December 3, 2011

Inside the Courier: • A Look at the Brite

Side, page 2 • Advent mission pro-

jects, page 3

• December calendar,

page 4

• Board Notes, page 5

On the Web: First Christian Church

website

Christian Church (Dis-

ciples of Christ)

UCC Denominaltional Executive Geoffrey Black talks about SpringHouse

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Senior members to lead Advent wreath lightings

Poinsettia Time! Order form in-cluded here on

insert

The Advent

Season will

have a spe-

cial meaning

at First

Christian this

year. To

mark these

final Advent

and Christ-

mas worship

services in this building at 2201 First

Avenue, the worship committee

asked some of our most senior mem-

bers to light the Advent wreath can-

dles throughout the season.

On the First Advent Sunday (Nov.

27), Gwen Elmshauser, Pat Carter

and Irene Hackett lit the candles –

with Dorothy Stegner helping “in ab-

sentia.”

Dorothy Becker, whose membership

in FCC is the longest, will light the

candles on Dec. 4, assisted by her

grandson, Aaron Pyles.

Don Cain and John Billman, who are

brothers-in-law as well as senior

members, will light candles Dec. 11,

assisted by Don’s wife Mary Lou and

John’s daughter Jennifer Redmond.

Four generations of the Rusinak fam-

ily will have the honors on Dec. 18.

On Christmas Eve, one of the newest

families to join FCC, the Cackoskis,

will light the final candle in the Ad-

vent Wreath.

Two special music events will also high-

light this Christmas season. The four sec-

tion leaders/soloists from the Chancel

Choir will present a concert titled “Go Out

With Joy” on Sunday, Dec. 17 at 1 pm.

Stephen Cunningham, Zachary Colby,

Anna DeGraff, and Brianna Farrah will be

in the spotlight, as they often are during

choir anthems. A free will offering will be

taken, with proceeds to go towards sup-

porting the Groveland Foodshelf.

Nicolas Carter and his group – including

his daughter Maliya on vocals -- will once

again be putting on a Christmas program.

The concert will be Saturday, Dec. 17 at

7:30 in the FCC Sanctuary. Tickets for

adults are $12 in advance and $15 at the

door, with children and students free.

Tickets can be bought online at http://nicholascarter.com/component/content/article

/4-latest-news/3-latest-news.

Nicolas Carter (2nd from right on harp) and his ensem-

ble: Mauricio Sanchez (strings and Andean flutes), Jorge

Gonzalez (guitar), Eliezer Freitas Santos (percussion),

Maliya (vocals)

In addition to worship services and music

presentations, Advent presents many op-

portunities for mission projects. See Pas-

tor Sanders’ column on page 3 of this

Courier for details.

Christian Courier ourier

First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

Page 2

Pastor Bob Brite

Timeline for move to SpringHouse

December 3, 2011

The timelines are set, a name

for the building has been cho-

sen, and we’ll be moving in

mid-January. So here’s how

things at this point are planned:

-- The building will hopefully

be ready for occupancy on De-

cember 21, which will allow

Salem and Lyndale to hold

Christmas services there.

-- On January 1st, following

our worship service here, we

will hold a brief communion

service of dedication at the new

building (in the spirit of start-

ing off the new year in the new

building.)

-- On January 15th, we will

begin our worship service here,

and then complete it at the new

building. From that point on,

we will be worshipping at the

new building. We are looking

into chartering a bus for that

day to take us over there.

-- The three churches will have

an open house on February 4th,

and a formal day of dedicating

the new building on March

25th.

-- A contract has been signed

for us to remove the pipe organ

here starting in January, have it

reconditioned, then installed in

the south sanctuary of the new

building starting next fall.

The new building will be called

the SpringHouse Ministry Cen-

ter. This name was chosen by

the Ministry Center Board out

of a total of over 100 names. A

springhouse originally was a

building erected over a creek

that was used as a cool-storage

facility in frontier days (so one

of the images is a place that’s

really cool, right?) The name

also evokes images of spring –

a time of resurrection – thus

pointing to the hope that is our

future.

I’d like to see YOU on Sunday!

Have a blessed Advent.

