are needed to see this picture.

decompressor
QuickTime™ and a
Christian Courier
First Christian Church of Minneapolis (Disciples of Christ)

March 19, 2011

Two Lenten practice opportunities at FCC
Inside the Courier:
This year, First Christian is offering two
• A Look at the Brite Lent has different opportunities for Lenten practice,
Side, page 2 long been one to encourage prayer and meditation,
• Bus Card Mission, the primary and one to encourage study and service.
page 3 time in the The Worship Committee has commis-

ourier
church year sioned a devotional booklet series called
• Disciples 101 by Mike
Brady, page 3 for renew- “A People on the Move,” which has
ing our discipleship by adopting weekly meditations focusing not only on
• April Calendar, some more rigorous spiritual practic- Lent but also on the great changes that
page 4
es to heighten our spiritual aware- FCC will be experiencing this year as we
• FCC News in Brief, ness. Prayer, service, fasting and move to a new location. The devotional
page 5 meditation are examples of the type booklet series will extend beyond Lent, to
of spiritual disciplines many people cover the 40 weeks of preparation for this
On the Web:
adopt for Lenten observance in order momentous change.
to become more committed disciples. The first series of devotions for Lent
First Christian Church The 40-day period for Lent, begun were written by members of the Worship
website
in the early centuries of the Church, Committee, staff, and ministers. Members
Christian Church (Dis- reminds us of Jesus’ 40-day fast in of the congregation will contribute to the
ciples of Christ) the desert. This length of time also future installments, which continue
recalls other 40-day or 40-year times through Eastertide and Pentecost up to
Keeping Lent in your
Household
of great significance in Jewish histo- Advent. The booklets are available in the
ry: Noah and the 40 days of rain, Lounge, or online on the church website.
Moses’ fasting for 40 days before The second Lenten opportunity is a se-
receiving the Ten Commandments, ries of forums titled “Find My Way
the Israelites’ wandering for 40 Home: Seeking Solutions to Homeless-
years, and Elijah’s traveling for 40 ness.” On three Wednesday evenings
days to reach God’s holy mountain. during Lent (March 16, March 30, April
These experiences were occasions 13), speakers from neighborhood organi-
of great spiritual cleansing and prepa- zations will give information on local pro-
Please Give to
Minnesota
ration to encounter God in a new grams working to make sure people have a
Foodshare way, and serve as models for modern place to call home.
March Lenten disciplines and expectations The forums will start at 6 pm in the Ga-
Campaign in preparation for Easter celebration thering Room on the dates above. Snacks
and renewal. will be provided. Flyers giving more in-
formation about the forums and the speak-
ers are in the Lounge or online at the
church’s website.
Adapted from materials from Living the Good News
online support site
Page 2 March 19, 2011

A Look at the
Brite Side
Learning to trust God in Lent and
in our whole lifetime
As I tried to point out in my wacko parts of our beings. So
sermon on Sunday, the central how do we go about trusting
question of the Christian life is God, a Being generally not
whether or not we trust God. present through our five
Paul says in Romans that senses? We have to work at it.
“death and sin entered the We have to study God’s per-
Pastor Bob Brite
world through one man sonhood through the Scriptures,
(Adam)…grace and forgive- reach out to listen to God in
ness came through Jesus Chr- prayer, develop the relationship
ist.” Adam and Jesus were with God so that God’s ways
both sons of God; the differ- and will are known to us, and
ence between them was that learn to recognize God in the
Adam and Jesus were both sons Adam didn’t trust God, and Je- Christian relationships we have
of God; the difference between sus did. with one another. Christian life
them was that Adam didn’t trust involves a lifetime of doing
God, and Jesus did. In our limited humanity, trust- these sorts of things.
ing God is a hard thing to do.
Such trust requires spiritual The season of Lent was devel-
eyes to see things that aren’t in oped by the Church, in part, to
front of us, spiritual ears to encourage the habits that even-
hear words that are spoken in tually become trust in God.
the midst of our souls, and a We have spirituality sessions
spiritual balance (healthiness) on Wednesday night and Sun-
that assures us that what we see day morning. Please come and
and hear by the Spirit is indeed join us.
from God and not from the
I’d like to see YOU on Sunday.

