January 7 Calendar of Events: 1/7 1/13 · First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1930...
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First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1930 Winchester Ave. Ashland, Kentucky 41101 606.324.5335 FirstChristianChurch.org Church Office Hours Monday — Friday 8:30 a.m. — 5 p.m. Dr. Ike Nicholson Senior Minister RevIke@ FirstChristianChurch.org Rev. Larry Sivis Associate Minister/ Minister of Worship RevLarry@ FirstChristianChurch.org Amy Christman Director of Family Life Ministries Amy@ FirstChristianChurch.org Sheree Skeens Office Manager Office@ FirstChristianChurch.org Wayne McCulley Facilities Manager Connie Reliford Lead Childcare Provider and Nursery Missy White Preschoolers Miranda McCulley Toddlers Christian Echoes | Issue 1 | Page 4 Volume 53 | Issue 1 | January 3, 2018 A bi-weekly publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Share Christ! Build Believers! Serve Others! A Minister’s Perspective By Rev. Dr. Isaac “Ike” Nicholson Senior Minister O ver the years, many people have shared with me their New Year’s resolution to improve their prayer life. They ask me if I have any advice for how they can be successful. Of course, there are methods that will help you accomplish your goals, but at the end of the day, it is the resolve of the believer that will ensure suc- cess. Prayer, especially for a culture that is more connect- ed than ever and yet more superficial, is a daunting challenge. People tell me, “I don’t know how to pray.” Don’t feel alone. Even the disciples, the first followers of Jesus, needed instruction on prayer – they had to learn how to pray. I think this is an important step: to recognize that we have to learn how to pray. It isn’t something that happens automatically. It takes pa- tience and practice to “get good at it.” In the Gospel of Luke we read, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1). So, Jesus taught them. They, in turn, passed that teaching on to us. The model he used and that they gave to us in Scripture is the Lord’s Prayer, or as it has been called in the historic church, the Our Father. I have met my fair share of people who have objected to Christ’s model for prayer. It is true that many are tempted to simply repeat the words that Jesus gave us without much thought about what Jesus is actually saying. But clearly, Jesus was not against rote prayers. In Matthew 26, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsem- ane, praying multiple times “using the same words” (Mathew 26:44). That does not mean that Jesus was uttering rote sentences mechanically. Je- sus is always interested in relationship, not simple mechanics. Jesus’ own prayer time was intense, pas- sionate, and full of purpose. The Bible, and consequently the church, has taught that the Lord’s Prayer specifically and prayer in gen- eral is used in three specific ways. First, prayer is used liturgically. That is, prayer is the cadence of worship. As a matter of fact, the entirety of Christian worship is prayer. Whether it is the hymns, the re- sponses or the sermon, all are understood as prayer. Portions of the liturgical prayers are extemporaneous (spoken “from the heart”) and others are “written.” Some people object to “written pray- ers” but even Jesus’ most passionate prayer on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” was not just a prayer in the mo- ment, but a written prayer from Psalm 22. In both the Book of Acts (Acts 2:42) and in other writings from the early church (Didache 8:11), we find that the first Christians practiced regular, ordered prayers during worship three times a day. A second way prayer is part of the Christian life is through intentional, repetitive prayers. The wor- ship in the Jewish Temple was filled with repetitive prayers celebrating God’s holiness. One of the oldest prayers is often called the Jesus Prayer that was practiced with each breath: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The first phrase, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,” is uttered on the inhalation of your breath. “Have mercy on me, a sin- ner.” is uttered on the exhalation of your breath. Us- ing the Lord’s Prayer multiple times a day can open our hearts and minds to God’s instruction on the es- sence of a spiritual life. The third way to include prayer in your life is by using the Lord’s Prayer as a framework. From early church fathers like Tertullian and Augustine to modern day Charismatic pastors like Larry Lea, many have rightly taught that the petitions and focus of the Lord’s Prayer help order the priorities of what ought to be the subject of our prayers. The Anglican priest and author J.I. Packer writes, “Every prayer of ours should be a praying of the Lord’s Prayer in some