Celebrating 30 Years of Ministry at

The Woodlands Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

DISCIPLES DIGEST
Loving God, Loving Neighbor, Making Disciples
October 1, 2010

Sometimes it really hurts. Other times, it’s delightfully joyful. And the hardest part is
that it tends to bite you when you least expect it.

We become Christians for lots of reasons:

• For some, it’s about connection- my family; my friends go to church and are
Christians, so I’m a Christian, too. There are police officers, fire fighters, ministers and
teachers for the very same reason.
• For some, it’s about a careful decision- I read, studied, thought about it, and
decided to follow Jesus.
• For some, it’s about experience- I received a miracle, or I witnessed a miracle, and
the only thing I can do in response is to follow Christ.
• For some, it’s about feeling- I feel at peace, I feel more at peace, when I remember to pray, to love,
to forgive.
• For lots of us, the reasons are multiple, reinforced, and lived- family, forgiveness, emotion, theology,
and experience all come together to draw us to Christ.

The painful stuff comes when we’re caught up in something good- recognizing a moment of blessing, witnessing
a moment when someone we love comes to Christ, realizing that we’ve forgiven someone after struggling to let
go of the hurt, or just after a time of worship when we feel like we’ve all been drawn together in something of
God that is wonderful, right, and good--only to hear a Christian declaring that to be Christian requires believing
the Bible is inerrant, or that Jesus alone matters, or that a creed is essential or to hear another follower of Jesus
yelling that it’s wrong to baptize an infant or that it’s only right to baptize an infant- that it’s wrong to be involved
in war or that it’s a Christian’s duty to fight in this war- that it’s a Christian’s duty to respect another person’s
decisions or that it is a Christian’s duty to make some choices disappear for someone else’s realm of possibility-
or that the Lord’s Supper is only for believers baptized in this congregation, or this brand of Christianity, or is only
authorized when a priest presides, or an ordained minister presides or . . . wafers, or pellets, or unleavened
bread or a yeast loaf . . .

Jesus calls us to follow him. And he broke some locks off of some doors: can’t ignore the widows, orphans, or
the poor and follow Jesus. It’s not an option to cause children to stumble. He kept saying to believe, to not be
afraid, but some of us have trouble believing and fear seems to come again and again. And he invited us all to
dinner – at his table.

Enter Jesse M. Bader: Born in 1886, was called to ministry and went to school at Drake. He was a pastor at First
Christian Church in Atchison, Kansas. He resigned that pulpit in 1917 as the US entered WWI. He served with the
35th Division in France and then began to preach in Germany. In 1920 he became the pastor of Jackson Avenue
Christian Church in Kansas City. He then took a leadership position in the United Christian Missionary Society. He
then began work with the Federal Council of Churches of Christ in America which became the National Council of
Churches.
(Continued on next page)
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It was under Jesse Bader’s leadership that World Communion Sunday was launched on October 6, 1940. He
knew that the Presbyterians had held such a day for four years, but it was Dr. Bader that brought it to the
attention of the Federal Council of Churches. Bader said: “Worldwide Communion Sunday begins on the other
side of the International Date Line, so that the observance starts first on Sunday morning in the churches of the
Tonga Islands, Fiji Islands, New Zealand, Australia, and on and on towards the West during the twenty-four hours
of the day. This significant observance around the world on the first Sunday in October has become a day of
united witnessing on behalf of Christ, the head of the church. In a time when there is so much disunity, here is an
opportunity to witness in a broken world to an unbroken Christian fellowship.”

So this Sunday, October 3, 2010, we’ll gather as Christians around a table. And we’ll take our place in these 24
hours of witnessing in a broken world, that there is, at least when we sit with Jesus at his table, there is an
unbroken Christian Fellowship.

I will look for you at that table…

Chad’s Chatterbox
Wasn’t it wonderful to feel the temperatures drop this past week? Every time we
move to a new season, we are reminded that change is always among us. My
oldest son, Adam, celebrated his 8th birthday this past week. I have a picture in my
office of him laying on my chest, grabbing my cheeks. The picture says “Adam, 8
months”. From 8 months to 8 years, it is incredible how quickly life happens. And
every day, I am reminded how much my cup overflows.

This fall, we reflect together on how God has given us “More Than Enough” during our stewardship campaign.
We have been blessed abundantly with resources, relationships, and spiritual gifts. I hope we will spend this
season reflecting on ways to express our gratefulness to God for what we have.

