The Church Is Moving Out - by Pastor Marcus Tanner

It is great to experience the outward flow of ministry to our community.   I'm convinced it is the very purpose of the Church.  Missions is within our reach, but outside of ourselves.  When our focus is only within, stagnation sets in.  When we push into the harvest fields and plant new seeds, there is this rush of usefulness that rises within us.  There is nothing quite like the fragrance of newly plowed ground that's ready for new growth.  

Thanksgiving Dinner - what an opportunity to get involved in a group of people ministering God's love.  People from different churches, different skills, different likes and dislikes coming together to make a body of believers.  It is corporate worship at the Biblical level - the worship of obedience - the worship of service.

Five Loaves meals - creating fellowship with people that God loves with all His heart.  A joy is watching this group enjoy making it happen.  God knew if we stepped out in obedience to "go ye" the reality of His provisions would just be overwhelming.  We did and He did.  Families are coming from the community.  We get to pour into them what God has poured into us - unconditional Love.

Annual Lunch for school board members, faculty and staff - over a hundred come each year.  An opportunity for the churches to keep the connection with people who have a powerful influence in the children of our community.  Our church furnished the facility and the other churches staff the kitchen to prepare and serve the meal.  

School Prayer Walk - each year individuals from the churches in the area come together and walk through the schools with prayer in each classroom and with many

of the teachers and staff.  This past fall the elementary principle asked the pastors to have a special time of prayer with the teachers together in a group.Firefighters, Police Officers, and Township Staff - an appreciation banquet was provided by the local churches at the Lutheran Church.  A great meal, words of thanks were shared, and prayer over their work was offered.

As You Are Going - so many of our church are reaching to the hurting and the lost with spirit led prayer and healing.  God's Love is really flowing into the streets, the work

place, the shopping centers, the sports events, the neighborhoods.  

Worship experience in the sanctuary isn't real worship until it flows through our lives into the community.  Knowledge of God's Word has little value if your study or classroom is the only place it is shared.Yes, Claysburg Church of God is moving out.

THANKSGIVING MEAL - For several years we have served, with the help of many in our community, many people a Thanksgiving Meal. This is a highlight of the year for our church. Barry W. is a great help with this.

FIVE LOAVES MEALS - Every Saturday we offer a free lunch to the people of our community. This is a no strings attached deal. We are able to pray with them if they would like and serve them that day.

SERVE OTHERS - One of the thoughts of Jesus was that we would serve Him by serving the people that He loved so much. We don’t serve because we have to, but because we get to. It’s a priveledge.

CHURCH NEWSDECEMBER 2013 ISSUE NO. 3

CLAYSBURG CHURCH OF GOD / VOLUME 1

Cultivating Thankful Hearts In Children

IMPORTANT DATES

8th (AM) - Adult Christmas Program

8th (PM) - Christmas Around the World Christmas Tables

10th - Staff Christmas Party

12th - Worship Team Christmas Party

15th (PM) Children’s Christmas Program (6 PM)

16th - Children’s Christmas Caroling

24th - Christmas Eve Candle Light Service (5-6 PM)

25th - NO SERVICE - Merry Christmas

31st - New Years Eve Party

JANUARY

1st - NO SERVICE

4th - Mens Breakfast

10th - Childrens Night @ Slinky’s

As we reflect upon Thanksgiving, we remember it is a time to truly give thanks. Because of the media and the malls, our children may be already anticipating Christmas and what they are going to get.

If someone allowed me to create the “perfect” calendar, I would provide more time to savor the traditions of Thanksgiving. It is the quiet, reflective holiday tucked in between two very hectic ones. After the fun, yet often crazy time of the Fall Festivals and trick or treating, we turn our calendar to find beautiful November. Just as we are relaxing into the smells, anticipating family time together, enjoying the richness of the colors, reflecting upon its many messages…the malls and the media begin to cry out with Christmas. Now don’t get me wrong…I love Christmas. But more on that for the December article on “The Legacy of Traditions.. But in November, we need to keep our focus on Thanksgiving…that glorious time of year to reflect upon our many blessings.

May I invite you to take a moment and walk with me into Thanksgiving. For one thing, it’s a holiday that has no controversy. Halloween brings its dark side and at Christmas we probably can agree we have too much commercialism. Thanksgiving is a time to give thanks. Thanksgiving provides a perfect opportunity to teach our children about the rich heritage of our country. The lessons are innumerable! As an educator and school administrator for 42 years, I never tire of teaching students of all ages about our country’s early years.

