In this issue: We Want to Celebrate You, Sunday Assignments, and Upcoming Events.
Hospitality
Vicki Krupala, Chair
Thank You — on behalf of the Hospitality, Outreach and Worship Committees, to all who came to enjoy the Ice Cream Social on Sunday, September 21st. It was fun sampling new ice cream flavors with our friends and family, as well as the incredibly talented musicians who performed “An Evening of Gospel and Jazz.” A special thanks to Nancy & Tony Fatta, Ashley Bourgeois, Alicia Levell, Carol Madere, Judy Lester and Charles Riddle for their help with setup, serving, and clean-up during this event!
Consecration Fellowship Meal — Everyone is invited to join us for a Consecration Fellowship Meal following the worship service on Sunday, October 19th. The church will provide a pizza buffet with salad, dessert and beverages. RSVPs will soon be requested to confirm your attendance for this meal.
We Want to Celebrate You
Congratulations to Stephen and Claire Sanders on the birth of their new granddaughter, Zoe Claire. Margot says to tell everyone at church that she got “a new sister, a baby, and a sibling.” She is very proud. Claire’s daughter Rachel was a little over 3 weeks early, but mother and baby are fine and healthy. Zoe weighs 5 pounds 8 ounces and is 19 inches long.
Upcoming Events
- Sat, Oct 4 · 10:00 AM – 2:00 PM — Men’s Jambalaya Fundraiser
- Sun, Oct 5 · 11:00 AM — Prayer Circle (Library)
- Sun, Oct 5 · 11:15 AM — E-Commerce Committee Meeting (Fellowship)
- Fri & Sat, Oct 10 & 11 — Children’s Disaster Services
- Sun, Oct 12 · 11:30 AM — Book Club (Jason’s Deli)
- Sun, Oct 19 — Consecration Day
- Sun, Oct 19 · 11:00 AM — Consecration Luncheon (Fellowship Hall)
- Thu, Oct 23 · 9:30 AM — Disciples Women (Youth Building)
- Thu, Oct 23 · 6:00 PM — Sisters in Christ (Fellowship Hall)
- Sun, Oct 26 · 5:00 PM — Halloween Party (Fellowship Hall)
- Tue, Oct 28 · 6:30 PM — Finance Budget Meeting (Youth Building)
Outreach
Judy Lester, Chair
Southeast Ministries — our “pantry focus items” for October are: pasta sauce, soup, cereal, and cornbread mix. Donations should be placed in the shopping cart. (Note: the cart is located in the chancel area near the pulpit on the 2nd Sunday, or in the Narthex on other Sundays.)
Southeast Ministries — is in critical need of volunteers. Please consider if you might be called to lend a hand with this very important local ministry!
Gently Used Musical Instrument Drive — we will continue to collect “gently used” musical instruments (through October) for Aaron Turnipseed’s students who need help procuring them. Thanks to those who have contributed!
Disaster Relief Service Project — our church will be hosting a Children’s Disaster Services training session on Friday and Saturday, October 10th and 11th. If you are interested in volunteering for hosting duty, or in taking this training course, contact Carol Madere.
Coming Soon — November: Helping our local veterans in need. December: delivering Christmas cookies to our shut-ins.
Church Growth
Dr. Carol Madere, Chair
Book Club — the Book Club will meet on October 12th right after church at Jason’s Deli. The book is “Angels and Demons” by Dan Brown. Anyone who likes to read is welcome. Any questions, contact Carol Madere at 225-931-4413.
Level Up! A New Youth Group is Here — are your kids or grandkids looking for a place to belong, connect, and have fun? FCC is excited to announce that a new youth group has been formed. Under the direction of Kristin Morgan and Julie Theunissen, the youth group will meet monthly for fun activities and building friendships. Most meetings will be right after church, but some will be Saturdays from 5 to 8 p.m.
Regional News
Around the Region – Bobbie Yellott Fund — The Great River Region of the Disciples of Christ has established an endowment fund in memory of Rev. Bobbie Yellott, who passed away from cancer last year. Rev. Yellott of Lake Charles served as the regional minister for the southern part of the Great River Region, which includes south Louisiana, and was well known to the Disciples Women in the area. The fund will be used for ministries near and dear to Bobbie’s heart: women’s ministries, music ministries, and regional events. To donate to the fund: 1) Go to https://christianchurchfoundation.org/donate/ 2) Write a check to the Christian Church Foundation and specify Bobbie Yellott Fund in the memo line. What a joyful way to remember and celebrate Bobbie’s life and ministry!
Children’s Disaster Services Training — FCC Baton Rouge will be the site of a training session for people who want to help children cope with trauma after a disaster. The training will be held October 10 – 11 in the Fellowship Hall. Registration is $55, but the Week of Compassion is offering scholarships for those who wish to attend. Please call the Church Office for more information.
