Dear Friends, See Norman Vincent Peale on page 2

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1 Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1300 Holly Drive Richardson Texas voice fax Communi-K Volume 38 Number 18 August 31, 2011 Dear Friends, My Dad sent this excerpt to me out of Norman Vincent Peale s book, The Power of Positive Thinking. I found it nice to be reminded of this again, so I thought I would pass it along to you as well. One of the most powerful concepts, one which is a sure cure for lack of confidence, is the thought that God is actually with you and helping you. This is one of the simplest teachings in religion, namely, that Almighty God will be your companion, will stand by you, help you, and see you through. No other idea is so powerful in developing selfconfidence as this simple belief when practiced. To practice, it simply, affirm "God is with me; God is helping me; God is guiding me." Spend several minutes each day visualizing His presence. Then practice believing that affirmation. Go about your business on the assumption that what you have affirmed and visualized is true. Affirm it, visualize it, believe it, and it will actualize itself. The release of power which this procedure stimulates will astonish you. Feelings of confidence depend upon the type of thoughts that habitually occupy your mind. Think defeat, and you are bound to feel defeated. But practice thinking confident thoughts, make it a dominating habit, and you will develop such a strong sense of capacity that, regardless of what difficulties arise, you will be able to overcome them. Feelings of confidence actually induce increased strength. Basil King once said, "Be bold, and mighty forces will come to your aid." Experience proves the truth of this. You will feel these mighty forces aiding you as your increasing faith reconditions your attitudes. Emerson declared a tremendous truth, "They conquer who believe they can." And he added, "Do the thing you fear and the death of fear is certain." Practice confidence and faith and your fears and insecurities will soon have no power over you. Once when Stonewall Jackson planned a daring attack, one of his generals fearfully objected, saying, "I am afraid of this" or "I fear that..." Putting his hand on his timorous subordinate's shoulder, Jackson said, "General, never take counsel of your fears." The secret is to fill your mind with thoughts of faith, confidence, and security. This will force out or expel all thoughts of doubt, all lack of confidence. To one man who for a long time had been haunted by insecurities and fears, I suggested that he read through the Bible underlining in red pencil every statement it contains relative to courage and confidence. He also committed them to memory, in effect cramming his mind full of the healthiest, happiest, most powerful thoughts in the world. These dynamic thoughts changed him from cringing hopelessness to a man of compelling force. The change in him in a few weeks was remarkable. From almost complete defeat he became a confident and inspiring personality. He now radiates courage and magnetism. He regained confidence in himself and his own powers by a simple process of thought conditioning. I am including his ten rules for gaining a positive attitude later in the C-K. So much of what we do in ministry for Christ, as we witness and serve, stems from our attitude. Most people will pick up on whether we act from a positive or negative attitude and understanding as they assess our genuineness. May our witness be powerful in its truth! In Christ s service together wherever He leads, David Norman Vincent Peale continued See Norman Vincent Peale on page 2

2 Norman Vincent Peale (cont. from page 1) To sum up what can you do now to build up your self-confidence? Following are ten simple, workable rules for overcoming inadequacy attitudes and for learning to practice faith. Thousands have used these rules, reporting successful results. Undertake this program and you too, will build up confidence in your powers. You, too, will have a new feeling of power. 1. Formulate and stamp indelibly on your mind a mental picture of yourself as succeeding. Hold this picture tenaciously. Never permit it to fade. Your mind will seek to develop this picture. Never think of yourself as failing; never doubt the reality of the mental image. That is most dangerous, for the mind always tries to complete what it pictures. So always picture "success" no matter how badly things seem to be going at the moment. 2. Whenever a negative thought concerning your personal powers comes to mind, deliberately voice a positive thought to cancel it out. 3. Do not build up obstacles in your imagination. Depreciate every so-called obstacle. Minimize them. Difficulties must be studied and efficiently dealt with to be eliminated, but they must be seen for only what they are. They must not be inflated by fear fore thoughts. 4. Do not be awestruck by other people and try to copy them. Nobody can be you as efficiently as YOU can. Remember also that most people, despite their confident appearance and demeanor, are often as scared as you are and as doubtful of themselves. 5. Ten times a day repeat these dynamic words, "If God be for us, who can be against us?" (Romans 8:31). Stop reading and repeat them NOW slowly and confidently. 6. Get a competent counselor to help you understand why you do what you do. Learn the origin of your inferiority and self-doubt feelings which often begin in childhood. Self-knowledge leads to a cure. 7. Ten times each day practice the following affirmation, repeating it out loud if possible. "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." (Philippians 4:13) Repeat those words NOW. That magic statement is the most powerful antidote on earth to inferiority thoughts. 8. Make a true estimate of your own ability, then raise it 10 percent. Do not become egotistical but develop a wholesome self-respect. Believe in your own God-released powers. 9. Put yourself in God's hands. To do that simply state, "I am in God's hands." Then believe you are NOW receiving all the power you need. "Feel" it flowing into you. Affirm that "the kingdom of God is within you" (Luke 17:21) in the form of adequate power to meet life's demands. 10. Remind yourself that God is with you and nothing can defeat you. Believe that you now RECEIVE power from him.

