During the month of February the Outreach Committee will be collecting items for hygiene kits. This is response to the earthquake in Haiti, but these kits are kept in warehouses all the time to be ready for immediate response to a disaster. The kits will be distributed by Church World Service. You can help by bringing to the church any or all of the following items through February 28th. One hand towel measuring approximately 16" x 28" (no fingertip or bath towels) One washcloth One wide-tooth comb One nail clipper One bar of soap (bath size in wrapper) One toothbrush (in original packaging) Six standard size Band-Aids No toothpaste is needed. The Outreach Committee and helpers will place these items in one-gallon plastic bags with a zipper closure and ship them to a Church World Service warehouse. We are asked to provide $2 per kit for processing and shipping. We will also need funds to ship the collected kits to the warehouse. Therfore, cash donations will be accepted as well for shipped and for finishing out the kits.

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF DONATIONS
If you would like to make a donation to help the earthquake victims in Haiti, make your check to First Christian Church, but place on the memo "Haiti." Any donations received will be sent to Week of Compassion, which is providing assistance through ministry partnerships that already existed with agencies in Haiti.

FEBRUARY ITEMS FOR LIFE FOOD PANTRY During February we will be collecting cereal and oatmeal for the LIFE Food Pantry. Please leave your items in the baskets at the doors. You can always bring other non-perishable food items, but the Outreach Committee is placing a focus on particular items each month. LIFE has been overwhelmed by the needs of families in these tough economic times. All donations of food products and money are greatly appreciated.

COMMUNITY MEN'S PRAYER BREAKFAST
There is a Community Men's Prayer Breakfast held at different churches in months with a fifth Saturday. All church men are invited to attend. The next Community Breakfast is Saturday, January 30th at 7:30 a.m. at 2nd Baptist Church, 1208 I Street in Bedford. To RSVP call Tommy 278-8056 or Howard 275-5774.

REQUEST FOR CARDS Rev. Jerry Williams is a Timothy of our congregation and his wife has requested a card shower for his 75th birthday on January 29th. Cards may be sent to Rev. Jerry Williams, Box 172, Glade Springs VA 24340.

CHI RHO JAM
"Where's the Faith" is the theme of the 2010 Chi Rho JAM. The event is the annual assembly of Junior High Youth. March 6th and 7th are the dates and the event will be held at Camp Camby near Indianapolis. The registration is $55.00 and First Christian Church will pay half for members or regular attendees of our youth program. You pay $27.50 when you turn in your registration form. Information, including the form, is on the youth bulletin board.

EKKLESIA: Many People, Many Churches, One God The Junior and Senior High Youth will be attending an event in Bloomington on January 30, sponsored by Ekklesia - a gathering of many churches. The event begins at 6 p.m. and ends at 9 p.m. The youth will gather at the church at 5 p.m. and travel to Bloomington in the church van. It is a free event. Scott Kenworthy will speak to the youth about teenage unity and how it can change our world. Two bands will play; Aaron Pelsue Band and Outer Sanctum. After the event we will hold a lock-in in the Activity Room. For more details or to sign up to go - visit the Youth Bulletin Board.

ASH WEDNESDAY AND LENT
Ash Wednesday marks the beginning of the Lenten season. This year Ash Wednesday falls on February 17th. We will have an Ash Wednesday worship service at 7:00 p.m. that evening.
The symbol of ashes has long been used as an expression of grief and sorrow for sin - all those things in us and our society that cause hurt and sadness in our world. Sin is what happens when we separate ourselves from God and each other. Ashes remind us of our humanity - that we are born, we live our lives, and then we die. Ashes remind us that we are made of the same stuff as all the creatures of this earth. Finally, ashes are also a sign of new life emerging from the past - of forgiveness, blessing and transformation. It's a well-known fact among gardeners that ashes have a wonderful fertilizing effect upon the ground.
Lent can be a somber season when we repent for the many ways that we refuse the life that God gives. But Lent is also a season of hope that provides many opportunities for renewal. The biblical meaning of repentance as "turning around" - both in one's thinking and in one's behaving - is causing many in the church to look again at the mood and character of Lent. It is not just a "turning away" that is involved but also a "turning toward" - a turning toward God, turning toward hope. Lent is a time when we look deeply inside ourselves to see the ways we hurt one another and our world by not living as God intends - a time when we commit ourselves to changes and to new beginnings.

