Summer Arts Summer School

All children ages 2 through new ninth graders will be together for a special summer arts Sunday School program. During the Sunday School time each week, we will gather the children all together for special artistic projects. The theme scripture will be Genesis 1. The project will include music, painting, and drama. The summer arts program starts July 6th and runs through August 31st. We hope that you will bring your children and grandchildren for these special Sundays.

Welcome Summer Intern

First Christian Church is pleased to welcome Sara Bowen as our summer Christian Education Intern. Sara is a brand new graduate of Chapman University. She grew up in the Fairview Community Christian Church and was baptized by Ted and Vickie Firch. She has great skills working with children and young people and she will be doing a third consecutive year at Chi Rho camp this summer. Please welcome Sara.

Wish List for the Community of the Great Commission

Contact Manager Melissa Sorrick or Pastor Ted if you can donate to the CGC. A Wish List is available =>HERE<=.

Downtown Food Basket - Donations Needed

A shopping cart will be in the Narthex each Sunday for donations of non-perishable items for the Downtown Food Basket. This is a local charitable organization. The number of clients has grown and contributions are down. Money gifts are also welcome. Please give!

Week of Compassion

After the earthquake in China, cyclone in Myanmar, and the tornadoes and floods in the mid-west, lots of assistance is needed by the victims. You can make a difference. Send food and medicines with a donation to the Week of Compassion, envelopes are available on the Narthex table.

Are You Going to College?

First Christian Church has scholarship funds available. If you are active in the ministry of First Christian Church, and if you are studying at an accredited college or university this fall, you are eligible to apply. Scholarship applications are available in the church Narthex, or from the Church office. It's easy to apply, all you need are transcripts and a completed application form. Please get your application turned in by June 25th. Awards and amounts will be announced no later than August 12th.

Men's Spiritual Challenge Report

Thirteen of us, ages 17-52 gathered together for a great weekend to enjoy fellowship beside the river. The first days outdoor challenge was whitewater rafting on the American River. We camped for hte night on the bank of the river, and feasted on barbecued steaks and roasted corn. The second day's physical challenge was rock climbing.

Our spiritual challenges centered around stories from the life of King David, specifically his young adult years. We considered together the real life issues of vocation, faith and friendship. We had a "green" trip, using no styrofoam, and carefully recycling our cans and bottles. Many thanks to Scott Coyner for his help in organizing the event and being head chef. Thanks to Bill Avenell for bringing lots of camp gear. We will be starting to make plans for Spiritual Challenge '09 very soon.

Jazz Sunday is June 29th!

Join us for Jazz Sunday on June 29th. Our worship will again feature music from the Gold Rush Brigade Dixieland Band. After worship we will have a hot dog barbecue on the Patio and enjoy a mini concert. Invite your friends to this time of joyful music and fellowship!

Chi Rho camp is June 29th-July 5th

Pastor Ted will again direct the youth at Chi Rho Camp.

Habitat for Humanity workday July 12th

Our Church will sponsor a Habitat for Humanity Work Day on Saturday, July 12th. Habitat is an organization that helps low-income families become home owners. You do not have to have any building skills at all. We meet at the church at 8:15 AM and we are done around 2:30 PM. All interested people should contact Pastor Ted, so that we can have a count.

RiverCats baseball with the Sacramento Disciples churches

The Rivercats will be playing the Tacoma Rainiers (the Mariner's Triple-A affiliate). All the Sacamento area Disciples Churches are invited to join in a night of fun and fellowship at the old ballgame. The date is Sunday, August 17th. During June and July, Kathy Campbell will be selling tickets. The ticket prices will be $12.00 for adults and $6.00 for 12 and under (subsidized price). If you want to go, you must have bought a ticket by August 1st. After the game, children are allowed to run the bases at Raley Field. The game time is 6:05 PM, and yes, our tickets are on the shady side at the stadium.

Church Workday

Saturday, September 13th from 8:30 AM-2 PM. Stay tuned for details

Notice!

PLEASE DO NOT BRING FOOD INTO THE SANCTUARY!!!!! WATER IS OK!

About Card Tables

Several years ago card tables (5) and folding chairs (16) were purchased for use in the Fireside room. From time to time some have disappeared only to be found somewhere else in the building. Please, if you have taken some out, return them. In the future, if you wish to borrow them, please check them out from the secretary or Pastor.

Alternative Gift Giving

We live in a culture of "Too Much Stuff". Our closets are stuffed. Our garages are stuffed. We even rent storage units for more stuff. So, when we think of giving we may be adding more stuff to our lives. We would like to suggest an alternative. In our community there's a number of fine programs working to meet the needs of individuals and families. There are a number of great organizations doing local, national and international work. You will find a list of some of these people and organizations on the hallway bulletin board with their addresses. You may have a group that you and your family support. Consider these as alternatives to stuff.
The Department of Outreach aka Reaching Out

Roof Fund Created

The Church building's roof is now about 30 years old. At some point in the next 20 years, it will need to be replaced. In anticipation of that need the Trustees have established a New Roof Fund. The purpose is to have an opportunity to build up some money in advance of the time of need. People can donate any time, just designate your gift: "Roof Fund".

