April 2016 April 2016 April 2016 April 2016 OUR PURPOSE OUR PURPOSE OUR PURPOSE OUR PURPOSE Connecting People to Christ, to One Another, and to Service. Brian Gilroy Brian Gilroy Brian Gilroy Brian Gilroy Lead Minister Bryan Graves Bryan Graves Bryan Graves Bryan Graves Family Life Minister Sunday Services: Sunday Services: Sunday Services: Sunday Services: Sunday School—9:00 AM Worship—10:00 AM Phone: (812)372-1766 Fax: (812)372-2602 E-mail: [email protected]Website: www.gardencitychurch.com The LinkLetter Published Monthly by Garden City Church of Christ 3245 Jonesville Rd. Columbus, IN 47201-7932 Volume XV, Issue 4 TABLE OF CONTENTS Missions...pg. 2, Family/Student News...pg. 4 & 5, Church News…pg. 6 , Calendar…pg. 7 Yancy in Concert @ GCCC - April 24 Yancy is an artist, writer, and worship leader who has shared the stage with the music industry’s brightest stars. As a songwriter her songs have been recorded by many artists including the #1 hit song “I Don’t Want to Go,” featured on Avalon’s Grammy-nominated album Oxygen. As a worship leader, Yancy has the distinctive skill to lead all ages in worship. Her ministry focuses on music for families, spanning from preschoolers to adults. Join her in concert at GCCC on Sunday, April 24 at 4:00PM. The concert is free, but you must have a ticket to attend. Tickets are available at the Welcome Center, the office, or The Ark Book & Gift. If rock is your style and worship is your heart, then this music will bring a smile to your face! Invite your friends and neighbors! Contact Bryan Graves with questions. FRIDAY, May 6 at 6:00PM Join us for an evening brunch (pitch-in) in the Fellowship Hall with the special women in your life. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers, sisters, aunts, nieces, and any other women who need some fun fellowship are invited. Following the meal will be an encouraging speaking session by Tracy Weaver. She will creatively show us how unique and amazing we are. Sign up at the Welcome Center today! Sponsored by the Women’s Ministry Team. Amazing Woman COME CELEBRATE the YOU ARE April Kingdom Worker Opportunities Be the hands and feet of Jesus on Saturday, April 23 by participating in one of the following ways: • Write notes of encouragement for the teachers and staff of Southside Elementary School that will be included with bags of treats that will be assembled and distributed to them. • Work in the Southside Elementary front flower beds to help spruce up the school. See sign-up sheets and more details about these events at the Welcome Center.
Transcript
April 2016April 2016April 2016April 2016
OUR PURPOSEOUR PURPOSEOUR PURPOSEOUR PURPOSE
Connecting People to Christ,
to One Another,
and to Service.
Brian GilroyBrian GilroyBrian GilroyBrian Gilroy Lead Minister
Bryan GravesBryan GravesBryan GravesBryan Graves Family Life Minister
Sunday Services:Sunday Services:Sunday Services:Sunday Services: Sunday School—9:00 AM
TABLE OF CONTENTS Missions...pg. 2, Family/Student News...pg. 4 & 5, Church News…pg. 6 , Calendar…pg. 7
Yancy in Concert @ GCCC - April 24 Yancy is an artist, writer, and worship leader who has shared the stage with the music industry’s brightest stars. As a songwriter her songs have been recorded by many artists including the #1 hit song “I Don’t Want to Go,” featured on Avalon’s Grammy-nominated album Oxygen. As a worship leader, Yancy has the distinctive skill to lead all ages in worship. Her ministry focuses on music for families, spanning from preschoolers to adults. Join her in concert at GCCC on Sunday, April 24 at
4:00PM. The concert is free, but you must have a ticket to attend. Tickets are available at the Welcome Center, the office, or The Ark Book & Gift. If rock is your style and worship is your heart, then this music will bring a smile to your face! Invite your friends and neighbors! Contact Bryan Graves with questions.
FRIDAY, May 6 at 6:00PM Join us for an evening brunch (pitch-in) in the Fellowship Hall with the special women in your life. Mothers, daughters, grandmothers,
sisters, aunts, nieces, and any other women who need some fun fellowship are invited. Following the meal will be an encouraging speaking session by Tracy Weaver. She will creatively show us how unique and amazing we are. Sign up at the Welcome Center today! Sponsored by the Women’s Ministry Team.