shape or form.” If prayer is one of your resolutions, but you don’t know where to begin, begin with the Lord’s Prayer. Worship Participants — January 7 Elders: Debbie Frazier/Loaf, David Floyd/Cup, Barby Clark/ Homebound Deacons: Jenny Damron, Steve Damron Jake Damron, Joe Bill Frazier, Aaron Sutton, Stan Timberlake, Nancy Turman, Jan DeLaney Acolytes: Baker Sutton, Lillian Young A/V Department: Team 2 Communion Coordinators: Debbie Fields, Kim Stephens Greeters: Margaret Hayes, Belinda Young Lay Readers: Jenny Damron, Jake Damron Ushers: Randy & Teri Ruley Van Driver: Marvin Childers Youth Deacon Liturgist: Jake Damron Worship Participants — January 14 Elders: Deanna Bradley/Loaf, Jim Bradley/Cup, Cheri Daniel/Homebound Deacons: Kim Jenkins, Scott Jenkins, Wren Jenkins, Larry Hall, Angie Lewis, Pam Nelson, Randy Ruley, Teri Ruley Acolytes: Kylee Fields, Grace Russell A/V Department: Team 1 Communion Coordinators: Sandy Mobley, Linda Buchanan Greeters: Proctor & Debbie Castle Lay Readers: Stephanie Rigsby, Lee Rigsby Ushers: Marvin & Sherry Childers Van Driver: Marvin Childers Youth Deacon Liturgist: Reed Daniel Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr. The Ashland Area Ministerial Association will host the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. service at New Hope Baptist Church (2717 Carter Avenue) on Sunday, January 14 at 5 p.m. The preacher is The Rev. Lovie Scott from New Kingston, Pennsylvania. The theme is "Still One Nation Under God." Make plans to join us! 2018 offering envelopes are available to pick up at the table in the Narthex following Morning Worship, or you may pick up during the week from the church office. As a reminder, please include your name, amount and check number on your envelope as this allows our finance office to accurately track tithes and offerings. Calendar of Events: 1/7 — 1/13 SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. FIRST FAMILIES! 9:30 a.m. First Fruits Prayer Group 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. “A Place For You” Television Ministry (Adelphia, Ch. 9; Time Warner, Ch. 9) 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship 5:00 p.m. Christian Youth Fellowship MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 TUESDAY 7:55 a.m. Panera Dough-Nation/Kim Stephens 8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast/country ham, eggs, biscuits & redeye gravy 5:00 p.m. Rooms 13 & 14 Reserved/Shelter of Hope 6:30 p.m. Rooms 15 & 16 Reserved/CC WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. Meals on Wheels/Shirley O’Neal 4:30 p.m. SAKS 6:00 p.m. Vespers THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved/Men’s Basketball FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. Classical Conversations SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. Room 3 Reserved/Garner Calendar of Events: 1/14 — 1/20 SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. FIRST KIDS! 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. “A Place For You” Television Ministry (Adelphia, Ch. 9; Time Warner, Ch. 9) 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship 12:00 p.m. Chi Rho 5:00 p.m. Christian Youth Fellowship 5:00 p.m. MLK Service/New Hope Baptist Church MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 12:00 p.m. Rooms 13 & 14 Reserved/Investerettes TUESDAY 7:55 a.m. Panera Dough-Nation/Jim & Luann Glockner 8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast/ pancakes, sausage WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. Meals on Wheels/Daina Wood 4:30 p.m. SAKS 6:00 p.m. Vespers THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 11:00 a.m. Kitchen, Garth & Library Reserved/Clark 7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved/Men’s Basketball FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. Classical Conversations
Transcript of January 7 Calendar of Events: 1/7 1/13 · First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1930...
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
1930 Winchester Ave. Ashland, Kentucky
41101 606.324.5335
FirstChristianChurch.org
Church Office Hours Monday — Friday
8:30 a.m. — 5 p.m.
Dr. Ike Nicholson Senior Minister
RevIke@ FirstChristianChurch.org
Rev. Larry Sivis Associate Minister/ Minister of Worship
RevLarry@ FirstChristianChurch.org
Amy Christman Director of Family Life
Ministries Amy@
FirstChristianChurch.org
Sheree Skeens Office Manager
Office@ FirstChristianChurch.org
Wayne McCulley Facilities Manager
Connie Reliford Lead Childcare Provider
and Nursery
Missy White Preschoolers
Miranda McCulley Toddlers
Christian Echoes | Issue 1 | Page 4
Volume 53 | Issue 1 | January 3, 2018
A bi-weekly publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
Shar e Chr i s t ! Bui ld Be l i eve r s ! Ser ve Other s !
