This Week at First Christian Church For the week of May 16, 2018

A Note from Your Pastor

Dear Friends,

I trust you have heard about the upcoming Offering of Letters we are participating in this coming Sunday (May

20). As a congregation, with the help of the Mission & Witness survey, we decided to focus this year on hunger. As

we talked about at the beginning of the year, Mission & Witness will offer opportunities for hands-on engagement,

education, and advocacy. The Offering of Letters is an advocacy opportunity.

I remember the first time I participated in an Offering of Letters. I cared about those impacted by hunger and

food insecurity, and I wanted to do something to address systems of injustice. I believed in my responsibility to

communicate with my elected officials. But, I didn’t know what to say and didn’t feel I knew enough. I was grateful

for the resources from Bread for the World that helped me feel like I had intelligent language to match my passion.

For those of you who experience this for the first time this year, I hope you find the same.

I am reminded, both because of the upcoming Offering of Letters and because of the recent ICE raid in Mt.

Pleasant about which I know many of you are concerned, that our faith should inform the rest of our lives. We are not

meant to live lives where we only practice our faith at church on Sunday mornings, but rather where what we do

together as a faith community sends us out into the world ready to keep practicing our faith.

As we practice our faith in the midst of our real (and sometimes messy) lives, these questions come to mind: If

you understand Jesus to be about love, how are you loving those you meet? If you understand ours to be a God of

justice, how are you working to make sure systems are just for all people? If you understand your faith to be an

important part of your life, how does it impact how you do your job, how you behave toward the stranger, how you

engage your community, how you spend your money, how you vote, how you behave with those closest to you...how

does your faith impact and change your life?

I’d love to hear more about how your faith is lived out in your day to day life and the ways your faith has

changed your life.

Hope to see you Sunday! Jill

Also remember, May 20 will be the last day of weekly Sunday School for the summer. We will meet one Sunday

morning a month at 9am for a Hunger Forum (adults/older youth) and activities for the younger children. There will

also be some other faith formation opportunities for young people and adults throughout the summer. Be watching for

more information.

Somewhere between 11 and 13% of Iowans struggle with food insecurity and the numbers

are higher in Johnson County. This isn’t only something the very poor face, but in our county

it is often due to the cost of housing that people struggle to put food on the table.

You are invited to stay following worship on May 20 and participate in the Offering of

Letters, sponsored by Bread for the World. Together we will write to our elected officials.

Senators Ernst and Grassley are both on the Agriculture Committee and so they have a real

voice in the decisions that are being made. Letters this year will focus on the 2018 Farm Bill which is where funding for

nutrition programs that assist families who are struggling is lodged.

On Sunday you will be invited to write a brief letter to one or more of our senators. Tables will be set up at the back of the

sanctuary following worship and will contain sample letters, pens, and notecards—everything you need to participate.

Letters will be carried to Washington D.C. on June 12 by Steve Panther, our local Bread for the World representative.

This Week at First Christian Church May 16, 2018

UPCOMING EVENTS

FCC BOOK CLUB

Children, Youth, and Families

May 20, Youth Group

All 3rd—12th graders are invited to stay following

worship for a meal and an outing to play frisbee

golf. RSVPs are needed by Thursday to secure

transportation. Email icdisciple.kids@gmail.com.

June 10 - 14, Vacation Bible School - Register

online now!

http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/

form/6d59098vzEHfc8

Questions? Contact Kara

(icdisciple.kids@gmail.com)

Wednesday Bible Study meets

at 12:30pm each week.

May 16 - Romans 8:12-17

May 23 - I Samuel 3:1-20

May Potluck Sunday

Our May Potluck is Memorial Day weekend (May 27).

In light of this, we are inviting you to prepare a dish

that was a favorite from a parent, grandparent, or

other person you are remembering that weekend. You

might even label your dish with whose and what it is

(such as: Grandma Laura’s Corn and Noodle Casserole).

Help is needed for set up and clean up—a sign up sheet

will be available Sunday, May 20.