Amazing Woman
COME CELEBRATE the
YOU ARE
April Kingdom Worker Opportunities Be the hands and feet of Jesus on Saturday, April 23
by participating in one of the following ways:
• Write notes of encouragement for the teachers and staff of Southside Elementary School that will be included with bags of treats that will be assembled and
distributed to them.
• Work in the Southside Elementary front flower beds to help spruce up the school.
See sign-up sheets and more details about these events at the Welcome Center.
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Ron & Pat Morse North Burma Christian Mission Chiang Mai, Thailand
F.A.M.E. Worldwide Medical,
Indiana
Enoch & Lydia Nyador Ghana Christian Mission Ghana, West Africa
Dr. Zindoga Bungu Mashoko Christian Hospital
Zimbabwe, Africa
Jair & Norma Castillo Vida Nueva Ministries,
Mexico
Gianni & Stephany Bruno
Italy for Christ
Jill Shaw The Ark Christian Ministries Auckland, New Zealand
Tobin & Amy Hill Santo Domingo,
Dominican Republic
TCM (Training Christians for Ministry)
Eastern Europe
Jorge & Diana Lugo Caracas, Venezuela
ICOM (International Conference
on Missions)
Missionary Prayer Requests for April 2016
Dr. Zindoga Bungu - Mashoko Christian Hospital
♦ Pray for our furlough in mid-June to the U.S.; pray for Dinah’s health on such a
long flight.
♦ Praise for 8 conversions in January and a little rain. Continue to pray for more as
Zimbabwe is still in a severe drought.
Enoch Nyador – Ghana Christian Mission
♦ Pray for financial assistance for continental African Missions Consultation in
Addis Ababa, Ethiopia in March
♦ Pray for MANI – The Movement for African National Initiatives – focused on catalyzing and mobilizing the resources of the body of Christ in Africa in
fulfilment of the Great Commission
Jorge & Diana Lugo – Team Expansion, Venezuela
♦ There is a shortage of food and medicine.
♦ We need reliable transportation.
♦ Praying for the planting of more churches and unity.
♦ Pray for rain.
♦ Pray for wisdom of the government to fight the Zika virus.
♦ Pray for the safety of church members.
Ron, Pat and Justin Morse – North Burma Christian Mission
STUDENTS – A new school term also started at our Bethany Bible Training Center with a total of 30 Lisu students this term, which is the most we’ve had in a few years now. This is encouraging and also an answer to prayer. Good people are
enrolled. More on this next month!
YOUTH HOMES – Good things happening at all of the homes as the school year
begins to wind down in March. VBS is planned at a number of locations.
KAWLIN FLOOD REGION – Efforts to reach out and build relationships continue each day – no immediate news on decisions, but this is not surprising – reaching this group of people is a slower process. Pray for the 4 workers, that they will have wisdom of the Lord for the right words to convey His truth and that the Holy Spirit will convict to bring an awakening on all those ready and willing to follow Him. Pray for boldness on the part of potential new followers, that they
will not be in fear of others around them.
FLANNEL GRAPH MATERIALS UPDATE - We continue to prepare flannel graph material to send later this month. Many of you helped purchase these sets. Solar lights and reading glasses have also been shared with many over the New Year’s season and blessed many. Scripture revision and checking work will
General Fund $ 38,521.05 Youth Fund $ 835.02 Playground Fund $ 328.00 Total Offerings $ 39,684.07
General Fund Only Received $ 39,684.07 Expenses $ 29,691.65
*Expenses are for general operating only. For more information, contact the bookkeeper.
Online giving is available at www.gardencitychurch.com!
Discover Garden City– April 17 Discover GCCC is an introduction to the church and serves to acquaint new attendees/members with our beliefs, purpose, and personality. This special event will take place on Sunday, April 17 from 6-8PM in the Fellowship Hall. Dinner will be served. Contact the office to indicate your interest in attending and indicate need for childcare.