Bob

A Look at the Brite Side

In our prayers

Gracious God, we

lift up these persons

in our prayers, ask-

ing the blessing of

your Grace and out-

pouring of your Love

upon them.

We offer prayers for the Ronnei family as Charlotte’s care needs continue

to grow, and for health concerns of Irene Hackett’s sister and Evelyn

Lawson’s great-niece; prayers of thanksgiving that Greg Merkel cele-

brated 32 years of sobriety at our Thanksgiving service, that Ali Hesano

will be continuing her education at St. Cloud state, that Mike Brady’s

good friend is getting therapy and that Caleb Callanan getting a prosthe-

sis at no charge from health provider; prayers and sympathy for Kathy

Merkel, whose good friend Carolyn “Kit” Clayton passed away at age

83; for Kirsten Cackoski’s brother-in-law, who is redefining life after

losing his wife; and for those dealing with homelessness, including Eliza-

beth, who is hoping that her housing application will come through; pray-

ers for all that we will have patience and love for each other during the

frenzy of the holiday season; and prayers for all our homebound members,

including Lois Cobbs and Phyllis Dunlap, Amen.

.

Christian Courier

Page 3

Make Advent a time for the mission of giving

The “Christmas Season” is a

time when we are busy with

shopping and Christmas Par-

ties. As early as October, we

start seeing ads and store dis-

plays for Christmas. While

there nothing wrong in buying

presents or going to parties, it’s

easy to miss what this time is

all about.

As Christians, the four weeks

before Christmas is not consid-

ered the Christmas Season but

instead is called Advent. Ad-

vent is the time we wait for the

coming of Christ, the one that

we ultimately celebrate on

Christmas.

We are reminded that the

coming One is the one who

made friends with the poor and

the outsider. As Christians, or

Christ-followers, we are also

called to do justice and to love

mercy, just as the One we fol-

low.

First Christian will offer sev-

eral opportunities to take part

in the coming of Jesus by tak-

ing part in the spiritual disci-

pline of giving and service.

Community Emergency Ser-

vice Hygiene Drive

It’s not uncommon to go to a

food shelf and see lots of food,

but very little when it comes to

things like soap or toothpaste.

People who are “food insecure”

usually find it hard to also pur-

chases toiletries like deodorant.

From November 27 through

December 24, we will collect

these items for the CES

Foodshelf. You can click here

to view a list of needed items.

You can also call the church

office for the list. Please drop

them off in the marked basket

located in the narthex of First

Christian.

Cookie Bake

The Young Adults to gather on

December 17 at 1 pm at First

Christian to make cookies to

share and also for the Aliveness

Project, a local charity helping

those with HIV/AIDS. They

will be joined by young adults

from Salem Lutheran and

Lyndale United Church of

Christ. If you are a young adult

and want to take part, join us

on December 17!

Cookie Decorating

After worship on Dec. 18th,

Lyndale/Salem kids and their

families, and others, will be

joining us to decorate the cook-

ies baked on the 17th

for the

Aliveness Project, and for fel-

lowship. Everyone from First is

invited to join in. A light lunch

will be served. Join the fun!

Sock Tree

Bring socks for the Sock Tree

from now until Christmas Eve.

Any size warm winter socks

are needed and will be given to

Refugee Services to be donated

to refugees.

Welcome Baskets: Christmas

Edition

Downtown Congregations to

Ending Homelessness is look-

ing for First Christian to make

3-5 Welcome Baskets to new

tenants of Our Saviour’s Hous-

ing. We are looking for the

common household cleaning

items which can be purchased

at local WalMart or Target or a

Dollar store. Again, you can

call the church office for the

list or click here. Items can be

dropped off at the church.

Heifer Gifts

Consider giving a loved one a

gift that will help others around

the world. During Advent, stop

by the table in the Lounge after

worship and by a farm animal

for a family member or friend.

If you have any questions,

please contact me at 612-325-

8066 or by email at associatepastor@fccminneapolis.

org.

Go and be church.

