Newsletter of the. First Christian Church

Transcription

1 Newsletter of the First Christian Church January 2017

2 Pastor s Keyboard Yes or no is the only resolution that makes sense. What should our oaths, our New Year's resolutions, look like? I don't think anyone would seriously argue that resolutions are mostly "well intentioned hot air." We mean well, and we know that we should do better, but failure is more than not the rule of the day. "Again, you have heard that it was said to the people long ago, 'Do not break your oath, but fulfill to the Lord the vows you have made.' But I tell you, do not swear at all (do not make an oath at all)." Jesus' answer to oaths/resolutions is: "All you need to say is simply 'Yes' or 'No;' anything beyond this comes from the evil one." Matthew 5:33, 34, 37. The best way to build trust in any relationship, whether between God and us, our spouses, friends, or fellow church members is to consistently do what you say you'll do. We do not make unrealistic or insincere promises. The more we can keep our 'Yes," the more we can be trusted. We also must know when to say 'No' in order to be able to keep our 'yes's.' We must be able to stick to a 'No' as well as we hold to our 'Yes." Personally, I see the struggle is often that we understand that 'No' is the correct response, and should say 'No,' but we say 'Yes' because yes is easier to say. People like us to say yes. So be wise to know in 2017 whether it is right and wise to say 'Yes' or 'No,' and hold to what we say. In this way we build trust in all of our relationships and it sounds right to us when someone refers to us as being able to keep our word. Peace to you as you say 'Yes' or 'No.' Doug

3 Stewardship Report First Christian Church is blessed by the faithful financial support of church members past and present. Generous offerings to the church on a weekly basis have enabled FCC to continue our ministry and mission. Complete financial reports are available from the church office. Please consider this short summary and pray for guidance in your continued financial support of Christ s work. General Fund November 2015 November Year to Date Income $ 7, $ 4, $ 53, Expenses $ 5, $ 6, $ 64, Net $ 1, $ 1, $ 11, December Attendance Report / / / / / / / / / /25... No Service

4 January 2017 January 1 Sermon: Open for Peace Scripture: Luke 2:13-15 Worship Leader: Elders: Deacons: Deaconess: Judy Carpenter Bob Garwood & Judy Carpenter Jim Flory & Jodie Flory Connie Shive & Judy Carpenter January 8 Sermon: Broken Hallelujah Scripture: Psalm 51:1-17 Worship Leader: Elders: Deacons: Deaconess: Vicki Garwood Bob Garwood & Judy Carpenter Jim Flory & Jodie Flory Connie Shive & Judy Carpenter January 15 Sermon: What God Desires Obedience! Scripture: 1 John 5:1-5 Worship Leader: Elders: Deacons: Deaconess: Laurie Steeb Dian Moore & Jodie Flory William Moore & Sue Bigelow Vicki Garwood & Pam Flory

5 Worship Services January 22 Sermon: Peace is Our Inheritance Scripture: John 14:27; 16:31-33 Worship Leader: Elders: Deacons: Deaconess: Dian Moore Dian Moore & Jodie Flory William Moore & Sue Bigelow Vicki Garwood & Pam Flory January 29 Sermon: Protected by God Scripture: John 17:11-12 Worship Leader: Elders: Deacons: Deaconess: Judy Carpenter Bernard Smith & Jennie Scheel Bob Garwood & Judy Carpenter Jodie Flory & Sue Bigelow Alternates: Elder: Nancy Wixon Deacon: Bill Stanley

6 Church News NLPC The Banquet FCC served The Banquet on December 19 th at New Lisbon Presbyterian Church. We fed 138 people and they loved the meal. From Judy Carpenter I cannot thank those of you who helped enough. I could not do it without you. Souper Bowl Sunday We are planning a sub and wing sale for Super Bowl Sunday, February 5 th. Due to the low balance in the Outreach Fund, the Fund Raising Committee voted to put the profits of the event into Outreach instead of the Air Conditioning Fund. CWF A reminder that CWF meetings are held the first Thursday of each month at noon. Choir Practice Choir practice is held every Wednesday. Practice begins at 6:30 p.m. New participants are always welcome! Community Outreach Outreach provided Christmas for a family with six children and helped a member with Christmas through gift card donations. Both families were extremely appreciative of the donations.