Coffee Hour

We need more coffee hour volunteers. Cookies are not a requirement (but they are nice!), all we need are people who will set out beverages and clean up afterwards. Sign up on the sign-up sheet on the hallway Bulletin Board.

Donation Center

We collect several different items for charities. We collect Campbell Soup labels, grocery bags, toiletries for St. John's Shelter, coffee mugs, etc. We now have a convenient collection center in the Fellowship Hall. Check it out!

Membership has its rewards!

First Christian Church offers a number of services to members. For one thing, if you are a member, we do not charge you for the use of the building for weddings! We maintain membership files here in the Church office. In the files, we offer the opportunity to store important paperwork, like copies of Advanced Health Care Directives or DNR forms. In this way, you and your family can be assured that these papers can be readily accessed in case of emergencies. Additionally, many people like to do advanced planning for their own memorial services. You may have special requests of favorite hymns or scriptures, or of fraternal organizations that you would like included in your memorial planning. The Church staff and clerk will be happy to keep these requests on file, so that we can serve you. If you would like to become a member of First Christian Church, please contact Pastor Ted.

Remember First Christian Church in your will

Over the years, First Christian Church has been well-served by many devoted Christians. We have been blessed by many who have given faithfully over their lifetimes. But we have also been greatly blessed by those individuals who saw an opportunity to extend their witness beyond this lifetime. Right around the beginning of 2007, our Church received gifts from the estates of Naomi Ledbetter and from Frances Roche. We are so grateful for their advanced planning and their gifts that will keep on supporting our ministries for years to come.

Have you thought about including the Church in your estate planning? If you ahve any questions on this subject talk to Pastor Ted or one of the Trustees, and we will be happy to give you some help in this matter.

Stewardship thoughts

Clara Eikner said, "A dead church does not ask for money." I would add that it isn't even the Church, really, that asks for money. It is God who asks for everything that we have and everything that we are, to be freely offered back to Him. So, let us be glad that our Church is still alive, but let us be more glad that we have the opportunity to give something back to the work of the Living God.

Volunteers Needed!

The ministries of First Christian Church depend upon lots of willing volunteers. It is our belief that all members of the church have some way to share their gifts in service to all. The following is a short list of opportunities.

Coffee Hour - We need volunteers to prepare coffee and snacks for our fellowship time after worship. If you want more information, contact Carol Scott or Kathryn King.

Children's Ministries - We always need Sunday School teachers and substitute Sunday School teachers. There are other ways to help also, contact Heather Barnes-Ponder or Pastor Ted.

Service and Outreach Ministries - Do you get excited about working to help refugees, children in crisis, the hungry, and the homeless? If so, we try to create opportunities for service. Contact Kathy Smith.

Music Service - Do you like to sing, or play an instrument? Contact choir director Andrew Smith, or Praise Team director Pamela Zaniewski.

Adult News

Women's Groups

Bykota will meet on July 9th at 6:30 PM at Urbanos at 5825 Manzanita Ave in Carmichael. The time is 6:30 PM. Meet at the church at 5:45 PM if you want to carpool or can drive. Please see Nancy Wetmore or Kathy Burt to make a reservation. The food is typical Mexican and so is the restaurant. Prices start at $8.95.
Dorcas will meet on July 8th at 10 AM at the home of Barbara Kronquest. The group will begin a new study on "Prayer".
Girl's Night Out will meet on July 21st at 6:30 PM. It's Movie night!

Seniors "Let's Go"

We'll keep the first Tuesday of the month as the luncheon/game day. The fellowship/contact with each other is important. All seniors and retirees are invited. Our next meeting day is July 1st and we gather about 11:30-12:00 noon. Sign-up sheets will be on the bulletin board 2 Sunday's ahead. Always remember our parking lot has numbered slots rented out...utilize unnumbered slots and handicapped parking.

Bible and Bag

Bible and Bag lunch meets every Wednesday at noon. You are invited to come to the church with your sack lunch and enjoy a time of fellowship before we begin Bible Study. We encourage everyone to share their views and to help us learn to apply the scriptures to our lives. Led by Rev. Ted Firch, all are welcome!

Morning Prayer Fellowship

Every Wednesday, First Christian Church prayer fellowship meets at 6 AM at Denny's 7900 College Town Dive. This fast-paced breakfast/study is ideal for busy professionals, and eary risers! Led by Vickie Firch, all are welcome!

Book Club

The book club members meet whenever they can all get together. Come Join Us!

The Book Club will be meeting at 2:30 PM on July 6th at Faith Ann Orebaugh's house and will be discussing the book "Dandelion Through the Crack" by Kyio Sato.

Opportunities for Children

Summer Camp Dates!!

Chi Rho Camp will be June 29-July 5. Pastor Ted will direct.

CYF Camp will be July 6-12.

Junior Camp will be July 13-19.

Don't forget, we have Sunday School for children following children's moment on the first 3 Sundays of the month. Invite your friends!

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