A Minister’s Perspective By Rev. Dr. Isaac “Ike” Nicholson Senior Minister
O ver the years, many people have shared with me their New Year’s resolution to improve their prayer life. They ask me if I
have any advice for how they can be successful. Of course, there are methods that will help you accomplish your goals, but at the end of the day, it is the resolve of the believer that will ensure suc-cess. Prayer, especially for a culture that is more connect-ed than ever and yet more superficial, is a daunting challenge. People tell me, “I don’t know how to pray.” Don’t feel alone. Even the disciples, the first followers of Jesus, needed instruction on prayer – they had to learn how to pray. I think this is an important step: to recognize that we have to learn how to pray. It isn’t something that happens automatically. It takes pa-tience and practice to “get good at it.”
In the Gospel of Luke we read, “One day Jesus was praying in a certain place. When he finished, one of his disciples said to him, ‘Lord, teach us to pray, just as John taught his disciples’” (Luke 11:1). So, Jesus taught them. They, in turn, passed that teaching on to us. The model he used and that they gave to us in Scripture is the Lord’s Prayer, or as it has been called in the historic church, the Our Father. I have met my fair share of people who have objected to Christ’s model for prayer. It is true that many are tempted to simply repeat the words that Jesus gave us without much thought about what Jesus is actually saying. But clearly, Jesus was not against rote prayers. In Matthew 26, Jesus prayed in the garden of Gethsem-ane, praying multiple times “using the same words” (Mathew 26:44). That does not mean that Jesus was uttering rote sentences mechanically. Je-sus is always interested in relationship, not simple mechanics. Jesus’ own prayer time was intense, pas-sionate, and full of purpose.
The Bible, and consequently the church, has taught that the Lord’s Prayer specifically and prayer in gen-
eral is used in three specific ways. First, prayer is used liturgically. That is, prayer is the cadence of worship. As a matter of fact, the entirety of Christian worship is prayer. Whether it is the hymns, the re-sponses or the sermon, all are understood as prayer. Portions of the liturgical prayers are extemporaneous
(spoken “from the heart”) and others are “written.” Some people object to “written pray-ers” but even Jesus’ most passionate prayer on the cross, “My God, My God, why have you forsaken me?” was not just a prayer in the mo-ment, but a written prayer from Psalm 22. In both the
Book of Acts (Acts 2:42) and in other writings from the early church (Didache 8:11), we find that the first Christians practiced regular, ordered prayers during worship three times a day.
A second way prayer is part of the Christian life is through intentional, repetitive prayers. The wor-ship in the Jewish Temple was filled with repetitive prayers celebrating God’s holiness. One of the oldest prayers is often called the Jesus Prayer that was practiced with each breath: “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God, have mercy on me, a sinner.” The first phrase, “Lord Jesus Christ, Son of God,” is uttered on the inhalation of your breath. “Have mercy on me, a sin-ner.” is uttered on the exhalation of your breath. Us-ing the Lord’s Prayer multiple times a day can open our hearts and minds to God’s instruction on the es-sence of a spiritual life.
The third way to include prayer in your life is by using the Lord’s Prayer as a framework. From early church fathers like Tertullian and Augustine to modern day Charismatic pastors like Larry Lea, many have rightly taught that the petitions and focus of the Lord’s Prayer help order the priorities of what ought to be the subject of our prayers. The Anglican priest and author J.I. Packer writes, “Every prayer of ours should be a praying of the Lord’s Prayer in some shape or form.”
If prayer is one of your resolutions, but you don’t know where to begin, begin with the Lord’s Prayer.
Worship Participants — January 7
Elders: Debbie Frazier/Loaf, David Floyd/Cup, Barby Clark/Homebound Deacons: Jenny Damron, Steve Damron Jake Damron, Joe Bill Frazier, Aaron Sutton, Stan Timberlake, Nancy Turman, Jan DeLaney Acolytes: Baker Sutton, Lillian Young A/V Department: Team 2 Communion Coordinators: Debbie Fields, Kim Stephens Greeters: Margaret Hayes, Belinda Young Lay Readers: Jenny Damron, Jake Damron Ushers: Randy & Teri Ruley Van Driver: Marvin Childers Youth Deacon Liturgist: Jake Damron
Worship Participants — January 14
Elders: Deanna Bradley/Loaf, Jim Bradley/Cup, Cheri Daniel/Homebound Deacons: Kim Jenkins, Scott Jenkins, Wren Jenkins, Larry Hall, Angie Lewis, Pam Nelson, Randy Ruley, Teri Ruley Acolytes: Kylee Fields, Grace Russell A/V Department: Team 1 Communion Coordinators: Sandy Mobley, Linda Buchanan Greeters: Proctor & Debbie Castle Lay Readers: Stephanie Rigsby, Lee Rigsby Ushers: Marvin & Sherry Childers Van Driver: Marvin Childers Youth Deacon Liturgist: Reed Daniel
Honoring Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.
