Sparks First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)
560 Queen Way, Sparks, NV 89431
Mailing address 550 N McCarran Blvd. #420, Sparks, NV 89431-5278
Phone: 775-358-0507
Activities in the Life of the Church
Come join us not only for worship and communion but for fellowship opportunities, service to the community, drama in worship, play readings, picnics, movies nights, visual arts in worship, vacation bible school, adult Sunday school, and opportunities for children and youth.
All New Modern Windows 10/14/09
Garage sales and donations of all sizes from lots of church members and friends means that our very, very old and broken windows in the chapel were replaced with new, energy efficient windows that can be opened. It was a pretty exciting day on 10/14/09!! Thanks Steve for the photos!!
Thanks to all those who contributed funds, time and effort!!!
New Member Alert
10/16/09 Kylee Rene' DeArman was born 3:14 a.m. and weighed 8 Pounds 5 Ounces. 19 1/2 inches long.
We expect to see you at church on Sunday!!
Pictures coming as soon as Nathan and Sarah post them on Facebook!!
11/1/09, All Souls' Day
On 11/1/09, All Souls Day, we honored those for whom we donated windows and the saints living and passed on who have made a difference in our lives. We lit candles for each one and wrote their names on paper on our walls.
A great soup luch followed with homemade soups, chili and deserts.
The alter with candles honoring our saints, past and present.
The names of our saints on the wall.
First Sunday of Advent 2009: The Hanging of the Greens
What a wonderful prelude to the Christmas season this was. Steve wove into his sermon the story of the first Christmas tree, the meaning of the wreath, why bells are rung and why we decorate Christmas trees. Everyone participated in decorating the tree, placing wreaths at the ends of the pews, the setting up of the Nativity scene and hanging bells above the windows.
A mini advent wreath for Alice Rodriguez who is in a local nursing home.
The first of four banners hangs behind our beautiful communion table with our advent wreath.
Hanging bells.
Hanging bells.
Hanging bells.
Hanging bells.
Decorating the tree
Decorating the tree
Decorating the tree
Decorating the tree
Decorating the pews with wreaths
Decorating the pews with wreaths. One pew was to remain undecorated to remind us of Alice and others who are unable to join us.
The DeArman family and Dawni Klein light the first advent candle.
The children help set up the nativity scene.
The completed Nativity Scene.
Communion.
Communion
Steve preaching.
Second Sunday of Advent 2009
Jones family lighting the second advent candle.
Third and Fourth Sundays of Advent 2009
Klein Family lighting the candles for the 3rd Sunday of Advent.
The Beech and Harris families lighting the candles for the 4th Sunday of Advent.
Alice Rodriguez September 26, 1931 to December 30, 2009
Alice Rodriguez passed away on December 30, 2009 from complications due to Parkinsons' Disease. Alice came from the San Francisco Bay Area in July of 2007 to be closer to her daughter, Julie. Until Alice entered Hospice, Alice would be seen with Julie every Sunday, at special events and at bible study. Church was very special to Alice and when she could no longer come, the church came to Alice. Many members visited and Steve came every day during Alice's final days. Alice's family extends their deepest gratitude to all of these people and for making Sparks a home away from home.
A memorial service for her Sparks, Reno and Fernley friends will be held on Satuday, January 30, 2010 at the church at 1 in the afternoon. The family invites you to attend.
Alice delivering water to helpers on Miracle Day (church makeover) in 2007.
Christmas Eve DeArman Baby Dedication:
Kylee Rene' DeArman
Thanks to Patti Harris for the snap shots.
Hygene Bags and Heifer International Donations
for Haiti Earthquake Relief
As part of worship on Sunday 1/17/10 we assembled hygene bags for Haiti and also decided that this year's Heifer collection would be designated for Haiti relief. You can use a pew envelope and designate "Heifer."
Heifer International
Hygene Bags for Haiti
Stewardship Sunday 1/31/10
Steve's sermon discussed the many forms of stewardship including the giving of time and of our personal gifts and talents. On the walls were lists from our various committees of way that we can serve. The congregation added to the lists and then we placed our names next to the items to which we felt called. Some of the lists of names were VERY long.
We ended our day with a wonderful potluck hosted by the Care Committee (Dawni and Kelley) with so many different kids of chili from mild to spicy to southwest to barbequed and lots of cornbread and drinks.
Lots of chili and a waiting congregation!
Visitors reading our bulletin borad.
The great collage that the children made during the service.
Come see our new Lent and Easter 2010 Banners and Listen to the sermons about
"The Men of Lent"
Easter Banner is coming.
Repaired and beautiful new church sign in time for Palm Sunday and Easter 2010
Baby dedication 3/28/10 Palm Sunday
Steve wearing his Baby Dedication stole made by his grandmother and mother.
Scott & Michelle Sherman dedicating baby Tavia Annalise as brother Alaxzander looks on.
Sierra Manor Retirement Center Worship and Lunch 3/27/10
The outreach committee hosted an outreach at Sierra Manor Retirement Center. We provided lunch and hosted a singing group from the Covenant Players. Everyone made new friends and enjoyed this day of ministry.
Tenebrae Service Good Friday, 4/2/10
As I walked in the lights were already low and the glow of candles in the front quietly announced the start of the Tenebrae service. The mood felt like it might have been 2000 years ago. It was dark, there was a chill in the air, gray clouds loomed above and the wind was rushing through the trees and eves of the roof. It was a foreboding sound, ominous at best. The good Fiday story was told through scripture which came alive in the version used. That echo from two thousand years ago of "Give us Barabus" was audible and Christ's garments, over which the soldiers cast lots, were varily visible. The service ended in silence as a distant drum beat the foot steps of the crowd, the soldiers and the heart beats of Christ's followers.
Easter Sunday 4/4/10
Dave and Michelle Beech join the church!
Egg hunt for the little kids!
Easter Banner
Holy Humor Sunday (aka Bright Sunday) 4/11/10
Kaleb leading his toddler trio with a water gun.
Balloons, streamers, confetti, colored candles, water guns, groucho noses and glasses and Steve.
Communion amidst balloons and kids.
A bucket of confetti was poured over the board chair by the minister.
Kale's prayer: "Please let it be cookies and juice."
Kylee's best Groucho imitation.
And on the serious side, consider what it would be like to be called to be a missionary. We read about missions in several countries, what they did and then discussed what it would be like to give up everything to be called to be a missionary.
A Sermon Activity for the Little Ones 4/18/10
Sunday brought a sermon activity outside for our toddlers and discussion afterwords about Sunday school during sermon time for our smallest children.
More about this to come including a congragational survey.
The children were being disciples, catching balloon "fish" and placing them in the net. Thanks too to the teen helpers who hauled the "fish" out to the lawn.
Youth Sunday 4/25/10
Thanks to our youth who led a wonderful service.
Cassie, Sloan and Justin
Jj the DJ
Prayer by Kayla
Offering