On May 24 at 7 p.m., the FCC Book Club will meet at Martha Melton's house, 747 Keswick, to discuss Jodi Picoult's novel, Small Great Things. In this story, Ruth, an African-American nurse, is accused of not properly tending the child of a white supremacist couple. Please join us.

Ladies’-Night-Out...

will be meeting this month at

MIDTOWN (east side) in Iowa City on

Thursday, May 17 at 5:30 PM.

All ladies are welcome to come join

in on the fun, food selections, and

cheerful conversations.

New to First Christian? Want to Learn More?

If you are new to First Christian or have been around a

while but just want to learn more, you are invited to

join Pastor Jill on Sunday, May 20 during the Sunday

School hour (9am) for “Exploring FCC.” This is an

opportunity to meet some other people and learn more

about First Christian Church and how you can get

involved. We will meet upstairs in room 114.

Ring-a-ling...Join the Handbells

Do you love music? Can you count to four?

We are looking for new handbell players

for our bell choir. Join us for rehearsal on

Sunday, May 20 at 2pm to learn more or

talk to Laura Kittrell (icdisciple.music@gmail.com).

Hannah Circle

All ladies of the church are invited to

join the Hannah Circle at their monthly

meeting on Monday, May 21 at 1pm.

They meet in Fellowship Hall.

First Christian Church will participate in Iowa City Pride

June 16, 2018 in downtown Iowa City

First Christian Church is an inclusive community and LGBTQIA+ friendly place in the Iowa City/Coralville area.

First Christian Church has intentionally blurred the lines between visitor, participant, and member to make it clear we value every person who is involved with our congregation. We share God's love and the good news of God's grace with all persons through daily acts of justice, mercy, and love. All are welcome at First Christian Church.

Save the Date: June 16, 2018 11:00 AM – 5:00 PM. The Mission & Witness Committee’s Pride Subcommittee will provide more information later in May. Contact Vern Duba, Pride subcommittee chair, if you have questions before then at 319-321-7734 or vernduba@gmail.com.

We will march/ride in the parade and staff an informational welcome booth on the Ped Mall.

Annual Pride Parade

1:00 PM College Green Park

We need volunteers to carry the banner and march with the group. We will have a vehicle for those who wish to participate but not walk.

Ped Mall Festival Booth

Noon - 5:00 PM downtown Iowa City

The First Christian Church booth will be on the street (Washington in front of The Englert or on Linn between Washington and Iowa).

We will give way promotional materials, treats, and stickers.

We need volunteers for the following opportunities. You may sign up for more than one slot.

Staff the booth

Hand out promotional materials, answer questions, and serve treats.

11:00 – Noon (Set up)

Noon – 5:00 PM (five 1-hour shifts)

Make Music/Sing Along

Bring your guitar, your drum, your tambourine, your kazoo. Bring your voice!

Noon – 1:00 PM and 2:00 - 5:00 PM (four 1-hour shifts)

Donate Treats (attendance not required)

We need individually wrapped candies, cookies, brownies, etc. Donate at the Church by June 10 or call 319-321-7734 to arrange for pick up at your home.

Donate Cash (attendance not required)

Donations of cash will off-set the fee for booth rental and registration. Donate at the Church any time.

This Week at First Christian Church May 16, 2018

This Week at First Christian Church May 16, 2018

Responding to Immigration Customs and Enforcement Action in Mt. Pleasant

Many have expressed concern for those families impacted by the ICE raid that took place in Mt. Pleasant, IA last

week. Below you can find some information about what is going on and how you can help.

The following note is from the First Presbyterian Church in Mt. Pleasant who has been taking action in their local

community. It includes some information as well as an opportunity to donate:

Hi Friends, here is an update about the families and community of Mt. Pleasant, Iowa. First Presbyterian, Mt

Pleasant hosted a community forum today with the Police Chief, Mayor, State Representative, School

Superintendent, Human Rights Department representative, as well as families and friends of the men detained. It

was an emotional meeting. The level of respect was high and many sides were heard. For example, the police

chief explained the departments role with ICE saying there were some undocumented workers with criminal

backgrounds. However, we also learned that many taken were on the path to citizenship without any criminal

record. They had federal IDs for paying payroll taxes but were treated as felons caught up in this dragnet.

