First Christian Caller

First Christian Church, Baton Rouge

Vol. 82 January 23, 2020 No. 2

IN THIS ISSUE
◊ Thank-you Notes Received
◊ Sunday School Schedule
◊ 2020 Volunteer Opportunities Brochure
DISCIPLESHIP: A BOLT FROM THE BLUE
Have you ever had a call lives were set, they had their connections,
awaken you from a sound their retirements, their plans in place. This was
sleep? Have you received an no time to leave and chase a man across the
unexpected email or text that countryside. Perhaps they said to themselves,
turned into the center of your “We’re already as close to heaven as we care
day, your week, your month, to be.”
the direction of your life? Has I’m sure many of the first people who heard
a stranger ever walked by and this message just ignored it. Jesus was yet
said, “Come, follow me,” and you did? another one of those would-be-messiahs like
In June 2003, I received one of those calls from the rest. Perhaps they were just too tired, too
my sister, and the call was this: “If you want to jaded, too hopeless to even try. Have you ever
see dad before he passes you have to get here felt that way?
now.“ I was a thousand miles away, but that But for those who heard the call, “Come, follow
didn’t matter, I had to get home to Kansas. I was me,” and who left everything to follow Jesus,
on a plane the next morning, and at his bedside their lives would become a living witness that,
the next evening. indeed, God’s reign is found here on earth.
That’s the thunderclap that greets us as we Our call to follow Jesus may not include
open Matthew. This past Sunday, we began abandoning our homes and families the way
what will be a long series out of the Gospel of some of the first disciples seem to have done,
Matthew. Over the coming weeks Matthew is but the call to follow still includes a call to leave
going to challenge us, our priorities, our habits, those things behind that pull us away from
our assumptions, and our choices. Through living in God’s presence. We may have what
these weeks, we explore what it means to be seem like good reasons to cling to doubt or
a disciple, a follower, of Jesus. cynicism or hopelessness, but Christ’s words
The beginning of the challenge is issued as remind us: “You are the light of the world!” If
both John the Baptist and Jesus burst onto the you decide not to shine, the world will be
scene with a bolt out of blue, “The Kingdom of dimmer because of it.
Heaven has arrived!” His call to follow him and Always remember, even as difficult as it is to
discover that Kingdom was immediate! leave and follow Jesus, the promise He gave
I’m sure many of the first people who heard still rings true: Jesus said, “Come to me, all you
this message were quizzical. The Kingdom that are weary and are carrying heavy burdens,
has arrived here? Jesus was preaching in the and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you,
backwaters of the ancient world, in a time and learn from me; for I am gentle and humble
when Rome promoted itself as the gift of in heart, and you will find rest for your souls.
the gods to humanity. How can a movement For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”
started by a Jewish peasant compete with (Matt. 11:28-30)
the power and prestige of the mighty Roman Christ’s peace,
Empire? The powers of this world are much
more impressive!
I’m sure many of the first people who heard
Rev. Dr. David Chisham
this message scoffed and dismissed it. Their
Senior Minister
THANK YOU! for your Advent/Christmas Generosity
There was a tremendous outpouring of support for the Reverse Advent Calendar,
reported by Wanda Lax, our Southeast Ministries liaison, and carloads of goods were
made available to those in need. “It was very inspiring!” said Wanda.
We also received a special note from Southeast Ministries about a donation of rolled
coins — see below.

OLD VIDEO SYSTEM PUT TO GOOD USE

The screen and projector replaced in the sanctuary were donated to the
Salvation Ministry of Jesus Christ on Paige Street in Baton Rouge. Pastor Anthony
Allen writes, “Upon receiving these blessings...has strengthened this ministry in
helping reach farther and stronger of building God’s Kingdom...Thank you, First
Christian Church Disciples of Christ!”