So, if I planned the calendar, I would put at least six weeks between October 31 and when the ascent to the Christmas events begins. We don’t want this special time of Thanksgiving to be eclipsed. Here’s just a few of many activities you can do with your children.

Thanksgiving affords opportunities to cultivate Christ-like character in our children because the focus is not upon them, it is on God and others. Thanksgiving is a time to train their tender hearts as you…

♥ Focus on the rich heritage of our country.You may want to take time to read books and cultivate a love for history (HIS story) in your children. Act out stories together.

 ♥ Focus on being thankful for our many blessings.

Make a BLESSING BOX for your home. At dinner or bedtime, have each person share 3 things they are thankful for. As the month continues, it allows us to s-t-r- e -t-c-h to see beyond the obvious and see how profoundly we are blessed. For young children you could say, “You are on a mission today to find things, people and events that show ways God is blessing you!” On note cards, write short 1-3 words reminders of their answers to put in your BLESSING BOX with the family member’s name. Cultivating this attitude of gratitude can become a habit, not only for Thanksgiving, but for a life-time.

♥ Focus on giving to others.

A thankful heart overflows and wants to give to others. Thanksgiving time provides many opportunities to serve and give to others. Participate as a family. As we know, more is caught than taught. They “got” candy in October and will “get” gifts in December. Thanksgiving is tucked in between and is the time to give.

♥ Cultivate Christ-like character traits such as contentment.

Before the holiday “gimmies” descend and children begin to focus on what they want train their hearts to be content with what they already have.

Select a scripture(s) that captures the message of Thanksgiving. Talk about the words, their message and how you can live them out each day with your family.

“…give thanks in all circumstances for this is God’s will for you in Christ Jesus.”

(1 Thessalonians 5:18)

“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.”

(Colossians 4:2)

by Jodi Capehart

Winning The Battle Of The

Mindby Pastor Darla Burkett

Children’s Pastor• • •

Many feel a sense of hopelessness and defeat. The enemy bombards Gods people with thoughts of past failures, incompleteness, rejections and heartache. You will be influenced, dominated, and ruled by whomever you yield yourself to—God or Satan (Rom. 6:16). We MUST RENEW the mind daily! The Word of God tells us, "And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God. Romans 12:2. If the enemy can continue to get us to focus on his lies, he has his foot right where he wants it. Like it or not, there’s a spiritual battle raging right now for your heart and mind.

What you think in your heart is the way that you’ll be (Prov. 23:7). Your thoughts become what you say and do, with your actions being the greatest expression of your authority. We have to get our thoughts to line-up with "God's thoughts"; we must have our mind lined up with "Gods mind." The most powerful thing we have is the Bible, and when you take that Word and line our thinking up with that Word, We are going to see change!

(Quotes from Joyce Meyers book- Battlefield of the Mind!) “Our past may explain why we're suffering but we must not use it as an excuse to stay in bondage.”

“You cannot have a positive life and a negative mind.”

“Patience is not the ability to wait but the ability to keep a good attitude while waiting.”

“Trust and faith bring joy to life and help relationships grow to their maximum potential.”

“Don't reason in the mind just obey in the spirit.”

"Suspicion comes out of the un-renewed mind; discernment comes out of the renewed spirit.”

GRANDMA’S CORNER - BY MOMMA “T” (AKA - SISTER TANNER)

“Here is a conversation between Hope Tanner Pegram (Momma) and Jack (aka Buddy who is 6 yrs. old) Momma says is the ‘best conversation’ ever.”

Jack - I love you momma.

Momma - I love you too Buddy. What does that mean, when you love someone?Jack - It means you care about them and do good stuff for them.

Momma - How does it make you feel?

Jack - GoodMomma - Where does it make you feel good?

Jack - In your heart and your heart gets bigger and bigger......

CLAYSBURG CHURCH OF GODP.O. Box 411

Claysburg, PA 16625

Member Spotlightby Pastor Kevin Wells

• • •This month we are spotlighting a couple that has only been attending together here at Claysburg Church of God for about two years. Enjoy getting to know them.

Please meet Michael and Tammy Carson. Recently through Facebook I asked Michael and Tammy some questions about themselves and their family. Here is what we came up with.

1. When and where did you two

meet? We met when we were both in college. I was a student at Conemaugh Hospital and taking care of Mike’s grandfather. Mikes grandparents thought I should date Mike and we have been together ever since.

