CHRISTIAN. the Bachman Road, Sardinia, Oh * (937) * website: sardiniacc.com *

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1 CHRISTIAN the S A R D I N I A C H U R C H O Journal F C H R I S T 7130 Bachman Road, Sardinia, Oh * (937) * website: sardiniacc.com * sardiniacc@gmail.com * July 2017 The church is hosting, for the ENTIRE COMMUNITY, a Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 8th. Everything is free: music, foods and beverages, bouncy houses, corn hole and whiffle ball tournaments and FIREWORKS from Razzi Fireworks! Fun for the entire family beginning at 5:00 p.m.

2 Kevin s Comments FREEDOM TO SERVE I have been thinking a lot about what freedom means for us as Christians. One of the primary realities of freedom is that God sets us free to serve. Christians often overlook the fact that Christian liberty grants us the freedom to serve Christ and others. Luther, in his acclaimed booklet On the Freedom of a Christian, commented on 1 Corinthians 9:19, saying, A Christian man is the most free lord of all, and subject to none; a Christian man is the most dutiful servant of all, and subject to every one. Genuine Christian liberty gives us purpose, not license. It frees us not only from something but to something. Scottish theologian Sinclair Ferguson shared: Freedom is not only the principle in the Christian life. Freedom is for something. God has set us free for holiness. He has set us free from the guilt and bondage of sin but not in order that we might become enslaved to the very sins for which Christ died to redeem us! No action which is contrary to the plain Word of God can ever be legitimate for the Christian. No appeal to spiritual freedom or to providential circumstances can ever make what is ethically wrong anything else but sinful. For the Christian is free only to love and obey the law of God. Therein lies his true freedom. So, when exercising liberty, the Christian is seeking to explore freedom to Christ s service and for His glory and, consequently, the good of fellow believers. Again, Chantry helps us: It is not enough to ask yourself, Does God s Word permit me to use these good things of the world? You must also inquire, Will it serve the glory of God? and, Will it edify my fellow Christians? Liberty and the Abundant Life Jesus said that He came so that Christians may have life and have it abundantly (John 10:10). And He said that anyone who would follow Him must deny himself and take up his cross (Matthew 16:24). He neither qualified one statement with the other nor did He suggest that He was speaking of different ends. Fullness of life, Jesus taught, was found in the service rendered to God and to others. This should lead the people of God to take great delight in His gifts, and these include both the good things we may enjoy and the good service we may give. Our Independence Day Celebration will give us a great opportunity to serve this community and seek to make a difference for Christ. May this serve as a reminder of the value that comes from being the hands and feet of Christ as we seek to serve the needs of others with a joyful heart. I am so thankful to be able to partner together with you as we serve Him who left the ultimate example to us of serving. For all who are in Christ are truly set free. And that freedom is demonstrated most beautifully in our service to Him. Kevin

3 Student Ministry News Questions? Please contact Facebook page: [Love] does not rejoice in unrighteousness, but rejoices with the truth. I Corinthians 13: 6 Remember those moments you had something sticking in your front teeth and you didn t know it? Or when you left your car s gas lid open and drove on, or left your car windows down in the pouring rain. Or if you re a guy and you ve been caught with your fly down. The moment that you were told about it you were flooded with embarrassment and shortly after adjusting yourself a tinge of joy immediately followed. Although you wonder how long you d been going around with it down and who noticed, you were glad that you were made aware to correct it. 1 Corinthians 13 is our ubiquitous reference for the function love in our lives and is even more notoriously misunderstood; a conversation for another day. For the sake of time I mean misunderstood in the sense that we often approach this passage with our personal idea of love and try to force our idea through this passage. Ultimately it comes up short of what this passage intends. For example: this passage is almost always used in weddings to tell a husband and wife how to love each other but this passage says nothing about marriage and instead applies to a loving attitude toward all people; a much harder task to pursue since it is for many people instead of solely for a significant other. When it comes to this passage as a whole there is a sense that a loving feeling will be accommodated with all of these qualities of love. Therefore if the feeling is not there then neither is love. So when it comes to rejoicing WITH the truth our feeling of love should be overflowing. Not so much I m afraid to say. When you were told how you had that embarrassing thing going on and someone finally told you, after several people didn t, you had a tinge of joy for knowing the truth about your looks because it meant you could do something about it. I do not know about you, but I am grateful when someone tells me that I have a stupid look going on. I used to get angry when people told me about my goofy looks because they are telling me I look stupid. The alternative of not being told is to continue going about like an unaware idiot. Someone, out of many spectators, actually took the time to tell me the truth, however uncomfortable. They were looking out for me and that is a truth worth rejoicing. Love desires the truth regardless of the content of the truth. Joe

4 Upcoming Student Ministry (SM)Events Students, set aside Thursdays, July 6th and July 20th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m., for a fun time together to play frisbee golf (FROLF). Lunch and frisbees are provided! Milford on July 20th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m. Goshen on July 6th from 11:30 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.

5 Alpha Class News The Alpha Class met at the Country Inn restaurant on Monday, June 19, Sixteen members and one visitor enjoyed a time of fellowship, along with a delicious meal. Barry Singleton prayed over our food. Hebrews 10:24-25 says, and let us consider how to stimulate one another to love and good deeds, not forsaking our own assembling together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another; and all the more as you see the day drawing near. We always enjoy our times of assembling together, whether it be a carry-in meal at the church, going to a restaurant or going on an outing. We invite anyone who is looking for a Sunday School class to attend to join us on Sunday mornings at 9:00. We meet in the classroom across from the Sanctuary on the offices side of the building.

