Post on 17-Jul-2020
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH NEWSLETTER | JULY 15, 2020
Koinonia focus
The First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) of Perry is a family that finds ways of
supporting growth through the connection of worship and the compassionate care of
our church members and community.
Serving Schedule
Servers for July 19, 2020
Elders: Norma Hughes, Fred LeValley
Worship Leader: Jay DeBord
8:15 Deacons: Cecil Loveless, Freddie Nichols
10:30 Deacons: Marilyn Branen, David Frazier, Robbie Frazier, Shelley Hawkins
Communion Preparation: Cindy St. Clair
Servers for July 26, 2020
Elders: Sue Klingaman, Jim Sim
Worship Leader: Johnny Fuller
8:15 Deacons: Diana & Nicole Noteware
10:30 Deacons: Matt & Kassy Groom, Levi Karcher, Matt Klinglesmith
Communion Preparation: Cindy St. Clair
Homebound: Sally Frazier, Arlie Goforth
Reports
June 29, 2020 Deposits
General Fund $2,460.00
June 30, 2020
General Fund
(Givelify) $192.99
July 13, 2020
General Fund $2,187.00
Service Attendance
July 5, 2020 July 12, 2020
8:15 Service 34 35
10:30 Service 59 40
Josh’s Jottings (photo by Bruno Glatsch)
The snow packed peaks of the mountains be-
fore him seemed to be calling him home. You could
almost make out the outline of the trees as these
sharp, pointed triangles of green everywhere. There
was almost a moment where he thought he could
smell the evergreen trees from this distance. He
was probably a good three days ride away on the
back of this horse, but he could almost see his place
in his mind’s eye. He knew that the journey was a
rough and arduous one. There would be rivers to
cross, slopes to trudge up, and last but not least,
there was the issue of all the gear he had brought
with him. He could still see the cabin though, in his
mind, perfectly nuzzled against the side of the
mountain. It was as if God started down the top of
the steep mountain, cleared a perfectly level place
and sat down and admired all that had been created.
Then it seemed as though God decided to surround
it with trees to protect the clearing from the harsh
winds that high up the mountain. The man liked to
refer to it as purgatory. It was this liminal space be-
tween the world above and the world below. He
sometimes imagined that might have been the in-
spiration for all those Greek and Roman Gods talk-
ing about Mount Olympus and the like. There was
only one way in and only one way out.
His cabin though, his “palace” sat just below
the level of the clouds. The weather never got too
hot or too cold, it was just right. It was his safe
place and no matter what anyone did. No matter if
the world was totally on fire, this was his sanctuary.
This was his place of solitude and comfort…even if
it was all in his head.
He had learned a long time ago that in the
middle of his prayer time every morning that he
had to create a place to escape the monotony of the
world that he found himself in behind the cubicle
jungle that his education had afforded him. He had
to create a “sanctuary” of sorts so that his mind did-
n’t wander and dwell on the world around him. So
every morning the young man would light a candle,
take a deep breath, put his head phones on and
open his bible to Psalms and read...
Psalms 16 says; “Protect me, O God, for in
you I take refuge.
I say to the Lord, ‘You are my Lord;
I have no good apart from you.’
As for the holy ones in the land, they are the noble,
in whom is all my delight.
Those who choose another god multiply their sor-
rows;
their drink-offerings of blood I will not pour out
or take their names upon my lips.
The Lord is my chosen portion and my cup;
you hold my lot.
The boundary lines have fallen for me in pleasant
places;
I have a goodly heritage.
I bless the Lord who gives me counsel;
in the night also my heart instructs me.
I keep the Lord always before me;
because he is at my right hand, I shall not be
moved.
Therefore my heart is glad, and my soul rejoices;
my body also rests secure.
For you do not give me up to Sheol, or let your
faithful one see the Pit.
You show me the path of life.
In your presence there is fullness of joy;
in your right hand are pleasures for evermore.
How often do you take time to find the beau-
ty in the world surrounding you? Do you have to
create a “safe” place in your mind in order to be in
the loving embrace of the creator?
Three months...that’s the amount of time I
mentally, spiritually, and physically can go without
some sort of break. I have found that in order to
make it that long I have to keep up my spiritual
disciplines of prayer and bible reading. I practice
deep relaxation and meditation practices. I try very
hard to do something that physically pushes me so
that I can put the built up anxious energy that
comes with the calling of being a minister into
something productive. In the times before Perry, I
would go out into my wood shop and make some-
thing out of nothing, ride my motorcycle, go to the
gym, or just do something on the never ending list
of things that we should do like build a fence,
etc.... However I have found that if I don’t escape
and spend three days in silence, writing, and medi-
tating I start to backslide into old habits. My old
habits usually entailed not being able to sleep, not
turning off my brain enough to rest, or the kicker,
constantly feeling as though I have not done
enough for the congregation that I have been called
to serve.
I only share these moments with you be-
cause I think a lot of us are “overfunctioning” at
the moment and it is important to take a moment
and breathe. Find your safe place and just breathe.
God is in control and we just have to slow down
long enough to feel God’s presence and recognize
God’s love in spite of ourselves.
Shalom,
Joshua Bell
Children and Youth Ministry Becoming disciples of Jesus though connecting with the word, each other, and the
community by then serving as Jesus’ disciples.
Hello, everyone! Here is what is go-
ing on with Christian Education:
Vacation Bible School
Vacation Bible School is next week.
