FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH Disciples of Christ

701 Holly Street Perry, OK 73077

E-MAIL: perryokfcc@gmail.com WEBSITE: www.fccperryok.com

****** Rev. Joshua Bell

SENIOR MINISTER 620/491-3488

Kim Ward CHURCH SECRETARY

Paula Shryock CHOIR DIRECTOR

****** CHURCH OFFICE

(580) 336-4576 Monday - Friday

9:00 a.m. - 3:00 p.m.

******

SUNDAY WORSHIP SERVICES

8:15am or 10:30am SUNDAY SCHOOL

9:15am

September 25, 2017

Sunday September 24, 2017

ATTENDANCE: 10:30 worship 135 TITHES & OFFERINGS received:

General Fund $2,544.00 CWS Relief Buckets $ 325.00 Reconciliation Special Offering 60.00 Abiding Memorial in memory of Dorothy Berry 100.00

The Perry Christian First Christian Church Disciples of Christ

When you think of the word “worship” what kind of definitions come to your

mind? The Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the beginning of our creation focused

a lot on this word. One of the privileges I had as a child was being a part of the Christian

Church (Disciples of Christ). One of the greatest weaknesses I have as an adult Minister is

the simple fact I grew up in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). The Christian

Church (Disciples of Christ) has been, and will continue to be, a movement striving to live

out a life, to our fullest potential, that mirrors Jesus Christ. We are a group of Jesus fol-

lowers, which historically are diverse, argumentative, and loving all in the same day. We

have a rich and very interesting heritage, but have little direction as to how that relates to

us today. There are scholars that will argue about the original beginning of the Christian

Church movement and the basic precepts of how we came into being. In the past 100

years, we have been accused of not being a “real” faith-based movement. Some of the rea-

sons for this horrible and hateful description of our denomination is that we, from our very

inception, strive to be different from the norm.

Our founders believed that the structure of the church comes from the New Testa-

ment and the religious practices of previous faith movements were created by humankind.

The Christian Church (DOC) started with some basic, but very profound, understandings

of the church. It reflected the contemporary political and theological changes that were

happening in the U.S. In recent years, I have found even the clergy that are now serving

congregations do not truly understand the basic principles of who, what, and how we be-

lieve. One can see this in the borrowed litanies or liturgies from other faith traditions.

While the denomination, initially, followed a “Free-form” of worship, we have some basic

tenets of authentic, genuine principles, or ordinances if you will, of what worship serves

for us. The World Council of Churches define liturgy as;

The liturgy is an act of the community. This is even indicated in

the etymology of the term "liturgy" - leitourgia - service of the

people. It is not a clerical solo performance but a concert of the

whole Christian community, in which certain of its members

play a special part, in accordance with their different charisms

and mandates. At ecumenical meetings, the liturgy of the Word

will be shared by wor-ship leaders (officiants) of several tradi-

tions, while the liturgy of the Eucharist will associate as assis-

tants of the principal celebrant those authorized by their own

church to concelebrate on such occasions.”

Worship is an experience of communion with God. It is something willed; something de-

liberately given to God, as God’s due. Public worship occurs when a group of like-minded people

voluntarily come together collectively in communion with God. Public worship provides active

expressions to people’s collective communion with God. The worshippers acknowledge God’s

presence, engage in ways that offer praise and thanksgiving, and to seek further knowledge of how

we might attain communion with God. Over the next few weeks we will be discussing what

“Worship” will look like in the future for us here at FCC Perry. It is my hope that you will take the

time to ask yourselves with me “What is that I feel called to or what is that I feel obligated to do?”

Do we really know “Why” we do the things in worship that we do or are we just doing them be-

cause we always have? These questions are important for us as a church and especially for genera-

tions of people who don’t just want routine they are searching for substance. My goal has been and

will continue to be to help facilitate conversations about the “who, what, when, how, and the why”

we do things in the church. It is my hope that you will keep us in your prayers as we start this jour-

ney of self-exploration together.