Blessings,

Chad Youth Ministry

Children’s Ministry
Mark your calendars for Sunday,
October 31st. All children are invited to
the ranch of Paul and Ruth Cameron
for a dinner cook-out, hay rides, and
more! More details coming soon!
We continue to gather each Sunday evening at
5:00 p.m. for youth choir and youth fellowship.
Note that Sunday, October 10th will be a one-hour
rehearsal for the youth choir from 5:00 - 6:00 p.m.
We will not have dinner or youth fellowship on
the 10th following the rehearsal. Also note on the
afternoon of October 31st we will take a trip to
Paul & Ruth Cameron’s ranch for a fun outing.
More details coming soon.

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 “Music is the universal language of mankind“
- Longfellow

Every once in a while, it is healthy for musicians normally occupied with high-minded and serious pursuits
to let their hair down and just have some musical fun. Our Chancel Choir and Youth Choir intend to do just that
on Sunday, October 24, at 7:00 p.m., when they present their TWCC Pops concert. The program includes songs
from Disney shows Beauty and the Beast, Aladdin, and The Little Mermaid. The Youth Choir is featured on
selections from the musical/movie Mamma Mia. The latter show, of course, is built around the music of the 70’s
Swedish pop group, ABBA.
No admission will be charged for the concert, which will be followed by our annual pumpkin tasting
reception. I encourage TWCC members to come, bring friends, and enjoy the wonderful and imaginative music
from some of the most inspired animated films and movie musicals of the last quarter-century.
We welcome guest singers for this event. The Chancel Choir will rehearse Mamma Mia and Disney music
during the last forty minutes (8:20-9:00) of their weekly Wednesday evening rehearsal. We also plan an
afternoon rehearsal the day of the concert, at 4:00. If you or anyone you know is interested in participating with
us, please contact me so I can make sure music is available.

Notes on the music for World Communion Sunday:

Themes associated with this Sunday – unity, healing, action, and discipleship - resonate in Percy
Dearmer’s elegant text to the anthem “Draw Us in the Spirit’s Tether.” The author was a leader in the late
Victorian movement to restore beauty to Anglican worship by reviving certain liturgical elements of late medieval
“English Use” Catholicism. Working with prominent musicians Ralph Vaughan Williams and Martin Shaw, he
edited a series of hymn and carol collections that stimulated a widespread interest in the forms and language of
English medieval music.
The anthem’s music achieves its sublime effect with melodic lines whose graceful arcs recall the
disciplined contours of Gregorian chant. The composer, Harold Friedell (1905-1958), exerted considerable
influence in the New York church music scene of the 1940’s and 1950’s through positions he held at the Julliard
School, Union Seminary and St. Bartholomew’s Episcopal Church. His death of a heart attack at age 53 cut short a
productive composing career, leaving a body of organ and choral works, much of which invites further
exploration.
In the spirit of World Communion, I have included several multi-cultural songs and compositions in this
week’s unified service. Kum ba Ya, though written by a 17-year-old American in 1936 while at Christian Crusade
camp, took on an international character through successive translations in French, then Luvalle, an African
language. Hasta Tu altar (“Unto Your Table, Lord”) proves that a good communion hymn can be lively! The
composer, Carlos Rosa, was born in Nuevo Leon, and now serves as music and liturgy coordinator of the San Juan
de los Lagos Catholic parish in San Antonio, Texas.
The organ postlude is Neno lake Mungo, a setting of a Tanzanian hymn. The title means “Listen, God is
calling.” The composer, Anne Krentz Organ, is the Director of Music Ministries at St. Luke’s Lutheran Church in
Park Ridge, Illinois.
-Rob
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Announcements
The Woodlands Christian Church Nominating
Committee for 2011 has been named and has begun
work preparing a slate for our November
congregational meeting. The committee will be
nominating church members for the offices of elder,
diaconate, junior diaconate, trustee, treasurer, and
some committee chairs. The committee members
would be pleased to receive your suggestions for
potential nominees. Members of the committee are:
Paula Byrd, John Carter, Joel Findley, Susan Mayhall,
Shirley Park, Anne Ulmer and Luke Vandiver. John
Callison serves as an ex-officio member of the
committee as well. Please keep the nominating
committee in your prayers as it does its work.
Thursday, October 7 at 11:30 a.m. Young of Hearts
Luncheon Please join us at La Cabana Mexican
Restaurant, 4702 Louetta Road, Spring, 281-907-
7707. Your hosts are Joyce & L.O. Wray at 281-
288-8129 and Doyle & Carolyn Simpson at 281-907-
0922. Sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Saturday, October 9 is Greet the Troops and CYF
Day at TCU Anyone interested is welcome to ride
the church bus! We will board the bus Saturday
morning at the church ready to leave at 6:30 a.m.
(Flight is expected at 11:00am.) We’ll greet the
troops, go out for lunch, and those with tickets will
attend the TCU football game. Kickoff is at 2:30.
The bus will return to TWCC following the game!
Thursday, October 21 Young of Hearts Day Trip
Newman’s Castle
Newman’s Bakery
504 E. Main,
Bellville, Texas
Ph: 979-865-9804
Tour & Lunch
$12.50 per person
Experience the old
world charm of
Newman’s Castle, a
one-of-a-kind custom creation hidden just outside
of town in the Bellville countryside. The castle
features its own moat (watch out for gators!),
massive working drawbridge, a 3000 lb. iron gate, a
chapel, five 24 ft. tall corner turrets, a courtyard,
and a central tower with a dramatic view of the
surrounding lands. An 18 ft. wall encompasses the
castle, ensuring you are safe from oncoming
marauders during your visit. Reservations must be
made by October 14. Your hosts are Terri
Thackwray 713-373-7204 and Lonnelle & Arley
Walters. We will meet at the church and leave by
van and cars. Departure and return times will be
determined soon. Sign-up sheet in the Narthex.
Sunday, October 24 POPS CONCERT at 7:00 p.m. at
TWCC featuring music from Mamma Mia and
Disney Dazzlers performed by Chancel Choir, Youth
Ensemble and friends of TWCC. Annual Pumpkin
Tasting reception following concert.
Saturday, October 30 is TWCC AUTUMN FEST Turn
your craft or hobby into cash--wood works, sewing
items, jewelry, art, plants, jams & jellies or
whatever your passion is. Please contact Ann
Randolph to reserve a booth. See Page 6 for the
schedule of events.
Women’s Bible Class Summer Special! Life Change
Series: A life-changing encounter with God’s Word
from the book of Psalms is a ten-week study
(August 15 – October 17) looking at all the different
kinds of words Psalms uses to express praise,
anger, guilt, grace, sorrow and joy. Class led by
Maxine Cornwell meets in Room C-16 upstairs.
Women’s Bible Study Priscilla Shirer’s One in a
Million: Journey to Your Promised Land. This
discussion-driven women’s Bible study encourages
participants to fully engage in the abundant life
God has waiting for those who will allow Him to
take the lead in daily living. This is a seven week
study (September 8 – October 20) in the Ministry
Center with Nancy Mayes or off-campus with Laura
Callison. Study guides available at Lifeway
bookstore or online at amazon.com.
Adult Bible Class is studying Trolls and Truths by
Jimmy Dorrell. Jimmy tells the story of one person
he met through “The Church Under the Bridge” and
the truth that God chose to share with him through
that person. All men and women are welcome!
Class led by William Lentz meets in Room C-12 -13
upstairs.
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 Disciple Women Fellowship
Service Corner - October 19 at
7:00 p.m. DWF Service & Bible