We are currently in the process of
decorating for VBS from 2-4pm eve-
ry day. We could really use your
help. We will meet in the Big Room.
If you can come, please come. We
are taking extreme precautions
with VBS this year. Transportation
will no longer be provided due to
safety concerns. We are excited for
a fun week!
Promotion Sunday
On August 16, we will be celebrat-
ing our kids by promoting them in
Sunday School during the 10:30am
worship service. More on that in the
coming weeks.
5th-6th Grade Hangout
The 5th-6th graders will be this
Sunday, July 19 from 4-5pm in the
Big Room. We will be masks are en-
couraged, but not required. Its
sports team night, so dress up! Best
dressed gets a prize! Bring a friend
and a Bible, get a prize! Come join
us for games, a craft, and more!
Disciple’s Kids: Tentatively start-
ing September 9th. More infor-
mation coming soon
Prayers appreciated!
Sara
Rev. Joshua Bell Senior Minister 620/491-3488
Sara Halpin Director of Christian Education & Youth
Shiloah Kennedy Administrative Assistant
Paula Shryock Director of Music
Nancy Wells Organist
Sharon Worrell Custodian
CHURCH OFFICE
(580) 336-4576
perryokfcc@gmail.com
Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
SUNDAY SERVICES
8:15am or 10:30am
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15am
Recurring Events
• Board Meetings 2nd Wednesday monthly
7pm
• Church Services Sundays 8:15 & 10:30AM,
Sunday School 9:15AM
• Cross Trainers A Tuesdays at 9AM
• Cross Trainers B Wednesdays at 6:30PM
• Discipleship Meetings 2nd Tuesday monthly
6PM
• Youth Group Sundays 5PM-7PM
• Youth Bible Study Wednesdays at 5:30PM
• 5th & 6th grade hang-out 4:00-5 PM 2nd
Sunday each month
At-A-Glance
Reopening the Church Build-
ing: Phase 3—July 19th
Vacation Bible School: July 20
-24 5:30-8:00 PM
Sign up sheet now available in
the foyer for after service
clean up. We need people to
help clean the sanctuary after
each service.
Sun
day
M
on
day
Tu
esd
ay
Wed
nes
day
Th
urs
day
Fr
iday
Sa
turd
ay
2
Serv
ice
8:1
5am
, 1
0:3
0am
Sun
day
Sch
oo
l 9
:15
am
You
th G
rou
p 5
pm
3
Foo
d P
antr
y M
eeti
ng
5:3
0p
m
Edu
cati
on
Mee
tin
g 5
:30
pm
4
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
A
9:0
0am
5
You
th B
ible
Stu
dy
5:3
0p
m
Twir
ling
4-5
pm
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
B
6:3
0p
m
6
Qu
ilter
s 1
pm
7
8
9
Serv
ice
8:1
5am
, 1
0:3
0am
Sun
day
Sch
oo
l 9
:15
am
You
th G
rou
p 5
pm
10
Ch
risti
an E
du
cati
on
M
eeti
ng
5:3
0pm
Pe
rry
Foo
d P
antr
y B
oar
d M
eeti
ng
5:3
0p
m
11
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
A
9:0
0am
Dis
cip
lesh
ip 6
pm
12
D
K Z
oo
m 3
:30-
5p
m
Twir
ling
4-5
pm
You
th B
ible
Stu
dy
5:3
0p
m
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
B 6
pm
Bo
ard
Mee
tin
g 7
pm
13
Pe
rry
Sch
oo
ls B
egin
Qu
ilter
s 1
pm
Sou
p K
itch
en 6
pm
14
1
5
16
Ser
vice
8:1
5am
, 1
0:3
0am
Sun
day
Sch
oo
l 9
:15
am
Fall
Kic
k O
ff
You
th G
rou
p 5
pm
17
18
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
A
9:0
0am
19
Twir
ling
4-5
pm
You
th B
ible
Stu
dy
5:3
0p
m
Ch
oir
6:3
0p
m
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
B
20
Qu
ilter
s 1
pm
21
22
23
Serv
ice
8:1
5am
, 1
0:3
0am
Sun
day
Sch
oo
l 9
:15
am
You
th G
rou
p 5
pm
24
25
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
A
9:0
0am
26
Twir
ling
4-5
pm
You
th B
ible
Stu
dy
5:3
0p
m
Ch
oir
6:3
0pm
Cro
ss T
rain
ers
B
27
Qu
ilter
s 1
pm
28
2
9
30
Serv
ice
8:1
5am
, 1
0:3
0am
Su
nd
ay S
cho
ol
9:1
5am
Yo
uth
Gro
up
5p
m
31
Fi
rst
Ch
risti
an C
hu
rch
58
0-3
36
-45
76
70
1 H
olly
Pe
rry
OK
73
07
7
pe
rryo
kfcc
@gm
ail.
com
We
b f
ccp
err
yok.
com
The
Fir
st C
hri
stian
Ch
urc
h (
Dis
cip
les
of
Ch
rist
) o
f P
err
y is
a f
amily
th
at
fin
ds
way
s o
f s
up
po
rtin
g gr
ow
th t
hro
ugh
th
e c
on
ne
ctio
n o
f w
ors
hip
and
th
e c
om
pas
sio
nat
e c
are
of
ou
r ch
urc
h m
em
ber
s an
d c
om
mu
nit
y.