BEST DIRECTION OF A MUSICAL: AARON TURNIPSEED

by BWW News Desk Jan. 16, 2020
Following a record number of nominations and votes, winners
have been announced for the 2019 BroadwayWorld New
Orleans Awards, to recognize local theatres and performers for
their outstanding achievement!
Regional productions, touring shows, and more were all included,
honoring productions which opened between October 1, 2018
through September 30, 2019, and winning the award for Best
Direction of a Musical (local) was our own Aaron Turnipseed for his direction of The
Color Purple, with Cutting Edge Theater of Slidell, Louisiana. Congratulations. Aaron!
—3—
WISE CHOICES CONCLUDES THIS SUNDAY, JANUARY 26

Our middle and high schoolers have

been exploring what it takes to get from
where we are today to where we want
to be in the future. On this journey, we
discover together that the life we want
tomorrow is built on the choices we make
today. And wisdom is what we need to
make those good choices.

This Sunday: Defining Moments

ADULT SUNDAY SERIES meets Sundays at

9:45 a.m., with Mary Thompson facilitating.

The Miracles of Jesus (Matt Williams, General

Editor) shows how each miracle reveals God’s
character, the kingdom of God, and God’s love
for you.

This group meets in the room to the left (west)

of the sanctuary, and all are welcome!

First Christian Church Special Offering on Sunday, February 16

Envelopes & Coin Boxes in narthex
—4—
 Annual Potluck on March 1
Mark your calendar for our celebration
of our church community, along with
the new year of service positions, with
one service at 10:00 a.m. followed by a
potluck luncheon in Fellowship Hall.
Thank you to all who have served our
community over the past year, and we
gratefully acknowledge all who are
stepping up for the coming year, whether
for the first time or the fifteenth! Come,
be part of our celebration!

PHISHING EMAILS TARGETING CONGREGATIONS

Faith-based groups are the latest target of phishing scams nationwide, so let’s take a moment
to go over some practices that may be helpful to recognizing a phishing email:
• They contain wording that makes your response seems urgent, such as “do me a favor, soon.”
FCC will never ask for money or other generic favor without offering to speak with you in
person or making other, suitable arrangements.
• The message contain threats to shut your account or access down.
• Contains requests for personal information such as passwords or Social Security numbers.
• Sent from fake/forged email addresses. Scammers often use gmail addresses with familiar
looking names (e.g., churchofficefccbrla@gmail). These are not church email addresses!
• Double-check links by hovering over them to expose the actual destination, or, instead of
clicking on links, open a new browser and manually type in the address.
General online safe-surfing hints:
• Don’t give your email address to sites you don’t trust, or public websites or forums. Spammers
often scan these sites for email addresses. Send group emails using bcc:
• Don’t use the “Unsubscribe” link in a spam email as it only serves to confirm there’s a real
person at the other end of your address. Ignore and delete!
• Reputable businesses will never ask for personal information via email, and don’t send
personal information in an email message
• Don’t share passwords, and change your password often. Use strong passwords, and a
different password for each of your accounts. If you use the same password for your bank
account as you do for your email account, you become much more vulnerable to data theft.
If you have any questions or concerns, please do not hesitate to contact us. We’re glad to
take your phone call at 225-926-4175!
—5—
 SERVING SCHEDULE SERVING SCHEDULE
January 26, 2020 February 2, 2020
8:30 a.m. Worship Service 8:30 a.m. Worship Service
Church Opening Pam Jones Church Opening Marion Denova
Sacraments Lorrinda Dickinson Sacraments Lorrinda Dickinson
Accompanist Dr. João Casarotti Accompanist Aaron Turnipseed
Liturgist Mary Thompson Liturgist Lisa Fennell
Adapted Lesson Aaron Turnipseed Adapted Lesson Nicolas Morgan
Elder Paul Thompson Elder Mike Wilson
Video Tech Debbie Poché Video Tech Debbie Poché
Coffee Fellowship Sha & Dak McInnis, Coffee Fellowship Lucy Cody
Phyllis Willis
Adult Class Leader Mary Thompson Adult Class Leader Mary Thompson
Children’s Leaders Shelly & Jeff Cody Children’s Leaders Shelly & Jeff Cody
Youth Leaders Pam Comeaux Youth Leaders Kori Chisham & Pam
Comeaux
10:50 a.m. Worship Service
Sacraments Ashley Bourgeois 10:50 a.m. Worship Service
Accompanist Dr. João Casarotti Sacraments Diane Sympson
Visitor Host Tip Tipton Accompanist Dr. João Casarotti
Liturgist Carol Madere Visitor Host Charlene Landry
Acolyte Jordan Bourgeois Liturgist Ed Atkins
Children’s Sermon Crystal Casarotti Acolyte Layne Chisham
Youth Reader Joshua Dotts Children’s Sermon Chris Culp
Offertory Elder Vicki Krupala Youth Reader Joshua Dotts
Communion Elder Donna Embree Offertory Elder Frank Johnson
Deacons Beverly Weselak Communion Elder Chris Culp
Joann Taliaferro Deacons Ann Landry
Melanie Cobb Fred Goodspeed
Joni Nickens A & G Taliaferro
Joseph Rabb Susan Valenti
James Morgan David Landry
Video Tech Nicolas Morgan Video Tech Jeff Cody
Sound Tech Greg Taliaferro Sound Tech Greg Taliferro
CW&W Greeter Kori Chisham CW&W Greeter Shelly Cody
CW&W Storyteller Carol Madere CW&W Storyteller Ann Landry
Attendance Sheets Nancy Fatta Attendance Sheets Joshua Dotts
Program Builder Jill Brian Program Builder Yvonne Taylor
Church Closing Nancy & Tony Fatta Church Closing Jeff Cody
CHECK OUT OUR MASTER ASSIGNMENTS SHEET, HERE or at [Link]
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 Prayer List
The following people represent some of the current concerns at First Christian Church. If you would like to
have a name added, update a current prayer request, or remove someone from the prayer list, please fill
out one of the prayer cards in the attendance books and put it in the offering plate, or contact us at chur-
choffice@[Link], or 225-926-4175. Names will rotate off after two months without an update.