Study Come join us for Bible
Study and help us serve the
community by making crafts,
and Toiletry Bags for the Montgomery County
Women's Shelter. Items needed include:
toothpaste, toothbrushes, combs, razors and
deodorant. Items donated can be placed in the
Toiletry Carts located outside the Ministry Center.
Please place items in the correctly labeled
drawers. This helps us save time in sorting and
allows us to prepare more bags in the time
allowed. Coming Soon - College Care Packages
Karen Townsend, DWF Service Chair
JOYS and CONCERNS
God knows all our joys and concerns before we do.
Celebrations: Mary Walther’s successful surgery. Mary
is now at Reliant Rehab, 117 Vision Park; successful eye
surgeries for Nathan Higginbotham and Lorene Roy; Bill
and Bonnie Cadwell are celebrating that Bill is at home
now; DMF mission project.
Grace-full Prayers: Diane Rosemond, cousin of Marilyn
Morris, stomach cancer; Ordie Cherry and her friend,
Judy Hebert; Leah Gray’s mother, Alice Yeager; Jeff
Kenline; Carol Stinnett’s brother in law, Jimmy
Harrington; Joyce Wray; the Keith Ward family; Coastal
Plains Area Minister Search Committee.
Ongoing prayers: Dan and Mary Cox; Phyllis Benson;
Lucile Castle; Mike Davis; Larry Ducote; Ken Dyson; Ron
Fugarino; Jean Marie Howells; David King; Suzy
Lynskey’s son, Brian Stanfield; ALS; Rose Mae Nokes;
Betsy Ravon; Chloe Snow; Heide Sumter; Opal Weaver;
Jane Young; and for the family and friends of The
Woodlands Christian Church.
Protection and Safety for our traveling members and
for those serving in the military.
New Member Margaret Speidel comes to us from
the First Christian Church
in Victoria, TX. If you
would like to write a
welcome note, please
send to: Margaret Speidel,
5055 West Panther Creek
Dr., The Woodlands, TX,
77381. Welcome to our church family, Margaret!
October 21-24 - Christian Church (Disciples of
Christ) in the Southwest Regional Assembly 2010:
Crossing the Boundaries The 2010 Regional
Assembly will be held in Midland/Odessa on
October 21-24. Hotel reservations can be made at
the Hilton Midland Plaza by calling 1-800-722-6131
and asking for reservations for these dates with the
“Christian Church in the Southwest.” A nightly cost
of $109 has been arranged, which includes
breakfast for hotel guests.
Speakers for the weekend include: Suzanne Stabile
– a lay counselor and ministers’ spouse (who was
an excellent stand-in speaker for TCU Ministers
Week), Paul Nixon, and Rev. Jose Morales,
Transitional Regional Minister for Central Rocky
Mountain Region, will be preaching on Thursday
evening. Ken Medema, a blind composer and
musician, will serve as liturgist with music for the
event from Friday – Sunday morning. Highlights
include workshops on the topics of Basics for
Congregational Life, Who Are We as Disciples,
Spiritual Formation and Crossing Boundaries; an
event for Youth Ministers; mission work in the
Midland and Odessa communities; worship
together on Sunday morning with Paul Nixon,
preaching, author of I Refuse to Lead a Dying
Church and Finding Jesus on the Metro.
The Assembly begins with worship Thursday
evening at First Christian Church, Odessa and
concludes with worship on Sunday morning at the
Midland Convention Center across the street from
the Hilton hotel.
Schedules and Registration forms are in the
Narthex.
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 OCTOBER
Happy Birthday Wishes
Kathryn Stokes 10/3
John Cavallaro 10/4
Michelle McMullen 10/4
Terri Benepe 10/5
CRAFT SHOW VENDORS Jackie Kenline 10/6
10:00 AM – 4:00 PM Rick Taylor 10/7
Mitchell Meyer 10/8
Ticket Booth Open in Narthex Bob King 10/9
$1 for Games, Events, Desserts, Snacks Chuck Brittan 10/9
$5 for lunch Joshua Calkin 10/9
Drinks & Snacks Concession Outside Herb Lynskey 10/9
9:30 AM -3:00 PM Amber Lynn Netek 10/10
Verna Grothe 10/10
Christmas Card Project Richard Cherry 10/10
Write Cards to Those in Military Service Shirley Park 10/12
9:30 AM – 3:00 PM in the Parlor Tiffany Mitchell 10/14
Jennifer Anderson 10/15
Bake-Off Competition JoAnn Reeves 10/15
Cakes, Pies, Cookies & Other Desserts Kylie Raney 10/17
9:30 AM – Registration - $1/entry William Lentz 10/17
10:00 AM – Competition Judging Ruth Cameron 10/21
Ron Fugarino 10/21
Games & Prizes – Fun for All Sizes David McMullen 10/22
10:00 AM – 12:00 PM Kay Dobbins 10/23
At the Races – Bean Bag Toss Chris Thackwray 10/24
Duck Pond – Pumpkin Bowling Aaron Bicknell 10/25
Pyramid Knockdown – Fun! Luca Lukacs 10/26
Valerie Owsijuk 10/27
BBQ Lunch & Dessert Booth
11:30 AM – 1:30 PM OCTOBER
BBQ, 2 sides, bread & tea or water - $5 Happy Anniversary Wishes
Bake-Off Desserts - $1/serving
Tom & Maudie Evans 10/02
Contests Rance & Leah Raney 10/02
Softball Throw – 1:00 PM Lanny & Pamela Low 10/08
Football Throw – 1:30 PM Steve & Carol Montgomery 10/08
Basketball Hoops – 2:00 PM John & Lisa Cavallaro 10/11
Great Paper Airplane Race – 2:30 PM James & Nell Newsom 10/16
Thomas & Lorene Roy 10/24
Awards Ceremony & Musical Revue Lee & Kira Elliott 10/24
3:00 PM Nathan & Claudia Higginbotham 10/25
Jeff & Irene Carter 10/26

TWCC Permanent Endowment Fund

Account balance to date: $82,036.66 6
Registration Forms in the Narthex

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The TWCC Newsletter will be published twice monthly
on the 1st and 15th. If you would like to submit
information to be shared with TWCC congregation and
friends, please e-mail your requests to me at
office@twcc.org at least two days prior to publishing
dates.

Your comments and photos are welcome!

Blessings to you!

Shelia McFarland
Receptionist

The Woodlands Christian Church

(Disciples of Christ)
1202 N. Millbend Dr.
The Woodlands, TX 77380
(281) 292-8858
FAX (291) 292-8881
www.twcc.org
Ministry Team
John C. Callison, D.Min., Senior Minister
Chad Turner, M.Div., Associate Minister, Children & Youth
Dr. Robert Hunt, Director of Music Ministries
Suzanne DuBois, Office Manager
Shelia McFarland, Receptionist
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