CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH ~ Disciple of Christ Focused on Faithful Living GET READY! IT S TIME FOR CWF S SPRING RUMMAGE SALE

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1 The Messenger Monthly Newsletter May 2012 CENTRAL CHRISTIAN CHURCH ~ Disciple of Christ Focused on Faithful Living Look What s Happening In May! GET READY! IT S TIME FOR CWF S SPRING RUMMAGE SALE Thursday, May 3 rd & Friday, May 4 th ~ - 4:00 pm Saturday, May 5 th ~ 9:00 - noon Proceeds from the go towards CWF mission projects. You can help support CWF s mission project by donating your unwanted items now through Wednesday, May 2 nd. Items left from the sale will be donated to the Vietnam Veterans and the proceeds from those items will be given to their families. Note: Due to the new Ohio law (bed bugs), we are unable to accept bedding/mattresses, upholstered furniture and stuffed toys. Volunteers Are Needed: If you can donate your time to help set up or work during the sale, please contact Lourdes Giles at lgiles@woh.rr.com or the church office. Attention Men: We need your help to load items onto the truck on Saturday, May 7 th at 12:30 pm, please contact Lourdes Giles or the church office if you are able to help. MOTHER S DAY IN-CARNATION The official flower of Mother's Day is the carnation, the favorite flower of the mom of the holiday's founder, Anna Jarvis. Over time, the custom arose of wearing a white carnation on Mother's Day if your mother has died and a red one if she's living. In fact, many carnation colors have special meanings. Pink carries the richest Christian symbolism. According to legend, carnations first appeared on earth as Mary wept while watching Jesus carry his cross. Where her tears fell, there appeared pink carnations, symbolizing a mother s undying love. According to one theory, the English word for carnation comes from carnis, Latin for flesh. From the same root comes incarnation, God s coming to earth in flesh. Thus, carnations remind us of our loving mothers as well as our loving Savior. Central Christian Church invites you to join us on Mother s Day, Sunday May 13 th as we honor the mothers of our church. THE CHURCH'S BIRTHDAY PENTECOST Pentecost was originally a Jewish harvest festival when the first fruits of crops were given as offerings to God. On the first Pentecost after Jesus resurrection, the Holy Spirit came upon Jesus followers. They were filled with power and love, thus empowering them to witness to God s actions in Christ to all who were nearby. Some 3,000 people responded to their claims that Christ was Lord and Savior of mankind. The outpouring of the Holy Spirit upon Jesus first followers on the day of Pentecost is often called the Church s birthday. Central Christian Church welcomes all to join us on Pentecost Sunday, May 27 th. We pray that the Holy Spirit may empower us and unify us so that we are all truly one in Christ.