Shalom, Joshua Bell

New Requests: family of Joyce Tell, family of Lou Venable (grandfather to Melanie Cunningham), , Corky

Godfrey, Jackie Carter, Cleta Simms (upcoming surgery), family of Molly Mae Tucker, Hurricane Maria vic-

tims and rescuers, Mexico City earthquake victims and rescuers, Leanna Holt, Bunnie Klinglesmith, Aileen

Habben

continuing prayers. . . Linda Pritchett (cancer diagnosis), the family of Eugene Smith, Wes Stringer (son of

Velta Stringer fell and recovering at home), Curtis Simms (son of Cleta Simms), Carl Hartwig (heart condi-

tion) Macy Treat, Hurricane Irma Victims and rescuers, the family of Carol Orr, the family of Lloyd Koch,

Beth Noteware (surgery recovery and cancer treatments), Hurricane Harvey victims and rescuers, Margie

Cowell (receiving rehabilitation for her back), Monty Hawkins (back surgery recovery), Terrie Coats (James

Meier’s sister), Hanneah Schwandt (continues recovering from complications with cystic fibrosis), Quinley Rigdon (Newborn great

niece of Jean Vasek), Harold Price (heart problems), Brantley Taylor, Zoey Johnson

Nursing Home/Assisted Living/Homebound: Jean Manley, Doris Edwards, Dick Sullins, Ilene Branen, Maxine Schwartz,

Colleen Robison, Priscilla Wallace, Dr. Charles Martin, Jean Yeager/Stillwater, Barbara St. Clair, Kenny Cheney

Cancer survivors: David Riggs, Joyce Bailey, John Taylor, Karen Bigbee, Connie Henderson, Linda Stangl, David Tharrington, Wayne

Speer, Duane Dickson, Marilyn Goforth, Kristie Cook, Gerald Payne, Melva Edgar, Gary Moore, Kate Yost, Harold Price, Becky Hammock,

Bonnita Foster, Misty Leeper, Jim Taber, Gene Zavodny, Jim Gall, Beverly Klingaman, Randy Beeman, Keli Schweer, Branen Kirtley, Nor-

ma Hughes, Marilyn Ewy, Jim Ewy, Cathy Wells-Drury, Gary Wells, Barbara Habina, Maxine Schwartz

Missionaries: C&K Southeast Asia, Andrew & Reilly Bowers (granddaughter of the late Faye and Mary Odell), West Africa,

Lauren Anderson-Park, Thailand

these serving our country: Nehemiah Scott-Navy, Ethan Stringer-Army National Guard, Anthony Moore, Austin Moore, Devin Blan-

sett-Marines, Shelby Schultz-National Guard, Colonel Stephen Lightfoot-Marines, Thomas Henke-Marines, Jared Mann-Navy, Ryan

Padilla, Bryson Running-Navy, John Maehs, Scott Collins, Chip Collins, Jr., Jeremiah Givens, Lindsey Bishop, Trevor Schultz-National

Guard, Kyle Thomason

“Do not be anxious about anything, but in everything, by prayer and petition, with thanksgiving, present your request to God.” Philippians 4:6

September 24-October 7 Duane Dickson-25 Marilyn Ewy-28 Maxine Schwartz-1 (100th) Marilyn Goforth-4 Monty Hawkins-4 Barbara St. Clair-5 Ahni Clavier-7

Happy Anniversary Stan & Kim Ward-3 Rich & Miriam Lambert-7 If we missed a special day, please let us know.

for the week of September 24, 2017

Total needed for the week: $5,170.00

Received this week: $2,544.00

Under weekly budget: $2,626.00 Total needed for the month: $22,298.00

Received for September $16,985.72

Under monthly Budget: $5,312.28

VISITORS IN WORSHIP Sunday, September 24, 2017

Sebastian Dohmen

Butch & Nancy Phillips Enid, OK

Raquel LeValley & Cody

Anita Smith

CHOIR NOTES

In commemoration of World Communion Sunday, the Bell Choir will play "Meditation on 'Let Us Break Bread,' " accompanied by Nan-cy Wells on the organ. The praise songs will be "You Are God Alone" and "You Never Let Go." See you Sunday! Paula

