Koinonia focus
NEWSLETTER MARCH 3, 2020
Attendance & Giving
February 23, 2020
8:15 am (40) 10:30 am (78)
Total Needed $5,232.00
Total Received $3,628.00
Under Budget $1,604.00
March 1, 2020
8:15 am (46) 10:30 am (66)
Total Needed $5,232.00
Total Received $8,878.00
Over Budget $3,646.00
Serving Schedule
Servers for March 8, 2020
Elders: Robert Cunningham, Betty Dillon
Worship Leader: Larry Voise
8:15 Deacons: Virgil & Becky Beckner
10:30 Deacons: Jeff & Kaelyn Roberts, Ashleigh & Tucker Wheatley
Communion Preparer: Cindy St. Clair
8:15 Greeter: Open
10:30 Greeter: Youth
Homebound: Sue Klingaman
Servers for March 15, 2020
Elders: Sue Klingaman, Jim Sim
Worship Leader: Jay DeBord
8:15 Deacons: Tammy Kelly, Emile Kennedy
10:30 Deacons: Barry & Kristi Cook, Helen Fuller, Matt Klinglesmith
Communion Preparer: Virgil & Becky Beckner
8:15 Greeter: Barbara Schweer
10:30 Greeter: Cindy St. Clair
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.
Josh’s Jottings
Well, last time I wrote I had a plan of
what I was going to write and then I
got sick. I mean sick! It was the worst
10 pound diet loss I have ever had!
So, I thought it might be a good idea
to pick up where I left off...
Worship service opportunities, Transi-
tions of growth and possible pastor’s
class.
Worship Service Opportunities:
Hymns are a weird thing in the life of
the church. I would argue that our de-
nomination was founded on the crea-
tion and discussion of using hymns.
One example of this might be hymn
#363 Here, Savior, We Would Come
from our Chalice hymnal. This was
written by Alexander Campbell (one
of the founders of the Christian
Church (Disciples of Christ) in 1865.
The interesting thing is to me this is
considered an “old” hymn however
we have never sung and it and would
be considered a “new” hymn to us. I
have always been fascinated with the
history of the Christian Church
(Disciples of Christ) founders views
on the roles of hymns. Alexander
Campbell wrote in his first published
hymnal entitled Psalms, Hymns and
Spiritual Songs (without music)
Hymns are defined in three ways
1. Psalms are historic composition,
or poetic narratives.
2. Hymns are odes of praise directly
addressing the object of worship,
and declaring his excellence and
glorious works.
3. Spiritual songs are such composi-
tions as declare the sentiments de-
rived from the revelations of God,
and such are adapted to communi-
cate to others the views and feel-
ings which God, revelations sug-
gest. (taken from his 1828 edition)
Even in our own very short history as
a covenantal movement the discussion
of hymns and hymnals has always
been at the forefront of discussion of
what and how do we use music in
worship settings. My hope is that
when you read our hymns in the new
hymnal you would take an opportuni-
ty to ask questions like; “I wonder
whey they changed the words to this
hymn that we have been singing for-
ever?” or maybe “How old is this
hymn actually?”
You might not know this but in the
same way our early founders created
hymnals and in the same manner that
the Chalice Hymnal was created in
1992, I am going to create a new
hymnal for the 21st century. This
Chalice Hymnal gives me the oppor-
tunity to see what works and what
doesn’t as we look to see what we cre-
ate for the future of the denomination.
If you have not had a chance to,
please read the preface in the front of
the Chalice hymnal. It addresses a lot
of the discussion that I have been
writing about the last two weeks. Is
the new/old hymnal perfect? Nope!
However the intent in which it was
written is a testimony to our denomi-
nation striving to be a movement of
wholeness in a fragmented world.
I know new things are weird and they
help us grow and articulate not what
we believe but “who” we believe in!
Transitions of Growth:
I had this whole idea about this sec-
tion and it was going to talk about
things like: “Hey did you know that
we are growing?” and “did you notice
all the kids?” or “Did you know how
awesome you all are?”
Instead I have decided to tell you this,
You are an amazing congregation and
people are taking notice. I already
knew how awesome you are. I don’t
think I have done a good job talking
about how much this congregation
means to me. You all have allowed
me to be me and I feel like for the first
time in my 20+years working with
congregations I can be myself. It feels
weird. I love the way you welcome
people into our building. I love the
smiles you give when you see chil-
dren in the “Pray Ground” in the back
of the sanctuary. I love the way you
make people feel welcome and a part
of this community. I love the way you
try new things even when they are
scary. I love when you all get excited
about serving others and have not yet
ever turned down an opportunity to.
Growth in congregations is hard but
you all embrace it and I love that
about you! Thank you for being you
and I can’t wait to see what this new
year brings.