Congregational Prayer Hour April 21—6:00PM
Why pray? Here are a few great reasons! Prayer connects us to the God who is in control of the universe. Prayer helps us with the struggles and pains of life. Prayer reflects our hope in the God
that hears and answers prayers. Join us for powerful prayer on Thursday, April 21, from 6:00-7:00PM!
Ladies’ Hobby NightLadies’ Hobby NightLadies’ Hobby NightLadies’ Hobby Night Friday, April 8, Friday, April 8, Friday, April 8, Friday, April 8, from 6from 6from 6from 6----10PM10PM10PM10PM
After a month off, our Ladies’ Hobby Night resumes! We hope you will plan to join us for our next scheduled event on Friday, April 8, from 6-10:00PM! Be sure to bring anything you would like to work on, including, but not limited to, knitting, quilting, scrapbooking, jewelry making, nail painting, etc. Enjoy a time of fellowship, crafting, and fun with other women in the Fellowship Hall. Bring a snack to share! Questions? Contact Christine Wright at 812-342-4264.
Ladies! Please plan to participate in this weekend meant to refresh, inspire, and encourage you in your walk with Christ. Registration brochures are available at the Welcome Center. Complete forms are due to Sandy Martin by April 10. You may also register online at www.hilltopchristiancamp.com. Also, we will collect bags of chocolate chips for the camp over the next few weeks. Please put donations in the collection box at the south doors.
Theme: “Encouraging Women”
Speaker: Love Lockman, Seymour CC
Listen for us on the radio! GCCC is going to be hitting the air waves through the Bridge (90.3 FM) and Korn Country (100.3 FM) starting this month. We are hoping to connect with people who do not have a church home or are spiritual seekers. Special note: Bryan Graves will be a guest on The Bridge on April 4 from 11:00AM
to 1:00PM. Be sure to tune in!
W hether your marriage is thriving or barely surviving, NOW is
the time to register for Family Life’s Weekend to remember. Your marriage CAN last a lifetime! Tune it up to go the distance. In conjunction with our April sermon series on marriage, GCCC is organizing a group for this event in Indianapolis, April 29 - May 1. Use group code GCCCMurdock for a $100 discount per couple! Contact the office for more info.
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FAMILY MATTERS… Train up a child in the way he should
go; even when he is old he will not depart from it. Proverbs 22:6 Connecting Children and Families to Christ,
to One Another, and to Service
Main Idea: April Fool’s
Warm-Up: No one wants to be fooled, but sometimes it is fun to play a trick on April 1. My family likes to
see if we can trick each other on April Fool’s Day. We have put Jell-O in cups to make them look like apple juice or make healthy lollipops by replacing the lollipop with broccoli. Yummy!
Activity: A Brown-E Dessert Cut some E's out of brown construction paper and place them in a baking dish. Then, when the kids are ready for dessert, tell them you made something extra special. Of course, you should keep a pan of the real treats nearby so they don't get too upset. Read aloud Colossians 2:8 Be careful that no one takes you captive through philosophy and empty deceit based on human tradition, based on the elemental forces of the world, and not based on Christ.
Ask: Have you ever been tricked by someone on April Fools Day? Are there things that you believed that later you found out it were not true? Jesus does not want us to be tricked by the things of this world, so we have to read God’s Word to know what is truth.
Say: It’s fun to play tricks on each other on April Fool’s, but we need to make sure that it is harmless and fun for everyone. The Bible talks a lot about being wise and not being a fool. Read these Proverbs for more great insight into wisdom and foolishness: Proverbs 1:7, Proverbs 10:14, and Proverbs 12:15.
Family Adventure NightsFamily Adventure NightsFamily Adventure NightsFamily Adventure Nights
June 13– 16 Monday-Thursday 6:00PM-7:30PM
at Donner Park Shelter House Join Us!
Garden City Church of Christ is joining forces with New Hope Christian Church, St Peter’s Lutheran Church, and First Christian Church in reaching the community for Jesus. The location for Family Adventure Nights, our newly redesigned, outreach focused VBS, is the Donner Park shelter house. Starting this month, you can register your child to participate in this community event at the Youth News Table.
Also, at the Youth News Table you will find adult worker applications. We will need many adult helpers to provide this fun week of learning!
Let’s reach out to our community and be a part of the Body of Christ in Columbus!
Wednesday Night Youth Group!