COOKIE GRAMS It's time for Cookie Grams! This is our tenth year for the Youth's biggest money raiser. In case you are new to Cookie Grams, they are 8 in. chocolate chip cookies, decorated for Valentine's Day. Cookie Grams cost $5.00 each. In past years we have delivered the cookies to whomever you wanted to send them to, but because the project has grown (from 200 to 700 cookies baked) we are delivering cookies 1) for those who cannot deliver them themselves and 2) to the congregation's shut-ins and nursing home patients. 3) Red Rose Secret Prayer Partners cookies will be on the Baker's Rack **If you are unable to drive and want to send cookies to a friend, you may still send the order to us by mail (or phone) and we will see that your cookies are delivered. The youth will make the dry mix on Sunday, February 7, frosting will be made on Monday, February 8, and baking will begin on Tuesday, February 9. Some cookies will be ready for pick-up on Thursday, February 11 and Friday, February 12. We are in need of bakers and decorators for Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday. We also need people to take cookies to businesses to sell. There is a sign-up sheet for volunteers in the hallway. We will be taking orders Sunday - just let us know how many cookies you want for yourself or how many you can sell for us.

STONEBRIDGE WORSHIP
Join us as we worship with residents at Stonebridge on January 31st at 4:00 p.m.

GRIEFSHARE GROUP Grief is universal. If someone can be there to help you through the journey, the process is much easier to endure. That's the idea behind Grief Share, a grief recovery program offered here at First Christian Church. We will hold our next introductory meeting on Monday, February 22 at 7:00 p.m. It's a program we offer to the community, as well as to our church family. Grief Share is a network of thousands of grief recovery support group meetings around the world. In the program, participants learn how to walk the journey of grief with support along the way. Weekly groups are designed to help people recover from the deep hurt of death and find healing and hope. We deal with both fresh and lingering grief. And, really, some bit of time needs to pass before you can engage in looking at the healing process. It is, indeed, a process, and through this program you're more willing to move forward. The program is non-denominational, so all are welcomed. "You don't have to share all of your sorrow and sadness verbally," Bob Dailey said. "But, there are others there who have dealt with grief who share the journey with you. They help you reach a forward motion toward grief healing, so you're able to fold it into a life experience in healthy ways. It enables you to remember and celebrate the life of one who is no longer with us." Groups share a video featuring personal stories of people grieving the death of a loved one. Experts then share insights on topics important to grief recovery. Participants become part of a small support group where discussion centers on the video but also includes the discussion of problems and successes experienced by group members. Group members are never asked to share personal experiences unless they choose to do so. Groups also discuss a workbook, From Mourning to Joy, which includes daily prayers, meaningful reflections, questions and comforting Bible scriptures. The sessions run for 13 weeks at intervals during the year. This program is aimed at adults. It's broadly varied. Each session engages in some type of loss - spouse, child, or sibling. The video and workbook give you the tools to work it out. The shared experience lightens the load. Each is self-contained so participants do not have to attend in sequence. The scriptures used are healing, hopeful and encouraging. They speak to our hurts. We're here to welcome and love folks of all faiths, because grief is common to all of us.

2009 CONTRIBUTION STATEMENTS
If you would like a written statement of your contributions to the church in 2009 please contact Joyce Douglas in the church office.

OUTREACH LUNCHEON The CWF will have their annual luncheon to benefit LIFE after worship on Sunday, February 21st. That is the first Sunday of the Lenten season and the Lenten calendars and blessing boxes will be distributed that day.

RESIGNATION - Jerry Byrd has resigned as a deacon for health reasons. He will be replaced by Carla (Duncan) Wade.