The Ashland Area Ministerial Association will host the annual Martin Luther King, Jr. service at New Hope Baptist Church (2717 Carter Avenue) on Sunday, January 14 at 5 p.m. The preacher is The Rev. Lovie Scott from New Kingston, Pennsylvania. The theme is "Still One Nation Under God." Make plans to join us!
2018 offering envelopes are available to pick up at the table in the Narthex following Morning Worship, or you may pick up during the week from the church office. As a reminder, please include your name, amount and check number on your envelope as this allows our finance office to accurately track tithes and offerings.
Calendar of Events: 1/7 — 1/13
SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. FIRST FAMILIES! 9:30 a.m. First Fruits Prayer Group 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. “A Place For You” Television Ministry (Adelphia, Ch. 9; Time Warner, Ch. 9) 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship 5:00 p.m. Christian Youth Fellowship MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 TUESDAY 7:55 a.m. Panera Dough-Nation/Kim Stephens 8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast/country ham, eggs, biscuits & redeye gravy 5:00 p.m. Rooms 13 & 14 Reserved/Shelter of Hope 6:30 p.m. Rooms 15 & 16 Reserved/CC WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. Meals on Wheels/Shirley O’Neal 4:30 p.m. SAKS 6:00 p.m. Vespers THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved/Men’s Basketball FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. Classical Conversations SATURDAY 10:00 a.m. Room 3 Reserved/Garner
Calendar of Events: 1/14 — 1/20
SUNDAY 9:30 a.m. FIRST KIDS! 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:30 a.m. “A Place For You” Television Ministry (Adelphia, Ch. 9; Time Warner, Ch. 9) 10:45 a.m. Morning Worship 12:00 p.m. Chi Rho 5:00 p.m. Christian Youth Fellowship 5:00 p.m. MLK Service/New Hope Baptist Church MONDAY 9:30 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 12:00 p.m. Rooms 13 & 14 Reserved/Investerettes TUESDAY 7:55 a.m. Panera Dough-Nation/Jim & Luann Glockner 8:30 a.m. Men’s Fellowship Breakfast/ pancakes, sausage WEDNESDAY 11:00 a.m. Meals on Wheels/Daina Wood 4:30 p.m. SAKS 6:00 p.m. Vespers THURSDAY 9:00 a.m. Faith & Fitness/Room 18 11:00 a.m. Kitchen, Garth & Library Reserved/Clark 7:00 p.m. Fellowship Hall Reserved/Men’s Basketball FRIDAY 8:30 a.m. Classical Conversations
Christian Echoes | Issue 1 | Page 2 Christian Echoes | Issue 1 | Page 3
Youth News
Christian Youth Fellowship (grades 9 — 12) will meet Sunday, January 7 and Sunday, January 14 from 5 — 6:30 p.m. to think about how we can love and serve God this year no matter what we are going through or how we are feeling. Make sure you come ready for some giant Hungry, Hungry Hippos fun!
Chi-Rho (grades 6 — 8) will meet on Sunday, January 14 after Morning Worship until 2 p.m. We will enjoy lunch together, have some fun and consider the practice of New Year resolutions.
Youth in grades 6 — 12 who are active in Chi-Rho and CYF are invited to attend the annual Youth Ski Trip on Friday, March 2 — Sunday, March 4 at Seven Springs Mountain Resort. Anyone wishing to go must pay their remaining balance toward the $250 cost by the deadline of January 14. Anyone in need of a deadline extension or a partial or full scholarship, please contact Amy.
Memorial gifts have been given in memory of:
† Bill Fields by Richard & Francie Martin
† Imogene McCoy by Judy McCoy
† Evelyn Dixon by Pam Anderson
Celebrating 20 Years Of Service
You are invited to a reception following Morning Worship on Sunday, January 7 in honor of Connie Reliford's 20 years of service to the children and families of First Christian Church. Please shower Connie with cards of appreciation! A love offering will also be received at the reception. Join us in thanking Connie and encouraging her to stick around for another 20 years!