Who: Pre-K thru 5th Grade Students (and families) What: Mid-Week Youth Group When: Wednesday nights — 5:30-7:30PM
Where: Garden City Church of Chr ist Cost: $2 per child for supper ; no more than $6 per family! Each night we serve a light supper for children, youth, and parents!
Join us every Wednesday night in April!
Sign-up TODAY for
This year Garden City Church of Christ wants you to go to camp at Hilltop! All GCCC students are eligible for a scholarship to cover half the cost of their week of camp. Some full scholarships are available based on need.
NEW THIS YEAR! If you invite a friend as a first time camper, GCCC will pay their full camp tuition!
All campers must be registered by May 15, the Early Bird Registration deadline, to be eligible for these scholarships. Please contact the church office if you have questions about our scholarship policy.
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Jr. High Ministry 6Jr. High Ministry 6Jr. High Ministry 6Jr. High Ministry 6thththth----8888thththth
GradeGradeGradeGrade (Just for YOU!)
Wednesday Nights! Who: All 6th-8th Grade Students What: Youth Group When: Wednesday Nights 6:15-7:30PM –*Includes supper; $2 per student Where: GCCC
Re-Fuel—High School Students Wednesday Night Gatherings
Re-Ignite your Faith. Re-Connect with friends. Re-FUEL!
Focus: Circle Maker 6:15 – 7:30PM
Bring your Friends!
Dates:
Join us every Wednesday night in April!!
Sr. High Ministry
Wednesday, June 1, 2016
School is OUT!
Cost: $16 covers wristband for 2 hours (includes unlimited go-kart time, 1 mini bowling game, and arcade tokens).
Please bring money for supper @ McDonald’s and for additional tokens or a snack while at Rascal’s. Leave GCCC at 4:30PM & return at 10:00PM. Registration envelopes required.
Where Oxygen and FUEL Collide!Where Oxygen and FUEL Collide!Where Oxygen and FUEL Collide!Where Oxygen and FUEL Collide!
Wall O’ Money Challenge!
We are not bringing back
the Purple Potty! (Praise the
Lord!) To help us raise funds
for our senior high students
to attend CIY MOVE, an
exciting, week-long summer conference in
Cleveland, TN, we are having a fundraiser called
“Wall O’ Money.” A board filled with empty
envelopes will be located in the foyer between
April 10 and May 1. Each envelope will have a
designated donation amount from $1 to $200 listed
on it. We are asking church members to pray about
how much they would be able to give. Then, just
take an envelope and donate at or above the amount
marked on the envelope and return it to the office or
Brent & Sarah Strong 735 W 6th Street Seymour IN 47274
⇒ Thank you for joining us in ministering and providing for women and men and their families during a time when it’s needed most. Your congregation contributed $2,068.94 to our ministry through the baby bottle
campaign at GCCC. Thank you for supporting these vital services. — Pregnancy Care Center
⇒ Your kind and thoughtful expression of sympathy is deeply appreciated and acknowledged. Thank you for the flowers. David liked attending your church.
— The Family of David McNeely
GOLDEN HARVESTERS’ Our seniors’ group has two planned events in April. They will meet on Wednesday, April 6, at 9:30AM in the Fellowship Hall for a brief meeting, then travel by vans to Olive Garden in Greenwood for lunch. The second event is Senior Saints Day at First Christian Church, Scottsburg on April 21. Cost: $10 & includes a
continental breakfast and lunch. Meet at GCCC at 7:45AM. Vans will depart for Scottsburg at 8:00AM for a day of festivities and return around 4:00PM. Contact George or Regina Pastrick with questions or for more information at 812-372-5559.
Our Deepest SympathyOur Deepest SympathyOur Deepest SympathyOur Deepest Sympathy to the Families of…to the Families of…to the Families of…to the Families of…
⇒ Norma Hawk, sister of Joan Mabe
⇒ David McNeely, member
Attention seniors age 50 and up: Come with us to Johnson University near Knoxville, TN from June 6-10 for Senior Saints in the Smokies event. Get ready for your vacation retreat where FUN and FELLOWSHIP meet INSPIRATION and RENEWAL. Cost: $250 (includes food, lodging, and entertainment) + $75 for charter bus. Payment needed by April 10. Sign up at the Welcome Center. Contact Jim Apple for details (812-350-1647).