Bob

We pray for the people of Japan as they cope with the overwhelming dis-
asters following the earthquake; for those facing or recovering from recent
In our prayers surgery or medical procedures including Caleb Callanan, Bobbie Hall,
Gracious God, we Karen Kandik, Don Cain, and Ronda Dunham; for better health for
lift up these persons family members or friends of Belinda Flanagan, Kirsten Cackoski, Ja-
in our prayers, ask- nice Brady, Ernie Brennan, and Ann Wolverton; in joy with Fran and
ing the blessing of Russ Griffin who recently celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary, and
your Grace and out- with Aaron and Stephen Dunlop, who recently reached the top of Mt.
pouring of your Love Kilimanjaro; for John Carter’s mission that it can recoup the losses from
upon them. the recent robbery; for those leading or serving in the military, that they
may make wise decisions; for the officers of the MPD 5th Precinct, in
thanks for their extra protection of First Christian and vigilance through-
out the night, as well as for their safety at all times; for all our homebound
members including Velma Fancher and Dorothy Wilkins, Amen.
Christian Courier Page 3

Mission Notes from Pastor Sanders

Bus card ministry small, but vital

This isn't a big ministry, but it

Alexander Campbell Barton Stone
is a vital ministry. Being able
to get from point A to point B
is something most of us don't
Campbell-Stone
have to think about. But for Restoration Movement
those struggling in poverty, not sought Unity
having money makes it that Part 5 of Mike Brady’s Dis-
much harder to move around, ciples 101 series
and much harder to make it to
doctor's appointments or job The Restoration Movement (al-
When that tray passes by you so known as the American Res-
on Sunday mornings, do you interviews.
toration Movement or the
ever wonder to yourself where Stone-Campbell Movement) is
all the money goes? As a self-professed "transporta-
tion geek," I am happy when a Christian movement that be-
I'm able give someone a bus gan on the American frontier
Of course some it goes where during the Second Great Awa-
you expect: to pay salaries for card so that they can get to
where the need to be going. kening of the early 19th cen-
the staff or to pay for building tury. The movement sought to
upkeep. But your offerings al- restore the church and the un-
so go to actually reach out in I give thanks to Transitional
Pastor Bob Brite and Office ification of all Christians in a
love to the least of these both single body patterned after the
here and around the world. Manager Chris Wogaman for
their work in the program and church of the New Testament.
One such ministry that we fund for making it such a success.
The Restoration Movement de-
is the Bus Card Ministry. Did veloped from several indepen-
you know that we give out bus If you want to help support this
program, you can donate to the dent efforts to return to apostol-
cards to folks each month? ic Christianity, but two groups,
program directly by making a
check out to First Christian which independently developed
We have many people in the similar approaches to the Chris-
neighborhoods surrounding the with the word "bus ministry" in
the memo line. tian faith, were particularly im-
church that do not have access portant to the development of
to basic transportation. Many the movement.
are homeless, which means Go and be church.
more often than not, they don't The theology was simple and
have the money to pay for bus Dennis Sanders
Associate Pastor easy to understand and, be-
fares. Each month, we give sides, who wouldn’t want to be
away $10 bus cards to persons like the First Century Church,
who come by the church to re- the Apostles, and the Apostolic
quest one. Each recipient gets Fathers. This was the thinking
only one card per month and of Thomas and Alexander
we don’t give one out to those Campbell, and Barton W.
who are obviously intoxicated Stone. In particular Alexander
by alcohol or drugs. (continued, page 5)
 Page 4 March 19, 2011

Regular Worship Hours

9:15 Spiritual Formation Classes
April, 2011
10:30 Worship
First Christian Church
11:45 Fellowship Time in Lounge