Upcoming Regional Mission Trip — The second annual regional mission trip will be building houses in Point aux Chenes, Louisiana, which is south of Houma in Terrebonne Parish. The Outreach Committee at FCC Baton Rouge will announce plans for a mission team in January. Volunteers are welcome. It’s a great way to help others while learning some home improvement skills yourself, and the fellowship is always great!
FCC Slidell — First Christian Church in Slidell is closing. Their last service will be Sunday, December 28, 2025.
Worship
Nancy Fatta, Chair
Pilot Mental Health Campaign — Lorri Fontenot, a registered nurse, and Brandon Miguez, an airline pilot, were part of a delegation that recently spoke to the House of Representatives and were instrumental in the House unanimously passing the Mental Health in Aviation Act of 2025. Lorri and Brandon are both former members of our congregation who moved out of state. They are the daughter and grandson of Beverly Weselak and also related to the Fatta, Bourgeois and Dotts clan. This bill requires the FAA to overhaul its mental health policies and culture. Previously, if a pilot sought mental health treatment, they were suspended for 6 months without pay with no guarantee that they would be reinstated. Seeking help is not a weakness, but a strength. This bill is now moving on to the Senate for their approval.
Sisters in Christ — our October meeting will be Thursday, October 23rd at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall lounge. We have free-flowing, informal discussions on a variety of topics which facilitates us getting to know each other on a more personal level, making us truly sisters in Christ. All ladies of the church are invited to attend. We always look forward to seeing new faces. We also have snacks!
Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat — We will be holding our annual Halloween Party and Trunk or Treat on Sunday, October 26 at 4:00 pm. Outside will have car trunks decorated and filled with candy! In the Fellowship Hall we will have food, games, crafts, and a costume parade. ALL members of the church are invited, from babies to seniors. Wear your favorite costume and join in the fun.
Church Definitions
Ever Hear Us Say Reredos? — Reredos is what we call the shelf where we display our candles and flowers in the Sanctuary. Originally from the Old French words “arere” meaning behind and “dos” meaning back, the word areredos was formed. The word was morphed into “reredos” in late middle English. A reredos is actually an ornamental screen covering the wall at the back of an altar. We do not have a formal altar, so we use the term for the shelf.
Additional FCC News
Congratulations Kendall and Julie! Thank you so much to all who helped to make Kendall and Julie’s wedding (September 21, 2025) a wonderful event: Beverly Weselak, Lucy Cody, Nancy Fatta, Carol Madere, Cathi Pourciau, Judy Lester, Lorrinda Dickinson, Sherry McInnis, Pam Comeaux, Diane Sympson, Alicia Levell, Charles Riddle, Callie Cody, and Brenda Hilgendorf.
Christmas Creations Coming Soon! Calling all crafters and would-be crafters! FCC is going to offer a morning of learning to make Christmas crafts on November 15th from 9 a.m. to noon in the Youth Building. A fee of $25 per crafter will secure the crafting supplies. We need your help, though. If you make crafts and are willing to demonstrate a craft, please contact Carol Madere or Nancy Fatta. Otherwise, please spread the word to friends to come enjoy a morning of coffee, cake, and creativity.
Oh, what a night! If you missed our “Gospel & Jazz Concert” on Sunday, September 21st you missed a wonderful evening of sweets, song, impromptu audience singing, and SPIRIT! The Lord was truly in the house! Thank you to Aaron Turnipseed, Director of Music, for organizing this event and making it so much fun. We’d also like to thank and recognize our dedicated and hard-working choir members — altos: Carol Madere, Carmen Jones; sopranos: Diane Sympson, Judy Lester; tenor: Chris Culp; bass: Trey Earle; and the man that can sing it all, our “utility singer” Earl Poole, Worship Music Leader. It was an honor and delight to once again welcome the fabulous guest pianist, Dr. Henry Jones, and all our guest jazz ensemble members who are friends and/or students of Aaron’s. They are AMAZING musicians, and we are so very blessed that they are willing to donate their time and talents to us! Psalm 100:1 says, “Make a joyful noise to the Lord.” If you are interested in doing this, come join the choir on Wednesday evenings from 6:30–8:00 pm. All are welcome; we need and want you!
Other Information for FCC
The Study — 9:00 – 9:45 am, every Sunday in the Youth Building. Our adult Bible study is beginning a new series of reading, discussing and exploring the life of “Abraham, Father of Faith.” Join with us as we gain new insight and revelation into our own faith journeys, finding encouragement and inspiration to truly live a life of believing and obeying. Come give it a try! Coffee, treats, fellowship and THE STUDY of God’s Word. You will not be disappointed.
