The Link

The Weekly E-Newsletter of Disciples Christian Church

February 7, 2008

 

 

In This Issue

 

  • Updated Prayer Requests
  • Clark’s Clips
  • “Connection”
  • DCC Youth Activities
  • Holy Grounds
  • Men’s Bible Study
  • Music Notes
  • Chinese New Year Invitation
  • Financial Seminar
  • Children’s Sunday School
  • Telling the Good News: Online!

 

 

Updated Prayer Requests

 

  • Barbara Peters, Sandra Snyder’s aunt, passed away on February 4. Please keep her uncle and cousins in your prayers.
  • Laura Young thanks everyone for their prayers for her cousin Amber, in Florida.  She and her husband welcomed a healthy baby girl Monday night.
  • Bruce Kitchell did not get to Indianapolis for tests after all.  They'll try to go again in May or June.  They are awaiting test results for blood work for hepatitis C.  He is feeling better everyday according to Luci.
  • Dakota’s “homegoing” has been rescheduled for February 15.  The Young family appreciates everyone’s prayers for her transition period.
  • Claudette Marcoux, mother of Laura Young’s brother-in-law, is battling cancer and continues to live in a nursing home.

 

The prayer requests in The Link each week are recent updates. A list of ongoing prayer requests appears in our worship bulletin each Sunday.

 

 

 

Clark’s Clips

 

Lent 2008 is officially under way.  Despite all the celebrating in advance, now it is Lent.  I watched, with some amusement, as Dallas celebrated last weekend with a New Orleans-style parade.  Recently, while visiting in Galveston, we saw the publicity on Galveston’s Mardi Gras.  Mardi Gras (which means fat Tuesday in French) is the chance to feast before the fast of Lent.  And were we ever fortunate this year that the Super Bowl came just before Lent begins.  What a golden opportunity to really feast before Lent!  I overheard one young woman bemoaning all the food she ate at the Super Bowl party: three hot dogs, two hamburgers, and all the chips and salsa.  I didn’t hear what she imbibed.

 

Lent is a traditional time of repenting, of forbearance, of meditating, and even giving up some pleasure in order to concentrate on spiritual matters.  It reminds us of Jesus’ forty day sojourn in the wilderness following baptism. It reminds us of Jesus’ journey toward Jerusalem and the sacrifice of crucifixion. It reminds us we can do better in our spiritual living. 

 

What about you?  What’s your plan for Lent?  And, looking forward seven weeks, will it make any difference to you following resurrection?  If you are doing anything special to observe Lent how will it impact your living in the future?  Or will you go back to old ways, old practices, old habits, old customs?

 

Something to pray about isn’t it?  God bless.   GGC

           

 

 

 

“Connection”

 

by Nancy Hall,

Evangelism Team Leader

 

DCC Connectors are doing a fantastic job.  Did you realize this past Sunday, February 3, we had 17 visitors and many of them signed the guest book?  Some came from other states re-locating in Plano, looking for a church home.  Some came because of location (near to their home).  Some came because they are friends of members.  Five came because of “Holy Grounds” connections.  I think the most amazing incident happened at the close of worship.

 

Most folks had gone home.  Someone had locked the doors.  A few were still in the Atrium beside the Chinese folks.  I heard two people knock very urgently on the parking lot door of the church and then knock again.  Bob Knoll and I looked at each other in amazement:  the door was locked and someone was knocking to get in!  Of course we went to the door and invited them in.  They were part of the 17.  They came in because they wanted to find out about the church.  The way they put it was, “We wanted to know what goes on here.”  Wow, talk about opportunity.  Fred, who had just joined us, and Bob Knoll visited with the young couple, I grabbed a bulletin and other related materials and we visited.  They were very interested.  They had gone to a bigger church but just couldn’t get to know anyone.  Well I tell you, it is not everyday someone comes knocking, seeking what we have.

 

Connecting is good.  Keep connecting!

 

 

 

DCC Youth Activities

 

 

Please mark your calendar for the upcoming events for the DCC and Chinese youth:

         — Saturday, Feb. 16:  Habitat for Humanity workday.  Meet at DCC at 7:30 am to carpool.

         — Saturday, Feb. 23:  Youth Movie Day.  Time/movie to be determined

         — Sunday, Feb. 24:  Youth Financial Planning discussion to take place during Bible study.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                         

 

                                                                                   

Holy Grounds                                                                                                                                                                                                    

                                                                                                                                                                                                                               

by Nancy & Fred Hall

Holy Grounds

 

We keep growing.  They start coming about 3:50 pm on Tuesdays and Thursdays.  Several want to be first here because that means they can have first turn on the computers.  Our numbers now are from 10 to 20 plus kids.  They have brought friends and even relatives to Holy Grounds. 

