First Christian Church

We have a trip planned for us on February 23rd. We will travel in the bus to Dale's Southern Restaurant in Hoover for a dutch treat, and then head downtown to the Civil Rights Museum. This will be a treat for all of us that have been there and for you that can visit for a first time experience. Sign up as soon as you can for this fun trip (no thrift shop buying, sorry). We will leave the church at 11:00 Tuesday February 23rd.   (Our shopping trip was COOL! Just ask Ginny White what bargains she found and Edd!)  

Steve Pasky will, as always, be providing some great food. If you have never been to a men's gathering, this would be a great time to start. After the meal, George Dudley will be sharing experiences from his recent mission trip to Honduras as part of a delegation from the Alabama / Northwest Florida Region of our church. There is an exciting work in progress which will provide numerous opportunities to work with Honduran Christians in a Partnership or Covenant relationship. This is a somewhat new way of doing mission. You can get involved, so come and get excited about this unique opportunity.

Please make your reservations by signing on the list in the narthex.

Lent is the season of forty days which begins on Ash Wednesday in preparation for celebrating Easter on Sunday, April 4.

The following is a schedule of our worship service for Lent:

Wednesday, Feb. 17 – Ash Wednesday Worship at 6:30 pm

                        during all Sundays of Lent

Wednesday, Feb. 24 and March 3, 10, 17, 24

                        Lenten Dinners at 5:45 followed by

                        Lenten Worship at 6:30 pm

Palm Sunday, March 28 – Easter Songs of the Palms and Easter Special Offering

Thursday, April 1 – Maundy Thursday – Holy Communion at 7:00 pm

Thursday, April 1 – Friday, April 2 from 9:00 pm-9:00 pm our 24-Hour Prayer Vigil

Sunday, April 4 – Easter Sunrise Service at Hargis at 6:30 am and Easter Morning Worship at                10:00 am with Holy Baptism.

Lent begins Wednesday, Feb. 17th. Lent is the season we reflect on the suffering and passion of our Lord. A season to consider ways that we can suffer for our Lord and carry our own personal cross for His Glory. We will gather in the sanctuary on Wednesday, Feb. 17th at 6:30 pm. The service will have special music, a drama meditation, “A Dialogue Between Jesus and a Disciple”, and walking forward to receive the Mark of the Cross on our foreheads. Invite a friend to this service and all our Lenten services as we proclaim Jesus as Lord and Savior. The nursery will be open for children.

Following the Regional Worship Service on Friday night there will be a Regional Workshop on Health and Wholeness. The workshops begin at 9:00 am on Saturday. The following is a list of the workshops that will be offered: Ethical Guidelines for Congregational Conduct, True Community, Crafting a Transformative Life of Spiritual Practice, Being Heart-Well, Momentum for Life, Praise Away the Pounds, I Lift My Eyes to the Hills: Help for Churches that are Stuck, Sinking or Sapped, and Reflections on Shalom and Sabbath in the Hebrew Bible. All the workshops are free with a lunch provided by our youth. Please make plans to attend a workshop and meet other Disciples from Alabama/Northwest Florida. Please read about the Workshops in the insert in your bulletin.

Friday, February 12 Christian churches from Alabama and Northwest Florida will gather at our church for a Celebration of Worship. Dr. Bill Lee, past Moderator in the Christian Church, (DOC) and pastor of the Louden Avenue Christian Church in Roanoke, Virginia, will bring the message. He is a dynamic preacher. The service will also include special music and coming forward for Holy Communion. The nursery will be open. Bring a friend for this great gathering.

Well, it’s that time of year again!  The choir is starting to rehearse for our Palm Sunday cantata.  If you would like to sing with us this Easter please join us Wednesday evenings starting at 7:30 pm.  This year is our 11th Easter cantata and we have decided to emphasize Palm Sunday. We will be singing the Palm Sunday selections from the nine cantatas preceding last year’s ending with a new piece depicting Christ’s journey through Holy week.  We are excited about our Easter music this year and would love to invite anyone who enjoys singing to join us in this endeavor. Blessings, Jan

The Kool Kids will be sponsoring a “Souper Sunday” food drive to benefit local food banks. So on Sunday, February 7th, bring your cans of soup, crackers and other non-perishable food items and put them in their baskets as they pass them around in the narthex, before and after the church service.

If you are 2nd through the 5th grade and are looking for something fun to do, mark your calendars for February 5th and 6th as the Kool Kids, Children Fellowship is planning a “Lock-In” at the church.   We will meet at church at 6:00, Friday evening for supper, fun games, a movie, snacks and other fun surprises. We will sleep over and have a light breakfast before your parents pick you up between 8:00 and 9:00 a.m.   Bring $5.00, a can of soup or non-perishable food item for our service project, your sleeping bag, pillow, pajamas, change of clothes and other personal hygiene items. Leave your electronics at home. Please call or email Deb Carpenter if you have questions and to RSVP. Please RSVP as I need a head count to plan food. My email is debcarpenter131@bellsouth.net.