Monthly Newsletter of Williamstown Christian Church The MID-OCTOBER 2012 VOLUME 15, ISSUE 9 What will YOU do to reach out to the community? Ministry Fair will help you to decide EVERYONE in the congregation (member or attendee) is expected to find and fill the area in which What is a Ministry Fair anyway? Some of you they can best serve others. What can you do? Cook, bake know because we had one several years ago. But for cookies, deliver cookies, sing, serve as a greeter, sew, those of you who are asking: it is in many ways like an ordinary fair. There will be displays of various ministries work with a hammer and nails, repair car engines, decorate. The list goes on and on. at booths in the fellowship hall. As for the word ministry, many people think of that word referring only An old hymn went like this: to preachers. But a minister is a servant, and all of us There s a place, oh may I find it, are servants of Jesus Christ. Where my mission I can fill, The Ministry Fair will be held in the church felbe it humble or exalted, may I hold it with a will. lowship hall on October 28 from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. Help to serve my generation The purpose is to inform the congregation of the miniswith a heart of love and grace. tries we have at WCC and the new ones to be added. At Help me, Lord, from this time onward, each booth there will be a display describing the ministry find and occupy my place. and a sign-up sheet. Each person can select the area or areas in which they want to work and sign the sheet.
From the Minister s Desk For the past few months we have been working together to make our church all that God intends for it to be, and I would like to thank all those who have worked so hard on our Strategic Planning Committee. But the most important thing each of us can do both for our future, and the future of our Church is to make sure we have Christ on the throne of our heart. Matthew tells us in Matthew 6:33 But seek first His Kingdom and His righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well. Never forget what is truly important in life. There is a story about when Jenny Lind known to many as The Swedish Nightingale during her long and successful singing career left the stage while her singing was still at its peak. Countless reporters and critics speculated as to the reason for her leaving, and many wondered how anyone could give up so much applause, fame, and money. For her part she was content to retire and live in privacy in her home by the sea. Then one day a friend found her alone on the beech on her knees, her Bible in her hands, watching as the sun slowly faded in the west. Her friend who had wondered for so long about the reason for her retirement finally got up the courage to ask her. Madame Goldschmidt, how is it that you ever came to abandon the stage at the height of your success? Looking quietly into her friend s eyes she replied, When every day made me think less of this (laying her finger on her Bible) and nothing at all of that (pointing to the sunset), what else could I do? The world may never understand a person s decision to do things God s way. But then again once you have committed your life to Christ, it is hard to understand why anyone would give eternity for what the world has to offer. Jesus asks in Matthew 16:26 What good will it be for a man if He gains the whole world, yet forfeits his soul? Remember to always be more concerned with what God thinks about you, than what people think about you. See you on Sunday! Gary Swick Senior Minister Upcoming Events October 21 - Fall Festival October 27 - Men s Prayer Breakfast, Cracker Barrel, Dry Ridge October 28 - Ministry Fair October 28 - Grant Manor Service, 2 p.m. November 1 - Senior Saints Thursday Bible Study & Luncheon November 4 - Singspiration November 10 - GC Community Food Drive Bag Distribution November 14 17 - National Missionary Convention (Indianapolis) November 17 - GC Community Food Drive Bag Pick-up November 18 - WCC Thanksgiving Meal Delivery November 18 - Williamstown Community Thanksgiving Service, Williamstown Baptist November 29 December 1 - CCU Christmas on Campus; Christmas Wish November 30 December 1 - A Walk to Bethlehem PENDING 2
Fusion NOW October is by far my favorite month of the year! (It s not because my birthday falls in it either!) I love everything about fall and when I think about fall, I think October. October equals football, leaves falling, sweatshirts, and campfires! October is also full of wonderful events that we can look forward to! The first being the Fall Festival at the Caldwell house on October 21st. This quickly became one of my favorites things we do at Williamstown Christian Church as I had an absolute blast last year! You cannot beat the fellowship, home made cooking, hayride and bonfire! I encourage anyone and everyone to attend this year and enjoy nature and the people of WCC! Also in October we have Trunk or Treat on the 31st. It was so great seeing people getting into the spirit of Halloween last year with so many creative and colorful costumes and decorated trunks! I don t know how many children came through our lawn last year