2 CHURCH FLOWER CALENDAR There are dates available on the Flower Calendar to give a floral tribute in our worship service in honor or in memory of a loved one, to the glory of God, to celebrate a birthday, anniversary or special event. The cost is $30.00, due on or before the date reserved. Please mark flowers on the memo section of your check and place in the offering plate or mail to the church office. ANNUAL PASTOR S CLASS TRIP On May 3 rd 5 th members of Chi Rho and Pastor s Class will be travelling to Nashville, TN to tour the Disciple s Historical Society, the Disciples Divinity House at Vanderbilt and the Upper Room Publish Company to learn more about our Disciples of Christ heritage. For more information or if you have question, please contact Tammy Turner at or tammykayturner@yahoo.com. MEMORIAL DAY On Memorial Day, it is important to pause in gratitude to all those upon whose shoulders we stand. We should remember with great appreciation those who died making helpful, positive contributions whether large or small throughout human history. As Christians we should be especially grateful to those whose faith, service and love have enabled us to know the Gospel and its vast implications for the entire earth. Without our Christian teachers, pastors, missionaries and the ordinary servants of Christ, we would not have the Good News which is like a great light shining in the world s darkness. They have made sure Christ s precious Light has not gone out or been diminished. Memorial Day is a day for us to think about the people of the Light and to express to God our appreciation. CHURCH OFFICE CLOSED In observance of Memorial Day the church office will be closed on Monday, May 28 th. EXECUTIVE BOARD - ANNUAL REPORTS ALL MINISTRY CHAIRS: Your annual report is due in the church office (electronically) by Sunday, May 6 th. If you have any questions please contact the church office. CHURCH BRIDGE CLUB Mark Your Calendars! The Church Bridge Club is meeting at Central Christian on Saturday, May 19 th at 6:00 pm in the Fellowship Hall. If you have any questions, please contact Temple Ann Hanson at ANNUAL CONGREGATIONAL MEETING Central Christian s Annual Congregation Meeting will be held on Sunday, June 3 rd immediately following the tradition service in the Fellowship Hall. Our ministry chairs for the upcoming church year will be presented for confirmation by the membership. If you have any questions, please contact the church office. MONTHLY MESSENGER The monthly Messenger and Activity Calendar are published the last Friday of every month. The Messenger and calendar are available through our website at ccc-ket.org, via , US Mail and are located in the church Narthex. If you have any question about receiving a Messenger or calendar please contact the church office. The Messenger and Activity Calendar for the month of June will be published on Friday, May 25 th. WHATEVER THE WEATHER No matter the forecast, weather can remind us of God s presence: When it s sunny, remember that Jesus is the light of the world (John 8:12). When it s cloudy, remember that God often spoke to and guided his people from a cloud (Exodus 13:21-22.) During a thunderstorm, remember the thunder and lightning when God beckoned Moses to Mount Sinai (Exodus 19:16). When it rains or snows, remember that God s Word serves his purpose just as precipitation does (Isaiah 55:10-11). When it s windy, remember that a wind from God came at Creation (Genesis 1:2), and God s Holy Spirit arrived at Pentecost like a mighty wind (Acts 2:2).

3 Central Christian celebrates the following baptisms on Easter Sunday. Haleigh Nicole Goosey Daughter of Krista Reid Christian Alan Willman Son of John and Debbie Willman Brenden James Garner Son of Jack Garner Alyssa Brooke Pennington Daughter of Jennifer Pennington Xavier Christopher Blaine Hasty Son of Timothy Hasty and Carrie Garner The pre-choir Fest Dinner was such an awesome success thanks to great food and superior service. A number of the nearly 100 people attending the dinner were surprised that the youth served their food to them at the table. There were too many helpers to be able to thank you individually: those who planned the dinner, decorated the tables, prepared the food, sold tickets, served tables, cooked the dinner and cleaned up. You know who you are. Thanks again from the choir for such a marvelous evening. DISCIPLES LEADERSHIP INSTITUTE SEEKS PARTICIPANTS The Disciples Leadership Institute is looking for 20 Disciples leaders between 23 and 40 years old who are willing to spend a week this summer exploring personal faith and Christian community across the lines of race, language and culture. The fourth DLI conference, August 20-24, at the Scarritt-Bennett Center in Nashville, Tennessee, will gather 30 younger leaders (20 new members with 10 previous participants) from African-American, Anglo, Asian/Pacific Island, Hispanic, and Haitian congregations for intentional and structured conversation about our personal faith journeys and the faith communities that nurtured us. DLI seeks to create friendship and deepened understanding, and set the stage for life-long networking among Disciples leaders. DLI is sponsored by Higher Education and Leadership Ministries (HELM) and Disciples Reconciliation Ministries. The conference pays all expenses for all first-year participants, including food, lodging and travel to and from Nashville. We invite anyone with leadership responsibilities in a local congregation lay people or clergy to complete and return the Expression of Interest Form available at The expressions of interest must be received at the HELM offices by May 15, Because the program requires diverse participants, and only 20 places are available, the DLI planning committee cannot invite everyone who expresses interest. Invitations will be issued by June 1, CAMPERS AND CONFEREES Applications are available and located in the Narthex Otter Camp for those who have finished 3 rd, 4 th, and 5 th grades is scheduled for June 17 23, Wilmington Conference for those who have finished 9 th, 10 th, 11 th or 12 th is scheduled for July 29 h through August 4 st. Camp Miami Chi Rho Camp for those who have finished 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th grades is scheduled is August 5 th -11 th. Advanced Conference for young adults 19 through 29 years of age is August 12 th thought 19 th. Applications are available in the Narthex or download an application from the Christian Church in Ohio website ( Please try to register early BEFORE May 1 st - as there is a discounted fee. Camp fees: In past years the church has paid one half of every camper s fee. This year we are asking members of the congregation to step up and help offset camp fees for our young people. Your financial support may be placed in the offering plate, labeled Camp Fees or sent to the church office, again labeled Camp Fees. Additionally the aluminum can collection project proceeds will be used to help with camp fees. Start saving those aluminum cans, pie tins, and scrap pieces of foil!!! Items may be placed in the containers in the hall at the west entrance. For questions about the aluminum collection project please contact David Lyon at Financial assistance will be available so no one will be denied access to go to camp!!! Questions? please call Renita in the church office or Doug and Mary Lou Pence. The Christian Church in Ohio website ( also has information on scholarships available through their office. MARCH FINANCIAL RESULTS During March our operating income was $20,506 and our total expenditures were $20,881, resulting in a slight deficit of $275 for the month. However, looking at year-to-date figures, as of the end of March, 2012 expenses of $61,230 exceeded income of $55,822 by $5,408. It is not unusual for us to have a deficit at this point early in the calendar year and still end up with income meeting our expenses by the end of the year. Bear in mind both our monthly income and expenses are not the same every month, and fluctuate depending that month or the season, the programs, etc. Our 2012 budget for operating expenses was constructed to meet pledged income. As of the end of March 2012, our average operating income so far is $20,410 per month; however, the average operating monthly offering income needed to meet our 2012 budgeted expenses is $21,474 per month.