Mystery Dinner Theatre
Calvary Episcopal Church (1337 Winchester Avenue, Ashland) will host a Mystery Dinner Theater on Friday, January 19 beginning at 6:30 p.m. in the Church Hall. The menu is beef filet, salad, potato, green beans, cheesecake and a beverage. The cost is $45 per person that includes the dinner and the interactive perfor-mance of Music, Murder and Mayhem performed by the Murder and Merriment Mystery Company based in Huntington, West Virginia. For tickets, please call the Calvary Episcopal Church office at 606.325.2328. Group rates (8 per table) are also available. Proceeds will benefit Blessings in the Backpack, a program which provides a weekend take home meal for eligible children at Crabbe Elementary School.
Saint Andrew's Kids
SAKS will resume meeting every Wednesday at 4:30 p.m. on Wednesday, January 10. We can't wait to pick back up with our "What's in the Bible? Church Edition" DVDs from the creator of Veggie Tales and prepare to sing in Morning Worship on Sunday, January 28.
FCC Welcomes New Members
F irst Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) joyously welcomes three new
members, Rick & Ruth McCloud and Kelli Gue. They were received Sunday, December 31. If you would like to send a personal note of welcome, Rick & Ruth’s address is 3221 Hughes Street, Huntington, West Virginia 25704 and Kelli’s address is 4013 Van Sant Street, Huntington, West Virginia 25704. Be sure to welcome them to the life of our congregation.
Coming Soon: The Gospel Project®
66 books. Dozens of authors. A holy canon thousands of years in the making. For followers of Jesus Christ, Scripture points to Jesus Christ. To know the Word of God, we need the word of God, that is, to know Jesus, we need the Bible. Beginning January 7 at 9:30 a.m. in the Fellowship Hall , FIRST KIDS! is launching 2018 with The Gospel Project®, a new curriculum. The Gospel Project® is a chronological, Christ-centered Bible study that examines how all Scrip-ture gives testimony to Jesus Christ. Over the course of three years, participants will journey from Genesis to Revelation and discover how God’s plan of redemption unfolds throughout Scripture and still today, compelling them to join the mission of God. FIRST KIDS! families will be excited to see their children grow in the knowledge of the Scriptures because FIRST KIDS! and The Gospel Project is:
Christ-centered Study that helps participants understand how all Scripture, from Gene-sis to Revelation, gives testimony to Jesus Christ.
Chronological Study Plan that shows how the Bible is not just a collection of stories, but one unified story— God’s story of redemption.
Age Alignment it prepares us to build a church-wide discipleship experience and equip parents to lead spiritual conversations in the home.
Missional Application that examines how the Gospel encourages and empowers us to be mission-driven.
The Essential that help participants grasp the theological truths and central themes of the Christian faith.
Each family will receive Big Picture cards to help connect the lessons your children are learning at church with what you are teaching them at home. Want a sneak preview? Download the LifeWay Kids app and explore with your kids the fun education offered for the Gospel Project: The Church on Mission, Winter 2017 — 2018.
Nomination for Elders and Deacons
Elder, Deacon and Youth Deacon nominations are now open until January 21. Nominations must be received by the church office in writing or via email with the nominee, office and nominator. The Nominating Committee reviews all nominations, and not all nominees are forwarded to the Board of Elders. Therefore, we recommend that the nominator not tell the nominee of their nomination.
A Note of Gratitude
Robert Louis Stevenson wrote, “You can give without loving, but you can never love without giving.” On behalf of the Giving Tree and the Needy Families Fund, we extend our thanks to the Family of Dr. Oren Justice for their generous donation in his memory. Their gift continues his legacy of support to those in need in our community.
January Needs
FCC Food Pantry: Ramen noodles
DWM Service Projects
Church Without Walls: winter clothing, hygiene items
Shelter of Hope: household items: can openers,
silverware, pots and pans, cleaning supplies, furniture
Scriptures for Sunday, January 7, 2018
Genesis 1:1 — 5 Acts 19:1 — 7 Mark 1:4 — 11
Psalm 29
Scriptures for Sunday, January 14, 2018 1 Samuel 3:1 —10, (11 — 20)
1 Corinthians 6:12 — 20 John 1:43 — 51
Psalm 139:1 — 6, 13 — 18
You Can Help!
We are receiving contributions in support of the victims of the church bombing in Pakistan. If you would
like to offer your support to the families who will be undergoing
long-term medical support, please make your contributions to First
Christian Church designated "Pakistan."