Members:
Ann Baskin, Rita Brian, Dora & Ron Blackburn, Linda Burns, Norma Carr, Jody
Chrisope, Melanie Cobb, Lucy Cody, the Dennis family, Nancy Fatta, the Grigg family,
Rich Griswold, George Gullett, Lee Gullett, Ruth Horn, Pam Jones, Barbara Knight,
Marie Ladner, Allen Lax, Helen Mitchener, Jerry Moses, Bob & Jennifer Netterville,
Helen Rankin, Ruth Riddle, Andy Sobert, Ann Thompson, Bill Trotter, Mary Jon Turner

Friends & Family of Members:

Kenny Achord, Donna & Don Bohlcke, Jeff Day, the family of Bonnie Evans, Patty Hu-
beny, Ray Hutchinson, Grandma Frances Krupala, Lee Lambert, Chelsey Miguez, Bill
Nash, the family of, and “Wick” Pierce, Debbie Riddle, Bill Stevenson, Claudia Wagner

Members in Active Military Service:

Gage Goodspeed

Our Church Staff

Senior Minister - Rev. Dr. David Chisham

Director of Music Aaron Turnipseed Bookkeeper Brenda Hilgendorf

Organist Dr. João Casarotti Administrative Ass’t. Jo Craddock
Custodian Charles Riddle Child Care Ajha Dortch

• [Link] • churchoffice@[Link] • 225-926-4175 •

• [Link]/fccbrla • [Link]/fccbrla • [Link]/fccbrla •

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Online readers: Click
to download!
VOLUNTEER SIGN-UPS FOR THE
COMING YEAR
Please take home a copy of the 2020
Welcome • Worship • Serve insert in this
Sunday’s bulletin, and read about the
many opportunities for your involvement
at First Christian Church — on Sundays or
during the week; in worship services, in the
church community, and/or in the wider
community. Please mark the service areas
you are interested in, add your contact
information and any notes, and return the
completed form by placing in the basket
in the narthex, putting in the offering
plate, or delivering to the church office!
We will begin the 2020 schedule on the
first Sunday of Lent, March 1.

First Christian Church

Disciples of Christ
8484 Old Hammond Hwy.
Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1317
225-926-4175 | [Link]