Worship 10:45
Sunday School 9:30
Need a Ride?
Call Corrine Blum at 242-4951 or call the church at 242-1520 to arrange a ride to church events.
Church as Christmas Gift
Second Sunday of Christmas
January 4, 2008
Rev. Maggie Sebastian will preach from Ephesians 1:3-14 and John 1:1-18.
Did you miss a week? View a recent sermon below or visit the archive of sermons.
Rev. Maggie Sebastian, Pastor
304-559-7637
Roger Cole, Board Chair
Mary Anne Kiss, Church Secretary
First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1343 National Road Wheeling, WV 26003 304-242-1520 maggie@revmother.org Rev. Maggie Sebastian, Pastor |
Welcome fellow travelers.
Welcome to all who have journeyed this path for a while.
Welcome to those who are new to the path.
Welcome to those who are not sure where the path is.
Welcome to new visitors and to old friends.
Welcome to the young and the young at heart
To those of all ages and colors, all abilities and cultures, and opinions.
Know that you are welcome here – no matter what.
For this is God’s house and all may enter here!
Welcome to everyone.
We hope that you find peace and uplift in our worship.
This Welcome is offered by Rev. Maggie Sebastian each Sunday morning as worship begins.
|
Christian Education |
|
"Next to Christianity itself stands education." --Alexander Campbell, Disciples founder |
Christian Children's
Fellowship
Chi Rho & Christian
Youth Fellowship
Adult
and Children's Sunday
School
The Working Poor
Thurston Leads Book Study on Nov. 11
Oct. 30--The Rev. Dr. Bonnie Thurston will be leading a
book
discussion on Sunday, November 11 at 7 p.m. on The Working
Poor.
The book jacket states, �They perform labor essential to America�s
comfort. They are white and black, Latino and Asian�men and women in
small towns and city slums trapped near the poverty line, where the
margins are so tight that even minor setbacks can cause devastating
chain reactions. Shipler shows how liberals and conservatives are
both partly right�that practically every life story contains failure
caused by both society and the individual.
Braced by hard fact and personal testimony, Shipler unravels the
forces that confine people in the quagmire of low wages. And unlike
most works on poverty, this book also offers compelling portraits of
employers struggling against razor-thin profits and competition from
abroad.�
We hope that you will join us for this stimulating conversation. We have one copy of the book left in the office, but can order more for those who are interested. If you are able, the cost of the book is $10.17.
Call or e-mail Rev. Sebastian if you have questions.
Safeguarding God's Children Training Session Rescheduled for October 6
Sept.
19--Members and friends of First Christian now have two
opportunities to attend the Safeguarding God's Children training in
October. One session will be held on Saturday, October 6 from
9 until 2 p.m. It will be repeated again on Saturday October 22 from
9 until 2 p.m. A third opportunity has been set for January
12.
The Safeguarding God�s Children workshop, will be led by Kathy Blazier, Joni Blum, and Tim Graves. The training will be repeated again in October.
Click here for more
information about the Safe Kids Ministry.
Click
here to download a registration form.
Buddhism Class Begins Next Week
Sept. 4--First Christian will be offering a series of classes
September 16-18 on Buddhism. Rev. Dr. Bonnie Thurston, will be
teaching the classes from 7 - 8:30 p.m. each evening. Dr. Thurston
stated, "The world is getting smaller and as a
result
we can no longer assume our next door neighbors are 'some kind of
Christians.' In order to practice the hospitality that Jesus
exemplified, we need to know about other people's beliefs."
The classes will examine the life of the Buddha and Buddhist
scriptures, Buddhist beliefs: The Four Noble Truths & Eightfold
Path, and the spread of Buddhism and its "branches." The class is
open to all. Recommended texts include The World's Religions
by Huston Smith and What the Buddha Taught,by Walpola Rahula.
Ecumenical Bible School Concludes
August 2--Three Wheeling area churches collaborated on Vacation Bible School last week. Children from Edgwood Lutheran Church, Christ United Methodist, and First Christian, and from the community participated in arts, crafts, songs, and more as they learned about God. Click here to view photos from Vacation Bible School.
