Nonprofit Organization US POSTAGE PAID Stillwater, OK Permit No.

280

Facts & Figures for November 25, 2012 Attendance (118 and 104)...........................222 Sunday School..........88 General Fund Receipts.......$3,839.00 Capital Fund Receipts............................$75.00 Loose Offering/Sunday School......$234.00 Non-Budget Funds Receipts......$2,642.94 Facts & Figures as of October 31, 2012 YTD Budget Receipts.........$390,901.41 YTD Budget Expenses...$377,418.90 Net Receipts over Expenses$13,482.90 Presented by Kay Smith, Treasurer, dkwsmith@suddenlink.net

Volume 2012
Announcements Care and Feeding of a Candle Children & Youth Birthdays & Anniversaries

The Stillwater Christian

1 2 3 3

November 27

In This Issue

Sanctuary Decoration, Wednesday, Nov. 28th at 6:30pm Its that time again! Dont you love how beautiful and special the sanctuary looks through this most holy season? Please join us on Wednesday night at 6:30pm to help with the decorating. The more people we have, the less time it will take. Special thanks to Kelly Arrington and Diana Watkins for taking the lead in this effort this year.

Central Area Churches Praying for Churches This week we are praying for: Midwest Blvd in Midwest City

Sunday, Dec. 2, First Sunday of Advent Celebrations Facts & Figures 4 Please join us during our regular worship times as we begin the season of Advent together. Then, Sunday night at 6pm, we will have a very special Hanging of the Greens service in which, together as a church family, we will share Christmas traditions and meanings together. Following the service, we enjoy the annual Tasting Party. Come to the Tasting Party and enjoy yummy delicious Christmas treat and coffee. You are also invited to bring your favorite Christmas cookies, brownies, or goodies to share as well. Important Congregational Meeting Dec. 9 Following both services, the congregation will vote on the proposed 2013 budget and also the Office Board Appointments for 2013. More information is available on the website and in the church office. Buy Flowers, Support Jamaica Mission There are still a few remaining flower cards, but they will only be available for a short time. They make an incredible stocking stuff or Christmas gifts! Cards are $20 each and $10 of each card will go directly to Jamaica Missions. Purchasers are entitled to a bouquet of flowers each month for one year. Really, can you beat a deal like that? To purchase cards, please contact the church office or any member of the Jamaica Mission Team. CWF Monthly Meeting, Wednesday, Dec. 5 We will have a covered dish luncheon at 12:00, followed by the General meeting at 1:00. Rick Hendricks will share Christmas stories for our program. Idamae Mattheyer will lead the worship. Guests are always welcome for both luncheon and program. Members are encouraged to bring gift items for the childrens Christmas Store. CWF Executive will precede the luncheon at 11:00 a.m. Firewood For Sale to Support FCC Jamaica Mission Trip Cold weather will eventually arrive! In return for a donation to FCC for the Jamaica Mission Trip, Ron Elliott will deliver and stack firewood in the Stillwater area. $80 for a pickup load; smaller quantities available too. Call 405-880-6015 to make arrangements.
Join us this Sunday for Owen Caytons Message, What to Get God for Christmas based on Jeremiah 33:14-16 and Luke 21:25-36 Traditional 9:00am Sunday School 10:10 Contemporary 11:10

First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) Of Stillwater, OK, Inc. 411 W. Mathews Ave. Stillwater, OK 74075-7517

ADDRESS SERVICE REQUESTED

The Stillwater Christian is a weekly publication of First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The deadline for articles each week is 1pm Monday. Tracy Freeman, Editor editor@fcc-stillwater.org Church Office Phone: 405.372.7722 Fax: 405.372.7726 Find The Stillwater Christian and more information at www.fcc-stillwater.org

