The Best Christmas Ever!

Size: px

Start display at page:

Download "The Best Christmas Ever!"

Alexia Carter
5 years ago
Views:

1 December 16, 2018 Vol. 34 No. 49 CHURCH OF CHRIST A PLACE YOU CAN CALL HOME, WITH PEOPLE WHO FEEL LIKE FAMILY The Best Christmas Ever! Y

2 Your place for weekly news and updates! Thank you to so many of you who have shared with me the stories of how last week impacted you. I hope the Christmas lights always remind us of the hope the gospel can offer even in dark days. It was never my intention to decorate the pulpit for the holidays, but to take something we see every day this time of year and reinterpret it in a way that reminds us of the biblical truth about hope. I have to say a special "Thank you" to Jean Jenkins for hosting my Tuesday morning class in her home last week for our Christmas party. There are so many different groups getting together for parties and celebrations here at the end of the year and I am thankful for each and every person who participates in the ministry and work of this congregation. I pray you are blessed during this season of the year to enjoy great relationships and time to spend with people you love. Also a huge "Thank you" to Brad and Teresa Carter and all their "elves" for all their hard work with our Cookies for Angels program! It is a blessing to be a part of this church family! -David Salisbury When Does Love Die? (Part 2/2) No one has ever seen God. If we love one another, God abides in us, and His love is made complete in us. 1 John 4:12 This article was written by Pat Odom, a friend of mine who preaches in Chicago and is worth sharing. This is part two of two. When they came to the place called the Skull, they crucified him there, along with the criminals - one on his right, the other on his left. Jesus said, "Father, forgive them, for they do not know what they are doing..." Jesus called out with a loud voice, "Father, into your hands I commit my spirit." When he had said this, he breathed his last. (Lk23:33,34, 46) When does love die? Feelings die, and so if love is about feelings then it dies the moment that warm feelings give way to cold ones, or angry feelings replace kind ones. Passion dies, and so if love is about passion then it dies the moment someone or something comes along to stir more passion. Enthusiasm dies, and so if love is about enthusiasm then it dies the moment something becomes familiar and commonplace and boredom sets in. Even happiness can die, and so if love is about happiness then it dies the moment tragedy and pain suck the joy out of life. But what if love is tougher than that? What if love survives even the death of feelings and passion? What if it outlives enthusiasm and joy? What if love can take the worst human beings can do to one another and return grace, mercy, and forgiveness? Suppose that love can move aside stones and even defeat death. Does it change the way we think of love to understand just how God has loved us? He has loved us when we have failed to appreciate or even to notices, all the has given to us. And when we were powerless, ravaged victims of sin and death, He has refused to stop loving us, and even gave his Son's life for us. All this despite the fact that we were the ones who put him on that cross. And when the Son prayed, "Forgive them..." there was never any doubt his prayer would be answered. When does love die? Never. Jesus taught us that. Aren't you glad God's love for you never died? And can't you return in kind the love that you have received from Him? You can. You can do what Jesus did. You can entrust yourself to God and put yourself on the line, even for someone who might never love you like he should. You can offer grace, compassion, and forgiveness. You can make peace, You can help someone be what God made them to be. When does love die? Only when you let it. -David 2 Corinthians 5:9 So whether we are at home or away, we make it our aim to please him.

com and look under "Youth" to find the links to register for upcoming events. You can even pay online when you register (or you still have the choice to pay in person)!

Go to hcofc.com for the link. Excerpt from Natural Evangelism by Matthew Morine: "How do you know if you are friends with someone? What are the signs of true friendship?

Everyone knows hundreds of people, but most folks have only a few close friends, and some people might not have even that. So, what does real friendship look like?

The character of each person has been assessed by the other, and respect and appreciation have grown from that assessment.

It is hard to form a close friendship with someone who is notorious for lying. Two thieves might work together, but they will never see the other thief as a trustworthy friend.