Task Force Meets with Bob Halligan
of Ceili Rain, Community Members
|
July 17--Immediately following worship, in which Bob Halligan, lead singer of Ceili Rain provided the music, the Music Camp Task Force met with Bob and other interested community members. Bob offered advice and assistance as the task force continues to work toward making the Leap of Faith Music Camp a reality. Ecumenical partners are being sought as well as funding for the camp. |
Rev. Sebastian and Bob Halligan of Ceili Rain delivered the word in drama and music on July 15.
(These are offsite at Youtube posted by FCC member Dave Parsons.) |
Please call Roger Cole at 845-4579 or e-mail
him at
music-camp@bigroundwindow.com if you�re interested in being a part
of this ministry or have questions.
First Safe Kids Workshop Approaching
The first Safeguarding God�s Children workshop, led by Kathy Blazier,
Joni Blum, and Tim Graves will be held from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m. on
Saturday, September 15. Registration information will be available
in August.
All leaders, members, parents, and friends of the church but especially those who work directly with children or youth are strongly encouraged to attend this first session.
As a congregation we state in our vision that, �Children will be nurtured and have more opportunities to succeed.� Assuring that any child who is part of our community is safe from the risk of abuse within the context of church is the most basic level of appropriate nurturing.
All adults and youth who work with children or youth will be required by the Education Committee to have this training. Click here for more information about the Safe Kids Ministry.
Professional Musician Leads Music July 15; Meets with Churches to Plan Music Camp
Bob
Halligan, Jr. lead vocalist for the Christian group Ceili Rain will
be leading music at our service Sunday morning, July 15.
Bob will be here to help us look at our many gifts from God and to
help promote our Leap of Faith Music Camp. Leap of Faith has been
postponed to the summer of 2008 to ensure adequate planning and
funding. It is a project that has inspired other congregations
across the country (from viewing our website) to do their own Leap
of Faith camp.
After worship, Bob will be meeting with members of the Music Camp
Task Force and a group of interested community leaders. If you wish
to help make Leap of Faith a reality for our young people next year,
see Roger or Maggie to let them know you will be staying for the
lunch and meeting on July 15.
Click here for more
information about the Leap of Faith Music Camp.
Three Wheeling Churches Work Together on Community Vacation Bible School
June
9--Edgwood Lutheran (ELCA), Christ United Methodist, and First
Christian Churches are once again collaborating to provide a
Vacation Bible School for the Wheeling community July 23-27, 2007.
Click
here to download a registration form.
Education Committee Vows to Keep Kids Safe
May 24--The Education Committee has set Saturday, September 15 as
the date for the first in-house session of "Safeguarding God's
Children" while the Safe Kids Task Force is simultan
eously
working on policies and procedures to present to the Church Board in
early fall.
Kathy Blazier and Tim Graves, who have been trained to be trainers for the Safeguarding God's Children program, eventually expect to present this critical information to leaders and all of those who work directly with children at First Christian Church. The September session is the first of many that will be offered at First Christian.
The Safeguarding God's Children program was developed by the Episcopal Church and was modified by the Evangelical Lutheran Churches in West Virginia. The Lutheran Synod in West Virginia has welcomed First Christian's participation in working to assure that all children and youth in churches are safe from predators.
For more information, call Tim at 304-242-3209 or email him at education@bigroundwindow.com.
Leap of Faith Music Camp Postponed Until Summer '08
May 24--The Music Camp Task Force has postponed the Leap of Faith Music Camp until next summer to allow time to secure adequate funding. As a way to draw attention to this ministry for the youth of the Wheeling area, Christian band Ceili Rain will be participating in worship on Sunday, July 15. The Task Force, representatives of various area churches, and others interested in making this camp a reality next summer will meet with Bob Halligan of Ceili Rain for lunch following worship. Click here for more information about the vision for the music camp.
