Ministry

Worship - Disciples' congregations celebrate the Lord's Supper every Sunday. The table is open. That means that all Christians are invited to respond to Christ's invitation to draw closer to Him around the communion table. For Disciples, the open table is a powerful symbol of our deep commitment to Christian unity. The open table honors diversity even as it celebrates unity in Christ.

Sunday School - 9:15 a.m. Sunday School classes for all ages. Sunday School is provided for children of all ages. Classes begin at 9:15 a.m. each Sunday morning. We have had great success with curriculum from Cokesbury and are currently using it in all children’s classes. There are classes for toddler through four years old, kindergarten through 2nd grade, and 3rd through 5th grade. We also offer Adult Bible study.

Choirs- Our choirs practice and perform September through May. The Chancel Choir practices at 9:15 on Sunday mornings. They perform in the 10:30 a.m. service on the first, third and fifth Sundays of the month. The Bethany Bell Choir practices at 5:30 on Wednesday nights. They perform in the 10:30 a.m. service on the second Sunday of the month.

Praise Band - More information is coming soon.

Prayer Shawl Ministry - This new ministry is one that shares the shawls that are made with people who are experiencing a serious illness, disease, still birth, in Hospice care or any other reason we feel would benefit from a shawl.

Each shawl is made beginning with a prayer and dedicated at worship to go out to a recipient. This ministry is for anyone who knits, crochets or quilts OR for anyone who is interested in learning!

Cards are available in the Recipient Request baskets in the Parlor and the Sanctuary if you know of someone who needs a shawl. Recipients do not have to be members of First Christian Church.

Flower Ministry - The flower arrangements donated through the current flower ministry are a gift from individuals to grace our altars at both services. The flowers are the property of the donors to do with as they wish following the second service. Contact the church office if you would like to participate in this ministry.

Wee Care Daycare - Our preschool/daycare is a state licensed facility. Our program boasts of 65-75 children in preschool / daycare and after school programs. For more information contact Anita Foster at 573-221-6858.

Youth Groups - JYF, Chi Rho, CYF

Youth Camps - Disciples of Christ have a wonderful camping program for 2nd-12th graders. There is also a family camp offered for all ages. These camps provide God-centered outdoor adventures, and ministries that offer youth many new and exciting opportunities. The camping programs serve to build Christian character and community while exploring beliefs, new skills, and God’s gifts. Summer camping is a safe, meaningful, and fun experience for the youngest beginner to the most experienced camper.

Youth Mission Trips - Mission trips are the highlight of our year. CYF takes a week to travel to a community and minister to them where they need it the most. Whether we are working on houses, assisting in a nursing home, or offering a kids' club, there are always plenty of ways to help. We also offer a weekend mission trip for JYF. We travel to a local community and hold kids' clubs for the children. These trips are designed to teach our youth what it means to be disciples acting as Christ’s hands and feet in the world around us.

Vacation Bible School - VBS is held during one week of summer. Bible School combines learning about the Christian faith with crafts, music, recreation and refreshments. We use Gospel Light’s VBS curriculum and are excited about summer 2007 “SONFORCE KIDS.”

Christian Women's Fellowship-CWF is the oldest continuing program of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). Each woman who is a member of the congregation may be a member.

Ministry of Fellowship Activities-The Ministry of Fellowship Activities provides, promotes and encourages a mission of outreach among the members of the congreation through dinners, special programs, etc. which create a Christian family atmosphere.

Ministry of Recreation Activities-The Ministry of Recreation seeks to bring people together by having fun activities for families, new and continuing members, and for the young in age and young at heart. We encourage church growth through activities that bond people together in a relaxed atmosphere and help them to be comfortable together in other church events and worship.

Ministry of Caring and Sharing is to Encourage the stewardship of personal and financial resources; Promote the special offerings of the wider church for mission from our doorsteps to the ends of the earth; GIve of our church's resources beyond our congregation through the outreach tithe of the Living Memorial Fund; Adminster and Foster the use of and continuing expansion of the First Christian Church Scholarship Fund; and Model Christian commitment of caring and sharing for our neighbors in our church family, in our community, in the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), through our Northeast Area and Mid-America Region, and the Church of Jesus Christ in all the world.

Ministry of Christian Education seeks to encourage all to be enrolled in different avenues of Christian education by providing various and creative educational opportunities that will enhance their spiritual lives and give a Christian foundation to their everyday experiences; to provide an atmosphere of trust in order for all to explore and to be enriched in an in-depth study of the Bible and Christian lifestyles; and to realize that Christian education is to help prepare us for what needs lie beyond the church's doorstep-that it is not only to enhance our lives alone, but to learn to 'give life away' in God's needful world.

Ministry of Evangelism and Church Growth-provides ministries which proclaim the Gospel of Jesus Christ and to offer opportunities for persons to resond to Christ's call to discipleship.

Ministry of Member Nurture ministers to those persons within the congregation with specific needs due to bereavement, illness, confinement, infirmity and age. It is our goal to nurture and comfort our brothers and sisters in Christ.

Ministry of Worship seeks to aid in the creation of a fulfilling worship experience; provide leadership in maintaining the organization of the worship serivce; further develop worship through music; and to create a line of communication among the congregation, the staff, and the church board in developing a rewarding and enjoyable experience of worship for the entire community.