies

VII. Announcements

1) Board meeting minutes reading committee

a. Congregational meeting minutes reading

committee

b. Construction Committee Additions

c. Congregational Meeting January 25, 2015

VIII. Ministers’ Reports

IX. Benediction

X. Adjourn

**The meeting is open to all church members.

FCC FAMILIES: IT’S ALMOST HERE!!

The big building shift, and the big program shifts that come with it, start February 8th. Concurrent worship

services will begin at 9:30 that morning…and every Sunday after!

Know that you can choose our more traditional or more contemporary service, or switch between the two,

and we’ve got a plan for your children.

Children’s Church is getting a makeover but will be a constant in the new building, pulling children ages

3 - 2nd grade from BOTH services to meet together in the children’s wing.

We’ll follow our existing “breakout” model – where children enter worship with their families, participate

in the opening of worship, leave the service for the duration of the message, and return to the same worship

service they left before the end of that service.

Please give us some grace as we work out the kinks in the first few weeks – practicing the logistics of

moving children from two different spaces at slightly different times, and getting them back.

Look for more information and guidance from the Children’s and Welcome teams, also, as we establish

our new computer check-in system in Disciples Hall before and after worship.

We have great plans for our little people…and we ask the opportunity to show you and experience

with you what we have in development. Come see what’s up, at both the 9:30 and 10:45 hours, starting

in February. God is up to something BIG, indeed!

-Ginger Brandt

3

P.A.T.H. (People Attempting

To Help) has regular weekly

needs in receptions, casework

and the food pantry. If you

can help, call Rodd Moffett,

Volunteer Coordinator at

903-617-2817.

www.TylerPATH.org

NEW CONTEMPORARY

ORDER OF WORSHIP

Dear FCC,

As we move into the new worship space, the Contemporary Worship

Team would like to inform you of some changes you will encounter regard-

ing our worship experience. Below is the order, as well as an explanation of

our new format for prayer and Communion.

New Order of Worship:

Gathering

Songs

Sharing of Peace

Prayer

Special Music

Message

Table Invitation

Song

Announcements & Offering Moment

Sending out

The time of prayer will consist of a dedicated moment when everyone is

invited to come forward and light a candle as a symbol of their prayer. Once

the candles have been lit, the pastoral prayer will begin, concluding with the

Lord’s Prayer.

Communion will be served in a manner that is best described as “family

style”. Everyone will have the opportunity to come forward to one of the

two stations on the sides of the stage and serve each other at the station. If

you come forward as an individual, a Deacon will be prepared to serve you.

May we open our hearts, our spirits, and our minds as we enter into this

new era at First Christian Church. These are exciting times, and we cannot

wait to see what God has in store!

Serving Christ with You All,

The Contemporary Worship Team

Dave & Lisa Hill, Co-chairs Dave Maland

Angie Billings Rob Mason

Stephanie Born Buster Sartain

Karen Bradford Jennifer Wills

Rob Bradford Ginger Brandt (ex-officio)

Holly Burke Robert Goodrich (ex-officio)

Adult Sunday School

Believers Class

Rob Bradford

Job

Disciples Class

Mary Waldrop

1/25

"We Pray for One Another"

James 5:13 - 18

2/1

"Feasting and Fasting"

Daniel 1:5, 8 - 17;

Matthew 6:16 - 18

Seekers Class

Jackie Littleton

Cana

“Experiencing the

Words of Jesus”

The Choir/Forum Class

Troy Smith

Genesis Class

“Current Issues”, using the

Rob Bell NOOMA Series.

Koinonia Class

Michael Lewis

Café Class Study in conjunction with

our Children’s Ministry

CONGREGATIONAL MEETING

SUNDAY, JANUARY 25TH, 10 A.M.

We will consider approval of the 2015 budget and the revised bylaws.

4

Chris,

I could not let your anniversary of coming to FCC Tyler pass without a personal note of thanks for

your shepherding and service. But the events of yesterday have made me rethink the direction of my comments

and reflect on an important aspect of your stewardship of the "Big Chair" during these past seven years.

One of the continuing challenges of being the Senior Minister of FCC Tyler is the number of current and

former clergy that routinely occupy our pews. From the beloved Loyal Northcutt, Ralph and Mary Maxine

Palmer, Sydney Spain, and Tom Tucker to Earl Gibbs, Bruce Harper, George Richardson, Oden Latham and

Rob Bradford, our congregation has always had men and women whose Spirit Driven lives have enriched

our congregation and given us unique perspectives on the role that discipleship can play.

