The FCC Ministry Plan affirms we are to have fun and to celebrate successes! We are called to bless, dream, and share. And so a yearlong celebration of being God’s Children and God’s Church began.
We shared our stories. Stories of our faith, how we live out that faith, ways we have experienced or witnessed God’s grace and love. Through the year we gave witness and celebration to God’s work in our lives by telling our stories.
Hear some of them here; click the links to hear the stories we shared:
Connie R. –
“I am so grateful that I ended up in the Disciples, for a lot of reasons, but especially because it’s a place that I can question, doubt and share with others while trying to figure things out on this journey towards a relationship with Jesus and God.” more
Gretchen M. –
“…what if I were to let go some of the preconceived notions I have about how my faith “should be” lived, and instead celebrated and cheered when things were different or new…what if I lived my faith with a “Yes!” each step of the way.” more
Marydarlene (MD) C. –
“Our theme this year is celebrating who FCC is. Yes, we are individuals with our own faith stories and work on behalf of the church. But we are also the collective of First Christian Church of Puyallup….I am thankful that I found the First Christian Church and that I am a part of it.” more
Karl R. –
“In June 1949 with my father’s approval I packed my suitcase and with $16.45 in my pockets I started hitchhiking from…New York and arrived at my father’s aunt’s house in Auburn, WA at about 1 am, five and a half days later. Although she did not…know I was coming…there was a bed available and food on the dining room table for a midnight snack. Coincidence or God’s guidance, I don’t know.” more
JoAnne F. –
“One of the first ministries I participated in was the backpack program. Then Fair Parking. Then Freezing Nights. I really liked working with the homeless, and still do. I loved that we were doing the things Jesus instructed us to do, instead of just talking about them.” more
Terry F. & Bonnie G. –
“…8 years ago our church needed help so I thought I would volunteer because it was the right thing to do. I could volunteer and it would not be much of inconvenience to me or my life. As Freezing Nights progressed I began to realize that this ministry was a God thing. I began to see and experience the Holy Spirit at work through homeless guests helping others, and volunteers caring and loving guests with unconditional love.” more
Leslie D. –
“…the best part is now we share our faith in Jesus Christ–the Disciples of Christ church has brought us all closer together as a family. We say grace before our family meals, we share Christian movies together, we talk about the Bible, and we follow Christ’s teachings. And as I continue my faith journey here with all of you at First Christian Church of Puyallup, I am blessed to have all of my family on the journey with me.” more
Jeanne C. –
“…FCC Puyallup gave me a place to use my talent, and cultivate my passion. If you’ve ever wondered, church… is… people. Three years ago, Sumner became our home and our address. We travel the 20 minutes to Puyallup most Sundays to worship with our church family. We belong here. Where we have history, and hugs.” more
Robin C. –
“…when someone called us on Saturday with an invitation for Sunday, to my complete surprise, all I wanted to do was go to church, which I had not done since my teens. “Just for one day,” I said on Sunday, September 16th, 2001.” more
Barbara S. –
“…I began to slowly realize that God is for real, and he did care for us. Roger continued to be strong in spirit and continued to reach out to people in need. I looked at this man and realized also that Roger did not preach his religion, but lived his faith, day by day. I felt Roger was my teacher.” more
Phyllis C. –
“…For the first 42 years of my life, I thought I was a Christian. And why would I not think this? I was a W.A.S.P. (White Anglo Saxon Protestant) girl, living in America, and I was baptized as an infant at about six months. I started Sunday School at about two years in the cradle roll, and I went to church every Sunday with my parents for 18 years. I knew lots of charming Bible stories and songs. I recognized pictures of Jesus, in sandals, with hair even longer than my son’s hair is now. But did I really know Jesus?” more
John G. –
“…now, I see God everywhere. I even hear him, especially when I can shut up long enough to actually hear Him and listen. I can feel him nudge me, push me, give me a brain-duster at times, but I know he’s working in my life.” more
Doug D. –
“…I grew up believing the church was about love… was about a mom that loved me, and a dad who loved me. There have been times when I have been tempted to give up on that idea. Because in spite of the idea that the nicest people on earth are in church, the meanest people are here, too… But my real faith, my real understanding of church, is that in spite of just how broken we can be, that the love of Jesus Christ is present here in ways, nowhere else true. And I want to be a part of that.” more
Kelli K. –
“…I turned to a friend of mine…talking about my motivation, or my lack of motivation to write my speech. She kept asking all these questions, and the one that stood out was, “When did you hand your whole self over to Christ?” And I was like, “I don’t know! It’s just always been that way.” I’ve always been able to feel, “Oh, I don’t need to worry about it, because it’ll work out, it’ll be the way it’s supposed to be” to the point where it annoys people, they think that I don’t care, that it’s not important to me, but it IS important, I just don’t worry about it.” more
Vicki S. –
“…This was a very dark time for me watching both of my parents suffer…I believe in God, but I began to doubt that God cared about the people I loved or really listened to my prayers…I asked God to give me a sign…(I don’t recommend testing God like this)…Thank you God – I really needed that confirmation that you cared about me and heard my prayers.” more
Joy C. –
“…That’s my story. I’m blessed beyond… much more than I deserve.” more
Janet W. –
“…I was broken, battered, and bankrupt. But I was home. And I could feel his hand in mine, and that’s all I needed.” more
Nancy F. –
“…So very slowly I worked my way back to my faith…and began to love and trust God again. Once again I could feel God’s hand on my shoulder and I realized I was the one that went away. His hand of guidance, comfort, and strength had always been there for me.” more
Karrin L. –
“…Years ago a friend…shared a meditation based on Psalm 45:10…I share it with you now and invite you to join me. It begins with the full verse “Be still and know that I am God,” then repeating it, dropping off the last word until only one word is left: Be still and know that I am God. Be still and know that I am. Be still and know that I. Be still and know that. Be still and know. Be still and. Be still. Be…” more
Vi W. –
“…I’m going to take you back almost 100 years…” more
Karl R. –
“…For my faith journey part 3 you will have to watch me and observe me and then go and do likewise. God must still have a use for me yet. Amen, so be it…” more
Bonita G. –
“…God is with me all the time. To help me get through the good times, the bad times, and the times you just want to sit and cry. God is with me.” more