but I do know most of them came away very happy and impressed by our congregation s friendliness and passion. Let s show the community again this year what a great bunch of people we have! While not in October, the high school students can look forward to our Fall Retreat November 2-4. Brochures are available in the foyer with all the information students and parents need. Registration for this event is due October 21st! It s been wonderful seeing everybody at one service. You can see the spirit moving and the excitement it has brought to our congregation. The praise team has really enjoyed seeing the sanctuary full and hearing you all worship on Sunday mornings. I am still looking for people to help sing as a part of our small ensemble. If you are interested in helping just show up to practices on Thursdays at 7:00 p.m. or contact me and I will help. Other things to keep an eye on! Upward Basketball and Cheerleading registration opens on October 28! The middle school students will be going to CIY Believe again in February! In His Grip, Micah Micah Montecalvo, Associate Minister Wednesday, October 31 6-8 p.m. WANT TO BE A YOUTH SPONSOR? FIND OUT HOW YOU CAN HELP Lo re m WCC is in need of candy to pass out for Trunk or Treat. WCC also needs volunteers to pass out candy this same night. Decorate your trunk and put on your favorite non-scary costume. Don t like to shop? We will do it for you! 3
Sunday, October 21 4:00 8:00 p.m. at the home of Darrell & Brenda Caldwell Face painting, pumpkin decorating, plus many more games; food, hay ride, bonfire and more! FUN FOR ALL AGES! CALLED vs. VOLUNTEER The Difference Between Volunteering and Being Called into God s Service: 1 Timothy 1:12; 1 Chronicles 15:16-19; Colossians 4:17 1. A volunteer looks upon ministry as another commitment he s been obligated to fulfill, but one called of God looks at ministry as another opportunity to be used by God 2. A volunteer looks upon any constructive criticism with resentment, but one called of God is grateful for feedback, because he wants to be the best he can be. 3. A volunteer puts in minimum effort, but one called of God puts in maximum effort. 4. A volunteer sits back and complains about this and that bothering him, but one called of God takes personal responsibility to help improve that which needs improvement. 5. A volunteer feels threatened by the gifts and abilities of others, but one called of God feels secure in God s direction of his life. 6. A volunteer does no outside study or preparation (after all, he s just a volunteer), but one who is called of God comes to ministry and people as prepared as possible. 4 7. A volunteer wants to quit at the first sign of adversity or discouragement, but one called of God digs in and perseveres. 8. A volunteer is blind to the needs of his ministry, but one called of God prays over the needs of his ministry. 9. A volunteer is more prone to jealousy of others, but one called of God praises God for distributing spiritual abilities. 10. A volunteer s main source of fulfillment is his gifts and abilities, but someone called of God knows that being used of God is the most fulfilling thing you can do with your life. 11. A volunteer shrinks back from resolving relational conflict, but one called of God seeks to resolve all relational conflict to preserve the team with which he serves. 12. A volunteer can t handle being put into situations where he s going to be stretched, but one called of God responds to God s call with humble dependence on Him. Adapted from Foundations of a Music Ministry Rory Noland.
In September, the Senior Saints traveled to the Smoky Mountains for their annual fall trip. This trip was our best yet, with lots of laughs, food and fellowship. To view more pictures, please check out WCC s web site. And don t forget! In early Spring, information will be posted for our next Tennessee trip. Please mark your calendar and plan to attend. And remember, you don t have to be a SENIOR or a SAINT to attend. 5
Just for Laughs What We Believe That the Bible is the inspired and totally reliable Word of God: II Timothy 3:16-17. That Jesus Christ is the only begotten Son of God: John 3:16. That Jesus was crucified for our sins, died, was buried and arose physically from the dead on the third day: Romans 5:8, I Corinthians 15:3-4. That to be saved a person must: 1. Recognize that you have sinned and cannot save yourself: Romans 3:23. 2. Believe that Jesus paid a death penalty for your sin through His death on the cross and rose on the third day victorious over death: Romans 6:23. 3. Confess your belief in Jesus Christ as the Son of God and your personal Savior: Luke 12:8. 4. Repent of your sins and turn back to God: Acts 2:38. 5. Be baptized in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins, and to receive the gift of the Holy Spirit: Acts 2:38. 6. Live your life following all that Jesus has commanded us: Matthew 28:20. We believe that Jesus will return again to take His church to live in His Heavenly home for all eternity: John 14:1-4. 318 North Main Street P.O. Box 7 Williamstown, KY 41097 Phone: (859) 823-2041 Fax: (859) 823-2181 www.williamstownchristian.com