4 Service Requested Central Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1200 Forrer Blvd. Kettering, Ohio Focus on Faithful Living GOD S MINUTE We often fall into the trap of being so busy that we become caught up in this world of ours today. We even seem to forget that we are only on this earth for a short time. Now it is written; What is your life? You are a mist that appears for a little while and then vanishes. (James 4:14) Therefore, our Savior Jesus Christ warned us about this when He said; What good is it for a man to gain the whole world, and yet lose or forfeit his very self? (Luke 9:25) So, always remember to keep God number one in your heart, for after all eternity is a very, very, long time indeed. Now the poem below seems like the perfect to end this message! I knelt to pray but not for long, I had too much to do. I had to hurry and get to work for bills would soon be due. So I knelt and said a hurried prayer and jumped up off my knees. My Christian duty was now done; my soul could rest at ease. All day long I had no time to spread a word of cheer. No time to speak of Christ to friends, they'd laugh at me I'd fear. No time, no time, too much to do, that was my constant cry, No time to give to souls in need but at last the time, the time to die. I went before the Lord, I came, I stood with downcast eyes. For in his hands God held a book; It was the book of life. God looked into his book and said, Your name I cannot find. I once was going to write it down...but never found the time" Spend More Time With God!

5 Sunday Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Saturday Sunday Activities Morning Watch 10:30 am Traditional Worship Godly Play 9:15 am Christian Education 11:30 am Fellowship Hour Max Lucado Class 6:30 pm Chi-Rho and CYF 1 Setup Evangelism Meeting 2 Setup Inventors Council Weeping may endure for a night, but joy comes in the morning. Psalm 30:5 7 Elders Meeting 8 s 9 1:30 pm Joanna Group Kettering Toastmasters Mother s Day 1:30 pm Oakcreek Nursing Home 3:00 pm Walnut Creek Nursing Home 14 6:30 pm Young Adult Study 15 1:00 pm Lydia Group Executive Board 16 12:00 pm District 8 Ministers :00 Cheers 6:00 pm Church Bridge Club They need no lamp or light of the sun, For the Lord God gives them light. Revelation 22:5 23 Kettering Toastmasters Judge not, that you be not judge. Matthew 7:1 27 Pentecost God has revealed to us through His spirit. I Corinthians 2:10 28 Memorial Day Church Office Closed