First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

On Sunday, we read the passage from Luke 14 on how Jesus went to a dinner party and noticed how the guests are anxiously vying for places of honor- who will be “in” and who will be “out?” Jesus turned to the host and asked him, in effect, to remember that God is the actual host who provides for us nall, so we should invite people to dinner to give honor to God and not to ourselves. John told the following story:

My grandpa was an auctioneer who made his living "crying sales", and breeding, buying and selling farm animals. Back in the day, Grandpa took on a younger associate who would go out west with Grandpa on the train, buy cattle and horses (sometimes wild mustangs and longhorn cattle) and bring them back to the Midwest to sell them. In those days in small Iowa towns nearly every business transaction was done with a cordial handshake and my Grandpa's habit was to think the best of everyone. After a number of trips out west together, Grandpa and his associate, we'll call him Fred, decided to pool most of their resources and buy many carloads of cattle and ride back to Chicago with them to sell them at the stockyards there. Being a family man, Grandpa was eager to get back home to Clearfield and took a train home shortly after getting the cattle into pens at the Chicago stockyards, while his unmarried associate stayed behind overnight to watch the cattle get sold and pick up the proceeds before heading home. Fred didn't return to Clearfield, but absconded with all of the proceeds and ran off to Montana where he made a big down payment on a ranch, married, and became a father. Word spread around Clearfield that Fred was back in town, sporting a new car, a young wife, and a baby. Grandpa Walt was incensed - not only had this man stolen most of his working capital but now he had the gall to return in a new car bought with his ill-gotten gains. But Grandma Carrie ran into the young bride and baby downtown and learned how Fred had credited Walt for his start in business. Carrie invited Fred and his new wife and child to dinner at the McKinstry's. At first Grandpa was livid, but Carrie explained that the young bride had no knowledge that her husband and the father of her child was a thief and that both her life and her child's might be totally ruined if Fred was prosecuted or even if his wife found out what a scoundrel he'd been. For the sake of the young mother and baby, Walt said nothing about the theft at dinner and managed even to smile as he bade them a safe journey home. My grandparents knew who the actual host was at their table..

Worship Leaders -- September

Acolyte Tom Klein
Greeters Bob & Eunice Welsh
Ushers Darrell & Brad Flinn
Servers Barb Brodersen, Linda Flinn, Nancy Lang, Brandon Lantz & Sharon Pickens
Elder TBA
Reader Nancy McKinstry
Children's Moment Jill Meadows
Children's Church Sandie Bass-Ringdahl
AV TBA
Accompanist Eunice Welsh
Hospitality Sheree Williams

There are worship roles that still need to be filled for September.
A/V - 9/5
Reader - 9/26
Accompanist - 9/26

Please take a moment to wish the following people a Happy Birthday this week:

9/1: Kevin Reynolds & Isaac Jensen
9/2: Catherine Goedken & Arlo Knights
9/3: Aryana Jalillian-Nosraty
9/4: Richard Lang
9/6: Henry Johnson-Chen, Ryan Frede & Beverly Meade
(if we miss your Birthday, please let us know so that we can add it)

FCC Choir

Wednesday evening, September 1, marks the beginning of a new phase in the musical life of FCC. There will be a practice/meeting for all those interested in vocal music from 7:00-8:30 at the church. From 7:00 until 7:30 I will meet with those who would like to do more classical music, specifically chorales, chamber music, and madrigals involving close harmonies. The 7:30-8:30 hour will be a time to explore a broader variety of music, including contemporary, gospel, and spirituals.

If you enjoy singing, please come join us! Students, professionals, amateurs and shower singers alike are welcome to lift your voices with us and make a joyful noise!

If you have questions, please email me (Laura Kittrell) at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it , or call me at 530-2063.

Let's come together and fight Alzheimer's

Today more than 5 million Americans are living with Alzheimer’s. In addition, 78 million baby boomers are approaching the age of greatest risk for developing this fatal disease. Now is the time to ACT to end this epidemic!

This year, to support those affected by Alzheimer’s, I’m participating in the Alzheimer's Association Memory Walk® to raise funds and awareness to fight this disease.
I’m motivated to participate by the fact that my husband Ted’s grandma, Mae, suffered from Alzheimer’s for decades before she died a few years ago. I’m motivated by the fact that Ted’s mom is now beginning a long, slow, mental decline because of the disease. And I am driven by the hope that, with enough research and funding, scientists might find a cure for Alzheimer’s in time to save Ted and his siblings from possibly suffering too.The Alzheimer's Association is the leading voluntary health organization in Alzheimer care, support and research, and funds I raise will go directly toward supporting their efforts.I know I can make a difference with your support! Will you consider making a donation? It’s easy to give online by following the link below.

http://memorywalk2010.kintera.org/coralville/scooteur

Thank you in advance for your time and generosity – together, we can help end Alzheimer’s! Jen Knights

Small Groups for Fall 2010

There are sign up sheets located in the back of the church. There is something for everyone! Please sign up and drop your sheet off in the office or you are welcome to use the sign up on the website. www.icdisciples.org.

Quilters Group

About a dozen from FCC have been gathering weekly for some months at FCC, under the tutelege of Sheree Williams, to make quilts for charity. Pictures of their work are posted on the FCC website at http://www.icdisciples.org/gallery/. The group has beccome aware that there are several quilters who would like to join in but can't get to the Monday night gatherings. So, the gruop has devised a plan to show a sample block and give out a direction sheet, so people can create blocks at their leisure. The group would then collect them and create quilt tops one nite a month in hopes of making several little quilts or a big quilt. Watch for further information about the monthly quilt making night!

Fall Kick-Off Carnival for Sunday School / DoC Rock & Adult Small Groups

Join us for a kick-off extravaganza for all our fall church activities on Sunday, Sept. 12 following Worship. There will be fun and refreshments for all ages -- including a bounce house and pop corn -- and the bluegrass band Castleridge will play. Sunday School, DoC Rock and Small Groups will all begin the week of 9/19. Come one, come all!

We are gladly accepting volunteers to help in various areas of the carnival. Contact Bette Klein at 400-8675.

Winter Clothing Drive

The Consultation of Religious Communities will be holding its annual Winter Clothing Distribution this fall. We are in the process of finalizing the date and locations for the Distribution, and will get that information to you as soon as possible. In the meantime, it is not to soon to begin collecting school-appropriate clothing for children of all ages, as well as winter outerwear. We hope that this faith community will join the CRC in this collection drive which will benefit children facing economic hardship in the Iowa City area.