It’s a card shower

for

Maxine Schwartz

Celebrating 100 years of life

October 1, 2017

Send your birthday wishes to

Maxine Schwartz, Room 88

Green Valley Nursing Home

1103 Birch Perry, OK 73077

Introducing

Henry Foster Cook

Born to Duain & Caitlyn Cook

July 12, 2017 at 7:06am

8 lbs.2 oz. / 20.5 inches

Grandparents Robert & Pam Cunningham

Great grands Bob & Willena Cunningham

Sympathy is extended to the family of Gene Smith. Gene passed away September 8, 2017. His memorial service will be held at a later date. Please keep his daughter Vicki Smith and all the family in your thoughts and prayers.

~

Youth News

NEW DATE

For Perry Schools

October 4

(postponed due to

weather)

Wednesdays

3:15-5:00pm

Kindergarten-6th grades

The church vans will pick up students at the school

and transport to the church.

Guardians will need to pick up students at the

church at conclusion of the program.

Volunteers are needed to assist with

this program.

Find us on

Facebook FCC Perry Oklahoma

A beautiful purple nine-patch queen size

quilt will be drawn for at Fall Fest, October

19, 2017. The quilt was hand quilted by

the First Christian Church Quilters. You

may get your chance for this quilt through

the church office or any quilter.

$1.00 per chance or 5 for $6.00

Please sign up for Monday, or Thursday 10, 11 or 7.

Tuesday 7 only or Wednes-day at 10 or 11 to meet with Rev. Josh for about a hour. Please write your name and best phone contact on a time

slot below and you will be contacted to verify your time.

LISTENING

CONFERENCES

Fall Fest October 19, 2017

Highlights from September 13, 2017 meeting….

The meeting was opened by President, Cindy St. Clair.

Old business was discussed including Fall Fest, Oct.

19. Quilt tickets and advance meal tickets are availa-

ble. Women were asked to indicate their participation

in Fall Fest on a sign-up sheet. CWF is continuing

monetary assistance for the elderly to ride the Chero-

kee Strip Transit. It was brought to our attention the

Elementary school is in need of children's clothes for

size 6 to 10 (small to medium). New business included

a community fundraiser for Kaden Pacheco family on

Sept. 30. CWF will make a monetary donation. CWS

clean-up bucket request was discussed. CWF made a

donation to this project and challenged other church

groups to do the same. A kitchen clean up day was set

for Sept. 28 at 9:00am. The lesson was brought to us

by Sally Frazier. Meeting adjourned with benediction.

PURPOSE STATEMENT OF FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

Perry, Oklahoma

To glorify God by leading people to become devoted followers of Jesus Christ.

Servers for Sunday, October 1, 2017

ELDERS: Fred LeValley & Arlie Goforth

WORSHIP LEADER: Betty Dillon

8:15 DEACONS: Cecil Loveless & James Meier

10:30 DEACONS: Marilyn Branen, Bobby Cunningham,

Cindy St. Clair & Randy Parrish

DEACONESS: Tommie Cargill

8:15 GREETER: Cecil & Joyce Loveless

10:30 GREETER: Arlie & Marilyn Goforth

Servers for Sunday, October 8, 2017

ELDERS: Joniece LeValley & Johnny Fuller

WORSHIP LEADER: Johnny Fuller

8:15 DEACONS: Diana & Nicole Noteware

10:30 DEACONS: Levi Karcher, Anglia Klinglesmith,

Brandan Sheets, Kim Sheets

DEACONESS: Cindy St. Clair

8:15 GREETER: Verna Skouby

10:30 GREETER: Kim Sheets

Communion to Homebound: Robert Cunningham, Arlie

Goforth

PRAYER CHAIN: Call your prayer request to the church office at 336-4576. Prayer warriors are ready to receive your need for prayer.

If you are unable to attend Sunday Worship, you may view the service on Sundays at 2:00pm on PIN Channel 14. www.pin.cityofperryok.com