Pastors class:
It’s simple. If you have a 10 year old
or above and they have questions
about being baptized, joining the
church or any host of questions about
Easter...I want them to come to the
Pastor’s class starting Sunday March
8th at 4:30 p.m. in the Sanctuary. It
will be an hour long and they will
need a bible and if they don’t have
one I will provide one for them.
(Another reason to be excited…)
We have a lot to be excited about and
I hope you are as excited as much as I
am in this time of Lent
Shalom, Joshua Bell
Hello Everyone! I hope you all are doing well! Here is the
latest in Christian Education:
Camp Fundraiser Update
A big thank you to those who came to our fundraiser
lunch and those who bought cookies from us. We made
around $2,700 through fundraising and donations!
Thank you all so much for investing in our kids to go
have an experience of a lifetime!
Winter Jam
A group of six of us went to Winter Jam this past week-
end. It was a blast getting to hear all the cool bands and
bond together over Uno and other games!
Sunday School
Just wanted to give an update on Sunday School. We
have decided to split the age groups. Ages 3-5 will have
their own separate class, led by April Bond. We will be
using the Owlgories DVDs, combined with a Bible story
and craft. 1st-4th grade will be continuing to focus on go-
ing through each book of the Bible with the curriculum
“What’s in the Bible”, with games, a Bible story and
more!
4th-6th graders
It has come to my attention that we have a lot of 4th-6th
graders in our Disciples kids’ program and in our Sunday
School program. I really have been thinking and praying
that we need something for them. As we pray more
about this, anyone interested in helping with this age
group, please let me know. We are considering do an
event during spring Break. If anyone is free during Spring
Break to help, please let me know!
Family Craft Day
We will be having a family craft day on Saturday, April 4
from 2-4pm. Any and all are invited! This is an oppor-
tunity to put our focus on the upcoming week leading to
Easter. There will be a craft that families or singles can
do together. More details coming soon!
Senior Recognition
We will be recognizing our seniors Sunday, May 10 with
a breakfast at 9:15am and a gift during the worship ser-
vice. If you know of a senior graduating high school or
college, please let me know!
Prayers are always appreciated! Thank you!
God Bless,
Sara
Christian Education & Youth Becoming disciples of Jesus through connecting with the
word, each other, and the community by then serving as
Jesus’ disciples.
March Birthdays
1 Ernie Luckert
3 Mary Fultz
3 Pam Lightfoot
6 Debby Fuller
11 Bunnie Klinglesmith
14 Marilyn Ring
14 Gerald Payne
16 Ashley Townley
17 James Meier
23 Jay DeBord
24 Brannon Bolay
30 Willetta Cutsinger
31 Pam Cunningham
March Anniversaries 6 Bob & Willena Cunningham
10 Bobby & Melanie Cunningham
17 Randy & Donna Parrish
Rev. Joshua Bell Senior Minister 620/491-3488 Sara Halpin Director of Christian Education & Youth Codi Hodge Administrative Assistant Paula Shryock Director of Music Nancy Wells Organist Sharon Worrell Custodian
CHURCH OFFICE (580) 336-4576
[email protected] Monday - Friday
9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.
SUNDAY SERVICES 8:15am or 10:30am
SUNDAY SCHOOL 9:15am
Reoccurring Events
Church Services Sundays 8:15 am & 10:30 am
All Ages Sunday School Sundays at 9:15 am
Youth Group Sundays at 5:30 pm
Disciples Kids Wednesdays at 3:15-5:15 pm
Chancel Choir Wednesdays at 6:30 pm
Bell Choir Wednesdays 7:30 pm
Caraway 2nd Sunday monthly at 9:15 am
Connect 2nd Sunday monthly 4:00 pm
Cross Trainers B Tuesdays at 6:00 pm
Cross Trainers A Thursdays at 9:00 am
Quilters Thursdays at 1:00 pm
Christian Education Committee Meeting 1st Monday
Discipleship Meeting 2nd Tuesday monthly 6:00 pm
CWF Meeting 2nd Wednesday monthly at 1:00 pm
Board Meeting 2nd Wednesday monthly at 7:00 pm
March 2020
March 6th Zoo Snooze
March 16-20th Spring Break
April 2020
April 5th Palm Sunday
April 9th Maundy Thursday
April 10th Good Friday
April 9-10th 24 Hour Prayer Vigil
April 12th Easter
April 24th—25th Regional Assembly at Central
Christian Church in Enid, Oklahoma
April 26th Children’s Musical
May 2020
May 2nd OKC Dodgers
May 6th Last Disciples Kids
May 10th SR. Breakfast
May 14th Soup Kitchen
May 16th Graduation
CHOIR NOTES
This Sunday, the women of the choir will sing
“How Can I Keep from Singing?” We have sung
this as a praise song but with a different tune.
On March 15, the Choir will sing “Just As I Am,
I Come,” using a well-known tune
“O Waly Waly.”
See you Sunday!
Paula
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