3 Outreach A great big THANK YOU goes to Patty Latham and all the ladies who brought a can good to the Disciples Women s breakfast and business meeting this past Saturday. We were able to collect several cans to donate to Network. If our church committees continue to keep the other committees in mind when planning events such as this we can certainly accomplish a lot more than if we work as separate entities. As the new chair to the Outreach committee I ve just attended my first Hunger Pantry meeting this past week and it really opened my eyes. Regularly, our church, more than a lot of the other much larger church communities, really helps many people who are less fortunate to have the food we are accustomed to. There are people going without nutritional food right here in our community due to the present economic situation. More so now, than since the great depression, people are without jobs; and there are more elderly on very low, fixed incomes deciding between food and medicine. Please keep finding ways to contribute to Network and the Hunger Pantry and to fill the empty baskets with canned goods in the foyer for Network. Also, remember the Habitat house build begins on September 10. Best regards, Carol Johns Worship Committee Sadly, the Chalice Hymnals that we have been using for so many years are going out of print. Before they are gone, you can purchase a hymnal in honor or remembrance of a loved one. Look for the order forms in the bulletin and Communi-K; the hymnals cost $20 apiece. Please have your order forms into the office by Sunday, September 11. Thank you! Chalice Hymnals In Honor Of: In Memory Of: Given By: Hymnals are $20.00 each. Please attach payment to order form. Total Amount Ordered: Check Total Amount Paid: $ Cash

4 Calendar of Events Saturday, September 3 September 3 September 12 September 24 September 2 September 5 September 6 September 8 September 10 September 11 September 13 September 16 September 17 September 19 September 23 September 24 September 27 September 29 September Anniversaries September Birthdays Jim & Ruby Latham Gene & Jim Benton Dick & Joan Seawright Lu Sifferd Julie Frieling Judy Stempel Christy Horn Jennifer Carpenter Riley Fairchild Joan Seawright Rick Martin Nathan Wooten Debb Faulk Judy Bush Dean Knecht Charlotte Clark Coby Hendrickson Laban DeLay Jean Murph Carol Fairchild Holland Kate Frieling Cory Slape Macy Whitley Eden Straw-Watson Maria Sanchez Tatsiana Sanchez Membership/Outreach Committees The back-to-school cookout & school supply drive is scheduled for September 25 immediately following worship. Look for supply list on the office window and in the next Communi-K. 9:00 a.m. Jr. Church Setup in Fellowship Hall Sunday, September 4 9:30 a.m. Sunday school 10:50 a.m. Worship Monday, September 5 Labor Day Church Office closed in observance of Labor Day Wednesday, September 7 1:00 p.m. 55+ meeting 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice Thursday, September 8 10:00 a.m. Spiritual Disciplines Prayer Group Saturday, September 10 8:00 a.m. Habitat Build Sunday, September 11 8:00 a.m. Elders meeting 9:30 a.m. Sunday school 10:50 a.m. Worship 11:15 a.m. Jr. Church Begins Wednesday, September 14 6:00 p.m. Stitchers meeting 7:00 p.m. Choir Practice Thursday, September 15 10:00 a.m. Spiritual Disciplines Prayer Group Saturday, September 10 8:00 a.m. Habitat Build 8:30 a.m. Property Workday Sunday, September 18 9:30 a.m. Sunday school 10:50 a.m. Worship 5:00 p.m. Pastoral Relations 7:00 p.m. Executive Committee