3 SIGN UP TODAY FOR CYC!!!! The cost is $30 and the dates are February If you plan on attending you must sign up. Bible Image of the week Questions or Suggestions? Nathan Woolard - Youth and Family Minister nathan@hcofc.com or (919) SIGN UP HCOFC.COM Go to hcofc.com and look under "Youth" to find the links to register for upcoming events. You can even pay online when you register (or you still have the choice to pay in person)! Sign-up sheets for CYC (February 22-24) and EU (January 18-20) are currently available. EU is for High school only. You must sign up and pay TODAY for both of these events! Be sure to sign up for the remind groups below that apply to your family and text your name to (919) Adopt-a-Family Shopping - TODAY CYC Sign-up Deadline - TODAY EU Sign-up Deadline - TODAY HYG Lock-in - Jan. 4 There are online sign-up sheets available for CYC and EU. Go to hcofc.com for the link. Excerpt from Natural Evangelism by Matthew Morine: "How do you know if you are friends with someone? What are the signs of true friendship? Is it a shared hobby or interest? Is it the amount of time spent with another person? How do you know if a friendship is one-sided or merely an acquaintance? Everyone knows hundreds of people, but most folks have only a few close friends, and some people might not have even that. So, what does real friendship look like? The key to a real friendship is mutual trust. Each side feels an admiration for the other person and feels blessed that the other is willing to be their friend. The character of each person has been assessed by the other, and respect and appreciation have grown from that assessment. People want to be connected to honest, authentic individuals who respect them. Only a fool would consider a con artist a friend. It is hard to form a close friendship with someone who is notorious for lying. Two thieves might work together, but they will never see the other thief as a trustworthy friend. Likewise, people tend to avoid highly self-centered individuals. No one purposely aligns himself with a user, nor do they begin a relationship with a known cheater. All of this to say that, if you want friends, your behavior matters. If you want to be friends with trustworthy and honest people, you must be an honest and trustworthy person. Trust is the reason friendship evangelism works." (YOUTH ONLY) Youth Group - to Sr. High - to Jr. High - to 81010

4 Serving the Assembly Sunday, AM Service Announcements - Micah Busbey Song Leader - Nathan Woolard Opening Prayer - Rodney Newton Scripture Reading - Glenn Whitledge Sermon - David Salisbury Closing Prayer - Mike Stone Sunday, PM Service Opening Prayer - Tim Tapp Scripture Reading - Jesse Tapp Closing Prayer - Brian Maddox Wednesday, Service Song Leader - Brian Maddox Opening Prayer - John West Devotional - Tim Tapp Closing Prayer - Josh Fletcher Prepare Lord's Supper - Dec. Jean Jenkins Greeters Bob McIndoo Mary McIndoo Matt Newman Communion Servers Green Street Side Fred Barnett Bob Eckels Orlen Donnelly Michael Lloyd Parking Lot Side Shane Boggess Karl Dawson Mike Coffman Bill Bridwell The Plan of Salvation Hearing (John 8:32) Belief (John 20:31) Repentance (Acts 17:30) Confession (Romans 10:10) Baptism (Gal 3:27) Faithful Living (Rom 12:1-2) What does it mean? To be a Christian is often described as being in Christ. When do I move from being outside of Christ to being in Him? Scripture shows us over and over that individuals who believed in God and repented of their sins were baptized. Paul says that baptism is the moment we put on Christ. The word describes putting on a coat or robe. To be in Christ, I must put Him on and that happens at the moment I am baptized. For The Record: Week of December 9, 2018 Sunday AM Class Sunday AM Worship Sunday PM Worship - 95 Wednesday Bible Study - 92 Contribution - $ 6, Congregational Leadership Elders: Fred Barnett, Bob McIndoo, Rodney Newton, Stephen Stilwell Deacons: Jason Arvin, Shane Boggess, Micah Busbey, Brad Carter, Karl Dawson, Josh Fletcher, Brian Maddox, Juan Nunez, Mark Springer, Leland Steely, Tim Tapp Minister: David Salisbury Youth and Family Minister: Nathan Woolard