Recipe: Ice Cream Cake (by Silver Angels, submitted by Joann Taliaferro) — Ingredients: 1/2 gallon of vanilla ice cream; 1 (10–12 oz) box of Ritz crackers; 1 1/2 sticks of margarine, melted; 1 carton of Cool Whip; 2 small boxes of instant chocolate pudding. Crush Ritz crackers and mix with melted margarine to make a crumb crust. Line the pan with these crumbs (save some for the top). Your ice cream should be sitting out melting for about 15 minutes. Mix pudding and ice cream together. Pour this mixture on the layer of crumbs. Spread the Cool Whip on top of the pudding. Sprinkle the crumb mix on top. Put in refrigerator.
Interesting Strange Bible Facts — 1. The longest name in the Bible is “Mahershalalhashbaz,” mentioned twice in the Bible (Isaiah 8:1). 2. The Bible contains descriptions of giant creatures that resemble dinosaurs (Job 40:15-18, describing Behemoth).
Bible Trivia — Easy: How many days did God take to create the world? (6) Medium: How many books are in the Bible? (66) Hard: How many kings of Judah were there? (20) How many kings of Israel were there? (19)
Sunday Assignments
Please check your worship assignments in advance and arrange for a sub in the case of a scheduling conflict. You can check assignments online or contact the church office at 225-926-4175.
October 5, 2025
- Church Opening — Michael Rankin
- Sacraments — Shelly Cody
- Liturgist — Pam Comeaux
- Children’s Moment — Ashley Bourgeois
- Youth Reader — Cora Cody
- Elder — Dr. Trey Earle
- Greeter — Carl Cotten
- Deacons — Carl Cotten, Alicia Levell, Gene & Esther Schilf
- Livestream — Nicolas Morgan
- Video Tech — Jeff Cody
- Sound Tech — Pam Jones
- CW&W Greeter — Kayla Mercil
- CW&W Storyteller — Genesis Bennie
- Church Closing — Nancy Fatta
- Program Builder — Michael Rankin
October 12, 2025
- Church Opening — James Morgan
- Sacraments — Shelly Cody
- Liturgist — Vicki Krupala
- Children’s Moment — Judy Lester
- Youth Reader — Brynleigh Comeaux
- Elder — Ashley Bourgeois
- Greeter — Jeff Cody
- Deacons — James & Kristin Morgan, Jeff Cody and Cathi Pourciau
- Livestream — Frank Dickinson
- Video Tech — Michael Rankin
- Sound Tech — Carmen Jones
- CW&W Greeter — Pam Comeaux
- CW&W Storyteller — Dr. Carol Madere
- Church Closing — Tony Fatta
- Program Builder — Brenda Hilgendorf
October 19, 2025
- Church Opening — Jerry Hilgendorf
- Sacraments — Shelly Cody
- Liturgist — Tony Fatta
- Children’s Moment — Michael Rankin
- Youth Reader — Leonardo Morgan
- Elder — Frank Dickinson
- Greeter — Ed Atkins
- Deacons — Ed Atkins, Tony Babin, Greg Taliaferro, Steven Gibson
- Livestream — Brenda Hilgendorf
- Video Tech — Jeff Cody
- Sound Tech — Pam Jones
- CW&W Greeter — Leonardo Morgan
- CW&W Storyteller — Kristin Morgan
- Church Closing — Michael Rankin
- Program Builder — Jeff Cody
October 26, 2025
- Church Opening — Charles Riddle
- Sacraments — Shelly Cody
- Liturgist — Dr. Carol Madere
- Children’s Moment — Nancy Fatta
- Youth Reader — Cora Cody
- Elder — Donna Embree
- Greeter — Kim Rankin
- Deacons — Michael & Kim Rankin, Doug & Tracy Shaffer
- Livestream — Charles Riddle
- Video Tech — Greg Taliaferro
- Sound Tech — Tony Fatta
- CW&W Greeter — Kayla Mercil
- CW&W Storyteller — Genesis Bennie
- Church Closing — Charles Riddle
- Program Builder — Dr. Carol Madere
Service Times & Contact
Service at 10:00 AM each Sunday — in person and online. First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 8484 Old Hammond Hwy., Baton Rouge, LA 70809-1317. Church Office Phone: 225-926-4175 · Email: churchoffice@fccbrla.org · Office Hours: Monday through Thursday, 9 am – 3 pm. The Rev. Dr. Dedrick Minor, Senior Minister (office hours by appointment). Aaron Turnipseed, M.M.P., Director of Music; Earl Poole, Music Worship Leader; Brenda Hilgendorf, Bookkeeper / Human Resources; Charles Riddle, Facilities; Kimberly Lax, Administrative Assistant.
Member birthdays, anniversaries, and the prayer list are in the printable PDF below and kept off this page for privacy.