But these assets come with a price. They are indeed experienced and trained shepherds in their own right

and occasionally during our thirty plus years in attendance we have seen conflicts both large and small

between those well intentioned personalities and the individual then sitting in the "Big Chair."

Relatively early in your tenure, Earl returned to a congregation that he served well and that revered his

leadership. Not only did you make him welcome, but when the time came to celebrate his life, you opened the

pulpit to several of those that had served our congregation under his direction. At the time, I realized that you

were more than willing to take risks to do the right thing with respect to honoring and loving those that had

served and loved this community of faith or the families that they touched.

But you have also invited Ron Bird, Paul Powell and Bishop Strickland to minister to our community and

congregation from the pulpit when appropriate. It is one of the aspects of Holy Week that I have always loved,

but you seemingly are willing to practice it all year long and we all benefit from that generosity.

Recently, when celebrating the life of Marcia Drake, you again displayed this unique generosity in

allowing Richard Dye and Fr. Josh Whitfield to return to a sanctuary that was special in their lives to honor

our congregation and the role we had played in their lives and the life of their mother-in-law and grand-

mother, Marcia. I was touched, as I am sure others were, by their expressions of gratitude to you for the

opportunity to play the major roles in the service, even when you had a long and personal relationship with

the woman whose life we recognized.

Josh made much of the special role that FCC Tyler has played and continues to play in spreading

the Good News of Jesus Christ at the corner of Broadway and Loop 323. If we are to take our ecumenical be-

liefs seriously, then he is every bit the "Timothy" that David Mallory, Barbara Morgan or Micah Hunter are.

Chris, you get it!!!! Your pastorate continues a wonderful tradition of faithful leadership and service as

Senior Minister of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Tyler...I am proud to call you pastor and

friend. May God continue to bless your Ministry with and through our congregation for many years to come.

Tom DeWitt

IF IT’S OUT WITH THE OLD, IN WITH THE NEW,

MDO COULD SURE USE YOU!

CHURCH FAMILIES: As you clean out closets and organize children’s spaces in the new year –time to

make room for those Christmas toys! Mother’s Day Out has a few requests. Our FCC MDO program has

certain toy needs you might meet, with things you have but no longer need.

If you have any very gently used toys in the following categories, we would love to receive your dona-

tions over the next 3 weeks. We need them to help outfit our new rooms, and we ask that you drop off items

at the CLC coffee bar during MDO hours (8:30-2:30 M-F), or in the church office anytime.

Fisher Price Little Peoples figurines and play sets (esp. farm animals and people)

My Little Pony figures or play sets

Duplo-sized building blocks (toddler-sized Legos)

Wooden puzzles; infant books & toys (0-1year)

Thomas the Tank Engine magnetic train pieces or play table pieces (we have tracks, but fewer trains!)

Indoor/Outdoor balls of all sizes

Magnetic alphabet & numbers

Manipulatives (sorting)

Flannel board stories

5

Happy Birthday!!

1/26 Woody Flowers

1/28 Mark Randall

1/29 Don Simmons

Ombra Hughes

Mery Vargas

Barbara Diedrick

1/30 Harold Kidd

David Lowry

Sue Fitzgerald

2/1 Jan Copas

Jackie Rollins

Jim Lowell

2/3 Christian Adusei

Sidney Spain

2/4 Jerry Fitzgerald

2/5 Adlyn Smith

Richard Davis

2/6 Spencer Cotton

Bill Power

2/7 Linda Hart

Larry Davis

2/8 James McDonald

Larry Gilliam

2/9 Evelyn Babb

Terry Cockrum

2/10 Jared Cockrum

Joyce Churchill

2/14 Keagan Tijerina

Joanne Archer

Dixi Clay

Happy Anniversary!!

1/29 Bill & Ombra

Hughes

1/31 Chris & Holly Burke

2/6 Jon & Tiffany Honea

Exercise Your Brain Every Monday Night!

Learning Biblical Greek is as easy...as Alpha,

Beta, Gamma! First Year Greek Class

begins February 2nd, 5-6 p.m.

Second Year Greek Class continues, 6-7 p.m.

Meet in the Seekers’ Classroom

Contact Jackie Littleton for more information

(903-534-4677)

YOUTH CALENDAR OF EVENTS - JANUARY

Friday, January 30th - Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat - $45 per person

Saturday, January 31st - East Texas Food Bank, 3201 Robertson Road ,

8:30 a.m.- 12 p.m.

ITEMS OF INTEREST:

Monday, February 2nd, 9:30 a.m. - Deborah Circle

Wednesday, February 4th - Cabinet meeting, 6 p.m. (Plan to stay

for a while as we will be setting goals for our church).

