First Christian Circular
Volume 1, Issue 1
December 2010
The Pastor’s Heart
On October 14, I traveled to Grand Rapids, MI, to speak at Cascade Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), which is the church I grew up in, the church I was baptized in. The subject of my talk was long-term pastorates, with special mention of Rev. Ray Gaylord. Rev. Gaylord, the pastor who baptized me, has been active at Cascade Christian Church off and on for fifty years, first as their Senior Pastor, and then as their Pastor Emeritus. This October, right around the time I was there to speak, Rev. Gaylord official retired at 89 years of age from his preaching duties at the Cascade Christian Church chapel.
During my talk, I said that the main reason Cascade Christian Church has become such a large, flourishing church is not so much because of any program or policy Rev. Gaylord has instituted, but simply because he has committed to that church over the long haul. True love, I asserted, is commitment—like the commitment God gives to us in Christ.
I also talked about our church in my talk. First Christian Church of Dowagiac has had 52 pastors in its 135 year history. Considering that we were without a pastor for some of those years, each pastor was at First Christian Church for an average of only two-and-a-half years! When I told the people at Cascade that I was coming up on my two-and-a-half year anniversary, they all wondered if I would be like those who had gone before, and leave Dowagiac for a bigger church.
But what I told them I also tell you: Even though, from a worldly perspective, it seems utterly foolish for me to stay at a small church with limited resources when I become the pastor of a larger church with more resources, I feel God’s call to be your pastor. I desire to stay at First Christian Church for at least seven years. I truly believe in First Christian Church, and that under God’s leading, I can be your leader into growth, vitality, and “peace and joy in the Holy Spirit” (Romans 14:17). Not because I am so great—although God has given me wonderful spiritual gifts, I am still a new pastor with many weaknesses, and I lack of skill in many areas. But I believe, under God’s leading, that I can do this because I am committed to love you in Christ over the long haul, and that, like I said in my talk at Cascade, is what finally has the power to transform our church. In the same way that God’s enduring love for us (Psalm 136) in Christ (John 13:1) is what finally has the power to transform our lives.
Worship & Fine Arts Committee
Jon Phillips
This month the worship committee has been working hard with the other committees to have a smooth transition from one holiday to the next as the year ends. Every Sunday has something extra going on through the end of the year. Special speakers for the loose change offering are invited to speak on the first Sunday of every month. Special music is being set up, decorations will be put up, and the choir is singing often. We hope your Holidays are joyful, and that we are helping you focus on Christ during this busy time.
Feed My Sheep Food Pantry
Lill Easton
It started in 1997 very small and was meant to be mainly for First Christian Church only. It has kept growing and is still growing! Each month we have between 20 to 50 families, 40 to 100 people. We always accept food donations as well as money donations from community groups and companies.. We get lots of help from churches also. Therefore we’ve been blessed and never had to ask for help. God has really been good to us and our clients.
Property Committee
Jim Dodd
1) We have a new snow blower. Anybody who wants to help blow snow, let me know.
2) We have a person in place to plow snow from the parking lot.
3) We have two new flag poles.
4) Working on the front steps’ metal plates.
5) Pastor Jon and Chad Benkert is taking care of moving the sound system to the balcony and refurbishing it.
Anybody who would like something improved or made better, write it down and give it to me, Bob Schuur, or Pastor Jon, and we will look at it at the next property committee meeting.
The next property committee meeting will be December 1st, 2010 at 7pm
Christian Ed. Committee
Mellissa Phillips
The Christian Education committee has kept the kids very busy learning more about Jesus. We have started practices for the Children's Christmas Program. It is called, "Mary Had a Little Lamb." We will be presenting the program in church on Sunday, December 12. We are practicing on Sundays during the 9:30 Sunday School time and on Wednesdays from 5:00-6:30 at the church.
In Children's church, the kids are learning memory verses. Be sure to ask your child about their memory verse on Sundays after church. As they attend church programs like Sunday School and Children's Church and Youth Group, the older kids are earning credit toward Camp Crystal. The younger kids are earning an opportunity to have lunch with Pastor Jon.
The Youth Group has been divided into two groups. We are working separately with the younger kids (Kindergarten - 3rd grade) and the older kids (4 grade and up). The younger kids meet from 3:00-5:00pm every Sunday and the older kids meet from 4:30-7:00pm. Everyone is welcome.
Upcoming Events:
December 5th: Holiday Parade: Dress up as your favorite animal (we have some costumes available at the church) and ride on the float
December 12: Children's Christmas Program: BE PRACTICING YOUR LINES!!
December 24th: Christmas Eve Service: Come Celebrate Jesus' Birthday with your church.
Stand By You
Poem by Rosemary Proctor
Life’s Angel at the gate
Should he come get you,
Or will it be to late.
For he will stand by you
Thought Thick & thin
He is God’s Son
Born Again.
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