Community leaders and families expressed grief that people on the path to citizenship were treated this way. It

will take weeks for the bond hearings and appropriate paperwork to be done so that those men can return to

their families and work. This means the families are out of their main source of income. One child was orphaned

because his father was detained and that was the only family he had. He will stay with a long time friend for the

time being. You can help. Please donate at firstpresbyonline.org. Click the give now button and add immigrants

in the note.

Additional ways to support, from Center for Worker Justice in Iowa City who held a rally at Senator Chuck

Grassley’s Cedar Rapids office on Monday:

Donate money to pay for lawyers, bonds, and basic human needs for families that have lost their breadwinner.

At this time, families ask for money and/ or gift certificates to local grocers like Hy-Vee and ALDI.

Send a letter to the ICE Enforcement & Removal Field Office at St.Paul.Outreach@ice.dhs.gov. Let them

know the important role these immigrant workers play in their families, community, and our state. Ask them to

release the workers to their families, pending hearings.

For more information visit: https://www.cwjiowa.org/immigration/

Raising Awareness and Raising Funds for Hunger

The Crisis Center is hosting its annual Hunger Banquet on Thursday,

June 7. This meal is designed to bring about awareness of the realities

within which many people live. What this means is that different people

will receive different meals. Guests will be randomly assigned to various

income levels, determining which meal they receive. Last year, some

guests representing upper income ate steak and lobster; some in the

middle had hamburgers or mac and cheese; others, representing food

insecure individuals in Johnson County, received no meal. Stories of

people helped by the Crisis Center will be shared and proceeds will

benefit the Crisis Center food bank. The cost is $50 and you can register

here.

MISSION AND WITNESS - HOW YOU CAN HELP

BIBLE QUIZ:

Sunday, May 20, 2018 - Pentecost Sunday Scripture: Acts 2:1-21 Sermon: When the Spirit Moves

This Week at First Christian Church May 16, 2018

Winter Coat Collection

Remember, if you have winter coats, boots, etc. that

are still in good shape, you can donate them for this

fall’s Winter Clothing Giveaway. And if you want to

clear out your closet now rather than waiting for fall,

you can bring them to FCC on Sunday. Deposit them in

the box inside the front doors—it will be there one

more week!

Registration is Open! When you pass through the waters, I will be with you. (Isaiah 43:2, CEB)

June 10-14, 2018

5:30 pm Family Meal, 6:00 - 8:00 pm Program (For children who will be entering PreK—6th Grade in August)

Get ready for this year’s VBS where kids will discover that life with God is an adventure full of wonder and surprise,

and that they can trust God to be with them through anything! Enjoy hands–on activities, science, music, drama

and much more! Join us and invite a friend!

Register online now: http://www.emailmeform.com/builder/form/6d59098vzEHfc8

Contact icdisciple.kids@gmail.com with any questions

Pentecost Offering

On Sundays, May 20 and

May 27 we will receive the

Pentecost Offering. This is one of six annual special

offerings in Disciples congregations. The Pentecost

Offering goes to support new church development.

Half of the offering stays in our region to support

local new congregations; the other half goes to

support the training of new church pastors.

According to one account of Jesus’ ascension, commonly called the

Great Commission, he told the disciples to do several things. Which

of the following was not part of Jesus’ instructions?

A. Make disciples

B. Perform miracles

C. Teach

D. Baptize

Answer: See Matthew 28:19-20.