5 Where Everyone Counts Habitat Our Habitat build starts on Saturday, September 11. Anyone (16 or older) is welcome to participate on the build, or to come by and give moral support. Please pray for the temp to drop by then! This year we are at 1720 Pueblo, Dallas Here are some "Habi-facts" Families save over $100,000 in interest payments with their Habitat 0% mortgage Habitat families contribute over $800,000 in property taxes each year to the city. Since 1986 Dallas Habitat has created stable, permanent housing for over 2,330 family members, including more than 1,220 children. Habitat families must: 1. Be employed and able to afford monthly payments of $600 $750 and a one time escrow payment of $2000 for taxes and insurance 2. Have at least one year of good rental history 3. Be willing to complete 400 hours of sweat equity (working on their house or on others') 4. Have an acceptable credit history 5. Be a US citizen or permanent resident 6. Meet family income level criteria 7. Attend homebuyer education classes on home maintenance, budgeting and planning o Family of 2: $ 13,660 $32,785 o Family of 3: $15,370 $36,880 o Family of 4: $17,075 $40,980 o (Our families median income level is $26,356!) Check out office window for details about the Habitat build starting on September 11. Jeannine has forms in the church office for anyone interested in volunteering to help with the build. Disciples Women s Ministry Disciples Women Ministry met for our kick-off brunch Saturday, August 27 at The Egg & I with 20 women in attendance. We discussed our vision and goals for this year; community service, care for the physical property of CCC, and fellowship. Our next gathering will be for property workday on September 17 at 8:30. I asked everyone to make a list of tasks that need completing at the church so we could compile a list, prioritize it, and get it done! Please join us on September 17 for property workday. p.s. Paul would appreciate more help on property workday too! Blessings, Patty Garage Sale November 5. You are encouraged to continue bringing your garage sale items for our annual church garage sale. The storage room behind the stage is FULL. The nursery room down the hall has been designated as another storage area, so please place your items in an orderly manner in this classroom. Thank you, Patty Latham, Chair Green Prayer Cards We are pleased that many of you are using the green prayer cards! To make things easier, the Proctor will now collect the prayer cards at the beginning of the service, so they can be passed along to Pastor David before the prayer for concerns. The green cards are beneficial because they provide Pastor David with all the information he needs, and allow him to announce the requests so everyone can hear them clearly. By writing your concerns on the prayer card, you also help Jeannine place them in the Communi-K and bulletin easily. Remember, you can always call or your concerns and prayer requests to your elder, David, and Jeannine as well. Thanks for your participation, and keep the green cards coming!

6 Where Everyone Counts Worship Attendance 08/21/11 64 Deacon Serving Schedule Visitors 11 The following deacons signed up to serve Kristi & Sandro De Santo Debb Faulk during the month of September: Bill & Jane Keene Daisha Norcross Greg Hendrickson, Proctor Wayne & Mary Quick Arthur Roberts Carol Johns Joanne McKinley Chuck & Sally Turner Kristin Slaight Mark Slaight Paul Latham, Deacon Chair Worship Attendance 08/28/11 84 Visitors 15 Kristi & Sandro Di Santo Caroline Kellam Steve & Mary Ann Kellam Stanley Myers Arthur Roberts Sally Turner Financial Report Grace Fauntleroy David Kellam David Lederbord Wayne & Mary Quick Jim & Peggy Thomason (Budgeted weekly revenue: $2,788.46) Receipts for 8/21/11 $2, Receipts for 8/28/11 $1, Memorial Gifts In Memory of Juanita Holland Olivia Neeley From Shirley Cain Mary Anne Potter CCC Operating Fund Status CCC is feeling the heat in more ways than one! The electricity bill is very high. We have used Fellowship Hall quite a bit in the last month or so and plan to start junior church in there. The uses of Fellowship Hall fit into CCC's ministry, so the added expense is justified. I'm asking EVERYONE who makes expense decisions to be sure we need to do them. If your budget is already overspent, but the need fits into CCC's ministry, please get with me. Perhaps money can be found for this expense. Blessings, Mary Anne Sunday, September 4 Twelfth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 41:1 25 Genesis 41:26-49, Sermon: Dreams Unfold Worship Participants Preacher: David Cartwright Lay Leader: Joan Taylor Acolyte: Dylan Knecht Sunday, September 11 Thirteenth Sunday after Pentecost Genesis 45:1 15 Matthew 20:20 28 Sermon: Mirror Images Worship Participants Preacher: David Cartwright Lay Leader: Greg Hendrickson Acolyte: Fletcher Horn Leading Worship for September Elders: Mic Burnett, Lee Cole Deacons: Greg Hendrickson, Proctor Carol Johns Joanne McKinley Kristin Slaight Mark Slaight

7 Where Everyone Counts Join Us on Sundays 9:30 a.m. Sunday School 10:50 a.m. Worship Service Church Office Hours Monday through Thursday from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Church Office Contact Info David Cartwright s Contact Info (office) djc@cccrichardson.org (home) tracvad@aol.com (cell) Calendar Updates For updates to the CCC calendar, check with the church office or the bulletin board across from the church office. The next issue will be Wednesday, September 14, 2011 The Communi-K is published bi-weekly by Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ), 1300 Holly Drive, Richardson, Texas 75080, (972) , (972) fax, editor, Jeannine Frank Community Christian Church ccc@cccrichardson.org Rev. David Cartwright Jeannine Frank Rebecca Baker Anne Speights Hop Chu Santos Camarillo Mark Slaight Julie Knecht Amy Taylor Mary Anne Potter Teresa Gafford Paul Latham Minister Church Secretary Choir Director Accompanist Childcare Custodian Board Chair Board Vice Chair Board Secretary Church Treasurer Chair of Elders Chair of Diaconate Community Christian Church (Disciples of Christ) 1300 Holly Drive Richardson, TX 75080