Christian Courier

September 17, 2011

First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

Ministry Center construction moving ahead

Inside the Courier:

A Look at the Brite

Side, page 2
Crop Walk news,

page 3 Showers, Grande Sale, page 3

ourier

On the Web:
FCCs website Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) national organization Revised Common Lectionary page Pastor Sanders blog The people pictured here are standing in what will be the Fellowship Hall, looking toward frames for the doors leading to the South Sanctuary. Owner representative Paul Livdahl is talking with Warren and Karen Westphal (right) during the three-church building tour on Sept. 11

Choir members make a joyful sound

Lots of oohs and ahhhs could be heard as people toured the Ministry Center construction site on Sunday, Sept. 11. The interior walls are now up, so visitors could get a much clearer picture of what the spaces will be for offices, meeting rooms and sanctuaries. According to Paul Livdahl, the owner representative, current plans are for the building to be completed by Thanksgiving. Paul pointed out in a recent email that this probably does not give us time to move in our stuff before Thanksgiving, since it will take several weeks to move furniture in after a Certificate of Occupancy is granted by the city. Paul, a member of the Salem congregation, is the connection point between the three churches and the architect and contractor. He stays in daily contact with the construction process, and meets with the Ministry Council, Design Team and other groups to coordinate the multitude of decisions that are being made as the work continues. More pictures of the three-church gathering and of architectural sketches are posted on our FCC Flickr page, accessible also on FCCs website at www.fccminneapolis.org (See fccminneapolis on Flickr under Subscribe).

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September 17, 2011

A Look at the Brite Side

Asking questions about future ministry

In years past when Ive had the occasion to conduct workshops or orientations for people, during the introductory phase Ive often started out by asking people the question: What do you want to be when you grow up? Its a question I still ask myself fairly often; keeping a growing edge on life and faith means constantly examining ones purpose and direction. Its a question the elders of the church are currently asking, but its in a less humorous form. Theyre asking and examining the issue of what the ministry of First Christian Church is going to be once weve completed our move. Its a darn good question to ask, and it has as its foundation a discernment of core emotions: What is our collective passion in doing ministry/mission? In the asking of that question over the last 3 and a half years, Ive gotten a lot of responses that have related to the past. And doing things that are related to the past at this point is somewhat dangerous, because the culture has shifted, and doing the things were used to doing simply because weve done them before is probably not going to work. The future, particularly in the context of our move, is going to call us to do things differently, and so that makes it doubly important for the questions to be asked. So help the elders out here. What is your passion for doing ministry in the life of the church? What would you, personally, have the most fun creating, developing, working on? Let me or Dennis or Jay Hillestad or any of the other elders know. Id like to see YOU on Sunday, Bob

The future, particularly in the context of our move, is going to call us to do things differently

In our prayers
Gracious God, we lift up these persons in our prayers, asking the blessing of your Grace and outpouring of your Love upon them.

. We lift up prayers of sorrow and remembrance for the families who lost loved ones in the 9/11 attacks and in the wars that followed; prayers for family of long-time FCC member, Dorothy Wilkins, who passed away on Monday evening, Sept. 12th, at the age of 96; for Charlotte Ronnei that she will be up and about soon; for Evelyn Lawson and Mike Hesano, both recovering from recent injuries; in celebration with Maude Lamb (mother of Martha Harris) who recently celebrated her 97th birthday; traveling mercies for Bobbie Halls grandson on his way to Japan, and all the kids at the Hesanos former school who are on class trips; sympathy for friends of Zach Hesano and Arlene Hillestad whove recently lost homes in fires, and Shirley Draines neighbor stricken with cancer; for all our homebound members including Lois Cobbs and Dorothy Becker, Amen.

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Grande Sale around the corner Set up for this years Grande Sale will be Sunday, Oct 9 following worship, and Monday and Tuesday as needed. The sale itself will run Thursday, Oct. 13 through Saturday, Oct. 15 with clean up on Saturday afternoon. Hours are 12-7 Th & F, and 9-12 Saturday. We will again be partnering with Spirit of St. Stephens, and plan to extend an invitation to our Ministry Center church partners. If you would like to help in this effort or have things to give away please contact Becki Whitaker, becki@sporga.net, 651-686-6571. Need a Bus Ride to Womens Retreat? Ann Wolverton is willing to drive the bus again this year to the Womens Retreat, scheduled for September 30 October 2, but she would like to know if anyone is interested in being a rider. Please contact Ann within the next two weeks to let her know your interest.

