Join us for Sunday Worship on April 15 at 10:00 a.m. • 9:00 a.m. - Adult Study• 10:00 a.m. - Service (w/Sunday School) • 5:30p.m.-StoneSoupSupperCalledtoServeElders: Tom Garbacik, Bud Graham HomeCommunion: Rick OlsenPreparingDeacons: Mary Cotton,

Carol Garbacik ServingDeacons: Kelly Marchbanks,

Aaron Marchbanks, Kathy Crawford, Cherie Reynolds*

CoffeeCartandSnack: naFlowers: naGreeter:naSundayWorshipAccessibility:Largeprintbulletins and hymnals are available. StoneSoupMealCountTuesday,4/3-115Saturday, 4/7 - 90Sunday, 4/8 - 79ChurchStaffRev. Matt Gordon ..................... Senior MinisterMatthew Clark ............................Choir Director Eric Qian ............................................... PianistJill Shinkawa ...........Communications ManagerKevin Weaver ....................................... PaladinLucas Teeter ..DisciplesHouseResidentAdvisorChrista Schmeder ..... Director of Youth MinistryRuth Chadd .............................. Office ManagerContactUsPhone:(541)753-2671Email: office@heartofcorvallis.orgWebsite: www.heartofcorvallis.orgFacebook: www.facebook.com/corvallisfcc

April10,2018vol.20,issue15

First Christian Church youth are excited to host Corvallis School District Theater at First Christian Church on Wednes-day, April 11. Under the direction of Cindy Preece and assistant Director Erin Cunningham, the CSD Theater will perform “I Never Saw Another Butter-fly.” (Ella Gordon plays a principal role.) We will host a benefit dinner at 5:00 p.m. The play begins at 6:00 p.m. Donations are accepted during dinner and after the play. All contributions support the construction of the new Beit Am Jewish community building.

About the play: This is a poignant, one-act play by Celeste Raspanti and performed by an all-youth cast. The play is based on the true story of Raja Englanderova, a child survivor of Terezín – a Jewish ghetto in Czecho-slovakia established by the Nazis during WWII. The show is approximately 40 minutes long and is suitable for audi-ences 5th grade and older.

A Corvallis School District Presentation of …“I Never Saw Another Butterfly”

Spring Cleaning at First ChristianLend a hand or two at our spring clean-ing event on Saturday, April 28, from 10:00 - 1:00 p.m. We have inside and outside projects for all ages and abili-ties. Lunch is provided. Childcare will be available for kids under 5 (children 5 and over will be put to work). We will have tools and cleaning supplies on hand. You provide the elbow grease.

Boys and Girls Club Thank Due KnotsDue Knots received a personal thank you for their donation to the Boys and Girls Club. Kara Bartlow, Development Manager, presented Due Knots with a card in the shape of a tooth to represent the Dental Clinic program which will directly benefit from their contribution.

Relying on the spirit and story of the Gospels, First Christian Church is supported primarily by donations. There is no charge for any event. We rely on freely given offerings to support our various minis-tries and opportunities.

Your contributions and gifts allow us to continue to be a radically inclusive, justice-driven community of faith every day of the week. Thank you in advance for your gifts.

Matt’s Minute

Rev.MattGordonSeniorMinister Churchphone:541-753.2671 Email: matt@heartofcorvallis.org

OpenOfficeHours:Mondays:9:00a.m.-1:00p.m. Tuesdays:1:00p.m.--4:00p.m.

“Salutations to the One without colour or hue,Salutations to the One who hath no beginning.Salutations to the Impenetrable,Salutations to the Unfathomable…O Lord, Thou art Formless and PeerlessBeyond birth and physical elementsSalutations to the One beyond confines of religion.Beyond description and GarblessThou art Nameless and Desireless.Thou art beyond thought and ever Mysterious.”- Guru Gobind Singh, Jaap Sahib