7 Sick and Shut-In Update Visiting Elder for January Bernard Smith Mary Combs Donna Viets, Room 114 Potters Creek Apt. 3B Vista Center 1220 Turnbury Street 100 Vista Drive (Off Brayton Street) Lisbon, OH Alliance, OH Karle Peterson Paul Peppel, Room State Route 172 St. Mary s Alzheimers Center Lisbon, OH West Garfield Road Columbiana, OH Please remember our shut-ins in your prayers and with cards, phone calls and visits.

8 January Celebrations Happy Birthday! 2 nd Caroline Carpenter 4 th Bill Stanley 9 th Joanne Martin 11 th Christopher Forstall 12 th Elaine Scheel 13 th Milton Butler 13 th Sherry Faulk 17 th Jodie Flory 18 th Albert Mason 20 th Kevin Smith 26 th Peg Dotson 27 th Paula Weber 31 st Esther Stockman Happy Anniversary! 2 nd Tom & Debby Hinchliffe 12 th David & Teresa Crawford 26 th Brian & Adrian Keith

9 Wisdom from the Elders Submitted by Judy Carpenter What is better than a new beginning? A new beginning means so much to us so many times in life it is: Starting clean Leaving behind that pesky baggage of what you ve done in the past Going down a new path The optimism of looking forward to new things Letting go of the guilt January is the month in which we can look back at the past to learn from it, because last year is right there. And we can look forward to the future so we can plan for it and make the best of it. This business about starting over isn t just talk. People take this stuff seriously. When the New Year starts, we often really do put faith in new starts. We really do think about what we can put behind us, and what can be better in this year than it was in the last. From a publication called the Bible Illustrator comes a little monologue with the New Year itself talking. This is what the New Year says: I am the New Year. I am an unspoiled page in your book of time. I am your next chance at the art of living. I am your opportunity to practice what you have learned about life during the last twelve months. All that you sought and didn t find is hidden in me, waiting for you to search it out, but with more determination. All the good that you tried for, and didn t achieve, is mine to grant when you have fewer conflicting desires. All that you dreamed but didn t dare to do, all that you hoped but did not will, all the faith that you claimed but did not have these slumber lightly, waiting to be awakened by the touch of a strong purpose. I am your opportunity to renew your allegiance to Him who said, "Behold, I make all things new." The new year is a fresh chance for a better experience, and for a better you.

10 Throughout our lives, we have made decisions that were bad ones. We have done things that are really stupid. We have hurt people. We have bad habits. We have done things we should not have done. And there are things we really should have done that we have not done. One way we deal with these things is to get depressed, and to keep our lives going in the same direction, while feeling guilty and bad about all we ve done and our inability to change. The only way to change all this is to change our minds and our habits. And in our lives, if we want to do things as we should, but we still do wrong, and we don t do the things we ought to do, then we continue to be wracked by self-disappointment and guilt. The only way to change all this is to change our minds and our habits and to take a new direction. What if we have the opportunity to leave all that bad stuff behind? What if we have the opportunity to turn in a new direction, drop all the baggage, and start a clean? That is one of the greatest things that can happen to a human being! What if we can: Take the bad decisions and throw them out? Take the bad habits and throw them out? Take the guilt and depression and throw it all out? Then suddenly - with a lightened heart, a renewed faith, a song in the air, sunshine on your shoulders, and a clear road ahead, you are ready to make your life anew. New Beginnings are a blessing. They are a cleansing. They lighten your soul. They bring you closer to God, and they make you more available to joyfully do God s work. May you all have a healthy and prosperous 2017, Judy

11 Contact Information First Christian Church 225 East Washington Street Lisbon, OH Facebook: First Christian Church Charles Douglas Shoaff, Pastor Bob Garwood, Board Chairman Judy Carpenter, Head Elder Jean Cook, Membership Secretary Judy Noel, Clerical Secretary Office Hours Monday thru Thurs: 4:30 6:30 p.m. Friday: 12:30 4:30 p.m.

12 The Good News First Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 225 E. Washington Street Lisbon, Ohio Sunday School & Bible Study 9:00 am Morning Worship 10:15 am Return Service Requested