The Red Oak Christian PUBLISHED BY RED OAK CHRISTIAN CHURCH (DISCIPLES OF CHRIST) GREENVILLE, NC 27834-7029 WWW.REDOAKCHRISTIANCHURCH.ORG Vol. XXXVII January, 2011 Number 1 A new year brings with it both the acknowledgement of the past and the hope of the future. 2010 should be remembered for the extensive upgrades to the building, i.e. carpeting and painting and bathroom re-fits in the East Wing, painting and HVAC upgrades in the West Wing, and plans in the works for a new audio/visual system in the Sanctuary and a new entrance to the building. But enough about the footprint of Red Oak, what really was important was our renewal of the Younger Adult Class, the success of VBS, the pictorial directory, and the overall spiritual growth of the congregation. Our willingness to remain faithful to our outreach goals of helping individuals in crisis through feeding programs, emergency services, and prayer has been a blessing not only to those we help but to all of us who gave of themselves. 2011 does not loom ahead, like some monster to be tamed, but as a bright invitation into ministry with our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ. There is still more we can do, not only with those in crises but as a congregation living into the hope that we just marked as Christ was born again in Bethlehem. That hope includes continuing to upgrade the building so we are more welcoming and accessible to all who worship and fellowship with us. That hope includes monthly Bible Study so we can know the Word of God better. That hope includes a spiritual renewing of the congregation s baptismal vows to be welcoming and inclusive to all who are brothers and sisters with us in Christ. A new year brings with it both a foundation upon we stand and a goal that we aim to reach. May 2011 be a year that we strengthen our foundations in the faith and reach farther than ever before in our aims to be good servants of the One who loves us eternally. Love, Pastor Craig
Carol and Carla will serve black-eyed peas, ham, collards, sweet potato biscuits and cornbread for the New Year s Day luncheon. The cost is $5 per plate. Please plan to attend. Any contributions received in the church office by 12:00 AM, December 31, 2010 will reflect in the 2010 Contribution Statement. The church office will be working on these statements in early January. Joy Club The Joy Club will meet on Wednesday, January 12 at 11:00 AM. Our speaker will be Frani Boberg, a nurse, and she will speak on her visit to Haiti after the earthquake. Please bring your sandwich. Desserts and beverage will be provided. Please check the box located in the fellowship hall to pick up any remaining Christmas cards. Chili Challenge Red Oak Christian Church will have a Chili Challenge on Sunday, January 23, 2011, after worship service and we would like for you to be there. Contact Mike Worthington for additional information.
CWF Corner "Happy New Year dear Sisters in Christ, To say that time has flown would be an understatement! I remember hearing older people talk about it when I was young and thought they were just being "old people". Now I know what they were talking about. Does that make me an old person? Oh well, that is fine. With age comes wisdom. You finally understand what is really important and can be content in your place in life. God had a plan for each of us before we were born. When we try to do what we want to do and ignore God's voice in our life, then we start to make mistakes that can change the course of our lives for the worst. Being willing to listen to that still small voice is not always easy. Sometimes where God wants us to be is hard but once you have moved on ahead and done what was asked, you realize why you had to be there. Every step in life is a building block for our final reward. We just celebrated the birth of our Savior, Jesus Christ but it was not just about his birth but his death that was inevitable and had to be to complete God's plan. Mary knew that her son would one day have to die for all our sins to be forgiven. How would you, as a parent, feel if you were told you were going to raise a child that would die someday to fulfill a plan ordained by God? Think about it. The new year is a time to go forward and not look back. Go forward and walk in love. Go forward and share your testimony of Jesus Christ. Go forward and live your life so that other people see the peace and happiness in you and want a piece of it. God cannot live in you if you are harboring feelings of ill will towards a brother or sister. Let this be the year that you have the Holy Spirit as your constant companion, helping and guiding your every step by living like the Bible tells us to live. CWF has an opportunity to make a difference in our church and hopefully, by working together we will do so. Please come and support the CWF at our first meeting of 2011 on January 31st beginning with a board meeting at 6 and the regular meeting at 6:30. Please all Night Worshipers, Helping Hands and all sisters in the church come on out and enjoy a good meal, a great program and wonderful fellowship as we go about the business of the CWF. With great love and humbleness, I am Linda S. Rich, your President The church office will be closed on Monday, January 17 in observance of the Martin Luther King holiday.