6 What s Happening Here at Church? Grounds Keeping Day Saturday, July 1st In preparation for the July 8th Fourth of July celebration for our community here on church grounds, it is time to do necessary grounds keeping. So bring your work gloves, shovels, weed eaters and garden tools and prepare to work on the church grounds starting at 8:30 a.m. on Saturday, July 1st. Many hands make for light work.

7 What s Happening Here at Church? Euchre Night at the church on Friday, July 7th from 6:30 to 9:30 p.m. Bring finger foods and snacks to share. Beverages are provided. Come and enjoy a fun time of fellowship. Details on the Fourth of July Celebration! The church will be hosting, for the entire COMMUNITY, a Fourth of July celebration on Saturday, July 8th, with music, foods, beverages bouncy houses, games and FIREWORKS. Everything is free! Fun for the entire family. Come and enjoy! Mustardseed Ministry Mustardseed Ministry is hosting their next dinner on Friday, July 28th, at 6pm. The purpose of the Mustardseed Ministry is to reach out to the community and join together for a night of fellowship and food. We want to feed those who are hungry both spiritually and physically. The goal of the ministry is to care for one another and embrace community values. So, whether you're down on your luck or looking for good company, our community dinner is the place to be. Matthew 17: 20 says Faith as small as a mustard seed can move mountains!. Fitness Activities Every Monday classes in Zumba Tone convene at 6:30 p.m. and Yoga begins at 7:30 p.m. Every Wednesday Zumba begins at 6:30 p.m. and Yoga at 7:30 p.m. Both evenings the church building will be unlocked for those who wish to walk inside or outside. (The track is available for use at any time.) Each session costs $2 per person. Bring your own mat if you have one. Questions? See Kevin or Cathy Hamilton.

8 CMF Annual Yard Sale Christian Missionary Fellowship Annual Yard Sale July 6 th, 7 th, and 8 th 2017 Any donations can be picked up if needed or dropped off All proceeds help to fund building church buildings and schools in Haiti Any questions call Scott Mays at Or contact any CMF member Receive a ticket to win this handmade quilt by Velva Johnson with the purchase of $20 or more

9 Hillsboro Family Camp

10 Announcements 2017 Vacation Bible School Statistics Number of People Monday Tuesday Wednesday Thursday Friday Students Staff Wow! What a great week of VBS! Our week was emotionally charged and Holy Spirit filled. The kids at VBS were great. Well behaved and very attentive. My many thanks go to all who helped in whatever way. I have been told what a good job I did and my reply is this: A good director is only as good as those working with them. I have had fabulous people to work with! Their willingness to give of their time and efforts to instill in the children the love of Jesus is wonderful. So whether you taught a class, led a crew, registered kids, drove the van, swept up, brought juice boxes, in whatever capacity you helped, know that I am forever grateful and pray that you reap a reward in heaven for your efforts. I always get emotional at the closing program and that is because when you are there all week and you see the kids "getting it", you know, understanding what you are trying to teach, it is so heart warming and rewarding. Thanks you for your prayers; they were truly felt. This was one of the easiest VBS's I have been involved in and one of my favorite. I am truly blessed to be a part of the Sardinia Church of Christ. May God Bless You All! From the bottom of my heart, Janie Wills

11 Announcements Capital Campaign Status as of June 25, 2017 Amount Received Amount Remaining is $246, is $89, If you would like to participate in this Building Fund Campaign, please use the Building Fund envelopes on the back of the pews. Suggested donations for each month: January: stuffed animals February: small toys (no guns or war related items) March: toothbrushes April: wash cloths and bars of soap (no liquids) May: lip balm (solids only) and stuffed animals June: small balls and sunglasses July: chalk, crayons (no larger than 24 pack), erasers, scissors and notebooks August: paper, colored pencils glue sticks, and rollers September: solid deodorant, combs, and brushes October: coloring books and flip flops November is Collection Month to fill and assemble shoe boxes. Bring your empty shoe boxes, donations and/or filled shoe boxes to the Welcome Center. Sardinia s Hamburger/Tuna Helper, Tomato and Chicken Noodle Soups, Canned Tuna and Chicken, Peanut Butter, Jelly, Crackers, Spaghetti, Spaghetti Sauce, Mashed Potatoes or other boxed potatoes, Gravy, Jello or Pudding, Canned Fruits and Vegetables

12 Sardinia s on July Area Rally July 2017 Calendar Family Camp July 1st - Church Grounds Keeping Day beginning at 8:30 a.m. July 4th - Independence Day. Church offices closed. July 5th - Friendly Circle Meeting at 7:00 p.m. July 6th,7th, & 8th - CMF Annual Yard Sale daylight to dark July 7th - 24 Hour Prayer Vigil for community outreach July 7th - Euchre Night at 6:30 p.m. July 8th - Sardinia Community Fireworks at 5:00 p.m. July 17th - Alpha Class Meeting at 6:00 p.m. July 23rd - Area Rally at Hillsboro Family Camp at 7:00 p.m. WORSHIP TIMES SUNDAY SCHEDULE 9:00 a.m. Sunday School 10:00 a.m Worship SARDINIA CHURCH OF CHRIST Staff Kevin Hamilton, Minister kevinscoc@gmail.com Joe Henslee, Youth Minister jhenslee.scoc@gmail.com Alexa Koewler Worship Co-ordinator alexakoewler@gmail.com Ruth Ann Goodlin Secretary sardiniacc@gmail.com Bob Hopkins, Treasurer Jeannie Puckett, Janitor Elders Ed Fryman Scott Mays Bill Boling Joe Etienne Dave Mignerey Deacons Jeremy Mignerey Regge Fender l Mission Statement l We are committed to worshiping GOD, making Jesus the Lord of our lives, and sharing the truth of God s Word with our community and the world.