There was a song that we used to sing at church camp called “Awesome God.” The song repeats the same refrain over and again (often ad nauseam) , “He reigns from heaven above, with wisdom, power and love, our God is an awesome God.” I always took issue with this song because to me it rein-forced the concept of an all-knowing, all-powerful, king-like God who reigned over all the earth, but did so with love. It seems contradictory. Can you really reign with sword and heart? Is God a mighty warrior or a loving servant? The other question I asked my camp counselor he could not answer was: How can God possibly love us and care for us seated on a throne in heaven above us?I had a friend growing up whose father left their family when he was 5 years old. He had great memories of his father as a loving, fun, and com-passionate parent. He remembered his father telling him stories, giving him bear hugs, and playing outside with him. His mother never told him why his father left, but insisted that his father loved him very much. His

mother never talked negatively about his father, but also never explained to him why his father left. He never saw letters or received phone calls, but heard his mother tell him that his father loved him. My friend developed stories, elaborate stories about what re-ally happened to his father and where his father really was—an FBI agent, a secret military mission, an astronaut living on the space station. They were great stories, but retrospectively, there was an intense sadness to those stories.The mystery of God is sometimes inspiring and sometimes frustrat-ing. God can feel like an absent father sometimes. We keep hearing about how much God loves us, but some-times it is hard to know it and feel it. Sometimes, we are like the little child who is scared in the dark who tells her mother, “I know that God loves me and keeps me safe, but it would be nice to have someone with skin on them.”This past Sunday I talked about the importance of questioning and doubt. Thomas is my favorite disciple because he refuses to just believe, he wants to know himself, he wants to experi-

ence the risen Christ for himself. I am reminded of the letter from John in the New Testament. “No one has ever seen God. But if we love each other, God lives in us, and his love is brought to full expression in us. And God has given us his Spirit as proof that we live in him and he in us. Furthermore, we have seen with our own eyes and now testified that the Father sent his Son to be the Savior of the world. All who confess that Jesus is the Son of God have God living in them, and they live in God. We know how much God loves us, and we have put our trust in his love. God is love, and all who live in love live in God, and God loves in them.” (1 John 4:12-16)Peace,Pastor Matt

In Our PrayersMargaret CoonJudy Dyer passed away. Services are April 14, 1:00 p.m. at Salem First Christian Church Myron McMahan is having back problems.Pat Malone’s sister is having back surgery. Jean Thayer is recovering at home. Chris Clausen’s friend, BillBud Graham’s niece, LizThose suffering with mental illnessPrill Zobel’s mother, Betty and Don’s sisterShannon’s job interview Viv Ellsworth Carol Bailey Georgann TaylorTeanna McMahan and her family Doris MontgomeryWisdom and courage to the High School students who are taking a leadership role for school and community safety.

Apply for the Summer English Program Now!Global Ministries is looking for indi-viduals interested in participating in the Amity Summer English Program (SEP) to train Chinese teachers of English in less-developed parts of China. The SEP is a wonderful opportunity to spend a month in China, helping primary and secondary school Chinese teachers, many from rural areas, to develop their English language skills. The program runs from July 9–August 6. Scholar-ships for travel are available. Interest-ed? Please contact Catherine Nichols. Applications are due by April 30.

Election Ballot: 2018-2019 Slate of OfficersThe proposed ballot was submitted by the Nominating Committee and approved by the Board. The Congre-gational meeting and vote will be held this Sunday, April 22, after service. Terms begin on June 1 2018. We still have two openings for board members and some deacon oppor-tunities available for those willing to volunteer.ExecutiveOfficers–ElectionRequiredPresident(oneyear): Teresa ShawVicePresidents (one year): SteveHerb,Finance Christy Wright, Personnel Prill Zobel, Program (co-chair) MaryFrederick,Program(co-chair)

ClerkoftheBoard(one year): Mary Cotton - Board SusanLatham-Finance MaryFrederick-Program

FinancialSecretary(one year): Tom Garbacik, Bob Young - Assist.

Co-Treasurers(one year): Alice Kelling, Ann Smart, Sherry Sisson, Lauri Morris (Sub.)