THANK YOU This year s recipient of the Harold and Velma Deitch scholarship from Barton College has sent a thank you note that reads as follows: I am grateful to have been awarded the Harold and Velma Deitch Endowed Scholarship at Barton College and am writing to say thank you for your support of Barton and my education. Your generosity helps me to earn my BS in Religion and Philosophy and in Mass Communications. This is my sophomore year at Barton. As I continue my studies at Barton, I will remember your gift and how it has made my education possible. Thank you! Sincerely, Shannon Davis PRAYER CONCERNS: Mike Yelverton, Betty Schrade, Shirley Denton, Mimi & Edgar Denton, Willard Kinsaul, Matt Gaylor, Lou Joyner, Lee & Georgia Price, Joe Ray, Charles & Frances Stocks, Sis Stocks Craig and Catherine are moving! Catherine and Sam and I are moving into Greenville from Farmville between Christmas day and New Year s Day. We have found a duplex to rent on Spring Forest Rd (near where Agnes used to live.) The address will be 538A Spring Forest Rd, Greenville, NC 27834. Our telephone numbers will remain the same as will our email addresses. Wish us luck as we are going to have to REALLY down size our possessions to fit into this new home. Also from Craig and Catherine The Kirby-Grove wishes to thank Red Oak Christian Church for all your warm wishes, gifts and cards this past Christmas season. We continue to be overwhelmed with and by your love and feel very deeply that this is the place God wants us to be. Thank you all again for such an outpouring of love to us. Craig and Catherine and Sam Kirby-Grove
Carla Smith and Carol Gordon will be serving News Year s Day lunch on Saturday, January 1 at noon. Bible Study and Bread Making on January 7 at 5:30pm. The CMF will hold its monthly breakfast on January 8 at 8:00 AM at Cracker Barrel. The Elders will meet on Sunday, January 9 at 8:30 AM. Our Installation of Officers service will be held on January 9. Board Meeting will be held after worship in January 9. Helping Hands will meet on Monday, January 10 at 10:30 AM. The Night Worshipers meeting has been scheduled for January 11 at 7:00 PM. Bible Study will be offered on Wednesday, Jan. 12 th at 10am (one hour before Joy Club) for all members and friends of Red Oak CC. The Joy Club will meet on Wednesday, January 12 at 11:00 AM in the fellowship hall. Please bring your sandwich. Beverage and dessert will be furnished. There will be a Chili Challenge in the fellowship hall on Sunday, January 23 rd after worship service. Please plan to stay and enjoy fellowship and chili. Sandy Smith, Mary Durham, Don Jackson, Paula Main and Jo Ann Jackson will provide a meal for the homeless on Wednesday, January 26 at 6:00 PM. The February newsletter deadline is January 24. The church office will closed Monday, January 17, 2011 in observance of Martin Luther King Day. Year-To-Date Stewardship Report Let these words from the scriptures guide you as you consider your financial gifts to the church in support of our programs and ministries: For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also. Matthew 6:21 The following figures are given for your information through December 19, 2010. Remember, faithful Christian stewardship is not based on the Church s need to receive, but upon our need to give as Christ commands. Total funds needed for 2010... $ 179,410.00 Received for General Fund-YTD 2010... $ 114,068.15 For you know the generous act of our Lord Jesus Christ, that though he was rich, yet for your sakes he became poor, so that by his poverty you might become rich (II Corinthians 8:9)
Serving Schedule for January, 2011 ELDERSHIP Jay Boswell, Captain Jeremy O Konek DIACONATE Tom Boyd, Brandon Smith, Kim Carter, Hildegarde Roberts COMMUNION PREPARATION 2- Tom Boyd 9- Brandon Smith 16- Kim Carter 23- Hildegarde Roberts 30- Kim Carter JUNIOR DIACONATES Ellen Williams, Tina Leggett ACOLYTES 2- Ethan Carter 9- Justin Carter 16-Jacob Corbin 23-Maury Boswell 30-Justin Carter CHILDREN S CHURCH Catherine Kirby-Grove, Donna Williams FEED THE HOMELESS Sandy Smith, Mary Durham, Don Jackson, Paula Main, & JoAnn Jackson NURSERY CAREGIVER Lillian Barnett
PREACHING TEXTS FOR JANUARY 2011 January 2 John 1:1-18 Seeing God January 9 Matthew 3:13-17, Acts 10:34-48 Baptism January 16 John 1:29-42 Come and See January 23 I Cor. 1:10-18 Mrs. Green s Board Report January 30 Laity Sunday Guest Preacher: MAYBE YOU! ---------------- I Wish I Could Go Back and Be Baptized Again. Pastor Craig will be leading, in the month of January 2011, during the Sunday School hour (9:45-10:30am) a class and reflection time for not only those in the Younger Adult class but anyone in the church interested in exploring what Baptism, Communion, Stewardship of Talents, and Spiritual Growth means now, years after the act of Baptism and Confirmation Classes. This study time will conclude, (date is not yet decided) with anyone who feels lead to baptism (again if so desired) being baptized. Come on Jan. 2 nd to Sunday school class and see if this time together is where you need to be.
~ January 2011 ~ Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat 1 New Year Day Luncheon @ Noon Bill Stocks 2 Ryan Gordon 9 8:30 AM Elders Meeting Installation of Officers Board Meeting-after service Sandie Worthington Jim/Ida Albright 16 3 H. C. Kinsaul 10 Helping Hands 10:30 AM Linda Umphlett Wendy Smith 17 Martin Luther King Jr. Day Office closed 4 Mary Stephens Stan Leggett 11 Night Worshipers 7:00 PM Ben Chamberlin Ed/Joann Cavenaugh 18 5 6 Season of Epiphany Begins 12 Bible Study 10:00 AM Joy Club 11:00 AM 19 Sharon O Konek 13 Lindsay Gordon 20 7 5:30 PM Bread Baking and Bible Study David/Becky Wainright 14 8 CMF Breakfast 8:00 AM Bobby Hazelton Janettlista Duprey Hannah Smith Elaine Denton Mary Catherine Jackson Joe Davis 21 22 15 Hazel Erwin 23 Week of Laity Begins Chili Challenge-after service 24 Newsletter Deadline Breanna Toler 25 Laura Eaves 26 Feed the Homeless 6:00 PM Curtis Gordon Trevor Goltermann 27 28 29 Week of Laity Ends 30 31 Bradley Denton Brandon Smith Notes: Ron Lappert Ed Cavenaugh More Calendars: 2011 Calendar, 2012 Calendar, Calendar Template