January 14, 2010 Dear Brothers and Sisters in Christ, I am writing this message on behalf of our General Minister and President, Sharon Watkins. Even though Sharon is on sabbatical, she has been keeping a close eye on the situation in Haiti. Sharon and I request your prayers for the people of Haiti, for our Global Mission Partners, and our missionaries who need not only our prayers, but also our resources. I also request your prayers for Dr. Glen Stewart, Regional Minister of the Christian Church in Tennessee, who is in Haiti with a delegation from the Tennessee region. At the time of writing, they are safe and have arrived at the U.S. Embassy in Haiti. My understanding is that the U.S. State Department and the Tennessee Congressional Delegation are working to arrange their return. At the same time a delegation from the Oklahoma and the Great River Regions are on the other side of the island in the Dominican Republic. While they felt the earthquake, they did not have any damage. In addition to these groups, I would urge you to pray for the Haitian communities within the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ). We have about 100 Haitian churches. These are anxious days and moments for many of them who have family and friends on the island. Charlie Wallace from New Church Ministries has traveled to be present with our Haitian churches in Florida. As you can imagine, communication to and from the island is very limited. Week of Compassion, Global Ministries and others have been using all of their available resources and technology to connect with our missionaries and partners. Yesterday afternoon, Rev. Amy Gopp, Minister of Compassion, participated in a phone call with Church World Service. This conference call provided additional information regarding the resources, needs and opportunities for service. If you or your congregation are compelled to offer financial resources in support of our relief efforts and our partners, I invite you to give at www.weekofcompassion.org or send a check to Week of Compassion, 130 E. Washington St., Indianapolis, Ind., 46204; noted for Haiti or earthquake relief. Week of Compassion has already sent an initial grant to Global Ministries / Overseas Ministries in support of our missionaries and partners, as well as Church World Service. Week of Compassion and Global Ministries are trying to keep their websites as up to date as possible and I encourage you to check them frequently. Your partner in prayer, Rev. Todd Adams Associate General Minister and Vice President

THANK YOU NOTES
The following note and a contribution was received from the Strengthening Singles Group: We very much appreciate your allowing us to use your church facilities for our meetings and dinners. - Strengthening Singles First Christian Church, Thank you so much for thinking of John. The gift of the Red Bird and the Communion and prayers every month mean so much. God Bless, John and Julie Spicer

POINSETTIAS FOR ADVENT In Memory of Owen "Shorty" Roberts Dorothy Roberts, Bruce, Cindy, Jenny & Families In Memory of Our Loved Ones Noe & Rosalie More In Memory of my grandma Ramona Brown Emily Douglas In Memory of Frank Brooking Mary Brooking, Larry, Beth, Nicholas Joyner, Greg Brooking & family In Honor of Rosa Taylor Donna Barrett In Memory of Dorothy Wray Lary & Beverly Wray In Memory of George & Jean Corps Jack & Becky, Larry & Kelly Corps & Robin Corps In Memory of Larry Duncan Bonnie Duncan, Julie & John Spicer In Memory of our parents Gordon & Joyce Douglas As a token of the love for this church Gordon & Joyce Douglas In Memory of Luis & Maria DeJesus Pedro & Starr DeJesus In Memory of David Oppy Pedro & Starr DeJesus In Memory of Vi & Jim Fields Bud & Nancy Moss In Memory of Suzanne Menaugh Bud & Nancy Moss In Memory of James E. Speer The Family In Memory of loved ones of Speer & Blackwell Families Brian, Jamie, Brandon & Erin Blackwell In Memory our loved ones Guy, Susie & Jacob In Memory of Mike Ragsdale Gordon Ragsdale In Memory of Anne Ragsdale Gordon Ragsdale As a token of the love for this church Gordon Ragsdale In Honor of our children George & Barbara Sorrells In Memory of Charles Hildum Treva Hooten & Becky Wright In Memory of Emma Hildum Treva Hooten & Becky Wright In Memory of Leo Jenkins Miss Pearl In Memory of Russell and Mary Frances Duncan Chuck, Dyan Miranda, Dylan & Addison In Memory of Gordon & Ruth Stewart, Birtle & Elsie Blackwell, Jim Speer & Owen Roberts Dean & Bonnie Blackwell In Honor of Mae Hartman Willard & Mary Ruth Yates In Memory of my mother, Jean Hyslop Terry Jan Grow In Memory of Tom Sears & Ralph Beren Betty Beren In Memory of Chloral H. Hilderbrand Betty Hilderbrand In Memory of Tom Hilderbrand Betty Hilderbrand In Memory of Mr. & Mrs. Arthur Lanning Betty Hilderbrand In Memory of George Tumey Carolyn Tumey & Family In Memory of Perry Smith Warren & Janet Smith & Polly & Family In Memory of Loved Ones Rosalie Roberts & Family In Honor of Our Ministers Anonymous In Memory of Loved Ones Helen & Pat Merchant In Memory of Harry & Alma Delpha Treva Olson & Family In Memory of Grace & Ethel Fish, Alice Burlesor & Elmer Duncan, Bill Fish, & Waldon Duncan Pete & Freida Fish MONEY GIVEN TO LAWRENCE COUNTY HABITAT FOR HUMANITY FROM POINSETTIAS With the proceeds from the poinsettias we were able to donate $212.40 to Lawrence County Habitat for Humanity. The poinsettias were a beautiful addition to the sanctuary during the Advent season and it was a joy to be able to help those who are in need during this special time.