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TRANSCRIPT
Once more, the people of God respond.
On Saturday, June 30, First Christian Church will host a Love Rally for Families: Voices Calling for Justice. This event is an opportunity for the church to speak out, to lift up its voice and call for an end to inhumane and unjust practices toward immigrant families making their way to this nation, and to call forth instead awareness and compassion that will serve immigrants in a much better way.
Even with differences of opinion with respect to the granular details of our nation’s immigration policies, the Church of Jesus Christ can
absolutely cry out as One for just, humane treatment of others, especially when those being “treated” are families with children. Speaking out is the right thing for us to do.
And once more, a national justice issue is coinciding with the 4th of July holiday.
Last summer, it was the alt-right rally in Charlottesville. This year, it is the activity at the Texas-Mexican border. It seems that summers in America are getting hotter, and I don’t just mean the temperature, as high as the temps are going to be over the next several days.
I mean the intensity of current events. I mean the state of our discourse as a nation on matters of fairness and equity, empathy and inclusiveness. To reflect on our national conversations at this particular time is to be even more mindful of how we understand America’s “greatness,” including the example we set in the world. Surely all of this will be on our minds as we celebrate the 4th of July.
Christianity is a global religion, meaning that our faith in God and commitment to the teachings of Jesus supersede nationality . . Christianity is not to be equated with a particular nation. But it is also true that we are Christians in a particular place, living out our Christianity in a particular place. So we must find the best ways to connect the inclusive, justice-based faith we affirm to where we find ourselves culturally and nationally at this point in time. It is a call to reflection that we embrace together as the Body of Christ.
Join us on Saturday in the front yard of First Christian for a day of fellowship and proclamation! Join us as we live out our faith in this nation that we love! ALL are welcome to this specific moment of faith-based response to the least of these.
Glad to be your minister,
First Christian Church Disciples of Christ in Lynchburg, Virginia July 2018
DO JUSTICE, LOVE KINDNESS, WALK HUMBLY WITH YOUR GOD.
Mary Bea Cline
Melba Crank
Lorraine Flint
Louise Fuller
Elfriede Hasse
Betty Johnson
Sandra Pruitt
Patsy Warren
Dorothy Watkins
Jeff Wilson
Homebound Members
WE HOLD THESE SISTERS AND BROTHERS IN GOD’S TENDER MERCIES:
7/4 Lou Gregory
7/7 Sarah Riley
7/9 Phebe Dodge
7/10 Anderson Holt
7/13 Billy Flint
Steven Selby
7/16 Erik Flint
7/18 Sheila Garren
Fred Goodwin
7/20 Nell Bodine
Bill Crow
7/21 Louise Fuller
Greg Allen
7/22 Alex Cole
Jean Ingram
Gwen Wheeler
7/25 Diane Norwood
7/26 Roger Jones
Michael Schneider
Mark Baugher (Nicki Baugher’s father)
Amy Beale (friend of Elaine Casey)
Mamie Bolton (Julia Timmons’ aunt)
Sharon Boynton (Anne Boynton’s mother)
Kari (son of Melissa & Nicki Baugher)
Jacob Carasella (on the death of his grandmother)
Mari DiSanto
Reverend David Edwards
Becky Evans (Phil Stump’s cousin)
Ann Hallum (friend of Marion & Phil Stump)
Sarah Mundy
Paula (friend of Marion & Phil Stump)
Caroline Robertson
(granddaughter of Terri & Steve Wilson)
Julie & Jeremy Robertson
(daughter & son-in-law of Terri & Steve Wilson)
Keith Scruggs
Patsy Warren
Debbie Wilder
Angela Zeigler (Chris Badgett’s mother)
Youth & Children Ministries
JULY HAPPY HOUR THEMES
7/4: No Happy Hour
7/11: Stuff It
7/18: Budget Stretcher
7/25: Summertime Favorite
HAPPY HOUR POTLUCK SUPPER: We hope that you will
join us for our Wednesday Happy Hour Pot Luck Suppers!
Come, bring a friend, and bring a themed dish to share. We’ll
see you on Wednesdays at 6:00 pm.
HAPPY HOUR POTLUCK SUPPERS
WELCOME BABY!
MOVIE TALK NITA FLOE HEMPFLING
Introducing:
Benjamin Tyler Frantz
Born on May 15, 2018, 2:45 p.m.
To Kelly & Scott Frantz
Proud Grandparents: Susan & Gene Frantz
A NOTE FROM THE TREASURER JIM NORWOOD
Another summer and the pace of living
slows as we enjoy the many pleasures of the
season. Please remember to keep your
pledges and contributions up to date if you
are out of town or traveling, e.g., the
Norwood family will be in California from
6/27-7/11. Should you have any questions
concerning church finances during this
period, please contact Susan Allen.