1 2
6 pm Open 9 am- Men’s
Table Group

3 4 5 6 7 8 9
8 pm AA 7 pm Worship 9 am Nikkei 9 am Handcrafters 9 am- Men’s
Committee 6:30 Bell Choir Group
7:45 Chancel 10 am
Choir Women’s
Ministries
Lenten Brunch

10 11 12 13 14 15 16
7 pm Carter 7 pm Property 5:30 Finance 9 am Handcrafters 9 am- Men’s
Circle @ Committee Committee Group
Wolverton’s 6 pm Forum on 10 am – Laura
8 pm AA Homelessness Lynne/Naomi
with Cathy ten circle
Broeke 6 pm Serve
6:30 Bell Choir dinner at St.
7:45 Chancel Stephens
Choir
17 18 19 20 21 22 23
Palm Sunday 8 pm AA 9 am Mpls. 9 am Nikkei 9 am Handcrafters Good Friday 9 am- Men’s
FCC Board Retired 6:30 Bell Choir Maundy Thurs- Prayer Vigil Group
Meeting Teachers 7:45 Chancel day until 3 pm
following luncheon Choir 7 pm Communion
Worship Service 7 pm Service
5 pm Elders Prayer Vigil starts
Mtg following
service
24 25 26 27 28 29 30
Easter Sunday 7 pm Book 6 pm Bible Study 9 am Handcrafters
Group @ resumes 7 pm Ministry
Westphal’s 6:30 Bell Choir Center Board
8 pm AA 7:45 Chancel
Choir

Elders Worship Children’s Diaco- Bus Drivers Greeters

Leader Moment aco-
nate
April 3 Barb Creighton Don Cain Dennis Sanders Even Garry Hesser Martha Harris
Dean Creighton Team 612-7721-4905
April 10 Val Dunham Mike Brady Janice Brady Even Mike Hesano Valerie Dunham
Russ Griffin Team 651-645-6758
April 17 Martha Harris Ardie Armstrong Bob Brite Even Mike Morgan Ardie Armstrong,
Arlene Hillestead Team 612-926-9384 Shirley Draine
April 24 Russ Grifin Martha Harris Deb Murphy Even Garry Hesser Karen Kandik
Val Dunham Team
 Christian Courier Page 5

FCC News in Brief

(continued from page 3)
Surveillance System installed
Six video cameras are now installed around the ex- Restoration Movement sought Unity
terior of First Christian’s building, a measure taken
by the Property Committee to counter the spate of felt this when it was explained in clear terms in the
vandalism FCC has experienced in the last two- many writings that were published in The Christian
and-a-half months. Baptist and its successor The Millennial Harbinger,
and would cause most people and denominations to
The Property Committee and staff of FCC acted fall in with them.
quickly to seek bids from several local companies,
and chose Mill City Security Systems to provide The two largest segments of the movement sought
and install the motion-triggered surveillance sys- to end the divisiveness that had arisen with deno-
tem. Mill City also provided a night guard until the minational differences. They wanted to found the
system could be installed. unity of the church in the simple acknowledgment
that Jesus is the Christ, the Messiah, and an accep-
The Board of Trustees authorized up to $10,000 for tance of Him as Lord. Both were opposed to the
the equipment and installation, but the whole use of creeds as a test of faith. They believed that
project came in under $5600 for 6 cameras, a DVR the simple confession that Jesus Christ is Lord was
device to record motion sensed by the cameras, sufficient to unite all Christians. They considered
wiring and complete installation. man-made creeds divisive.

