The Builder

News, Notes, and Tools to build those who build God’s Creation!

Published bi-monthly by First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

1415 Maine, Quincy, IL  62301 

217-222-0812   FAX: 217-222-2512   Pastor’s Cell Phone: 217-370-8578

fccqcy@adams.net       www.fccquincy.org

Vol. 56  No. 14                                                 July 14, 2010

Ministers:  All members of Christ's Body                                Newsletter Editor:  Minnie Sue Reische

Senior Minister:  Pastor Tracy Armstrong                                     Nursery Supervisor:  Sandy Becks

Director of Music Ministries:  Mary Ellen Stiegemeier                                      Custodian:  Jerry Hull

Talk With Tracy…

M-I-C-K-E-YM-O-U-S-E!...... Mickey Mouse!.......

Mickey Mouse!........... Forever let us hold our banners High!

          I'm sure there are many of you who remember the good ole' Mickey Mouse Club theme song.  I'm pretty sure when it was on while I was growing up, it was in black and white and everyone wore there Mickey Mouse ears!

          This morning, the TV was on while I was working around the house.  The Mickey Mouse Club House show came on.  Wow!  The theme song sounds noting like it did, well--you know, back in the old days!  And, everything was in bright colors including red and yellow and blue and green.  Things were popping up out of the ground and the technology was pretty cool.  It's amazing how things can change over the years.  It would be great to sit and watch an old version of the Mickey Mouse club.  Hopefully they transferred all of those old movies to a DVD to keep them safe and secure.☺

          I really got to thinking about how fortunate we are to be a part of the modern day technology that we have.  I mean things like a camera connected to your computer so you Skype your family.  'Skype' means you can call and talk to them at the same time as their faces show on your computer.  I think I heard Lorraine Steinberg say that her England granddaughter thought for a while that Grandma and Grandpa lived in the computer!  If is information that you need to get to someone in a very quick fashion, we turn to e-mail.  What a privilege!  We can even do our banking and bill paying from our living room sofa.  Some things are changing all the time!

          One thing that is not changing is the presence of God in our lives through Christ.  There is a continued presence that is much more than Skype or email or On-line Bill Pay.  That is Good News, my friends!  Yes, we need to grow and change with technology and with the times.  But, the presence of God is the same yesterday, today and always!

          When our computer goes on the blink, when the connection with our TV provider is down and there is snow on the TV screen, God is still there.  God is present in our lives through our friends, our families, our churches, our faith.  When we think about losing connection on our cell phone while driving in a certain area, it is different than staying connected to God.  We do not have to worry about losing our connection with God unless we walk away from the relationship that is available to us through the grace of God through Jesus Christ.

          When all the technology of the world becomes a little overwhelming, we can push away from the computer or TV or cell phone and take a little time to be in touch with God through prayer, meditation, devotions and conversations with our brothers and sisters in Christ.  Put on your Mickey Mouse ears and sing the tune to your favorite TV show ( sorry if the Mickey Mouse Club tune is stuck in your head).  And remember, God is there with you and for you in the midst of modern times and technology.  Stay

connected-- not just with friends on Facebook or programming numbers into your cell phone, but stay in touch with God each and every day of your life.

I am blessed and Glad to be your Pastor!   

Pastor Tracy

In Our Prayers:

Chelsie Myers, Cara Schwartz (granddaughter of Evelyn Traughber), Jill Issleb (Chet Brown’s daughter), Bob Strieker, Enid Humphrey, Brenda Beshears (Carol Ann Moseley’s friend), Charlotte Smith, Roy Dorsey (Stephanie Belew’s father), June & Tina Dobson (Pastor Tracy’s mother & sister), Barbara & Mary Ellen Iatropoulos (Mary Ellen Stiegemeier’s sister & niece), E.V. “Cowboy” Riehn, Glenn & Jodi Cocagne (Glenn Gille’s friends), Mike Brannan (Jessica Brannan’s brother), George Sublette

Healthcare Center Residents:   Barbara Wingen, Gertrude Lile, Melba Dulaney, Nancy Burchette, Ermal Bridge, Inez Clow, Harrison Underwood, Helen Sanborn, Winnie McGaughey, Dorothy Plank, Doris Kennedy

Prayer requests can be added or removed by calling the church office.

