Chalice TidingsChalice Tidings
Newsletter of
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
120 N. McArthur Macomb, Illinois
(309) 837-6473
Volume V, Number 12 March 23, 2000
LENTEN SERVICE SCHEDULE
March 26 - Wesley United Methodist - Father Richard Pricco
April 2 - First Presbyterian Church - Rev. Susan Coller
April 9 - St. George Episcopal Church - Rev. Bill Brown
April 16 - Scotland Trinity Presbyterian - Rev. Edward DenBlaauwen
SUITCASES
Suitcases that were loaned to the Mission Team for the Dominican trip may be picked up in the church parlor. The 2000 Team will share their experiences with us on April 2 during worship service.
CHAIN OF PRAYER
The sign up sheet for the 2000 Chain of Prayer is hanging on the bulletin board in the parlor. See Eva Vail for more details.
MARRIAGE TEMSHELL CLASS
The Marriage Temshell Class will meet again each Sunday morning beginning March 19, at 9:00 a.m. in the Senior Minister's Study. This class is working on developing a text for pre-marital guidance. We are always welcoming new members to the class. The study is across from the library on the second floor of the north portion of the building.
CWF NEWS
Bertha Gilchrist-------7:00 p.m.
Hostess: Bessie Marlow
Lesson: Arlene Westerhold
Worship: Rachel Bliven
Itoka Maeda ----------7:30 p.m.
Dinner: 6:00 p.m. at Ponderosa
Hostess: Bev Drake
Lesson & Worship: Judy Graves
Martha Shemwell-----1:30 p.m.
Hostess: Mary Stipanowich
Lesson: Truth Manning
Worship: Mae Lou Henderson
Ada White-------------2:00 p.m.
Hostess: Betty Aten
Lesson: Doris Allen
Worship: Ivonne Bradley
Please bring your blessing boxes to your March 28th meetings. They will be taken to The Gathering in Jacksonville on April 5. All church women are invited to attend this meeting on April 5. Contact church office for details.
The CWF General Meeting on April 11 will be a salad supper.
Our Cherub Choir will be singing during Worship Service this Sunday, March 26.
Most scholars agree that the thing which led to the crucifixion of Jesus was the Cleansing of the
Temple. In that event Jesus confronted the pocketbooks of the most wealthy people in Palestine.
The prophet margin of that venue was greater than gold futures! You don't mess with the profit
and loss system, especially if you are hitting on those in the black.
Scholars agree that John does not see it that way. Instead of placing the cleansing of the Temple at the end of the Jesus Story it is placed here at the beginning. According to John, three years passed before the crucifixion.
John writes in about the year 90 A.D. The Temple in Jerusalem had been destroyed, but the Resurrected Lord lived on. The Body of Jesus (the Temple) had been destroyed, but God had raised it up in three days. At the same time the Temple Building (which had been so important to Judaism) had been torn down and not rebuilt. I suppose that shows you what is important and what is not important to God......to God.....to God......That is the key to John's perspective on history. That is, buildings rot and fall. The mortar which holds the stones together falters and the great buildings of old tumble into ruin.
Here is my regular Fred Craddock quote for the week:
"We know Sanctuaries. We know Jesus. We know the difference."
Love,
Jim
Over the past few months I have had interviews with a lot of different churches. I have looked for a new position because I have been with you for nearly thirteen years. Our time has been a joy for me and has past fast. I have experienced the worst and the best of life with you. We have been true partners in the gospel. I believe I am ready for a new challenge in ministry and you are ready for new leadership.
So I have accepted a call to The First Christian Church in Independence, Kansas. I visited three different churches in one week recently. What sold us on Independence was the people. We felt at home with them as we have felt at home with you.
Only two other ministers (Cecil Swindle and Colen Robertson) served this church longer than I did. I am honored that you allowed me to be your minister for so long.
I notified the Elders of this decision last week. They have asked me to go ahead and send the message to the whole congregation. We have not yet worked out the details of our departure, including the time. So, give us a few weeks more to spend with you.
Feel welcome to call me or come by the office if you wish so we can talk face to face about this time of separation. I have a few projects I want to iron up before I leave. So I shall be in the office a great deal. The door is open.
Much Love, Jim
AMONG THE FLOCK
Our sympathy goes out to the family of Windy McGaughey. Funeral services for Mr. McGaughey were held last Tuesday afternoon.
Louise Kauzerlich remains in critical condition at McDonough District Hospital.
Congratulations to Mindy Worthington on the birth of her new baby girl. Hazel Lynn was born on Monday Evening, March 20, at McDonough District Hospital. He weighed 6 pounds and 7 ounces.
Connie Hanson says that her brother in law is waiting to be commissioned as an officer in the Air Force, and she asks for us to lift him up in our prayers.
Eleanor Goveia, mother of Janet Shank, has been ill. We have added her to our prayers.
OUTREACH DEPARTMENT
The outreach department will be collecting candle stubs, etc. These can be any color, scent, size, or shape. They will be recycled into new candles that will be sold as a fund raiser for Outreach. There is a box available in the office hallway for your donations. The department would also be appreciative of any donations of jelly jars to be used for the recycled candles. Contact the office for more information.
CHRISTIAN CONCERT
On April 7th there is a concert sponsored by M.A.M.A. Daniel's Window will be performing at Fellheimer Auditorium, 8:30 p.m. Admission is one canned good to be donated to Loaves and Fishes Ministry.
Good Friday Services will be held at First Baptist Church, 136 W. Carroll, on April 21st from 11:30
am to 1:00 pm. The service will rotate on a twenty minute schedule. You can come anytime during
the lunch hour, stay twenty minutes or more and experience a meaningful service. We hope to see
you there.
SERVING MARCH 19
Worship Leader
Arlene Westerhold
Elders
Julie Bice - Loaf Prayer
Nancy Reed - Cup Prayer
Assembly Deacons
Mike Anderson, Sharon Butcher, Mike Anderson, Carrie Finson, Ronda Kimler, Dorothy & Larry Loop, Bessie Marlow, Mary Raymer, Valerie Barber, Debbie Smith, Michelle Neve
Preparatory Deacons
Donna Bainter, Michelle Neve, Monill McClure
Greeters - East Door
Susan Dean and Janet Shank
Greeters - South Door
Albert & Jackie Cobb
Sanctuary Superintendent
John & Pat Hobbs
Ushers
Margaret Black, Justine Harp, Guy Moore, Jean Moore, Don Hodges (elevator)
Sunday Morning Office Staff
Monill McClure
Figuratively Speaking
March 19, 2000
Worship Service 158
Sunday School 61
Sunday Scripture: John 2: 13-22