January 8, 2020

Volume 57, Number 28

First Christian Church 3501 Rogers Avenue Fort Smith, Arkansas 72903

Office: (479) 783-1139

Office Hours: 8:30am-4:30pm Monday-Thursday

Church Staff

Dianna Jackson Director of Music Ministry Mary Beth Oliver Organist Barbara Brown Secretary Pam Shelby Financial Secretary Randy Alexander Custodian Patience Hudlow Nursery Coordinator Lesley Fleming Nursery Attendant Rev. Howard Marshall Pastor Emeritus Rev. Randy Jay Pastor Emeritus

January Elders Meeting to host GRR General Minister

Following the worship service on January 19, the Elders will host a lunch meeting of the Search Committee, the Personnel Committee, Trustees, Elders and Great River Region General Minister Rev. Dr. Nadine Burton. The groups will discuss first steps in the search and call process.

January 12 Reverend Dr. Ellis Robinson January 19 Reverend Dr. Nadine Burton Great River Region General Minister

January 26 Reverend Dr. Ellis Robinson February 2 Rev. Miles Cook February 9 Rev. Jim Johnson

God Pleasers

This week our friend Ellis Robinson will be sharing his reflections on Matthew 3:13-17 with his sermon titled “God Pleasers”. He says the emphasis will be on a New Year resolution on discerning how to please God in 2020. Verse 17 is the key.

Matthew 3:13-17 - The Baptism of Jesus

13 Then Jesus came from Galilee to John at the Jordan, to be baptized by him. 14John would have prevented him, saying, ‘I need to be baptized by you, and do you come to me?’ 15But Jesus answered him, ‘Let it be so now; for it is proper for us in this way to fulfil all righteousness.’ Then he consented. 16And when Jesus had been baptized, just as he came up from the water, suddenly the heavens were opened to him and he saw the Spirit of God descending like a dove and alighting on him. 17And a voice from heaven said, ‘This is my Son, the Beloved, with whom I am well pleased.’

Ellis, who is a chaplain at Mercy and a retired parish minister, has preached at FCC DOC, Fort Smith a number times, and we look for-ward to hearing from him this week. Join us at 10:00 am for worship in the sanctuary. Sunday School begins at 9:00 am.

Community Outreach Projects

December was a busy month for the Community Outreach Ministry. We decided to take on four projects. They were adopting Earthbound Angels with their Christmas project, an Angel Tree, Holiday in the Park and cleaning and restocking the New Vision House (DHS safe house). Holiday in the Park was one of the first to be undertaken. Mittens, gloves and candy canes were donated by our congregation for the children. Our own Tim and Lesley Fleming were a delight as Mr. and Mrs. Santa Claus! They handed out the gloves and candy canes to the around 200 children who came to this event. Over 400 peo-ple were served hot chocolate and cookies. In fact, Jarrett Banks had to make a quick run for more cups. Thank you to our cookie bakers and those who donated their time to help. Our children’s choir beautifully serenaded us, also!

Next year will present new challenges in being the “Hands and Feet of Jesus.” Please let Community Outreach know of any needs you may see or hear of in our congregation and community. God’s blessings to all.

Guest Pastors

Volume 57, Number 28 Page 2

Fort Smith Disciple (USPS 206-080) published weekly by First Christian Church, 3501 Rogers Ave.,

Fort Smith AR 72903-2961.

Periodical postage paid at Fort Smith, AR. POSTMASTER: Please submit address changes to

FORT SMITH DISCIPLE, 3501 Rogers Avenue, Fort Smith, AR 72903-2961

January 12

Rev. Dr. Ellis Robinson “God Pleasers”

Matthew 3:13-17

Elders Dan Marshall and Linda Creekmore Deacons Margot Mundy Prepare Communion

Connie Alexander Greeters Floyd Hamm, Janice Wade, David Williamson Worship Leader

Dan Marshall

Elder on Call Zena Marshall—479-651-0870

Dianna’s Notes

We’re back! Regular rehearsal schedules resume:

Wednesday, January 8

10:00 am Prime Time Bells 4:15 pm Children’s Choir 7:00 pm Chancel Choir

Sunday, January 12

3:30 pm Disciples Bells 5:00 pm Jubilation Bells

Church Calendar

Sunday, January 12 8:30 am Mission Café 9:00 am Sunday School 10:00 am Worship (Sanctuary) 3:30 pm Disciples Bells 5:00 pm Jubilation Bells 5:00-7:00 pm Youth Fellowship 6:00 pm Cabinet 6:45 pm Ministry Teams Monday, January 13 9:30 am-12:00 pm Hope Campus Tuesday, January 14 9:00 am Staff Meeting 10:00 am Group 1 (Barton Stone Room) 11:30 am Lunch Bunch (Taste & See) 1:00 pm Group 2 (Barton Stone Room) 6:00 pm Group 3 (Chapel) Wednesday, January 15 10:00 am Prime Time Bells 4:15 pm Children’s Chimes 7:00 pm Chancel Choir Thursday, January 16 11:00 am Pastoral Care Group

For the Record – January 5

Operating Receipts ................ Endowment ........................... Monthly Budgeted Needs ..........................

$ 9,627.00 235.00

29,118.21

Mission Express O Café

The café opens at 8:30 am each Sunday morning. All the proceeds support the Mission trips. Come join us for fellowship, a cup of coffee and doughnuts.

Book Club

FCC Book Club will meet on Tuesday, January 21, in the Barton Stone Room at 10:00 am. We will dis-cuss the book Souls in the Sand compiled by Lisa Carol Pulliam. This book is in our Church Library. Toes in the Sand by Lisa Carol Pulliam is also in the Church Library. Both of these books are excellent.

Youth Group

Youth group resumes this Sunday at 5:00 pm.

MEMORIALS: We gratefully acknowledge the fol-lowing gifts, given as a thoughtful expression of sympathy and of care…

In Memory of Matthew Mundy by Nina Abernathy; Hardie & Ginger Jefferies; Irvin & Maurine Moyle; David & Kristi Williamson

Concern of the Community

Bob Harris, Mercy Hospital.

Cabinet & Ministries Meet

Sunday, January 12

6 pm: Cabinet (in the Chapel, Administration Building)

6:45 pm: Ministries (in various rooms)

Chairs: Please contact your people and let them know where/when your Ministry will meet.