First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) | First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ)

Christmas Eve, Rev. Dr. Willie Barnes-Jackson

November 19, 2018 By Connor

Rev. Dr. Willie J. Barnes-Jackson was born in Bourbon County, Paris, KY. He is the son of Mrs. Wanda M. Anderson of Dayton OH, and Dr. Willie J. Barnes of Longview, TX. Dr. Barnes-Jackson accepted his call to ministry on August 22, 1998 at a John Maxwell “Equipping the Saints” seminar in Toledo, Ohio.

He received his Bachelor of Science degree in Business Administration in 1998 from Central State University, graduating with Magna Cum Laude honors. He graduated in 2002 from Payne Theological Seminary with his Master of Divinity degree in Theological Studies and Pastoral and Marriage Counseling, while having matriculated as a Daniel A. Payne Presidential Scholar. He also completed over 400 hours of Clinical Pastoral Education and was ordained in December 2002 by the Christian Church in Ohio and Summit Christian Church under pastoral leadership of Rev. Dr. J. Thomas Johnson. In 2013, he graduated from United Theological Seminary after completing his Doctor of Ministry degree in Christian Education and Urban Ministry Development.

Dr. Barnes-Jackson has volunteered as a Chaplain for both Miami Valley and Good Samaritan Hospitals in Dayton. He is a member of the Disciples Chaplain Association. He held the position of President of the Reconciliation Committee. He is a trained member of the Anti-racism and Pro-reconciliation Commission and is considered a New Church Planter for the Ohio Region of the Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) in the United States and Canada. Dr. Barnes-Jackson established the first and successful annual Brother’s in God’s Grace (B.I.G.G.) Men’s Rally at Tabernacle Baptist Church. He spearheaded the development of a Clergy Social Action effort called Dayton Ecumenical Social Action Collaborative and led the development of a non-profit Community Development Corporation and

Action group with parishioners at Tabernacle Baptist Church in Dayton, Ohio. Currently he is an Associate Minister at Summit Christian Church in Dayton. Rev. Dr. Barnes-Jackson was an Associate Minister at Tabernacle Baptist Church and Pastor of Light of the Community Christian Church (DOC). He is married to Rev. Dr. Pamela Barnes-Jackson and is father to six children and fourteen grandchildren. He and Pamela celebrated thirty-one years of marriage on February 22, 2018 and currently reside in Clayton, Ohio. He is a loving and caring member of the Body of Christ and a dedicated man of God who looks forward to working with others in ways that enhance and promote continuous spiritual growth.

Filed Under: worship Tagged With: Advent, Advent 2018, CCIO, Central State University, Chaplain, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Christian Church in Ohio, Disciples, Disciples Chaplain Association, Disciples of Christ, First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, John Maxwell, Light of the Community Christian Church, Middletown, Ohio, Payne Theological Seminary, Regional, Summit Christian Church, Tabernacle Baptist Church, United Theological Seminary

2018 “Messiah”

October 26, 2018 By Connor

The location for the 2018 Middletown Civic Chorus performance is First Christian Church, 4520 Rosedale Rd, Middletown.

December 9th, 3:00 P.M.

There is no admission fee, but a free-will offering will be taken. A small reception follows.

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Messiah (HWV 56)^[1]^{[n 1]} is an English-language oratorio composed in 1741 by George Frideric Handel, with a scriptural text compiled by Charles Jennens from the King James Bible, and from the version of the Psalms included with the Book of Common Prayer. It was first performed in Dublin on 13 April 1742 and received its London premiere nearly a year later. After an initially modest public reception, the oratorio gained in popularity, eventually becoming one of the best-known and most frequently performed choral works in Western music.

Handel’s reputation in England, where he had lived since 1712, had been established through his compositions of Italian opera. He turned to English oratorio in the 1730s in response to changes in public taste; Messiah was his sixth work in this genre. Although its structure resembles that of opera, it is not in dramatic form; there are no impersonations of characters and no direct speech. Instead, Jennens’s text is an extended reflection on Jesus as the Messiah called Christ. The text begins in Part I with prophecies by Isaiah and others, and moves to the annunciation to the shepherds, the only “scene” taken from the Gospels. In Part II, Handel concentrates on the Passion and ends with the “Hallelujah” chorus. In Part III he covers the resurrection of the dead and Christ’s glorification in heaven.