ProgramCabinet (one year)ElectionRequired: Kathy Crawford, Dawn Lasater, Cheri Reynolds, Christa Schmeder, Sue Schulz, Linda Stinson

Trustees(three-year term): Pamella Doerksen (first year) Electionrequired, Don Yarbrough (second year) No electionrequired,TomFrederick(thirdyear)Noelection required

ChurchBoard(one year) ElectionRequired: Nami Choe, Carol Garbacik, Lee Mason, Don Zobel, Open,Open

EldersFirst two-year term ends 2020, Election

Required: Linda Stinson, Beth Baird, Lisa Yarbrough, Mary Cotton, Sue Cooley, Janet Chenard, Lee Mason, Donna Mason

Second two-year term ends 2020, Election Required: Christa Schmeder, Teresa Shaw, Don Yarbrough

Continuing first two-year term ends 2019, No election required: Patricia Eide, Stuart Eide, Bud Graham, Tricia Martin, Rick Olsen

Continuing second two-year term ends 2019, No election required: Bruce Cotton, Tom Garbacik, Susan Latham, Christy Wright, Neil Reynolds

Deacons–ElectionrequiredFirst one-year term ends 2019: Carol Brown,

Mona Gerig, Sandy Landis, Teanna McMahan, Open

Second one-year term ends 2019: Janet Chenard, Chris Clausen, Mary Cotton, Mary Frederick,TomFrederick,KarenGriswold,Aaron Marchbanks, Kelley Marchbanks, Myron McMahan, Lauri Morris, Cherie Reynolds, Mary Stuart, Don Zobel, Prill Zobel

Third one-year term ends 2019: Kathy Crawford, Carol Garbacik, Charlene Lincoln, Pat Malone, Sherry Sisson, Lisa Yarbrough, Bob Young

YouthDeacons:LillyMarchbanks,HughOlsen,Open,Open

A New Stove for McLean Hall Kitchen! Photos by Tom Garbacik

What’s Happening…“SimplifyingLife”-AdultEducationClassinAprilDo you ever feel as if life is getting more complicated, demanding or exhausting? Let’s meet and explore ideas for living in a simpler, happier and more satisfying way. April 15 - Part 1: Simplifying Our Outer Life, April 29 - Part 2: Simplify-ing Our Inner Life. We will meet after service in room 35. Sue Cooley, facilitator.

Women’sLunchatBrokenYokeCafeOn Wednesday, April 18 at 1:00 p.m. join the women’s lunch at Broken Yolk Cafe. Share some of your family’s childhood Easter traditions with the group. Did you have any Easter traditions? What were they?

CongregationalMeeting-April22Right after service, on Sunday, April 22 stay for the Congregational meeting. At this meeting we will vote on the 2018-2019 slate of officers.

MayGroup4attheYarbroughs’Group 4 dinner will be hosted at the Yarbroughs’ on May 6 at 5:00 p.m. Lisa will make enchiladas (vegetarian and chicken) in honor of Cinco de Mayo. Others can bring a related side dish or dessert. Address: 33977 NE Colorado Lake Dr.

Announcements… HomelessSheltersClosing-DonateTents,Tarps,Etc.With spring also comes the closing of our homeless shelters for the season. We need tents, tarps and sleeping bags. First Christian is a drop-off point to receive materials and monetary donations. An outreach team will distribute them.

RegionalAssemblyMay18-19Portland First Christian, hosting. Keynote speakers Rev. Dr. Timothy James, As-sociate General Minister, and Rev. Sandhya Jha, Director of the Oakland Peace Center, will bring words of vision and encouragement. Our Ministry Partner, Blanca Puma, from FEDICE in Ecuador plans to be with us, too.

Around Town… CorvallisJewishFilmFestivalApril 15, 2018 At the Darkside Cinema. Presented by the Beit Am Mid-Willa-mette Jewish Community. Admission: Adults $7; Seniors, students and military $5. All films have won multiple awards and have adult content. For more infor-mation about movies and showtimes, go to: www.beitam.org/filmfestival

InterfaithPotluckDinnerInterfaith Potluck Dinner, Sunday, April 15, 2018, 5:30 – 7:30 p.m. at Westmin-ster House, 101 NW 23rd St. (corner of 23rd and Monroe), Corvallis. Sponsored by Corvallis Mennonite Fellowship and Westminster House. Vegetarian potluck to accommodate dietary preferences. Label to indicate gluten or dairy-free. We will provide tableware and drinks. Bring your own plate, cup, or silverware.