2. How long have you been married? We have been married 12 years.

3. What are the names and ages of

your children? We have three children. Riley Thomas Carson is 13. Kalei Marie Carson is 10. Kloe Marie Carson is 4.

4. Where is your dream vacation spot? We would love someday to vacation in Paris, France.

5. How long have you been attending CCOG? 2 years

6. What areas of the church are you

involved in? Tammy helps Darla with the children and Mary with the plays.

7. What do you like about CCOG? We love all the people, the pastors, the KIDS programs. Also we love the wonderful fellowship and the love we feel from everyone at church.

8. Has Michael always been bald? No He used to have beautiful blonde hair.

9. What is your favorite worship

song? That would be “Healing Is Here” by Deluge

10. Were you and Michael born

here in the area? Michael and I both were born in Altoona, PA. Tammy is from Portage, PA and Mike is from Imler.

11. Do you have any hobbies? Mike likes to hunt and play church softball. Tammy likes to shop, spend time with the kids and help with the church any way she can.

12. What is your favorite food? Tammy likes Chinese (General Tso’s Chicken) Mike likes everything.

13. Do you like winter? NO! I do not like winter. I would love to move somewhere tropical, so my favorite season is summer. Mike doesn’t want to move, but his is also summer.

14. Is there anything else that you

can tell us about yourselves? Nothing special about us, just that we are trying to commit our lives to Jesus and raising our children the right way.

THE MICHAEL CARSON FAMILY PICTURES

Check out the family pics.

What a crew!

Christ In The Middle Of The Chaos - by Pastor Kevin Wells

BLACK FRIDAY STATS

Average consumer spending on Black Friday by year.2010 - $365 per person2011 - $398 per person2012 - $423 per person

Total number of consumers that shopped on Black Friday:307,000,000

Black Friday total spending stats:2011 - $52,400,000,0002012 - $59,100,000,000

Average consumer internet spending on Black Friday:$194

Store ranking for Black Friday business:1. Best Buy2. Kohl’s3. Radio Shack4. Macy’s5. JC Penny

As we enter the month of December things begin to take on a whole new perspective. Time becomes a premium and in a time that we should have time for others, we have no time for anyone or really anything. There is shopping to be done, presents to be wrapped, sales to be found, cookies to be cooked, family to be seen, etc, etc, and etc. Does that sound like anyone you know? If you are like most, that is our life in a real way at this time of year. Many try to say we should get rid of all this Christmas hussle and bustle and go back to the “reason for the season.” I think if I hear that one more time, I will personally go CRAZY! Just because people go crazy and lines are long and schedules are busy does not mean that we have to throw it away. That is something like the popular saying of “throwing the baby out with the bathwater.”I see it this way.....Christ was born at a crazy time in history. Things were busy.....life was taking place. In fact, the Holiday Inn they first pulled up to had no more room in the Inn. They were turned away and offered a stable out back! Yes I know it was not a Holiday Inn, it was the 1st Grand Hotel of Bethlehem, but the fact remains it was a busy time. The city was alive with “life” taking place. In some unique way that

only God could do, God carved out a place in history for the Son of God, Jesus, Immanuel to be born. Right in the middle of the “chaos.” I have good news for you today. Right where you are....right in the middle of doing life and right in the middle of your “chaos,” Christ wants to be born in your situation. He wants you to allow Him to become big and grow large in your life. So don’t through away the hustle and bustle, just allow Him to be born, to come alive, right in the middle of all the chaos. It is not about all the “presents” but it is all about the “gift” of Jesus Christ and him becoming Lord of it all.

Christmas Tree Info

The use of evergreen trees to celebrate the winter season occurred before the birth of Christ.The first decorated Christmas trees appeared in Germany in 1531The first printed reference to Christmas trees in nearby forest.In 1900, large stores started to erect big illuminated Christmas trees.Every year people are injured by eating Christmas decorations that they believe to be chocolate.

FUN FACTSEach year 3 billion

Christmas cards are sent in the US.

According to the Guinness world records, the tallest Christmas tree ever cut

was a 221 foot Douglas fir.

Christmas trees have been sold in the U.S. since 1850.

It is estimated that the single "White Christmas" by

Irving Berlin is the best selling single of all time,

with over 100 million sales worldwide.

Christmas wasn't declared an official holiday in the United States until June

26, 1870.

Approximately 30-35 million real (living)

Christmas trees are sold each year in the U.S.