Protected: Prayer Requests – March 31, 2010

Posted on March 31, 2010 
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Weekly Bulletin – March 28, 2010

Posted on March 25, 2010 
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Palm Sunday
March 28, 2010

With enthusiasm, we welcome you to this Palm Sunday service. “Blessed is the King who comes in the name of the Lord! Peace in heaven and glory in the highest!” Luke 19:38 NKJ

Prepare Your Hearts
On this glorious Palm Sunday, Lord, grant that we may understand the day’s full meaning as we lift our voices in praise to our Savior, Jesus the Christ.

Announcements

Sing Praise

Our Offering  /  Special Music
“Honor the Lord with your possessions, and with the firstfruits of all your increase; so your barns will be filled with plenty, and your vats will overflow with new wine.”                    Proverbs 3:9-10

Children ages 4 – 7 may be dismissed for Jr. Church

A Word from God

A Song in Our Hearts

PLEASE STAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT!
There are classes for everyone.

TODAY – Ladies Book Club Luncheon, after Sun. school in the Chapel.

THIS WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS

Kidz Club “Pennies for People” to benefit the Red Cross. Please drop your returnable cans & bottles at the Fellowship  Ctr. in the next couple of weeks.  We ask that they be clean and in good returnable condition. Thanks.
_______________________
Stepping Stones

It is just a step to the Father’s love —
No farther than the heart,
No farther than a faith that knows
God sets each life apart.

It is just a step to the Father’s work —
No farther than a door,
No farther than the lonely soul
So easy to ignore.

It is just a step to eternity —
No farther than the spring,
No farther than the laws of life
That govern everything.
-Peggy Ferrell
_____________________
Sunday School Hi-lites – Gail Macaulay’s Class
The middle school girls’ Sunday School Class is for girls in 6th, 7th, and 8th grades.  Even though this age group may go through a stage when they feel like they don’t fit in, they very much fit in to our class and our church family.  Each one is loved as we seek to discover God’s plan and instructions for our lives.  We use curriculum, designed for this age group that has a different theme each quarter.  In the fall, we studied, “Understanding Spiritual Conflict”.  In the winter we studied the lives of a dozen people in the Bible, along with a character trait for each one.  Now, in the spring, we are studying the book of Mark.  We continue the “points” system, introduced in the fall curriculum, whereby the girls earn points each week for attendance, doing some act of service to bless our church family, etc.  When enough points are earned to reach the next goal, we get together and celebrate.  We have gone apple picking, made apple pies, toured the Roberson Christmas Forest, gone sledding, etc.

Thanks for attending First Christian today. Please come again!

Protected: Prayer Requests – March 24, 2010

Posted on March 25, 2010 
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An Apocalyptic Easter

Posted on March 24, 2010 
Filed Under Announcements, Sermons

Ok, so Revelation is not apocalyptic literature. It’s prophetic literature with apocalyptic character. I realize it is a strained point but it does set the compass on how one interprets the text. Words really do have meaning and change culture or in this case texts. Anyway on to Easter. I got to thinking. Easter is generally viewed through the lens of the gospels. But isn’t Easter in other texts? Which got me to thinking about Revelation and the drama of the end times. All of the Passion highlights are there; Palm Sunday (triumphant entry and victory), Good Friday (the cross) and Easter (resurrection). So, I will be preaching out of Revelation throughout Passion week. I will be starting in Revelation 7 on Palm Sunday. We tend to forget our history. The early church fathers used to focus on Lamentations throughout Lent. When was the last time the church focused on Lamentations at all? So, it is going to be an apocalyptic Easter. Revelation (the scariest book of the Bible) awaits. And it is a great ending for the people of God.     WHB

24 Acts 6:8-7:60

Posted on March 20, 2010 
Filed Under Pastor's Blog, Sermons

The church needs its Jack Bauers. Yes, you read that right. Jack Bauer, the man America needs but cannot admit exists. He has seen the future and knows what must be done. He’s the first one through the door. The one willing to get dirty for what is right. He is not concerned with the finer points of the debate. His focus is on the harsh reality. In many ways he is the person America loves to hate but desperately needs. Who will be Jack Bauer?