TouringtheCorvallisFaultforEarthDaySunday, April 22 at 1:00 p.m. The Corvallis Fault Line passes through Bald Hill Farm, Witham Hill and the middle of Crescent Valley High School. Take a bike ride to explore this hidden, but important physical feature. Riders must be able to climb hills. Pre-registration required. Sponsored by Marys Peak Group of the Sierra Club. Meeting location provided with registration. Contact: snaebs@gmail.com

Looking AheadApril11• 5:00pm-BenefitDinnerforBeitAm• 6:00pm-Theplay“INeverSaw AnotherButterfly”inFCCsanctuary

April15• AfterService-AdultEducationClass-“SimplifyingLife”Part1

April16• 7:00pm-ProgramCabinetApril18• 1:00pm-Women’sGrouplunchat

Broken Yoke CafeApril22• AfterService-CongregationalMeetingApril28• SpringCleaningatFCCApril29• AfterService-AdultEducationClass-“SimplifyingLife”Part2

May6• 5:00pm-Group4attheYarbroughs’May12• 2:00pm-TeaPartyatFCCMay13• Mother’sDay!May24• 1:00pm-PalenqueMexicanrestaurant

Happy Birthdays!4/3- AllanDoerksen,CarolGarbacik4/4- PeggyFuller4/8 - Leah Gordon, Lauri Morris4/17 - Len Libby4/21- AliceKelling4/22- SandyLandis4/23- NeilReynolds4/26- DorisMontgomery4/27- StephanieMasonKey4/30- BobYoung,JamesBolingHappy Anniversaries4/28- LeahandMichaelGordon

89am-Bible Study10am-Worship,w/Sunday School AfterService-Board Meeting5:30pm-Group4attheGriswolds’5:30pm-Stone SoupSupper

97:00pm-FinanceCabinet

105:30pm-Stone SoupMeal(3:30pmprep)

1110am-Bible Study5pm-Benefit Dinner for Beit Am6pm-”INeverSaw Another Butterfly”

12 13 1410am-Stone SoupBreakfast

159am-Bible Study10am-Worship,w/Sunday School AfterService-Adult Education:”SimplifyingLife”5:30pm-Stone SoupSupper

167:00pm-Program Cabinet

175:30pm-Stone SoupMeal(3:30pmprep)

1810am-Bible Study1pm-Women’sLunch at Broken Yoke Cafe

19 20 2110am-Stone SoupBreakfast

229am-Bible Study10am-FolkWor-ship,noSundaySchool AfterService-Congregational Meeting5:30pm-Stone SoupSupper

23 245:30pm-Stone SoupMeal(3:30pmprep)

2510am-Bible Study7pm-Choir Rehearsal

26 27 28SpringCleaningatFirstChristianChurch10am-Stone SoupBreakfast

299am-Bible Study10am-Worship,w/Sunday School AfterService-Adult Education:”SimplifyingLife”5:30pm-Stone SoupSupper

30 1May3:30pm-FCC’sturntoprep/serveStoneSoupMeal5:30pm-Stone SoupMeal

210am-Bible Study7pm-Choir Rehearsal

3 4 510am-Stone SoupBreakfast

69am-Bible Study10am-Worship,w/Sunday School 5:00pm-Group4attheYarbroughs’5:30pm-Stone SoupSupper

7 85:30pm-Stone SoupMeal

910am-Bible Study7pm-Choir Rehearsal

10 11 1210am-Stone SoupBreakfast2pm-Women’sTeaPartyatFCC

Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday

April/May2018

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Our VisionThe First Christian Church of Corvallis is a diverse inclusive community providing a living witness to the compassionate Christ. From our central location in the heart of Corvallis, we seek out, develop, and support ministries to meet the human needs for physical and spiritual wholeness. On the basis of our Disciple heritage, we embrace the ecumenical movement, develop lay leadership, and promote intellectual freedom in the pursuit of truth. All are welcome to participate. Inclusivity is one of our most important values.