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First Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)

All are WELCOME

First News February 2016

3105 Ranch Road 12, San Marcos, TX 78666 ~ 512.396.1926 ~ www.fcc-sm.org ~ fcc@fcc-sm.org

Some Lenten Thoughts

Lent comes early this year, right after Christmas holidays with family and friends and gifts and food. It hardly seems fair! But maybe Lent will help to reinforce some of those New Years resolutions about watching our weight and getting back to a more disciplined routine.

Lent has always been harder for me than any other season on the church calendar. And it's probably because I used to equate it primarily with giving up something. My reasoning was, Jesus gave himself

up for me, so now I should give up something for him. Not myself, surely, but something less demanding and more symbolic. Like, giving up ice cream. Now, that is a real sacrifice!

But what is the purpose of such a sacrifice? Again, my young mind reasoned, it's because self-discipline is good for me.

The truth is, Lent is not about ME. Not about us. And the sacrifice that is emphasized is more often a waste of time than any-thing, if it's only about ME.

As always, Jesus challenges us with the real meaning of sacrifice (and of Lent). He teaches us: “Do not be afraid, little flock, for your Father has been pleased to give you the kingdom. Sell your possessions and give to the poor. Provide purses for yourselves that will not wear out, a treasure in heaven that will never fail, where no thief comes near and no moth destroys. For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also." Luke 12:32-34 (NIV)

See the point? It's not about our sacrifice. It's about our helping someone else. Not just sell something, but share what we have with someone else, someone who needs it. What do we call that? Jesus calls it the Kingdom of God.

Lenten Season & Holy Week Schedule

February 10 at 7:00 PM Ash Wednesday Service

February 10—March 26

March 14—Stations of the Cross Opens for

Public viewing

March 20—Palm Sunday March 24—Maundy Thursday

March 25—Good Friday—Live Stations of the Cross

March 27—EASTER SUNDAY Services: 7:30 AM—Sunrise Service 10:00 AM—Easter Worship

February Events Feb. 6—8:00AM—Special Valentines Male Call

Feb. 8—6:00PM—Finance Committee

Feb. 9—7:00PM—Butterfly Group

Feb. 10—7:00PM—Ash Wednesday Service

Feb. 11—6:00PM—Membership Committee

Feb. 12—10:00AM—MOMS Group

Feb. 13—8:00AM to 3:00PM—Work Day at

Disciple Oaks Camp & Retreat

Feb. 18—6:00PM—Church Board Meeting

Feb. 21—11:30AM—Fellowship Lunch — Souper Bowl

Feb. 26-28— CYF Spring Rally

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February 13 – Clean up day at Gonzo

February 21 – Mission trip deposit due

February 26-28 – CYF Spring Rally at Gonzo

Mission Trip Info: When: July 4-8

Where: San Marcos area

What: Flood relief/rebuilding

Cost: $275 per person ($75 deposit due Feb 21 with final due on April 24)

Calling all creative members…

The youth will be selling a new FCC San Marcos shirt in April.

Proceeds will go towards our mission trip this summer. We are looking for a de-

sign for these shirts. It can be a logo, a scripture, a tag line or include them all. A

prize will be awarded to the winner. The judges will be Keith, Denise, myself & 3

of our youth. Please bring your design to us or email it to

shawn.colson@thermon.com. The deadline for entries will be March 6th

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Special “Valentines” MALE CALL

Saturday, February 6, 8:00 AM

EVERYONE is invited to join the men for their monthly breakfast for a Valentines theme! Men, plan on bringing the special women in your life. Women, plan on coming to this special event to enjoy what is known to be an amazing breakfast. Come enjoy the food & fellowship!

Anyone interested in helping with ANY part of the Stations....clean up of trail, live actors, group leaders....please contact Mattie or plan to stay for a short meeting Sunday, February 7 after church.

Mattie can be contacted at 512-665-9160 or mattiehoward@ymail.com

Fellowship Lunch - Feb. 21

This month we will have our annual "Souper Bowl" lunch

If you name brings with...

A-H—bring soup I-P—bring salad or bread

Q-Z—bring dessert

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Notes from the Congregation

Outreach News & Reports

To our loving Church family, Words can’t express our overwhelming grate-fulness for your support with our loss during the floods of May 24 & October 30, 2015. You are truly a blessing and we thank you so much

Love & God’s Blessings to you all, Nancy & Jennifer Roberts

Invitation from Cecilia Peña

You are invited to attend the

Dedication of the San Marcos Baptist Academy

Rifle Range

It will be named in honor of my son,

CPT Paul W. Peña

The Ceremony will be at 11:00 AM Saturday, February 27, 2016

In Davidson Hall

San Marcos Baptist Academy

The J.O.H.N.

The “Jumble of Hygienic Necessities” is an emergency pantry for students and staff at Texas

State. The Christ Chapel sponsors the J.O.H.N. and is in need of men's toiletries - razors, shaving

cream. They do not need toothpaste. Deodorants, shampoos, hair products are also appreciated.

Please bring to FCC and we will deliver to Christ Chapel.

ATTENTION Outreach Ministries!!

This section of our monthly newsletter will be set aside for reports, needs, and

upcoming events for the various groups and projects that are a part of our

FCC Outreach.

Please be thinking of things you would like to share with the church family for the

month of MARCH and send to the Church Office by email by February 19,

so that we have time & space to include in the next newsletter.

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Lay Leaders

February 7— Chase Stapp

February 14—Jerry Weidman

February 21—Margie Harmon

February 28—Chris Hansen

Children’s Sermon Schedule

February 7— Mattie Howard

February 14—Jennifer Roberts

February 21—Teri Stapp

February 28—Katie Carpenter

February Serving Schedule

February

Anniversaries

Kent & Laura Schlotter February 14

Britney & Tom Richie February 15

Joy & David Pardo February 28

February Birthdays

Tony Rash February 3

Mildred Scott February 4

Brenna Eliaz February 5

Claire Eliaz February 5

Harriet Massey February 9

Dale Fowler February 11

Wayne Fowler February 12

Kellen Casparis February 13

Gina Pruett February 13

Desiree Richardson February 17

Ashley Ralph February 19

Dana Craft February 21

Katy Clayton February 21

Barrie Breed February 23

Martin Briceno February 23

Mary Olenick February 24

Charles Scott February 24

Clinton Sutphen February 25

Sierra Richardson February 26

Chris Carson February 27

Sawyer Mann February 27

We continually update the church

membership database. If you find an

error in a birthday or anniversary

date or if you are left off the list, we

offer our sincerest apologies. Please

email fcc@fcc-sm.org or contact the

church office.

February 7—Intinction

Elders: Brad French Chris Hansen Crystal Baker

Deacons: Mark Kremkus (TL) Erin Kremkus Traci Tucker Kyle Stapp

Communion: Bonnie Whittington

February 14

Elders: Don Harmon Margie Harmon

Deacons: Jennifer Roberts (TL) Paige Sutphen Stephanie Karlik Jason Karlik

Communion: Roy Enright

February 21—Intinction

Elders: Paul Sutphen Judy Ritchie Jerry Weidman

Deacons: Mattie Howard (TL) Mac Howard Ron Fortin Gloria Fortin

Communion: Jackie Cable

February 28

Elders: Wayman Mullins Louise Mullins

Deacons: Linda Ross (TL) Andrew Hansen Dale Ritchie Karen McGowan

Communion: Crystal Baker