The Acts narrative experiences a major shift with the introduction of Stephen. Luke has laid the literary groundwork for his explosion into the narrative; tension with the Jewish leadership, rise of the hellenist in the church and a growing church but with a narrow vision. Stephen would become the catalyst for radical expansion of the church both geographically and ethnically. Stephen took the words of Jesus literally, “go to all nations and make disciples.”

Allow me to assuage your confusion. Stephen is a hellenistic Jew. That means he is more comfortable in greek culture than he is in jewish culture. Some might say he was downright worldly. But he becomes a deacon and begins preaching the gospel to of all people, other hellenistic Jews. He is at the synagogue of the Freedmen. It means what it says. They were a synagogue of x-slaves. The strange this is that they accuse Stephen of blasphemy. Suggesting the law of Moses would be abolished and the temple would be torn down. The text tells us false witnesses accused Stephen but I expect in some way they were not all that far off. Up till now the church was co-mingling with Judaism. I think Stephen saw the inevitable break. Christianity and Judaism were not the same. Jesus has seen to that. He had fulfilled the Law and the temple of his body had been torn down (crucified) and rebuilt (resurrected) in three days.

Stephen is Jack Bauer. He is the first one in the door. He sees the future and his choices make him a trailblazer in ministry. He becomes the first martyr. Luke quite intentionally speaks of Stephen’s stoning in the vein of the cross. Guilt drives the crowd mad and they proceed to stone Stephen. He is the one who’s face is like an angel. He is the one who sees Jesus at the right hand of the Father. He is the one who in his last breath says, “forgive them.” The text echoes the golgothic narrative.

Stephen is like Christ, his Savior. Just about the time the Church was about to settle into its comfortable existence, Stephen caused a blowout. Things would never be the same and there was no going back. The church needs its Stephen’s. Who will be Jack Bauer?  WHB

Weekly Bulletin – March 21, 2010

Posted on March 18, 2010 
Filed Under Weekly Bulletin

The Lord’s Day
March 21, 2010

It’s gratifying to have each worshiper here today.  Greetings and blessings in the name of Jesus!

Prepare Your Hearts
We enter this sanctuary with praise. Grant us such a healthy portion of your steadfast love, O Lord, that we leave here renewed and strengthened. Amen

Announcements
Sing Praise

Our Offering  /  Special Music
“Give, and it will be given to you: good measure, pressed down, shaken together, and running over will be put into your bosom.  For with the same measure that you use, it will be measured back  to you.” Luke 6:38

Children ages 4 – 7 may be dismissed for Jr. Church

A Word from God

A Song in Our Hearts

PLEASE STAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT!
There are classes for everyone.

TONIGHT: Institute of Biblical Studies, 6:00 PM in the Chapel.  Won’t you
join us as we study the book of 1 Samuel.

THIS WEEK

UPCOMING EVENTS:

2010 Budget Passed! There was a good turn-out of folks who enjoyed a hardy roast beef dinner for our Annual Business Meeting last Sunday.  It was happily noted that we finished last year in the black.  This year’s budget was passed by a unanimous vote. The recurring theme of each of our Ministry reports seemed to be that we are moving on, but could use your help.

VOLUNTEERS NEEDED:
If you were present at last week’s business meeting you know that there are lots of church ministries that are just waiting for your help.  If you would like to help but aren’t sure what you could do, here’s a list of some of our Ministries & who to contact for more information.
Active Love – Terry Johnson, Linda Williamson or Elaine Schafer
Building & Grounds – Bill Chamberlain
Dinner Team – Betsy Smith or Kris Roloson
Janitorial – Terry Johnson
Junior Church – Charlotte Collins
Nursery – Megan Reed or Shannon Berkheiser
Praise & Worship – Jill Jackson
Sunday School – Don Dickson
Teen Group – Todd Smith
Kidz Club – Megan Reed

Kidz Club “Pennies for People” to benefit the Red Cross. Please drop your returnable cans & bottles at the Fellowship  Ctr. in the next couple of weeks.  We ask that they be clean and in good returnable condition. Thanks.

“Active Love” Note
Please remember Beverly Bronson with a shower of cards.  She is now under the care of Hospice.  You can send your cards & notes to her at: 1011 W Henley St, Olean  NY  14760  Tell her you miss her “Amen’s”!