General Board Meeting

The next board meeting is scheduled for Sunday, August 8, 2010,

following Worship.

All reports to be included in the meeting packets are due in the church office by Wednesday, August 4th. 

The board meeting will accompany a carry in lunch.

Homebound Communion

Sunday, August 1, 2010   1:00pm

Those serving for the month

of August are:

Taylor Steinberg

Bob Moore

Jim & Mecca Rainey

So we tell others about Christ, warning everyone and teaching everyone with all the wisdom God has given us.  We want to present them to God, perfect in their relationship to Christ.

 Colossians 1:28 (New Living Translation)

ICE CREAM SOCIAL

First Christian Church

1415 Maine Street

Saturday, August 7, 2010

4:00-6:30 pm

Sandwiches, chips, drink:  $3.00

Ice cream, cake:  $3.00

We will have an ice cream social at our church, Saturday, August 7,

from 4:00 to 6:30pm, in the fellowship hall. 

There will be sandwiches, chips, drinks, home made

cakes and homemade ice cream.  All for $6.00!

Come!  And get everyone you know to come, also!

VBS

Sonquest Rainforest. . .

It's a Jungle Out There!

August 4th-5th-6th

at First Christian Church.

It is time to make plans to attend VBS this year! And we want you to invite your friends and neighbors.  Bring your grandchildren, your nieces and nephews, any of the special children in your life!  It's gonna be a Blast!

Please watch each week in the Sunday morning bulletin for information about the times and events of VBS and about ways you can help make this a great opportunity to share God's love with the children in our church and our community.

MANY IN NEED OF COOLING

IN THESE HOT DAYS.....

Do you or someone you know have window air

conditioning units that are not being used?  Maybe you have one in your attic or in your storage.  The area assistance agencies are trying to help families stay cool and so we would welcome any donations of window AC units.  Fans are a welcome gift as well.  Please call the church office if you have a donation.

Andrew Armstrong, Adam Armstrong, Jarod Cook, Veda Belew, Brianna Nixon and Zachary Weible will be attending JYF Camp and Isaac Armstrong will be attending the Emergent Leadership Camp, July 12-17th at CWS.  Please make sure to write an

encouraging letter to our campers while they are away!  The address is:

Camper’s Name & Camp Name

Camp Walter Scott

15290 East 300th Avenue

Dieterich, IL 62424-3019

             or

campcciw@yahoo.com

Jerry Hull will be on vacation beginning July 18th.  If you are interested in helping with a

mid-week cleaning of the church in his absence, we will meet at the church at 5:15pm on Wednesday July 21st.  Any help is appreciated.

Our Church Library

Did you know that we have a

new church library? 

          It is now located within the Carley Classroom—very close to our fellowship hall.  Come and see!  You will find Bible commentaries, Disciples of Christ related books, devotional books, church history books, world religion books, plus books on other topics.

          We are wanting to expand our library and offer new books to be checked out along with the other books.  Would you like to help?  We are having a “book fair”, and we hope you might like to participate.  On the back side of this paper is a list of books which are sold at “Mustard Seed” store at the Quincy Mall.  If you see a book on the list which you would like to buy for the library, bring the title of the book and a check (or cash) for the cost of the book to the church office.  And we will buy the book for you and place it in the library.  Our church will pay no sales tax.  Or if you would like to buy another book for the library which is not on the list, that would be fine.  There are many good Christian books available.

          Come in and look over our library and even check out a book!  All you have to do is write down the name of the book and the date in the brightly colored “check out book”, which will be found on the long table in the middle of the room.  The library is open during the same hours as the church office is open, Monday through Thursday 8am to 12noon and 1pm to 4pm, and Friday, 8am to 12noon. 

Please call if you have any questions.