Dennis Sanders

Associate Pastor

Mission Notes from Pastor Sanders

Page 4 December 3, 2011

Elders Worship Leader Children’s

Moment

Diaconate Bus Drivers

Greeters

December 4 Martha Harris (p) Arlene Hillestad (a)

Jennifer Redmond Steve Rusinak Even Team

Mike Hesano 651-645-6758

Karen Kandik

December 11 Jay Hillestad (p) Ann Wolverton (a)

Ardie Armstrong Dennis Sanders Even Team

Mike Morgan 612-926-9384

Valerie Dunham

December 18 Martha Harris (p) Ardie Armstrong (a)

Ronda Dunham Caleb Callanan Even Team

Garry Hesser 612-721-4905

Ardie Armstrong, Shirley Draine

December 24 Arlene Hillestad (p) Jay Hillestad (a)

- - -

December 25 Skip Wolverton (p) Ann Wolverton (a)

Ann Wolverton Bob Brite Even Team

Mike Hesano Karen Kandik

Note: Please call drivers by Saturday for Sunday bus ride

December, 2011

First Christian Church

Worship Hours

8:45 Breakfast Club

9:15 Spiritual Formation Classes

10:30 Worship

11:45 Fellowship Time in Lounge

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 pm Bell Choir

7:45 pm Chancel

Choir

1

9 am Handcrafters

2

3

9 am- Men’s

Group

10 am Women’s

Ministries

Brunch

11-1 Church

Decorating

4 5

6

4 pm Bible Study

@ Intermedia

Arts

7 pm Worship

Committee

7

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 pm Bell Choir

7:45 pm Chancel

Choir

8

9 am Handcrafters

7 pm Ministry

Council

9 10

9 am- Men’s

Group

11

1 pm “Go Out

With Joy”

concert/

Fundraiser

12

7 pm Carter

Circle @

Bobbie Hall’s

13

9 am Mpls Re-

tired Teach-

er’s Luncheon

4 pm Bible Study

@ Intermedia

Arts

7 pm Property

Committee

14

5:30 Finance

Committee

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 pm Bell Choir

7:45 pm Chancel

Choir

15

9 am Handcrafters

16

7:30 Christian

League

dinner

17

9 am Men’s

Group

10 am Laura

Lynn/Naomi

Circle

1 pm Advent

Cookie Deco-

rating

7:30 pm Nicolas

Carter Con-

cert

18

Food Pantry

Sunday

5 pm Elders Mtg

19

20

6 pm Mission &

Witness

Committee

7 pm Board

Meeting

21

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 pm Bell Choir

7:45 pm Chancel

Choir

22

9 am Handcrafters

23

24

9 am- Men’s

Group

8 pm Christmas

Eve Service

25

Christmas Day

10 am Worship

26

27

4 pm Bible Study

@ Intermedia

Arts

28

6 pm Bible Study

6:30 pm Bell Choir

7:45 pm Chancel

Choir

29

9 am Handcrafters

30 31

Christian Courier Page 5

FCC Board Notes

Music director Jim Baumgartner introduced the performing or-

ganists Donald Ulm, Carol Hipps, Bryon Wilson, Jerry Bonstrom,

Chris Wogaman, and Beverly Singewald at the Oct. 30 organ

recital, “Pulling Out All the Stops.”

End of year budget crunch The Finance committee of FCC is urging all

members to not only make sure that all pledges are

up to-date, but also to consider extra generosity in

stewardship during December

At the end of October, general offerings were

approximately $9,800 under the projected budget.

Need any odd jobs done? Katie Jones, our former office manager, is in

need of part-time/odd job employment. So if you

have housecleaning that needs to be done, furniture

that needs to be moved, or any other sort of work

around the house, please call Katie at 952-607-

1761.

Breakfast Club looking for treats The Breakfast Club meets every Sunday morning

before the Sunday School classes. Pastor Brite is

asking for volunteers to supply sweet rolls and

juice for the Breakfast Club ministry. Even if you

don’t participate, you can help the young families

who do by supplying treats.

A Thank-you from the Bouler family

Dear First Christian Church,

Thank you so much for your generosity to-

wards our family and for celebrating Blair's

birth. FCC has been an answer to our prayers.

We are so fortunate to have found your church to

call HOME and our church community.