Task Force Seeks Funding for Leap of Faith Music Camp
Feb. 22--The Music Camp Task Force, a subcommittee of Christian Education has been working since the fall to put together a music camp for youth from ages 12 through 18. The group has tentative agreements with professional musicians Tony Hooper, Rick Cua, Bob Halligan, and Ceili Rain to lead the camp. The task force is actively seeking funding for this service to the youth of the Wheeling community. Click here to learn more about the Leap of Faith Music Camp.
Who Is Mary Magdalene? A Study in Scripture,
Tradition, and Art
Feb. 20--A study on Mary Magdalene began last evening and is
being offered throughout the Lenten season. Rev. Magdalyn Sebastian
is leading the study on Monday
evenings at 7 p.m. "I have always
been fascinated by Mary Magdalene since I am named in her honor,"
stated Rev. Sebastian. "The study will use some of the latest
scholarship about Mary Magdalene as well as an in-depth look at the
Apostle to the Apostles in popular culture throughout the
centuries."
Topics to be covered in the study include an introduction to the
canonical Mary Magdalene and Mary Magdalene in extra-canonical
sources. The bulk of the class will examine Mary Magdalene in
paintings, songs, movies, and culture. The study, which is free and
open to the public, will run from February 19 through April 9.
Participants are welcome at any point during the study.
Click here to download
resources from the class.
Mary Magdalene Study Starts February 19
Jan.
24--Maggie will be starting a brand new study on Monday evenings at
7 p.m. beginning February 19 on Mary Magdalene. The study will run
until April 9.
The study will begin with a detailed look at what we know about this
special woman from scripture, tradition, and other texts. We will
then look at how Mary Magdalene has been portrayed in art,
literature, film, and music.
Children Use Offering to Buy Trio of Rabbits and Ducks
Dec. 19--The Children�s Sunday School takes up an offering each week as they gather before classes. The children chose as their first offering project to collect $60 to buy a trio of rabbits for Heifer Project. On December 10, the children reached their goal! The children are will next be using their offering to buy a trio of ducks for Heifer Project. Click here to learn more about Heifer Project.
|
Dorothy Brownlee, dressed as "Gladys B. Tidings", entered the sanctuary Sunday blaring a trumpet. Gladys talked with the children during the Children's Sermon. Click here to view more photos of Gladys. |
Gladys B. Tidings Arrives; Talks About Giving
photo by Dave Parsons |
Angels We Have Heard on High
|
|
Dec. 20--The Christmas Program and Dinner Sunday evening featured angels, animals, shepherds, kings, Mary, Joseph, and, of course, Baby Jesus. Click here to view more photos from the evening. |
Annual Children's Christmas Program is This Sunday, Dec. 17
Nov.
28--The Christmas program will be December 17th at 4 p.m. Geneva
Cole and Don Miller are working with the adult choir and youth
orchestra on the music. Valerie Parsons is assisting by rehearsing
the children�s music during the opening session of Sunday School.
Immediately following the Christmas program will be the potluck
Christmas dinner sponsored by the Membership Hospitality Committee.
Meats, breads and drinks will be provided. Please bring the
following according to your name. A-I veggies J-O Dessert P-Z Salad
If you have questions call Barb Cole at 243-9360. If you need a ride
call the office at 242-1520.
Overview of Recent Education Committee Activities
Oct. 30--Christian Education has been very busy organizing and making sure our children are safe and families are welcome. A few highlights of our on-going activities include:
� We have hired Jenn Pelky as our nursery worker. Jenn is available during Sunday school and worship every Sunday.
� The nursery has been cleaned and any unsafe materials removed. New safety and sanitation procedures have been implemented. A list of nursery needs will soon be available.
� The Committee has implemented an opening session for children�s Sunday School. The children sing, pray, and take up a weekly offering for a special mission project. The special mission project will be to purchase animals for Heifer Project. The purpose of this session is to help the children to more fully understand worship and to grow spiritually and as a community. Older Youth have agreed to assist in leading this session.
� The committee is working towards providing a Summer Music Camp for youth 6th grade and up during summer 2007. A Music Camp Task Force has been formed to plan out this ecumenical collaboration. As details become available, the task force will keep the congregation and board informed.