CROP Hunger Walk support needed Pastor Dennis Sanders is on the march! He will be walking in the Metro Minneapolis CROP Hunger Walk on Oct. 9 at Augsburg College. Hes eager to have people join in walking, or donate to the miles he plans to walk. The funds raised in the CROP walk go toward long-term sustainable solutions to hunger locally, nationally and internationally. 25% of the funds will support hunger needs through three programs in our neighborhood: Our Saviors Community Services, St. Stephens Human Services, and Simpson Housing Services. This year, an additional 25% will be designated for long-term recovery needs for individuals and families affected by the tornado that struck North Minneapolis To register or to donate online, go to the Minneapolis CROP walk website mplscropwalk.org. To donate or join Team First, go to the church website find Pastor Sanders in the lounge following worship.

Baby shower set for Oct. 23 The women of FCC will be hosting a baby shower for Jennifer and Clyde Bouler after worship on Sunday, Oct. 23. Baby Bouler's gender is unknown, so yellow and green gifts are welcome. Jennifer is registered at Target and Babies R Us. Watch the Courier for more details to come.

Note of Thanks
Thanks to everyone for your prayers, support, and cards of condolence for the passing of our Mom, Velma Fancher. Special appreciation to Bob Brite, Ann Wolverton, and Martha Harris for their help with the memorial service. Blessings, Beverly and Richard Decker, and Jim Fancher

Gift Card Shower for Paola Sept. 18 Congolese student Paola Mandjanga is moving into her own apartment out in St. Louis Park. Were going to have a gift card shower for her on September 18. If you could get Target or Visa gift cards, that will provide her with the freedom of choice for the necessities of apartment living.

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Bi-Weekly Calendar
Sundays at First Christian Church
Sunday Worship at 10:30 am Before Worship After Worship

Reflections on the Word

from readings for 9.18.11
Am I not allowed to do what I choose with what belongs to me? Or are you envious because I am generous? Matthew 20:15 For some of us, generosity is always a surprise. Why would someone give us something so wonderful, when we cant even imagine what we have done to deserve it? Others look at the generosity that persons other than themselves are receiving and ask, What did they do to deserve such good fortune? God is generous, merciful, and kind, and one of the greatest gifts that we can give back to God is our thanks and appreciation. Gracious and giving God, open our hearts to receive your treasures, and grant us the courage to trust that what we need will come to us through your bounty. Help us also to give as we receive. Amen. --Chris Wogaman

Breakfast Club 8:45 am Spiritual Formation Classes 9:15 am This Week at FCC
Sunday, September 18 Board Meeting Backpack Dedication Gift Card Shower Food Pantry Sunday Tuesday, September 20 Mpls. Retired Teachers Wednesday, September 21 Nikkei Bible Study Bell Choir Chancel Choir Thursday, September 22 Handcrafters Ministry Council Saturday, September 24 Mens Group

Fellowship Time 11:45

After worship: Fellowship Hour 11:45 am

Next Week at FCC

Monday, September 26 Book Club @ Morgans

12 n

7 pm

9am

Wednesday, September 28 Bible Study Bell Choir Chancel Choir Thursday, September 29 Handcrafters

6 pm 6:30 pm 7:45 pm 9 am

9 am 6 pm 6:30 pm 7:45 pm 9 am 7 pm

Friday, September 30 Womens Retreat Begins Saturday, October 1 Mens Group ` 9 am

9 am

A Thoughtful Church in the Heart of the City Ministry Team

All Members of the Congregation Robert Brite, Transitional Minister Dennis Sanders, Minister of Diversity and Mission Chris Wogaman, Office Manager 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 bimonthly. Send items and ideas to church office or to Martha Harris harrismartha@mac.com by Sun. September 25 for the next issue.

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH OF MINNEAPOLIS (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

2201 1st Avenue South Minneapolis, MN 55404

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