May 2018

Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat

1–Elizabeth Chen

1-Alex Wheeler

1-Morgan Kittrell

2–Simon Samuel

4-Melea White

8-Sheree Williams

11-Quinn Thomas

12-Alison Brownsberger

12-Kara Seaton

12-Margaret Rossman

15-Ted Knights

16-Sherry Child

20-Gabriel Clark

25-Kevin Keyser

27-Rebecca Clark

28-Violer White-Haar

29-Jill Cameron Michel

31-Jen Knights

1

2

Bible Study 12:30 PM

Elders Mtg. 6 PM

3

Executive /Agenda

Mtg 5:30 PM

4

5

Youth to Cedar

Rapids Theatre

6

Sunday School 9 AM Worship Svc. 10 AM

Family Learning Together 11:30 AM

Handbells 2 PM Pack 2000 3 PM

Troop 2000 7 PM

7

By-Laws 7 PM

8

Staff Mtg 10 AM

Personnel 6 PM

9

Bible Study 12:30 PM

Strings & Singers

7 PM

10

Mission & Witness

10:30 AM

Clergy Cluster 12 PM

@ Panera

Arrow Chapter 7 PM

11

Church Workday

(outdoor work)

5:30—8:30 PM

12

Church Workday

(indoor work)

9 AM—3 PM

13

MOTHER’S DAY Sunday School 9 AM

Worship Svc. 10 AM

Joe Page Piano recital

1:00 PM

Troop 2000 7 PM

14

By-Laws 5:30 PM

15 16

CRC @ Unitarian

Universalist 10 AM

Bible Study 12:30 PM

17

Ladies Night Out @

Midtown (eastside)

Iowa City @ 5:30

18

Our Lord’s Church

Kolache Bake 2-8 PM

19

20

PENTECOST Sunday School 9 AM

Worship Svc. 10 AM

Youth Group 11:30 AM

By-Laws 11:30 AM Handbells 2 PM

Pack 2000 3 PM

Venturing Crew 6 PM

21

Hannah Circle 1 PM

22

Staff Mtg 10 AM

23

Bible Study 12:30 PM

Strings & Singers

7 PM

24

Women Clergy

10 AM

Love-A-Lot

Graduation 6 PM

FCC Book Club @

Melton’s , “Great

Things” 7 PM

25 26

27

NO Sunday School

Worship Svc. 10 AM POT-LUCK 11:15 AM

Handbells 2 PM Troop 2000 7 PM

28

MEMORIAL DAY

FCC Office CLOSED

due to holiday

29 30

Bible Study 12:30 PM

31 Mission & Witness

10:30 AM

Anniversaries:

Terry & Laurie

Dahms—20

Isaac Samuel

& Jane John-

20

Jill out of office & out of town

BIRTHDAYS:

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

(DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)

900 LINCOLNSHIRE PLACE

CORALVILLE, IA 52241-3615

Sunday Services:

9 AM Sunday School

10 AM Church Service

11 AM Coffee/Fellowship

Church Office Hours:

Monday thru Friday 9AM to 1PM

Phone #: 319-337-4181

Staff:

Pastor: Rev. Jill Cameron Michel

(home) 319-665-2276 (cell) 417-439-7391

icdisciple.pastor@gmail.com

Office Administrator: Peggy Bothell

icdisciple.sec@gmail.com

Music Director: Laura Kittrell

icdisciple.music@gmail.com

Director of Christian Formation : Kara Seaton

icdisciple.kids@gmail.com

Janitorial: Michael Hull

m.hull84@yahoo.com

PENTECOST

On May 20, Christians around the world will celebrate

the Day of Pentecost. It’s often remembered as the

church’s birthday.

Before Jesus ascended into heaven, he promised that

the Holy Spirit would come upon those who believed in

his resurrection. When people were gathered in

Jerusalem for Pentecost (originally a Jewish holy day),

the Spirit came upon them. They were so touched by

the Holy Spirit that they formed communities as

followers of Jesus and began to worship regularly,

especially on Sundays, the day of Christ’s resurrection.

To symbolize the “tongues, as of fire” (Acts 2:3, NRSV)

that came upon the people present at Pentecost,

liturgical churches display the color red in their worship

services on Pentecost Sunday. Many people attending

worship wear red on that day.