Regional Assembly scheduled April 9 Both groups looked to the New Testament to dis-
A called regional assembly of the Christian Church cover practices that united the early church. The
in the Upper Midwest will be held on Saturday, term, the Restoration Movement, has been used to
April 9, 10:30 – 2:00 p.m., at the Highland Park describe their interest in restoring the New Testa-
Christian Church, 4260 NW Sixth Drive in Des ment church. In their reading of the Scriptures,
Moines. The region is trying a new model of par- both groups found that the early church gathered
ticipation in regional life, and would like at least on the first day of the week (Sunday) "for the
two (or more) representatives from each congrega- breaking of bread." They began to celebrate the
tion to share in the meeting and the ministry. Lord's Supper every week, rather than on a less
regular basis as was common on the frontier be-
If anyone from FCC is interested or inclined, cause of lack of ministers. They left behind the
please contact Pastor Bob as soon as possible. practice of Morning Prayer and some other tradi-
tions of Anglicanism and the Presbyterian Church.

Share the Care coming May 21 In their study of the Bible, both groups determined
Mark your calendars: The joint spring Share-the- that baptism as portrayed in the New Testament
Care Saturday will be May 21. Details will follow was for adult converts and accomplished by im-
soon from the Property Committee. mersion in water. They adopted the practice in their
churches and abandoned infant baptism.

Blessings, Mike Brady, Lay Minister

Thank you to the Handcrafters
The Handcrafters recently donated $25 to the Source: History of the Christian Church, Disciples
Groveland Food Shelf, and another $25 to the of Christ
Bus Card Fund. A hearty thank-you goes out
to the Handcrafters for their generosity.
 Bi-Weekly Calendar Reflections on the Word
Readings around John 3, 3.20.11
Sunday Worship at 10:30 am
Before Worship (9:15 am): “those who do not believe are con-
Art of the Covenant Class Hearthstone/Adults Class demned already, because they have not
believed in the name of the only Son
of God.” --John 3:18b
After worship: Fellowship Hour 11:45 am
This chilling verse is omitted from the
This Week at FCC Next Week at FCC lectionary reading for 3.20.11. Yet the
statement is clear: unbelievers are
Sunday, March 20 Sunday, March 27
Breakfast club 8:45 am condemned. This thought has helped
Food Pantry Sunday
Breakfast club 8:45 am Karin Wolverton baby shower 12 n to launch sometimes violent crusades
Elders meeting 5 pm Monday, March 28 to convert unbelievers to Christianity,
Wednesday, March 23 Book Club @ Westphal’s 7 pm and caused others to lose faith. Theo-
Bell Choir 6:30 pm Wednesday, March 30
logian Karl Rahner averred that Jesus
Chancel Choir 7:45 pm Ann Carlson of Dignity Center may do the work of salvation in those
Thursday, March 24 at Find My Way Home forum 6 pm who do not profess belief. It’s not
Handcrafters 9 am Bell Choir 6:30 pm within our power to save ourselves; yet
Ministry Council Mtg 7 pm Chancel Choir 7:45 pm where does belief fit in? During Lent,
Thursday, March 31 gracefully ponder this question a bit.
Saturday, March 26 Handcrafters 9 am
Men’s Group 9 am Feed My Starving Children 6 pm Loving Savior, take us beyond the va-
garies of our dim faith and belief to see
Saturday, April 2 more clearly your stunning reality.
Men’s Group 9 am For you know we struggle, and yet you
save. Thank you for your love. Amen.
--Chris Wogaman

FIRST CHRISTIAN CHURCH

A Thoughtful Church in the OF MINNEAPOLIS
Heart of the City (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST)
2201 1st Avenue South
Ministry Team Minneapolis, MN 55404
All Members of the Congregation
Robert Brite, Interim Minister
Dennis Sanders, Associate Minister Address Service Requested
of Diversity and Mission
Chris Wogaman, Office Manager
Rick Bowman, Building Manager
Deb Murphy, Director of Spiritual
Formation & Community Ministry
James Baumgartner, Interim Music
Director
Bryon Wilson, Interim Organist
Serena Carlson, Nursery Attendant
Martha Harris, Courier Editor
Telephone: 612.870.1868
Prayer Phone: 612.870.0984

Christian Courier is published bi-

monthly. Send items and ideas to
church office or to Martha Harris
harrismartha@mac.com
by Sun., March 27 for next issue.