Send prayer requests and general email to office@fcc-stillwater.org

Owen Cayton, Senior Minister

The Care and Feeding of A Candle

pastor@fcc-stillwater.org

CHILDREN & YOUTH MINISTRY NEWS

Sondra Ladd, Children/Youth Ministry Director youth@fcc-stillwater.org

While growing up one of my favorite traditions for getting ready for Christmas was our Advent Calendar. It was this large golden, yellow felt banner with 24 pockets. There was a green Christmas tree in the center with 24 buttons on it. I even remember the year that my mom made it, though I couldnt tell you exactly what year that was. What I remember is that I thought it odd that mom was painting wooden Christmas ornaments in the summer. When I asked her about it she would respond dismissively, something about youll see, or well, doing it at Christmas would be a little late, wouldnt it? Each day, my sister Sonya and I would be up eagerly ready to reach into the pocket for the day numbered 24-1 to count down the days until Christmas. It was a real treat, because you got to read the activity for the day and place the ornament on the tree (though we could not put it on the top of the tree, that space was reserved for the angel ornament that we knew was in day 1). Each day brought a verse of scripture and some activity that we would do that day to prepare our house for Christmas: One day it was read the Christmas stories from the Bible, one day was putting up the tree, one day was setting up the manger scene, one day was making Christmas cookies, and so on. In our house, on that calendar, and even in our eagerness there was a growing sense that something was coming. There was something for which we were preparing. The excitement and the anticipation were palpable! This Sunday evening, we will be preparing the sanctuary with our Hanging of the Greens service. There are many traditions that we have with this service, many symbols that will be placed in their proper locations, each one important in our life and worship together. Many of these traditions connect with us on personal levels. There is a real sense in which our traditions intersect with the traditions of the church, and our stories intersect with Gods story. I hope that you will take a few moments this week, and in the weeks to come to ponder those intersections. The things that we do to get ready for Christmas with our family and in our church are more than sentiment, they are holy activities. They should, at their root, help us to welcome God into our lives and homes and hearts. That doesnt mean that they cant be warm or fill us with life and joy; indeed, I hope they do. What are the traditions you remember from growing up? How did doing those activities help you connect your story with Gods story? How did they help you prepare yourself for Emmanuel, God with us? Shalom, Pastor Owen

Dec 1st, Children's Christmas Store! ITS FINALLY HERE AND WOW!!!! We have amazing merchandise! Our Childrens Christmas Store will be open for FCC children on Friday, Nov. 30, 6:00-7:30. We want you to be the first to have the opportunity to shop our store. Personal shopping elves will help the children make sure that they have something for everyone on their list within budget, but it will be up to the child to pick out the right gift for all the special people on their lists. Items are available for parents, grandparents, friends, and teachers. There is something for EVERYONE! By shopping here, you are also helping with world outreach, and playing a very important role in our Summer 2013 Jamaica Mission! There will also be pictures with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate. PLEASE HELP US BY SPREADING THE WORD TO YOUR FRIENDS. The Store will be open to the EVERYONE, Saturday, Dec. 1, 10am-3pm. JAMAMICA MISSION TEAM NEWS Team Members, PLEASE read through this very important information thoroughly. All flower card funds and unsold cards need to be turned into the church by Sat. Dec. 1st. We will try to sell the last cards in the Christmas Store. Please make every effort to sell all of your cards. SOME OF YOU STILL HAVE NOT PICKED UP CARDS; THEY ARE AVAILABLE IN THE CHURCH OFFICE. You only have this week to get them sold, so please try. All items need to be brought to the church on or before then. PLEASE take some time to look for items that can be added to the store. We need stuff for all ages: toys, jewelry, trinkets, etc. Also, help spread the word about our store! There are so many great things to buy! Please pass the word to all children that this is the place to shop! There will be also be photos with Santa, cookies and hot chocolate. Christmas Store set up is Weds. Nov. 28th 6:00. Friday, Dec. 30th, 6:00-7:30pm Store opens for FCC children. We need volunteers to help shop, wrap, serve goodies, etc. Saturday, Dec. 1st, 10-3 is the store day! We need as many volunteers as possible. PLEASE VISIT www.signupgenius.com, search with my email, youth@fcc-stillwater.org, and sign up for as many volunteer slots as possible. PLEASE HELP! We have another fundraiser to add that should help usl! OSU concessions has contacted us about working the High School playoff concession stands on Nov. 30, Dec. 1, 2, 7, and 8th. We need 15+ people per game. Just show up and work the concessions! With 80 trip participants, this should be easy! This, combined with what we already have scheduled, should put us at our GOAL! The sign up sheet is on signup genius please pick a time and volunteer. Let me know if you have questions or concerns. Happy Birthday to: 11/28 John Pickering; 11/29 Rick Hendricks, Merrilyn Irby, Phyllis Ikard, Brenda Johnson; 12/4 Tovi Cayton, Jan Courtright, Carson Young Happy Anniversary to: 11/28 Eddie and Susan Bigheart; 12/3 Scott and Lindsay Hendrix