Dottie Tucker   223-4033

Wanted:

Good Christian Books

for the Church Library

“Ever After” by Karen Kingsbury—A powerful tale of patriotism, undying love and the power of sacrifice.  $14.99

“Between Sundays” by Karen Kingsbury—A story of redemption and love where life’s real victories are won off the field.  $14.99

“Highland Blessings”  by Jennifer Hudson Taylor—From forgiveness to trust, God turns a simple promise into bountiful Highland Blessings.  $13.99

“Once Upon a Summer”  by Jeanette Oke—A young orphaned girl tries to intervene when her family intends to marry off her aunt, also her adoptive mother.  $13.99

“Heart of Stone” by Jill Marie Landis—A wealthy widow’s past is discovered,

threatening her reputation and that of the town’s secretive minister.  $14.00

“When God Doesn’t Make Sense” by Dr. James Dobson—An immensely practical book for those who are struggling with trails and heartaches they can’t understand.  $12.99

“Cast of Characters” by Max Lucado—Common people in the hands of an uncommon God.  $14.99

“If God Is Your Co-Pilot, Swap Seats” by James W. Moore—Don’t take God along for the ride, let Him do the driving on your life’s journey.  $14.00

“Why Jesus Crossed the Road” by Bruce Main—Where you go says a lot about who you are.  Allow God to redirect your life and the lives of those you meet along the way.  $13.99

“Safe In the Shepherd’s Arms” by Max Lucado—30 day devotional of hope and encouragement using Psalm 23.  $12.99

If you use a church credit card or store charge, PLEASE, remember to bring the receipt back to Minnie Sue.  The receipt is needed in order to pay the bill out of the correct account.

July’s Food Item of the Month For Quanada is

Macaroni & Cheese

Please bring your donations to the church on or before

the 4th Sunday of the month, July 25th.

This food item is only a guide.  Any

non-perishable food items can be donated.

COUPONS

COUPONS~COUPONS

Are you a coupon clipper?  Do you pass up coupons because they aren't the brand you use?  Start bringing your 'leftover' coupons to Church!  We will have a coupon basket in the Narthex, just outside the Sanctuary, to collect the coupons.  After church, you can look through them and take any that you need.  This is just a simple idea of a way to share a benefit in tough times such as these.  Thanks for helping out!

You're Invited.......

Pastor Tracy will be having Miche Bag party in the Fellowship Hall on Thursday, July 22 at 6pm.  Miche Bags are the newest and greatest in purses!  One bag, many covers--no need to change and rearrange your purse over and over! Stop by to check them out.  You will love what you see!

You can also pick up any Tastefully Simple items you might need to add to your cabinet~~Yummy Beer Bread or any of our newest items!

Everyone is invited to attend.

Back to School Fair

School will be here before we know it!  The Back to School Fair will help kids and families get ready for the new year.  Our church, along with the Unmet Needs Committee, will be collecting boxes of tissues to share with the Fair.  Please bring any donations to the church and place them in the box in the Narthex.  Each child in the public school system is asked to bring boxes of tissues to share with the classroom.  We can help offset the cost with our

generosity.

Thanks in advance for your help.

Calendar at a Glance

Thursday, July 15:                8th Grade Camp, 6:30p Outreach Team Meeting

Friday, July 16:                     8th Grade Camp

Saturday, July 17:                8th Grade Camp

Monday, July 19:                  9:30a Computer Class I, 1p Computer Class II

Wednesday, July 21:           9a Unmet Needs Meeting, 6:30p Nurture Team Meeting

Thursday, July 22:                5:30p Movie Mavens

Friday, July 23:                     Builder Articles Due

Saturday, July 24:                1p-4p FH Rented

Sunday, July 25:                  5:30p Dinner & A Movie

Monday, July 26:                  JYF & Leadership Camps Begin, 9:30a Computer Class I,

                                                              1p Computer Class II

Tuesday, July 27:                 JYF & Leadership Camps, 11:30a Carley Class Luncheon

Wednesday, July 28:           JYF & Leadership Camps, 8a Builder Folders Meet,

                                                               6:30p Worship Team Meeting

Thursday, July 29:               JYF & Leadership Camps

Friday, July 30:                     JYF & Leadership Camps

Saturday, July 31:                JYF & Leadership Camps

Sunday, August 1:               11:45a Birthday Celebrations, 1p Homebound Communion