� Safe Kids Policy: George Yoho agreed to lead task force. This policy will outline ways to keep all the children safe at First Christian and will outline procedures to take in case of emergency.
� Geneva Cole has agreed to take leadership of the Children�s Christmas Program. The program will begin at 4:00 p.m. on Sunday, Dec. 10 and will be followed by a dinner.
� Roger Cole agreed to take on responsibility for the 3rd�5th grade Sunday School class until the end of the year. Deb Witthuhn will then assume responsibility for the class in January for a month.
� The Adult Sunday School class that meets in the parlor will begin a new study with the beginning of the next lectionary cycle (December 3, 2006) They will be using the book Keeping Holy Time. If you want to participate in this Bible Study, see Tom Lantz or Sue Postlewait about getting a copy of the book.
New Nursery Worker Begins
Oct. 9--Jenn Pelkey began as the new nursery worker at First
Christian yesterday. Jenn is the mother of three children
and
comes to First Christian with excellent references. The
Nursery Task Force, responsible for hiring Jenn, is busy at
improving upon the nursery. You may already have noticed new
policies in effect that protect the health of your child (regular
toy cleaning, diaper change procedures, and old toys discarded).
In the near future you will begin to see other changes that are
designed to keep your child physically and spiritually safe while
you attend Sunday School and worship. Please contact Tim Graves by
e-mail at
education@bigroundwindow.com or by phone at 304-242-3209 if you
have any questions.
Sunday School Breakfast & Homecoming This Sunday
Sept. 13--The annual Sunday School Breakfast & Homecoming is at 9:00 Sunday morning in the Fellowship Hall. This event includes games, good food, and recognition of children who are moving up to new groups. Sunday School will not be held this week but will kick off on September 20. For more information call Tim Graves at 304-242-3209 or e-mail him at education@bigroundwindow.com
Adult Bible Study Begins Soon
Sept.
4--At the request of members of the congregation and in cooperation
with the Christian Education committee, Rev. Maggie Sebastian will
begin a Bible study of the Gospel of Mark the week of September 18.
The first session of the Bible Study will be on Monday mornings at
10 a.m. with the lesson repeated Thursday evenings at 7 p.m. Maggie
will begin this study on September 18 with the lesson again repeated
on Thursday evening September 21. All are welcome.
Christian Education Committee Seeks Your Time & Talents
August 6--The Christian Education Committee has identified a number of needs:
-
A Sunday School teacher (3-5th grade class)
-
Substitute Sunday School teachers
-
Individuals to take turns to do Children's Church (care and program for children during worship)
-
Individuals to take a turn doing a Children's Sermon
-
Individuals to work in the nursery until a new nursery worker is hired.
-
Assist in interviewing prospective candidates for the role as nursery worker.
If you feel called to one of these ministries or think maybe you might be, but aren't sure, please talk with Tim Graves. He can be reached 304-242-3209 or by e-mail at education@bigroundwindow.com.
Vacation Bible School Kids Sing at Ecumenical Vespers
August
7--The children from Vacation Bible School sang at the Vespers
program last evening. Over 100 people, finished communion
before running to the Fellowship Hall to avoid the rain. The
service was finished indoors followed by refreshments.
Vacation Bible School is an ecumenical event sponsored by Edgwood Lutheran, Christ United Methodist, and First Christian. Vespers, an informal, short service is a joint ministry of Edgwood Lutheran and First Christian Churches. Services begin at 7 p.m. each Sunday at the Outdoor Amphitheater at First Christian Church.
Vacation Bible School Is Coming
Christ
United Methodist,
Edgwood
Lutheran, and First Christian Churches are once again teaming up
to bring the children of Wheeling a fun time of Bible learning at
Vacation Bible School. Vacation Bible School will be held from
6:00�8:30 p.m. each night from July 24�July 28 with the Vacation
Bible School kids providing the music at the August 6 Community
Vesper Services. If you want to register your child, age 4 up to
Grade 5 (completed) call 242-2455 or complete a registration form
and deliver it to the church office or Rev. Sebastian.