On Monday, July 16, the Movie Talk Group will discuss
the movie, “The Post.”
Katharine Graham (Meryl Streep) is the first female
publisher of a major American newspaper—The
Washington Post. With help from editor Ben Bradlee
(Tom Hanks), Graham races to catch up with the New
York Times to expose a massive cover-up of
government secrets that span three decades and four
U.S. presidents. Together, they must overcome their
differences as they risk their careers—and very
freedom—to help bring long-buried truth to light.
Please watch this thriller movie on your own, then join a
group of friends at 7:00 pm on Monday, July 16 at the
home of Vera Brandt, 311 Legacy Oaks Circle, for a
lively discussion. For more information, please call Nita
Floe Hempfling, 434.239.8118
CHRISTIAN EDUCATION MARGARET DUNIFON
EXCITING ACTIVITIY IN THE CHILDREN’S WING!
Valerie York has outlined on the walls of the children’s wing the components of a marvelous mural,
and the children and youth will be painting it for the rest of the summer. You are invited to come
paint too! We will be busy at this task during Sunday school time (9:30 a.m.) and also every Thursday
afternoon from 2 to 4. Come join the fun or at least stop by to see what is going on!
SPECIAL CHURCH SCHOOL ACTIVITY:
FOOD FOR DAILY BREAD
On July 15, all Sunday school classes will meet in the Snidow
Fellowship Hall and prepare food for Daily Bread. What exactly we
make has not yet been determined, but plan to come make
something delicious for others to eat.
DID YOU KNOW?
Did you know that when the children leave after the children’s message they go to a program
called, “Children Worship and Wonder?” CW&W is a faith-formation worship-centered approach
with storytelling, ritual, and fellowship that is used to help children deepen their relationship with
God. To begin, the children come into a special worship space, to a storyteller waiting to greet
them. The storyteller leads the children in a time of singing and praise. Next they will hear one of
God’s stories in a storytelling format told with multi-sensory materials. As the story is finished the
children are invited to share in a time of wonder about the story. Third the children will respond to
God’s story. The response materials are there to help them express their relationship with God.
After they respond in a way they choose, the children come back to the circle. Here the storyteller
lights the Christ candle and shows the children where the story they hear is found in the Bible.
Then as a community they pray together and share in a feast (communion—with Goldfish crackers
and grape juice).
Those who volunteer for this program are required to participate in ten hours of training. Trained
members of our congregation are Joyce O’Quinn, Sandy Knodel, Julia Timmons, Stephanie
McLemore, Sharon Elkins, Lynn McBride, Onna McKlennon, Marilyn Taylor, Margaret Dunifon,
Susan Allen, and Morgan Holt. Jenny Farr was also trained.
Did you know that most of our recycled plastic
was sent to China?
PLASTIC IS PILING UP in warehouses as authorities scramble to figure out what to do with it, and several states are seriously considering once again opening up
their landfill sites to plastic.
PLASTIC takes 1,000 years to decompose!
What can YOU do? Here are a few ways to eliminate
the use of plastic in your everyday life:
Stop using plastic straws. If you absolutely need a straw, invest in a reusable
stainless steel or glass straw.
Use reusable bags for shopping.
Give up gum. Gum is made of synthetic rubber, aka, plastic.
Reuse containers for storing leftovers.
Use matches instead of disposable lighters.
Take your own container or doggy bag as many restaurants often use styrofoam.
These tips and many more can be found at www.greeneducationfoundation.org.
Be FANTASTIC …
Eliminate PLASTIC!
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31
Firs
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Ch
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July
20
18
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
(Disciples of Christ)
3109 Rivermont Avenue
Lynchburg VA 24503-1399
Essential Affirmations
We believe in God, creator and
sustainer of all, who has been
revealed in Jesus Christ; that God
loves all unconditionally without
regard to race, gender, age,
ethnicity, cultural or religious
background, economic status,
mental or physical ability, sexual
orientation, family configuration, or
other distinctions, and we are called
to welcome as God welcomes; and
that we are called to ministry as “a
priesthood of all believers” and are
endowed with gifts for that ministry.
Statement of Calling
First Christian Church, Lynchburg, is a
congregation which is seeking to
grow in the faith, knowledge, and
love of God as revealed in Jesus
Christ. We are open and affirming
in welcoming all who desire to join
us on their journey.
Through worship, education,
fellowship, nurture, and service in
the community and wider church,
we strive to “become a dwelling
place for God” (Eph. 2.22),
encouraging each other in
discipleship and in discovering and
using our gifts by which the Holy
Spirit brings wholeness and healing
to all the world.
Find us Online:
www.firstchristian.church
www.youtube.com/
FirstChristianDOCLYH
www.facebook.com/
first.christian.church.lynchburg
FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH
Worship time during the summer will remain 11:00 am.
See you then!