Protected: Prayer Requests – March 17, 2010

Posted on March 17, 2010 
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Weekly Bulletin – March 14, 2010

Posted on March 11, 2010 
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The Lord’s Day
March 14, 2010

From wherever you’ve come, we extend a hearty welcome!  It’s our intention to be warmhearted.  Please ask for a Welcome Card to fill
out if no one has offered you one.  We’re so glad you’re here!

Prepare Your Hearts
Almighty God, may your holiness ignite holiness within us.  May love,righteousness and sincerity grow as we worship you in spirit and in truth.

Announcements

Sing Praise
“Shout joyfully to the Lord, all the earth; break forth in song, rejoice, and sing praises”  Psalm 98:4

Our Offering  /  Special Music
“The generous soul will be made rich, and he who waters will also be watered himself.”     Proverbs 11:25

Children ages 4 -7 may be dismissed for Jr. Church

A Word from God

A Song in Our Hearts
“Let the rivers clap their hands; let the hills be joyful together before the Lord”  Psalm 98:8

PLEASE STAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT!
Check out our Sunday School Hi-Lites on the back page.

TODAY: Annual Business Meeting Lunch: You are all invited to join us at the Fellowship Ctr. right after Sunday school.  Financial Reports are available in the foyer on the cabinet. Also the Feb./End of Year report is available.  Please pick that up to add to your booklet.

THIS WEEK:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Adult Nursery Volunteer Still Needed for the 4th Sunday of the month. New nursery schedules available on the cabinet in the foyer. If you have volunteered, please pick up a new schedule.

New Cleaning Schedules are Available for 2nd quarter.  You can pick yours up from the cabinet in the foyer.

“Guard your steps when you go to the house of God. Go near to listen rather than to offer the sacrifice of fools, who do not know that they do wrong.” Ecclesiastes. 5:1  NIV

SUNDAY SCHOOL HI-LITES
Pre K & Kindergarten – Mrs. Alyce Rogers
This is one of our most important Sunday school classes.  It is where your children get their first look at Jesus & what He can do for us.  They begin the class with singing & their favorite song right now is Itsy Bitsy Spider.  Mrs. Rogers then has a story for them about Jesus and how He cares for each one of us. Much of their time is spent just learning to sit quietly with one another & listen to that story.  After that they are rewarded with a chance to pray & have a snack.

Protected: Prayer Requests – March 10, 2010

Posted on March 10, 2010 
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Weekly Bulletin – March 7, 2010

Posted on March 4, 2010 
Filed Under Weekly Bulletin

The Lord’s Day
March 7, 2010

We sincerely desire that everyone present will feel welcome in the Lord’s house today.  Please make an effort to greet those around you in the spirit of Christian fellowship.

Prepare Your Hearts
Lord, keep us from taking this time with you casually. May the fire of your Spirit burn within us so all sins are consumed and only joy remains.

Announcements

Sing Praise

Our Offering  /  Special Music
“So let each one give as he purposes in his heart, not grudgingly or of necessity; for God loves a cheerful giver.”      I Corinthians 9:7

Children ages 4 -7 may be dismissed for Jr. Church

A Word from God

A Song in Our Hearts

_________________________________
PLEASE STAY FOR SUNDAY SCHOOL NEXT!
Check out our Sunday School Hi-Lites on the back page.

TODAY:
• Financial Reports are available in the foyer on the cabinet. Also the Feb. / end of year report is available.  Please pick that up to add to your booklet.
• There will be a ladies softball meeting, after Sunday school.  Anyone who was on the team last year or wants to play this year, please join us.  We need to find out if there is enough interest to have a team.
• There will not be any Institute tonight.

THIS WEEK:

UPCOMING EVENTS:

Adult Nursery Volunteers Still Needed!
Still needed, one adult volunteer during Sunday school for the 4th Sunday of the month.  Also one or two that are willing to fill in as needed. Please see Megan or Terry if you could help out.
Note: There are new nursery schedules available on the cabinet in the foyer. If you have volunteered, please pick up a new schedule.

New Cleaning Schedules are Available for 2nd quarter. Pick yours up from the cabinet in the foyer.

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