First Christian Church of Smithville, Missouri

Beloved Church, Your pastor’s heart is exceedingly heavy tonight. My mind has raced all day as wave after wave of breaking news echoed the chaos and violence taking place in our nation’s Capitol, and I’ve struggled in that to find the words I want to share with our congregation. Thankfully, my friend and colleague, the Rev. Brandon Gilvin at First Christian Church of Chattanooga, Tennessee wrote this pastoral letter (that I share with his permission). Please spend time in... focused prayer this week, and ask God for direction in how you will live and act during this time of transition. Peace and hope, Rev. Dr. Lara

Join us as we begin a new sermon series: "A Faithful Exile -- Lessons from the Prophets." We'll also pray for our nation and find both comfort and challenge after a difficult week.

Worship Info for Sunday (1/10/21) and other updates! - https://mailchi.mp/smithville/smithville-fcc-e-news-3914888

Tonight is Twelfth Night (the evening of the 12th day of Christmas and the night before Epiphany)! As this Christmas season comes to an end, take a moment to chalk the doors to your home with this traditional formula of blessing: 20+C+M+B+21 That’s the year (2021) plus the initials of the three magi (Caspar, Melchior, and Balthazar). As you chalk your doors, you can read the prayer found in the second picture. (And you can do this tomorrow morning if it’s too late tonight )

Send your videos to [email protected]. If you need help, let us know! Worship committee members are available to help you.

Starting next Sunday we’ll use the six weeks before Lent to listen to the prophets’ lessons from a time of exile. Join us here each Sunday at 10:30 am (or any time thereafter)!

Join us as we celebrate Epiphany and talk about our Star Words for 2021.

We still have 11 angel tags left on our Angel Tree! Please click below to create an account, view the tree, and reserve your tag! Gifts are due back to the church no later than Monday. https://smithvillefcc.theangelgivingtree.org/

Join us as we celebrate the second Sunday of Advent by lighting the candle of Peace and exploring what it means to both prepare for and follow the Prince of Peace.

Worship Bulletin for the Second Sunday of Advent (12/6/20) and other updates! - https://mailchi.mp/smithville/smithville-fcc-e-news-3906812

Our calendar has begun. O Come, O Come, Emmanuel, and ransom captive Israel, who mourns in lonely exile here until the Son of God appear. Rejoice! Rejoice! Emmanuel shall come to thee, O Israel! (Emmanuel = God Is With Us)

Giving Tuesday at SFCC! - https://mailchi.mp/smithville/smithville-fcc-e-news-3905624

Join us as we celebrate the first Sunday of Advent by lighting the candle of Hope. This week the Advent wreath is lit by the Drake/Winn Family.