Handel wrote Messiah for modest vocal and instrumental forces, with optional settings for many of the individual numbers. In the years after his death, the work was adapted for performance on a much larger scale, with giant orchestras and choirs. In other efforts to update it, its orchestration was revised and amplified by (among others) Mozart (Der Messias). In the late 20th and early 21st centuries the trend has been towards reproducing a greater fidelity to Handel’s original intentions, although “big Messiah” productions continue to be mounted. A near-complete version was issued on 78 rpm discs in 1928; since then the work has been recorded many times.

Filed Under: News, News and Events Tagged With: First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, George Fredric Handel, Handel's "Messiah", Messiah, Middletown Civic Chorus

Dessert & Movie

October 26, 2018 By Connor

Bring your favorite dessert to share!
Kate Thompson will present a brief presentation on the Mexican
celebration of the day of the dead…followed by the movie, Coco, a movie for all ages.
It will be a great night before our All Saints Day celebration on Sunday November 4th.

Filed Under: Events, Fellowship Tagged With: Coco, Day of the Dead, Dessert, Dessert & Movie, Disney Pixar's Coco, Family, First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, Movie

November 11th, 18th, and 25th, Rev. Carol Oetzel

September 30, 2018 By Connor

Carol is an Ordained Minister in the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ).

Carol is the Pastor of Assimilation at Legacy Christian Church In Harrison, Ohio. She serves on the Commission of Ministry and the Camp Christian Committee for our region.

Carol served as Associate Pastor at FCC-Middletown for 13 years. Carol also served Walnut Hills Christian Church as Co-Pastor.

Filed Under: News, worship Tagged With: Carol Oetzel, Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), Disciples of Christ, First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, Legacy Christian Church, Rev. Carol Oetzel, Reverend

October 28th, Rev. Carol Oetzel

September 27, 2018 By Connor

Carol is an Ordained Minister in the Christian Church(Disciples of Christ).

Carol is the Pastor of Assimilation at Legacy Christian Church In Harrison, Ohio. She serves on the Commission of Ministry and the Camp Christian Committee for our region.

Carol served as Associate Pastor at FCC-Middletown for 13 years. Carol also served Walnut Hills Christian Church as Co-Pastor.

Movie Night: I can Only Imagine

August 20, 2018 By Connor

We will provide hamburgers, hotdogs and the fixes to go with that.
Bring a covered side dish and your own pop or tea.

The movie we will be showing is I Can Only Imagine.

About the Movie:

Growing up in Greenville, Texas, Bart Millard suffers physical and emotional abuse at the hands of his father, Arthur. When Arthur becomes terminally ill, he finds redemption by embracing his faith and rediscovering his love for his son. Years later, Bart’s troubled childhood and mended relationship with his dad inspires him
to write the hit song “I Can Only Imagine” as singer of the Christian band MercyMe.

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I can Only Imagine Trailer:

Filed Under: Events, Fellowship Tagged With: First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, I can Only Imagine, Mercy Me, Movie Night

September 2nd, Connor Thompson

August 1, 2018 By Connor

Connor is a lifelong member of First Christian Church, Connor has served as Chaplain at Camp Friedlander operated by the Dan Beard Council, Boy Scouts of America. Connor is a senior at Miami University majoring in Non Profit & Community Studies and intends to pursue a Masters of Divinity at Lexington Theological Seminary.

Filed Under: News, worship Tagged With: Camp Friedlander, Chaplain, Connor L. Thompson, Connor Thompson, First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, Miami University, Middletown, Ohio

August 26th, Cliff Thompson Preaching

August 1, 2018 By Connor

Cliff has been a member of FCC for more than 20 years. He has served as Deacon, Elder, Vice-Moderator, Men’s Ministries Chair, Property Committee Chair, and Leader of the A/V Team.

Filed Under: News, worship Tagged With: Cliff Thompson, Clifford Thompson, Deacon, Elder, First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, Vice-Moderator

Michael Hefner, Music Director

July 15, 2018 By Connor

Michael Began his ministry with us on July 15th, 2018. He has 40 years of experience as a church musician. He hopes to lead and grow the music program and work to develop an inspirational and quality music program.

Michael holds an Associate of Arts in Music from Sinclair College, Bachelor of Arts in Music Performance from Wright State University.

Michael is responsible for Accompanying worship services, as well as directing all music programs of the church, especially our Chancel Choir.

Email Michael

Filed Under: Staff Tagged With: Disciples of Christ, First Christian Church, First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), First Christian Church Middletown, Hefner, Michael, Michael Hefner, Music Director