The Messenger. Central Christian Church ~ Disciples of Christ. Celebrate the Blessings of Generosity

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1 The Messenger Central Christian Church ~ Disciples of Christ Monthly Newsletter February 2017 Celebrate the Blessings of Generosity Our giving in 2016 was almost $13, over our pledged giving. The following designated gifts are over and above our general offering gifts. The Food Pantry received a record $6, in total giving for The Thanksgiving Community Meal received $ in And the Christmas Basket Fund received $1, in Thank you for being a generous congregation! Thanks be to God for the blessings that allow us to be generous! Audit Committee Report The audit for the year ending December 31, 2015 was conducted by a three-person committee consisting of Rex Strine, Amy Ferrell, and Bob Cochoy. We have examined the balance sheet and related income and expenses of Central Christian Church for the calendar year The examination included tests and procedures, as necessary. Our findings were that the books were kept in an appropriate manner, and the financial statements accurately show the financial position of the church at the close of the 2015 year. Balances in the church investment accounts were validated as of the end of that year. A more detailed report has been submitted to the Executive Board. RESPECTFULLY SUBMITTED: Amy Farrell, Bob Cochoy, and Rex Strine (Thank you Audit Committee for all your hard work!) Central Christian Church Disciples of Christ Morning Watch Sundays 8:30 am (Fellowship Hall) Christian Education Sundays 9:15 am Traditional Service Sundays 10:30 am Fellowship Hour Sundays 11:30 am Office Hours Mon., Tues., and Fri., 10am 2pm Wed. and Thurs. 10am 4pm Pastor Rev. Liz DeWeese Moderator Jane Bernard Elder Chair Rob Bernard 1200 Forrer Blvd. Kettering, OH Phone: (937) office@ccc-ket.org Web:

2 PLEASE PRAY FOR Tammy Boika (cancer) The King Family The Miles Family Bobbie Bishop Marilyn Weaver Carolyn Clair (cancer) Barbara Moody Fred Lewis Jean McCall Mary Davidson Jean Brady Jane Boian Youth Spaghetti Lunch Please come and support our youth as they prepare us their signature dish spaghetti! The meal will be served in the Fellowship Hall directly after Traditional Service on Sunday, February 12. Can t wait to see you there! Planning for Ministry Our Stewardship Ministry Team has produced an exciting mailing describing how our many resources are used to fund Ministry that makes a difference in people s lives, including a beautiful Narrative Budget. This mailing was sent out via first-class mail on December 27. Sadly, it has come to our attention that several people have not received it. This is very disappointing since it is also an invitation to participate in our annual stewardship campaign by offering a pledge of giving for 2017 and beyond. It s important that all members have an opportunity to review the stewardship material and participate in Central s ministry via your pledge. We will have extra packets available in the Narthex starting January 29. It is vitally important that we have participation of everyone so that we can finalize the 2017 budget. Remember, weekly and monthly offering envelopes are still available in the Narthex. Feel free to pick up a set! 2nd 8th 9th 12th 17th 21st 25th 26th Jean Knee Catherine Green Andrew Stokes Eoin Farrell Dean Moody David Sipple Tristan Farrell Carol Strine Carol Lacy Velma Fansler The office will be closed when the Kettering City Schools are closed. Check Channel 2 and 7 for other cancellations Ted and Barbara Faulconer 144 Patmore Lane Nicholsville, KY tedfaul7@gmail.com VOLUNTEERS NEEDED! Help is needed in the nursery from 9:30-10:45 once a month. Please contact Amanda Willman or Beth Bentley The Member and Friends Directories are ready in the Narthex!

3 Thank You A special thank you to Jean and Bob Cochoy for baking the bread for our Communion services. We appreciate all that you do for our church! 1 John 2:5-6 Part 4: Walking Like Jesus Walter Schmeltzer, father of Doris Woodson, died on January 20th. Doris is the Food Services Director at Camp Christian. Friends and family are welcome to send messages to Doris and her family at dwoodson@ccinoh.org or sent to Camp Christian: Maple Dell Rd. Marysville, OH but whoever keeps his word, in him truly the love of God is perfected. By this we may know that we are in him: whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. (1 John 2:5-6 ESV) Have you ever spoken with someone who referred to him or herself as a Follower of Christ rather than a Christian? For some, it s simply a popular buzz-word used to appear spiritual. But for others, it denotes a profound truth in accordance with today s text, that whoever says he abides in him ought to walk in the same way in which he walked. Biblically, it is an unavoidable truth that a faithful believer will exhibit both faith and works (James 2:14-26). So if we profess Jesus as Lord and Savior we must also follow him as such! However, as has been the primary contention of this series, without Jesus gifted righteousness and the Holy Spirit empowering us we could never live like Christ. Jesus illustrated this perfectly in John 15:4-5, Abide in me, and I in you. As the branch cannot bear fruit by itself, unless it abides in the vine, neither can you, unless you abide in me. I am the vine; you are the branches. Whoever abides in me and I in him, he it is that bears much fruit, for apart from me you can do nothing. If we are genuinely in Christ, we will bear the fruit of righteousness. We will literally grow the fruit of Jesus life and ministry. We will increase in love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness and self-control (Galatians 5:22). Just like an apple tree cannot help but produce apples, so the Christian abiding in Christ cannot help but produce His life. His spiritual DNA is infused in us, so to speak, and we will live in a manner in which truly the love of God is perfected both in and toward us. Remember the words of Paul, If we live by the Spirit, let us also keep in step with the Spirit (Galatians 5:25). Something only possible through Jesus Christ.

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5 SUNDAY MONDAY TUESDAY WEDNESDAY THURSDAY FRIDAY SATURDAY :00-4:00pm Cheers :00am-4:00pm Girl Scouts 12 12:00pm Youth Spaghetti Dinner :00am-1:30pm Toastmasters Sunday Schedule 8:30 am Morning Watch 11:30 am Fellowship Hour 9:15 am Christian Education 6:30 pm Chi Rho and CYF 10:30 am Traditional Worship