Click
here to download a pdf copy of the registration form.
Volunteers are also needed to help at VBS. We need from First
Christian FOUR Crew Leaders (leading the kids from station to
station) someone to run the Video station, snack helpers, and
others. Let Maggie know ASAP if you can help. You can call Maggie at
304-242-3209 or e-mail her at
maggie@revmother.org
Aspiring Angels Raise Money for
Children's
Hospital
of Pittsburgh
May 8--First Christian's youth raised close to $400 to buy toys for children at the Children's Hospital of Pittsburgh by holding a dinner theater. The youth presented an original comedy entitled Aspiring Angels and serve patrons at their tables. The Hospitality Committee supported the efforts of the youth by providing all of the food. Click here to view pictures from the event.
Youth Return From Retreat
Feb.
19--Eight youth from First Christian returned today from the Youth
Mid-Winter Retreat at Cedar Lakes. The group poses here in the
single digit temperatures atop an old tree stump.
Click here to see
the initial photo gallery from the weekend. Check back later this week to see
more.
Twelve Going To Youth Retreat
Feb. 12--First Christian sent forth twelve people
for the Mid-Winter Youth Retreat at the end of today's worship
service.
The retreat runs from
February 17-19 at
Youth Retreat: "This I Believe"
Jan. 23--The theme for the Mid-Winter Youth Retreat at Cedar Lakes Conference Center in Ripley, WV is �This I
 |
|
Jacob and Haley demonstrate songs they learned at their summer camp at Cedar Lakes. This photo was taken at the Fall 2005 Harvest Event. |
Believe.� The speaker is Krista Johnson, a recent graduate of Chapman University, a Disciples-affiliated and founded institution. In August Krista will begin a two year term as a Global Mission Intern in Israel/Palestine. In Jerusalem, she will serve at an organization called Sabeel, a Palestinian Liberation Theology Center where she will work with the Palestinian Christian Community.
The Retreat will be February 17-19, 2006 and will cost $95. First Christian will pay one-half of the tuition for any youth in grades 6-12, who wishes to attend. (If you need additional financial assistance beyond this, please speak with Rev. Maggie Sebastian.) Registrations are due February 7. Registration forms and more information are available in the office. We will also need to send one adult with our students. Shelley Klatt will be driving to the retreat. She can fit another four people in her van.
Faith Formation & Adult Baptism Classes Offered
August 24--The Faith Formation Class for those young people in fifth through eight grade will begin on Sunday, November 6 in Maggie�s office. During Sunday School. This class is offered in preparation for young people to make their Confession of Faith on Palm Sunday and be Baptized on Easter Sunday morning.
Maggie will also be offering a class for adults (high school and
older) seeking baptism beginning October 2 on Sunday evenings at
7:00 p.m. for four weeks. Baptism will be arranged for sometime
after that. If you are interested, please contact Maggie as soon as
possible so that she may arrange for curriculum and Elder Mentors.
Remember you can reach Maggie at 242-3209 at home or
maggie@revmother.org
.
What Comes After Purpose Driven Life?
August 24--The Christian Education Committee considered this
question at their meeting last week. In addition to offering the
lectionary-based Bible Study each Sunday morning, the committee
considered the idea of offering short-�topic-based� classes for
adults. Some suggestions included a video-based six week course for
married couples (Joyce Scott and Maggie have reviewed this and are
very enthusiastic), a �Serendipity� class, a class examining
spiritual disciplines (I.e. a class on walking labyrinth or on
journaling), the relationship between body, mind, spirit looking at
the science and miracle of that connectedness, and/or How to make
sense of Suffering?
What are your ideas? Do you have ideas for possible course topics?
Is there something that you would like to discuss in a group? Let
Joyce Scott know by calling her at 547-5222 or let someone
else on the committee know.
Workshop
Rotation Sunday School
Search
the Bible using Bible Gateway
Christian
Board of Publication