Thursday, February 5th - E Circle, 6:30 p.m. in the Seekers

classroom

It is time to sign up for FCC's 2015 Dinner

with Friends. Dinner with Friends is a program

that engages groups of 6-8 people, allowing

them to get together monthly or bi-monthly at

either a restaurant or at a group member's home

to enjoy food and fellowship. This allows us an

opportunity to get to know others in a relaxed,

friendly environment. We encourage everyone

who worships at FCC to participate. It is such a

great way for new members, old members, regu-

lar attendees, and visitors to meet new people

and get to know others better.

Sign up this Sunday in the church entry or in the church office during the

week, or call the church receptionist any weekday morning to sign up (561-

8138). If you have any questions, contact Margaret Rapp at (903) 253-4410

or Linda Davis at (903) 894-6869.

FROM THE SENIOR MINISTER (continued from page 1)

spaces on Sunday, February 8th, so we will need help

getting everything ready to go.

Your Friend and Pastor,

Chris

FEBRUARY DEACONS

Peter Roach Matt Anderson

Lydia Dougay Percy Wang

David Rozell Ying Ying Yang

Linda Rozell Otto Berndt

Harfon Kemp

Wayne Aaron, Team Leader

WORSHIP JANUARY 25, 2015

Rev. Robert Goodrich preaching

9:00 a.m. - Traditional Worship 11:00 a.m. - Contemporary Worship

Elders: Chris & Ginger Faulk Elders: Al & Sheila Matson

WORSHIP FEBRUARY 1, 2015

Dr. Chris Pulliam preaching 10:00 a.m. Sunday School 11:00 a.m. - One Worship Service

Deacon Team Leader: Wayne Aaron

ATTENDANCE

January 11th

9:00 a.m. - 101

11:00 a.m. - 103

Total Worship - 204

Sunday School - 131

January 18th

9:00 a.m. - 154

11:00 a.m. - 128

Total Worship - 282

Sunday School - 168

Church Calendar

Sunday, January 25th

9:00 AM - Traditional Worship

10:00 AM - Congregational Mtg.

11:00 AM - Contemporary Worship

12:00 PM - Evangelism Min. Team

Youth Ministries

3:00 PM - Jr. High

4:00 PM - Open Gym

5:00 PM - Sr. High

Monday, January 26th

10:00 AM - DWM Leaders Meeting

6:00 PM - Greek Class

Tuesday, January 27th

7:00 AM - Elders breakfast

6:00 PM - Handbell rehearsal

7:00 PM - Choir Rehearsal

Wednesday, January 28th 8:00 AM - Breakfast/Bible Study

Thursday, January 29th

7:05 AM - R2D2 Men’s Study

6:30 PM - Praise Band Rehearsal

Friday, January 30th

Chi Rho Midwinter Retreat

Saturday, January 31st

8:30 AM - Youth to E. TX Food

Bank

Sunday, February 1st

10:00 AM - Sunday School

11:00 AM - All-Church Worship

12:00 PM - Youth Ministry

6

Joys & Concerns

We extend our sympathies to Merlin & Capie Long on the passing of

his aunt, Juanita Bailey, January 15th.

Keep these members and their families in our prayers: Sue Gillian,

Gladys Howard, Rosemary Jackson, Jerry Murphy, Robert Patterson...and

our friends: James Cockrell, Becky Gillespie, Mack Lambert, Mary

Padden, Ben Pulliam, Carly Wallace, Chelsey Watts, and Jack Welch.

Christian Fellowship First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway Tyler, Texas 75701

(903) 561-8138 Website: www.fcctyler.org

E-mail: FirstChristian@fcctyler.org

Christian Fellowship (USPS 559960) Published bi-weekly by First Christian Church

4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701 Periodical Postage paid at Tyler TX

POSTMASTER: Send changes of address to CHRISTIAN FELLOWSHIP

4202 S. Broadway, Tyler, TX 75701-8721

THANKS…

A great big THANK YOU!! to the Genesis Sunday School Class and

other attendees of the Contemporary Service for "Undecking the Halls"

on Sunday, January 4th.

Those of us who arrived at 1:00 were pleasantly surprised by your

efforts. Thank you, too, to those who came at 1:00 to finish dismantling

items in the CLC.

We all owe our custodian, Alan, many thanks for taking all boxes, etc.

to the storage area in the garage.

Again, thank you and may this new year bring you God's many blessings.

The 2014 Worship Ministry Teams

End of the Year Financial Statements are Ready!

Statements are available in the Finance Office during the week

or after worship this Sunday. Or you can request an electronic copy

by emailing Tricia (tricia@fcctyler.org) or by going online.