Although
we hear all about how on January 1 a new millennium begins. Not all cultures
see it this way.
For the
Church, the time of Advent (which means "coming") signals the start of
the new church year. So, when does the new (church) year begin --
this Sunday, not January 1st.
Initially
this season of Advent meant a celebration of the coming of Christ into
the world. It was a time of musical and dramatic performances grounded
in biblical stories and prophecies of the Birth of Christ in Bethlehem.
It was a time when homes had an evergreen wreath. Each week the people
added additional candles until just before Christmas Day there were
four candles lit.
Later
the church added a second theme of advent (coming). This was the
celebration of Christ Second Coming at the end of time. These themes give
this time in the church a peculiar tension between the joy of His birth
and the penitence of His return.
We hope
that you join us Sunday to begin this year's season of Advent. We
hope that you also join us this Friday when we decorate the church for
this glorious season.
Shalom,
Pastor Tom
Thank You Very Much!
It was one
the greatest Thanksgiving Dinners in our history! Although counting that
many people is difficult, it appears that we had nearly 100 in attendance
at this years’ Thanksgiving Dinner. There was so much food we didn’t
see anyone leaving looking hungry.
We want
to thank the membership committee and everyone who had a hand in the dinner
– from the cooks to the cleanup.
In addition
to the dinner, the community service was well attended! Some of the
ministers estimated 400 at this service. As for our part, it looks
like more than 1 out of 3 who attended our dinner, also attended the service.
This was one of our best showing in years as well. THANKS!
First
Christian Church, Pawnee, Oklahoma appears to be VERY THANKFUL for the
many blessings this year. We are thankful for the success of both
events and your part in this!
Guild Christmas
Sale
Calling
all women and men of the church. The Guild hopes that you will be
a part of their bake good and craft sale on Dec. 4. We need every
family to make something for this sale. Please bring baked and/or
craft items to Hillcrest Pharmacy on that morning by 8:30 a.m. They
also need plastic sacks, so if you have spare ones around the house, please
bring them to the church this Sunday. Helpers are needed to be at
the church from 8:30 until the end of the sale!
Updating
some of our members and friends: Virgil Malone continues his rehab in Tulsa.
Word is that they are keeping him busy walking and doing other physical
therapy. Ruth Tague’s brother is in the hospital in Oklahoma City,
word
mid-last week was a bit somber, but by this past Sunday evening the word
was drastically better. Craig Jensen is about to finished his
IV-treatment and hopefully will return to Pawnee later this week.
Bonnie Riemer is going to go to Houston for a “mini-bone marrow” transplant.
We ask that you keep these and others you know in your prayers.
… We saw a number of old familiar faces at our Thanksgiving
Dinner, some faces we haven’t seen in a while. It was good to catch-up
with where they have been and are going. . . . If you did not attend the
Community Service, you missed the most energetic service we have had in
years. . . . The contractor and sub-contractors will be in
our building on Tuesday, November 30th to take care of a number of problems
that we have discovered in the 10 months that we have been back in the
building. . .WE WISH YOU A HAPPY THANKSGIVING!
Sign-up
for Pictorial Directory
If you
do not have a time for your picture in our pictorial director, please call
Pastor Tom at home to let him know that you want a time. If
you have sign-up, please remember to be here at that time. We want things
to go smoothly on next Tuesday and Wednesday.
Thanksgiving
Offering
We had
set a goal of at least $350 for our Thanksgiving Offering. At the
end of the second Sunday to receive this offering, we raised $188.
We have ONE Sunday left to make our GOAL and we are $112 short! Surely
we are not going to fall short in our efforts to help those beyond our
own church. We are all part of the body of Christ, so let us help our sisters
and brothers.
Christmas
Eve Service
Don’t
forget about the Christmas Eve Candle light service on the 24th of December
starting at 11:00 p.m.!
November
1999 Plan
Elders:
D. Jo Ferguson, Steve Strode
Communion:
Karen Gibson, Ann Scott, Janice Harp
Deacons:
28-Barbara Hudgins, Ann Seeliger, Jim Wilkerson, Les Crocker, Jr. Deacons
Shutin
Communion:
28-Steve Gibson and Bill Adams
Greeters
28-Ann Seeliger, Jennifer Lyons
Worship
Leaders:
28-Austin Banning
Candle
Lighters:
28-Kayla Lyons, Jennifer Low
Nursery
Attendant
28-LeAnn LaBron
CHRISTMAS
PROGRAM
For our
Church’s Christmas Program this year we are going to have a special program/worship
service on Sunday, December 12th during the morning worship time.
We currently have several individual/groups working on items for this event.
However, we are still looking for individuals/groups to participate.
If you would like to sing a song, recite a poem, give a reading, play an
instrument, etc. please contact Pastor Tom as soon as possible so
that we can finalize this service. After the service we will have
a “pitch-in” luncheon with a tasting party. Now a pitch-in luncheon
is kind of like a pot-luck dinner, only not as formal. You are asked
to bring lunch items (sandwiches to spaghetti to ????), enough for your
family and a little more. We then “spread” this out on the tables
and everyone can share a bit in the meal items. Then for dessert
you are asked to bring some Christmas goodie item (again enough for your
family and a little more). These items could be cookies, fudge, pies,
cakes, candies, to ???). With this being nearly 2 weeks before Christmas
we hope that everyone will be able to attend the Christmas Activity.