Travel is on my mind this morning as I am looking forward to a trip to San Diego, California. I am looking forward to seeing my children and grandchildren. The highlight of this trip will be an opportunity to visit Sea World with my grandchildren, and of course, officiating for the wedding of my daughter Sharron Doyle to Lawrence Altamirano. As you might imagine, I am practicing that name every day, so I will say it correctly at the wedding, especially at the end.

Usually when I travel, I take what I think I might need for most any situation I might expect. I can hang it in the back of the car, or stow it in the trunk. This trip is a little different, as the first leg is by airplane, and it all has to fit nice and neat in a single suitcase, including a set of travel clothes for the return trip, driving my future son-in-law’s pick up back to Leavenworth.

This is the season when people are on the move for various reasons. For some, it is a vacation trip; for others it is for graduations or other important family events. While it is nice to be able to get away for a few days and see another part of our country, I plan my trip (hoping all goes well), to be here to attend and participate in the activities of the church. True, I could be excused from them, but I want to be there for these programs and events.

I look forward to what is yet to happen in our lives and in the church. Pentecost is coming. It will be a great day.

Blessings be with you all. Milton Bryarly, Interim Minister

YOUTH SUNDAY
May 24, 2009

Sunday, May 19, 2009
SUNDAY SCHOOL: 9:30 a.m.
WORSHIP: 10:40 a.m.
OFFERING: $3,350.00
ATTENDANCE: Sunday School: 50
Worship: 91

VISITORS
Wichita, KS: Shelby Pearson, Kayne Alexander Foxworthy, Adam Foxworthy, Sondra Pearson, Barb and Sarah Greenup, Andy and Diana Bontrager

Ohio: Ann Foust

Dan Atkeson family, Jack Braden, Ernie Hurdle, Lynn Garrelts family, Tom VonFeldt, Ed and Pat Car, Tony Brocato, Kirby and Pat Barnes, Neva Middleton, Beulah Rees, George Hatcher, eresa Hall, Shaunna Hall, DeAsia Harding, Louie Lewis, Shirlene Crain, Janet Goldwater, Mary Jane Bell, Kathleen Etheridge, Richard Filipe,Harold Harp, Dan and Laurie Everhart, Shannon Lisk, Alicia Reed, Kenton Strait, James Cook, Anetta Kay Webster, Kim Allen, Virginia O’Grady, Rafael Jimenez, Michael, Lori, Alonna and Carlos Galvan

Sympathy to the family of Carolee Vinson, sister of Donna Atkeson

Sympathy to the family of Betty Sparks, mother of Debbie Sanders

Thank you for choosing to honor us with your donations and support in 2008. Bob Cooper, President/CEO Tennyson Center

I want to thank you for your generous contribution of $66.00 through the Blanket + Program to Church World Services.
Rev. John L. McCullough, Executive Director and CEO

Travis Holmes, grandson of Jim and Marlaine Holmes pitched a 7 inning shut-out baseball game Monday, May 11 defeating Wellington High School by a score of 5 to 0. He also received the Renaissance Award from Augusta High School. Their grandson Trevor Holmes received the Tyler Jantzen Scholarship Award from Augusta High School.

Rafael’s surgery went well and he is home resting. Thank you for your continued prayers of healing. You all are such a blessing to our family. Jennifer Jimenez and family

Aaron Devan has returned safely to England from his deployment to Afghanistan! Marsha and family

Stacey Howard received her Masters Degree in Speech Communications last Saturday.

Jordan Howard became engaged to John Bradbury. Wedding is pending as he will be deployed to Iraq in November . . . this is his third deployment.

Victor Smith won “Best Newcomer” actor, “Best Actor” for Dracula and the “Golden Hammer” award at the Campus High School Thespian banquet. Caleb Smith also lettered in theatre.

Milt will be gone to California, May 20-27, for his daughter’s wedding.

PTL! Jason Wegner’s tests came back negative!

It was brougth to the attention of the property committee that the rail into the baptistry was too short and needed to be lengthened. A great big THANK YOU to Butch Church for making and installing a rail that matches the existing rail and the woodwork on the chancel. Let Butch know how much you appreciate everything he does for the church.

Bell Stand
It has finally dried up enough for the brick layer to get the bricks from the pond area and brick construction began today, Monday, May 18, 2009 on the Bell Stand project.

Ladies! This is a reminder for you to sign up for the breakfast at 9:00 a.m. on June 13 that will be prepared and served by the men of First Christian. Rumor is . . . they are excellent cooks. Come out and enjoy a morning of good food, fun and fellowship.

Construction on the gazebo began on Saturday, May 16, 2009. Alex and crew completed the flooring of the gazebo and were rewarded for their work with grilled hamburgers by the Marsh family. First Christian is very proud of Alex and we are anxious to see his completed project.

Following worship on May 31 the Evangelism Committee will lead the congregation to the parking lot to launch 125 balloons as a means of reaching out from this place with the Good News of our Lord Jesus Christ.

Our last 5th Sunday Brunch was cancelled due to the weather. We will try it again during the Sunday School hour (9:30 a.m. -10:30 a.m.) Sunday, May 31. The Seekers and Cornerstone Sunday School classes invite all adults to the Cornerstone classroom for brunch.

Thursday, May 28, 2009
Cracker Barrel Restaurant and Country Store
995 E 61st North
Meet at the church at 6:00 p.m. to carpool.

7:00 p.m. Friday, May 29, 2009
Meet in the Cornerstone classroom

It's here! Youth Sunday! Don't be frightened. We promise you'll survive. You don't need to run from it. Instead, we hope you'll flock to this service in masse! Come join us for an hour of music, skits and scripture followed by time for fellowship and fun at the carry-in dinner and Bake-off event this Sunday, May 24th. You'll be glad you faced this giant.

Luau Party
Sunday, May 31st 5:00 p.m.
Riggs Park

23,597 Chapters . . . that's how many chapters were reported read by our congregation in the Holy Bible for the one-year period of our Bible Reading Program, Not By Bread Alone. We didn't track by individual, but would like to have your feedback. What did you accomplish during this program and what did it mean to you? Also, are you interested in another church-wide Bible reading plan?

Sunday, June 7th, we would like to recognize those who completed their plans, so please return the questionnaire as soon as possible.

Some have asked if they could have the reading plan to start over. The "Whole Bible" reading plan was borrowed, with permission, from this website: http://www.bible-reading.com. The New Testament reading plan was adapted from that one, syncing the two readings. There will be one-page print outs of both plans available next Sunday. Check at the back of the sanctuary.

The New Testament has 260 chapters; the whole Bible has 1,189. There were 47,595 chapters "committed" when the program began in May 2008, so with 23,597 we were just shy of 50% completion. Our hope is that you and our church family have been enriched with this reading.

Your Stewardship Committee

Matthew 4:4 Jesus answered, "It is written: 'Man does not live on bread alone, but on every word that comes from the mouth of God.'

The office will be closed Monday, May 25 for Memorial Day in honor of those loved ones that have gone before us and for the U.S. men and women who fought and died for our freedoms!

Have a safe holiday.

I will be out of the office on Tuesday, May 26. If you have a question or need anything . . . please call me at 524-6391.

NEWSLETTER WILL NOT BE PRINTED TUESDAY, MAY 26.

NEWSLETTER
Beginning in June the newsletter will be printed every other week, if there is enough news, or we may print it monthly!
News during the summer is usually pretty slow as a few activities are cancelled during the summer months.