 

The mood is everything from quiet talk about the day to complete excitement when they are competing in a fast-paced game.  Most of all, they are glad we have this place where they can come – a place where people want them to come and be themselves and not be “programmed” for some other purpose.

 

Holy Grounders are good.  They jump in to help clean up.  They let me know if they can’t come the next time.  They want to be near us.  DCC’s ministry is being noticed across the region and even being copied!

 

 

 

Men’s Bible Study

 

 

Calling all men!  Come join us at IHOP (Plano Pkwy. just east of Preston Rd., south side of road) tomorrow, Friday, February 8 at 7:00 a.m.  No Bible, No Breakfast!  Questions?  Call Bob Knoll (972-618-8202) or Fred Hall (972-964-2727).

                                                                                                                                                               

 

Music Notes

By Laura Young

Music Director

 

Music Department schedule through Lent

 

Feb. 10 (Sun.) First Sunday in Lent. Chancel choir needs to meet at 8:30 a.m. (sorry to be so early!) in order to rehearse "That Wondrous Cross" for the morning anthem. Galen will play violin with us!

 

Feb. 13 (Wed.) Handbells

 

Feb. 17 (Sun.) guest musician

 

Feb. 20 (Wed.) Chancel Choir

 

Feb. 24 (Sun.) 9 a.m. Chancel Choir warm-up

 

Feb. 27 (Wed.) Handbells

 

March 2 (Sun.) TBA

 

March 5 (Wed.) Chancel Choir

 

March 9 (Sun.) 9 a.m. choir warm-up

 

March 12 (Wed.) Handbells

 

March 16 (Sun.) Palm Sunday  9 a.m. choir warm-up

 

March 19 (Wed.) Chancel Choir

 

March 20 (Maundy Thursday) DCC hosts (available DCC choir members to sing)

 

March 21st (Good Friday) FCC hosts (no choir; we are simply invited guests)

 

March 23 (Sun.) Easter  Rehearsal times TBA for choirs

 

March 26 (Wed.) (handbells? TBA)

 

 

Upcoming local performances: 

 

The Richardson Community Band will present a concert at 2 p.m. on February 10 at the Eisemann Center in Richardson.  For more information, please see richardsoncommunityband.org or call Laura Young at 972-744-9941.

 

If you would like to share information about upcoming concerts in the area, please submit them to Laura Young for inclusion in "Music Notes."

 

 

 

Chinese New Year Invitation

 

from Rev. Lian Jiang, First Chinese Christian Church

 

Chinese New Year is coming on February 7.  As is our tradition, we, the Chinese congregation, would like to invite all our American

brothers and sisters to a celebration lunch on Sunday, February 10.  Please just come and eat – you are our honored guests.  This

is also a token of our appreciation for all your support.  The lunch starts after worship around 11:45 am.  Peace!                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                  

 

 

Financial Seminar

 

Mark your calendars for the upcoming “Preparing Yourself for Uncertain Times” seminar sponsored by the DCC Education Department.  The featured speaker is Bill Snyder, a Certified Financial Planner with expertise as a retirement planning specialist.  The two-week seminar will take place on February 13 and February 20 from 7:30—8:30 pm at DCC.  Plan on learning about God’s directives for your finances.  This event is open to the public so bring a friend when you attend!

 

 

 

Children’s Sunday School

 

Jan Mueller is the new DCC Children’s Sunday School teacher.  All elementary-age children can attend Sunday School each Sunday morning from 9:30 – 10:25 am.  If you have children you would like to attend Sunday School or have any questions, please call Jan Mueller at 972-519-1032.

 

 

 

Telling the Good News: Online!

 

If you have not stopped by the DCC website recently, click on over.  Remember, church leaders can find important documents on the download page.  Also, don't forget to visit the online calendar. It enables you to send yourself reminders of upcoming events, send invitations to friends and colleagues and download the church schedule to your personal computer. You can find all of the church activities, birthdays and anniversaries on that calendar, as well as the scheduled Elders, Deacons and Connectors for each Sunday.

For website suggestions, please e-mail the church office.

 

 

The Mission of Disciples Christian Church
In order to follow Jesus and worship God, we will serve our neighbors. We will minister to our fellow Christians. We will live and tell the good news of Jesus Christ in all we do.


Disciples Christian Church Staff

Diane & Galen Clark, Co-Transitional Pastors
Laura Young, Music Director
Linda Gulick, Preschool Director
Julie Chen, Pianist
Jan Carter, Administrative Assistant

Carly Geibler, Nursery Attendant

 

email: theoffice@dccplano.com

phone: 972-398-2240

web: http://www.dccplano.com