5 Continue to Remember Frances Abell Kaycee Burrough Lyn Carter Carol Cummings Juanita Dockery Cathy Fletcher Frieda Higgs Mary Kissell Odie Mays Jim McIllwain Jane Putman Friends and Family Sherry Rashidian JoAn Rearden Magdalene Shelton Johnnie Simon Laverne Thomason Brad Whitledge Cheryl Bealmear - cancer - mother of Todd Bealmear Joyce Belt - Karen Shockley & Regina Taylor's mother June Bollinger - Marlene Stilwell s mother Kenny Bolte - Gina Schue's father Wesley Campbell - Jean Campbell's son Jason Chaplin - Leukemia - Rhonda Fyffe s nephew Margaret Clayton - Jerry Buchanan's cousin Ronnie Clothier - Parkinson s - Sharry West s brother Tracy Critser - cancer - Mike Coffman's daughter Hyland & Norma Darnall - Sharon Bundy's parents Jasper Deer - infant great grandson of Odie Mays Curt Dills - Juanita Dockery s brother Mary Dixon - Robert Dixon & Linda Johnson's mother Thomas Elkins - Barbara Barr's brother-in-law Hannah Gates - 5 year old friend of David & Janice Leigh Bill Gotee - cancer - J.B. Slaughter s brother-in-law Lee Groves - cancer - Mary Taylor's brother Martha Harrod - Sue Farris' sister Randall & Joan Hedges - friends of the Steely family Lane Hinton - melanoma - Sue Ginn's nephew Vickie Rogers - cancer - Stephen Roger s wife Nancy Rummans - cancer - Mary Sue Slaughter's cousin Robin Ryan - cancer - Sherry Rashidan's sister Richard Salisbury - David Salisbury's father Robbie Slaughter - JB & Caroline Slaughter's brother Sylvia Slaughter - JB & Caroline Slaughter s sister Ryan Smith - Mary Steely's nephew Theresa Smith - cancer - Samantha Thompson's mother We walk by faith, not by sight. Updates: 2 Corinthians 5:7 PRAYER LIST Jasper Deer, infant great grandson of Odie Mays, who was born 2 months early, is improving and gaining weight. Richard Salisbury, is back in a respiratory rehab hospital. Sympathy Our deepest sympathy to Carol Cummings on the loss of her niece, Robin Jenkins Thomas. Friends and Family continued Linda VanBritson - cancer - Drew VanBritson's grandmother Joe Wilder - cancer - Marlena Buchanan's friend's son Mildred Yates - Mary Taylor's sister

TODAY Shopping for Adopt a Family - The Youth Group will meet Nathan at church at 1:00 to shop for our family.

Leadership Meeting - The Elders will meet at 4:00 and the Deacons will join them at 5:00.

Tuesday - Tuesday Morning Bible Study - will not meet again until January 8. Ladies Ornament Making - at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Casey Maddox.

December 24-25 - Church office closed December 30-5th Sunday - The contribution will go to the Building Fund.

website at hcofc.com and click on the red DONATE button.

6 TODAY Shopping for Adopt a Family - The Youth Group will meet Nathan at church at 1:00 to shop for our family. See Nathan if you have any questions. Leadership Meeting - The Elders will meet at 4:00 and the Deacons will join them at 5:00. Potluck - Following evening services. Everyone is encouraged to come and enjoy some fellowship. Tuesday - Tuesday Morning Bible Study - will not meet again until January 8. Ladies Ornament Making - at 7:00 p.m. at the home of Casey Maddox. There is a sign up sheet in the lobby. December Church office closed December 30-5th Sunday - The contribution will go to the Building Fund. Adopt-a-Family If you would like to make a weekly donation or set up an automated gift online, please go to our church website at hcofc.com and click on the red DONATE button. This morning is the last opportunity to donate to help make Christmas special for a family in need this year. Money will be collected during Bible class. Our Youth Group will shop after lunch today. The Women of Worth group will go out to eat Monday at 6:00. See Josh or Laken Fletcher for details. Food Pantry Needs Canned Chicken Breast Spaghetti Noodles Complete Microwave Meal Please be sure items are not outdated. Thank you.

January 20, 2018 Vol. 35 No. 3

WWW.HCOFC.COM January 20, 2018 Vol. 35 No. 3 What Will You Do For Love? And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we beheld His glory, the glory as of the only begotten of the Father, full of grace