Senior Saints in the SmokiesSenior Saints in the SmokiesSenior Saints in the SmokiesSenior Saints in the Smokies June 6June 6June 6June 6----10101010
♦ Saturday, April 23 @ 7:00AM: Men’s Breakfast @ GCCC
For men of all ages! Join us in the Fellowship Hall for breakfast and “Stepping Up: The Power to Step Up.” In session 4 of this 10-session study, we will discuss how becoming the kind of men God wants us to be often requires us to deal with our past failures and regrets in order to move forward. We’ll look at the powerful testimony of Ricky and the decision that changed his life forever! Note: This month’s
theme on regret may not be suitable for young men. I
would suggest that youth be high school age or
older. Contact Brian Gilroy for more information. Please sign-up at the Welcome Center or contact the office. ♦ Tuesday, April 26 @ 6:30PM: Area Men’s Fellowship at GCCC with inspirational speaker, G.L. Woods! We will serve hamburgers and hotdogs with coleslaw, potato salad, baked beans, and desserts. Help is needed with set-up, cooking, clean-up, and food donations. Please contact the office to help.
Men’s Ministry Happenings in April
Garden City Celebrates Garden City Celebrates Garden City Celebrates Garden City Celebrates
the Arrival of:the Arrival of:the Arrival of:the Arrival of:
♥ Clara Elizabeth Riche
Daughter of Steve & Kim Riche
Granddaughter of
Bill & Phyllis Riche
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Sun Mon Tue Wed Thu Fri Sat
1 9:30AM Prayer Team Meeting
2 Chrysalis
3 Chrysalis
11:15AM Lunch fellowship pitch-in
1:30PM Teacher’s
Training
4:30PM Choir
4 4:00PM Chrysalis closing @ GCCC
6:30PM Elders’ Meeting
5 6 9:30AM Golden Harvesters to Olive Garden, Greenwood
PAID COLUMBUS, IN PERMIT NO. 7 3245 Jonesville Rd.
Columbus, IN 47201-7932
Do you believe all marriages are made in heaven? Occasionally, I will hear that question asked or assumed when young people think about marriage. As one pastor quipped, “Sure, marriages are made in heaven...but so are thunder and lightning!” Anyone that’s been married any length of time will probably be able to relate to that statement! However, marriage is a beautiful gift from God to be enjoyed, appreciated, honored, and valued. In today’s culture of minimizing the God-ordained institution of marriage and constantly attempting to redefine what marriage means, we need to reorient ourselves to God’s picture of marriage. The best description of marriage, often repeated in the New Testament, is the words found in Genesis 2:21-24. Here are some valuable lessons on marriage we can learn
from that passage: first, all people, male and female, are valued and precious in God’s sight and should be in ours...regardless of what we think or feel about certain people. Second, we are created equally, but differently in that we’re male and female. There is beauty in that! That is why we are meant for each other, to help and complete one another (cue Jerry Maguire “You complete me!”). Third, we were designed for relationships, especially the unique relationship we have between men and women in marriage. Fourth, the Genesis account of marriage “paints a picture of sexual celebration, and the pleasure and fun of sexual love” within the loving relationship of marriage between man and woman. (Adam said: “This at last….” Now cue the song At Last by Etta James!) Finally, marriage is a covenant between a man and a woman (“Therefore a man leaves his father and his mother and cleaves to his wife, and they become one flesh.” Genesis 2:24). What is a marriage covenant? It begins with a promise of love, commitment, and honor. It continues with faithfulness (“cleaving”) within one relationship. And it is completed with unity or oneness. This is an important message I learned from Family Life’s “Weekend to Remember.” All marriages are either moving toward isolation or oneness. We need to move toward oneness in our marriages because our marriages reflect the unity that exists with God and even the church (Eph. 5:22-33).
I invite you to join us this month for a sermon series titled “Love & Marriage.” We’ll cover topics like dating, finding the right person, and what the key ingredient is to making marriage work. We’ll end the series with a special message on God’s kind of love in our marriages. Let’s make our marriages stronger...from beginning to end...for the glory of God! See you Sunday! — Brian