God bless,

Clyde, Jennifer, & Blair Bouler

A Farewell note from Mankato “It is with sadness that I must tell you that First

Christian Church Mankato will be ending its active

ministry at the end of the 2011 calendar year. Af-

ter 143 years of service to the greater Mankato

community, our numbers have dwindled to the

point where remaining active is not feasible.

“We wish all of our friends at First Christian

Church in Minneapolis all of God's blessings.”

Paulette Tonn Booker,

Leadership Team Coordinator

At the Nov. 15 meeting of the FCC General Board,

four motions were passed:

The final draft of the Ministry Center Covenant

was approved.

The trustees were instructed to give notice to

Minneapolis Institute of Arts (MIA) that FCC

will vacate the building by June 30, 2012.

Associate Pastor Dennis Sanders’ contract was

renewed for another year.

The new name for the Ministry Center,

SpringHouse Ministry Center, was approved.

Pastor Brite went over the timeline for the move to

the Ministry Center (see his Brite Side column for

details). The 2012 budget has many unknowns,

since there will be upkeep bills for two buildings

for six months. He also reported that MIA is plan-

ning to use the former FCC Residence as an emer-

gency center in case of a catastrophe at MIA.

Dean Creighton reported that the Search Commit-

tee is meeting weekly and that he is “thrilled by the

energy and enthusiasm” of the committee mem-

bers.

The board meeting was attended by 12 members

and 2 staff members.

Address Service Requested

Sundays at First Christian Church

Sunday Worship at 10:30 am

Before Worship After Worship

Breakfast Club 8:45 am Fellowship Time 11:45

Spiritual Formation Classes 9:15 am

Bi-Weekly Calendar

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

OF MINNEAPOLIS

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue South

Minneapolis, MN 55404

A Thoughtful Church in the

Heart of the City

Ministry Team All Members of the Congregation

Robert Brite, Transitional Minister

Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversi-

ty and Mission

Chris Wogaman, Office Manager

Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual

Formation & Community Ministry

Jim Baumgartner, Director of Music

Bryon Wilson, Organist/Pianist

Rick Bowman, Building Manager

Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant

Martha Harris, Courier Editor

Telephone: 612.870.1868

Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984

www.fccminneapolis.org

E-mail: fcc-mpls@qwest.net

Fax: 612.870.1860

Christian Courier is published bi-

monthly. Send items and ideas to

church office or to Martha Harris

harrismartha@mac.com

by Sunday, Dec. 11 for next issue.

This Week at FCC

Tuesday, December 6 3-church Bible group 4 pm @ Intermedia Arts Worship Committee 7 pm

Wednesday, December 7

Bible Study 6 pm

Bell Choir 6:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:45 pm

Thursday, December 8 Handcrafters 9 am Ministry Center Board 7pm

Saturday, December 10

Men’s Group 9 am

Reflections on the Word from readings for 2

nd Advent

“The beginning of the good news of Je-

sus Christ, the Son of God.” –Mark 1:1

Each Gospel begins differently: Mat-

thew with genealogy; Luke with histo-

ry; John with theology. Mark begins

the Good News of Jesus with a proc-

lamation: “Be washed, repent of your

sins, and be forgiven.” The point is,

Jesus’ ministry had a beginning. And

from such beginnings can come won-

drous things. Does your faith in Jesus

begin with his ministry, or elsewhere?

O God, you have called your servants

to ventures of which we cannot see the

ending, by paths as yet untrodden,

through perils unknown. Give us faith

to go out with good courage, not know-

ing where we go, but only that your

hand is leading us and your love sup-

porting us; through Jesus Christ our

Lord. Amen. –Chris Wogaman

(Prayer is from Lutheran Vespers)

Next Week at FCC

Sunday, December 11 “Go Out With Joy” concert 1 pm

Monday, December 12 Carter Circle @ Bobbie Hall’s 7 pm

Tuesday, December 13 Mpls Retired Teachers Lunch 9 am Property Committee 7 pm

Wednesday, December 14 Finance Committee 5:30 pm Bible Study 6 pm

Bell Choir 6:30 pm Chancel Choir 7:45 pm

Thursday, December 15 Handcrafters 9 am

Saturday, December 17

Busy Saturday! See Calendar, p. 4 for all

the events!